She had said it was a ridiculous prank, but it was immediately clear that this warning letter was real.

—I've specially hidden it with 'devil's magic', so I'm sure you can find it.—If you make good use of the "eye" you stole, things may unexpectedly go well for you?—Of course, it'd be best if you'd just return it. Haha.

Just from this, he could immediately tell it was related to the Demons.

'So... I've been found out, after all.'

It wasn't all that surprising.

Even though it was an irresistible force, he'd used the power of the sky quite a bit.

In the original work as well, demons had found and brainwashed the owner of the Skybird, Etherna, so he'd always thought they would find him someday.

'But unlike with Etherna, is there a reason they didn't kidnap me right away?'

To say it was because this was Hernan Academy... too many things had happened here already.

One thing he could guess was that the Demons might not yet be prepared, at this point in time, to go after a family like the Traverse family.

'I thought that since Martin was gone, the Demons' grasp wouldn't reach the Academy, but I was wrong. So there's another agent of the Demons besides that guy.'

There remained a Demons agent at the Academy whom even the protagonist had never uncovered.

'Is this the darkness of the Academy? What a headache.'

There was a reason why, even after killing Martin, the hints about the Academy's darkness had not changed.

Martin was only a part of that darkness.

'First, I need to resolve this problem.'

There was a magic stone set to explode on the last day of the festival, supposedly hidden with devil's magic.

The Academy uniforms worn by the students had basic protective spells, but a magic stone bomb could easily pierce through them.

According to the original, magic stone bombs varied in type, but the strongest could sink an entire island.

This one probably wouldn't be that powerful, but if it was set up by the Demons, it would at least cost dozens, if not hundreds, of lives.

'It's not like I have some noble resolve to save the students...'

At the very least, he had to play along with this prank to find clues to the darkness.

Of course, he did feel some aversion to letting other students get hurt because of it.

But more important than that was identifying the true nature of the darkness that had infiltrated the Academy.

'They know a fair bit about me and those around me. If I don't quickly figure out their identity, it'll be dangerous.'

He was already well aware of how dangerous the Demons could be.

Beyond what was shown in the original, the fact that Kryphi and Millia had been corrupted implied a great deal of unseen scheming.

He didn't know what other invisible tricks they might use on him and his friends.

'Wait, if it's the Pre-Festival Parade...'

The Pre-Festival Parade was usually held the day before the main festival.And today was the day before the festival.

"Bella. Is the Pre-Festival Parade today, by any chance?"

"Yes! The splendid opening parade is the highlight! Will you be attending, Young Master?"

Bella had an excited expression, seeming to look forward to the Pre-Festival Parade.

"Yes. I intend to attend, so prepare accordingly."

"Wow! Did you know, Young Master? The highlights of the festival are the Pre-Festival Parade and the closing festival!"

"I didn't."

"Hehe. The Pre-Festival Parade is more fun due to the anticipation before the real thing begins, and the closing festival is more enjoyable because of the bittersweet feelings when it ends. And during the closing festival, there's also a campfire and fireworks where pairs dance together!"

Bella showed a suggestive look.

"The moment to give you 'that' from the Vice-Headmaster will be perfect then. Though I'll need to ask you for a dance before that."

"... Tsk."

Outwardly, Luca clicked his tongue, but inwardly, he resolved himself firmly.

'I have to stop the terror, if only for that.'

He needed to solve this problem to repay the humiliation from last time as well.

Luca took out his student handbook and spoke to Bella.

"Bella. Prepare my clothes. I'll go out."

"Yes! Young Master!"

While Bella was preparing his clothes, Luca contacted Ottbo.

—Luca! What's up? Are you feeling better?"Ottbo. I'm thinking of attending the Pre-Festival Parade. What about you?"—Huh? Can I attend? If so, I'd like to go too!"What about Milia?"—I planned to go with her. She wants to enjoy the Pre-Festival Parade in peace."I see. Have you eaten?"—Hm? Not yet."That's good."

As he was putting on the uniform Bella had brought, Luca spoke.

"I was starting to get sick of hospital food anyway. Let's have a meal together."—Alright! Shall we go to the student cafeteria?"Since it's a rare occasion, let's go somewhere nicer. Somewhere we can talk privately would be best."

At his words, Ottbo was silent for a moment, as if thinking, then spoke brightly.

—I know a good place!"I'll leave the location to you. Send it to me through the handbook. I have something to take care of first."—Alright. Should I call Milia and Isella, too?"As you wish."—Okay!

After ending the call with Ottbo, Bella looked at Luca curiously.

"Oh my, Young Master. Is there somewhere you're going?"

"No. I just have something to explain to you and a favor to ask this guy."

"An explanation?"

Leaving the confused Bella behind, Luca glanced at Whistle, who was quietly hiding in a corner.

Whistle only tilted his head in confusion at the attention.

"Ppii?"

* * *

After Luca gave Bella a brief explanation of the warning letter, she insisted on searching for the bomb right away.

'It's hidden with devil's magic, so you won't be able to find it anyway.'

'With the tools from our secret division, I could—'

'If it could be solved with that, I wouldn't be lying in a hospital bed now.'

Not even Isella, one of the Night, could find the devil's barrier.

No matter how skilled the Traverse family's secret division was, they would not be able to find that.

'Tag along for now. It's better if you're by my side, considering we don't know what might happen.'

'Yes, Young Master. Bella will protect you no matter what happens!'

Even if she wouldn't be any help in finding the devil's barrier, having her around was reassuring.

The two of them headed for the location Ottbo had given them.

"Hmm... Is this it?"

"Oh my~ Isn't that Young Master's friend, Ottbo, over there?"

"Hm?"

There was a shopping district inside Hernan Academy.

Since students could only go to Havok on weekends, it had developed naturally as a place to buy necessities during the weekdays, or for those who found weekend trips to Havok bothersome.

Since it was within the Academy, luxury goods were rare; most stores sold magical tool materials, class necessities, and lots of eateries.

"Luca! Over here!"

Ottbo, waiting at the entrance of the shopping district, waved enthusiastically when he saw Luca.

Luca clicked his tongue at him.

"Tsk. So noisy."

"Hehe, Young Master is like that, but he doesn't seem to really dislike it,"

Bella commented.

Despite his seemingly annoyed tone, as Bella said, he didn't appear to truly mind it.

Ottbo couldn't wait and ran up to them.

"Luca! Are you feeling better?"

"I'm fine."

"Really? That's such a relief..."

Ottbo greeted Luca with a face full of excitement, not having seen him in a while.

Luca responded with an indifferent expression.

"So, where are we going?"

"It's Old Bablang, chosen as this month's restaurant by the quarterly Hemag!"

"Is that another weird magazine?"

Luca pouted his lips at the mention of the mysterious magazine again.At his words, Ottbo promptly pulled out a magazine from somewhere.

"It was created by our upperclassmen! It's the magazine information-collection club, you know? They made a magazine about Hernan Academy Magazine. Shortened to Hemag. Even though it's quarterly, I don't think it really comes out every season."

"... Ho."

Hearing the familiar name, Luca let out an impressed sigh.

'If it's Bogus's information, it should be pretty trustworthy.'

According to his intel, Bogus ran the information-collection club that created magazines.

He'd heard that they published magazines occasionally, and that was the name.

"It's pretty decent. It has shortcuts around the Academy and tips for choosing classes."

"Is that so."

While they were chatting, Milia and Isella arrived.

"You look better than I thought? You were practically a corpse last time."

Seeing her teasing look, Luca slightly turned his head.

"Well... thanks, for everything."

"'Everything'? Ah~ Does that include that, on your first night?"

"Khm!"

With a sly grin, Milia teased, while Isella tried to change the subject, coughing awkwardly.

Ottbo, who didn't understand their exchange, suddenly caught on.

"Oh! So the food was from Isella?!"

"..."

"Wow! Thank you! It was really delicious!"

As Ottbo thanked her obliviously, Isella began to tremble.

Watching this, Luca smirked.

"Ottbo. Say anything more, and you'll have to spit out that meat you ate."

"W-What do you mean?"

"... Are you two done with your bantering?"

Having been teased enough, Isella wore a murderous gaze.

Thinking they might miss the Pre-Festival Parade parade at this rate, Luca changed the subject.

"Anyway, let's get to the restaurant quickly. I have something important to discuss."

"Something important?"

"Yes. It's a story out of a novel, the kind you like, Milia."

At the mention of a 'story out of a novel', Milia looked at him with a strange expression.

"What, both Isella and I aren't ready for that yet?"

"Stop talking nonsense and go."

"Hmmm~ Okay!"

With Bella included, the five of them followed Ottbo's lead to the restaurant called Old Bablang.

Old Bablang was a place where every seat was in a private room.The specialty dishes involved grilled crustaceans and grains mixed with spices.

It was quite strong in flavor but delicious.

After they'd eaten enough, Milia spoke first.

"So, what's this story out of a novel?"

"There's been a warning for a bombing on the last day of the festival."

"?"

As he spoke casually about the bomb plot, the three others—excluding Bella—thought for a moment:'Is he still very sick?'

As in, was he so unwell that he was talking nonsense?

But knowing Luca wasn't the type to joke even when ill, they could tell he was serious.

"R... Really?"

"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true."

"This is Hernan Academy, though?"

"Yes."

"You mean someone's going to carry out a bomb attack here, where there are dozens of teachers?"

Indeed, it was an unbelievable story.

This place had experts in magic, Alchemy, and magic tools.

Besides, there were even people who could relocate every student nearby if an explosion happened.

"Who would do something so stupid?"

"I have no idea. However..."

Luca took out the warning letter and placed it on the table.

"Now that this has arrived, I can't ignore it."

"Let me see. Hm... Ha, a warning letter? Ridiculous."

Milia snickered when she saw the words "warning letter."

But as she read further, her face twisted.

"... Devil's magic?"

"It's probably similar to the barrier that trapped Ottbo and me. Ordinary people won't be able to sense it."

It wasn't quite right to call the Night ordinary people, but even Isella hadn't been able to find that barrier.

"Right now, Whistle is in the sky searching for any signs of the devil, but it probably won't be easy. They'd be prepared for that much."

"Whistle?"

"He's referring to the blue bird you saw before, miss."

"Ah—That. Is that your pet?"

"It's hard to explain now. I'll tell you later. Anyway, for now, it seems the only way to solve this is to follow the hints in this letter."

If he tried to get outside help now, the bomb might just go off immediately.

Following the hints in the warning letter was the method with the highest chance of resolving this problem.

Milia put down the letter and brushed her hair back.

"This isn't the kind of story I expected, but... fine. Let's enjoy it."

"To think you could enjoy a situation where people might die. Horrifying."

"N-No! I didn't mean it that way!"

Seeing her embarrassed, Luca glanced at Ottbo.

Ottbo looked deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about?"

"... Huh? Me?"

When called on, Ottbo blinked and fidgeted with his hands.

"There's something I just can't grasp."

"What is it?"

"Well..."

Ottbo rolled his eyes like he was mulling something over, then shook his head.

"My thoughts aren't in order yet. I'll tell you later."

"How bland."

"So what should we do until the Pre-Festival Parade starts?"

There were still a few hours before the Pre-Festival Parade.Just sitting around didn't feel right.

"... Then, I'd like to consult you all about something."

"Consult?"

Luca, suddenly bringing up a serious topic.

Everyone looked puzzled at the unfamiliar word "consult" coming from his mouth.

Luca pondered for a moment, then sighed.

"I'm thinking of running for grade representative, but in my current condition, I won't be able to participate in the selection games."

"That makes sense."

"Still, to gather votes, I need to do something... but someone came up with a crazy idea as a 'plan'."

After pausing again, Luca twisted his lips.

"They said I should enter the festival's talent show."

"...?"

It was hard to believe he was serious.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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