第１１２０堀：学府の噂ってありますか？ (Part2)
"Indeed. Both Wazfi and Nilua have come this far on their own merits, and their tenacity in a pinch is truly remarkable. Is this the fruit of your and Lara's guidance, I wonder?"
Oh, Deryu-san is actually offering praise.
I feel a twinge of jealousy.
After all, Micos-chan and the others are working just as hard.
"That’s good to hear. So, why were we summoned here?"
"I’m interested in a bit of gossip."
"Eh? Gossip, you say?"
Both the Principal and Vice Principal tilt their heads, clearly bewildered by such an unexpected motive. They seem at a loss as to what exactly he could be looking for.
It’s true—it’s hard to imagine someone as influential as Yuki-sensei being interested in mere rumors, the kind whispered in the shadows of the academy, rather than some grand international conspiracy.
"Hmm. Well, it’s difficult to explain, so I’ll share a past case. It happened at the academy in the New Continent, the one belonging to Kagura and her kin."
With that, Yuki-sensei begins his tale.
I’ll spare the details, but Kagura’s ancestor had constructed a hidden room within the academy to conceal something. The discovery of that room was sparked entirely by rumors whispered among the students.
"Aha. So that’s why you were asking if we knew of any rumors."
"Heh, th-that sounds interesting. But, rather than hunting for such vague rumors, you have the very people responsible for the academy’s management since its inception right here, don't you?"
"Right. That’s exactly why I thought it best to speak with Popuri, and why I asked you all to gather."
"I understand the situation, but I have no recollection of creating any such secret rooms since I founded this academy."
"And I, too, have never built a room of that nature."
The difference between our academy and the one we were enrolled in is that the founder here is still alive. Since the creator is present, they could simply pass on whatever they wished directly; there’s no need for hidden chambers like the ones left by the first generation of the Three Houses.
"Well, I suppose that’s true. But even you, Popuri, can’t possibly track every single vacant room or dead space created by the academy’s constant expansions and renovations, can you?"
"That’s true, it is an old institution. I haven’t been involved in every single brick laid during its growth. We’ve added things as needed over the years. There are plenty of spaces like that."
"Do you suspect there is something there?"
"I don’t *know* that there is. You know my skill, don't you? I’ve used it to observe the grounds, but I couldn't find a thing. Look."
Yuki-sensei gestures, and a three-dimensional blueprint of the academy projects into the air from his call screen. This Lancer Magic Academy is, for all intents and purposes, Yuki-sensei’s territory now. Though, of course, Popuri-principal is the one who operates it.
"So, what kind of rumors are we talking about?"
"It might not be anything like the hidden room created by the founder of the Haiden Magic Academy, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were something. Actually, to be precise, it’s because Kirika says she senses something."
Eh? That Kirika-san?
"……Kirika-dono said so? That is not something we can simply ignore."
"She is a master of her craft. If she says it’s suspicious, we cannot afford to overlook it."
Yeah. If Kirika-san says something is suspicious, it’s practically a guarantee that there’s something there.
However, looking at the call screen Yuki-sensei provided, aside from the structure being incredibly complex, there’s nothing particularly suspicious to be seen.
"That said, Kirika admits she has no concrete proof. That’s why I wanted to hear the rumors that served as the catalyst for the last discovery. Primarily from the students. Teachers rarely hear that sort of thing, do they?"
"Indeed. I tend to ignore such rumors; they usually surface and vanish every year without a trace."
"Yes. Rumors of that nature are simply part and parcel of being a student."
"So, that’s why I wanted to ask Wazfi and Nilua. It seems unlikely that Popuri is hiding a secret room, after all."
As Yuki-sensei says this, everyone’s gaze shifts to Wazfi and Nilua, who are sitting side-by-side.
"Ah, sorry. You see, I’m rarely around the other students, and I basically spend all my time researching in the Great Tree Sea."
"S-same here. I, too... I basically hole myself up to research, and friends... I have none."
"..."
Ah, right.
Of course. These two were the type rarely seen around the academy. There’s no way they would know about the latest rumors.
Still, saying that to their faces would be rude, and even Yuki-sensei seems a bit stiff.
They’re like Solo, one of Micos-chan’s friends. The type who used to eat lunch alone in the bathroom.
Just as I’m thinking this, the classroom door opens again...
"Micos-senpai. Were you just thinking something rude?"
"Kirika-san told us to come. What’s going on?"
"Did something happen?"
For some reason, Solo walks in, bringing Amanda and Eoid along.
Now then, does this academy truly harbor a mystery?
Or is it all just a misunderstanding?