Hangover (1)
We returned home.
To the Academy, of course.
There wasn't much cleanup needed regarding the cultists.
Selena had already taken care of most of it, and the remaining bits were to be handled by the members.
Thanks to that, we were able to return without delay.
Of course.
'It's not all over, though.'
There were various issues remaining within the Academy.
The faculty still maintained a cold war atmosphere.
Perhaps because they were aware of the traitor's existence, a chilly air lingered around.
Everyone had a sharp glint in their eyes, so it was necessary to cover up the incident for now.
It was a matter that would be troublesome if brought to light.
Fortunately.
The problem was resolved more easily than expected.
It was thanks to the Headmaster's help.
He conveyed that the matter had been dealt with, and that there was no need for further anxiety.
The faculty, though lukewarm at the sudden news, obeyed the old man's words.
As the leader who had guided the Academy, they must trust their superior.
Thanks to that, the topic subsided.
'Even so… the Headmaster is still the Headmaster, I guess.'
Besides that.
The problem we had to deal with was the disposal of various traces.
Disposing of the traces that proved Selena was a traitor.
We had to erase letters, data, and records related to that time.
There was a helping hand in this matter as well.
"I've organized the documents as requested. This should prevent any further talk."
"Thank you for your help, Professor Kadel."
That hand was none other than Professor Kadel.
A rival of Selena's.
He helped me erase the traces of collusion and cooperated in diverting the faculty's attention.
From the beginning, Kadel knew that Selena was a traitor.
-Student Judas.
-There's something I need to discuss with you seriously.
That was when we first had an open conversation.
After the faculty meeting.
Kadel subtly asked to talk.
It was to ask for my opinion on the traitor.
He was already convinced that Selena was the Academy's mole.
To summarize what I heard at that time, it was roughly like this.
-I've been suspecting her for a while.
-But since I wasn't sure, I only kept a wary eye on her, but this attack has given me certainty.
-The identity of the mole I've been worrying about… was none other than Professor Selena.
-The data I've gathered so far also supports this hypothesis.
It wasn't particularly strange.
In the original story, he was the one who revealed Selena's betrayal.
Although he was a bit late in gaining certainty, he couldn't prevent the resurrection of the Shadow Dragon and the collapse of the Academy, but thanks to him, the truth about the collusion was able to surface.
It seemed to be the same this time.
-What will you do, Student Judas?
His voice was calm as he asked the question.
Professor Kadel gave me the choice.
What to do with Selena.
It was a promise to allow a brief grace period before revealing the contents to the faculty meeting.
It was also a request to confirm the drunkard's true feelings during that time.
I nodded.
-Then… I believe you understand.
-Please make a wise choice. I am showing you mercy as a student.
Thanks to that.
I was able to grab Selena, who was standing on the edge of a cliff.
And we were able to return to the Academy, our home.
Kadel nodded when he saw us return.
-You did it.
Afterward.
He helped with the document organization and cooperated with various cleanups.
To be honest, I couldn't see through Kadel's true intentions either.
Even for a character who appeared significantly in the original story, he was always portrayed as someone whose inner thoughts were hard to fathom.
So much so that even when the traitor theories were circulating, most players suspected Kadel of being the traitor.
I was the same.
'The most unexpected thing is…'
The fact that Kadel didn't reveal Selena's betrayal.
Not only that, but he even helped with the cleanup.
I clearly thought the two of them had a bad relationship, but did I see it wrong?
No… even so, I didn't think there was a reason to cooperate.
Strictly speaking, Selena was in the position of being the Academy's traitor.
It was a part that I couldn't understand at all.
In the end, I decided to ask directly.
"To be honest, I'm curious."
"Hmm?"
"I'm asking about the reason why you're helping, Professor. I thought the two of you weren't on good terms."
"You saw correctly. I dislike Professor Selena."
"That's why I'm asking for the reason."
"Well."
Kadel answered vaguely while moving his hand.
The elegantly moving pen tip was engraving ink onto the paper, one letter at a time.
Unlike his words, his hand was diligent.
I subtly asked.
"Could it be that you actually like her?"
"…Excuse me?"
It was a reasonable question.
If it was a normal bad relationship, he wouldn't have cared so much.
The cliché here was that Kadel was pretending to dislike her.
Selena was pretty and had a violent figure, so it wouldn't be strange to fall in love.
Moreover, the two were of similar age, so there was enough room for them to be attracted to each other…
"What kind of story are you hearing?"
…Judging by his expression, it didn't seem to be the case.
It was an expression that revealed pure disgust.
As if it was physically impossible, his brow was furrowed.
Kadel glared at my outrageous remark with a cold look.
"That was a very rude statement."
"I seem to have made a slip of the tongue."
"I am already married to the person I love. Please don't associate me with such an old maid."
"…"
Isn't thirty not an age to be called an old maid?
I swallowed that thought.
The gaze that was poking at my cheek was stinging.
It was true that it was a late age based on this world's standards.
Moreover, since he himself reacted so terribly, I had to bow my head with a sincere apology.
I was somewhat flustered, but.
"I'm sorry."
"…"
Kadel remained silent for a while.
He soon sighed and said.
"Even though we always bicker, Professor Selena is one of the few geniuses I acknowledge."
Galimard, where only the best educators on the continent gather.
Even among those faculty members, there were only a handful of people who could rival Kadel.
Perhaps I should call them rivals.
In that sense, Selena was a good competitor for Kadel.
Even if it wasn't in a field related to combat, there were few magicians of equal caliber to him.
He added.
"Since I was appointed to the Academy, I have been working with her for a whopping seven years. Although she may seem like just an alcoholic, she is a decent human being when it comes to dealing with students. Because of that, I have also learned things from Professor Selena. At least I knew that she was not someone who took the Academy's weight lightly. Therefore."
Whether he hated her or liked her.
A colleague who had walked the same path since their days as probationary teachers.
It would be a lie to say that there was no affection, even if he hated her.
"I have simply concluded that Professor Selena is still a necessary person for Galimard."
Perhaps the two were closer than I thought.
As people who shared the same place as home.
'Kadel Evans.'
In the original story, he was the homeroom teacher of Class A.
He was also in the position of being a helper to the protagonists.
Although he was somewhat lacking in manners and had eccentric aspects, he was also a kind person who harbored warmth.
Until he was murdered by the cultists, he was completely devoted to the Academy and the students.
I chuckled softly.
"In short… the two of you were friends."
"Please correct that. We are frenemies."
"Isn't it similar?"
Frenemies.
A word that refers to bad friends.
But, on the other hand, it is also a word that acknowledges the other person as a friend despite that.
I didn't bother to dwell on that part.
I simply received the documents with a faint smile.
I playfully said.
"Thank you for your hard work today. This concludes the cleanup of the incident."
"Thanks to you, I've been working overtime for three days and nights. That terrible woman needs to be grateful to me. For having such a highly capable colleague by her side."
"Hehe… I'll be sure to tell her, Teacher."
"Tell her to recover well. I heard she's still in bed."
"She'll probably be discharged within this week. If you want, Professor Kadel could also visit her…"
"I refuse. Even if I die."
"I thought you'd say that."
He answered with a firm tone.
I lightly laughed and got up from my seat.
"I'll be going now."
Just then, the dark scenery outside the window was brightening.
The morning was slowly arriving.
The sunlight was removing the curtain of night.
I took a step towards the approaching tomorrow.
I left the lab and strode down the long corridor.
"Now, all that's left is…"
The grand finale to decorate the episode.
The drunkard who was still in dreamland, but would soon wake up.
I crossed the dawn to greet her.
I hope.
From today onwards.
Wishing your yesterday to be peaceful.
Praying for a faded tomorrow.
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