Roman Diana von Lopelt
Roman Diana von Lopelt. He maintained a hostile relationship with the 1st prince and sought to perpetuate the corruption of the current imperial family. He was cunning in the truest sense of the word.
The very notion of continuing the imperial rot was unforgivable, but he possessed a ruthless streak that brooked no scruples in pursuit of his goals. And yet, the reason he was touted as a candidate for the next emperor was straightforward. He wore a mask that pleased everyone—family, imperial courtiers, even Snowrobe's affiliates.
He had a gift for beguiling anyone he decided to recruit, and he knew precisely how to exploit them. He might just be the most dangerous one to watch out for. Who knew when or where he'd dangle a tempting offer to pull you into his camp?
Of course, backing from the 2nd prince was an opportunity without equal. But it would mean crossing Kyle, who was tied to the 1st prince. An absolute no-go.
"To think I'd get to meet someone so famous, Maness."
"...The honor is mine, Your Highness."
Maness bowed his head, taking in Roman with a careful gaze. The prince's benevolent demeanor—warm enough to hand over his own liver— was his deadliest weapon. But knowing his true nature better than most, Maness kept his guard up tight.
"You're far more polite than the rumors suggest, junior."
"I know my place."
"Is that so? Yet it seems you've clashed with Charlotte."
Drag. As they slowly walked and talked, Roman pulled a chair from the corner, brushing off the dust with a casual swipe. Elena moved to intervene hastily, but a wave of his hand stopped her cold.
"In all my years, I haven't met many fools bold enough to cross the imperial family."
Roman sat without a care on the shabby chair unfit for a prince. It was a calculated move to shed his imperial aura and pass as just another student. Every gesture was deliberate.
"I'm not trying to pick a fight. I just thought there was a big misunderstanding, so I set the facts straight."
"A misunderstanding."
Roman rested his hands neatly on his crossed knee, chuckling as if amused. Even that smile radiated warmth, momentarily making Maness wonder if he'd misjudged him.
"From what I've heard of your track record, it doesn't sound like mere misunderstanding. And my dear sister isn't one to wallow in baseless distrust."
Maness held his tongue. A few exchanges in, and Roman was the real deal—sharper than even the perceptive Kyle. His speech flowed flawlessly, structured to draw everything out. Seeing the junior hold firm, Roman nodded faintly.
"Guess it's not a topic for casual chat. Sorry about that, junior."
"I know better than to speak out of turn about the 2nd princess."
"But I can chat about my sister, right?"
"No issue there, surely."
The longer the conversation stretched, the more intrigued Roman grew by this delinquent. From his demeanor toward authority to how he deftly steered the talk without revealing his hand. Far from a mere thug, he possessed something beyond the ordinary.
"Sure, we can gossip anytime. Shall we get to the point?"
Roman leaned back, then straightened up again. The hard edge pressing into his back was unfamiliar.
"Snowrobe periodically selects students for Magic Tower field trips. Not that it's a gift—they're just tagging along when we coordinate with the towers."
He rose and drifted to the window. Outside, students milled about in lively clusters, enjoying school life.
"Doesn't that seem excessive? Sending kids out while an anti-magic faction runs rampant."
Roman pressed on despite the junior's silence, flashing a wry smile.
"Long story short, I called you here to ask if you're up for the trip."
"Couldn't that wait until after class?"
"No can do. We've got a mountain of work ourselves—time's tight."
He turned from the window and perched on the sill. Elena nearly protested the risky pose but swallowed her words.
"Departure's tomorrow."
"...Tomorrow?"
It sounded absurd. Decisions on major matters, with departure the very next day?
"I'd love to give you time to think, but the recommendation came in yesterday."
That needed addressing first. Recommending a notorious delinquent for a Magic Tower trip the day before? Suspicious from the start.
"Recommendation from...?"
"Trips like this go to promising talents who can't grow further in current classes—usually upperclassmen. First-years don't qualify; they've got plenty to learn."
That included the alchemy Maness was just starting.
"Yet a professor recommended you. Said the trip alone would spur major growth."
"Who might that be?"
He could guess. Only one professor fit.
"Professor Metaph. 6th rank illusion mage."
Spot on. Maness decided not to overthink the chain of events.
Magic Tower. No real reason to refuse. Deeper research and learning than Snowrobe—a field trip there would accelerate his growth. The journey wouldn't be smooth, though. Per the original story, there'd be ambushes en route, and the place itself invited trouble. Still, the gains outweighed the risks.
"The other students might complain if you send me."
"No worries. We can cook up excuses. Like, 'family emergency, heading home briefly'?"
"...So, deception."
"Call it flexible handling."
The student council could easily fabricate reasons for absences. In Snowrobe, where professors shirked duties, they filled the void.
"One more thing: Do I have to travel with the group to the Magic Tower?"
"What do you mean?"
"Could I go separately on my own?"
Library of Memories. The place accessed via spatial magic was inside the Magic Tower. If he wanted, he could teleport straight in.
"Hmm, as heir to a trading firm, you probably want to stop by merchants en route. Can't. Entry requires guardian authentication."
A vain hope. A random student popping out of the Library of Memories unrelated to the towers would cause an uproar. Maness shelved the idea of asking Retos for a workaround.
"I'll go to the Magic Tower."
"Wiser than the rumors suggest."
"No reason not to."
The upcoming summer break. With the original protagonist Kyle's explosive growth event looming, the Magic Tower was prime staging ground. Refusing would mean squandering the future.
Roman's benevolent smile deepened at the swift decision.
"Looking forward to it. Wonder what talent earned a professor's nod so soon."
"Just average. You're mistaken."
"Even if the student council runs Snowrobe's core, we never disregard professors."
He brushed dust from his clothes and stood from the sill.
"Especially not mistaking a first-year's caliber."
As he signaled Elena to prepare to leave, Roman smacked his fist into his palm as if just remembering.
"Oh, nearly forgot. Head to the school gate before lunch ends. You can bring one companion."
"Companion like...?"
"Another first-year you deem worthy. Wouldn't want to go alone and get bored, right?"
With that, Roman vanished through the door, Elena in tow.
"...What a mess."
Perplexed, Maness grabbed a chair and sat, quickly scanning candidates. Kyle and Conien had no magic ties. Iris needed to focus on learning and bonding with her contracted spirit Flamma—better kept close. Excluding those three, only one fit.
"We've synced before, after all."
*
Knock knock. Dull thuds hit the door. Passing students muttered, but Maness ignored them.
"Who's there?"
"Open up already."
Recognizing the delinquent's voice, the room's owner swung the door wide. Maness blinked at Boltman Gail, yawning hugely and rubbing his eyes.
"What's with the getup?"
Boltman struck a proud pose, hand on hip.
"Can't you tell? Pajamas!"
"First-years aren't allowed personal items. Breaking rules again?"
"Hey now."
Maness itched to flick his forehead but held back—talk first.
"Professor of pharmacology gave 'em to me as a gift."
"...A gift?"
"Yup! Helped with sorting, so she said pick whatever."
Maness recalled the idiot was still paying for learning magic pre-enrollment.
"She said pick whatever."
"Right."
"So you asked for pajamas?"
"School-issued stuff's uncomfortable for sleep."
Maness stopped thinking. Some needed cozy PJs. And dealing with this guy meant prioritizing empathy.
"Congrats. Come in—we need to talk."
"As you see, I'm all set for bed..."
"In. Side. Let's. Talk."
Boltman sensed the killing intent. Not imagination—pure malice aimed at him.
"...All prepped for bed, but a buddy wants to chat? Of course I'll make time."
Preserving face to the end, he let the delinquent in. They'd teamed up before, so he dismissed the rumors as bunk. But the thug tales were gaining credence.
Maness took a chair; Boltman cautiously perched on the bed.
"What's up?"
"That elixir from the library storeroom last time."
Where Maness got his staff and familiar egg. Lingering too long, Boltman had picked Retos's suggestion.
—It'll help bloom the electric talent you possess.
An elixir to intensify the imbiber's affinity. Boltman, craving flashy weapons, was disappointed—but it was the perfect fit.
"Feel anything different?"
"Hmm..."
Boltman fiddled with his hands, eyes down.
"My guess is,"
"Your guess?"
"That elixir couldn't keep up with your talent."
What fresh nonsense is this?
"No other changes?"
"Probably not."
"Listen."
Maness leaned forward, arms on thighs, dead serious. Boltman perked up.
"They offered me a Magic Tower field trip."
"What?!"
His sleepy eyes flew wide.
"Why you?"
"Not important. Anyway,"
He held up a hand to say hear him out, then continued.
"They said I could bring a talented friend. But no matter how I think, you're the only fit."
"...M-me?"
"Obviously. That elixir you took? Maybe the environment here dulled it. New stimuli could make your talent bloom."
That did it. Eyes sparkling, face alight.
"You really saw that in me? True geniuses recognize their own kind!"
Simple as they come. Perfect.