episode_0098

I knew it from the moment I first laid eyes on Lily.

Because her eyes were always so dark and sunken.

I was sure there was some story behind it.

Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to have such sad eyes.

But I didn’t ask.

It was because I didn’t want to bring up her painful past for no reason.

I waited, hoping that one day Lily herself would tell me.

When that time comes, I promise to help Lily with all my heart.

But even after a month, she still hasn’t told me her story.

I really want to know now.

What happened to her?

I wanted to cover up her mental illness.

I can help you.

So tell me, Lily.

Why do you always have such empty eyes…?

“Sorry Iris.”

She said with a gloomy face.

“Ah..no. I said something unnecessary. Hehe..”

Time passed after the duel. Night had already covered the sky.

On the way back to the dorm with Lily, I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I ended up asking her.

But the answer I got back was a firm rejection.

I felt a little discouraged.

I thought I had become pretty close with her over the past month, but I guess we’re not close enough to have deep conversations yet.

‘If you tell me, I can help you…’

My mood has sunk a little.

I was able to overcome it quickly and confidently.

is it so.

I’m sure Lily will open her heart someday!

All I have to do is stay by her side until then.

“…..I’ll go first.”

“Yes. You worked really hard in today’s duel. Have a nice dream, Lily.”

“Yeah. You too.”

After exchanging final greetings, Lily turned around and trudged away.

“See you again tomorrow.”

So I sent her away today, feeling weak.

I too walked back to my room in the dead of night.

But was it because I was looking at the ground with a sad heart?

thud-

“Huh?”

I couldn’t see properly in front of me, so I bumped into someone and fell to the ground.

I opened my eyes, stroking the slight pain in my buttocks. I saw a woman looking down at me from in front of me.

“Oh my. I’m sorry, Iris… Are you okay?”

A woman wearing a purple robe, with short, dark black hair and a mole under her eye. A mature-looking woman reached out to me.

“Ah..yes. It’s okay. Are you okay, teacher?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

This woman was someone I knew.

Ms. Katrina.

Obviously…you were a teacher who taught alchemy.

Let’s get up, holding her hand. Ms. Katrina asked me with a puzzled look.

“It’s so late…what are you doing here?”

It was exactly as she said. There was deep darkness in the sky and a round moon rising.

“I said goodbye to my friend and was on my way back.”

“Hmm. So?”

“Where are you going, Ms. Katrina?”

The teacher looked silent for a moment at my question, then smiled faintly and said,

“I guess I’m working overtime. I’m on my way home now.”

As she said that, she patted my shoulder a few times.

“You should go back quickly. It’s dangerous for a woman to be out alone at night like this.”

“Ah…yes..”

“Besides, she’s a saint, right? If possible, it’s better to bring an escort with you.”

“It’s okay. I have the goddess’s blessing. And what could possibly happen at the academy?”

A meaningful smile appeared on the teacher’s face at my words.

“Well, you never know. Anyway, be careful on your way home.”

“…Yes, teacher.”

So, as Ms. Katrina walked past him.

I could only stare blankly behind the teacher.

is it so.

I’m sure the teacher was just worried about me.

All the teachers at the academy are always putting their heart and soul into ensuring the safety and growth of their students.

They are truly amazing people.

but.

From a teacher who always struggles for his students.

Why on earth?

Do you feel the magic that only appears to evil demons?

.

.

.

“Ugh……”

A few days since then.

I watched Ms. Katrina closely.

As a saint, I could sense evil spirits very clearly.

The energy I felt from Ms. Katrina at that time was definitely a mixture of evil thoughts.

The unique magical power of the demons. It was the energy of magic.

I couldn’t figure out why I felt the energy that should have come from the demon tribe from the teacher.

I couldn’t just let it go, so I had no choice but to keep an eye on Ms. Katrina, even though I knew it was rude.

But it’s as if he’s telling me that what I felt back then was a lie.

Since then, I haven’t felt even a hint of magic around Ms. Katrina.

Am I really feeling this way?

While I was racking my brain and struggling.

Someone tapped my forehead with their finger.

“Are you okay, Iris?”

“Oops.”

The owner of the finger is none other than Ariel.

She was a beautiful girl with a calm atmosphere and purple hair similar to tulips.

Moreover, he is a promising prospect who is rumored to succeed the Great Sage.

He was admitted to the academy with a letter of recommendation directly from the closed and unsociable Matap. He is a truly amazing friend.

I heard that you’ve already reached Circle 6. That sounds incredible.

Ariel put her mouth next to my ear and whispered in a small voice.

“What are you thinking? You can’t even focus in class.”

Her words suddenly brought me to my senses.

Looking around, I realized that class was already over and break time was approaching.

All of my classmates were relaxing their tired bodies.

It was only then that I realized I had blown the entire class.

I was so rude to the teacher for talking nonsense during class.

I felt ashamed of myself.

When I let out a short sigh, Ariel looked at me with a worried expression.

“Is something really going on?”

“….Ariel. Are there any demons in the academy?”

Ariel looked at me with a puzzled expression for a moment at my words, which were full of concern. Then she smiled.

“Phew. Does that make sense? The Academy is such a tight place. There’s even a barrier that the Great Sage himself created. Those like the Demons will burn to death the moment they enter.”

“…Yes..that’s right..”

“Iris too. Don’t say anything weird and I’ll show you what I wrote, so please look at this.”

“Oh..! Thank you Ariel.”

Ariel’s kind consideration made me feel warm inside.

It was certainly as she said.

The Regis Academy is a place where many excellent people who have passed the rigorous selection process have gathered.

I think it’s safe to say that there’s no chance of demons being present in a place like that.

But for some reason, the memories of that time continued to make me feel uneasy.

I wanted to confide in someone.

I didn’t think people would believe such a ridiculous statement that they suspected a great professor of being a demon without any evidence.

….I guess I’m overreacting.

Even if I think about it myself, it certainly doesn’t seem like it would be possible at all.

Finally, I put aside the worries that were occupying a corner of my mind and started preparing for the next class.

I’ve already ended up skipping an entire class.

If you miss any more classes, it could have a big impact on your future academic life.

That won’t do.

I have to get good grades.

As much as I wanted to be by Lily’s side, I wanted to be someone great that she could rely on.

That way, I could end the day with a bright expression again.

I hope no accidents happen.

* * *

A place that exudes a magnificent appearance. It could even be called a small city. Regis Academy.

In front of this main gate, where strict security is in place.

The surrounding guards were looking at the person in front of them with blank expressions.

A figure wrapped tightly in a black robe.

“Can I come in…?”

The voice that came out from the dark robes, to the point where it was hard to tell if it was male or female, was such a beautiful and pleasant voice.

“….yes.”

The guards looked as if they were possessed by something.

He opened the front door with a dazed expression on his face.

This is something that should never happen under normal circumstances.

But as if they had been brainwashed, the guards let the woman into the building so obediently.

The woman who entered the academy like that.

I took a deep breath and looked at the academy.

“Ugh…I really didn’t want to come…No, now that I’m here I’m excited…”

A woman groaning and wrapping her robe even tighter around herself.

“I don’t know……I’ll just go back after seeing that everyone is safe..!”

Soon she walked away leisurely, leaving behind only meaningful words.

An unidentified woman with a mysterious aura.

As she turned and walked away, her fine hair blew around her.

It was only for a very short time.

The hair sticking out of the robe.

It was a deep black color, just like the night sky.