Published: August 25, 2025
After Raimund taught me the improvements for the magic circle, I was immediately excused. It was because Hartmut and Brother Cornelius were pressing me.
Personally, since Raimund kindly and thoroughly explained how to improve the magic circle, I wanted to ask about the magic tools the high priest had left behind and their improvements as well. But since the close aides were all on edge, I couldn’t stay any longer.
As soon as I returned to the dormitory, Brother Cornelius and Hartmut told me to write a letter to Ehrenfest.
“We should consult Lord Ferdinand. As Hirschur’s disciple, he should know how to handle this.”
“I’ll gather information on Raimund... I don’t think many third-year civil official apprentices know him.”
We returned much earlier than the scheduled lunchtime, and the aides started bustling about. Wilfried, who was in the multipurpose hall, blinked and looked at me.
“What happened?”
“Hirschur’s new beloved disciple is a civil official apprentice from Arensbach.”
“What!?”
Wilfried’s deep green eyes widened.
“If he’s assisting with research and coming in and out of Hirschur’s lab, it’s possible that information from our side is leaking. It’s another matter how much Hirschur, who isn’t here in the dormitory, knows about our info, but we need to verify how far it’s spreading.”
I thought it would be safe to assume that everything about the magic tools and magic circles Hirschur is studying is already known. Considering the mess in that room, there’s no way the research is being kept secret.
Hearing my muttering, Liselotte looked worried and glanced at me.
“Does that mean he already knows about the magic circles embroidered on Schwarz and their attire?”
Those magic circles are meant to protect Schwarz and his group. But if someone knows what kind of magic circles they are, how they work, and how to activate them, it’s not impossible for their defenses to be broken.
“It depends on how much information Lord Ferdinand has shared with Hirschur, but I think most of what Hirschur took as reference materials is already known.”
I sighed and began writing an urgent letter to the high priest. My letter would be promptly sent to Ehrenfest. Now, we just had to wait for a reply.
In the multipurpose hall in the afternoon, many first-years had finished their lectures and were present, while most second-years were out for practical training. A few third-years and above were around. Only Brother Cornelius and Richarda from my close aides were in the hall. Hartmut had rushed out of the dormitory right after lunch to gather information.
I looked over the magic circle Raimund had corrected and reviewed the modifications. The magic circle I initially made and the one Raimund fixed were so different, they could be considered completely separate.
“Is Raimund a third-year?”
If Raimund had just become a third-year, the classes he was originally taking shouldn’t differ much from mine, which had completed second-year lectures. Yet, he spends so much time in Hirschur’s lab, absorbed in research, and even attends Gundolf’s classes, that there’s a significant gap between our knowledge of magic tools. His corrections showed his effort, and I quietly exhaled.
“Since he studies magic tools this much, I’m sure he wanted to read Lord Ferdinand’s books.”
“He’s from Arensbach,” Brother Cornelius said, glaring at me. He has a harsh view of Arensbach after blaming himself for not protecting me during the two years before I woke up, despite being a guard knight.
“I know. But the desire to read those books can’t be suppressed, right? It’s like the greatest misfortune not being able to read the books you want right in front of you. I really felt sorry for Raimund.”
“…That kind of kindness isn’t necessary.”
Brother Cornelius sighed and slumped down right in front of me. Feeling somewhat like petting Gil’s head, I reached out and gently stroked the light green hair of Brother Cornelius.