The Gloomy Alchemist, Part 2
"Haha, what a coincidence," Rofel said with a chuckle.
"I didn't expect us to be sitting right next to each other. Ah, now that I think about it... do you mind if I speak casually?"
"U-uh? Ah... yeah... it's fine..."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Rofel Teufel. I'm just from a minor noble family from the countryside. And you?"
"I-I'm Elisio Gremlina... Nice to meet you..."
"The Gremlina family? Wow... you're a much bigger deal than I thought."
"Ha... hahaha. Y-yeah..."
Elisio Gremlina answered hesitantly, fidgeting in her seat.
By sheer coincidence, Rofel Teufel's seat was right next to Elisio's.
Their seats were located right in the middle of the hall, far from the quiet corners she preferred.
"...Are you okay? You've looked pale for a while now," Rofel asked.
"Ah... i-it's nothing... I'm just a bit uncomfortable in places like this..."
Perhaps because she was surrounded by a crowd of strangers, Elisio felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.
But then, she suddenly felt a strange warmth enveloping her hand.
Turning her head, she saw Rofel gently holding her hand.
"I saw what looked like the infirmary on my way here..." Rofel said softly. "You got bumped by that pile of luggage earlier, too. If your head hurts, do you want me to walk you there?"
"Ah...! No, it's fine! Now that I think about it, i-it's not that bad!"
Startled by the sudden physical contact, Elisio snapped out of her daze. She sat up so straight that her usually hunched back went completely rigid.
"That's a relief. Ah, sorry if I was being too nosy. I just couldn't help but keep looking at you. Haha."
Rofel gave her a warm smile before turning his gaze back to the stage of the Great Hall.
Staff members were bustling around the stage, signaling that the entrance ceremony was about to begin in earnest.
Even so, Elisio kept stealing glances at Rofel from the corner of her eye.
Who is this guy?
He doesn't seem to be from a particularly famous family. Is he doing this because I'm the daughter of the Gremlina family?
The sudden appearance of this strange man plunged Elisio into deep thought.
In fact, even before entering the academy, many noble youths her age had tried to approach her, the only daughter of the Gremlina family.
However, their goal was never to get to know Elisio as a person. They only wanted to establish a connection with the influential Gremlina family.
People who looked past her to stare at the shadow of her family name. Was this man just like them?
She couldn't help but suspect this man who was acting so unusually kind to her.
...Right. He's just like the others. He's definitely after my family's name!
She silently resolved not to be fooled.
Besides, everyone who had approached her in the past had eventually fled, unable to endure her disastrous social skills and her borderline obsessive fixation on alchemical research. She figured this man would soon do the same.
While Elisio was lost in her thoughts about Rofel, an elderly figure appeared on the stage of the Great Hall.
Rium Kitokal, the principal of Dandelion Academy, stepped forward, stroking his long, snow-white beard.
"Students, I sincerely welcome you all to Dandelion Academy."
As the principal spoke his first words, the audience erupted into respectful applause.
"Dandelion Academy is an institution boasting a long history and tradition of over a century. Most of you are likely already aware of the circumstances surrounding our academy's founding."
With a light, conductor-like wave of the principal's hand, the surrounding mages conjured a massive illusion in the air.
"Approximately two hundred years ago, our world was invaded by beings from another dimension—the demons."
The sky split open, and hideous demons poured from the rift, attacking helpless citizens. The horrific scene played out vividly in the air for all to see.
The sky turned blood-red, the seas dried up, and the earth was laid waste. People of all ages fell bleeding to the ground, leaving behind only grieving survivors weeping over the devastation.
"Those demons brutally destroyed everything in our world. Though nations united to resist them, the conflict quickly escalated into a war that dragged on for nearly a century."
The principal bowed his head with a solemn expression, as if he had personally lived through those dark times.
"Yet, the winter of humanity did not last forever. Exactly one hundred years into the war—one hundred years ago today—the demons were defeated. All thanks to a hero who appeared like a shooting star. The Hero."
The illusion shifted to show a radiant figure clad in brilliant light, striking down the demonic hordes one by one.
"The Hero defeated the Demon King, ended the war, and saved humanity. But our joy was short-lived. We were soon gripped by anxiety. There was no guarantee this peace would last forever, and we feared that such a cataclysmic disaster might strike again. Thus, we decided to prepare for that day by nurturing talents capable of preventing future calamities."
As the principal dispelled the magic, the vivid illusions vanished. He extended his hands toward the crowd, his eyes sweeping over the students.
"Indeed, signs of new dimensional rifts are appearing once more across the world. Furthermore, wicked dark mages who worship the demons still lurk in the shadows. The heroes who will stop them in the future are none other than you. Every single one of you possesses the potential to become a hero. So, let me say it once more. Welcome to Dandelion Academy, heroes of our era!"
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience.
Just as Principal Rium Kitokal was about to step down from the podium to conclude the ceremony, a sudden, deafening explosion shook the hall.
A massive explosive spell had detonated right where the principal had been standing moments before.
The atmosphere in the Great Hall froze instantly.
"What was that? Was this part of the rehearsal?"
"Wait... that didn't look like illusion magic."
As confusion spread, ominous magic circles began to glow brightly all over the Great Hall.
Then, figures clad in black robes materialized from the center of the seating area, triggering a chain of explosions.
"Kyaaaah!"
"Get out of my way! I am Arise of the Marquis family!"
"Guards! Guards! Dammit...! The barrier magic was supposed to be flawless!"
"Save me! Please, save me!"
"Wait, is this... black magic? It's dark mages! We're under attack by dark mages!"
The celebratory atmosphere shattered in an instant, replaced by blood-curdling screams.
The Great Hall began to crumble as the pre-installed magic circles detonated one after another. The black-robed intruders ruthlessly attacked the crowd using forbidden black magic.
"W-what is going on...!"
Elisio Gremlina was just as panicked. She was a genius, but only in the field of alchemy. This sudden violence terrified and bewildered her. The only thing she could think to do was run.
"Haa... haa... T-they won't find me here, right...?"
She was currently hiding under a desk inside a dusty, unnamed storage room within the Great Hall.
Like everyone else, she had initially bolted for the exit. However, she quickly realized that the dark mages waiting outside were systematically knocking out anyone who tried to escape with bizarre spells. Left with no choice, she had retreated deeper into the building to hide.
Her lifelong habit of seeking out quiet, cramped corners to isolate herself had actually saved her life this time.
"Ugh... I-I knew it... leaving the house is always a... a nightmare..."
But she couldn't stay hidden here forever.
Thud! Thud!
"Hieek...!"
The Great Hall shuddered violently at regular intervals, sending dust and debris raining down from the cracking ceiling. It meant there were still active explosive magic circles detonating throughout the building.
Staying put was a death sentence. Yet, dark mages patrolled the exits, and if she remained inside, she would either be discovered by the intruders searching the rooms or crushed to death by the collapsing ceiling. She was completely trapped.
"I-I should have brewed an invisibility potion...!"
She rummaged through her pockets in regret. All she had on her was a single high-grade healing potion she had made just in case, and a stack of cash that was utterly useless in this situation.
Step, step.
The distinct sound of footsteps and fabric dragging along the floor echoed nearby. Someone was wandering just outside the storage room.
"H-hup...!"
Elisio clamped both hands over her mouth, praying desperately that whoever it was would just pass by.
Click.
Unfortunately, the door clicked open, and the intruder stepped inside. To make matters worse, the footsteps began drawing closer and closer to her hiding spot.
"...Hic... h-hieek...!"
Tears welled in her eyes from sheer terror. She inwardly cursed her family, blaming them for forcing her to attend this academy in the first place.
Please... please...!
Despite her silent pleas, the footsteps stopped right in front of the desk. The desk was violently flipped aside, exposing her to the intruder.
It was a dark mage, clad in a black robe.
"..."
The dark mage muttered an incantation under his breath, and an ominous sphere of dark energy began to form at the tip of his staff.
"N-no..."
Paralyzed by fear, her legs gave out, leaving her unable to run. The purple sphere of light at the end of the staff drew closer and closer. She squeezed her eyes shut.
CLANG!
A thick iron pipe came crashing down onto the dark mage's head. The sphere of magic vanished instantly, and the dark mage collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
Startled by the heavy, metallic impact, Elisio cautiously opened her eyes and looked up at her savior.
The figure was backlit, casting his face in shadow, but as he stepped forward, his features became clear.
It was Rofel Teufel.