Two days had passed since Professor Merlin’s death.
A death is always a heavy burden to bear, but ultimately, this was just an incident involving a single faculty member.
While the initial discovery had brought a certain somber weight and a flicker of sensationalist excitement, the atmosphere had already calmed. Things had mostly returned to normal.
According to the Academy’s official announcement, it was ruled an “unfortunate accident.”
Supposedly, Professor Merlin had lost his footing on the stairs and, in a tragic twist of fate, struck his head. Most of the students accepted the explanation without question.
And, of course, so did I.
Back in my previous life, there were several times when I’d been so overworked that I stumbled on the stairs and nearly died myself. These things happened.
Besides, I didn’t have the mental energy to spare on worrying about the details.
Now that Professor Merlin was dead, the library lockout was bound to be lifted. Soon, I would be able to resume my search for Ancient Magic, just as I had when I first enrolled!
I sat in the Academy Cafeteria, lost in a daydream and giddy with anticipation, when a voice broke my reverie.
“Oh my? Albert, did something good happen?”
“…Silvia, huh.”
I didn’t even have to look to know who it was. The female student standing there with a cafeteria tray was both a princess of the Duchy of Osterreich and a secret agent.
“Can I sit? I’m sitting.”
She didn’t wait for an answer before sliding her tray onto the table. It was a four-seater, so there was plenty of room for her to join me.
“I do have the right to refuse, you know.”
“But you won’t. Not the kind Albert who made me cry.”
“Hold on. I have no memory of making you cry. Stop exaggerating.”
“The cafeteria is packed. Isn’t it practically a capital offense to hog a four-person table all to yourself?”
“I wouldn't know. It wasn't full when I sat down.”
That much was true. However, as the seats around me had filled up, my modern Japanese sensibilities had begun to make me feel a bit awkward about taking up so much space. In a way, I was actually grateful to Silvia for the company.
Silvia started making conversation as she began to eat.
“So, how are you feeling today, Albert?”
“The food is good.”
“Oh, stop it. You know exactly what I’m asking.”
Silvia formed a circle with her fingers and held it up to her right eye like a monocle.
“The agent saw everything! The delinquent noble clashing with Professor Merlin!”
Right. She had been there when Merlin and I were at each other’s throats.
“…Is it really okay for you to be throwing the word ‘agent’ around in a place like this?”
I was fairly certain her identity was supposed to be top secret.
“It’s fine. In a noisy crowd like this, other people’s conversations just turn into background static. So, tell me the truth. No dodging!”
“What exactly do you want to hear?”
“From your perspective, an obstacle just vanished, didn't it?” She smirked, sizing me up. “I was just wondering how you felt about that.”
“Are you suggesting I’m the culprit? I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I have an ironclad alibi. Being the serious student I am, I was waiting in the classroom the whole time. What about you?”
The Arcana Academy functioned more like a university than a high school. There were no set classes; students simply chose which lectures they wanted to attend.
As I recalled, Silvia didn't take the Ancient History Class.
“Oh, you've got me. It was my free period, so I don’t have an alibi,” she said, laughing brightly before continuing. “But seriously, how are you feeling? Are you riding a total high right now?”
“I’m not particularly ‘high,’ but I’ll be immensely grateful if the library lockout is finally lifted.”
“Well, that’s good. Since he was causing you trouble, Albert, I found him quite unforgivable. I suppose it can’t be helped that he died.”
Scary. Her tone was genuinely chilling.
I suppose an agent’s job involves more than just gathering intelligence; they have to eliminate threats, too. She clearly had a cold-blooded side.
“If it makes you happy, Albert, then I’m happy too.”
“That’s a bit disrespectful to the dead, don’t you think?”
“I’m a ruthless agent and you’re a delinquent noble. Does it really matter?”
She had a point. Given our reputations, there wasn't much sense in arguing. Merlin had been nothing but a nuisance to me, so pretending to mourn him now would just be posturing.
“…Hm? Oh! Hey, Luna! Over here!”
Silvia waved her hand vigorously.
Wait, did she just say Luna?
I followed her gaze and saw Luna standing there with her tray, looking hesitant. Her eyes were fixed on me, filled with apprehension.
She likely believed I hated her because her snooping had triggered Shizel’s attack.
“All the other seats are taken, so sit with us!”
Even with Silvia’s cheerful invitation, Luna looked frozen. Her eyes flicked to mine, silently pleading for permission.
While distancing myself from Luna—an active Death Flag—wasn't a bad idea in theory, casting her out while she was in this emotional state seemed like the wrong move. Beyond that, she harbored feelings heavy enough to pique Shizel’s interest. If I let her spiral into despair, there was no telling what she might do.
“I don't mind. Sit down.”
“A-Ah… thank you very much…!”
Her voice was thick with relief as she set her tray down at our table.
I looked back and forth between the two of them.
“Since when are you two on a first-name basis?”
“Hmm? Oh, we’ve known each other for a bit. I’m an international student and Luna is a commoner. We’re both part of the ‘outcast’ group.”
From the perspective of the narrow-minded Kingdom nobles who made up the majority of the student body, both of them were likely seen as different species. Though, that would change instantly if Silvia ever revealed she was a princess.
Luna, meanwhile, still seemed unsure of how to behave. Since Silvia was officially a noble of low rank, Luna was clearly struggling with the proper social distance to maintain.
“Luna, I didn't see you for the last two days. Was something wrong?” Silvia asked.
“I wasn't feeling well, so I was resting in my room. I’m much better now.”
“I see. That’s good.”
So, Luna hadn't been in class the day Merlin died, either.
“Um… Lord Albert.”
“What is it?”
“Will the ban on the library finally be over now?”
Why was she asking about that?
Then I remembered. When she had begged me to make her my apprentice in front of the Second Library, we might have touched on the subject.
“Since Merlin is gone, that’s likely how it will go.”
“So there are no more obstacles?”
“None. The restrictions were all at Merlin’s discretion.”
Luna pressed a hand to her chest, let out a long, shaky breath of relief.
“Oh, that is wonderful news! I was so worried your wish wouldn't be granted, Lord Albert. If his death hadn't even accomplished that, there truly would have been no salvation.”
She paused, then added:
“I suppose that man’s death had meaning after all.”
Good grief, what a dangerous thing to say. Then again, after hearing the full extent of her obsession with me back in Shizel’s realm, I suppose it wasn't surprising she’d go that far.
For two girls who were supposed to be candidates for the Hero Party, they sure had a lot of ominous things to say.
Come on, girls. Say something a bit more… heroic. Like a champion of justice would.
How did my life end up like this?
As I predicted, the library lockout was lifted shortly thereafter.
Now, I could finally scour the Academy’s collections to my heart’s content.
Now then, I wonder where that Third Ancient Magic Book is hiding?