BLACK CAT CHAPTER 84: THE RAID

　The school in Ibouro is said to have about 400 students between the ages of 7 and 17.

　The students between the ages of 7 and 9 that are the children of rich people living in Ibouro, who apparently commute from their homes every day.

　Students from 10 to 14 years old that are children of aristocrats and rich people, including those from villages near Ibouro, and they live in dormitories.

　The students between the ages of 15 and 17 are those who are learning specialized academic knowledge and will become researchers or teachers in the future.

　The day after I rescued my brother from the slums, I decided to visit Professor Mendez, the martial arts teacher, to inform him of the possibility of an attack.

　Looking again at the area around the school gate, I could see about ten soldiers here alone.

　There were three soldiers on each side of the gate, two at the reception desk, and two more at the entrance of the passageway into the school.

“Hello.” (Nyango)

“ Hello, do you have business in the Academy?” (Guard)

“Yes, I’m here to speak with Professor Mendez.” (Nyango)

“Then, please go to the reception desk…” (Guard)

“Thank you.” (Nyango)

 

　I was a little nervous because I was aware of the soldier’s presence, but when I greeted him, he returned my greeting with a smile.

　As was the case at Fort Bisreus, all of the soldiers were well-trained and strong, and from what I could see, they were not letting their guard down.

　I called out to Mateo, the janitor at the reception desk, and on my way into the school, I turned my head to see the soldiers patrolling between the high walls surrounding the grounds and the school building.

　Everyone at Chariot seemed to think it wouldn’t be hard to get in, depending on how they did it, but from what I could see, it wasn’t going to be easy.

　The Academy in Ibouro have three periods of classes in the morning and one in the afternoon.

　They have longer breaks between classes, so they are not as busy as in Japan.

　I thought about passing it to Professor Mendez’s ear since it was about the raid, but I showed up in the middle of the third period, and I also plan to talk with Professor Lembolt during the lunch break.

　I was only thinking about efficiency and getting the information to him as quickly as possible, not that I had any intention of him treating me to Malur Meuniere.

　I crossed the schoolyard and peeked in through the entrance of the training hall, where I saw that Professor Mendez had already noticed my arrival and was smiling at me.

　I bowed in response to his beckoning and stepped into the training hall.

　Looking at the students taking a stance practice class with wooden swords, I saw Miguel and Jasper at an inopportune moment.

　However, there was a big gap between their attitudes toward the class.

　Miguel was swinging the wooden sword in an unenthusiastic manner, but Jasper was so serious with each swing that the student who was the defender looking pale.

“Hey, Nyango. How’s it going?” (Mendez)

“Well, it’s scary. I can’t compete with you in terms of physique, so I’m sure we’ll have a tough fight next time.” (Nyango)

 

“No, no, I am still no match for someone who can overpower a C-rank adventurer.” (Mendez)

“Is that rumor going around the Academy?” (Nyango)

“I specialize in martial arts, so I hear about it from people I know, but not everyone on staff knows about it.” (Mendez)

“I see… But that’s an everything goes match, so I’d be overpowered if I was only competing in martial arts.” (Nyango)

“I don’t know about that… By the way, do you have any business here today?” (Mendez)

“Yes, can I have some time later?” (Nyango)

“That’s fine, but is it something you can’t talk about here?” (Mendez)

“Yes, wait a minute…” (Nyango)

“Okay then, after class.” (Mendez)

　Professor Mendez, perhaps sensing something from the way I was talking, did not ask me to meet him for a spar today.

　When Olivier saw me, I waved at her, but since she was in class, she just nodded.

　It was a little worn out, so I think I’ll let her fluff me.

　Miguel also found me and came over to glare at me, but you should be more serious.

　Olivier and the other girls see his normal attitude.

　After the class was over, Professor Mendez took me to the teacher’s waiting room at the martial arts training hall.

　The students who were taking classes had lunch after changing their clothes, so they moved to the boy’s and girl’s changing rooms.

“Now, Nyango, what is this you want to tell me?” (Mendez)

“Actually, last night we retrieved a young man from the slums who told us that he had overheard talk of an attack on the school…” (Nyango)

“By “school” you mean here?” (Mendez)

“Yes. They are going to take the students as hostage and demand money.” (Nyango)

　Professor Mendez folded his arms, thought for a moment, and then nodded his head as if making a decision.

“I understand. I will pass this information on to the soldiers on guard duty.” (Mendez)

“Then you believe me, don’t you?” (Nyango)

“To be honest, I’m half in doubt, well, I think the probability is about 20%. But I’m grateful for this kind of information.” (Mendez)

“Thankful for what you think is a 20% chance?” (Nyango)

“Nyango, have you had a good look at the soldiers who are guarding the school?” (Mendez)

“Today, when I passed through the school gate, I just took careful glances, so I haven’t observed them in detail.” (Nyango)

“The school is guarded by new soldiers who are learning the basics of military discipline and vigilance here. In other words, this is a school for soldiers, too.” (Mendez)

　According to Professor Mendez, after being scouted at the Nest Leaving Ceremony, their first assignment after training is to guard the school.

　Of course, since it is not possible to provide security with only new recruits, veteran soldiers are also assigned to the school.

 

“Because it is a training ground for new soldiers, the discipline of the soldiers is very strict. But if nothing happens for a long period of time, it’s easy to get used to things and let one’s guard down.” (Mendez)

“I see. So you will use the information I bring to tighten discipline?” (Nyango)

“That’s what I mean. Let’s hear the rest of the story after lunch in the cafeteria.” (Mendez)

“Eh, but wouldn’t it be bad if the students heard?” (Nyango)

“No, just tell them it’s about the training of the soldiers escorting the students. Besides, it might be a good idea to have the students practice emergency evacuation drills. ” (Mendez)

　I felt uneasy just by hearing that the ruffians in the slums were planning an attack, but I guess it’s because they are confident in their preparation that they can come up with the idea of using it for training.

 

　While we walked to the cafeteria, Professor Mendez told me about Jasper.

“I’m glad Nyango beat him hard. He was overly proud to be the best in his grade. When he learned that even his cousin Claudier couldn’t beat you, he realized that he could still become stronger as long he worked hard.” (Mendez)

“And while we’re at it, can’t we do something about Miguel from Atsuka Village?” (Nyango)

“Miguel… It seems that he was brought up in a very spoiled environment. It’s true you can’t change a person’s life with a single chance. You can’t just throw away the best parts of your life, you have to pick up the good parts. …Well, martial arts doesn’t seem to be the right choice for him. Even so, people can change a lot due to some trigger.” (Mendez)

　It seems that Miguel’s laziness is so imbedded that even Professor Mendez can’t help him.

　On the way to the cafeteria, we met up with Professor Lembolt, just at the right time.

　Over dinner, we discussed the plan for the raid and the usability of the new magic circle.

　And get Malur Meuniere!

“Yummeow! Malur Meunière, crisp, moist, tender, and delicious!” (Nyango)

“Hahaha, I’m glad you like it. I don’t know that the pulverization magic circle has such an effect… Nyango, I’d like to ask you a few questions…” (Lembolt)

“Eh, you don’t mean to say that you want to experience the pulverization magic circle, do you?” (Nyango)

“Is it no good? Just a very small one that fits in the palm of my hand… So?” (Lembolt)

“Hmm… I’ll think about it. I haven’t adjusted the power perfectly yet, so if I make a mistake, you’ll be seriously injured, so I’ll practice until the next time, so please wait.” (Nyango)

“I see… It can’t be helped, I will wait.” (Lembolt)

　No, it’s called pulverization, but it’s practically an explosion magic circle, so people don’t usually think about experiencing it.

　Look, even Professor Mendez is completely dumbfounded.

“*Sigh*… activating Engraving Magic using Attribute Magic… Nyango, what’s going on with your head?” (Mendez)

“Meow, me! I’m not sure why, but I’m sure it’s something you’d have to look into if someone said they had void attribute.” (Nyango)

“No, usually they give up and try to rely on magic tools.” (Mendez)

“But Professor Mendez. Thanks to Nyango I’ve been able to get a hint of a new idea for a magical tool.” (Nyango)

　Come to think of it, I didn’t tell Professor Mendez that I could activate Engraving Magic using void attribute magic.

　Thanks to this, the conversation during the meal was all about how to use Engraving Magic with void magic.

　After the meal was over, the waiter was lowering the tray and making tea.

　Suddenly, a group of men in black masks burst into the dining room.

　The man leading the way raised a short metal tube, and a fireball shot out from the tip of the tube and exploded into the back wall.

　The huge fireball spreads out, and the students scream.

“Kyaaaaa!” (Students)

“Be quiet! Everyone, stay where you are! If you listen to me quietly, I won’t be rough with you. Anyone who disobeys will be burned to a crisp!” (Ruffian Boss)

　The man who seemed to be the leader shot out a fireball from the end of a tube again.

　Again, the fireball hits the stone wall in the back of the room, and the students screamed again.

 

“That’s a magic gun.” (Lembolt)

“Eh, that thing?” (Nyango)

“It’s not the same shape as the one I know, but I’m sure it’s one.” (Lembolt)

　I had heard that a magic gun was a terribly expensive item, but the 50 or so men who broke in were all carrying the same tube.

　It was a metal tube about 10 centimeters in diameter, with just a grip attached.

“Professor Mendez…” (Nyango)

“Oh, I didn’t think it would happen soon, and this soon…” (Mendez)

　Professor Mendez had intended to listen to the story in more detail while eating, and then pass it on to the escort soldiers afterward, but… things moved faster than expected.

“Listen carefully! I’m going to move now, but before that, put everything that can be used as a weapon on the table! Even eating knives and pens, if we find you carrying them, we will execute you!” (Ruffian Boss)

　The leader warned, but it seemed that none of the students thought to take the knives they had used in the meal with them.

　After this, we were surrounded by a group of men all in black and moved to the faculty building.