First Meeting

Benjamin's confusion did not last long.

Once the order had been given, Akademi's covert intelligence network proved even more reliable than he had imagined. Within just a few days, they found that group of mages from the Hori Kingdom.

"They're in Frieden?" Benjamin set down the report in his hand, still somewhat puzzled.

The mercenary below nodded. "Yes. Intelligence indicates that they entered Frieden about a month ago. They even formed their own mercenary mage corps, and the captain registered under the name Elizabeth."

"...All right."

Though he did not know why they had done this, it was clear that those mages no longer wished to accept Benjamin's goodwill—they did not want to join Akademi, but intended to survive on their own in the complicated world of mages.

Benjamin could only shrug helplessly.

Since they did not appreciate it, there was no reason for him to keep worrying about them. So he wrote a letter detailing what he had observed about the Wood Family and sent it to Elizabeth, thus fulfilling the promise he had made back then.

After that, he threw himself back into rebuilding Akademi and preparing for the new term.

"...Mage Benjamin, you truly are an incredible person."

As time passed, the townsfolk who had fled returned one after another. Watching the streets gradually return to normal, watching Benjamin use magic to smooth over this town's wounds bit by bit, they could not help but sigh in admiration.

"Actually, it's quite easy. I barely need to do anything—they build themselves." Benjamin smiled and pointed at the lumber and stone floating through the air.

This little town was all his territory. Naturally, he would do everything he could to protect it.

"Once Akademi has been rebuilt, can you write to more of the people who fled here for