The sudden decision to head to the Great Forest of Hameln.
Originally, it was supposed to be during the vacation, but now it can't be delayed any longer.
Thanks to this, I had to stay up all night to prepare, but fortunately, the senior had already prepared most of the essentials.
A few hours later.
The hideout, where we regrouped.
The senior, who arrived a bit late, came carrying a large bundle and sat down in front of me.
Without wasting a moment, the senior immediately got to the point.
"This is a Warp Gate ticket. Show this, and you'll be able to use the gate without delay."
A ticket adorned with golden threads.
I let out a faint exclamation as I saw the ticket the senior handed me.
'This is the first time I've seen a Semi-Royal ticket.'
A ticket issued only to those recognized by the royal family, even the heads of noble families don't have one.
And that's not all.
"This is a robe."
"I can see that..."
"It's not just any robe. It's an artifact with protective magic. And this is..."
What else did you bring in such a large bundle?
The small pocket dimension was filled with clothes for the journey, emergency supplies, and various trinkets for use in the Great Forest.
Even emergency rations for a few days.
It's impossible to have gathered all this in just a few hours.
It seemed some things were already prepared, and I looked at the senior with a sense of resignation.
"Didn't you say I don't have to go?"
Given how thorough the preparation was.
The senior, without a hint of embarrassment, replied without changing expression.
"Just in case. It's always too late to prepare when something happens."
Well, that's true.
But, the senior's preparation was not just thorough; it was exceptionally thorough.
"Sign this."
"…What is this?"
A piece of paper suddenly appeared on the table.
"It's a class attendance certificate in my name. I've already filled out the form. It will also recognize your performance in personal combat and your final exam scores."
"…Ah, yes."
To make up for the insufficient attendance and exam scores at the academy, the senior had prepared appropriate documents...
And to prepare for any minor disputes, even an identity certificate in the name of the academy principal was provided.
After receiving all the items, it was already three in the morning.
Rumble, rumble.
Before I knew it, the first breakfast of the day flew over my head and perched on my seat.
"Senior."
"What is it?"
"Can I have some of the emergency rations…"
"…No."
Before I could even say what I wanted to use them for, the senior cut me off.
It seemed not only the senior but even the first breakfast had sharp instincts, as it raised its feathers and let out an angry cry.
'Tsk.'
Disappointing.
Of course, I didn't really intend to use them as emergency rations.
I just wanted to remind this unruly bird of human dignity.
Anyway, while I was savoring this minor disappointment...
The senior showed me something.
"Take this."
"…What is it?"
I looked at the object the senior was holding.
How should I describe it?
A mask that exuded a sense of use.
It was scorched and scratched in places, with traces of dark red stains visible here and there.
It looked as if it had been drenched in blood, but for something like that, it was surprisingly well-maintained.
As I looked at the mask, the senior said,
"It's the symbol of the New Moon."
"New Moon...?"
"If you don't know, it's fine. Anyway, take it. From the looks of it, you'll probably try to hide your identity with a mask or a recognition hindrance spell. If you do, you'll be dead without your friend knowing."
"…Hmm."
That hit the mark.
At this point, there might not be a need to hide, but the senior's colleague will join the academy once the matter is resolved.
It's best to keep my identity hidden as much as possible.
Not that it's necessary, but I want to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"So, will I be safe if I use this?"
"Yes. By the way, don't use it in the city. Start using it once you enter the Great Forest. If you're unlucky, the spirits might do something unexpected."
"…Ah, yes."
At a glance, it seemed to have a value.
This mask must be a symbol related to an old war.
Perhaps an item with a complex history of enmity.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have taken it, but I silently accepted the mask the senior offered.
I realized how monstrous and twisted the old war mages were by looking at the senior.
By the time I had the symbol of the New Moon in my possession.
"So, it seems the preparations are almost done. When do you plan to leave? If you want, I can give you until tomorrow."
The senior asked.
A cigarette already in his mouth.
Amidst the wisps of smoke, his eyes reflected me.
I looked at him for a moment and replied as if there was no need to think.
"We should go now."
"To Blando? Even though I've taken care of the academy, Blando will be in an uproar when they find out you're gone. You might not know, but..."
"They seem to care about me quite a bit."
The senior nodded slightly at my words.
"I've never seen Blando show such unrequited favor to an outsider. It could even lead to political disputes with the academy. Do you have any good ideas?"
"Hmm..."
I crossed my arms and fell into thought.
As the senior said, Blando values me more than expected.
But I was a bit skeptical about it leading to political disputes.
What kind of group is the academy?
What kind of group is Blando?
Would they really start a political dispute over a slum kid disappearing?
'Unlikely.'
But.
'Can't just disappear, either.'
Most importantly, it would be more troublesome for the senior, not me.
Of course, the senior seemed prepared to handle it...
"Whatever. I'll take care of this part."
The senior didn't think too deeply about it.
Or rather, there was no time to think deeply, and it was probably for the best.
Even in the worst-case scenario, the senior was prepared to handle it.
"Senior, I'm going now."
The senior just looked at me silently.
Between the senior and me, there were no parting words.
No promises to meet again or wishes for a safe return.
Because both of us knew.
Even if we part ways, our footsteps might be erased in vain.
But, even without saying it, I understood.
The concern, anxiety, and guilt in the senior's eyes conveyed more than any words could.
* * *
By the time the sun was fully up in the morning.
The academy students greeted the day as usual.
Well, not exactly as usual.
The upcoming personal combat.
Students woke up early and headed to the training grounds, some paired up to practice combat.
Some were already preparing for the final exams.
While some students were preparing for the future, others greeted the day as usual.
Namely, Damian and Chenbi.
"Yawn."
Damian was sitting on the sofa in the dormitory lobby, yawning widely, while Chenbi was looking at a textbook beside him.
Not exactly preparing for the final exams.
Just recently, he found studying interesting.
How should I put it?
What used to be a chore driven by duty had now become incredibly enjoyable.
Thanks to the worry that had been lifted from his mind due to Blando's support.
However.
"…Hmm."
Chenbi, who had been engrossed in the textbook, looked up.
"Damian, what time is it now?"
"Right now… 8:17:13. 14. 15…"
"No, you don't need to tell me the seconds…"
"…24, 25, 27…"
Whether it was out of interest or habit, Damian was updating the seconds as the clock's second hand moved.
Chenbi looked at him for a moment and then turned his gaze away.
It was too familiar to react to every time.
Anyway.
"Hmm. That's strange."
Chenbi tilted his head, feeling a sense of déjà vu.
"…41, why?"
Only then did Damian stop what he was doing and show interest.
Chenbi looked at Damian and said,
"Aster, I mean. Why hasn't he come down yet? He should have been down by now."
Aster.
A slum kid from the Black and White Zone, the first friend Chenbi made at the academy.
While he didn't show much enthusiasm for academy life, his daily routine was as regular as a model student.
Especially...
'When it comes to eating.'
Except for a few days after the Trial of the Gate, he always ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner on time.
At the same time every day, in the exact amount.
It was like he was an old, wise elder.
So, he would always come down at 8:00 and head to the student cafeteria to start his day...
"Damian, is Aster sick or something?"
Chenbi looked at Damian, worried.
Of course, being a mage made him healthier than a normal person, but he wasn't immune to all diseases.
In fact, when a mage got sick, it was often more severe than for a normal person.
So, out of concern, he asked.
"…3, 4, 5."
Damian, already back to his original interest.
Chenbi looked at him for a moment and then turned his gaze back to the clock.
'Maybe I'll wait until 8:30.'
The classes start at 9:00 anyway.
If Aster is just oversleeping, it wouldn't be too late to wake him up by then.
It's a bit disappointing to skip breakfast, but it's only for a day.
While waiting.
Tick, tick.
It was already 8:30 in the evening.
"Hmm."
Chenbi sighed.
Damian, who had already woken up, was practicing shape-shifting.
The second Sweat, Tears, and Blood.
Now fully transformed into a dragon.
But, the shape-shifting was so skillful that it moved like a living thing.
For a moment, Chenbi couldn't help but be impressed.
"Damian."
"Yeah?"
"Aster hasn't come down. Want to go up and check?"
I'm really worried.
He has never missed a meal before.
Damian, sensing something was off, nodded, but just then,
"…I see you're here."
A shadow approached them.
"You…"
"Polar!"
"…It's Polar."
It was Polar.
But, why?
Chenbi tilted his head, puzzled by Polar's sudden appearance.
He knew Aster and Polar were roommates, but this was the first time Polar acknowledged him.
Then, Polar handed something over.
"This is…"
"A goblin-eyed guy asked me to pass this on. Thanks to him, I couldn't sleep properly last night."
Woken up in the middle of the night, he was told he was a mercenary.
He was given three silver coins and a request.
There were guys waiting in the lobby in the morning, and he was asked to deliver a letter.
Thanks to this, he had a very annoying day.
'I miss the days when he was in the temporary dorm.'
He wanted to ignore it, but three silver coins weren't nothing.
For delivering a letter.
"Anyway, I'm done."
Polar finished speaking and left.
Chenbi watched his back and unfolded the crumpled piece of parchment.
And there it was...
Going to train. Don't look for me.
"…What?"
A single, incomprehensible sentence.
Training?
'Aster, you don't have a home, do you.'
But, where is he going to train?
Is he planning to skip the academy?
Confused by the situation, Chenbi felt a strange vibe.
"…Training."
"Damian?"
"I want to go train too! I want to go outside!"
"…Going back to your family?"
"No?"
Chenbi thought.
'…I have to stop him.'
If Damian leaves the academy, something will definitely go wrong.
A chaotic situation.
But, the one truly confused was someone else.
"Aster, that brat, finally!"
It was Phureon, who had just heard about Aster's training trip.
Some might envy him, some might pity him, and some might go mad over Aster's training trip.
But, only one person knew the full story.
"Phew."
Schwartz, still in the hideout, smoking a cigarette.
'…I'm sorry.'
He had been hesitant to bring it up.
Lack of confidence, perhaps.
No matter how inexperienced, pushing a junior into a dangerous situation.
In the war era, he would have been treated based on his skills, not his age, but Aster wasn't a war-era mage.
But.
Schwartz recalled.
- Boom! Bang!
Countless red rubies exploding in the air.
Aster didn't show it, but how many times did his field of influence waver?
It was unbelievable.
For a mere fourteen-year-old mage's spell to make his field of influence waver?