Chapter 9
Ethan looked at the Mazok at the front.
First, what was visible was a head with a pair of gray horns. The horns started behind both ears, curved forward towards the forehead, and then pointed upwards above the glabella. It was a crown-shaped horn that Ethan had read about in books. But for a Mazok's appearance, horns were just a partial feature.
The skin was overall blue-gray, but the thin skin on the face, nape, and palms had a bluish purple hue. This was because even for a Mazok, their blood was red.
The hair was a bright magenta, a color not found among humans. Besides the long hair swept back, there were four braided strands, fastened with cylindrical gold crafts.
The most impressive feature within the delicate facial structure was the eyes. The pupils were a radiant red, and for so reason, they were looking at Ethan. But soon, his gaze shifted towards Rebilton.
Rebilton offered his hand first.
"It's a pleasure to et you. I am Professor Rebilton Fabierre. This is Ethan, the reference witness."
"Ah, are you Rebilton of the Hunting Sword? I've heard much of you even in the distant east."
"It's an honor."
"I am Shirund Zen of the Madowon. I have co in the capacity of an investigator."
Shirund expressionlessly scanned Ethan.
Ethan belatedly offered his hand.
"Ah, I am Ethan Dora Charasen."
But Shirund did not take his hand.
"You are not a mage?"
"...Excuse ?"
"My bloodline can see Mana and Magical Power with their eyes. You are not performing a mage's breathing. But neither is there the sll of an alchemist nor their tools. Incompetent individuals like you challenge sothing with the recklessness of youth, but soon realize their limitations. Such people choose one of two paths. They wisely find their place, or they commit forbidden acts."
Shirund looked coldly at Ethan.
"Have you perhaps ever been interested in Black Magic?"
Ethan felt his heart tighten.
As soon as they t, Shirund had assud that Ethan had dabbled in Black Magic based on simple observation and deduction. Of course, it would be nothing more than a probe. Without evidence that Ethan was a black mage, such thoughts were re fantasies.
The problem was that Ethan was actually a black mage.
Even without that, people who lie are bound to show signs. Ethan was confident in his acting and lying skills, but he judged that he couldn't be sure if he could deceive this Mazok.
After a mont of silence, Ethan spoke.
"Black Magic..."
The dining hall doors opened again.
A Mazok with purple hair and braided strands rushed into the great hall.
"Shirund! We've found the black mage!"
"Where did you find them?"
"It's a first-year student nad Maiya Onyx."
"...Hmm, lead the way."
The Mazok, and even Rebilton, quickly shuffled out of the great hall.
Ethan was the only one left in the spacious great hall.
"...Huh?"
∞
Feeling awkward waiting in the great hall, Ethan considered returning to his dormitory. He wanted to check his room for any potentially suspicious traces before the Empire's Mazok returned.
As Ethan opened the door, there was a Mazok walking towards Ethan.
"Where are you trying to run off to?"
A pair of bright yellow eyes stared at Ethan.
Even without the eyes, Ethan could imdiately tell it was a Mazok because of the skin color. Unlike Shirund's light blue-gray, this one had dark blue skin, and the pair of horns were not crown-shaped but spiral horns starting above the forehead and curving between the ear and the back of the head, ending in a point above the ear, reminiscent of a sheep's.
This was the sa Mazok who had just reported that a first-year student nad Maiya Onyx was the black mage. The long hair on the right side was braided and tied with silver ornants. He had only thought it was purple hair, but looking from the front, the hair inside the loose strands on the left was silver-white.
Ethan spread his hands to show he had no intention of resisting.
"Run off? I was just about to go look for Professor Rebilton after waiting for quite a while."
The Mazok said.
"...Did you say your na was Ethan Dora Charasen? I am Moraiots Sing, an assistant investigator from the Madowon. I have co to et you in place of Investigator Shirund-nim. Although he is not here at the mont, this investigation is also permitted by Professor Rebilton Fabierre. Do you have any objections?"
Ethan hesitated whether to object. But thinking about Rebilton's words, it didn't seem like Moraiots' words were particularly false, and it seed more advantageous to appear cooperative.
"No. Shall we go back to the dining hall?"
"I heard your room is inside this school. Lead the way."
Ethan walked a half step ahead.
"Is an investigation of necessary? You said the student nad Maiya is the black mage."
"That black mage Maiya was completely terrified and used Black Magic beyond her ability. It's not a very powerful magic, but Shirund-nim and the professors are trying to calm the commotion without harm. But separate from that, the investigation request submitted to the Madowon listed you as a reference witness. We must investigate you."
Ethan realized that the faint noise he had been hearing from afar earlier was due to the first-year student nad Maiya.
"But why is the Madowon conducting the investigation?"
"It is dangerous for the Imperial Inquisition to resolve its own problems internally. If there's so malady within the Imperial Inquisition, they will try to hide it. So, another institution from the Empire with similar status and role takes charge."
"Ah, you're also conducting arbitrary inspections."
Demi asked.
Moraiots said.
"I also have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Is this yours?"
Saying that, Moraiots showed him sothing wrapped in a small cloth. Ethan couldn't recognize it imdiately. At first, it looked like nothing was there. Just a piece as small as a fingernail. But sparkling paper fragnts were not common items. It was glitter from exploding fireworks.
Ethan saw no point in lying.
"It's a paper fragnt used in my magic. Where did you get it?"
"I heard that soone nad Bien, who was expelled from this school, collected it. At first, I didn't think it was suspicious, but seeing him approach , I thought it was strange and found it in the classroom. Do you think his words are wrong?"
"No. It's likely true. I did clean, but a few pieces probably remained."
"Did you clean very ticulously? Since I only found one piece."
"I had to clean ticulously."
Ethan said, eting Moraiots' eyes.
"Although I don't have deep knowledge of alchemy, I know that alchemists maintain a high level of secrecy. Unlike general magic, if the manufacturing thod of alchemy is known, anyone can imitate it, can't they? You must hide the byproducts as much as possible."
Moraiots nodded.
"That's true. Then you can't tell how you can make this either?"
"I cannot reveal all the secrets of a mage."
"Even if you are suspected of being a black mage if you don't tell ?"
Ethan said to Demi.
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