Black Iron Magician

「Well, we, more or less, have completed our task, so we are going back to the castle.」

The day after Fuchi’s consultation, Touko and the others left the mansion as planned. Fuchi trio will depart together, and they are planning to separate on the way. It seems that Toko has heard about this from Fuchi and she said she will cooperate with them. The only one who actually will return to the royal castle in Adelheit is Touko, so I gave her a letter for Joseph with Nell’s handwriting and mine as a bonus. Of course, this is not the end, but this letter alone will buy them a lot of time. In the meantime, Fuchi and the others will quickly leave the country. I hope that they will do their best to find a way to return home as well as researching valuable scrolls. This old man is rooting for them, young people with a future.

「Rokusai, you see… please be happy with Deris-san!」

「Come again?」

It seems that Oda is still misunderstanding her, he was saying a wrong goodbye to Chinatsu. If you cut out just this one scene, it seems like a moment of youth. But, I want them to stop that sweet and sour development there.

「Deris, I need to talk to you for a bit, so come with me later.」

Otherwise, my mouth will be filled with the taste of bloody vomit. Nell’s fingertips are like a vise as she lays her hand on my shoulder.

「Ah, Deris-danna. Maybe I’ll go to defeat Haruna from time to time, so I’ll be in your care at that time! And Haruna, don’t let anyone defeat you until you lost to me!」

「Touko-chan too~!」

「You have to brush your teeth every day~!」

While Haru and Therese were waving their hands, Touko and the others departed. It was only a short time, but the impact was so strong that it’s unlikely to be forgotten for a while. I have a feeling that she will be coming often using whatever the reason. Fuchi told me about it, but… this one is a matter that will really get on Nell’s nerves.

「Oh, they have departed, huh? I also wanted to say my greeting, though.」

「Ara, Otou-sama. I didn’t realize you were home desuwa!」

「Hahaha, I was trying to surprise you after all.」

Immediately after seeing off Touko and the others, Duke Ortho appeared from the mansion. He seems to have finished cleaning up the ruins around yesterday evening, and he came back late at night. However, by that time, Therese and the girls were sleeping, and it was only me and Nell who were able to see him. Nell’s disguise? Yeah, he read the mood there… Well, he looked really excited, so I think he really wanted to surprise his beloved daughter.

「Duke Ortho, I want to thank you for letting us stay here for several days.」

「No, it’s me who wants to thank you. Because of my position, it’s hard to have a friend of Therese staying in the mansion. I’m sure Therese is happy to have someone of her age here.」

「That’s right desuwa! Also, I have a chance to improve my level thanks to Deris-san, so I’m very happy!」

「W-Whaaat!? The prodigy Therese is going to level up even more…! Is that true!?」

「It’s true! Ohohoho!」

Yeah, they are good people. But, I feel tired when they are together…

「Well, I guess we’d better get going.」

「What, Deris-kun, are you leaving town too?」

「No, I wanted to pay a visit to the academy today. I have an acquaintance in the academy, so I thought I’d have a chat with him.」

「Is that so? Then, should I ask Therese to guide you?」

「I intended to guide them from the beginning. Also, today is the first school day after the holidays, so let’s head there together. Are you ready?」

When Therese snapped her fingers, a gorgeous white carriage came in front of the mansion from nowhere. The carriage was driven by a group of servants and guards who looked familiar.

Apparently, we are going to ride it to the academy. Oops, I have to get Haru and Chinatsu to change into this before that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

「Oh, it’s Prez’s carriage. It’s all white again today.」

「Prez, good morning~!」

「Good morning, everyone! Today I’m going to have a cracking day as well! Ohohoho!」

We are on our way to the Adelheid Magic Academy, riding in a noble carriage that was apparently designed by Therese. There is leaning forward while smiling at the students who are on the road, and reading this carriage, which is standing out, is quite embarrassing. I wanted to politely refuse and go on foot, but the pressure from Duke Ortho, who was behind Therese, was silently telling me not to ignore the kindness of his beloved daughter, so I reluctantly decided to go with her.

It seems that only Chinatsu who has the same feelings as me among my friends. Haru, Nell, and even Lily are riding as if it’s natural. They even calmy look at the scenery through the small window of the carriage. In Haru’s case, the scenery seems to be her concern rather than the gazes.

「There weren’t many students in uniform yesterday and the day before yesterday, but there are many today.」

「I heard that was because the academy was closed. Students are obliged to wear uniforms only on days they have classes, but on other days, they are free to wear whatever they want. Today is a school day as you can see.」

The uniform of Adelheit Magic Academy is something between a magician’s robe and a Japanese uniform. It is generally loose-fitting, and the skirt and ribbon retain student-like aspects. There is also a witch-like pointy hat designated by the academy, but there is no obligation to wear it, and it seems to be left up to the individual to decide whether to wear it or not. By the way, Therese doesn’t wear it because it makes her look less conspicuous. Is that okay with you, Student Council President?

「Um… Shishō, Deris-san. Why are I and Haruna changing into that uniform?」

「Why, you ask? It’s for that, right?」

「Right.」

As Chinatsu says, they are wearing the uniform of the academy. It’s a legitimate product that Lily has prepared in advance. Due to her uselessly accurate ability to identify the three sizes just by looking, both are finished in the perfect size.

「We have to visit the venue of the graduation festival after all. Also, you will be wearing the same uniform in the actual event, and more importantly, you won’t stand out if you wear it, right?」

「Well, I guess so, but… didn’t we stand out from the moment we entered the town?」

「I’m really sorry for that. It was a bad idea to let you pull the carriage into town.」

「Well, Chinatsu-chan. This uniform is cute and I think it’s good.」

「Y-Yes. I admit it’s cute, but…」

With Haru’s support, Chinatsu seemed to be convinced somehow. Even though I say that we are going to use the president’s recommendation slots, they are going to be temporary students of the academy. They have to be students at least in appearance. By the way, Lily is wearing her usual maid’s uniform, but Nell and I are dressed for the occasion. Nell isn’t disguised with her glasses and she seems to be going as the knight leader. We are going to ‘ask’ the principal from now on, so our appearance is important. In an intimidati―― I mean, in a sociable sense.