The sky was completely dark when I stepped out of the training area.

"Whew. We've worked hard today, we should probably head home.

　Gran said, stretching lightly.
　I was going to go back to the dormitory, but I stopped to think about it.

"Gran. I want to practice some more, so I'll stay.

"Oh, okay. I'd really like to practice some more too, but ...... I'll get pissed if I'm tired during morning practice.

Does the Lion's club have morning practice?

It's a free event.

　The hawk group might be having morning practice, too.
　Lately, I've been giving priority to learning magic from Professor Sylphia, so I haven't been able to keep track of what my teammates have been doing. In the meantime, I've gotten permission from my friends to participate in the physical race, so I don't think there will be any problems. .......

　After separating from Gran, I moved to a corner of the field.
　As I watched the students head home, I activated a thin barrier in my hand.

　The translucent wall can be stretched thin or condensed to the size of a palm.
　I'm a genius at compression, and I'm good at condensing magical shapes. A wall condensed to the limit is durable enough to withstand a light blow.

I guess I should thank Dr. Sylphia again.

　She's the one that Chris recommended.
　I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to do it again.

"......?

　Suddenly, I felt the presence of people from a strange place and turned around.
　I could see several figures on the roof of the training ground. They were clearly avoiding the eyes of the people and moving somewhere quickly.

　--Do they think they're unnoticed?

　By the way, I saw a suspicious figure when I went to school with Mize.
　It's not that I saw him by chance, it's that there's something going on at the school.

...... to find out.

　I followed the figure, keeping an eye on my surroundings.
　Even though most of the students had already left the school, there were still many signs of people in the school. I don't want to make a showy move in this situation. But at least I should be able to determine if they were friends or foes.

　I followed the figures for a few minutes, trying to determine their identities.
　As a result of my observations, I discovered one thing.

　--At least they're not from the kingdom.

　The clothes they wear and the weapons they use are not kingdom style.
　They're probably the enemy. So I took out the Correspondence Paper from my pocket and contacted the appropriate party.

"What's wrong?

There's an intruder at the school.

　I told Chris, the person I was communicating with, what I wanted immediately.
　After a short pause, I heard a sigh.

"Thanks for the ....... Thanks for the report.

　In his reply, I could tell that Chris had some idea of what was going on.

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out. ...... I don't know what's going on, but you're having a hard time dealing with it?　If this keeps up, someone besides me is going to find out.

I just sent someone to the academy. I've been working on this for over ten days now. ...... Honestly, I'm getting overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies. You're right, we've been overwhelmed.

　I say to Chris, who apologizes with a sigh.

I was expecting some spies to be involved in the talks, but at this stage, I'm not sure if there's any organization that can move so spectacularly.

It seems so.

　I wondered to Chris, who gave me a small voice.
　You're so casual. It may be that you are tired from work, but this is more like .......

"Is ...... hard to explain?

"Yes. Not in a confidential way, but I don't want to disturb you.

　Interruption?

...... You're trying to learn new magic for the competition, aren't you?　You're enjoying your student life, so I don't want to get in your way.

　Well, that makes sense to me.

You don't need to worry about me. Is there anything I can do to help?

"Is ...... okay?

The enemy is already with me, isn't it?　Once you've noticed them, it's weird to ignore them.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　But that's just an excuse.

"Besides, fighting isn't so bad if you're trying to protect what you want to protect.

　This was my true feeling.
　When I was a soldier in the Agency, I was just following orders and fighting, but this is different from those days.

　Now, I can choose the battlefield of my own will.
　When I separated Elysia from the chain of vengeance, and when I freed Mize from the clutches of the Arcadia Kingdom, I felt an inexpressible sense of accomplishment in my heart. I didn't feel anything when I defeated the Demon King, but I definitely gained something when I fought for those two.
　I can trust that feeling. I'd fight for that feeling. I think so.



...... Yes. That's what you're trying to protect now, isn't it?

　Chris let out a small breath and said.
　The sound of his voice sounded happy.

'Well, let me explain the situation.

　Chris said calmly.

'The enemy is the Lucian Empire. Our goal is to stop the Rusektas Conference.