Inside the carriage heading to the Court Mage Corps, I gazed absently at the scenery outside and let out yet another sigh, I’ve lost count of how many. The Director, noticing, spoke with a wry smile.
“You seem really reluctant. Well, I can’t blame you.”
“Yeah…”
I replied with a wry smile of my own, and he shrugged. Turning my gaze back to the window, I recalled yesterday’s events. Right around the end of work hours, a message came from the Court Mage Corps. They wanted me to come in tomorrow, meaning today for an appraisal. Of what, you ask? Apparently, me.
After that incident at the hospital, rumors have been flying around lately that I’m the [Saint]. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Court Mage Corps, who’d been in a coma since the [Saint Summoning Ritual], regained consciousness about a week ago. This commander is supposedly the only person in the kingdom who can appraise people. Since he was out of commission, my appraisal hadn’t happened until now. He’s still not fully recovered, but determining the [Saint] is a national priority, so he’s pushing through despite his condition.
Thinking back to the hospital, I guess it makes sense. Using recovery magic that flashy was bound to spark rumors about me being the [Saint]. I’d braced myself for it to some extent, but still, it weighs on me. The appraisal will apparently check my status, and if that happens, I’m done for. My status clearly says [Saint].
“You hate it that much?”
I must’ve been frowning while lost in thought, because the Director looked at me with concern when I turned to him.
“Yeah, it’s weighing on me.”
“I hate to say it, but after causing that big a scene…”
“‘Causing a scene’ sounds harsh. I just healed a little, that’s all.”
“A little? That wasn’t a little.”
I pouted at his words, and he shot back with an exasperated tone. We looked at each other and shared a wry smile. The Director’s been looking out for me a lot ever since I transferred to the institute. He’s usually subtle about it, trying not to let me notice, but sometimes I catch on. It’s probably because I’m his subordinate, but right now, I’m really grateful. Just talking like this lifts my sinking mood a bit.
“Even if the appraisal’s done, I don’t think anything will happen right away…”
The Director’s expression turned serious as he spoke slowly. Since the [Saint Summoning Ritual], monster numbers have gradually decreased, leading the palace to firmly believe a [Saint] was summoned. However, that’s only around the capital. Farther out, monsters are still plentiful. Ancient [Saints] reportedly traveled with knight corps to monster-infested areas, using unique abilities only they possessed to wipe out monsters and purify those places. This time, the palace expects the [Saint] to do the same.
“Wiping out monsters… Does that mean joining battles?”
“Yeah. But mages cast spells from behind the knights, so it’s not as dangerous as it is for them.”
“What if monsters use magic or something flies at me?”
“True. It’s not like you’d never face danger.”
“The other girl summoned with me and I have never done anything combat-related.”
Sure, parts of the world have wars, but Japan was peaceful. Neither I nor Aira, who was probably summoned with me, have ever dealt with life-or-death situations. I can’t imagine people like us being dragged into subjugations and being useful. In games, I’ve beaten tons of monsters, though.
“They’d probably train you first. The other one, Aira was it? She’s learning that stuff at the academy.”
“Really?”
“The academy does training subjugations in the Eastern Forest. She’s likely been already.”
So Aira’s got experience. That surprised me a little. I worried if she was okay, but then I remembered the knight corps being assigned as her guards. I haven’t heard anything about her getting hurt, so she’s probably fine. It was the Eastern Forest with weaker monsters, after all.
“What if… what if today’s appraisal shows I’m not the [Saint]?”
The thought popped up, so I asked. The Director widened his eyes slightly, then gave a wry smile.
“Then Aira would take on the [Saint]’s duties, I suppose. But…”
“But?”
“…I think you’d still get support requests.”
“Support requests?”
“Mainly to use recovery magic.”
I see. Fair enough, back at the hospital I healed without holding back, shocking everyone. That could happen.
“If I accepted, would I have to transfer to the Court Mage Corps?”
“Who knows?”
“I’d rather not transfer.”
The institute’s a really comfortable workplace. I’m fine with support requests, but moving jobs isn’t appealing. When I shared that with the Director, he said he’d try to help.
As we discussed possible futures, the carriage arrived at the Court Mage Corps barracks. A mage greeted us, and we followed him inside. Walking through, I caught sidelong glances from passing mages, something I’ve been getting around the palace lately. Still, it’s better than the looks the Second Knight Corps give me.
Among the knights I healed at the hospital were Second Knight Corps members who’d gone on that subjugation with the Third. Since then, they’ve practically revered me. They’ve started calling me “Lady Sei,” and someone from the Second Knight Corps often helps carry my books back from the library. The help with books is great, but being called “Lady” is honestly embarrassing. I’ve asked them to stop, but it hasn’t changed, so I’ve half-given up.
“I’ve brought Director Valdeck of the Medicinal Plant Research Institute and Lady Sei.”
The mage knocked on what seemed to be the commander’s office door and announced us. A prompt reply told him to let us in. Urged forward, we entered, and two men stood to greet us: a scholarly-looking man with glasses and a young man with dark blue hair and eyes, his face strikingly handsome. His features were so perfect they almost felt artificial. What’s going on? This room’s handsome-guy ratio is off the charts! I feel so out of place! The mage? Oh, he left right after guiding us in. It’s just me, the Director, the glasses guy, and the young man. Four of us now.
“Welcome to the Court Mage Corps. I’m Yuri Dreves, the Commander.”
“I’m Sei.”
The young man smiled gently and introduced himself to me. Overwhelmed by his beauty, I managed a stiff greeting in return. He’s the commander? He looks younger than the glasses guy beside him. Maybe it’s his overly perfect face or soft demeanor, but he might be around Jude’s age. I kept that thought off my face to avoid rudeness and pondered it as he invited us to sit on the sofa.
“Oh, uh, this is Vice-Commander Airhardt Hawk. You’ve met before, so you know him, right?”
“Uh, yes.”
As soon as I sat, the commander introduced the glasses guy next to him, as if he’d just remembered. Sorry, but I don’t think we’d introduced ourselves before, so I didn’t know his name. I’d figured he was important from how other mages acted around him, and sure enough, he’s the vice-commander. That makes sense. But his last name caught my attention. Hawk? Is he related to the Knight Commander? My curiosity must’ve shown, because the Director, sitting beside me, whispered, “Al’s brother.”
“Now, as we informed you, we’d like to appraise you today.”
“Yes.”
After introductions, we got to the main topic: the appraisal. Here it comes. He explained appraisal magic, echoing what Jude had told me before. It can be used on people, but it might be repelled without consent, or almost certainly if the target’s base level is higher than the caster’s. “So please relax,” he said with a smile. I’ll try my best…
“Here we go.”
“Okay.”
“‘Appraise.’”
I wasn’t thrilled, but I tried not to resist and quietly accepted the spell. Despite my efforts, it got repelled, as if mocking me. I felt it bounce off, and judging by the surprised or puzzled looks from all three of them, they noticed too. Wait, I tried not to resist!
“Sei…”
“I didn’t refuse it, and I made sure not to!”
The Director looked at me exasperatedly, but I hadn’t resisted, so I returned a sulky glare. Seeing our exchange, the commander smoothed over his surprised expression with a bright smile and asked:
“You didn’t refuse it, right?”
“Right.”
I nodded, and he put a hand to his chin, looking down. After a moment of thought, he faced me again.
“If you didn’t refuse, then it could be that your level is higher than mine.”
“Yes.”
“Pardon me, but may I ask your base level?”
That’s where this leads, huh. I get it. If I didn’t resist, the only other reason it bounced is the level difference. And he’s probably right. I think my base level’s higher than his. Most Third Knight Corps members were lower than me, mostly in their 30s. If commanders are in their 40s, my 55 would be at least a 6-level gap.
My base level, huh. Jude and the knights told me theirs casually before. It should be fine to share this much, right? With that, I spoke up.
Afterword
A friend talked me into starting Twitter. My account is “@YukaTachibana11” Feel free to follow me if you’d like!