Avoid Former Co-Workers

45 – 45. Mistrust and Hatred (8)

‘Ha. I’m thinking about it again slowly. Ophelia.’

I close my eyes for a moment and think again about the answers to these complex questions.

Ophelia’s intuition has never deviated from the invisible academy’s discrepancies and conflicts.

Isn’t the battle between Junon and Aris yesterday an example of a one-sided attack?

Then the strong attacked the weak. Aris, who had been a mercenary in another team and frequently walked on the battlefield, was right when he attacked Junon.

Isn’t the place also a corner of the academy?

I chose a place that was shady and dark and inconspicuous to people, and pressed down the weak.

There was no contradiction in this series of processes. Except for one thing.

‘But… Why did Miss Aris attack Junon-kun?’

I definitely felt uncomfortable, but there was no reason to do so.

When it comes to what Aris wants, she says she wants to join Goden’s party and asks for a recommendation.

That has nothing to do with attacking Junon.

In the end, they returned to the starting point, and there is no choice but to guess that there was some reason that only the two of them had.

I just heard the reason, but…

-‘I’m… Dropping out because my life is in danger.’

Aris attacked Junon, but it didn’t seem like it would have killed anyone.

When I looked at the scene where the two fought in the first place, Junon wasn’t an opponent that would be easily defeated.

Are you saying that there is someone else who is after all trying to take that man’s life?

‘I can’t understand it at all.’

Due to the grand duke’s wise guidance and policies, there are people who each find a job and make a living, and even crime is at the top level.

Even though it is a young principality, it was said to be superior in terms of security to an empire with deep roots in history.

By the way, your life is threatened in the Principality of Ardelion?

Even at the principal institution of the Duchy, the Lebrand Academy?

If you grab a person passing by on the street and ask him, he will answer like this.

It must be that he is a psychopath.

Each student has power, and the uniforms given are engraved with defensive magic circles to protect themselves from enemy attacks.

Not only that, but how can you openly aim for a person’s life in a place where so many people are walking?

According to common sense, if someone commits a crime at the academy, they will all be exposed.

Because of this, there has never been a criminal in Lebrand, the capital of the duchy, and he said that his life was threatened.

‘But it would be dangerous to ask any more questions.’

As victims usually react with anxiety, asking more questions can lead to the opposite effect, as it is tantamount to an accusation.

She was trying to get the victim out of her mind, listen to her troubles and help her, not push her.

I have to apologize for the fact that I unintentionally pushed Junon.

Don’t let him make an extreme choice.

“I apologize for scaring you. Somehow, I thought you were the victim, but I didn’t expect this to be the case.”

I turned off the magic tool for interrogation, and unwrapped the magic tool for confession and put it out of sight.

“I know you are anxious. So I will be sure to keep quiet about what you said. However, could you please reverse the dropout a bit more?”

“…”

“If you get expelled from the academy, you’ll never come back. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Junon shook his head at Ophelia’s appeasement.

At present, dropping out seemed to be the only way to escape from a life-threatening situation.

‘If you attach an escort, it’s like surveillance. Besides, other people will notice…’

Ophelia wanted to somehow find a way for Junon to not drop out of her academy.

“You trusted me and confided in me, so why don’t you trust me this time?”

“…What are you talking about…”

“If you stay at this academy, I intend to keep your secret as much as possible. I’ve also thought of a way to protect you as a stopgap.”

-I’ll leave the choice to you.

In order to appease Junon, her benevolent princess said so and handed one option.

***

“Do you feel like you’ve been seeing Ophelia’s face often lately?”

Professor Meuniher is openly inducing conversation with the title of ‘student’ instead of the title of ‘gongnyeo’.

That means punctuality.

Currently, Professor Meuniher must remain neutral for the placement test.

As much as he had to maintain neutrality, it meant that he could not stand on the side of the principality and help with political issues.

“I came here because I have something to discuss with Professor Meuniher as the head of the student council.”

Ophelia also responds by becoming a student at Les Brandt Academy, not in the position of a princess.

She is not the daughter of the Grand Duke of Ardelion, she is also aware that if it is an interview between a student and her professor, she will not be caught in a formal pod.

Looking at the assortment of conversations, Professor Meuniher grinned as he noticed that it wasn’t his conversation.

“Okay. Would you like some tea?”

“I’ll brew chamomile tea myself. You’re older.”

“Whoops. You’re a polite student. An old man is considerate of you.”

“Thanks for the compliment. But isn’t it a matter of course?”

In this way, the two clearly confirmed each other’s location.

After the two cups of tea were brewed, the conversation could proceed only after visiting Professor Meuniher and recording the reason for requesting an interview with her.

“Yes. What brought you here?”

“It is to conciliate a student who is about to drop out. Professor Meuniher came to see me asking for help on this part.”

“Haa, dropping out?”

As soon as he hears the word dropout, Professor Meuniher lets out a sigh full of annoyance as if he is tired of it.

The request to withdraw came in to the extent of being angry.

The option of expulsion for students who give up surprisingly quickly.

I’m in a position where I’m tired of taking care of the students, so it’s not quite pleasant.

‘Recently Junon was like that too.’

It was tiring to dismiss each and every one of them, but a being like a star that this academy had hidden had requested expulsion.

It was something he was reluctant to step out of this academy with even a somewhat forced reason.

There’s a guy I’ve been trying to raise for the first time in a while, but I didn’t want to miss it.

Meuniher stared at Ophelia, asking her to talk about it.

“For now, it would be right to say that it is something to be protected.”

“Bohora, at this Levant Academy?”

“Yes. Rather, it’s the Levant Academy, so I need it all the more.”

The reluctance of one student to drop out is something both parties agree on.

However, it shouldn’t be because of that one person that excessive consumption or controversy arises.

As vice-principal, some degree of compromise is necessary when it comes to school work.

“Hmm. I kinda understand. So what’s the matter?”

“The student who demanded to drop out is currently in great trouble because he caught the eyes of many nobles at the academy. So, I would like to borrow an object made by the professor.”

“My object?”

Professor Meuniher’s eyebrows twitched after he hadn’t reacted.

Ophelia clearly said it was an object, not an artifact.

Does she have to use an object that needs protection, and then go one step further and borrow the power of an object she made herself?

‘Of course, if you noticed that a lot of nobles would unilaterally attack one person, that might be the case…’

That’s something that Ophelia or another member of the student council can step in and stop.

Because that means you’re already anticipating what’s going to happen.

There is only one object he created for protection.

‘Nevertheless, they need the Blassure Ark…’

To use it was to the extent that it had to be seen as something that one person’s name depended on.

I don’t know if that kind of thing can happen at the academy.

“First of all, can I meet him in advance?”

“That’s a bit difficult…”

“If you’re going to use the Blush Ark, you need to make sure that he’s the kind of person he is. You know he’s taking that kind of risk.”

There was a reason Ophelia was in trouble.

She preferred to avoid meeting with Professor Meuni Herr in order for Junon to promise to keep her secret.

Just like the victims of the aggression that took place in the shadows of the academy, Junon had to get away from the element of anxiety as much as possible.

So, I try to write even if it would not work normally.

“Just once, can’t you trust me and lend me the Blassure Ark?”

For a boy who was about to drop out because her life was being threatened, Ophelia gave an uncertain reason.

She decided to keep the relationship between the professor and her students, but she meant to trust her status as a princess.

***

She couldn’t believe her ears the first time she heard it.

-‘I’m waiting to borrow something. I won’t tell anyone, so don’t worry.’

-‘Hasim borrowed…?’

-‘Because you said you were under threat. I’m thinking of borrowing an object for protection.’

To protect people, I tend to use artifacts that are easier to use.

Because that side is suitable for dealing with the demonic beast, the main enemy of humans.

However, she said that the princess borrows objects.

‘There are titles to borrow objects, but… There aren’t that many objects in the duchy.’

Objects related to study, such as mock battle rooms and training rooms.

An object for defense and counter-beasts to prepare for attacks from monsters.

Even looking at these examples, unlike artifacts that are used for general purposes, objects are powerful enough to require legal permission.

Even though they have the same purpose, they are of different scales, so misuse or abuse by one person could bring about a great disaster.

It was a magic tool called an object.

‘I can’t believe it, but I didn’t go to Professor Meuniher…?’

If you think about it carefully, isn’t this the person who makes objects known to most people?

Talbret Arc is a typical example, and there must be many others.

But I listened carefully. I think the princess said she was going to borrow an object for protection… No way…

“You made me wait a long time.”

With a jolt, the door opened, and Princess Ophelia’s quiet voice was heard.

Soon after, the princess who said she would borrow an object for her protection takes out her rental item from the box where she keeps her valuables.

“I will explain what it is for. First of all, the name of this object is…”

I know even if you don’t tell me.

‘Blsure Ark…’

Looking at it from the outside, it is a pair of bracelets that have been engraved with sophisticated calculations and gin.

One object made through a complicated process of carefully refining lapis lazuli and 11 other minerals.

It may seem like nothing special to others.

There are legal complications, so it can be seen as a nuisance.

But why would I know this? Why would you react like you know? Why can’t I hear the princess’s explanation?

My eyes clearly recognized the shape, and the cortex inside my skull was shouting with nerves, ‘I know this!’

Yes. This is something I knew even before the regression, and maybe never wanted to see again.

At Thembris party, it was the bracelet that gave me the beginning of a twisted life and made me resent the world.

“Did you understand everything?”

“…Yes.”

Princess Ophelia replied as if she had finished her explanation.

But I’m not sure what kind of story I’ve heard now.

Because of this guy named Blassure Ark that I can see, I felt like I was going to be reminded of a past I didn’t want to think about.

As if he had turned into an inanimate object without intelligence, he couldn’t tell whether what he heard in his ears was words or noise.

In the meantime, Princess Ophelia gave her a request after finishing her explanation of the Blessed Arc.

“If this puts you in danger, he will come personally, so please don’t worry and continue your studies at the academy.”

For a moment, I felt sorry for him.

Bleshuar Ark eventually needs to know who is receiving the emergency signal.

I have to ask now. Who is the signal going to?

“Princess. If you ask me to explain again…”

However, it seemed that my words could not be delivered.

“Princess! An urgent telegram…! Ah, the guest… I’m sorry.”

“Excuse me. I need to get away for a while.”

“…”

For a while, but I don’t expect it to be a moment.

It was because a soldier hurriedly brought a telegram as he ran in, holding on to his shoulder, which had been bitten by the beast.

A few minutes later, after talking with her soldier, Princess Ophelia sent me one of her presumed maids.

“The princess has an urgent matter, so I came to deliver it instead.”

I know what’s going on even if I don’t listen.

Today is the day Princess Ophelia’s Expedition Corps and Arkab party attacked again by the Canolatl group that subjugated last year.

Perhaps the academy’s regular soldiers, led by the princess, gathered together and departed, so it took time to return.

It’s like I can’t figure out who the signal goes to when I’m in danger, until the princess returns.

***

The main troops departed from Levant Academy, and I came out and roamed the empty streets.

‘What is it…’

There should be so many worries.

Since the current defense of Remteert is going on, all the main personnel have left the academy.

This is the perfect time to run away.

However, before borrowing the object, a warning left by the princess is caught.

-‘If you run away, I’ll brag about it and bring you back, so you better be prepared. Oh, at that time, the leading members will take turns watching. To ensure safety.’

I’m sure… Then even if they come, you won’t be as dangerous walking down the street at night as you did back then.

But… The leading members take turns taking turns to keep an eye on me… Is this correct?

In a word, it is virtually impossible to get out of the academy only when the timing is good.

Even if you run away, your location will be tracked down and you will be returned to the academy, so it will be a meaningless escape.

I was in a situation where I couldn’t choose anything because I was caught by Princess Ophelia.

‘It’s fortunate that I still have this…’

The only consolation was that they could be guaranteed safety due to the existence of the Blassure Ark.

I’ll activate this object right away if the Tembris party members come to me once again, pour out rants of resentment and criticism, and try to get revenge.

“…Still worse than worst.”

At least, unlike before, I’m not in a situation where my life is at stake.

Even if you can pour out your resentment on me, you won’t be able to stab a knife in my heart this time.