The Headmaster Takes Control
Harne Astel narrowed her eyes, scanning the surroundings. The top-class students around her—all of them suspects. And though she hated to admit it, even heroines like Runes or Elise were on that list.
But Harne quickly took a deep breath, steadying her mind. The Group Master's core wasn't visible anywhere anyway. That meant the culprit had hidden it using a personal subspace or a Hidden Piece.
Tattling straight to the professors... probably not the best move.
If it was a personal subspace, the professors could strip-search everyone and be done with it. But a Hidden Piece? Not only was there a high chance of failing the search, explaining it would basically scream, "I'm the suspicious one here!"
And whether subspace or Hidden Piece, alerting the enemy would make them wary of her—or worse, target her outright.
Guess I'll have to watch and wait.
As fellow top-class students, she'd be tangled up with them all semester anyway. Her plan: investigate slowly, narrow down the suspects.
Meanwhile, as Harne finished her deliberations, in a dim corner of the auditorium a bit away from her—Lesian rose, having received emergency treatment from the inquisitors. She caught her breath briefly before issuing orders.
"They couldn't have gotten far. Coordinate with the inquisitors deployed in the city and track them down."
No sooner had she spoken than about a third of the inquisitors bolted from the auditorium.
Lesian waved them off casually. For someone who'd let a Reverse Star Clan executive slip away, her expression wasn't half bad.
"Whew~ Haven't used that in ages. Tastes like death. Would've been nice if the professors had pitched in."
She dusted herself off and swept back her hair. Then, with a cheeky wink at the professors, she played innocent.
"Well, with the crisis resolved for now, shall we resume the interrogations?"
"Hah."
It was like saying dessert time after dinner. The professors shot up in outrage at her brazenness.
"You joking? The auditorium's a wreck, students are hurt! You really gonna keep this up?"
"What we need now is cleanup, not more inspections."
A natural reaction from academy professors—and normal humans with intact common sense. No one could look at the auditorium and think it fit for continuing interrogations.
But expecting common sense from the Inquisition—or a Black Star holder—was a mistake.
"We still haven't checked about two-thirds of the students."
And this Black Star was a woman specialized in battles of words over fists.
"Dismissing students for 'safety' would only amplify the potential risks, wouldn't it?"
"You don't get to decide that unilaterally! Black Star, this is autonomous territory..."
"Ah, I know. In emergencies like this, the autonomous zone claims strong on-site control. Right?"
"!"
Lesian cut off the old professor, hitting the nail on the head. Then, shrugging mockingly and snapping her fingers as he faltered.
"Oopsie. Was saving that for later."
Thud—
Two possessed individuals, chained, were tossed at her feet. She yanked one up by the chains, dangling its bloodied body in midair.
Students gasped and averted their eyes; professors' faces darkened.
"This is a Reverse Star Clan incident—even an executive appeared. Per Article 12, Clause 3, cases like this aren't handled solely by autonomous zones."
Lesian placed a hand on her chest.
"And on heresy enforcement, the Inquisition takes priority over the royals."
Swallows and gasps echoed around. Lesian savored it, sweeping the room before smirking.
"So, as the on-site decision-maker, I'll proceed with enforcement."
And, as if to herself—but loud enough for all—she drove the wedge home.
"Depending on circumstances, this autonomous zone might come under long-term special oversight."
"!"
The auditorium's air grew heavy. Lesian was subtly revealing her true colors.
She'd missed the executive, but that was never her real goal. No, she wanted a pretext for the Inquisition to meddle long-term here.
And the Reverse Star Clan had handed it to her on a platter.
Lesian gestured to her inquisitors. They reformed ranks, encircling the auditorium again.
Students' expressions varied—some on the verge of tears, others glaring through gritted teeth. But the vibe was uniform: despair, half-resignation.
No hopeful future in sight.
Then—
Bzzzzt!
A blue rift, big enough to swallow a person, tore open dead center on the auditorium stage.
"Oh, that's the vice-headmaster's...!"
One professor's words made Lesian frown. The academy vice-headmaster's signature: Teleport Gate.
Having infiltrated via a pact and teleport shuttle with that woman, Lesian recognized it instantly. The vice-headmaster's absence had been nagging her.
But why now, right in the stage's heart?
Lesian's eyes narrowed. Something was off.
And it didn't take long to figure out.
Out stepped the vice-headmaster. Right behind her, a girl emerged slowly.
White mage robes. Light purple curls cascading past her waist. A youthful face, barely twenty at most. She looked harmless, like a noble greenhouse flower.
But the moment she stepped forward—
An oppressive pressure crushed down on Lesian like a mountain.
Thoom—
"Guh!"
No one could stare straight at the girl. The force targeted only Lesian and her inquisitors.
Resisting through her exhausted body, Lesian shut her eyes, focusing her mind. When she opened them—
The girl was right in front of her.
"!"
"Well. Made quite the mess while I was gone, didn't you?"
The hero who'd repelled a monster lord. Kalsea Academy's headmaster. One of the Nine Thrones, Rasciena.
She smirked up at Lesian.
...But Lesian wasn't one to falter easily. She composed herself lightning-fast, straightening and flashing a relaxed smile.
"Ah, Headmaster. Pleasure. I'm the Black Star—"
"Whoa, whoa~ Stop there. I'm not free enough to hear your intro."
Cracks formed in that smile. But the headmaster was just jabbing.
"Talked it over with your Inquisition Chief already. So get ready to leave."
"..."
The hook landed; Lesian's smile visibly twisted. Now she grasped why the headmaster and vice had been absent.
She went to Inquisition HQ?
But it didn't add up. What "talk" could let the Nine Thrones' coldest member say this?
Forcing another smile, Lesian pressed.
"Hmm, haven't gotten word yet. Mind sharing what was discussed?"
"Nothing much."
Rasciena replied flatly.
"Just some secrets your side hid for years. Played a little true-or-false with him."
"!"
"Man~ Had 'em as insurance forever, didn't think I'd cash in so soon."
Regretful tone, but her face grinned mischievously, fitting her apparent age.
Lesian's smile was gone. The Inquisition's shadows ran deeper than imagined—some leaks alone could topple them.
Then a first-grade inquisitor rushed up with a crystal orb, whispering in her ear. Her face twisted fully.
'Wrap minimum essentials and withdraw.'
Inquisition Chief's orders. Lesian ground her teeth, feigning calm in a last-ditch flail.
"...So the academy claims it can handle cleanup itself? Legally, burying this will cause issues..."
"Can do. We'll handle the fallout."
"...!"
"Announcing details now. Sit tight and watch."
She turned her back. Professors and students parted naturally.
Rasciena ascended the stage podium slowly. Clearing her throat, she beamed.
"Some seeing me first time, some not. Nice to meet ya. I'm Headmaster Rasciena."
"!"
The auditorium didn't just stir—it rocked. A Nine Thrones member, this territory's hero, debuting at the climax.
"First, deep apologies for the ordeal. And thanks for holding out. Good job."
Rasciena bowed without hesitation, then straightened, lightly pointing at Lesian.
"Inquisition leaves a few behind to finish basic isekai scans, then pulls out. Academy handles the rest."
Hope and relief spread across students' faces.
But Rasciena wasn't done.
"Academy promises three compensations for this mess."
One finger up.
"First: Full reimbursement for damaged items, mental anguish payouts, plus Inquisition support funds."
"...!!"
She gestured a rough amount; most students' jaws dropped. Even silent Harne's eyes widened slightly. Enough to deter any noble house from complaining.
Second finger.
"Second: Open Second Treasure Vault to all freshmen. Plus temporary access to Underground Treasure Hall Area 1."
Ooooh!
Exclamations erupted. Treasure vaults and headmaster's secret dungeon? Unprecedented.
Harne's lips twitched up. Perfect—she needed to raid 2 or 3 more anyway.
Smiling at the buzz, Rasciena raised her last finger.
"And finally."
Grinning confidently.
"We'll unlock the legacies of the King of Magical Engineering, Hisra."
"..."
What? For real? Did I hear wrong?
Shock delayed reactions; students mumbled blankly before exploding like primed bombs.
Rasciena hit the detonators.
"Some for academy security upgrades and cleanup, some deployed to buildings. Freshmen get priority use."
Rooooar!
Cheers everywhere. Martial arts club, magic club—pandemonium. Magic club folks looked ready to faint.
"Harne, Harne! Hear that? The King of Magical Engineering! Insane stuff in there!"
"Wha... what? Heard it's amazing, but everyone's overreacting, right?"
Excited Runes grabbed Harne's hands, jumping. Nearby Skala crossed arms coolly, but her twitching ears and tail betrayed her. Even Elise sparkled, mouth agape.
Small wonder. Hisra, King of Magical Engineering. Veiled in mystery—looks, age, origins. A legend who'd advanced the world's tech decades solo.
Mysterious Beauty Module: Inappropriate speech detected. Adjustment proceeding immediately.
"...Heh, yeah. Sounds intriguing."
But Harne couldn't join the hype. Not even a speck of interest.
Heh, my favorite side quest. Got to shit out magitech nonstop.
Hisra, King of Magical Engineering. Hismea, the goddess's subordinate who'd lost a few screws. Same person.
Over half were goddess commissions. Plenty 'gentlemanly' ones.
Gentlemanly. A euphemism that barely covered it.
Those magitech defied human common sense.
Main theme: common sense alteration. People won't bat an eye—treat 'em like treasures.
And now, unleashing them academy-wide.
"Ah... sh—"
Mysterious Beauty Module: Inappropriate speech detected. Adjustment proceeding immediately.
"This'll be fun."
Not fun at all. Harne clutched her head, dizzy.