[Truth]
Our primary objective was clear: locate the missing Madeline and Jarvis. However, we found ourselves at a standstill with not a single clue to kickstart our search.
At that moment, Principal Abigail agreed to divulge information about the academy’s underground library, a pivotal piece in this puzzle.
Possibly concerned about a potential information leak, she erected a barrier spell around the room, isolating it from the outside.
“The underground library isn’t exactly what you might envision as a library. It’s more of a facility where practical tests are conducted for magic items still in the experimental stage.”
“Practical tests for magic items?”
This revelation differed significantly from the mental image I had of the place. Principal Abigail went on to clarify, “It’s the sole facility that exists beneath the academy.”
“But, if that’s the case, why is it labeled the underground library?” Andrei raised a valid point.
I understood that the place served as a testing ground for experimental magic items, but how did it become the subject of rumors about a library?
In response to the question, the principal shared her perspective.
“I can’t provide concrete information as I haven’t identified the source of the rumors, but… truth be told, the pathway leading to the testing facility isn’t far from the archive room where you all were trapped.”
“Huh?”
Did that mean the pathway was situated inside the library?
…But hold on.
That brought up another question.
“Are you suggesting that someone who knew the truth leaked the information?”
“That’s what we suspect. However, the school only recently got wind of these rumors.”
“Recently?”
That was odd.
According to information from Madeline’s friend Dorothy, who had been with her shortly before she disappeared, rumors about the underground library had been circulating for a long time. Most likely, those familiar with the facility already considered the idea of the rumored underground library being the magic item testing facility as a given. Yet, even Ms. Teixeira seemed unaware of the testing facility during our investigation. This suggested that the facility was an extremely confidential secret known only to a select few.
—Still, was it appropriate for the principal to share such a secretive piece of information with us?
“You must be wondering if it’s okay to reveal something so important that even Teixeira has no clue about. It’s written all over your face.”
Principal Abigail easily discerned my thoughts.
She was quite adept at this.
“There’s no need to worry. The decision has been made to relocate that facility soon.”
“Relocate?”
“That’s correct. —Now, why don’t you take a guess as to why such a facility was built under an academy with so many students?” The principal asked with a smile.
Naturally, we had no clue about the reason.
As silence enveloped the room, Principal Abigail eventually disclosed the answer. “Actually, the sequence of events is reversed. The testing facility wasn’t built after the academy; rather, the academy was constructed after the testing facility.”
“What?!”
We were astonished.
Did that mean the academy was essentially a cover-up for the facility?
—However, reality seemed to beg to differ.
“Both Astor Academy and the testing facility… were created to safeguard ‘something’ that lies asleep underground,” the school principal declared solemnly, her tone shifting from before.
[Truth]
Our primary objective was clear: locate the missing Madeline and Jarvis. However, we found ourselves at a standstill with not a single clue to kickstart our search.
At that moment, Principal Abigail agreed to divulge information about the academy’s underground library, a pivotal piece in this puzzle.
Possibly concerned about a potential information leak, she erected a barrier spell around the room, isolating it from the outside.
“The underground library isn’t exactly what you might envision as a library. It’s more of a facility where practical tests are conducted for magic items still in the experimental stage.”
“Practical tests for magic items?”
This revelation differed significantly from the mental image I had of the place. Principal Abigail went on to clarify, “It’s the sole facility that exists beneath the academy.”
“But, if that’s the case, why is it labeled the underground library?” Andrei raised a valid point.
I understood that the place served as a testing ground for experimental magic items, but how did it become the subject of rumors about a library?
In response to the question, the principal shared her perspective.
“I can’t provide concrete information as I haven’t identified the source of the rumors, but… truth be told, the pathway leading to the testing facility isn’t far from the archive room where you all were trapped.”
“Huh?”
Did that mean the pathway was situated inside the library?
…But hold on.
That brought up another question.
“Are you suggesting that someone who knew the truth leaked the information?”
“That’s what we suspect. However, the school only recently got wind of these rumors.”
“Recently?”
That was odd.
According to information from Madeline’s friend Dorothy, who had been with her shortly before she disappeared, rumors about the underground library had been circulating for a long time. Most likely, those familiar with the facility already considered the idea of the rumored underground library being the magic item testing facility as a given. Yet, even Ms. Teixeira seemed unaware of the testing facility during our investigation. This suggested that the facility was an extremely confidential secret known only to a select few.
—Still, was it appropriate for the principal to share such a secretive piece of information with us?
“You must be wondering if it’s okay to reveal something so important that even Teixeira has no clue about. It’s written all over your face.”
Principal Abigail easily discerned my thoughts.
She was quite adept at this.
“There’s no need to worry. The decision has been made to relocate that facility soon.”
“Relocate?”
“That’s correct. —Now, why don’t you take a guess as to why such a facility was built under an academy with so many students?” The principal asked with a smile.
Naturally, we had no clue about the reason.
As silence enveloped the room, Principal Abigail eventually disclosed the answer. “Actually, the sequence of events is reversed. The testing facility wasn’t built after the academy; rather, the academy was constructed after the testing facility.”
“What?!”
We were astonished.
Did that mean the academy was essentially a cover-up for the facility?
—However, reality seemed to beg to differ.
“Both Astor Academy and the testing facility… were created to safeguard ‘something’ that lies asleep underground,” the school principal declared solemnly, her tone shifting from before.
