Chapter 39

It has been five days.

The students were told that Mr. Corder had retired.

Someone must have found that basement and the body… this school is really full of darkness.

I don’t know how the school administration took the bloody scene.

It would be a relief if they accepted it as the truth—that the informant died due to a failed magic ritual—but that’s probably too much to hope for.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

The immediate crisis has passed. As long as the school continues, that’s enough.

“Ah, Iifa!”

I spotted Iifa’s dull blonde hair walking down the path from the dormitory and called out to her.

When Iifa noticed me, she ran over.

“Good morning, Seika-kun.”

She said this with a smile, narrowing her amber eyes.

I had been trapped in the dungeon for about ten hours, and during that time, Iifa apparently knew nothing. When I returned and told her, she was extremely worried. She also seemed concerned about Amu, which made me think she’s really a good person.

“Hey, Iifa, can you lend me a hand?”

“Eh, sure.”

I took Iifa’s right hand, hesitated a bit, and then slipped a ring onto her index finger.

“Wh-What? This ring…?”

“I found it in the dungeon. It took some time to polish. How does it look?”

“Eh, it’s beautiful… Wait, wait!”

Iifa looked up into the sky, surprised.

“S-Something… the spirits are reacting really strongly!”

“Ah, I thought so.”

I had a feeling it might be related to spirits because it gave a similar impression to the druid’s staff, and sure enough, it was a spirit-related item.

“I don’t really understand it, but can you use it?”

“Y-Yes.”

Iifa lightly wiggled her finger, and a whirlwind began to swirl around her.

“This is amazing, Seika-kun! They all respond so easily! I-I can’t believe I get to have something like this… Is it okay for me to have it?”

“Of course. I found it, and you’re the only one who can use it. Is the size okay? If not, we can go to town to get it adjusted.”

“No, it fits perfectly. Thank you, Seika-kun. I’ll take good care of it.”

Iifa said this while touching the ring with her left hand.

If she can use it, it was worth giving it to her.

Having my companion’s power increase is something I really wanted.

And then, at that moment.

I spotted a familiar red-haired figure walking down the path.

It was Amu.

Since I freed her from the curse, our timing hasn’t matched up, and it feels like it’s been a while since we’ve met like this. She used to make it obvious that she didn’t like me, but now that we’re friends, it should be fine.

I raised my hand and called out to her with a smile.

“Hey, good morning, Amu.”

“…I told you not to talk to me so casually.”

Amu said this with a slight frown.

W-Why!?

No, that’s strange, this is just like it was half a month ago. We’re friends, right? We even promised to go on an adventure together… What’s going on?

Next to me, Iifa chirped up.

“Ah, good morning, Amu-chan!”

Amu, who was called, smiled slightly but genuinely.

“Good morning, Iifa. It’s a nice day, isn’t it?”

“Huh!?”

While I was confused, the two of them started chatting happily.

“Thank you for helping me study yesterday.”

“No problem.”

“I’ll treat you to something. How about we go get some of the ice desserts Mr. Karen mentioned?”

“Really!?”

“Ah, you two seem to be getting along well…”

Amu directed an annoyed look at me.

“We just started talking in the girls’ dormitory. Is that bad?”

“No, it’s not bad, but…”

Didn’t you start talking to me too?

Iifa looked a bit apologetic.

“Well, um, when the exams come around, let’s study together, Seika-kun!”

“Sure…”

“That would be a big help.”

Amu walked away with Iifa.

Did I do something to make her angry…?

“Seika, what are you doing?”

Amu turned back to me and said.

“Aren’t you going to class? You’ll be late if you don’t hurry.”

“Ah, right.”

I hurried after them.

“…I’m sure she’s just embarrassed, Seika-sama. I can tell.”

Yuki whispered in my ear.

…Let’s hope so.

End of Chapter 2.

Next, Chapter 3.