Chapter 36 - The Magic Otaku is Forced to Apologize
The next day, unable to return to the dorm, we were holed up in an empty professor's room. After bidding farewell to Hanna, who was returning to the Red Dragon Hall, Ruria and I headed directly to our classroom with the professors. Roche and Isak, who were already there, asked why we hadn't come back to the dorm, but I told them it wasn't something I could talk about yet and that I would explain eventually. However, there was one person who wouldn't be satisfied with that. Elisha, of course.
"Oh, my! Ruria-chan, why couldn't you come back to the dorm yesterday? I was so worried about you! And then Saki-san was gone this morning as well. What?! Could it be that you two had a sleepover without telling anyone? How cruel! Why didn't you invite me too?!"
We all had to plead with her to stop spouting such nonsense, and we finally succeeded in silencing her. A noble sacrifice was made in the process—offering Ruria (as a human sacrifice) to Elisha's lap—but we couldn't have her shouting things like that in the classroom any longer. I decided to consider it a necessary loss.
And so, classes began, but Professor Azadh didn't come this morning. Instead, Professor Zamma came and made some announcements. Could it be that Professor Azadh is still busy with the cleanup, even a day later? I'd like to think it's not my fault, but I can't help feeling a little guilty. Maybe I should ask my family to send something from the capital as a gift for the professor.
Thus, with yesterday's incident still on my mind, the morning classes passed in a blur, and I'm not sure if I heard a word of them. Then, as the lunch break began, I was confronted with a grave reality I had completely forgotten.
A classmate informed me that an upperclassman was looking for me outside the classroom. When I went out, I found the two great powers among the students, Head of Gold Dragon Hall Lug and Head of Red Dragon Hall Idis, standing shoulder to shoulder, waiting for me. The moment I saw that combination, my gray matter dredged up a memory that had been pushed to the far reaches of oblivion, and a cold sweat began to trickle down my face.
Oh, crap. I was in the middle of an errand. What happened to the basket with the pancakes? I wasn't holding it when I started running at the beginning of the fight... so I must have tossed it aside somewhere? This is bad! What am I going to say?
I frantically searched my mind for a way to get out of this situation, but my opponents didn't give me a moment to think. They immediately grabbed me by both arms, and I was carried away like an alien being escorted by men in black.
I was taken to a corner of the hallway where we wouldn't be seen or heard easily, and the two hall heads stood before me, blocking my path. I desperately tried to find the right words, but they beat me to the punch.
"Hey, Saki-kun. It seems you didn't come back to the dorm last night after all. Your friends were quite worried, you know?"
"It's been a while, Saki. I heard you were supposed to stop by the Red Dragon Hall yesterday, but you never showed up. On top of that, Ruria also disappeared before dinner and didn't come back. What exactly happened?"
"W-Well, it's an honor to see both of you seniors here. It is a great pleasure to have you visit a first-year classroom. The truth is, regarding that matter, there were, um, unavoidable circumstances."
"It's okay, Saki-kun. We actually got a message from the professors last night. They said they couldn't explain the details, but that you all would be spending the night with them, so we shouldn't worry. They also said it was confidential, so I feel bad for your friends."
"Same here. But that Elisha girl was making a huge fuss about Ruria not coming back. We managed to calm her down, but honestly, it was a real struggle."
"I-I am so sorry for the trouble. I would like to explain the full details to you both, but Professor Azadh has forbidden me from speaking about yesterday's events. It is truly... regrettable."
I made a truly apologetic face and hung my head reverently. The conversation was conveniently heading in a different direction, so I thought I might be able to keep my head down, endure, and get through this. But that was a fleeting hope.
"Oh, right. About that basket of sweets, it was found on the side of the road, away from the dorms. Unfortunately, all the contents had fallen out onto the ground."
"What? The sweets you mean are those pancakes, right? That's such a waste. If that had happened to my pancakes, I think I would have been so shocked I'd have to take to my bed. The thought alone is terrifying."
With cheerful smiles plastered on their faces, they spoke while staring at me with cold eyes. I had thought their initial attack was off-target, but their main objective from the start was the matter of the sweets. With my vital point under assault, I couldn't say anything in return and just stood there in silence with a vague smile. And that was, without a doubt, a terrible move.
"Oh, I know. Something important involving the professors came up, and the sweets had to be put on the back burner. But still, I would have preferred to hear what happened to them from you sooner, you know?"
"I understand that there must have been an important matter that required you to toss aside my pancakes. And I can accept that you can't talk about it. But don't you think there's a proper way to handle things?"
A merciless pincer attack. These two were top students and hall heads, the highest-ranking students in The Academy. I was facing them with a two-to-one numerical disadvantage, and what's more, they had held the initiative from the start. It was a hopeless situation. With my escape route cut off and facing a relentless assault, the only path left for me was to declare my complete surrender.
"I am truly and deeply sorry. I will arrange for two servings of Honey Pot's pancakes and will come to apologize formally at a later date."
I bowed my head deeply, sincerely apologizing to them both. Seeing this, Head of Hall Idis finally uncrossed her arms and brushed back her semi-long red hair from her shoulder.
"Very well. You had your reasons, but a breach of trust is a breach of trust. Whether you gain or lose credibility is determined by whether you can properly make amends. Do not forget that."
"Well, I'm not as obsessed with pancakes as Idis is, but if you're offering, Saki-kun, I'd be happy to accept. I'll look forward to it."
With that, they waved to me and headed back towards the third-year classrooms. I kept my head bowed to their retreating backs for a full thirty seconds before slowly raising it.
No, really, they're good seniors. I abandoned an errand midway, ruined the gift, and on top of that, didn't even go to apologize until they came to me. They would have been well within their rights to be disappointed, so for them to let me off with just a few sarcastic remarks was more than I could have hoped for. I'll have to show my sincerity not just with words, but with actions.
But still... Honey Pot pancakes, huh? I'll try asking Hanna through Ruria, but the problem is whether she can actually get them. I'd rather not, but I might have to use my last resort if it comes to that. I really don't want to.
It's become a bit of a hassle, but this is a mess of my own making. I'll deal with it as I must, but I still have more troublesome things to deal with today. I'd like to argue that this next one isn't my fault, but there's little hope of being heard. I shook my head and headed back to the classroom to prepare for the afternoon classes.
At dusk, Ruria and I quickly finished our dinner at the dorms, got permission from our respective hall heads, and moved to the Guest Hall. This was where the most stressful meeting of the day was about to take place.
This facility was for The Academy to entertain outside guests. As such, it was equipped with a lavish reception room that would not be embarrassing to receive nobles in. I knocked and entered the room, where two people were already seated on a sofa, waiting for us. One was the Head Professor of this academy, Ahab Adoni Azadh. The other was none other than my father, the Royal Magic Advisor and head of the Arcalai Viscounty, Levi Adoni Arcalai.
"Father, it has been a while. I am truly sorry to have caused you to come all the way from the capital on my account."
Today, Father wasn't wearing his usual monk-like robe, but a more straight-silhouetted academic-style gown with a plain stole. It was his attire for public appearances. He smiled at us and gestured to the spot next to him on the sofa as he spoke.
"It has been a while, Saki, Ruria-chan. Although, I exchange [Messages] with you every day, Saki, and I hear about you two quite often even in the capital, so it doesn't feel like it's been that long."
I bowed to them both before sitting down next to Father. Ruria also gave a quick bow to Father before sitting next to me and taking my hand. Father nodded happily and continued.
"My only son was caught up in a major incident. Of course I'd rush over. If anything, I regret that I couldn't be by your side."
"On that matter, allow me to apologize. It is our failure that we could not prevent such an incident from occurring within The Academy. I have failed my master, you, and of course, Saki."
At my father's words, the professor bowed his head in apology. Father waved his hand in response.
"We are equally at fault. We had assumed he would be safe as long as he was at The Academy. We may need to change our thinking slightly."
"Indeed. We may not want to suspect those who also pursue magic, but to be unprepared for that reason is the act of a fool. We should probably strengthen our internal surveillance a bit more."
The professor and my father spoke with grim faces, each expressing their thoughts. Well, I understand how they feel. The Academy is a place of education, and what's more, it's something of a holy land for magic users. An assassination attempt occurring there is something they could never make public. The shock to society would be too great.
Even in my past life, incidents like school shootings and indiscriminate attacks by intruders on school grounds caused significant social unrest. When the safety that had been built on trust is destroyed by those who casually disregard it, it causes serious damage to the morale of the organization's members and the community. This time, we were lucky enough to prevent it from becoming a problem, but measures must be taken to ensure it doesn't happen again.
On the other hand, increasing security or restricting the actions of students and professors would conflict with The Academy's traditions of pseudo-autonomy in the student dorms and being a place of free research. Both of them are academics, but one holds a high office in the kingdom, and the other served as a division commander in the military. Because they understand both positions, the dilemma must be even more vexing.
Well, this isn't something I can really comment on. For now, I'll just see how The Academy and the kingdom decide to act and raise any issues later. As I was thinking about this and listening to their conversation, Father glanced at me and said.
"Speaking of which, Saki. I hear you had a run-in with a Katzir knight when you came to this academy city a month ago? Something about a big scene at the city gate?"
Crap. Come to think of it, that did happen. It was before I learned the [Sending] spell, so I don't think I ever reported it to Father... Ah, did he hear it from Laz-san or someone?
"Oh, I heard about it from Nathan, too. Said you taught an ignorant knight a lesson and then let him off without punishment. You do some bold things, Saki."
"That knight was incredibly rude. Saki was right."
The professor chimed in, and Ruria defended me. Even so, it's an incident I'd rather forget. It was like getting caught in someone else's accident, and I've accepted it as bad luck. But I will never forgive that knight, Baumann, or that idiot Marquis's son. Never.
"It was careless of me not to report it directly to you, Father. I apologize."
Considering the matter could have escalated, this is something I deserve to be scolded for. I'm sure Nathan-san and Laz-san reported it to Father from their respective positions, but I was the one in charge at the time, so I should have reported it as well. As a former working adult, failing to report, contact, and consult is quite embarrassing.
"I feel that for someone of Saki's age, handling the situation as you did was sufficient, but since you didn't let me know, I can't give you full marks. In any case, between this incident and the one with the knight, you have a bit of a reckless streak, Saki. A noble's heir should be almost cowardly, so let's try to be more prudent from now on, shall we?"
"I take your admonishment to heart. The professor gave me a similar scolding, so I will take it as a lesson."
As I bowed my head, Father and the professor looked at me with worried expressions. Ah, they don't trust me, do they? Well, I have a track record, so I can't blame them.
Still, why did Father bring this up now? Is it because the Marquis Katzir house is involved in this assassination attempt as well? It's also possible he simply wanted to curb my recklessness.
Just then, the door opened without a knock, and the final person entered the reception room. It was none other than my grandmother, Ester Adoni Arcalai. Dressed in a plain white robe and carrying a long staff, Grandma ignored us as we stood to greet her, sat down in the seat of honor, and began to complain loudly while patting her own shoulder.
"Honestly, don't make an old woman run around like this. Do you have any idea how many times I've gone back and forth between the capital and here since yesterday? On top of that, you made me take a long trip all the way to the Katzir domain. I really don't know why I bothered to retire."
Perhaps because she was among family, Father, smiling wryly at Grandma's overly casual attitude, tried to calm her down as he took his seat.
"Even so, Mother, you are the only one who can use the [Teleport] spell. It can't be helped. I am sorry to have to rely on you."
"Then you should hurry up and learn [Teleport] yourself and let this old woman take it easy. You're close to the Fifth Tier, aren't you?"
"What? Levi, you've reached that point? If so, you'll be the second in the kingdom after Master to achieve such a feat!"
As Grandma and Father spoke, the professor, who had been listening from the side, became excited. Hoh, so Father is close to reaching the Fifth Tier. And just as I thought, there is a long-distance teleportation spell. Now I know the secret to Grandma's appearing-and-disappearing act. If she's the only one who can use it, it makes sense that it's not widely known.
"I only have one or two spells left in the Fourth Tier. Sarah may be able to advance to the Fourth Tier soon as well."
"Hmm. I thought you and Sarah had reached a plateau, just like me... Is this that training method Saki came up with that I've heard about?"
"That's the one. Azadh, you want to give it a try? You might just become the third person in the kingdom to reach the Fifth Tier, even now."
"I-If you would allow it, Master, I would be honored! But are you sure? Isn't this secret a tradition of the Arcalai family?"
"I want as many people as possible to try it. That way, I can teach it more efficiently next time. Of course, for now, I'll limit it to people I can trust."
At my words, Professor Azadh gave me a look of genuine surprise. Hey, stop that, you're embarrassing me with that intense stare.
Magic users are fundamentally secretive. Even at The Academy's entrance ceremony, they make you swear repeatedly to keep secrets. Magic is a terrifying technology, and in some respects, that's the right way to handle it, but on the other hand, if we don't share knowledge and results to some extent, academic progress will be slow.
Magic is one thing, but more than that, I want to unearth, research, and develop the art of ritual magic. To that end, it's important to lay the groundwork for the free exchange of ideas among researchers now. I need to change the common sense of this industry through my Arcalai family, my friends like Roche and Isak, and my father's private academy.
"Well, that's enough family talk. Let's get down to discussing the aftermath of this incident."
Grandma clapped her hands, urging us to get to the main topic. We (with one exception) adopted serious expressions and began to discuss the resolution of the assassination attempt.
"First, the mastermind was the Marquis Katzir house. Or rather, it seems to have been almost entirely the work of the Marquis's second son, Oz Adoni Katzir. He was the one handling foreign affairs in the capital on behalf of the Marquis and his eldest son, who are in their home domain. He was probably involved in a lot of things before this, I'd wager."
"Melek Halari, who attempted the assassination, is a disciple of Elder Mordecai. It seems he was targeted because of the Elder's connection to the Katzir family, having become their retained magic user about a year ago. He said he was forced to cooperate after Oz took his wife and child hostage."
"Is there any evidence that Mordecai himself was involved?"
"It doesn't seem so. The Elder had been planning to visit The Academy for some time, and it appears Halari, who was accompanying him, was chosen as a convenient opportunity. Upon learning of the events, he was furious with the Katzir family and said he was done with them."
"I've secured Halari's wife and child. They're being hidden in our mansion in the capital now. I don't think anything will happen to them at this point, but it's better than leaving them over there."
Before my very eyes, the behind-the-scenes details were coming to light. So, it was that idiot Marquis's son's older brother pulling the strings. Taking Mr. Halari's wife and child hostage... that family is full of scumbags, brother and all.
"And it seems a student who enrolled this year from a family with connections to the Katzir house acted as a go-between for Halari and Oz, as well as Saki's monitor. It appears this student was also threatened due to power dynamics within their family."
"The student in question was relaying information via [Sending] to a magic user who was acting as Oz's hands and feet in the capital. This individual was also involved in 'operations.' They were already on our radar."
The professor and my father relentlessly exposed the other side's situation. As expected of the kingdom's premier intelligence network and the Arcalai family, which holds overwhelming influence in the world of magic. Conversely, it also meant that even with all this power, our family couldn't prevent the assassination attempt against me. Although the crime being committed within The Academy was a kind of blind spot, terrorism is still terrifying.
"Who is that student?"
At that moment, a question was asked in a small, whispering voice, and a chill ran down all our spines. I looked to my side and saw Ruria, clinging to my arm, looking at the adults with her usual half-lidded eyes. Seeing everyone's expression freeze under her gaze, I reflexively spoke up.
"Ruria, it's already over. Leave the rest to me."
Ruria looked up at me with a blank expression, but then she gave a short "Mm" and buried her face in my arm. In that instant, the tense atmosphere dissipated, and a sense of relaxation filled the reception room.
"S-So then. As for the punishment for those involved, Saki, you do not wish for a severe one, do you?"
Professor Azadh, seemingly in a hurry, brought the conversation back on track. I nodded and expressed my thoughts to the adults.
"Regarding Mr. Halari, I believe there are sufficient grounds for extenuating circumstances. I would like to request that he be spared the death penalty. As for the classmate who cooperated, no punishment. We should not punish the child, but the adults who made the child do such a thing. As for the other magic user... I have no idea what level of punishment would be appropriate, so I will leave that to your judgment. Finally, regarding the mastermind..."
Just as I was about to continue, Grandma cut me off sharply.
"There's no room for discussion regarding Oz Adoni Katzir. He plotted to harm the heir of a noble appointed by the King himself, within The Academy. It's an act of rebellion against the royal family and The Academy, enough to have his entire house crushed. They're just being annoying about not wanting to make it public, so I'm letting them be for now, but I've of course already sent the man himself on a journey to the underworld."
Whoa, hold on, Grandma. I get that in this world, what the second son of a noble does is the responsibility of the entire family, but trying to burn them all to the ground is a bit much, don't you think? Also, the mastermind has already been dealt with? I see. I think this every time, but this is not a conversation to have in front of a child.
Father and the professor... ah, their faces are twitching uncontrollably. Of course, they're furious about what was done, but considering the state of the country and The Academy, they'd probably prefer to settle things peacefully. Wait a minute, if someone doesn't stop Grandma, isn't this going to be bad? I don't know exactly what a Seventh Tier magic user is capable of, but I have a feeling Grandma could destroy an entire Marquis house all by herself.
"Well, fortunately, I wasn't harmed in the slightest, so there's no need to blow things out of proportion. Besides, our family is only a viscounty, so it would be wise to avoid an all-out confrontation with one of the kingdom's most powerful noble houses."
I spoke up, trying to steer the conversation away from a more radical direction. The adults reacted to my statement in three different ways. Grandma scoffed, Father gave a wry smile, and the professor crossed his arms with a troubled expression.
"I hate to say it, Saki, but one or two Marquis houses... if the Arcalai family got serious, we could crush them with one hand. In fact, I could probably do it myself."
"I think Mother's way of putting it is a bit much, but I agree with the sentiment. That's why I find it hard to understand why Oz Adoni Katzir would do something like this."
"I was thinking the same thing. No matter the outcome, what Oz did seems like a path straight to ruin. What on earth could have driven him to such an extent..."
Wait, really? Is our family that powerful? The fact that all three of them have the same understanding probably means it's true.
At that moment, a sense of unease bloomed in my mind. To confirm it, I asked the three of them.
"With all due respect, may I assume that our Arcalai family does not harbor any great worldly desires, such as territorial ambition or a further rise in status at the royal court?"
"What an odd thing to ask out of the blue... To be blunt, no. We didn't even want the viscount title, really. At first, they were asking me to become a count, you know? If I could go back to being a village headman like in the old days, I would. But that's impossible now."
"The position of Royal Magic Advisor is already on par with a minister. Any higher than that would be Prime Minister or something? The work and responsibilities outside of magic would increase so much, I can't say I'd want the job."
"Regardless of what Master and Levi think, I also believe the Arcalai family's duty is to be the head house of magic. As long as that remains unshaken, territory and official rank are secondary, are they not?"
"Thank you. I understand perfectly."
They answered my sudden question carefully, though with some confusion. Ah, I see, so that's it. I think I kind of get it now. The unease I felt just now is probably closely related to the emotions that Oz Adoni Katzir and the other great nobles, the so-called Noble Faction, were trapped in.
I guess there's no helping it. It might not be my place to say anything, but now that I've realized it, I can't just keep quiet. I stood up from the sofa and looked at everyone present as I spoke.
"We are making a mistake."
I'm not exactly thrilled about it, but I suppose I'll have to give a little lecture here.
This is the second of two consecutive posts. This one also took a lot of time to rewrite and revise, and it ended up being too long, so I had to split it up. I'd like to get better at this sort of thing.