“I’m home.”

After a briefing at the guest house, I returned to my dormitory.

“Welcome back. Yuuki-sama.”

“I’m back. Was Remy a good girl?”

“I was.”

“Remy-chan is amazing. She learned to fold the laundry.”

“… But… I’m sleepy.”

Remy yawns next to Martha in her maid outfit.

“I’ve had a lot of naps, but I’m still sleepy.”

“Remy is still a child, after all. So just sleep when you’re sleepy.”

“Remy is Master’s familiar…”

“Just go to sleep, Remy.”

“Fuaaahhh, okay.”

Remy curled up in the corner of the living room and fell asleep.

Martha picked up her little body and moved her to the bed in the bedroom.

She then came back to me.

“So, what happened to the exam?”

“We’re going to investigate a dungeon with the undead in it.”

“… Oh dear.”

Martha looks sympathetic.

“That’s terrible.”

“I hate the undead.”

“Martha had seen them before when we visited the grave with Rumia-sama. The skeletons.”

“That was a really tough time.”

“Rumia-sama started crying, and Yuuki-sama had to deal with the undead alone…”

“That’s a secret.”

“I know. But please don’t overdo it, okay?”

“I have no choice. If I were to withdraw, I would trouble Father and Xellos nii-sama. So I’ll do what I can.”

“Yes. Martha will stay by Yuuki-sama’s side no matter the outcome.”

Martha then went to the kitchen.

“I’m going to make Yuuki-sama’s favorite pancake today. Honey was cheap at the market in the royal capital.”

“Tomorrow too, if possible. It’s the day before the exam. I want to feel motivated.”

“Yes~.”

That’s how Martha and I spent our time until the exam day.

And on the day of the exam.

The Duke’s daughter, Odette, the Marquis’s son, Gilvan, the Count’s son, Guiel, and I were standing in front of the ‘Magic Guild’.

In front of us were several towers.

Some were large, some were small, some were strangely twisted, and some were only a single story high.

In the middle of them was a cube-shaped building with many people coming and going.

That’s the guild’s headquarter, and the other towers are the mage’s research facilities. As told by General Barnes.

“… It’s been a long time.”

“… Yes, It’s been a long time.”

Just before entering the guild, Barnes-san whispered.

“I’m sorry to trouble you. The princess and I would have definitely recommended you.”

“But the other nobles weren’t convinced… weren’t they?”

“If someone else is chosen, I will do what I can. I promise you that in the name of Barnes. I owe you one, after all.”

Barnes-san laughed. He is a nice guy.

We were led to a single-story tower in the center of the guild.

Barnes-san and the mage wearing a robe at the head of the group opened the door to reveal a staircase leading towards the basement.

“Be careful. The place is twisted.”

“Until you get used to it, you might want to close your eyes and hold on to the soldier next to you.”

said Barnes-san and the mage.

As we began to descend the stairs, I had a strange feeling. Like I was going straight down, but sideways. When I think about it, it’s like… I’m going up the stairs in reverse.

“… What is this place?”

“… It’s creepy.”

Even though it looks like a simple stone staircase, it feels like I’m walking through some kind of large creature.

This seems to be the only passageway leading towards ‘Capital of Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium’.

If I join the ‘Magic Guild’, will I have to pass through here every time I do an investigation?

Odette Sorey is covering her mouth and clinging to my arm.

Gilvan Kiers is barely walking with the support of a soldier. Guiel Wolfgang is staggering down the stairs. He looks like he is about to fall anytime.

“… How can you be… fine… Yuuki?”

“… It’s nothing like that.”

I have been flying since my previous life, after all.

I would often flop around in the wind or fly upside down. So I am used to it.

“You’ll get used to it, Odette-sama.”

“… Y-Yes…”

“… At any rate.”

I never thought I would be coming to the ‘Capital of Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium’.

Two hundred years ago, it was controlled by the ‘Sanctuary Church, Elysium Temple’, and ordinary people were killed just for approaching it.

It is an unpleasant place, but… just thinking that this is the ancient ruin makes me feel excited.

Mages really do have a lot of bad karma.

“We will soon be inside the ‘Capital of Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium’. Take a good look at it.”

After Barnes-san said that, the stairs ended, and the view opened up.

What lay ahead was a huge pit.

It’s not… a volcanic crater. A spiral staircase-like passageway led to a grinding bowl-shaped terrain.

We’re at the top of the grinding bowl.

In front of us is a passageway with a railing that runs along the side of the grinding bowl. The passageway goes all the way down. It continued along the wall of the pit, forming a spiral passage. We cannot see what is at the bottom at all from here.

“This is the ‘Capital of Ancient Magic Civilization, Elysium’.”

said Barnes-san, with a long-handled axe in his hand.

“It is an underground labyrinth that has not been fully explored in the 220 years since its discovery. You apprentices are only allowed to enter the upper levels. If you go below that, we can’t guarantee your life.”

“I-I’m the heir of a Marquis family! Even for a general, watch your mouth!”

“Such things are said only after you can walk properly.”

“… Ughh.”

“… You seem to be alright, Yuuki Grossalia. That’s impressive.”

No, I am not the only one who is unfazed. Guiel Wolfgang, too…

But then he was crouching in the corner of the passageway, quivering. I guess he was just enduring it.

“The cave of the holy sword is close by. Only those who can follow me should come.”

After saying that, Barnes-san started walking.

I lent my shoulder to Odette Sorey and followed him.