Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 428 It's been a long time!
Please don't try to read my mind.

Since meeting Livis, Ritas had said similar things countless times. And Livis's response was always something similar.

"It's not mind reading, just some guesses, my dear disciple~"

Although she knew that Ritas would most likely not believe her, Livis continued to say it with great enthusiasm.

"Speaking of which, during the winter break, our soul contract fell into silence for a while."

Livis shook her finger and put on a black judge's robe.

"That's because I got caught up in a strange place."

"A strange location? Since the 'Stone Whisperer' didn't specify the exact time of that old man Ominas's murder, there might be a slight error. But overall, the time you lost contact and the time of that murder overlap, right?"

Livis said meaningfully.

"First, I don't know the exact location of the 'Secret Path Maze.' Second, even if there is some overlap in time, the time I appeared in the Western Region was very limited in the interval between the event and the time that occurred. This period of time cannot bridge the distance between the 'Secret Path Maze' and the Western Region."

"No, no, no. Don't forget that you have a way. You are a 'teleportation magic user' recognized by the magic community. I personally helped you apply for this privilege."

Livis shook her head and continued to correct her.

When she had time, Livis, at Ritas's request, reported his teleportation magic to the magical community. However, since it was through Livis that people knew Ritas could use teleportation magic, they basically only assumed that Ritas used a special teleportation magic that traveled through the "Livis World."

"."

When confronted by Livis, who knew him so well, Ritas fell silent.

Since everything matches up, could it really be him who did it?
Why don't we just let him admit it?
"I was just simulating the situation you would be in when you were questioned after the 'Tower of Origin' or the 'Hall of Wisdom' intervened. If a powerful figure were to act as a notary and confirm the authenticity of the information provided by the 'Secret Path Labyrinth,' the situation would be particularly unfavorable for you. Not to mention, there were inexplicable gaps in your knowledge during that period. Even regarding the matter of teleportation magic, your statement that your current abilities are limited and you cannot teleport over extremely long distances only seems weak."

Livis, unusually, was giving Ritas advice in her capacity as a teacher.
"Therefore, before that kind of occasion arrives, my beloved disciple should prepare seriously. If there are things you don't want to make public, there's no need to be too honest. Do what you need to do, fabricate what you need to fabricate. After all, you didn't do it, so even if you tell the biggest lie, the result will be the same."

"What exactly are you trying to teach your students?!"

This teacher is worse off not teaching at all.
"So, the possibility of the 'Tower of Origin' and the 'Hall of Wisdom' getting involved is very high?"

After letting out a soft sigh, Ritas asked.

"It might be a bit higher than you think. You probably already know why."

"reason."

Ritas looked around.

The outer walls that make up this Dean's office are probably the World Tree space that descended into this world.

Previously, they must have been quite interested in such a striking spectacle. However, they didn't want to bear the consequences of rashly trespassing into the "Tree Witch's" territory. Now, if the "Stone Whisperer" could give them the opportunity to enter Ers Academy openly, they certainly wouldn't miss it.

"Since the teacher has the time and inclination to transform the World Tree area to a point where it can largely remain independent of the academy, does that mean the teacher is now free to leave the academy?"

Ritas, who found that the Tower of Glimmering Light built by Livis was more exquisite than he had imagined, asked this question.

In the present-day Erles Academy, the World Tree area is primarily concentrated on the outer walls and the tower containing Livis's office. Even the few remaining scattered parts do not overlap with teaching buildings or other facilities. It can be said that they do not hinder the normal operation of the academy at all.

It was precisely because of the shape of the outer ring and the central spire that the Goddess of Bath complained on her way here that the World Tree area had become a "hot pot" area.

"I'm sorry, it's not possible for now. However, given your previous interest in the 'Stone Whisperers' and your desire for me to leave the academy, is it because you really need manpower on your side?"

Faced with Livis's direct question, Ritas thought for a moment and then briefly explained the situation regarding John.

From their encounter in the West, to their direct confrontation, and then to that organization that calls itself "the organization that will destroy the world."

"Oh? So you believe that my unworthy disciple is planning the next step of his scheme around Ers?"

"Since the information is incomplete, this is currently just speculation—no, 'feeling' is a more appropriate term. I think John's purpose may have been very clear from the beginning. And yet, he has lingered in Erles Academy for nearly ten years. Even if he only wanted a superficial identity to facilitate his actions in the shadows, his time in Erles is far too long. Compared to this time, the 'World Tree Fruit' is not worth it."

Ritas paused briefly.
"And because they possess great power, or rather, their power is gradually being released, it is probably quite difficult to find out about them using ordinary methods and ordinary people."

Putting everything else aside, the extraordinary teleportation ability of that middle-aged man known as the "top salesman" was enough to make John's camp disappear without a trace, like the wind.

"Hehe. For now, you'll have to rely on yourself, my dear disciple. Although, it seems you're not really suited to leaving the academy."

Livis seemed not to care much about John's matter as she spoke.

Ritas, who hadn't expected Livis to be of much help anyway, was naturally not disappointed.

Anyway, the academy's main tower is built so high that, in a critical moment, the Tree Witch might be able to stand on it and transform into a defensive tower to poke people or something.

"By the way, in that fairytale world I mentioned before, the space where even the soul contract couldn't be traced, I met Sophia."

"Hmm~"

Livis appeared indifferent, but this clearly revealed that she actually cared a lot.

"By the way, this is Wayne. For some reason, she became my sister and also Sofia's daughter."

Ritas took out the fairy tale book and opened it, introducing it to Livis.

In fact, having experienced this once before, Wayne couldn't help but feel nervous when suddenly faced with such a scene.

Looking somewhat shyly at Livis, this "grandmother" who was neither frightening nor kind, Wayne said rather reservedly, "Nice to meet you."

"Sophia's adopted daughter? She's much more pleasing to the eye than her biological daughter."

Livis's first impression of Wayne was clearly quite good.

Until, Ritas suddenly spoke, as if deep in thought.
"Looking back now, Sophia almost never mentioned anything related to 'teacher'."

Ritas looked as if he was struggling to recall the scene where "Sophia mentioned Livis".

Upon hearing this, Livis, who seemed unable to remain calm any longer, raised an eyebrow and gently placed her hand on Wayne's head. "Is what your brother said true? Your mother, Sophia, really didn't mention that she had a great teacher?"

".Eh?"

When Wayne met Livis's deep, menacing eyes, a look of helplessness and panic crossed her face.

"I bet you, Vivian won't talk to you for at least three days."

"Really? That's a really sad thing."

Ritas said calmly.

Being able to make two people who seemed to enjoy teasing him unhappy at once, and having three days of peace and quiet, was all good news with no bad news.

Since Livis wasn't in the mood for serious business, Ritas simply took some necessary documents for the new semester from Livis's desk and left the dean's office.

After quickly flipping through the new semester's staff list, seeing that Professor Sora Sue and Faith Behemoth had indeed officially joined the company, Ritas couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

After the academy exchange meeting where monsters entered the academy grounds, Erles Academy lost more than half of its students, leaving less than 40% of its original student body. Moreover, most of these were students in the advanced divisions. However, the number of lecturers who resigned was even greater than the student exodus. Aside from teachers who had lived in the Erles area for many years, almost all the other instructors chose to leave.

Therefore, Ritas could understand why Erles College needed to recruit faculty and staff.

But these are the candidates.
It's fair to say that among those willing to teach at Earls College during this period, there were very few normal people to be found.

As Ritas continued flipping through the list of new faculty and staff, he stared at a particular page of names and information, slightly lost in thought.

Meanwhile, the Bathing Goddess, oblivious to Ritas's unusual behavior, continued discussing the "Stone Whisperer." It's safe to say that even for the Bathing Goddess, the murder of a sage by someone resembling Ritas was a significant matter. Moreover, the Stone Whisperers, having split into two factions—one directly attacking Ritas, and the other seeking retribution from the Tree Witch—were certainly making their presence felt.

"Speaking of which, what's the deal with that kid who twisted people's necks? Why does he look so much like you, and why does he match the records in the maze? And you don't seem to care much about kissing Livis."

"Well, because even if we cared, it wouldn't make a difference. From our perspective, we can only conclude that the information about the Secret Path Labyrinth is unreliable. Or perhaps someone is impersonating me, trying to frame me. The reason there's information about a 'Ritas Elson' who has never been to the Secret Path Labyrinth is simply because this imposter's information has been arbitrarily identified as 'Ritas Elson.' If we want to explore other possibilities, we need to go to the Secret Path Labyrinth ourselves. But that's an option we can't choose."

That's what Ritas thought, but he wasn't so sure what Livis was thinking.

Perhaps Livis was thinking of the same thing as him. That was the series of strange events that happened when he was still a student, which was also the reason why Livis simply made a soul contract with him to protect him from harm.

If those things are related to "those who understand," then combine them with another very puzzling matter.
Ritas turned his gaze to the fairy tale book that was acting strangely towards him.

If these things are indeed connected, then Ominas, who became somewhat abnormal after witnessing the "fickle Prado" experiment, may have done something quite terrible.

Are these actions the reason that led to his death?

But, does the timing match up with Wayne?

"Thinking about it this way, the Stone Whisperers, especially those guys who came to see Livis, are actually quite pitiful. They woke up to find their all-powerful father murdered. They were already in a state of panic, and then their own people inexplicably started to split apart. And, faced with a suspected murderer they absolutely couldn't easily touch, while another group insisted on revenge, they still managed to maintain their last shred of rationality and try to negotiate with Livis. The result... tsk tsk, was even more tragic."

After carefully considering the plight of Kragdo and his group, the Goddess of Bath couldn't help but feel some sympathy.

Because she had always been on Ritas's side, she belatedly realized that the "Stone Whisperer" was also a victim.

"Pitiful? Goddess of Bath, there was something I said to that 'Guardian of the Mountains' that wasn't entirely accurate. That was that they actually had the right to demand anyone's cooperation and assistance in the investigation. Because the deceased was a 'Thoroughbred.' Compared to other sages, Ominas was always passionate about sharing his knowledge free of charge. Therefore, he made a huge contribution to the entire world. He could even be said to be the 'teacher' of all mages on this continent—no, all of them. After his death, his 'children' wanting to find the true culprit can be considered an absolute form of 'justice.'"

Ritas sighed with a hint of melancholy.

"So, Goddess of Bath, you can imagine. If I didn't have my current identity and ability to deal with it, what would I be like facing this inexplicable frame-up? Even if I hadn't been killed by that group of Stone Whisperers last night, would this group of Stone Whisperers today still try to 'negotiate' with us? Would they just domineeringly 'invite' me back to the Secret Path Labyrinth where they have the final say in everything?"

"Oh, sorry, Xiao Li, I guess I was being a bit too sentimental! You're right! No matter what their difficulties are, since they've chosen to be on the opposite side, we absolutely cannot empathize with them or be polite to them!"

Perhaps thinking of Ritas's miserable state of being helpless and desperate, the goddess of bathing instantly swept away any unnecessary thoughts in her mind.

"There's no need to be so extreme. Sometimes 'emotionality' is also necessary. So, since I'm here to maintain 'rationality' at all times, let the Goddess of Bath continue to maintain that indispensable 'emotionality'."

Ritas said seriously.

Although the ending of the "fairytale world" left Ritas with a feeling that his passion hadn't fully burned out, he was actually quite satisfied with how it ended. If he hadn't been forced into it, he wouldn't have wanted to be the one bailing out and cleaning up the mess in the worst-case scenario.

Therefore, in order to continue to do things he could not do and see things he could not see, the goddess of bathing should continue to maintain her original appearance.

"I don't know why, but you always seem to say things that make me feel embarrassed, hehe. You're the one who told me to keep it up. So from now on, don't blame me for sometimes saying things that are inappropriate!"

"Of course not."

Ritas said decisively.

"In that case, aren't you glad you're Livis's disciple? Otherwise, you'd be in big trouble this time!"

"."

Within seconds, Ritas had already begun to regret it.

Even if I'm not...

"Wow! Little Li, Little Li, Little Li, look, look!!!"

Before Ritas could utter a word in his defense, the goddess of the bath suddenly screamed, interrupting him.

Although the goddess's "condition" has improved a lot over the past year, there are still signs of relapse under certain circumstances.

such as
"I never expected to run into her again. We really are connected by fate! Over there! She... the one who looks most like an angel... that's her!"

Amidst the usual noisy chatter of the goddess of bathing, Ritas had already spotted the other party.

The woman, whose appearance differed slightly from his memory, overlapped with the name on the faculty and staff file that Ritas had stopped turning.

"Long time no see, Ritas. The tree we planted together has grown so tall. It really has been a long time."

In the shade of a towering tree, Phoebe Osien turned her face to the side and smiled as she met Ritas's gaze in a voice so light it seemed to be swallowed by the wind.

(End of this chapter)