Chapter 54

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Episode 11 - Mysterious Murder [6]

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After classes.

The group gathered in one of the rooms inside the main building.

Since we had Headmistress Bernice’s permission to freely enter the main building.

She also gave us a room styled like the ones from detective movies.

The first to speak was, naturally, Julian.

He stood in front of the table where everyone was seated and said:

"Today is the second day of our search for the murderer. From what we know, the murderer has no intention of killing anyone else."

He showed a board covered with notes.

"Based on what we understood yesterday, Professor Harris was investigating something very important that could help us counter the Power of Chaos, at least temporarily, and that’s why the villains attacked him."

Using a long pointer wand, Julian pointed at several photos.

"These photos are from the crime scene in Professor Harris’s laboratory."

I couldn’t see the photos, but from the game I knew what the place looked like.

And it was unexpectedly clean, as if there had been no struggle or anything at all.

The murderer had been very thorough, but at the same time, there was one question.

"Why did the murderer, who left the crime scene spotless, impale Professor Harris’s head at the entrance of the main building with a spear?"

It was as if the murderer were deliberately saying that nobody could find them.

At that moment, Charlotte said:

"Mhm, I’m not completely sure, but maybe it’s possible the murderer left the head there for everyone to see, so they would start a search, and maybe, just maybe, that would give the murderer a better chance to escape."

Julian, confused, asked:

"Wouldn’t that make things more difficult? Why not kill him quietly and escape immediately?"

The one who responded was not Charlotte, but Veronica.

"Because escaping right at the moment of the murder would make the first person to leave the Academy the prime suspect, besides the fact that all the Academy’s walls are being monitored."

Charlotte nodded while briefly looking at Veronica.

Julian also nodded and said:

"Well, that’s true, but even so, escaping in the middle of the search would also be suspicious."

While they were searching for clues, I already had one with a strong enough foundation.

So I raised my hand and said:

"What if the killer has a trait or magical item capable of temporarily erasing or undoing their Power of Chaos, allowing them to pass as an ordinary person?"

At my words, Julian, Charlotte, Veronica, and Lumina stared at me intently.

I cleared my throat and began explaining everything I had thought about when I spoke with Professor Ashly.

From possible magical items that could remain hidden even from a 10-Star, to traits with the same possible characteristics based on Rinna’s assumption.

Even the idea Professor Ashly gave me.

The entire group listened in silence; from time to time, they nodded without saying a word.

After my explanation, Julian was the first to speak.

"You make a good point, Adel. In fact, that could be the most likely possibility."

And Charlotte added:

"Julian, ask Director Bernice to give us a copy of the list of ordinary humans working throughout the Academy. There are probably very few of them."

Most humans still have not awakened the ability to use mana.

They are normally despised even more than many villains.

The logic of this world is that mana is everything.

In this world, winning through strength is everything.

Whether villains or humans, everyone follows the same logic.

So, a human incapable of using mana is more than despised.

’Even more than me.’

Julián nodded at Charlotte’s words.

"Then tomorrow, during the break period, we’ll split into two groups to keep watch on the possible suspects, starting with those who have access to the main building."

We all nodded, agreeing with his words.

Then the meeting ended shortly afterward, after discussing a few more ideas and clues and, most importantly, Julián sent a letter to Director Bernice requesting the list.

So, before returning to the dormitories to rest, we would review the list.

***

Shortly after the meeting, we went with the guide named Celestia and headed down to the underground area.

This time, it was through a different entrance, and upon arriving underground.

We finally entered the South Hall.

And, as expected, there were no villains, just like in the North Hall.

Once there, Celestia calmly guided us around, chatting just as she had yesterday.

She explained every room and hall to us, as well as what was done there and who worked there.

Her explanations were easy to understand and concise.

And after a few hours, we arrived at the last place left to visit.

"This is where the Academy keeps the Memory Gates. Naturally, we cannot enter, since only Headmistress Bernice can grant permission while being present at the same time."

In front of us stood a three-meter-tall door made of wood.

When I touched it, I felt its texture; it was smooth, but it also had a strange ability to absorb mana.

’A door filled with different Original Magics and, judging by its intricate design, it was made by Headmistress Bernice.’

The guide, Celestia, said:

"I heard that you all would be coming here soon."

Julián nodded and said:

"That’s right. I understand that the Memory Gates look like books, so I assume that on the other side of this door there will be some kind of library, right?"

The guide, Celestia, nodded and said:

"That’s correct. It’s called the Astral Library of Memories. I heard it from Headmistress Bernice herself. I don’t know what it looks like, since I’m forbidden from entering there. Even getting close is prohibited, but for you all, it’s a special case, and for me as well."

Julián nodded before asking:

"Now I’m even more curious to go inside."

Celestia smiled.

"But you’ll be entering soon. At least you all can, but I can’t."

Her voice sounded clearly disappointed, knowing that she was an ordinary human who had never awakened.

She could not even become a cadet and had probably only recently started working at the Academy.

’She is also a possible suspect, but she’ll be with us for three more days, so we can keep an eye on her.’

With that thought in mind, I listened to every single word that came out of her mouth.

Until now, she had been a very good guide; she had a lot of detailed information about the places and knew the entire area by heart.

"Well, you’re right."

Julián apologized, knowing that Celestia’s last words had been an indirect remark toward him.

In any case, we turned around and went back outside.

We returned to the room where we had gathered a few hours earlier.

Julián had a list in his hand and mentioned the names of all the humans who had not awakened.

In total, there were around 11 people; Celestia was included on the list, of course.

"Celestia will be with us during these remaining three days, so we can focus on these ten."

Charlotte said while going through the list.

"Most of them have never entered the main building, so we only have three people left; they would be the most suspicious."

Julián nodded.

The others were very old, some gardeners, others receptionists, and so on.

So they could be ruled out.

Meanwhile, the other three people were the only ones with access to the main building.

"Then let’s split into pairs. There are five of us, but I’ll go alone; I like doing things on my own, so choose your partners."

Julián said. I turned toward Lumina, who was the most suitable choice, but...

’It’s better to go with Verónica.’

As an anomaly, I had to keep an eye on all of Verónica’s actions within the Academy.

So I decided to go with her, but then...

"Let’s go together."

Lumina said while looking at Verónica. The moment I saw Lumina’s emotions, I instantly understood her intentions.

’So you want to take this opportunity to investigate Verónica.’

Verónica, being someone like me who appeared out of nowhere, should also be receiving special attention from Lumina.

’But it feels like Lumina pays more attention to her than to me. Even though we’re both anomalies, why the favoritism?’

For some reason, I felt left out. It wasn’t because I wanted the protagonist of this game to watch me like some stalker or anything like that.

It just felt strange, that was all.

Verónica nodded.

"Of course, I’d like to go with the only person who has defeated a Rank 1."

She glanced at me briefly and then smiled.

"..."

I slightly unsheathed my sword. Her smile immediately disappeared, and she ignored me.

I sighed and then looked at Charlotte. Charlotte briefly looked at Verónica and Lumina, and finally at me.

I "looked" at her as well and smiled without saying anything.

It was as if I silently said, "let’s work together," without uttering a single word.

Julián then clapped his hands and said:

"Very well, since the pairs have been chosen, let’s now choose our targets."

Julián was the first to choose. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"I’ll go after the one who has the keys to the entrance of the main building and the keys to the entrance of the underground area."

Then she passed the list to Lumina.

"I’ll go after the receptionist from the main building. She has access to the underground area."

Finally, the list ended up in Charlotte’s hands. She read the name and said:

"His name is Marcus, and he has access to the East Hall, where Professor Harris was conducting his research."

At her words, I gave a slight nod. Then Julián finally ended the meeting.

"Alright, then tomorrow, during break time, let’s move our asses and work like detectives."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...."

Ignoring his strange childish protagonist complex, I left the room and went to rest in my dormitory.

As I walked, I couldn’t help but think about my target.

’In theory, he would be the most suspicious since he has access to many places within the East Hall.’

I asked myself more questions, but it was better to observe my target instead of overthinking it.

Besides, if we managed to obtain a clue that led us to the killer, it could be said that the main mission would be completed.

’I don’t know how the second and third years are progressing, but I need to hurry. If they discover the killer first, the mission will be a failure.’