Reinhard took advantage of the moment to ask something that had been on his mind. "Could you do me a favor?" When Midas's attention focused on him, he continued. "On our trip to Eastern Hesod, we found a grimoire that is important, but we can't read it since it is written in the Ancient Kingdom Camelot language."

Midas blinked before his eyes lit up. "Oh?" Excitement practically vibrated through his entire body. "I was right, you guys just love bringing amazing surprises! Alright, give it-"

"It's with Joseph." Rosaria interjected smoothly, cutting off Midas's reaching hands.

Midas blinked again, his enthusiasm pausing. He furrowed his brow, processing that information. "Is it perhaps related to his older sister and Merlin?"

Rosaria nodded, her expression serious. "They believe she showed up in Eastern Hesod back before the Dark Silence ended. The grimoire might explain what she was doing there."

Midas's eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise and concern. He nodded slowly, his scholarly demeanor returning in full force. "Then send Joseph over later, and we can look through it together. I am even curious about what she's been up to."

Rosaria hummed her agreement before straightening from the wall. "Alright. Midas and I will leave you with Celestia now." Her crimson eyes fixed on Reinhard with that familiar stern-but-caring expression. "When you're done, you should go meet with your professors about the work you've missed for the month."

Reinhard nodded, already mentally preparing for that particular conversation. "Okay… Wait, I do have something I want to ask Klaus and you. Can I go after I am done with the check-up?"

Rosaria raised a brow while Midas trembled as his eyes displayed unspeakable curiosity. Celestia giggled and said. "Sure, you can. My check-up won't take long. And I am sure Rose will love to hear what you have to say."

"Fine, we will all be held up in the office for the day anyway." Rosaria says softly.

Midas laughed before saying. "Remember to send me a copy-"

"We will, now let's go." Rosaria says as she moves toward the door.

Midas followed, but not before waving his arm enthusiastically at Reinhard. His beaming smile was back in full force as he called out. "My door is always open for you, Joseph, and Marie! Come by anytime!"

The door closed behind them, cutting off Midas's enthusiastic energy and leaving the room feeling suddenly quieter.

Celestia giggled softly, her white-gold hair catching the afternoon light as she turned to face Reinhard fully. "Congratulations on becoming the History Institution's favorite person. Anyway, let's make sure your third Beast Spirit connection hasn't caused any unexpected complications. And then you can head off to the office."

Reinhard nodded.

…

After several hours of thorough examination.

Celestia checked his vitals, tested his magical reserves, and studied the way his three Beast Spirit connections interacted with each other. Reinhard finally left the Medical Institution with his body feeling fine and perhaps even better than before. But he was lost in thought about everything that was discussed in the room.

The dreams to come, the Glove of Hypno he'd need to collect tomorrow, the curses that might slip through despite Angra Mainyu's protection. He pushed those thoughts aside for now and headed toward Principal Klaus's office.

The Main Hall opened before him in all its grandeur. Those familiar columns rose toward the ceiling like sentinels, each one carved with intricate patterns that caught the eye if you looked closely enough.

The grand staircase swept upward in elegant curves, its polished wooden banister gleaming even in the subdued lighting. Gas lamps flickered along the walls despite the afternoon daylight streaming through high windows. Their flames dance behind glass enclosures and cast warm, shifting shadows across the marble floor.

Reinhard bypassed the stairs entirely. His legs were tired for some reason, either way, though he slept on the carriage; the elevator would be faster anyway. He headed toward the brass cage, and the young operator with brown hair stood at attention inside.

He straightened when he saw Reinhard approaching, offering a polite smile and nod as Reinhard entered the cage. The operator's hand moved to the lever without needing to be told the destination, clearly familiar with where students went at this time of day.

"Principal's office?" The operator asked, confirming, even though his hand was already positioned to pull.

"Yes," Reinhard replied simply.

The gate closed with a metallic clang that echoed slightly in the confined space. Then the elevator lurched upward, the mechanism groaning softly as cables pulled it skyward. The sensation was smooth but noticeable, that feeling of the floor pressing up against your feet as gravity tried to keep you in place.

Reinhard watched as the floors passed by and then glimpsed the corridors on each level. He saw students walking between classes, professors gesturing while explaining something to attentive listeners, and the occasional window showing courtyards or training grounds beyond.

Life at the Academy continued all around him.

The elevator came to a gentle stop, the operator pulled the gate open, and the brass slid smoothly along its track.

"Have a good day." The operator said with another polite smile.

Reinhard stepped out into the corridor, his boots meeting polished hardwood that gleamed with recent care. "You too."

The corridor stretched before him, quieter than the floors below. He walked past portraits that lined the walls on both sides. Former principals stared out from their frames with expressions ranging from stern authority to gentle wisdom.

Professors of note occupied other portraits, people who'd contributed significant advances to Beast Master theory or combat techniques. Benefactors who'd funded the Academy's founding appeared as well, their wealth immortalized in oil paint and gold leaf.

Each frame was bordered in gold, worked with the Academy's symbol and delicate leaf patterns around the edges.

Reinhard passed several doors as he continued down the corridor. Each bore a brass plaque engraved with names and titles such as the Vice Principal's Office, Department Head of Combat Studies, Admissions Director, and Disciplinary Committee Chairman.

Finally, he reached the door at the corridor's end.

The plaque here read simply, Principal Klaus, and then he opened the door.

The office beyond was spacious, exactly as he remembered from his previous visit. Tall windows dominated one wall, their glass panes reaching nearly from floor to ceiling. Heavy velvet curtains in deep burgundy covered most of them, drawn partially closed to control the light. Where the curtains didn't quite meet, thin golden lines of afternoon sunlight leaked through.

Bookshelves lined two other walls from floor to ceiling, filled with leather-bound volumes of every size and thickness imaginable. Some spines showed titles in languages Reinhard didn't recognize. Others bore symbols rather than words. The sheer volume of knowledge contained in this room was staggering.

A sitting area occupied one corner with plush chairs arranged in a conversational circle around a low table made of dark wood.

But the focal point of the room was the massive dark-colored wood desk with papers sitting in neat stacks on one side. An inkwell and several pens occupied another corner, a few personal items such as a small clock, and a framed painting turned away from view.

Klaus sat behind that desk, with his right hand resting atop a walking cane propped against the desk's edge.

Rosaria stood next to Klaus, her silvery-lavender hair flowing over her shoulders as she leaned slightly against the desk's corner. Her crimson eyes tracked Reinhard's entrance with that familiar assessing gaze.

Sitting in chairs facing the desk were Marie, Joseph, and Janus—all three looking thoroughly exhausted. Marie was leaning back with her head tilted toward the ceiling, a groan escaping her lips.

Joseph had his elbows on his knees, face in his hands.

Janus looked marginally better but still wore a tired expression that spoke of mental exhaustion rather than physical.

Brunhilde sat more composed, her faint smile suggesting she was handling the debriefing better than the others.

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