Chapter 1: The Return of《The Fool》

“Glenn-sensei, Sistine-san, Rumia-san… I know it’s painful, but as a forensic physician, I must be honest. Re=L-san… she can no longer be saved.”

In the infirmary of the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, lined with white beds and shelves of medical supplies.

Hearing Cecilia, the forensic physician, declared this with a pained expression, Glenn felt as if the world before him had gone pitch black.

“T-that’s a lie…”

“…!?”

From behind Glenn, he could sense Sistine’s stunned shock and Rumia swallowing hard. Feeling their agitation and confusion at his back, Glenn’s forehead glistened with cold sweat, his face contorted in anguish as he closed his eyes and clenched his fists tightly.

They all had a bad feeling. When Re=L suddenly collapsed in the classroom, not a single healing spell had worked on her. To a spiritual gaze, the mana within Re=L’s body was weaker than ever before, as if she were on the brink of death—like a candle flickering in the wind. It was as if her lifespan were nearing its end.

It was clear to everyone in that classroom that Re=L’s condition was no mere illness—she was already in the grip of the reaper’s scythe.

“All I can do now is prolong her life… I’m truly sorry…”

“T-that’s a lie…!”

With a clatter! Sistine, pale-faced beside him, kicked her chair back and stood, grabbing Cecilia’s shoulders with both hands.

“W-why!? How could this happen!? Re=L was swinging her sword around just fine yesterday! She was happily eating strawberry tarts… and now, today, how could she suddenly end up like this!? Why!?”

“Sistie, no! Please, calm down!”

“Please, Cecilia-sensei! Heal Re=L! Hurry and heal her, please!”

Rumia pulled the frantic, shouting Sistine away from Cecilia, restraining her.

Sistine trembled in Rumia’s arms, beginning to sob. Even Rumia, trying to soothe her with resolute strength, looked on the verge of tears herself.

“…”

Sistine’s outburst had, ironically, calmed Glenn. He glanced at Re=L, now lying on a bed in the back of the infirmary, sleeping as if dead.

Beneath and around her bed were various magical arrays, arcane devices, and stone tablet-like magical calculators, with tubes and invisible spiritual conduits extending from them, connected to Re=L’s body. The faint signs of life detected by the devices were the only proof of Re=L’s fragile existence.

After staring at Re=L for a while, Glenn steeled himself and, with a nod and a glance, urged Cecilia to continue.

“…Re=L-san’s illness… it’s called ‘Etheric Dissociation Syndrome.’”

“Huh? ‘Etheric Dissociation Syndrome’…?”

Glenn, braced for some rare or bizarre disease, blinked in surprise at the unexpected name.

Unlike a typical illness that afflicts the body, this was a disease that struck the soul—a terrifying magical ailment in which “the bond between body and soul weakens, causing the soul to drift away from the body.”

Naturally, if the disease progressed and the soul fully dissociated from the body, death was inevitable.

It was a well-known illness that often afflicted veteran mages who had overexerted their souls through years of reckless magic use, typically in their later years—

“That doesn’t add up, does it? If it’s ‘Etheric Dissociation Syndrome,’ there should already be a treatment.”

Glenn was right.

Indeed, ‘Etheric Dissociation Syndrome’ had once been an incurable disease, feared as “the mage’s lifespan,” but treatment methods had since been established, and it was now fully treatable with spiritual surgery.

There was no reason a young person like Re=L couldn’t be cured, unlike an elderly mage.

“Yes, for an ordinary person’s ‘Etheric Dissociation Syndrome,’ I could treat it with near 100% certainty. But… for Re=L-san… it’s impossible.”

Cecilia confessed, her face filled with genuine anguish, as if wringing out the words.

“I can’t understand Re=L-san’s soul. Her etheric structure… it’s as if it can’t be analyzed at all.”

Etheric structure… in essence, the “shape of the soul.” The soul, invisible to the naked eye or in three-dimensional space, exists in a higher-dimensional, imaginary form, comprising ten spiritual domains known as Sefirot.

[T/N: The ten spiritual domains known as Sefirot in Kabbalistic tradition represent emanations or attributes through which the Infinite Divine interacts with the universe. They form the core of the Kabbalistic “Tree of Life”.
The Kabbalistic “Tree of Life” is a central symbol in Kabbalah, a mystical branch of Judaism, representing a spiritual and philosophical framework for understanding the universe, God, and the soul’s journey. It consists of 10 Sefirot (emanations or attributes) connected by 22 paths, forming a diagram that maps the flow of divine energy and the structure of creation.]

To perform spiritual surgery, this etheric structure must be magically analyzed to create a Sefirot Map. Without this map, performing spiritual surgery would be like conducting a surgical operation blindfolded, with even the sense of touch sealed away.

The Sefirot Map is indispensable data for white magic rituals involving spiritual surgery.

“No way… even someone as skilled as you, Cecilia-sensei, can’t grasp an etheric structure? Isn’t that, like, the basics of etheric forensics…?”

“Yes… the very basics. But for some reason, Re=L-san’s soul isn’t normal.”

Cecilia spoke as if lamenting her own powerlessness.

“Re=L-san’s soul… the boundaries of her ten Sefirot are a complete mess, and I can’t see the overall structure at all. The pathways connecting the Sefirot are unclear… such a soul shouldn’t exist. It’s as if multiple souls were forcibly fused together… I’ve never seen anything like it…”

At Cecilia’s words, something clicked in Glenn’s mind.

“—!? Could it be… [Project: Revive Life]…?”

That’s right, he remembered. Re=L wasn’t an ordinary human. She was a magically created being, born from the forbidden curse of [Project: Revive Life], a ritual to resurrect the dead.

The inability to analyze her etheric structure might be because—

“…Glenn-sensei. Do you know something about Re=L-san’s soul?”

Noticing the change in Glenn’s expression, Cecilia asked in a hushed tone.

Re=L’s truth was something that absolutely couldn’t be revealed to others, but in this dire emergency, there was no room for hesitation.

“…Cecilia-sensei. Please listen calmly. And if possible, keep this to yourself. The truth is…”

Glenn began to solemnly recount his past and everything about Re=L to Cecilia, who braced herself for the revelation.

“I see… so that’s how it is. It’s hard to believe, but…”

After Glenn’s lengthy explanation, Cecilia nodded as if it all made sense.

“[Project: Revive Life] is a forbidden curse that involves preparing substitute materials for the body (material), the soul (ether), and the mind (astral), then polymerizing them. The ‘Alter Ether’ used as a substitute for the soul is refined from multiple souls. It makes sense that the etheric structure would be extraordinarily complex.

There must have been flaws in the ritual performed by Sion Rayford for [Project: Revive Life]. Over time, a misalignment developed between the body (material) and the soul (ether). That’s likely why Re=L-san developed ‘Etheric Dissociation Syndrome,’ which should be impossible.”

“That’s… probably it.”

Glenn responded with a complicated expression before getting to the point.

“Cecilia-sensei. Is there really… no way to save Re=L?”

“The condition itself is simply ‘Etheric Dissociation Syndrome.’ So, if we could somehow analyze her etheric structure and create a Sefirot Map, I could perform spiritual surgery immediately… but…”

The problem was that Re=L’s soul was unanalyzable, making it impossible to create a Sefirot Map.

Glenn furrowed his brow, his face filled with anguish and frustration, glaring into the void.

A heavy silence lingered, time passing aimlessly.

And then—

“…Ngh…? G-Glenn…?”

A rustle… a faint movement came from the bed in the back of the infirmary.

Looking over, it seemed Re=L had regained consciousness, albeit hazily. Moving only her face, she gazed at Glenn with sleepy, unfocused eyes.

“…What’s… wrong…? Glenn… you look… kinda… scary…”

“…”

“…What’s… happening to me…? I’m sleepy… so… very… sleepy…”

“…”

“…I’m scared… Glenn… I feel like… I’m going to… disappear… I’m scared…”

Re=L murmured anxiously, her voice faint, as if it might fade away entirely.

Glenn quietly stood and approached her side.

“…Ah…”

Silently, Glenn stroked Re=L’s head, and she squinted in comfort.

For a while, Glenn continued to stroke Re=L’s head in silence… until, with a resolute expression, he turned back to Sistine and the others.

“Hey, White Cat… now’s not the time to be crying.”

“—!?”

At Glenn’s forceful words, Sistine, who had been sobbing in Rumia’s embrace, weakly lifted her tear-streaked face.

“Magic has always evolved to make the impossible possible. Re=L’s soul is unanalyzable? Creating a Sefirot Map is impossible? So what? Even if it’s impossible, we have no choice but to analyze her soul and create that map.”

“Sensei…”

“Sistine, Rumia… let’s do this. We’ll save Re=L together. Help me.”

At Glenn’s resolute words—

“…Y-Yes!”

“We’ll do anything we can!”

Sistine wiped her tears, and Rumia nodded with determination.

“…Glenn… Sistie… Rumia… …”

Re=L gazed at the three of them with distant, hazy eyes.

And so began Glenn and his companions’ days of bitter struggle.

Centered around Glenn and Cecilia, the arduous task of analyzing Re=L’s complex and bizarre soul began.

Naturally, the analysis was extraordinarily difficult. Glenn and Cecilia worked tirelessly day and night with Re=L, while Sistine and Rumia holed up in the library, diligently collecting and reading the latest papers on etheric studies and forensic magic, summarizing their key points through sleepless nights.

To create Re=L’s Sefirot Map, they needed to identify the Sefirot Maps of every original soul used in her creation. Only by analyzing all those souls and working backward could they finally complete a Sefirot Map tailored to Re=L.

Anyone with even a basic knowledge of magic would understand just how daunting this task was.

Yet Glenn and his team pressed forward with this analysis, as if spitting blood in their efforts.

And Glenn found many allies within the academy.

“…Got it, Glenn-sensei. I’ll take charge of developing the ‘Astral Code Separation Technique’ that Re=L-kun needs. Mental aspects of white magic are my specialty, after all.”

“Seriously!? Are you sure, Baron Zest!?”

“Of course. Losing a cute girl like her would be a loss for humanity.”

“Thank you so much, Baron!”

Baron Zest readily agreed to Glenn’s request for help.

“Hmm. Based on your calculations, Glenn-sensei, that spell framework probably exceeds the current capabilities and processing power of magical calculators.”

“Yeah… damn it, what do we do…?”

“Hah! No need to worry! Leave the enhancement of magical calculators to the genius magical engineering professor, Orwell Schuzer!”

“Orwell…? Are you sure…?”

“Fuhahahahahaha! This is for my dear friend! It’s a small price to pay!”

Orwell eagerly offered his assistance to Glenn.

“Glenn Radars. Hmph… take this.”

“S-Senpai? Isn’t this the latest paper by Ainest Schweitzer, the world’s leading authority on etheric forensics!? How did you get something this valuable—!?”

“Hah. A dimwit like you wouldn’t have connections in the magical academic world.”

“!?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea, Glenn Radars. I despise you, and that Re=L Rayford has caused me no end of trouble! I won’t let her die before I settle the score! That’s all!”

“…Senpai… thank you.”

“Hmph. Instead of wasting time with thanks, get back to work.”

Even Halley, a complete outsider to forensics, lent his support.

Of course, it wasn’t just Glenn’s colleagues who were cooperative.

With Etheric Dissociation Syndrome progressing, causing a misalignment between Re=L’s body and soul, she was like a cracked water jug. Mana was leaking from her body at an alarming rate.

To prolong her life, a massive supply of mana from others was essential above all else.

Knowing this, the students of Class 2, unafraid of mana deficiency, took turns generously supplying Re=L with their mana, day and night. They stayed at the academy, gathering around Re=L, continually encouraging her.

“Hang in there, Re=L-chan… don’t let some illness beat you…”

Kash, supplying mana through the device, gripped Re=L’s hand tightly as he spoke.

“…Hey, you. I won’t forgive you if you escape by dying.”

Gibul muttered grumpily under his breath.

“It’s okay… it’ll be fine. Sensei will definitely figure something out.”

“Yes, exactly. If it’s Sensei, he’ll surely…”

Wendy and Teresa held Re=L’s hand, speaking as if in prayer.

“Re=L… get better soon, okay?”

“Let’s all live our academy life together again… right?”

Lynn and Cecil, too.

“Waaahhh! Re=L-chaaaaan!”

“Take all our mana!”

Rodd and Kai, along with the other Class 2 students—Alf, Bix, Cycer, Luzel, Annette, Bella, and Cathy.

“Re=L-san, you can’t give up… there are people who’d be heartbroken if you were gone.”

“Hmph. Well, I owe Rumia Tingel quite a bit.”

Even students from other classes, like Rize Filmer and Jaill Wolfheart, joined in.

Eventually, students from across the academy, hearing of Re=L’s condition, took turns donating their mana to her.

Re=L, one of the heroes who saved the academy during Fejite’s three worst days and a benefactor to them all, inspired everyone to do their utmost to keep her tethered to this world, offering their mana without hesitation and showering her with words of encouragement.

“…Everyone…”

Re=L Rayford, amidst the hazy consciousness that occasionally surfaced, gazed at the students with a dazzled expression.

Everyone united as one, for Re=L’s sake.

To help Re=L. To save Re=L.

But even with all this devotion poured into her—even with Cecilia’s desperate symptomatic treatments—Re=L’s condition showed no signs of improving. Sistine and Rumia’s tireless research yielded no breakthroughs, and Glenn’s progress in analyzing her soul crawled at a snail’s pace.

Re=L’s vital signs grew mercilessly weaker with each passing moment.

And then—it was exactly one week after Re=L’s collapse.

“Glenn, it’s impossible. Give up.”

On a night when a cold, white moon shone in the sky.

Celica, who had suddenly appeared at the academy, delivered a single sentence that shattered Glenn’s heart, as he tirelessly worked on devising a soul analysis method without sleep or rest.

“What… did you say? You, Celica… what did you just say? Cough… cough!”

In a room in the magical research building, piled high with documents and books, with barely any space to step.

Glenn, with dark circles under his eyes and his stamina at its limit, staggered toward Celica on unsteady legs, weakly grabbing her by the collar.

“Sometimes it’s easier to keep your hands moving than to think. That’s why I didn’t point it out before… but this is the end. I can’t bear to watch you like this.”

Celica murmured, her voice filled with pity and sorrow.

“What you’re doing is theoretically contradictory. It’s like… trying to perfectly recreate a vast picture from just one piece of a jigsaw puzzle. That’s not magic anymore—it’s a miracle. You know it’s impossible… unless you know the entire picture from the start. Even I, with Rumia’s ability assisting me, couldn’t do it. Magic isn’t omnipotent.”

“—!?”

“You’re smart, Glenn. You’ve known this all along, haven’t you?”

Celica’s cruel words were undeniable. She, too, had likely been secretly pursuing her own investigations and research to save Re=L, pushing her frail body to its limits. The dark circles under her eyes and her deathly appearance spoke volumes.

That’s why Celica had reached the absolute conclusion that it was impossible.

Realizing this, Glenn collapsed to his knees, hands and feet on the floor, his head hanging low.

He knew. Deep down, he’d known all along.

Re=L couldn’t be saved. She was beyond help. He’d known, yet he couldn’t stop moving forward. He couldn’t just do nothing.

Feeling a burning sensation welling up behind his eyes, Glenn glanced at the corner of the room.

There, Sistine and Rumia, who had believed in him and supported him tirelessly to save Re=L, lay slumped over their desks, buried in documents, fast asleep. Utterly exhausted—their hair disheveled, their skin rough, the once-beautiful girls now in a pitiful state.

“…I… I…!”

At Celica’s feet, Glenn’s eyes brimmed with tears as he pounded the floor with his fists. Again and again.

“Damn it! Why!? Re=L… she was finally starting to walk in the light… why does this have to happen!? What did she ever do to deserve this!?”

“…Glenn.”

Celica gently stroked Glenn’s head, as if to console him.

For a while, Glenn’s anguished roars echoed through the room… and then—

“Hmph… a grown man whining like a baby, how pathetic…”

A woman with red hair, striding confidently into the room, appeared.

Eve Ignite—no, now going by her mother’s surname, Eve Distrei. Once the head of the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ Special Missions Annex and Executive Officer Number 1,《The Magician》, she had been demoted for various reasons and now served as a special instructor for military training at the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy.

“…Eve…?”

Glenn lifted his gaze, looking up at Eve, who stood with her arms crossed.

“Hmph. You really are a reckless fool, charging in without thinking. Why don’t you use your head a little?”

Eve approached Glenn, her instructor’s coat swishing as she stood before him, slumped on the floor.

“That’s why you end up wasting time and effort on pointless things. Honestly, dragging Sistine and Rumia into this mess—what are you even doing?”

“Hey… shut up for a second.”

The voice that rumbled like it came from the depths of hell belonged to Celica.

“Former head of the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ Special Missions Annex,《The Magician》… I’ve overlooked you for this kid’s sake, but I despise you. You, who relentlessly tormented Glenn during his military days…”

Celica spat the words with disdain, glaring at Eve with an icy stare.

“If Glenn didn’t somewhat respect you now, I would’ve sent you to hell with my own hands long ago. So don’t show your irritating face in my sight. Don’t let that grating voice spill from your mouth. Or I’ll erase you from this world—physically.”

An overwhelming aura of killing intent from Celica filled the room, enough to make an ordinary person brace for death instantly.

The suffocating pressure startled Sistine and Rumia awake, their exhausted faces lifting to take in the tense atmosphere, trembling in fear.

Even in her weakened state, the gap in power between Celica and Eve was like heaven and earth.

If Celica got serious, Eve wouldn’t last a second. This was a moment where begging for mercy and fleeing would be the only option.

But—Eve, enduring the crushing weight of Celica’s despair-inducing presence, snorted defiantly and pushed back, addressing Glenn.

“Glenn, how long are you going to mope? You want to save Re=L, don’t you? I’ve found a faint lead for you.”

Her astonishing words drew the shocked gazes of everyone in the room.

“Hey, you… don’t spout nonsense to give false hope. I’ll really erase you.”

“Hmph… Celica Arfonia, once《The World》… you may be the strongest in single combat, but you seem weak to schemes, tactics, and indirect approaches.”

Eve met Celica’s gaze, capable of slaying a dragon, with calm confidence.

“What did you say? You little brat who hasn’t even lived half a century…”

“You said it yourself, didn’t you? ‘Recreating the whole picture is impossible unless you know the entire picture from the start.’ Well then, why not bring the entire picture to begin with?”

Completely unafraid, Eve faced Celica with a fearless attitude.

“Glenn, listen. About Re=L’s Sefirot Map—”

And just as Eve was about to tell Glenn something—

“T-T-Terrible news!”

Several students from Glenn’s class burst into the room, their faces pale with panic.

“Sensei! It’s bad! Some weird guys showed up out of nowhere and took Re=L-chan—”

“—!?”

Rodd and Kai’s frantic shouts marked the beginning of the chaos.

This situation was steering toward an even deeper abyss of chaos—

“Hey! What the hell are you lot up to!?”

Glenn, dashing at full speed, kicked open the infirmary door and roared with fury.

The infirmary was now enveloped in an eerie atmosphere.

“Alright, alright, grab that side~ Oh, tie it up right there!”

Several men and women clad in mage robes were forcibly disconnecting Re=L from the various life-support devices she was attached to, loading her onto a nearby stretcher and restraining her.

It seemed they intended to take Re=L somewhere.

Unable to move even a finger, Re=L lay limp, at their mercy.

“Good, good,《The Chariot》Re=L-chan, secured~ Alright, let’s haul her out quick!”

(The Imperial Court Mage Corps!? Why the hell are they here!?)

Recognizing their uniforms, Glenn froze in shock.

“Ugh… damn it…! Gahhh…!? It hurts…!?”

“…What are you planning to do with Re=L…!? Ugh…!?”

Kash, Gibul, Wendy, and the others were bound by chains of lightning, writhing on the floor in agony as the searing pain tore through their limbs.

They had likely tried to resist the sudden brutality of the mages.

But in the end, the gap between professionally trained combat mages and amateurs was like heaven and earth. Their attempt to protect Re=L was futile, and they were easily subdued.

And before Glenn burst in, they must have been utterly overwhelmed by the sheer difference in power—the dozen or so other students supplying mana to Re=L were huddled against the wall, pale and trembling in fear.

“You bastards…! Where are you taking Re=L-chan…!? Let her go… Gaaahhh—!?”

Even so, Kash dragged himself forward, desperately trying to cling to the mages’ feet, only for a burly mage with a beastly glare to mercilessly stomp on his hand.

“Shut up, you weakling. Don’t act tough. We’re busy, you pathetic worm.”

The mage sneered down at Kash, who groaned in pain beneath his foot.

Meanwhile, the other mages were calmly preparing to carry out Re=L, still restrained on the stretcher—a sight that sent Glenn’s rage past the boiling point in an instant.

“You bastards—!?”

Kicking off the floor, Glenn maxed out his physical enhancement magic in a split second, charging forward at a speed that left afterimages.

His target was the burly mage closest to him.

“—Don’t you dare lay a hand on my students!”

The right fist he thrust forward carried enough force to accidentally kill if it landed.

A surprise attack, backed by his full weight and magic—a perfect strike.

In his mind’s eye, Glenn saw the burly mage blasted back, slamming into the wall—

“Huh? What’s that, punk?”

“Wha—!?”

It should have connected. Glenn’s fist was supposed to smash mercilessly into the mage’s right cheek.

A critical hit. No matter how you looked at it, there was no way to dodge at that timing.

But his fist cut through empty air—and before he knew it, the burly mage was behind him.

“You…!? What the hell did you just—!?”

Faced with this abnormality, Glenn instinctively leaped sideways to create distance.

That was a mistake.

“Oh, what’s this? Another idiot trying to resist us?”

A red-haired, youthful male mage standing behind the burly one spoke up.

“Hehe… Then it’s time for divine punishment. All according to the Lord’s will!”

A blonde female mage of refined age, standing beside him, added.

They raised their hands, palms aimed at Glenn, as an immense surge of magical energy sparked to life. The two were clearly preparing to unleash magic on him without mercy.

From the quality of their mana, it was obvious—they were all top-tier mages.

(Damn it—!?)

As a third-rate magician who couldn’t chant spells mid-battle or use pre-charged spells, Glenn’s only hope in a magic duel against elites was close-quarters combat.

But having been outmaneuvered by the burly mage and forced into a defensive stance, even for a moment, was a fatal error.

He should have pressed forward without hesitation, activating his Original Magic [Fool’s World] instantly.

By stepping back, he’d fallen one step, one move behind. [Fool’s World]—wouldn’t make it in time.

(Damn—!?)

In near despair but refusing to give up, Glenn reached to draw his Fool’s Arcane Tarot.

But at that moment, another anomaly erupted in the room.

“Both sides, stand down.”

The world… warped. Everything visible seemed to ripple.

As a result, everyone’s sense of direction and gravity went haywire, making it nearly impossible to stand, let alone fight. They had no choice but to halt their movements.

“…What the hell… is this!?”

“Tch…”

Glenn’s shock and the mages’ irritated clicks of their tongues echoed.

Gradually, the distorted, wavering world began to reassemble into its proper form.

When Glenn noticed, a single girl in a mage robe stood between him and the mages.

She looked about Glenn’s age, maybe a year or two younger. Her friendly features, long flaxen hair tied back in a single ponytail, and golden eyes sparkling through the gaps in her bangs were strikingly cute. Despite her delicate, petite frame—unusual for a military mage—she exuded no hint of fragility, standing tall and resolute.

“Long time no see, Glenn-senpai!”

The girl flashed a bright smile at Glenn.

For a moment, Glenn stared at her in stunned silence…

“…I-Illia…? Illia… you’re《The Moon》Illia!?”

“Yep! Your super cute kouhai! Imperial Court Mage Corps, Special Missions Annex, Executive Officer Number 18,《The Moon》Illia Irouge, reporting for duty!”

Illia winked at Glenn and snapped a sharp salute.

Then—

“Well, thank you, Illia. You truly are exceptional.”

A man slowly entered the room through the door, stepping in front of Glenn.

“…!”

Illia suddenly fell silent, glaring at the man with caution as she stepped back.

“Honestly… we’re soldiers. Being hot-blooded is all well and good, but not here. This is a sacred place of learning, and moreover, an infirmary that values tranquility.”

The man, also clad in a mage robe, was a mage in his late twenties.

Long blonde hair, a lanky, slender frame. His kindly demeanor, accentuated by glasses and a gentle smile, gave him the air of an unassuming, good-natured man. But there was no mistaking it—his presence was flawless. To those who could see, it was instantly clear he was a master far beyond the ordinary.

As proof, with a soft murmur and a wave of his hand, the lightning magic binding Kash and the others was dispelled in an instant.

“My, my… I step out for a moment, and my subordinates cause such a tremendous inconvenience. I’m truly sorry, Glenn-san… or rather, Glenn《The Fool》.”

Bowing politely, the man addressed Glenn, who furrowed his brow.

“…Who are you? How do you know me?”

“Haha, my apologies for the late introduction. Normally, I’d be bound by confidentiality, but trust is paramount now. Given the urgency, I’ll make an exception and reveal my identity.”

And so, the man introduced himself.

“I am Cyrus Schumacher. Or, to put it in terms more familiar to you… Imperial Army Centurion, Head of the Imperial Court Mage Corps Special Missions Annex, Executive Officer Number 1,《The Magician》Cyrus.”

The revelation hit Glenn like a punch.

(Special Missions Annex!? No way… are they all executives from the Special Ops!?)

Cold sweat ran down his back as he eyed the mages.

Except for Illia, they were all unfamiliar faces—perhaps new recruits?

(And this guy’s claiming the《The Magician》number!? Eve’s replacement!?)

Normally, only members of the Ignite family could claim《The Magician》title.

Was this an exception, or was there another reason? Either way, for someone to hold the title of Special Missions Annex’s Number 1—its head—meant they possessed extraordinary skill, no question.

(Damn it, five Special Ops executives!? What the hell are they here for!?)

As Glenn tensed, swallowing hard at the sheer abnormality of the situation—

“Hahaha… no need to be so on guard, Glenn-san. We’re not here to fight you.”

Cyrus spoke with unwavering calm.

“Huh? ‘Don’t be on guard’? After what you did to Re=L and my students, you’ve got the nerve to say that? No way in hell this looks friendly.”

“My, how harsh. You’re absolutely right. On that point—especially raising a hand against the students, who are citizens we’re sworn to protect—I have no excuse. It seems my subordinates don’t respect me much. Well, putting that aside, let’s get to the point.”

Who was disrespecting whom? Cyrus brushed off his subordinates’ failures with a smile, unfazed. That grin was oddly infuriating.

“Now, then. Glenn-san—no, Glenn, formerly《The Fool》. And Re=L《The Chariot》. As head of the Special Missions Annex, I issue the following orders to both of you.”

With everyone watching in tense silence, Cyrus declared boldly:

“First, Glenn, Knight. Under my authority as Centurion and Emergency Provision Number 9, I order you, as Executive Officer Number 0《The Fool》, to temporarily return to military service.”

“Huh!?”

“And, Re=L, Knight Commander. Your duty to guard Rumia is temporarily relieved. You are to join Knight Glenn, who has returned, in carrying out a special mission under Her Majesty’s direct orders.”

Up to this point, it was already more than enough to leave Glenn utterly speechless, but…

“And that special mission is… to hunt down the traitor, Albert Frazer, former Executive Officer Number 17《The Star》, who plotted to assassinate Her Majesty and is currently on the run.”

…At this point, Glenn could do nothing but stand in stunned silence.

(What? Albert? …Albert, assassinating Her Majesty?)

While Glenn’s mind struggled to keep up with the flood of information, Cyrus continued.

“Yes. Fortunately, the attempt on Her Majesty’s life was unsuccessful, but it caused significant damage to the Special Missions Annex… Both Christoph《The Hierophant》and Bernard《The Hermit》died protecting Her Majesty from Albert’s clutches. For the sake of Her Majesty, and for the comrades who fell, we cannot forgive him. No matter what, we must make him pay.”

“…”

“However, Albert is formidable. A misstep could see us become the hunted. In that case, the cooperation of someone who has worked closely with him, who knows his methods and abilities intimately, is essential. …You will cooperate, won’t you, Glenn《The Fool》?”

Cyrus smiled at Glenn, ever so gently, ever so cheerfully.

“To be honest, if I may confess a selfish motive, I’ve found myself in the rather ill-fitting role of division chief, and I’m still on shaky ground within the military. A major achievement right about now would be most welcome. Taking down Albert would be a tremendous victory. So…”

“…I don’t get it. I don’t understand a word you’re saying.”

The words Glenn finally managed to squeeze out were a childlike rejection of comprehension.

“What? Albert tried to assassinate Her Majesty? Christoph and the old man are dead? And now you want me and Re=L to take him down? What the hell are you talking about? Quit messing around, especially when I’m this damn busy…”

“Oh? Did I fail to make myself clear? Haha, how odd… I thought I’d been as concise and to the point as possible.”

Cyrus shrugged, offering an apologetic smile.

“Well, you see, Glenn-san, I’ve always been told I talk too much and ramble on… I try to be mindful and keep things brief, but—”

Ignoring the irritating preamble, Glenn surged forward and seized Cyrus by the collar.

“Shut up, you bastard! Stop screwing around! That dead-serious jerk trying to assassinate Her Majesty!? No way in hell that’s true! You’re full of crap!”

“Hmm… But this is the undeniable truth, I’m afraid.”

Unfazed by Glenn’s outburst, Cyrus merely furrowed his brow in mild concern.

“Even if, for argument’s sake, it is true! Fine, leave me out of it, but ordering Re=L to fight? Can’t you see she’s in no condition to fight!?”

“Yes, quite right. Which is precisely why it’s convenient.”

In that instant, the saintly smile on Cyrus’s face transformed.

“We’re taking Re=L with us. That ought to ensure you’re motivated to follow orders, no?”

Before Glenn realized it, Cyrus’s eyes had turned as cold and merciless as the depths of an abyss.

“A hostage to control me!? Forcing me to comply no matter what!?”

“You catch on quickly. After all, you’re not someone who follows orders easily, are you? I have high expectations of your abilities, Glenn. I’m certain you’ll contribute greatly to Albert’s defeat. Let me say it again: this is an order.”

By now, Glenn was so consumed with rage that words failed him entirely.

In front of such a Glenn, Illia closed her eyes in regret, remaining silent in the corner of the room.

Meanwhile, the three mages from the Special Missions Annex looked at the flustered Glenn with sneering, contemptuous smirks.

“…You bastards…!”

A blazing fury, like the fires of hell, surged through Glenn’s entire body.

This incomprehensible situation. This unbelievable reality. He was utterly fed up with it all.

As Glenn clenched his fists in a fit of passion, ready to unleash a week’s worth of pent-up frustration and anger, charging toward a catastrophic conclusion—at that very moment…

“…Calm down, Glenn.”

A sensation like sparks scattering in the air. A girl with vivid, fiery hair swept into the room, stopping Glenn just as he was on the verge of exploding.

“Hmph… I see. If you’re always this impulsive, I can imagine how much trouble Albert must’ve gone through dealing with you.”

“Eve!?”

With her instructor’s robe billowing, Eve stood beside Glenn, arms crossed.

“…That said, a forced conscription order backed by military authority… It’s disgusting to watch. …To think I used to do things like this… Ugh, I’m the worst.”

“E-Eve-san…!?”

“…It’s been a while, Illia. But I don’t have time to chat with you right now.”

Casting a brief glance at the surprised Illia, Eve turned her gaze back to Cyrus.

Cyrus faced her and spoke.

“Ah, so you’re here. I’ve heard much about you. Since we’ve both taken on these roles, this is our first time meeting directly, so allow me to introduce myself… I am Cyrus Schumacher, newly appointed chief of the Special Missions Annex, succeeding you. …Pleased to make your acquaintance, former chief.”

“Skip the pleasantries. Let’s get to the point.”

With a sharp tsk, Eve glared at Cyrus irritably.

“If you want to drag Glenn into this… so-called Albert hunt? Then let’s make a deal.”

“!”

“Hand over Re=L’s Sefirot Map, Cyrus Schumacher.”

Eve’s utterly unexpected words left everyone in the room stunned, their attention fixed on her.

“Huh? H-Hey… Eve…? What the hell are you…?”

Confused and shaken, Glenn looked to Eve, who signaled with her eyes, Leave this to me, before continuing.

“Honestly, you coming to us saved me the trouble of tracking you down. You’ve got it, don’t you, Cyrus? Re=L’s Sefirot Map. It’s not exactly top-secret data, is it? It’s a fair price for his labor. Hand it over.”

“Hmm… Eve-san. …Just how much do you know?”

Cyrus maintained his gentle smile, but his eyes turned ever so slightly colder, sharp as a blade, as he responded.

“You think I don’t know about the secret intelligence network the Ignite family built to outmaneuver others and rack up achievements? Sure, I lost most of it when I was stripped of my position as chief, but I still have a few threads of my own left… That’s all I’ll say.”

“…”

“Or perhaps you’d prefer to rush off and destroy the evidence in the so-called Sion Library? That’s fine, but which is the better deal for you, I wonder?”

Cyrus studied Eve for a moment, as if appraising her…

“…I see. As expected of an Ignite. Meeting you in person only deepens the mystery. Why would your father discard someone as exceptional as you?”

“Shut up and stay out of my business! Are you taking the deal or not!?”

As Eve snapped angrily, Cyrus tilted his head, as if finding something amusing.

“A deal? A deal implies both sides have comparable leverage and stand on equal footing. Look at us, Eve. The balance of power is far too uneven.”

As Cyrus shrugged, the three mages from the Special Missions Annex, excluding Illia, stepped forward menacingly.

“There’s no reason for us to entertain a deal from someone in your position…”

“Hah. Equal leverage? Comparable hands? You’re misunderstanding something, aren’t you?”

Eve scoffed at Cyrus’s words.

At that moment, a woman entered the infirmary, her footsteps echoing like a phantom’s—Celica. Her brow was furrowed, her expression one of extreme displeasure.

Being manipulated by a young upstart like Eve was intolerable, but for Glenn’s sake, she’d endure it for now… though Eve would pay for it later. The air around her crackled with barely contained tension.

“—!?”

In that instant, a palpable wave of tension rippled through the mages in the room.

“I see. Celica Arfonia, former《The World》… Of course, she’s at this academy.”

Cyrus shrugged, as if conceding defeat.

“According to reports, repeated overexertion has weakened her… She’s no longer suited for prolonged battles, but in short bursts, she can still wield terrifying power. This complicates things. Frankly, even if we fought here, we wouldn’t lose… but we’d prefer to avoid unnecessary losses before the Albert hunt. …Oh, how clever you are, Eve-san. You’ve left me no choice but to accept your deal. Haha, you’ve got me there. Well played. And what a brilliant woman—beautiful, courageous. I’d love to share a meal with you sometime…”

“Pass.”

With a bitter smile, Cyrus turned back to the stunned Glenn.

“Haha, shot down. I’ve never been good with women… I envy men like you, Glenn. If you ever have the chance, I’d love to hear your secret.”

Glancing at Eve beside Glenn and Celica behind him, Cyrus smiled calmly.

“Now, as you heard, Glenn-san. The exact source is classified, so I’ll avoid specifics, but… if you follow my orders and join the mission to defeat Albert, I’ll hand over Re=L’s Sefirot Map. …How does that sound? You want that map more than anything, don’t you? Of course, to ensure you don’t abandon the fight against Albert and run, Re=L will accompany us. That’s the non-negotiable condition of this deal.”

“—!?”

At those words, Glenn’s eyes widened. His confusion and bewilderment showed no signs of fading.

“…This is probably the tipping point. Push any further, and the deal itself will collapse.”

Eve muttered under her breath, audible only to Glenn, as if guiding him.

“This is as far as I can go, Glenn. The rest is up to you. Accept the deal, and you might save Re=L. But for someone as soft-hearted as you, it’ll be a brutal path.”

“Eve… you…?”

“…I’m not forcing you. I did what I wanted, that’s all. Seeing the students who looked up to me as their instructor cry would leave a bad taste in my mouth. So I made the most of this situation and did what I could. …I won’t complain about your decision.”

Having said her piece, Eve turned away.

When Glenn looked back, he saw his students watching him.

Every one of them wore expressions heavy with confusion, yet they clung to Glenn with a mix of desperation and guilt—complex emotions swirling in their eyes.

“S-sensei…”

Sistine and Rumia, standing near the doorway, gazed at Glenn with faces that betrayed their uncertainty about what to do.

Frankly, Glenn himself had no idea what was going on.

Why did this Cyrus guy have Re=L’s Sefirot Map? Why had Albert plotted to assassinate Her Majesty? There was too little information to make any judgments.

But if he wanted to save Re=L… he had no choice but to accept Cyrus’s deal for now.

Had Albert truly planned and attempted to assassinate Her Majesty?

If he had, could Glenn really fight him?

Could he weigh Re=L and Albert against each other and still fight?

Honestly, the thought alone was already giving him a headache, and his doubts were endless.

But—standing still and doing nothing was not an option.

That would be the worst possible move, leading to everything deteriorating and saving nothing.

And so—

“Fine. …I’ll do it. I’ll join the mission to take down Albert… damn it!”

A path through death to life. As always, he’d have to seek the truth and the best course of action in the midst of battle, striving to seize the best possible outcome from the worst of circumstances. This was a trial.

That day—Glenn resolved to once again don the ceremonial robes of a mage.

“What the hell is going on!? Explain, Eve!”

For the time being, after Cyrus and his group took Re=L and left the academy…

Glenn had dragged Eve to the dimly lit, wooded area behind the school building, pressing her for answers.

“I don’t understand a damn thing anymore! Tell me everything you know!”

“Ugh, you don’t have to yell. I can hear you, and I’ll talk.”

Leaning against the school wall with her arms crossed, Eve irritably swept her hair back and sighed.

“I’ll explain what I know in order. First, what I’ve been doing this past week… while you all were trying to save Re=L through conventional means. …As you probably guessed, I was tapping into the old connections of my intelligence network.”

“Connections?”

“The goal’s obvious, right? Re=L’s Sefirot Map. Re=L is an artificial human created by [Project: Revive Life], isn’t she? The fact that she was born from [Project: Revive Life] was covered up and falsified by you and Albert.”

Eve shot Glenn a piercing look, and he silently averted his gaze.

“I’m not blaming you now. I’m no longer the chief of the Special Missions Annex. Anyway, if Re=L was created through such forbidden magic, then at the very least, her creator—the genius alchemist Sion Rayford—must have possessed an accurate Sefirot Map for her. Re=L’s substitute soul, the ‘Alter Ether,’ was adjusted by Sion, after all.”

“Ah…”

Eve was right. Re=L’s soul was like a jigsaw puzzle made by scattering pieces from multiple puzzles and forcefully assembling them into a single picture. This made creating a Sefirot Map impossible.

But the one who had actually pieced that puzzle together into a single picture would naturally possess all the original puzzle pieces before they were combined. And from those, they could create a Sefirot Map.

“Two years ago… when you were still《The Fool》, you took on a mission to gain insight into the inner workings of The Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom. You agreed to a deal with the legendary alchemist Sion Rayford to protect Illushia Rayford and Rainer Layer, didn’t you?”

“…Yeah. Though in the end, Rainer’s betrayal made it a failure.”

“But you did manage to shut down one of The Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom’s secret laboratories. During that mission, the military seized a collection of various documents and records related to Sion’s [Project: Revive Life] research—commonly known as the ‘Sion Library.’ I thought there might be a chance that Re=L’s Sefirot Map was among them.”

“Ah—!?”

How had he not considered that possibility until now?

Glenn felt a wave of disgust at his own stupidity.

“…You were probably just too frantic over your precious little sister’s crisis. Besides, even if you’d thought of it, you don’t have access to military records anymore, so it would’ve been pointless.”

With a sigh, Eve continued.

“Anyway, as someone from the Ignite family, I still have a few strings left in my intelligence network… very thin ones, mind you. I had a trusted collaborator look into the Sion Library from that mission two years ago.”

“And… what did they find?”

“A dead end. At some point, the Sion Library seized by the military had vanished entirely from the military’s archives… Naturally, no Sefirot Map was found.”

Eve shook her head wearily.

“What? The entire Sion Library is gone…?”

“When I traced the access and lending records meticulously, it became clear that someone had secretly passed the entire Sion Library to someone else.”

“Passed it? The Sion Library?”

“Yes. But there’s no proof. Likely, whoever took it had an even bigger figure backing them. The evidence of the transfer has been completely suppressed.”

At this point, Glenn began to piece things together.

“…Cyrus Schumacher?”

“Exactly. The Sion Library, which vanished after being taken by someone, somehow ended up in Cyrus’s hands through unknown channels. It’s highly likely he’s monopolizing it. After that incident, he published several papers on magical theories that could only have come from referencing the Sion Library, solidifying his position within the imperial military. It’s hard to believe anyone but him has it. He’s as close to guilty as you can get without hard proof.”

“…And in that Sion Library he’s got, there’s Re=L’s Sefirot Map. …Just who the hell is this guy?”

“Oh? You’ve never met him? Cyrus Schumacher… Former head of the Magic Technology Development Division of the Imperial Court Mage Corps, rumored to possess ‘the mind of a god.’ A genius mage.”

“Magic Technology Development Division…? Unlike the central ten divisions or the Special Missions Annex, which handle field operations and combat, it’s a rear-support unit focused on developing military magic and magical equipment, right?”

“Yes. But don’t underestimate Cyrus as just a desk worker. Before becoming head of the Magic Technology Development Division, he was a hardcore combat veteran who fought relentlessly near the eastern border.”

“Sharp mind and combat prowess… A real pain in the ass.”

“…He was also a dispatched military officer to the Platinum Magic Research Institute.”

“That institute where Burks Blaumohn, who collaborated with The Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom on [Project: Revive Life], was the director… Damn, that’s sketchy as hell!”

The sheer shadiness of it all was giving Glenn a headache.

“So, this sketchy bastard is now the chief of the Special Missions Annex? The imperial military’s done for.”

“Why someone outside the Ignite family was appointed chief of the Special Missions Annex is still unclear… but that’s not important right now. What matters is that my bluff worked. It’s almost certain Cyrus has Re=L’s Sefirot Map.”

“Wait, a bluff? You weren’t sure!?”

“Obviously! I said it was just a possibility with no concrete evidence, didn’t I? If I’d approached him directly, he’d have played dumb and ignored me. But the Sefirot Map isn’t exactly high-level classified data. If he claimed he had a copy for research purposes, his position would shield him from any real consequences. …By leaving him that escape route while playing on his wariness of me, the slim chance I might have evidence of his Sion Library monopoly, your combat utility, Celica’s《The World》threat level, and the pros and cons of accepting the deal… I made him weigh it all. And it worked. I’m genuinely relieved it did.”

Yes, Eve’s proposed deal was a delicate balancing act. One wrong move, and Cyrus might have destroyed the Sion Library to cover his tracks, sealing Re=L’s fate.

Man, this woman really is the type to lead from the top… Annoying, but impressive, Glenn thought, oddly convinced.

(How does someone this sharp and capable end up doing those incomprehensible reckless stunts sometimes?)

Recalling the hysterical, high-strung Eve from her Special Missions Annex days, Glenn pressed on.

“Got it. For now, I’ll go along with Cyrus’s deal and prioritize getting Re=L’s Sefirot Map. But… about Albert… Is it really true?”

This was the one thing he couldn’t wrap his head around. Albert, killing Bernard and Christoph to attempt Her Majesty’s assassination… It was unthinkable.

“…It’s true.”

Eve closed her eyes regretfully, turning away from Glenn as she spoke clearly.

“…I couldn’t believe it either. But over this past week, while I was working my own channels, the information I gathered confirms… Albert really did plot to assassinate Her Majesty… and in the process, he killed Christoph and Bernard.”

Her voice, usually so confident, carried an uncharacteristic weight and somberness.

“No way…”

Glenn covered his face with one hand, groaning in anguish.

“Judging from Cyrus’s tone, it’s hard to believe he’s joking or bluffing. Something’s definitely happened to Albert… something we don’t know about.”

“…”

Faced with Eve’s stark realism, Glenn fell silent.

“Glenn… I know you understand.”

“I get it! Don’t spell it out, I get it!”

Albert’s hunt. That meant, naturally, fighting Albert.

The Special Missions Annex’s ultimate ace, Albert Frazer《The Star》.

Hesitation would mean death. But if he didn’t defeat Albert, he couldn’t save Re=L.

This was a matter of choosing between cutting down Albert or sacrificing Re=L.

(Can I do it? Can I really fight Albert? That he tried to assassinate Her Majesty… that he killed Christoph and the old man… I can’t believe it.)

As Glenn spiraled into a mental dead end, grappling with his thoughts…

“Hmph… You really don’t get it, do you? Glenn, your perspective’s getting narrow again, isn’t it?”

Eve muttered, exasperated.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m saying it’s too early to reduce this to a binary choice.”

Eve spoke dismissively to the blinking Glenn.

“Think for a second. The reason’s unclear, but Albert plotted to assassinate Her Majesty, and Cyrus is using Re=L as leverage to draft you into the hunt. That part makes sense—it’s logical. There’s probably no one who knows Albert better than you. But what I can’t wrap my head around is why they’re dragging along Re=L, who’s incapacitated by Etheric Dissociation Syndrome and useless in a fight.”

Eve calmly analyzed the situation.

“No, that’s because… she’s a hostage to control me…”

“Listen. They already have the ultimate leverage: Re=L’s Sefirot Map. They don’t need her physically anymore, do they? Shouldn’t they have led with the Sefirot Map on the negotiation table from the start?”

“Ah…! Y-Yeah, now that you mention it…!?”

“I’ll give you Re=L’s Sefirot Map, so come with us.”

If they’d said that from the beginning, Glenn would’ve had no choice but to comply.

“Yet… they’re still insistent on taking Re=L as a hostage. Sure, they say it’s to control you, but doesn’t that feel a bit forced? And the fact that they’re taking Re=L, who was born from [Project: Revive Life], when Cyrus himself is tangled up in some shady [Project: Revive Life]-related business… Is that really a coincidence?”

“You’re right. Writing this off as mere coincidence feels way too convenient…”

“Here’s a hypothesis. If Cyrus has the Sion Library, he could easily predict when Re=L would collapse from Etheric Dissociation Syndrome, right?”

“Yeah, if he knows Re=L was born from [Project: Revive Life] and has the expertise to interpret the related data, that’d be entirely possible.”

“So, what if Cyrus knew from the start that Re=L would collapse during this hunt and be useless in combat? If we assume that, what does it mean?”

“It means Cyrus deliberately waited for Re=L to succumb to Etheric Dissociation Syndrome before showing up… Taking Re=L was his goal all along?”

“Exactly. That feels far more natural. And if we make that the starting point of this whole incident, Albert’s assassination attempt happening at this exact moment stops looking like a coincidence. It feels like there’s some intent directed at Cyrus.”

Eve was right. They’d assumed Albert’s assassination attempt was the trigger, but flipping the cause-and-effect reveals a different picture.

“In any case… something’s going on, and Re=L’s at the center of it.”

“Yes. And that’s where the breakthrough for this incident lies. So, you know what you have to do, don’t you?”

Eve sent Glenn a piercing look, as if peering into his soul.

Glenn met her gaze in silence for a moment, then nodded.

“…Figure out the truth. Why did Albert try to assassinate Her Majesty? What’s going on with Re=L? For now, I’ve got no choice but to dig into the heart of this… Damn it, fine! I’ll do it!”

“Hmph, you’re finally starting to act like yourself. That’s how it should be, you simpleton.”

Eve’s sharp sarcasm stabs at him, but it doesn’t matter anymore.

He has to struggle. There’s no choice but to struggle. Aiming for a convenient ending where he can save both Re=L and Albert… all he can do is charge forward with everything he’s got.

Even if he’s alone, he’ll resist with all his might until the very last moment.

As Glenn renews his resolve…

“…Well, then. Things are about to get busy. I need to make some preparations too.”

For some reason, Eve says something peculiar.

“…What? Glenn, what’s with that look?”

“Huh? What? Eve… are you… are you seriously planning to come with me?”

At Glenn’s surprised expression, Eve grimaces and looks away.

“You’re going to be working with Cyrus and the others from now on, right? Being near him might actually restrict my movements in some cases. If we’re going to dig into the underbelly of this incident, we’ll need a separate team that can move freely, won’t we?”

“W-Well, yeah, I get that… but… huh? What? You’re going to help me? Are you for real?”

“…Why are you that shocked?”

“N-No, I mean, come on, it’s you, Eve! The brutally ruthless, cold-blooded, arrogant Eve! The haughty, glory-obsessed Eve who only cares about achievements and war results, who sees everyone else as pawns or trash, who’s hysterical and past her prime—!”

“《Shut upppp》—!”

“GYAAAAAHHHHHHH—!”

Boom! With a modified single-verse chant, Eve activates her magic, blasting Glenn away with a burst of flames.

“What do you really think of me!? I’ll say it as many times as I need to! I’m not doing this for you! It’s for Re=L and for the students! Got it!? Don’t you dare get the wrong idea, you creep!”

“As if, idiot! That kind of plot twist would creep me out too! Pfft! Pfft!”

“…Hah? Did you just say… creep…?”

“W-What? You’re the one who said it first…!”

“You… utterly tactless, hopeless man…!”

Eve grabs the singed Glenn by the collar, and they glare at each other at point-blank range, veins throbbing at their temples… when suddenly…

Rustle! The sound of movement in the distance makes Glenn and Eve whip around as if jolted.

Standing there is…

“White Cat…? Rumia…?”

“I’m sorry, Sensei… I was eavesdropping.”

Rumia bows apologetically, and Sistine steps forward toward Glenn and Eve.

“Sensei… you’re leaving for a military mission. And Eve-san, you’re going to help him… you’re both heading out from Fejite soon, right? To save Re=L and Albert-san.”

“…Well, that’s the gist of it.”

Eve shoves Glenn aside and responds with a composed expression.

“So what? What I do and where I go is my business, isn’t it?”

Why does this woman always have to sound so cold and dismissive?

Glenn can only sigh in exasperation.

But perhaps they’ve grown used to Eve’s awkward demeanor by now.

“In that case… Eve-san! Please take us with you!”

Sistine bows deeply.

“I know we can’t follow Sensei on his military mission! But… if it’s about supporting him from the sidelines as a separate unit… I’m sure there’s something we can do!”

Following Sistine’s lead, Rumia bows as well.

“Please! Sensei! Eve-san! We want to do something to help save Re=L! We’re tired of just being protected and waiting around! You might think it’s just the arrogance of students like us… but Sistie and I thought about this together! Re=L has saved us so many times before… so now it’s our turn to save her! If we just sit here doing nothing, we’ll never be able to face her again! So—!”

It’s probably hopeless. Almost certainly hopeless—but even so, the two girls can’t help but pour their resolve into their plea, their earnestness shining through.

Glenn and Eve gaze for a while at the two girls, who are desperately pleading.

Eventually—

“Fine. You can come.”

Eve’s unexpectedly lenient words make Sistine and Rumia widen their eyes and lift their heads.

“What’s with the surprise? You’re the ones who volunteered, aren’t you?”

“W-Well, yes… that’s true, but…”

“But…”

“It’s not like I was swayed by your passion or anything. It’s a rational decision.”

Facing the bewildered Sistine and Rumia, Eve casually brushes her hair back and speaks matter-of-factly.

“Sistine. You’ve trained under both Glenn and me in magic combat, and you’ve reached a rather impressive level. Your combat skills and real-world experience are still overwhelmingly lacking… but that doesn’t mean you’re completely useless in a professional magic battle. If you can bring out your full potential, that is.”

“Huh!? I-Is that true…!? N-No way… that’s a lie, right…? I mean, I haven’t even won a single mock magic battle against you, Eve-san…”

“Look. I may not look it, but I’m a former head of the Special Missions Annex. Don’t underestimate me.”

With a huff, Eve snorts unhappily and turns to Rumia.

“And Rumia. Your healing spells are top-tier, and more importantly, you’ve got guts. If you support Sistine, you can draw out even more of her strength. Sure, combat might not be your forte, but I don’t think that automatically means you’ll hold us back. Plus, you have that ‘ability’ of yours. With you around, we might be able to break through barriers I couldn’t handle alone.”

“…!”

“The disadvantages of babysitting two amateurs versus the advantages they bring… I weighed both sides, and the latter came out on top overall. That’s all there is to it.”

With that, Eve crosses her arms and pointedly looks off into the distance.

“…What? Got a problem with my judgment? Or are you getting cold feet?”

“N-No… it’s just… this is exactly what we wanted, but…”

“Um… but what about Sensei…?”

Sistine and Rumia glance nervously at Glenn, who has been silently watching.

Eve lets out a sigh and responds.

“…Ugh, use your heads. If this overprotective softie was against you tagging along, he’d have said so by now. The fact that he’s been quiet this whole time… that’s his answer.”

“Ah…!”

As Sistine lets out a small gasp, Glenn scratches his head with a wry expression and finally speaks.

“Tch, acting like you know everything… you’re as annoying as ever.”

“Oh, how flattering. Being a thorn in your side is exactly what I want.”

Ignoring Eve’s snark, Glenn turns to face Sistine and Rumia.

“Well, that’s about the size of it. You two already know your own strengths, what you can do, and what you shouldn’t. You’re still fledgling mages… but you’re already full-fledged in your own right. So it’s only right to respect your decisions.”

“S-Sensei…?”

“Besides, I’ve relied on you two countless times before. You’ve got a good grasp of your own abilities, so I don’t have the right to play the guardian card now and tell you to stay out of it because it’s dangerous or that it’s not a student’s place. I trust your judgment.”

In other words… Glenn has finally acknowledged Sistine and Rumia.

Not as students to protect… but as comrades he can entrust his back to.

“S-Sensei… th-thank you… thank you so much…”

Overwhelmed with joy, Sistine and Rumia feel their hearts swell.

“But don’t let your guard down, got it? I know I’m repeating myself, but be careful. Never make a mistake in judging when to push forward and when to pull back.”

“Y-Yes!”

“Understood, Sensei!”

Sistine and Rumia respond with spirited, courageous voices.

And then—Glenn, with an unusually serious expression, looks straight at Eve.

“…What?”

“Eve. I’m counting on you to look after them.”

“Hmph, who do you think you’re talking to?”

For once, Glenn and Eve share a rare, fearless grin.

“…We’re going to save Re=L, all of us. Let’s smash this damn situation to pieces.”

“Yes!”

“We’ll do our very best!”

“…Hmph.”

Sistine and Rumia reply with full enthusiasm, while Eve snorts in acknowledgment.

Glenn, joins the Albert subjugation team.

Separately, Eve, Sistine, and Rumia, form a covert unit to uncover the truth behind this incident.

To break through this worst-case scenario, each of them now begins to take action—