Chapter 78

The tragic Milhis family—Philbus continued his story to me.

"That day, it wasn't just Brain's family at the villa. There were also the servants who had been with the marquis for a long time, and the soldiers who were there as guards in case of an emergency."

"What happened?"

"…Everyone was wiped out. Except for Brain."

Rich. A powerful magician. Indeed, against such a being, the guards would have been powerless.

"What happened at the villa? Why did only Brain survive?"

I expected a clear explanation—

But my expectations were completely off the mark.

"Only Brain knows."

"Huh?"

"Brain didn't tell anyone what happened that night. He only said two things: everyone is dead, and they were killed by Rich."

Philbus sighed.

"Given the situation. The sole survivor—a boy who lost all his loyal servants and relatives. If he won't speak, no one can find out. The story ended there."

And Philbus concluded his story like this.

"This is the full extent of the tragic Milhis family. He carries that past with him. That's why, even though he's a normal noble, his thinking isn't. The center of his life is revenge—nothing else."

"That's true..."

Hulin agreed with Philbus's words.

"Brain has mastered over a hundred spells, but he's too focused on offensive magic."

"...I think the same..."

This time, Philbus matched Hulin's melancholic expression.

"His mind is filled with revenge... That's something he can't let go of—it's precarious..."

That's why.

Brain challenged me to a competition. He used my contribution in the previous battle as a benchmark to gauge his own offensive magic.

"That's why... Brain is so free from the social obligations of the nobility..."

I muttered to myself.

He probably no longer cares about his family. Enhancing his own power and defeating Rich is all that matters to him.

That's why he can abandon everything else.

His purity—was blinding to me now.

"...Are you a bit troubled, aren't you?"

Philbus said, looking at me like that.

"Huh?"

"The nobles at the academy found out about you. Plus, you did a great job in the last battle. —You know, Kilria and the others are quite persistent in their approaches."

It seems Philbus saw right through me.

I couldn't talk about it during the previous test. Maybe it's better to vent my frustrations now.

"...To be honest, I'm struggling with the new environment in the second semester..."

Philbus and Hulin didn't say anything.

They just stared at me, waiting for me to speak.

"I know I should get along with the nobles, but I don't feel like I'm fitting in..."

I opened my mouth, pushing out the dark feelings from deep within my chest.

Philbus spoke up.

"No, it's natural!"

He said it in a loud voice, as if to blow away my feelings.

"You might have forgotten, but you're over ten years older than them. It's normal not to get along easily."

Philbus pointed out sharply.

"Understand? Even a teacher like me has a hard time getting along with students who are ten years younger. Plus, you've been living quietly all this time. It's impossible to do well from the start!"

Even a seasoned teacher like Philbus struggles.

This fact lightened my heart a little.

"Albert, don't feel inferior. Start with what you can do. It's not supposed to go well from the beginning."

Then Philbus continued.

"Besides, you don't have to accept Kilria's invitations every time. You have your own goals, right? That's important to keep."

My goals—

Hulin spoke up when I fell silent.

"Albert, now that everyone knows you're a noble—have you said goodbye to Laura?"

I replied reflexively.

"No way!"

I was surprised by my own strong words.

"Sorry, Hulin..."

"No, it's okay. I understand how you feel."

Hulin smiled, looking a bit pleased.

"...I'm a little scared, though."

"Scared?"

"Of a busy Albert as a noble and a Laura who thinks she shouldn't get in your way—"

She said this, pulling her crossed index fingers in opposite directions.

"Even though we've become good friends, I'm afraid we'll drift apart."

"That—"

I started to say "no," but I couldn't bring myself to say it.

Since the second semester started and Kilria has been bothering me, I haven't been able to talk to Laura. No, I haven't even been able to see her.

When I thought about it—

I realized there was a damp, heavy feeling in my chest.

It must be loneliness.

Ah, I was lonely.

Hulin said to me, who had lost my words.

"Albert, it's important to maintain relationships with nobles, but don't lose sight of what's truly important."

Philbus added after Hulin.

"...Don't keep it all to yourself. We're teachers. We're happy to listen to your concerns!"

Their heartfelt concern truly warmed my cold heart.

I'm not alone.

"Thank you, Hulin, Mr. Philbus."

As Albert Luminas, what's important—

As just Albert, what's important.

It seems I need to face these things.

But I didn't need to.

What I can never let go of?

Laura's smile came to mind.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

That night—

A shadow lingered in a corner of the magic academy's courtyard.

This shadow was the person Lugard called a 'student.'

The student was dressed in a black outfit that blended completely into the darkness, covering them from head to toe. Only their eyes were visible. It was a mystery whether they were male or female.

Why were they dressed like this?

The answer is that today is the 'day of the trade.'

The trade of goods—the theft of the Dark Seal.

The Dark Seal, which is being lent to the academy's treasure exhibition, is currently present on the surface of the academy.

I will take it tonight.

And tomorrow, Lugard will retrieve it.

This was the dark plan.

At the student's feet was a magic circle drawn in red lines. The student placed their hand at the center and spoke the trigger words.

Immediately after.

—On...

A low, rumbling sound accompanied the appearance of an even darker ellipse in the center of the magic circle.

From there—

Slowly, one by one.

Skeletons, rotting corpses, tattered rags covering dark shadows—things that shouldn't move began to flow out.

Skeletons, zombies, ghosts.

Undead creatures.

The student used summoning magic to call forth the undead.

With the appearance of a large number of undead, the academy will be thrown into chaos. I will take advantage of this chaos to take the Dark Seal.

The student smiled and disappeared into the night.

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