To gain more detailed information about the Imperial Academy and our primary client, Helen, I chose a head-on approach.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Max, and I'll be your guest instructor for Illusion Magic today. I run the 'Theater of Fantasies' on the outskirts of the capital, a place that brings desires to life. It contains the very essence of illusion magic, so if you're interested, please do pay us a visit."
My plan was to spend the day as a guest instructor, keeping a close eye on Helen and those around her. I had contacted the Dean immediately, expressing my wish to give a brief lecture on illusion magic for the students.
—Max, you want to be a guest instructor? I'll make a spot for you anytime!
Although illusion magic was poorly regarded, it remained a required subject at the Academy. This was because it was common for the "underworld"—the back alleys and black markets—to use illusion magic to evade the eyes of the guards and investigators. While it lacked combat power, it was an excellent technique for fugitives to dodge surveillance.
'This is one of the reasons illusion magic is treated so poorly.'
It was seen as magic only used by back-alley thugs. To catch such criminals, one had to learn illusion magic, yet there were very few mages who specialized in the field. In fact, Professor Meiko and I were practically it. Therefore, illusion magic was often taught by mages from other schools as a secondary subject.
Though I wasn't as skilled as Professor Meiko, I was a mage recognized by many circles. That was why the Dean welcomed me with open arms. A lecture by a professional illusionist at the Academy for the first time in a long while—I figured it would be of significant help to the students.
As I stood before the Imperial Academy students filling the classroom, I felt a sharp, hostile gaze from somewhere. I didn't even need to look to know who it was.
Helen de Sylvester.
She would be doubting my sudden intentions, wondering if I had come to threaten her.
'Don't worry. I'm only here to make your "pure desires" more detailed.'
I was also promoting my shop. Business was quite bad, after all. I had to take side jobs like this to keep the place running.
"Now, since you already know the basics of illusion magic, let's talk about something you might not know. Usually, Academy students learn illusion magic to see through the spells used by wanted criminals..."
Throughout the lecture, I scanned the students. And then, I found him—the 'loser' Helen hated so much. A shrinking gaze. Shoulders hunched tight. Even the way the bullies sitting next to him were eyeing him made it obvious. Anyone could see he was a cadet at the very bottom of the class food chain.
'So that's him.'
I felt like I understood why he hadn't left a proper impression on Helen. He was remarkably ordinary—the kind of student you could find anywhere. Aside from his slightly worn clothes, he was just an average student.
"They say you should look for gaps to reveal or dismantle illusion magic, but that is a high-difficulty method. There is a better way: finding the flow of mana. While it's generally hard to feel, there will be points where the flow deviates. For example..."
After observing the kid enough, I refocused on the lecture. I used the two-hour slot efficiently without taking a single break. If I'm getting paid, I have to do the job right. During the class, I memorized the faces and personalities of the students. While I couldn't look deep into their souls, I could roughly gauge what kind of cadets they were just by watching how they focused.
'That alone will make it feel real enough for Helen.'
The most important thing was that I had identified the "loser," Young Lord Profad. I could feel Helen glaring at me the entire time. She must have been incredibly nervous.
"...That's all for today. I trust you all understand the essence of illusion magic a bit better now."
After finishing the class, I looked at the cadets.
"By the way, as I mentioned earlier, the Theater of Fantasies is always open for customers. If you are interested in desires and fantasies, feel free to visit."
With the final promotion done, I packed my materials and headed out.
"Hey. Just... no, Instructor."
Helen stopped me as I was leaving.
"What is it?" "What were you thinking, coming here?" she growled, lowering her voice after checking her surroundings. "I came to teach illusion magic. Could there be any other reason?" "...What do you want?" "Do you really think I'm here to threaten you?"
She looked around nervously at my question.
"Follow me."
To an outsider, she might look like a passionate student asking follow-up questions, but she was clearly frantic. I followed her to a deserted spot.
"I didn't think you'd play this dirty." "I think you're misunderstood. I have no intention of threatening you, My Lady." "Then why are you here?" "...You've seen my shop. Business is slow. There are no customers. I came as a guest instructor to earn a living and promote the place." "Is it really that bad?" "Yes. Almost no customers." "...Really? Not a single lie?" "Of course. I have no intention of threatening you. Every single one of you is a valuable customer. If you want, I can swear it on my mana."
I truly had no intention of threatening her—even if I did intend to research data. So, it wasn't a lie. Only then did Helen, sensing my sincerity, take a step back.
"...Sorry. I thought you came to blackmail me." "I don't do things like that. Don't worry. And if you have the time later, do stop by." "..." "I wouldn't dare touch the house of Sylvester."
Why would I poke a hornet's nest for no reason? It would only hurt me.
"Anyway, since we're done here, I still have work to do."
Helen nodded. I was glad she finally understood. Freed from her, I went to find the 'loser' she had mentioned. Away from the bullies, he looked much more at ease than he had in the classroom.
"Young Lord Profad." "Ah, Instructor." "Shall we talk for a moment?" "With... me?" "Yes. I need to conduct a simple survey for school records."
It was all for our precious customer.
I was genuinely shocked when the owner of that fantasy shop showed up at the Academy.
'Is he here to threaten me?'
There are often people like that—those who dare to target or covet the massive shadow cast by the name Sylvester. I wondered if this man was one of them. I watched him with suspicion throughout the entire class. I was certain he had some hidden agenda.
However, Max finished the class more normally than expected. No secret telepathy, no threatening messages. Even the class itself was useful; I heard many tips about illusion magic that the regular professors never mentioned.
"As I explained, the Theater of Fantasies is always waiting. If you are interested in desires and fantasies, please visit us."
Is he really just leaving? No, he must be aiming for something.
I hurriedly caught him before he could leave. But his answer was:
"Business is bad. No customers. I came to earn living expenses and promote."
I remembered the shop. While I was lost in the vision, not a single other customer had entered.
'Was it really because there were no customers?'
That couldn't be right. Could it?
"I wouldn't dare touch Sylvester. Anyway, I still have work to do."
He left as if he had no interest in me at all.
"Did he really just come to work as an instructor?"
I suddenly felt ashamed. It was as if I was the only one who hadn't moved on.
'It feels like I'm the only one who became a lewd woman.'
I felt like I was the one clinging to him because I couldn't forget the pleasure from that day.
"No. Wake up."
I didn't stop him because I missed the pleasure. I just asked because I was worried he might be a blackmailer. Right. That was it.
'Let's calm down. Don't be shaken.'
As I sighed to steady myself, I saw Max leading the loser—Young Lord Profad—away.
"What?"
Why was he taking that idiot? He said he wasn't going to threaten me.
"No way..."
He's not trying to intimidate me by using that guy, is he?
I hid and waited as Max entered a counseling room with Profad. I wanted to eavesdrop, but the room was perfectly soundproofed for student confidentiality.
"Ugh, I can't hear anything."
I paced outside the room, anxious.
'Why am I struggling like this? I am a Sylvester.'
I was in a position where everyone had to look up to me. It should be Max who was anxious, not me.
"Ugh... Annoying."
But he was clearly the one with the upper hand. Because he knew my weakness. Just then, the door rattled open.
"Thank you so much."
Profad—the loser—came out and bowed brightly to Max.
"If you have any more concerns, let me know. You have plenty of magical talent, so don't worry too much." "No instructor has ever said that to me before. I'll work really hard!"
The kid, looking like a devoted disciple, bowed deeply and headed back to the classroom. I intercepted him.
"Hey, you idiot." "Wh-what? L-Lady Sylvester." "What did you talk about with that instructor?" "Huh? The Instructor? Why..." "Don't hide it."
My voice was cold. There was nothing to gain from interrogating Max, so I had to squeeze this idiot. I had to know what he heard from that illusionist.
"Speak. I'm starting to get annoyed." "Well..." "Stop stalling!"
I was angry. Maybe it was because of what happened in the fantasy, but every time I saw this man's face, my discomfort—and something else—grew stronger.
"He said I have excellent magical skills. He said if I want, he'll write a letter of recommendation to the Meister School..." "Is that it?" "Is that... it?" "..."
Was that really it? Did I lurk outside a counseling room just to hear this?
"Don't lie to me." "I'm not! Why would I lie to you? I can even swear it!"
Max had said the same thing. Swearing on mana.
"Then do it." "Huh?" "Swear. Bet your mana that what you just said isn't a lie." "...O-okay."
He gathered his mana, his voice trembling with fear. He placed the swirling mana against his chest.
—I swear by the laws of Mana. That statement is not false.
The runic vow ended, but nothing happened. It was the truth.
"Is that really all?" "Yeah... B-but Lady Sylvester, why are you so... interested in that instructor? Why are you so urgent..." "None of your business!"
I screamed, glared at him, and stormed off. No, there was definitely something more. A wizard who could cast such illusions must have used some trick I didn't see. I couldn't be naive enough to believe this.
So arrogant. So cocky.
'Max... what on earth are you planning?'
I returned to the classroom, already thinking that I needed to go back and check the shop one more time.