Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Hey Loser, Where's Chayuri?
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Hey, loser, where'd Chayuri go?
"Professor Jueri?"
Just as I was struggling with the situation, Professor Jueri approached us.
The banquet was an event even the professors attended, so Professor Jueri's outfit was more glamorous than usual.
"Student council president. The organizers were looking for you. It seems like the banquet's about to kick off properly, so shouldn't you head over?"
"Already that time...? Ian, junior. Sorry, but our dance will have to wait for another chance. Thank you, Professor Jueri."
"Take care out there, student council president."
Professor Jueri was my savior.
At Professor Jueri's words, Harisha headed deeper into the banquet hall.
"Whew... saved. Time to dance with Hisenna and take a break."
"W-what are you talking about?! Just one dance and done? That won't draw enough attention!"
"Weren't you next on the list anyway?"
"No, we agreed on just one from the start. You two can go up to the VIP seats and dance there."
Thanks to Harisha vanishing, I could shake off both Chayuri and Elrim too.
I'd never planned on dancing multiple rounds anyway. Things were finally back to normal.
"Aw, what a shame. If you have time later, dance with me, Elrim."
"Ugh... fine."
"Such a pity."
Only Hisenna, with things going her way, seemed pleased.
But Professor Jueri lingered instead of leaving.
"Cadet Ian. Could I borrow a moment of your time?"
"Ah, sure. I'll be right back."
She must have had some business with me too, because Professor Jueri called me over.
I got Hisenna's nod and followed Professor Jueri out of the banquet hall.
A massive corridor connecting to another building behind the banquet hall.
No one around except the occasional staffer hauling stuff.
"What's this about? If it's about casting that spell..."
Why had Professor Jueri suddenly called me out?
After the pork belly joint fight, I'd met up with her now and then for chats.
Asking about tricky spells or learning about taboo mages.
And it always ended with me casting [Zap zap, then pssshhh—gone!] on Professor Jueri.
She'd always ask for it right before we parted ways.
Something about it being a fascinating spell with tons to research. Orgasm said it was fine to cast on her too, so I did.
"W-what are you saying?! Even so, doing something that indecent right in the middle of the banquet...!"
"Indecent...? Didn't you say it was a unique defensive spell you wanted to research?"
"Th-that's right! But how am I supposed to focus on research in the middle of a banquet?"
"Then why'd you call me out?"
Professor Jueri's face flushed for some reason as she cleared her throat.
She glanced around, then lowered her voice.
"You know big academy banquets like this draw a ton of VIPs."
"Yeah. Not just cadets—outside mages and nobles too. Especially opening banquets, with lots of newbies' family showing up."
Merhen Magic Academy was the cradle of mages.
Backed by tons of families, with deep connections.
So unless it was strictly internal, academy-hosted banquets doubled as mage society events.
VIPs fitting the theme were common.
Banquets centered on newbies like the opening one especially drew their noble families.
Take good care of our kid, that sort of thing.
"Exactly. And someone from the Floridel family showed up too."
"Related to Chayuri, I bet."
"Spot on. Chayuri's mother came in person."
"Pardon?"
Mother meant the archmage duke's wife.
Wasn't that a bit too high-profile?
The academy mattered in mage society, sure, but to top mages, it was still just sprouts playing around.
Usually, VIPs were mid-tier, not overkill.
"Isn't that overkill for kids' games?"
"The Floridels are a special case."
Professor Jueri explained the Floridel family's quirks.
The Floridel archmage duke was a total playboy. Jealous.
Chayuri's mom ranked pretty low among the Floridel wives, apparently.
"So what's the problem? Not like it's a burden on the academy."
"Her showing up makes sense on its own. But when I met her earlier..."
Professor Jueri checked her surroundings again.
Then she even threw up a magical barrier to block sound.
"I sensed taboo energy from her."
"...Come again?"
I couldn't keep a straight face.
Taboo energy from Chayuri's mom?
"Just a faint whiff. Most wouldn't notice unless it was blatant."
Distinguishing taboo by aura alone took sky-high affinity.
For some reason, mine was high enough to spot it easily.
"Cadet Ian. You can sense taboo, right? Keep a close eye on Chayuri."
One thing bugged me, though.
That middle-aged woman at the auction with Chayuri before—she had to be his mom.
I'd sat right next to her and felt nothing...
"Got it for now."
"Something might go down. Keep tabs on my position."
"Will do. I'll call for backup if shit hits the fan."
I parted with Professor Jueri and headed back to the banquet hall.
First up: check with Chayuri.
I spotted Chayuri near the VIP seats.
His partner Elrim was dancing like mad in front of the VIPs with someone else. Definitely turning heads.
Chayuri had already done his round and was catching his breath.
I pulled Chayuri aside to a corner.
"Hoo... dancing like that's a first for me. So, what's up? Wanna go for the next song?"
"Nah, dance with Elrim. Anyway, question: that pork belly joint thing—did you tell your mom?"
Mentioning that soured Chayuri's excited face in an instant.
Guess he didn't have great feelings about family stuff.
"No. No point stirring her up over nothing..."
"Fair, but remember? She had a tail on you then. The taboo mage handled it. So your mom would know something happened. Didn't she ask?"
"...Ah."
Chayuri finally realized something was off.
Back then, the taboo mage took out the protector his mom sent, then tailed us from there.
The taboo mage died. So his mom side had to notice somehow.
Chayuri hadn't breathed a word about it.
"...Never crossed my mind."
"How do you not mention that?"
"She doesn't reach out unless she wants something, and I don't either... or have reason to. Yeah, that's weird."
This guy hated his mom? Or bad blood between them?
Either way, the picture was clarifying.
"What's going on?"
"For today, avoid contact with your mom. Sounds weird, I know, but play it safe."
Telling him his own mom was taboo-linked was awkward.
I figured warn lightly and bounce, but
"Tell me! What's happening?! I don't care what it is!"
Chayuri grabbed me with a desperate look.
Not worry for his mom, though.
More like panic. Or dread.
I hesitated, then spilled.
"Don't freak. And keep it to yourself for now. Looks like your mom's tied to taboo mages."
"...What?"
I relayed my chat with Professor Jueri.
Just the mom parts.
Nothing on my situation or the chancellor.
No need dragging him into my mess.
"No clue on why. Just watch yourself. My affinity's high, so I caught a faint trace."
"......"
Chayuri just gaped, stunned.
Shouldn't have said it? Nah, he'd learn eventually.
Better hear family was taboo-tainted early than get blindsided later.
"One more time: no telling what might pop off. Stay safe."
I hammered it home to Chayuri and dipped.
Hisenna'd been waiting too long.
VIPs were dancing now anyway—perfect chance to dance with Hisenna while scoping Chayuri's mom.
"Ian! Where've you...?"
"Hisenna! Dance with me—now!"
"E-eh?"
I spotted Hisenna and yanked her hand, dragging her along.
"Oh my. Ian, if you're gonna be so rough..."
Hisenna mumbled something, but no time to care.
I danced, hunting Chayuri's mom, while posting the deets to the gallery.
Replies poured in on the post.
I paused checking them and scanned the hall.
Mid-step, brushing past folks—a chilling, ominous vibe hit me.
Following it led to a woman dancing with an academy affiliate.
Matched the auction silhouette. Chayuri's mom.
She laughed hoho, but taboo energy radiated clear.
They're gunning for Top Student. Even reached out to his mom.
Sounds plausible. No idea why, but now they're using mom to get at Top Student.
That archmage duke—how many wives does he have without knowing this?
He must love them all equally. That guy's no man. I at least make sure none feel left out.
Hmm. Wife tainted by taboo and he doesn't notice. Noble ways are hard to grasp.
Common among nobles. Multiple wives mean some get sidelined. Rank fights are standard.
No taboo vibe before, so probably not a taboo mage herself. More like she's been hit by it.
Might be under mental interference. If it's them, they're watching nearby. Track carefully.
What if you get got tracking?
Stick close enough. Goal's Top Student anyway. Watch tight, you'll spot something.
Targeting Chayuri for sure. Gallery agreed.
But why him?
"Th-the song's over, Ian. Up for another? Or maybe a private stroll...?"
Song ended; dancers scattered.
I quickly checked where Chayuri's mom had been.
She'd finished dancing and was heading off alone somewhere.
"Sorry, Hisenna. Gotta run somewhere!"
I left Hisenna behind and tailed Chayuri's mom cautiously.
Following Top Student's mom wherever she's headed
Don't follow
No hold up
?? Why
What're you gonna do solo
Run into someone stronger and you're toast
Stick by Top Student. That's the target. Keep him safe.
Dude just likes Top Student lol
But fair. Watch Top Student, stay safe. No need for you to die too.
But the gallery panicked against it.
They had a point. Nearly died to that taboo mage at the pork belly place.
Tailing solo could spell trouble.
Curious about her deal, but prioritizing Chayuri came first.
I stopped tailing Chayuri's mom and hunted for him again.
But Chayuri was nowhere in the hall.
Not even where we'd talked.
Minutes of searching later, I found his partner Elrim instead.
"Hey, loser. Where's Chayuri?"
"Huh? Chayuri left a bit ago? Anyway, dance! Mood's heating up—show your moves now to grab eyes! From here, it's not dancing, it's war!"
"War my ass. Where'd he go? Say anything?"
"Think he said to meet his mom? She came to the banquet..."
"What? When!"
"Uh, 'bout ten minutes?"
Fuck. Ten minutes ago—right when I started looking.
We'd crossed paths. He'd already gone with her.
"Dammit...!"
"Hey! Dance!"
I ignored Elrim and bolted.
I told him to stay put, so why follow mom?!
Wtf Top Student followed his mom. Told him to chill tho
Why ignore you
Chase em
But do you really need to follow?
What you mean
They're after Top Student, not Kim Muggle. Go there, you're high risk of dying. Skip, Top Student might suffer but you're safe. Sure, they've eyed you from entanglements, but without Top Student, unlikely they'd solo you. If you wanna risk life for him, go—but you'll probably die.
...Top Student's key heroine but yeah, from Kim Muggle POV, why jump into danger
Nooo protect Top Student!!
Look at these trolls using the chance to eliminate rivals
Fight fair!!
Cowardly red commie milkers!!
(Red + big tits meaning)
True but you gonna just sit ignorant? Watch someone die?
If safe, I'd say go. But too risky now.
Gallery split down the middle.
Both sides made sense.
But I'd already decided.
Heading out. Confident I can escape at least.
Post-pork belly fight, I'd grown a lot.
Kept practicing magic, drilled scenarios.
Could escape last time's level foe now.
Just in case, I looped in Professor Jueri too.
Pulled her from prof chat, briefed her.
"...Oh dear. Let's go now."
No hesitation—Professor Jueri followed right away.
Like facing taboo mages was no sweat.
We bolted down the passage where Chayuri's mom vanished.
Path skirting the banquet hall to the building rear.
As we neared the exit—screech—we both halted.
Someone who'd entered from outside blocked our path.
Totally unexpected figure.