"Leo."
"Ah, you're here, lvin."
Leo greeted a student who had co to his dorm room with a cheerful voice. The student looked around nervously and asked,
"So, why did you call ?"
"Nothing much. Take a breath first. What would you like to drink?"
Leo gestured towards a jar filled with tea leaves.
"Uh, anything is fine…"
"Alright, I'll have to figure out what flavors you like from now on."
Leo answered with a smile and skillfully prepared tea, placing it in front of the student.
"It's chamomile. I made it to help with fatigue after classes."
"Oh, thank you."
"No problem. I hope you like it."
"T-Thanks… So, why did you call …?"
At those words, Leo sat down across from the student.
"lvin, do you know what Pleroma has been up to lately?"
"Pleroma?"
The student's expression changed slightly. The eyes, which had been nervously darting around, now focused on Leo. The student replied in a clear voice,
"Yes, I know. They've been digging up graves constantly. Just yesterday, there was an article about three bodies disappearing from a cetery at the border."
"Hmm, you know well. That's exactly why I called you."
The student tilted his head in confusion.
"? What does that have to do with …?"
"I recently started a study group with a friend to research Pleroma's movents. As you know, Pleroma has been getting bolder. Even though they appeared over ten years ago, there's been no improvent. It's likely they'll continue their activities until we graduate from university."
The student nodded.
"That's true."
"I heard from a professor that you hope to join the Imperial Pleroma Task Force after graduation."
At Leo's words, the student's expression changed dramatically. The student waved his hands in embarrassnt.
"Ah, I did say that to the professor… But, honestly, I don't think it's very likely. My grades aren't that great. It's just a hope of mine. Haha…"
Wasn't his na called when they handed out the special class agreents?
He's in the top ten of his departnt and still thinks like this.
Leo clasped his hands together and placed them on the table.
"What do you an, 'not likely'? I think differently. I believe it's rare to find soone with your passion. Many students get heated about Pleroma, but they only look at the headlines and tremble with fear, without thinking deeply."
"Oh! Yes, that's true. It's a long-standing issue, so people are tired of looking into it deeply."
"Yes, but you're different. When other students casually express their superficial fears, you've always shown interest in the essence. That's what I've noticed over the years."
The student asked with a slightly excited expression,
"Really? Did I seem that way?"
"Of course. That's why I thought you'd be a perfect fit for us. We're going to investigate Pleroma's criminal activities and predict their future patterns. If our system shows high accuracy, we might even propose it to the Imperial Court."
The student's eyes widened.
Leo didn't miss the change and leaned in closer, speaking earnestly.
"If we can predict Pleroma's actions, we can reduce future damage, don't you think?"
"Can I really do this with you…? I'm not top-tier, nor as smart as you, Leo…"
As smart as …? Leo almost bit his lip at the rising goosebumps but caught himself and shook his head.
"Of course. I think you're good enough as you are now. Are you dissatisfied with your rank? That's just a number. Look further ahead."
"No matter how I think about it, I don't think I'm the right person. Sorry, but…"
I can't let him back out now.
Since we've started, we must see it through.
Leo comforted the student, who looked like he wanted to hide under the table.
"lvin, your skills are not bad at all. This is the hardest school to get into in the Empire. You should be proud of being in the upper ranks here. You said your grades aren't top-tier as evidence of your inadequacy… Ironically, those grades show that you're objectively not lacking."
"That is true, but…"
The student bit his lower lip and darted his eyes around.
Alright. Even if his reaction seems like this, I've almost got him. Leo smiled and continued.
"In fact, there's one more important reason we chose you."
"What is it?"
"Trust is crucial for us. We must stop Pleroma's over-a-decade-long madness. Hence, our group's very existence must not reach anyone's ears. No matter what."
Lucas said it didn't have to be an absolute secret. Still, I need to say this.
"Of course! Do you think I'd tell others? I won't say a word. I wouldn't let those bastards take credit for our good work."
"Yes, from what I've seen over the years, you're more thoughtful and careful with your words than anyone. We need soone as cautious and responsible as you."
At Leo's words, the student hesitated and moved his lips.
It's ti to close the deal.
Leo looked the student in the eyes and spoke seriously.
"lvin, I want you to join our research. What do you think? Do you want to do this, or not? Just let know."
* * *
Before my eyes, sand-colored hair swayed.
It's the first ti trying blonde hair, and it feels quite unfamiliar.
I had to go outside the school to buy sothing, but I couldn't just walk around with my black hair and pink eyes since I'd be recognized imdiately.
I could change my eye color using the side effects of potions like before, but there might be students who know my face wandering outside the school, so I needed to safely change my hair color too.
So I just used divine power.
It was a spell I morized recently, with different formulas for each color. I hadn't had a chance to try it yet, but fortunately, it worked. Just in case, I also cast a cognitive function reduction spell from the ntal manipulation category.
'What if I hadn't chosen divine power from the start.'
I thought this, but the truth is the opposite. I chose it because I knew the range of divine power usage. I couldn't waste the once-in-a-lifeti opportunity to internalize knowledge on sothing only moderately useful.
Divine power is a force created by artificially transforming naturally occurring magic power, and it seems to have the characteristic of changing the nature of the touched target.
The ability to manipulate the mind with divine power, and the spells used on my hair and eye color, all derive from this characteristic.
Anyway…
'Changing even the eyelash color really changes the image.'
I glanced at my reflection in the tal while waiting for the slaughterhouse manager's response.
The manager asked with a surprised face,
"A bottle of blood? What are you going to use it for?"
"I'm writing a report on experints with animal magic potions, and I want to try so new ingredients. Can I get so here?"
I softened my eyes as much as possible, emphasizing my pure intentions.
I hadn't even changed out of my school uniform for this mont.
The manager glanced at the emblem on my jacket and answered,
"Well… I've heard that blood is sotis used as a magic potion ingredient."
"Right? It works much better. But these days, with all the talk about Pleroma, people are reluctant to use it."
"We can't let those bastards hinder our studies. What kind of animal blood do you need?"
"Any kind of animal is fine."
"Really? Let check if we have any fresh blood. Wait a mont."
The manager turned around and entered the nearest slaughterhouse building. In less than five minutes, he ca out holding a black glass bottle.
He placed the bottle in a paper bag and handed it to .
"It's sheep's blood."
"How much do I owe you?"
“The price is on the house. We usually throw it all away anyway. Good luck with your experint. I hope it succeeds.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I smiled gently, took the bag, and caught a carriage outside.
By the way….
‘This kid’s really good.’
So fluent, so natural.
I adjusted the communication magic device Leo had given on my ear. He had asked to inform him if I noticed any mistakes in his story later, but there was nothing to point out.
I checked my watch.
It was now 8:30 PM. I would reach the school in 30 minutes. The divine power absorbed into my skin would also wear off in an hour.
‘It’s about ti.’
Now, it’s my turn.
* * *
“lvin, there’s sothing you need to know.”
Leo spoke as he led lvin down to the basent.
“What is it?”
“There’s soone in our group who might make you feel uncomfortable. I understand how you might feel, but he’s essential to us. It might be shocking, but can you give ti to explain?”
“Huh? Sure! I’m okay with anything!”
lvin answered with determination.
Leo forced a smile and opened the door to the room at the far end of the first basent floor.
“You’re here?”
“…Huh?”
lvin’s face froze as he saw the person sitting in the room. Leo hurriedly patted him on the shoulder.
“lvin. I know this is surprising….”
“Wh-wh-wh-what?!”
“Hold on! Let explain. We need Lucas. I know what you’re thinking, but….”
“Why is he here?! He’s the last person who should be here!”
Despite Leo’s explanation, lvin remained flustered.
Narce, who had arrived before Leo and was sitting next to , watched lvin’s reaction with interest.
I approached lvin with a gentle smile.
“Your na’s lvin, right? Thanks for guiding the other day.”
“N-no, wait, did I do sothing wrong…?”
“No, just listen. First, I want to clear up all the misunderstandings you have.”
I let out a deep sigh.
“I’m not here to harm you. Just listen for a mont. I’m already tired thinking about explaining this to everyone.”
“What do you an, misunderstanding? Explain? What….”
lvin, still in shock, shook his head in disbelief. I placed my arm around his shoulders, which Leo held, and led him to a seat.
“Everyone reacts like you. I understand. I’ll explain everything, so please sit down.”
“O-okay….”
The kid looked like he was about to die. I maintained a gentle smile but clicked my tongue internally.
Leo looked at lvin with sympathetic eyes.
“…But, wait. What’s that…?”
lvin barely managed to regain his composure and pointed to the teacup in front of .
He was probably hoping I’d answer with sothing like tomato juice or soup with food coloring, but no.
“It’s sheep’s blood.”
“What?!”
Boom―!
lvin reacted the most violently I had ever seen, jumping out of his seat. The chair fell backward. Narce quickly used magic to steady the wobbling cup.
“Calm down. This is my explanation.”
I stirred the separated layers with a teaspoon and took a sip of the blood.
And then, overco by the taste and nausea, I dashed to the bathroom and threw up.
The slimy texture lingered on my tongue. The alien sensation of eating sothing inedible surged up.
“Oh, should I have stopped him?”
“Ugh….”
Narce’s laughter-filled concern was followed by Leo’s near sighing complaint. I staggered out like a zombie and collapsed into the seat across from lvin.
“A-are you okay…?”
lvin, seeing my complexion, spoke almost reflexively. Then, realizing his slip, he looked at with renewed suspicion. I answered with a half-elderly voice.
“How could I be okay? But if this clears up the misunderstanding that I’m Pleroma, I’ll do it.”
“N-no, drinking raw blood would make anyone throw up….”
“Anyone? Those corpses would have drunk this long ago. If you mix it with soone else’s magic power, they can absorb it directly into their bodies. You know this is a familiar ingredient for those guys, don’t you?”
I spoke seriously, clutching my throat.
Leo gestured urgently for to head back to the bathroom.
“…Well, that’s true, but… Wait. Even they could fake this….”
I felt another wave of nausea and rushed to the bathroom again.
lvin, starting to doubt what he had believed, looked confusedly between , my friends, and the cup of blood.
“…….”
“…That’s pitiful, really.”
“Even I can’t stand the blood.”
I replied weakly to Leo’s remark and shook my head. Despite several purifications, blood was still blood. It was like not wanting to drink muddy water even after boiling it thoroughly.
lvin looked at with a bewildered face, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
“…Then what about the servant you supposedly killed? That case from ten years ago…!”
Alright.
I smiled faintly.
There are several reasons people believe I’m part of Pleroma.
Bringing up doubts about other evidence while discussing one disproven piece of evidence shows he’s already half-swayed.
It was a good decision to shock him with blood first.
‘And I have another weapon to shatter his belief.’
Anyway, the real culprit of the murder isn’t , but my brother.
But that case didn’t receive an imperial investigation. The investigation ended within the family because of my brother’s desperate defense to protect . After that, the family used its power to suppress dia reports about the case.
My brother chose soone who grew up alone in the territory without family and killed him, so there was no one to request an imperial investigation into his death.
‘…Thinking about it again, it’s bitter.’
Since there was no imperial investigation, there were no detailed records of the case.
That ans I can craft a story favorable to using this case.
However, I don’t want to lie about soone’s death. But is it good to reveal the truth now? No, it’s not.
Even without a detailed script for every elent, I can lead the conversation by omitting certain parts and adjusting the order and spacing of words. If I mix the original story and the newly introduced topic seamlessly, it becos hard to distinguish where one ends and the other begins.
“It’s not true.”
I answered briefly and imdiately continued to prevent lvin from having ti to think.
“You must be curious why I left such disgraceful rumors alone. You’re probably confused about whether it’s all false.”
“…Yeah, that’s right.”
lvin looked at with all his effort, determined not to lower his guard.
I looked straight at lvin’s face and answered.
“Of course. I created all the rumors.”
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