Chapter 1: Why I, an Instructor, Ended Up Going on a Ruin Investigation

I… am back.

To calm, peaceful, ordinary, and slightly boring days… I’ve returned once again.

A world of everyday life, where dramatic developments are unthinkable, yet all the more precious for it.

I had arbitrarily decided that such a world wasn’t suited for me, sulking and turning my back on it…

And then, led by the hand of a certain student, I was brought back to this dazzling world bathed in sunlight—

(I… can stay here… it’s okay for me to be here…)

That I could continue to bask in this gentle time from now on.

What could I possibly do to repay the girl who allowed someone like me to exist in this warm world? What could I offer in return?

Uncharacteristically, I was vaguely pondering such things… when it happened.

That incident occurred.

“Glenn-kun… you’re fired.”

“Huh?”

Headmaster Rick’s merciless ultimatum, thrust upon me out of nowhere.

“…Huh? Wha—whaaaaat!?”

Glenn’s bewildered shout echoed through the headmaster’s office at Alzano Imperial Magic Academy.

“W-W-Wait, what’s that supposed to mean, Headmaster!?”

Visibly shaken, Glenn slammed both hands onto the desk where the headmaster sat, leaning in close.

“I haven’t done anything to deserve getting fired—… p-probably not a single thing!”

“Why you hesitated there… well, we’ll discuss that another day…”

With the demeanor of a kindly old man, Headmaster Rick spoke.

“Now, my earlier statement was a bit misleading. Let me correct myself.”

“…Misleading?”

“Indeed. To be more precise, it’s ‘If things continue like this, you’ll be fired.’”

“W-What does that even…?”

At that moment.

“…Tch. I knew you were an idiot, Glenn, but I didn’t think you were this much of an idiot…”

Celica, leaning against the wall, cut into their conversation. Her stunning features were contorted, veins bulging at her temples, clearly furious.

Celica still hadn’t fully recovered from the injuries she’d sustained during the recent underground labyrinth exploration. Bandages wrapped around various parts of her alluring frame, medicinal patches applied here and there, and her left arm hung in a sling.

Her appearance was far too pitiful, unimaginable compared to her usual aloof demeanor.

“Glenn… what about submitting your magic thesis…? Hmm…? The deadline for this term passed ages ago…?”

Despite her frail appearance, there was no hint of weakness. Her words carried an overwhelming intensity, laced with a chilling smile that made one’s spine freeze, as she glared at him.

“…Huh? Magic thesis?”

Glenn blinked, looking as stunned as a pigeon hit by a peashooter.

“…What’s that? Do I have to write one too?”

“《Obviously, you idiot》—!”

In that instant, a fiery explosion erupted.

Celica’s explosive spell sent Glenn flying spectacularly.

“You’re a magic instructor at the academy, aren’t you!? You’re supposed to periodically compile your magic research results into a thesis and submit it!”

Celica grabbed the charred Glenn by the collar, roaring at him.

“Cough, cough… W-What… I never heard about that…”

“At least read the job regulations, you moron!”

She shook Glenn’s limp head violently from side to side.

“But judging by that reaction, you haven’t done a single bit of research worth writing about, have you?”

“…Ugh.”

“The condition for renewing your instructor contract is submitting magic research results in a thesis regularly—it’s a clear rule of the academy. Things are different now compared to when I pulled strings to get you this job. Even I can’t cover for you this time. What are you going to do?”

“Celica, I’ve got a great idea. How about I just go back to being a jobless shut-in…?”

“Rejected, you fool!”

Celica mercilessly kicked Glenn to the ground for spouting such nonsense at a time like this.

“Ouch… Alright, enough joking around…”

Glenn staggered to his feet, facing the headmaster directly.

“Can’t something be done, Headmaster? I know I have no right to say this, but… I want to keep being an instructor a little longer. At least until those kids graduate…”

“…Huh? G-Glenn… you…?”

Celica’s eyes widened in shock at Glenn’s earnest expression. She hadn’t expected such words to come from his mouth, not even in the slightest.

“Hmm…”

The headmaster, struck by Glenn’s rare sincerity, fell silent with a solemn expression.

“Please give me a bit more time to submit the thesis! I’ll definitely write something and submit it… Please! Give me a chance!”

Glenn bowed deeply, his face desperate.

But inwardly—

(Oh crap, crap, CRAP—!? Getting fired is bad, reaaally bad—!?)

Glenn was panicking like never before, trembling with dread.

(Getting fired now would be a disaster! Just the other day, while Celica was away, I secretly used her name to take out a loan for THAT thing! The payments—!?)

That “thing” was a magical puppet called a [Copy Doll].

It was a shallow scheme to have the [Copy Doll], transformed to look like him, take over his teaching duties so he could occasionally skip work.

…He seemed to have grown, yet hadn’t grown at all.

The fact that he’d unconsciously said, “At least until they graduate,” suggested some change in his mindset, but he was still far from reformed.

(Damn it! Since I have no credit, I used Celica’s name, and I made it non-returnable to haggle the price—total backfire! I can’t get fired yet! At least not until the payments are done! And if Celica finds out I bought that thing without permission, she’ll kill me—!?)

And so—

“Please, Headmaster!”

Glenn bowed even lower, with fervent desperation.

“Writing a thesis… you say, Glenn-kun, but do you have any material to write about? Something half-baked from a cursory literature review won’t pass the review, you know.”

The headmaster responded with a stern expression.

“W-Well, that’s…”

“It’s common for us mages to fall behind in magical research. That’s why, while there’s a set submission deadline, there’s a grace period, and it’s traditionally quite lenient. But that’s only if you have research worth writing about. Do you have that, Glenn-kun?”

Glenn’s face twisted as if he’d bitten into a bitter bug. Indeed, having done no research whatsoever, he couldn’t possibly pass the review with just clever writing.

(This… might be game over. What am I gonna tell those kids…?)

As Glenn felt an indescribable guilt toward his students—more than the looming loan payments—

“However… you’re quite lucky, Glenn-kun.”

The headmaster smiled and continued.

“Are you familiar with the [Taum Astronomical Temple]?”

“…? That’s the ancient ruin a bit off the northern highway… right?”

Glenn, puzzled by the sudden topic, tilted his head, digging into the corners of his memory.

“Indeed. As you know, it’s an exploration danger Level F ruin. No valuable magical artifacts have been unearthed, its leyline is unremarkable, and it holds little magical or historical value. If it weren’t in such a remote location, it’d probably be a tourist spot by now.”

After a brief pause, Rick continued, his expression tinged with slight puzzlement.

“A few years ago, a certain mage’s investigation suggested that the [Taum Astronomical Temple] might be a site for ancient spacetime teleportation rituals…”

“…What!? Wait, is that for real!?”

Glenn’s eyes widened as he leaned toward Headmaster Rick.

“That’s not just some tall tale!? The [Taum Astronomical Temple] has been thoroughly studied already… A-And spacetime teleportation—!?”

Spacetime teleportation magic… anyone with even a passing knowledge of magic would laugh it off.

Time and space are continuous, flowing toward the future as a single entity. They aren’t separate parameters but two sides of the same coin.

Thus, speeding up or slowing down time within a single space, or leaping or distorting space within a single temporal flow, is possible (though incredibly advanced). But separating the two to move from one spacetime point to another—so-called time travel—is theoretically impossible in magical terms.

It’s blocked by one of the two great laws of magic, the [Law of Zero-Point Convergence]—

“…However, dismissing it as mere nonsense is difficult when the mage who proposed this theory… was simply too brilliant and exceptional.”

The headmaster gave a troubled smile and sighed.

“As you said, Glenn-kun, the [Taum Astronomical Temple] has been exhaustively studied with no magical discoveries. Thus, no one bothers with it. Everyone’s too busy with their own magical research, lacking the time or budget. But since such a genius mage proposed this theory, we can’t ignore it, and a reinvestigation is warranted.”

The headmaster gave Glenn a meaningful glance.

“The [Taum Astronomical Temple]… it’s been left untouched for a long time, but don’t you think it’s about time someone investigated it?”

“Headmaster… you mean…?”

Glenn’s eyes widened, and the headmaster nodded firmly.

“Glenn-kun, would you lead an investigation team to reinvestigate the [Taum Astronomical Temple]? If, by some chance, ancient spacetime teleportation magic is discovered, it would be a monumental find in magical history. Even if the result is ‘nothing was found,’ that’s still a valid outcome. Write a thesis on the investigation results, and… well, the senior instructors and professors might grumble, but for this one time, it should be enough to get by. What do you say?”

For Glenn, it was an offer too good to pass up.

Glenn leaned forward, grasping the headmaster’s hand with overwhelming emotion.

And with a bright, confident face, he declared:

“Headmaster…! Understood! Leave this matter to me!”

But inwardly—

(Arghhh!? What a pain in the aaaaass—!?)

Glenn was clutching his head, screaming internally.

(A ruin investigation!? For someone like me who just wants to be a shut-in, that kind of fieldwork is pure torture—! Isn’t there something easier—!?)

…Truly, Glenn hadn’t grown at all.

(And what’s with this spacetime teleportation☆magic nonsense!? It’s so sketchy, I can’t even muster the motivation to chase a get-rich-quick scheme! If it was about ancient hidden treasure or something, that’d be different—!?)

Unaware of Glenn’s pathetic inner thoughts, the headmaster spoke apologetically.

“However, I hate to say this, but… there’s no budget for this investigation. It’ll likely be out of your own pocket, Glenn-kun. This term’s budget applications are long closed, and even if we pushed through a special request, waiting for approval would probably mean missing the thesis submission deadline.”

(What did you saaaaay—!? Out of my own pocket!? My stomach’s churning—!?)

Internally, Glenn’s eyes were practically popping out, his face contorted in shock.

“No problem! If it means I can keep being an instructor, that’s a small price to pay!”

Barely suppressing his panic, Glenn forced a passionate expression and declared as much.

(Gah! That hurts—!? An investigation with no academy funding is brutal! W-What do I do…!? There’s no way I can conduct a proper investigation like this! My salary’s already been slashed so much, my wallet’s practically empty—!?)

His pathetic lack of funds only fueled Glenn’s increasingly deplorable schemes…

(Wait, that’s it…! If I don’t hire investigators with money and use students instead, I can cut labor costs drastically…! Heh heh heh…!)

What a scumbag.

(Sure, for ruins with a danger level of D or higher, taking students would be unthinkable… but! Conveniently, the [Taum Astronomical Temple] is F-rank! The lowest! A weakling ruin not even used for the academy’s [Ruin Exploration Training]! No problem at all!)

Without letting his feigned passion waver, Glenn’s scheming accelerated.

(Alright, I’ll sweet-talk some students and work them like horses… all to save my job… for my paycheck!)

As Glenn smirked inwardly, plotting the worst possible plan…

“Glenn!”

Celica suddenly stepped in front of him, her face serious.

(Gah!? Celica!? N-No way, did she figure out my plan…!?)

As Glenn desperately tried to suppress the chill and trembling running through him…

“…Glenn… you…”

Suddenly, Celica’s expression softened into a smile, her eyes welling with tears.

“To go so far as to pay out of your own pocket to keep being a magic instructor… I’m so glad… You’ve really changed, haven’t you… Really… I’m so glad…”

Celica gently wiped the tears at the corners of her eyes. Her expression, usually sharp and unyielding, was filled with such joy, as if something had been saved.

“…Huh? Uh, yeah… well… um…?”

Completely thrown off by Celica’s unexpected reaction, Glenn could only sweat nervously and falter.

“Ho ho ho… Celica-kun has been worried about you in many ways.”

The headmaster smiled warmly, adding:

“I don’t know the details, but… Glenn-kun, it seems you went through some tough times in the past. Because of that, you couldn’t find hope for the future for a long time. Celica-kun was always concerned about you… even after you became a magic instructor.”

“H-Headmaster!?”

Instantly, Celica’s face turned bright red, her voice cracking as she hurriedly protested.

“Y-You promised not to say that in front of Glenn! That’s unfair, a foul!”

“Oh, right, my apologies, I forgot…”

(…Ugh, my heart hurts like hell…)

Glenn’s cheeks twitched, cold sweat pouring like a waterfall as his conscience stabbed at him.

“…Uh, well, anyway…”

For now, Glenn turned his back on Celica and the headmaster, hurrying to leave as if escaping.

“I-I’ll take on the reinvestigation of the [Taum Astronomical Temple]! I’ll get started on preparations right away, so… that’s all!”

“Glenn.”

Just as Glenn was about to leave the headmaster’s office, Celica called out, making him pause.

“…Do your best.”

“Yeah. Leave it to me.”

With an oddly firm response, Glenn left the headmaster’s office.

After sending her unworthy disciple off with all the encouragement she could muster…

As Celica walked alone down the quiet academy corridor, she was lost in thought.

“That’s right… people do change…”

In her mind, she recalled Glenn from a little over a year ago—broken, having lost his anchor, completely self-destructive and apathetic.

Her careless encouragement, the magic she taught him, had ruined Glenn’s life… She feared he might never recover, that he’d remain like that forever. In secret, Celica had shed tears of regret and anxiety over it.

But what was the reality?

It took time, but Glenn had properly pulled himself back together.

This time, he probably had some shady ulterior motive, as usual… but even so, the current Glenn was different from the one a year ago. At the very least, he wasn’t the “empty” Glenn from back then.

For better or worse, he was living in the present, stumbling but moving toward the future.

“Hah… what am I even thinking about now?”

Celica gave a wry smile. Hadn’t she, who lived without yearning for eternity, come to painfully understand that people are always changing?

Yes, people are always changing. For better or worse.

Sometimes they stumble, pause, or fail, but they move forward, grow, and change.

It’s comical, foolish, clumsy… and yet, it’s the noble, true nature of humanity.

That human nature—to Celica, it was dazzling, enviable.

For Celica, whose own human journey had stopped from the very beginning—

At that moment.

“…Ugh… again…?”

A certain anxiety, a burning impatience, stirred within Celica.

Her chest tightened painfully, a sharp ringing echoed in her ears, and her heart screamed. The ground beneath her felt unsteady, her consciousness clouding over.

“…Damn… it…”

Celica leaned against the wall, gripping her hair in frustration and clutching her head.

This occasional wave of anxiety and impatience was Celica’s “illness.” Not a physical ailment, but a mental one, and though she knew its cause, there was nothing she could do about it.

Lately, this “illness” had been worsening.

Ever since Glenn began walking forward again as a magic instructor.

“…”

For a while, Celica stood motionless, as if waiting for the raging storm to pass, taking deep breaths… until she gradually regained her composure.

Then, she looked up.

“…The [Taum Astronomical Temple]… huh…”

For some reason, Celica muttered those words softly.

Her murmur reached no one’s ears, quietly dissipating into the air.

The next day.

At Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, in the classroom of Class 2, Year 2.

Before class, as the classmates chattered energetically as usual…

“Haaa…”

Sistine slumped lifelessly onto her desk, letting out a heavy sigh. Her silvery hair, like molten silver, flowed across the desk, forming a beautiful river.

“Sistie… don’t let it get you down so much. You’ll get another chance, I’m sure…”

Rumia, seated next to her, comforted her.

“Yeah, I know… I know, but… it’s still depressing…”

Sistine lifted her face, looking resentful. She clearly lacked her usual spirited vigor… to put it bluntly, she was downright dejected.

“Rumia… what’s wrong with Sistine? She seems kinda down.”

Re=L, sitting just behind them, asked in her usual sleepy, expressionless tone.

“Y-Yeah, just a bit…”

Unsure how to respond, Rumia offered Re=L a vague smile in return.

Sistine, meanwhile, was muttering to herself, ignoring the two.

“I worked so hard writing that thesis to join this ruin expedition… and they could’ve at least acknowledged it… Does that guy hate me or something? Honestly…”

“Now, now…”

Rumia, with a wry smile, kept trying to soothe Sistine, who was half-irritated, half-melancholy, as she vented her frustrations.

That said, Sistine’s dejection wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

This time, Professor Fossil Lefoy from the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy was recruiting members from the academy for an expedition to investigate the newly discovered ancient ruins in the eastern part of the empire.

Determined to follow in the footsteps of her late grandfather, Redolf Fibel, and specialize in magical archaeology in the future, Sistine naturally jumped at the opportunity to gain experience in ruin exploration and volunteered for the expedition team.

However, she was rejected. She was deemed too young, too low in academic year, too low in mage rank, too cheeky, and—absurdly—unsuitable simply because she was a woman. They barely even glanced at the thesis she submitted as part of the application requirements.

“What’s that supposed to mean? A mage’s gender shouldn’t matter! And what’s with calling me cheeky?!”

Just recalling Fossil’s smug face made anger bubble up inside her.

“Sigh… Four rejections now, huh? Even I’m starting to feel crushed…”

This wasn’t the first time. Every time the academy recruited for ruin expeditions, Sistine volunteered, but she had never once passed the selection process.

“But it’s true that you’re still lacking in some areas, Sistie. You’re only at the second tier as a mage, after all…”

Rumia’s reasonable point made Sistine furrow her brow and fall silent.

“Of course, Sistie’s the top student in our year, and for a second-year, your tier is exceptional! I’m still just at the first tier, you know? But, if I remember right, ruin expedition teams traditionally pick mages at the third tier or higher, don’t they?”

“…Mrr… That’s… true, but…”

“And… the estimated exploration danger level for these newly discovered ruins… it’s B++ class, right?”

The exploration danger level was a rating based on a comprehensive assessment of traps, mechanisms, guardians, magical beasts, and the surrounding environment of a ruin. It was ranked in a twenty-one-tier scale, subdivided from seven main grades: S, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

A B++ class rating meant that even a well-prepared expedition team might occasionally suffer casualties.

“I’d really rather you didn’t go to such a dangerous place yet… I’d be worried…”

“…Mrrgh…”

There was no arguing with the points about tier or danger level.

While mage tiers weren’t an absolute rule, Rumia was right about the tradition, and when Sistine calmly assessed her own abilities, she couldn’t deny that she might be aiming too high.

Having her weak points poked, Sistine puffed out her cheeks and sulked.

Seeing her best friend’s childish gesture, Rumia couldn’t help but break into a smile as she said,

“It’s okay, Sistie. You’re working so hard. One day, everyone will recognize your efforts, and you’ll be able to join a ruin expedition on your own merits.”

“…Thanks, Rumia…”

Just as Sistine gave a small smile at Rumia’s encouragement, it happened.

“…Heh, good morning, everyone!”

The classroom’s front door swung open, and Glenn strode in with a flourish. Unlike his usual lethargic demeanor, he moved with sharp precision, taking his place at the podium.

At the same time, the warning bell rang, signaling the start of class. The classroom’s relaxed chatter gradually tightened into focus.

“…But before we begin the lesson… there’s something I want to tell you all today.”

Standing tall at the podium with an air of grandeur, Glenn turned to face the students and spoke.

Sensing something unusual, the students directed their curious gazes toward him.

“You lot, always cooped up in this classroom, slaving away over textbooks, chasing after the knowledge written in them… Is that really enough for you? Are you truly satisfied with that?”

Glenn’s words sent a ripple of murmurs through the class as students exchanged glances.

“You’re mages, seekers of the world’s truths, aren’t you? Sure, I get it—there’s a world within books, too. Reading and accumulating knowledge is incredibly important. But this world is infinitely vaster than the one in your books! It’s practically limitless! How can you call yourselves mages, chasing after truth, without even knowing the vastness of this world!?”

Glenn swung his arm dramatically, his passionate speech ringing out.

“You need to see more of the world! Broaden your horizons! You’re still young! You can’t just stay locked in your little bubbles! Sometimes, you have to break out of your shell and leap into the outside world! Touch the unknown, expand your experiences, and elevate yourselves! The mysteries of the unknown are right beside you… You need to learn just how grand and wondrous this world is! Don’t you agree!? I… I want to show you the vastness and grandeur of this world. As mages pursuing the truth, I want you to know this world better—for the sake of your radiant, glorious, hope-filled futures as mages!”

The students, swept up by Glenn’s fervent tone, found themselves listening intently.

“…Which brings me to this: I’ve been tasked by the academy with a certain ruin expedition, and in the spirit of selfless devotion to the advancement of magical knowledge, I’ve accepted it. And I want to take you all with me on this expedition!”

Glenn’s sudden announcement sent another wave of murmurs through the classroom.

“Let’s spread our wings and soar into the outside world together, exploring the legacy left by our predecessors, touching their great achievements, deepening our perspectives as mages, and aiming for greater heights…”

There was undeniable truth in Glenn’s words.

Mages weren’t just about magic; they were expected to master all forms of knowledge and reason in this world.

That’s why mages were sometimes called ‘sages.’

Unable to argue, the students could only accept Glenn’s words in stunned silence.

“The ruin I’ve been tasked with investigating is none other than the famous ‘Taum Astronomical Temple.’”

And then it happened.

“Th-The ‘Taum Astronomical Temple’!?”

Suddenly, with a loud clatter, Sistine shot up from her seat.

“Hm? …White Cat? What’s up?”

“Ah… N-Nothing, it’s nothing…”

Under the curious stares of the entire class, Sistine’s face turned beet red as she sheepishly sat back down.

“…? Well, anyway. I’m recruiting volunteers from this class for the expedition team. Unfortunately, I can’t handle too many people, so it’ll be limited to eight. I can only lament my own shortcomings for that…”

Glenn’s words sent the classroom into an even greater buzz of excitement.

“That’s great, Sistie! Your chance has come already!”

Rumia beamed at Sistine as if it were her own opportunity.

“The danger level is low… It’s perfect for someone new to ruin exploration like you, isn’t it?”

“…Y-Yeah, you’re right… I don’t know why, but this is my chance…!”

Though she seemed strangely flustered, a determined light sparked in Sistine’s eyes.

“…Now, who among you will step up!? This kind of chance doesn’t come often! First come, first served—!”

At Glenn’s provocative words, Sistine reflexively started to raise her hand—when it happened.

“…Tch, same old weird guy, huh, Sensei.”

A bespectacled boy stood up, a sardonic smirk plastered on his face.

It was Gibul, one of the students in Glenn’s Class 2.

“Why limit the recruitment to us? Instead of us lowly undergrads, why not recruit fourth-years or grad students who’ve already reached the third tier? Isn’t it standard to form expedition teams with third-tier mages or higher?”

Though his tone was snide and dripping with sarcasm, Gibul’s point was undeniably valid.

“Well, y’see… If you mobilize third-tier mages, who are considered full-fledged, there’s a mandatory hiring fee by regulation—er, I mean!”

Visibly flustered, Glenn stumbled over his words.

“…Th-The ‘Taum Astronomical Temple’ is only F-class in exploration danger, right!? Like I said, since it’s a safe ruin, I want you all to broaden your experiences!”

The excuse was so transparent it practically screamed, I’m dodging the issue!

“Exactly! This is your kind Glenn-sensei, as a teacher, opening a special ‘Ruin Exploration Practicum’ for the sake of his beloved students… A special course! Be grateful!”

Amid his flimsy excuses, Glenn let out a blatantly fake laugh.

“Tch… So the rumors going around since yesterday were true, huh.”

Snorting derisively, Gibul pushed up his glasses.

“Huh? What rumors, Gibul?”

Kash, a burly student, tossed the question at him.

“Our great Glenn-sensei, who hasn’t written a single periodic research thesis for his magical studies, is trying to avoid getting sacked by throwing together this ruin expedition… That’s the rumor.”

Gibul’s words, cutting straight to the core, left the class in stunned silence.

“S-Sacked!?”

Rumia, her face paling, shot up from her seat with a clatter.

“Is that true!? Sensei, you really haven’t written your thesis!?”

Her expression looked like she was on the verge of tears, tugging at the heartstrings of anyone watching.

“A-Ahahaha!? W-What’re you talking about? I have no idea!”

—Yeah, he definitely didn’t write them and is about to get fired.

Glenn’s shifty eyes and nervous demeanor confirmed it for every student in the room, who looked on in exasperation.

“Tch. Shifting the consequences of your own mess onto your students… Hardly befitting a lecturer. And dragging us into this just to cut labor costs? That’s just too much.”

Gibul’s scornful, mocking gaze pierced Glenn coldly.

“W-What’re you saying, Gibul-kun!? You think I, a sacred educator, would stoop to such a low, despicable act!? Trust me!”

Glenn’s voice cracked, his utterly unconvincing drivel echoing hollowly.

As the true motives behind Glenn’s sudden expedition recruitment became clear, the students began exchanging glances, forming a consultation huddle to figure out what to do.

“A-Anyway! Ruin exploration is a pretty rare experience for you students, right!? It’s not just expeditions—mages often do a lot of fieldwork! Experiences like this are never a waste! Right!? Right!?”

Glenn rattled on desperately.

“Sure, ruin exploration can be dangerous. Magical beasts attacking, the raw fury of nature, unpredictable ancient traps, and guardians… It’s not uncommon for people to die on expeditions. So I’m not forcing anyone to join!”

The word die made the students gulp audibly.

“But this time, we’re going to the ‘Taum Astronomical Temple’… Like I said, it’s F-class, super beginner-friendly! With that in mind, who wants to join—argh, forget it!”

With a dramatic twist, Glenn leaped high toward the ceiling—

“Please, lend your strength to this pitiful, worthless trash of a man, I beg you—!”

He executed a moonlit somersault, landing in a perfect five-point bow, hands, knees, and forehead to the floor.

The Original Magic [Moonsault Jumping Dogeza] was flawlessly performed.

The class stared at Glenn’s pathetic display in utter disbelief… when it happened.

“Please, raise your head, Sensei.”

Without a hint of hesitation, Rumia stood up.

“Let me help with this ruin expedition.”

Clasping her hands at her chest, she gazed at Glenn with a serene smile.

Her presence was almost saintly, as if a halo glowed behind her, radiating divine grace.

“Uh…”

Sistine, who had been about to raise her hand, let it waver uncertainly under her desk…

“…An angel…?”

Glenn, still in his dogeza pose, stared at Rumia in a daze.

“Heh… I knew you’d say that… Figured as much!”

Finally, he sprang up with a smug grin, exuding shameless confidence.

“Yes, sir! I’ll do my best to help you write a great thesis! …Though, I’m just an amateur, so I’m not sure how much help I can actually be…”

“T-Thesis? W-What’re you talking about? I got no clue!”

After a moment of flustered panic, Glenn flashed Rumia a sincere smile.

“…You, not helpful? No way. Your expertise in healing spells is essential for fieldwork. Honestly, if I’m forming an expedition team with students, I absolutely wanted you on board, Rumia. Thanks.”

“Sensei…”

At Glenn’s unusually candid words, Rumia blushed with delight.

And then.

“I don’t really get it… but I’m going too.”

Following Rumia, a petite girl stood up slowly—Re=L.

As usual, her sleepy, expressionless face showed no emotion, her declaration mechanical.

“Because I’m Glenn’s sword. Leave it to me. I’ll protect Glenn and Rumia.”

“You… Alright, fine. As front-line muscle, you’re top-notch… Not that we’ll need it this time, but… I’m counting on you, Re=L.”

“Mm.”

With Rumia and Re=L’s back-to-back declarations, a murmur of “Yeah, figures…” and “Those two would join…” spread through the class.

Ignoring the atmosphere, Rumia, now seated, whispered to Sistine beside her.

“Come on, Sistie, hurry up.”

“Y-Yeah… I know… but… mrrgh…”

“Sistie?”

But for some reason, Sistine sat silently, her face a mix of irritation and regret, showing no sign of volunteering.

Rumia tilted her head curiously at her best friend’s behavior.

—At that moment.

To put it bluntly, Sistine Fibel was being childish and sulky. She had plenty she wanted to say to Glenn, but more than that, there was something she wanted him to say to her.

To be even clearer… she was jealous.

‘Rumia, I absolutely wanted you on board.’

‘I’m counting on you, Re=L.’

Those two had managed to coax such words from that stubborn, triple-twist contrarian of a teacher. Considering Glenn’s usual evasiveness, that was a remarkable show of trust.

There was nothing strange about it, given Rumia and Re=L’s skills and abilities.

Rumia’s healing spells rivaled those of professional healers, far surpassing Sistine’s own, and Re=L, an active-duty Imperial Court Mage, boasted top-tier combat prowess.

In the context of a potentially dangerous ruin expedition, it was only natural that Glenn would rely on those two before anyone else in the class.

It was perfectly logical… but a swirl of indescribable emotions churned in Sistine’s chest.

The trust between those two and Glenn… it made her frustrated. Envious.

(I mean, I… I fought alongside Sensei to defeat a terrifying enemy not long ago…)

If she declared her intent to join the expedition, would he say something like that to her?

No, no way. Absolutely not. It’d definitely go like this—

‘Huh? You wanna come too, White Cat? Nah, you’re too loud, I don’t really need you… Ugh, fine, I’ll take you along… Just don’t drag us down, got it?’

She could practically hear Glenn’s condescending, infuriating voice in her head, clear as day.

Being spoken to like that, especially after witnessing his trust in Rumia and Re=L, would only make her feel even more humiliated.

(Ugh… But I absolutely want to join this expedition…)

Sistine was determined to carry on her grandfather Redolf Fibel’s legacy and pursue magical archaeology.

Her dream was to one day explore the many ancient ruins of the Alzano Empire, unraveling the greatest mystery of ancient civilization—the secrets of Melgalius’s Sky Castle—in her grandfather’s stead. She had been honing her magical skills for that very purpose.

And the Taum Astronomical Temple… for personal reasons, it was a ruin she had always felt destined to visit at least once.

So, no matter what, she wanted to seize this unexpected chance to join the expedition… That was her true desire.

Her true desire… but her fragile pride, a flicker of jealousy, and her inability to be honest with Glenn were getting in the way. She couldn’t bring herself to openly say she wanted to join.

(…What do I do? I want to join, but… unlike Rumia or Re=L, being treated so carelessly feels so wrong…)

Sistine furrowed her brow, lost in thought, mrrgh…

“Uh, anyone else wanna join?”

Up at the podium, Glenn continued calling out to the students.

For a brief moment, Glenn glanced at Sistine, but she was too busy clutching her head in contemplation to notice.

(…That’s it! Now that I think about it, experience in ruin exploration is valued just as much as combat experience! So, I’ll reluctantly join for that reason, acting like I’m doing him a favor!)

Suddenly struck by a brilliant idea, Sistine’s face lit up.

(This way, no matter what Sensei says, I can at least save face! Alright, that’s the plan…)

Just as Sistine started raising her hand to volunteer… it happened.

“Then I’ll join too, I suppose.”

Once again, someone beat her to the punch with a declaration.

Surprisingly, it was Gibul.

Sistine’s head drooped with a defeated tilt.

“I couldn’t care less about Sensei’s job security. But experience in outdoor ruin expeditions carries the same weight as combat experience, which will look good on my record. It’ll give me an edge in future career choices… Though an F-class ruin isn’t exactly a prestigious title… Fine, I’ll join.”

(Nooo—!)

With a clatter, Sistine clutched her head and slumped onto her desk.

Gibul had stolen her reason.

“Man, you never change, do you… Alright, fine. Anyone else?”

(W-What do I do, what do I do, what do I do…!?)

Wouldn’t it seem unnatural to use the same reason as Gibul now? Wouldn’t it look like she was secretly eager to join but pretending to reluctantly tag along with Gibul’s excuse? Shouldn’t she come up with another coherent reason?

As Sistine spiraled into an endless maze of overthinking, other students, inspired by Gibul’s declaration, began raising their hands.

“Sensei! Me! Me! Take me with you! I’ve always dreamed of adventures like ruin exploration! Right, Cecil? Let’s go together!”

“Yeah, you’re right. As someone aiming to be a scholar, I’m interested in ancient ruins too. Sensei, may Kash and I join?”

“Hey, you guys aren’t going on a field trip, y’know? But fine, that helps.”

The burly Kash and the slender, bookish Cecil declared their participation, bringing the count to five.

“Um… Sensei… I-I’d like to…”

“Hehe… Please let me join too, Sensei.”

Next, the petite, animal-like girl with a ponytail and glasses, Lynn and the stunningly proportioned beauty Teresa Reidi raised their hands.

“Teresa, sure, but… Lynn, you too? That’s surprising. I pegged you for a die-hard indoor type…”

“W-Well… I… I still want you to be our teacher, Sensei… Um… I’m probably useless, but… I’ll do any chores you need… P-Please…”

“…Got it. Thanks, Lynn. I’m counting on you.”

(…Ugh, I’m so jealous of girls who can be that honest…!)

Sistine groaned, clutching her head.

“By the way, Sensei, could my family’s Reidi Trading Company supply the expedition’s materials? …Of course, we’ll offer them at a lower price than anywhere else, profit be damned. It’d put me at ease as a participant, and above all, it’s for your sake, Sensei… Hehe…”

Teresa offered with a saintly smile, prompting Glenn to give her a skeptical look.

“Hey, Teresa… How’d you know my expedition wasn’t getting academy funding?”

“…Hm? What do you mean?”

“An offer from a collaborator at unbeatable terms, making it nearly impossible to refuse… You’re aiming to build connections and a track record with the academy for your company’s future, aren’t you?”

“Oh my, who can say?”

“As expected from the daughter of a prominent merchant family. You’re a scary one… Fine, it does help.”

(…Ugh, I’m so jealous of girls with such clear reasons and goals…!)

Sistine clutched her head, groaning.

In any case, with Lynn and Teresa, that makes seven. One more to reach the limit.

(I can’t afford to worry about appearances anymore!)

At this point, Sistine finally made up her mind.

(I don’t care how much that guy mocks me! It could be any other ruin, but the [Taum Astronomical Temple]… I have to join this expedition!)

Clenching her fists with determination, ready to declare her participation, Sistine starts to raise her hand—

But, of course, that’s when it happens.

“Oh, right, about that last spot… I’ve already got someone in mind.”

“Wha—?!”

Glenn’s sudden announcement leaves Sistine stunned, frozen in place.

(…What? It’s… already over?)

As her mind goes blank, Sistine stands there, dazed…

“Here’s the thing… For that last spot, there’s someone I’d beg on my knees to bring along.”

Glenn says this, turning to face Sistine.

(…Huh?)

Meeting Glenn’s gaze, Sistine’s heart skips a beat.

“That last person is…”

Glenn slowly approaches the flustered Sistine.

He said he’d beg someone to join them.

(C-Could it… no way…)

Her heart races uncontrollably as Glenn draws closer.

(S-Sensei… after all that, he actually thinks of me…)

Overwhelmed with joy, her chest swells with emotion.

…But.

(…Huh?)

Glenn breezes right past Sistine’s seat—

“Wendy, you’re the last one. Please, will you come with us?”

He says this to Wendy, seated five rows behind Sistine.

Crash!

Deflated, Sistine slumps forward, smacking her forehead on the desk.

“Why should I, a noble lady, have to traipse off to some backwater place like that?”

Wendy, propping her cheek on her hand and staring off to the side, looks blatantly uninterested.

“I need to re-decipher the inscriptions in the ruins for my thesis. There might be a new interpretation we’ve missed. Your genius with code-breaking magic is exactly what I need.”

“…”

Wendy falls silent, as if lost in thought.

“C’mon, please? I swear I won’t let you come to harm. I mean, there’s probably nothing dangerous, but if something does happen, I’ll take full responsibility and protect you. So, please? I’m begging here!”

Glenn clasps his hands together, bowing repeatedly to Wendy.

After giving him a sidelong glance for a moment, Wendy lets out a sigh.

“…Haa… Fine, I suppose.”

Reluctantly, she agrees to Glenn’s request.

“Broadening one’s horizons is a noble’s duty to the people, and answering the call of passion is an obligation of blue blood… I’m not thrilled, but I’ll join you.”

“Yes! Thank you, Wendy-chan! I love you!”

“Stop that, it’s creepy! Besides, a true gentleman doesn’t so casually proclaim his love for a lady! A gentleman is—”

Wendy begins lecturing Glenn, who’s practically bouncing with excitement, on the virtues of gentlemanly conduct.

…Meanwhile.

“…”

For Sistine, time has come to a complete halt.

“Sistie, what’s wrong…? You were so eager to join the expedition…”

“Sistine? …Huh, she’s frozen. Weird.”

Neither Rumia’s concerned voice nor Re=L’s detached comment reaches her anymore.

Sistine’s mind is utterly blank, crushed by her own foolishness—letting this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip through her fingers over petty pride and vanity.

The other students around her wear puzzled expressions, clearly wondering, ‘If Rumia and Re=L are going, why didn’t Sistine join?’

“Hey! Hold on! I’m not done talking!”

“W-Well, anyway!”

Escaping Wendy’s tirade, Glenn steps back up to the podium.

“That settles the expedition team! Everyone, I’m seriously grateful for your help. We’ll go over the detailed schedule and preparations in a later meeting!”

And then.

“…Hm?”

Staggering, almost like a sleepwalker, Sistine drifts toward Glenn.

“W-What’s up, White Cat…? Don’t tell me you’re here to lecture me about slacking on my thesis!?”

Glenn instinctively braces himself, stepping back as Sistine stands before him.

“N-No, that’s not it! It’s not about that, White Cat! If anything, it’s this era’s fault—!”

But.

“…Ugh… ah… ahh… ahh…”

“…?”

“Um, uh, well, um, uh, well…”

Sistine, teary-eyed, opens and closes her mouth like a fish, her expression desperate but unable to form coherent words.

“…Ughhh! Mrrgh! Hmph—!”

“S-Seriously, what’s with you…? You’re freaking me out…”

Sistine growls, a mix of anger and sulking, like a cat hissing at a threat. Even Glenn seems a bit unnerved by her behavior.

Behind her, Rumia gives a wry smile, using hand signs—a required skill for mages—to convey Sistine’s true feelings to Glenn, bowing apologetically.

“…Oh, that’s what’s going on? Man, I thought for sure…”

Finally catching on, Glenn scratches his head, letting out a sigh that’s half-exasperated, half-relieved.

Then, he declares boldly in front of everyone.

“Alright, here’s the deal. I’m putting you in charge as the student leader for the expedition, White Cat.”

“…Huh?”

Sistine blinks, wide-eyed, caught off guard.

Glenn presses on, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“I mean, of course I’m bringing you along. Heck, I’d drag you by a rope around your neck if I had to. That was the plan from the start… yeah.”

“W-Why… me…?”

“Uh, well… Look, I’m a total amateur when it comes to magical archaeology. I need, like, an advisor—someone who knows their stuff. And you’re, y’know, a history nerd.”

“An… expert… me…?”

“Anyway, you’re coming, no questions asked—my authority as your instructor. Don’t care what you think. Refuse, and I’ll flunk you, heh heh heh…”

Glenn laughs like a cartoon villain.

“Wha—!? What kind of person does that!?”

But the lifeless, ghostly look in Sistine’s eyes begins to spark with life again.

“Using grades to force a student to come along? That’s low! Can’t you just ask nicely!?”

“Sorry, not exactly the humble type. You know that, right?”

“Ughhh… Fine, just this once! Only this once! Don’t think you can keep pulling this kind of tyranny! Honestly, the only reason we’re in this mess is because of your usual lazy attitude—!”

Sistine launches into a fiery rant, slipping back into her usual lecture mode.

But her buoyant demeanor—plain to anyone with eyes—screams how thrilled she is to join the expedition.

(Sheesh, what a handful…)

In that moment, the entire class, Glenn included, shares the exact same thought.

A week later—

While keeping up with regular classes, Glenn juggles planning the expedition, adjusting schedules, securing supplies, holding meetings with the participating students, and teaching them survival skills for outdoor activities. There’s a mountain of work to do before departure.

Time flies by in a whirlwind, and soon, it’s the night before the expedition sets out.

In Fejite’s southern district, in the bustling commercial area, tucked away in a dimly lit alley, sits a rundown bar. At the counter in the back of its shadowy interior…

“…Well, this should work out somehow…”

Glenn slumps over the counter, head resting on his arms.

Exhausted from the whirlwind of preparations, he’s finally catching his breath.

“Still bugs me that some of them are treating this like a picnic… but whatever. If push comes to shove, I’ll cover for them.”

Truth be told, Glenn’s not exactly in a position to lecture them.

He’ll just have to step up and handle things himself.

“Now then…”

Glenn didn’t come to this seedy bar just to drink.

He’s here to meet someone.

But that person hasn’t shown up yet. Arriving an hour early, it’s no surprise.

“…Guess I got here too early.”

Normally, Glenn’s the one rushing in at the last second for meetings, but today, he had errands in the southern district and happened to be nearby.

“Kinda bored… Anything to kill time?”

With nothing to do, Glenn starts rummaging through the bag at his feet.

His hand brushes against a thick stack of thesis.

“…Hm? What’s this?”

He pulls it out from the jumbled mess of his bag.

It’s a bundle of academic thesis.

The title reads: “Analysis: On the Space-time Teleportation Magic of the Taum Astronomical Temple.”

“Oh, right—this is what the headmaster was talking about… The thesis that forced us to re-investigate the Taum Astronomical Temple.”

A few days ago, Glenn had used his instructor privileges to borrow a copy of this crucial thesis from the academy’s library, but in the chaos of preparations, he’d completely forgotten about it.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been so busy I haven’t even given it a proper read…”

If a certain diligent, silver-haired someone were here, she’d probably start scolding him for being so irresponsible.

“…Well, it’ll pass the time.”

Yawning, Glenn flips through the stack of thesis.

The introduction is utterly unremarkable, summarizing past expeditions to the Taum Astronomical Temple, related literature, and translations of various inscriptions—standard fare, neatly compiled.

(Man, this ruin really has nothing going on…)

Glenn skims the thesis with half-lidded eyes.

The inscriptions provide valuable historical insights, but there’s no trace of magical artifacts or anything of value for magical archaeological research. The ruin’s been fully mapped, every hidden room uncovered. There’s no room left for exploration or investigation.

(It’s so empty, it’s almost suspicious… At least in terms of writing a thesis.)

This is gonna be a pain to write about… Glenn yawns again.

But when the thesis shifts to the author’s original research and perspective, the tone changes dramatically.

Everyone’s dismissed the Taum Astronomical Temple as a worthless, meaningless ruin.

Yet the author argues—no, it’s anything but worthless. The Taum Astronomical Temple itself is a ritual site for ancient Space-time Teleportation magic, a massive magical device.

(Okay, but how the heck did they jump to that conclusion…?)

Smirking skeptically, Glenn’s fingers keep turning the pages.

Space-time Magic, manipulating time and space, is considered the pinnacle of black magic’s mysteries.

Naturally, its complexity imposes theoretical limits on what it can achieve.

But this thesis suggests that the ruin’s power could allow far greater control over time and space. Time travel, even—a dreamy notion.

(Geez, talk about wishful thinking… If Space-time Magic like this actually existed, the world would be in serious trouble.)

Glenn can’t help but chuckle bitterly.

“…! …Oh?”

As he reads on, Glenn finds himself increasingly drawn into the thesis.

Evidence from inscriptions, murals, and legends across various regions support the idea that ancient Space-time Magic research and practice were thriving. A fresh approach to investigate the ruin. Theoretical analysis and thought experiments based on similarities between ley lines required for long-distance spatial transference and those connected to the ruin…

What drove this author to such lengths?

The theory and hypotheses, built painstakingly like gathering grains of sand from a vast desert, captivate and overwhelm Glenn.

Suddenly, the unremarkable Taum Astronomical Temple feels like a critical magical facility, designed with such intent from the start.

Yet… despite the author’s compelling reasoning, the magic that should exist within the ruin was never found.

Why? What’s missing? What’s been overlooked?

The author’s frustration practically seeps from the pages.

“…Whoa, I got way too into that…”

Exhaling, Glenn pulls his eyes from the text.

Checking the clock, he realizes a surprising amount of time has passed for what was supposed to be a quick distraction.

“Still, with a report like this, you can’t just ignore it… but at the same time, those pompous professors probably don’t want to touch the Taum Astronomical Temple. No matter how hard they try, their work would just be a lesser copy of this.”

It yields no tangible results, but every mage should read it. The flexible thinking, meticulous theory-building, and information organization are exemplary.

“…Who the heck wrote this thing?”

Curiosity piqued, Glenn glances at the author’s name on the cover.

Redolf Fibel.

“Hm? Fibel? …Wait, that sounds familiar…”

As the face of a certain silver-haired, nagging someone flashes in Glenn’s mind…

“Rare to see you show up early.”

“Gah—!?”

A cold, emotionless voice from right behind him—without any warning—makes Glenn jump.

Fumbling to catch the thesis before they fall, Glenn glares accusingly at the young man now standing at his back.

“D-Don’t scare me like that, Albert!”

“You’re too careless. If I were an assassin, I could’ve killed you three times by now.”

Without a shred of warmth, the young man—Albert—states this matter-of-factly.

Today is their scheduled day for a routine information exchange.

“Still… looks like you’ve gotten yourself tangled in some messy business again, Glenn.”

“Uh, about that…”

“Hmph. Dragging your students into cleaning up your own mess? I’m beyond speechless.”

Albert says coldly, taking a seat beside Glenn.

Clearly, Albert already knows what Glenn’s planning for tomorrow. His stoic expression betrays hints of exasperation and irritation.

“Ugh… W-Well, y’see, there’s a lot of complicated circumstances…”

“…”

Ignoring Glenn’s excuses, Albert silently signals the bartender, catching a glass of brandy as it slides across the counter.

“Tch, same old rude jerk…”

Following suit, Glenn orders a brandy of his own.

…And so.

For a while, the two exchange updates on their personal situations, the movements of the imperial government and military, and the state of the academy, confirming details in a businesslike manner.

“…By the way, Albert. Any recent activity from that group?”

Eventually, Glenn steers the conversation to his biggest concern.

“They’ve been oddly quiet lately, don’t you think?”

By that group, he means, of course, the mysterious magical society—The Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom—who relentlessly pursue Rumia, the disgraced former princess and forbidden ability user, dead or alive.

“They made a move on the princess recently.”

“What!? For real!?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected answer, Glenn bolts upright, his voice sharp.

His outburst echoes coldly through the empty, reserved bar.

“…Calm down. What good is losing your cool?”

“Tch…”

Albert, as composed as ever, sips his brandy calmly.

“…So, what happened?”

After a deep breath, Glenn presses Albert for details.

“We caught wind of it beforehand. Dealt with them quietly.”

“Oh. Gotta say, you’re scarily reliable.”

Glenn mutters, half-impressed, half-exasperated, at Albert’s nonchalant response.

He brings his brandy to his lips. It tastes flat.

“Likely some low-ranking member acting rashly for glory. Not anyone of significance. Poorly trained. A sloppy, amateurish attack, not even worth using as a pawn.”

“Well, when you’re guarding a place, any attack’s gonna look sloppy by comparison.”

Glenn shrugs, shaking his head.

However, to think that something like that happened somewhere in this town without him noticing at all.

Even Glenn, a former member of the Imperial Court Mage Corps, isn’t half bad. His magical skills may be third-rate, but when it comes to life-or-death battles, that’s another story. The fact that Albert managed to handle things discreetly without Glenn catching a whiff fills him with both admiration and a shiver of dread.

“Since that setup, the signs of them lurking and waiting for an opportunity have completely vanished. For the time being, we can judge that the princess is safe.”

“I-Is that so!”

Glenn’s face brightens at the good news, but Albert continues in his usual detached tone.

“However, according to intel from above, there’s been some unusual activity within that organization, unlike anything we’ve seen before. The fact that they’ve temporarily backed off from the princess is, in fact, believed to be due to our actions.”

“Unusual activity…?”

“Yes. It seems the organization has shifted its operational policy and begun moving toward a new objective. That objective is still unknown, but the old man, The Hermit, and The Hierophant are looking into it.”

“…”

“On top of that, Jatice’s movements have been troubling as of late.”

Jatice Lowfan. The former Imperial Court Mage Corps ace who, just last month, dragged Glenn and Sistine into a horrific incident—a genuine madman through and through.

“After faking his death and lying low for about a year, Jatice has resumed his activities. Since that incident, he’s been roaming Fejite alone, systematically crushing the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom’s fringe groups and anyone connected to them… sometimes dragging innocent civilians into the mess.”

And just like that, a sickening topic rears its head.

Jatice is a dangerous man who believes himself to be the one and only infallible scale of justice. If he deems it necessary, he won’t hesitate for a second to sacrifice innocent people. He feels no guilt, no remorse… because to him, it’s all in the name of his so-called ‘justice.’

“And just the other day, at dawn, a pursuit team from the Imperial Court Mage Corps tracked Jatice down in the western region and engaged him. But they were utterly wiped out, completely played by Jatice’s schemes.”

“Damn it… that bastard’s made enemies of both the Empire and the organization. Just what the hell is he trying to do!?”

The sound of Glenn’s fist slamming the counter echoes hollowly through the shop.

“No idea. But it seems like he’s searching for something. By deliberately exposing himself and acting openly, it’s as if he’s flaunting his presence, daring others to come after him.”

“That jerk…”

Between his obsession with Glenn and these incomprehensible displays, Jatice is a complete enigma. Perhaps it’s only natural that a madman’s thoughts are impossible to decipher.

“Tensions with the neighboring Rezalia Kingdom over the legitimacy of governance have been rising again in recent years. The sudden surge of the far-right extremist group, the Saint Carol Monastery, has the Security Bureau on edge. In short, the military is swamped with pressing issues right now.”

Then, Albert cuts to the chase, his tone as calm as ever.

“Given the current situation, the Imperial Army has decided to entrust the princess’s protection entirely to The Chariot and temporarily reassign me to central military duties. I plan to return as soon as the immediate issues are resolved… but sorry about this.”

“You’re leaving Fejite, huh… Man, the military’s still as short-staffed as ever…”

It was the same back when Glenn was still in the military.

Albert, one of the strongest mages in the Imperial Court Mage Corps and an all-rounder capable of handling any mission, was always in high demand from every branch of the military. For anyone else, the sheer volume of tasks would’ve led to burnout long ago, but Albert executes them all flawlessly with his usual cool detachment.

“It can’t be helped. Neither allies nor enemies have infinite resources. If there are no fish biting the ‘bait,’ there’s no point in having the fisherman hold the rod… It’s a disgusting reality, but that’s how it is.”

Bait. Albert says it with a bitter, self-deprecating irony, but that’s the military and government’s perspective.

Rumia is nothing more than ‘bait’ to lure out the enemy organization’s tail.

Because of this, she’s no longer free to leave the academy on her own terms.

Staying at the magically warded Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, where she’s easy to track, is convenient for the government and military. It makes her an ideal ‘bait,’ a ‘surveillance target,’ and, in the worst-case scenario, a ‘disposable asset.’ Her identity as an Ability User is also easier to conceal among mages.

It’s a nauseating truth, and the quiet anguish of Queen Alicia, who cares for her daughter, must be immeasurable…

(But more than that, the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom… why the sudden change in strategy…?)

Until now, the Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom have been relentless in their pursuit of Rumia, desperate to secure her at all costs.

They didn’t even care if she was dead or alive.

It’s only logical to assume they have some goal, and Rumia, as an Ability User, is somehow essential to it.

Yet, this sudden shift in their behavior… it doesn’t sit right.

(Is Rumia’s existence no longer something they urgently need to secure?)

Glenn can’t shake the growing unease in his chest.

(…That recent Field Study Expedition… the whole ‘[Project: Revive Life]’ incident… Did I overlook something irreversible…?)

The concerns pile up, one after another.

But no matter how much he thinks, how much he racks his brain… no answers come.