I opened the door and entered, revealing a fairly spacious room about as large as a school classroom.
On the front wall were rows of desks with unfamiliar equipment placed upon them.
The side walls were lined with bookshelves, densely packed with books.
“Hmm… It’s better preserved than I thought.”
“So this is from 150 years ago?”
Sharl and Principal Andy entered the room and began looking around.
“Looks like it hasn’t fallen apart. I’ll go fetch the teacher, so please wait here.”
Joan, peeking into the room from the doorway, said this before heading back the way she came.
Left here, I conjured a bucket and mop using spatial magic.
However, Sharl and Principal Andy began investigating every corner of the room without making such preparations.
I wondered what I should be doing, then approached Sharl.
As I did, Sharl traced her index finger along the desk, staring intently at it.
“Sharl?”
“Hm?”
Sharl, without turning to me, continued to stare intently at the equipment.
“What are you doing?”
“Just a moment…,”
I wondered what it could be and turned my attention to Principal Andy, who was staring intently at one of the bookshelves.
Huh? What’s with this atmosphere?
What about cleaning?
“Charlene, I would appreciate your candid opinion.”
Principal Andy stepped away from the bookshelf to consult Sharl.
“There’s definite evidence of recent human activity. There are patches without dust, and most importantly, the air is clearly ventilated.”
“That’s right. Some of the books on the shelves also show signs of recent reading.”
Umm…
I was thinking about what this conversation meant when Professor Wallace entered the room.
“Ah, Professor.”
As we spoke, Sharl and Principal Andy turned their attention to the professor.
The professor then proceeded to close the door.
“It’s cleaner than I expected.”
The professor swept his gaze across the room.
“Professor, it’s too clean. There’s a possibility someone has been here recently.”
Sharl announced this, prompting the professor to rub his chin in thought.
“Professor?”
“……Well, never mind that. You were asking about recent intrusions into this room? That’s plausible.”
The professor nodded in agreement.
“Did you, Professor?”
Sharl stared fiercely at the professor.
“Who else could it be?”
“Stealing another’s magical research is a grave crime. Additionally, stealing from the underground heritage…”
“Doesn’t matter since it won’t be used anyway. There’s no way the bloodline faction would relinquish it, meaning crucial documents hidden underground will remain forever buried. It’s practically akin to them not even existing. But wouldn’t that be wasteful? That’s why I’m utilizing them effectively.”
This seems wrong somehow…
“I’ll report this to the school and the governing council.”
“Ah, as expected from the student council president. So earnest. But that’s unnecessary. The shadow force is already on the move.”
At these words, the professor glanced towards Principal Andy.
“Wallace Thorn, you’re under arrest for the crimes of artifact theft and information leakage.”
Principal Andy proclaimed, glaring intently at Professor Wallace.
“Eh?”
“Arrest?”
Both Sharl and I looked at Principal Andy in confusion.
“Sorry. While I am a student here, I also belong to the shadow force under the governing council. Professor Wallace was a suspected spy, and I’ve been investigating him.”
Spy?
“I don’t understand any of this?”
Isn’t this development too sudden?
“To explain for students who haven’t been paying attention, there are other towns in Astral beyond this one. In short, I’m from the other side and have been secretly trafficking information from this town and the academy. Hence, a spy.”
Professor Wallace explained.
“So, are the towns at war with each other?”
“On the surface, we’re getting along. Tired of war and all that. But when organizations differ, conflict arises. Humans haven’t evolved since the witch hunts.”
The professor sighed as he spoke.
“Ah, yes…,”
“If only the world were populated with pure souls like you. Unfortunately, there are far more dirty souls like me.”
You’re saying it yourself. Why not repent if you’re aware of it?
“Don’t belittle Tsukasa.”
Sharl pointed her staff at the professor.
“Eh? Was I belittling him?”
“Of course you were.”
Ah…
“I wasn’t belittling him at all. In fact, Sharlene, you’re the same as Tsukasa. Too pure to see anything. Especially, you can’t even see yourself.”
The professor’s words made Sharl frown.
“Professor, surrender please.”
Principal Andy stepped forward and said this.
“Do you believe I’ll surrender?”
“I will make you do so.”
“With magic like that? And you’re not of the combat type yourself, are you?”
“Aren’t you the same, Professor?”
I don’t fully understand magic, but neither of them seem that strong…
“Senior, I’ll support you.”
Sharl also stepped forward.
“You’re not of a combat type as well, Sharlene. I’ve seen your duels before; they weren’t that great.”
That’s a cheap provocation…
“Don’t mock my sister Iver!”
Sharl fell for the easy bait…
“Professor, may I ask you something?”
Even though the tension was palpable, I had a question I needed to clarify.
“What is it, Tsukasa?”
“I asked one, but as Charlene is an exception, you were aware Andy was of the shadow force?”
Professor Wallace spoke as if he had known from the start.
“Yes. I knew that I was being investigated.”
“Knowing that, why did you bring me here?”
“Of course, to take care of things. My work here is done now. Taking care of Andy, then stealing the materials here one final time before leaving?”
I sort of guessed something like this was going on…
“Why not just run without killing anyone?”
“You asked too many questions after only one. Even if I ran, Andy would chase me. So, I need to take care of it first. The academy would prevent other shadows from interfering. Though Andy probably contacts them regularly, but I’d escape before they notice.”
I see.
“Sorry for asking so many questions after stating I’d only ask one. But my main question is: Why did you hire me for a part-time job? Do you think you can win?”
As I inquired, I began circulating magic within myself.
“Marvelous magic, Tsukasa. You’re truly La Folle’s masterpiece. While I also value your sister Toko highly, you surpass her.”
“Thanks,”
Though I don’t feel flattered.
“….Eh? La Folle?”
Andy looked surprised at me.
“Andy, you’re dedicated, which is good, but you need to observe your surroundings. Tsukasa and Toko are twins, can’t you see the resemblance?”
“Ahhh… Huh? Are they?”
Andy seems still missing the point.
“Absolutely… Such an inadequate student. Well then, Tsukasa, let me answer your question. Why did I recruit you? Because I want you.”
Ugh, that’s kind of creepy…
“No, thank you!”
“You shouldn’t refuse. There’s an advantage for you too, you know? Of course, it’s assuming you cooperate easily.”
“What advantage?”
“I belong to a town that can make better use of your abilities.”
I’m not moved by that.
“Sorry, I have family and friends I want to stay with, so no thanks.”
“Is that so… Well, I anticipated that response from you. Therefore, I’ll forcefully acquire your magic.”
Acquire magic?
“What does that mean? You said acquiring forcefully?”
Principal and Cedric had expressed similar concerns.
“Usually, yes. But if we do something unusual, it’ll work. That’s all.”
After saying that, the professor seemed to chew on something.
“Tsukasa, that’s a banned substance!”
“Tch! An enhancement drug!”
Sharl and Principal Andy pointed their staves at the professor, infusing magic.
“Don’t be foolish, inadequate students. We’re indoors! Consider the potential damage from using magic in such a confined space.”
As the professor spoke, the magic from both of them waned.
In response, the professor’s own magic power increased dramatically.
“Doping?”
“That’s an apt description.”
Hmm…
“Principal Andy, Sharl, please step back.”
“Tsukasa…”
“Tsukasa, I know it’s tough, but please hold back. We’ll support your efforts.”
They continued to hold their staves, ready to cast spells.
“Not necessary. Like the professor said, even though this is a large room, using magic indoors would be troublesome. Please step back.”
“Tsukasa’s right; you should heed his guidance. Matters like this are best left to the experts.”
Shut up…
Don’t provoke me.
“Your magic power is quite impressive.”
The professor’s magic exceeds mine.
“Is this the world you see? I envy it immensely.”
“Stupid.”
“That’s a sentiment only someone who possesses it would say.”
Being told this by someone who has lots of other things doesn’t sit well.
“Professor, I’ll ask again… Do you really think you can beat me?”
“Don’t underestimate me.”
“Hmph, that’s troublesome. Unlike them, you’re a pure combat-type wizard. I watched a duel you participated in, it was impressive.”
“Thanks… but?”
“Ordinarily, I can’t win. So, I’ll adjust accordingly.”
With that, the professor bit down on something.
“Tsukasa, it’s a banned agent!”
“Damn! It’s an enhancement drug!”
Sharl and Andy directed their staves at the professor, infusing them with magic.
“Don’t be foolish, my poor students. Are you aware of the consequences of casting such spells indoors?”
The professor spoke, and their magic started fading.
Meanwhile, his magic surged explosively.
“Drug-enhanced?”
“You may call it that.”
Hmm…
“Senior Andy, Sharl, please step back.”
“Tsukasa…”
“Tsukasa, I know it’s hard, but please let us back off. We’ll support from the sidelines.”
Their staves remained poised to strike.
“No need. As the professor said, even if it is kind of spacious, using magic indoors will only cause trouble. Please, step back.”
“Tsukasa is right. You should follow his lead. These kinds of things are best left to the specialists.”
Far too annoying…
Don’t provoke me like that…
“Your magic is quite formidable.”
The professor’s power is stronger than mine.
“Is this what your world looks like? Envious isn’t it?”
“Pointless.”
“That’s the statement of someone who possesses it.”
I can’t appreciate that coming from someone with so much else.
“Professor, I must ask again… Do you honestly think you can win with merely that?”
“I do. I’ve gauged your movements from the duel last time. My power is greater here, I’ll render you immobile then take your magic.”
I’m heavily underestimated…
“Don’t patronize me.”
Saying that, I lowered into a stance.
Thank you very much for reading.
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Thank you so much!
