14 Work

Arial guessed that this is an assassination attempt on the daughter of the Count.

It wouldn't be surprising if she was targeted here since this is the reason why he was assigned to secretly protect her in the first place.

However, why would they target the empty carriage and the coachman? Why would they wait for the young lady to leave the carriage before burning it down?

'A warning? Are they telling that they can assassinate her anytime and anywhere?'

Arial analyzed the situation as he watched the council and committee investigate the scene. They must also be surprised about this incident. This is definitely not done by accident and through a very careful plan.

But as far as he knows, the Academy grounds is restricted and not just any person can enter it. This is either done by someone that is already here or someone powerful enough to ignore the protection of the Academy…

"Well, well… To think that someone will mess around in our territory…"

Arial then heard an amused tone of voice coming from behind him. He looked back and saw a middle-aged man wearing his brown coat and holding his cane approach the scene.

He seems to be one of the instructors of the Academy.

Aside from that, Arial noticed two people following him. One of them is a simple yet attractive young lady following wearing a blue dress.

'Florentia Ploense… known as Lady Tia. I finally found you…'

Arial only glanced at the beautiful pink-haired lady.

She appears to be quite pale as she was probably terrified, or perhaps, in disbelief that the carriage she just used was burned and ended up killing the coachman hired by her father.

Arial quickly left their sight as he doesn't want to catch her attention yet. He threw another glance at the other lady following beside her and noticed from her gestures that she has most likely trained with the sword for several years.

'I see… This short-haired lady is probably a Knight that will protect her in the open while I work in the dark… Is that it?' Arial smiled at the thought as he quickly left the place.

With the instructor beside her, Arial concluded that there should be nothing to be worried about her safety for now.

If they are really targeting Tia today, they would've done this even before she entered the academy in the first place.

What they probably want is not to kill her but only to scare her for now…

'Ugh… It seems that I will be busy with this mission.' Arial thought as he returned to his room.

A day had passed and it was announced by the student council through the Academy Intercom that the incident was because of an accident created by an item inside the carriage and there was nothing to worry about.

Whether this is a cover-up story or the truth, it doesn't really matter to most of the students since they have all learned the Mystic Arts and are confident to protect themselves from a little fire.

The coachman who was still breathing when the people have arrived ended up dying since no one bothered saving him quickly. It was probably because he's a commoner or perhaps not their people so none of them cared aside from Lady Tia and her companion.

They at least told the dying coachman that they will take revenge on the person who did this.

'Well, it still ended up being an accident.'

Arial sighed after realizing that someone had just died. Though he's already used to seeing people die in the Laboratory, it doesn't mean that he no longer feels anything for them.

'Ahh… I need to meet the Chief Custodian…'

He suddenly recalled as he continued walking to the central building where the Custodial Services Office is located.

He needs to get briefed about his task as a custodian, after all.

"Are you Arial? I've been waiting for you." He was greeted by an old lady seated in a very comfortable armchair.

"Yes… Ma'am Judie. The headmaster told me to visit this place at least before the Entrance Ceremony for the new students."

Arial replied as he observed the chief custodian that he will have to work with for his whole academic years.

Her hair is already white as she reads the newspaper with her reading glass. She appears to be a strict woman but he couldn't really tell if it's only her appearance.

"Did the headmaster mentioned to you about your task? Ahh! Just call me Chief Judie from now on."

"Not specifically, Chief Judie. He only mentioned the places I'm allowed to visit once I became a custodian. May I ask how many students are working here?"

Arial asked since he wanted to meet his fellow custodians. But as soon as he mentioned this, the old lady seems a bit flustered.

"Eh? He didn't mention it to you? You're the only student working as a Custodian for this year at the very least. Anyway, there are three others aside from you. They've been working here for at least eight years, so just ask them if you don't know anything. You will meet them sometimes because of our green uniform."

"I see…"

He looked around the room and found several cleaning equipment on the shelf.

'This feeling… Their magical items as well… I guess I really have to at least learn the Mystic Arts to do better here, huh.'

Arial wryly smiled. He can see other normal tools for cleaning without any influence of magic.

It means that he can still work even without using the Mystic Arts but it will probably be more difficult for him.

Anyway, he will only start working as a custodian a week after the start of the classes as per the Headmaster's instructions.

He probably wanted him to focus on gaining approval from other instructors first because of his terrible talent…

'I guess I have to work hard...'

Finally, the entrance ceremony has arrived. All the newly accepted students will have to gather in the auditorium in an hour.

However, Arial has to first meet with the members of the suspicious circle that is recruiting freshmen students.