After explaining this and that to the virus after that, I had some time and was released for now.

　And the next day.

　Wraith, who visited the academy again, was a bit surprised at the scene in front of him.

''I'm really sorry...!

　In front of Wraith's eyes, there is Helgar's figure bowing deeply. That's because, as a result of the investigation that had progressed since then, it was found that the cause of the golem's outburst was the magic stone.

　In other words, Wraith's findings were not off.
　And it was Helgar who had given the magic stone in question to the Wraith.

　If he gave it to her without knowing anything about it, it was inevitable. It would be called an accidental accident.
　However, the reason Helgar is bowing to the Wraith right now is not because he unknowingly handed over a problematic magic stone.

　Apparently, he knew it was a defective magic stone and gave it to the Wraith, and it was the Wraith who was convinced why Helgar had an unflattering look on his face at that time.

　It seems that he originally imagined that he was depressed because he couldn't make a golem, but for some reason the Wraith made a golem out of a defective magic stone.

　It was intended to be a bit of harassment due to envy, but the combination of Wraith's alchemy abilities led to this situation.

　It seems terribly dumb, but the result is that such a monster-like golem was born, which is not funny at all.

　If the golem had been intent on killing humans at all costs, the situation would have been even worse.　
　After creating it himself, but Wraith strongly believes that he doesn't want to deal with it again.

''Well, you didn't have such strong malicious intentions...''

　Looking at Helgar, who hasn't raised his head at all, Wraith returns the words as if he were concerned.
　It's a good thing that you're able to have your head lowered by someone much older than you, it makes you feel like you've done something wrong.

　And in fact, Wraith doesn't have much of a feeling for Helgar.

　It's clear that there was some malice, but it's only a lukewarm degree to call it a grudge. It's probably that he wanted the new position, which seems to be in good shape, to hurt him a little.

''But then........''

　However, the person who had treated him with malice was wondering why he wasn't even blamed by Wraith.
　In a way, it was only natural, though, since it had gotten to such an important point.

　It would be funny to say that it was anticlimactic, but he remembered a feeling similar to that, because he felt that he could have been abused more.

''Well, as expected, when it comes to the issue of compensation and such, it's a bit tough for me...''
I won't bother you that much. I'll take care of it myself.
Well, I'll be fine, then.

　Originally, Wraith was only worried about money even when he was working hard to stop the golem. If the damage caused by the golem this time was not my fault, I would rather be relieved.

　I was willing to take the blame for the worst, but if you don't have to do anything, that's still the best thing to do!
.
　I feel bad for Helgar, but since the original cause was him who gave me the magic stone, I have no choice but to be lenient and accept it.

　This was the only thing Wraith couldn't do about it.
　Wraith, who honestly accepted the apology, parted ways with Helgar without any problems.

　The reason I came to the academy today was also to meet Helgar, but there is another person I need to talk to.

　With a heavy heart, Wraith headed to that place.




　*****




　Knocking on the now-familiar door, he immediately receives an answer from inside. The person who greeted Wraith, who entered without any particular hesitation, is the one who called him out today.

　His spare smile remains the same, and he crosses his legs and turns his attention to Wraith.

''How was he doing?''

　I don't need to think about who he is. Because it was originally Wills who gave Wraith the information about the golem's magic stone.

　Naturally, Wills must have had a conversation with him before Wraith met with Helgar.
　What they talked about, though, the Wraith had no way of knowing.

'He was very apologetic. To the point of making me feel sorry for myself.
''Ha, he's a serious person at heart too. That's why I didn't expect him to do this.
Half the time it's just an accident.

　Not that he was defending Helgar, but the words came out of his mouth naturally since it was actually something like an accident.
　Helgar didn't expect a golem to be created, and Wraith didn't expect a golem to start moving.

　There was a misunderstanding, that's for sure.

'Well, yes,'
''........By the way, how will you handle the students' golem damage and such?''

　Wraith asked with a look of trepidation.
　Helgar said he would take care of it if it came to paying compensation, but it's still something to worry about.

　Wills gave a scowl and then smiled casually.

''You can rest assured that you won't be responsible for anything.
Well....

　At Wills' words, Wraith was truly relieved.
　It's a good thing that the most lingering sorrow is gone. I'm sure that's enough to make it worthwhile to come here.

It's a good thing that the ground is full of holes.
I'm ... really, really sorry about that.

　The ground full of holes is, of course, the place where Lurimes once unleashed his magic without addition or subtraction.
　The restoration hasn't been done yet since then, so it has to be done today.

　It wasn't Wraith who unleashed the magic, but there is such a thing as appearances. He uttered an honest apology and lowered his head.

''I'm still amazed at the power of your alchemy. That's quite a feat.''
Thank you...?

　It could be said that Wraith's talent was a disaster in this case, and it didn't turn out to be a very good one. It was hard to explain how he could be praised for that.

　At any rate, Wills laughed at Wraith, who gave a vague reply.

''By the way, can't you make a golem of that level again and control it?

　The cause of the runaway is the lack of magic stones.
　With the right magic stone, it would be possible to make what the virus says come true.

　Whether the Wraith would do that is a difficult question.

''I suppose I'd like to refrain from doing that for now...''

　I still don't want to get involved with golems for a while, since I just had a painful experience.
　There would be no particular need to create a new golem with such strength and durability.

''Well, that's an obvious answer. .........Well, I think I really caused you some trouble this time. It was an inadvertent mistake on our part. I'm sorry about that.
No, no, no, it's all right.
I appreciate that.

　Formal words are exchanged.
　As long as we can restore the ground that has been ruined, we can leave this academy without a trace.

　That was what Wraith thought, though.

''Well if it's okay with you, would you like to continue teaching here?''

　For once, Wills hid his smile and spoke with a serious expression. Receiving the unexpected invitation, Wraith stiffened for a little while.

　However, it's a perfectly natural invitation for an academy that wants excellent people.

　Wills had always had this negotiation in mind when he hired Wraith on a temporary basis. He's such a gem of a person that it's too good to let go.

　Wraith looked at Wills with a troubled look in the air and a half-hearted smile on his face.

'I'm sorry, but I must decline. I'd like to put some effort into my own shop.''

　I'm glad that he invited me in person like this. Life as a teacher doesn't seem to have been moderately bad, and I'm sure I've enjoyed the freshness of it.

　There's a certain charm to it that I wouldn't mind doing at least a little bit more.

　However, I did not think it was suitable for a teacher because of my personality. After all, teaching and nurturing students is difficult.

　Wraith is just an alchemist. It's better suited to making potions and magic tools and processing armor.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

'I expected this but I'm a little disappointed. If you change your mind, give me a call again. I'm always waiting for you.
Thank you. If I get another chance.

　Wraith finally bowed deeply and walked away from the virus.