“Ugh, you actually came.”
That was the first thing Jenita said as she opened the door.
“Thanks for the warm welcome.”
“Please finish quickly and go back. It’s a precious holiday.”
I smiled brightly at Jenita’s words.
“Are you sure you should say that? You don’t even know what I’ll take as the prize for the bet.”
“Ugh, th-this is my house! You think you can just take whatever you want in front of the whole Sindri family?”
“Oh? Are you saying you won’t honor the bet?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant, but if it’s something too expensive—”
Then someone appeared behind Jenita.
“Jenita, is that a guest?”
“Ah, Dad.”
The man she called her father. I looked at him for a moment.
“......!”
Before I could say anything, the man spoke first.
“I received your message. You said you were coming for Jenita’s home visit. Please take good care ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ of my daughter. I’m Liberto di Sindri.”
“......I am Frondier de Roach. Miss Jenita is a model student, so there’s nothing for me to worry about.”
“That’s good to hear. Come inside.”
With that, the man entered the mansion. Jenita followed him, and I moved my feet as well.
'...They look alike.'
They did. He looked like my father, Amper.
For a moment, I genuinely thought Amper had appeared. The atmosphere was that similar. Only the impression was a bit softer—maybe because his daughter was by his side, or maybe that was his natural demeanor.
“Let’s go to the dining room first. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”
“No, thank you.”
I wasn’t hungry, but I hadn’t eaten yet either.
Besides, I couldn’t refuse a meal here, and I planned to learn more about the Sindri family anyway.
When I arrived at the dining room and sat in the seat they offered, I looked around briefly.
'...It was impressive outside, but inside is even more so.'
From the paintings on the walls to the small fork before me—there wasn’t a single thing that didn’t look expensive. The paintings themselves were exquisite, and the frames seemed to compete not to be outdone, ornate to the last empty space.
Even the servants moving about did so with such neat and precise motions that I could tell at a glance they were thoroughly trained.
It was as if this entire mansion couldn’t tolerate a single corner without luxury—every gap of wallpaper, every window frame filled with splendor.
'Doesn’t really match the master of the house.'
Judging by appearance alone, Liberto didn’t seem like someone who enjoyed this kind of extravagance. Even from here, I could sense his composed manner, and his posture and face bore the marks of strict self-discipline.
If so, this lavishly decorated mansion wasn’t personal taste—it had to serve some purpose.
“I’ve heard the story. You’re the one who designed the three-dimensional map that’s been such a hot topic lately, correct?”
As the food was served, Liberto spoke first.
I nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. Thanks to that design’s recognition, I was able to enter Atlas.”
“A magitech designer becoming a teacher—that’s unusual. Surely many companies offered you better terms.”
When Liberto said that, for a moment I thought he was suspicious of me, but judging by his expression, it was simply a question of curiosity.
Well, I’d have found it strange too. The 3D map and teaching seemed like unrelated fields.
“For me, the two share the same purpose. They’re not so different.”
“Care to elaborate?”
I began a reasonable lie.
Though it wasn’t entirely false—about ten percent of it was genuine.
“I created the three-dimensional map to save people.”
“Oh?”
“Humanity faces the threat of demons. They’re cruel and as intelligent as humans. To counter them, I believed accurate and instantly adaptable maps were essential. It was the most urgent and vital matter in warfare.”
Warfare. When I said that word, Liberto’s expression changed. Jenita, quiet at his side, also looked slightly uncomfortable.
“Then you’re saying your teaching serves the same purpose?”
“Students learn so that one day they can fight for humanity’s cause. But their preparation is insufficient. They repeat countless drills and mock battles, yet have never faced an enemy in reality.”
“Can a teacher change that? The students’ state of mind?”
“I can’t be certain, but I’ve had bitter experiences as a student myself. I just hope they never go through the same.”
From living as the “human sloth,” to the conflicts with Indus’s group and Heldre, the battle with Renzo, the barrier of Taebon and Yeranhes, and even the war with Manggot—
All of that happened during my student years.
I couldn’t speak of it here, but I pride myself on having more, and worse, experiences than any student alive.
Liberto looked into my eyes for a long moment, then said:
“...If an ordinary twenty-year-old spoke like that, it’d sound like mere boasting.”
Then, as if convinced, he nodded.
“You seem to have truly gone through something. You’re different from others lulled by peace.”
“...Thank you.”
Honestly, I was a little surprised. I thought he’d take everything I said as empty talk.
In the Terst Empire, aside from those who’d seen it firsthand, no one easily changed their opinion of me before the war. At Constel I’d been the “human sloth,” and outside, just a child not yet an adult.
“...Let’s eat.”
Then Jenita suddenly spoke.
“What’s with this atmosphere? Enough talk—let’s eat, Dad.”
“Yes. She’s right. Let’s eat.”
Thanks to Jenita, the tension eased, and we began the meal.
Of course, I welcomed the relaxed mood.
It makes it easier to grow closer—and for the other party to open up.
***
“So, you accepted that bet and actually won?”
“Yes, fortunately.”
During the meal, I told them about my bet with Jenita.
After all, to take anything from this family I’d need the approval of the head, Liberto. Even if I asked Jenita secretly, I wouldn’t get anything worthwhile.
Better to mention it openly. That way I’d have a better chance at getting something useful.
The Sindris were a renowned noble house; surely they’d honor their promises with proper noble responsibility.
And even if I didn’t get the prize, my real goal lay elsewhere.
“He got every question right up to number fifty. Dad, this teacher isn’t normal.”
“You, watch your tone with your teacher.”
“Ha-ha. I’m confident in my memory.”
Though I’m not sure that’s the right way to put it.
Liberto stroked his chin.
“Hmm, I see. A bet where you win one thing you want...”
“To be precise, if I won, I could take one thing I wanted, but if I lost, I’d accept Miss Jenita’s request.”
After saying that, I suddenly looked at Jenita.
“Come to think of it, I never heard what that request was.”
“I’m not telling.”
Jenita stuck out her tongue.
At that, Liberto looked at her.
“Jenita, when you say ‘request,’ you don’t mean that, do you?”
“Well, yeah.”
At her answer, Liberto turned his gaze to me.
This time, unlike before, his eyes seemed to scan me up and down.
“So, Jenita believes Mr. Frondier is the right person for that request?”
“Uh, n-not necessarily...”
They were having a conversation I didn’t understand.
As I kept listening, Liberto said to me,
“Teacher, this time I have a proposal.”
“What is it?”
“The request Jenita mentioned—I’d like to make that request myself.”
I tilted my head.
“Miss Jenita said it was a ‘personal request.’ Was it actually related to the Sindri family?”
“Of course it’s her personal request. I simply wish to assist her.”
...Ah, this. A trick as old as any world.
When someone calls it a ‘personal request,’ it sounds small-scale and easy to accept. Once you agree, they reveal something far from personal—using that prior consent to make you take the job.
So Jenita’s already learning tricks like this, huh.
“Since I won the bet, I’m under no obligation to take the request.”
“Of course. That’s why this is a new proposal. If you accept it, you may choose two things from our family’s possessions. With the head’s permission, you can pick whatever you like.”
Indeed. Two is better than one.
And from Liberto’s look, he seemed to be saying, You brought up the bet because you wanted my approval anyway, didn’t you?
“I’d like to hear the request first. Since I won the bet, that much consideration is fair, isn’t it?”
“Cautious sort, I like that.”
Liberto nodded readily.
He turned to a nearby maid. I didn’t know what his glance and chin gesture meant, but the maid seemed to, for she immediately left the room.
Soon she returned carrying a bundle of documents and several photographs.
'...So much for ‘personal.’'
If the entire request dossier is prepared in advance at the mansion, it’s clearly not Jenita’s private issue.
“We’d like you to investigate someone. Take a look at the photos first.”
Following Liberto’s words, I picked up the photo lying before me.
When I saw the face in it, my eyes twitched involuntarily.
'I don’t know this face. But...'
It left a powerful impression the instant I saw it—so beautiful it would be hard to forget.
A striking woman appearing at this timing. There was only one person I could guess.
“Yes. As you already know—”
I don’t, but it’s as good as knowing.
“—the principal of Atlas, Carla Ilse.”
As expected.
So the principal of Atlas is named Carla.
I nodded with a face that said, Of course I knew.
“You’re asking me to investigate the principal. Sounds like a rather questionable request.”
“No, not at all. Quite the opposite.”
The opposite?
At that, Liberto laced his fingers and brought them to his chin.
“Our Sindri family is wary of Carla. Likely not just us.”
“Is it all right to tell me something like that?”
“You’re the only one I can tell. You belong to Atlas, yet you haven’t assimilated into that group.”
...“That group,” huh.
So there really are things in Atlas I don’t know about.
“What exactly do you want me to find out?”
“Carla’s been contacting many noble houses, ours included. She enjoys gossip—digging up and spreading it. But lately, rumors say she’s started making deals.”
“Deals?”
“Buying and selling information, it seems. And the information she sells is far from ordinary. Things no individual should be able to know, while the things she buys are strange beyond reason.”
Information that no private person could know—
So, wiretapping after all.
“What kind of strange information?”
“I hear she’s been collecting material on demons. Specifically, the 72 demons.”
I see—certainly odd and unsettling.
But a question arose.
“There’s much uncertainty in these details. Has the principal not traded information with the Sindri family?”
The Sindris were among the top noble houses, from what I’d heard. Carla should naturally have approached them too.
“It’s only rumor, but they say Carla’s information trading has a condition.”
“A condition?”
“She only trades with houses that have an unmarried adult man among their members.”
“......”
I pressed my lips together.
A beautiful woman targeting unmarried men for information deals.
The implications of that single line were... obvious.
“...I’m not sure what I could possibly investigate. That’s an extremely risky request.”
“I won’t ask you to overextend yourself. But as an Atlas teacher, it’s natural for you to become acquainted with the principal, isn’t it? There’s no need to pry—just keep an eye open.”
“I haven’t met the principal in person yet. I don’t even know where she is.”
“We can provide that information. It’s all in these documents.”
As if expecting my answer, Liberto handed me the stack of papers.
It contained detailed notes: places where Carla had been frequently sighted, her probable routes, times of day, and so on.
“If you happen to run into her somewhere you’d reasonably visit, that can’t be helped, can it?”
“It’s what happens after that that worries me.”
“I mentioned Carla targets unmarried men, but she herself is also unmarried. Despite countless proposals drawn by her beauty, she’s rejected them all. Still, perhaps with you it might be different?”
I was reading through the documents when I couldn’t help but raise my head at those words.
“...What do you mean by that?”
“My daughter judged so, and I trust her judgment.”
At that, Jenita shouted,
“That’s not what I meant!!”
