The next day, I was called by Eliza and headed to the royal palace alone.

　I was ushered into the same place as yesterday, the ornate garden.
　Eliza, who was waiting for me there, seemed to be dressed to the nines.

　Not an imperial dress, but a beautiful dress for a girl of her age.
　I couldn't help but notice the beautiful dress worn by the beautiful Eliza.

It's beautiful, isn't it?
"Yeah, so?　It's not like I'm wearing this everyday.

　For some reason, Eliza was blushing and her voice was hoarse.
　There is so much charm even if you behave like that.
　You can't help but gawk at it, it's rude to be summoned.

　I pulled myself together and asked Eliza.

'What's going on today?　Call me or something.

　Eliza cleared her throat and composed herself and said, "I want you to be the principal emeritus of the school of magic.

"I want you to be an honorary principal of a magic school.
"Magic school?
"Don't you know?
I've heard of it, but not in detail.
"Yes.

　Eliza smiled and explained.

It's a school on the outskirts of the city that trains mages and wizards. It is thoroughly away from the capital and the city so that you can practice your magic to your heart's content, and there are dungeons with monsters nearby for real battles.
"Sounds like a pretty spartan place,
Well, that's tough.
You mean, you're going to be an honorary principal. Why?

　When I asked, Eliza lowered her tone a bit and continued with a straight face.

It was also built as a fortress to which the emperor or his heirs could flee in case the city was ever overthrown by a coup or rebel army and rebuild their forces. It's the last bastion of the royal family, so to speak.
I see.

　That makes sense.
　He's sending me, his second-in-command, because I'm his last lifeline.
　Eliza wants me to be her long-lasting right hand.

I understand. But what do I have to do to be an honorary principal?
"First you show your face, then you go to the seasonal events . That's all you need to know.
Is that right?
"If you're in the position of vice emperor.
"Okay. I'll take care of that.
Thank you.

　Eliza smiled happily.
　After all, the dress looked good on her.

　　　　　.

　On the outskirts of the city. I came to the witchcraft school on a carriage.
　It was just as Eliza described.

　It's called a magic "school," but from a distance it looks like a fort hidden in the open air.

　It has the advantage of being on the ground due to the difference in elevation and a water source nearby in case of a siege.
　There are also bridges and other structures that restrict the route of travel.
　Even at a glance, you can see that the castle was designed with great care and consideration.

　The carriage continues on and arrives at the school's front gate.

　A group of adults are waiting for you.
　The group, which consists of nearly a hundred men and women, are lined up in an orderly line on the school grounds, beyond the main gate.

　I jumped off the carriage.
　An older man comes running toward me.

　He is of average height for an adult male, and his body is shaped to look down on me as a mere seven-year-old, but he is bent low at the waist.

"My name is Ethan Handred, Headmaster of the School of Wizardry.
"My name is Alexander Carlyle. It's a pleasure to meet you. Who are the folks over there?
"Yes, we are the teachers of our university who have been informed that His Highness the Vice-Emperor will be joining us. If we can arrange an introduction later.
"Yeah, okay.
Then go inside the school.

　Ethan said and half turned and gave way to me.
　I walked out and was about to go through the front gate.

　Hmm?
　Why is Ethan grinning at me?
　What does that look mean--.

"Huh?

　As I was about to dodge, the thought of Ethan's expression flew out of my head.

　I couldn't help myself.
　I tried to walk through the main gate, but I couldn't get through.
　With a faint crackle, sparks flew, and an invisible wall prevented me from getting through.

　The word "warding" popped into my head.

　I see, indeed, a fort.

　Not only is it the last lifeline according to Eliza, but it's usually in a nearby dungeon where students are practicing magic.
　I'm sure the monsters will come after them.


　With a place like that, you need a warding that covers the school grounds for safety.

　But I know we need a warding, but we can't get in there as it is, so I made a magic ball on the spot to break the warding and get in.

　Paleen.

　After hearing a sound like glass breaking, I was able to easily pass through.

What?

　I heard a voice filled with emotions of surprise.
　When I looked, I saw that all the teachers who had gathered there were looking at me in disbelief.

　I wondered why, and I immediately recognized .......
　It's a boundary to keep the monsters out, and it was a bad idea to crack it without thinking.
　I need to fix it (、、、、、).

　I drew the knowledge of wards from the philosopher's stone that I carry with me everywhere.
　Let's make the wards stronger, so that only the monsters can be rejected and teachers and students can pass through easily.

　Draw knowledge from the philosopher's stone and develop your mind on how to make the wards.
　You've re-scaled the warding over the entire school, making it stronger than usual.

　When you're sure it's secure, you turn to the principal.

"Headmaster Ethan!
Yes, yes. What do you want?
I've re-walled the entire school so that only teachers and students can get through, but I'll show you how to prove to the teachers and students later.

　I said so, and let the pebbles disappear by walking in and out of the main gate, letting them touch the warding in the same way.
　I proved that only teachers and students can pass through the warding, but...

What!

　Raptured Ethan.
　I can't believe it, oh my god.
　I can't believe it.

　Well, ...... did I do something wrong?

　I wondered, but Ethan wasn't the only one who reacted strangely.

Hey, who's the guy who suggested that I embarrass a decorated kid who's going to be an honorary principal just because of his connections?
"More than that, the wards protecting the entire school in this moment?　It's impossible for all of us to do that.
"You guys listen to me more, only teachers and students can get through, you know. I've never heard of wards that can sort out targets.
"Isn't that a bluff?

　The buzzing teachers.
　For some reason, they all looked annoyed. So, it's not just teachers and students who come and go at school, is it?

　...... So, it's not just teachers and students who go in and out of schools.
　Especially this fortified school, there are also those who bring in and out supplies, such as rations and weapons equipment.

　These wards won't let them through.

　I asked the Philosopher's Stone again.

　We just have to play the monster.
　Let humans and animals in, only hostile monsters.
　I'll draw such a warding from the stone.

　It takes a lot more magic than this.
　That's roughly ten percent of its magic.

　Moreover, you'll need to undo the last one, so you need the magic to do that too.
　It's kind of like I'm losing money on the cheap.

　But I have to do it.

　I first lifted the current wards and then set up new ones.
　The wards, which would be classified as sacred magic, became a thin, golden, dome-shaped, visible warding that only played monsters.

　The dome-shaped warding became clearly visible and easily enveloped the entire school grounds.

It's back up, so now humans and matter can pass through, and only monsters can be prevented ......?

　The principal, Ethan, and the assembled teachers.
　Everyone looked at me in disbelief.

　Did you do something wrong again ......?