Merlin, a professor at the Arcana Academy, sat in his private research office reflecting on a particular student.
——Albert von Kronstadt.
The notorious heir of House Kronstadt.
Delving deep into his memories, Merlin reached a succinct conclusion.
(The boy is an anomaly...)
He recalled their discussion regarding ancient history, his own specialty. The precision of Albert's answers and the depth of his insight had far exceeded what one would expect from an undergraduate. He had demonstrated a mastery of the subject matter akin to an expert who had spent decades in the field.
In all his years of experience, Merlin had never encountered a student quite like him.
(And that isn't all—)
Merlin pulled a stack of documents from his desk drawer. They were the visitor logs for the various libraries within the Academy. Access was stratified by reading levels; not every facility was open to the general student body. These particular lists were for the restricted archives—the ones where every entry had to be recorded.
The Old Archive, the Second Library, the East Building Library—the same name surfaced repeatedly across all of them.
——Albert von Kronstadt.
As the son of a Duke, Albert could effortlessly secure permission to browse libraries that were off-limits to ordinary students.
(Would a newly enrolled student truly immerse himself in the archives to this extent...?)
Merlin scanned Albert's checkout history. Every title was highly specialized, far removed from the interests of a typical student. As he gazed at the list, Merlin's intuition made a sudden, sharp leap.
—No way.
Merlin's heart hammered against his ribs for a single, heavy beat.
(Is he searching for the Ancient Magic Books left behind by the 'Jester'...?)
Legend had it that after the fall of the Ancient Civilization—a true super-civilization—a mysterious figure known as the 'Jester' had cleverly hidden Ancient Magic within various texts across the continent to prevent its total extinction. Merlin knew it was more than just a legend; it was cold fact.
The obfuscation system was masterful. To anyone without the proper aptitude, the books appeared to be nothing more than ordinary treatises on magic theory. But in the hands of someone with sufficient comprehension...
(Could it be... is he actually researching Ancient Magic...!?)
He almost wanted to laugh at his own absurd deduction. In an age where the Ancient Civilization was branded a failure, such research was considered the ultimate taboo. No sane person would do such a thing.
But nothing else explained this obsessive, almost frantic level of investigation. And if it were Albert von Kronstadt—a boy already infamous as a rogue—it wouldn't be beneath him to disregard common sense entirely.
If that were the case, Merlin had to take proper measures as an educator.
(I need proof.)
Merlin took a long, deep breath. If the boy really was dabbling in Ancient Magic, Merlin needed to uncover his true identity for the sake of the Academy’s safety.
—And, if his suspicions were correct...
A faint, knowing smile touched Merlin's lips.
(I must ascertain who he truly is. Is he merely a prodigy, or—)
I will corner Albert. I want to see how he reacts when the pressure is on. That should be the clue I need to reveal the truth.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
Several days had passed since my encounter with Leon.
I was still spending every spare moment holed up in the Academy libraries. It was slow going, though. Thanks to the Jester’s obfuscation system, these books looked like worthless theory to any normal student. Since I had no way of knowing which specific volumes contained the magic, I had to brute-force the search by investigating anything that looked remotely suspicious.
It was a monumental amount of work, but I actually found it quite enjoyable. In games, checking every single possibility to clear a difficult stage is just part of the grind. I was treating the hunt for Ancient Magic Books like a gacha game. Except this was even better because the rolls were free. Back in my old life, a ten-pull would’ve set me back three thousand yen.
My obsession eventually took me beyond the Central Grand Library, which was open to everyone, and into the more restricted archives. While a commoner like Luna wouldn't stand a chance, my status as a Duke's son meant I could get in almost anywhere, provided it wasn't the Forbidden Library.
Well, I’ll find a way into that one eventually, too.
With that ambition fueling me, I set off for the library again today. As I walked down the hall, a voice called out from behind me.
"Oh, Albert. Off to the library again?"
I turned to find a beautiful girl with silver hair and piercing blue eyes standing there. It was Silvia. The Princess of the Duchy of Osterreich and an international student at this Academy. I’d absolutely demolished her in a mock duel not long ago, so why was she approaching me with such a bright smile?
"...Do you want something?"
"I thought I might go with you," she chirped.
Like hell I’m hanging out with one of Leon's future party members!
"I refuse. I have no reason to accommodate you."
"Supposedly, it's lucky to visit the library with a Virgo today," she said playfully.
"I’m not a Virgo!"
"I know. That’s why it’s lucky for you—a Libra—to go with me. I’m the Virgo."
"Thanks for the luck, but I'll pass!"
"My birthday is August twenty-seventh, by the way. Don't forget my present."
"Let’s just offset it with my birthday present. They'll cancel each other out, so neither of us has to give anything."
"That’s not how it works. I’m giving you one even if you don't give me anything. Happy early birthday, Albert-kun—born on October twentieth, right?"
She gave me a mischievous smirk.
What a headache. In the original game, she used to tease Hero Leon with this kind of banter. She should go do that to him instead of me.
"Fine, do what you want!"
I cut her off and quickened my pace. But to my bewilderment, Silvia fell into step right beside me. She was walking so close that our arms occasionally brushed. She looked up at me with a gaze that felt like she was testing my reaction.
"Let’s go together. For the sake of our fortunes."
The problem was, Silvia was undeniably gorgeous. I’m only human; it’s hard not to feel a little something. But! She’s a walking death flag! I cannot afford to get close to her! I used my arm to nudge her away, forcing some distance between us.
"Stop following me."
I ignored her and marched ahead, but she stayed right on my heels. I stopped and whipped around.
"Hey. What exactly are you playing at?"
I tried to be intimidating, but her smile didn't even flicker.
"We just happen to be going the same way. Is that a problem?"
"Happen to be," my eye. She was clearly tailing me. But her logic was just annoying enough that I couldn't find a good retort. I clicked my tongue in frustration.
"Fine. Whatever."
"Good. 'Whatever' it is, then."
Silvia followed me in silence. The lack of talking actually made it more uncomfortable.
(I beat her senseless, and she’s still hanging around? I don't get it...)
Is she some kind of masochist?
Just thinking about it made my head hurt, so I pushed the matter of Silvia out of my mind. It was time to focus on the book hunt.
Or so I thought. The moment I arrived at the Second Library, the librarian stopped me.
"I’m terribly sorry, Lord Kronstadt. Per instructions from Professor Merlin, access to these archives has been temporarily restricted."
...What?
My heart skipped a beat.