CHAPTER 185: ROOTS RUN DEEP

"I heard the story roughly."

The Dean naturally blended in as if it was only natural, going to Rosalia and examining her research.

"Professor Rosalia."

"Yes, Dean."

"Some tell me I don’t pay enough attention to the school, that I wander outside too much, but I thought differently."

"..."

"If the staff is a mess, how could I not pay attention? If the professors are pretentious fools, how could I wander outside?"

"I apologize."

The Dean’s mana began interfering with the magic stone combination.

The magic circles and circuits resisted the improper intrusion with gentle light, but it was meaningless.

"You really created this. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"But... hmm."

His eyes changed.

"If I hadn’t checked this directly, I wouldn’t have known either."

"Are you saying there really is demonic energy inside?"

"Weren’t you believing Student Hyde’s words?"

"I believe him. But since I still can’t feel it, two people’s words would be more trustworthy than one."

"I thought you were going to freeze a perfectly fine assistant and the entire laboratory, then later say it was a mistake."

The Dean chuckled.

"It’s there. Hidden so carefully among the magical powers that probably no one but someone of my level could find it. Ah, except for Armian."

His touch stroking the magic stone combination became even gentler.

"To escape even your eyes that examine it daily... it’s impossible unless it was from the beginning. When did you start making this?"

"I started research 9 years ago, began making the ice crystal 7 years ago, and the combination 3 years ago."

"How long has that demon seed been an assistant?"

"...3 years."

As if realizing something, Rosalia bit her lips.

"This is a result achieved by my abilities."

"I never said it wasn’t your ability. I never thought that either."

Though he clearly had a gentle smile, the Dean’s eyes were sharper than ever.

"But wouldn’t one speculation be possible? If that demon seed gave a small clue to your blocked research and naturally mixed in?"

It was plausible. The reason for not discovering the demonic energy hidden inside the combination was because of the hundreds of magic stones surrounding it - the magical powers.

A kind of interference.

Deceiving Rosalia before sufficient magical power accumulated was never easy.

If there was any possibility, it was only one assumption - using secret circuits or formulas known only to demon seeds.

"Isn’t he a demon seed in name? A demon’s dog. Who knows if he received a strand of advice from demons who are called masters of magic?"

"...That’s something I can’t just let pass, Dean."

Jayce, who had been quietly listening to the Dean’s words, flared up.

"Demons being masters of magic? They’re just trash that can’t be burned even by hell’s flames."

"Oh my, I misspoke in front of the Order’s Saint. Still, it’s not untrue that demons are skilled in magic, is it?"

"They are thieves who stole and learned magic from the great Dragon God."

"If you say so, then that’s how it is."

Since the Dean agreed nonchalantly, Jayce couldn’t say more.

"So what do you plan to do now?"

"Since even the Dean said so, it’s certain that the seed Hyde mentioned exists."

Whether her head was throbbing from the immediate situation, Rosalia continued while holding her forehead.

"I don’t know if demons will really be summoned because of it, but I can’t do what the demon seeds want."

"Even if it’s delayed by 5 years?"

"That was just the most certain method; it’s not the only way."

"Well, you would rise faster than anyone. Still, it’s a waste."

The Dean stroked his chin. Then Gerhard stepped forward.

"Dean, I don’t want Professor Rosalia’s research to stop here."

"What do you mean?"

"Getting materials to remake the combination would take just one day."

He was confident he could make it happen even if it seemed impossible.

"I can also prepare manpower with the trading company’s wizards. The most important core? Do you know about Itarium?"

"I know it. Itarium that feeds on the energy of ores and veins would be most suitable as a core to bind magic stones. Magic stones are also ores."

Gerhard had been thinking the same thing.

The highest-grade Itarium obtained from the first emperor’s arrangement. Perhaps it was for this moment.

"...But I’m curious why you’re talking about such things now."

"I don’t think you failed to understand."

"There are only 12 days left until the Continental Academic Conference."

"Walking a path you’ve walked once is much easier."

"But 3 years can’t become 12 days."

Generally, that was true.

"But if the Dean helps, the story would be different."

Suddenly, both the Dean’s and Professor Rosalia’s eyebrows twitched.

"Why should I do that?"

"Because fundamentally, the root cause of this situation is you, Dean."

"It’s my fault?"

"The academy is your domain, Dean. If you had kept your eyes wide open, could demon seeds have dared to hide?"

"You’re saying interesting things."

The Dean’s face hardened at the bold words. But Gerhard didn’t avoid his gaze.

Rosalia’s research must not be stranded like this. For himself who invested massive amounts of money, and for Rosalia who had worked hard for the research.

’It’s about to bear fruit now. I can’t watch my tree rot because of some demons.’

The unfortunate thing was that even though Goldenheim contributed the most money to the academy, he couldn’t threaten the Dean with that.

As an Arch Mage, even if Goldenheim withdrew and he suffered damage, he had the ability to find sufficient replacements.

Threatening with investment money would only earn his hatred for nothing.

Rather, here he needed to throw a carrot, not a whip.

"If you wish, I’ll donate 10,000 gold to the academy through the foundation."

"You must be quite urgent?"

"Professor Rosalia’s research has that value. It’s very regrettable for it to be used by demon seeds or to disappear like this."

"Besides you, there’s no one who would look me straight in the eye and say it’s my fault."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

"Do you know what makes me angry? It’s that it’s not particularly wrong."

The Dean spoke after brief consideration.

"So. Not because of you, but because I have no intention of doing what the demon seeds who dare to strut around the academy as if it’s their own home want."

"Yes, of course."

"But there would need to be one prerequisite."

Even if it was simple help, he couldn’t use the Dean, an Arch Mage, only at the level of a real assistant.

Eventually, they’d have to work together on the core, and then the research results would inevitably enter his mind.

"Professor Rosalia, you choose. Will you accept my help? Or not?"

"..."

"It feels a bit like being threatened, but thinking about it, Student Gerhard is right. As Dean, I failed to properly control the academy’s interior. Give me a chance to make amends."

Rosalia looked back and forth between the Dean and Gerhard for a long time without words. Both didn’t avoid her gaze.

For quite a while.

"I’m grateful for the help."

Professor Rosalia bowed her head.

==

After receiving Professor Rosalia’s permission and examining the combination in earnest, the Dean changed his words.

"Even for me, 12 days seems a bit insufficient."

It had to be so.

If the Dean was an Arch Mage, Rosalia was also a wizard known as the youngest academy professor and scheduled to be the youngest Arch Mage.

Since these were things she had researched for nearly 9 years, even he couldn’t interpret and reproduce them flowing like water.

"I need a bit more time. Hmm, let me delay the Continental Academic Conference a little."

"Would that be possible?"

"It would be impossible for me alone. But who are the people gathered here?"

The Dean’s gaze stopped on Jayce. Jayce realized the meaning.

"Of course. I’ll speak to His Holiness the Pope. Even if not, the Order and I will also do our best to help, so please tell me anytime if you need my help. I’ll prove that the great Dragon God is the master of magic!"

"I’ll mention it."

Demon seeds, an Arch Mage, and the Pope of the Dragon Faith Order.

They were sufficient justification and personnel to briefly delay a continental event.

"And I’ll take this."

The Dean tapped the completely frozen former Aron.

"I should take that..."

"I caught him. I think that’s sufficient to claim rights?"

"The damage suffered because of him is enormous."

"The one who hid in the academy. I think I have more ways to interrogate him than you. Instead, I’ll definitely share information."

He couldn’t argue further when he said that much.

"Yes."

The matter was concluded. Anyway, since the urgent fire was put out, Gerhard could breathe a sigh of relief.

"...Really surprising. I never thought demon seeds had infiltrated this deeply... If it weren’t for senior, we would have been caught unaware."

"It would have been the same without you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to find the demon seed’s interference."

"Well, that’s..."

"In that sense, take this."

Gerhard took out an antique box from subspace and handed it to Hyde.

"What’s this?"

"An elixir made from fragments of Itarium roots."

The Itarium left by the first emperor had very large and numerous roots, and even when divided, the energy wasn’t small, so he divided it equally into five pieces.

Even giving one to Rosalia left four.

"Why are you giving this to me...?"

"Because thanks to you, we prevented a big problem."

"I didn’t do enough to receive this."

"No, you did enough. If that combination had caused problems at the academic conference, not only Professor Rosalia but I, who sponsored the professor, could have been branded as a demon seed’s accomplice."

So take it quietly. I’m determined to give it no matter what reason I attach.

Gerhard forcibly stuffed the box into Hyde’s pocket. Then he met eyes with another first-year who was looking expectantly with bright eyes.

"Brother, what about mine? Don’t I get one?"

"You didn’t particularly do anything."

"No, didn’t I listen to brother’s request and bring the artifact for inspection?"

"And you found nothing. Maybe a small labor fee, but don’t you think it’s too shameless to aim for an elixir?"

"If I abandon shame for a moment to get a precious elixir, what’s more important?"

Jayce replied without changing his expression. Gerhard chuckled at that boldness.

"Instead, you have to listen to four more requests."

"...Uh, isn’t four a bit much? Let’s make it two."

"Four."

"Then three..."

"Four."

"...Yes, I’ll make it four. But nothing too unreasonable."

"Fine."

He had intended to give it anyway from the moment he decided to completely twist this future.

He didn’t know why Jayce couldn’t become Hyde’s companion, but Jayce was an excellent wizard, reliable backing, and a Dragon God fanatic who hated demon seeds more than anyone.

Anyway, a twisted future. If he wouldn’t become a companion, Gerhard could just make him one like Veriana.

"Rest up. I’ll call you again if something happens later."

"Yes, senior."

"Yes, brother!"

Hyde and Jayce disappeared cheerfully.

Gerhard returned to the trading company branch and wrote an urgent report to his father.

With this, wizards from the family would soon come to help Rosalia. They couldn’t approach the research core, but that alone would be great help.

"...The urgent fire is out."

What remained was the reaction demon seeds would show when Rosalia and the Dean restored the combination again and went to the Continental Academic Conference.

If they noticed Aron was caught, they would have realized their plan was disrupted.

He had to prepare for how they’d respond.

"Also the variant drake."

The variant drake that appeared in the prophecy book. He was curious whether its inner core would really exist, or if someone had already taken it.

If the former, there was no big problem, but if the latter.

’Once or twice is coincidence, but more than that isn’t.’

He would no longer overlook Gismond Ert.

==

"They say humans are social animals. If there’s one, they want to become two, and if there are two, they make a group. They become a family, then a village, then a city, then a territory, then a country and an alliance."

"..."

"Even though they can clearly live well alone, they can’t let go of each other even while bumping into each other, getting hurt, and shedding tears."

"..."

"Some scholars say it’s because the happiness and joy are greater than that sadness. Or maybe humans are just that kind of species."

"So? What do you want to say?"

"I want to become close with senior."

Ariadne Fridien smiled brightly.

"..."

Luina Berchef stared at her quietly and crunched chocolate. When the sweet chocolate entered her mouth, her mood naturally improved.

"Thinking about it, we’re not strangers, are we?"

"Then what kind of relationship are we?"

"A relationship of fighting demons together."

Ariadne’s voice became noticeably quieter at the word demons.

"Is this an ordinary connection?"

It certainly wasn’t an ordinary connection.

The probability of demons descending into this world, and the probability of responding to those demons, fighting together, and surviving were very low.

But that’s why Luina couldn’t understand her behavior even more.

"Do we have to say we want to become close for us to actually become close?"

"Pardon?"

"As you said, we fought demons together and got entangled with demon seeds. There were various other things too."

Between the two, no, not just the two but among all who were together, emotions of caring for each other had accumulated.

Emotions usually called camaraderie.

"Is there a need to get a definite answer? I thought we had already become somewhat close."

"Ah."

At those words, Ariadne’s eyes became blank. But they soon regained their original clear form.

"Senior is right. I think I got ahead of myself because I wanted to become closer with senior."

"Really?"

"Would you like some candy? I like candy so I always carry it around."

Ariadne took out a candy pouch from her bosom. All the candies were individually wrapped in antique wrapping paper.

"Thank you."

While receiving it, Luina thought.

’There must be some circumstances.’

Well, what household doesn’t have circumstances?

It was just for a moment, but Luina didn’t miss Ariadne’s mask breaking.

’...It’s delicious.’

She soon passed it off as nothing special.