Elias shook his head vigorously at my words.

“Report it! Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed to say some glove-obsessed mage stole your gloves?”

“Nah. He’s the crazy one, not me. Of course we report it. I’m just saying we don’t need to confront Narce in person.”

“Then what? Why keep an eye on it? Didn’t Narce tell you to stay clear of people?”

This morning, Narce and I shared our conversation with the team.

Stuff like this needs to be reported quick, not kept between us.

“First, the crime’s too minor to lock him up. With Narce’s Foresight, we’d want a deep investigation, but others don’t know that. Claiming this incident warrants a full probe or arrest won’t easily fly.”

In short, it’s a “what’s the big deal” situation.

If the guy’s just got a glove fetish, fine, but if, as Narce says, he’s a culprit aiming to wreck Pentalon, this alone won’t stop him.

“…Yeah, not likely. Honestly, a glove thief isn’t something they’d chase hard. Mention Narce’s Foresight, and the imperial folks might drag him in to grill him for more info.”

Exactly.

Even if caught, he’d be out quick.

It’s not assault or stealing jewelry—gloves? He could claim he took them by mistake.

So, we either find a solid reason to push for a deeper investigation or use Cognitive Distortion Magic to extract info.

Problem is my safety…

“Second, you guys are here. Six of us, on guard thanks to Foresight. Before we knew, maybe, but now? I think we can flip this.”

Too late to avoid entanglement.

These petty inspections are just a prelude. We’re stuck here till the opening ceremony.

The imperial family didn’t clear out an active mage team to place us here for inspections—they want us on display for the world’s mage teams at the opening. Narce said so, and we agree.

“…….”

Elias’s eyes went wide, staring at me.

Then he blinked like crazy.

‘Shit.’

Mistake.

Elias grabbed my shoulders, spinning me around.

Then he dropped his head, making a sound no human should.

“Urrrgh…”

“What the hell’s that noise?”

“Emotion!”

“Right…”

He wasn’t like this at first, but now, after getting close, this is all I see.

Out of words, I laughed, pushing him off.

Reporting went smoothly.

They didn’t brush off even minor issues, investigating thoroughly.

Alex Müller wasn’t the cafeteria’s new manager, and the cafeteria hadn’t changed managers.

We handed over his ID details, so Alex Müller’s barred from here.

‘Guessing it’s pointless…’

The Royal Investigation Bureau and police promised thorough checks for terror risks, so that’s enough for now.

And, shockingly, I didn’t run into anyone that day.

* * *

“You, wanting to train again?”

That evening, I trained with Tsheringen for the first time in ages.

Tsheringen, smiling, swapped his sword for a wand.

Since tearing through Primrose Path and prepping for the third round, we hadn’t had time, so our weekend training fizzled out.

Why train with Tsheringen now?

‘Gotta finish the suggestion…’

His vibe’s like Leo’s, so I tested if he’d like what Leo does.

‘Not as training-obsessed as Leo.’

Still, he seems to enjoy magic generally.

Tsheringen continued.

“Sparring after so long feels great. Your skills improved.”

“You too.”

Clean.

Unlike Leo, who drills till you’re blind, Tsheringen trains with courtesy.

Leo’s style boosted my skills, so I’m good with it.

Tsheringen raised an eyebrow, grinning.

“Oh, me too? Glad you think so.”

Exhausted from the day, he slumped into a chair.

I sat nearby, and he brought up a light topic.

“People shook hands a ton today. Felt like fifty times. You, Lucas?”

“Seven, maybe.”

Silence hit.

Tsheringen seemed to register my reputation. But he laughed instead of panicking.

“Good~ You’ll shake hands with me daily, so don’t burn out.”

“Daily?”

“Yup.”

He held out his hand. I tapped it lightly. He grabbed and shook it, a satisfied smile spreading.

Grabbing a water bottle, he muttered,

“Us, teammates? Didn’t imagine it last semester. Drink?”

“I’m good. And… back then, it made sense.”

He chuckled, sipping water.

Our new team’s shifting how we see friendships. Before, he was just a “changed classmate—top student.” Now, he’s a friend till graduation.

Perfect timing to leverage.

“Yulia.”

“Hm?”

“Let’s train often. I’ve learned a lot from you.”

Ding—!

[Favorability +1]

“…!”

Yulia Tsheringen

Favorability +5 [Conquerable (Stage 3/5)]

Last check was +3; he gave 1 then and another now.

Tsheringen smiled at me.

“Cool. Call me anytime you want to train.”

“Thanks.”

No clue what triggered it, but good call. I’ll pick up his precise, slightly different style from Leo’s—welcome addition.

Issue is, I’ve been avoiding Leo’s training to seem distant… What to say?

Easy.

‘Don’t say anything.’

Leo’s still my training partner. Prep stamina, he won’t care.

What’s he gonna do? I’m pulling double shifts.

After the chat, I headed to Narce’s room, mulling.

Got 1 Favorability, now to revisit today’s events.

‘What a fucking nutcase.’

All-day thought.

I grilled Narce earlier, but he only said today’s incident was the guy’s real goal.

Was it to collect something from my gloves? He said no future showed that.

So, the only reason left, as Narce found gross, is some twisted obsession…

‘No way that’s the real goal.’

A handshake and glove theft threatening Pentalon?

To prevent that, I’m not just reporting—I’m planning to catch and interrogate him. But logically, this escalating to ruin Pentalon seems unlikely.

Back in my room with Narce’s help, I jotted down Alex Müller’s name, appearance, and actions, listed ten possibilities, and crashed at midnight.

Or tried to.

“What the hell.”

Thirty minutes into sleep, I felt someone grab my hand and woke. The room, dimly lit by a lamp, was now bright.

“Huh? You’re here fast.”

My room, but Elias’s voice?

Sitting up, I locked eyes with Eszett teammates staring down. The vibe resembled Narce’s dorm, but items suggested Leo’s room.

“What?”

“Celebrating surviving day one~”

Yulia, seen three hours ago, pointed at a liquor bottle, grinning.

“Since your dorm’s different, Lucas, we missed you, so we asked the class rep to drag you.”

Ulrike, wrapped in a blanket on the sofa, handed me a glass.

Class rep? Leo?

I looked. Leo, annoyed, sat on the bed.

Good acting, at least.

“Just one drink each. We’re out at 5 AM, so no getting drunk. Especially you, Elias, got it?”

Yulia’s warning made Elias shrug.

“So many here love booze, why just me?”

“Haha, felt you needed an extra warning.”

I was dumbfounded.

‘Seriously…’

This why they dragged me? They’re still hyped.

No time to mingle at work, so I’ll grab some Favorability.

Taking the glass, I sat by Ulrike.

“Like drinking?”

“Yup. You?”

I clinked glasses, answering.

“Me too. Let’s drink often.”

“Unexpected~ You don’t look like a drinker.”

“Really? Nah, I like drinking with you guys.”

“Man, you’re so different from last year.”

I didn’t reply.

Just thought, if Luca returns, I’ll help him adjust to what I’ve built.

“Speaking of, Elias called you Luca? I’ll use that!”

“Sure…”

“Noooo!”

Elias, chatting with Yulia, yelled, cutting in.

How he heard, no clue, but arguing’s a hassle. I gave a dry laugh.

“No go.”

“Fine. Other names? My full name’s Ulrike Luise Margarete. Used Luise as a kid.”

Long name.

Everyone here’s got one, so no surprise.

Me too.

Status window’s Lucas Rene Askanian isn’t the official Luca. Full name’s Lucas Karl Friedrich Leopold Askanian—ancestors’ names, I think.

“No nicknames. Why? Want to use one?”

“Yeah, it’s special~”

“Hm…”

Elias kept eyeing us, so no full name.

“Nothing nickname-worthy. How about I call you Luise?”

“…….”

Ding—!

[Favorability +1]

‘Seriously…?’

Wanting to get closer did it?

Among Eszett, Ulrike’s Favorability is low after Heike, so she gives points easier.

Check her Favorability.

Ulrike Kleist

Favorability +3 [Conquerable (Stage 2/5)]

Now 3, so it was 2. Decent, not high.

“Seems fine, Luise.”

“Wow, been years? Only hometown friends use it. Feels close, nice.”

Ulrike’s catchier, but if she likes this, fine.

Closer bonds are better.

After 20 minutes chatting, Ulrike tilted her head.

“Lucas, you and Leo don’t get along.”

“…Hm? Why?”

“Just, we’re teammates now.”

“Not bad. Don’t worry.”

“Really?”

She nodded vaguely.

Time to leave, Ulrike tossed off the blanket, stood, and bickered softly with Leo, shooing teammates out.

Pushing Leo, she said,

“Go! Get out!”

“Hm? Narce?”

Before I could ask, Leo sighed, warping me.

Back in my room, I couldn’t hide my confusion.

“What?”

“Ulrike thinks we’re enemies.”

Oh, so get closer…

I nodded.

“Fair.”

“Also, forgot to give you this earlier.”

Leo pulled a letter from his robe.

Letters to Lucas Askanian, not Nicolaus, go to the militia dorm.

“You said Alex Müller was looking for you.”

Leo pointed at a pink envelope.

‘Irene Müller.’

Another Müller.

[So jealous. How’s it feel to have the world’s eyes on you? Don’t care about us ant-like crowds? Or proud of yourself? You know your Pleroma-like traits are seen as cool now? A Pleroma-born swearing loyalty to the Emperor for justice—how dramatic. So, what do you think of us? Nothing? That’d suck. Cocky? Annoying too. I’m one of your cheering crowd, so I think that.]

Head spinning. Déjà vu.

How many question marks?

Jealousy or support?

Never got letters like this, even in reality.

“…….”

“Seniors say these come sometimes. They meant threats, but yours seems like a fan letter hiding something. You saw a weird sign yesterday.”

Seniors—upper Imperial Mage Association ranks.

“Why me?”

“Yeah. Looks fine, but be careful. Right?”

“Yup.”

“I’ll have the Kingdom Investigation Bureau trace her. Your core…”

Leo snapped, boosting my core’s magic. His unnoticed magic felt stronger.

“I’ll keep it like this.”

“Warn me first… Thanks.”

I saw him off.

“See you.”

My mind was elsewhere.

Another Müller.

After Robert Müller stabbed me pre-Catacombs, now Alex, Irene.

What’s this mean?

Didn’t need to think long.

Best to catch them myself.

* * *

Morning, we warped to Pentalon stadium’s main street, like yesterday.

“Guess they’re looping the promo video.”

“Opening’s close.”

Friends looked up at a huge artifact.

Its light formed a video of nations’ mages passing by.

My focus was on the crowd, not the screen.

Across the street, the Pentalon grounds had more people than yesterday.

‘Here for the video?’

All eyes were on it.

As I started to move, a familiar flag flashed.

‘Oh.’

Korean Empire.

A mage in a durumagi, holding a staff, stood center.

[Yeokchikcheonsanggongjungjiha, soyuilchejakjejangnan…]

—Commanding heavens, void, and underworld, remove all obstacles.

Subtitles in German appeared, not synced with the video.

[Bulseonsimjagaeraehogwe cheongasoseolgajibeobeum.]

—Unrighteous, kneel! Hear the law I proclaim.

The mage chanted, slamming the staff. Light poured into the stadium. Black-and-white, unclear if Divine Power.

A fluent German-speaking mage followed.

[This is an ancient demon-subduing mantra from our land. The Korean Empire team wishes peace to the German Empire and Pentalon.]

Buddhist chants in a Christian nation—fresh.

More cultural than religious.

The Empire, Papal State, East Asia—all tie historic elements to magic for cultural clout.

Bet East Asia’s three nations fight over who handles Buddhist texts authentically.

But…

“…….”

Feels new.

Wanna meet them. To them, I’m just a foreigner, so no big deal.

Lost in thought, the video shifted to West Asia.

Standing still, Elias turned.

“Luca~?”

“Coming.”

I caught up, and he shuddered.

“Gotta check everything. With all these people, if something pops…”

I smiled, walking forward.

But something was off.

The crowd glancing at us grew. Four ruling family members draw eyes, but…

‘Not here for the video.’

They heard we’re working here, came to gawk at royals.

Leo noticed too, calling security.

I walked, barrier up with teammates.

Leo smiled at citizens wanting handshakes—barriers and yesterday’s ban prevented it.

[Knocking my door, turning the handle…]

A calm, serene song hit my ears.

Yesterday’s voice? No, new.

Teammates exchanged looks.

A voice cutting through this noise?

Amplified magic, intentional.

Teammates drew wands to strengthen the barrier.

Boom—Crash—!

“Screams!”

“What?!”

As they channeled magic, a reverse surge hit.

I raised my arm to block barrier shards.

Or tried.

“…!”

Someone grabbed my hand.

Shock, then confusion.

Not yesterday’s New Human hand size. Maybe a petite Old Human woman?

Squelch—

Something wet clamped my hand.

No, their glove was soaked, like pulled from water.

‘What?’

I yanked to see their face, but the hand vanished.

Warped? The voice lingered.

[Father thinks, just the wind. Mother thinks, just the wind. Father thinks, merely wind. Mother thinks, merely wind.]

Folk song.

Low German folk song, not local, but I knew it.

Dat du min Leevsten büst, That you are my dearest.

I laughed dryly.

Narce was right.

Glove theft wasn’t deep.

But dropping hints means more plans. Narce’s Foresight too.

“Luca!”

“You okay? Your hand?”

Barrier broken, the crowd backed off. Security mages, called by Leo, stood nearby.

I glanced, thinking.

‘Hold on.’

Old Human hand, using amplified magic?

Not Catacombs—they don’t flaunt Old Human traits with magic.

So, likely a New Human…

‘This bastard.’

Hard to catch.

But I grinned.

These types are the most thrilling to nab.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep