It's hard to believe, but a full month has already passed since "Twilight Moonbow" enrolled in the Stromelia Magic Academy.
At first, everything was so hectic that I was just desperately trying to keep up, but I think I've finally started getting used to academy life.
The content of the lectures is starting to make more sense, and I understand the mechanisms of magic much better than before.
Today, after all the classes ended and I was tidying up my desk,
"Uuuuugh…"
A strange groaning sound came from beside me.
When I looked over, Carol was slumped over her desk, glaring intently at something.
"Carol?"
Even when I called her name, there was no response.
Following her gaze, I saw Log surrounded by a group of female students.
The girls were firing questions at him one after another, but it didn't look like they were asking for study help—it was clearly just an excuse to talk to him.
Even so, Log answered calmly with a pleasant expression, without showing any annoyance.
In the past, he used to act a bit arrogant about his talent.
But after last year's instructional exploration, he's changed a lot.
He's become honest and approachable, and now even the senior explorers of "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" dote on him.
When he's with us, I didn't notice because he's usually surrounded by older people, but seeing him in a group of people his own age, he really does look more mature.
…Still, it's rare to see Carol—who's usually smiling and cheerful—make such an openly displeased face.
Well, of course anyone would feel unhappy watching someone they're interested in getting along with other people.
Even I've felt a little knot in my chest when I saw Orun and Big Sister talking happily together.
So I understand how she feels.
"…If you're bothered by it, why don't you just go join them, Carol?"
When I suggested it lightly, Carol's shoulders jerked. Her face turned bright red as she stood up.
"I-I'm fine! More importantly, let's just ignore that and go already!"
She grabbed my hand and started pulling me along.
I hurriedly gathered my things and stood up, and Carol practically dashed out of the classroom.
—As expected, Carol still hasn't realized it herself.
But watching her back, the answer seemed clearer than she thought.
◇
After leaving the academy, Carol and I headed to a room in the Downing Company in town.
When we entered, Carol's older sister and brother—Luella and Frederick—were already there.
Originally, the two of them had been forced to work under the cult executive known as "The Doctor".
But after "The Doctor"'s death and their reconciliation with Carol, they left the cult and are now operating as active members of "Amuntzares", based in this city.
Noticing the sound of the door opening, Luella looked up from her chair and smiled.
"Welcome back, you two."
"I'm home~!"
Carol replied energetically and threw herself into Luella's arms.
Luella's eyes widened slightly at the sudden hug, but she quickly softened into an expression that said "Can't be helped," and gently stroked Carol's head.
Watching the scene, I couldn't help but smile.
(This really feels like family.)
Once Carol pulled away, Luella's expression turned serious.
"Carol, Sophie—the operation date has been set for five days from now."
"!! Finally!"
Carol leaned forward eagerly.
I nodded, though my chest felt restless.
I had heard the general outline, but hearing the official decision made it feel much heavier.
"Let me explain again properly."
Luella placed a single document on the table as she spoke.
"One of the human experimentation facilities managed by the "Cyclamen Cult". There is a possibility that survivors are still there. Five days from now, the active unit of "Amuntzares" will conduct a preliminary raid on that facility to rescue the children who were used as test subjects."
After Luella finished explaining, Frederick spoke up.
"I really don't recommend you two coming along~ Especially you, Sophie."
"…Why?"
"I don't know what kind of past you have, and I know it's wrong to rank suffering. But—do you have the 'resolve,' Sophie?"
The way Frederick asked was no longer his usual laid-back tone—it was serious.
"There are dark parts to this world. Parts you don't know about, Sophie."
I understand that the things Carol and the others, who were held by the cult, have seen are a world I can't even imagine.
After properly accepting that warning, I gave my answer.
"…I do have resolve. I've had it ever since I heard about this operation."
The moment I said it, I noticed my own voice was trembling slightly.
But the feeling in my chest wasn't a lie.
"I'm still not strong at all, and I don't know a lot of things… But even so, if someone is suffering, I don't want to look away. Back in the Legriff territory—I decided properly what kind of person I want to be."
I continued slowly, choosing my words carefully.
"I want to be like the moon that illuminates the night—someone who can bring light even to dark places. If someone is in the darkness, I want to be the kind of person who notices. That's why, even if it's scary—I want to face it properly."
After saying all that, I let out a small breath.
I'm not confident I expressed it well.
But this is everything I feel right now.
Luella blinked once and murmured softly.
"…How arrogant."
Yet there was a certain softness mixed into her tone.
"…Well, as long as you have the resolve not to shrink back at the last moment, that's fine~"
Frederick shrugged lightly and returned to his usual tone.
The tense atmosphere loosened just a little.
"Oh, right, right~ Have you two read the special edition yet?"
At those words, I blinked in confusion.
"Special edition?"
"I haven't read it… What's it about?"
Carol also tilted her head.
"It seems the Great Labyrinth of the East has been conquered~"
"…Eh?"
My voice cracked unintentionally.
"Already…?"
Carol looked just as shocked.
"Yeah, it's surprising, right~? At the beginning of this year, they had only reached the 96th floor, but it was only three months ago that the conquest of the Great Labyrinths was made a shared goal of all nations at the summit meeting. …Don't you think it's way too fast?"
"…But the East doesn't have deep layers like the South in Tsutrail, right? In that case, it's possible that—"
"—It's unlikely."
Luella quietly cut off my words.
"Last year, "Amuntzares" wiped out the promising explorers in the East. For five unknown geniuses to suddenly appear and achieve a world-class feat in such a short time is impossible by common sense."
"And what's more~ All five conquerors are apparently fifteen or sixteen years old~"
Frederick continued.
"Children with no names or achievements suddenly accomplished one of the greatest feats in the world."
A chill ran down my spine.
"…Something like that is normally…"
"Impossible, right?"
Luella stated flatly.
"That's exactly why—one hypothesis has come up."
The way she phrased it made me hold my breath.
Carol also furrowed her brows anxiously.
"Don't tell me…"
"It's highly likely that those conquerors—are test subjects of the "Cyclamen Cult"."
"—!!"
My heart pounded hard.
"Of course, there's still no evidence. But the timing, their ages, the circumstances… everything matches too perfectly."
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