After the quarterfinals, I strolled through the deserted lobby of the contenders' waiting room.
"It's a relief. There's no need to alter the plan."
Although the future has changed, the divine buffs remained unchanged from the game.
The stat increase and effects of the divine buffs, as demonstrated by Abigail, were exactly what I had repeatedly tested in the game.
It's quite significant data.
Divine buffs show their overwhelming strength in many-to-many battles.
If divine buffs had differed from the original, a major overhaul of the plan would have been necessary.
'Wait for me, Maitri.'
Before the semifinals, a 20-minute break was granted.
With Seria and Amy in tow, I headed to the contenders' waiting room to question Alice.
Creak—
Upon opening the door, I saw Alice still lying on the bench.
"Hmm, still not awake, it seems."
Silence.
Alice lay there motionless, as if dead.
Was she asleep?
At that moment, Amy gestured for silence, placing her index finger on her lips.
Nodding in agreement, she tiptoed towards Alice.
Then, with a swift motion, she jabbed her fingers repeatedly towards Alice's face.
Alice's body twitched briefly in response.
When Taylor had tried this earlier, there was no reaction.
Well, the meaning behind this was clear.
"Wake up, Alice."
"Uh, huh, what?"
Instead of waking up, Alice rolled over, feigning sleep talk.
This was utterly ridiculous.
"Don’t make me tell you twice."
"Ah, um, so... sleepy..."
Alice rose, groggy and rubbing her eyes.
A tough woman indeed, sticking to her act despite being caught.
Alice looked up at me with shaky eyes.
"Th-Theo...? Where, where are we?"
I couldn't help but smirk at her obvious act.
"We're in the Knight Department's waiting room at the arena."
"Oh, is that so..."
I looked down at the nervous Alice and got straight to the point.
The semifinals were about to start, and time was short.
"I've come to claim the wager."
"The wager?"
"Yes. I'll speak plainly, so you should too."
Creak—
I pulled a nearby chair in front of her and sat down.
"The artifact you're currently wearing. Where did you get it, and from whom?"
"Will you believe me? It's not like there’s a member from the [Order of Light] present to witness."
"I'll listen and then judge."
Of course, I had already prepared a way to discern whether Alice's response was true or false.
Before entering the room, I had asked Seria to cast a lie detection spell on Alice.
Alice, swallowing nervously,
“I didn’t receive it from anyone. I happened upon it near the northern magical city during a departmental field trip.”
Seria showed no reaction, indicating that Alice's answer was true.
“Is there anyone else aware that you acquired this artifact?”
Alice hesitated,
“W-wasn’t the wager to answer only 'one' question?”
Of course, she was correct.
The wager was to answer 'one' question truthfully.
However, this could easily be challenged.
“Using artifacts is strictly prohibited in martial arts tournaments.”
Alice gasped.
“And bringing artifacts into the academy is forbidden for students below the third year.”
“There are hardly any students who follow that rule!”
“First, answer my question. In this martial arts tournament, besides you, Alice, are there other students using these artifacts?”
Silence.
“Answer me. I thought this was a fair competition, but to be deceived like this makes me angry. I’m struggling to contain it right now. The senior professor of the Exploration Department would understand my feelings—”
“Wait, please! I’ll tell you everything, Theo!”
Alice quickly opened her mouth.
“No, there are none! When I found this artifact, there was no one else around. Ever since, the artifact has been integrated with my body, and you were the only one who recognized it!”
"Hmm, my anger is somewhat subsiding."
Still, Seria showed no reaction.
No witnesses and only the truth, it seems.
So, the theory of Alice being a spy for [Turning White] is debunked.
However, the fact that the artifact she wore was Maitri’s creation is almost certain.
I calmly observed Alice.
“Hehe... So, Theo. Now that your anger has subsided, may I leave?”
She was sweating profusely, anxiously watching my reaction.
I shook my head.
"My anger hasn't fully subsided yet."
"Wh-What?!"
"I need to know exactly what the object that almost caused me trouble is."
As I narrowed my eyes, Alice's eyes widened in shock.
She defensively wrapped her arms around herself.
"W-What do you mean by that? Surely the heir of the great Waldeurk family isn't suggesting to forcibly inspect a lady's body—"
"Of course not."
Creak—
I rose from my seat and turned to Amy and Seria.
"Take care of it."
"Kyaa! No, not there—!"
Ignoring Alice's scream, I stepped out of the room.
In the stands of the Elinia Academy Festival's [Martial Arts Tournament], Roy sat with a sense of relief.
'Eventful as it was, I managed to submit the report on time.'
He had submitted the report on time.
He added information about Piel and Alphs entering the [Order of Light]'s confessional.
Although he couldn’t know what they discussed there, he confirmed they stayed for some time.
The mission had been incredibly challenging, mainly due to Theo, but now he could relax a bit.
Maitri, though cruel, is a rational person.
Seeing the quality of the report, he might even extend the deadline for the next and final report.
'Good, now I can work with a bit more ease.'
Roy speared a piece of chicken popcorn with a toothpick and popped it into his mouth, savoring the distinctive spicy sauce of the East.
'Ah, these are the joys in life!'
He rinsed his mouth with sweet apple juice.
Just as he was about to enjoy another piece of chicken popcorn.
"What's going on? Why is she here?!"
"Damn, she's so beautiful... I can feel the holiness from here."
"I haven’t seen her since the entrance ceremony... It’s been almost half a year since she appeared in public, hasn’t it?"
"Not just in public, she hardly shows herself at all. I asked the senior students in the Hero Department, and they said they haven't seen her since the entrance ceremony either."
The entire audience was buzzing.
'What now...'
Irritation marked Roy's brow as he looked towards the source of the commotion.
It better be something significant.
"Wow..."
But upon seeing the person there, he immediately understood.
Bright golden hair.
Skin pale as if never touched by sunlight.
Lips red as the sun.
Isabella Ren Lopez, the First Saintess of the Great Renimid Church and a second-year student in the Hero Department, who rarely made public appearances.
It was because of her presence.
Always a top priority for investigation by Maitri, but an elusive figure who had never shown herself, making it impossible even to attempt.
"Ugh."
Roy put down his chicken popcorn and dove back into work mode.
'The last time she appeared in public was at the start of the year, during the Hero Department's entrance ceremony. Normally, she doesn't show herself. I've even heard she doesn’t frequent the cafeteria, where all Hero Department students go—'
While Roy was deep in thought,
"!"
He unexpectedly locked eyes with Isabella.
Her golden eyes seemed to penetrate right through him.
'No way... With so many people here, it must be a coincidence.'
But the intensity of Isabella's presence was daunting.
A little later, Roy cautiously looked up to look at her again.
'Haah.'
She sat in another seat, an expression of indifference on her face, focused intently on something.
Her posture was sharp, without a hint of disorder.
'It was just my imagination. But what is Isabella looking at?'
Curiously, Roy followed her gaze.
And then, his forehead wrinkled in frustration.
'What now, this is insane. Ah, Aah─! What kind of situation is this!'
...There was Theo and his group.
No, it was Theo himself.
Read latest chapters at f(r)eewebnov𝒆l Only