Adrianna just entered the teacher’s building. Her destination was the Director’s office which was located on the highest floor. There were six floors in the teachers office building. Adrianna—being a 7th star elite—along with a few others had offices directly below the Director’s floor.
By the way, the Director of the academy owned an entire floor.
Adrianna spotted many of her colleagues who were standing in the hallway. All of them were obviously here after hearing that the Chairman—who was also the Archmage—was here.
Most of them were low-rank who were here to greet the Director. Only those 6th star and up could enter the office at this moment since there was a meeting going on. Adrianna was the last one who had to show up.
Adrianna was called by an Owl Messenger. It was sitting on her shoulder currently.
“Did lady Freya say why she came here specifically?”
‘I was under the impression that she is currently away on business.’
The owl shook its head, “I was only told to inform all of you to come up. Whatever it is, is far above my pay-grade, coo.”
Adrianna went up to the reception desk. But before she could ask if the top-floor was available to enter, the receptionist spoke after glancing at the owl on her shoulder, “The Chairman is expecting you, Mrs. Berkley.”
‘So the entire tower knows.’
Freya wouldn’t announce her return so openly. She would always slip into the tower and teleport out. That was because she didn’t like people fussing over her coming to the tower.
Her current duties were watching over Diacree. No, her main goal was protecting everyone against the Dragon Lords.
The dragon lords occupied mostly every major region on the continent. Six of their locations were known by Freya and the elite mages. The common people only know of three of them. Although they were mighty beings who were monarchs of their races and were symbols of peace, they were still a threat to everyone.
The Province of the Zrek region was being protected by two Dragon Lords which were an unusual combination. Every monster with Lord in their name didn’t like sharing a region with others. The Archmage—as well as the Tower mages—suspected that they might be up to something.
That was mostly why Freya was so busy these days besides her office work which she tended to skip. A lot.
“Miss Adrianna!” a voice called out to Adrianna. It was one of her assistants.
“I just heard that lady Freya in back in the empire. Is something going on?”
Adrianna ignored the girl who was jumping around her in burning curiosity.
“Will she finally give a private lesson to the junior mages of the Tower? Or maybe she created a new spell that the Tower has to incorporate into the textbooks?”
Adrianna sighed as she stopped, “Look, I don’t know why the Director came today. Even if I did know then I wouldn’t tell you since it’s classified.”
The girl pouted, “…Humph.”
“Listen, Lauran came with me today. I want you to go find her and lead her up to my office on the third floor. I’ll brief her on everything that she has to know. It’s still three hours before the opening ceremony.”
The time was currently 7am so there was a lot of time left for her to explore the campus but Adrianna wanted to go over a few things with Lauran before that.
“Can you do that, Sally?”
“Of course! I can finally get a junior that I can boss around like professor bosses me!”
“Haa… Just go.”
“Yees~!” Sally saluted before bolting down the hallway and descending the stairs.
Adrianna stepped onto the platform that was hovering on the ground. The elevator only needed to be infused with mana before it could take off.
It floated at astonishing speeds after she infused mana into the platform.
Adrianna suddenly felt a piece of paper in her robe’s pocket.
“What’s this?” she unfolded it.
“Ah…”
* Bring A Child to Work Month!
* All professors or any other employees may bring their children to work for the month of the academy’s opening. This event will help children be aware of what they can expect from the academy at an early age.
* Children may also be part of the lessons if they want to learn.
‘So it’s this. I almost forgot about it. It’s a shame Jack doesn’t want to join the academy.’
Jack had already expressed to his father many times that he wanted to become a soldier. That was way before Luke was made heir.
Of course, Jack being ten years old complicated things since it would’ve taken ten years for him to be eligible to inherit the household if he ever was to become the duke.
Marcus was already 58 years old so his time as the duke was slowly ticking. His initial plan was to give Arnold the household before he turned 20 years old which was two years away. Marcus originally wanted to retire when he came 60 but some factors almost hindered that.
Jack was his first option but—as mentioned before—he wasn’t interested nor suitable for the position.
Then there was Melina who was the same age. She was… well, special.
But that didn’t mean that autistic people couldn’t lead households. There had been many before her who could do that. But what prevented them from choosing Melina was their own selfish desire to protect her.
She was weak-willed and didn’t know how the world worked. It was too much for such a frail girl so—as over-protective parents as they were—they didn’t involve her in politics at all.
‘Then it’s decided. I’m bringing my baby next week. Ah, I should apologize to her tutor for interrupting Melina’s curriculum.’
Melina wasn’t very good with socializing or being around people that much so Adrianna hired a tutor for all Melina’s interests and subjects necessary for school.
They tried putting her in a school before but the children found her repetitive behaviours, verbal ticks, random shaking, slow brain and such annoying. Even loud noises made Melina scream repeatedly which caused others to isolate her.
Melina would come to her mother crying about how the kids bullied her.
Looking back, Adrianna realised that her decision to keep Melina out of school had backfired slightly.
Melina didn’t even have friends.
‘I hope she can make a lot of friends at the event. If she sees that there were some people who could learn to accept her then she might have a normal life without my intervention.’ Adrianna finally arrived at the topmost floor.
The 10th floor.
She was greeted with silence since this floor was reserved for the Director alone. But as she neared the office she could make our various voices.
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She arrived in front of the door but her view changed suddenly when she was about to knock.
“Eh?”
‘What kind of rapid teleportation was that?’
Adrianna noticed that she was standing inside a rather spacious office with windows all around. She could see the entire empire from where she stood.
“Everyone is here. Good.”
She looked towards that voice and noticed that ten other elite mages were standing inside the office.
Of course, this included Melissa.
Adrianna frowned gravely but didn’t say anything.
“Lady Freya, it has been a long time,” Adrianna bowed deeply in greeting.
“Mmm… All of you may sit.”
They did as she said and sat at the long table which had over twenty chairs. Adrianna made sure to not sit too close to Melissa because she had a feeling that Melissa would try to talk to her.
“We are delighted to have you here, lady Freya,” Melissa was the first to speak, “I and my colleagues hope to build a strong bond with you through magic. Not only your magical potential but also your beauty far exceeds each and every one of us.”
Freya smiled wryly at the sudden praise. Her face was like “What the hell do you want if you’re kissing my ass?”.
“I’m not here to dilly-dally, Melissa, was it?”
“Yes, lady Freya.”
“We can discuss whatever’s on your mind when I’m done with what I came here to do.”
“Ah, was it that obvious that I want to talk about something? But thank you very much.”
Freya turned to the rest of them, “I won’t waste any one of your time since the opening ceremony has to begin in just under three hours,” she continued, “There are rumours of a demon lord having entered our realm,” Freya’s words made Adrianna’s—and probably everyone else’s—hair stand on end.
“D-Demon lord? A lord from the Demon King’s army?” one of the elite mages asked.
“I trust all of you. That is why I am telling you this—yes, there is a rumour of a demon lord being sighted. Where, I don’t know yet. That’s why I came to the empire personally.”
The Archmage couldn’t be stationed at one place unless it was important for her to be there. The acting director of the board would stand in for her while she was gone.
Of course, being the chairman of all Magic Towers on the continent, she couldn’t just remain at one place at a time. That was why it was so rare to see her here.
The last time Adrianna saw her was four years ago. That was exactly when she became an Elite Mage enlisted to the Magic Tower.
“If I may ask,” Freya looked at Adrianna who lifted up her hand. She nodded to give permission for her to speak, “Do the Great Nobles know as well?”
“…Most likely not. I think Jurnick is keeping them in the dark because he knows that the four of them would get riled up and insist on searching for the demon lord. Of course, with the imperial army still gone, they can’t afford to leave the empire just yet. It’ll take three more months until they come back from the frontlines.”
‘So that’s why…’
Adrianna already knew about the imperial army and the Crown Prince being away but she never expected that even the emperor wouldn’t inform his most loyal subordinates. But she could agree on Freya’s words: a demon lord shouldn’t be left alone to roam this world.
“This is purely conjecture. I received a strange report from the Adventurer Guild HQ the other day,” Freya gave a stack of papers to one of them to hand out before speaking, “These files are the reports I received. It contains every sighting of demons. I would like all of you to protect these with your life.”
“But why tell us, lady Freya?” Adrianna asked.
“Because this problem can only be solved by us, the mages. I’ve discovered that only magic can work against these portals that spit out these demons. A large one was recently sighted in the Undead Plains. I closed it off with a divine spell I had to learn in two days. It was an 11th rank and I cannot use it for quite a while due to the enormous amount of mana required. That is why I need all of you. I will teach this spell to you. It doesn’t matter what rank you are, I can guarantee that all of you will be able to learn it,” Freya looked at everyone’s expressions before she continued, “Your job is only to close the demon portals by going to their sightings. My job will be to catch whatever creatures pour out of those portals. In case of a demon lord… I will try my best to slay it and call for the help of the Great Nobles. Jurnick will have to choose when the time comes.”
Even Freya didn’t seem confident at being able to handle a demon lord.
With the power of the Fairy Millennium, The Piercer and Thunder God they might be able to win. No, they would definitely win.
Adrianna had a question on her mind after reading the first page of the documents in the file, “What happened to the first sighting of a demon portal?”
“An adventurer cleared it.”
It was as simple as that. She didn’t even try to beat around the bush.
“A… An adventurer? Fought with demons?” one of the professors took off his glasses as his eyes widened, “H-How?”
“The headquarters is tight-lipped about that. Even the village where it all happened went silent. I can’t exactly force my position down their throats and order them to tell me. All I know is that that person killed all the demons and destroyed the portal. He collapsed the mountain from what I’ve heard. Demon energy couldn’t seep through the debris so the portal lost its power supply.”
“Collapsed… a mountain?”
‘What absurd power. Was it one of the SS-rankers?’
“We’re currently trying to search for this person. But I don’t even have a name yet so it’s really difficult to get a lead,” Freya suddenly went quiet as she stared at the file in front of her.
‘Huh? What’s going on?’ Adrianna looked around and noticed that everyone else was also looking at Freya in confusion.
Freya was silently looking to the ground while fiddling with the pen in her hands. Her face was blank as if she was thinking of something.
“What is the matter, lady Freya? If you are having trouble finding this person then allow me to do it.” Melissa confidently declared.
“No… it’s not that at all…” Freya spoke quietly, “Tell me something… And I want everyone to be honest…” she lifted her head.
“What do you all think of me establishing a team of people to slay the demon lords and their King?”
“What?”
“A-A team?”
“Wait, the Demon King too!?”
“I-Isn’t that too foolish!?”
All of them had different reactions in regards to her statement.
Adrianna decided to speak up. She was the only one who was composed.
“Does lady Freya intend to do that because there is no Hero to stand against the Demon King and his followers?”
“It is as you surmised, Adrianna von Berkley,” Freya nodded, “Promethius was the only one who came so close to killing the Demon King. The Demon King was too strong. An exceptional individual that had never been seen in this world’s history. Monsters like the Wills of the World Tree and the dragon lords couldn’t hope of fighting against such a being. But…”
She paused, further intensifying the expectancy of her words, “What if we gather such a team of people? Heroes. Not just one but several dozen. I’ve been thinking about this for awhile now. Of course, my worries may be unfounded and the demon lord may not even be in this world like I suspect it is.”
Everything Freya had told them was only a guess after she witnessed the demon portals which ranged in density and size. The demon portal which was discovered in that village was small enough to allow low-ranking monsters to crawl through. Perhaps she found one that could have allowed a demon lord to crawl through? The most likely portal would be the one in the Undead Plains that Freya cleared.
Adrianna, along with everyone else, also would’ve come to the same conclusion if they investigated like Freya did. It was only right to assume the worst if demons were involved.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea,” Melissa spoke, “But who would we even choose? I’m sure the dragon lords wouldn’t think of helping.”
“Naturally, there’s me. Since I am the one who intends to create this team, I should be on it. Also…” Freya looked at the world map which was hanging on her office’s wall, “Maybe we could ask the Theocracy to lend us some of their people? [The Warriors of The Word of God] or whatever they’re known as might accept if we ask them. It’s the Demon King after all.”
“Then why not ask for Justice or Mountain of God? There are also individuals outside the Testaments who are rather powerful. Like Lancelot, the strongest inquisitor.”
“Good idea. I’ll go to the Theocracy later this month. Whether they accept is only known by the goddess,” Freya stood up, “Anyway, I want all of you to keep your schedules open in the next two weeks. I’ll handle the spell during that time with all of you.”
“Yes, lady Freya!” all of them answered in unison.
One of them asked curiously, “Is lady Freya going to be present at the opening ceremony? Everyone will be delightful to see you after so long.”
Freya only sighed loudly which made the person shrug in defeat.
Too troublesome, was probably what she wanted to say.
A bell suddenly rang throughout the entire academy, signifying that all the students had to gather in the school hall.
“All of you need to go,” Freya told them all as she sank into her chair as if it was the most comfortable thing in this world, “I’ll be waiting for you.”
◇◇◇
Adrianna and one of her other assistants walked towards the school hall. She had just exited the office and met up with her assistant halfway to the school hall. Hundreds of students were getting in line to enter the school hall.
Besides the training grounds, the school hall was one of the biggest buildings on the premises. With good reason since it had to house 1400 students, more or less. And hundreds of professors.
‘I should get Lauran to practice this spell as well,’ Adrianna looked at the drawing of the magic circle on the magic sheet that Freya gave all of them.
‘A team of heroes, huh… No, should I call if a hero party? I wonder how they’ll go about this… Well, I guess we’ll hear about it officially if the Emperor gives permission.’
Adrianna stood at the stairs and looked over the academy. Countless students were racing towards the school hall, mostly the first years. The other years would follow after the first years had entered.
‘There are a lot this year. I wonder if Lauran and Elizabeth will fit in?’
“Hold on…” Adrianna looked at her assistant, “Has Elizabeth Caervil sent her form yet?”
“I don’t think so? Perhaps Sally knows, professor.”
‘Haah… I should’ve asked her before chasing her away.’
Adrianna was worried that Elizabeth wouldn’t accept after what happened. She didn’t offer to sponsor Elizabeth out of pity. Not at all. She did it because she was a fan of the girl’s work.
Her designs exuded elegance and imagination that had never been seen on the empire’s market. How had such a talented individual remained under the radar without any recognition? Adrianna wanted to use her connections and influence to make this girl make a name for herself.
Of course, she would also benefit in the long run. It was a good investment. No, she had made two good investments. Maybe she should offer more sponsorships?
‘Ah, but a household can’t sponsor more than five. I should use it sparingly.’
Adrianna began descending the stairs after finishing that fleeting thought. Her assistant followed after her.