As dusk fell, Professor Merlin returned to his office.
He inserted his key into the locked door, but as he did, he felt the faint, lingering residue of mana at his fingertips.
(...Hmm. It seems someone attempted to enter my room.)
The ever-cautious Merlin had warded the door with a detection spell. It was a mechanism designed to alert him if the same individual tried to open the door multiple times within a short period.
While faculty offices were equipped with doors, school regulations dictated they be left open during the day to ensure students felt welcome to enter. If someone had legitimate business with Merlin, they should have come while the door was unsecured.
(I wonder if they have business that cannot be shared with others?)
Merlin pushed the door open and stepped inside.
A quick scan of the room revealed no obvious abnormalities. The documents on his desk and the arrangement of the bookshelves were exactly as he remembered.
(Now then, what should I do?)
In truth, it wasn't just this office. He had detected similar traces in several other rooms he frequented. It was clear that Merlin himself was the target.
But why?
(Are they curious about me? I suppose I’ll have to teach them that curiosity killed the cat.)
With a low, dry chuckle, Merlin took his seat and faced his desk. He was curious about his shadow, but he didn't have the luxury of time to waste on them.
—Albert von Kronstadt.
He was far too busy preparing to expose the boy’s true nature.
An arrogant youth who manipulated power far beyond any standard. The thought of peeling back the veil of mystery surrounding that enigmatic boy set Merlin's heart racing with anticipation.
(I will certainly catch you in the act!)
If Albert truly had some connection to Ancient Magic—
A distorted smile played across Merlin’s lips. This was a grand undertaking to corner the boy, and he had to be meticulous. Every detail had to be perfect.
Merlin was so deeply immersed in his calculations that he didn't immediately notice the figure standing in the doorway.
"—Excuse me, Professor Merlin."
"…?"
When he looked up, a female student with chestnut hair was standing there. Her face was familiar.
"Luna?"
"Forgive the intrusion, Professor Merlin."
"Whatever is the matter?"
Merlin smoothed his features into a soft, welcoming expression. With a practiced, fluid motion, he concealed the plans he had been drafting.
"There was something I didn't quite understand in our Ancient History Class… May I ask a question?"
"Of course. Please, have a seat."
Merlin gestured for Luna to sit across from him. As he listened to her speak, he reviewed her background in his mind.
Luna came from a commoner family, yet her talent rivaled that of the Hero Leon. Though she was still unrefined, she possessed a sharp aptitude for magic; some even whispered that she might one day become a Great Sage.
(Serious and hardworking, yet her studies are heavily skewed toward high-output offensive spells, I see.)
Speaking with her now, it was clear her intellect lived up to her reputation. She was, without a doubt, a rare talent.
(And yet, she seems somewhat distant. I wonder why.)
Perhaps because of that internal distraction, she wasn't doing a very good job of masking the shallow nature of her academic questions. Merlin concluded that Luna had come here "hiding her true purpose."
Eventually, Luna’s questions came to an end.
"Thank you very much. That clears everything up."
"I am happy to resolve a student's doubts. You are welcome to visit anytime."
"Um—"
After a moment of hesitation, Luna spoke again.
"Why are students barred from the libraries other than the Central Library?"
It was a measure specifically designed to restrict Albert’s movements, but he could hardly say that.
Merlin responded with a pleasant smile.
"I am currently conducting personal research there. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I must ask you to wait a little longer."
"I see."
"By the way, why do you ask? Ordinary students are usually restricted to the Central Library anyway, so it shouldn't affect you, should it?"
A student of commoner birth shouldn't even have access to the other wings. Only those from high-ranking noble families could usually manage it. Someone like Albert von Kronstadt, for instance.
"…T-That… I simply happened to overhear a rumor."
"I see. Fufufu, rumors do tend to crop up everywhere, don't they?"
Merlin brought the conversation to a close.
"Forgive me, but it is almost time for my next meeting. Let us walk out together."
Merlin left the room with Luna and let the lock engage with a sharp click.
"Be careful on your way back."
Waving to Luna as she bowed, Merlin departed. His mind was already back to its cold, precise calculations.
The one person truly inconvenienced by the library's closure was Albert.
(Albert and Luna are in the same year, aren't they?)
If so, there was a chance they were connected. Perhaps Albert was using Luna to gather intelligence on his behalf.
(I should remain cautious.)
Merlin walked down the hallway without looking back. Consequently, he failed to notice that Luna was staring intently at his retreating figure.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
Professor Merlin’s back moved further away down the corridor. Just beyond him, the stairs leading down were visible.
(If Professor Merlin were to simply disappear…)
If the man imposing the ban was gone, the restriction would surely be lifted by default. That would undoubtedly please Albert.
—Show your merit.
Proving her usefulness was the surest way to earn Albert’s favor.
(If I do that, I can get closer to the secrets of magic he holds.)
To Luna, the prospect was as intoxicating as forbidden fruit.
Professor Merlin drew closer to the top of the stairs. If she approached quietly from behind and gave him a single shove—
(Lord Albert might finally acknowledge me.)
Luna was standing on the precipice of a line a human must never cross.
But she couldn't suppress her impulses. The memory of her parents being brutally murdered by Magic Beasts was seared into her mind. Her own lack of strength felt like a noose tightening around her heart. The mere recognition of her own weakness made it difficult to breathe.
The only thing that offered her a reprieve from that suffocation was Albert’s power.
(If I had that power… if I only had that power…)
The agony spreading through her chest would finally ease. She could no longer restrain the impulse welling up from the depths of her soul.
She wanted power. To get it, she had to prove herself to Albert.
"Luna?"
Suddenly, a hand tapped her shoulder, jolting her back to reality. She turned to find Leon standing there with a worried expression.
"Leon…?"
"What's wrong? You look so serious, just standing there like a statue…"
When Luna looked back toward the hall, Professor Merlin had already disappeared down the stairs.
(I missed my chance.)
But another opportunity would come. Switching gears, Luna focused on Leon.
The two were old acquaintances. The Hero Candidate Leon and the potential Great Sage Luna—they were expected to be the twin pillars of the force that would defeat the Demon King. Because of their history, Luna was well aware of Leon’s status.
"Don't worry about it. I was just lost in thought."
"Are you troubled by something?"
"Not really. I was just thinking about Albert."
"About Albert?"
"Yes. That overwhelming Lightning Bolt he displayed during the exam… As someone who specializes in the same element, it was a sight that left me breathless. What did you think of it, Leon?"
Leon scratched his head, a strained, bitter smile on his face.
"It was incredible, wasn't it? He’s on a completely different dimension from us. I don't think I could ever replicate that."
"What…?"
Luna stared at him, stunned. Those words were far too uncharacteristic for the Hero Leon.
"Leon, if it were the usual you, wouldn't you be saying you'll catch up to him one day, or that he’s a good goal to aim for?"
"————"
As if she had hit the nail on the head, Leon's face went blank, his mask slipping for a fraction of a second.
"T-That’s right. You’re right, that didn't sound like me at all. I guess I was just… a bit surprised, is all. Hahaha! Of course I intend to catch up. After all, I have a duty to fulfill."
Leon cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Sorry for bothering you. I’ll be going now."
"No, thank you for your concern."
Leon waved a hand with a noticeably listless air and walked away, leaving Luna alone in the hallway.