Chapter 56. Midterms (7)
Hazen’s laboratory was unusually messy.
Towers of papers and books were stacked throughout the room, yet everything else was neatly arranged, creating a strange contrast.
The lab, unified in deep blue tones, contained items that seemed oddly out of place: a sofa for receiving guests, a refrigerator-shaped magical device with preservation magic, a whetstone, a burner-shaped magical device imbued with fire magic—everything was orderly yet strange to the eye.
Hazen was writing a letter while cross-referencing his research notes on the desk when a knock sounded from outside.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Come in.”
Ban Astrea entered.
“Hello.”
“Sit wherever you like.”
After finishing the letter, Hazen sealed it with wax, then retrieved a packaged box from the refrigerator device and placed it in front of Ban.
“This bread was bought this morning. Eat if you like. Do you want something to drink?”
“No, thank you. We just had a meal together, so I’m full.”
“I see.”
A brief silence followed.
Ban waited for Hazen to bring up the topic, while Hazen, after quickly finishing a donut from the box, spoke.
“Before getting to the main point, how’s life at the academy?”
“It’s fairly satisfying. It’s fun too.”
“That’s good. I was worried you might be anxious after facing life-threatening situations three times in a row. But I guess that concern was unnecessary.”
Ban gave a wry smile.
Except for the first incident, the others were just slightly harder than predicted in the game, so they weren’t taken too seriously.
“How about Castro? He doesn’t talk much about you.”
“I’m not close with my uncle, but we aren’t on bad terms either. Just a normal uncle-nephew relationship.”
“I see.”
Another silence followed.
Ban tried to act casual, but his mind was a little tangled.
‘What is it? Is it such a serious matter that he needs ice-breaking? Well, technically it is important…’
In the game, Professor Hazen was a cold character who led conversations directly. Now, his attitude toward Ban felt unusually gentle.
‘Is it because of guilt?’
Considering the recent events, it wasn’t strange. Yet Hazen had never approached a conversation like this before, so Ban was slightly surprised.
Once their discussion about the academy and Castro—their only connection—was over, Hazen didn’t know what to say next.
Eventually, he abandoned ice-breaking and went straight to the point.
“First, as Maria must have told you, I apologize again. That you nearly died was the responsibility of the faculty, myself included. As the one who led the exam, I bear a large part of the responsibility.”
“No. The problem lies with the criminal. We can’t hold professors accountable for not preventing it in advance.”
“Thank you. That eases my mind a little.”
“You’re welcome.”
“As you may know, the cause of this incident was the evolution of the Giant Dioneas. The faculty assumed these were variants with potential for evolution, unlike the originals, and handed over the bodies to the Church for investigation and research.”
In the Empire, the Lumen Church’s monster hunting unit confronted and studied magical beasts the most. So it wasn’t strange to hand them over. But Ban still felt uneasy.
‘This must have something to do with the Church as well.’
Hazen then handed him a neatly organized file.
“However, my personal investigation revealed that the Giant Dioneas used in the exam had no potential for evolution.”
Ban was startled but slowly examined the file. It was identical to the “Hazen’s Investigation Records” Easter egg in Spell Breaker.
This file could be found by exploring Hazen’s destroyed lab after the ending. It proved that he had secretly pursued the Lost Paradise and explained why Hazen often helped during critical boss encounters.
But something felt odd.
‘Why is he showing me this now?’
The investigation began after the third attack. The timing could have been accelerated due to the second attack during the dungeon contest, but showing it to him now felt strange.
‘Is he testing whether I’m involved in this?’
Unable to discern Hazen’s intent, Ban first checked the table of contents.
Import process of the Giant Dioneas
Investigation of the Giant Dioneas corpses
Casualties in joint tactics
Ban read through the contents.
The report on the acquisition process showed no issues. The Church captured the monsters, applied weakening magic in the magic tower, and the knights transported them.
But something was strange in the corpse investigation.
‘The monster’s toxicity is lower than the original, but its magic is high?’
Ban’s vision momentarily swirled.
‘These crazy people…’
A monster’s toxicity comes from demons. In Spell Breaker, toxicity only weakens if a human sacrifice is performed.
Once, when facing a demon specialized in toxicity, forcing humans as a sacrifice increased the demon’s power while neutralizing its poison. Ban never used this because it was inhumane—but he hadn’t imagined enemies would.
The next file confirmed his suspicion.
‘Three fatalities. All first-year students of Beryl faction’s holy division. None of their relatives questioned it.’
Hazen noticed Ban’s expression.
“You’ve figured something out.”
Ban met Hazen’s gaze, hesitating.
He wasn’t sure if he should reveal it. Human sacrifice had occurred, and the mastermind was Beryl Daut, the next archbishop. Internal enemies existed, but he doubted Hazen would attack the Church.
Hazen was rational. Would he irrationally antagonize one of the Empire’s four great powers?
Seeing Ban hesitate, Hazen asked,
“Let me guess. The fatalities are closely linked to the weakened monsters, and Beryl Daut or the Lumen Church is behind it. Am I correct?”
“…Yes.”
“I see.”
Hazen fell silent for a moment, making Ban tense.
Rationally, if there’s no reason to oppose the Church, it’s best to stay out. But Hazen surprised him.
“The reason I called you here is different from what I just said.”
“What is it?”
“I want you to investigate the Beryl faction in my place.”
“You mean… you’ll oppose the Church? Professor?”
“Why would that be strange?”
“I thought you were extremely rational.”
Hazen smiled.
“As you said, I like rationality. Normally, there’s no reason to oppose the Church. But I think the mastermind is Beryl Daut, and the archbishop is unaware. If I can gather clear evidence, I can take down the culprit without further escalation.
And I’m an educator. My students frequently face danger—I cannot leave them helpless. Trials they face must always be surmountable.”
To him, irrationality wasn’t facing unbeatable foes—it was standing by while losing those around him. He’d suffered an unhealing wound in the Eastern-Western War.
Even if the Church was involved, he would oppose and destroy it if necessary.
Ban smiled, realizing how good an educator Hazen was. Hazen noticed his reaction and added,
“Factions hold influence at Iris Academy, but a professor digging into them could cause problems. I want your help as a student. If you accept, I’ll support you fully, even helping with unreasonable requests a few times. How about it?”
In short, “I’ll back you—go investigate the Beryl faction.”
It was an ideal offer for Ban. Seeing the recent events, Beryl could act even more drastically. So it was better to strike first, then prepare thoroughly before Lost Paradise made a full move.
But he had a question before accepting.
“Why me? Aren’t there students more capable than me?”
“No. In my view, you are the most outstanding student at Iris Academy, Ban Astrea.”
“…Me?”
Being praised was fine, but this surprised him.
‘Did he notice me moving in disguise?’
As Ban retraced his steps, Hazen interpreted his reaction differently.
‘He must have noticed—but still intends to hide his abilities?’
Hazen had no intention of forcing the truth. Ban often got involved in big incidents and faced death, so he might have a grand plan.
“Strength isn’t important. You’ve always taken the lead and been central in crises. No other third-year student has faced life-threatening situations like you. That’s why you are the most outstanding student, Ban Astrea.”
Ban had only tried to protect Reina each time, but Hazen thought surviving itself was remarkable.
Ban felt all his efforts had been recognized. Smiling, he extended his hand.
“I accept, Professor.”
“Good. I look forward to working with you, Ban Astrea.”
They shook hands firmly, smiling confidently.
Hazen then remembered something.
“The reports say the second intruder who appeared at the freshman ceremony has shown up again.”
Ban stiffened. He hadn’t imagined Hazen already knew.
‘It’s been five days… I guess it’s natural he knows.’
Fortunately, Hazen didn’t notice his reaction.
“Appearing at Iris Academy twice, they must be skilled.”
“Haha… I guess so?”
“But for some reason, they’re acting covertly, avoiding professors. Perhaps they are famous and don’t want their identity deduced.”
‘They just know they’d lose if caught.’
Ban only smiled awkwardly.
“They seem to appear when you’re in danger. I’d like you to figure out their identity and purpose. But if it’s too dangerous, run. Life is more important than anything else.”
“I’ll try.”
Ban quickly changed the topic before it went deeper.
“Oh, by the way, what about the exam?”
The midterms had finished while he was asleep.
“What do you want me to do? You were a victim and proved your abilities, so I could make you score full marks on all midterms.”
“I don’t need full marks. Just avoid failing.”
Hazen gave a wry smile.
“Very well. That’s what I’ll do.”
