Three days had passed since Rudy and Rie left the Academy.
Alone, Luna was doing her research in Rudy's room.
"Hmm…."
Despite Rudy's absence, Luna was able to continue her research in his room since he had left his keys behind.
Luna stared intently at a piece of paper on which she had drawn a magic circle.
"It seems like it's somewhat complete…."
A magic circle to calm the user when an elemental rampage occurs - magic that restores one's mind and mana to their normal state.
Luna had managed to create such a magic circle.
However, there was a problem.
The magic circle could be activated, but she didn't know how effective the magic circle was.
She couldn't test it by herself.
Of course, even if Rudy or Rie were present, she wouldn't be able to use them for experimentation either.
Still, it needed to be tested somehow.
There was a significant difference between a spell whose effects have been confirmed and one that hasn't.
She couldn't declare it complete even after creating it.
"Five days, huh…."
The time Rudy had told her to wait.
Luna was worried.
The words Rudy spoke when he was going to the capital.
He told her he didn't know what would happen to him and if something did, she should ask for help from the professors.
"Hmm…."
Luna rose from her seat.
"I've done quite a bit, maybe I should take a break."
Muttering to herself, Luna walked towards her own room.
As she returned to her room and was about to open the door, she took a quick glance at the wall next to the door.
Attached to the wall next to the door was a mailbox for each student.
She could see a single letter in the mailbox.
"Is it from Rudy?"
It had only been three days, but if Rudy had written a reply as soon as he received her letter, it would have arrived by now.
Luna took the letter out of the mailbox and looked at the sender's name.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})The sender's name was clearly written as Rudy Astria.
"Oh…!"
Though she had not seen him for only three days, she was overjoyed to see his name.
Luna quickly took the letter into her room.
She then picked up the letter opener on her desk and opened the letter.
"Let's see…."
As Luna read the letter,
"…."
Her expression grew darker with each word she read.
"What… what is this?"
The letter explained that he would have to stay at the mansion for a while, and he would probably only be able to see her after the break.
Luna read the letter again.
The content did not change, no matter how many times she read it.
However, she could understand one thing.
"…this isn't Rudy."
Luna had seen Rudy for a year.
Not just his face, they had been studying together continuously for a year.
So, she often saw Rudy's handwriting and was familiar with his writing habits.
Of course, this letter showed those habits.
But, it wasn't perfect.
The reason Luna could tell was that Rudy's handwriting was distinctive.
Rudy's handwriting wasn't blocky and straight. It fluttered around freely like cursive.
That was a distinctive feature of Rudy's handwriting.
Rudy's handwriting was so bad that there were times when even he couldn't recognize his own writing.
But this letter...
"It's too legible...!"
Well-written text is usually easy to replicate.
Most of the time, if you tried your best to write neatly, it would somewhat resemble the original.
However, bad handwriting was impossible to mimic.
A scribble so terrible that no one else could replicate it.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Rudy was at that level of penmanship.
Luna abruptly stood up from her seat.
She reached a conclusion.
This letter was not sent by Rudy.
Something had surely happened to him.
Luna didn't waste any time and immediately left the room.
There was no time to delay when Rudy was in potential danger.
"…...Vacation?"
"Yes, Professor Cromwell is taking over as Vice Principal, so he won't be at the academy during the holidays."
Luna's eyes widened at the assistant's words.
"Oh...."
The words Rudy had said.
The suggestion to seek help from either Professor Cromwell or Professor Robert.
However, neither of them were currently available.
Typically, professors, despite the holidays, are required to be at the academy at least once, either in the morning or afternoon on weekdays.
Being a professor is not just about teaching students, but also conducting research, so they often stay at the academy even during the holidays.
But, as Luna just learned, Professor Cromwell was on vacation, and for some reason, Professor Robert was in the Fred territory.
Even if she accepted Professor Cromwell's absence, Luna never imagined that Professor Robert would be unavailable as well.
"Ah....Thank you."
"Yeah, take care."
After bidding the assistant goodbye, Luna stepped outside.
She then stood still, looking up at the ceiling.
"Oh...."
None of the people Rudy had suggested to ask for help were available.
And going to the capital alone was problematic.
Infiltrating the Astria household alone, without knowing Rudy's condition, was practically suicide.
"Oh, what should I do?"
Luna frowned where she stood.
She slowly considered who else she could ask for help.
Astina?
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Astina would definitely help, but it could take too long, and there were various constraints.
Astina was a talent that the entire empire was currently focusing on.
If such a person suddenly visits the Astria family, it would draw everyone's attention.
Once people's attention is drawn, there would be no opportunity to rescue Rudy.
The Astria family was not an easy target to begin with.
Then....
"Maybe Rie...."
Rie seemed most suitable.
Firstly, being in the capital already gave her a geographical advantage.
However, just herself and Rie would be insufficient.
If Rie was there, they could flee towards the royal palace while escaping with Rudy, so safety was assured if they could just rescue him.
But the rescue itself was the problem.
It was nearly impossible to infiltrate the Astria family with just herself and Rie.
While Luna was lost in thought, a voice came from the side.
"Luna, it's been a while."
Luna turned her head towards the voice.
"…Oh! Professor?"
The owner of the voice was Professor McGuire.
"I thought you had gone home since I haven't seen you recently, but it seems that's not the case."
Professor McGuire said, giving Luna a slight smile.
Seeing him, Luna's face lit up.
And then she spoke up.
"Professor!!!"
"Hm?"
Taken aback by Luna's sudden exclamation, Professor McGuire tilted his head.
That's when Luna asked him.
"Could you please help me?"
In Professor McGuire's research office.
"Here, Luna, it's a warm cup of tea. It must have been cold outside. This tea is quite famous in the north..."
"Luna! I baked these cookies myself! Give them a try!"
"Oh, thank you...!"
Luna had followed Professor McGuire into his office.
But as soon as Luna entered, the assistants who had been wearing haggard expressions widened their eyes in surprise.
Suddenly, their faces lit up, they began rummaging through their bags or sprinting off in various directions.
Soon, they began offering gifts to Luna.
From cookies and desserts to warm tea, and even magical tools.
Various items were presented to her.
Luna scratched her cheek with an awkward smile.
"Ahaha..."
She was wondering how to handle this situation and why they were behaving like this in the first place.
While Luna was lost in thought, Professor McGuire took a seat across from her.
"I'm sorry, I had something to take care of."
"No, not at all! It's not like we set up an appointment."
Looking at Luna, Professor McGuire smiled and then glanced at the assistants who were peering at them from a distance.
"Everyone, out. I have something to discuss with Luna."
"Understood, Professor!"
Upon McGuire's order, the assistants quickly left the office.
McGuire watched them leave and chuckled as if he found the situation absurd.
"They should be that energetic when conducting research..."
"Hmm?"
"It's nothing. So, how can I assist you today?"
At Professor McGuire's question, Luna nervously fiddled with her fingers.
"Well... a friend of mine is in a bit of trouble..."
"Trouble?"
Professor McGuire furrowed his brows at Luna's words.
"If it's dangerous, wouldn't it be better to ask the security personnel or the investigators for help instead of me?"
"Well... the situation is a bit complicated for that..."
Listening to Luna's response, McGuire crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin in contemplation.
"I take it you're talking about Rudy."
"Huh! How did you know?"
Luna was taken aback by McGuire's insight.
He chuckled at her surprised reaction.
"Heh, with age comes wisdom."
McGuire picked up a cookie from the pile in front of Luna and popped it into his mouth.
"What kind of help are you hoping for?"
Listening to McGuire, Luna began to explain the situation, including her concerns about Rudy who seemed to be in trouble after going to the capital.
As he listened to her story, McGuire continued to stroke his chin thoughtfully.
"That's quite a headache."
"Yes... It's all based on circumstantial evidence, so we don't really have any concrete proof..."
Luna's voice trailed off as she lowered her head.
"Well, you're not one to make things up, and you must have some level of certainty to have sought my help."
"Yes... I may not know much, but I'm sure something has happened to Rudy."
At Luna's words, McGuire nodded in understanding.
"However, I can only provide indirect assistance. If I confront the Astria family head-on, it's not just me; many people around me will be troubled too."
"I understand...."
"But."
Professor Mcguire wore a sly grin.
"I am an expert in such indirect assistance."
McGuire stood up from his seat and grabbed the coat hanging on the rack.
Luna cocked her head at McGuire's actions.
"What are you doing?"
"Hmm?"
McGuire gestured towards the door with his chin.
"You said it's urgent, didn't you? We should leave right away."
"What... what do you mean...."
Luna spoke as if she didn't quite understand.
"Let's leave for the capital immediately. Pack only the essentials."
Luna's eyes widened at his words.
"Really? Thank you! Professor! I will never forget this kindness!"
"Yes, make sure you never forget~."
Professor Mcguire said, his face lit up with a playful smile.
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