#36. Emptiness

The mines have been causing problems everywhere lately.

Major facilities have been destroyed, and the Academy, a place of learning, has been attacked twice.

The people are living in fear.

What is the Empire doing?

In such a chaotic situation, why are they still silent?

This is a matter of honor. If they continue to do nothing…

“…Is that true?”

It was a foolish question.

The Empire, which seemed to have no plan, had already found the mine’s residence.

They were just quietly proceeding with their work.

“I am counting on you.”

His Imperial Majesty said.

He trusted me.

I answered.

“I will repay your faith.”

It has been 23 years since I dedicated myself to the Empire. I fought in wars, and I survived.

Now it is time to put an end to it.

“We march.”

Sir Phillip, the undefeated hero and commander of the Imperial Second Order, drew his sword.

He led his knights toward the forsaken fortress.

This battle, too, he would win, and elevate the Empire’s glory.

However.

“What… what in the world…?”

There was nothing.

Not that the fiends were absent.

Truly, *nothing* existed.

A landscape as if something had swept through and taken it all.

The abandoned fortress, the dizzying cliffs.

Even the unsightly weeds that would have been scattered about—all vanished, clean as a whistle.

“What in the heavens happened here…?”

It was something he’d never encountered in his life.

For something that existed to simply cease to exist…

Of course, he’d never seen that particular building before, but this wasn’t merely a case of a ‘building’ gone missing, was it?

Stunned, Phillip stood rooted to the spot.

What should he do? He’d come to eliminate a target, only for that target to evaporate.

Should he just return…?

“C-Commander.”

“…What is it? Is there something else?”

“No, it’s a message from His Imperial Majesty.”

A subordinate approached, holding a crystal orb.

A communication crystal. Bloody expensive but inconvenient to use.

Pouring mana into his hand, he stroked the orb once, and a voice echoed from beyond.

“…Yes?”

Phillip received news from the Emperor that he could scarcely believe.

“A student is responsible for this…?”

Several days later.

A rumor began to circulate throughout the Empire.

『A genius has been born, one who will change the world.』

This rumor, as time passed, would gradually become exaggerated and distorted.

And it would spread even further. Such is the influence of a word on the wind.

To put it another way…

The existence of ‘Rain Ortiz’ was beginning to be known.

*

The situation was beginning to stabilize.

Many were injured, but no lives were lost.

Perhaps it was thanks to the fact that there were few students on campus during the vacation. Those taking summer classes were unjustly victimized, though. Short on credits, and now they’d suffered an attack.

The Imperial Family had no intention of letting this matter pass lightly.

To prevent any further intrusion from outside forces, a ‘Magic Null Zone’ was enacted, extending one hundred meters beyond the Academy’s walls.

Even within the Academy, magic could only be practiced in designated areas.

A rather drastic measure, perhaps, but what could be done? It’s all because of those Minds popping up everywhere.

“Unbelievable… just walk around this vast Academy?”

Professor Rachel was the most disheartened. She who resolved most long-distance travel with spatial jump magic; this measure would affect her greatly.

“Perhaps it’s a good time to start exercising.”

Anyway, everything concluded smoothly.

No professors or students suddenly dying, no resurrection magic used to bring them back.

[ You couldn’t use it in the first place. ]

“Why not?”

[ Because it’s a magic with a history of abuse in ancient times. That’s why it’s simply impossible to activate in the human realm. The gods placed a ‘ban’ on it. ]

Thinking about it, it was obvious.

If resurrection was possible without any cost, the weight of death would become endlessly light.

It was reckless to have thought so lightly of it.

“Well, regardless.”

The matter was resolved, and no further incidents occurred.

Finally, the time had come to return.

Home!

“So much happened, didn’t it?”

If I were to write a diary, I’d need at least ten pages.

The relentless barrage of events was rather overwhelming for me.

From now on, I plan to rest until the start of the semester.

I boarded the carriage heading home. The professors offered to personally see me off, but I politely declined.

The title of professor still felt awkward, I suppose. Is it because I’m a university student?

“…So, you’re leaving.”

The Academy I’d return to in two months.

The word ‘farewell’ is always something special.

Just like when I left the mansion, I felt a rather new sentiment now.

The farewell to the Academy ended just like that.

As soon as I arrived at the mansion, I dove onto my bed.

With a well-executed jump, I buried my face in the covers. I felt like falling asleep just like this.

Today is the first day of my break.

.

.

.

It is morning.

A cool breeze brushes against the window, making it rattle.

Chirping birds created noise that bordered on being just noisy enough.

Walking through the garden, fallen leaves, turned brown, cascade down.

It’s already autumn.

Son of a b*tch.

It was definitely summer when I came home.

“Young Master, it’s time to leave.”

Vacation was over.

The goddamn thing ended without me doing a single thing.

It didn’t even feel like I rested properly, and vacation was over.

Vacation was over…

“Father.”

“Yes.”

Please, save me.

“…I’ll be going now.”

And so, I left the manor once more.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if bandits attacked.”

Of course, no such thing happened.

*

“Rain student! Long time no see!”

“It has been.”

The first person I met was Professor Rachel. Her face, after all this time, was unchanged.

Her usual tied-up hair seems to have grown a little longer. When I really look, I wonder how she manages it.

“Did you have a good vacation?”

“It was like a dream.”

I already barely remember it.

“How have you been, Professor?”

“Me? Same as always. Lecturing, researching…, oh, that’s right! I designed a new machine this time…”

As you’d expect from Professor Rachel.

After exchanging pleasantries, the topic quickly shifted to research.

“In this section, I don’t think we need to block mana. There’s a sense of it being wasted.”

“Ah…!”

As always, I casually went along with it, before slipping away.

“It’s like nothing ever happened.”

The Academy operated as if it had never been attacked by a Fiend.

Just like usual, peacefully.

I suppose it’s a good thing to return to everyday life.

“Oh. Rain student!”

As I wandered aimlessly, someone called out to me.

A voice that was somehow familiar.

It was Professor Meriel.

“Finally, I found you…!”

Professor Meriel, who had been running, paused in front of me to catch her breath.

It took her a full two minutes just to calm her ragged breathing.

“······What business brings you here?”

“There’s something I must say.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

She had come looking for me even right after the Main incident was resolved.

Though the timing was always off, and we never managed to talk.

“Yes, I’m listening.”

“W-well······.”

Professor Meriel stammered, and I simply waited. I had a fair idea of what she wanted to say.

But then.

“Back then······!”

“Rain, student!”

It seemed Professor Meriel was simply out of luck.

“Ah, Professor.”

Professor Felliana had come looking for me.

“If you have business, you should go first······.”

“Ah, no! It seems I can say it another time. Haha······.”

In the end, Professor Meriel retreated, unable to speak her mind once again.

“What was that all about······?”

Professor Felliana tilted her head, a touch of puzzlement on her face, before getting down to business.

“Penicillin, mass production is confirmed.”

“Really?”

“Yes! The Imperial Family will be providing direct support.”

Professor Rachel and Professor Felliana.

The two professors had proven the existence of bacteria to the Imperial Family.

A factory would soon be built, and it would be distributed equitably.

“······You did it.”

“We did it.”

‘Pride’ holds a value beyond measure.

This feeling I have right now might fade quickly, but my good deed will remain for a long time.

“Speaking of, don’t you have a lecture today?”

The question suddenly occurred to me.

I knew Professor Felliana had a tightly packed lecture schedule.

······I was probably the only one who knew the lecture schedules of all the professors by heart.

“Oh.”

Professor Felliana stiffened.

She glanced around, then started running.

“See you later!”

It seemed she was late after all.

Wait a minute.

Did that mean she ditched her lecture to find me and tell me the news?

“Looking at him, that man is really quite reckless.”

Trying to create a panacea, and just generally having more recklessness than his image suggests.

······.

······.

A moment of silence drifted by.

“Hah.”

I remained unmoving, simply sighing.

This sigh was born from the emptiness I’d been feeling.

An existence that would usually respond to every single word of mine, chattering away, was now silent as death.

“Where the heck did she go…?”

I hailed ‘System’.

[ What is the matter? ]

“…It’s nothing.”

[ Understood. ]

A mechanical response. Not even a voice through a microphone.

Just letters written on a blue panel.

The girl who was always bickering with me no longer responded.

That’s right.

Since the Mind Incident was resolved, ever since I arrived at the mansion…

Akasha had vanished.