"So, no other big news?" Cid asked, still doubtful.
"Nope. These are the only things that might involve us. There are a few other things, but they're either not big and will die down in a few days, or they're happening on the other side of the world and have nothing to do with us."
Aiba Asagi sounded sure, and her tone implied, Are you doubting my information skills?
"I see. Looks like I was overthinking it. I'll head back to class then."
"Okay. Oh, right, be careful these next few days. It's best not to go out at night."
"..."
His foot, just about to take a step, froze. Cid looked back. Aiba Asagi had a confused look on her face, wondering why he'd suddenly stopped.
She... she doesn't think I was asking about gossip, does she?
Cid thought about it but decided not to say it out loud.
"What, are there terrorists out at night lately? Telling even a Magic Swordsman like me not to go out." As he spoke, Cid pointed to the sword resting beside his seat.
"I don't know. It was a message from the Management Corporation, telling me to be careful lately."
Looking at Aiba Asagi, it seemed she hadn't realized how strange this message was.
"Hmm? That's super suspicious. This kind of news usually spreads among people and then you find out, Asagi. But instead, the higher-ups at the Management Corporation told you directly. Feels like a conspiracy. Asagi, did the Management Corporation ask you to do something?"
The strangeness of this news was pretty obvious. First, the main point was that it's dangerous at night some creature or thing would harm people on the island. And the Management Corporation was worried about its employees, so they gave a warning.
Then came the question: how did the Management Corporation know this?
With how fast information spreads now, if something happened anywhere on the island, the whole of Itogami Island would know within a day. But even when he actively searched, he couldn't find any similar news. That meant it hadn't happened yet.
If it hadn't happened yet, how did the Management Corporation know? Can they see the future?
He didn't believe the Management Corporation had that kind of ability. That left only one possibility: they knew about it, or maybe they even planned it themselves.
At the very least, they had information about it. Although he didn't know why the island's managers would want to harm the island's residents, Cid didn't want to know either. It was obviously some dirty political deal.
"Now that you mention it, it does seem pretty suspicious. They even asked me yesterday to..."
Before she could finish, a robotic voice came from Aiba Asagi's bag, interrupting their conversation.
"Young Mistress, the Management Corporation needs me to tell you to go there immediately. The program you wrote yesterday seems to have a problem."
"Mogwai, you're not kidding, right? A program I wrote has a problem?"
She took out her phone from her bag and turned it on. A picture of a standing blue cat immediately appeared on the screen.
"Unfortunately, Young Mistress, that's what the Management Corporation told me. I also checked, and the program indeed has a problem."
Hearing the AI's reply, Aiba Asagi had to admit her program had an issue. Now she had to go back and fix it.
"Sorry, Cid. You heard. I have to leave now. We'll have to talk another time. Can you tell the teacher I'm taking leave?"
"No problem. I was the one who came to you anyway. If it's work, you should hurry."
Cid waved off Aiba Asagi's apology, saying he didn't mind and told her to go quickly.
Watching Aiba Asagi's rapidly departing figure, Cid's eyes narrowed.
Was she being watched?
It wasn't strange for Cid to suspect this. It was just too much of a coincidence.
Just as Aiba Asagi was about to tell him what the Management Corporation had asked her to do, the program she made happened to have a problem. And Mogwai happened to show up at just the right time to interrupt their talk.
The excuse was so lame too. He'd known her for almost a year, and this was the first time he'd seen Aiba Asagi called away because of a work problem.
Tsk, things are getting more and more interesting.
Ring ring ring...
His phone, in his pocket, started ringing. Cid took it out, glanced at who was calling, then quickly looked around. Making sure no one was watching him, he quietly moved to a corner and set up a soundproof barrier.
"Hello, is this Mr. 'Rebellious Fallen Angel'?"
When the call connected, a middle-aged man's voice came through.
"Yes, this is 'Rebellious Fallen Angel.' How can I help you?"
The voice coming from Cid wasn't his usual, slightly lazy teenage tone, but a magnetic voice that sounded mature and composed.
"It's like this, Mr. 'Rebellious Fallen Angel.' The red wine you pre-ordered from our shop has arrived. Would you like to pick it up from our store, or should we deliver it to one of the addresses you provided?"
Cid scratched his chin and thought for a moment.
"Please deliver it to the second address I left. Thank you for the trouble."
"Certainly, sir. We hope you enjoy our red wine. Thank you."
After the call ended, Cid looked around again and removed the barrier.
…
Without any other incidents, Cid's day passed quickly. It was pretty much the same routine every day.
If nothing unexpected happened, today would be the same. The only difference was that from now on, he couldn't go to the practice field behind the school anymore.
Okay, something unexpected happened.
Peeking out, Cid looked at the school gate with a headache. Claire and another woman were together, looking around from time to time, as if waiting for someone.
...Cid thought he might know who they were waiting for.
He recognized the woman next to his sister. Her name was "Alexia Midgar," a princess from his home kingdom of Midgar. She had silver hair cut to shoulder length, slender eyes, and red pupils, giving off a cool vibe.
When did his sister start hanging out with Alexia? One of them was trouble, and the other would ruin his mob character life. Together, they were both trouble and would ruin his mob character act!
No way, I can't stay at this school anymore. I have to escape immediately. I'll leave at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
Wait, his sister would probably camp his home. Can't stay home today either. If she asks tomorrow, I'll just make up some excuse.
Having made up his mind, Cid moved to a surveillance blind spot and quietly waited for the surrounding students to leave.
Soon, the number of students still at school dwindled to one or two.
After checking his surroundings and confirming no one was nearby, Cid got ready.
First, with his exquisite control, he wrapped a layer of mana half a centimeter around his body, creating a small, one-way space.
This would block all the wind pressure caused by his high-speed running, preventing nearby pedestrians from being blown away.
Wind pressure in such a confined space would be amplified many times. Wind pressure that could normally only blow people away should be able to tear a normal person to pieces after being compressed.
But the question was, was he a normal person?
He wasn't. The compressed force wasn't even a tenth of the pressure from his mana tempering technique. It actually felt quite cool.
He could use his Natural Aura technique, but the risk was too high. He seriously doubted if Claire could figure out his Natural Aura just by her so-called intuition.
Cid felt the chances were 50/50.
Only a fool would gamble on those odds. If he was found out, his sister would definitely spread it everywhere, and his mob character life would be completely over.
Ready, Cid moved. His body shot past Claire and Alexia at high speed.
"Hmm? That's weird."
….
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