"Ah..."

As I glanced up, a pair of eyes met mine, their gaze bearing down on me. His black blazer was drenched, creating an eerie stillness in the surrounding space.

My face felt rigid, and my mouth moved soundlessly before finally finding my voice.

".....I apologize. It was a mistake."

I was quick to react.

My initial action was to gently remove the drink from his grasp and set it down on the nearby table. Then, I retrieved a tissue and proceeded to delicately pat down his clothes.

"....The ground was slippery, and--"

"It's fine."

He held out his hand to stop me and smiled. The tension that hung around the surroundings eased from that moment on.

Looking up to address the other present, he started to speak in a warmer tone.

"It was an accident. There's no need for you to worry. The jacket isn't even that expensive."

"Ah, but at least let me repay you."

"It's alright."

"But--"

"This much is nothing. Please be at ease. I've long heard of your reputation. Take it as a token of friendship from me."

"Ah, but..."

I insisted several times, but he refused me each time. In the end, I had no choice but to stop. I could more or less tell he was starting to grow annoyed by my responses.

Thankfully, he had managed to recognize my identity and wasn't overly harsh to me. Rather, he seemed keen on using the opportunity to build a connection with me.

There were perks to being the Black Star.

"Be more careful next time."

"....I understand."

I lowered my head to apologize again. Just as I did, the guards finally caught up to him and whispered something in his ear.

His expression shifted immediately.

Then...

"If you'll excuse me for a brief moment."

Under my watchful eyes, he picked up his glass and tapped it with his finger.

Ting--! Ting--!

The noise managed to reach the ears of all present.

The noise in the hall quieted down and all eyes fell on him.

Clearing his throat, he smiled.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there seems to have been an accident."

His voice quietly traveled throughout the hall. With the same calming smile, he went on to explain the situation.

"It's with regret that I have to inform you that one of the prized items of the auction house has been stolen. The reports have come just now, and we still believe that the culprit is hiding amongst one of us."

He went on to press his hand against his chest as his head lowered a little.

"Therefore, I hope that with some understanding, you won't mind if we search all the guests present. I humbly ask as the Head Chief of the Auction House."

A strange silence followed shortly after before the entire hall erupted into noise.

"A thief? If that's the case then I don't see why I should disagree. I've got nothing to hide."

"Are you saying that you're going to keep us here until everyone is searched?"

"This... Is this even possible?"

"I refuse to be searched!"

The response was a mix of protests and agreements. But it was only after the members of the fifteen Guilds came up to voice out their support that the noise died down.

"We agree with the search."

"We've got nothing to hide. Please don't mind us. Search as you want."

'....Has he bought them?'

Seeing the strange looks he was giving to the representative members of the Guild, it seemed like a plausible idea.

Or at least... The Auction House and the Guilds were on extremely good terms.

In any case, guards started to pour in from all entrances, blocking people from leaving.

Shortly after, someone came to my side.

"Please."

The Head Chief concluded with another bow.

"....Thank you for your understanding."

***

The search continued for the next half hour. Despite the many protests from the guests, and members of the Academies, they went to deaf ears and the search continued.

"....How is the situation?"

Overlooking the situation, the Head Chief frowned. It was taking a lot longer than he expected...

It couldn't be that the thief had escaped...?

But how was it possible? The moment the item had been stolen, all exits had been blocked and all the guests present had been kept.

The likelihood that the thief had escaped was slim...

"Head Chief, we still have found nothing. Most of the guests are showing signs of dissatisfaction. Especially those that have been cleared of suspicions. We've also searched the surroundings and found nothing."

Frowning, the Head Chief massaged his chin.

"How troublesome..."

All guests had certain standings within the Empire. Their actions were the equivalent of offending such high-class people.

Thankfully, given their great relationship with the fifteen Guilds, the situation had not turned out for the worst, but...

For how long could he keep it like that?

If things progressed at this rate, then there was a chance that he might end up offending several big shots at once.

He had to hurry up. He didn't have much time. Though the item stolen was expensive and would lead to substantial losses, it was something he could take given the circumstances.

He'd much rather want to keep the guests happy than lose out on the money.

Money could always be made. Connections...?

That was much harder.

But of course...

If he could, he'd like to find the culprit. What sort of person would not care about catching the thief who had stolen from them?

'See what happens when I catch that bastard...'

His grip on his drink tightened at the thought.

However, if they still couldn't find the culprit before the situation turned out like that, he would have no choice but to give up.

"Just where could it be...?"

The Head Chief felt his head throb, and his head turned to face a young man not so far from where he was. He currently was getting his body checked, but from how the guards were responding, he didn't seem to be guilty.

Even so, seeing his face, the Head Chief silently clicked his tongue.

'.....An idiot.'

Such was his evaluation of the Haven Black Star.

Who would've thought he'd be such an idiot...? Recalling how his blazer had been smeared with his drink, the Head Chief felt his lips twitch.

The suit wasn't cheap. He had only lied to maintain his image.

It was in fact extremely expensive.

If it weren't for his position as the Black Star, then...

"Um?"

The Head Chief felt his hand suddenly pause and his expression changed.

He looked around him. All guards were busily checking patting down and checking the items of all guests present.

A sudden thought struck him then and he put the drink in his hand down.

The way he looked at the cadet near him changed as he tried to recall the incident. Out of nowhere, he had suddenly tripped over and spilled his drink on him. Thereafter, he went on to try to dry his clothes...

"Ah."

Blinking his eyes, he almost found himself laughing.

Right...

Of course.

Why didn't he think about it? Of all the people present, who was the most likely person to not get checked?

"Haha."

He laughed out loud then. Turning his attention towards one of the nearest guards, he extended his hands.

".....Search me too."

"Yes?"

The guard seemed taken aback, but he didn't mind. Nudging with his chin, the Head Chief's gaze wandered back to the young man as his eyes narrowed.

If his guesses were correct, then...

He had found his culprit.

***

Pat, pat--!

The search took quite a while.

Patting down our bodies and using a strange item while doing so, it felt as though every part of my body was being checked. Most likely, the device helped to detect through the human flesh. In the off-chance the thief swallowed the item, then they'd be able to tell.

"....."

Pat, pat--!

My arms were pressed.

Pat, pat--!

My legs were pressed.

Pat, pat--!

My pockets were checked.

I remained silent the entire time and kept my heart beating at a steady state.

Especially when I felt a certain gaze directed toward me. I felt the back of my hair stand under such gaze.

My palms were sweaty and I had a strange urge to fidget my hand.

Even so, I kept myself from showing any noticeable reaction until the search was finally over.

"It looks like you're good to go. Nothing has been found on you."

Only then did I finally step back. As I turned my head, I found myself locking eyes with another individual, causing a subtle tightening of my expression. He was looking at me with a gaze that seemed to say, 'I've got you...' I wondered what he was on about at first, but after seeing that he was also getting searched, I understood.

Ah--

I covered my mouth at that moment.

"....."

Swallowing my saliva, I forced myself to remain composed and stood still. My left hand twitched, and I wasn't able to stop my fingers from fidgeting together.

Such action was caught by his gaze as just faintly, the end of his lips curled.

".....You, there."

Finally, he called out for me.

"....."

I didn't respond immediately and pursed my lips.

He nudged me with his finger.

"Come here..."

His voice came out dry and commanding.

I swallowed before following his instructions and moved near him, only stopping at the opposite end of the table where a drink filled with ice appeared.

I unconsciously reached out for it and he didn't stop me.

Rather, he seemed to enjoy my actions.

"There's no need to be nervous."

His gaze wandered toward the guards that surrounded him as they were busily checking every part of his body.

Pat, pat--!

They carried a similar procedure to the one like mine, patting his body all over and paying special attention to the blazer.

I felt my expression stiffen further as my grip on the glass tightened.

His voice once again reached me.

".....Do you want to come clean?"

"...."

I tilted my head and he leaned closer.

"If you come clean now, the situation will end more nicely. I'm currently not accusing you because I have no evidence. However..."

He suddenly smiled.

"Even though you're trying your best, I can see just how nervous you are. If you just come cle--"

"Chief."

His sentence was abruptly cut off by one of the guards. As he looked to meet his gaze, his expression quickly changed the moment he spoke.

"....There's nothing. You're also clear."

"Uh...?"

As if not expecting such an answer, his eyes widened and his expression crumbled. I stared at the scene from the opposite side of the table before lowering my head to stare at my drink.

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong? Did you check correctly...? I..."

His voice faded in the background as I stared at the drink in my hand. Or more specifically, one of the 'ice cubes' inside.

It blended in so nicely...

"..."

I blankly stared at the cubes for a few more seconds before bringing the drink closer to my lips.

Gulp--

Fucking idiot.