Episode 94
“Oh…?”
Caroline raised an eyebrow at Elonia’s bold words.
Just last night, Elonia had been trembling with shock, and now, her eyes held a newfound determination.
She had been expecting Elonia to be consumed by guilt after inadvertently causing a professor’s death, but instead, she saw a resolute spark in her lavender eyes.
Elonia glanced at the scattered research materials on Caroline’s desk.
They were about finding a safe way to break the brainwashing.
Caroline’s handwriting, as Elonia had noticed in class, was atrocious.
But despite the illegible scribbles, the content was impressive, far beyond what one would expect from a hastily compiled formula. Her years of experience were evident.
As Elonia had predicted,
“It’s impressive that you managed to do so much research overnight, Professor. But you saw what happened yesterday. I accidentally killed Supervisor Natalie while trying to break the brainwashing.”
“Elonia, it wasn’t your fault. You were trying to save her. It happened because we lacked knowledge.”
“Ignorance is also a sin.”
“…”
Caroline, unable to argue with that, fell silent.
Elonia continued,
“It’s too early to be researching this magic. We need to identify and isolate those who have been brainwashed.”
“I know that. I’ve already instructed Professor Julietta to report anyone with a suspicious prayer altar—”
“Professor, don’t trust Julietta.”
“…?”
Caroline frowned.
Elonia reminded her of her own words from the first lecture.
“You said we should always be suspicious.”
“…”
“You said you and Professor Julietta confiscated the altar from Professor Natalie. But isn’t that strange? Julietta also touched the altar, and yet, she’s fine.”
The altar could brainwash anyone who touched it.
There was no guarantee that Julietta hadn’t been affected.
Caroline sighed, correcting her misunderstanding.
“Elonia, don’t underestimate me. I’ve already questioned her. She never touched the altar. And just like us, she’s immune to the brainwashing because of her strong mana. Besides, she provided me with the theology materials I needed for this research. Professor Julietta and I created this spell together.”
Elonia smirked.
Caroline’s explanation made sense. The spell had seemed a bit crude for Caroline’s usual standards.
Elonia picked up a neatly written parchment from the mountain of papers on Caroline’s desk.
It was the theology material Julietta had provided.
She waved it, asking,
“Then why did Professor Julietta give you the wrong information? It’s not beneficial, only harmful.”
The relationship between mana and Holy Power was complex, and most Ravanta mages didn’t understand Holy Power. Caroline was no exception.
Elonia wasn’t an expert in Holy Power either, but she had grown up in the Heilan Royal Palace and had been indoctrinated in their theology.
And Heilan was far more knowledgeable about Holy Power than Ravanta.
That was why she could easily answer the question of whether strong mana guaranteed immunity to the brainwashing.
Based on her knowledge, it didn’t make sense that Julietta was immune simply because of her strong mana.
Caroline, intrigued, asked,
“Then prove it. Prove that the information is wrong.”
Elonia could easily prove it.
But not as Elonia of Ravanta.
This was something only a Heilan citizen would know. She needed someone else to confirm it.
Someone like—
“El! What’s wrong? You need my help?”
“Princess Olivia, please calm down…!”
Olivia, who was also Heilan royalty.
Caroline, of course, was suspicious of Olivia.
“Bringing a Heilan citizen as proof doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, Elonia.”
“What did you say?!”
Olivia, who had come running at Elonia’s request, was furious.
But despite her personal feelings, Caroline’s suspicion was valid, and Elonia agreed.
She didn’t think Felix would brainwash Olivia, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
“Olivia, calm down. You said you studied theology, right?”
“Yes, but… why?”
Olivia, calmed by Elonia’s touch, allowed her to proceed.
A faint light emanated from Elonia.
Unlike with Natalie, the mana wave gently enveloped Olivia without resistance, passing through her harmlessly.
“…What was that?”
“See, Professor?”
“…She’s definitely unaffected.”
Olivia wasn’t brainwashed.
Caroline, having confirmed it with her own eyes, conceded and handed Olivia the materials Julietta had provided.
“Olivia, I’d like you to review these materials.”
“…?”
Olivia, reluctantly accepting the papers, gasped in shock.
“What is this? This, and this, and this… it’s all wrong!”
She quickly flipped through the pages, her expression growing increasingly horrified. Julietta’s information was completely inaccurate.
“Professor, where did you get this nonsense?”
“Are you certain it’s nonsense?”
“Of course…! Do you really think Ravanta’s theology can compare to Heilan’s? I studied theology for years in Heilan!”
Even though they couldn’t use Holy Power, theology was a basic subject in Heilan.
Olivia was far more knowledgeable about theology than Elonia.
Olivia, despite her anger, offered to provide new materials for Elonia’s sake, without asking any questions.
Elonia walked Olivia to the door and thanked her.
“Thank you, Olivia.”
“…Is this all? You said it was urgent.”
“Yes. And keep this a secret, okay?”
“…Elonia, you’re not doing anything dangerous, are you?”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed with concern.
Elonia smiled.
“I told you, I’m going to abolish the hostage system.”
“…”
Olivia knew her place. She knew Heilan was plotting something, but she didn’t know the details. She could only offer cryptic warnings.
She was frustrated that she was a Heilan citizen.
Olivia, suppressing her anger, took Elonia’s hand and said firmly,
“Be careful.”
“You too.”
Elonia returned to Caroline’s office and said,
“Professor, it seems like Professor Julietta is brainwashed.”
“…I see.”
Caroline nodded grimly, remembering Julietta’s words from last night, spoken under the moonlight.
“It’s my first time losing a friend like this. It’ll take some time to get used to this feeling.”
A friend. Was that what it meant to her?
Perhaps Julietta had been the one who gave the altar to Natalie.
Perhaps Caroline had intervened in their argument and lied to protect Julietta.
The thought that Julietta might be brainwashed made Caroline feel a sense of urgency.
There were many people at the academy.
It would take too long for her and Elonia, who were immune to the brainwashing, to check everyone individually.
“The quickest and most accurate way to identify them is to create a magic tool and install it somewhere.”
“Yes.”
But neither Caroline nor Elonia specialized in Magic Tool Crafting.
Asking for help from the other Magic Department professors wasn’t a good option either.
Even if they had mana, they were still vulnerable to the brainwashing if their mana was weak.
Of course, they could solve that problem by checking everyone’s status every day.
But this research had to be conducted discreetly. Having more than two Magic Department professors gathered together would attract unwanted attention.
They couldn’t ask for help from the professors.
But Elonia had a plan.
There was a student who excelled in Magic Tool Crafting.
She had someone in mind from the start.
Garnethia, confined to her study since the end of the semester, had been studying non-stop. She wasn’t allowed to do anything else, her maid constantly watching her and reporting to her mother.
She was suffocating.
Just then, the butler knocked on her door.
“Lady Garnethia, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor…?”
Who could it be? She wasn’t expecting anyone.
But anything was better than being trapped in her study, so Garnethia reluctantly made her way to the drawing-room.
She gasped as she opened the door.
“E-Elonia…?”
It was Elonia.
Elonia smiled at her friend.
“Garnethia, I need you to come with me.”
“C-come with you? Where?”
“I’ll explain later. Come on.”
Garnethia hesitated, looking at Elonia’s outstretched hand.
She wanted to go, anywhere but here.
But she fidgeted, clutching her dress nervously.
“…I’m sorry, Elonia.”
“Why?”
“W-well…”
She couldn’t tell her that she was confined to her room because of her poor grades.
Elonia, who hadn’t expected to be rejected, pleaded with her,
“Garnethia, I really need your help.”
Garnethia was weak against Elonia’s fairy-like appearance, especially when she made that face.
She almost gave in, but the thought of the potential consequences stopped her.
“…I-I want to help you, but—”
“Your Highness, I apologize, but Garnethia has other obligations.”
“…!”
Both Garnethia and Elonia turned around at the voice.
Elonia didn’t recognize the woman, but she could tell who she was.
She had the same red hair as Garnethia and the same brown eyes as Aaron.
It was Marchioness Salome Bereta.
“Marchioness.”
“Your Highness.”
Marchioness Bereta, despite the unexpected visit, greeted her with a polite curtsy.
Elonia asked,
“What obligations does Garnethia have?”
“Her studies.”
“…Even if the matter I’m asking for her help with is more important?”
“I apologize, but as you know, Garnethia’s grades weren’t very good this semester.”
Not very good?
Elonia, unable to hide her disbelief, was about to retort when Marchioness Bereta cut her off.
“Garnethia is grounded until the end of summer break. But that doesn’t mean we’re not welcoming your visit, Your Highness. You’re always welcome here.”
Elonia looked at Garnethia, whose face was flushed with shame, her head bowed even lower than before.
She understood the situation.
She was furious that her friend was being treated like this, but she tried to remain calm.
“Marchioness, I’m asking Garnethia to come with me. Her place is out there, not here.”
“Please understand a mother’s concern for her incompetent daughter, Your Highness.”
Incompetent daughter? How could she insult her own daughter in front of her?
Elonia’s patience snapped.
“Garnethia is not incompetent.”
She retorted, her voice low and dangerous.
Marchioness Bereta flinched, intimidated by the fury in her lavender eyes.
Elonia glared at her, her voice firm and resolute,
“Marchioness, this is not a request. It’s an imperial order. I need Garnethia’s help. So I’m taking her with me.”