Another carriage arrived behind Rormane, and more priests disembarked.

They all appeared to be older, likely high priests of the Order.

"W-welcome! Secretary General!"

Kirrin bowed nervously, stumbling over her words.

"It's an honor to receive you!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Principal Kirrin. And Vice Principal Ismera, as well as all the professors."

Rormane responded with a dignified smile.

Her gaze swept over the line of professors, briefly lingering on me before moving on.

As our eyes missed each other, I looked at Priestess Maya standing behind Rormane.

Priestess Maya didn't avoid my gaze but met it steadily.

"Th-this way..."

Kirrin guided Rormane to the main hall lobby.

Inside were displays showing the academy's history, portraits of past principals (though it was just Kirrin alone), and several symbolic artifacts.

"Now I will introduce the history and development of our Imperial Special Mission Academy...!"

Kirrin began her explanation to Rormane with a somewhat stiff demeanor, holding a small pointer.

Though she seemed a bit awkward, probably from practicing late into the night, she was doing fairly well.

"This Special Mission Academy is indeed a crucial educational institution that trains agents who will stand at the forefront of imperial security."

Rormane smiled after listening attentively to Kirrin's explanation.

"Now... shall we tour the academy facilities?"

"I'm looking forward to it."

As Kirrin and Rormane moved, Ismera and the professors followed behind them.

I felt reassured seeing Geneve and Morton positioned directly behind Kirrin and Ismera respectively, and began walking.

They could easily block if Rormane suddenly pulled out a weapon. Though that wouldn't happen, of course.

We moved according to our planned route, introducing Rormane to the academy's facilities and curriculum.

Students flocked to see Rormane, famous as one of the former members of the Demon King Assassination Task Force, creating quite a crowd.

Rormane responded to the students' enthusiasm with dignified waves and smiles befitting her position as Secretary General of the Order.

Watching Rormane's poised and elegant demeanor, I suddenly felt something distinctly odd.

The Rormane from the war and the current Rormane were very different.

Had she matured mentally during the ten years I hadn't seen her?

Well, she's aged ten years, so it would be problematic if she hadn't changed at all.

"This is the academy's shopping district."

We had arrived at the shopping area with various amenities, including a dessert café.

"It was developed earlier this year, um, under the direction of our newly appointed Head Professor of Combat, Dian."

Rormane turned to me with a smile that reached her eyes.

"You've done excellent work."

"Thank you."

With that, Rormane turned her attention elsewhere.

Next was the basement where the troll was kept.

"This is the laboratory for potion production and research using troll blood."

Ismera stepped forward to explain.

"It was previously an abandoned building, but was repurposed as a laboratory after we captured a wild troll near the academy."

What was once an empty, damp basement had been transformed into a fresh laboratory.

It now had lighting, ventilation, furniture, and various equipment.

At the far end of the research lab was where the troll was confined, with Orendi's binding magic circle replacing traditional iron bars.

"Oh my, so that's a troll..."

The priests' eyes widened at the sight of the troll inside the binding magic circle.

Even in a fantasy world where magical creatures exist, it's rare for ordinary people to see a troll-class monster in person.

Even in my previous life, most people had never seen even a water deer up close.

The troll had just finished the meal provided by the lab assistants and was now resting comfortably.

It had gained weight and its skin looked healthier than when it was first captured.

We were providing regular nutritious meals three times a day to ensure a steady supply of blood.

In simple terms, it was like an animal welfare research lab.

"Capturing a troll alive—this truly is a Special Mission Academy."

"It was Head Professor of Combat Dian who accomplished this."

At Ismera's response, Rormane glanced at me once more with a "truly impressive" remark.

Our next stop was the combat training ground, specifically the mounted combat area.

The priests expressed admiration at the horses scattered across the wide pasture.

"This is Anna, Professor of Combat Riding..."

Professor Anna, with dark circles under her eyes, began her explanation with a gloomy attitude.

She covered the ecology and habits of Bron Plateau wild horses, and even gave a riding demonstration.

"These wild horses were also personally acquired by Head Professor of Combat Dian. From the Bron Plateau."

"I see. The Bron Plateau. That brings back memories."

We once ambushed and wiped out the Demon King's army when they came to the Bron Plateau to acquire war horses for their cavalry.

After touring all the other training facilities, we returned to the principal's office.

Now it was time for Rormane's meeting with the academy leadership.

The professors and priests withdrew, leaving just the four of us—Rormane, Kirrin, Ismera, and myself—in the principal's office.

After taking a few sips of tea at the table, Rormane spoke.

"Thank you for your hospitality. Thanks to you, I now have a clearer understanding of what the Special Mission Academy is all about."

"Th-thank you..."

Kirrin bowed her head in relief at Rormane's compliment.

"By the way, Vice Principal Ismera."

Rormane addressed Ismera.

"Your background is quite impressive. I hear you're the fastest person to obtain a Higher Master's degree."

"You flatter me. It was thanks to having a good advisor."

"I see. But even so, obtaining a Higher Master's in just seven years is extremely difficult. That's remarkable."

"Thank you."

"I heard you were originally the Head Professor of Theory."

"That's correct. I joined with that position when the academy was founded and recently became Vice Principal."

"I suppose the Imperial Castle recognized your abilities and placed you in a position worthy of them."

"It's a position beyond my qualifications, but I'm doing my best despite the pressure."

Ismera responded skillfully.

"Then your salary must have increased significantly."

"Ah, yes... it's higher than before."

Ismera was slightly taken aback by the unexpected question.

"You receive a pension too, I assume?"

"Yes. The amount varies according to years of service."

"Is a professor position at the academy guaranteed until retirement?"

"Unless there are major issues, one can work here for life."

"Being Vice Principal now, you'll eventually become Principal, which means you won't have to worry about your later years."

"Pardon? Actually... I haven't thought that far ahead yet. I'm not quite at an age to be looking toward retirement."

"How old are you?"

At these continuing personal questions, Ismera glanced at me briefly. Rormane's eyes followed, shifting toward me.

"I'm twenty-six this year. The same as human years. I'm an adult by elven standards as well."

"You're incredibly young. I've heard elves live for hundreds of years—you have a bright future ahead."

"Thank you."

"But why are you living in a human city rather than in the forest, Vice Principal?"

Rormane continued her questioning.

"During the war, the Great Forest was attacked by the Demon King's army and burned completely. I came out to raise funds for rebuilding, as it requires a lot of money. Of course, I also had personal goals of self-realization."

"Many Great Forests suffered damage from the Demon King's army. Which Great Forest are you from?"

"You may not know it, but I'm from the Tiraelen Forest in the north."

"Tiraelen Forest..."

Rormane's reddish-brown eyes moved around as if recalling something.

"I think I've heard of it. Are both your parents still alive?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your parents."

"If you're asking about the person who gave birth to me, yes. She's an elder of our clan. I have no father. Elves are a matriarchal society with no concept of fathers, and women raise children communally."

"Ah, I see. My understanding of elves was lacking. So your elder—your mother—is still alive. What about siblings?"

"My brothers all left the forest, and as for sisters, as I mentioned, with communal child-rearing, all clan members my age are essentially my sisters. But if we were to categorize it like humans, I had about four, but they all died during the war."

"You must have been heartbroken. I shouldn't have asked."

"It's fine, Secretary General. It's been ten years already."

While the two conversed, Kirrin, caught in the middle, could only sit still and dart her eyes back and forth.

It was pitiful—she had practiced her lines all night for this meeting, but couldn't use them.

She probably couldn't understand why Rormane was asking these strange questions to the Vice Principal instead of her.

But right now, Kirrin was likely the furthest thing from Rormane's mind.

Rormane's persistent questioning about sensitive personal matters was clearly because of the last page of Maya's patient records.

I don't know what else was written there, but the events from the night before last were unmistakably clear.

I observed the angles of Rormane's hands and feet, but so far there was no sign she was about to pull out a weapon or cause a disturbance.

"Speaking of elven culture, I'm curious about something."

Completely ignoring Kirrin and me, and disregarding that this was supposed to be an official visit, Rormane continued her questioning.

"Do elves marry?"

"No, we don't. Male elves who wander the continent occasionally visit the Great Forest, and we have relations with them, bear children, and raise them. That's all."

"Hmm, I see... So elves only have children with other elves?"

When this highly inappropriate question came from a priest's mouth, Ismera closed her lips without answering.

"For example, there are half-elves. Doesn't that mean elves can marry and live with humans or other races, not just other elves?"

"That's true, but... I don't quite understand the intent behind your question, Secretary General."

I should probably intervene at this point.

"Excuse me, Secretary General."

"I'm currently speaking with the Vice Principal, Head Professor."

Rormane cut me off sharply.