Rumour and Clue

"You know Aleks, there seems to be a scary rumour going on around the academy"

One evening, right one month before the final exam, William suddenly said that to me.

We're at the library right now. With me, William, Selena, and Alice. Hector and Vanessa have other things to do, so they don't join us.

"And what kind of rumour is that?", I asked back.

"You know, the thing about some missing students"

"They gone missing? Like how?"

"Hmm... from what I heard, there are some reports about missing students starting from last month", He said while trying to remember something, "It seems that only a student at a magic division that gone missing. And also, all of them happen to be women"

So only students who learn magic that gone missing and all of them are women? I think I know what he's talking about.

In the novel, the first arc was about a missing student too. If I remember, the culprit should be a teacher that collided with someone from the devil race. The devil asks him to sacrifice a few people with a magical power each month. The motive seems to call a high-level demon in order to destroy the academy itself. You know, those cliche stories.

"If you know the truth, then why don't you just solve it on your own? By using my power, it should be easy. Ku ku ku"

Shut up Balaur.

"Where do you hear the rumour from?", I asked.

"From Hector. He told me this morning about this"

I see. So it's another case where I change the story huh?

In the novel, William only found out about this rumour when one of Vanessa's dorm-mate disappears. It should be in the early second year though. That's also about the time when William befriend Hector and Alice, and together they solve the case.

Now that the story changed a slight bit, I have to approach this carefully. So I ask William, "So, what are you going to do about that rumour?"

"I want to investigate further. I'm worried something bad will happen to Vanessa or our friend if the rumour turns out to be true", He replied with a serious face.

As expected of the main character. In the novel, his motives stem from Vanessa who's worried about her friend missing. Now, it's a wholly different motive altogether, but it's still a valid one.

Alice put down her book and also said, "I'll also help you to investigate the rumour"

"Yes, me too"

The thing about all of the core main character is that they almost have the same value. They value morality and justice. Although they all express it differently, they still show them at the end. This is what makes them all likeable as a character. And I as a reader also admire them from the bottom of my heart.

"I see, I'll also do what I can", I say to all of them in the end.

I could see Alice rolling her eyes and Selena frowned her face but I ignore them.

I already know the culprit you know? I just help you investigate right now to find some proof. It's not like I want to help, but I'm already here, it'd be a waste if I don't use this chance to help the main character right?

***

"So, I've asked around and made a list of the missing student"

The next day we all gather at the usual spot, the academy backyard. William at the centre of the group state what he just found out from his investigation. He shows us a paper, listing the name, year, and class of each of the students that have been reported missing.

"Have you found anything else?", hector asked.

"Nothing", Replied William.

"Ah, I heard that most students that gone missing still attend the class in the morning until afternoon", remarked Vanessa

"Yes, I heard about that too", Added Selena.

"So they went missing right after the class or something?", Question Alice. It seems like a question that she asked herself though.

"Oh, and all of them are students that are the less outgoing type. They had fewer friends and not many people know them. So it's been kind of hard finding information about them", Added William.

Suddenly, all of us turn our heads at Alice. No, I just follow the others.

"What?", Alice asked confusedly, "You think I'd gone missing too?"

"No, we're just worried about you. Because sometimes you'll go missing just to go to the library", Say William.

"Yes, before meeting with us, I doubt that you have friends", Said Vanessa. She's right, Though.

Looking at all of us, excluding me, nodded our heads, Alice said, "Don't worry about me, I won't go missing"

"But-"

"No, I believe her", I cut Selena before she finishes her sentences.

This time, Alice is the one looking at me confusedly. She didn't expect me to side with her. No, I just know the truth. You guys are speculating and being worried, while I know from the novel that she won't go missing. We're not the same.

"You guys are missing the big picture here", I tried to explain, "What do you think all of these missing students share in common?"

They start to answer, "They all are women?" "They don't have many friends?" "They're studying magic?", which is right, but that's not what I mean.

"I'm not denying that. But the answer is, the fact that they all share the same teacher"

"What do you mean, Aleks", Asked William.

"You just have to find the teacher that all these student share in common. Because there's a high possibility that the culprit is a teacher"

"Why would you say that?"

"Well, I have my own speculation about that. But mostly, It's because being a teacher makes it easier to commit this type of crime in this academy", If I told you the truth, you won't get it.

They all look at me like I was some kind of a monster. They couldn't believe that I could make reason and jump to a conclusion like that. It might sound unbelievable to all of you. But believe me, you will thank me later.

"But, a teacher huh...", Murmured William.

All of them begin to start thinking. While they exchange some info here and there, I'm still glad that they at least consider what I just said to them. Moreover, all of us mostly come from a different classes, so it's easier to choose which teacher taught each class.

In the first year, we shared many classes with the knight academy student, so the class got split even more. Because there are so many classes, the teachers have to teach more than one class on the same subject.

After they exchange information intensely, I just observe from the side, and they all have come to the same conclusion.

"Miss Martha?", They all have the same conclusion.

I smiled, they discover the truth just like that. From here on out, it'll just a waiting game for all of us.