The Academy’s Hard-Headed Swordmaster

“The principle is simple.”

Yuri said, spreading magic across both her hands.

The magic she displayed was a basic 1-star spell, something any 2-star Magician could easily replicate, but beneath the surface, it was far more complex.

“It feels like casting two spells simultaneously. Like having two heads.”

“Like having two heads?”

“Yeah. So, if you apply this…”

As she spoke, Yuri demonstrated two 3-star spells at the same time.

Two distinct spells materialized simultaneously. Theoretically, this was impossible.

Normally, Magicians didn’t use two spells at once. Instead, they learned to cast one spell twice in rapid succession.

Experienced Magicians, proficient in this high-speed casting, could achieve speeds comparable to double casting.

However, Yuri was also capable of high-speed casting. As a result, the gap between her and other Magicians would only continue to widen.

“Do you understand?”

“…To be honest, no.”

Kyle ruminated on the magical theory Yuri was teaching him.

He wondered if the principle of double casting could be applied to swordsmanship, but learning the principle itself was proving to be a challenge.

‘It seems like it would be good to learn…’

When he was young, Sir Leon told him that becoming a Magician wasn’t simply about having the talent to manipulate Magic Power.

Various talents were required.

He now understood the reason behind those words.

It wasn’t just about Magic Power; considerable intellect was also necessary.

“It’s okay. This kind of thing is just a trick, anyway.”

“Just a trick…?”

“Compared to double casting and Aura Blade, I’d rather have Aura Blade.”

The power of an Aura Master to cut through anything.

A miracle that couldn’t be replicated with magic.

Yuri had always said that having Aura Blade would exponentially increase her capabilities and that she would trade double casting for it in a heartbeat.

Hearing this, Kyle chuckled and advised her to learn swordsmanship.

In reality, the chances of Yuri comprehending Aura Blade through swordsmanship were practically zero.

“By the way, to master double casting and become a 3-star Magician at the same time… Yuri, aren’t you a genius?”

“Yep. I’m a genius.”

“…I’m not teasing you, you know? Don’t look at me like that.”

Kyle shrugged, feigning exasperation at Yuri’s melancholic gaze, assuring her that he hadn’t meant to tease her.

Well, praising a Magician who had just reached the Expert level after becoming a Master might sound like teasing.

Making a mental note to be more careful with his words, Kyle turned his head slightly towards the door.

“—Young Master Kyle. We have guests from the Academy.”

“From the Academy?”

At the butler’s words from outside the door, Kyle told him to let them in.

A moment later, the door opened, revealing two men in neat suits.

One was nondescript, while the other was a handsome man with a clean-cut appearance.

The handsome man in front smiled brightly and introduced himself.

“Greetings. Student Kyle Meyer, Student Yuri Grace. I am Special Investigator Ivan.”

“Yes, Investigator Ivan. What brings you here?”

“First, would it be alright if we sat down to talk? And this isn’t something to be discussed in front of others.”

Ivan glanced at the butler, who bowed slightly and left the room.

Once the four of them were alone, Ivan took out a magic tool from his pocket and activated it.

The Magic Power emanating from the magic tool vibrated with a low hum, enveloping their surroundings.

Wondering what kind of magic tool it was, Kyle looked at him. Ivan waved his hand dismissively, as if telling them not to worry.

“Ah, this is just a magic tool to prevent our conversation from leaking out. It’s a very important matter.”

“What did you come to talk about?”

“You are aware that valuable research materials were stolen recently, correct?”

Kyle nodded.

He had donated research materials that enabled double casting, only for the principal to abruptly inform him that they had been stolen.

He had initially suspected that the principal was trying to monopolize the incredible achievement of double casting, but the principal had vehemently denied it, claiming he hadn’t even had a chance to properly read the materials due to his busy schedule.

The look of regret on his face, the lament of a Magician who had missed out on double casting, had convinced Kyle to drop his suspicion.

“I’ve heard about it.”

“Yes, I’ve been dispatched to find the culprit who stole the materials.”

“Can’t you just recreate the materials?”

“If we don’t catch the culprit, they’ll just be stolen again.”

Kyle shrugged, unsure how they planned to catch the thief.

Several days had passed; it wouldn’t be surprising if the thief had already fled the country with the materials.

However, Ivan shook his head, disagreeing.

“I can’t divulge the details, but… from the day the materials were stolen until today, no one has left the Academy and not returned.”

“Meaning…”

“Yes, the culprit is still within the Academy.”

At those words, a potential culprit sprang to Kyle’s mind.

Professor William, with his supernatural abilities that could deceive even a Master like himself.

Couldn’t he have snuck into the principal’s office and back out unnoticed?

Kyle immediately relayed his thoughts to Ivan.

“Professor William could have snuck in and out undetected.”

“All potential suspects are under investigation. And the investigation regarding Professor William has already been concluded.”

“And yet, you’ve come to us, which means…”

“Professor William is not the culprit.”

Kyle couldn’t fathom how they had conducted their investigation, but since a Special Investigator like Ivan claimed he wasn’t the culprit, he simply nodded in acceptance.

After some small talk, Ivan declared it was time to begin the investigation.

“Now then, I’ll ask. Kyle Meyer, Yuri Grace. Were you the ones who stole the research materials?”

“…No?”

“Do you know anyone you suspect might be the culprit?”

“Um… besides the Professor I mentioned earlier, not really.”

“Student Grace?”

“No.”

“Good.”

The moment the two brief questions were over, Kyle tilted his head slightly, sensing a subtle wave directed towards him.

The wave didn’t emanate from Ivan, who stood before him, but from the nondescript man standing behind him.

“The investigation concludes here. Then we’ll be taking our leave.”

“It’s over already? What did you even do…?”

“Classified information.”

Ivan retrieved the sound-absorbing magic tool and stood up.

Kyle, who had expected more questions beyond those two, let out a hollow laugh and looked at Yuri.

However, Yuri met his gaze with an indifferent expression, as if this were perfectly normal.

“What?”

“It’s just… what kind of investigation was that?”

“What’s wrong with it? Normally, you find the culprit with magic and Force.”

“Huh?”

“Actually, manually searching for evidence without magic or Force is the more primitive method, isn’t it?”

Indeed.

This was a fantasy world, and fantasy worlds had their own methods of investigation.

The reason Ivan had left after just two questions was because those two questions were sufficient to determine whether or not they were the culprits.

* * *

Time passed.

The theft at the Academy seemed to be a secret, as no rumors circulated about it, and classes weren’t suspended because of the clandestine incident.

However, there was also no news of the culprit being caught.

It seemed as if the case was being swept under the rug.

Among us students, there was even talk that the principal hadn’t actually been robbed, but had simply misplaced the materials.

Honestly, considering the principal’s age, that scenario seemed more plausible.

‘The investigation was so fantastical that it’s hard to believe.’

If there had been a scientific investigation like on Earth – taking fingerprints, collecting footprints, identifying individuals through cameras – it would have been believable.

But two investigators showing up, asking a couple of questions, and leaving felt more like a word game than an investigation.

Are you the culprit?

No.

Okay, good job.

It felt like witnessing that meme from the internet play out in real life.

I sighed and stretched.

Lately, Sera and Yuri, who had been anticipating a reward, hadn’t seemed very cheerful either.

‘How can we find the culprit?’

Lost in thought as I walked down the hallway, something soft suddenly pressed against my back.

Wondering if a slime had ambushed me, I turned around to see Aria, her blonde hair shining, grinning from ear to ear.

“Hi! Long time no see, Kyle.”

“Aria. Long time no see.”

“Something on your mind?”

She tilted her head and hopped forward.

Her large breasts and skirt fluttered with her movement, captivating my attention.

However, no matter how alluring she was, I couldn’t discuss the secret investigation, so I shook my head.

“Nothing.”

“You don’t look like ‘nothing’… Well, if you say you’re fine, then you’re fine!”

Saying that, Aria naturally sidled up next to me.

I had no reason to push her away, so we walked together through the Academy.

Even as I remained silent, Aria kept chattering, bringing up various topics I knew nothing about.

“The other day, you know…”

“Yeah.”

“This and that happened~”

“I see.”

“Do you find it bothersome that I’m here with you?”

“Oh, that’s amazing.”

“…You weren’t listening, were you?”

Oops, busted.

I looked at Aria, standing there with a slightly awkward expression, and shook my head.

“I just have something on my mind right now.”

“What is it? Tell me. Even though I’m a commoner, I know quite a bit, so I might be able to help.”

Aria puffed out her chest, confident that her sharp intuition could solve anything.

Watching her, I started to ponder how to explain the situation without revealing that the research materials had been stolen.

“Um… so, this happened…”

After listening to my edited story, Aria rested her chin on her hand, closed her eyes for a moment in thought, and then began to speak.

“Kyle! Often, the person you suspect is the culprit!”

“…What’s that supposed to be?”

“Oh, you don’t know? It’s from a popular mystery novel going around the Academy these days—”

I mulled over Aria’s words, lost in thought. The person I suspect is the culprit…

—Should I try it?

“Aria, thanks.”

“Huh? For what?”

“Thanks to you, I think I can find the culprit.”

“Hmm… I don’t really get it, but okay!”

They say fantasy worlds have fantasy-like investigation methods.

Then I’ll do it the fantasy way.

* * *

Late at night, with the moon high in the sky, Magic Professor William Taylor finished his research and headed home.

Walking alone on a main street at night might be frightening for ordinary people, but for a 4-star Magician like him, it was nothing to worry about.

He didn’t need to fear common thugs or thieves lurking in the city.

Even if… a sword-wielding assassin came after him.

“William Taylor.”

A deliberately lowered voice.

The figure wore a hooded robe, making it difficult to discern their identity.

William sighed softly and glared at the assassin.

“Do you know who I am?”

“—I’ve come to steal back what you stole.”

“The item the investigator asked about the other day? I proved then that I didn’t steal it. The investigator confirmed it.”

“Hand over the item, and I’ll spare your life.”

The conversation was going nowhere.

Sighing, William used his Force to mask his Magic Power signature and carefully began to chant a spell.

“I told you I didn’t steal i…t!”

Completing the spell in an instant, William unleashed it.

A powerful current surged through the ground, targeting the assassin.

The assassin swung their sword at the approaching current. How foolish.

Did they not know that electricity could also flow through a sword—?

At that moment, an Aura Blade erupted from the assassin’s sword.

“Huh?”

An Aura Master.

Realizing the implications of an Aura Master personally coming to assassinate him, William broke out in a cold sweat as he stared at the assassin.

“…Where do you come from?”

“Kivotos.”

“So, another strange secret organization has sprung up. Sending a Master means they’re quite formidable…”

William took a deep breath and looked at the assassin.

“…If I give you the materials, will you really spare my life?”

“—No.”

“Ha, to say it so boldly. What if I don’t hand over the materials and hide them?”

“There’s no need for that anymore.”

The assassin said, throwing back their hood. William, who had been hoping to catch a glimpse of their face, stiffened at the sight.

“…Kyle Meyer?”

“Nice to see you, Professor.”

“What is the meaning of this? Why are you… No, wait—a student, a Master? A first-year, no less?”

As William stammered in disbelief, Kyle spoke confidently.

“I never said the item was ‘materials.’ How did you know the stolen item was research materials?”

“Student Kyle, doing this when you’re not an investigator is illegal—”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“What?”

Kyle shrugged at William’s mention of the law.

If he believed in the law, he wouldn’t be doing this in the first place.

The law wasn’t an absolute principle but a flawed set of rules created by humans.

“It’s called ‘Fantasy World Scientific Investigation’ Professor.”

A cutting-edge investigative technique often used even when humanity created nuclear bombs and sent people to the moon.

First, frame the suspect; the evidence will appear later.

And at this moment—William had confessed with his own mouth that he was the culprit.

“As an honorable Academy student, I hereby place you under arrest, Professor.”

Resist.

It’ll be easier that way.

Kyle said, lunging forward.