Chapter 91

October 6th, 3:30 PM.

After Professor Lionel Laspade's lecture, as I was about to head home, my classmate Quentin Wagman and another male student whose name I couldn't recall were waiting at the school gate. I asked Sharon in a low voice for the name of the male student, and she told me, "It's Mr. Elliot Wentworth." Sharon really has a good memory.

Quentin smiled and called out to me, "Mr. Lockhart, Miss Jakes, if you have some time, could you spare it for us?"

I had no plans, but Sharon had housework to do. Even though the old town is safe, I felt uneasy about letting her go home alone. Of course, if I could use magic against humans, Sharon would have the skills of any adventurer.

"I don't have much time, but I can spare about thirty minutes," I replied.

Quentin then said, "I want to ask about Mr. Laspade's class. We also want to take his class." Elliot Wentworth, standing next to him, nodded vigorously. I didn't know anything about this boy, Elliot, but I remembered he was seated fifth in the class.

(From the way things are going today, even Sharon would have a hard time keeping up. These two definitely can't manage it. But I hesitate to say that. Well, I don't think the professor will teach these two, so he'll probably turn them away directly...)

While thinking this, I asked, "Alright. Where do you want to talk?" Quentin pointed to a bench on the school grounds.

We sat on the bench, and I asked, "What do you want to know?" Elliot started talking enthusiastically.

"What did you do in the lecture? What about the practical? I heard Mr. Laspade used a high-level fire magic. Is that true?..."

He seemed to be the type who can't control himself, starting to ask endless questions. When I said, "Hold on a minute. I can't tell you everything at once," he pouted and said, "Then tell me quickly."

I thought he was a spoiled child but decided to start talking anyway.

"First, today was the first day, so I can't say if it will be the same in the future. In the lecture, there wasn't really a specific topic..."

Quentin listened seriously, while Elliot still pouted.

"...In the practical, the professor did use a magic called Hellfire Spear. It was an amazing magic. Even the upperclassmen and the practical instructor were surprised."

Quentin asked, "Did you show your magic to the professor?" I answered honestly, "I showed a Fireball, and Miss Jakes showed a magic similar to Flame Arrow."

Elliot muttered, "If Fireball is good, my Whirlwind Blade should be fine too," but I ignored him and continued.

"Today's practical was because the professor wanted to see our magic. I think he was checking our skill levels. So, I believe the next class will be different."

Quentin nodded and muttered something. Next to him, Elliot said, "Alright, I'll go ask Mr. Bennett—our homeroom teacher, Alick Bennett—and ran towards the school building. I thought Quentin would follow, but he shook his head and asked seriously, "What did you talk about with Mr. Laspade?"

I told him honestly about the importance of elemental power and imagery. Quentin's shoulders dropped.

"I guess it's too much for me. I need to catch up to your level. It's impossible for me to get the professor's guidance..."

I was surprised by his words. I thought he would be confident and believe that if we could take the professor's class, he should have the right too.

I said, "If that's all, we're going to head home." He bowed and said, "I have a favor to ask, Mr. Lockhart."

I was surprised that he, who had been so arrogant until recently, would bow to me. He continued without caring about my expression.

"I heard you go into the forest to hunt monsters. Can you take me with you?"

I had expected this conversation eventually, but I didn't think it would come up the day after I visited the Wagman family. I was a bit surprised, but my answer was already decided.

"I'm sorry, but I can't take you. I haven't seen your skills, but you probably don't have any combat experience. The northern forest is dangerous, even for professional adventurers. If you go in without combat experience, your life won't be guaranteed."

Quentin persisted, "I really need to level up," and bowed even lower.

"Then, talk to your father. Mr. Wagman is an excellent magician. If he's busy, ask him to hire excellent mercenaries as guards. I can't guarantee your safety."

Quentin seemed to realize I wouldn't change my mind and slumped his shoulders.

"I understand your urgency, but even wild dogs can be dangerous. Never go into the forest alone."

He only replied, "I know," and left.

I had a bad feeling. I was worried he might go into the forest alone. It might not be today or tomorrow, but I feared he would push himself to get stronger. I decided to inform Mr. Wagman and headed to the guild headquarters.

I could have gone to his private residence, but if Quentin was there, it would be awkward to pass a note to a servant. So, I decided to go to the guild headquarters.

I didn't plan to meet him today, thinking a busy politician wouldn't have time. I intended to pass a note. I took out a notebook from my bag and wrote a note about Quentin wanting to enter the forest and his apparent urgency to level up.

I looked for the staff member from the other day, but today's receptionist was a young man I didn't know. I decided to pass the note anyway and asked the young man to deliver it to Mr. Wagman. He said, "Sure, I'll make sure to pass it on later," and took the note with a smile.

I thought this would be fine, but the incident happened on the next day off.

We were scheduled to take Professor Laspade's class every other day, except during the busy months of December and May. We had our first class on October 6th and were supposed to have the next one on October 8th, but it was canceled due to the professor's schedule. As a result, Sharon and I went into the forest with Lidi every day from October 7th to 9th. During those three days, we reached level 8.

On the school holiday, October 10th, we planned to go into the forest again, but we decided to skip the monster hunting because we had been in the forest for three consecutive days and the weather was turning bad. I trained at the guild's training ground with Beatrice, and Sharon, who hadn't done housework in a while, focused on it. Lidi, as usual, relaxed at home.

Around 3:30 PM, we finished our training. We planned to have dinner with Beatrice, who was looking forward to a bath and a meal. As we were about to leave the training ground, chatting about the training, Mr. Wagman's butler, Cedric Stewart, called out to me.

"Mr. Lockhart, have you seen Quentin?"

When I said I hadn't, he slumped his shoulders. Upon asking for details, I learned Quentin hadn't been seen since morning and didn't show up for lunch. Worried, he had searched his friends' houses in the old town but found nothing. He had heard that Quentin might have gone into the forest with me.

He rushed to our house but found I wasn't in the forest and was at the training ground. He came here with a glimmer of hope. At the Wagman residence, Cedric, who usually looked like a proper butler, was now flustered, indicating the situation was serious.

I asked, "Does the senator know about this?" He said the senator was on a business trip and wouldn't return until the next night. I felt uneasy that the senator hadn't taken any action after reading my note, but I focused on the current situation.

"How extensive is the search? Did the classmate who said he would go into the forest with me know anything?"

Cedric shook his head.

"The search hasn't started yet. I didn't want to cause a commotion... His friend said Quentin might have gone to where Mr. Lockhart hunts monsters."

I hadn't told Quentin about monster hunting, so I doubted he knew the location.

(The most likely scenario is that he followed me and went north from home. Still, if he went home, Sharon or Lidi should have seen him. Did he not call out to them?)

I gave Cedric instructions.

"Organize a search party. You can even put an emergency request to the Adventurer's Guild. I'll go into the forest now."

Beatrice, sensing the urgency, said, "It's getting dark soon. I'll go with you."

I told Cedric again, "If Quentin returns, please contact us immediately. I'll leave Miss Jakes here."

I ran home with Beatrice. Upon arriving, I quickly explained the situation to Lidi and Sharon. Initially, Lidi, who disliked Quentin, was reluctant, but when I said I would go with Beatrice, she suddenly decided to go and started preparing.

I told Sharon, who also wanted to go,

"Mr. Wagman's butler, Cedric, might contact us. So, I want you to stay here."

Sharon, remembering her poor night vision, reluctantly agreed. Lidi and I quickly prepared, and Beatrice asked how we planned to search in the forest.

"We'll start by going north and focus on the nearby area. We'll return once it gets dark in about two hours."

Beatrice, worried about me, said, "Then, you should stay here. It's too dangerous for someone with poor night vision. Lidi and I can search."

"I'm fine. I have good night vision. I can see in the dark, so don't worry about me."

Beatrice raised her voice, "This isn't the time for jokes," but Lidi returned and said,

"Zack will be fine. He's as good in the dark as I am. Let's go quickly."

Beatrice looked at us skeptically but, seeing we weren't joking, reluctantly agreed to let me go.