Chapter 29

After Frontier left,

Dawud stared at the magic circle Frontier had drawn for a long time without saying a word.

Sibel stood by his side, keeping watch.

"...Dad, are you still looking at it?"

"Hmm."

At Sibel's words, Dawud pointed to a corner of the magic circle with his finger.

"He's called Frontier, right? This is where he started drawing the magic circle."

The location was at the edge of the open space.

Frontier began drawing the magic circle with his dagger from there, forming its shape.

"And as I said, he drew a very large magic circle. Right here in this open space."

"Yeah, it's impressive that you can remember a magic circle of this size in such detail, right?"

"That's true. But there's one more thing."

"One more thing?"

Dawud looked at Sibel as if giving her a problem.

"Sibel, if you were to draw a magic circle, where would you start? Especially one this large."

"...Hmm, from the center?"

"That's right. That's usually the case. It's the best way to maintain the balance of the magic circle. But Frontier started from the edge. He drew the outer part first and then filled in the inside. Why do you think that is?"

"...Well, I don't know?"

Sibel tilted her head, completely at a loss.

Dawud said,

"Frontier knew the exact range and spacing of the entire magic circle. He drew it without a single error, almost filling the entire open space. Do you understand how absurd that is?"

This goes beyond mere memory.

It's not just about remembering the shape and symbols of the magic circle in detail, but also about remembering the overall size, the spacing between each symbol, and their positions, almost like a blueprint.

"I'm not sure if I should call this memory. If we call this 'memory,' then what people have been doing until now can't even be called memory."

"..."

Sibel gaped in amazement.

It was impressive enough that he could remember the entire shape of the magic circle, but to have all the spacing and measurements in his head...

"Hmm, at first, I thought you had brought a dispirited boy here."

"Ah, yeah?"

"You've made a good choice."

Sibel's face turned bright red instantly.

"That's not what I meant! I've told you that many times!"

"Don't be embarrassed. I'm also starting to see that boy in a different light. But even so, my mind isn't completely changed. We need to do something about those sleepy eyes of his..."

"Why do you understand everything else but not this!"

Ding dong.

Whether it was good or bad timing, the doorbell rang just then.

"Hmm, a guest. I'll be right back."

"Fine! I'll go!"

Sibel walked to the door with a voice still tinged with anger.

'Really, what am I supposed to do about my dad's nonsense!'

When she opened the door,

a man stood in front of her, someone Sibel didn't know.

"Hello, are you Sibel Forte?"

"..., Ah, hello? Are you here to see my father?"

"No, I'm here to see you, Miss Sibel."

"Me?"

Sibel tilted her head, looking at the man who smiled gently.

His voice was kind, and his face looked harmless, like a herbivorous animal.

"Excuse me for the intrusion. I am such a person."

The man took out a business card and handed it to Sibel.

Sibel checked the card.

[Serf Daniel]

- Indus Member No. 9

"Indus...?"

Sibel stared at the unfamiliar name.

"Yes. Have you heard of it? Indus is an organization founded to oppose the aristocratic sense of superiority."

"...What does Indus want from me?"

At Serf's words, Sibel recalled what Indus was.

In the world of Etheus, where class distinctions exist, discrimination due to these classes is always a problem.

Most people don't even recognize this discrimination as such, but Indus was a group that felt the injustice of the discrimination practiced by the nobility and the royal family and raised their voices for improvement.

This organization is open to any commoner, not just Constel students. The man in front of her, Serf, was probably not a Constel student either; he looked to be in his thirties.

To Sibel, Indus was neither good nor bad. She had never been particularly interested in it.

However, as a commoner, she didn't think the existence of such an organization was bad.

"Let me be straightforward. Would you consider joining our Indus?"

"Me?"

Because of this, she didn't have strong feelings either way about the proposal.

It was unexpected, but it didn't feel bad. She might join, or she might not, depending on her mood.

But her thoughts changed with Serf's next words.

"Right now, you can participate in the 'revolution.'"

"Revolution?"

"Yes. A revolution to abolish all unjust discrimination and achieve complete fairness and equality."

Sibel's mind raced.

It felt intense somehow.

It seemed Serf was deliberately making her feel this intensity, which made it even more so.

"...What exactly does this revolution entail?"

"If you join us, you will naturally find out."

What a cheesy line.

As a commoner, something came to mind.

The Edwin von Behrtio golem incident. He used a golem to assault many students.

However, it was revealed that many students had organized to torment Edwin. The reason was simply that he was a 'fallen' 'noble.' The name of that organization was 'Actober.'

Could this Indus be planning something similar?

"Do you do anything subversive at Indus?"

"Subversive, you say?"

"Like targeting a noble to eliminate discrimination?"

Sibel didn't mince her words.

Serf looked troubled but still smiled.

"We aim to amplify the power and voice of the commoners."

"Do you, or don't you?"

At Sibel's sharp question, Serf's smile deepened.

"─That method is also one of our strategies."

"I decline your offer. Thank you for coming all this way. Please leave."

Sibel bowed politely, more than necessary.

Serf sighed as if it couldn't be helped and turned around. Sibel watched his unwavering steps silently.

As he was leaving, Serf suddenly said,

"By the way, there's something I should tell you."

The side profile of Serf speaking was hard to read due to the shadows.

"Using your words,"

But he was definitely still smiling.

"Our next 'target' is Frontier de Loach."

"...What did you say?"

"I'm just letting you know."

With that, Serf left.

Sibel felt an indescribable sense of discomfort creeping around her cheeks.