Ch.73Chapter 73. The Beginning of the Incident (2)

Magnificent.

That was my first impression as I entered the party venue.

There might be various adjectives to describe the scene before my eyes, but “magnificent” was truly the most fitting.

‘As expected of a wealthy academy.’

As if worried someone might criticize them for lacking funds, the party venue was incredibly lavish.

Sparkling lights hung throughout the venue, and elegant interior decorations and ornaments could be found everywhere.

It was hard to believe that until just a few days ago, this place had been an academy educational building.

“This is no joke.”

“Parties aren’t usually this extravagant.”

Elaine, who was carefully holding my hand, spoke as if she had read my thoughts.

Judging by her slightly trembling hand, Elaine seemed nervous too.

Well, she wasn’t the type of person who would normally attend such parties.

“I’m sure. Wow, there are a lot of people.”

“Yes…”

Elaine responded sympathetically to my worried comment.

She probably meant it differently than I did, but our feelings were similar nonetheless.

‘Plus, everyone’s unarmed.’

I could see some male students carrying swords here and there, but most students weren’t carrying weapons.

There were more than a few reasons to be anxious.

“Oh, over there.”

While looking around after entering the party venue, I noticed someone approaching us.

It was Yuria, her blue hair swaying as she slowly approached.

As soon as I saw Yuria, I reflexively looked back at Emily behind me.

There had been some strange tension between the two of them yesterday.

Emily seemed to have noticed Yuria approaching and was keeping her head down.

“Hello! Lady Yuria Phrysis!”

“…Nice to see you.”

Cynthia, at the front of our group, greeted Yuria brightly.

Yuria acknowledged Cynthia’s greeting, briefly made eye contact with me, then shifted her gaze to Emily behind me.

Erika wasn’t with her, so she must have already gone outside after confirming I had arrived.

“Emily.”

“…Ah.”

At Yuria’s words, everyone’s attention turned to Emily at the back of our group.

Emily, who stood out even more for not wearing a dress, still kept her head down.

“Emily.”

When Emily didn’t respond, Yuria called her name once more.

Emily flinched at Yuria’s continued calling and finally raised her head.

The two made eye contact, and a moment of silence followed.

“Was my answer to your question yesterday sufficient?”

“…”

Emily was the first to break eye contact.

As Emily turned her head without answering, Yuria nodded slightly with a smile.

It might have looked like just a smile to others, but to me, it seemed bitter.

‘…That looks complicated.’

The two of them clearly had some history.

“Hehe. I hope everyone enjoys the party. Please excuse me.”

Yuria bowed gracefully and left.

As she passed by me, I thought to myself that it was about time for me to get to work.

“I’m going to the restroom for a moment, okay?”

“Oh, yes, of course.”

When I gently shook my hand that Elaine was holding, she startled and released it.

The slightly awkward atmosphere created by Yuria and Emily immediately dissipated.

I smiled at Elaine, who had stepped back in surprise, and started moving.

I had memorized the building layout in advance yesterday.

The first step after entering the party venue was to meet with Yuria alone.

Click-clack, click-clack.

With the sound of my shoes, I headed toward the restroom but changed direction.

I entered a small room near the restroom.

“Anything unusual?”

“Nothing much so far.”

Inside the room was Yuria, who had just passed by me.

The bitter smile from earlier was still on her face.

“But what happened between you and Emily?”

“…I made some mistakes.”

“To Emily? When did that happen?”

“…I’ll tell you about it later. Let’s focus on today’s task for now.”

“Alright, for now.”

“Erika went outside earlier. She’ll contact us immediately if anything happens. And I’ve been walking around the party venue, but haven’t noticed anything suspicious.”

“Hmm.”

“…I hope nothing happens.”

“That would be nice.”

Yuria sighed and left the room first.

Now it was time to begin.

**

Binuar Christia.

The principal of Crescen Academy and once known as the greatest magician.

A magician whose fame was so great that there wasn’t a person on the continent who didn’t know of “Binuar’s Earth Dragon.”

Having just returned from giving a brief speech at the student party as the academy principal, Binuar was reading something with a serious expression.

“How on earth…”

Binuar’s voice was trembling slightly.

The letter that had arrived this morning through an unknown route clearly stated:

<Tonight, I will come for that necklace>

What surprised Binuar wasn’t that someone was threatening him.

In his younger days, he had received such threatening letters even more frequently.

The problem was the word “necklace” written in the letter.

‘That necklace.’

Although the letter didn’t specify which necklace, Binuar instinctively knew which one it meant.

It must be the necklace safely stored in his office safe.

A necklace inherited from his master decades ago.

Few people knew of this necklace’s existence, but Binuar was certain.

The person who sent the letter was after the necklace he had inherited.

A necklace his master had inherited from his master, and that master from the previous master.

As far as Binuar knew, this necklace was part of a set of accessories.

A necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring.

A set of four pieces.

“Hmm.”

Binuar cleared his throat and sat down in his chair.

Outside, it had already grown dark.

It was gradually becoming night.

‘If they know the true nature of this necklace.’

Binuar closed his eyes and began to concentrate.

If someone knew the true nature of this necklace, they would likely know about the earrings, ring, and bracelet scattered across the continent.

That would mean they also knew what these four accessories signified.

Knock knock-

“…Huh?”

“I’m coming in.”

Binuar was startled by the knock, having not sensed anyone approaching.

Fortunately, the person entering without making any presence known was someone familiar.

Vice Principal Landgar Bayer.

“Vice Principal?”

“Yes, Principal.”

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“…”

The Vice Principal didn’t answer the Principal’s question.

The Principal stared at the silent Landgar for a moment before his eyes widened as if realizing something.

“Could it be…?”

“Hahaha. Why do you ask, Principal?”

“This letter, did you send it?”

“Letter?”

Binuar held out the letter with its brief message toward Landgar.

Landgar didn’t even pretend to look at the letter Binuar was offering.

Seeing this, Binuar became certain.

To think this threatening letter had been sent by the Vice Principal.

“How did you know about the necklace?”

“Haha. Of course I know. It’s a very precious item to us.”

“Us…?”

Binuar instinctively drew up his mana and stood from his seat.

Despite the Principal preparing for battle by gathering mana, Landgar continued to smile leisurely.

“Principal.”

“…”

“How about we end this amicably? Just hand over the necklace.”

“Do you think that makes any sense?”

Mana began to writhe around Binuar.

Landgar was still speaking leisurely without making any defensive preparations.

“How dare you.”

BOOM-

Along with Binuar’s angry voice, massive wooden branches erupted from the floor.

The emerging branches extended fiercely toward Landgar.

CRASH-

“Hmm?”

However, the wooden branches couldn’t reach Landgar’s body.

The branches made a loud sound as if hitting something hard and were deflected weakly around Landgar.

“Did you think I would come without any preparation? Especially when facing Binuar’s Earth Dragon.”

WHOOSH-

As Landgar finished speaking, black mana rose around him.

Binuar couldn’t hide his shock at the sight of the black mana.

“B-black magic? Could it be, you?”

“You won’t be able to defeat me in here.”

Binuar frowned and looked around.

Not just around Landgar, but the entire space was now rippling with black mana.

“If we cause a commotion here…”

“Don’t worry. There’s a bigger commotion happening elsewhere.”

“What…”

Landgar drew up his mana with a sinister smile.

“Since when…”

Binuar muttered dejectedly, but continued to summon his mana.

Heavy and massive mana began to surge around Binuar.

It was far more enormous and powerful than the wooden branches that had attacked Landgar earlier.

“Let’s end this quickly.”

Grin-

Landgar showed no sign of being affected by the pressure of the Principal’s mana.

“Hmph, even if you take the necklace from me, what you’re expecting won’t happen.”

BOOM-

As he finished speaking, something massive rose behind Binuar.

A dragon-like form made of wooden branches and earth—Binuar’s Earth Dragon.

The Earth Dragon glared at Landgar with its mouth wide open.

“Haha. Did you think we wouldn’t know that too? By the way, you’ve become quite talkative with age. You used to never tolerate such idle chatter.”

“…! Could it be!”

Binuar suddenly felt a wave of anxiety.

Despite facing the Earth Dragon, Landgar maintained a relaxed expression and spoke as if he knew everything.

‘Could other places be under attack as well?’

Binuar made a quick judgment.

To find out if the earrings, bracelet, and ring were also under attack, he first needed to deal with the traitor before him.

BOOM-

This time without any chatter, Binuar’s Earth Dragon lunged toward Landgar with its mouth wide open.