kscans

Chapter 217 - Episode 13: Who's the Real Intruder?

Like a socially awkward kid escaping to their secret base at school, I headed for the back of the academy.

However, the state of the lab, my destination, betrayed my expectations. First of all, there were now two buildings. Furthermore, I could see unfamiliar people going in and out of the newer one. I knew there were plans for an expansion before I left, but still.

"Things have changed quite a bit, Al... Claudia-dono."

I spoke to Claudia, who was standing beside Alfina. Claudia gave me a look that said, "Why me?"

"I am not really involved with this place. It was most likely built to accommodate Ricardo's unreasonable demands, was it not."

"Hahaha, you must be joking. Besides, I'm graduating in just a few months."

"In that case, perhaps the lab itself will move somewhere else to accommodate you."

"..."

I fell silent. To be honest, I would like to take it to the new city, but that's obviously impossible. There is no way the kingdom would let it go. Still, I do want some kind of educational facility for magic in the new city.

I wonder if we could treat it as a branch campus of this academy. Well, I am no good at teaching, so I would need proper personnel for that. That said, I barely know any teachers. Then again, I have barely attended any classes.

It cannot be helped. I was away on business in the Empire, after all. It was like being forced to miss class to participate in an official match. Though I feel like that is a completely different situation.

Anyway, about the personnel. Looking around me, there are extremely few people who seem capable of doing something like that. Or so I feel. If there is an exception...

"After you graduate, Ricardo-kun, you'll be going beyond the great river, won't you," Alfina said.

After that incident, things had been awkward between Alfina and me. In other words, we were not communicating well.

One reason was simply a lack of time. Most of my days were taken up by discussions with my father, who was launching Central Garden and the New City Preparatory Committee, and Mia, who was managing the Vinder Company.

Actually, even with all the time in the world, it would not have been enough. I told them both that we needed to speed up construction by five years because the new city, Central Garden, would become the rear support base for both the kingdom's and the Empire's armies against the coming great calamity.

The looks on their faces then might have been even scarier than the Chancellor's or the King's.

It is not my fault. It is a natural disaster, so it cannot be helped.

"A-at least until we have a clear path to counter the next calamity, I can't leave this place. Fortunately, His Grace the Grand Duke has also told me to remain at the mansion for now."

"Th-that's right, isn't it. I'm sorry. At a time like this, I..."

Another reason is that my fundamental approach does not align with Alfina's. No, perhaps it is my own hesitation about it.

Looking back, my attitude when I reunited with Alfina was pretty terrible. Why did I get so emotional? It is natural to worry about Alfina, but her argument was not wrong. In fact, it was calm, logical, and rational.

You could even say it was reassuring. In that case, I should have found a rational balance, a compromise, like a Nash equilibrium.

In any case, we settled on having Alfina participate in today's magic team meeting. Indeed, it is necessary since the matter involves the purple magic.

I have come to accept that it cannot be helped, at least this once. I cannot very well keep her locked up, I mean, have her stay in the grand duke's mansion forever.

But the atmosphere was awkward. Just as I was wondering what to do, two girls came out of the newer building, chatting away.

"Sherry and Vinaldira."

When I called out to them, the two of them saw me and glanced at each other.

"Vinder!! ............ Uh, it's good to see you back safe, yeah. ......... You worked hard, ......... me."

"Um, well, I was worried. Though, it was more for Natalie, who was worried about you, than for you yourself."

They both seemed happy to see me again, even if they tacked on some strange lines at the end. I decided to let it slide.

"Come to think of it, you two are pretty close, huh."

Their conversation had seemed lively. At least, until just a moment ago.

"Well, we've gotten to know each other through Natalie. Besides... you know, there are a lot of things we have to help each other with."

"That's right. That's how it is."

"That's great."

I congratulated them with a smile. It is a good thing that the members of Central Garden have a system for helping each other out. Especially considering what is to come.

"Vinder, your smile is kinda scary..."

"Still, there are a lot of unfamiliar faces around."

I tried to gather information from the two of them. As someone who is socially awkward, I get intimidated just by being in a place with a lot of people I do not know.

"Are you talking about the group on loan from the Magic Dormitory? If so, wouldn't it be better to ask Noel... Master Noel? ...Ah, but."

"What is it?"

"She seems to be swamped right now, so don't push her too hard, you know."

According to Sherry, apprentices of the higher-ups in the Magic Dormitory are here for a technology transfer. The new building is apparently used mainly for that purpose. And Noel is the one managing them, I see.

We were completely over capacity with both the Magic Catalyst and the new sorcery staves. It seems they started accepting people a while ago, so this is separate from the decision at the royal court meeting about using the Magic Dormitory as we please.

However...

"Regarding any unreasonable demands, I can't really make any promises. I'll explain it to you and the others eventually, Sherry."

"...I guess so." "We knew it."

The two of them gave a dry laugh in unison.

"No, it's basically a chance to make a huge profit."

I tried to encourage them by painting a bright future. I forced a smile, as if to say I was not lying. Sherry and Vinaldira glared at me with expressions that said, "We're not falling for it."

"U-um, I know it will be difficult, but please lend us your support," Alfina said to them.

"...W-well, I've already done a lot with Alfina-sama. I'm already in for the ride, I suppose."

Her expression completely changed, and Sherry looked resolved.

"We need to gather Rilka and Natalie, too. No, we have to contact Dalgan-senpai and Plural-senpai quickly as well," Vinaldira said to Sherry, her face the very picture of seriousness.

Is this the difference in our virtues?

"No, I'll set up a proper occasion to explain..."

"There's no way that'll be in time. Besides, it'll be faster to ask Mia." "That's right. We need to grasp the situation as soon as possible."

The two of them tossed the words over their shoulders and ran off toward the school building. My lack of virtue compared to Alfina's is enough to make me cry.

*

I turned the key and entered the lab through the entrance of the older building, though it was only built a few months ago. Walking down the corridor, I saw a new passageway leading to the other building. From the other end of the hall, a group of unfamiliar young men and women, though older than us, were walking toward me.

They were wearing the same robes I saw when Fulsy took me to the Magic Dormitory. They must be the Magic Dormitory's uniforms.

Upon seeing Alfina, they all tried to kneel at once, but Alfina stopped them. Next, all their suspicious eyes fixed on me. Now, how should I explain this? I am not good at introductions.

Come to think of it, what is my position in this lab? No, wait, there is a chance I do not even have one. That makes sense, since I am a merchant. So by what right am I coming and going from a facility that is practically built on state secrets?

When I think about it, I feel like I have been doing something very risky in terms of self-preservation. This is the kind of mistake that could get me cut off without a second thought.

While I was questioning my very existence, the men and women who seemed to be from the Magic Dormitory began to murmur.

"What's wrong, everyone? Next is the Sorcery Silver in this room... Vi-Vinder!"

Behind them, I could see Noel coming this way. Her robes seemed more extravagant. Noel froze when she noticed me.

"Just in time, Noel. Explain this to me."

I pleaded for Noel's help. While you are at it, I would like you to explain my position to me, too. The men and women following Noel all started murmuring at once.

"Who is that man? He addressed our master so informally." "No, wait, she just said 'Vinder'. Could it be..."

"Master?"

I could not help but cry out at the unfitting title.

Noel let out a deep sigh. She held up a hand to quiet the Magic Dormitory members behind her and strode toward me.

"I'm no longer an apprentice. They made me an official court magician without waiting for me to graduate."

"That's wonderf-"

"It is not wonderful. I heard it is your fault."

I was troubled by Noel's fierce attitude. I mean, how is it my fault?

"I don't know anything about it."

"You're the one who proposed to His Majesty at the royal conference that the Magic Dormitory be placed under this lab's authority, aren't you?"

At Noel's words, the men and women behind her began to murmur again. I could hear voices saying things like, "A proposal at the royal conference?" and "But he's dressed like a commoner."

"No, all I did was explain about the next calamity. Besides, Fulsy was there. The business about your position must have come from him, right?"

I think I remember Fulsy and Grynisias talking about something like that after the meeting.

"...Noel. What did you hear from the Director?" I asked.

"He said it was mostly your fault, Vinder... But, he's probably not wrong."

Noel did not seem convinced, but I got an explanation of the current situation anyway. The relatively young men and women behind her were the group on loan from the Magic Dormitory that Sherry mentioned, here for the technology transfer related to the Magic Catalyst and sorcery semiconductors. The reason they are so young is apparently because the higher-ups at the Magic Dormitory, who disliked the idea of studying under Noel, sent their own apprentices instead.

So Fulsy made Noel an official court magician just to dump the management duties on her. Even if they are young, having apprentices older than you must be a real headache. Poor girl. I would not be able to stand it.

"Considering Noel's achievements, it is only natural," Alfina, who had been silent behind me, spoke up.

"Alfina-sama. Um, thank you for the other day," Noel said, thanking Alfina. I asked Claudia, and apparently they had something like a tea party for the new lab members, which Alfina also attended, essentially to provide proof of how much trust the royal family has in Noel.

I see. The one who should be paying attention to such things is that old man... As I looked toward the stairs to the second floor, Fulsy himself appeared.

"Director. What kind of rumors are you spreading to Noel?"

"Oh, if it isn't Director Ricardo-dono. You have finally arrived. Nothing can begin until you are here. I heard the gist of it at the last royal conference, but you need to hurry up and tell me what we are going to do in this lab from now on."

"Telling the Great Sage-sama what to do!" "He's a Director?" The murmuring behind me grew even louder. ...Come to think of it, I believe I was saddled with a title like that. It was the last of three titles, and I figured it did not really matter whether I had it or not for this place, so it slipped my mind.

"I'll be right there after I explain how dangerous Vinder is," Noel said. She then turned to her apprentices and began giving some outrageous warnings. "Listen. Do not, under any circumstances, rely on your family's authority or anything of the sort. Not if you value your house. And if he makes any unreasonable demands, you are to consult me or the Great Sage-sama."

Who is this unreasonable tyrant she is talking about? I climbed the stairs, nursing my inner discontent.