Chapter 86

Maren, who had summoned the black wolf, was defeated by me, and I hurriedly returned to Mires, where I had been a moment ago, using *Teleport*.

In front of me, the students looked around in confusion.

"Wh-Where did it go?"

Everyone seemed confused, but no one was injured, and there was no damage to the buildings. Elicia and Maren were also unharmed.

In relief, Redos exhaled and said,

"It must have been out of mana... Summoned creatures disappear when the mana from the summoner runs out."

It didn't disappear here, but it must have disappeared in Ars. In other words, the black wolf itself didn't die.

In reverse, that black wolf can be summoned again... by Maren.

Redos, of course, understood this. Seeing Maren bow her head in sorrow, he first said to the surrounding students,

"I'm sorry for the trouble. It's all due to my lack of supervision. Everything is fine now, so please return inside."

The students who had rushed to help dispersed upon hearing this.

On the other hand, Redos approached Maren and said,

"I underestimated you... I thought the materials you prepared wouldn't generate much dark magic."

"But... I summoned it."

"What good did summoning it do? It attacked us."

"That's because Mr. Redos and the others attacked it first! If you hadn't attacked—"

"Summoned creatures don't attack anyone other than the summoner's enemies... You know that well, don't you?"

Maren couldn't retort to Redos's question.

Redos wasn't trying to bully Maren. He had genuinely supported her research until now.

However, as a teacher, he couldn't overlook the summoning of such a dangerous creature.

Well, my mana was also a factor...

"Maren... I'm sorry, but I have to prohibit experiments using dark magic from now on. At least, I can't allow it."

Maren bowed her head. Since there was no way to prove that the summoned creature was harmless, I couldn't protest either.

Eventually, Maren ran off to the dark research building without a word.

"Hey!"

When I tried to chase after her, Redos said,

"You. I'm sorry, but can you encourage Maren?"

"Y-Yes!"

I answered, but it was quite a difficult task to be given.

I don't have much experience in encouraging people...

Anyway, I couldn't leave Maren alone. I ran to the small building called the dark research building.

When I opened the door, there was Maren, slumped in a chair with her shoulders drooping.

She was really depressed...

"Maren..."

"I'm sorry, Alex... Even though you helped me prepare the materials... I put you in danger again."

"Don't worry about me. More importantly... I saw something amazing."

"Huh?"

"No, that black wolf... it wasn't a demon, but it was very powerful. I never thought I'd see such a summoned creature! Maren, you're amazing."

I praised her sincerely. However, Maren replied with a regretful look.

"That wasn't a demon... I need more mana."

While saying this, Maren shook her head.

"But, I can't continue the research... like this."

"Then... how about finding or creating a place where you can study magic on your own?"

"Outside the university? But Mires is an island."

The entire island is like the university's grounds. There's no place to experiment freely.

In that case, the best option is Ars.

However, I don't understand why Maren wants to summon a demon, so it's dangerous. There's a possibility that Ars could be harmed.

Still, leaving Maren as she is would be dangerous.

First, if Maren goes out of control. I haven't heard of anything happening in Mires before the reset, but there's a possibility that summoning a demon could harm Maren and those around her.

Second, if Maren can't do anything and her hometown disappears. It would be painful to know and do nothing.

I can't say I'm uninvolved, as I helped Maren. Without me, she might not have been able to summon that black wolf.

To get closer to Maren, I need to reveal some of my secrets.

So, I decided to show Maren something.

A small mithril wand with *Teleport* as an enchantment. If I were to name it, it would be a Teleport Wand.

"Maren, watch this."

"Huh? What?"

When I waved the wand, I teleported to a slightly distant spot.

Maren looked stunned for a moment, then exclaimed,

"What's that!?"

"Hehe. A wand of movement passed down in my family... Right now, I can only teleport a short distance, but if I use more magic stones, I might be able to teleport to far-off places from Mires."

I exaggerated and then proposed to Maren,

"If you can go to a place where no one is, you can experiment to your heart's content, right?"

"Sometimes, magical creatures that use magic stones as weapons appear in the Mires forest. If I collect them—"

"Yes, and there might be a rumored secret research facility deep in the forest. There, you could conduct various experiments... What I'm trying to say is—"

When I started to speak, Maren responded solemnly,

"Don't give up."

"Right. Even if you can't summon a demon, there might be other ways to save your hometown."

Maren didn't answer immediately. She closed her eyes, as if questioning herself. It seemed she still believed she needed to summon a demon.

However, it's not certain that it's the only way. There might be other paths.

Maren seemed to think so too, and after a while, she nodded.

"...That wasn't a demon. But, I summoned a powerful creature."

"Yes. Your research wasn't in vain."

Maren nodded firmly.

"Yes... I can't wallow here. There might be other ways. I... I will... try my best."

Maren was talking to herself, and she seemed to have regained her motivation.

This quick recovery... Maren must be determined to save her hometown.

I want to support her as much as I can. I've shown her the Teleport Wand, so I'll probably be visiting Mires often.

As I was thinking this, I noticed Maren staring intently at the Teleport Wand.

"By the way... Can I use it too?"

"W-Wait! It's a one-of-a-kind item!"

Of course, it would attract interest. Maren's eyes were sparkling as she looked at the Teleport Wand.

Well, it's for evasion and can't teleport as far as my *Teleport*.

"Sure... but don't try to teleport too far, okay?"

Maren said, holding the wand,

"Yes! Let's go outside!"

"It's dangerous if we're found, so no!"

I slightly regretted teaching her about the magic item.

Anyway, I've made my first friend at the university. I plan to visit Mires whenever I have free time and help Maren.

On the other hand, I have something I'm curious about... I decided to start preparing to summon a dark creature.

Perhaps I might get some clues about the demon in my head—