Chapter 27 — The Talent Found at the End of Jealousy (2)

1

The academy had several prohibited items.

These were mainly things that could control others’ minds or restrain bodies.

Items that could lead to secret imprisonment or kidnapping were especially problematic.

In fact, such incidents happened quite frequently.

That’s why they established the principle that “Mythos Academy is free from the influence of all families.”

The price for bringing prohibited items was expulsion and family disqualification.

“Are you sure this is okay?”

“What’s the big deal? No one’s watching.”

“Right, it’s just a prank? Just a small prank we can do-.”

Livy frowned slightly before regaining her relaxed smile.

How could this be discovered?

She came thoroughly prepared.

There was no way it would be found out.

There were no witnesses or evidence.

The issue was keeping these guys’ mouths shut.

So Livy mixed in some subtle persuasion.

-When people feel no guilt for their actions, they act more boldly.

They rationalize, saying it’s not serious, it’s not a crime.

Yes, this is just a prank after all.

“We just need to drop her off and leave quickly. Got it?”

“Let’s teach her a lesson.”

“If it wasn’t for the academy, I’d really-.”

Not realizing what they were doing, the group headed to the main building under Livy’s lead.

Moving stealthily to avoid detection, they safely arrived at the main building.

Right, she said she joined a club today?

Yes, then we should make her get used to that place.

It’s just one day anyway.

If she endures for a day, she can return to normal life.

‘I’ll be the one to save her. And then I’ll connect with senior Manus.’

A grand picture formed in Livy’s mind.

Manus.

The tyrant of this academy who completed a diamond-grade mission alone in just one day.

Already known to be beyond student level, they say he could join the Magic Corps or Magic Division right now without issue.

To save her family, she needed Manus’ power.

A background the Harry family could never dream of.

A stepping stone to leap far ahead.

It was an audacious dream that others would find presumptuous and unrealistic if they heard.

The group arrived at the end room of the club area.

“Hurry and put her in.”

“What about the door?”

“Leave it. She’ll figure it out when she wakes up.”

Livy smiled again as she watched the whispering Eagle class kids.

This is why dumb kids are no good.

After carelessly tossing Melanie into a corner of the club room, the group hurried out.

It was almost patrol time.

Click-.

The door closed, and Livy discreetly moved her mana.

[Clado]

Clank-.

The door locked from the outside.

A magic that any reasonably strong adult man could easily break.

But the terror of being trapped would be indescribable.

‘This should do it. I’ll wait outside and come back later.’

Melanie was abandoned alone in an empty place.

And the place where she was began to ripple.

The erosion had begun.

A moment’s choice always changes fate.

Today, her choice was no different.

A choice that could be called immature.

-Sometimes childish choices bring great storms.

Just like the flutter of a butterfly’s wings.

2

Some time passed.

After calculating the duration of the drug’s effects, Livy leisurely headed to the main building.

She imagined Melanie’s face, crying pitifully.

She wanted to see her face straining against the unopening door.

Since she could use magic too, she might have already gotten out.

Her steps quickened.

‘Please be crying. That’s how my plan becomes perfect.’

Her excited heart grew.

As she got closer to the club room, her heart pounded loudly.

When was the last time her heart raced like this?

She felt like she would go mad with anticipation.

In front of the club room.

Livy took a deep breath and opened the door.

“-Huh?”

The magic was still in place.

Seeing that the doorknob wouldn’t turn, it was certainly still there.

She quickly dispelled the magic.

She must still be trapped inside, crying!

With a sinister smile, she flung the door open without hesitation.

She didn’t forget to mind her expression as much as possible.

“Melanie-!”

Looking around, she felt no presence.

Surely she hadn’t died?

She had used a perfectly non-lethal drug.

-There’s no way she could have died.

She continued searching the club room.

“…Huh?”

-Gone.

There was no trace of Melanie anywhere.

What’s going on?

Did she escape through the window?

This is over 10 floors up though?

Her forehead became damp.

Livy kept looking around.

‘What, is Melanie actually smart?’

In the end, that’s the conclusion she came to.

Sneaking out and then recasting the magic to deceive.

She thought maybe Melanie was watching right now.

‘Detection, detection magic-.’

Livy even tried detection magic.

But still, nothing was caught.

What is this uneasy feeling-?

“What the hell, how boring.”

Livy went back the way she came.

She could ask tomorrow.

Her eyes sank.

This level of prank doesn’t work, huh?

‘Just you wait.’

Indeed, the depths of hatred are endless.

Livy’s eyes only grew colder.

She didn’t know what she had done, or what consequences it would bring.

Blinded by hatred, she returned to the dorm, cursing the victim instead.

It wasn’t until the next day, when Melanie didn’t show up to class, that she sensed something had gone wrong.

The professor called Melanie’s name.

“Melanie? Miss Melanie?”

“She must have had a scary dream yesterday. Maybe she’s oversleeping?”

Livy spoke teasingly about the absent Melanie.

Since her roommate was in a different class, there was no way to ask.

“What class was her roommate in?”

“Class C!”

“I see. We’ll need to check.”

The teachers at Mythos Academy prioritize student safety above all.

Just because it’s an academy doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Though rumored to be safer than anywhere, it’s a place where many interests converge.

In relationships, the power of background is truly great.

Family, past, direction of growth, and relatives.

The history and characteristics held by that family.

The academy is a place where evaluations are still based more on family, background, and parents rather than the individual.

The teachers know this too.

That the Harry family has many enemies, and it wouldn’t be strange for something to happen.

‘Surely it’s not the worst case scenario I’m thinking of.’

The Class B homeroom teacher frowned.

He hoped nothing was wrong, as Livy suggested with her strange smile over there-.

His unease grew.

He decided it would be better to confirm the facts than continue the class.

“You there, go to Class C and bring Melanie’s roommate.”

“Yes, sir.”

One student disappeared with hurried steps.

The teacher briefly set aside his worries and briefed the class on today’s lesson.

They were still first years, adapting to school.

Much more relaxed than second years who already had performance evaluations, dueling assessments, and various practical exercises.

A period for sampling theory, practice, and all subjects.

“From today, professors from each field will take turns teaching. You need to think about your ‘major’ that you’ll decide by second year.”

Major.

The types were as follows:

Elementalism, handling pure elements and offensive magic.

Support magic, dealing with enhancement and weakening spells.

Magic combat, combining martial arts and magic for close combat.

Spirit magic, chosen by those rare few who can communicate with spirits.

Alchemy, using magic to create various potions.

Finally, summoning, communicating with and raising familiars.

“Majors are broadly divided into six categories, with more specialties within. You’ll need to find your aptitude through various classes.”

“Yes-.”

“I’m glad you’re so enthusiastic. For this week without upperclassmen, you’ll-“

The door slid open, cutting off the teacher.

The student who went to Class C opened the classroom door with a dazed expression.

-Ah.

Something went wrong.

The atmosphere was clear just from the expression.

This is going to cause an uproar-.

“Um… Teacher.”

“She didn’t return to the dorm, did she?”

“Huh? Y-yes-. They said Melanie didn’t come back to the dorm yesterday.”

Huh?

Strange?

Livy tilted her head at those words.

She wasn’t in the club room or the dorm?

Did she go home?

‘What’s going on?’

This is weird.

Surely someone didn’t do something bad?

As her mind raced, the teacher told the students to wait and hurriedly went outside.

“Everyone stay in your seats.”

“…What’s happening?”

“What’s going on? Is Melanie missing?”

“Was she kidnapped?”

The classroom erupted in commotion as soon as the teacher left.

What is this-?

The feeling of her pores opening wide all over her body was quite unpleasant.

Livy swallowed dryly, unnoticed by anyone.

‘Why? Why did she disappear?’

Those blockheads didn’t try anything, did they?

If not that, then what on earth-!

She kept racking her brain, but no answers came.

The story spread quickly.

It was the case of Harry Melanie’s disappearance.

3

“Are you saying Harry Melanie has gone missing?”

“That’s right. So, I was hoping you could step in.”

The teachers came to Manus, who was enjoying his leisure time.

The case of Harry Melanie’s disappearance had been causing a commotion in the academy since morning.

They were here to request his investigation.

Currently, only a few second-year students had returned.

There was an absolute shortage of personnel as everyone was carrying out missions elsewhere.

Teaching assistants? They had long since become slaves.

Assigning it to third or fourth-year students would be unfair.

A talented individual with excellent skills, spare time, and whose grades wouldn’t be affected.

They had just the right person.

A brilliant magician who completed a diamond-grade mission in just one day and needed no advance study.

He was the talent the academy needed right now.

“Of course, I’m not asking you to do it for free. Excluding anything related to grades, I’ll grant any request you make.”

The person speaking before him was Baron Iriles Trent, the head professor of the first years.

He had received his noble title solely for his magical prowess and was also the head of a family continuing that legacy.

Help from someone like this might be useful.

“I have one condition.”

“What is it?”

“I want to attend third-year classes.”

“…What?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected request, Professor Trent’s eyes widened.

From second year on, even students from prominent families struggled to keep up with the content.

A student who just entered second year wants to attend third-year classes?

Forget keeping up, it could ruin his second-year grades.

“Third-year classes are really difficult. They basically deal with 4th-Class magic and above.”

“That’s fine. I can already use 4th-Class magic.”

“…”

He received a look that said, ‘What kind of guy is this?’

Manus shrugged his shoulders once and looked at the professor.

It’s not wrong to say you can do something if you really can, right?

–TL Notes–
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading

Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/jB26ePk9