Тhe first-year students from the same group, who had come to eat earlier than others, were seen collapsing one by one, blood dripping from their mouths.

As Sylvia shouted, the symptoms exhibited by the fallen students were clear.

Magic poisoning.

When one is poisoned by magic at a concentration above a certain level, the body begins to deteriorate, leading to bloody vomiting like that.

Although it was the first time I was witnessing this with my own eyes, I already knew it from reading [The Academy’s Holy Sword] countless times.

I also knew what would happen to those displaying such symptoms in the original work if they didn’t receive rapid and appropriate treatment.

A mocking laughter echoed in my head, taunting this situation.

Ahahahaha!

My heart raced so violently it felt painful.

Such an incident had never occurred in the original story, making everything even more bewildering.

Let’s burn it all!

My breathing became labored, as if I were about to heave.

Having never experienced a situation this urgent, I felt lost in confusion.

Burn everything!

My hands and feet trembled violently enough to create a racket as they bumped against the table and my prosthetic arm.

I was terrified that this случалась because I had somehow changed the course of destiny.

I hate the world that made me this way! So burn it all—

Feeling my mind solidifying with panic, confusion, and fear as I stared blankly at my trembling hands, I suddenly spotted Mei writhing in pain beside me.

Thunk, a sound reverberated.

It was the sound of my head hitting something.

As I did that, the voice in my head felt slightly quieter.

…Get a grip.

Think about what makes you most afraid and what makes you most anxious.

Losing someone precious because I couldn’t do anything was surely the worst fear.

I bit my lip to keep my focus and quickly scanned the situation around me.

There were a total of twelve children collapsed.

Only three of us, including myself, remained standing.

But there was no need to despair foolishly.

The other two, Yoon Si-woo and Sylvia, had been the ones who led and endured through the attacks of far more severe magic in the original story.

As soon as my thoughts were organized, I looked towards Sylvia, who was staring at me in shock after seeing me hit my own head, and gave her instructions.

“Sylvia! I’m fine, so check on the others first! Can you purify the magic?”

The power of the stella spirit that Sylvia wielded was the antithesis to magic.

Therefore, she possessed abilities for purification that were far superior to those of other sorcerers.

Upon hearing my words, Sylvia hurriedly began to emit light from her hands and started to purify Mei, the one closest to her, but her expression looked grim.

“It’s possible, but I can’t do it all at once! I’m worried about how long the others can hold out while I purify…”

The fact that clear symptoms had already appeared indicated that the situation was quite serious.

She was saying that the children, whose bodies were rapidly deteriorating, might not last until the purification.

But there was also a solution for that.

“I think I might be able to handle it.”

Yoon Si-woo pulled out a large sword from thin air.

As he closed his eyes and let go of the sword, it floated in the air, emitting light and creating a protective barrier around us.

The Holy Sword of Protection possessed the ability to create protective shields.

The Holy Sword’s material was mithril, a metal that only dwarves could manipulate.

Mithril was lighter and sturdier than other metals, but more importantly, it was a rare metal with the property to suppress magic.

Perhaps because of this, those who were inside the barrier created by the Holy Sword were less affected by magic.

Having such a versatile munchkin as a companion was incredibly reassuring.

“As long as we’re inside this, even if the situation doesn’t improve, it won’t get worse.”

“…You really have all sorts of abilities. But thanks to you, we’re safe. Thank you, Yoon Si-woo.”

Upon hearing Yoon Si-woo’s words, Sylvia confirmed that the deterioration of the children’s condition had slowed and began the purification process with a relieved expression.

Fortunately, since rapid actions had been taken, it seemed unlikely that the worst-case scenario would unfold.

Of course, I was of no use staying here, so I checked Mei’s face, which was gradually improving thanks to Sylvia’s purification, and dashed out of the cafeteria.

I informed the teachers about what had happened and sought help from those who could purify magic.

Soon, the cafeteria began to buzz with the people who had gathered.

However, the expressions on their faces were serious and grave.

And understandably so.

No matter how often academies were depicted in other novels as places with poor security that got robbed frequently, Aegis Academy had guards stationed at the entrance.

Unless the majority of their available power was released somewhere else, like during the incident at the gym, the guards who stood at the academy’s entrance during school hours weren’t people to be trifled with, maintaining vigilance with periodic patrols.

Due to magic placed on the academy’s grounds, teleportation was impossible, and there was no way to enter or exit from anywhere but designated entrances.

The identity of anyone entering or leaving was checked thoroughly by the guards, ensuring tight security.

Thus, a magical terror occurring in broad daylight at such a place was an unthinkable occurrence.

And just moments ago, a message from the guards reached everyone.

They reported that there had been no record of any outsiders entering the school recently.

The expressions of everyone hardened even more.

They all took pride in their work.

They believed that their colleagues felt the same.

That was why the truth was even more painful.

However, whether they liked it or not, all the surrounding circumstances pointed in that direction.

Like a line from a comic I once saw,

The culprit is among us.

Looking out the window, I noticed it was raining heavily.

—

An investigation to find the culprit from within had begun.

Even though I had eaten in the cafeteria with the other students, Yoon Si-woo, Sylvia, and I were significant witnesses, so we were called in to be questioned by the teachers.

Being called important witnesses was essentially the same as being suspects.

Honestly, I thought it was a situation where suspicion was unavoidable.

One by one, we began to explain how we hadn’t succumbed to the magic.

Having taken a break while treating the children, Sylvia was called and, emitting light from her hands, clarified.

“I am the heir of Astra. The fact that a contract holder of the stella spirit can resist magic is even mentioned in textbooks. Should I still be suspected?”

To be honest, the teachers didn’t seem to suspect Sylvia.

An heir of a prestigious family, especially one known for using their whole might to defeat witches, didn’t seem like a likely candidate for committing a magical terrorist act.

Next, when it was Yoon Si-woo’s turn, he pulled out the Unyielding Sword, shaped like a one-handed gladius, instead of the Holy Sword, which continued to float in the cafeteria.

“…This is the Unyielding Sword. Holding it enhances your recovery, physical abilities, defense, and magical resistance. It also provides resistance against magic. It’s made of mithril.”

Contrasting with the Holy Sword’s area effect, the Unyielding Sword grants powerful magic resistance specifically to its wielder.

Because of this sword, Yoon Si-woo had been able to act without worrying about magical poisoning in the original story.

Well, it wasn’t 100% foolproof, but still.

In any case, mentioning mithril visibly stirred the teachers.

That’s because after the dwarves, the only race capable of working with mithril, almost went extinct centuries ago, equipment made of mithril had become exceedingly valuable.

After Yoon Si-woo finished his explanation, it was finally my turn.

And from the moment I was called, I felt like I was in serious trouble.

“How did you avoid being affected by magic?”

Among the gathered teachers, the particularly intimidating student prefect teacher questioned me with a scary voice.

I hesitated for a moment before responding.

“…I don’t know.”

“…You don’t know?”

“Yes… I just think it’s because of my constitution…?”

My answer caused the teachers’ eyes to narrow with suspicion.

Honestly, I considered my response absurd.

Even among the Dolos family, known for their physical prowess, finding someone able to resist magic with just their body was rare.

But I truly had no idea why, so I had no choice.

If I had to make a guess, it might be due to the witch’s heart fragment embedded in my body, but I wasn’t certain enough to say that.

I noticed Yoon Si-woo and Sylvia, who were both more restless than I was.

Anyway, it seemed my response sounded quite suspicious, as the teacher asked me again, this time in an even more intimidating voice.

“…I see you’re part of the cooking club.”

“…Yes.”

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone’s eyes widened.

I could feel the look of suspicion directed toward me.

The cooking club’s materials room was attached to the kitchen.

It wouldn’t be strange for them to think that I had possibly planted something there beforehand.

“…You didn’t do anything, did you?”

“I really didn’t!”

I protested my innocence, but honestly, who would believe such a thing in this situation?

At that moment, I thought, “This is really troublesome.”

“Scarlet didn’t do it!”

“…That’s right, Scarlet isn’t the culprit.”

Sylvia and Yoon Si-woo, who had been sitting in the corner, suddenly jumped up and shouted.

The teachers’ eyes turned towards them.

The intense looks they were getting suggested that their friendship wouldn’t sway their judgment.

But despite the pressure, Sylvia calmly stated.

“The incident occurred during lunch hour. Since Scarlet has been with me since she arrived at school, she couldn’t have done it.”

“She could have tampered with the ingredients in the kitchen beforehand.”

“The cooking club’s activities are on Fridays. Last Friday, she was absent because she was sick. The last time she was in the kitchen was two Fridays ago, so it’s unlikely that anything she might have done back then would affect the food today.”

Sylvia presented a logical defense for me.

I felt relieved.

My testimony was likely not credible, especially as a suspect, from the teachers’ perspective.

Having someone else verify my actions contributed far more reliability.

Perhaps it worked, as the teacher looked slightly more relaxed and asked me one last question.

“Alright, I have one final question. Answer truthfully. What did you do yesterday?”

“…Yesterday?”

“Right. Ingredients for Monday are brought in on Sunday. I don’t think you touched them, but I wanted to double-check. If your statement matches, you’ll be completely cleared of suspicion.”

Fortunately, it seemed I had escaped suspicion.

Just as I was about to recall what had happened yesterday, Yoon Si-woo suddenly spoke up.

He looked tense and was even sweating profusely.

“…No need for that. I can tell if someone is telling the truth or lying. Scarlet isn’t lying.”

I was taken aback by Yoon Si-woo’s sudden declaration.

He never wanted anyone to know he had such an ability, fearing that people might hesitate to talk to him because of it.

Thus, I was grateful yet flustered that Yoon Si-woo was going to such lengths to prove my innocence.

He could’ve just shared what he did on Sunday, and that would have sufficed.

But it seemed like the teacher found Yoon Si-woo’s comments interesting, and he asked him.

“Is that true? Then let’s ask a few questions. I have a beloved daughter. Does that sound true?”

“It’s true.”

“Hmmm, that could be guessed by luck. Next question. My favorite genre of books is romance novels. Does that sound true?”

When the teacher asked, Yoon Si-woo wore a slightly strange expression but answered.

“…It’s true.”

“Correct. Fascinating.”

The expression of those listening changed peculiarly upon hearing that the guy who looked like he’d be filming a live-action slasher movie was fond of romance novels.

Well, there’s nothing wrong with reading romance novels…

“Final question. My hobbies are embroidery and doll collecting. Does that sound true?”

“…Sir, you seem a lot more feminine than I expected.”

Those around gasped at Yoon Si-woo’s response.

…Anyway, personal tastes should be respected.

“It does seem true. That ability seems useful for identifying the culprit. Can I request your cooperation? As I mentioned earlier, you and your friends will be cleared of all allegations.”

When Yoon Si-woo nodded, the teacher sighed.

“Phew, I never believed you kids were the culprits. It’s exhausting to suspect colleagues or students. How can you think that way about people you would trust your life with? Damn it…”

The teacher appeared genuinely weary.

I thanked the two who had worked hard for me.

Sylvia smiled, saying that defense was Astra’s specialty, while Yoon Si-woo, for some reason, turned red and averted his eyes.

After I waved to the children and turned away, my expression hardened.

Although it was a relief to be cleared, nothing had been revealed yet, and the case remained shrouded in mystery.

I had to catch the culprit.

Before he caused another incident.