I Become a Secret Police Officer of The Imperial Academy

Chapter 53

Even though I spoke at length with Julian, my main occupation remains that of a student.

The academy is closed for a month, so there isn't much to do in that regard either.

Julian has gathered a group of mages and is buying up land around the estate, constructing a massive building. With all the plans already in place, the construction should be completed quickly.

Like in a game, where buildings pop up instantly as long as you have the resources.

The speed is a direct result of the mages exhausting themselves in sacrifice.

Hiring them normally would be far too expensive.

They are linking underground tunnels beneath the city to funnel all the demons into a single holding facility.

For now, the ones I’ve captured are locked in the basement’s interrogation room. Most of them are brothel pimps or enforcers from criminal organizations.

None of the real big names have been caught yet.

Standing in front of the academy, I found myself lost in thought.

If they had sent even half the academy’s security to the city center, or if Theo had coincidentally been nearby that night—

Theo must have come to school.

The facilities are still accessible, so he’s probably inside training.

I shake my head.

Thinking about it won’t change anything.

I walk around, observing the streets.

Angry merchants who lost their businesses and grieving families roam in mobs, lynching any demons they find on the streets.

They string them up from gas lamps and balconies, pelting them with stones.

Sometimes, they douse them in oil or strong liquor and set them ablaze.

The thought of my father flashes through my mind, absurd as it is, but I push it aside and take in this magnificent scene.

If demons burned everything in the night, why shouldn’t humans return the favor?

In truth, humans are far better at burning and killing than those barbaric creatures.

Who do you think invented high-proof alcohol and incendiary oils?

Mass cremations of thousands have always been a hallmark of war.

Demons are mere amateurs.

If humanity truly wished to raze a city, they wouldn’t leave it half-destroyed like this.

Though, those demons hanging up there had likely cowered inside their homes, hoping to be spared.

"…Ellen?"

"Ah, Theo-senpai. I’m glad to see you alive."

"Why are you here…?"

"Attending school. It’s a bit early, but still."

His expression darkens.

Did someone close to him die?

Not that it concerns me.

"Again, you…"

Would he let me continue with my plans?

Probably not.

There’s a chance he might even cut me down as some villain to be purged.

Why?

I haven’t done anything worthy of such hatred.

"Why are you gripping your sword’s hilt?"

"…Just a habit."

"A habit? Strange. You never did that around me before.

That night must have been horrifying. I understand."

Theo hesitates before finally speaking.

"…What happened that night?"

"Just lost a few family members, that’s all.

Happens all the time. Ah, but maybe not where you live—perhaps there weren’t many demons in your district."

He seems relieved?

Is it because I didn’t mention my parents?

I don’t know.

But seeing his calm face, I assume the residential areas remained relatively untouched.

Most demons and rioters had stormed the noble and commercial districts.

Because of that, the once-flowing wealth has come to a standstill.

"Is your family safe?"

"My mother was injured, but she’s fine."

"Shall I send a potion—"

His eyes suddenly darken, as if recalling some potion-addicted wretch.

Potions rarely cause addiction, but his hostility is palpable.

"Why?"

He shakes his head and enters the academy without another word.

Something has changed, though I can’t pinpoint what.

"No."

"No? Something definitely happened.

Let’s sit on that bench, like always, and talk it out.

I’ll listen to anything."

His face is conflicted.

Why?

"…Is your family okay?"

There’s fear in his voice.

Something feels off.

Like he already knows something about me.

It’s unsettling.

For now, I lie.

Truth is irrelevant.

"They were injured, but they’re fine.

Nothing life-threatening."

I smile—innocently, as if I were simply a worried girl.

"…Ah."

He relaxes.

Why does the idea of my family surviving bring him relief?

"That night was awful, wasn’t it?

The following day too, but at least people pulled themselves together and purged the rioters."

Casually, I link my arm with his and step into the academy.

"So, what brings you here on a day like this?

No sparring partners, the place is empty."

"It’s a chance to reflect."

"I don’t quite get it.

I think I’ll just read."

What was that?

Dealing with people makes you sensitive to emotions.

Or numb—always hiding behind a smile.

I pry into others, digging for truths.

Sometimes, I fix stubborn minds with a hammer and nails—call it counseling, or maybe therapy.

Why did Theo look relieved when he heard my family survived?

I don’t understand.

Normally, I’d press for answers, but now isn’t the time.

I leave Theo and head for the library.

The librarian’s desk is empty.

Did she die?

Unlikely. She lived in a rundown part of the residential district, untouched by rioters or demons.

She was a noble once, but fallen from grace—no one would have bothered with her.

I pull a dusty novel from the shelves and sit down, crossing my legs.

Reading is just a way to kill time until the construction is complete.

They told me to stay low and wait.

But then, from the inner library, I spot the librarian.

She’s seated, nervously biting her nails, her expression uneasy.

"Ellen..?"

"Why are you hiding?"

What was her name again?

I can’t quite remember.

"I was looking for a place to hide, and the academy was the only option…"

"From whom?"

"People."

The librarian clung to me as she spoke.

"Ellen, even if the academy preaches equality, we both know that’s just empty rhetoric.

No matter how much you smile and brush off people’s words, everyone knows you’re one of the highborn."

That look in her eyes—what did it remind me of?

Ah. The same desperate gaze of a man who had lost everything in a rigged poker game and was about to bet his house deed.

"People are furious.

They’re killing everyone on sight, even harmless servants.

Even children!"

Ah, so that’s it.

"You mean the demons."

She nodded.

"I suppose it’s a bit extreme.

The demons that attacked that night were all scum from the slums."

Her tense expression softened slightly.

The woman who had been trembling in fear moments ago was suddenly more at ease.

"If you want my help, I need to see who I’m helping.

I can’t do much if you keep them hidden."

"Ah, um… Pamela, it’s okay to come out now."

A demon girl peeked out from behind the bookshelf, her appearance slightly disheveled from hurriedly hiding.

"Uh, um… isn’t Pamela cute? People were throwing rocks at a child like her…"

She kept talking, but her words barely registered.

A sharp ringing filled my ears, drowning out the noise.

"She is adorable."

A blue-haired girl clutching a stuffed animal that looked like a giraffe with a torn neck.

Judging by her frilly maid uniform, she must have been a house servant—probably treated as a mascot of sorts.

She trusted the librarian deeply, showing no fear towards me, only curiosity.

A child? No.

That thing wasn’t human.

One day, she’d grow up and devour Julian and me.

If she ever visited a theater, she’d be the one burning alive instead.

Enough of my personal thoughts—I had a job to do.

Could the librarian use magic?

She was still a student, not even an adult yet. Killing her outright seemed excessive.

I swiftly drew my pistol, struck her in the philtrum with the handle, grabbed her shoulder, and drove my knee into her stomach.

Just enough to knock her unconscious.

Then, I turned to the demon and pulled the trigger.

Our eyes met for a split second before the bullet pierced her forehead, leaving her eyes lifeless.

I looked away slightly, not wanting to see it.

"Ah, how am I going to clean this up?"

I’d made quite a mess.