"What are you three still doing here?"
Shirone and his companions, standing awkwardly, tilted their heads and entered the meeting room upon hearing Siena's question.
"Oh, we came to say goodbye before leaving. Thank you for teaching us this semester."
An elderly professor burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! It's funny to hear such words from the biggest troublemakers in the academy. Anyway, you've all worked hard too. Enjoy your vacation. After all, students should also have fun."
Siena gestured for Shirone's group to sit, served tea, and offered some words of encouragement.
"Congratulations to the three of you for your promotion. You'll be busier next semester, right? It's good to rest, but don't let your guard down. I'll keep a close eye on you when classes start."
As expected, Siena wasn't one to let things slide easily.
But compared to the professors who chilled the atmosphere, her words were kind. The teachers seemed more relaxed with the end of the semester.
"Yes, we'll work hard."
As Shirone sipped his tea, Thad, beside him, asked Ethella.
"Professor Ethella, if you have time, could we have dinner...?"
Shirone almost spat out his tea.
No matter how flirtatious one might be, they wouldn't flirt with a bishop.
Ethella also seemed surprised but laughed it off and declined.
"Sorry. I have to handle school material during the holidays."
"Oh, right. If I could be guided by a beautiful woman like Miss Ethella, I would also join the Sacred Order of Karsis immediately."
Ethella was taken aback. Unless someone was crazy, they wouldn't say such things to a bishop of a Sacred Order.
However, as a woman pursuing kindness, she maintained her manners to the end.
"Hehe, that's a shame. So, what will you do during your holidays, Professor Thad?"
Siena intercepted the response.
"He'll probably be out chasing women."
Thad frowned.
Why did this woman always look for a fight? It seemed she'd be unsatisfied if she didn't pick a fight even on the last day of the semester.
Knowing that getting angry meant losing, Thad shrugged it off.
"Haha, there's nothing embarrassing about falling in love at my age. I'm worried about you, Professor Siena. Your prickly personality might make it hard for you to find a partner."
"What did you say?"
"What? You lack charm. I can tell just by looking at you. You've never been on a date with a man, have you? That's because of your prickly personality."
Siena narrowed her eyes and retorted.
"Don't jump to conclusions! I have been on dates with men."
All the teachers turned to look at Siena at her unexpected statement.
Shirone and his friends, who knew about her difficult relationship with Armin, couldn't help but be surprised.
"Really, Professor? Since when? With whom did you go out?"
Thad laughed, holding onto his stomach.
"Hahaha! Guys, can you believe it? She's just trying to save face. Isn't that right, Professor Siena?"
"You're making fun of me. I really went out with someone!"
"Really? Then with whom? I hope it's not rude to ask his name."
Siena gritted her teeth and glared at Thad.
She didn't know anything about anyone else, but she never wanted to lose to this man.
"Mo..."
"Mom?"
Everyone perked up their ears.
"I'm dating... magic."
Siena's face turned red.
They say that when people try to bluff, words beyond reason come out without hesitation, and the current situation was the best example.
The atmosphere in the meeting room became solemn, the teachers with flushed faces turned their heads away.
Thad also wanted to avoid this situation but managed to respond while restraining himself.
"Ah, yes. I see."
"Are you ignoring me now? I plan to dedicate my life to magic. Is that a bad thing?"
"No, I apologize. It seems I expressed myself poorly."
Thad drank his hot tea in one go and distanced himself from Siena.
Seeing this, Shirone and his friends stifled their laughter.
This was a side of their teachers they were not usually exposed to.
"Not everyone has left; some are still here."
"Oh, Director!"
Alpeas entered the meeting room.
He had stayed in the dormitory due to the suspension of his teaching license and had just arrived as the students began to disperse.
"You troublemakers are here too. Everyone has worked hard this semester."
"Thanks to the good leadership of the director. We are also grateful."
"Hoho, am I still the director? I've heard that a temporary director will be sent by the Magic Association next semester. Treat them as well as you've treated me."
Neid's face darkened.
No matter how he looked at it, he doubted anyone could be better than the current director.
Even without invoking the saying "An old official is a famous official," Alpeas could be considered the best director.
"I wonder what kind of person they will be. Won't things get tougher next semester?"
"Haha, it might. But you can be confident. What you've achieved this semester is remarkable. You'll do well next semester too."
As the teachers finished their tea and began to tidy up, Shirone and his friends also prepared to leave.
"Director, then we'll see you next semester."
"Take care. And enjoy your break, even go on a trip with your family. Oh, and Shirone, do you have a moment?"
Shirone, who was following his friends out the door, turned.
said Neid, pointing at the door with his thumb.
"We'll be waiting outside. Shirone, we'll be in the hallway."
"Ah, okay."
In the now-empty conference room, Shirone faced Alpeas alone.
His expression was quite serious, making Shirone nervously anticipate his words.
"I wanted to see you about the Miro incident."
"Oh, I see."
Shirone remembered the image of Miro.
He had been preoccupied with the promotion and the busy days afterward, but the impression of Miro remained strong in his mind.
"Are you curious? Do you still want to investigate Miro?"
"Yes. I have to talk to my parents about it, but I'll try to find time. Since it's vacation anyway, I thought there wouldn't be an opportunity if not now."
"Indeed. It'll be a good experience."
Alpeas readily agreed.
However, an unpleasant aftertaste lingered on his face.
"Did you call me for that?"
Alpeas finally brought out the words he wanted to say.
"No, actually, I wanted to ask you something. Can you tell me about Miro's condition when you were there?"
"Her condition... do you mean her mental state?"
"Yes. Not just her mental state, but I want you to tell me your detailed impression of Miro."
Shirone recalled what happened at that time.
The time he spent with Miro was short, but because it was such a significant event, he remembered even the trivial conversations they had.
"Hmm, on second thought, her emotions seemed a bit... volatile. I dismissed it then because Miro was an inherently mysterious person."
"To what extent? Was it serious?"
"No, not like that. Of course, there were moments when it was eerie."
Alpeas sighed softly.
Complex emotions were conveyed that couldn't be described in Shirone's short life.
"Did that Miro seem lonely?"
"At the time, I asked her the same thing, and Miro said that gods do not feel loneliness."
"Gods don't feel loneliness, huh."
A shadow crossed Alpeas' face.
Maybe Miro wanted to convey something through Shirone, or to them...
'No, it was a message for them...'
Shirone scrutinized Alpeas' expression carefully.
What the hell had happened to make him so serious?
But as he had promised not to delve too much, he couldn't ask directly.
"If you're so worried, director, I won't go explore the ruins."
It was then that Alpeas snapped out of his thoughts.
He realized he had been too lost in his thoughts, neglecting the person sitting in front of him.
"Eh? No, you should go to the Kerugo ruins if you have the chance. You should be able to get a rough idea of what Miro's world is like."
"Does that mean there really is a hidden secret there? But it's a tourist spot, isn't it?"
"Haha! It wouldn't be fun if I told you everything. But you must never let your guard down. I've allowed you to investigate because I trust your abilities."
Shirone realized his words had weight.
Alpeas was someone who gave freedom to his students. But because of that, he also had a mischievous nature that could allow for a fair amount of risk.
"Yes. I'll do my best to investigate."
After bidding farewell to Alpeas, Shirone left the meeting room and met his friends waiting for him in the hallway.
"Shirone, what were you two talking about?"
"About Miro, the one I told you about before."
"Ah, right. You said you were curious about her, didn't you? Something about the Kerugo ruins?"
"Yes, that's right. But after hearing what the director said, I'm even more curious. I'll make time to go."
"Sorry. We also want to go with you."
"No, it's okay. You should spend the holidays with your families."
"Sheesh, we're not even kids, who cares about that? The problem is we'll half die if we don't go home."
Neid stuck out his tongue as if the mere idea horrified him.
Eruki felt the same way. As his father was the Thunder Dragon chief, he couldn't just roam around.
"Still, I'm really curious. Saying that a person named Miro was the head of our research group after all means she's our direct superior, right? I wonder if she ever saw me."
Eruki shattered Neid's illusions.
"Shirone told you, didn't he? Unless you enter the Immortal Function, contact itself is impossible. She probably inhabits some intermediate dimension between our world and hers."
"Ah, I wanted to meet her and say hi."
"Well, you might see her before you die. Anyway, it's time to depart. Take care, everyone."
Three carriages awaited at the spot designated by Eruki.
Among them, the splendid two-headed carriage sent by the Mercodain Family stood out.
"Oh, a true first-class noble. Different class indeed."
"Noisy. All that is a waste of money. Besides, that thing is too slow."
The three bid their farewells.
They would see each other again soon, but when it came time to part, a sense of loneliness engulfed them.
"Shirone, Eruki. I'll miss you guys. It's the first time I've disliked a vacation."
"Will you be okay? Will you manage it?"
Eruki asked anxiously.
Knowing how Neid's home was, he could guess how much Neid feared it.
But unexpectedly, Neid smiled cheerfully.
He was different from the last semester. It was because he carried a bundle of joyful memories upon meeting Shirone.
"No problem. I should go back and reorganize first, and start playing properly from next semester. Everyone, stay healthy, take care."
The three, who had shared joys and sorrows for half a year, walked toward their respective carriages, waving their hands.
"Great! Well then, see you on the first day of the new semester!"
***
A week ago.
The Kaizen Swordsmen Academy, like other swordsman academies, completed the first half of the training.
Rian received the worst report card, but being of a positive nature, his steps were light on his way back home.
He wanted to return to his hometown immediately, but he had to pick up his luggage at his sister's house, so he had no choice but to head to the mansion.
"Darn it, I have to see that witch again. If I had known, I would have left it at my grandfather's house. She'll kill me when she sees my report card."
Rian opened the mansion's door, hoping that Reina had left.
The mansion was large and luxurious, befitting an artist recognized by the palace. But to Rian, it seemed like an unnecessarily long escape route.
As he tiptoed through the foyer like a thief, the sound of the piano rang out loudly, crushing Rian's hopes.
"Damn! Were you home?"
The sound of the keys was so loud that it drowned out his voice.
Reina was sitting at the grand piano that adorned one side of the living room, completely absorbed in her performance.