Looking around, they noticed the room Sebek had kicked open appeared to be a kind of office, furnished with a large table, a comfy chair, and a fireplace. Though the interior was dim, they could still see thanks to the glow of the firelotuses outside the windows.
They stepped inside as Silver took one of the candle holders from the table and lit it. He handed it to Malleus, who used it to examine the space.
"This... does not appear to be the bell tower," Malleus noted curiously.
"I was expecting more firelotuses. But no, there's an actual fireplace... and a large meeting table," Silver added, touching the giant round table in the center of the room.
"The walls are lined with books and racks of red robes. I recognize them as the student uniforms," Sebek observed. Then, he paused, noticing Azul deeply focused on some documents under the glow of another candle. "Hm? What are you doing, Azul?"
"Perusing documents. I thought they might shed light on what this room is," Azul replied, flipping through the papers. "Club expense reports, event programs, the student council ledger... I believe we're in Noble Bell College's student council room."
Idia muttered, wide-eyed, "Look at all this ancient stuff... They weren't kidding about being historic. Even the fireplace is non-technomantic... Wait."
Malleus turned. "What is it, Shroud?"
"There's something off about the fireplace. Look at that brick on the right—it's too clean, no soot at all," Idia pointed out, shining his phone light on it.
Sure enough, among the soot-covered bricks, one near the upper right corner was unusually clean.
"You're right," Malleus said, surprised. "That suggests someone's been touching it regularly. Perhaps..."
He reached forward, pulled at the brick—and shocked everyone as it slid aside, revealing a hidden compartment. A book popped out.
"A book inside a fireplace?" Idia stared. "Someone's been reading way too many mystery novels."
Malleus retrieved the large hardcover and tilted his head. "What manner of book is it? A grimoire, perhaps?"
"Maybe it's the student council's real ledger. What if they've been cooking the books?" Azul grinned and snatched it from Malleus's hands. "Let's see what secrets this school hides."
He eagerly flipped through the pages, smirking. Sebek grumbled, "You don't have to be so... enthusiastic."
Unbothered, Azul read aloud: "'Day X of the month of Y – Classes went well as usual. Did some reading in the library after school...' Hm. It's not a ledger—it's a diary. The writer listed the books they read: Fleur City and the Bell of Solace: A History, Guide to the Greatest Magical Artifacts, Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Flora... and here's Growing Plants with Magic."
"Is that..." Malleus leaned in, surprised. "...Rollo Flamme's diary?"
"Oh-hoh! A secret diary that was never meant to be found? Hee hee hee." Idia sneered and peeked over Azul's shoulder. "I bet it's filled with cringe! I'm hype now—gotta read this. LMAO."
Malleus, thoughtful, added, "If it holds anything that could explain his actions or be used against him... then I must know."
But as he began to read, his smile slowly faded. "...Ah."
"Malleus?" Silver asked, concerned.
The others fell silent. Azul read with furrowed brows, nodding occasionally. At one point, he muttered, "...Now I see."
Idia's expression shifted between discomfort and anger, but he said nothing.
Finally, Malleus crossed his arms and nodded. "This explains much..."
…..
From atop the bell tower, Rollo looked down at the city bathed in crimson firelotuses. He murmured, "Ahh, how beautiful. So cleansing. I've never felt so at peace. Soon, the firelotuses will spread beyond the city. Magic will vanish. No one will suffer... not like he did. I swear it. It's my solemn duty."
Below, the true headmage clenched his uneven fists, grief etched into his expression. "...Rollo."
Peony stepped over the unconscious assassins as she sifted through the documents. Having found what she needed, she handed them to the hooded figure. "Well? What do you think?"
The man was silent, breathing deeply. Just then, a knock broke the stillness, and a figure entered the dark room. She lit the space with a flicker of light magic. The figure froze as he noticed the bodies on the floor. She waved it off casually.
"They're alive... unfortunately."
Still in a foul mood, Peony knew she had to stay focused to stop the conflict.
The newcomer was Professor Trein.
After seating the stunned teacher and giving him swift first-aid acupuncture, she muttered, "This isn't a cure. It's emergency treatment. Keep ignoring your pain and you'll stay in that wheelchair. Geez..."
"I will take your advice to heart," he said, despite her bluntness. "The fairies said you wished to ask a favor of me?"
Peony nodded and exhaled. "Simply put, I need you to act as a case carrier for Rollo."
"Is that even possible?" the hooded figure asked, shocked.
"I've already discussed it with the Council of Magic," Peony said. "Though this incident will be recorded as one of the most dangerous to date, it will soon be eclipsed by something bigger."
She pointed to the floor, and the others nodded solemnly.
Trein was confused. "This incident..."
"A cultivator attack," the hooded man said grimly.
Peony added, "Cultivator society values strength above all else. It's a dog-eat-dog world, rife with discrimination. They'll either try to dominate all resources or destroy them to prevent rivals from gaining anything. This society doesn't mesh with the world of magicians. And they're coming fast."
She gestured to the papers again. "This incident involved taking City Hall hostage and murdering high-ranking officials. Only one survivor was left behind."
The hooded man removed his hood, revealing himself.
"I'm the mayor of this city."
"My master wants to protect the child," Peony said. "But there will still be a trial."
"He's too young," Trein said.
Peony shook her head. "Unfortunately, council tradition allows the headmage to take in students. All students under their tutelage are candidates for headmage. Rollo was one of them."
"There was such a custom?" Trein asked in disbelief.
The mayor nodded. "That's how Noble Bell College still accepts potential magicians."
Peony continued, "The headmage of each generation also serves as Chief Justice. But Rollo's therapy records show he suffered memory loss from the trauma of losing his brother and parents. And because the headmage was absent during that time... Rollo never received the treatment he needed."
"This entire incident stems from untreated trauma..." Trein concluded.
Peony nodded. "Combined with the false headmage's fraud, this will cause a massive stir."
The mayor slumped into a chair, looking near tears. "Both culprits were students of the real headmage..."
"Oh dear..." Trein murmured.
"All candidates must undergo a trial before ascending to headmage. Normally, my master wanted to wait until Rollo was older. But we lost contact. And now this has happened," Peony said.
Trein frowned. "Both culprits are his students. One is a child... I understand."
"Exactly. Most of the trial details will remain confidential—shared only with this city and the council. Rollo's privacy must be protected."
"That's why you need a case carrier."
Peony nodded. "As troublesome as he's been, he's still my master's pupil. And my master's too soft-hearted to abandon him. I've already sent my assistant to keep the other students safe from the chaos."
"What will you do afterward?" Trein asked.
"I don't know." Peony shook her head. "I've also been chosen to judge the succession ceremony—and oversee the resignation of the true headmage."
"The true headmage?"
She handed him documents. After reading them, he exhaled deeply and handed them back. "So that's the reason. An unfortunate situation indeed."
"I'll give you the full case file once you've recovered," Peony said flatly.
"Harsh," the mayor muttered.
Peony grimaced. "Life holds both happiness and sorrow. Regret is unavoidable. He's not the only one who's suffered. But targeting all magicians like this? It's reckless. And it's drawing the cultivators to him."
Trein nodded. "So that's why Mister Xue asked me to watch him."
Peony sighed. "When a victim is cornered, they develop behaviors that make life difficult. If he weren't my master's student, I'd have kept this quiet. But we need someone trustworthy, someone who understands him. With Axel controlling most of the staff, I need someone outside the school. Someone chosen to chaperone this trip—someone like you."
She turned to the window.
"You may not realize it, but this incident will spark a series of future events. My people will hold back the worst of it so everyone else can return home safely."
"The headmage also watched over the city," the mayor added. "Though frail, he had a kind heart—especially for children. He always ensured the festivities were joyful for everyone."
She paused, staring out the window, unsure if her teacher ever told her how he met Rollo. But considering Rollo's background...