TN: Add it to your library so we can get into the Collection Rankings.
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"I've actually heard some rumors. Kapusky might be doing some very questionable things with his students, things that might not be entirely legal... but I don't know the specifics. Because of this, Teacher Shirin is very displeased with Kapusky, thinking he's corrupting the students."
Another teacher, whom Lynn questioned, carefully considered his words before speaking. After he finished, he glanced at the two in front of him, hesitated for a moment, but then asked, "Has Kapusky started believing in something nefarious?"
Although ordinary people aren't explicitly aware of the existence of the extraordinary, many have an idea about malevolent deities, even if they're unsure if such entities are real.
"We're still investigating that aspect, don't worry. If Kapusky has indeed gone astray but hasn't committed any major offenses, we'll certainly help him return to the right path and give him a chance to make amends," Lynn said with a reassuring smile, appearing both serious and reliable, quite different from his usual playful demeanor.
"However, regarding today's matter, please don't tell anyone. This needs to remain confidential, at least until we take action against Kapusky. Otherwise, it might cause you some trouble," Lynn added.
The teacher hesitated but ultimately said nothing more. He wasn't particularly close to Kapusky and was also worried about Kapusky's increasingly erratic behavior, suspecting he might be involved in some cult. It was a relief for him to have official intervention.
Feigning to be officials, Lynn and Klein exchanged a glance before getting up and leaving. As they walked on the cobblestone path of the campus, Lynn organized the notes Klein had taken and said, "We can basically confirm that Kapusky is just a novice. Even if he's mastered the acting method, at most, he'd Sequence 7 by now... Actually, I think he's probably only Sequence 9. Many clues suggest he's not professional at all."
"I think so too," Klein nodded in agreement. "Rather than Kapusky himself, the turning point six months ago is more noteworthy. That's likely when Kapusky obtained the item you sensed."
"Yeah, the only question now is whether the person who caused this turning point is still around. But I believe they aren't; otherwise, with a teacher's guidance, Kapusky wouldn't be such a novice," Lynn nodded, smiling.
The two then left the campus, found an inn to change their outfits, and took a carriage to the northern district.
...
North District, Alka Street.
Kapusky sat in front of a fireplace with burning charcoal, focused on reading a poetry collection in ancient Feysac.
Despite his unreliability in many ways, Kapusky was at least competent in his subject; otherwise, the school would have fired him long ago.
After reading for a while, Kapusky felt thirsty and was about to pour himself some tea. Before he could move, a cup of tea was handed to him.
"Thank you..." Kapusky instinctively accepted the tea and expressed his thanks. Just as he was about to take a sip, he suddenly froze.
Wait, wasn't he living alone?
Kapusky stiffly looked toward the person who handed him the tea. To his horror, he saw a strange man sitting on the opposite sofa, shrouded in a layer of black shadow. Not only was his face obscured, but he also appeared somewhat ethereal, leisurely drinking tea as if he'd been sitting there for a long time.
"Hello, Kapusky!" the shadowy figure spoke in a low, raspy voice.
Kapusky felt the gaze upon him; the shadow was watching him.
"H-hello..." Kapusky stammered, then, as if realizing something, he stood up in a panic and asked, "Who are you? How did you get into my house?"
"Who am I? Ah, that's an interesting question..." Lynn, using a scroll to cast an illusion on himself, put down his cup, filled with malicious pleasure. "Haven't you always longed to meet a being like me?"
"Y-you're an evil spirit?" Kapusky swallowed hard, almost immediately believing Lynn's words. After all, Lynn's current appearance did fit the image of a ghost from stories.
This made Kapusky shiver. Though he was indeed obsessed with death and even pursued "resurrection of the dead," his abysmal mysticism skills made him akin to those who love dragons in name only.
Before encountering the real thing, he was curious, but after seeing it, he was only terrified.
He stuttered, "W-what do you want from me?"
"How rude, calling me an evil spirit..." Lynn sighed as if displeased. "I don't intend to harm you. I just want to reclaim what's mine."
"Y-your...thing?" Kapusky looked puzzled, clearly not understanding what Lynn meant.
"Haven't you always carried it with you?" Lynn hinted, looking at Kapusky.
"Always..." Kapusky finally realized. He hastily pulled out a copper whistle from his pocket and looked at Lynn in shock, "Are you the old gentleman from before?"
"No, I'm not him," Lynn shook his head, denying it. "He was just...well, it's better if you don't know. Would you mind telling me how you met him and got that copper whistle? It shouldn't be with you."
"He left it to me; I didn't steal it..." Kapusky quickly explained, then recounted his story with the old man.
In summary, it was a very traditional story. One night, Kapusky encountered an old man who was about to die. Out of kindness, he took the old man home and cared for him. The old man, upon waking, taught him some knowledge.
The only deviation from tradition was that the old man died after a few days, leaving only a copper whistle.
After burying the old man according to his wishes, Kapusky became obsessed with mysticism.
"If this belongs to you, you can take it..." Kapusky said. Being a lover of dragons in name only, once he realized the copper whistle had drawn this evil spirit, he wished he could discard it immediately.
(End of the Chapter)