C275: Devalk Imperial Castle (2)

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Somethings wrong.

Hans was troubled by what the mouse had told him. Usually, mice do whatever Hans asks them to do.

Of course, rats can only do so much, so Hanss main request was to tell him where hed been and what hed seen. That was enough for him.

Especially after his transformation into the Beast of Gvaudan, Hans felt he had more control over beasts.

He could now command not just rats, but dogs, cats, and even crows.

What this meant was that the rats would do whatever he told them to do, and they would do it faithfully.

Hans knew it, so he sent a mouse to check the underground waterway. But something completely unexpected happened.

It said it couldnt go to the underground waterways.

Its not because the road is blocked or theres nowhere else to go. Literally, the rats are afraid to go down any further.

You feel fear beyond my control? I could make them jump into a fire if I commanded them hard enough.

But the mice would never tell a lie. As long as they followed Hanss orders, they would tell the truth.

Of course, the information they gave him wasnt always clean, so Hans had to double-check the information himself. Even with that in mind, the message that he couldnt go in because he was too scared was the same no matter how he interpreted it.

Somethings up.

Hans had a hunch that there was something beneath the capitals underground aqueducts.

And brothers master knows about it?

Hans remembered Granders advice to look into the sewers. She wouldnt have given this advice if she didnt know something.

Hans was tempted to ask her how she knew what exactly was in there, but he forced himself to not do it.

It wasnt as if he hadnt noticed.

Since she told me, she didnt seem to have any intention of getting involved.

If so, no matter how many times he asks, he wont get the answer he wants.

Now that this happened, he had no choice but to move himself.

I really dont want to do this.

Hans stood up and grabbed his coat. He didnt like the idea of being on his own, but he wasnt so desperate that he would run away.

Besides, Im not going alone.

In addition to Hans, there is another U.N. Owen member here.

Pantos, code name Herman Melville and Alex from Victor Hugo did not come, instead an unexpected person accompanied him, no an elf.

Hey, are you ready?

When Hans called, the stiff closed door squeaked open. Out of it walked a dusky elf with unruly orange hair, Belaruna Petana, U.N Owen codename Francis Scott Fitzgerald.

'

Rudger had given her that name because the drugged elf bore a striking resemblance to an alcoholic writer.

Did you pack everything you need?

Whoa, whoa. I did take care of everything.

Then lets go.

She came to the capital to help Hans in case of an unexpected situation.

Hans put a beret over Belarunas head and left the house.

* * *

In the Magic Exhibition Hall of the Crystal Palace Loina Pavlini smiled and led the way.

This is called the Hall of Magic, a place where magic is displayed, and Im sure youll find materials on magic youve never heard of here.

Theres a lot of strange magic here?

Yes. The Crystal Palace is the imperial familys responsibility.

For that reason, the imperial family brought all kinds of magic and knowledge from the continent and displayed them in the Crystal Palace.

The same was true of the [unique] series of magic that ordinary people would not encounter.

Of course, they dont reveal all of the fundamental secrets of those magics, theyre definitely guarding those parts.

Ah, I see.

More than that, is student Rene really a possessor of non-attribute magic?

Loina asked, her eyes shining. At that stare, Rene smiled bitterly and nodded.

Ive always had trouble with elemental magic.

That must have caused you a lot of discomfort in your classes.

Yeah, because even though I could somehow keep up with the theory, I felt like I was limited.

I know that feeling!

Loina took Renes hand and nodded vigorously.

She was a sixth-rank wizard, but she had never felt as great as other sixth-rank wizards.

But isnt Mentor Loina a Lexer class wizard?

No, Im only at the bottom.

I think youre amazing even if youre at the bottom.

Thats because Im a theorist, but if you think about it, Im only half-way to the sixth-rank.

Loina was too weak even if she was weak in practice. That was due to her innate low self-esteem.

With such a personality, it was inevitable that Loina would see Renes determination to do well in Theon, even with the handicap of non-attribute magic, as remarkable. Though she couldnt help but feel a bit overwhelmed.

'

But I think shes a good person.

Not only did she answer her questions, but she also offered to show her around the Crystal Palace.

It wasnt what she had hoped for, but Loina laughed and said she was doing it because she wanted to.

More than that, Rene, you have non-attribute magic, so how are you doing in Theon?

Yeah. It was hard at first, but there are a lot of good people there.

But it must have been hard to follow the professors classes.

Since there is a professor who takes good care of me.

Oh, really? Who is it?

Mr. Rudger.

What?

When Rudgers name came out, Loina was startled.

Whats wrong?

Uh, well. This Rudger is Rudger Chelici, right?

Yes.

And he was nice to you? From the looks of it, I thought hed be ruthlessly discarding students who werent good enough.

Rene let out a small laugh at Loinas comment. She couldnt blame anyone who didnt know Rudger for thinking that.

Im sure everyone thinks that, but Mr. Rudger really cares about his students. He doesnt show it outwardly, of course, but if someone is struggling, hell help them, even if he pretends to be reluctant.

I see.

Ive gotten a lot of help from him, too, especially with the advice on non-attribute magic, which I was lacking, and even on mana emission.

Speaking of mana emission, did you take part in Rudger Chelicis experiment?!

Loina asked in surprise.

Yes. Somehow.

Im so jealous of you, to get a gig like that at a time when youre supposed to be growing up, was it scary?

Actually, it was scary, because it was something that no one had ever done before, and I felt like if I didnt do it, Id always be stuck.

Thats amazing!

Her eyes lit up as if she had seen Renes courage and Rudger all over again.

For Rene, it was a bit overwhelming to hear this from a sixth-rank wizard and a major player in the magic world. However, despite her empty words, Loinas actions were sincere. Her eyes were telling her so.

Rene could easily distinguish between those who liked her and those who were hostile.

It was her eyes that allowed her to approach Rudger, whom others feared. She could tell whether they were being sincere or false, whether they had malice or favor. It was strange.

More than that, Ms. Reee.

'

What?

Who is that blonde student whos been following us from behind?

Renee turned around to see who it was and couldnt help but smile awkwardly at the sight of her striking, gorgeous blond hair.

Erendir von Exilion, the Third Princess of the Empire, Renes senior and friend, was sneaking up on them from behind with her eyes burning with jealousy.

She may have been trying hard to hide, but her distinctive hair color made her stand out in this crowd.

Shes my senior.

So, shes a senior? But why didnt you go separately and?

Can you wait here for a moment? Ill go get her.

Rene said so and approached Erendir, who was hiding in the crowd.

Senior, what are you doing?

Oh! Junior Rene? What a coincidence!

You came to take the same class as us?

Oh right. That was it.

Are you alone?

.

Erendirs expression quickly turned sullen, and Rene spoke up.

Well, thats good, then, because I wanted to go with you, too! Ive been looking for you, and this is a great coincidence!

!

Erendirs face cleared again and Rene was relieved to see it, but also realized that she looked very tired.

After all, she was a senior and a princess, so was it okay to be this simple?

What happened to the boldness and assertiveness she had shown when she first met her?

Still, its nice to see that shes so friendly.

Unable to leave Erendir alone for now, Rene took her hand and led her to where Loina was waiting.

Thats when she and Erendir came face to face.

Student Rene thats.

Loina, who recognized Erendir, began stuttering again.

People who dont know Erendir well are overwhelmed by her gorgeous appearance and unique aura. Especially for someone with low self-esteem and a timid personality, its the opposite of a match made in heaven.

Erendir was nervous, too. Despite appearances, Loina was a sixth-rank wizard, a theoretical genius, and her mentor.

To Erendir, who had the blood of the imperial family but was weak in theory, Loina was a genius who had risen to the highest ranks only with her own inadequacies.

If I try to force them to get along, theyll only resent me.

'

Just then, Renes gaze caught sight of a magic in the exhibition hall.

Mentor Loina, what is that magic?

Inside the large glass tube was a form of illusion magic. There was an introductory paragraph underneath that explained what it was, but even knowing that, Rene asked on purpose.

Oh, you mean that?

When Loina was asked, she thought it was time and began to explain.

Renee listened attentively, and Erendir naturally joined in the conversation.

Thanks to this, the rigid atmosphere was resolved and Erendir regained some composure.

Then shall we go inside?

At Renees casual suggestion, the three of them wandered around the Crystal Palace and checked the exhibits.

It was now impossible to tell who the mentor was and who were the students, but none of the three cared.

Hmm. Probably this way, where the unusual series of magic are displayed.

Where Loina pointed, they could see a place with different magics stored among the crowd.

It wasnt real magic, just an illusion that mimicked that kind of magic. However, it was very realistic, and people watched in admiration.

Magic is basically grouped into categories and specializations. Among them, magic that is not defined as modern magic is divided into the [unusual] category.

But there are more unusual types of magic than I thought.

On the contrary, in terms of diversity alone, the [unusual] category is much vaster than the other four categories.

Rene stopped in front of a glass display case. Inside was a picture of a sleeping person and a mage who had entered that persons dream.

Thats the < Dream Walk> spell. Its used by mages belonging to the School. Its surprisingly well known for such an unusual school.

At those words, Rene thought of Julia who was also on the field trip right now, too.

At that moment, Rene caught a glimpse of a magic. Perhaps sensing her gaze, Loina also saw the magic and exclaimed,

Ah, thats divine magic.

Divine magic?

Its a specialty, but its also the most common, as its used by the paladins, inquisitors, and priests of the Order of Lumensis.

Whats an Inquisitor?

Its an obsolete profession these days, but the Order of Lumensis still employs them.

I see, but they use magic.

They say its not magic, its divine miracles, but modern theory sees it as half magic.

Rene stared at the display of divine magic. In it, she could see a woman clad in pure white robes, her hands clasped together in prayer. A beautiful glow was rising around her, and even though she knew it was an illusion, she couldnt help but admire it. But there was something that caught her eye.

What is it?

The light prevented the woman from being seen properly but Rene was strangely attracted to the figure.