After surviving the first day of the school festival, Arus went home with Loki without checking on Tesfia and Alice's condition.
　Of course, he told the girls that there would be no training during the school festival. In fact, Ars, who had seen it firsthand, knew that it wasn't enough to make them fall asleep on the bed.

　He thought it might be a good reference to keep a video of the game ahead of them in training them, but it was probably still too early to tell.
　The foolishness of the day is gone, and a false sense of quietness looms with the evening darkness.

　In the academy grounds, students are returning home from classes that have finished their preparations for tomorrow, but there are still many places that are not finished and are in a panic.
　With those students at his back, Ars doesn't look back, but only turns his attention to his back.
　Loki, who is walking one step behind her, was silently following her without making even a small sound of footsteps.

　If Ars had any hesitation in her, it would still be about this relationship. He opens his mouth to monologue while half expecting an answer.

'Hey, Loki. How far are you going to follow me?

　Loki's pace quickens and he approaches almost right up to the side, and he answers immediately, as if to tell you that he's not going to retreat - no, he's not even going to ask.

'Of course, to all intents and purposes,'
That's because I'm not the best at this.
It's a silly question.
What if I'm not a magician?

　Loki's words didn't change as Loki disbelieved as Ars repeated the question.

'It's a foolish question. I'm just going to arrive at Arus-sama personally.'
A stupid question.
Yes, sir.

　Hearing the words without hesitation, Arus made up his mind.

'We're going to get busy now, Loki.
Does it have something to do with that girl?
'You could say that, or you could say that,'

　Revealing his displeasure at the teasing wordplay, Loki tells her, "Then let's hear it when we get back to the lab," he tells her, leaning forward slightly to look up.

'Also, I'd like you to describe the person you were talking to during the day as well.
..........

　Ars is only averting his gaze to the right side with a look of "I knew you were coming".
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you. It was the first time he knew at this time that it was directed at him.

　However, it is still Ilyce's last word that troubles Ars's mind.

(Will Krama make a move?)

　I was still unsure of what Krama was going to do, or what his goal was, but I had a hunch somehow. A group of criminals comparable to single mages.
　Then it was inevitable that he would go after a single mage who had the ability to capture them. Is it because they are high-minded when they see that they don't have their eyes on the other singles, or is it because they have decided that the only one they should be most vigilant about is Ars?
　♢♢♢♢♢ You'll need to be careful of single wizards.


　♢ ♢ ♢


　A room in the military headquarters, the only people who can enter it are those who are of the highest rank or rank as magicians.
　The only reason I have a bad feeling about being summoned to any other room is because this room, or rather the person in it, is the highest-ranking person in the army.

　It's a simple room. The only thing you'll see is a pile of paper.

　The man summoned there was a double-digit wizard who had made a name for himself as a mage, and it's not an exaggeration to say that he was an accomplished one. Only one person, face to face, the same as a few hours ago.
　But now I have only a bad feeling.

''I'm sorry. We've lost our target, and our pursuit has been shaken off.

　His face was strong as he replied that with a downcast look on his face.
　A failure of the mission, that's a shameful result for a double-digit magician. There is no excuse for a lack of personnel.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one.

'Never mind, it was probably an impossible task to begin with.
'No!　That's not.......I'm acutely aware of my lack of ability.
That's not what I meant. I think whoever it is could have gotten away with it, in my opinion.
...!

(If Vizayst had been there, it might have still been manageable, but...)

　Thinking of an intelligence specialist who wasn't here, Beric wrinkled his brow as he often leapt into thought.
　Seeing this, the wizard man straightened his back and straightened his posture.

　This room, located on the top floor of the military headquarters, is Governor Beric's office.
　Beric was inwardly preoccupied with his laborious top strength. If one were to tell him that more than half of the wrinkles were due to him, Beric, who was well past his prime, would agree.

(Now, I only thought Ars was going to be the one to join the chase, but he was used.)

　The report from Sisti came up, and Belichick, who guessed that all the instructions were dictated by Ars alone, only received the report from the academy and ended up contacting them.
　To put it bluntly, he had used the Alpha Army's forged license to harm two students, and the only information about that person was about his appearance and the unknown magic he used.
　That alone might have been insufficient for a double-digit mage, but what stuck with me more than anything else was that Ars didn't participate in the tracking.

　Beric had the feeling that the information was being dammed up by Ars.

　If he hadn't reported it to Sisti, it would have gone straight to Beric. However, Ars has a bad habit of failing to report when it can be resolved within his own bounds.
　Seeing the mage standing there froze, Beric felt a little sorry for him and allowed him to leave the room with laborious words.

　Beric to the man who was trying to carefully close the door.

'I'm sorry, but could you make sure no one gets through for a moment?'
Ha!

　A taut acknowledgement came back.
　Hearing the sound of the door closing, Beric opens a private communication with anti-interception protection and contacts him for a detailed explanation.

　With the sound of a call, a virtual LCD is constructed. To ask face-to-face, of course.
　This is a place where you realize that you can't keep up with the times, but the amount of information you can actually read from voice alone is small. The facial expressions, eye contact, and breathing of the person you are talking to can tell you more than you can say in words.
　As for Ars, it's a difficult opponent, but it's probably better than voice alone.

　A few call sounds.
　It still doesn't come out right away, but it's still a persistent ringing sound.
　And...

"You're late, Ars.
"I'm sorry. I was just wondering if you could help me out.
'You've got your priorities wrong. And what does that have to do with what happened at the school festival?
"Yes, but it's not important and I did not expect the Governor himself.

　Ars's expression, which tells him in a matter-of-fact way, gives Beric a hard time reading, but in cases like this, the accumulated experience makes a difference.

'You misrepresented to Sisty. Or you got her involved.'
'...............No. I can't find a reason.
Well, you say that, but I'm going to ask you a question, aren't I?
What?

　No tantrum here, as expected.
　Bellick is convinced that he is still going to do it. The situation is getting worse. You can either hand over certain information to him, or you can keep it to yourself.
　It's the latter and it's very tricky.

I'm a less than second-rate wizard, Ars, but I'm still the governor. I've been at it longer and more experienced than you.
I know. Okay, I'll ask again, what?

　Beric plucked his eyebrows at Ars, who was trying to cut off the white, and let out a sigh.

''More importantly, Viceroy, it looks like my life in the academy is about to get out of hand.''
You got what you deserved.

　At the hint of ruminating inwardly, Beric pulled back without greed.

(You fought with a flourish!　(No, I mean a fightable opponent, right?)

　Belichick, who has been hearing the details of what happened, was finally unable to hide Ars's ranking.
　No, I knew that this would happen at some point. But I can't deny that it's a bit early.

　Beric pressed his temples, wondering how much easier it would have been if he had been the kind of guy to ask an adult for help, like a child.
　He doesn't know everything, but he's convinced and asks Ars, who's on the other side of the screen.

'You're sure it's a good idea, aren't you?'

　If he's smart, he'll know what it means.
　The army can't touch you. A statement that there is no way to get it out. I don't know how much he understands that, but I hope he doesn't deviate and put it into words.

　I'm not sure if he's given up or not, but he has sharpened his eyes and said it clearly.

''You won't be bothered. 'Maybe.'
'You're weak, dude ... well, okay, you say it, so I won't worry about it, but there are some things you can't manage on your own, don't go beyond being human.'
'It's a pain in the ears. I'm learning, as expected.'

　Some weight was lifted off his shoulders by Ars, who responded aloofly.
　Of course, I didn't intend to do nothing, but if there was no way to know, there was no way to move.

It's true that you won't complicate this time around as a blunder, right?
And then you'll turn yourself in?
You're not going to get it now, are you?
...of course.

　Beric let out a snort as he huffed and puffed as if he knew what he was doing, and he dressed with his cheekbones. In all my experience, I've never said it was okay for Ars to turn himself in.
　No, he had shown his face many times if it was an order, but this was not an order, or he would have definitely refused.
　Beric had to change his mind a bit. It was going to be a bit tricky, he thought.

'By the way, Viceroy, I have to change the subject...'

　It's a very good idea to have a good time with them.

''I would like to publish a paper to revise the evaluation of modern magic in the near future...''
I know. I'll make sure it goes through, but I'm going to have to read it too before I do.
Of course.

　There has to be a backing behind Ars's research to push it forward. Researchers in the field of magic are built on the achievements of the past. That's why we don't see many breakthroughs.
　In the beginning, Ars was considered a heretic because of his groundbreaking research, which shook the very foundations of existing magic.
　However, by now, no researcher would be brave enough to flirt with him at the mention of his name.
　Even though he knew that, Beric would still undertake it.

''It's already done, isn't it?''
"Yes, but please keep your name out of it when you announce it.
Why?
"Because this time it's not a big deal. "I could have done it without me, so I have little patience to announce it with my own face.
Well said ... in a manner of speaking.

　It's an honor to be known as a researcher, but Ars is not the only one who doesn't stick to it.
　That is why he is still called a heretical genius among researchers.

　You will be able to get a good idea of what to expect when you get to the point where the conversation has become a kind of acquaintance's conversation.

How's your apprentice, by the way?
''Well that's quite a misnomer. If there's any love attached to it, it's the Governor.'

　Beric coughs once, as if on purpose, after being hit with a zit eye.

'Of course, Alice, you're a victim of this one, as is Miss Tesfia.
'It won't be a big deal. They should both be getting ready for tomorrow already.
What a heartless master we had.
"You're lucky I didn't push you off a cliff.
Consideration of humanity is also a form of teaching.

　Grinning, Berrick choked on the words at Ars's expression, which was not what he was aiming for.
　I thought I said it so that he wouldn't remember that I was the opposite s*x.

'I can only teach you what I've experienced.'

　This turnaround Beric told him inwardly that he felt sorry for them as he pictured them both.

'Isn't that a little too much?
''Of course, it's been tweaked. The training I received was a little inefficient, so...
Yeah?

　Beric had to respond with a bitter smile.
　Now the mage training program was frozen. But the past still doesn't fade away. It's a disgrace to the military, not to Bellick.

''Also, Viceroy, I'm thinking of paying a visit to Rusalka soon.
Not the least of which is Rusalka.
"Requests permission to travel, please.
That's all right, but what are you going to do?
"Well, the AWR technology, as well as the technology of the AWR, was invited to meet with you at the heads of state, so I thought it would be a good idea to continue to ignore it.
'Well, that's true, too, and if that's the case, then we'll have to keep it quiet to Lady Cicerunia. As you know, you have a limited time.
I understand.

　If you tell Cicerunia, who is not on good terms with Lithia, she'll dismiss it with an immediate response.

　It's only natural, considering that we were able to reclaim Vanaris thanks to Ars. There would be no problem in giving him a short leave of absence as a reward for his efforts.
　And if the opposing head of state invites you to visit him, that is even better.

So I'm a guest of honor?
I'm not sure. I'll try to get one of the contacts in through Jean, but I'd like to see the AWR technology over there if possible.
I don't mind that you're eager to learn, but what about your schoolwork?
''I'll take advantage of the replacement holiday after the school festival, but it won't be enough for schoolwork anyway. Fortunately, the Governor's loan will come in handy.
Oh no!

　I pulled back my tsukies and saw Ars's flushed face.
　The expression on his face that said he wouldn't accept unilateral returns was grandly furrowed his brows. If you have no choice but to do so anyway, you have no choice but to take your word for it and make the credit exemption flexible.
　He scratched his cheek, saying that no one can see him pleading with Sisti despite being the Governor.

　It wasn't long after that that I finished the communication.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a conversation with a person who has been in the same boat for a while, but you can't imagine the openness of the conversation from Ars just a little while ago. I should have enjoyed such conversations, but concern was a stake of heartache for Beric as concern.

　I'm not sure I'll ever be able to find a way to get my hands on them. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to find a way to get to the bottom of it.
　It's the time to show that you are proud to be an adult when it comes to Ars.

　Beric begins to act as a responsibility, not as a test.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it.

'I can't help but have a bad feeling about this.

　The rankings are a wedge that binds Ars, but they are still nothing more than a weight on him. That's why he tries to solve the problem as an individual. I don't ask for help as a group.
　I know he has been trained to do so, but there is still a reality that forces him to choose solitude.
　Beric thought he had guided him in the direction of not being lonely.

'Things don't always work out the way you want them to,'

　Forgetting about the mage I'd had waiting outside, I thought about letting him take a leap of faith for a little while.
　After all, it would be better to have Viziest come back for once.

　It's a very good idea to have the best of both worlds.
　But that doesn't mean he has to be replaced.

　In fact, out of the seven countries, Alpha is the one with the most demon progress. It was discovered after the founding of the country that demons were coming northward from the south. Nowadays, the situation is that demons are spreading to all but the survival zone, but at first, the prevailing view was that they are coming from the south.
　It would mean that the Alpha defending the southernmost point had a bad pull.

　Putting Letty on the defensive while Ars travels, he will be able to fortify his defenses by putting Letty on the defensive. So far it was nothing, the question was who would replace Balmes.

　Beric called the man who would be waiting outside the door into the room, with anxiety on the face he had immediately pictured.
　The man, who looked fearful and awed, postured without saying a word.

'I'm sorry, but can you get Lindelph?
Ha!

　There won't be anyone in the army who doesn't know that name.
　He was a young elite who had risen to command as fast as possible.

　It was also a bit strange for a man to call for a commander who was in charge of all of the defense.

'Viceroy, I'm sure you'll return my words, but I'm afraid you'll have to be summoned by comm.
No. It won't be quick. I'm telling you, direct contact is the way to go. Let him know that the visaists are involved.
Yes.