So, where do you want to go?
This is Mr. Helger's workshop.
I understand.

　Leesha nods lightly and starts walking without hesitation. Unlike Lace, Leesha has a firm grasp on the structure of the school building.

　Following the back of her trusty friend's sister, Lace also began to walk.

''..........''
..........

　Despite being exposed to the glancing eyes of the students and feeling uncomfortable every time they glanced at her, Wraith stepped forward in silence. However, perhaps because of the small number of people in the room, she felt awkward to be silent the whole time.

'I knew it was similar.'

　The topic of conversation quickly came up as it related to Seth, who they both knew.

'With my brother, huh?'
Yeah. I knew it when I saw it because he has the same hair and everything.

　Leesha loosened her mouth and grabbed a bit of her own gray hair with her fingers as if she was not full. They weren't quite twins, but their well-rounded faces were very similar.

　For a moment, I wondered if this is what Seth would look like if he dressed as a woman, and Wraith's shoulders shook with a chill.

''You and Seth are close after all?
'I think we're good friends. We haven't had any fights.
Well, I can't imagine that guy fighting.

　He put a hand to his chin and thought of Seth, who couldn't shake the impression that he was a kind man. I can't imagine him yelling at his sister at all.

''........What do you think of your brother, Wraith-san?''

　Suddenly, Leesha looked at Lace as if she were testing her. Lace looked into her eyes and felt the same feeling as when he was relative to the virus. Eyes that seem to see through this one's heart and seem to be unreserved.

　It doesn't feel good. I don't even know why he's suddenly looking at me like that.

I think we're good friends. You can help me if I'm in trouble.

　When Lace replied as it was, despite her confusion, Liesha blinked her eyes cutely with a snap and returned to her original mood.

　She looked at Lace curiously as she stared and smiled with a coy smile.

''You really are different, aren't you?''
What do you mean...?
No, it's nothing. As long as Lace-san remains the same. Please continue to take care of your brother.

　More and more confused by Leesha's response, Lace tilted her head slightly. In the meantime, Leesha continued onward at a leisurely pace, so she abandoned her thoughts for a moment and concentrated on getting there.

　Wraith had no idea what Leisha, who was in an awfully good mood, was thinking.



　******



This is Dr. Helger's workshop.

　Wraith let out a huge breath from relief at the familiar sight he was led to. The only thing that could be avoided was the worst case of continuing to wander around like that.

　You can't avoid being late, but it's far better than not being able to reach it.

'Thanks. That really helped.
Yes, sir. Please be careful not to get lost next time. I'm looking forward to class.
Well, don't get your hopes up.

　With a final bow, Leisha walked away.
　A well-mannered girl would be someone like her, Lace thought vaguely.

'Well,'

　Wraith turned to the door and knocked lightly. When he was asked to enter, he entered and found Helgar's figure, the corners of his mouth trembling as if he was holding back his anger.

''Good grit to be late on the first day...''
I'm sorry I'm lost.

　Wraiths are so bad that there is no room for rebuttal, so I bow my head honestly. In a situation like this, it's important not to rebel poorly. The unpretentious attitude of the Wraith may have worked, but Helgar just sighs and returns to his normal expression.

You're in class today. I won't start training yet, but it will be easier to get used to it while it's still fresh in your mind. Well, I'm basically leading the class, so don't get too comfortable.
Yes. Please.

　It's only after the practice session starts that Lace has to work hard in earnest. There are plenty of things you can do, such as help with preparations and assisting students.

　Therefore, it should be a simple matter to participate in classes from the beginning of the practical training. However, it's important to meet the students and get used to the atmosphere of the place.

'....And how is that?
What do you mean?

　It's hard to grasp the intent of Helgar's words, which are unusually hushed. For some reason, Helgar doesn't want to face the Wraith who asked him back without thinking.

''I gave you the magic stone, didn't I?
Oh, we've used it. However, I ended up with a pretty low mileage golem, so it's hard to call it a success or failure.

　Wraith placed a hand on the back of his head and smiled in shame. In contrast, Helgar looked at the Wraith with an expression as if he was facing something inexplicable.

''You said it was completed with that magic stone...?　It can't be....

　Helgar begins to mumble something in a muffled voice.
　Wraith waits for Helgar's words, wondering what's wrong with that magic stone. However, Helgar seems to have been convinced by himself and shakes his head to put the magic stone out of his mind.

''Well, okay. .........I'm sure you'll introduce yourself to some extent, so that's what I'm going to do.
Yes.....

　What kind of intentions did the question have after all? With a little concern, Wraith began to think about the content of his introduction.



　*****



　A gulp and an unconscious gulp. My heart was accelerating faster than normal, enough to make me self-aware. I remember the look I got this morning, and I fight back the urge to run away.

　I can hear Helgar speaking next to me, but I can't capture the meaning of the words, they just drift from right to left as a mere sound.

　The classroom at the Academy of Magic was bigger than Wraith had imagined. He had thought that even if they gathered at best, there would be about thirty people, but there would be roughly fifty or more people here. Considering that there were that many eyes looking in his direction, it was inevitable that he would feel nervous.

　A few of them, some of the students he had seen this morning. They were quite surprised to see Wraith, and they were quite surprised to see her. Wraith moistened her lips and exhaled lightly, even as she tried to control her nerves.

　With that alone, I felt my heart beat somewhat calmed down.

''It's Wraith-sensei, who will be a temporary teacher from today.

　Finally, there is enough room for me to pick up on Helgar's words. At the right time, he was about to introduce himself. Leith stepped forward and looked around at the students again.

　Then he also spotted Leisha among the students. She also seemed to have noticed Leith and bailed.

''Well, I'm Lace, who will be taking care of you from today. Since I'm standing here, I'll do my best to tell you what I can, so please do me a favor.

　A bland greeting was greeted with a modest amount of applause. Wraith was relieved that he hadn't quietly bitten.

　When the applause stopped, a hand went up from one of the students with an attitude and a pin.

'Question, may I ask you a question?'

　If Lace remembered correctly, the girl who was raising her hand now was one of the students who had been around Leisha this morning. When Lace turns his gaze to Helgar, he nods to announce permission.

'Go ahead.'

　The girl's eyes sparkled with curiosity as Lace said this.

'What were you doing in the hallway this morning?　Also, what's your relationship with Risha?

　Wraith choked on his words and almost distorted his expression involuntarily. However, I was able to endure that much at the end of the day. If it were someone else, I would have praised them for asking a question that hit a lot of painful points. But at this point in time, this is nothing more than a move to corner the wraith.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what kind of thoughts you have in mind when you use the word 'what kind of relationship'. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

　Come to think of it, I remembered that Leesha had said she would explain it to me later, and Leith couldn't help but look at her. Then, Leesha looked away with a bitter smile on her face.

　I don't know if I forgot to explain or if there was some kind of mistake, but there's no doubt that there's some kind of misunderstanding.

　That's a problem too, but more than anything else, answering the question of what he was doing in the hallway this morning in a foolishly honest manner could lead to a situation where Wraith's stock would crash as soon as they met.

　As a Wraith who wanted to get the job done without incident, I wanted to avoid that situation.

　I don't know why, but I'm trapped in a corner for just saying hello. I shouldn't have accepted any questions, Wraith spat inwardly.

　All right, I'll do it, he looked at the girl who threw the question at him with eyes that were ready to do it. Perhaps, as a girl, the first question was rather unimportant and she was more concerned about her relationship with Leisha, but there was no way Wraith could have guessed such a thing.

　The Wraith's mood right now is that of a brave man challenging the Demon King.

　It's a good inconvenience for a girl who is being set up as a demon king without knowing it.

The actuality of this is that you have to have a look at the student's face. By the way, Risha-san and I are just acquaintances.

　The students buzzed when they heard Lace's words. It didn't matter what the answer to the question Lace was worried about, the students' attention was focused on the fact that Lace knew Leisha.

　That would be true, too.

　It didn't matter if it was a student attending the academy, a teacher hired on a temporary basis from the outside was acquainted with the four great nobles. On top of that, they are not much older than the students. It's enough information to attract the attention of the students.

　By the way, Wraiths is cringing at the buzz and wondering if he answered the question too roughly.

'He was just lost, wasn't he?

　Despite the buzzing of the students, Helgar tells the truth from the side. You can't believe it," she said, opening her eyes and looking at Helgar.

　It's a sudden betrayal.

　In the end, Wraith was given the over-informed title of a temporary teacher who knew the faces of the four great nobles who had been lost in the school since day one, a title that was over-informed. Needless to say, it was not something he wanted.

　The beginning of Wraith's teaching career thus ended in failure.