In the end, the discussions at the magic academy were mostly political, leaving no time to exchange information about magic circles and magic.
Balblair said to me, "Please make time next time."
We left the academy for the day.
The students, who had been given a detailed tour, talked about the lectures and their content.
―――
The next day, Crown Windsor came to pick us up.
It was good timing as we were just finishing breakfast and chatting in the dining room. Without much of a greeting, Crown suggested we go to the laboratory.
"Good morning. I really want to show Aoi-dono the lab. Let's go. What should I show you first? The latest advances in healing magic research or the magic I'm currently researching so I can get your opinion?"
Crown, probably trying to show us around, started talking to himself in excitement.
I said, "Crown-san, please calm down. We'll leave as soon as everyone is ready."
He agreed and began to pace anxiously.
I watched Crown fidgeting like a child waiting for a ride at an amusement park.
Soon, the ladies returned from their bedroom after getting ready.
Crown looked up eagerly, thinking it was time. "Alright, let's go to the lab. First, I'd like to show Aoi-dono some water magic."
"Water magic?"
"Yes, I couldn't forget the ice magic I saw before. I'd like the researchers here to see it."
"I see."
With that, Crown led us to the laboratory.
The laboratory was hidden behind the imperial castle. It was a single-story semicircular building, quite different from the mostly rectangular and triangular buildings around it.
Also, there were square buildings attached around the semicircular building, each about half the size of the semicircular building.
Crown pointed to one of the square buildings and explained, "This building is for researching the magic of each element, and it also stores the materials used in the research."
He led us to the building in front. The walls were white, but the door was made of black iron.
"This is the water magic lab." Crown opened the door without knocking.
The room inside was dim, and the incoming light gradually flooded in, revealing its contents.
In front, there was a long table with three people, two men and a woman, standing behind it. They seemed to be in a discussion but stopped in surprise when Crown opened the door.
The walls were lined with books, likely all related to magic.
This looked quite interesting.
Crown entered first and greeted the people inside, "Good morning. Today, I've brought along Aoi-dono, a senior teacher from Fiddiq Academy. Please show us the magic you're currently researching. I want to hear her opinion."
"C-Crown Windsor?! Wh-what is this all of a sudden…?!"
"A senior teacher from Fiddiq Academy?! There's no way we're going to show them!"
The two men frowned and yelled at Crown's sudden and outrageous introduction.
Besides the abrupt introduction, his unreasonable request was also a problem. He had mentioned showing us around the laboratory all day, but perhaps he hadn't informed anyone.
I lightly tapped Crown's back, "Excuse me for a moment."
I stood next to him and looked at the three people behind the table. They were all looking at us suspiciously.
"I am Aoi Konominato from Fiddiq Academy. Here are two other teachers and some students. We have received permission from His Majesty Diageo to visit this research lab."
After I told them we had proper permission, I bowed, and the three exchanged glances, hesitating for a moment.
"F-from His Majesty?"
"I heard about it. I didn't know it was this lab though…"
After a brief whispered conversation, they turned back to us and nodded slightly.
"… Aoi-san, right? We're uneasy about Crown accompanying you, but if you have His Majesty's permission, we have no objections. Please, take a look at our magic research lab."
It seemed the matter had been settled, as the woman in the middle allowed us to look around.
As expected, if you explained properly and logically, people would understand.
I nodded. "Thank you. Now, I'll get straight to it. Could you teach us Maple Leaf's unique water magic?"
The three of them instantly froze and exchanged uneasy glances. Then they started whispering again.
"… Hey, Isn't she just like Crown?"
"Does she really have permission from His Majesty?"
"That's what I've heard, but…"