Chloe Pisty originally had no reason to be at Grandis Academy.
She belonged to the Imperial Mage Tower, and her teacher was the 8th rank Archmage, the owner of the Tower. She could just learn at the Tower and logically, if she were to attend an academy, it would be one within the Empire.
So, why did Chloe end up in a foreign academy?
If you asked Dean Villend, who was also from the Imperial Mage Tower, he’d probably reply with a bitter smile.
It was due to the intense rivalry within the Tower.
“Rank 6? What the heck are you thinking?”
“… It’s nothing. So, you want to know about Adam?”
“Adam, huh? Seems like you know him pretty well?”
“I can’t say I don’t know him.”
Originally, at this time, Chloe wasn’t so irritable. It was Beatrice who acted like that.
Spending time with Adam, Chloe gradually lost her edge and her personality softened, but… not anymore.
Hence, Ruth’s intentions were clear.
‘I can’t get Adam and Chloe involved.’
It seems Chloe doesn’t look favorably upon Adam due to his prior assistance to Beatrice.
That said, if they properly met, they’d likely become close again like before—after all, Adam and Chloe meshed well in many ways.
But if that happened, the relationship between Beatrice and Chloe would be problematic.
The two were sworn enemies who would never get close.
‘Given that Beatrice and Adam are already close, if Chloe gets close to Adam…’
It’s obvious what would happen between Beatrice and Chloe.
As a person returned from the future, not allowing that was essential to prevent Adam’s corruption. Ultimately, Ruth’s goal wasn’t everyone’s happiness, but to avoid the worst future.
‘I feel a bit sorry for Chloe…’
It would be a lie to say there were no selfish reasons in that decision. Ruth hadn’t seen future Beatrice, but he remembered future Chloe, who had committed numerous massacres following Adam.
If Adam fell into corruption, she would surely follow him—she was the one who looked the happiest when she was with Adam.
Especially recalling Chloe’s last words chills him to the bone. However, if he couldn’t stop Adam’s corruption, then at least he had to prevent Chloe from joining him.
He had to ignore the path that would make her happy. Guilt surged, but no matter how many times he thought about it, it was right to keep them apart.
“Maybe it’s something related to Beatrice?”
“… You’re quite perceptive, huh? I thought you’d be too busy basking in your own self-importance after what you did at the entrance ceremony.”
“Didn’t you come to me looking for information? You’re not here to pick a fight, are you?”
“You’re the one acting like an old geezer. I may be your age, but you don’t exactly look the part based on your behavior.”
“…………….”
“Ugh… Anyway, I only came to ask a few things. If you answer properly, I could reward you.”
“Reward?”
“I heard you had a scuffle with that lunatic in armor during midterm exams? I can tell you his weakness. Good enough?”
Kaern Deste’s weakness.
That was information Ruth didn’t know. He’d never been deeply involved with Kaern Deste. After the academy collapsed and the kingdom fell into chaos, he only heard that he died in some fief.
Determining he had nothing to lose, Ruth nodded, and Chloe smirked as if she expected that.
“First, I’ll tell you. I doubt a Rank 6 would run away just from hearing this, right?”
“… Keep your promise.”
“Got it. Remember, there are ways to escape even if you run. Anyway, that lunatic’s weakness is that armor.”
“Armor?”
“I should clarify that it’s not a combat weakness. It’s a personal weakness. He cherishes that armor for a reason. It’s a memento from his parents.”
A memento from his parents.
So that’s why he never took it off during that desert island midterm exam.
“Well, I heard that his parents went out to buy that armor and got killed by thieves. He was originally just a boaster who had dreams of becoming a knight with no real plans, but after that, he changed. I can’t confirm the details, though; it’s just a rumor.”
“……… I see.”
“‘I see,’ huh? Just say it casually, what’s with this serious tone… Anyway, I spoke first, so now it’s your turn to answer.”
“Alright.”
Actually, Chloe’s questions were obvious.
They’d be about what conversation he had with Adam, if he’d seen Beatrice meet Adam, or what kind of person Adam was.
Ruth was prepared for all those questions.
‘To extinguish Chloe’s interest as much as possible.’
It’s clear to see that Chloe is someone who gets more engaged when the other person doesn’t submit to her or goes against her expectations.
She loses interest in people who are too cowardly or beneath her. To put it accurately, she just wouldn’t give them attention.
‘It pains me to slander Adam like this, but…’
Though Adam was the Finance Director, he was rumored to be accepting private bribes, or that he was the headmistress’s secret lover, or that he was a materialistic snob.
Of course, they weren’t true, but if he spun those lies, Chloe’s interest would likely fade. She’d probably think someone other than “that not-so-special guy” Adam helped Beatrice.
‘Sorry, Adam.’
But this was for your sake.
I had to ensure Chloe didn’t go around spreading these lies.
“Uh… is there a way to make a specific person appear in your dreams aside from magic?”
“……… What?”
“I’ve checked myself through all sorts of magical means, you know? But no curses or mind magic showed up. If it’s not magical, maybe you, a Rank 6, might know.”
“Hold on a second. A dream?”
“Yeah. That guy, Adam Keynes, keeps showing up in my dreams.”
What the heck…?
Adam appears in her dreams?
“You said it was related to Beatrice, right?”
“Right. I’ve been investigating all the people who approached that noble princess recently. I also looked into the Finance Director, and ever since, he keeps showing up in my dreams! Is this really a curse? What do you think?”
“………….”
So she didn’t initially investigate Adam but everyone who approached Beatrice.
That was a sensible choice. Ruth, being a time traveler, knows Adam’s uniqueness, but to others, Adam is just an ordinary Rank 1 Finance Director.
A Rank 1 who isn’t even a mage; he treated Beatrice’s chronic condition? Objectively, that’s absurd.
Even if they suspected him, they’d look at mages or Beatrice’s close allies rather than Adam. Chloe just happened to notice Adam while obsessively investigating others.
“So, it’s just because of a dream?”
“Is it not weird that I’m suddenly having the same dream? If it were magic, I should go talk to the martial arts department professors, but that feels a bit intimidating. However, if I had someone who knows the Finance Director and is also a peer, it’d be perfect, right? Anyway, do you sense anything suspicious with your Rank 6 perception?”
“Not really….”
It wasn’t a lie; there truly wasn’t anything.
He even released his energy to feel Chloe’s body but found absolutely no issues.
“You know the Finance Director. What’s the chance he’s related to this?”
“The Finance Director is just a Rank 1, not a mage. A complete stranger with no connection to you.”
“Geez. So what is it then?”
…Hold on.
A dream?
“Might I ask, what’s the content of that dream?”
“What? Is hearing it going to solve anything?”
“It’s better than not hearing it.”
“……… Nothing special. Just the Finance Director walking ahead, and I’m chasing behind him. That’s it, then I wake up.”
So it was just a fleeting nothing.
Was it possible that past Chloe’s memories were manifesting in her dreams? But it didn’t seem so.
‘Well, if that were the case, Adam or others would also have memories resurfacing.’
But there were no signs of that. Of course, even so, the fact that Chloe was chasing the Finance Director in her dream felt unsettling.
“Just a meaningless dream, so no need to worry about it.”
“Don’t need to worry, huh?”
“It means it doesn’t fall under curses or magic since neither your magic nor my check finds any issues. If it were otherwise, someone above Rank 7 would have affected your dream, but that’s impossible, right?”
“That’s… true.”
If the person in her dream had been the Archmage or Beatrice, she might’ve suspected something was up, but it was too sudden for Chloe with the Finance Director appearing in her dreams.
As per what Ruth heard, Chloe had only once coincidentally met the Finance Director during a duel. They weren’t acquaintances—just a random person.
Explaining that made Chloe seem convinced as well.
And just in case.
“If that dream bothers you, use forgetfulness magic or something. It’s just a meaningless dream.”
“… Tch, got it.”
Erasing nightmares or annoying dreams with forgetfulness magic is a common psychological treatment method.
Even if things are fine now, who knows when a dream that feels like chasing will change, correct?
Afterward, Chloe showed some signs of still being troubled but clicked her tongue and left first.
‘With this, I’ve changed things.’
Though many things had changed compared to before, when thinking that the direct future was altered, it felt peculiar.
The guilt toward Chloe, the sense of achievement for having done something, and a sense of reassurance that it would be alright filled him as he thought.
“Ah.”
Discount on eggs.
I hope I’m not too late…?
*
“… meaningless dreams, meaningless dreams.”
Chloe wandered aimlessly. She walked through streets, back alleys, classroom corridors, and dorms.
This was merely to give herself time to think.
At the same time, though she was unaware of it, it was also to meet someone.
… In truth, Chloe had lied.
The dream’s content being merely about chasing Adam was indeed real. Waking up from it was also true.
However.
‘What in the world…’
While chasing Adam, she heard a voice. Chloe didn’t mention that.
It was her own voice.
But unlike now, it sounded more mature and much deeper. The self in her dreams was different from the Chloe of today.
It felt like… several years older and more mature.
——Why?
That voice sounded as if it was coming from deep within her heart.
As if it were her true self.
——Why aren’t you looking at me?
The voice was sticky. It contained a darkness of jealousy and regret beyond that.
At first, she didn’t even comprehend it was her own voice.
——Adam, look back. I’m right behind you.
The voice called for Adam. Only when she spoke his name did her voice become bright.
In the dream, Chloe could only see Adam’s back, but for some reason, she could easily recall what his front looked like too. Just like how Adam appeared slightly different from when she saw him during Beatrice’s duel.
His eyes were obscured by his hair, and for some reason, he wore a blood-red string around his neck. His steps were unsteady yet unwavering.
Not only calling out his name but just picturing Adam made her smile and joy well up within her.
Yet, the more she felt that sweet ecstasy, the larger the drop afterwards became.
——I always follow you and watch you.
In that dream, her hands were in her pockets.
Yet she wanted to reach out right now and grab Adam. She wanted to beg and kneel. That was her true self and an endless impulse she felt.
However, as if that hand was her last dignity, she didn’t remove it from her pocket, believing time was on her side.
And the voice always ended with the same words.
——Are you saying the dead woman matters more than me…?
*
Creak.
Especially those last words were filled with the darkest, stickiest emotions.
It made the distance of one step away from Adam feel impossible to close.
Just recalling it gave her a headache. The dream always ended there.
It’s been over two weeks since she started having these dreams. Because of that, she rapidly gave up on the desert island midterm exam and rested, yet the dream repeated daily.
She had to score well to show those mages at the Tower who was boss.
Even so, giving up such a massive test wouldn’t do.
But why?
The content of that damn dream bothered her way more than midterms.
‘What should I do?’
Should I really use forgetfulness magic as that Rank 6 guy said?
It was an option she initially considered, but doing so seemed irrevocable, creating a vague sense of hesitation.
But wouldn’t it be better than getting caught up in this dream? Shouldn’t she just forget that dream and focus back on her grades and efforts?
In situations where solitary worries usually don’t yield simple answers,
Chloe suddenly came to her senses and looked ahead.
Students had gathered in a large crowd.
“It’s the Headmistress!”
“That guy in armor is the Chief of the First Guard, right? A famous fixture near that gate. Who’s the one beside him? Looks like a faculty member, though…”
“Did you hear about the Kraken? He supposedly tied its leg with a bow using just his pinky finger!”
“They say he gifted that to his secret lover?”
“… Consider the age of the Headmistress! She’s older than our great-grandfather!?”
“Uh? Quick, get this guy to the infirmary! He’s breathing rapidly and about to faint…!!”
Someone was carried away by another student, and a crowd filled in the gap.
As Chloe quietly observed the students, she teleported to a nearby building.
A teleportation spell usable only by mages of Rank 5 or higher.
The culmination of countless hours and efforts that Chloe had put in.
‘Why?’
Teleporting to the rooftop of that building,
She could now see the gathered crowd and the Headmistress walking in the center.
“You’re going to see Sir Julius…!! Should we inform the chief exam officer? He’ll be thrilled!”
“Chief of the First Guard, you’re here on official business this time. Don’t act impulsively.”
“Adam, how have you managed to keep such diligence since attending the academy?”
“Chief of the First Guard.”
“Yes, Headmistress!”
“Is there any inaccuracy in the Finance Director’s statement?”
“……… Well.”
“If you intend to ruin an official event out of your own resentment, I’ll just have the chief examiner take your place. If you don’t like it, quiet down.”
“U-understood….”
The heavily armored Chief of the First Guard, and the Finance Director, who keeps appearing in her dreams.
Standing before them, the Headmistress stood out.
“………….”
Why is it that?
From the start, she paid no heed to the Chief of the First Guard, and she couldn’t help but smile at the Finance Director.
But when she looked at the Headmistress, it felt different. Unintended emotions arose within her.
‘Why?’
Before she knew it, Chloe was watching the Headmistress with a gaze filled with intense jealousy.
It was the darkest, deepest, heaviest feeling she’d ever experienced.
A feeling akin to a bottomless abyss.
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