By Zephyria 
Does interlacing mean holding hands?
Why on earth does he want to try that?
I couldn’t take my eyes off the note for a while, analyzing what this guy’s intention was. In the meantime, Ardian slid his palm into my field of vision, disrupting my concentration. As if urging me.
It was natural to be wary of incomprehensible behavior. With my eyes narrowed, glaring at the guy’s hand, I scribbled on the note.
[Refusal.]
Ardian, seeing that, quietly curved the corners of his mouth and smiled. This time, he tore off a new piece of paper, scribbled something, and handed it to me. Somehow, I seemed to see a playful look in Ardian’s eyes as he looked at me.
[Interlacing fingers is no good? Then how about a hug?]
…Hmm. Is it an extension of the previous one? I was lost in thought again. And the suspicion that was gradually swelling stopped when it reached a certain point.
‘Could it be that this guy.’
If his scheme is to secretly explore my mind?
It was something worth considering.
If the reason he was so persistent about touching was to use a curse-type Magic that penetrates the other person’s mind by making contact, then it would be explained.
I felt a gaze watching me intently from the side.
Amidst a peculiar tension.
When I showed no reaction, Ardian wrote another note and held it out before me.
[What about a peck? Though I’d prefer a kiss.]
The taut tension seemed to snap in an instant.
“Huh?”
Mind Intrusion Magic doesn’t require such troublesome and dirty acts. Narrowing my eyes, I checked the note’s contents again and began to waver. Was he trying to cover up because his scheme had been exposed, or… was his goal simply to toy with me and enjoy himself?
If it was the latter, then all the time and focus I’d spent trying to figure out his intentions were utterly wasted. Irritation surged sharply. This must be what it feels like to be blindsided.
Just as I was about to demand what exactly he was trying to pull, the bell signaling the end of class rang throughout the school at this exasperating timing.
“…….”
I ended up letting out a small sigh and set down the fountain pen I’d been holding. I felt ridiculous and hollow, seeing myself straining and being played by a mere human.
‘I shouldn’t engage with him.’
Noticing Polajigen tidying his books and leaving, I also rose from my seat. To follow after him.
Partly to clear my head, but also because there was something I’d been meaning to ask Polajigen.
“Ray. Where are you going?”
Herman, noticing me turning to leave, swiftly asked. Amidst the chaos of the children discussing how to arrange the class stage before lunchtime, it was impressive he even spotted me.
“I have business with Polajigen. Don’t follow me.”
Leaving those words behind, I swiftly exited the classroom and headed straight for Polajigen’s office. Fortunately, no one followed.
After checking my surroundings once more, I knocked on the office door. His voice followed immediately from inside.
“You may enter.”
I quietly opened the door and entered.
Polajigen, who had just removed the scarf from his neck, glanced back. The moment he realized the visitor was me, he flinched in surprise, his eyes widening.
“Raymond. What brings you to me?”
“There are a few things I wanted to ask.”
“Ah, I see. Understood. Have a seat on the sofa first.”
Polajigen pointed toward the sofa and, as I sat down, began heating a kettle with tea leaves inside, opening the conversation.
“So. You said there’s something you wanted to ask me?”
Leaning back on the sofa, I slowly parted my lips.
“First… before that. Professor Polajigen, you said you don’t know what that Ardian fellow’s achievements are like. That in this school, not only is using Mana Detection on students impossible, but using Mana Concealment is also not allowed.”
“Hmm.”
“Why is it prohibited?”
Polajigen poured fragrant tea into a small cup, brought it to me, and sat opposite. During the brief pause that ensued, he savored the bittersweet, warm aroma briefly before speaking.
“It’s the principal’s policy. He judged that if those of us who are professors could distinguish and discern students’ achievements, it could cause issues with transparency and fairness, among other things.”
“But the Apocalypse Exam was fine?”
“That Apocalypse Exam was merely a means to measure the approximate amount of Mana you all indirectly showed through your Magical Energy. We don’t know the exact details. That’s why we said anyone with objections should speak up.”
So that’s how it was.
Honestly, I think that part is debatable… but what I want to know isn’t the legitimacy of the Apocalypse Exam or such. That didn’t matter to me either way.
“Then, what happens if someone breaks the school rules?”
“The principal comes to catch them personally. Before becoming a professor, one must first make a pledge not to break the school rules. The principal quickly becomes aware of any anomalies in those who have exchanged such a pledge.”
So that means it’s impossible to use it secretly no matter what.
‘Hmm.’
I had planned to get Polajigen’s help in investigating Ardian and then use Ardian’s suspicious achievements with a convincing reason, but if he can’t see Ardian’s achievements with his own eyes, it’s utterly useless.
It’s highly unlikely he’d believe mere words, and even if he did, we wouldn’t be able to completely uproot the ‘seed of doubt about falsehood.’
As I was lost in thought, Polajigen, sipping his tea while savoring it, looked back at me with a questioning expression.
“What’s the matter?”
I lifted my head to him but didn’t answer.
It seemed getting Polajigen’s help would be impossible after all. Even if he favors me, he’s still ultimately human. I had to keep potential risks in mind.
I shook my head and rose from my seat.
“It’s nothing. I’ll be going now.”
“Huh? Already? Is that all your business?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… understood. You may go.”
Polajigen still had a puzzled look but didn’t press further and let me go. Giving him one more nod, I left the office.
The hallway was quiet, without a single sign of anyone.
Since lunchtime had started quite a while ago, most would be in the cafeteria.
I considered heading straight down to the cafeteria, but the voices of my vassals, who would likely nag me about wandering around alone again, seemed to flicker in my mind, so I turned my steps toward the classroom.
Those rude little humans don’t even pretend to heed my warnings, and since I can’t kill them anyway, it’s best to just avoid creating troublesome situations.
Opening the classroom door and entering, I saw Ibelia standing at the lectern, diligently writing something on the blackboard. The class children were also seriously discussing something.
Listening roughly, it seemed to be about how to proceed with the class stage.
It’s lunchtime, and they’re not even eating but participating so passionately like that…. Just how serious are these little humans about the festival?
I glanced at the children and then approached where my vassals were. At that moment, my eyes met Ardian’s, but he made no particular gesture.
“I’m thinking of going down to the cafeteria.”
“I’ll go with you, Raymond.”
“Ah! Now that you mention it, we should eat too. I’m hungry.”
As Zeon promptly rose from his seat and followed beside me, Tom also stood up, seemingly feeling his hunger only then. Naturally, Herman followed as well, and Ardian didn’t miss out either, joining in.
Lamb stew with soft bread, egg dishes, and a meal topped with various fruits and vegetables made for a satisfying lunch.
The final class that followed was
“You must all be busy preparing for the festival, right? You probably don’t have much time to spare. So, for a while, I’ll end my classes about 30 minutes early. It’s easier for me too if I just summarize the key points.”
Naturally, the little humans in the class reacted enthusiastically.
“Hmm. Then today, shall we learn about ‘Niflheim,’ the land of Fiends? Everyone, you know that a Detection Barrier is deployed around the outskirts of the Valhalla Empire, right?”
“Yes!”
“Thanks to this Detection Barrier, we can track the movements of those leaving the Empire, and conversely, we can immediately know how many Fiends from Niflheim are crossing the border. Of course, we still can’t know the exact characteristics of the Fiends coming over the barrier yet.”
“Some say it’s too excessive because of that.”
“Well, that’s true. Since the identities of all those leaving the Empire are captured. But quite a few people view it positively in that it can prevent the schemes of suspicious individuals in advance. It can also prevent the tragedies that occurred due to carelessness during the Niflheim War.”
The little humans in the class were focused, alternating between answers and questions. It was the first time I’d seen them so concentrated in this class.
He might have been secretly satisfied by that.
He ended the class 5 minutes earlier than announced, and the excited children, brimming with energy, started talking loudly and noisily as soon as Mikael left.
Since I had no interest, I was about to return to the dormitory, but….
“Wait! There’s one matter decided regarding the class stage, so please everyone stay for a moment instead of leaving.”
Ibelia, who had stepped in front of the lectern, spoke up, and Melicsa blocked the door to prevent anyone from leaving, so I had no choice but to wait.
The commotion died down, and the atmosphere became focused. Ibelia, looking around at the children, soon smiled an aristocratic smile and spoke.
“Everyone. This time, our Class A has decided to prepare a stage combining a short play with Magic performances. The play’s content is Snow White. So, we’d like to propose that Lord Herman take the role of the prince. How does that sound?”
All eyes poured toward Herman.
“…Me?”
Herman, who had been still, pointed at his own face with his finger, flustered. As if they had already coordinated in advance, all the little humans in the class nodded at his questioning response.
“And for the role of Snow White….”
Ibelia, flipping through some papers, continued.
“We’d like Lord Ardian to take it on.”
The children, who had been looking at Herman, turned to look at Ardian. They once again nodded in unison, of one mind and heart.
‘Wasn’t Snow White a woman?’
With that doubt, I also looked at Ardian, but….
‘Hmm. With that face, it’s possible.’
I was convinced quickly.