“Senior…”
I had a bad feeling, so I stepped in front of Sharl.
“Knight-sama, you’re so cool.”
Senior Joan began to clap slowly.
“Was this done by you?”
She pointed to the fallen teacher.
“Yes, it was me. I was the one controlling the teacher, and the bear from before was also me. I tried to make it look like an accident and kill Andy, but you got in the way.”
Senior Joan smiled as she confessed.
“Joan…”
Senior Andy stood up, looking sad.
“Senior, why are you doing this?”
“Didn’t I already explain the reason?”
“Spy?”
“That’s right. I’m from another town. Or rather, I’ve been bribed by the leader of another town.”
Bribery…
“Was the teacher deceived by you?”
“That’s not true. The teacher was also a fine spy. But the teacher became too focused on stealing research results and started neglecting their main duties. Moreover, as Andy began to suspect, it was decided that it could no longer continue—so we decided to… dispose of them.”
So that’s why you killed them.
“Joan… Why are you?”
When Senior Andy asked, Senior Joan’s smile disappeared.
“Why? You have the nerve to ask that? After having fallen into the dark side yourself?”
“That’s my way of trying to make the town better…”
“Hmm… well, it’s fine. You’ve always been serious. And yet, your magic power is higher than mine, and you’re more talented.”
It’s true that Senior Andy’s magic power is higher, but…
“You have talent too.”
“Talent? Don’t make me laugh. I’m not jealous or anything. I gave up on such things long ago. Such trivialities mean nothing.”
“Did you make the enhancement potion?”
“Well, of course. The teacher is an expert in crafting items, but making that kind of medicine is my specialty.”
Alchemy…
“Joan…”
“Andy, because of our long acquaintance, let me give you some advice— you need to change that ridiculous kindness of yours. You must have suspected that something was off with me, right?”
Indeed, on Thursday, I noticed that Senior Andy was concerned about Senior Joan.
“But…”
“Can’t you see? Spy’s apprentice, holding the important unsealing talisman, being too familiar with the underground… It’s all too suspicious.”
That’s true…
“Joan, I…”
“Ugh… I’ve always liked you. Ever since we were kids and learned magic together. Those memories are priceless treasures. But I’ve always hated this overly kind side of you. It’s blinding, especially for me, who’s broken inside and has violated the magical taboos since childhood.”
“…Joan, I will arrest you.”
Senior Andy looked straight at Senior Joan and announced it.
“You idiot. It’s too late. I’ve already escaped. This body is just a mud golem.”
As Senior Joan raised her hand, it turned into mud.
“Tch!”
Senior Andy clenched his fists in frustration.
“You fool… If it were you, it wouldn’t have mattered if you caught me… But that’s just who you are. Anyway, Tsukasa-kun,”
Senior Joan turned her attention to me.
“What is it?”
“Will you come with me?”
“No, I won’t.”
“Come now, don’t worry about what the teacher said. You have your own worth.”
Worth…
“Battle?”
“Nope. I want your talent.”
Ah… Is that what you’re talking about?
“Sorry, but I decline. That mud thing… not really my style.”
Absolutely not.
“Hmm… So you choose the thorny path, do you?”
Senior Joan glanced at Sharl.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. Please, do your best. I hope it doesn’t turn into a terrible tragedy.”
Tragedy…
You said that before, didn’t you?
“What does that mean?”
“Who knows? Hehe… Charlene Yver-san… You’re definitely not heading toward good paths.”
“Are you picking a fight?”
“I’m just offering advice. You seem to be on the verge of breaking a taboo. I called you here just to warn you.”
Did you say something about fixing the door to bring her here?
“Stop lumping me in with you!”
“Hehe, well then. Andy, please apologize to your classmates on my behalf. Also, tell them we had fun playing together. Goodbye.”
After saying this, Joan’s body crumbled and turned into a pile of mud.
We stared at it silently.
“Tsukasa-kun, Charlene-san, I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”
After an awkward silence, Senior Andy apologized.
“No…”
“It’s my fault for coming anyway…”
I don’t know what to say to Senior Andy. He’s an old friend, and he must be in shock.
“Leave the rest to me. I need to inform my colleagues in the dark organization and the principal. You two can go. But if the principal calls later, please tell the truth openly. Though, please don’t tell your friends or family about what happened today or about me.”
It’s probably best not to.
“Understood. Then, I leave it in your hands. Shar, let’s go.”
“Alright.”
Leaving Senior Andy behind in the room, we went upstairs and exited the building. Then, we started climbing the hill to return to the dormitories.
“Shar, did you know about the dark organization and the other towns?”
“Yes, I’ve heard about them. Of course, just rumors.”
So you knew.
“This is complicated.”
“That’s true… I think so too.”
As we walked together, we eventually reached the fork leading to the boys’ and girls’ dormitories. We stopped.
“You were said to be on the verge of breaking a taboo, weren’t you?”
“There’s no way. I don’t need to do that. I am the heir to the Yver family.”
Maybe there’s no reason for you to do it.
“You’re right. Well, see you here. Thanks for today. Really, you helped.”
“We couldn’t clean properly after all.”
Ah, that’s true.
“But that’s life. Let’s settle for bear payment.”
“That’s how it is. So be it.”
“See you this weekend.”
“Yes. On Sunday, I’ll show you the mysteries of alchemy.”
She seems so enthusiastic and happy…
“I’ll look forward to it.”
“Yes. See you.”
“Alright.”
We parted ways at that point, and each returned to our respective dormitories. Once I finished climbing the hill, before entering the boys’ dormitory, I glanced over the town.
“Magic users sure come in all kinds…”
Everyone seems to have their own desires. I still don’t quite understand Senior Joan’s motives, but she had gone as far as breaking certain taboos. What drives someone to such extremes? I don’t understand.
“I’ll head inside…”
Turning around, I entered the dormitory, went up to the second floor, and returned to my room. When I entered, Toko was there on my bed.
“What are you doing here?”
“Ah, Big Brother! Waaah, there was no bear today!”
Toko got up and started shaking me.
“You don’t seem to have any worries at all…”
“That’s rude! I’ve been drinking milk every day recently!”
Yeah, no worries for you.
“Toko, I sold the bear, but it was in bad condition, so the price was lower. Still, you’ll get 20,000.”
“20,000!? Big Brother, you’re amazing! Alright! Next week, we’re bear hunting again! If I catch one, I’ll give you 10,000!”
She’s so enthusiastic and seems to love life…
But I think this is the right way to live, whether you’re a mage or otherwise.
That concludes chapter 2.
If you found it “interesting!” or are “curious about the continuation!”, your bookmark registration or rating this from “☆☆☆☆☆” to “★★★★★” will motivate me for future writing.
I’ll continue posting Chapter 3 from tomorrow, so looking forward to it. Thank you so much.
