Book 6: Chapter 8: Severed Rope (1/2)

As Monica's familiar, Nero mainly spent his daytime strolling around the school grounds.

Of course, as an excellent familiar, he did not just sit idly and bask in the sun lazily. While studying humans by secretly listening to the class outside the window, he was also keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious in the vicinity of the second prince.

Particularly since Monica had told him that outsiders would be coming and going today, he was even putting more effort into keeping Felix's surroundings than usual.

…well, since that prince has a contracted spirit, I doubt anything will happen to him.

With his good sensing at mana, Nero had noticed that the white lizard was always in Felix's pocket. It was probably a high-ranking water spirit.

Speaking of contracted spirit, according to the magic class he's been secretly listening to lately, making a contract with a spirit can only be done by an advanced magician or above…

Then, does that prince a magician?

It's best to ask Monica directly about this kind of thing. After all, she was a magician who stood at the peak of the kingdom, one of the Seven Sages. It may not seem like it, but when it comes to magic knowledge, not many people can match Monica.

As he was thinking that he should ask Monica to teach him about the contract with the spirits, something caught Nero's senses.

Nero's whiskers twitched, then he focused on his attention.

It was a weak mana reaction. Since this school taught practical magic, it was not surprising to detect a mana reaction.

But its location was incongruous.

is that a warehouse? They're moving something in.

In the large warehouse on the west side of the school, a number of employees of the supplier were coming and going, bringing in wooden crates. With his good nose, Nero immediately noticed that the contents inside were some kind of gunpowder.

Monica said the stuff they're bringing in were materials for the festival… Do humans use gunpowder for festivals? Are they going to do some construction work?

The sight of the crates being carried in was a bit of a mystery to Nero, who has never seen fireworks before.

The person supervising the people loading the crates was the second prince, the target of the escort. Next to him stood a droopy eyes person with a bad personality.

The prince and Droopy Eyes were unaware that there's a mana reaction in the warehouse… or so seems like that.

Nero had noticed it immediately because of his keen sense of mana, but apparently, humans weren't like that.

It made him recalled what Monica had mentioned before. In order for humans to detect mana, they need to use a specialized spell for sensing, or something like that.

…I have a bad feeling about this.

Nero jumped down from the tree and ran to the east gate where Monica was.

＊ ＊ ＊

When Monica headed for her designated place at the east gate after the class finished, the suppliers were already bringing in the materials. And Cyril was giving instructions to the suppliers near the east warehouse.

As Monica rushed over to him, struggling to overcome her slow pace, Cyril raised his eyebrows and yelled, ‘So slow!!'.

”Lord, Cyril… I-I apologize… for being laaa-cough cough!”

Due to her lack of physical strength, having only run this far made Monica unable to catch her breath.

Aware of Monica's lack of physicality, Cyril stared down at Monica, who was breathing heavily, rubbed his forehead with his finger.

”Hurry up and adjust your unbecoming breathing. The materials have only just been brought in. It probably won't be finished soon.”

”Y-Yesh…”

”Also, the person in charge of stage design should be here today to check on the materials…”

Cyril then looked around and saw a figure coming towards him from the school building.

”Looks like she's here.”

Turning her eyes to where Cyril was looking, Monica blinked her eyes.

The one who was coming towards them was a lively-looking girl with light brown hair tied up into a single knot—It was Casey.

”Sorry to keep you waiting! Our design director got into an argument with the historical research club… Since it won't be over for a while, I came here on behalf of her. I'm Casey Groove from the second year.”

”Since it will only be counting the quantity, even you're the represent, it won't be a problem.”

”Yes, I look forward to working with you! You too, Monica!”

When Casey called out to her, Monica nodded her head.

In truth, Monica was relieved to see Casey here since she couldn't talk properly to someone she had never met before.

As a shy person, Monica has no trouble in work that related to numbers, no matter how much work there is, but when it comes to reporting, giving instructions, and other tasks that require interpersonal skills, it only makes the difficulty level rises quickly.

As Monica patting her chest relieved at Casey's arrival, Cyril gave her instructions.

”I will inform the suppliers where to store the materials. Treasurer Norton, you will check the list to see if there are any omissions.”

”U-Understood.”

As Monica nodded, Casey patted her on the shoulder.