"In any case, Labyrinth Academy."

Inside a space that appeared to be either a research lab or an office, Hugo's party sat side by side, facing a sharp-featured woman.

She sat at her desk, filling out a document, before finally speaking.

"...It seems the guidance itself went well. Thank you for your efforts."

"Th-thank you, Professor," Hugo replied, bowing his head. His voice betrayed the nervous tension in his posture, but the professor’s words seemed to provide some relief, as his expression softened noticeably.

Indeed, Hugo was currently reporting to the Academy examiner responsible for overseeing the trial request regarding their labyrinth expedition. They had just wrapped up the report.

‘From meeting Yujin to the demon’s trial, it took some time to explain everything. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like she intends to dig any deeper.’

Normally, Hugo wouldn’t have mentioned Yujin at all. However, given the Academy’s strict reputation for thoroughness regarding trial reports, leaving out any details could have resulted in repercussions from their client. There were even rumors of them using confession magic to ensure accuracy.

Although Mirien had carefully avoided saying too much about Yujin, the report had been completed without issue. After all, Yujin had not directly interfered with the trial itself, which made their explanation simpler.

When the examiner employed lie-detection magic during the report and Hugo spoke truthfully about Yujin, the professor seemed satisfied and moved on.

The professor spoke again.

"The reward for the request has been delivered to the administration office. You may collect it there. Thank you for your hard work."

"It was nothing. Then, if you'll excuse us," Hugo said as he stood to leave.

"...However, before you go, may I ask one more question?"

"...Yes?" Hugo, just about to rise from his seat, paused as the professor stopped him. She asked her question.

"I'd like to inquire about the demon's trial you encountered on the fifth floor—the uppermost layer of the labyrinth."

"......"

Hugo fell silent for a moment before sitting back down. He realized it was only natural for her to be curious. After all, it wasn’t the mid or lower floors but the highest layers—specifically the fifth floor—where they had encountered a demon issuing a trial.

This had already been confirmed as fact through the lie-detection magic. Considering how unprecedented the event was, it was no surprise she wanted to know more about it.

"What would you like to know?" Hugo asked cautiously.

Most of the details about the demon's trial had already been reported. The demon had possessed a mid-tier monster—an orc—and issued a trial to the party. The demon had boasted of its conditional immortality, but Yujin, who had joined the party midway, cleverly identified the conditions and killed the orc hosting the demon.

That was it. What more could she be curious about?

"Did the demon exhibit any peculiar traits?" the professor asked.

"Peculiar traits... I’m not sure. Our party isn’t skilled enough to venture beyond the mid-layers, so this was the first time we encountered a transcendent being."

"I see. Then, was there any indication of a black magician in the vicinity?"

"A black magician?"

Black magicians. Practitioners of magic powered not by mana but by demonic energy, known as magi.

Since magi originates from demons and their knowledge of magic is derived from the demonic realm, black magicians are universally regarded as evil and corrupt. Those confirmed to be black magicians are hunted down and executed globally.

Occasionally, they are discovered in labyrinths. When a criminal is reported in a labyrinth, it is almost always a black magician.

Since magi resides within their bodies, they cannot function in normal society. If their power is exposed, their use of magi is revealed. As such, they often turn to a life of crime, both in and out of labyrinths.

In the Eastern Continent, some factions even wield magi like martial arts energy or use it directly in battle. The demonic cult, which worships a demon called the "Heavenly Demon," is a notable example—but that’s a story for another time.

After some thought, Hugo shook his head.

"No, we didn’t sense any black magicians. But why do you ask...?"

"Recently, reports have emerged of black magician factions becoming active in the shadows worldwide. There’s no guarantee this isn’t happening in the labyrinths, and the demon appearing on the upper floors could be related to such activity."

"I see," Hugo murmured, his expression hardening. This was the first he’d heard of black magician factions mobilizing. It sounded serious.

"Naturally, do not share this information elsewhere. It could cause unnecessary panic among the populace."

"...Understood."

"Then, one final question. Could the magician named Yujin be connected to any of this?"

As she spoke, a circular magic circle appeared above one of her eyes—lie-detection magic. Hugo’s expression stiffened as he saw it, and he replied firmly.

"No, that's absolutely impossible."

"...I see."

"...And if I may, I would appreciate it if you refrained from asking such questions. While I understand that, as an outsider, you may naturally have your doubts, that person is our benefactor. Questions that seem to doubt or test someone who saved us are deeply offensive to us."

"...I understand. My apologies."

Seeing Hugo's openly tense expression and Crom's scowling face, the professor closed her eyes briefly and offered a slight bow.

Of course, it was only a surface-level gesture.

"......"

As silence filled the room, the professor's gaze shifted subtly toward Mirien, who remained quiet. Her eyes, calm yet sharp, lingered on the elf.

"......"

After observing Mirien for a moment, the professor straightened her posture and spoke again.

"That concludes my questions. You may leave now."

"...Thank you, then."

With that, Hugo's party began to leave the room.

Once the three had exited, the professor sighed quietly, rose from her seat, and picked up a document from a nearby desk.

[Report on Black Magician Activity]
[Incidents of magi detection across various regions...]

[Interrogations of captured operatives have revealed that their organization's current target is the Second Princess, 'Elicia von Arcedium'...]

"...Hah."

She skimmed the report briefly before carefully tucking it away under her desk. Leaning back in her chair, she closed her eyes and let out a deep breath.

'Black magician activity, the princess, and the demon that appeared on the fifth floor...'

It all seemed too interconnected to be a coincidence.

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, she recalled the party that had just left.

'...That elf. She seemed to know something.'

Her thoughts returned to Mirien, who had sat beside Hugo. Despite wearing a hood and leaving most of the reporting to Hugo, Mirien's use of her true identity and spirit magic during the demon's trial had been glossed over. However, the professor wasn't easily deceived.

Professors at the Academy were renowned for their exceptional skills and accomplishments. They were no ordinary educators but experts and heroes in their respective fields.

To someone like Professor Reina Sahart, even Mirien's skilled concealment wasn’t flawless.

'When I mentioned Yujin, that elf reacted as if she knew something.'

She vividly recalled Mirien's fleeting expressions—dilated pupils, a flash of fear, and a conflicted demeanor—when Yujin's name was brought up.

Neither Hugo nor Crom seemed to notice, but Mirien clearly held some knowledge about Yujin.

'A reclusive mage who supposedly just arrived in the labyrinth city... It’s too convenient. Even if he had done prior research, his familiarity with the labyrinth’s nuances is highly suspicious.'

A mage capable of teleportation, who effortlessly killed a demon-possessed orc without casting a single spell... While Hugo and Crom appeared to trust him implicitly, from the professor's perspective, Yujin was an unsettling enigma.

'Perhaps I should investigate.'

Professors at the Academy weren’t mere teachers. As part of the world's most advanced educational institution, their responsibilities included ensuring the safety and integrity of the labyrinth's operations.

And Reina Sahart was no exception.

'The activity of black magicians involves the princess herself. There’s enough justification for a deeper investigation. Direct interrogation would be improper, so I’ll begin with an investigation of his surroundings...'

With that, she began formulating a plan to uncover the truth.

Meanwhile, outside the Academy, Hugo's party walked in silence for a moment before Crom finally spoke.

"I can’t believe she dared to suspect someone so easily. What an unpleasant woman."

"Well, she’s an outsider to the situation. It’s not entirely unreasonable," Hugo replied diplomatically, though his tone suggested he shared some of Crom's irritation.

"Still, how could she doubt someone like that?"

Crom vented his frustration as they made their way away from the Academy, and Hugo, half-heartedly trying to calm him, ended up subtly agreeing.

Behind them, Mirien trailed quietly, lost in thought.

'Black magicians... Could it be? No, surely not.'

She recalled her encounter with Yujin.

"Tell me who I am. You know the answer, don't you?"

"…!"

The memory sent a shiver down her spine. The mere thought of him being a black magician made her uneasy.

'But... he saved us.'

Her mind returned to the moment when Yujin stood behind the bisected orc, looking down at her with calm eyes.

'...Ugh.'

The conflicting emotions left her unsettled, but she quickly shook her head, unwilling to let doubt take root.

"...Mirien, is something wrong?" Hugo, perceptive as ever, noticed her unease.

"Oh? Ah, no, it’s nothing..."

"Really? You seem unusually quiet," Crom added, glancing at her curiously.

"...It’s nothing, really," she insisted, then hesitated before bringing up something unrelated that had been bothering her.

"...You two never asked about me being an elf."

"...That’s all?"
"Hah, I thought it was something serious."

Both men chuckled softly, their expressions relaxing.

"Sure, finding out you’re an elf was a bit surprising, but so what? You’re still our comrade, aren’t you?" Crom said plainly.
"You must have had your reasons for hiding it, but in the end, you trusted us enough to reveal it. That’s what matters," Hugo added with a smile.

"...Crom, Hugo."

Moved by their responses, Mirien felt a warmth she hadn’t expected. Crom grinned.

"So, don’t let it bother you. Or are you saying that now that we know you’re an elf, you can’t be part of the party anymore?"

"No, of course not," she replied firmly.

"Then it’s settled. Anyway, we made some good coin today. Let’s grab a drink," Crom suggested, laughing.

"You always spend too much on drinks, Crom. Besides, we have a meal planned with Yujin soon, so let’s save it for that," Hugo interjected.

"Ugh, fine. I guess I’ll hold off. For now, let’s just get some rest."

"Sounds good. Mirien, let’s go."

"...Yes."

With that, Hugo's party, now closer than ever, made their way to the guild’s lodging for a well-deserved rest.