Chapter 1.3

“This is the first time we’ve all gathered in the lab this early in the morning… except when preparing for a demonstration for the commander.”  

Peter said with a laugh. The mages of the Second Knight Order’s magic division usually started work at eleven in the morning. However, as their late-night research and overtime hours varied wildly, few adhered to proper working hours.  

For this reason, there were only about six hours a day when all the mages could be found in the lab together. And for the entire department of mages to be gathered in the lab at such a dim hour of dawn… this only happened three or four times a year—usually for division-wide training, an imminent research presentation, or a special event.  

“It’s either fortunate or unfortunate that we didn’t erase the magic circle.”  

“Who would’ve thought the old man would suddenly call for a gathering to have a drinking party?”  

Chel, recalling the research director who had been crying while singing along with the bard, spoke up.  

“…I- I’m ready.”  

Peter cautiously spoke as he pointed to the magic circle surrounded by the alcohol-scented mages. As Peter, who seemed nervous, had said, all the preparations were complete.  

At the center of the magic circle lay Sylvester’s uniform shirt, and on top of it was a small vial containing a strand of Sylvester’s platinum hair. The shirt had been stolen by Erina, who had snuck into the knight order’s laundry room, while the hair had been plucked by Shubi, who had trembled as she picked it off Sylvester’s black uniform waiting to be washed alongside the shirt.  

The drunken mages were deeply sincere in their desire to make a fool of Sylvester.  

“W-well, I’ll start now.”  

Peter, standing in front of the magic circle, began his preparations. By now, the morning sun had risen high, illuminating the research lab brightly. One mage, startled by the sunlight hitting their face, rushed to close the curtains, fearing their prank might somehow leak outside through the windows.  

The mages, who had stepped back, unconsciously clasped their hands together. They were nervous. The sound of wind blowing through the hallway almost sounded like someone knocking on the lab door.  

“I hope this works.” 

Shubi muttered unconsciously. The other mages shared her sentiment.  

For someone as talented as Peter, it didn’t take long to activate the magic circle. All they had to do was wait a minute. However…  

“Uh, excuse me.”  

An unexpected visitor arrived, catching the mages off guard.  

“Ahhh!”  

The mages, who had been on edge, jumped in shock and let out strange screams.  

They all turned toward the source of the unfamiliar voice. Even though they could tell from the voice that it belonged to a woman and not Sylvester, they were still startled.  

“Is this where Mage Peter Dolan works?”  

The woman, clearly flustered by the attention on her, asked cautiously with a nervous expression. The mages’ gazes moved from her wavy brown hair to her freckled pale face, her thick-rimmed glasses, the gentle eyes behind them, and finally to the thick book she was holding.  

“Librarian Marianne!”  

Peter’s exclamation echoed through the lab. His voice was filled with delight at the sight of his visitor. At the same time, Erina and the other mages’ jaws dropped.  

“Hey! You, you! How could you say a name in the middle of casting a spell?!”  

Erina shouted at Peter. Instead of saying the name of Librarian Marianne, Peter should have invoked the name of the great Emperor of old, who stood magnificently atop the central plaza of Razette. It was only after hearing Erina’s words that Peter realized his mistake.  

“Ah…”  

It was over. A sigh of despair escaped Peter’s lips.  

But it was too late. The beautifully drawn magic circle had already begun to glow. Soon, a brilliant red light filled the magic lab.  

“…Why didn’t anyone lock the door?”  

“Even if we draw the curtains, leaving the door unlocked… that’s just so typical of our Section 3. I’m sure we’ll be last in performance again this quarter.”  

“What’s with that ominous color? Is it because it’s a love spell that it’s glowing red?”  

The mages, half-sober and startled by the unexpected situation, began to laugh helplessly. They looked like madmen. Marianne, standing awkwardly among them, glanced around nervously, her expression on the verge of tears.  

“Did I… cause something to happen?”  

Even Marianne’s sleepy eyes, heavy from her night shift, were now filled with confusion. She hurriedly continued, 

“I just came to deliver the book Mage Peter had been waiting for so desperately. It was finally returned a little while ago after a month and a half, so I rushed over to bring it to him… I was told I could leave it with someone else working the night shift if he wasn’t here…”  

Marianne stammered, her complexion darkening.  

“…No. This happened because of Mage Peter. And us.”  

Erina muttered.  

“Yes, it’s all my fault. Librarian, you really, really… came at the right time.”  

Peter, now visibly exhausted with dark circles under his eyes, forced a bright smile. Silence descended upon the lab. The mages, glancing at one another, began to whisper among themselves, subtly turning their backs on Marianne.  

Marianne could only watch, feeling inexplicably anxious. Fortunately, the mages’ secretive discussion didn’t last long.  

“Would it be alright if we asked you a few questions, Librarian?”  

Erina stepped forward as the representative of the mages.  

“…Yes, of course.”  

Marianne’s obvious gaze landed on Erina. The other mages also turned their attention to her. Even Erina, who was usually outspoken and unafraid to say whatever she wanted to anyone except for Commander Sylvester, swallowed nervously under the pressure of the moment.  

“Do you know Marquis Velarc, Sylvester Amadeus?”  

Erina asked.  

“Of course. I know him.”  

Marianne nodded lightly, smiling.  

“How do you know him? Are you acquainted with him?”  

Peter, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, suddenly blurted out, startled.  

“Ah, no. We’re not acquainted.”  

Marianne answered, clearly flustered.  

“He’s so famous, isn’t he? I don’t think there’s anyone in the Empire who doesn’t know of the Marquis… So, it’s just me knowing him one-sidedly…”  

Marianne trailed off. In truth, she had encountered Marquis Sylvester several times. But those were just brief moments of seeing him; they had never even exchanged a simple nod of greeting. If one were to define their relationship, it would be that of someone who had coincidentally crossed paths with him a few times… while Marianne secretly admired him from afar.  

Seeing Marianne look a bit discouraged, Erina lightly nudged Peter’s chest with her hand.  

“Have you ever spoken with the commander?”  

Erina asked gently, taking over the questioning from Peter.  

“No.”  

Marianne hesitated for a moment as if she had more to say, then shook her head.  

“Then, what are the chances that the Marquis knows who you are, just as you know him?”  

“None. The Marquis occasionally visits the library, but I’m still just a trainee librarian, and I don’t handle any tasks that involve interacting with people… so I’ve never had a reason to meet him.”  

“The commander goes to the library?”  

One of the mages, who had been quietly observing the conversation, asked in surprise. Marianne nodded in response, leaving the mage looking even more puzzled.  

“Well, at least that’s a bit of good luck in an otherwise bad situation.”  

Peter let out a sigh of relief after hearing Marianne’s words. All eyes turned to him.  

“What’s so lucky about this?”  

“Well, there’s something I forgot to mention earlier.”  

Peter replied to Erina’s question before continuing.  

“You can’t fall in love with someone you don’t even know exists. I was going to mention it earlier if the snowman came up in the draw, but, haha…”  

A smile of relief spread across Peter’s face.  

“…Really?”  

“Yes, really.”  

“…”  

“Truly.”  

Now, the other mages, including Erina, began to laugh along with Peter. “Hahaha, hehe, ahaha.” It was a strange sound of laughter. Marianne awkwardly joined in with a smile as well. She didn’t know what the problem was, but… she felt relieved that Marquis Velarc didn’t know who she was.

“Hey. Let’s not do this anymore.”  

“That’s a good idea.”  

“I feel like I’ve learned a lesson not to live with bad intentions.”  

“Alcohol has taught us a valuable lesson!”  

The mages exchanged a few words with one another. Even Erina, who had been leading the charge, nodded vigorously in agreement with their opinions. The items placed on the magic circle disappeared in an instant as the mages swiftly removed them.  

“…I don’t know what’s going on, but does this mean there’s no problem?”  

Marianne, observing the atmosphere, cautiously asked Peter.  

“Yes. There’s no problem at all.”  

With an overly gentle expression, Peter continued, 

“I’m sorry for startling you so early in the morning.”  

“No, it’s fine. I’m just glad the issue is resolved. Ah… here, take the book.”  

Finally feeling at ease, Marianne handed the book she had been holding to Peter. Peter immediately accepted the book from her with a slightly exaggerated expression of gratitude. Following this, the other mages also expressed their thanks and apologies. Their words were incomprehensible to Marianne.  

‘Just like Librarian Anna said… it seems mages are a bit peculiar.’  

Marianne thought to herself as she clasped her now-empty hands together. Only then was she able to smile comfortably along with the mages.  

Little did she know what would happen to her the very next day.