Chapter 1: A Tangle of Motives

A little before and a little after Glenn’s astonishment—

“But to hold an assembly at a time like this… it’s really sudden, isn’t it?”

Sistine, with nothing to occupy her hands, whispered this to Rumia, who stood to her right.

They were at the Academy Arena.

Situated southeast of the main school building, this location had escaped the flames of the recent conflict unscathed. Now, all the students of the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy were gathered here, lined up by grade and class.

This morning, an abrupt announcement had been made, declaring an emergency all-school assembly.

“Yeah, you’re right. We’re in the middle of the mid-term exams… I wonder what this is about?”

Rumia, equally bored by the wait, chimed in on Sistine’s comment.

“Hey, Rumia, Sistine… do we still have to just stand here?”

Re=L, with her usual sleepy, expressionless face tinged with faint dissatisfaction, grumbled.

“This place is boring. I… wanna go back.”

“Haha… hang in there, Re=L. I’ll buy you a strawberry tart later, okay?”

Rumia gave a wry smile as she tried to placate the pouting Re=L.

In any era, in any generation, the boredom of waiting before an assembly begins is excruciating.

When Sistine glanced around…

“Seriously, what’s this assembly about today!?”

“Y-yeah… they said there’s some big announcement… it’s kinda intriguing, right?”

“Could it be… they’re canceling the mid-term exams!? I mean, after that whole incident!?”

“Hmph, no way that’s happening.”

“Goodness gracious… Kash-san, you’re utterly deplorable.”

Their classmates—Kash, Lynn, Teresa, Cecil, Wendy, Gibul, and others—were tossing around all sorts of guesses about the mysterious emergency assembly, heedless of decorum, turning the place into a buzzing hub of speculation.

Maybe I should say something? Sistine was starting to think when—

Suddenly, Rumia nudged her side with a gentle poke.

“What’s up, Rumia? Something bothering you?”

“Well… maybe I’m overthinking it, but… take a look over there.”

With a puzzled expression, Rumia subtly pointed into the distance.

There, along the wall of the venue, stood Glenn, lined up with the other instructors.

“It’s about Glenn-sensei… doesn’t he seem… a bit off?”

“Huh?”

A wrinkled shirt, slacks, and his signature ponytail—Glenn’s appearance was, as always, perfectly typical.

But what caught her attention was how unusually expressionless he was, standing rigidly with his back straight, hands and heels perfectly aligned, almost like a mannequin.

“He was fine this morning, but now his movements and expression seem… awfully stiff?”

“Hmm? Well, isn’t that fine? He’s gotta be quiet like that sometimes, or we’d be in trouble.”

As Rumia and Sistine whispered to each other—

There was movement on the stage, and the venue began to buzz in response.

A man ascended the platform at the back, slowly walking toward the center.

“Oh, looks like it’s starting.”

As everyone watched, the man stood confidently before the podium at the center of the stage.

He was an older gentleman. His meticulously groomed beard and mustache, along with his neatly styled hair, were striking. With a refined justaucorps around his neck and a stylish coat draped over an elegant suit, he was the very picture of an upper-class gentleman.

[T/N: A justaucorps is a knee-length, fitted coat, popular among men in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in France. It’s characterized by its fitted bodice, flared skirt, and wide cuffs]

Yet, his sharp, narrow eyes were cold, and the creases between his brows gave an impression of irritability and unapproachability.

(Huh? I don’t recognize him. Who could he be? …Someone from the academy?)

Sistine scrutinized the man, lost in thought.

The surrounding students also seemed to find the unfamiliar man’s appearance odd, as murmurs spread like ripples among them, growing louder.

(And… where’s Headmaster Rick? Usually, he’s the one who gives the opening remarks at assemblies like this… Is he absent today?)

As Sistine pondered this—

“Silence, everyone.”

The man on the stage opened his mouth—and said something utterly outrageous.

“This is sudden, but—your headmaster, Rick Walken, was sacked yesterday.”

Silence. In that instant, even the faintest murmurs died completely.

“As of today, I, Maxim Tirano, am the headmaster of this academy. Take it to heart.”

Silence, silence, silence…

For a moment, an overwhelming quiet dominated the venue… and then—

“Whaaaaaat—!? What’s that supposed to mean!? Nobody told us!”

“No way, that’s a lie! Why would Headmaster Rick suddenly—!?”

Boom! A maelstrom of confusion and unrest surged through the venue.

Maxim, the new headmaster, gazed at the uproarious students with an air of irritation.

“Be quiet!”

With a fierce shout, he silenced them.

Surveying the hushed venue, Maxim declared:

“Let me say one thing. Listen well. The fact that this proud academy, founded by Her Majesty Queen Alicia III, was so thoroughly damaged in the recent turmoil… is entirely due to your fundamental incompetence. This sorry state is the result of your laziness and weakness.”

Maxim’s callous words gradually stirred irritation among the students.

“If I had been headmaster, we would never have been so easily outmaneuvered by those vile terrorists… Well, no use dwelling on the past.”

Casting a disdainful glance at the students glaring at him, Maxim proclaimed:

“Now, to repeat, I have been appointed as the new headmaster. Frankly, this academy is outdated and fails to meet the needs of the modern era. As headmaster, I intend to thoroughly reform this fossilized system.”

Ignoring the murmuring students, Maxim began to speak passionately, as if utterly convinced of his own righteousness.

“For immature individuals like you, autonomy and the wisdom of a magician are unnecessary. What you need is the certain ‘power to fight’ that can serve the nation in times of crisis… the essence of a magician.

For mere students to pursue anything else is wasteful and meaningless.

Thus, I promise you an academy that efficiently and reliably nurtures your strength as magicians—an ideal academy. To begin with—”

And the reforms Maxim outlined were nothing short of outrageous.

In summary… the academy’s current educational philosophy would be completely shifted to prioritize martial prowess, discarding all magic, classes, and research deemed useless from the perspective of a magician’s combat ability.

Naturally, subjects like natural philosophy, magical history, magical geology, astrology, numerology, magical law, and magical archaeology—fields not directly tied to combat—were labeled as ‘targets for elimination,’ causing distress among instructors, professors, and students specializing in them.

Conversely, subjects directly related to combat, such as magical tactics and magical combat training, would see their curricula significantly expanded.

Furthermore, tactical training officers dispatched from the imperial army would be brought in as instructors, and military training for emergencies would be incorporated into the academy’s future curriculum.

And the crowning touch: Maxim’s private students would be enrolled in each grade as a ‘model class’ with privileged status. The academy’s students were to treat this ‘model class’ as a goal and standard, fully submitting to them.

It was, in essence, a reckless act of destruction masquerading as reform, tearing the magic academy apart at its roots.

“—That is all. I am confident that these reforms will serve as a foundation for our empire’s further progress. While the full implementation begins next term, you are to accept these changes wholeheartedly—”

It was sudden, and the reaction was inevitable.

“What the hell!? Don’t screw with us—!”

“Enough with your selfish nonsense, you jerk—!”

A riotous uproar, like the lid of hell being flung open, surged through the venue.

It was no surprise that the students and faculty, snapping out of their daze, roared with anger.

And so, amidst this chaos, the time for questions and responses regarding the major announcement arrived—

“I cannot accept this.”

Student Council President Rize Filmer stood and spoke. Her usually calm and sharp demeanor now brimmed with barely contained anger.

“…Headmaster Maxim. By what authority do you dare to so fundamentally destroy this academy? Do you truly believe such tyranny will be permitted?”

“So you’re the renowned Rize Filmer, president of the student council? Hmph, let me make this clear: the current board of directors unanimously supports me. Your self-righteous accusations don’t faze me in the slightest.”

“…!”

“Prepare yourself. The student council, established to foster student autonomy… as headmaster, I have no need for such a thing. I’ll crush it immediately.”

Rize pierced Maxim with a sharp glare from behind her glasses, but Maxim, confident in his overwhelming advantage, remained unfazed.

“W-wait, please, Headmaster Maxim!”

Next, Cecilia, the academy’s forensic physician, raised her hand with a desperate expression and began to speak.

“You mentioned earlier that many forensic magic-related fields are among the targets for elimination… Please reconsider! Forensic magic and its related legal studies are crucial for establishing a forensic hospital system in the future, where all citizens can access treatment…”

“No. Modern forensic magic has already established sufficient techniques to support efficient military operations. Any further budget allocation would be wasteful and meaningless, wouldn’t it?”

Maxim mercilessly dismissed Cecilia’s earnest plea.

“N-no…”

Devastated, Cecilia collapsed on the spot, overwhelmed.

Afterward, various objections arose from students and faculty alike, but Maxim refused to listen. It was clear he was determined to carry out his envisioned reforms, no matter what.

To begin with, the dissenting students and faculty were all frantically protecting their own positions and interests, completely disorganized—a scattered mob.

“Hey, Professor Kalios!? You’re just trying to protect your own lab, aren’t you!?”

“What did you say!? Your field’s already guaranteed special treatment, isn’t it!? Shut up!”

“That’s not what I meant—!”

If anything, they seemed to be dragging each other down.

For someone as cunning as Maxim, this was all too easy to exploit.

(Hmph, as expected, controlling this academy will be child’s play… They’re no match for me…)

Maxim smirked smugly as he observed the chaotic scene in the assembly hall.

And in one corner of the tumultuous venue—

“…Sistie… are you… okay…?”

Rumia, concerned, spoke softly to Sistine, who stood beside her, pale and silent.

“…How could this happen…?”

Sistine’s refined features twisted as if she were on the verge of tears.

Among the magic and research fields Maxim had declared as targets for elimination was magical archaeology, the field Sistine aspired to pursue in the future… deemed wasteful and meaningless.

In other words, her dream had just been utterly crushed.

“What’s going to happen to us… from now on…?”

Sistine tightly shut her eyes, clenching her trembling fists… when suddenly—

‘Hold it right there—!’

A shout like a mountain storm, cutting through the dark clouds of confusion and clamor in the venue, resounded.

The source of that shout, with somewhat jerky and peculiar movements, boldly leaped onto the stage… and everyone in the venue turned their attention to that figure in unison.

That figure was—entirely as expected.

In this desperate situation, the one person everyone secretly hoped ‘If it’s him, he’ll surely do something’—the hero of the academy who, in the previous battle, had boarded the《Ship of Flames》floating in the sky and defeated the most powerful and malevolent sorcerer.

That person was—

““““Glenn-sensei—!?””””

‘Heh! I don’t know who you are, but you think you can just waltz into our academy and do whatever you want!? Not on my watch, you bald bastard—!’

Yes, it was Glenn Radars—

Meanwhile, in the courtyard—

“—Hey, what the hell! What’s that damn doll doing!?”

Glenn, wide-eyed and panicking, was glued to the projected image.

“I mean, sure, I was super pissed and totally wanted to call him out in front of everyone! But actually doing it!? That’s a no-go! That guy’s got power—!”

Despite Glenn’s distant pleas going unheard—

Glenn (Doll) approached Maxim with oddly stiff movements, slamming a foot onto the podium, leaning in close, and glaring at him expressionlessly.

‘Hah? Reforms to produce more efficient, superior talent? Sorting for that purpose? Pfft, don’t make me laugh! Your idiotic reforms will just churn out garbage talent, plain as day! You’ll bring massive losses to the empire—treason worthy of the death penalty, hahaha—!’

The expressionless delivery, combined with the grating laughter, echoed threefold more irritatingly through the deathly silent venue.

“Wh… you…!?”

‘And what’s this about a model class? Are you out of your mind? The poor saps trained by a delusional educator like you could never hold a candle to the students taught by the great Glenn Radars, super-sensei, god-tier instructor! Do you understand?’

Even Maxim, who hadn’t anticipated such direct insults and negation, was stunned into rigidity.

‘Anyway, I don’t recognize you as headmaster! Let me say it loud and clear: not a single person here recognizes you as headmaster! Go home and cry to your mommy, baldy!’

And with Glenn (Doll)’s relentlessly bold provocations—

““““Ooooh—!””””

The students raised their hands in fervent agreement, erupting into wild cheers.

“Go, Glenn-sensei—! Give him hell—!”

“As expected of sensei! Doing what we can’t so effortlessly—!”

“That’s so badass, I’m in awe—!”

The earlier dark, oppressive atmosphere was gone. With Maxim as their sole enemy, both Glenn’s supporters and detractors united in full agreement, the venue now a roaring celebration.

It wasn’t about personal interests or self-preservation.

Glenn (Doll)’s reckless, all-in criticism had struck a chord in everyone’s souls.

‘Hey, Headmaster (lol)! How about we settle this reform business like true magicians—with a duel!?’

““““Sensei, that’s so damn cool—!””””

“Don’t you dare run, Headmaster!”

“Yeah! Face Glenn-sensei like a proper magician, fair and square—!”

““““Wooo—!””””

“Stop it, don’t egg him on—! I’ll be kicked out of the academy—!”

Meanwhile, Glenn, teary-eyed, screamed at the projected image.

“Damn it—! Loading my personality data was a total mistake! Of course I’d challenge him to a duel, I’ve got a track record! Gah! What was the emergency stop command again!? Uh, uh, it was something like this—!”

Glenn frantically scribbled messy characters onto the surface of the magical processor—

“Kuh… a duel, you say…!? Do you understand!? No matter how much you resist alone, it’s futile…!”

Overwhelmed by the rebellious atmosphere Glenn (Doll) had created, Maxim, sweating profusely, desperately countered. No matter how bold someone might be, facing such unified opposition would make anyone tremble.

“Let me make this clear: my backers completely control the academy’s board of directors! I hold all the power here! No matter what you do… huh?”

Maxim glanced over and saw Glenn (Doll)’s movements suddenly freeze with a jolt.

The sudden, expressionless stillness was eerily terrifying.

“What… what’s wrong with you…?”

After a few seconds of silence—

Abruptly, Glenn (Doll) began moving again, creaking stiffly… expressionless, it reached out, grabbed Maxim’s head firmly, and raised its arm straight up overhead.

Pop!

In that instant, something was yanked off Maxim’s head.

““““…Oh.””””

Everyone in the venue gaped, dumbfounded.

“…Huh?”

Maxim cautiously touched his head.

A smooth, slippery sensation met his hand.

In Glenn (Doll)’s hand, mercilessly clenched, was the wig Maxim had been wearing—

“Why’d it come to this—!?”

Bang bang bang! Glenn slammed the magical processor against the bench repeatedly.

“What kind of command was that!? A command to rip off someone’s wig!? What kind of demand was there for that, you damn creator—!”

The venue erupted in uncontrollable laughter, while Glenn, in stark contrast, was on the verge of wailing.

“Gah!? Damn it!? I’ve gotta stop it fast… oh no! It’s cracked! It’s not responding to commands anymore! Nooo—!”

Throwing the broken processor aside, Glenn sprinted off, sobbing—

““““Gyahahaha—!””””

As an unstoppable typhoon of laughter raged through the venue—

“You… you problem teacher! I’d heard about you, but to humiliate me like this, Glenn Radars—!”

Desperately covering his now gloriously bare scalp (and failing), Maxim glared at Glenn (Doll) with a face that could kill a demon.

‘Heh! So what’re you gonna do about it?’

“Grr…!”

Maxim’s head boiled as he thought.

He surveyed the students, united under Glenn’s banner, defying him en masse.

This… won’t do. These students can’t be controlled.

Of course, he’d anticipated some resistance to his academy reforms.

But he’d planned to use the board of directors he controlled and the influence of his backers, dangling job recommendations and financial aid as bribes to gradually win over and divide the dissenting students.

He was confident he could pull it off.

He genuinely believed he could rule this academy.

However, at this rate, it was clear as day that the students would file a recall petition to have him sacked before he could even gain control.

It was possible to pull strings with the board of directors and crush such a petition, but there were limits to how far that could go.

If the students united and rebelled en masse, even the board members he had in his pocket would eventually have to yield. After all, many of the students’ parents were influential nobles. Everyone valued their own skin.

To counter this by placating and maneuvering through various channels, there simply wasn’t enough time left—

(This man’s fault…!?)

As long as this man—Glenn, who had likely become the rallying banner for the anti-Maxim faction—remained, the students would continue their defiance, and Maxim’s complete control over the academy would be impossible.

First, he had to eliminate this man and break the spirits of the academy’s people.

However, dismissing him would require a legitimate reason, no matter how you looked at it.

If he forced the dismissal without cause, the entire academy would erupt in a full-scale revolt.

A dead hero was far more troublesome than a living one.

Thus, Glenn had to be crushed through a legitimate method that no one could dispute.

Fortunately, Glenn himself had proposed the very means to do so.

Maxim had no choice but to exploit it.

Leaning close to Glenn (Doll), Maxim glared with the ferocity of a demon and declared,

“Fine… If you’re that insistent, let’s settle the fate of this academy with a duel!”

“Oh? And how exactly do we do that? You wanna go toe-to-toe with me for real?”

“Hmph, fool. That’s why muscle-brained idiots like you are such a pain. You and I will decide the academy’s future… and the most fitting way to do that is a contest of our abilities as instructors, don’t you think?”

Snorting, Maxim spat out the words.

“Now, let’s shift gears for a moment, but hear me out. As part of my reforms, I intend to unlock the ‘Hidden Academy’ that exists within this magical institution.”

The Hidden Academy.

The moment those words were uttered, a wave of unease rippled through the students and instructors.

“By opening the Hidden Academy, this institution can expand into vast new districts. More students, more instructors, new research labs, and experimental facilities… the benefits and progress that the Hidden Academy’s opening will bring to this academy are immeasurable.”

“Wha…? The Hidden Academy…? The one tied to Alicia III…?”

“But that Hidden Academy… after her passing, the ‘key’ was lost…”

The instructors and students muttered among themselves, exchanging stunned glances.

The Hidden Academy… a term known to anyone affiliated with this academy.

The Alzano Imperial Magic Academy’s campus… a parallel world existing just beyond a dimensional barrier, a mystical space housing another academy campus.

That was the ‘Hidden Academy.’

Alicia III, the thirteenth queen of the Alzano Empire, the founder and first headmaster of the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, had created it to further the academy’s development. It was said to boast districts far more expansive than the main campus.

But just as the Hidden Academy was completed, Alicia III passed away unexpectedly, and the ‘key’ needed to access it was lost in a stroke of catastrophic misfortune.

After the ‘key’ vanished, countless mages attempted to access the Hidden Academy in its alternate dimension, but all efforts ended in vain, and the project was frozen and abandoned.

The Hidden Academy became a phantom campus, a mere legend.

“Heh. But we’ve found it—the ‘key,’ that is.”

Maxim pulled an old, weathered journal from his pocket and puffed out his chest.

“This is the [Memoirs of Alicia III] I recently acquired… yes, the twenty-fourth journal of Alicia III, long thought lost! This very journal is the ‘key’ to the Hidden Academy!”

In an instant, everyone in the hall fell silent.

The twenty-fourth Memoirs of Alicia III—a rare tome so valuable that the Imperial Grand Library had placed a colossal bounty on it.

Murmurs of disbelief spread among the students, who could hardly conceal their shock at this almost ludicrous revelation.

“Now, let’s get back on track. What’s the quickest way to prove a mage’s strength in combat? A duel? A magical corps battle? No, I believe it’s a ‘survival battle.’ It tests a mage’s combat prowess, situational judgment, and endurance—every facet of martial skill.”

“However, a reliable survival battle requires a vast competitive field. Suitable grounds for such a contest are hard to come by. So… do you see where I’m going with this?”

“Hah, the Hidden Academy, huh?”

Maxim smirked at Glenn (Doll), who responded with an expressionless tone.

“Exactly. Model class… my students against yours, in a survival battle duel to christen the unveiling of the Hidden Academy. How does that sound?”

“……”

“Let’s set the date… to avoid any complaints later, how about two weeks from now, after the current midterm exams conclude? If, by some miracle, your students defeat mine in this survival battle, I’ll overlook your insolence and retract my academy reforms.”

At that, Glenn’s class erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable.

“Hell yeah, bring it on! Sensei, leave it to us!”

“Indeed! We’ll win this duel and protect our academy, no matter what!”

“No way we’re letting some bald jerk run this place however he wants!”

But then—

“However, if your students lose… that will prove my educational philosophy and guidance are ‘correct.’ In that case, my reforms will proceed as planned, and you, who so foolishly taught ‘incorrectly,’ will take responsibility and submit your resignation.”

Maxim’s words instantly froze the previously buoyant atmosphere in the hall.

“You’ve publicly insulted me like this. I won’t be satisfied unless you pay at least this much. Of course, if you apologize and bow before me now, in front of all the faculty and students, and withdraw your challenge, I’m willing to let bygones be bygones. So, what’ll it be?”

The situation had spiraled into something utterly outrageous…

Everyone in the hall held their breath, watching Glenn’s next move.

“Uwoooooh!”

With a bizarre yell, someone charged toward the stage at breakneck speed, weaving through the students—and hurled something toward the platform.

Boom!

A sudden cloud of ferocious smoke engulfed the stage where Glenn (Doll) stood.

“What the—!? A smokescreen!?”

“Gah!? W-who did this!? Cough, cough!?”

Amid the students’ and Maxim’s cries, the stage was swiftly shrouded in smoke.

“Grrr! This blasted puppet, causing me all this trouble—! Take this! And this! And THIS!”

Thud! Crack! Crunch! CRASH!

From beyond the smokescreen, a tearful voice screamed, accompanied by the deafening sound of something being smashed to pieces.

And then… as the smoke cleared…

“Haa… haa… haa…”

There stood Glenn, looking utterly exhausted and haggard.

At his feet lay a pile of scattered debris—the remains of the wooden puppet.

Needless to say, the debris was the former Glenn (Doll). By destroying it, the light-manipulating illusion spell that enabled its transformation was broken, reverting it to a lifeless wooden figure.

“Glenn-kun… what’s that strange pile of junk at your feet? It’s almost as if it just… appeared out of nowhere…”

Even Maxim narrowed his eyes suspiciously, glancing at the debris.

“Oh—! Man, this place really needs better cleaning, huh!? Leaving all this trash scattered around like this!? The students’ sloppy habits definitely need some reforming, right!?”

Glenn (the real one) looked off in another direction, casually kicking the puppet’s debris to the edge of the stage with one foot.

“Uh, so… about that duel with our students… a survival battle, was it…?”

Flashing a sycophantic smile, Glenn cautiously gauged Maxim’s reaction.

Honestly, he wanted nothing to do with this.

The penalty for losing was bad enough, but Maxim’s “students” were another matter entirely—

(If I just toss my pride aside and bow my head, this could all be settled quickly…)

Throwing away his pride was one of Glenn’s greatest talents. That part wasn’t an issue.

But when Glenn stole a glance at his class…

“S-Sensei…! W-we’re…!”

His students were staring at him with complex expressions.

After all, this duel put Glenn’s job on the line. They couldn’t say anything careless.

Naturally, the students wanted to fight Maxim to protect the academy—their home. Their pleading gazes spoke more eloquently than words ever could.

Yet, they couldn’t bear to place such a heavy burden on Glenn’s shoulders… and so, they didn’t know what to do. Their faces reflected that turmoil.

“……”

Glenn scanned the faces of his students one by one.

Sistine, who spoke with a bright smile about inheriting her grandfather’s dream to master magical archaeology.

Rumia, who resolved to make magic a true force for humanity’s benefit.

Re=L, who didn’t yet know what she wanted but wished to take her time finding out.

And not just them.

Kash, who dreamed of bringing glory to his hometown; Gibul, who aimed to rise in this country through sheer skill; Wendy, who wanted to become a respectable noble; Teresa, who sought to use magic for business; Cecil, who yearned for knowledge; Lynn, who wanted to become something she could take pride in…

At this magic academy, each student’s dream tied to magic was unique and vibrant.

To Glenn, who had once lost his own dreams, these aspirations shone with a dazzling brilliance.

If the academy succumbed to Maxim’s reforms… most of those vibrant, unique dreams would be utterly crushed.

And that wasn’t all.

For better or worse, this academy was a priceless place for the students—a space where friends honed their skills together, laughed together, and sometimes cried together.

Maxim, with his self-serving educational ideals, was poised to trample that sacred ground.

Indeed, if Glenn bowed his head here, he could likely save his own neck.

But—what would happen to the things he truly wanted to protect?

“……”

As the entire student body watched Glenn’s every move with bated breath…

Glenn stood in silence for a moment, meeting every gaze directed at him with half-lidded eyes. Then, turning to Maxim, he declared firmly,

“…Alright. I’m entrusting my fate to my students!”

With a fearless grin, Glenn slowly removed the glove from his left hand…

Snap! He flung it with a sharp motion, striking Maxim square in the face.

“Urk!?”

“Heh, you’ll regret this (mostly me)!? Better brace yourself (especially me)!? I—no, we—are gonna crush you! (That’s the hope, anyway!)”

In that instant…

““““Uwoooooh!””””

Every student raised their hands, showering Glenn with cheers.

No one could hold back tears of awe at Glenn’s noble resolve.

The hall was soon dominated by a thunderous chant of Glenn’s name…

“S-Sensei… for real? You’re really okay with this? You’re trusting us…?”

“For us…?”

Kash and Cecil, too.

“Well, somehow… I had a feeling it’d come to this…”

“Indeed. Even if we begged him to stop, he’d still stand up for us…”

“Damn it… that idiot instructor, always trying to look cool on his own…!”

Wendy, Teresa, and Gibul, too.

They could only gaze solemnly at the back of Glenn, who had sacrificed himself to protect the academy.

“S-Sensei… always putting himself on the line for us… he’s such an idiot… why…? Why does he always, always…?”

“No, Sistie… Sensei stood up for us. All we can do now is believe in him and win this fight…”

“Mm. We won’t lose. I don’t really get it, but…”

Sistine, Rumia, and Re=L, too. Overwhelmed with emotion, they could only stare at Glenn’s back, renewing their resolve.

(…How did it come to this? Wait, what about my dream of slacking off and collecting a paycheck next term…!?)

Amid the swirling excitement and thunderous cheers…

Glenn, striking an excessively cool pose, wept silently in his heart.

In a corner of the buzzing hall, near the wall opposite the stage…

“…Hmph. Same old foolish man.”

A young woman stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall, muttering under her breath.

She was about twenty, clad in the female instructor’s uniform of the academy. With hair like blazing crimson flames and a beauty as cold as ice, she gazed at Glenn from afar with a mix of exasperation and detachment.

“Well, then… what will you show me in this academy, Glenn?”

With those words, she turned on her heel and left the fervent hall behind.

At that very same moment, by some strange coincidence—

Far from the assembly hall, in the deepest recesses of the academy’s attached library, within the sealed section of its underground archives…

In a place dominated by utter darkness, where no light penetrated, and the musty scent of ancient tomes reigned, towering bookshelves stood like a colossal labyrinth, their numbers vast and intricate.

In a corner where no one should have been able to tread…

There stood the figure of a lone girl.

“I see… so she’s finally making her move. That’s how it is, then.”

In the pitch-black darkness, the girl leaned against a bookshelf, quietly opening her eyes.

Staring at her palms, clenching and unclenching them, she murmured softly,

“As expected, my power and actions are restricted… but I have no choice but to act.”

Muttering to no one in particular…

The girl began to walk, alone, through the darkness.

Now, countless schemes were beginning to stir within the academy—