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While I use Magic to constantly check my surroundings, I make my way through the darkness where monsters are likely lurking. Zebrudia Magic Academy, where I have been attending for nearly five years, seems like an entirely different place in the darkness. No, it probably really is a different place, but it still feels strangely unsettling.

The first thing I need to do is meet up with Saya.

I remember her location. If this place has the same layout as the real academy, I should be able to get there without any trouble. The woman who suddenly appeared and looked just like Saya. She is probably quite a formidable opponent. If she has the same abilities as Saya, it must be extremely difficult for her to fight alone.

If I had been in my normal condition, I would have been able to help her right there. To think I fell for such a surprise attack, this is so pathetic. I have endured countless surprise attacks of that magnitude many times before, but to fail to activate the spell just because I was a little shaken up――.

Help Saya, find the exit, and escape. Help Saya, find the exit, and escape.

Help Saya, find the exit, and esca――No, this is a strategic retreat!

“Hh!?” (Lucia)

There, I notice a strange sound and frantically look around.

Since I arrived here, I have been constantly using detection magic. It is a Magic that can detect signs of life and movement from a distance. So, if something approaches, I should be able to tell right away, but the reaction appeared suddenly.

The reaction comes from――Behind me. Just beyond the corner of the hallway I have just passed by――.

It is impossible. Fear runs down my spine and I can feel my heart pounding like a drum. The presence slowly approaches. However, my feet will not move.

And then――It appears from around the corner.

“Hh!?” (Lucia)

For a moment, I thought my heart had stopped. My face stiffens and my throat tightens.

What appears――Is a woman on all fours.

It is a woman bleeding from her head. However, she isn’t an injured person in need of rescue. A strange laugh escapes from her crescent-shaped mouth.

“Ukekekekekeke……” (Phantom)

“Hhah……” (Lucia)

The mysterious woman approaches on all fours, moving in a creepy manner. The eyes peeking out from between the gap of her long, messy black hair are colored with madness.

Why is she on all fours? Why isn’t she standing up? Why is she targeting me?

Why? Why? What’s that??

There, my stiffened legs and throat regain their normal functions.

I run away as if I have been hit.

I just, run like hell. There is no thought whatsoever of keeping my composure. I cannot think of where to run, but there is no way I am going to stop.

As I run, I desperately look behind me. I pray that nothing is chasing me, but my prayers go unanswered.

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Using her thin limbs, the woman chases after me at a frightening speed.

Why? Why are you chasing me? Normally, you should just disappear! At least that was the case in the books I secretly read from my brother when I was still a child.

You have to disappear! Pacing is crucial in situations like this!

I really can’t take this anymore!!

As I run away with my mind in a *guchagucha* mess, a strange laughter reaches my ear.

I run as fast as I can. I feel like I heard a voice from somewhere say, “You have got a lot of stamina, don’t you”.

I have no idea where I am running. I don’t have time to look around. Zebrudia Magic Academy is originally vast, but without me noticing, the map I have in the back of my head has been blown away. If it were a normal hunt, this would have never happened.

No matter how far I run, I cannot shake her off. Or rather――.

“!? It has increased!? Why!?” (Lucia)

Before I know it, there are more and more perverts in white coats and demon masks. For some reason, they are holding a baby. It is just way too nonsensical.

I still have plenty of stamina left, but if I keep going like this, I will be in a tight spot…… That’s right, the sky!

All I have to do is fly and escape into the sky. Lucia can fly, after all! While panicking, I open the window.

And then, I am greeted by lively music.

“!? ????” (Lucia)

The one playing the bright music as if to welcome me are――Translucent white ghosts.

Several popular, half-hearted childish ghosts, looking a little like the Sheet Ghosts that we disguised as during the Emperor’s escort request in the past, grin with musical instruments in their hands.

“Hh!?” (Lucia)

It is not scary at all. I am not scared of these kinds of ghosts. So, it is just a reflex that made me close the window so hard.

The pursuers and the fanfare approach.

Not knowing what to do, I start to run, when suddenly the ceiling just a few meters in front of me collapses with great force.

“Hih!? !???” (Lucia)

What fell is――A black mass. Or rather, it is a bear. A bear with part of its head replaced with metal.

Why a bear here? It no longer makes any sense. The bear, which is relatively small compared to the ones I have seen so far, bares its fangs and roars.

“Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrh” (Bear Phantom)

“Ukekekeke…… Th-This is bad, it’s the Demon Shark!!!” (Crawling Phantom)

“!?” (Lucia)

The blood-soaked woman who has been chasing me on all fours cries out as if she has regained her senses.

Then, I saw it. A triangle coming swiftly down the hallway toward me.

If what I see is correct, then that is――A shark fin.

“Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Lucia is our preyyyyyyyyyy!” (Bear Phantom)

“*Ganbare, ganbare* Go, go, Man-Eating Blue! Blow that shark bastard away!” (Crawling Phantom)

For some reason, the bear turns around and charges toward the shark. The people who have been chasing me just a moment ago start cheering all at once. Between the bear starting to talk without any warning and this whole situation, I feel like I am drunk and in the middle of a nightmare.

Overwhelmed by the chaotic situation, I suddenly feel something cold touch my neck.

“Hyaah!?” (Lucia)

I instinctively raise my voice and jump. This time, I nearly screamed.

My face stiffens. Before I know it, a girl is standing behind me.

I will never forget about her, the girl wearing the Zebrudia Magic Academy’s uniform that I encountered right after entering the Haunted Classroom. Her dark gaze seems to resent everything in the world. Her moist red lips stand out starkly from her pale skin.

Is the freezing chill emanating from me looking at her, actually a physical phenomenon, or is it because I am afraid of the girl before me? Her appearance is more human than the others, but for some reason, it feels incredibly frightening.

At that moment, I remember. The Phantom in front of my eyes is――The ghost of a girl who appeared in a book I secretly read once. It is exactly the image I imagined she would have.

I have only read that book once. I read it secretly and have never opened it again. However, I can not forget that memory, even though I have only read it once.

It is more terrifying than any Monster. Is this what they call a trauma?

The girl intensely stares at me, smiles and says in a whispering voice.

“Lucia Onee-chan. I am Lady. Let’s live here together. Forever――” (Lady)

“!?” (Lucia)

When I try to move away, my legs get tangled and I fall hard on my bottom. A dull pain runs through me, but I don’t have time to worry about that.

The cold floor. My heart is beating so fast that I feel like I could explode at any second.

Lady’s mouth curves into a crescent-shaped smile. Her jittery arms stretch out. The ghosts’ performance becomes more majestic. The incomprehensible Phantoms close in.

Just as I am about to scream, a baton is suddenly thrust into the spot where Lady has been.

“!?” (Lucia)

“Hih!!” (Phantoms)

The Phantoms that have been threatening me scream. Red eyes appear in the darkness. Emerging from the other end of the hallway is――Saya. Her clothes are torn in places and her hair is disheveled.

There is a *zuruzuru* dragging sound. The thing being dragged by her left hand is the fake Saya I saw earlier. She seems to have completely lost consciousness, and even though she is being dragged by her hair, she doesn’t move a muscle.

“Haah, haah…… I will never…… I will never forgive you.” (Saya)

Her bright, sparkling eyes glare at Lady.

Thanks for reading! Seriously I love how Lucia is afraid of everything, the best part was her opening the window and then Nope With the shark appearance I thought she would try to tame it so the shark can attack the scaaawy Phantoms, but it looks like she is too scared and confused to do that In the end, we have Saya to the rescue! RIP Lady and the Phantoms

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