Chapter 31

◈ Chapter 31: The Observer, The Solver (3)

Aidan, Leo, and Tae-si, sitting on a bench in the quiet garden, were still unable to believe what had just happened, as if it were all a dream.

Tae-si was the first to regain her composure.

"We really got away without punishment. It still feels like a dream."

"Yeah."

"Who would have thought the president would stand up for us?"

"Yeah."

Leo, who usually had sharp exchanges with Tae-si, this time completely agreed with her.

Their gazes eventually turned to Aidan.

It was a look that asked, "Don't you have anything to say?"

"Hey, Aidan. Aidan?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah."

"What are you thinking about so deeply?"

Unlike the two who were happy about the reward, Aidan had a serious expression throughout.

"Aidan, is something bothering you?"

"No, not really. But... it feels a bit strange to say this now."

"What is it? Don't keep us in suspense, just spit it out!"

Pressed by Tae-si, Aidan hesitated before finally confiding his concerns to his two friends.

"Just something feels off."

"Off? What's off?"

"Yesterday's werewolf. You guys didn't see it, but the werewolf had a strange silver restraint around its neck."

"What?!"

"Shh!"

As Tae-si's voice rose, Leo immediately gestured for her to be quiet.

"Keep it down. What if someone hears us?"

The three looked around to ensure no one else was nearby, then leaned in close and spoke in hushed tones.

"Go on. Is that true?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. That's why I tried to stop Mr. Rudger."

"A restraint? You mean the werewolf wasn't an ordinary one?"

"Maybe it was an experimental subject created intentionally by someone."

If that were true, it would be a serious matter indeed.

Leo, who seemed to have a thought, spoke with a heavy expression.

"I also heard something recently."

"What is it?"

"There are suspicious people hiding in Seorun."

"Suspicious people? What do you mean? Like a secret organization? Is it just a rumor or a secret club made by students?"

It wasn't unusual for students to have secret meetings in Seorun.

Shaking his head at Tae-si's question, Leo replied that if it were just that, he wouldn't have mentioned it.

"I'm not sure, but I believe there's a secret organization that has infiltrated Seorun. I realized this especially after the werewolf incident."

"Wait a minute. So you're saying there are dangerous people in Seorun?"

"It's still just a suspicion, but that's how it seems. Aidan, what do you think?"

"Yeah. I don't like suspecting people, but something definitely feels off. And especially... "

Aidan started to say something but shook his head and closed his mouth.

"No, never mind."

"What is it?"

"It's because of Mr. Rudger, isn't it?"

Pierced by Tae-si's insightful question, Aidan couldn't lie and had to nod.

What had been weighing on his mind since earlier was due to Rudger's aggressive behavior the previous day.

"I don't want to suspect Mr. Rudger, but something about him last night seemed off."

"Off?"

"You guys were blocked by Mr. Rudger, so you didn't see it, but I was face-to-face with him. He saw something."

At that moment, Rudger's brief but clear reaction.

Aidan didn't miss it.

But before he could ask, Rudger forcibly pushed him aside and burned the werewolf.

Leo stroked his chin after hearing Aidan's words.

"Are you saying Mr. Rudger was trying to destroy evidence?"

"What? Mr. Rudger? That doesn't make sense."

Tae-si retorted, thinking it was a ridiculous idea.

No matter how you looked at it, it was hard to believe that Rudger Chellis, who had helped them and fought fiercely against the werewolf, was involved in something secret.

"It's not certain. But I keep thinking Mr. Rudger might know something. He seemed desperate to hide something."

"..."

"..."

Maybe it was just a misunderstanding.

A teacher in Seorun wouldn't do something so dangerous.

But what if it was true? What if Rudger Chellis was part of a dangerous, secret organization?

What if killing the werewolf was to destroy evidence?

"Are you guys crazy? That's going too far."

Tae-si put her hands on her hips and shook her head, scolding the two.

"Mr. Rudger must have had his reasons. And didn't you think something was off during the meeting with the president?"

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't notice anything."

"Ugh. You guys are so clueless. Don't you remember what the president said when he praised us? He pointed out what each of us did well and what actions we took."

"Oh, right. I didn't think about it because I was focused on other things."

"Think about it. How could the president, who wasn't at the scene, know all that?"

"Oh, that's..."

"Obviously, someone told him everything. And who else could have told him what we did?"

Rudger Chellis.

No one else.

"Even if Mr. Rudger pretended not to, he must have seen everything we did. If he wanted to scold us, he wouldn't have told the president about our good actions."

"Oh."

Tae-si's words made it clear.

The fact that only the president and Rudger entered the meeting room, and that Rudger stepped back when the president offered the reward, also supported this.

"Everything was planned by Mr. Rudger? Why?"

"I don't know. But Mr. Rudger must have spoken well of us to the president. Suspecting such a kind teacher is going too far, isn't it?"

Aidan and Leo had no response, even if they had ten mouths.

Thinking about it, that was true.

If Rudger was suspicious, would he have taught them groundbreaking magic like Source Code from the first class?

A person who needs to hide their identity wouldn't try to reveal themselves.

"Is that so?"

Aidan scratched his head but couldn't shake off his subtle suspicion of Rudger.

He was definitely a respected teacher, but there was something off that couldn't be denied.

"Right. You're right, Tae-si. Worrying about it now is meaningless."

"Hmph. Got it."

"Anyway, I'm hungry. Have you guys eaten?"

"No, not yet."

"What about you, Tae-si?"

"Why me?"

"If you haven't, do you want to go eat together?"

"What, what?"

Tae-si thought she must have misheard Aidan.

What? Eat?

With me?

"Are you serious?"

"Why?"

"W-well... eating... i-it's..."

Embarrassed, Tae-si twirled her hair with her fingertips and mumbled with a red face.

"Friends... do this... right...?"

"We're already friends, right?"

"......!"

Seeing Aidan's innocent smile, Tae-si's ears turned red.

Watching the scene, Leo sighed and shook his head.

Looking at the not-so-honest young lady and his clueless friend, he thought their life in Seorun would be eventful.

* * *

"Ah! Mr. Rudger!"

On my way home.

I met Ms. Selina on my way back to my dorm.

She ran over like a puppy, excited to see me, looking more like a student than a teacher.

Is she really hiding her age?

"Are you heading home?"

"Yes."

"I heard the news. I heard you caught the werewolf yesterday."

"Yes, I handled it."

"Wow, really?"

Ms. Selina looked at me with an admiring gaze.

Even though we're both new teachers, she seems to look up to me too much.

"Everyone's been talking about Mr. Rudger lately. By the way, how did you catch the werewolf? Did you have a special method?"

"Excuse me."

"Yes?"

"I'm a bit busy today, so let's talk another time."

My firm words made Ms. Selina look a bit dejected, like a child scolded by an adult.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you."

"No, it's fine. You should rest well, Ms. Selina."

"Yes, have a good night, Mr. Rudger."

After exchanging greetings, I parted ways with her.

She's a good person who shows interest in someone like me, unlike other teachers.

However, given my position, I can't get too close to anyone.

I can have group meals, but that's it.

And most importantly, I had something to do.

When I returned to my private dorm, there was a package at the door.

I picked it up and went inside to check the contents.

It was the information Hans sent me.

Recent disappearances in Leathervale and areas where certain people gather.

Rustle.

After a quick look, I headed to my personal study.

On one wall of the study, a map of Leathervale City was pinned with photos in various spots.

I cut out part of the document and pinned it to a corner of the map.

An area filled with abandoned factories in Leathervale.

A desolate slum.

There's a laboratory in this area.

After completing this task, I immediately took out a portable crystal ball.

As I infused it with mana, a voice came from the other side.

[Brother. Did you check the information I sent?]

"Yeah."

[I checked the