"That’s quite the incredible explosion, Principal… I did hear something about an incident in the commercial district a few days ago, but to think it was that big…"
I kept my tone even, casual. Deflecting, at least for now.
The Principal, however, wasn’t so easily fooled.
"Fufu~ Despite how it looks, the damage was actually quite minimal. Most of the surrounding buildings weren’t even harmed that much. Quite strange for an explosion of this scale, don’t you think?"
She leaned back in her chair, watching me with amusement before continuing.
"And… ’heard about it’?" She chuckled softly, but there was an edge to her voice. "Come now, Mr. Riley Hell~ It was an explosion so bright it turned night into day. There’s no way you wouldn’t have noticed it."
I remained silent.
Her pueple eyes glimmered, catching every minute shift in my expression.
"I understand your concerns about the incident," she went on, resting her chin on one hand. "But don’t worry. I’m not asking you to confirm your involvement to punish you. I simply want to confirm something."
I frowned slightly. "Confirm something?"
The Principal smiled, as if pleased that I’d finally asked.
"Yes… You’re already well aware of the true identity of a certain junior you’ve interacted with, aren’t you?"
I stiffened.
She continued smoothly. "Student Enna, from the General Department… you know she’s the current Saintess of Light, right? Emilia, the saintess—the goddess incarnate of this world."
I exhaled slowly.
So that’s where this was going.
’I guess there’s no use hiding it anymore, huh…’
After a brief pause, I nodded. "Yes."
The Principal’s smile widened.
"Fufu~ So you’re confirming you were the cause of that explosion now?"
I narrowed my eyes. "I’m only confirming my connection and knowledge of the saintess’s true identity."
"Hm~ How stubborn," she mused, her voice laced with amusement. "Well, I did say I wouldn’t push you on that, so I’ll let it go for now~"
I sighed. "Can you get on with it?"
She simply smiled again and, with a snap of her fingers, the holographic screen shifted.
The recorded explosion vanished.
Instead, a new scene flickered into view.
The holographic screen flickered, shifting once more.
This time, a battlefield came into view—a gruesome scene bathed in crimson and shadow.
Men shrouded in swirling dark mana stood at the center, their bodies trembling as the golden-clad knights descended upon them like relentless executioners.
Their armor gleamed in the dim light, their movements precise, unwavering, merciless.
The Paladins of the Holy Kingdom—figures of unwavering faith and discipline—slaughtered every last one of the cultists, cutting them down like pests.
The scene changed.
The blood and carnage remained, but now the battles spanned across different landscapes—a ruined village, a dark forest, the outskirts of a fortress.
No matter where the setting shifted, one thing remained constant:
The robed figures wielding dark mana—hunted and executed without mercy.
Even children weren’t spared.
I stared, my jaw tightening as my eyes fixated on the repeating cycle of death.
"Demonic cultists…" I muttered under my breath.
It wasn’t surprising—the Paladins of the Holy Kingdom had always despised anything tied to evil and darkness, treating it as an abomination to be purged.
But to see them act with such absolute brutality… there was no hesitation in their blades.
No room for redemption.
More than that…
These events weren’t isolated.
Each recorded battle took place in a different part of the continent—far apart from one another—yet the pattern remained the same.
That meant only one thing.
"These guys are more active than I thought…" I muttered, my gaze darkening.
The Principal, who had been watching the scenes unfold beside me, let out a small sigh before giving a slow nod.
"Yes… normally, demonic cultists prefer to remain in the shadows—hiding, scheming, quietly practicing their dark rituals away from prying eyes." She leaned back against her chair, tapping her fingers against the desk. "But lately… they’ve become far too organized. Too bold. Almost like someone’s pulling the strings behind them."
I frowned, still watching the chaotic battlefields displayed before me.
"And what exactly does this have to do with me?"
She turned toward me, a slow, knowing smirk playing on her lips.
"Oh, nothing~" she said, her tone playful—yet beneath it, there was something far sharper. "You’re not directly involved in anything, and I’m not saying you are…"
Her purple eyes gleamed as she leaned in slightly.
"But when you piece together all the clues—the bigger picture—the narrative of everything I’ve investigated so far…"
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She tilted her head.
"It all somehow circles back to you, doesn’t it?"
"What do you mean by that…?"
I kept my voice steady, but I could already feel a growing sense of unease.
The Principal wasn’t the type to speak idly.
Every word she chose carried weight.
She leaned back in her chair, the dim light from the holographic screen casting flickering shadows over her sharp features.
"Being the Principal of the most prestigious academy on the continent has its perks, you know~" she mused, tapping her fingers against her desk in a rhythmic pattern. "It grants me access to information that even nobles and kings can’t easily acquire. While most people stumble in the dark, I make sure to stay ahead of the curve."
Her purple eyes gleamed with sharp amusement.
"For example… The Emperor has already informed me of your recent involvement with the Trails of Light—the last relic of the Goddess. The Holy See—the Pope himself—mentioned your name in one of his letters. The Saintess, Emilia, seems… particularly taken with you. And above all…"
She leaned forward, her gaze piercing straight through me.
"I can see it."
A faint glow flickered in her irises, as if her very eyes could peer beyond flesh and bone.
"The bright golden light that erupted that night… It’s still inside of you, it’s nothing but faint embers now but it’s definitely there, buried deep within."
I felt my body tense.
So, she could see it…?
Even if I tried to deflect or deny, it was meaningless. She wasn’t simply speculating—she knew.
Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.
Then, she smiled.
"Relax, Riley~" she said, almost playfully. "I know there are things you’d rather keep hidden. And don’t worry—I haven’t forgotten what happens when I push you too far. I’ve learned not to cross that line~"
She tilted her head slightly, studying my reaction.
"So, I won’t do anything that might inadvertently harm you or interfere with whatever you’re planning. But…" Her fingers tapped against her desk once more, this time slower, more deliberate. "As much as I’d like to take a more understanding approach, the academy is now involved—and I can’t afford to turn a blind eye."
Her expression darkened slightly.
"I’ve just received troubling information. Something that might endanger the entire academy as a whole. And quite frankly… I don’t know who to trust anymore."
That statement stood out to me.
For someone like her—a woman who had spent years navigating the cutthroat world of politics and power—to admit uncertainty?
It meant the situation was far worse than I initially thought.
’Is it information regarding the great demon that was about to appear soon?’
Although I cleared out the source of information from the demonic cultists side by destroying their key players and base early on, I guess as large as the academy stopping the infestation of this cultist can’t be done with just that….
That’s why I was hoping for the saintess to get involved early on as well…
The principal then continued snapping me out of my thoughts.
"There are certain paths I can’t walk. Certain shadows I can’t see into. And, unfortunately…" Her gaze sharpened. "Your recent move—that explosion—was a rather big statement, wasn’t it?"
I narrowed my eyes, but she only chuckled.
"Don’t play dumb, Riley. You knew what you were doing. That wasn’t just a reckless burst of mana—it was a message."
The room fell into silence once more.
Then, she sighed, her voice carrying a note of exhaustion.
"That’s why I’m… constrained right now."
She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.
"You wanted to signal something that night, didn’t you?"
"I haven’t even confirmed any of that yet," I said, my tone flat. "But anyway… What you’re really getting at is that you need someone you can trust?"
The Principal smiled, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk.
"Exactly~" she admitted without hesitation. "To be quite frank, matters involving demons can’t be taken lightly. Demonic cultists are already a problem, but actual demons? That’s another level entirely. Even with all my power, dealing with them without divinity is… difficult."
"So why not just ask the Holy See for help? The Saintess is already inside the academy, isn’t she? There’s no need for you to get directly involved. As long as the information about the danger remains hidden, the Holy Kingdom’s prosecutors should be able to handle it, right? They’re experts at keeping their executions silent."
Her purple eyes glowed faintly as she chuckled. "Fufu~ I know. But I’m not exactly fond of asking for help from foreign entities—especially one with such a powerful influence over an entire nation. The Academy prides itself on neutrality, maintaining balance across the continent. If I were to openly seek assistance from the Holy Kingdom, it would shake the Academy’s dignity."
She leaned back, her expression shifting to something more serious.
"Besides… Relying on those people is far more troublesome than you think. The moment they see an opportunity, they’ll sink their claws into the Academy. Do you really think I’d allow that?"
She had a point. The Holy Kingdom had a reputation for being both ruthless and political. If they were given an excuse to exert authority over the Academy, they wouldn’t hesitate to seize it.
"And as for getting the Saintess involved? that’s also out of the question it’s idealistic at best. Anything that puts her in danger could ignite a holy war. The last thing I need is the Church branding the Academy as incompetent or, worse, complicit."
She exhaled softly; her gaze sharp.
"That being said… I know she’s a key player in all of this. I won’t stop her from doing whatever she chooses. But that doesn’t mean I’ll sit idly by and let things spiral out of control."
"But why ask me to help you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
The Principal tilted her head slightly, her long black hair cascading over her shoulder as she smiled. "I’ve already explained my reasoning, haven’t I~? And like I told you, there’s no need to hide anything. In all honesty, within the Academy, you’re the only one I trust the most."
She paused, her purple eyes gleaming with intrigue.
"Even the Emperor advised me to follow along with your flow, though I don’t exactly know what he meant by that. Still, his words have weight, don’t you think? So, how about it, Riley? Why don’t we cooperate as allies in all this?"
I let out a quiet sigh, crossing my arms. "I’m not really planning to get involved in these matters, Principal."
Truthfully, there was no reason for me to step in.
This entire situation revolved around an inevitable event—one that would unfold regardless of my interference.
A certain greater demon was bound to appear within the Academy, a mid-boss that couldn’t be avoided.
Stopping its emergence entirely was impossible.
Even if I forcibly intervened, it wouldn’t change much.
Besides, I had already left matters concerning the demonic cult and its movements to both Lucas and the Saintess. They were the ones best suited to handle this problem.
Now that I thought about it, I should probably arrange for those two to meet soon.
The Principal studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, after a brief pause, she nodded to herself, as if confirming something internally.
"I see…" she murmured, her tone softer than before.
She leaned back slightly in her chair, resting her elbow against the armrest, fingers lightly tapping against her cheek.
"Well, I wasn’t really trying to drag you into anything, so I understand your reluctance. But… even if you don’t want to get involved, can’t we at least establish a foundation of trust between us?"
Her purple eyes locked onto mine, a glint of curiosity within them.
"Even a little exchange of information would be enough. A mutual give-and-take." She smiled. "I’ll share something about myself as well—no secrets, no vague riddles. You can ask me anything, and I’ll answer honestly."
"You seem quite desperate…" I muttered, watching her closely.
The Principal let out a soft chuckle, but there was something bitter beneath it.
"I’m not desperate, just… paranoid. Trust me, Riley, being the Principal of this Academy is bound to break your mind eventually."
Her words carried an odd weight—an exhaustion that couldn’t simply be laughed off.
I guess even if she had access to information from almost everywhere, matters concerning the cultists and demons were a different beast entirely.
She couldn’t directly involve herself, even if she wanted to.
It wasn’t a matter of power.
She was an Archmage, after all.
But she knew her place in the grand scheme of things.
There were lines she couldn’t cross; forces she couldn’t meddle with.
Maybe that was why she had remained the Academy’s Principal for so long.
I let out a slow sigh, shifting my gaze back to her.
Despite the roundabout way she was going about it, what she was really asking me for was trust.
She wanted just enough trust for me to share a bit of what I knew—not to drag me into this any further, not to force my hand, but to establish a foundation between us.
Her real goal wasn’t to involve me.
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It was to ensure that I trusted her.
To build a connection strong enough that, if necessary, she could rely on me in the future.
A solid relationship moving forward.
…Was she taking this approach because of what happened between us in the past?
Back when I beat them all down?
Her gaze met mine, steady and unreadable, and for a moment, the room fell into silence.
She wasn’t pushing. She wasn’t demanding.
She was waiting.
Forming a proper relationship with the Principal—one built on real trust rather than the pretense we had always maintained—would be beneficial for me as well.
Still, I couldn’t tell her much.
The more I interfered, the more I risked breaking the scenarios beyond repair.
But at the very least… I could assure her.
Something like that wouldn’t affect the grand scheme too much, right?
I exhaled lightly before making my decision.
"Alright, let’s trust each other from now on, Principal."
She tilted her head slightly, her violet eyes gleaming with interest.
"Oh~?"
She clearly hadn’t expected me to agree so easily.
"Though I can’t tell you much," I continued, keeping my tone measured, "I can at least say this—you don’t have to worry about everything that’s happening so far."
Her gaze sharpened. "What do you mean?"
I leaned back slightly, choosing my words carefully.
"A hero will soon be born in the Academy. His name will spread across the entire continent…" I paused for a moment before adding, "An actual hero. Not the false one you created with that whole pretense involving me and Rose."
For the first time, the Principal’s playful demeanor faded slightly.
She studied me in silence, her fingers gently tapping against the armrest of her chair.
Then, as if fitting the pieces together, a knowing smirk tugged at her lips.
"Is that what Weaver’s Dreams showed you?"
I blinked, caught slightly off guard.
She knew about Weaver’s Dreams?
I hadn’t expected her to assume it so quickly.
My gaze flickered over her expression—calm, composed, and just a little too amused.
…So the Emperor must have told her.
That explained why she was so quick to trust me. If the Emperor had mentioned my "certain trait," it made sense why he had advised her to follow my lead.
Well, in any case, this was all for the best.
I gave her a small nod, offering a silent assurance.
Even if I couldn’t tell her everything… this much should be enough.
For now.
She smiled slightly upon hearing my reassuring tone...