057. Next Day Morning
"Ughhh……."
I practically crawled out of the tent. My reflection in the carriage window was a disaster. Dark circles hung all the way down to my jawline, and my hair was beyond bird's nest territory—straight-up eagle's aerie level.
Meanwhile, the guys around me were full of pep.
"Ah! Slept like a baby!"
"Is it the fresh air? I feel so light on my feet."
"Guys really are better off bunking together!"
Please, no bullshit. Did they have any idea I'd been suffering in real-time from their snoring, teeth-grinding, and sleep-talking?
I stared up at the sky with hollow eyes.
Chirp, chirp, chirp! The birdsong hit my eardrums like it was blasting through a megaphone. The rustle of leaves in the wind felt like sandpaper scraping my ears.
"I'm gonna die, for real."
That's when it happened.
Ziiiip— The flap of that comfy-looking one-man tent opened, and out stepped Lucius, looking pristine. His face was fresh as if he'd just washed up, and he gave me a once-over.
"You don't look so hot."
"……."
I snapped in an instant. Everyone else got to bliss out, but I'd been treated to a night-long hell orchestra, while this prick snoozed solo in his luxury suite?
But I'm a civilized guy. I desperately suppressed the urge to murder and shot back.
"Nah, it's nothing. Just some noise last night."
"Noise?"
Lucius tilted his head, puzzled.
"Birds? Or the other students' snoring?"
"No, not that."
I grimaced and fiddled with my ear.
"Like this high-pitched beeeep—you know, super high frequency. Kinda like a mosquito buzz, or some signal tone."
"……."
"It was buzzing right by my ear all night. Thought I was losing my mind. You didn't hear it?"
Lucius went quiet for a beat. He glanced at the woods, then at me, and cracked a weird smile.
"Looks like you heard something the rest of us couldn't."
"……What?"
It was fading now that morning had come, but that tinnitus-like whine was still faintly there. And it was only audible to me?
What the hell?
If it was just me hearing it, I didn't want to make a big deal out of it.
"Hmm. Guess I was just wiped, and my nerves were shot."
"No. It wasn't a hallucination. There was definitely something only you could hear, Kasian."
"……Is it that obvious you're trying to brush it off?"
"It is, but curiosity's not just a wizard thing—it's peak alchemist too. Gotta solve the mystery."
Lucius smirked smugly. Then he added something totally unnecessary.
"That said, my little sis is just as sharp as me, but she knows when to hold back out of consideration. Real thoughtful kid."
"……."
Here we go again. This guy's always hawking his sister at every opportunity.
"Ugh."
I ruffled my hair in irritation and snapped.
"Whatever. Point is, you didn't hear shit, right?"
"Yep. Dead silent. Total peace and quiet."
What a dick.
Conclusion: My body suddenly got supercharged, hypersensitizing my senses way beyond normal. Even half-asleep, I'd picked up on the guys' breathing next to me, plus footsteps rustling outside the tent. Made me feel filthy.
Ugh. Seriously, can't I return this holy water or something? If you're gonna mod me, at least add an ON/OFF switch.
Lucius eyed my pained expression and feigned concern.
"If it's that bad, want some meds for sleep and calm? My special sleeping draught could knock out an elephant in three seconds flat."
"Tempting, but……."
Passing out cold from pills feels sketchy. I'd be oblivious if someone carried me off. Plus, this guy's brew probably would drop an elephant—safe for humans, though?
"Got any earplugs? To block the noise."
"Earplugs, huh."
Lucius stroked his chin.
"Not really alchemy territory, so nothing in my bag."
"Fine, whatever."
"That's more sewing domain anyway."
"……?"
Ominous. Lucius's eyes sparkled like he wanted to gouge them out and hand them over.
"My little sis is a whiz at knitting, sewing machines, cutting patterns—you name it. Her earplugs? Pure art. Like your ears are wrapped in clouds……."
"……Pass."
"Pair it with the scarf she knitted……."
"I said no."
Ugh, the whole arc leads to little sis. This sister-obsessed maniac. Or more precisely, the narcissistic freak projecting his self-love through his sister.
I waved him off with a disgusted look.
After wolfing down a half-assed breakfast and zoning out, a bombshell announcement hit like thunder from a clear sky.
"Attention, everyone."
Professor Wilhelm took the podium with a grave look. The vibe was off.
"All activities suspended. Stand by here."
"……Pardon?"
The students buzzed.
"What about monster extermination training?"
"On hold."
Wilhelm cut them off flat.
"No one leaves camp until further notice."
Something went down? No way they'd stall without reason. From what I knew, officers were obsessive about sticking to schedules—humans bent to fit the plan, not vice versa.
For one to halt everything outright?
No way, right?
Anxiety bubbled up. That mystery high-frequency whine tormenting my ears last night—if it wasn't ordinary tinnitus?
A bad feeling crept in, linking Grandpa Wilhelm's snap decision to that sound.
As I sat there, chin in hand, looking serious, Lily approached timidly.
"Kasian……."
"Oh, Lily."
She gazed at me with worried eyes.
"You look awful. Are you okay?"
"Nah, just tired."
"I knew it……."
Lily sighed sympathetically.
"Pushing that hard yesterday…… Bound to have aftereffects."
"……."
Your potion's side effect gave me a mana hole, lady.
"But you've been through so much, Kasian. This break might be a blessing. You can finally rest."
Lily was genuinely thrilled for me. That I got downtime.
Couldn't exactly say, 'Nah, feels fishy instead.'
I forced a awkward smile.
"Haha…… Yeah, guess so. Thanks to you, I can chill."
"Yes! Want some warm tea? Muller Viscountess gave me herbal stuff for calming the mind and body—just in case, I brought it along."
"How long you been her disciple to get that?"
"Got a welcome kit the day I joined."
Whoa, newbie starter pack? That auntie. Plays tough cowgirl, but thoughtful as hell deep down. Bet her toes reek of fragrant earth too.
Couldn't turn it down anyway. She's offering with that please accept or I'll cry face—ain't an offer.
Still, gotta give her props.
"Sure, I'd appreciate it."
"On it! Be right back!"
"Take your time."
Lily scampered off. That's when Lucius chimed in.
"I'm hurt. You turned down my stabilizer."
"Shut it."
Elephant-knockout pills the same as mind-soothing herbal tea, you prick?
That afternoon.
Iris von Evergarden trudged down the hall, her face screaming everything's a hassle. Normally, she'd be holed up in her lab corner, munching moldy bread while crunching magic formulas.
But not today. The headmaster had summoned her.
She'd usually bail with a 'busy with research' excuse. But this time? Urgent red-stamped official notice. Headmaster didn't toss around words like that lightly.
Knock knock.
"It's Iris."
"Come in."
The heavy air hit her the second she entered.
Headmaster sat in the reception sofa's prime seat, flanked by Magic Department Head Hiks Professor and a familiar middle-aged man. Sharp eyes, impeccable uniform, aura freezing the room solid.
Palace Count Corinth del Parne.
"Have a seat, Professor Iris."
Headmaster gestured with a friendly smile. Iris demurely took the spot next to Hiks.
She inwardly sighed in relief.
Thank god.
Now the misunderstanding about her disciple's dad's dress code beef was cleared.
"Sorry to drag you from your busy schedule."
Headmaster slid over a teacup and spoke.
"Palace Count requested emergency personnel from the academy. You're the only fit, in my book."
Personnel dispatch? Iris cocked her head. Sending academy profs outside? Rare, and why involve the Palace Count?
Before she could ask, Corinth rumbled in his deep baritone.
"Seems there's a minor issue at the freshmen Region Tour site."
"……Region Tour?"
Iris's brow twitched. Wasn't that where Kasian was?
"Report came in: possible dungeon nearby."
"Dungeon……?"
"Not confirmed. Suspicion stage, so army on hold—came here instead."
Corinth continued matter-of-factly.
"Safety agents with Professor Wilhelm on Region Tour report: mana density in the forest spiked abnormally. Monster aggression up sharply too."
"Dungeon precursor signs, then."
"More like possible signs. Mid-tier detectors scanned the whole forest—no entrance, no rift traces."
"……Hmm."
A low groan escaped Iris.
Now it clicks.
Capital outskirts: empire's most rigorously managed zone. Dozens of purges yearly. A high-tier dungeon popping undetected? Magic odds: near zero.
Overreact with army, hit a dud? Backlash, political spin, noble gossip nightmare.
"So, small elite team for verification."
"Yes."
Corinth nodded.
"Need a magic expert for precise diagnosis."
House-call doc gig. Headmaster jumped in.
"Could tap imperial mages, but red tape and shaky pretext. Academy issue handled by top academy mage—you? Perfect."
His eyes screamed please go.
No real dilemma anyway.
"Got it. I'll go."
"Excellent!"
Headmaster beamed.
"High chance of false alarm, but can't ignore potential risk."
That was the excuse. Real reason: different.
Kasian del Parne.
"Makes sense for me. Can't sit in lab if my disciple's in danger."
"……Exemplary educator."
Hearing that, Iris fought a grin.
Perfect.
This moment beat solving a month's worth of puzzles. Parent's doubts finally dispelled.