Disappearance (4)

The moment I heard the knock, I thought:

Should I hide, or not?

It's a little strange for me to be in the headmaster's office, but it's not exactly an earth-shattering event.

If I come up with a suitable excuse, even if they suspect something, it should be possible to smooth things over.

Besides, if I use Mana to escape, I feel like I'll get caught by Elodie's Mana sense, and if I hide somewhere here, the situation will become even more complicated if I get caught.

So, I was prepared to be suspected a little.

Swoosh-

The moment Jane waved her hand, a translucent circle appeared, enveloping me. Is it some kind of concealment magic?

"Frondier, go to the wall."

As if she understood my thoughts, Jane whispered in a low voice. For now, I followed her words and went back to the wall.

"Come in."

Finally, at Jane's voice directed towards the door, it was indeed Elodie who entered.

"Thank you for making time for me despite your busy schedule, Headmaster. Then, let's get straight to the point... Huh?"

Elodie politely bowed her head and began to speak, but then narrowed her eyes.

"Is there someone else besides the Headmaster?"

"...There's no way, right?"

Despite Jane's reply, Elodie's suspicion didn't seem to fade. She soon looked around and slightly lifted the tip of her nose as if sniffing. As if you can tell by smell.

"...I smell Frondier."

Huh?

"Maybe that student uses the same perfume as me?"

At Jane's second bluff, Elodie shook her head.

"No, it's not the actual smell, but the color of Mana or something..."

What, it wasn't the smell?

Then why were you sniffing with your nose?

"It must be your imagination. If they came, they would have come while I was away."

"Hmm, that could be true."

Elodie nodded, seemingly barely convinced.

It seems Jane doesn't want Elodie to know that she met me.

Actually, I feel the same way. It's almost a gut feeling, but it seems like it's best not to have any interaction with Elodie here. Both of the key figures Osprey mentioned are here right now.

"Please sit down for now. I'm glad that Elodie came to me for advice."

"Ah, thank you."

At Jane's gesture, Elodie sat down on the guest chair.

Jane seemed genuinely happy that Elodie, an exceptional genius mage, had come to her for advice.

Hmm, it's not something I should say, but I think it's an opportunity she got because she's the headmaster.

'Do I have to stay here?'

How long does this concealment magic last? I hope it's not like in a comic where the duration suddenly ends and I appear with a poof.

It would have been easy if Jane had sent Elodie away, but she seemed happy to receive advice, so she actually sat Elodie down.

I wonder if I've already been forgotten from her memory. If I stay like this, will I disappear from the world's memory like Osprey?

'...'

Actually, to be honest, it's a little fun. It feels like I'm eavesdropping. Well, it's not just a feeling, it's actually happening.

"So, what's the matter you want to discuss?"

"...Well."

Elodie hesitated for quite a long time, unlike her usual self. Looking at her expression, I could tell it was something serious.

"I don't know if you'll believe me, Headmaster, but..."

"I'll believe anything Elodie says."

As if gaining strength from Jane's kind words, Elodie nodded slightly and said,

"I think I can perform a four-element combination."

"..."

She said something incredibly shocking.

Indeed, Jane, as if she couldn't believe it, gaped at Elodie for a moment.

"...Uh, is that some kind of slang among students these days? I don't really understand what students say."

Elodie's lips puckered.

"You said you'd believe me."

"You're not kidding...?"

At Elodie's serious gaze, Jane's throat bobbed.

I also looked at Elodie again, wondering if I had heard correctly.

'Four-element combination.'

In this world, exceptional mages can perform something called element combination. As the name suggests, it's a magic technique that combines two different elements to create synergy. Most of the original magic used by mages today is born from this element combination.

A prime example is Elodie's 'Vermilion Bird Ascension.' It's her original magic created by combining 'Storm Poetry,' the highest level of wind magic, and 'Hellfire,' the highest level of fire magic.

During the 'Raid' event, one-third of the monsters that invaded were wiped out with this one shot.

She already used that incredibly destructive spell freely in her first year, so her genius was beyond the realm of humans from the beginning.

'I heard that she succeeded in a three-element combination during summer vacation.'

It was one of the rumors that circulated during the second semester of the first year. The story of Elodie succeeding in a three-element combination was quite famous among the various rumors at the time.

And I knew it was true. In the game, Elodie also succeeds in a three-element combination at some point. It was a little early, but I thought it was possible.

A three-element combination is extremely rare even among pros. If you succeed, you can literally choose where you want to go, get the salary you want, and work only on the days you want. It's a literal expression without any exaggeration.

But now, after winter vacation, not long after becoming a second year...

'Four-element combination'?

'If that's true, she's surpassed not only pros but even the Zodiac. She'll be competing with Osprey on the path to becoming an Archmage.'

"Ha, have you tried it?"

"...No."

Elodie shook her head at Jane's words. Jane's shoulders slumped as if she was a little relieved.

"But I think I can do it if I want to."

"..."

I'm not a mage, so I don't know much, but such expressions from mages are generally not bluffs.

Due to the nature of mages who need both intuition and theory, when they break through a wall, it is said that the realization in their mind comes first. Execution comes later.

Therefore, Elodie must have already performed the four-element combination in her mind.

Of course, there would be a difference from reality, but even if she fails, she would have come close to success to some extent.

"Why haven't you tried it? You could have come to me after confirming it."

"..."

That's right. The problem is why she's not doing it even though she can. She didn't come because she failed, she came for advice because she might succeed.

This is where Elodie's real worries begin.

"...If I succeed in the four-element combination..."

Elodie lowered her eyes deeply and muttered.

"I won't be able to stay in Constel, right?"

"..."

Jane couldn't say that it wasn't true.

It's almost a certainty.

The Empire wouldn't leave a talent capable of a four-element combination alone.

They would take her to the Magic Tower or the Imperial Palace and turn Elodie's surroundings into a place just for her, providing maximum support for her magic research.

For some, it's a life they dream of. But it seems that's not the case for Elodie.

"Do you want to spend more time as a student?"

Elodie silently shook her head at Jane's question.

Jane tilted her head and asked again.

"Then do you dislike being alone? How about joining a party? The Empire won't stop you from doing that."