Chapter 53: Fake Stigmata (16)

“Saying that you acted first because you thought you would be rejected if you asked for permission… what an interesting child.”

Elin muttered quietly, looking at the magic circle that Sian had placed on the desk.

She thought she was just a cute and kind girl, but she was a mysterious girl with a bold side. That was the impression Elin had of Sian.

“For now, there’s no need to doubt anymore.”

She’s a child with the Token of the World Tree. Then there is no need to doubt unnecessarily. Because the Token of the World Tree is an item that cannot be forged.

The Token of the World Tree is not given to just anyone. It means that you will be treated as a VIP wherever you go, so it is only given to trustworthy people.

She had no intention of asking how she got the Token of the World Tree.

If the elves didn’t publicly announce that a person with the Token of the World Tree had appeared, it’s better to think that they were involved in something that shouldn’t be known.

Besides, a girl with the Token of the World Tree was not someone even an academy teacher could carelessly touch.

The Token of the World Tree is proof that the elves owe Sian a great debt. If she tries to investigate her background, she won’t get a good result. Just be thankful that such a girl is helping us.

Leaning back in her chair, Elin, looking at the magic circle in the glass bottle in the light with a complicated heart, called the name of her fellow teacher.

“Sophia.”

“Yes.”

Blue particles gathered in the air, and the figure of a woman slowly appeared. The woman in a neat suit adjusted her glasses and walked out of the darkness.

It was a stealth using Stigmata that most people couldn’t detect unless they were at the Sword Master level, but Elin was not surprised. Because she had seen this stealth ability countless times.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Will you investigate Sian?”

“No. If the elves are involved, there’s no way there will be any traces left. And since such a child is helping us, there’s no need to stir up trouble.”

Elin handed the glass bottle to Sophia and said.

“Rather, can you analyze this magic circle?”

“Of course. The results will be out in about two days.”

“One day. Reduce it to one day. There are only 4 days left until the midterm exam.”

Elin vaguely expected that the attack would happen during the midterm exam. Because the midterm exam was the time when the academy’s security was at its weakest.

Even if the academy’s security system is state-of-the-art, the density of surveillance assets is bound to decrease in order to cover that vast forest.

Besides, if Sian’s words are true and that’s a transfer magic circle… the transfer magic circles will probably open from the fake Stigmata holders spread throughout.

From the students taking the test outside, to the students who evacuated to the main building. It means that everyone can be put in danger.

“And, even if you have to give up a little more of the academy’s security, focus on finding the fake Stigmata holders. That’s the important thing right now.”

Now that it’s almost certain that the Dark Cult will invade during the midterm exam, there’s no need to worry about defense until then.

Anyway, the Dark Cult guys won’t cause any trouble. If they cause terror the day before the midterm exam and the midterm exam is canceled, only the Dark Cult will lose.

“I will relay that.”

“Yes. Thank you always.”

Still, now they have a list of most of the fake Stigmata holders. The eyes of a Sword Master can recognize even subtle changes.

After being granted a Stigmata, the unnaturalness of movement is a phenomenon that most Stigmata holders experience.

In one day, their strength becomes much stronger than usual, and the steps they take change. It’s not easy to balance your body that has changed in an instant.

And, that was something that the fake Stigmata holders were also experiencing. Because the fake Stigmata was also the result of studying the Stigmata.

“But, something is fishy.”

Dealing with the fake Stigmata is not that difficult. Lock up the fake Stigmata holders in one place just before the test, and dismantle the spatial transfer magic circle hidden beneath it.

The number of fake Stigmata holders that Elin has identified so far is about eight in total, including the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years. This is a number that can be sufficiently dealt with.

However, these eight people did not have the inferiority complex like Marcus. There are concerns about grades and skills… but there was no student who had a strong inferiority complex towards someone like Marcus.

The reason was obvious. Presumably, they didn’t want to reveal the existence of the fake Stigmata and the transfer magic circle beneath it until the terror incident of the midterm exam.

Seeing this, it seems that the Dark Cult definitely has the ability to check the background of the other person before contacting them. Perhaps they used spies inside the academy.

“Then, why Marcus…”

Why did they approach Marcus, who had been talked about a lot in the academy for a while? If you investigate even a little, there is no reason to approach him.

Besides, the time when Marcus caused the fake Stigmata runaway was too perfect. He caused the Stigmata to run wild just about a week before the midterm exam, giving them enough time to investigate.

Something felt suspicious.

What they would aim for in the academy is the academy barrier maintenance stone in the basement of the main building.

Unless they’re going to break through really tight security, it’s right to cause terror during the midterm exam. If she was the Dark Cult, she would definitely do that.

“…Unless there is another goal.”

She wanted to investigate a little more, but right now, there was a shortage of manpower.

Because the number of trustworthy faculty members is insufficient to carefully examine new faculty members, find fake Stigmata holders, and prepare for the terror of the midterm exam.

The reason why the morgue was so easily breached by the Dark Cult guys was also because of the lack of reliable forces.

“Sigh.”

In the end, Elin had no choice but to dismiss the ominous feeling as a feeling. Because there was too little time left until the midterm exam.

“Huuuu…”

As soon as I came out of the room, I collapsed as soon as I closed the door. As soon as the tension was released, my legs gave out.

Even if I’m at the level of an Imperial Knight, the opponent is a Sword Master. The killing intent emitted by a Sword Master was never light.

“Still, things will be a little easier from now on.”

I muttered quietly and erased the [Token of the World Tree] that was still floating on my right hand. The leaf turns into green particles and disappears.

Now, even if something happens that deviates from the original work, I don’t have to approach the teacher so complicatedly. Because I can say that I used the Token of the World Tree.

Elves are superior to humans in magical knowledge. Even if I say information that the teacher can’t know, I can say that the elves told me.

“Ugh.”

I sat there blankly until my legs calmed down, and then I quickly got up when I felt a presence at one end of the hallway. Because I didn’t want to show anyone the stupid appearance of sitting down.

However, contrary to my concerns, a familiar girl appeared from beyond the corner. With a pleasant water scent that tickles the tip of my nose, water-colored silver hair appeared.

“Hmm? Elissa?”

“Ugh?!”

Elissa, whom I saw in a day, had changed her impression somehow. An unhideable anxiety was embedded in the girl’s expression, which was always neat and calm.

However, I didn’t notice that at the time. Because I had used up too much mental energy in the conversation with Elin-sensei, I didn’t have the nerves to use it for that.

I approached Elissa as usual.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ah. Th, that… I was just passing by.”

“Passing by…?”

There aren’t many places for students to go around the academy faculty office. Because it was made from the beginning so that students wouldn’t come around the faculty office.

However, that suspicious feeling was short-lived. Right now, I was just glad to see Elissa. I felt exhausted after having an unsuitable psychological warfare.

I just wanted to grab someone and play without thinking. I’ve used up too much mental energy because of the terror these days.

If I, who knows the future, try a little harder, I can save more people. Knowing that fact, I could never stay still.

And Elissa, who appeared in front of me in that state, was in the best state to play with me. A kind and friendly girl who always cares for others.

I leaned my upper body towards Elissa with my hands behind my back. She, who had returned to her usual neat appearance, watched me as if I were cute.

“Are you busy right now?”

“Not really.”

“Hmm, I see?”

I muttered that and clung to Elissa. Water attribute mana softly embraced me. My body, which had been tense until just now, relaxes.

Elissa was embarrassed by the sudden skinship, but she smiled faintly and gently wrapped her arm around my shoulder. I, who was being hugged, didn’t see the bitterness spreading through Elissa’s smile.