He walked down the corridor of the quiet academy, where there were no students.
　His gait was heavy to see, and he felt tired.

　Wraith sighed heavily as he walked with a limp.

''I don't want to talk to you for the next few years anymore I feel like I'm going to have a hole in my stomach.

　Wraith states emphatically with a grim expression. The cause of this would not need to be put into words. Seth, who is leading the way, cowers his shoulders and sighs as he looks at Wraith, who walks unsteadily behind him.

''You're exaggerating.''
No, you shouldn't do that whole laughing thing, I promise. It's too much pressure. You can tell Seth next time.
Why would I do that...

　Sighing as Wraith caught up with him, Seth sped up his walking speed a bit. Naturally, Wraith, who was walking sluggishly, had to increase his speed as well.

''Come to think of it, what kind of person is Helgar after all?''

　The question that had been bounced off and hadn't been answered clearly was now put to Seth. Seth snorted in annoyance as he stepped forward.

''Well I'm not a bad person,''

　After struggling for a while, that was the answer that Seth squeezed out. The answer was so unreliable that even Wraith's gaze turned white.

''That's good information Danner.

　Hahaha, and a deliberate smile. It's a total stunt.
　Seth's mouth twitches at the edges of his mouth and he gives an impossible smile. His face is smiling, but it's easy to see that it's laced with anger.

'You'll find out soon enough when you meet him in person. Now, come on, let's get going.''

　Seth is accelerating faster and faster with a good smile on his face. As expected, he doesn't run, but he seems to be angry enough to walk fast.

'Well don't be so angry,'
I'm not angry.
Because I was wrong.
I'm not angry.

　Wraith puts his hand on Seth's shoulder with an air of, "Oh dear, it can't be helped. Of course, the words you call on are kicked out as soon as they're spoken. Where is the person who listens to the words of a person who has a look of enlightenment on his face in this way?

　You'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

'But, Seth,'
I'm not angry.
Wha...?

　Seth said this more strongly than ever before and hurried to Helgar's side, exhibiting the maximum speed of his fast walk.



　******



Oh,

　That was the first thing Wraith said as Seth led him to the room he had arrived in. A voice that contained both pure amazement and admiration.

　It was a room that could best be described as a neat and tidy laboratory. It was a good indication of the character of the person who would be in charge of this room, Helgar.

　Numerous tools and materials for alchemy are placed throughout the room. As expected of a magic academy, or should I say, they don't spare no expense in investing in equipment after all.

　The Wraiths of the time when they didn't have a workshop would have envied them with their eyes shining.

''What a decent-looking person you seem to be.

　Wraith couldn't help but mutter as he shuddered at the thought of a more outrageous room waiting for him.

'What kind of person were you imagining?'
'Then stop reacting in a meaningful way. I'm afraid of me.
No, that's... well, you know.

　Seth stopped speaking, as if to say he was too lazy to say it. Then he scurried around the room, looking around curiously.

'I'm always here...'
He's not here.

　The owner of the room was not present. I knocked before I entered the room, and I knew it when there was no answer.

'You know we're coming, though, don't you?
So we'll wait.

　It's not like he's not at the academy, since he must have talked to Helgar. Until Helgar arrives, Wraith, who is not handheld, looks around the room. As an alchemist, the workshop of the same alchemist is a matter of concern. It's also talented enough to work at the academy. It was impossible not to be curious.

　Medicinal herbs, minerals, magic tools and potions. You'll find herbs, minerals, magical tools and potions, all neatly arranged in an orderly fashion, and you'll look at them sullenly as if they were objects to be admired. Then one thing caught my eye.

''What's this?''

　Although it looked like a black stone to the eye, I could sense that it wasn't just a stone. If I were to compare it to the ones Wraith had encountered so far, it has an atmosphere similar to a magic stone. Out of curiosity, she naturally reached out her hand--

Who are you people?

　A rugged voice echoed in the room, and Wraith involuntarily pulled back his outstretched hand in a hurry. When I threw a quick glance toward the door, there was an old man whose expression was twisted in anger. His face was deeply wrinkled with short, white hair that reminded me of his overlapping years. However, the atmosphere he wore showed no signs of decline, and his appearance even gave a sense of menace.

　The old man shook the white robe he wore and stepped steadily into the room. Then he brought Seth's face into view and suddenly stopped.

''Mm, I believe it's Linfold's.......''

　His sharp gaze softened slightly. Seth smiled slightly and bowed his head deeply.

'It's been a long time, Dr. Helgar.
Yes, I remember you. You were especially good at it.
Thank you for the compliment.

　Helgar's words didn't sound sarcastic, and he was genuinely admiring his former student. You could tell that from the soft expression on his face, and he seemed to be a teacher who cared about his students.

　As for Wraith, who had been half threatened that he would know when he met her, he was too normal and too good to be baffled. She couldn't understand why Seth had given her a subtle look when he heard Helgar's name.

　Helgar moved away from Seth, who was standing near the door, and went in front of Wraith, who was standing there in the back. He puts his hand to his chin, wrinkles his brow, and gazes at Wraith's face unceremoniously with a jittery look.

　Helgar continues to observe Wraith's entire body in every nook and cranny.

The...

　The Wraith, who hadn't been able to utter a word at the devilishness of the situation, squeezed out his voice as he remembered. However, Helgar's observation didn't stop, as if he didn't hear Wraith's voice. After doing so for a while, he says a few words in a whisper.

'You're as young as I've heard.'

　The words did not seem to demand a response, so even Wraith was troubled by the reaction. You can't help but feel uncomfortable when someone you don't really know looks at you so unreservedly.

I'm sure you've heard the story. You're a substitute teacher,

　I breathe a sigh of relief that we're finally going to be able to talk. And then, as I was about to open my mouth to introduce myself as well--.

"Name's Wraith, wasn't it? I was personally interested in it. An alchemist who suddenly appeared in the royal capital and quickly spread his name. His abilities were so high that he was able to create elixirs at a young age, and there were adventurers whose lives were saved. Ah, there was also talk of an acquaintance with that Rulimes.

　Wraith's mouth was half open with a pout as he was swooped up ahead of her. He was completely consumed by Helgar's pace. He forgot what he was going to say and stood there.

"However, then. I won't give you credit until I've seen your skills with my own eyes. I don't want you to become too confident.

　Wraith flinches as he receives a glare from Jirori. Seeing the Wraith unable to speak, Helgar humphs and sniffs, and walks out of the door that is left open and into the hallway.

　What did I do to distract him? A barely emergent thought goes unanswered.

　Unintentionally, Wraith slowly looked at Seth's face as Helgar behaved like a storm. Seth, who smiled just like Nikoli and Wills, was the most hateful thing he had seen since they met.

　-- Oh sure, it seems like it's not going to be a simple matter.

　The faint hope that he might be a decent and kind person had already been shattered and his chest was already filled with anxiety. Will I be able to make it here?

What are you doing?

　An angry voice echoed from the hallway, and Wraith let out a sigh that he didn't know how many times today.