Magic Academy's Bastard Instructor

Chapter 118: Red Moon [4]

Chapter 118: Red Moon [4]

Ever since that day, Margaret Illenia had one lingering question.

How did Vanitas Astrea find her?

She had been hiding in a secluded forest. A place even the common citizens of Illenia struggled to navigate. 

And yet, an eight-year-old boy—a foreigner, a mere visitor—found her, saved her, and guided her to the refugees.

It was as if he already knew his way around Illenia.

And yet, she never dared to ask.

When they reunited after ten years, the boy she remembered didn't seem to recall her at all.

——You are?

Those were his words that day. The bright, lively boy she once knew had become someone sunken and cold.

But yesterday, he had called her something different.

——Princess Illenia.

It wasn't a secret that she was once a princess. But it wasn't something of great importance either.

Yet coming from Vanitas, those words carried weight.

Could it be…?

Margaret had long suspected that he had been avoiding the topic, pretending not to remember saving her or meeting her that day.

After all, there had been moments in the past where she had caught him watching her.

Times when she was mocked for her rigid, unconventional swordsmanship—the very style she had admired from the Illenia Knights as a child.

And then, on one particular day, Vanitas Astrea had simply appeared.

——You think you people are any better?

His words cut through the whispers of the knights who ridiculed her.

A man from the Magic Department, already well-known in their first year for his childhood achievements, now standing in defense of someone he supposedly had no connection to.

——Clowns tripping over their own shoes but laughing at someone else's misstep. Tell me, does it feel good to stand together and sneer at someone who's actually doing something, while you cower behind tradition and mediocrity?

Perhaps she couldn't blame the rumors that spread about her and Vanitas. Their supposed "special relationship" had been a common misconception during their second year.

He had never addressed it. Neither had she.

But when asked, Margaret always made sure to clear it up. 'We're just acquaintances. No, actually, we aren't even that close.'

Something that went like that.

"...."

Margaret glanced at Vanitas, who stood against the wall with his arms crossed. 

Around her, knights and mages fixed their gazes on the horizon. Some, experiencing their first Red Moon suppression, held looks of unease. The veterans, however, remained composed. 

For Margaret, this was her sixth.

Yet, amid the tense atmosphere, Vanitas was different.

"...."

He wasn't watching the distance. He wasn't preparing like the others. Instead, his gaze was lowered with his finger tapping absently against his arm.

——Everyone, look up!

A streak of crimson cut across the sky as the moon bled into the night.

"...."

Still, Vanitas didn't lift his head.

Margaret's attention never left him. As others marveled or braced themselves for what was to come, she watched as he reached into his pocket and pulled something out.

"Ah."

Margaret's eyes widened in realization.

She had seen that object before. Just a few days ago, Karina had handed Vanitas something before he sent her away. Some kind of heirloom, perhaps. 

She could still recall their exchange.

——Before I go, I'd like to give you this, Professor.

——What is it?

——It's a protective seal. I crafted it myself. Even if I'm not here, I want to help you in some way.