Chapter 173
Clael and Reina once again linked arms and returned to the school building.
They went around to each location to resolve the other Seven Mysteries of the Academy.
"There are twelve steps here, but after school, it supposedly becomes thirteen. If you step on the thirteenth step, you'll be dragged down to hell."
The east side of the main building. A staircase connecting the first floor to the basement storage.
There was once a male student who studied black magic, and he was discovered by a teacher and chased.
He tried to hide in the basement storage and ran down the stairs... but slipped, fell, hit his head, and died.
The demon he had summoned with black magic now haunts the staircase, and it seems to drag down any human who descends it into hell.
"One, two, three... twelve steps."
"......Looks like it."
However... when they tried counting the steps while descending, there were only twelve.
Of course, they weren't dragged to hell either.
Each of the Seven Mysteries of the Academy has a specific place where it appears, but it doesn't always show up there.
In the game, the events were triggered easily... but reality seems to be different from the game after all.
"It's not showing up easily, is it?"
"Maybe... it's afraid of us."
That was a plausible possibility.
For ghosts, priests are natural enemies.
Reina, needless to say, is a Saint. And Clael is a Saint empowered by Reina's blessing.
For a ghost to appear before these two would be like a mouse jumping out in front of a cat and doing a tap dance.
(In the game, Reina was also targeted by the ghost stories... but come to think of it, the Reina here is definitely stronger than the one in the game. Is the ghost scared and hiding?)
If that's the case, bringing Reina along may have backfired.
As Clael pondered what to do... he headed to the library where The Black Cursed Book of the Library was kept.
That mystery involves a black book suddenly appearing somewhere in the library without warning, and anyone whose name is written in it gets cursed.
If someone writes a name in it or the discoverer looks away, the book vanishes without a trace, and it can't be taken out of the library.
(Now then, will I find the De○th Note... I mean, the cursed book?)
"Ah..."
"Huh?"
Clael opened the library door and stepped inside... and there was someone he recognized.
Standing right beside the door was one of the romanceable characters, Eric Seincle.
"You're Mr. Byrne, and............ Reina?"
"Well, well, Prince Eric. Are you also investigating the Seven Mysteries of the Academy?"
Clael quickly let go of Reina's hand, which he had been holding reflexively.
It was close, but they managed to avoid being seen holding hands as teacher and student.
(Well, other students have already seen us... so it might be too late anyway.)
Looking around the library, there were several students inspecting under desks and bookshelves.
Apparently, participants of Eric's vigilante group were using manpower tactics to search for the cursed book.
(They must think the book is somewhere in the library... but that thing appears like a ghost, so increasing the number of people probably won't help.)
It's understandable since they don't have the game's information.
Even so, the cursed book is supposed to appear in response to students' malice and hatred.
So maybe the more people there are, the higher the chance it'll appear.
"Yes, I heard a rumor that a suspicious book appears here... Are you two investigating as well?"
"Yes, that's right."
Clael gave a slightly vague answer to Eric's question.
"As staff, we can't just leave this situation unattended. So we requested help from the Grand Shrine... and Reina was recommended as someone familiar with the academy as a student."
"I see. Certainly, Reina is a master of the Holy Arts and knows the academy well. She's a perfect fit... but still..."
Eric looked slightly displeased, running his fingers through his golden afro in a brushing motion.
"...When I asked you to investigate with me, you refused. But you'll join Mr. Byrne? Isn't that a bit cold?"
Eric pouted like he was sulking.
Apparently, he had invited Reina beforehand and been turned down.
(Wait, is this... going to turn into a love triangle?)
Clael was worried it might get messy, but Reina stepped forward and answered calmly.
"I'm only acting on the cardinal's orders... As a Saint working at the shrine, I have no ulterior motives."
Her smile was completely clear and unclouded.
Faced with her sincere gaze, Eric looked away, feeling awkward about his accusation.
"...Sorry. Seems I said something unnecessary. Mr. Byrne, please forgive me too."
Eric apologized honestly.
He may be a bit of a handful... but at heart, he's a fair and just person.
When he realizes he's in the wrong, he has the grace to apologize regardless of status.
"It's fine... More importantly, have you found the cursed book?"
Clael accepted the apology and asked about the progress of their investigation.