“So you’re a member of the Beselion family I’ve heard about.”

The priest said indifferently. His face showed no emotion, just like his voice. Only his eyes were intensely piercing as if they were drilling into Nigel.

The jet-black pupils shining in the sunlight seemed to question Nigel.

Asking why she got engaged at such a delicate time, and how an orphan could beat out Meriel Dien for that position. What secret was she hiding.

Under that gaze, Nigel felt stripped bare and her lips wouldn’t move.

That’s when it happened.

“They’re not even married yet, just engaged. Aren’t you being too wary?”

A cold male voice was heard from behind Nigel. Then a large hand touched Nigel’s shoulder.

As Nigel raised her head, blue-gray hair fluttered. His face closely resembled Noah’s, but unlike Noah’s gentle impression, it was sharp.

It was the Duke of Beselion, the Emperor’s Sword.

The priest showed emotion at his sudden appearance. Bewilderment, displeasure, insult – all negative emotions.

“The temple being wary of Beselion? That’s absurd for an imperial citizen under His Majesty’s rule, who is also the body of the goddess. Rather, isn’t it the opposite, Duke?”

He stared at the scarred hand resting on Nigel’s shoulder.

“That’s absurd. As always, I was simply inspecting Sienna under His Majesty’s orders. In the process, I happened to meet my son’s fiancée – how could I not greet her?”

Duke Beselion tightened his grip on Nigel’s shoulder. Though it was just one hand touching her body, it felt as reassuring as being behind sturdy castle walls.

Nigel belatedly realized why Noah and Allen were so eager about the engagement.

The value of the Beselion name was not in its immunity. Being under Duke Beselion’s protection – that fact alone carried great weight.

“‘By chance,’ you say.”

“Yes.”

The priest’s lips curved up bitterly at the Duke’s natural response.

“Well, I can’t deny that my eyesight may be a bit better than others, but a chance encounter is still a chance, isn’t it?”

The Duke’s face was affectionate as he looked down at Nigel, who was blinking stupidly.

“In any case, I hope you won’t trouble our child too much and return her safely.”

“I’ll do my best to ensure that.”

As Duke Beselion nodded slightly, the priest followed suit.

“Miss Nigel Ars, much time has passed, so please come this way quickly.”

Just as Nigel was about to take a step, the Duke’s low voice brushed her ear.

“Keep today’s events a secret, will you? That child takes after me and is quite jealous.”

When Nigel quickly turned around, the Duke had already disappeared. Where two empty ring marks had been, a warm feeling now resided.

Nigel’s steps once again strode powerfully across the ground.

The empty classroom was filled with all kinds of complex instruments.

“Your hand, please.”

Nigel’s hand was moved over the divine power meter, one after another, above the priests’ hands.

To obtain accurate results, Nigel’s hand was wiped several times with clean water and a towel each time it was moved to the next meter.

As she watched the instruments show no reaction until almost the end, Nigel inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

“This is the last one.”

Nigel relaxed and placed her hand on the round meter.

“This is…!”

The spherical meter glowed as if it was about to burst. The solemn faces of the priests were filled with surprise and wonder.

Could it be that she was caught at the very end?

Nigel couldn’t swallow her dismay and showed emotion on her face.

‘Was there a flaw in the plan? How can I escape safely avoiding their eyes? What’s their deployment? The optimal route? Teleportation is impossible since the stone was taken earlier. Then where are Rus and Beselion?’

As thousands of thoughts chained together in a short time, one priest opened his mouth.

“…You have received the goddess’s blessing and have an exceptionally high affinity for divine power. Perhaps you should reconsider the path of priesthood after graduation…”

“Thank you for the suggestion.”

Nigel quickly replied and rushed out of that room, walking rapidly to avoid the priests’ eyes towards the forest and the lake.

In the distance, where the blue lake could be seen, Allen and Noah were doing their best to comfort a completely red Rus.

-Ah, she’s here.

Along with Rus’s voice, three pairs of eyes turned towards Nigel.

And without anyone taking the lead, they pounced on Nigel’s body.

“You passed safely!”

“Thank goodness…!”

-Nigel, why did it take so long! Leaving this great Rus with these humans, I was going crazy because we couldn’t communicate!

Nigel comforted them and completely relaxed.

“Uh, but…”

At this moment, Noah, who had been caught up in joy, sensed something strange and tilted his head. Nigel smiled at Noah and opened her mouth.

“It took long because of you, Rus.”

-What?

Rus, who had been bouncing on Nigel’s shoulder and head, stopped in shock.

-Th-that can’t be. Didn’t we test magic exchange several times with both the old human and you! If it’s just for a short while, there’s no health issue at all!

Based on Rus’s excellent magic application skills, Rus exchanged magic little by little with Nigel. As a result, Nigel’s body was filled with Rus’s magic, and Nigel’s divine power filled the empty space of Rus’s magic.

Rus, who had been boasting that this great dragon could only do this for its contractor, now whimpered in complete bewilderment.

“You know the magic you lent me, Rus? It has such a high affinity for divine power, like my magic, that I was offered a position as a priest at the temple.”

Rus blinked three or four times and then started bouncing again.

-O-of course! Divine beasts are great beings blessed by Kirelia!

“Well, since you’re such a great being, I temporarily entrusted my magic to you.”

“So that’s why Nigel’s magic felt different from usual.”

-Th-there’s no way a rich human could be smart…!

“Of course! I know magic very well, you know.”

Allen didn’t miss this chance to brag. Regardless, Rus only looked at Nigel.

“Anyway, thank you Rus. It’s all thanks to you.”

As Nigel praised Rus, Noah and Allen willingly joined in.

Just as Rus, who had been proudly receiving praise from the humans, was starting to get tired of the repeated compliments, someone’s presence was felt near the lakeshore.

“Ah, everyone was here?”

Yenika appeared with a bright smile, her fluffy hair covered in leaves.

Nigel greeted her warmly while removing leaves from Yenika’s hair.

“Welcome, Yenika.”

“I missed you, Nigel.”

Yenika walked over weakly and collapsed into Nigel’s arms.

Being almost at the end alphabetically, Yenika’s face still showed traces of boredom from waiting alone for a long time.

“You worked hard.”

Nigel gently patted Yenika.

That’s when it happened.

-I’ll come to get you soon.

A deep voice filled Nigel’s mind and quickly disappeared.

Nigel blinked and looked around, but everyone was laughing, chatting, and playing as if nothing had happened. Even Rus was smiling innocently.

This voice was clearly only audible to the saint.

‘If I show even the slightest sign here, I’ll be caught.’

Pushing down the goosebumps, Nigel smiled as if nothing had happened and joined in their joke-telling game.

-The white clothes are all gone.

Only after Rus’s words fell did Nigel completely relax.

The short yet long visit to the temple had finally ended.

Summer vacation arrived after the final exams ended.

Nigel’s steps towards the train station were lighter than ever.

Unable to go during winter break due to heavy snow, this was her first visit home in half a year.

Having sent a letter a few days ago about visiting Tillin, by now the children, Handel, and Ron would be gathered around a large table reading that letter, right?

Just thinking about how much the children might have grown brought a smile to her face.

“Oh, Nigel. You managed to find your way here quickly without getting lost.”

Nigel happily turned around at Allen’s voice.

“…What’s with that outfit?”

Allen, who usually stuck to comfortable clothes, was neatly dressed in a thin cream-colored short-sleeved linen suit. Though Allen’s body and build had grown over the year, there was still an awkwardness as if a child had stolen an adult’s clothes.

“Of course I put some effort in, I’m going to Tillin.”

As Nigel clicked her tongue, trying to choose what to say, someone tapped her shoulder from behind.

-Big human!

It was Noah.

“…”

Nigel was at a loss for words as soon as she saw Noah.

Noah wore a fresh light blue suit that matched his blue-gray hair. Well, that was fine up to this point.

“Um… why the tie and flowers…?”

-Hahaha! Big human, your hair looks completely ridiculous!

Noah wore a shiny tie over a thin shirt, and his hair was neatly styled and swept back. Lastly, he was holding a bouquet of flowers so large it nearly covered his face.

“Are you going to propose?”

Noah blushed, avoiding Nigel’s gaze. Allen had already burst out laughing.

“Well, it’s the first time meeting Nigel’s family members…”

Thwack, Nigel snatched Noah’s luggage bag and threw it. Noah caught the bag lightly, blinking in confusion.

“Go change right now.”

“Yes.”

“…And get rid of those flowers too.”

“B-but this…”

As always, unable to disobey Nigel’s wishes, Noah ended up giving the bouquet to a young girl who had been eyeing the flowers longingly.

Allen snickered, watching Noah who couldn’t stand up to Nigel at all.

“Allen, what are you doing just standing there?”

At Nigel’s matter-of-fact look, Allen quickly followed after Noah.

Only after the two had changed into more casual clothes did the northbound train depart.