CH 282.2

When I was walking while immersed in nostalgia, the force that was pushing my back suddenly stopped.

“Huh? Nobody is here? Could it be that…… We can retrieve not just one thing but the entire treasury? Don’t tell me this was the plan all along!?” (Sytry)

“This is not the plan, you know……” (Cry)

She is saying something ridiculous. The whole treasury you say, that is no longer retrieving but just plain thieving.

Could it be that she is Liz with her hair cut instead of Sytry?

… No, no, no, as expected even I wouldn’t mistake Sytry for Liz in broad daylight. To begin with, Liz is a 『Thief (Tozoku)』 but she is very non-materialistic…

Sytry has a very disappointed look on her face. At this rate, she might secretly retrieve something while she is out of my sight.

Before she can think of any more bad things, I pull Sytry’s hand and head up the stairs.

“Aaah――” (Sytry)

“Come on, let’s finish this and go see Lucia’s “Teacher (Sensei)”.” (Cry)

………… Huh? By the way, why am I… Climbing the tower? It is not like I have any business with Lucia’s “Teacher (Sensei)”.

That’s not good. I can’t help but be swept away by Sytry’s momentum.

Since a while ago, you have been using the word “Retrieve” as if it were a matter of course, but――Hmmm, I don’t get it. Is there a problem with my head?

I would like to check what is going on, but I don’t even know where to start.

“I see………… So you mean you are going to retrieve it directly from Lucia’s “Teacher (Sensei)”!” (Sytry)

“…… In a way, I think Sytry’s overly perceptive nature is a weakness.” (Cry)

I have no idea what Sytry is talking about because she is too perceptive. Or maybe it is because I am too unperceptive…… I want to go home.

Just as I sighed deeply, a shining magic circle suddenly appeared beneath my feet.

Sytry looks around in a panic as the Magic circle with strange characters on it spreads around us.

“This is……!?” (Sytry)

“Aaaah…… We are just being called.” (Cry)

I received a similar Magic circle when I first came here with Lucia. It seems to be called a transfer Magic circle and it can be a substitute for forcibly summoning the other party but it seems that this Magic circle can only be used within the premises of the Academy.

I was a bit nervous at first, but since it is my second time, I am fine.

Just as I was about to explain to the impatient Sytry, my body suddenly lost its strength and I fell to my knees.

I couldn’t feel the strength in my hands or legs. I wonder if it is the same for Sytry, she falls toward me as if she was leaning on me.

Huh? This is not the same magic circle as last time?

Then, without even having time to raise my voice, my consciousness rapidly faded away and disappeared just like that.

§

Before I knew it, I was sitting on an expensive crimson carpet.

The first thing I felt was a tickling sensation on my cheek.

I tilt my head back and look to the side. A familiar pink-blonde girl――Apparently Sytry was leaning against me. Then I try to move my arms and legs and notice that they are bound with chains.

But what the hell――No, it is unusual for Sytry to be unconscious longer than me.

It is too sudden, so my brain isn’t working. As I was thinking about these useless things, a voice called out to me.

“You are awake at last, Lucia’s brother.” (?)

It was a woman’s voice that gave a somewhat cold impression. At the familiar voice, I raised my head.

My head finally started to move, and I began to process the scene that came into view.

It was a familiar room.

The ceiling was high, with light streaming in through the somewhat mysterious stained glass windows. Along the walls of the room, there were bookshelves lined up from the floor to the ceiling, and the open windows between them reveal nothing but the sky.

There were countless stakes on the floor surrounding us. Was it some kind of Magic? Outside of the stakes, there are many Magi of all ages and gender surrounding us.

――And in front of us, “Lucia’s Teacher (Sensei)” had a mysterious smile on her face.

Lucia’s “Teacher (Sensei)”, who is the head professor at the Zebrudia Magic Academy, the highest Magic castle in the Empire, is not a pure human being.

She is a girl who looks no different from Lucia.

She has golden eyes and long silver hair pulled back in a way that will not hinder her. She wears a robe with a somewhat rounded silhouette that hides her body lines.

At first glance, she appears to be human, but even those who know nothing about her would have sensed something like an indescribable sense of incongruity when looking at her appearance.

Whether it was true or not――She was a rare person in the world with both 『Human』 and 『Spirit Person (Noble)』 blood.

Her body has the characteristics of both Human and Spirit People, and although she is only as tall as Liz, the tip of her ears are slightly pointed.

There are only a few Spirit People living in the Imperial Capital, but none of them will talk about her.

A miraculous flower blooming in Zebrudia. One of the best Magi in the Imperial Capital, who is said to have been recruited by Radrick Atrum Zebrudia himself when he took the throne.

A human, but at the same time, not a human. The 《Immortal (Fumetsu)》, Sage Clasta.

Was it because of her overwhelming strength? Even though I wasn’t being stared at, I felt oppressed, so I looked around and hurriedly greeted her.

“Oooooh………… Goo-Good morning?” (Cry)

What the hell is going on?

Leaving me confused, Lucia’s “Teacher (Sensei)” said to Sytry.

“And Sytry, the one next to him, you had better stop feigning sleep. Apparently, you are exactly what Lucia told me you are.” (Sage)

“………… Guuuh… Guuuh…” (Sytry)

Sytry clings to me tightly.

I understood everything, accepted it, and sighed.

“I see……” (Cry)

She was acting like a thief, but apparently, she was not Liz.

It is just the useless Sytry. It seems that today’s Sytry is the useless Sytry.

It should have been Lucia! I should have just let myself get caught by Lucia instead of letting Sytry push me in the back at that time! It is too late to regret now.

As I smiled half-heartedly because I was left with nothing to do, Lucia’s “Teacher (Sensei)” declared in a chilling voice that could scare me to death with just that.

“From now on, the trial will begin. Lucia’s brother. You are charged of partially destroying this prestigious Academy. Do you have anything to say?” (Sage)