Chapter 21: A Secret Plan

I felt a strange pressure at Viola’s request to spend some time, and I obediently nodded.

I was worried that she might be taking revenge for kicking her ankle three years ago.

But fortunately, the reason she asked me to hang out with her was not because of that.

“Do you mean ancient books?”

“Yes, didn’t Louis say that you had a new hobby last time? I happened to have a book I was keeping, so I’m going to give it to you as a gift.”

Come to think of it, when I met Viola some time ago.

I think I said something like that.

At that time, it was just a lie to avoid looking suspicious, but.

It seems that she remembered it.

A fantasy world without phones.

Even though we attend the same academy, I don’t have many opportunities to meet her, who is in the magic department.

And we’re not close enough to make appointments to see each other.

So, it seemed that she was going to give me a present when she met me by chance.

‘But that was a lie.’

My liking for ancient books is just a lie I blurted out unconsciously.

But now, it was a bit ambiguous to say, ‘That was just what I said at the time, so I don’t need that.’

But the topic of conversation just before was about the atrocities that Louis committed to Viola three years ago, so I had no other choice.

It’s just receiving a gift. oh well.

I decided to think lightly.

I helped Viola, who was walking unsteadily due to her injured leg, and entered the women’s dormitory together.

But.

I was filled with other thoughts, so I didn’t notice the gazes looking at me.

“…Louis?”

Elena hurriedly hid her body, seeing Louis entering the dormitory with a female student she had never seen before.

Due to the sudden situation, her body moved automatically without her realizing it.

‘Huh? Why did I hide my body?’

Then, Elena, who suddenly remembered that there was no reason for her to hide her body, quietly peeked her head out again.

But Louis was already gone and invisible.

Only then did Elena let out a shallow sigh of relief.

“…Who is that person?”

A woman who entered with Louis.

They were quite close, sticking together.

As if they were lovers.

“Is she his g-girlfriend…?”

Louis just helped Viola, but.

Elena, who doesn’t know that fact, began to think that the two were close.

Louis had a lover.

For some reason, Elena, who felt her heart beating slightly.

She pushed away a certain feeling that bloomed in her heart with her hand.

Am I okay to be here…?

I inadvertently followed Viola inside, but.

I came to my senses at the stinging gazes I felt from all sides.

Usually a women’s dormitory, a no-man’s zone.

As I realized that I was standing in the middle of it, my body began to creak automatically.

“What’s wrong?”

Perhaps surprisingly, she’s insensitive to these things.

Viola, who found me standing stiffly, asked me as if wondering.

“No, it’s nothing…. I was just wondering if it’s okay for me, a man, to be here.”

“There is no problem. There are often male students passing by besides Louis.”

As she said, there were not many, but the appearance of male students passing by was visible in various places.

Then why are they sending such stinging gazes only at me…?

“Who is that man to be with Viola…?!”

“Get away…!”

Only after hearing the jealous voices from afar did I understand the situation properly.

It seems she’s her fans.

It seems that Viola has quite high popularity among the same students.

I glanced at Viola, who was limping next to me.

Objectively, she is beautiful.

To the point where I don’t understand why she’s engaged to Louis.

Between the Vermore family and the Amorin family.

It’s clear that there was some political deal I don’t know about, but.

I can’t know the details.

“This is my room.”

Finally, Viola’s room arrived.

She gestured for me to come inside.

But for a moment, I stood in front of the door and hesitated.

…Would it be okay to go in?

Viola and I are engaged to be married.

There is no problem with entering the fiancée’s room.

But.

‘I’m thinking of running away later.’

I am planning to leave as soon as I graduate from the academy.

In other words, I plan to abandon the noble title and leave.

Perhaps then the engagement with Viola will naturally be broken.

If that happens, will she be harmed because of my greed?

‘Useless worries.’

I had such a thought for a moment, but I shook it off.

There are many things in front of me right now to consider such a distant future.

It literally doesn’t mean anything to worry about it now.

I set foot in Viola’s room.

Unlike my room, which is extremely simple.

It feels like it smells somewhat warm.

The structure is the same and the interior is the same, but.

Why is the atmosphere so different?

Although there were books piled up here and there.

From my point of view, it didn’t feel that cluttered.

“Would you please wait a moment?”

“As much as you like.”

Leaving me to wait for a moment, Viola headed to her bookshelf.

By the way, she really likes books.

The books piled on the desk or on the floor were all full of traces of being worn out.

I guess she read it repeatedly over and over again.

“Here it is. I’m not sure if Louis will be satisfied.”

“Thank you.”

While I was lost in thought for a moment.

She handed me a very old book.

A very old book with a tattered cover.

It feels like a cultural property.

“By the way, Louis, are you not interested in books other than ancient books?”

Viola spoke to me as I was quietly looking down at the ancient book she had given me.

“Other books? For example, what…?”

“Philosophy or novels. Or related to mana….”

As she talked about what she liked, her words became a little faster.

Staring blankly at her, who was starting to get a little excited and pour out words, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

Ah, come to think of it, wouldn’t she, a wizard, know a little about mana circuits?

I forgot for a moment, but today I went to the library to find out about the mana circuit drawn on the golem’s body.

I remembered my purpose late and asked Viola.

“I’m a little interested in mana circuits. But it’s too difficult for me.”

“Mana circuits…?”

“Do you know?”

“It’s not my major field, but I know a little.”

Oh…?

At Viola’s welcome words, I held out the mana circuit I had drawn in advance to her.

“Then do you know what this is?”

“This is…?”

Viola began to look closely at the mana circuit I held out.

And soon, she raised her head as if she knew.

“If my memory is correct. I think this is the mana circuit that alchemists used to use.”

…Used to?

The words are in the past tense.

“Then don’t you use it now?”

“Yes, as far as I know.”

Why?

Remembering the appearance of the golem that exerted its power in the dungeon, I had a question.

That golem at that time was definitely fast in movement compared to its size, and.

In addition, it could even shoot lasers.

Why don’t they use a circuit that can make such a powerful golem now?

Seeing my questioning expression, Viola continued her explanation.

“It’s a circuit that was once highly acclaimed for its excellent safety and versatility. However, it is said that there was one fatal flaw.”

Safety and versatility.

Both are very important elements.

But what is the fatal flaw that outweighs all of that?

“But the problem was that the materials to contain this mana circuit were too limited.”

The performance is excellent, but the material was too much of a stumbling block.

It only reacts to certain minerals, so it couldn’t be used properly.

Moreover, if that mineral is rare, it’s all over.

For alchemists who are always short of money, if it costs a lot of money to draw a mana circuit, it’s clear that they won’t be able to complete their research.

So, it’s a deprecated technology that isn’t used now.

Wait a minute.

Could it be that the golem’s body wasn’t just steel…?

I thought it was just made of steel, but.

It seems that it wasn’t.

If I had known it was a rare mineral, I would have somehow ripped it off.

A deep sense of regret came late.

But it’s too late to regret.

Because I broke the dungeon core, the dungeon has already disappeared.

“Thank you for today.”

I smacked my lips in regret and said goodbye to her.

And soon I left the women’s dormitory.

The sun is already setting.

The weekend time flows faster than usual.

More than half of the day has already passed.

Now I need to rest tomorrow.

With light steps, I headed to the dormitory for a true holiday.

An alley where people’s footsteps are cut off.

A woman wearing a hood knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

“…Who is it.”

“Red Wolf.”

“Come in.”

As the woman said the words, the man inside the house, who was on high alert, opened the tightly closed door.

When she opened the door and went inside, a man wearing a hat with a long brim was sitting at the table and greeted the woman in the hood.

“You’re here.”

“Where are the others?”

“Everyone is carrying out their mission.”

As soon as she entered the house, the woman looked around.

She frowned, looking at the empty chair.

“Tsk, so why did you call me today?”

The woman clicked her tongue as if she was dissatisfied.

“That day has finally come.”

“…That day?”

“The leader’s command has been given. All the missions you were in charge of have been canceled.”

“Where is there a way to do things like this?!?”

She trembled at the word leader, but.

The woman did not care and continued to maintain an aggressive attitude.

“It’s more important than that.”

“What is it that you’re making such a fuss about? Tell me quickly.”

At the hooded woman’s words, the man pushes the map placed in front of him towards her.

And.

“From now on, we.”

The man pointed to the academy drawn on the map with his finger.

“Kidnap the princess.”