Who could possibly slap me awake?
'Ah, yes, he could definitely do that.'
When I opened my eyes, Veratir was looking down at me.
"Leave the academy immediately, or you'll die."
He pointed at me without explaining why, waking me up abruptly.
His flushed face indicated something had happened.
Rustle.
Drawing back the curtains, I saw the sun just rising.
It was nearly time for the academy students to gather at the training ground for morning assembly.
Was there really someone dangerous enough here to kill me? While it's possible, in a one-on-one duel, no one could beat me.
'So, there's more than one enemy inside?'
As I hesitated, Veratir packed my belongings and handed them to me.
"You know the way out, right?"
I nodded lightly.
"Who's targeting me?"
"I don't know. The headmaster ordered the instructors to bring your head."
"My head?"
"Yes."
"Does that mean Luneines is declaring war on Strange?"
Veratir shook his head.
"No, it's to deal with the troublemaker inside the academy. They've targeted you, an outsider, probably because they need a scapegoat and you're the least connected."
That's ridiculous.
I had entered the academy through Luru and Lara, the administrators. The headmaster and those under him knew who I was. How could they attempt to kill someone with the name Strange?
Such a grave matter could spark a war, and yet they decided it within a few hours.
'Surely not.'
I looked into Veratir's eyes.
I couldn't read his mind, but I could gauge his intentions to some extent.
"Did the headmaster really give such an order?"
For a brief moment, his eyes flickered. It wasn't a physical movement but a reflex caused by mental agitation.
'He's lying.'
Ziegfried added from beside me.
"That bastard is lying."
'I know.'
"Apprentice! I watched him while you were asleep. He doesn't seem trustworthy."
'Why?'
I asked silently with a slight nod.
Ziegfried, quick on the uptake, immediately answered.
"There's a hint of malice in the way he looks at you. It's subtle enough to hide from most, but not from a seasoned warrior like me!"
I hadn't noticed at all.
He only seemed bleary-eyed and unfocused due to the alcohol, with his heavy eyelids.
Veratir nodded emphatically.
"Of course!"
I had thought of him as a good ally. Why would he do this?
He had helped me ascend the tower in my previous life, providing strategies for the floors I couldn't conquer and rushing to aid me on the battlefield.
And now he's deceiving me? The same person who helped me defeat enemies just hours ago?
'I don't understand.'
Why try to drive me out of here?
"I'm sorry, but I've decided to stay one more day. I'll explain everything to the headmaster directly."
"You'll be dead before that. The instructors are all over the place looking for you. Your brother was captured by them not long ago."
"Then I'll explain to them as well. You can vouch that I wasn't the culprit last night, can't you?"
Veratir turned his head with a troubled expression.
It was the first time in a while I saw him sober.
"That's true, but—"
"Someone is plotting to get rid of me. If I leave for Legion now—"
What would happen then?
Katarina had used even my father to send me here. Why now would they want me to return quickly? Surely they had a reason for sending me for two days, intending something within that time frame?
'Or perhaps.'
Are there two factions targeting me?
Various thoughts crossed my mind, but I had no answers.
All I knew was that enemies surrounded me.
'…Wait a minute?'
If I, the target, leave for Legion now, who stands to gain?
Trying to think logically, a path began to emerge.
'They're either targeting me on the way back or in Legion.'
An unknown enemy.
What should I do now?
I already had a solution.
"Veratir, can you help me stay here until evening?"
"Until evening?"
"Yes. Whether I meet the headmaster to explain or hide somewhere remote, I just need to stay until nightfall."
"…Why?"
"Moving in daylight is too risky."
Veratir tilted his head, puzzled.
Usually, the safest time to travel is in the light, not darkness. He looked at me as if wondering, 'Why is this guy saying the opposite?'
But he didn't question me further, only responding to my requests.
"Alright. Here's what we'll do. I'll arrange for you to meet the headmaster without the other instructors noticing."
"Is that possible?"
"I'll try. When the chance comes, explain everything to her, and I'll be there as a witness."
I looked into Veratir's eyes again.
This time, they were clear and unwavering.
There didn't seem to be any falsehood.
'What's going on?'
Why did his eyes waver earlier?
"...Understood. I'll wait here then."
* * *
While hiding, I had many thoughts.
In my previous life, there weren't so many people trying to keep me in check.
I knew the reason very well.
'Gunter and Hysteria's absence.'
No matter how talented I was, I was too young at eight to be the head of a family.
So in my previous life, I didn't realize how many people were wary of Strange.
'Of course.'
Even if I had known, there wouldn't have been much I could do.
'Besides, I'm different from who I was back then.'
No matter how exceptional I was in my past life, my current self at eight years old is far stronger. They must want to deal with me before I grow any further.
"I wonder how many people are targeting me."
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, talking to myself.
Several faces flashed across the white walls.
The ones most likely targeting me are the remnants of Monestierre, people connected to Marquis Pierre, and Katarina, the mother of the three troublesome brothers and the current master of the Alchemy Guild.
'These three are the most likely to be after me.'
They might be working together to eliminate me.
Not just me but possibly my father as well.
"Hmm—"
Based on what they've done to me so far, if they fail to kill me here at the academy, they'll likely go after my father next.
No, they probably already have. Since they failed to kill me last night, they'd try to kill him before he hears the news.
'But it's too late.'
I've already made my move.
My orders would have preceded their decisions.
I'm confident in this. If they're acting as a group, their orders would follow a reporting chain.
'Even if they move first, it doesn't matter much.'
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
Following Veratir's instructions, I didn't open it but watched the response from outside.
If it's Veratir, he'd open the door himself. If not, they'd think it's an empty room and move on.
"Verdin, it's Tony."
* * *
"It seems Strange intends to take over Luines."
Veratir, sober, said to the headmaster.
"Really?"
The old man in a purple robe and pointed hat frowned.
He looked skeptical about the report he received earlier.
"Yes. For instance, the incident where Tony, Johnny, and Ronny attacked Philip's lab last night…"
"I've heard."
"Despite being an outsider, Verdin, the youngest of Strange, didn't try to explain the previous events and remains hidden. His purpose here is also unclear, right?"
"..."
"He said he came to visit his brother. But would he really come all this way just for that?"
"So, Instructor Veratir, how do you think they intend to take over our Pablo's Luines Academy?"
The headmaster condensed mana in his hands, pulling out dozens of books from the study.
Shuffling!
He opened to parts recording the history of Strange.
"Strange has historically protected this continent. It's preposterous to suggest they intend to take over Pablo's Luines now."
"Then why would they do such things?"
"We'll find out. I've heard there was a loud noise from Philip's lab."
"Yes, they used Baeho-ryeong to capture Philip."
"Where is Instructor Philip now?"
Veratir made a hissing sound through his teeth.
"Hiss—"
"I'm not sure. I think one of them dealt with him before I arrived."
"Any evidence?"
"Here. After driving out Strange's children, I retrieved one of Philip's arms."
Swish—
A pale hand emerged from the distorted space in Veratir's palm.
"?!"
"Isn't this enough evidence to arrest them? Killing an instructor within the academy is an unforgivable crime."
This evidence was irrefutable, even for the headmaster.
The headmaster closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before sighing deeply and asking Veratir.
"If all this is true, we cannot avoid war with Strange."
"I'm prepared for that."
"If I turn against them, can you sever your ties with Lois?"
Veratir slowly scanned the books flying around the room, then knelt on one knee before the headmaster and answered.
"Just give the order."