episode_0083

Dragging my heavy body, the place I last visited was not originally intended to be so, but due to unexpected connections, it became a familiar place to me through multiple visits.

Just as I was about to push the door open and enter, I barely managed to stop myself from doing so when memories of past disturbances surfaced, causing me to hesitantly place my hand on the handle.

“Get out! Get out right now!! Why do you barge into someone’s room without even knocking!!!”

During the vacation period, I had forgotten that I didn’t need to separately seek her out, believing that I could freely enter since my 1st-year days, but I had experienced a setback before by carelessly barging in.

“I’m in a position where I should make a separate request now, so it would be troublesome if I disturb her from the start with a mistake.”

At that time, she seemed engrossed in something, not noticing my approach, which might have changed now if it were happening today. Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.

Slowly removing my hand from the handle, I cautiously knocked and simultaneously opened my mouth.

“I’m Yucal, a 2nd-year student here to see the principal. May I come in?”

“Come in.”

Without a moment’s delay, she seemed aware of my presence and immediately granted permission. Slowly opening the door and stepping inside, I closed the door quietly and observed the familiar scene within.

As the vacation period had just ended, I thought it would be a quiet time, but she was still buried in paperwork, not sparing me a glance, tirelessly signing away.

“Iris seems unchanged in any way.”

Although she appeared quite mature, I had expected some growth in height, yet there seemed to be none.

While Claire, Rachel, Victor, and Helena showed gradual changes even though I saw them every day during the vacation, Iris remained the same.

Naturally taking a seat on the sofa and waiting, she eventually finished organizing the documents using magic to enhance efficiency, then moved to the sofa’s edge and finally looked at me.

“So, what brings you here on the first day after the vacation? There’s nothing special today. If you came because of the weekly education session, can we reschedule for another day? There’s a lot to handle regarding the new students.”

“Come to think of it, entrance exams are coming up, and new students will be arriving. I forgot about that fact.”

It was understandable why Iris had been so busy.

“I apologize. I truly have no excuse for intruding while you’re busy, but I’ve come here to discuss an important matter.”

“I never told you to postpone any meetings or special education sessions due to my busyness. Coming to me in such a busy situation means it must be quite important. If it’s not something significant, you’ll be in trouble.”

Although Iris scolded me sharply, the fact that she used magic to handle paperwork and was willing to engage in conversation with me indicated her willingness to listen.

“She’s subtly kind. Despite being so busy, she doesn’t refuse a student’s request and is willing to listen.”

Before diving into the conversation, let’s deploy our heightened senses. As expected, I could sense things unfolding as planned.

Ever since I discreetly conversed with Claire, closely monitoring from the dining hall to Rachel, Helena, and beyond, I could confirm that the distant Black Moon Squad 4, who had been surveilling closely, was now far away.

“It’s definitely intentional that they’re keeping their distance considering Iris’s abilities.”

Black Moon has been outsmarted by Iris in the past, and it is undoubtedly wise to be cautious and have a certain level of understanding about her abilities, given the speculation that Iris and Cineria may have met separately.

Here, just like at the Astraea Mansion, I can speak freely without Black Moon 4th noticing whatever I do or say.

Sipping the tea Iris conjured with magic, she took a deep breath and spoke lightly, “I’ve discussed this matter with the headmaster before. I believe those who are currently residing at the Ardent Academy would already be aware.”

“I can only say the same thing about that. There’s nothing special I can tell you about it. Besides, you also have reasons why you can’t talk to me, right?”

Seems like she caught on.

Observing that Iris mentioned dealings with either Black Moon or Cineria but couldn’t answer further questions despite having met them a few times, I realized she had subtly avoided mentioning them and prevented me from doing so.

“I’m not trying to discuss them or reprimand the headmaster. I simply had to bring it up before making a request. I would appreciate it if you could create a sophisticated enough decoy to avoid detection by those monitoring me and the students.”

“What?”

“I don’t need a decoy as elaborate and intricate as myself. With time constraints and the headmaster being busy, I don’t want to cause too much trouble. Just maintain it for a while, as if I were returning to my dorm room to continue meditating.”

Unexpectedly, Iris seemed momentarily at a loss for words, contemplating while looking at me.

“Let me first understand the situation. What’s the crucial reason behind needing this decoy?”

‘Alright. The fact that Iris didn’t outright refuse is good news in itself.’

Asking for reasons implies that I am willing to listen if Iris herself can agree to them.

“There’s an imminent attack targeting Ardent Academy students, and I need this for that reason. It’s essential to conceal my presence.”

Upon hearing this, Iris slowly observed me as if peering through me.

One of her red eyes shone particularly brighter than usual, giving me a sense that she was seeing through me.

“Do you fully comprehend your current power and potential? You’ve already achieved remarkable feats in swordsmanship surpassing many professors at the Ardent Academy. If you decide, you could easily enter the graduating class early without raising any suspicions.”

While the possibility of this happening if I were part of the Swordsmanship Department was omitted, I believe it holds true.

‘While such a move might have been impossible in Seongyong, in reality, early graduation seems feasible now.’

Of course, doing so would significantly reduce the accessibility to the main scenario, so I have no intention of pursuing that route.

“The knowledge gained from the Astrea Duke during the break seems to have been quite helpful. Nonetheless, if a formidable enemy appears beyond your current capabilities, it would be a clear emergency situation requiring intervention at the academy level.”

“That would be troublesome. And there seems to be a misunderstanding; I won’t participate in this upcoming battle.”

“Sigh… What are you talking about again?”

Iris stepping into the academy dimension could completely disrupt the experiment I want to conduct.

“That’s something I absolutely must prevent.”

If the hypothesis warps beyond what can be handled through experimentation, we might all end up holding hands and running towards the afterlife.

“I’m sorry. However, if my prediction is correct, we should be able to stop it without any casualties. So, can’t you trust me just this once and leave it to me?”

Although Iris seemed like she wanted to argue with me or express her anger, she eventually sighed and acquiesced.

“Alright. But once this matter is resolved, come to the principal’s office immediately to explain in detail. It seems quite urgent, so I’ll let it slide this time.”

“Thank you. If possible, I’d like to ask for your help right now.”

Perfect! If Iris creates a decoy, deceiving Black Moon 4th Division should be entirely feasible.

Internally cheering, I scanned my body with magic and, observing Iris directing me into specific poses, I spoke up.

“May I ask for one more favor? Could you create a status as a temporary exchange student from outside for the Department of Magic?”

As I continued speaking, Iris, who was still using magic, appeared impressed.

“If that’s the case, creating a decoy would be pointless. After all, everyone at the academy, including them, probably knows your appearance.”

I might have to show Iris directly about this.

Though not entirely convinced, I quietly adjusted the stat stone within my heart while letting out a sigh.

Iris, noticing my intentions, watched silently, and seeing her rarely shaken by changes, I could tell she was surprised as her eyes widened.

At that moment, Iris, who was creating the decoy, seemed to notice a disturbance in her magic.

“Yukal, do you have such hobbies…?”

Feeling self-conscious at Iris’s uneasy expression, I closed my eyes and stopped talking.

“Ugh, I really want to die.”