Chapter 73: A Night at the Old School Building

“Ah, I have something to do tonight, so I’ll be out. Don’t worry and go to bed first.”

It had been a while since I got a proper job assignment. Lately, even when I was called in by Presia, it was mostly idle chatter or snacks rather than actual work. I hadn’t earned my paycheck from Presia in quite some time.

The magical experiments continued, but they had become less frequent and often could have been handled by someone else.

Of course, from my perspective, getting paid regularly despite the reduced workload was a win. However, the decrease in extra income was a bit disappointing.

Perhaps that’s why I casually mentioned that work seemed to have decreased recently. Presia, ever attentive, didn’t let my offhand remark slip by and came up with something big.

“Do we need to hide this from the dormitory manager? Should I just say you’re sick and went to bed early?”

Dormitory roll calls are unavoidable. On my first night here, I didn’t know that and left my room, only to get scolded heavily the next day.

Fortunately, I avoided penalties that time because it was my first offense.

“It’s nothing major. I’m going to work with the boss. The dormitory manager has already been informed.”

It seemed similar to when I previously helped check the barrier.

“…Last time you went out at night like that, you collapsed when you returned, didn’t you?”

“Ahaha…”

Celian suddenly struck a nerve. It was true that it had been dangerous, so I had no real defense. Still, I tried to come up with an excuse.

“This time, it’s really nothing dangerous! There’s no need to worry.”

“So, checking the barrier was dangerous? Honestly, El, you’re too carefree. It was the same with secretly escorting the Saintess with Celian.”

…As if Celian wasn’t enough, now Yuri joined in.

Earlier, she had acted like she would support me, but as soon as Celian brought up a past incident, Yuri immediately switched sides.

She was even more relentless than Celian.

“I absolutely can’t allow this!”

“Absolutely not!”

Would this be what parents are like? If their child mentioned going on a trip, they’d throw their whole weight into stopping them.

The thing is, I already told Presia I’d go. How should I convince these two?

Of course, if I told Presia now that I couldn’t make it, she’d probably understand. But she’d undoubtedly look so dejected. I’d bet my entire modest fortune on it.

While I was stuck between Celian and Yuri, who were pressuring me, Anne, lounging on the bed, casually made a suggestion.

“Why don’t we just go with you?”

“…So, can my friends come too? You can just pay me for my part.”

To avoid disappointing Presia and to convince Celian and Yuri, Anne’s proposal seemed like the best option. So, I immediately went to Presia.

It was still early evening, so I gently woke her up from where she was napping on the sofa to ask.

“Huh? Hmm…”

…This was definitely one of those times when she had no idea what I was saying but just agreed because I said it. While it was flattering that she trusted me this much, I worried about how vulnerable she was to being taken advantage of.

Still, she agreed, so I had her permission. Hopefully, she wouldn’t change her mind later.

Just in case, I helped her lie back down and stroked her hair so she could fall asleep comfortably.

In less than a minute, Presia was softly snoring again.

Once she was fully asleep, I quietly returned to my room to inform my friends. Only then did Celian and Yuri reluctantly give their approval.

…Isn’t my position here kind of strange?

***

“I gave my permission…?”

“Yes, I asked earlier. Don’t you remember?”

“I think I might have…”

When the four of us—Celian, Yuri, Anne, and I—visited Presia’s room in the magic wing, Room 707, all at once, she seemed startled.

Meanwhile, Anne was curiously poking and prodding the stuffed bear and rabbit toys scattered around.

“Well, if I said so, then I guess it’s fine.”

I had worried she might not remember and refuse to let them come, but in the end, Presia allowed it.

“Alright, shall we go then?”

“Yes. Anne! Stop tormenting the bear and rabbit and let’s head out.”

Following Presia’s lead, Anne reluctantly let go of the stuffed rabbit she had been holding and grumbled.

“Eh? But I want to play with them more!”

“Then stay here and live with them. I’m going with El.”

As Presia grabbed my hand and stepped outside, Celian and Yuri followed. Anne, after making a fuss, eventually trailed behind us with loud footsteps.

Through the closing door, I caught a glimpse of the stuffed rabbit being tossed into the air, but…let’s pretend I didn’t see that.

Sorry, rabbit.

“So, where are we going today?”

It was unclear whether the question was directed at me or Presia, but as her assistant, I answered first.

“To the old school building. You know where that is, right?”

“The old school building? Isn’t that a place no one uses anymore?”

Just as Yuri said, no one used the old school building anymore.

It had long been designated a restricted area. Students, even those pursuing higher courses after graduation, rarely, if ever, set foot there.

***

“The Academy grounds are rich in mana, and since no one maintains the old school building, negative energy has accumulated there, attracting spirits. Of course, they’re not actual ghosts—just clusters of energy.”

“In that case, why not just demolish the old school building entirely?”

“They said the magic department needs it for research, so they’re leaving it alone. Besides, it’s regularly managed like this.”

“…But isn’t it dangerous if there are spirits?”

“Not really. They’re weaker than monsters and can’t interfere with anyone’s mind. Right, boss?”

“Yeah. They’re powerless physically and mentally. If you’re scared, you can go back.”

“Come on, if it’s not dangerous, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Right, Yuri?”

“Y-yeah, that’s right!”

Maybe Yuri thought I was dismissing her fears. She responded more emphatically than necessary.

“Hehe, I wonder what ghosts look like?”

Meanwhile, Anne seemed excited for some reason, smiling from ear to ear.

“Oh, so this is the old school building.”

The old school building was tucked away at the edge of the campus, as if it had been forgotten when the Academy expanded.

The structure, built entirely of wood, gave off an eerie atmosphere, as if untouched by human hands for years.

While I was curiously observing the building—it was my first time seeing it in person—Presia unlocked the padlock on the entrance with the key she’d received beforehand.

“Alright, shall we go in?”

“Wow!”

As soon as the door opened, Anne dashed inside first.

Anne’s enthusiasm slightly ruined the spooky atmosphere, but we were here for work, not fun.

Following Anne, Yuri, Celie, Presia, and I entered the old school building together.

Creak, slam!

The moment we all stepped inside, the door behind us closed with an unsettling creak and then slammed shut.

It was probably the work of the spirits residing in the old school building.

Of course, they weren’t strong enough to do more than close doors, so none of us—Presia, Anne, Celie, or I—were particularly alarmed.

Grip.

Yuri, however, grabbed my sleeve and moved a step closer to me.

“Yuri, are you…?”

“No, it’s not that! I-I almost tripped! That’s why I grabbed it!”

Even though I hadn’t said much, Yuri immediately began making excuses, slowly letting go of my sleeve. However, the distance between us remained just as close.

“Wow!”

“Eek!”

Anne, who had crept up behind Yuri, tapped her back and shouted loudly, causing Yuri to scream in surprise.

Yuri clung tightly to my arm, trembling as she looked around nervously. Her eyes glistened slightly, as if on the verge of tears.

“I-I’m sorry, Yuri. I didn’t think you’d be that scared…”

Anne, realizing she had gone too far, looked apologetic as she tried to comfort Yuri.

But Yuri, still clutching my arm with a terrified expression, didn’t seem to notice Anne’s apology.

“…Do you want to go back and wait?”

Shake shake shake.

I suggested she return since we’d be here for several more hours, but Yuri vehemently shook her head.

“I-I can’t go back alone…”

True, the old school building was isolated, and we had walked through forested paths to get here. Given how scared Yuri was, it was unlikely she’d manage the trip alone.

“I-I’m fine, so don’t worry about me. Let’s just get this over with…”

Despite her words, the grip on my arm only tightened.

“Ah, I’m so scared too!”

Celie suddenly clung to my other arm, mimicking Yuri and leaning closer.

Celie? The calm expression you’re trying to maintain is doing nothing to make your words convincing!