Magic Academy's Bastard Instructor-Chapter 174: Wedding [4]

"So you have no qualms about your brother ascending the throne?"

"There's nothing to be done," Irene replied, her voice cool and detached. "I wished he'd died a dog's death back then, but with our father's current condition, any disruption now would throw the Empire's power balance into complete disarray."

She leaned back in her seat, arms crossed.

"Not that I care about Aetherion," she added with a scoff. "But this is where my precious little sister resides. So I suppose I have to pretend to give a damn."

Vanitas sat across from her and nodded wordlessly.

They had arranged to meet discreetly, and as expected, Irene had spent the majority of the conversation ranting her grievances, saying Franz denied all her permissions to leave the Empire.

And while Irene complained like there was no tomorrow, the two seemed to share the same thoughts.

If no one sat on the throne, there would be no one to keep the power structure in check. Aetherion was already fraying at the edges. And without a ruler, it would collapse.

"Then we're in agreement," Vanitas said after a pause. "Franz is a necessary evil."

Irene raised a brow. "I guess so."

Franz was a complicated matter.

If, by some means, he were killed early in the game's narrative, a civil war between noble houses would ensue. If someone else sat on the throne, a civil war would still erupt.

As long as Franz wasn't the one ruling, Aetherion would descend into internal conflict no matter what alternative was presented.

Irene had already been dismissed by the High Nobles. Meaning, they would never accept her rule. And even if they did, Irene had no desire to sit on the throne to begin with.

Astrid, on the other hand, was far too young and inexperienced. The nobles would tear her apart before she could grow into the role.

But anyway, Franz was also exceptionally difficult to kill. Even more so than the Sword Saint himself.

The real issue, however, was the future.

Franz's rule would almost certainly descend into tyranny. An empire where nobles reigned unchecked and commoners became slaves to a system that offered no freedom.

And in the end, all his power plays, all his political agendas, would amount to nothing once Araxys saw their plans into fruition.

Vanitas was already certain that the Araxys had embedded themselves deeply in both Zyphran and Aetherion.

Through their worms in the Holy Church of Lumine, they would orchestrate schemes that would eventually turn the Church's blade toward Aetherion.

When that happened, the Sword Saint would no longer be their ally, but would become their executioner.

And from there… a Holy War would be inevitable.

"Haaa…."

A civil war if Franz didn't sit the throne.

A Holy War no matter who sat at the throne.

Too many problems at once, but there was no use panicking. One step at a time was key.

The difference in this run was that Vanitas had something he hadn't had before—a voice in Parliament. And more importantly, he was undeniably close to Franz.

In fact, he was close to all three Aetherion siblings.

Influencing each of them was possible here.

"Ah, that's right," Irene said, shifting the topic as she slid a stack of documents across the table. "It took a while to compile, but you were asking about Beatrice Maeril, correct?"

Beatrice Maeril, Karina's mother.

Vanitas nodded and silently accepted the papers, flipping through them.

"There's not much to say about her," Irene continued. "She's just a regular academy professor. Why? Was she your teacher?"

Vanitas didn't respond.

He kept flipping through the records, scanning the chronological details of her teaching history. Sure enough, one of the academies matched the timeline of his own schooling.

It was highly probable that Beatrice Maeril had been one of Vanitas Astrea's professors.

"Yes," he finally said.

"Well…" Irene mused, leaning back slightly. "It's interesting. She was afflicted with the same illness as my mother. And yours, for that matter."

"…"

Vanitas's fingers paused mid-turn. The same illness?

"Mana Core Degeneration Syndrome?" he asked.

"Hm? Yes," Irene replied. "You know, with everything you've been working on these past few months… are you trying to get a degree in medicine?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Well," she said, crossing one leg over the other, "nearly all your research has been tied to terminal illnesses. Is someone you know sick? Or, don't tell me… are you sick?"

"…."

Vanitas paused.

Then with a faint smirk, he said, "I wish that were the case. Then I wouldn't have to work so hard. I'd just retire early and spend the rest of my short life in peace."

"Haha," Irene laughed dryly. "Spoken like a man already preparing for his death."

Vanitas didn't respond.

"That aside… Princess, there's something I must ask. Are you not one bit curious how your mother has been afflicted with that disease?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Irene raised an eyebrow. "Mother was a senior researcher and dealt with plenty of high-risk materials. Your mother worked under her, and they were exposed to the same things. It's only natural the illness started there. Probably some form of contamination or exposure to something unstable."

Vanitas frowned. "You're taking this all too casually."

"Everyone's exposed to magical radiation every day," Irene replied with a shrug. "Did you not know? The human body produces new cells constantly. Some of those cells can mutate, and yes, some become cancerous. But the immune system usually gets rid of them before they do any harm."

"I'm aware."

"Exactly," she continued. "So if they both developed Mana Core Degeneration Syndrome, then it means their regenerative systems failed. That's not something that just happens through normal exposure."

Vanitas's eyes narrowed. "Then you do suspect something."

Irene leaned back in her chair. "I suspect everything. But that doesn't mean I have the time or luxury to chase after ghosts."

Vanitas looked down at the documents again, then slowly closed the folder.

"But I do," he muttered.

Irene narrowed her eyes. "Then what have you uncovered? What do you think they were researching?"

"Wouldn't you know?" he countered. "You're part of the Imperial Family."

"Not even my father knows," she said, shaking her head. "The research facility was banned and archived after it burned down. Whatever happened, it was erased. And Mother… she never spoke a word about it to anyone."

Vanitas took in her response silently, sifting through her words.

Then, he asked, "Do you truly believe the Emperor doesn't know?"

"…."

Irene froze.

"What the hell…" she muttered.

"Did it not cross your mind?" Vanitas pressed.

"No, I just…" She trailed off, the beginnings of doubt creeping into her expression.

Vanitas's voice lowered. "I'm not chasing ghosts. I just want to know the truth."

His fingers brushed the folder again, and continued.

"I've never been at peace with how my mother died for a research project that never went anywhere. It's like she died in vain. I feel the same way for Aunt Julia as well."

Irene remained quiet, but her brows furrowed in thought, while Vanitas leaned back with his eyes slightly distant.

This was the riskiest part.

Opening the case regarding the research facility posed a dangerous possibility. One where Irene might uncover something about Zelliel. And anything connected to Zelliel would ultimately lead back to Vanitas.

But what if they discovered it together?

What if Vanitas could shape the narrative? What if, in the end, Irene believed him, believed that his intentions were sincere, that all he wanted was to save her mother… and that Julia's death had only happened because he trusted the wrong person?

And if Irene believed him…

Wouldn't Astrid believe him too?

Wouldn't that be a happy ending?

"…Actually," Irene said after a moment, "I might have an idea. But I'll need to ask my father first. If he won't tell me anything, then perhaps… we can work together again."

"You don't need to say that, Princess," Vanitas replied. "As we've agreed, we operate in mutual interest. For every door you can't open, I will."

He glanced at her.

"I am your shadow."

"…."

Irene's lips parted slightly, caught off guard by his sudden declaration.

This boy….

"I have Zia, you know," she said after a beat. "And dozens of men who've sworn loyalty to me. Claiming to be my shadow is…"

"Take it as you will, but who amongst your faction is closest to Franz?"

Irene's mouth twitched. "There's Zia, too…"

"Franz is getting married," Vanitas replied flatly. "He won't be seeing Zia's other persona anymore."

"…."

Irene looked away.

"Whatever."

At this moment, Vanitas Astrea was her most valuable asset.

With everything he had accomplished under the moniker James Moriarty, he had more than proven his worth to her. His value was something she could never afford to underestimate.

[???]

Perhaps it was time to ask the question.

"What makes you so special, Vanitas?"

"Huh?"

"I mean it," she said. "For the love of god, I can't even begin to read you."

She tried to subtly divert the truth regarding her stigmata.

"And yet… my heart tells me you're the most valuable person in this world. Even logic cannot begin to explain it.

"....?"

Vanitas tilted his head, regarding her with curiosity. The question was obvious. He knew what she was really asking.

But even he couldn't offer a clean answer. What was his value through her stigmata?

Seventy? Eighty? Ninety?

A hundred?

'No… it couldn't be a hundred. That'd be ridiculous… right?'

"I don't know what you mean… Princess," Vanitas replied, choosing to deflect.

"Never mind," Irene muttered, quickly dropping the subject.

A moment of silence settled between them before Irene suddenly shifted the conversation.

"So… how good are you with your hands?"

"What?"

"N-No—" Irene's face flushed red. "I mean, are you good at League of Spirits?"

Vanitas stared at her, visibly confused. ".…I would say I'm rather… decent?"

"I see." She nodded, regaining composure. "Well, I'm completely trash at the game. And so is Zia. But you see, there's this underground establishment that's connected to the cartel."

Vanitas raised a brow. "Go on."

Irene had enlisted several of her men to compete in the underground gambling ring centered around League of Spirits.

And every year, they lost.

"But you see, I get promised a five percent share of the business if I win the entire tournament once."

Vanitas tilted his head. "I see where you're going with this."

"I'm glad," Irene replied with a grin, leaning forward. "This year's tournament is in two weeks. If you win, I get my cut. And you… well, you get to keep the winnings, obviously."

"I'll need to ascertain my rank first, Princess. I'm not entirely sure how highly I'd place," Vanitas said.

League of Spirits had been so popular within the game that a standalone mobile game had been released for it.

The ranking system went as follows: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Master, and Grandmaster.

Vanitas had only been skilled enough to qualify for a specific in-game quest that required League of Spirits mechanics.

According to the community forums, the general consensus was that 50% of those who successfully completed the quest were at least Platinum rank or higher.

The remaining half?

Either they got lucky, which was unlikely, so they must've had someone more skilled pilot their accounts for them.

In any case, since Vanitas had completed the quest entirely on his own, it was safe to estimate that he fell comfortably within Platinum rank.

But truthfully, Vanitas didn't even need that kind of ranking to win.

The spectacles displayed key strategies, counter matchups, and real-time optimal decisions, which was far beyond what a typical player had access to.

If he had to estimate, Margaret would sit around Gold rank the last time they played.

When they first began, she was practically Iron trash. But after so many rounds, she'd improved enough for Vanitas to comfortably place her in Gold.

Not that it mattered.

He was cheating.

Even if she were Grandmaster, she wouldn't have stood a chance.

Not like Margaret needed to know that, and neither Irene.

"Then let me test you first," Irene said.

She pulled out a League of Spirits board, infused it with magic, and activated the projections.

"One game," she declared.

Vanitas nodded, and it didn't take long before the match began.

And by the end of it…

"Were you cheating?" Irene frowned, arms crossed.

"No?"

"Again."

They played another round.

And once again, Irene lost.

"Again!"

Irene was undoubtedly a sore loser.

At this point, it was clear to Vanitas it probably wasn't about the five percent cut, but her broken pride.

"One more time!"

By the end of the afternoon, Irene had lost nineteen consecutive games to Vanitas.

* * *

Astrid stood nervously behind the curtains, watching as her rival candidate delivered their speech to the eager crowd.

——Remember, choose your leaders wisely!

Penelope Lionel, a fellow second year, ended her speech to a round of polite applause.

Now, it was Astrid's turn.

"Good luck, Astrid."

"Go get them!"

She turned at the sound of her party members' voices. Ezra gave her a firm nod of encouragement.

Astrid nodded in return, inhaling deeply as she clenched her fist and stepped forward.

Each of her steps were elegant and refined as she drew every eye in the auditorium.

Tak. Tak. Tak——!

She paused at the podium, adjusted the microphone.

As soon as she opened her mouth….

"...."

She froze.

The moment she met the eyes of the crowd, panic surged through her, and w wave of hysteria swept over her chest.

'What if I fail?'

'What if the other candidates were better?'

'What if I'm just another noble forcing herself into a role someone else deserves?'

'Wouldn't that mean I've deprived the university of a truly competent leader?'

Her throat tightened. Every second of silence felt like it was getting heavier and heavier.

Somewhere in the crowd, she heard a whisper. Laughter? Maybe not. But it was enough to feed the doubt clawing inside her.

It was then.

"...."

Her eyes locked onto someone in the crowd.

Seated near the faculty section was professor Vanitas who looked bored out of his mind.

The sight nearly made Astrid laugh. She held it in, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Somehow, just seeing him like that… eased her nerves.

She recalled his criticisms, his brutal honesty, and recommendations.

If she gave a half-hearted speech now, he would undoubtedly be disappointed.

And of all the people in this world who could be disappointed in her… she refused to let it be him.

Anyone but Zen.

"...."

Astrid straightened her posture.

And with steady breath, she opened her mouth once more.

"Greetings, to my fellow students, respected faculty, and the esteemed members of this academy."

And began her speech.

* * *

The sequence of presentations were as follows. Firstly, the candidates for president, followed by those running for vice-president, and then the remaining positions.

"You were amazing, Astrid!" one of her party members exclaimed. "But wait, when did you change your speech?"

"I had… a bit of help," Astrid admitted with a modest smile.

"Still, wow. I didn't think your original draft could get any better."

"Hehe~" Astrid chuckled, cheeks faintly pink from the praise.

Soon, it was time for the Vice-President candidates to take the stage. There were three in total.

The second one called was none other than Ezra Kaelus.

Astrid turned. Her eyes followed him as he rose from his seat and adjusted his blazer with composure.

Ever since the death of his grandmother, Ezra had changed. He hadn't been the same. And it was understandable.

But now, watching him walk confidently toward the center of the stage, it was nothing short of admirable.

In that moment, Astrid couldn't help but reflect. Their relationship had always been a rollercoaster.

When they first met, she couldn't stand him. She disliked his attitude toward academia.

They could never agree on anything, as if they were water and oil.

But now, she never imagined they'd be standing here on the same side. Supporting one another.

Ezra reached the podium and a brief pause took hold of the entire stage.

Then, he spoke.

——Good afternoon. My name is Ezra Kaelus. And before anything else, I want to be honest with you."

He looked around the auditorium, meeting the gazes of students, faculty, and staff alike.

——I've made mistakes. Mistakes I'll carry for the rest of my life. But I'm here today not to erase them… but to build something better because of them.

——Leadership isn't about being perfect. It's about taking responsibility. About knowing when you've failed… and deciding that failure won't be the end of your story.

He paused, letting the words settle.

——When I applied for this position, I wasn't sure if I deserved it. And maybe some of you still think I don't.

——But I'm asking for a chance. A chance to prove that people can grow. That even someone who has fallen can still rise, and pull others up with them.

From backstage, Astrid watched silently, her expression softening.

Ezra Kaelus, who once frustrated her to no end….

What the hell was he talking about? Fallen? She knew what happened to him, but why did it sound like he was confessing a crime?

——I've committed an irreparable sin I could never atone for. But if I take a step back, I lose my chance to do something with what remains. Call it hypocritical, if you will.

Irreparable sin?

"What the hell are you saying…?"

——I don't expect trust to come easily. But if there's one thing I promise, it's that I'll never stop trying.

This was not what Ezra had rehearsed at all. Not even close.

——One person gave me that chance. Someone who didn't abandon me, even when I was about to abandon myself.

Astrid raised a brow. 'Is he talking about me?'

Before she could ponder further, one of her party members leaned in with a playful grin.

"Wow~ How passionate~" they whispered.

"Did something happen between you two?" asked Senior Adam Oleander, another member of her team.

"Huh? No? I… don't know?" Astrid replied, caught off guard.

Adam narrowed his eyes, thoughtfully massaging his chin.

"Alright." A beat passed before he added with a grin, "After all of this, we should all get together again. My place. Will you come, Astrid?"

Astrid's eyes remained fixed on the stage, where Ezra continued delivering his heartfelt speech.

Adam's words barely registered in her ears.

"Astrid?"

"Ah, oh?" She blinked and turned to him. "Yes, I'll be there."

"Great!" Adam smiled, satisfied.

* * *

Ezra had, more or less, confessed his sins to the entire university, albeit subtly. Everyone was aware he had made mistakes, but not to what extent.

He couldn't exactly tell them he had murdered Audelle and a number of innocent seniors during the day of the attack. But the thought haunted him every day.

He didn't know what proper atonement looked like. But the first step, at least, was to finish everything Audelle had left behind.

And that was exactly what his speech had been about.

"We're planning a small party at my place, Ezra. Wanna come?" Senior Adam offered with a friendly grin.

"I'm a bit tired, Senior Adam," Ezra replied. "Got a lecture early in the morning. But if… Princess over here goes, then we might as well be late together."

Both Ezra and Astrid were classmates in one particular course held early the next day. If Ezra went and Astrid didn't, he risked being the only one absent—and vice-versa.

But if both of them went… then skipping together didn't seem so bad.

They turned to look, only to find the person in question was no longer there.

"Uh…?"

"...?"

——How was it, Professor?

From a short distance away, they spotted Astrid, following a particular person rather persistently, asking for feedback.

"Were Astrid and Professor Astrea always that close?" Adam asked, puzzled.

Ezra didn't reply right away. His lips parted slightly as he stared at the scene.

Professor Vanitas looked like he wanted to escape. Meanwhile, Astrid's eyes sparkled innocently. And for some inexplicable reason, it looked… endearing.

"Say, Ezra," Adam leaned in, lowering his voice, "there's something I've been meaning to ask."

"What?"

"Are you interested in Astrid?"

"…."

Ezra furrowed his brows. Interested in Astrid? What a ridiculous question.

He could never imagine that happening.

"Maybe it's just me," Adam said casually, "but I've seen the way you look at her."

"…."

And yet, Ezra couldn't bring himself to respond.

"If you are," Adam continued with a faint smile, "then I should tell you something."

Ezra turned to him. "What?"

"I plan on confessing to her after the elections," Adam said plainly. "She's undoubtedly going to win. And so will I."

"Ah…?"

"What I'm telling you is give up."

"...?"

Ezra blinked.

The words weren't laced with malice. There was no smugness in Adam's tone.

Just confidence.

"I don't know what kind of delusions you're on, Senior," Ezra said flatly, brushing aside the hand Adam had placed on his shoulder. "But even if I were interested, I have no right to be. So you don't have to worry about me."

Adam studied him for a moment, as if searching for something behind Ezra's cool expression.

Ezra didn't say anything else. He simply looked away.

Back toward the girl who stood just a few meters away, still laughing and speaking to Professor Vanitas like the rest of the world didn't exist.

"That girl's a teacher's pet," Ezra muttered. "She's way too focused on her academics to think about a relationship."

That was, after all, Ezra's working hypothesis.

Her convictions ran deep. So much so that she'd befriended the professor most students wouldn't dare approach.

Perhaps that relation with Vanitas was something they shared.

A relentless pursuit of purpose.

"Is that so?" Adam replied, his tone light but unreadable.

At that, Ezra turned away with a short wave of his hand.

"See you later, Senior," he said flatly. "If you're insecure about me, don't be. I don't like her. I'm just a commoner, anyway. Go ahead and confess."

Adam scoffed.

"At least you're self-aware."