Beep—
Alistair's phone, set to silent mode, vibrated. The discussion was mostly concluded, with only some minor details left to hash out, so Alistair could walk aside to check his phone.
'You are going to St. Lux Academy?'
The message was from his grandfather. However, the reply didn't contain a solution to Alistair's pressing 'farming' problem, but instead asked about his upcoming exchange student matter.
'Yes.'
Alistair answered his grandfather honestly. He could ask about the solution again later. He wanted to hear his grandfather's opinion on his plan to go to St. Lux Academy first.
'Look for something. It's in the library, a signet ring. It might be tucked inside a book. In any case, if you go to St. Lux Academy, look for it. That thing will be useful to you.'
His grandfather's reply was quite direct. However, Alistair didn't quite understand what his grandfather meant by 'useful.' Did his grandfather already know about his current predicament?
'Understood, Grandfather. However, I've been targeted. Someone is trying to absorb power through the ring attached to my finger, and their mental spellcraft or ability is very strong. I can't figure out their identity.'
Alistair waited a moment, and after confirming his grandfather had nothing else to say, he immediately replied.
'I've already told you the solution. I'm currently engaged in something important and cannot leave. Just follow the arrangements, and someone will protect you.'
Alistair was momentarily puzzled by his grandfather's reply. What did he mean, 'I've already told you the solution'? Did he mean that 'signet ring'? Can that thing help him? Could it help him fight an enemy whose very nature he didn't even know?
And did 'someone will protect you' mean he actually had a bodyguard nearby?
Alistair felt his grandfather's reply was confusing and vague. And what did 'arrangements' mean? The exchange student... Wait, 'arrangements'?
Alistair suddenly remembered what Chiaki had told him earlier: he was going back to his hometown for a while in a few weeks. She said this was arranged by his grandfather, and even though it was somewhat illogical, he had to comply.
Could the 'arrangements' be referring to this?
Alistair turned off his phone screen and pondered the question. However, Alistair wasn't very familiar with his hometown, so he couldn't figure out any clues. Since he had no memories of his hometown, he couldn't even recall if he knew anyone there.
Could someone in his hometown be a safeguard left by his grandfather? So his grandfather told him to go there, and then let him return after the arranged 'bodyguard' finished their business?
"Koyasu-kun?"
While Alistair was deep in thought, a voice pulled him out.
"Vice President Tsubakihara? Is everything settled with President Tōmoto and the others?"
Alistair turned his head to the speaker.
"I just came to take a closer look at the only boy who exchanged LINE with me but whose identity I wasn't clear about. As for the exchange matter, we just need to pay attention to a few specific individuals. It's not too complicated," Nina Tsubakihara said gently, smoothing a strand of hair behind her ear with a warm smile.
"Is that so? Got it. Could Vice President Tsubakihara tell me more about your school's situation? If I go there knowing nothing, I'll probably run into a lot of trouble for a while."
Alistair nodded. Most troublesome tasks were directly handed over to his 'assistants,' so he wouldn't be too burdened. Then he asked about St. Lux Academy's situation. If he didn't know some of the hidden rules, it would be too easy to suffer losses.
"The situation at our school? It's a bit complicated. I still maintain my opinion that you shouldn't go, but I won't stop you if you insist."
Nina Tsubakihara first made her stance clear, and then started introducing the school.
"Let's start with the most rampant rumor during this period, the 'Twilight Hour (Meikoku no Toki)'."
Alistair nodded as he listened to Nina Tsubakihara. This was indeed the most outlandish thing being spread recently, and it wasn't just a rumor; it was a confirmed event.
"We don't know the origin of the 'Twilight Hour,' but during that period, no male can be present on campus, or they will be 'erased.' The situation for us girls is more private, which I can't discuss with you. Just know that this is how it is."
Nina Tsubakihara's expression was unusually serious, and the 'erasure' she mentioned was very, well, severe. If it was meant literally, the word 'severe' wouldn't be sufficient to describe it.
"'Erased'?"
Alistair raised an eyebrow. Wiped people out? That serious?
"I can't be specific, but that's the phenomenon that occurs. It's like wiping away dust with a finger—gradually wiped away directly. I haven't witnessed the actual event, but those who have seen it describe it that way."
Nina Tsubakihara stated that she hadn't seen it herself, only heard the accounts.
"But it's mostly true. You might not believe it, but during that time, the sky turns purplish-red. Everyone could be said to have lost their minds, yet also possessed their senses. And unlike the boys, we cannot leave the area, or our bodies will completely lose control. Our bodies are already saturated with the special energy rampant during the 'Twilight Hour'."
As Nina Tsubakihara spoke, she subconsciously looked at her hands. Her long, delicate fingers were beautiful. Yet, she looked as if she could see the so-called 'rampant energy' inside her body through her hands, and her expression was helpless and distressed.
"I apologize, I spoke too much. Just pretend you didn't hear those last parts."
Although there were some idealist elements in reality, no one truly staked their future on vague idealist abilities. Thus, research into them was limited. Things that could cause large-scale effects generally only existed in novels and comics, merely as an extension of people's imagination regarding their own latent superpowers.
So, Nina Tsubakihara didn't expect Alistair to believe the latter part; it was something only those who had experienced it could believe.
"I'll tell you about other things. At our school, besides the usual classes and club activities, we also have religious classes, taught by specialized nuns. As for priests, there are no related positions due to the non-female requirement..."
Seeing Alistair remain silent, Nina Tsubakihara took it as agreement and moved on from the previous topic, seriously educating Alistair about the differences and unwritten rules of St. Lux Academy.