Chapter 112 - Chapter 111: Summoned by the Academy Director
Mika had been talking with Yaroibarov until well past noon.
The "black cocoon" known as Artorum.
A young man with reddish-brown hair who seemed connected to both the Chimera and the black cocoon.
Mika conveyed all of this to Yaroibarov, but it seemed he had no recollection of them.
He did mention the spells "Tear Apart" and "Burst" used by the young man, but only kept it to a very simple scope.
Something about soldiers' bodies being torn apart and small explosions occurring.
The reason was that explaining in detail would likely lead to trouble.
(At first glance, it looks just like my "magic name." The blame might turn toward me.)
Still, he conveyed that some strange phenomenon had occurred.
Even with information of this level, there might be a difference between having it and not having it.
...It would be enough if it proved useful to at least some degree.
When the conversation ended and Mika went down to the first floor, Kistil happened to be coming out of the dining hall.
"Oh, Mr. Yaroibarov, is the meal prep... Mika-kun!?"
Kistil let out a surprised voice, noticing Mika who had been hidden behind Yaroibarov's body.
Seeing Mika's face, Kistil smiled.
"You came. Hello, Mika-kun."
Mika's slightly roughened heart lightened a bit by Kistil's usual fluffy atmosphere.
"Hello, Kistil-san. How is your work?"
"It's very fun. There's a lot to learn, so it's a bit tough."
Kistil answered with a bright smile.
No matter what the job, there is a lot to learn at the beginning and it is tough.
If she can smile like this, she must be fulfilled.
As Mika and Kistil smiled and laughed at each other, Yaroibarov cleared his throat.
"Oh... Kistil? Is the meal ready?"
"Oh, I'm sorry! Sorry, Mr. Yaroibarov. I came to call you because it's ready."
Kistil remembered she had forgotten her errand and panicked.
But why does even that look make her seem so cute?
"Well..."
But Yaroibaro's expression turned to one of thought.
"Boy, what about your meal?"
"Hm? I'll eat somewhere casually."
If they went to the main street, there were plenty of places to eat.
Should they try a shop they've never eaten at today?
"Then, give him my share."
"No, it's fine. The talk is over, so I'll just eat something casually."
Yaroibarov gave an order to Kistil, but Mika hesitated.
"Today I entrusted the meal prep to Kistil for the first time. It's fine, go ahead and eat it."
"Eh?"
Looking at Kistil, her face turned slightly red with embarrassment.
"Did Kistil-san make it?"
"U-um..."
Kistil looked down a bit and nodded without confidence.
"She was already able to do more than the basics originally. I just taught her a little trick and told her to try it."
"Oh, I see..."
Yaroibarov explained with a grin.
"It's Kistil's first big job. Go ahead and eat it."
"But if I do that, your share will be..."
"I can whip up your meal quickly. Here, eat it before it gets cold."
Saying that, Yaroibarov pushed Mika's back.
Facing Kistil.
"Um... is it okay?"
"Yes... I'd be happy if you ate it, Mika-kun..."
"Hey, don't be shy about that. Go quickly."
Yaroibarov pushed both Mika and Kistil's backs, shoving them further into the dining hall.
Thus, a table separate from the other employees' tables was prepared for Mika, and a meal for two people was set there.
The meal consisted of a main dish like a meat-heavy stir-fry with vegetables, a vegetable soup with plenty of smoked meat, and bread.
The amount was larger than Mika's usual meal size.
It seemed a considerable amount had been prepared as Yaroibarov's share.
The other children employees also seemed to have served more than usual, but there was still a little left over.
Yaroibarov said he would eat the leftovers.
"Mika-kun, can you really eat that much...?"
Mika had roughly conveyed his usual eating amount, so it was almost exactly as requested.
At that amazing amount, Kistil's eyes were wide open.
"Well, I guess I can. I exercised a lot this morning, so I'm hungry."
Mika passed off the battle with the Chimera as exercise.
"Alright, you two can eat first."
Yaroibarov called out from the kitchen.
Currently, Yaroibarov was cooking his own meal.
A pleasant rhythm of chopping vegetables could be heard, but he had been doing it for a while now.
How long has he been chopping?
"Then, let's eat."
"Y-yes... I hope it tastes good."
Kistil looked at Mika anxiously.
Mika took a bite of the meat and vegetable stir-fry.
Unlike last week's test, it seemed various seasonings were used.
It was slightly spicy and really delicious when eaten with bread.
"It's delicious, Kistil-san."
When Mika said that, Kistil's face looked relieved.
"You don't have to worry so much... You were good at cooking originally, weren't you?"
"But... I still get anxious."
It seemed popular with the other children too, and Kistil finally smiled.
But when she took a bite herself, her expression clouded a bit.
"What's wrong?"
"Yes... It seems the flavor got a bit too strong."
"Is that so? It's delicious though?"
Kistil seemed dissatisfied with the meal she made.
"I did taste it properly..."
Probably, while tasting it many times while adjusting the flavor, her tongue had become accustomed to it.
The seasoning that felt just right at the time felt strong when the tongue settled down later.
The bald department head who loved cooking as a hobby said this was common when challenging unfamiliar seasonings.
I wonder if he's doing well, that bald guy.
Ah, no, that's not a good way to say it, yeah.
Parting with a long-time friend is hard.
Mika had just realized that only a little while ago.
Although he came back safely that time!
"It seems that gets better as you get used to making it? It's delicious now, but Kistil-san has quite high standards."
"Is that so? Thank you, Mika-kun."
Having an apprentice make the meal also meant testing their skills.
It seemed he had taught her some tricks, so he probably wanted to see how well she could do it.
After that, they proceeded with the meal normally.
As Mika and the others ate, Yaroibarov cooked an amount of food that surprised even Mika and began eating it with fierce speed.
Yaroibarov seemed to have eaten the meal Kistil made while cooking his own, and he gave the same impression as Kistil.
To Mika, it was a sufficiently delicious meal, but apparently, it wasn't yet at the level to serve to inn guests.
One of the reasons Yaroibarov's inn was prosperous was undoubtedly this cooking.
In inns, meals were charged separately.
Yaroibarov's inn had a moderate price for lodging, but the food seemed to be quite expensive.
Adventurers who earned money ordered and ate expensive dishes constantly, so they probably made their gross profit from that.
When Ninetiana asked him before, he said something like "barely getting by," but I think that was modesty.
Thus, having lunch at Yaroibarov's inn, Mika became so full that moving was a bother.
Rubbing his tight stomach, Mika returned to the dormitory.
■■■■■■
Tuesday of the 5th week of the 3rd Month of Wind.
Only four days left this year.
"Then, I will take my leave."
Saying that, the sports-type teacher Kefkof left the room.
Mika looked resentfully at the door that closed ruthlessly with a bang.
At this time of year when the year-end was approaching, the Leventein Group was summoned to the Academy Director's office.
(In terms of timing, it must be about that thing.)
Yesterday, Cleiria acquired [Heal] and collapsed safely from mana depletion.
Hm?
Acquired [Heal] safely and collapsed from mana depletion, huh.
Or rather, isn't she not safe either way?
(Well, whatever. The problem is...)
This means that the entire Leventein Group and Cleiria have now acquired two [God's Miracles].
And this timing for the summons.
Then, I know the purpose.
However, what is unknown is their demand.
Will they say "teach us" because they don't know the method, or "stop it" because they know the method?
Or perhaps they will demand something else.
Mika let out a soft sigh and gazed at the Academy Director's office.
Right next to it was a large table and sofa for visitors, and deep inside was a large, heavy desk.
And on the other side of the desk was an old man who seemed to be sleeping or awake.
He might be a bit younger than Kifrod, but his nearly white hair and beard showed he was quite elderly.
"Hum. In the end, it was eight people. A bit too many."
Muttering such things, the Academy Director Maurice leaned on his cane and moved from the door in the back to the adjacent room.
The adjacent room felt like a small conference room.
Mika and the others sat down appropriately as urged by Maurice.
"Well, you know why you were summoned."
Asked by Maurice, everyone looked at each other as if asking.
"No, we don't know—Gah!?"
"Mika-kun!?"
"Mika!?"
Just as he tried to play dumb, he was punched in the stomach and blown backward with the chair.
Rimliche and Cleiria on both sides called out to Mika like a scream.
Looking down while lying on the floor, it was the cane Maurice had been using.
The cane held by Maurice under the table was clearly longer than before.
It seemed to be a cane equipped with a function to extend and retract like a magic staff.
The cane extended smoothly and returned to its original length.
"Boy. Next time you pull such nonsense, I'll make you regret it so much you won't be able to. I'm not summoning you for fun."
Maurice, with a sleepy face, opened one eye slightly.
It seemed he would have to face this with resolve or something bad would happen.
Mika slowly stood up, straightened the chair, and sat down again.
"Mika-kun."
"Mika..."
Rimliche and Cleiria looked at him with faces mixed with worry and anxiety.
Looking around, the others were similar.
It seemed they had to go seriously for everyone's sake.
He cleared his throat lightly.
"My apologies. Regarding the acquisition of [God's Miracles]. I can guess that much, but beyond that..."
Maurice nodded as if satisfied with Mika's answer.
"You guys suddenly started acquiring [God's Miracles] recently. And a second one... including [Physical Enhancement], a third one? The third one wasn't that difficult. How are you doing it?"
"...Even if you ask how, I think everyone is just doing their best?"
Mika deliberately used a phrasing that could be interpreted in many ways.
He didn't know if the Academy had noticed the trick of [God's Miracles] being all-in, so he tried testing it a bit.
Mostly, since everyone was collapsing from mana depletion, the answer should be reached immediately from the situation.
But since the intention of the summons was unknown, he wanted to probe the Academy's thoughts a bit.
"Oh... all out, huh."
Maurice raised one eyebrow while keeping his sleepy face.
Even with Mika's deliberately vague phrasing, Maurice didn't seem to mind much.
(I'll try testing a bit...)
Mika slowly raised his hand lightly.
"Um... is it okay?"
"What is it?"
"Can I go home?"
"Huh?"
"Eh!?"
Everyone in the Leventein Group looked at Mika with blank or startled faces.
Maurice opened only one eye and looked at Mika.
"Why?"
"Because I don't match the conditions you just mentioned. It seems I was summoned by mistake."
The reason Maurice had was for those who "suddenly started acquiring recently," so this condition didn't apply to Mika.
He had been answering as a representative, but it seemed Mika was an outsider after all.
...He tried making a face like that.
Cecilia glared at him with a face saying "You're trying to escape alone, that's cheating!", but Mika kept a cool face.
He was wondering how the Academy would react.
"Buwahahaha!"
Maurice laughed loudly.
This reaction was unexpected.
After laughing for a while, Maurice's atmosphere changed a bit from before.
"Don't worry. It's not a mistake. It must be your suggestion."
If he lied here, would he be blown away by the cane again?
Mika shrugged his shoulders and decided to answer honestly out of necessity.
Besides, with this phrasing, he would probably be guessed to have a general idea.
"I wouldn't call it a suggestion, but it started when I mentioned 'maybe it's like this?'"
"I see."
Maurice nodded with a hum-hum sound.
From this scene, the Academy had already noticed the all-in strategy for [God's Miracles]?
"It's the first time I've heard of someone noticing it in the first year of elementary division. Indeed, there is a certain trick to acquiring [God's Miracles]."
Saying that, Maurice stroked his beard.
"Rarely, someone notices it around the upper division. Those people are summoned like this and silenced."
"Silenced?"
"Yes. Told strictly not to speak of it. After all, it concerns life and death."
"Eh!?"
Everyone was startled by Maurice's words.
"If the state of mana depletion continues for a long time, rarely people lose their lives. Therefore, we do not explicitly forbid trying this method, but rather warn against trying it recklessly. ...Once you know, people will try it, right?"
Managing one's remaining mana capacity had been said a lot since the days of the Leventein Academy, but it seemed there was such a reason.
It seemed they were instilling the consciousness that causing mana depletion was shameful, psychologically making them avoid it.
"First of all, why does mana depletion cause fainting? It is said to be a body defense function."
To recover mana as quickly as possible, consciousness is forcibly lost to enter a recovery mode-like state.
This is thought to be the mechanism of fainting due to mana depletion.
"If the depleted state continues for a long time, is that what they say?"
"That is what is said. I believe it is correct."
If so, am I safe?
Mika's mana depletion lasted only a few seconds.
He recovered before entering the forced recovery mode, so he was probably safe.
He decided to think so.
Or rather, he hoped it was true.
(If this is wrong, I won't be able to use [Physical Enhancement] anymore...)
He felt the gazes from everyone directed at Mika had turned slightly cold.
Even though he didn't know, it seemed he had put them in a terrible risk.
(But if so, if you hold a mana recovery potion in hand, you can acquire it easily without risk, right?)
He thought, but even if you try to dedicate all your mana, you might panic because you don't know when it will manifest, and fail to drink it.
Rather than forcing a risky method, it seems the policy is to acquire it by oneself.
"That's why. Don't do it too obviously. As long as you don't speak of it, we won't stop you from doing it yourself."
Maurice looked around at the children.
"Um... can I say something?"
Mika slowly raised his hand lightly again.
"What is it?"
"Why are you telling this now?"
Isn't it too late to say?
The Academy should have noticed much earlier.
But why did they wait until now?
When Mika raised that question, Maurice looked a bit troubled.
"Wait. I was ordered to wait. That's all I can say."
Ordered?
By the Academy Director?
(Who can give orders to the top of the Academy, the Academy Director...)
Outside the Academy.
The Kingdom Army and the Court Magic Institute involved in the operation of the Magic Academy.
He didn't know where else the orders might come from, but probably from outside the Academy.
Mika couldn't even imagine it.
Anyway, by the time the Academy noticed, the information was already shared with the Leventein Group.
It seemed Maurice had received an order to wait until the Leventein Group acquired it before telling them.
So, it seemed they waited to summon them until Cleiria acquired it.
"Oh, by the way, many teachers don't know about this either. Since it's teachers, don't blurt it out."
It seemed the teacher who had laughed at the Leventein Group for not being able to manage mana was one of those who didn't know.
No, maybe he knew and mocked them on purpose?
So that no one would try to imitate them.
"Then, go ahead and do your best with your own judgment. The Academy would be grateful if you acquired them as much as possible."
Maurice grinned like that.