The Perfect Knight and the Illusionist (BL)

LEO

"Come in, Leo."

I knocked on the door of Mathias’s office and was surprised to hear him name me straight away.

I opened the door, went in, and was about to greet him when the canary he gifted me while I was using the specia—Blanche’s room caught my eye.

"Judy!" I called the canary’s name.

The little bird saw me and flapped its wings twice. I took it to mean that Judy was happy to see me too.

"I decided to take care of her for a while, Leo. I hope that’s okay," Mathias said as he got up from his seat and approached me.

"It’s more than fine. I’m happy to know that she’s in good hands," I said.

Mathias then offered me a handshake, which I gladly took.

His hand was firm and warm as usual.

"Take a seat." He gestured toward the couch, so I took a seat. He lit the candle below the teapot to make some tea.

"So, how is everything?" he asked me.

"I’m doing fine. Thank you. How about you?"

"I’ve been busy lately, but I have been quite pleased with things," Mathias said with a smile.

"Oh, anything good happen?"

"It is a rewarding feeling when things you have been working on for a long time come to fruition," he said. Mathias seemed genuinely pleased.

"I’m happy for you, Mathias."

"Thank you, Leo."

He then poured tea for both of us and jokingly offered a toast. Our teacups clanged against each other.

"How may I help you today?"

There were many questions I wanted to ask him, especially about what was happening with Blanche, but Blanche wanted me to keep it a secret too. There were too many secrets for my liking these days, but it was my fault in the first place for hiding from Mathias and eavesdropping on him. Maybe someday I’d confess and apologize—just not today.

"I came here to ask you if you know where my book went."

"Your book?"

"Yeah, I had a book in the room I was staying in. I never got around to reading it properly, but now I want to read it."

Mathias took a sip of tea and leaned back on his couch, saying,

"It is nice to hear that you are getting into reading. That’s always a good thing. Who recommended that book to you?"

"A friend," I said.

"Which friend?"

Something made me hesitate for a bit, but I figured there was no harm in one friend giving a book to another friend.

"Isabelle."

"Sounds familiar," Mathias said, grinning.

"Do you know her?"

"Isabelle Moreau, a dual magic user, correct? From your class, of course."

"Oh, so you DO know her."

"I try to learn as much as I can about the students in the Academy. I want the best for them all."

"That’s very nice of you, heh. So do you have the book?"

"Yes, I do."

"Oh, that’s great. Can I have it?"

Mathias took another sip of tea and slowly shook his head from side to side.

"I’m afraid not," he said.

"Er... really?"

"Yes, really."

I wasn’t used to Mathias saying no to me. There must be a good reason.

"Why?"

"Leo, that book is a rather... special book."

"It did seem interesting."

"That book has been banned since its publication."

"Ba—banned?"

"Yes. It is illegal to possess or read that book. Punishable by law."

My heart sank.

That book could get people into trouble, but I just said I got it from Isabelle.

And Thomas picked the book for her at Mario’s house.

It was wrong for Mario to have it.

It was wrong for Thomas to give it to Isabelle.

And it was wrong for Isabelle to read it and pass it on to me.

"I—really didn’t know. Mathias, Isabelle didn’t know either!"

"I wonder where that book came from?" Mathias wondered, looking at the ceiling.

"I—I don’t know."

"Did she buy it? I wonder where they still sell that book?"

"I don’t think she bought it. She wouldn’t buy anything illegal!"

Mathias then put his cup down, let out a hearty laugh, and said,

"I jest, Leo. It is true that the book is illegal, but I, of course, wouldn’t get your friends into trouble, would I? I’ll certainly keep it a secret. You don’t have to worry about it, Leo."

I felt really relieved to hear those words from Mathias, who always kept his word.

"Thank you so much!" I said sincerely.

"Not a problem at all. Like I said, I think it’s good that you read—just not that book."

"I... won’t ask you to give me the book, then."

"Thank you for understanding," Mathias said, nodding, and continued,

"If you’d like, I can give you another book, an even better book about magic for you to read. I actually kept it so I could give it to you—in case you came to ask me for the other book."

"Gees, that’s very thoughtful of you."

Mathias then got up, walked over to his desk, took a book out of his drawer, and brought it over.

"Here. Take a look at this."

I received the book gratefully with both hands and read out the title on the cover.

"The Definitive History of Magic in the Aurelian Empire: Official Chronicle... wow... the history of magic in our empire... but this sounds... hard to read..."

"Haha, take it easy, Leo. But it would also help you a great deal in your magic theory class, as well as your history class."

"Thank you anyway, Mathias."

"My pleasure. Is there anything else?"

"No."

"Right, feel free to come by any time. Always great to see you here."

"Thank you. Me too."

With that, I downed the tea, got up from the couch, and headed to the door with the heavy book in my hand.

Then I remembered something.

"Mathias?"

"Yes?"

"Has the canary sung yet?"

"I’m afraid not, Leo. Not yet. But I’m sure it will someday."

I was a little disappointed, but Mathias’s reassurance made me smile.

"I’m sure it will too. You are taking care of it, after all."

"As best as I can, Leo. As best as I can."

I waved goodbye to Mathias and Judy the canary and left the room.

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