The next day, I woke up at my usual 4 AM and spent some time aimlessly. When it became 9:30, I started preparing and headed out through the gate.
Once I exited the dormitory, I went down the hill. Upon reaching the fork between the Boys’ Dormitory and the Girls’ Dormitory, I saw Sharl already waiting there, wearing sportswear with a ponytail.
“Good morning. You came in sportswear?”
I was also wearing sportswear, but I had expected Sharl to be in a uniform.
“Good morning. There’s cleaning, right? I’ll help.”
“You mentioned wanting to see the basement, but I thought you wouldn’t clean.”
“What about the cleaning staff?”
“Chloe is busy cleaning the house. Actually, it’s my laboratory. She said she’d clean if I called for help, so she’s been working on it since morning.”
Truly deserving of a maid. I don’t know the extent of the mess, but it’s certainly better to have things tidy.
“Well, I’ll look forward to it.”
“Yeah… you can skip it if you dislike it. Chloe suggested I decline last night.”
She shook her head violently.
“No, I want to see. I’m curious about it. I attend alchemy class too, but I don’t understand much, so I’d like to see a demonstration.”
“S-sure? Alright, I’ll show it to you! Shall we go? By the way, Joan was here just a few moments ago.”
You could’ve said that earlier.
“Let’s go.”
We went down the hill and headed towards Building D. As Sharl had mentioned, Joan was standing by the bulletin board waiting for us.
“Good morning, Senpai.”
“Good morning… I see.”
Joan looked at Sharl.
“What do you mean by ‘I see’?”
“Well, seeing Sharlene dressed like this and waiting here gives me an idea.”
Joan looked exasperated.
“Sharl wants to see the basement and says she’ll help clean.”
“Hmm, it’s fine, isn’t it? With more people, the work will be done faster.”
“What about Andy-senpai?”
“Still coming… she’s here.”
Joan looked behind us, and Andy appeared.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Tsukasa… Eh? Sharlene?”
“It seems she’s here to assist her boyfriend.”
“That’s incorrect.”
Sharl spoke for the first time.
“What… is she here to help with the cleaning?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Ah, well… okay. Joan, are we ready to go?”
“Yes. Let’s proceed.”
The four of us entered the school building. Andy and Joan walked side by side ahead of us, while Sharl and I followed behind.
“… Sharl, you seem unusually expressionless, and you’re speaking less.”
I lowered my voice while addressing her.
“… I don’t know what expression I should have.”
That much was clear.
“… There may be factions or various situations, but first and foremost, she is your senior. At least greet her.”
“… You’re right. That was a glaring mistake.”
Is this girl’s ineptitude even safe?
As we conversed softly, we arrived in front of the room we visited on Thursday. Joan opened the lock, and we went inside. Inside, the same eerie staircase awaited from last time.
“Really is a basement, huh…”
Sharl murmured, looking at the staircase.
“Hey, did you bring some of Iver’s research results?”
“Eh, since our family is a warrior lineage, I doubt there’d be much, if any. Besides…”
Sharl stared at me intently.
It probably means there’s more from La Folle.
“Andy, isn’t the atmosphere getting awkward?”
“Umm… No comment.”
The two glanced at us, then exchanged looks.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
Joan used a light magic spell, brightening the area, and Andy descended the stairs. Sharl and I followed.
“Sharl, watch your step.”
“I’m not that clumsy.”
Hmm, are you sure?
“Andy, still no comment?”
“… No comment.”
What are these two talking about?
As we continued down the steps, we walked through the corridor.
“Feels like a ghost might show up, doesn’t it?”
Indeed, being in the basement is eerie.
“Are you scared?”
“Of course not.”
She’s scared, isn’t she?
Anyone who mentions ghosts is inevitably scared. Toko, who dislikes horror, is the proof.
“Andy.”
“… The atmosphere feels off.”
What is going on with those two people up ahead?
While remaining a bit curious, we continued walking and arrived at the door we visited last Thursday.
“Senior, did you prepare the necessary tools?”
Joan was supposed to bring an item to fix the door.
“Ah, about that. After I mentioned it to the teacher yesterday, they provided a rust-removing tool. Just wait a second.”
Joan took out a pipette-like device and started applying a substance to the doorknob and the door frame.
“Man, what a letdown. I thought I’d get to see a crazy magical tool or something.”
“I’ll show it another time… actually, why don’t you do it, junior?”
Joan handed me the pipette, so I took over applying the substance.
“Is this magic? This seems familiar from something I’ve seen on TV… isn’t it oil?”
“It’s far more effective than rust-removers from that world.”
“Ah, I see…”
I had been hoping for some grand magical boom…
After applying it thoroughly, I turned the doorknob. It turned smoothly without any resistance.
“I think that’s sufficient.”
“Alright, then the first junior to enter this uncharted room shall be you.”
It seems I get to enter first.
“Alright.”
I returned the pipette to Joan, gripped the doorknob, and pulled the door open. Stepping inside…
Thank you for reading.
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