Peace Hunter

After our final meeting with the fourth-year Elevrad members, we decided to return to our respective dorms. However, Irene didn't return straight away and instead came to mine. Since neither of us had dinner, Irene decided to make dinner for me and eat together at my dorm. Well, she always does this, because of our mutual agreement.

After dinner, we chatted.

"You didn't seem sad at the meeting, Irene," I said.

"Well, maybe it's because I only worked with the fourth-year Elevrad members for a short time, so I wasn't too sad. However, I chose to lower my head to express my sadness over the separation, although from my expression, I didn't feel sad at all," Irene said.

"I see," I said.

Then I noticed Irene, who had just finished her dinner. I hadn't realized that Irene always wore a necklace around her neck. I first noticed she was wearing a necklace when Irene and I were in the same room at the inn during the fourth exam in San Minerva City. I noticed it because when Irene was wearing her nightgown, her neckline was exposed, making it easy to see that she was wearing a necklace.

However, when Irene was wearing her academy uniform or casual clothes, her neckline was completely covered, making it difficult to tell if she was always wearing a necklace. But now, even though Irene's neckline was covered by her uniform, I could see a small piece of something around her neck, which was likely the same necklace she had been wearing before.

Irene seemed to notice that I was watching her, so she immediately asked me.

"What's wrong, Rid?" Irene asked.

"Nothing. I was just looking at the necklace you're wearing. I just realized you've always worn a necklace," I said.

"It's amazing that you noticed I was wearing a necklace, even though my neck wasn't exposed. You probably saw it when we were in the same room at the San Minerva Inn. As you said, I've always worn this necklace, because it was a gift from my mother," Irene said, showing me the necklace.

It was a beautiful white necklace. I guessed it was made of silver because of its white color. The necklace also had the letter 'I' on it, indicating it was specifically given to Irene.

"I see. So the necklace was a gift from your mother," I said.

"Yes. You already know what my mother's condition is like, right? I'm sorry I never told you about her condition," Irene said.

"It's okay. After all, everyone has secrets they don't want to reveal to others," I said.

"Thank you, Rid. The reason I always wear this necklace is to remember my mother's kindness to me before she ended up in this condition."

"She also told me to always wear this necklace because she said it could ward off magic for the wearer. But I don't know what kind of magic she meant," Irene said.

"Ward off magic?" I asked.

"Wait a minute. When I first met Irene, I tried to read her mind but couldn't. Is that necklace what keeps me from reading her thoughts? If it can ward off magic, perhaps it's magic related to the wearer's mind. Maybe the wearer's mind can't be read or manipulated," I thought.

"Yes. I wonder what kind of magic effect my mother is referring to. What do you think, Rid? Do you have any idea what kind of magic this necklace can ward off?" Irene asked.

"Hmm, I don't know. Maybe that necklace can ward off mind-related magic. For example, if you're facing an opponent who can manipulate your mind, if you wear that necklace, your mind will become unmanageable by your opponent. But this is just my guess, because I don't know for sure what kind of magic it can ward off," I said.

"Mind-related magic? You think that because you can also use mind-related magic, right? Because when we first met, I felt several times like you were using magic aimed at me. But the magic you used was intangible, so I thought maybe you were using mind-related magic or something," Irene said.

"Irene was probably just guessing. But her guess was correct. I understand why she kept looking at me after I tried to read her mind, even though I couldn't. She sensed I was using magic on her. I guess I don't need to hide this anymore," I thought.

"You're right about that, Irene. I can indeed use mind-related magic. I can read the minds of anyone I want," I said.

"Mind-reading?" Irene asked.

"Yes. Mind-reading isn't a magic that's always active. I can read people's minds when I want to. This magic isn't something I learned myself, but rather something I was born with. It's probably inherited from my parents. However, I can't read everyone's mind. For example, you, I can't read your mind. Maybe it's because the necklace your mother gave you, and you said it can ward off certain magic. So I thought the necklace might be able to ward off mind-related magic, since I can't read your mind either," I said.

"I see. I didn't expect you to be able to read other people's minds. So every time I sense you using magic, it means you're trying to read mine, right?" Irene asked.

"Yes. I apologize for that, Irene," I said.

"Reading other people's minds is rude, Rid. You end up knowing things you shouldn't know about the person you're reading. Well, although I think I know the reason you always read other people's minds is to find out if they have any malicious or hidden intentions,"

"I forgive you for what you did, but you can't read my mind anyway. Luckily, I always wear this necklace, so you can't read my thoughts. It would be embarrassing if I was thinking something embarrassing and you were reading mine at the same time," Irene said.

"Embarrassing?" I asked.

"No, forget it," Irene said.

"Okay," I said.

Then I fell silent and thought about something.

"After learning that Irene's mind can't be read because she's wearing a necklace her mother gave her, that means the people whose minds I can't read are also wearing something to ward off mind magic. It seems I'll have to be careful when I encounter people whose minds I can't read."

"Also, I wonder if my mind-reading magic can be enhanced to the point where it can't be countered by magical tools or objects? This magic is innate, so I didn't acquire it through learning it. Furthermore, there aren't any books related to mind magic in my parents' books, so I've never studied it."

"That's why I don't know if my mind-reading magic can be enhanced. I think I'll have to find out," I thought.

-

The next day.

The other students and I still attended the academy, even though there were no theory or practical lessons taught by our respective instructors. We simply practiced freely in our respective classes' training grounds.

As Senior Gretta and Senior Vyn had mentioned earlier, even though we had already had our last meeting with them as members of Elevrad, we could still see them on the academy grounds. At least that would last until Monday, as Monday would be the last day of May and also graduation day for the fourth-year students.

-

The days passed, and before we knew it, it was Monday, graduation day for the fourth-year students. But at the same time, today was also promotion day for the first- and third-year students, who could move up to the next class.

Meanwhile, in the first-year A classroom,

Mr. Alan was handing out silver badges to his students who had earned 30,000 points. These silver badges were a requirement for advancement to the second year. It seemed that all the A class students had earned their silver badges.

"I didn't expect you all to advance to second year. I thought some of you wouldn't reach your target points, but it seems my prediction was wrong. Congratulations, everyone. I'm proud of you," said Mr. Alan.

Mr. Alan and the other students applauded.

"I'd like to inform you again that starting tomorrow, the first day of June, you will have a full month off. However, you are not permitted to leave the academy and enjoy your holidays outside the academy. You will remain within the academy grounds during your vacation,"

"Then, you will return on the first day of July, when the new school year begins. Of course, at that time, you will officially be second-year students at this academy. Since the buildings for first-year and second-year students are different, make sure you enter the wrong building."

"Before I end this meeting, does anyone have any questions or concerns?" asked Mr. Alan.

Then a student raised her hand; it was Noa.

"What do you want to ask, Noa?" asked Mr. Alan.

"Mr. Alan, wasn't the badge you gave Rid wrong? Shouldn't he have gotten a gold badge?" Noa asked.

"Even though he's earned around 60,000 points, he still has to complete the second year of study first. He can't go straight to third year," Mr. Alan said.

"I see. I thought he could go straight to third year," Noa said.

"How could that be possible," Mr. Alan said.

Then several students laughed.

"Why are you asking Mr. Alan about that again, Noa? Didn't I already explain that I can't go straight to third year?" I said.

"Well, who knows, Mr. Alan's explanation might be different, that's why I'm asking again," Noa said.

"How could his explanation be different, since that's what the academy has already decided," I said.

Then, Mr. Alan spoke again.

"Does anyone else have any questions or anything to say?" Mr. Alan asked.

The students seemed silent, none of them wanting to ask or say anything.

"Ok, if there's nothing else. Today's class meeting is over, and I'll see you again in second year," said Mr. Alan.

"See you too, sir," the students said.

Then Mr. Alan left the classroom, and the other students followed one by one.

- To be continued