Chapter 125

They crossed mountains, sailed across the sea.

After nearly three days and nights of travel, they finally reached the island.

“We’re heeere! Man, I’m glad the weather turned out nice.”

Eruca was the first to hop energetically off the ship.

Several ships were moored at the harbor, and the cries of seabirds echoed across the cloudless blue sky.

A gentle slope stretched from the harbor toward the center of the island, lined with colorful buildings, forming a bustling cityscape.

Beyond the cityscape stood numerous, particularly large, black buildings――Allen could only sigh at the familiar sight.

"I never thought I'd end up coming home so early..."

It had been three years since he’d last returned, since he’d been fired from his teaching post at eighteen and stormed out.

With complicated feelings stirring inside, he squeezed Charlotte’s hand and guided her.

“Careful, Charlotte. Watch your step.”

"Y-Yes."

Charlotte disembarked unsteadily from the boat.

She looked out over the island and gulped.

“So this is the island where your school is…? Could it be, that black building on the hill is the school?” Find the newest release on novelꜰire.net

“School? That’s the student dormitory.”

“A-a dormitory that huge…! It really must be an amazing school.”

“Well, yeah.”

Allen looked around the port. Among the many people gathered, he spotted a few people wearing black robes similar to his own. There were also a lot of young people there. After all, this island is...

"After all, this entire island is the Athena Magic Academy."

“Ehh!?”

This was Athena Island, a literal academy city.

Eighty percent of the island's residents are students, teachers, and other academy-related people, with the rest being tourists or merchants.

The island is so large that it would take a whole day to ride horseback around it, and it's home to academy facilities, tourist inns, a downtown area, and residential areas where the teachers live.

As I explained this, Charlotte's eyes widened slightly, but she tilted her head in confusion.

"Even though the school is on an island, tourists still come here?”

“Well, it’s a pleasant, remote island. I suppose it’s perfect for people who want to relax away from prying eyes.”

“...‘Away from prying eyes,’ huh.”

Charlotte then quietly looked around.

The port was bustling with people. Searching for someone familiar among them, she muttered to herself.

"I wonder if Natalia came to this island for that reason too...?"

“...Who knows.”

Allen could only shake his head.

Luu and Gousetsu disembarked behind them, tilting their heads.

『Natalia, she’s Mama’s sister they told us about on the ship, right? 』

『But wasn’t she supposed to be in a neighboring country?』

“Y-Yes, she was supposed to be…”

Charlotte turned to Eruca, face tense. Eruca, however, simply smiled brightly and spoke with ease.

"Yes. Natalia is here. She's alone, without any family or servants."

"I heard that, but...can you please explain the details?"

The daughter of a noble family comes alone to a remote island in another country, without any attendants. No matter how you look at it, there's bound to be a complicated story or two.

Allen had questioned Eluca throughout the journey, but all she said was “I’ll explain when we arrive.” He still knew almost nothing.

Eruca gave a wry smile and shrugged her shoulders.

“It’s kind of complicated. Easier if you see for yourselves. I’ll explain properly at home.”

“Tch… I knew it.”

“H-Home…?”

Allen visibly grimaced and slumped his shoulders.

Charlotte first blinked in puzzlement, then gasped in realization.

"You mean... Allen and Eruca's parents' house!?"

"Yes. Mom and Dad are waiting for you."

“Oh no, I-I need to greet them properly. B-But…”

“Don’t worry, Charlotte-chan, you’ll be fine. If anything, it’s my brother who should be nervous.”

“A-Allen-san…?”

“Exactly.”

Charlotte tilted her head, baffled, while Eruca chuckled mischievously.

“You’ve heard about how my brother got fired from the academy three years ago, right?”

“Y-Yes. That’s when he set out on his journey, isn’t it?”

“Uh-huh. But to be precise, it’s because he got into a huge fight with our dad and stormed out of the house.”

“A huge fight!?”