Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: A Mage's Ordinary Weekend (3)
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-Miss Lunaris, you still haven't even met the Princess?
"...Ah, well... somehow the timing just never lined up."
I forced a smile, but the Vice-Captain's face was already set in stone.
-Well, considering all the trouble you've been stirring up, it's no wonder you couldn't make time.
"What... It wasn't a big deal, was it? There weren't any signs or anything."
The reason I could act so boldly and shamelessly like this?
There was still a full year left before the original story even began.
The protagonist Kyle hadn't enrolled yet, so there was no way dramatic events would unfold this early.
...Or so I'd thought.
-This isn't the time to be so relaxed, Miss Lunaris.
The Vice-Captain's words shattered my expectations nicely.
-Lately, the Black Mages have started making their presence known.
"Black Mages?"
My face scrunched up on its own.
Here they were.
The classic villains that showed up in every academy story without fail.
They were so familiar they'd become almost endearing.
These side characters were like Team Rocket—irresistible comic relief. If they didn't appear now, I'd almost feel disappointed.
Sure, I'd figured we'd run into them eventually. They were a key villain group in the original story, after all.
But I never imagined we'd get tangled up with them before the main plot even kicked off.
Even the professors who rushed through the syllabus on day one would shake their heads at this pace.
Watching me grimace and grumble inwardly, the Vice-Captain smiled with approval.
-That instinctive rejection of black magic—it's exactly the right attitude. You've learned well from the former Captain.
...I didn't exactly hate Black Mages or anything.
But there was no need to correct the misunderstanding, so I let it slide.
-To continue what I was saying, traces of black magic have been discovered all over the Empire.
The Vice-Captain got straight back to business.
-The wyvern pack that attacked your village? It turns out that was their doing too.
"...Pardon?"
Wyverns attacking because of Black Mages?
-Didn't you notice?
"Well, sure, it was weird how they came at us so openly out of nowhere, but..."
I never dreamed it could be connected to black magic.
It wasn't a question of how.
It was a question of why.
What gain was there in raiding a rural village on the Empire's outskirts? It wasn't even a bustling city.
And secretly testing black magic? That didn't make sense either.
A whole flock of wyverns acting together was way too conspicuous.
-For one thing, there are no wyvern species with black skin. They were all corrupted by dark-attribute mana.
"...Did I have time to think about that?"
Back then, I was so furious I just wanted to wipe them all out.
I puffed out my cheeks and grumbled on.
"Did you catch whoever attacked our village, at least?"
-No, but we captured a Black Mage operating in another region and are interrogating him. The problem is... he's not talking easily.
The Vice-Captain scratched his head, looking troubled.
In my opinion, their interrogation methods were probably off.
A little brutality—crush a few fingers and toes, twist a wrist or ankle if needed—and anyone would crack, right?
But more importantly.
These guys' motives were obvious anyway. Why bother interrogating them?
-That's why I'm asking you, Miss Lunaris—if you have time, look into it yourself. Share any findings.
"Eh, it's obvious. Probably something about reviving the primordial dark spirit or whatever."
I yawned lazily, tossing it out in a bored tone like it was no big deal.
But honestly, this was pretty crucial info.
In the original story's latter half, the Black Mages used the academy as a ritual site to revive a dark spirit.
Come to think of it, I went through hell in that arc too... Ugh, just remembering makes my stomach twist.
-That's certainly possible...
The Vice-Captain paused, then added carefully.
-If you investigate, focus on keywords like 'sin' or 'witch' rather than spirits.
The random keywords made my head tilt sideways, heavy hair swaying with it.
"Witch?"
-I mentioned interrogating the Black Mage earlier? He ranted something in a mad frenzy.
He explained to my puzzled look.
-'The moment the witches bearing humanity's sins open their eyes, this world will be shrouded in darkness.'
A chill ran down my spine.
I'd never heard that before.
Not in the original story.
Did I miss it?
A scrapped setting?
Or... foreshadowing for unseen later content?
As I hummed seriously in thought, the Vice-Captain chuckled lightly.
-Haha, don't take it too seriously. It could just be nonsense he spouted.
"Still, it bothers me."
-Worry more about ensuring the Princess's safety at the academy.
"Yeesh, got it."
Right, I should meet the Princess next week.
Not having seen her face properly yet was pretty bad, even by my standards.
-As for the black magic stuff, look into it only if you have real spare time. Don't get obsessed and cause more incidents.
"Ahaha... Understood. I'll be careful."
Speaking of black magic and dark-attribute mana, something popped into my head.
"Oh, Vice-Captain. There's a ghost in the academy that handles dark-attribute mana."
-What did you say?!
No sooner had I spoken than a loud bang echoed from the crystal orb as he slammed his desk.
My casual remark got a dramatic reaction.
-A ghost wielding black magic? Is that true?
"H-Hold on, calm down..."
-Tell me the details. When, where, how did you find it?
I hadn't expected such a heated response.
Figuring I needed to soothe the excited Vice-Captain first, I spoke in a calm, steady voice.
"It's not a big deal. I joined this club called the Ghost Story Research Club recently. Ran into the ghost while clubbing."
A deep sigh leaked out soon after.
-...I thought you'd just been causing trouble for two weeks straight, but you were actually doing your duty.
Heh heh, Vice-Captain, that's a bit harsh.
-Anyway, good thing you found it before it escalated. What happened to the ghost? Did you handle it?
"Well, I was about to exorcise—"
Suddenly, lightning struck my mind.
Sure, I'd already exorcised Ghost Senior.
But admitting that felt like a waste somehow.
Lightning flashed again.
If I played this right, I could milk the situation. My lips curved slyly.
"...I tried to exorcise it, but it failed in the end."
I sighed regretfully for effect.
-It failed?
The Vice-Captain's tone pitched up again.
-That strong? Even an advanced mage like you couldn't handle it?
"Not exactly, but club members were with me then, so I prioritized the students and let it slip away."
-...Can't be helped, then.
"Don't worry. I'll go handle it alone soon."
In the brief silence, only the soft tap-tap of fingers on his desk echoed.
Soon, he spoke gravely.
-Handle it as soon as possible. Tomorrow if you can.
Now for the main event.
I pulled out my prepared line like I'd been waiting.
"But Vice-Captain, I'm still a student. I can't skip classes."
-...Pardon?
"To do it properly, I'd need a day without classes, like Friday."
-Since when were you such a diligent student...? More importantly, classes aren't the priority now...
"Then I'll head to class?"
Keep painting me as a delinquent, and I'll really start skipping without permission, you know?
I'll become a total delinquent. Got it?
-No, I'm not saying neglect academy life... Sigh.
In the end, he sat down at the negotiation table I'd set.
-...Fine. One day should suffice for a ghost, right? I'll submit an external activity request to the academy immediately for attendance credit.
"Hmm, one's a bit tight."
I deliberately dragged it out.
"Two days should do it."
I'd love a full week, but pushing too hard wouldn't fly.
-Agreed. Two days. Handle it cleanly.
His voice carried resignation.
-Submit a detailed report: incident details, investigation, combat log—everything.
"Yup, got it."
-Sigh. What a mess right before my promotion to Captain.
Ah, no wonder. Our Vice-Captain was on edge with promotion looming.
-Take care, then. I'll hear more about that ghost leisurely at the next report.
With that—he'd look into it himself too—the crystal orb's glow faded gently.
"Goodbye, Vice-Captain."
...Gone?
Confirming the mana signature vanished, I clenched my fists and threw an uppercut at the air.
"Yes! Two days of legit vacation secured."
This is why you gotta use your head, folks?
The report's a minor hitch, but I can just grab Sylvia's club activity log and spice it up.
"Alright, then for these two days..."
I turned to gaze out the window.
It'd been ages since I'd anticipated sunrise this much.
"Might as well update my prime nap spot guide."
Oh yeah, the Princess...
...Eh, no real need to meet next week, right?
*
Monday morning.
Princess Celestina Belhart had already circled in front of Linea Hall five times.
She was plotting a "casual" encounter.
The moment Lunaris was dragged out by the maids!
'Approach naturally, chat, walk to class together.'
Sit side by side, attend lecture.
Then straight to the cafeteria for lunch, closing the distance.
Perfect and natural, right?
Pleased with her flawless plan, she glanced at Linea Hall's entrance.
But oddly, no sign of life.
Classes were approaching, so why wasn't Lunaris emerging?
She'd be late at this rate.
"Is she resisting...?"
Entirely plausible.
Dragging out an advanced mage wasn't easy.
She resolved to fund the maids from her own pocket—then the maid chief stepped out alone.
The Princess's face lit up briefly, but faded at the solitary figure.
"Odette, where's Lunaris?"
"...I'm sorry, Your Highness. We couldn't wake Miss Lunaris today."
The Princess's eyebrow twitched.
"What happened? Did she beat you?"
The maid chief swallowed a sigh, voice low.
"Miss Lunaris has external activities scheduled for today and tomorrow, so she'll miss all classes."
"What?!"
"When we checked this morning, an external activity permit stamped by the Chairman was posted on her door."
No room for negotiation. The Princess blinked blankly.
"What kind of external activity...?"
"The documents say it's Imperial Mage Corps business. Stamped by the Vice-Captain too."
"There was no mention yesterday."
"Yes, we asked around—it was issued urgently at dawn."
The Princess's expression hardened.
Her heart sank.
Of all days—the one shot this week to connect with Lunaris—suddenly an unscheduled external activity?
And involving the Imperial Mage Corps Vice-Captain, no less?
Lips trembling on her stiff face, she couldn't shake the ominous feeling.