Chapter 54 – Evil Star

“Eliaernes.”

“…So you can teleport using not just regular light, but even the light from a flare?”

“Correct. My Intent Projection is quite remarkable and troublesome, isn’t it?”

I almost responded, “It seems that way,” but I held back.

“What brings you to such a dangerous place?”

“I’m here precisely because it’s dangerous.”

“It would have been safer for you to remain within the academy.”

Fabiana shook her head.

“Let me correct that. I’m here because my sister is in danger.”

“You seem to care deeply for the Second Princess.”

“Isn’t it natural to care for one’s own blood sister?”

“Though it appears the Second Princess doesn’t feel the same way.”

“That statement could be considered royal slander and might cost you your head.”

“I’ll retract it.”

“It’s fine. I’m here as a student of Karela Academy, after all.”

Then why even mention royal slander in the first place?

I narrowed my eyes and looked at Fabiana.

“By calling yourself a senior, are you implying that you have a favor to ask of me?”

“I’m quite impressed with your quick wit. Yes, I stand here as a student because I need to ask you for a favor.”

“If it involves killing Silina, I’ll have to decline.”

Fabiana’s eyes widened.

She wore an expression like a scolded puppy… or maybe more like a wolf.

“…Do I really come across that way?”

“No, not exactly. I just thought I’d check, just in case.”

“Hmm… yes, I see why you might think that. This succession war has been so bloody… But that’s not my request.”

Fabiana clenched her fists, biting her lip as she approached me with a look of urgency I hadn’t expected from her.

“Eliaernes, you know how to enter the labyrinth, don’t you?”

“…No, I don’t.”

“If you do know, please, heed my request.”

Her desperate expression left me scratching my cheek, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“What gave you the idea that I could enter the labyrinth?”

“I can’t imagine someone like you would linger around here for no reason. So, I wondered why you might be here and sent people to search the academy.”

“…Isn’t that an abuse of power?”

Fabiana smirked and continued without addressing my question.

“I learned that Yurasia Espilot, the knight who’s always beside you and often makes you furious, left the academy and hasn’t returned. From that, I deduced that Yurasia must be trapped within the labyrinth at the Arant Museum. Therefore, you intend to save her. Like at the training ground, you’re going to charge in without a second thought.”

Not without thought. This decision was the result of considerable deliberation.

Charging in recklessly? I’m probably one of the most calculated and rational people around. People just don’t see it.

“But here you are, right in front of the labyrinth, which means you must know a way to rescue Yurasia. In other words, you know how to enter the labyrinth.”

“…I see.”

“And with some help, you’ve learned that Silina is also trapped within the labyrinth. This has led you to suspect that there may be moles within both the academy and the palace. So you’re planning to sneak in.”

Listening to Fabiana’s rapid deductions, or rather, her confidence, I couldn’t help but be impressed.

She’s no ordinary kid, this one.

However…

“How did you know I was here?”

I had used Silence and Oculus spells, even concealed my hair under Stella’s hood. So how did she find me?

“The student council secretary has sharp eyes.”

Adelia and this student council secretary… What is it with everyone here having such sharp eyes?

Unbelievable.

“Was I correct?”

“…Think whatever you want.”

“Very well. I’ll think and judge as I please.”

Fabiana chuckled softly and stepped closer to me.

“Eliaernes, please, will you take me into the labyrinth?”

“Does Senior Fabiana truly need to enter?”

“I’m quite strong. As you know, I’m a 6th rank. I can wield both Intent Projection and combat aura. Though my favorite weapon is confined at the academy, I’m far superior to most common fighters.”

“Yes, I understand that… but, um… why are you trying to convince me? I’m much lower in rank than you, after all.”

“True, you’re lower in rank, but I believe you’re capable of far more than I am.”

“Another certainty?”

“Forgive me, but this time, I can’t explain my reasoning. It’s… well, let’s call it a hunch.”

A hunch.

An utterly flimsy reason.

But I could trust Fabiana’s words.

The royal family, especially those with strong royal bloodlines, often possess unusual abilities.

And that “hunch” is a signature ability of the royal family.

It was the same 400 years ago.

The emperor back then could perceive and sense things others could not. As a result, he was a coward, a degenerate, a weakling, and a scoundrel.

Seems like Fabiana inherited the royal bloodline strongly.

In that case…

“May I ask one thing?”

“Ask whatever you wish.”

“It’s not that I’m aligning myself with you. I’m just curious since I don’t know what might happen inside.”

“Skip the preamble and get to the point.”

“Senior Fabiana, are you stronger than Silina?”

Fabiana’s lips, which had been ready to respond, hesitated. She tilted her head and looked at me.

“Do you mean in terms of power?”

“…Yes.”

“I don’t know why you’re asking, but yes, I am stronger than Silina. There’s no comparison.”

“Then… could you easily cover up a small incident?”

“If someone were killed, I could erase them from existence. If it were a noble, I could wipe out their entire family.”

“Do you have plenty of money as well?”

“I could buy a small, distant country with my personal funds.”

“Let’s go.”

Fabiana studied me with a look, seemingly trying to decipher the intent behind my questions, then nodded reluctantly.

“Oh, and let’s make one promise.”

“Anything.”

“Regarding everything you see, hear, and learn inside… You may not forget it, but please keep it a secret.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Fabiana placed a hand on her chest.

Then she murmured softly.

“I, Fabiana de Hermann, under the heavens of the great Yurpia, swear upon my mana. Fabiana de Hermann will keep silent about all that she sees, hears, and learns within the labyrinth.”

Then, swoosh—A brilliant platinum mana surged and settled into Fabiana’s heart.

“Is that satisfactory?”

Damn. That’s intense.

“…Quite impressive.”

“Good. Let’s proceed.”

Fabiana removed her hood and handed me a signal flare.

“I’ll draw the attention of the knights and the Royal Guard. While I do that, find a way inside and launch this flare. I’ll come right to you.”

“Understood.”

As Fabiana passed me, she paused and looked back.

Her platinum eyes, bright and fierce, met mine.

I looked back at her as well.

Then, with a gentle smile, her once sharp gaze softened.

“Eliaernes. I will never forget this. Thank you… truly, thank you.”

“…I’ll accept your thanks once it’s all over.”

“Heh. Alright, then.”

Fabiana chuckled and continued walking.

As I watched her figure recede, I let out a small sigh.

At first, I’d planned to subdue Fabiana and go in alone, but if I had done that, it would’ve caused no end of trouble for my father.

Besides, with Fabiana’s authority, wealth, and discretion…

If she could swear an oath on her mana like that…

It shouldn’t hinder my plans. In fact, it might even help.

On top of that, having the goodwill of someone like the First Princess would likely come in handy someday.

“Still… something about this feels off.”

Just a few days ago, I swore I’d never get involved with the royal family.

I promised myself I wouldn’t get entangled with them at all.

And here I am, already deeply rooted.

…Maybe I’ll just run off to the demon realm the moment I graduate.

As I entertained that thought—

“You fools! Have you still not found a way in?! Enough! If I can’t get to bed tonight, I’ll start slicing each of your heads off right here and now! Line up, you bastards!!”

Fabiana’s wild theatrics had begun.

…Is that an act, or is she actually serious?

***

“Wait here for a moment.”

“…Why?”

Yurasia swallowed dryly and gripped her sword tightly, her trembling hands betraying her anxiety.

“Beyond this wall… it feels like there’s something other than monsters.”

“Something else?”

Yurasia whispered softly into Silina’s ear, careful to avoid alerting the exhausted people standing behind them.

“…I think there’s a demon.”

A magician who has embraced Magi is called a Black Magician.

But it’s not only magicians who can accept Magi.

Non-magician humans can as well.

In general, they’re known as “demons.”

The difference between a demon and a Black Magician is clear.

Unlike Black Magicians, who borrow Magi from demons to use magic, demons absorb Magi directly into their bodies. As a result, their appearance changes.

They shed their human form, becoming something… other. A grotesque amalgamation of human and demon.

This enhances their physical abilities.

Not only for close combat, but if they have received Magi from high-ranking demons or a legion commander, they may also be able to use some of their abilities.

In other words, they can combine close combat and magic.

But that doesn’t mean they’re all powerful.

Since they rely on their own power rather than borrowed power, the strength of demons varies significantly from one to another.

However, they are certainly stronger than regular humans.

At least at 5th rank.

That is a demon.

And there’s one of them just beyond this thin wall.

“We should move the others back.”

“…Right.”

Understanding the danger, Silina gave a small nod and turned around.

At that moment—

Thud—

“…Huh?”

Yurasia pushed Silina backward.

Then—

Swish—

A curved blade sliced through the wall, aiming for where Silina had just been standing.

Simultaneously, a dagger wielded by Silina’s escort knight slashed toward the spot, narrowly missing Yurasia.