“Ah, got a moment?”

Just as Li finished handing out the magic tools she had made, the male instructor called out to her.

“What is it?”

“After this, I’m heading to the headmaster’s office and I’d like you to come along.”

Li had expected as much and readily agreed.

She thought it would be better to speak face to face rather than go into details here, as that would avoid misunderstandings.

Since the instructor was the one proposing it, it was a welcome development.

“Sorry about that. You all head back to the classroom. It’s self-study after this. Don’t get carried away and start summoning familiars.”

With that, Li followed behind the male instructor and visited the headmaster’s office.

She had only seen the headmaster once before, at the entrance ceremony.

This time, since the Crown Prince was enrolling, there had been a prior request for a formal greeting to him.

That had been handled by the Karasebed Ducal House and Li had only been informed of the outcome.

Because of that, she had not had the opportunity to meet him until now.

Incidentally, during the camping training, the male instructor had been the point of contact for negotiations.

A bald head and a long white beard.

A kindly old man sat in the chair of the headmaster’s office.

He wore a loose robe, yet was overflowing with dignity.

In the corner of the room, a staff adorned with a fist-sized magic jewel was displayed.

“Headmaster, I’ve come to report.”

After giving the male instructor a brief glance, the headmaster turned his eyes to Li.

“Li Earlychar Karasebed Quewa, is it?”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Headmaster. Or rather, Unai Kojike Samdio Kurus-sama.”

The headmaster was the former head of the Samdio House, one of the Three Ducal Houses.

In his active years, he had been powerful enough to serve as the kingdom’s chief mage.

At Li’s graceful curtsy, the headmaster’s expression softened.

“Heh heh,” he responded with a smile.

The male instructor proceeded to report the general outline of events to the headmaster.

Starting with the familiar contracts ending as usual, he then explained what Li had done.

And finally, he finished by reporting what Li had done beyond that.

Throughout it all, the headmaster narrowed his eyes while stroking his prized white beard.

“May I call you Li?”

“As you wish,” Li replied.

“Then, Li, would you summon the Omniversal Archive Heaven’s Library for me?”

Li nodded deeply and called out.

“Omniversal Archive Heaven’s Library.”

A shimmering summoning magic circle was drawn in midair and with a low rumble, the fully leather-bound book appeared.

The chains that had been present before the contract were gone.

The gemstone embedded in the cover glowed quietly.

“What is your business, my master?”

“This is the headmaster. I am explaining the matter from earlier.”

“This is… quite an incredible thing. May I touch it?”

“I refuse. Only my master may touch me.”

“That is how it is. Headmaster, my apologies.”

“Hmmm,” the headmaster stroked his beard.

“It cannot be helped.”

Though he said that, it was obvious from his expression that he had not fully given up.

“Headmaster, perhaps we should be discussing the summoning magic now.”

“Just as Lord Barman says.”

The male instructor was Paavo Barman, the head of a baronial house.

Originally the third son of a viscount house, he had become a high-ranking adventurer.

Due to his achievements during his adventuring days, he now stood as the head of the independently established Robed Baron House.

“Then I shall explain.”

From here on, Li took the initiative.

She explained how she had understood summoning magic using the Omniversal Archive Heaven’s Library.

And how she had used that knowledge to apply synthesis magic to magic jewels.

“I see. Then you wish for it to be said that I developed this, yes?”

“As expected of you. That makes things much easier.”

“The gag order on the students was handled using contract magic.”

“It feels wrong to take credit for another’s work, but this is not something we can avoid. Leave everything to me. However…”

“I understand. I will provide one to you as well, Headmaster.”

If there is fish’s heart, there is water’s heart. [TL: For a fish to be alive, it needs water.]

Li had expected that this would be said.

In front of the headmaster, she engraved summoning magic into a magic jewel.

After handing it over, the matter was considered settled for now.

The headmaster said he would report the matter to the King himself and the issue was resolved.

“I’ve found a fine tea companion. Perhaps I’ll have you visit often from now on.”

Those ominous final words from the headmaster were spoken, but Li decided not to dwell on them.