[117] An Unexpected Guest (2)
"Oh? You lot, what are you still doing here? Aren't you leaving?"
Shirone and his companions, awkwardly standing, bowed and entered the conference room when Siina acknowledged them.
"Ah—we wanted to say goodbye before we left. Thank you for teaching us this semester."
The elderly teacher laughed heartily.
"Ha ha! Hearing that from the school's biggest troublemakers tickles me. In any case, you've all worked hard. Enjoy your vacation. A student should be good at playing as well as learning."
Siina poured tea for Shirone's group and offered her good wishes.
"Congratulations on all three of you advancing. Next semester will get busier, won't it? Rest is fine, but don't let your guard down. I'll be watching closely when term starts."
As always, Siina didn't let anything slide.
Still, for a teacher who once froze a classroom for making noise, her words were kind. The staff seemed to be relaxing now that the term was over.
"Yes, we'll do our best."
Shirone lifted his teacup and savored the tea when Sade, standing beside him, turned to Etella and asked,
"Etella, if you have time, would you like to have a meal with me…?"
Shirone nearly spat his tea out.
No matter how much of a flirt he was, to hit on a nun like that—
Etella looked flustered and waved her hands apologetically.
"I'm sorry. I'll be managing my parish over the break."
"Ah, I see. If I could be taught by a beauty like Etella, I'd join the Karsis Order on the spot."
Etella went numb. You couldn't speak to a bishop of the order like that unless you were insane.
Still, true to her devotion, she kept her manners.
"Hehe, that's a shame. Then, Sade, what will you do on holiday?"
Siina cut in.
"Hmph. I'll probably go somewhere and chase after women."
Sade's brow tightened.
Why did this woman have to pick fights about everything? She seemed unable to stop herself from stirring trouble even on the last day of term.
Knowing that losing his temper would be a defeat, Sade shrugged as if nothing had happened.
"Ha ha, falling in love at this age isn't something to be ashamed of. I'm actually worried about you, Siina. With that prickly personality, you'll have a hard time finding someone."
"What did you say?"
"What do you mean? I mean you're not attractive. It's obvious. You've never dated a man, have you? That's because you're so prickly."
Siina narrowed her eyes and snapped.
"Don't make assumptions! I've dated men before!"
The teachers all turned toward Siina at once, surprised by the unexpected outburst.
Shirone and the others—who knew about her painful relationship with Armin—were taken aback as well.
"Teacher, really? When? Who did you date?"
Sade folded in laughter, clutching his stomach.
"Haha! Do you believe that? She's just embarrassed and covering it up. Right, Siina?"
"You mock me. I really have dated someone!"
"Is that so? Then who is it? Asking for a name isn't rude, is it?"
Siina ground her teeth and glared at Sade.
She wouldn't lose, not even to him.
"Ma—"
"Ma?"
Everyone pricked up their ears.
"I dated magic."
Siina's face flared bright red.
They say when you let your guard down you say things beyond reason—this was one of those moments.
The conference room quieted as the flushed teachers averted their eyes.
Sade wanted to escape, too, but forced himself to answer.
"Ah, yes. I understand."
"Are you mocking me? I intend to devote my life to magic. Is that a bad thing?"
"No, sorry. I must have misspoken."
Sade slurped his hot tea and turned away from Siina.
Shirone and his friends covered their mouths to stifle laughter at the rare domestic scene among the staff.
"All of you didn't leave, then."
"Ah—Principal!"
Alpheas entered the conference room.
His teaching credentials had been suspended, so he'd been staying in the staff lodging, and he'd come by once most students had left.
"So the rascals are still here. You did well this semester."
"Thanks to you guiding us, Principal. We're grateful."
"Hoho, am I still principal? From next semester, a temporary principal dispatched by the Mage Association will be here. Be good to them as you were to me."
Nade's face fell.
He couldn't imagine anyone better than Alpheas taking over.
Even without saying the old hand is best, Alpheas was easily the finest principal.
"I wonder what sort of person that will be. Will next semester be harder because of it?"
"Ha ha! Could be. But be confident. What you achieved this term is tremendous. You'll do well next term, too."
As the teachers finished their tea and packed up, Shirone's group prepared to leave.
"Principal, we'll see you when school starts again."
"All right. Travel with your families and have a good rest. Oh, Shirone, can you spare a moment?"
Shirone, about to leave with his friends, turned back.
Nade pointed to the corridor with his thumb and said, "We'll be waiting outside. Hey, Shirone, we'll be in the hall."
"Okay, got it."
In the empty conference room, Shirone and Alpheas remained alone.
Alpheas' expression was unusually serious, and Shirone tensed, waiting.
"I asked to see you because of Miro."
"Ah, I see."
Shirone pictured Miro.
Even though things had been hectic after their promotion was confirmed, her presence still lingered strongly in his mind.
"I'm curious. Do you still want to investigate Miro further?"
"Yes. I'll have to talk with my parents, but I'll try to make time. It's vacation anyway—if not now, I might not get the chance."
"I see. It'll be a good experience."
Alpheas readily agreed, but a sour look lingered on his face.
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"
Alpheas finally spoke his mind.
"No—actually, I wanted to ask you something. How was Miro's condition at the time?"
"Condition… you mean her mental state?"
"Yes. Not only mentally, but I want to hear in detail how you saw Miro."
Shirone recalled the events.
Though their meeting had been brief, it was such a major incident that he even remembered the small things they'd said.
"Hmm. Thinking back, her emotions seemed to shift quickly. I chalked it up to her being mysterious at the time."
"How much? Was it serious?"
"No, not that bad. Although there were moments that felt a bit eerie."
Alpheas exhaled softly.
Shirone's short account conveyed a complex emotion that the principal's own long life couldn't easily name.
"Did she seem lonely, Miro?"
"At the time I asked that too, and Miro said that gods do not feel loneliness. That's what she said."
"Gods don't feel loneliness. Hmm."
A shadow passed over Alpheas' face.
Perhaps Miro had wanted to convey that through Shirone.
'No—was she sending that to them…?'
Shirone watched Alpheas closely.
What could have happened to make him so grave?
But having promised not to pry too deeply, he didn't press further.
"If it worries you that much, I won't investigate the ruins."
Alpheas blinked and shook himself out of his thoughts. He'd been lost in them with someone sitting opposite him.
"What? No. The Kergo Ruins are a tourist spot—go if you get the chance. You'll at least get a rough idea of the world Miro lives in."
"So you're saying there really might be secrets there? But it's a tourist site."
"Ha ha! It wouldn't be fun if I told you everything. Just don't let your guard down. I allowed the investigation because I trust your abilities."
Shirone realized there was a sting in the principal's words.
Alpheas was the sort of adult who let students run free—but because of that, he could be a mischievous sort who'd wink at a reasonable risk.
"All right. I'll investigate thoroughly."
After bidding Alpheas farewell, Shirone left the conference room and met his friends waiting in the corridor.
"Shirone, what did you talk about?"
"About Miro, the person you told me about."
"Ah, you said you were curious about that person, right? The Kergo Ruins, was it?"
"That's right. After what the principal said, I'm even more curious. I'll find time to go."
"Too bad. We'd have liked to go with you."
"No. You should spend the break with your families."
"Tch, we're not kids—who said that? If I don't go home I'll nearly die, that's the problem."
Nade stuck out his tongue as if the idea alone was horrific.
Iruki was in the same boat. With her father head of the Thunder Guild, she couldn't act recklessly outside.
"Still, I'm really curious. Miro being president of our research club means she was basically my senior, right? Maybe she was watching over me too."
Iruki crushed Nade's innocent fantasy.
"Shirone said it. If you don't enter the Immortal Function, contact itself is impossible. She's probably staying in some intermediate dimension between our world and hers."
"Aww, I wanted to go and introduce myself."
"Well, maybe before you die you'll get to see her. Anyway, it's time to part. Take care, everyone."
Three carriages waited where Iruki pointed.
The most eye-catching was the brilliant double-horse carriage sent by the Merkodain family.
"Oh ho—first-rank nobility. Different class altogether."
"Shut up. It's all wasteful spending. And that thing is slow as molasses, too."
The three friends exchanged farewells.
They'd see each other again soon, but when the time to part came, a wave of melancholy hit them.
"Shirone, Iruki. I'll miss you. This is the first time I've hated a vacation this much."
"Are you sure you'll be okay? Can you hang in there?"
Iruki asked with concern.
Knowing what kind of family Nade came from, she could imagine how terrified he might be.
But surprisingly, Nade smiled brightly.
He seemed different from last semester—carrying many happy memories from meeting Shirone.
"No problem. I'll regroup, and from next term I'll really know how to enjoy myself. Stay healthy and take care."
The three who'd shared half a year of joy and sorrow walked to their respective carriages, waving.
"All right! See you on opening day!"
* * *
A week earlier.
Like other sword schools, the Kaizen School of Swordsmanship had finished its first-half training.
Rian had received the worst report card, but his naturally optimistic nature kept his step light as he headed home.
He wanted to return to his hometown immediately, but he had to pick up his things from his sister's house, so he was bound for the royal palace.
'Damn it, I have to see that witch again. If I'd known, I'd have left my things at Grandfather's. She'll try to kill me when she sees this report card.'
Rian hoped Reina would be out and pushed open the mansion door.
True to a palace-recognized artist, the mansion was large and ornate, but to Rian it was just an unnecessarily long hallway.
He crept through the hall like a cat, but his hopes were crushed by a loud piano.
"Damn! She's home?"
The piano was so loud it swallowed his voice.
Reina sat at the grand piano in the corner of the hall, lost entirely in her playing.