Ch.109109. Legal Absence

What are tracking magic and surveillance magic?

There’s no need for a complicated explanation—they’re exactly what their names suggest.

Tracking magic allows you to know someone’s location, while surveillance magic lets you see what they’re doing. Simply put, they’re like GPS and CCTV.

In other words, permitting these spells was essentially agreeing to give up one’s privacy.

Despite knowing this, I accepted it because…

“Um… I just want to mention this in case you’re wondering. I’m using this magic with completely pure intentions.”

I trusted that Celia would maintain appropriate boundaries.

“I can’t say I have absolutely no impure thoughts… but don’t worry.”

Hearing her say that makes me wonder if I’ve misjudged something…

Well, the fact that she’s honestly admitting to having impure thoughts probably means she won’t go too far.

She’s probably just saying things like that.

Besides, I don’t really do anything noteworthy when we’re not together.

She wouldn’t bother watching something so boring.

I decided to just think of it that way, since continuing this conversation would only increase my doubts and worries.

After our conversation ended, there was a brief moment of silence before someone approached us.

“Ludion?”

“Senior Alkine.”

It was our student council president, Alkine.

She also looked to be in good condition, as if she’d slept well.

But something was strange. Alkine shouldn’t have any reason to be here at this time.

Though she’s the student council president with a solemn image, she’s not particularly diligent about things like eating breakfast.

So the reason she came here…

“Celia suddenly asked me to come, and… it seems it was worth coming.”

As expected, it was because of Celia.

I had guessed as much when I saw Celia typing on her messenger earlier.

The number of people she contacts can be counted on one hand.

“Are you feeling better?”

“I’m completely fine now.”

I answered Alkine’s casual question, assuring her that I was okay.

I was worried there might be some aftereffects from experiencing that level of pain, but I was surprisingly fine.

In fact, even though it happened just yesterday, it felt like something from the distant past. Memory is truly fascinating.

But why did Celia call Alkine? We should be heading to lectures soon.

She didn’t really call her just to see me briefly, did she?

While I was pondering this, Celia suddenly stood up and said:

“Now, let’s go to the student council.”

“…Huh?”

What about our lectures?

Although the academy uses university-like terminology and is structured similarly, when you look closer, many aspects of the system and perceptions are quite mixed with Korean middle and high school elements.

For example, needing permission to go out, having school uniforms… and being very strict about attendance.

The fortunate thing is that they don’t set curfews or do headcounts in the dormitories.

Perhaps they set it up that way because they thought it would interfere with the protagonist’s activities.

Anyway, the important point here is that the system is “very sensitive about attendance.”

The concept of “attend first, then do whatever” is common sense here.

In reality, the attendance system was quite strict, and in the game, many scenes were set after lectures ended.

Yet Celia maintained a carefree expression as she showed me her messenger.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already contacted and received permission.”

It showed messages between her and Professor Reina, and the content was quite something.

[Celia: Ludion and I will be absent today to write a report about yesterday’s incident.]

[Reina: Okay.]

[Reina: Wait a minute. Celia, this doesn’t concern you, does it? Why are you absent too?]

[Reina: Celia?]

[Reina: I’ll let it slide this time. But there won’t be a next time.]

I understand my absence, but she forcibly included herself to skip classes.

“Right? So we can enjoy our freedom today without worrying about lectures.”

But Celia’s expression was very confident.

As if she too had a legitimate reason to be absent.

More importantly…

“Forcing your way out is one thing, but what freedom are you talking about when we have to write a report?”

“I mean we should finish quickly and then rest. We can finish it soon, can’t we?”

…She’s not wrong, but… hmm, how did the kind and diligent Celia end up like this…

Alkine seemed to have the same thought as she sighed softly and said:

“You’ve completely corrupted her, Ludion.”

“No, who would be so obedient and follow the system like this? This is truly unfair.”

I’m serious. I just happen to know a bit about this place and have been responding to variables, that’s all. The common person’s mindset I’ve had all my life still governs me.

But was I the only one who thought that way?

These two women completely denied my opinion.

“No, it is because of you. Celia would agree, right?”

“That’s right. It’s all because of Ludion. They say you become like the one you love, so you should take responsibility for making me like this…”

“Celia?”

“What? Don’t you think so too, Alkine? From my perspective, you’re also starting to talk like Ludion. I really don’t like it.”

“What are you suddenly talking about?!”

Somehow they started bickering among themselves… but the content was so embarrassing that I decided not to intervene.

Their squabbling only stopped when Alkine’s face had turned visibly red with heat.

Anyway, as a result, Celia and I were able to go to the student council without worrying about attendance.

“Alkine… you don’t have any issues today either, right?”

“Yes, I’m fine today.”

Alkine also had no concerns in this regard.

For reference, Alkine was relatively free when it came to these matters.

That’s because she doesn’t attend certain lectures at all.

Some of the lectures Alkine takes are related to combat.

And if you completely dominate on the first day and get completion recognition? You don’t need to attend anymore.

It might seem questionable, but from the professors’ perspective, this arrangement is better.

It must be quite arduous to teach a student they can’t handle.

In a way, it’s a natural progression.

While she’s a diligent student who attentively listens to lectures on theory, prepares for exams, and creates supplementary notes… when it comes to sheer power, she’s one of the few top-tier individuals regardless of student status. Who could possibly teach her?

The academy’s professors aren’t weak.

They are also quite skilled, which is why they hold positions as educators.

However… they can only bow their heads before overwhelming power.

For this reason, she became the only student who legally doesn’t attend lectures at the current point.

As a result, having nothing to do, spending time at the student council became her daily routine.

“Could I do the same as Alkine?”

Seemingly envious, Celia already looked eager to follow Alkine’s example.

Sorry, Celia. That option will end this year.

Because from next year, they’ll block the ability to get completion recognition.

But it should be fine. There will be many incidents and accidents that will legally allow you to skip lectures anyway.

She’ll probably be satisfied as long as she can skip lectures one way or another.

Whatever the case, since we decided to go to the student council first, the three of us started walking together.

It wasn’t far, and there wasn’t much to talk about at the moment, so a natural silence fell. But then Celia suddenly started saying something strange.

“Alkine.”

“Yes?”

“I have no intention of losing to you.”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

There was no preceding conversation.

She just suddenly said something like that out of nowhere, leaving Alkine genuinely puzzled.

But Celia continued regardless.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know? Alkine, you’re planning to overtake me and make a move on Ludion soon, aren’t you?”

That was also a strange statement, delivered in a strangely authoritative manner.

I’m not sure why she’s showing the princess aura that she hasn’t really displayed until now.

Of course, I don’t think she’s being serious.

She’s probably just exaggerating to tease Alkine.

Still, I was quite curious about Alkine’s reaction to that statement, so I glanced at her…

“…”

Why isn’t she saying anything?

Celia, you were just exaggerating, right?

With that thought, I looked at Celia this time, and she continued speaking as if she had expected the silence.

“Am I wrong? Don’t lie. It will only poison our relationship.”

“Why are you suddenly bringing this up?”

Alkine subtly avoided answering and asked a question in return, but Celia seemed to have anticipated even that, responding without hesitation.

“Because it’s so obvious. From the glances you keep stealing at Ludion, to the small steps you’re taking to get closer.”

“…Celia. Sometimes you scare me.”

“It’s nothing special. After all, I liked him first. I couldn’t help but notice.”

“So the eyes of experience can’t be deceived… So? Why are you suddenly bringing this up here?”

As Alkine’s attitude became strangely serious, Celia pulled her aside, telling me to go ahead as they needed to talk.

I thought it was for the best since it would have been very difficult for me to join that conversation.

But certainly, the situation where both of them like me at the same time is extremely burdensome.

It’s even more so because it’s beyond what I can control now, so I have no choice but to accept it.

But what can I do even if it’s burdensome? It’s my fault for not doing anything until it came to this.

…Of course, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t secretly pleased. Human emotions are truly fickle.

With such thoughts, I headed to the student council alone and sat down, waiting for the two of them to arrive.

At that time, I truly had no idea.

How dangerous it would be to be in the same space with those two at this point.