"Search for him!"

"Just where could he be!?"

​​

"Gods damn it! Now I remember how big this place is!"

"Any luck with his friends!?"

It has been more than an hour since Van managed to escape from the guards and the members of the Explorer Association. It had been an hour, and yet their search had come up practically empty. They have not even seen a shadow of him even once.

They were sure that he would have not left the Academy grounds, it was impossible. And even if he did manage to go through the Academy's barrier, then they would have definitely heard something.

"Damn it, why did you guys have to leave him all alone!?"

"But… the Headmaster told us to sign."

Chris could not help but take a deep breath to calm himself down. He couldn't really blame the others, as he too was preoccupied and busy talking with the Headmaster.

"He's here somewhere…

...Find him!"

***

"Ha? Van? What's that, some kind of relic?"

In an isolated room somewhere inside the Academy, Harvey was currently being interrogated by a member of the guards. Those who were close to Van were also brought to separate rooms to question.

"No, his name is Evans."

"Eh? I just told you I don't know what a Van is and now you're asking about more Vans?"

"..."

"We heard you can be considered his best friend in the Academy. You do know we can arrest you for trying to--"

"Best friend!?"

Before the guard could even finish his words, Harvey slammed his fist on the table between them, completely wrecking it in half. "Are you saying I am friends with a b...beggar!? Are you kidding me!? Don't you know who I am? I am a Lauder!"

"What's your name!? Let me get your name so we can talk to your supervisor!"

"N… no, sir. That won't be necessary!"

"Good, good."

In another room at the same time, a guard was completely covered in his own sweat. He couldn't even look at the girl in front of him without losing a breath or two. Out of all the people that he was sent to interrogate…

...It just had to be the granddaughter of Charlotte Gates.

A rapid tapping noise echoed throughout the room as the guard's hand trembled on the table. He did not really want to say anything, but alas, it was his job.

"A...ah… Do you--"

"No."

"Okay, understandable. Have a good day."

***

"You're the adviser to his class? Do you know where he could be hiding in the Academy?"

"Let me get this right, pretty. Are you saying one of the fishes committed a crime?"

Mr. Jacobs was currently also being interrogated in another room, sitting on a small chair with his hands inside his pockets.

"Yes, Evans. No surname."

"Evans? What kind of name is that? I don't think I have a student like that. What did he do?"

"He killed his father and two oth-- Sorry, but it's impossible for you not to know him. According to the reports, he is considered to be the most promising freshman in the Academy."

"What? Maybe check in Lang's class, I heard he deals drugs."

"...Sir, if you are hiding vital information from us, you will also be sent to the Pit."

"The Pit? You think I am scared of being sent there? Have you seen my tattoos?"

Mr. Jacobs suddenly undressed without warning, flexing his muscles and boasting his back, which was almost completely black due to being covered with ink.

"I got all of this from prison, pretty. Even if I wasn't scared of the Pit, do you think I would waste my 2nd chance for some fish I don't even know? What's his name again? Bernardo?"

"..."

***

"Do you know any student named Evans? Or as your group calls him, Van?"

"..."

"The reports here say that you are his first friend in the Academy, and even got late together during the entrance ceremony. I am sure you're the one who knows him best in the Academy. If so, do you know where he could be hiding?"

"..."

"Look, Beatrice, right? If you know something, then you should speak up."

"..."

"Why aren't you speaking!?"

"I have the right not to speak unless otherwise sta--"

"Gods damn it!"

***

"How can I be of service, ma'am?"

Gemma saluted towards the guard in front of her before taking her seat.

"We have sources that you can track a student named Evans?"

"...Yes?"

"We need your help in tracking him down."

"May I ask what for, ma'am?"

"He is under arrest for killing his father, and two other individuals."

"What!? That's…"

"Yes. As a member of the Student Council, I am sure you want to capture this fiend who tarnishes the name of the Academy. Can you smell him?"

"...Yes, I can."

"G… good!" The guard could not help but stand up from her excitement. "Please lead us to him now!"

"...Okay."

"Once we capture him, he will immediately be taken to the Pit. We will make sure you are dutifully rewarded for your service!"

"Directly… to the Pit?"

"Ye--"

*Achoo!*

Before the guard could finish her words, the sound of Gemma sneezing thundered across the room. "S… sorry, I don't think I can. My nose has been runny the past few days." She said as she wiped her nose with her uniform.

"W… What?"

"Agh! I really wish I could help you."

"We have healers on standby, I think we can--"

"Ack, afraid not. I am allergic to my own fur."

"..."

The guards continued asking their questions for a few more minutes before all of them gave up, letting out a sigh in unison as they stretched their bodies in the hallway.

"Any luck with his peers?"

"S… Sir Chris!"

The four guards quickly stood up straight as soon as they heard Chris approaching them.

"I'm afraid all of our questions have led nowhere. They are all saying that they don't know him."

"The one that could track him is also unwell."

"I… see. This is more troublesome than I thought it would be." Chris could not help but click his tongue from frustration. This should have been a simple matter, but now the whole Academy is involved.

To think that someone like that had such high profile friends… It would seem that he was right with his assessment, the boy truly is a leech.

"Are they still there?" He said as his eyes scanned the room where Beatrice and the group were at.

"Yes."

"Join the others with the search, maybe I would have more luck in questioning his friends."

"But… this is under our jurisdict--"

"Let's go."

One of the men was about to speak, but another guard interrupted him.

"But--"

"It's fine, the Explorer Association and sir Chris is a friend of the City Guards."

"O...okay."

***

"You go in first!"

"What, no. You go!"

"What!? Just knock on the door!"

In front of the Unique Class-1, there were currently members of the Explorer Association lingering about. Fidgeting and pushing each other to the door.

"What… what if she's inside!?"

"That's why we're going to knock, you moron!"

"You, rookie. You do it!"

One of the men then pushed their youngest member to the door. "M… Me?"

"Yes, you. You need to learn the ropes, so knock on the door."

She would learn the ropes… by knocking on a door?

Although she had no idea who could be on the other side, she could not help but hesitate as her hands started to tremble. Seeing her strict seniors acting like children, surely, the one on the other side was someone… scary?

And so, with a nervous gulp, she knocked. And not even a few seconds after, the door opened.

"Why are you guys interrupting us again? Haven't we already retired from being an Explorer? I did, right? I remember I did."

The rookie could not help but tilt her head in confusion. Her seniors… were afraid of this lady? But she looked like she could just be a student in the Academy!

"Are you… Ms. Angela Elton?"

"Yes… Yes, we... I am. Who is asking?"

"We're from--"

"I know who you people are. I recognize your uniform."

"Y… you recognize us!?" Suddenly, one of the rookie's seniors pushed her to the side. "We… we need to ask you some questions, ma'am. May we come in and also search the house?" He said in a very respectful tone.

"...And if I refuse?"

"S… sorry?"