"Good work. Thank you for answering sincerely."
"It's nothing. Then, I'll take my leave."
With a bow, Ruina lowered her head and left the headmaster's office.
"Hm."
The headmaster flipped through the reports one after another.
"They're all saying the same thing."
"Indeed. Demon, demon… Honestly, it feels unrealistic. Do you believe this to be the truth?"
"No, I don't."
"At least pretend to hesitate."
"We're talking about demons here. If demons really had descended, is it even conceivable that mere students could subjugate them?"
That was true. Demons were humanity's enemies—walking calamities.
If students had been able to defeat them, would they really have been called humanity's greatest adversaries?
Would the first emperor, who defeated the demons and King Kolomo to found the Empire, have been revered so much?
Of course not. It was like how no one glorifies a knight for slaying an orc.
Even so, what was suspicious was that every student interviewed so far had said exactly the same thing.
"They must be colluding, rehearsing their answers together."
"And why would they?"
"For their own reputation? Isn't defeating demons far more impressive than defeating aberrants?"
"And they'd risk telling such a lie that would be exposed so quickly? Think about their backgrounds. The risk of disgrace if caught lying would be far greater."
That, too, made sense.
"We'll see the answer after speaking with the next student. Bring them in."
And if someone did have an ulterior motive, it was most likely Fernan Fallenberg.
"Please, come in."
A moment later, Fernan entered. His complexion was a little pale, but his eyes showed no particular change.
'So he's still not fully recovered.'
"Sit down."
"Yes, sir."
"Bring out some tea. What would you prefer?"
"Coffee, please."
"Sweet?"
"No sugar, thank you."
The secretary brought in tea and coffee.
"Fernan, first I want to thank you for protecting the Academy while I was away. A major disaster could have occurred."
"I only did what I ought to do."
"Whatever the reason, the credit belongs to you and the other students. I'll make sure you are rewarded."
"Thank you."
Refusing material rewards wasn't in Fernan's nature.
"Well then, let's get to the main matter… You can already guess what I intend to ask."
"In fact, yes."
It was obvious. With demons wreaking havoc, what else could the headmaster ask about but demons?
"Before that, would you read this?"
The headmaster handed over the reports written during the other students' interviews.
"Suddenly, a barrier cut off the surroundings. The enemy appeared, they fought, and barely managed to win."
The headmaster poured milk into his tea and stirred it with a teaspoon.
"All four students said exactly the same thing. Normally, I'd accept it as truth and see no need for further questioning."
"But you're saying there's something strange."
"Let me ask you."
He brought the misty tea to his lips.
"Will you also say you fought a demon?"
Wrinkled, but sharp eyes fixed on Fernan.
"Or will you tell me the truth?"
"I will tell the truth."
"Good."
"I fought a demon."
The corners of the headmaster's eyes creased slightly.
"To be precise—the 72nd demon, Andromalius."
"And why do you believe that?"
"It looked exactly as described in the texts."
"Only that?"
"It introduced itself as Andromalius, Commander of Hell's Legion. And its power was far beyond that of an aberrant."
"I see."
The headmaster stroked his long beard that reached his chest, turning another page.
"So, to put it in order: aberrants infiltrated the Academy and stirred up trouble. The barrier they raised trapped you all inside, and within that barrier, you fought a battle with a demon. You agree with this account."
Was that accurate? The headmaster set down the report.
"Yes. That's correct."
"I believe that's possible."
"Possible, sir?"
"The aberrants you'd never seen before must have been strong indeed. If they were targeting Aint Armian, they would have gone all out."
"Are you saying I'm lying?"
"Not at all. I believe you—and the other students. But I think it's possible you were mistaken. You might have thought an aberrant, a mere servant of demons, was a demon itself. You were under duress."
The headmaster spoke calmly.
Aberrants and demons were different. Just a single syllable apart in words, but their presence was as different as heaven and earth.
Even so, Fernan wasn't offended by the doubt.
He had already confirmed the truth through the prophecy book, and if he put himself in the headmaster's place, he would have thought the same.
What were demons? Only seventy-two existed in the world—humanity's sworn enemies.
Each one was a calamity. And who would believe that a handful of Academy students had defeated one?
"It's understandable that you think that way. I understand you, Headmaster."
So Fernan nodded obediently. But the sharp thorn hidden in his words did not escape the headmaster.
"You're throwing my own words back at me. And you don't look the least bit flustered or indignant."
The hand stroking the beard stopped.
"Do you have proof—something to show your words are true?"
"What do you think?"
"Demons and aberrants are never a simple matter. Depending on the testimony of you—the first witnesses and victims—the Academy and the Empire may have to decide completely different courses of action."
It was an entirely different issue whether aberrants were simply rampaging in the past, or if a demon had truly descended.
"I understand."
"Can you take responsibility for the words you've spoken?"
The headmaster's gaze sank heavily. The atmosphere shifted. There was no overt pressure of aura, yet that alone was enough to weigh down the air in the office.
"No."
Even under that weight, Fernan calmly shook his head.
"I have no desire to take responsibility, nor any reason to. I am merely telling the truth."
"The truth, as spoken by a Fallenberg. That makes it sound as though you have evidence."
Fernan took out an orb from subspace and placed it on the table.
"A recording sphere?"
"Please, confirm it yourself."
"Pardon me, then."
The headmaster infused mana into the sphere. With a faint glow, the events inside the barrier began to unfold before their eyes.
A demon ripping through space.
The ensuing battle.
Battle after battle.
"…Truly."
After reviewing everything, the headmaster rubbed his face.
"…It was a demon."
His eyes changed.
"Hah… seems I've grown far too complacent these days."
Otherwise, who would dare summon a demon within the Academy itself?
"Kh…!"
"Ah, forgive me. I got too worked up."
The pressure that had unconsciously leaked out made Fernan stifle a groan. Only then did the headmaster realize his mistake and withdraw his aura.
"In this case, I cannot help but believe you. Proof like this is a hundred times better than flowery words."
"I'm glad it pleases you."
"However… if I'm not mistaken, this doesn't look like the original. Quite a few portions seem to be missing."
His sharp gaze lingered steadily on Fernan.
Of course, some parts had been omitted.
The scenes of the traps being set off would have amounted to a confession that Fernan had known about the demon from the beginning.
The omission of Wuden was to avoid making it appear that Fernan himself, rather than Aint, had taken the lead.
"It is the original."
And in a way, that was true. He hadn't deleted any data from the sphere; he had simply chosen not to activate it in unnecessary segments.
"There was more originally, yes, but some of the engravings were damaged during the fight with the demon."
"I see. Understood."
The headmaster nodded.
"Then, may I ask one more thing?"
"As much as you wish."
"Why were you there at that time?"
It was the expected question.
"As you know, I personally brought back the branch of the World Tree. Naturally, I became somewhat attached to it, and during the break I wished to check whether it had taken root properly."
"That makes sense. Not just any item, and you carried it yourself through hardship—it's only natural you'd be attached."
"Thank you for understanding."
That part passed smoothly. Fernan allowed himself a quiet breath of relief.
But then—
"Then why were the other students there?"
The sudden sharp question pierced straight through.
The headmaster leisurely stroked his beard.
"You know the location of the World Tree's branch is top secret. Yet every other student testified they went there only because you summoned them."
But since he had already anticipated this, it was not difficult to raise the shield he had prepared in advance.
"Did they really say that? How strange. I never called them. From what I was told, they had gone out for training and were simply caught up in the incident."
The barrier's range had been wide.
They hadn't followed Fernan; rather, they were training on the outskirts of the forest, subjugating monsters, when they were swept into it.
And so, the explanation was neatly tied off.
"Ah, did they say it that way? My apologies. I must be getting forgetful with age."
The headmaster let out an awkward laugh.
"It's fine."
"Thank you for being understanding."
He added a little more milk to his tea.
"Ah, that reminds me, something happened not long ago."
He wetted his dry lips with the tea.
"A certain merchant guild suddenly requested priority rights in a shipping enterprise. It wasn't particularly important, so I approved it without much thought."
His tone was mild.
"Then, at the most astonishing timing, a new subject was introduced, and demand for ships skyrocketed."
But the meaning within those words cut deeply.
"The name of that guild was the Golden Turtle, and I heard you were the one leading it."
Fernan faltered for just a moment. But the change passed as quickly as a shadow.
"…And does that have any relation to this incident?"
"I wouldn't say there's absolutely no relation. The records often mention demons and aberrants commanding monsters."
The headmaster's tone was calm, as though he were speaking of something trivial in daily life.
"Perhaps the affair at sea was a sign of demon summoning."
But that blade was aimed squarely at Fernan.
The headmaster clearly suspected that something about Fernan was off.
"I see. But even so, what does that have to do with our guild? All we did was build ships and sell them."
"True. But isn't it too perfect a coincidence?"
"It was nothing more than coincidence."
"Well, that's true enough. Who could have known monsters would suddenly flood in?"
The headmaster burst into hearty laughter.
"It seems fortune itself is with you. Perhaps even the god of wealth walks at your side."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"I've kept you here too long, old as I am. Go on, then. I'll make good use of this recording sphere."
"Yes, then I'll take my leave."
"The reward I mentioned earlier will be delivered to your quarters soon."
"Thank you."
Fernan rose and left. Once the door shut with a click, the secretary carefully asked,
"Do you suspect Fernan of being an aberrant?"
"Of course not. This recording sphere is genuine. No aberrant would lend a hand in slaying a demon."
An aberrant whose soul was pledged could never defy a demon. It was impossible from the start.
"It was only a small suspicion."
Perhaps he had known about the demon beforehand, and stayed silent for the sake of making a fortune.
"If it were a Fallenberg, such a thing would hardly be beyond them."
History itself bore witness to that.
"Still, I worry you trusted too easily. What if the recording sphere was fabricated…?"
"It seems I've been too quiet for too long. To think even you would suggest such a thing."
Tap, tap. The headmaster lightly tossed and caught the recording sphere.
"There is no flaw in this sphere."
"…Ah, forgive me."
The secretary, pale-faced, bowed his head.
"I spoke out of turn…"
No—if the headmaster said it, then so it was.
"It wasn't particularly out of turn. I understand. Honestly, even I find it hard to believe a demon could be felled by mere students' hands."
There were fewer than five mages in the world greater than the headmaster.
Recognized by the Pontiff of the Dragon God Cult, he was one of the mere ten greatest magicians in existence.
An Ark Mage.
Whatever Fernan might attempt, he could never deceive the headmaster with magic.
"The recording sphere is genuine. Which makes it all the more shocking. It was a real demon."
Aint Armian.
The one who shone brighter than anyone else in the record, cutting down the demon.
"The greatness of Armian has not yet faded."
They had ruled the Empire for nearly nine centuries.
Though their power had collapsed with shocking swiftness, the foundation they had built did not simply vanish.
"No wonder he's the blood of the First Emperor. Now I understand why people revered the name 'Armian' for so long."
"Exactly. The name carries weight for a reason."
They had thought the Armian line had lost its secret sword arts after losing the throne amidst chaos. But that wasn't the case.
"This incident will stir up no small uproar in Swabia. They are the ones most wary of an Armian resurgence."
Yet they would not be able to stop it.
If it were only aberrants, perhaps. But the summoning of a demon meant catastrophe was approaching.
The darker the night, the more brilliantly the light would shine.
"Keep a close watch on Aint Armian from now on."
"Yes, sir."
"And also on the students who fought alongside him. Most of all, on Fernan Fallenberg in particular."
"Is there a special reason?"
"There's one thing even the most seasoned man cannot easily conceal—his eyes."
Goodwill, trust, and admiration.
The old fox had seen those emotions in everyone's eyes whenever Fernan's name was mentioned.
"Fallenberg, who earned trust and admiration, who fought beside Armian against a demon…"
Drawing Ruina berchef to his side, suddenly becoming the top student—
"There are more than a few strange things about him…"
The headmaster leaned back in his chair, sipping the now-cold tea.
"It seems this Fallenberg will walk a very different path than those before him."
It was fascinating. Regrettably, he did not have the luxury to linger on that fascination.
"Now that I've enjoyed my time with the young saplings, it's time to get back to work."
The headmaster straightened his back.
"Summon the executives."
It was time to eradicate the cockroaches hiding within the Academy.