Seeing Yuris escape, Helen was certain.
There was definitely something in that illusion theater.
Something inside that could bring down the Iron-Blooded Knight.
Perhaps that's why.
Today, she couldn't focus at all during her academy classes.
"I can't concentrate."
How could she?
When a clue to defeating the Iron-Blooded Knight was right within her grasp.
If a member of the Sylvester family could bring down the Iron-Blooded Knight, the family's prestige would surely rise even further.
She had investigated the illusion theater herself, but found nothing substantial.
Even using the Sylvester family's informants yielded no results.
"All we know is that it's a mysterious shop run by an illusion mage. There's no information since no customer other than Yuris has visited."
"I heard it's a student Droken enrolled in the magic department. They called him a young genius, but there's also a report that he switched to illusion magic."
"Should we go in ourselves?"
But if the Sylvester informants went in, it was obvious they'd arouse suspicion from either the Iron-Blooded Knight or the illusion mage.
So she had the informants withdraw.
She heard the shop had been open for nearly three weeks now.
Yet Yuris was supposedly the only customer.
There's definitely something going on.
"I planned to investigate more before visiting…"
But I need to go now.
If the target is elusive, there's only one option left.
Break through directly.
She would go inside and find out exactly what Yuris was doing.
After class, Helen sprang from her seat.
That's when it happened.
"Uh, um, Miss Sylvester…"
A shabbily dressed male student approached her.
Though he wore the same academy uniform signifying they were in the same department, unlike Helen's pristine attire, his clothes were tattered in places.
Even in the same uniform, there was a clear difference in status.
The department loner.
Not only was he from a humble family, but his timid personality meant he didn't fit in with anyone in her department—a total loser.
Even his unkempt appearance made him look unattractive.
He was the classmate she despised most in the department.
Of course, it wasn't his face that made her hate him.
A lowly family.
Tattered uniform.
An unkempt face.
These three things deeply irritated her, someone who pursued perfection.
How could someone walk around looking like that?
Disgustingly.
She glared at the boy, covering her nose with a handkerchief.
"What do you want?"
"W-Well, um, it's just…"
"Speak quickly. Don't stutter."
"Uh, about the liberal arts assignment we got today… could we, um, do it together?"
Hah.
Annoying.
It infuriated her that such a pathetic boy dared to speak to her.
Did he think they were equals just because they were both academy students?
"Get lost. Stop hovering around."
"S-Sorry…"
At her sharp words, the department loser backed off, head bowed.
Even that sight was unpleasant to her.
"What bad luck. Today's an important day, too."
As if she couldn't stand breathing the same air as the loser who dared approach her, she covered her mouth with the handkerchief and stormed out of the lecture hall.
She could hear other students snickering.
They were mocking the loser who dared to approach the greatest spirit summoner genius, a Sylvester.
Such mockery from losers meant nothing to Helen.
She hurriedly headed to the shop.
Glancing around in case Yuris showed up.
"There's definitely a clue here."
To catch a tiger, you have to enter its den.
Taking a deep breath, Helen knocked on the door.
Knock knock.
She got straight to the point with the mage who appeared.
"What did Yuris do here?"
"Pardon?"
As expected, a troubled expression.
The illusion mage named Max was sweating profusely, avoiding her gaze.
It was obvious he was hiding something.
I knew it.
He didn't expect her to show up suddenly to investigate Yuris, did he?
Is he that scared of her?
I get it.
The name Iron-Blooded Knight carries a lot of pressure.
The knight who never loses, was it?
Even a young talent would fear her.
But you know what?
"The Sylvesters are greater."
Far above a mere knight.
Though Yuris's family, the Belethaon, was a prestigious knightly house, it was far smaller than the Sylvester marquessate.
So.
Our family must win, no matter what.
With arms crossed, Helen glared at Max and said,
"I already know everything. That Yuris came here the day she won the mock battle. And that she's a regular here."
"You knew that much?"
"Yes. So I'll be blunt. Show me what she did here."
She was asking for proof.
"If you show me, I'll make it worth your while. The Sylvester family doesn't lie."
"…That's difficult."
Hah.
This is getting annoying.
"If you're scared of Yuris's retaliation, don't worry."
"That's not it. Our shop's policy is to never disclose customer information."
"Hmph, are you siding with her?"
"No, that's not it."
"Then what?"
"I'm just a mage running a theater. I don't take sides. Who would dare defy someone from the Sylvester family?"
"You know your place."
As expected of a mage.
He knows how to read the situation.
Helen smirked at Max.
"So why won't you show me? Is it about payment? I'll give you as much money as you want. Don't mages always struggle with funds? Magic materials are expensive, aren't they?"
"…"
The mage fell silent.
Not many mages could refuse money.
Magic tools and materials for experiments were insanely costly.
Most mages who graduated from academies either became vassal mages for lords or escorted merchants to cover those costs.
This guy's no different.
They're all the same.
How dare a lowly mage like him refuse her?
"I'm sorry."
Grind.
Helen clenched her teeth.
So annoying.
People like him, who think they're something special, really get on her nerves.
Not from a famous family.
Not even trained in impressive magic.
No powerful backing, yet so stubborn.
How dare he reject my offer?
He reminded her of the loser from the academy who dared speak to her.
An idiot who doesn't know his place.
"If you won't talk, I'll have this shop razed in the name of the Sylvester family. I'll say you're deceiving people in the empire's territory under the guise of illusion magic."
"Are you serious?"
"I don't make empty threats. You know there are plenty of radical followers of the Goddess who think illusion magic is heresy, right? This place is a juicy target for them."
"…"
"Think it's impossible? I heard you sell desires. You promoted that in noble society, didn't you? Selling desires through illusion magic. Doesn't that sound like something only a demon would do?"
Feeling she had the upper hand, she smiled and beckoned with her hand.
"I'm not here to bury you. My goal is clear: the Iron-Blooded Knight, Yuris. Tell me what she saw. Then I'll overlook what you're selling here."
The mage let out a sigh.
Oh, this is fun.
Watching someone who doesn't know their place crumble as they realize it is so satisfying.
"If you insist, I have no choice. I can't show you the exact footage Yuris saw, but I can show you what kind of desires she indulged in."
Finally, we're getting somewhere.
"Show me her desires. I like that."
"Indeed."
"Good. I like it. Bring me the materials."
"I'll show you through illusion magic."
"You're telling me to enter your illusion?"
"It's the only way I can show you. I'm an illusion mage, after all."
"…"
Tch.
Annoying.
I just wanted to find Yuris's weakness and leave.
But if there's no other way, fine.
"Alright. Show me her desires."
"Before we begin."
The mage sat her down in a chair and asked,
"Are there any preferences you dislike?"
"What did you say?"
***
What an irritating woman.
Threatening me to get to Yuris didn't exactly leave a good impression.
Helen de Sylvester.
The pride of the Sylvester family.
The greatest spirit summoner who would lead the family's future.
Perhaps because she grew up surrounded by beauty, love, and attention.
"So tactless."
What kind of behavior is this from the moment we meet?
I get that she has bad feelings toward Yuris, but threatening me like this is unacceptable.
Accusing me of demonic sorcery to the church.
That's practically a declaration to ruin an entire school of magic.
Of course, even if she, a so-called prodigy, reported our shop to the "radical" believers, it wouldn't destroy the business.
No matter how much influence she has as a Sylvester, she's just a noblewoman.
Even with the Sylvester family's backing, the church wouldn't move easily at her word.
Those who consider illusion magic heresy are a minority within the church.
Far more believe such radical actions are problematic.
"Does she think I opened this shop without knowing that?"
Still, her habit of threatening people needs to be fixed.
She's so arrogant because she's always won and been adored.
She could use the experience of defeat.
She wanted it herself, didn't she?
To see the "defeat" Yuris experienced.
I didn't want to mix personal feelings into my magic.
"But if I don't, she won't back off."
It seemed necessary to tease her a bit.
I'd make her feel defeat to her core, with the thing she hates most.
"Let's begin."
Illusion magic activated, centered on Helen Sylvester.