85 – The Beginning of Change
After the exchange meeting incident, the wrinkles between Olberus’s eyebrows increased day by day.
Fortunately, the situation was resolved amicably, but it was also a serious matter that damaged the honor of Delos Academy, which is called the best educational institution in the empire.
However, that wasn’t the only reason why his anxiety increased.
“What is written here is true….”
Olberus frowned as he smelled the faint scent of black tea from the beginning of the green first week of Monday morning.
Next to him, as always, his secretary/professor, Vanessa, was standing upright.
The report he was holding was also the one Vanessa had just brought.
“Yes. However, as a result of contacting and confirming with the cadet, he said that he did not know and showed a consistent attitude.”
“My head hurts. Of course there’s no problem, but….”
“Yes. Rather, it only bothers me to go out and deny facts that don’t matter.”
As Vanessa spoke quickly for what he wanted to say, Olberus’ head moved slowly from top to bottom.
Exactly as he said.
In fact, the contents of the report do not violate the academy’s rules, nor are they a matter that will turn into a big problem later.
At the time of the incident, a large trace of magical power was found at the place where the battle with Professor Melissa took place, and it was only said that it matched the magical power of a cadet.
The fact that an investigation was launched on this point in the first place would only be fact-checking.
Just verifying the facts to see if one’s magic power is correct or if the results of the investigation team’s investigation are wrong.
It is safe to say that there is no more reason than that.
That’s also true, because the main content of the report was that it detected magic that was too thick and dense for a class C class, and even a first year cadet to emit.
‘But he denied it.’
The problem comes after that.
This is because the cadet, who was found to be the owner of magic, expressed his denial about this fact.
I don’t know why.
If there was just reason to deny it, Olberus guessed, it might be because there was something he cared about.
For example, using forbidden magic or reagents to amplify power.
In that case, of course, there could be significant sanctions, but since the situation was urgent, it can be overlooked in some cases.
Anyway, the important thing is to clarify the facts.
“For now, inform the investigation team. If a reinvestigation of the site is still possible, look closely to see if the nature of the magical power supposedly belonging to this cadet has suddenly changed along the way.”
“…… !”
Vanessa’s expression hardened enough to be recognizable at a glance as she received the report again at Olberus’ order.
On the surface, it seems like an ordinary reinvestigation request, but the meaning of the last words was quite different.
“… Are you concerned about the use of taboo magic?”
Olberus nodded calmly as he finally took a sip of the fragrant black tea.
“The odds are low. First of all, that child, like Bel Dinaur and his friend, comes from an ordinary rural outskirts, and seems to have learned all about magic by self-taught.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
According to statistics, more than 70% of those who use taboo magic are from aristocrats.
This doesn’t mean that noble wizards are wrong, it’s because learning taboo magic often starts with a very small chance called coincidence.
From noble mtl dot com
For example, one of the old books stored in the storage of the house was a forbidden book with such contents written on it.
Or, it is a case of contacting something that you have come to know through a certain opportunity and putting your hand on it.
However, the chances of this happening to commoners are remarkably low.
Most of them are self-study in situations where they don’t even have textbooks to learn magic, let alone forbidden books.
Besides, there are many times when there are no people around you who can get more information about it even if you know about it.
It just means that the background, the situation makes it difficult to touch the darker side of taboo magic.
Therefore, Vanessa predicted that it was unlikely that the cadet written in this report would have had such a hand.
Nevertheless, the reason why Olberus gave such an order is very simple.
“However, as long as there is even the slightest possibility, the facts should be clarified in case of an emergency. That happened a while ago, so from now on, I should try to make fewer mistakes.”
Because the person at the top should not overlook the fact that there is always an if.
No matter how much the opponent was one of the main players who saved the academy.
“… All right. Let’s report it to the investigation team.”
When the solemn voice filled with a sense of duty as the president reached her ears, Vanessa nodded heavily as well.
As he said, it is better to confirm as much as possible about matters that can be dangerous.
Especially if the place where danger is likely to arise is the place of learning where the buds that will lead the new generation of the empire grow.
So she accepted her report and quietly left the president’s office.
The wind that blew through the window violently shook the leaves of the orchid.
* * * *
It’s free.
Perhaps because of the relief that came after a major incident, the classroom on Monday morning felt overly boring.
On the other hand, even on a day like this, there was an uninvited guest who approached me with the same tension.
“Beel! Why are you dying in the morning? I’m bored, so talk to me.”
Tina clung to my desk with a smile as if she had a tail.
Oh, not if there is, but this guy actually had a tail.
Next time, when I get a chance, I want to check if I really shake when I feel good.
“I’m sleepy, so go away. If there is no one to play with, at least find Aden.”
Leaving behind my curiosity, I frowned and waved my hands as if to ward off a merchant.
That’s why Tina frowns and looks at me as if she’s talking nonsense.
To the point of receiving that kind of look from that idiot, the moment I tried to remember if I had made a big mistake.
“Stupid. Aden was supposed to come with the professor today. Did you forget?”
“… Oh, that’s right.”
Thanks to the guy who manually reminds me of memories from just a few days ago, I don’t have to do that.
As Tina said, according to what she heard from Aden on the day of the monthly festival, the boy will go to the academy with her original gender from today.
The problem is that when she revealed her gender, most of the people in the ballroom did not notice Aden’s identity, so she couldn’t just go to school normally.
So, when Professor Seras comes to class for the ordinance, he will come with him.
Professor Seras will explain the situation well on your behalf. That’s fortunate.
‘On the one hand, I can look forward to it.’
It hurts a bit that I fell victim to the beggarly web novel cliché, but when she came to class today and revealed that she was a girl, she smiled just imagining how the classmates would react. Built
Perhaps it will be a real mayhem.
“When are you coming? I wish I could come as soon as possible.”
“I have never seen Belle waiting for Arden like that.”
“What a coincidence. I think so too.”
As Tina said, I was anxiously waiting for Aden for the first time in my life, looking forward to seeing his face.
Although she’s exactly looking forward to the reaction of her classmates when she reveals that he was a girl.
How will the air on this Monday morning, which still feels peaceful and even lazy, change?
Just imagining that makes me feel as if her drowsiness has gone away a little.
“Ah, that’s right. Bell, did you hear that? I heard there is a class reassignment exam soon?”
“Oh, I should have listened. It was a word that came out even before the exchange meeting.”
The car was absentmindedly not noticing that its eyes were fixed on the front door of the classroom.
Tina called again, banging loudly on her desk.
Since he likes to talk about any subject alone, I wondered if it was like that today, but fortunately, it was a topic that I was quite interested in.
In the first place, among the current first-year students, is there anyone who would not be interested in that statement?
“What class is Bell aiming for? By the way, I’m in class B.”
“Okay. She has never really thought of a goal.”
Even if it’s because of my magical aptitude, class A will be impossible anyway, so realistically, class B will be the best even if I struggle.
If that’s the case, it would be okay to set the goal for Class B, but since the class relocation test includes a fairly difficult theory test, it’s my expectation that Class B will also take it from time to time.
Well, the higher the goal, the better, so it wouldn’t be bad to set it in Class B for now.
“By the way, it’s a bit surprising that you are in class B. You don’t have a good head, can you do it?”
“Mr. Woo, is that all you say you do best for your friends!?”
“No, it’s true.”
Tina raised her voice at the sudden assault on the fact, but I opened my mouth as if telling me to face the reality.
That’s true, as far as I know, this guy isn’t very good at practical skills, but he’s not that special.
But if you ask if the theory side is okay, she knows that it’s good compared to practical skills, but it’s not as superior as Mari.
From that point of view, it would be fair to see it as a realistic goal.
Still, I don’t know if I’m just an idiot, or if I can confidently say that class B is my goal.
“Well, anyway, cheer up. If class B was the goal, I set it pretty high.”
“… Huh? Don’t you tell me to give up?”
Still, he showed his will to work hard, so he threw a brief word of encouragement, and an unexpected response came back.
Why does that word come out of nowhere?
In the first place, is there any reason why I should give up on my own?
“Why are you telling me to give up? I don’t know if you’re going to catch a dragon right away.”
“That, just. I feel like the Bell I know would somehow tell me to quit early….”
Did I look at such an ignorant image?
But the guy who is my friend spits out his aspirations that he will try hard, but his personality isn’t so bad that he pours cold water on it.
What I just said was just a half-joking, half-serious comment.
In the first place, nothing is impossible, so I think it’s good to try something you’ve already done.
Besides, if I were in Class B, it would be nice to meet again in Class B and chat…. Oh, I’ll have to think about this.
“I have no intention of saying that, so go ahead and do it. It’s not even out of money.”
“Heh, I thought Bell would say that. Then I’ll try my best.”
“It’s true, saying things that aren’t even in your heart.”
Sometimes he made a fuss about how he knew I would tell him to give up early.
Well, I feel relieved because it seems to have given me some kind of encouragement.
Class B. I’m going to have to study properly this time too.
Drruck.
“Sit down. I have someone new to introduce today.”
Motivated by Tina, I was about to set my sights on it as well, when the front door of the classroom opened and a female student with a familiar face entered along with Professor Seras.
After confirming his existence, whispering voices flowed from the surroundings.
Aden, who is tall for a woman, stood by the podium and looked around, then met my gaze.
I waited for Professor Seras’ next words while staring at the hand he was shaking affectionately.
“Now, introduce yourself. Feltner.”
“Yes, professor.”
At Professor Seras’ gesture, Aden took a step forward and clears her throat, clearing her voice.
“Hello. My name is Aden Feltner, who was in class with you not too long ago.”
In that way, the self-introduction continued with a slightly higher-pitched voice than before.
The moment when class cadets realize the original owner of the name.
As I expected, the classroom quickly turned into chaos.