A Death Row Convict Teaches at a School of Magic

“I appreciate you saying so, but… how did you figure out that I was in that place?”

“Regarding that, Kanaki, I wasn’t really looking at you; instead, I was observing Rain to assess his combat prowess.”

I see. Now that you put it that way, it made sense. That would mean that she did not have any prior insight into my activities, but that I coincidentally showed up while she was monitoring Aldar.

“But how did you recognize me when I was clad in ‘Mist Veil’?”

“Hey, don’t you realize that you’re the only person in this world, let alone this city, who could take a bullet to the head like that and still maintain an indifferent expression on your face?”

Having been told that, even I would show a daunted look. In short, it implied that those familiar with me could identify me at a glance.

“So the truth is, I had been watching you fight from the beginning, Kanaki. It was an excellent opportunity for me to gauge the other side’s capabilities, so I let myself be a spectator for a while.”

A mischievous smile crossed Xenia’s face, but my indignation was not at all aroused because I was ultimately spared from having to handle the battle on my own and was saved. Rather than that, for my part, another aspect struck me as surprising.

“No, I was saved consequently, which is fine. What was more unexpected was that you were doing a fighting ability reconnaissance.”

“Oh, really?”

“I mean, if you knew what your opponent was capable of, wouldn’t you be extremely inclined to claim it would be dull, Ms. Xenia?”

Xenia then erupted to the hilt.

“Ahaha! Oh my, what in the heaven are you talking about! Did you think I was that kind of character?”

“Well, since you are a pleasure-seeking individual, it’s not inconceivable that you would be like that.”

“No, no, no, if by any chance I did that and lost, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy myself for a while. Even though I am a pleasure-seeking woman, I want to have fun on a semi-permanent basis.”

“Is that how it is?”

“That’s the way I am.”

Behind me, a large pillar of fire rose up. Location-wise, it was around the area where I was earlier. Xenia raised a faint voice, “Ah” at the sight of this.

“The reinforcements have arrived from the other side, so I suppose this is as far as we can go to stop them. Shall we call it a day?”

Walking next to Xenia, who had turned on her heel, a question was posed to her.

“By the way, how did your reconnaissance of Aldar’s strength fare?”

“It was splendid, thanks to your efforts, Kanaki. In particular, I was able to witness the magical tools he was employing. I have seen a lot of magical tools that are specialized for ‘Magic Bullet’ shooting, but I have never encountered one that is variable and transforms into a knife in close-quarters combat. Even his ‘Magic Bullet,’ whether it uses composite magic or not, is transparent and even has invisibility.”

“Ahaha… that’s true.”

Even though I had used the magic crystal stone to finally find out what that was, Xenia, who was observing from afar, seemed to have figured it out easily. Conversing with this person, I was reminded that I was indeed a mediocre person.

“Besides, I sensed from the fight that he probably wasn’t at his utmost capacity, so I suppose it’s too early to evaluate his strength based on what I saw today.”

“I know. After gathering a little more information, I will strike again at the perfect opportunity.”

When I noticed it, aside from us, a few other people were beginning to be sighted on the street. Before long, we were back near the bustling main street.

Having reached this distance, it was probably impossible to track us down. After one last meticulous confirmation that no pursuers were forthcoming, I deactivated “Mist Veil”. Conversely, it would be conspicuous in a crowded place if someone were to wear “Mist Veil”.

“Hey, look at that.”

What was pointed out by Xenia was an old food stall. An enticing aroma of soy sauce and oil wafted toward us and on the curtain of the stall was written “Ramen”.

“I lent you a helping hand today, didn’t I?”

“…I get it.”

The truth was, I was hoping for an early departure for home, but never would I have dreamed that the escaped culprit would be dining on ramen noodles at a nearby food stall. Leaving that aside, keeping Xenia in a positive frame of mind seemed to be ideal right now.

After urging Xenia, who had a wicked smile plastered across her features, I walked through the curtain.

“―Welcome! What would you like to order…”

“Shoyu ramen for two…”

An exceptionally young girl asked what was my order, and when I looked at her, it turned out to be Eto.

The other party blinked her long, slanted eyelashes several times, seemingly taken aback by my presence.

Xenia, who entered the stall late, shrugged it off and took a seat at the narrow counter, banging on the table and saying, “Oh, I’m so hungry!” You knew she was here and brought me here, didn’t you?

“…Um.”

Eto bristled as she struggled to utter something, but what eventually emanated from my mouth was, “…At any rate, our academy prohibits part-time work in principle, right?”

“…Oh, y-yes! I’m sorry!”

Hearing the exchange, Xenia muttered in a whisper next to me, “You guys are moving at your own pace too,” but I decided to dismiss the comment.