Ch. 5 - Encounter

As I strolled along the well-maintained cobblestone roadway, the variety of stores arranged along the way thrilled me.

Protected by the Six Great Nations, Winter Valley, a significant trading city and a unique autonomous zone of the Verted Kingdom, was home to the world's best magic academy.

The city was economically thriving and had many students hailing from the royalty and nobility of the Six Great Nations, so there was little concern about getting caught up in conflict.

Traders from all over the world came to Winter Valley to offer their goods, bringing further luxury to this city.

As a popular tourist destination, the main street was incredibly lively. The sounds and scents of grilled meat on skewers, fried food, and fresh fruit juices filled the air. There were stores offering jewelry and exquisite spider silk garments, and some even sold weapons, shields, and armor.

With the diversity of people strolling the streets and the abundance of stores and goods, it was the liveliest city I had ever seen.

At the city entrance, I saw stores dealing in slaves, horse-drawn carriages, and trained magical beasts.

On the outskirts of the city, there were rumors of an underground casino, which pointed to the existence of mafia-like groups.

"I guess everything has two sides." I nodded to myself as I continued down the street and saw something in a side alley.

In contrast to the main street, it was poorly lit and filthy. At the end of the alley, something was lying there.

It looked like a pile of rags...

Focusing my eyes, I quickly realized the truth.

It wasn't something lying there. Someone had collapsed.

I hurried over and prepared to use healing magic.

"Are you okay? Are you awake?"

The moment I reached out and spoke, the person wrapped in rags turned over and raised their arms. Each hand held a curved sword.

"Don't move." In a low voice for a woman, she pointed the tip of the blades at my neck.

Judging by her stance and weapons, she didn't seem capable of harming me, but I stayed still and asked, "Who are you? I've just arrived in this city, so I don't think I've had time to make enemies."

Her response was a derisive laugh. "Don't you get it yet? There's no injured or sick person here. Only a fool who got tricked."

As she smiled mockingly, two men appeared from the back of the alley.

"Oh, what a nice catch."

"God must be rewarding us hard-working folks."

With lecherous grins, the men approached and inspected my face.

"... I don't have much money."

Hearing my response, the three of them burst into laughter, and then the men took out something.

Chains and iron rings.

"You idiot country bumpkin, we can sell you for gold coins."

"You can bring in at least two gold coins!"

The men laughed loudly and came closer. I sighed and got ready to fight back.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through.

The sound of the wind froze everyone in place.

It was probably the [Restraining Wind, Bind] spell of a wind mage, holding them with incredible precision. Normally, people would be able to move their hands or fingers, but these three people couldn't move a muscle.

"... Are you alright?" asked a deep male voice.

A tall man with bright silver hair appeared and walked past the immobilized men.

His silver hair shone in the dim alley. Dressed in a combination of a suit and a black mage robe with the academy's symbol embroidered in gold, he was clearly a teacher rather than a student.

"I'm fine. Thank you for your help," I responded while removing the curved blades from my neck, standing up, and brushing off my knees.

As I looked up, I saw a man with a well-defined face and a piercing gaze. His black outfit gave him the air of an assassin.

He appeared to be in his thirties.

While I was pondering, he tilted his head slightly and said in a surprisingly adorable manner, "... Did you resist my spell's effects? Are you a mage?"

"Yes. I tried entering Fiddiq Academy, but a blue-haired man turned me away at the gate."

"Blue hair... Speyside, huh? Well, I'll have them manage your registration. Follow me." Satisfied with his own reasoning, he turned around.

"Wait a moment," I called out.

He turned his head to the side. "Oh, these people. I'll notify the guards. They'll stay like this until then."

"Oh, right, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Aoi Konominato. You are?"

He raised an eyebrow and turned around completely. "I am Strass Clyde, a wind teacher at the intermediate level. The academy is vast, so we may not meet often, but feel free to contact me if you need anything."

After speaking with a blunt tone, Strass began walking again.

Despite his rough look, he seemed kind-hearted.

I smiled as I watched his swaying silver hair and followed him quietly.

When we arrived at the academy, we passed through a massive gate into a vast courtyard filled with towering buildings and spires.

"Wow..." A spontaneous exclamation escaped me. The sight was both majestic and splendid, an absolute spectacle. Sunlight streamed through the clouds, illuminating the academy.

As I admired the view, Strass called out from behind. "Aren't you going to register?"

I turned and saw him standing in front of a house-like building behind the gate, accompanied by a small elderly man.

I straightened up and walked over to the elderly man. "I was told to come here to work as a teacher. My name is Aoi Konominato. May I meet with Principal Glenn?"

"Young lady, are you sure you're not a student?"

"I'm twenty years old."

Strass turned to me with a shocked expression.

Being mistaken for being young was a common occurrence for me. I sighed and repeated myself. "... I'm twenty years old."

Strass, still astonished, said, "What... You're four years younger than me? You don't look like my sister's age..."

"Huh? Strass-san, you're twenty-four?"

Strass's revelation surprised me. I had assumed he was around thirty. It felt quite awkward.

As we stared at each other in silence, the elderly man chuckled and nodded. "I understand now. Actually, we received a message from Principal Glenn just now. Strass-sensei, could you please guide her to the principal's office?"

We nodded and followed the elderly man's instructions.

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