"Why did you nod, then say no?" Gerard felt he was being played with.

The eccentric apprentice clasped his hands together. "I’ve been studying Eastern magic recently. There’s a region where shaking your head means ’yes,’ and nodding means ’no.’"

"Mage Gerard, isn’t it fun, turning right and wrong on their heads like this?"

The investigator, wanting to be rid of this uncontrollable apprentice who was doing nothing to advance the investigation, quickly said, "Alright, let’s move on to the last question. Did Rorschach Mage have a conflict with the second son of Duke Melovinca while he was substitute teaching?"

"That depends on how you define the meaning and scope of ’conflict.’"

Gerard had already gathered some information from a few other apprentices. "I heard Philippe was injured that day."

"Yes, we all saw it." Rorschach saw Gerard’s eyes light up, as if to say, ’This is what I wanted to hear!’ But his next words were immediately disappointing. "He fell on his own, though. There was something wrong with him that day; he was dizzy and disoriented no matter what he did. Anyone can testify to that, including the instructor who healed him."

Still unconvinced, Gerard paused mid-note. "Really?"

"In fact, if you ask around, you’ll find that Philippe personally requested to join Master Kano’s research group and was even assigned to Rorschach Mage’s lab."

At this, the "apprentice" suddenly pulled out his own little notebook. "Mage Gerard de Villefort, correct? Please answer my questions."

"Do you believe the relationship between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire is tense?"

Gerard, a bit taken aback, answered subconsciously, "Yes."

"Do you believe there is a possibility that the Empire is infiltrating the Holy Kingdom under the guise of academic exchange?"

"Yes."

Rorschach nodded. "Then do you approve of conducting a background check on Rorschach, a Mage from the Empire Royal Magic Academy?"

"I do." As a man with the noble blood of the Kingdom in his veins, Vilfort had to remain ever vigilant against the Kingdom’s enemies, lest he dishonor the "de" in his name.

"Excellent! Now for three more questions."

"Do you agree that Mages should remain relatively independent of secular regimes and maintain the trans-regional cooperative organization known as the Magic Guild?"

It was precisely because he could use magic that Gerard felt a sense of superiority over his elder brother—the heir—and his other relatives. His pride as a Caster made him answer without the slightest hesitation, "I do."

"Do you believe the dissemination and exchange of magical knowledge should not be obstructed by geopolitics or other such factors?"

"Yes."

"Do you believe that Mages from the Empire, as well as Mages from the Holy Kingdom who go to the Empire, should all receive due respect and be treated fairly within Mage organizations?"

"Of course..."

"Including Rorschach Mage?"

"Incl... wait..."

But Rorschach didn’t wait for Gerard. He put away his little notebook with a smile. "Mage Gerard, you may be skilled at magic, but you don’t seem very professional when conducting an investigation." With that, he turned and walked away.

Vilfort wanted to stop the mysterious man, but the "apprentice’s" figure had barely gotten far before it blurred and vanished into the crowd of pedestrians.

’Strange... I need to write this down...’ The investigator had just recalled the first trio of loaded questions when the actual subject of his visit appeared, successfully breaking his train of thought and staying his hand.

Gerard saw that the newcomer seemed oblivious to the situation, giving him a confused look. "And you are?"

The purple magic robe gave him pause. Although he himself was a new Middle Level Mage, this Rorschach was far too young. Offering a show of respect, Gerard enthusiastically extended his hand.

"You must be Rorschach Mage? I’m Gerard, from the Aurora Elder Council. I’ve been ordered to investigate the matter concerning Valuva High Master and was hoping to get some information from you."

Rorschach’s expression turned cold the moment he finished his introduction. "Last time, it was a pair of repulsive characters claiming to represent the will of the Guild. Now someone shows up representing the Elder Council. Mr. Gerard, I didn’t realize the Valois branch had an Elder as young as yourself."

Though taken aback by the sharp retort, Gerard saw that Rorschach made no effort to hide his disgust. He judged that the young man wore his emotions on his sleeve and probably wouldn’t be difficult to handle—certainly easier than that "eccentric apprentice" from before.

Gerard adopted an official tone. "Rorschach Mage, I’m not an Elder, of course. But the Elders can’t be expected to handle everything in person, can they? I am their representative, and I, Vilfort, am not the only member of this investigation team."

Rorschach seemed to accept this answer, at least partially. "But words alone are not proof. I haven’t seen any official documents or credentials to verify your mission. Until you present them, I’m afraid I cannot cooperate."

Rorschach intentionally raised his voice, causing passersby to slow their steps and glance in their direction. Faced with his stubbornness, Vilfort had no choice but to pull out the Elder Council’s decree. He had only intended to flash it in front of Rorschach, but an invisible force clamped down on his hand, holding it fast.

Rorschach’s eyes went straight to the flamboyant signature in the bottom-right corner. There was more than one Elder’s name, of course, but this lord’s distinguished name took up the most real estate: "Louis de Granor."

’Very good. Quite the style for a Lord Earl.’

Rorschach released the enhanced Mage’s Hand. ’This is bad,’ Vilfort thought, but he maintained a calm facade. "Rorschach Mage, please lead me to your quarters."

"You want to search."

"Not at all. Merely ruling out unnecessary suspicion."

Rorschach didn’t press the issue, simply opening the door to let the annoying man inside.

Rorschach’s quarters were spartan. To date, he still hadn’t spent any money on property anywhere on the continent. Old Mercer’s mud-brick house certainly wouldn’t have room for him; he could only hope that after the family bought a house in town, they would leave a room for their eldest son. As for his time in Bayern, Rorschach hadn’t had the spare funds to purchase property there either.

For now, this small, single dorm room was all he had. It contained little more than a few sets of clothes, a three-foot staff, a desk and chair, and a bed half-buried in books. Even Vilfort was taken aback when he entered; a single glance told him there was nothing of interest to be found here.

The very lack of possessions gave Rorschach his confidence; any important documents had either been burned or were stored inside the ring on his finger. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Gerard paced around the small space twice, then began flipping through Rorschach’s books one by one, carefully returning them to their original places under the furious glare of the room’s occupant.

He picked up a bound manuscript. After leafing through it for a moment, he found much of it incomprehensible. "This is..."

"A gift from Master Poincare."

Vilfort flipped to the front and, sure enough, found Poincare’s personal signature and an inscription. He made a mental note: ’Rorschach is also on good terms with Poincare Great Mage.’

Then he saw letters to the Middle Level Mage from Kou Bo, Humboldt, and Feuerbach.

Convinced there was nothing that could embarrass the room’s occupant, he finally broke the long silence. "Is this everything?"

"This is it. There’s a private bathroom, too. Care for a look?"

"No, forget it..." Gerard dropped the subject, instead requesting to review Rorschach’s lecture notes. "Here. It’s been this same set from start to finish. I’ve also got the unused final exam paper. Do you want it?"

He took out the printed copies. ’As long as this unprofessional investigator doesn’t ask for the original draft, I won’t offer it.’

’Hm? I don’t think I know how to solve this one...’ Gerard took the papers and glanced over them, realizing he’d either forgotten most of his alchemy or had never learned the new system of knowledge Rorschach was presenting. No matter. Vilfort disdained the subject anyway. He stuffed everything into his file bag as his "trophies."

"Lastly, I’ve also been entrusted by a certain lord to look into the matter between you and Melovinca." Vilfort hadn’t completed his primary objective, but thinking on his feet, he decided not to let this issue go.