Two days had passed since the raid.
While the attack itself had been quelled, the aftermath was still actively being sorted out.
After being apprehended by the Kingdom Military Police, the ringleader, Wilhelm Braham, was placed under minimal sealing measures and transported to the Royal Capital Hospital. An interrogation regarding the incident was scheduled to begin as soon as he recovered, with a detailed investigation into the crime eagerly awaited.
Certain sections of the Magias grounds were cordoned off by the Military Police.
The Guardian Barrier had ceased its primary functions and was undergoing a comprehensive inspection by the Magias analysis division.
Damage from the blast was confirmed on the Central Tower, but thanks to the initial response from the Imperial Archmage Faculty students and restoration measures by specialist guilds, the risk of collapse had been averted.
The teleportation gate vanished shortly after the incident.
All magic beasts that had emerged on the premises were completely eradicated.
Based on residual spell formula traces in space-time, measures to prevent recurring teleportations were being evaluated, with corresponding countermeasures underway.
Regarding human casualties:
Zero fatalities. Four severely injured, all of whom were currently in stable condition.
Those with minor injuries were also being treated in order of severity.
Shortly after the day of the incident, the news guild broadcast the event across the entire royal capital as the "Magias Rookie Tournament Raid Incident."
Immediately following the attack, there were signs of rising criticism over Magias's administrative oversight. However, public attention quickly shifted to the fact that such an unpredictable crisis had been swiftly neutralized and the escalation of damage kept to a minimum.
Given that it was a bizarre crime orchestrated by a former insider, there was also no small amount of sympathy directed toward Magias.
While experts raised concerns regarding the academy's security posture, words of praise and gratitude poured in for the first-year Imperial Archmage Faculty students whose swift actions had guided the incident to its resolution.
◇
"And that────'s what happened while you were asleep, Bren-kun☆"
Saying so, Professor Yuriha flashed a peace sign near her eye and gave a crisp wink.
"...Haah..."
I was in a hospital room.
After I landed that Mind Crush on Wilhelm, I had pathetically passed out from anemia. It turned out I had been rushed to the Royal Capital Central Hospital and slept for about two days.
What went down in the meantime was just as Professor Yuriha had explained. Naturally, things were an absolute mess.
"...So, Magias will be closed for a while, right?"
"Classes are scheduled to resume next week!"
"Whaaat...?"
Isn't that way too fast?
Wait... what? Next week?
Is it really okay to hold classes the week after a shitty four-eyes pulled off a terrorist attack?
Can they even hold classes when the buildings on campus are smashed to pieces? Well, I was the one who smashed part of them, though.
"Setting the rest aside, what's going to happen to the Central Tower?"
"A new one is arriving over the weekend, so it'll be fine!"
That's a flat-out lie.
There's no way it arrives like you just ordered a pizza.
...No, let's stop thinking about this for now.
There's no point in me stressing over it.
More importantly, what I really wanted to know was...
"...How is everyone else doing?"
"Yup! All the Imperial Archmage Faculty students brought here were fully healed with medical magic. The only ones still in the hospital are you and Garry-kun, Bren-kun. Doesn't look like there'll be any lasting aftereffects, either."
Hearing those words, a wave of relief washed over me.
So everyone was safe.
"...By the way, I heard you got caught in the explosion too, Professor Yuriha. Are you alright?"
I had heard through telepathy, but I was pretty sure Professor Yuriha went kaboom in the initial explosion. Right now, there wasn't the slightest trace of injury on her.
"That's right~. It was so sudden that I couldn't deploy my barrier in time."
As she spoke, Professor Yuriha lightly flipped up the hem of her jacket, exposing her midriff.
"Look, see here~? It might leave a mark."
"Haah..."
Which part is she talking about?
I can't tell at all.
From what I remembered, the blast looked like a rocket launcher had detonated point-blank, but she seemed completely fine now.
It wasn't like she had rock-hard abs, either. As expected of a Magias instructor.
"...At any rate, I'm glad everyone's okay."
"Indeed! All of this is thanks to the first-years of the Imperial Archmage Faculty! Thank you for protecting Magias, Bren-kun! As expected of Lord Walker's grandson!"
"Eh? Ah..."
Seeing the awkward look on my face, Professor Yuriha gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth.
"...Ah, sorry. Um, of course, I'm keeping it a secret from everyone else."
"...Wait, so you knew?"
"I was told to keep quiet, but quite a few of the faculty members are aware..."
I see.
Does that mean Professor Blanchard knows too?
Well, it wasn't a secret that could stay buried forever.
I should just hold my head high about being the old man's grandson.
"Changing the subject, you'll be receiving a Special Meritorious Service Bonus from the school, Bren-kun."
"What is that?"
"When staff or the Imperial Archmage Faculty undertake emergency missions, a temporary allowance is issued, and this is a special reward given to those who went above and beyond."
In short, a special bonus.
I'll just let Auntie know and put it toward paying off my tuition.
"Here's the report. Please look it over."
I glanced through the document handed to me by Professor Yuriha.
[First-Class Merit]
Imperial Archmage Faculty, Basic Magic Course Gerald Whitesmith Directly participated in reclaiming control of the Guardian Barrier, playing a decisive role in preventing the expansion of damage across the entire venue.
Imperial Archmage Faculty, Basic Magic Course Brendan Walker Demonstrated decisive merit in resolving the incident through on-site command during an emergency mission, preventing the collapse of the Central Tower, and neutralizing the ringleader.
Imperial Archmage Faculty, Basic Magic Course Luluck Lulu Lunlun In addition to precise evacuation guidance and information sharing, prevented the escalation of damage as a core fighting force in defeating the large magic beast.
[Second-Class Merit]
Professor Elphin Jare Commended the Imperial Archmage Faculty students on the surface front line, continuously defeating hordes of magic beasts. Greatly contributed to securing the eastern evacuation route and maintaining the front line. Magic Beasts Defeated: 202.
Imperial Archmage Faculty, Basic Magic Course Mercedes Meltzelia Conducted combat command during the engagement with the enemy's main force, consequently placing heavy restrictions on enemy movement and suppressing the expansion of damage.
Imperial Archmage Faculty, Basic Magic Course Filiestra Adinson Significantly contributed to minimizing casualties through life-saving treatment of the severely wounded and medical support during combat. Also provided vital support during the engagement with the enemy's main force.
[Third-Class Merit]
Imperial Archmage Faculty, Advanced Magic Course Niko Bright Continuously defeated magic beasts on the surface front line, contributing to the defense of the evacuation route and providing support in defeating the large magic beast. Magic Beasts Defeated: 56.
Associate Professor Yuriha Hinamori Protected general students and spectators, and disposed of small explosives, preventing localized casualties.
Imperial Archmage Faculty, Basic Magic Course Garry Locke Utilizing high-speed mobility and reconnaissance abilities, contributed to locating the ringleader and providing combat support.
Imperial Archmage Faculty, Basic Magic Course Amae Vandenberg Provided support using gunpowder spell formulas during the engagement with the enemy's main force, contributing to the allied retreat and the transport of the wounded.
Imperial Archmage Faculty, Advanced Magic Course (All Members) Guided spectators and supported evacuation efforts amidst the chaos, contributing to maintaining order on-site. Total Magic Beasts Defeated: 504.
Participating Volunteer Regular Students (All Members) Contributed to suppressing damage through clearing magic beasts along evacuation routes, transporting the wounded, and providing on-site support. Total Magic Beasts Defeated: 72.
────
"...So I'm getting the highest tier."
"Well, if we didn't give it to you, Bren-kun, people would wonder who else could possibly deserve it."
While having the freedom to move independently was a major factor, we had held the death toll to zero despite starting from a massive disadvantage. It was certainly something to be proud of.
Though, the headmaster and vice-headmaster weren't on the list.
The headmaster had been supporting the Central Tower the entire time, and I heard the vice-headmaster had charged straight into the teleportation gate and rampaged like a character straight out of Magias Warriors. Maybe senior executives just didn't get bonuses.
"I think that's about it for the report. Well, I have work to do, so I'll be taking off."
"Thank you very much for coming all this way."
"Thank YOU! See you at school, then! Bye-bye!"
Leaving only that behind, Professor Yuriha vanished like a wisp of smoke.
What a ridiculously convenient spell.
I wonder how far she can operate remotely from her main body.
I glanced to the side.
Get-well flowers and arrangements decorated the bedside shelf.
They were sent by Professor Blanchard, the Imperial Archmage Faculty as a whole, and there was even one from Auntie. So she had returned.
Several message cards were tucked into the gifts. First, I picked up the one from Auntie.
'To Bren. I heard what happened. You went through so much right after enrolling, didn't you? I'm sorry I couldn't rush to your side right away. You did a truly wonderful job. Rest well for now. I'll come visit again soon.'
"A-Auntie..."
Reading a letter from my aunt reminded me that I wasn't entirely alone in this world. She was such a reassuring ally.
Though since I'm apparently an artificial human, we probably don't share a drop of blood.
'Leaving an assignment exemption application form. Light classes will be fine for a while.'
This one was from the professor, huh...
She had accompanied the Military Police afterward, and she still seemed busy.
'Good work, Bren-kun. I'm leaving a liquid medicine that works wonders for magic power deficiency. Take it if you like. Let's eat together again once you're feeling better. From Amae.'
'To Brendan Walker-sama. Thank you very much for your hard work and dedication during this ordeal. On behalf of the Imperial Archmage Faculty, I sincerely pray for our representative's swift recovery. Luluck Lulu Lunlun.'
'To Walker-kun. Immediately following magic power deficiency, there are concerns regarding complications from a weakened immune system. Please refrain from overeating and overdrinking for a while, and get plenty of rest. I am truly grateful that you saved us back then. I will thank you properly another time. From Filiestra.'
After reading three get-well letters from girls, I felt an almost ridiculous surge of invincibility.
Even if painful things happen in my life from now on, I can push through by thinking, "I got three letters from girls," and if a boss ever screams at me, I feel like I can bulldoze right through it with, "What are you even saying to a guy who got three letters from girls?"
No letters from Gerald or Mercedes, huh...
Gerald aside, whether Mercedes was even involved in signing the "all members of the Imperial Archmage Faculty" card was honestly up in the air.
Just as I was thinking that, the sliding door to the room rattled open.
In walked Garry, wrapped in bandages.
It looked like he was just getting back from a stroll.
So we were roommates.
"Oh, you awake, Bren?"
"Garry."
"You were out cold the whole time. Had me worried."
Despite his words, Garry looked remarkably energetic.
I had been told repeatedly that he was fine, but seeing him on his feet was a genuine relief.
"Wanna eat some of the stuff people brought? You're starvin', right?"
I nodded.
Garry plucked a piece of fruit from a basket and tossed it to me.
Wait, what? I thought all the gifts from our classmates were flowers.
"Is this yours, Garry?"
"Yeah."
Garry gave a curt reply as he pulled back the privacy curtain around his bed. Packed inside his personal space were enough bouquets and fruit baskets to completely bury the area.
The decorations on the gifts gave off an unmistakable vibe of presents from women. In fact, some were brazenly labeled with things like "To Garry-kun♡" and "To Lord Garry."
"...You're pretty damn popular, aren't you..."
"Huh? Ah, nah... It's not like that. Just, y'know, folks I run into around school, people from back home, all sorts..."
He didn't show the slightest hint of arrogance, which somehow made the sense of defeat sting even worse.
I had never really thought about it until now, but is Garry actually this huge of a ladies' man...? Well, fair enough, he is good-looking...
No, but wait, I got letters from Amae-san and the others too... Actually, Garry probably got those exact same ones. They were signed under the whole Imperial Archmage Faculty, so of course Garry would have them.
"More importantly, Bren, I heard you took down Wilhelm."
"Hm? Ah, well..."
Thanks to Wilhelm's stubborn insistence on just standing there and turtling behind barriers, I managed a pretty clean win. In terms of sheer combat difficulty, Mercedes—who actively attacked and defended with her predictive techniques—felt far more formidable.
"...Honestly, I had my hands full just trying to provide backup. Mercedes was stupidly strong in real combat, too. The world's a big place..."
"...No, the only reason damage was kept to a minimum was because you found Wilhelm right away, Garry."
If he had been left unchecked back then, he would have manipulated the Guardian Barrier with even greater precision, and things would have spiraled out of control. It was precisely because we engaged him immediately that we were able to minimize the effectiveness of his trump card.
Thanks to the four of them—Mercedes, Garry, Amae-san, and Filie-san—buying time, restoring the tower, reclaiming the barrier, and evacuating the spectators had all succeeded.
The impact of that achievement was immeasurable.
"You think so?"
"I know so."
"Well, if you say so, Bren, then maybe that's how it is."
Garry turned his gaze toward the window.
Beyond the glass, Magias's slightly tilted Central Tower stood hazily in the distance.
"...Man, I could really go for some meat," Garry muttered under his breath.
Even though I was still recovering, I definitely craved something hearty and filling over fruit.
"Meat, huh."
"Yeah."
"............"
"............"
"Wanna go?"
"Hell yeah."
Garry nodded.
The two of us quickly threw on our casual clothes, slipped out of the hospital unnoticed, and set off into the night city.