I Became an Academy Chapter 94

"That's surprising. I didn't expect those words from you."

Stella glanced at her with mild surprise, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Weren't you the one who reacted the most violently back then?"

"Ugh… That was…"

"I understand. It was a shocking revelation, after all."

The mories of that day were still vivid, etched into her mind. Orca had shown the most hostility towards Ophelia, the counselor, out of everyone. It had been an ordeal to stop Orca from going on a rampage, vowing to kill her on sight.

"…So, you must have found sothing about Ophelia, right?"

"W-What? How did you know…?"

"Ha. You may not know what you think of , but I am a princess. I can pick up on these things, even if you don't say them outright."

Stella felt sothing odd about the whole situation. Orca wasn’t usually the type to be this unpredictable.

Maybe after unleashing her anger, Orca would have been left adrift, uncertain about what to do next, but going out of her way to search for the counselor? That wasn’t like her at all.

For her to show up here, sothing must have changed her perspective. And with Ophelia gone, the only thing that could’ve done that was if Orca had found new information about the counselor.

"Spill it. I'll decide after I hear the whole story."

"…Alright. You know I’m a demon-possessed, right?"

Orca’s explanation unfolded, recounting the information she had gathered from the demon inside her and her personal experiences.

"…It doesn’t sound completely far-fetched."

"R-Right?"

"Yes. But it’s almost too convenient, which makes it kind of scary."

A power like hypnosis was real, but Ophelia had supposedly only used it for minor things, like helping Orca sleep?

The story was too idealistic. So much so that it made Stella wonder if Orca was just imagining it out of her desire to see Ophelia again. It was a hopeful story, the kind that made her want to believe it, but that in itself made it suspicious.

"Of course, I’ll help search for her, but don’t get your hopes up too high."

"What? You’re the crown princess, and you can’t even find her?!"

"Listen to . Yes, I have plenty of resources at my disposal, but that doesn’t an I can easily track down soone with no information."

"No information…?"

"Exactly."

To be honest, when Stella first reviewed the reports from the knights, she had thought they were dealing with so kind of ghost.

Everyone seed to know about Ophelia, which ant she must have been a real person. But at the sa ti, the absence of any substantial records made it even more likely that Ophelia had so kind of hypnosis ability.

"There’s nothing on her."

Ophelia had left the academy without even returning to her office. Stella had assud that going to the counseling room would yield so clues, as even in seemingly empty places, traces often remained.

"I even analyzed the hair we found in the counselor’s office."

"…And?"

"It led nowhere. There was no record of anyone matching her profile."

Stella had suspected the na Ophelia might be an alias, and she figured Ophelia might have lied about her birthplace. So, she decided to analyze her hair, hoping to find out who she really was.

…But when the results ca back inconclusive, it only deepened the mystery surrounding her.

"No record?"

"None. The intelligence departnt was so shocked, they ca to

asking, 'Who is this person?' …I was wondering the sa thing."

Even in the outer regions, which were not as well-equipped as the capital, everything was ticulously docunted. It was essential for taxation purposes. Every birth was recorded to ensure the collection of taxes.

It was unthinkable for soone not to exist in the records.

"So, yeah, Ophelia is, for all intents and purposes, a non-existent person—at least on paper."

"…"

"Don’t rely too much on the governnt’s power. It might help a little, but it won’t be a ga-changer."

Stella had already mobilized every available resource to search for Ophelia. There wasn’t much more she could do beyond what was already being done.

"…Then how did the counselor even get into the academy?"

"Hmm?"

"She was a teacher, right? How could soone with no records get hired?"

"…Ah?"

Stella’s mind blanked for a mont.

Now that she thought about it, how did Ophelia get into the academy?

All academy staff were top professionals in their fields, and even those who taught non-specialized subjects had sterling reputations.

There was no way soone with no history or credentials could have gotten in through regular channels.

Hypnosis. She must’ve used hypnosis to get into the academy.

But who would she have hypnotized to pull that off?

As the realization hit her, Stella jumped up and grabbed the phone.

"No, it’s . Co to the academy imdiately. It’s about Ophelia. That’s all."

Click.

She hung up before waiting for Anastasia’s response. There was no need for a lengthy explanation; curiosity would bring her.

Leaving Orca standing there, confused, Stella walked to the door and ordered the guards.

"You’re all on leave for two days. Disappear imdiately."

"W-What? But, Your Highness…"

"This is a direct order from the crown princess. I won’t need guards for two days. Dismissed."

Bang.

The door slamd shut behind her as Stella turned to Orca.

"Where are Leo and Aileen?"

"Not sure about Leo, but Aileen’s in her room. She’s been resting there. Why?"

"The old hag."

"Hag?"

"The headmistress. Ophelia got into the academy through her."

"!"

"It’s clear now. If Ophelia is a ghost-like entity, the only way she could have entered the academy is through the headmistress’s recomndation."

The headmistress wouldn’t let just anyone in, especially soone with no background.

Which ant Ophelia had hypnotized the headmistress.

"If we question the headmistress, we might get so useful information. So, let’s get moving. Bring those lazy ones along too."

Despite their sluggish tendencies, those two were capable.

Stella was determined to find Ophelia, and she would bring Orca, Leo, and Aileen along for the hunt.

"Boss, are you hungry? Want so snacks? We’ve got cake, too!"

"What? Boss is hungry? Here, have so ice cream!"

"I’m fine, really. You guys enjoy it…"

"Aww."

I forced a smile at the little demons who offered

snacks with innocent eyes.

Ever since I arrived, the kids had been offering

treats constantly.

At first, I accepted with a smile, touched by how much they seed to still adore

despite the ti that had passed.

…But soon enough, I realized it was a trap.

"Really, I’m full."

"But you’re so skinny…"

"I said I’m fine."

Thanks to their relentless snack offerings, I’d been eating sweets non-stop since I arrived.

At this rate, I’m going to end up as chubby as Ophelia.

And if that happens, I’ll have no choice but to exercise to lose the weight.

I absolutely couldn’t let that happen.

There’s no way I’m subjecting myself to the torture of exercise. I’d rather starve than work out.

This place was a den of temptation.

"Boss, you could stand to eat a little more, don’t you think?"

"Hey, Jane, not you too. If I keep this up, I’m going to get fat."

"Co on, you’ve got the kind of figure that makes anyone go weak in the knees, no matter the gender. Honestly, I’m jealous."

"…Ahem. Anyway, where did all these snacks co from?"

I quickly changed the subject, sensing that the conversation was heading into awkward territory.

With others, this kind of diversion wouldn’t work, but Jane, ever eager to please, responded readily.

"We bought them! Hehe, we’re rich now, you know!"

"Be careful not to spend too much, or you’ll run out of money fast."

"Don’t worry about that! We’ve got a steady inco now. Enough to buy the kids whatever they want!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! There are plenty of places that pay us protection fees. No need to worry!"

Ah, so they were talking about that request office.

Getting paid protection fees, huh? That’s practically a mafia setup…

I decided to keep that thought to myself and popped another cookie into my mouth.

Mmm. Tasty.