Chapter 64
Leon and the others returned to the library the next day.
Because of Iscalon's rampage yesterday, investigators had gathered in the library, but it wasn't anything worth worrying about.
They didn't know the grimoire existed.
Unless it was a special case like Elodie, they would never notice.
'That's what's so strange about it.'
Even before touching the grimoire, Elodie could faintly sense Iscalon's presence.
In the original story too, Elodie found it by going near the bookshelf and sensing something, so maybe that was why.
The three of them were planning to have a proper conversation with Iscalon, whom they'd left alone for a day, but...
"What are you all gathered here for?"
Aiter interjected obliviously.
As an imperial prince with such a unique status, he was busier than even the professors and spent his breaks running all over the place.
So he had been away yesterday too, but today he had no other appointments.
He naturally joined Leon's group.
"Well, it's..."
"..."
Elodie kept checking the mood, and even Rinoa, who was more respectful to the prince than to her own parents, couldn't bring herself to speak.
If they explained about Iscalon here, they'd be exposed as the culprits behind yesterday's library incident.
To be exact, it was Iscalon's doing, but the moment they knowingly condoned it, they were basically accomplices.
"Prince Aiter, do you perhaps have something else to do?"
Knowing that, Leon tried to shoo Aiter away.
"Why are you asking that?"
"People keep crowding around to see you, after all. It's uncomfortable, so I can't read in peace. If there's a book you're looking for, why don't we leave and come back later?"
Aiter blinked blankly at being treated like a burden for the first time in his life.
Even Rinoa and Elodie seemed to side with Leon.
"What is this atmosphere? Are you all excluding just me right now?"
"N-no, n-no, o-of course not. H-how could we possibly exclude Your Highness the Imperial Prince?"
"Young Lady?"
"..."
Elodie trembled as she lied, and it was worse than saying nothing at all.
Rinoa shifted her eyes away and dodged Aiter's gaze.
The one I want quiet is making noise, and the one I want to help me has clammed up.
Leon was amazed by their tear-jerking teamwork.
"So this is another new kind of treatment, huh? It feels awkward to say it myself, but do you know how many nobles and merchant guilds gather just to have one conversation with me?"
"I wouldn't know."
"Too many to count. That's because I'm an imperial prince. But are you really going to leave me out? Are you sure you won't regret it?"
"That's too bad."
Leon answered without even a moment's hesitation.
Why does he talk so much?
If you know it's you, take the hint and go.
"No? If you're going to be that way, I absolutely can't leave. I won't move even an inch until you let me join you."
But Leon's cold treatment only provoked Aiter's stubborn pride.
He crossed his arms and crossed his legs, showing that he had no intention of moving.
Leon was speechless at his stubbornness.
"No, I don't think this guy was this kind of character either."
The Aiter from the original story was definitely a cheerful northern noble who could turn cold when needed.
But in front of him was a young geezer who wouldn't listen to a damn thing anyone said.
It was enough to make him wonder if he'd been spirited into a parallel world of Lady Maker. The kids were all going a little off the rails one by one.
"Leon, enough. Show it to Lord Aiter too."
In the end, Rinoa couldn't stand it any longer and stepped in to mediate.
"Would that be all right?"
"As long as Prince Aiter promises to keep it secret."
"Does it really have to go that far? It doesn't seem like ordinary danger."
"We don't know yet whether it's dangerous. It's simply a separate matter from trusting Prince Aiter."
Rinoa and Aiter glared at each other.
It was a clash of wills between the academy's unofficial No. 1 and No. 2.
"You don't trust me, the imperial prince..."
At Aiter's mutter, Leon let out a dry laugh.
"No, you keep saying there shouldn't be status discrimination at the academy, but every time it's 'the prince, the prince.' What exactly are we supposed to do?"
"Haha. I'm still not used to it either, so I keep making mistakes."
"Please decide quickly. We're busy."
If this had been the Aiter from the original story, he would have left the moment he sensed their reluctance.
He wasn't the kind of person who'd force himself into a seat when someone said it was uncomfortable.
But Aiter was acting uncharacteristically stubborn.
Aside from uncovering Rinoa's identity, it was fun being with them.
The rude way they wouldn't treat him like a prince, despite being one, piqued Aiter's interest.
"Fine. I swear on my name that I won't reveal a single word about what happens from here on."
So Aiter readily accepted their proposal.
I need to see for myself what exactly they're hiding.
"Very well. Then before we take out the book... Prince Aiter, could you take a quick walk over there for a moment?"
"Why?"
"We need to draw people's attention away."
"That's not difficult."
Once Aiter stood up and started walking, he drew everyone's eyes to him like a magnet.
Meanwhile, Leon secretly took out the grimoire he'd carelessly shoved under the bookshelf yesterday.
He showed the book to Aiter, who had returned to his seat.
"Hmm, what book is this? It's a remarkably old tome."
"Before that, there are too many people watching here. Let's move somewhere without people."
"Then let's move."
"But taking books out of the library is strictly prohibited."
"So you're saying you want me to use my authority to take it out."
Leon nodded.
Aiter couldn't answer right away.
He had said he'd live at the academy as an ordinary student, so using the prince's authority was something he strongly disliked.
"It's a grimoire. A grimoire that no one has read yet."
"Ah. Then that's a different story."
Aiter was a prince, but at the same time, he was a mage who pursued the arcane.
The arrogant urge to understand an incomprehensible world was an instinct carved deep into the bones of mages.
For such mages, a grimoire was no different from an oasis discovered in a desert of sand.
What's more, a grimoire that no one has read?
It was the kind of thing that could make one willingly put even their soul on the line. That was how intense the thirst it stirred up was.
Leon used Aiter as a shield and strode confidently toward the library exit.
Sure enough, the alarm sounded the moment they passed through the exit.
"Hey, student. That book can't be taken out—"
Just as the librarian guarding the exit started to speak in surprise, Aiter stepped forward with a smile.
"I'll be borrowing it briefly under my authority. We need to investigate it. Would you permit that?"
"O-of course! If Your Highness vouches for it, then naturally there's no problem! Please take your time and inspect it!"
The prince card was far sweeter than he'd expected. Leon cheered inwardly and casually slipped out of the library.
They moved to an empty lecture hall in the academy where no one was around.
"So. What is this thing? If we went to all this trouble and it's something trivial, I'll be very disappointed."
"Seeing is believing. Try pouring mana into this book."
"Hmm..."
Rather than acting immediately on the mysterious request, Aiter watched the three of them for a reaction.
Not sensing anything particularly strange from them, he let mana flow into the book.
Then...
[Do you think I'm some whore in a brothel? One after another, you're all shoving mana into me!]
A coarse old man's voice rang in his mind.
Aiter's brows tightened with caution.
"...What is this?"
"It's the specter who calls himself the Great Sage."
[You insolent wretch! I'm not 'self-proclaimed,' and I'm not a specter either! Must I show you my power again before you come to your senses?]
"Your power? Again?"
"It's the one who knocked out the students yesterday."
Rinoa drove the final nail into Aiter's suspicion. His eyes widened for a moment before quickly returning to normal.
"I see. So that's why you wanted it kept secret."
"W-we're victims too! This old man did it all on his own!"
[Ah, child. What are you saying? If you put it that way, this old geezer will be hurt.]
"I almost collapsed because of you, grandpa."
[T-that was because it had been so long that I misjudged my strength... Sorry.]
With the political instincts he'd honed in court, Aiter quickly understood the situation.
"It's a grimoire. And one with a will of its own."
"That's exactly right."
"Where did you get this?"
"We happened to find it."
Leon hid the fact that he'd known about the grimoire from the start.
There was absolutely nothing to gain from letting the others find that out.
"Good. We've confirmed it's a grimoire, and I've learned the secret behind yesterday's incident, so I feel relieved. But what exactly is this grimoire? If it's dangerous, I can't hand it over."
"We're going to find that out starting now, too."
Rinoa answered.
Soon everyone's eyes turned to the grimoire. The eye on the cover blinked, rolling its pupil as it scanned the surroundings.
[Hmph! Did you think I would answer so obediently? You lot abandoned me in that pitch-black place. I have nothing to give to shameless bastards like you!]
"Really? Then it's no longer useful, so I guess we should burn it."
Flames rose from Rinoa's palm.
[Hiiik?! Child beloved by magic, please save this old geezer from this wicked witch.]
"I'm the weakest one here... Sorry, heh-heh."
Elodie smiled with her tongue out.
At this rate the grimoire really did seem like it would be burned, so Leon finally stepped in to mediate.
"Let's not do that and settle this amicably. Old man, teach us magic, won't you?"
[Why should I?]
"Are you going to refuse? If you do, the magical knowledge you've spent your whole life building up won't be passed down to future generations. Are you really okay with that?"
[You...]
Leon had known from the very beginning that Iscalon was the Great Sage. He also knew why he had become a grimoire.
He put forward the one thing Iscalon feared most as the bargaining chip.
The effect was immediate. Iscalon couldn't keep up the bluster from before.
"As the Great Sage, you should know better than anyone how exceptional these people's magical talent is."
[...]
"We learn magic, and you pass your knowledge on to future generations. How does that sound? I don't think this is a deal where you lose out. And it won't be easy to find another group of mages like us."
There was a brief silence.
After a little more time passed.
[...Very well. I accept. I will teach you magic. Surely you are all more than capable of passing on my knowledge.]
Iscalon reluctantly accepted the proposal.
"Nice, that was the right call."
[However, the black-haired young lady cannot be taught.]
"Pardon?"
It was Rinoa whom Iscalon's eye indicated.
"Why? Why is she the only one who can't be taught?"
As if it were the most obvious thing in the world, Iscalon snorted.
[This young lady is a witch, isn't she? I'm generous toward pretty children, but I'm not such a lecherous old man that I'd pass my knowledge on to a witch.]