I took a sip of the coffee Michelle had given me.
“It might taste bad, but I think you’ll hear the details sometime this week from the principal. You can listen then, right?”
“Isn’t Michelle going to explain it?”
“I could, but since there are policies and gag orders from the academy, it’s better if you hear it from them. I’m here to convey what’s been decided in my capacity as part of the shadows.”
As part of the shadows?
“Is something the matter?”
“I heard it from Andy, but it seems Tsukasa is being targeted by someone from another town.”
“I was also approached by Mr. Wallace and Senior Joan, but I declined.”
I hate people who forcefully try to steal magic and clay figures.
“I’m thankful you turned them down.”
“Nah, I’ve got family.”
I may not have great parents or a sister, but I like them.
I also like my grandfather and grandmother.
Why would I have to give that up?
“Still… Tsukasa’s magic power is immense. This is the truth. I’ve never seen anyone with more magic power than you.”
I haven’t either, except for that doping teacher from last time.
“Just the magic power, though.”
“That’s what matters.”
That whole thing…
“There’s absolutely no vibe of popularity… ”
Ilmera, Yuika, and I went on a forest date, but we were just bait for bears.
“Still, that’s more something the parents or families need to think about. Young people don’t usually think about children; rather, they desire to become strong themselves and wouldn’t wish for an excellent wizard to be born. Not to mention, people won’t date just because there’s a chance for a great wizard to be born—regardless of gender, most would want to be with the ones they love.”
That’s right.
“True. In the academy, Yuika has the most magic power, but I prefer Sharl.”
By the way, exclude Toko.
“Let’s stop this conversation… Anyway, it’s been established that Tsukasa is being targeted by another town due to your immense magic power.”
“Exactly, how is that? Are they really targeting you? It’s not just those two spies?”
Two people violating taboos.
“We’re not sure. There’s a possibility the whole town is targeting you. If that’s the case, there’s a chance they’ll continue to come after you in the future. It’s quite concerning.”
Well, it’s obviously bad for me, but isn’t it also bad for the shadow organization or the Operation Committee?
“Rather than the Operation Committee, it’s about the upper echelons of our organization. I’ll briefly explain the Operation Committee: one representative is chosen from each town, and additionally, a wizard with another kind of authority forms the committee.”
So that’s how it is…
“One representative from each town, like a mayor or something?”
“That’s right.”
“What about the ‘authority’ wizards?”
“Those wizards are unrelated to the towns and are necessary for the operation. Generally, they’re renowned or powerful wizards. There’s still a seat available, but your grandfather is also one of them.”
Ah, Nagase’s grandpa.
The reason for the “still” is because he stole a dangerous bracelet and gave it to his grandson.
I wonder what grandfather is doing right now?
“Hmm… so your grandpa is kind of amazing, huh…”
“How can you think of that…?”
Michelle stared at my bracelet.
“Do you know?”
“I learned this time from the principal… Hey, don’t you blame your grandpa?”
Blame?
Grandpa?
“No one else should know, but I put the bracelet on before he explained anything… He was so exasperated and called me an idiot.”
I haven’t told this to my parents or the principal.
Seemed like I’d get scolded.
“So… that’s how it is…”
“Exactly.”
That’s why I don’t hate grandpa.
I don’t understand grandpa’s intentions, but frankly, it’s karma.
And besides, grandpa, who’s been so kind to me since childhood, wouldn’t take away his own grandson’s arm.
“So, if that’s fine with you, Tsukasa, that’s good. Anyway, our organization, the shadows, is affiliated with the Operation Committee, separate from the towns. However, both Andy and I are essentially subordinates to the representative of Ein Town.”
Ah, right. That town’s name was Ein, wasn’t it?
“So?”
“The upper echelon, with the town representatives as the center, has determined that it would be bad if anything were to happen to Tsukasa. Of course, it’s pretty obvious. A high-profile family that contributes substantial donations, La Folle, and Tsukasa is the favorite grandchild of the current matriarch herself.”
“Do I really have her favor?”
Grandma always lectures me, doesn’t she?
“Both you and your siblings have high magical powers, and you’re Giselle’s youngest child. I heard from Erik that Japan is far away, yet they were always concerned. There was significant pressure when Toko entered school, but apparently, the pressure for Tsukasa was even greater.”
Because I’m an idiot…
You wouldn’t pass the exams without pressure.
And to begin with, I didn’t even take them (laughs).
“I see. So the siblings, who are less than excellent but very noticeable, over the diligent and skilled Erik, huh.”
Toko has her own issues.
She often got scolded by Grandma for her speech manner, but of course, she never listened.
“Frankly, I don’t understand that, but anyway, the upper echelon has decided to assign a bodyguard to Tsukasa. That’s me, representing the La Folle faction.”
A bodyguard…
“So you’ve specially come to Japan?”
“Yes. I’ve rented an apartment here and will attend Astral from there.”
Hmm…
“Will you be entering the academy?”
“Surreptitiously. Well, it seems Tsukasa seldom wanders alone at the school, and there are many eyes around campus, so I think it’s fine. The issue would be when you go outside the town.”
The school has many people, and generally, I’m with Frank and Cedric.
“Will the bodyguard always be with me?”
“Of course, we won’t interfere. I’ll observe from a distance.”
That somehow feels unsettling…
“But I don’t need a bodyguard…”
“You need one. It’s the decision of the upper echelon.”
Decision, huh…
“Does Grandma know about this?”
“The only people from La Folle who know are Grandma and Erik. She says not to tell your parents.”
That’s convenient.
If mother finds out, she’ll absolutely forbid you from going outside the town.
“By the way, does Sharl not have a bodyguard?”
“The only one with a possibility of being targeted is Tsukasa. Moreover, Charlene already has a bodyguard.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Chloe Myrel, an overenthusiastic maid… Though a classmate, she talks nonsense, so be careful.”
I know.
She always starts laughing with “uh-hee-hee.”
Thank you very much for reading.
If you found this work ‘interesting!’ or ‘the continuation is intriguing!’, bookmarking or changing the rating from ‘☆☆☆☆☆’ to ‘★★★★★’ would greatly encourage my writing.
Thank you very much!
