After that, it was somewhat difficult.

The Killing Doll was no longer an issue, but due to my miscalculation, I accidentally demolished half of the academy with my magic power. As a result, teachers surrounded us and demanded an explanation.

At that moment, Eivind Dahl stood up for me and took responsibility for the accident.

“I apologize. During an experiment, the doll went berserk, but I took care of it.”

Afterwards, he took it upon himself to repair the academy. 

Even though there was no need for him to go that far…

After all, I was the one who got carried away. Yet when I offered to help him, Eivind glared at me.

“The ‘Withered Grass Lady’, who has no magic power whatsoever, is going to help repair the historical buildings with advanced spellcraft?”

“Oh, well…”

With a friendly smile, I retracted my statement.

At the very least, I had to collect the remnants of the broken doll? Eivind suspected me for being the mastermind. By investigating the trace magical power remaining in the doll, I might be able to track the culprit.

However, when I turned around, I saw a black-hooded man stuffing the broken pieces into a bag. The man was lanky, and judging from his pasty skin, he seemed to be advanced in his years. As soon as the man noticed my gaze, he suddenly vanished. He had teleported away.

“Ah!”

By the time I raised my voice, it was already too late.

The thief had disappeared along with the doll’s fragments. Eivind also saw it with his own two eyes. While pointing at the direction where the thief was last seen, I narrowed my eyes at Eivind.

“I told you it wasn’t me.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Do you know how much I hate being falsely accused?”

“I’m sorry, I’ll give you whatever you want later… Please forgive me?”

For the time being, I seemed to have successfully proven my innocence.

So, happy ending…?

—not.

What a total disaster!

That night, as I collapsed on my bed in the dormitory, I spoke with Cecily in my heart.

I ended up abandoning the study session with Anita halfway through. This is all Eivind’s fault. As I was thinking about how I’d get even, Cecily spoke to me.

[I sincerely appreciate your help back then.]

No need to be so formal. Try again.

[Uhm, thank you…?]

Despite saying something so mean, I shrugged my shoulders.

In the first place, there’s no need for you to thank me.

[Huh?]

Because you were the one who tried to save your sister.

[…]

I simply lent you my assistance.

Surely, this child would be fine.

She gained a strong conviction from today’s event. Even if it only happened briefly, her sentience had surpassed mine. The strength of one’s sentience correlated with their magical power.

Hence why, I told my foolish and adorable girl.

“This Incorrigible Villainess can guarantee that you’ll become an adept magician.”

—At that moment, the window rattled.

That can’t be the wind.

Somewhat vigilant, I got up. When I gently opened the curtains, I saw a fine young man with a handsome face outside. He was the one who knocked on the window.

I slid the window open. This is the fourth floor! I snorted when I saw that Eivind was magically soaring in the air.

“You have the nerve to secretly visit me at night.”

“Doesn’t it add to the excitement?”

“More like the creepiness.”

“Not wrong. Can we talk about today?”

Eivind asked if he could come in and I shrugged.

When I welcomed him in, he entered the room without hesitation and sat at my study. Then, I asked him.

“Have you repairing the academy’s buildings?”

“I finished just now. How exhausting. Can I spend the night here?”

“Can I scream for the dormitory supervisor first?”

When I gave him ‘conditional permission’, he smiled wryly, showing no signs of being offended. Then, he cut straight to the case.

“That stolen doll was reconstructed using old components that were recently unearthed.”

“How ancient?”

“The components date back to 800 years ago… Supposedly, during the time when the [Peerless Witch] tried to destroy the world?”

His smiled profoundly, as if he’d seen through me.

However, since there was no evidence, I nonchalantly went on with the conversation.

“Why would someone conduct such disturbing research at the academy? Was that even allowed?”

“Of course. I did it under the facility director’s orders. Even though I don’t want to attend school, I do pay the utmost attention to safety procedures. Still, in exchange for becoming a student, I can focus on my research.”

Oh, what a shock.

He was a researcher at heart. …And here I thought that he was a run-of-the-mill playboy. In fact, in contrast to his usual easygoing demeanor, Eivind looked serious as of the present.

“Regardless, it was still too early to activate it. I can’t believe it activated on its own, much less went on a rampage. I can only conclude that it was influenced by some powerful magical power…”

I averted my gaze from him and his genuine concern.

…Could it be that I’m the cause?

Eight hundred years ago, I—Nora Noz—was involved in the development of said dolls as part of my medical research. There was a time when I tried to power it using the user’s magical power. I also collaborated during the testing period…

So, what if Nora’s magical power led to the doll going berserk?

I shouldn’t dwell on it. Let’s change the subject.

“So, who was the culprit in the end? Weren’t you able to pinpoint the teleport destination?”

“I couldn’t. Being able to teleport without leaving a trace would be impossible for anyone other than a magician of my caliber. You may not believe it, but I’m quite the prodigy. They said that I was the first sage to ever grace this world in 200 years.”

“Hey, that’s amazing.”

Meanwhile, I used to be the Great Sage.

As I was vainly feeling proud, he turned to me. Then, he drew closer to me and lifting my chin with his fingertips.

“Hey… Who are you, really?”

---

***T/N: That “I hate being falsely accused” really adds to her character hahahaha especially when we know what happened to her back then

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