"Ah, are you talking about this communication crystal"

Theo explained to Sonya that he received this item from Rok for his active role during the academy's armed invasion incident.

After hearing Theo's story, Sonya's expression turned to one of surprise.

'So he was the student who played an active role.'

Even Sonya, who had been living cut off from the world for a long time, knew about the armed invasion incident at Elinia Academy.

It was because, until recently, the Polaris underworld, where she had been staying, was abuzz with talks of the incident.

The rumor had spread that 'two students played an active role,' but she didnt know their names.

'Besides that... to be recognized by Professor Rok.'

During her time as a student at the academy, Professor Rok was famous for being strict.

He treated all students equally, whether they were commoners or nobles, underperformers or top students.

Hence, he was nicknamed 'Mr. Justice' among the students.

To be recognized by him and even receive one of her inventions.

'The world is vast, and there are many talents.'

"But Sonya, how long do you plan to stay at the academy?"

Theo asked Sonya.

It was a sharp question.

As Sonya was pondering over what to say.

"She'll be staying here for a long~ time!"

Luna, who was squabbling with Siena over the ownership of Swish-swish, exclaimed.

Sonya's eyes widened in shock as she retorted.

"Ah, no. principal... I have my own life too. I'm only twenty-three years old."

"Twenty-three years old is still a baby, a baby. Anyway, you have to stay with me until you find Ryuk or Odius!"

"But, but... Odius disappeared over 200 years ago, how am I supposed to find him? Please let me go."

"Luna doesn't know about such things!"

Sonya bowed her head silently to the principal's adamant response.

This was something she had experienced for hours since leaving Polaris.

The principal had a blind belief that the humans Ryuk and Odius would still be alive even after 200 years.

'Ah, my life.'

Even before she arrived at the academy, she had indirectly mentioned that 'those two are not of this world anymore,' but the principal didn't listen at all.

A case that might fit the saying, 'When an ignorant person has a belief, it's frightening,' could be the principal.

That moment.

"Uh, Odius? I've heard that name before."

Siena, who had been glaring at Luna, spoke up.

Sonya responded nonchalantly.

"....Who doesn't know the great archmage Odius? Of course, he is one of the most famous figures on the continent."

"No, I heard it directly from Grandma Art. I don't remember exactly when, a few years ago maybe, but she said that centuries ago, a human came asking her to extend his life."

Art, commonly referred to as Artemis, is an Ancient-class green dragon, estimated to be at least 8,000 years old.

And Siena was a princess of the Great Forest Wood Elf tribe, long associated with Artemis.

At her bombshell revelation, Luna's expression noticeably brightened.

"Hey, hey, hey. Pointy ears! So what happened? Did Artemis grant Odius life extension?"

"I don't know? I didn't ask further because I wasn't interested, and we went on to finish the reading session of 'The Rothschild Chronicles.'"

"Why didn't you ask about something so important?! What's 'The Rothschild Chronicles'? Ah, I guess with those pointy ears you can't judge what's important. Really dumb. That's why even the spirits don't like you."

"....! It's because I'm still young, you little brat! I'm only just over 150 years old!"

"Yeah~ When I was your age, I was popular with other elemental spirits besides the wind here~"

"Don't lie!"

Thus began the second round between the fairy, approximately 400 years old, and the elf, about 150 years old.

"......."

Theo watched the scene with a rare expression of incredulity.

The clash between the two proud geniuses didn't seem like it would end anytime soon.

"I should be going now. See you next time."

Theo bid farewell to Sonya and Claire and left.

30 minutes later, at a Western-style restaurant near the Hero Department.

It was the same restaurant with a private room where Theo's team had dinner before.

Seria, familiar with reservation culture, had made the booking.

However, Theo was not there.

Only his aide was present.

Irene began cutting her steak aggressively and spoke.

"....I didn't know he a had connection with a Guardian Knight."

"Indeed. It was surprising. To me, it seemed like the Guardian Knight was monitoring Theo."

Alice responded as she put a finely chopped piece of steak into her mouth.

Unlike the two, Seria, with elegant hand movements, cut her steak and said.

"Hehe, as expected, Theo always exceeds my imagination. Just when I think I have him, he slips through my fingers... like water."

"Please refrain from such remarks in front of his fiance, Seria."

"Oh my, what did I say? I just meant that Theo is like that."

"....Are we sure that the principal came to that place?"

"Yes. It doesn't make sense otherwise. Who else on the continent could contain such a powerful mana in a body like a 10-year-old child?

The amount of mana was like combining everyone in a floor of the Magic Tower. I had to stop my magic in case it was discovered."

Seria looked sickened as she recalled that moment.

She continued.

"But I'm curious about who was with the principal. She looked to be in her early twenties. Quite a beauty too."

"......."

At Seria's words, Irene furrowed her brows again.

Now Theo is charming every woman from the Hero Department's female students to Seria right in front of her.

At this rate, one might suspect he's contracted with a high-level demon, [Temptation Demon]...

Demon.

Speaking of demons, it reminded her of a task she had requested recently.

'I need to get a response from the main house soon.'

A few weeks ago, Irene received a note from Theo with strange characters inscribed on it.

She immediately requested her family to decipher these mysterious characters, asking them to spare no effort or means.

Lately, with the spreading tales of Theo's valor, Irene's family was actively supporting the marriage between her and Theo.

So much so that not only her father, the head of the family, but also retired elders and hermit experts of her family, were all involved in this matter.

They were utilizing all their connections, fully committed to deciphering the strange characters Irene requested.

They were mobilizing to protect the honor of the potential groom, and for Irene, the genius of the family, their dream and hope, their future itself...

At the same time, inside the first men's dormitory of the academy.

Amy was sitting, reading a letter.

It's been a long time since she received another one.

The content of the letter could be summarized as follows:

[The executives at the headquarters also believe that Theo Lyn Waldeurk is qualified to be a new member of our group.

No, he must become a new member.

An executive from our group will appear at Elinia Academy on Friday, four days from now, to recruit Theo Lyn Waldeurk.

So, arrange a meeting where Theo Lyn Waldeurk can meet with our executive.

The meeting must be conducted discreetly, without the knowledge of other civilians.

Find the meeting place and reply by tomorrow.

That's all.]

"......."

After reading the letter, Amy sat in silence for a while, alternately looking at the letter and into space.

Kiiing, kiing?

Little Fist, who was playing with a toy on the bed, approached Amy.

He looked up at her with worried eyes.

"Ah. It's nothing, Little Fist."

Amy hugged Little Fist to her chest.

Yet, the anxiety did not easily fade.

...It has come.

Was it because she had grown comfortable, acting as a caretaker for the puppy and training in her room?

The mental damage was more than she had imagined.

At the same time, a thought crossed her mind.

Until recently, she had been enduring Theo's tyranny, holding back for her sister, who was a hostage in the group.

She wanted to kill Theo more than once...

But now, Theo in Amy's heart was a different person.

He had become a reliable existence she could trust and rely on.

"But still..."

She had to do it.

Selena, still held captive by the group, must be trembling in fear.

Equilibrium is a ruthless place.

She didn't even want to imagine what would happen if she refused the mission.

...She had no choice.

Amy bit her lip tightly, holding Little Fist in her arms, for a long time.