Sword, Magic and Academic Society

Vol. 1 - Ch. 57 - If it isn't love, then what? (2)

New Stellaite Teaching Cathedral in the Yuglia Kingdom, the cathedral that boasted the most followers in the continent— Jeu would come here periodically to train her holy magic.

According to statistics, the talent for holy magic was incredibly rare among the already limited number of attribute conversion talent holders. For reasons unknown, the Levarance family bloodline had a high chance of giving birth to a holy magic attribute holder while the manifestation rate of such a person among the general populace was said to be 1 among 5000.

As for its value, it was said that even the foremost believers from the New Stellaite Teaching would reverently welcome you and gladly give you lectures and training for your holy magic in the church free of charge. For Jeu, her talent became apparent as early as when she was 9 years old and her mana organ manifested.

She started with receiving a basic rundown of emission magic techniques in her territory, and when she turned 10, she was relocated to the Marquis' secondary mansion in the Royal Capital to receive lessons for holy magic from her current mentor, Dolittle. Though, for Jeu, that person's lascivious nature was too unlike that of a clergyman which put her in a hard spot.

Especially lately when her growth spurt had just started to hit her, she could feel his almost devouring gaze over her body that creeped her out to no end.

Dolittle was a man from the Stellaite Orthodox state, acquiring the title of archbishop at the young age of 40, he was a prodigy dispatched to administrate the cathedral in the Yuglia Kingdom's capital. It has been even said that he had the prospect of reaching the position of the Stellaite Orthodox state's Holy See. Jeu almost felt like receiving a death sentence when she heard his name coming out as her prospective fiance.

Well, this was in the past, the matter was squashed before it could ever create a spark because as it turned out Jeu's mana capacity was far more formidable than anyone could have predicted. At this moment, her basic mana capacity was almost nearing 10,000 units.

It was on the same level as Sari Levarance— A member of the Levarance family from 120 years ago who had qualified for the Royal Academy's Class A and the holder of holy magic just like Jeu whose proficiency in healing magic was said to have reached the realm of god's miracle.

There was hardly any suspense about the heights Jeu was capable of reaching. 1 in 5000 talent coupled with the enormous mana capacity said to be possessed by 1 among 100,000 along with the A rank evaluation by the Royal Academy.

'Saint' Sari Levarance, who, while being unaffiliated to the church, left behind many benevolent achievements, and as a result, was given a special title by the church and brought unprecedented prosperity to the Levarance family. Frankly speaking, a match between Jeu, said to be Sari’s reincarnation, and an archbishop, being no more than one of the many candidates for the Holy See status, was mismatched in many ways.

Dolittle also had a thing for the shiny title of the Levarance family and had considered striking a deal while the iron was hot, feeling himself to be a decent fit with his background as someone aiming for the Holy See.

While he didn't seem to be a cruel-hearted person, he also didn't have any plan to drop his womanizing act even after marriage. "Yeah, it's just a marriage of benefits for both of us. Nothing more," chanting this mantra, Dolittle officially got in touch with Jeu.

However, Jeu showed tremendous growth in many aspects, not just in mana capacity. The admission to the Academy became the stepping stone for her to gain mental resilience, shedding away the typical naivety of a sheltered noblelady, and even showing unbelievable progress in holy magic.

Dolittle simply couldn't fathom the talent of the individual named 'Jeu' anymore. If she really possessed the same caliber of a <Saint> as the rumors suggest and continued to accumulate achievements reminiscent of a saint...

He, who was supposed to be her husband, might really be able to have a shot for the seat of the Holy See. If anything, with her physical features getting more and more pronounced as if in response to her mana capacity, the supposed fiance candidate who was just a pretty-faced brat was lately blooming in a way just to his liking.

Dolittle's obsession for Jeu lately, after seeing what could be the perfect catch for his desires and ambitions slipping out of his grasp, was clear to the naked eye. Of course, he had enough discretion left to not make any moves, except for his repulsive gaze, in the public eye. However, his seeming desperation to find a chance to be alone with her had already provoked a revolted feeling inside of Jeu.

In fact, she had once mustered up her courage and requested for a change of instructors to her parents. After listening to her explanation as to why, Marquis Levarance, her father, denied it with some consideration.

"We can't do that. First of all, there are only a handful of individuals who can serve as your mentor, and while that guy takes the cake among them all, his proficiency in holy magic is no farce.

Second, our family's motto is 'Firm and Resolute'. Running away from things that don't conform to your preferences contradicts our teachings.

And the third is that the man is clearly the type to get excited at the sight of a fleeing target. We will lose our only way to predict his movement if we sever the only link he has connected to you, a strong enemy in the light is far better than having a coward in the dark."

Standing beside him, the Levarance Marchioness had almost granted him a death sentence with her gaze, however, by the time he was finished explaining his reasons, she found herself biting her lips in vexation.

Once he was done explaining, Marquis Levarance flashed a grin.

"How about this? Why not create some rumors about following a promising boy after enrolling in the Academy? Anyone would work, as long as it's someone qualified for the Royal Academy. Right, what do you think about the son of Zatsinger? He also has a good face. Even our great-grandmother, Sari, used to say a hundred talents are a waste if a woman can't ensnare a man, and there's no path to strength.

Our Kingdom's nobles might turn a blind to any rumors between a man and a woman, however, a clergyman of the Stellaite Orthodox State would have no tolerance for such a scandal about their prospective wife. Well, they don't even overlook any past rumors about relationships between men and women."

"Oh? I was really intrigued by the rumors floating around about you, so that's the magnanimity of a Yuglia Kingdom's noble, huh, Dear? In that case, I might as well take you up on your words and put up an image of you as a philanderer along with Jeu."

"Y-Y-Y-Youre' mistaken, Dolly! I only met Parfait for a discussion."

"Parfait?! I was talking about the rumor of the so-called pleasant dinner you had with Geena-san."

"Crap?!"

......

???

"Sebas, what do you think about Allen-san as my partner to paint my rumors?"

Jeu put forward her suggestion as her mind traced the outline of an unsophisticated boy who clearly seemed to be a late-bloomer when it came to this sort of stuff, unlike that lascivious to the core man.

Sebas had a bitter smile on his face at the question that he had already forgotten how many times his master had asked of him. Visible from the rearview mirror, he could see her worried expression which would otherwise be masked with resoluteness and determination. A rare sight even for him.

"...When my lady informed me via magic bird to be the driver for your shopping earlier, I had taken this chance to have a close look at him. Frankly speaking, he seemed like a country bumpkin with a commoner outlook ignorant of how the world works, and a rude young boy.

His talent in body-strengthening magic is undeniable, but that alone is hardly a match for the prodigy Jeuri Levarance whom the Levarance family is proud of. It would be impossible to not give rise to some 'doubts'... At least, these were my initial thoughts. I had been avoiding giving out any definite answer on the pretext that 'I cannot make a judgment yet.'... However, I can only say I never had my eyes so clouded until I heard about the <Assignment of Godorfun the Buddha> incident. A person of my caliber just doesn't have what it takes to measure the potential of the boy my lady had seen through at once. I have renewed my perception."

A visible look of delight spread across Jeu's face as she heard Sebas' evaluation.

"Fufu. I am looking forward to how he's going to surprise me… Witnessing Allen-san being scouted by 'Apple House' coincidentally is surely an advantage the Levarance family has gotten over others. Please gather any information about the inefficient part-timer and belittled explorer Ren. The things that he does like his seemingly charity work for an orphanage or acting out as a mediator between mischievous youngsters might make no sense and appear to be his usual whimsical nature, but for all that we know, he might be aiming for something that ordinary people like us would not think of.

I understand it might be difficult to immediately start with the task, but I am going to register myself as an explorer. I cannot afford to stand idly by without any qualifications in this tapestry of situations."

Having seen Jeu getting back her usual boldness, Sebas felt relieved, but at the same time, he swallowed a sigh. His master's schedule was already jam-packed after she participated in the Hill Road Club’s morning activities and relocated to the general dormitory. Now, adding explorer activities would just tip her already tight schedule over the edge to go haywire. Of course, the same could be said for Sebas who was managing it.

However, he had just made his statement that 'He trusts the discerning eyes of his master'. Sebas steeled himself and said.

"Understood. I will support my lady's first love with every inch of my soul."

"F-First love?! My feelings for Allen-san aren't that frivolous! I mean, yeah, it's hard to put into words and I do feel something different from friendship… but, but… I’m purely putting the interest of the Levarance family above all, that's all!"

The young lady, as she desperately denied the claim, had her face ablaze with a mixture of embarrassment and anger that hinted at more than just anger, which was clearly a sign of a budding first love for a 12-year-old girl.

EN - Well now, I am definitely rooting for Jeu over Fey now. Also, that archbishop… I see what you’re doing Mr. Author. What a cliche setup ?