[Leads]
The academy history book had traces of Madeline’s mana on it.
Could this be a message from her?
We delved into the book in search of an answer, but…
“Hmm…”
We couldn’t find anything noteworthy. It might just be a coincidence that Madeline’s mana remained on this book, and we might have misunderstood. But then…
“Hmm? Guys, look here,” Jarvis exclaimed, noticing something.
Apparently, she noticed that although Madeline’s mana was all over the book, it was more concentrated on a certain page. This specific page contained information about…
“The academy underground evacuation route…”
Astor Academy had multiple evacuation routes to swiftly guide students out in the event of fires or other emergencies. I had heard that these routes were usually concealed with recognition-blocking magic to avoid disruption to the students’ daily activities, and this page showed the location of one such emergency route, leading underground.
“U-Underground… she must have really gone to the underground library!” Dorothy exclaimed with enthusiasm.
…Well, yes, the circumstantial evidence suggested that Madeline might have made her way to the underground library—but something still didn’t sit quite right with me…
“Something seems bothering you, Barrett,” Tayte said as she peered up at my face.
She really understood me well.
“I just find it odd that she would take such an indirect approach.”
“You think so too?”
“What are you guys talking about?”
Jarvis seemed to share my suspicions, but Andrei, on the other hand, didn’t seem to follow the conversation. Gathering my thoughts, I explained to Andrei, “Knowing Madeline’s personality, I think she would prefer to make her intentions clear to us–to others as well, in fact–rather than opting for such a discreet method.”
“I see! It’s quite uncharacteristic of Madeline, isn’t it?”
“Maybe… the circumstances left her no choice but to do so.”
“Y-you mean–”
Tayte tried to speak but Andrei beat her to it. “She might have been kidnapped.”
His casual words left everyone stiffened.
“I suppose it is not too far-fetched.” Ms. Teixeira remarked with a stern.
“W-wait, seriously?”
“Why are you panicking now? You brought up the idea, Andrei.” Jarvis asked.
“I-I know, but…”
“Well, in any case, everything should be clear once we get to the place where her mana will lead us—let’s go,” I said.
With that, we traced Madeline’s mana.
[Leads]
The academy history book had traces of Madeline’s mana on it.
Could this be a message from her?
We delved into the book in search of an answer, but…
“Hmm…”
We couldn’t find anything noteworthy. It might just be a coincidence that Madeline’s mana remained on this book, and we might have misunderstood. But then…
“Hmm? Guys, look here,” Jarvis exclaimed, noticing something.
Apparently, she noticed that although Madeline’s mana was all over the book, it was more concentrated on a certain page. This specific page contained information about…
“The academy underground evacuation route…”
Astor Academy had multiple evacuation routes to swiftly guide students out in the event of fires or other emergencies. I had heard that these routes were usually concealed with recognition-blocking magic to avoid disruption to the students’ daily activities, and this page showed the location of one such emergency route, leading underground.
“U-Underground… she must have really gone to the underground library!” Dorothy exclaimed with enthusiasm.
…Well, yes, the circumstantial evidence suggested that Madeline might have made her way to the underground library—but something still didn’t sit quite right with me…
“Something seems bothering you, Barrett,” Tayte said as she peered up at my face.
She really understood me well.
“I just find it odd that she would take such an indirect approach.”
“You think so too?”
“What are you guys talking about?”
Jarvis seemed to share my suspicions, but Andrei, on the other hand, didn’t seem to follow the conversation. Gathering my thoughts, I explained to Andrei, “Knowing Madeline’s personality, I think she would prefer to make her intentions clear to us–to others as well, in fact–rather than opting for such a discreet method.”
“I see! It’s quite uncharacteristic of Madeline, isn’t it?”
“Maybe… the circumstances left her no choice but to do so.”
“Y-you mean–”
Tayte tried to speak but Andrei beat her to it. “She might have been kidnapped.”
His casual words left everyone stiffened.
“I suppose it is not too far-fetched.” Ms. Teixeira remarked with a stern.
“W-wait, seriously?”
“Why are you panicking now? You brought up the idea, Andrei.” Jarvis asked.
“I-I know, but…”
“Well, in any case, everything should be clear once we get to the place where her mana will lead us—let’s go,” I said.
With that, we traced Madeline’s mana.
