Chapter 527: Episode 527
Jane straightened her posture and clasped her hands. "And?"
The chief assistant placed a file on her desk. "Zero percent."
With a stoic expression, Jane picked up the file as he continued his report. "We couldn’t find any commonalities with the Fifth Legion Commander, Magnus."
"...I see."
In truth, the level of scrutiny was excessive for a transfer student, especially since the entire investigation was based on mere appearance. At worst, it could have become a political issue, and it was a terrible thing to do to the student himself. More importantly, if Magnus had truly intended to infiltrate Kizen, there was no reason for him to use a white-haired boy so reminiscent of himself, which would only raise the school’s guard.
With a complex expression, Jane closed her eyes. "Let White participate in classes starting tomorrow. However..."
"Yes, Professor?"
Jane slowly opened her eyes. "Keep him under surveillance."
---
The next morning.
With the mission evaluations over, a new routine settled in. Students, reunited in the classroom, were busy recounting their adventures.
"There was this ogre, I swear it was as big as a castle...!"
"That baron bastard tried to bribe me, I’m telling you!"
Amidst the lively classroom, Simon was taking out his textbook alongside Toto.
’I’m back.’
He had shed the heavy coat of the Student Council President and could finally return to being a student, focusing solely on his classes. He stretched deeply, savoring a rare moment of peace.
"Hello."
Just then, Lorraine approached with calm, measured steps, her expression exuding a quiet elegance.
Simon returned her greeting. ’She’s back to her old self.’
The Lorraine he had seen in Tarados had been unique. It might have been a brief deviation, but the free-spirited, almost cheerful air she’d had then had vanished, replaced by the composed demeanor she wore at school. Simon felt a pang of pity, especially seeing her locket firmly closed.
"Thank you for all your hard work with the transfer students," Lorraine said, taking the seat in front of him, her black hair swishing. "It must have been tough, dealing with school matters right after the Tarados mission."
"Not at all. Professor Jane was a great help, and Meirin and Kamibarez came to help, too."
"Ah! There’s the Student Council President!" a girl exclaimed, rushing over to Simon. "I heard we got transfer students! Did any of them join the Summoning Department? Is it a boy or a girl?"
At her words, other students paused their discussions and turned their heads.
"A transfer student in the Summoning Department? They probably all flocked to Cursology or Jet-Black Dynamics."
"I heard they did! The dorms were buzzing yesterday."
"Is it a boy or a girl? Tell us that first!"
Feeling the gazes converge on him, Simon smiled faintly. "Two boys."
A delighted shriek went through the surrounding girls. The boys either clicked their tongues or, having lost interest, returned to their stories.
"What’s their specialty?"
"Why’d they come to the Summoning Department?"
"Are they handsome?"
Questions began pouring in from all sides. Toto was instantly shoved aside as his seat was stolen, and Lorraine let out a small sigh.
"Everyone."
Just as Lorraine was about to speak, a new voice cut in.
"Get lost."
Serne approached from behind, a flash of platinum-blonde hair. The girls surrounding Simon quickly retreated to their seats. She sat down behind Simon as if it were her designated spot.
"What’s with all the crowding first thing in the morning? So annoying," she muttered, sending a light wink in Simon’s direction.
Simon gave a weary smile. "Serne."
"Yes?"
"I’ve been curious for a while. Why are you so insistent on sitting behind me?"
"Because," Serne’s eyes softened languidly, "I get a good view of the nape of your neck from here."
Simon felt a chill run down his spine. Enjoying his stiff reaction, Serne smiled devilishly.
"I imagine it every class. What would happen if I stuck one of my feathers right there?" She produced a feather at her fingertips and stroked it lovingly. "Given the strength you’ve shown, you’d probably resist. But seeing how easily you blush, maybe it’d be surprisingly simple. And if I did manage to control you, oh, how would I play with you?"
She rested her chin on her hand and smiled sweetly. "While I’m lost in those thoughts, the bell rings, and just like that, another day is done!"
Simon let out a deep sigh. "Toto, can you switch seats with me?"
"Ah, huh? Yeah! Okay..."
"Why don’t you value your own life?"
Toto froze like a stone, halfway out of his seat. As he slowly craned his neck to look at Serne, she tilted her head and blinked with wide-eyed innocence.
"Did you hear something?"
"N-N-No, nothing at all!"
"......Serne." Just as Simon turned to say something to her, a student called out.
"The professor’s coming!"
The students scrambled back to their seats.
’Thud. Thud. Thud.’
The teaching assistants entered and lined up in perfect formation. Following them was the Summoning Department’s professor, Aaron, running a hand through his messy hair. Dressed in his usual comfortable shorts and dragging his slippers, he stepped onto the platform.
"Summoning Department." His half-lidded eyes scanned the students. "Did your missions go well?"
"Yes, sir!" the students replied in unison.
Aaron nodded and, in his characteristically languid voice, opened a file. "Looking at the statistics, many of you took on D-rank and C-rank missions. I respect a student’s choice, but don’t forget the requirement to clear a black-level request within your second year."
He put down the file and picked up another. "And while you were all enjoying your leisurely mission evaluations, the Student Council President brought in the transfer students." For a moment, all eyes were on Simon. "I heard two have applied to the Summoning Department. I’ll introduce them now. Come in."
As he finished, the classroom door opened, and Benz walked in, dressed in a Kizen uniform.
’He’s nervous.’ Seeing Benz’s stiff, robotic walk, Simon chuckled. The other students’ eyes sparkled. They had seen plenty of students get expelled, but this was the first time a new face had arrived.
"Introduce yourself. Keep it brief," Aaron said.
Benz’s mouth opened with a creak. "H-Hi! I’m Benz, from Allande. I was in the Summoning Department there, too. My specialty is taming—using black magic to control monsters. It’s nice to meet you all!"
The students applauded, welcoming him. Benz scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed, and followed an assistant to an empty seat. As he passed Simon, he gave a light nod, which Simon returned with a smile.
"I heard there were two transfer students for this department," Aaron said, looking toward the hallway. "What’s the other one doing?"
"S-Sorry, Professor!" an assistant’s urgent voice called from the hall. "The student suddenly got distracted by a bird...! P-Please stop looking and come here! The professor is calling you!"
The department representative, Hector, stood up, a murderous expression on his face. Aaron stopped him with a look and waited patiently. A moment later, a white-haired boy was pushed into the classroom by the assistant.
"Wow!"
"He’s handsome!" a few girls whispered excitedly.
"White hair at his age?"
"That bastard... he looks creepy," some of the boys muttered.
It wasn’t silver or platinum blonde, but an unnatural, bleached-looking snow-white—a symbol of bad luck in the Dark Alliance. The reason, of course, was its association with priests. Judging people by their hair color was prejudice, but the fear of white-haired priests from the Holy Federation was deeply ingrained in the public consciousness.
White stood before the platform and stared ahead with vacant eyes, his gaze fixed on empty space rather than his new classmates. A heavy silence fell over the room.
"Professor?" The chief assistant nudged Aaron. "Professor, the new student is here. You should..."
But something was wrong with Aaron. His breath was ragged, his pupils trembling as if he had seen a ghost.
"P-Professor? Are you feeling unwell?"
"...No, it’s nothing," Aaron rasped, clutching his forehead. "Introduce yourself. Keep it brief."
White turned his head to look at Aaron. The moment their eyes met, Aaron’s pupils dilated violently. Then, White smoothly turned back to face the students.
"White."
That was it. He tossed out his name and fell silent. The chief assistant, concerned for Aaron, gestured for another assistant to quickly lead White to an empty seat.
"Professor, if you’re not feeling well, perhaps we should..."
"No." Aaron, taking ragged breaths, opened his textbook. "We have a long way to go if we’re to cover the Dullahan by midterms."
"...Professor."
He looked at the students. "Everyone, open your textbooks to page twenty-five."
"Yes, sir!"
"Now that the transfer students are here, we’re picking up the pace. If you fall behind once, consider yourself left behind for the entire year. High-point performance evaluations will also be starting today. There will be unannounced, on-the-spot tests, so come to every class prepared for a battlefield." He lifted his head. "We’ll start with the theory of ghouls."
---
After class, Aaron leaned over a sink, panting. Water gushed from the faucet, but he made no move to turn it off. He lifted his head and saw his reflection in the mirror, water dripping from his hair.
—Professor.
In the reflection, a pale, white-haired boy spoke to him from behind.
—Professor Aaron.
Aaron slammed his fist into the mirror, a web of fissures instantly spreading across the glass. He lowered his bleeding fist and let out a long, shuddering breath.
’Damn it.’
He covered his face with his palm. ’Damn it, damn it, damn it.’
Just then, a stall door behind him was kicked open.
"What an interesting situation."
White trousers and fine shoes emerged. A foot landed softly on the restroom floor, followed by the steady footsteps of a man approaching.
"I don’t believe in fatalism. The logic that everything is predetermined is merely an excuse for the lazy and weak. However, allowing for a bit of literary license, one could put it this way."
The man pressed down on a stylish fedora, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smirk. "It’s like a cruel twist of fate. That student, White, looks exactly like the Magnus you taught long ago. The old-timers were making such a fuss, I had to see for myself. And wow."
Aaron turned, his face smeared with blood, and glared fiercely. "What business do you have in the Summoning Department building, Bahil?"
Bahil leaned leisurely against the wall, tipping his fedora to slightly shadow his eyes as he smiled. "I came to see that child of mine, and while I was at it, the rumored white-haired boy. In any case, thank you for the use of the restroom, Senior."
He gave a slow wave and strolled out of the restroom.
Aaron finally turned off the gushing faucet and let out a long sigh. In the mirror, shattered by his fist, his own image was broken into a dozen fractured pieces.