TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun

Illustrations: Here

He towered over Seria, her slim wrists trapped in his grip.

"H-how...?"

Seria couldn't understand.

She was certain her binding spell wasn't something that could be easily shrugged off.

Especially considering she had poured an immense amount of magic into it.

"......"

The man, still holding her delicate wrists, pushed his mask back down to its rightful place.

"I... I'm sorry. My curiosity just got the better of me..."

Seria averted her gaze.

His grip on her wrist tightened, and she sensed his irritation.

"Ah, ah!"

It was painful.

Yet

Thump thump.

Her heart raced wildly.

What was this feeling welling up inside her?

Was it fear or was it thrill?

Being her first time experiencing such a thing, she was at a loss.

One thing she knew for sure was her heart pounded fiercely, and she felt a sudden heat coursing through her.

The man in black held her gaze for a moment.

Until now, his eyes had been closed.

It was the first time Seria truly saw them.

"Ah...."

His eyes were a deep, blazing red, like a ruby.

A beacon that pulled the observer in.

"....Beautiful."

The word slipped from her lips before she could stop it.

In that moment, her thoughts disappeared.

The pain around her wrist, her quickened heartbeat, all faded into the background.

Seria found herself holding her breath.

"....Haah, Haah."

After regaining her senses, Seria steadied her breathing.

She lowered her gaze.

She felt a pang of embarrassment.

For the first time, she had let her guard down, revealing her true self to someone else.

It was as if she had discovered a whole new world.

A world where her fantasies became reality.

And the realization that she had finally found someone who could understand her...

She had encountered many men, most were only interested in her for her looks, her status as the top student, or her lineage as the daughter of a black mage.

But none of them were like this.

Seria knew from a young age that her desires differed from others.

As these thoughts filled Seria's mind,

"...."

The man let go of her wrist, reaching into his shirt and pulling out a small object.

It was the key to the magic handcuffs.

Thud.

He dropped it on the table next to him and started to walk away.

"L-let me hear your voice... just once... I can understand your reluctance to show your face!"

But the man didn't respond. He simply left the basement.

Creak---

"Ah..."

For a moment, Seria stared blankly at the closed door, a look of disappointment in her eyes.

Holding onto the slight hope that he might reappear through the half-open door.

However, the man did not return.

Seria brushed away a stray tear that lingered on her cheek.

"Sob, sob."

His sculpted physique.

The harmonious blend of femininity and masculinity in his striking jawline.

The fiery red intensity of his gaze.

She replayed the image of him, etched into her heart.

Tears continued to cascade down her cheeks.

How much time had elapsed in this state?

"....Finally."

A twisted smile crept onto Seria's face.

"I found him."

"Haaaah"

Back in the safety of my room, I inhaled deeply.

...Why did Seria suddenly make such a fuss about unmasking me?

"Phew."

Surely, Theo was indeed attractive.

Exceptionally so.

In the 'Kyren Zena Chronicles', a universe brimming with aesthetically pleasing characters, he was without rival.

'Had it not been for [Magic Nullification], I would've certainly been discovered.'

Revealing my identity would only bring about trouble.

A staggering 30,000 individuals inhabited Elinia Academy.

I'd shown the lower part of my face and my upper body, but that was a tolerable risk.

At only this level of exposure, it wouldn't be easy to figure out my identity.

Swoosh----

I shrugged off the mask and my tight-fitted clothes, stepping into the shower.

Reflected in the mirror was the symbol of the [Magic Cartridge] etched on my left side.

Despite the input of magic, its appearance remained unchanged.

It was just as before.

'Hehe. But from now on, I too can claim to be a mage.'

Surely, I was more like a mage's apprentice, but that didn't discount its utility.

A satisfied grin spread across my face as I slid into bed.

The following day, Friday at 9:25 a.m.

Just as the first period lecture was set to begin.

The Hero Department classroom buzzed with the usual chatter of students.

"Hey, Samson, you idiot. Regardless of how fast the pitch was, a real man would take it without a flinch. You screaming like a pathetic necromancer, 'Kyaaaaa~', has become the talk of the Knight Department. It's mortifying. Thank goodness Ralph pulled off a home run."

"That Jacob guy pitches like a demon, you know? Felt like I was smacked with a fireball. He's well beyond the caliber of the Knight Department. Right now, he could be the ace of the Hero Department, don't you think?"

"Have you been to the new hot dog place that just opened nearby? It's fantastic. The buns are nice and firm and they don't skimp on the meat."

"Oh, really? Thanks. I'll have to give it a try~"

While the students engaged in lighthearted banter,

Creak-

Mari made her entrance into the classroom.

"May I have your attention, please~"

-Yes~!

"Hmm hmm. There's an announcement to be made before we start today's lecture."

Intrigued, the students exchanged curious glances.

At the podium, Mari proceeded with her speech.

"Next week, on Monday of the 8th week, the site of the practical evaluation will be changed. The exercise is expected to last about a week, so it would be in everyone's best interest to prepare accordingly."

-What??

The classroom erupted into chatter-filled chaos in no time.

Just then,

Creak-

Rok made his entrance into the classroom.

The room fell into an instant silence.

"It appears that Professor Mari's announcement has sparked many questions among you. I'm available to address these questions. Raise your hand if you have something to ask."

-..........

Predictably, no student took the offer.

In a residential area within the Elinia Academy.

Seven individuals gathered around a table in a room.

"Any word from Captain Melon yet?"

The man presiding over the table asked.

"Yeah. I received a message... but we've been told to stand by."

Another man responded, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

"That's odd. The captain is typically laid-back, but it's strange to be on stand-by when there's a change in the Hero Department's schedule."

A frown marred the face of the man at the head of the table.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

His fingers drummed against the tabletop.

The others looked on quietly, observing his restlessness.

Chin propped on his hand, he seemed deep in contemplation.

Finally, he broke the silence.

"......Let's take matters into our own hands."

The other six stared at him in shock.

"Why are you all looking at me like that? We all know. Damn... we can't ignore it, right? Now is the prime time to fulfill our mission. It's absurd to be on standby during such an opportunity."

Bang!

The man at the head slammed his fist onto the table.

The sudden outburst startled the others, their eyes fixed on him.

However, nobody dared to voice a word.

The man at the head grunted.

"Huh, of course. We're all equals here, aren't we? Fine. Those uninterested may leave. But don't expect to join later on. I might not be so forgiving. I'll bear the responsibility, so only those willing to take part should stay."

With that, he turned to the others.

"......I'm in."

"Me too."

One by one, they declared their participation.

Eventually, everyone in the room agreed to join.

A cynical smile graced the man's face.

"Heh~ good. Would've been better if we had done this sooner, no? Anyway, let's give it our best. As I mentioned earlier, the first-year students of the Hero Department are set to depart for Fosspatil Pass near Chalon next Monday. They will be on guard, so attacking at that time would be stupid. Hence, my plan is"

And so, he began outlining his strategy.

"......This is Natasha. I've found their hideout. It aligns with the information from student Theo. Moreover, I've been able to eavesdrop on parts of their conversation."

A short distance from the house where the seven individuals were gathered.

A woman named Natasha whispered into a communication crystal clutched in her hand.

A deep male voice echoed from the crystal.

Any further movement?

"Nothing yet, Rok."

Can you continue surveillance?

"Difficult. There's a magical barrier surrounding their hideout."

Understood. Evacuate from the area and return immediately.

"Affirmative, Rok."

Following Rok's instructions, Natasha hastily retreated.

As she prepared to return, a thought stirred in her mind.

She spoke into the communication crystal once more.

"......Rok. There's something that's been gnawing at me."

The response was swift.

What is it?

"The student... no, Theo Lyn Waldeurk... His ability to catch them and discover their hideouts using only students... There are too many peculiarities to be just an ordinary student."

......

This time, the reply took a moment.

After a while, the voice echoed once more.

I'm not sure either.

"Pardon?"

I don't like repeating myself. However, it's safe to say he's a lucky charm. Don't dig deeper.

"......Understood, Rok."

Nodding her head, Natasha ended communication.

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