Theresia Montpellier nearly leaned back in her seat in the dean's office.

　She looked at the paper in her hand again and smiled.



"You are a very difficult girl, Mr. Harte Semphis.



　All the answer sheets for the written exam were filled with correct answers.

　Some of the questions were too difficult for even the current court magicians to solve. Only the fingers of one hand can solve these questions within the test time. The only person close to me is Professor Ruseyan Ner, the greatest genius in the school.



　Teresia analyzes that although he is an excellent student, his knowledge is biased and his ability to think out of the box backed by his exceptional sense is Harte's strong point.



　It was hard to believe that he answered all the questions correctly.



(If so, it was probably the result of cheating. ......)



　Unfortunately, there is no proof.

　The test questions were strictly controlled so that they would not leak out, and the multiple warding to prevent cheating did not react at all during the test.



　However, there was someone close to him who seemed to be able to break through all of them easily.



(Black Warrior, Shiva ......)



　We do not know who he is or what he wants. But his power is greater than that of Grunfeldt, the Great Sage, let alone the Princess of Flash.

　He who wields ancient magic, which is outside the realm of modern magic, would have been able to help Harte's fraud without being noticed and without leaving any trace of his involvement.



　Of course, it is only a guess, and we do not know why he would help Harto.

　If Harto was exempted from classes, would it benefit him in any way?　Or is it because you owe me something?



　No conclusion could be reached here.



（We will just have to keep an eye on it.)



　It is her belief that anyone suspected of wrongdoing should be thoroughly investigated.

　Harto, in particular, is an unserious student as far as I have secretly observed him in class. She has no doubt that it is the duty of an educator to guide such students to the right path.

　But...



（I thought she was the only student I could handle.)



　I'm sure Hurt is one of a kind. Then leave him in the hands of someone who thinks like him.

　If you give him guidance that is too rigidly based on common sense, you might crush a free-spirited .



（Yes, Tiarerietta. She would be the one...)



　While I was lost in thought, there was a strong knock at the door. Not because of an emergency ......, but simply because the visitor was rude. I answered,



"Hey there, Dean, I'm here. What is it with you and laughing in people's faces?"



　Theresa burst out laughing at the appearance of the person she had been thinking about earlier.



"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."



"Fine. But I'm sure you got the results of the written test, didn't you?"



　Tierrietta Leseyernel stands just inside and grins.



"Yes, I got a perfect score in all subjects."



"Wow, that's great. He said he wasn't sure because some of the questions were pretty difficult.



　I don't take them at their word. He did not seem surprised. In fact, he seemed to be puffing his chest out as if it were a matter of course.



"You look kind of unhappy, don't you?　Don't tell me you think Mr. Hurt has cheated?"



Yes, I do.



"Do you have any proof?



No, I don't think so.



"Hmmm. Then you have nothing to complain about, right?



"Yes, that's right. From the way you're acting now, there's no point in pursuing the matter. I have no doubt about his academic ability, but I will not question him. I will only report the results to the House of Lords as they are.



"Hmm, that's a bit of an unexpected reaction. What if the House of Lords makes it difficult for us?



Of course, I'll shut him up.



　Theresa was not lying.



"...... Dean, have you changed?"



"You haven't changed. I admit that it is against my beliefs, but this is the second time.



"Hmmm ....... So there have been others in the past who have been as much trouble as Mr. Hurt. I wonder who it was?"



　I didn't tell him it was you.



"I came here with the intention of having a tongue fight with the dean for the first time in a long time, so I guess I'm kind of off the mark."



"As for me, I would like to argue with you, but that is a matter for another time.



"Oh, I'm sorry, that was a bit of a snake. I'm sorry about that. ......"



　Well, that's okay," Tiarerietta says, repositioning her glasses.



"By the way, I wonder if everything is going to be all right with what I asked you?"



"So far, it's going well. Although this is a special case, the majority of the applicants were in favor of the project at the preliminary stage because of their strong desire and high ability. The problem will be convincing his parents.



"He says, <


"Then I guess I can answer that <."



　I'm glad to hear that," Tiarerietta said, smiling,



"Well then, let's get down to the business of what you called me here to do. Come on, how long are you going to hide? Come on out.



　A little girl emerged from behind her. Her white hair and brown skin are rare in this country. Her red eyes were fixed on Theresa with a penetrating gaze.



"That's the girl you protected in the ruins, isn't it, Mel?"






"Yeah, but ...... that's a reaction I've never had before. Don't look so scared, she won't eat you, will she?"



　The girl was clearly hostile toward Theresa, who smiled at her.



"I've lost my memory, I'm confused, and then suddenly I'm taken out of the house. It's natural to be cautious.



"Well, yes, that's true. But can you treat him properly under the circumstances?



　He explains that he brought Mel here to provide her with psychotherapy.



"You know I know what I'm doing.　I have experience with similar cases, so don't worry."



"Yes, that's right. I've never missed you before, but don't take this as an opportunity to get to know me. Come on, sit down."



　Half forcing her to sit on the sofa, Tiarerietta said, "See you later," and left the room.



　In the heavy silence, Theresa stood up and slowly approached the girl.





"It is you after all, Mercumenes (・・・・・・・・)."





　Mel--Mercumenes bit his back teeth as he dropped the words.



"A genuine apostle of the demon god Luciphila has turned out to be quite a pretty sight, hasn't she? Did you run out of magic somewhere?"



"...... Who art thou?　That quality of magic ...... is not a person (・・・・・). How do you know me?



Yes, I know. Yes, I know, but it doesn't matter what I say.



　Theresa stroked her white hair and gently put her hand on her cheek.



"You must have been very scared. There are so many questions I want to ask you, but if I force you to ask them, you will break (・・・・・・) completely.



　Her eyes turn red.



"That would make 'him' - the mysterious Shiva - suspicious of me. That's why--"



"Hi,--?



　He grabbed Mercumenes by the shoulders and grabbed him by the face as he tried to flee in terror.



"Forget it. From now on, may you live peacefully as a mere girl.



　Mercumenes' vision goes dark.

　A faint image of the Creator floated in the darkness.