Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Friday of the Composition Club (1)
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“That’s……”
How was I supposed to talk my way out of this?
As I pondered that, Theodor didn’t give me a moment’s respite before pressing again.
“Those are words that don’t fit in the Wooden Cross Class.”
Theodor stated it definitively.
It was an irrefutable truth, leaving no room for argument.
I just groaned and cleared the food I’d scooped onto my plate.
“There was……someone pretty exceptional, I guess.”
“No, summoning magic is an advanced form of high-level magic. If there were a cadet in the Wooden Cross Class who’d reached that level, I’d know about it.”
The most talented magic aptitudes in the academy are generally assigned to the Thorn Crown Class or the Black Lily Class.
The distinction between the two classes is simple.
If they have a foundation in black magic, it’s Thorn Crown; if in white magic, Black Lily.
Of course, there are cases where someone with exceptional magic aptitude chooses a different class based on personal beliefs, rather than the two mentioned.
But the problem, as Theodor said, was the ‘act unbecoming of their level.’
No matter how much of a genius you are, you can’t perform what you haven’t learned.
“Fine, whatever…you’re right. But couldn’t it just be a hobby or something?”
“Summoning magic has too strong a backlash to be a hobby. It’s dangerous.”
“Given how poorly it was done, maybe they gave up after trying a bit.”
“Drawing an unauthorized magic circle is a violation of academy rules.”
“……”
Being grilled by this persistent guy was more troublesome than I’d imagined.
Theodor widened the purple eye not covered by his eyepatch, rebutting every word I said point by point.
Rather than making excuses for the Composition Club I hadn’t even joined, I decided to redirect his attention elsewhere.
‘This might not be easy to brush off…’
What I was realizing now, perhaps too late, was that Theodor—despite his usual dry demeanor—had a passionate, tenacious side.
That was probably what had shaped him into the genius everyone called him today.
“Sorry, but I can only give you the vague version right now.”
“Why?”
“Because… I’m not exactly doing something aboveboard myself.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Well, I do.”
When had Theodor and I become the type to have such lengthy conversations?
We’d essentially only met for the first time on the day of that murder.
Since both Shirley and Judith knew Theodor from the Thorn Crown Class, he was clearly quite famous.
I wasn’t sure if it was good or bad that he’d gotten so tangled up with me since then.
“Anyway, all I can say is I’m racking my brain to patch things up with my friends because we’re on bad terms.”
“You’re dodging without any sincerity.”
“There’s not a single lie in that.”
“Isn’t withholding the truth also a lie?”
“Ugh~”
It felt like being bombarded with questions from a seven-year-old kid.
If I could, I’d spill everything—how I saw terrifying things in my dreams every night, and how they felt all too real, scaring me half to death.
But the advice I’d given myself, and the overwhelming, eerie presence of that otherworldly being, were both warning me against it.
“Why don’t you try lying with more effort, or better yet, not dropping any hints at all if it’s something you can’t talk about, Arma Cruise?”
“You could just not pry into my business.”
“I don’t recommend volunteering for hardship.”
“Sigh…”
Maybe it would’ve been better with the curt Eliya Allison around.
Theodor had kept quiet whenever Eliya was there, but now the backlash had hit, and he was hounding me relentlessly.
“Alright, here’s the deal. Once this is sorted, I’ve got something I want to tell you vaguely anyway. I’ll lay it all out then. How’s that?”
I pulled out my last bargaining chip.
But Theodor was stubborn.
“Is joining a club the only way to resolve this? There are plenty of clubs in the Thorn Crown Class too, even if Wooden Cross House isn’t your pick.”
He seemed intent on keeping up the interrogation until I gave in.
To cut him off, I shook my head.
“Hey, Theodor.”
A senior from another department, graduating next year, suddenly joining a Thorn Crown club?
It was absurd just to imagine.
Anyone who did that would look either like they were peddling shady goods or trying to lure some innocent weirdo into wrongdoing.
‘Hmm? Wait a sec…….’
That’s when it hit me—pretending to be intrigued might be a good way to shift his focus.
So instead of blindly shaking my head, I turned the question back on him.
“What club are you recommending?”
“Well… if you want something low-key, there’s the Venomous Plant Cultivation Club.”
“Pass. Next?”
“Ancient Rune Research Society, Rare Book Deciphering Club, or maybe Beast Agility…”
“Got it.”
Of course.
All those options made my earlier worries pointless—and they looked way too risky for casual browsing.
Contrary to my initial concerns, maybe I’d be the one in danger if I joined a new club.
Especially something like Beast Agility—I wasn’t sure I could even handle participating.
As I thought that, Theodor stared at his hands resting on his lap, his lips twitching.
‘He’s got something to say.’
He’d come here with something on his mind but was hemming and hawing about irrelevant stuff.
I had a rough guess what it was.
We’d planned to meet once Arthur woke up, but since he’d come alone, it had to be about Arthur.
I wasn’t unconcerned about the collapsed Arthur either, so I broached it first.
“So, any progress with Arthur? He woke up, but he still made it all the way to our dorm’s cafeteria. Your dorm feeds you too, you know.”
“Ah.”
Theodor looked anxious.
Quick-witted staff handed him a glass of water.
He downed it in one go and spoke.
“He woke up just before dawn today, but… there’s something bothering me, so I wanted to consult you.”
“Consult? About what?”
“Arthur’s confused right now. He’s got mild memory loss too.”
A strong shock could cause memory gaps, so it wasn’t too strange.
But that didn’t seem to be what Theodor meant.
“More than the memory loss, it’s something else, right?”
“Yes. The Arthur who woke up is definitely Arthur, but he doesn’t feel like Arthur. And yet, he’s definitely Arthur.”
Theodor added, ‘That sounds weird, doesn’t it?’
It did sound weird, but I’d experienced the exact same thing twice before.
First with Shirley, then with Arthur, just like Theodor now.
So I could fully empathize with his confusion.
‘High chance he… doesn’t remember what happened before.’
The ‘mature Shirley’ who’d appeared out of nowhere hadn’t shown up since.
And Shirley herself remembered nothing about it.
Reliving that confusion, I felt relieved that Theodor wouldn’t have to bear those emotions alone like I had.
“Got it. Uh, this might not resonate at all, but.”
“Go ahead.”
“Don’t overthink it. These things happen in life.”
Theodor just stared at me silently again.
He didn’t seem to buy it, but he didn’t argue either.
Like always, Theodor was lost in thought.
I had no idea what intense reasoning was churning in his head, but this was just how he lived.
“Understood. Anyway, it might be best if Arma Cruise doesn’t see Arthur right now.”
“Yeah, makes sense. Meeting him now, he’d just ramble incoherently.”
“Yes.”
Then Theodor stood abruptly and bowed to me.
“Have a good day.”
What an odd guy.
But his earnestness somehow made me smile.
‘He didn’t have to come report like clockwork.’
He was keeping his promise of ‘come find me when you’re better’ by checking in diligently.
I should probably tell him ‘no need to report until Arthur’s fully recovered,’ but since he didn’t seem to mind visiting, I’d let it slide.
“Thank you for the meal.”
I finished eating quickly and stood.
The staff, appearing like ghosts, swiftly cleared my dishes.
“The official meeting’s at seven on Friday, right.”
Today had major classes, draining my stamina—I was exhausted.
Even if it was routine, carrying a rifle and aiming at targets for half a day was physically taxing.
I stretched long and headed back to the dorm.
***
Two days later.
Friday came faster than expected.
With finals approaching, everyone was swamped preparing for promotion exams, so time flew by.
And I…
“……”
Had waited for seven p.m. Friday and just arrived at the annex where the club rooms were.
To prepare for any contingencies, I’d changed into a loose shirt, black pants, knee-high boots for easy movement, and strapped on my holster.
On non-major class days, I wore uniform with holster instead of gym clothes, but no one would care about my usual outfit, so it wasn’t awkward.
‘…Or would they?’
In a situation where someone from the Composition Club was likely watching me, was this too optimistic?
‘…Too late now.’
It wasn’t concealed carry; I’d been openly holstering for ages. No way I’d voluntarily ditch my protection.
‘Not doing that twice.’
Winter’s approach meant earlier sunsets.
Aegis Academy plunged into an unimaginably deep darkness at night, unlike the capital.
That’s why I’d matched black top and bottom.
Purely to blend into the dark streets unnoticed.
‘Doesn’t seem like big trouble’s coming, but just in case…’
I scanned around and slipped quickly into unlit spots.
A hat would’ve been perfect since I’d come this far.
My light hair bugged me a bit, but avoiding direct moonlight should be fine.
-Rustle.
Then, I sensed someone pushing through the woods, heading my way.
I instinctively checked my pistol, then casually turned toward the sound to avoid suspicion.
“Hello.”
“…Theodor?”
The one approaching down the path in the dead of night was none other than Theodor.