Chapter 215
gd2WThe inside of the laboratory was ordinary.SET34M
d1rmDb4Bookshelves were crammed with all kinds of books, and magical reagents mixed with empty flasks were scattered everywhere.iCwDy
edJ9The walls and the blackboard were covered in magical formulas, and the exhausted assistants dragged themselves around like the undead.oeBp9g
MxZ“Welcome, student Aint. Student Aria is over there.”8glrfC
VpttgGDominique, looking haggard and buried under reagents and magic stones, greeted him.u4SzIC
mX80mDIn the direction he pointed, Aria stood with a vacant stare, surrounded by spirits.MqExLW
32080Aint asked for permission and approached her.uJJkzS
k9a“Aria.”Wy2H5nr
ZboAh0OAs expected, she didn’t respond the first time. He touched her shoulder and offered her a sweet.vQh4hO
6kSX7a“…Oh, Aint? What are you doing here?”9fcb9ub
zgVNRv“I was passing by. Saw you and thought you might want something to eat while working.”bP4J97F
m2E85“Candy? Thanks. I really needed this.”XFl0
fh7IJ5After receiving the packet, Aria went right back to work.Q1Mijyq
jDpaaNqAint considered saying a few more things, but seeing her so absorbed, he decided against it.svN
kylq8“Student Aint, could you come over here?”NEj
a1DqK“Yes, professor.”kyje
LtgVT7Dominique hastily cleared a chair filled with books and papers to make space for him.leT4D
W7F“Thank you for allowing me into the lab. I understood it was taboo to let outsiders in…”Em7
n5UWi“Don’t worry. What we’re doing now isn’t really research—more like final preparations for the firework festival.”Paw
JbWQghHe clarified that there wasn’t anything too sensitive going on, so Aint was free to observe.XaSIMe9
u2Qtb“You can’t imagine how much student Aria has helped me. Thanks to her, we’ll be ready just in time for tomorrow’s fireworks.”UsN
3Pcd“I see.”FCNRg1
TjplObjectively, Aria was an excellent mage. And now, worn out and sleep-deprived, she was giving it her all, which explained the results.r6eNris
5fkJ8“But she looks very tired.”ym8
zZg“The deadline is tomorrow, so we’ve had to push ourselves a bit. I’m just grateful Aria accepted without complaint. That’s why I let you in—to give her a bit of a break.”REpa
oqkFMzg“She seems even more passionate than you…”lDLQqz
CfX7“She is.”Zp7eDU
CpBAria, as if she had already forgotten Aint, continued inscribing magical seals, eyes bloodshot and wide open.iPLu
Sc2P“I also saw the Saintbird. From here, I could see it flying high in the sky. It was truly beautiful.”GZHAa
1XoHG“Really?”kwHlx
mhO2“Yes. Watching the Saintbird soaring through the sky reminded me of the Empire itself. That’s why I want to reflect it in the fireworks.”1jO58
3Ds“So I inspired you?”tiOGHnS
BLq“You could say that. I originally had a different idea, but I changed it midway. That’s another reason we’ve been so busy.”IWklWmB
jJzibX6That made Aint feel a little guilty toward Aria.3Kg3
CzxAO“It will be quite the spectacle. The firework Saintbird will move as if it’s alive.”Q21FwW4
vTMFyFor that, they needed spirits: they would be the ones embodying the Saintbird and flying through the sky.OrmBb53
7wN“It really will be a show.”FLB
R3ZCR“Yes, it will. Make sure you watch it.”sqgnt
AKeMclB“Of course.”jwQMZNa
pb1“Oh, it’s unlikely, but if you’re curious, feel free to look around the lab.”uwAst
YHTR“Really? I can?”sju
Sidz“Of course. In fact, I’d like you to. Since you inspired this work, maybe you can give some input on how different the firework Saintbird is from the one you raise.”w1NLs
fYLhxDominique stood up and guided him to the blackboard, showing and explaining things personally.eb24I8O
iRxD7jaIt was covered in formulas so complex that just looking at them gave Aint a headache. The only thing he could make out was a drawing in one corner—the Saintbird.Wl0cqqH
R1vot“You draw well.”iM6CKG
keFG8YT“Student Aria did that. She said she trusted her observations.”v6TrID7
fzhlgOWPerhaps because of her good eye for detail, the Saintbird looked very lifelike.zoc
MAt8CA“Can you imagine what the sky will look like tomorrow night?”XwY5
s2zf“…Well, that…”5Uc
8WREpvjHe didn’t know. It was all too complex for him, so he changed the subject quickly.Yclr
CeipzEB“Can I look around a bit elsewhere? There are some interesting things.”UguVvhv
Naa99“Of course, that’s why I let you in. Ask anything you like.”R6zK
hxiDhwDominique smiled as he returned to his desk.s1F
XXlAint began slowly inspecting the lab.qt22A1h
Dkb0Though in truth, it wasn’t very meaningful.Ks4Lrk
JeBFcrc— Maybe because I’m not a mage, but I don’t see anything special.qQuonX3
xvREa‘I don’t either.’U6UsA
BcYThe entire time, he stayed alert, searching for traces of demonic magic, or any circle, seal, or inscription linked to it.fdCa
USRHe checked the professor, the documents, the blackboard, the walls—even the assistants.FM7
B1FUNothing seemed suspicious.Sbfs2
9aaY‘This is hard. Maybe because I don’t understand magic. The best thing would be to talk to Aria, although…’J0e8M
7cOx5— In that state? She couldn’t help you. If Fernan were here, he’d definitely find a way.SUGrKt
lr17iDAint let out a very soft sigh, just enough that Dominique wouldn’t notice.sycEyc4
XyrYa‘It’d be ideal to check Professor Dominique directly…’ebz7yEH
aLo6— Don’t even think about it. If he’s not a corrupt, you’ll be in big trouble.vTp
GY0LK‘Right.’raIFH
dSLAKu— Though look at that.nCv
lEhWwTWhat caught their attention was a book on the shelf.EybT
C2rw— Doesn’t it look like the one Abel had? The one from the Cult of the Dragon God? Same with Roderick.Wsb9J
TgL4rAt first glance, it didn’t stand out—the black cover with golden engravings could be found anywhere.7nvDj
8NmkBUnlike Abel and Roderick’s books, which were dark blue and dark red, this one was completely black.KJ3f5UD
TOKsHhAint couldn’t say why, but it unsettled him. Maybe because the golden patterns looked too familiar.UiFt
KPvY0avHe felt an increasing urge to check it. But the book was right behind Dominique. He couldn’t risk asking for it so directly.zFM2
ne0ZO0And if it really was that book, and Dominique was part of the corrupt…ExpxX
Lp36Y“It’s time. Let’s eat.”ZHlD8
MJI7iL3Dominique clapped his hands, snapping the assistants out of their focus.ewqd9
O2S“We’re all heading out now. Why don’t you have lunch with student Aria too?”q437
wGr247“…Alright.”dwz
a2mrSaying he wanted to stay alone in the lab reading was out of the question.qeB9Eq
xGsN***eun
YRJE8zIs this obsession?2V2BtY
fxCksREver since he saw that book, Aint could think of nothing else but confirming what it was.HK59F
eAE— What if you sneak in at night?m2Q
iT3i‘That’s insane. It wouldn’t be just disciplinary action—I’d get expelled.’6C3
RTKsTNt— Then use Aria as an excuse to get back in. She’s exhausted every day. If you sneak a look, she might not even notice.sJi
IW9‘But today’s the end of the festival. Do you think it’s even possible? After the fireworks, they’ll return to real research.’UeffVi
qC5GWN— That’s the problem.NqMUd
6YaKWhether Dominique was a corrupt or not, he would never allow Aint to see his real research.RiaGpgE
VAC‘If only the director were here, I could ask him…’tIOnwvI
ABENli— Or even Fernan…6N7
OlCHsAs Aint and Gardner lamented their absence, the opportunity unexpectedly presented itself.6BaVb0
JC0“An invitation?”FjkU
CZB6“Uh-huh, an invitation.”jqX
KTDAria, finally freed from the hellish lab, stuffed a handful of candies into her mouth.Rzw3
8J2uu8B“Professor Dominique’s lab has the perfect view for the fireworks. It’s got a huge window enchanted with magic.”i36U
QxPC“And?”WJ84IC
Ppks4lh“Professor Dominique, the assistants, me, and Professor Ladina are planning to watch the show there together. He said if you want, you can come too. Haaaaam, that’s what he said.”J9r
OnwldCHe wanted to hear Aint’s opinion directly, since Aint had inspired the recreation of the Saintbird.klCfi
Inlh“What do you say?”xGch
spHyYcJ“I’ll go.”jtU5
WVKAint had no reason to refuse—he was planning to return to the lab to check that book anyway.hTe
jZAoy“Then come to the lab at seven.”Cfu5hA
EQBBP“Alright.”EZfk
8ka89w“I’m gonna get some real sleep. I need it.”vhgr
F1I61Yj“Didn’t you sleep the whole day two days ago?”nwQ
xKhfAl“That wasn’t me—it was weird. I don’t even remember sleeping, and I only felt more tired.”qiG
kmVdVAria yawned deeply and left.d12
FOlVi2F— Good opportunity.gzaWwVA
FXFKYs3‘Yes, a good opportunity.’x9YoQUO
VNAdEverything was going far too smoothly, which made it suspicious, but if he missed this chance, he didn’t know when another would come.wf6HkPJ
hQXv1dAnd if Dominique truly was the core producing corrupts within the Academy, then that meant a constant threat.DFAdU
gtJikOg— Exactly. To catch a tiger, you have to enter its den.FlQRh
QRMUq— Facing corrupts and demons always comes with risk. If you run too much, you’ll just end up dancing to their tune.pHTr2o1
NQVZBc“Understood.”HTSwF
Ts0In any case, he didn’t go in unprepared.FUNwHt
2STQiHe packed potions, stimulants, and holy water Fernan had given him into his subspace bag.0wxF
eKz“This ends it. It’s the last day, so I’m calling it here. Consider your punishment closed.”hVW5U
Jlx“Thank you.”RTbS
P48R“Don’t forget your promise to come help now and then.”vhJYonY
DcwpU“Of course.”uEND5m
sPg“See you, Aint. Hehe, watching a student from the Knight Department dragging himself here was fun.”omh161
3wPoc“If you want to do some research, come anytime. You’re more than welcome.”RfS
k1Y“…I’d rather not.”Fcxx
01eWith the morning’s work done, his punishment was over.2OAE87d
tn0RfAfter lunch and a short farewell, Aint headed straight to the training grounds to sharpen his senses, just in case.yjX2JII
Igj4He repeated sword drills and meditation.nge
VA83‘Should I ask senior Luina? Or Jace?’5xA
3CQJ— What if it turns out to be true that he’s a corrupt?0l7HN
ObW— If you have no proof and involve others, they might discover you and you’d get sanctioned again.93T
iVfDAint trusted that he could escape if something happened.zkV
KCduwTime passed quickly.2jDW
AceByAt six, just as the sunset was fading, Aint headed to the lab an hour earlier than planned.SsyA
OAfL“Anyone here?”6bp
jWlHe knocked several times, but no one responded. On the fifth try, the doorknob turned and the door opened.85nTq
HfFIkk‘It’s not locked.’LzkCh
NVQ— Excellent. Let’s check it now.dgPsm
dyuDmThe lab was still a mess, full of leftover materials from the fireworks research, but there was no sign of anyone.btw2vA
0UABAint moved with extreme caution.1Qnuf
3FrDLTap, tap…mxGwyU
I2JF18bEven so, each step felt thunderous.h7D0
XkARustle—Zwvae
HpmoEven the sound of paper fluttering in the wind made him uneasy.1xBJKf3
2K2bnq8Clink—Y95Zbm0
nfuGZdEmpty flasks rolling on the ground frayed his nerves.lDbOnt
pjhN7pe— I told you to move quietly!EySQi
KYjj‘I’m being as quiet as I can!’8oJ3c9A
kauQ— With that noise, you’d wake up the entire Ravidus Hall! It’s like thunder!r97j
XPAfV‘It’s not that loud!’qJFejL
88PvIn truth, he wasn’t making much noise; it was just paranoia amplifying it all.XQADVR
nA6CHmAint took twice as long as usual to reach his target.DvZW
2C0Luckily, the book was still in its place.BmLazg5
IORfeHe carefully pulled it out and opened it.Mti
RIr0cK“……!”2xTQmnO
GO0U5wCompletely blank pages. Nothing written.zFrycqh
tiURdZ— …Check again.GcpE
kOplUUJCarefully, Aint released a bit of aura.INv84
LduuRIf the book had torn or been damaged, he would have discarded it. But, like Roderick’s, it didn’t react at all.VePHl5
Wlx— …It’s a corrupt’s book.0ajphC
7Qytbhq‘Then Professor Dominique really is…?’wGT
xmtkLjnAt that moment.dKuoOg9
xBcq“Student Aint?”8C1H1
yXVA soft, clear voice stopped him.6nk
Mt0lrA chill ran down his spine.8nN
PDLtPHe turned his head slowly, the book still open in his hands.03K6in
yMGJ“…So you saw it.”lJd7U
e6gDominique Colsner was smiling.Je3Ae
ofFAint’s skin crawled.3Uig
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