第６０８堀：世の中曲解して伝わることもよくある (Part1)
**Chapter 608: Misunderstandings Often Spread Through the World**
**Side: Taizo**
"Hmm, hmm. It looks like a normal corridor to me."
"Indeed. How does it appear to you, Taizo-dono?"
Popuri-dono and Agil-dono asked for my opinion, but...
"I’m afraid I see nothing but an ordinary corridor as well."
What stretched out before my eyes was just a hallway—a connecting bridge between school buildings, with nothing particularly unusual about it. Ah, unlike in Japan, it wasn't made of wood, but brick. No, wait—the wooden structures back home were mostly due to budget constraints; well-funded buildings were sturdy, so brick wasn't exactly rare in Japan either.
This is the Magic Academy that Haiden prides itself on. They wouldn't use fire-prone materials like wood. If something went wrong, precious documents could be reduced to ash in a fire.
"Still, as Kagura-kun said, there’s a lot of foot traffic. I don't really see the point in calling someone here."
"Indeed. Many students are moving about for their classes, as usual."
As they said, this place was bustling with people. I couldn't grasp the intent behind calling someone to a location like this before moving them to a "secret room."
"Come to think of it, Principal, Kanna-dono, do you remember the faces of the people who brought you this information?"
"Let me see... it was a male student I didn't recognize."
"For me, it was a female student."
"Hmm? If that’s the case, the 'confession' theory Kagura-kun mentioned seems thin. I suppose that’s why you thought it wasn't a confession from the start?"
"Indeed. Until Kagura-kun pointed it out, I had forgotten that such a possibility existed."
"But Principal, since both you and I are of the same gender, isn't it difficult to assume this was a confession?"
"I suppose so."
"Mikos-kun, do you know the gender of the other person? The one who was invited?"
When I asked, Mikos-kun opened his notebook to check.
"Um, the senior who graduated last year was male, and the person invited was also of the same gender—a male. As expected, the 'confession' theory Kagura-kun mentioned is unlikely."
"You should have mentioned that information sooner."
"Well, you didn't ask, and honestly, I couldn't conclude anything from just three cases. Mikos-chan isn't at fault here."
Mikos-kun and Kagura-kun continued their friendly chatter, but we ignored them and pressed on.
"As Mikos-kun says, the information is too sparse to draw any firm conclusions."
"The others might have been of the opposite sex, after all."
"Besides, these kinds of solicitations are common near graduation..."
"And that’s assuming they even remember it clearly."
I see. It’s natural for talented individuals to be scouted. We should consider it a stroke of luck that the Principal, Kanna-dono, and Mikos-kun were able to hear from the graduates at all. In reality, there might have been many more rumors that simply went unnoticed.
"Akiten, do you sense anything?"
"Nope. I don't feel anything here, Toto-sama."
"What about the Water Dragon?"
*"No, I don't sense anything either."*
It seems neither the Great Yokai nor the Water God had any reaction. Should I assume this was just a standard solicitation? No, it’s too early to conclude. This was only one piece of information from Mikos-kun’s report. There are four other locations left. Perhaps we’ll find something there.
"Yuki-kun, let’s leave it at this for now and finish checking the remaining sites. We can investigate in detail later. If we have data, it’ll be easier to spot discrepancies between the locations."
"...You’re right. Everyone, let's move on for now. Let’s finish checking the remaining four spots by evening."
Following my suggestion, we headed to the other locations, but the results were lackluster.
"You don't feel anything here either?"
"Nothing at all, Taizo-ojichan."
*"Forgive me. I sense nothing here either."*
Just like that, the "spiritual sense" group had zero reaction, and we, the "scientific exploration" team, were the same...
"No strange points found here, either."
"Indeed."
"The only commonality is that they are all corridors with heavy foot traffic. There are no other similarities."
We had checked all five sites, but other than them being hallways, we found nothing.
"None of these places look particularly different. Actually, doesn't this school have a lot of connecting corridors?"
"I don't know... since this is a magic academy, I think it’s rational to build the structures apart from one another. Even in Japanese schools, the classrooms and staff rooms you use daily are often in different buildings from the special classrooms or the gymnasium, right? There are many schools that use connecting corridors to link them. Especially in two or three-story buildings, the more floors you have, the more corridors you tend to see."
"Ah, now that you mention it, that’s true. So, it’s not actually that surprising."
"Hmm. I didn't have that experience in my rural school, so I suppose that’s just how it is. But if that’s the case, then 'corridor' is the only common denominator."
Even the Japanese group, familiar with the peculiarities of schools, couldn't find anything. Was it just a rumor after all?
"Hmm. How about this—have Eoid and Amanda, who know other magic schools, felt anything?"
That’s right. They attend different magic schools in this world. They might have a different perspective than ours. I held onto that hope, but things aren't always that convenient...
"Eh? No, I’m sorry. Nothing in particular..."
"I didn't feel anything either."
"I see. Don't worry about it. None of us can figure it out. I guess we’ll have to wait until evening and try again?"
As Yuki-kun said, there was nothing else to do. It might be better to pull back for now and organize the information we’ve gathered by evening. Sometimes, calming down and sorting through the data reveals things you missed.
Just as I was thinking that, Rurua-kun suddenly spoke to Eoid-kun.
"Eoid-kun, are you alright?"
"Yes? I’m fine, but...? Is something wrong?"
"Huh? You don't realize it yourself? Or did you train with Deryu? No, wait, you’ve been with us since this morning, haven't you? What about last night?"
"Um, Rurua-san. We rested normally last night. Besides, while we’re at this academy, we haven't been doing any special training from our masters. We’ve just been told to protect Yuki-san properly."
"Hmm? But, Eoid-kun..."
For some reason, Rurua-kun was fixated on Eoid-kun. To my eyes, he didn't look strange at all...
"Rurua-kun, does Eoid-kun look like he’s feeling unwell?"
"Taizo-san, you can't tell either? Then, Yuki-san?"
"I can't really tell by looking at him, either."
"Huh? Am I mistaken? His magical power is strangely low..."
" "Magical power?" "
Yuki-kun and I tilted our heads in unison.
"Wait a second. Appraisal..."
Yuki-kun gathered information on Eoid-kun.
"...You’re right. It’s decreased. By half."
"Half? That’s a significant drop. Wouldn't that cause fatigue?"
Draining magical power usually goes straight to the head. It should feel like dizziness or lightheadedness.
"Ah, no. I’m being put through the wringer by Deryu-san and Eris-san, so this level of drain is nothing to me."
"That’s true, isn't it..."