Chapter 88 – Good News and Even Better News

I looked up at Pied, who had suddenly called out to me.

His demeanor was different from during the lecture. While he’d maintained a formal and composed air in the classroom, now, perhaps due to it being mealtime, he seemed more relaxed and approachable.

“You seem quite close with Pina.”

At Pied’s words, Pina flinched.

“Yes, we are.”

With my confirmation, she visibly relaxed, the tension leaving her shoulders.

“It’s good to see that Pina, who always seemed so solitary, has found a friend like you, Eliaernes.”

“She has other friends now, too, so she’s not alone anymore. Right?”

Pina nodded eagerly, and I patted her head before turning back to Pied.

“I see. That’s wonderful. Haha.”

His expression didn’t change. He seemed genuinely pleased.

Was I really suspecting the wrong person?

…Or am I just on edge because of… that?

Unsure, I scratched the bridge of my nose.

“Well then… Enjoy your meal…”

I gave him a polite nod, about to leave when,

“What did you think of my lecture today?”

Pied’s voice stopped me.

“From what I observed, it seemed like you enjoyed it quite a bit, Eliaernes… Haha, was I mistaken?”

Why was he asking such pointless questions?

What was he thinking?

Was he always this talkative?

I glanced at Pina, searching her expression.

She didn’t seem to find anything strange.

So, this was just his normal behavior.

“…Yes, it was enjoyable.”

“If you don’t mind, could you tell me what you found so engaging? And if there were any issues, I’d appreciate your feedback.”

“…You seem to be expecting quite a lot from a first-year student.”

“Perhaps for others, but I believe you were focusing more on my teaching methods than the lecture’s content itself.”

Pied chuckled, hitting the nail right on the head.

He’d somehow discerned that I was observing his style rather than absorbing the lecture material.

“Unless, of course, I was mistaken?”

I considered my response before simply nodding.

“You’re right, Professor.”

“I’d have been quite embarrassed if my assessment was wrong. So, what did you think of my methods?”

“They were… good. The way you approached the subject was novel, and the simple explanations were surprisingly effective.”

“Novel and simple. Haha, yes, that’s precisely what I strive for. Even in a prestigious academy like this, first-years are still first-years. Bombarding them with complex jargon might sound impressive, but it wouldn’t resonate. That’s why I take a different approach.”

At my compliment, Pied beamed, launching into a lengthy, self-congratulatory explanation of his teaching philosophy. He reminded me of those insignificant magic scholars from the Magic Tower, 400 years ago.

Just your typical magic scholar.

“…I see.”

“Indeed. Haha! As a new professor myself, I often lack confidence, but your words are encouraging. Thank you.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

Pied nodded, genuinely pleased, before glancing at his wristwatch. His expression immediately shifted to one of alarm.

“My apologies, I’ve taken up too much of your break time. Please, go enjoy your meals.”

He stepped aside, clearing a path for us.

I watched him for a moment before speaking in a low voice.

“Professor.”

“Yes?”

“Do you, by any chance… enjoy treasure hunting?”

“…Treasure hunting?”

Pied looked momentarily stunned before giving a wry chuckle.

“Who doesn’t enjoy finding treasure?”

“Liking treasure and liking the process of searching for it are two very different things.”

“Hmm, that’s true. If I had to choose, I wouldn’t say I’m particularly fond of treasure hunting. Especially if the treasure’s existence is uncertain, it feels like a waste of time.”

Pied shook his head before adding, “However, if I knew for certain that the treasure existed, and its location… then I wouldn’t hesitate to search for it.” He paused, then asked, “What about you, Eliaernes? Do you enjoy treasure hunting?”

“I feel the same way. If I’m certain of the treasure’s existence and its location… then whether it’s hidden in the mountains, or the sea, or…”

I looked directly at Pied, whose expression remained unchanged, and continued.

“…Or buried somewhere in a foul-smelling sewer, I will find it no matter what.”

Pied didn’t respond.

Ignoring his silence, I firmly grasped Pina’s hand and started walking.

“Thank you for thoroughly answering my rather abrupt question. Enjoy your meal, Professor.”

As I passed by Pied and turned the corner, a smirk spread across my face.

It seemed…

I’d just found the bastard trying to steal my treasure.

***

Pina and I went straight to the student cafeteria. I ordered a grilled striploin steak, and Pina opted for a cheese pork cutlet.

As we ate, Pina showed me the pictures she’d taken of the students in her previous class.

None of the three students who were glaring at us in Pied’s lecture were there. Nor were any of the other students from that class.

It didn’t seem like Pina was being actively followed.

Still, I couldn’t be certain. Like Adelia, they might be using familiars I couldn’t detect. I needed to stay vigilant.

Anyway, Pina had diligently carried out my request, the favor I asked as a friend.

So, as a friend, I returned the favor.

For dessert, we ordered everything on the menu, muffins, pudding, strawberry yogurt ice cream, mint chocolate pie, crepes, parfaits, you name it.

With her stomach full, Pina beamed, looking like the happiest person in the world as she held out her Terminal.

“[Thank you for the meal!]”

“I enjoyed it too, thanks to you.”

“[But you were the one who paid, Eliaernes. Why are you thanking me?]”

“I wouldn’t have been able to try so many desserts by myself. Since you helped finish them, I got to taste everything.”

Normally, Yurasia and Stella would’ve shared them with me…

No, actually, I don’t usually eat this much dessert to begin with.

I just had a lot of cravings today… and ended up ordering everything without thinking.

Anyway, thanks to Pina, I got to sample all sorts of desserts.

A very satisfying lunch.

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my full belly.

As I took a moment to catch my breath, Pina tapped on her Terminal and cautiously held it out to me.

“[This might seem random, but I also like treasure hunting! Adventures are always so exciting!]”

Treasure hunting.

Had she been thinking about this since our conversation with Pied earlier?

Chuckling softly, I shook my head.

“I don’t like it.”

Pina tilted her head, confused.

“[But didn’t you say earlier that you did?]”

“That was just about retrieving treasure. It’s different from what you mean by treasure hunting.”

Pina’s mouth dropped open as she tilted her head in confusion, then, as if a lightbulb went off in her head, she furiously tapped her terminal.

“[I don’t mind just retrieving treasure either! It’s still treasure, and the journey to get there is an adventure!]”

Her desperate plea for inclusion made me laugh.

“Heh… Alright. Let’s go together sometime.”

Pina’s jaw dropped.

“[Someday? Is there really a treasure?]”

“There is.”

“[Where is it?!]”

“That’s a secret.”

Pina’s face fell with disappointment.

After a moment, she wiggled her fingers, typing out a new message.

“[Then… when you go looking for it, can you take me with you?]”

“Of course.”

I chuckled and stood up to head to the restroom.

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Hicc…”

Looking incredibly touched, Pina’s body trembled slightly as she hurried after me.

Her fingers, however, never stopped typing.

“[Will Stella, Yurasia, and Princess Silina also come with us?]”

“…Silina? Why her?”

“[Aren’t you close with Princess Silina?]”

“Me? With Silina? Nah, we’re just-”

“Just?”

A voice suddenly cut in, sending shivers down my spine.

“I’m curious. What were you about to say?”

A sharp, condescending tone.

Silina stood before me, an amused expression on her face.

“…Damn, you scared me. Since when have you been here?”

I genuinely hadn’t noticed her approach.

Not a single trace of her presence.

My senses really had dulled.

I had suspected it before, but now I was certain.

My emotions were heightened, I felt sluggish and unmotivated.

My senses were dull, my appetite had increased, there was an ache in my chest, and my lower back felt sore.

These… were all premenstrual symptoms.

Usually, when the symptoms appeared like this, it would start within five days.

And once it did… my condition would deteriorate for at least two days, and my body would become weaker.

The timing couldn’t be worse…

“I arrived while you were looking at your Terminal. So, what were you going to say? That we’re not close?”

“Did you think we were?”

“I assumed that, at least among our classmates, we were the closest. But I guess I was wrong.”

Silina responded with a haughty tone, a smirk playing on her lips as she casually waved a piece of paper in her hand.

“And if we’re not even friends, if you just see me as a business partner, then I suppose there’s no reason for me to give you this. Too bad. This is good news… or rather, for you, it would have been great news.”

While she acted as arrogant as ever, after interacting with her a few times, I could tell what kind of mood she was in.

Silina was incredibly pleased with herself.

Her shoulders were raised, her chin slightly lifted; her confidence was practically radiating from her.

The way her lips twitched suggested she was itching to brag.

“Curious? Should I tell you?”

I had a rough idea about the contents of that paper.

Likely something regarding the collateral branches.

Whether it came from Ophelia, who disregarded the cartel’s order, or was a result of Silina’s personal investigation, I wasn’t sure, but it wasn’t urgent.

I had more important things on my mind.

I had found the thief trying to steal my treasure.

Now, I needed to figure out how to deal with that bastard.

“No, I’m good. You don’t have to.”

I tried to walk past her again, but she stopped me with a single sentence.

“It’s about a snake, underground in the capital.”

It was something I couldn’t ignore.