Tactfulness and consideration was always one of the requirements to be a worthy gentleman. Well, in my case, it was not about right.
The time ticked away as Jin and Claudia talked about the various pressing issues.
I have no idea what was going on with their conversation since I left the room to give them confidentiality. As I said, one must be tactful. Well, if I had to guess, it had something to do with that lass Maria's circumstances and her admission procedure here at Saint Stella Academy. I must act as though I'm not getting involved so as not to alert Claudia and so she doesn't get wary of me as their "monitor."
I out and was playing with my phone since I had nothing else to do. After all, Jin had asked me to wait. I've already informed Sofy that I'd be late returning home, and because it had to do with Jin, she understood immediately.
After roughly thirty minutes, the door of the headmaster's office eventually opened from the inside. Claudia showed up from the room.
"Good work. How was it?" I asked, tucking my phone inside my pocket.
"Hmm. Normal. If I say so myself, yep. Hehe."
She's positive about this. I wonder what happened. It's getting to me.
"The headmaster said that they will enroll my lady Maria without any issue. And what's more, I've got a job!"
Now she's acting all smug. Jeez, but I suppose that's normal. Even though Saint Stella was a thriving metropolis of Saint Isle, not everything was free. The organization provides essential assistance, but one must try to match it with their own effort. Getting a job was important. Hey, just in Saint Stella—everyone must try hard to land a job!
"I just can't continue to bother miss Ella. I'm happy to be able to support my lady with my own power properly this time." She folded her arm as if to show off a muscle—though in her case, it was her squishy upper arm that showed instead.
"Ain't that nice?"
"Yes!"
I always said this to myself, yet Claudia really is childish. But this time, as she said all of this, her smile was everything but childlike. Her attentiveness was reflected in her smile. She's a fine adult.
"I shall take my leave now, Gleren. I heard your uncle, headmaster Jin, was making for you stay for a bit so I'll head back first."
"I see. Can you go back by yourself, though?"
"Jeez. Don't treat me like a child!"
She puffed her cheeks. She's pouting. Cute.
"Ahahaha."
"Well, anyway, I'll be heading back now. Miss Kyouka will contact me later for the details of our new residence. I'm going to thank miss Ella for everything she's done for us, so I have to go right away. Bye!"
"Right…" she's like a wind.
"And Gleren, look forward to it!"
Then leaving a wide grin she dashed right away after saying that… Just how free spirited was she, that Claudia. Though, I cannot say I hate that side of her. And look forward to what, though?
Well, whatever.
Now then, let's hear what Jin had to say.
I headed back inside the room.
I sat on the sofa across Jin with a tea-table between us. When I was about to ask where miss Kyouka had gone to, she came out from the other room with tea with her. I see, she was brewing me tea.
"Alright, Gleren. Tell me all you know."
Straight to the point, eh? I can't even seem to see Jin's usual fooling behavior, guess it's work time for him.
"Before that, I want to know first what you and Claudia talked about. I don't want to waste time repeating things after all."
"True enough. Let's do that, then."
He took a sip on the tea that miss Kyouka served him.
"Do you know about the 'Sacred Omen'?"
I shook my head. "Sacred Omen?" That's the first time I've heard about it.
"I see. I guess that's natural. I only exposed you to the external issues of HARMONIA, after all. However, this time Gleren, was an entirely different matter. Are you ready to traverse a secret that's only known to the officials of HARMONIA?"
"Too late for you to say that now, isn't it? Out with it. Whether I am ready or not was not a question. The question is; how should I handle all these. I hate to break it to you, but it seems I don't have the right to veto."
"Heh, now that's the Gleren I know. Alright then,"
I don't know how serious this matter was, but seeing Jin make all these serious expressions tells me that the topic was quite heavy. I matched his expression with mine.
The story goes like this:
"During the early days of the HARMONIA, the inner circle was divided into two distinct factions. The Seraphim group claimed that the shards they possessed were a gift from God and that they were superior compared to Demon stones. And the aforementioned Demon Stone faction, whose beliefs contradict those of the opposing side. Their disagreement began as tiny as verbal spats, but then erupted when one of the Demon Stone group's members was injured by a member of the Seraphim side. Everything got chaotic, and a conflict between the two factions erupted, resulting in the separation of HARMONIA's internal organization."
HARMONIA was recognized as the world's balancer. To think that it has such a history. But how did they manage to keep it hidden? It might have been a significant issue. Well, I suppose it's only natural. An organization with no negative aspects was an ideal perception for all of us, including me.
Jin continued.
"There was also the 'neutral faction.' I am a member of HARMONIA's neutral force, as was the current president. And as the situation got out of hand, we stepped in to help. I assumed that if we joined in, the radical ideas of those people would be forgotten and the organization would return to normal. But I was, regrettably, naive. Things just got worse, and it became a three-way battle. When things got out of hand, the HARMONIA was divided into three factions, and the other two groups left to create their own; the 'Sacred Omen' and the 'Specter Prophecy'. I'm not sure about the 'Specter Prophecy,' but the Seraphim faction's goal was made apparent the day the 'Sacred omen' departed the organization: to destroy all 'Demon stone' ability users."
The destruction of the Demon stone ability users? That's a tall order to declare. But I can't deny the danger that these guys possessed.
"So? What was the connection of these organizations to that lass, Maria?"
"That very organization, Gleren, was chasing Maria."
"...!"
The danger radar about Maria just increased. Just what the hell do they want from that poor girl? A Vampire… did they think that she's a Demon stone ability user?
"I don't know for what purpose, but certainly, a danger was imminent. Treat it as a warning."
I nodded in response to what he said. Sure, I had anticipated these sorts of events. But I didn't expect this problem to be so complicated. I need to work harder to prevent as much unneeded harm as possible. I don't want Sofy to be involved in any of this.
"Well, anyway that's it. Maria Vlad Valentine will be enrolled at the academy this coming Monday. I will arrange things so that she'll be placed naturally close to you. That way you can be there for her if ever anything happens. Miss Claudia seems to still don't know who you really are, so you can do your job without any issue. Just be careful not to be overly cautious."
"Understood." I affirmed.
"Also, Gleren... be more cautious within the academy. This time around, our enemy was not like anything we have encountered before; they are a thinking organization with ability users like us."
"Are you saying that it's possible that some of them have already infiltrated the campus?"
"We don't have a definite proof. But I'll tell you this, Kyouka's intuition is tingling."
Miss Kyouka adjusted her glasses and she nodded slightly. If it's that so, then most likely she was right. Miss Kyouka's intuition never disappoint.
"I understand. I will keep that in mind."
This was turning into something pain in the ass. I only met Maria once but the account of danger waiting for her was overflowing. What's more, Maria was still weak for who knows the reason why. I can't help but wonder, I she friends with trouble?
"That's it on my side. How about at your end?"
"Yes. When I met Claudia and that lass, Maria, they were both in dire situation. Claudia, in particular, was wounded pretty seriously while Maria was rendered unconscious."
"Humo. Miss Claudia omitted that part. So, how was her majesty Maria doing now?"
Her majesty?
"She was now awake, though her strength seems to have not returned, with some effort she can do things without problems. Miss Elle said that maybe she just needs some rest. It was not a mana deprivation after all."
I wonder what's the matter. When I mentioned miss Elle Jin flinched and his eyes went wide for a moment before finally turning back to normal.
"I see. That's good. She could just focus on recovering while she's here in Saint Stella."
"That should be the case, yes. Nothing more from me. We are already informed about the identity of their pursuers so I will not add anything for that."
"Yes. That's enough. Good work. By the way, Gleren,"
"Hm?"
"That miss Elle—you meant miss Ella Valliren from your next door, no?"
"Yeah, so?"
"You… did not do anything impudent to her, did you?"
"As if I would! Are you stupid?!"
"Ah. Yeah. Okay."
He said meekly after I yelled in response to nonsense of a remark. What the hell was wrong with this old man? Though, when I remember this early morning' conversation, I can't say that I was innocent.
"Sacred Omen and Specter Prophesy, eh? I wonder when and where these organizations would strike."
I left the office.
***
That time when Gleren left the office.
"Sir, why did you omit the part about miss Claudia's work" Kyouka asked, skeptic.
"Why, because if I told Gleren about it right away, won't it just be plain boring? HAHAHA."
Jin laughed heartily as he responded to Kyouka's question while taking a sip on his tea. Then with a mischievous smile on his face, he turned to Kyouka.
"Don't you want to see Gleren's reaction when 'that' time comes? Hmm?"
"Well, certainly, I want to see that, obviously."
Kyouka responded as she pushed her glasses upward. As she did, it was as if, the corner of her glasses gleamed a little.
"Ehehehe. Let's ask Kim Hei-Ran to set the things that are necessary."
"Understood. I tell her right away."
Saying that, Kyouka left in a hurry.
"Kukuku. Look forward to it, Gleren-kyuun!"
And so, without Gleren noticing, a (evil) plot has been devised against him.