第１１２２堀：当たり前という違和感 (Part1)
Chapter 1122: The Uncanny Nature of the Obvious
Side: Agil
"Hmm. Rumors, huh? Well, I suppose you can't just dismiss them out of hand."
I was listening to Yuki recount the strange meeting—or perhaps investigation—he’d conducted yesterday. It had all started because Kirika, upon looking at a map that should have been perfectly ordinary, had declared it suspicious.
Well, now that she mentioned it, I couldn't help but feel a bit suspicious myself. Looking at the map, the architecture of this academy was truly baffling; it wouldn't be entirely strange if something were amiss. Much like the Haiden Magic Academy, there might be phenomena here that we simply couldn't observe.
"But still. Who on earth could set something like that up without Popuri noticing? Besides, I’ve walked around the academy quite a bit myself, and I never felt anything of the sort," remarked Comet.
She was Popuri’s mentor, the legendary figure credited with creating the "Other Swords"—commonly known as Holy Swords. Nowadays, she’s a research colleague and a good friend of mine. But as a former Dungeon Master, her instincts are sharp. If even she didn't sense anything, the probability of there being nothing was high, but...
"If there's nothing, that's fine, but there's a chance it might be related to a supernatural entity," Yuki said.
"A supernatural entity!? That’s amazing! What level are we talking about?"
At Yuki’s words, Comet’s eyes lit up with a brilliant, predatory gleam. I must admit, I was incredibly intrigued as well.
"When you say 'supernatural entity,' you mean like those folks haunting the abandoned school, right?"
Earth-style supernatural entities—ghosts—are notoriously troublesome. They are terrifyingly difficult to detect, and they can drive people into a panic with ease. In the worst-case scenario, those with lethal abilities can bring about an unavoidable death. The possibility that such a thing might be lurking here couldn't be ignored, and more than anything, as a researcher, the mere prospect of discovering such a ghost was fascinating.
"No, I don't think it's to that extent. If a ghost of that caliber were here, there would already be a string of casualties."
"True, true. If something like a walking curse were here, the body count would be piling up. Oh, and I wonder if they’d be willing to draw some manga?"
"I think that’s a talent unique to Noriko," I noted.
Noriko had become a star manga artist for one of the magazines Micos was running. Talents like that don't just grow on trees. Besides, weren't we supposed to be talking about whether there were dangerous ghosts around? Wait, hold on...
"Hey, Yuki. Why are you looking for this ghost or whatever it is? From what I’ve heard, there hasn't been any actual harm done yet, right?"
That was the sticking point. It wasn't causing any problems. Kirika said it was strange, and that warranted caution, but why focus so much energy on it when there hadn't been a single incident?
"Well, yeah. Kirika said she felt something, but judging by the rumors, there doesn't seem to be any danger, and Popuri and Lara haven't mentioned anything either."
"Exactly. Doesn't that mean there’s nothing there? Popuri built this academy, after all. If the person who built it says there's nothing, then there's nothing. Right, Agil?"
"Well, 'nothing' is the standard assumption, yes."
But there was no way Yuki, of all people, would fail to notice something so obvious.
"Well, if there’s nothing, then that’s fine. It’s good material for Micos’s magazine, too. But since Micos is investigating, and I’ve got you, Agil, and Comet here, I’d like to ensure our safety, wouldn't I?"
"I’m happy to hear you say that, at least."
"Ho-ho. So Yuki is concerned for my well-being too? Even though I’m a Lich?"
"What’s wrong with worrying about your own people? Regardless of that, I do think it’s worth a proper look. Look here at the academy map—there are quite a few dead zones."
As he spoke, Yuki marked the dead zones on the 3D map of the academy. It was true; while I wouldn't call this magic academy chaotic, the repeated expansions and renovations had left many rooms unnaturally sealed off. It was certainly curious.
"Normally, you wouldn't have this many dead zones, would you?"
"Indeed. That part is strange. Knowing Popuri’s personality, I can't imagine her being so wasteful."
"Right? Popuri is quite the rationalist. I can't imagine her leaving so many empty rooms, yet even when I ask her, she doesn't seem bothered, just saying they were created during renovations."
Hmm. Is she hiding something? But if so, she didn't seem to mind Yuki’s investigation of the map. Perhaps it meant there was nothing there that would be problematic if discovered? Or maybe...
"Could it be that she just doesn't want to tear them down? You know, this place is full of memories for Popuri, isn't it?"
"Oh, that’s true. Popuri does treasure things like that. She might be keeping them for that reason."
"Yeah, that’s a possibility. If we investigate and find no problems, then that’s that. I’m not trying to expose Popuri’s secrets. But if that’s the case, then Kirika’s intuition was wrong. Well, that happens."
As Yuki said this, Kirika materialized out of thin air.
"If that is the result, then it simply means it was a figment of my imagination. It would be a cause for celebration, as it would mean there is no risk of the Master or any of you encountering unforeseen danger."
Even though it was suggested her intuition might have been wrong, Kirika only cared that there was no problem. She truly does cherish us.
Setting that aside, I had something else on my mind.
"Kirika. Where exactly do you feel this... strangeness? Intuition is born from the experience one has accumulated. It isn't just a random thought or a coincidence. It’s something that can be explained."
Yes, intuition is a judgment based on past experience; it doesn't just strike someone who hasn't learned anything. As researchers, no matter how many times we look at this map, we can't see anything suspicious. But Kirika saw it. That means there must be something visible to her precisely because of the experience she has built up.
"Well, it’s quite difficult to put intuitive things into words. Fortunately, we have time. Could you think carefully and tell us where you felt it was suspicious? That’s alright, isn't it, Yuki?"
"Yeah, go ahead. Honestly, I want to know the root of that intuition myself."
"Same here. Though, as I said before, I think it’s highly likely that Popuri is just cherishing her memories."
With Yuki and Comet in agreement, all eyes turned to Kirika. She nodded, thought for a moment, and then slowly opened her mouth.