' Next time.... '
Isabella's last words kept repeating in my head like a broken record.
" I wonder what she will show me... "
As I closed my eyes wishing to delve into the possibilities, a slightly teasing voice came from my side
" To whom it is you may be talking to master? "
waking me up from my pleasant daydreams' albert handed me the pile of papers he was holding, those same old eyes looking at me again
' Damn it '
" You shouldn't curse so much master "
' What the... ??? '
" You aren't quite the actor when struck by love "
Deciding to move on from the topic, I quickly moved to my office as I began to reading the documents, and the further I read the greater the headache I was developing started to grow.
" Connect me with Lord merlin "
' This time it was my turn to question him '
.....
" The plan was for the trip to be on the 11th week, exactly one week before the third month of enrolment, they spend the week and have fun after the gruelling mid-term exams
Yet here you are asking me to have them here by the 4th and not only that, but you wish to change it so that the second and third years also attend with them!??? "
At the moment I was questioning our academy's headmaster who seemed to have forgotten to tell me about some changes that occurred, but all I got instead was the calm face of merlin who sat in silence as he waited for me to calm down.
After a moment of silence which I used to gather my breath, merlin who been silent all this time finally decided to speak up
" I know this seems sudden however you must understand that we had no choice "
" I know that already, I want a reason just so I can force myself to do this " I said trying to rationalize his decision however his next words made my entire blood run cold
" There is intel that a rank 1 demon is descending "
" What... "
" And the place of descent is close to the academy "
" No... no wait a second "
I stopped merlin from explaining any further as I brought my hand to my head
' Discovering the descent of a rank 1 demon should have happened by the end of the term, why is it being brought up now? '
Demons were categorized from rank 9 (weakest) to rank 1 (strongest) in accordance with humans who ranked from F to SS
It was not a major event as our great headmaster here was able to stop it before it was completed, it was only designed to bring a sense of dread to the narrative after all, the real problem is that merlin discovered it much earlier than in the original.
' Was I too complacent, could other factors have also changed
still, the sudden change in plans still doesn't make sense. He could easily handle this without causing any noise '
Right now, though, I need to hear out the entire situation and slowly revise my plans accordingly, so looking back at merlin I gestured for him to continue.
" To tell you the truth I already knew about the summoning for over a year now "
' Excuse me... ??? '
" The offerings are transmitted to the circle and no one of suspicion ever goes near it, so I decided it would be better kept here under my surveillance where I could destroy at any time instead of having them create another one at another place where I couldn't reach "
Then shaking his head as if greatly disappointed he continued
" I was planning to destroy it by the end of the term when it was nearly complete, would have gotten those demon cultists blood boiling "
' No way
The events weren't derailed, it's just that there was hidden lore instead '
" Then what made you change your mind "
" Huh... who said I changed my plan?? "
As he said this, I felt the headache I barely suppressed starting to flare again
" You brought it up suddenly so you must have wished to do something about it even though you could take care of it quietly, isn't that why you changed the school trip plan?? "
Hearing my question merlin tilted his head slightly before slowly giving me a look of understanding as if he figured out what was missing
" I don't plan on doing anything at the moment with the demon summoning, I just thought it would help explain the real reason for changing the trips plan "
" The real reason? "
" Yes, to weed out the traitor "
' Oh, you mean Professor Dexter '
Is what I shouldn't say, so instead I slowly brought my hands to my mouth covering it as I gave him a look full of shock
" A traitor in the academy?? "
" Yes, I had my suspicions since the appearance of the summoning, I was just waiting for him to slip and thanks to you he did "
" Me?? " I asked this time actually confused
" Other than blood and sacrifices descents can be powered by negative emotions and you helped create a rather large pool of it "
" Ah "
" Well because of that I could feel the subtle manipulation that pointed towards where the first year's teachers were seated, though it disappeared as fast as it came making it hard to distinguish who, so I thought to... "
" You want to use the students as bait "
before merlin could continue I interrupted him having already understood what he was planning
" You are planning to set the stage so that he would attempt to attack the cadets hoping to kill one of them to decrease their morale, breaking down their spirits and turning the entirety of the academy as constant food for the demon, first their emotions next their vitality "
' Exactly what he was planning in the original novel '
" With the current mood in the academy, me stating a surprise trip won't seem so odd "
" You would be right, if you weren't sending them to cause of said mood "
" The territory arcane is one of the most talked about places currently, not to mention the fact they had recently caught a traitor of humanity "
" Do you really think I would change my mind because of an empty promise of fame? "
' Dexter was never the problem, it's that guy who I can't mess around with, even with the change of schedules he would still appear and currently I am not ready without any of the tools that I need '
" I'm sorry however I canno... "
But as I was about to firmly refuse Merlin's plan the sudden appearance of a check with an impossibly long row of numbers was displayed in front of me
" This should help with all the expenses shouldn't it "
at that moment I realized something
' If money can't fix it, then you simply don't have enough '
" Make the announcement, tell them that arcane shall greet them with open arms "
Giving me a curious look, merlin simply nodded his head as a soft laughter escaped him
" I presume you would be busy till the day of the trip "
" Yes, I would most probably not be able to attend, still I will send Christine back though albert will be watching over from afar "
" You won't keep her at the arcane estate? "
Merlin asked curiosity flickering in his eyes
" What? "
" Ah, well I just thought you would be too worried to leave her alone "
' What does he think I am '
" No, any more of this and she might be labelled as a delinquent because of me and even with everything I am more than sure that Isabella would take care of her, not to mention Elizabeth who seemed completely attached to her "
Christine must attend her lectures for her sake more than anyone else's, while she is with Isabella and Elizabeth, she would be able to feel a level of normalcy someone like me can't give. Listening to my response merlin let out a brief smile as he stood up from his desk
" I see, then there is nothing more to say, if anything happens make sure to contact me,
I'll keep in touch Lord Arcane "
With that the call ended as I quickly called upon albert
" What do you want to do first master? "
" Albert, if you have a lot of money then is it not common sense to splurge?
Contact all the high-end merchants, shops and workers by the end of this month the arcane territory would have a total redo "
Writing down all that needed to be done, I could see Albert's face turn slightly pale, but I didn't stop even when the total expenses surpassed even the annual income of the estate
' At the moment I am filthy rich after all '