บท 13: Holy Saintess Arrival

"Mika-kun, what do you think of that street painter?" Ely strolled the city street to the magic academy.

"He looks like an ordinary middle-aged man, but I feel an inexplicable sense of danger from him. He is so adept at hiding his realm." Michael was sure of it, but what he didn't understand was why his master was interested in that painting and that street painter.

"Indeed. What might a 7th Rank expert do by selling paintings on the roadside? Someone who possesses no less than talent than my disciples at that." Ely glanced back, making eye contact with Michael's sky-blue serpent-like eyes.

"!?" Michael was taken aback. He didn't expect the middle-aged man to be a hidden Saint-level expert. Therefore, he immediately wrote a note to send someone to monitor this person. His master hinted to him for that, after all. "Disciple understands."

A few moments later, they arrived at Luponia Magic Academy, one of the renowned magic academies in the Great Yan Empire.

The academy's environment and educational ecosystem were similar to a luxurious university. There were tall concrete buildings, beautiful flower gardens, a serene small lake, a palace-like main building, and a magnificent fountain in the middle of the academy's square. The apprentice mages looked refined and dignified with their magic academy outfit.

Ely looked left and right like a curious tourist. She quickly became the center of attention but paid no attention to those bystanders. Neither male nor female could avert their gaze from the beautiful one. It was the same as how she became an outstanding spectacle when she walked through the city streets a while ago.

She did nothing, but her charm radiated like the fragrant flower which attracted the attention of the bees. However, the extraordinary flower exuded an aura of holiness that the bees did not dare to approach recklessly.

A lady mage got off her flying broomstick and landed near two unusual visitors. "Good day, miss. My name is Hanna, the magic instructor. May I know the purpose of your coming to our Luponia Magic Academy?"

"Hi~ My name is Miko, the shrine priestess of the Sacred Sakura Holy Land. We wish to register as guests. I want to exchange thoughts on the profound concept of magic and see what a reputable magic academy is like." Ely replied politely.

"Shrine priestess, holy land... a holy saintess!? Ah-um... Oh my, yes, you can register as our honorable guest! Please follow me for the procedure, Lady Miko." Hanna covered her mouth in shock, but she soon regained her composure. She guided the honorable guest with respect.

"Alright." Ely nodded slightly, then went to follow the magic instructor.

"Did you hear that? That stunning lady is a saintess from the holy land."

"Yes, she is definitely one. Look at her brilliance and elegance. Every holy land has a saintess, but this is my first time seeing one."

"Lady Miko? Is she perhaps from the Holy Church?"

"No, fool. Look at that unique white-red outfit. She looks more sacred than the stiff priestess."

"Uh-huh, she is a first-rate ethereal beauty, but I can't lust over her for some reason. She is too perfect for this world. Is it a pinnacle of beauty?"

"How rude of you to describe Lady Miko with those crude words."

"Holy saintess graced her presence to our academy. She is interested in the profound concept of magic and signed up as a guest. I better make an outstanding performance and impression. I could attract her attention.

The apprentices and young mages muttered to one another. The rumors then spread throughout the academy.

The arrival of a holy saintess was like an auspicious cloud to their academy. After all, being a holy saintess was a very respected status with a divine-like nature and background.

"Sacred Sakura Holy Land... this is the first time I've heard of it." The dean stroked his beard.

"Human Realm isn't the only realm, Tearobis isn't the only continent, and Terra isn't the only world, sir. I originally intended to come under an anonymous identity. Still, I don't know much about the outside world, so I hope you won't make my situation difficult." Ely shook her head as she retrieved her humble abode wooden token.

She didn't want to explain her background more than necessary. Still, she implied that the other party shouldn't doubt her explanation. Her (artifacts) holy aura alone would give an undeniable truth to prove her holy-like identity.

"Oh, my apologies. How unbecoming of me to respond with inappropriate words. I don't mean to make your situation difficult or offend you, but there is one thing I don't understand. A holy saintess will not descend from her holy land unless she has a special purpose. Did you come to our academy only to learn about the concept of magic?" The dean apologized sincerely with a noble bow.

"I descend to experience the mortal life in the outside world, uncover the mysteries, and satiate my curiosity. I am here with my bodyguard." Ely threw the attention to her knight, but it didn't work.

No one paid attention to her knight. Maybe, because Michael used some disguise? She couldn't see the difference because of her eyes' innate ability, so she wasn't sure.

"I see... Then, I hope your experience at our academy will satisfy you, Lady Miko. This is our academy's guest token. You can go anywhere within the jurisdiction of the permitted access." The dean handed over a wooden token.

"Thank you, sir." Ely was pleased everything went smoothly.

"I invited our academy's most promising mage as your guide. She is the best candidate for you to exchange thoughts on the profound concept of magic. I hope she can help you." The dean laughed lightly. It was always good to have a good relationship, especially with the saintess of the holy land.

"I couldn't ask for more." Ely put her hands together as she gave her thanks and respect.

A few seconds later, a little girl in a blue mage mantle entered the room. "Nish, Nice to meet you, lady saintess! My, my name is Lily-Mae Potter. I shall guide you on your visit."

[Lily-Mae Potter (FV: 420) | 3rd Rank Mid Stage]

[Talent: 2 Stars | Rare]

Ely observed the pink-haired little girl with this crown-braid hairstyle.

This girl was petite like an elementary school kid, but she was a senior mage at the same level as a sect's core disciple. She had a little fat in the right places, but that didn't diminish her beauty at all.

"Oh my, what a little cutie. Pleased to meet you, but don't be too formal with me. My status isn't worth mentioning." Ely waved her hand.

"Wha- I can't do it, lady saintess!"

"My name is Miko, and please don't call me saintess here."

"Then, Lady Miko, please allow me to guide you."

"Good."

Ely and Lily-Mae then excused themselves to the dean, then left the room.

Michael followed his master in silence. He had already concealed his cultivation base per his master's order. Still, he kept an eye on the dean and the particular man in the corner of the room.

Luckily, everything went smoothly, and they could proceed to the plan's second stage without any problems.

A few minutes later, the dean looked at a particular corner of the room. "Elder Han, what do you think of that lass?"

An old gentleman emerged beside the dean. "She exuded a faint holy aura. It's so easy to detect, even if she tried to disguise it. But, her realm is completely undetectable by all means. It was as if she was just an ordinary girl."

"Undetectable even for a Saint-level expert?"

"Yeah, she's not a holy saintess for nothing. Her holy land bestowed her with many protective treasures, but I don't know how many she has. Her knight also concealed his realm, and he already noticed my presence. Also, please remember this. Every time a holy saintess descends, she is always followed by many secret protectors capable of destroying a country."

"I see... A country-topping beauty with real power and exalted background. We received the honor and need to ensure nothing goes wrong with her visit. It's nice to have relations to that kind of big fish."

"Her visit apparently was more complex than it seemed. The recent events are unusual and somewhat odd. I'm afraid she will get involved, and the situation will become even more complicated when the holy land intervenes."

"We can't afford to offend her and her background, but the situation could get out of control. Let's share this opportunity with our allies too."

"Do it in discrete."

"All right. Speaking of which, I heard there was a benevolent priestess who came to the city this morning. Is Lady Miko the rumored one?"

"I got the news. I've seen the person now, and Lady Miko is that benevolent priestess. Holy saintess with healing talent. She is too kind and precious if I have to say. This is her first visit to the mundane world. Please leave a good impression about our academy, but don't cause discomfort. She will definitely become a God-class big shot in the future."

"Hum."

The dean and the old gentleman had a brief discussion and reached a conclusion.

With the arrival of the holy saintess, several prominent forces sent their envoys to the Lumina City for different but fundamentally similar purposes.