After being reminded of the power of Yagami Akira, they all moved to the western section of the castle prepared for the academy, where a brief entrance ceremony was held.
　However, there was no sign of Bal and Meena on the spot.
　It was Jurgen's decision that they didn't need to be present at the entrance ceremony, and they were gratefully indulged.

'Even though the future was promising, it seemed like you were only a chick at this stage, Bal-sama.

　Meena speaks to Val from next to him as he walks slowly through the castle.

You're probably around 20 years old at the most. You'll need plenty of experience to become an influential person. And the person who can become a vizier, vizier, general or magic director is already at an age where he or she will be able to make a name for himself or herself.

I didn't see anyone who could have been a general or a witchcraft chief.

　She probed lightly and got a rough idea of the first term students' abilities.

'Well, they're not inherently at the level they come up with either. I think that's exactly what the ...... empire is facing.

　And Val sighs.
　The challenge for the empire, he says, is that while some of the personnel are outstanding, it's therefore hard to find a successor to replace them.

''It seemed like the generational change of the Eight Divine Brilliance went smoothly, didn't it?

　Mina questioned.
　As far as she knows, the eight shinigami, who seem to be the hardest to collect, were easily eight people together.
　Val chuckles and points out something she's forgotten.

'If it wasn't for you, there would only be seven of us and someone else wouldn't be able to retire.

Oh, yes, of course.

　Mina gave a shy and embarrassed smile.
　It wasn't just because she was strong in any way that she had been promoted to Yagami Akira.
　If there had been someone else of suitable strength, it would have been very unlikely that she would have been chosen.

''I'll say it again, as long as you have the right people and everyone agrees with you, you can retire.

　Val repeats what he once said to her when he scouted her.

'You don't need to worry about me, sir. I have no complaints about me.

　She replied with a smile, disorienting the maidservant who happened to witness it.
　On the outside, she is an exceptional beauty.
　Now that everyone knows her character, no men have come to court her, but when no one knew her, she would receive applications in droves.

I don't know about the others, though.

　She spits venom in a mischievous way.
　Her bitterness towards everyone but Val was never going to change.

''They all admit it internally. It's not often that Yagami Akira is so docile that he doesn't do anything because the odds of winning one-on-one are slim.

　He assessed his companions as such.
　He once told Claude that he was unhappy with her attitude and not saying anything, but there were probably only two or three people, including Claude, who wanted to say something, but couldn't.
　Sydonier is critical of the emperor personally, although he obeys the official orders of the emperor and the decisions of the state.
　Manuel is not without loyalty, but it's doubtful that he would risk his life to fight for the emperor, even if he wasn't Val.
　As expected, if there were eight of the strongest class of beings, they couldn't all be loyal to each other.

''It's only recently, but I think I've figured that out.

　Meena agrees with him.
　They had just stepped out of the castle and were basking in the sun when they bumped into Princess Beate and Sidonie.

'Oh, Val and Vilhemina. Have you had enough of the Academy?

　The Princess shows that she knows properly.

'Yes. We have been given permission by my master Jurgen to do nothing even if we were here.'

　Val and Mina only made a brief bow, but Beate didn't get angry.

'Well, how about a cup of tea if you want?　I just happened to catch Sydonier just now.

　She smiles as Val glances lightly at the captured Sidonier.
　Apparently, Sydonier intends to be on good terms with Princess Beate.

''Thank you for inviting me. I will join you.''

　If it were true, it would not be complimentary to speak to the princess in this way.
　But Beate, famous for his eccentricities, was rather pleased.

'Yes. How about Vilhemina?'

I'm coming, sir.

　If Val is coming, he'll come, as she and Sidonier both expected, and the reply comes from Meena's mouth.