Chapter 19

18.

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“Well then, I hope everyone keeps up the good work.”

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Having just finished my lecture for the advanced class on mana schematics, I left the auditorium with those words.

Thanks to having completed all the lessons I needed to teach before the Leap Ceremony began, I felt quite refreshed.

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Now there was only one thing left to do.

Namely, finishing the construction of the testing grounds where my students could apply what they’d learned in real combat scenarios.

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Well, it’s called “construction,” but it’s not like it’s some massive project or anything.

We’re just building a structure resembling the “Tower of Oblivion” on a small forest-sized lot.

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What really requires attention isn’t the size of the structure but the challenges inside it.

Since both beginners and advanced classes will be taking their exams in the same place, I also need to add separate difficulty adjustment options.

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“Hmm, seems like everything’s coming together nicely.”

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Stepping into the exclusive site for the Leap Ceremony that had been noisy with construction sounds for quite some time now, I quietly marveled at the tower whose external construction was complete.

Impressive, huh? Even though it’s an event held over a short period, this academy truly is the best on the continent.

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All that’s left is to install the challenges I’ve prepared inside the tower, and the preparations for the Leap Ceremony will be done.

So, carrying several magical tools I’d brought beforehand, I was about to head inside the tower when—

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“You looked frail at first glance, but I was wrong. Your power is incredible.”

“Ahaha, thank you!”

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A few unfamiliar voices and one familiar voice reached me from somewhere beyond.

Without realizing it, I turned my head slightly to see burly workers.

And…

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“Oh, we meet again.”

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My first student, whose schemes remain unclear, casually mingled among the workers as he greeted me.

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“…Hello.”

With a slightly wary gaze towards Carián, I reluctantly nodded in greeting.

Then came a friendly voice.

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“Looks heavy. Need a hand?”

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Carián took a step closer, pointing at the magical devices I was carrying with his index finger.

However, since I had no intention of going anywhere with him, I took a step back and declined his offer.

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“They’re delicate instruments. If you drop them, it’ll be a disaster.”

“Hmm, but I’m confident I won’t drop them.”

“I’m fine. Well, see you.”

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After a moment, I started walking toward the tower ahead, glancing back to confirm that Carián had returned to the workers.

Sigh, what exactly is he thinking?

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‘He doesn’t seem to have recognized me…’

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No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure out why Carián was pretending to be a worker.

At least, there was some relief in knowing he didn’t seem to recognize my true identity.

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After all, if Carián had recognized me, he wouldn’t have dared to ruffle my hair so boldly.

Because he sees “Asher” and “Letter” as completely different people, he treats me like a child.

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The problem is that there isn’t a single other comforting point besides that.

Every time I see Carián, it feels like I’m watching a large time bomb waiting to explode right in front of me.

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‘I can’t outright ask him what he’s up to…’

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Since I don’t know the reason or purpose behind Carián’s appearance in Primus, there’s nothing I can do from my side.

It’s hard to think Aritha gave him any hints since I personally wiped her memory clean.

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‘…Should I ask Orpheon?’

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Still deep in thought after entering the tower, I eventually decided to contact Orpheon.

Until I find a way to return to normal, I have to keep hiding from my students anyway.

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For now, however, installing the challenges for the Leap Ceremony was my priority.

When I finally reached the top floor of the tower, I began drawing a huge summoning magic circle on the floor.

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Radius: 30 meters.

I densely filled the outer edges of the magic circle with patterns responsible for interdimensional connections.

Then, without missing a beat, I drew stabilization patterns in the center to prevent mana backlash.

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-WHOOSH!

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“…Done.”

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Flames appear in the empty air.

Soon, more flames begin to appear.

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Before long, these flames connect and form a massive ring of fire.

It begins to slowly rotate.

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-TICK, TICK…

『…Long time no see.』

As the surrounding piles of fire fell, they revealed the shape of something alive within.

Moments later, I faced one of my few friends’ faces.

『So, contractor. What shall this Elemental King Ifrit turn into ashes this time?』

My naturally upward gaze due to the considerable height difference with Ifrit felt oddly nostalgic.

It always feels weird looking up at someone I usually face eye-to-eye with.

Anyway, last time I summoned him, it was on a vast open plain, which was convenient. Now, inside this closed-off tower, it feels different.

The suffocating heat filling the area made it hard to breathe.

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‘Even though I set restrictions this time, is he just excited because it’s been a while since our last summoning?’

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Thus, I decided to lower Ifrit’s heat first.

If I leave him like this, the students who struggle to reach the top floor will barely be able to breathe.

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“『 Aqua(Aqua)』”

-SHHHH!

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『 ?!』

Ifrit coughed continuously from the unexpected water shower.

Only when the heat subsided somewhat did I start explaining one by one the things I wanted him to do.

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“Do you remember helping out with Atar last time?”

『Atar? …Ah, that mad dog.』

“This time, treat the kids a bit more gently. Just enough to singe their hair tips?”

『Hmm….』

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Afterward, I explained the Leap Ceremony in greater detail and sternly warned Ifrit.

No matter what happens, he mustn’t give it his all.

If he exceeds the limits I’ve set, I’ll send him straight back to the elemental realm.

“Most importantly, if the students try anything, don’t interfere. Just watch.”

『Are you saying I should make it easy for the challengers? Then what’s the point of the challenge?』

“It’s about balance.”

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From the bottom floor of the tower, participants will gradually gather clues until they face Ifrit at the top.

If they’re defeated by Ifrit before using the clues they gathered, it defeats the purpose.

However, Ifrit’s expression looked quite dissatisfied.

So, I decided to tell him about the rewards he’d get if he followed my requests.

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“After this is done, I’ll play with you for a week.”

『…Huh?』

“And one more thing. During that time, you can polymorph into human form if you want.”

『……100 percent?』

“Yep. 100 percent.”

『…………….』

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After a brief silence following my offer, Ifrit erupted in laughter less than five seconds later.

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-WHOOSH!

『HAHAHA─! Fine, I’ll help you out with this little thing!』

Once again, the surroundings were filled with scorching heat as Ifrit laughed boisterously.

Hmm, was he really that eager to play?

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But since being this excited would inevitably lead to accidents, I had to act.

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“『 Aqua(Aqua) 』”

-SHHHH!

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『Ugh, ah, achoo!!』

“Calm down, Ifrit. If the students get hurt, I’ll be the one in trouble.”

『…Understood….』

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In the end, I managed to tone down Ifrit’s enthusiasm.

Safety is the most important thing, no matter what.

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With a final word of thanks, I headed to the floor below to prepare the challenge leading up to the final task.

Still, I paused briefly because—

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『By the way, contractor. You seem…different somehow.』

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Because Ifrit started looking at me with eyes of the present world instead of the otherworldly vision of his realm.

As expected,

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『You’ve gotten…cuter? Your face seems slimmer, and your figure has improved. Where on earth did you find a spell that completely feminizes your body—』

“S-Stop!”

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Unwelcome comments kept reaching my ears.

Worse still, I could feel my cheeks heating up, so I hastily covered Ifrit’s mouth.

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“L-Look, this is an accident. I didn’t choose to become like this.”

『Hmm….』

“It’s true. I swear.”

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Despite his intrigued expression, I managed to move to the floor below after Ifrit thoroughly examined my appearance.

Though it felt like his misunderstanding hadn’t entirely cleared up.

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“…Maybe I should’ve summoned Lurie instead…”

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Is it because he’s an elemental of fire? He speaks without filters.

An elemental of ice might have been more reasonable.

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Anyway, since I promised to play with him, he’ll handle the students as I requested.

From now on, I’ll focus on meticulously setting up the challenges leading to Ifrit’s top floor.

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***

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A certain cozy café.

Despite appearances suggesting relaxed customers and staff, a conversation far removed from such tranquility unfolded at the table furthest inside.

“The academy’s security magic has been strengthened further. We may need to change our plans.”

“…Has information leaked?”

A more serious tone followed by an increasingly uneasy gaze.

And a brief silence.

After a bit more time passed, the man who had questioned the possibility of betrayal retracted his previous statement.

After all, the concept of betrayal didn’t exist within their Azure Dawn Society.

“Rather than suspecting the messengers of Rakael, it’s better to assume the principal’s instincts were sharp.”

“That too is unpleasant to admit. Even knowing there was no way around it.”

Tock, tock. Fingers tapped the table a couple of times, a mixture of frustration, helplessness, and a trace of hostility swirling together.

This elicited a response meant to discourage excessive despair—a consolation that wasn’t really consoling.

“The blood of divine progeny has gathered here—two of them, no less. Such an opportunity won’t come again.”

“…Your words are correct. Missing this chance would be foolish indeed.”

Soon after, another click.

A girl in the academy uniform slowly approached their table and offered a greeting.

“The child who will take the lead in our uprising.”

“The ritual?”

“Of course, I’ve completely stolen it. She’s merely a puppet now.”

Thereafter, imagining the chaos soon to engulf the academy, the men chuckled heavily.

They remained unaware that the shadow beneath their feet was beginning to ripple.

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‘…It would be troublesome if things get too noisy.’

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What should he do? While pondering this, Carián silently stroked the dagger in his pocket.

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