Mr. Machina?
I told Mia to call me when you returned.

　Mia, who is standing diagonally behind Makina-san, bows her head with a smile.

''I apologize for not informing you in advance.
'Oh dear, Mia has nothing to apologize for. I told Mia to keep quiet because I wanted to surprise Kurohiko.

　Ms. Machina suggests we sit down.

'Come on, sit down, Kurohiko.

　I took a seat facing her.
　In front of me was an array of mouth-watering dishes such as bone-in meat and marinated fish dishes.

''I know you're probably hungry, so just eat while you eat. .........well.

　The next thing Makina-san revealed was a look of exertion.

''First of all, thank you for your hard work in unveiling the forbidden curse in the magic ceremony class.
Are you sure that was the right thing to do?

　After a breath, Makina answered.

'There were several reasons why I tried to hide the existence of the forbidden curse from you. One was for your personal safety, and another was that I wanted to keep it as a hidden gem to accomplish my goal. And then--

　Somewhat self-mockingly, Makina-san's mouth dropped open.

''I thought it would be easier to snatch the other forbidden spellbooks that have been located from their owners.
"Other curses...

　I knew that since it was called the 'Ninth' Prohibition, there must be other prohibitions.
　.............
　So there are at least eight others.

'There are four that we know of right now in terms of the location of the other forbidden spell documents. By the way, I gathered another round of information yesterday and today, but I didn't have any new information.''

　Makina held up four fingers.

'One is owned by the military goddom of Ruvel Argan.

　First, his index finger closed.

'And then two for the Guntarios Empire.

　Next, the middle and ring fingers were closed simultaneously.

'One of them ... though it doesn't seem to be under the control of the Empire.

　After adding that, the little finger is finally closed.

''And the remaining one seems to be owned by one of the three major organizations in Doomsday Township.

　When he finished, the headmaster gently placed his small fist on the table.

''As for trying to get them, well, they're all tricky opponents.

　Located in the northeast of the continent - north of Renowthred, the military goddom of Ruvelargan.
　The Empire of Guntarios, a great power in the west that has half of the continent as its territory.

　Both of these are names of countries that came up in a culture class.

　And that's where the apocalypse is........

''And... even if the existence of the forbidden spell user hasn't come to light, if at some stage information comes in that I'm collecting the forbidden spellbook, both the Empire and the Rouvelargans will have a hunch that something is up.

　Even if I wanted to collect them in secret, the difficulty level would still increase if it was outside the country.

　Makina-san cowered her shoulders.

''Most of all, to hide the fact that there is a forbidden spell user, you're also going to attack the holy ruins while being restricted in your use of the forbidden spell.... And when you can't handle the holy element in the first place, the original line of 'odd spell user' became impossible.

　The Dean crosses his arms on the table.

'By the way, those holy ruins,'

　His expression is a bit harsh.

''You said you've already gone to attack?''

　Gulp.

'....Yes.
'I thought I was going to go to Clarice's I was wrong there.

　I shrug and return it.

'I was thinking of going to Mr. Clarice's ... tomorrow.

　Emotionally, I was putting Currier-san first in everything........
　As for my actions, there are many things I should reflect on.

''In case you're wondering.......what about your equipment and tools?''

　When I explained with a mixture of self-discipline, Makina-san dropped her shoulders with a dumbfounded face.

''Totally ... well, since you seem to be remorseful, I'll spare you the death penalty, though.
If he wasn't remorseful, he would have been put to death!
Yes ... as a man.
As a man?
It doesn't matter.

　Easily dismissing my doubts with 'that's not the point', Makina-san continued.

''You said you turned down Miss Cecily's invitation to join the attack team?
Do you know him?

　Sighing, Makina-san stuck her forehead on her crossed hands.

''Did you know or not, this story has already spread quite a bit in the school, right?　By noon tomorrow, the entire school will know about it. Honestly, it's almost drowning out the news of the 'Forbidden Spell User Revealed'.
Oh, really?
''It's astonishing that a mere student would accept an invitation from that Cecily Arkwright, but to think that someone would turn down that invitation... I'd be crazy not to be surprised.

　Only the upper half of Makina-san's face appears from behind her folded hands.
　She's half-eyed, staring at me intently.

'I'll ask you frankly. Why did you say no?

　.....................
　Let's be clear here.


May I have a word?
Yes, sir.
Shouldn't that student you wanted to team up with have asked Miss Cecily to join her attack team?
No I think that would have been difficult.

　In a manner of speaking, I didn't stop to think about it.
　However, for Currier-san and Cecily-san to form an attack team on good terms right now.................after all, I think it would be difficult.
　When I remember that after-school exchange, I can't help it.

''So........so that student is more attractive than Miss Cecily?''
'Charming...?　Um, well, I don't know how to answer that...
...This student, may I ask your name?
A student named Currier Versteen.

　Makina-san's eyebrows twitched.

''...Girls?''
'What?　Yes, but....
Hmmm... is she pretty?
?

　Does it matter if you're beautiful or not?
　And the headmaster raised his body in a simple tone and rested his weight on the backrest.

　After all, it would be enough to make you refuse Miss Cecily's advances, wouldn't it?
Maybe he's strong.
That's a pretty vague description.

　I don't know exactly how good Mr. Currier is.
　Nor whether he is stronger than Cecily-san.
　But--

But he's very reliable.
Yeah.

　By the way, it seems that Currier-san's 'statement about being from the 6th House' has not been conveyed to the headmaster of the school.
　Or maybe no one seriously believes that Currier Versteen is from the 6th House.
　Well, there's no evidence of this.
　But I have a feeling he's the real deal.
　Somehow, though.

　Makina-san said as she stared at the table top.

''I was planning to take steps regarding your personal safety, including the matter of the Holy Ruins Attack Team, but.......it seems that the attack team doesn't need me to make a move.

　It seems that the dean of the school was planning to do something about it.
　
　Most of all, I was happy that he was taking care of me like that.
　Even if the reason for doing so was not 'me' but the 'Forbidden Spell User'.

　And then Makina-san noticed something there.

''Oh, I'm sorry ... I was a little too focused on the conversation. Come on in. Please eat.

　Come to think of it, I hadn't touched my food since I grabbed my fork.

'So, then, I'll take it.'

　I do as I'm told and bring the food to my mouth.
　.........It's delicious.

　Machina-san also begins to work on her food, albeit in small quantities.
　There was a refinement in the way she ate, after all.

　And then, when about 80% of the food was cleared up (I was the one who put most of it away), Makina-san, who finished wiping her mouth with a cloth napkin, began to speak.

So, once again, what did you think of the first day?

　Haha, I laugh bitterly.

''It was all I could do to figure out the school and try to get used to it...''
Yes.
..........
..........

　Somehow, I fell silent.

　Something, anything to talk about...!
　Oh, yes.

Um, Mr. Machina. By the way, what can I do for you?
What's going on?
Didn't you find any vacancies in the men's quarters?
'I didn't manage to do it but with the men's quarters, I wouldn't be able to visit them at night like this, would I?　Besides.... if I'm going to 'visit the forbidden user that the headmaster himself discovered', then the people around me won't feel too uncomfortable about me going here.
Huh.
Then again, don't worry, we've taken steps to ensure your safety. ........Mia.

　Mia, who had been standing by, responds when her name is called.

'Yes,'
You can take your food down now. You can clean up now. When you've done that, you can rest for the day.

　I sat up.

'Oh, I can help you if you want.'
I'm not done talking to you yet. Leave the cleanup to Mia.

　Makina-san told me to take my seat back.

''Yes.....''

　Mia-san smiled at me and bailed lightly.
　The expression on her face was, 'Please, leave the rest to me.

　Well,' said Makina-san, and looked at the stairs to the second floor.

'Let's go upstairs to talk about the rest, shall we?
Upstairs?
I need to talk to you in private. Okay, Mia, take care of the rest.

　Miss Mia bows.

'Yes, ma'am.'
All right, Blackie, let's go.

　We had to get up and go upstairs.
　And before we did--.

Mia.
'What?　What is it, Mr. Kurohiko?
Thank you very much for the bath. The water was very nice. Also.........you made dinner for me today, didn't you, Mia?
Yes.....
It was very good. Thank you for the meal.
That's a waste of words... but I'm flattered.

　'Bah,' said Mia, bowing deeply.

''Well let's go.
Yes, sir.

　Then I headed upstairs to my room with Makina.