I Will Be Unrivaled With The Skill [Sewing]! They Said It Was A Bad Skill, But With Effort, I will Make It A Hit~ - Chapter 54

Episode 54: Wrinkles

As Kito entered the room, she found Semia seated at a large desk.

Semia gazed at Kito with a gentle smile.

The room was neatly organized, with nothing cluttering the desk.

It was the complete opposite of the usual image of a researcher. Yet, this was how Semia functioned best. She was the same type as Yulia.

Kito greeted her politely and thanked her for today.

After exchanging a few trivial remarks, Semia finally asked:

“So then, Kito-san. You said you had an urgent matter—what is it?”

Here it comes, Kito thought.

Semia was kind and considerate, but she never said more than necessary. There was something elusive about her.

That was precisely why Kito needed to take the initiative and push forward.

Suppressing her hesitation and maintaining an outwardly calm demeanor, Kito spoke:

“Professor Semia, please take me to Spelunca tonight. I am certain that you know where it is.”

Upon hearing that, Semia, for once, narrowed her eyes sharply.

“What do you mean? Saying something like that out of nowhere—I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Kito deliberately ignored the implied reluctance and pressed on.

She had calculated that Semia would at least hear her out without interrupting.

“I never imagined Spelunca would be located within the grounds of the Mage Academy. However, in hindsight, its convenience is obvious.

Church officials cannot easily enter, while those affiliated with magic can access it with ease.

Based on my deductions, Spelunca is near the second student cafeteria, serving alcohol and food. Am I correct?”

Deep inside, Kito was trembling.

Looking at Semia, she saw that the professor was simply gazing at her, listening intently.

Neither affirming nor denying.

That silence made Kito feel a crushing weight in her chest.

Still, she continued speaking, even if her words sounded like nothing more than wild conjecture.

“Professor, are you aware that there is a book about the Academy’s honorary staff kept in the restricted section of the library?

According to that book, honorary staff are issued special identification cards, allowing them access to the grounds even at night. Additionally, they may bring one companion with them.

This regulation significantly contributes to Spelunca’s secrecy, wouldn’t you agree?”

Kito peered into Semia’s eyes.

Her gaze was clear and unreadable.

“That brings us to the question—who exactly are these honorary staff members?

Interestingly enough, their names can be found in two locations: the reference shelves in the Magical Chemistry Preparation Room, and the Arcane Crystal Storage Chamber.

Both are under your jurisdiction, Professor Semia.

According to that list, it includes not only Apiana from Pharma, but also His Excellency Gradius, the former Cardinal, and my mentor, Yulia.

There are also renowned mages, alchemists, and artifact craftsmen.

And, of course, your name is on that list as well, Professor Semia.”

Semia’s smile deepened, her gaze filled with intrigue as she studied Kito.

“I do not know if every person on that list is aware of Spelunca’s location, but I am certain that you do, Professor Semia.

His Excellency Gradius will be at Spelunca tonight.

So once again, I ask—would you take me there as well?

Have my deductions proven themselves worthy of overcoming this trial?

I would like you to be the one to tell me.”

With that, Kito bowed her head deeply.

Her heart pounded violently.

Just imagining the possibility that she had been wrong made her chest tighten, heat rising to her face.

Then—

“Fufufufufu.”

A sudden laugh made Kito look up.

Semia was watching her with eyes alight with curiosity.

“Impressive.

You connected all the tiny clues we scattered and deduced all that.

If you weren’t already Yulia’s apprentice, I’d want to make you mine.

Even knowing that you wouldn’t be here if not for your meeting with Yulia…

I still find myself wishing for it.”

Semia’s voice was filled with warmth as she praised Kito.

“But you know, Kito-chan, you’re making a huge misunderstanding.”

Semia’s tone shifted to a gentle, instructive one.

Kito’s heartbeat grew louder.

“I listened because of the way you started, but if you had properly explained your situation and simply asked me to tell you about Spelunca, I would have told you. After all, you are Yulia’s apprentice, aren’t you?

If Yulia were in this city, she would have taken you there without question. Because she acknowledged you. And if Yulia acknowledges you, then I have no reason not to.

Your trial was never about persuading me—it was about the fact that you managed to gain the recognition of that rigid Yulia in the first place.”

“Huh?”

Kito nearly rolled her eyes back in disbelief and let out a foolish-sounding noise.

“And you know, thanks to Gradius-sama, this might seem like a huge deal, but it really isn’t. It’s true that the situation within the Church appears to be chaotic, but Spelunca itself is just a casual dining spot for acquaintances. There was never a problem with investigating it, so you really didn’t have to be so tense.”

Kito barely managed to keep her composure as she listened.

“But you should keep this quiet from our companions. I promise you, something interesting will happen. Look forward to it.”

With that, the meeting was over.

After confirming the gathering time, Kito left the room.

Though Kito was normally reserved and would never actually do such a thing, she felt an overwhelming urge to run down the hallway, claw at her head, and scream “Nyaa!” at the top of her lungs.

After regaining her composure, Kito headed to the Adventurer Academy and informed the two of them that she would also be going to Spelunca.

They didn’t ask too many questions beyond that, and they agreed to meet again at the location.

After nightfall, once Seneca had left for Pharma to meet Apiana, Maior made her way to the gates of the Adventurer Academy.

Gray, on the other hand, was traveling to Spelunca by carriage, so they planned to meet along the main road.

From a distance, she could see a carriage approaching.

It looked simple and unadorned, but the wood was sturdy, and the grain was well-finished.

The carriage stopped right in front of Maior, and Gray poked his head out.

“Oi! Maior-chan, hop in!”

Gray was full of energy, showing no signs of his age.

The carriage interior was just as plain as its exterior—minimal decoration, but the seats were high quality, and the ride was remarkably smooth. It was probably even better than the carriages at Maior’s family home.

As they rode, Gray entertained Maior with stories about the best restaurants in the royal capital, which she found quite interesting. Before long, the carriage came to a halt.

“Looks like we’ve arrived. Let’s step out.”

Maior quickly straightened her clothes and hopped out.

In front of them stood a grand gate for carriages, guarded by a gatekeeper.

Something about the gate’s design felt familiar to Maior.

Gray approached the gatekeeper and pulled out a metallic plaque. As he channeled his magic into it, seven spheres of rainbow light emerged, floating gently in a slow rotation.

“Welcome. Is this person accompanying you?”

The gatekeeper bowed politely before turning to Maior with the inquiry.

“Yeah, she is,” Gray replied.

The moment he spoke, the gatekeeper promptly opened the large carriage gate.

“Please, go on through.”

Maior blinked in surprise at the overly formal treatment.

Once inside, Maior glanced around, and it finally clicked.

This was the Royal Mage Academy.

Seeing her reaction, Gray explained,

“You saw those rainbow spheres earlier, right? Each one has subtle color variations. Their spacing and rotation speed are precisely regulated, and even the smallest differences can be detected by those gatekeepers.”

Maior had simply thought, Wow, that looks pretty.

“That plaque, you see, can only be made here at the Royal Mage Academy. It’s a symbol of honorary staff status.”

Gray spoke with an air of pride, but Maior had already suspected as much.

“What’s this? Not surprised at all? How dull. But don’t worry—the fun is just getting started.”

With that, Gray strode energetically toward a small hut near the gate.

The door of the hut had a square window. Gray held up his plaque to it once more and infused it with magic. With a light clack, the door unlocked.

Inside, a staircase led downward, revealing an underground passage.

“Would you believe me if I told you the royal capital has a network of special underground tunnels?”

“I would. When I use Detection to scan the depths, the flow of magic gets distorted, making it impossible to discern what lies beyond. It wouldn’t be strange if there were tunnels down there.”

“Kah-hah-hah! Sharp and strong-willed, aren’t you?”

Gray laughed heartily.

“Leaving aside the matter of the capital’s underground tunnels, this passage is made from a special material. The entire corridor functions like a magical artifact. Try using Detection on it.”

Maior did as instructed.

She could sense the flow of magic along the surface of the walls, but the moment she tried to probe deeper, her vision was obstructed.

Then, noticing Gray within her detection range, Maior realized there was something strange about his magical signature.

“Who… exactly are you?”

“Kah-hah-hah! Just a little more patience, and all will be revealed.”

With a spring in his step, Gray continued down the underground passage.

Seneca and Kito were seated at Spelunca, waiting for Maior.

Beside them were Apiana from Pharma and the magical chemistry professor, Semia, who had already begun chatting like old acquaintances.

Just as Kito had guessed, Spelunca was located beneath the second student cafeteria, as Semia had confirmed.

Tonight, aside from their group of four, there were no other customers. According to Apiana, this was likely due to some behind-the-scenes arrangements made by Gradius.

Time passed, but Maior had yet to arrive. Seneca was growing impatient.

Then, at last, the door to their private room opened.

An old man entered, followed by Maior.

Seneca assumed that this must be Gray.

Gray’s hair was mostly gray, though hints of black remained. His face was sharp, with a deep furrow between his brows that lent him a stern expression.

After exchanging brief greetings, Gray took a seat at the far end of the table.

“Well then, shall we begin tonight’s meeting?”

Gray made his declaration, but Gradius had yet to arrive.

Just as Seneca, Kito, and Maior were about to voice their confusion, Gray suddenly pointed at the door.

“Oh! Looks like Gradius has arrived!”

The three of them turned toward the door, but no one entered.

Seneca, sensing something was amiss, quickly looked back at Gray—only to doubt her own eyes.

“Huh?”

Gray was no longer there.

Seated in his place was a distinguished-looking elderly man with neatly combed white hair.

The deep furrow between his brows had softened, replaced by gentle wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, giving him a much kinder appearance.

Realizing what had happened, Seneca blurted out,

“Gradius-sama?”

Indeed, the man sitting there was none other than Gradius—the very same man they had met at the royal capital’s church just days ago.