TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun
Illustrations: Here
He towered over Seria, her slim wrists trapped in his grip.
"H-how...?"
Seria couldn't understand.
She was certain her binding spell wasn't sothing that could be easily shrugged off.
Especially considering she had poured an imnse amount of magic into it.
"......"
The man, still holding her delicate wrists, pushed his mask back down to its rightful place.
"I... I'm sorry. My curiosity just got the better of ..."
Seria averted her gaze.
His grip on her wrist tightened, and she sensed his irritation.
"Ah, ah!"
It was painful.
Yet—
Thump thump.
Her heart raced wildly.
What was this feeling welling up inside her?
Was it fear or was it thrill?
Being her first ti experiencing such a thing, she was at a loss.
One thing she knew for sure was her heart pounded fiercely, and she felt a sudden heat coursing through her.
The man in black held her gaze for a mont.
Until now, his eyes had been closed.
It was the first ti Seria truly saw them.
"Ah...."
His eyes were a deep, blazing red, like a ruby.
A beacon that pulled the observer in.
"....Beautiful."
The word slipped from her lips before she could stop it.
In that mont, her thoughts disappeared.
The pain around her wrist, her quickened heartbeat, all faded into the background.
Seria found herself holding her breath.
"....Haah, Haah."
After regaining her senses, Seria steadied her breathing.
She lowered her gaze.
She felt a pang of embarrassnt.
For the first ti, she had let her guard down, revealing her true self to soone else.
It was as if she had discovered a whole new world.
A world where her fantasies beca reality.
And the realization that she had finally found soone who could understand her...
She had encountered many n, most were only interested in her for her looks, her status as the top student, or her lineage as the daughter of a black mage.
But none of them were like this.
Seria knew from a young age that her desires differed from others.
As these thoughts filled Seria's mind,
"...."
The man let go of her wrist, reaching into his shirt and pulling out a small object.
It was the key to the magic handcuffs.
Thud.
He dropped it on the table next to him and started to walk away.
"L-let hear your voice... just once... I can understand your reluctance to show your face!"
But the man didn't respond. He simply left the basent.
Creak---
"Ah..."
For a mont, Seria stared blankly at the closed door, a look of disappointnt in her eyes.
Holding onto the slight hope that he might reappear through the half-open door.
However, the man did not return.
Seria brushed away a stray tear that lingered on her cheek.
"Sob, sob."
His sculpted physique.
The harmonious blend of femininity and masculinity in his striking jawline.
The fiery red intensity of his gaze.
She replayed the image of him, etched into her heart.
Tears continued to cascade down her cheeks.
How much ti had elapsed in this state?
"....Finally."
A twisted smile crept onto Seria's face.
"I found him."
"Haaaah"
Back in the safety of my room, I inhaled deeply.
...Why did Seria suddenly make such a fuss about unmasking ?
"Phew."
Surely, Theo was indeed attractive.
Exceptionally so.
In the 'Kyren Zena Chronicles', a universe brimming with aesthetically pleasing characters, he was without rival.
'Had it not been for [Magic Nullification], I would've certainly been discovered.'
Revealing my identity would only bring about trouble.
A staggering 30,000 individuals inhabited Elinia Academy.
I'd shown the lower part of my face and my upper body, but that was a tolerable risk.
At only this level of exposure, it wouldn't be easy to figure out my identity.
Swoosh----
I shrugged off the mask and my tight-fitted clothes, stepping into the shower.
Reflected in the mirror was the symbol of the [Magic Cartridge] etched on my left side.
Despite the input of magic, its appearance remained unchanged.
It was just as before.
'Hehe. But from now on, I too can claim to be a mage.'
Surely, I was more like a mage's apprentice, but that didn't discount its utility.
A satisfied grin spread across my face as I slid into bed.
The following day, Friday at 9:25 a.m.
Just as the first period lecture was set to begin.
The Hero Departnt classroom buzzed with the usual chatter of students.
"Hey, Samson, you idiot. Regardless of how fast the pitch was, a real man would take it without a flinch. You screaming like a pathetic necromancer, 'Kyaaaaa~', has beco the talk of the Knight Departnt. It's mortifying. Thank goodness Ralph pulled off a ho run."
"That Jacob guy pitches like a demon, you know? Felt like I was smacked with a fireball. He's well beyond the caliber of the Knight Departnt. Right now, he could be the ace of the Hero Departnt, don't you think?"
"Have you been to the new hot dog place that just opened nearby? It's fantastic. The buns are nice and firm and they don't skimp on the at."
"Oh, really? Thanks. I'll have to give it a try~"
While the students engaged in lighthearted banter,
Creak-
Mari made her entrance into the classroom.
"May I have your attention, please~"
-Yes~!
"Hmm hmm. There's an announcent to be made before we start today's lecture."
Intrigued, the students exchanged curious glances.
At the podium, Mari proceeded with her speech.
"Next week, on Monday of the 8th week, the site of the practical evaluation will be changed. The exercise is expected to last about a week, so it would be in everyone's best interest to prepare accordingly."
-What??
The classroom erupted into chatter-filled chaos in no ti.
Just then,
Creak-
Rok made his entrance into the classroom.
The room fell into an instant silence.
"It appears that Professor Mari's announcent has sparked many questions among you. I'm available to address these questions. Raise your hand if you have sothing to ask."
-..........
Predictably, no student took the offer.
In a residential area within the Elinia Academy.
Seven individuals gathered around a table in a room.
"Any word from Captain lon yet?"
The man presiding over the table asked.
"Yeah. I received a ssage... but we've been told to stand by."
Another man responded, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
"That's odd. The captain is typically laid-back, but it's strange to be on stand-by when there's a change in the Hero Departnt's schedule."
A frown marred the face of the man at the head of the table.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
His fingers drumd against the tabletop.
The others looked on quietly, observing his restlessness.
Chin propped on his hand, he seed deep in contemplation.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"......Let's take matters into our own hands."
The other six stared at him in shock.
"Why are you all looking at like that? We all know. Damn... we can't ignore it, right? Now is the pri ti to fulfill our mission. It's absurd to be on standby during such an opportunity."
Bang!
The man at the head slamd his fist onto the table.
The sudden outburst startled the others, their eyes fixed on him.
However, nobody dared to voice a word.
The man at the head grunted.
"Huh, of course. We're all equals here, aren't we? Fine. Those uninterested may leave. But don't expect to join later on. I might not be so forgiving. I'll bear the responsibility, so only those willing to take part should stay."
With that, he turned to the others.
"......I'm in."
" too."
One by one, they declared their participation.
Eventually, everyone in the room agreed to join.
A cynical smile graced the man's face.
"Heh~ good. Would've been better if we had done this sooner, no? Anyway, let's give it our best. As I ntioned earlier, the first-year students of the Hero Departnt are set to depart for Fosspatil Pass near Chalon next Monday. They will be on guard, so attacking at that ti would be stupid. Hence, my plan is—"
And so, he began outlining his strategy.
"......This is Natasha. I've found their hideout. It aligns with the information from student Theo. Moreover, I've been able to eavesdrop on parts of their conversation."
A short distance from the house where the seven individuals were gathered.
A woman nad Natasha whispered into a communication crystal clutched in her hand.
A deep male voice echoed from the crystal.
─Any further movent?
"Nothing yet, Rok."
─Can you continue surveillance?
"Difficult. There's a magical barrier surrounding their hideout."
─Understood. Evacuate from the area and return imdiately.
"Affirmative, Rok."
Following Rok's instructions, Natasha hastily retreated.
As she prepared to return, a thought stirred in her mind.
She spoke into the communication crystal once more.
"......Rok. There's sothing that's been gnawing at ."
The response was swift.
─What is it?
"The student... no, Theo Lyn Waldeurk... His ability to catch them and discover their hideouts using only students... There are too many peculiarities to be just an ordinary student."
─......
This ti, the reply took a mont.
After a while, the voice echoed once more.
─I'm not sure either.
"Pardon?"
─I don't like repeating myself. However, it's safe to say he's a lucky charm. Don't dig deeper.
"......Understood, Rok."
Nodding her head, Natasha ended communication.
2/5 Enjoy the chappy!
Click here!
Reviews
All reviews (0)