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Maxwell. He was someone who had mastered every magic system and became known as “King of Sorcery.” If we didn’t have Cortina, it would’ve most likely been him who led us instead.

Mastering various magic arts meant that you were able to choose the most optimal magic in any given situation. And it was simply out of the question for someone like that to have a bad head on their shoulders.

“With that said, you have reincarnated in quite a lovely body.”

“No, I mean… That’s not-”

“It was quite obvious if you gave it a little thought. Just as you came to this town, Cortina and Gadius reconciled and then a person supposed to be Reid’s reincarnation showed up. Those events happened too fast.”

“Ugh…”

Maybe I was imagining it, but I felt some kind of static during the intervals of his words. No, this b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲ was actually chanting a spell as he talked. Was he planning on erecting a barrier the moment I tried to flee?

He’s using such absurdly high-level technique for something so stupid!

I started sweating buckets and all the pores on my body tensed up, giving me goosebumps. The time we invaded the Evil Dragon’s nest, or the time I had to fight against the Devil alone couldn’t even come close to the fear I was feeling now.

That was natural since the worst that could’ve happened back then was me dying. But what about now?

If this got out, I wouldn’t be able to stay with Cortina anymore. Even Finia might look at me like a piece of garbage. After all, I was still exchanging kisses with them every morning and evening to get my magic absorbed.

“L-L-Look, about that… I mean, I’ve got n-n-no idea what you’re talking abo-”

“I thought it was strange when Reid recovered those Queen Blossom seeds. Only Horton Corp and we should have known of their existence. And if Reid wasn’t with them, he could only be among us.”

“I-It could also just be a big coinci-”

“From the age perspective, only miss Letina, miss Michelle and you fit the requirements. Miss Finia and Doctor Tricia are out of that age-range.”

“I-I don’t know what you-”

“You three went on the trip together, but from what I hear, only you were out of sight during the incident. And that could only mean that you are Reid.”

“Proof, yeah, where’s your proof!?”

“Now that I think about it, there has been an increase in the loss of piano wires in the music room you often visit, hasn’t there?”

“Agggggghhhhhhh!?”

It fell on the equipment staff to replenish the consumables in the academy, but it seems that even if I could deceive that inattentive teacher, Maxwell was too much.

This old man was the leader of a kingdom, after all. He was exceedingly good at dealing with small changes and such.

On top of that, he magnificently baited my response earlier. Now that it has reached this point, deceiving him is impossible, huh…?

Judging that to be the case, I immediately proceeded to think of the countermeasures.

Countermeasure 1… Kill Maxwell. But this was an immediate no. Harming my old friend, a family member even, was something I rejected with my entire being.

Countermeasure 2… Make a run for it. This had immediate effectivity, but it was hardly an option here. Even if I managed to run, that wouldn’t stop him from telling others about me. Such a temporary measure had no meaning. Besides, he had his barrier magic prepared so running was impossible from the start.

Countermeasure 3… Prostrate myself before him and ask him to cooperate in hiding my identity. Actually, this was my only option now.

“Maxwell, please! Don’t say a word to anyone. I’ll do anything!”

“Oh?”

I immediately groveled on the floor and appealed with all I had. I looked quite pathetic like that, completely unlike what I was aiming to be… But I couldn’t care less about that now.

This could not only worsen my situation but even potentially hurt Finia and Cortina’s feelings, so I couldn’t be fussy about my methods.

Those girls loved and cherished the girl named Nicole, and even opened their heart to her in various matters. Among those, many were linked to my former self. Perhaps also things that they didn’t want the person concerned to ever know.

“I wouldn’t particularly mind if this only damaged me. I’ve always been a wanderer, after all. I can still manage to get by even if I leave this town after this. But those girls have told me many things that concern me without knowing who I am. I don’t want that to result in their feelings getting hurt.”

“That was unexpected. Why did you even consider that I would try to have you banished?”

As I listed my excuses in one breath, Maxwell responded with a shake of his head while brushing his mustache. Given his response… Could I take it that he was willing to keep quiet for me?

“Will… You keep it a secret?”

“I understand where you are coming from. It is not my intention to hurt Cortina and Finia’s feelings. Moreover…”

“Moreover?”

“It’s more amusing that way!”

I barely contained cursing at him by instinct. Which reminded me, unlike his fame as a prudent Elf, he had a childish, mischievous personality when it came to things like this. Regardless, whatever his thoughts on this matter were, as long as he kept quiet about this, that was enough for me.

In that case, wasn’t it better to bite my tongue and collaborate here?

“W-Well, your reasons aside, It’d be a huge help if you can keep quiet. I can’t thank you enough for that.”

“Yes, you should thank me from the bottom of your soul.”

“What are you, a demon?”

Either way, the negotiations were successful. I stood up and offered a handshake, which Maxwell returned with a big grin on his face.