Luna and I both bowed our heads.
"I'm sorry......"
"Ahaha...... That can happen."
The handcuffs were finally removed after Luna visited another wizard.
It took some time, but it didn't hinder our progress.
"Suspecting the head wizard?"
"It's a suspicion...... but I came to check, just in case."
The candidates we had considered were the Empire's head wizard and the Prime Minister.
Anyone nearby would say it's foolish.
Considering what the two have sacrificed for the Empire, it seemed implausible.
But still, we couldn't not investigate.
They could have been feigning loyalty to the Empire while engaging in questionable activities.
"So...... should we ask the head wizard directly?"
"......That's not possible."
Whether that person is a user of time magic or not, they would respond the same.
A real time wizard wouldn't just admit, 'Yes, I use time magic~', would they?
"Then?"
"There's the head wizard's private library."
"Yes, that exists. But how do we get in......"
I pulled out a small necklace from my pocket.
The necklace had a transparent orb emitting a mysterious light, but it was cracked.
"What is that?"
"A magical tool that enables spatial magic."
It was the tool I used when going to rescue Astina.
It was only used once, but it was in terrible condition.
It seemed it would break with even the slightest touch.
Even well-crafted tools seemed unable to withstand spatial magic.
Luna, holding the necklace, looked at it blankly then frowned.
"Isn't this...... broken?"
"It seems almost unusable, but it might work for short distances."
There was still mana left in the necklace.
It seemed capable of use, but unlikely for long distances like last time.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"So, what do we do......?"
"I'll go into the private library alone. Luna, you get the head wizard to open the door. I'll sneak out in the meantime."
Given the state of the necklace, it seemed it could only be used once more.
So, when exiting, someone's help would be necessary.
"Me, lure the head wizard into the private library? More importantly, can you sneak out when the head wizard enters?"
"We have to try. If the door is open, I think I can find a way out......"
I couldn't give a definitive answer.
It might be possible with a normal vault, but this was the Empire's head wizard.
Unknown magics could be set up there.
"This seems too reckless......"
"It's okay. The tool might not break in one use, and if it does, there's another way."
"Another way?"
"I'll claim the tool activated automatically due to its poor condition."
"......Will that work?"
"Since no one knows about spatial magic, they can't outright say it's a lie."
No tool for spatial magic exists, even in the Royal Tower of Magic.
So, even if I made up some excuse, there would be no way to verify whether my words were true or not.
I didn't believe the head wizard of the Empire, who was on our side, would do anything to me.
If there was nothing incriminating against me, I wouldn't be pursued.
"Shall we try then?"
With that, I separated from Luna and headed towards the upper floors of the wizard Tower.
According to Luna, the head wizard's library was located at the very top of this tower.
My destination was deeper inside, the head wizard's personal research lab, beyond the library.
While high-ranking individuals could enter the library, the research lab was off-limits to everyone except the head wizard.
It contained materials that the head wizard was personally researching.
These materials were national secrets and almost treasures.
If they fell into the wrong hands, the magical documents, dangerous if misused, were piled up in a room that no one but the Emperor could enter.
Usually, high-ranking families store their documents in their personal residences.
The head wizard, although a noble of high standing, was an honorary noble without a domain.
As a nominal noble without a proper mansion, it was certain that all his valuables, including personal items, were in his lab.
Thump-thump─
"Is this the place......?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})I knocked on the ceiling.
I was in the library directly below the head wizard's research lab.
It was a library used by the Royal Wizards, accessible to everyone, but I had struggled to get here.
It wouldn't be good if it was discovered that I, not an Royal wizard, was wandering around alone, so I came here without attracting attention.
Closing my eyes, I focused upward, sensing the flow of mana and the space around me.
The room above the ceiling was enveloped in mana.
I wasn't sure exactly what kind of magic it was, but it seemed designed to prevent external intrusion.
However, such magic was not a major concern for me.
Ordinary people would definitely have to pass through this magic as it covered the entire wall.
But, with teleportation magic, I could enter without passing through the wall, so it wasn't an issue.
I held the necklace in my hand and looked upwards.
"Teleport."
Suddenly, a strong light emanated from the necklace.
It enveloped me, and my surroundings shifted.
Numerous bookshelves and books appeared.
Although I was already in a library, this room was different.
Unorganized books were stacked on the side, and some books were heavily coated with dust.
It seemed disorganized because it was inaccessible to most.
"I'm in."
Clang─
But then, the magical tool shattered.
I had anticipated this, but still, seeing it break made me sigh.
Is Luna my only hope now......?
I wondered if I had put too much pressure on her.
But I couldn't just stand still.
I put the broken tool in my pocket and looked around the room.
Compared to the library I had just been in, shabbier books caught my eye here.
I browsed through them as I moved forward.
Then, another bookshelf appeared.
The room was like a maze, and since the entire top floor was the head wizard's area, I had expected some empty space, but it was packed with books.
Not all of them were printed; some seemed to be handwritten, possibly by previous generations of head wizards.
As I meandered around, I stumbled upon a door.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})One looked like an exit, and the other...
"Is that the research lab?"
I cautiously approached the room, and out of curiosity, I read the flow of mana again.
"Ah..."
Mana spread like a spider's web.
Inside the room, dozens of mana strands extended.
It was as if the mana was filling the room like yarn in a spool.
If I entered now, I'd be discovered immediately.
"There's no way the head wizard didn't prepare for this."
A person like the head wizard would undoubtedly know about spatial magic.
The magic in the lab seemed to be a countermeasure against spatial magic.
While I could get into the library, the inner lab was off-limits.
The head wizard seemed to be saying just that.
What should I do?
I had read the mana flow before entering the library, but from outside, it was too faint to detect.
The flow was weak, indicating the magic wasn't strong, but the sheer quantity was overwhelming.
It would take ages to dismantle them one by one.
I stood in front of the room, pondering over the flow.
Just then, as I was deep in thought...
"......Rudy Astria?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind me.
There was no sound of approach.
Where did it come from?
I quickly turned around.
Behind me stood a man resembling me, a bit taller, with blonde hair.
It was my brother, Ian Astria.
"......?"
I stared at Ian, puzzled.
"Why are you here?"
"......Why are you here?"
I asked, glancing around.
Nothing else had changed.
"......Did you come in using spatial magic?"
"Yes. How did you get here? You can't use spatial magic yet, can you?"
I couldn't let Ian find out about the magical tool; it was stolen from a vault.
"I made my own arrangements."
"......Hmm."
Ian looked at me skeptically, then scanned the area.
"Doesn't seem like you had permission to enter."
"Isn't that the same for you?"
"Why did you come here?"
"Why did you come?"
I parroted his question, and Ian ran his hand through his hair.
"We won't gain anything by staying here for long. Answer me quickly."
"You first. If we're caught here, it's worse for you, isn't it?"
Ian scowled and glared at me before speaking.
"The head wizard is suspected of using time magic."
Hearing this, I felt that my suspicions held some credibility.
"Is it because of the time magic incident in the palace?"
"You know about it?"
"If so, there's no need for further explanation."
Our goals aligned.
The head wizard's research lab.
I extended my hand towards the lab.
"Can you handle the magic inside?"
I didn't think highly of Ian, but his magical skills were superior to mine.
Having followed the elite course since the academy, Ian's current abilities were beyond my estimation.
Ian walked towards the front of the lab.
"Hmm..."
He briefly examined the room, then spoke.
"It's not impossible."
Why say 'not impossible' instead of just possible?
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Ian.
"That means it's going to be difficult."
As if reading my thoughts, Ian added and extended his hand.
"Let's go inside."
"Right now?"
As soon as I spoke, Ian opened the door to the research lab.
