CH 57

Academy Ghost Commotion (5)

All I knew was that Professor Hartz secretly used black magic to summon his brother in this basement before. The reason why dead souls appeared in this library must be because Professor Hartz accidentally summoned someone else rather than his brother. 

Summoning the souls of the dead was forbidden magic, but it was a special magic that only the Great Wizard could do. Yet, Professor Hartz, who partly succeeded in this magic, seemed more brazen than amazing. He definitely promised not to do this magic anymore after last time, but seeing that he was in the basement, it was clear that he had broken that promise.

“You said you would stop. Didn’t you give up?”

When I asked, Professor Hartz let out a deep sigh.

“It’s a misunderstanding. I’m here to deal with the things that I haven’t taken care of.”

“As expected, the professor’s words were mere lies.”

“Yes, I lied……anyway, that’s why I’m here.”

When Professor Hartz headed to the place where the sound came from, Senior Jimbo and I followed along. 

“Aren’t you going to explain it to me?”

“Hear it from Miss Pierre.”

“I want to hear it from you.”

Professor Hartz made a troubled expression at Senior Jimbo’s stubborn appearance.

“I’ll seal this first before I’ll explain.”

Professor Hartz drew a magic circle in a single stroke. I heard that if you’re experienced in magic to some extent or if you possess a lot of mana, you could activate a magic circle with just a single stroke, but I didn’t know that professor was one of those people. 

Just then, I heard a laugh in front of me. The sound of the laughter, which used to be scary at first, now has turned into an object that must be caught unconditionally.

“Stay back!”

Professor Hartz sped up and held out his hand to the dead soul.

【Engilical!】

A bright light appeared again. At the same time, a scream was heard, and soon ahead of us turned quiet just like before. After the quiet silence, the professor looked at the dead soul that disappeared and finally lowered his hand. I also calmed down, but Professor Hartz glanced at me.

“Don’t relax yet, Miss Pierre. There should still be many dead souls in this library.”

“Really?”

“They know I’m trying to catch them, so they’re hiding. That’s why it’s getting difficult to seal them.”

He spoke, gritting his teeth.

“Anyhow…Now tell me why you’re here.”

Senior Jimbo approached Professor Hartz. He could no longer avoid it. Noticing this, the professor turned his head away and no longer avoided the situation. It was a brief defiance, but there was no way it would work against Senior Jimbo. When Senior Jimbo crossed his arm and glared at the professor, the professor nodded.

“It would be quicker if we head to the basement first. I have something to show you.”

＊  ＊  ＊

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I immediately noticed that the professor’s steps toward the basement were heavy. It was probably because he was caught in a situation that he didn’t want Senior Jimbo, of all people, to find out. I secretly glanced at Senior Jimbo. How will senior react when he finds out that Professor Hartz was trying to summon his father?

It was unpredictable. One thing for sure was that he would obviously not be very pleased with it. I was already feeling distressed from the fact that I could only watch the situation unfold. Just in time, we arrived at the basement. Professor Hartz opened the door to the place where he had secretly drawn the magic circle, and Senior Jimbo and I carefully went inside.

The floor was still wet. It was full of fog, and I could feel the damp air. Professor turned to the side and went further inside, ordering us to follow. When the walls were visible, it was empty, unlike before when it was full of magic circles.

【Originalis.】

As soon as Professor Hartz casted the magic, a new wall appeared. It seemed that the wall was covered with magic, it ripped off and revealed a huge magic circle. Looking at it again, it was a magnificent and intricately intertwined magic circle. I was once again amazed by the magic circle that I would surely mess up even if I drew it while looking at the book. 

“What…is this?”

Naturally, when Senior Jimbo saw this magic circle for the first time, he let out his emotions.

“It’s a magic that summons the dead.”

And like the honour student he was, he instantly recognised what the magic circle was for.

“Yes.”

“……Father.”

“That’s correct, too. You’re quick-witted.”

“You’re crazy.”

Senior Jimbo, who understood everything without any explanation, clenched his fist tightly.

“Why does Bree know about this magic circle?”

“I was caught using the magic secretly.”

“…….”

Senior Jimbo didn’t say anything. He was only staring fiercely at Professor Hartz, his blood relative, with an intense gaze. At this rate, it wouldn’t be strange for Senior Jimbo to punch Professor Hartz. I had to change the subject to prevent the situation.

“You promised before. No more magic! So why is the magic circle still there?”

“……I summoned him.”

“What?”

Senior Jimbo and I listened to the professor’s words.

“After getting caught by you and Miss Arsene, I tried to erase it right away. But while erasing the magic circle, I discovered something.”

“What is it?”

“Out of all that failed, there was only one magic circle whose colour strangely changed and remained alive.”

When Professor Hartz spoke with a bitter smile, Senior Jimbo’s eyes widened.

“Could it be father?”

“Yes. He must be here somewhere.”

Senior Jimbo’s expression shifted. Even my heart sank with a thump at the look that I had never seen before.

“If we erase this magic circle and seal the entire library, we can get rid of all the dead souls. But I couldn’t do so because I wanted to see my brother.”

“You!”

Senior Jimbo was furious, but Professor Hartz continued to talk regardless.

“But the dead are quick-witted. I’m sure they knew I was going to seal this entire library after talking to my brother. That’s why they’re trying to imprison or hold him. Being aware of this, my brother must be hiding somewhere and looking for an opportunity to meet me.”

“…….”

“Something is a little suspicious, though. Unlike how he is, he hasn’t found a way yet and is still in hiding.”

“……Then he may have already been captured.”

Professor Hartz shook his head when I refuted.

“My brother is not that stupid. He wouldn’t show up so easily……”

“Damn it, Bree is right.”

Senior Jimbo intercepted his words.

“What?”

“I lost my pocket watch. It belongs to father. I dropped it on the floor, but for some reason I couldn’t find it, so Bree and I went looking for it every night.”

Senior Jimbo continued calmly.

“Perhaps father might have found it, showed his existence and got caught by others.”

“……But.”

“So seal it all up. The entire library.”

Senior Jimbo’s words were more determined than ever. It was a furious low-pitched voice. On the outside, Senior Jimbo might appear fine, but I noticed how much he was fuming inside. Those blue eyes that trembled anxiously were proof of that.

“No.”

“Do it.”

“Jimbo.”

“Or I will.”

“It’s advanced magic. Even if you’re an honour student and could interpret the magic circle, you need a lot of mana. How can you, who’s only a second year, do it?”

“Bree will help me.”

I was startled when my name was suddenly mentioned. Senior Jimbo looked at me with a forced smile. ‘Right?’, he asked. I nodded my head in surprise, and Professor Hartz looked at me with a slightly mocking expression.

“A first year? The kid whose rank is easily counted from the bottom.”

It was the truth, so I had nothing to say. At that time, Senior Jimbo secretly held my hand tightly. I paused when senior’s hand slightly trembled. 

“No. You don’t know Bree’s power.”

“I know better than you.”

“And did you know that Bree can use magic without a magic circle?”

“What?”

Professor Hartz was startled by Senior Jimbo’s words, but even I was surprised. Senior Jimbo calmly continued, as if only he knew that about me.

“It’s not confirmed…but I heard that people with a lot of mana can sometimes use magic without using magic circles. And I think Bree is one of them.”

“Are you sure?”

“Because I saw it. Does that sound like a lie to you?”

“…….”

“Then, I’ll be on my way. I hope you never meet my father.”

Senior Jimbo took my hand and left the library. Even when Professor Hartz called out belatedly, he did not turn his head even once and simply looked straight ahead. There were a lot of things I wanted to ask senior, but looking at his state, I couldn’t bear to open my mouth. I shivered slightly while looking at the hand senior was holding tightly. The strength of senior’s hand which was gripping mine was excessive. It hurt, but I held it in.

“……Damn this.”

The moment we exited the library, senior stopped walking and spat out curse words. Then, he noticed his hand which was holding mine.

“S-Sorry. Did it hurt?”

“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt, so I’ll say it hurt.”

When I said it with a slight smile, senior made a regretful expression and soon placed his head on my shoulder.

“…Senior?”

“Wait, let’s stay like this for a moment.”

At the sight of senior sighing, I remained still and eventually patted him on the back. I wanted to comfort senior like how he did when he patted my head.