[V4C15] The Smoke Fox’s Notebook
Translated by Jodas 4: Flying Through the SkyThe Apprentices chose Ella Frank as their representative. In addition, Wren would be the assistant representative.
When Hütter heard that report before the group lesson, he hid the temptation to gloat ‘I know~’ and instead said “What an unexpected choice, huh?” with a straight face to Hegelich.
(I totally thought that if we gave them a whole week to decide, they’d split into Modern and Classical factions…)
Recalling how he listened in on their debate by pressing a cup against the wall last night, Hütter chuckled internally.
He was relieved to hear the discussion between the Apprentices was in complete chaos.
Good, keep it going like that. Let us hear your true thoughts. Good, good, keep fighting, youngsters. …Had been his thoughts, but when Tia suddenly decided she was bored of the discussion and started singing, the winds shifted.
(That was probably around the time that Sevil and Wren realized it. That things had been set up for them to come into conflict with each other.)
With that in mind, Sevil looked for someone who both Julius and Roswitha would approve of, and nominated Ella as representative. Hütter thought it was a good choice.
Ella refused to get mired in factional conflicts, and was deeply knowledgable in magic. She was on the older side of the Apprentices, and paid attention to everyone around her.
Most importantly, Ella understood where she was lacking, and was able to rely on others to cover her failings.
It had also been a wise choice to select quick-thinking Wren to act as her assistant.
(My students make me so proud.)
Tia likely hadn’t been thinking through it that far, but her distinctive careless attitude warmed up the atmosphere, and at a time when Sevil and Wren had let the blood rush to their heads, it had the effect of resetting the room and letting everyone calm down and think more clearly. These three made a great team.
…While he thought, the afternoon individual lesson time approached, and Hütter picked up a huge bag as he walked to the group lesson classroom.
Since the representative was decided yesterday, the Apprentice Mages were all busy preparing themselves for the magic battle against the Extermination Office.
It sounded like Tia was working with Oliver to find a way to make the Magical Flying Device more stable.
Sevil was drafting strategies alongside Ella and Julius all the while training with her magic sword.
Wren focused on gathering information and studying inscription magic.
The students from the other classes were each doing whatever they could.
(Wow, all our Apprentices are keeping themselves so busy!)
In the group lesson classroom, Hütter leaned over the podium and opened his notebook.
Nothing written in that notebook was of much consequence.
It contained thoughts on the students’ goals, and things like which Office they might graduate into. — Even if someone were to sneak a peek at his notebook, they would see its contents as the natural thoughts of a teacher concerned for the best interests of his students.
John Rose
Fuzzy redhead. Huge.
Seems like he wants to use Modern Magecraft? Can only use defensive barriers.
— Researching mana imbuement into plants. Often visits the Management Office.
Julius Löwenich
Laughs like ‘ku, ku, ku.’ Modern Magecraft is his specialty. His contracted spirit is a greater flame spirit.
— Seems like his father used to be at the Wedge Tower. Maybe wants to join the General Affairs Office?
Gerald Anker
Black hair, long bangs, doesn’t talk much. It’s bad for his eyes, so he really should cut those bangs.
Has a sword, but I’ve never seen him using it so I don’t know how good he is.
— Often helps out at the Management Office. Is he not interested in magic swords?
Finn Nohl
Tiny, black-haired boy. The youngest. Apparently the son of a woodcutter.
At the same level as Tia academically. Weak-legged, but reasonably strong.
— Often helps out with the Management and Maintenance Offices
Oliver Lange
Tallest of the Apprentices. Uses a spear. What does ‘red rain’ mean? You’re scaring your teacher, you know?
Seems to be from a Monster-hunting family. I don’t really understand what that means.
— Wants to join the Extermination Office. His brother is also in the Extermination Office.
Wren Bayer (Apprentices’ Assistant Representative)
Self-proclaimed pretty boy. Reasonably good at reading the room and paying attention to the people around him.
Has the lowest mana reserves so needs attention. (Ms. Röhm has already helped with that.)
— Might have interest in inscription magic? May be headed for Library or Management Office.
Sophie Schwarzenberg
From a family of Shamans. Her grandfather was in the Wedge Tower until his recent death. She came to the Wedge Tower as his replacement.
— Often visits the Library Office. Might join the Library Office like her grandfather?
Rukiye Sorge
Has the eyes of an artisan. The type of person who dislikes dealing with other people. She should get out more.
— Wants to be a magical device artisan. (Especially seems to like engraving metal.) Just about guaranteed to join the Management Office.
Roswitha Ohlendorf
Skilled with Classical Magecraft. Has lots of sticks hanging inside of her cloak. Whatever that is, it’s scary.
— Wants to join the Extermination Office. Her mother was part of the Extermination Office before resigning.
Ella Frank (Apprentices’ Representative)
Came from a magical academy. Has interest in both Classical and Modern styles. Probably a magic idiot just like Ms. Röhm.
Gets along well with self-confident braggarts like Roswitha and Rukiye.
— Has difficulty controlling mana. Unsure of her career path?
Tia Vogel
Chirps like ‘Piyopp’ all the time. Wants to learn flight magic. What is she, a bird?
Her special talent is singing — Should I suggest magic related to singing? (Unrelated to flight magic, so need to wait and see)
— Currently practicing with the Magical Flying Device at the Management Office.
Adelheid Sevil Lamea Krewing
The Barbarian Sword Princess and the Emperor’s little sister. Why is she here??
— Interested in magic swords and (how to kill) spirits. Currently practicing with the Protection Office.
The Dream Mage Caspar Hütter, or rather, the third-rate con man Smoke Fox had been ordered by the Black Lion Emperor to investigate the reason the cause behind the falling out between the previous Emperor and the Wedge Tower.
… Which pretty much meant ‘What did the previous Emperor do to piss off the Wedge Tower?’
(When they cut ties with the previous Emperor was just about the same time that the Spiremaster of the First Spire at the time, Samuel Löwenich — Julius’ Father — was driven out…)
He’d asked Heidi, the Black Lion Emperor’s subordinate, to look into it, but Samuel had already passed away. Apparently he died of an illness not long after being driven out of the Wedge Tower.
Samuel Löwenich was talented and had previously taught at a magic academy. The dark rumors of him profiting off his magical patents and ruling the magic academy with an iron grip followed him everywhere he went.
But the most important part was that the cutting of ties between the Wedge Tower and the previous Emperor happened at the same time as Samuel’s expulsion.
There was no doubt that these two incidents were related in some way.
(Most likely, his son Julius doesn’t know why his father was driven out either… I bet he came to the Wedge Tower specifically to investigate that.)
Julius’ objective lined up with the Smoke Fox’s goals, but he had no intention of working with him if it required explaining his circumstances.
Besides, the third-rate con man Smoke Fox generally preferred to act alone regardless.
It wasn’t long ago that he’d been betrayed by his partner, leading to his encounter with the Black Lion Emperor.
(That old lady who took Samuel Löwenich’s place as Spiremaster — Spiremaster Abel — definitely knows something.)
When she greeted him on the first day he arrived at the Wedge Tower, Spiremaster Abel of the First Spire had come across as a warm and kind lady.
However, there was definitely something hiding behind that gentle smile of hers.
Perhaps it might be safest to let Julius wade around a little bit and start prodding into Spiremaster Abel.
(And the other person who could be a useful source of information…)
The Smoke Fox directed his eyes towards a young girl’s name listed on his notebook.
Sophie Schwarzenberg
Apparently there was always at least one member of the Schwarzenberg family of Shamans present at the Wedge Tower.
Prior to Sophie’s arrival, it was said that Sophie’s grandfather was at the Wedge Tower.
(This is just my intuition speaking, but I feel like Sophie hasn’t come into contact with the dark secrets of the Wedge Tower yet. I get the feeling that they won’t make her do things like that while she’s still an Apprentice.)
In time, the Wedge Tower will have to let Sophie in on the dark secrets of the Tower. And there might just be something connecting to the previous Emperor in those secrets.
After all, some time in the past, the Empire had driven the Shamans out of the Palace in an attempt to suck up to the Church.
(Although the Black Lion Emperor gives the impression he’ll use any means to achieve his goals… After all, he’s even using a third-rate con man like me!)
Considering his personality, the Black Lion Emperor probably found it infuriating that his ancestors threw away such a precious tool as the Shamans.
Especially since, a few years ago, a member of the neighboring Ridill Kingdom’s Royal Family was saved by a Shaman, one of their Seven Sages.
If the Black Lion Emperor had any thoughts about keeping a Shaman in his toolbox, then Sophie’s existence would be a valuable bargaining chip for him.
(For the time being, I should pay attention to what Julius and Sophie are up to. Not to mention, there are a couple of others out there who are sniffing into the Guidance Office…)
He was still waiting for the results of Heidi’s investigation into the people who have an interest in the Guidance Office. This was another issue where his only option was to sit and wait for things to change.
The moment he slammed his notebook shut, the classroom door that he’d left open by a crack swung open with ferocious speed.
Stomping into the room came a large man with an X-shaped scar on his face — the same man who’d come crashing into the Guidance Office the day before, spitting ‘Your newbies this year have no respect!’ — A man named Dammer, from the Extermination Office.
“There you are. Dream Mage Caspar Hütter!”
Dammer spoke, bearing a sadistic grin.