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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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It was the hour when even the sun had set and darkness descended. Aira Merlin was patrolling the newly constructed building.
She had been in a rather dangerous situation until recently.
However, many professors defended her, and as a result, she was able to reclaim a normal life, albeit limited to Scientia.
‘I must work hard for the sake of those who went to great lengths for me!’
Aira made a vow.
This new building was said to have been put in place by Tia for an alliance with the Empire. It was practically the first step towards a change for Scientia, where Tia alone had to handle everything.
Of course, she didn’t know exactly what this building was for, but that wasn’t important. The only important thing was that Aira had resolved herself.
But…
“Indeed. Professor Aira was here after all.”
The ambient temperature seemed to drop a notch. Turning her head towards the cold voice, what she saw were blue eyes that evoked an even chillier feeling than the voice itself.
Oz Quabadis.
“Ack…”
Aira knew.
She had received a lot of help from Oz, so she knew what he looked like when he was in a bad mood.
He showed an infinitely cold… almost disdainful gaze.
Yes, that was how it was now.
“Why…?”
Why did this happen to her as soon as she made a vow?
For the first time, Aira wondered about the true nature of the building she was patrolling.
“Oh, oh, don’t come any closer! Lord Oz. Th-this area is off-limits to students!”
“I know.”
“Ah, as expected…!”
Aira, who had hoped he might have come by mistake, made a tearful face.
What on earth had she done wrong? Why did she have to endure such a natural disaster-like trial?
“I, I am also an elder-class mage.”
“I know. I was there with you.”
Oz stepped forward, unconcerned by Aira, who was starting to show signs of anxiety.
Initially, he had no reason to fight, so he could afford to be relaxed, but… with each step he took, Aira trembled like an aspen leaf in an inexplicable fear.
“I didn’t come here to fight Professor Aira.”
But contrary to his words, Oz’s gaze gradually became more menacing.
For Oz, he was merely activating [Contemplation] to pinpoint Discreet, whose presence he couldn’t sense, but it looked different to Aira.
The incident during the entrance exam flashed back, and she couldn’t help but tremble in fear.
“…You’re trying to test me like that again!”
She had always been subjected to that.
Most of it was her own misunderstanding, but it was too late for Aira to escape that swamp of delusion.
The trauma had been too deep.
“D-don’t come any closer.”
“Then I’ll just go back…”
“Don’t move!”
“Yes, I’ve stopped. So please calm down and let’s talk…”
“Lies! You’re trying to test me like that again, aren’t you?! I know! I know now! I won’t let my guard down anymore!”
“…What do you want me to do?”
Oz quietly raised his hand, looking at Aira, who was in a panic, pointing her staff at him.
There was no good in provoking someone in that state.
Oz had a reason, but the other party wasn’t even in a state to listen to it.
‘My plan is going awry like this?’
It was an unexpected turn of events. The opponent’s mental state was unusual.
He had never imagined that she would be in a state where even a normal judgment, like listening to an explanation, would be impossible.
It was during such a tense standoff.
“Oh, I’m a little late. Professor Aira.
Student Oz came here because he had something to discuss with me.”
“Professor Discreet…?”
Discreet appeared and began to mediate between the two.
“…Right. So you’re trying to test me like that again, aren’t you?! This time, with Professor Discreet joining in!”
“…”
But Aira’s anxiety transcended that.
The thought of having to live in Scientia for the rest of her life had utterly worn her out.
“Both of you, don’t move! I can do it! I can, really!”
“Do what?”
“Anything!”
Was she going to shoot?
Oz thought there was no point in saying anything more unnecessary.
‘…Though I didn’t expect Discreet to actually show up.’
In any case, the plan to confirm Discreet’s location was as good as successful, as he had revealed himself.
Since he had to buy time anyway, Professor Aira’s panic might even be beneficial.
“Did you move just now?”
“…No.”
Was the slight problem the anxiety? Oz couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat, watching Aira overreact to every small reaction.
The only one who could resolve this situation now was Professor En, who had worked with her for many years.
“Kyaak?!”
But Discreet’s actions were bold. While Aira was focused on Oz, he swiftly approached and knocked her unconscious.
Discreet moved the unconscious Aira to a corner, then walked towards Oz.
“I didn’t think you’d actually show up.”
“You are not one to simply turn back if I don’t appear, Prince Oz.”
“And those who know that well…”
Oz glared at Discreet with cold eyes.
“…stabbed me in the back like that?”
From now on, not a single moment of carelessness could be afforded.
He was an absurd fellow.
Even with Professor Aira’s unstable mental state, he never imagined he could knock her out like that.
No matter what, she was an elder-level mage. To catch such a mage off guard was extremely difficult.
But Discreet did it.
Before even questioning if it was possible, one couldn’t help but admire his decisiveness. If I let my guard down, I would end up just like Professor Aira.
“You stabbed me in the back, and you didn’t even offer any explanation.”
“For that, I have nothing to say but an apology. I apologize. I couldn’t refuse the Princess’s orders, so I had no choice.”
“What happened, yes, I understand. But is there no compensation at all? Is it your way to run away without even an excuse?”
As much as possible, fitting my image. Arrogant and authoritarian. As if it were natural, I only expressed dissatisfaction.
I needed to show that I harbored no other intentions.
“You have your pride, but shouldn’t you at least explain what happened?”
“…”
Oz’s eyes met Discreet’s emotionless gaze. His demeanor was utterly businesslike, yet within those eyes, I could feel a faint heat.
There was something. It was a casual remark, but there was a definite reason.
“The agent who caused trouble with their unilateral actions will be dismissed. And if you desire any information, we will cooperate to the fullest. Lastly, there will be absolutely no leakage of information.”
“What?”
“Is that not enough?”
“I’m not interested in Lucia’s dismissal. More importantly, I need to meet her directly, don’t I? If it was, as you said, an act committed unilaterally, I should meet the person involved. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“No.”
A firm answer.
As expected, Discreet had no intention of letting me meet Lucia.
I couldn’t precisely understand the reason now, but if things continued like this, it was certain that Lucia would leave Scientia.
That was Discreet’s way of protecting Lucia.
“As you just said, do you think I’ll just back down because you said no?”
“…”
“I told you, didn’t I? Try to explain. If you just cover everything up and say no, do you think I’ll be satisfied?”
Oz observed Discreet. Scrutinizing every single one of his movements.
If he attacks, it will be instantaneous. If I fail to catch that moment, I will be utterly crushed in the initial engagement.
At this distance, it’s advantageous for Discreet. However, to widen the distance might mean losing sight of him entirely, so I have no choice but to accept it.
I’m the one at a disadvantage, not him. I need to keep him here.
“I see…”
Slash!
By the time I thought he moved, the action had already been executed.
Discreet’s sword swung at me. It was a direct, deeply diagonal cut.
An attack meant to kill. But the attack did not connect.
Initially, even he didn’t believe he could kill me with this attack. Therefore, he boldly proved it.
“Your objective was to keep me here, wasn’t it?”
Transcendental Magic
[Prometheus]
Discreet’s sword passed right through my body, which had turned into flames.
Unbelievable courage. What would he have done if I hadn’t prepared [Prometheus] beforehand?
“I tried my best to hide it, but you seemed to have noticed again.”
“You appear arrogant, but you are surprisingly meticulous. Did you think I wouldn’t know that?”
“Well, I suppose bluffing wouldn’t work against an intelligence organization.”
I immediately adjusted my posture.
Since I’ve been exposed, combat is unavoidable. Even if he has no such intention, considering the time limit I’m under, I must fight and subdue him.
“A diversion… The other side must be Princess Eleanor.”
“Yes, Eleanor and Lucia, as the parties involved, need to resolve this matter. I’m just helping them. Of course, I’ll have a few words for them too.”
“Childish thinking. It was too reckless a method.”
“What can I do if I’m actually young?”
Eleanor’s way of purely surrendering to her emotions. No one knows what results it will bring.
Usually, acting so thoughtlessly would worsen the situation, but…
“Isn’t it the guardian’s job to take responsibility for that? If you truly consider Lucia family…”
Discreet is somewhat forceful.
“…you should try to understand a little.”
At least, I did.
I intended to understand Eleanor’s feelings and ultimately chose to assist her.
“…His Majesty the Emperor intends to use Lucia for Princess Stacia.”
“That’s the way you talk about an object.”
“That’s right. His Majesty the Emperor is that kind of person.”
Now I understand. The reason Discreet was so protective of Lucia wasn’t because of Eleanor.
It was simply a combination of unfavorable circumstances.
“This incident is also an opportunity. If we use this incident as a pretext, it may be possible to keep Lucia away from Princess Stacia.”
He intended to keep Lucia far away from Scientia, where Stacia would be enrolling, to protect her safely.
It was his own judgment that Lucia was still immature. Indeed, Lucia was still immature, and Discreet was making the best decision.
“If you continue like that, you’ll end up just like the people of the Punisher family.”
But there was no decision from Lucia there.
The only time Lucia thought and made a decision for herself was when she asked me for help in the past.
Discreet’s method ignores Lucia’s emotions. Even if he’s better than others, he’s still ultimately a person from the Punisher family.
“That’s right. I’m not much different from them. But Lucia is different, isn’t she? That child can live a normal life unlike us.”
He limited the person to be brought into the light to Lucia.
Yes, not himself.
Because he still didn’t know how to live like a human, like Lucia.
“Where does your stubbornness come from? I’m genuinely curious what made you into such an ambiguous state.”
“It’s natural as a family.”
“How amusing. Truly amusing words. Do people nowadays call forcing unilateral sacrifices ‘family’?”
About 5 minutes left.
After that time, the duration of [Prometheus], which burns all my mana as fuel, will end.
Naturally, by then, I will have no mana left in my body, so it will be impossible to stand against Discreet.
“The most amusing thing is your appearance, demanding a normal life without even understanding what a normal life is.”
Discreet doesn’t know.
How terrible it would be for Lucia to run away in this state. He is merely creating another person like himself, from the Punisher family.
“If that’s your goal, you should have left Lucia alone even more.”
“If we leave her alone like this, Lucia might end up as a mere disposable pawn.”
“That’s what you call a normal life.”
What is a normal life?
Is it living a quiet life in the countryside, farming?
“Life is when you don’t know when or where anything might happen.”
For instance, waking up in another world.
“And it’s up to each person to handle it. It’s not something someone forcibly imposes.”
If one must save the world, it must be for their own purpose.
“Your job is to help alongside, not to coerce. If you intend to approach Lucia as family, not as the head of an organization, you should at least let her make her own decisions.”
The flames of [Prometheus] began to fill the surroundings.
The source of this power is unleashed when one aims to be someone’s guide.
Of course, my actions might also be a unilateral imposition. I’m not perfect, so this could be interference rather than guidance.
“If you don’t understand what I’m saying, that’s fine too. Accepting it or not is ultimately your decision.”
But at least I interfere by looking at the other person.
Instead of ignoring all of their actions, I simply observe them and convey my own judgment.
“Discreet Punisher.”
It doesn’t matter if all my actions are perceived as unilateral authoritarianism.
“You know well what to do if our opinions don’t align, don’t you?”
“Dialogue, discussion, negotiation. And if we still can’t understand each other…”
Avoidance, or.
“War, then.”
I, at least, believe that those two deserve an opportunity to talk.
“Yes, it’s a declaration of war. Tenebris. Tell them ‘Phantom Thief Chrysalis’ will be taking Lucia tonight.”
“What ridiculous nonsense…”
“Right? I can’t understand that girl’s taste either.”
Still, that girl delivers when it matters.
“But while you were turning away, she was solely observing. Perhaps she knows more than you, who is family.”
Eleanor is the exact opposite of Discreet. That girl probably only has the thought of going to Lucia in her head.
She will only think of that one thing.
No political motives, no thoughts of what comes after.
Eleanor is someone who can throw everything away for one person.
“That girl can even make the Empire an enemy for Lucia, you know? So you should try harder. The only thing you have over Eleanor is being the same black cat.”
“That’s a derogatory term towards beast-kin. You should be careful with your words, Successor of the Mage King.”
“…Hearing you talk, it seems you two are definitely family.”
He is nothing short of finicky.
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