Magic research is important, but subjugating monsters is even more important.

If a talent like Elodie steps up to expand the human territory, they would roll out the red carpet for her.

"There's an excellent talent named Aster Evans who is the same age as you right now. If you wait a few years until he graduates, it would be good to join his party."

'Oh.'

I listened to Jane's words.

Since Elodie is a valuable talent, all players wondered why she didn't join Aster's party.

Her talent and skills are comparable to Aster's, and her sense of justice is not inferior either. And she's not on bad terms with Aster.

I'll be able to find out the reason through Elodie's answer.

"...I..."

Elodie's eyes tilted diagonally, and after a long hesitation, she opened her mouth.

"I made a promise."

"A promise? What kind of promise?"

"That's..."

Jane asked with a tilted head.

Elodie was about to answer but then checked Jane's face again and narrowed her eyes.

"...Headmaster."

"Yes?"

"...Teacher Jane?"

"..."

Two titles. Elodie, who had uttered both of them herself, gradually furrowed her brow.

Ah, could it be...

"Why is Teacher Jane the Headmaster...?"

Thump!

Almost simultaneously with her internal conclusion, Elodie jumped up from her chair. It was an agile movement that was hard to believe for a mage.

Elodie, who instantly distanced herself from Jane. The armband she was wearing glowed blue.

"...I see. That's why Frondier's expression was strange back then."

And as if she understood something, she nodded and lowered her eyes.

Without even having the Sixth Sense, without getting any hints from conversations with her classmates like me, she figured it out on her own.

It seems like Elodie would have noticed the magic right away, no matter when or where.

"...Haah."

A long sigh escaped Jane's mouth. The thought of having to do the same thing she did to me again must have made her feel bleak.

Moreover, since she was about to be caught by both of the people Osprey told her not to let find out, she must feel even more hopeless.

'...Honestly, I think they're the two easiest to figure it out.'

Of course, I can't help but think that way.

Me, with the 'Sixth Sense,' and Elodie, who is already beyond the norm as a student. The probability of us noticing this incomplete magic is the highest.

"What's going on? Where did Osprey-nim go?"

Elodie, who was already in full guard mode, glared at Jane. Jane, who seemed like she wanted to cry, said,

"...Well, I don't know who Osprey is..."

"...?"

At those words, Elodie blinked. Soon, she muttered to herself, "Ah, is that so?" and brought her hand to her chin as if she was thinking about something.

As expected of Elodie. With just those words, she roughly guessed the situation. At least, she immediately realized that Jane was also under the influence of this magic.

"...Then, is Teacher Jane the Headmaster? Right now?"

"That expression is very unpleasant! I've always been the Headmaster!"

At Jane's strong appeal, Elodie seemed a little apologetic and pulled her lips in, looking away.

It's unfortunate for Jane, but Osprey's presence must be too strong in Elodie's perception.

'Teacher Jane seems to want to hide the letter itself.'

Since Elodie had somewhat noticed the magic, Jane seemed to have changed her mind and decided to act as if she didn't understand the situation at all.

In other words, she's trying not to show her relationship with Osprey or the letter. Since she doesn't know to what extent 'being caught' means as Osprey said, it's the best choice for now.

"...Then, Headmaster. Excuse me for a moment."

Saying that, Elodie put her hands together and chanted some kind of spell. The light from her armband shone even brighter. No, it was beyond just getting brighter, sparks were flying.

...That armband is originally worn as a restraint to control Elodie's power.

And it's screaming. What kind of brute force are you using, Elodie?

"...Found it!"

And soon, Elodie's eyes sparkled, and her finger pointed at me. No, to be precise, she pointed at the translucent barrier that was hiding me.

Jane's concealment magic was discovered.

"Headmaster, I'm sorry, but can I investigate over there for a bit? I just detected a strange magic in this room."

"...Ah, about that, Elodie..."

Jane put on a troubled smile and opened her mouth for now. I could see her brain working at an incredible speed in that short time.

"Actually, it's a magic that I set up."

"...You, Headmaster?"

"Yes. There's something I can't show to just anyone. I'm hiding it."

If I hadn't been turned into an object, it would have been almost an honest statement.

"...Wouldn't it be better to hide it in a more secluded place? Or you could put it in a bookshelf or drawer."

"From experience, the more you hide things in such places, the easier it is to get caught. Rather, places that make you think, 'Would it really be here?' are safer."

It was almost sophistry, but the words 'teacher' and 'experience' seemed to have some effect. Elodie seemed convinced as she thought for a moment and nodded.

"...Alright. I apologize for causing a disturbance."

Seeing that, I let out a silent sigh. It almost turned into a big deal.

After that, Elodie exchanged a few more words with Jane before leaving. In the end, I couldn't hear what the 'promise' Elodie mentioned was.

"...Come out now."

After sensing that Elodie's presence had completely disappeared, Jane released the concealment magic.

"Thankfully, nothing happened."

"Indeed."

I was worried that the 'unexpected situation' Osprey mentioned might occur when Elodie noticed the magic, but it seems like it was just a concern.

"Then, Frondier should go back too. For the time being, let's live as usual. If what that Osprey person said is true, this magic will naturally break soon."

I nodded at her words.

It seemed like there was nothing for me to do in this situation. My attempt to antagonize Jane was also due to excessive vigilance.

Thinking that I should observe the situation for now, I returned to the mansion.

...However, the next day, I immediately realized.

The 'unexpected situation' that Osprey mentioned had already begun.

"..."

As soon as I entered the classroom, I frowned.

At first glance, it was a scene no different from usual, but I soon realized that a huge problem had occurred.

Elodie was absent.

"..."

I looked around. No one mentioned Elodie's absence, and there was no sign of worry.

More than anything, another student was sitting in the chair that would have been Elodie's seat.

I took a deep breath and, with great determination, spoke to Aten, who was nearby.

"...Aten. Is Elodie absent?"

"...Yes?"

And seeing Aten tilting her head at me...

Blinking her eyes and soon making a troubled face...

"Um, I'm sorry."

I didn't need to hear her next words to realize what had happened.

"I guess I haven't memorized everyone's names yet."