Same Yet Different
"No way..."
As Frey Raon Starlight lost consciousness atop the commoner dormitory, Irina Philliard witnessed the aftermath firsthand and was plunged into shock.
"He really... used himself as the catalyst?"
According to the theory Irina had devised, dismantling the magic circle inside the commoner dormitory required placing a 'catalyst' at its core where mana would condense. Only then could a massive amount of mana be gathered in that catalyst and released all at once, shattering the structure drawn with dense demonic power.
Of course, there was the orthodox method of dispelling it in the exact order it was drawn. But in that urgent situation, sticking to the standard approach would have triggered the circle's activation, leaving no room for choice if they wanted to dismantle it.
However, straying from the orthodox method came with significant risks. Namely...
"N-No way... he's not dead, is he, Frey?"
Irina, who had been staring blankly at Frey lost in thought, snapped back to reality at the sound of Perloché Astellade's voice from ahead.
"Um, h-hello? Young Master Trash?"
Perloché was poking Frey's body with a slightly frightened expression.
"...Perloché."
"Eek!?"
Perloché, who had been prodding Frey with her finger, let out a startled scream when Clana Solar Sunrise grabbed her shoulder from behind.
"Frey's just passed out right now."
"Ah... I see."
At those words, Perloché stepped back with a complicated expression, but Clana continued staring down at Frey.
—Zzzt...
Suddenly, a small golden glow began flickering around Clana's hand.
"...Ugh."
Perloché's face twisted in suspicion at the sight, while Clana approached Frey with a hardened expression.
"Frey!! Are you okay!!"
But at that moment, Serena Luna Moonlight rushed desperately to Frey's side.
"Step aside for a moment, Miss Serena. Let me take a look..."
"Ah, the crow that was probably controlling Frey is staggering!!"
Clana furrowed her brow slightly and opened her mouth, but Serena cut her off without giving her a chance.
"That crow's the culprit behind everything! So at least in this incident, Frey is inno—"
"...Hah."
Clana watched Serena, who had pulled Frey into an embrace and begun speaking urgently, then retreated with a coldly impassive expression.
"C-Clana."
Perloché began glancing at her nervously, sweating profusely.
"...Actually, this works out perfectly. It's a golden opportunity to bring him down."
"But..."
"We could kill him right now if we wanted... but that would be far too merciful, and there are too many witnesses. Plus, all the corruption and scandals tied to him—and the intel on the Demon King's forces—would be buried with his death."
Whispering to Perloché like that, Clana let out a deep sigh and continued.
"This empire is full of evil beyond just Frey. We need to seize power somehow and root them all out. So we can't act rashly."
"Y-Yes..."
As Perloché replied with a dejected look, Clana quietly glanced back at Frey and went on.
"But that doesn't mean we're doing nothing."
"Huh?"
"This incident proves Frey's connection to the Demon King. Word will spread soon enough, and his reputation will hit rock bottom."
"But... if Frey makes a move..."
"I haven't been idle. I've already gathered some forces. The moment we leave here, my agents will spread rumors across the empire. And that'll be our first strike against Frey and the empire's shadows."
Perloché's jaw dropped as she stared at Clana.
"This is just the beginning. I'll build my power as fast as possible, topple Frey, and later purge all the corrupt nobles linked to him."
"I see..."
"So, let's hold off on killing him. Right now, we use him to revive the empire and defeat the Demon King."
As Clana finished her whisper, Perloché nodded vigorously, then tilted her head and asked,
"Um... but why is Miss Kania... Mmph!?"
Clana hurriedly clamped a hand over her mouth mid-sentence, leaving Perloché flailing in panic with muffled sounds.
"...I'll explain her situation to you later."
Meanwhile, Clana shot a quiet glare at Kania, who was examining Frey from afar with Serena and Isolet Arham Bywalk.
"Um..."
Then, Irina—who had been silently watching them—approached and spoke up.
"Y-Yes?"
"What is it?"
Perloché and Clana naturally stepped apart and tilted their heads. After eyeing them for a moment, Irina asked in a low voice,
"...You two have memories of the future too, don't you?"
"W-W-Well...?"
Perloché stammered, breaking into a cold sweat.
"...Perloché, Miss Irina isn't a bad person."
"Ah! Right!"
Clana, enlightening Perloché like that, quietly regarded Irina and said,
"...We'll all talk details together later."
"A-again... the cat café?"
"No, my agents have prepared a separate place."
With that, Clana quietly turned her gaze to Frey.
"He took quite a beating, huh."
"...Yeah."
Perloché's face stiffened—it was the first time she'd seen someone gravely injured without treating them right away, leaving her a bit unsettled. Clana, gritting her teeth quietly, murmured low,
"It'd be a huge hassle if he died now... but honestly, part of me wishes he would just drop dead like this."
Then Perloché—who had some healing expertise—spoke softly.
"Judging by how disrupted his mana flow is, he'll be bedridden for at least a week."
"...Tch, so damn tenacious."
Listening silently to their exchange, Irina resumed her earlier train of thought.
He actually used himself as the catalyst...
The 'catalyst' used to dismantle a sacrificial magic circle needed exceptional mana condensation properties—extremely so. For a small circle, an artificial mana condenser or mana stone might suffice. But for a massive one sacrificing every commoner dormitory student, especially in an unexpected crisis...
There was only one option.
A human.
Humans, who handled mana like breathing from birth, freely wielding both natural and internal mana—second only to spirits in mana affinity.
Of course, to channel the sheer volume of mana from what just happened...
It'd take no ordinary powerhouse.
In other words, others assuming this was a side effect of the circle's failed activation was natural, given Frey's usual weak, incompetent image.
But...
What if Frey really is Liana, the one who saved me last time?
If the mysterious woman 'Liana'—who protected her all day in a battered state, slaughtered monsters, demolished a dark golem that half-wrecked Sunrise Academy despite worsening condition, scattered familiar mana, and knew the fruit name Irina had coined—was truly Frey...
Then her hypothesis held.
Frey had shattered the sacrificial circle using himself as catalyst.
While pretending to be brainwashed by the crow.
Otherwise, why would someone aiming to awaken the Demon King's power endure the horrific agony of voluntarily condensing mana in his body and blasting it downward?
...But why?
Then why had Frey done such a thing? In her future memories, he'd committed atrocities beyond imagining. His villainy showed no shred of kindness or mercy—it was evil incarnate walking the earth.
So why smash a Demon King-awakening circle on the verge of activation?
Was this all part of his scheme, but things went awry, forcing him to betray the Demon King and destroy it?
Or was there some reason he had to pretend and dismantle it?
I don't get it... too many unclear details.
Pondering deeply as she followed Clana and Perloché toward the dormitory exit, Irina paused and concluded her thoughts.
But one thing's certain: Frey saved everyone today for a reason.
Of course, Irina didn't know that reason. But her inquisitive zeal and stubborn nature—the same that elevated her to grand mage—had just decided she needed to uncover it.
From now on, she'd investigate in earnest: why Frey made that choice, his link to 'Liana,' why the once-kind boy turned wicked so suddenly, his Demon King ties, and everything else about him.
Her resolve burned—once she set her mind to something, she saw it through.
"Remember, Perloché. From now on, trust no one."
"Th-Then... should I trust you, Clana? Or not?"
"Looks like we need to call someone. You two, watch Frey there for a bit..."
With her mind set, Irina moved to leave the commoner dormitory alongside Perloché and Clana—still chatting— and Isolet heading to fetch help.
But then...
"Grahhh!!!"
"F-Frey!!!"
Startled by the sudden screams from Frey and Serena behind them, Irina and the others whipped around in unison.
".........!!!"
In their view...
"Frey!! Why are you doing this?! Snap out of it!"
"A-Ah..."
...was Frey, trembling violently, blood gushing from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
"No! Nooo!!"
Serena stared in horror at Frey's seven-aperture hemorrhage, then clutched him tight and screamed.
"S-Someone...! No, Perloché!! Help him!! Please!!"
"........."
"H-He'll die like this!! Pleaseee!!"
In the chaos of shock and alarm, Kania—who'd stood silently nearby—began muttering while trembling.
"Who the hell..."
Understanding the situation better than anyone, her heart tearing apart, Kania could only hang her head and keep murmuring.
"Who... figured it out..."
......
Meanwhile, a few minutes earlier—before Frey's hemorrhage.
"Hello~? Anyone home~?"
A girl was knocking on the door of the orphanage Frey had secretly established.
"...What brings you here?"
After prolonged knocking, a female staffer opened the door with a puzzled look.
"Is this the new orphanage?"
"Y-Yes... it is."
Confirming once more, the girl stepped inside with a bright smile.
"Need any staff?"
"...Staff?"
"Yeah, staff."
As the girl's eyes sparkled, the staffer stammered in confusion.
"W-Well... it's newly built, so we're short on hands..."
"Great! Hire me then!"
"P-Pardon?"
"I'm strong and a hard worker! Just leave it to me!"
The girl wheedled insistently. The staffer, dazed for a moment, sighed.
"Well... we haven't posted notices yet, so pay isn't set. Come back after we check the budget..."
"No pay needed."
"Huh?"
The girl cut her off firmly, leaving the staffer flustered.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not doing this for money."
"Th-Then... why...?"
To the baffled staffer, the girl replied calmly.
"I'm an orphan too. I know their pain better than anyone."
"Ah..."
Catching the staffer off guard, the girl closed her eyes and continued softly.
"My dream is to give hope to every orphan in the empire. This is my first step."
Finishing, she flashed a pure, innocent smile. Moved, the staffer gently stroked her head.
"...The empire has another saintess."
"You're too kind."
Blushing shyly, the girl turned and pointed inside.
"Are the kids in there?"
"Yes. Shall I introduce you?"
"Of course!"
Nodding, the girl followed as the staffer took her hand and led her in, beaming warmly.
"Hello!!"
The playing children bowed in unison to the staffer, who gazed at them fondly.
"...The kids seem pretty lively?"
"Yes, around this time they are. My little sister was the same..."
"You have a sister?"
The girl cocked her head curiously, and the staffer smiled faintly.
"Yeah, a cute one at the Imperial Academy now. She's my most precious treasure."
"Oh? I'll enter the academy next year too."
"Really?"
As they chatted about the academy, someone approached.
"...Want some candy?"
A little boy offered the girl candy with sparkling eyes.
"Thanks."
Smiling, she took it and patted his head. He blushed crimson and scampered off.
"Is that kid from here too?"
"No, he has lots of friends here and just visits to play."
"I see..."
Staring intently at the boy, the girl asked softly,
"So, where are these kids from?"
"Mm... mostly beggars from the market alleys."
"Yet they're surprisingly 'healthy'?"
"Yeah, oddly they had some money... and signs of good care..."
Chin in hand thoughtfully, the staffer ventured cautiously,
"Maybe from a failed orphanage, forced onto the streets?"
"...Something like that."
"Pardon?"
"Ah, yeah, I think so too."
Suddenly stiffening and staring into space, the girl corrected herself and asked,
"This place won't shut down, right?"
"No idea why, but funding's pouring in. Good for us."
"I see..."
Scanning the orphanage with satisfaction, the girl drew a nod from the staffer, who then asked quietly,
"...You sure about no pay?"
"Huh?"
"Even a little..."
"No, it's fine."
Cutting her off decisively again, the girl smiled crookedly.
"Like I said, not about money."
Bowing politely, she added,
"See you tomorrow. Something came up today."
"Okay, tomorrow then!"
Waving as the girl headed out, the staffer called after her suddenly.
"Oh, wait... what's your name?"
Pausing stock-still, the girl turned with a faint smile.
"...Call me Ruby."
With that, she flung open the door, exited the orphanage, and strolled lightly down the street.
"Frey Raon Starlight..."
Stopping abruptly, she gazed skyward again and murmured low.
"...You really were the hero, after all."
A chilling smile spread across her face.
......
"Sis!! I shared all my candy!!"
Shortly after the girl left, the boy who'd given her candy ran to a girl with a beaming smile.
"Good job."
Patting his head, she frowned puzzledly and asked the person beside her,
"Master, is there magic that floats letters and numbers in the air?"
"...Zzz."
"Master?"
But the old man beside her was deep asleep. She shook him vigorously.
"Master...! You said ask anytime I had questions...!"
"Yaaawn..."
Woken forcibly, the elder rubbed his eyes and grumbled grumpily.
"Ugh... damn brats... I hate whiny kids..."
"I'm a kid too?"
"Not you."
Correcting himself at her pouty tone, he prompted her to repeat.
"So, magic for floating letters and numbers in air?"
"Sure, hundreds to thousands exist."
"Hmm..."
"That's it? Then I'm sleeping again. Next time, finish your business here first."
As the girl sank into thought, the elder scratched his head, muttered that, and dozed off anew.
"Weird... no one else saw it... Just that lady? But why can't I see it clearly?"
As he began snoring again, Glare—who'd dropped by the orphanage to see friends—muttered to herself, head tilted.
"Anyway..."
Deep in contemplation, she soon cocked her head again.
"...What's the 'Path of Hypocrisy' mean?"