Idle Mage in the Game’s Academy – Chapter 161

Chapter 161 — Walking Through Different Times

1

The Duchy of Caesar engaged with numerous noble families.

The first emperor of the Empire.

His distant relatives gained the name Caesar and received the title of Duke.

They survived through countless wars, building an empire from what was once a kingdom.

But war isn’t something a single family can manage on their own.

Strong supply lines and support for the rear guard.

Scouting, disruption, psychological warfare, and political negotiations.

The process of conquering led them to be intertwined with countless people.

“To meet the Harrison Family, it is truly an honor.”

“The honor is mine as well. To meet a lady of the Caesar family.”

Among the families the Caesar family interacted with, there were notable ones.

The Harrisons.

The Great Family of Guardians and the Great Family of Conquerors had exchanged magical knowledge and respected each other.

At least, that was what Manus had thought.

It was what the books he read had told him.

But why had “we” never met before?

Suddenly, a question arose.

“Are you two meeting for the first time?”

“Of course. There were exchanges, but our generation has never met.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s right. We met for the first time at the academy, too… uh?”

Alano tilted her head. A puzzled expression formed as she began to think.

Manus felt a chill run down his spine at her expression.

What was this sense of disconnect?

When Alano had first looked at him, her eyes were filled with ‘longing.’

This ‘past’ she mentioned… when exactly was that?

The day they first met in front of the Ziggurat.

[…You haven’t changed, have you?]

Did she mean it merely based on seeing the first-year version of Manus?

After a brief tilt of her head, Alano smiled.

Yet why did her expression, which seemed as if she knew nothing, appear so out of place?

Manus didn’t understand Harrison.

When Alano had first seen him, or what kind of relationship existed between the Caesar and Harrison families.

So perhaps, it was only natural for such vague thoughts to arise.

When did Alano and he first meet?

[Strong interference is commencing.]

[This interference involves Manus, himself.]

‘What is this-.’

An interference not from others, but regarding himself.

What on earth was happening to him right now?

His contemplation did not last long.

“Anyway, this is the first time I’ve met Lady Caesar. Ah, seems we’ve been talking for too long. This way, please.”

“Thank you.”

“S-Senior Invidea-”

As Alano guided Invidea, a voice filled with awe and reverence was heard.

It was the kind of voice only someone who had directly witnessed Invidea’s school days could produce.

Even though Senior Invidea, who was a fourth-year, likely wouldn’t remember her, Nia remembered vividly.

The shining queen of the academy.

From first year to fourth year, Caesar Invidea never once surrendered her position at the top.

Her praise had spread like a legend.

“A third-year? Seems like you know her well.”

“Please, speak comfortably. I— I’m Nia of the Abrel family, third year. I saw you from afar before…”

“Ah… the first-year Dragon Girl. I remember.”

She smiled gracefully.

Nia let out an excited squeal, hopping up and down.

Her unexpected behavior startled everyone.

To think she’d act like a child meeting her hero, despite normally carrying herself with such dignity. It was a striking contrast.

Nia’s golden eyes sparkled as she sat down in front of Invidea.

During this, Emerson and Melanie, who had been sitting still, had to shift to either side, but that was a trivial matter.

“I was the first-year fan club leader. I worked hard because I admired you, Senior Invidea.”

“What an honor. Is that why you possess such powerful mana? Come to think of it…”

Invidea scanned the surroundings.

At first, she thought it was Manus’s aura.

Then she thought it was mixed with Aden’s aura, making this area so rich with mana.

It was a sight that couldn’t help but astonish her.

The feeling in this space was like gathering all the geniuses from the academy, no, from the continent.

Invidea realized it.

From fifteen to seventeen years old.

The four years from the brink of adulthood to their prime development.

“You all have incredible accomplishments.”

“That’s too generous.”

“Hehe, not at all. With such exceptional talents in the Empire’s noble families, Caesar must keep striving as well.”

Invidea spoke humbly.

Her words made everyone glance at Manus.

With that monster around, there’s no need to work even harder.

“Haha, if he works harder, we won’t be able to keep up, Senior Invidea.”

“Exactly. It’s already challenging enough to follow, Senior Invidea, hahaha.”

“Is that so? I’m glad our Manus is doing well. Anyway… The reason I came to see you today is because of Assistant Chesthip. Although, to be precise, it’s also to see Manus.”

When his name came up again, anxiety filled the children’s faces.

Invidea glanced at Manus proudly before she spoke.

The younger ones shouldn’t have been involved in this matter.

Yet, why did they seem so worried upon hearing Assistant Chesthip’s name?

For now, she decided to keep talking to figure it out.

After all, she already knew about the strange incidents happening at the academy.

“Do not worry. Since I am here, catching the assistant will be an easy task. I should be able to resolve the demonic contract to some extent.”

“Mm, I hope so.”

“Oh, by the way, everyone, did you know?”

Invidea smiled while gazing at Aden, who subtly averted her eyes.

Ah, so there’s something here.

The academy she experienced hadn’t had talent like this, nor had people of this caliber gathered together.

So she was confident.

Her keen mind could easily deduce the situation.

Indeed, her mother had said ‘Manus’ was related to the strange occurrences.

In that case, it was simple.

“It seems that this academy has a very significant secret. Perhaps…”

Gulp-

Everyone held their breath and swallowed dryly.

Manus glanced at them and sighed softly.

“If you all tense up like that, of course anyone would notice, you idiots.”

“…Oh.”

“Hahaha, as expected, teasing the juniors is quite entertaining.”

“Did you… already know?”

Anais asked with a trembling voice.

Invidea nodded with a faint smile.

To be exact, she had only had a strong suspicion, but now she knew for sure.

“I don’t have all the details. I only knew there was some sort of strange phenomenon happening here.”

“I… see.”

“Whether you’re just too naive or briefly let down your guard, I don’t know, but when you reveal so much through your expressions, anyone would be able to figure it out.”

“You, she means you, Pearson.”

At Anais’s sharp comment, Invidea leaned forward, creating a more serious atmosphere.

Assistant Chesthip.

No matter how quick he was, he wouldn’t be able to leave this vast academy in such a short time.

No matter how skilled he was in magic, he couldn’t harm someone without leaving any mana traces.

Of course, if a weapon had been used, the situation would be different, but…

Disappearing without a trace was something that couldn’t easily be explained.

That’s why the Chairman thought Assistant Chesthip might have fled to the Erosion Zone.

“The Chairman visited this place. The Chairman I know is someone who’s typically very sedentary… There must be a reason for him to visit here.”

“Ugh…”

“That’s right. We are a group investigating the strange occurrences.”

Unexpectedly, Alano admitted it rather straightforwardly.

Invidea wanted to know exactly what the strange occurrences were.

What had brought them together, and why were only these people gathered here?

She looked at her proud younger brother, Manus.

Eyes as calm as a serene lake.

If she asked him, she’d get an answer.

“If it weren’t for my family’s duties, I would have loved to help more actively. May I drop by occasionally?”

“Yes, but…”

“I know what you’re concerned about. As someone acting with the honor of my family at stake, there’s no chance this information would be leaked elsewhere.”

Everyone nodded.

They could only hope her words were true.

The Tower was a dangerous place.

It would be great if many people could access it, but… in reality, that was far from the truth.

A slight mistake could spark a war over artifacts or mana stones that emerged from the Tower.

Humans were beings that moved for gain.

Even those who performed good deeds did so to gain mental satisfaction.

“There are many dangerous items there. If the secret is not kept, it will lead to irreparable conflict.”

“That serious… I’ll remember that.”

“No desire should get involved.”

Manus emphasized again.

They were strangely pure.

Even though they could borrow the power of their families, they climbed the Tower with their own strength.

What Manus feared most was the Tower turning into a place of business.

The Ziggurat was a stage for those who grew without the help of their families.

If it began being used for business, the world would likely descend into chaos.

The Tower was such a place.

A city of the dead that needed to be erased quickly.

“I’ll remember. For now, I’ll set aside my curiosity. I’ll investigate the outer areas. Manus, you handle that place.”

“Understood.”

The meeting ended.

Invidea rose from her seat, receiving farewells from everyone.

Her departing figure, as she exited with the door clicking shut, remained beautiful and full of dignity.

Manus watched her back until it disappeared completely from sight.

Though the conversation had ended, a sense of confusion still lingered.

Manus turned to look at Alano.

She met his gaze with a very calm expression.

“Shall we depart immediately?”

“…Let’s do that.”

The trackers would soon move.

Today’s goal was to search the garden and hunt the sentinels.

Everyone’s expressions were resolute.

Once this is over, it’s time to have a serious talk with Alano.

To find out what kind of disconnect they were experiencing.

And to understand what interference he could exert on himself, for himself.

“The teams will move the same way. Kael, you lead one team, and I’ll lead the other.”

“Sounds good. We’ll handle the exploration.”

“No, you go up. We’ll take care of the search.”

They needed to assume the worst-case scenario.

If Eresis was involved in this incident, Assistant Chesthip might have acquired powers far beyond that of a regular demon.

With just the first-years and Alano, it would be hard to deal with him.

But if they moved all together, the number of demons would only increase.

Since this was related to him, he had to resolve it himself.

“It’s something that started because of me, so I’ll take care of it personally.”

Manus’s blue eyes held the intensity of a storm.

–TL Notes–
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