Teacher Xia Lai is also teaching in Kivotos today

"...I didn't expect that you actually read the rules and regulations of Trinity one by one. You know, not to mention people from other schools, even many students of Trinity don't know the details. After all, there are thousands of them."

After exclaiming this, Nagisa put down the teacup in her hand.

"But since the teacher asked, I will answer you directly."

Nagisa raised her head while saying this and looked seriously at Lin who was also looking at her seriously.

"Because there is a traitor to the Holy Trinity hidden in the cram school."

Chapter 18 Can I Trust You?

"……traitor?"

As Lin En muttered to himself, the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became depressing.

"Yes. And from what I understand... the traitor wants to hinder the conclusion of the Treaty of Eden."

"So it's for the Treaty of Eden..."

Seeing Lin En's thoughtful look, Nagisa showed a somewhat surprised expression.

"Oh? It seems that you, teacher, know about the existence of the Treaty of Eden."

But soon, she figured something out and nodded in understanding.

"But it makes sense. As someone appointed by the Federation Student Council President, it's not surprising that the teacher would know about this solution that she proposed and should be responsible for... In other words, since the teacher knows about the [Eden Treaty], then she should understand my feelings even more."

At this point, Nagisa subconsciously reached for the teacup, but her hand turned in the air, blocking her mouth and coughing lightly.

"The long-standing hostility between Trinity and Gehenna has placed a heavy burden on both sides. The [Eden Treaty] is the only way to prevent unnecessary internal friction and maintain the internal balance of Kivotos. Therefore, anyone who may endanger the signing of the treaty must be eliminated. But if we can't tell them apart..."

As Nagisa said this, a look of determination flashed across her eyes.

"If it's really inconvenient to dispose of the garbage, just throw it away with the basket."

"It is better to be wronged than to let it go..."

"exactly."

Looking at Nagisa who had returned to her usual self, Lin En said with a smile.

"However, Nagisa, the reason why you took so much time to tell me these things...I'm afraid it's so that I can help you find the real traitor hiding among them?"

"...As expected of a teacher, you understood it so quickly. Yes, that's right. However, I'm really sorry for involving you in such a dirty matter. It doesn't matter if you accuse me in person now."

"I won't do it."

Under Nagisa's slightly surprised gaze, Lin En stood up from his seat and walked to the fence not far away from the two of them.

It was already past school time, and although the lights were brightly lit at night, the Trinity Academy was exceptionally quiet.

"You only feel pain when the knife cuts your own body... When faced with a situation where there is no room for maneuver, making sacrifices is the last and most helpless choice."

At the same time, Lynn involuntarily raised his hands that were resting on the fence and looked at his palms.

If I hadn't had that experience... would I still have that magical card?

"……teacher?"

Hearing the slightly concerned voice coming from behind him, Lin En let out a sigh of relief and turned to look at Nagisa who had also left her seat and came behind him at some point.

"Nothing, just remembering some things from the past."

"…The teacher's past?"

"Well. That's not really anything worth talking about...at least for now."

After evading the topic, Lin En turned around and leaned against the railing, looking at Nagisa who came in front of him.

"Since you have made up your mind, Nagisa, I will not make any further comments. I will accept this commission."

"Ah...eh?"

Looking at Nagisa who looked surprised, Lynn chuckled.

"[Lead the cram school so that they can pass the exam] - this is a request from the tea party. And [find the traitor of the Holy Trinity] - this is a request from you, Nagisa."

"Strictly speaking, that's true."

After listening to Lin En's explanation, Nagisa couldn't help but chuckle and replied.

Hearing this, Lynn stretched a little and looked towards Nagisa.

"In that case, I will go back to organize the information and gather some news. But... Nagisa, if you carry everything on your shoulders, even if you are a man of steel, you will eventually collapse completely."

"Haha, I appreciate the teacher's kindness. After all, like the teacher, I don't want the worst to happen."

Nagisa took a step back while saying this and bowed slightly towards Lin.

"I'll leave everything to you from now on, teacher."

"Well, just leave it to me."

After greeting Nagisa, Lynn walked towards the door of the meeting room.

However, just as Nagisa sat back in her seat, Lin En, who had opened the door, stopped.

"Come to think of it... Nagisa, have you ever thought of something?"

Facing Nagisa's slightly puzzled gaze, Lin En spoke to her word by word.

"How powerful must this traitor be to make the leaders of Holy Trinity unaware of her identity?"

In fact, this is not only a reminder to Nagisa, but also the biggest doubt in Lin En's mind after he spent the whole night looking up information.

Although he had some guesses in his heart, without solid evidence, everything was just guesses.

But after hearing what Lin En said, the teacup that Nagisa had just picked up couldn't help but tremble.

I'm afraid that at this time, Nagisa also had some guesses like Lin En.

"Take another good look at this chess game, Nagisa. Perhaps... its outcome will be far beyond your imagination."

It was not until the sound of the door closing reached Nagisa's ears that the leader of the Holy Trinity finally came to his senses.

"..."

Looking down at the cup of black tea in front of him, Nagisa couldn't help but fall into silence.

At this moment, no one knows what the girl is thinking.

It was not until a long while later that she finally raised her head and let out a long sigh.

“Although I am very grateful for your reminder, Teacher Lin En… I must, must do this…”

After muttering this, Nagisa finally revealed a slightly relaxed expression and began to tidy up the things on the table.

Just then, she caught a glimpse of the chess board placed nearby out of the corner of her eye.

However, just as she was about to put away the chess pieces one by one, she finally noticed something strange about the chessboard.

"This is--"

At this moment on the chessboard, the king, who should have been heavily protected by the other chess pieces in the back, was unexpectedly blocked in front of an inconspicuous soldier who should have been abandoned in the original chess game.

Not only that, with this step taken by the king, the direction of the entire chess game has undergone earth-shaking changes!

"It seems that this will allow me to directly checkmate... No, if I take this step, I will be blocked by the knight... And if I move this chess piece... that won't work either, as it will open a gap for the chariot..."

After being silent for a long time, Nagisa reached out and picked up a chess piece.

But when the chess piece in her hand fell, she finally realized that as long as the soldier who was originally treated as a discarded piece took a step, they could ruthlessly tear open the other side's defense.

"…Is this what the teacher thinks?"

After a while, the shocked Nagisa finally pulled her thoughts back to reality and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"As expected, this is really the same as the rumors say, a very teacher-like behavior. However..."

As he said this, Nagisa picked up the "king" that Lin En had moved and looked at this ordinary chess piece.

"The King... Although he has the weakest ability to move, he is the most important piece in the entire chess game... I didn't expect that you would view yourself in this way... However, it does fit you very well."

After talking to himself like this, Nagisa held the "King" in his hand.

"Can I... trust you?"

Chapter 19 Strawberry Mint Ice Cream

"Teacher! I thought you called me in such a secret way because you encountered something urgent, but it turned out to be to help you solve the chess game! This is really too much!"

Facing the accusation from the somewhat angry Alona on the screen, Lin En was a little embarrassed but still defended himself.

"But for me, it was indeed a very urgent situation at that time! Besides, I did this to be able to complete my work better and more conveniently, right?"

“…Oh, really.”

After hearing what Lin En said, Alona was speechless at first, and then she sighed helplessly.

"To be honest, Teacher, you really are... every step you take is beyond my expectations."

“Although following the rules is a good method, it is not a method that can be sustained in the long run.”

After reaching out to adjust the Bluetooth headset hidden in his ear, Lynn said this with a smile.

"But, regarding Nagisa's... request, do you have any clues, teacher?"

"Yes, but not much."

After leaving the campus of Trinity Academy and stepping onto the road outside the school, Lin En put away the somewhat conspicuous Shiting Box and started communicating with Alona using headphones.

"First of all, this 'traitor' definitely exists. After all, no matter what, there is no reason for Nagisa to deceive me. Secondly... this 'traitor' must have a certain amount of power within the Holy Trinity, at least enough to prevent Nagisa from suspecting her in the first place."

"Hmm... But according to the teacher's analysis, it seems that everyone in the cram school doesn't quite meet this condition?"

"Yes, I think so too."

Lynn nodded slightly, thoughtfully.

"To Nagisa, the four people in the cram school are more likely to be 'suspicious' than suspects. Hifumi might be suspected because she often goes to the black market; Azusa might be suspected because of her... um... strange thinking; the reason for Koharu is still unclear; as for Hanako... she used to be an excellent student with both good character and good academic performance..."

As Lin En said this, he couldn't help but start to ponder.

Since he was able to look up this information, it meant that Nagisa could also obtain this information, and some of the details might even be much more detailed than what he had.

But even so, Nagisa couldn't be sure who among them was the traitor.

"It's such a headache... I don't want to doubt my students..."

After rubbing his head, Lynn couldn't help but mutter this out loud.

At the same time, he raised his hand and looked at the golden card that appeared in his palm.

While talking with Nagisa, Lin recalled some things from the past.

At the beginning, he let Atsuko leave him behind and go away first. Wasn't this also a kind of "sacrifice"?

It’s just that the object of sacrifice has changed from others to oneself.

"...I'm actually confused by such a trivial matter."

Recalling the murmur that just flashed through his mind, Lin En said this with a hint of self-mockery.

Regardless of whether there is this magical card or not, these students are the ones that Lin En should protect as a teacher.

The reason is very simple, because he is an adult.

At the same time, he is also their teacher.

Although I have figured it out, the feeling of depression that suddenly came over me still needs to be expressed a little.

“Let’s stop here today!”

Lynn declared this on the deserted street, then stretched himself and pulled out his cell phone from his pocket.

"Next, let's indulge ourselves a little and reward ourselves!"

"Ugh……"

Amid Alona's helpless sigh, Lin En turned several streets and stepped into a dessert shop amid the ringing of bells.