Chapter 143
We returned home.
None other than to the academy.
No particular follow-up was needed regarding the heretics.
Selena had already handled most of it, and the members decided to clean up the small remaining parts.
Thanks to that, we were able to return without delay.
Of course.
'It wasn't all over.'
Various problems remained within the academy.
The atmosphere of faculty members was still in a cold war.
Perhaps because they recognized the existence of a traitor, chilly air circled around.
As everyone's gazes were sharp, there was a need to cover up the incident for now.
It was a matter that would be troublesome if uncovered.
Fortunately.
The problem was resolved more simply than expected.
It was with the help of none other than the dean.
He conveyed that handling of the matter was complete, and it was alright to put down any further anxiety.
Though indifferent to the sudden news, the faculty members obeyed the old man's words.
It must mean they trusted their superior who had led the academy all this time.
Thanks to that, the topic subsided.
'Despite everything... is this what it means that the dean is the dean after all.'
Besides that,
If there was a problem we had to handle, disposal of various traces remained.
Disposal of traces proving Selena was a traitor.
We had to erase letters, materials, records, etc. related to that time.
This problem also had a hand that helped.
"I've organized the documents as requested. This should prevent any gossip."
"Thank you for your help, Professor Cardel."
That hand was none other than Professor Cardel.
A person in a rival relationship with Selena.
He helped me erase traces of communication and cooperated in turning the faculty members' gazes.
Cardel knew from the start that Selena was a traitor.
-Student Yuda.
-I have something serious to discuss.
It was then that we first had an open conversation.
After the faculty meeting ended.
Cardel gently requested a conversation.
It was to ask opinions about the traitor.
He was already certain that Selena was the academy's informant.
To summarize the content I heard there, it was roughly like this:
-I've been suspicious of her from before.
-Though I just stopped at being wary because I wasn't certain, I was able to be sure through this attack.
-The identity of the informant I had been constantly worrying about... was none other than Professor Selena.
-The materials I've accumulated also add strength to the hypothesis.
It wasn't particularly strange.
In the original work too, he played the role of revealing Selena's betrayal.
Though he couldn't stop the death dragon's revival and academy collapse as he was one step late in being certain, thanks to that the truth about the communication could surface.
It seemed to be the same this time too.
-What will Student Yuda do?
A voice asking calmly.
Professor Cardel handed over the choice to this side.
How to handle Selena.
It meant he would allow a brief grace period before revealing this content at the faculty meeting.
It also meant to confirm the drunkard's true feelings during that time.
I nodded.
-Then... I'll believe you understood.
-Please choose wisely. For my part, I'm showing mercy to a student.
Thanks to that.
I was able to grab Selena who was standing on the edge of a cliff.
And return together to the home called academy.
Cardel saw our returned appearance and nodded.
-You did it.
Afterwards.
He helped with organizing documents and cooperated with various follow-ups.
Actually, even I couldn't see through Cardel's inner thoughts.
For a character who appeared significantly in the original work, he was always described as a person whose inside couldn't be known.
How much so that even when traitor flags were rolling, most players guessed Cardel was the traitor.
I was the same.
'The most unexpected point is...'
The fact that Cardel didn't reveal Selena's betrayal.
Moreover, he even helped with the follow-up.
I clearly thought they had a bad relationship, did I see wrong?
No... even so, I wondered if there was any reason to cooperate.
Strictly speaking, Selena was in the position of the academy's traitor.
A part that couldn't be understood at all.
In the end, I decided to ask directly.
"Honestly, I'm doubtful."
"Hmm?"
"The reason you're helping, I mean. I thought the relationship between you two wasn't very good."
"You saw correctly. I dislike Professor Selena."
"That's why I'm asking the reason."
"Well."
Cardel moving his hand while answering roughly.
The elegantly moving pen tip was engraving ink letter by letter on the paper.
Unlike his words, it was a diligent hand.
I gently asked.
"Perhaps you like her?"
"...Pardon?"
It was a reasonable question.
If it was an ordinary bad relationship, he wouldn't have cared this much.
Here, it was a cliché that Cardel pretended to dislike her.
Since Selena had a pretty face and violent body, it wouldn't be strange to fall in love.
Moreover, as they were similar in age, there was enough room to be attracted to each other...
"What did you hear the story as?"
...Seeing his expression, it seemed that wasn't the case.
An expression revealing disgust.
As if it was physiologically impossible, his brow was furrowed.
Cardel glared at this side's nonsense with cold eyes.
"That was an extremely rude statement."
"It seems I misspoke."
"I'm already married to the person I love. I'd appreciate it if you didn't link me with such an old maid."
"......"
Is thirty an age to be called an old maid?
I had such thoughts but swallowed them forcibly.
The gaze poking my cheeks was stinging.
It was true that it was a late age by this world's standards.
Moreover, since he showed a reaction of utterly disliking it himself, I had to bow my head with a casual apology.
Though somewhat dumbfounded.
"I'm sorry."
"......"
Cardel without an answer for a while.
He soon exhaled and spoke.
"Though we always growl at each other, Professor Selena is one of the few geniuses I acknowledge."
Galimar where only the continent's best educators gathered.
Even among such faculty members, those who could be Cardel's match were few.
Perhaps I should say rival?
In that sense, Selena was a good competitor for Cardel.
Though it wasn't a field related to combat, magicians of equal class to himself were rare.
He added.
"After being appointed to the academy. I've been on faculty with her for a full 7 years. Though she may seem like just an alcoholic on the outside... she was a decent person, at least when dealing with students. So on one hand, I learned various things from Professor Selena too. At least I knew she wasn't a person who took the academy's weight slightly. Therefore."
Whether he disliked or liked her.
A colleague who had walked the same path since trainee teacher days.
Though he said he disliked her, it would be a lie if there was no affection.
"I just concluded that Professor Selena is still a necessary person for Galimar."
Perhaps the two were closer than expected.
As people who made the same place their home.
'Cardel Evans.'
A person who was Class A's homeroom professor in the original work.
He was also in the position of helper to the protagonists.
Though he lacked manners somewhat and had eccentric aspects, he too was a good person who held warmth.
To the extent he was wholly for the academy and students until killed by heretics.
I laughed quietly.
"In a word... you two were friends."
"Please correct that. We're bad friends."
"Isn't it similar?"
Bad friends.
Words referring to bad companions.
But on the other hand, they were also words acknowledging the other was still a companion despite that.
I didn't particularly cling to that part.
I just received the documents with a faint smile.
I joked needlessly.
"You worked hard today too. This wraps up the aftermath of the incident."
"Thanks to that, I pulled all-nighters for three days and nights. That terrible woman needs to be grateful to me. For having such an extremely capable colleague by her side."
"Huhu... I'll convey it to Master for sure."
"Tell her to recover well. I heard she's still lying in a sickbed."
"She'll probably be discharged within this week. If you wish, Professor Cardel, you could also visit..."
"I refuse. Even if I die."
"I knew you'd say that."
An answer returning with a clear cut.
I burst into light laughter and stood up from my seat.
"I'll be going now."
Just then, the dark scenery outside the window was brightening.
Morning was gradually approaching.
Sunlight removed the night's curtain.
I took steps towards the tomorrow that had come before I knew it.
I left the research lab and strode down the long stretched corridor.
"What's left is..."
The finale decorating the episode.
The drunkard was still in dreamland, but soon to wake.
I crossed the dawn to greet her.
Please.
From today.
Hoping your yesterday will be peaceful.
Praying for a faded tomorrow.