After finishing their training, Ars and the others headed to the research building.
　They parted from Alice without a trace and headed to their room, where they were greeted by Felinella, who had made an appointment with them.

'I'm sorry to keep you waiting,'

　Ferrinella, who was acting suspiciously at the door, was holding a package instead of a hand-me-down.

''No, I've just arrived as well,''

　He waved one hand from side to side in front of his face. I wondered if he was nervous, but the line was strangely nuanced, like two lovers meeting up.
　And Loki is behind me. It wouldn't be nice to be standing in a place like this.

　The three of you enter the room as the unlocked door opens with a slow, weighty movement.

'Sorry to disturb you,'

　Just after entering, Felinella stopped and ransacked the interior?　I looked around as if to do.
　It's not just my imagination that I'm enthralled by the sparkle in his eyes to see something fresh that isn't a scavenger hunt.
　It's a look that's so intoxicating, but if you poke around, you're going to get sidetracked.

'What are you doing, come on in,'
'Ah!　Yes.

　For some reason, Felinella bowed and ladylike as she walked up to Ars's doorstep.

'A trivial one, sir,'

　The package that was offered to me was like a tea cake - which of course I was grateful for.

'What are you doing here?'

　I can't deny that I'm disappointed because I thought it was mission-related.

"About the mission?

　He chuckled in disgust, wondering if it had anything to do with the mission. It doesn't seem to mesh well. Felinella, who prioritizes civility as a nobleman, and Ars, who only wants to convey the requirements and make it quick and easy.
　At any rate, it doesn't seem to be that important from her appearance either.

　I hand Loki the tea sweets I received and arrive at the table.
　I've thought before, but even if you take a single action to take a seat, Felinella is the most aristocratic of all the nobles in the academy.

''Well then, let's hear the report.''
Yes, because of the recent raid on the bandits, the Governor has changed his strategy to one of extermination rather than assassination.
I know.

　He settled down next to Ars as the tea and sweets for the three of them were brought in by Loki.

　After checking his seating with a sideways glance, Ars looked into Felinella's eyes and urged her to go ahead.

''So, what exactly is going to happen?''
'On the day after tomorrow's decisive date, we will set up a siege, including security forces and military mages. Mr. Ars and his men are right on schedule.
You mean you don't want to miss it?
'I'm sorry. It looks like we couldn't get more than three figures of mages together.

　For some reason, Felinella, the messenger, looks down as if she is sorry.

''It's not for you to apologize.
Yes?
'I'm the one who blindsided you with this every time. It was forced on me, so don't worry about it.

　Felinella, who was taken aback by Ars, who smiled a bad human smile, burst into a giggle.

''Will Loki-san accompany you on your mission?
We're partners.

　Felinella smiled at Loki's resolute attitude.

Let's keep each other in check, okay?

　He replied with a broken face.
　Even if I say I'm going to do my best, the guys outside are going to have a lot of time on their hands because Ars and Loki will practically be working on the day.

　After that, they would finish exchanging and confirming minor information.
　The more I hear about Felinella, the more powerful she seems to be as an agent. It's meticulous because most of Ars's doubts have been resolved.

''As I recall, I thought Lord Viziest was also of the wind lineage, but is Ferrinella too?
Yes, I've been drilled with some intelligence-enhancing magic.

　Ars snorted at that. Most wind magic is effective for range detection.
　But that doesn't mean he's not a detection mage like Loki is. It's because the wind system mages are more of an effective thing against people.

''Is Feli on that path too?''
That's the plan. So I hope that I can be of some help to you, Mr. Ars.

　Loki jerked at Felinella, who was staining her cheeks, and Loki fired up a rivalry.

''Since I'm here, Felinella-senpai, please engage in normal (...) intelligence work.
Oh, Mr. Loki, overconfidence can be fatal.

　Felinella, who had a chiding sister tone from above, elegantly sipped her tea.

''It's not overconfidence, it's inevitable!

　They took turns looking at each other and gradually tilted their cups.
　Putting his cup down, Ars let out a sigh.

''It doesn't matter either way. It's just that Felli's abilities are appropriate for this kind of work, and if you're dealing with demons, Loki is the right person for the job.

　The sound of Ars's voice was chilling as he interrupted.
　As they realized that they were pissed off, Ars realized that it was quite late for them to be silent.

'It's this late, shouldn't Feri go back to her dorm?　You're right, it's not a good idea for the head of the dormitory to be banging on the curfew.
'Really?　Time goes by so fast.

　Ferinella stood up with a sense of regret, thanked Loki for the delicious food, and finished preparing to leave.

'Thanks....'
That's right. This is the report of the investigation to date.

　I'm sure it's a bit late to do that now, but the material I've skimmed over matches what Felinella has stated verbally, so it's like I've transcribed it.

I'm sure you'll be able to help me out again. I'm sure the message will come around to Felli anyway.

　Ars also stands up to see him off and places the material on the equipment beside him.

'I understand,'

　Felinella thought it was a perk, so she replied with an honest smile instead of a bitter smile.

'I can always serve you at least a cup of tea.

　Loki, who bows deeply, has no heart.
　As Ars said, the right person in the right place, and this time she's the one who's going to help him.

''Hmph, thank you.''

　Even though they seemed to be equals, if there was such a difference in height, they were like sisters, Ars lightly lifted the corner of his mouth. Of course, would Loki reprimand her if he knew she was looking at him like that?

''Now if you'll excuse me, Ars-san.

　The polite bowing motion of her dark, lustrous hair is not the illusory beauty of Loki, nor is it feminine and pretty like Alice's. She has a seductive smile that rings out, and is unusually refined and graceful.
　Her bewitching smile is hushed, and there is a gracefulness to it that is strikingly refined and elegant.

　The other beautiful girl's appearance and inner life are too different from each other for her to be considered out of place.

''Ah, please again.''

　The reason I was a beat late was because I was thinking about such things, not because I was fawning over them.

　I thought about giving her a lift, but after considering the possibility of being rude to her as a triple-digit wizard, I parted in front of my room.



It was less than two days before the mission started. This mission has been pretty carefully researched.
　No more than this. Even so, we don't know what will happen, it will be the same as the outside world after all.

　Ars was also honestly concerned about the lack of numbers. The experimental body had enough fighting ability to be imminent for a three-digit mage as far as he could see. If anything, though, their physical abilities were outstanding.

　Even Ars, as expected, could miss if they took on that many enemies. The number of these experimental bodies is also currently unknown, so even as an uncertain factor, it is conceivable that our forces will miss with only Arus and Loki.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them, but it's also a good idea to have two double-digit wizards if you want to make sure everything is in order.

　It was obvious that they wouldn't be accepted even if they approached him. It's because, as Felinella said, even the personnel of the siege net haven't been able to put together a satisfactory lineup of wizards.


　♢ ♢ ♢　


　The next day, it's not even noon.
　The weather is pseudo-period, but it's good. It's neither hot nor cold, so it's comfortable.
　In such a sunny day, a girl with an unflattering face was cowering awkwardly in the laboratory of Ars.

''Why are you here?''
..........

　The rush to get to the bottom of this is not correct. After all, this girl came back as declared.
　This is because Ars can only feel that the timing is bad in his mind.

　A cool tunic and lacy shorts with a cool tunic and lacy shorts that are completely enjoying the vacation, short but generously exposing her beautiful legs.
　Her red ponytail, tied higher than usual, hangs down in a shabby fashion.

　And with a pained look in her eyes, she turned away.

''Fia, you're back~''

　When Alice, interrupting her training, walks up to Tesfia and tries to grab her hand, she questions the uncomfortable feeling of looking for mistakes. It's because she's lighter than she was when she saw him off.

'Did you come straight over here?'

　Yes, I'm dressed as I just got back with an overnight travel bag in hand.

'Alice~ Don't ask me anything~'

　With a bosun, Tesfia dropped the bag and hugged it, crying into Alice's chest as if to ask her to listen.

　Good, good, good, Alice stroking her head is used to it, perhaps because she's known him for a long time.

''Ars-sama........''

　Loki, who was creeping up behind him, asked in a whisper.

'Well, I didn't expect it, but it won't be a hindrance.

　He was probably referring to the mission that was coming up tomorrow. The first thought Ars had when he saw Tesfia was similar.

'I don't care what it is, but make sure you take that stuff home with you.

　The face that had been pressed against Alice's chest crisply turned to Ars and threw a sharp gaze at her.
　-- I thought, but I quickly turned over.

'All right,'

　A weak voice, a strangely too honest Tesfia, can only give you a bad feeling.

　When he calmed down and came to the front of Ars with a techie and an obviously dour gait, he

What....?
Can you give me some time off?

　I wonder if it has something to do with the absence of the training stick she was supposed to have taken with her in her carry-on. I don't think it would have fit in her bag in terms of length.

'I won't.'
Hey...

　I know the horror of nodding honestly to a sloppy explanation to kick it off.

'Think about it for a minute!　Why don't you tell me why first?
Ugh....

　The sudden offer wasn't because of her lack of thoughtfulness. She simply didn't want to reveal the reason for it.

''No...?''
Unless it's warranted, it's not.
Fia, what's going on?

　Alice, who was wondering why the return trip home was supposed to be late went as planned, pointed out that the cause was house-related.

'Well ... you know,'

　Loki brings the tea to Tesfia, who pauses, as if it's hard to say.
　It's hard to determine if it's a nice assist. Because Ars didn't want to hear this story. It was bound to be a nuisance anyway.

''Did he say something when he saw your magic arm?

　Alice looks in, as if she is worried about the cause of the problem.

'It was fine but then they found me training in my room...'
What's the problem with that?

　He spits out a mouthful to hurry.
　He managed to get out the words that followed. I didn't want to hear it, though.

'Well ... your mother saw the stick, and she was wondering who's teaching you ...'
There's no excuse for that. Fear is so upset with his mother.

　By the time he finished listening to it, Ars felt like looking up to the heavens, "Ahhhh.

'Your mother was a skilled wizard, wasn't she?
Yes.

　Then you can't be stupid enough to not know what those sticks look like.

And you want me to bring him to you?
Yes.

　

'Can we keep the stick?'
Haha!

　He scratches his cheek in a casual manner.

'It's no laughing matter,'
Uh.....

　I heard he's retired, but I guess he still has a good face in the military. More than anything else, a training stick made of that demon material is essential for training now.

'You bring nothing but trouble to the table, don't you?
Please!

　Tesfia clasps her hands together in front of her face, her hair tied up bounces as she lowers her head vigorously.

'It can't be helped. But not right away.'
Why?

　This guy is brazen.

'I've got things to do. I can't do that until at least the day after tomorrow, so I wouldn't think twice about it in three days.
Why?　If it's research, I'll help you as an assistant, please. Oh, what will your mother say........
'I haven't studied any of the dicks that you need help with. What did you think you could help me with, you?

　It's such an oops, and Ars is still wondering if he should refuse.

　There was no way Loki could overlook the words that could be taken as an insult to Tesfia's research next to her, but this time he used Alice with his own weight.

''Please tell her, Alice-san,''
'Eh....'

　It was a sudden pretense, but Alice, who caught the meaning of it, turned to Loki and spoke for him.

It's not a good idea to talk about it like that, since Al's research has enabled me to use one new magic, Fia. Or perhaps I don't think Fia would be of any use to you.
Good faith isn't enough?
I think it's a drag, don't you?

　As expected, Alice had a chance to look into the research process. She even wished she hadn't seen it because of the difficult string of letters at the time.

''Well that's good. You were in so much trouble.

　For a moment, it was a definite change of subject. He took Alice's hand and was as happy as he was. It was a mechanical motion that just didn't wipe out even a little awkwardness. Perhaps now my brain is thinking of a way out like a cornered rat.

　The movement of her hands made Alice's body shake as well.

''Uh, yeah, thanks.''
You see, the greatness of my work.

　It was arrogant, as expected, but Ars played it mean to silence this redhead who would have disregarded him.

'It really was for the best, wasn't it?'
Hey, if you want me to go out with you, why don't you suck up to me a little more? I'm not coming with you.

　This beautiful girl, who is still thoughtless, stiffened up.
　But then she straightened her posture, plucked at the edge of her tunic, stepped back and bailed lightly.

'I'm very impressed with your sublime research, Mr. Ars.
....

　Ars sees aristocratic behavior for the first time and at the same time has a terrible feeling of discomfort. Is it the effect of the first impression? If it is this appearance, maybe I should originally admire it, but I can't feel like that.
　Result.

(Doesn't suit me.)

And for that reason, I would like to have a piece of magic for my bad luck.
You're not accompanying me there, are you?

　Blithely, Loki pouted, and Ars agreed with him.
　He was still the same Tesfia in his chutzpah.

'That's creepy,'
What--!　You were the one who told me to do it!

　A shape that looks like it's about to grab the chest glares at Ars as he pushes up from below.

'Alright, alright,'
I'll give you the magic...
I don't mean that. I mean I'll give you a little visit to your parents' house.
Tsk.

　

''At any rate, it'll be three days before I can get there.
Buh~....

　Alice is quick to quiet Tessphere, who is puffing up.

"Good for you, Fia. Then maybe you should call your mother sooner rather than later.
Yeah, sure.