Akuto got off the whale-like long distance bullet train onto the white platform. A mana screen materialized in front of him via specialized train magic, which he used to confirm the time schedule before making his way through the station, dragging his suitcase beside him. The station was packed with people of a wide variety of races and social stations. There were stands selling the capital’s famous green onion-shaped sweets, bookstores, and more lined up inside of the station. One could even compare it to the hustle and bustle of a market. Despite the crowds, it seemed that there were no disturbances to speak of — in the middle of the concourse, a blue-uniformed security magician was swaying the shock baton on his waist back and forth, looking bored.
—The capital is incredible... Even with so many people going about their business like this, it isn’t chaotic at all. Are they accustomed to each other’s movements? No, each person is headed towards their own destination, towards things they want to see or buy, so that can’t be it. I see, maybe the architects of this station knew exactly what people want to do and see. So they designed the station with these desires in mind, so the crowds would flow properly through the station. The magic of high-ranking state magicians truly is impressive.
Giving it far too much serious thought, Akuto followed the mana screen floating in the air and headed towards the station for the non-stop air bus to Constant Magical Academy. The bus stop was built on the highest floor of the towering Central Capital Station, and faced up into the sky. There was a long staircase that led there. Quickly after he started to climb the stairs, Akuto saw an old woman who seemed to be struggling in the middle of the staircase.
The old woman was wearing a kimono and had a large, heavy-looking bag.
—That kimono means she must have been baptized by the god Suhara.
Akuto quickly rushed up the stairs and called out to the old woman from behind.
“Do you need a hand with your bag?”
The old woman glanced back with a surprised expression before replying, “I suppose if it’s not too much trouble...”
There was a reason for the old woman’s surprised reaction, just as there was a reason for Akuto speculating about her faith. In this society, it’s a given that every person is faithful to a god. So the way the followers of Suhara displayed their faith in such a conspicuous manner indicated a stubborn, proud devotion to their god’s doctrine. As such, they were known to be extremely difficult to interact with. These followers oversaw national defense, so you could describe them as either proud or arrogant depending on your perspective.
“My family serves the government. That’s why I don’t often receive any help in town,” the old woman said, and looked at Akuto like he was a rare creature.
“I think it’s only natural to help someone with something heavy. By the way, you said ‘serves the government?’” Akuto asked about the unfamiliar words.
“It means that we are public servants, who are devoted to Suhara. I suppose you could say that we are knights, and hold titles.” The old woman replied calmly.
“Is that so...”
“By the way, are you a student at the Magic Academy?”
“Yes.” Akuto nodded and the old woman smiled, like she was embarrassed.
“That bag is my grandchild’s. She’s a student at the Academy, too. She returned home over the break, but ended up forgetting all of her things when she left.”
“She forgot everything?”
“Strange, isn’t it? She must have thought she was heading off to school as usual and left with nothing but the clothes on her back.”
Akuto and the old woman laughed, and a figure appeared at the top of the stairs as if drawn by their voices.
“Grandmother! I thought that was your voice!”
The voice came from a young girl the same age as Akuto. With a surprised look on her face, she looked back and forth between Akuto and the old woman. She wore a Constant Magical Academy uniform.
“You forgot this.” The old woman grinned.
“Huh? Forgot? No way... What the—?!”
The girl’s eyes grew even wider in surprise and she covered her mouth with her hands. She had shiny hair and almond eyes, and a beautiful face that was slightly intimidating. Nonetheless, her current expression clearly showed what was going through her mind.
—She hasn’t had her bags this entire time, and still goes “No way?”
Akuto was surprised. Despite the impression of being a beautiful, cool-headed girl, it seemed that she was somewhat of an airhead.
Then as she looked at Akuto, the girl’s face suddenly grew red and she cleared her throat.
“Grandmother, who is this?”
“Ah yes. This boy carried your heavy bag for me. Kids like this are rare nowadays. It seems that he goes to the same school as you, so look out for him, okay? Although, more than likely you’re the one that will need looking after.” The old woman giggled like a child.
“D-Don’t be stupid, Grandmother!” The girl automatically shot back at her grandmother like a child being teased, but after realizing that Akuto was watching her, immediately stiffened and she cleared her throat.
“Ahem... I haven’t... I haven’t seen you at school yet, which means you’re a transfer student. Nice to meet you, I’m the representative of Class A, Junko Hattori. For taking care of my grandmother, please allow me to thank you.”
Junko gave off an air of a samurai as she bowed. Unlike before, her behavior gave off the cool and level-headed impression that her appearance would suggest.
“It’s not something you need to thank me for.” Akuto was quick to say.
“Here she goes again, always trying to show off. Well then, I’ll be heading back.” The old woman bowed to Akuto and headed down the stairs.
Junko and Akuto were left at the air bus stop.
A few awkward moments passed, until Junko decided to break the ice.
“...It’s rare to have a transfer student start from high school.”
“I heard there are a few other people who are coming in at the same time. Normally all of the students come straight from the Academy’s middle school, so it seems that they don’t allow transfers without extenuating circumstances.”
“Yeah. Unless you’re returning from abroad or a foreign research student, they seldom accept you. What country are you from?”
“Oh no, I’m a scholarship student. From passing the exams.”
“Really...” Junko said, impressed. “I’ve heard that there have been years where no one has passed the exam before. That’s quite a feat.”
Akuto’s face softened self-consciously.
“Thank you,” he said. “I don’t mean to pry, but are you planning to become a state magician?”
“Yes. After all, I have to do my best for my family, which means doing my best to defend the country.”
The previous look of foolishness had entirely disappeared from Junko’s face. She was certainly a capable class president, and looking at her now, you could get a very clear impression of the distinct stubbornness and nobility of Suhara’s followers.
—It’ll be nice if we’re in the same class.
Akuto thought to himself. Until now, he had never had a friend who was his equal. There wasn’t anyone in his rural town who even thought about serving the country and becoming a magician, so his lack of friends wasn’t entirely his fault. But now that he’d met Junko, he realized that the Academy was a place where students who felt the same he did gathered to study. This thought made Akuto feel a surge of excitement about his upcoming life.
The air bus arrived. Akuto and Junko were the only two who got on. They sat down opposite each other in the middle car of the bus.
“Where are the other transfer students? I thought that I wasn’t the only one.”
“I believe that the international students should have arrived at the Academy a little earlier. You will probably meet up with them after your body measurements are done.”
“So that’s why... Ah.” Akuto exclaimed as he saw the view outside the window.
The air bus flew up, and Akuto gazed out at the imperial capital below them, and in the distance he saw the entirety of Constant Magic Academy.
The campus was spread out with several buildings peeking out in the middle of a vast forest. The main campus building had two magnificent steeples, sparkling white.
“You probably know this already, but the school is an old fortress from the war with the Demon King one hundred years ago. The older school buildings just use the fortress as it was, and there are still many kilometers of underground tunnels. Although they have turned into a sort of underground labyrinth now. There have even been reports of people going missing down there, so be careful.”
“I will be. Though I don’t intend to go anywhere dangerous during my life here. I came here to study. I want to change the course of society to be good and just, and in order to do that, I want to study at the best place possible.”
“Change the course of society?” Junko’s eyes lit up with curiosity.
“In other words, I am going to become a high priest, someone who shapes society.”
Junko let out a sigh of admiration as Akuto said this.
“This is the first time I’ve heard someone say something like that. Although they say that the gods see all actions taken against their will, nobody gets punished for those actions. But... that’s right, if you are going to become a high priest... no matter which religious order you follow, violating any taboos is strictly forbidden.”
“I know, I know.”
Akuto’s reply was so nonchalant that Junko’s eyes widened as she gave Akuto one more look. She double-checked Akuto’s expression to make sure he wasn’t joking, and then gave him a strong, affirming nod.
“I’ve heard that even littering can become an obstruction on the path to becoming a high priest. It’s a difficult thing to prepare yourself for. I don’t know what order you follow, but if that truly is your goal, then I’ll help you achieve it.”
“I’d be grateful for your help. I think adjusting to school life will be tough.”
—It seems that when you meet someone with the same values, you mysteriously get along. Either man or woman...
Akuto reached out for a handshake. Junko put her hand up as if she was refusing him, but then with a smile, she pulled a small sword out of her uniform.
✦ ✦ ✦
