第５９１堀：噂話の精査 (Part1)
**Chapter 591: Scrutinizing the Rumors**
**Side: Yuki**
“……And that is the story.”
I listened to the tale told by Mikos, who claimed to be a friend of Kagura, and felt a complicated mix of emotions. We gathered in the corner of the classroom, the Weed members huddling together to discuss it.
“The ‘Seven Mysteries of the Academy’—how cliché.”
“Don’t say that, Taiki-kun.”
Before I could voice my own thoughts, Taiki-kun, who had been listening nearby, beat me to it. When I first heard the report from Labyris, I thought it might lead us to a breakthrough, but the more details I heard, the more it felt like the academy itself had turned into a dungeon. Or rather, a haunted house.
“I mean, it’s surprising that they have ghost stories here, too.”
“Come to think of it, we never hear these kinds of things on the Rogari Continent, do we?”
As Taiki-kun and I tilted our heads in confusion, Deryu, who was standing beside us, began to explain.
“That’s only natural. On the Rogari Continent, ‘ghosts’ are treated as monsters—undead like ghosts or zombies.”
““Ah.””
“The stories about voices in the library or paths that stretch on forever? Those are common types of traps.”
A convincing explanation. On the Rogari Continent, as Deryu said, it would just be a matter of dealing with monsters. Moreover, since it would be happening in a populated area, it would be addressed immediately, leaving no room for it to become a ‘mystery.’
But this New Continent has no monsters. Therefore, the equation ‘Ghost = Monster’ doesn’t hold up, turning these occurrences into scary stories or supernatural mysteries instead. Well, even on the Rogari Continent, there are likely strange superstitions in rural areas, but…
“Um, was there some kind of problem?”
As we were discussing this, Kagura, Kanna, and our valuable source of information, Mikos, approached us with anxious expressions.
“No, it’s fine. There’s no problem at all.”
I replied with a smile for the time being. Honestly, I’d like to get out of this academy as soon as possible, but I suppose that’s not an option.
“For now, judging by what Labyris said, these library ghost stories and mysteries are related to the ‘First Founder,’ the ancestor of Kagura-dono and Kanna-dono, right?”
“Yes. I arrived at this story because of the instructions written on the back of the stone monument telling me to go to the library, so I don’t think it’s unrelated. Well, I suppose there’s a possibility it could be a coincidence, but…”
“It’s hard to believe it’s a coincidence in this situation…”
That’s too optimistic. It’s clearly the influence of some kind of Kamishiro-style illusion or warding magic. I don’t think it’s something you can just walk up and take.
“We should prepare. It’s dangerous to act carelessly. Everyone, don’t go rushing off on your own.”
When I said that, everyone nodded.
“Well, it’s a good thing we didn’t investigate the library thoroughly yet. Now, Mikos-san. Do you know of any other mysteries in this academy?”
“Eh? Other ones?”
“Yes. Given the situation, I think we should grasp the other mysteries as well. As you’ve heard, the location was specified using characters known only to the Kamishiro family, and there are strange rumors surrounding that very place…”
“Ah, I see. That means we might find traces of the founder, Kamishiro-sama, in other places that have similar mysteries.”
Mikos clapped her hands in realization. However, there’s usually one person in every class who loves rumors like this, and in many ways, it feels like a death flag.
“Exactly. So, Mikos-san, would you be willing to cooperate?”
“Leave it to me! And please, Yuki-sama, just call me Mikos. I’m only the daughter of a baron, after all.”
With that, Mikos knelt and bowed to all of us. Ah, right. A noble of baron status is in a position where their head could roll based on our whim.
“I don’t think you’re ‘only’ a baron, but I’ll spare you the formalities and call you Mikos.”
“Yes. Thank you, Yuki-sama.”
“And you don’t need the ‘sama’.”
“But I can’t just address the Prince Consort of another country without honorifics…”
“‘Teacher’ will do. That way, it’s easier to manage the teacher-student dynamic. Everyone agrees, right?”
When I said that, the others nodded in agreement.
“It’s more detrimental to miss out on information because you’re being overly formal. So, please, relax.”
“Hmm.”
Mikos looked around, appearing slightly troubled. Seeing her gaze, Kagura spoke up.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve been told I can call him just ‘Yuki,’ and he’s not so narrow-minded that he’d go back on his word.”
“……If Kagura says so. Then, Yuki-sensei, I’m in your care.”
And just like that, we successfully dragged Mikos into our academy exploration team and began asking about the other rumors.
“So, Yuki-sensei, what kind of rumors or mysteries should I tell you about specifically?”
It wasn’t me, but Kagura who answered Mikos’s question.
“Just tell us all the ones you know.”
“No, no, Kagura, just how many rumors do you think there are? This academy is over 500 years old! There are tons of them.”
“Is that so? I’ve never heard any.”
“That’s because you’ve been focused solely on your studies, Kagura. Even if you heard a rumor, you’d just let it go in one ear and out the other, right?”
“Well, I suppose so. So, Yuki, what kind of rumors are you looking for?”
“For now, basically the ones that have been around for a long time. Newer rumors are less likely to be relevant.”
“Understood. Rumors from the old days, then.”
Mikos opened the notebook she was carrying and began to search through it. By the way, this academy—or rather, Heiden—uses paper quite commonly. It’s paper made from plants, not parchment. Apparently, this was one of the great achievements of the first Kamishiro. I’m truly impressed that they managed to do so much on their own. It must be fulfilling for them to see students like Mikos easily using notebooks to take notes for their studies. Or perhaps, since they knew the hardships of studying, their primary goal was just to make money.
While I was thinking about that, Mikos pulled out another notebook and finished listing the noteworthy rumors from the one she had been checking.
“This is about all of them.”
We all peered into the notebook she held out. But, as expected, there were still quite a few. About 40 remained. Well, I suppose that’s to be expected with 500 years of history.
“Um, Academy Director, and Kanna-sama, Kagura’s older sister… if it’s the two of you, I think you could judge which of these rumors have been around for a long time…”
I see. We have the Academy Director and Kanna, both graduates, right here. The idea is to have them look through the list and narrow it down further.
“Let’s see… there’s this story about the ghost of a female student who committed suicide in Room 303 of the girls’ dormitory…”
“Eh!? W-wait a minute!? That’s my room!?”
It seems there was a rumor—or rather, a ghost story—specifically targeting Kagura, and she let out a strangely cute squeak.
“Do you know anything about it? The story goes that every night, bloodstains from the student who committed suicide appear on the floor, and if you follow them…”
“Kyaa!? Why didn’t you tell me!?”
“I did tell you! But you just brushed it off, saying it was impossible.”
Mikos replied while being shaken back and forth by Kagura.
“Now, now, Kagura, stop that. Mikos, about this rumor… Academy Director?”
“Indeed. I have confirmed this in the records. In Room 303…”
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the next words. Well, since it’s a point of contention, it’s likely not true, but I still wanted to know the truth behind the rumor.
“……There are various issues involved, so I will refrain from naming names, but there were students who engaged in illicit acts in that room.”
“They were people of fairly high standing, too. And from different countries, not just Heiden. It was quite a troublesome affair at the time. If I recall, it was about 20 years ago?”
“That sounds about right. However, you are well-informed. Kanna-dono should only be a few years older than Kagura-kun…”
“It seems one of the international students who was here during my time was involved.”