After returning to my room, I killed time until the lights-out.
How long did I wait like that?
Ding—Ding—
The bell rang exactly ten times.
The clear sound echoing through the quiet dormitory grounds announced ten o'clock, and soon the voice of the dorm supervisor resounded down the hallway.
"Starting the roll call."
The supervisor, who had already checked the lower floors, was now inspecting the rooms on the 8th floor.
Pola and I were also sitting on our beds, waiting for the supervisor. The entire roll call took less than 30 minutes.
After that, the time was relatively free.
Students who wanted to sleep could sleep, and those who wanted to study could study.
In principle, lights-out was after the roll call, but as long as you didn't leave the dormitory, it wasn't a big issue.
This was something the supervisor mentioned during the roll call.
'Just don't cause too much trouble.'
But perhaps because it was the first day at the academy, the hallway was quiet.
The freshmen, exhausted from exploring the academy, had fallen asleep, and those who weren't tired also went to bed early to avoid being late for their first class.
I, too, lay down on my bed and closed my eyes.
I intended to lie there and wait for Pola to fall asleep, but the sound of her not falling asleep as easily as I thought made me think.
'If she doesn't sleep... would it be okay to keep her asleep forever?'
Of course, it wouldn't be.
I dismissed the absurd thought and checked my current state.
So far, I have managed to extract about 70% of the medicinal properties of the elixir using mana.
Thanks to the functions of the magic book that transformed into a seal, there is almost no loss.
In other words, I can say that I have achieved a basic level, but whether this state is sufficient to face Karahen is another matter.
'I can probably use the Collision Technique... but not fully.'
My current body is far too weak compared to my previous life.
So, my durability might not be enough to withstand the aftermath of a full-power Collision Technique.
'Physical durability... is a problem to be solved gradually.'
I calmly continued to assess my current state.
What I can do and what I cannot do. I firmly implanted these two things in my mind and cautiously predicted what the opponent could and could not do.
Of course, I didn't forget the principle of no plan.
However, preparation is necessary.
If I know my limits clearly, I can handle any situation without panicking.
During this time, I also imagined the worst-case scenario that might arise.
For example, something like this.
If Professor Falun and Karahen are on the same side and the situation is resolved peacefully.
From my perspective, I would have to face Karahen and the troubleshooters at once, and in that case, I would have no choice but to become a hitman.
In other words, I would have to assassinate them through a surprise attack.
But I hoped that such a situation wouldn't arise. At that time, regardless of Karahen's life, I couldn't guarantee my own life.
However, I had no intention of letting Karahen go.
'There won't be a better opportunity than this.'
This is not just because of Karahen's potential.
Karahen is currently one of the many deputy leaders of the Dekulan Mage Corps.
While his name is somewhat well-known now, he is still a promising future talent, and his true value will only be revealed in the future.
If I didn't know this, it would be one thing, but knowing and letting Karahen be would only increase the threat to the future.
'Maximum engagement time: 5 minutes.'
I am not fully prepared.
In terms of mana, equipment, and physical condition, I am lacking in every aspect compared to my previous life.
But, when have I ever faced a situation fully prepared? In a way, my current lack of preparation is familiar to me.
However, I needed to have the right mental state.
'Good.'
When I had calmed my mind to a certain extent.
Rustle.
Pola, who was lying next to me, got up from her bed.
"..."
With all my senses sharpened.
Everything happening in the room was vividly painted by the sounds alone.
She walked to the wardrobe, took off the clothes she was wearing, and put on clothes from a hidden box.
The box contained not only clothes but also a type of belt-like equipment.
A faint 'click-click' sound echoed.
Pola glanced at my bed for a moment.
When she saw no reaction from me, she opened the window and went outside.
Creak.
The window she had opened closed.
When Pola's presence completely disappeared, I got up from my bed.
'Mercenary, huh.'
Her rich combat experience, which belied her age. The dagger belt on her waist was probably a set of daggers.
The faint metallic smell that tickled my nose. The scent of blood mixed in it was mostly from monsters, but some was from humans.
I thought that much and then erased Pola from my memory.
What was Pola's purpose? Why did she go out secretly?
I erased all doubts and speculations and focused on my task.
I put on the stealth suit I had prepared during my stay in the city of Hazen and wore a black mask that completely covered my face.
When I stood in front of the mirror.
'...'
The me from my previous life was looking back at me.
Not Aster, but No. 1.
The masked person in the mirror was No. 1.
I opened the window that Pola had closed and leaped out of the academy.
'Moon, please let me be a righteous troubleshooter today.'
The bright moonlight illuminated the surroundings, but, as expected, there was no response.
But, it's fine.
I am not a troubleshooter, and I have never been righteous.
* * *
It was already close to midnight.
"..."
Professor Falun sat in his office with his eyes tightly closed.
The spacious mansion.
With all the staff having left, the mansion was empty, but unexpected footsteps approached.
Professor Falun slightly frowned at the presence, his expression one of extreme displeasure.
'Rats...'
He had endured for nearly a year.
He had known for a long time that Hengji, that damn guy, had been caught, and he had noticed the Dekulan surveillance on him even before the news of Hengji's capture.
The presence of these filthy rats around him was a disgusting matter, but Professor Falun had tolerated their existence with superhuman patience.
For nearly a year.
They probably thought they had hidden their tracks well.
But how could he not notice the revolting smell that followed him wherever he went, whether in the academy or the mansion?
Still, the reason he kept them alive was not to avoid provoking Dekulan. No.
Was it because he was concerned about the research on the Ten-Yuan Gong? No.
There was only one reason.
The rats knew their place and did not cross the line.
But to crawl into the inner part of the mansion...
'Finally, they crossed the line.'
It was fine if they invaded the mansion when he was not there. It was unpleasant, but he could just erase the traces.
However, if they invaded his territory right in front of him, his patience would run out.
Judging from the presence, it seemed that not only the rats from the academy but also the rats scattered throughout the city of Hazen had gathered.
However, there was one question.
Rats only act boldly when they have a reason.
Whether they smell rotten meat or are starving to death.
Of course, they are not real rats, so it would be neither of those. But there must be a clear reason.
"I see."
Professor Falun half-opened his eyes.
A presence distinctly different from the rats was seeping into the mansion.
How long had it been?
Click.
The doorknob turned, and a person entered.
The masked person's face was unrecognizable, but the dagger belt and sword at their waist revealed their identity.
The presence was not stealthy enough to be a spy, and the equipment was rather crude.
'A mercenary. And...'
Professor Falun fixed his gaze on the masked person approaching him.
"Pola."
The top-ranked martial student of the 172nd class at Jenyon Academy.
He had only seen her briefly during the oath ceremony in the auditorium, but Professor Falun's keen eyesight did not miss anything.
Moreover, it was a well-known fact among all the professors that Pola belonged to a mercenary group, so it was easy to connect the dots.
However, she seemed quite surprised.
"!"
The masked person's steps momentarily halted.
After a moment,
The masked person approached as if they had heard nothing and handed over an item.
"Next time, if you want to disguise yourself, first refine the ether's properties. That is the basic of stealth. ...If there is a next time, that is."
Pola was at a loss for words, but Professor Falun was unperturbed.
He only examined the item Pola had handed over.
A fairly thick envelope. The opening was sealed with a seal.
However, the emblem on the seal was quite familiar.
When he saw that, Professor Falun realized what the rats had smelled.
'Hengji, it was you.'
After a year of trying to deliver the paper without Dekulan's notice, he was finally caught so easily.
He thought about it for a moment but quickly dismissed the thought.
Would Hengji, that cunning guy, be caught so easily?
No, that was impossible.
'Hmm, what is your plan?'
Various questions arose and subsided.
What was in the envelope? Why did he hire a student like Pola to deliver it here?
Perhaps he had commissioned a mercenary group, and Pola just happened to get the job.
Pola belonged to the well-known Karia Mercenary Group, which had its base near Blando, where Hengji was.
Professor Falun thought about it for a moment and then dismissed it all.
'Trying to understand the mind of a madman. What a waste of effort.'
From the basic classes at the academy to his time as an assistant professor.
A friend, if one could call him that, but his thoughts were incomprehensible.
It was better to focus on the present rather than waste time trying to understand his unfathomable mind.
'And just in time...'
Another uninvited guest arrived.
Thud, thud.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Even if he tried not to notice, the presence was palpable on his skin.
Unlike the rats trying to be stealthy, this uninvited guest openly exuded a threatening aura.
In such cases, there were usually two possibilities.
A prey trying to appear larger to protect itself from a predator, or a predator that saw no need to hide. In this case, a top-tier predator.
Bang—
The uninvited guest, who appeared with a loud noise, was the latter.
"Nice to meet you, Professor Falun. My name is... Karahen. I wonder if a professor who only stays in his lab would know me?"
"!"
Pola flinched at the name.
Karahen smiled pleasantly at her reaction.
"Haha, the... mercenary? Mercenary scum? Why is the mercenary scum wearing a mask? Anyway, it seems the sword-wielding guy knows me. What about you, Professor?"
Professor Falun calmly took in Karahen's appearance.
Of course, he knew.
Although Falun had been locked in his lab for a long time, being a professor at Jenyon Academy was not a position one could achieve by just doing research.
He had stood on the battlefield and experienced intense times in the field, just like any other mage.
Even if that were not the case, how could he not know?
Karahen, the fire demon of Dekulan.
However,
"I've never heard of you."
"..."
Karahen let out a dry laugh.
"Enough with the nonsense. Let's get to the point. Your revolting smell is making my nose rot."