I scoured the back alleys of the underworld, half-expecting to unearth some juicy information, but surprisingly, there was nothing—not even a crumb of intel.
Even after combing through the two largest organizations in Crescent Academy, nothing special came up.
Just in case, I checked out a few smaller organizations too, but it was the same story—nothing.
I ransacked everything as thoroughly as I could, but no one seemed to have anything to say. It didn’t even feel like they were lying.
‘This is unreal—no information at all.’
I had a hunch that finding the mastermind behind everything wouldn’t be simple, but I hadn’t expected things to be this tightly locked down.
Still, I thought there’d at least be a minor clue.
‘Is it too greedy of me to expect something in three days?’
Yesterday, I told those guys to dig up something within three days, but deep down, I didn’t really expect them to deliver.
Chances are, they’ll probably come up empty-handed.
I guess I just blurted that out in frustration because there was absolutely nothing.
“Hmm, they’re pretty thorough, aren’t they?”
“Hehe, who’s ‘they’?”
“Huh?”
I instinctively turned around, startled by an unwelcome voice that shouldn’t have been here.
For a moment, I thought I might be hallucinating.
“Yuria?”
“Hello, Ryu student.”
“Wait, what?”
I nervously glanced around to check if I’d somehow teleported back to the office without realizing it.
Nope, I was still clearly in the academy.
And standing right in front of me was none other than Yuria.
“Wha—how are you here?”
“Surprising, isn’t it?”
Yuria flicked her glowing blue hair with a mystic smile, leaving me momentarily speechless.
“Surprised… I guess.”
“Hehe. I’m also a Crescent Academy alumna—graduated top of my class, you know.”
“Er…”
True, I wondered how Yuria being an alum had anything to do with her suddenly appearing here.
But I nodded anyway.
Yuria continued with her radiant smile.
“Our leader just wanted to check on how academy life’s going.”
“…”
Of course, I didn’t believe that for a second.
Crescent Academy might look welcoming, but its security was top-notch.
Run directly by the Imperial Government, and being a place where numerous noble heirs gathered meant not just anyone could waltz in.
For instance, even during the enrollment ceremony, no visitors other than the students themselves were allowed inside.
From what I knew, aside from myself and Erika, no one not affiliated with the academy could just casually stroll in and out.
Even Yuria, as skilled as she was, would surely have had to break through some barriers to get here.
“Are you saying you came by proper means?”
“Proper means?”
“Through an invitation. From Professor Amillion.”
“Ah.”
That made more sense.
If Yuria was on my team, then it was reasonable for Professor Amillion to invite her.
“…Isn’t this kind of risky?”
“Hehe.”
Sure, the invitation might have been technically sound, but it still didn’t sit right.
There wasn’t much history linking us, and suddenly bringing Yuria into the academy could raise suspicion.
Especially given who we were dealing with—the Vice Chancellor.
Should anyone so much as suspect, they’d easily find out who had entered the academy.
Even if she was inside, her ability to act freely would be very limited.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t come here to cause any trouble.”
“Then…?”
“I already told you. The leader just wanted someone to check how the academy life was faring. Wow, nothing here has changed.”
Yuria gazed at the dormitory building with nostalgia.
At this point, I was starting to believe her.
“Is this for real?”
“Yes, of course!”
“Come on, what’s your real reason?”
“Hehe. You really don’t trust people easily, do you?”
Yuria took a quick look around then turned her gaze to me.
She truly did seem to be reminiscing.
“I’m here on official business, not the type our leader would think of, but actual work.”
“Work?”
“Yes. Like I said before, I graduated from here as valedictorian. It’s a special alumni lecture series—something like that. The leader can attend too, if they want.”
“Ah.”
That finally put my mind at ease.
Sure, even with Professor Amillion’s invitation, it didn’t make sense for Yuria to just barge in carelessly.
‘Phew.’
“I see.”
“It’s rare for me to visit. Normally, I refuse such invitations, but since our leader is here, I made an exception.”
“Hmm. When’s the lecture?”
“Uh, wasn’t I informed?”
“I don’t recall hearing about it.”
“Ah, hmm. Looks like you’re not doing so well with your academy life.”
Yuria tutted disappointedly, folding her arms.
“Every year during the festival period, we do alumni lectures. You catch up, share stories, build networks—stuff like that.”
“Festival period?”
“I figured as much. Didn’t you know about the festival either?”
Admittedly, I didn’t.
With all the incidents lately, there hadn’t been much time to focus on academy festivals or events. After the Cain Hover incident, the mood among my classmates had been somber.
And no one had bothered to bring up the festival.
Although, I thought I vaguely remembered hearing about an upcoming festival during the early semester.
“Well, it’s understandable. There’s still quite some time before the festival.”
“Festival, you say.”
“Probably the biggest event of the semester. Normally the inter-year competitions kick it off, but those are already over?”
“Yes.”
“That makes things interesting. They might try a different opening format. Who knows? Hehe.”
Yuria smiled, clearly looking forward to it.
It almost felt like I was the student and she had better insider knowledge than me.
“Anyway, who’s thorough—them?”
“Uh-huh, could be.”
“Hmm. Your vague responses make me wonder.”
“I don’t have solid proof either.”
Yuria wasn’t entirely sure if the people she was chasing were the same ones responsible for the drugs.
I had suspicions but lacked evidence. If we could find one piece of concrete evidence, the whole puzzle might fall into place.
“Was there any other issue?”
“Definitely. Quite a big one.”
“Hoo?”
Yuria tilted her head curiously.
I briefly filled her in on the Cain Hover and Cynthia incident.
“Hmm.”
Upon hearing my explanation, Yuria’s expression turned serious.
If I had doubts, the ever-sharp Yuria would likely have more.
And just as I was getting serious too, someone spoke.
“Ah, Miss Yuria Prisis. Here you are.”
“Ah.”
Professor Amillion somehow knew where we were and came to find us.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Professor Amillion Starpen from Crescent Academy.”
“Hello, I’m Yuria Prisis. You’re much more beautiful than what I expected from hearing your voice.”
With Professor Amillion’s arrival, Yuria’s serious mood instantly switched back to her cheerful one.
Her mood shifts were lightning fast.
“It must’ve been difficult for you to get here, so thank you for coming.”
“Not at all. The honor is mine. Hehe.”
“Then let’s head to my office and discuss things in detail? Ryu student, would you like to join—?”
“No, no. There’s no need for a student to tag along.”
Yuria gave a polite smile while gently declining Professor Amillion’s cautious offer.
“Th-that’s settled then. Let’s go.”
“Hehe. Ryu student, let’s talk later.”
A bit unnerved by Yuria’s outright rejection, Professor Amillion stammered while guiding her away.
Yuria gave me a little bow and a warm smile before departing.
‘Yeah, it would be awkward if I hung around.’
I realized it would indeed seem odd for me to join their professional conversation.
If anyone saw, it could raise unnecessary suspicion.
“Feels good to be back. Almost everything looks the same.”
“Yes. I’ve been here for ten years, and it’s almost unchanged.”
“There are some students I’d love to see, but it’s getting late, and I might not get the chance today. Hehe, what a shame.”
“Ah, who?”
“Some students I know personally.”
I watched as the two faded away, their voices growing fainter.
Though it was disappointing not to talk to Yuria further, I could always do that later.
Once she left, my previous train of thought returned naturally.
Where should I start hunting for clues?
Still, the most reliable way would probably be for Erika to tail Cynthia again, hoping to catch another transaction like last time.
Just mentioning it to Yuria made me even more eager to uncover the masterminds behind everything.
<Leader.>
“Huh?”
As the saying goes, talk of the devil.
I wondered if something was happening with Erika right when her voice echoed in my mind.
A unique skill of Erika’s—projecting her voice directly into my head without a magical tool.
<Can you hear me?>
“Yep. Did you find something?”
<Not exactly, but today Cynthia's behavior seems suspicious?>
“Suspicious?”
<Yeah. Usually, she leaves right after classes if there's nothing to do, but today she’s hanging around the academy. And she doesn’t seem to be doing anything.>
Once Erika mentioned it, something clicked.
Thinking back, the last time Cynthia mysteriously met someone was also inside the academy—late at night.
<It’s obvious she’s acting strange. Why don’t we watch her together?>
“Sure, I’ll meet up.”
<Let’s head to the dorm first.>
“Got it.”
Nothing has happened yet, but it felt like something was brewing.
Erika probably contacted me because she herself found Cynthia’s actions suspicious.
‘Finally, a breakthrough?’
I had no specific reason to feel this way, but there was definitely a good vibe.
First, I needed to hurry home to grab my outfit and mask.
