Episode 110
Aiming for Profit
“Anyone can see that. But why?”
Idnia asked why Isolde was helping the demons.
“Ah, yes. This brooch has powerful magic that protects students in case of danger inside the academy’s dungeon.
Those people are from a demon scouting team. They came to install a beacon and investigate the ancient magic ruins inside the Dynaise Academy.
The demons believe they are the true heirs of the ancient magic civilization. Actually, some of the academy’s facilities were originally used by demons.”
Isolde avoided answering Idnia’s real question.
“No, my question is—why you chose to help them, Isolde.”
“That’s…”
Isolde went quiet. She had been talking about other things to avoid answering. But Idnia wasn’t asking about the demons—she was asking about her.
Isolde couldn’t dodge the question anymore.
“If I say I can’t answer, will you get angry?”
“Then sadly, I’ll start imagining things on my own. I know it’s rude to guess someone’s personal reasons, but sometimes you can’t stop your imagination.
Like when someone says, ‘Don’t think about an elephant,’ and then all you can think about is an elephant.”
“…You really speak well, Idnia.”
Isolde was amazed by how smoothly Idnia spoke.
“So, what do you think? Let’s imagine that elephant.”
“Well… after that Wizard Ball match, your behavior changed. That was when you met a relative from your mother’s side, right?
Now, you’re working with the demons. So maybe that relative was a contact from the demons.
You’re one of the top students at Dynaise Academy—you wouldn’t believe them without a good reason. So, they must’ve been very persuasive.
Unless… you were already obsessed with demons and wanted to join them.”
“…”
Isolde sighed deeply. There was no point hiding it anymore.
“Yes, you’re right. My mother was a demon. She was a spy sent to watch the Emperor. And I’m half-demon.”
She sat down on the ground.
“Are you happy now? I betrayed the Empire because I was scared people would find out.
I helped the demons set up a gateway into the academy to keep them quiet.
Now, take me away. I’m sure both the academy and the Empire will reward you for turning me in.”
“I would never do that.”
Idnia shook her head.
“The Emperor’s favorite was secretly a demon? No way they’d let that information spread.
They’ll probably deal with it quietly. Even if I get a reward, it’ll be something small—definitely not any public recognition.”
“…”
“Don’t worry, Isolde. I won’t hand you over. Didn’t you hear what I said about the Empress Dowager earlier?”
“…What?”
Isolde remembered the earlier conversation.
The Empress Dowager. The demons’ scouting team and her mother, Aura Folchen, were loyal to that faction.
The truth was, the demon army’s general and the demon grand mage were fighting for power. But officially, it was a succession war between the First Prince, the Second Prince, and the Second Prince’s regent—the Empress Dowager.
And that Empress Dowager was…
‘The former Saintess Flora… Idnia Katche Betelgeuse’s mother?’
Not only was the former Saintess alive, she had secretly married the Demon King while already having a husband.
This was a huge scandal. And just like Isolde didn’t want her own secret revealed, Idnia probably wanted to keep hers hidden too.
“I see. You don’t want that getting out either. But why are you telling me this?”
“To let you know I won’t tell your secret. And I want us to work together on this.”
“Work together?”
“Yes. I may be from a noble family, but I don’t have a lot of money or people to help me.
I need someone trustworthy to work with—someone smart like you.”
Idnia knew keeping Isolde close would be more useful than turning her in.
But Isolde wasn’t sure she could trust her.
“Well, if you’d rather confess to the Empire and be burned at the stake, I won’t stop you. But I really don’t recommend it.”
“…”
Isolde had no choice. Work with Idnia—or be executed.
Idnia calmly asked her a question.
“So, what are the demons planning to do with the beacon?”
“Oh… They want to connect this dungeon to another entrance, so they can come and go more easily.
They think if they study the ruins, they can claim ownership of the Dynaise Academy.”
“I see. Then we should report this to a professor.”
“…Okay.”
Isolde nodded, looking down.
‘So she’s not handing me to the Empire but to the academy… I feel so stupid for hoping she’d forgive me.
I helped the enemy and still wanted to be forgiven… how pathetic.’
Still feeling ashamed, Isolde offered her hand.
“Alright. Take me away.”
“How many times do I have to say it? I’m not going to do that.”
“…But didn’t you say you’re giving me to the academy?”
“I don’t want to turn this into a big mess.
Anyway, I have something else to ask.”
“…?”
Isolde was confused. She had already confessed everything. What more could Idnia want to ask?
“Well… I didn’t bring a bag, and I need to carry a lot of stuff out.
What’s a good way to carry a lot at once?”
“What do you mean?”
“I paid 500 Aka coins to Professor Magram to enter the dungeon. That’s a lot of money.
I need to at least break even—or I’ll be in debt.”
“Wait, what?”
Isolde couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Idnia was talking about making her money back? Right now?
“So, how do I carry more items at once?”
“Ah… maybe you could use a floating spell on a flat board and load stuff on it?”
“Oh, that’s smart. But I never learned floating magic…”
“I… I can do it. Or teach you, if you want?”
“That sounds great!”
Idnia tried to cast the spell as Isolde taught her.
But her floating magic gave the board way too much power—it shot up like a rocket.
Idnia clearly had trouble controlling small amounts of magic. She was good at big bursts, but not gentle, steady spells.
“…You can use tough spells just fine, but you can’t manage easy ones. Maybe your magic pathways are strange.”
Isolde already knew Idnia was different. She once made water magic explode. Yet she also ran the best-selling shop in town.
“Yeah, this is hard. It’s not working.”
“Then I’ll do it.”
Isolde bent a signboard into a sled shape and floated it about 50cm above the ground. She added cords to pull it.
Idnia placed soda bottles on it.
“As expected from a top student. Great! Now that we can carry more, let’s go find more valuable items.”
“But… what if the demon team is still around…?”
Isolde was worried, but Idnia waved her hand.
“No way! They must’ve run off, scared we’d call the professors.
Besides, who knows when we’ll get back in here. Even if we don’t make big money, I refuse to lose any!”
“You want to risk your life for profit?! Are you serious?!”
Idnia’s eyes were glowing with excitement. This noble lady was clearly obsessed with money.
Later…
When Idnia and Isolde came out of the dungeon, the alchemy class was already over.
At the entrance, Principal Ludwig, Vice Principal Deneuve, Alchemy Instructor Naili, and Professor Magram were waiting.
“Principal, Idnia and Isolde have returned,” said Deneuve.
Ludwig nodded to Naili.
“Instructor Naili, you allowed them to leave during class. Please wrap up your lesson.”
“Yes, thank you. Idnia, do you know why I’m here?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry.”
“You left class without permission. That’s 2 demerits.”
It was fair punishment. But honestly, it was light considering what Idnia had really done.
“The punishment isn’t over. Idnia, I also order you to take… chemistry.”
“Huh?”
“Naili…”
Ludwig and Deneuve were surprised. Ordering a student to take chemistry as punishment wasn’t normal.
But—
“Oh, chemistry? I actually wanted to take that anyway.”
“…What? Really?”
Chemistry was the least popular class. Naili was shocked that Idnia wanted to take it.
“Wait—are you… trying to flirt with me? Oh no… Idnia! Is this pollen you’re throwing at me? These humans always want to pollinate when they see a dryad…”
“Instructor?”
Isolde called out to the rambling Naili.
“Idnia, this punishment is only for leaving class. You don’t have to take chemistry, unless you really mean it…”
“I do. I truly want to learn chemistry. I’m excited!”
“Ahhh… I’m going to self-pollinate! I don’t even need surgery! I’m going to sprout! Multiply! Oh no!”
Overcome with joy and excitement, Instructor Naili left, completely flustered.
