The information from Seia caused the heart I had just barely eased after learning she was safe to tighten once more.
If the mastermind's goal was to prevent the Eden Treaty from being concluded, then who would be the next victim?
The President of Trinity's Tea Party, Kirifuji Nagisa.
The President of Gehenna's Pandemonium Society, Hanuma Makoto.
Leaving aside Nagisa, with whom I share a good relationship, even that Makoto, who feels like she is missing a screw and whose words and actions give people endless headaches despite her looks, I still do not want her young life to wither away in the prime of her youth.
Seeing my grave expression, Seia comforted me from the side. "Please do not worry. Because of my attack, Nagisa and… Mika, their security levels have surely been raised significantly from before. As for Gehenna's President, with her intelligence and strategic ability, she has most likely already inferred something based on our academy's movements."
Uh… Makoto… intelligence? Strategic ability?
Is it really not earth-shattering stupidity?
I could not help but wonder if Seia was being sarcastic, yet judging from her tone and expression, she seemed quite serious.
Well, since I am not familiar with Makoto anyway, I will reserve judgment for now.
No matter what, safety is only temporary. The dark clouds of conspiracy still loom over all of Kivotos, weighing heavily on my heart now that I know the truth.
Especially when I think of Nagisa, who puts on a calm front in front of me, and Mika, who treats me coldly as if she wants no involvement whatsoever…
A sense of pity rises within me.
These past days must have been hard on them, facing mortal danger at all times.
I made a solemn promise to Seia. "I will do everything I can to protect Nagisa and Mika."
Seia closed her eyes and lifted her teacup, covering her lips.
However, I noticed that her hand seemed to be trembling slightly.
Was she recalling the fear she felt when she was attacked?
I could fully understand. Even if one had anticipated the attack and even used the opportunity to fake one's death and escape, it would still be frightening.
"…Sensei, then…" Seia's voice sounded a little strange, perhaps moved by my sense of responsibility, "please, I leave it to you…"
After quite a while, Seia lowered her hand and let out a long breath. "However, there really is no need for you to be so anxious. Like right now, even if you did not use that kind of… what was it called, 'authority'?"
She even knows about that. It seems my future relationship with Seia must be something quite special.
I took a sip of black tea as well, to hide my smile.
Mm, Seia must definitely approve of me having countless relationships at once, just like Mimori… no, she might be even more accepting than Mimori.
Precognitive abilities are really too convenient.
So why has Seia not been conquered yet? Does it only count once I wake up?
"What a wondrous power. Just by forming unbreakable bonds with students, you can obtain all kinds of special abilities. However, this does not seem to be the true nature of this power…"
Seia paused. "I seem to have gone off topic without realizing it. In any case, even if you had not come to see me, I had originally planned to come see you myself once the timing was right."
"…Wait, are you saying you can enter my dreams?"
Then what was all my hard work even for?
Seia explained, "In theory, it is possible. But I cannot control it either."
I frowned at first, then thought it over and smiled in relief. "If that is the case, maybe it is precisely because I barged into your dream this time that a connection appeared between our dreams?"
"Hmm, that is not impossible."
If so, then all my efforts had meaning after all.
"Simply put, Sensei, there is no need for you to worry too much right now. You have not yet been formally swept into this surging vortex. If you wish to help all of us, then please be patient for now, and wait for the destiny that awaits you and us."
"I get it. You mean that after this incident, everyone in the Tea Party and I will all become destined connections, right?"
Not only the petite and adorable Seia who has foreseen a future together with me, and the elegant, refined young lady Nagisa who clearly has feelings for me, but even that pink-haired one is included too?
Oh no, thinking about it this way, the reason Mika keeps her distance from me is very likely not because she dislikes me, but precisely the opposite, she does not want to drag me down.
Just as I said this excitedly, Seia, who was not even drinking tea, suddenly started coughing as if she had choked.
I hurriedly asked with concern, "Wife, are you okay?"
Seia's eye twitched as she replied awkwardly, "…Uh, that form of address… might be a little too early."
I see. Mind the mood.
"And also, that is not what I meant… I have not seen the future after the incident is resolved."
…Oh no, did I completely misunderstand?
The awkwardness made my toes curl involuntarily.
But, but at the very least, Seia, who knows about 'authority,' must definitely be conquered by me in the future.
Once I have Seia's help, Nagisa and Mika will surely follow sooner or later, so it is no big problem.
"What I believe is that Sensei, you will certainly be able to lead us across the hardships and darkness ahead, and reach a future that, for us, would not be an exaggeration to call the true 'Eden.'"
Seia looked at me with a smile. "I believe this without a doubt. So, Sensei, please do not place too much pressure on yourself now, when the story has not even begun."
…So she saw right through me after all.
"Sorry."
I shook my head with a bitter smile. "Being suddenly dragged into something like this, something that could even be said to concern the future of all Kivotos, I did panic a bit. Please forgive me."
"There is no need to apologize so formally to me. I do not mind."
Seia gave one final reminder. "Please be sure to keep what you have learned here a secret from others, including Nagisa and… Mika. And with that as your premise, proceed at your own pace."
"Mm, I understand."
"Then, it is time for you to wake up."
The golden-haired girl with fox ears said softly.
I thought about it for a moment, then accepted it.
This visit had yielded information shocking enough, and the restrictions Seia requested were also quite intriguing.
Since even she, a prophet, said so, it was time for me to return and properly sort through my thoughts, which were nearly tangled into a mess, and consider how to prepare for the coming crisis.
After bidding farewell to Seia, I closed my eyes.
The tall figure across the long table vanished in an instant, and Yurizono Seia let out a soft sigh.
"Mika…"
Within her own dream, the prophet let out a sigh tinged with frustration at her lack of resolve.
Turning her head, she gazed at the distant night scenery and murmured to herself.
"As a friend, this is as far as I can help you."
After those words, silence lingered for a long time.
In the end, she still could not hold it in.
"…Pfft."
Seia raised her hand, using her wide sleeve to cover her delicate, lovely cheeks.
And the slightly mischievous smile between her brows and eyes.