I'm Not the Mastermind-Chapter 56

But such a thing is impossible.

The reason is simple—any mortal who stays in the labyrinth for approximately one month, as perceived within the labyrinth’s own time, will be forcibly ejected by the emergency escape blessing.

In short, the maximum stay inside the labyrinth is roughly one month in labyrinth time.

This is also why those who descend to the lower floors return so quickly. Due to the time dilation, starting from the 70th floor, time flows 128 times slower than in reality. Even if one were to spend the entire maximum stay of one month in the labyrinth, in the real world, only a little over five hours would have passed.

On top of that, the labyrinth is hardly a place suitable for extended stays in the first place. The deeper one goes, the more it teems with monsters born from the power of transcendents.

Ignoring the trials set by the transcendents doesn’t mean the labyrinth is without danger. The lower floors are infested with powerful, intelligent, and extremely perilous creatures. There aren’t even designated safe zones.

While it’s true that real combat is the best training, even for a seasoned warrior, enduring an entire month of continuous battle against such monsters is nearly impossible. At most, people spend a week in the labyrinth, only to return utterly exhausted.

In any case, Hugo’s party had departed just this morning. Given that upper-floor explorations take relatively longer, they wouldn’t be back until at least tomorrow.

“…Understood. Thank you for your efforts.”

“No trouble at all, Professor. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, the communication was cut off. Reina stared at the now-dormant crystal for a moment before letting out a sigh.

“There’s no progress.”

She still had no concrete evidence to prove that Yujin was a dark mage.

Despite her ongoing investigations and gathering information from interrogated dark mages captured around the world, she hadn’t uncovered a single piece of proof linking Yujin to them.

It was already common knowledge that dark mages operated in decentralized, cell-like structures. These kinds of networks made it difficult to extract useful information, as even members within the same faction often lacked knowledge about each other’s activities.

With no overarching system for information exchange between different cells, many dark mages were practically strangers to one another, aside from their shared identity as practitioners of dark magic.

She hadn’t expected them to possess vast amounts of information, but… was it really this limited?

“For now, I’ll have to wait until Hugo’s party returns… but more importantly, what is the Headmaster doing?”

Reina distinctly recalled informing Ines, the Headmaster of the academy, about her suspicions that Yujin was a dark mage.

At the time, she had spoken hastily, her emotions running high with urgency and shock. However, at the very least, she believed that Ines had not disregarded her concerns.

Even when she had made her frantic report, Ines had not dismissed her words outright as absurd. Instead, she had calmly advised against taking rash action without concrete evidence.

If Ines had truly taken her words seriously, then surely she had been investigating or keeping a close watch on Yujin in her own way.

“If it’s the Headmaster, maybe she’s discovered something I haven’t.”

Reina held immense trust in Ines—not just in her abilities, but also in her character and the long-standing rapport between them.

If anyone could uncover a blind spot in Yujin that she herself had overlooked, it would be Ines.

“…I should report to her and see her in person.”

With that thought in mind, she set off toward the Headmaster’s office.

The main building of the academy—the highest floor.

Reina strode swiftly toward the Headmaster’s office, her steps urgent. She looked almost anxious.

“I can’t keep Yujin Han restrained on my own.”

She recalled how, after their shared lecture, he had disappeared the moment class ended—so swiftly that even she hadn’t noticed.

Though she had secured the opportunity to collaborate with him through joint lectures, that alone wasn’t enough to bind him down.

All she could do now was continue her investigations from the shadows. She hadn’t been able to trail him or keep a close watch on him.

This wasn’t a matter she could handle alone. She needed the Headmaster’s cooperation.

Considering that Ines was one of the most powerful mortals alive, Reina felt certain that even Yujin wouldn’t be able to shake her off so easily.

As she made her way to the Headmaster’s office—

Creak.

“!”

The door to the Headmaster’s office swung open, and Reina came to an abrupt stop.

Her eyes widened, her pupils dilating in shock—almost as if she had just witnessed something unbelievable.

If it had merely been the door opening, she wouldn’t have reacted this strongly. The problem was…

“Well then, Headmaster, I’ll be counting on you.”

The person stepping out of that door—was Yujin.

Reina stood there in a daze, staring blankly at him. And from within the office, a voice followed.

“Yes, leave it to me.”

The Headmaster’s voice. But something about Ines’ tone felt… unusually polite. No, it was more than that—she was clearly speaking in a respectful manner.

The same Ines who remained unfazed even in the presence of the Emperor—was now addressing an ordinary professor with deference?

A creeping sense of unease settled over Reina. Instinctively, she stepped back and concealed herself behind the corner.

Voices from the office continued to filter through.

“But Yujin…”

“Shh.”

Outside the office, as Ines tried to say something, Yujin raised a finger to his lips, silencing her.

Then, slowly, he turned his head to glance toward the hallway’s corner.

“…Hmm.”

“Why, is something—”

“Headmaster, keep your voice down. I’ve wanted to mention this before, but please, only speak so freely when you’re absolutely sure there’s no one else around.”

“…!”

At those words, Ines’ eyes widened. She turned her gaze toward where Yujin was looking.

“……”

Ines was among the strongest of mortals—her lineage carried the blood of dragons, making her highly sensitive to energy flows.

And what she sensed now…

‘…Professor Reina?’

Why is she here?

Ines felt her body tense, beads of cold sweat forming at the realization.

‘She must have overheard something.’

Yujin, too, had already deduced as much.

With the sensory capabilities of a transcendent, he knew—Reina had seen and heard everything.

Of course, Yujin had noticed Reina’s presence long before she had even approached the Headmaster’s office.

Yet, despite knowing she was there, he hadn’t made any effort to avoid this situation.

‘…Do I really need to?’

It didn’t seem necessary.

Sure, the Headmaster addressing him with such respect was bound to raise suspicions, but…

Reina and he were hardly close. There was no way a mere exchange of words would dispel her doubts.

Besides, Yujin wasn’t particularly concerned about Reina right now. His thoughts were occupied with Alicia’s situation, and he had only intended to take a short walk to clear his mind.

Still, leaving things as they were might be troublesome.

From Reina’s perspective, the Headmaster had just spoken to Yujin as if she were addressing a superior, almost reverently.

That wasn’t something Yujin had intended, but at this rate, Ines would be put in a difficult position.

[Headmaster.]

‘!’

Ines flinched as Yujin’s voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

[It seems Professor Reina is watching. Isn’t that a problem?]

‘I—I apologize. I was careless…’

[No need to worry. I’ll handle it. Just follow my lead.]

‘…What?’

With a serene smile, Yujin turned toward Ines.

“Headmaster, it’s best not to make things too obvious. Someone might get suspicious.”

“…!”

Ines instinctively stiffened, her body tensing at his words.

Right now, to anyone watching, Yujin appeared—undeniably dangerous.

“Just carry out what I requested. It won’t be detrimental to the academy, after all. That person… yes, they’re like a ticking time bomb.”

“…That’s…”

“You care deeply for the academy, don’t you, Headmaster?”

“……”

“Then don’t worry too much. Just do your part, and everything will be fine. Understood?”

[Continue speaking formally, as if Reina isn’t there.]

“…Yes, of course. I’ll handle it as you requested.”

Hearing his voice outside and inside her mind simultaneously, Ines couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

Yujin briefly glanced toward the office door. He could still sense Reina’s presence behind the hallway’s corner.

Then, deliberately, he added something even more suspicious.

“Good. ‘His Highness’ mustn’t stay here any longer. If they remain close for too long… even I won’t be able to handle it.”

Ines immediately understood what he was doing, but the layered implications in his words still made her freeze momentarily.

Reina, however, felt her heart drop.

“Then, I’ll be going. …Ah, by the way, did you know there’s a certain professor who’s been quite interested in me lately?”

“…What?”

“Well, it’s nothing serious. A little tension keeps things interesting, after all.”

Yujin spoke with a cryptic smile. Even though Ines knew this was all an act, she still swallowed nervously.

“Curious people add excitement to a story, don’t they? Ah… of course, excessive curiosity is what kills the cat.”

Behind the corner, Reina held her breath.

Yujin had noticed her.

“T—that… what do you mean…”

“Oh, don’t worry. I actually happen to like cats quite a bit. I find them rather cute.”

With that, Yujin gave her a dazzling, innocent smile.

“So there’s nothing for you to worry about, Headmaster.”

“……”

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

With that, Yujin casually turned and walked off—though not without subtly glancing toward the corner where Reina was hiding.

Reina, frozen in place, slowly collapsed into a seated position, her face pale.

‘…He knew.’

He had been aware of her presence the entire time.

And yet, he had simply… let her be.

A chilling dread seeped into her bones, but she forced herself to think clearly.

‘Even the Headmaster is under his control… This isn’t just a dark mage we’re dealing with. Yujin… what are you hiding?’

Despite the trembling in her limbs, she clenched her teeth and made a quiet vow to herself.

‘I’ll uncover the truth. No matter what.’