“Hello, Your Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Simone, I have been waiting for you.”
The one who welcomed the two people who arrived at the academy was none other than the academy's director, Sennus.
“Hello, Director. Nice to meet you.”
“Hello. My name is Simone.”
Sennus glanced at Simone, pretending to receive her polite greeting.
Despite his detailed smile, a question was blooming in his head.
'Hmm? You seem like a young student?'
Of course, Sennus was also a nobleman, so he had heard about Simone's appearance from those who had attended the royal party last time.
The story of the hero who saved the empire and the only necromancer who was not executed, who was actually a young girl.
But isn't the difference between hearing a story and actually seeing it huge?
She was too young to be called a hero of the empire, and it was unfortunate that she had to clash with the Occult Society to protect the world. However, she was a girl who exuded an air of mystery that was unapproachable.
Sennus, still smiling, glanced at Simone's red eyes as if stealing them, then turned his gaze to Louis.
“We at Precia dare to welcome His Highness the Crown Prince and the hero. We are so grateful that you have been the first to lend a helping hand in this chaotic situation.”
“What are you talking about? We can’t sacrifice so many talented people at the Academy for such a ridiculous thing. It’s something that needs to be looked into.”
Sennus nodded with a moved face at Louis' textbook-like answer and said to Simone.
“I’m just grateful that Lady Simone came. Rumors are already spreading among the students that this isn’t just a simple accident.”
“Yes, I heard. It’s not that strange of a simple accident.”
“That’s right, if Lady Simone takes care of it, our students will also be able to feel safe.”
“We hope we can help.”
Simone answered hesitantly and looked around.
'There's nothing particularly strange, though.'
The atmosphere is reminiscent of a school on a day during a long rainy season.
There is no particular sign of a spirit or curse, but it feels damp for some reason and has a lower saturation compared to other places.
“Hmm.”
I'm not sure, but it seems clear that what happened at this academy was not the work of humans.
A strangely eerie place. There must be a ghost or a curse lurking there.
“Simone, why are you doing that?”
Simone shook her head in thought at Sennus' question.
“This is a nice academy. I’ve never seen such a large facility in the Empire.”
“Thank you very much for your kind words. We always do our best to live up to the title of the best academy in the empire. Now, we’re here.”
Sennus opened the door to the director's office-wide and made way for Simone.
Unlike the grand and splendid atmosphere of the academy from the entrance, the director's office had a calm and simple feel with its brown tones.
“Isn’t it ordinary?”
Sennus noticed Simone's gaze and smiled.
“I guess I tend to get tired when I’m in a place that’s too bright. I wanted to make the room I stay in a comfortable place.”
Sennus poured himself a cup of tea and placed it in front of the two men, then sat down across from them.
“Then shall we begin the story now?”
Sennus' expression, which had always been warm, changed in an instant.
It was nonsense to smile while dealing with this story.
“Both Simone and I already know what the situation is. Seven students fell from the rooftop to their deaths.”
“Yes, that’s right. Our precious students are dying in the same way.”
All of Precia's students are children of high-ranking nobles. Each of their deaths felt like a stranglehold on the academy and its director, Sennus.
So, until recently, they were putting all their efforts into trying to contain this and prevent too much confusion, but now it has reached a point where they can no longer ignore it.
If this many children died, this was an incident, not an accident.
They have to find the cause somehow and solve it.
“I want to figure out why children keep losing their lives and come up with solutions. At first, I thought it was because of fights between students, bullying, and academic pressure.”
But the one who got along well with his friends died, and the one who was honest and had a stronger sense of responsibility for his family than the burden of his studies died.
The process leading up to death also leaves many questions unanswered.
In the end, Sennus had no choice but to accept the rumors circulating among the students.
This could be the work of a ghost, not a human being.
Otherwise, how could such a horrific and absurd thing happen seven times in just half a year?
He was worried about what to do about this, but when he heard the news, the royal family quickly figured out the situation and introduced him to Simone themselves, so he was very thankful.
Sennus looked at Simone.
“What do you think about this incident, Lady Simone?”
“I think it’s the work of a ghost.”
Sennus flinched involuntarily at the words that came out decisively without any hesitation. Simone was still looking around with a blank expression.
Can you see something in those red eyes? Something we can't see.
“I think it’s worth going around and investigating.”
Simone thought for a moment and then said.
“I heard that there is a student who is currently experiencing the same symptoms as the students who committed suicide before.”
Sennus nodded.
“Yes. I’m worried that he might have trouble with his studies or relationships with friends, so he's putting off attendance and resting in the dorm.”
“I want to meet that person and look around the school. Is that okay?”
“Of course. But...”
Sennus frowned as if he was embarrassed, then smiled awkwardly.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want the students to know that Simone came here for that reason.”
“I think so too, Simone.”
Louis also agreed with Sennus' words and said:
“If word spreads that Simone came to investigate the matter, there could be confusion among the students.”
Up until now, it was just rumored that the suicides were a strange phenomenon. But what if Simone, a necromancer, came to investigate and solve the problem?
Eventually, the rumor will become true, and the students' anxiety will increase greatly, their families will hear about it, and things will get out of control.
Students will not be able to focus on their studies, and the number of students taking a leave of absence, which has been increasing recently, may increase even more.
Simone tilted her head.
“Then what should I do?”
We need to investigate, but we can't let anyone find out we're investigating.
But if someone who isn't a student were to wander around here and there, wouldn't everyone find it strange?
At her question, Sennus looked at Simone with even more serious eyes.
“Simone, excuse me, how old are you?”
"...Yes?"
“Age. Hmm, well, I guess age doesn’t matter.”
Her age is not publicly known, nor will it ever be. On the outside, she appears to be around the same age as the Academy students.
Simone said, supporting her thoughts.
But Sennus conscience is pricked.
“Yes, I’m seventeen.”
Ahem! Anyway, Simone is seventeen years old!
“Seventeen?”
A strange light appeared in Sennus' eyes.
“But you didn’t enroll in the academy...”
Even if you are not a noble, if you are a hero of the empire, you can be admitted in recognition of your achievements!
A hero of the empire and a student of Precia? What greater honor could there be...
"Yes?"
“Oh, no.”
Sennus quickly turned his gaze. After the incident is resolved, he will ask the Grand Duke, her guardian, directly about this matter.
“Anyway, there is a way. Since Simone is young, it is a method you can use. How about saying, ‘I am touring the academy to consider admission.’”
Oh?
Simone looked at Sennus with interest.
“Is this a good method?”
This might be a better way than just walking around and researching.
If it's a field trip for admission to the academy, it's easier and more natural to blend in with the students.
Sennus grinned.
“Well, if you really want to enroll, we would be very grateful-”
“Sir, this person has no interest in academics whatsoever.”
Louis cut the director off, speaking firmly.
That's true, so why do I feel bad?
Simone tilted her head in a strange mood.
“Anyway, let’s stop talking here and get going. I’ll show you around the school. There will be time to talk to the students.”
Sennus got up from his seat, and Simone and Louis followed him out of the director's office.
The moment she came out into the hallway, Simone frowned.
'Even more so when you come out into the hallway.'
The strangely damp and dark feeling became more evident.
It was so quiet inside the academy that you wouldn't believe there were hundreds of people there.
Is this silence because the class is in session? Or is it because something is watching this place with muted sounds, wary of Simone's appearance?
Simone walked away, feeling a strange sense of discomfort.
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