I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 861 – Side Story 134: Qualification of Proof (3)

With the appearance of a massive spirit beast resembling an eagle, the banquet hall was thrown into chaos. It was no wonder they were shocked. Something reminiscent of starlight had fallen from the sky, and it was a giant eagle with a wingspan exceeding 12 meters.

The nobles, who had no immunity to such things, couldn't help but be seized by the fear that they might be devoured by the massive spirit beast.

Some nobles, befitting their origins from magic families, even considered casting spells. However, upon seeing what followed, they had no choice but to stop the techniques they were forming.

Because the giant eagle, which seemed to have brought the night sky and starlight itself, landed before Duke Flora Lumos and bowed its head respectfully.

"Wh-what in the world." 

"What's happening?"

The Lumos family members, who should have moved first in this situation, were quietly keeping their positions, as if they had already been given notice beforehand.

Only then did the nobles realize that this giant eagle was not a sudden incident, but had been planned from the beginning.

However, Aquila's majesty was so tremendous that they were stuck in a situation where they could neither do this nor that.

What broke through this was none other than Heiback Kadatushan, the oldest yet most capable person at the gathering.

"Ohhh! I can't believe it. To think I would live to see Lumos' divine beast again!"

Heiback’s voice rang out loudly throughout the entire space. The timing was blatant, but the people who were frozen stiff at Aquila's appearance didn't notice the incongruity.

"L-Lord Kadatushan. What do you mean by that? Lumos' divine beast?" 

"Hmm? It seems you folks didn't know yet. Well, that makes sense. The previous head of Lumos unilaterally ruined the relationship with the divine beast that had been passed down through the family for generations."

For the young nobles, this was the first time hearing such a thing. Conversely, some nobles with experience nodded their heads, saying they seemed to have heard of it.

"Then does that mean the giant eagle that just appeared is..." 

"That's right. The divine beast of the Lumos family. Aquila Lumos. I only saw it directly once when I was young, but who would have thought I'd see it again at this gathering. Hehehe. People really do live long enough to see everything, don't they?" 

"Y-yes. It seems so."

As Heiback spoke jokingly, the noble man who had asked the question awkwardly smiled and agreed.

Freuden also stepped forward and spoke.

"Divine beasts typically have very strong pride. Our Ulburg family also has a divine beast, so I know. No matter how much it was done by the previous head, unilaterally ruining a long-standing covenant relationship would have been something very angering to the divine beast. Yet to have it appear again like this..." 

"Must mean the current Lumos Duke's abilities are that outstanding. Enough to break the divine beast's arrogant pride and make it join hands with Lumos again."

Perfect synchronization. The nobles listening to Freuden and Heiback’s words let out exclamations of admiration.

Some nobles' faces turned deathly pale. They were the nobles who still did not acknowledge Flora Lumos.

Because they had deep ties with the previous Lumos head, they found Flora, who had forcibly expelled him and taken his position, distasteful.

Those who had somehow tried to find flaws in Flora and continuously slandered her behind the scenes, claiming she still didn't have the qualifications to be the head.

All of them clearly saw the sight of Flora receiving respect from Aquila, the divine beast of the Lumos family that the previous head had coldly cast out at this gathering.

They couldn't argue that a mere divine beast was no big deal. According to Heiback’s words, throughout the history of the Lumos family, it was actually rare for a head not to have a contract with the divine beast. The divine beast was a kind of symbol.

If so, didn't this mean that Caiden Lumos, who unilaterally ruined the relationship with the divine beast, was far less qualified to be the head?

If only they hadn't come to this gathering. Having already witnessed this scene, they didn't have many choices left.

Either bend their stubbornness and acknowledge Flora Lumos as a proper head. Or fail to acknowledge her to the end and flee from the banquet hall.

The latter case was only a minority who truly had close ties with Caiden Lumos.

The rest of the nobles chose the former. It wasn't something that could be avoided just because they didn't want to do it. Flora had shown excellent results before everyone's eyes, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Behold the magnificent form of that massive spirit beast. Even from a noble's perspective, it was a perfect appearance with no aesthetic flaws. From the beautiful feathers to the massive body, even the sharp gaze. It had the bearing of a ruler that one would believe.

Who could dare to object? Which noble could show dissent at that sight?

With that massive spirit beast bowing its head to Lumos. Which noble could dare to proudly lift their head before Flora?

'This, I have no choice but to acknowledge.'

The nobles knew how to read the power dynamics. In fact, they had long known about Flora's talent. They just hadn't acknowledged it because of their pride.

But the world changes. The great flow was not something that could be stopped just because a few people tried to block it with their hands.

Flora had proven her qualification more perfectly than anyone.

Her value, which had already been high, now soared to a level where one couldn't dare to meet her eyes. The flow had completely shifted to Flora.

Flora, with Aquila at her back, looked at the people in the banquet hall with a lofty gaze. The nobles applauded her.

Clap clap clap clap clap clap.

Amid thunderous applause, they poured out flowery words of congratulation to Flora. They couldn't help but be hasty, even if only to make a good impression on her now.

In this place where everyone was congratulating her, Flora felt no emotion.

The reactions around her were things that should have been seen long ago. She was past the age of being happy about finally grasping in her hands what she should have had all along.

Flora received the applause pouring down like rain on her skin. Her haughty appearance, as if it were only natural, suited her very well.

Flora's gaze turned to one corner of the banquet hall. It happened naturally, as if drawn by some magnetic force.

In a place beyond people's sight, Rudger was smiling and applauding toward her. Though Flora had been unmoved when receiving praise from everyone else, Rudger was different.

Heat rose to her face and her heart pounded uncontrollably.

Flora turned her back to look at Aquila to avoid showing herself like this.

The banquet ended successfully. Flora had revealed herself as the head of Lumos to the world, and there was no one with objections.

Since it had become late at night, some guests who came from far away stayed in the annex, while the rest returned in their private vehicles.

Flora looked out the window.

The duchy territory outside the Lumos mansion spread out widely. Even its appearance submerged in darkness gave her a fresh feeling.

It was a scene she had already seen many times, but it must be because she had completely unburdened her mind.

And what made that possible was not her power alone. It was possible because of the help of the person she cherished most, Rudger Chelici.

"Is it proper for a lady to invite someone at night like this?"

Rudger entered without even the sound of the door being heard.

Flora silently turned to look at Rudger.

Just then, moonlight streaming from outside the window settled on her body. Rudger silently watched Flora's appearance.

Flora was still wearing the splendid dress she had worn at the banquet hall. Since she hadn't removed the subtle makeup either, the atmosphere was much more different than usual.

Together with the cold yet achingly beautiful light from beyond the window. With slight exaggeration, she looked like a goddess of the moon.

Vivid red lips moved amid the blue atmosphere.

"Did you enjoy today's banquet?"

Was it because of the voice that was softer than usual? Rather than returning to reality, it felt like falling into a deeper dream.

"Of course. It's a Lumos family banquet, so how could it not be fun?" 

"For that being the case, you were alone in the back the whole time." 

"Rather than joining in noisy places, I prefer to watch quietly. But I properly saw the most important scene, so I'm sufficiently satisfied. Congratulations, Flora. Your efforts have finally been rewarded."

Flora smiled and shook her head.

"It's not my effort. Of course, it's not that I didn't put in effort, but this is something I could never have achieved alone."

Flora left the window and slowly approached Rudger. Her appearance was like a mirage, as if even the sound of her footsteps couldn't be heard.

Was it because of the unique magic of the time, place, and atmosphere? When he came to his senses, he found Flora standing before him.

"It's all thanks to you."

Flora touched Rudger's collar with her white, slender fingers.

"Without the headmaster's help, I would still be living as if chased by something. I would have been wandering endlessly through a quagmire, searching for who I am." 

"You are a stronger and wiser person than anyone I've seen. Even without me, you would have found the answer soon enough." 

"But then I would have wasted time. You know, I have so many things I want to do. Becoming the head is just a part of it."

Flora gave Rudger a subtle smile. Rudger thought her smile had a fragrance.

"I'm very greedy, you see. If there's something I want to have, I need to have it by any means necessary to be satisfied. Whether it's objects, positions, or people."

The hand Flora had on Rudger's collar gained a little strength.

"For that, I can really disregard everything. No, I thought I could. Because I was only satisfied if I got what I wanted by any means. But now that the situation has actually presented itself like this."

The hand touching his collar lost strength and fell away.

"I'm suddenly hesitating. Perhaps I was a coward then and now." 

"Can a person always be brave?"

Rudger firmly grasped Flora's falling hand. Flora's pupils widened roundly.

Rudger spoke without avoiding the gaze of her looking up at him.

"Everyone has hesitation. Even a person who is always like a lion doesn't always make lion-like judgments. What's needed at such times is someone to help from the side. In the end, one cannot live in the world alone."

Flora's lips trembled. She grasped back the hand of Rudger who had held hers.

She didn't have the courage and couldn't do it, but with Rudger saying such things, she felt she could do it.

"Then...!" 

"Shh."

Rudger's finger covered Flora's lips as she was about to say something.

Flora looked up at Rudger with a questioning gaze.

"I know what you want to say. But can you yield to someone else for now?" 

"..."

Flora quietly nodded her head.

"Good."

Rudger smiled and removed his hand. He showed his open palm.

Mana began to dance. Points into lines. Lines into surfaces. Surfaces into solids. A cubic formula made of mana was beautifully embroidered in the air, blooming a single flower above Rudger's palm.

As the flower gradually shone and passed a certain critical point, with a momentary flash, a ring was placed on Rudger's palm.

Flora unknowingly swallowed her breath. A ring set with a jewel reminiscent of the most brilliantly shining star in the night sky. She was not unaware of what it meant.

"Flora Lumos."

Rudger held out the ring to Flora.

"Will you become my companion?"

Flora received the ring Rudger offered with trembling hands. The years she had spent with Rudger passed by like a panorama.

Calming her rapid breathing, Flora looked at Rudger with a flushed face. Tears flowed down, perhaps because of emotions she couldn't control.

She newly realized the fact that people can shed tears when joy becomes too great.

"Yes. Gladly."

Had she been alone, she wouldn't have been able to fully enjoy this joy. But now it was okay because she wasn't alone anymore.

With Flora's acceptance, Rudger wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her into a strong embrace. Flora did not refuse that touch.

Rather, as if she had been hoping for it, she strongly embraced Rudger back.