Chapter 293

Chapter 293 – Ah, No. I Said Something Unnecessary

Once his discussion with Parun wound down, Aster stepped away from the estate.

In the end, he chose to align himself with the Third Princess.

‘The real hurdle now is Bellrose.’

Reaching an agreement was fine, but they had yet to iron out the specifics of their cooperation.

Parun had advised him in this manner:

• For the time being, simply convey our goodwill to the Third Princess. It would be wiser to deliberate on the finer points a bit longer.

In reality, they were delaying a definitive commitment because the Magic Tower possessed limited options to assist even in an alliance.

Of course, from Bellrose’s perspective, merely securing the backing of a “grand archmage” would be more than enough to satisfy her.

However, one could not indefinitely put her off with empty reassurances.

‘I need to contemplate this carefully.’

With those thoughts, the matter regarding Bellrose was temporarily set aside.

The following day.

Aster went to Professor Pelina’s laboratory, answering her request to meet.

And upon arriving, he got the sense that his predicament might unravel far more smoothly than anticipated.

The reason?

It stemmed entirely from Professor Pelina’s completely unexpected demeanor.

“My apologies.”

“……Excuse me?”

The moment Aster stepped inside, Professor Pelina lowered her head slightly and offered an apology without any introduction.

“What is it that you are apologizing for……?”

“The dark mage’s relic. It was stolen. Though I pledged to take every precaution, it appears the intruders from the Golden Horse Society managed to make off with it during the incident.”

Professor Pelina explained this while softly shutting her eyes, looking as though she lacked the courage to face him directly.

It was entirely justifiable.

The Prezen relic belonged properly to Aster.

As an educator, she had taken a student’s possession for research purposes only to have it plundered—she truly had no defense.

Even if that investigation had been intended to benefit the student in the first place.

For a fleeting, momentary span of time.

Aster observed Professor Pelina’s lowered countenance while arranging his thoughts. It did not take him long to formulate a response.

“Ah…… That is truly unfortunate.”

His tone carried a distinct note of sorrow.

“I am deeply sorry.”

“What…… are we to do now? I placed my confidence in you, Professor Pelina. And now it has fallen into the hands of the Golden Horse Society? Salvatium…… This is truly……”

“…….”

Professor Pelina remained tight-lipped.

Aster seized the opening immediately.

“Ha, what a disaster. This places me in a highly difficult position.”

“Is there an issue……?”

“The issue is indeed that the item is gone, Professor Pelina, but it is alright. You were doing me a kindness, and this was an unforeseen mishap, so…… Still…….”

“Still?”

“Oh, no. Forget it. It matters not. I will manage. It is just…… I find myself in quite a dilemma at present…….”

“……A dilemma?”

Aster offered a nod. However, that gesture lasted only a heartbeat.

“Ah, no. Please disregard it. I spoke out of turn.”

“……What is the matter? Do tell me.”

“It is merely…… Ah, no. Sigh.”

Professor Pelina’s gaze shifted slightly upon witnessing Aster’s anguished countenance. His features appeared incredibly strained—

“Please inform me. If it is within my power to assist, I will do whatsoever it takes. No, I must. This failure rests entirely on me.”

“Oh, well, the thing is…….”

Aster showed some reluctance before disclosing the circumstances under Professor Pelina’s persistent prompting, acting as if he had no alternative left.

“You are aware that I journeyed to the Great Forest……?”

“I received word of it from the principal. But what does that pertain to?”

Aster’s gaze flashed with a faint intensity.

“How much details were you given……?”

“That you traveled to the Great Forest for a routine task, only to become embroiled with Destrow and the Golden Horse Society. That was the extent of the report.”

“You are remarkably well-informed.”

“No, not particularly.”

Professor Pelina offered a slight shake of her head.

Following a brief exchange of words, it became evident she was only aware of Destrow and the Golden Horse Society.

She had not been informed of Aster’s specific deeds while there.

It was at that point that the gleam in Aster’s eyes grew even brighter.

“In truth, I encountered a secluded sorcerer while there. And I entered into a commitment with that individual…….”

“A commitment?”

“Yes. He possessed an immense curiosity regarding Salvatium. Consequently, I mentioned the Prezen relic, and…… well…….”

“……Did you promise to deliver the relic to his possession?”

“Not to that extreme, but he expressed a desire to examine it once your analysis concluded.”

Hearing those words, Professor Pelina let out a heavy breath. Her brow throbbed with tension, yet she somehow restrained her anxiety and inquired,

“Did you perhaps accept compensation ahead of time?”

Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to appear so incredibly distressed.

Aster nodded, signaling that her deduction was entirely accurate.

“Yes, regrettably.”

“Was it a monetary sum……?”

“No, it was not wealth. I received a debt that cannot be settled with coin.”

“What exactly do you……?”

“He preserved my life.”

“…….”

Professor Pelina fell silent.

A heavy, oppressive quiet filled the chamber.

It was not long before Aster spoke once more.

“It matters not. I will simply bear the blame. I will be known as a sorcerer who goes back on his word…… What else can be done? Please do not distress yourself overmuch, Professor Pelina.”

“…….”

“Whew, let us speak on this another time. I must contact him before long.”

Aster took note of Professor Pelina’s expression, offered a polite parting, and exited the laboratory. A subtle grin graced his features.

‘Quite excellent.’

Who could have anticipated that things would proceed so seamlessly.

He had been pondering how to explain reclaiming the relic from Professor Pelina, but the situation had resolved itself wonderfully.

He wondered briefly if his performance had been a bit excessive, but such a display was necessary to avert any wariness.

Nevertheless, the remaining issue was……

‘Tch, returning the relic poses a problem.’

Had the analysis been completed, he would have no obligation to hand it back, but that was clearly not the case. One way or another, he would have to return it to Professor Pelina eventually.

The trouble was that doing so now would prove far from simple.

“Tch, things will sort themselves out somehow.”

In the end, having no strategy was a strategy in its own right.

Aster cast aside his worries regarding Professor Pelina and made his way toward the living quarters.

Thus, the situation involving Professor Pelina concluded without further incident.

……A handful of days went by in that manner.

• In regards to the accusations of plotting alongside the dark mage leveled against Second Prince Deoric de Giggs Adrian, we hereby find him innocent.

Just as Bellrose had anticipated, the Second Prince cleared his name.

His faction had sustained a noticeable blow throughout the proceedings, but it was far from enough to completely dismantle them.

Bellrose chose the ideal moment to circulate a particular piece of news.

• The Third Princess has brought a shadowy grand archmage into her circle.

Those with sharp minds speculated that it was the very individual who had disrupted the swearing-in ceremony.

The shockwaves from this were quite significant.

“……The Third Princess has secured the allegiance of a grand archmage?”

“Hmm, well now. This is perplexing. A grand archmage, of all people. Who could it possibly be……?”

“Could it be one of the Frost Moon sorcerers? If that is the case, we are looking at severe trouble. It will trigger a massive upheaval.”

“That…… Hmm, I must investigate this matter further.”

Certain individuals suspected the Third Princess had formed an alliance with Grand Duke Musphelun, while others grew anxious simply due to the reality that she commanded a grand archmage.

Regardless of the perspective, no one disputed that the political climate of the empire would become incredibly unstable moving forward.

Naturally, public focus shifted toward the Third Princess and the academy, but then a fresh update arrived that captured everyone’s attention instantly.

We honor the return of Grand Duke Musphelun de Giggs Adrian, sibling to the deceased sovereign and loyal servant who strove for the Adrian Empire……

Notices were displayed throughout the lands.

These documents were copies of a decree written by the ruler himself, articulating the current stance of the throne toward Grand Duke Musphelun.

The phrasing “sibling to the deceased sovereign” served to distance him from the reigning imperial line, while “loyal servant who strove for the Adrian Empire” effectively reduced the grand duke from royal kin to a mere follower.

It was an unavoidable measure.

From the viewpoint of the reigning monarchs, Grand Duke Musphelun represented an extreme danger.

Yet they were unable to ruthlessly reject him due to the Frost Moon sorcerers who had assembled under his banner.

While many had gone into retirement, several still retained critical positions of authority.

Was that the reasoning behind it?

……Accordingly, we establish the territories comprising the Second Black-White Slums and its borders as the Grand Duchy of Musphelun……

The ruler had conceded to the grand duke’s demands, granting him dominion over the lands around Hazen City including the Second Black-White Slums. This triggered yet another massive wave of astonishment.

Ceding a grand duchy directly in the core of the realm?

“How can this be…….”

“Regardless of how legendary Grand Duke Musphelun might be, does this make any logical sense?”

“Heh, heh…… It certainly does not.”

To some observers, it appeared equivalent to welcoming a predatory beast coveting the crown right into one’s home. No one understood the methods by which the grand duke had exacted this concession—not even the closest advisors to the throne or the Frost Moon sorcerers themselves.

……Only the individuals involved in the pact, the ruler and Grand Duke Musphelun, understood the actual truth.

While the surrounding world boiled in turmoil.

The closing ceremony for the term arrived before long.

[……And with those remarks, we bring the closing ceremony to an end. Permit me one final thought: Throughout these turbulent times across many fronts, I extend my profound regrets and appreciation to the pupils who concluded their terms safely…….]

The pupils gathered to listen to the administrator’s predictably tedious address over the speakers stared blankly into the distance with utterly drained eyes.

How many instances had the speech commenced with terms like “In conclusion,” “Allow me to further state,” or “Furthermore”?

The address, which had been guaranteed to be brief, persisted for a full sixty minutes, and only upon its conclusion did vitality return to the pupils’ expressions.

[……That concludes my address.]

Click.

“Is it truly finished?”

“It appears so.”

The pupils, filled with skepticism, scanned their surroundings before turning to Professor Jeira at the front of the room for validation. She unsealed her partly closed eyes and gave a nod.

“It has concluded.”

Expressions of joy manifested across the students’ faces.

“The return date remains as previously dictated. Experience your recess safely, and we shall reconvene next term. You are dismissed.”

The very moment Professor Jeira exited following those remarks, a massive shout of joy resounded.

It sounded akin to the howling of wild creatures devoid of speech, and this display was not restricted to the M3 Class alone.

It was a perfectly rational reaction.

After all, this initial term had been remarkably demanding.

And thus……

“Recess!”

“Indeed.”

“Time for break.”

The vacation commenced.

An enthusiastic Damian, his typically composed companion Zenbi, and Evelyn displaying a rare, comforting grin……

“……Evelyn?”

Zenbi started and spun around at the sound of Evelyn’s voice, which had integrated itself far too naturally into the conversation.

And with good cause—Evelyn did not belong to the M3 Class.

“When exactly did you arrive here?”

“When? Merely a moment ago.”

“This swiftly?”

“I possess no companions!”

Damian’s comment instantly dampened the atmosphere. It had struck squarely at Evelyn’s sensitive point.

Yet, for some reason.

Evelyn, who would typically offer a fierce retort, merely nodded while displaying a bright grin on this occasion.

“As expected of Damian. Quite observant. You grasped it immediately.”

It was becoming genuinely unsettling at this stage.

“What is…… going on with you, Evelyn?”

Had she lost her wits?

Zenbi inquired with an exhausted expression. Yet no reply came. Merely a smirk as she swayed her head from side to side.

Her lips parted shortly after.

“In any case, are we not departing?”

“To where…….”

In response to Zenbi’s inquiry, Evelyn answered as though it required no explanation.

“Where else would we go? The shoreline.”

Zenbi understood then.

The reason behind Evelyn’s persistent smirking.

‘A complimentary journey…….’

……The commencement of recess.