With the long night coming to an end (1)

Ahhhhrghhh!

It was an odd sound to describe as stretching.

Assistant Professor Claire, who had opened the glass doors of the Triss Departments main gate to the rising morning sun, was so delighted by the morning air that tears welled up in her eyes.

She had just finished a long shift alongside Professor Krayd, who didnt even pretend to act his part.

Her once luscious blonde hair had gone frizzy from staying up all night, with stray hairs poking out here and there. Her bleary eyes looked so lifeless, they might as well belong to a smoked fish.

There was no trace of dignity in her uncle-like stretching.

Just a few years back, wasnt Claire too an untouchable, top-ranking beauty of the Sylvania Academy?

Now, immersed in the real world for years, she wasnt even attempting to hide her messy hair with a pretty make-up, instead just tying it up inconspicuously. It felt like a philosophical moment of realization.

Was the decision to pursue an academic career too reckless?

Her eyes teared up again, and despite the crisp and invigorating morning air, she couldnt feel completely happy.

Dawn emergency call records are here?

Ah, yes A student was injured near the northern forest.

What? A student was injured?

Yes. Ive prepared the incident report, so you can just check that. Theres no need for further action, it has already been reported to the vice principals line.

The relief worker, perusing the packed reports, clicked her tongue.

What happened last night

There were quite a few incidents. A building owned by Elte Commercial also collapsed near the dormitory. While it was outside the faculty building, we should still be aware of it.

Elte Commercials building? What happened? Is the investigation over?

The relief worker, her hair draped long, pushed up her glasses with a confused expression.

Assistant Professor Claire made sure all the doors were closed again after airing out the place, then she returned to the duty room and said,

It was an explosion due to poor hazardous materials management.

It was a frank response.

Hazardous inventory?

Seems like the chain explosion was caused by magic artifacts inscribed with explosive spells stored in Elte Commercials warehouse.

The relief worker, checking the reports, replied with astonishment.

Even Elte Commercial, known for handling a wide range of goods, made such a mistake.

Well, they say there werent any serious injuries or fatalities, but the financial loss mustve been substantial.

Assistant Professor Claire spoke nonchalantly, her eyes not flickering.

Elte Commercial building was half-destroyed due to an accident during goods distribution.

Is the handover done? Can I leave now?

A man who had been lounging in a chair at the back of the office, his face covered by a book, stretched out his limbs noisily and stood up.

His stagger might resemble that of a corpse just awakened from death.

Whew, its been a long one.

Despite having almost not moved from his spot all night, his weariness was visible from a mile away.

Professor Krayd always looked tired anyway.

Argh, time to head back to the room and rest. I wonder if theres any beer left in the convenience store by the dorm?

Oh, take care, Professor Krayd.

Arent you going back, Claire?

Was this a verifying kill shot? She should have submitted the report.

Claire, holding back her tears, spoke,

Theres an opening ceremony on the schedule for tomorrow. I need to ensure the students hall is ready by morning, and check that the staff have finished preparing for the ceremony before heading home.

Tough

Overnight duty and then morning tasks piling upit was like having ones vision blurred by tears.

Professor Krayd then grabbed one of Claires shoulders and clenched his other fist tight.

Fight on! Claire! Its said that youth is a time to invite hardship!

After saying this, he staggered towards the main gate, his white coats pockets shoved with his hands, as if he was some drunken soldier. Watching his back, Claire couldnt help but want to smack the back of his head refreshingly.

By the way, where is the injured student? Now that Ive taken over, I should check on them

Right then, the next shift worker asked Assistant Professor Claire.

Ah Ed Rothtaylor? He should be lying in the Triss Departments infirmary, as far as I know. Since the emergency measures are finished, he should be

Hes not there.

What?

Professor Krayd, who had just stepped out through the wide-open main gate, lit a cigarette and spoke.

When you, Claire, went to check the safety hazards for the last time, Lucy Mayrill left Triss Department with him. I saw it clearly sitting in the duty room.

What? They left? But how could you just let them go! He looked badly injured!

Dont worry.

Krayd, puffing smoke, suddenly looked up at the eastern sky.

While a dark red aura lingered, the sun was now slowly rising, pushing away the darkness.

The vice principal, Rachel, allowed it. Dont interfere with that kid; let him do as he pleases.

*Seeing the half-destroyed Elte Commercial building immersed in shock is inevitable.

Its always startling when a seemingly enduring structure collapses unexpectedly, like a brutal reminder of a slip in the everyday, or as if the world itself has shifted.

The workers who came to clean up after the building collapse all seemed to share this sentiment, their faces reflecting the disbelief as they looked upon the half-remaining structure.

Its the last day of summer vacation.

Students returning to school were naturally startled by such a huge accident, but their daily lives did not completely crumble.

Youve put on quite a glamorous show, not like you.

Well, I didnt expect for it to blow up this big

Outside the bars of Elte Commercial, staring inside, no one seems to pay any attention to me or Lucy hanging onto my forearm.

After all, the collapse of the Elte Commercial building was disguised as an accidental explosion.

It doesnt seem to be a simple misunderstanding; it feels heavily influenced by those above.

The fact that the workers have naturally started reconstruction work is tainted with a sense of discomfort.

Good enough. Lets head to the camp.

Yeah.

Lucy tightly gripped my unstable footsteps as we walked side by side.

The distance from the dorm to the northern forest camp isnt short. While we could sprint, our physical condition wouldnt allow it.

Lucy, who had regarded my aimless wandering with concern, didnt outright stop me. She seemed to suggest to just let things be.

Lucy followed me into the forest, reaching out with her magic to cut through enveloping vines and leaves whenever they appeared.

When I patted her head through her witchs hat in appreciation, she rubbed her head against my forearm, seeming pleased.

Yet, sometimes, she pretended as if it were an embarrassing ordeal, cough-clearing her throat and straightening up.

We wandered thus through the dawn forest for a while.

During the night with Lortelle, the darkness was so thick that one could barely see a step ahead.

However, now, as the suns rays started to penetrate the forest and the mist shimmered subtly, the atmosphere turned magical.

Crossing through this scene, Lucys faintly glinting silver hair seemed to capture and reflect the light of dawn.

Lucy, I really like these woods.

Lucys words always seem to come out of nowhere.

Suddenly, without preamble.

This scent of the grass in the wee hours of morning is so nice.

The early dawn chorus blended subtly with Lucys voice.

I hope it never vanishes.

The woods arent going anywhere easily.

Not the woods, the scent of the grass.

If there are woods, there will be the scent of grass.

As I asserted this, Lucy buried her head into my forearm and sniffed.

She then closed her eyes slightly and whispered quietly,

It doesnt always work that way.

It is hard to read the slight changes in Lucys expressions.

Even for me, who has lived closely with her at the camp, its difficult to predict her mood, as her default state is expressionless.

I cant always discern her feelings through her face alone; I have to analyze her tone or actions instead.

Eye contact doesnt always equate to mutual understanding.

Like a dog wagging its tail and a cat standing its tail straight, everyones actions when content are different.

However, interpreting her actionsburrowing her face into my arm, sniffing, exhaling deeply, and then nuzzlingisnt challenging.

Her satisfied demeanor seemed infectious, and I find myself feeling mollified too.

Good day, Miss Lucy.

Her satisfactorily content face suddenly became shadowed.

Upon reaching the camp, we were greeted by a maid, bell Mayar, who had lit a bonfire and was sitting beside it.

Shes the Ophelius Hall maid-in-chief.

A nemesis of the Grand Mage Lucy Mayrill.

The content face, as if she owned the world, vanished, replaced by a tense expression and cold sweat like a scared cat.

It was quite a rare sight to behold.

*

Because tomorrow starts the opening ceremony schedule, I asked if youd check the room assignment items today.

Ah, I was going to. Ill do it today.

Thats relieving. Last year you didnt show up at the ceremony venue because you were napping somewhere, and I was worried.

No, no, I hadnt thought that.

Already by the campfire, which was a mess, the camp had

The camp had been neatly organized as a base.

It seemed that I had returned to the Ophelius Hall late last night, but to think that I arrived at the camp by dawn and had finished putting everything in order.

Even with my eyes wide open, it was a sight I could hardly believe, and I couldnt help but click my tongue in astonishment.

Do you even sleep, Belle?

I do catch a nap during breaks in my workday, and on days without a schedule I can take a lengthy afternoon nap.

Still, even so youre not a machine

Belle got up with a demure posture and nodded a greeting with a bow.

Did you have a peaceful night, Master Ed? It doesnt seem like it, though

I got pretty banged up.

Ive roughly gauged what happened after I arrived at the camp. Still, Im relieved that theres no threat to your life.

It almost felt like I had just seen her a few hours ago.

In the meantime, Belle had returned to Ophelius Hall to rest up promptly, wash up, change into fresh clothes, and she was perfectly groomed when she came back.

Then, she organized various tools scattered around the camp, erasing the traces of chaos.

Just go back and rest for a while. Its getting busy with students returning soon.

Yes. Most students affiliated with Ophelius Hall have returned, so it seems well be preoccupied now.

Managing Ophelius Hall and taking care of another camp makes no sense. You dont have two bodies.

Therefore, I wont be able to devote much time to the camp for a while. Thats partly why I came, to report that and to make sure you were unharmed, and also because I had a message for you.

While speaking, Belle placed an iron pot on a stand above the campfire to boil water, planning to prepare a simple breakfast.

I emphatically waved her off, telling her to just go back to Ophelius Hall.

Watching Belle, her face showing dissatisfaction yet acknowledging my command, I asked, Whats the message youre talking about?

Miss Tanya will be returning to the academy today.

Tanya Rothtaylor.

She stood at the center of the tragedy that had befallen the Rothtaylor family.

She had first sent me back to Sylvania, then stayed at the scene to gather forces and take care of the aftermath.

She was effectively stepping into the role of the future head of the family.

Despite being in a politically delicate position, she managed to rally her own forces successfully even under such adverse conditions.

Rumors said that even the heads of the Bloomriver and Callamore families had sided with Tanya

I was curious as to what moves she had used to achieve this.

Maybe you should meet her.

Of course. Tell her to find me at Ophelius Hall.

After this, Belle turned to look at Lucy, who was clinging to my arm and flinched as if pricked by something sharp.

Well then, Miss Lucy. If youre preparing for the opening ceremony tomorrow, you should start checking the requests now, get ready to dress up, and I need to notify you of some points to be aware of.

No, I can handle it on my own.

Not at all. I will help you.

No! I can handle it on my own!

Lucy, repeating her words, tried to step back, but Belle had already firmly caught her under the armpits.

Lucy dangled helplessly in Belles grasp, eyes not even resisting, possibly welling up with tears.

Now, Ill return to Ophelius Hall; its getting quite busy.

Werent you just here to fetch Lucy?

Imagine that! How could I have predicted Miss Lucy would show up here? Just

Belle continued without changing her expression.

It was just coincidence and timing.

After saying that, Belle bowed deeply. Although there was much more I wanted to ask, I understood that it wasnt necessary to hear it all from Belle.

Above all, it was the opening season for the academy. It was time for the maids of Ophelius Hall to return to their primary duties.

Better to think that looking after the camp was part of their side job during the holiday period.

Getting used to Belle taking care of the camp was convenient, but too much comfort could lead to laxness.

If I were to continue living in the wilderness, I couldnt afford to lose my sharp senses.

By the way, what about Lortelle?

I asked that of Belles retreating back as she was about to leave.

If there was one central question from last nights raid on Elte Company, it was about Lortelles whereabouts.

Dont you know, since Ive come to the camp early this morning?

Belle spoke in a kind tone.

She is my employer. As she was before and still is now. Please finish your business well.

After that, Belle disappeared into the woods with Lucy, who made no effort to resist.

Looking at Lucy, I felt a distant emotion stirred within me.

In this academy, if there was someone who could truly handle Lucy, was it only Belle

*Although the night is long, the dawn breaks.

Proving that the morning sun peeks out to greet me.

The light of the dawn slowly rising dispels the heavy darkness and the streaks of rain that had been making people gloomy.

The reflected light from the remaining puddles teases the eyes but isnt bothersome.

Looking at the camp in the full light of day, I almost believe things are back to normal.

Yet, I know there are still unresolved issues.

Too many factions were entangled last night, too many events happened but in the end, only two things are crucial to check:

What happened to Taely?

What happened to Lortelle?

Whether my efforts from last night bore fruit ultimately comes down to the answers to these two questions.

For a moment, I look beyond the campfire.

I see Taelys figure enduring the rain, clenching her teeth and standing up to the end.

For now, I decide to check the basement of Lortelles villa.

With that thought, I push my body, still aching, towards the villa.

I try the door its not locked. It makes sense since Belle was just here.

The scene behind the door was as expected.

Oh Youve come early, senior.

You must be very hurt; you shouldve rested more.

There were signs that many people had forced their way in and searched the place.

Furniture was toppled, books and ink bottles and other small items were scattered on the floor.

The entrance to the wine cellar I had painstakingly guarded was now neatly breached. Beyond that opening, there would likely be a pile of gold and valuables, evidence of Lortelles embezzlement.

The royal escort must have come and searched everything, probably even discovering the stash of gold.

Yet Lortelle Keheln had not been taken into custody.

She was sitting in the center of the villa at the work desk, with a faint fox-like smile.

I pick up a chair lying nearby and sit. Standing any longer was too taxing.

I have many questions.

What happened last night?

Obviously.

Do you want me to explain the circumstances, or shall I just give you the conclusions?

I didnt show any pain, as I didnt want to worry Lortelle unnecessarily.

Just the conclusions.

There are three conclusions.

Lortelle raised three fingers: her index, middle, and ring fingers.

Taely was taken back by Aila. Ailas expression looked rather stern, but I suppose the explanation will come from her side. Well likely need to meet and talk properly about the situation her thoughts seemed complicated.

She had pinpointed exactly what I was curious about. That much had been conveyed to me by Lucy.

Surprisingly, Lortelle was unaware of the truth about Bellbrook, but her intuition was keen.

Then Lortelle bent her ring finger.

The embezzlement issue with Elte Company has utterly fallen on Durins head. I find this somewhat baffling because Im unsure how things turned out this way. It seems obvious that I should be the primary suspect. Once the company building is sorted, Ill need to investigate.

That was somewhat predictable to me. It seems everything played out as expected.

Then, Lortelle bent her middle finger.

Next, she gently folded her index finger, slid down from the desk, approached me sitting quietly, and nudged her lips against mine.

A satisfied smile bloomed on her enchanting face.

What now?

The last point is that Ive become your person. Its perhaps the most important conclusion.

With those words, she quickly embraced my head.

Taken aback by her lips meeting mine, I froze.

It wasnt the first time I was kissed out of the blue, but this time the kiss lingered.

Holding my head taut, after a long moment of our lips pressed together, Lortelle finally pulled away.

Her sly smile returned, and she looked like the Lortelle I knew.

The vulnerability of the entire previous night was nowhere to be seen. Instead, I felt reassured by her familiar demeanor.

I knew what Lortelle was about to say next.

The second ones you, isnt it?

With a ladylike smile, I answered.

I had been through a lot myself, so I couldnt help but feel a sudden rush of spiteful satisfaction.

Its not the second.

What?

Her seemingly impregnable, seductive facade crumbled instantly, as Lortelles eyes widened in shock.

Then who is the second?

Contemplating how to respond, I calmly brushed Lortelles shoulder.

After all, its a relief to see youre safe.

Lortelle tenderly clasped the hand Id placed on her shoulder she closed her eyes and for a while absorbed the warmth.

In the villa at the empty camp, a gentle warmth swirled through the early morning forest.

We stayed still for a long time, exchanging the warmth of hands, a strange sense of fulfillment rising between us.

Eventually, Lortelle opened her eyes and asked again.

So who is the second??

She turned out to be unexpectedly tenacious.