Transformation

“Are you ready?”

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

Gulp.

The students swallowed dryly as they stared at the large mansion.

Finally, they could meet the teacher.

Today, right here.

“…Will this work?”

“We can only hope.”

Until coming here, the students had been busy gathering in the counseling room to review their plan.

The number of organization members they’d identified, the mansion’s layout, the teacher’s tendencies – they’d compiled all known information and endlessly revised their plan considering every possibility.

Only after deciding their final revised plan was perfect did they come here.

So it had to work.

Despite this conviction, the students couldn’t hide their trembling hearts.

Though they knew tension increased the chance of mistakes, they couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“We’re counting on you, Leo. You’re our only hope.”

“…Is there really no other way?”

“Of course not. You’re the only one among us who can enter there without revealing your identity. This is necessary to meet the teacher.”

“…”

Though he’d nodded during planning, actually having to volunteer made him hesitate.

As Leo showed subtle dissatisfaction, Stella-nim – now in the position of needing favors – began coaxing him.

“Just endure today. If we can capture the teacher, your contribution will be greatest.”

“But…”

“As the next emperor, I promise to grant you one wish by any means necessary. Truly.”

“…Sigh. Fine. I was just complaining a bit, don’t make such a big deal.”

“Thank you. Later, I’ll definitely…”

“Save that for later. Let’s just get this over with.”

“Mhm.”

When Stella confirmed Leo sitting resignedly, she infused him with magic power. Leo’s appearance gradually transformed.

As Leo familiarly swept his now-long hair behind his ear, the students stared with complicated expressions.

“…Still amazing every time I see it.”

“Right? I just can’t get used to it, seriously…”

“I don’t want to do this!”

“Ah! S-sorry! You look really pretty!”

“Yeah! Cute and… makes me want to pat your head!”

“I really don’t want to!”

Hearing their appraisals, Leo turned away sulkily.

Though intended as protest, he didn’t realize how such actions looked with his current appearance.

…But this very quality made him perfect for the mission.

“Don’t be too harsh, Leo. These fools simply fail to appreciate your magnificence.”

“Princess Stella-nim…?”

“Worry not. I recognize the noble spirit within you regardless of appearance. Your chivalrous nature shines brighter than anyone’s.”

“R-really?!”

“Now shall we depart? We might have to return tomorrow if we delay.”

“Understood! Leave it to me!”

Too easy.

Stella sighed watching Leo become enthusiastically motivated from a few words.

After this, I should make Leo a royal guard.

She vividly imagined him getting scammed and ending up destitute if left unsupervised.

Since he wanted to be a knight anyway, it should work out.

Oblivious to Stella’s thoughts, Leo began approaching the mansion with a pre-rehearsed pitiful expression.

“Waaahhh…!”

“Wow, he really acts like a kid…”

“He’ll get mad if he hears that.”

“Don’t worry. He can’t hear us from here.”

After leisurely watching Leo’s performance, the mansion interior grew noisy until a woman opened the door.

“That woman…”

“Someone you know?”

“Yes. The one I told you about. She brought the teacher here.”

“…Jane.”

Though briefly curious about her relationship with the teacher, the students quickly refocused.

That could wait until after finding the teacher.

“Hmm… I don’t recognize this child from around here.”

“Waaahhh!”

“Where are you from? Where’s your mom?”

“D-don’t know! Mommyyy! Waaahhh!”

“…This is troublesome.”

Jane smiled awkwardly at the sobbing child, showing no suspicion that Leo was actually a boy.

…Good. She didn’t suspect.

“Little one, what’s your name?”

“L-Leona…”

“Okay, Leona. I won’t hurt you, so stop crying. Where’s your mom?”

“D-don’t know! Came to play and she disappeared… Mommyyy! Waaahhh!”

“…Hmm, problematic.”

While Jane frowned at the renewed crying, our group wore impressed expressions.

“He’s incredible…”

“Right? Who knew he had this talent?”

Though he’d shown promise during crying rehearsals, none expected such convincing child acting.

He might have become a great actor rather than knight.

“What’s happening, Jane? It’s noisy outside.”

“Ah, Boss. Nothing serious. A lost child…”

“Huh? A child?”

At that voice, the students blankly stared at the entrance.

Teacher Ophelia appeared before them.

“Lost? How?”

“Uh, um… c-came to play with mommy… then she disappeared…”

“I see. Why don’t you rest here awhile?”

“Ah, that’s not…”

“Don’t worry. We’re not bad people. We’ll help find your mom. Okay?”

Kneeling to meet Leo’s eyes, her gentle demeanor perfectly matched their memories of the teacher.

Watching her hold Leo’s hand and enter the mansion, the students urgently mobilized.

They’d successfully entered.

Now they waited for Leo to lure Ophelia outside as planned.

***

“What’s your name?”

“…Leona.”

“Okay, Leona. Want to dry your tears?”

I began comforting the sniffling Leona while stroking her hair.

“You must be sad mommy disappeared. We’ll help find her, so don’t worry.”

“Okay…”

Leona… Similar name to Leo.

Even resembles him.

Seeing her face reminded me of those students.

Wonder how they’re doing?

“Looking at you reminds me of a student I knew.”

“S-student?”

“Yes. I used to be a teacher. He dreamed of becoming a knight – still immature but growing splendidly.”

“…”

“If you want to be cool like him, you shouldn’t cry, okay?”

Watching Leona’s delayed nod, I grew thoughtful.

Come to think of it, I haven’t heard about those students lately.

After helping this child, maybe I’ll check on them.

Though getting involved brings trouble, I still want to know how they’re doing.

Like checking on a favorite idol’s activities?

“Phone number.”

“Huh?”

“Know mommy’s number… but no phone…”

“Really? Perfect timing. We have a phone here. Can you tell me? I’ll call.”

“…Thank you, unnie.”

“Don’t mention it.”

This might resolve easier than expected.

I dialed the number Leona provided.

Someone answered immediately with a trembling voice.

“Wh-who’s this?”

“Hello. Leona’s mother?”

“Yes… Is Leona there?! Where are you?!”

She sounded breathless, as if frantically searching everywhere.

Hmm… Shouldn’t give this address.

Though legally purchased, this mansion was bought with dirty money.

Better to meet elsewhere.

“It’s my residence… Where are you now? I’ll bring her over.”

“Is that okay? We’re imposing…”

“No problem, I wanted some fresh air anyway. Right, Leona?”

“…Yeah. Don’t worry mommy. Everything will be fine.”

“Thank goodness…”

Her grateful, tearful voice came through.

…Should hurry.

I spoke to Jane who’d been watching us.

“Be back soon. Might take a while.”

“Are you sure, Boss? I could go instead.”

“Nah, I need the walk… Besides, Leona’s clinging like this.”

“…True. Have a safe trip, Boss. Don’t secretly buy snacks.”

“I won’t. Think I’m a kid?”

“Can’t eat broccoli? Definitely a kid.”

“…”

Even adults hate broccoli.

Grumbling internally, I took Leona’s hand.

“Come, Leona. Let’s find mommy.”

“Okay!”

Beautiful weather today.

I stepped outside with peaceful thoughts.

Completely unaware of what awaited.