Book 2 - The Usurper from the Wilds: Chapter 10; A Detective Team

The screen turns on as the chapter title plays "Chapter - 10; A Detective Team".

It opens still in the Heartslabyul lounge, just after she had finished telling them all what was going on.

Riddle then restated to confirm "Ah… So the headmage asked you to investigate." Cater then says with a smile "I knew it. Grim coming by for a get-well visit? That's just plain sus."

Riddle then tells them "I must admit that I found the circumstances odd as well. I've had Cater looking into it for me."

Cater tells them what he's found at that "And I found out that all of the victims have been talented players like Riddle and Trey." Riddle also fully states to them "To be clear, it wasn't as if I had been pushed, or that I had tripped. But I did feel a peculiar sensation, like… my body was moving of its own volition." Grim tells them "The other victims said basically the same thing!"

With that Riddle says "I believe we can safely surmise that potential Spelldrive tournament players are being targeted."

This makes Ace ask "You think someone is causin' accidents to take out threats from the tournament?" Riddle answers "The whole world will be watching. A good performance can make a player's whole career. It's no surprise that some would resort to underhanded methods to even the odds."

Cater then says his counter argument on the theory "Sure, but it doesn't make much sense. I mean, you'd know if you got pushed off the stairs by a gust of wind magic or somethin', right?" Riddle nods as he confirms "Certainly. I felt no external force." Cater continues his counter argument saying "And some of the other victims had accidents in the classroom! How do you explain that?" But Riddle only answers Cater "The culprit can tell us all about it when we capture him."

Before he turns to the first years, mainly those being Yuu and Grim as he says "And we intend to help you do that." Grim yells "Myah? YOU'RE gonna help us? What's your angle?"

At that Cater just smiles as answers "You offend us, sir. One of our housemates was injured – why wouldn't we help him find justice?" Ace then speaks up "We're all house-buds here. Count us in." As he slings an arm around Deuce's shoulders. Deuce doesn't notice as he shouts determined "He's gonna pay for what he did to Trey!"

Riddle narrows his eyes at the duo as he states "You two seem awfully enthusiastic about this."

Cater then smiles slyly as he says "Ahhh… I get it. You're gunning for that open spot on our team, aren't you?"

Ace then rubs the back of his head with a slightly embarrassed chuckle as he asks "Heh. Was it that obvious?" But Deuce has a different reaction as he's more in a panic as he shouts "N-no! That had nothing to do with it! I just want to avenge our housemate!"

Riddle only sighs at their actions as he tells them slightly unwilling "Fine… Your performance during the investigation will be taken into account."

This makes Ace and Deuce happily cheer "Woo-hoo!"

Riddle then moves back to the main topic telling all of them "Now, if we're going to apprehend this culprit, we need to stay a step ahead of him."

Grim asks at that "And we're gonna do that HOW, exactly…?" Riddle answers "By predicting which student will be targeted next and covertly following him. Should the culprit strike, we will protect the target and then immediately pursue the attacker."

Yuu thinks 'A stakeout, then. Let's do it.' at that and was about to say so before she realizes the one main flaw in this plan as she asks "But how do we know who will be targeted next?"

But Cater is the one who answers "I've got this, Yuu."

Before explaining to them "I've already identified a number of potential targets from among the most promising players. I'll form a group on Magicam so we can coordinate our efforts and then give you access to the album."

Deuce looks at his phone having accepted the invite before shouting "Whoa, Cater, this is a ton of information!" But Cater smiles as he just tells them "Now, let's move!"

Grim then yells excitedly "Let's nail this creep!"

Before the screen fades to black and "To be continued" shows on screen before it turns off.