I Became The Academy’s Narrow-Eyes

< Chapter 104: After Clearing the Dungeon (2) >

"Impossible."

It made no sense.

The fact that I was the right arm—

If they had realized that I was a dark wizard of such high stature, there's no way they could have treated me so ordinarily.

It would have made more sense if a priest treated a heretic ordinarily.

Of course.

I couldn't help but harbor some hope.

Someone who knew my identity yet treated me ordinarily.

A relationship like that.

If such a person existed, I would seriously ask them.

How was that possible?

And based on that, I wanted to convince others.

Yes.

I am Kira.

I am the right arm.

I feel the urge to reveal the truth to Miss Phibian and see her reaction.

I resist.

This is a matter concerning my life.

I cannot approach this emotionally.

What if all this was purely my misconception?

What if the cause of Miss Phibian's odd behavior lay elsewhere entirely?

If Miss Phibian cannot accept that I am a dark wizard?

The situation would spiral out of control towards catastrophe at an uncontrollable pace.

So.

Someday, I should test whether Miss Phibian knows my identity.

But not now.

It's premature.

I still lack clues and evidence.

Therefore, all I can do for now—

"As you know, Miss Phibian, I wasn’t there—so I don’t know anything about that person?"

I feigned ignorance with a carefree face, a perfect act influenced by my traits.

"…"

Miss Phibian looked uncertain, influenced by my flawless performance.

Resigned like a hunter giving up on their prey, I speak to Hallow.

"Anyway. That person. He's not a good person. But not a bad one either. Does that answer your question?"

Is a monster not a villain?

Miss Phibian's answer to Hallow's question was just as ambiguous.

Yet, Hallow nodded, deeming it a sufficient answer.

"That's right. As the lady says, he's a very complex being. From what I've seen, he certainly isn't a villain."

Hallow's eyes sparkled as he spoke.

"However— he is a dark wizard. A dark wizard who has either reached the transcendent realm— or perhaps even beyond."

Such a dark wizard had manipulated Ceylon to lead Phibian into the dungeon.

They used them as bait to lure out and kill the monsters of the dark wizard.

"The reason we need not be wary of that dark wizard. The reason we need not investigate Ceylon, who was used by the dark wizard. My poor writing skills and eloquence are, even in death and resurrection, incapable of explaining such an impossible matter."

Miss Phibian nodded.

"Indeed. The reason we can trust him is because he saved our lives."

"Right. Conversely, those whose lives weren't saved by him wouldn't empathize with our story. They would try to investigate Ceylon to find his whereabouts and track him down, just as they would with any other dark wizard."

Miss Phibian and Hallow nodded at each other as they faced one another.

"Lady, what happened during this dungeon raid?"

"Based on Ceylon's information, we tackled the dungeon straightforwardly and acquired a level 7 dungeon core."

Hallow nodded with a playful smile.

"As I remember, that's exactly what happened. I'll write it up just like that and submit it to Lord Pila."

"…"

"…"

Miss Phibian and I absentmindedly watched Hallow.

"Hallow…?"

"Hm? Yes, go ahead."

"Something… has changed about you?"

"Changed? Oh."

Hallow looked at me.

Then he stared into the void.

As if recalling someone who wasn't there.

"There was a good opportunity. A great chance to broaden my horizons."

"Is that so? That's good to hear."

Miss Phibian and I pleasantly watched Hallow—

"Oh, right."

As we were watching.

Hallow seemed to remember something and began to speak.

"Lady, and Mr. Ceylon. I forgot to mention. Both of you must have realized from this experience. How dangerous it is for young people lacking experience to plan and carry out things on their own. Frankly, we were lucky he helped us. Otherwise, we could have been in big trouble. So, the two of you. What do you plan to do in the future when you start something? What should you do? Surely, you've learned something from this incident. Could you share that with me? To give you a hint—"

Ah.

Both Miss Phibian and I let out a dumbfounded noise.

Miss Phibian and I, along with the Daltasian party and the Square Shield party, managed to find an opportunity to escape from Hallow after enduring his non-stop nagging for hours on end.

* * *

Dissolution.

As I left the Leolalian mansion, the streets I encountered were already dyed with the hues of the sunset.

The separate residence prepared by the noble Leolalian family for Miss Phibian was naturally located in the wealthiest District 1 of Arien.

I walked through the streets of District 1 and entered a certain tavern.

Daltasian had requested a meeting to have a separate discussion.

Taverns in District 1 were usually quite intimidating for adventurers, but not today.

After all, the Daltasian party had just cleared a dungeon and received a substantial reward.

"Brother! Let's keep in touch and hang out more often!"

Bolton, already thoroughly drunk, spoke with an excited voice.

"Right, Ceylon. If you need help with anything in the future, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We'll definitely make up for not being worth our salt this time, and settle the balance next time!"

"…Is that an offer to work for free?"

-Whack!

"Ouch!"

Under the table, Elysia's long leg drew an arc.

"Boltonon! Please, get a grip, you pitiful baldy! Aren't you ashamed to act like this in front of Ceylon, who's much younger than you?"

Daltasian smirked at his companions and then turned to me.

"Ceylon. Thanks for trusting and finding us this time. I'm sorry we couldn't repay that trust."

"Haha, no, it's fine. As Elysia said, we can settle the balance next time we meet."

"What?"

At my words, the three looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"Look at our brother, sharp as ever."

"Exactly. It's no coincidence he beat the nobles and took first place."

"Ah, yes. Feel free to come collect the balance anytime. Next time, we'll definitely make it worth your while."

True to my outsider status, I was the only one drinking a non-alcoholic beverage instead of alcohol and stood up from my seat.

Then Daltasian also stood up and extended his hand towards me.

"And— if you ever need my personal assistance. Then come find me and let me know."

The moment our hands clasped, Daltasian leaned in and whispered softly to me.

-Lagadierias. Egonoeirias.

"…!?"

No.

Why are you here?

Taken aback by the unexpected dialogue, I looked at Daltasian in confusion.

-Hmph.

Interpreting my confusion somehow, Daltasian said with a meaningful smile,

-You might not know yet, but you are already one of us.

Is that so? Didn't I know?

-Us…?

I pretended to be confused to match Daltasian.

-Ah, right. You weren't there. So, you wouldn't have heard the decree of that being.

Daltasian looked at me with an expression as if he were dealing with a junior.

-Ceylon. You might not realize it yet, but a great being has chosen you. It was by their will that you met us this time. Don't be startled and listen. The information you obtained about that dungeon, the fact that you met many people including me during the dungeon raid. All of it was arranged by some great being.

-…!

-If you want to know about that great being, and about us who follow the great cause under that being, come find me anytime. Not our party, but me personally. And say this. Try repeating it. Lagadierias.

Am I supposed to say that?

As Ceylon, not the right arm?

No.

I don’t want to.

It's embarrassing.

But it seemed I had no choice but to go along with Daltasian for now.

I gritted my teeth and said,

-La, Lagadierias…?

-Then our brethren will respond like this. Egonoeirias. From places unseen. From realms untouchable. That is our creed. Our identity.

Having said that, Daltasian moved away again.

He patted my shoulder with a meaningful smile.

"Don't forget, Ceylon. We will surely meet again."

Then Daltasian looked somewhere.

"Ah, they've arrived."

There stood Hallow's party, the members of the Square Shield.

The magician Dorn.

The archer Irene.

The barbarian warrior Derek.

The three of them directed their gazes towards me.

To them, Daltasian nodded.

In turn, the three also nodded and said to Daltasian,

"Lagadierias."

Daltasian responded,

"Egonoeirias. Thank you all for coming. Now, let's begin our discussion."

Feeling like I would lose my mind amidst their exclusive gathering, I hastily made my exit.

* * *

"Now then—"

Having parted ways with the Daltasian party and finally on my own, I flashed a sticky smile.

At last.

It was time for some happy moments with Mrs. Bauer.

Mr. Handsome, was it? Anyway.

[Artifact: The Soul of the Devourer]

[Grade: Legendary]

I fondly fiddled with the ring I had obtained from this dungeon exploration.

‘Send me to Hong Kong (3 stars).'

I was wandering the streets of District 1, preparing to activate this artifact.

When I entered a street lined with various luxury stores in District 1,

"Hm?"

"Huh?"

I ran into an unexpected figure.

"Ceylon?"

It was Drin.

What a fantastic day this was turning out to be.

As if it weren’t already a good day, I unexpectedly bumped into our Drin.

She was looking at me with an expressionless tilt of her head— that utterly defenseless look.

The moment I saw her, my good mood shifted.

Insanely delighted,

I approached Drin.

And I played the role of a tragic hero.

"Drin! I was so desperately in need of your help during the championship, where on earth were you when you abandoned me!"

"Ah."

With that one cut, our Drin's expression was deliciously seasoned.