6:30 PM.
Theo arrived at a restaurant.
It was a more upscale establishment than the one where he had previously dined with his teammates, complete with private rooms.
Creak─
Upon entering a private room, he saw Amy, who had arrived earlier and was waiting.
Amy stood up and bowed her head.
"Have you arrived, young master?"
"Yes."
As Theo was about to sit down near Amy, a man entered the room following him.
"Nice to see you again, Theo, Amy. It's good to meet you like this."
Theo turned his head towards the familiar voice.
"...Branch Chief."
The man was Taylor, the Branch Chief of [The Hilté], the only Healer guild situated within Elinia Academy.
"Hahaha. Did you see something you shouldn't have? Hmm, I guess I'll sit over here."
Taylor sat down laughing, opposite Theo and Amy.
Theo was initially startled but soon composed himself, remembering his past encounters with Taylor.
'After all, it wouldn't be strange for that odd man to hold a position in Equilibrium.'
The Taylor Theo knew was exceptionally capable, raising questions about why he hadn't been more prominent in the story.
He had created an imitation panacea, and despite not being a high noble, his livelihood was suspiciously comfortable.
Moreover, his adept use of healing magic with internal mana instead of divine energy was noteworthy...
And there were other suspicious aspects about him.
"..."
A brief silence filled the private room.
Theo, seeing Amy still wide-eyed, turned to Taylor.
"So, you're the executive of Equilibrium?"
Taylor answered with a smile.
"To be precise, I'm one of the executives. There are quite a few of us since the organization has roots all over the continent."
"Have you been watching me all this time? Giving me the imitation panacea, the communication crystal, the stamina recovery..."
Taylor looked at Theo, who spoke calmly, and shrugged.
"Hahaha. Watching you? Like I said before, Theo, I just wanted to establish a good relationship with a talent who will soon make a name across the continent.
I was already in Elinia Academy even before you enrolled."
"But you knew I was a target for Equilibrium's surveillance."
"Of course, I knew. But Theo, did you know that there are over 300 surveillance targets within Elinia Academy alone?"
Taylor continued, still smiling.
"Narrowing it down to just the first-year students of the Hero Department, there are over 20 besides you, Theo. This includes Neike and Piel, who are the top two students of the year, and many others."
"Did you approach them like you did with me?"
"No? As I mentioned earlier, I was more interested in establishing a relationship with you than monitoring you. Due to my nature, I didn't find much interest in the other students. Anyway, you're the only one among all the surveillance targets who knows my true identity. Does that answer your question, Theo?"
Theo fell into thought for a moment.
'Taylor, what do you want from me?'
There's no such thing as interest without a purpose.
Someone as capable as Taylor has been consistently investing time, resources, and attention in him.
This indicated that what Taylor expected from him was not insignificant.
Finding an answer was proving difficult.
'Hmm.'
The more he thought about it, the more complicated it became, without getting any deeper.
Perhaps it would be more efficient to just confront the issue head-on.
If they were going to work together, it would be better not to give the impression of being overly calculative.
Theo blurted out bluntly.
"Branch Chief, what do you want from me?"
"Well, nothing specific at the moment. Since you're only a first-year student, there are many limitations on what you can do. When I encounter a problem in some matter, I would appreciate your advice. Of course, if necessary, I'll arrange for immediate support from the organization."
It was an exceptional offer.
But the more tempting the offer, the higher the likelihood of it concealing a poison.
Theo asked.
"What would you do if I went around divulging your 'real' identity?"
Theo looked at Taylor with a steady gaze.
Taylor stared back at Theo and then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha. Sorry. I didn't laugh because you look funny, Theo. It's just that I never thought I'd get such a question.
Well, if I think about it now... Hmm. It seems I have no choice, do I? I don't want to place a magical safety mechanism on Theo."
"I don't mind a safety mechanism, as long as it comes with corresponding benefits."
Theo was serious.
The safest transactions are those where neither party has a way out.
Taylor waved his hands dismissively.
"No, no, let's drop that. You know I highly value you, Theo. I wouldn't want to do something to a talent like you that could make me disliked."
"I don't particularly like people whose attitudes change too quickly. Then, may I ask you to grant me one thing I want first?"
"Oh? What is it? I can even provide you with a legendary artifact, though it might take some time to acquire."
"From now on, don't use Amy as a pawn of the organization. Amy is my secretary."
"Hmm. I'm hearing a lot of unexpected things today. That matter is not exactly within my jurisdiction, but I'll request it from the higher-ups. I'll let you know as soon as I get a response. Now that we've talked enough..."
Taylor smiled and extended his hand to Theo.
"Shall we have dinner? I'm quite hungry after treating many injured today."
"Understood."
Theo shook hands with Taylor.
After the meeting with Taylor, Theo contacted Piel through the communication crystal.
As soon as he made contact, a voice came from the other side of the crystal.
─Uh, oh, wow. Creepy.
"What do you mean?"
─I was just about to contact you.
"Hmm. What's the situation?"
─Yes, it's confirmed. Tomorrow morning at 9, my father will come to the academy's main gate in a carriage.
"I see. Would a larger carriage be possible? Something that can accommodate 6 to 8 people should be suitable."
─...? Well, I guess that's possible.
"Then please arrange for that. See you tomorrow."
─Uh, um, okay... Got it.
The call ended there.
'I should tell the others.'
He had instructed them to wait at the Hero Department training grounds after dinner.
By now, they should have all arrived.
Dinner with Taylor had taken quite a long time due to the long conversation.
Theo spoke to Amy, who was standing beside him.
"Will you accompany me tomorrow to visit the Chalon household? You can refuse."
"...You said it yourself."
"What did I say?"
Amy gazed deeply into Theo's eyes.
Her eyes seemed to hold a certain warmth.
"I am your secretary. I should accompany you wherever you go."
The next day, 9 AM.
"..."
Humming cheerfully, Piel arrived at the front gate of Elinia Academy and frowned.
She saw other people with Theo, all carrying large clothing bags as if they were going on a trip.
'What's with all of them?'
Piel approached the group.
One of them greeted Piel.
"Hello, Piel. I'm Irene Aslan, Theo's fiancée. I'll be in your care for the next few days."
"..."
Instead of responding, Piel shot Theo a look that demanded an immediate explanation of the situation.
Despite Piel's intense gaze, Theo remained his usual composed self.
He stepped beside Piel and said,
"It's not often that one gets to visit the renowned Chalon family, a name among the greatest on the continent. I thought it would be a good opportunity to broaden the horizons of the aides."
"...Who decided that?"
Piel looked up at Theo unwaveringly.
Just then, as Alphs seemed to be growing anxious behind them─
"My daughter! Why strain your neck looking up at Theo? Let's get into the carriage first. I have a lot to talk about with Theo!"
A middle-aged man popped his head out of the carriage window.
He was Piel's father, Maximin de Chalon, the head of the Chalon ducal family.
Theo nodded.
"It seems the Duke has given his permission. Let's all board then."
Theo climbed into the carriage.
Following him, Amy, Irene, Seria, Alice, and Alphs also boarded.
"..."
Piel stared at her father in silence for a long time before finally getting into the carriage.
