episode_0007

[Magic Research Society]

The plaque hanging on the old wooden door certainly had those words written on it.

I am currently in an old building located on the outskirts of the academy site.

It was old enough to be called the so-called ‘old school building’ among cadets, and it was also a place that no one bothered to visit.

I don’t know why the Academy kept a building that only ruins its aesthetics, and I even had no idea that anyone would use this place.

Anyway, I put in quite a bit of effort to find this ‘Magic Research Club’.

As far as I know, there was no club with that name. In fact, I looked around all the club buildings, but there was no place with that name.

‘Magic Research Club… ? hmm… It says it’s in building A14. however… ‘

So I went to the information desk and asked, and luckily I was able to get an answer.

The guide’s comments did not continue. However, it was possible to predict sufficiently.

They probably suspected that I might be doing something suspicious.

An old school that no one goes to. And I think everyone is a criminal.

If I said there was no harmony between the two, that would be a lie and a fantasy. Even if I were on the other side, I would have thought that way.

By the way, it’s the ‘Magic Research Club’――

‘Not like me… Is it okay if I come in?’

‘Wow, this is amazing! This is real magic… .’

‘really? Can you use magic like that?’

‘Wow! Cain! Did you succeed?? Amazing, Great!’

I suddenly feel uncomfortable.

Suddenly, a refreshing voice resonates in my brain.

I was doing useless things that the tainted memories did not ask me to do. Once I started paying attention, I didn’t know the noise would stop.

“Ha… .”

I suddenly let out a sigh.

As for the stress of returning to the Academy, I thought that at most it would be the hostility radiated by others.

But the reality was a little different.

No matter how much I was scolded or harassed by them, I didn’t feel anything. It was really innocent.

However, the memories that began to surface using this place as a trigger were gnawing at my heart little by little because I could not ignore them.

It was an unexpected situation.

Even though I couldn’t forget everything, I thought it wouldn’t matter anymore.

However, somewhere in my heart, I think there remained a sad feeling of longing for a time that even I didn’t know about.

If we don’t find a way to solve this, we may be in a bit of trouble.

–smart!

Anyway, I gathered my courage and knocked on the old door.

Actually, I was quite worried about visiting her, Liz.

I spent almost half of the time I was awake yesterday.

It was because I couldn’t figure out who she was.

Judging by the looks he gave off, he didn’t seem to be a freshman, but that didn’t mean I had any memories of seeing him among classmates or older students.

If she was an introvert and didn’t like to come forward, she might not have known…

That’s why the presence she gave off when I met her yesterday was something that I couldn’t hide even if I tried to hide it.

In the end, because I knew nothing about her, I came to meet her.

It would be okay if this was a trap.

If that was really the case, it would have been better to know something about her rather than risking staying still anyway.

In addition, if I could learn about ‘hermeneutics’ from her, wouldn’t it be enough to call it a profitable business?

――Drur!

“Yay~ I thought you would come find me?”

“… … .”

But when I saw that cheerful smile, I suddenly wanted to go back.

It was a smile that was certainly beautiful enough, but for some reason, it seemed like an eerie madness was coming out of it.

“Now, don’t stay there, come in quickly.”

“… … .”

“Huh? Ah~ sorry sorry. I am a person who lacks consideration. Wait, I’ll pull you.”

Even though she wasn’t specifically asked to do so, she willingly pushed the wheelchair.

She took me, who could not resist at all, to the deepest part of the room.

–bang!

He closed the door and sat down across from me.

She was positioned exactly between me and the door, and it seemed like she was only trying to block my escape attempts.

“Now! So, shall we have a serious talk now?”

Her smile was already full of slyness.

This may actually have crawled into the tiger’s belly on its own.

**

Claire Rosheim.

She has crimson hair that fascinates everyone.

That fact alone made it clear that she inherited the blood of the Roseheim family.

People called her by many different names.

‘Eldest Daughter of Roseheim’, ‘Candidate for Next Grand Mage’, ‘Best Talent in the Academy’, etc…

However, the most famous title among them, and the one she liked the most, was none other than ‘Master Rudfeld’s fiancé.’

Yes.

Now, it is a title that no one can say… No, it was a taboo word. A title whose very existence has literally been denied.

Cain, the master of the Rudfeld duchy. And Claire, the daughter of Count Rosheim.

They were born to two families who had always maintained a good relationship.

In a way, it was natural and could even be called fate for the two, who were even born in the same year, to become close.

The two developed a connection almost from the moment they started talking.

Wherever Cain was, there was always Claire, and vice versa.

The two carved out memories together, and if either of them was missing, it would be like an empty shell.

At that time, she desperately wanted it.

May you be with Cain for the rest of your life. There was a clear divide between the two families, but she desperately hoped that she could overcome it.

And actually, that dream became a reality.

Three years ago, the two met in a place with a beautiful fountain. I promised my whole life.

She was really happy.

no… I was happy.

It was a feeling that could never be found in the current Claire.

She became unhappy in an instant.

I thought that way myself, and so did others.

Cain, her former fiancé, became a sinner.

It was truly a terrible sin. In this empire, it was a serious crime comparable to treason.

At first she wanted to believe him, but then she gave up.

The world began to squeeze her. I couldn’t bear the pain of being on the same side as him.

In the end, she made a choice for herself. By denying his existence, her relationship with him officially ended.

And from that moment on, her life became empty.

Until now, Claire’s life had not been entirely her own.

Even though I couldn’t do it, I shared close to half of it with Cain. Because he was present in almost every memory she had.

Denying him was no different from denying her life.

There were no more beautiful memories left for her.

She could have built it up in the future, but it was too much to bear for new sprouts to sprout in her devastated heart after losing everything.

――Kkiik

“… … .”

After finishing another day of work, Claire returned to her room.

Several cadets persistently asked me to spend time with them, but they all refused.

Lately, all she has done is maintain minimal human relationships.

It was because I was afraid of people.

Not now, but she didn’t know when they would bother her again. She still couldn’t forget the malice they sent her in the past.

But no matter how much she tried to minimize the relationship, to the other cadets she was a flower.

There was nothing he lacked, including appearance, background, and even talent.

Even among noble men and families, she was competing for first place as a fiancé.

At a time when Cain’s existence was denied, she was a hugely popular person.

But she was still volunteering to be a lonely flower.

“Huh… .”

She returned to the room and sat in front of the desk.

I tried opening the book to study theory, but there was no way it could get into my head.

Since last weekend, her head has been filled with endlessly disturbing thoughts.

It was all Cain’s fault.

The person she thought she would never see again appeared in front of her again.

I didn’t know why. I didn’t even want to know.

The only thing I’m dissatisfied with is why they bothered me by showing up again.

He also wouldn’t feel comfortable seeing her… What is the reason for creating an uncomfortable situation for each other?

Eventually she closed the book.

Still, there was nothing to do. Her room was so empty.

Until last year, this place was a place full of happiness.

Countless memories were hanging everywhere, and it was a place that warmed her heart more than any other place.

But not anymore.

This room was returned to its original state. Nothing was left except simple furniture.

Exactly since that happened, she has felt empty.

A feeling she was experiencing for the first time, something she had always enjoyed. The feeling was still awkward and still sad.

Eventually she laid down on the bed.

It was still too early to sleep, but I didn’t feel like doing anything. Indeed, for the first time in a long time, I felt helpless.