Following the club president's instructions, I approached the first-year spy.
The spy flinched violently.
“Y-you're in Frog Class, aren't you?”
“Yeah. You look like you're from Lion Class.”
“Bullying another student is against school rules. I'll report you!”
Did they think I was going to hit them?
I strode up without hesitation and placed a hand on the spy's shoulder. They shuddered as though they had been electrocuted.
Looking them in the eyes, I asked the club president,
“If I find out where this spy came from, will there be a reward for me?”
“A reward?”
The club president tilted his head, then stroked my head.
“We'll be choosing the Manager soon. I'll give you bonus points.”
That wouldn't be any reward at all to someone who wasn't interested in becoming Manager, but I absolutely had to become the Manager.
I nodded as though reluctantly conceding.
“I suppose I have no choice. I'll try.”
Once bonus points toward becoming Manager were at stake, the other members belatedly stepped forward.
“Club President, I can do it too.”
“Leave it to me!”
“I'd like to volunteer as well!”
Everyone's desperate to become the Manager.
Didn't they say the Manager wasn't a particularly important position in the Mystery Society?
Before I grew any more confused, I proposed a compromise.
“Then how about we take turns interrogating them? Since I stepped forward first, I'll go first. If I fail to uncover the spy's identity within ten minutes, I'll pass the turn to someone else.”
“Armand says so. No objections, right?”
The members glanced at one another, then nodded.
It isn't easy to volunteer to go first.
They were probably calculating that they could gain clues from my attempt as well.
Another member added a suggestion.
“Club President, how about giving penalty points instead of bonus points if someone fails the interrogation? There should be a price for failure.”
“That isn't a bad idea, but…….”
The club president looked at me.
“What do you think?”
“I don't mind.”
“Good.”
I'm not going to fail anyway.
As I leaned toward the spy, the club president added, “Ah, you can't cause them physical harm. We have to follow the school rules for now.”
What a shame.
The spy's face turned white when they saw my expression.
“Y-you weren't actually planning to…….”
“Quiet.”
I covered the first-year's mouth with my hand.
“A spy has no right to make noise.”
“Mmph!”
Meanwhile, the members began betting on whether the interrogation would succeed.
“I bet they'll fail. There's nothing they can do if the spy refuses to talk.”
“It's unreasonable to leave something like that to a new student.”
“Looks like the club president is playing another prank.”
Most opinions were negative.
But I want to ask them the opposite.
Why would I fail at something this easy?
I grabbed the spy by the collar and threw them toward the table holding the Mystic Music Box.
“I will begin the interrogation.”
Then I reopened the wooden box containing the Mystic Music Box.
The clubroom fell silent.
That was only natural after everyone had just heard the Mystic Music Box's horrifying cries.
I took the Mystic Music Box out of its case, placed it on the table, and spoke to the spy.
“Let's go in order.”
“G-go through what?”
“Say, ‘The Glory Society's club president is a fucking bastard.’”
The eyes of every member watching me widened at once.
Exactly.
There was no reason not to use a tool like the Mystic Music Box.
I will subject this spy to a thorough ideological screening.
“Go on. Say it.”
I shook the spy by the collar.
“If you don't, the Mystic Music Box will start crying again.”
“How could you…….”
“I'll play its screams right next to your ear.”
“Anything but that…….”
“Then say it!”
I grabbed the back of the spy's neck and forced them down toward the Mystic Music Box.
Their face drained of color.
“Th-the Glory Society's club president is a fucking bastard…….”
The Mystic Music Box slowly began turning again.
As the members watched with fearful eyes, it played its usual music.
Looks like they're not from the Glory Society.
I began listing the Ivory Tower's clubs one by one.
“Now the Rose Order.”
“Th-the Rose Order's club president is a fucking bastard…….”
The spy was already beside themselves after facing the Mystic Music Box.
They churned out the insults exactly as I ordered.
“Th-the Mystery Novel Club's president is a fucking bastard…….”
“Good. Next.”
“The Alchemy Club's president is a fucking bastard…….”
“Keep going.”
“The Morning Exercise Club's president is a fucking bastard…….”
“Next.”
“The faith club's president is a fucking bastard…….”
“Bold.”
“The Volunteer Club's president is a fucking bastard…….”
“That one's harsh.”
The spy had been blaspheming the world without hesitation, but at some point, their mouth snapped shut.
“Now the Newspaper Club president.”
“Th-th-the New…….”
I shook them by the collar.
“Say it.”
“Th-the News, the Newspaper Club…….”
“Hurry!”
“I…….”
The spy must have realized it by now.
The Mystic Music Box was more tolerant than one might expect. It let insults pass when someone else had ordered them.
How much resentment could students truly harbor toward the Headmaster and Vice Headmaster in the first place?
But it's different when something goes beyond that.
Just as this spy had been caught on “Long live the Mystery Society.”
And in this case…….
“Th-the Newspaper Club, the Newspaper Club president…….”
The moment they insulted the Newspaper Club president, the Mystic Music Box would begin wailing again.
“That's…….”
“Go on.”
“The Newspaper Club…….”
The spy's voice trembled violently.
In the end, they grabbed my sleeve and confessed everything.
“I-I'm sorry. I came from the Newspaper Club, the Newspaper Club…….”
The interrogation was over.
I spoke to the Mystic Music Box, which was still playing.
“Good work. You can rest now.”
As though responding to me, the Mystic Music Box played a light piano melody and stopped.
I returned it to its wooden box and closed the lid.
Ideological screening complete.
“Club President, the interrogation is complete. This spy came from the Newspaper Club.”
“Excellent.”
The club president praised my accomplishment. The members applauded.
“That kid's no ordinary newcomer. I can't believe he thought of using it that way.”
“I've never seen anyone handle the Mystic Music Box so freely.”
“How could he do that after hearing what it sounded like just now?”
“He's fearless. As expected…….”
“The Mystery Society has gained a new talent.”
It seems my reputation within the Mystery Society has risen.
“What should we do with them now?”
“What do you mean?”
“Wouldn't it be best to hang them at the clubroom entrance and show the entire Ivory Tower what happens to spies?”
“Uh…….”
The club president trailed off as though flustered, then shrugged.
“They made things entertaining for us, didn't they? Let's let them off.”
“If that is your decision, Club President, I will follow it.”
“Good.”
With tears welling in their eyes, the spy thanked the club president.
“We're letting it go this once. The Mystery Society generally allows multiple club memberships, but we cannot tolerate someone infiltrating us solely to dig up information.”
“I'm sorry…….”
“Tell the Newspaper Club president that if they want an interview, they should contact us officially. If they try to secretly plant another member like this…….”
The club president spoke in a playful voice.
“I'll pay them a visit.”
“Understood. I'm sorry!”
“Normally, I might have granted an interview, but today we have an event exclusive to the Mystery Society.”
The club president motioned to several members with his chin.
“Lock this one up.”
“Yes!”
“W-wait. I thought you forgave me…….”
“It won't take long.”
In the end, the Newspaper Club's spy was dragged into one of the corner rooms enclosed by partitions.
“W-wait!”
A scream rang out, then grew faint as though the sound itself had been wrapped in something. Soon, nothing could be heard.
“That settles that. Now, everyone, pay attention.”
The club president stepped forward and looked around at the members.
“There must be a reason I suddenly brought the Council of Elders here, right?”
The eyes visible through his mask's holes curved gently.
“We will select the Manager now.”
The entire Mystery Society stirred. One member asked the club president,
“Today? Recruitment only started recently. Isn't this too soon?”
The club president stared at that member through his mask.
They're a second-year, yet they still don't understand the Mystery Society.
Before the club president could answer, I spoke first.
“Because that is the Mystery Society.”
When everyone's attention turned to me, I stepped forward.
I need to start drawing attention now if I want to become the Manager.
My reputation has risen after successfully exposing the spy, so now I need to cement it.
“We break predetermined rules. We hold no prejudices. The only things we pursue are freedom and fun. That is the Mystery Society. So this moment, which no one expected and which has surprised even our own members, could actually be called the perfect time. Wouldn't you agree?”
When I gave my clear answer, the club president applauded.
“I heard you were the outstanding new member who made the Mystic Music Box give the greatest orchestral performance in the Mystery Society's history. You truly live up to the rumors. You also exposed the spy splendidly just now. Excellent.”
“You flatter me.”
“Your name was Armand, right?”
“Yes, that's correct.”
“Armand is right. The rest of you should study harder.”
“Yes…….”
“Now then!”
The club president clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention.
“The Council of Elders and I will judge who is qualified to become the Manager.”
He made no pretense about voting or needing everyone's support.
The Council of Elders would simply decide.
That suits me perfectly.
“Any member who wants to become Manager may apply. Ah, and…….”
The club president met my gaze through the holes in his mask.
“Armand must participate.”
I was going to participate anyway, but this makes it look better.
I shrugged as though reluctantly giving in.
“If you insist, Club President, then I suppose I have no choice.”
“Good boy.”
Looks like he's completely fallen for my act as an obedient junior.
Fine. If it helps me achieve my goal, I'll wag my tail like a docile dog.
For reference, the club president was also serving as the Mystery Society's current Manager.
He had been the Manager until last year, then became club president when the previous one graduated.
That means the next Manager will effectively be his successor.
“Applicants, come forward.”
The clubroom filled with murmurs.
Some members left to inform those who were absent.
Soon, several members wearing green and blue epaulettes stepped forward.
There were eight in total, including Karl and me.
For a club that pursues freedom, its members are unexpectedly hungry for titles.
“That's not why.”
A girl from Whale Class standing beside Karl and me whispered.
“The Manager position isn't the issue. It's because of the club president.”
“The club president?”
“Yeah! Don't you know about him?”
I know only that he's an excellent mage and someone who strokes other people's heads without permission.
“He excels in both scholarship and martial skill, has a handsome face, is always gentle and considerate, adores his juniors, and possesses the leadership to command even the unruly members of the Mystery Society. He's a senior everyone admires. It's a shame he came wearing a mask today.”
I had been too busy keeping an eye on my classmates to gather any information about the upperclassmen.
“If you become the Manager, you can get close to the club president. And he hasn't formed a mentor relationship with any junior yet. Everyone wants to become the Manager, get close to him, and then become his mentee!”
Their motives were utterly impure.
Karl nodded.
“So he's incredibly popular? I respect him!”
The popularity you mean and the popularity he enjoys seem to be rather different…….
Still, popularity was popularity.
The eight applicants stood there awkwardly.
Seated at the center of the Council of Elders, the club president asked us,
“You truly want to become the Manager, don't you?”
“Yes!”
Everyone's enthusiasm burned fiercely.
Despite having my life on the line, I seem to be the calmest one here.
“You're serious?”
“Yes!”
“And you know what kind of club the Mystery Society is?”
“Yes!”
“Good.”
The Council of Elders nodded, making their various animal masks bob up and down.
“The method of becoming the Manager is simple. Now, show them.”
The senior in the cat mask seated beside the club president stood and took something out.
It was a crystal ball the size of a human head.
Now, merely seeing a crystal ball sends a chill down my spine.
Surely that one doesn't bear the same name…….
“This child's name is Elizabeth III.”
Damn it.
“It was made in imitation of Elizabeth, the Ivory Tower's venerable artifact. I was deeply saddened to hear that some hooligan of a new student had shattered Elizabeth, but what can you do?”
The senior in the cat mask glared at me through the holes in their mask.
The chill I had felt from Clase crept over me once again.
“Elizabeth III possesses a special ability. It reads our emotions. In other words, it can gather the emotions of us Elders and assign an overall score.”
They spread a velvet cloth across the table before the Council of Elders, then carefully placed Elizabeth III upon it.
“If you want to become Manager, impress us somehow. Show us a talent, perform a party trick, or do anything else. Shake the hearts of those of us who have grown weary of boring life at the Ivory Tower. That is how you become Manager.”
So you're telling us to play the clown.
The applicants fell silent, while the other members cheered.
“Now, let the competition begin. Take the stage one at a time.”
At the same moment, Elizabeth III lit up.
A strange expression appeared across Elizabeth's surface.
(-_-)
So we had to change that expression.