“In the first place, how is Eivind so knowledgeable about the circumstances of the castle? Also, my letter was erased?”

“I often come in and out of the castle to report on research or do errands for the director. I get along well with the maids of the castle, so they let me in on all kinds of gossip.”

“This handsome guy.”

“Are you jealous?”

“No, actually, it’s more convenient this way.”

While talking about that, Eivind led me to the Royal Institute of Magic.

Wow… This triangular, pyramid-shaped stone building… It existed 800 years ago.

Only after seeing the building for myself did I recall that I had been a researcher there for many years. The reason it escaped my mind was probably because the scenery of the royal capital had changed drastically, or maybe because I subconsciously avoided seeing that place when I was still inside the crystal.

However, no matter how familiar that laboratory was, I didn’t recognize any of the magic tools controlling the entrance. The uniforms worn by those we passed by had also changed considerably. Back then, we were clad in simple black robes, now the uniform was a lot cooler.

“Do you remember this place?”

“No, it’s my first time coming to such a place.”

“How strange. I thought Nora Noz was from here…”

Overwhelmed with emotion, I climbed the stairs and didn’t stop until I reached the room where the most important figure was supposed to be. Eivind casually knocked on the heavy door, “I brought her.”

Then, I heard the sound of the door being unlocked by itself, as if giving us a welcome.

“Please enter, My Queen.”

“It’s been a while.”

He escorted me, bowing his head.

It’s not a bad feeling.

I entered the room and saw that the interior wasn’t that different from any other office’s. A sofa and a low table where one could have a small reception could be seen. Many bookshelves were also lined up along the wall. A desk with a lot of documents piled up. There was a chair that looked somewhat comfortable to sit on. Standing up from that chair was a slightly chubby old man with gray hair.

“Hello, nice to meet you.”

The old man stood up with a kind look on his face. Then, he asked, motioning at the faraway tea set with his fingers.

“Which do you prefer, coffee or tea?”

In the next moment, the tea set began to dance.

Hey, that’s wonderful.

“Tea, please.”

“Okay. And coffee for Eivind, right?”

“Yes, I also bought some tea and sweets.”

Eivind placed a paper bag on the table. On the way, he’d bought some caramel-flavored popcorn. He said the person he was about to meet like it…

...I see, this person also has a sweet tooth.

Well, it helps with thinking.

In the blink of an eye, he finished preparing the tea.

After we all moved to the sofa, the old man took a sip of his tea and began greeting me.

“I’m the current director, and also Eivind’s adoptive father. Has my son been causing you any trouble?”

“Thanks to him, I’m having a very enjoyable school life.”

In response to my cheerful reply, Eivind, who sat next to me, pouted, ‘Does that mean I’m causing trouble?’

—Must be my imagination.

Leaving that aside, should I just cut to the case? The director will probably be able to connect me with the officials, but this was involving more people than I expected.

Doesn’t the director of the Royal Institute of Magic have so much influence, very few aristocrats can match him?

Although he couldn’t be called a king, his reach should be equal to that of a prime minister.

Even if I was on my own, for the sake of Cecily’s future, I’d like to stick through it. As I was drinking my tea, I noticed that Cecily was staring at something.

What’s the matter, Cecily?

[I’m curious about those glasses.]

…Glasses?

When I looked in the direction she was pointing to, I noticed a pair of glasses on the director’s desk.

At first glance, they looked like an ordinary pair of glasses, but with extremely thick lenses.

No, those are way too thick.

…Now, who do those remind me of? Right, Hana. Only she wears them these days.

Even 800 years ago, thick lenses were considered outdated.

Frankly, I don’t know. Is that the trend nowadays?

I could understand if they were the director’s, but if his eyesight was that bad, wouldn’t he be inconvenienced not wearing for conversations, like the one we’re having right now?

I could see the director’s beady eyes directly.

Seemingly noticing my gaze, Eivind spoke to me.

“Those glasses are something the director has been researching lately. They have enhancements that blocks recognition, also known as recognition inhibition.”

“Recognition inhibition… As in, you won’t know who the wearer is?”

“That’s right. A nobleman commissioned us to make one for incognito purposes, and that was nice and all. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding it, starting from how conspicuous the thick lenses are, and whether the recognition inhibition itself would be misused in the future.”

Hee, sounds like actual research right there!

As I admired them, the voice within my heart was unusually noisy.

[—Amazing! Nora, try wearing those glasses! I’m really curious!]

Hehe, okay, but after I finish my business.

I see. Cecily has a penchant towards such things.

If that’s the case, what will happen in the future…

…But before that, I had to fulfill my immediate duties. I was about to ask the director if he could wipe my father’s ass.

“—Eivind, Eivind! It’s an emergency!”

Someone banged on the door repeatedly. The director snapped his finger.

“What’s going on?”

A person wearing a white coat rushed inside.

“Director, excuse me please! Eivind, the numerical value of the subject has exceeded the standard value!”

“F-for real!?”

Hearing those words, Eivind jumped back onto his feet. He probably wanted to run off right away, but after glancing at me and the director, he stopped.

“Just go.” I said.

“Go ahead.”

The director also gave permission.

“Thank you—!”

Eivind immediately ran off with the researcher who came to call him.

“Good grief, sorry for the fuss.”

The director went out of his way to close the door that was left open with his own hands and feet.

Next to the door, the director smiled.

“This is somewhat related, but will you take part in my experiment?”

“Is that really okay?”

I was also reluctant to be indebted to someone.

So, I nodded without hesitation and the director turned his palm towards me.

Magical power began to accumulate—

—An offensive spell.

---

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***T/N: THAT DIRECTOR IS COURTING DEATH

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