91

Bright sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, each imbued with vibrant colors, casting a dazzling radiance across the room.

In this sacred space, I stood before a statue of a resolute woman, eyes closed in a deep prayer.

"Please help me make lots of friends, oh Goddess."

As if to acknowledge my prayer, the statue glimmered brilliantly for a brief moment, resonating with an ethereal hum.

Warmth filled my heart, a familiar feeling from the ever-kind Goddess who seemed to embrace me with her gentle spirit.

'…And I'm always sorry, my Goddess.'

Silently apologizing for a secret only I knew, I rose to my feet.

My vision was briefly obscured by strands of snowy white hair swaying in front of me. I couldn't afford to be late on my first day. It was time to leave.

I carefully stepped out of the prayer room, mindful not to disturb others in their devotions.

"You're heading out, Iris?"

Outside, I saw the Archbishop, the man who had always cared for me with boundless affection.

Though advanced in years, he radiated vigor, a truly remarkable individual. To me, he was like a father, someone who had given me a life of privilege and security.

"Yes, Archbishop!"

I smiled brightly as I answered, and he gently ruffled my hair with a fond expression.

"Time flies so fast. It feels like just yesterday you were picky about your meals, and now you're heading off to the Academy."

"Ugh, that's such an old story! I'm all grown up now, you know."

"Haha, to me, you'll always be a child."

Though his occasional tendency to treat me like a kid could be a bit annoying, I couldn't bring myself to complain.

His kindness far outweighed the minor irritation.

With a warm farewell from the Archbishop and many others, I set out for the place I had long anticipated: the Academy.

As I walked under the pleasant sunshine, various thoughts swirled in my mind.

This year, I had heard, the Academy would host some truly extraordinary individuals.

The Empire's third unique ability holder, the princess of the Beast Kingdom, a prodigious young mage hailed as the Tower's brightest hope, a high elf from Elvenheim, and, finally, a hero chosen by the sacred sword after a hundred years.

The Empire was abuzz, calling it the year of legends. I hoped for a chance to meet and befriend them.

Growing up in the cathedral had been a solitary experience—I'd never had friends. But now, everything would be different.

I was determined to make friends at the Academy and create precious memories.

Humming a cheerful tune, I soon spotted a towering building ahead: the renowned Regis Academy.

Luckily, it wasn't far from the cathedral, so I arrived quickly.

As I approached the main gate, guards in ornate armor signaled me to stop.

"Are you an incoming student? Please present your admission letter."

At his request, I carefully retrieved the admission letter I had cherished, showing it to him.

His eyes widened in surprise.

"Y-you're the Saintess! My apologies for not recognizing you earlier. I'll open the gates immediately."

The guard's exclamation drew murmurs from the nearby students.

Feeling their gazes on me, I felt a bit self-conscious but managed to keep my composure, standing tall.

"It's quite alright. Thank you for your dedication to guarding the Academy."

I smiled warmly at him as I spoke.

Touched, he beamed as he opened the grand gates, granting me entry.

Once inside, I found myself amidst a bustling crowd of people.

"All new students, please follow me to the main auditorium!"

It seemed that the person assigned to guide us had started leading the group somewhere.

As I joined the line of new students walking behind them, my eyes were drawn to a girl walking beside me.

"…Wow… she's beautiful…"

Oh no.

Before I realized it, the words had slipped out of my mouth.

The beautiful girl turned her head toward me upon hearing what I said. Her violet eyes became clearly visible.

Silver hair that complemented her pale skin.

Large, round eyes, a small, delicate nose, and cherry-like lips.

Her face was so enchanting, like that of a fairy, that I couldn't take my eyes off her.

But why?

Her gem-like eyes were dazzlingly beautiful, yet they seemed to carry a shadow of deep darkness.

Could she have a story of her own…?

"…?"

As the girl gave me a suspicious look, I hastily tried to explain myself.

"I'm s-sorry…! You're just so beautiful that I couldn't help but…"

What am I even saying? Get a grip, Iris!

This is so rude to say to someone you just met.

Her expression grew even more suspicious at my hurried apology. However, before long, she turned her gaze away from me, as if uninterested, and continued walking forward.

The fact that my first words to a precious new classmate at the academy sounded like a bad pick-up line left me feeling deeply embarrassed.

Lowering my flushed face, I silently followed the guide until we arrived at another large building within the academy.

Upon entering, a spacious auditorium filled with rows of seats came into view.

The guide told us to sit wherever we wanted. The girl, who had been walking ahead of me, made her way to a secluded corner.

"Ah, w-wait!"

Not knowing anyone else here, I instinctively ran after her.

Honestly, I also wanted to befriend her.

As I sat down beside her, she gave me a suspicious look again, as though questioning my intentions.

"Ah… hello? It seems we're in the same entering class,"

I said, forcing an awkward smile as I greeted her once more.

"…Hello."

After a brief hesitation, the girl finally returned my greeting.

Hearing her response brought unexpected relief to my heart, and I immediately felt brave enough to continue the conversation.

"I'm Iris!"

The girl blinked, her eyes widening slightly.

"Iris… Are you, by any chance, the Saintess?"

It seemed she recognized my name.

"Y-yes… Though it's embarrassing to be called that."

The girl quietly observed me for a moment before smiling and extending her hand.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Lily."

Lily.

Such a lovely and fitting name for someone like her.

A name I would never forget.

"Lily! I'll definitely remember it!"

"Thank you. I'll remember you too, Iris."

The more we talked, the more my courage grew. In the end, I took a small risk and asked her hesitantly.

"You… you seem around my age. If it's not too much to ask, Lily, would you like to be friends?"

It was a clumsy confession from someone who had never made friends before.

Lily hesitated for a moment at my question, and then…

I quickly smiled again and nodded.

"Yes. I look forward to working with you, Iris."

Hearing her positive words felt like a flower blooming in my heart.

My first friend at the academy.

The fact that she was someone as beautiful as Lily filled me with joy and happiness.

"Attention, everyone!"

While I was cheerfully holding her hand and exchanging greetings, a loud voice echoed from the front of the auditorium.

Naturally, my gaze turned to the podium, where a man who appeared middle-aged stood.

"There will be a word from the director. Please listen carefully."

After the man stepped back, someone who seemed to be around the same age as the archbishop took the podium.

With a steady voice, he began his speech.

"I sincerely welcome the new students to the academy."

Following that, the director started explaining various information about the academy and the mindset we should adopt.

Honestly, it didn't sink in very well.

It's embarrassing, but I couldn't help it.

Hearing the director's voice made me feel drowsy for some reason.

Looking around, I noticed that many of my peers were also struggling to stay awake.

Was there some sort of sleep-inducing magic in his voice?

I glanced back to check if Lily was dozing off as well.

But she remained as expressionless as ever, her eyes fixed straight ahead.

I wanted to talk to her, but chatting during the speech would be a great discourtesy to the director.

So I endured and tried to refocus on the speech.

Time passed slowly.

As the minutes dragged on, it became harder and harder to resist the drowsiness.

Eventually, I started nodding off, my eyes closing despite myself, and missed the valuable words of the director.

Realizing I couldn't go on like this, I slapped my cheeks and pinched my thighs to stay awake.

But just as I was fighting off sleep, something unexpected happened.

Boom!!

A loud crash resounded from the top of the auditorium.

Something began falling from the sky in heaps.

"Ahhh! What… what's happening?!"

"A monster?!"

"Screaaam!!"

Shrieks erupted from my peers all around me.

Suppressing the panic rising in my head, I quickly assessed the situation.

What I saw on all sides were creatures baring their fangs in a menacing display.

To my misfortune, while I was still stunned, a monster resembling a beast lunged toward me.

"Ugh…!"

As its sharp claws came rushing toward my face, I instinctively shut my eyes tightly and cast a defensive spell.

Contrary to my expectation of a massive impact, nothing happened.

Cautiously opening my eyes, what I saw was—

My defensive magic, which had been perfectly maintained without a single flaw, and Lily, who held a pure white sword in her hand, sliced through the monster as if cutting through tofu.

"Ah…"

"Are you okay, Iris?"

When I looked into her amethyst-like, beautiful eyes,

Thump-thump-

I felt my heart start to beat a little faster.