Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

Talia's memory of that day was particularly vivid; halfway through watching, she felt something was off and ran away.

It was only when Hyperion returned home that she learned of the tragic events at Ichrite Academy that day.

"Professor Landry, rest assured, they wouldn't dare to mess with me recklessly. After all, when Headmaster Violet isn't around, I am practically the acting headmaster, holding most of the monastery's authority. I can arrange them perfectly well."

Secretary Nela chuckled softly twice, ceasing her joking with Lanci.

"Besides, we meet so frequently for work reasons; if there were rumors, they'd have spread long ago."

She said to Lanci, her tone implying she had intentionally teased him just now.

"..."

This left Lanci even less certain of Nela's thoughts at the moment.

Nela pulled a portable soundproofing magic device from her coat pocket, activated a small barrier, isolating the sound inside the carriage, as if she'd prepared in advance.

"Professor Landry, ask whatever you want. The conversation in the car can only be heard by you and me now."

Nela said without turning her head.

"I need to ask you a few questions first."

Lanci hesitated for a moment. Although he'd come to regard Nela as a friend, he still felt the need to proceed cautiously on such matters.

"Go ahead."

Nela responded decisively.

"Miss Nela, you haven't had any private contact with the Allied Forces, have you?"

Lanci's expression grew more serious as he posed the question to Nela.

"Certainly not."

Nela answered smoothly, showing no sign of anger.

"..."

The cat resting in Lanci's arms did not stir in the slightest, lying quietly as he stroked it.

"Forgive me for asking, Miss Nela, can you guarantee that you are loyal to the Empire?"

Lanci continued his inquiry.

"Of course."

Nela nodded without hesitation.

"What about you?"

She countered, asking Lanci.

"I am as well."

Lanci stared at Nela in the front seat for a while before nodding in return.

"You don't have any connections to the Silvermoon Reform Association either, correct?"

Lanci posed his final question, testing Nela.

The first two questions had almost confirmed that Nela held a position worthy of trust, leaving only this last inquiry.

"Professor Landry, such pointed questions—in three succession—are you testing whether I'm lying?"

From the driver's seat, Secretary Nela, her mechanical eyepiece revealing a piercing blue eye, stared ahead at the road as she spoke to Lanci.

"..."

Lanci lowered his head somewhat awkwardly.

Nela's sharp words had directly exposed his attempt at lie detection.

Without any preamble, delivering three successive questions—such an approach would inevitably reveal Lanci's agenda to someone as astute and perceptive as Nela.

Though he could have framed the questions more subtly, at this point, he didn't want to waste any more time or play mind games with a friend.

"Given that you asked in this manner, I assume you also have some guesses. Are you Number Seven?"

Nela decided to stop teasing Lanci, slightly tilting her head as she asked him directly.

"Indeed."

Lanci and the gray cat in his hands both lifted their heads to look at Nela.

Nela's question confirmed that she was an ally!

Even moments ago, her actions might have been deliberate—pretending to be oblivious while subtly toying with Lanci.

"That day, Her Highness the Princess entrusted me to assist a new member at the station. I happened to be heading there to receive a new professor. When I saw Nikola tailing you, I became quite suspicious that you were the newly arrived Number Seven."

Secretary Nela explained, one hand moving to shift gears and revealing a glowing pink Communication Magic Card for a brief moment.

[Ultra Long-Distance Communication Program-8]

[Category: Spell Card]

[Grade: Pink Holy]

[Attribute: Link]

[Level: 6]

[Effect: Compared to regular ultra long-distance communication magic, it offers enhanced range and anti-interference properties.]

[Notes: The purity of the Empire, protecting souls from the taint of torment.]

"So, when I was alone in the Main Hall banquet earlier this afternoon, I deliberately tested you. I mentioned my connection to Her Highness to observe your reaction. But you hid it flawlessly—even your expression showed no change, nor did you pursue that topic further. Thankfully, you've come forward to reveal yourself now."

Nela continued speaking to Lanci.

"So, your blatant hostility toward Nikola that day—was it mainly to deflect his attention from me?"

Lanci asked, beginning to piece things together.

Looking back, many events seemed to reveal underlying causes and effects.

On the day Landry arrived in Brilda, Princess Alexia had asked both Nikola and Nela for assistance in handling new members.

Unfortunately, Nela and Nikola were unaware of each other's shared goal of rescuing someone, both committed to maintaining their roles flawlessly.

"No, I simply despise purebred Imperial Hounds like him. You're different—you're mixed. He, though, is the real thing."

Secretary Nela glanced at Lanci through the rearview mirror, speaking with clear disdain.

"Uh..."

Lanci was at a loss for words.

Princess Alexia seemingly had a knack for recruiting unique individuals.

"Do you know the identities of Numbers Four and Nine?"

Lanci leaned forward, resting one hand on the back of the front seat, asking her with some tension.

"Her Highness only told me that Number Four could be considered nonexistent, as their agreement with her was to avoid offering any real-time assistance to the Silvermoon Reform Association—only intervening in utterly irreversible situations."

Nela frowned in recollection,

"As for Number Nine, they are simultaneously the most trustworthy and the most untrustworthy person. Even Her Highness believes handing them the Sacred Communication Magic Card is a gamble. Interestingly, it's Number Six—who you didn't ask about—that Her Highness considers utterly reliable."

Nela finished, speaking in a slightly apologetic tone.