Why Is Everyone Acting Like This?

The conversation continued after that. As time passed, the number of questions dwindled. Baltro decided that was enough and set his pen down.

"Well done, Miss Lakrina. This should be sufficient."

"Ah, yes! Thank you for your consideration."

"Think nothing of it. This is my role, after all."

Baltro smiled kindly. Contrary to his first impression, Lakrina was a good-natured and spirited child. And that was not the end of it. According to Enoch, she possessed talent not only in freezing magic but also in swordsmanship. In other words, she had seized both martial prowess and magic—the two rabbits. It was a trite metaphor, but there was no other way to describe her except as a genius.

'Her gaze toward Enoch is rather striking, but… that much is nothing to worry about.'

No one in this world was without flaws. Everyone carried at least one shortcoming. Baltro judged Lakrina's subtle symptoms to be no real problem.

'Still, just in case, it would be wise to probe a little.'

"Miss Lakrina?"

"Yes?"

"I intend to enter your name into the dormitory registry right away. There will be no issues, I trust?"

"The registry?"

"Yes. You will need to attend the academy starting tomorrow. I had originally planned to give it more time, but after seeing your abilities, I cannot delay any longer. Will that be all right?"

"Hmm…"

Lakrina did not answer immediately. Instead, she kept glancing sideways at Enoch. Baltro added a new line to his mental notepad.

'Memo: dependency… add that as well.'

"If my proposal was too sudden, I apologize."

"No, it's not that… Um… Headmaster, you mean I have to move into the dormitory today, correct?"

"That is right. Otherwise there will be problems with commuting."

"Well… that is… Ah, I haven't brought all my daily necessities from home yet. So, perhaps next time—"

"It is fine, Lakrina."

Enoch cut in.

"Yes?"

"Daily necessities are just everyday clothes and cleaning supplies. Buy new ones here. I will give you enough allowance that you will not be short."

"B-but… the everyday clothes already cost a fortune last time."

"It is not a significant sum to me. I told you before, did I not? You need not concern yourself with my finances. Simply focus on the academy."

"……Th-thank you."

Enoch spoke firmly. Lakrina forced a smile. Anyone could see it was strained. Baltro opened his notepad again.

'Memo: attachment… add that as well.'

After recording the information, Baltro cleared his throat to gather their attention.

"Ahem, ahem. Let us move along. Since things have come to this, I will escort Miss Lakrina to the dormitory myself."

"I am grateful for your kindness, Headmaster."

"Think nothing of it. I expect to benefit from your talents later as well."

Baltro brushed aside Enoch's thanks with a smile. Favors, after all, went around in circles. He would simply receive an equivalent return later. The three of them left the reception room and stepped outside the building. As they walked toward the dormitory, Enoch spoke.

"Headmaster, there is something I would like to ask."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Would it be all right if I examined the student registry later?"

"The registry? Are you looking for someone in particular?"

Baltro tilted his head. Enoch nodded as if that were the case.

"Something like that. To be honest, I am looking for talents worth sponsoring."

"Talents… I see. So you are searching for children like Miss Lakrina."

"That is the idea. There must be a few children who have talent but lack the background. I wish to sponsor them."

Enoch added an explanation. Baltro nodded in understanding. However, the request carried a small problem: Enoch was an outsider.

"I understand your intention. Still, no matter how I look at it, freely disclosing students' personal information is difficult. If any problems arise later, it could affect you as well."

"So it is only a problem because I am an outsider? Then I simply need to stop being one."

"What do you mean by that? Surely you do not intend to join the academy as a teacher?"

Baltro asked in disbelief. Enoch shook his head firmly.

"I am not suited to teach anyone. I do, however, have quite a bit of wealth."

"Wealth?"

"I will sponsor the academy with 200 billion krol. At that point, you can hardly call me an outsider anymore, can you?"

Baltro stopped walking. He stared at Enoch with wide eyes.

"Are you joking right now? Even the nobles do not sponsor to that extent."

"Of course not. They are poor compared to me. You look as though you do not believe me, so here is a promissory note. Go to the bank counter and verify it yourself."

"……"

Baltro stared blankly at the check Enoch handed him. Only then did he recall what had happened earlier. Enoch had arrived in his own private airship. That meant he possessed enormous wealth. Baltro opened his notepad once more.

'Memo: Enoch is wealthy. Extremely so.'

-Swish

Baltro skillfully folded the check and slipped it into his pocket. Then he burst into hearty laughter.

"I must introduce you again. Noble sponsor. May the benevolent grace of the sun dwell upon you for a long time. The cradle of knowledge will gladly accept your generosity."

"May the innocent moon goddess bless you. It is nothing, Headmaster. I have merely paid the appropriate price for your efforts."

Baltro and Enoch praised each other, even using the rarely spoken temple greetings. Baltro laughed heartily and wiped the corners of his eyes. After brushing away tears of joy, his gaze belatedly fell on Lakrina.

"……"

'…I see. She is sulking because ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a new sponsor has appeared.'

Lakrina had already stuck out her lips in a pout. She clearly disliked the fact that Enoch was investing in other students besides her. Still, she knew her place. She could not step forward to stop the sponsorship. So she fumed alone to vent her frustration. Occasionally, she cast longing, resentful glances at Enoch as well.

Baltro opened his notepad yet again.

'Memo: despondency… add that as well.'

A new line was etched in. The contents had grown quite substantial. Baltro belatedly examined his mental notepad in detail.

'Curiosity, concern for Enoch, attachment, dependency, despondency…'

Baltro shivered without realizing it. Was this not practically a horror story? Would it truly be all right to nurture such a student as a talent? A chill ran down his spine.

Enoch's eyes widened. The bastard who had destroyed his car, Ascuta, had been caught.

"I am on my way now. Send me the location."

"Understood. Sending it now."

—Click

Enoch ended the call and rose from his seat. He downed the remaining drink in one gulp and immediately turned around.

"Where are you going?"

"To catch the vehicle terrorist."

If it concerned the monsters, it was no light matter. Enoch committed Nordila's request to memory and ended the call.

—Click

Enoch ended the call. He pondered for a moment. Where should he go first? Why were the calls suddenly pouring in? After brief consideration, he began walking. Just then, the pub door opened and someone entered.

—Creak

"…Are you Mr. Enoch?"

"Who are you?"

The man who appeared was someone Enoch had never seen before. He bowed politely and spoke.

"The Golden Mage wishes to see you. He says he would like to meet you right now. Will you come?"

"……"

The man's words carried the nuance of a warning. Enoch did not answer immediately. He was not afraid of something like the Golden Mage. It was simply that all these events had unfolded so abruptly that he was speechless with disbelief.

Enoch folded the communication device. He then placed a cigarette in his mouth and lit it.

—Hiss

—Puff…

"…? Mr. Enoch? Are you not going? The Golden Mage is waiting for you—"

"Shut your mouth. I am thinking right now."

"……"