The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 36: Principality of Lustea – The Academy

Episode 36: Principality of Lustea – The Academy

—The gates of the Academy were located at the northern edge of the Principality of Lustea.

On the tall, towering stone pillars of the gate, a motto written in words was engraved:

“Unlock the world through knowledge, and reach logic through truth.“

No one knew who had written it. But those words carried a weight that seemed to have never faded. Even after a long passage of time.

(…What an amazing place.)

A breath escaped me unintentionally.

I could tell that every piece of decoration applied the use of technology.

The cluster of buildings that spread beyond the gate—every one of them was clearly a space filled with the best of knowledge and magic.

In the game, there was only one background illustration that resembled the Academy. It was shown once at the end of the foreign student route… but compared to that, this was overwhelmingly beyond anything I had expected.

Lucrane had his usual unchanged expression. He walked one step ahead.

The premises of the Academy were wrapped in a calm atmosphere.

Everyone walking about wore robes or research gear and walked to their respective destinations.

There were young people, and there were older ones. But all of them seemed to carry a common air of “devotion to truth.”

(So this is the Academy…)

The obsession with knowledge.

The eyes of those who dedicate their lives to research.

To me, who had only been fighting, it felt foreign—and yet, I found myself somewhat envious.

Eventually, Lucrane stopped in front of the main building.

“This is where I will handle the report procedures. Alphonse-san, please wait here in the waiting room for a while.”

“…Understood.”

The room I was shown to was simple but neatly prepared.

On the thick desk were piled journals that seemed to be publications from the Academy.

A water pitcher and glasses placed in the corner gave the room a composed atmosphere.

Once Lucrane closed the door and stepped out, silence returned to the room.

When I strained my ears, I could faintly hear birds chirping and the voices of what sounded like students from the courtyard outside.

(Is that the school building?)

The structure visible through the window was a wooden auditorium standing at a slight distance.

There were young boys and girls visible.

Some held staffs and ran while chatting.

Others clutched books and dashed inside.

Most likely, that was the “school building”—a place where those not yet adults came to learn.

Knowledge not for fighting. But it was used for building the future.

Their figures looked as though they belonged to a different world.

(…No, that’s not quite right.)

Even so, among them, surely there were people like me. Someone who “observed” in order to know something, to gain something.

I happened to glance at the spine of a booklet on the desk.

There were technical paper titles such as:

“Basic Theory of Application and Refinement of Magic Ore.“

“Experiments of Magical Essence Fixation Under Specific Environments.“

(This place was just one of the “background” elements in the game…)

Even so, I felt like I was overwhelmed by everything within my field of view.

Maybe it was because I could clearly see the attitude of unceasing pursuit of “knowledge.”

◆

Lucrane returned about several dozen minutes later.

His steps were calm. But he still carried a slightly tense air.

However, his expression also had a hint of accomplishment.

“Thank you for waiting. The report was completed without issue. As for the ‘upper management’s’ judgment… they said they need some time to consider.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Unspoken, it meant that no conclusion would be reached immediately.

I had expected that.

I nodded quietly and followed after Lucrane. He had started walking.

Along the walls, neatly trimmed hedges continued.

We passed by directional signs and proceeded slowly along a cobbled path.

The sun was high. And a gentle breeze blew through.

Everything in sight seemed to carry a certain fragrance of “knowledge.”

“…This matter has far exceeded our expectations. Preparations for future monster appearances—including that—will likely be discussed among the upper management.”

“I see. It was beyond expectations, then.”

“Yes. Most likely, the upper management shares the same understanding.”

That just shows how rare the ice attribute is.

Even in the game it was like that. Now I realized that this world treats it the same way.

Even without speaking it aloud, things can be conveyed.

I lightly bowed my head. Then, as the conversation reached a natural pause, I brought up a new topic.

“—By the way, may I ask something?”

“Of course. Go ahead.”

“It’s about the ‘Silent Soak Stone’ I briefly mentioned the other day.”

“Ah… yes, I remember.”

Lucrane gave a slight nod and slowed his pace.

He seemed to have immediately figured out what I was talking about.

I gave a small clarification:

“This is unrelated to any official request. It’s a personal matter. So, only if it’s not too much trouble.”

“Ah, in that case, it’s fine. Or rather—I thought you’d bring it up again.”

Lucrane continued. He was smiling lightly.

“The matter of the Silent Soak Stone, right? I’ve already informed ‘her’ about it.”

“…! Does that mean there’s someone here at the Academy who’s well-informed?”

“Yes. A person named Flone is well-suited for it.”

I opened my eyes slightly in surprise.

The fact that things had progressed more smoothly than I expected was a small shock.

“She has considerable skill in analyzing and refining Magic Ore and mineral materials… Even within the Academy, she is highly regarded in that field.”

“I see, I understand now.”

Flone… If she’s the right person, then she’s likely the one who was meant to be a “planned” character in the original game specifications.

But the name Lucrane mentioned carried a faint sense of something catching in my memory.

“However…”

Lucrane’s tone slightly grew heavier.

“She has a bit of a difficult personality. She’ll still handle things formally. But, she’s quite quirky… If she doesn’t take interest in the other party, getting full cooperation will be difficult.”

“…I see.”

“Still, it’s not impossible that she might take an ‘interest’ in someone like you.”

Lucrane gave a slightly meaningful smile.

(Silent Soak Stone—if that *conversion* is possible, it could become a major breakthrough moving forward. But to draw out information, I might need to also have something to “show.”)

“I’ll guide you tomorrow. For today, please take a look around the Academy first.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

I accepted and looked around the interior of the Academy.

Original Author’s Comment:

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Thank you so much for reading to the end!!

Also, I received a gift today…! Thank you so much!!

You’ve all continued to support me, and it’s both encouraging and a little embarrassing… 😂

I hope you’ll continue to watch over Alphonse’s story from here on too!!!

(Here’s the link if you want to support the Author: https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176303375188.)