The Magic Academy's Physicist-Chapter 115: The Transfer Student (3)

Chapter 115: The Transfer Student (3)

“A palace handmaiden is quite a high title, because even maids and butlers need to come from verified families. You would be treated as a Viscount or Baron at least, you know?”

It was a recommendation that any regular noble might make. But even a suggestion like this sounded barbed when I took into consideration how Rosemary had intentions to drive me into a corner beneath her mask.

With Klion, It might have been okay, but handling Rosemary required a lot of brainpower.

“I’m going to receive a title after graduating, anyway. I don’t really want to live in the palace.”

I’d been reading people and situations for years as a part of the society called South Korea. It was a piece of cake maintaining a poker face and choosing the right words to respond with at the right time.

“... I see.”

Did my argument work?

Rosemary backed off for now, then sat right behind me. The back of my head burned for some reason. If Vermel had seen this, he might have had a seizure.

Anyway, where the hell was this guy?

“Hey, everyone! Long time no see!”

Miss Heerlein entered with a large grimoire in hand and gave us a light morning greeting. I guess with Professor Hasfeldt having gone missing on the northern front, she was going to be our homeroom teacher for the second semester as well.

“There won’t be any notice in particular since it’s the first day of the semester. Ah, that’s right. We’re doing a student exchange program with Iliad Academy in Kaurelia for about half a semester. If anyone’s interested in getting credits in elven country after midterms, come talk to me after the morning meeting!”

An exchange program for not one but half a semester?

I’d never heard of such a baseless exchange program system before. It was so ridiculous that I raised my hand and asked.

“Then how will the marking work?”

“Good question. It will be set up so that you take the exact same courses there, and you’ll be coming back here to write your finals. This is a trial so we’re trying to take applicants mostly from first years because you guys are easier to grade.”

Eh, whatever. This had nothing to do with me.

It was still going to take a while to master every Elemental Magic besides Air Magic. I shouldn’t even think about going to Kaurelia until then.

“Any other questions?”

The class fell quiet at Miss Heerlein’s words.

Ah, then.......

... After thinking for a moment, I dropped the hand I had been about to raise.

I wasn’t going to ask where Vermel was. If I did something else that could be misconstrued when we just got away from Angelica, then it’d only create more rumors.

Sorry to my fellow countryman, but I was going to ignore him for now.

And most of all....

“Miss, do you know why Horde isn’t here today?”

I wasn’t the only one who was wondering.

It was a girl named ‘Mayreel’, the class president. With her thick glasses and braided hair, she gave off a strong impression of being plain, like the nerd you’d usually see in every class.

If I had to say, Mayreel’s biggest characteristic was that she cared for our classmates as much as Lotte.

“Oh, you’re right. Perhaps he’s sick?”

“Maybe he’s at the infirmary?”

“I’ll go find out. You guys get ready for your first period.”

Just then, the bell rang and that was the end of the morning meeting. I got up from my seat and walked over to Miss Heerlein.

“Morning, Miss.”

“Oh, what is it? Are you interested in the exchange program?”

“No, that isn’t it....”

After naturally striking up a conversation, I began with small talk. I talked mostly about what I did over the summer break with a bit of exaggeration.

Although at school Miss Heerlein was a good teacher who cared for the students, she was a member of the Reformation Party plotting a treason against the Imperials alongside Chairman Robespierre and others. Once the break was over, I jumped onto the same boat.

I should be updating them on what I had been up to out of courtesy, since it was these members who had paid the tuition of a mere commoner while the country’s economy was up in flames.

“Hmm, what a worthwhile vacation you had.”

Heerlein gave a pleased smile. We exchanged subtle looks.

With us standing here like this, it was to be expected that the Beast who started monitoring me in person would catch wind and come over.

“What are you two talking about?”

Waving her western-style black-feather fan, Rosemary came in between me and Professor Heerlein.

“I was just saying hi since it’s been a while.”

“Hmm, is that so.”

Yeah, it’s good that you’re here.

“Anyway, you said you were going to the north during the break. How was it?”

“Ah, that? I wasn’t able to go.”

Seeing as Miss Heerlein was here, it meant that Vermel had prevented her from leaving. According to him, she would’ve gone on the expedition to find Professor Hasfeldt and never returned.... So we stopped the worst from happening, at least.

There was only one reason for asking about something this obvious.

So I could deceive the Beast in front of me.

Rosemary was a Cataclysm. Only a Cataclysm could perfectly deceive another Cataclysm.

I wasn’t sure if I was the ‘same kind’ as this guy, but it was looking more and more likely. That Vermel–would’ve been nice if he’d given more details about this. At this rate, I was going to end up realizing on my own.

Anyway.

“Ah....”

I exhaled every last bit of breath from my lungs.

Besides sighing, I didn’t say anything else. It was the most human, the most appropriate reaction I could show.

“.......”

Rosemary had a mixed expression. She was somehow maintaining a straight face, but wasn’t able to stop her lips from twisting oddly.

This process was of feeling her out was like taking a small fishing boat out into the ocean and casting your rod. And the fish that you had to catch was a shark, so enough said. Anyway, it was too early to decide based on this reaction alone.

“Then I’ll go look for Horde. Hurry and get ready for class.”

With a bow, Rosemary and I returned to our seats. As soon as I sat, Rosemary poked me in the back.

“Sis, do you really not think you’ve seen me before?”

“Yeah, I think I have.”

“Really?”

“At the Yellowcake Café.”

“...... You can just say you’re joking.”

I shrugged and pulled out my textbook.

First period was.... Let’s see

Elementalism1, a Beast’s least favorite class.

**The one who desperately tried to stop Meriga Heerlein from going to the northern front was an elf named Vermel.

While Scoping Vermel who’d changed his demeanor as soon as Aether had left the capital, Rosemary realized that he’d got one over her. When she thought back to it after the start of school, they should have sent Heerlein to the north that time and killed her.

That elf.... Just you wait.

And as if he’d read her mind in advance, Vermel went into hiding. She didn’t like the whole thing including this.

“Sis, I heard there’s an elf student in your class. He didn’t come today, right?”

“Well, yeah. Why?”

“Because I’ve never seen an elf before. I was curious so I wanted to meet him.”

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

“He’ll come back when he does. Be patient.”

Aether impassively took out a pen from her pencil case and started scribbling on the new textbook she bought. She must have been rather bored, because she even took out a ruler and compass and was constructing a regular heptadecagon.

What, why is she so calm?

Something was off.

According to Rosemary’s assumption, there were only two states that Aether could currently be in.

Still without memories, or with.

If her memories had returned, then she should’ve been wary of or amiable towards her in whatever way, because the two had been like sisters for a long time. If there was even a fragment of those feelings left, her expression or tone should have shifted even a little.

But her face was completely emotionless with none of those things. It was peaceful, like someone who’d left everything behind in the past.

“Sis, have you never really seen me before?”

“I saw you at the opening assembly today. You’re a pretty good speaker.”

Even if she kept asking, she only got answers like these.

Does she really not remember me......?

Personality-wise, big sis was bad at lying to others. She always tended to be obvious when she played dumb.

There had been that conversation she had earlier with Heerlein, too. If she and that elf had been conspiring together, she wouldn’t have needed to ask Professor Heerlein how her trip to the north had been; she would’ve already known from talking to the elf who’d stayed behind in the city.

This is confusing. I’ll have to watch for a little while longer.

That was why she had come into this class herself, wasn’t it?

There was still time. In the meanwhile, If big sis showed signs that she regained her memories, she’d proceed immediately with the plan and destroy the Academy, and if not....

I’ll make her remember no matter what.

Rosemary had the ability and financial means to do so.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

Rosemary, who’d briefly stepped out of the classroom, locked herself in a stall and sat on the toilet. She needed to smoke before she could use magic without anyone knowing.

[Ultimate Innate Magic ─ Scope]

[Beginner Innate Magic ─ Auto Mapping]

Spying wasn’t the only function that Scope had.

Rosemary moved her fingers and changed the scale. Scope went from displaying Tilette from overhead to zooming in on the mountain located north of the Academy.

“The location .... About here should be fine.”

[Dungeon Creation ─ ‘Light-devouring Cave’]

[Item Placement ─ ‘Inner Mirror’]

It wasn’t easy to build a Magic Cave in a specific location, but if she used her ability ‘Requiem’, then it could all be done overnight.

“This item’s a little expensive, but.... Whatever.”

It was for the future of the greatest race in all of Ahrens continent. This much expense didn’t even amount to a dog treat.

Sniggering, Rosemary turned off Scope and came out. First period was about to start.

Footnotes

1. The study of Elemental Magic