It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 42

 Chapter 42 : Return to the Academy

Though it was still early autumn, the morning air was chilly.

Exhaling a breath that misted in the cold air coming through the carriage window, Seria stole glances at the person sitting across from her.

There sat Ragna, dressed in an aristocratic outfit she had never seen before, gazing out at the city scenery passing by.

Biting her lip, Seria cautiously asked, “Um, Ragna?”

“Yeah?”

“I mean… is it really okay? For me to return to the academy?”

Her question carried multiple layers of meaning.

The most pressing was whether it was even possible to return after she had fled the academy. The other was the fear of being subjected to Karen’s personal training again.

But Ragna responded with a reassuring smile.

“It’s fine. You don’t need to worry.”

“…But…”

“I told you, there’s nothing to worry about. Plus, you heard Karen’s apology, didn’t you?”

“…”

At those words, Seria recalled what had happened after waking up.

Waiting for her when she opened her eyes was Ragna, sitting by her side. He had led her somewhere.

It was none other than Karen’s office. Meeting Karen again, Seria froze in shock. But to her surprise, Karen admitted her mistake and apologized.

It was something Seria hadn’t even considered possible, leaving her stunned and staring blankly.

She hadn’t had the chance to ask why Karen had been lying on the sofa.

“Well, I’ll take care of the rest,” Ragna said. “I’ve already sent someone ahead, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“Even so…”

“Hmm, still skeptical?”

“N-No, it’s not that…”

Then, as if something suddenly occurred to her, Seria asked, “By the way, Ragna…”

“Yeah?”

“Um… what happened to my body? Why were all my injuries healed when I woke up?”

“…”

“I mean, I was half-conscious, but I remember… what you did to me.”

Perhaps recalling their intimate moment, Seria rubbed her thighs together, her face flushed as she lowered her head.

Ragna suppressed a chuckle at her reaction and nodded.

“Yeah, that was me.”

“Huh?”

“Magic. It’s magic. Not a big deal, though…”

“Not a big deal?! Even skilled healing mages can’t heal wounds like that in a single day! …Wait, magic? You can use magic?”

“Yeah, I can.”

Ragna’s casual admission left Seria staring at him in shock, clearly taken aback.

“How…?”

“Well, I guess I never mentioned it before…”

Leaning back into the carriage seat, enjoying its gentle sway, Ragna continued, “Sorry, Seria. There’s something I haven’t told you.”

“What… is it?”

“That I have amnesia.”

“…Huh?”

As expected, Seria blinked in surprise. Ragna began to share the story he had prepared.

“I didn’t bring it up because it’s hard to explain. It’s not a normal story. The truth is, I don’t have any memories of my past. When I came to, I was wandering in the Dark Forest, naked except for some filthy rags.”

“So that means…”

“Yeah. The story about everyone in the village dying and me wandering was a lie. That lumberyard was a shady place. If I drew suspicion, I could’ve been dealt with. That’s why I kept quiet.”

“…”

Seria’s expression darkened as she listened, likely recalling the lumberyard.

She had initially misunderstood the lumberyard workers and its operations, thinking it was like any other facility.

But as they spent more time together, Ragna had revealed the truth about the lumberyard, which had deeply shocked her.

That memory might have resurfaced now.

“…Sorry. I said some harsh things back then, not knowing.”

Seria’s apology made Ragna smile lightly. She was probably thinking of when they first met, when she told him to “work hard here.”

“No need to apologize. It’s water under the bridge.”

“…”

“Besides, I survived thanks to you. I’m grateful for that. So, let me handle this. It’s a chance to repay the favor.”

“…Okay.”

Only then did Seria’s face brighten slightly.

“By the way, Ragna, so you can use magic and control golems?”

“Pretty much.”

“…Isn’t that kind of a big deal?”

“Maybe.”

Though he answered casually, according to Karen, it was a significant matter.

In this world, those with mana typically couldn’t use magic.

That was the common understanding.

As a result, most mages were male. Women who could use magic were either those deemed unfit for the coming-of-age ceremony or from families with a magical lineage.

Thus, Ragna’s ability to wield both mana and magic was extraordinary.

It could potentially upend the balance of this world.

That was why Karen had been so wary of him. But—

“Ugh… if others find out, I’ll have more competition.”

“…”

While it was a matter that could shake the world, Seria was only worried about the potential rivals for Ragna’s attention, given his rare status as both a male knight and a magic user.

Her reaction made Ragna burst into laughter.

“It’s not that simple,” she said. “You’re planning to enroll in the academy, right? There are tons of amazing girls there, so I can’t help but worry.”

Even in a society where women dominated men, male knights were rare. Add the premium of being a magic user, and competition was inevitable.

“No need to worry.”

“…?”

“I don’t plan on flaunting it. It’d just cause trouble if it got out.”

“Yeah, makes sense.”

“So, keep it a secret if you can. I don’t want things to get complicated.”

“Okay!”

Perhaps because they now shared another secret, Seria nodded enthusiastically with a delighted expression.

Ragna smiled and reached out to pat her head. She giggled, and her reaction warmed his heart. Just then—

“We’ve arrived.”

“…”

The carriage jolted to a stop, and the driver’s voice rang out. Ragna turned to look out the window.

About thirty minutes by carriage.

Not too far, he thought.

In his view was a vast compound surrounded by high walls the heart of Shreid, the Kingdom’s Military Academy.

---

Even though the threat of magical beasts had been somewhat alleviated, it hadn’t vanished entirely.

While large hordes of beasts had been pushed to the western front, smaller groups still roamed within the kingdoms.

Thus, in addition to the allied forces established under the Grand Duchy, each kingdom maintained military facilities for self-defense. Institutions to train the necessary talent were no exception, and in Shreid, that was the Kingdom’s Military Academy.

As a cornerstone of national defense, the academy’s buildings were grand and imposing. The surrounding facilities and ornate reliefs near the entrance exuded authority.

Ragna looked around the academy grounds with curiosity. Amidst this, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

Turning toward the sound, he saw a black-haired adult woman.

Accompanying her were three girls, all wearing identical uniforms.

They seemed to be around the same age as Ragna and Seria.

Exuding an air of arrogance, they stood before Ragna and Seria.

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence hung between them. The black-haired woman spoke first.

“Pardon me, but are you Ragna Steiner of the Steiner family?”

“Yes, that’s me. Ragna Steiner of the Steiner family.”

“I’m Noel Douglas, contacted by Lady Karen.”

“Ah, you’re Noel. I’ve heard about you from Lady Karen.”

Noel spoke politely.

Ragna thought she matched Karen’s description.

“We apologize for causing concern to the academy. As stated in the letter, we’ve brought Seria back to return her to the academy.”

“Yes, I’ve heard the details. However…”

“Please wait a moment, Teacher Noel.”

Interrupting was the girl standing at the center of the trio. As she stepped forward, Seria, standing beside Ragna, shrank back.

As Ragna glanced at Seria in confusion—

“I’m astounded by what I’m hearing,” the girl said. “She leaves the academy without permission and now expects to be welcomed back? Does she think so little of the Kingdom’s Military Academy, Seria Brandzburg?”

“…!”

Seria flinched and stepped back as she was called out. Frowning, Ragna interjected.

“…Seria Brandsburg didn’t leave the academy without permission. She was invited to the Steiner mansion by Lady Karen Steiner. Though there was a misunderstanding in communication, Seria did not leave the academy unauthorized—”

“A man interrupting women’s conversation… how rude!”

“…!”

The trio’s sharp glares bore into him, as if looking at something beneath them.

For a moment, Ragna felt a surge of anger rising within him.

“Now, now, calm down, Hazel,” Noel said. “And I apologize, Ragna Steiner. Please understand, Hazel here represents the first-year students. She’s understandably sensitive about this situation.”

“…”

Ragna nodded at Noel’s words. She didn’t seem to harbor any particular prejudice against men perhaps she didn’t care either way.

But Hazel, the brown-haired girl, was different. She openly displayed hostility toward Ragna and Seria.

“As the first-year representative of the student council, I declare,” Hazel said, pointing at Seria.

With an authoritative tone, she continued—

“The student council does not recognize Seria Brandsburg’s return to the academy. In fact, we demand her expulsion!”

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Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id