Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Summer Vacation Mage (1)
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-Well, I won't deny that there were other intentions.
Albert, the vice-captain on the screen, raised both hands with an innocently brazen grin.
It was an incredibly shameless attitude.
-It's a long story, but lately, the Imperial Mage Corps' main mission has been tracking down traces of the Black Mages...
"Don't try to change the subject."
I propped my chin on my pillow, narrowing my eyes as I spoke.
"Just get to the point. I'm falling asleep here."
I barely swallowed a yawn that was bubbling up in my throat.
The vice-captain let out a deep sigh before speaking with a serious expression.
-I mentioned it once before, didn't I? That the attack on your village, Miss Lunaris, was the work of Black Mages.
"Yeah... and?"
-We were just about to catch that bastard's tail.
"Good for you."
-But we were missing one puzzle piece. To get more clues, we briefly manifested your subconscious into reality.
Essentially, a reference interview, he claimed.
The vice-captain shrugged nonchalantly as he added that.
I was so flabbergasted that I just blinked blankly.
No... what the hell is this guy saying?
"Even so, do you think it's okay to peek into someone's mind like that?"
-It... it wasn't a spell that lets you see everything to begin with. Just a pinpoint glimpse...
"This isn't the time for excuses."
-...Haa. I know. I know this wasn't right.
He rubbed the back of his neck, genuinely apologetic.
"Wait, so you knew it was wrong and did it anyway?"
-That's why we went to the trouble of meddling with the final exam questions in secret. If we'd asked outright, you'd have refused for sure...
What a boast.
-But I swear, I didn't see anything except memories related to the Black Mages. Really.
"How am I supposed to believe that?"
-...I guess I can only bow my head. I apologize once more.
"Sorry isn't going to cut it, is it?"
-Of course not. We'll make sure to compensate you properly for this. Is there anything you need?
Magic materials, ancient books, or even a key position in the Imperial Mage Corps—just say the word, he said with an awkward smile.
Slipping in that trap card so slyly. How devious.
"Forget all that."
I answered right away, as if I'd been waiting.
"Just stamp a bunch of external activity permits for next semester."
-...Pardon?
"And while you're at it, write up the activity reports to submit to the academy."
-Wait, are you asking me to forge official documents...?
"Do that, and I'll forgive you."
The vice-captain blinked at me in a daze at my proposal.
Of course, I was a little annoyed that he'd tried to snoop into my subconscious, but honestly, I wasn't that furious.
I'd lived a blameless life, after all.
I spent more than half the day sleeping. No sex drive to speak of, never even had a secret happy time.
Even if he'd looked through my entire head, he probably wouldn't have seen much.
The only thing that might give me pause... maybe memories from my childhood when Grandfather was alive.
But that was "me" from back then—a different person.
So, I'd take this much and let it slide.
-Haa... Fine. I'll issue as many as you want.
Hearing his half-resigned tone made me chuckle involuntarily.
-But you still need to meet the minimum attendance requirements. And take the exams. We can't have you held back.
"I'll handle that."
I didn't plan to drag out my time at the academy for over four years either.
The vice-captain scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
As the mood lightened a bit, he started grumbling slyly.
-Haa... I really thought it was the perfect crime. What a shame.
"You thought you wouldn't get caught?"
Who else in the Belhart Empire besides him could cast illusion magic on that scale?
"Besides, the mana resonance from the spell screamed 'vice-captain.' It'd be weirder if I hadn't noticed."
Illusion magic ultimately comes down to aptitude. At this point, I suspected he'd meant to get caught.
-...You're overly sensitive to mana, Miss Lunaris. Anyone else wouldn't have noticed a thing.
I was pretty sensitive to mana, yeah.
Wonder if that was innate, like my magic talent.
A foreboding thought crossed my mind.
I furrowed my brow slightly and asked the vice-captain.
"But... you didn't use that exam question to peek into other students' memories too, right? Her Highness the Princess took it among them."
Messing with royalty crossed a major line.
But the vice-captain shook his head calmly.
-The spell only activated if you solved the final question. And you're the only one at the academy who could.
"..."
-Even if by some miracle someone else solved it, I figured they couldn't beat your speed.
So, the moment I completed the answer and triggered the spell, he got the info he wanted and cut the connection right away, he boasted proudly.
-My motto is 'long and thin.' I never take unnecessary risks.
"Hearing the guy who says 'not getting caught makes it legal' talk like this... Anyway, did you get what you wanted?"
-Of course.
The vice-captain's lips curled into a chilling smile on the screen.
-Thanks to you, we got a pretty decisive lead.
"Good for you."
I replied indifferently, burrowing back into bed.
Whether they caught the culprit or not was none of my business.
-Ahem! Miss Lunaris.
The vice-captain trailed off before making a casual proposal.
-If you want, how about I give you a chance to join us in catching that bastard?
"...Huh?"
-I mean, a chance for you to get revenge personally.
He's the enemy who ruined your hometown—don't you want to give him a piece of your mind? he said magnanimously.
I blinked blankly.
Revenge? Me?
"Me? Why?"
-...Pardon?
The vice-captain looked genuinely flustered.
He clearly hadn't expected this reaction.
-No, I mean... don't you want to give that guy a taste of his own medicine or something?
"Eh, if you'd already caught him, maybe I'd think about it a tiny bit... but you haven't, right?"
I swallowed another yawn as I replied.
"Ransacking the vast empire with the rest of the Imperial Mage Corps sounds like a hassle, honestly."
And I trusted the vice-captain.
I'm sure he'd handle it just fine.
So, good luck.
-The academy break is coming up soon anyway, right? No other plans, so how about joining for a change of pace?
"No, I've got a super, duper, absolutely vital schedule over break."
-Schedule? What could it be...?
I hugged my pillow and answered with the utmost seriousness.
"Obviously, sleeping like a log."
As if that was worth mentioning.
Not long after finals ended, the rankings and scores went up in the central square.
The results... well.
It might sound boastful, but I held onto first place without issue.
The other students' rankings barely shifted from midterms either.
Talk about a boring outcome.
The only twist...
"Th-this... isn't a dream, right?"
Claire's name had shot way up.
Written exam: tied for 2nd overall, 1st in Magic Department.
Practical: 6th in Magic Department.
Final score: 3rd in Magic Department.
"Next semester! Linea Hall for me tooo!"
Claire's shout drew glances from nearby students.
Mixed in with the incredulous stares was envy.
"Congratulations, Claire!"
Princess Celestina, standing beside her, clapped as if it were her own victory.
Side note: Her Highness's ranking had soared too.
Her written scores, which had lingered in the lower mid-tier during midterms, now ranked in the top handful of the entire Magic Department.
"Whoa... Claire at 3rd? Magic Department's done for."
I added a cheeky tease to Her Highness's congratulations.
"What did you sayyy?!"
Claire whipped around, fired up at my playful jab.
Her pouty lips made me chuckle despite myself.
Claire really packs a punch, huh?
But in truth, no one knew better than me how hard she'd worked.
The time I spent rolling in bed during exams matched the time she spent scribbling with her pen.
Acting casual, I lifted my heel slightly, reached over Claire's head, and ruffled her bangs.
"Good job."
"...Huh?"
"See you around Linea Hall after break. Congrats, Claire."
Claire blinked blankly at my words.
All that pent-up tension releasing at once, maybe.
Moisture welled up in her big eyes in an instant.
"...Lu-Luna...!"
Soon, her eyes turned rabbit-red, tears streaming down.
She collapsed into my arms.
"Waaah—Luna, thank you so much! I never could've gotten these scores without you!"
Something wet hit my chest.
...At least it wasn't sticky.
"C-crying's fine, but don't blow your nose."
"I didn't! Who said I did... sniff!"
As I patted Claire's back with a sigh, a familiar voice called from afar.
"Luna~!"
Senior Estelle was waving wildly as she approached.
I tapped the back of Claire's head, buried in my chest, and said,
"Oh, perfect timing. Hey, the one who blew her nose on my clothes."
"...Huh?"
The moment Claire sniffled and pulled away, Senior Estelle latched onto me.
"Luna~ Congrats on first!"
"You too, Senior. Congrats on first."
"Pfft~ It's first place with zero perks, though. Nyahaha~"
Senior Estelle chuckled awkwardly, then spotted Her Highness behind me and let out an "Ah!"
"Oh? Your Highness is here too. Hello!"
"Nice to see you, Senior Estelle."
Her Highness replied with a graceful smile.
"We seem to be bumping into each other a lot lately."
"Yeah, the other Magic Engineering students are buried in research, but you seem pretty free."
"..."
They were smiling, but the air felt heavy.
I deliberately looked away, pretending not to notice.
Senior Estelle peeled off me slightly, shrugging with a grin.
"Well, since Luna—no, Miss Lunaris is my apprentice, I've gotta check on her as her master. But Your Highness is always around then."
For a split second, sparks seemed to fly between them.
...Nah, probably just my imagination.