episode_0042

Chloe couldn’t understand the situation at the moment.

Clearly, I only came into the forest to check the basement at the request of the Minister of Finance.

Why did an unidentified man block her path?

──Because the scene I need to check is inside that forest. It’s a bit difficult for me, a first-class person, to go in… … Please help me.

A forest where the flow of magical power is twisted due to being artificially created.

For wizards like Chloe, this isn’t much of a problem, but Level 1 and Level 2 are places that are difficult to even access.

It was exactly as the finance minister said. It was impossible for him, a first-class person, but it was simple enough that he could borrow the power of his student, Chloe.

‘There was no need to be competent.’

I was a little upset when I found out that those words were really flattery, but anyway.

The summoning ritual that the professors had in the basement has already ended. They said that they were arrested by the Academy security today.

I also retrieved all the books and documents in the basement, removed all the magic power in case the summoning magic circle worked, and twisted everything here and there.

The reason it wasn’t completely deleted was because the Minister of Finance had to confirm it in the end.

──Although it is a formality, you must check if there is a possibility of financial loss or damage and report it to the Chairman.

Well, he’s the finance director, the chairman’s closest aide. If it’s summoning magic, it’s a pretty big deal, so it’s not strange for a high-ranking executive like the finance director to take charge of it.

As soon as the chairman was mentioned, I felt pretty bad, but I let it go because I was next to the finance director… … No, I’m going crazy.

Anyway, I got permission from the guard guarding the entrance, found the basement I had heard about before, used recording magic to take pictures of the inside, and was about to go back right away.

What on earth is going on right now?

[Tell me. How did you know about summoning magic?]

A voice that is infinitely distorted and bizarrely altered. Anyone can tell that it is a voice alteration using a mask artifact.

In addition, he covered his entire body with a black robe and wore a hood pulled down low.

How could I not have noticed such a suspicious stranger? I kept using magic to keep a close watch on the surroundings just in case.

‘… … It’s either a 5th or 6th grade that specializes in hiding one’s presence.’

It doesn’t feel like it’s a 7th-grade monster with a uniquely overwhelming aura. In Chloe’s experience, the monster in front of her was at most a 6th-grade monster.

Of course, it’s a 6th-grade weapon, but it’s nearly impossible for Chloe to win alone. Above all, this strange man tricked the guards at the edge of the forest and entered.

At first, I thought it might be a trap by the Minister of Finance, but if I can mobilize such a strong person, there is no reason to deal with it in a forest like this.

First of all, I heard that this incident was the work of professors, so if you know anything about summoning magic.

“You, are you from the Academy?”

[That’s a long story.]

Crunch!

I tried to come to my own conclusion, but at the same time the strange man’s sword shook slightly, a nearby tree was torn to pieces.

‘Oh, I didn’t see any swordsmanship at all.’

At this level, it is definitely a 6th rank, not a specialized 5th rank. If it was just the beginning of a 6th rank, you could somehow try to get by, but when I saw the swordsmanship just now, it seemed like it was quite mature even for a 6th rank.

Since he’ll be treated well wherever he goes, it’s more convincing to think that he’s an insider hiding his identity rather than a weirdo from outside the academy.

‘Academy official. Perhaps one of the professors who planned this incident but was not caught?’

When I think of Grade 6, the only things that come to mind are the professor, the security guard, and the exam administrator.

For a moment, I thought of the 6th-grade guy I met a few days ago, but I just laughed it off and ignored it. In the first place, I wouldn’t have known that something like this would happen, and it wouldn’t have been common sense for professors to join hands with students to build a summoning spell.

As Chloe’s head spun around, the assailant aimed his ominous sword at her again.

[Are you not going to tell?]

“I don’t think it’s a good time to be talking big. If I just cast a spell here, all the guards around here will gather, right?”

[Yes, but I can cut your throat before that.]

The problem is that, as annoying as it is, that’s not wrong.

Chloe, who had been slowly increasing her magical power while secretly preparing the Master’s escape scroll in her bosom, focused her attention on the villain’s sword.

‘What the heck is that sword?’

A sword with a black blade, crossguard, and even handle.

It looks strange and ominous at first glance, but the magic contained within it is also ominous. It was to the point where I thought the sword was more dangerous than the villain.

But why is that?

The tip of that sword feels somehow familiar, and my throat feels tingly for no reason… … …

[This is your final warning. Tell me how you knew about the summoning spell and that cellar, and who is behind you.]

“… … … … .”

[3.]

“Eat some shit!”

Hurrah!!

[Dancing Flames]

Chloe’s fingertips glowed and the sparks spun around as if dancing, heading towards the sky covered in dark clouds.

It just explodes brilliantly.

Phew!!!

Because the surroundings were dark due to dark clouds, it would have been clearly visible from afar.

Chloe, who sent the signal with the most splendidly explosive magic, immediately took out the escape scroll in her arms───

[I knew you had it.]

“What… …!?”

──The moment you try to activate it, the scroll breaks in half.

It was clear that he had swung his sword and cut off the scroll in his bosom, but there was not a single scratch on his clothes or body.

The divine skill of only selecting and cutting down what she wanted. It was clear proof that her opponent’s ability was superior to Chloe’s.

If he was this skilled, he would have known that [Dancing Flames] was being prepared, and he could have even canceled the spell by cutting it off.

‘Are you kidding me? Or do you not care if you get caught!?’

6th rank. He is definitely strong, but that’s all. If a 7th rank general examination officer, a security captain, or even the chairman comes forward, there would be no answer, so why is he acting like this?

The intention of the stranger that Chloe had been wondering about was revealed shortly thereafter.

[I’ll let you go this time. But I’ll keep watching you.]

“That’s, what.”

[I’m not sure yet. I’ve found that this method works better for people like you who don’t open their mouths easily.]

“… … … … .”

[You’ll have to keep fearing me. You can tell the Academy to escort you. But you won’t be able to survive that night.]

──Over there!

──Run quickly! Save the students!

I heard the sound of the guards running towards me.

Chloe silently glared at the intruder who had already put the tip of his sword to the nape of her neck.

Bam.

The sharp sword swept across the nape of his neck just enough to stop any bleeding.

[If you ever change your mind and want to tell everything, just shout out whenever you want. I’ll always be able to hear you.]

“… … … Get out.”

[I hope you make a wise choice.]

The strange man who had appeared suddenly disappeared just as suddenly, as if he had melted into the darkness.

The guards who came running immediately quickly scattered around, protecting Chloe with their bodies.

“Student, are you okay!?”

“Search the surrounding area first! Ensure the safety of the students!”

“… … … … .”

Among the noisy guards.

Chloe’s eyes blazed with fire.

*

“So, Chloe student.”

“… … Yes, Mr. Finance Minister.”

“I checked the basement as you asked, and as I was about to come back… …I was startled by the sudden appearance of a bug, and while trying to burn it, I accidentally shot magic into the sky?”

“… … … I’m sorry.”

“It was dangerous, Chloe. As you know, the forest is full of magic herbs and herbs, so fire magic is prohibited. ”

“I’m so sorry.”

Why did this suddenly happen?

I was looking for a high-level person to go into the forest instead of me, and I was waiting on a nearby bench.

Chloe came leading the guards, not the record magic.

I accidentally used fire magic because of the bugs.

‘Does this make sense?’

I would understand if it were any other student, but this is Chloe Pisty.

It doesn’t seem to be particularly afraid of bugs and would just step on them and kill them without a problem.

Above all, Chloe, who is quite sensitive to grades and evaluations, could not have been unaware that using fire magic in the forest could result in a penalty. What if a 5th-grade wizard ‘accidentally’ shot magic into the sky?

‘It’s like the one that flashed in the sky earlier… … Judging from the way it exploded, it looked like [dancing fireworks].’

And [Dancing Flames] is a magic that is often used as a signal because it explodes so spectacularly, although it doesn’t have much power or efficiency.

Was it a coincidence that I used dancing flames out of all the fire magic?

The guards also questioned that fact.

“Student, are you sure nothing really happened?”

“Really. As you can see, there are no injuries. I apologize to the guards in many ways.”

“Well, if that’s what you’re saying… … .”

Chloe herself says it so clearly, so it’s hard to say anything else.

I waved away the guards who were watching me and got down to business.

“Chloe, what about the record magic?”

“That’s okay. Would you like to see it right now?”

“Please.”

You can tell just by looking at him that something happened, but he doesn’t want to talk about it.

Anyway, if we have the guards search the forest and the basement thoroughly, we will get a general idea of the situation. We decided to ask about Chloe later and checked the record magic first.

“Um… … … .”

“Are you okay?”

“Okay.”

It’s just ordinary.

A report from the First Guard Captain a while ago, stating that a suspicious magical force was being felt in the Forest of Magic.

A magician belonging to the guards sensed a strange magical power while on patrol, and when he mobilized all the guards to investigate the forest, he discovered a basement. These facilities are often built secretly by students or forgotten after being built, so it is hard to know where everything is.

So, we investigate the basement, find traces of summoning magic, and lie in wait until we capture the professors who came to the scene.

It was a truly smooth and efficient process. The Coast Guard is comprised of experienced personnel who have worked hard in this type of work.

‘By the way, when you research something like summoning magic, don’t you usually buy and keep something like an artifact that conceals your magical power?’

If the patrolling guard wizard hadn’t noticed, I probably wouldn’t have known. After all, isn’t that what the guards are there for? To find and arrest such things?

In any case, since summoning magic is banned by the empire and kingdom, it would be insufficient to be very careful.

Even when drawing the magic circle, the magic stones weren’t used, but rather cheap substitutes. It’s not like they didn’t have money, so why didn’t they buy magic stones or artifacts and use them?

‘……money?’

Could it be because my salary was cut? It’s only been a year since I got my salary cut and I’m already out of money?

Now that I think about it, Chloe was like that too. Is it because magic professors spend their money lavishly, or did they just not save much since their salaries were high anyway?

This time, there were three magic professors caught, all three were male, two of them were associate professors and one was an assistant professor.

‘There was no problem with the statements of all three. They just said they wanted to study summoning magic.’

In fact, if people are banned, they will want to see them even more. Even if the empire and kingdom banned it, the study of summoning magic itself was secretly done.

Even so, since they were caught, all three of them are fired. If there is anything special about that, it is this.

‘It did seem like there was some truth to it.’

All three of them were indifferent as if being fired didn’t matter at all.

Even if he’s an assistant professor, he’s someone who’s worked at Grandis Academy for quite some time. Even though he’s in a position where he could be appointed as a full professor if he does well, he insisted on researching summoning magic, which carries a high level of risk.

‘Well, I’ll be taken to the royal prison, so if there’s someone behind it, they’ll find out.’

After all, we are an educational institution, not a torture chamber or a court of law. If the professors are hiding something, it is the job of the royal torturers and interrogators to find out.

Since the results would be shared with the royal family anyway, I ended my worries there and ended the recording magic.

“Thank you for your help, Chloe. Grandis Academy will never forget your dedication. ”

“Oh, yes… … .”

hmm.

Originally, this would have been the end.

Isn’t it a shame to lose such high-level talent here?

“Chloe, can you help me out some more? I’ll even pay you this time.”

“Of course I can do it!”

Yay.

You have to use it well.

“Thank you. Then, take a rest for today and see you tomorrow.”

Now I just have to write a report based on the record magic and go talk to the chairman.

After finishing the conversation and getting up from my seat, Chloe also stumbled as she tried to get up.

Why is he like this?

“Huh!?”

“Oh my. Chloe, be careful. You look tired. Get some sleep.”

“… … … Yes.”

I helped Chloe up, who had put her hand on her forehead to see if she had a headache, said goodbye, and headed to my office.

I want to get some sleep too… … …

*

Again. It’s that dream again.

The finance minister leads the way, and I follow behind him.

And then the voice is heard.

──Why aren’t you looking at me?

ah.

I’m sick of it now. That fucking weirdo I met today was also the one I ran into while trying to solve this dream.

More than that, I’ve been feeling strangely sluggish and have a headache since a while ago, but I just want to forget about it all and whether it’s a dream or not.

I just feel like I want to forget everything with a forget magic spell.

──Adam, look back. I’m right behind you.

──I’m always following you, always looking at you.

──Are you saying that the dead woman is more important than me who is here right now… …?

But why am I saying such things in my dream with my own voice?

Why are you being so dirty? Why are you so obsessed with the Finance Minister?

Just forget about it and leave, or find a better man, or go back to the magic tower.

At the very least, reach out and grab the finance minister. It’s so frustrating.

“Why on earth are you acting so ambiguous… … … ?”

that.

It was a soliloquy she muttered in her dream, and it was Chloe’s own voice that she heard for the first time.

──The reason is simple.

“… … … Huh?”

──I can’t be sure of Adam’s heart just by catching him. That woman might still be in Adam’s heart.

I hear a voice.

A voice that always repeated the same words.

For the first time, I said something different.

I was answering Chloe’s monologue.

──But if Adam turns to me first, it means he has decided in his heart to let that woman go. Because he will only have me in his heart.

“Uh, uh… … ?”

──That’s it.”

The voice that had been resonating inside my body soon changed into something coming out of my mouth.

Chloe, who had been following Adam, had collapsed at some point.

Not the grown-up version of myself in my dreams, but my original version before I fell asleep.

And then I got up in a hurry.

“Should I say it’s the first time we’ve met? Because until now, all you’ve seen was just a memory.”

“… … … you.”

“I never thought the effects of Dark Sword and Return would manifest like this. Honestly, I never imagined I would wake up like this.”

“What the heck… … ?”

“I don’t feel like it, but I’ll say hello anyway.”

“… … … … .”

“Hello, it’s me.”

Grown-up Chloe, who continued to follow Adam and who continued to think of herself as ‘me’ in his dreams.

For the first time, I turned around and faced Chloe. Unlike Chloe, who was so flustered that she couldn’t speak, she looked truly indifferent.

The original Chloe and the grown-up Chloe.

The two Chloes looked at each other with bewildered eyes and dead eyes respectively.

It was the moment when my dream changed.