The Exposed Act

First, I assessed the situation and reacted as quickly as possible.

Are you a student? What brings you here...?

I asked, feigning a slightly clumsy expression, hands carefully clasped, and my head slightly bowed, acting a little scared.

I tried to act completely ignorant, but it was bound to fail.

Oh, no, how? Why?? A Janitor... Just a moment.

The girl scurried over, an incredulous look on her face, and circled me, chin in hand. It was frankly distracting.

She stopped behind me, then exclaimed in a tone of realization.

Ah! You're that kid from the back of the classroom! The one in those weird clothes!

No, I'm not.

What do you mean, no! Yes, you are!

Watching her stomp her feet, I felt a chill run down my spine.

This is really bad. Did she figure that out too?

However, rather than surprise, curiosity struck me first. *There was definitely no sign of anyone, so how did she see me?*

How did you learn Magic? You're not a Noble. So why... and to me...

Watching the student begin to ponder, I quickly ran through dozens of simulations in my head.

Then I picked the most plausible one and blurted it out.

Student.

"Why?"

I truly don't know what you're talking about. Magic? I am merely a regular janitor.

I maintained my bewildered expression.

*At the same time, I subtly pulled a bandage from behind my back and tore off its end with my hand.*

The end wouldn't catch, so I floated it with Current, then sharply drew out the wind as quickly as possible...

...?

It wouldn't pull out.

*It worked perfectly just a moment ago, why now?*

Left with no choice, I tore at it very lightly with my fingernail. Fortunately, the thread making up the bandage came off in one go.

As soon as I finished, she shrieked.

Don't lie! I just saw you float that bandage!

Ah, you mean this?

I tossed the bandage I'd pulled from behind my back onto the floor.

Then, with a thin thread, I pulled it back into my hand.

My apologies. I was a bit bored, so I made a yo-yo out of the supplies. I won't do it again.

...Huh?

The girl stared blankly at the bandage with the thread attached, then shook her head.

Then what about cutting the straw with Wind Magic!

Did you perhaps see me cleaning? I cut them with these scissors. Straw needs to be cut into small pieces before disposal to prevent fires.

I pulled out a pair of scissors from my pocket. Incidentally, the idea that straw needs to be cut up before disposal is utter nonsense. But what would a Noble know about cleaning?

I was confident. My proficiency wasn't that high, so to generate enough force to cut something, I'd have to be very close.

Even if she had been peeking, she wouldn't have noticed unless she had been right in front of me.

Oh, oh?

Seeing my opponent slightly flustered, I was convinced my excuse had worked and cautiously let out a sigh of relief.

It seemed to have worked well. But just in case, I delivered one last finishing blow.

Even so, I apologize. It is all my fault.

Eh?

Thud. I knelt down, my head bowed low with a dejected expression.

As this is my first time as a Janitor, I mistook this place for the Staff Infirmary. I failed to understand my place and entered your Student area with dirty feet, so I will gladly accept any punishment you deem fit. Please, take responsibility and punish me.

Contrary to my words, I knew this was the Staff Infirmary.

The important word here is 'responsibility'.

Have they ever been told to take responsibility for children?

No, there's no need for punishment... This is the Staff Infirmary, but...

Every single one of them reacts this way.

The girl, poking her index fingers together and avoiding my gaze, seemed utterly deflated.

I let out a sigh of relief in my heart.

Looks like I managed to get away with it.

Still, from now on, I should check for this kid before class. If she's there, I'll run instead of listening in. Safety first.

The student, with a final, slightly suspicious glance, asked.

Are you really not a Mage?

Yes. How could a Janitor logically use Magic? I know that Magic is a privilege reserved for Nobles.

...That's not always true, though...

Pardon?

Ah, well, if you're not, then it's fine. Sorry for doubting you...

*Why is this kid so fixated on my being a Mage?*

Taking advantage of the Student's subdued state, I stood up and quickly bowed.

Thank you for your generous mercy. I shall take my leave now.

Oh, okay...

It was an awkward situation for both of us. I tried to leave quickly.

[...So, she's this way?]

[Yeah, definitely...]

Until I heard voices.

Of course, it had nothing to do with me, so I was just going to open the door and leave, but the Student suddenly panicked and blocked me.

No! Not now!

...?

Her small hands grabbed me. I frowned, wondering what the sudden physical contact was about, and the voices outside stopped.

[...Hmm. That voice...]

[Hehehe...]

Seeing the girl cover her mouth as if she'd made a mistake, I quickly grasped the situation.

I wondered why a Noble would come all the way to the Staff Infirmary, but it seemed she was being chased.

—THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!

Immediately, aggressive knocking sounds came one after another.

[Hey, open up!]

[We know you're in here!]

I... what do I do...?

They want us to open it. Should I?

No...

The student trembled, not knowing what to do.

Her eyes getting moist was a pattern I often saw at the Orphanage. She was on the verge of tears.

Well, she probably did something to deserve it. Not my problem.

[How dare you run away without a word? We'll have to teach you a lesson today, won't we?]

[I'll cut off that hair of yours!]

*...Alright, maybe she didn't do anything wrong.*

Still, kids grow up by fighting.

A 2-on-1 situation is a bit desperate, but it's not impossible if I strike first. Even just scratching their faces with Wind Magic as soon as the door opens would be half the battle.

[You, an *Inferior Student* who can't even use Magic!]

[Come out now! Or should we burn your clothes?]

...No, can you really not use Magic?

But this was unexpected. If that's the case, a fight won't work.

Does she use it, but with weak output or something?

Yeah...

But when she nodded with a gloomy expression, it seemed she really couldn't use it at all.

It's basic Magic, so even a young child could do it if they were a Mage.

This isn't just an Inferior Student problem. There must be some other reason.

I think I understand why those guys are bullying her.

...Haa.

I let out a deep sigh, looking at the pounding door and the bewildered, impudent girl.

*Normally, I'd just dismiss this as a squabble between friends.*

*A Mage and a Normal Person. And 2-on-1?*

No matter how I tried to look at it positively, only a miserable picture formed in my mind.

Since it's a kids' fight, they won't hold back. It could even turn into a real bloodbath.

*Then... I'd get into trouble just for being here.*

I can't just stand by and let such a dangerous possibility unfold. Left with no choice, I picked up all the bandages lying around.

Please bear with me for a moment.

What?

There was nowhere to hide in this room.

It was the third floor. Escaping through the window was impossible.

So I tightly bound the student's hands with bandages.

The student looked at me with a bewildered expression. Her blue eyes, like glass beads, were quite striking.

W-what are you doing?

You mustn't scream. You'll be safe.

I tightly bound her, crisscrossing the bandages under her armpits, quickly securing her in a swaddle-like form—

Just in case, I'll cover your mouth too.

?

I turned the Student, who still hadn't grasped the situation, into something resembling prey wrapped in a spider's web.

???

It's alright, so don't struggle. Heave-ho.

?! ???!!!!!!

And then—I threw her right out the window.

The bandages tied to the railing became taut, beginning to bear her weight.

This is insane. If this Student falls to her death, I, a Janitor, will be executed for killing a Noble.

Of course, I had no intention of trusting my life to the durability of bandages.

She floats well.

The bandages were merely to deceive their eyes and senses, and were a double safety measure for any unforeseen circumstances.

The real purpose was to wrap her tightly in bandages like this so she could be affected by the Current.

For some reason, it's incredibly difficult to directly manipulate a living, moving creature with Current, unless it's wearing heavy armor or something. If it were possible, I would have used Levitation myself.

But in a state where she was tightly wrapped in bandages, without a single gap, meaning she was classified as an object, I could manipulate her sufficiently.

And thanks to my recent extensive practice with Current, the limits of my Current Magic had also increased considerably.

Even so, it wasn't enough to make a girl float freely in the air...

But at least I could prevent her from falling.

Third floor?

Within the range of my current.

Even if all the bandages were cut right now, she would slowly descend and reach the ground.

To prevent her from struggling, I looked out the window and gave one last instruction.

I'll pull you back in after they're gone. Please stay quiet until then.

She couldn't speak because her mouth was covered, but it seemed the fact that I was trying to help her got through, as she slowly nodded amidst her confusion.

Good. I closed the window, messed up my hair, and acted like someone who had just woken up.

Leaning on my broom like a crutch, I approached the door and opened it.

Why did you take so long to open? Do you really want to die... What?

Who's this guy?

Before I could say anything, I scanned them.

Judging by their faces, they looked only a year or two older than me, but their physiques were no joke. They looked so well-fed and grown that I'd believe them if they said they were 15.

As the tall, blond-haired and red-haired students looked at me with expressions that screamed “Who the hell is this guy?”, I struck first, bowing repeatedly and feigning a bewildered look.

Oh dear, students, what brings you here?

We clearly heard a voice... Where is that girl?

Pardon? What girl are you referring to?

Elisia, of course!

Elisia...? Who might that be...?

So that kid's name was Elisia.

I tilted my head as if genuinely clueless, and the red-haired brat flared up in anger.

That silver-haired *mongrel*! How dare she run away without knowing her place? We're going to pound her today.

My, my apologies. I was sleeping here, so I didn't see anyone.

Tsk, really? You're not hiding her somewhere, are you?

Where would there be to hide in this small room? But if you wish, you are welcome to search.

Hmm...

Ugh... Huins, what do we do?

It seemed the blond-haired Student named Huins held the decision-making power.

As I waited with a slightly anxious heart, Huins scanned the room and clicked his tongue.

This guy's right. Where would she hide in here? We must have heard wrong.

Is that so...?

Let's go. She's definitely hiding somewhere around here, so let's check the upper floors.

Alright! I don't know where she's hiding, but just you wait...

The red-haired student huffed and left the room, and Huins, about to follow, suddenly looked back at me.

Are you a Janitor?

Ah, yes...

You look hurt, sorry for waking you. Here.

—CLINK!

Huins flicked something shiny from his pocket. I caught it instinctively... It was one silver coin.

What, a silver coin? That's half a year's worth of my allowance.

You really didn't have to... Thank you!

There's no harm in having money.

As I tried to hide my smile and gleefully pocketed the extra income, Huins continued calmly.

If you happen to find the silver-haired Student, come up to the 4th floor secretly and tell me. I'll give you ten times that.

Is there any question! However,...

I asked cautiously.

Did she do something wrong?

Wrong? Hmph, of course.

Huins crossed his arms, a genuinely displeased expression on his face.

How dare that *mongrel* try to attend the same classes as us? She doesn't know her place. We have to beat her until she quits.

That *mongrel* you mentioned...?

She can't use Magic. She's not a Mage.

Deep contempt was etched on Huins's face.

One of her parents is a Commoner, you see. Disgusting creature...

...

Whoever her parents are, they certainly botched her upbringing.

As I offered my condolences, Huins, with a sneering laugh, said something absurd.

Oh, right. It's fine if you beat her up and bring her, if you find her. She's a Commoner just like you, so it doesn't matter if you hit her a bit.

What nonsense. Does he think I have a death wish?

Yes. I'll punch her lights out and knock her unconscious the moment I see her!

What? Hahaha! I like you!

I didn't particularly want it, but it seems I've earned his favor. Huins, after a hearty laugh, left for the 4th floor.

Only after their footsteps completely faded did I go to the window and pull up the bandages.

Heave-ho... Are you all right?

...

Hmm, I'll take that as a “yes, I”m alright'.

Even as I unwrapped the bandages, Elisia kept her head down, her face etched with deep concern.

She probably heard everything that was said outside the window.

If all that was true... then there seems to be a reason why she was so fixated on my using Magic.

I carefully removed the bandages to avoid hurting her skin, then sat her on the bed and tried to comfort her.

Don't worry too much about it. Not being able to use Magic won't affect your life in the slightest.

I'd actually like to get rid of it altogether.

Elisia still muttered with a gloomy expression.

Why are you still using formal speech?

Pardon?

Everything they said is true. I can't use Magic...

Gone was the lively girl from our first meeting; she had entered despair mode, hugging her knees and starting to self-deprecate.

I'm a *Deficient Noble*, so I skip classes every day and run away. That's why...

Skip.

...Huh?

I raised my hand, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Before Elisia could tilt her head and say anything, I spoke first.

That's truly unfortunate. I wish you the best of luck. You can do it. Be strong.

...Oh? Eh?

Leaving the bewildered Elisia behind with only those words, I backed out of the room.

*Get involved in that strange event?*

Absolutely not, not even a little bit.

I have enough problems of my own.

Anyway, it's my day off, so I'll just go into another room and get some good sleep.

Eh, what...?

Elisia's confused mutterings, those of one still unable to grasp the situation, could be heard from the room.