Marilyn says--
　I know there's an intruder in our school, but I don't know where he is. So we've got to split up and look for him.

Speak up if you see anything. I have set up a magical network for the entire school. We must come for help.
Phew. ....... That's not even close to it . There's no way this Norman can keep up with just one or two vile bandits.
Norman. Isn't that flagging?
Hm?　What's a flag?
No, it's nothing. Let's hope it's nothing to sneeze at.
I'll take care of it. This time it's not Kaiser's place to do it.
　And as Norman gave me a thumbs-up, my concern grew. Will he be okay?

Boys, I wish you good luck.

　At the sound of Marilyn's voice, they spread out in unison.
　I walked around the school building to look for anyone suspicious.
　Since Marilyn had just notified the entire school, they all stayed in their classes.
　What exactly is the intruder's goal?　A magical academy is a treasure trove of knowledge. There was a lot of stuff I could think of.

　...... Well, you'll find out when you get there.

　That's when.
　That's when the voice in my head started to ring.

"This is Norman. We have a possible intruder in the courtyard.

　Oh, God. Norman, you found the intruder.

"Yes. Good work. Norman, stay put and follow him for a while. We'll be right behind you," says Marilyn's voice.
"No. No, ma'am.
Hmm?

　My voice and Marilyn's overlapped.
　What do you mean, Norman's guy, he's not as good as that?

"There's only one bandit apparently. Then we don't need to bother the headmaster and his friends. I'm fine on my own, thank you.
"Hey, wait!　Don't be so quick!　Wait for our support!
"Headmaster. I am. Lately, Kaiser has been stealing all the credit. The students' approval and Mr. Irene's popularity. I need to be the best in the world to show that Magical Academy has a Norman.
Do you hear me?　I told you to wait. And you mistake me, my dear, for you were out of favor before Kaiser's arrival.
"Dr. Irene. I will offer you the head of the intruder. Bye!
"Hello. Hello. Is this communication spell a one-way street as far as you're concerned?　Are you sure my voice is not designed to reach you?
"............
"............

　Norman hadn't heard from him since then.
　I was sure Marilyn would look stunned by the silence. Sighing deeply, she said. 　

''Kaisel. I'll be on my way to the courtyard in a minute.'
Yes, sir.

　When I finished communicating with Marilyn, I walked down the steps of the schoolhouse to the courtyard.
　The spacious grounds are covered with grass.
　In the middle of the sea of green, a huge tree stands tall in the middle. It was a magic tree that had grown by sucking the magic power prevalent in the school where wizards gather.
　Just as I reached the courtyard, Marilyn joined me.

Hmm. That's ......," said Marilyn, scrutinizing her eyes.

　Out of the corner of her eye, I saw someone lying at the base of the magic tree. He is on all fours with his ass thrust into the air.
　She was dressed in the clothes worn by the magic school's instructors.


　I ran over and saw that it was Norman. His eyes were white and he was blowing bubbles. He seemed to be completely out of it.
　Marilyn stepped closer and took his pulse. He looked up at me.

"Maybe he's not dead.
　Marilyn muttered.
'This would have been the most hapless death in the world if it had killed me.
Norman!　Come on!　What happened!

　I shake Norman's shoulders and try to bring him back to life.

'Uh-uh. ......'
It's sluggish. Let me. Marilyn won me over and began pouring water magic into Norman's nose.
"What?　Whoa!　Hoho!

　Unable to breathe, Norman winced violently.

Which... Isn't this faster?

　Marilyn proudly holds up a thumbs-up.
　You need to take a little extra effort.

Come on, Norman. Tell me what's going on.
That's why I challenged the ...... intruder, but it got turned around. Duh ......!　The one that would be me was caught off guard. ......!
You're always so careless. They were already flagged when they called. Things don't turn out so predictable.
Norman. What did the intruder look like? I asked.

　But Norman's face was cloudy.

"The thing is," he said, "I didn't understand ......
What?
He used a visionary spell to hide his form behind a mist. That's why you couldn't see him.
"What the hell is that?" said Marilyn. It doesn't work!' said Marilyn.
'But it took down Norman in such a short time. The intruder must have some real skill. We'll have to be very careful who we hit.

　Despite his pride, Norman is a wizard at the court. There aren't many who can beat him.

So you have no idea where he's going or what he wants.
No. I came very close to passing out when I saw ...... he was on his way to special training. I thought you wanted to see the lab.
A lab, and that's where Meryl is!

　Skipping class, Meryl is immersed in her research on immortality . ...... If the intruder is headed towards the lab, then Merrill is in danger!
　I started running toward the special training camp where the lab is located.
　Marilyn was chasing after me.
　We ran into the special training building and climbed the stairs to the third-floor lab that Merrill usually uses.
　I opened the door with enough force to dislodge it.

"Meryl!　Are you safe?!

　There was no light inside the laboratory, except for the light coming in through the open door, which was dim. Huge bookshelves lined up on either side as if to squeeze in.
　A faint odor smelled off to my nose. The liquid touches the soles of your feet as you step forward.
　There's a clattering, clayey sound of water.
　Looking down at his feet, he saw that the liquid was a bright red color.

"--What?

　With a gasp, she looked at the back of the lab.
　At the corner of the room - where there is a desk - I see a figure that I think is Merrill, and she is prostrate on the desk, as if she is drooping helplessly.

　No way-- .
　I got the worst possible idea in my head.

　No, but such a .......
　I came fearfully close to Meryl.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what to do if you're cold to the touch. ...... With that concern in mind, I prayed as I placed my hand on Meryl's bare shoulder.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on. A scare. A breath of relief escaped me as I looked down at his face.

'Sooooo ......'

　Meryl was breathing comfortably in her sleep .

'You're just sleeping. ......'

　I sighed heavily and shook Meryl's body.

"Meryl. Come on, wake up.


'Mmmm?　Dad?　What's going on?

　Meryl asks as she rubs her sleepy noggin.
　By the looks of it, the intruder didn't come here.

"Actually, I think we have a break-in at the school. We're in the middle of a manhunt. Does Meryl know anything about it?
Hmm. Was he in here earlier?
What? I'm caught off guard, and I yell. "Are you sure?
I thought, "Yeah. I've been hiding my sight with magic, so I thought it was suspicious. Plus, you attacked me.

　And he attacked you?

Well, I'm a strong girl. I sent him away, but then I spilled some chemicals on the floor.

　So the liquid spilled on the floor was a chemical that was used in research.
　I thought it was Meryl's blood: .......

Mmm," muttered Marilyn, who was beside me.
'What's going on. Dean.
We just detected a breach in the warding system. I think that's who Meryl was chasing back.
Are you telling me that's what he was after?
Or maybe it's the research.

　Either way, they're coming after Meryl.

"Meryl. What did the intruder look like?　...... No, Norman told me he was hiding himself with magic.
No. I saw you.
Is that so?
Mmm-hmm. I hope you don't underestimate my magical power. It's only a matter of time before I can defeat your magic.
"There's a reason they call me a wise man," said Marilyn.
So, what did he look like?

　If we can figure it out, it might give us some clues.

Let's see. I can't remember.
Yes?
I was so focused on my research the whole time we were fighting. I forgot to mention that I'm basically all about my dad and his magic.
"[............]

　Meryl sticks out her tongue and smiles.
　Marilyn and I both looked stunned.
　In the end, we didn't know anything about the intruder.