Acting as a Slit-Eye Chapter 20

Chapter 20. Aileen de Donatien (2)

Aileen had requested a favor in exchange for introducing

to soone.

After accepting her proposal and following her, we arrived at Bayer Academy.

A splendid sight.

Though it wasn't considered one of the seven great wonders of the Empire like the Imperial Palace, the natural harmony of colors offered a sense of stability.

'Stability, indeed.'

Surely, one of the reasons I felt this way was because Bayer Academy was a central setting in 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉.

This was a place closely tied to the protagonist, 'Hayden Reich'.

It was also the first place where he t 'Yulian', and had a certain connection to his past.

It was a site frequently seen by the 'player' in the ga.

"So, what is the favor you need, Aileen?"

"It's a simple task."

Aileen began walking down the well-maintained roads of the academy. Naturally, I followed behind her.

"It's sothing you're quite good at."

Alright, but what exactly is it?

As I quietly walked behind her, I could feel the gazes of others focusing on us.

Amongst them were those who displayed a color of 'fear', as well as those who glanced at , wary and cautious.

"Aileen, are you heading to the old building?"

At that mont, a man approached and spoke to Aileen from the middle of the path.

On his shoulder was the emblem of 'Fourth Rank, leo,' and he wore the professor badge of Bayer Academy around his neck.

He was a professor who taught magic at Bayer Academy, and also a mage.

"Yes, Sir Hardy Godfrey."

Aileen smiled and returned the greeting.

"Pleased to see you too, Yulian. I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Yes, it's a pleasure."

He acknowledged

as well.

When I acknowledged him and offered a small smile, he flinched montarily before quickly redirecting his gaze to Aileen.

"That aside, it seems you've taken on quite a botherso task, layd Aileen."

"A botherso task? It's a matter that should be done for the students, so it's only natural. I never considered it botherso."

"Is that so? Well, given your background, it's not like you would have any grounds for discontent."

The man gave a slight sneer.

I assud they simply knew each other, but it seed there was so level of discomfort between them.

"To shake off the tag of a collateral branch, you must endure and strive, I suppose."

"Well, it seems Sir Hardy also has to endure sothing."

Aileen didn't stay silent.

"What do you an?"

"You received a harsher evaluation on your last thesis review compared to mine, didn't you? Even more so than , a collateral branch."

"Wha, what...."

The man's face turned red.

As a result, the gaze of disdain he subtly implied earlier beca much more pronounced.

"After all the trouble I took to express my concern, instead of a thank you, I'm being insulted."

"Oh, I was just expressing concern as well?"

"Who's worried about whom!?"

The voices raised.

If this continues, it might go beyond a verbal battle to a full-blown fight.

"In any case, it's precisely because of vermin from collateral branches that they shouldn't be given opportunities. They don't know their place..."

"It seems Sir Hardy thinks that way."

"Ugh..."

He seed startled as if he hadn't expected

to intervene.

Honestly, it wasn't my business, and there was nothing to gain from getting involved. But I have no intention of wasting precious ti here on needless affairs.

Especially not due to petty disputes like this.

"Regardless of whether they're collateral or direct, all nobles are subjects of the Empire. Should I interpret your words as a challenge to His Majesty, who built the Empire's order?"

"... Sir Yulian, aren't you being a bit excessive with your interpretation? I rely highlighted the shortcomings of collateral lineage..."

"Is that so?"

As I nodded at his words, I smiled broadly.

"I am also from a collateral branch. By Sir Hardy's logic, you imply that I too am among the lacking ones."

"...."

As I let out a short chuckle, his face started to harden gradually. Eventually, a purple haze appeared above his head.

When I casually tapped the sheath at my waist, the color of fear wavered violently.

"It's not very professor-like of an academy professor to differentiate people based on unnecessary criteria. As I once cut through, blood is red regardless of noble lineage. Do you need further confirmation?"

"... Hiccup."

The man began to hiccup.

Of course, I only pretended to tap the sheath and had no intention of drawing it.

I hoped he learned a painful lesson about what happens when you pick unnecessary fights.

"Then, we should be on our way. Let's go, lady Aileen."

"Ah? Oh... yes."

Sounding flustered and stamring slightly, Aileen started walking. Seeing her like that, I bowed slightly to the man and followed.

"... You weren't really planning to draw the sword, were you?"

Shortly after, Aileen cautiously asked.

It seed she was referring to the scare I gave.

"Of course not."

"Well, that's a relief."

She let out a small sigh of relief.

"Well... thanks."

"For what?"

"Oh, just for handling the troubleso task instead."

"You're welco."

Soon, the old building ca into view.

It appeared as a well-crafted structure, matching the sophisticated architectural style that the Academy felt proud to showcase, just like the new building.

The size was no smaller than that of the new building.

To see such a building being left to neglect under the na of 'old building' felt like a huge waste of money indeed.

"So, what is it that you wanted

to handle?"

"As I ntioned before, it's what you do best."

After scanning the vastness of the old building that couldn't be captured in a single glance, I turned my attention back to Aileen as she continued speaking.

"Demon hunting."

Hunting demons?

In Bayer Academy?

"This place should be protected by the resonance stone's barrier."

"I was skeptical too. But a small creature was detected inside the old building."

Aileen took out a device that resembled a compass. Inside it was a stone that glead with a blueish light, a 'resonance stone.'

"Judging by the size, it doesn't seem very large..."

"Judging by the resonance stone's reaction, it certainly is a demon."

She nodded.

"If it's that small, it wouldn't be a big deal to leave it be. However, there have been many demon appearances recently, with nurous cases of harm, haven't there?"

She added, referencing an incident in the slums.

"The atmosphere is quite grim, so there was a decision to handle it before opening the old building. Moreover, I also heard there's a new religion that worships the Demon God...really, there's nothing people won't do these days."

In conclusion, Aileen had been tasked with dealing with the demons in the old building.

Ideally, knights or specialized personnel like 'Blind Eyes' for handling demons should be deployed. But the demons in this old building were so small they didn't affect the resonance stone's barrier. As such, the Academy seed to want to handle this without making too much fuss.

"The problem is, these demons are so small they aren't detectable through the barrier nor with detection magic."

"That's quite troubleso."

"Yes, very troubleso. How am I supposed to handle an undetectable demon in this vast old building?"

With pained expressions, she looked over towards , subtly seeking help.

"So you want to ask ?"

"Hm..."

I let out a short groan.

As she ntioned, given how expansive the old building appeared, finding a tiny, undetectable demon here was akin to searching for a needle in a desert.

The man nad Hardy wasn't wrong when he said it was a troubleso task.

'... Should I use that thod?'

Of course, there was indeed a way.

"Even for you, it's not possible..."

Interrupting her words, I pushed open the entrance to the old building.

Contrary to expectations of lingering musty odors from disuse, the old building was unexpectedly well-maintained.

Having crossed the corridor to arrive at the center, I closed my eyes and began focusing all my senses on the 'mana veins' within my body.

After regulating my breath, then exhaling, I repeatedly stimulated my 'mana veins' several tis over.

It wasn't long before mana started gently flowing out from within .

The technique used to uncover criminals hiding in the slums, 'Mana Detection.'

"... I would have found it sooner if that worked."

Aileen muttered quietly beside .

Well, 'Mana Detection' is primarily within the realm of mages. I don't think I could manage it more proficiently than Aileen, given that I only know the settings and theories but haven't had actual hands-on experience.

'So does that an there's no solution... hm?'

At that mont, amidst the mana spreading across the old building, I started to notice specific 'colors.'

〈Color of Negativity〉.

The trait that allows one to see the negative emotions people harbor. However, the locations where that 'color' appeared were narrow passageways inaccessible to humans.

For example, places like the ceiling.

"Are you listening? Extrely small entities like these can't be detected with mana..."

When I gestured for silence, she looked at

blearily and closed her mouth.

Then I began emitting even larger quantities of mana.

The previously wavering mana beca visible, akin to the 'Aura' used by knights.

Observing it filling the air like this along the corridor in the old building, I asked Aileen, "If there's any damage to the building, would I be held responsible?"

"Ah? Oh... I don't think so. They were planning on remodeling anyway."

That's good to know.

Drawing my sword, I sliced through the ceiling.

Crash—!

With a sharp sound, a crack swiftly ford.

Chunks of stone began tumbling down.

"Oh, oh!?"

Tiny feet were desperately trying to climb back up onto the ceiling.

"Seems it's a demon parasitizing on a rat. Being so small, it was probably immune to the barrier and undetectable."

Watching the thing struggling desperately to climb again, I swung my sword once more, dislodging it. Quickly, I sliced through its body mid-fall, ending its life.

Then I began extending the mana more broadly again.

If 〈Color of Negativity〉 could be seen, it ant there were other demons, but fortunately, there weren't any other entities besides the one just slain.

"There doesn't seem to be any others aside from this one. Fortunately, the task was easy this ti."

"... How did you know?"

"What do you an?"

"The location of the demon! Even too small for the resonance stone and detection to work, how did you know?"

She probed

ardently, but I couldn't easily give an answer.

Understandably so, how would I explain that?

I read the 〈Color of Negativity〉 emitted by the demon to discern its location.

The visible, rich mana scattered everywhere was to make that 〈Color of Negativity〉 more prominent.

"It's a secret."

When I casually dodged her question, Aileen pouted, seemingly dissatisfied with my answer.

Clacky's Corner:

Is this Hardy dude going to be a recurring character?