“Ah. I’ll be leaving my spot tonight because I have something to do. Don’t worry about me and go to sleep first.”
It’s been a while since a decent job came along. Recently, whenever I was called by Presia, I mostly ended up chatting idly or eating snacks, and I haven’t really earned the salary Presia gives me.
The magic experiments are still happening, but they’ve decreased in frequency compared to before, and most of them don’t necessarily need me.
Of course, from my perspective, even if there’s little work, having a steady paycheck is still a good deal. However, the fact that the extra bonuses have clearly decreased is something I truly regret.
In the middle of all this, I casually mentioned in passing that the work seemed to have decreased recently, and Presia, with her attention to detail, didn’t miss a word and brought a big job to me.
“Do you need to hide anything from the dorm supervisor? Should I just tell her I’m not feeling well and going to sleep early?”
As it’s a dormitory, the evening headcount cannot be skipped. During the first day, I didn’t know this and left my spot only to get scolded harshly by the dorm supervisor the next day.
Still, since it was the first day, I was lucky and avoided any deductions or penalties.
“It’s nothing much…Boss and I will go work together. Ms. Supervisor has already been informed.”
You can consider it similar to the time we checked the boundary.
“…Didn’t you go out at night last time and end up collapsing?”
“Ahehe…”
Suddenly, Selian hit a sore spot. Since it was indeed risky, I had nothing to defend myself with, but I still opened my mouth to try and excuse myself.
“This time, it’s really not dangerous, so don’t worry.”
“So was the boundary check dangerous? Besides, El, you’re too carefree. Like with the Secret Guard mission with the Saint a while back with Selian.”
…Not only Selian, but Yuli joined in as well.
She had seemed like she was going to help me earlier, but as soon as Selian brought up the past, she immediately changed her stance.
Even worse, compared to Selian, Yuli was pushing me even harder.
“Absolutely unforgivable!”
“There’s no way I’ll allow it!”
If you had parents, it might feel like this. Parents who, when their young child says they’re going on a trip, roll up their sleeves and try to stop them.
Still, I had already told Presia that I would go, so how am I supposed to convince these two?
If I were to say right now that I can’t go, Presia would understand, no doubt, but she’d definitely wear a disheartened expression. I’d bet all my fortune on it, modest as it is.
Helpless in front of Selian and Yuli’s pressure, Anne, who had been lying in bed and rolling around, suddenly interjected.
“Can’t we just go together?”
“…So, can my friends come along too? I’ll only take my share of the bonus…”
I immediately went to see Presia, thinking Anne’s suggestion was the most appropriate way to satisfy both Presia and convince Selian and Yuli.
Still evening, Presia was still asleep on the sofa. I gently woke her up and asked.
“Hmm? Hmm…”
…This is a 100% confirmation that she answered without knowing what she was saying, because I mentioned it. Of course, being trusted like this makes me happy, but I’m also worried that she might get hurt because she’s too trusting.
Still, despite the worry, I’ve already gotten approval first. Surely, she won’t say something different later?
Just in case she changes her mind, I quickly helped Presia lie down again, stroked her head, and helped her go back to sleep peacefully.
Presia drifted back to sleep, breathing softly, within a minute of me stroking her hair.
After confirming that she was asleep, I quietly returned to inform my friends, at which point Selian and Yuli finally approved.
…Isn’t my position in all this a bit strange?
“…Did I really approve?”
“Yes. I went to see you earlier, but don’t you remember?”
“It seems like I did…”
The four of us came over to Presia’s room in Number 707 of the Magic Building, and Presia looked quite surprised.
Meanwhile, Anne was exploring, touching and examining the bear and the Tokki that were there, finding them curious.
“…Since I said it, I guess there’s no other choice.”
I was worried she might change her mind, but Presia ultimately permitted all of us to go.
“Then let’s go.”
“Ah, yes. Anne! Stop bothering the bear and Tokki and let’s go.”
At Presia’s word from the sofa, I called out to Anne, who was distracted, but Anne showed no signs of letting go of the Tokki she was holding.
“Eh? I want to play with them more!”
“Then Anne stays here. El is going.”
After saying that, I grabbed Presia’s hand and, together with Selian and Yuli, left the room. Anne followed out with a crash sound, rushing after us.
During that, beyond the closing door, we saw the Tokki being thrown through the air. Let’s pretend we didn’t see that.
I’m sorry, Tokki.
“So, where are we going today?”
It’s unclear whether this question was directed at me or Presia, but since I am Presia’s assistant, I spoke up first.
“To the Old School. Do you know it?”
“Old School? Wasn’t that the place no one uses anymore?”
As Yuli said, no one uses the Old School anymore.
The Old School has long been designated as a restricted zone. Many people don’t even step foot there from the time they enter until they graduate, and even the teaching assistants in the higher levels rarely go there after graduation.
“The Academy grounds are rich in mana, but since the Old School hasn’t been touched by human hands, negative energy gathers there, attracting evil spirits. It’s not really ghosts but more like clumps of energy.”
“So, why don’t they just demolish the Old School entirely?”
“They’re using it for research in the Department of Magic, so they leave it alone. Of course, it is separately maintained at regular intervals.”
“…But if there are evil spirits there, isn’t it dangerous?”
“Hmm… These guys aren’t even strong enough to be considered monsters, so there’s no need to worry. Right, boss?”
“Yeah. They lack both physical strength and the ability to interfere with your mind. You can turn back if you’re scared.”
“Pfft, if it’s not dangerous, what’s there to be scared of? Right, Yuli?”
“W-well, that’s right!”
Did she think I was ignoring her? Yuli responded with an over-the-top reaction.
“Heh-heh. I wonder what ghosts look like?”
Meanwhile, Anne was grinning broadly, clearly excited about something.
“Ah, this is the Old School.”
It turned out that the Academy campus had expanded, and the Old School was tucked away in a corner.
The Old School, looking like it was built purely from wood, as expected, exuded a creepy atmosphere due to the lack of human activity.
Hearing about places like this is one thing, but actually coming here for the first time, we found ourselves curiously gazing at the building while Presia was unlocking the front lock with a key she had obtained beforehand.
“Well, let’s go in?”
“Wow!”
Before the door had even fully opened, Anne rushed in first.
Although the mood had been somewhat spoiled by Anne, we’re here for work, not play.
Following Anne inside were me, Yuli, Selian, and Presia.
Squeak. Boom!
The moment we stepped inside, the door behind us slammed shut with a strange noise.
Probably the mischief of the evil spirits residing in the Old School.
Of course, as weak as they are, the extent of what these spirits can do is limited to just slamming the door shut like this.
That’s why, even though Presia, Selian, and Anne were merely curious but not overly concerned, I…
Gaaack!
Yuli suddenly grabbed at the sleeve of my shirt and stepped closer.
“Yuli, you—”
“Ah, no! It’s just… that I nearly tripped! So I grabbed you!”
She hadn’t said much, but Yuli started making excuses while slowly, very slowly, letting go of my sleeve. Meanwhile, her proximity remained unchanged.
“Whoa!”
“Gyaah!”
When Anne quietly crept behind and suddenly tapped Yuli’s back while shouting, Yuli screamed in turn.
Hugging one of my arms tightly, Yuli was trembling up against me, looking around anxiously, and her eyes seemed to be slightly tearful.
“W-well, it’s me…I’m sorry, Yuli. I didn’t know you’d be that scared.”
Caught off-guard as she had scared Yuli, Anne was now flustering, apologizing profusely.
But while paying no attention to Anne’s apology or confession, Yuli remained stuck with a worried face, clinging to my arm.
“…Do you want to go back early?”
Shak-shak-shak
Since we had to be there for a few more hours, I asked Yuli if she wanted to head back first out of concern, but she violently shook her head in refusal.
“I..I can’t go back by myself…”
It’s true; given the old building’s remote location, we had passed through many forest-like areas. There was no way Yuli, who was already timid, would be able to go back alone in this situation.
“I’m fine…please don’t worry about me, and let’s proceed quickly…”
Even though she claims she’s fine, why is the hand that clings to my arm applying more strength?
“…Kyaa, I’m scared too!”
Meanwhile, Selian grabbed my other arm, pressing close to me, following Yuli’s lead.
Miss Selian? Your composure has already made your argument completely unbelievable since the beginning!
