Chapter 61: An Unexpected Event (8)
There were several hidden spaces within Arpentia Academy that were unknown to the public.
Most of them had come about naturally through years of repeated expansions and renovations, but a few had been created with the intention of being concealed from the beginning.
One of those places was the Room of Memories, the very place Yeriel was now headed to.
It was also one of the most important facilities in the Academy.
Perhaps that was why—
Anytime someone entered that room, the Headmaster, Yeriel, was always notified.
And each time, without fail, he had gone in person to confirm it. This time was no different, as he dragged his tired body toward the location.
‘It’s probably the Reverend using it again.’
She had come to him a few days prior, requesting to use the Room of Memories. So in truth, Yeriel’s actions now were merely a formality.
‘She said she’d be meeting her disciples soon, so it must be related to that.’
That, in fact, was his true reason for coming.
He had been genuinely concerned, watching her show no intention of taking in any disciples.
It was the sentiment of someone who had served the same master, and the feeling of a junior looking up to a senior walking the same path.
And above all, it was the sentiment of someone who had watched Windy May for decades by her side.
‘It’s a relief.’
Yeriel quietly nodded.
If circumstances permitted, he intended to help Windy May in any way he could, within the limits of his position.
Even though she was a far more brilliant mage than he could ever be, when it came to teaching others, she would surely be less experienced than him.
‘Besides, Cecilia Everglenn and Lian Gwendil… those two were victims of the Rahma Incident.’
It was perfect timing—he had just started to get a bit of free time after wrapping up various pressing matters.
He had resolved to personally meet the victims he had long been meaning to see—especially the two directly tied to Rahma—and offer them his apology face to face.
‘And if I frame it as compensation, slipping in a few extras won’t seem out of place either.’
Having arrived in front of the Room of Memories, he took a moment to straighten his attire before slowly opening the door.
As expected, the one using the room was Windy May.
“……”
She stood quietly next to the door with her eyes closed, focusing entirely on her tuning process.
Not wanting to disrupt her concentration, Yeriel gently closed the door behind him. Just then, someone sitting on a sofa rose and offered a slight bow.
“Hello, Headmaster.”
“Oh.”
Silver hair and violet eyes.
Yeriel immediately returned a polite nod of his own.
“Greetings, Princess. I hope all is well.”
“Yes, thanks to your concern.”
Third Princess Mercedes Latina Bestrang.
One of four royal family members currently enrolled at the Academy, and twin sister to Third Prince Behad, she responded with a curt demeanor.
“Please don’t mind me. Continue what you were doing.”
“Very well, then.”
At Yeriel’s words, she gave a small nod and returned to her seat, scribbling something into her notebook.
Watching her, Yeriel casually turned his gaze toward the wall.
Three doors stood tall and firm.
Only the one in the center remained unlit.
“Hm.”
Looks like I’ll have to wait a bit.
With that thought, he turned his attention to the five fish tanks arranged in a row.
‘Just as I thought.’
The remaining two tanks were still empty.
Which meant that once again, the ones who had appeared were the founders of the three households.
‘Master said there are five people in total whom we can meet, but…’
Founder of the Poas family, Archmage Talia Poas.
Founder of the Valentin family, Rikerka Valentin of the Scales.
And finally, founder of the Everglenn family, Dragon Knight Siren Everglenn.
Up until now, only these three had ever been confirmed.
He had met them, Windy May had met them, and so had everyone else.
Each person had only met one of those three in rotation.
“Hm.”
The fish tanks slowly filled with liquid whenever their respective owners appeared.
What that liquid was, where it came from, and what would happen once it filled completely—Yeriel didn’t know.
Nor did he know why the other two had never once appeared.
All he knew, according to his master Edas, was that when even one of the tanks completely filled, they would understand then.
‘I had hoped we might finally learn who the other two are this time.’
Thinking that with a slight disappointment, he sat down at a distance, not wanting to make Mercedes uncomfortable.
Then, he pulled out a worn-out novel from his coat, something to pass the time.
After reading about twenty pages—
Clack.
With a familiar crisp sound, one of the previously closed doors opened.
The person who stepped out was Cecilia Everglenn.
“…Ah.”
She stepped out, saw Yeriel and Mercedes, and gave a polite nod.
Yeriel and Mercedes also quietly returned the greeting.
“……”
Cecilia, seeing that the other door remained shut, carefully took a seat and maintained a perfectly upright posture.
“……”
“……”
“……”
For a while, only the sound of scribbling,
the quiet rhythm of breathing,
and the occasional turning of pages could be heard.
Having read enough, Yeriel glanced sidelong at the door that still hadn’t opened.
Windy May continued her work, looking a bit weary.
‘Whoever it is, she must have taken quite a liking to them.’
If the door still hadn’t opened by now, then most likely, the person on the other side was holding it closed.
And that was something that had happened only a handful of times before.
‘Since there’s Everglenn blood involved, it’s unlikely to be Siren Everglenn… must be one of the other two. But regardless of who it is, it’s unusual behavior for either of them.’
Just as he thought that and was about to put away his novel—
Clack!
“Phew…”
Looking thoroughly exhausted, Lian Gwendil was the last to appear.
With that, all three who had entered the other side of the Room of Memories had returned.
“…Haa.”
Only after confirming that the final door had closed did Windy May let out a small sigh, as if drained.
Yeriel, fully aware of how mentally taxing that task was, simply cast her a slightly sympathetic glance.
“So then…”
Windy May began, turning her gaze one by one toward Lian Gwendil, Cecilia Everglenn, and Mercedes Latina Bestrang, who were seated before her.
“Were you all satisfied?”
She asked, slowly twitching her ears up and down.
“It would be nice if each of you could share a brief impression.”
To that, Mercedes answered in a short but firm tone, followed by Cecilia nodding with a tired expression.
“It was a fulfilling time.”
“For me as well, it was meaningful in many ways.”
Lian paused, as if gathering his thoughts, and then nodded in agreement.
“…It was truly a valuable experience. So much so that I’d like to have another chance, if possible.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re all satisfied.”
Windy May gave a small nod.
“Then, shall we have a more serious talk for a moment?”
After a brief pause, she continued.
“First, about this Room of Memories—access is extremely limited and comes with very strict conditions. One may be granted the opportunity as a reward for significant achievements or contributions within the Academy, or through an application and review process after becoming a direct disciple of a professor.”
She glanced at Yeriel.
“In this Academy, those with relatively lenient access are myself, Headmaster Yeriel Helmont, and Professor Deaare, the direct disciple of Sage Arpentia. …I’m not saying this just to brag.”
Windy May looked at the three with a serious gaze.
The three returned her gaze with equal seriousness.
“The reason I arranged this opportunity was to show that if you became my disciples, I would support you in every way possible. This also means that even if you reject my offer… I won’t be handing you an invoice for what happened today.”
At that point, Professor Windy May awkwardly stumbled over her words, slightly flustered.
“Ah, um. That sounded kind of weird… Anyway, I just want you to know that I’m sincere.”
“I have a question.”
“Yes, Miss Mercedes.”
Mercedes raised her hand slightly before asking.
“This may be a presumptuous question, but the three of us have entirely different temperaments, attributes, and aptitudes. If we became your direct disciples, how would you teach us, and what would you teach?”
“That’s a good question.”
It seemed she genuinely meant it, as her ears twitched slightly up and down.
“Whiit.”
“…?”
Lian Gwendil thought he had heard a strange breathy noise beside him for a moment…?
Still, he didn’t take his eyes off Professor Windy May.
…He also didn’t forget to watch the space just outside the range of her eyes and fingertips.
“There are seven fields in which I dare say I’m well-versed. Among them, I plan to teach you one common subject, and then each of you will learn one additional subject individually.”
“And those are…”
“Sorry, but I can’t reveal more unless you become my disciples.”
Windy May lifted her index finger and brought it to her lips.
“You all know how sensitive this kind of thing is for a mage, right?”
“…Understood. I apologize for the impropriety.”
Mercedes bowed her head in apology, and Professor Windy May waved her hand dismissively.
“That’s all I had to say. I hope I left even a slightly positive impression on you. If possible, I’d like to receive your answers soon…”
“I’ll do it.”
Before she even finished speaking, Lian Gwendil spoke up.
“I accept your offer, Professor.”
Surprised by his straightforward answer, even Professor Windy May blinked in astonishment.
With eyes wide open, she asked in a slightly dazed tone.
“Uh… Hmm, you can take some more time to think, you know?”
“No.”
Lian shook his head slightly.
“Even if I thought it over more, I doubt my decision would change.”
His firm answer belied the storm of thoughts in his mind.
But it was a different kind of storm than he had known before.
‘…I can’t remember.’
It wasn’t that he couldn’t remember everything.
Just the events that had occurred right before leaving the Room of Memories.
From that point on, it was as if something had cleanly sliced away his memory.
The realization gave Lian chills.
“……”
No matter how hard he tried, nothing came to mind.
But there was one thing.
One thing he hadn’t forgotten.
‘The Forbidden Forest.’
Also known as the Forest of Secrets.
He had to go there.
And he was certain the key to resolving his current problem lay within.