“Geek-sensei… No way, are you an accomplice of the attackers!?”
“What!? You’re with them?”
While imprisoned, I had been searching for a way to escape and pondering who could be behind the assault.
I had no suspects in mind, but the magical restraint rings used to suppress our powers were developed at Bounce Academy. Furthermore, considering we were ambushed on our way home from the academy and that they seemed aware of my connection with Sophia, a relationship rarely shown publicly, it was clear there had to be someone from the academy involved.
“…That’s a harsh accusation, Eliza. I gave up my precious Friday evening to come rescue you two after hearing about your kidnapping.”
“S-sorry! That was out of line. However, there are signs someone from the academy assisted in this attack…”
I didn’t know what “precious Friday evening” meant, but after thinking it over, I realized he had only joined the academy as a temporary teacher two weeks ago. There was no way he’d know about such top-secret artifacts as the magic-suppressing rings.
On top of that, he still wore his usual lab coat, completely inappropriate for the situation. Most importantly, he had expelled the eldest son of a marquis from the academy. If he were an accomplice, drawing attention to himself before this incident would have been unthinkable.
“…Hmm, that’s troubling. But let’s deal with that matter later.”
Snap!
“Huh?!”
When Geek-sensei snapped his fingers, the cell door opened. He must have used chantless magic, though these locks were supposed to have high resistance to magic. Yet he bypassed it so effortlessly…
And how did he even get here? There should’ve been guards outside the room, not to mention numerous attackers nearby.
“Sophia seems injured.”
Snap!
“Mgh… My healing magic isn’t activating.”
“Geek-sensei, we’re bound by magic-suppressing rings that restrict the use of magic. Perhaps that’s why. Is there a key somewhere?”
These rings not only block their wearer’s magic but also nullify any magic targeting them or the rings themselves.
“It doesn’t look like there’s a key here. Likely, one of the attackers upstairs has it. Hmm, let me take a closer look at this thing.”
He examined the ring clasped on my wrist.
“Did you come alone? Or have the attackers already been subdued?”
“I came by myself. I subdued the two guards outside, but there were over ten skilled fighters here. I informed the principal about your location before infiltrating, but this place is far from the city. Reinforcements might take a while.”
“…I see.”
Though I was grateful Geek-sensei had come to rescue us, the situation remained dire.
I couldn’t fathom how he managed to evade so many attackers and get here, but with both Sophia and me bound hand and foot, escaping seemed impossible.
“Geek-sensei, I will pay any amount later. Please, just get Sophia out of here safely.”
“W-what are you saying?! You must escape first, Princess!”
“Even if they don’t kill me, Sophia will undoubtedly be killed if left behind. Geek-sensei, please, take her and flee at once.”
If I stayed, there was a high chance I’d be spared for leverage. But if Sophia stayed, her fate was certain.
“Geek-sensei, I beg you! Please save the princess!”
“Sophia, just go!”
I had dragged my precious childhood friend into this mess. The least I could do was ensure her safety.
“You two share a commendable bond. But assuming I can only save one of you is insulting. Alright, this should do it.”
Snap!
“What?!”
With another snap of his fingers, the magic-suppressing rings on both our hands and feet unlocked and fell off.
Looking at the now-freed restraints, I confirmed that the locks had been undone.
“H-how did you…?”
“I’ve built artifacts with similar mechanisms before. Knowing the potential for misuse, I never made them public. Still, this design is flawed. If it were mine, it’d be far more secure… No, forget I said that.”
“…”
Geek-sensei’s claims were baffling. The rings were cutting-edge artifacts developed at the nation’s premier magical academy. Yet he not only claimed to have created something superior but also dismantled them in moments.
Snap!
“The pain is gone!”
“Even chantless healing magic…?”
He had performed rapid, flawless healing magic without a chant—something even specialist healers would find difficult.
