Chapter 73

Emil, one of Odine's potential fiancés, had a family name similar to others, which was confusing, so I removed it. I'm sorry. Mademoiselle Ginette, a lady who causes fights due to her many romantic entanglements (some might call her a slut), is just a young lady who causes trouble.

Jiito is a chicken. It's been a while since he appeared. Some might have forgotten, so I'm mentioning it just in case.

Lucian, after a strange series of events, could no longer take business management but decided to take summoning magic instead, thinking, "Well, it's fine."

Yusis offered to teach him business management, and Lucian accepted.

Yusis also lent him the reference books he used. Lucian felt that with these, he could manage somehow.

His father would also teach him, which should be sufficient. In the higher grades, he could take a more advanced "business management" course. He wanted to take the basics first, but if it wasn't possible, he had no choice.

Yusis even said, "I'll teach you better than Professor Selva."

—It seems Yusis is more angry on his behalf...

Lucian couldn't take the popular economics course as expected, so he settled on four elective courses.

All the classes were interesting and engaging, including Professor Leifnia's magic array structure.

However, he was concerned that his personal belongings were occasionally stolen, and each time, the number of classmates decreased.

About a month and a half had passed since the start of school.

"Something feels off. When I practice ancient language incantations in summoning magic, my daily conversation seems to change."

"...Lucian.

While you're saying that, your pronunciation is becoming unique."

Yusis was trying not to laugh.

"...Yusis, the accent on my name is off too."

"Ha ha.

Both of you are weird, it's ridiculous."

Odine burst out laughing.

"I don't think it's that funny..."

"It is.

Lucian, why do you have so much stuff?"

"Because my belongings get stolen.

I get reimbursed for textbooks and get new ones, so that's fine.

But losing my notes is really troublesome."

Lucian frowned.

"I can copy my notes for you."

Yusis's mind flashed back to his father's words.

Since then, he had thought many times about his father's statement that things were "not as they seemed."

He wondered, "Could some form of mind control magic have been used?"

He had considered this from the beginning. Mind control was dark magic.

However, using "dark magic" within the school would trigger the security magic devices. Many students had protective amulets and spirit stones that defended against dark magic.

But these only worked against "dark magic."

A few years ago, a group from the Alres Empire used curse-based mind control in the palace. After that, defense methods were researched, and court magician Luca Michelle led the creation of protective magic devices. These were distributed almost for free, and many students wore small ones on their bags. In the first place, very few people could perform curse-based mind control.

—Could it be some other type of magic?

A chill ran down Yusis's spine.

He wondered if it was harassment from the empire, but targeting Lucian seemed odd.

—The harassment against Lucian was always childish.

Originally, the students who did it were jealous of Lucian. "Just a count's family," "getting close to the crown prince," "talking casually with Odine." These were the reasons for their jealousy.

It was also bad that Lucian was thought to be adopted from a distant relative of the Vione family. He was looked down upon and envied for being taken in from an unknown place.

In reality, he was the legitimate heir and of royal blood.

—So, just a little push to that negative emotion was enough to make everyone dance to the tune.

If the instruction was to hurt Lucian, there might have been resistance, but stealing textbooks left on desks was easy to do.

How did they do it?

It seemed to amplify the existing "jealousy." Speaking of which, there was "nourishment" in earth magic and healing magic. Could there be something similar to "mental enhancement"? If so, it wouldn't be detected.

"Amplification"? "Enhancement"?

It didn't have to be that strong.

Thanks to this, they were suspended.

—There must be something. Something that can slip through undetected.

If his guess was correct, there was a student somewhere who had awakened to a special magic. Someone who envied Lucian and was hiding somewhere.

Of course, these were just guesses, but he believed they were mostly correct.

Lucian, unaware of Yusis's thoughts, casually replied, "It's troublesome."

The fact that Lucian was more energetic than expected was a relief to Yusis.

Lucian remembered that he had to copy notes in addition to his assignments and looked even more troubled.

"You'll probably remember it better that way."

Odine tried to console him, though her tone was somewhat dismissive.

"That's true, but I don't like that someone gets suspended every time this happens."

"Six people.

Five of them were academically weak.

They always end up suspended when caught."

Odine shrugged.

"I don't like that I'm getting used to it."

Lucian muttered weakly, and Yusis patted his shoulder to comfort him.

Entering the classroom and touching his desk, Lucian suddenly noticed a metallic smell.

"What's wrong?"

Yusis asked, seeing Lucian freeze.

"Um...

Maybe it's a new form of harassment."

"What?"

Yusis looked puzzled.

Lucian reluctantly opened his desk.

Inside was a decapitated mouse.

Yusis immediately stood up.

"Lucian, don't touch it. We'll investigate.

Calron, go get Teacher Zach Marlowe!"

Hearing Yusis's voice, other students noticed the blood-soaked mouse and screamed.

While waiting for Teacher Marlowe to arrive, Lucian stared at the mouse.

"Is there any other evidence?"

Yusis peered over from the side.

"Hmm, I don't see anything.

It looks like it was cut with a knife.

That's pretty cruel."

"It might have been a kama-itachi."

The cut looked like it was made with a sharp blade.

"That's cruel.

To do this just to harass Lucian."

"Odine.

Is that 'just' directed at my name, Lucian?"

Lucian glanced at Odine sideways.

"Why are you nitpicking at a time like this?

A poor mouse was killed, and you're acting so calm..."

Odine glared at Lucian.

I'm a victim too, Lucian thought unjustly.

"I am shocked, but...

This mouse looks like a sewer rat. I wonder how they got it."

"Well, the culprit will be caught soon, so we can ask them."

Yusis scanned the room with a cold gaze.

Several students looked pale, but it could have been due to the blood-soaked mouse.

Teacher Marlowe arrived shortly, and the investigation began immediately.

Later, the culprit was easily caught through the security magic device footage, the examination of the dead mouse, and the questioning of several students.

◇◇

Dennis Selva was unexpectedly called to the palace.

He had no idea why.

When he arrived, he was greeted by one of the king's aides, which only added to his confusion.

He was led to the king's office.

Inside were His Majesty, two aides, and several guards.

Dennis, internally shaken, couldn't count the number of guards but felt there were unusually many.

"Teacher Dennis Selva.

The reason you are here today is none other than Lucian Vione."

The unexpected name was mentioned as soon as the formalities were over.

"About half a month ago, elective courses were being decided.

You made a mistake regarding Lucian Vione.

Do you know what I'm talking about?"

The king's tone was unusually stern for someone known for his gentleness.

"…He wanted to take business management, but due to its popularity, I couldn't accommodate his request."

Dennis felt a cold sweat run down his back but tried to remain calm.

"I investigated.

This year, fewer students chose business management than usual.

Moreover, Lucian had marked it as his first choice."

Sirius stated matter-of-factly.

"No, that's not true. All students who marked it as their first choice were accommodated."

"Lies are unnecessary.

When Lucian submitted his application, Yusis was with him.

Yusis saw that business management was marked as his first choice.

Odine also heard this. You can't hide it.

Lucian has been subjected to persistent harassment at the royal academy.

I never thought a teacher would be involved in such behavior."

Sirius's eyes were cold and unforgiving.

"That's...

Not true."

"Give me a clear answer."

Sirius's voice was filled with authority.

Dennis couldn't stop his knees from trembling.

"I... don't know."

"You can't give a reason.

Is that what you're saying?"

"No, that's not it. Mistakes happen to everyone."

Dennis raised his voice, which was slightly hoarse.

"Your nephew, Patrice, was a candidate for Yusis's aide."

Hearing this in a cold, hard voice, Dennis felt a bad premonition.

"My nephew is not related to this.

My mistake has nothing to do with him.

I will correct my mistake.

It was not harassment or anything childish."

"How do you plan to correct it?

It's been over half a month since the elective courses started."

"Special supplementary classes..."

"For now, the questioning is over.

You may leave."

"Your Majesty...

What about my nephew?"

"This is not your concern. I have another appointment."

Sirius cut him off, and Dennis left the office in a daze.

Outside, he encountered Patrice.

"Uncle... Why are you here?

That room is the king's office, right?"

Patrice's expression was tense.

"Patrice.

Did something happen with the aide position?"

Patrice's eyes widened at his uncle's words.

"I was called to the royal administration office. My father was with me until just now. He has already returned to work.

We had a meeting in the office.

Was it because of you, Uncle?"

Patrice's voice was trembling.

"Patrice...

The aide position... Is it still...?"

"I was told to be removed."

Dennis hung his head.

"Is it because of you, Uncle?

I was told there was a problem with the family. When my father asked, he was told the problem was with someone working at the school.

What... What did you do?"

Patrice asked desperately.

"I made a mistake. I was careless."

"Then, what did you do!"

"Lucian Vione wanted to take my business management class. He marked it as his first choice.

But I accidentally denied his request."

Dennis answered listlessly.

"Why? What do you mean!

Why?"

"I was misunderstood as joining the students in harassing him."

"Then, what was the reason!"

When questioned by his nephew, Dennis was flustered.

"The reason...

I was careless."

"That's not a reason. Explain yourself."

Patrice's voice echoed in the hallway.

"I was also questioned by the principal.

Why did I exclude a student who marked it as their first choice?

I said I didn't know about the first choice."

"Did you overlook it?"

Patrice's face lost all expression.

"...Prince Yusis and Princess Odine saw that Lucian Vione marked business management as his first choice.

I was told not to lie.

It was a misunderstanding..."

"It's not a misunderstanding.

You deliberately excluded Lucian.

Just like the other students who harassed him."

Patrice's voice was filled with uncontrollable disdain.

"No, that's not true."

Dennis shook his head frantically.

"But you did something that could be interpreted that way.

For a student who is the prince's friend and cousin...

Someone with an uncle like you could never become the prince's aide.

The prince's aide must be perfect..."

Tears streamed down Patrice's cheeks.

"I'm sorry, it's not like that..."

"Give me a reason.

A clear reason.

I have the right to know.

At least, give me a reason."

Dennis, hearing his nephew's cries, hung his head even lower.

"I don't know..."

Their conversation was being listened to by the palace's intelligence officers, but neither Dennis nor Patrice realized it.