Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Shadowing the Thief
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18
3
“I thought you were the new professor.”
Jeist said indifferently.
Was he being sincere, or just buttering me up?
His voice had no inflection, making it hard to tell.
“I’m a student. Professor Edmund sent me.”
When I replied matter-of-factly, Jeist nodded slightly.
“To show such talent already as a student… Impressive.”
Impressive, my foot.
The truly impressive one is you, hiding right here.
Originally, the incident at this magic research society doesn’t end with just an explosion.
The rune magic on the stone tablet I just stabilized goes berserk, causing an explosion, and amid the chaos, the relic engraved with runes is stolen.
Leon, who happens to be nearby and gets caught up in the event, witnesses the relic being taken.
Then, as if it’s only natural, Leon steps up and wipes out the thieves who stole the relic.
And the mastermind behind stealing the relic is none other than Jeist, standing right in front of me.
“My introduction was late. I’m Jeist, a mid-level mage from the Tekat Royal Mage Tower. I’m currently dispatched here to assist with Esterro Academy’s research.”
He extended his hand calmly as he spoke.
Honestly, I didn’t want to shake it… but it was better than arousing unnecessary suspicion, so I took his hand.
We shook, and Jeist stepped back from me.
The simple fact that Jeist is already here leads to one conclusion.
He infiltrated the society from the start, waiting for a chance to steal the relic.
The stone tablet’s rampage was probably pre-planned by Jeist, too.
There’s no way an explosion nearly happened in a gathering of elites just because someone fat-fingered a number.
“Ah, over there. What was the barrier on the stone tablet for?”
I asked the researcher who seemed to be in charge.
The barrier’s function, decoded from the simplified incantation, was ‘protection.’
Nothing special, so I couldn’t guess its purpose.
When I asked, the researcher answered simply.
“We had a valuable relic at the society. We were installing it to bolster security.”
“Thank you for letting me know.”
That confirms my suspicions.
Jeist must have triggered the stone tablet’s rampage before security could be strengthened, to steal the relic.
I never imagined I’d run into the black veil of the incident like this….
Anyway, this place is crawling with people itching to cause trouble everywhere.
Honestly, whether they stir up incidents or not is none of my business.
But if they cause one near me, that’s different.
Just a moment ago, I had to step in because of Jeist, even though I hated it.
If I leave him be, he’ll definitely disrupt my peaceful daily life.
The best way to handle incidents is to stop them before they happen.
Of course, I don’t want to get involved myself—absolutely not, even if it kills me.
But getting dragged in when it blows up is even worse.
I was planning to leave it to Leon originally.
But this and that are all Edmund’s fault.
I’ll curse you, Edmund….
No, thinking coldly, Edmund isn’t really at fault.
When you get down to it, the root of all evil is Jeist.
So I’ll curse you together with Edmund, Jeist….
Anyway, I can’t just sit still like this.
But I don’t want to step forward myself, either.
So, striking the perfect balance in between….
“How about I just give a hint.”
After all, solving the incident is Leon’s job.
I’ll find the right hint and toss it to Leon, then bail.
I already stopped the stone tablet explosion that Jeist should have triggered, so I’m a bit worried Leon might not dive properly into this case.
Alright, plan decided.
As I nodded to myself, Jeist happened to leave the society.
I quietly followed behind.
4
Jeist left the society and headed deep into Esterro Academy.
He exited through the back door of the main building and crossed the forest.
Even if he goes this way, there’s only the old dormitory that’s no longer in use.
Hmm, changing perspective, an abandoned building suits Jeist perfectly.
-Hah, suddenly playing detective?
Deathwise popped out.
Shut up, there’s a reason.
Tossing info about Jeist to Leon is easy.
I could just say I heard a rumor~ and he’d pay attention.
But considering Leon’s personality and Jeist’s caution, throwing out a completely fabricated rumor would just have them spinning their wheels.
-So you’re looking for solid proof?
Exactly, demon sword.
If I toss Leon solid evidence of Jeist’s misdeeds, he’ll catch it.
Leon, trying to verify it, bumps into Jeist, and everything resolves itself.
Two birds with one stone.
Anyway, two birds with one stone.
-You really… sometimes live such a complicated life.
Shut up, you.
Jeist entered the old dorm, so be quiet.
I hid in the shadow of a tree.
Jeist stopped at the entrance to the old dorm and suddenly turned toward me.
I reflexively crammed myself deeper into the tree shadow and held my breath.
Step, step. Jeist’s footsteps slowly approached.
Even shrinking further, the tree shadow was limited.
If I run now… I’d just get spotted.
-Tsk tsk, you fool. I could tell you were tailing me amateurishly from the start. Back in my day, I never let a single stalker off easy.
You wanna brag now?
If you’re not helping, shut up.
-Regrettably, the sun’s still high. Figure it out with your puny power.
Annoying, demon sword.
It’s true I can’t handle this with my abilities alone.
If things go south, I’ll have to fight or reveal myself and run….
Rustle.
As I steeled myself, weeds shook nearby.
Then a pure white rabbit popped out from the bushes.
“…A rabbit, huh.”
With Jeist’s mutter, the white rabbit bolted away in a panic.
I hadn’t expected a rabbit to jump out there… but it diverted his attention.
Jeist’s footsteps, which had drawn close, receded again, and his voice quietly flowed out.
“Barrier destruction failed. I’m sorry. No. The plan is unaffected.”
One voice.
But it sounded like a conversation, not a monologue.
Most likely a communication spell.
“There is one interfering factor. Prepare for contingencies.”
Interfering factor?
Not me, I hope?
“Yes, I’ll see you soon.”
Jeist said that much and started walking again.
Not back the way he came, but toward the student halls in another direction.
I thought to follow, but instead leaned against the tree and sat obediently.
“That just now means others are involved too.”
Jeist isn’t the only one after the relic.
If third parties are in the mix, things could get messy in ways I can’t predict….
“This is getting annoying….”
When will my peaceful life finally be complete?
As I sighed, Deathwise teased as if waiting, but I ignored it all.
5
Opening the dorm window let in a cool breeze.
Late spring, yet the night air was chilly.
After enjoying the breeze a bit, I looked at my reflection in the window, lit by moonlight.
Black clothes, black mask.
Even I had to admit, the all-black getup looked suspicious as hell.
“Anyone would think I’m a bank robber.”
Or that a ninja popped out of nowhere.
Anyway, there’s a reason for the shady outfit.
-Sneaking a note, huh? Couldn’t find solid proof after all.
Nothing came up, what could I do?
-Tsk tsk, bringing trouble on yourself.
Shut up, demon sword.
You think I enjoy the hassle?
Tailing Jeist yielded no evidence of his crimes—what can you do.
For now, I wrote a simple note about the impending incident.
Given Leon’s personality, he’d look into even something this suspicious.
Whether it leads to Jeist is still up in the air… but I can only hope Leon does his thing.
Anyway, I closed the window.
Night made my body light, thanks to Deathwise’s buff.
As expected, he shines at night only.
I twisted in midair and grabbed the upper balcony with my hand.
Pulling myself up, I felt anew how high the 8th floor was.
One slip, and it’s lights out.
Honestly, scary….
-That’s why you climb windows. Showing off?
Not like that.
Handing a note normally would draw unwanted attention from Leon.
Leaving it at his door risks someone seeing.
No one expects window-crawling, so this is safest.
Yeah, all for securing my peaceful life safely.
I’ll push through this trial.
Way easier than scraping scholarships, grinding grades, and juggling two weekly part-time gigs.
What, suddenly not scared.
I lightly hopped to the next balcony.
Standing on the railing of the balcony connected to Leon’s room.
-To think this great one’s power is wasted on this… and you’re ungrateful!
Yeah, yeah.
I’m grateful.
Shouldn’t you be thanking me for putting you to good use?
I tabled those thoughts and descended from the balcony.
Slide the note through the window gap, return to my room, done.
I’d confirmed beforehand Leon was at the training grounds at this hour—safe, super safe.
I pulled out the prepared note and pushed it through the window crack.
Just as I turned to climb down the balcony.
Click.
Without warning, the door opened.
And in came the room’s owner, Leon, naturally.
“…….”
“…….”
Our eyes met across the window.
Ah, busted.
“Who’s there!”
Leon charged toward the balcony.
I leaped off without looking back.
Trusting the demon sword’s buff, I twisted midair and grabbed the railing one floor below.
I jumped railing to railing.
Parkour-style, I somehow made it to the 1st floor and looked up—Leon was leaning out his balcony, glaring down at me.
“Why’d you come back suddenly.”
The guy who trains till he drops picks this moment to return….
No clue why, but if I head to my room now, I’m done for.
I’ll circle around a while, then slip back like nothing happened.
Before Leon could chase, I bolted for the forest.
In the midnight woods, even Leon couldn’t follow.
“This is all for my peaceful life, so solve the incident properly.”
He wouldn’t hear, but I prayed anyway.
We both have complicated situations—let’s fight on.
Our existences, fighting!