VCAM 10

Chapter 10

  The Ministry of Magic’s Inquisition and the Broken Silence

A figure in a jet-black cloak appeared before the gates of the Royal Roselia Academy of Magic.

On his chest gleamed an emblem everyone recognized—
the symbol of the kingdom’s highest magical authority, the Ministry of Magic (Magia Ordo).

His appearance sent ripples of shock through the academy.

“Why is the Ministry of Magic here?”
“An investigation into a teacher… don’t tell me it’s about Professor Kai?”

The rumor swept across campus in an instant.

Kai Cross was teaching as usual that day.

He was standing before the blackboard, explaining how to calculate the shortest possible chant time using functions, when—

The classroom door opened with heavy weight.

“Pardon the intrusion. I’m a special investigator, dispatched by the Ministry of Magic. You are Kai Cross?”

The man who entered was tall, around thirty years old.
His silver-gray hair was slicked back, and his sharp eyes swept across the room.

Behind him stood several subordinates, all apparently sorcerers.

“…Uh, sure, that’s me. But, y’know, I’m in the middle of class right now?”

“We already received authorization from the academy. A ‘suspension of classes’ order has been issued.”

(Oi, barging in to wreck my lesson without warning… what kind of black-company move is this?)

The atmosphere froze. Whispers of unrest stirred among the students.

“Professor Kai is… being investigated?”
“Wait… the rumor about him being from another world—was it true?”

And so, Kai was escorted away to the underground interrogation chamber of the Ministry’s magic tower.

Behind heavy doors lay a cold stone room.
Though not bound, he sat before piles of records and transcriptions of magic circles.

“We are aware of your classes, as well as the ‘unsolved magical formula’ you deciphered at the royal palace. …Your knowledge is abnormally vast.”

“That’s ‘cause I’m a math teacher. Naturally, I’m a bit confident when it comes to calculations.”

“This is far beyond ‘a bit.’ The ‘functional magic theory’ you use—it is a way of thinking that does not exist in this kingdom.”

“…And so?”

“Therefore, it may well be an ‘outsider’s logic.’ Your knowledge could destabilize, even destroy, the kingdom’s entire magical framework.”

(Seriously… teaching a little math gets me labeled a ‘destroyer’? That’s way too much.)

Meanwhile.

In the depths of the library, Rutia was frantically poring over Ministry records.

(Just as I thought… Kai’s “gravitational interference formula” was the first of its kind in the kingdom’s history…)

Now she understood why the Ministry had turned hostile.
To the kingdom’s royal magical apparatus, his theories were “knowledge beyond control.”

(But still…)

(To cast him aside as an ‘aberration’ because of that…?)

Her hands froze as she turned the page.

It read:

“Only royalty or first-class nobility may serve as qualified witnesses before a Ministry inquisitor.”

Rutia bit her lip.

(Then I’ll be the one to act…)

Back in the interrogation chamber.

Kai was being shown one diagram after another.

“Decipher this structure.”
“Why does this law hold true?”

“…Man, enough already. I’m tired.”

“Hmph. To an outsider, this must feel like ‘torture.’”

“Nah. Just tedious.”

“—!”

At that moment, the door burst open.

“I will vouch for this man’s testimony.”

Striding in with regal poise, clad in a crimson dress—

was Rutia von Valenstein.

“In the name of the Valenstein ducal house, first-class nobility, I swear that this man’s extraordinary abilities are not a threat to the kingdom.”

The investigator’s brow furrowed.

“…Weren’t you said to be his ‘lover’?”

“Our contract ended a month ago. But as his student and observer, I can attest to his capability—and his integrity.”

“An emotional defense lacks credibility.”

“This is not emotion. It is fact.
—Records show that multiple students awakened their magic through his classes.”

Kai narrowed his eyes at her resolute figure.

(…Man, this is getting way out of hand.)

And yet, deep inside, a faint light flickered to life.

(…Milady, you really are something else.)

The next morning, Kai once again stood at the lectern.

The uproar had not truly settled.
The Ministry had announced their investigation would continue.

Even so, every student was present in the classroom.
And among them, seated quietly in the back—was Rutia.

She said nothing, simply opening her textbook.

Kai picked up a piece of chalk and spoke.

“Today, let’s talk about… the world beyond our world.”

And so the story began to stir toward its next spark—
the interference of foreign magical organizations.