The assistant professor’s office on the 77th floor, to which Allen had returned after pretending to go home. A peaceful, cozy space.
Three bookcases stood in a row along the right wall, and at their end was the assistant professor’s desk. It was a spacious desk, large enough to hold a typewriter, a pencil cup, and thick major textbooks all at once.
As Allen habitually swept and wiped down this dark office, he felt a particularly strange emotion.
Deculein had already left, and in the distant night sky, starlight brushed past.
It was strange.
Was it because he had stayed by his side for far too long?
No, in truth, it had only been relatively recently that he had caught his eye. Everyone else, exhausted by his tyranny and paranoid perfectionism, had left, and Allen had simply been the only one left behind with no other choice.
To begin with, catching his eye had never been part of the plan.
That was why it felt even stranger.
During the time he spent with him, he had simply studied magic with excitement, read books, prepared lessons, taught students······.
He had lived like an ordinary assistant professor. As if this had been the life he had always wanted.
Allen closed his eyes and repeated the words to himself.
─You have earned my trust.
A voice that had seemed to console him for all his efforts.
Deculein had said that, but he did not know Allen’s truth. He did not know that Allen was someone far removed from trust.
Even the name “Allen” that you call me by is not my real name.
─Stay by my side.
Deculein’s final request. Allen recalled himself answering him.
─Of course! Naturally!
Like that.
······Slowly opening his eyes, Allen gazed at the distant sky and murmured.
“It has been a long time since I met someone as unknowable as you.”
At first, he had thought Deculein deserved to die. He had dismissed him as nothing more than a noble tormented by mental illness, an incompetent human whose breath he could snuff out with a single flick of his finger.
But then, suddenly, he had changed, and showed sincerity. His exterior was always cold, but precisely because of that, the warmth Allen glimpsed from him shone all the more brilliantly. Because that had been interesting, Allen had unknowingly saved him from death.
The Bercht train terror attack and Veron’s assault.
Allen had watched it all, and had personally severed Veron’s wrist.
“But······ I don’t think I can keep your trust.”
Gradually, cracks formed in the darkness of the distant sky.
The light of dawn revealed itself as the night broke apart. The sight of daybreak.
“······I suppose it was too long a mission.”
There were not many sunrises left that he could look upon “as Allen.” The day he would leave this world, into which he had immersed himself day by day, was not far off.
He must not feel regret.
Not even such emotions were permitted to him.
“I’ve grown this used to being Allen.”
Allen pressed his forehead against the window. Feeling the chill seeping in from outside, he sniffled at the strange heat rising to the tip of his nose.
* * *
A clear midsummer weekend.
Yulie was enjoying a rare bout of idleness. Her charge, Deculein, was safe in the annex, the duties of the Frenheim Knight Order were going smoothly, and she had already finished her routine morning training.
“Oooh······.”
She played with the attendants in the mansion’s lounge.
And it was no exaggeration to say that the attendants’ lounge was filled with all sorts of advanced civilization. There were various board games, of course, but what especially caught Yulie’s interest was something called a “radio.”
“It isn’t a crystal ball. How does sound come out of it?”
“Ah~ the radio? We were really amazed when we first saw it too. Inside this thing there’s a mana-stone collection plate? I don’t know the details, but anyway, if you use something like that to catch a frequency? then there are about thirteen things called channels? and you can listen to what they broadcast? on those channels.”
Mana-stone collection plate. Frequency. Channel. Broadcast.
They were all words she was hearing for the first time.
“How fascinating. Then does that mean you can listen to commentary on mounted combat with this?”
Its price exceeded 5,000 elne, and its lifespan was only a year, making it practically the exclusive possession of the bourgeoisie, but these days the Empire’s press agencies were each establishing something called a “channel.”
“Yes. You can listen to the broadcast without buying a ticket. Though it might be frustrating since you can’t see it.”
Uwooo— As Yulie continued to marvel, there was a puppy on her lap. It was a puppy raised together by the imperial servants.
Knock, knock—
Just then, the door opened along with a knock. It was Deculein’s direct secretary, “Ren,” who had returned from a business trip.
“Sir knight. It is time for the schedule.”
“Ah, yes.”
Yulie quickly straightened her clothes and prepared for duty. Her ordinary clothes were light armor, so there was no need to change.
······.
Noon, with the sun high in the sky.
I arrived at Hadekain. Today’s first event was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the “Marik Underground Passage.”
“How did you come up with the idea of making a train passage beneath the ground? Hahaha!”
“Professor Deculein’s insight never fails to amaze!”
Many important figures had already gathered at the entrance to the underground passage. They were fairly famous faces in political and financial circles.
I greeted them together with Yeriel.
“The underground passage was the idea of Lord Deculein here, the head of the family, but creating the shopping district was my idea.”
Yeriel placed a hand on her chest and smiled gently.
In that instant, the chatter in the hall stopped. They held their breath and watched my expression.
“That is correct.”
Only after I answered did they laugh heartily and flatter Yeriel.
“I see! As expected of Professor Deculein’s sister.”
“Indeed, that brilliance must run in the family!”
“That’s right!”
As expected, this entire affair was politics and networking. They were even suspicious of the relationship between Yeriel and me.
“Now. Let’s begin the ribbon-cutting ceremony~”
At that moment, Yeriel held the scissors with a smug air.
We stood together and cut the tape stretched across the entrance to the passage.
Clap, clap, clap, clap─
With cheers and applause, the entrance to the underground passage was opened.
They tried to lead me into the passage, saying we should go together, but I shook my head. The rest was now Yeriel’s part.
“I have many items on my schedule, so I will take my leave for today. I will hear the details from Yeriel. This business is practically under her jurisdiction.”
“Ah~ is that so? What a shame.”
“Enjoy yourselves in Hadekain.”
They looked somewhat disappointed, as if they had been expecting otherwise, but soon followed Yeriel into the passage.
“Yulie, let us return.”
“Yes.”
After that, I turned around together with Yulie.
However, there was one person following us. Yulie blocked her path.
“Stop. Before approaching, state your identity first.”
Her tone was indeed as sharp as a drawn blade, but the woman of mysterious age answered without flinching.
“An investor.”
A flat cap and a suit. After confirming her face, I gestured to Yulie with my chin.
“It’s fine. Go inside.”
“······Pardon?”
“I have something to discuss with her privately, so leave us.”
“Ah, yes.”
Yulie hesitated but got into the car, though she glared intently this way from beyond the window.
Al Roth said,
“Your head seems all right.”
“Al. Did you invest here as well?”
“Al? ······Ah, me. Yes. It seemed like it had business potential.”
Al Roth shrugged, then suddenly began laying out information.
“Jukaken and the Altar still haven’t given up on you. They’re probably entertaining all sorts of ideas in their heads. Continue to be careful.”
“······Hm. What about Gerek?”
Gerek was quite important. To begin with, “named madmen” were treated as special cases even in the game. They were difficult to handle, but once they exploded, their combat power rose exponentially, allowing them to be used as strategic weapons.
“Gerek is underground for the moment. And······ the Altar is preparing an attack. That is why I came here.”
I frowned. Al Roth looked around and pulled her flat cap lower.
“An attack?”
“I don’t know the details. It seems they intend to move independently now, so information isn’t leaking. However, knowing their nature, they will make it grand.”
“The reason?”
“Fanatics are called fanatics for a reason. A mad mind cannot be understood by ordinary means. Be cautious whenever you are somewhere many people gather.”
The moment Al Roth finished speaking, the system appeared.
「Sudden Event: Mad Gale」
“You could have told me through a crystal ball.”
“······This is safer than those damned balls.”
Having finished delivering the message, Al Roth immediately left.
I watched her back vanish like a shadow, then got into the car.
“To the Magic Tower.”
The second item on the schedule was an inspection of the Magic Tower’s project.
“Yes.”
Ren stepped on the accelerator without another word, but the gaze from the seat beside me was a little hot. When I glanced over, Yulie was looking at me with quite a sullen face.
“Who was that?”
The moment our eyes met, she asked as if she had been waiting.
“You do not need to know.”
“······.”
Yulie pouted her lips and sat upright again.
Since you say I do not need to know, I will not ask─ was what her answer implied, but the way she glared straight ahead was utterly peevish.
······.
Meanwhile, Ruina was carrying out a magic project in her laboratory.
The funding she had applied for had been fully granted, and the disciples who had been with her at the royal palace had returned as well. It was a project the Royal Magic Tower had hesitated over due to financial issues, but the Planning Office Director’s 「Approval」 stamp had displayed tremendous power.
After all, everything had been arranged in just one week after submitting the plan.
Of course, because of that, gossip had lately been circulating that “Ruina has become Deculein’s subordinate—” and “No, beyond a subordinate, she has become his loyal hound—” but Ruina did not bother denying it. Her feelings toward Deculein had already softened to a certain extent.
“Now, now. Everyone, there’s no need to be too sparing with the mana stones! This isn’t the kingdom! Recycle in moderation, and use as much as you—”
Just as she was encouraging them, the laboratory door opened. Ruina was startled when she saw the person beyond it.
“Professor Deculein? What brings you here?”
“An unannounced inspection. It is the duty of the Planning Office Director.”
Deculein inspected the sixteen mages in the laboratory and the tables one by one, and they awkwardly bowed at the waist. Ruina stood beside him with her arms crossed.
“There’s nothing to worry about. It was an idea I prepared a long time ago. We simply couldn’t do it because we lacked funding. The results will definitely come.”
“Are you confident?”
“Of course. However, the issue is the cost. Ten million elne is only the initial funding, and it may increase to nearly twenty times that.”
Two hundred million. Ruina deliberately inflated the cost as she spoke. Deculein did not even blink.
“Very well.”
He showed no questions or doubts. He merely checked the documents and then stepped outside. As always, his conduct was neat and perfect.
“······.”
That ordinary appearance, that sequence of gestures, for some reason left Ruina feeling conflicted.
Letting out an unnecessary sigh, she followed after Deculein.
“Excuse me.”
When she called out, Deculein stopped and looked back at her.
“Here.”
Ruina held out a candy tin to him. At the sudden gift, Deculein’s brows furrowed unevenly. He seemed dumbfounded.
“It’s Curina Candy, a specialty of the McQueen territory. It’s precious because it’s only produced in summer, and even then in very small quantities. It’s our territory’s prized product.”
“And?”
“This small tin costs a thousand elne, you know? There’s a line of people willing to buy it for even more, and reservations are backed up for three years.”
Even after Ruina’s PR, Deculein showed no intention of taking it. Ruina forcibly put the candy tin into the pocket of his suit.
“Even if you don’t eat it, your fiancée will like it. I’m certain. There’s no one who dislikes this candy.”
Yulie. When she mentioned her, Deculein finally nodded.
Ruina chuckled and took a step back, waving her hand at him.
“Take care.”
“······Very well. This is bewildering, but I will accept it.”
Deculein took the candy tin out of his pocket and placed it into his inner pocket.
And thirty minutes later.
Deculein, having gotten back into the car, stared blankly at Yulie.
“What?”
Yulie’s face, still sulking, remained sharp. Just in case, Deculein ostentatiously took the candy tin from his coat.
“Huh?”
The instant she saw the brand, Yulie’s face transformed.
Like a puppy that had discovered a treat, she suddenly leaned her body forward and gulped down her saliva. Her pupils, somehow already grown large, followed the candy tin’s movements this way and that.
At the astonishing effect, Deculein let out a faint laugh.
“Where did you get that item? It looks delicious.”
“You know Quirina Candy?”
“Yes. Of course. Ever since we were young, it was a dream-like candy among us. A candy that never melts.”
“······I see.”
Pop— I opened the lid and took out a piece of candy. Yuri immediately cupped both hands like a plate and held them out. The moment I placed it in them, it went straight into her mouth.
Munch munch— munch munch—
Her whole face was filled with joy as she chewed. Was this candy really that delicious? I chuckled and said,
“If you do your job well from time to time, I’ll give you one as a reward.”
“······!”
At that, Yuri’s eyes went wide, and she began keeping a vigilant watch over the surroundings more zealously than ever before.
* * *
······Final exam season at the Imperial University. Whether they were undergraduates, mages, or knights, everyone at the university was busy, and everyone was haggard. The entire campus felt enveloped in something sticky and oppressive.
Sylvia was not.
Today’s exam, yesterday’s exam, tomorrow’s exam—all perfect scores. Her streak of perfect scores would likely continue forever.
“Hm hm.”
Sylvia, who was uncharacteristically humming, suddenly took out a piece of paper she had neatly tucked into the inner pocket of her robe.
[Application: Deculein]
An application written last night.
Deculein had, of course, said he would not accept it, but the minimum requirement for the full professorship review was one year anyway.
Sylvia wanted to learn from Deculein, even if only for the remaining six months. She was also confident she could persuade him.
“I’m home.”
“Miss~ Welcome back~?”
The attendants greeted Sylvia, who had returned to the mansion, with bright smiles. Sylvia found their unusual atmosphere odd. Somehow, they seemed playfully mischievous.
“Miss. You’ve made a friend before we knew it~ Without even telling us~”
“What are you talking about.”
A friend? As if I have any friends. I haven’t made a single one in my entire life.
······The reason was in the living room.
“What’s this thing.”
Some guy who looked like Ifrin was sleeping on the sofa in the living room. Sylvia approached a little closer to look.
“Zzzzzz······.”
It was Ifrin.
Lying on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, sleeping soundly.
“Zzzzzz······”
Unlike this morning, he looked fluffy and dry; it seemed he had even showered after coming here.
“Impertinent Ifrin.”
Sylvia crossed her arms and glared at him.
Suddenly, the conversation they had last time came to mind.
“So. The stationery you sent to your sponsor and the pattern on this handkerchief are the same.”
“Yeah. That’s how I knew the sponsor was watching over me. Too bad I couldn’t see their face. I burst into tears while watching a play.”
Ifrin’s handkerchief belongs to Professor Deculein.
If so, there was a high possibility that Professor Deculein was also the one sponsoring Ifrin.
Sylvia was feeling tremendous annoyance and stress from that fact alone.
Why does the professor only look after this guy? Because his father committed suicide? For such a reason?
If you don’t accept me as an assistant professor, I might reveal that truth to Ifrin.
······Whatever.
“Zzzzzz······ Ngh!”
Sylvia grabbed Ifrin’s nose. Swish— She shook it roughly from side to side.
“Gaaah!”
Ifrin woke up screaming, and Sylvia immediately wiped her hand.
“Wh-what are you!”
“Why did you barge into someone else’s house uninvited.”
“Even so, while someone is sleeping······.”
He placed his hand on his bright red nose. It hurt so much that his eyes were watering.
Ah, is this a nosebleed?
Just snot.
Sylvia narrowed her eyes.
“Why did you come.”
“······The paper. I figured out the secret of this paper.”
At those words from Ifrin, an exclamation mark formed above Sylvia’s head.
“You figured it out.”
“Sigh. Even after suffering such humiliation······ Anyway, look. It just looks like a simple piece of paper, right? But······.”
Ifrin manifested pure elemental magic while holding the paper. It was simply the element of 「Water」. Deculein’s paper was soaked through.
“You stupid, stupid Ifrin, you’re dead······.”
In that moment, the enraged Sylvia nearly strangled Ifrin, but soon the shape of the paper began to bizarrely transform.
Ifrin smiled smugly and raised a finger.
“What is paper? It’s wood. But wood is a combination of earth and water, right?”
The paper, wet and condensed, soon spread in all directions and transformed into a three-dimensional space.
“It was too easy. You know where this place is, right?”
Sylvia nodded.
The 40th floor belonging to the Magic Tower’s special levels, the Forest of Rockeil.
“The exam location was recorded on this paper.”
“······.”
Sylvia looked at Ifrin with renewed eyes. So this was what he had been doing while I was taking exams.
I’m glad I took him as a slave.
“Hmph! How’s that? Now treat me!”
“To what.”
“You promised. Roahawk.”
“······.”
Sylvia was at a loss for words.
She had promised to treat him during the exam period, but this guy had wanted Roahawk the day before yesterday, yesterday, and today.
“Ah, right. Let’s all go together today. With your mansion staff.”
“No.”
Sylvia shook her head, but the attendants who had been watching with satisfaction suddenly raised their hands high.
“We’d love to~ If it’s the young lady’s friend~”
They smiled brightly and went to change their clothes. There was nothing Sylvia could do.
A promise was a promise, and Ifrin had indeed solved the problem. Even Professor Deculein would have done the same.
“······Fine.”
“Yeees~”
* * *
······One hour later.
Someone visited Sylvia’s mansion, which had become completely empty.
“Dear~”
Gilteon, head of House Eilraid. He entered calling for his daughter, but he could not see Sylvia, let alone any servants.
Gilteon glanced around the living room and shrugged. The entire mansion was empty.
“Did they all go out together?”
He walked heavily to Sylvia’s door and knocked.
Knock knock—
“Dear. Are you in here~?”
No answer. No response.
“······Hm.”
Gilteon scratched the back of his neck and stealthily opened the door. There was no one in the child’s room. Only some panda plushie on the bed stared back at him.
“Well, it is finals season.”
He had wanted to prepare some nourishing food for her. Grumbling as he was about to leave, Gilteon suddenly discovered a document left on Sylvia’s desk.
“Is this her report card?”
Just in case, after checking for any sounds in the mansion, he crept up to the desk. Swish— He picked up the paper.
“Hm······.”
At first, Gilteon’s face was full of interest, but it gradually hardened. His countenance sank coldly, while his emotions flared up like flames.
Veins bulged in his hand.
Without realizing it, Gilteon snatched the paper in a crushing grip.
──[Application: Deculein]──
: I, Sylvia, wish to volunteer under Professor Deculein. Among the 150 Debutans, I am the only one who received a perfect score on Professor Deculein’s midterm······
──────
“······This is impossible.”
Gilteon placed the application on the desk. The crumpled parts restored themselves perfectly straight without a single blemish.
However, Gilteon’s expression showed no signs of restoration; it was more ferocious than ever.
“Applying to serve under Deculein?”
Sylvia. Whether you harbor romantic feelings for Deculein, admiration, or any other emotion, I do not care. It will be nothing but a passing fever, gone in an instant of youth.
But.
You are an Eilraid before you are Sylvia.
House Eilraid can never, ever be under Ukline.
“Hah······.”
Gilteon let out a hollow laugh.
It was because he had tried to let her see and hear only good things all this time.
The conflict between houses. War. The harsh nature of mages. He had thought that cold and ruthless world was still too early for her.
“······Hahahaha.”
But now, the time has come.
He could not stand by and watch any longer.
The spectacle of a lion’s child claiming to be beneath a mere wolf would remain as an eternal dishonor to the house.
······Sylvia.
You must now know.
Ukline and Eilraid.
That tangled, and as stubbornly tenacious as can be.
The chain of ill fate in which each loathes the other—
Gilteon was now ready to remove his mask.