“Regarding this matter, I strictly prohibit you from revealing my existence to anyone else. Of course, some information about me might leak from the kidnappers’ side, but please keep it a secret that I work as a teacher at Bounce Academy of Magic. I have no intention of drawing attention from the state.”
“……”
“Hm? What’s wrong? Are you unable to keep this promise?”
“N-No! Of course, if that’s what you wish, Geek-sensei, I won’t tell anyone! But is there nothing else you need or want?”
“Hmm, there’s no need to worry about that. Right now, this is the most important thing I want from you two. If you say that someone who kept their identity hidden saved you, the principal will handle it smoothly.”
To be honest, there are rare research materials that only royal influence can procure, but I have no intention of asking Eliza for them.
If I don’t say it like this, she’ll probably dwell on the incident. I considered asking them to participate in a single practical exercise in defensive magic, but motivation is key in matters like this.
In the end, I’ll leave the rest to Anon, the principal. If it’s her, she’ll manage somehow.
Or perhaps I should have told Sophia not to say things like, “A young girl would do anything.” That might have been enough.
“…Understood. I swear on the name of Eliza Bounce.”
“I, too, swear on my life!”
“…No, that’s unnecessary. If either of you finds yourselves in danger, don’t hesitate to speak up.”
You don’t need to swear on the royal name—seriously.
“Now then, I have some business with these guys. Could you look the other way for a bit?”
“Understood.”
“Got it.”
They obediently follow my instructions. Perhaps it’s because I saved them earlier, or maybe it’s the magical display of the Thunder Wolf that I showed them.
I walk away from the two and approach the restrained kidnappers.
“Urgh… Who the hell are you…?”
The scarred leader, who had been unconscious, seems to have regained consciousness.
“I don’t need to answer that. Instead, I want you to tell me about the client behind this incident.”
The men guarding the jail earlier didn’t know who orchestrated the kidnapping, but surely the leader would.
Even if these guys were just pawns, I can get information about their handler.
“Hah, as if I’d tell you! I have my pride as a professional. Torture won’t work on me!”
“Oh, I have no intention of wasting time on torture. Instead, I’ll simply read your mind directly.”
“What!? Memory-reading magic!? But that’s illegal!”
“How amusing. You commit all these crimes and expect to be treated fairly? Regardless, no one will know about me, so it’s not an issue.”
“Damn it! Then I’ll—ghah!”
Snap.
“…Wha—Impossible!?”
It seems he had poison hidden in his mouth, but my detoxification magic neutralized it.
I can acknowledge his resolve to protect his secrets by attempting suicide, but I won’t let him die so easily.
Even if he tries to bite his tongue, recovery magic will prevent him from dying.
“Impressive pride. Now, let’s see who hired you for this.”
“Stop it! Nooooooooo!”
The scarred man’s scream echoed through the area.
Knock, knock.
“Come in. The door’s open.”
“Excuse us.”
“Pardon the intrusion.”
“You two are early this morning. This must be about last week’s events.”
Two days later, on a weekday morning, Eliza and Sophia came to my lab.
Two days had passed since I rescued them from the kidnappers, and the new five-day school week began. After the incident, I left the scene as Anon and the town knights raided the kidnappers’ hideout.
Thanks to Anon’s smooth handling and the two keeping quiet about me, it seems my involvement in their rescue remains undisclosed.
Today, there’s a class for the S-rank students, but it seems they have questions to ask before that.
Snap.
“I’ve cast soundproofing magic, so nothing we discuss here will leave this room. I’m glad to see you both made it to school safely.”
I’m relieved they didn’t develop trauma and skip school. Students at this age are delicate.
“It’s all thanks to you, Geek-sensei. Thank you so much for saving us.”
“Thank you very much!”
Eliza and Sophia bowed deeply.
“I’ve already received your thanks, so there’s no need for more. For now, take a seat. I don’t have much to offer, though.”
“Excuse us.”
“Th-Thank you.”
They sat down, both looking a bit restless.
“As I suspected, you have something to ask, don’t you?”
“…Yes. Geek-sensei, over the past two days, the criminal organization involved in our kidnapping was completely wiped out. Was that also your doing?”
