Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 591

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 43.
The Velvet Invitation (4)
Professor Kin responded, then withdrew something small and thin from his pocket, turning it over in his fingers as he continued speaking.
“Keltika is the most difficult place to locate someone using magic. It’s not merely because of the population, but because centuries of various incidents have left multiple overlapping magical fields scattered throughout, creating severe interference. Anyone knows that ordinary investigation is the best method for finding someone there.”
With that, he handed what he held in his hand to Maximian. Upon accepting it without much thought, I found it to be an elegant bronze business card of the sort only nobility would use. Engraved in black upon the card was the following name.
Maximilien de Pleasance.
“Wait, this is….”
As Maximian began to speak with a startled expression, Professor Loreldin waved his hand and said,
“From now on, that’s your name. Isn’t it splendid? Better than your real name, wouldn’t you say? Here, take this as well.”
Professor Loreldin opened a thin drawer attached to the purple console beside him. From within, he withdrew a fine leather travel bag adorned with numerous studs, then set it at Maximian’s feet, handing over a smooth black coat and hat made of satin, along with a walking stick. The bag bore the letters “M. de Pleasance” and a family crest depicting three stylized fish.
Yet the drawer from which these items emerged was scarcely a hand’s breadth in height. It was impossible they could have originally been contained within, and yet they were far too meticulously prepared to have been assembled just moments before.
“Inside the bag you’ll find the address of where you’re to stay, travel funds, and your personal effects. There may be unnecessary items, but don’t discard them anywhere—wait until you reach Keltika before disposing of them. We gathered everything to prevent profile tracking. Well, that’s all we can do for you; the rest falls within your area of expertise, so you needn’t worry, yes?”
To reiterate, Professor Loreldin had never taught Maximian even once. Yet she carried herself as though she understood what sort of person he was and how he had lived.
Among the professors, only Professor Leomentiis would know much of Maximian’s past…. Could it be that the professors gathered among themselves and discussed their students in such manner?
Above all, despite wandering through Nenyaple for two years, Maximian had never imagined that a professor would do such things for students. All he had ever received from professors were looks of disappointment and failing grades, so he had never known what the professors of Nenyaple were capable of accomplishing if they set their minds to it.
When such a moment arrived, Maximian found himself strangely at a loss for words, rolling his eyes before asking,
“That is, well, granting that…. But why specifically a nobleman?”
“Because it’s the complete opposite of you. That way, it will be harder for them to find you, won’t it?”
Now that I thought about it, that made sense. I looked down at the bag. Then at the walking stick. I extended my hand, then stopped, finally tilting my head to one side with an odd expression before speaking.
“I could simply accept what you’re giving me and disappear quietly, but I find it difficult to believe. That you would go this far…. Is it because you fear I might be dragged off to Symbolion and drag Nenyaple’s honor through the mud?”
Professor Hoiock lowered the corners of his mouth while simultaneously raising his eyebrows.
“Well, if it were Rifkne, we’d stuff him in the basement and call it a day, but what’s more troubling is that we’re rather weak-willed.
In other words, even if it’s someone like you, should someone come and strike a Nenyaple student from behind, we suddenly develop an urge to kick that person’s backside. It’s a sort of occupational hazard.”
Professor Loreldin gave a slight nod toward Professor Hoiock.
“Now that I hear it, I seem to have the same affliction. In any case, my view is this: once you become affiliated with Nenyaple, whether you’re punished or rewarded, it’s Nenyaple’s concern. So don’t carelessly get caught up in this and taken away—do your job properly. Don’t make us watch you getting worked over by people from other countries and other schools.
Especially not you. What if those people see you and think all Nenyaple students are like you? We can’t very well explain that you’ve been held back for two consecutive years.”
“But I did pass this exam….”
Maximian glanced at Professor Leomentiis. As she slowly settled back into her chair, she sent a look that said “Why are you still here?” before speaking.
“I reviewed your Grade 5 answer sheet. Due to this incident, your student status is suspended, so we’ll discuss retention and expulsion upon your return.”
Professor Kin added,
“Moreover, it won’t be simple for you to walk out the school gates as you wish. The capable Juspian has prepaid your tuition in full. Through fourth year. Or rather, is it through the research program?”
That single day had witnessed countless unimaginable events, but nothing had frozen Maximian quite like these words. Not having completed even first year while wandering about, and now fourth year was being mentioned…? A research program? By whose authority?
“Well then, shall we open the door?”
Professor Hoiock walked toward the entrance through which Maximian had originally entered, closed the open door, and manipulated the doorknob several times. Then, looking at Maximian, he spoke.
“Well then, Monsieur de Pleasance? You’ve met a friend living in Belle Valley, attended a gathering, and received various gifts—now you need only return safely to Keltika. Should fate allow, let us meet again.”
With those words, the door swung open. Maximian found myself peering inward without realizing it. But brilliant light poured in, making it impossible to discern what lay beyond. And while peering thus, Maximian vanished from that place. Perhaps even I was unaware of it.
The remaining professors looked at one another’s faces. Initially their expressions differed, but eventually all four shifted to wry smiles. Professor Hoiock spoke.
“Please don’t worry too much. It would be difficult to say Rifkne was a student who fit well with our school, but in other respects he excelled. Ah, of course, not in the talent for failing grades.”
Professor Kin also spoke.
“What school would he have fit into? Juspian’s eye was remarkably accurate, but it may have been a talent difficult to cultivate in a place like a school.
Perhaps a crisis like this will actually allow my abilities to shine. When life is comfortable, I remain dormant, but it seems I’m specialized in breaking through dire circumstances and surviving them.”
Professor Loreldin nodded, then tilted her head slightly.
“I understand what you’re saying, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a bit different. Rather than surviving well in bad situations, in those circumstances….”
Professor Loreldin glanced at Professor Leomentiis’s face before finishing her thought.
“You tend to save others quite well.”
2. The Violet Seal
4 o’clock.
As Espin descended the Slope Path leading to Nenyaplo and entered Heimachi, she noticed something odd. Since a considerable number of students had left Nenyaple around that time, Heimachi should have been quiet and nearly deserted. Yet at one corner of the Crossroads, in front of Lindiz Shop, a fairly large group of students had gathered and were whispering amongst themselves.
At first, she wondered if some new pickled product had been released, but on second thought, there was no way a pathetic shop owner would put out such wares on the day of a holiday break.
Espin observed them from a distance, took a step closer, then stopped again. A strange instinct held her back by the heel. Somehow, it felt as though she shouldn’t draw their attention.
Espin glanced around the area, surveyed other parts of the Crossroads, then chose a path where no one lingered and moved forward slowly. As she reached the end of the Crossroads, the Orange Tree Tavern came into view.
But something that hadn’t been there an hour ago was now affixed to the tavern door. A large wooden plank nailed shut to prevent the door from opening, and upon it, a deep violet seal.
The luxurious wax seal, which shimmered with a faint silvery gleam, bore an imprint shaped like grape clusters and leaves. Unlike the seals used on envelopes, this one was nearly the size of a fist. Apart from that, there was no explanation or marking, yet it was so conspicuous that it was impossible to shake the feeling of a grave warning.
Espin blinked several times as she stared at it, then suddenly turned toward the Backyard and surveyed the surroundings. As expected, the same seal was affixed to the Back Entrance and the small side door near the Kitchen. Espin stared intently at one of them, then looked down at the ground. A trace of spilled wax remained on the threshold.
Having used wax seals countless times throughout her life, Espin could tell it hadn’t been long since this was applied. It must have been done shortly after she left this place. She could be more precise if she touched it with her hand, but simultaneously, her instinct screamed that would be unwise.
Because this would be Nenyaple’s seal.
Even Espin, who had never set foot in Nenyaple, had heard of the “Vineyard,” the repository of knowledge said to exist there. Espin took several steps backward. Several facts raced through her mind. If it were merely the nailed planks, she might have thought the Tavern Owner had closed for some reason, but that seal undoubtedly meant Nenyaple had directly sealed this place.
And the people living in this village would not dream of approaching once they saw a violet seal, even without a notice saying “do not enter.” They wouldn’t want to offend Nenyaple, but more importantly, why would anyone tamper with a seal from the Magic Academy that might contain dangerous magical power?
Nenyaple would be well aware that people harbored such anxieties, and therefore would never affix such a threatening seal for trivial reasons. In other words, that seal meant there was a genuine, serious reason why people must not approach.
Yet that tavern had been operating normally until yesterday, and remained closed from last night through this afternoon. In other words, the last time that tavern opened its doors, the only people inside were Espin herself and Maximian Lipkne.
And Maximian had vanished. Led away by a Nenyaple professor’s hand, through instantaneous teleportation. Why?
“….”
The moment her vague instinct transformed into a strong warning signal, a voice called out from behind her.
“Excuse me, just a moment.”
Startled, she turned around to find one woman and two men standing there. Though they appeared to be standing naturally, Espin immediately recognized the truth. They were ready to cast spells. She could tell from their hand positions.
They seemed too old to be students, yet too young to be professors. But she had heard from Marie Louis many times that one shouldn’t judge a mage’s age by appearance. Espin tensed, but simultaneously decided she must not show it. There was no way to simultaneously face three mages while already within casting range.
Espin feigned a bewildered expression.
“Yes? Were you calling for me?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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