The main office of the Safety Bureau of the Imperium, [Equillium].
Not a smooth day could go by for Deputy Director Primienne. More than a dozen unreported Demon Bloods were captured every day, and Betan was concentrating on inventing a new type of blood magic to identify them. But the chieftain of the desert had only sent his regards thus far.
"…This one."
Primienne questioned the staff of the Intelligence Bureau with a look that could kill.
"Why is this name on the list?"
"This is the list for surveillance and observation prepared by our superiors…"
"…"
The agent of the Imperial Intelligence Agency, dressed in a neatly pressed suit, answered formally. These fucking bastards were always like this. Did they just gather assholes or specifically work on castrating their emotions while teaching them? However, this name was too special to pass on as usual.
[List of subjects to be observed]
: Sylvia von Yosssepin Iliade:
"If Iliade hated Her Majesty, you would have moved already to detain her. Seeing that you are trying to take care of this quietly,… did the eunuchs ask you?"
Even the Intelligence Agency couldn't easily touch the Iliade family. They were reluctant to expose themselves above the water, so they refrained from investigating any member of the royal families unless the orders came from the Emperor.
"The intelligence service was conducting its surveillance and investigation. Also, this is a request for cooperation, not a command. If you are willing to cooperate, we will hand over the relevant materials."
Primienne tapped the list, indicating her agreement. The agent wasted no time in handing over the rest of the documents prepared.
[Suspected violation of Article 3- 3 of the Imperial Magic Law: Second-degree Magical Murder]
[Suspected violation of Article 8-1 of the Imperial Magic Law: Invention of high-grade dangerous magic]
[Suspected violation of Article 1-8 of the Imperial Intelligence Act: Accompanying Rohakan's former colleague Idnik]
[Overall assessment: High-risk group that requires close observation]
"Did this Sylvia kill someone?"
"To be precise, magic created by the caster killed someone. A similar incident occurred on the Floating Island, but it was resolved with a bail right granting immunity."
"But?"
"Only the matter on the Floating Island has been resolved. Murders within the Empire are under the jurisdiction of the Empire. The investigation is still-"
"Do you think I'm a moron?"
Primienne leaned against the back of her chair, staring at the two intelligence agents sitting before her.
"No matter how many people she kills, no one can punish anyone with this level of talent. If she is exiled to a foreign country for nothing, only the Empire will suffer for her loss. She's a talent that will help the great Empire and is of the level you so desperately want."
Realistically, only the Floating Island, Bercht, or the Emperor herself could punish wizards on Sylvia's level.
"Nevertheless, the reason she's being watched is because of this Rohakan and Idnik."
"Deputy Director Primienne, now it's your job too."
Primienne laughed with disdain.
"Even if it is my job, it is inefficient if I do it myself. The physiology of a wizard is only understood by a wizard. We need the advice of our fellows then, the wizards."
"Do you know someone?"
She did. Whether it required persuasion, capture, or interrogation to acquire his help, he would be the most effective person to ask. Additionally, he was a risk factor that Primienne needed to pay the most attention to. However, if you were recruiting someone, you had to be courteous.
"Deculein."
The 77th floor of the tower. Primienne looked around the meticulously polished office, noting the subtly soapy scent filling the air. Before her, behind his desk, Deculein was looking over the 50-page request for cooperation she had submitted with a cold storm covering his face.
"It's not that serious. We will set up our surveillance and observation team; you just need to help a bit."
Deculein raised an eyebrow, but Primienne continued calmly.
"Whether she's involved in a crime, or maybe she met the wrong friend and became a criminal, we'll just watch."
"…"
"It's not that she'll go to jail. We just need to educate her before she goes any further. The talent of the wizard named Sylvia requires national management and observation."
Deculein picked up a pen, signing the document without a word.
"As expected, you were once her teacher."
If it were Deculein, he would not reject it. She wasn't wrong to assume that.
"…Deputy Director Primienne."
His brow wrinkled.
"Yes."
"Stop."
"…Yes."
Primienne handed over a crystal ball. It was a line connected directly with the so-called Sylvia-dedicated observation team secretly established by the National Security Agency.
"Communication will be done through this. There will be team meetings regularly, and related materials will-"
"I have a condition."
"You have already signed it."
…He wouldn't change his mind all of a sudden, right? Primienne reached out for the document Deculein had signed.
"Investigate just one more person. Sylvia's mother, Sierra."
Her hand, which was wriggling for the document, stiffened. Primienne looked up at Deculein dryly. A shadow had fallen over his face, surprising her.
"Her life, the trajectory of the life she lived."
The head professor at the University Magic Tower and the head of Yukline, Deculein. Wasn't he so cold-blooded that even if someone stabbed him, not a drop would come out? Wasn't he suppressing the Demon Bloods like that?
"Find it out and give that information to me."
But now, Deculein, why was this man… did he seem concerned about Sylvia?
"…Does it help you work if you know that?"
He didn't respond, but Primienne didn't push any further.
"Yes. All right."
She was pretty good at obeying.
"…I heard some things going around in the world today. Though even if I didn't hear it, it is a fact that Imperial Intelligence is monitoring you."
Idnik informed Sylvia by writing in a notebook.
"There is nothing to worry about. Adrienne and I, it's a process we've all gone through before."
She also learned the fact that Deculein would be joining the observation team.
"…"
Sylvia opened her eyes without a word, glancing around the island she sat upon.
The ground beneath her feet was wide and solid, with a creek flowing through the greenery. Anonymous Island was made up of the three primary colors of magic.
"What will you do?"
For three days and three nights, she worked on building the island. In just three days, her new island was born in the orbit of the Floating Island.
"…"
Sylvia watched Idnik with her cold, sunken eyes. Idnik met her gaze.
"I'm thinking."
Sylvia's complexion revealed the agony she was in, but she never broke down.
"…I remembered."
A child whose life was less than 20 years old and more than half of it had been spent in sorrow. The feeling of being soaked in pain and growing accustomed to it was her usual.
"I will invent a new magic."
She didn't know that it hurt because it was a daily thing. She quickly adapted to the damp darkness, accepting it calmly as if it were originally hers.
"The magic to watch over him."
Then, Idnik's gaze naturally fell on her familiar.
"An escort knight is guarding Deculein, a strong one. Of course, your familiar is a very well-made creature, but—"
"I know."
An artificial wind kicked up around them, summoned by Sylvia.
"I will put magic in the wind."
"…In the wind?"
"The wind will be my ears. Then Deculein can't avoid it. He won't even know he's being watched."
A sky filled with clouds, yet they could not contain the full moon beyond them. The falling moonlight alit upon Sylvia.
"I might even be able to spot the monster that my subconscious created."
…At that moment, Idnik admitted she underestimated Sylvia. In that girl's mind, the firewood called Deculein didn't just start a bonfire. It would become a flame that engulfed the heavens and the earth in a vast wildfire.
* * *
…Late at night, in the assistant's laboratory.
Darkness loomed beyond the window, but the [Teaching Laboratory] lights were incandescent. Epherene and Drent, as well as Allen, were busy reviewing the previous lessons.
"If I understand this theory, does this mean that I can instill this attribute into my magic?"
Drent scratched his temple with a pen and mumbled to himself, prompting Epherene to nod.
"Yes. I think so."
"…Do you understand it already?"
Drent glanced sideways at Epherene's notes. She smiled and shook her head.
"Don't be jealous. Are you going to steal mine again?"
"No, it's not that I'm jealous…"
"If you ask me honestly, I will, of course, tell you. Do you think I wouldn't? Am I that mean?"
"…Hmm. Then… can you lend me your notes later?"
Drent scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Pay me with a coffee instead. Oh, I was about to get some air, so I'll go buy some."
"Huh? Oh, okay. Here. Keep the change."
A hundred Elnes bill slipped out of Drent's wallet. Epherene accepted it with a bitter smile.
"I guess these days, four cups of coffee must cost one hundred Elnes. Anyway, I'll go."
"Y-Yeah. Be careful~."
"Be careful, Epherene~."
Epherene left the tower. As she did, she took the elevator, passed the lobby on the first floor, and was about to enter the 24-hour cafe called Blind located right outside the tower-
"?"
Through the window, she noticed two familiar people sitting inside an otherwise empty cafe with jazz-style music flowing out. Deculein and Adrienne were sitting there, facing each other.
Epherene almost instinctively gathered mana in her eyes. She activated Winds and Clouds, a technique that condensed the elements of wind into one's eyes and ears to increase audiovisual sensitivity.
—…When will you publish this study? It's almost three years, no, four years old?! The hearing is coming soon!
The powerful voice of Adrienne resonated inside the cafe. Deculein replied while sipping his coffee.
—Soon.
—The creation of pure elements and four-series magic based on it! It sounds great.
Creation of pure elements. Epherene's eyes widened.
-Yes. It's almost complete.
—Hmm~, I'm glad. But was it you who wrote it?! Didn't you steal someone else's work?!
At that moment, Epherene bit her lip softly. Perhaps that research was what her father mentioned in his letter.
—Oh, by the way! I don't have much time left until my term as chairman is over! Maybe this winter or next spring!
-Is that so?
—One more candidate for chairman is coming! Of course, you're a powerful candidate as my successor, Professor Deculein!
Her tenure as chairman was ending soon. In other words, Adrienne's rise to the ranks of the Archmage wasn't far away.
—There's no meaning there! If there is only one candidate, it looks too poor! We're known for being the best magic tower on the continent!
-Who is it?
—Someone you know! The Riwaynde family, Monarch Ihelm! He's a high-ranking magician exclusive to the Imperial family and the head of the Dukan University. His specs are great, so he deserves to be a competitor! Also, he's an old friend, so he'll step aside on his own! Don't worry too much!
At that moment.
"What are you looking at?"
"!"
Epherene trembled as if she had been electrocuted, glancing back.
"Hmm. Are you watching Deculein?"
This man was the topic of their conversation, Ihelm.
"Oh, you scared me…"
"Don't exaggerate."
Light blonde hair flowed behind him as if it had just been washed, and his red eyes glistened languidly. Ihelm von Gerian Riwaynde. She recognized his face from the Wizard Journal.
"W-What? Do you know me?"
"I do."
Ihelm peered at the mana in Epherene's eyes, grasping the spell there.
"You didn't just watch; you overheard them. Hm, father like daughter?"
"What?"
Epherene bared her teeth, but he shook his head.
"It's a compliment. Look down."
"…Compliments are things that are good to hear."
"…"
Ihelm looked down at Epherene, and she met his gaze. His crimson eyes pierced hers sharply.
'Why are all these assholes so tall? My neck hurts.'
"Luna's daughter. What did your dad say? No, more importantly. Are you under Deculein to kill him or to serve?"
"… I'm patient, so why don't you stop mentioning my dad?"
"Really? Let me just say one thing, though. The research that Deculein is about to present now is your father's."
Ihelm passed by Epherene, leaving those words behind. His white gown fluttered behind him.
"What are you…?!"
Epherene was left stomping on the pitiful road surface. Then, she glanced through the cafe window.
"…Ugh."
Deculein and the chairman were looking right at her. Deculein was expressionless, but the chairman was chuckling.
*
A street where the hazy moonlight scattered bit by bit, up the hilly road near the cafe by the magic tower.
"…Aren't you curious? About what we were talking about?"
Stomp, stomp-
Walking side by side with Deculein, Epherene muttered under her breath.
"…"
Deculein didn't answer. For Epherene, it was already too much to just follow his long stride. If she were distracted, he would be far away before she knew it.
"He said your research was my father's."
Deculein didn't respond. He didn't even stop. Epherene's grew increasingly puffy.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Your father could not complete his studies alone. He didn't have the talent."
"W-What?!"
Deculein's words conjured a fury within her. She ran to catch up with Deculein's stride.
"Then, what about you? Professor, can you complete it by yourself?"
"The publication of the study is next month. Then you can see for yourself."
Slowly, heat rose in her head. Her back was hot, and breathing grew difficult. But she couldn't.
'If I get angry, I lose.'
"Really? Then I will report it, Professor, that you're a thief. Then you won't be the chairman."
Epherene provoked him, but Deculein still walked without even looking at her.
"I'm going to report you."
"Who'll believe you?"
"Why not? You know that guy I just met. Is it Ihelm or something?"
Ihelm, a person who knew Deculein's secrets and her father. Of course, that person was also an asshole, but if Deculein kept acting like this, she might choose the lesser evil.
"I don't want to do it like this either. So-"
Deculein stopped, turning to regard Epherene.
"Epherene. Do whatever your heart desires."
"…"
That was it. Deculein started walking again, and Epherene, speechless, simply stared blankly at his back.
"No, Professor!"
When she was about to yell, 'Then why the hell did you support me?', a voice cut her off from somewhere.
"Why would I believe you? We met for the first time today."
Epherene turned her head quickly. In the shrubbery on the right side of the uphill road, Ihelm and Adrienne were standing together.
"Whatever."
"Hmm~, but it's amazing! Deculein and Ihelm. You two were very close!"
At the chairman's words, Ihelm shrugged.
"Are humans always the same? Those who are, are monsters… hey, you. Luna's daughter. Your name?"
He beckoned to Epherene.
"…Epherene."
"Leaf?"
"Epherene."
"Okay. From now on, take a square stance, Leaf."
"Epherene!"
Ihelm leaned against a tree.
"If you act vaguely, nothing will change. You can't do anything. Just like me."
"What can't I do?"
"Do you know why I am here? I know that the position of chairman is hopeless for me."
"…Then why did you come?"
"I'm here to fight."
Epherene's eyes narrowed in doubt, scanning Ihelm's smiling face.
"As before, I don't want to be pushed out like a moron after never fighting."
He said it self-deprecatingly.
"The more I stand still, the higher that damn bastard climbs. I thought he would fall flat on his face, getting above himself. I thought he was going to break from exhaustion. Far from it, he doesn't show any signs of falling."
Epherene shut her mouth tightly. To some extent, she could sympathize with the man.
"…I'm thinking of fighting back."
He was determined to catch up, but Deculein's stride was much wider than his. More today than yesterday, more tomorrow than today. He was running farther and farther away with each passing day.
"If you also have a grudge, settle it properly. If you stand still, you'll become a hopeless plant like me."
Ihelm grimaced then left. Conversely, the chairman approached and whispered in her ear.
─…This guy, Ihelm. In the past, he was close with Deculein, but he got pushed back in a faction fight. He lost his research and his achievements. And, he also liked Knight Julie. Now, well, he has another fiancé, though.
Epherene frowned slightly.
"Then why did you choose that person as your candidate?"
Adrienne opened her arms and smiled brightly.
"It's fun!"
"…You will soon become an Archmage, you know."
"That's why I do this~."
The chairman, who answered that, had a bitter expression for some reason.
"Once I become an Archmage, I'll leave the continent."
"…Why?"
"An Archmage cannot attach themselves! Of course, I can visit the Empire and the Magic Tower from time to time, but if I stick around, others won't like it!"
Whooosh-
The summer night breeze wound around the branches, sending the leaves swaying gently. Epherene was looking up to the moon in that distant sky.
"…So why don't you become one? An Archmage, I mean."
Suddenly, the future reflected on that bright orb. Epherene in the distant future. She couldn't remember the details, but she thought she was a more charismatic and powerful wizard. But that Epherene looked sad for some reason.
"That's job abandonment."
Epherene looked to Adrienne again. Unlike Deculein, the short director was comfortable to face head-on.
"You have to ensure you have responsibility commensurate with your talent. Huhu!"
Adrienne smiled and turned around. Epherene watched her for a little while longer.
* * *
The next day, the Head Professor's office.
Epherene received a call from Deculein early in the morning.
"…"
A little nervous, no, she was very nervous. As soon as she woke up, she was sent running right to him.
Gulp-
Epherene stared at Deculein, who was sitting behind his desk, replaying the events of what happened last night in her head.
"Take it."
Bang-!
A heavy stack of documents, about 100 pages thick, landed on the desk.
"This is the study I was talking about. Yes, your father's idea. Part of it is here."
"…Oh! So?"
"Until the hearing in October, if you can understand this, if you can fully embody it, I will not publish this paper. I'll give it back to you."
"…!"
Epherene's eyes widened. Deculein asked indifferently.
"Are you going to challenge me?"
"Oh, um!"
There was nothing more to ask for. Her father wanted her to continue his studies. Epherene hurried over and put the bundle of papers in her bag.
"Yeah! It's what I was hoping for!"
"Scram."
She said that and opened the door, but there was another person outside: Ihelm. He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh. You came first, Leaf."
"It's Epherene!"
Thud–
She clipped his shoulder as she stomped out.
"What…"
Ihelm looked at her perplexed, then stared back into the Head Professor's office. Inside, Deculein was sitting in an impeccable, aristocratic manner.
"…Professor Deculein. Shall we rehearse the cross-examination interrogation as we're both candidates for the chairman position?"