episode_0038

“-What? What was the school like in the old days? Why are you asking that? Are you a spy? What, five years ago? I’ve only been working here for about three years. Stop prying into useless things and just study!”

“-Oh, you’re curious, aren’t you? When I came to this school four years ago… therefore, the mental strength of our students…”

“-Ah, you’re Miss Ruzilin? You’re asking what the school was like in the past…? Haha… Unfortunately, I’ve only been here since last year, so I don’t know the details.”

Some people avoided the question, and some answered to the best of their knowledge, but they all had one thing in common.

“-There are no long-term faculty members or instructors!”

“-We even looked up the history of other professors whose classes we aren’t taking, you know? It seems like they’re all newly appointed within the last three to four years.”

“-It seems this school doesn’t even operate with tenure-track positions.”

It seemed like a wasted effort.

“-Did the school search team find anything?”

“-Yes! A lot!”

Number 3, who had been roaming the campus with her hat and mask pulled down, replied.

“-I just found three buildings that aren’t covered in the school’s brochures or official maps. Want to see?”

Number 3 held up her smartphone and used her finger to zoom in on a corner of a private satellite map website. Three white buildings, large and small, were cleverly nestled between a forest and other buildings. At first glance, one might simply assume they were abandoned buildings and pass them by.

“-See here? They’re cleverly hidden near the forest behind the school, where we were looking for crystal flowers. They seem to think they’ve hidden them well.”

“-Aren’t they just unused buildings?”

“-No, I went a little closer, and there was a fence, and school security guards were patrolling. It seems like there’s something there.”

One should not think of an old watchman patrolling with a flashlight when hearing the word “security guard.” This academy is an important institution. Private security guards in black uniforms, armed to military standards, could occasionally be seen patrolling near the school. Most awakened academies are similar in this regard, though.

“-We’ve pretty much checked with everyone we could ask. Let’s stop now.”

“-No, there’s still one more person. Instructor Frederick from the weapons skill class! His tenure is approaching 15 years this year, isn’t it?”

This was good news. The weapons skill class was still left.

“-Alright. While you’re at it, ask him.”

After that conversation, I entered the gymnasium used as a classroom, where the instructor’s scar-covered face greeted the students today. It was like a beast searching for prey.

“You idiots. One hundred jumping jacks today!”

“Ugh!”

“Your voices are too quiet!”

As the grueling training continued today, I saw a familiar face. It was Levi, whom I had seen at the freshman welcome party. Next to him, I also saw the large male student I had seen then. What was his name?

“-Granite. I think he said Granite.”

“-They must have had class at the same time as me. I didn’t know.”

Is it because we’re in the same department? Surprisingly, they were nearby, and I never knew until now. It was a good thing I got to know their faces then.

“Oh, you stutterer. Why can’t you understand yet? Huh? Your main weapon is ranged, so you’ve messed up your practice. Try again. Relax your left hand, and don’t shake your legs!”

“I’ll… I’ll try… to do it… properly!”

“Hey, you big oaf. Are you showing off your strength right now? How many times do I have to tell you that weapons skill isn’t a strength contest!”

“…I’ll correct it.”

“Not ‘I’ll correct it,’ you should correct it now!”

Unfortunately, those two were getting loudly scolded in their own ways. When Instructor Frederick started coming this way, I quickly turned my head.

“You! Where are you looking!”

“Ugh!”

How long did that sweaty time pass? When class ended, there was time for questions. As all the students went outside, I hesitated for a moment before approaching Frederick.

“Oh, you brat. What brings you here? Did you also come to ask how to win a duel or about special moves?”

“Duels?”

What did that mean?

“Why, the board of directors announced it, didn’t they? Minor conflicts within the school are now to be resolved through duels, according to the rules. Everyone suddenly started asking about useless tips for one-on-one combat. Lazy people who don’t usually train, that is! Well, it’s always been like that, though.”

“No! I’m practicing hard. And I’m not asking about duels.”

Hearing my reply, Frederick crossed his arms and snorted.

“Of course, you should! That way, you won’t be ashamed in front of your parents or relatives.”

“Um, I don’t have parents…”

Frederick looked at me with a bewildered expression. Only then did I realize I had made a mistake.

My mouth is a problem.

“Ahem… hmm, what I mean is. Since you’ve entered, it’s important to work hard, that’s all…”

Frederick, who had been awkward, soon wiped away his flustered expression. His gray eyes, crisscrossed with scars, stared at me.

“Alright, if it’s not about duels, then why did you come?”

“It’s nothing big! Something just made me curious. How many years have you worked here, Instructor-nim?”

“Worked? Thinking back to when I put your seniors’ seniors through their paces, it’s been about 15 years.”

Oh, 15 years of service. The records were indeed correct.

“Then, what was it like in the old days?”

“What? What was it like in the old days? There were far more quick-witted, quick-to-understand, and polite model students than you. Students who sometimes even kept in touch after graduation. But why are you curious about that?”

He at least replied, even if gruffly. Well then, shall we move on to the next step?

“It’s nothing else, but Instructor-nim, you worked here even before the current Chairman, didn’t you? I want to know what differences there are in the school before and after the Chairman came in.”

“Ah? Old stories, well. There’s nothing I can’t tell you.”

His eyes gazed somewhere far off. It seemed he was tracing back memories of the past.

“Huh, yes. The old days were good. The student count was lower than now, and there were many kids with good character. There was order in the school. Well, if you really think about it, maybe there wasn’t much difference…”

He trailed off for a moment, then scanned his surroundings.

“But you rude brat. Why exactly are you asking about such things?”

His gray eyes sharply scrutinized me, like a bird of prey observing its quarry.

“Uh? It’s nothing big. I just got curious! And I also have homework.”

“Don’t lie, brat. You’re so simple-minded that what you’re thinking shows right on your face. You must be curious about something else regarding this school. What’s your objective?”

Ah, as expected, my questioning skills are clumsy. It might be better to just directly confront him.

“I think this school is strange. So I want to find out why. Instructor-nim, you’ve worked here for 15 years; haven’t you felt anything strange?”

“…Are you, by any chance, acquainted with that Magic Spear guy’s daughter? The purple-haired girl.”

Why did Irene suddenly come up here?

“I don’t know her.”

“Really? Was I mistaken?”

Frederick shook his head.

“Anyway, I think I know what you’re looking for, but it’s not something that can be discussed here.”

He waved his hand, dismissing me.

“But I just want to know how the school changed.”

Frederick yelled.

“Hey, you! If strange rumors reach the higher-ups and I get into trouble, will you take responsibility? I need to make a living too, you know. That’s enough!”

I shut my mouth. Frederick cautiously scanned his surroundings again, then went to a desk in a corner of the gymnasium, tore off a small piece of paper, and scribbled something with a pen.

“Anyway, I’m a man who only knows how to live by the sword, so even if you ask me to explain, I can’t do it properly. Instead, there’s a… an unlucky bookworm outside.

I’ve written down what you need. If you say ‘Vulture’ sent you, he’ll answer your questions.”

Before leaving, something I wanted to ask came to mind.

“Um… you said you wouldn’t answer, so why are you giving me this?”

Frederick looked at me with a strange gaze. He seemed to have something to say, hesitated, then suddenly became annoyed.

“…If I don’t do this, you’ll just bother me, won’t you? It’s time for me to leave work! You troublesome kid. Get out, quick!”

Oh, how harsh!

When I went outside, I saw that the note had a phone number and a home address written on it. I put the note in my pocket and was heading out when a text message arrived.

I sent a reply.

I spent my time leisurely, then came out of school 10 minutes before the appointed time and waited.

Someone tapped me from behind.

“It’s me, Violet.”

“Ack! You startled me. I didn’t recognize you without your uniform.”

The model student girl was nowhere to be seen; in her place appeared a suspicious woman with a hat and hoodie pulled low over her head.

“What’s the matter? I just got an interesting clue from the weapons skill instructor.”

“Are you perhaps talking about Instructor Frederick? I actually asked you to meet outside because of that very thing.”

Irene took out a note.

“I got this too; what a strange coincidence. He said he didn’t want to answer and gave me this instead.”

“So Violet, you asked him too. I also looked up who had the longest tenure at this school right now, and it was only that instructor.”

“Did you call him?”

“When I said I wanted to ask about the school, he initially tried to hang up. So when I said ‘Vulture’ sent me, he told me to come right away. That’s why I called you. Is it okay to go?”

“Anytime! Let’s go!”

We immediately hailed a taxi and drove through the city.

We rode in the taxi for over two and a half hours, heading to the address. Before long, we arrived near the destination. A quiet suburb with small, two-story houses lined with fences came into view.

The amount displayed on the taxi meter was no joke. I wasn’t out of money, but it was a bit much.

“Uh… Irene, we should split this, right…?”

“What are you talking about? I was the one who suggested going, so I’ll pay. Please calculate the fare.”

Irene immediately took out her card and paid.

“The fare’s expensive, are you sure it’s okay?”

She looked back at me with a puzzled expression.

“Isn’t this amount something everyone can usually afford?… Ah, I’m sorry. I was mistaken.”

That’s right. Irene is a silver spoon.

We walked diligently and arrived at a typical two-story house that matched the address.

“Hello? Excuse me. We were sent by Vulture…”

I pressed the doorbell, and an angry voice came from inside.

“Stop, halt, just stand still there for now.”

The area around the entrance, which had been illuminated by streetlights and various lights just moments before, was suddenly covered in complete darkness.

Then, colorful and dazzling magic circles enveloped us, oscillating up and down.

This is serious, isn’t this a trap?

“Aaaah! Run away!”

“Calm down, Violet! I know what this is. It’s a type of magical security scan. It’s harmless!”

As I was making a commotion, a moment later the darkness receded, and the magic circles disappeared. The door swung open. A dark interior was visible. A voice echoed from beyond the hallway.

“Good, come in. Don’t forget to wipe your feet before entering.”

As we entered the house, the door closed with a bang! on its own. Had we entered a haunted spot? Wondering if we had come to the wrong place, I followed behind Irene.

“Stop there.”

The voice commanded once more.

“Alright. Now sit down.”

“There’s no chair, so how can I sit…”

The scenery before my eyes suddenly changed. The dark hallway was gone, replaced by a brightly lit, comfortable-looking room.

Irene and I landed on a soft sofa.

“Right, Vulture sent you? So you must be from Polaris.”

A middle-aged man with fluffy gray hair and a very fussy-looking expression sat in a chair, watching us.

Irene and I were bewildered by the sudden encounter. The man adjusted his glasses and scrutinized us.

“Yes, that’s right. But excuse me, who are you…”

“Such rude brats.”

The man snapped his fingers.

-Wheeeeeee!

A sharp ringing stimulated our ears as if piercing them.

“Ugh! What on earth are you doing!”

“Whoaah! My ears!”

The sound disappeared. The gray-haired, glasses-wearing man, who had somehow risen from his seat, was looking down at us with a fierce gaze.

“Are you back to your senses now?”

“Ugh…”

“You young ones are unbelievably arrogant! Aren’t you going to introduce yourselves? Aren’t you going to greet me?”

“Huh…?”

“Who are you, sir?”

When I protested, the man replied with a face that showed he didn’t understand my complaint.

“What? Who am I? Do you think it’s normal not to recognize me? You wet-behind-the-ears brats…”

The man adjusted his glasses, then raised his hand. A white certificate with a gold-leaf border appeared in his hand.

“I hope your eyes aren’t just for decoration.”

The certificate read:

“Do you understand now, you brazen girls? I am your grand senior.”

I had nothing to say and blinked my eyes like a cow.

We had encountered a super old-timer in an unexpected place.