Chapter 316
Chapter 316
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 316
Chapter Title: Hypnotic Detective's Assault -2
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I received the intel from Irid. According to him, the "Hypnotic Detective" was a famous mage operating in the Desert Kingdom, infamous for its dismal public security.
He took it upon himself to punish criminals and rescue people in place of the corrupt authorities, but he always handled everything exclusively through hypnosis, never once revealing his true face.
He'd hypnotize criminals and turn them into pawns, making them kill each other off like pieces on a chessboard. That was his usual MO.
A prime example: a gang of brutal bandits had been found piled up as corpses near an oasis, with nothing but signs that they'd slaughtered one another.
"...He's got more name recognition than I thought."
"It's true the kingdom lags behind the Empire in many ways, but a nation is still a nation. If he's made a name for himself in an entire country, he's no ordinary fellow."
True enough.
Still, he might be a bit overhyped. From the stories, he sounded like a righteous hero, but hadn't he sent a hypnotized kid as a messenger right to me, someone he presumably pegged as a vile bastard?
Maybe he was the type who rampaged for his own gain, and the Desert Kingdom's messed-up state had unintentionally turned him into a folk hero. Plenty of possibilities to consider.
"W-Would you like another glass of milk...?"
"N-No, I'm good. Yep. Really, I'm fine."
There was Yuna awkwardly offering a drink, and the purple-haired kid just as awkwardly turning it down. After hearing Irid's story, I noticed the kid's skin was pretty tanned.
I'd half-suspected as much, so I sidled up to the little one clutching her mug with both hands and asked point-blank.
"From the Desert Kingdom?"
"Y-Yes..."
"That's a long way from home. How'd you end up at the Academy? Even if something feels off or suspicious, just speak freely."
"Um, I just... felt like I had to come to the Academy. Crossing the border worried me a bit, but the guards cleared the way. And that's... yeah."
I paused to think, then peered deep into the kid's eyes and asked,
"You alone?"
"Yep..."
What a hassle.
Guiding a single kid all the way from that remote Desert Kingdom to the Empire's Academy? No way.
But logically speaking, he probably hadn't crossed the border with just this one. Likely brought a whole herd of pawns and barreled through.
Or maybe this kid had something special about her...
I shot a glance at Yuna, who'd sat down next to the kid. She met my eyes and gave a slight nod. I nodded back. Double-check complete.
No internal mana fluctuations from this kid at all.
Seemed like an innate defect in her mana organs. The pathways looked fine, but the parts that gathered and generated mana were totally kaput.
Like a restaurant with a full kitchen staff but zero ingredients.
I placed a hand on the kid's head and said,
"For now, stick around here until the incident's resolved. Make yourself at home. Oh, any friends or family left behind in the Desert Kingdom?"
"...I had a grandfather, but he passed away recently. No one's left."
"Then think about staying in the Empire. I can even hook you up with a job. Of course, if you want to go home, I'll handle that too."
"D-Do I have to do something in return? No matter how I think about it, for a job or whatever... I don't have anything to offer back. Unless it's my body or..."
Heh.
"Who'd put an unripe kid's labor to use? Let you grow up healthy in a good environment, and only after you're past twenty can I start giving orders worth a damn. Harvest too early, and it's just a loss."
"So you are gonna harvest me...?"
"Turning down what's freely offered is no virtue either. Unless you wanna live shamelessly, no payback required."
"I've got shame enough. I'll decide how to repay based on the quality of that job you line up."
Pretty bold, huh. I grinned, genuinely pleased.
Who knew when the "Hypnotic Detective" would make his move, so I'd keep the kid protected in the lab for now. Time to fish leisurely.
Key point: he mistook me for someone else.
And the surest way to clear up a misunderstanding? A thorough beatdown. Once I pummeled him senseless and explained, he'd get that I wasn't that "whatever" guy.
The Academy was my home turf. No matter what tricks he pulled, I had the upper hand. Handle it calmly, and it'd wrap up without much effort.
I donned my robe. Even with some shady hypnotist from the kingdom gunning for me, duties called. Today was "Countering Illusion Magic" lecture day.
"Heading to class, Tower Master. I'm off, Yuria. See you both later."
"Ah, y-yeah. Um... that, uh... good-morning kiss before work...?"
"Forgot about that, huh? No wonder I felt so empty. C'mere."
"Okay...!"
Mmwah, mmwah, mmwah...
With the kid right there, no holding back on the affection—her expression turned hilariously subtle, but what's weird about not canoodling with a child around?
Fully charged on love battery, I left the lab.
No students in the lecture hall.
"........."
What the hell? Did they all twist ankles in that team battle last time? Were they boycotting en masse, demanding the "mad mage" professor resign? But this was too much—no-shows across the board. There were dedicated ones like Selbia and Envers, the half-committed job-hunting types who skipped occasionally, and even Bennett's party. Players I'd bonded tightly with weren't showing? Something was off. Did the "Hypnotic Detective" do something...? Nah, hypnotizing every student and dragging them off? That'd take Transcendent-level power. No way he pierced that stacked lineup of monsters. What, exactly what...? I sat jiggling my leg, and finally, the door creaked open. I perked up, turning toward the entrance—Selbia.
"Hello, 'Professor'."
She nailed the syllables with emphasis, like driving in spikes. I shrank a bit, mumbling, "H-Hi, Selbia... Is it April Fool's today or something? Kids aren't showing up weirdly. If there's a group chat excluding me, clue me in..."
"Figured that message wasn't from you. Yeah, knew it."
"...?"
"A crow flew in saying class was canceled due to back pain from last night. Probably everyone got the same."
Hold up.
"And they bought that?"
"Everyone knows you roll with two girls. 'Figures a nutjob mage like him cancels for this... Bet last night was wild. So happy for the day off.' Stuff like that. I saw through it 'cause I know the deal..."
So now I was the lecherous prof who blew a full day's lecture chasing lust? "Hypnotic Detective"... messing with my flawless professor rep, huh!
"So, who sent that crow?"
"Some guy's targeting me. Kingdom mage called the 'Hypnotic Detective,' has me pegged as some mega-villain."
"Got it. Hit me up if you need help. Guess not, since you didn't tell me..."
"........."
Chilling. Selbia left the hall. I waited alone in the empty room a bit longer, rubbed my goosebumped arms, and headed out. Lecture bombed. Time hanging loose, I trudged homeward when I bumped into that whatshisname professor—the one who'd built "Glorious Manor."
"Well, if it isn't the mad mage prof! Been looking for you!"
"Ah, hi. Looking for me?"
"Got your message. I was craving a drink anyway! But my keen intellect spotted what you forgot—no meetup spot. Pub tonight it is. I'll be waiting!"
"...? Wait, Prof? What're you—hold on!"
Whatshisname prof said his piece and bolted. I stood dumbfounded, piecing it together. Like that drunken banquet last time, he was a nightmare when tipsy. A broken record endlessly looping his tales. I'd sworn never to drink with him again after flipping him off once.
"Fucking 'Hypnotic Detective.'" Coming at me like a petty child? Click. Rage switch flipped. I'd expected physical pressure via hypnosis, not this cheap needling. Made it itch even more. Fine, you want me to move? I'll snatch you up in one go. The "Hypnotic Detective" sent crows to students faking a cancellation. Meant he could hypnotize and control beasts too. Broad magic user. So, wipe out his hypnotized animals, and the pawnless puppeteer would have to crawl out from the shadows for new pieces. I formed hand seals, circulating mana.
Crafted a phantom raptor with light physical force, imbuing special properties.
Now these eagles were flying bombs, rebooting nearby beasts' brains on detonation. Suicide drones for deprogramming snipes.
Reboot intensity tuned low—no harm to humans, animals only.
Flap, flap-flap-flap.
Cloned eagles launched skyward endlessly from my grasp, like a fountain of raptors at first glance.
Go. Purge every trace of hypnosis.
Boom. Boom!
Quicker and fiercer reaction than expected.
Whoosh!
With balloon-pop noises, purges rippled across the Academy. Hypnotized birds bolted northward to the forest in unison—from pigeons to sparrows, diverse species retreating like orderly migratory flocks. All under hypnosis, no doubt.
Pre-programmed contingency for crisis?
Fired an invisible arrow. It sliced the air, embedding precisely in a fleeing crow's nape. GPS tracker.
Signal strong. Undetected. Tracking solid.
I began leisurely tailing it.
Crunch. Crunch. Followed the signal deep into secluded woods.
"........."
Found the marked crow emitting signals. Snared by vine noose around its neck, dangling limply from a branch. Nice staging. Rustle. Rustle-rustle. Beasts gathered around me one by one—from deer to frogs, anything with a brain. Not like I'd suddenly awakened druid powers. All "Hypnotic Detective's" minions. Up close, their eyes spun wildly. Canceling class, annoying me, luring my irritated ass here via animal chase—that his plan? The creatures opened their maws, crying out variably. The cries blended, reforming into human speech. Impressive trick.
"My life's no saintly tale, but I don't recall wronging you specifically. Let me preempt: total misunderstanding."
"...So that 'Goat' guy sent assassins after you, huh?"
Bingo.
"Wasn't me."
I denied it repeatedly, but he wasn't listening. Eerie glow leaked from the beasts' eyes as the world began to spin. Fight time.
Music to my ears.
"Knew you were baiting me, birdbrain. Came on my own two feet 'cause I'm confident I'll crush you head-on..."
Daring an illusion magic duel with me? I'll humor you lightly, "Hypnotic Detective."
Before battle, I—unfurled my mental barrier.