Supernatural Spiritual Science Research Club
Alone in the research room after his friends left, Shirone sank deep into thought.
On the sofa lay the spirit magazine Neid had brought. Shirone's gaze lingered on the page featuring his parents' interview.
Shirone: "Sigh… Why…?"
He couldn't believe what had happened.
Of course, he wasn't ashamed of being a commoner's child—he took pride in being his parents' son.
But he was old enough now to understand how the world worked.
While his friends at the magic academy were discerning, the outside world wouldn't be as kind.
He wanted to see his parents. What must they be feeling right now?
His father surely knew revealing his son's identity would cause trouble.
How did Kilaine even get them to confess?
If she used force, Shirone would never forgive her.
'I hope Mom isn't hurt.'
Since the article was published in a nationwide magazine, even submitting a leave of absence now would likely be approved.
Above all, Headmaster Alpheas would treat this as his own problem.
But Shirone shook his head.
Less than a month remained until the semester's end.
The practical exams were over—only the theoretical ones were left.
Next semester, he'd enter the graduation class, so this was his last chance to solidify his foundation.
Logically, he knew that.
But emotions didn't obey reason.
Shirone, usually unshaken by anything, couldn't focus on his books with his parents involved.
That's why he had come straight to the research club after class, lost in thought.
Neid pushed the door open.
Neid: "Hey, Shirone, we're back."
Iruki placed a bag of bread on the table and sat across from Shirone.
Iruki: "Got you some food. You must be hungry—eat up."
Shirone: "Thanks."
Iruki: "We ran into Dante at the store."
Shirone: "Oh? How is he?"
Iruki: "How? He's dead serious. Looks like he's staying at school. Said he'll crush you in the graduation exam and take first place. I told him to say it to your face himself. He'll probably declare war soon, so start thinking of a comeback."
Despite his turmoil, Shirone laughed.
Typical Iruki—already in battle mode the moment Dante's group became rivals.
Shirone: "Alright, I'll think of something. You always make me laugh."
At those words, Iruki smiled bitterly. So Shirone's still upset.
Neid, searching for a way to ease his friend's mind, recalled a rumor.
Neid: "Heard something today—Headmaster Olivia summoned Kilaine. She's probably working on a solution. Don't worry too much."
Shirone: "Yeah…"
Shirone had also heard Olivia might stay at the school.
But with the damage already done, how much help could she provide?
The frustration of powerlessness gnawed at him.
Rumors had no form—they couldn't be fought or imprisoned.
All Shirone could do was hope this storm would pass without incident.
That night, Kilaine boarded a carriage to Creas.
As the Inspector—one of the highest positions in the Mage Council—Olivia wasn't someone to be taken lightly. A misstep could spell disaster.
Packing only essentials, Kilaine slept at an inn before heading to Alpheas Magic Academy at dawn.
Students whispered as they recognized her.
The interview about Shirone's parents had clearly caused an uproar. And no matter how they felt about Shirone, none would view her favorably.
Today won't be easy.
But Kilaine had prepared for this.
'Doesn't matter. I expected this.'
Exposing Shirone's origins preserved Dante's stardom.
She'd outmaneuvered other reporters scrambling for new stars while securing her own future.
Olivia surely wanted Dante to succeed too.
With her social standing, she wouldn't tolerate sensationalism—but a few reprimands would likely end it.
Kilaine adjusted her attire and stood before the headmaster's office. Clearing her throat, she announced cheerfully:
Kilaine: "Kilaine here."
Olivia: "Come in."
Olivia's voice—something Kilaine envied most.
If the gods allowed, she'd trade her second-class mage rank for that voice.
But today, it felt icy.
As a master of verbal magic, Olivia's words carried a piercing weight.
This didn't bode well.
Entering, Kilaine found Olivia cold-faced at her desk. Unusually, former Headmaster Alpheas was present too—and Shirone sat opposite them.
Kilaine: "Hello, Olivia, Alpheas. Ah, and Shirone—hi?"
She greeted all three with a bright smile.
No one responded. Olivia didn't even offer her a seat.
Olivia: "This article… Can you explain it?"
She tossed the magazine at Kilaine's feet.
Seeing her work treated like trash stung, but Kilaine didn't show it. The mood was worse than expected.
Kilaine: "Reporting facts is a reporter's duty—our calling. Is there a problem?"
Shirone's brow furrowed.
Reporters had a duty to truth, but that didn't give them sole rights over what mattered.
If they had obligations, they also had responsibilities.
Kilaine stood firm, meeting their gazes unflinchingly.
Covering mage aspirants, she'd faced worse pressure.
Nobles lobbied for favorable coverage; shadowy groups sometimes ransacked her home.
She'd overcome it all to get here.
And Olivia knew that better than anyone.
Having fought off rivals to make Dante a star, Olivia wouldn't dare punish her now.
Olivia: "Honestly, Kilaine. Did you think I wouldn't figure out your methods?"
Kilaine stiffened.
She hadn't expected Olivia to be this relentless.
Olivia: "You exploited worried parents. Used the Council's name to pressure them, didn't you? To commoners, being blacklisted by the Council means ruin. Of course they'd comply."
Shirone's eyes burned.
If she'd truly threatened his parents, he'd never forgive her.
Cornered, Kilaine felt like a rat in a trap. Olivia was determined to break her today.
But she had one last weapon.
Self-destruction.
Dropping her façade, she let tears well up—her face a mask of hurt.
Kilaine: "Yes, I did that. But why does it matter? You know how it is, Olivia. Everyone does it. If you can't even handle that much, you can't write as a journalist."
There was an unspoken threat in Kilaine's words—an implication that even Dante had done the same.
But Olivia didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow.
Of course, if one were to dig deeper, even Olivia had her own flaws.
But it was a delusion to think that Kilaine, a mere journalist, stood on equal footing with a Second-Class Archmage of the Red Line and an inspector of the Mage Council.
Olivia: "Kilaine, I'm not reprimanding you as a journalist. I'm punishing you for betraying my trust after all these years."
Kilaine felt as though the ground had crumbled beneath her.
This was a challenge—a threat that if they tore into each other, only one would survive.
If Olivia had been like Alpheas, someone straightforward, Kilaine wouldn't have been so afraid.
But Olivia was worldly, even somewhat opportunistic.
And when someone like that was also a genius, there was no room for Kilaine to fight back.
Kilaine: "What did I betray? Honestly, I thought you'd be pleased. Dante lost, didn't he? I just wanted your student to succeed."
Olivia finally relaxed her expression.
Now that she had stripped away every last bit of Kilaine's pretense, the real conversation could begin.
Olivia: "I appreciate the thought, but you overstepped. And it wasn't for my sake—it was for yours. Without Dante, your position in the Mage Council would be shaky. But not mine. Dante lost, but Shirone won. Shirone is also my student, so I've lost nothing."
Kilaine: "What? What do you mean?"
Kilaine's face twisted in disbelief.
Since when was Shirone her student?
She glanced at Alpheas, but he looked just as stunned.
Kilaine: "Shirone is your student? But you're only temporary, aren't you? I heard you'd be stepping down as headmistress soon."
Olivia: "That was the plan, but I've changed my mind. I'm staying at Alpheas Magic Academy. Starting next semester, I'll be the vice-principal. Which makes you the traitor who tried to ruin my student's future."
Kilaine's eyes darted around in confusion.
The woman who had once been the headmistress of the Royal Magic Academy a decade ago was now demoting herself to vice-principal of a provincial school?
Olivia wasn't the type to lie in front of a journalist, so it had to be true.
But why? Why would she throw away a lifetime of success in a single moment?
What in this school was worth that?
Even Alpheas looked doubtful.
Though they had recently reconciled, Olivia had always hesitated about taking on the role of vice-principal.
Alpheas: "Olivia, you—"
Olivia: "Be quiet. We'll talk about that later."
When Olivia shot him an impatient look, Alpheas quickly shut his mouth.
Meanwhile, Kilaine's mind raced.
A small misunderstanding had led to this disaster—if it could even be called a misunderstanding.
Perhaps it was just Olivia's whim.
But when a Second-Class Archmage had a whim, one had no choice but to obey.
Kilaine hurriedly dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead to the floor.
Kilaine: "I'm sorry! I overstepped! I should have consulted you first—I had no idea you felt this way!"
There was no choice but to beg.
When Olivia decided to crush someone, she became the most terrifying force in the world.
Hundreds of her former students now held positions of power across society. With a single word, she could exile someone not just from the Mage Council, but from society itself.
Kilaine: "I'll issue a correction immediately! Just give me one last chance! I'll fix this!"
Olivia let out a long sigh.
If it were that easy, she wouldn't have created this atmosphere in the first place.
The magazine had already been distributed—there was no taking it back. Even if they recalled every copy, they couldn't erase people's memories.
Olivia: "A correction would only make things worse. Don't stir up unnecessary attention."
Kilaine: "Then what should I do?"
Tears streamed down Kilaine's face as she looked up.
The proud woman who had walked in with her head held high had been reduced to the rookie journalist she once was.
Olivia: "Publish exposés for the next two months. Shift the focus—school corruption, teacher misconduct, illegal magic trafficking. I'll give you sources. Shirone and Dante's names must never appear in print again."
Kilaine: "Yes, yes! I'll do that!"
Olivia: "And… apologize to Shirone."
Still on her knees, Kilaine turned to Shirone.
Shirone's face was a storm of emotions.
He was angry, yes—but seeing Kilaine fight and kneel just to keep her career, he also pitied her.
Perhaps it was because Kilaine was an adult. One mistake could ruin everything for an adult.
Kilaine: "I'm sorry. I'll do anything to make it right—please, just one more chance!"
Shirone didn't want to hear it.
He wanted to scream that Kilaine shouldn't have done it in the first place, but what good would that do?
Seeing someone fifteen years his senior groveling on the floor was so mortifying he couldn't even look.
Shirone: "Enough. Just go. It's already done. You can't take it back. But if you ever get the chance… apologize to my parents."
Kilaine: "Yes, I'll visit them immediately. I'm so sorry."
Olivia smiled bitterly.
Like any student, Shirone was stubborn—but he was also unusually upright. A more cunning child wouldn't have dismissed Kilaine like this.
'Well, he's never cared for fame or greed.'
Those who awakened the Immortal Function had a metaphysical way of thinking. They lacked worldly desires, pursued ideals, and were deeply fascinated by realms beyond imagination.
Regardless of Shirone's nature, Olivia didn't actually want to destroy Kilaine.
Even in a monarchy, the press held power—and Kilaine was smart.
Besides, she was respected among journalists. It was far more beneficial to keep her close than to train a new one.
Olivia: "Kilaine, you're capable. Don't make this mistake again. Once this is over, let's have a meal."
Kilaine: "Thank you! It won't happen again!"
Olivia: "Good. Now go."
Kilaine bowed repeatedly as she backed out of the room.
Now alone, Alpheas and Shirone had nothing left to say.
Olivia had chosen the best possible solution, and Kilaine had tasted hell. That was enough.
Olivia turned to Shirone.
Olivia: "I'm sorry. My oversight—though, strictly speaking, it's that's old man's fault."
Alpheas coughed awkwardly into his hand.
Shirone forced a smile.
His emotions weren't fully resolved, but having Olivia and Alpheas by his side was a comfort.
Alpheas: "This too shall pass. Focus on your finals. Everything will return to normal."
Shirone: "Yes, thank you. I'll go now."
With genuine gratitude, Shirone left the office.
Though the main players had departed, tension still lingered.
Olivia closed her eyes in thought, then looked at Alpheas.
Olivia: "Do you really think so?"
Alpheas didn't answer.
For most issues, time was the cure. But Shirone's case was different.
This wasn't about her lowly origins or whether she deserved to attend magic school.
Alpheas: "We can only watch. Maybe… nothing will happen."
Olivia: "Perhaps. But…"
He trailed off.
As Alpheas said, there was no point in worrying now. All they could do was pray the hidden bomb beneath this incident never surfaced.