──── One day, in the office of the Academy Director at the prestigious Imperial Military Academy.
A woman of peerless beauty stood by a window, where a gentle spring breeze drifted inside.
Her striking features, almost otherworldly in their perfection, appeared a few years more mature than those of the students strolling below. She had porcelain skin and a face as delicately sculpted as a doll’s. A simple white shirt draped over her shapely figure, exuding a natural allure that remained undeniably elegant.
As her golden hair fluttered in the spring breeze, she looked over the newspaper in her hand.
"Concerning the radiance that manifested in the Clausel Territory, some hail it as a miracle of the House of Clausel’s Saintess, though its true nature remains unknown."
"Flashes seen across the lands, including the Sky Continent—could they be the power of the Great Hero?"
"The light born of factional strife is but the wrath of the Chief Deity Elfen."
She scanned the headlines common to several papers, her cheeks softening into a delighted smile.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a woman's voice.
"Academy Director, excuse me."
The visitor stepped inside and caught her breath at the sight of the woman by the window, who turned her jade-colored eyes toward the door.
"Is something the matter?"
"A problem has arisen with one of the scheduled plans."
"Ehh? What’s this about? I thought I’d been keeping up with my work lately."
The golden-haired woman addressed as the Academy Director stepped away from the window. She approached her visitor and took the documents being held out. Setting the newspaper on a nearby sofa, she began to skim the papers.
"Whoa, is this for real?"
"Yes. There is no mistake."
"U-umm... well, in that case, I suppose I’ll have to find an alternative site..."
"Precisely. How would you like to proceed?"
The Academy Director agonized over the decision. Even the sight of her crossing her arms and letting out a pathetic groan was as beautiful as a painting. After a few minutes of deliberation, she spoke up.
"I’ve thought of a good spot."
She walked over to a bookshelf that spanned an entire wall. As soon as she pulled out the volume she was looking for, several nearby books came tumbling down.
"Whoa! S-sorry! Give me a hand, would you?"
The visitor let out a soft sigh, but she didn't refuse the request and began helping her put the books back.
"So, what were you looking for?"
"A map! Look, here. Don't you think this would be the perfect alternative?"
"...The Baldur Mountains? The monsters there are only E-rank, so that shouldn't be an issue, but haven't there been cases where the monsters became hyperactive due to the flow of mana deep underground?"
"E-even I would do a preliminary inspection first!"
The visitor nodded at those words, conceding the point.
Finally, the last of the fallen books was returned to its place. Once the shelf was tidy, the visitor cleared her throat.
"I shall consult with the Board of Directors and the nobility regarding this."
"Yeah, thanks!"
Left alone, the Academy Director headed to her desk. She knew she’d need to sign the documents sooner or later, so she reluctantly picked up her pen.
"Alright. This should do it."
With a light flourish, she signed her name at the bottom of the page.
──── Chronoa Highland.
She was a half-blood, inheriting the blood of both humans and Elves. Known as the "World's Best Mage," she was a gem of a woman who served as the Director of the Imperial Military Academy.
In the game Legend of the Seven Heroes II, she was a character destined to be killed by Ren Ashton, just like Saintess Licia.
Chronoa looked up at the azure sky stretching outside her window and whispered to herself.
"...I wish there was someone in this world who could finally put an end to my boredom."