NOVEL WEB
Chapter 68.1 - The First Year at the Academy - Invisible Mansion 2 (1)
Chapter 68.1. The First Year at the Academy – Invisible Mansion 2 (1)
At dusk, I was waiting for Elphimia at the entrance to the deserted house.
On our way back to Selene, we discussed our plans.
Whether her grandmother was involved or not, it was not a bad idea. With no other leads, we had no choice but to continue searching the house, and even if it proved fruitless, it would be clear that we had nothing to do with the case. Then we can worry about what to do after that.
The next question is whether there is more than one, but I think it is highly possible.
If it is a place of refuge, it still doesn't make sense to have only one place. The question is how to find them.
The first invisible mansion was an accidental discovery.
Elphimia noticed it when he encountered the demons and wiped them out with "Freezing Storm". It would be impractical to search using the same method. If I were to investigate Selene's territory, it would not be enough to throw away my entire academic life.
When things boil down. It is always a good idea to go back to basics.
I asked Elphimia about the details of the rumors, but she only heard other students talking about it and didn't know the details. Then I had no choice but to ask them directly.
That is why I came to the institute.
It seems that some of the students have returned home for the holidays. Although most of them are still here, I cannot be sure how the students I am looking for are doing without visiting them.
If they have gone home, I'll put them on the shelf until they come to the Academy.
After a while, a long shadow moves in the corner of my vision.
Elphimia appears from the corner of the school building and comes running toward me.
Before I could even catch my breath, she launched into a speech.
"I've been talking to Siridia."
"…… Who?"
"You know, the one by Doris. Blonde hair, curly."
"Oh, that's No. 1."
"But she didn't know the details. She just heard from Riz."
"…… Who?"
"The other one with the dark hair!"
"Oh, the No. 2."
For some reason, Elphimia held her head.
It's not my fault. I'm not interested.
"You should at least remember their name …… and I heard Riz holed up in the library."
"I see. Well, I'll go see her."
The library was a large facility with a church-like appearance, three stories high, and two basement levels.
Usually, only the first and second floors are used by students, and the other floors are used to store rare books and documents in low demand.
When I entered the building, I was surprised to see many students.
Most of them were studying by themselves at the desks provided, but some were spreading out literature unrelated to their subjects.
The person I was looking for was studying at a table on the second floor.
She was as tiny as ever. Her chin was not much higher than the table, so she appeared to be resting her head on it. I almost missed her.
Elphimia called out to her and invited her outside to talk.
I urged her to stay and moved to the end of the hallway.
No. 2 followed me quietly but seemed to wonder about my presence. I felt a glance at her back.
"So what can I do for you? Elphimia-san, and Alter-san."
No. 2 asked as I stopped to make sure no one was around.
She was trying to look nonchalant, but she seemed to be quite skeptical.
Elphimia asked a direct question.
"I heard that you know a lot about the invisible mansion."
"The invisible mansion – of the Seven Wonders? I don't know much about it. My sister is an alumna, so I just heard a lot about the academy."
Objectively speaking, this was not a question I would have called her up to ask.
It seems that I was disappointed, No. 2 blatantly let go of her guard.
Then she starts talking about the invisible mansion.
But I wondered if I could add it to the Seven Wonders.
Without summarizing, she ended with, "I heard that there is a mansion that Selene cannot see. No matter how you try, you can't get in," and that was it. Usually, they make up some exciting element, even if it is a lie, such as who or what had such a terrible experience, or those who entered did not return home. That is just a numbers game.
Elphimia had a clear face, but she could not hide her disappointment.
It doesn't seem to make sense to dig deeper, but let's dig for now.
"May I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
Shaking her trimmed black hair, No. 2 looked up at me.
"How do you know it's a mansion if you can't see it?"
"Come on, I don't know. I guess you just figured it out, didn't you?"
"Is there only one of those mansions?"
"Yes, usually."
"Then, can you tell me the direction of the mansion? A rough estimate is fine."
No. 2 kept her mouth shut and gave me a suspicious look.
"Well, why are you so eager?"
You're asking a question in return. You're a cheeky girl, aren't you?
I shut up and looked around.
Elphimia looked at me uneasily with that gesture.
Don't worry, I won't say anything else.
"Can we keep this between us?"
"Sure."
"I heard from an adventurer that I know there was a hidden refuge in Selene."
"Wow, that's the first I've heard of it. Is that what the invisible mansion is?"
"Well, maybe. I thought they didn't want to make it public because they have to hide it, but if it exists, I'm curious to know what kind of magic they use."
"I kinda get that. Is it some illusion magic? Is it attributeless? It could also be denatured."
She was mumbling to herself, but then she looked up, perhaps remembering my question.
"But, the direction depends on where you're looking from."
No. 2 snickers.
Elphiimia and I looked at each other at that.
I thought it was possible, but -.
I bite down to be sure.
"From Selene's point of view, I mean."
"So, from Selene's point of view?"
This time she scoffed, not hiding it.
I got it. The rumored invisible mansion is in the city.
"Sorry, you're in the middle of your self-study. Thank you for sharing your story with me."
"No problem. Let me know if you find it. I'd love to see it."
"Yeah, I'll call you."
With that, I parted ways with Riz and left the library.
Elphimia immediately opens her mouth.
"So there was one in town. What are we going to do now?"
"We'll have to look for it. I don't know if it's really in town, though."
I promised Elphimia that we would discuss the matter again tomorrow at my place, and we parted ways.
In the twilight, I left the academy and headed for home.
I join the residents hurrying home and the people going out to the bars and looking out over the cityscape in the dusk.
If the rumors are correct, a mansion lurking somewhere in this landscape.
If so – how do I find it?
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