Demon Search Operation (2)
Today, the mountain path behind the academy was shrouded in dense tree shadows, making it pitch dark. Even if magical beasts preferred shadowy spots, a few more magitech streetlights wouldn't hurt. I'll have to suggest it to Yustina or the school administration when I get back, I thought, stepping forward.
“Y-Young master, where are you...”
“Right in front of you.”
“Eeeek...”
Fortunately, this wasn't my first time, so I could lead Charlotte, who had no idea about the path. I hadn't noticed it when I'd come alone with Yustina. My eyesight could pierce even thick darkness, and Yustina hadn't minded either. But Charlotte was just a normal human who feared the dark, so until her eyes adjusted, she stuck right behind me, scared stiff.
“Young master, aren't you scared?”
“Scared? Of what?”
Her words naturally brought to mind the trial of terror. The fear not just of failing to find Yustina, Elfin, or Liwin, but of meeting them only to remain forever out of reach. But thankfully, Yustina and Elfin had reunited safely. Liwin was still missing, but I believed we'd meet someday.
But that wasn't what Charlotte meant.
“The demons. Why would demons from the Demon Realm come all the way to the academy?”
“Who knows—maybe they're after something.”
“The academy?”
“Beats me. We'll find out when we catch 'em. With the two of us working together, we can take a demon or two.”
Everything I said was true. I couldn't match a dragon mage like Yustina or Elfin, the imperial secret service's genius swordswoman with 500 years under her belt. But a demon warrior or two? I could handle them solo. Not arrogance— I'd faced plenty in my past life.
As a resistance fighter, I'd purged human villages occupied by demons. As an assassin, I'd taken them out on contracts.
Back then, I'd sliced through them alone on any job. With a defensive mage? Even easier. My body might not be fully grown, but with enough stamina, I could tap into my past skills.
Knowing that, Elfin and Yustina had worried but let me go alone—Yustina especially obsessed.
[This Yustina still holds an uneasy position. If anything seems even slightly off, I'll flatten that annoying prince first and rush straight there.]
[Hey, won't attacking Yozef just complicate things?]
[Ugh... Anyway, contact this Yustina immediately if you find anything.]
Yustina kept chiming in telepathically. Out loud, Charlotte kept asking questions; in my head, Yustina checked in every ten seconds. Even without hearing her voice, it felt like my eardrums might burst.
“Teamwork, huh. Yeah, I'd love to sync up with you, young master.”
[What nonsense is that impudent wench spouting? She knows Deneb's basically an old man and says that anyway?]
[It's not like that. Please be quiet, Yustina.]
“Come to think of it, you've probably never fought alongside others, Charlotte. If we're lucky and run into a demon today, practice a bit. Defensive mages team up with warriors plenty.”
[Lucky? You call that lucky?!]
“Ehehehe, teamwork or coordination might be a stretch for me. I'm happy just supporting you from behind, young master.”
That was the flow. Charlotte spoke innocently; Yustina sniped back; I carefully chose words for each—aloud for one, telepathic for the other. Mixing them up would be a mess.
“But young master, you talk like you've synced with other mages before...”
“Not really, but it's not hard. I move up front; you watch and cast spells right where needed.”
“That's the hard part...”
Charlotte tilted her head. A frail kid who'd barely left the mansion—her wondering if I'd teamed with mages made sense. She'd been by my side the whole time, too.
It was a half-lie, but true in a way. 500 years ago—no, a bit earlier.
Before meeting Yustina, Elfin, and Liwin in that rural cabin.
[Hmm, a resistance army tale?]
[Yeah. We had a mage among the comrades back then.]
[Surprising. From my memory, the resistance wasn't that organized or well-off. A mage—someone respected several times more than now, by that era's standards?]
[Philbert treasured her like crazy. I was precious too, but she was no slouch.]
[...A girl, huh.]
I ignored Yustina's muttering and continued.
[She was great. Always a huge help on missions. Same age, both geniuses, good personalities—we clicked fast. Loved baking cookies; I got plenty.]
[Had it all, huh. So... pretty?]
[Not objectively.]
[Harsh. Saying that to a girl.]
[Girl? She was a normal human—by now, she'd be dust. Why're you laughing?]
[Heh, hehehe... Nothing...]
Talking resistance days sparked curiosity. After my death, they'd launched a massive revolt, and the Kaiton Empire swallowed Drelin. What happened to Philbert and the others?
History books didn't say, but living witnesses like Elfin or Yustina might know.
I called out: Yustina? You there?
...Huh?
No reply.
Yustina?
The connection felt off. My thoughts weren't reaching; they echoed trapped in my head.
Yustina's telepathy link had snapped without warning.
Something happen to Yustina?
She was the caster—if it cut off suddenly, she might be in trouble.
But that Yustina in danger? Or maybe the issue was on my end?
I didn't cut it by accident, so someone forced it...
Sudden unease—I whipped around.
Charlotte stood blinking innocently.
Ridiculous thought anyway. Charlotte only knew defensive magic—couldn't sever a dragon's spell.
“What's wrong, young master?”
“Something feels off...”
I scanned around, eyes leaving Charlotte. Trees, boulders, a sleeping bear beast...
“Wait, it's not sleeping.”
Ordinary mountain scene—but something foul and alien lurked.
A black shape crouched atop the bear's corpse.
So out of place, I couldn't believe I'd missed it.
“Charlotte, what's that?”
“Huh, yeah...”
“No life, no mana—nothing.”
Realizing my senses ignored it, I went on high alert.
Once I recognized it, sounds started: chewing, tearing on the dead beast.
Damn.
Mistake. Big one.
The beast wasn't asleep—dead, limp.
Blood and flesh crumbling into its maw, vanishing.
“...Charlotte, battle ready.”
“Huh?”
“No time—now.”
Charlotte gathered mana, confused. I tried reconnecting telepathy—failed. Neither Yustina nor Elfin knew.
I'd bragged about handling a couple demons, but this tension had reasons.
“That's no demon.”
“What, then...?”
“Dunno. Not a beast or demon, that's sure. And above all...”
I swallowed the last part.
Ridiculously strong.
No visible weapon. Cloaked, but no bulge. Yet explosive mana waves from its body.
A mage—the strongest I'd faced.
“...I'll charge first. Cover me, Charlotte.”
No running. It'd catch us. Even ignoring us now, it'd pursue instantly.
“Y-Yes!”
She followed amid panic. I gripped the sword Elfin had replaced.
Focused on the mana core in my pocket, drew sword aura.
“S-Sword aura...?”
Charlotte's eyes widened at the golden blaze.
I ignored her, charging.
The monster kept devouring, head down, slurping noisily—oblivious.
Crunch!
Kicking off, I closed in—straight slash to shred the cloak.
“Demon or monster—let's see your face!”
Whoosh!
No easy win. It ducked without looking; my blade carved only golden afterimages in empty air.
But gain: it twisted, exposing its neck.
I spun to sever it.
“...Huh?”
Familiar shape.
“A collar?”
Iron magitech enslavement collar—like on the snake beast. The one pinned on those demon siblings.
Now on this unknown monster's neck.
Flutter!
It leaped frog-like sideways, gripping its witch hat against the wind.
As the cloak billowed mid-jump, I glimpsed inside.
“...What the hell.”
A human body, plastered with incomprehensible magitech contraptions.
Meanwhile, Team B: Yustina and Yozef.
Yozef could only watch warily. Yustina had gone from smiling to demonic rage, fist clenched, trembling.
“...The connection... snapped?”
Not her doing. Nor Deneb's silent cutoff.
Only one conclusion: trouble for Deneb.
“This Yustina's blunder.”
She'd vowed no more regrets. Weakened by affection, grown lax.
This result? Unforgivable.
Absolutely.
“Should've locked him away. Nowhere to go.”
Grinding her teeth, Yustina drew vast mana from her dragon heart.
The sky over the academy's rear mountains filled with a vast, glowing magic circle.