Chapter 11
The Envoy from the Wind Kingdom, and the Wheel of Fate Turning Once More
A dull wind wrapped around the skies above the Royal Roselia Magic Academy that day.
The clouds raced swiftly, and an unseasonable gust howled against the spires of the towers.
But this was no ordinary weather.
“From the Wind Kingdom, Elstra, I have come as a special envoy.
I am Remio El=Hause, of the Mage Corps ‘Gale Owls’.”
When his figure appeared at the academy gates, the air itself seemed to shift.
A young man with steely, silver-gray hair streaming behind him, and sharp, resolute eyes.
His attire was nothing like Roselia’s—a ceremonial robe embroidered with geometric patterns, brimming with wind-element magic.
“…Great. Another troublesome one shows up.”
From the rooftop, Kai looked down and shrugged.
(Why the hell am I being dragged into ‘diplomatic issues’…? I’m just a math teacher, ain’t I…?)
“On behalf of my country’s king, I formally extend an invitation to Sir Cross Kai of the Royal Academy.”
Standing upright in the academy’s main conference hall, Remio declared:
“Your Theory of Mathematical Magecraft is of immense value to the Mage Corps of Elstra.
Therefore, we request your appointment as a technical advisor to our kingdom. The term of stay will be… six months to begin with.”
It was nothing less than a scouting attempt.
And a very serious one at that.
“…Nah. I’m a teacher here. I’ve got classes, students, and candy to hand out.”
“…Candy?”
“Don’t worry ‘bout it. Local thing.”
Even under the Ministry of Magic’s surveillance, Kai remained a “teacher by his own free will.”
Elstra had found the gap and was exploiting it.
◆◇◆
Meanwhile, at the student lounge, Luthia listened to the rumor spreading among her classmates.
“They say Professor Cross got scouted by the neighboring kingdom.”
“Eh? Then… is he going to quit this academy?”
“No way…! His lectures are something nobody else can ever copy…”
Luthia’s heart ached sharply.
(…Again, a ‘distance’ forms between us.)
(This time, maybe for real… we might become people who ‘no longer even talk’.)
Anxiety crashed over her.
After a month, things had finally returned to normal.
But it wasn’t just normal.
Kai’s voice, his presence, his words—they had already begun to “melt” inside her.
◆◇◆
That night.
Before she realized it, Luthia’s own legs had carried her somewhere she couldn’t believe.
She was standing before the teachers’ dormitory.
(What am I doing…? The ‘contract’ is over already…)
And yet, her steps refused to stop.
Frozen in front of the door, unable even to knock—
the door suddenly opened.
“…Huh? Spying on me?”
“N-no! I just happened to be passing by!”
“At this hour, right outside the teachers’ dorm?”
“Shut up already!”
…And before she knew it, she was sitting on a chair inside Kai’s room.
“I heard about Elstra.”
Luthia spoke first.
“…Yeah. Not like I’m planning to go, though. Too much hassle.”
“Hassle? This involves nations. Don’t you understand how important this is?”
“Exactly ‘cause I understand. That’s why it’s a hassle. I’d rather just teach the students in front of me. That’s more my style.”
“……”
She wanted to say something more, but the words wouldn’t come.
Kai reached beside the sofa, pulled out a jar of candy, and held it out.
“Here. Been a while, huh, ojou-sama? Have a sweet.”
“…Again, with that.”
But this time, she didn’t refuse.
Unwrapping the paper, she let the candy rest on her tongue.
The gentle sweetness seeped faintly into her heart.
“…Truth is, I’ve been watching. Your lectures, the way you treat your students… everything.”
“Is that so?”
“I thought… once this ‘fake’ relationship ended, I’d feel relieved. But—”
Her words choked in her throat.
Kai said nothing. He only gazed at her quietly.
Luthia rose to her feet and walked toward the door.
But with her hand on the handle, she turned back.
“…Where you go is none of my business.
But… as long as you remain a teacher of this academy, I’ll remain your student.”
“…Heh. Got plenty left to teach, then.”
“Hehe… I’ll be looking forward to it.”
With that, she finally left in silence.
◆◇◆
Later that night, on the outskirts of the academy.
The wind twisted space itself, and Remio El=Hause unfolded a sealed report.
“…As expected, ‘Mathematical Magecraft’ is an anomaly in this kingdom as well.
Left unchecked, it will upset the balance.”
At his side stood another figure—
a masked woman, cloaked in mage’s garb.
“Then… shall we begin? The stage of ‘elimination.’”
