Chapter 73
It was extravagant.
That was the first impression I had as soon as I entered the party venue.
There were many adjectives to describe the scene before me, but the one that fit best was “extravagant.”
‘As expected of a wealthy academy.’
It was as if they were worried someone might criticize them for lacking funds—the venue was absolutely luxurious.
Shimmering lights adorned every corner of the venue, and luxurious interiors and decorations could be found everywhere.
It was hard to believe this place had been an academy education building just a few days ago.
“This is no joke.”
“Usually, party venues aren’t this extravagant.”
Elaine, who was carefully holding my hand, spoke as if reading my thoughts.
Her hands had been trembling subtly, indicating that she was also nervous.
Well, she didn’t seem like someone who’d often attend such party venues.
“I thought so. Wow, there are so many people.”
“Indeed…”
Elaine responded with empathy, though likely for different reasons than mine.
But regardless of the reasons, our feelings were similar.
‘Moreover, everyone is unarmed.’
Though a few male students were carrying swords, the majority of the students were without weapons.
There were too many factors to worry about.
“Oh, over there.”
While I was scanning the party venue, someone began approaching us.
With her blue hair shimmering, Yuria walked toward us at a leisurely pace.
Seeing Yuria, I instinctively glanced at Emily, who was behind me.
After all, something strange had happened between the two yesterday.
Noticing Yuria approaching, Emily lowered her head even further.
“Hello, Lady Yuria Prisis.”
“…Good to see you.”
Cynthia, standing at the front, greeted Yuria brightly.
Yuria accepted Cynthia’s greeting and briefly made eye contact with me before looking behind me at Emily.
Erica was nowhere to be seen; she must have already stepped outside after confirming my arrival.
“Emily.”
“…Ah.”
At Yuria’s words, all eyes turned to Emily, who was standing at the very back.
Standing out even more without a dress, Emily kept her head low.
“Emily.”
When Emily didn’t respond, Yuria called her name again.
Startled, Emily flinched and finally raised her head.
The two locked eyes, and a moment of silence passed.
“Did my answer to your question yesterday suffice?”
“…”
It was Emily who broke the gaze first.
When Emily turned her head without a reply, Yuria smiled softly and nodded slightly.
At first glance, it seemed like a mere smile, but to me, it looked bitter.
‘…Things seem complicated.’
The two of them seemed to have a story.
“Well then, I hope you all enjoy the party. Please excuse me.”
With a graceful nod, Yuria left the spot.
As Yuria passed by me, I thought to myself—it was about time for me to start working.
“I’ll just pop to the restroom for a bit.”
“Oh, okay.”
I lightly shook Elaine’s hand, and she let go in surprise.
Thanks to Yuria and Emily, the slightly awkward atmosphere dissipated in an instant.
As Elaine took a step back, startled, I smiled at her before moving.
I had memorized the building’s layout yesterday.
The first step was to meet with Yuria alone after entering the venue.
Click-clack, click-clack.
The sound of shoes echoed as I headed toward the restroom but changed direction midway.
Instead, I entered a small room near the restroom.
“Any unusual signs?”
“Nothing so far.”
Inside the room was Yuria, who had just passed me.
The faintly bitter smile from earlier was still on her face.
“What happened with Emily? Why is it like that?”
“…I made some mistakes with her.”
“With Emily? When did you even get the chance?”
“That… I’ll tell you later. Let’s focus on today for now.”
“Alright, for now.”
“Erica stepped out earlier. If something happens, she’ll contact us immediately. I’ve also been checking the venue, and nothing suspicious has come up yet.”
“Hmm.”
“…It would be great if nothing happens tonight.”
“That would truly be ideal.”
Yuria sighed and left the room.
Now was when it truly began.
Vinuar Christia.
The headmaster of Crescent Academy and a man once hailed as the greatest mage.
Known across the continent by the title “Vinuar’s Earth Dragon,” his fame was unmatched.
After giving a brief speech at the student party earlier, Vinuar was now in his office, reading something with a serious expression.
“How could…”
Vinuar’s voice trembled faintly.
The letter he had received this morning, delivered through unknown means, had clearly stated:
<Tonight, I will come for that necklace.>
What surprised Vinuar wasn’t the threat itself.
He had received even more frequent threats during his younger years.
The issue lay in the mention of “that necklace” in the letter.
‘That necklace.’
Although the letter didn’t explicitly specify which necklace, Vinuar instinctively felt he knew which one it referred to.
It was likely the one carefully stored in the safe in his office.
Decades ago, it was a necklace passed down from my master.
Very few people even know of this necklace’s existence, but Vinuar was certain.
The sender of the letter was after the necklace he had inherited.
This necklace had been passed down from his master, and from his master’s master before that.
As far as Vinuar knew, this necklace was part of a jewelry set.
A necklace, earrings, bracelet, and a ring.
One of four pieces in a set.
“Hmm.”
Vinuar cleared his throat and sat down in his chair.
By now, the outside had darkened.
It was slowly approaching nightfall.
‘If they know the identity of this necklace…’
Vinuar closed his eyes and began to focus.
If someone knew the identity of this necklace, they probably also knew about the earrings, ring, and bracelet scattered across the continent.
And if that were the case, they must also know what these four pieces of jewelry represent.
Knock, knock.
“…Huh?”
“I’m coming in.”
Startled, Vinuar’s eyes snapped open at the sound of knocking.
He hadn’t sensed anyone approaching, yet someone was at the door.
Fortunately, it was someone he recognized.
Vice Headmaster Randgar Bayel.
“Vice Headmaster?”
“Yes, Headmaster.”
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“…”
The vice headmaster didn’t answer.
Vinuar stared at Randgar in silence until, as if realizing something, his eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me…?”
“Hahaha. What’s wrong, Headmaster?”
“This letter… Did you send it?”
“Letter?”
Vinuar held out the letter with the brief threat written on it.
Randgar didn’t even glance at the letter.
Seeing this, Vinuar became certain.
It couldn’t be. The threatening letter was from the vice headmaster?
“How do you know about the necklace?”
“Haha. Of course, I know. It’s quite a valuable item to us.”
“To us…?”
Instinctively, Vinuar began channeling mana as he stood up.
Even as the headmaster entered a combat stance, Randgar smiled leisurely.
“Headmaster.”
“…”
“Wouldn’t it be better to end this peacefully? All you have to do is hand over the necklace.”
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
Mana began swirling ominously around Vinuar.
Randgar, still unprepared for battle, continued to speak calmly.
“You dare—”
Boom!
With a voice laced with fury, massive tree roots erupted from the ground.
The roots surged toward Randgar with ferocious momentum.
Thud!
“Huh?”
But the roots didn’t reach Randgar.
Instead, they were violently repelled by an invisible barrier around him.
“Did you really think I’d come unprepared to face Vinuar’s Earth Dragon?”
Whoosh—
As Randgar finished speaking, black mana began to radiate around him.
Vinuar was visibly shocked the moment he saw the black mana.
“D-dark magic? Don’t tell me, you…?”
“You won’t be able to defeat me here.”
Vinuar grimaced as he looked around.
Not just around Randgar, but the entire space was now pulsating with black mana.
“If you cause such a commotion here…”
“Don’t worry. There’s an even bigger commotion happening elsewhere.”
“What…?”
Randgar grinned wickedly as he drew more mana.
“When did this even…”
Muttering in frustration, Vinuar continued to channel his mana.
Heavy, powerful mana began to surge around Vinuar.
It was incomparably larger and more potent than the roots he had unleashed earlier.
“Let’s end this quickly.”
Randgar smirked, unfazed by the overwhelming pressure of the headmaster’s mana.
“Hmph. Even if you take the necklace from me, it won’t lead to the outcome you’re expecting.”
Boom!
As Vinuar’s words ended, something massive rose behind him.
A dragon-like figure made of wood and earth—Vinuar’s Earth Dragon.
The dragon opened its gaping mouth, glaring at Randgar.
“Haha. Did you really think we didn’t know that? Still, you’ve become quite talkative with age. You never tolerated such idle chatter before.”
“…! Don’t tell me!”
Suddenly, an ominous feeling gripped Vinuar.
Randgar’s composed expression, his seemingly all-knowing remarks, even in the face of the Earth Dragon—it all pointed to one conclusion.
‘Could the other locations be under attack too?’
Vinuar quickly made a decision.
If the earrings, bracelet, and ring were also being targeted, he needed to eliminate the traitor before him first.
Boom!
This time, without any hesitation, Vinuar’s Earth Dragon lunged at Randgar, jaws wide open.
—
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