Chapter 95

### Chapter 95: Change (9)

* * *

#17

Wednesday morning. I woke up as sharp as a knife and was about to get ready for my early workout when—

—A piece of mail has been sent to Mr. Elio Cranil. Please check it.

An unknown piece of mail had arrived.

"What is it?"

I sat on the bed and looked at what the delivery person had given me.

It was just a paper envelope. A sealed paper envelope. The contents inside seemed to be a substantial bundle of documents. Who would send me something like this?

I flipped the paper envelope over and looked at the front. The name of the sender who sent me the mail was written there.

"Oh."

That's it.

It was from Alphris. I had a feeling it might be something like this. I knew what was inside even before I opened it.

The fact that he sent the group project research paper this way without setting up a meeting suggests that he thought it wasn't necessary to meet just to hand it over. Or perhaps he finished the paper in one day and collapsed on the bed. Probably the former, but it could be both.

I wonder what he's doing now, but he must have worked hard.

—Rip.

I tore open the envelope. The presentation is tomorrow. Usually, for group projects, the deadline is about two weeks, but this lecture only gave us one week. I wasn't sure if we could finish it in time, but it seems we managed to pull it off.

"…Oh."

The moment I flipped through the results inside the envelope, I let out a short exclamation of admiration.

The quality is unbelievable, considering it was done in one or two days. The thickness is just right. I can feel that Alphris poured his soul into it. He really knows how to write. He must have been well-trained.

Thanks to Alphris's paper, my presentation will be much easier. I need to do my best too. I should carry it in my bag and read it whenever I have time.

Hmm, I also need to write a script.

Even so, I'll have to proceed without a script when I step on stage. I was confident in my ability to memorize, so I wasn't too worried. It just felt a bit rushed because it's due tomorrow.

As I read through the contents of a certain section, I focused when it mentioned unique magic, especially 'white.'

The content wasn't very long. It mentioned that white unique magic is a very rare color, possessed by only a handful of people on the continent, and speculated about the unclear nature of white magic using the example of Tetra Crawley's theory (？).

'Interesting.'

Maybe it's because the writing is well-organized, but I was engrossed when the story about Tetra Crawley came up.

'…When a certain level of singularity is reached, the color of ordinary magic can change to the color of unique magic?'

That was new information. Of course, there are very few people who have reached such a level. According to Alphris's research, there are only a handful on the continent, and Tetra Crawley is naturally included.

"Hmm…"

Tetra Crawley.

What kind of person is she?

I need to go for my workout. I had been sitting there for about an hour, reading the paper, when I suddenly realized the dawn was breaking outside. I turned my head.

I didn't want to lose it by carrying it around in my pocket, so I had carefully stored Elena's note in a corner of the dorm room table. She had said that if I showed it to Tetra, even if she didn't like it, she would listen to my request once.

Elena called it a threat. Is it really? It's just a simple note. Besides, it was written on a roughly torn piece of paper. I don't understand how writing something on it would make her listen to a request from someone she doesn't know…

Hmm. Elena didn't specifically say not to open it. I reached out without much thought. I carefully unfolded the note.

After a moment, as I unfolded the paper to its original shape, I finally saw the words Elena had written.

Let's see, what did she write?

Hmm.

Hmm.

Hmm?

…Hmm.

"What is this?"

—Flip.

I held the paper upside down.

It didn't help.

I tilted my head and put it back the right way. I still didn't understand. What is it? I had a puzzled look on my face.

What was Elena's intention in writing this note?

「—. ——. ——. ­. ———. —.」

It was written in strange, incomprehensible characters, not the common language used in the empire.

There are about six lines of this kind of writing. Of course, I couldn't read any of it.

It feels more like a spell (？？) than a means of communication.

Is it the language of a lost country?

I've never seen anything like this in books. The characters have slightly different shapes and features, so it seems to have a systematic structure. It might be an ancient script. If it really is, why did she write the note in such a script…

'The last part is in the common language?'

I could understand this part.

「*P.S. It's not me. Anyway, it's not.」

So what is it?

Since it's not me, it must be a note for Tetra Crawley. I have no way of knowing what it means.

But I could understand one thing.

The symbol drawn at the end of the note. It seems Elena bit her finger and wrote something with the blood. It even glowed blue for a moment. It's definitely been magically treated, but I have no idea what it is.

"…"

As I stared at the note for a long time, my gaze naturally became unfocused.

Swoosh.

Following a sudden impulse, I let my body go, and with a tiny bit of magic in my fingertips, I lightly touched the symbol—

…Huh.

The symbol glowed. I snapped back to reality.

I quickly pulled my hand away, and the light faded.

"Did I almost cause a big problem…?"

It seems to be a dangerous object.

I shouldn't touch it.

I folded the note along the crease and carefully placed it on the table like handling a bomb, then prepared to go outside.

#18

"Good morning, Rubia."

"…Ah, Elio?"

I met Rubia in the lobby of Building 3, 1st floor.

It was a bit later than usual for my workout. I was in my training clothes, and Rubia was in her neat uniform.

As I always think, Rubia's skin is so fair and white that it goes very well with her white uniform.

Rubia, who had her hands behind her back, tilted her body to one side and asked me casually.

"Good morning. Why are you looking at me like that…?"

"Nothing, just. Your uniform looks good on you."

"…Eh?"

"Where are you going this morning? I'm going to work out."

As I said this, I rotated my arms, and Rubia, who had widened her eyes for a moment, answered with a clumsy smile.

"Ah— Ah! I have some business at the Student Council building…"

"Student Council building? Why?"

In response to my question, Rubia continued.

"Professor Tyler said yesterday that those who haven't joined a club should do so immediately."

"Oh, right. So?"

"I'm going to get a list of active clubs. I need to choose carefully…"

"…Hmm? Didn't you already decide which club to join?"

The last time I asked, she said she would join a magic-related club. At my brief frown, Rubia waved her hands.

"Ah, no. I haven't decided anything yet. I just have some interest, and I thought I'd take a bit of time to observe… but my mind has changed a bit."

"I see."

It was surprising. But even if she said that, it doesn't mean Rubia will become irresponsible. I have no worries. There's no reason to worry. I hope Rubia has a fun school life. If she chooses a club that suits her, it will surely be fun. I said,

"You made a good choice. It's not good to just study all the time."

"You say that, but Elio always studies or trains. You might also benefit from taking a break. I always see you working out here."

"Huh? Do you come to the gym in Building 3 often?"

"…!"

Rubia hastily added,

"Ah, I mean. I sometimes see you here. I saw you working out once when I passed by. So…"

What? You've seen me working out at the gym? I was probably shirtless most of the time. It's a bit embarrassing.

I nodded and replied,

"I see. Well… you're right, taking a break might be good. I've been thinking that lately too. I feel like I've been living too intensely, so I want to take some time to rest."

"Y-Yeah…"

Ahaha… Rubia, who was awkwardly laughing, suddenly asked,

"Do you want to join a club, Elio…?"

"…Hmm, I don't know."

I really haven't thought about it.

"If I have to say one, maybe travel?"

"…Travel? Ah."

Maybe she remembered the last time, as Rubia nodded. Travel, travel. Rubia quietly rolled the word around in her small lips.

I turned my gaze away and, seeing the elevator coming down from the upper floor, muttered,

"You used to travel a lot with your family when you were young."

"…"

Rubia smiled slightly, as if recalling those times.

"…Yeah, we did."

A voice that seemed to be drawing on memories.

I continued,

"From my perspective, I've only traveled when I was young. I think traveling with club members will be different, but I believe it will be helpful for relaxation. I heard we can even travel outside the empire. It could be good for broadening our horizons… but for now, that's it. I haven't decided anything yet."

"I see…"

After a moment, the elevator arrived at the 1st floor lobby.

Next to me, Rubia said,

"…Travel sounds nice. It would be fun."

She drew a calm smile.

—Ding.

To go to the Student Council building, we need to get off at the same floor. During the ride in the elevator, Rubia and I were silent.

However, I was thinking continuously.

"…"

"…"

An inexplicable silence flowed, and the elevator door opened with a signal. For some reason, Rubia, who had her hands behind her back, didn't move a step from behind me, so I took the first step outside.

Swoosh.

Then, Rubia slowly followed behind me.

At that moment.

"!"

"Stay still."

I turned my body sharply and grabbed Rubia's arm, who was startled. I didn't apply much force. I didn't want her to get hurt. The pale Rubia tried to shake off my hand urgently. I didn't let go.

"E-Elio. Stop…"

"…"

I looked directly into Rubia's eyes.

"…Hmm."

Rubia bit her lip and turned her gaze away from me.

The shadow on her pale face was clear.

…At first, I thought it was just a worry or a mistake she made somewhere. But now, I can't ignore it.

It had been getting worse day by day.

Now, it's so obvious that I can't ignore it. Rubia herself must know it, as she has been keeping her hands behind her back since we met.

To hide her hands.

I spoke in a low voice.

"Why is your hand like this?"

"…"

Rubia's beautiful nails.

Were torn and badly damaged in many places.