"Next, regarding your second commission…" Jane's voice slowed slightly.
"The second commission is strictly confidential."
"Officially, it does not exist under the name Knox Aznable."
Her eyes met his directly.
"But for the commander of the Eighth Legion…"
"…Jin."
Knox's expression remained calm, but the atmosphere around him subtly changed.
Jane remained silent for a moment before continuing.
"The second commission is unrelated to the royal invitation."
Knox looked at her. "Unrelated?"
Jane nodded. "Yes."
She slid another document across the desk.
"This commission will only begin after the Dresden delegation is finished."
Knox picked up the document and skimmed through it.
"…A forest region near Dresden territory."
Jane continued calmly. "The location is several days away from the capital. It is a remote forest area where monster activity has recently increased."
"There is no political connection with the Dresden royal court."
Knox raised an eyebrow. "So the two commissions just happen to be near each other."
"Correct."
Jane folded her arms.
"Kizen decided to handle both matters during the same mission period."
Knox flipped through the report.
Destroyed wildlife.
Large claw marks carved into trees.
Several hunter teams missing.
"…Mutated monster reports."
Jane nodded once.
"The sightings began several weeks ago."
"At first they were treated as normal monster activity."
"But the damage reports suggest something much stronger."
Knox closed the document slowly. "And this is where Jin comes in."
"Yes." Jane's voice remained calm.
"So this commission is not assigned to Knox Aznable."
Her gaze met his directly.
"It is assigned to the commander of the Eighth Legion."
Knox leaned back slightly.
"…Understood."
Jane continued.
"You will complete the royal delegation first."
"After the event in Dresden concludes, you will move to the forest region and investigate the mutation."
"And if the creature proves to be a threat…"
Knox finished the sentence casually.
"…I eliminate it."
Jane nodded.
"Exactly."
Knox tapped the document lightly against the desk.
"So the plan is simple."
He raised a finger.
"Step one. Attend a royal event as Knox Aznable."
A second finger.
"Step two."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"Disappear into the forest as Jin."
Jane watched him quietly.
"That is the idea."
Knox stretched lazily in his chair.
"Well."
"That sounds much more interesting."
Jane sighed quietly.
"Just remember."
Knox glanced back at her.
"What?"
"Do not turn the forest into a battlefield large enough for the Dresden army to notice."
Knox grinned. "…No promises."
Jane stared at him.
Knox quickly raised both hands.
"Alright, alright. I'll try."
Jane shook her head slightly.
"I knew assigning this mission to you would become a headache."
Knox only smiled.
***
Early the next morning.
Knox gathered his belongings and headed toward the designated location. A long-range teleportation device had been installed on the hill behind Kizen, and many students were already waiting for their turn.
"Knox!"
Hearing his name, Knox turned around.
Meilyn was running toward him while waving her hand. It seemed she was also planning to use the teleportation device.
Beside her stood Cindy, Claudia, and Merida.
"Ohh, hello Meilyn, Cindy, Claudia, Merida~"
"Hi! But are you seriously taking that mission?" Cindy asked curiously.
"Yeah."
Meilyn crossed her arms, looking slightly dissatisfied.
"…Just be careful, okay?"
Knox smiled faintly.
"Of course."
He tilted his head slightly.
"What's this? Are you worried about me?"
"Don't misunderstand," Meilyn replied quickly, clicking her tongue. "I'm just saying it because it'd be annoying if you caused trouble somewhere."
Cindy immediately nudged her.
"Wow, Meilyn, that sounded suspiciously like concern."
Meilyn shot her an annoyed glare.
"Shut up."
Cindy then turned back to Knox with a bright grin.
"But seriously though!"
She leaned forward slightly.
"A royal invitation, huh? That sounds amazing!"
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Royal palace, nobles, fancy halls… hey, do they serve really good desserts there?"
Knox chuckled. "That's the part you're curious about?"
"Of course!"
Cindy crossed her arms proudly.
"If I ever get invited to a royal palace, the first thing I'd do is check the dessert table."
Claudia let out a quiet sigh. "Your priorities are impressive."
Then she turned to Knox.
"Still, Meilyn has a point."
"A royal court is rarely peaceful. Even if the event itself is meant to be cultural."
Knox tilted his head.
"Oh? Sounds like experience speaking."
Claudia smiled faintly.
"Just common sense."
"If different factions are involved, situations can become… complicated."
Knox chuckled softly.
"Well, that does sound troublesome."
Meanwhile, Merida, who had been standing quietly beside them, rubbed one eye sleepily.
"…Just don't overdo it."
Everyone looked at her.
Her expression remained as drowsy as ever.
"…You tend to attract trouble."
Knox blinked. Then laughed quietly.
"Well… that's a bit unfair."
Cindy immediately pointed at him.
"No, she's right!"
"You totally attract trouble!"
Claudia nodded calmly.
"I agree."
Meilyn folded her arms again.
"Definitely."
Knox placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
"I'm innocent."
Cindy rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, sure you are."
Merida yawned softly.
"…Anyway."
She glanced at Knox briefly.
"…Just come back alive."
Knox smiled faintly.
"Of course."
Then he added lightly, "I still have plenty of candy recipes I haven't shared yet."
Cindy's eyes immediately lit up.
"Then you absolutely have to come back!"
Claudia shook her head with a small smile.
And Merida simply nodded once, seemingly satisfied with that answer.
Just then, the teleportation device on the hill emitted a low humming sound as the previous group finished their transfer.
The magical circle dimmed.
It seemed the next group's turn was approaching.
Knox clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright, alright. Putting my commissions aside for a moment."
He looked at the girls. "You guys need to be careful too, okay~?"
Cindy, Claudia, and Merida answered at the same time.
"Yesss~"
Their tone sounded oddly obedient, almost like children responding to a teacher.
Knox blinked. Then burst out laughing.
"Haha! What are you guys, children?"
Cindy puffed her cheeks.
"Hey! That's rude!"
Claudia sighed softly.
"You started it."
Merida simply yawned.
Meilyn suddenly looked at Knox.
"By the way, Knox."
Knox tilted his head.
"Hmm?"
"Are you also going to Dresden Royal Palace using the teleportation device?"
Knox shrugged slightly.
"Well… you could say that."
He paused.
"It's just that…"
"I'm still waiting for my teammates~"
All four girls froze.
"…Huh?"
Just then, three familiar figures approached from the path behind them.
"Hey guys, we're here."
It was Rick.
Simon and Cami were walking beside him.
Rick glanced between the group curiously. "What are you all talking about?"
Before the girls could answer, Knox raised a hand and pointed behind him.
"Look."
"My teammates are here~"
Group 8 and Group 7 instinctively turned in the direction Knox was pointing.
And their eyes widened.
Because the so-called teammates Knox mentioned were not students.
Walking toward them was Professor Jane, followed by several assistant professors.
And behind them stood an elegant carriage, decorated with the crest of Kizen.
The carriage itself looked luxurious, clearly prepared for an official delegation.
Jane stopped in front of Knox.
"Knox."
"Have you finished preparing?"
"Yes, Professor."
Jane nodded once.
"Good."
"If you're ready, get inside the carriage."
She gestured toward it.
"We'll use this carriage to travel to a special teleportation device."
Her voice remained calm as usual.
"That device connects directly to the gate of the Dresden Royal Palace."
Hearing that, the students around them couldn't help but stare.
Knox simply smiled casually.
"I'm ready, Professor."
Then he turned back toward his friends, who were still staring in surprise.
Knox waved his hand lightly.
"Well then."
"Goodbye, guys."
"Take care~."
Knox stepped toward the carriage without hesitation.
The carriage door was opened by one of the academy staff, revealing the spacious interior inside.
Jane entered first and took a seat by the window.
Knox followed shortly after.
Behind them, the assistant professors quietly boarded the other carriages that had arrived together with Jane. It seemed this small convoy had been prepared specifically for the academy's official delegation.
Soon, the doors were closed.
Outside, several students were still staring in amazement.
A luxurious carriage bearing the crest of Kizen was already rare enough—but several of them appearing at once was something even more unusual.
Then the coachman snapped the reins. The carriage wheels began to move.
The convoy slowly rolled down the road, leaving the teleportation device used by ordinary students behind.
Instead, they headed toward another area further down the hill—an isolated platform reserved for official academy transport.
A massive teleportation device stood there.
Unlike the one used by the students, this one was far larger and far more intricate. Complex magic circles were carved across the entire stone platform, glowing faintly as mana flowed through the structure.
The carriages came to a stop at the center of the platform.
For a brief moment, everything fell silent.
Then the magic circle ignited.
A deep humming sound filled the air.
Wooooong!
Light erupted from the teleportation device.
The magical formation activated, and a blinding radiance swallowed the carriages one after another.
In the next instant—
They vanished. Only the fading glow of mana remained on the platform.
Meanwhile, among the students watching the scene from afar, one figure stood quietly.
A girl with ivory-colored hair.
Her pale hair swayed gently in the morning breeze as she watched the direction where the carriages had disappeared.
More precisely—
She was looking at the carriage Knox had entered.
Her lips slowly curled into a faint smile.
"Heee…~"
Her voice carried a tone of amused curiosity.
"…Interesting~"
Her eyes gleamed faintly as she turned away.