Please Restrain Yourselves
I turned my head this way and that at the change in the air. A refreshing breeze swept through, the kind that could only exist in wide-open spaces—one I could never feel inside the Magic Tower.
'Lord Zeno, where are we?'
Zeno calmly recited our surroundings and the current situation. Having spent so much time with me, he had committed most details to memory, so conveying the information posed no issue.
'⋯⋯Sutera.'
I rolled my stiff neck from standing still so long and sank into thought. The city lay on the exact opposite side of the empire from Edelbein, which sat a full month’s journey from the academy. Reaching it by carriage would take at least six months. It was truly far away.
'It’s the fifth one to fall.'
⋯⋯And the fifth to be destroyed by the Giants.
'How much time remains?'
I asked while gazing at the hand still holding mine. I couldn’t tell what Professor Aria was doing, only that she was clearly performing some kind of spell. The occasional tugs on my captured hand told me she was moving.
Zeno observed Aria. She gripped my hand while waving her staff, casting several spells in succession. Of course Zeno couldn’t identify them; she worked at blinding speed and employed magic entirely different from anything I used.
Faint light washed over both our bodies several times.
From what Zeno could see, Aria’s current magic differed sharply from what she had used before. It didn’t seem aimed at movement. That much was certain.
I tilted my head at Zeno’s description.
'⋯⋯What is it?'
I couldn’t begin to guess what spell she was using.
And then Aria noticed my confusion. She lowered her staff and turned to me.
“We’ll stop moving for today. I’ve already layered several spells, including the cognitive impairment magic.”
Huh?
'That means⋯⋯.'
That meant we were entering Sutera proper to rest. I tried to pull my hand free, but Aria refused to let go.
“Keep holding on. How do you expect to walk when you can’t see?”
She squeezed my hand tighter, as if warning me not to run off.
Sigh.
I let out a long breath inside my mind. Part of me wanted to tell her I had managed just fine on my own all this time. But since she had already sensed Zeno’s presence, I couldn’t speak of it. All I could do was sigh again and again.
'Well, with the cognitive impairment magic active, I’ll just have to think of myself as wearing a different face.'
I tried to console myself.
Zeno voiced his agreement.
“That’s enough. Let’s move. We’ll rest properly before continuing.”
Still holding my hand, Aria began walking toward Sutera.
Meanwhile, Rania, Kassian, and Serafina reached the academy entrance. They had not announced their arrival time in advance, so no one waited to greet Serafina and the Chancellor. For Rania, however, the lack of a reception party was actually fortunate.
Her appearance drew considerable attention. Even now, people who spotted them inside the academy grounds froze in place and stared at her. Yet no one dared approach.
The Chancellor stood right beside her, after all.
Of course, the rumors would spread like wildfire.
Rania ignored the gazes and quietly studied the academy branch.
“It is quite large.”
A single glance was enough to impress her. Dozens of magnificent buildings spread across a vast campus—nothing of this scale existed within the current Dragon’s Nest.
“So it is.”
While Rania examined the academy, Kassian watched her with a bitter smile. The Nest had once possessed grounds like these, but now was not the time to speak of it.
A thud sounded behind them as Serafina unloaded luggage from the carriage. Kassian confirmed the sight before speaking.
“Assistant Serafina, you may return and rest for the night. We will meet again tomorrow morning.”
It was already late. After such a long journey, Kassian judged she needed rest and bid her good night.
“Yes, understood.”
Serafina nodded without protest. The Chancellor’s suggestion was one reason, but she had also grown quite tired after discussing research with Rania inside the carriage for so long. Once she had gathered all her belongings, she bowed politely and headed toward the academy dormitories.
Kassian watched her leave, then turned to Rania.
“Let us head to the Chancellor’s office first.”
Rania nodded.
Kassian led the way, offering explanations about the academy’s layout as they walked.
“This is the faculty building. Most magic department professors reside here. Separate buildings exist for the other departments.”
He pointed at the structure. Rania looked up and noticed lights still burning in several windows—likely professors working late into the night.
“Does Professor Aria usually stay here as well?”
Inside the academy she referred to Aria with her proper title. Kassian nodded.
“Celestia uses these quarters too. You would do better to ask Assistant Serafina for the finer details tomorrow.”
After adding that internal guidance would be best received from someone who actually used the facilities, Kassian turned away again.
“Understood.”
Rania nodded. She would explore the interior at a more leisurely pace.
“Come. The Chancellor’s office is still a little farther.”
Rania toured the academy grounds alongside Kassian. She noticed the occasional stares directed her way but offered no reaction, just as before.
After they had walked for a while, Rania spoke as they approached the final building.
“It is well maintained.”
She meant it as her overall impression. Even a cursory look revealed the care that had gone into the academy.
“On the surface, yes.”
Kassian gave a self-mocking smile. In truth only the surface was kept beautiful; beneath lay festering rot. He could not bring himself to speak well of it.
“I believe that is sufficient explanation regarding the grounds. We will continue our discussion inside the Chancellor’s office.”
There was much to talk about: Rania’s official position within the academy, how to restrain the board of directors, and the research on that mysterious corpse. The list of tasks was long.
Most of the research will fall to Celestia, of course.
The three ancient tomes brought from the Nest were now in Aria’s possession. Their interpretation would be her responsibility, yet Kassian could not simply sit idle. He intended to conduct his own investigation on the side.
Fortunately I copied portions of the texts while we were at the Magic Tower.
During the day he had spent there, Kassian had transcribed several passages. He planned to continue his inquiry based on that information.
Hm?
Kassian suddenly stopped. A group stood waiting for him in front of the building that housed the Chancellor’s office.
“Oh! Chancellor, you have returned!”
“Welcome back, sir.”
The people greeting him with bright smiles were none other than the Chairman of the board and his core supporters.
They arrived quickly.
Considering how long he had spent touring the grounds, they must have headed straight here the moment they learned of his return.
“It has been some time.”
Kassian exchanged greetings calmly. The Chairman’s cheerful voice rang out.
“Indeed, it has been a while. However⋯⋯.”
The Chairman’s gaze shifted to Rania. His eyebrows rose.
“Who might the person beside you be?”
The way he stared at her felt invasive. Rania found the up-and-down appraisal extremely unpleasant.
“I am Rania, a high-ranking mage of the Magic Tower. By the Tower Master’s orders, I will be staying at the academy for the time being.”
“Oh! I see! A pleasure to meet you. I am Chairman Gabriel Belmore.”
The Chairman smiled brightly and offered his hand. Rania shook it.
“Let us continue this conversation inside the Chancellor’s office.”
“An excellent suggestion.”
At Kassian’s words the Chairman nodded in agreement, and the group moved into the office.
I entered Sutera alongside Aria. She navigated the city with practiced ease until we stopped before a modest inn.
“We’ll stay here tonight.”
- Yes, understood.
I nodded. Our hands remained clasped.
Ding—. Aria opened the door; a small bell chimed. The innkeeper’s voice greeted us at once.
“Welcome, welcome!”
I followed Aria’s steps. When she halted, I stopped as well.
“Do you have a room? Preferably one with a large bed.”
“Planning to sleep together?”
The innkeeper’s eyes flicked quickly between Aria and me before settling on our joined hands.
'Can’t be helped.'
To anyone else we could only look like a couple. At least Aria’s cognitive impairment magic ensured the innkeeper saw different faces. That was something to be grateful for.
“That is the plan.”
Aria paid the gaze no mind and produced a pouch of coins. She had grown used to similar looks from Claire back at the Magic Tower and simply ignored it.
“Well, we do have rooms. However⋯⋯.”
The innkeeper hesitated, choosing his words. Aria looked at him as if asking what the problem was. He burst into hearty laughter.
“Seeing the two of you enter while clutching hands so tightly, it’s quite the sight⋯⋯ I mean, you look so close that I feel I must say something. I’d appreciate it if you could show some restraint in my inn. Wouldn’t want the other guests getting jealous, haha!”
I dragged a hand down my face.
Sigh.
The breath escaped before I could stop it. At the same time, the hand holding mine tightened.
“Just give us the room.”