TENKEN 665 Rhyn and the Academy
Weena suggested Fran to go to the continent of Gordisia, but Fran seemed to be troubled by something.
『Something bothering you?』
「Nn… The Kingdom of Raidos, is it okay to let them get away this time?」
『Well, that' s certainly something to be concerned about, but… There's nothing we can do on our own against a big country, right?』
No adventurers are allowed to enter that country, and even if we did infiltrate, what would we do? Move around the large country in hiding, searching for Nameless and Zelyse wherever they might be?
If we're not careful, the whole country will turn against us, right?
It's just too reckless. Even if we were to look for Nameless there, we wouldn't even know where to go.
「As for the Kingdom of Raidos, I have contacted some countries and guilds about this incident. It's not too late to wait for their response. It's not like we want to destroy the Kingdom of Raidos immediately, right?」
「Nn」
「Eventually, they'll have to pay for what they've done. There will come a time when I will need your help. Until then, please be patient, okay?」
Weena had no mercy for anyone who messed with her. Even if she no longer had the power to punish them herself, she seemed to be planning to fight against the Kingdom of Raidos in some way.
「Okay」
For Fran, the Kingdom of Raidos is a detestable country that causes trouble all around her. But it wasn't so much that she hated it or wanted to destroy it.
At most, she wished she could see them suffer, maybe?
Well, for now, that is.
There is also information that they have collaborated with Zelyse to create Nameless and are targeting Jean. For Fran, some of the powerful people in the Kingdom of Raidos had become an opponent that had to be defeated.
However, Fran doesn't want to deal with it on her own either. If Weena is willing to make a move, she can wait for it.
「Then, I'd like to deliver a message to Jean」
「And about the demi-lich, Nameless, was it?」
「Nn」
「Leave that to me too. I'll pass on all the information from you to the guild」
「I leave it to you」
Weena is a very influential person in the adventurer's guild, so I think it's safe to leave it to her.
Then, as I was talking with Weena about the future, a new figure appeared in the room.
But we didn't hear the door being opened nor closed at all.
Suddenly, something appeared as if it were gushing out.
「Fran, let me thank you as well. Thanks to you, I've successfully become a guardian spirit」
「Rhyn」
It was Rhyn, she had signed a new contract as the Spirit of the Academy.
Even though she had regained her power that had been sealed within Weena Rhyn and the great magic beast, her physical body had already gone and now she exists as a spirit.
It was impossible for her to return as a High Elf.
Weena said she'll try to find a way to get her body back, but it was Rhyn herself who refused.
Rhyn became a spirit because she made a contract with the spirit of the lake, which was captured inside the great magic beast, and became one with it.
In other words, half of her body also belongs to the spirit of the lake. Spirits' way of thinking is completely different from people. Even if Rhyn is to get absorbed and become one with the magic beast, it doesn't mean that the spirit of the lake would be grieving over it.
However, Rhyn chose to stay by Weena's side as a spirit. She thought that it was the right thing to do.
『But why did you become the guardian spirit of the academy instead of making a contract with Weena?』
「That would create a hierarchical relationship between Weena and me, wouldn't it?」
『So even the Director of the academy and the guardian spirits have a hierarchical relationship, huh?』
「Not quite right, we're both equal under the rules that have been established」
「Were both equal. I suppose you could also say that we're tied to the academy」
As far as I know, this academy has the strictest law enforcement in this world. Perhaps Weena Rhyn made it so that the rules that the guardian spirits follow take precedence over her own will to prevent her from taking advantage of the spirits.
This way, even if someone other than her became the director of the academy in the future, it could prevent any tyranny. In a world where laws could be twisted at will depending on the mood of those in power, what a unique place this Academy is.
「To be honest, now that Rhyn is back, I'd be happy to step down from my position as director of the academy, but…」
「You can't. This place is where you have made my dream come true after all」
Rhyn disagrees with Weena's words. She dreams of being tied to the academy? What does she mean?
It seems that Fran doesn't understand about it either.
「Dream?」
「Yes. I've always dreamed of building an academy one day and being surrounded by children」
That reminds me, I remember Weena Rhyn said something like that before Rhyn was separated from her.
「Well, you see, Rhyn used to hold the title of Guardian of Children after all」
Guardian of Children!? Isn't that also the title held by the child-loving Amanda?
The fact that she had that means that she must really like children.
『But why would you chose to be the guardian spirit instead of being a teacher?』
「Well, albeit in a slightly different way, I can still watch over the children here. I'm content with it」
I wondered if she's really all right with that, but Rhyn's seemed to be content with it.
An elf and a guardian of children. She just looks like Amanda, isn’t she? When I told her this, she was surprised to hear it.
Amanda was said to be a descendant of Weena Rhyn, or more accurately, a descendant of Rhyn. Apparently, one of the reasons why Amanda dislikes Weena Rhyn is because it looks as if Weena has captured Rhyn within her.
Well, I guess the main reason is that she acts like a child loving person as the director of the academy even though she doesn't really like children.
『Well, if Rhyn is happy, that's all that matters』
「Within the last few thousand years of my life, this is probably the most joyful time for me」
「Nn. That's all that matters」
Rhyn then showed a warm, human-like smile on her face, not the usual mysterious expression she used to have.
She smiled like a kind old school teacher, friendly like a saint and reassuring despite her young appearance.
I guess this is Rhyn's genuine smile.
If I'd had a teacher like her in my elementary school, maybe I would have liked the school more.
