The senior members of the Non-mainstream School at the Red Magic Tower lavishly painted Logini’s face to save their own pride.
“It may be derided now as an old and shabby school, but that’s only because the initiation is tough; it doesn’t change the fact that the foundation is solid.”
“Indeed. The Imaginations of the Red Flame School, which has explored and imagined all phenomena involving fire starting from the single flame of a campfire, possess a depth and skill that other schools can’t replicate.”
“While initiation is hard, it’s the path that can take you the farthest. No school can surpass the potential of the Red Flame School.”
Thanks to that, Logini’s face was constantly heated, and her head drooped further like well-ripened rice.
“Stop with the flattery. Even if our ability to materialize images and concepts is outstanding, the vagueness in the systematic training process at the basic level does depend on the talent of the initiates, right?”
“Our Logini has achieved something incredible despite that difficulty. It’s a shame she belongs to a disciple of the Inferno and not our school; otherwise, we would have definitely brought her in.”
“Are you trying to sweeten my praises again?! Guh, realistically, we can’t deny that the time and cost needed for training are significantly higher than other schools!”
“Unlike medium and large sized schools that churn out mass-produced disciples, there’s a romanticism in the purely inherited school that nurtures a single chosen disciple properly. Both the Inferno and Logini are outstanding mentors and apprentices, different from the trends of today.”
“No!! Are you trying to embarrass me to death!!! Even if it is a purely inherited system, there aren’t any real standards for such inheritance; it’s just that no disciples come in and I ended up alone!”
“A disciple who stays by the old mentor’s side and fulfills loyalty and fidelity to the end is the dream of every mentor. Inferno must envy Logini immensely.”
Right, right.
Exactly, exactly.
The elderly members of the Non-mainstream School, their wrinkles deep enough to draw a map, showered praises on her.
“The Red Magic Tower has a curriculum that lets even little children feel enthusiasm without a burden ♡ Such a clever system for early education ♡”
Even the Masugaki Princess got the wrong idea!
“That’s not it!!”
I, too, realized that the repeated and rising praises were making Logini anxious. I should definitely use this on the Warrior next time!
*
The Demon Minion [Orde Taco] was once the heir of the Coastal Noble House Taco, responsible for the northern coastal area.
“Freeze the Northern Sea. Thus, I will stop the Kraken’s words and the invasion of the cephalopods. Humanity shall narrow down the two-front war forced upon us by monsters and Demonic Clans into one.”
Northern Grand Duke Yuda froze every inch of the coastline that the Taco House had guarded.
The supply routes were blocked, and trade became difficult, ruining the North, but at least the Northern Front became more relaxed.
“A vile excuse. Using the so-called [Grand Vision] as an excuse, the Taco House saw their coastal city destroyed overnight, and their territory fell apart. My father, unable to lose wealth, conspired with the Demonic Clan, and I bore no resentment. I understood it was a choice to protect the family.”
Yawn.
A minion sharing the carriage with him yawned out of boredom.
“My father had no talent for Dark Mana. But rather than stabilizing his own body, he pooled all the wealth left in the family to modify my flesh. Yes, this is not solely my fight. It is an honorable revenge dedicated to my father in the Netherworld.”
“Then why are you launching operations in the Northern region? Why come all the way to the South to cause volcanic explosions?”
The comrade minion stretched and yawned, fluffily extending its furry limbs and curling its fingers and toes.
Orde Taco didn’t blame his leisurely comrade’s attitude as it shivered and then comfortably stretched.
“The Academy created the opportunity.”
“What opportunity?”
“The chance to raise the continent’s average temperature and melt the frozen sea of the Northern Sea. A chance to take the land that once protected humanity from monsters and turn it into a stronghold for the Demonic Clan, reviving the Taco House. This is the golden opportunity for me, Orde Taco, to take revenge on Northern Grand Duke Yuda.”
“How commendable.”
“I would appreciate your help in that opportunity. Lord [El Niño], one of the Demon King’s Four Kings, desires the success of this operation, which is why I have sent you here to show you how sincere I am about this mission.”
The second Demon Minion that emerged due to the special nature of this round, which had not been discussed at the Ghost Hotel, was a Cat Beastfolk, softly licking its paw in the designated seat of the carriage.
“That kind of reasoning doesn’t concern me at all. I was only curious about the abilities of the first-year student who has joined the Academy from my tribe.”
The large minion, [Box Cat], curled up in a box, glaring intently at the photos of Oknodie and Logini pinned to the wall.
“By the way, how did you know which student would come here? There’s no way to find out information from inside the Academy externally.”
“If you can’t find out externally, then you should find out internally. This information came from the cooperation of an external organization.”
“What organization?”
“The Wahyhiemhai Foundation. There’s just one condition I need to fulfill in return for their cooperation.”
A tentacle extending from Orde Taco’s fingertip pointed at Oknodie’s portrait.
“Oknodie. The condition is to
*
Reap couldn’t hide her concern.
“Was it really fine to send the young lady away?”
“The young lady requested this mission first. The Director wouldn’t miss this opportunity. If I had rejected it, a greater retribution would have awaited.”
“You’ve changed. The one who committed all sorts of acts to protect the young ladies is now willingly letting the young lady go.”
Liquid metal, melted from numerous metals, swirled at the movement of a single finger.
Jonnas frowned in dissatisfaction at the phenomenon he had caused.
“Isn’t it you who’ve changed? Despite having been blindly loyal to the foundation, you’re now expressing ‘concern’ for the young lady?”
“I am an Assassin Maid. A Reaped Life whose very name has been taken away. I do not go against the Director’s will. Do not harbor any idle expectations.”
“It seems you’ve been excessively thorough in your internal training for that.”
“…”
“The training of the Mana Flow Technique Manual for Maids has also reflected this. Is it that you genuinely wish for April, Hestia, and Titosso to protect the young lady, thereby advancing their education?”
Reap’s dark green eyes casually observed the liquid metal being refined into a sword within the swirling brew.
“Head to the volcanic region and encounter the Demon Minions. The moment a command like that was issued to the young lady, the Director intended to
The sword held by Jonnas shrunk to the size of a dagger.
Just like the dagger tucked in Reap’s memorization case.
“That anxiety proves your affection for Oknodie. Given your current state, I would trust you to leave it in your hands.”
“…What is this?”
“I’ve cast an enchantment on it. Until it makes contact with something, its weight diminishes, but after contact, it increases dramatically. Handle it with care.”
“I’m asking for the intent behind giving me this.”
“Are you really asking because you don’t know? Or is it that you simply don’t want to face the risks?”
“…”
“Your heart has already leaned towards Oknodie. The Director did not instruct you to refrain from helping Oknodie. If you eliminate the Demon Minions, your intervention will go unnoticed.”
Reap stared silently at Jonnas before pocketing the enchanted item.
Clouds gathered as shadows draped over Jonnas at the window of the enchantment workshop.
Clack.
As the lights were turned on, the darkness was lifted.
Reap had already vanished from the open window.
“Lady. This butler is quite worried.”
Preparations have been arranged.
Yet unease lingers that cannot be concealed.
“If you already know the command, you must have some thoughts in mind. However… if you truly are going to help your friends, I fear that weakness may yield disaster.”
*
There are three types of security zones on the road to the crater of Mount Vesuvius.
A monster area by the nature mana-attracted spirits and their variant flame monsters, empowered by their energy.
A blast trap zone designed by the Jangryeol School, where if an intruder touches the trip wire, the connected detonator explodes.
Mage security zones around tourist routes, where if intrusion is detected, mages leap out like swoosh at a five-minute alert.
“The Jangryeol School has turned all three routes into a mess and dumped the cleanup on us.”
The representative of the Non-mainstream magicians present, 6th-tier Magician [Magni], unfolded the security map.
“The monster habitat has disappeared, either captured or slain by high-grade monsters, and in the blast trap zone, parts of the traps have been dismantled, and their potency randomly altered, making it hard for us to approach.”
“Magni sir. Then should we assist with the other two places excluding the mage security zone?”
“No. I’d actually like to request the mage security zone from you. This area has also fallen victim to the mess caused by those Jangryeol folks—a particularly troublesome one.”
Magni spread out the festival poster.
━━━
[Mount Vesuvius Show!]
To the Southern Sacred City-State Federation.
☆★☆★Spectacular Fire Show☆★☆★ Our Red Magic Tower will present something from Mount Vesuvius!
A volcano show featuring the Heat Wave and Combustion Schools of the Red Magic Tower. If you’re disappointed, the tourism fee will be fully refunded by the tower!
Come immediately to Mount Vesuvius and join the century’s volcanic spectacle!
━━━
“……No way?”
Magni averted his gaze from Logini’s face, pleading silently for her to say no.
“W-well, it’s a bit embarrassing to say, but isn’t fire show kind of a specialty of the Inferno? You surely would perform well since you’re one of his selected disciples.”
Logini, unable to tolerate the injustice, was assigned the role of the spectacular fire show.
