From here on out, there is a great chance volume five and beyond will get into parts of the story not covered in the web novel (some of which have been touched upon already), so readers who read the light novel alongside the web novel can look forward to those changes.
And, for readers who choose to only read the light novel and not the web novel, you may be able to enjoy this work more by comparing the differences to the web novel at a point further along in the light novel’s storyline (of course, the timing to read the web novel is the reader’s choice, and you are free to choose not to read the web novel at all).
With this, I have gone through great pains here and there with the light novel and web novel to make many ways of enjoying the series, but I’m sure the biggest thing on the readers’ minds is Professor Celia, who hasn’t appeared since volume one.
Professor Celia finally appeared at the very end of this volume, but I’ve had many readers tell me “Give us more Celia, quickly!” ever since volume one went on sale.
And so, to the 300,000 Professor Celia fans around the nation (this is an arbitrary number based on my own personal wishes [laughs]), thank you for waiting!
With volume five, it’ll finally be Professor Celia’s turn! I’ve actually had the subtitle of volume five decided ever since volume three went on sale, with all the events I wanted to write having been decided, so please look forward to what happens in volume five!
But, I also have good news for those who say: “I can’t wait until volume five!”
At the same time as the sale of this volume, the completely free novel site “Yomeru! HJ Bunko,” officially operated by HJ Bunko, will post side stories from the perspective of Professor Celia in the light novel Seirei Gensouki (timeline-wise, the stories take place after the epilogue of volume one).
Furthermore, I’ve also been interviewed by Light Novel News Online with the release of this volume, and thanks to them, I’ll be hosting a signing event. Please check online for further details regarding those.
Finally, to everyone who has supported Seirei Gensouki, I’d like to use this space to thank you all. I am only here as an author thanks to all the wonderful support that everyone has given me. I hope we can continue our relationship for a long time.
Thank you very much.
30 April 2016 Yuuri Kitayama
Bonus Short Stories
Your Warmth
The time was early morning, with less than a week having gone by since Rio began living with Miharu, Aki, and Masato.
Rio was sitting on the sofa in the living room of the rock, house, asleep. While there was no one else in the room with him at first, early riser would eventually appear — it was Miharu.
When she noticed him on the sofa, she tried to greet him cheerfully. “Ah, Haruto. Good morning...?” However, she soon noticed something was off about him, and her voice trailed off immediately. She approached hesitantly, noticing how papers were scattered across the table. On them were neatly organized graphs of letters and sentences.
This is... for us...?
Miharu could guess what the purpose of those papers were: they were language learning materials made for herself and the other two Japanese students. There was no mistaking it, as there were explanations of the Strahl grammar and vocabulary written on it in Japanese.
Rio must have stayed up late — or perhaps gotten up early — in order to create the learning materials for them. It made Miharu feel a bit apologetic towards him.
“Zzz... Zzz...”
Rio was sleeping peacefully with an expression that still held a sort of childish innocence.
He normally seems so mature, but he’s actually the same age as me, huh... Though he said he was a university student in his past life…
Because of Rio’s ability to fly through the air and runat inhuman speeds, an outsider might think of him as superhuman... but someone like him could seemingly still feel tired, as well as sleep looking like this.
Miharu looked at Rio closely, examining him. He really did have a pretty face, she thought. Then, as she was looking at his appearance —
I wonder where Haru-kun is now?
A fleeting thought of her former childhood friend resurfaced in her mind. Why did she think of him just now? Miharu didn’t even know herself. Perhaps it was because the boy sleeping before her had the same name as her childhood friend.
After Miharu had been staring at Rio for a while, she breathed a gasp of realization.
Ah, he’s going to catch a cold like this! I’ll go get a blanket!
She headed towards her own room in a hurry. Less than a minute later, Miharu returned to the living room in a flurry of footsteps, carrying a blanket in her arms.
Miharu placed the blanket over Rio gently, careful not to wake him up. Since she had just used the blanket herself mere moments ago, it was still cozy with a lingering warmth.
I can’t just walk into Haruto’s room without permission, so it should be fine if he uses mine... Right...?
Miharu faltered briefly, but eventually decided to timidly place the blanket over Rio.
“There we go,” she said in a quiet voice, gently lowering the blanket. Rio’s eyes suddenly blinked open.
“Huh? Ah...” Miharu let out a surprised sound. She was leaning towards Rio, so their faces were staring at each other at an extremely close distance. The two of them froze, just like that.
“U-Umm. I was worried you’d be cold, so I got a blanket...” Miharu said in a high-pitched voice with a blush to her cheeks.
“O-Oh, I see. Thank you very much.” Rio nodded reflexively, pulling the blanket closer to him.
However, there was a strange warmth to the blanket that was just placed on him…. Almost as though it was used moments before it had been given to him. When Rio realized that fact, he glanced down at the blanket. Sure enough, it wasn’t the one he usually used.
Huh? Could this possibly be Miharu’s…?
It had the same pattern as the blanket he had given to Miharu to use. Dumbfounded, Rio froze again.
“Umm, I’m going to make breakfast right now, so feel free to rest a little longer. Ah, or would you rather go back to your room to sleep?” Miharu asked; she didn’t seem particularly bothered, asking questions that showed more concern for Rio.
“No... I’m fine here,” Rio replied, promptly shaking his head. The warmth of the blanket was so comfortable, it seeped into his skin like a nostalgic memory, making him reluctant to part with it.
You ARE Wearing Them... Right?
One night, several days after Miharu and the others started living in the rock house...
After taking his bath, Rio returned to the living room. There, Miharu and Aishia were sitting next to each other on the couch, drinking tea. But when Rio saw Aishia’s appearance, his eyes widened in shock.
“Huh? Aishia, those clothes...”
“... It’s Haruto’s shirt.”
Indeed, Aishia was wearing Rio’s shirt.
“Umm, I know Ai-chan can make her own clothes, but she’s always wearing the same thing... So I told her it might be better if she had pajamas to sleep in, and she came back wearing your clothes,” Miharu explained nervously.
“Ahaha, I see...” Rio gave a strained smile of understanding, then looked at Aishia.
“It’s comfortable.” Aishia raised both her arms and flapped them to show off the shirt.
“Maybe we should buy some clothes for Aishia after all? Even though she said she didn’t need any the first time we went shopping... What do you think, Miharu?”
“Umm, I was surprised when her clothes suddenly disappeared when we went to take a bath. And what happens when she’s asleep or unconscious? Will that be okay?”
“Aah, I see...” At Miharu’s hesitant words, Rio smiled guiltily, trying to mask his thoughts. He had recalled the time when Aishia had crawled into his bed completely naked.
“Come to think of it, what would happen if Ai-chan took off her usual clothes?” Miharu asked Aishia as
the thought suddenly crossed her mind.
“They disappear if they leave my side,” Aishia replied plainly.
“I-I see...” Miharu nodded, slightly bewildered.
“Haruto, can I sleep wearing this today?”
“I don’t mind if you wear it, but... don’t you sleep in your spirit form?”
If she was in her spirit form, she wouldn’t be able to wear any clothes.
“I’m sleeping with Miharu today.”
“Ah, I see. Then... it should be fine, I think? I guess it’s almost like a one-piece dress...” Rio nodded in confusion, looking at Aishia’s frame.
Because she was wearing a men’s shirt, the size was completely wrong; it was in danger of falling off at any moment. Not to mention the abnormally large amount of exposed skin on the lower half of her body.
It was all such a sight for sore eyes. Rio averted his gaze awkwardly.
“Ai-chan, I can lend you my clothes instead?” Miharu questioned; she must have had a similar thought to Rio.
Aishia shook her head bluntly. “I’m fine.”
“Haha,” Rio laughed dryly. Miharu also found herself at a loss for words.
“I’m starting to get sleepy.”
With a small yawn, Aishia heavily slumped over the sofa. Her appearance was so defenseless, that sure enough, her shirt fell loose.
Miharu tried to get Aishia to sit up in a fluster. “Ai-chan, you’ll catch a cold if you sleep here. Shall we go to my room...?!” Suddenly, her gaze was drawn to the shirttail that was only barely covering Aishia’s exposed rear, and she choked on her words.
“...Miharu?” Rio asked Miharu quizzically.
“Haruto!” Miharu called in a hurry.
“Y-Yes?”
“Y-You didn’t see, right?!” she asked frantically.
“Huh? Uh, right.” Unsure of what was going on, Rio cocked his head in confusion.
“Thank goodness…” Miharu sighed in relief, before making Aishia sit up in a hurry. “A-Ai-chan, get up!”
“Mm...” Aishia sat up languidly.
Miharu took a deep breath. “Umm, Ai-chan. You are wearing them... right?” she asked in a quiet and shy voice.
“...Wearing what?”
“Um... your underwear.”
“Nope.” Aishia shook her head calmly.
“Wha—?! T-That’s no good! You’re a girl! What if Haruto sees you?!” Miharu yelled, her face completely pale.
“I don’t mind if it’s Haruto, though.” Aishia looked at Rio and inclined her head curiously.
Miharu was utterly shaken. “Y-You have to mind! Geez! Haruto, can we take Aishia shopping tomorrow?!” she asked, turning to Rio.
“Y-Yes, let’s go. As soon as possible.” Rio nodded with debilitating embarrassment.
Welcome Home, Master
One day, Rio opened the door to his rock house —
“Welcome home, master.”
— with Miharu standing there, greeting him with a springy voice and an adorable smile.
“M-Miharu...?” Rio’s eyes widened with dumbfounded surprise.
Miharu was wearing what could only be described as a maid outfit; she elegantly pinched the classic long skirt with her fingertips. After Rio remained frozen, she looked up at his face.
“Umm, is something the matter, Master? Have I made an error somewhere?” she asked worriedly.
Rio shook his head, his voice coming out flustered. “Huh? Ah, no, you’re not lacking in anything! There’s no way you could!”
“Thank goodness,” Miharu said with a sigh of relief. “But, Master... are you feeling well? Your face seems rather red... Ah, please excuse me.” She stared at Rio’s face closely, then hesitantly reached a hand out to his cheek.
Rio flinched. “Huh?!”
“Umm, Master... I think you may have a fever after all. I’d like to check properly... Will you bend over a little? I’m too short to reach...” Miharu stretched upwards as much as she could in front of Rio, looking apologetic as she spoke.
“Y-Yeah, sure.” Rio promptly bent his knees and lowered the position of his face, so that Miharu was able to place her forehead against Rio’s.
“...You really do have a fever,” she murmured anxiously.
“N-No, this isn’t a fever. Ah, but I may indeed be feverish right now...” Rio denied it in a haste, then tried to come up with an explanation.
“Master, you should lie down immediately. I’ll do my best to nurse you to full health! Master is always working so hard... Don’t you think you deserve to rest for today?” Miharu asked enthusiastically, then tightly grabbed Rio’s hand.
“Huh...? Ah, yes.” Unable to meet Miharu’s eyes, Rio stared down at their clasped hands as he nodded nervously.
“Ah, I-I’m sorry. I touched Master with too much familiarity...” With a red face, Miharu apologetically let go of Rio’s hand, but he reached for her hand back.
“N-No, that’s not true! Could you take me to my bedroom?” he asked.
“Y-Yes, of course.” Miharu’s cheeks flushed even more as she agreed with a bashful smile. She led him to his bedroom, her hand still in his.
Miharu made Rio sit on his bed. “Master... I’ll wipe your sweat for you, so would you please remove your clothes?” she offered.
Rio was taken aback. “Eeh?! N-No, that’s asking for too much...” he said disapprovingly.
“N-No, this is my job! That is, umm... unless you don’t want it?” Despite Miharu gathering up her courage to protest, the last part of her question was asked with caution.
Rio nodded hesitantly. “...Umm, only if you don’t mind, then.”
Miharu shook her head. “I don’t mind at all! I’m happy to do so! Because I...! Ah, no, umm...” However, she lost her momentum in the middle of her exclamation and ducked her head in embarrassment.
“...Miharu?” Rio said, watching her expression carefully.
“Ah, no. It’s nothing. Ehehe... I should get to wiping your sweat already.” Miharu smiled shyly, then shook her head to dismiss the topic.
Rio nodded hesitantly once more. “...All right.”
Isn’t Miharu acting a little weird today? ...Wait, what’s more weird is the situation right now! Why has Miharu become my maid?!
Snapping back to his senses with a gasp, Rio writhed his entire body in agony. Suddenly, he could feel his consciousness rapidly coming to.
“...Huh?!” Rio sprung up from where he lay in bed. He opened his eyes with a blink and his vision suddenly changed to the familiar sight of his bedroom.
For some reason, Aishia was standing right next to him, wearing the same maid outfit that Miharu had been wearing.
“Good morning, Master,” she said, inclining her head.
...So it was a dream. I must be tired.
Rio’s face twitched as he sighed and fell back against his bed. His mind gradually grew hazy once more.
“Good night, Master?” he thought he heard a voice say.
Your Red Cheeks are because of the fever, right?
On a day roughly two weeks after Miharu, Aki, and Masato began living with Rio, Miharu had exerted herself too much trying to get used to her new life and came down with a fever.
Rio noticed something was wrong with her expression as they were making breakfast, then immediately checked on her condition and sent her to rest in her room.
He handed Miharu a mug filled with elven-made medicine. “It’s probably a cold. If you take this medicine and rest, your fever should go down by nightfall. You should stay in this room and relax.”
“...Okay. I’m sorry,” Miharu apologized with a reddened face.
“What are you apologizing for?” Rio asked with a soft smile.
“Umm, for causing you trouble...”
“You’re no trouble at all, Miharu. You’re working your hardest -- if anything, you’re working toohard. You’re even doing over half the housework.”
“That’s just my job...” she said gloomily.
“Hmm, may
be I’ve been putting too much of a burden on you.” Rio smiled wryly.
Miharu shook her head in a hurry. “N-No, not at all. If anything, we’re causing all the burden for you, Haruto.” She knew that Rio had been cutting back on his sleeping hours in order to make more learning material for their language lessons.
“I don’t consider it a burden at all. Actually, I’m having quite a bit of fun.”
“Then, so am I.”
“Ahaha... I’m happy to hear you say that. Well, let’s focus on getting you back to full health for now. Please leave the housework to me today.”
“...Okay. I appreciate it.” Miharu still seemed rather apologetic, as she faltered for a moment before agreeing.
“Just leave it to me.”
Rio nodded kindly, then left the room quickly to allow Miharu to rest quietly. Once the door closed with a click, Miharu was left by herself.
She looked around. Miharu was rarely ever in her room other than to sleep, so it was a new feeling that left her somewhat restless. Or, perhaps it was because she couldn’t calm down if she wasn’t doing housework. And so, she remained in a state of distress for a while, until a knock reverberated on her door.
“Come in... A-Ai-chan?”
Once Miharu gave permission for entry, the door opened to reveal Aishia carrying a bucket and cloth.
“Good morning, Miharu. Your fever okay?”
“Yup, I’m fine.” Miharu nodded cheerfully.
“I’ll nurse you… Wipe your sweat away,” Aishia offered to take care of Miharu.
“Umm... I’m fine, though?”
“You don’t need... nursing?”
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