Black Mages Are Piggy Banks
The fight ended almost as soon as it began. There was never any chance of it dragging on, not when it was basically a WWE match between me, the Lucy siblings, and everyone else. Once Veronika secured victory, the headmaster settled down beside her. The area was too noisy for proper work anyway, so he seemed to have decided this was as good a time as any to rest.
"Haa. Just as you said, there's no better place for a proper conversation than right here."
"Cafes and restaurants are all owned by nobles or places just like them, so there are far too many ears listening in."
"Wouldn't the expensive ones be different?"
"Even then, the hassle remains the same, doesn't it?"
The headmaster nodded, unable to deny it. It made sense. The Central region had powerful noble influence, and the typical fantasy noble archetype was especially strong here. Especially at Orbis Academy, which drew talented students from across the continent. I couldn't even begin to imagine the complex political entanglements involved.
Keeping all that in mind, Veronika, who had come to the headmaster's office, draped her arm over the back of the sofa and asked, "So. The reason you suddenly came down to the Central region is because of House Seraris, right?"
"There are several reasons, but if we're talking about the most representative one, then yes."
"I knew it."
"The official reason is Neon's application to become an official black mage."
At my words, her gaze shifted to Neon. He, who had been absentmindedly sipping cocoa, quickly set his cup down and bowed.
"It is an honor to meet you! I am Neon, who has pledged to devote myself to the North as an official black mage!"
"Oho. This kid looks pretty entertaining too?"
"Neon? Neon, you say..."
Veronika laughed as if she found his introduction amusing, while Germa seemed to ponder for a moment before his face suddenly lit up with realization.
"Are you the Neon who was once called the promising mage of the Blue Tower?"
"Y-yes, that's me! Although I became a black mage due to a momentary lapse in judgment, I have come to my senses and am now living an upright life!"
"Hmm. I was worried that excessive jealousy toward that child might lead you astray, but it seems you've pulled yourself together, albeit in a rather strange direction."
Germa wore a subtle expression at Neon's words. Becoming a black mage was certainly something a mage should be condemned for. Yet hearing that he had become an official black mage in less than a few months left the headmaster unsure whether to praise him for coming to his senses or scold him.
Neon seemed to notice Germa's dilemma and answered in a voice full of determination.
"Even though I have become a black mage, my thirst for magic has not disappeared! I will show pride as a mage!"
"Yes, that will do. Do not doubt the path you walk."
Having read the sincerity in his vow, Germa's expression softened somewhat. It seemed conveying his true feelings had helped. The headmaster returned to his usual self.
Veronika, who had been waiting for their conversation to end, spoke again. The topics weren't anything special. They spent time on trivial chatter—news from the North, updates about her brothers Vergo and Werner, that sort of thing. Since she had simply tagged along while visiting the Lucy siblings, the conversation naturally lacked any particular weight. To outsiders, it might have seemed maddeningly curious what they were talking about. But since we had come to the headmaster's office specifically to block prying eyes, we could chat in a comfortable atmosphere.
"Is that so? I'm glad to hear everyone's doing well."
Veronika chuckled after hearing about her old friends for the first time in a while. A slightly sentimental look crossed her face as she thought of home, but she quickly composed herself and asked, "Then, what about those bastards?"
"Those bastards?"
"You know. The North's eternal enemies."
At Veronika's words, the headmaster reacted before I could.
"By the North's enemies, do you mean the Named monsters?"
"Yes. Among the Named, the ones at the very top."
Named monster. Just six letters, yet the mood instantly grew heavy. Everyone present except Neon, Harne, and Elicia knew those creatures all too well.
"How many years has it been since we repelled the Mountain Dragon Magranas?"
"It's been seven years."
"Right. I was there too. As disgustingly huge as it was, it was disgustingly strong."
Her eyes sank deeply as she recalled the past. From the atmosphere alone, it seemed like an unpleasant memory. But beyond Veronika's gaze, an unquenchable flame flickered. I could feel her determination to finish the battle she hadn't been able to conclude seven years ago.
"To stop that bastard from coming down, the expedition teams scattered across the North's front lines joined forces."
"It was a monumental event where all the warriors of the North gathered in one place."
I knew that story well too. Seven years ago, I was thirteen. The adults in the village had been filled with anxiety. I still remember it clearly—the spine-chilling wave of power that could even be felt in the village. Even in Trajan Village, far from the front lines, the aftershocks of the battle between the Mountain Dragon and the great warriors had been tremendous.
Fortunately, the battle ended in victory for the expedition. But I couldn't rejoice. The Mountain Dragon Magranas hadn't been subjugated—it had only been repelled. They had slain countless monsters drawn southward by the dragon, but the price was the loss of innumerable warriors. Still furious at the memory, Veronika gulped down her tea and glared at the headmaster.
"You promised, didn't you? That if that Mountain Dragon bastard came down, we'd fight it together."
"Of course. If we can't stop those things, the Central region will be destroyed as well."
"It will definitely come down. The expression on that bastard's face as it climbed back up was not one of surrender."
At the testimony from a warrior who had been on site, I recalled a goal I had forgotten. I had once vowed that if I ever became an adventurer, I would subjugate Named monsters like the Mountain Dragon. Back then, it had been nothing more than a childish thought. I'd forgotten it as I grew up, but thanks to this, old memories came flooding back vividly.
Leaving the others to their conversation, I looked down at my hands. Could I, as I am now, reach the goal I had set for myself as a child? Would my Mystery and talent be enough to take me there? I still didn't know. But I had no intention of giving up without even trying. There was plenty of time. For now, I would focus on growing stronger.
"Huu."
I let out a light breath, feeling my mind clear. Thanks to that small realization, my achievement had risen. When I lifted my head with a refreshed feeling, I noticed everyone's eyes on me. Every person in the headmaster's office was staring.
"What kind of realization did you just have by yourself?"
"I just made a resolution about the future...?"
"Is that so? It seems you gained an achievement while straightening out your resolve."
Veronika quickly lost interest at my answer. Realizations tended to come out of nowhere, after all, so she simply let it slide. The others knew this too, so the topic passed naturally. After chatting enough, we rose from our seats.
There was an inn near the academy entrance for tourists and students' families, so we decided to stay there. I wasn't sure why an academy would have an inn, but it was fortunate we had somewhere to sleep.
We left the building and headed for the academy entrance.
"It's a shame. I had some business matters I wanted to discuss with all of you."
"Let's talk about that tomorrow."
How long had we walked while soothing Elicia, who couldn't hide her disappointment? As the time to part ways approached, the Lucy siblings and I wore expressions full of regret.
"You said you'd be staying here for a while, right?"
"It'll take at least a week for Mr. Owen to arrive."
"Then how about enjoying the festival that's happening in a week before you go?"
"Not a bad idea. We can have some sparring matches we haven't been able to do."
"I'm all for it!"
We casually made promises that would have made Kalian foam at the mouth as we prepared to say our goodbyes. Neon, who had been watching with a pleased expression, suddenly turned his head.
"Hmm?"
With a suspicious look, he stared toward a deserted alleyway. Adela poked him repeatedly with a puzzled face.
"Neon. What are you doing?"
"It's strange."
"What is?"
"I didn't expect there to be another official black mage in the academy besides me."
"What? What do you mean?"
Harne, who was beside him, jumped in surprise at Neon's words. When he looked puzzled by her reaction, she shared what she knew as a saintess.
"There are no official black mages at Orbis Academy besides Mr. Neon."
"Then what is this lingering trace of dark magic?"
"That would be..."
"Obviously, it's because some black mages have sneaked into the academy."
It was such an absurd assumption that no one could answer right away. I, who had been in the middle of saying goodbye, jumped in with an intrigued expression. The Lucy siblings also discarded their regretful faces and broke into smiles full of fighting spirit. Elicia, watching them, felt a wave of anxiety.
"Um, kids? Shouldn't we call a professor first..."
"This worked out perfectly. It's been so long since I met my hometown friends. It'd be a shame to part ways so easily."
"No, if we call a professor..."
"You were thinking the same thing? We had the exact same idea!"
But before she could intervene, the Lucy siblings and I had already united in purpose. Academy attack events and behind-the-scenes schemes were basically the default setting here. I'd heard that Orbis Academy had suffered countless assaults over the past year, so the owner of that dark magic trace was likely a spy.
"Shouldn't we follow Ms. Elicia's suggestion and call a professor?"
"Hmm."
When the only two voices of restraint—Harne and Elicia—joined forces, we couldn't ignore them any longer. With a benevolent smile, I taught the two women, whose way of thinking was still soft and gentle, a truth they didn't yet understand.
"You two still don't know. Black mages are piggy banks."
"P-piggy banks?"
"That's right. Piggy banks."
And not just any piggy banks—golden ones stuffed with plenty of cash. This came from experience after raiding a total of six hideouts on the way here. These guys were surprisingly weak yet carried loads of loot, like golden goblins. I never would have known if Owen hadn't taught me.
"If you're really worried, I'll send word through the birds."
"Haa. If you're going this far, I guess there's no helping it."
"They'd just leave anyway even if we tried to stop them. We might as well go together."
After persistent persuasion(?), Harne and Elicia expressed their intention to join. My companions had already finished preparing to depart long ago. The once-relaxed atmosphere grew taut. Neon stepped forward majestically.
"Let's go! Neon!"
"Leave the black magic tracking to me! I'll shake those bastards down until even their underwear is turned inside out!"
His behavior might be unreliable, but he was once called a genius at the Blue Tower. Following the reliable Neon's lead, we entered the alleyway.