第１１２１堀：噂を集める (Part1)
**Chapter 1121: Gathering Rumors**
**Side: Yuki**
Damn it. I knew better, yet I still went and brought up a topic that requires a social circle to someone who lacks one.
Yes, I had committed a taboo.
I only wanted to ask about some trivial rumors, some casual things.
"So, that’s why I wanted to ask Wazfi and Narjia. As far as I can tell, there doesn't seem to be any 'secret room' that Principal Popuri is hiding."
That’s right—it was meant to be a light conversation. I figured if they didn't know, that was fine. If, by some stroke of luck, they happened to know of any chilling rumors, we could simply verify them.
But the response I received was…
"Ah, sorry. You see, I’m always at the academy, and I rarely spend time with other students. I’ve mostly been busy with research in the Great Sea of Trees."
"S-same here. I, too… I mostly hole myself up for research, and as for friends… I don't have any."
They both declared their lack of friends in perfect unison.
Well, in Wazfi’s case, she’s often away for her own hobbies, so her connections are just shallow—it’s not that she truly has *no* friends. But Narjia’s situation? That was pure, unadulterated shut-in behavior.
I had no idea how to respond to such a stark, painful revelation of reality. The rest of the group seemed to be in the same boat, frozen in place. But then, a ray of light pierced through that hellish silence.
"Mikos-senpai. Weren't you thinking something incredibly rude just now?"
"Kirika-san told me to come. So, what's up?"
"Did something happen?"
It was Solo, Amanda, and the legendary 'Lucky Pervert' himself, Eoid! Yes, of course—they were here!
"Oh, if it isn't Solo the loner."
"Who are you calling a loner!"
"Wait? Even the Principal is here? What’s going on? Ugh, and Wazfi and Narjia too…"
"Yoo-hoo, Amanda. You sure love snitching on me to the Principal, don't you?"
"Hey, I heard the story, but that was entirely Wazfi’s fault."
Oh, I’ll ignore the bickering between Solo and Mikos. Thanks to Amanda’s arrival, Wazfi and Narjia started talking again. Thank goodness. It would have been unbearable if that silence had dragged on.
"Oh, Yuki-san, hello."
"Yo. You saved me."
"Eh? Saved you from what?"
"Don't worry about it. So, Kirika told you to come here?"
"Yes. Kirika-san said you were all holding a meeting about the academy, so she told us to sit in and offer our opinions."
I see. Kirika must have understood that Wazfi and Narjia aren't your typical students, which is why she sent these two. And besides, these two are…
"Wait, Kagura and the others are here too? What kind of meeting is this? Did some major disaster happen at the academy?"
"No. Yuki is looking for ghost stories like the ones we had at the Haiden Magic Academy. If something like that is happening here, it could be a major issue."
"Ghost stories? Ah, I see."
"That ghost story back then was certainly a shock, wasn't it?"
That’s right—these two had attended the Haiden Magic Academy. And more importantly, they had experienced the very anomalies we were looking for firsthand, which made explaining the situation much easier.
"Were you asking the Principal and Wazfi’s group if there were any rumors like those, Yuki-san?"
"Yeah, that’s right. If you want to know about the academy, it’s best to ask those who live there."
"That won't work. The Principal aside, Wazfi and Narjia don't really interact with the other students. You won't get any decent information out of them in that state."
Wow, Amanda really doesn't hold back. It’s a fair assessment of Popuri’s group, but she’s being incredibly sharp with Wazfi and Narjia. Did Amanda and these two have such a bad relationship?
"Oh, you’ve gotten quite bold, haven't you? Just because you became a Dragon Knight doesn't mean you’ve actually gotten any stronger."
"Wazfi. A legendary Dragon Knight is usually strong, you know. And honestly, why is Amanda being so aggressive? I-I’m just a bystander here. My chest hurts…"
Wazfi wore a combative smile, clearly annoyed, while Narjia clutched her chest, looking pained. I really don't know what happened between them. But as curious as I am, I can't let the conversation stall over petty squabbles.
"Amanda, Wazfi. I don't know what history you two have, but since we’ll be training from here on out, settle it with a mock battle and clear the air. Right now, we’re talking about my business."
"Yes, understood. Alright, Wazfi. Tomorrow at the training grounds."
"Ha! I’ll put you in the dirt with a single blow. I’ve gotten much stronger than before, you know. I’ve been getting special training from Deryu-san herself."
"Hey, stop that. If you must, settle your scores with magic. More importantly, we are discussing Yuki-dono’s matter."
Popuri stepped in to stop the two who looked like they were ready to keep going. Well, Wazfi’s confidence will likely be shattered later, but that’s fine.
"So, Amanda, Eoid. Do you know of any rumors like the ghost stories from back then?"
"Let's see… There are bits and pieces of rumors like that, but I haven't heard anything serious lately."
"Same here. I’ve been too busy with work to look into the truth behind such rumors."
Come to think of it, that’s true. Even though Amanda and Eoid are still students, they are now diplomats for the Lancer Magic Academy. When I met them here recently, they mentioned they’d been doing aerial surveillance work in foreign lands.
"Yuki-sama, today was actually supposed to be a meeting with me."
"I see. So Solo is working hard as a diplomat, too."
"Yes. Though Mikos-senpai seems completely lovestruck lately. It’s good to see Kagura-senpai looking well, though we see each other at Weed all the time."
"That’s true. I haven't seen much of Mikos since we started making the magazine in Weed."
"It can't be helped! It’s a major project that Yuki-sensei entrusted to Mikos-chan. There’s even talk of moving from a monthly to a weekly publication, so she’s incredibly busy. And about these ghost stories—why not have Mikos-chan collect them regularly and publish them in her magazine? That should gather plenty of rumors. Besides, this job of gathering rumors seems perfect for her, don't you think?"
"I understand what you're saying, but I can't decide that on my own. Yuki, what do you think of Mikos’s suggestion?"
"Yeah, that sounds right. We’re going to need to keep collecting these kinds of rumors in the future. Mikos, can I leave this sort of thing to you from now on?"
Mikos’s point is valid. In fact, I had originally asked her to start the magazine in Weed precisely to act as a hub for gathering the kind of rumors that circulate among the common folk. This is a perfect opportunity.
"Leave it to me! I’ll write up a separate section for academy news, too. Actually, maybe I should start a magazine for the Lancer Magic Academy as well?"
"That’s a good idea, too. It would help boost the academy’s popularity and trust… but that’s up to Popuri and Lara to decide."
I said that and turned my gaze toward Popuri.