Waaaaaaaaah! Hero! Hero!
The cheers of tens of thousands shook the plaza in the Imperial Capital. As soon as the princess's speech ended, the ecstatic citizens of the Empire surged forward like a wave. The city guards desperately formed a defensive line, but it was not enough.
"Junior... where did he disappear to?"
Giuseppe pushed his way through the crowd to find Isaac. He worried that Isaac might have been caught by some troublesome noble and was having a hard time. Just then, Valerius grabbed Giuseppe's shoulder and said quietly.
"There he is. He's completely surrounded."
Valerius's gaze landed on Isaac. Isaac was surrounded by numerous nobles, wearing an awkward smile. The nobles were not about to miss this opportunity.
They planned to make a strong impression on the Empire's new hero, Isaac Upperhills, one way or another.
"So... the rainbow you saw earlier isn't a sign from the gods, but what happens when light passes through water droplets..."
Isaac was, as usual, rambling on, explaining the principles of the magic. Giuseppe knew because he had heard it so often. He probably could explain it for a hundred days, and no one would understand.
"What? You want to buy that magic I just used?"
Then, when the talk turned to money, his expression stiffened.
"... Please, speak one at a time."
When it started to feel like an auction for his magic, he suddenly became much quieter. Watching the scene, Giuseppe said to Valerius.
"He doesn't seem to be enjoying it, does he?"
"Of course not."
"I'd better go help him."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'll have to get my junior out, soothe the nobles, and schedule meetings according to their importance."
It wasn't a particularly difficult task. Thanks to Doloren, he was quite used to situations like this.
"I was feeling guilty about getting a medal for doing nothing, so this is perfect."
Giuseppe strode towards Isaac. He bowed politely to Count Perez, who had his hand on Isaac's shoulder.
"Count Perez, excuse me for a moment."
"Whoa! ... It's you. It's been a while. Is Sir Doloren doing well?"
"... Yes. Thanks to you."
Giuseppe gave a noncommittal reply to the count and pulled Isaac by the arm.
"Junior, this way. The Dean is looking for you urgently."
"What? The Dean?"
Giuseppe whispered so only I could hear.
"Of course, it's a lie. But getting out of here comes first."
Giuseppe darted between the nobles, clearing a path. Isaac stuck close behind him and escaped the crowd.
After breaking through the nobles' relentless offensive, I said to Giuseppe.
"Thank you, Senior."
"You're welcome. You held up surprisingly well among those wolves, Junior."
"Haha..."
Giuseppe patted my shoulder.
"Alright, get some rest today. I'll take care of things here."
"Thank you, Senior."
"Don't mention it. Everyone has something they're good at."
With those last words, Giuseppe turned and walked back into the crowd of nobles. Like a moth to a flame. The greatest senior in human history.
Giuseppe Guarneri, I will remember you. After parting with Giuseppe, I headed not to my lab on the 10th floor, but to my old lab in the annex. The place was empty, as no new school had moved in yet.
After closing the creaky door, the surroundings became quiet.
"I should go back out once the crowd thins out a bit."
It feels bad to leave everything to Giuseppe. I should help out too. It was then.
"So you were hiding in a place like this, Isaac Upperhills."
There was no knock, no sign of anyone's presence. The deepest shadow in the lab wavered, and from within it, Dean Magarta Magica walked out. I asked the Dean.
"... What in the world is that magic?"
Walking out of a shadow... is something like that physically possible? The Dean smiled and replied.
"That's a secret."
"Then how did you know I was here?"
"That's also a secret."
Her answers sent a chill down my spine. The world is still vast and full of powerful people, it seems. I shouldn't get arrogant.
She asked.
"So, how does it feel to be a hero?"
"It's a little burdensome, but..."
At my answer, the Dean's brow furrowed slightly. I quickly added.
"Still... it feels good."
It wasn't a lie. I'm only human, so hearing such passionate cheers makes me feel good. It's just that there were too many nobles today.
"Where else in my life would I get the chance to receive such cheers?"
The Dean smiled at my words.
"The princess will be a great asset to you in the future. Though, seeing you two today, I can't help but think you might be a slightly dangerous combination..."
I agreed.
The princess showed the makings of a natural political agitator.
"Still, it's better to keep her by your side. Geniuses fall not because they aren't smart, but because they fail to make allies."
"No, did I say genius? I meant hero."
I felt my face flush slightly.
"Anyway, keep this in mind. A scabbard that is too ornate will attract thieves who covet the sword."
The Dean took a small pendant from her neck and tossed it to me.
"A gift for the hero."
Thump.
Without any guidance spell, the pendant stuck right to my hand.
"It's an artifact discovered in some ancient ruins. They call it the 'Memorizer'."
I could feel a complex, geometric mana structure within the pendant. This... this was a magic with a completely different structure from modern magic. It felt like I could get dozens of doctorates just by analyzing it.
I pointed to the pendant and said.
"Should I analyze this and write a thesis on it?"
The Dean was silent for a moment. Her expression was stern, but it also seemed like she was holding back laughter somewhere.
"Ahem. There's no need for that. I just gave it to you for self-defense. It's an item that can store a pre-cast spell and then activate it instantly with just a thought."
"... Thank you."
"It's perfect for preventing things like assassinations."
I was dumbfounded. Why is she suddenly giving me a gift like this? She was so harsh during the General Assembly...
"Use it well."
Before I had a chance to ask any questions, the Dean slipped out of the annex. As if she were running away. What was that?
I was left all alone in the empty lab.
That evening, in the Dean's office on the 49th floor, the top of the Magic Tower. Princess Isolde, completely exhausted, leaned back on the plush sofa.
"That was the most tiring speech of my life."
Her ornate formal wear felt unusually heavy, but her voice was filled with deep satisfaction.
"I see now why you praised him so highly, Dean. Mister Upperhills is a genius."
After the speech, she asked around, and everyone in the plaza said they saw a circular rainbow floating around the princess. And in the eyes of the citizens of the Empire, it must have looked like a miracle. The number one contributor to the success of the princess's speech was, of course, Isaac's magic.
"It's been a long time since I felt such a thrill."
Sitting across from her, Dean Magarta simply poured tea without a word. But something was strange. Her shoulders were trembling slightly.
She looked like she was desperately trying to hold back her laughter.
"Did something good happen, Dean?"
At Isolde's question, the Dean managed to compose herself and set down her teacup.
"My apologies. It's just... I met an interesting researcher this afternoon."
The Dean recounted her conversation with Isaac.
"I gave him an artifact as a a gift, and he asked if he could analyze it and write a thesis on it."
"Oh, is there such a person?"
Isolde's eyes sparkled with interest.
"It's someone the princess knows well."
"... Don't tell me."
"Yes. It's exactly who you think."
In that moment, a light laugh escaped Isolde's lips. It felt as if all her fatigue had vanished.
"Mister Upperhills must really love his work. To think of writing a thesis even after becoming the greatest hero of the capital."
The Dean didn't bother to explain the real story. Instead, she secretly enjoyed the growing misunderstanding about Isaac. This was good in its own way.
The Dean said.
"So, Your Highness, please don't monopolize Mister Upperhills. You must let him help with the Magic Tower's work from time to time."
"Of course. As you wish."
As she said this, Princess Isolde was holding a request form meant for Isaac.
[Top Secret: Investigation of Abnormal Orc Occurrences near the Capital]
The next morning, I took a deep breath as soon as I opened my eyes. 'Alright, shall we go?' It was obvious what would happen if I went to the dining hall now.
But I couldn't avoid it forever. I steeled my resolve and headed to the dining hall. The moment I entered the dining hall, the noisy space fell silent as if doused with water.
Hundreds of gazes flew and fixed on me like daggers.
Step, step.
Every time I took a step, a path opened up before me as if the sea were parting. Usually, they would have whispered amongst themselves, but now even that was gone. It was a silent meal.
'It's going to be like this every day from now on, isn't it...?' I need to get used to it quickly. That's the only way it'll get easier.
After finishing my meal, I left the Magic Tower. It was the weekend, so I didn't have to go to the lab. I thought it would be perfect to relax with a chicken skewer in the plaza in front of the Bell Tower.
But things never went my way.
"That hero from yesterday, I heard he's actually the Dean's illegitimate child."
"No, I heard he's the princess's secret weapon."
The topic of conversation for everyone gathered in the plaza was all about the princess and me.
"Hey, young man! Did you hear that speech yesterday?"
The owner of the chicken skewer stand spoke to me. Worried he might recognize me, I pulled my robe down a little lower and answered.
"No. I just arrived yesterday."
"What a shame, you should have seen the princess standing within the rainbow. No matter where I looked, the rainbow followed me and the princess..."
Another customer suddenly cut into the merchant's words.
"Following you! That rainbow was in front of me."
"What? Are you saying I'm lying?"
This...
I couldn't help but intervene. I said to the two of them.
"Neither of you is lying. You are both telling the truth."
At my answer, the gazes of the two arguing men turned to me at the same time.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"A rainbow is an optical phenomenon that appears based on the relative positions of the observer, the light source, and the water droplets. If the observer's position changes, the position of the visible rainbow naturally changes as well. Everyone in the plaza yesterday saw their own unique rainbow."
There was a moment of silence. Then, the merchant's eyes widened. His trembling finger pointed at me.
"Wait, that face... it looks familiar... Don't tell me...?"
If I stayed any longer, my identity would be revealed. I hurried away. From now on, when I want to rest quietly, I'll have to borrow a disguise device from the princess.
I continued on, heading towards the outskirts of the city. As I left the noisy city and entered the quiet farmland, I was reminded of my time living in a rural village half a year ago. It would be a lie to say I don't miss those days... but the current hustle and bustle isn't bad either.
No. To be honest, I like it. It was right at that moment.
"Kyaaaaaaak!"
"An orc! Run!"
A piercing scream came from across the field. Where my gaze fell, a green-skinned orc was charging at a farmer. 'An orc, right outside the capital?'
There was no time to think. I activated the Memorizer pendant. Then, the 'iron ball projectile' spell I had stored beforehand responded to my will.
Shwiiiiik~!
Before I could even register it, the iron ball in my pouch was gone. 'The performance is pretty good.' And the next moment.
Kwaduk~!
The orc's head burst like a watermelon as it fell.
"Ugh..."
Nausea rose in my throat, but I barely managed to suppress it. As I held my dizzy head, the surviving farmers ran over and knelt before me.
"Thank you, Mage sir! How can we ever repay this kindness..."
"Please, stand up. More importantly, has this kind of thing been happening often?"
"No! In all my life, I've never seen an orc near the village..."
He continued.
"But I have heard that things like this have been happening occasionally around the capital lately. Even though there are no orc habitats nearby."
"That's strange."
Come to think of it, both Count Ludwig Everglow and I saw orcs on our way to the capital. 'There's something going on here.' No matter how I looked at it, it didn't seem like a simple coincidence.
The farmer muttered.
"It's not like they're falling from the sky or rising from the ground..."
Sky, ground?
At those words, the scattered pieces in my head clicked into place.
"If it's one of the two, then probably."
I replied to the farmer, my gaze fixed on the entrance to the capital's massive underground waterway in the distance.
"They rose from the ground."
It looked like I would have to give up my day off.