“Charles,” Vanitas said, seated across from Charles Rosamund. “Are you aware of your father’s activities?”
“My father? No, Uncle. What did he do?”
The original Vanitas had maintained a close relationship with the Rosamund family.
About a year ago, when the Rosamunds were on the brink of bankruptcy, it was Vanitas who had saved them.
Because of his father’s teachings, Charles held the Astrea name in high regard.
“You know what happened to him during the conference, right?”
“….Yes.”
It had been a major scandal.
The University Tower faced significant backlash, but the uproar was somewhat mitigated when Headmaster Elsa revealed similar incidents in the histories of other University Towers.
But despite the facts Vanitas presented, Charles remained unfazed.
‘As expected.’
This boy….
“Your father,” Vanitas said.
“….”
“You hate him, don’t you?”
“….”
Vanitas saw this as an opportunity.
“Why don’t I propose a deal with you, Charles?”
***
Clink—
The soft click of the revolver snapped Claude back to reality.
He stared at the man he considered his benefactor, now holding a revolver against the back of the head of the one person who meant everything to him.
“Professor,” he said, his voice distorted. “What are you doing?”
“I could say the same for you,” Vanitas said, staring at him with those cold indifferent eyes. “What are you doing?”
“Father… please, stop this….” Charles’s voice cracked.
“….”
Claude’s hand trembled, unknowingly pulling back from Roselyn’s back, just inches away from unleashing magic to pierce her heart. Margaret’s blade, however, remained locked at his neck.
Through the fractured glass scattered around the floor, Claude caught his reflection.
“….”
His face was nearly unrecognizable—twisted and purple, with bulging veins. Blood stained his hands, and his body seemed to bloat unnaturally, like it was becoming something monstrous.
This wasn’t a sight he wanted his son to see. Not ever.
“Stand. Down.” Vanitas commanded.
Claude was aware. It wasn’t just a command, but an order that held authority
Claude’s eyes darted between his son, Vanitas, and Margaret’s blade hovering inches from his neck.
His thoughts were a chaotic mess. He hadn’t considered his son until now—not until Vanitas brought him here, using him as leverage.
Seeing the one person he had trusted holding a gun to his son’s head ignited something deep within him.
“Put the gun down! Professor!” Claude shouted.
Clink—
The revolver clicked more, as if it were a threat.
“Kill anyone, and I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Either way, you lose. The only outcome here is a dead family.”
“….”
It was the truth.
Charles was the only person Claude had left. After his wife’s tragic suicide years ago, Charles had become his entire world.
Claude’s hands shook, and the dark tendrils of energy around him flickered.
Vanitas’s eyes met Margaret’s. A silent signal passed between them. Without hesitation, Margaret moved, closing the distance in a flash.
Swoosh——!
Her blade struck swiftly, forcing Claude off balance. She quickly restrained him, locking his arms as he thrashed and resisted.
At the same moment, Vanitas shoved Charles to the ground with a kick. The revolver in his hand remained aimed directly at the back of Charles’s head.
“Why are you still resisting? Are you stupid?” Vanitas said coldly, his gaze fixed on Claude, who struggled without using magic.
The roles had reversed. The hostage situation had turned against Claude. Now, he was the one on the receiving end.
“….”
Claude’s breathing was uneven as his body sagged under Margaret’s grip. The flickering remnants of dark energy around him vanished entirely.
The Crusade Order moved quickly, securing Claude with mana shackles, completely suppressing his magic.
“Get him out of here,” Margaret ordered.
“Yeah.”
Nicolas nodded, signaling a group of knights to escort Claude away.
Meanwhile, the remaining Crusade knights and mages spread out inside the tower, searching for survivors and tending to the wounded.
Vanitas lowered his revolver, glancing down at Charles, who still lay trembling on the ground.
“Get up.”
“Your father’s finished,” Vanitas said. “What happens next is up to you.”
As per their agreement, Claude would undoubtedly remain locked away forever—most likely in Index. This meant that Charles would naturally inherit the position as head of the Rosamund family.
“….”
Claude, shackled and subdued, was led past them. He paused briefly beside Vanitas.
Vanitas didn’t even turn to look at him.
“You are a pitiful man, driving your own wife to suicide, and now this.”
“….”
Vanitas glanced at Charles. His body visibly trembled at the mention of his mother. The boy clenched his fists, unable to meet his father’s gaze.
“You—” Claude growled, but he couldn’t do anything in the end.
“Move him along,” Nicolas ordered.
The knights obeyed, dragging Claude forward. He didn’t look back as he was taken away.
Vanitas watched him go, then turned his attention back to Charles.
“Remember this moment,” Vanitas said quietly. “This is the legacy you’ve been left with. Decide carefully what you’ll do with it. I’ll support you. So don’t waste the opportunity.”
Charles, a young man nearing graduation from a prestigious magic high school, had been given several opportunities by Vanitas in the academic field.
In addition, Vanitas promised to support him financially until he could stand on his own as the head of the Rosamund family.
However, this was something Charles had always wanted.
The chance to break free from his father. A father who had been an abusive alcoholic, driving his own wife to take her life.
In his own way, Claude had tried to atone by cherishing the son who resented him deeply.
“I….” Charles clenched his fists.
He looked up at Vanitas with determination.
“I won’t waste it, Uncle.”
***
“Sigh.”
After the interrogation, Roselyn stepped out of the Crusade Tower. She spotted someone sitting on a bench nearby, reading a book. It was clear he had been waiting for her.
“Professor….”
Vanitas glanced up as Roselyn hurried toward him. She stopped in front of him, nervously clutching the hem of her skirt.
“Again and again….” Roselyn began, slowly lowering her head. “You’ve saved me so many times, Professor. I can’t even count how often I’ve needed your help.”
“Hm?” Vanitas tilted his head. “Save you? When did I—”
“Professor,” Roselyn interrupted, her tone filled with emotion. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve your help. I don’t have any means to repay you either, but I—”
“Roselyn.”
“….”
Roselyn’s thoughts swirled. What were his motives? What did he want? This was the infamous professor just a few years ago. Yet, to her, he had been nothing but kind.
She couldn’t understand it.
A strange emotion stirred within her—something she couldn’t explain but made her feel uneasy.
“I’ve helped you once before. This situation was purely coincidental. I was only involved because of Claude’s circumstances.”
“Ah….”
Of course. It made sense. Vanitas and Claude had been friends. But despite his explanation, Roselyn couldn’t shake the feeling that he had been there for her.
Thus, she couldn’t help but ask the question that lingered in her mind.
“Professor, do you perhaps like m—”
“I’ve seen your talent,” Vanitas interrupted. “Before being a professor, I’m the head of my family. Connections like you are valuable. Call it an investment.”
He nodded, as if satisfied with his choice of words.
“Yes, that. An investment. I’m investing in you, Roselyn.”
“Ah….”
Roselyn blinked, caught off guard by his blunt explanation.
“An investment…” she repeated, glancing down.
For some reason, the word stung, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.
Vanitas placed a hand on her shoulder, meeting her uneasy gaze.
“I believe in you,” he said. “Now that nothing is holding you back, if you wish to repay me, prove that my belief in you wasn’t misplaced.”
“….”
Roselyn’s heart tightened at his words, and she nodded her head slowly.
“I will, Professor.”
“Good,” Vanitas said, stepping aside. “Now go. I believe you still have unfinished business at the Tower.”
Roselyn’s thoughts shifted. The meeting with Sienna.
After the incident, Sienna had been rushed to a hospital. Her injuries were severe, but she had managed to survive.
If Roselyn truly wanted to repay the professor—to prove she was worthy of his belief—this was her chance.
The opportunity Sienna had given her was the first step toward becoming a renowned alchemist.
“Become the alchemist I’ve envisioned for you,” Vanitas said.
“….”
Roselyn’s heart pounded in her chest. The alchemist he envisioned for her. He spoke as if there was no doubt she could achieve such a feat.
At that moment, she finally understood the uneasiness in her chest whenever she saw him. Why she often felt nervous around him and why meeting his gaze was always a struggle.
It wasn’t just gratitude. Mixed within was another feeling—a lingering emotion that tugged at her heart.
Infatuation.
“Professor, I—”
She stopped mid-sentence, realizing Vanitas was already walking away, disappearing into the glow of the night.
“….”
Roselyn looked down, feeling a pang of disappointment. She realized that confessing to such feelings now, when she had achieved so little, felt undeserving.
The thought made her face flush, and a wave of frustration swept over her. If she had confessed, it was likely the professor would have dismissed it entirely.
For some reason, she couldn’t stand the idea of that.
Her hands clenched into fists as a sense of resolve filled her.
To become a person deserving of the professor’s acknowledgment—even if it was just a pipe dream—didn’t sound so bad.
Roselyn raised her head, only to see Vanitas was long gone.
“Yes, Professor. I won’t fail to meet your expectations.”
***
“Miss Charlotte, the vineyard has been cleared and is ready for operations.”
“Alright.”
Charlotte stood at the edge of the vineyard the Astrea family had recently acquired.
It was a project she had taken upon herself, convincing Vanitas to let her handle the vineyard’s operations. In return, the siblings agreed to split the shares.
Clearing the vineyard of its ghosts had been a daunting task. It had taken time, effort, and a significant financial investment.
Charlotte had hired professional exorcists and, with her spirit magic, worked tirelessly to remove the apparitions.
Now, the vineyard was finally ready.
Walking along the rows of lush vines, Charlotte surveyed the land. The soil looked fertile, and the atmosphere felt peaceful.
Vanitas had given her strict precautions.
——Never ingest anything from the vineyard. Not even a single grape, Charlotte. I mean it.
——Wash your hands thoroughly. Every time. And when I say thoroughly, I mean with purifying water. Not just once. Do it until you’re sure there’s no trace of contamination.
——If it isn’t necessary, by all means, avoid going to the vineyard directly and discuss things with the workers somewhere else.
Her brother didn’t stop there.
——If you don’t need to be there directly, then don’t go. Talk to the workers somewhere else. Your health is more important than the vineyard.
“Sigh.”
Charlotte sighed at the memory. His overprotectiveness somehow felt weird. Nevertheless, Charlotte took his advice to heart.
The vineyard had been affected by Mana Vein Contamination Syndrome, after all.
Despite this, the situation presented an unusual advantage.
The contamination had made the soil incredibly fertile. This in turn, produced grapes of extraordinary quality.
The most remarkable part was that these grapes wouldn’t wither as long as they remained unharvested.
The incredible quality of the grapes meant the vineyard could be highly profitable—albeit a risky venture.
“Guess that’s it for today,” she said, hands on her hips.
*
Returning to the University Tower, Charlotte set her belongings aside and headed to a study hub. She immediately focused on solving Vanitas’s test.
It had been four days since her brother had handed it out, and Charlotte felt like she was on the verge of cracking it.
“Yo,” a familiar voice called. “You’re back, Charlotte.”
She looked up to see Ezra approaching her. To her surprise, he actually remembered her name after four days of collaboration.
“Hey,” Charlotte said. “How’s it going on your end?”
“I’ve got it.”
“Ah?!”
Charlotte’s head shot up in surprise. She turned to find him sitting right next to her, causing her to jump slightly.
“….”
“I know where the examination hall is.”
***
Scritch. Scratch.
Astrid scribbled on her notebook, trying to decipher the first part of the test.
“Haaa….”
With a sigh, she leaned back and glanced to the side. Her eyes landed on Professor Vanitas, who was focused on writing something on a document.
“Professor.”
“What?” Vanitas responded, not bothering to look her way.
Truth be told, Vanitas had no idea why she was here.
She’d been showing up every day in his office after breaks, working tirelessly on the test.
Was she hoping for a hint? Maybe some pity that would lead him to give her the answer?
What’s the point?
He’d tried sending her away, but Astrid refused. Even when he threatened her with penalty points, she simply said, ‘I don’t mind.’
After learning what the original Vanitas had done to her family, he thought it best to keep his distance.
But no matter what, the girl wouldn’t stay away, as if he were her favorite teacher.
“What are you writing?” Astrid asked.
“None of your business. Focus on your task.”
“….”
Astrid pouted her lips. With a huff, she turned her attention back to her notebook.
Tick— Tock.
The sound of the clock filled the room as Astrid scribbled down notes. Moments later, Vanitas set his documents aside and broke the silence.
“How long are you going to keep this up?”
“….Yes?” Astrid glanced up.
“You’re already done, aren’t you?”
Vanitas had noticed it the day before. Astrid had already finished the test, yet she kept coming to his office, pretending to work on it.
Perhaps, she was hiding from someone.
“What do you mean?” Astrid asked nervously, glancing around.
Vanitas stood up. “If you’re going to stay here, turn the lights off when you’re done. I’m leaving.”
“Ah—Wait! Yes, I’m done.”
“Then why pretend?”
“Never mind that, Professor,” Astrid said quickly, trying to change the subject.
She slid her notebook toward him.
“Here’s my answer. Am I correct?”
“I’m not telling you.”
Astrid pouted. “I think it’s correct anyway. Will I get a reward for being the first to solve it?”
“Reward? Like what? You’re rich. I’m not giving you any money.”
“No, not that…. Never mind.”
“Also, you aren’t the first,” Vanitas added, grabbing his coat.
“Ah?” Astrid’s eyes widened. “Wait, then who—?”
“Who knows?” Vanitas said, already heading out the door. “Anyway, don’t do this again.”
Astrid blinked, stunned as she watched him leave. His tone was quite harsh. No one had ever spoken to her like that before.
“….”
Then again, it wasn’t surprising. The professor was always blunt with others.
But still.
“….No consideration at all?”