Liberion Academy's main building, inside a student laboratory.

I was renting one of the labs, focused on an experiment.

"Senior, is this how it's done?"

Click.

"Damn it... Run!!!"

"Huh?"

The magical tool in Yuni's hand began to glow a fiery red.

"Ouch, it's hot! What's this?"

"Damn it, Yuni! Get out!"

I initially tried to flee the lab alone but quickly turned back to grab Yuni's wrist.

Pulling her along, we rushed out of the laboratory.

Once outside, I swiftly shut the door behind us.

Whirr...

Boom!

An explosion echoed from inside.

"What just happened?"

Sigh...

Yuni and I were conducting dark magic research.

Due to my inability to draw magic circles well, I needed help to create the magical tool.

After all, these tools are based on magic circles.

Initially, I wanted Luna's help.

However, Luna was swamped with her own lab work.

While my work hadn't piled up, since my trip to the North was with Professor Gracie, Luna didn't have the same luxury.

She seemed so overwhelmed that I couldn't bring myself to ask.

Thus, I turned to Yuni for help.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing touching that mana stone? Ugh..."

"You didnt tell me not to touch it."

"When did I not? I said it at least three times."

"Did you? I dont recall."

Yuni shrugged, responding nonchalantly.

I let out a sigh.

Maybe I should've asked someone else.

While I composed the magic circle, Yuni was in charge of drawing it out.

It should've been simple.

But, despite her exceptional drawing skills, she constantly caused mishaps.

Whether it was her inserting something into the magic circle out of curiosity or playfully messing with the mana stone.

These blunders led to continuous accidents.

"Ugh, enough."

Our research was a part of the broader studies conducted within the lab.

A few days ago, after returning from the North, Professor Gracie was utterly furious.

-Even the youngest professor deserves respect!

Yuni and I assumed that she'd calm down eventually and continued with our tasks.

But Professor Gracie didnt stop there.

Before we knew it, she had stormed off to see Cromwell.

-Vice Principal! I can't take it anymore!

The declaration of Professor Gracie's strike was an unprecedented event at the Academy.

Although Cromwell appeared taken aback by her outburst, he managed to calm her down and made a proposition.

He suggested she take a two-week break.

Considering the fatigue from her northern trip and her accumulated work, this generous offer seemed like an apt compensation.

Upon hearing this, tears of joy streamed down Gracie's face as she repeatedly bowed to Cromwell in gratitude.

She never once considered that it was Cromwell who had put her in that situation in the first place.

Regardless, Gracie went on her well-deserved vacation.

However, there was a problem.

Even if Gracie took a vacation, there was still work left in her laboratory.

And now, I was the one designated to take charge of that work.

"Rudy Astria, if Professor Gracie tells you something, you should handle it."

Professor Cromwell... or rather, now Vice Principal Cromwell, informed me of this.

Upon hearing this, I clenched my teeth in frustration.

She takes a break because she doesn't want to work and leaves the tasks to others?

I couldn't just let that slide.

First, I prepared to handle the labs tasks.

What's done is done.

I believed it was right to address the work that awaited.

We'd be the ones suffering if everything was left as is until Gracie returned.

Of course, Professor Gracie would face some difficulties as well, but I despised the idea of procrastinating and dealing with it later.

So, the first thing I decided was to increase the lab staff.

I was temporarily in charge now; shouldnt I be able to expand the lab team as I saw fit?

"Thats not possible. Absolutely not."

"Come on, Kuhn. If a senior asks for a little help, you should give it."

The people I approached were Kuhn and Emily.

Among them, it was Emily I particularly wanted.

Of course, Emily being a 1st-year student did make me a bit apprehensive.

Still, I didnt expect a huge amount of assistance from her, so I simply asked for her help without dwelling on it too much.

"Shes already been assisting with student council duties in your absence. But..."

"10 gold coins."

"Excuse me?"

"I'll give you 10 gold coins if you work for two weeks. I can even draft a contract."

This money came from the lab's allocated funds.

Research grants that we could utilize at our discretion.

Once Professor Gracie returned, we couldn't just spend it as we pleased, so I decided to use it generously.

Hearing the mention of 10 gold coins, a spark ignited in Emily's eyes.

"Lets go now. Should I start with cleaning?"

"Uh... Emily?"

"Kuhn... Its 10 gold coins! Ten!"

Seeing Emilys elation made me feel quite pleased as well.

The next thing I did was to determine the kind of research wed conduct in the lab.

The focus was on the fusion of dark magic tools.

Research to create a staff beneficial for dark magic users.

The ideal staff would incorporate a mana stone that suits both the specific magic and its user.

More precisely, the magic circle inscribed onto that mana stone was crucial.

Each magic type had distinct characteristics, so selecting the right magic circle was essential.

In my case, enhancing my fists with magic, using dark magic, summoning elementals, and other diverse features meant I needed a staff that complemented all of them.

Thus, I decided.

To pivot Gracie's research towards creating a staff tailored to my needs.

Students typically craft their own staff as they graduate from the academy.

Of course, not everyone does.

Some don't make one simply because they lack the funds.

Crafting a staff perfectly attuned to oneself requires a considerable amount of money, resulting in many without a proper staff of their own.

However, I was determined to craft it myself.

Even though Ian had cut off my funding, I wasnt one to give up so easily.

The main reason staffs were expensive was not just because of the materials but also because everyone required something different from their staff.

Hence, the magic circle engraved on a staff must be unique to its owner.

It should be a magic circle that suits the owner the best.

To achieve this, one needs to research magic circles, and the cost of such research is no small amount.

I decided to tackle this issue head-on.

My solution was to conduct research related to my staff in Gracies lab.

Simple enough.

So, after Gracie went on vacation,

Yuni and I began our research on the relationship between dark magic and staffs.

A field completely different from Gracie's expertise.

But that didnt matter.

After all, whos in charge now?

Gracie's vacation was set to last for two weeks.

Typically, getting approval for a research project takes about a week.

So, we'd have everything settled before Gracie returns.

Why did she run off by herself like that?

It's her own doing.

I never wanted things to be this way.

But what can you do?

If you leave a fish store in the care of a cat, you should expect the fish to be gone.

And now, Yuni and I rented a lab to conduct research on magical tools.

"Whew... We should call it a day."

"Yes, that might be best."

I glanced around the lab, which was in chaos because of an accident Yuni had.

Magical tools had exploded, leaving iron fragments everywhere.

Some of the papers on the desk were on fire.

Thankfully, the lab was protected by defensive magic, preventing the explosion from reaching the outside.

"Water Ball."

Using a basic water magic spell, I hurriedly extinguished the flames.

"Let's start by cleaning up."

With the state of the lab, there was no way we'd get any more research done today.

And so, Yuni and I began tidying up the devastated lab.

As we cleaned, I quietly started a conversation.

"Yuni, there's something I've been wanting to ask you."

Honestly, the news of Professor Gracie running off was irritating, but given our situation, it might be a blessing in disguise.

But there was something else bothering me more.

"Did something happen to Rie while I was away?"

Lately, Rie's behavior seemed off.

She kept acting strangely.

It's like... she was doing something... unusual.

"I'm not sure? I didnt notice anything."

Yuni shrugged.

"If nothing happened, then never mind."

I brushed it off, thinking it might just be my imagination.

Although Rie's behavior was a bit unusual, it wasnt affecting our work.

Once we tidied up the lab, Yuni and I headed out.

"If we leave the windows open, the burnt smell should be gone by tomorrow."

"Will you be heading to the student council room?"

"I have to. Theres work to be done."

"Alright then. See you tomorrow~."

Waving her hand, Yuni headed in a different direction.

Soon, I arrived at the student council office.

I opened the door and stepped inside.

"Oh, you're here?"

Inside was Rie.

"Where are the others?"

"I'm not sure."

Rie answered my question nonchalantly.

"......"

Rie, sitting and scanning through some documents, sipped her coffee and responded, appearing rather laid back.

To some, it might seem normal.

However, knowing her usual behavior, something felt off.

I calmly walked over, set my bag on my seat, and sat down.

"Oh, by the way, what about the documents related to the upcoming Homecoming Day?"

"They're right here."

Rie stood up and walked over to me.

I observed her intently.

Avoiding my gaze, Rie looked down as she approached and placed the documents in front of me.

Then, she tried to return to her seat.

"Rie."

I called out to her.

"Hm?"

Rie turned her head, glancing my way.

"Ah......"

Upon meeting my eyes, she quickly averted her gaze.

I sighed deeply.

"...Why are you acting like this?"

"What, what, what do you mean?"

Rie said, avoiding my gaze.

"We haven't had a proper conversation since I returned from the North."

"We...we talk all the time!"

I stood up, grabbing Rie by the head, forcing her to look me in the eye.

"Conversations involve looking the other person in the eye."

When I forced Rie to meet my gaze, her eyes widened in surprise.

"I, I've been looking at you while... while talking, haven't I?"

Indeed, she makes eye contact initially.

But she becomes extremely flustered after doing so.

She tried to maintain a casual demeanor, but her pupils continuously darted around.

I narrowed my eyes and asked,

"Have you done something wrong?"

"No, there's nothing like that!"

"Then why can't you look at me properly?"

"I can!"

Defensively, Rie stared into my eyes, as if she was trying to win a staring contest.

And then...

"...Why are you laughing?"

"I, I'm not laughing!"

The corners of Rie's mouth started to twitch upwards.

She tried to force her smile away, but it was evident she was struggling.

That silly smile kept trying to break through.

"That's enough! I have things to do; I'll leave first!"

Rie quickly grabbed her bag and freed herself from my grasp.

"Alright, take care."

"Y-yeah......"

She replied and quickly left the student council room.

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