"Very good."
The professor's sharp gaze swept over Crow Mask No. 3, and his praise sounded slightly stiff. "If everyone else had your sense of responsibility, we wouldn't have lost an entire laboratory last time."
The whole hall seemed to shudder.
Crow No. 3 said nothing. He merely lowered his head slightly, took the materials from the professor's arms, and followed closely behind him. The other crows at the experiment benches all fell silent, lowering their heads to focus on their respective tasks. For a moment, aside from the faint clinking of metal, no other sound could be heard in the hall.
"You're a little late today," the professor remarked casually as he walked ahead.
Rather than heading directly to the experiment benches, he led Crow No. 3 toward the side of the hall. As the two figures approached, Magic Lamp Fixtures lit up one after another, illuminating rows of pod-like instruments neatly arranged against the wall.
"There was an assessment mission for the Seven Deadly Sins tonight."
Crow No. 3 spoke rapidly, his voice so low it was almost a whisper. "This was the fifth time. Two more, and it'll be completely over..."
"Children's stuff."
The professor shook his head without further comment. But from the corner of his eye, he noticed Crow No. 3's hesitant movements and immediately grew curious. "Is there something else? Being so indecisive doesn't suit you... Last time the laboratory was invaded, you said retreat, and you retreated. Where's that decisiveness now?"
Behind his mask, Crow No. 3 gave a wry smile.
The professor had brought this matter up so many times. Although he had praised Crow No. 3's correct and decisive handling of the situation in front of the other crows more than once, in private he had also repeatedly expressed regret over