Odette's point of view.



The day before the orientation of the Magic Guild.
　Odette was trembling in front of the letter she received from her father, Duke Surrey.

''........Why is this letter now?

　While muttering, Odette is staring at her father's letter.

　The contents of the letter are...


"My daughter, I want to inform you, Odette.

　Do you remember the terms of your membership in the Sorcerer's Guild?
　You were told that the guild would allow you to study in the guild for a year.
　The condition was that if you didn't become a C-level mage within a year, they would use you in a political marriage.

　But things have changed.
　Two dukes of the same rank as our family have arranged for their daughters to be married for political reasons.

　The Duke of Surrey's family lagged behind the other families and could not be disrespected.
　The promised period of time will be reduced to six months.
　If you are not successful by then, we will proceed with your marriage.

　That is all.''



You've got to be kidding me!

　Odette knocked her father's letter on the floor.

Before she joined the Magic Guild, she was supposed to have received a two-year reprieve.
　As soon as I came to King's Landing, that became a year.
　Right before orientation, it was reduced to six months.

''...If only my grandmother had lived, she would have stopped my father.

　Odette's grandmother was a sorceress from the 'Magic Guild'.

　Ever since she was a child, Odette had heard strange stories from her grandmother.
　That's why she wasn't frightened when she heard about Iris's "immortal constitution". She said that since there are strange things in the world, it must be possible for such things to happen.

　That's why Odette decided to become a sorcerer.
　Her parents agreed with her, but after her grandmother died, she decided to become a sorcerer.

　But after her grandmother died, her father changed his mind.
　He began to think about using Odette as an instrument of political marriage in order to rise above the other dukes.



　When Odette thought about this, the image of Yuki popped into her head.
　With Yuki's help, it would be easy to obtain the rank of C-class magician.
　I'm sure that if you ask Odette, he will help you.
　But...

"Yuki is the one who's reincarnated. Now that the remnants of the Sanctuary Church have appeared, we can't let them stand out.

　Odette rolled up the letter and pushed it into the corner of the bookcase.
　Instead, she looked over the 'Orientation' guide that arrived from the 'Magic Guild'.

''Iris is paired with Yuki and I'm paired with Countess Thérèse, right?

　I've never heard of it, but we have to work together to get through the orientation.
　While thinking about this, Odette plans for tomorrow.



　The next day, Yuki's point of view...



　Orientation day.
　I was paired with Iris, and we had come to the first level of the giant dungeon, Elysian.

　The trainees of my class were gathered around me.
　There are about a dozen of them.

　Odette is also there. She's paired with a girl I don't know.
　She's a quiet-looking girl with long bangs. So she's the Countess of Thérèse.

　Since it's Odette, she'll be fine with whoever she's paired with.
　We trained in magic together before the battle with Alec-Keels the other day. I'm sure you're capable.

　We have our work cut out for us.

"Rules of the game, once again.

　Standing in front of the trainees, the sorcerer who played the role of instructor said.
　There are two instructors who play the role of instructors.
　One is Demeter-sensei, a C-level sorcerer. The other one is a C-level sorcerer, Daratton, I think he said.

''This orientation is for you guys to familiarize yourselves with this dungeon, Elysian. You must move according to the map we have handed out and come to the point where we are waiting for you.

　After being told, I looked into Iris' hand.
　There was a map of the first level of the dungeon, handed out to each pair.
　This seems to be the route we should take today.

The route drawn on the map is different for each pair. The routes drawn on the map are different for each pair, and they do not intersect with each other. The purpose of this is for you to learn about the vastness and horror of the dungeon called Elysian. So far, so good?

　The trainees, including me, nodded at the sorcerer's voice.

'The demons that appear on the first level are all weak. I don't think I've ever chosen someone who doesn't struggle with that as a trainee. But if you think you can't go any further, hit the armband you've been given and cast a spell.

　The instructor indicated the armband he wore on his left arm.
　Iris and I both wear the same one.
　It's a magic item with a crystal ball on the surface.

"That's how I'll know where you are. It's a bit of a hassle, but I'm going to help you. However, you should be aware of the consequences for your future evaluation. We don't want to take care of the trainees. I'd rather get back to my research.

　Daraton, the C-level sorcerer, spat.
　Next to him, Dr. Demeter chuckled.

'You have the map, right?　We'll wait at the goal on the first level, and after 10 minutes the armband crystals will glow. Then we'll start moving. Don't even think about taking a shortcut. There's a huge crack in the first level. If you fall, you'll be upside down on the third level. As a nobleman, be careful if you don't want to do anything to crush the family's spirit. That's all.

　With that said, C-level sorcerer Demeter and the male instructor began to move on.
　We'll take a side street from the dungeon's central corridor and leave without further ado.
　This time we'll be moving through the dungeon's intricate caves, too. It's tedious, though.

'Are you ready... wasn't it... okay?　Your Highness Iris.
I'll be fine. Yuki-sama... but...

　Next to me, Iris gave a small shiver.


...Is that so?
"...It's kind of ticklish. Like I'm being shunned ... or something.
You've been calling me "Your Highness" all this time, haven't you?
It seems that my constitution has changed since I realized that I'm Alice's reincarnated body.

　Iris rolled up the sleeves of her robe to show him.
　She had goosebumps (torihada).

''........It seems that the 'Alice' inside me is getting stronger. Could you call me 'Alice' when we're alone?
I'll do my best.

　Whispering and whispering.

　Me and Iris move away from the line of trainees and talk to each other in a whisper.
　I'm on my knees on the ground, by the way.
　That's where Iris, with her sleeves rolled up, is holding out her arms.

　So...

'Hey, look. It's His Highness Iris and her escorting knight, Yuki-Grossaria.
'I think I'm getting fired up before I attempt the first level of the dungeon.
''Even with an orientation like this, His Highness is giving it his all....
Don't let your guardian knight down. He's the sorcerer who defeated the C-level sorcerer Alec-Keels, man.
Look at them. The princess and her kneeling in the foyer. It's like a painting.

　I'm sure that's what people around me think of me.
　When in reality, it's just Iris putting her arms around me and giving me goosebumps.

　I guess Odette knows what we're doing. He's got a bitter smile on his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet, because our time is up.

　Suddenly, Odette spoke up.
　They all look at the armband on her left arm.
　As they watch with their breaths.......eventually, the crystals on the surface begin to flash.
　Then the trainees start running towards the finish line.

　Orientation begins.





"Okay, Dick, Neil. You guys keep an eye out.
Yes, sir.

　About ten minutes after the orientation started, Iris and I arrived at the end of the "Holy Sword Cave".
　Iris and I had arrived at the innermost part of the 'Cave of the Holy Sword'.

　A princess of a royal family would never run as fast as she could while out of breath.
　They are the last to leave and finish the race without hurry or fuss.

　We started moving after all the trainees were gone, with the appropriate reason that - - we started moving after all the trainees were gone.
　After checking that there were no people around, we jumped into the 'Cave of the Holy Sword'.
　Of course, I asked Dick and Neil, the bats, to guard the outside.

　The objective was to return the replica of the Holy Sword to the Cave of the Holy Sword.
　I asked Roderea from the Grail Trading Company to prepare a replica that looks exactly like it. I poured my "Myster Blood" into it and imbued it with a magical power similar to the real one.
　All that's left is to put it in its sheath.

　In any case, the person who obtains the 'Ancient Artifact' has the right to own it.
If you offer it to the Magic Guild, you'll receive a title or reward, but I have no intention of exchanging the holy sword for anything else.
　That holy sword is the ancient artifact that killed me, and it was involved in the reincarnation of me and Alice.
　Moreover, Lyle has a cool nickname, the Sage of Betrayal.
　If they find out that I'm his father's replacement and Alice is his daughter, the remnants of the Sanctuary Church won't take kindly to me.
　That's why it's best to seal that holy sword where no one can see it.

Good.........

　I inserted the replica holy sword into the sheath that was still stuck in the rock.
　The sword has a lock on it so it cannot be removed. That's the one that the teacher Kachel sealed the bookshelf with in the barony's territory. I've strengthened it with my 'magic blood', so it's impossible for anyone but me to pull it out.
　If someone else pulls it out and realizes it's a replica.......

Let's blame it on the Sanctuary Church.
Let's do it.

　Me and Iris looked at each other and nodded.
　They gave me a bad time in my past life. Maybe a little payback in this life wouldn't hurt. Maybe.

When we get out of the Cave of the Sacred Sword, we'll resume orientation. Go back to princess mode. Iris.
Can I be Alice for a little while longer?

　As I said, Iris shook her head.

''It's not often that we get to be alone together like this... let me relieve you of the stress of being a princess once in a while. Just until you reach the goal, it's fine.
Well that's just the way it is.

　I took Iris' hand and left the 'Cave of the Holy Sword'.
　I called for Dick and Neil, the bats waiting for me at the exit, and made them stay on my shoulder.

　I then scratched my fingers with my dagger and refilled them with Myster Blood.
　I also write the emblem of 'Boosted' on their wings.

''From now on, Dick and Neil, I want you to widen the range to check for people around us.

　I tell the two of them what to do.

My boy wants to be Alice in the village for the first time in a long time. I don't want people to see her like that.
Please. Mr. Dick. Mr. Neil.
"Yes, sir." "Leave it to me.

　The two bats happily flit around me and Iris.

''I'm powered up thanks to my master's blood, so I won't miss any signs.
I'm counting on you.
Let's go then. What's the route?
'If you look at the map you're supposed to go straight down the center aisle and into a side street.

　After a while, there's a large horizontal hole in the rock wall.
　It seems that we have to enter there and go through a complicated route. Moreover, it is a long way to the goal. There are some dead ends on the way. Or, is this a crack in the ground?

"Is it a crack in the ground that if you fall down, you go headlong to the third level? What a hassle.
Do you want to go around?
Let's just fly over. It's faster.
'Yes. For the first time in a long time, I can fly with My Lord!
At best, it'll float. Don't get your hopes up.
Yes, sir.

　Me and Iris started moving.
　Speaking of which, I wonder how Odette is doing. I'm sure she's fine, but........

'Dick,'
'Yes. The Five Peoples'
Additional instructions. I'm going to draw another coat of arms...

　I gave Dick, the bat, additional orders.