She couldn’t tell them that the massive tree at the center was a Kira Vera, but there was also no way she could sit idly by if they suggested cutting it down.
She couldn’t explain her reasons, but she couldn’t capitulate, either. Rather than her personal feelings, this was her opinion as a member of the ministry.
Reyes, Kunon, and the other students waited for a teacher to arrive.
“Hello. Sorry for the wait.”
Shortly thereafter, two teachers joined them.
Kunon didn’t recognize the one who gave the friendly greeting. He had a hood pulled low over his eyes and wore a pair of glasses, so his face was not easy to make out. All Kunon could tell was that the teacher was young and male.
The other one was the broadly built earth sorcerer Keevan Brid.
“Let’s get right into the results of the investigation.”
Keevan was standing behind the other man—perhaps he was of lower rank.
“……”
There was nothing odd about Kunon finding a teacher he didn’t recognize. He expected there were still plenty of faculty at the school that he had yet to meet or even see. After all, the school had many recluses who didn’t care at all about the outside world, including both teachers and students.
Except…Kunon could see something the others couldn’t. And he’d just encountered a brand-new mystery.
“The investigation concluded that this incident was caused by several coinciding factors and was therefore an accident. If even one of those factors had been absent, this wouldn’t have happened, and it may have been avoided if there had been even one additional element involved. And so Gray Rouva has decided to treat this matter as an accident and will be overlooking the entire thing.”
So the great witch would overlook it. While some students were visibly relieved, others looked dissatisfied. Nevertheless, if that was the official position, all they could do was accept it.
“Are you able to tell us the details?” one student asked, hand raised.
“I’m afraid not. As I mentioned before, this happened because of overlapping coincidences, some of which involve students’ experiments and research. Simply put, I would have to disclose your research results, and so I cannot discuss it. Talking about your results would necessitate discussing your experiments and research, which would rob you of your right to confidentiality, you see.”
That was certainly an undesirable outcome to many.
“I’ll simply say that it’s not the kind of accident that happens often. I really doubt a coincidence like this will happen again.”
This incident was the first of its kind at the magic school, despite its history spanning several hundred years. If it somehow did occur a second time, it would probably be many years in the future. That was the faculty’s conclusion.
“Next, regarding the plan for the forest.”
There it was—the only part of this discussion Reyes was interested in. She leaned forward slightly.
“The forest will be left as is. Building Eleven will be reconstructed in another location, so that should be your expectation going forward.”
Yes!
The Saint rejoiced.
Outwardly, her demeanor didn’t change at all, but on the inside, she was clapping and dancing with abandon.
“Reyes Saint-Lance,” said the hooded teacher. “An inquiry has been submitted to the Holy Kingdom. A public announcement is pending their approval, so please plan accordingly.”
Reyes knew at once that he was alluding to the Kira Vera.
“I understand.”
She already had her orders from the High Priest: “Don’t tell anyone about the Sacred Tree.” Even if a teacher hadn’t said as much, Reyes had no intention of telling a soul.
“That’s more or less it for the investigation report. I’m sure there are many aspects you’re curious about, but I hope you’ll refrain from asking, as you must understand there are things I cannot discuss. The whole incident is being overlooked with that expectation. Next, regarding the personal belongings left in the forest…”
In short, every item that had been inside Building 11 had been recovered. However, since they were all jumbled together, it was up to the students to separate and sort them.
The school was claiming responsibility for all damage and loss. The incident had been deemed an accident. It was determined that human intent was not a factor, and therefore, there was no human culprit.
The students’ belongings would be returned, and the school was going to reimburse them.
Though the investigation results had been left vague, the students were more or less content with the conclusion. They didn’t have much choice, of course.
“And finally, about this…”
Finished with the main topic of conversation, the teacher pulled a round metal box out of his pocket.
“Oh!” Kunon exclaimed. He knew exactly what the item was.
“Is this yours?” asked the teacher, turning toward him.
“Um, yes, well, it’s more of a collaborative effort…”
“I see. I’d like to speak with you a little more. Is that okay?”
“…Um?”
What was happening? Why was he being singled out?
“Don’t tell me… Am I in big trouble…?”
It was terrifying to be called out by a teacher without knowing the reason why. And this time it was just Kunon, and he didn’t know anything about the teacher in question.
The man’s tone was mild, but that calmness made the situation even scarier. Kunon couldn’t figure out what the man wanted. But then again, Kunon was already afraid of this teacher for an entirely different reason.
“‘Trouble’? No, I just want to hear what you have to say about this very interesting magic tool. And I have something to tell you.”
He had something to tell Kunon. What was it?
“…Um, you’re a teacher here, right? A sorcerer?”
“…Yes? Though I doubt any of you here know me, as I rarely go out in public. This is definitely our first encounter. My name is Clavis, and I’m a professor of light magic.”
That makes sense, Kunon thought.
Considering the way he was addressing the students, he must be a teacher. And Kunon could indeed sense the expected magic power coming from him.
But that was exactly what unsettled Kunon. That was the problem.
Why? Kunon wondered. Why was it that he couldn’t see anything behind Clavis?
Whatever it was that Kunon always saw accompanying sorcerers, Clavis didn’t have one.