"With that, I'll conclude today's lecture."

"Thank you very much!"

When I announced the end of the lecture, the students' energetic voices replied. Lately, onlookers sometimes gathered outside the window, and I felt the lecture's recognition was gradually increasing. However, the number of students hadn't grown.

"Excuse me. Please let me through."

I said this, excusing myself to the students gathered near the classroom, and made my way to the principal's office.

"Principal Glenn."

"Wha... what is it?"

As I called his name and knocked on the door, it opened slightly, and Glenn poked his head out. I could only see half of his face from here, which was a little intimidating.

"Are you ready for the preparations?"

"Are we seriously going?"

"What do you mean by 'seriously'? You promised we would go."

"I... I did make that promise, didn't I..."

Glenn looked at me with a suspicious gaze and cautiously kept the door from opening further. With no other choice, I forced the door open.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

I had grabbed the door, along with Glenn's beard that was stuck to it, and pulled it open. Glenn, with tears in his eyes, went along with the swinging door.

Essentially dragged out of the room, Glenn glared at me resentfully.

"...Well then, let's head to the elf country right away."

"How could we possibly go right this instant? Have you considered why such a tiny elf country has managed to survive until now, sandwiched between three great powers? There is always a reason for everything."

For some reason, Glenn said this with a sulky attitude. I nodded deeply in agreement.

"You're right. I hear the elf country preserves many ancient magics, called Primordial Magic, which have been studied since ancient times. Being such a country, they must possess very advanced magical knowledge and techniques, along with greatly developed pride. I understand they have an extreme aversion to contacting other countries, rooted in the belief that they are the most superior."

"It must have been Owen who told you that... I think that's a slightly biased view, you know."

When I shared my knowledge about the elf country, Glenn said that with a hint of exasperation. It seemed my understanding was a bit too cynical.

"Is that so? I'll be sure to remember that. So, we're heading to the elf country now, but are your preparations complete?"

"...I've made the arrangements just in case, but are we really going? This isn't a joke?"

I nodded back at Glenn, who looked incredibly anxious, and pointed outside.

"It's not a joke. Now, let's go."

"...Oh."

…

Glenn was full of anxiety and fear, but when I made the carriage fly using Flight Magic, his spirits lifted.

"Oh ho ho ho...! This is far more comfortable than I ever imagined."

"Was it different from what you imagined?"

"The flight magic we know only makes things as light as possible and lifts them by blasting wind against them. It's not about flying freely. That's why truly free flight magic is considered impossible in reality. But Aoi's flight magic is different! This is the real thing! There's no other explanation!"

"Wind is ultimately just matter, after all. Even if you blast a strong wind from one direction, the air resistance remaining in the direction of travel stays the same. It might be easier to understand if we use water as an analogy. If you generate a powerful water current beneath your feet in water, but hold a shield in front of you, you won't make much progress. That's because you need to deflect the wall of water. In other words..."

"W-wait a minute! Don't just casually mention something so incredibly important!"

While having exchanges like this, I enjoyed over three hours of aerial flight with Glenn.

However, even the power of our shared interest in magic couldn't prevent Glenn from steadily growing quieter once we actually approached the vicinity of the elf country.

"...Over there, at the foot of that tall mountain, deep within the dense forest, lies the Elf Kingdom, Aqua Vitae."

Hearing Glenn's words, I lifted my head.

Before us towered a gigantic mountain, reminiscent of Everest. Other mountains were likely large too, but this single peak was so overwhelmingly massive that it distorted my sense of perspective. Perhaps due to its altitude, from the midway point upwards the mountain was clothed in pure white, as if embodying the harshness of nature.

And indeed, at the foot of that mountain, a thick, primeval forest spread out. It looked small because of the colossal mountain, but as we gradually descended, I realized the trees forming that forest were also extraordinarily large.

"...Forests and mountains stretch as far as the eye can see. Everything is so immense and vast."

I murmured this with a sense of awe, and Glenn heaved a deep sigh.

"Yes... much as it irks me to admit it, this magnificent nature is simply beautiful, there's no other way to put it. Though the hearts of the elves living there are anything but."

"...Principal Glenn?"

A little surprised by Glenn's rare, jesting sarcasm, I turned my gaze toward him. Then, I saw that his usual kindly, grandfatherly face had completely vanished. In its place was the face of a half-elf wearing the grin of a mischievous imp.

Glenn chuckled, a bit sheepishly, and sniffed.

"Now that we've come this far, I can't keep up the facade of a principal anymore. I only have bitter memories associated with this country. I suppose I'll just speak to you as my true self."

Saying this, Glenn turned a sharp, piercing gaze toward the forest.