CHAPTER 10: The Perfect Formula

CHAPTER 10: The Perfect Formula

CHAPTER 10

The Perfect Formula

With Cyril over his shoulder, Nero dashed through the pitch-black forest. Even in human form, he had improved night vision. In addition, he was much stronger than the average human and could easily maintain his full speed despite carrying Cyril.

…Come to think of it , he thought, how did this chilly guy sneak out of the dorm?

The boys’ and girls’ dormitories were each surrounded by high walls. Guards manned the gates, keeping watch throughout the night. It should have been quite difficult to get in or out.

If one could use flight magic to soar or leap through the air, that would be a different story, but flight magic wasn’t as easy as it sounded. It required both a high level of precision mana control and developed physical abilities—it was a technique primarily used by high mages. That was why Monica, with her below-average physical coordination, couldn’t use it.

In my expert opinion, this chilly guy has some standout ice magecraft, but he doesn’t seem to be particularly skilled at anything else.

A person’s elemental affinity was determined from birth, and most average mages were only able to manipulate a single element. Monica’s ability to easily handle advanced magecraft without regard to element was in many ways unusual. Though Nero found it easy to forget at times, she was one of the Seven Sages—the greatest mages in the kingdom—after all.

Chilly guy probably can’t use wind spells, then. Though it’s still pretty amazing that he can use ice magecraft so well at his age. How had Cyril, who couldn’t use flight magic, snuck out of the boys’ dorm?

The answer came to him the moment he arrived at the rear entrance to the dormitory. There was a large crack in part of the wall surrounding the building. Cyril must have slipped through it.

“For an elite academy,” muttered Nero, “that’s sure some sloppy maintenance work.”

“Apparently, generations of students have used that crack to slip out of the dorm and take a breather,” came a voice from behind Nero.

He turned back, Cyril still over his shoulder, and saw a familiar male student standing behind him. With a tall, slender body; a pleasantly handsome face; and golden hair that shone softly in the moonlight—it was the second prince of the Kingdom of Ridill, Felix Arc Ridill. He was wearing his school uniform and holding a rather large board.

As Nero looked at the board, Felix stood it up against the wall so as to cover the crack. “Normally we conceal it with the board like this, but it would seem Cyril wasn’t able to do so at the time.”

Ah , thought Nero. So the prince is also a regular customer, too. Nodding to himself, Nero lowered Cyril from his shoulder. “I’m a traveler who just happened to pass by. This chilly guy was out of control with mana poisoning and collapsed in the middle of the forest, so I brought him back here for you. What do you think? I’m so kind, right? Hurry up and thank me.”

“Yes. Thank you for your efforts.”

“Whatever he says he saw, tell him it was all a hallucination due to the mana poisoning. Got that? Everything he saw was a hallucination.”

“…Hmm?” Felix glanced at Cyril, then immediately returned his gaze to Nero. His expression was calm and gentle—but his blue eyes were guarded as they watched Nero’s movements. “Would you mind giving me your name, perhaps, kind traveler?”

“Oh, I’m no one important. But since I’m so nice, I’ll tell you anyway. The name’s Bartholomew Alexander.”

Faced with Nero’s braggadocio, Felix put a hand to his mouth and snickered.

“That’s the same name as the main character in an adventure novel.”

“Wait. You know Dustin Gunther?” Nero asked, excitement in his voice.

He felt his fondness for the prince increasing slightly. It was his firm belief that anyone who liked Dustin Gunther had to be a good person.

Felix shrugged. “I’ve partaken in most amusements this country has to offer—novels, games, theater,” he said, smiling—though his smile seemed somehow empty.

Nero unconsciously scowled. This guy gives me the creeps.

Despite having been born into royalty and blessed with everything he could ever desire, the prince had empty eyes—like those of someone who possessed nothing at all.

Felix easily scooped up Cyril, then turned back to Nero as if he had just remembered something. “By the way, traveler? These forests are academy property, so only academy personnel and students are allowed to enter them.”

“Oh. Is that right?”

Nero hated being told to follow human rules. I’m not human, after all. The rules of mankind were none of his concern. He gestured to Cyril with his chin. “Since I saved the chilly guy for you, just pretend you didn’t see me.”

“Yes, of course. I’m not about to interrogate you after you saved Cyril.”

“Ohhh?” Nero knitted his brows in suspicion and shoved his hand into the folds of his robe. After rummaging around in the cloth, he appeared to catch something. “…Or maybe you didn’t need to interrogate me because you were going to have your little spy check up on me instead,” he said, bringing his hand back out of his robe.

Clutched between his fingers was the tail of a white lizard, his body swaying limply to and fro. Nero raised the lizard up to his face.