Episode 32: The Popular Sid? (2)
The leader of the elite group who had left a deep impression since the first day of class.
Moreover, it was the very group that had talked behind people's backs as if they'd been waiting for Jii to drop out.
So Sid had no reason to be fond of the girl.
"What's that? A book? A scroll?"
As he tried to brush her off and pass by, Iris's gaze turned toward the notebook Sid was holding.
His heart dropped at the notebook he'd temporarily taken out while bathing.
"Huh? It's just a notepad. I have one I usually write in."
"Oh? What? New magic? An incantation?"
"No, just a diary."
Sid hid the notebook inside his gown.
He was worried about being caught like this, but he couldn't understand why Iris, who normally wouldn't even talk to him, was suddenly showing interest.
"Then I'll be on my way. Have a good weekend."
"Hey, wait a minute."
Sid shot Iris a sullen look.
Unlike when he spoke to Liz or Reiya, the boy's tone was cold.
However, Iris had no intention of letting Sid go just like that.
Her sly eyes scanned Sid from top to bottom.
"Hey, why are you being so cold? Am I uncomfortable? Ah, is it because of what I'm wearing? Hey, don't worry about it! I'm not a kid!"
It was said that any man worth his salt could tell when a woman spelled trouble.
Of course, there were more men who couldn't, but as the distance between them closed, Sid's expression grew troubled.
"No, no. I'm just a bit tired. Then I'll head in first."
"Yeah, see you later!"
Sid left with an awkward smile.
If she had acted annoying like Jii, he could have simply ignored her.
But when she acted so sweetly, he didn't know what to do.
Iris didn't grab the boy as he quickly walked away.
A crescent-moon-like, smoothly curved eye-smile merely followed the back of Sid's head.
"Hehe."
Her eyes watching the departing boy were sharp.
The boy who had been as plain as a country bumpkin at their first meeting.
She didn't know when such a boy had grown so much.
Could it be that she felt strange emotions for Sid, who had transformed splendidly?
She was a girl with too many misgivings to easily give her heart.
"Good, I like you. You're mine, hehe."
* * *
"Alright. Is everyone gathered?"
A magically amplified voice rang out.
Tossing her red hair, Eirena looked around.
The large plaza where they were gathering for the first time since the entrance ceremony.
Hundreds of students had gathered here, and since it had been a while since they had assembled like this, the murmuring was intense.
Moreover, for Sid, who had skipped the entrance ceremony, it was a sight he'd never seen before.
"What is it? Do you know what's going on?"
"I don't know, boss. They suddenly told us to gather regardless of year. What's going on..."
As always, Sid and the Wayne siblings sat huddled together.
Among the students clustered in their own groups, the three looked exceedingly ordinary.
Sitting at the far end of the auditorium, far from Eirena, Sid looked around.
The teachers who had assembled the students were busy quieting them down, while the upperclassmen observing the first-years wore strange smiles.
Finally, as the headmaster composed herself and opened her mouth, gazes converged on her.
She dispelled the amplification and spoke in a slightly softer voice.
"I've gathered you all today because I have something to say."
Her voice was soft, as if whispering from right beside them.
The teachers who had been controlling the noise also focused on the headmaster's words.
Eight hundred students fell silent in an instant.
All of them were Eirena's disciples.
"You all know the alchemist Bain, right? He got involved with the Dragon God's mana and went to the Mage Tower. I'm sure some of you who took alchemy classes are familiar with him?"
"Bain? The guest alchemy lecturer from outside?"
"Ah, right. I heard about it. They say they resolved it?"
"The Dragon God's mana, and they did it?"
"They say they were with Instructor Ruer."
"Pfft, then they probably didn't do anything."
'Ugh...'
Sid's expression grew uncomfortable at the sound tickling his ears.
As expected, following the headmaster's words, many second and third-years were scanning him.
Of course, Reire, sitting beside him, was also subject to this story, but Reire gazed only at Eirena with a composed face.
Rather, the only flustered one was poor Reiya.
Seeing the flustered Reiya, Sid broke into a grin.
"The Dragon God's mana. You've all heard of it, haven't you? But it's not just this. All black magic, including the Dragon God's mana, gives powerful strength but its end is dangerous. If any of you have become entangled with it, bring it to me. I'll help you by whatever means necessary. So don't get involved with black magic! Got it, you brats!"
"Yes!"
"Yes ma'am!"
At Eirena's cheerful scolding, the second and third-years shouted as if accustomed to it.
The first-years who had hesitated at the seniors' reaction also nodded.
Of course, some who didn't know what the 'Dragon God's mana' was busy whispering and asking about it.
It seemed not everyone knew, no matter how famous the story was.
"Now now, exit in an orderly fashion."
"Don't push each other. You there, first-year! Be careful!"
Once the headmaster's admonishment ended, the students scattered.
Those with afternoon classes headed to the auditorium, while those without headed to the dorms or cafeteria.
And the three who didn't like being swept away by the crowd remained seated and waited.
In the meantime, Reiya, having finished the book she was reading, pulled out the next book via portal magic.
"But why did she say that? Is there another problem besides Instructor Bain?"
"Who knows. Maybe the Mage Tower requested the warning... Actually, dragon mana hasn't been circulating for just a day or two. Right, Noonim?"
"You be careful too... If you get caught up in something like this again, Mother will be angry..."
Reiya smoothed down her thick bangs.
It seemed the stuttering habit was fading with time.
But at the shadow approaching the three, Reiya's shoulders flinched.
It was an uncomfortable voice for Reiya.
"Hey. Aren't you guys leaving?"
The trio's gazes turned toward the sharp voice.
Wasn't it Iris, who normally never approached first?
At the incident from three days ago, Sid frowned, Reiya hung her head, and Reire glared at her fiercely.
Especially Reire's expression was filthy as he looked at the girl who was practically his sister's enemy.
The boy shot back at the girl three years his senior with a sullen voice.
"What is it? Go hang out with the people you always stick with."
"Hmph. They left first. Can't I stay here?"
"Yes, you can't. Please go away."
At the twelve-year-old's firm answer, Iris narrowed her eyes.
But the threat baring its teeth at her looked like nothing more than a small Chihuahua.
Iris, a full head taller than Reiya, passed by Reire.
Walking between the chairs with her model-like long legs stretched out, one wondered if she was really fifteen.
Soon sitting in the empty seat beside Sid, Iris's sly gaze trickled forth.
"Sid. These kids don't seem to want to be with me, but would you go out with me? Hmm?"
'Sigh...'
As expected, this vixen's interest was in Sid.
After running into him at the bathhouse, she had been sending him glances continuously; now it seemed she had come in person.
Since their relationship was uncomfortable in many ways, Sid laughed awkwardly.
"I have to go to the next class with Reiya. Sorry."
"Hiccup!"
The trio's gazes turned to Reiya, who had hiccupped.
As if embarrassed by her hiccup, Reiya's face flushed red.
In any case, seeing the Cloud Singer's request cut off, Reire's nose went up in the air.
Reire waved his hand with a triumphant expression.
It was an annoyed gesture, as if chasing away a peddler.
"Didn't you hear? My sister and brother have the next class, so they're leaving. Please go away."
"Hoo..."
Her ever-smiling expression sharpened.
But Reire was not one to back down from such a threat.
Sid and Reiya, not wanting to get unnecessarily involved, laughed awkwardly.
"Hmph! Fine, I get it."
As if she had finally decided to leave, Iris snorted.
The way she tossed her head haughtily and crossed her arms was captivating.
Moreover, her slightly swaying black hair and long eyelashes could truly be called art.
Of course, the two boys, Sid and Reire, had no interest in her whatsoever.
"Then I'll be going first. See you later, Sid!"
Offering her smile only to Sid, Iris left the auditorium.
The trio's gazes followed the girl as she disappeared, swaying her skirt hem.
They felt they had been somewhat excessive, but since she hadn't been a good person from the first impression, their wariness didn't easily fade.
"What is with that woman. Why is she suddenly acting like we're close?"
"Cloud Singer... I hate her... She's annoying..."
"Haha... I don't know. Did something happen?"
They say when the tiger's away, the fox becomes king, and with the annoying Jii gone, her best friend Iris was running wild.
Of course, Sid couldn't tell them about running into her over the weekend and laughed awkwardly.
It seemed she had developed some feelings, but her approaching him like this was burdensome.
Yet he couldn't be cold to her every time, so the boy's heart was complicated.
Perhaps she was actually a good kid who had just been expressing herself the wrong way?
Only needless worries remained.
* * *
"Hmph. That brat... throwing his weight around just because he's the youngest successful applicant!"
Having been shown the door, Iris walked alone through the garden.
Though she merely walked with her long straight hair swaying, several gazes had already landed on her attractive back.
Even if she had been slighted, Iris was one of the academy's most popular girls.
Having already received confessions from several second and third-years, one could tell how famous she was.
As she walked, conscious of the late afternoon gazes, at that moment.
A strange sound rang out above her head.
"Have you confirmed it, my lady?"
"Hah! You startled me! How can you appear so suddenly! There are eyes everywhere!"
Her startled gaze reached the cherry blossom tree above.
As summer approached, the cherry tree was full of green leaves.
And between the leaves, a man flickered like a mirage.
"My concealment magic is perfect. Besides, the academy's protective magic might bounce me out at any moment, so we must finish quickly."
"Still, be careful. This is a hard-won opportunity..."
With a haughty gaze, Iris looked around.
Only a few students were passing by; no one seemed to notice they were conversing.
Moreover, the man hiding among the leaves only flickered occasionally and wouldn't be noticed unless looked at closely.
It seemed effective, whatever magic it was.
"In any case. Is it true that if I finish this matter, I'll be allowed to work for your house?"
"Would I lie about that? Enter our house and serve as security, or be a magic instructor, whatever suits you."
"Hehe, how could I refuse, my lady."
The wheedling voice from between the leaves was somehow familiar.
The belly and balding crown poking out through the concealment magic.
It was Hammond Fredog, the Head of Combat Magic who had been expelled from the academy after the confrontation with Sid.
Of course, he hadn't been expelled just because of what happened that day.
His collusion with various families, including Iris's and Jii's.
Taking bribes and showing favoritism, among other things—one thing after another had been exposed, and he was cast out of the academy.
According to Eirena's investigation, it was thanks to this man that Jii had been able to see Sid's application.
'Sigh. To think I have to work with a man like this.'
Iris frowned at the unreliable man.
He had campaigned so hard about being a "Kingdom Battle Mage," yet after being fired from the academy, he couldn't find anywhere else to go; it seemed all that boasting had been nothing but bluff.
However, someone who knew the academy well and could move around without issue—Hammond was suitable enough.
"Phew... it's hot. Then shall we do it this evening?"
Hammond wiped sweat with his trembling arm.
Having lost his job, he seemed to have gained more weight, and even breathing looked labored.
"Hmph, I've confirmed what you said for now. He had something he carries even when bathing? How did you know that?"
"Hehe. There's a way for everything. Guys who carry Ego Weapons are all the same."
Smirking sinisterly, Hammond pulled out an old lamp.
A lamp made of brass, bent and twisted here and there.
It resembled the lamp from Arabian Nights.
And at the appearance of this lamp, Iris smiled sinisterly.
She was clearly plotting something more nefarious than Jii had.
"Very well. Kidnap Reiya. She's Sid's weakness."
- To be continued in Episode 33 -