“What exactly did you guys do in the Elven Territory last time to have such a good relationship?”
Inside the Royal Palace, after listening to Celes’ report on recent activities—spontaneously traveling to the Middle Great Forest, touring various Shrubland Scenery, tasting Glowgrass salads, engaging in academic exchanges with the Plant Whisperer Mage Corps, feeding Dragon Hawks up close, and other local specialties—the attending minister was astonished.
It sounded like you were already friends.
“We just offered a little help,” Celes said.
“The Elves are quite warm and hospitable.”
After finishing her report, she turned to the Sanctuary Hall and found Ella and Zero lounging idly on the sofa, waving at her.
“Celes, you’re back.”
“Good morning.”
Is it really time to say ‘good morning’ now?
She glanced around and finally realized what was missing.
“Where’s Vina?”
“She went to the Magic Court. Said there was something important. We’re waiting for her to come back.”
That explained their idleness.
Still, since Celes had returned, Ella asked about reporting to the Royal Palace.
“Everything went smoothly, but Mr. Maken didn’t come, so much of what you taught me was useless.”
“He wasn’t there, huh. Then it doesn’t matter. You can just muddle through however.”
Ella felt that in the current Human Kingdom court, there was only one person who couldn’t be easily fooled.
They sat together for a while, eating pastries and sipping tea.
Celes couldn’t help but ask, “Will Vina be back today?”
No special reason—it’s just that, based on past experience, people taken back to the Magic Court usually took two or three days to return.
Just as she finished speaking, a rush of footsteps approached, and a red twin-tailed loli pushed open the door.
“I’m back! Did you miss me? Huh, Celes, you’re back too.”
The Little Witch squeezed into the empty spot on the sofa between Ella and Celes, grabbed a pastry from the table, broke off a piece, popped it into her mouth, and nodded.
“Not bad.”
“Did something happen at the Magic Court?”
Ella asked casually—after all, since Vina returned so quickly and seemed relaxed, it probably wasn’t anything serious.
The other two thought the same.
“Oh, nothing major.”
Vina clapped her small hands, brushing off pastry crumbs.
“Just a bit of a strange incident.”
Before the girls could say anything, Rolls suddenly rushed in from next door.
“Strange? How strange?”
His nervousness was contagious—Celes tensed up as well.
Vina was puzzled by their reactions.
“It was just something odd that happened within the Magic Court. Why are you all so worked up?”
Then the Little Witch explained.
A few high-ranking Magicians in the Magic Court had suddenly gone mad during their training, turning on everyone around them and attacking those who tried to stop them before disappearing together.
“It seems to be some kind of magical research accident, so they called me back to ask for my opinion. That’s all.”
As a once-in-a-millennium magic genius, Vina’s abilities weren’t limited to combat—her expertise in Magic spanned a wide range, including academic research.
“I see. I just think you’ve all experienced too much lately.”
Rolls glanced to the side.
“It’s better to be careful.”
Celes immediately understood.
“Exactly. I worry that if such things aren’t taken seriously from the start, they might hide a huge threat, like the Harbor City incident.”
Back then, who would have thought that if the ritual hadn’t been stopped, the entire Human Kingdom would have ended up underwater?
“It’s not that serious, right? It’s just a few Magicians going crazy.”
Vina pursed her lips, then her peach blossom eyes brightened with a sudden idea.
“But since that’s the case, Ella has to lend herself to me for a few days!”
“Why?”
Celes asked instinctively—Zero, meanwhile, managed to hold back.
“Because she’s also a Magician, and she’s very skilled.”
“I’m not—”
Ella tried to deny it but gave up after a moment.
After all, with nothing to do these days, it wouldn’t hurt to tag along.
Magic is a complex discipline.
Each Magician has their own specialty.
Even the current Chief Magician isn’t proficient in every element, and even a genius like Vina doesn’t master all fields.
For instance, in the field of Necromancy, Lala isn’t intimidated by anyone.
Celes opened her mouth but hesitated.
She had just warned Vina to take things seriously—she couldn’t contradict herself now.
But thinking carefully, she herself was planning to leave for a few days.
“Fine. You guys investigate the matter. I was just about to leave the Royal Capital of Humanity to visit my Mentor.”
Then, the three girls’ gazes fell on Zero.
“I’ll go find Miss Leah these days, then.”
Since you’re all leaving, someone has to inform our good friend.
No one had expected that, in the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the Hero Squad would disband, splitting off in three directions.
Ella and Vina left first, since the Magic Court was some distance away.
Zero was second—since the Cathedral of Light was even farther, there was no point rushing.
Only Celes remained, not in a hurry.
After her companions departed, she finally stood and asked:
“Teacher, do you find this matter suspicious?”
‘Suspicious’—meaning it might develop into a major disaster, like the Harbor City incident.
“I don’t know. I have no understanding of this matter.”
Rolls’ gaze drifted to the inscription on the wall.
“I just feel that lately, things have been… too peaceful for you all.”
You even have leisure to cause trouble in other races’ territories.
“Don’t be nervous. Maybe I’m just overthinking.”
After finishing the tea in her cup, Celes bid Rolls farewell, returned to the camp to pack, and prepared to set out.
***
Ella wasn’t visiting the Magic Court for the first time.
Compared to before, the scenery here was unchanged.
As she walked through the corridor, she noticed the air felt hotter with fire elements—perhaps because winter had arrived and people were using Fire Magic to keep warm.
But Vina frowned slightly and fanned her face, hinting that things might not be as simple.
Either way, as they continued inside, Ella felt a growing sense of familiarity.
Based on her last experience, once they passed this corner and climbed the spiral staircase, the room at the top was their destination.
Then the Little Witch would—
Just as she thought this, Vina rushed forward and kicked open the door.
“Old man, I’m back again!”
The Grand Sage, reclining on his armchair for a nap, opened his eyes helplessly.
“Didn’t you say it was boring? Why the sudden interest?”
“Investigating alone is boring, so I dragged someone back with me.”
Vina declared confidently.