Adele is a spy, or at least something spy-like.
We still don’t know what her abilities are, or what her purpose is, do we?
What’s been confirmed so far is that she has no intent to assassinate me.
Ezekiel even set up a safety net using a [Curse].
So, for now, I’ve decided to keep her close and observe.
And while I’m at it, I figured I’d test her reactions using [Time Forgery].
To interpret a conversation within 10 seconds, I’d need at least 20 frames. I gathered nearly all my remaining mana and tested her about 30 times.
What I told her was: “I know you’re some kind of strange thing hiding your true intentions.”
The responses that came back were as follows:
– What are you even...
– Why would you say that...?
– A spy? I’m not... anything like that....
– I don’t understand why you’d say something like that.... We’re friends, aren’t we...?
– ...Professor, I think there’s some misunderstanding between us. Want to talk it out like friends? Over a beer...?
Exactly.
Adele dodged every single thing I said.
But when I brought up the “Roster⧉”...
– .......
She stayed silent for over ten seconds.
And that happened more than once.
‘She’s not going to crack easily, huh.’
And then, one more thing became clear to me.
‘Adele has never gotten angry.’
If it had been a normal secret I was poking at—
Especially considering how aggressively I went about it—
She would’ve gotten angry.
‘But she looked scared just now.’
We’ve spent enough time together that I can tell.
She tried to stay calm, but I could sense it—her reaction was fear.
‘She’s afraid of ruining her relationship with me.’
Which means, while she might be a massive threat...
She, herself, doesn’t pose a threat to me directly.
Just like when I gave her the opportunity to strike before—this confirmed it again.
‘I’ll have to test it again someday.’
Anyway—
That was the end of my private lesson with Gray.
It was already 6 a.m.
I’d spent the entire night teaching her illusion magic.
“Lucy said something,” she told me before we parted ways, in front of the Cain Hall.
“Oh, Lucy is the dorm maid, by the way...”
“Yeah.”
“She said there might be a diplomatic opening with the Empire soon.”
“......”
“And the day after tomorrow, after my photo shoot for the Assassination Daily monthly cover, I might become the face of Hiaka assassins or something like that... she said it so seriously, it’s kind of overwhelming...”
I replied with a simple I see.
But I knew it was a huge deal for Gray.
‘Gray’s dream...’
To understand that, you first have to know about the “dream of the Habanero family.”
According to the lore,
The Habanero family created the ancient illusion 『Glass Butterfly』 astonishingly 2,000 years ago—before even the earliest [Illusion] spells by wizards.
Since then, the Habanero family has been a treasure of the continent, a target for countless raiders, seen as the ultimate gaming machine.
Just imagine.
Back in a time when there was barely anything entertaining...
『Glass Butterfly』 had the capacity to simulate 22nd-century virtual reality games.
Originally, the Habaneros were part of the Empire. But to escape persecution, they drifted to the outskirts of the continent—Hiaka.
Yet as Gray had explained before, 『Glass Butterfly』 requires special talent, especially the bloodline of the Habaneros. It’s nearly impossible to learn otherwise.
Even ancient powers tried abducting Habanero beastkin to pass the technique to their own offspring. But very few ever managed to learn it. The rest just aged and died.
It’s estimated only 0.001% of humanity can master 『Glass Butterfly』. But how would you ever find that 0.001%?
In those days, population was smaller, knowledge transmission was limited, and 『Glass Butterfly』 survived by a razor’s edge.
Then came the Habanero Incident—after which Gray became the only living master of 『Glass Butterfly』.
Within her blood ran 2,000 years of legacy, obligation, and will to revive it.
‘If this girl manages to make a name for herself in the Empire...’
Gray would gain countless opportunities.
A massive break for her dream.
But it’s dangerous too. Hiaka’s Public Safety Bureau has speculated that the Empire may have been behind the Habanero Incident. That’s probably why Gray agreed with Rebecca’s suggestion to assassinate the Emperor.
But setting that aside...
“Good for you.”
“...Huh?”
“If you get famous as the Assassination Daily cover model, you’ll have more chances to spread 『Glass Butterfly』, right?”
“......??”
When I played dumb, Gray’s shoulders tensed.
“...You knew?”
“A little.”
“...Creepy.”
Gray lowered her gaze to the ground.
“So you must be nervous.”
“...Yeah.”
“I would be too.”
“...Right?”
Her voice was a mix of worry and excitement.
Of course—it’s an unfamiliar opportunity for an assassin.
“You’ll do well. You’ve already spread your wings.”
“Ah, right...”
She let out a soft laugh, looking at me.
And it’s good for her to get used to this kind of exposure.
There’ll be more of it on the “Betting Table.”
“What about you, Professor? Know anything about this Empire exchange?”
“Hard to say. But I hope it happens.”
“Yeah. Our academy is falling apart. It’d be good to expand into the Empire... Though, I heard Hiaka gets looked down on abroad...”
I nodded.
It’s true.
“You’ll do fine anyway.”
“......”
Gray nodded.
And with that, the first lesson ended.
Technically, I was the one learning. But in the big picture, it was the first step in synchronizing professor and cadet.
It wasn’t bad.
“But then... when do I get to learn from you again?”
“After today’s lesson, I’ve gained a deep understanding of your [Illusion]. I’ll need time to analyze, research, and apply it.”
“So maybe the session after next?”
“Sounds right.”
“Mm...”
Gray nodded.
“But earlier, didn’t you say you’re not busy the day after tomorrow...?”
“I did. I plan to rest.”
“Then, want to come with me to the studio for the shoot? It’s for the Assassination Daily. I’m going to be all dolled up. A perfect chance to see the super-pretty Gray...”
I paused.
Should I?
The studio is in Hattengraj, in the Empire.
Assassination Daily is imperial-owned.
Naturally, Gray won’t go alone. A senior professor will be assigned.
If I tag along without official orders, it might look bad to that professor.
Most professors who hated me are gone now, but the higher you fly, the harder the fall.
It’s best to play it safe.
Plus, I wanted to spend the weekend finishing the last 10% of my 『World Forgery』 training.
“Hard to say. Without any assignment from the department, going on my own would be difficult.”
“...Oh...”
Gray lowered her gaze after being turned down.
“...Right. I understand.”
“A senior professor will accompany you, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”
“It’s not that I’m worried... I just thought... you missed a good opportunity... Gray is going to be insanely pretty...”
“I’ll check the cover.”
“Gray’s a million times better in person... Ugh, never mind. It’s not like I’m disappointed or anything. Life’s a solo game anyway...”
She grumbled and walked off.
“Let’s go back to the dorm together.”
“...Why?”
“It’s late.”
“No thanks. It’s right there...”
She waved her hand.
“...See you.”
Still, she smiled at the end.
I turned to head back too—
And then.
‘A butterfly?’
Flutter, flutter...
It was the one that had flown off earlier.
How it returned, I don’t know.
It landed gently on my shoulder.
< [MP]: 45 / 1,751 (▼150) >
Then, without warning, my mana was drained.
『 World Forgery: Time Forgery [150,000 seconds / 1 frame] 』
Huh?
What the—? Why did [Time Forgery] activate on its own...?
And 150,000 seconds? That’s nearly three days.
At the same time, something peeked out next to the status window.
...00 sec / 1 frame] 』
...00 sec / 1 frame] 』ㅇ)
...00 sec / 1 frame] 』ㅅㅇ)
You little... That’s when I saw her.
Off in the distance, Gray turned back to glance at me—then flipped me off.
“Idiot! Butthead! Go catch a cold while slacking off...!”
Then she ran.
Idiot? Butthead...?
I chuckled, then went home to wash up and reflect on the new formulas I’d learned before falling asleep.
The next day I stayed in the mansion.
Then came Sunday night. A panicked call came in.
– Professor! It’s urgent...!
“What is it?”
– Sorry for calling so late... but Cadet Gray... the last time you saw her...
“What? Speak clearly.”
– ...In the Empire... assassination... critical injuries...
The next moment, I was already dressed and running outside.
I reached the Hiaka Warp Station and met with disciplinary agents. Even though it was off-hours, 20 people had gathered. The air was tense.
“Professor... the culprit...”
“Who!”
“...Apologies... Not yet identified...”
They handed me a few photos and an investigation report from the Imperial Security Office.
“...A bombing...”
The next place I went was the hospital. Senior Professor Wilhelm, who had accompanied her, was also severely wounded. In the next room, after emergency surgery, Gray looked up at me.
“Pro...fessor...”
I said something, and she answered plainly. Said she got caught in a blast just before the shoot. Then she added:
“I can... still do... the shoot, right...?”
“What?”
“I mean... it’s just... my leg, right...? So... I can... still do it... right...?”
I tried to speak, but my mouth stayed shut.
Because it wasn’t just ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) her leg.
If you looked up, you’d see half her face burned, wrapped in bandages.
There was no way she could appear on the cover of Assassination Daily like that. Hell, she was the target of an assassination.
What kind of answer could I possibly give?
I froze in silence.
Apparently, it wasn’t short.
“...Why? Why?”
Her eyes squinted with pain.
Her lips trembled.
And down her cheek—tears.
“...I can’t... anymore...?”
Weeks passed after that.
Scenes of Gray sitting in the hospital bed came to me over and over.
I overheard someone mention that the Assassination Daily issue was a hit.
But Gray wasn’t the cover model.
Someone else had taken her place.
“.......”
In the final frame, my gaze locked onto Gray’s bowed back—her small, hunched figure.
Right after that, the entire world around us—me, Gray, and her hospital room—shattered.
“.......”
I was standing on the street.
In front of Cain Hall.
Off in the distance, that same gray-haired girl walked away, swaying slightly.
Then she turned and lifted her hand.
“Idiot! Butthead! Go catch a cold while slacking off...!”
It was like being hit in the back of the head with a hammer.
Like someone had just pulled the trigger on Gray.
What I saw wasn’t [Time Forgery].
It was a sigil formula shown to me by the Watchtower Star.
The Watchtower Star had shown me a forged timeline—one that had already barreled toward a grim ending.
Now she turned to flee, just like she had in that fake time.
“Gray Habanero!”
I raised my voice in desperation.
“What—?! I hate you! Don’t talk to me...!”
“I’m going!”
“...What?!”
“I’ll go with you! The day after tomorrow!”
Gray froze in place.
Then, slowly, she turned back to me.
“.......”
She crept closer.
And in a tiny voice, she asked:
“...Really?”