#10. His Imperial Majesty

A scene of utter chaos.

No, this isn’t just chaos. This is… something else.

Shattered windows, walls and ceilings where I couldn’t even begin to guess where to start repairing, and doors so warped they’d need replacing entirely…

Even though I’m nobility, replacing all this ‘high-class’ paraphernalia would be a bit much.

After pondering it, I arrived at a decision.

First, let’s pin the blame on those Mind. If I can just bluff my way through, since there’s no real proof I did this, I should be able to pull it off.

So, first…

“Rain Ortiz?”

Crap.

“Professor Rachel.”

“You’re safe. I’m relieved.”

“Yes… that’s how it turned out.”

After exchanging greetings, my gaze shifted to Rachel’s right hand.

What is that?

“Ah, this.”

Professor Rachel yanked on the ‘hair’ she was holding.

“…”

It was Rien Flint.

Professor…

Did you have to do *that* to him?

Even if he *is* Mind, that’s a bit much…

He was a bloody mess. My brow furrowed involuntarily. Even though he was the enemy, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

“He looks awful.”

“I’m sure he anticipated something like this.”

“Did he?”

“He must have.”

Rachel gave an awkward laugh and glanced around.

“What a mess. Looks like they really went all out.”

Ah.

I belatedly realized the gravity of the situation.

“They did it.”

I blurted out the excuse before Rachel could say anything.

Rachel stared at me in silence for a moment.

“I wouldn’t even dream of holding you responsible to this extent. Don’t worry,”

she said.

In that moment, Professor Rachel looked rather magnificent. Almost haloed, one might say.

“Thank you, Professor.

I swear my eternal loyalty—”

Huh? Something felt off.

I hurriedly erased the word ‘loyalty’ from my mind.

I almost slipped up there.

“In the first place, this barely even qualifies as damage.”

Rachel snapped her fingers.

Instantly, the ruined objects began to repair themselves.

Restoration magic, something I’d only heard whispered about.

“That’s incredible.”

“Indeed. A fine spell.”

“I thought you disliked magic.”

“It’s not magic I dislike. It’s magicians.”

“I see.”

The scene returned to normalcy, as if nothing had happened at all. I was almost ashamed of my earlier fluster.

“I watched the match.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“You built something impressive. Far more impressive than mine, I might add.”

“Haha… I just got lucky.”

“Luck, nonsense.”

Rachel crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. Clearly, she wasn’t pleased with my answer.

“I’m really not that remarkable.”

“Excessive modesty is, in its own way, impolite.”

“No, really, I’m not.”

I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t.

How could I? Tell her I had an artificial intelligence in my head?

Something I couldn’t even begin to prove.

In the end, I could only offer an awkward smile.

“Alright, whatever. Let’s say that’s true.”

“Thank you.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that I need your abilities.”

“…”

Perhaps proof was meaningless in front of Rachel, anyway. Whatever the reason, I still had to stay by her side.

“Are you hurt?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“Good. Go get some rest. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Rachel headed off somewhere, dragging Rien Flint along with her.

“……”

What will become of that woman now?

*

Rien Flint hadn’t died.

Apparently, she was kept alive because there was much information to extract.

Rien Flint is currently imprisoned in the Empire’s dungeons, her arms and legs bound.

None of her wounds have been tended to.

People would say she’s finally paying the price for betraying the Empire.

Absolutely not.

Even in death, she wouldn’t pay the price. Her current objective is to ensure no information reaches the Empire.

“Hello there.”

She spoke to the empty air, a smile playing on her lips.

“Isn’t anyone there? I’m feeling quite lonely.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. Look at this ridiculous situation! They don’t even realize it’s a waste to keep her alive, vaguely hoping to gain something, anything.

“I know you’re all there.”

Ah, this is painful. The spots where the blood has clotted throb incessantly. She could feel her body weakening. It seemed she was nearing her physical limit.

But it’s alright. This pain will become glory in the future.

“Aah……”

What is life?

“You know.”

Life is living.

“You know nothing.”

What do you live for?

“That’s all I have to say.”

Rien Flint lives for the ‘downfall of the Empire.’

“Hahaha……”

This operation failed, but the plan remains unchanged.

Soon, the sun will set, and a new sun will rise.

The ‘seed’ has already been planted.

*

The situation has been resolved successfully.

The Minds were all captured and handed over to the Empire, and the Academy gained the glory of having repelled the Minds’ attack.

Actually, most of the students taking the exam didn’t even realize the Minds had infiltrated. All they noticed was a loud noise that startled them.

In any case.

The Academy greets another peaceful morning.

“Refreshing.”

Today, there’s only one lecture. Professor Rachel’s lecture, which is conveniently scheduled for an early morning class.

Ah, but that’s not important. What’s important is the blessed fact that there’s only one lecture.

I happily left the dorm. After that one lecture, the rest of the day is free time. Professor Rachel said she wouldn’t be calling me in today either, so there’s no need to worry about getting busy.

“Hmm……?”

But… what is this…?

I feel like all eyes are on me.

“You’re Rain Ortiz, right?”

It wasn’t my imagination.

As soon as I arrived in the lecture hall, I could hear people whispering about me.

Leaning in a little, it seemed they were talking about the midterm exam.

“That thing, he must have made it himself, right?”

“Of course. That’s the rule.”

“He seems friendly with the professor too….”

It didn’t sound like malicious gossip, so I didn’t particularly mind.

“I didn’t know magical engineering was this kind of field.”

“Right? I don’t think even Professor Rachel knew something like that was possible.”

“Isn’t he supposed to be some kind of prodigy?”

The problem was, it was distracting.

I thought I was used to praise. When I’m with the professor, all I hear all day are exclamations and compliments.

But receiving it from so many people at once… even I felt a little awkward.

“Excuse me, are you Rain Ortiz?”

Good heavens.

She’s even approaching me to talk.

This is a bit much to handle.

The person who spoke was a girl with yellow hair and blue eyes.

Her name was definitely… Charlotte, I think.

“What’s up?”

“It’s nothing much, but that device you made…”

Charlotte said, her eyes shining.

“Could you teach me how to make one too?”

“Huh?”

Teach her?

…The technique?

“Well…”

This is becoming troublesome.

It’s not that I don’t want to teach her. From the beginning, showing off the technology had this aim in mind.

Nevertheless, the reason I hesitate is because teaching it is impossible.

Could a mere first-year student possibly understand the complex concepts that even Professor Rachel barely comprehends?

It’s not meant to be demeaning.

Even I, who knows modern technology, barely managed to understand it, so this is a natural concern.

“Ah… is it a little difficult?”

“No, I can teach you. It’s just a little difficult.”

“Really?! Can I come find you after class then?”

“Ah, not today.”

I need to rest today.

“Then, what about tomorrow?”

I pondered for a moment before answering.

“Tomorrow’s fine.”

It’s just a strategy to unearth hidden geniuses, after all.

…Looking back now, it’s rather absurd. Is there something about exam periods?

In any case.

Now that the plan is laid out, I have to use it.

Of course, I don’t intend to just reveal it, but still, let’s hope she’s a genius.

“Everyone, pay attention.”

Professor Rachel walked in as the conversation was winding down.

“Everyone.”

Professor Rachel was sweating profusely. She looked almost unwell. In that state, she spilled out words rather hastily.

“Today’s lecture is cancelled.”

What?

For a moment, I desperately suppressed the urge to cheer.

A cancelled class!

Coming all this way is a bit of a waste, but still, a break is a break.

I raised a hand to my mouth to hide the smile creeping across my face.

“I cannot disclose the reason due to personal circumstances, but it’s a truly important matter, so I ask for your understanding. I also apologize for not notifying you in advance. And.”

Wait.

Something feels off.

This chilly sensation… Could it be.

“Rain Ortiz.”

Ah.

“Come with me.”

Ah…

“Yes, Ma’am.”

What to say?

It felt like something inside me was shattering.

But, you said you wouldn’t call me.

Damn it.

Well, what can a powerless college student do? If the professor says jump, you jump.

I hurried after Professor Rachel.

“What’s going on?”

What kind of research are you going to make me do this time?

“Don’t be alarmed when you hear this.”

But Professor Rachel’s expression was different than usual.

Come to think of it, it’s strange. Even if she’s obsessed with research, she’s not the type to cancel a lecture like this.

Just what happened that would cause her to cancel class?

And why did he call for me, I wondered.

An instinctive unease settled in.

“The Emperor seeks you.”

Shit.