《A Villain's Will to Survive》 Chapter 1: Prologue

Chapter 1: Prologue

¡¸Twist it... if you wish to kill me.¡¹ The sword that pierced the man¡¯s heart trembled. As he neared the end of his life, the man haughtily demanded his own death. With a firm grip, the woman twisted the sword without a word. His chest contorted and blood spurted out, yet the man didn¡¯t let out even the faintest of moans. ¡¸You remain as beautiful and unattainable as ever...¡¹ The man¡¯s slowly rising fingertips touched the woman, leaving streaks of blood across her cheek. She remained expressionless, and her heart was as cold and unyielding as ice¡ªthe very qualities that had captivated him and drawn him to her. A beauty worthy of ending his life. The man smiled faintly. Soon, his final words came forth, and he coughed up blood. ¡¸Damn you...¡¹ he muttered. "Phew. It''s not glitching anymore...." I sighed in relief as I looked at the normal screen and checked the character''s settings once again. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Deculein von Grahan-Yukline] Disposition: Evil Primary upation: Head Professor Primary Mana: 3,357 Talent Grade: Grade 6 Talent Type : Magic ¡ª Maniption / Element Properties of Earth, Fire Attributes: 6 Personality Traits: 13 ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Deculein, he was one of the named viins and a mid-boss in this game. Normally, there would have been many errors because he was a crucial viin in the game with a wide variety of branching paths in interactive storylines based on the yer''s choice. Fortunately for me, however, Deculein met his demise after just eleven hours of ytime from a wound inflicted by his fianc¨¦e, and without any bugs either. "Uh, Woo-Jin?" Just as I was about to continue the game, a familiar voice called my name. "Ah, yes. Ah-Ra," I said as I turned around. Even without makeup, her eyes still seemed particrlyrge, and her long hair shone effortlessly. Yoo Ah-Ra was a woman of extraordinary beauty that one could easily mistake for an actress. She held the position of team leader and I had once dated her, or rather I should say she graciously dated me. "Is the testing going well?" "Yes, I''m on it," I said, shrugging habitually at her question. Yoo Ah-Ra silently nodded. As I casually nced at her, I noticed a new essory around her neck, and my lips twitched. "Seems like your dating life is going welltely?" "Huh? Oh... well, I guess?" Yoo Ah-Ra shrugged too. It was a gesture we had picked up from each other. "It seems to be going well." "Hmm." I aimlessly scrolled up and down. I had heard the rumors, but I felt quite bitter hearing it directly from her. "Why do you ask?" "What do you mean, why?" To no one¡¯s fault, we had broken up six months ago. We had simply grown apart. I was naturallyid-back, and she was a born workaholic. Her ambition had led me to be a person who could make enough money to livefortably, but ultimately, she couldn''t ept my personality, and I couldn¡¯t change either. "I¡¯m just hoping you make it to marriage," I said sarcastically. "... Sigh." "Oops. Was that petty?" I raised my eyebrow in a mocking expression, but she didn¡¯t bite on such provocations. "Just get back to work. Since there are some changes in the settings, you might need to update the modeling." "Again? What''s with the writer always changing things?" I groaned at her words. I sighed and nced at the clock. It was already 9 p.m. Night had fallen but I was nowhere close to being done and clocking out. "Ah, you were looking at Deculein?" Yoo Ah-Ra chuckled as she peered at my monitor. "Yes, he died in just eleven hours. But you know, with a little trick, you could probably kill him right at the start of the game. Is he really a mid-boss?" "That''s the charm of our game. The longer you leave Deculein unchecked, the more viinous he bes, so it''s easier if you take him out early. The difficulty changes based on the yer''s choices." "... Right," I said, nodding. I had participated in thepany-wide game testing four times myself, and collectively, the testing had been reyed about 1,000 times. However, Deculein, this mid-boss, had died in all but one of those instances. "Did you know? Some people said this character model is based on you," Yoo Ah-Ra asked. "Deculein?" "Yes. That¡¯s why I kill him off right at the start." "What?" I frowned. The screen still flickered with the words ¡°Damn you¡ª¡±. "Hehe. You didn''t notice? He looks simr to you," Yoo Ah-Ra chuckled. "But... I¡¯ve only met the writer twice?" "Must¡¯ve seen you passing by thepany. Anyway, look. Even the personality is simr." "... The personality is simr? But hisst words were ¡®Damn you¡ª¡¯?" I asked. "Simr though." "Tsk, that¡¯s why I dumped you," I said sarcastically once again. Yoo Ah-Ra''s expression hardened. I raised my hands in feigned fear. "Oops, sorry. Was that petty too?" Being called petty only makes it worse; there was no helping it anymore. Eventually, Yoo Ah-Ra couldn¡¯t help but engage. "... You really are petty," Yoo Ah-Ra responded. "You think I''m petty because you feel it that way. You¡¯ve got some paranoia going on. I''m the only one who could tolerate you." "Just watch the game and stay quiet. How''s the test going?" I smoothly went along with her topic change. My focus returned to the monitor. "The game itself is fun." The game was set in a fantasy world with a cultural mix from the 14th to 20th centuries. While it was arge-scale RPG, the focus was on storytelling. "But the problem is, if this fails, thepany fails," I continued. REW had emerged like a revtion in the console game desert of South Korea and gained worldwide recognition after consecutive sesses. Now, this AAA-ss game was their all-in bet, utilizing all the profits and investments they had umted to date. If this flopped, we''d be screwed. Seriously. "Don''t worry, it won''t fail. Haven''t you seen how the gamey videos took the world by storm?" Ah-Ra replied. The gamey videos had taken the world by a storm because the storyline and difficulty of the game could be changed based on the actions of the yer, not to mention the highly advanced AI and named characters. Although it was a single-yer game, the fresh approach and REW''s reputation helped position our game among the strong contenders for Game of the Year. "If we just elevate our reputation with this single console, we can rake in the money online. We¡¯re definitely going to seed," Ah-Ra continued, her words filled with optimism. The game truly featured many appealing characters and sses. Knight, mage, demon, demon hunter, bureaucrat, adventurer, mercenary, king, noble... In this game, yers could be anyone they choose. "Yeah. That''d be great for me too since that means a bonus," I said with a brief smile, turning toward the window. "... Ah, there he is." My desk was by the window, offering a view of the street and the entrance to ourpany. A sleek foreign car shone under a streetlight as it waited for her. "Is that guy less petty than me?" I asked, pointing outside and now able to joke about it. "... He¡¯s a good person, in a different way," she said with a smile. It was enough for me to hear that I was a good person too. Even if she didn''t intend it that way, I still took it as such. "Really? What a relief," I replied. Of course, I still felt a bit uneasy, but not as much as before. ording to her, the man in that car was a good person. If he had been a jerk, I probably would have been angrier. "Yeah... uh, there''s also something else..." Yoo Ah-Ra hesitated. But I already knew about her habits. After a moment, she would turn around and dismiss it as if it were nothing. However, I was fully aware of exactly what she wanted from me at that time. "Ah-Ra. We first met three years ago, right? What were you going to say?" I coaxed lightly. Office rtionships were a secret. Though we had been dating before joining thepany, it was still a covert workce romance. "... Right. What was I going to say..." Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. The brief silence was amplified by the ticking of the clock. In such awkward moments, it was always Yoo Ah-Ra who broke the silence. "Well, Woo-Jin. I¡¯m heading out." "Alright. Take care," I replied. "Yes. You too, take care." Click-ck. Her high heels echoed as she walked away. Her silhouette was perfect, but her inner beauty surpassed her outer appearance. She was a truly wonderful person and the best thing that happened in my life. She was the first to convince me that people can indeed change others. "... Take care." The words that wouldn¡¯t reach her, were spoken only to myself. Feeling rather pathetic, I let out a sigh and refocused on the monitor. "But really, the writer is too much." Seeing the character Deculein, who had already been killed, blew my mind. This scumbag is supposed to be me? Ridiculous... although he does resemble me. He definitely looked like he was based on me. I had been wondering who he resembled even as I was modeling him and it turned out to be me? "Better upgrade the looks." Officially, the game had gone gold, but thepany and the writer still had their ambitions for it. So, they gave me master ess and asked me to do the final modeling. "Let''s see." No one wouldin if the character looked more handsome than before. Even if he was a viin, I ought to spruce him up, since he was based on me. After all, I¡¯d never been told I was ugly. "... Done." Quickly finishing the adjustments, I suddenly noticed the character''s Unique Aspects. "Hmm..." In this game, a character¡¯s individuality could be defined by two types of unique aspects¡ªAttributes, which had a direct impact on basic specs, and Personality Traits, which influenced the character¡¯s basic specs indirectly. Named characters, especially, have numerous attributes and personality traits. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Attributes] Intimidation and Dignity Whiz Kid Average Mage Resolute Aesthetic Sense Viin¡¯s Fate ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Deculein¡¯s attributes included these six. Abination of Whiz Kid and Average Mage. Truly the worst of the worst. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Personality Traits] Elitism Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Regr Habits Competitiveness Noble Etiquette Sensitivity Authoritative Pretense and Composure Strong Mental Fortitude Cultural Obsession Atheism ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ And numerous other personality traits. "The personality traits are quite bad." Deculein might be based on me, but I don''t have those attributes like Elitism, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or Pretense. Nor do I have the right to be Authoritative myself. I just stared irritably at the monitor, then nced at the codes sprawled next to the attributes and personality traits. "... Hmm." Alone in the office, I sneakily browsed other attribute and personality trait codes. I wasn¡¯t nning any mischief, I was just scrolling for fun... then I found one. Comprehension "At least you shouldn¡¯t be petty like me." I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s probably simr to empathy, ssified as an attribute rather than a personality trait but whatever. I added Comprehension to Deculein¡¯s attributes. Next was a Wealthy Magnate... he might as well be rich. Click¡ª I added several other unique aspects yfully. Wealthy Magnate, Midas Touch, Sharp Eyesight, Iron Man, and others... "...What am I even doing?" As I added a few more attributes that wouldn¡¯t be too noticeable, I suddenly felt overwhelmed. I took my hand off the mouse and leaned back in my chair. "...Oh boy. It¡¯s been seven years," I let out a ruefulugh. Seven years was too long a time for both you and me. Too long for something to end so abruptly. Or maybe, I was the only one who felt it was abrupt. You, on the other hand, just slowly grew tired and slowly prepared for the breakup. I just didn¡¯t realize you had changed. Ding¡ª "Whoa!" A loud notification almost made me fall off my chair. [REW (5/107)] Rain: Woo-Jin, are you still working? It was thepany messenger. The sender was Rain, the game¡¯s writer and head of the AI department. Woo-Jin: Yes, I am. If there¡¯s anything you want to change in the modeling, just let me know. I¡¯ll fix it right away. I moved the mouse to delete the attributes I had just added. Rain: No... it¡¯s not that. I¡¯m just waiting to watch. I paused. What does she mean by watch? Was she watching me? I looked around, but there was no one. Woo-Jin: What are you watching? Me? I blinked at the monitor. Soon after, a reply came with a smiling emoticon. Rain: No~ Look outside! ^-^ Without much thought, I turned to look outside. "... What?" Through the clear ss, across the sky, there was a sh as a lightning bolt descended and illuminated the heavens, etched in the air like human veins. A powerful lightning strike. My eyes widened as the intense beam of light surged toward me. A massive shock rocked the world. The burst of light enveloped the office in darkness, and bted thunder drummed in my ears. Roarrrrrrrrr¡ª! I remember nothing after that. Chapter 2: Deculein (1)

Chapter 2: Deculein (1)

"I know everything''s been so peaceful and quiettely, but... don¡¯t you feel a bit uneasy?" the young maid asked. Recently, the atmosphere at the Yukline grand mansion had settled into an unusual peace, which was noteworthy since silence in such a grand residence was umon. "Don''t say such things, you might jinx it. Just stay quiet and keep your head down," the head maid admonished the young maid. The unusual tranquility felt awkward for the maids and butlers, but they had gradually adapted to it after a week. "Do you think everything is going well between Lady Freyden and Master Yukline?" "I doubt it. In fact, I¡¯d guess it¡¯s the opposite," the head maid replied, shaking her head. "Really? It''s just weird, it''s the first time he''s secluded himself in his room for a week and he doesn''t even have us clean..." the young maid replied. "Rest for now. You never know when he might demand more from us..." The servants and maids gossiped about their master''s strange behavior recently. ¡°Has anything like this happened before?¡± the young maid asked curiously. "Well, Master Deculein settled here about ten years ago..." Given their master''s fame and prickly nature, there were many things to talk about and the flow of the conversation they had started did not easily stop. At that moment, the distinct sound of sharp heels echoed through the hall as the front door creaked open dramatically. Click-ck¡ª The hall echoed with a cold and ominous sound. The maids hurried, lining up in front of the unexpected visitor, and when they saw her, they lowered their heads. "Where is he?" she sharply inquired. The new arrival was a beautiful woman with short ck hair¡ªit was Yeriel, someone infamous for being as prickly as her older brother Deculein. "Master Deculein is currently¡ª" "Take me to him," Yeriel interrupted the maid. The servants were too intimidated to make eye contact with her. They quickly led her up the grand central staircase to the highest floor of the mansion, where an entire level served as a suite for Deculein, and then stood in front of its door. Knock¡ªknock¡ª Yeriel knocked on the door that had always been feared by everyone in the house. Knock¡ªknock¡ª There was not a single response. Knock¡ªknock! Knock¡ªknock! Yeriel grew impatient and burst through the door. "Hey!" Inside the neatly organized room, a handsome fair-skinned man with chiseled features and blue-tinted hairy on the bed with a weary expression. It was enough to stir any woman''s heart, but Yeriel was unmoved. "What are you doing?!" Her sharp tone and informal manner of speaking to her older brother made the servants tremble[1]; however, Deculein, the master of the house and the head of the family, merely murmured in a low voice, "I thought I would wake up after a few dreams. But it seems I am still dreaming." The maids concluded that something had gone terribly wrong between Lady Freyden and Master Yukline. "Again..." Yeriel frowned. Just like the maids, she seemed to have misunderstood his words. In fact, everyone in the room thought of Yulie von Deya-Freyden when they heard him. She was the second daughter of the Freyden family from the Northern Region and the fianc¨¦e of Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. They were engaged to be married, but their feelings for each other were wildly different. Deculein appeared to sincerely love Yulie, while Yulie¡¯s feelings toward him bordered on contempt¡ªa fact well known to all people by now. "Will you stop thinking about her? You''ve even canceled all your lectures." "Lectures?" Deculein asked. "Yes!" Yeriel pulled out documents from her designer clutch and threw them on the bed. "You promised you''d handle this yourself. By staying here like some kind of an idiot, you''re bringing shame to our family!¡± Deculein remained silent. "Make sure you attend today unless you want to lose that prestigious professorship as well!" Yeriel shouted. "You are indeed audacious." Deculein chuckled, further infuriating Yeriel. A vein popped on her forehead. "It''s not that I''m audacious, you''re just foolish, you idiot!" The maids trembled with fear when Yeriel harshly criticized Deculein. But their master, who would have punished such behavior in the past, showed no reaction. I wish he could always be like this, thought the maids. "Understood. Now leave," Deculein replied with very little energy. "Hmph." Yeriel snorted and left the room. She refused to stay any longer and watch a man turn into a mess because he was rejected by a woman. "W-would you like something to eat, Lady Yeriel?" "No." "But you''vee a long way! Give us a moment to¡ª" "I said no!" Yeriel yelled, venting her frustration as she walked away. The servants hurriedly trailed behind Yeriel. They sensed their master''s foul mood and decided that it would be wisest to keep a low profile and stay out of his sight today. *** "... Lectures, huh." I looked at the papers Yeriel had left on the bed. The title of the lecture was Professor Deculein of the Imperial University: Basic Understanding of Magic and Mindset Toward Mana. The agenda included: 1. Categorization of magic by properties and categories. 2. General understanding of magical forms for destruction, support, summoning, and elemental spells. 3. Proper use of mana... "How can there be so many types of magic?" In a world filled with magic, science was nowhere to be found. Some people said that "sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,[2]" yet here I was, talking nonsense in my own bed. "Haah." A week had passed in a blink of an eye. During that time, I had tried and failed to figure out why I was trapped in this game. It wasn''t a dream or a lucid dream, nor virtual reality. The most usible exnation I could think of was that I had been struck by lightning and this was the afterlife. Anyway, I''d be the character Deculein von Grahan-Yukline, modeled after myself in this damn game. Deculein served as a sort of linchpin throughout the game, a named viin who was the nemesis of many named characters or a mid-boss for yers. He could be described as the enemy of my parents, my lover, my vige, and the one who stole my achievements, among others. Moreover, he was a character designed only to encounter death and adversity, and he made numerous enemies. Rain did hint that there was a small twist with this character, but who would have thought that the twist she mentioned would involve me possessing this guy? "My fate is to die in almost every scenario of this game." True to the nature of a viin, he almost inevitably met his end. Whether yers killed him directly or hired other named characters to do it, whether he fought recklessly against other named characters and died or he was assassinated, he died one way or another¡ªmuch like the famous purple-skinned, bald-headed viin from a well-known superhero movie. "Besides, going to the lecture..." I said, organizing the papers Yeriel had thrown. It was for the scheduled lecture today. "... Should be the right thing to do for now." Although it would be the first lecture of my life, I couldn''t just sit idle in this room. The only way to gather information and make further decisions was to leave this ce and go outside, and above all... [Primary Survival Goal: Be necessary to the game.] [Side Quest: University Lecture] ¡ô Store Currency +0.5 These strange sentences flickered in the corner of my vision. Because of these system messages and Yeriel, it was the time to get moving. Actually, Yeriel was included among the things that could cause my death[3]. Additionally, the store currency shown in the system message was crucial in this game as well. Fortunately, the knowledge, attitude, or experience that were needed for the lecture was not an issue for me. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Comprehension] ¡ô Grade: Unique ¡ô Description: The ability to understand anything. Can be activated by consuming mana. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Before getting trapped in this world, I had mistakenly added the Comprehension attribute to Deculein thinking it was simr to Empathy. Indeed, it was Unique¡ªa Unique grade attribute that would appear only in thetter part of the game, and it was an attribute that even the character I yed couldn''t acquire. "Let''s just take a shower..." I got up from the bed and went to the bathroom. I took off my clothes and turned on the shower. A clean environment, warm water, and a showerhead with good water pressure¡ªit was allpletely to my liking. After the refreshing shower, I opened the door to the dressing room, which wasrger than my former apartment. It was filled with valuables and suits. I chose my clothes based solely on my feelings. A white shirt and a dark blue suit that seemed very aristocratic, a blue tie, and intellectual sses. I topped it with a coat and matched the overall look with a suitable cologne, neatly slicking my hair back. Looking in the mirror, I mused about my appearance. Frankly, this style could have seemed a bit cheesy, but it actually appeared to be dignified. The arrogance I exuded was overwhelming, yet it unmistakably coexisted with an elegant dignity. This was probably due to the attributes Intimidation and Dignity and Aesthetic Sense, and the personality trait Noble Etiquette. Actually, I couldn''t act rudely or just say whatever came to mind; everything had to be done with the highest level of etiquette and manners. No matter how hungry I was, I couldn''t just dig into the food or blurt out whatever came to mind; I had to behave with utmost refinement and ss. From my perspective as Deculein, this was fully natural; my personality seemed to have entirely adapted to this inefficient etiquette, finding it morefortable than sitting cross-legged. Moreover, witnessing crude and ignorant behavior often brought me subtle feelings of disdain and contempt. "I won¡¯t be devoured by this guy, right?" This character had several distinctive personality traits. Based on the system logs, personality traits such as Noble Etiquette, Elitism, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Authoritative, and Cultural Obsession were almost certainly influencing me. Therefore, the duty to give a lecture felt utterly natural. Afterall, I was a distinguished and noble aristocrat¡ªyeah, right. "Woo-Jin," I said to myself as I stared at the handsome man in the mirror. "Kim Woo-Jin." I won''t lose myself. I won¡¯t be swallowed by this damn character from the game. "Home Woo and Genuine Jin ¡ªWoo-Jin, that is your name."[4] A physically healthy Korean man that was objectively tall and good looking but, borrowing someone else¡¯s words, a bit of a petty loser. "Azy and worthless guy." That''s me. p¡ª! I pped my cheeks and stepped out of the room. *** ck¡ªck¡ª The distinct and regr sound of shoes, the smooth movement of long legs, and an impably dignified stride¡ªI couldn''t help but admire the elegance I disyed as I came to a stop in front of the car in the garden. "Master Yukline," a servant said. An antique designed car that seemed from the modern-contemporary era[5], a symbol of wealth in this world. "Let¡¯s head out," Deculein replied to the servant. "Yes, sir!" As the servant opened the back door for me, I saw a small, charming figure on the back seat. Under the hood of a robe, I saw a charming yet stiff face. "G-good afternoon, Professor! T-this is for you!" a nervous voice spoke as something was handed over¡ªa bundle of documents. "... Are you a mage?" "Eh? Oh, yes. Yes... I, I have been under your guidance for... already three years¡ª" "It was a joke." I smiled gracefully and examined the documents. I expected them to be rted to the lecture, but as it turned out, it was a detailed script from the beginning to the end of the lecture. Of course, Deculein would not prepare a lecture himself. After all, this guy was all show with no real talent. Even his attribute wasn¡¯t Genius or Prodigy but Average Mage, so this script had to be exactly what I needed. "Good work." This single word of praise startled the young mage. Frankly, even saying thepliment to the young mage made my gut twist. It clearly demonstrated Deculein''s personality overpowering my own, but I had to ovee it. I braced myself and added one extrapliment to the young mage. "You''ve done a good job. Rest until we arrive." "Ah, ah yes! Yes! Yes, sir!" The young mage bowed his head and stayed almost as quiet as a corpse. The pleased curve of his mouth peeking out from under the robe suggested that the praise felt good. I read the script in my hand. The texture of the paper was irritating, almost dirty, and made me think that I should wear gloves next time... No, let''s skip that. I knew the game settings to some extent, so Comprehension allowed me to quickly understand the content of the script. About thirty minutes had passed while I was studying for the lecture, and an interesting scene appeared outside the car window. I naturally looked outside and found myself smiling unintentionally. Under the noon sun, the outside scene shimmered like waves, topped by the towering statue of the founding Emperor at the entrance. The path was harmoniously lined with lively flowers and trees. The sprawling grounds were filled with various buildings, and soft light descended from the high sky as if blessing everything. Known as the Imperial University, Deculein''s workce had be more real than 3D, reflecting all these elements that were products of my own design. 1. In Korean, there is ?? (informal speech) used for people of the same or younger age, and ??? (formal speech) used for someone older. Saying "?" is like saying "Hey!" informally, which would be impolite to say to Deculein, the head of the family. ? 2. This is known as rke¡¯s Third Law, one of three adages formted by British sci-fi writer Arthur C. rke. ? 3. The term Death Variable was used here, which I will be adding inter chapters since there are things that could be a trigger for Deculein¡¯s death ? 4. The hanja (Chinese characters in Korean) used to write his name are Óî(house) and ±w(real, true, genuine). ? 5. In between the Modern era and Contemporary era from 1500~1945, 1956~present ? Chapter 3: Deculein (2)

Chapter 3: Deculein (2)

A man towered over everyone, his height having surpassed six foot and three, which gave him an imposing presence. Dressed in wless formal attire and possessing strikingly handsome features that easily caught one¡¯s eye, he showcased the perfect golden ratio. Deculein von Grahan-Yukline was truly what one might call the Epitome of Noble Dignity. There was not a single w orck in his demeanor; his walk, gestures, and expressions all radiated elegance. "That bastard..." a robed mage said. However, to some, no, perhaps to many, his perfect external factors were nothing more than a false front. "Sigh..." Epherene Luna had been suppressing her surge of anger since the moment Deculein appeared. It wasn¡¯t just her words that were harsh, her actions were as well. She clenched her fist so tightly that it could have drawn blood and incessantly bit her lower lip. Deculein had taken all the credit for her father''s achievements, thereby reducing him to a wreck, which ultimately led to his death. Although the world praised Deculein as a Genius of Spell Interpretation, she knew that his reputation rightfully belonged to her father. ¡ª Attention. Suddenly, a crystal orb amplified Deculein''s voice. ¡ª I will begin the lecture. Deculein finally stepped onto the stage and looked out into the vast auditorium filled with hundreds of people. His gaze was as sharp and imperious as a de. She felt the urge to pull out a dagger and stab him in both eyes. "That asshole..." Ephrene said with full anger. However, it was not the right time for her to take action. Although she certainly wished to see Deculein wiped off the map and the only reason she had enrolled in the Mage Tower of the University was to take revenge against him, she knew that blind revenge would only bring her sadness. After all, her own talents surpassed his. Whether it involved learning more powerful magic to kill him with her own hands or rising to a higher status to obliterate him socially, her revenge would be sweeter the longer it ages. Since she was only living for that single sweet moment when she would get revenge, waiting a little longer was not a problem for her. ¡ª Greetings. But a little troublemaking wouldn¡¯t hurt. As a lightbulb turned on in her mind, Epherene pulled her robe tighter and smiled. *** In the wide auditorium with high ceilings, hundreds of eyes were fixed on me. Their gaze was overwhelmingly bright, and the shes of antique cameras felt almost dizzying. I faced the attention all alone, but, strangely, I didn¡¯t feel bothered by it. Instead of being intimidated, I found attention to be natural, as if it were my prerogative. It seemed that a lofty sense of chosen elitism was ingrained in me like a second skin. ¡°Greetings. I am Deculein from the Yukline family.¡± Thus, I began the lecture with ease. The opening of the lecture on the script served as both the introduction to the ss and the introduction of Deculein himself. "I am the Head Professor at the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, a Monarch-rank mage in charge of elements. I manage the four elements¡ªwater, fire, wind, and earth¡ªand am not limited by any categories of magic." The statement had an unmistakably narcissistic tone to it. "As is known, magic is divided into three Properties and nine Categories. The properties include elements, origins, and instruments. The categories are Summoning, Elemental, Destruction, Support, Enchantment, Maniption, Ductility, Harmony, and Specialization." I recited exactly what was written in the script. Even that was enough to draw everyone''s attention, thanks to the Intimidation and Dignity attribute. "Therefore, all mages have to concentrate on the properties and categories that suit them to achieve magical sess." Snap! I snapped my fingers after saying that and following the sound, the lights in the auditorium went out as magic spells appeared in the air. "Executing these spells with mana is the act of performing magic. Therefore, understanding these spells is essential before implementing magic. We will now take a look at the spell above," I exined, pausing briefly to allow the audience to see the magical circle. It appeared briefly as a fractal,posed of dozens of straight and curved lines¡ªa geometric shape. ¡°This sixty-eight stroke magic circle spell forms a curved shape, where mana first concentrates in the center before extending outward. The spread from inside to outside typically signifies destruction and support, however, since destruction magic requires the magic circle to be linear, this pattern is clearly to support magic. Moving on...¡± The first chapter, Basics of Magic, continued for about fifteen minutes, and I did not lose myposure for a single moment. The script seemed to flow effortlessly from my mouth. Interestingly enough, I had perfectly the arrangement of this script, which I saw for the first time today. "Spell-based magic works as follows. However, one might ask whether the magic always results from mana and whether one must always learn these spells perfectly to use this magic?" Now, the topic was Methods of Using Mana. Since the auditorium also had participants, including guests who were not mages but were ordinary students, knights, or aspiring adventurers, the topic was specifically arranged for them. "That is not true. It depends on where in the body you have your mana stored." As I finished speaking, the magical spells scattered and were reced by a human anatomical diagram showing blue masses of mana positioned in the heart, head, and abdomen. "Firstly, the head or the brain can easily imagine spells, making it capable of formingplex lines and circles. Therefore, mages usually store mana in their heads." I probably also have mana points stored in my head. If expressed numerically, they would be 3,375. This is not very high, considering I had seen some named characters with initial mana points at 30,000. "Next, the heart. Since the heart pumps blood throughout the body, mana stored in the heart spreads more easily but is difficult to hold in one ce. Therefore, the heart is more suitable to knights than mages," I said, reading from the script and speaking slowly and simply so that everyone could understand. Perhaps the ability to lecture well was fullyprehended from the attribute, Comprehension. "Lastly, the abdomen. The core of the abdomen is where the inside and outside mix most frequently, therefore it is universally applicable to all mages, knights, and ordinary people alike..." As I continued, I checked the time and realized forty minutes had passed. "My points are simple. Effort is important, of course. However, if one''s talent is modest, it is necessary to consider efficiency. Talent is not given to everyone, so in most cases, you need to focus and make choices for yourselves." I almostughed while reading the script. If any of your talent is modest, efficiency should be considered focus and make choices, perfect advice for Deculein at the moment in reality. "And..." When I reached the final part of the script, I felt a wave of annoyance at the content. I paused, considering whether to continue reading. I wondered if the original Deculein would have, given that it was included in the script. "Finally, does anyone have any questions?" It was silent, thankfully. "If not¡ª" Just as I was about to turn away in relief, someone suddenly raised their hand and stood up¡ªa mage wearing a robe. She began to speak before I could say anything. "Professor Deculein. Last night, a mysterious spell was found in the mage''s dormitory. It is suspected to be the work of a demon, and given your reputation as a Genius of Spell Interpretation¡ª" "Are you affiliated with the Mage Tower of the University? If so, it is customary to state your name and affiliation." I cut her off immediately as she spoke, feeling uneasy in my stomach yet remaining elegant on the outside. It was an instinctive use of noble rhetoric. "Eh, ah, my name is¡ª" "It''s toote. I won''t take questions from someone without manners," I said, cutting her off once again as she tried to say her name. "... What?" The robed mage''s face turned red. I felt sorry, but there was nothing I could do. The mana points consumption for Comprehension was enormous. [Mana Points: 2,005 / 3,375] The lecture alone had drained about 1,300 mana points. Interpreting a new spell would require much more, and I didn''t particrly want to strain myself, not to mention, I felt a bit dizzy right now. "ss dismissed." Pfft¡ª Pffhfh¡ª Hahaha¡ª While the mage who had stood up alone in the center of the auditorium was met with sardonicughter, I adjusted my crumpled suit sleeves, put on my coat and buttoned them up. Lastly, I gathered the script and stepped down from the stage. My movements flowed naturally like a wave. "But...!" A loud voice echoed in my ear as I turned around. The still-standing unknown female mage drew a spell with her mana and floated it in the air. "Currently, the Mage Tower treats this incident as mere rumors and refuses to interpret them! Given Professor Deculein''s reputation, I thought you would be able to quickly determine the category of this magic!" the mage continued. I stared at the persistent mage in silence. It was audacious of her to challenge me in such a manner. It was hard to believe such a character existed, especially since most people are intimidated by the character Deculein. However, the spell she presented was undeniably strange. It wasn¡¯t defined by straight lines or curves unlike usual magic circles; instead, it resembled dozens of interconnected living parasites. The moment I saw the spell, myprehension kicked in involuntarily. My vision turned blue as if dye were seeping into my eyes, and my thoughts and calctions seemed to speed up as if time had slowed. I could smell the burning strain on my brainstem at the tip of my nose. But itsted only for a second. [Mana Points: 360 / 3,375] In less than a second, my mana points were depleted. With that, I could barely manage to identify the nature of the magic. [Enchantment Category: Barrier Magic] Beyond thisprehension, to implement or disassemble the spell would require twice the mana points. But fortunately, the mage who asked the question didn''t want that much information. She only wanted to identify what the spell was about. "Currently, the freshmen remaining in the dormitory are analyzing it as an assignment themselves, but progress is very slow due to the vacation and theck of seniors or professors to consult with us about it. If you could at least give a hint¡ª" "No such hints or anything else is needed. It¡¯s a barrier magic from the enchantment category. It seems someone wanted to trap you," I said. "... What?" "That''s it," I said with a confident affirmation. The audacious mage appeared quite confused, but I didn''t look back as I left the auditorium. Chapter 4: Deculein (3)

Chapter 4: Deculein (3)

[Side Quest Completed: University Lecture] ¡ô Store Currency +0.5 Bathroom. Bathroom, bathroom. Where is the bathroom? I urgently need to go to the bathroom... This reaction was definite proof that I was not really Deculein. Even though some of his personality traits had influenced me, it was only to a small extent and for the most part, I still remained Kim Woo-Jin. The cramp in my lower stomach was the result of umted mental stress that I hadn''t even realized. Gurgle¡ª The biological reaction that I was experiencing was unbearable. Nevertheless, I maintained a perfect model-like walk on the outside. Although I was desperate inside, I maintained aposed look on the outside as I searched for a bathroom. Suddenly, I encountered a woman standing at the other end of the hall, looking at me from the long corridor. I walked toward her and she stood still at her position. As our distance naturally closed, I was the first to stop when we were within arm''s reach. "It''s been a while," Yulie said, bowing her head first. She was a beautiful woman with smooth, white hair and eyes as clear as ice. Her appearance reminded me of that blood-soaked moment I had once seen on a monitor. Eight out of the sixteen deaths of Deculein that I had tested were rted to her. ¡°... Yes, it''s been a while,¡± I replied. Her name was Yulie, the fianc¨¦e of this body. She was also a named character who would be the ultimate knight in the near future. ¡°Have you been well?¡± Yulie asked. It wasn¡¯t a question I had an answer to. If it had been a servant, they would have walked away, unable to withstand my gaze. However, Yulie simply waited. Inevitably, I had no choice but to respond to her in this manner. ¡°I¡¯m unsure.¡± It was the best I could do, but Yulie seemed irritated by my reply. She took a deep breath and spoke. ¡°Do you remember the promise you made to me a week ago?¡± I stood still, looking directly into her eyes. In those deep and beautiful eyes, a clear smoldering hostility burned. ¡°You broke the promise,¡± Yulie continued. I remained silent as it was a promise I knew nothing about. I nodded and tried to pass by her. I had to poop. Yulie took a step to the side and blocked my path. ¡°Are you trying to run away?¡± I was trying to run away because I really had to poop. In a situation I knew nothing about, saying anything would only make it worse. ¡°Are you really doing this to me again?¡± But the woman didn¡¯t let me escape. She red at me with a face as cold as ice. In this situation, the best I could do was far from adequate. ¡°... What promise did we make?¡± I genuinely didn¡¯t know, so I asked, but Yulie''s anger sent chills down my spine. My back itched and felt hot. I wanted to scratch, but this body bound by Noble Etiquette wouldn''t permit such low-ss actions. Instead, I continued speaking with a hint of awkwardness. ¡°I''m asking you. I must have forgotten because I''ve been sick with a fever for a while.¡± ¡°Haa," she sighed, feeling somewhat resigned and nearly hopeless. It was a sigh burdened with more than just anger. ¡°... Damn it. That¡¯s what you were after all,¡± she said, her tone as cold as ice and filled with contempt, sadness, and disappointment directed at her fianc¨¦. ¡°Go.¡± She stepped aside, and I walked right beside her shoulder. Even as I walked away, I could still feel the gaze drilling into the back of my neck. Leaving the corridor, I entered the VIP bathroom. I looked around, worried that someone mighte and only after confirming that no one was there, I finally used the toilet. ¡°Phew, I was nearly at my wit''s end from itching all over and desperately needing to use the bathroom...¡± As I emptied my bowels, I scratched my itching back and neck. The need to wait for the right ce and time to scratch was exhausting. No wonder he died early. *** Yulie stood still for a long time after Deculein left. The rage and fury inside her didn''t subside, burned like an unquenchable fire. As she was barely calming down her anger, another ufortable person appeared¡ªthe Chairwoman of the Imperial University. ¡°Oh my.¡± She was a young Ethereal-ranked mage in a conical wizard''s hat, positioned just below the highest rank of Eternal, and was considered a strong candidate for Archmage. In terms of personality, she was the worst among Yulie''s acquaintances, known for how mean she was. As soon as she saw Yulie, she yfully covered her mouth with her hands. ¡°Look who it is! Isn''t this Professor Deculein''s fianc¨¦e?!¡± Yulie nodded silently. She already knew that saying anything like ¡°we''re not married yet¡± wouldn''t work with her. ¡°I really enjoyed his lecture~ As expected of the Head Professor, he exined so well! I wish I could learn such lecture skills~¡± ¡°I know. I was watching too.¡± Although Yulie tried to end the conversation, the Chairwoman eventually nitpicked her words. ¡°Oh, you were watching him? Are you supporting him now? Have you two gotten closer?¡± Supporting him was not her reason for being here. Yulie hade today to see with her own eyes whether Deculein would keep the promise he had made to her. Yulie had clearly told him that if he kept his word and admitted his deceit to everyone asking for forgiveness, she would stay with him no matter what even if the world fell apart. This wasn''t about preserving the family''s honor or maintaining appearances. It was purely her belief as a knight, above all worldly concerns. That was all it was and he had agreed to it. ¡°What''s wrong~? Today''s lecture was great,¡± the Chairwoman asked. Grit. Yulie ground her teeth at the Chairwoman''s mocking tone. Deculein had broken his promise to her until the very end. He had achieved his sess by stealing and exploiting others'' talents, never repenting for his misdeeds and corruption. He didn''t even have the courage to do so, leaving Yulie with no choice but to finally give up on him. He would live forever in the miserable web of deception and lies he had created. ¡°You''re no fun today. Well, take care! I''m leaving!¡± the Chairwoman said, pouting her lips as she left. Yulie still stood as if her legs were rooted to the marble floor. A whirlwind of emotions seemed to be swallowing her whole. His Yukline blood and her Freyden blood. The words someone had once said echoed in her ears. ¡°With Deculein''s magical skills and Yulie''s natural talents as a knight, their union was expected to be beneficial both politically and in terms of family lineage.¡± But both families eventually realized Deculein''s magical talents were only average. He had deceived the world by iming to be the Genius in Spell Interpretation and became a professor, but his outstanding achievements ceased after a certain incident. If either family had fewer political connections, one would have surely reacted violently. Both were proud noble families, so they kept it quiet. The engagement wouldn''t break unless one family refused, and even if it did, Deculein''s deceit wouldn''t be exposed. Therefore, Yulie thought Deculein had to correct himself. Despite this, he decisively broke his promise to her today, and now she had to end this wretched engagement herself. The end of their rtionship was near. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Her subordinate knight spoke in a low voice from behind. It was Veron, a man with jet-ck hair covering his face. Yulie shook her head without looking back at him. ¡°I''m fine. It''s time for the lecture. Let''s go.¡± She continued walking, with many knights following behind her slim back. Yulie, a direct descendant of the prestigious Freyden family, known for both the masters and the holynd of knights, was scheduled to give a lecture today. Unlike Deculein, who only exined with words, hers was a real lecture where she demonstrated her skills and engaged in swordy with the students. Among the knights following her, one suddenly stopped. His red eyes gleamed through his long ck hair. He slowly turned around, gazing at Deculein as he walked away in the distance, his cold and murderous intent focused on Deculein''s neck. Yulie¡¯s knight Veron thought to himself as of today, he had found the answer to his countless anguish and agony. It was his resolution for his master, an act only he could perform. He decided to kill that vile, dirty man. Cut his throat and dismember him to make his master happy... *** In the campus cafeteria, Epherene sighed, poking at her omurice. ¡°Sigh...¡± She had tried to embarrass Deculein during the lecture. Deculein''s Spell Interpretation ability was an obvious fraud that originally belonged to her father. She thought he would have panicked if asked to interpret a new spell without any tricks he had in that split second. The risk of bing Deculein''s target was quite obvious, but she had been countered instead. No one would have expected him to humiliate her in front of the entire ss just for not stating her name. Indeed, he was not someone to be underestimated. ¡°It was so embarrassing...¡± The sardonicughter still echoed in her ears, but she had made progress. ¡°Pfft. Enchantment category, my ass,¡± Epherene smirked, remembering what he said. Clearly, he was inexperienced in this kind of situation, saying it was Enchantment magic. It made no sense. Of all things, he imed it was Enchantment magic. Enchantment magic was definitely one of the most incredibly difficult categories of magic. It required an enormous amount of mana to deceive and disrupt a person''s perception, making it highly inefficient. Most Enchantment magic requires a medium, making the idea of performing it without one nearly impossible. ¡°What an idiot. Seriously, he''s a total idiot.¡± As she repeated it to herself with satisfaction, a loud voice called her name and approached her. ¡°Epherene! Epherene!¡± She looked toward the source of the noise. It was her colleagues from the freshman mage orientationst week. ¡°Thanks to you, we figured it out!¡± ¡°Huh? Figured out what?¡± Epherene blinked, had no idea what they were talking about. ¡°That magic spell at the entrance of the dormitoryst night!¡± one of the freshman mages shouted, cing a hand on Epherene¡¯s shoulders. An unidentified spell formation was found at the entrance of the mage dormitoryst night, drawn in red mucus. Initially thought to be the work of a demon because it had not been reported to the Academia. It had be apetitive project among freshmen from different category majors, all eager to interpret it. ¡°What do you mean? I didn''t do anything.¡± ¡°Come on. You asked Professor Deculein about it,¡± one of the freshman mages replied. ¡°Huh?¡± Epherene was puzzled. She hadn''t asked anything. All she intended was to mess with him, but now their conversation had taken apletely different turn. ¡°Oh my god~ We were too scared to ask him about it. You are really brave aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Huh? No, wait. That magic was... really a barrier?¡± Epherene asked, shocked. So that means Deculein was right? ¡°Yeah, it was. When we restructured the spell assuming it was a barrier, it fit perfectly. Wow, Deculein is amazing, isn''t he? I wonder how he knew it was enchantment magic without any medium in the spell?¡± Epherene''s jaw dropped. She could only gasp at what she heard. ¡°Thank you for your help, Epherene. We''re going to submit the research report soon and include your name as well,¡± one of the freshman mages said. ¡°Eh? Oh, you don¡¯t have to... But, o-okay, you can include my name.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± They all left together, smiling with joy. Epherene nkly stared after them. They were kind people. They could have taken all the credit for themselves, but they chose to share it with her. However, the situation wasn''t ideal. Deculein''s reputation had only improved. ¡°L-lucky man, wasn''t he? Got it right on the first try just by guessing it?¡± Denying reality, Epherene pulled a paper from her backpack. It was a sybus written by a professor for the uing semester at the Mage Tower. Understanding the Properties of Element Magic Grade: Advanced ss for Debutants only (5 credits) Professor: Deculein von Grahan-Yukline It was Deculein''s ss. Her properties weren''t an element, but there was no reason not to attend. Elemental magic is fundamental to all magic, and as they say, ¡°Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.¡±[1] ¡°You just wait...¡± Epherene growled, staring at the sybus. 1. Sun Tzu''s famous quote emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and understanding one''s opponent in achieving victory. ? Chapter 5: Deculein (4)

Chapter 5: Deculein (4)

Roteo Hall, where I had just finished my lecture, was built ten years ago. Thanks to a donation from the Yukline family, it was the thirdrgest building on campus. Since it was vacation time and there were hardly any students around, I decided to take a walk around the campus after leaving Roteo Hall to explore a bit. ¡°It¡¯s quite spacious.¡± The university campus was muchrger than I had anticipated. The entire area was mostly t, and the gardens, sports fields, various buildings, facilities, and pathways all reminded me of the American campuses our team had used as models. I headed toward Deculein''s workce, the Mage Tower. For context, the highest-ranked university in this game was the Imperial University, and the Mage Tower was its most esteemed department. Topare, the magic department was like the College of Medicine at Seoul National University, and the Mage Tower was akin to Seoul National University Hospital. As I walked, I suddenly noticed someone following me closely. The thought of an assassin briefly crossed my mind, but it was just the mage who had apanied me since the car ride. Although I didn''t know who it was, the mage kept his head down and hidden under a robe. ¡°Was your name Zoro?¡± I asked. ¡°S-sorry? No, no! My name is Allen, sir!¡± Allen replied. ¡°I got confused.¡± ¡°Oh... Allen and Zoro aren''t... O-okay...¡± As I walked in silence, Allen sensed the mood and suddenly started speaking. ¡°Professor! T-the way you walk, it''s like a photo shoot. I, uh, should have brought a camera¡ª¡± "There''s no need for that anymore. Just talkfortably," I replied. ¡°Ah, o-okay, sir...¡± Perhaps Deculein had instructed him to say such things before. True to its name, the Mage Tower was visible from anywhere on campus due to its height, and I reached it quickly by just following my line of sight. Head Professor: Deculein von Grahan-Yukline identified. Authenticationplete The Magitech gate of the Mage Tower recognized my body and iris, and opened automatically. As soon as I entered the lobby, many people bowed to me. I nodded in acknowledgment and then spoke to Allen. ¡°Let''s head to the office.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Allen hurried to press the elevator button in the lobby. My office was on the 77th floor. The elevator, powered by mana stones, arrived in about three seconds. Head Professor: Deculein von Grahan-Yukline My office took up nearly half the floor, making it a spacious and luxurious area. The interior was as spotless as a sterile room, with shelves filled with numerous books. The desk held a crystal orb, a fountain pen, a diamond namete, the seal of a Royal University Professor, a golden staff, and more. I surveyed the opulent space, trying not to show any reaction. ¡°What is this?¡± As I sat in the chair, a document on the desk caught my eye. It looked simr in form and size to a guestbook. "Ah, it''s the list of funded novice mages for this year!" Allen replied. I opened the document and skimmed through the contents. ©¦ Novice Mage (Debutant) ©¦ ©¦ Jeyren ©¦ 19 years old ©¦ ©¦ Property(ies): Elemental ©¦ Category(ies): Support ©¦ Sponsorship: 30,000/500,000 ©¦ ©¦ Scouting Report ©¦ ¡°Hmm.¡± As soon as I looked at the contents, I quickly understood. In this universe, the Mage Tower was a research institution simr to Caltech or MIT in our world, where research funding was essential. In fact, mages required far more money than modern scientists or engineers. They needed astronomical resources not only for developing practical, destructive, or useful magic but also for their basic living expenses, training costs, and materials necessary for their advancement. As I skimmed through the names, I noticed some of them glowing gold. I instinctively realized these were profitable names, likely due to thebination of Wealthy Magnate and Sharp Eyesight. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Wealthy Magnate] ¡ô Grade: Rare ¡ô Description: A born magnate and exceptional financier with an unrivaled intuition for profitable things. The more information provided, the more urate the intuition bes. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Sharp Eyesight] ¡ô Grade: Rare ¡ô Description: The ability to visually perceive intuition, attributes, mana points, and simr elements. It is primarily used in conjunction with other traits rather than on its own. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ It was abination of attributes that reacted exceptionally well to profitable matters and the ability to see attributes with my own eyes. In other words, by simply analyzing the scouting reports of mages'' names and strengths, I could determine which ones would be profitable. ¡°This name looks familiar...¡± As I continued, I found a named character. ©¦ Novice Mage (Debutant) ©¦ ©¦ Epherene Luna ©¦ 17 years old ©¦ ©¦ Property(ies): Material ©¦ Category(ies): Destruction and Support ©¦ Sponsorship: 0/10,000,000 ©¦ ©¦ Scouting Report ©¦ Luna, Luna, Luna... The woman in the photo had light gray hair and jade-colored eyes filled with discontent, staring straight ahead. She was beautiful yet unrefined, like a rough-edged de or a young predator, resembling a three-month-old leopard or cheetah. Although I hadn''t modeled this named character, I remembered hearing from thepany that she had a deep-seated enmity with Deculein apparently rted to her father. Despite this, Luna''s sponsorship remained at zero, while other novice mages received funding of at least 10,000 elne. ¡°Why doesn''t she have any funding?¡± I asked. ¡°Sorry?¡± ¡°The name is Epherene Luna.¡± ¡°Uh... I¡¯m sorry?¡± Allen flinched. ¡°What¡¯s the issue here?¡± ¡°Um... The other professors and the sponsors at the Mage Tower... they were all being cautious because of...¡± It was because of Deculein. Nodding, I continued to scan Luna''s scouting report and discovered something quite surprising. ©¦ Sponsorship: 0/10,000,000 ©¦ ¡°Allen, do you know how much a meal in the cafeteria costs these days?¡± I asked. ¡°Ah, a king-sized cutlet is three elne. It''s delicious. You should try it sometime... Oh, I''m sorry.¡± It seemed one elne was roughly equivalent to 1,000 won. ¡°Then, this girl really seems like she''s naive about how things work.¡± The maximum requestable funding was 10,000,000 elne. She aimed to secure a sponsorship of nearly ten billion won, enough to livefortably. Although it was in the form of funding, she would eventually have to repay it with interest. ¡°Funding...¡± I said, rubbing my chin and deep in thought. The mage named Epherene Luna was Deculein''s enemy. Or rather, Deculein was her enemy. However, regardless of her grudge against Deculein, if I left things as they were in the original game, I would end up meeting the same fate at someone''s hands. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Viin''s Fate] ¡ô Grade: ??? ¡ô Description: A viin''s fate. The whole world wishes for his death. However, what doesn¡¯t kill him makes him stronger... ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Viin''s Fate was a predestined death. In the game, Deculein died in various ways: a sword through the heart, a wand through the heart, an arrow through the heart, poison, bomb attacks¡ªwhatever the method, the fact that he died remained unchanged. Therefore, I needed to make different choices, ones the original Deculein would never have made. However... ¡°Allen, many of them probably wouldn''t want to ept my money, correct?¡± I asked, observing Allen''s reaction. Allen flinched, almost vibrating, and shook their head. Their actions said no, but their response was clearly yes. ¡°Even if they don''t want it, I will give it to them anyway. They dare not refuse my funding.¡± After some thought, I checked the boxes for several names but kept the sponsor''s name anonymous. Revealing my true identity and being discovered would have negative consequences. ¡°Allen, you may leave now and attend to your duties.¡± ¡°Y-yes, sir!¡± Allen responded promptly and left. His voice was more confident than ever. I turned my chair around and looked out the window. The view from the top floor of the Mage Tower was spectacr. Sunbeams filled the sky, and migratory birds flew in flocks near the clouds. The countless wings fluttering through the light particles seemed freer than anything else. "To survive... I need a lot of money," I whispered quietly. The more money I had, the better. For the sake of my lifespan, I needed to save as much as possible. Among my numerous enemies, some could be dealt with using money. Fortunately, thanks to my attributes, this wasn''t a difficult task. Simply investing in promising mages could guarantee returns many times over. ¡°Even so, as time continues to pass, how should I proceed? Where should my existence be directed?¡± After making money, I began to consider what woulde next. The named characters who hated me were endless, and they could bring death at any time. To survive against them... ¡°I will need to rely on my own strength.¡± My own strength. While it was connected to wealth, I needed a more fundamental power¡ªmy ownbat strength. Fortunately, I knew the talents of this body. Though average, I definitely had talent in the Element property and Maniption category. Unlike Deculein''s lies, it wasn''t all elements, but specifically earth and fire. Additionally, there were various attributes I had added to this body, among them the Midas Touch. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Midas Touch] ¡ô Grade: Unique ¡ô Description: Consumes the user''s mana to unlock the potential of a target. Enhances the target''s performance by the amount of mana consumed and grants special effects appropriate to the target''s category if no potential exists. Mana could only be bestowed in units of thousands, and ovepping use was not possible. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ It was an attribute of a higher grade than Wealthy Magnate. I picked up the fountain pen from the desk to test it. [Mana Points: 1,315 / 3,375] My mana had sufficiently recovered, and activating the attribute required only my mental focus. As I activated it, a tug at the back of my neck and temples signaled the consumption of mana points. That was it. There was no visible change in the fountain pen''s appearance, but a definite change had urred, observable only through the system. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Yukline Fountain Pen] ¡ô Grade: High ¡ô Category: Misceneous ? Writing Instrument Equipment ? Weapon ¡ô Description: A fountain pen engraved with the family crest in pure gold. Enhanced in durability by Midas Touch. ¡ô Special Effect: Increases writing proficiency when equipped. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ I picked up a piece of paper and began writing. It felt as if I had be Han Seok-Bong[1]. ¡°... If that¡¯s the case.¡± After setting the fountain pen on the table, I considered how to effectivelybine my attributes and talents. I had Sharp Eyesight, Midas Touch, Comprehension, Maniption category, and the Elements of Fire and Earth. As Ipared my attributes and talents, Comprehension activated on its own. Zap¡ª A current generated in my brain heated my entire body. Goosebumps rose on my skin, and suddenly, a brilliant idea struck me. Thebination of earth and fire creates metal. Additionally, the attribute Midas Touch enhances that metal. As a mage, manipting such metal was like Telekinesis or Qi-Controlled Levitating des. Though I would call it Qi-Controlled Levitating des, it was essentially Telekinesis, theoretically perfect as my main ability. Deculein''sck of talent could bepensated by the quality of the metal. In this world, there were more than just steel alloys¡ªpowerful fantasy metals like mithril existed, and with unlimited funds, I could procure them. Satisfied with my thoughts, I nodded. ¡°If clearing the game is the only answer, then I shall endure and prevail until the very end... Ah, why am I talking like this?¡± I bit my tongue and checked my posture in the chair with curiosity. My straight back pressed firmly against the backrest, my neck rested neatly on the headrest, and my arms maintained their usual angle on the armrests. This overwhelming formality had be second nature to me. The naturalness of it was almost frightening. ¡°Allen, are you there?¡± I called Allen through the crystal orb. ¡°Yes! I''ll be right there, sir!¡± I heard hurried footsteps crashing into objects, and then Allen appeared. ¡°Yes! I''m here!¡± I felt sorry for Allen. Maybe postgraduate students on Earth live like this, or not. "I''ll be finishing up and heading out for today. You may leave after you borrow a few books I''m listing for you," I said. ¡°Ah... Y-yes, sir!¡± Although he seemed unwilling to leave, I wrote down the names of a few books for him. The first was about the properties of metal in magic, and the second was about maniption magic. Since both books were Basic level, Allen looked puzzled but soon bowed at almost a ny-degree angle and walked away. 1. An eminent calligrapher from the mid-Joseon period. ? Chapter 6: Deculein (5)

Chapter 6: Deculein (5)

When I returned home, the servants were already waiting in the mansion''s garden. ¡°Shall we prepare your meal, master?¡± a butler asked. I stepped out of the car and stood quietly for a moment, gazing up at the sky. The setting sun cast a glow over the moon and its satellites, while the clouds spread like paint on a palette. It was a scene straight out of fantasy. ¡°Sir...?¡± the butler asked, extending his arm to take my coat. ¡°Yes?¡± I responded. ¡°Shall we prepare a¡ª¡± ¡°I''ll skip it,¡± I replied. I entered the mansion and went upstairs to my room. I didn''t feel tired or exhausted at all. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Iron Man] ¡ô Grade: Unique ¡ô Description: Innate physical abilities and attributes. The potential of the body is of the highest caliber. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Among the various attributes I had added for fun, Iron Man was one of them. Because of this, my physical fatigue was minimal and my mana recovery speed was high. However, I did feel some mental fatigue, so I decided to take a shower. With my Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, taking a bath was both a joy and a form of recovery. After a thorough shower, I sat in the reading chair in the study and took out one of the magic books that Allen had borrowed, the Basic Maniption Magic. Today, I decided to learn Telekinesis, a type of maniption magic closely rted to Qi-Controlled Levitating des. Since I wasn''t originally Deculein, I had none of his umted magical achievements. As a mage, my foundation was nearly barren. Nheless, my overflowing confidence came from my Comprehension attribute. Without a word, I opened the book with a steady, unwavering posture. Introduction: The Value and Significance of Maniption Magic The hefty book contained only four chapters¡ªBasic Wind Maniption, Basic Rainfall Maniption, Basic Disguise, and Basic Telekinesis. Of course, I skipped straight to the chapter on basic telekinesis. 4. Basic Telekinesis: Understanding Telekinesis Telekinesis is regarded as a non-mainstream magic. While the maniption category is generally considered minor among the eight categories, it is still valuable to master as a stepping stone to enhancing a mage¡¯s abilities. Now, observe the following spell... I was momentarily speechless at the contents. To me, it looked like an ancient alien script. The book''s pages dissected and analyzed the telekinesis spell, breaking it down stroke by stroke. It was like seeing aplex Chinese character broken into its individual strokes. Each stroke had ten lines exining the required mana and the mana flow to the next stroke, spanning sixty pages in total. ¡°... Hmm.¡± Would my Comprehension attribute work for casting magic? Could I grasp the workings of such aplex magic? In that uncertain situation, I closed my eyes, then opened them again. It was as if I had flipped a switch in my mind. My vision turned blue, and the lights in the room wavered like stars. In this world that now resembled an impressionist painting, my focus locked onto the grimoire. My eyes fixated on the spell, and Comprehension kicked in immediately. A sudden rush of awareness reached the top of my head. My consciousness soared beyond mere observation and hearing to a higher dimension. Telekinesis. The spell floated off the book and hovered in the air, resembling intertwined curves and straight lines like a talismanic script. As my mana flowed along these intricate lines, it glowed with an aquatic blue brilliance. A stream of mana started at a point, formed lines, filled surfaces, and eventually manifested the magic. This was the magical representation constructed by my Comprehension, an image in my mind. The magic circle of Telekinesis formed in the air of the mansion, shining splendidly, and then seeped into my head. Inject mana into an object, condense it into an inner core, and allow the caster¡¯s will to control the object. In other words, the caster controlled the mana core inside the object, not the object itself. Therefore, the essence of this magic was topress the mana core as much as possible, solidifying the spell that held the object. Iprehended the intricacies of telekinesis, and the magic was imprinted in my brain. ¡°... Haa.¡± I exhaled the breath I had been holding as soon as I broke free from Comprehension''s control. My temples throbbed, and my eyes felt like they were about to burst. I took the fountain pen from my pocket and infused it with mana. The mana seeped inside the pen, and it floated effortlessly ording to my will. ¡°It worked.¡± A minute ago, I hadn''t understood a bit of Basic Telekinesis, but now I could execute it without recalling the spell or meticulously controlling the mana. This proved that the entire magic had been imprinted in my brain. Once fullyprehended, a spell is imprinted in the brain, allowing it to be used at will without consciously deploying it. The brain unconsciously performs the spell. This process is called Memorize. I was now experiencing a feature I had only read about in the game¡¯s settings. ¡°It is good, but...¡± The pen still floated at my will. However, if basic telekinesis was only at this level, even mastering Advanced Telekinesis wouldn''t achieve the level of Qi-Controlled Levitating des that I had envisioned. ¡°I see why it¡¯s considered a minor magic.¡± Is there any way to enhance this? Given my limited talent, it would be challenging regardless, I wondered aloud, as an idea suddenly came to me. ¡°What if I inscribe the magic circle on my entire body?¡± In this universe, several fundamental principles of magic existed. One of the most prominent was that therger the magic circle, the more powerful it became. ¡°If that¡¯s the case...¡± With my Comprehension attribute, if I could understand my entire body and inscribe the magic circle not only on my brain or heart but across my entire body it would be extremely powerful. ¡°... It might be worth a try.¡± Of course, this would strain my body, and I couldn¡¯t predict what kind of side effects it would have, though I was sure there would be some. With that in mind, however, I had the Iron Man attribute. Physically forcing my body to remember the spell was definitely a crazy endeavor, but thanks to this attribute, it was actually possible. Excited by the possibility, I took some deep breaths to calm down. With 800 mana remaining, I decided it was enough for a test. I activated Comprehension and let my mana flow through my entire body. Excruciating pain surged through my body. It felt as if my bones and muscles were being smashed by a hammer, then twisted and torn apart. The pain was intense beyondparison. Crack...! Crunch...! The sounds came from my body. My joints twisted, my heart was breaking, and my ribs cracked, stabbing into my lungs. At least, that''s the best way to describe how it felt. Despite the intense pain, this body didn''t moan or bite its lips. I couldn''t stop the sweat, but my back remained straight. A posture of utmostposure, an unyielding mind, and inherent dignity. This almost insane level of nobility and aristocratic ego allowed for the most fundamental understanding of oneself. I meticulously controlled the mana in my body, directing it through my veins. I imbued my entire being with my will, inscribing the telekinesis spell not just in my heart but in my muscles, bones, and organs. Snap! Finally, it sounded as if something had broken and a wave of weakness washed over me. I had failed. My mana was exhausted, and my Comprehension ceased. I slowly opened my eyes. My entire body was burning with rashes, redness, and itching. Of course, I didn''t scratch because it would be beneath my dignity. ¡°... I¡¯ll continueter.¡± [Mana: 1 / 3,375] I had failed due to ack of mana, managing to inscribe only a small part of the spell on my shoulder. Fortunately, this process didn''t require starting over from scratch. It was a sequential process. In gaming terms, having cleared stage 1, even if I failed at stage 2, I would restart from stage 2, not stage 1. I estimated it would take about two weeks to inscribe the spell on my neck, shoulders, arms, hands, abdomen, thighs, calves, and feet. And that was for Basic Telekinesis. For higher levels, like Beginner or Intermediate Telekinesis, it would take much longer. After organizing my thoughts, I stood up from the chair. I was drenched in sweat, so I took another shower. I washed with natural body wash and theny down on the bed in my robe. ¡°Pajamas...¡± I felt like I might pass out, but my body demanded pajamas. I couldn''t stand the thought of sleeping in a robe. ¡°Fuck you...¡± I decided not to wear it. I was Kim Woo-Jin, not Deculein. I refused to be controlled by a personality created from code. Chapter 7: Professor (1)

Chapter 7: Professor (1)

For two weeks, I immersed myself in understanding both magic and the human body. As a result, my body had memorized the spell of Basic Telekinesis by inscribing a vast telekinesis magic circle within my flesh like an invisible tattoo. Whoosh¡ª Three fountain pens floated around the spacious living room like paper airnes. My current Telekinesis limit was ten fountain pens or three hundred kilograms of pure metal. The grimoire stated, The maximum for Basic Telekinesis was thirty kilograms when the mage¡¯s attributes were well-aligned and if it is only for simple pushing or pulling tasks. Considering these conditions, my output was extraordinary. ¡°If this is the result after two weeks, it may not be perfect, but it''s eptable,¡± I said. Of course, while the power had increased, I had yet to master the skill. The higher the performance became, the harder it was to achieve proficiency. Despite training as efficiently as possible with the help of Comprehension, writing with a floating pen remained difficult. I would only be satisfied when I could at least draw with it. ¡°Since I''ve finished the Basics...¡± I picked up Volume 1 of Beginner Maniption Magic from the desk. The difference between Basic Telekinesis and Beginner Telekinesis was an additional eighteen strokes. Basic Telekinesis consisted of twenty lines and two circles, whereas Beginner Telekinesis had thirty-eight lines and three circles. Of course, Beginner Telekinesis built upon the foundation of Basic Telekinesis, so I only needed to remember eighteen additional strokes instead of all thirty-eight. However, this time, the thickness of the lines became an issue... ¡°I''ll save this forter,¡± I said, as I moved the grimoire to the side. I needed time for my body to recover, and jumping to the Beginner level without mastering the Basics would result in a loss of control. Therefore, my next goals were these: Volume 1 of Basic Metal Attribute Magic Volume 1 of Basic Fire Attribute Magic Volume 1 of Basic Earth Attribute Magic I had three grimoires, each with different properties. However, I could only learn magics that are in the maniption category. This was an unexpected side effect. Since my body was inscribed with maniption-type telekinesis, learning magicpletely opposite to maniption would ce a burden on my body. For instance, summoning and elemental magic were ipatible with maniption and thus impossible for me to learn. I could only master magic forms simr to maniption, such as ductility, support, and destruction. However, this didn''t really matter. This body was naturally talented in the maniption category, so let''s consider it a matter of choice and focus, and leave it at that. Knock, knock¡ª As I was about to open the book, someone knocked on the door. I retrieved the floating pens and answered. ¡°Who is it?¡± I asked. ¡°Sir, it¡¯s Roy. Mage Allen has brought the lecture materials...¡± a butler named Roy replied. It was a message that Allen had arrived. With the first lecture materials for the semester just ten days away, on the following Thursday. It made sense for him to be here. ¡°I''ll head out soon.¡± I attempted to change clothes using telekinesis. However, the pants kept ending up on my upper body, so I dressed myself manually. When I went downstairs, I found Allen unloadingrge boxes with the help of the servants. ¡°... Is this my lecture content?¡± I asked Allen. ¡°Yes, sir! These are theptions for the first semester! I¡¯ve done them as we did it just like every year!¡± Allen replied. Allen''s eyes were heavy with dark circles, but his cheerful demeanor made me pity him even more. ¡°Well done.¡± While other professors at the Mage Tower had anywhere from five to twenty assistants, I only had Allen. This was entirely due to Deculein¡¯sck of virtue. ¡°No problem, sir! I''ll head back now!¡± As Allen was about to leave, I grabbed the back of his robe. ¡°Ugh!¡± ¡°It¡¯ste. At least have dinner before you go,¡± I said. ¡°Sorry? No, I¡ª¡± ¡°Stay and eat," I said, gesturing to a servant, who quickly ushered Allen to the dining room. ¡°Uh, I really don¡¯t need to¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. Sit down,¡± I said. Allen seemed overwhelmed by the grandeur of the dining room and stood there awkwardly. ¡°Sit,¡± I said. ¡°... Okay.¡± ¡°Dinner is served,¡± a servant said. Dinner was prepared quickly, and it was a feast even by my standards. Allen seemed momentarily dazed while I casually picked up my knife and fork. ¡°Since it¡¯ste, you should sleep here,¡± I said. ¡°What? No, I...¡± ¡°I will not take no for an answer.¡± ¡°Oh. Yes, sir...¡± Allen said, appearing both shy and ufortable as he nodded hesitantly. *** At 1 a.m., in the quiet study where only the ticking of the clock could be heard, I prepared for my lecture. Lecture Summary: Deculein¡¯s Understanding the Properties of Element Magic Thanks to Allen''s summary, the preparation itself went smoothly. However, understanding just half of the content for the first lecture had already consumed 3,500 mana. I needed to invest 1,000 mana each day for a week to conduct one lecture smoothly. Fortunately, the material understood through Comprehension was not easily forgotten. ¡°... I should cut out the unnecessary parts,¡± I said. I edited Allen¡¯s summary to the best of my ability, condensing it to only the essential content, and boldly discarded anything too basic or useless. Since my knowledge was limited, I nned to make the lecture as interactive as possible. Unlike the original Deculein, who would put novice mages down, I would not do that myself. I wanted the lecture to be genuinely helpful to the mages while also ensuring my ignorance wouldn¡¯t be exposed. This unexpected kindness stemmed partly from Deculein¡¯s overly diligent personality. After spending about an hour drafting the lecture n, I checked my schedule. ¡°Only nine days left.¡± Since it was past midnight, I had nine days until the semester started. By then, I needed to improve my magical knowledge as Professor Deculein. Although the idea of being a professor made me a bit nervous, the burden was minimal thanks to the system¡¯s personality traits. Moreover, I had the Intimidation and Dignity attribute. With this attribute, the audiences would focus more intently on my words and understand them more easily. Quitting the professor position would undoubtedly make things easier. However, in the game, Deculein was always referred to as Professor. This indicated that the title of Professor might be a prerequisite for both side quests and main quests. Without any hints about returning to Earth, I couldn''t afford to lose that title carelessly. ¡°This should be enough," I said, carefully folding the handwritten lecture n and cing it neatly in an envelope. For reference, Deculein''s lectures were always fully booked with 150 students. As one of the few senior professors at the Mage Tower of the University, his lectures were quite popr. However, this simplistic understanding was not entirely urate. This phenomenon required a deeper analysis. Upon entering the Mage Tower of the University, mages were assigned the lowest rank of Debutant. To choose their career path, they had to be promoted to Solda, which required earning mandatory magic credits at the Mage Tower of the University. In that sense, Deculein''s lecture alone offered five credits, equivalent to three average lectures. Therefore, even if the professor had been a total douchebag, the lecture''s poprity was inevitable. Knock, knock. ¡°It''s 3 a.m., and this week''s Wizard Journal has arrived. I''ll leave it right here, sir.¡± A servant knocked and slid the journal under the door. I used Telekinesis to retrieve it and began reading. WIZARD JOURNAL ©¤ New Year Special Edition The Wizard Journal, the most prestigious publication in the Magical Realm. Looking at its cover, I seemed to hear someone''s voice in my ear. ¡°... When yers achieve something, they are featured in this journal. These small details are one of the game''s fun elements. Woo-Jin, if you start the game as a mage, you might feel proud reading about your achievements here.¡± It was a memory that stirred my emotions. Because of you, I knew I was still Kim Woo-Jin. ¡°I¡¯ll see if that¡¯s true," I said with a chuckle as I opened the journal. Novice Mage of the Year The first thing that caught my eye was the New Mage of the Year section, a setting tantly added by thepany aiming for Game of the Year. Novice Mage of the Year Winner: Sylvia Von Yossepin Iliade Attribute: Origin Main Category(ies): Specialization At the age of seventeen, Sylvia underwent the session ceremony of Iliade, harboring the three colors of origin in her heart: red, blue, and green. Known as the Primary Colors, capable of forming everything, are known as the Miracle of Creation. Therefore, Sylvia can create anything within the reach of her mana. Her reputation for nobility from birth is no exaggeration... I knew this named character. A blonde beauty with the attribute Femme Fatale, and the sessor of Iliade, a rival to Yukline. Although Yukline''s status was slightly higher for now, Sylvia, an overpowered named character, would surpass us and be an even greater threat. I started searching for Deculein''s name among the pages. Deculein, Deculein, Deculein... Finally, I found a significant section dedicated to my name. Head Professor of the Imperial University: Deculein von Grahan-Yukline From a young age, he excelled in elemental magic. After graduating from the academy, he was hailed as a genius in spell interpretation, eventually bing the youngest Head Professor at the Mage Tower of the Imperial University... ... However, in recent years as he approached his mid-thirties, he had shown no notable achievements. He had only been absorbed in the magic research he announced three years ago. It was now time for him to prove his value with concrete results. The original Deculein would have crumpled the journal and immediately contacted them, kicking up a fuss about the nonsense written by the journalists. ¡°... They¡¯re right,¡± I said. However, the Wizard Journal wasn''t swayed by money or family influence. Despite having inherited some of Deculein¡¯s personality, I was still Kim Woo-Jin. I remained remarkably unconcerned with magic, feeling no pressure about achievements in it and having no pride in what I did. People who overextend themselves often face ruin. All I wanted was to survive and understand this game... ¡°It¡¯s already 4 a.m.¡± I checked the clock and it was 4 a.m.. I headed to my bedroom,y in bed, and closed my eyes. When I opened them again, it was 6 a.m.. Although Iron Man''s recovery ability was amazing, having such long days wasn''t always a good thing for me. ¡°I wish I could sleep for about six hours...¡± Whenever I woke up, it was always early in the morning. The sun''s rays barely peeked over the horizon, and the light slowly filled the room. This drowsy scene felt like a sleep spell, but no matter how much I wanted to sleep, I couldn''t. My mind was always alert. Any fatigue or drowsiness melted away with just a few hours of rest. For someone trapped in a game and living each day, twenty-two hours felt incredibly long. *** Although lectures were to start on Thursday, I arrived at the Mage Tower on Monday to use the staff-only magic training room. Head Professor Deculein''s entry is authorized. The training method was simple. In a fully enclosed training room, I had toplete stages presented like a mini-game using magic. If a yer cleared the final stage, they would receive a bonus attribute, but I wasn¡¯t sure if this system applied to me. Additionally, the magic used here was treated as a close simtion of realbat, allowing me to grasp the Aura of the magic. ¡°It¡¯s me, Deculein.¡± I ced my hand on the central magic crystal orb in the training room. The orb glowed blue and a text appeared. Identity confirmed. Please select the category of magic for training. I chose the maniption category and selected Telekinesis magic. Several dots appeared in the air, intricately intertwining and moving. Level 1: Use telekinesis to manipte objects and pierce the dots. This was easy. I levitated a dagger from my inner pocket using telekinesis. The dagger gracefully swam through the air, piercing the dots, and Ipleted Level 1 in two minutes. Level 2 had twice as many dots and took five minutes. Level 3 featured illusory butterflies and took fifteen minutes. Level 4 brought in a swarm of illusory bees flying all around, taking forty minutes... I gave up after an hour of struggling with ant-sized bugs in Level 5. ¡°It¡¯s quite difficult. But that''s what makes it interesting.¡± I had used up 2,500 mana. By now, I should have grasped the magic¡¯s aura. Magic Aura Confirmation: Deculein von Grahan-Yukline Every mage''s magic had an aura, akin to personality traits such as intensity, provocation, explosion, calmness, fluctuation, cunning, deviousness, subtlety, tranquility, andposure. This aura usually mirrored the mage''s personality and was a surprisingly important setting for the game, simr to aptitude. For instance, intensity, provocation, and explosion auras enhanced destruction magic, while cunning and devious auras amplified enchantment or support magic. In my case, the aura of my magic was... Let¡¯s see... Graceful Aura ¡ö Graceful: Having a high and elegant character or quality.[1] ¡°Oh...¡± In other words, the execution of my magic exuded elegance and refinement. ¡°... How fitting.¡± I let out a dryugh. In many ways, it was a perfect match for Deculein. 1. The original word Go-Ah can be tranted to both Graceful or Elegant and as well an Orphan ? Chapter 8: Professor (2)

Chapter 8: Professor (2)

Thursday, March 20, Imperial Year 958 Level 9 cleared. Congrattions. There are no levels beyond this. "Thanks." As a result of my intense training up until the day of the lecture, I cleared the stage using only Basic Telekinesis and earned a bonus attribute as a reward. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Telekinesis Expert] Grade: Normal Description: The fruit of rigorous training. Telekinesis performance is improved by 11%, and mana consumption is reduced by 11%. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The description was simple, but it was incredibly valuable to me, especially the 11%. As I advance, the value of this attribute would only be amplified. I nced at the clock while sitting in my office chair. It was 10 a.m., and the lecture was scheduled for 3 p.m.. I had plenty of time and there was no need to arrive early. I could wait until 3:30 p.m. and show up when Allen gives the signal. My ambitious n for the day was to have the first lecture be a self-study session. *** "Sigh..." Epherene sighed deeply in front of ssroom A on the third floor of the Mage Tower of the University. Deculein was in that room, and Epherene would be attending his lecture in the same space. That alone was torturous. Whether Deculein would recall what happened during the lecture a month ago, or even recognize herst name, Luna¡ªthe very samest name of the mage he killed¡ªwas a thought that gnawed at her. If the target of her revenge didn¡¯t even remember the name, Epherene would be even angrier, utterly furious. She pondered her next move, debating whether to force him to remember his unrecognized crime. The tension was suffocating her. "Epherene, what are you doing here?" Epherene snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of someone''s voice. A fellow female student in a robe was looking at her curiously. "Oh, I am just a bit nervous. You can go ahead first," Epherene replied. "Yeah, I¡¯m nervous too. I looked up Deculein on the wizard board, and he¡¯s supposed to be really strict. But at least he¡¯s handsome..." Her ssmate walked inside as she was muttering to herself, leaving Epherene standing there. Epherene then noticed another woman approaching from down the corridor and momentarily lost her words. "... Ah." Her meticulously groomed blonde hair shimmered with every step. Her haughty demeanor was like the scent of roses, and her refined elegance radiated effortlessly. She belonged to the highest ss of nobility¡ªeven among nobles, she held a particrly high rank. Sylvia, daughter of the House of Iliade, hailed from one of the most prestigious bloodlines in the Empire. Sylvia Von Yossepin Iliade. Epherene already knew that this nobledy was in the same ssroom, yet she instinctively took a defensive stance. Narrowing her eyes, she licked her lips. Epherene disliked Sylvia, and it wasn''t just a simple feeling of inferiority. It was a long and bitter feud. For generations, Luna¡¯s family had served as vassals in the Iliade territory of Juhale. It was said that they were distant rtives in the past. However, ten years ago, when she was not even eight years old, she remembered the re of Giltheon, the head of the Iliade family. She recalled how they surrounded the mansion with territorial forces and treated her family like troublesome trash. Epherene still remembered the voice calling them lowly, all because their family''s talents, particrly her father''s abilities, were feared by their family. But this wasn''t their territory, it was the Mage Tower, and she was no longer a child. In terms of talent, she wouldn''t lose to that girl who carried herself with an air of supreme nobility. In the Mage Tower, only one''s name and talent mattered, not one''s family or title. However, Sylvia had merely nced at Epherene and went straight inside. Her face showed no expression, no emotions¡ªnothing. It was as if she didn''t recognize Epherene at all. Epherene, who had struck a kung fu pose by herself, awkwardly scratched the back of her neck and followed inside. "... Huh?" She was surprised to find that the ssroom resembled a spacious gymnasium rather than a lecture hall. The ceiling was incredibly high, and the floor was scattered with wells, trees, soil, sand, gravel, and metal scraps. "Wow. Isn¡¯t this different from Deculein¡¯s usual lectures? Interesting." "Yeah. The Wizard Board didn¡¯t mention this. Is it because it¡¯s the first ss?" Unlike the bewildered Epherene, the other mages appeared both surprised and amused. "Hey, look at this." One of the students pointed to something. A signpost stood in the center of the space. For the first ss, I, the Professor, intend to assess your abilities. This ce is filled with various elements. You are free to use anything you can manage on your own. ¡°Eh...?¡± Epherene frowned, approaching to confirm the message. ¡°What is this?¡± They were expected to manage everything on their own, but Epherene was unsure how to proceed. The other mages seemed familiar with this peculiar setup, suggesting it might be amon type of ss at the academy. Having been self-taught before joining the Tower, Epherene wasn¡¯t entirely certain. ¡°Oh, maybe like this?¡± Suddenly, someone beside her seemed to have understood. She nced over and saw that it was Geharon, the son of a well-known magical family. Epherene subtly moved closer to him. ¡°What~? Did you get it?¡± Epherene asked. "Oh? Yeah. I think it¡¯s like this?" Geharon touched the ground. Immediately, water and soil mingled around his hand, forming a thin, tall structure¡ªa mud tower. "He said we¡¯re supposed to do something with the elements here. This ss is Understanding the Properties of Element Magic, right? So, don''t you think we should create something with the elements here? It''s all about handling Pure Elements," Geharon replied. ¡°Oh, that makes sense.¡± Epherene and most of the mages agreed with Geharon. After all, the lecture title was Understanding the Properties of Element Magic. ¡°That should be easy then,¡± Epherene said, swinging her arms with a smile. Should I make a sculpture? Or perhaps a tower? Should I aim for size or intricacy? I could probably do anything, really. Epherene habitually fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist, an artifact her father had given her long ago. It had now be her property as a mage. Known as a rare artifact, it was the most limited yet versatile property. As long as she had the bracelet, she could freely manipte all elements. "I choose you." While contemting which element to choose, Epherene soon sat down near the pile of metal. As she crouched to prepare her magic, someone walked by and lightly pushed her back. ¡°Ow, what the.¡± Nearly falling, she steadied herself by leaning on the metal railings. When she turned around, she saw Sylvia, who nced at Epherene like she was just trash on the side of the road and continued on her way. "... Unbelievable. Why did she bump into me? Can''t she see where she''s going, or are her feet just too big?" Epherene muttered to herself while pouting, then began to gather the metal pieces into one ce with great effort. ¡°Oof, it¡¯s so heavy.¡± After dusting off her hands, she ced them on the metal pieces and took a deep breath to prepare herself. Then, closing her eyes, she activated her mana. Crackle, buzz¡ª! Mana sparked like fireworks. Before her hands even moved, her bracelet emitted a blue light, and a small, misshapen tower rose up. ¡°Hmph.¡± Having only resumed practicing magic three years ago, Epherene was stillcking in many aspects. However, she was satisfied with this level of demonstration. Now that she had the hang of it, she decided to make it asrge as possible. ¡°... Huh?¡± At that moment, the tower she had created suddenly began to shrink and was swiftly sucked away to somewhere unknown. ¡°W-where are you going!¡± She tried to stop it with her hands, but it was futile. She could only watch in dismay as the remnants of her tower were swept away. ¡°... Huuh?¡± Sylvia was absorbing the material to create a statue. Epherene let out a scoff. She nned to dismantle it eventually, but Sylvia¡¯s actions puzzled her. ¡°Umm, excuse me. What are you doing? I made that?¡± Epherene said, approaching Sylvia. Sylvia blinked at her a few times and then replied in azy voice, ¡°My mistake. It was so small that I thought it was scrap metal.¡± ¡°... What?¡± Epherene frowned. Did she eat something bad? No matter how scrap-like my tower might have looked... Wait. Hold on. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she smirked. ¡°Ah~ Sylvia. You do recognize me, don¡¯t you?¡± Sylvia continued to focus and looked up on her own statue without answering. It was objectively much more impressive than Epherene¡¯s. ¡°Knock, knock. Hello, I¡¯m talking to you. You recognize me, don¡¯t you? Why are you pretending that you don¡¯t?¡± At that moment, Sylvia''s gaze moved to Epherene. Her eyes were expressionless. No, she was faking it. Epherene chuckled, covering her mouth with one hand as sheughed exaggeratedly. Her fox-like, narrowed eyes appeared annoyingly cunning. ¡°Ah, I get it~ Are you scared of being overtaken? I¡¯ve only been learning for three years after a seven-year break. Meanwhile, you¡¯ve had elite training from high-level magicians. Yet you¡¯re afraid?¡± Sylvia silently stared at Epherene. Her gaze became heavier and more foreboding. Though her emotions were hidden, her eyes appeared darker because of it as they reflected Epherene. Sylvia''s moist lips twisted, and an emotionless voice emerged. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are.¡± ¡°You don''t know me? I mean, why are you lying?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know you, but I know who your father is.¡± ¡°... What?¡± My father? Did she just mention my father? Epherene was momentarily taken aback. "The arrogant man, a pseudo-aristocrat. I heard he died." Her voicecked any inflection or emotion. It was as if she were speaking to an inanimate object or a person who had never been alive. Her tone was more dismissive than contemptuous, conveying an indifference deeper than disdain. Something snapped in Epherene''s mind. As Sylvia turned away, Epherene''s bracelet was already filled with mana. Furious, Epherene reached out toward Sylvia and the mana surged into a ring. ¡°Hey, look out! Behind you!¡± Someone shouted and Sylvia nced back. The magical torrent rushed toward her, but she effortlessly countered it with her own magic by neutralizing the attack. ¡°... Ptooey! Hey bitch. What did you just say? Say it again, will you?¡± Epherene spat out the sand and saliva from her mouth, muttering in a rough, thuggish tone. The way she swaggered and rolled up her robe''s sleeves made Sylvia watch with an expression that showed she had expected such behavior. ¡°Insolent.¡± ¡°Insolent? Don¡¯t you know that titles don¡¯t matter in the Mage Tower? Or do you want to see something even more insolent?¡± Epherene¡¯s next move was likely unexpected for Sylvia. She lunged forward and grabbed Sylvia¡¯s hair. Snatch! ¡°Let go before I cut your wrist off,¡± Sylvia said coldly, looking at her own hair in Epherene¡¯s grasp. ¡°Go ahead,¡± Epherene said. Sylvia was silent. ¡°Bitch.¡± Their conversation was heated and violent, yet strangely, no one around them seemed to care. ¡°H-hey, hey, look at that!¡± one of the students shouted. Instead, they were more concerned with themotion elsewhere. Screams echoed loudly as people ran. Only then did Sylvia and Epherene turn to look. ¡°What the?¡± A void had formed where Epherene and Sylvia¡¯s mana had collided. It was a hole where the two manas intertwined, acting like a vanishing point, sucking in the surrounding dirt, wood, wells, stones, and metal. ¡°... What is that?¡± Inside the narrow hole, everything was being ground up noisily. Wood, stone, water, and soil sublimated from the frictional heat, but the metal retained its shape glowing red-hot. ¡°I-it¡¯s going to blow up. It¡¯s gonna blow!¡± ¡°Ru-run away!¡± Manapressed into a single point would inevitably explode, sending metal fragments flying like bullets and piercing through the entire area. The mages hastily constructed barriers. Crack, crackle... A foreboding noise, the cry of twisted metal. Soon, a massive explosion erupted. ¡°Ugh!¡± Epherene squeezed her eyes shut, enveloped in a barrier cast by her bracelet. Trembled like a penguin, she counted the seconds in her mind one, two, three, four seconds. Whoosh... The wind blew and then ceased. That was all. No matter how long she waited, the anticipated impact never came. Trembling, Epherene found it strange and slowly opened her eyes. ¡°... Ugh!¡± Startled, her entire body froze. A sharp piece of metal was suspended right in front of her eyes. It was a truly strange sight, as the metal hovered motionless in the air. ¡°What is... this?¡± It wasn''t just in front of her and the same thing was happening all around. The torn metal pieces floated as if gravity had vanished, like stones floating in space, suspended in midair. ~ A bted calm settled over the chaotic scene, and the stunned mages stood frozen, looking around. There was no sound, no words spoken. The metal fragments, flung by the magical explosion, floated like clouds. This inexplicable miracle was, in essence, truly magical. ¡°... Did you do this?¡± Epherene asked Sylvia. But Sylvia also showed a rare expression of confusion and surprise. ¡°Is it Telekinesis?¡± ¡°No. How could Telekinesis stop all this?¡± ¡°Right? I was just guessing.¡± The mages were instantly captivated by this wondrous sight. They quickly forgot the recent chaos and became engrossed in analyzing the phenomenon. They inspected the metal, tapped it, and even attempted to infuse it with mana. At that moment... ¡ª Do not move and stay where you are. A voice as sharp as ice echoed, its de-like sharp tone gripped the mages'' entire bodies. ck¡ª ck¡ª The sound of footsteps followed, spreading a sense of pressure. Gulp. The sudden presence that dominated the space made the mages swallow hard. Cold sweat gathered on their backs. It felt as if tree roots had bound their entire lower bodies. ¡°Attention.¡± A singlemand controlled all 150 mages at once. As they all hesitantly turned to look, they saw the professor responsible for this lecture and the one who had just quelled the situation with a momentary spell. Deculein was standing there. ¡°... You¡¯ve all done something foolish.¡± As always, he wore a perfectly tailored suit and scanned the mages with hawk-like eyes. His fierce gaze seemed to grip the hearts of the freshmen. Then, the metal that had been suspended in the air finally began to move. Clink, clink¡ª Countless metal fragments formed pairs and lines, floating gracefully as if alive and dancing like ballet dancers. They drifted beautifully before settling in neat piles behind the professor. Throughout the entire process, Deculein didn''t move a single finger. ¡°Woah.¡± ¡°Wow.¡± Instinctive exmations erupted from all around. Even Epherene, who usually detested Deculein, couldn''t help but acknowledge it this time. His magic was elegant. It went beyond elegance, more like it was artistic. While ordinary people might dismiss it as merely pretty magic, the more one learned, the more one could appreciate its true beauty. The well-trained mages sensed it. It was an intensely serious and strikingly beautiful form of maniption magic. They wondered if they could ever reach such a level someday, their hearts swelling with anticipation so intense it was almost painful. ¡°ss is dismissed. Those who caused themotion should remain. Everyone else, you may leave.¡± The excitement quickly faded. Under Deculein''s stern and angry gaze, everyone lowered their heads. Epherene hesitated but eventually did the same. As sheplied, someone wearing a conical wizard''s hat emerged from behind the tall Deculein. ¡°What! What happened here? I felt an immense surge of magical energy!¡± It was the Chairwoman. She was frantically inspecting the lecture hall. It was at this moment Epherene knew... she fucked up. Chapter 9: Professor (3)

Chapter 9: Professor (3)

In the cold underground chamber of the Mage Tower, the air seemed to bite through flesh. It was the interrogation room of the Disciplinary Committee. Seven seats were upied by members who enforced the academy''s rules, while those awaiting punishment sat beyond the invisible ss, anticipating their fate. "Why were those two fighting?" the Chairwoman asked. "I don''t know yet," I replied. The Chairwoman upied the first and highest seat. I sat in the second seat, watching the two people beyond the ss. "Why don''t you know?¡± "... I didn''t ask, so I don''t know." "Oh, right." Epherene, referred to the disciplinarymittee, kept her head down and fidgeted with her fingers, while Sylvia remained calm andposed beside her. The situation had entirely stemmed from their conflict. However, with Sylvia being the heir of Iliade and Epherene being andless noble in name only, the oue of the disciplinarymittee was quite predictable. "Oh, Chairwoman and Head Professor Deculein, you''re already here." As the door opened, the disciplinarymittee members arrived one by one. The chubby male professor, grinning slyly, was Relin from the Support Studies Department. "... Such an incident in the first ss. It''s truly unfortunate, Head Professor Deculein." The gaunt man who bowed his head was Professor Ren from the Spirit Studies Department. The silent figure in a robe was probably Professor Fezli, in charge of the dormitories, along with the others. A total of seven members had gathered. "Well, well. Who is the strange one who dared to mess with the Novice Mage of the Year?" Relin said, ring at Epherene as soon as he sat down. "Indeed. It seems she didn''t even go through the academy and is of low status," Ren replied with a simr look. Fortunately, Epherene couldn''t hear these remarks. We could see her, but she couldn''t see us. "I heard that Head Professor Deculein handled the situation well," Relin said, giving me a subtle look. His words were full of ttery, and I had no energy to respond. The truth was, I was exhausted. I was barely holding on mentally. I had used all of my mana and more to contain the situation. If anything had gone wrong and someone had gotten hurt, it would have been troublesome for me as the responsible professor. "Exactly~ I think I may have underestimated Professor Deculein a bit! But our Professor Deculein is a Monarch-ranked mage! No Debutant could beat him, even if hundreds tried!" "You are absolutely right!" The Chairwoman and Relin continued chatting. I quietly looked at Epherene, my brows naturally furrowed. "... Even so, Head Professor Deculein, please don''t be too angry. I will handle it myself." Relin seemed to mistake my expression for anger, but he was wrong. I squinted to get a closer look at the strange aura surrounding Epherene, who was cowering. Red and ck, it spread like ominous steam. If my suspicions were correct, it was a phenomenon only visible to me through the attribute Sharp Eyesight, and it was the manifestation of another attribute, Viin''s Fate. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Viin''s Fate] Grade: ??? Description: A viin''s fate. The whole world wishes for his death. However, what doesn¡¯t kill him makes him stronger... ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The whole world seemed to wish for my death. That predetermined intent to kill¡ªspecifically, the death variable that Epherene would one day kill me¡ªwas now clearly revealed by my Sharp Eyesight. "Now that everyone is here, let''s begin the disciplinarymittee for Debutant Mage Epherene and Sylvia!" *** ¡°How dare you brawl in the ssroom? And with magic, no less? If Head Professor Deculein hadn''t intervened, someone could have been hurt, you fool!¡± The disciplinarymittee was intense from the start. Although the figures beyond the ss were just silhouettes, Epherene recognized Relin by his stature and voice. Just yesterday, he seemed like a very kind professor in ss, but now she saw how terrifying he became when angry. ¡°So, what was the reason for the fight?¡± Relin asked. Epherene nced sideways at Sylvia. That jerk had insulted her father¡ªthough, in truth, it wasn¡¯t a tant insult. However, regardless of what happened, Epherene couldn''t say anything with Deculein sitting next to Relin. Even if he hadn''t been there, she still wouldn''t have spoken. She didn''t want to talk about her father to anyone, especially not as an excuse to avoid punishment. "I can''t say it," Epherene replied. ¡°What?! Are you ying with me?¡± Professor Relin''s face twisted in anger. "No, it''s just¡ª" ¡°Then tell me why you fought! Was it out of jealousy?!¡± Epherene kept her mouth shut and lowered her head. Relin, fuming, soon turned to look at Sylvia. ¡°Sylvia, then why don¡¯t you tell us?¡± Relin asked Sylvia. "During ss, I identally damaged her project. That led to an argument," Sylvia replied. ¡°What? You caused this whole situation over that? It''s entirely that ignorant girl''s fault. Hey, you, do you have anger management issues or something? Some nobody like you...¡± Relin shouted looking at Epherene. Epherene clenched her fists and tasted blood in her mouth. She must have bitten her lip or tongue too hard. ¡°Chairwoman, there''s nothing more to discuss. A mage attacking another mage first is grounds for expulsion. Even those in the Ashes aren''t this bad!¡± The term Ashes, referring to the hideout of anti-mages, was the most infamous insult in the Magical Realm. Epherene gave a hollow smile. If she got expelled, maybe she''d just go there. ¡°Hmm... I suppose so? It seems almost decided. Professor Deculein, don''t you have anything to say? It was your ss, after all," the Chairwoman said, calling Deculein, the person Epherene disliked most. Deculein''s gaze pierced through the ss, and Epherene''s heart pounded heavily. Whether he knew her or not, she could only resign herself to the oue. ¡°I, Deculein, as the Head Professor of the Mage Tower and a member of the disciplinarymittee," She felt as if her entire body were falling into a deep, dark well, the agony like drowning alive. ¡°I would like to ask you, Sylvia.¡± But something was strange. The interrogation seemed to be directed at Sylvia, not Epherene. ¡°Do you bear any responsibility for this situation?¡± As she sank to the bottom, Epherene quickly lifted her head and blinked. A startled Sylvia parted her lips to speak. ¡°I''m just asking. Do you truly bear no responsibility for this situation?¡± The unexpected turn of events filled Epherene''s mind with questions. She had assumed Deculein would direct his anger at her, yet he was suddenly questioning Sylvia. Perhaps, as the head of Yukline, rather than acting as Deculein alone, he was attempting to keep Iliade''s heir in line. It was clearly Epherene¡¯s fault, yet he chose to handle it this way. ¡°Sylvia, you could have prevented this situation,¡° Deculein said, his voice cold and direct. ¡°But you didn''t. Were you waiting for the mana to explode and hurt other people?¡± A small crack appeared on Sylvia''s face, which had been like a thick sheet of ice since their first meeting, slowly breaking apart. ¡°Or was your highly anticipated skill really only capable of this much?¡± Once the crack appeared, it quickly led to a copse. She bowed her head to hide her slightly bitten lips. "I''m sorry. I could have stopped it, but I didn''t. I wanted Epherene''s mistake to seem bigger than it was," Sylvia said, admitting her fault. "What?" Epherene said with a dumbfounded sound escaping from Epherene''s mouth. The situation, which she had been starting to understand, was once again unclear. Why did she say that? She could have stopped it but she didn''t? ¡°B-but still, Head Professor Deculein. The one defending against the attack, isn''t at fault, right? It''s the one who attacked first who is wrong," Professor Relin hastily interjected. Deculein turned his head slightly, ring at Relin. ¡°If you want to dissect the sequence of events, the me falls entirely on me for structuring the lecture this way. Professor Relin, are you saying you want to me me?¡± ¡°What? N-no, that''s not what I meant,¡± Relin stuttered. ¡°Then say it clearly.¡± Deculein''s strong, resonant voice echoed through the interrogation room. Epherene and Sylvia involuntarily swallowed. Intimidated, Relin clicked his teeth together a few times before stuttering and shaking his head. ¡°... That couldn''t be the case. I just meant that it was unfortunate¡ª¡± ¡°I set up that environment for the purpose of the lecture. Also, I did not direct them to do anything specific within it. So, even if there was a conflict, it could be seen as part of my ss,¡± Deculein said. It was rationalization. However, the professors, intimidated by Deculein''s authority, didn''t dare to refute him. The Chairwoman, the only one who could have opposed him, watched with amusement. ¡°So, calling it unfortunate is an insult to my ss, but I must admit it led to a dangerous situation.¡± At this point, no matter how hard she thought or how much she wanted to deny it, Epherene couldn''t help but acknowledge it. Deculein¡ªyes, that Deculein¡ªwas defending her. Deculein continued, ¡°If we eliminate all risks from magic, what would remain? They are merely Debutants who have just entered the Mage Tower.¡± Whether Deculein knew her father or not, Epherene had been prepared for expulsion. The Deculein she knew would have certainly acted that way. She looked at him, feeling an emotion she couldn''t quite identify. ¡°Rather than scolding and demoralizing them over meaningless faults, it is the duty of a great mage to let them experience such situations within the Mage Tower and teach them to maintain their dignity externally through depth of experience. What do you think, Professor Relin?¡± Deculein asked Relin. ¡°... Ah, yes~! Yes, yes! Of course, you are absolutely right! A-as expected of Head Professor Deculein! Even I ampletely convinced~¡± ¡°Indeed, you are right,¡± the professors agreed. With Deculein being so assertive, everyone had no choice but toply. Even if Deculein weren''t a professor, he was still the honorable Count Yukline, while they were nothing without their titles. Apuse, unfitting for the situation, filled the interrogation room. Anyone would think it was a concert hall. ¡°Hmm~ now that I think about it, you''re right. It reminds me of when I almost got suspended because of a professor,¡± the Chairwoman said with a bored smile, nodding. ¡°Then... Why are you two still here? Not returning to your room?¡± the Chairwoman continued, looking at both Epherene and Syliva. "... Sorry?" Epherene, still dazed, didn''t even know who was speaking. ¡°You heard me~ There''s no punishment. Kids like you grow up fighting~! But I won''t let it slide next time!¡± At the Chairwoman''s words, Sylvia stood up abruptly and left without looking back. But Epherene didn''t. She stared nkly through the ss. ¡°Alright, let''s go! I thought this was a waste of time, but I''m d to see Head Professor Deculein cares about the novice mages!¡± The disciplinarymittee professors stood up before Epherene, who was still frozen. They left one by one. Epherene, sitting in a daze, soon came to her senses and shouted loudly. "... Wait!" The other professors nced at her but didn''t respond. Only one silhouette, presumably Deculein, turned to look at her. "I have something to ask!" Epherene said to him. ¡°... Ha.¡± A faint, almost inaudibleugh. It was incredibly charming, but she shouldn''t find it so. ¡°So, it was you in the lecture hall back then.¡± At those words, Epherene shuddered, suddenly gripped by fear. Her lips felt dry. However, she didn''t let it intimidate her and continued. "... I have a question for you." Epherene wanted to ask if he remembered thest name Luna, if he knew her father, the man who had suffered under him for a lifetime and took his own life three years ago. "If..." But if I ask that, he might... As Epherene hesitated, Deculein cut her off. ¡°There is no need to ask.¡± At that moment, Epherene''s mind cleared. It felt as if an icicle had pierced her skull. ¡°You are a gem, so don''t waste your talent.¡± With those words, he left. This time, she couldn''t stop him. In the empty interrogation room, Epherene pondered Deculein''s words and became certain. He knew her. He knew her father. This was nothing but pity, a small amount of sympathy. He felt a slight responsibility for her father''s death, which was why he had helped her. "Ah..." Epherene felt overwhelming anger and twisted emotions, yet she was sad and confused by her inability to reject his pity. In the end, she felt relieved. "He knows." That was enough. As long as he knew and hadn''t forgotten, it was enough for now. "Sniffle!" She wiped the tears from her eyes and briskly rubbed her reddened nose before leaving the interrogation room. ... Meanwhile, as Deculein turned away, he sighed in relief. [Viin''s Fate: Overcame Death Variable] ¡ô Store Currency +2 He had sessfully eliminated the death variable and earned store currency. As expected, supporting Epherene had been the right choice. However, there was an unintendedplication. Sylvia might now hold a grudge against him. He had nned to smooth things over with a moralistic statement like, "You''re both at fault, but in the grand scheme of things, no one is to me," but he hadn''t expected Sylvia to admit her fault so easily. He had no other choice but to address the immediate issue. Fortunately, both managed to avoid punishment, so things worked out to some extent. "There could have been a better way..." Despite this, the regret remained. It was partly due to Deculein''s unnecessarily fastidious personality and hisck of interpersonal understanding. However, Deculein soon adopted Kim Woo-Jin''s mindset, brushed it off, and left the interrogation room. *** Sylvia sat on a bench in the school courtyard, deep in thought. With her eyes closed, she reyed the events from three hours ago in her mind. She had clearly nullified Epherene''s magic but had also nted her own trap spell in the same spot. This cleverly manipted spell created a vortex that seemed to result from a sh between their manas. It was actually designed to react only to Epherene''s magic. It wasn''t meant to cause any serious harm, and if it had, she nned to use Iliade''s wealth to help. Therefore, the only intended victim was Epherene Luna. "He knew." Deculein had clearly known. He had figured out her trick. Instead of saying, "Sylvia, that spell was your doing," he twisted it to "Sylvia, you didn''t stop it." At that moment, Deculein demanded herpliance. It was a threat she couldn''t refuse. "But how...?" Sylvia''s only question was how. She was confident there had been no magical observation in the lecture hall. She had meticulously manipted everything. So, the idea that Deculein had seen through it all with just his insight and intelligence was simply unbelievable. Honk, honk¡ª! A car horn interrupted her thoughts. Sylvia looked over and saw a car parked by the roadside. As the window rolled down, a familiar face appeared. "Ah, sweetie, there you are." He had the same blonde hair and golden eyes as Sylvia. He was the head of the prestigious Iliade family, a high-ranking Esper mage, and Sylvia''s proud father, Glitheon Von Ludwig Iliade. "I heard the story. Get in." "... Okay." Sylvia walked over and got into her father''s car. Chapter 10: News (1)

Chapter 10: News (1)

"So that¡¯s what happened." Evening had already settled, and dusk nketed the ground. Sylvia was riding back to the mansion with Glitheon. Her father, who enjoyed driving, held the wheel himself while she gazed out the window from the passenger seat. "Sweetie, did you do it on purpose?" In response to her father''s question, Sylvia quietly nodded. "Did you hate her?" "I have no reason to hate her," Sylvia replied. "... I see. She may be talented, but it¡¯s already toote for her," Glitheon advised, suddenly recalling an event from long ago. Ten years ago, on the day of the academy entrance exam, two great mage prospects were discovered during the aptitude test in the Iliade territory. It was a day of celebration for all the territory''s residents. However, the problem was that one of them was Sylvia, and the other was Luna. Luna belonged to a distant branch of the Iliade family, now so estranged that they barely knew each other. With two exceptionally talented individuals,petition inevitably arose. "She¡¯s already fallen behind in the race, so you don¡¯t need to worry about her. Just ignore her," Glitheon said. In the Magical Realm of the continent, there was a long-standing tradition. Regardless of their affiliation or attributes, only three individuals could be recognized as Archmages at any given time. The standards were so high that two of the positions had been vacant for nearly thirty years. One spot undoubtedly belonged to the Chairwoman, so if Sylvia took one of the remaining positions, Luna could not, and vice versa. Although there were many conflicts between the families and numerous incidents, the main reason Glitheon rejected Luna''s magical talent was precisely this. "However, sweetie, be wary of Deculein. He is not an easy person to deal with. As a child, he was called a whiz kid. Although he may seem stagnant now, he can rise at any time. He''s only diminishing his own talent because he''s distracted by a woman," Glitheon said. "I know. He has already seen through everything. He has me cornered," Sylvia said. "... Haha. Like father, like daughter." Glitheonughed, but Sylvia clenched the hem of her robe in herp. She still wondered how he knew. If possible, she wanted to ask him directly. Glitheon observed his daughter''s expression and stopped the car. "... Ah. We''ve already arrived. I''m disappointed that the drive was so short. It''s been a long time since I¡¯ve had the chance to bring my daughter home. Sweetie, how about we go downtown together¡ª" "I''m leaving," Sylvia replied. "What?!" Sylvia opened the car door and stepped out. Glitheon, who had been pretending to cry, spoke as soon as she stepped out. "Sweetie," he said with a smile, though his eyes were serious. "The whole Iliade family has got your back." Sylvia looked at Glitheon. In her father, who gazed at her with golden eyes identical to her own, she saw a reflection of herself. "Don''t lose your confidence over something like this. If anyone turns against you, I will cut them down, no matter who they are," Glitheon said. "Hurry back home. Mother is waiting," Sylvia said. "... Ahem. So cold-hearted. Alright." Glitheon awkwardly brushed his hair back and drove away, while Sylvia entered the mansion. "Lady, Lady Sylvia! Are you alright? I heard the news!" her nanny eximed, rushing over with a worried look. "I''m fine. It''s all taken care of. I''ll have dinner a littleter," Sylvia replied. "Oh, I''m so relieved. I''ll bring your meal whenever you''re ready." "Okay." Sylvia trudged to her room, changed into her pajamas, and plopped onto the bed. With a soft plop, her blonde hair spread out in a fan shape on the bedspread. "... Deculein," Sylvia murmured quietly, looking disheveled. Today, Sylvia saw Head Professor Deculein in apletely different light. His magical insight and knowledge were genuinely impressive. Yet, she felt unfortunate. If he trulycked talent, he wouldn¡¯t have be the Head Professor. Clearly, this was her mistake. ¡°Mistake.¡± Yes, a mistake... Despite that, today¡¯s events left Sylvia full of questions. Not about others, but about herself. Sylvia had never shown emotions to anyone. She neither gave nor received affection. Therefore, she couldn¡¯t clearly exin today¡¯s situation. ¡°Why do I...¡± Sylvia found herself questioning why she harbored such hatred toward Epherene Luna and her father. ¡°Why do I hate her?¡± Shecked nothing, had never been denied what she wanted, and her talent was considered the best in the 500-year history of the Iliade family. She was the perfect creation of the prestigious Iliade lineage, a pureblood noble... Just as she was whispering these questions to herself... ¡°It¡¯s because I can¡¯t let my guard down.¡± Mana filled her eyes, and her golden irises zed like the sun. This was the Eternal rank, which only those at the pinnacle of the Magical Realm could achieve. Those who reached this level were called Archmages and were etched into the continent''s history. From the Celestial Realm, the highestyer of the Floating Ind, a ce even the Emperor could not easily touch, they could look down upon countless mages with great pride. It was a position she desired, not for her father or her family, but for herself. It was a throne already half within her grasp. So she would achieve it, not as Sylvia of the Iliade family, but purely as Sylvia. She would make it happen, no matter what. Sylvia sprang out of bed and sat at her desk. Books, books, books. She needed to read. If she wanted to avenge today''s humiliation, if she wanted to repay it with skill, she needed to read and learn more. She reminded herself again that Deculein was not an easy professor. He was more than a match for the Iliade family. And Epherene... she wasn''t even worth considering. Sylvia refused to acknowledge her. Just as her father had said, that girl had already fallen out of the race. *** Since bing Deculein, I have woken up early every morning. Mornings were always refreshing for me, and I always felt rejuvenated, but today I had muscle aches. It was because I had used near-berserk levels of magic yesterday. However, the routine I set, leveraging Deculein''s personality and diligence, made my body move naturally. As soon as I got up, I began my magic training. Whoosh¡ª Whoosh¡ª Whoosh¡ª Every piece of metal in the room moved ording to my will. My technique had noticeably improvedpared to just two days ago. Thanks to using 3,375 manast night in a practical way, my proficiency had skyrocketed. Incidentally, my attribute Sharp Eyesight allowed me to see this abstract proficiency. The exact percentage was 85%. Once it reached 100%, I nned to inscribe Beginner Telekinesis. I wondered how painful it would be then... Whoosh¡ª Whoosh¡ª Whoosh¡ª I controlled the metals, making them almost brush against each other without touching, and stopped when my mana was about halfway depleted. The next part of my routine was learning new magic. Today''s magic was Basic Fire Control, which wasn''t very important, so I nned to roughly memorize it. "Wait a minute." While examining the spell for Basic Fire Control, an idea suddenly struck me. It was as reckless as the idea of memorizing Telekinesis across my entire body. "Instead of acquiring Fire Control, what if I just add its core function to Telekinesis?" If I took a specific stroke from the spell, the central stroke of Fire Control, and transnted it into Telekinesis, it would be a kind of spell splicing or, rather, a spell upgrade. After all, Telekinesis and Fire Control belong to the same Maniption Category and have somewhat simr structures. Telekinesis focuses on objects, while Fire Control focuses on fire and heat. As a result, they share quite a few lines. Out of the twenty-two strokes in Fire Control, eight were simr to those in Telekinesis. With that ovep, it seemed possible to splice spells together like editing a thesis or manipting genes. I activated Comprehension. After fully memorizing the spell form of Fire Control, I closed my eyes. I then extracted the core of Fire Control imprinted in my mind and transnted it directly into my entire body''s Telekinesis. An immense pain struck me. It was indescribable agony. Blood trickled from my mouth as I clutched my heart and dropped to one knee. I felt it clearly that if I had been an ordinary mage, I would have died at least once. "I seeded, but..." Fortunately, the spell had sessfullybined. I could feel it within my body. The spell for Fire Control was now added to the magic circle near my shoulder, distinct from the original Telekinesis. "... I''ll need to add another routine from now on." The artificial upgrade of Telekinesis was a novel and effective enhancement. However, it was extremely dangerous, and the more I performed it, the greater the strain on my body. Therefore, I needed to train my Iron Man attribute, which meant exercising. At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Knock, knock¡ª ¡°Sir, it''s Roy. Are you ready to attend the social event?" Roy, the butler, spoke after knocking. I looked at the clock. It was already 1 p.m. "I''ll head down soon," I replied. ¡°Yes, sir. I''ll be waiting outside the door.¡± "Roy, from now on, do not schedule any social events unless they are very important," I spoke to Roy, as I put on my outer garment. I wanted to cancel most social events, but today was the significant Flower of the New Year event. ¡°I will keep that in mind, sir.¡± The main reason I was attending today''s social event was to identify the faces of potential named characters, but more importantly... [Side Quest: Attend the Social Event ''Flower of the New Year''] ¡ô Store Currency +0.5 This was the crucial part. Store currency. I needed at least five coins to ess the store, but I only had 2.5 coins so far. I needed more to purchase what I wanted. I opened the door, and the butler waited with his head bowed. "I''m ready." "Yes, sir. Here is the list of cksmiths you requested," the servant said. "Good." Last week, I had asked the butler to find skilled cksmiths. "Shining Geum-Chul...[1]" Among the list of about forty-five cksmiths the butler handed me, one name stood out the most. I chose the ce identified by my Wealthy Magnate radar. "That''s an unusual name. Take this blueprint to Geum-Chul," I said. I handed the blueprint to the butler. It was for an item that would be my Cherished Item. Usually, a mage¡¯s Cherished Item is a staff or wand, and if it¡¯s highly developed, it''s called an artifact. However, my Cherished Item would be quite different from those sticks. It was a weapon solely for Telekinesis, so I had high expectations. "Yes, sir." The butler carefully took the blueprint without unfolding it or showing any curiosity. Truly, he had the perfect demeanor of a loyal butler. "Shall we go? The car is ready, sir." "Alright, well done," I replied. "... Pardon me? Thank you, sir." We stepped outside the mansion together. "The weather is nice," I said. "... Sorry? Yes, it is." The early spring weather was clear and pleasant. Though the butler seemed a bit flustered by my every word, I enjoyed the fresh scent as I got into the car. "Let''s go." "Yes, sir," the butler replied. The car smoothly moved forward. Sitting in the back seat with a dignified posture, I suddenly thought of Midas Touch. I wondered if I should try it on this car. With 1,300 mana left, I could imbue about 1,000. Acting on this curiosity, I used the attribute. Vroom¡ª! The car elerated suddenly. The driver, startled, banged his head on the steering wheel and apologized. "I''m sorry! I''m so sorry!" "It''s fine. Continue driving," I replied casually. "Yes, yes. I''m very sorry!" The driver, who had been hitting his head in self-reproach, quickly regained hisposure, and the ride became even smoother. The already rare vibrations and noise almost disappeared. Enhanced ride quality¡ªsomething like that. Not bad at all. *** We soon arrived at our destination. It was the grand castle in the heart of Haileich, the most morous part of the capital. This entire castle in the middle of the city served as a social space for nobles. "We''ve arrived, sir." The driver, who had gotten out first, opened the door for me. Instantly, all eyes were on us. This car was an incredibly luxurious item in this world. "It is an honor to meet you, Head Professor Deculein," the team of well-trained waiters said, greeting me first. I walked on the red carpet, guided by them. Reporters lined up outside the castle''s entrance, their cameras shing incessantly. Without sparing them a nce, I entered the castle. ¡ª The distinguished head of the venerable Yukline family, the youngest Head Professor of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. As I entered the hall, an announcement red, and I was nearly startled. It was an introduction announcing my arrival. "Have a pleasant evening," one of the waiters said. I nodded and proceeded into the hall. The lights shimmered like stars, illuminating the spacious and splendid interior filled with many people. Seeing their familiar faces, I realizeding here was a good decision. There were many well-known figures, such as Yutsirin, Paige, Sirio, and Raphel. Among the morous crowd, one person stood out distinctly. I recognized her immediately. It was Yulie. Even though Yulie disliked social events, it seemed she had to attend this one. For some reason, she was the only one in armor. When our eyes met, Yulie looked away without any greeting. I didn''t make an effort to approach her either. "Miss Valenta, you look exceptionally beautiful today." "Lady Ra, what are you..." "The results ofst year''s adventurer exam were quite interesting." In this game, the most respected statuses are nobles, mages, knights, and adventurers. An adventurer is a highly professional and systematic upation, and one must pass an exam to earn this qualification. Those who venture without it are called vagrants or wanderers and are subject to legal penalties. "Miss Ganesha! I read about your exploits in the Continental Journal." Among these adventurers, I discovered a key named character, a pivotal figure in the game''s storyline. "As someone who enjoys sailing, I found your exploration of the archipgo..." A woman with long red hair tied into twin tails had a somewhat irritable and edgy appearance. She seemed annoyed by the social event itself, yet many people surrounded her. She was the overpowered adventurer Ganesha, who ranked fifth in initialbat power. I decided to muster the courage to approach her. 1. The original word Geum-Chul can be a person¡¯s name and a word mix of Gold(Geum) and Iron(Chul) in Korean ? Chapter 11: News (2)

Chapter 11: News (2)

Just as I was about to muster the courage to approach Ganesha, someone blocked my path, their voice overly cheesy and their perfume overwhelming. ¡°Well, well! Isn''t this Professor Deculein? Long time no see.¡± A man with blond hair, blue eyes, and a handsome face stood in front of me. Though shorter than me, he exuded a strong magical aura. I knew his face well. I had modeled him myself. "... Ihelm?" I said. Ihelm von Gerian Rewind. He was Deculein''s rival... though calling him a rival might be overstating it. He was more of a named character who envied Deculein for taking the Head Professor position. "Yes~ Professor Deculein. How have things been going with your sses and research? I heard there was an incident during your first lecture," Ihelm asked. "It has been resolved," I replied. "Haha, of course, it has. More importantly, I''ve been worriedtely because some ruffians seem to be questioning your reputation," Ihelm said, exaggerating his concern. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Just as Ihelm mentioned, Deculein''s deceptions were slowly being exposed. "Of course, I am eagerly awaiting your great magical research, Professor Deculein. I assume you are taking your time for a significant achievement? Though it has been almost three years..." I looked at Ihelm. His exaggerated expressions and movements were extremely cheesy. If cheese coulde to life, it would look like this. Human cheese. "... If the grand research is tooplex and you can''t find a breakthrough, and if you need my help, feel free to ask. I''ll be there right away," Ihelm said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. If I had been the original Deculein, I might have given him a nonverbal cue, but I didn''t respond at all. I didn''t even blink. Honestly, I didn''t even care. "I understand. The title of Head Professor must be a heavy burden. Even with the honor of being a mage in the Mage Tower of the University... Are you listening?" After rambling on for a while, Ihelm finally seemed to tire himself out. He scrunched up his nose and furrowed his brow. "I wasn''t listening," I said. "Tsk... You seem busy, so I''ll add onest thing," Ihelm said. I nced over Ihelm''s shoulder to look for Ganesha. She was gone. Not to the right, the left, near the door, or by the window. An important named character had vanished. "No one in the world will appreciate you if you continue to act so superior and arrogant as right now. Do you know that? Falling from grace in noble society is quitemon. You should give up on that absurd Pure Element Creation research..." Ihelm continued. Heat surged in the back of my neck. I had missed Ganesha because of this guy, and yet this annoying man wouldn''t stop talking. "Alright, Professor Deculein. Enjoy the good times while theyst, because tough times are ahead. Also..." One word had already stretched into dozens. If I stayed silent, he''d probably lecture me until he was old and gray. So I took a step closer to him. "Let me say one thing," I said. "If you follow my advic..." Looking down at his yellowish-pale face, I leaned in closer. "Stop meddling and get lost, you rotten cheese," I whispered in his ear. It could have been a fatal mistake, but it felt amazing. A natural smile appeared on my face. After all, the original Deculein had always hated Ihelm too. "W-what did you say? Cheese, rotten cheese? Did you just¡ª" "I''m leaving." I left him stammering and walked away briskly. I had just managed to escape from Ihelm, yet many people were still looking for Deculein. Numerous nobles swarmed around me as if they had been waiting for this moment. "I heard about that recent incident. An Iliade scion was provoked by some low-ranking noble''s child, wasn''t she?" "At that moment, Professor Deculein, you appeared like a hero from what I heard. My son told me all about it. Haha! Just hearing about it excites me, so I can only imagine how my son must have felt. Ah, my son''s name is..." "Head Professor Deculein, do you happen to have time tonight?" They said various things to me. Some were requests for favors, others were personal worries, and a few were almost flirtatious offers. By this point, I started to have a headache. The sweet desserts and the overwhelming perfume seemed to assault my senses. My Iron Man attribute unnecessarily heightened my senses, including my sense of smell. Feeling utterly fed up, I looked for a ce without people. After making my way up to the quiet third floor, I leaned against the windowsill in the hallway to catch my breath. "... Professor Deculein?" Someone called my name. I turned and was greatly surprised. It was Ganesha, the named character I had been searching for this whole time. "What are you doing here?" Ganesha asked, approaching me with wide eyes. I had no idea that the original Deculein and Ganesha knew each other. "... I got lost," I replied without showing any emotion. "Oh, you are now joking with me? Weren''t you waiting for me?" Ganesha said. It made sense that Deculein might have some connection with Ganesha. I nced sideways at her as she stood next to me. Mistaking my nce for a re, Ganesha smiled and sped her hands together. "I''m sorry about that mission back then. But I did return the advance payment and the penalty fee. Can you let it slide this once?" When I remained silent, Ganesha pouted and puffed out her cheeks. Her twin tails swayed side to side. "Well... I did see a girl with the immense talent you were looking for in the archipgo. I can''t say for sure it was magical talent, but she was a remarkable girl." I silently looked up at the sky outside the window. Night had fallen, and the blue moonlight illuminated the window sill. Ganesha followed my gaze and continued speaking. "I''m sorry I couldn''t bring her. No, I''m sorry I didn''t bring her. I grew attached. I couldn''t give her to you." I understood the situation without needing to use Comprehension. Deculein, aware of his magical shorings, had intended to use a highly talented and easily manipted child as a research tool. He had tasked Ganesha with this mission. "But, Professor, how long do you n to live like this?" Ganesha asked. I continued to gaze at the moon outside the window. When I didn''t respond, she took out a cigarette from her pocket. "Can you light this for me?" "No." It wasn''t that I didn''t want to. I simply couldn''t. I hadn''t learned Ignition yet. Ganesha pretended to pout, and I spoke to her. "I n to live differently from now on." "... Eh? Really?" Ganesha moved the cigarette from her mouth to her hand. Without looking at her, I nodded. "Oh... that''s unexpected. I thought you would try to kill me. Honestly, I came here to see you. I was so curious," Ganesha said. "... What was so curious?" I asked. "I ran away without a word, and you didn''t send assassins after me." Ganesha''s twin tails fluttered. p-p. p-p. She was probably trying to express surprise, but it was irritating. "You''re worrying too much." Ganesha was one of the most formidable named characters in terms ofbat power. Even her hair moved at will, a sign of her mastery over her body as a martial artist. Her attributes included the famous Invincible Body and Master of All Martial Arts attributes, making her literally a named character who could kill with a single strand of her hair. Sending assassins after such a monster would have been truly insane. "Are you really okay, Professor Deculein?" Ganesha asked again. The right tail of her hair was pping my shoulder. "If you came to see me, then go back now," I said. I moved my feet and headed toward the stairs. I hade to build connections with her, but she was already someone I knew. There was no need to stay at this social gathering any longer. "Oh, is that so? Can I really trust you? You''re not nning any assassinations or expulsions, are you?" Ganesha spoke from behind me. Of course, with the power of the Yukline family, I could easily pressure the Adventurer''s Guild. Ganesha had vited the guild''s trust by refusing the mission without permission. "That is beneath my dignity." Such an action would also be a crazy thing to do, so I dismissed the thought and continued walking. I could feel Ganesha''s gaze on the back of my head. ¡°... Did he eat something bad? Is he sick? Or because he recently re-engaged? What''s wrong with him?¡± Even from a distance, I could hear her muttering. The smell of thick, acrid tar drifted in, indicating she had finally lit her cigarette. Then it happened. [Viin¡¯s Fate: Death Variable Avoided] ¡ô Reward Acquired: Store Currency +1 "... What? Just now?" Viin¡¯s Fate had activated. Previously, it was overcame, and now it was avoided. The conversation I have just had with Ganesha was also considered a death variable... *** "Oh... the chocte is flowing like a fountain," Yulie said, widening her eyes as she watched the chocte fountain, thetest novelty and the must-have item in the social scene. "Reylie, look at this thing. It''s amazing," Yulie said. Her rtive, Reylie, who was standing next to her, grabbed her arm and pulled her away. "Oh,e on. Stop it ande here..." "... Why do you always react like this whenever I say something?" Yulie asked. "Even if I didn''t want to, it''s too unsophisticated. Knight Yulie, you have a reputation to maintain! Stop acting surprised and be calm." "I never wanted toe here in the first ce." Yulie red at Reylie before refocusing on the chocte fountain. Gurgle gurgle gurgle¡ª It was fascinating that handmade chocte could flow like a fountain, but more than that, Yulie wanted to eat the chocte itself. Rich chocte, something that made her mouth water... "Hmm? What''s Ihelm doing over there?" By the side of the chocte fountain, Yulie noticed Ihelm fuming alone in a corner of her vision. "Who knows? He was just talking to Professor Deculein. Why is he suddenly like that?" Reylie asked. Deculein, Ihelm, Sirio, Raphel, George... These contemporaries, known as the golden generation across the continent, had been Yulie''s seniors at the Imperial University. Deculein hadn''t changed much since those days, and Ihelm had always been part of Deculein''s faction. However, their rtionship hadpletely soured after a certain incident. ¡°So, how have you beentely?¡± Reylie asked cautiously. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Yulie asked Reylie. ¡°With Professor Deculein. There is a lot of news going around these days.¡± In social circles, every piece of news spreads quickly. It travels so fast, even reaching the nobles'' dogs by evening. Reylie asked openly despite knowing this, as she disliked Deculein just as much as Yulie did. ¡°... Absolutely bad.¡± Her voice wasn¡¯t loud but clear. Likely, everyone in the social circle perked up their ears to listen. At that moment, as if it were a twist of fate ordained by the social God, Deculein, who had been away for a moment, appeared on the second-floor stairs. It was impable timing, an extraordinary entrance. "That man... he''s as handsome as ever. I heard he''s thirty-three now, but why doesn''t he age?" Reylie said with surprise. Deculein had the looks and style of a noble that suited and was weed at any social gathering. Even those who disliked him had to acknowledge this. His fashion was the textbook for noblemen, and he was proud of it. He was always thest to leave social events, showing off his dignity. But today was different. He was walking toward the exit, already wearing his coat. The nobles watched his strange path in a daze. ck¡ªck¡ª The dignified sound of his footsteps resonated throughout the splendid hall. The crowd of nobles made way for Deculein. In the silence, questions arose in everyone''s minds. What is Deculein doing? Is he really leaving? Already? Leaving the social event so soon? The sun had just set a little while ago. Why? Because of Yulie? While they blinked in confusion at the unusual scene, Deculein left the room. In the void left by the noise, only the sound of the chocte fountain remained. He did not return, no matter how long they waited in the silence. Deculein''s sudden departure soon intertwined with Yulie''s recent remark, fueling the gossip that began to heat up the party. *** [Side Quest Completed: Attend the Social Event ''Flower of the New Year''] ¡ô Store Currency +0.5 ¡ô Current Store Currency: 4.5 Coin(s) The servants looked at me with surprise as I returned before sunset. I hade back much earlier than expected. I asked if there was arge but empty space, such as a storage area, and a middle-aged maid hesitantly guided me. On the vast grounds of this mansion, besides the main house where I stayed, there was a backyard, an ornamental forest, a garden, and servants'' quarters, as well as an old, unused building that had once been a storage shed. "... Filthy." The storage shed was about half the size of a ser field, covered in cobwebs and dust, indicating it hadn''t been used for a long time. I did not show my distaste through my actions. Covering my nose or coughing would go against my sense of dignity. "Is anyone out there?" I called out, standing in ce. The servants quickly ran over. "Clean this ce thoroughly. Also, bring some metal ingots," I said to the servants. "Yes, sir." I watched the cleaning process with my hands behind my back. As expected, Deculein''s servants were skilled at cleaning, and they made the vast space shine within just fifteen minutes. "Here are the steel ingots. If you need any furniture¡ª" They also brought the metal quickly. The ingots bore a stamp, likely from the forge. "That will do. Now, go and rest. But remember, from now on, unless I call for you or give you permission, do not enter this ce without my consent," I said. "Yes, sir." The servants retreated, bowing until they were out of sight. Once I confirmed they hadpletely disappeared, I took off my clothes and neatly folded them in midair, using Telekinesis. I dropped the steel ingots on the floor and used the Basic Metal Ductility spell I had learned earlier. The steel, touched by my mana, elongated and transformed into a familiar piece of equipment¡ªa pull-up bar. Just as I was about to start exercising with it, I decided to use Midas Touch, pouring in 3,000 mana, the highest in the thousand range. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Pull-up Bar] Information: A pull-up bar created with ductility magic. Its support strength has been enhanced by Midas Touch. Category: Equipment ? Health Special Effect: Exercising with this equipment is expected to yield better efficiency. [Midas Touch: Level 3] ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Increased exercise efficiency was truly a special effect suited to the Health category. "... Quite a versatile attribute." I reached out and grasped the pull-up bar with satisfaction. Maintaining my posture, I straightened my arms and lifted my body. One, two... My arms trembled and slipped. I could only manage two pull-ups maximum. It was very embarrassing. "I could originally do three... No, I mean, I used to. Maybe it''s because I haven''t exercised at all." Despite having the Iron Man attribute, I had been solely focused on magic. Very foolish of me. My muscles quickly recovered, and I grabbed the bar again. This was my second attempt. One, two... then three, four... A total of four times. The count increased dramatically after just one set. My physical ability, the performance of Iron Man attribute, had visibly improved. After just two sets, Deculein''s physical strength had already surpassed Kim Woo-Jin''s. "I don¡¯t know what to say." I didn''t know whether tough or cry. Nevertheless, I smiled and grabbed the bar again. Chapter 12: News (3)

Chapter 12: News (3)

The next day, I arrived at the Mage Tower of the University early in the morning. "Scorching me..." Sitting in my office chair, I alternated between reading Allen''s lecture notes and various grimoires. I was deciding how to structure the lecture on Properties of Element Magic and determine its direction. "This should be enough to exin about the Pure Elements," I said. One of the most challenging areas for the mages at the Mage Tower was about the Pure Elements. In modern academic terms, it was like an advanced course in pure mathematics, focusing intensely on calculus and analysis. Scorching me was one of the Pure Element magics, renowned for its extreme level of difficulty. It was definitely beyond the level of Debutant mages. However, I found it surprisingly easy to understand the structure of Scorching me. This was because Comprehension worked best in a focused, specialized course that delved deeply into one specific field of study. Of course, understanding didn''t mean immediately mastering the spell, but I nned to refine Scorching me as much as possible and use it as a textbook to teach students about the Pure Elements. "... With this, my preparations for the ss areplete." After writing the script, I closed the lecture notes. Then, I used the crystal orb to call Allen. "Allen,e here for a moment." About five secondster, the door opened, and Allen appeared. "Yes. Yes, Professor," Allen said as he arrived promptly, though he looked extremely tired. His dark circles made him look like a panda. "Did you find what I asked forst time?" I asked Allen. "Yes, I did. Here it is." Allen rummaged through his robe pocket and pulled out a booklet. It was an auction catalog. "This weekend, the Luten auction will feature a Snowflower Stone," Allen said. I had asked Allen to find out if any auctions had rare ores. As I skimmed through the catalog, I found the metal Snowflower Stone listed at the bottom. Even I knew it was one of the world''s top ten metals from the game''s setting. Above this were items like dragon bones and horns¡ªmythical and legendary things money couldn''t buy. Thus, Snowflower Stone was considered the strongest theoretically obtainable item. "You''ve done well. Inform them that I will participate in the auction," I said to Allen. "Yes. Yes, sir," Allen said, bowing before he left. For the record, I had already checked the bnce of my personal ount. This world had invented ount and card systems as well. [205,238,039?] The ount bnce was a whopping 200 million elne, more than enough. Since it was a personal ount, I could spend it all freely. Besides, the Yukline family, ording to the game¡¯s setting, had vast wealth due to their incredibly profitable territory. Even in sports, teams in big markets, which rely on the quality of their territory, can make a lot of money even if their performance isn''t too great. "... Now that I think of it, Allen is only a postgraduate student." I suddenly felt guilty. Allen was equivalent to a postgraduate student at a regr university on Earth, and the tasks I had just assigned him were highly personal. To make things worse, Allen''s dark circles grew deeper each day because all the mages who had shared the workload with him untilst year had quit. Due to Deculein''s reputation,petent mages at the Mage Tower refused to work under me. In modern terms, Allen was handling all the postgraduate students'' work and even the professor''s personal errands by himself. "Putting it that way, it sounds terrible," I muttered. If this continued, either I would be stabbed to death or Allen would die from overwork. I needed to treat Allen better and hire more help. "Um, Professor?" While I was thinking about him, Allen came back in, holding an envelope in both hands. "A letter just arrived from the Mage Tower," Allen said. "Alright. Now, go home and take a rest," I replied. "Y-yes, sir." I tore open the overly ornate envelope. Inside was an official letter. A hearing to review the progress of Head Professor Deculein''s research on The Invention of Pure Elements and the Four-Categories Magic Founded Upon It will be held in six months. Please prepare the relevant materials by then. "Ah." If the hearing went wrong, it could be the end of my professorship at the university. It was an important matter. Had Deculein conducted any magical research during this time? If so, where were the research materials? ... The researchb. *** Deculein''s private researchb was filthy. It seemed like no one had been inside for a long time, even before I became Deculein. "... I don''t think there''s going to be anything here, but..." I decided to search theb anyway. Using Telekinesis, I scoured from the ceiling to every corner. Dust and various items flew around madly, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn''t find anything. Either he burned everything, or he never conducted the research in the first ce. I stopped using Telekinesis and stood still, surveying the interior of theb. The unnecessarily spacious room, cobwebs on the ceiling, vials of dposing unknown liquids, scattered pencils, and mana extractors... In the midst of this mess, I noticed golden bubbles rising from a specific tile on the floor. That was it. Without moving a finger, I flipped the tile over. Beneath it was a hard, dried piece of feces acting like a lid¡ªthe ultimate defense mechanism to stop Deculein from opening it. Though I felt a moment of dizziness from his influence, I used telekinesis to clear away the filth. Beneath it was an old, worn-out briefcase buried in feces and dust. It certainly didn''t belong to Deculein. It was likely from a mage who had done the research for him. I ced the briefcase on the floor and opened it, scattering fragments of feces everywhere. Though I felt a brief headache, I endured and checked the insides. As expected, there was a bundle of documents. I used Telekinesis to bring them to my hand. The faint smell of filth lingered, but thankfully, I wore gloves this time. "... A cipher." The roughly seventy pages of documents contained what appeared to be spells. This indicated the documents were rted to magic, but everything was encrypted. "That won''t stop me." I deciphered the code using my Comprehension attribute. Mana drained rapidly as the meaning of each line on the first page became clear. As the contents of magical documents revealed themselves, I had to close my eyes. The golden light was almost blinding. These documents held a brilliance that could fill the entireb. "... It was impressive research." However, it didn''t seem to bepleted. There were torn sections, nk paragraphs, and even faulty logic. I carefully organized the documents to avoid damaging them. Then, I noticed a small, jingling essory in the corner of the briefcase. It was a pendant, worn-out at the edges, holding a single faded photograph. It was a photo of a father and daughter. The father''s face was damaged, but the child was smiling brightly, making a yful V-sign with her fingers. I recognized this child''s face. Though much younger, cuter, and more innocent than she is now. Epherene Luna. This must be the reason why the mage Luna harbored a grudge against Deculein. "... Don''t worry." Feeling a bit bittersweet, I murmured to myself. With my Comprehension, I could organize your entire research, analyze it, gather the scattered pieces, and discover and calcte the parts you couldn''t think of, making it even more perfect. If I manage toplete this research paper... "I will list you as a co-author." Unfortunately, I can''t credit you alone. I need the recognition too. I put the documents and the pendant in my bag and left theb. *** At the same time, the new mage students were chatting at the campus coffee shop, Light and Coffee. "I think wemoners should stick together. We should form a club." Each of them, dressed in robes, had expensive coffee and desserts in front of them, except for one. Epherene had only in water, using the excuse that she didn''t like sweets or coffee. She watched her ssmates eat their cakes. "There are only thirtymoners in our cohort, right? If we don''t stick together, we might face injustice someday," Julia continued, a fellow mage with orange hair, a bourgeois ssmatemoner. "Epherene, you''re joining us, right?" Julia continued. "... Huh?" Epherene, sipping her water, was startled by the sudden invitation. "No, I¡ª" "You must join us, Epherene," Julia said, putting down her coffee cup with a thud. "You stood up to Sylvia, didn''t you? I heard about the news and felt so thrilled. She acts like she''s some kind of princess," Julia said. Epherene smiled bitterly. Since their big fight that day, the news had spread, casting Sylvia as the noble representative and herself as themoner representative. She was also a noble herself, though she was from a pseudo-aristocrat andndless family. ¡°But¡ªto do that, we need the supervising professor''s permission... They won¡¯t like us to group up like this,¡± Ferit muttered almost to himself, a cute young man with a timid expression. ¡°That¡¯s true. That¡¯s the biggest problem,¡± Julia agreed, pouting her lips and nodding. They wanted to form a club exclusively formoners. While the intention to support each other was good, getting a professor¡¯s approval was challenging. To start a club, they needed the support of at least one supervising professor, but most professors came from noble families. Although there were some professors frommoner backgrounds, once they became a professors for the Mage Tower, they became Honorary Nobles and acted like real nobles themselves. ¡°How about Professor Relin?¡± Ferit suggested, his eyes lightened up as if it was a good idea. ¡°Don¡¯t you know the news about that fat professor? He''s well-known for favoring only the nobles. I heard from the seniors that if amoner goes to him with aint, he doesn¡¯t even listen,¡± Julia said, shaking her head. ¡°Really? I thought he was a kind person...¡± Ferit said. ¡°Right? How can he act like that in this day and age?¡± They discussed which professor might be suitable. However, finding a professor willing to supervise amoners¡¯ club, despite the disapproval of other noble professors, was extremely difficult. In fact, there were almost none. ¡°... Professor Deculein is obviously out of the question,¡± Rondo muttered under his breath. Epherene shuddered slightly. ¡°Oh, right, that professor!¡± Julia suddenly eximed, snapping her fingers. ¡°At least he treats both nobles andmoners the same¡ªhe ignores them equally! Isn''t that fair?¡± Epherene wanted to leave the conversation, wondering how that was supposed to be fair, but she couldn¡¯t. The table was filled with coffee and desserts, and she needed to eat. After all, she had joined this group only for those treats. These kids were from wealthy bourgeois families and would likely leave some behind. If she didn¡¯t eat now, she would be hungry for the rest of the day. ¡°Epherene! You should ask him!¡± Then sparks flew. Epherene, who had been quietly eyeing the cake, bit her lip in silence. ¡°Epherene, I heard the news about you. People were saying that you avoided disciplinary action thanks to Professor Deculein,¡± Julia said. ¡°What? No, that¡¯s not true. Do you really think he¡¯s that kind of person? It just ended well for both sides,¡± Epherene replied. ¡°Is that so? Well then... Oh, my head hurts. Let¡¯s decide who to askter and just fill this up for now,¡± Julia said, waving the Club Formation Proposal as she stood up. This was the moment Epherene had been waiting for. She smiled bitterly and shook her head. ¡°Sorry guys, I don¡¯t really have time, you guys can go ahead¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯ll treat everyone to ate-night snack tonight for you guys,¡± Julia interrupted. Epherene was silent. ¡°Sorry? Ephie, what did you say?¡± Ate-night snack. Knowing these guys, they would order all sorts of things without restraint. This would be much more substantial than just cake. She wasn¡¯t in a position to be picky about the taste. As long as she could fill up her stomach, she could even take leftovers back to the dormitory. ¡°... I said I¡¯ll help you guys write the proposal,¡± Epherene said, smacking her lips as slowly stood up. The group left the coffee shop and headed toward the Mage Tower. Julia kept mumbling to herself while staring at the paper. ¡°If we make it seem like it¡¯s not a club formoners... would that be a lie... Oh, this isplicated... Huh?" Julia said, scratching her head as she looked at something and froze with wide eyes. It wasn¡¯t just Julia. Everyone, except Epherene, who was only thinking about what to eat for thete-night snack, froze. They stood rooted to the spot, barely breathing. Down the path toward them, someone who stood out anywhere, anytime, was approaching. With a wless, more aristocratic gait than any noble in the world... he was walking toward them. ¡°Epherene! Please take this!¡± Julia urged. ¡°Huh? Take what? Thete-night snack menu?¡± Epherene replied. Julia suddenly handed Epherene the proposal. ¡°What? Why are you giving this to me?¡± Then, she pushed the bewildered Epherene forward. ¡°¡ªOw!¡± Without knowing why, Epherene found herself moving forward and soon standing in front of someone. He was so tall that, at first, she could only see his chest. For a moment, a refreshing breeze blew by, as if they were in a forest. The clean, crisp scent that followed made her uneasy. Slowly, Epherene lifted her head and swallowed hard. The impably tailored suit, the aristocratic tie, the gold insignia denoting his rank, the neat cor, the sharp jawline, and finally... his face. Deculein. He was looking down at her. His gaze was cold and piercing, like ice. It nearly made Epherene faint from shock. Chapter 13: News (4)

Chapter 13: News (4)

¡°Ah... umm....¡± Epherene¡¯s heart pounded like it was about to burst, and her mind was racing. Her ssmates had already disappeared. Epherene tried to slip away quietly. ¡°Step aside,¡± Deculein said. Hearing those words only fueled her determination. There was no reason for her to have been the one to move; it should have been him. Epherene bit her lip, lifted her head, and tightened her grip on the paper in her hand. ¡°... Sir!¡± She meant to use one hand but ended up raising both very politely. What a disaster. ¡°Sir...¡± Deculein still looked down at her with cold eyes. Epherene took a deep breath to steady her racing heart. At the same time, she made a vow. One day, if not now, she would crush that arrogant gaze with her own strength... ¡°I want to start a club. But to do so, I need a supervising professor¡¯s signature,¡± Epherene said. There was no reaction, but Epherene pressed on resolutely. ¡°... I promise I won¡¯t bother you. It¡¯s just that other professors don¡¯t approve of amoners¡¯ club. I just need your signature....¡± She used up all her energy just to say that. Her outstretched arms trembled under Deculein''s inscrutable, crushing pressure. But then, something unexpected happened. Deculein took the paper she offered. He simply reached out and took it without a word. ¡°... Hup,¡± Epherene gasped. Deculein read the proposal. She was anxious, fearing he might tear it apart and say, "How dare you, a meremoner, approach me¡ª" She could almost hear the sound of ripping paper. But then, Deculein took out a fountain pen from his coat, making her anxious once again. She feared he might tear the paper with his pen and say, "Did you expect this? How daremoners¡ª" But instead, Deculein signed it. She was anxious. She feared he might triumphantly rip the signed paper and say, "Did you really think I would sign it¡ª" But he did not. He simply handed it back to her. "Fill up all the details and send it to my officeter," Deculein replied. "... Sorry?" He walked past her without another word. As she stood there in a daze, his scent gradually faded away. Epherene stood, staring nkly at the Club Formation Proposal in her hand. There was a signature¡ªDeculein''s signature. She shouldn¡¯t let her guard down just yet. He might have cast a spell to make it tear after some time. Yet, even as Deculein walked away, bing smaller and smaller until he was just a dot in the distance, the paper remained intact. "Woah, wow, wow, wow! That was amazing!" Her pesky ssmates, who had been hiding, finally showed up. "Wow, you really got his signature... Epherene, you''ve got some guts." "See? I told you, to that professor, nobles andmoners are the same! He ignores everyone equally!" Theyughed and made a fuss, but Epherene wasn''t happy. She felt awful. Once again¡ªthough it wasn''t intentional¡ªshe had sought pity. Anger surged within her, heating her body. She wanted to ask Deculein why he was being so lenient with her. She didn¡¯t need his worthless pity orpassion. It was ridiculous, nothing more. He should have been able to ovee such trivial emotions himself. If he was truly sorry, he should have confessed his wrongdoings to the world and apologized to her father. "Epherene, you''re going to join too, right?" Julia asked without reading the room. Epherene clenched her fists and turned to re at her. "No, I''m not. And if you push me like that again, you''ll be in big trouble," Epherene said coldly, but Julia''s attention was already elsewhere. "Oh, no, she is not just joining. Epherene, you should be the president since we''re founding the club because of you!" "You''ve got to be kidding," Epherene said. What is wrong with this girl? Epherene shook her head in disbelief. "Hey, I said I''m not doing it¡ª" But then. "Right, since today is a special asion, I''ll treat you all to something even better! Let¡¯s go to my ce! My dad brought in some Roahawk boar," Julia said. Roahawk boar. Epherene had never eaten that before. In fact, it wasn''t somethingmon that anyone could eat. It was an incredibly high-graded boar. Raised on Euphrain peri leaves, these pigs lived better lives than most people. The moment you bit into the meat, the juice would burst forth, and its texture was said to be the most tender in the world... "Ephie! You''reing too, right?!" "No, I''m not going," Epherene, acting full of herself, pouted her lips and pretended to be angry. Julia sped her hands together and bowed her head. "Ah, I''m sorry, I''m sorry. Did I scare you? I was so startled. Come on, don''t be like that, let''s go together just this once," Julia begged Epherene. Epherene really appreciated Julia asking her again. "... Alright then. But don¡¯t do something like this again," Epherene replied. "Of course not! Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go~" Julia said. "I stepped in on purpose because I also thought that your cause is¡ª" "I know, I know. Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go~" Julia said, linking arms with Epherene as they walked off. After pretending to be reluctantly dragged along, Epherene arrived at Julia''s restaurant, Flower of the Pig. The restaurant, from its sign to its interior, exuded luxury. The food was delicious, delicious, and delicious. Especially the Roahawk boar¡ªit was so exquisite that she wanted to savor its taste forever. *** On thest Thursday of March, in the annex of the Yukline mansion, which had beenpletely renovated into a training ground and gym without any sunlight, I brushed back my wet hair. My body reflected in the mirror was drenched in sweat from intense exercise. Normally, being Kim Woo-Jin, I wouldn''t have cared, but my changed personality made it feel like bugs were crawling all over me. Snap! I used a basic spell from themon series. As a three-stroke spell, it could be activated with just a snap of my fingers. It was called Cleanse. It gathered all the sweat and dust from my body into the air, serving as a stopgap solution before showering. After I had roughly cleaned myself with it, I checked the time. It was 6 a.m. I had been up since 4 a.m., so two hours had passed. It has been about five days since I started working out every morning. I looked at my body in the full-length mirror. The effects of the exercise were clear. My muscles were functional and perfectly sculpted, not too big or bulky, resembling a statue. This was undoubtedly thanks to the Iron Man attribute. Any exercise was easy, and even if I had muscle soreness, I recovered quickly. If I continued with this routine for a couple of months, I felt I could easily surpass top NFL and NBA athletes in pure physical ability. "Now, for the next routine..." The next training should be about the Qi-Controlled Levitating des. I took out the Cherished Item I hadmissioned from the cksmith. There weren''t just one or two, but exactly twenty. The material was Wood Steel, a top-grade metal that looked and weighed like wood but was harder than steel. These weapons could be described as sharp octahedrons. They were half the size of my forearm, resembling shurikens but without handles, with both sides being des¡ªsymmetrical in form. They were sharp on all sides and pointed at every tip, making them very efficient to handle with Telekinesis. They were suitable for stabbing, shing, piercing, andunching attacks. In an emergency, they could bebined to form a defensive shield. In short, they were makeshift shurikens, to be used until I obtained Snowflower Stone, which I also nned to craft in a simr manner. "Rise." With that one word, twenty shurikens floated into the air. Whirrrrr... The numerous shurikens quickly took flight but soon began colliding with each other, creating a total mess. ng¡ª! Clink¡ª! ng¡ª! Clink¡ª! Crash¡ª! The roof and columns shattered. I quickly reduced the number of shurikens to ten. I still wasn''t used to handling them, especially since Wood Steel was such a high-grade metal. I positioned five shurikens diagonally on the right side and the remaining five on the left. The ten shurikens flew through the air like a house of cards. Reducing the number seemed to make them move more precisely¡ªor so I thought. ng¡ª! When I increased the speed, two shurikens collided and ricocheted off each other. One of them cut my shoulder. Fuck. I mumbled curses under my breath but held back. Then, another shuriken shot up and stabbed me in the thigh. "... That fucking hurts." This time, the pain was too much to bear. The mishap urred because each shuriken moved at a different speed. At least I understood their destructive power now. With these, killing someone would be effortless. "... Hup!" I took a deep breath and pulled the shuriken out of my thigh. Blood flowed profusely, but I didn''t need treatment. I was an Iron Man. Whether it was mana or stamina, my recovery speed was beyond human. "One more time." Before the wound on my thigh could even heal, I used Telekinesis to lift the ten shurikens again. Clink¡ª! One of the shurikens suddenly tumbled and stabbed me in the shoulder. The pain was excruciating. But I didn''t grit my teeth, scream, or widen my eyes in agony. No, I couldn''t. Even if I wanted to cry out loud, no sound woulde. "Damn shurikens..." Instead, I felt only anger. The shurikens, mere weapons, dared to defy my control. They had chosen the wrong opponent. I would keep going until I won¡ªuntil I definitely won. My Competitiveness personality trait kicked in. There''s a famous saying about learning through pain. The more my body hurt, the faster my skills would improve, so I had nothing to lose. ... That day, I finished my training after being cut 108 times and stabbed thirteen times. Of course, the battle wasn''t over, and I still had energy left, but I had a lecture starting at 3 p.m., so I had no choice. *** At 3 p.m. in the A-ss ssroom of the Mage Tower, the atmosphere was tense, unlike previous sses. The reason for this unease was the presence of Sylvia and Epherene, attending their first lecture after their recent fight. ¡°... Ahem. Ahem ahem.¡± Epherene tried to ignore Sylvia, but she kept ncing at her. Sylvia, however, did not look at Epherene at all. Naturally, factions had formed. Themoners sat by Epherene, appearing to support her, while the nobles sided with Sylvia, treating Epherene with disdain. Everyone felt ufortable in this oppressive atmosphere. Creeeak¡ª The tension broke when the door opened, and Head Professor Deculein entered. As always, he was impably dressed. Epherene gripped her pen tightly, her anger fueled by the old letter from her father she had read the previous night. Seeing Deculein onlyplicated her feelings further. He stepped up to the podium, adjusted his attire, and ced his notes on the lectern. "Greetings," Deculein said. His cool tone prompted an immediate response from everyone in the room. "Today, we will have a lecture focused on understanding Pure Elements." The mages opened their textbooks. Since it was an ordinary indoor lecture, each of them had brought Deculein''s book, Understanding Elements. However, Epherene had not bought it because she couldn''t afford it. "As you all know, elements are the fundamental attributes of almost all magic. Yet, many mages still confuse Elemental Magic with Pure Elements." For example, propertyes first, followed by category. Creating fire is an act of Pure Elements, while using that fire for destruction spell is Elemental Magic. "Therefore, today I will teach you this magic." The mages'' hands became busy as they looked through their textbooks, tilting their heads in confusion because today''s lecture content wasn''t in the book. Snap¡ª! With a snap of his fingers, the ssroom lights went out. In the dark, a magical spell and its name appeared¡ªScorching Fire. "What?" "Huh?" Everyone was shocked. Scorching Fire was known to be one of the most difficult spells among the Pure Elements. "Don''t worry. I''m not asking you to learn this spell. Your skills are inadequatepared to it. Scorching Fire is merely an example," Deculein casually continued the lecture. "As you all know, creating a simple fire requires only eight strokes." As he finished speaking, a fire appeared in the air. It was Deculein''s magic, and the mes flickered with unnecessary elegance. "However, Scorching Fire requires eighty-eight strokes." This silent, invisible fire, designed for mass destruction and arson, required eighty-eight strokes just to ignite. For use in attacks, an additional sixty strokes were necessary. "Did no one ever wonder why? Was it just because it was an amazing fire? Or was it simply called a Pure Element because it appeared to mix categories of maniption and enchantment?" Deculein asked. Everyone blinked in confusion. "But why was it ssified as a Pure Element even though it contained mixed categories? What was it about this Pure Element that raised so many questions?" His lecture had an unusual, captivating quality. "You probably went through life without ever questioning it. Theory is only a tool, and you have learned magic purely by intuition." At that moment, fire spread across the ceiling. It was red, then it turned blue, and finally became ck. One hundred and fifty mages stared in stunned silence. "You must clearly understand the spell of the Pure Element of fire," Deculein said. Soon, a much simpler spell was projected. It was an eight-stroke spell for Fire. From that point on, many mages, including Epherene, who had been watching and listening, instinctively took out their writing instruments. However, Sylvia stubbornly refused, thinking she had nothing to learn from Deculein, whether it was theory or intuition. She was still sulking. "Watch closely. By adding these two thin strokes to the spell for Fire, you can change its color. These two strokes control the color." He changed the red fire to blue with two strokes. "Adding four strokes can create a bigger fire." He made the fire more destructive with four strokes. "But adding seven strokes to the fire makes it suddenly flow," Deculein exined. Like a miracle, the me flowed downward. It was not magma, but the fire was genuinely flowing. At that point, even Sylvia, who had been trying to ignore it, started to feel anxious. Her hands itched with the unexpected content of the lecture. Deculein''s lecture was highly theoretical. Typically, elite mages, often considered geniuses, use their intuition to cast spells. Theory provides only a broad framework, while the details are executed through intuition. If all mages relied solely on theory, every spell would look like a copy-paste job. Sylvia, being a genius herself, was no exception. Her property was the origin, not element. She was unfamiliar with theplex theories of Pure Elements. Also, it was inevitable because focusing too much on theory left little time to learn the actual magic. Each line contained a certain amount of mana, and each circuit had a specific function. Trying to understand all of these theoretically would take forever to Memorize even one spell, making practical training difficult. "Now, look again at these seven strokes once again." This is a paradox. To be an elite mage, one needed exceptional intuition, yet elites can''t exin their intuition. To teach well, one needs strong theoretical knowledge. However, those with strong theories often can''t perform any magic higher than the Intermediate level due to ack of intuition, so they aren''t elites. This makes professors somewhat inadequate. They provide a theoretical framework, but young mages need intuition, which they can''t teach. But Deculein was different. "These seven strokes, this spell, make the fire flow. You might have recognized this pattern," Deculein said. She knew what Deculein would say next¡ªwater. By magically separating the properties of water and applying them to fire, the fire flowed like water. This was thebination of Pure Elements. "As you can probably tell, this spell uses the properties of water. Fire and water. Combining Pure Elements like this is very difficult, but once you understand the principle, it makes sense." At that moment, Sylvia felt a shiver down her spine. It was an unexpected and unfamiliar sensation she hadn''t experienced in a long time. She was actually learning from Deculein. The only problem was that she hadn''t brought any writing instruments, stubbornly believing the lecture wouldn''t be useful. No one would have guessed that Deculein, who envied the most talented young mages, would prepare such a lecture. She had expected herself to be the object of jealousy, not to learn anything from him. Everyone in the A-ss ssroom was already focused on Deculein as if entranced. They were all taking notes, except for Sylvia. She felt anxious. This lecture was something she could apply far better than any of them, something she could learn much more deeply. Sylvia wondered why they were the only ones studying. Feeling restless, she cautiously reached out her fingers toward the open pencil case of the female mage next to her. Like a spider stalking its prey, Sylvia slowly moved closer. At that moment, their eyes met shortly. The female mage quickly returned her attention to the lecture, but Sylvia felt a wave of shame at being caught. Desperate, Sylvia reluctantly released her mana, making sure the magical waves stayed contained so no one else would notice. The mana flowed from her core, coursed through her veins, and finally emerged from her fingertips. What had been purely blue soon changed into various colors, forming the shape of a long, blunt writing instrument¡ªa pencil. "Therefore, the nature of Scorching Fire is quiteplex in a way," Deculein said. The silent, flickering element was wind. The formless, rising element was smoke, a blend of fire and water. Together, these three elements formed Scorching Fire. "Fire, water, and wind are purelybined to create this Pure Element magic. Now, let''s simplify this Scorching Fire and see what calctions are necessary for its implementation." Sylvia focused intently on the lecture. For the first time in ages, she devoted all her attention to the face, voice, and teachings of a professor who truly deserved to be called a teacher¡ªsomething she hadn''t done in a long time. For a moment, she recaptured that pure emotion she had lost in her childhood. Chapter 14: Auction (1)

Chapter 14: Auction (1)

"That''s all for today. You''ll need to figure out the rest on your own," Deculein said. The lecture ended. After finishing the three-hour ss, Deculein left without looking back. Sylvia started to follow him but hesitated. She had questions, but her ego wouldn''t let her ask. Instead, she sat down and began to meditate and reflect. Professors who mastered both theory and intuition were rare, but that alone wasn''t enough reason to rely on Deculein. After all, theory was just a framework. Even that framework was merely a shifting standard. Magic was an ever-changing flow driven by mana and, by nature, could not be bound by theory. Imagine if the quality of mana suddenly changed inside the dungeon or within the barrier. The theory would undoubtedly falter if a mana storm disrupted the entire structure of magic spells. In the face of a raging mana disaster, or in the unstable atmosphere right after a mana explosion, the theory couldn¡¯t possibly hold up against such rapid and drastic changes. No, it could not. To a mage, theory is inherently iplete. A theory that was always correct can suddenly be wrong, and at different altitudes,pletely new theories might be needed. Therefore, a mage must strive for their own perfect intuition. At its peak, this heightened sense will be the ultimatew. Sylvia sat quietly for a while, staring at her notes. She had confidence that she could solve even theoretical problems using her intuition. She believed she could find answers on her own, without anyone''s help. A small triangle, arger inverted triangle surrounding it, and a circle enclosing both shapes. Six straight lines and one curve formed the Pure Element of water. Abination of water and fire. As Deculein''s exnation reyed in her mind, she thought deeply. She could apply the framework of his theory using Primary Colors. She could illustrate thebination of Pure Elements like a painting. In this process, the theory was just a guide, and she was the one walking the path... ... It was a disaster. She needed a special notebook for mages. An ordinary sketchbook had its limits. A mage¡¯s notebook could automatically record the flow of magic circuits and spells. She needed to transfer her notes to one. However, her Primary Colors couldn''t stay in this Phenomenal Realm for long. The pencil stayed intact as long as she held it, but the graphite on the paper would fade away within an hour. Meanwhile, the lecture notes spanned sixty pages. Even if she got a magic notebook right away, the writing would disappear while she was copying it. Sylvia looked around. Everyone had already left. The room was empty. Deculein''s lecture had clearly inspired the students. She blinked, ncing between her notebook and pencil, but no solution came to mind. ¡°What should I do?¡± Sylvia murmured softly. If things continued this way, her notes would disappear. Even transferring them to a mage''s notebook would cause some loss of content. In this desperate situation, the only solutions she could think of were to ask the professor directly or find someone who had taken thorough and urate notes. *** Sitting in the third seat of row A in the Mage Tower library, Epherene finished her three-hour review. When she looked at the clock with tired eyes, it was already past midnight. "... I can''t believe I made this," Epherene mumbled to herself, staring at her notes. Summary of Deculein''s Lecture Notes. She had bought a notebook instead of bread to eat today so she could record the lecture. "What happened to him? I heard he wasn''t like this before," Epherene sighed, slumping in her chair. From what she heard, Deculein''s lectures had always been notoriously bad. He seemed to exin things well at first, but it always ended up being self-praise. If someone didn''t buy his book, which cost 5,000 elne, he would re at them. Despite being a Head Professor, his lectures were not very popr because his exams and assignments were notoriously difficult. However, today''s lecture was different. She wanted to criticize it, butpared to other professors, the quality was on a different level. It was truly helpful. In fact, Epherene hadn''t clearly understood why Pure Element magic was called Pure Element in the first ce. Since she hadn''te from the academy, she used magic haphazardly without reading any theoretical books. Deculein filled that ignorant gap, as she called it, which had been bothering her the most. ¡°It hurts my pride...¡± No, it shouldn''t hurt my pride. If I absorb your knowledge and be stronger than you, that would be humiliating for you. Epherene said in her mind. ¡°Yes, that''s right. Yaaawn~¡± Epherene stretched and went outside, having convinced herself. On her way back to the dormitory, she saw her ssmates eating hotdogs on the street. The hotdogs looked delicious. Epherene rummaged through her pockets. She didn''t have a single penny. She had spent her meal money on a notebook. As a university mage, she had to use a special magic notebook, which was very expensive. ¡°Hey! Ephie! Ephie!¡± Someone called out a strange nickname from behind. ¡°Ephie!¡± Epherene knew they were referring to her as Ephie, but it irritated her that they had shortened it. Annoyed, she turned around. A pink-haired girl named Davy, the top student in the First Magic Department, ran toward her, panting. ¡°Ephie, Ephie! You have Professor Deculein¡¯s ss, right?¡± Davy said. ¡°Yes, but why?¡± Epherene asked. Epherene frowned, annoyed that she used that nickname despite them not being close. Davy, however, smiled mischievously and got straight to the point. ¡°Do you have any notes from the lecture?¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± Epherene said, tilting her head. ¡°Well, you know, the Wizard Board mentioned today that Professor Deculein''s lecture was amazing. So now I¡¯m looking for anyone with notes. If you have them, I¡¯ll buy them. Just let me copy them,¡± Davy said. Buy. Money. Notes. Copy. She wanted to buy Epherene¡¯s notes. Those words piqued Epherene''s interest because they meant she would get to eat something today. But... ¡°I''d like to, but... you know about my recent disciplinary hearing. I was too anxious to take proper notes.¡± Epherene didn''t want anyone to know how hard she had reviewed and studied Professor Deculein''s lecture. "Really? Well, that''s unfortunate," Davy said, wrinkling her nose. "Sorry," Epherene replied with a bitter smile. "I''ll go find anothermoner. Take care~" Just like that, Davy left quickly. As she walked away, she muttered, "She can''t even make the most of the opportunities thate her way~" How pitiful. If Davy was going to find anothermoner, she must be searching for other poor kids. But Epherene wasn¡¯t amoner; she was a noble. She might be broke, but she still had her pride. ... If Davy had asked just one more time, Epherene might have agreed. Growl¡ª Epherene clutched her hungry stomach as she walked. Stumbling along, she suddenly bumped into someone else. "... Oh?" It was a blonde mage dressed in a luxurious velvet robe. Anyone could see she was a noble from a prestigious family. It was Sylvia. She stood still in the middle of the path, ring at Epherene. As Epherene hesitated and walked closer, she felt a chill and stopped at a safe distance. "What are you doing here?" Epherene asked. Sylvia didn''t answer and just stared at the notebook in Epherene''s hand. "Hello?" Sylvia''s eyes were fixed likesers. Suddenly, she reached out to grab Epherene''s notebook. "What are you¡ªhey!" Epherene eximed, startled as she quickly hid it behind her back. Sylvia didn''t give up after one try. She wed at the air three times, trying to snatch the notebook, then slowly backed away. "W-what the heck? What are you doing? Have you turned into a thug?" Epherene said, bbergasted. Sylvia didn''t say a word. She smacked her lips in disappointment, turned around, and walked away. Her heels clicked as she disappeared into the darkness like a ghost. "Wow, that was creepy. What''s her deal?" Some kind of psychopath she was, Epherene thought. Worried she might attack again, she carefully cradled the notebook and headed back to the dormitory. Growl¡ª Grooooowl¡ª Her stomach growled loudly as she walked down the dormitory hallway. "Oh, man... I''m going to be the first mage to starve to death. Why can''t they just give us some free food when they make so much money?" At least the tuition and dormitory fees were free. If they weren¡¯t, she would have died a long time ago. Grumbling, she trudged down the hallway to her door and noticed something. "... Wow, how childish," Epherene muttered in exasperation. Her door was covered in red graffiti. Who do you think you are? How dare you stand up to her? You''re not even from the academy, you lowly thing! Get out of the Mage Tower, idiot! It was written with a marker, presumably by Sylvia''s fans. "Pathetic idiots, truly pathetic." She clicked her tongue and used magic to quickly erase the graffiti. When she opened the door, she found an envelope on the floor. A quick nce revealed it was a Sponsorship Certificate from the Mage Tower of the University. "This one was actually kind of clever," Epherene said reluctantly. Her heart skipped a beat before settling. The notion of sponsorship was absurd. No one would be foolish enough to sponsor someone marked by both the Iliade and Deculein families. It was clever, but not clever enough. The sting of knowing that her poverty was already widely known cut deep. Mage Tower Sponsorship Certificate Recipient: Debutant Epherene Luna Amount: 100,000 ? "One hundred thousand elne? Has this personpletely lost their mind?" Epherene knew she wouldn''t receive any sponsorship, so she set the maximum amount at ten million elne. But a sponsorship of one hundred thousand elne? If you''re going to do it, do it right... Hmm... but it is pretty detailed to be a forgery... Wait, did this lunatic even forge the seal? This needs to be reported immediately, Epherene said in her mind. "At least I can im a reward for this." "Thanks, kid. Now you''re in big trouble," Epherene muttered, her lips curling into a smile as she headed straight to the Magical Administration Office near the dormitory. "Excuse me, I''m here to report something." "Report something?" the clerk at the counter said, stopping his typing and tilting his head. "Yes. Someone forged this and gave it to me." "Forgery?" "Yes. They even forged the seal. I think they were trying to mess with me." "... What? Oh, okay. I''ll take a look." "Is there a reward for this kind of thing?" "No, there isn''t." "Oh..." Epherene scratched the back of her neck and waited. Three minutester, she walked out of the administrative office,pletely shocked, holding a sponsorship certificate. "This..." She stared at the certificate, holding it with both hands. "Is this... is this a dream?" Epherene said. One hundred thousand elne. She pped her cheek. One hundred thousand elne. It hurt a lot. One hundred thousand elne. It was really one hundred thousand elne. Startle¡ª Startled by the sudden breeze, Epherene shivered and looked around nervously before tucking the certificate into her coat. Someone might have seen it. They might know she had 100,000 elne. A thief might try to steal it. She needed to get to the bank quickly. Walking cautiously and staying alert, Epherene soon found herself unable to go any further and squatted by the roadside. Her chest tightened with emotion, making it impossible for her to move. "... Sob." Epherene buried her face in her knees and clenched her teeth. A wave of emotions surged up her throat. She tried to hold them back, but she couldn¡¯t. Perhaps this was what made life worth living¡ªsomeone had recognized her talent, even with the mage family''s suppression. Yet, how they knew remained a mystery to her. A strange, animalistic sound, neither a cry nor a growl, echoed on the street. Epherene remained there for a while, struggling to stifle her unbearable sobs. *** On thest weekend of a pleasant March, the day finally came for the auction where I had promised to buy the Snowflower Stone. I drove to the city of Luten, where the auction house was located. "We''ve entered Luten. It should take about five minutes to reach Schatzenjewel," the driver said. "Good job. When we arrive, take a break and wait outside," I replied. "Sorry? Oh, yes! Thank you!" The streets of Luten, one of the wealthiestmercial cities in the Empire, were indeed dazzling. While not entirely modern, there were many high-rise buildings, and some streets were lined entirely with luxury stores and jewelers. We passed through these morous streets and headed to our destination, the auction house on the coast. Luten Schatzenjewel I easily read what was written on the sign. Inspired by the Sydney Opera House, Schatzenjewel was truly impressive. I got out at the entrance of the auction house, which led to the sea, escorted by my attendants. My body was covered in wounds, making it difficult to move, as I had been practicing with shurikens at the mansion. "Right this way, Head Professor Deculein," attendants said. We entered through the VVIP passage and reached the waiting room. "When the timees, I will personally escort you. For now, please feel free to rx," one of the attendants said. I nodded and sat down, intending to pass the time. Unexpectedly, I saw someone familiar. She had striking ash-gray hair with a mystical hue and wore white light armor. I didn¡¯t know why she was in armor at an auction, just as she had been at the party. It was Yulie. I never imagined I would meet her here today. She stood in the middle of the waiting room and, upon seeing me, walked over with the steady gait of a knight. I nodded in greeting. "I heard you brought charges against two mages with the disciplinarymittee," Yulie spoke first. I looked at her, sensing she was here to meddle again. "You''rete to the news. Did you just hear about it?" I said. "What do you meante? I heard it yesterday. Is it true?" Yulie asked. "It is. Are you going to me me for that as well?" Yulie was speechless. She hesitated, unsure of what to say since she didn''t fully understand the situation. Finally, she spoke. "They''re just Debutants, freshmen at the Mage Tower, full of dreams and hopes. Don''t crush their spirits. Don''t repeat the mistakes of the past. It will catch up with you someday. This is my final advice to you." Her words marked a definitive end. Yulie had already made up her mind. And so had I. No matter how impressive and beautiful Yulie was, I had no intention of marrying her just for those reasons. Besides, there was a real risk of dying at the wedding, given all the death variables around her, especially her fiercely protective sister. "I won''t." I nodded, signaling my agreement and the end of our conversation. Yulie gave a silent bow and left. As I watched her walk away, a sudden curiosity arose. "But, did youe to this auction to see me?" I asked. "... W-what? You''ve got to be kidding me!" Yulie said, spinning around and eximing loudly. That was enough for me. I was about to go back to reading my book when she quickly moved closer and added, "When I say ''you''ve got to be kidding me,'' I mean, I didn''te here to see you. You''re mistaken if you think I did." I nodded again. Yulie eyed me suspiciously, then stepped back but lingered nearby. After a moment, she returned and muttered clearly, "Really. I have my own reasons for being here¡ª" "I get it. You only need to say it once," I replied. I couldn''t believe how much she was underestimating someone with the Comprehension attribute. When I firmly cut her off, Yulie pouted and left. She was the one who had misunderstood in the first ce. Her quiet grumbling was oddly cute. As I was smiling to myself, I suddenly stopped, surprised. Hopefully, I hadn''t picked up Deculein''s feelings of liking Yulie. Of course, seeing her didn''t make my heart race or make me feel dizzy. And at that moment... ¡ª Attention esteemed guests of Schatzenjewel, the auction willmence shortly. Please follow the guidance of your attendants. Thank you. At that moment, an announcement came over the loudspeaker, and I stood up. As I walked into the auction hall, a small figure followed closely behind me, saying, "Since you don''t seem to understand, let me exin it onest time¡ª" "I did understand," I replied. "You already did itst time. You might spread weird stories about us in the social circle again¡ª" "I won''t spread any. Trust me." "I didn''te here to see you. I really didn''t." "I got it..." We entered the auction stage, supposedly on good terms, and soon took our seats, apart from each other. Chapter 15: Auction (2)

Chapter 15: Auction (2)

Meanwhile, in Hadecaine, the capital of Yukline territory, real-time updates about Deculein were being received. ¡°What? Right now? He¡¯s at the auction house?¡± Yeriel said, furrowing her brow. Last year, he had squandered ten million elne from the territory''s finances, and now he was doing it again. After their fight, she hadn¡¯t expected him to repeat the same stunt. ¡°Yes, it seems the auction is already underway,¡± the butler said. ¡°Ah...¡± Yeriel said, feeling a wave of dizziness at the butler¡¯s confirmation. As the de facto Lord of Hadecaine Castle, she did her best to cut expenses. Deculein''s actions werepletely baffling to her. ¡°... Got it. You may go,¡± Yeriel said. ¡°Yes, Lady Yeriel.¡± m¡ª! ¡°Fuck!¡± As soon as the butler left, Yeriel mmed her desk, opened a bottle of whiskey, and poured herself a ss. With each pour, her anger red even more. ¡°Could it be that he asked for the mining acquisition money for thisst time? That lunatic?¡± Yeriel said. Gulp. She gulped down the ss of whiskey. It burned her throat, but it was better than the feeling that her head would explode. ¡°Aargh¡ª! Aaaaargh¡ª!¡± Yeriel screamed in frustration. ¡°That fucking idiot!¡± Yeriel believed she surpassed Deculein in magical talent, practical sense, administrative skills, understanding of the territory¡¯s customs and industries, and every moral quality except etiquette. Yet, Deculein remained the head of Yukline, likely forever. ¡°Seriously, why...?¡± Their parents had been too quick to trust in Deculein''s talent, deciding on his session too early. As a child, Deculein was a whiz kid, mastering Mage Tower of University-level magic by the age of ten. But that was it. It was like Yeriel''s height. She had surpassed five foot three by age ten and expected to grow tall and elegant like Deculein, but her growth stopped there. Her body never developed further. In other words, he wasn''t a genius. He was just precocious. Deculein had only been precocious. That''s why their parents once told her they regretted their decision. They regretted deciding too early. ¡°You should have been the head of the family, not Deculein.¡± ... That part was only her imagination, but still. "Fuuuck, regret is always toote, no matter when ites..." Yeriel said. It was toote for regrets. Nothing could be changed or undone. Their parents had passed away, and Deculein would forever remain the head of the Yukline family. Although it was unfair, Yeriel epted it. Deculein took after their father, while she took after their mother. Since her mother was a concubine who married their father after his first wife passed away, it was only natural for Deculein, the son of the first wife, to be the head of the family. It was an infuriatingly logical oue. She understood this, but it still felt unfair. She was confident she could do a better job than him¡ªmuch better than that bastard who only indulged in luxuries in the capital. "Oh... I miss them so much," Yeriel said after finishing the entire bottle. Resting her head on the desk, she muttered, "Why did you have to die so soon?" Seven years have already passed since they both passed away. For the past seven years, she had often longed to hug them and cried almost every day. Now, at twenty-six, she was the acting Lord, having set aside her childish tears to fulfill her duty as a member of the Yukline family. ¡°... That bastard really pisses me off.¡± m¡ª! m¡ª! m¡ª! Instead of tears, she drooled as she pounded the desk. After several hits, she sighed in resignation. ¡°Hopefully, he won''t spend too much...¡± Deculein despised excessive greed, considering it beneath his dignity. Yet now, she wanted to shatter all his foolish dignity and etiquette into pieces. "That fuckin'' bastard..." Yeriel slurred, clearly drunk. Once, she had sought his brotherly love and felt proud of his very existence. But he was always cold and imposing, forcing ill-fitting etiquette upon her. Of course, she had tried back then. She couldn''t match that man''s innate sense of etiquette, but she had wanted to be loved. She tried to earn his affection by wearing ufortable dresses, carrying etiquette books in her small hands, and following him everywhere. But he ignored her, pushed her away, and yelled at her. She thought it was only natural since she was the daughter of a concubine. She believed she was unworthy, feeling shecked the grace, intelligence, and nobility expected of her. Yet over time, she realized it was Deculein whocked nobility. ¡°... That bastard.¡± Yeriel became strong after giving up on being loved. Strong enough to curse him to his face in any situation and manage the vast Yukline territory on her own. She wasn''t sure if she had be stronger or merely broken, but she was now capable of leading Yukline by herself. She took pride in that, knowing that over seven years, Yukline had flourished under her guidance. All the vassals in the territory now recognized her as the true Lord. "Sigh..." Yeriel held it as a cherished source of pride andfort in her heart. *** The Auction Stage at Luten Schatzenjewel was exceptionallyvish. The seats, covered in red velvet favored by the nobility, were trimmed with golden embroidery. The auction tform on the far side gleamed as if it were made entirely of gold. It was a dazzling disy of red and gold. Amid the subtle fragrance and theughter of the aristocrats, I perused the auction catalog on the armrest of my VVIP seat. ¡°There are many items on the list,¡± I said. The catalog listed porcin, nes, scissors, rings, relics, excavation finds, and the Snowflower Stone. In addition to the Snowflower Stone, there were many artifacts that would be useful to mages. For reference, I briefly checked the market value of the Snowflower Stone, which ranged from ten million to thirty million elne. It was a substantial price. ¡ª Honored guests of the Luten Schnitzel auction, I would like to say a few words... At that moment, the auctioneer''s voice echoed through the room, and the lights dimmed. The chatter slowly faded. ¡ª Just as ice that seems permanent eventually melts, and seeds soaked in water sprout into new shoots... The auctioneer began his introduction. An item was already on disy on the tform. ¡ª ... Yes, the new spring has begun, and here is the first item to kick off the season¡¯s auction! It appeared to be an ordinary piece of pottery. ¡ª Look at the elegant curves of this piece. This is the Oriental Vase, crafted by a master artisan from the distant Eastern Archipgo. Ites with a certificate of authenticity from the Pottery Association, dering it a top-quality masterpiece. The starting bid is 500,000 elne, with 50,000 elne increments. At first, I had no particr thoughts about it. But when I nced at the pottery, I frowned. ¡°That is...¡± The vase was emitting a faint glow. This didn''t surprise me, as it was an instinct from my Wealthy Magnate attribute. ¡ª Number 37, 550,000 elne! Ah, immediately, number 693. 600,000 elne! The first auction proceeded quite fiercely, but I focused solely on the glow. The more I looked, the more intense the radiance became. ¡ª Number 37 again with 650,000 elne! Ah, now guest number 993! Number 37 bid 650,000, number 993 bid 700,000, number 1038 bid 750,000... The bidding continued until it stopped at 1.3 million elne. ¡ª Alright, number 1413 with 1.3 million elne, is there no higher bid? Then I will call it three times. 1.3 million elne. 1.3 million elne? 1.3 million¡ª The price was 1.3 million elne. With 200 million elne in my ount, it was pocket change. I tapped the small crystal orb on the armrest of my seat. ¡ª Ah! Now we have a bid from guest number 777 for 1.4 million elne! The auctioneer recognized my bid. ¡ª Number 1413, now 1.5 million elne! Number 1413, who had bid 1.3 million, countered. I pressed the crystal orb without any hesitation. ¡ª Number 777, 1.6 million! Number 1413, 1.7 million! The price kept rising to 1.8 million, 1.9 million, 2 million... but the pottery''s glow remained unchanged. ¡ª Number 777, 2.5 million elne. Is there any higher bid?! It was clear. That pottery held value beyond its auction price. I could see it and feel it instinctively. This was the power of the Wealthy Magnate attribute¡ªthe so-called fate of bing a tycoon. ¡ª If there are no further bids, I will call it three times at 2.5 million elne. Number 1413, who had been very active earlier, was now silent. No one would dare challenge someone with a bnce of 200 million. The power of money was something I had never felt so strongly in my life. If this was the authority of wealth, then I was indeed an extremely authoritative person... ¡ª 2.5 million. 2.5 million? 2.5 million! Sold to number 777! Just like that, I won the bid for the pottery. p p p p¡ª I raised my hand slightly in response to the apuse from the guests. It was a perfectly natural gesture for a noble. ¡ª Now, the next item... The next item was also something I needed to buy. Maybe it was just this auction, or perhaps all auctions were like this. There might have been something wrong with my attribute, but no, it was reliable. This attribute would bring me wealth, no matter what. ¡ª This is Rupherin¡¯s Ring, crafted by the artisan Rupherin. It is said to aid the wearer¡¯s blood flow and mana cirction. The starting bid is 800,000, with 50,000 increments! I watched the auction proceed for a moment, pondering. But there was nothing to consider. ¡ª Number 603, 1.5 million elne! From now on, increments are 100,000! Ah! Now, number 777! My decision was nearly certain. There was no reason to hesitate. The 200 million in my ount was personal money¡ªnice to have, but not essential. So, I decided to invest, keeping only enough to buy the Snowflower Stone. ¡ª Again, number 777! Rupherin¡¯s Ring, 3 million elne! I trusted my attribute''s instinct, making this a guaranteed sessful investment. Besides, I had the Midas Touch. This was an opportunity to be a true Wealthy Magnate. ¡ª Rupherin¡¯s Ring, sold to number 777 for 3 million elne! I won the second item, Rupherin¡¯s Ring. Naturally, the auction continued from there. ¡ª 2.1 million elne. Is there no higher bid? Lucho¡¯s Scissors, sold to number 777 for 2.1 million elne! The auctioneer''s calls stayed the same, with only the prices and items changing. ¡ª 4.3 million elne. Is there no higher bid? The Ancient Rune Ne, sold to number 777 for 4.3 million elne! ¡ª 5.5 million elne. Is there no higher bid? The Darkbottom Carpet, sold to number 777 for 5.5 million elne... Number 777. They belonged to Deculein. *** Honestly, Yulie had never considered attending an auction in her life. Frugality and thrift were ingrained in her, and she often agonized over buying even a single fur coat. That''s why she still cherished the one she received as a graduation gift ten years ago. But... ¡ª Number 777, 4.3 million elne. Is there no higher bid? It was clear Deculein had no interest in frugality. ¡ª The Ancient Rune Ne, sold to number 777 for 4.3 million elne! As soon as the auction began, he quickly won seven out of ten items. His aggressive bidding dominated the entire auction stage. ¡°Unbelievable...¡± Yulie said, shaking her head. Some might find it impressive or enviable, but to Yulie, his extravagance was simply pathetic. In this way, she and Deculein were different in every aspect. Their ideals were too foreign to each other. That¡¯s why they could never understand one another. Of course, Yulie had tried at first. As a knight, she couldn''t defy her family''s wishes, so she tried to love her fianc¨¦. However, Deculein mistakenly believed he could buy her favor and treated her in the most contemptible way. From the day of their disastrously mismatched engagement, they had been at odds from the very start. ¡°Have youe to find yourself a Cherished Item?¡± At that moment, a nobleman next to her spoke with a gentle smile. Yulie¡¯s shoulders twitched at the question she had been waiting for. ¡°... Yes.¡± The Snowflower Stone, also known as Winter¡¯s me, was a rare and paradoxical metal that holds both cold and heat. It was so difficult to handle that it was considered magical, and only the most skilled cksmiths could attempt to smelt and refine it. ¡°It¡¯s time for me to get my own Cherished Item,¡± Yulie continued. In truth, she did desire a good sword. After all, she believed that a knight who didn''t invest in their weapon was a real waste. And to some extent, she was right. A sword''s value increases over time as it bonds with the wielder''s mana, a processmonly known asmunion. In this regard, focusing solely on the Snowflower Stone wasn''t extravagant. It was also well known that she didn''t possess a Cherished Item, so people would understand that she was finally seeking her own special armament¡ªjust like the nobleman sitting next to her. ¡°Indeed, Knight Freyden. Your skills are renowned throughout the Empire. I was very impressed by your interview inst month¡¯s Knight Journal,¡± the noblemen said. ¡°... I simply shared my beliefs and convictions,¡± Yulie said, nodding gracefully. Although his ttery made her feel proud, she tried not to show it. ¡°Of course, and your husband¡ª¡± ¡°He is not my husband,¡± Yulie said, her eyes narrowing sharply. The noblemanughed awkwardly before quietly retreating. ¡ª 5.5 million elne. Is there no higher bid? The Darkbottom Carpet, sold to number 777 for 5.5 million elne... Meanwhile, Deculein''s extravagant spending showed no signs of stopping. His overwhelming presence was so dominant that the attention directed at him began to spill over to her as well. After all, they were officially engaged. Yulie felt her face gradually heating up, but she tried hard to hold it back. Her focus was solely on the Snowflower Stone. She had already confirmed the total of her savings and sry, which she had been umting since birth. It was much more than she had expected, so she could definitely afford the Snowflower Stone. Feeling confident and ignoring the repeated calls for number 777, Yulie took a deep breath to calm herself. Chapter 16: Adult (1)

Chapter 16: Adult (1)

"... You''re really sp-sp-spending a lot today," said an unknown noble next to me. Meeting him for the first time, I noticed he was trembling all over, and his shaking even made my hand quiver. "These items are worth the expense," I replied. The Wealthy Magnate attribute, reflecting financial acumen, gave me an extraordinary intuition about value. It allowed me to gauge the potential of items and make almost instinctive judgments about their worth. Relying on this attribute, I had focused on the auction and won eleven out of the twenty-four items offered so far. ¡ª The next item is Tranquility. However, I decided to stop bidding. The quality of items after the Ancient Relic Ne had been disappointing, and the estimated maximum price for the Snowflower Stone was thirty million. To be safe, I needed to reserve ny million. ¡ª The Horn of Lokon... The auction went on peacefully without my bids. Other cautious nobles began to join in quietly. In this calm atmosphere, the item I had been waiting for finally appeared. ¡ª This ore has yed a significant role in the history of imperial swords. Known as Nature''s Magic, Winter''s me, the starting bid for the Snowflower Stone is 5 million elne, with increments of 200,000 elne. The first bid for the Snowflower Stone came from number 1089 as soon as it appeared. ¡ª Number 1089, 5 million elne. I looked at the bold bidder in seat 1089. It was a familiar sight. Her glossy hair was tied up in a neat bun, and her white, armor-like outfit unted her status. It was Yulie. Her eyes were filled with determination, showing she wouldn''t back down. *** Yulie participated passionately in the auction. She bid without any strategy and barely took a breath. However, given the item, it wasn''t easy. The price quickly soared to ten million, thirteen million, seventeen million, neen million... reaching astronomical levels. ¡ª Number 1089, 30 million elne! Is there no higher bid?! Fortunately, when it reached the anticipated maximum price of thirty million, most bidders gave up. Feeling optimistic, Yulie thought she might get it for less than expected. ¡°Phew.¡± At that moment, an unexpectedpetitor emerged. ¡ª Number 777, 31 million elne! Yulie widened her eyes and searched for seat number 777. It was upied by a man sitting in a nearby VVIP seat, exuding an air of elegance¡ªDeculein. Sensing her gaze, he turned to look at her. Though he appeared indifferent as usual, Yulie felt she understood his intentions. ¡ª Number 1089, 32 million elne. Yulie clenched her fist and quietly ced her bid. She had no intention of backing down, and neither did Deculein. ¡ª Again from number 777, 33 million elne! From then on, it was a duel between the two of them. Whenever Deculein raised the bid, Yulie followed. The auctioneer''s calls continued without pause, and the entire audience watched them, their gasps and cheers serving as background noise. The intense interest was likely due to the fact that it was Deculein and Yulie battling, not just therge sums of money involved. ¡ª Number 777, 37 million elne! At thirty-seven million, Deculein remained calm, but Yulie''s hand began to tremble. Her bnce was running low. Still, she didn''t want to lose. ¡ª Number 1089, 38 million elne. Yulie desperately raised her bid to thirty-eight million. Deculein countered immediately, without a moment''s hesitation. ¡ª Number 777, 39 million elne. Yulie''s shoulders twitched. For a moment, the noise in the room stopped. Everyone held their breath and looked at Yulie. She took a few seconds to catch her breath and then decided not to give up. Determined to sell her family''s mansion if necessary, she ced another bid. Once again from number 1089 with forty million elne. A second silence fell. Deculein remained still for quite a while, eyes closed in thought. He considered that Yulie seemed desperate for the Snowflower Stone. Winning it might lead Yulie to hold a grudge, perhaps even bing a factor in his downfall. But that couldn¡¯t be true. Deculein¡ªno, Kim Woo-Jin¡ªhad faith in Yulie''s character. Besides, he was just as desperate for the Snowflower Stone as she was. ¡°Whew... whew...¡± Meanwhile, Yulie''s head bobbed with tension. She couldn''t control her heavy breathing, and her shoulders kept rising and falling. Yulie wore her emotions on her sleeve. ¡ª It looks like the Snowflower Stone is about to be sold to number 1089... Thirty seconds passed. Yulie finally ced her hands gently on her knees, looking calm and ready to enjoy her victory. At that moment... ¡ª Number 777, 42 million elne! ¡°Ah!¡± Yulie screamed with wide eyes. Amid the excitement in the auction hall, her unrefined scream went unnoticed. ¡°Ugh...¡± Clenching her teeth, Yulie''s hands shook as she finally closed her eyes and lowered her head. Her lower lip and eyelids trembled with the frustration of admitting defeat. That unpleasant feeling spread to her fingertips. She had no more money. ¡ª I will call it three times. 42 million elne, 42 million elne, 42 million elne! The Snowflower Stone goes to guest number 777! So, the winner was decided, and Deculein stayed calm even in victory. p p p¡ª The guests in the auction hall apuded. He responded with a dignified nod. ¡ª With this excitement in mind, let¡¯s move on to the next item. The auction continued, but neither Yulie nor Deculein found anything else of interest. ording to Deculein''s assessment of his attributes, theter items were all overpriced. So, he waited patiently and gracefully for the auction to end. The sight of Yulie''s reddened, trembling head worried him in its own way. *** The auction ended. Yulie staggered as she stood up and made her way to leave the auction hall when someone blocked her path. It was Deculein, his blue, crystal-like eyes looking down at her. "... Congrattions." Yulie didn''t want to say anything or hear anything. But Deculein, as always, spoke. "You wanted the Snowflower Stone too, did you?" "... Hah." Her heart wrenched for a moment as a surge of emotions stirred within her. Yulie felt she knew what he was about to say. The worst memory of their engagement day reyed in her mind. ¡°... If you want, I can give you these. If you wish, I can do anything for you,¡± Deculein had once said, disying all the things she had wanted in a room. The emotion she felt that day was not happiness or bliss, but pure humiliation. However, the real disgrace came afterward. After Yulie stormed out that day, various malicious rumors began to spread like wildfire. People said that the woman who was once out of reach had finally been imed by Deculein. Rumors imed Yulie had secured the Hadecaine Knights Order through him and that she was the one who wanted the engagement in the first ce. These words sullied her beliefs. Does he really think such nder would bring me back to him? What a foolish man. No matter how hard I try, I could never love him. And once again... "I''m sorry," Deculein said. "What are you trying to... What?" Deculein turned away. "I''m sorry" was all he said before walking off, leaving Yulie staring nkly at his back. "Uh... Um." Yulie felt confused but also relieved as she made her way to the lobby. At least it wasn''t a repeat ofst year. "... Sigh." That should have been enough, but a deep sigh escaped her. The Snowflower Stone. The item had finally shown up after two years and was being auctioned again after three years. She had been looking forward to it. But now it was taken from her by the one person she least wanted to lose to. ¡°Why did Professor Deculein buy the Snowflower Stone?¡± a voice said, floating into her ears. ¡°Well, obviously...¡± The nobles always gossiped as if spreading rumors was their duty. Not just the nobles, but everyone in the waiting room was talking about today¡¯s events, just like they did a year ago. They poured unwanted words into her ears. ¡°He must have bought it as a gift for his fianc¨¦e, right?¡± the noblewoman said. Yulie gritted her teeth. ¡°Ohohoho. Of course, but why didn¡¯t he just let her have it?¡± the noblewoman asked. ¡°You know how Professor Deculein is. He probably wants to forge it into a sword himself,¡± the noblewoman said. She knew she shouldn''t judge based on overheard gossip, but Deculein¡¯s past actions were too clear. The Snowflower Stone couldn¡¯t be used for magic; its internal mana was too dense and could only be used for swords. Only after thousands of swings and achievingmunion could the metal be wielded effectively, allowing for the use of sword energy. Why did he, a mage, buy it? Yulie swallowed a deep sigh rising from her gut. ¡°His fianc¨¦e is so lucky. A gift worth forty-two million elne! I¡¯d be happy with a ne worth forty thousand,¡± one of the noblewomen said. "Exactly. But Miss Freyden is ying these pointless back-and-forth games, even though everything''s already settled," the noblewoman replied. If she stayed amid all the wild guesses and spections, she would lose her mind. Yulie pushed through the crowd and rushed out of Schatzenjewel. ~ On a path chilled by the sea breeze, she hunched her shoulders against the cold, taking deep breaths to calm her tumultuous emotions. It''s okay. It''s not a big deal. I don''t need to be swayed by untrue words. I''m used to this kind of experience. I won''t be shaken anymore... Just then, a car approached her quietly, and the back door opened first. ¡°Yulie,¡± a familiar voice called her name. ¡°Sister?¡± Yulie said, lifting her head in surprise. Smiling at her was Josephine, her sister and the eldest daughter of the Freyden family. "I knew this would happen. Get in," Josephine said. Josephine was a different kind of beautypared to Yulie. To Yulie, she had a charm on another level. Her bobbed hair was more beautiful than anyone''s, and her radiant, graceful features always made Yulie feel small. ¡°What are you doing? Get in.¡± Yulie found her sister, who was so different from her in many ways, ufortable. But today, she got into the car without a word. Josephine, who held more influence in the social circle than Deculein, was the only support she could rely on in situations like this. *** ... Indeed, Yulie is a good person. She is, at least in her own way, far from the Viin''s Fate. No death variable applies to her in her current state. I confirmed this in the auction house with my Sharp Eyesight. It was foolish of me to worry about retaliation just for taking the Snowflower Stone. "She must have gone through a lot from Deculien..." I said. But truly, how much must she have endured for someone as good as Yulie to kill Deculein with her own hands? I reflected on the Deculein from the game I had yed. I wondered just how crazy he was in the game. "We''ve arrived, sir," the driver said. Lost in thought, I didn''t realize we had arrived at the mansion. "... Well done." "Yes, sir. Please have a restful night," the driver said. It was well past midnight when I checked the clock. I got out of the car and walked through the garden to the main house. Something was amiss. Servants were gathered at the entrance, looking anxious. When they saw me, they hurried over. "Master, Master, Lady Yeriel is¡ª" "Okay," I replied. Without asking about the situation, I went upstairs. I dismissed the servants who tried to follow and walked up the stairs to open the door. In the middle of the moonlit living room stood a dark silhouette. When the door opened, the figure turned. Even though her face was shadowed, I knew it was Yeriel. I was about to ask what brought her here, but she spoke first, her voice dry and cracked. "... The money was for the Jeren Mine acquisition. You said you''d keep it safe, but was this your n all along?" Yeriel said, tears welling up in her eyes as she spoke. I was startled but didn''t show it. Ah, no wonder. I had noticed my personal ount had an unusuallyrge amount of money. Given my character''s wealth, I thought two hundred million was normal. It was clearly careless of me. "Don''t worry. I only purchased items that will definitely be profitable," I replied. This was the truth. I had bought items that would significantly increase in value, and I nned to sell them for two or three times the purchase price in the future using the Midas Touch. "You¡ª!" But at that moment, it seemed none of my words were getting through to her. The sound of something tearing echoed in my ears. After a loud outburst, Yeriel panted like a growling beast. "You''re treating me like trash." I looked at Yeriel. The tremor in her voice seemed to vibrate through her entire body. "Do you think I''m just here to clean up after you?" Yeriel continued. I was taken aback. In all my years, I had never encountered such intense anger. "With the neww changes, the vassals can hardly sleep, working all day, and you squander all the wealth we''ve umted? You crazy bastard! What kind of profit are you talking about? Are you gambling with the territory''s money?" Yeriel shouted. Red and dark energy burst from Yeriel''s body, a sign of the Viin''s Fate. At the same time, a golden light radiated brightly, revealing the Wealthy Magnate. "You, you, you..." Yeriel stuttered. The meaning of this contradiction was simple; it showed both Viin''s Fate and Wealthy Magnate together. If I couldn''t resolve the situation, Yeriel would be a death variable. If I seeded, she would be a tremendous financial asset. Somehow, I felt I knew the answer to thisplex problem. Luckily, I already knew what she wanted. "Don''t worry," I said. "Don''t talk to me like that! This isn''t about worry, you retard! You''re always causing us trouble!" Yeriel screamed, spitting tears and saliva everywhere. "Do you think I want to live like this forever? I quit college because of you! I''ve never even had a proper rtionship!" "You don''t have to do that," I said. "What do you mean, I don''t have to do this? Since our parents died, what have you done for the family? You just wander around, wasting money. How can you blow through 150 million in a single day¡ª" "I will give you the position of head of the family," I said, cutting her words. "You worthless piece of... No, even calling you trash is too kind. You worthless worm! Rolling around in filth... all the time... Wait, what?" Yeriel''s tirade stopped abruptly. She seemed to rey what she had just heard. Even so, she didn''t seem to fully understand, her eyes wide with confusion. "Wh-what did you just say?" Deculein is the head of the Yukline family. But I know how Head Deculein''s story ends. "Tell me. What did you just say...?" Yeriel continued. If Deculein were to return to the territory and act as Lord, the best possible oue would be poisoning. In the game, Deculein was always a professor, never a Lord. So even if I forcibly held onto the head of the family position, it would only lead to a death variable. Besides, I had no interest in ying SimCity. "... Listen. I''ll say it only once," I said. Moreover, the headship was originally meant for Yeriel. In the game, Deculein was always Professor Deculein, but after his death, Yeriel always became Count Yukline. So... it''s simple. "I will give you..." The role that''spletely unnecessary for me. The role that would only be a death variable for me. The role you would eventually im anyway. The role that was originally yours. "The position of head of the family," I said. I''ll give it to you, my sister, as a gesture of goodwill. "... Ehh?" Yeriel asked in a cute, puzzled voice. Chapter 17: Adult (2)

Chapter 17: Adult (2)

"I will give you the position of head of the family." Yeriel was rendered speechless. The lips that had been hurling bold insults at her brother suddenly stopped moving. Her eyes blinked, her mouth opened and closed, and the sound of her trying to speak was almost cute. "Th-that''s bullshit!" Yeriel finally spat out, almost chewing on her words. "Suchnguage is unbefitting," I said. "... You''re lying!" "That''s a little better." "... See, it''s a lie!" Yeriel still didn¡¯t believe me. "I never lie," I replied, shaking my head. Her hands started to tremble, and she looked around as if searching for something. "Wh-where are the pen and paper? L-let''s put it in a written vow," Yeriel said. "Maintain your dignity." "See, you''re lying!" "We can make an oath instead," I said, gently interrupting her before she could use me. An oath holds a special significance for a mage. It''s like memorizing a spell and embedding a vow into your heart or head. If broken, you either die or lose your manapletely. "You, you really mean it?" "Yes." "No, it doesn''t make sense. Why? Why so sudden?" I couldn''t tell her that it was to calm her rage and eliminate the death variable both now and in the future. To Yeriel, this seemed incredibly sudden. But since it was a position I would have passed on eventually, I could easilye up with a reason. "I n to dedicate myself to the Mage Tower and my magical research from now on. I won''t have time to act as the head of the family, and you should already be fairly skilled as a lord," I said. "You only realized that now?" "I''ve known for some time. I was testing you." "Testing me, my ass! I was testing you!" Yeriel flinched, wondering if I was serious, but quickly shook her head and shouted. "Believe it or not, it''s up to you." "Then... When will the session ceremony... take ce?" Yeriel asked cautiously, still suspicious, licking her dry lips. Her tongue sticking out at the end was cute, just like a real little sister. Of course, I hadn''t thought about the ceremony. "You probably know the best time," I said, giving a vague answer. Fortunately, Yeriel appeared to have a n in mind and nodded seriously. "Three years from now. On the Day of Exceptions." I didn''t know what she meant, but she seemed serious, so I went along with it. "Very well then..." Yeriel said. She thought for a moment, then gathered her things. There was a sword and a pistol on the bed. It looked like she had intended to kill me and deal with the fallout today. "Are you nning to go back right away?" I asked. "Of course! Who wouldn''t hurry to fix things after blowing two hundred million at an auction?" Yeriel shouted, though the fire in her voice had already dimmed. After all, the role of being the head of the Yukline family was worth far more than two hundred million. The Yukline territory, known as Hakedia, was one of the most fertile regions on the continent. Its location, with mountains behind and a river in front, made it prime real estate, second only to the capital. Politically, it held a remarkable position¡ªclose enough to the capital for easy interaction but far enough to avoid the Empire¡¯s interference. These advantages had allowed it to flourish, hosting both a local Mage Tower and a local knights order, a rarebination. Only the Iliade and Leviaron families couldpare. However, Iliade''s territory was slightlycking in size, and Leviaron was too far from the capital. Being the lord of Yukline meant standing at the pinnacle of power. "Oh, and you, sir," Yeriel said, pausing at the door and continued, "Don''t try to take this backter." "You, sir?" I asked. "... I didn''t demand an oath because I still have a bit of faith in you..." With that, Yeriel finished speaking and left the room. No, she stopped just outside the door. "If this is a lie, I don''t know what I''ll do..." she said. Thest part was barely audible. "If you''re lying, there will be serious consequences. Got it? Everyone in our territory already considers me the lord," Yeriel continued. I knew. I knew it very well. There were vassals so loyal to Yeriel that they would poison my food or drink, either on their own or at hermand. "Trust me. It''s not a lie," I replied. "... Hmph." Yeriel packed the dagger and gun into her bag. She started to leave but paused and turned to look back at me. She stared silently, and I met her gaze without flinching. After a long moment, Yeriel grabbed the doorknob, appearing ready to leave, but then she turned back once more. "I don''t trust you. I''m still suspicious. So¡ª" "Let''s make an oath immediately," I said. "... There''s no need," Yeriel said. Yeriel opened the door, her face clearly trying to hide a smile. Pouting, she seemed ready to leave. "Yeriel," I said, stopping her. "... What?" Yeriel said, halting at the top of the stairs and turning to look at me. Her expression questioned why I had called her, mixed with fear that I might go back on my word. I wasn''t sure what to say. I had called out impulsively. But just removing the death variable wasn''t enough for me. I wanted to take it a step further. I wouldn''t live like Deculein, using the system''s Personality Trait as an excuse. The system''s Personality Trait might bind me, but it wasn''t an unbreakable shackle. To reach the end of this world and stand as Kim Woo-Jin, not Deculein, I needed to fix the rtionships that Deculein had ruined myself. "You must be hungry after all that traveling. Stay and have a meal before you leave," I said. ... Even as I said it, chills ran down my spine. It went against my Personality Trait. Yeriel''s reaction was simr. Her shoulders twitched, and her eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost. I had tried to be as kind as possible. "I''m f-fine! Don''t say weird things now! I have to go, so just stop..." Yeriel shouted and stomped down the stairs like an impatient child. "I''m leaving! Get the car ready!" Her voice echoed from the first floor. "Hmm." [Viin''s Fate: Overcame Death Variable] As a reward for oveing the death variable, I received shop currency. I now had a total of six coins and could ess the System Shop. However... "... What a mess," I said. I wasn''t in the right mental state for that now. It had only been about fifteen minutes, but it felt like a storm had swept through. I closed the open door and reached into the air. Just as I was about to sit down and use Telekinesis to grab a ss and a bottle of wine... "How interesting." A strange voice came from somewhere. Though I was surprised, I didn''t show it. No matter how startled I was inside, my exterior remained calm. It''s an odd but effective feeling. "... I just came by," the voice said, trailing off. A fragrance then wafted in from the moonlit window, drawing my attention. It was Ganesha, a beautiful woman with her red hair in disarray. "Something interesting happened here," Ganesha remarked with a yful smile. "You''re not wee here, Ganesha," I said, frowning slightly. "Sorry. I really am... But are you seriously giving up the position of head of the family? Are you really-really trying to change?" Why is this adventurer so interested in other people''s family matters? Technically, Yukline isn''t my family since I''m Kim Woo-Jin, but still. "I simply thought she''d handle it better than I would," I replied calmly. "Really? But still... You know," Ganesha muttered, still puzzled. "She''s not even your real sister." She''s not my real sister. I was briefly taken aback, but Yeriel is, after all, a half-sister ording to the setting, so in a way, it''s true. "She doesn''t have any Yukline blood in her," Ganesha continued. No Yukline blood at all. Until that moment, I didn¡¯t understand what she meant. Something felt off. This wasn¡¯t part of the game¡¯s story that I remembered. It must have been the subtle twist the writer hinted at earlier. "Is this really okay?" At moments like these, Deculein''s personality was really useful. No matter how shocking the words, even if someone put a knife to his throat, he wouldn''t flinch. "You were the one who first asked us to look into the biological connection... between you and your sister." So that''s what she was talking about. I looked at Ganesha in silence. "Didn''t I send my subordinate to tell you about this three months ago?" Ganesha continued with an innocent smile. I chose my words carefully as various phrases came together and fell apart in my mind. Whirr¡ª whirr¡ª whirr¡ª Words flew through my mind. Actually, I wasn''t obligated to say anything. I didn''t have to exin anything to Ganesha. But I didn''t want to lose Head Yeriel over something like this. So, I needed to silence Ganesha. "Even so..." I said. I forced myself to say something, anything, to serve that purpose. "... Yeriel is still Yeriel," I continued. That was my reason, and no other exnation was needed. There was a moment of silence, followed by a gasp. It was Ganesha, staring at me with wide eyes. "Wow." Ganesha brushed her bangs back. Goosebumps rose on the back of her hand. "I didn''t expect this from you, Professor..." Ganesha said. I hadn''t expected this either. It was a detail I waspletely unaware of. "Alright. I''ll definitely keep this a secret!" While I was in a daze, Ganesha clenched her fists and bit her lip. It was oddly endearing. "Oh, and I should tell you this. You know, Professor, you''ve attracted some attention. The Six Serpents, you know them, right?" Ganesha asked. The Six Serpents were the leaders of a notorious criminal organization across the continent, with each head carrying a bounty nearing tens of millions. "They''re targeting the items you bought at the auction. The delivery will be securely handled by the Luten side, of course. It would be embarrassing for them to lose the auction items. However, be cautious when the items arrive at your mansion," Ganesha said, raising her finger. "Honestly, it seems like you haven''t been taking magical precautionstely. Your security is toox. You should upgrade your safe and reinforce the mansion''s magical security system as you did before." "... Alright," I replied. With that, Ganesha pped her hands together loudly. "And I''m sorry about today. I didn''t mean to eavesdrop... I promise it won''t happen again," Ganesha said. ¡°... Ganesha,¡± I called her, my gaze steady and unwavering as I looked at her. ¡°Yes? What is it?¡± ¡°If anyone were to target Yeriel...¡± I said. It was a precaution. If the Deculein from three months ago had tried to harm Yeriel, or if he had harbored any malicious intent that I didn''t know about, I would need Ganesha¡¯s help to handle it. ¡°Oh~¡± Ganesha said, smiling gently. Her expression was somehow reminiscent of moonlight, and its mystery left me momentarily speechless. ¡°... Don¡¯t worry. That won¡¯t happen.¡± Whoosh¡ª A gust of wind blew, making the curtains flutter and obscure the windowsill where Ganesha had been sitting. When the wind settled, she was gone. ¡°... Ha.¡± For the first time, my steady posture faltered. I raked my fingers through my hair randomly. Yeriel. I had thought she was my half-sister, but she wasn¡¯t rted to me by blood. I sped the back of my neck with both hands and looked up at the ceiling. ¡°It was a fact I really didn''t need to know,¡± I said. There was no need to know. It wouldn¡¯t change anything. If I thought about it, it wasn¡¯t much of a revtion. Well, it was a twist, but not a significant one. Since I wasn¡¯t Deculein to begin with, whether Yeriel was Deculein¡¯s real sister or not wouldn¡¯t change my attitude. So, I decided to keep it hidden. To me, Yeriel would still be Deculein¡¯s sister. For some reason, I felt affection for her¡ªa cute kid. Ganesha was trustworthy, so this secret would be kept for a long time... *** Meanwhile, on the roof of a house in a residential area near the capital. ¡°Professor... he¡¯s changed a lot. Has he really changed? Or... is someone else pretending to be the professor?¡± Ganesha sat casually on the sloped red brick, recalling the recent scene. It was an exceptionally impressive scene that she wouldn¡¯t forget for a long time. ¡°Indeed. The professor does seem to have some human side,¡± her subordinate Rohan replied. ¡°Exactly. Maybe that¡¯s why people talk about bad boys. A man who¡¯s been a jerk his whole life says one kind word and suddenly seems charming,¡± Ganesha said. "... He''s just good-looking. Everyone knows, Captain, you''re a huge sucker for pretty faces. You even took this mission because of his looks." ¡°Then should I tear your face apart for being ugly? I was broke back then, okay? What else could I do when the debt collector insisted?¡± Ganesha was with her adventure team, the Red Ga Adventure Team, which consisted of three men and two women. One of the women had traveled a long distance to reserve amodations. ¡°Remember, this is an absolute secret. You must keep it until you die. Revealing it would betray our trust as adventurers. You would no longer be myrade, and I would have to kill you myself,¡± she said. ¡°Of course. We¡¯re not animals. Only a dog would betray a secret like that,¡± Rohan replied. ¡°Dozmu, you too,¡± Ganesha demanded. The hooded man named Dozmu yawned and nodded. ¡°You...¡± Ganesha red at her arrogant subordinate before turning her eyes to the distant Yukline mansion. All the windows were already covered with curtains, but the way Deculein had acted there was truly captivating. It was very human of him to say that. He had poetically dered that Yeriel would always be Yeriel. In the past, she would have dismissed it as ridiculous acting. But Deculein had promised to make Yeriel, who wasn¡¯t even rted by blood to the Yukline family, the head of the household. Even she, who prided herself on being progressive, couldn¡¯t have made such a decision. "... Anyway, it seems we no longer need to be wary of Deculein. He doesn''t seem fixated on those kids anymore," Ganesha said. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right,¡± Rohan replied. "Alright then... So, what has he been up to all this time?" Ganesha nced at the burly man nicknamed Boar, clinging to the chimney on the roof and wailing loudly. ¡°He¡¯s crying,¡± Rohan answered. "I see that. We''re both looking at the same thing, aren''t we? But why?" ¡°He says he was touched by what he heard,¡± Rohan exined. "... Sigh. He¡¯s built like a barbarian, yet he cries like a baby," Ganesha said. Ganesha sighed andy down on the roof, staring at the bright moon in the clear, cool sky. The scene felt fleeting, as if it would soon disappear. The reason she hade to see Deculein, or rather, had been keeping an eye on him, was to determine if he still had any lingering attachment to the Talents of the Archipgo. She couldn¡¯t directly ask if he was still seeking magic ves. Depending on his answer, she might¡¯ve had to consider him an enemy. But it seemed Deculein had decided to change in many ways. She didn¡¯t know what had prompted this change of heart, but it wasn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing. ¡°What did Reylie say? Has she found a ce for the kids to stay?¡± Soon, those children would be arriving by boat. Ganesha was both excited and worried about that moment. They needed the kids'' talents to fight those people. However, if the ultimate purpose of training the children was for the war, it raised doubts about whether it was the right choice. From a strictly moral standpoint, it wasn¡¯t. They were still just children. But if, when they grew up, those children could save tens, hundreds, or even thousands of lives, it would be a clearly just cause. ¡°Yes. So, we have no money left,¡± Rohan said. At that moment, a vein in Ganesha¡¯s temple throbbed. ¡°What? Don¡¯t mess with me.¡± ¡°I''m being serious,¡± Rohan replied. "How can we keep running a deficit no matter how many missions weplete? Did you embezzle funds? Tell me the truth." ¡°We canceled the Deculein mission and had to pay a huge penalty fee andpensation,¡± Rohan said. "Oh, you¡¯re right." Ganesha clicked her tongue and shook her head. ¡°... Alright, everyone. Let¡¯s head back,¡± Ganesha continued. "Yes. Everyone, gather up," Rohan called to Boar and Dozmu. They huddled together like little rice balls. Rohan fiddled with something, and soon, the four of them transformed into blue particles and were transported elsewhere. Chapter 18: University (1)

Chapter 18: University (1)

The next day, I took a grimoire and went to the hillside behind the mansion. I had already mastered Basic Telekinesis perfectly, with my Sharp Eyesight confirming 100% proficiency. I could now handle seven shurikens as easily as my own arms and legs, but going beyond that was difficult due to the limitations of the spell itself. So today, I sought a ce with cleaner air and higher quality mana than the annex¡ªthe middle of the forested hill behind the mansion. I intended to sit and practice Beginner Telekinesis, but my unbearable Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder prevented me from sitting on the ground. Reluctantly, I brought a chair from the mansion. An antique chair amidst the trees and grass looked quite out of ce, but I leaned against it and opened the grimoire. Beginner Telekinesis Having mastered Basic Telekinesis, the next step is Beginner Telekinesis. This level introduces eighteen additional straight lines and one circlepared to Basic Telekinesis, making the circuit movements twice asplex. I activated Comprehension. In my mind and in front of my eyes, the spells for Beginner Telekinesis and Basic Telekinesis appeared like illusions. I oveid the two magic circles as ifyering shapes on aputer. This clearly highlighted the key differences between the spells, and I integrated those differences into my body. The circuits of Beginner Telekinesis were inscribed over the simple spell of Basic Telekinesis, line by line. Heavier lines and circles were added to the feather-light spell. The overly simple Basic Telekinesis finally began to take on theplex form of a magic circle seen in various media. ¡°Sigh...¡± Of course, I was in agony. Each time a new circuit formed, it felt like a chisel scraping my bones. Scratch¡ª scratch¡ª The mana invading my muscles tormented my nerves. If it had been a short and intense pain, it would have been better, but this prolonged endurance was agonizing. The magic spell spreading through my body like roots was torturing me. As my mana depleted, a vague feeling of exhaustion and drowsiness set in. I recalled the events ofst night... Yeriel. But there was no need to dwell on it. I just hoped the secret wouldn''t be revealed. I quickly suppressed these distracting thoughts and opened my eyes. Though I had less than 10% of my mana left, I was still physically strong. It was time for training. I returned to the annex. Although it was called a training ground, it looked quite peculiarpared to a modern gym. The pull-up bars were lined up in a row and were far too high, and the metal¡¯s weights used for dumbbells were incredibly heavy. I took off my clothes and folded them. My body, which had undergone repeated training, was quite satisfying even to my own eyes. I ced my hand on the pull-up bar. After that, using Telekinesis, I brought a weighted belt. It secured itself to my waist, ankles, and wrists, totaling 100 kilograms in weight. I did ten pull-ups on the first bar, then jumped to the second, higher bar and did ten more. I continued this until I reached the roof, thennded back down. Boom¨C©¤! The massive impact spread through my body, but my posture remained steady. With that setplete, the next exercise was climbing the rope. I grabbed the rope that reached the roof and climbed up. Once I reached the top, I jumped back down. As you can see, this is an absurd method that no ordinary human would attempt. Things like joints, ligaments, and knees were not considered at all in this brutal routine. However, as long as my attributes were active, my bones wouldn''t break, and my ligaments wouldn''t stretch. That didn''t mean there was no pain. However, thanks to Deculein''s Personality Traits, such as immense Competitiveness and an obsessive routine, I focused solely on improving my physical abilities. ¡°Phew.¡± After finishing this brute-force workout, my mana had already recovered to 40%. Then, I immersed myself in magic again. Following this routine, the expected time to memorize Beginner Telekinesis was at most three weeks. Additionally, my physical abilities¡ªincluding strength, agility, and endurance¡ªdeveloped through Iron Man training, and physical attributes like coordination, dexterity, and flexibility might now surpass those of a mature gori. However, I was still far from matching thebat prowess of various well-known named characters or viins. *** When I arrived at the Mage Tower, I sat in my office chair and stared nkly ahead. [Lv.1 System Shop] The system shop allows characters to be enhanced using acquired Store Currency. As the game progresses, both yers and named characters can be strengthened through this shop. However, opportunities to use the system shop are very limited¡ªat most six times until the end of the game. This is because the prices of enhancement items increase exponentially¡ªLv.1 Shop items cost 5-10 coins each, Lv.2 Shop items cost 10-20 coins, Lv.3 Shop items cost 20-40 coins, and so on, doubling at each level. Additionally, each shop level can only be used once. I know exactly which enhancements are the best choices. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Lv.1 System Shop] ¡ö 1. cksmith¡¯s Luck... ...... ¡ö 5. Qualitative Enhancement of Mana (Stage 1) : The character''s innate mana is qualitatively enhanced. Slight increase in mana output and efficiency. 10 coins ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Qualitative Enhancement of Mana. There''s no need to consider anything else. The other options are only good for specialized builds, and this is the only practical choice. So, I need to gather just four more coins. Knock, knock©¤¨C At that moment, there was a knock, and the door opened. Allen walked in hesitantly. "Allen," I said. "Y-yes. I came because you called for me," Allen replied. Allen stood quietly, looking at me. Normally, one might ask, "Why did you call me?" but he was simply docile. Just docile. "Do you have any interest in appointing an assistant mage?" I asked with a small smile. "... Pardon?" Allen said, tilting his head in confusion. I used Telekinesis to float the official document that had arrivedst week. "It''s an assistant professor evaluation." The document was an official notice to nominate a mage for evaluation as an assistant professor. Allen''s eyes began to widen as he grasped my intent. "W-what? What?!" "Yes. I intend to rmend you¡ª" "What-?!" ¡°As an assistant professor.¡± By the time I finished speaking, Allen was already on the verge of tears, his eyes brimming with tears that looked ready to fall at the slightest touch. "But, but... Professor, you said I had no talent..." Allen stammered, his eyes filled with tears. Of course, Allencked talent. Even the Wealthy Magnate and Viin''s Fate attributes didn''t see any remarkable potential in him. While those attributes weren''t perfect, Allen''sck of talent was evident. Perhaps that¡¯s why he hadn¡¯t left until now. With no one calling for him, he had nowhere else to go. "It was a test all this time. Only you, with your diligence, passed my test," I said. Deculein is authoritative and dislikes giving praise. However, oveing some aspects of his Personality Trait is possible, especially since certain traits hold higher rank. For instance, the most challenging traits to ovee are his Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Noble Etiquette. Now, I genuinely can''t stand anything dirty. "W-what-?!" "Don''t ask any more questions. Here, take this," I said, handing a gift to Allen. It was nothing special, just a bracelet. I had ordered it from a nearby jeweler and had the Yukline emblem engraved on it. "Keep up the hard work." It was a way to ensure he stayed. Allen''s skill in handling various tasks, organizing documents, and his quick wit were all valuable to me. "So, does this mean I''m officially your best pupil...?" Allen asked, trembling and looking surprised as he held the bracelet. "There are still two more steps to go, so keep working hard," I said, making something up on the spot since I hadn''t thought that far ahead. "Oh, y-yes! I understand!" Allen said, bowing energetically three times in a row. "Now that you''re an assistant professor, you need to actively participate in my ss in two days," I said. "P-p-participate? Participate? Participate?!" Allen stammered, repeating the word three times. The blood vessels in his eyes looked like they were about to burst, which annoyed me slightly. "Don''t react so dramatically. I do not appreciate it," I said, narrowing my eyes and snapping at him without thinking. "... Oh, yes, I¡¯m sorry, sir..." Allen said. "Good." I stood up without giving it much thought. However, Allen was greatly startled and cowered, trembling as if to defend himself with his arms. "Don''t worry, I''m not going to hit you," I said. "S-sorry? Oh... I''m sorry. W-where are you headed, sir?" "The library," I said. Luna''s research paper had been fully deciphered, but theposition of the paper itself was ambiguous. The topic was indeed the creation of Pure Elements, but there were too many gaps and quite a few errors. So, I decided to go to the library to browse some books. Even with the Comprehension attribute, it was essential for a professor to study magic. If I found any useful grimoires, I would learn from them too. "I-I see! Oh, by the way, here, Professor!" Allen fumbled as he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to me. "Please be careful, sir!" WANTED: Mage Killer Lokhak There have been reports of sightings of the mage killer Lokhak on the outskirts of the capital. Novice mages are advised to avoid going out at night whenever possible. The mage killer. I know this guy. He''s the biggest threat to mage yers in the early to mid-game. If I were the original Deculein, I could easily track him down using my underworld connections. However, I had unknowingly severed those ties that made Deculein powerful. "These days, this mage killer is truly terrifying. They say he targets only skilled mages," Allen said. "Allen," I said. "Yes?" "Do you know who I am?" I asked with a quiet chuckle. "... Sorry?" "I asked, do you know who I am?" I asked once more. The mage killer. This guy is a mid-boss level viin, specifically against mages¡ªthough not as high-ranking as Deculein¡ªbut I am confident in my abilities. "Ah! You are the Monarch-rank mage whomands all elements and the youngest Head Professor at the prestigious Imperial University, Deculein, sir!" he said so smoothly that it caught me off guard. "... Right." Anyway, this mage killer and I are not a good match. Theoretically, I am his natural predator. Therefore, there''s no need to worry. "Allen, you should be careful," I said. Of course, there was a chance it could be dangerous due to myck of realbat experience. However, with my Personality Trait, there was no difference between practice and realbat for me. In fact, I hoped to encounter him. I wanted him to be the source of my store currency... *** Surprisingly, Sylvia had a hobby outside of magic¡ªcollecting literature andnguages. It wasn''t just a simple pastime; she was more like a collector, dedicating all her time, aside from her magical training, to this pursuit. Thus, the first ce Sylvia visited upon entering the Imperial University was the library. Unfortunately, she was disappointed. Although the Mage Tower library had some rare books, there was hardly anything that could be considered a collection by Sylvia''s standards. So, today, Sylvia made a big decision. "Oh, I see. Well, Miss Sylvia, you''re certainly beyond the level of a Debutant," the library security guard said. "Is it possible?" Sylvia asked. "Umm... This is the executive library, reserved for professors... But hold on. I think I''ll need to make a call," the security guard said. She had visited the executive library at the Mage Tower, which was reserved exclusively for professors. "Sure, I''ll wait." However, she didn''t sneak in stealthily. She approached the main entrance openly and confidently. "... Yes, yes. Yes, Professor. Miss Sylvia is here looking for something to study... Mhm, yes, I see," the security guard said. "It¡¯s approved. You can go in, this year''s novice mage. There¡¯s an exception use. You will need a special ess pass, but it should be fine," the library security guard continued, smiling brightly aftermunicating with someone through a crystal orb. "Thank you," Sylvia said. Despite being a student, Sylvia proudly entered the library without any restriction. After all, she was the heir of Iliade and this year''s novice mage. Even though it was a room reserved for executives, there were hardly any professors who would challenge Sylvia, the future professor, especially considering the amount Iliade had donated to the Mage Tower of the University. It was just a matter of the sequence changing a bit. Sylvia, feeling excited for the first time in a while, examined the interior of the library. Tap-tap-tap. Tap-tap-tap. Her steps were light as a rabbit¡¯s as she walked around. ¡°Aha.¡± Sylvia scanned the shelves with her wide eyes and finally found it¡ªa collection that satisfied her interests in both literature andnguages. It was a novel written in Etynel, thenguage of the fairies. Sylvia carefully pulled the book from the shelf and read the title, Witrospy ba Mitrogy, Stiriogio pe bardio. Although the fairies had long since disappeared from the Mortal Realm, their novels remained on the continent. These rare finds in Etynel had immense value. The only problem was their extreme difficulty. The fairies''nguage system was highly inconsistent, making learning and tranting it incredibly challenging. For instance, the title word Witrospy meant man, and the word Omesip, found on the first page, also meant man. The term Radeoman, appearingter, also meant man. How they managed tomunicate with such an arbitrarynguage was beyondprehension. Nheless, Sylvia had studied Etynel enough to decipher it to some extent. Skimming through the content, she found it was a romance novel. Even better. She couldn''t wait to go home and read it. As Sylvia turned to leave with the book in her arms, she bumped into someone. "Hmm?" It was Professor Ren from the Spirit Studies Department. Naturally, he recognized Sylvia but simply gave her a gentle smile and passed by. Sylvia felt a surge of pride and twisted her lips. Yes, this is how it should be. In this vast university, no professor was bold enough to punish her just for entering the executive library... except for one. But she knew that person hadn''t visited the library in five years, almost as if he had built a wall against it. Feeling emboldened, Sylvia decided to look for more books. An Etynel dictionary would be perfect, she thought as she turned a corner. Then she bumped into someone else. Sylvia''s drowsy eyes scanned the tall figure. He wore a tailored suit jacket with a matching vest over a crisp white dress shirt, sharp reading sses, and gloved hands holding an antique leather-bound book. It was Deculein, the distinguished Head Professor. This unexpected encounter caught her off guard. Even in that tense moment, Sylvia couldn''t help but eye the rare-looking book he held. Feeling his gaze, she nced up. His deep blue eyes behind the sses were fixed directly, intensely on her. Only then did she realize the seriousness of the situation. Sylvia stood still, blinking. One second, two seconds, three seconds. Their gazes locked in a strange silence. Finally, he closed his book. At that moment, Sylvia turned on her heels to leave. Click-ck, click-ck, click-ck¡ª Her footsteps echoed rapidly and desperately, but soon his deep voice halted her in her tracks. "Stop now, or you''ll face disciplinary action." Sylvia froze, standing rigidly. ck¡ªck¡ªck¡ª The sound of his steps approached from behind, slow and deliberate, like a ghost creeping closer. An ominous, cold air seemed to envelop her. When his footsteps finally stopped, Sylvia swallowed nervously, feeling the tension. Chapter 19: University (2)

Chapter 19: University (2)

¡°Turn around.¡± At those words, Sylvia turned to see Deculein, hands behind his back, ring at her. ¡°Debutant Sylvia,¡± Deculein said. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Sylvia replied. ¡°As far as I know, this is an executive library. Many documents here are ssified, so ess is strictly prohibited to anyone outside the faculty, and vitors are severely punished.¡± ¡°Oh, I see. I didn¡¯t know. I got lost.¡± Deculein nodded at Sylvia¡¯s excuse and began speaking. ¡°So, no one noticed when you took a wrong turn. That includes you and the librarians. All of them will be¡ª¡± ¡°I lied to avoid trouble. I used an exception use,¡± Sylvia said. ¡°There is no such thing as an exception use.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was looking for a specific book,¡± Sylvia confessed honestly. Then, the book in her hand floated up. ¡°Ah¡ª¡± She reached out to grab it but lost her bnce. ¡°Ow.¡± She fell, feeling the cold floor against her bottom. Though anger boiled inside her, she got up and brushed herself off without showing any emotion. Then she looked at Deculein. He was examining the book. Sylvia almost scoffed. How amusing. That¡¯s an Etynel novel. For someone whose only hobby is socializing, it¡¯s a world you wouldn''t understand, even if you tried reading it. Stop wasting time and give me back the book. Sylvia thought. But then... something strange happened. ¡°Last night, I was with him,¡± Deculein read aloud from the book. ¡°Red flowers bloomed along every path that led to him.¡± Deculein suddenly began reciting strange sentences as if he were reading aloud from the book. His tone was much softer than when he lectured. "I tried not to think about where my feelings came from." Sylvia couldn''t follow his steadily continuing voice. "As long as I felt the desire to be with him, that was enough." He is reading it. Is he really reading it? Or just saying random things? ¡°I took off her clothes...¡± Deculein said, stopping there and closing the book. ¡°It¡¯s surprising that you enjoy reading eroti... romance novels,¡± Deculein continued. Sylvia¡¯s eyes widened in confusion. ¡°I don¡¯t like romance¡ª¡± Sylvia mouthed silently, shaking her head. ¡°That¡¯s okay. Take it. I¡¯ll let it go this time,¡± Deculein said. ¡°I don¡¯t like romance novels¡ª¡± The book floated back into Sylvia¡¯s arms. ¡°But if you enter this library again without permission, you will be in trouble.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that I like¡ª¡± ¡°Are you here to unt your family¡¯s power? From now on, you can have someone loyal to you borrow books. There¡¯s no need for you toe personally,¡± Deculein said. He didn''t listen to her at all. Sylvia stood there, experiencing humiliation for the first time. Her usually indifferent pale face turned a reddish hue. She hadn¡¯t wanted to read a romance novel. She just wanted to learn about fairy customs through the Etynel novel. "Besides, learning such things from books won''t help you at all. These are unusual stories." That was the final blow. Sylvia stood there, momentarily unconscious. The shock made her feel lightheaded. When she finally managed to open her eyes again, he was already gone. Sylvia looked at the book in her hand, relieved that it hadn''t been taken from her. ¡°Jerk.¡± Muttering such strange words on his own whim. Clearly, he''s trying to keep me in check. Deculein is definitely aware of Iliade¡¯s presence... she thought to herself. Sylvia left the executive library and went straight back to her mansion and opened the book. ¡°You¡¯re home early, Lady Sylvia,¡± a servant said. ¡°Yeah. By the way, I¡¯m not hungry right now.¡± She wanted to verify Deculein''s interpretation and study Etynel again after a long time. She kept an Etynel dictionary by her side. As she read more, Sylvia was surprised at how urate Deculein''s interpretation was. He even knew words she didn¡¯t. It seemed unlikely he had deduced it all from context¡ªhis sentences were too natural and fluent. However, those questions soon faded from Sylvia''s mind. She realized this wasn''t a romance novel. Undressing her, I ced myself over her body... Her ¡ö¡ö, my ¡ö¡ö, and her ¡ö¡ö were ¡ö¡ö¡ö¡ö¡ö¡ö... It was erotic literature. ¡°What the heck¡ª¡± *** ... After returning that strange novel to Sylvia, I headed to the mountains with the faculty professors. It was, in fact, a real mountain. ¡°Haha. I never expected fifty students to sign up for the independent practice ss,¡± Relin said, the chubby professor of the Support Studies Department, with a boisterousugh. ¡°Indeed,¡± I replied nonchntly. The Mage Tower grounds include a special mountain known as the Mountain of Darkness, reminiscent of a famous forest from a certain school of witchcraft and wizardry, but far more grim and severe. This mountain is situated in a remote corner of the university grounds, surrounded by barriers and protective shields, so the regr students are unaware of its existence and continue their studies. However, for the Mage Tower, which directly manages the mountain and is responsible for its safety, it is a critical and valuable location. Without this mountain, we would have to make long trips to gain practical experience, and the various magical materials harvested from the forest¡ªsuch as Grattendrijze Oil, Dragon Worms, Scrub trees, and Man-Eating Vines¡ªare a significant source of revenue. ¡°Isn''t it impressive?¡± Relin said. Today, the faculty of the Mage Tower, including myself, brought fifty Debutant mages to the Mountain of Darkness for practical training. Despite its name, it was bright since it was daytime. ¡°They¡¯re all elite students, veryposed. It truly reflects the standards of the Imperial University,¡± Professor Relin said proudly, observing the freshmen conducting magic research and asionally dealing with demonic beasts on the Mountain of Noonday. ¡°They have every reason to fear the Mountain of Darkness...¡± Though summer was still far off, Relin was sweating profusely for some reason. ¡°Oh, right. We haven''t decided who the on-duty professor will be for this week. It¡¯s time to assign a new one since everyone''s had their turn. In times like this, we need the Head Professor¡¯s opinion...¡± Relin continued hesitantly. It was likely because of this duty. There are about fifty full-time professors at the Mage Tower. Including associate and assistant professors, there are many more, but the duty of overseeing the Mountain of Darkness rotates among the full-time professors, ording to the rules of the Mage Tower. Judging by Relin¡¯s reaction, the first shift seems to be quite dangerous. ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± I volunteered. ¡°Oh! Ah, hmm. I see. As expected of Head Professor Deculein. A true role model of leadership...¡± Relin said happily. This had nothing to do with leadership. It was all because of a quest. [Side Quest: Darkness of the Mage Tower] Store Currency +1 Additional achievement rewards There¡¯s something inside. From within... it¡¯s pulling me in, almost as if it¡¯s tempting me. That must be why the side quest activated. ¡°Then, Head Professor Deculein, please handle it from today until Sunday. I¡¯ll take over next week...¡± Relin said, his belly shaking with joy. ¡°Alright,¡± I replied. Regardless of their abilities as professors, those with a weak heart can¡¯t easily endure this mountain. After all, night in the Mountain of Darkness shifts genres entirely. It bes a horror game filled with jump scares... *** ... 12:05 a.m. Late at night. The still chilly April air seeped through Epherene''s clothes, but she didn¡¯t feel cold at all. Why is that? Is it the warmth of my robe? Or perhaps a heating spell? No. It¡¯s not because of those things. Is it the alcohol coursing through my veins? A reasonable guess, but no. So, what is it? Why am I not cold? It¡¯s because my pockets are full! Epherene thought. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll buy this. I¡¯ve got it!¡± Epherene shouted boldly while eating ice cream, enjoying the pleasant buzz from the alcohol. ¡°Are you sure...? Epherene, aren¡¯t you overdoing it?¡± Ferit, amoner, murmured hesitantly. ¡°Hey, what are you talking about? My wallet is really thick!¡± After bing the leader of themoner group and finishing their gathering, Epherene was sitting with Julia and other club members at an outdoor night diner. ¡°We submitted the Club Formation Proposal yesterday, so it should be approved soon,¡± Julia said with a grin. ¡°Really? That¡¯s great, that¡¯s great~¡± Epherene said. ¡°Yeah. But themoners don¡¯t seem to want to join. They seem to be hesitant for some reason. It¡¯s so silly," Julia said. Slurp¡ª Epherene quickly ate a noodle dish. ¡°It''s delicious,¡± Epherene said. ¡°Haha. Epherene, you must be really drunk?¡± Julia asked. ¡°Drunk? Never. Not at all,¡± Epherene said, shaking her head with a mock-serious and solemn look. How many shots did I take? I don¡¯t remember, but I¡¯m definitely not drunk... Epherene thought. ¡°Aaaahhhhh¡ª!¡± At that moment, a scream pierced the air. Epherene and the other mages flinched. At first, they thought it was an auditory hallucination. ¡°Aaaaaahhhhhhh¡ª!¡± ¡°What was that? Did you hear it?¡± ¡°Yeah, I did! You did too?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go!¡± Ferit, Rondo, Julia, and Epherene. Their sense of justice as elite mages spurred the spirited freshmen to jump up and run. ¡°Where was it?!¡± ¡°Help, help me¡ª!¡± ¡°Over there! Over there!¡± The sound came from the alley on the right. ¡°Help me¡ª!¡± The mages followed the scream, running down a dark path into a secluded corner. ¡°Over here! Please¡ª!¡± As they ran, the sound of leaves crunching underfoot suddenly filled the air. They were on a brick path, yet the noise was more fitting for a mountain trail. ¡°Guys, doesn¡¯t this seem strange...? Epherene said, looking back. ¡°... Doesn¡¯t it?¡± No one was there. All around her were only barren trees and grass. ¡°Oh...¡± The alcohol buzz vanished, and a chill ran down her stiffened neck. ¡°¡ªHelp me!¡± The scream echoed again. In that moment, Epherene¡¯s fear subsided. It wasn¡¯t a sense of justice, it was a magical influence she couldn¡¯t perceive. ¡°Wh-where are you!¡± Epherene shouted. Epherene had two major weaknesses from not having gone through the academy. One was resistance to magic, and the other was the mentality of a mage. Both were basic skills cultivated at the academy before university. ¡°Where are you!¡± Epherene shouted as she ran quickly and finally found someone. ¡°Here, here! I¡¯m here! I¡¯m right here!¡± A woman with torn clothes was reaching out to her. Epherene immediately tried to support her. At that moment... Bang¡ª! Something struck Epherene''s leg, causing her to tumble to the ground. She tried to get up, but her calf throbbed painfully. Unable to muster the strength to stand, shey on the ground and lifted her head. "Watch out!" Epherene shouted urgently to the dazed woman, but it was already toote. A sh of light from the darkness pierced the woman''s shoulder. ¡°Aaaahhhhh!¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Epherene cried out in pain. At the sound of the woman''s agonized scream, Epherene forced herself up and gathered magic into her bracelet. She aimed her magic at the direction from which the strange attack hade, but she was shocked to see who stood there. In the shadow of the bushes stood Head Professor Deculein, radiating a terrifying, deadly intent that made Epherene gasp. ¡°P-professor! What are you¡ª!¡± ¡°Debutant Epherene,¡± Deculein called her name. Meanwhile, the woman tried to crawl toward them, but another projectile from Deculein pierced the woman¡¯s ankle. ¡°Gaaaargh!¡± ¡°No, Professor! What are you¡ª¡± ¡°Look closely. That is not a human,¡± Deculein said calmly. ¡°Whuat?!¡± ¡°You¡¯re drunk. Stay still,¡± Deculein said. ¡°But still¡ª¡± ¡°Do not move¡ª!¡± His roar echoed through the mountains, shaking the branches and reverberating in the still air. Overwhelmed by his presence, Epherene fell back and stared at Deculein. His face was tense, and his eyes were fierce like those of a bird of prey. He looked far more frightening than usual. A cold wind scratched Epherene''s cheek, and only then did her foggy mind begin to clear. "... It''s an enchantment, a specialty of demons," Deculein said, lifting Epherene by the back of her neck. Deculein stood still as Epherene floated into the air. "Uh, w-wait. My feet aren¡¯t touching the ground..." "I imnted my metal into your robe." iling in the air, Epherene looked at Deculein. Her heart sank heavily at his gaze, which seemed to regard her very existence with disdain. Deculein stared at Epherene with an expression of utter contempt, as if she were something insignificant. Deculein was staring at Epherene with such eyes. "The human body isplex, but working with metal is rtively simple," Deculein continued. His words were iprehensible. Was he really a professor? Could this person be a demon''s enchantment? "What are you talking about¡ª" "I said stop interfering and get lost, you damn halfwit," Deculein demanded forcefully. The harsh words pierced her like a dagger. His expression was colder and more frightening than ever before. This was not the Deculein she knew¡ªor rather, this was exactly the Deculein she had expected. He snapped at her fiercely and yanked her up. It wasn¡¯t just a simple tug. "Woahhhhhh¡ª" Whooooosh¡ª She was dragged out like dust sucked into a vacuum cleaner and flung off the mountain, cked out instantly. *** ¡°Grrrr...¡± The woman transformed into a bizarre creature. Her hair and clothes melted away, horns sprouted from her temples, and her eyes, nowrge and lidless, glistened grotesquely against her crimson skin. ¡°You sly bastard,¡± I said. The gem-like core on her forehead suggested her main affinity was enchantment, but my body was immune to such magic. One of the few advantages of Deculein''s character was his near-perfect resistance to enchantment spells. However, my emotions were strangely turbulent. Deculein¡¯s inherent nature was reacting intensely. The Bloodline. Simr to Personality Traits or Attributes, it was a unique characteristic of the Yukline family. The Yukline bloodline harbored an innate hostility toward demons. When I sensed the demon, a visceral loathing surged up, twisting my rationality. This was the legacy of ancient ancestors who hunted demons, a reputation designed by the game''s writer. Whether a yer chose the path of an evil demon or a righteous knight or a mage, Deculein could never be an ally¡ªhis unstoppable fury made him an enemy to all when seeing a demon. ¡°You deserve to be buried deep underground." I was rarely this angry. I couldn¡¯t maintain myposure. ¡°Kraaaa¡ª!¡± The creature shrieked, sending out a wave intended to attack my mind. The buzzing sound echoed in my ears, but that was all. I remained unaffected and aimed five shurikens at the demon. Excitement coursed through me. I was eager to test the Cherished Item I had honed to perfection, but Deculein''s true nature was boiling over. Swish¡ª Four shurikens split into pairs, nking the demon from both sides. It nced between them, grinding its teeth. ¡°Kryaaa!¡± The demon attempted a backflip to dodge the four trajectories, but the remaining shuriken, now airborne, aimed directly at its heart. Crack¡ª The demon twisted its joints grotesquely, reshaping its body to evade the shuriken. Yet, my attack was relentless. The four shurikens that had circled behind now surged at the demon again. The endless assault with five shurikens was inescapable. Dodging seemed possible, but escape was not. As time passed, the demon grew more cornered and would eventually die. Thus, it had only one choice left¡ªa direct attack. It kicked off the ground, racing against the shurikens. Its speed was indeed swift, finding gaps, but I had anticipated this. sh¡ª The demon extended its ws, but they stopped just short of my skin. The sixth shuriken, which had driven Epherene from the mountain, returned and pierced its forehead. ¡°... Filthy creature. Even in death, you spread filth everywhere.¡± Blood spattered my face. A severe, nauseating disgust welled up inside me. The disdain, contempt, hatred, and murderous intent were overwhelming. I couldn¡¯t hide it. [Side Quest Cleared: Darkness of the Mage Tower] Store Currency +1 [Additional Achievement: First Demon in] Store Currency +1 [Family Bloodline: Yukline] Attribute Yukline Unlocked Notifications of rewards appeared, but I felt no joy. The appearance of the demon was a signal, marking the official beginning of a game without the actual yers in the game. I stood there, looking up at the sky. The deep, dark dawn had no stars, and the cloud-covered moon was pale. Chapter 20: University (3)

Chapter 20: University (3)

A youthful voice echoed from deeper into the forest as it called out, ¡°Where is it?!¡± Now that the situation had already been resolved, I put my six beloved swords into my briefcase. ¡°Where is it?!¡± the Chairwoman repeated as she flew over on her staff, her Cherished Item. Her eyes widened upon finally finding the demon, which now had a hole in its forehead. ¡°Oh! You¡¯ve already killed it!¡± I tried to use Cleanse to remove the stter of blood on my face, but the mana infused in the blood resisted the spell. I had no choice but to wipe it off with a handkerchief and throw it away. ¡°As expected of a Yukline mage! What spell did you use? Oh! Judging by the cut, was it my Whirlwind de Awl?¡± "What a silly name," I replied, my tone unintentionally sharp. The Chairwoman''s eyes widened in surprise and asked, "W-what do you mean? Everyone liked the name!" ¡°Do you really think anyone would dare criticize you, Chairwoman?¡± I asked as I turned away. ¡°R-really? Is it really that bad?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The Chairwoman looked crestfallen. The Chairwoman feigned innocence, which made me feel uneasy, then did something genuinely brutal. She picked up the demon''s corpse and hurled it like a shot put. Boooom¡ª! It flew past my shoulder and hit the ground, bursting into pieces and sttering flesh and blood everywhere. "I can''t believe the Whirlwind de Awl wasn''t good enough..." the Chairwoman muttered dejectedly. I walked calmly through the bloodshed, not a single drop touching me thanks to my Telekinesis. Descending the mountain, I saw a crowd of mages from the Mage Tower. They reminded me of Epherene, whom I now regretted treating so harshly. Grabbing one of the spectating mages, I asked, "Hey. There was a Debutant mage here. Where did¡ª" "Head Professor Deculein," an unfamiliar, gentle voice interrupted. "How have you been?" I turned around, finding a handsome, golden-haired man in clerical robes. Thanks to his hair and outfit, I immediately identified him as Terfeit, a devout priest from the cathedral and a named character. He was known for helping those who held grudges against me, which made him a troublesome figure from my perspective. "Now that I¡¯ve rescued the mages, I would like to ask you about the situation, Head Professor." "Talk to the Chairwoman. She¡¯s inside. For some reason, she blew up the corpse," I said. "Aha, I see," Terfeit said with a nod. He smiled and sent the rescued mages on their way before heading up the mountain. I then called the names of the remaining mages, who in turn, looked at me in fear. "Julia, Ferit, Rondo." Paling, Julia answered, "Y-yes?" "Is thest person in your group okay?" "Sorry? Oh, yes! Epherene is in the university hospital¡ª" "That¡¯s good." I then turned away, choosing not to listen to the rest of what she had to say. I felt mentally exhausted. I had never wanted to go home this badly before. In the distance, I saw professors running toward me. "Head Professor! Are you alright?!" Considering all the paperwork, the imperial report, and the coordination with the cathedral awaiting me, I felt an overwhelming urge to escape. *** Chirp chirp chirp¡ª Epherene groggily blinked awake to birds chirping and sunlight streaming in through the window. Seeing the white ceiling, she realized she was in the university hospital. A voice as warm and gentle as the sunlight tickled her ears. ¡°You¡¯re finally awake. Nice to meet you.¡± Startled, Epherene sat up and saw a priest by her bed. Remembering the saying about being wary of handsome men, she pulled the nket up to cover herself. ¡°W-who are you?¡± Epherene asked. ¡°I am Terfeit, a priest of the Euref Cathedral,¡± Terfeit said. ¡°... Parfait?¡± Terfeit smiled at her and said, "You¡¯ve grown so much, Epherene Luna.¡± Epherene¡¯s brows furrowed in suspicion and asked, ¡°... Do you know me?¡± "I knew your father. I¡¯ve seen many pictures of you.¡± ¡°... So?¡± Epherene defensively asked. ¡°I came to ask about what happened at the Mountain of Darkness, but... it seems you still haven¡¯t fully grasped what exactly happened.¡± ¡°... No. Unfortunately, I was caught by an enchantment spell¡ª¡± ¡°Professor Deculein saved you,¡± Terfeit said. ¡°Ah... I see.¡± ¡°The entity that enchanted you was a demon. The Mountain of Darkness has been temporarily closed, and our cathedral is currently searching the area with the Mage Tower.¡± Epherene covered her face with her hands. Deculein saving her wasn¡¯t just a dream. His cold voice still echoed in her ears, ¡°You damn halfwit.¡± "I¡¯m not here solely due to the incident, though. I also wanted to meet you, the daughter of an old friend¡ª" ¡°A friend? Of my father¡¯s?¡± "Yes. I may be wrong, but I do believe I understand what he had to go through. If you ever need any help¡ª" With a serious expression, Epherene resolutely shook her head and said, "No. It¡¯s fine." Terfeit was slightly taken aback. She had to resolve this matter between her and Deculein, as well as Deculein and Luna, on her own. She wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to help or interfere. At least when it came to her father¡¯s death, she was the only one who had the right to hold Deculein ountable. "Please stay out of this, Mister Terfeit," Epherene said firmly. "I see...¡±¡± Terfeit said, letting out a quietugh. Afterward, he asked, ¡°Well, are you sure you want to keep resting?" "Sorry?" "Today is Wednesday, and it¡¯s currently a quarter before three. You¡¯ve been out cold for exactly thirty-six hours." At that moment, Epherene realized that she had forgotten something. He continued, "You¡¯re about to miss Professor Deculein''s ss. No one will me you for resting, but I doubt that strict professor will let your absence slide.¡± "... Oh no!" Epherene eximed, sprang up from the bed. "Miss Luna, studying is important, but in your current condition, you shouldn¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡± "Ah, thank you! You be careful on your way back too, Mister Teporo!" "Hmm? Haha. Thank you. You''ve called me by so many different names today." Ignoring the nurse¡¯s call to pick up her medicine, Epherene ran out of the university hospital. Normally, even at full speed, it would still have taken her at least fifteen minutes to reach the Mage Tower. However, due to her desperation, it only took her ten minutes to climb to the third floor. Panting, she opened the door to ssroom A only to be stunned by the sight that greeted her. "Huh?" The ssroom was nowrger and had a long magic table for each student. On the tables were elements like soil, sand, wood pieces, and water. "Ephie!¡± Julia said, waving. ¡°Over here!" Epherene nodded. She then walked over to Julia. "How are you feeling? You were still unconscious when I visited you. It''s not something serious, is it?" Julia asked. "No, I''m fine. I finally got some good sleep after so long, so I¡¯m actually in my best condition," Epherene replied. She hadn''t slept more than four hours a night since her father hadmitted suicide three years ago. Now, she felt as refreshed as if she had finally caught up on all her sleep debt. "That''s a relief..." Julia said. Just then, Head Professor Deculein entered with a short mage. "ss, this is Assistant Professor Allen.¡± Everyone was surprised, especially Epherene. Typically, once someone had be an assistant professor, they could undergo evaluations to be an associate professor or even a full-time professor. With enough achievements, they could even advance without Deculein''s approval. Therefore, he usually didn¡¯t keep an assistant professor. Epherene''s father had worked like a ve under Deculein without ever advancing. As a result, despite already being thirty years old, he had failed to get past the Solda rank. Thinking about those days made her neck stiff with anger. Why did he have an assistant now? "As I mentionedst week, we¡¯ll have a Practical Application session today," Deculein said. Feeling a brief, intense dizziness, Epherene pinched her thigh to stay focused. "I will give you five tasks based on the lecturest week. Your scores will count toward your grades, so it''s in your best interest to take them seriously," Deculein continued. Assistant Professor Allen walked from table to table, cing a clock on each one. "Here are the tasks,¡± Deculein said afterward. With a snap of his fingers, he made the assignments appear in midair. The first was Will-o''-the-Wisp, the second was Engulfing Smoke, and the third was Rising Metal... "You have three hours. Start now," Deculein instructed. The mages immediately warmed up their mana. Likewise, Epherene quickly ced her hands on the elements on her table. First up was the Will-o''-the-Wisp. Quickly understanding that she had to merge the Pure Elements of fire and wind, she started constructing the spell in her mind, channeling her mana into the circuit... no, she needed to focus on the spell... no, more on the spell structure... As Assistant Professor Allen walked past her, Epherene unknowingly red at him. Snap! At that moment, the circuit broke, and the spell copsed. Pain shot through her wrist, and her bracelet heated up, signaling that something had gone wrong. "Ah, hold on." To make matters worse, she couldn¡¯t seem to remember the spell. She lowered her aching head to calm herself down, but despite her efforts, the uneasy feeling persisted. "Will-o''-the-Wisp confirmed,¡± Allen suddenly announced. ¡°Time is four minutes, one second.¡± Already?! Epherene looked over in shock. As she had expected, Sylvia hadpleted the Will-o''-the-Wisp and was already starting on the second task. Epherene frantically tried to resume constructing her spell, but she found it hard to concentrate. "... Ugh!" Something was very wrong. Her mana was out of control, and her empty stomach churned. The mana she gathered kept scattering, the spell kept going awry, and the circuit kept breaking. Everything she had studied so hard seemed useless. As her spells failed, her confidence plummeted, making the magic even harder. In this vicious cycle, a voice echoed in her mind. ¡°You damn halfwit, you damn halfwit, you damn halfwit, you damn halfwit, you damn halfwit, you damn halfwit, you damn halfwit, you damn halfwit¡ª¡± The words repeated endlessly in her mind. Although she knew better than to think about it, she couldn¡¯t seem to stop herself. "Why am I a halfwit... Why am I a halfwit..." Epherene''s breathing grew heavy, and tears welled up in her eyes. Her headache and auditory hallucinations were getting worse as well. Out of the corner of her eye, Sylvia watched Epherene break down. Remaining emotionless, she let out a huff. "Hmph." Despite being a mage, Epherene wasn¡¯t calm,posed, or strong. She was fragile, easily broken, emotionally unstable, and quick to sway. Moreover, her magical disposition was Unstable and Delicate. As a mage, she was full of weaknesses. Epherene, you¡¯re really out of the race. Sylvia sighed, turning away. On her desk, the Pure Elements were neatly preserved in their magical forms. "Debutant Sylvia haspleted all her tasks. Time is twenty-five minutes, fifteen seconds," Allen announced. Afterward, he called Deculein. "Professor.¡± Deculein walked over to Sylvia''s desk and checked her work. Although feeling a slight tension, Sylvia blushed in embarrassment due to the previous scandal. "Sylvia," Deculein said. "Yes, sir." Sylvia was prepared for any criticism. If she couldn¡¯t handle it, she wouldn¡¯t have taken this ss. "wless. You may go," Deculein said. The unexpectedpliment left Sylvia wide-eyed. Feeling Epherene¡¯s gaze from a distance, Sylvia deliberately turned to her. Epherene quickly looked down in response, her hands trembling. She still hadn¡¯t finished her tasks. Keep watching, but don''t envy or concern yourself with me. You''ll never reach my level anyway. "Thank you," Sylvia replied. She then bowed to Deculein and walked out of the ssroom, making sure her heels clicked loudly on the floor as she passed Epherene. When Epherene flinched and trembled like a frightened penguin, Sylvia finally realized what she was feeling¡ªtriumph. Watching the halfwit crumble utterly satisfied her. *** "Julia. You may go." "Lehin. You may go." "Eharon. You may go." The number of mages in the lecture hall gradually dwindled. From a hundred fifty, it dropped to one hundred, fifty, and then, finally, to twenty-five... Meanwhile, Epherene still had onlypleted one task. She was hopelessly behind, and her mind had already nked out. However, she refused to give up. She forced herself to squeeze out more mana. Her bracelet and mana resonated intensely, but the ursed Engulfing Smoke showed no signs of materializing. Drip¡ª Drip¡ª Drip¡ª Instead, dark-red droplets fell onto the dirt-covered table. Her nose was bleeding¡ªa sign of mana exhaustion. "Dren. You may go." All the while, the persisting voice suffocated her. "Roton. You may go." Her hands shook and her knees buckled every time another student left the ssroom. "Kane. You may go." She felt as if she was having a nightmare. Unfortunately, the realization that this moment wasn¡¯t just a mere dream filled her with even more despair. "Doyan. You may go." Finally... "Eurozan. You may go." "Yes, sir!" Eurozan eximed. Epherene was now left alone. She didn¡¯t want to give up, but it was over before she had the chance. She let her arms drop. Thunk! Her face hit the table, smearing it with blood and dirt. She couldn¡¯t even think anymore; she felt hollow and numb. Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. "Professor, three hours have passed," came the distant voice of Allen, the assistant professor. "Alright. Let''s finish up for the day," Deculein replied. "Yes, sir. I¡¯ll stay here and..." Their conversation faded away. She wasn¡¯t sure why. Maybe the dirt had clogged her ears. Thunk, thunk. Out of frustration, Epherene banged her forehead on the table, then buried her face in the dirt and cried. She despised herself for boldly vowing to avenge her father and swearing never to return home until she had seeded only to end up failing such a simple task and struggling pathetically here. Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. In a world that seemed devoid of other sounds, only the ticking of the clock remained, mocking her with every second. Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. Time had slipped by unnoticed, leaving her unsure of how long she had been alone. Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. Epherene slowly raised her head. Darkness had already engulfed the lecture hall and the world outside. "... Sniff." She blew her nose and wiped her eyes, then tried to use her sleeve to wipe away the dirt and grime on her face. Unfortunately, she only further smeared them. She felt like a mess... much like her life. A sigh of near despair escaped her. The lecture had long since ended, and she had long since failed her tasks. The lecture hall now felt empty and vast, as if it stretched out endlessly. "... Whew." Like a sponge soaked with water, her body felt so heavy and swollen with self-doubt and defeat that she could barely move her legs. Nevertheless, she staggered toward the door in hopes of getting back to the dormitory. However, before she could exit the lecture hall, something caught her eye. Her small lips, covered in grains of sand, parted. "Ah...?" Deculein was still at the podium, standing upright as always and looking at her. She hadn¡¯t realized that he had been waiting for her. "... Five hours and forty-seven minutes," Deculein said. In the darkness, his blue eyes were the only light, reflecting her pathetic, weakened state. "Epherene Luna.¡± His voice was still cold, but unlike the previous night, it now had a clear, almost warm tone. The relentless ticking of the clock stopped. "How long do you intend to keep me waiting?" It felt as if time itself had stopped, trapping Epherene in that strange and surreal moment. Chapter 21: University (4)

Chapter 21: University (4)

Deculein''s gaze was always unwavering, piercing straight to the truth. His eyes were direct, as if he believed his direction was the only path. Hesitation, doubt, fear, regret¡ªnone of these negative emotions existed within Deculein. He possessed only a confident self-belief, a dogmatic assurance in his own righteousness. His arrogance and conceit, in the end, became signs of his nobility. Even his ws appeared aristocratic. Epherene''s father, who had taken his own life under Deculein''smand, disappeared as if he had never existed, like a mirage blown away by the wind. Deculein remained unscathed, and no one questioned him. Only Epherene knew the truth andpletely loathed him. Despite this, she couldn''t meet his gaze. There was an insurmountable barrier between them, an uncrossable limit, like a veil separating them. A true mage pursues truth without wavering. They remain calm and steady, unaffected by any variables, maintaining a constant focus to find their own answers with cold-blooded determination. If a mage doubts themselves, relies on others, or sumbs to pressure, they cannot be a true mage. Thus, as much as it was difficult to admit, Deculein might truly be a gifted mage. Perhaps all this time, there had been a misunderstanding, and the magical prowess of the Yukline bloodline had been severely underestimated. Epherene lowered her head. From the beginning, it was a battle she could not win. Between her, a non-academy student, and him, a professor,y an immense gap in time, experience, knowledge, and skill. Thinking mere talent could bridge such a gap was the fantasy of a fool ignorant of reality. "... I''m sorry," Epherene forced out in a strained voice. Her spirit had crumbled. Fear consumed her, leaving her unable to fight back. She had no choice but to ept her defeat. "Pathetic," Deculein said. Epherene''s shoulders trembled. She nced up at him timidly and saw a hint of contempt in his eyes. "Composure is a fundamental trait for a mage," Deculein continued, his words cutting through her like a de. "If you can''t stay calm over such a trivial task..." She didn''t want to hear it, it felt like her mind was being shed. "You''ll never escape being a halfwit for the rest of your life." She wanted to flee. The oppressive atmosphere of the ssroom felt suffocating. "... A mage must remainposed, even when provoked by others. They must stay calm despite repeated failures, overwhelming pressure, or even when their enemy is standing right in front of them." Epherene shivered all over, a chill running down her spine, her eyes wide as she stared at Deculein. He remained asposed as ever. "You must always remain cold." Epherene understood his message. "Such pitifulness will prevent you from ever reaching the heights you aspire to." She clenched her fists, feeling a heat rising from deep within her chest¡ªa form of passion. "You won''t evene close to my feet." Epherene didn''t run from his rebuke. She epted it instead. "Consider why you haven''t faced disciplinary action." She had entered the tower with confidence, but now she wondered what she had aplished so far. Since her first day, she had achieved nothing significant and had nearly been expelled for losing her temper. "I don''t need apologies from someone like you." Epherene felt foolish and immature. She was still a child. "You disappoint me, Epherene," Deculein said as he ced the clock on the podium and straightened his cuffs, a habitual gesture signaling the end of his lecture. He turned and opened the ssroom door. "I truly thought you were a gem.¡± Leaving those final words hanging in the air, Deculein departed, but his voice lingered. He did not reveal the expectations he had held or the disappointment he had felt. Epherene stood silently, reying his words. The sense of helplessness that had spread through her was already dissipating. She stepped up to the podium where Deculein had stood and looked at the watch he had left behind. 5:57:17 5:57:18 5:57:19 Time was still ticking. Epherene looked at the watch and clenched her teeth. "... What are you gonna do if you''re disappointed," Epherene muttered, grabbing the clock. She turned back to her desk. "... I can do it," Epherene continued, rolling up her sleeves and focusing her mana. She began once more to control the elements. "I can do it. Your disappointment means nothing to me." If she couldn''t seed today, she''d work through the night. If not then, she''d try again tomorrow. She wouldn''t give up until death. The phrase ¡°give up¡± no longer existed in her mind. Deculein had erased itpletely. "I can do it too..." Epherene murmured, holding back tears. Instead, she used her strength to draw out her mana, burning her overflowing emotions as fuel. Blood dripped from her nose. "I really can..." The drops of blood soon transformed into a blooming metallic rose. *** I leaned against the wall outside the ssroom, thinking. I had devoted nearly seven hours to one person, yet the reason was unclear. Today, there had been no death variable triggered from Epherene. There was no threat of death at all. Epherene had simply been weak, and I disliked seeing her like that. Epherene was a good kid, a clearly virtuous named character. Back when I was a developer and a yer, using a keyboard and mouse, I was far from magic as being a knight ss, but I clearly remembered the Luna family. She would undoubtedly grow into a mage central to this world, positively influencing the main quest. While shecked many things, such as mental strength and the mindset of a mage, oveing these wouldn''t take much. Luna was like a spark, ready to ignite with just a bit of kindling or oil. Of course, I might get caught up in those mes, but this game and world have no predetermined future. Fate is merely the belief of those who do not strive, so I believe only in myself. Therefore, Epherene will not kill me. I will ensure she doesn''t. I will prevent her from even considering it, not allowing any pursuit. This rivalry isn''t bad. Though unintended, Deculein''s personality can be useful in this way. I won''t be outdone by a mere Debutant. "I can do this!" Epherene shouted, her voice echoing from the ssroom. "... Am I a professor or an elementary school teacher?" I muttered, chuckling softly. Despite my muttering, I felt good. [Side Quest Completed: Your Path] ¡ô Store Currency +1 "Hmm?" Unexpectedly, a quest reward popped up, as if someone high above wasplimenting my choice today. Suddenly, the ssroom door opened, and Epherene burst out. She didn''t notice me behind the wall and waddled down the stairs like a penguin, likely burdened by physical strain. I watched her disappear before entering the ssroom. "Hmm." The lecture hall was no longer shrouded in darkness. On Epherene''s table, her spells shone brilliantly, preserved in their magical forms. The Will-o''-the-Wisp floated like ghostly mes, the Engulfing Smoke shed blue like a thundercloud, and the Rising Metal took the shape of a rose. I nced at the clock on the table. 6:25:05 Six hours and twenty-five minutes. She had achieved this result in just twenty-eight minutes. Jealousy crept in, along with needless irritation. If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have been harsher, I reflected. "Oops." Just like this, Deculein''s persona refused to be entirely kind. I could only show kindness to a select few, and very few people would ever see me smile. Such a demeanor came at a ridiculously high price. This must be what they call Elitism. It''s utterly vile. I pulled out the record sheet and began to write. Epherene Debutant ©¦ Time Taken: Six hours, Twenty-five minutes, Five seconds Though she repeated the chronic weaknesses of non-Academy students, the quality of her results was top-notch. Score: 0 Reason: Time Limit Exceeded (Six hours, Twenty-five minutes) *** After dismantling the spells preserved on the table, I walked to the Mage Tower''s parking lot. As usual, I was about to get into my car and head home. It was ate night, and the air was chilly. Under the magical streetlights in the vast parking lot, I noticed an unexpected figure. It was a man wearing enough coats for two grown men. He looked like he had a white tiger draped over him, with broad shoulders and a robust build befitting a warrior. Yet, his handsome face seemed almost incongruous with his massive frame. I recognized him. Zeit von Bluegang Freyden. As his surname suggested, he was Yulie''s older brother by twelve years and the current head of the Freyden family. His neatly styled white hairplemented his distinguished appearance. I grew tense. Zeit was a renowned named character for his immensebat prowess. In fact, his early-gamebat power ranked third, and I had experienced his fearsome reputation indirectly through the monitor. Seeing Zeit in person, he was evenrger than LeBron James. "Head Professor Deculein," Zeit said, his expression stern. Is it because of Yulie''s Snowflower Stone? If so, is this another death variable? There is no way I could counter this monster right now. Pondering this, I approached Zeit. "Haha, it''s good to see you. Running into you here feels different," Zeit continued, suddenly smiling warmly. "... Indeed," I said, nodding calmly despite my surprise. "Well, it''s nothing serious. I''ve heard rumors that things between you and Yulie aren''t going well, and since I had business at the Imperial House, I decided to visit. I heard you were in ss, so I waited here." Zeit seemed to be in favor of the marriage between Deculein and Yulie, at least for now. "I see.¡± "Don''t worry. We''ll make sure the wedding is ready within the year. I''ll arrange dinner this week." Zeit wasn''t purely evil, but his unwavering loyalty to his family ced him in a gray area. He might seem friendly now, but if I proved harmful to Yulie or the family, he wouldn''t hesitate to cut me off. "A dinner shouldn''t be necessary." Zeit ced a hand on my shoulder and said, "It is necessary. I arranged this engagement, so it''s my responsibility." I instinctively frowned. Seeing my reaction, Zeit withdrew his hand. "Haha! This is why I like you. The youngsters today only know how to tter and grovel. But you, you¡¯ve got spirit." "... If you say so." "Even a mage isn''t a weakling if they have spirit," Zeit said,ughing heartily and his gaze intense. "You just need to show up. I''ve picked a restaurant you''ll love, so don''t worry." I couldn''t think of a way to refuse. "Since it''ste and I have other matters to attend to, I''ll be going. By the way, your car is impressive. Next time, give me a ride. Haha," Zeit continued with a chuckle. Without giving me a chance to refuse, he walked away, stillughing. His broad back was as imposing as ever, no matter how many times I saw it. I muttered as I got into my car, "... Is he hinting that I should buy a car as part of the dowry?" My driver, who had been dozing off, snapped awake and grabbed the wheel. Startled, he said, "Sir, you''re here!" "Did you drop off Allen?" "Oh, I was going to, but he said he was fine and left on his own, sir!" "Let''s depart." "Yes, sir! Right away!" *** Early the next morning at the three-story mansion near the capital that Yulie had prepared on her own, a quarrel broke out in the courtyard. It was a battle of words, not swords. ¡°I refuse!¡± Yulie said firmly. ¡°Why do you refuse so adamantly?¡± Zeit asked. ¡°We recently had an argument. And I¡¯m busy training the knights. I have no time to see him.¡± ¡°Are you upset just because he took the Snowflower Stone?¡± ¡°I am not upset!¡± Yulie retorted angrily. Zeit found it strange that Yulie was making such a fuss over a simple dinner with Deculein, while Yulie was frustrated that her brother didn¡¯t understand. ¡°Yulie, think about why he bought the Snowflower Stone. That metal can only be used to make weapons. He likely did it for you¡ª¡± ¡°If he really intends to make a sword for me, I will call off our engagement the moment he gives it to me.¡± A word she had agonized over hundreds of times but never spoken aloud, calling off the engagement. The atmosphere grew heavy. Zeit looked down at Yulie in silence. His formidable presence, standing six foot seven barefoot, and the stature of their family overwhelmed her. Even Yulie, who always stood proud, had to lower her gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve said before, breaking the engagement is foolish. Even if Deculein¡¯s performance has beenckingtely, Yukline is still our strong ally.¡± Zeit had been the one to push for Yulie¡¯s engagement to Deculein ever since their drinking session about three years ago. ¡°Also, as far as I know, no man loves you as much as Deculein does. Or do you have someone else in mind?¡± ¡°... There¡¯s no such person,¡± Yulie replied. ¡°Then why are you hesitant? You were the one who said that emotions have no ce in an arranged marriage between families. Is Deculein¡¯s poor performance bothering you? It¡¯smon for a mage to have a temporary slump¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about his performance.¡± Yulie was a knight. Born to be a knight, she would die a knight. She would lie down on that belief. ¡°Then what is it about?¡± But a knight cannot exist just by themselves. A knight without a lord is merely a warrior. Only when a lord calls their name do they be a true knight. ¡°It¡¯s been over two years since the engagement. How long do you n to dy the marriage?¡± Her lord was her family, the Freyden. That¡¯s why she epted this engagement herself. ¡°I will arrange dinner this week. Deculein will be there, so you can reconcile then,¡± Zeit said and left. Yulie, standing idly, soon gripped the sword in the courtyard. The magic imbued in the sword rose coldly, forming crystals that encased the de. As she swung the sword, a crescent-shaped strike shot out, freezing the area. Before the ice could shatter, she continued her wless strikes, her elegant swordsmanship carving patterns in the air. Crack©¤¨C! An old injury reopened, but she didn¡¯t care. Yulie¡¯s anger always manifested through her sword. She wielded it with her will alone, cutting through the unseen and sublimating her emotions in the Mortal Realm of her sword. Eventually, even the unbearable became bearable. Watching his lord from a distance, her knight Veron bit his lip until it bled. Chapter 22: Trace (1)

Chapter 22: Trace (1)

In the northern part of the continent, beyond the borders of any Empire or kingdom,y the Berhert mountain range. At an altitude of 3,500 meters, it served as the dwelling of mages known as Elders and was home to about 1,000 residents. Berhert was the central authority of the magical schools spread across the continent, an institution where the collective wisdom and decisions of these schools were gathered and solidified. The decisions made by Berhert held such authority that even the Floating Ind of Mages had to follow them. However, these gathering meetings were extremely rare, urring only once every few decades. "... Gathering, huh." One day in April, the Elders could feel in their bones that the gathering was approaching. "We definitely should do that." A meeting was taking ce at the peak of Berhert, in the Elder Hall, buried in deep darkness. "Since a demon has appeared in the Mountains of Darkness..." one of the Elders said. Magic had originally been invented as an art to vanquish demons. Therefore, Berhert, which generally did not involve itself in the Mortal Realm''s matters, made a strict exception when it came to demons. "Is the list prepared?" the Great Elder asked. "The selection of new mages is still under deliberation, but the attendance of the twelve traditional families is confirmed." The invitees included the twelve traditional mage families such as Iliade, Yukline, Bran, Beorad, and Rewind, as well as eight new mage families chosen based on their aplishments over the past ten years. The honor of attending a Berhert meeting was so significant that no family would refuse the gathering. "There has been significant conflict between the Iliade and Yukline families," the Great Elder Drjekdan said, voicing his concern. "That was in the past. They have already reached some form of agreement." "An agreement only in name..." "Of course," the Elder conceded. "But it is true that Glitheon has be less hostile." "Hoping for calm seas in the strait is more likely," the Great Elder Drjekdan responded skeptically. Glitheon of the Iliade family had once been an uncontroble force of destruction. The fire of ambition that he refused to let go still lingered in Drjekdan''s memory. "Glitheon now has a child more brilliant than himself," the Elder continued. "His great ambition belongs to that child, and he will not do anything to harm the child." That was also true. The fire that had once threatened to consume the world eventually died down, giving rise to something greater. Glitheon was like fire, and Sylvia was like light. "...So be it," Drjekdan agreed. "Go ahead and ask the new mages from the Floating Ind for their input." At Drjekdan¡¯s words, all twelve elders bowed their heads. "Yes, sir. Once the Floating Ind selects the eight families, we will send out the invitations." When that day came, Berhert¡¯s will would be transmitted to all the Mage Towers and mage families across the country. It would be a spectacle as high-grading mages from all over the continent set off on their journey. However, the invitations always carried the following postscript: Berhert does not guarantee the safety of any mage. In Berhert, the onlyw is magic. Death in Berhert is considered a natural consequence of magic. Remember this. The reason for this would soon be clear. *** After about ten days, the items I won from the auction in Luten started to arrive. Following Ganesha''s advice, I purchased two top-quality Magitech safes and ced them separately in the main house and the annex of the mansion. Additionally, I asked Professor Relin and his assistant mages from the Mage Tower of the University to enhance the mansion''s defenses. With these measures in ce, there should be no risk of theft. "Among all these items, the ones I can use directly are..." Amid the numerous items, two artifacts stood out and ended up in my hands. Both were relics that any mage would covet. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Rupherin¡¯s Ring] ¡ô Grade: Masterpiece ¡ô Information: Equipment created by Rupherin, a renowned artifact craftsman of his time. It holds his blood, sweat, and breath. ¡ô Category: Equipment ? Artifact ? essory ¡ô Wearing Effect: Improves blood cirction, increases mana recovery speed, and slightly amplifies the power of all magic. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The ring aids in blood cirction and mana recovery, and it also has a subtle amplification effect on magical power, typically around 1% to 3%. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Ancient Relic Ne] ¡ô Grade: Relic ¡ô Information: An ancient ne inscribed with runes. ¡ô Category: Equipment ? Artifact ? essory ¡ô Wearing Effect: Stores up to 300 mana. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The ne is designed to store mana, essentially functioning like a portable battery for phones. It absorbs up to three hundred mana from my body and acts as an auxiliary mana source. While three hundred might sound insignificant, in the context of the game, mana capacity is an incredibly important stat. Items like this are rare. The limitation of my mana capacity is precisely why, despite being an Iron Man, I can''t dream of bing a knight. These two precious items will be part of my equipment from now on. They also had an elegant design, fitting my Aesthetic Sense perfectly. ¡°However, the most important item...¡± I said, sighing as I looked at the problematic one. It was a luminous winter-colored metal, white and blue, with a mysterious glow. Although unrefined and misshapen, its very existence was magical¡ªSnowflower Stone. "It''s not responding." Worth a staggering forty million elne, it didn''t budge no matter how much Telekinesis I poured into it. It''s not an issue of it being unrefined, toorge, or my magic being insufficient. The mana within the metal was simply resisting my magic. In its current state, it couldn''t be refined, smelted, or forged, and I couldn''t control it. "What should I do..." I couldn''t think of a solution since I had only seen this item briefly during the game, given its exorbitant price. As I stared at it, lost in thought, a phrase from a library book came to mind. A master sword must be tamed. A knight wields the sword to tame it, a process known asmunion. Communion. As a mage, I had never learned swordsmanship. However, if taming meant truly understanding the essence of the sword, then perhaps... I focused my Comprehension attribute on the Snowflower Stone, cing my hand on it for better contact. The sensation was both cold and warm, an impossiblebination that tickled my palm. But I wasn''t interested in its physical properties, atomic structure, or material value. I sought a deeper understanding, one that transcended the material and achieved a state ofmunion beyond reason... A searing pain, like an electric shock, shot through my eyes, and my hand on the Snowflower Stone felt scorched. Clutching one side of my eye, I stared at the Snowflower Stone. It appeared unchanged, but I could feel a difference. Using my Sharp Eyesight, the change became even clearer. [Comprehension: 0.1%] [Mana: 1,357 / 3,357 (+300)] It took 2,000 mana to achieve a mere 0.1% understanding. Given my daily mana recovery rate of around 10,000, it would take at least a year to fullyprehend this metal. Even reaching 50%, or perhaps just 40%, might make it easier to control. Until then, Wood Steel would remain my best option. "... Looks like I''ve got a new routine to follow," I said with a bitter smile, cing the Snowflower Stone in the safe. Next, I put on Rupherin''s Ring and the Ancient Relic Ne. To my astonishment, something remarkable urred. "Hmm?" The look and feel of the essories on my body became even more refined. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Aesthetic Sense] ¡ô Grade: Unique ¡ô Description: A genius sense for distinguishing beauty from ugliness. Possesses the potential to master all forms of art and resonates with high-quality artworks. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ It appeared to be the effect of resonating with high-quality artworks. I had initially thought this attribute was almost as useless as Whiz Kid. While not practical, it wasn''t entirely worthless. I put on my jacket and prepared to head to work. *** As a professor, I am meticulous in my duties. In the morning, I bring the focus from my early training into theb, where I analyze research papers. By noon, I head out to a restaurant for lunch. Afterward, I return to the Mage Tower to prepare for my fourth-week ss. I alternate between Allen''s lecture notes and various books, considering what and how to teach. Time flies, and before I realize it, it¡¯s already 5 p.m. "... Midterms will be theory-based," I said, nodding to myself as I sat down in my chair. Today, Ipleted the structure and content of the exams, along with the assignments and report topics. The exams would likely be extremely difficult. "Heh," I chuckled to myself. I took great pleasure in tormenting my students, imagining the mages struggling with the problems I set for them. But my mood shifted when I nced at the nner on my desk. Schedule nner It was Deculein''s schedule nner. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. For the past week, one particr event had been weighing heavily on my mind. April 9 Day of Remembrance A day of remembrance. Not for Deculein''s parents, but for his former fianc¨¦e, the one before Yulie. This wasn''t surprising, as I had known about it for a long time. When I first met Ganesha at the Flower of the New Year social party, she had mentioned it. "Is it because he got engaged again?" Deculein had a fianc¨¦e before Yulie, a detail I knew all too well, beyond the game''s background information. e night in what now feels like a distant world, most of thepany employees were in crunch mode. During a break, we talked about Easter eggs. Yoo Ah-Ra had a clever idea and added a small backstory for Deculein¡ªhis first fianc¨¦e. "In three days..." Perhaps the only remnant in this world where I could remember her. What kind of yful prank did you leave as an Easter egg? What was it that made youugh so brightly? I n to visit that ce, to recall my memories and to remember you. Knock, knock. A knock echoed through the room. I opened the door with Telekinesis. It was Allen. "Professor, Count Freyden is here to see¡ªUgh!" Allen eximed as he was pushed aside by a towering figure who entered the room behind him. "Oh, sorry about that. My body is quiterge. Are you alright?" "Yes, yes, I''m fine..." Allen said, bowing before leaving the room. Zeit watched him go, raising an eyebrow. "Is he one of your subordinates?" "Yes, he is an assistant professor." "Hmm. He seems a bit... iffy," Zeit muttered something strange, crossing his arms. I nced at the clock. It was quarter after five, still early for our 7 p.m. reservation. "We still have some time before our reservation." "Ah, well, the ce we''re going to is quite famous, and I couldn''t wait. I also hoped to catch a ride in your car," Zeit said, smiling broadly. As expected, this man had his eye on a car as part of the dowry. *** Font Mesul was one of the most prestigious restaurants in the Empire. Its reputation was so grand that even the Emperor dined there, making it nearly impossible for high-ranking nobles to secure dinner reservations. Yet, there they were, seated in a private room on the second floor. "Ugh, ah..." Yulie said, fidgeting restlessly in her dress, making small, cooing noises like a baby. "Ah¡ª" Having only ever worn armor, the dress felt more restrictive than handcuffs. The essories scratched at her skin, and the tight fabric squeezed her muscles ufortably. "... Are you alright?" Josephine asked, observing Yulie''s difort with an amused smile. "Yes, I''m fine," Yulie replied, forcing a bitter smile. "You don''t seem fine." "I''m fine." Josephine rested her chin on her hand, pouted her lips, and raised an eyebrow and said, "You''re lying." "It''s bearable.¡± "It''s not just the dress, is it? It''s this whole situation and the marriage." "What?" Yulie asked, taken aback. "You don''t want to get married, do you?" Josephine asked bluntly, leaving Yulie speechless. "... I''m fine." Josephine grinned mischievously and said, "If you hate it that much, do you want me to tell you a way out?" "A way out?" Yulie said, tilting her head and asked innocently. Josephine leaned in close and whispered in Yulie''s ear, her voice barely audible. "Just marry him and then kill him. That way, you can have the entire Yukline family to yourself." It felt like a snake''s tongue was licking her ear. Yulie shivered in horror. Her eyes widened as she stared at Josephine, her face rigid with shock. Such a thought was beyond Yulie¡¯s wildest imagination. "S-sister! How could you¡ª" "It was just a joke." "That''s not something to joke about!" Yulie eximed, pushing Josephine''s hand away. Not stopping there, she attempted to hit Josephine with her fist, but she couldn''t bring herself to strike and ended up iling awkwardly instead. "My dear sister, I was only teasing you. I can''t bear to see you waste your life on such a man. Don''t be too angry." "Don''t say that! No sane person would joke about something like this! It''s not funny. It''s insulting, an insult!" "Well, I just did, didn''t I?" "S-stop! You really think this is a joke?" Yulie fumed, pounding the table in frustration. Josephine continued to apologize, her tone growing more sincere as she tried to calm Yulie down. Just then, the door to the private room opened. A wave of clean, sophisticated air swept in, instantly changing the room''s atmosphere. The man they had been waiting for entered. Josephine couldn''t help but let out an admiring sound as she saw him. Deculein''s appearance and style were exceptionally polished that day. "You must have turned a lot of heads when you walked in," Josephine remarked with a smile. Deculein didn''t respond. He simply gave a slight nod in acknowledgment before taking his seat. Next, Zeit squeezed through the door, hisrge frame taking up enough space for two people. He nced at Josephine and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, Josephine, you''re here too?" Zeit said, sounding surprised. "Yes, I came to help dress up my sister. What do you think, brother?" Zeit''s eyes widened as he took in Yulie''s appearance. She, who had always been devoted to her armor, was wearing a dress for the first time in over a decade. "Ah, no wonder she looks so radiant. She really stands out, doesn''t she?" Zeit said proudly to Deculein. Josephine had done an excellent job dressing Yulie, significantly transforming her appearance. "Yulie is my sister, but she is truly beautiful, and you, as a fellow man, are quite handsome yourself." Deculein did not say anything, his gaze fixed on Yulie. She stared back at him, neither willing to look away first. In the midst of their silent battle of wills, Zeit turned his head to the side and chuckled to himself. Chapter 23: Trace (2)

Chapter 23: Trace (2)

As I arrived at Font Mesul, the restaurant I often visited, I naturally expected Yulie to be there. What surprised me was the person smiling beside her. It was Josephine. In Deculein''s eyes, she was more dangerous than anyone else. Although it was my first time meeting her in person, I had seen her several times on the monitor and knew her background well. "You must have turned a lot of heads when you walked in," Josephine said. I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to sit or leave. However, leaving wasn''t an option. In fact, meeting her now might be better. Josephine was bound to cause trouble sooner orter. It was safer to deal with her in an unexpected moment of daily life than to face a critical blow at a crucial time. I took a seat and looked at Yulie. She looked back at me with eyes that reflected a mix of confusion and a hint of apology. Yulie had no reason to feel sorry for me. "Yulie is my sister, but she is truly beautiful, and you, as a fellow man, are quite handsome yourself," Zeit said, who had entered right after and was making somements. I didn''t pay attention to them. My focus remained solely on Yulie. "What do you think? How does Yulie look today?" Josephine suddenly asked. I shook myself out of my daze and nodded and replied, "She looks beautiful." For a moment, I was mesmerized. Even in her usual armor without makeup, her beauty was striking. Today, she appeared more beautiful than anyone I had ever encountered. Perhaps this was the effect of Defamiliarization. "Hahaha! Exactly. She is my sister, after all!" Zeit said,ughing heartily. "By the way, it''s been almost three years since the engagement. When do you think the wedding should be?" Zeit asked, already holding a knife and fork even though the appetizers hadn''t arrived yet. He seemed ready to cut through the table itself. Such an impatient man. "Uh, brother¡ª" "This is a matter between the elders of the house," Zeit dered. Yulie, startled, tried to speak, but Zeit''srge hand silenced her. "Yulie, you stay quiet." Yulie pouted her lips in silence. At that moment, I noticed a faint red aura starting to spread. At first, I thought the aura of Viin''s Fate wasing from Yulie, but that couldn''t be right. It was actually from Josephine, the woman smiling warmly at me. "When do you think is a good time for the wedding, Deculein?" Zeit asked. "Yes, please tell us. We will follow Professor Deculein''s opinion," Josephine added. Josephine was the personification of deceit. She spoke kindly, without revealing even a hint of the murderous intent she harbored. The sign of Viin''s Fate was so subtle that it could easily be mistaken for a speck of dust. By now, the aura had already vanished, masked by her facade that could deceive even the keenest observer. "Bitro Sygien. Grucious, Kigirln," the chef said as he entered, speaking what sounded like alien words while serving the appetizers. Zeit took a piece with his fork and ate it in one bite. Despite his gluttony, he maintained a certain warrior''s elegance. "... I n to leave the decision about the wedding entirely to Yulie." "Leave it up to her?" Zeit asked after swallowing. I chose my words carefully, but my attention remained on Josephine. I knew her true nature better than anyone. Beneath her beautiful exterior lurked a monster capable of consuming even demons. She was a cold-blooded, ruthless sociopath who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, a wolf in sheep''s clothing and nearly as powerful as Zeit. Yet, she genuinely loved only one person in this world¡ªher sister, Yulie. Because of this, she was an enemy to Deculein. She had the power to kill him and controlled awork that spanned the entire continent. This wasn''t a metaphor; it was literally hers. The organization she controlled, Shadow, spread like a web across the continent''s underworld. The reason she hadn''t killed Deculein yet was a mystery known only to her or the game''s writer. "Deculein, what are you thinking about?" Zeit asked. "... I was just lost in thought for a moment." This potential death variable was particrly dangerous because Josephine, usually so adept at hiding her intentions, had momentarily slipped. But I had no idea how to counter this. Josephine was unpredictable and elusive, like a true shadow. "I know one thing," I finally said. I promised myself that I would no longer cause any harm to the Yulie he loved. This was my vow, not as Deculein, but as Kim Woo-Jin. "What do you mean, you know? Know what?" Zeit asked. "I know Yulie has doubts about this engagement. I have no intention of forcing her into a marriage she doesn''t want." "... What do you mean, you have no intention of forcing it?" Zeit asked, his brow furrowing in concern. "Everyone knows me as a spendthrift who wasted two hundred million in one night in Luten. If we break off the engagement, everyone will me me," I exined. "So, you wasted all that money at the auction intentionally for Yulie?" Zeit asked, incredulous. "Not exactly," I said, shaking my head. "But don''t worry. Even if Yulie wants to break off the engagement, the alliance between Yukline and Freyden will remain strong." Yulie lowered her head, and I initially thought it was out of gratitude. But I quickly realized she was trembling with barely suppressed anger. Beside Josephine, the red aura of Viin''s Fate flickered briefly before disappearing. I was wrong. I moistened my parched mouth with cold water. "No, no, no. How can you speak so lightly of breaking off the engagement?" Zeit said, shaking his head in disbelief. Josephine, still smiling, added, "How considerate of you, Professor Deculein. You are indeed a remarkable man~" Despite her smile, it was clear she didn''t truly ept my sincerity. "The elders will never approve of breaking off the engagement for such a trivial reason. Your willingness to end it only makes us want to keep you even more," Zeit continued, his tone firm and unwavering. I sighed inwardly. Breaking off an engagement between noble families involved too manyplications, especially forrge families with thousands, if not millions, of members. The elders of Freyden, those who Deculein had already won over, would be shocked. I could almost hear Yeriel saying, "First, you wanted to get engaged, and now you want to break it off? Fine, but you''ll take full responsibility. What? You still want us to cooperate after breaking the engagement? No way! Why should we help that margrave? Once the engagement is off, we''re strangers. Now give me back the two hundred million elne!" "... Brother," Yulie said just as the main dish, steak, was being served. "Please, let us be alone in this room. I ask this as a favor." She looked at me with clear, earnest eyes. Sensing her seriousness, Zeit spoke, "Deculein, if you permit it." "It''s fine." "Alright then. Josephine." "Okay~" The two of them stood up and left. Well, Josephine pretended to leave, but then she poked her head back in from the doorway. "Have a nice conversation~," Josephine said. With that, she finally departed. Or rather, pretended to. I knew her well enough to expect she had set up some means to eavesdrop. But fortunately, she didn''t know that I was aware of her true nature. "... You''ve be more clever," Yulie muttered first, her lips jutting out as she clenched her teeth. "Clever, huh?" I said, nodding. Indeed, I hadn''t been very clever before. I knew all about Deculein''s simplistic evil deeds, not just from the game, but from all the rumors circting in this world. Before the formal engagement, Deculein used family connections to force the engagement, promising various benefits to Freyden, persuading vassals and elders, and having them constantly pressure Yulie. He kept her off the battlefield, citing the dangers ofbat, and out of jealousy, expelled her fellow knights, intimidated her superiors using the family''s influence, and isted her within the Imperial Knights Order. Eventually, Yulie quit the Imperial Knights Order, damaging her career. Shamelessly, Deculein promised her the position of Grand Knight in Yukline''s Hadecaine Knights Order. When she refused, he spread malicious rumors about her in the social circle. Even when Yulie stood up again on her own merit, he schemed to prevent her from joining any other knights orders, thwarting her every move. He harassed her, made her cry, and angered her until she sought help from Josephine. He continued to torment her, mistaking his obsession for love, wanting her to depend solely on him by destroying everyone around her. I knew all this. So, I understood Yulie''s hatred. She despised Deculein, not me. "It seems you can''t break off the engagement as you please. No, from now on, we can''t do anything as we like. We''vee too far," I said, cutting into my steak nonchntly. "Why didn''t you refuse from the start?" Yulie trembled, then red at me with intense anger. "Are you starting this all over again?" Yulie asked, her voice shaking as if she were on the verge of tears from the torment she''d endured. "What do you mean? Do you want me to pressure your new knights order? I heard they are doing welltely," I said. The knights order Yulie founded with her colleagues, Freyhem, was only a year old but had already gained a strong reputation due to her character and the knights who admired her. "Ah, god!" Yulie eximed, gripping her fork in reverse and stabbed her steak. "You really forced me into this situation!" She tore into the steak and shoved arge piece into her mouth, causing the sauce to stter onto her lips, dress, and the table. "This dinner wasn''t arranged by me. Zeit was the one who¡ª" "You forced it!" She continued to devour the steak aggressively, clearly doing it to spite me. Her petty revenge was surprisingly effective, as the sight of sauce flying everywhere began to unsettle me and disturb my mentalposure. "Stop¡ª" "This is how I always eat!" Yulie said defiantly. "So delicious!" I closed my eyes. The sounds of her chewing and slurping made my eyebrows twitch, but I quickly regained myposure and opened them again. "Yulie, I won''t do this anymore." "I don''t trust you!" "I know I''ve cornered you, and that your family has been cornering you too." "... What did you say?" Yulie said, her aggressive fork-wielding finally stopped as she red at me, her mouth smeared with sauce and oil. "What are you trying to say¡ª" "I''m saying I''ve been in the wrong all this time," I said, picking up a napkin. Yulie''s expression twisted oddly. "But it''s not just me. Your sister and brother are also very insistent." Yulie clenched her teeth. "...No, they¡ª" "If they''re not so insistent, then why are they stopping us from ending the engagement?" I knew the situation well. I probably understood the Freyden family better than Yulie did, as she was always sacrificing herself for them. "Obviously, because you want to marry me!" "I assured everyone in the room that I would leave the decision to you. Does that still seem like a lie?" Yulie fell silent and watched me closely, as if trying to see through my intentions. "I am not an honest person," I confessed. "I am devoid of loyalty, and my convictions are weak." Yulie looked at me with a mix of surprise and curiosity, her round eyes and cheeks making her appear endearing. "I am not the upright person you wish for. I am quite the opposite¡ªa typical mage who does not suit you at all," I continued. The Deculein of the past would have vehemently denied anything that could tarnish his reputation. He would never have spoken such words himself. That is, if this body were still the same Deculein. "But Yulie, don''t you want the position of Guardian Knight?" Her eyes widened in shock, filled with immense surprise and disbelief. It was a dream she had never expressed, something she kept entirely to herself. "How did you know¡ª" "To be a Guardian Knight, you need your family''s approval, but they will likely stand in your way," "No, that''s not true. My family¡ª" "To be a Guardian Knight, you have to leave your family. You know that, which is why you''ve kept it a secret," I exined. Yulie fell silent. The Guardian Knight is the pinnacle of knighthood, the highest honor for a knight, known as the Empire''s Best Swordsman. However, a Guardian Knight has no family. They can marry, but they cannot belong to any house. Their sole duty is to protect the Empire. While this is a great honor for the knight, it is a prestigious yet impractical position for their family. Protecting the entire Empire means they cannot intervene in family disputes and have no political power. This conflicts with the ambitions of the politically-driven Freyden family. "Alright, here''s what we''ll do," I said with a smile, as if struck by a brilliant idea. "We''ll keep the engagement but not marry. Though I wish to truly set you free, various interests prevent that. So, use my name as a shield until you achieve what you want," I proposed. "If you''re with me, and if it appears our rtionship is good, they won''t stand in your way." "Until then, I''ll maintain the engagement and wait. After all, I have no other suitable partner,¡± I continued. I added a mischievous remark, almost as a joke, "Who knows? Maybe in time, your feelings might change." "... What are you really up to? Why are you saying this now?" Yulie asked, finally looking serious. "I''m not up to anything. If you want, we can make an oath," I replied. Yulie looked even more shocked at the mention of an oath and said, "That''s not necessary! I don''t expect anything in return for trust. I just want to know what you want. But if it''s my body or something like that, then absolutely not! Never!" A slight blush appeared on her cheeks. I understood her concern all too well. "... What I want, huh." I wanted nothing from her. I just wanted to spend this time together and eventually break off the engagement. I didn''t want her or her loved ones to be the ones to kill me. But if she insisted on doubting my sincerity, I supposed I should give her an answer. ¡°Well,¡± I said, looking at Yulie. She seemed tense. I noticed how quiet the restaurant was. There was no noise, no interruptions¡ªonly the sound of Yulie swallowing nervously and the faint presence of a shadow somewhere, listening and rying our conversation. ¡°Well...¡± Knowing that Josephine was likely listening nearby, I prepared my lines. ¡°Okay, this will work.¡± Let''s not misunderstand; this was a performance to gain Josephine¡¯s favor and eliminate a potential death variable. It was nothing more than that. ¡°Once a day.¡± That¡¯s how it should be, but my voice strangely carried a tone of seriousness. I stroked my chin, trying to understand why. ¡°No, once a week.¡± Surprisingly, in front of Yulie, I found that I could do anything. I couldugh, rx, and even let my guard down a bit. The reason was simple. ¡°If it is absolutely impossible to find the time, then at least once a month...¡± Deculein truly loved this woman, so much so that his affection had be an integral part of his character. ¡°... Just smile for me. That¡¯s all I ask,¡± I said, smiling gently. And then, silence. Yulie said nothing. She just blinked at me, staring nkly for a long time before innocently asking, ¡°Wh-what? Smile?¡± She wasn''t even asking for rification. The fragmented words that slipped from her parted lips, ending with a cute squeak, were simply adorable. ¡°What are you...¡± Yulie stammered. Yulie only moved her lips silently before lowering her head. Her hair lifted slightly, as if raised by static electricity. Her honest reaction, like that of a startled animal, was endearing. However, there was no agreement in her silence, no affection. It was a cold burden and a chilling silence. I didn''t mind and let out an unconscious sigh. Yulie visibly reacted to my sigh. Her lowered head trembled, and through her white hair, the top of her head turned red like a tomato. I handed her a napkin. She nced up at me and quietly used it to wipe her mouth. I just smiled. ¡°What-what are youughing at? I won¡¯t be fooled,¡± Yulie grumbled, furrowing her brows slightly. ¡°Believe it or not, it''s up to you. I¡¯ll do as I said,¡± I replied. "Even if you say that, I won¡¯t be fooled..." Clink, clink. After that, the only sounds were those of the cutlery. Well, except for one more thing. [Viin''s Fate: Overcame Death Variable] ¡ô Reward Obtained: Store Currency +2 Finally, my store currency surpassed 10 coins. Chapter 24: Trace (3)

Chapter 24: Trace (3)

¡°... Hmph,¡± Josephine murmured as she tapped her cheek with her fingers, eavesdropping on the conversation inside. It was fascinating, and she almost felt a bit upset at being called the insistent sister, but she couldn''t help but smile in the end. The price of using the head of the great Yukline family was merely a monthly smile. It was cringe-worthy but also refreshingly honest. Yet, Yulie couldn¡¯t even respond to that. Josephine found herself frustrated. If it had been her, she would have secured several mines by now. "Shall I wait a bit more..." She had nned to kill Deculein. Ever since that day when Yulie wept alone, she had been devising ns,ing up with hundreds, even thousands, of strategies. She had waited for Yulie to speak up, but Yulie was too kind to even imagine saying such things, so she decided to stop waiting. ¡°Very well.¡± But today, Deculein''s sincerity was worth listening to. Josephine could discern the tone of his voice. His deration that he wouldn¡¯t marry Yulie was indeed genuine. So, she decided to let it go this time and postpone her n for now. ¡°... Brother, what do you think of Deculein?¡± Josephine asked Zeit, who was yawning at a table on the first floor. Zeit raised his eyebrows and responded, ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, brother. I just want to follow Yulie''s decision. What about you?¡± Zeit''s expression turned slightly grim. He rubbed his temples a few times before running his hand through his hair. ¡°You can¡¯t move the king like a queen in chess. You can¡¯t move a knight like a king, and you can¡¯t move a pawn like a knight. If something you thought was a queen turned out to be a knight, it would be quite disappointing.¡± Zeit hadn¡¯t initially wanted to push for the marriage with Deculein either. ¡°But Deculein isn¡¯t just a piece. He is the chessboard. Even if the board has a few scratches, it doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t ce pieces on it.¡± ¡°So what?¡± Zeit looked out the restaurant window, the embers of past wars still raging in his eyes. ¡°Josephine, I remember our father¡¯s death,¡± Zeit said through gritted teeth. The terrifying aura that emerged at that moment suffocated the area, causing the nobles in the restaurant to cough without knowing why. ¡°Our father was worth more than all those damned bureaucrats in the capitalbined. But they treated a knight¡¯s honor as worth less than a mere mana stone.¡± Josephine only nodded. Sometimes, like today, Zeit could be frightening even to her. ¡°It¡¯s the capital, Josephine. In the frontier, we don¡¯t even have a chessboard to y on.¡± The frontier county of Freyden, a noble family with a long history of defending the Empire¡¯s northwestern border from Land of Destruction, had lost their head in a past defeat. ¡°I will not repeat the past. Yulie knows that as well,¡± Zeit said. ¡°Yes, I understand, brother,¡± Josephine replied. Josephine had epted her father''s death. She always knew that Zeit would seed him, and she had no way to overthrow him, so she gave up on bing the head early on. Josephine quickly lost interest in things she couldn''t have. ¡°... Those bastards deserve to be torn apart. One day, I will rip their limbs off and feed them to dogs...¡± Zeit growled. Josephine shook her head. Despite being family, Zeit was ruthless, and it worried her. With Zeit being this way, if Yulie ever spread her wings and flew away... Josephine hoped that if that day came, Yulie would be much stronger than Zeit. She hoped Yulie would be able to defeat him and soar more brilliantly than anyone... Just then, Yulie came down to the first floor, apanied by Deculein. ¡°Oh, Professor Deculein. Have you finished your conversation?¡± Zeit asked, immediately changing his expression when he saw Deculein. There was an awkward tension between Yulie and Deculein, but it wasn''t as hostile as before. ¡°Oh~ haha. It seems the conversation went well?¡± Zeit asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Deculein nodded. That was enough for Zeit. Satisfied, he patted Yulie on the shoulder. ¡°Then, let¡¯s go! Time for a drink.¡± The four of them left the restaurant together. Deculein deliberately walked slowly, allowing the three from Freyden to lead the way. "Did you enjoy the food, Yulie? We ate downstairs as well~ The meat was delicious," Zeit asked Yulie. "I don¡¯t know. Also sister, please don¡¯t talk to me anymore." "Huh? Why? Why? Don¡¯t make your sister sad, Yulie," Josephine said. "Do you really not know? Think about what you said today." "What? Did you have a disagreement while choosing dresses?" Zeit asked. From a distance, they seemed like a bickering but harmonious family. However, a closer look revealed otherwise. As Charlie Chaplin said, "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but aedy in long-shot." ¡°I should be heading back. I have matters at the Mage Tower to attend to,¡± Deculein said, stopping at the crossroads. ¡°What? Why are you leaving so soon? Have a drink with us,¡± Zeit insisted, but Josephine intervened. She whispered something to Zeit, which included the words about day of remembrance. Overhearing this, Yulie looked at Deculein with a peculiar expression. ¡°Oh. I see. Well, take care. I hope we can have another gathering like this soon,¡± Zeit said. ¡°I hope so too,¡± Deculein replied. With that, Deculein turned and walked in a different direction from them. *** Early the next morning. Bang¡ª! The chair I tried to lift lightly shot up violently. It almost crashed into the ceiling, but I adjusted my Telekinesis, and it gently settled down like a leaf in the breeze. ¡°... I¡¯m still not used to this.¡± [Mana Quality Enhancement (Level 1) has been applied.] [You can now harness mana with greater purity.] The qualitative enhancement of mana meant that the mana in my body had been purified. Mana cirction was smoother, allowing me to produce superior output with the same amount of mana. As a result, the power of my Telekinesis, with magic circles memorized all over my body, had increased by at least 25%. However, the inconvenience of having to readjust from the beginning was annoying. Anyway, it was time to memorize Beginner Telekinesis again. My current Telekinesis was a mix of Basic and Beginner levels, but with one more week of effort, I could fully transition to the Beginner level of Telekinesis and expect a dramatic performance improvement. At that moment... Swoosh¡ª The door to the annex suddenly swung open. ¡°What is it?¡± I asked. I had clearly stated that no one should enter without permission. Who dared to¡ª ¡°What do you mean, what is it? It¡¯s me,¡± Yeriel said. It was Yeriel. Her eyes bulged in disbelief as soon as she saw me. ¡°What... Aren¡¯t you going to put on some clothes? You¡¯ve been working outtely, but have you developed some kind of exhibitionism? Why are you shirtless all of a sudden?¡± Yeriel asked incredulously. In Yeriel¡¯s hand was a piece of parchment. Its appearance was unusual, and the system reacted immediately. [Main Quest: Gatherings from Berhert] ¡°Take this. Berhert has convened a meeting. It¡¯s the first in fifteen years.¡± Yeriel said. I used Telekinesis to bring it over and read it. There wasn¡¯t much to it, just a notice that the Yukline family had been called, with a postscript to take care of my own safety. ¡°But seriously, did you go through torture or something? Are you dying soon? You look terrible, and kinda disgusting,¡± Yeriel continued, scrutinizing me with a frown. She was right; my body was covered in wounds and stained with blood. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± I replied. I had been nning to clean up anyway. I used a cleanse spell to wash away the grime and asked, ¡°Did youe all this way just to deliver this parchment?¡± ¡°Partially. I have other things to do, so I¡¯ll be here until tomorrow,¡± Yeriel said with a shrug, her tone grumbling and looking somewhat shy. ¡°Oh, by the way, remember the room I used when I entered the university? I¡¯ll be staying there, so don¡¯t even think abouting in.¡± ¡°You¡¯re being rude,¡± I said. ¡°... Sir. You¡¯re really picky about manners, aren¡¯t you? Oh, so picky~¡± Yeriel replied sarcastically. With that taunt, Yeriel left the room and shouted, "Bring me some food!" I could hear Yeriel immediately shouting at the servants. ¡°... Tomorrow, huh.¡± Yeriel said she¡¯d be here until tomorrow... Today is the day of remembrance. It surely couldn¡¯t be just a coincidence. *** Com¡¯on, Join Our Club! CMRC: Common Magic Research Club Epherene looked at the sign on the club room door andughed. The wordy in the club''s name, with the phrase Com''on cleverly carried a double meaning¡ªit was both an invitation toe on and join the club, while subtly hinting themoner background of its club members with the shortened.[1] ¡°Ah, why do I find this so funny?¡± Epherene chuckled. As she tried to stifle herughter, the door suddenly swung open. ¡°Yikes!¡± ¡°Oh, Ephie! You¡¯re here?! Come in!¡± Julia said as she grabbed Epherene¡¯s wrist and pulled her inside. ¡°Oh, Epherene, you¡¯re here,¡± Rondo said. ¡°Want to y cards with us?¡± Yufin asked. The club had only seven members, far fewer than expected, but Epherene found this small, tight-knit group to be quite enjoyable. ¡°Ephie, what do you think? Isn¡¯t it spacious?¡± Julia asked, twirling in the middle of the club room. ¡°Yes, it is,¡± Epherene replied. The room was muchrger than she had expected, almost as big as her old house. ¡°There¡¯s even a sofa...¡± Epherene murmured as she walked over and sat on it. It was soft. She pressed down on it with her hips, and it quickly returned to its original shape. ¡°Wow.¡± She pressed down again, and it bounced back just as easily. She pushed harder this time, but there was still no problem. Indeed, this was the finest sofa she had ever sat on. Epherene nced at her ssmates and then slowlyy down on the sofa. Yawning, she asked, ¡°By the way, Julia, what did you list as the club¡¯s purpose?¡± ¡°Hmm? Oh, Practical Understanding and Exploration of Magic. If we do well, we might even get to visit the Floating Ind,¡± Julia replied. The Floating Ind of mages had an entrance fee of a hefty 1,000 elne, but it was a must-visit for any mage. After all, the promotion exams were held there. ¡°Without the entrance fee?¡± Epherene asked, focusing on the cost. Money, money, money. The 100,000 elne sponsorship was dwindling quickly. The prices of writing instruments and grimoires were no joke. And eating that Roahawk boarst week hadn¡¯t helped... She had thought she¡¯d get a discount as a friend¡¯s daughter, but they had been so strict about it... ¡°Of course, it¡¯s free,¡± Julia said. ¡°Wow! I mean, uh, I see.¡± That was great news. In that case, the club activities weren¡¯t as bad as she thought. ¡°But don¡¯t we need a supervising professor¡¯s approval for that?¡± Ferit asked, speaking up. Epherene listened quietly, pretending not to care. ¡°Hmm... Maybe Epherene could ask? She seems to get along well with Professor Deculein,¡± Julia said after thinking for a moment. ¡°What? Why me?¡± Epherene asked. ¡°Because you don¡¯t seem to mind Professor Deculein. There are rumors that he favors you,¡± Julia added. Favors? Epherene¡¯s face twisted in annoyance. Unbelievable. Such a ridiculous rumor. ¡°Are you insane? Who says that? Did someone lose their mind while studying for exams?¡± Epherene retorted. ¡°Then what is it? Honestly, this club was your idea, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Julia pressed. Epherene smacked her lips in silence. Deculein''s kindness toward her was puzzling. He held such high expectations, only to be let down. She tried to make sense of it, but the reasons were elusive. For now, the only exnation that made any sense was pity. ¡°So, what¡¯s your rtionship with Deculein?¡± Julia asked. ¡°Ugh. Rtionship? He¡¯s just...¡± Epherene said, scratching the back of her neck. To her, Deculein was an enemy and rival she had to surpass. He was the reason she became a mage and her primary goal. She would always strive to surpass him with humility and diligence. But saying that out loud felt awkward. So... ¡°He¡¯s my rival,¡± Epherene said. Laughter erupted around the room. Julia spat out the water she was drinking. ¡°That¡¯s hrious, Ephie,¡± Julia said. ¡°It¡¯s not a joke.¡± ¡°Hahaha, your serious face makes it even funnier.¡± ¡°Laugh all you want.¡± As theyughed and chatted, the door suddenly mmed open. A man who looked like arge pot stormed in, fuming with anger. ¡°Hey, all of you. What is this?¡± It was Relin, the plump, round professor from the Support Studies Department. ¡°CMRC? What kind of nonsense is this? Hey! What is this?¡± Relin shouted without any exnation. Startled, the club members hid behind Epherene. ¡°What kind of club is this supposed to be?¡± Relin repeated, questioning. Despite her tension, Epherene stepped forward calmly. She had anticipated this kind of bacsh. ¡°We wrote a Club Formation Proposal and received approval. It¡¯s an officially recognized club,¡± Epherene exined. ¡°What? Who approved this nonsense? Wait a minute. Now I see, you¡¯re that halfwit who was disciplined.¡± Halfwit again? It seems to be a popr term among the Mage Tower''s professors. Epherene red at Relin. ¡°Hah, look at this cheeky brat, staring at a professor... Hey! Lower your gaze!¡± Relin shouted, his face turning red with anger. In the hallway, the noble ssmates were snickering. It was clear they had been the ones to inform Relin about the club. ¡°Fine, if you¡¯re so confident, tell me! A club requires at least one supervising professor¡¯s approval. Name that professor!¡± Relin demanded. ¡°Speak up!¡± Epherene bit her lower lip at hismand. She had promised not to cause any trouble when forming the club. ¡°Hah! You must have forged it. If you did, you¡¯ll be expelled. Even if not, you¡¯ve clearly defied me. I¡¯ll tell the professor who approved this club exactly what I think to their face!¡± Relin sneered. Relin assumed a newly appointed professor, naive and inexperienced, had approved it. He thought it must be someone like Shane or Heisen, professors ofmoner origin. ¡°Come on, tell me! Who is it?¡± Relin asked confidently. ¡°Umm...¡± ¡°Speak up! Now!¡± The more Epherene hesitated, the fiercer Relin became. More nobles gathered in the hallway, watching themoner''s club with mocking eyes. Just then... ¡°Tell me! Before I find out myself¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± ¡°What?! Who..." Relin said, turning and freezing in ce. Like a man turned to stone, Relin stood there, dumbfounded, with a puzzled, almost innocent look on his face. ¡°Professor Relin, you called for me. So here I am,¡± Deculein said. Deculein. Why is this professor here? ¡°Uh... sorry?¡± ¡°Speak to me, Professor Relin,¡± Deculein said. Deculein stepped closer, looking down at him. The height difference was ideal. If only Relin were a woman... ¡°Speak up, Professor Relin. What is the issue here?¡± Deculein demanded. ¡°... Uh, Head Professor Deculein, you approved this club...¡± ¡°Yes, I approved it.¡± ¡°Oh, I-I see... But w-why did...?¡± ¡°Do I need a reason to approve something? Should I have sought your permission first?¡± Deculein said, his lips twisting into a smile. Relin¡¯s eyes darted around frantically. Deculein continued, ¡°Go on with what you were saying.¡± ¡°Well...¡± Relin said, breathing heavily, desperately searching for an excuse. "Well, uh..." Relin racked his brain frantically, his eyes darting around for something, anything, and after thirty seconds, he finally, desperately blurted out. ¡°This space is too cramped, isn¡¯t it?!¡± Relin said, pointing around the clubroom. ¡°We¡¯re mages from the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, and the furnishings here are uneptable! It¡¯s too small, and the furniture is inadequate! That¡¯s what I was upset about. Hahaha.¡± Relin exhaled deeply, then stered a bright smile on his face and said, "I''ll take responsibility and ensure we get better furnishings." ¡°You¡¯re very considerate, Professor Relin,¡± Deculein said calmly, nodding. Relinughed nervously, trying to y along. ¡°I have a ss to teach, so I¡¯ll be on my way. Ha ha ha!¡± Relin said, leaving whileughing loudly. The hallway of the Mage Tower was still crowded with curious mages. Deculein nced at them, particrly the group that had informed Relin. He knew their names¡ªBeck, Lucia, and Juperne. "Vermin will always act like vermin," Deculein said coldly. The group flinched and quickly scattered like pests caught in the open, fleeing to avoid any consequences. Deculein then looked around at the members of the CMRC. His gaze shifted to the clubroom itself. ¡°It does look cheap,¡± Deculein remarked, saying only that before walking down the hallway like a model in a photoshoot. ¡°... Wow,¡± Ferit muttered, copsing onto the sofa, his legs weak. The other members were equally shaken. They had felt a chill from Deculein¡¯s presence. Despite rumors about the decline of his outputs over the past three years, anyone who encountered him would immediately realize those rumors were nonsense. ¡°Was Professor Deculein in a bad mood today? He seemed scarier than usual...¡± Ferit said. ¡°Shh,¡± Julia said, putting a finger to her lips and whispering softly. ¡°Today is the day of remembrance for histe fianc¨¦e.¡± ¡°Day of remembrance?¡± Ferit asked, startled. Epherene widened her eyes in surprise. She hadn¡¯t known that. ¡°Yeah. But don¡¯t ever mention it in front of Professor Deculein. If you do, you might never open your eyes again. It¡¯s forbidden to talk about it,¡± Julia warned ominously. Epherene stifled augh. The idea of never opening your eyes again for saying the wrong thing was absurd. But seeing the serious expressions on the others'' faces, she held back herughter. ¡°It¡¯s strange that today is his fianc¨¦e¡¯s day of remembrance. I didn¡¯t know the professor had someone he cared about,¡± Epherene said softly. ¡°... Huh?¡± Julia said, looking puzzled. It was understandable if she was unaware of Deculein''s past loss, but his engagement to Yulie was too well-known to ignore. Then again,moners like us aren''t privy to high social scene gossip, Julia thought. ¡°Who would have thought he had someone he loved,¡± Epherene mused, her voice a blend of sighing and criticism. At that moment, Rondo, who had been looking at a Wizard Board, eximed, ¡°Oh no! This is crazy!¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Julia and Epherene asked, turning to look at him. ¡°Professor Deculein just assigned a ton of assignments,¡± Rondo said, looking panicked. ¡°What? Let me see!¡± Julia eximed. Julia, Epherene, and Rondo, all students in Deculein¡¯s ss, crowded around the Wizard Board to read the assignment. The tasks listed by Deculein were overwhelming: Research and describe the spell of Pure Elementsbined with three or more elements. Research and describe the theory and element fluctuations ording to Mana Density and Concentration. Research and describe the Quality of Mana. ¡°Oh my god, what is this...?¡± Epherene muttered, feeling a wave of dizziness as she realized the enormity of the assignment. 1. Original from Raw: Epherene looked at the sign on the club room door andughed. The wordy in the club''s name, Common Magic Research Club, used Common as a y on words for both the club beingmon and ordinary, as well as formoners. ? Chapter 25: Trace (4)

Chapter 25: Trace (4)

The continent''s knight orders are divided into three main categories. The first category consists of national knight orders operated by the imperial or royal family. These national knight orders are veryrge. Not only knights, but many university-educated researchers specializing in demonic beasts and dungeons also work there. In times of emergency, the knights are mobilized as state officers. Only the most talented cadets from knight academies can join these knight orders. The second category consists of knight orders operated by noble families. As one might expect, only the wealthiest territories can afford to maintain a knights order. Families with extensivends, frequent appearances of demonic beasts, and a high likelihood of dungeon formation are able to sustain such orders. Among these, the Yukline family''s Hadecaine Knights Order is particrly favored by cadets due to its excellent location and the benefits of being in a major city. The third category consists of private knights'' orders. Over half of the 108 knights orders across the Empire fall into this category. Unlike national and noble family knights orders, which are often tied to specific regions, private knights orders usually have bases in major cities and embark on expeditions two or three times a month. They undertake missions such as hunting demonic beasts in rural areas, destroying monster camps, and conquering dungeons, funding their operations through the spoils and sponsorships they receive. However, the requirements for establishing a knights order are very strict, so only one or two new knights orders are established each year. The headquarters of the newly established Freyhem Knights Order, which falls into this third category, was bustling with activity. Yulie, looking over the ounts, let out a sigh of relief. This first half of the year seemed to be ending in surplus. The monster camp eradications and dungeon conquests had gone well, and it seemed luck was on their side this year. "Alright, we just need to keep working hard like this," Yulie said to herself, leaning back in her chair and enjoying a moment of satisfaction. Knock, knock¡ª Someone knocked on the office door and entered. "Grand Knight Yulie," said Rockfell, her senior knight and the current deputy knight of Freyhem. "Yes, Sir Rockfell. What is it?" "The Terh Corporation has requested an escort for their Express Train," Rockfell said, handing over some documents while stroking his rough beard. "Is it for the Berhert meeting?" "Yes." Private knights orders asionally take on missions simr to adventure teams, but the level of trust required between the parties is much higher. Knights orders only ept missions from verified institutions or state entities, usually those with a strong public interest. The Terh Express Train was a Magitech Marvel that traveled precariously along the cliffs of the Berhert Mountains, the only means of reaching the highest altitude near Berhert. "It''s been fifteen years since thest Berhert meeting, and now we have been called,¡± Rockfell said, looking displeased. "I don''t know why this request came to us." The knights of Yulie''s order had a deep-seated animosity toward Deculein. It was no surprise that they shuddered at the thought of him attending the Berhert meeting. "It''s fine. You don''t have to decline the mission." "Really?" Rockfell said, his eyes widened. "Are you sure? Veron did mention that he wanted to take this mission." "Veron did?" Yulie asked sternly. In professional settings, she was always a strict and upright leader. "Yes. The mission specifically requested Veron. He has been excelling in VIP protectiontely." Veron was a knight who hadn''t even graduated from university, but his exceptional knightly spirit and tremendous effort had elevated his skills to the level of imperial knights his age. Though he sometimes had a habit of solitary contemtion, his bravery and dedication to hisrades, demonstrated in the Graknen Dungeon, were well known to Yulie. "That''s great. If it''s Veron, he will handle it well. I approve.¡± In summary, Veron was the most trusted knight among all the members of the Freyhem Knights Order, including Yulie. Even the discerning Zeit had praised him a while ago, saying, "He has the rare old-school spirit." "But are you really okay with this?" "Yes, I am totally fine with it." "Really? Veron is practically like one of our own children," Rockfell said, concern evident in his voice. "... Sir Rockfell, if you keep questioning me, I might get angry," Yulie said, narrowing her eyes. The more Rockfell pressed her, the more annoyed she became, even though she was genuinely fine with it. "You know that escorting the Express Train is a significant mission. If Veron handles it well, it will boost both our knights order''s reputation and his career." "Yes, that''s true, but..." Rockfell said, pausing to ponder for a moment. Could it be that Grand Knight Yulie has reconciled with Deculein? I heard about a meeting yesterday. Or perhaps... Did Zeit beat Deculein? That must be it; there''s no other exnation. "Don''t even entertain such ridiculous thoughts," Yulie said sharply, noticing his spective and unfounded ideas. "Ah, yes. Ahem. By the way, Grand Knight, do you have any ns for tonight?" "I have somewhere to visit." "Hmm. I was thinking about arranging a team dinner, but if you have other ns, that''s fine. I''ll be leaving now," Rockfell said, scratching the back of his neck as he left the room. Yulie sighed and nced under her desk. Therey a bouquet of flowers she nned to give to someone today. She didn''t know the person''s face or name, but she felt it was the right thing to do, so she bought the flowers. "I still can''t trust himpletely..." Of course, trusting Deculein was out of the question for her. But if he truly kept his word and followed through, if he changed so much that he eventually confessed and apologized for his sins... Yulie looked around. There was nothing in the room that could serve as a mirror. She had never cared much about her appearance. She picked up the namete on her desk instead. It reflected enough for her to see herself. She puffed out her cheeks and tried to smile. Her lips trembled as she stretched them into a smile. It felt awkward. She hadn''t genuinely smiled in almost three years. "Oh, I forgot to mention, Grand Knight...?" Rockfell said, reentering the room and seeing Yulie holding the long namete to her face, smiling oddly. They blinked at each other before Rockfell quietly left again. Yulie set the namete down and crossed her arms, acting as if nothing had happened. The Express Train escort was an opportunity. Veron would protect them well and demonstrate his underestimated abilities. If the Imperial Knights Order scouted him, I would dly let him go... Knock, knock¡ª This time, after a proper knock on the door, Rockfell entered again. "Grand Knight, there''s one more thing to report." "Yes, what is it? Go ahead." Rockfell spoke as if nothing had happened, and Yulie replied as if she had been expecting it, though both of their faces were still slightly flushed. *** The atmosphere of a cemetery always stirs profound emotions in me. Though it''s just a field scattered with headstones, the breeze feels like a gentle touch, and the chirping of insects resembles whispers from another realm. Standing alone in such a ce, I felt nothing but solitude, overwhelming solitude. As I walked through the cemetery, I searched for someone¡ªDeculein¡¯s deceased fianc¨¦e. I didn''t know her name or face, but knowing him, I was sure her grave would stand out. I scanned the area, stepping on the grass. Ornate graves, simple ques, well-tended headstones, and those overgrown with weeds¡ªall held stories of the departed. ¡°Hmm?¡± Under the pink-streaked sky of the setting sun, I noticed a freshly ced bouquet. The scent was familiar, reminiscent of the fragrance I had smelled that morning¡ªYeriel¡¯s perfume. "... Looks like Yeriel has already been here." Smiling bitterly, I stood before the gravestone adorned with the bouquet. The surface was still damp from the afternoon rain. I stared at the name etched into the small, modest headstone for a long time. I couldn¡¯t look away. "You really are something..." I muttered, unsure whether to find it clever or excessive. It felt ironic. The name on the headstone, just a few letters, stirred a profound sadness within me. ¡°... Why.¡± This grief wasn¡¯t Deculein¡¯s; it was mine, entirely my own. It started in my heart and spread through my entire being. Everything I had tried to forget came rushing back. It felt like my flesh was being cut, and I could hardly breathe, as if something were tightening around my throat. All because of the name on this headstone. Yuara von Vergiss meinnicht Always thankful to you It seemed like an Easter egg, just as Deculein¡¯s character was modeled after me, Kim Woo-Jin. She must have secretly included her own name. I felt a mix of bafflement, anger, and curiosity. Why did she give her name to Deculein¡¯s deceased fianc¨¦e? And why was she thankful to me? "... Thankful? Did she add this before we broke up?" I muttered jokingly, but the ripples of emotion continued to spread. My hands trembled, and my heart pounded with memories of the past. When I closed my eyes, it all came back vividly, as if it had happened yesterday. You, who once shylyplimented my drawings, who gave me your coat on a cold winter night, who told me you loved me as you hugged me, who lifted me up when I was emotionally broken, who stayed by my side through seven years of tears and anger, who alwaysughed with me, who were my only support when I lost everyone in my family... Even now, my heart races at the thought of you. It''s as if you¡¯ve nketed my heart likete-falling snow, or rather, like snow that has been umting for years. I knelt down and took off my gloves, wiping the moisture from the headstone. Your name appeared even more clearly. You wouldn¡¯t know. You just embraced your name as a joke. But this name... it was too much for me to bear in this world. I struggled to breathe, and my vision blurred. I had never felt this way before. At this moment, I was not Deculein but Kim Woo-Jin... still in love with you. Crunch¡ª A sharp rustling of leaves interrupted my thoughts. I quickly stood up, wiping away the tear that had slipped down my cheek. My disheveled hair brushed against my eyes. Someone was watching me. "... You," I said instinctively, frowning. She just stood there, her face showing a rare expression of surprise. As I returned to the present, a wave of embarrassment washed over me. Chapter 26: Trace (5)

Chapter 26: Trace (5)

Two hours earlier, at 7 p.m., Sylvia had taken a car ride, carrying a notebook, flowers, and a pen. She was in a decidedly sour mood. She sat quietly in the back seat, grumbling to herself in silence. How could he assign so many tasks so casually? Though it came with a note saying thatpleting two out of three is eptable and does not require a high level of proficiency, it was still unreasonable, even for a five-credit course¡ª "We''ve arrived," said the driver. Lost in her thoughts about the assignments, Sylvia only realized they had arrived when the car stopped. She got out silently, feeling the cool evening air. The setting sun cast a pink hue over the horizon, perfectlyplementing the serene atmosphere. Sylvia walked, holding the flowers in one hand. Her neat shoes clicked on the path until she reached a gravestone adorned with flowers. Cielia von Elemin Iliade Beloved wife of the proud mage Glitheon, and mother of dear daughter Sylvia. This was the resting ce of her mother, who had wanted to be buried in her hometown. Sylvia had moved to the capital to be near her. "I''m here, Mom," Sylvia said, kneeling to ce the flowers. "My brother took an aptitude test today." Her father had remarried five years ago, and now she had a younger brother who was already four years old. "He has no talent for magic. He looks like a potato. A whole potato. Maybe he''s just underdeveloped, or perhaps he was born missing something," Sylvia muttered softly. She continued her rant, "Professor Deculein is awful. He acts like his ss is the only one I take." She couldn''t remember her mother''s voice, and the sadness had faded. Yet once a month, during these irregr visits, Sylvia found herself talking. Today, it was Deculein¡¯s overwhelming assignments that brought her here, but whatever the reason, sharing her thoughts at the grave always lightened her heart. "... I''ll be going now. Take care," Sylvia said, standing up and turning away without hesitation as her knees began to ache. As she was about to leave the cemetery, she noticed someone who had worsened her mood earlier, someone she hadn''t expected to see in such a ce¡ªDeculein. He stood silently, staring at a gravestone. Nearby, a beautiful knight with white hair and light armor observed him from a distance. It seemed they hadn''te together; the woman watched Deculein''s back, remaining unnoticed by him. Deculein stared at the gravestone, silently contemting the name etched upon it and the memories it held. After a long while, he knelt and gently touched the stone, his eyes growing vacant in the moonlight''s reflection. Tears began to form. Sylvia, surprised by this rare disy of emotion, identally stepped on a leaf, revealing her presence with a soft crunch. Deculein, startled by the noise, stood up abruptly and red at her with reddened, tear-filled eyes. "... You." "I wasn''t trying to spy," Sylvia replied calmly, as usual. She instinctively nced at the spot where the knight had been, but the woman was already gone. Deculein followed her gaze and asked, "Was there someone else?" "No," Sylvia replied, shaking her head. She was not one to reveal secrets. Deculein closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Sylvia feared she might be scolded, but instead, he seemed grateful. His emotions had been in turmoil, and the interruption had helped him escape the overwhelming flood. He hadn''t anticipated being sopletely overtaken by his feelings. "It¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s head back," Deculein said, turning and walking in the direction opposite the entrance. Sylvia hesitated but followed. "Please don''t punish me," Sylvia said nervously, receiving no response. Deculein continued walking, leading them further into the cemetery, which made Sylvia increasingly uneasy. "I won¡¯t tell anyone what I saw today," she promised, still met with silence. Should I run away now? But what if he punishes meter? Could he use this personal incident as an excuse to discipline me? Sylvia thought, her mind racing. "Sylvia," Deculein finally spoke,ing to a halt as he looked around at the ground and the sky. "Yes?" "... Where are we?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion. Sylvia blinked, noticing his disorientation and likely embarrassment from being seen in tears. "The exit is in the opposite direction." "... I see. Lead the way." They turned to leave but couldn''t take a single step. A hooded figure, who hadn''t been there moments before, now blocked the narrow forest path leading out of the cemetery. The stranger, clearly menacing, obstructed their way. "Who are you?" Deculein asked, looking at him with weary eyes. The figure did not respond. Deculein used a gust of wind to reveal the man''s face. When his features were exposed, Sylvia tensed. The long hair, the scar near his eye, the predatory gaze, and the sharp jawline¡ªall matched the description on the wanted posters. It was Lokhak, the infamous Mage Killer. "Sylvia." "Yes?" Deculein observed Lokhak through his Viin''s Fate attribute, noticing the ominous red aura surrounding him, indicating his murderous intent. "You should run. Even if you go back the way we came, you can find a way out," Deculein said, taking a step forward and cing Sylvia behind him. She asked quietly, "Really?" "Yes. You can''t face him." Deculein knew that an ordinary mage couldn''t stand a chance against Lokhak. His unique attribute, Magic Nullification, was devastating in any situation. It rendered all magic useless within his vicinity, even neutralizing spells cast from outside his range. The price for this overwhelming power was the loss of his own mana. "Sylvia, leave now." Sylvia didn''t respond, and Deculein''s eyebrow twitched in frustration. "Stop being stubborn and go." Still, there was no reply. Deculein gritted his teeth. "Sylvia, you''d only be a hindrance. Don''t do something foolish¡ª" He turned to shout but paused, noticing Sylvia was already gone¡ªsprinting away in her dynamic heels, the sound of her footsteps rapidly fading. Indeed, this was better than her loitering and getting in the way. Deculein let out a bitterugh and turned to face Lokhak, who had no intention of letting Sylvia escape. Lokhak held a dagger, an ominous weapon of Rare grade quality. Deculein, still standing, calmly put on his gloves, adjusted his cor, and smoothed out his suit. "... You can''t use magic against me," Lokhak sneered. "I can handle you without magic," Deculein said, his tone cool. Lokhak''s temple twitched. He twisted his mouth into a sneer, then charged, holding the dagger low behind him. Deculein stood still, as if inviting Lokhak toe closer, showing no signs of defense or preparation. Lokhak thought, Mages are always so arrogant and haughty. They rely on their magic tricks, forgetting their own frailty. They delude themselves into thinking they are superior and sort people into hierarchies. When they realize their magic is useless in my presence, they despair, losing their confidence and pride, crying and begging for their lives. This damn professor is no different. In fact, he is the epitome of a mage. His miserable life, as predictable as the sun setting and the moon rising, deserves to end. Confident in his advantage, Lokhak swung his dagger at Deculein. To his shock, an unseen force threw him back, sending him rolling across the ground. He got up and red at Deculein, who hadn''t moved an inch. Coughing up blood, Lokhak wiped his mouth and sneered, "So, you hid a weapon in your pocket." Lokhak lunged again, feinting with his dagger to test Deculein''s defenses. Deculein swiftly kicked him squarely in the nose, sending him reeling back. "... Lokhak," Deculein said, his voice unsettlingly calm and his gaze cold. "How much does it hurt?" He genuinely wanted to understand. Mana quality extended beyond spells, affecting human attributes as well. His unique attribute, Iron Man, likely enhanced his physical efficiency and destructive power even without magic. Therefore, he was simply curious. "Don''t make me ask twice." Lokhak, covering his bleeding nose, red at Deculein. "How much does it hurt?" Deculein looked down at him from a distance with a haughty, disdainful stare that made Lokhak seethe with rage. "Answer me." Instead of replying, Lokhak turned and ran. Suddenly, he was lifted off the ground and mmed headfirst into the ground with a resounding thud. Dazed, he looked up into the cold blue eyes of Deculein, who loomed over him like a demon. "Answer me, right now." Lokhak kicked up from his position, a dagger springing from his shoe sole and aiming for Deculein''s neck. Deculein stepped back effortlessly, moving with the grace of a waltz. Lokhak staggered to his feet, grudgingly conceding, "... I admit it." Lokhak admitted to himself that Deculein was unlike any other mage he had faced. He was strong. Yet, Lokhak knew he still had a way to kill him. In his domain, no magic could manifest¡ªa principle not easily exined by magic but driven by pure hatred. Within this realm, Lokhak alone held the advantage of taking that critical extra step. Lokhak stared at Deculein. Though Deculein''s stance seemed full of weaknesses, Lokhak knew from experience that it was a trap. A trap had to be met with another trap. Lokhak charged again, quickly closing the distance. As Lokhak crouched, Deculein thrust his fist forward. This time, Lokhak understood clearly¡ªit wasn''t a blunt weapon but a fist. At that moment, Lokhak''s legs moved again. It was just a single step, but it was enough to make the difference between life and death. The unmistakable sound of the dagger slicing into flesh made Lokhak smirk, certain of his victory. However, his smile quickly vanished as Deculein, with the dagger embedded in his side, looked at him calmly. "Interesting move," Deculein mused, seemingly calcting something. Lokhak twisted the dagger, eliciting a brief flicker of pain on Deculein''s face, which he quickly suppressed. "If this is all you have, I can endure it," Deculein said as he struck Lokhak¡¯s forehead with his elbow and then delivered a powerful punch to his jaw, sending him sprawling. It sounded like the crack of a watermelon being crushed by a bare fist. Deculein approached the prone Lokhak, stepping deliberately and said, "Lokhak, let me ask you onest time. How much does it¡ª" Lokhak, spitting blood, snarled, "... You crazy bastard, it''s like being hit by a sledgehammer. Are you satisfied now?!" Deculein nodded, his gaze fixed on Lokhak and asked, "One more question. Why did you kill mages?" Lokhak''s fury ignited and eximed, "Mages are cursed! Traitors to God! The Floating Ind, Berhert, the Mage Tower¡ªthey''re all corrupted. Without their magic, they''re nothing but pathetic worms, crazed killers who revel in ughter. But you...!" Deculein listened silently as Lokhak struggled to move, realizing he was paralyzed from the neck down. "What kind of fucking monster are you..." Lokhak muttered. Deculein considered killing Lokhak but ultimately decided against it. Lokhak''s murderous intent had vanished, making it easy to ovee the Viin''s Fate. More importantly, Lokhak''s words had revealed something significant to Deculein. "I see, you¡¯re one of the Scarletborn." Lokhak''s eyes widened in shock and asked, "Does the Yukline family still remember the Scarletborn?" "At least I do." The Scarletborn, born in a blood-red amnion and rumored to possess demonic blood, were natural enemies of mages. Their persecution yed a significant role in the continent''s history. Magic was originally created tobat demons, which further solidified the enmity between mages and the Scarletborn. This intense conflict was a central theme in the game''s story. "I understand your suffering and the years of oppression you''ve endured." The Scarletborn, living in hiding, feared magical retribution¡ªa fear that intensified with shifting political tides. If the Emperor changes in the near future, it could trigger a full-scale massacre, driven by the belief that the Scarletborn are akin to demons. In reality, this cleaning was already being quietly and secretly carried out. "However, killing innocent mages makes you no better than a monster." "... Just kill me," Lokhak spat, resignation in his voice. "Killing someone like you would only bring me dishonor." Just then, the sound of approaching reinforcements grew louder. Sylvia had managed to find help. "Enough talking! Just kill me!" Lokhak shouted. However, Deculein shook his head and replied, "I know the Scarletborn are not guilty." "... What could a mage like you possibly know?!" Lokhak said, his rage shifting to despair as he grasped the hopelessness of his situation. "I am Deculein of the Yukline family," Deculein said, as he straightened his rumpled sleeves, tightened his loose tie, adjusted his cor, and smoothed out his shirt and jacket. "An inheritor of ancient magic and a hunter of demons." "Lokhak," Deculein continued, his voice cold as a chill wind. "Have I lost my dignity fighting you? Have I wavered in the face of your provocations?" Lokhak, lying on the ground, looked up at Deculein. Seeing his unwaveringposure, Lokhak''s anger gave way to a deep, inexplicable sadness. "You can trust me," Deculein said. "You are not demons. You are human." In Lokhak¡¯s mind, a single word echoed¡ªnoble. Deculein''s genuine nobility stood in stark contrast to the false nobility Lokhak had encountered before. Lokhak¡¯s anger faded, leaving a void filled with sorrow. Annoyed by this unwee sentiment, Deculein kicked Lokhak''s forehead, knocking him unconscious just as the police arrived. Chapter 27: Prepare (1)

Chapter 27: Prepare (1)

¡°That was amazing, Head Professor!¡± From the group of police that had arrivedte, a high-ranking officer in a shy uniform approached me. He then saluted. "Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Senior Inspector Ropha! I must say, the way you stomped with your foot just now was like a scene from a movie! Do you want me to hit this damn murderer a few more times for you?" ¡°No, leave him be.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The moment he fainted, his attribute deactivated. I used Telekinesis to lift dirt from the ground, igniting it to mix two elements. The soft soil quickly hardened, taking on metallic properties and extending into thin strands. It was a Basic Ductility spell I had memorized earlier. With it, I bound Lokhak¡¯s wrists and ankles. The police officers'' jaws dropped in amazement. ¡°Wow... I¡¯ve seen many spells, but this is the first time I¡¯ve witnessed one performed so elegantly. The way those ropes danced just now was incredible.¡± ¡°Just get him out of here.¡± ¡°Ah. Yes, sir! Thank you for your hard work!¡± The inspector pulled a magic restraint device from his belt. It was designed to suppress the wearer''s magical power to some extent. ¡°Your Magic Restraint Device won¡¯t work on him. He nullifies magic, so just leave those bindings as they are.¡± ¡°Really?! No wonder he escapes from jail so often and doesn¡¯t show up on our Magitech Radar! Wow, how did you figure that out so easily? And how did you defeat a magic-nullifying opponent like him?¡± the inspector babbled without pause. ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡± ¡°Oh, yes, sir! Hey, why are you standing there gaping? Everyone, salute the professor!¡± Dozens of police officers gathered in the middle of the cemetery and saluted me. At that moment, a system message appeared. [Real Combat Verification: Attribute Synchronization] [Due to Quality of Mana Enhancement (Level 1), the limits of certain attributes have increased.] I already knew how this system worked. It was often referred to as breaking through the attribute''s limit, but in essence, it was about raising the Ceiling. Think of it like an engine designed to operate at full capacity¡ªlet¡¯s say one hundred percent. Until now, it had only been able to perform at fifty percent due to poor-quality fuel. But, with a better fuel supply, its output increased to sixty percent. However, since the engine had been running on low-quality fuel for so long, it needed time to adapt and clear out the built-up residues, which was the purpose of that recent battle. After all, a single real fight taught more than a hundred practice sessions. ¡°Professor Deculein,¡± called a familiar voice. It was Yulie. She bowed her head, a few strands of her hair catching in her mouth as if she had rushed over. ¡°... You did well today. Please rest well.¡± I nodded and walked past her. As I continued, I looked up at the sky. The crescent moon appeared through the overgrown trees. Leaves crunched underfoot, reminiscent of the path I had once walked with you¡ªa dark, overgrown, and frightening path leading to a grave. On the day I tragically lost my younger sibling, you walked with me, cried with me, and helped bury him. That¡¯s why, when I close my eyes, your face lingers in my mind. I¡¯ll remember you today and try to forget you by tomorrow... Even so, I didn¡¯t want to kill anyone in a ce where traces of you remained. *** Late at night, Sylvia''s mansion, located in the prime area of Haileich, was quiet and still. ¡°... So, that¡¯s what happened.¡± As soon as Glitheon received the report, he rushed to the capital. While Sylvia acted as if nothing had happened, Glitheon wanted to burn Lokhak alive. ¡°So, sweetie, was it Deculein who saved you this time?¡± Glitheon asked Sylvia in a subtle tone. However, Sylvia frowned and said, ¡°Are you trying to get a reaction out of me?¡± ¡°Huh? No, no, sweetie. Absolutely not. It¡¯s just the way I talk. The way I normally speak to the vassals slipped out, haha. Why would I try to get a reaction from you?¡± ¡°Fine, whatever,¡± Sylvia said, pouting as she sat at the head of a table filled with avish feast, pretending to be upset. ¡°Sweetie, I¡¯m telling you, it¡¯s not like that...¡± Taking advantage of Glitheon slip-up to make him uneasy, Sylvia smirked and said, ¡°Then, Dad, I¡¯m going to the Berhert meeting too, right?¡± The Berhert meeting. As the head of the Iliade family, Glitheon was invited to this prestigious event, a great honor for any mage. He was allowed to bring onepanion and one escort knight. ¡°... Ah, hmm,¡± Glitheon muttered, looking away from Sylvia. Berhert was an incredibly dangerous mountain range. He had hoped to avoid taking Sylvia there until thest possible moment... ¡°I¡¯m going.¡± ¡°Sigh.¡± Reflecting on the situation, he realized that the journey to Berhert, while significant, posed no real threat. The twelve traditional families had an unspoken agreement that the heir or the top disciple should always apany the head on such trips. Moreover, family rtions had improved considerably over the past fifteen years. If he refused to take Sylvia along this time, using danger as an excuse, he would not only be seen as an overprotective father but also as a fool. ¡°... Alright, alright. Of course, sweetie, you¡¯ll be mypanion.¡± "Oh, Lady Sylvia! In that case, I will be the escort knight for the day!" the man dered seating at the same table. With a noisy tter, he stood up. It was Sirio, the deputy knight of the Iliade Knights Order. Sylvia''s eyebrows twitched in annoyance and said, "Sirio is too noisy. I don''t like him." ¡°Oh, why? I¡¯m better than that Jeyron guy,¡± Sirio responded. "Haha, true. Jeyron is serious about everything. Even I find him ufortable," Glitheonughed heartily and continued. "Besides, Sirio will be staying in the third gate of Berhert. He won''t be able toe to the fourth gate where we''ll be." ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate. By the way, Lady Sylvia, the rule in the fourth gate is that those of the same bloodline must act separately. If you and Head Glitheon stick too close, you might just end up with some blood clotting troubles~¡± "I know. Be quiet," Sylvia snapped, irritated by Sirio''s frivolous tone. As he sliced the fish, Glitheon said, "But, sweetie, we¡¯ll be leaving a bit early. It¡¯s Thursday, two days from now. Is that alright?" "That''s four days earlier," Sylvia said, narrowing her eyes. ¡°We¡¯ve received intelligence.¡± ¡°Intelligence?¡± ¡°Yes. It was expensive information.¡± Currently, Glitheon was the only one among the twelve families with this information. Normally, Deculein would have been the first to know, but he had inexplicably severed his ties with the underworld. Glitheon was still puzzled by this. Deculein had always been paranoid about his safety. Whether he had gained confidence in his own skills or was cing his trust in the assistant professor he had hired was uncertain. ¡°But I want to leave after 6 p.m.¡± ¡°Hmm. I don¡¯t mind, but why?¡± "Wednesday''s ss is worth five credits, and I need to review the notes the following day." Glitheon nodded and said, "Deculein''s ss, right? I understand. How is it, sweetie? Is he a good professor?" ¡°Yes. I like it.¡± ¡°... You like it?¡± "Yes. I think it will be difficult to register for his ss next semester." Deculein¡¯s lectures were extremely popr at the Wizard Board. Despite his poor personality and the overwhelming amount of assignments, the primary role of a mage from the Mage Tower was to learn. As a professor who ensuredprehensive learning, his sses were sure to be flooded next semester once word spread. "Is that so... Ha, I see." Glitheon snorted, slightly annoyed. After that, they had an ordinary conversation over an ordinary meal. "... Nom nom." Sylvia chewed her food thoroughly, her thoughts drifting to Deculein. Deculein also had memories of losing someone. He had a painful past. She had once thought he was just an arrogant, pretentious professor¡ªamon sentiment among the mages from the Mage Tower. But now, she began to think differently. That single tear, like a shooting star, kepting to her mind. *** It was Week 4 of Understanding the Properties of Element Magic. When I arrived at the Mage Tower by car, I momentarily thought I had taken a wrong turn. "Are those journalists?" I asked the driver. "Yes, it seems so, sir." A group of journalists had gathered at the entrance of the Mage Tower. ncing outside, I saw the Chairwoman at the center of it all. Her animated gestures initially made me think she was trying to chase them away. However, when I rolled down the window slightly, I heard her speaking. "Professor Deculein has always valued novice mages! As the Head Professor, he has been tracking the Mage Killer for a long time!" the Chairwoman said, addressing the press with great enthusiasm. "It seems his efforts have paid off! Oh, yes, Professor Deculein''sbat talents are undeniable, though not as great as mine! Any more questions? Ah, how did he subdue the Mage Killer?! I don''t know either!" I instructed the driver to use the back entrance and then said, "Good work." "Thank you, sir!" After exiting the car, I entered the Mage Tower and made my way to ssroom A on the third floor. I adjusted my suit jacket before opening the door. The excited chatter of the Debutants fell silent as I walked to the podium. "Greetings." The ssroom looked as ordinary as ever. It was as ifst night''s events had been just a dream, as if this world had always been my own, and those memories were merely remnants of the past. "Before we begin the Week 4 lecture, I''ll announce the highest and lowest scores fromst week''s test. Sylvia achieved the highest score with 100 points, while Epherene received the lowest with 0 points." "Argh!" A strange groan erupted from somewhere in the room. Ignoring it, I continued, "Today''s primary element for the Week 4 lecture is Earth. Everything rted to the ground, including sand and minerals, falls under this element. When mixed with fire, it bes metal. When mixed with water, it bes mud and y..." As soon as I began the lecture, the mages looked disappointed. They were probably expecting tales of capturing the Mage Killer. There was no chance of that. "... Before we begin the basic lesson, let''s start with a warm-up exercise." I snapped my fingers, and Allen entered, carrying a bag. Using Telekinesis, I lifted its contents¡ª150 shimmering blue stones. The mages'' eyes widened in astonishment as the stones simultaneously floated into the air. "These are mana stones, each worth 3,000 elne." I floated the stones with my Basic-Beginner-level Telekinesis. This skillbines both Basic and Beginner techniques, hence the ssification. "I¡¯ll leave them suspended. Try to take one by interfering with my Telekinesis. If you seed, you can keep it." Mana stones are essential for mages, used in research, crafting, catalyst, and as temporary spell boosters. They are versatile tools for any mage. Epherene, in particr, looked eager. "Since today''s primary element is earth, our first topic for Week 4 is Magic Interference with Pure Element Magic." Magic Interference¡ªthe act of one mage disrupting another''s spell, distorting the flow of magic to change its intended effect. "For a magic caster, blocking interference is just as important as causing it. While defending is generally more advantageous, I''m confident you can handle both." Honestly, I was curious too. I wanted to see how well my Basic-Beginner-level Telekinesis could withstand interference from these Debutants. Telekinesis is a fundamental skill that mages often master intuitively to an Advanced level without theoretical study. Even Debutants should be proficient in at least Basic-Beginner-level Telekinesis. I increased my power level beyond the usual, as they should already be proficient in Intermediate Telekinesis or higher. Although Deculein''s talents were specialized in Maniption and Earth, these Debutants were among the most talented on the continent. Letting my guard down could be embarrassing. "... Begin now." I stood still and waited, estimating it would take about three minutes. I was holding 150 stones, and the mages only needed to take one. Three minutes passed. Five minutes passed. Ten minutes passed. I kept waiting, but my Telekinesis remained unshaken. I checked my watch. My mana was depleting slowly but steadily, but I still had plenty left. "Hmm." I wondered if they were even trying. To check, I activated my Sharp Eyesight. The massive flow of mana from 150 mages filled my vision, all targeting my Telekinesis. Overwhelmed by the chaotic energy, I quickly deactivated my Sharp Eyesight. "... Keep trying." After another five minutes, some mages groaned, some drooled in concentration, and some even had nosebleeds. Their eyes were bloodshot from the effort. But my Telekinesis withstood all interference. Then, a tremor urred in one of the stones in the third row on the right¡ªa noticeable movement. I traced the mana and, once again, it was Sylvia. Exhausted, she was catching her breath with her head down. "Sylvia, well done. You¡¯re first ce." Sylvia nodded silently, and about three minutester, another stone wavered. "Next, Epherene." That moment marked a dramatic shiftst week¡¯s lowest scorer had risen to second ce, shaking up the entire leaderboard. The other mages turned to Epherene in shock. Red-faced and breathing heavily, Epherene looked at Sylvia. Despite the twin streams of blood from her nose, she smiled confidently. Sylvia did her best to ignore her. "Other than those two, I don''t think anyone else seeded." I was surprised. I hadn''t expected them to struggle this much. No, it was more than just a struggle. Mages who had been trying their hardest were now copsing onto their desks, nearly exhausted. "That''s enough." I had misjudged the difficulty level. Even the most talented Debutants on the continent couldn''t ovee my Telekinesis when it was my sole focus. "That''s enough. Everyone, cease your efforts." Acknowledging my mistake, I withdrew my Telekinesis. However, the mages were so engrossed that they copsed like zombies. I was about to say something, but the scene in the ssroom was shocking. Spit and blood from nosebleeds were smeared everywhere. The pungent smell of sweat mixed with bodily waste filled the air. For a moment, I felt dizzy, and my rationality wavered. "Pathetic..." I muttered absentmindedly. The already heavy atmosphere grew even more oppressive. Despite this, I didn''t want to stay there any longer. "... Take a break. Clean up your own spit and blood from nosebleeds," I instructed. Chapter 28: Prepare (2)

Chapter 28: Prepare (2)

"Pathetic..." Deculein said with contempt as he halted the ss. The lecture hall fell silent in the face of the senior professor''s tant disappointment. Only sighs could be heard. The Debutant mages, who had entered the tower with high hopes, now felt a stark barrier. Deculein''s magic was that formidable. His Telekinesis was so powerful that it seemed absurd to call it mere Telekinesis. ording to conventional wisdom, Telekinesis was easy to learn but often considered minor if it didn''t suit one''s aptitude. If this mere Telekinesis was such a masterpiece, what could Deculein''s other magic be like? How pure was his mana? Despite his disy of skill befitting a senior professor, the mages felt demoralized by his disdainful gaze. The heavy silencested only three minutes. "Ugh, he''s so annoying." "If I knew how to do that, I wouldn''t be a Debutant." "Is he mocking us Debutants?" "How did he manage to buy 150 mana stones? He must be loaded." "He''s got a reputation for blowing money. I heard he dropped 200 million elne at an auction in just one day." "200 million?!" The ssroom buzzed with excited gossip. "Wow... I''m exhausted. How did you do it, Epherene? I feel like I''m dying," Julia said, who had fainted for a moment. Epherene nced at her and shook her head and replied, "... I have no idea. My tongue feels numb." When she seeded, Epherene felt euphoric, almost like when she passed the entrance exam for the Mage Tower. Battling Deculein''s magic and striving desperately for thirty minutes, she experienced a profound sense of aplishment. "What did it feel like?" Julia asked. "It felt like trying to push a train with my bare hands." Deculein''s magic was like a wild boar from Roahawk, distinct from any other professor¡¯s from the Mage Tower. When the intense focus ended, Epherene was utterly drained. "Isn''t this way too hard? It''s like he wanted us to fail," Julia grumbled. Epherene took a sip of water and said, "... I think I get it now. Ah, my tongue is finally loosening up." "Hmm? Understand what?" "I had an enlightenment," Epherene said, drawing the attention of those around her. Even the front-row students turned to listen and asked, "An enlightenment?" "Yeah. Honestly, I only knew Beginner Telekinesis, but trying to break through Deculein''s magic felt like... I don''t know, something just clicked." A primal enlightenment. Beginner Telekinesis was clearly insufficient against Deculein''s magic. However, by refusing to give up and striving desperately... "It felt like my circuits opened up automatically, like a sudden enlightenment. An insight?" In other words, the circuits opened. Lines appeared and circles expanded in the mental image of Telekinesis, and that spell interfered with Deculein''s magic. It was an enlightenment beyond intuition. With it, Epherene managed to move a mana stone, which was a sess. She was close to Sylvia''s level, so she had every right to feel proud. Her reward was the 3,000-elne mana stone in her hand. "No way! That''s so cool." "I can''t exin it well, but that''s what happened," Epherene said, noticing the others'' eyes sparkle with interest. Words like enlightenment and insight are favorites among mages. Despite being inst ce, Epherene''s sess made the others think, If she can do it, why can''t I? "Anyway, I think it''s the right way. It''s like in chess¡ªyou get better by ying against a master. If you only y against beginners, you end up going back and forth without really improving," Epherene added. "Back and forth." "Oh, yeah. My tongue''s still kinda numb." Epherene was convinced. Deculein''s path was the right one. If she wanted to enhance her skills, knowledge, and abilities as a mage, she just needed to follow his lead... However, not all the mages in the room shared her perspective. The noble mages, in particr, found Epherene''s growth irritating. Even Sylvia, usuallyposed, seemed unsettled. She had heard a strange rumor that Epherene, who had been inst ce, had received private tutoring from Deculeinte at night. Some professors had even seen Deculein leavingte. Although Sylvia didn''t believe it at first, she couldn''t otherwise exin Epherene''s sudden progress. It was clear that Epherene''s rapid growth was due to the private lessons she had received from Deculein... Sylvia closed her eyes in frustration. The reward meant for the top scorer had gone to the lowest scorer, filling her with anger. "Hey! Why aren''t you cleaning up?" a voice suddenly shouted. It was Beck, the mage who mimicked Deculein''s style. He turned to themoners, including Epherene, and yelled, "Clean up now!" "We''ve already cleaned our area," Julia retorted. "What? You need to empty the trash cans too! Don''t you know how much Professor Deculein hates messes?" Despite the tower''s rule against social distinctions, nobles often looked down onmoners. Epherene frowned and said, "You can''t even see it once the lid is on. If it bothers you so much, why don''t you clean it yourself?" "What? Ha, you little... Outside of the university, you wouldn''t¡ª" Beck was interrupted by the opening ssroom door. He quickly sat down as Deculein entered and noticed the blood still smeared on Beck''s nose. His nose hairs were even slightly sticking out. "I-I apologize! It won''t happen again!" Beck stammered as he bowed deeply. "Go back to your seat. You''re distracting," Deculein ordered. Beck''s istion brought quiet satisfaction to themoners. They easily ignored his trembling presence at the back of the room. "See? He doesn''t care if you''re a noble or amoner," Julia whispered to Epherene, who shook her head. "Well, I''m telling you, it''s not a good thing. I don''t like it." Deculein began the lecture and asked, "Can anyone tell me why you failed at magic interference?" "Because defending is easier," Sylvia replied, catching everyone off guard. Her dissatisfaction with Deculein was evident in her bulldog-like re. Epherene raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Please show us an example, Professor." Knowing that defense was easier, Sylvia believed she couldst at least three, maybe five minutes against Deculein. She thought she would be satisfied if she could make Deculein tremble for those few minutes. "Yes, defending is easier. Everyone knows that," Epherene added, further angering Sylvia. "Alright," Deculein agreed confidently. He knew his Telekinesis was far superior, not just to the Debutants but to many others in the academy. "Let''s begin." Sylvia immediately activated her Telekinesis at full power. The mana stone floated up, caught in her magical grip. Whoosh¡ª! In an instant, Deculein seized it from her. "What?" Sylvia said, stunned. The stone had been snatched so quickly she couldn''tprehend what had happened. It took less than a second. "Epherene, would you like to give it a try?" Deculein asked. Epherene hesitated, then quickly searched her desk, bag, and notes. Lowering her head, she appeared embarrassed and said, "I''m sorry, I think I lost the mana stone." "I''ll give it back." "... Ah, it was in my pocket. Sorry about that, I''ll give it a try," Epherene said as she floated the stone and focused intently. Despite her best efforts, Deculein effortlessly took the stone from her just as he had with Sylvia. The oue was the same. "How." Epherene feltpletely outmatched. "The difference in magical skill is so vast that this isn''t interference; it''s a one-sided contest," Deculein stated. Both Epherene and Sylvia frowned. "You need to understand Mana Interference rather than Magic Interference," Deculein exined. With a snap of his fingers, he dimmed the lights and projected three magic circles¡ªBeginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. "You don''t need to dismantle the spell or counter it with the same magic. Simply use your mana to disrupt the Core Circuits." This technique, known as Mana Interference, is quite well-known. Most mages learn it during their time at the Mage Tower. However, it isn''t widely practiced because mages can only interfere with spells they know well, and realbat often doesn''t allow enough time for its use. As a result, most prefer to defend with barriers or counter with the same type of magic. But growth requires effort and the willingness to ovee challenges. "The key to Mana Interference is identifying the Core Circuits of the magical circle. I''ll show you with various examples," Deculein continued, exining how to identify and disrupt these circuits. "... Even if you encounter a spell for the first time, don''t panic. Analyze it with a mage''s eye. Determine if it''s destructive or supportive, and identify the element used. Then, target the Core Circuit. Anticipate the location of the Core Circuits and disrupt them. Now, let''s move on to a support-type magic circle..." Deculein''s unique expertise was built through the thorough study of not only grimoires and textbooks but also rare ancient texts that most noble mages could neither ess nor read. He also analyzed the game¡¯s system and settings. With his Comprehension, hepared and contrasted the structures of dozens, even hundreds, of spells. "Once you master Mana Interference, Magic Interference will be much easier. Now, observe this magic circle for the Whirlwind de Awl spell." Because of their profession, most mages¡ªnearly all, in fact¡ªclosely guarded their trade secrets. But Deculein generously shared his knowledge with them. "Destructive spells have circuits that cause mana to explode outward. So keep that in mind and¡ª" Deculein exined. The mages took notes, captivated by his every word. Deculein''s presence had a mesmerizing effect, alwaysmanding attention. His unique charisma was both captivating and intimidating, a remarkable disy of his attributes of Intimidation and Dignity. Time flew by, and at exactly 6 p.m., Deculein stopped the lecture and said, "That''s all for today." The mages, engrossed in their notes, were taken aback. The lecture felt unfinished. "Well done, everyone." However, Deculein had an almost obsessive sense of time. He was neverte and never early. He arrived precisely at 3:00 p.m. and left exactly at 6:00 p.m., not a minute more or less. "I wanted to exin more about interfering with Pure Elements, but we''ll stop here," Deculein said, his gaze sweeping over them critically. "You wasted time, so don''tin. Use your imagination and figure out the rest on your own." With that, Deculein adjusted his attire and left the ssroom, leaving the Debutant mages staring nkly after him. Normally, everyone would rise and leave when the ss ended, but today, no one moved. "... Ugh." Someone sighed¡ªprobably Epherene. Sylvia blinked, gripping her pencil. The unfinished sentence bothered her. It kepting back, nagging at her over and over. "Oh my god. What does he expect us to imagine and figure out?" a mage muttered, echoing the group''s frustration. "Why did he stop halfway? What''s his problem?" "This is driving me crazy. He just left us hanging," another said, losing their mind. They cursed Deculein but soon realized he wasn''ting back. Left with no answers, they turned their frustration toward the world. *** The Emperor''s direct dominion, Impurium, connected to the capital in the south and sheltered by the rugged Kidea Mountains in the north, served as the administrative hub of the Empire. Beneath the city, which housed various imperial institutions like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs,y the criminal interrogation room of the Ministry of Public Safety. Lokhak was confined in that underground cell. "You will be sent to Rekordak," said the interrogator, Lillia Primien, the renowned deputy director of the Ministry of Public Safety. "You will nevere out. You might not even survive a year." Lokhak looked into her eyes. Primien''s long, dark blue hair was tied like a horse''s tail, and her icy, clear blue eyes exuded an aura of strength. "... Any objections?" Primien asked, her tone firm but her voice soft, contrasting with her stern appearance. "I asked if you have any objections." Lokhak remained silent, causing a vein to bulge on Primien''s temple. "Activate it," Primien demanded. "... What?" "Your ability." Lokhak smirked and closed his eyes. Instantly, all magic in the vicinity was blocked. Once she confirmed the surveince crystal orbs were disabled, Primienshed out. "You worthless fucking idiot," Primien spat. "I told you not to bring harm to our people. Why did you do it?" Lokhak stared at her in silence. Primien continued, her face expressionless. "I intended to kill you. If it''s discovered that you are one of us, it will only fuel the oppression against our people. The only reason you''re still alive is for research purposes. So, don''t even mention Scarletborn." "... Do you really think we can survive in this Empire?" "If we stay hidden, it''s possible. Scarletborn are no different from ordinary humans, except for their birth." "No. We are born with demonic talents, and that''s what they fear." "You little shit. There are plenty of talents besides being a Scarletborn," Primien snapped, her tone angry but her expression indifferent. "And why did you provoke Deculein? We''ve been watching the Yukline family closely." "... Are our people nning to kill him?" Lokhak asked, causing Primien''s eyebrow to twitch. "We were just observing. But if that trash keeps causing problems, we might have to step in." "There''s no need to kill him. He''s not a fraud, but a true noble." "A true noble? Bullshit. I''ve got a list of his crimes as long as my arm." Lokhak shook his head, recalling Deculein. He had insisted that the Scarletborn were human, not demons. His eyes saw only righteousness, without a trace of doubt. If there had been more nobles like him in the past¡ªmany more¡ªperhaps the Scarletborn could have lived harmoniously with the world. "He knew I was a Scarletborn, but he didn''t kill me." Primien''s eyes widened in surprise, the first sign of emotion she had shown all day. She quickly regained herposure, however. "... Are you unaware that Yukline''s ancestors led the massacre and persecution of the Scarletborn?" "I didn''t know. But if we judge him based on his ancestors, we''re epting their im that we''re demons." "You always have to get thest word, don''t you?" Primien snapped, running her hand through her hair in frustration. Lokhak chuckled. "How long do you think you can keep your position without being discovered?" "Forever. You can''t identify a Scarletborn by their appearance or blood." "There are foods we can''t eat." "Then we just won''t eat them." "What if they find another way? Isn''t that why you''re always so vignt?" "No, I''m not, you fucking idiot," Primien snapped, her gaze turning sharp. "The Emperor''s condition is deteriorating. He might die soon." The current Emperor''s policy toward the Scarletborn was one of strict indifference. Despite numerous petitions for their persecution, he never responded. What his sessor might do, however, was unknown. "For now, you should remain locked in Rekordak," Primien continued. Rekordak, the harshest prison on Earth, was known as the icy hell. "Our people''s official policy will be decided after the Emperor''s death. I don''t know if you''ll still be alive in Rekordak by then." At that moment, loud pounding sounded on the door as the Ministry of Public Safety staff, sensing something was wrong, rushed over. "Endure the pain," Primien said. "If it''s from our people, I can do it all day," Lokhak replied with a smile. Primien grabbed Lokhak by the hair and mmed his head into the desk. The door burst open at the perfect moment. "No, Deputy Director! Stop! Please, stop!" "You worthless piece of shit. I''ll crush your skull," Primien snarled, mming Lokhak''s head onto the desk repeatedly. "De-deputy Director! Please calm down!" "Move aside. I''ll strangle this fucking shit with his own intestines." "No, please! Someone stop her! Stop her!" Chapter 29: Prepare (3)

Chapter 29: Prepare (3)

Late at night on the library rooftop, Epherene leaned against the railing, gazing at the university below. Above her, the Mage Tower glowed a soft blue all the way to its peak. Below, the lights of ssrooms, streets, and restaurants sparkled like stars. During exam weeks, the night seemed to vanish entirely from the university. Epherene took out her Wizard Board from her pocket. It resembled a mini whiteboard with ck edges and served as amunication tool for the Mage Tower mages. Officially named the Multipurpose Interactive Message Board, it wasmonly known as the Wizard Board. This magical device featured a remote bulletin board essible to all Mage Tower mages, facilitating theirmunication. However, professors avoided using it due to its limited legal lifespan of seven to eight years. Epherene made a post on the Mage Tower''s Secret Board. She had already spent half of the 100,000 elne sponsorship on writing tools and grimoires. Complete notes for Deculein''s lectures (up to Week 4). How much could these fetch at auction? 1-page sample included. ©¸ 500 elne ©¸ 1,000 ©¸ 2,000 ©¸ 4,000 ©¸ 5,000 ©¸ 6,000, possibly more depending on the condition. "Wow." Startled by the rapidly rising bids, she deleted the post. "... I suppose I''d buy it too if I had the money." Deculein was indeed strange. Instead of keeping such efficient techniques and tips to himself, he revealed them openly. Most professors offered private lessons for a hefty price or required students to be their subordinates, under an oath of secrecy. Mages, regardless of their wealth, were known to be wary of their sessors and envious of their juniors. Deculein¡¯s change this year was suspicious. "Oh well," Epherene said, shaking off her worries as she took a deep breath and leaned on the railing again. She suddenly wondered if her father had ever stood here, like her, contemting unsolvable magic or the even more challenging questions of life. "... Don''t worry," she whispered as she pulled a letter from her pocket. She used to exchange letters with her father every week. The voice and video messages in the letter that showcased his genius had long since expired, but his handwriting and the traces of those days remained. My dear daughter, I am working on a gift for you... Reading just the first sentence made her eyes well up with tears. "I''ll definitelyplete your research, Dad," Epherene said, knowing that some of her father''s research was in the letters she kept while the rest was hidden somewhere in the Mage Tower. She knew exactly where it was. "I will be a greater mage than Deculein. I''ll surpass that enemy of ours¡ª" "That''s impossible." Startled, Epherene straightened up and whipped her head around so quickly she nearly strained her neck. It was Sylvia. Epherene red at her and said, "If you''re here to start a fight, it won''t work. Just leave." Sylvia sneered, mischief dancing in her eyes and replied, "If Deculein is your enemy, then you must have taken private lessons from your worst foe?" "What nonsense is that? Did you hear some strange rumor and believe it? Is that what nobles do?" Sylvia''s cheeks puffed with anger at Epherene''s calm retort. Epherene had learned to brush off provocations with ease. "Did you know?" Sylvia asked, her lips curling into a smirk. "Deculein hasn''t set foot in hisb for three years, not since your father died." Ephereneughed, taking it as apliment to her father and said, "Of course. My father was a genius. Deculein couldn''t do anything without him." "But did you know," Sylvia continued, eager to share more. "For the past month, Deculein has been going to hisb every day? He cleaned it up, hired an assistant professor, and brought in new magical tools." Epherene''s smile suddenly froze. "What do you think that means?" Sylvia smirked, clearly pleased with Epherene''s reaction. As she turned to leave, her teasing voice lingered, "I honestly have no idea." Click-ck, click-ck¡ª Sylvia''s departing footsteps echoed in the stillness, leaving Epherene standing there, speechless. "... No way." She recalled her father''s warnings about Deculein''s constant surveince, tracking his every move in an attempt to steal his research. He had confided that there was no secure way to send her his findings, nor any safe ce to conceal them. "No way." He had reassured her, exining that his research was hidden in a ce Deculein could never discover. Though the barrier magic might weaken over time, Deculein would never discover its location unless he underwent a profound change of heart. He had left clues in the code games they used to y, intended only for her. "No way..." It couldn¡¯t be. Her father had never been wrong. Deculein''s resumed research couldn¡¯t be rted to her father¡¯s work. No matter how many times she reassured herself, Sylvia¡¯s words still echoed in Epherene¡¯s mind. "No waaaaaay!" Epherene screamed, but doubt lingered, haunting her thoughts. *** With only three days remaining until the Berhert meeting, I finally managed toplete the Beginner Telekinesis spell just in time. "What a relief..." Through sheer effort, Ipleted it on schedule. Pleased with myself, I took a shower in the annex bathroom¡ªbuilt separately because I often found it cumbersome to walk to the main house of the mansion. Knock, knock¡ª As soon as I stepped out in my robe, there was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" "Sir, it''s Roy." "What is it? Speak freely." "Yes, master. Our finances are in a precarious state." I frowned and asked, "The finances?" "Yes, master. At this rate, our funds will be depleted within two months." I nodded. It made sense¡ªI hadn¡¯t been giving lectures recently, so my university sry was my only source of ie. Meanwhile, the expenses were relentless¡ª150 mana stones, various grimoires, ancient books, and more. "Give me a moment." I used Telekinesis to lift the safe hidden beneath the annex floor. The safe responded exclusively to my mana. I opened the lid. "Let''s see..." My handnded on the first item within reach¡ªa porcin vase¡ªand I grabbed it. It was the Oriental Vase I had purchased at an auction for 2.5 million elne. Just as I was about to use the Midas Touch, I hesitated. My remaining mana was 1,635. To sell it properly, I''d need to use the full 3,000. "Come back in three hours." "Yes, sir." Roy left, and I waited for my mana to recover. As I waited, I examined the vase using my Wealthy Magnate attribute. Its light still shone brightly. Midas Touch doesn''t significantly enhance items with fully developed potential, only increasing a 30,000-value item to perhaps 30,300. However, this Oriental Vase was likely unappraised... "Let''s see." After 150 minutes, my mana was fully recovered. I concentrated all my energy and used Midas Touch on the vase. Ssssss¡ª Blue smoke flowed from my fingertips into the vase, causing its surface to shimmer with a soft glow. Then... ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Vase of the Eastern Artisan Egehan] ¡ô Information A vase crafted with an artisan¡¯s meticulous effort and magical talent. Its potential has been awakened by Midas Touch. ¡ô Category Pottery ? Vase ¡ô Special Effects Flowers ced in this vase will never wilt. The flowers will shed petals and bloom anew, each petal containing at least a Medium Fatigue Recovery Effect to a Medium-High Fatigue Recovery Effect elixir. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The vase, originally worth 2.5 million elne, had be so valuable that I hesitated to sell it. "Hmm..." The vase¡¯s design alone justified its original price, but now it possessed an endless regeneration effect. "It¡¯s best to sell it." But the fatigue recovery effects were of no use to me since I never get tired. Additionally, cultivating and selling the flowers one by one wouldn''t yield a substantial amount. Knock, knock¡ª Right on time, Roy knocked again. I opened the door and handed him the vase. "Get this reappraised and find a buyer. This should cover our finances for at least five, no, ten years." "Sorry? Master, isn''t this the vase you bought¡ª" Roy appeared flustered, but I was just as surprised. Beyond Roy¡¯s shoulder, I saw Yeriel approaching with the demeanor of a loan shark. "Hey, I heard you might need to borrow some money~" Yeriel said she would stay for just one day, but it was already her third. The mansion was so vast that I hadn¡¯t even noticed her presence. "I knew you¡¯d ask for money sooner orter. If you need some, I can lend it to you with just a promissory note¡ª" "That won''t be necessary," I said, shaking my head. "I shall have this item appraised and put it up for auction. Roy, take it to the appraiser." "Are you out of your mind?" Yeriel said, her face contorting with irritation. I reconsidered and changed my mind and said, "On second thought, I realize I have some free time. We can go together." Who appraises an item like this is crucial. There are scammers among appraisers and antique dealers, but my attribute should help me discern them. "What? You just purchased it recently, and now you''re selling it? I could simply lend you the money¡ª" "Quiet, Yeriel." "What do you mean, quiet! You''re about to lose money again! You''ll get less than half of what you paid! How much did you spend on this?" "2.5 million." "You''ll be lucky to get a million for it! Who invests in antiques and sells them in less than two months? What kind of idiot does that?" Yeriel and Roy both doubted my confidence. It was a reasonable concern, after all. "If you''re that concerned, feel free to apany us." "No, it¡¯s not just a concern, it''s downright stupidity! Hey, are you even listening?!" "Hey?" Yeriel stopped yelling at my single word. Then she muttered in a much quieter voice, "... It''s not that I''m worried... it''s just that what you''re doing makes no sense... Just kidding! I knew you''d waste money¡ª" "It''s not a waste. I''ll prove it to you, soe along." "Your stubbornness is truly remarkable..." Yeriel said, her face full of anger and frustration. "Fine, let¡¯s see how this ends." I smiled and stepped outside. Yeriel followed, muttering under her breath about sticking it out to the bitter end. *** An hourter, Yeriel and Deculein arrived at the appraiser¡¯s office. "Wow..." Yeriel truly believed Deculein had lost his mindtely. He seemed overwhelmed, neglecting Yulie and fixating on the uing Berhert meeting. In reality, Yeriel had anticipated this moment. Deculein often behaved erratically when he became too intense about something. "This is... extraordinary," the appraiser continued in awe, the most renowned in the capital, as he examined the vase Deculein had bought just two months ago. Yeriel was momentarily stunned. "Extraordinary, you say?" Deculein asked. "Yes. It holds not only aesthetic value but also... something I can''t fully identify..." "It''s not that you can''t identify it; you just don''t want to reveal it." "N-no, that''s not it. I just¡ª" "This vase prevents flowers from wilting and turns their petals into an elixir that relieves fatigue." The appraiser¡¯s eyes widened, and he quickly bowed. At the mention of an elixir that could relieve fatigue, Yeriel flinched. "Ah, yes, indeed! I hadn¡¯t realized, but if that''s true, it possesses incredible magical properties!" "Exactly," Deculein affirmed, his eyes sweeping over the appraiser¡¯s office as he ced a fresh flower into the vase. "There¡¯s no need to take this to Luten. We will demonstrate its effects by growing this flower and then organize a small auction at Haileich." Then, Deculein handed the appraiser a Yukline Fountain Pen and said, "The Yukline crest will draw attention. I will make sure you receive amission." "Thank you, sir! I¡¯ll do my best. With enoughpetition, we could secure at least ten million, maybe even fifteen million!" In that instant, the vase¡¯s value skyrocketed from 2.5 million to at least ten million. Yeriel and Roy stared in astonishment. "Excellent. Inform everyone, and Roy, take charge of the auction venue arrangements." "Yes, sir. Understood." "That¡¯s all for today. We¡¯ll see you next time," Deculein said as he headed out. Yeriel hesitated for a moment before following him. "... You were lucky. Congrattions to you... sir," Yeriel said, casting a sidelong nce at him as they walked. "Yeriel, Roy, return to the mansion with the vase." "Where are you going?" Yeriel asked. "I have matters to attend to at the Mage Tower." "... Why have you been frequenting the Mage Tower so oftentely?" Yeriel asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "You don''t need to know, Yeriel." "If you¡¯ve found someone new, I hope it works out~ Maybe it¡¯s time to move on from that strict fianc¨¦e of yours." "That''s enough," Deculein replied, getting into the car without further exnation and driving off immediately. "Seriously, he always does as he pleases," Yeriel grumbled as she and Roy found themselves standing in the middle of the street. They couldn¡¯t reallyin, though. It was a rare chance to explore the capital¡¯s luxury district. "Roy, you¡¯ve been working hardtely. Pick something you want. I¡¯ll buy it for you," Yeriel offered kindly. "Sorry? No, it''s fine. I¡ª" "Take it when it¡¯s offered. I¡¯ve noticed how hard you¡¯ve been workingtely..." They strolled through the luxury district together. That day, Yeriel bought Roy a 5,000-elne suit and a 300-elne wallet for herself. *** At the end of the week, I returned to the Mage Tower and began reviewing the exam questions. To prepare for the midterms, I decided to revisit the exams Deculein had set three years ago. "This is... difficult." The exam was challenging at first nce. The questions seemedplex forplexity''s sake¡ªunnecessarily convoluted. Deculein had confused the exam''s difficulty with his own superiority, leading him to create such impractical tests. "Allen, are you around?" I called through the crystal orb. Allen arrived swiftly, within 30 seconds and replied, "Yes, sir! I''m here!" Having passed his evaluation, Allen wore his assistant professor badge with evident pride. I tapped the stack of old exam papers from three years ago. "Do you have the original version of these questions?" I asked. "The original, sir?" Allen repeated, sounding puzzled. "Yes. I probably made some modifications to this exam. Check the materials from three to five years ago and see if you can find the original." "Understood, sir. I''ll look for it!" Allen said, leaving and soon returned, his arms loaded with documents. "Here they are!" "Good." I examined the paper with my Comprehension and quickly realized its value. As I suspected, this was a truly valuable reference. From my own extensive studying, I know that a good problem can make you curse while solving it, but oncepleted, it naturally earns your admiration. The sense of aplishment is so genuine it sometimes makes you smile. In contrast to Deculein''s exam, which was difficult just for the sake of being difficult, this one was genuinely challenging and highly engaging. "Allen, these papers are for the magic exam, correct?" Magic wasn¡¯t mathematics, but even a written exam could have its unique elements. "Ah, yes, of course!" "Very well. You may leave." "Yes, sir!" I looked deeper into the exam with my Comprehension. Example Question for Understanding Pure Element Magic For the seventh question, I worked out the spell, deciphered the circuit''s hint, assembled it correctly, and infused the magic circle with mana. The answer¡ªthe magic¡ªthen appeared. It was like a painting blooming in midair, more vivid and clear than any naturalndscape. The watercolor-like spread depicted a delicate and beautiful woman, with each color representing an element. Her white dress symbolized wind, the sky in the background was water, the clouds were mist, and her beautiful features harmonized various elements. It was the perfect problem, perfectly fitting the course title, Understanding Pure Element Magic. The scenery touched not only my eyes and mind but also my heart. Chills ran through my body, and I closed my eyes involuntarily. Deculein''s unique aesthetic sense stirred something deep within me. The beautiful painting seemed to console the mages who had struggled with the exam, yet it held a faint sense of anger. Strangely, this anger enhanced the piece, like a touch of spice in a dish, making the picture even more vibrant. I couldn¡¯t help butugh. An inexplicable sense of jealousy washed over me, almost like desire. The old Deculein couldn¡¯t present this problem in its original form. Out of jealousy and an inability to appreciate its beauty, he must have modified it, dismissing it as too easy. But not for me. This problem is perfect in every way and fits the lecture¡¯s theme beautifully. It truly deserves to be called a Head Professor¡¯s Exam. I looked at the woman in the painting floating in the air. It wasn¡¯t Epherene, nor did she seem familiar. It was unclear who this woman was. Just then, there was another knock. I waved away the painting and opened the door. It was Allen. "Professor! I found a few more papers. I''ll be heading out now!" "Good timing, Allen," I said as an idea struck me, stopping him from leaving. "Yes, Professor?" "Prepare yourself," I said to Allen, who looked puzzled. "Sorry? Ah, yes, sir! What should I prepare?" Allen was always eager and never questioned orders, a trait I greatly appreciated. "Prepare to go to Berhert." "... Sorry?" Allen asked, his innocent face showing he didn¡¯t understand. "I¡¯ve chosen you to apany me to Berhert as mypanion and assistant." Allen blinked in disbelief. His eyes and mouth slowly widened until he looked as if he could fit a fist in his mouth and said, "Wh-whaaaaaaaaat¡ª" "Close your mouth," I said, and Allen obeyed, though his eyes nearly popped out. To prevent him from panicking, I added, "You can decline if you wish. Berhert can be extremely dangerous¡ª" "Ah, no, no, it''s totally fine! I can go!" "Very well." ording to Berhert''s regtions, an escort knight wasn''t necessary, but having apanion assistant was mandatory, and I had no one else suitable. Yeriel was out of the question, and I didn''t want to bring someone like Relin or another professor. Allen might not be the most dependable mage, but at least he wasn''t a threat. "It¡¯s happening this Sunday. Make sure you prepare thoroughly." "Yes, sir! I¡¯ll prepare everything meticulously! Thank you! Thank you, sir!" Allen said, bowing repeatedly. I had expected him to feel burdened, but it seemed he had ambitions of his own. "I¡¯ll take care of everything¡ªfood, magic tools, and whatever else we might need! And, and..." His enthusiastic nning was quite endearing. I considered getting him a protective robe, just in case. Chapter 30: Berhert (1)

Chapter 30: Berhert (1)

The Northern Territory of the Empire was divided into the Northwest, North, and Northeast Regions, each overseen by a margrave whose primary duty was to defend against invaders from the Land of Destruction. While Freyden, the sacred ground of warriors, was the most famous, the Dharman family of the north was equally esteemed. "Good morning, sir! We hope the Berhert meeting proceeds smoothly!" the Count''s elite knights said, saluting Glitheon at the Han tform, the capital of Dharman. Glitheon nodded with a smile and said, "Thank you. Ensure this item is delivered safely to Count Dharman." "Yes, sir!" At the train station in Han of the Northern Region, heading further north, Sylvia watched a snowke settle on her nose. She remarked, "It''s snowing in April." Glitheon chuckled and said, "We''re in the Northern Region. Come on, let''s board." "Okay." "Lady Sylvia, hurry up or we''ll leave without you~" "Be quiet." The group boarded the train. The VVIPpartment, reserved entirely by Iliade, upied half a carriage and was furnished with beds, sofas, carpets, desks, and chairs, creating a cozy atmosphere. "Dad, how long will it take?" "From Han, it¡¯s six hours. Once we switch to the express train at the tform, it will take another three hours," Glitheon said as he settled into the sofa. The tform, where the Terh Express Train was located, was exactly that¡ªa tform with no surrounding viges or people. Once they arrived, they would transfer to the Express Train and head straight to Berhert. "By the way, what was the intelligence about?" Sylvia asked as she set her notebook and pen on the desk. "A sudden attack," Glitheon replied. Sylvia''s eyes widened as she took her seat at the desk and asked, "Shouldn''t you inform the others?" "Telling them about the attack won''t stop it. If we reveal our ns, they''ll just devise another, causing unnecessary casualties. Matters between mages should be settled by mages," Glitheon exined, noting her confused expression. He continued, "Berhert is that kind of ce, sweetie. Fifteen years ago, it was even worse. Attending the meeting itself was a battle." "Why?" "Because... Berhert is a symbol of prestige. The twelve traditional families and the eight new ones, if chosen to attend, have their names recorded in history." The long intervals of fifteen, twenty, and seventeen years increased Berhert''s authority, making attendance a definitive mark of magical nobility, recognized as the pinnacle of prestige in this magical world. "However, Berhert has special rules." Families summoned to the meeting who do not attend will never be summoned again. If there is a vacancy, a new family will be invited. If a vacancy urs among the twelve traditional families, a new family from the emerging families will be selected to rece them. "Sweetie, how do you think one could dethrone a traditional family?" Glitheon asked. Sylvia grasped the implication immediately and said, "Then they would face punishment." Glitheonughed heartily. He sometimes regretted being so protective of his daughter. Yet, he knew she had to learn these harsh truths eventually, and now seemed as good a time as any to start. "Sweetie, none of the twelve traditional families started as traditional," Glitheon continued. "If one family were punished, all mage families would suffer. To avoid this, deaths on the way to Berhert are considered natural consequences." This was essentially a legally sanctioned opportunity for families to target one another. The twisted logic that "only fools get attacked" had be epted reasoning. This phenomenon was even more prevalent in the past, with many families disbanding and re-forming under new names just to be summoned to Berhert. The Rewind family, now led by Ihelm, is a prime example of this. "Compared to the past, these are peaceful times. Although Berhert''s authority remains absolute, the new Great Elder, Drjekdan, dislikes disputes. Additionally, there are now many ways to elevate a family''s prestige without relying on the summons." "Of course, many would still try to hinder the process," Glitheon added as Sylvia nodded. Glitheon smiled quietly, and Sirio chuckled as he gazed out the window. The train ran on mana stones, their crackling energy humming through the air. Apanied by this noise, Sylvia sat at her desk and began studying, reviewing Deculein''s lessons. She reflected on every word he had said, understanding them in her mind and practicing her mana control. Soon, she took out another notebook¡ªa sketchbook. Without her realizing it, her drawing transformed into a blue eye weeping a single tear. *** I was enhancing items in the annex of the mansion: Geork Custom Suit Jacket Geork Custom Suit Vest Geork Custom Dress Shirt Geork is the most renowned tailor shop on the continent, and I was enhancing these items with the Midas Touch as preparation for Berhert. In this world, the defensive gear that mages can wear is limited. Artificially created artifacts have a finite lifespan, and imbuing cloth with magical properties, as opposed to armor, is extremely difficult. Even in the prestigious Yukline family, there are many grimoires but few wearable artifacts. If a mage wore armor, it could interfere with spellcasting. That¡¯s why I was enhancing a suit with the Midas Touch. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Geork Custom Suit Jacket] ¡ô Information A custom-made jacket from Geork, the continent''s top tailor shop. Enhanced with Midas Touch, its durability is significantly increased. ¡ô Category: Clothing ? Suit ¡ô Special Effects: Medium physical resistance. Low magic resistance. [Midas Touch: Level 3] ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Its medium physical resistance isparable to steel te armor; it won''t tear even if struck by a sword. "This should do it..." Over the past two days, I had used around 24,000 mana to strengthen my equipment, ensuring it was adequately fortified. Knock knock¡ª ¡°Who is it?¡± "It¡¯s me." It was Yeriel. She walked in without hesitation. ¡°You''re nning to go like that? Without wearing this?¡± Yeriel said curtly, holding out a robe coat. It was a Treasure beyond mere artifacts, known as the Ancient Yukline Robe Coat. ¡°You saved this for asions like this, didn¡¯t you?¡± ... Was she worried about me? The moment this thought crossed my mind, she snapped in her usual curt manner. "Don''t tter yourself. I''m not worried about you. It''s just that if you die on the way, it willplicate the session." "There''s no need to worry. I won''t die." ¡°I told you, I¡¯m not worried. If you die, we¡¯ll lose our spot at the Berhert meeting, and session will be a mess...¡± Yeriel said, her voice trailing off as she pouted. ¡°By the way, don¡¯t you have anything to say? ¡°No.¡± ¡°... Really?¡± ¡°Thanks for the robe.¡± ¡°Oh? What?¡± Yeriel flinched, then shook her head and soon opened the annex door. "No, not that. About Berhert... Never mind. I¡¯m leaving, so do whatever you want with the meeting.¡± Roy was already standing outside with a guest and said, ¡°Master, Mr. Allen has arrived.¡± Allen stood next to Roy, bowing awkwardly. Yeriel nced at him with disdain and asked, ¡°And who are you?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m Allen, Assistant Professor to Head Professor Deculein!¡± ¡°... Ah, it¡¯s you? Great,¡± Yeriel said with a hint of annoyance, ncing between Allen and me. As she was leaving, she added, ¡°Good luck. Traveling with him will be exhausting, so take care of yourself.¡± Allen entered the room just as Yeriel was leaving, giving a polite bow in her direction. ¡°Um, Professor, is there anything you need me to do?¡± Allen asked nervously. ¡°We depart tomorrow afternoon. Take the time to rest until then.¡± ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ll take the time to rest,¡± Allen replied, though his face was far from rxed. Dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn''t slept a wink the previous night. ¡°Allen.¡± ¡°Yes, sir?¡± ¡°Take this,¡± I said, using Telekinesis to hand him the protective robe I had bought the night before. This artifact had excellent defense against both physical and magical attacks. Though it would onlyst two weeks, it had cost a hefty 30,000 elne. "Sh-should I really take this?" Allen asked, his eyes welling up with tears. ¡°Don¡¯t get teary-eyed. If you cry in front of me, I might get angry,¡± I warned. My Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder extended to tears, and I despised snot. "Yes, sir!" Allen said, quickly swallowing his tears and carefully putting on the robe. He was visibly moved by its perfect fit and functionality, his eyes welling up once more. "Go and get some rest in your room." "Yes, sir. I''ll be prepared for any tasks you need me to handle!" I still had much to do. Besides the Ancient Yukline Robe Coat that Yeriel had given me, I had at least five Wood Steel swords waiting to be enhanced with Midas Touch. ¡°While my mana recovers...¡± I muttered, picking up a book, Erng''s Martial Arts: Intermediate. Written by the legendary martial artist Erng, who had since retired from the front lines, obtaining this Intermediate volume had cost nearly 500,000 elne. The book described an ultimate martial art that incorporated the strengths of various styles¡ªBaguazhang, Jeet Kune Do, Piguaquan, and more... I started to practice the movements as instructed in the book. *** Allen and I departed on Saturday at 2 p.m. Roy and the servants saw us off, while Yeriel had already returned to the mansion. From Gideon Station, we took the express train to Han in Dharman, which took seven hours. After having a meal in Han and buying a few books that caught my eye with my Wealthy Magnate attribute, we boarded another train heading north for six more hours. By early Sunday morning, we arrived at the Terh tform. ¡°Wow...¡± Allen muttered, his eyes wide with awe as he looked around. It was my first time in a ce like this as well. Outside the station, there was nothing but snow, but inside, it was bustling and well-stocked. The tform resembled a small vige,plete with five restaurants, a hotel, a small clinic, and a magic supplies store, all teeming with people. "Good afternoon, sir," a knight said as he approached us. I raised an eyebrow at the emblem on his chest and said, ¡°A knight of Freyhem?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯m Veron. I¡¯ll be in charge of security for the entire train.¡± ¡°Are you the only one?¡± "Yes, sir. Each train is assigned a single escort knight. Typically, mages travel with their own escorts..." To be certain, I activated the Viin¡¯s Fate. Veron showed no suspicious signals. Neither Wealthy Magnate nor Viin¡¯s Fate detected anything unusual¡ªhe waspletely ordinary. ¡°Today seems busy.¡± ¡°This station sees 300 to 500 people daily, but few travel all the way to Berhert.¡± Indeed, this area was well-known for hunting and herb gathering, making it an excellent spot for leveling up and farming. ¡°Allen, do you need to eat?¡± Allen shook his head and said, ¡°No, sir. We brought plenty of packed lunches. Should I heat one up for you, Professor?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± After about fifteen minutes, the front of the train appeared, gleaming white in the distance as it approached us. The tform worker shouted, ¡°The first train of the day! Due to the Berhert meeting tomorrow, there will be five trains today! Feel free to take your time!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be heading inside then, sir,¡± Veron said, bowing and making his way to the tracks. I stood with Allen in the VIP line, waiting our turn. Soon, the worker approached to check our tickets, saying with augh, "Good afternoon, Head Professor Deculein. Please take any seat in the VIP section. Haha, you look even more handsome in person." I boarded the train and removed my fedora. The seven-car Express Train had separate VIP and general sections. The VIP section offered more space and slightly more luxurious seats, but the train itself was small and lightweight. As Allen and I settled into our seats, someone addressed me, ¡°Oh? Aren''t you Professor Deculein?¡± He appeared to be a nobleman, holding a camera. ¡°Haha, I¡¯m Roen, a magic analyst and journalist. What an honor to be on the same train as you...¡± I scrutinized his face, observing the unnatural movement of his wrinkles and the slight twitch in his smile. Chuff chuff¡ª Roen turned to look out the window, then sat back in his seat. He remarked, ¡°Oh, we¡¯re moving.¡± The express train started, its pace surprisingly slow, almost like an old steam train. ¡°Wow...¡± Allen gazed out the window in awe. I, too, was momentarily speechless; the slow pace of the train was justified by the breathtaking scenery. ¡°We¡¯re starting with a cliff...¡± Just beyond arm¡¯s reach, a sheer cliff fell away like a waterfall, its base hidden by mist. It was a true precipice. ¡°The view is endless...¡± ¡°This will continue for three hours,¡± I replied. ¡°Wow...¡± Allen murmured, his voice heavy with fatigue as his eyes began to droop and his tension eased. Seeing his exhaustion, I suggested, ¡°If you¡¯re tired, go ahead and get some sleep.¡± The express train wound its way through the mountains, needing another three hours to reach the first gate of Berhert. "Ah, yes, sir... I''ll take a quick nap." Allen closed his eyes, and I set my briefcase on the floor. There were eleven passengers in the VIP section¡ªRoen, eight anonymous individuals of unknown nationality, and myself. I quietly opened my briefcase, making sure no one noticed. My cherished items slipped out, positioning themselves in the eight corners of the VIP car. Tap¡ª Something touched my shoulder. It was Allen, who had rested his head there, breathing softly like a baby bird. Though my first reaction was disgust, I recognized how tired he must have been. Using Telekinesis, I gently created some space between us. As long as he didn¡¯t drool, it was tolerable. I let him be and retrieved a book from my coat, Erng''s Martial Arts: Intermediate. Although I was only suspicious at this stage, I needed to be ready for any eventuality. So, until something happened, I decided to read. *** Tick-tock¡ª Time passed. Roen nced at his pocket watch and saw that thirty minutes had gone by. The express train arrived at the first station, and three passengers disembarked. Roen looked at Deculein, who was still engrossed in his book. Roen casually unfolded his newspaper. Tick-tock¡ª More time passed, and Roen felt it keenly. An hourter, the train reached the second station, and two more passengers disembarked. Deculein continued reading. Roen sipped cold water to calm his nerves. There was nothing to worry about; everything was going ording to n. No harm woulde his way. After all, he wasn¡¯t doing anything wrong. His only task was to get off at the fourth station. Then, the train arrived at the third station, and two more passengers disembarked. Now, only Deculein, his assistant, and two other passengers remained. Deculein kept reading, with his assistant still leaning on his shoulder. Deculein''s posture was wless, almost like a scene perfect for a photograph. Tick-tock¡ª The ticking of his pocket watch''s bnce wheel was bing increasingly annoying. Roen wondered, Hmm, when will we arrive? This silence is driving me mad. Time passed agonizingly slowly. Finally, after two hours, they reached the fourth station. Roen sighed with relief and stood up. All the remaining passengers, except for Deculein and his assistant, disembarked. "Haha. It has been an honor sharing this space with you, Professor Deculein. If you''ll excuse me, I will take my leave now...?" But he couldn¡¯t move. His feet seemed stuck, slipping in the same spot no matter how many steps he took. After a futile struggle, Roen turned around. Deculein was still quietly engrossed in his book, yet Roen felt an unseen force holding him in ce. ¡°Wh-what is happening? I need to get off¡ª¡± In his panic, he discovered the cause. His pocket watch was suspended in midair, its chain wrapped around his waist, holding him back. Only Deculein could perform such a peculiar act of magic. ¡°P-professor Deculein? Wh-why are you doing this to me?¡± ¡°Think carefully about your actions before you leave,¡± Deculein said, his voice ominous. ¡°... I-I¡¯m sorry? What do you mean? Think about what...?¡± ¡°You understand exactly what I¡¯m referring to.¡± How could he... No, he couldn''t possibly know. If he did, he wouldn¡¯t have boarded the train or sat in this small VIPpartment. I need to get off this damn train! ¡°I¡¯ll give you onest chance to reconsider.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯vepletely misunderstood¡ª¡± ¡°Five,¡± Deculein said, suddenly beginning a countdown. ¡°Four.¡± The train started moving again, rapidly picking up speed. Roen¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Three.¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t know anything!¡± ¡°Two.¡± ¡°No, wait! I was just going to get paid 30,000 elne to get off at the fourth stop! Damn it, let me off¡ª¡± The Telekic hold released, and Roen was flung forward, tumbling across the floor. Desperately, he tried to crawl away. ¡°Toote.¡± A deep, ominous rumble echoed beneath the train, followed by a massive shockwave from its underside, then an explosion. ¡°Aaah!¡± Roen screamed as a deafening roar assaulted his ears, and his vision spun wildly. He assumed the underside of the train had been bombed. The train is going to shoot up into the air, then tumble down the cliff, and we''ll all die horribly... Dead! I¡¯m dead because of Deculein! Roen¡¯s prediction was only partly correct. The train did shoot up, and Roen was thrown into the air before being mmed back onto the floor, pain radiating through his entire body. ¡°Ugh...¡± Roen groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, only to be startled by an unexpected sight. The train was still intact. He questioned if there had been an explosion at all. However, the underside of the train was clearly dented and mangled. Roen clutched the back of his head, wincing in pain, and looked out the window. ¡°What...?¡± Roen said, his mind going nk for a moment. ¡°What on earth...?¡± The entire train was suspended in midair. Each car, including the VIP section, hovered as if frozen in time. ¡°How...?¡± It was a surreal and beautiful scene, as if magic had seamlessly blended with nature. ¡°Oh, I need to...¡± Instinctively, Roen pulled out his camera. Remarkably, it was intact, and he began taking pictures of the extraordinary scene. Click. Click. Click¡ª The train suspended in midair, the explosion frozen in time¡ªeverything held by magic. And then... "What exactly are you photographing?" Deculein¡¯s cold voice sliced through the air. He remained absorbed in his book, his assistant still asleep on his shoulder. The tranquility of the scene was a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Roen was baffled by the absurdity of the situation. They had all been caught in the explosion together. ¡°You just need to tell me,¡± Deculein said, casually turning a page. Roen then sensed it¡ªfootsteps approaching from afar, quick and agile, descending the mountain range. Dark shadows were closing in. ¡°Who is responsible for this sudden attack?¡± Deculein¡¯s blue eyes gleamed with a cold resolve as he lifted his gaze from the book, focusing on the shadows outside. ¡°Who is the wretched bastard behind it all?¡± At that moment, dozens of assassins crashed through the windows. ¡°Your sole obligation is to reveal the mastermind.¡± Meticulously prepared for this moment, the eight cherished shurikens secured at each corner of the train activated simultaneously, exploding with precision and force reminiscent of ymore mines. Chapter 31: Berhert (2)

Chapter 31: Berhert (2)

Berhert was a vige perched on the snowline, an independent state of a thousand people amidst the perpetual snow. It was divided into five gates¡ªthe First Gate, the Second Gate, the Third Gate, the Fourth Gate, and finally, the Elder Gate. Each gate had its own entry and residence restrictions. While civilians, including knights and adventurers, could enter the First Gate, only mages were allowed beyond the Second Gate. Sylvia had already spent two nights at a hotel in the Second Gate and found herself growing bored. She had anticipated something extraordinary, but apart from the asional magical phenomena, there was little to captivate her. With time to spare before the Berhert meeting, her only option was to study. "Intelligence," Sylvia muttered. Her father''s warning about the train attack kept bothering her. Was it truly intelligence, or was someone behind it all? "Lady Sylvia, fourteen families have already arrived," Sirio said as he entered her room, savoring an ice cream made from Berhert''s famous eternal snow. "Which of the twelve traditional families have arrived?" "Hmm? Oh, except for the Yukline and Rewind family, everyone else is here. There are also several assistants around your age. They might be a bit older, but would you like to meet them? Some are even from the kingdom. It could be a great opportunity to expand your horizons." Yukline. That family worried her the most. "No, I''m fine," Sylvia replied with a casual shake of her head. "I think I''ll go for a walk." "Oh, okay then. By the way, those assistants are having tea at a coffee shop called Snow and Rain~" Ignoring Sirio''s words, Sylvia left the hotel. She found a secluded spot and rummaged through her pocket, pulling out a blue stone. It was a mana stone, a reward for passing Deculein''s test. "... With this," Sylvia murmured as she closed her eyes and slowly released her mana. The mana stone acted as a medium, drawing the surrounding energy into a specific outline. At first, the silhouette was barely visible. Sylvia then infused the empty form with color. Her red, blue, and green magic spread like multicolored smoke, breathing life into a wless creature¡ªa hawk. This was her first attempt at creating a living creature. Sylvia felt momentarily dizzy but was impressed by her own talent. I''m a genius, she thought. However, she couldn''t afford to be careless. The hawk pped its wings and blinked its eyes, but its true function was what mattered. Taking a deep breath, Sylvia closed her eyes. Although her own sight was blocked, a newndscape slowly came into view¡ªthe hawk''s vision had transferred to her. Pleased, Sylvia opened her eyes and said, "Fly and show me what you see." The hawk nodded, as if understanding hermand. "Follow the train tracks and show me what''s going on." With a piercing cry, the hawk soared into the sky. Sylvia watched as it vanished into the swirling snowkes, her gaze lingering for a long time. *** Thirty minutester, just after the express train passed the fourth station, the observers on the mountainside detonated the bombs attached to the train''s undercarriage. It was the agreed ce and time. Boom¡ª! The explosion shattered the train''s frame, causing it to derail and tumble down the cliff, expected to be reduced to nothing. At least, it should have. But the train hung suspended in midair. Three of its cars floated calmly, defying expectations. As anticipated. They were momentarily surprised by this disy of power, but they hadn''t underestimated Deculein''s magical prowess. After all, they had gathered here to deal with him. Killing him wasn''t necessary; they only needed to stop him from attending the Berhert meeting. At the assassin''s signal, dozens of them leaped at the suspended train, shattering windows and swiftly infiltrating. In that instant, unknown metal objects sprang into action. Ping, ping, ping, ping, ping¡ª! As if they had triggered a trap, needle-like shards scattered in all directions, piercing vital points. The steel spikes easily cut through flesh, reducing their numbers from dozens to just five in an instant. However, the remaining five were the core members. Deculein sat calmly, watching them. Hisposure made the assassins hesitate. Though he appeared vulnerable, they knew better than to be deceived. The metal he controlled could react at any moment. ¡°Yawn...?¡± At that moment, Allen awoke and looked at Deculein with sleepy eyes. Using a technique from his martial arts training, Deculein pressed a pressure point on Allen''s neck, causing him to pass out again with a soft sigh, like a balloon slowly deting. Then Deculein felt something strange. Distracted, he nced at his hand, feeling an unusual softness at his fingertips. He had expected to uncover one of Allen¡¯s secrets, but another one caught him off guard. Deculein looked at the unconscious Allen, then out the train window. He saw Veron approaching from a distance. It seemed the situation was under control. "It''s over," Deculein said. At hismand, the assassins retreated through the windows,ughing quietly to themselves. Deculein wanted to capture them but didn''t have enough mana. Deculein finally stood up, ready to leave the train. He addressed the man crawling away, "Roen, was it?" Roen flinched and turned back, sweating profusely and replied, "Yes, sir." "Take the boy with you." "Yes, sir!" Roen replied. He hurriedly picked up the small Allen and headed for the exit, but paused when he realized the gap between the floating train and the ground was too wide. "Um... could you lower the train a little bit...?" Deculein shook his head. He could keep the train, made of the same metal as his own properties, suspended despite its immense weight, but he couldn''t move it any further. "Figure it out yourself and get off." At that moment, Veron jumped into the train. "Oh, Sir Knight!" Roen eximed with relief. Veron effortlessly picked up both Roen and Allen as if they were light objects and said, "I''m jumping down." "What? Sir, I''m not ready¡ª" "We''ll be fine." Veron leaped to the ground. Roen screamed all the way down and fainted uponnding. Veron set them on the tracks and then jumped back into the train. He stood quietly, staring at Deculein. Deculein initially assumed Veron hade to retrieve him, but then realized something crucial¡ªVeron had walked all the way here. Deculein calmly summoned his cherished item as Veron surveyed the floating train. "... The front of the train is already on its way to Berhert. Follow-up actions will begin soon," Veron said. "I see," Deculein replied. "Yes. Now, it''s just the two of us." Deculein red at Veron, his previously contained killing intent rising. He questioned whether he had been toocent or if Veron was simply too perfect. Either way, it was astonishing that Veron had managed to deceive Deculein''s attribute-enhanced vision. "Veron." "I''ve saved all the other passengers," Veron said, assuring Deculein that there was no need to worry. "Now, it''s your turn to die." Amused by the twisted logic, Deculein let out a dry chuckle. He then said, "... Think carefully." "I''ve thought about it hundreds of times. You must die." There was no time to ask for a reason. Veron sprang forward,unching himself off the ground. Deculein''s cherished shuriken intercepted him just in time, but Veron swiftly drew his sword, swinging it in a wide arc. ng¡ª! With a single sweeping motion, ten of Deculein''s shuriken ttered to the ground. The deflected des quickly rose again, circling Veron andunching repeated attacks. ng, ng¡ª! The sharp sh of metal and the shower of sparks filled the air. Veron''s skillful swordsmanship left no openings; his defense was impable. The difference in their abilities was clear. Deculein would undoubtedly lose once his mana was exhausted. Therefore, Deculein recalled his shuriken. Seizing the moment, Veron attacked with renewed ferocity. Deculein kept his eyes open. He simply lessened his Telekinesis. Better to fall than be struck by that de. "¡ªArgh!" Boom¡ª! As his Telekinesis waned, the fall resumed, and time seemed to rush forward. The derailed train plummeted, yielding to gravity''s pull. *** The train didn¡¯t fall off the cliff entirely. Luckily, it got caught on a sharp edge, with only the VIP car impaled. ¡°... Ribs,¡± I muttered. The impact from the fall broke a few bones, but that was it. Thanks to my Iron Man attribute and the added protection of my suit, my body healed quickly. A sudden surge of killing intent jolted me awake. Seeing the sharp glint of a de approaching, I instinctively rolled to the side and called my shuriken to me. It darted up and struck Veron''s shoulder. Thunk¡ª! Surprisingly, his protective aura lessened the impact more than I expected. "You''re resilient," Veron muttered, raising his sword. As he shed, his sword aura shot toward me. I tried to use Telekinesis to interfere with his de, but his skill deflected my efforts. Forced to backflip to gain distance, I saw him closing in fast. I dodged his sh and aimed a punch at his neck, but he was quicker. Wham¡ª! He struck my side with his elbow, the impact sending me flying and sliding down the train''s sloped surface. A gust of sword energy followed, cutting me from corbone to hip. Blood trickled from my mouth. His attacks were outpacing my healing. As I gripped a seat for support and tried to stand, I nced back and saw the sheer cliff edge looming behind me. "You''re annoyingly persistent," Veron said, advancing toward me. I had to admit, he was much stronger than me at this moment. Even under optimal conditions, he would be a tough match. I had exhausted too much mana holding the train. "... Are you trying to betray Yulie?" I asked, feeling my energy waning. Despite the danger, my voice remained steady, thanks to my unyielding nature, a blend of both my personality traits and attributes. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Resolute] ¡ô Grade Rare ¡ô Description Unyielding, never bending or breaking. When activated inbat, mental fortitude remains constant until the battle ends, rendering almost all forms of mind-altering magic ineffective. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ It was one of Deculein''s innate attributes, not something I had manually added. Even when facing death, I felt no tension. Despite being on the brink of danger, my heart maintained a steady rhythm. "It''s not betrayal. For my lord to live, you must die," Veron replied. Iughed involuntarily and said, "Am I dead? Is Yulie dead? If neither of us is dead, no one needs to die." He didn''t answer and swung his sword. I used telekinesis to align the Wood Steel into a shield, blocking his path. With a simple horizontal sh, he shattered it, and through the scattering fragments, he charged like a ghost. There was no reasoning with him; he wasn''t listening to anything I said. He was the embodiment of killing intent. Veron raised his sword. For a moment, time seemed to slow down. As I watched the scattering sword light, I had a simple thought¡ªhow to survive, how not to die. That was all. ... But then, something strange happened. As Veron brought his sword down, the space around his wrist distorted. The air shimmered and wavered like a mirage on a hot day. Veron looked at his wrist in confusion. Crack¡ª! Suddenly, his wrist twisted, and blood sttered. His hand was cleanly severed, and his sword dropped to the ground. Veron''s eyes widened in pain. I couldn''t fullyprehend what had happened, but I couldn''t miss the opportunity. I hurled my shuriken at his unsteady ankle. ¡°... Argh!¡± He lost his bnce and slipped off the train, carried away by the wind. Finally, an unexpected calm settled. But he wasn''t dead yet; his killing intent still lingered. Gripping my side, I stood up. Leaning on a seat for support, I looked under the train. The wind howled around us. There he was, clinging on with his left hand, a dagger embedded in the train''s underside, keeping him from falling. "... So, you had a hidden dagger all along," Veron said calmly, with a smile. Anger welled up inside me, nearly overwhelming. But when I finally spoke, my voice was calm. "Veron, do you think this situation is right?" Veron shook his head, swaying in the biting wind. For someone who would die if he lost his grip, he seemed unnaturallyposed. "Of course, it''s not right. But I remember all the wrongs you did to my lord," Veron said, his voice filled with anger. "You might not realize, but¡ª" "No, I do know," I interrupted. I knew this deadly situation was the result of Deculein''s many past misdeeds. Nothing could atone for what he had done. ... Even so. "Veron, you are a sick man." Veronughed bitterly at my harsh words and replied, "Yes and no. A sick man can hope to recover, but I have no such hope. I¡¯m not just sick; I¡¯m already a dead man." "I still remember the day my lord saved me, a worthless wretch destined to be trampled to death by horse hooves. I remember her smile. I remember everything about that day. The moment I took her hand and stood up, I died and was reborn," Veron said. The rough currents of the cliff swirled around us as he slowly opened his eyes and smiled and said, "My life belongs entirely to her." I couldn''t help butugh bitterly and said, "... You could¡¯ve asked Yulie''s opinion." "My lord obviously would have refused." At some point, a snowstorm had started raging. The dagger he had driven into the train was cracking, and it wouldn¡¯t hold much longer. "I know my feelings are a burden to my lord. My obsession alone is a heavy weight on her," Veron said, gripping the dagger tighter. "But I had to kill you now. One day, you will be a threat and destroy her," Veron continued with certainty. Looking into his eyes, I nodded and said, "... You might be right." He could very well be right. I once saw a future through a simple monitor, where Deculein''s twisted love drove Yulie to shatter her own beliefs and ultimately kill him with her own hands. "But now, that¡¯s no longer true." I''m not Deculein, so things are different. I will change Deculein''s future. I have no doubt that I can do it. And for that reason... "... Trust me," I said, extending my hand to Veron. "I won''t harm Yulie." If you die like this, Yulie will be heartbroken. I want to give you a chance. Veron remained silent. He simply extended his right arm, as if asking me to take it. I didn''t take his arm. Instead, an intense heat burned in my chest, like embers smoldering in the depths of my mind. "...Ha, Veron," I said through gritted teeth. "Even if I save you, you still n to kill me, don''t you?" Veron''s murderous intent, visible in his eyes, intensified into a fierce, raging fire¡ªViin''s Fate. It was an eternal me that could never be extinguished, a primal hatred that couldn''t be quenched or soothed. He was determined to kill me, no matter what. This was Deculein''s karma, and also Veron''s foolishness. "Yes," Veron admitted honestly. "I''ve already lost one hand. With just one hand, I can''t wield a sword effectively. I can''t help her or stay by her side. I want to use my remaining hand to kill you." I couldn''t contain my anger and muttered, "... You foolish, ignorant man." I used Telekinesis to bring my cherished Wood Steel shuriken into my hand. Gripping it tightly, I continued speaking. "Yes, as you said, I will destroy Yulie..." Boom¡ª! The train shook violently. Veron''s murderous intent was relentless, and he was still determined to find a way to kill me. He twisted the dagger, trying to pull it off and push the train over the cliff. "I will let her go." This bastard isn''t a knight. He''s a brainwashed fanatic, blindly devoted to one person. A madman. A crazed lunatic. "But your choice today..." Drip, drip, drip. Blood dripped from my hand as I gripped the shuriken. The droplets sttered on Veron''s forehead. "Will haunt her forever." My mana was already exhausted. I had to kill Veron with my own hands. "You... are a miserable wretch who abandoned your humanity." I hurled the shuriken with all the strength in my wrist and arm. Thwack¡ª! It flew like an arrow and pierced Veron''s neck. Now, only silence remained. Even the wind had stopped. It felt like all the sounds in the world had disappeared. Veron quietly released his grip on the dagger. With that, his murderous intent vanished. The end of his intent marked his death. Chapter 32: Berhert (3)

Chapter 32: Berhert (3)

... The hawk''s limited vision couldn''t capture all the details. However, Deculein had killed the knight, who then fell off the cliff. To be precise, the escort knight had first attempted to kill Deculein, who then acted in self-defense. In truth, Deculein had tried to save the knight, so in a way, the knight had caused his own death. Sylvia saw all of this through the hawk''s eyes. She heard every word of their conversation. Using the hawk''s vision, she saw Deculein standing alone on the edge of an endless cliff. It was a miracle he hadn''t fallen. The meeting would start in less than half a day. Could he reach Berhert in time from there? At that moment, Deculein looked up at the sky. Startled, Sylvia quickly recalled the hawk. The snowstorm was intensifying, making further observation impossible. More importantly, she didn''t want the hawk to get hurt. It was her first creation, and she nned to take care of it for a long time. She would recharge the mana stone whenever it depleted. "Come back," Sylvia said, opening her eyes. Her vision returned to Berhert. "Oh! Miss Sylvia?" She sighed and turned around, only to bump into someone. They were from the kingdom, just as Sirio had mentioned. "There you are! I''ve been wanting to meet you!" "Seeing the Novice Mage of the Year in person is such an honor!" "I''m from the Leoc Kingdom, from the Judra family..." Their fawning reactions made Sylvia ufortable. *** Meanwhile, on the tform of the express train track, a high-ranking official was being saluted by the staff. ¡°It''s an honor, Deputy Director!¡± Lillia Primien, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Public Safety, was camping in the mountains of the Northern Region when she heard about the train terror incident. In her capacity as Deputy Director, she decided to investigate the scene. ¡°An explosion and an attack? Is that correct?¡± ¡°Yes, ma''am. It happened about two or three hours ago. Incidents like this are quitemon on the way to Berhert. Thepensation from Berhert is usually ten times more, so it''s typically not a big deal,¡± the staff said, who seemed to be the general manager. Primien nced down the cliff and asked, ¡°Were there any casualties?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not confirmed yet, but Professor Deculein and the knight Veron are currently missing. For more detailed witness ounts, you can speak to that man over there...¡± Primien followed the staff member''s gesture and saw a blond man with a mustache and Allen. Allen seemed to be sleeping on the track, while the man spoke animatedly. ¡°Yes, Professor Deculein and Sir Veron saved me, but when I regained consciousness, the entire train had already fallen. It seems the assassinsunched a second attack...¡± Primien approached and pointed at the camera hanging around the man''s neck and asked, ¡°May I see that for a moment?¡± ¡°Sorry? Oh, sure. But I make my living with this...¡± ¡°I''ll return it promptly.¡± ¡°Oh, alright.¡± The man developed the film immediately. As Primien examined the photos, she found herself momentarily speechless. ¡°...Huh?¡± Sheughed in disbelief. The magical film captured one or two seconds before and after each photo, like a short video. In the images, the train floated in midair. The caster was, of course, Deculein, and Primien recognized the magic. Using Telekinesis, Deculein had lifted the train effortlessly, calmly reading a book as if it were a trivial task. As Primien admired the photos, she suddenly received a message from someone somewhere. A magical signal pricked her back. She stood still, interpreting the signal. ¡ª Knight Veron is dead. Veron attempted to kill Deculein under someone''s orders, but Deculein survived. Primien sighed softly. She knew Knight Veron; he was one of the Scarletborn, like her. Though a bit unhinged, he had been somewhat admirable. His death was bittersweet yet also a relief. Like Lokhak, he had been a ticking time bomb, destined to cause trouble eventually. ¡°What do you think of the photos I took? Quite a sight, wouldn''t you agree? As a magic analyst, I''d say Professor Deculein''s skills are¡ª¡± "That will suffice," Primien said, handing the photos back to the man. "Oh my! A ghost!" one of the staff screamed. Primien followed their gaze. Someone who hadn''t been there before was now standing on the track. She recognized him instantly as Head Professor Deculein. No one had seen him climb up. He stood silently, gazing at the cliff he had ascended. He pondered his limits. Despite his proficiency in Telekinesis, he couldn''t prate the knight''s aura. The power of a mage seemed inadequate without ample mana. Even with all his attributes and characteristics, half-hearted effort couldn''t surpass innate talent. He felt a distinct barrier between them. The fixed capacity of his mana at 3,375 frustrated him. Without the mysterious help from someone, he would have been the one falling off the cliff... "Professor," Primien said as she approached Deculein. "Your assistant is safe over there." Deculein looked at Allen on the track and asked, ¡°He''s unharmed?¡± ¡°Yes, that''s correct.¡± That was all he said before turning his gaze to Primien. It struck her then how incredibly handsome he was. ¡°What time is it now?¡± ¡°Three-thirty.¡± ¡°... Six hours left?¡± He seemed to be assessing his chances of making it to the meeting. Without a train, climbing the cliff would take at least a day, given a mage''s typically poor physical condition. "Professor, I need to formally ask what happened to the escort knight." ¡°... He''s dead.¡± "Was it due to the sudden attack?" The professor paused briefly, then nodded. "Professor, could you clear the track?" At her words, Deculein tilted his head and looked down at Primien with the haughty gaze of a noble addressing a subordinate. For a moment, anger red up inside her, but she forced it down. "If you clear the track, I can authorize sending another train." If we clear the track before the snowstorm worsens, we can call a train and increase your chances of making the meeting. So, Professor, this benefits you. Why are you ring at me like that? It makes me want to rip your eyes out... Primien thought. ¡°This should be a much better option than walking¡ª¡± ¡°I refuse,¡± Deculein said firmly. ¡°Move.¡± Primien clenched her jaw. He had an uncanny ability to get under her skin. In truth, Deculein was already exhausted. He had no energy left to cast any more spells. His wless external appearance had misled Primien, but internally, he waspletely drained. ¡°... Yes, sir,¡± Primien said, bowing slightly before turning to one of the staff members. ¡°Since he¡¯s not helping, so clear the track before the snow gets worse.¡± ¡°Yes, ma''am. Right away.¡± "One more thing. Is this the only route to Berhert by train?" ¡°No, there¡¯s another route that goes bynd and sea, though it¡¯s much longer and on the opposite side.¡± ¡°Hmm...?¡± As Primien conversed with the staff, she sensed something amiss and turned around. Deculein had already vanished. ¡°Did he use Haste?¡± He must have decided that using supportive magic to run up the cliff was more efficient than clearing the track. Assuming the intense winds would make it possible by borrowing the energy of the elements. ¡°Just how much mana does he really have?¡± His skills are beyond my imagination. No, they are nothing like the reports. He stopped the train''s derailment with his Telekinesis, fought off dozens of assassins, defeated Veron, climbed the cliff unscathed, and even used the high-level spell Haste... Does he have an ocean of mana? Primien thought, clicking her tongue. "Ugh..." the assistant professor said, and woke up groggily. "You, your name is?" Primien asked, approaching the dazed assistant professor as he looked around nkly. "Sorry? Oh, um, where is..." "Your professor is gone." Allen''s eyes soon filled with tears. Primien frowned and added, "He''s gone to the Berhert meeting, not to the afterlife. Now, your name is?" ¡°Oh, yes! Phew. I¡¯m Allen.¡± Primien wrote down the spelling of his name and showed him the notebook, asking, ¡°Is this correct?¡± Allen nodded and said, ¡°Yes, that''s right.¡± ¡°Your age?¡± ¡°Twenty-four. But I¡¯m an assistant and need to get there quickly¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯re alreadyte. You should wait for the next train.¡± *** At the moment, it was 9:30 p.m. The Berhert meeting was scheduled to start at 9:53 p.m., the time known as the Gathering of Stars, leaving just twenty-three minutes until it began. Sylvia walked through the corridors of Berhert''s Fourth Gate. The paths in the Fourth Gate were as intricate as the rumors said. The passage split into right and left paths; the heads of families like Glitheon took the right while their assistants took the left. This arrangement was to prevent any issues with Blood Coagtion among blood rtives. "Miss Sylvia, how¡¯s life at the Mage Tower of the University?¡± ¡°You should try going to the group blind dates. They¡¯re quite an experience.¡± People kept approaching her with questions as she walked. Sylvia responded briefly, ¡°I see.¡± Attention like this was inevitable, drawn to her as moths to a me, and she was used to it. Her exceptional potential as a future Archmage made such persistent interest unavoidable. ¡°By the way, I heard the head of Yukline hasn¡¯t arrived yet,¡± Penha said, an assistant from the Billyon family of the kingdom. Sylvia''s attention sharpened at the mention of Yukline. "If that Yukline doesn¡¯t show up and gets excluded from future meetings because of it, that would be a significant incident." "A significant incident? I think it was somewhat expected," Jaelon said, an assistant from the Empire¡¯s Rewind family. "The current head is far less capable than his predecessors. His aplishments halted three years ago, and rumors about hisck of talent are widespread." Mediocre people envy geniuses, but geniuses recognize each other, Sylvia thought, biting her lip but staying silent. Deculein¡¯s talent might beckingpared to mine, but he''s certainly not someone to be dismissed by these people. ¡°Oh, there it is.¡± As they talked and walked, they finally arrived at the door of the Elder Gate. The gate was a grand temple, carved from an entire mountain peak, resembling the dwelling of ancient giants. Creak¡ª As they approached, the door opened as if waiting for them. Neen assistants entered, each tense. The vast conference room couldfortably seat 400 people, but only neen family heads were present at the expansive round table. The only empty seat belonged to Yukline. Sylvia stood next to Glitheon, who smiled at her. The assistants who had been pestering her took their ces beside their respective families. Bong¡ª Bong¡ª Bong¡ª Bong¡ª Bong¡ª The five chimes echoed, marking the time as 9:50 p.m. Only three minutes remained. Sylvia felt a pang of bitterness. He wasn¡¯t going to make it after all. "... Before we begin the meeting," a powerful voice suddenly reverberated through the conference room. The intensity of the mana and the solemn tone made Sylvia''s heart race. "I extend my sincere gratitude to all who have answered the summon to gather." At the head of the table sat Drjekdan. Once the most promising candidate for Archmage, he had withdrawn from the Mortal Realm and be a legend. He upied the Great Elder''s seat, shrouded in darkness, unable to see the family''s round table, and equally unseen by them. Sylvia felt immense pressure looking at him and thought, Is reaching that level the only way to challenge for the title of Archmage? ... Maybe it''s possible. "We will nowmence the roll call," Drjekdan announced. His voice echoed through the Elder Gate like a majestic drum, resonating throughout their bodies. ¡°Glitheon of Iliade.¡± "Glitheon, head of Iliade, responds with honor to the call of Berhert," Glitheon said confidently. Sylvia felt proud of her father¡¯s presence. ¡°Bethan of Beorad.¡± "Bethan, the sixth head of Beorad, bows to the Great Elder." Drjekdan called upon the various families, and each responded with a unique slogan reflecting their family''s identity. But when it was Yukline¡¯s turn, an unusual silence fell over the Elder Gate. ¡°Deculein of Yukline,¡± Drjekdan¡¯s voice echoed from the darkness. Silence filled the room. ¡°Has Deculein not arrived yet?¡± Everyone swallowed nervously as an unknown tension crept up from the depths of their consciousness. The potential exclusion of Yukline was unexpected but eagerly anticipated by many. Given Deculein''s arrogant behavior toward other families and his reliance on his family''s prestigious name, his downfall was a wee thought to most in attendance. "Since Deculein of Yukline has not yet arrived, if he does not respond after being called three times, he will be considered to have ignored the summons." Drjekdan''s solemn voice weighed heavily on the assembly. Ihelm, the head of Rewind, who had once been Deculein¡¯s friend but was now his enemy¡ªa man Deculein had once called rotten cheese¡ªallowed himself a hidden smile. "I will then proceed to exclude Yukline from the traditional Twelve Magic Families." His voice echoed through the round table, vibrating through the room. Sylvia nced at the giant clock on the ceiling of the Elder Gate. It was already fifty-three minutes past. ¡°Deculein, head of Yukline.¡± If Deculein failed to appear by the third call, Yukline would face exclusion from the traditional Twelve Families for the first time in 200 years. Such an event would be a monumental disgrace for a family of their esteemed magical lineage. ¡°Deculein, head of Yukline.¡± Sylvia looked around. Some stifled theirughter, othersughed openly, while her father remained impassive, showing no emotion. No one seemed concerned. Sylvia thought Deculein had lived his life wrongly, and she felt a pang of pity for him. ¡°Deculein, head of¡ª¡± Just as the third and final call was about to end, a scraping sound filled the room. Sylvia, startled, looked toward the door. The conference room door was slightly ajar, letting in a gust of snow. Everyone¡¯s gaze shifted to the entrance, seeing thete arrival of Deculein of Yukline. Head Professor Deculein entered, covered in snow. His suit was torn in ces, and his hair was disheveled. He looked like a beast that had returned from hell, a stark contrast to his usual pristine appearance. It was a rough but highly impressive entrance. No one spoke as they watched him. ¡°Deculein. Is that you?¡± Drjekdan asked. Deculein silently scanned the room with his piercing blue eyes. Laughter ceased, and those who had hoped for his exclusion averted their gazes. ¡°Deculein, you are required to respond,¡± Drjekdan repeated. Deculein slowly straightened his suit and slicked back his snow-damp hair. With that simple gesture, he was once again the Deculein everyone recognized. "... Yes. I, Deculein... von Grahan-Yukline," Deculein said, stepping confidently into the room. His steps were proud and assertive as he dered, "have arrived as the head of Yukline." He neither bowed his head nor acknowledged the summons. Instead, he arrogantly announced his presence in the Elder Gate. Some family heads pursed their lips or clicked their tongues in displeasure, while a few naive assistants stared at him, mesmerized by his appearance and demeanor. "I apologize for myte arrival. An incident arose, causing my dy." "You are notte. You may take your seat." Deculein walked to his seat at the round table. Sylvia felt a strange sensation. Although the round table had no head seat, it felt like the entire room''s focus had shifted to him the moment he entered. ¡°However, since your assistant has not yet arrived, your speaking rights will be limited to three times before the adjournment.¡± Deculein scanned the room, his gaze fixed on those avoiding eye contact, his anger clearly visible as he searched for the cause of the current situation. "I understand," Deculein said, his nod tinged with weariness. He was too exhausted to speak further. His mana was depleted, and his body was spent from the frantic journey. He had pushed beyond the limits of his Iron Man attribute. Only his unique, almost manic personality allowed him to maintain hisposure. The heavy atmosphere around him was mistaken for anger by everyone at the round table. Even Ihelm, who usually mocked him, straightened his posture subtly. Despite Yukline''s recent challenges, it remained the continent''s leading magical family. While snide remarks were typical in social scenes, there was no need to draw unnecessary suspicion in such serious matters. ¡°Now, with all twelve traditional families and eight new families present, we will begin the Berhert gathering meeting.¡± The meetingmenced in a weighty silence. Chapter 33: Break (1)

Chapter 33: Break (1)

The first topic on the Berhert meeting agenda was the demon incident¡ªthe one I had killed in the Mage Tower area. Drjekdan first requested my testimony. "The Mountain of Darkness has always been a ce of lingering impurity. Anything could have been there, but that day it was a demon so I killed it," I said as I caught my breath. My vague exnation was supplemented by Essensil, the young head of the Bran family. ¡°A demon appearing in the capital is a serious matter. Additionally, the borders of the Norther Territory, particrly the Land of Destruction, are swarming with demonic beasts. We need to send mages to investigate suspicious areas and possibly cooperate with the cathedral.¡± Essensil, with her striking green hair, was a credible and principled leader of a reputable family. In my current state, Icked the energy to interpret or judge the situation, so I simply agreed with her and said, ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Essensil''s eyes widened in surprise. Deculein was known for criticizing even correct statements. The other mages didn''t challenge this matter. We''ll have the cathedral identify suspicious areas first, and then we''ll select mages from each magical sect to be dispatched. The first topic was approved. ¡°The Linnel sect, renowned for their dedication to destructive magic, will take the lead in the demon extermination¡ª¡± Many topics were discussed, including which sect to send first, the rewards, managing the demonic beast-infested mines, and revising the magicalws on dungeons and demon hunting, and more... For nearly four hours, the round table buzzed with discussions. I stayed silent, conserving my three speaking rights forter. "We''ll take a short break now." After nearly five hours, I finally left the round table. Stepping outside to clear my head, I saw a small figure with brown hair pacing anxiously near the exit, beside one of the elders. It was Allen. ¡°... Oh, Professor!¡± Allen eximed, running toward me. ¡°Are you alright? I¡¯m so sorry for beingte! They said I c-couldn¡¯t join the meeting once it started, so I¡¯ve been w-waiting here. I¡¯m really sorry...¡± I shook my head, trying to calm his flustered apology and said, "It''s all right." In reality, I was far from fine. I had suffered mana exhaustion multiple times today. Any ordinary mage would have been bedridden or dead by now. The lingering effects meant I had barely recovered 300 mana during the five-hour meeting. ¡°T-they told me you saved me, Professor¡ª¡± ¡°I told you not to cry,¡± I interrupted. Allen tried to hold back his tears, lowering his head and said, ¡°... Sniff!¡± But now, I could no longer see this kid as innocent. His once genuine and sincere face now seemed strangely oddly unfamiliar. ¡°From now on, just stay quietly by my side.¡± ¡°Uh... sorry? Oh... yes, sir...¡± I had to keep everything hidden. If my suspicions were right, I needed him close. I couldn''t let any doubt or suspicion show. ... I had to do it for my own safety, to survive. *** We had a thirty-minute break. The heads of families returned to their waiting rooms, exchanging opinions and attempting deals, while I stayed with Allen, doing nothing. When the break ended, we returned to the round table, and Allen sat beside me. Drjekdan then announced the next agenda item, ¡°What should be the mage''s stance on the Scarletborn?¡± As soon as the topic was announced, the atmosphere at the round table shifted dramatically. No one had been officially given the floor, yet a heated debate erupted. The Scarletborn was indeed the Achilles'' heel of the magicalmunity. Bethan of Beorad spat his words out with venom, "The Scarletborn are like pests that breed uncontrobly, corroding the foundations of our society." Essensil shifted ufortably and said, ¡°But how can we distinguish the Scarletborn from others?¡± ¡°We can find a way. The answer lies with the blood magic. If the Mage Tower of the Imperial and Kingdom Universities coborate, we can achieve anything,¡± Bethan said fiercely. Ihelm, who had been observing, tried to interject, but Bethan continued, ¡°Furthermore, they somehow identify each other ande together. The Scarletborn must have a leader bringing them together.¡± The Scarletborn were a unique kind of people, few in number but rich in special talents. Among them was a leader who united and guided them. Bethan''s point was valid, but this leader must not die. ording to the game''s setting, he was a saintly figure, much like Buddha or Jesus. "That leader must be hiding underground, gathering the Scarletborn. The idea of what they might be plotting down there is disgusting. It¡¯s inherently inhumane!" "Bethan, you''re only specting." "Sixty years ago, many mages died because we were too lenient with them!" Bethan retorted, nearly choking on his rage. Essensil didn''t press the argument any further. Just as the heated discussion seemed to settle, Glitheon, who had been watching me, finally spoke up, ¡°What does Deculein of Yukline think?¡± All eyes turned to me. The Yukline family had historically been masters of exorcism, leading the fight against demons. It was a position of significant influence and responsibility. As someone from the modern era, I understood the underlying motives for oppressing the Scarletborn. Even without that knowledge, dying their oppression was the right choice. The Scarletborn were not the ultimate enemy in this world, and avoiding their suppression would make future main quests significantly easier. ¡°In the past, the Scarletborn were seen as our enemies,¡± I began calmly. ¡°But if we look at the records carefully, it¡¯s clear that it was all based on misunderstandings.¡± "Misunderstandings?" Bethan cut in, his voiceced with skepticism. ¡°It started as a misunderstanding. In the Lodran Witch incident 237 years ago, Lodran was falsely used of being a witch and was actually innocent,¡± I said, ring at him as I referenced a specific historical event. Then, I continued. ¡°That incident sparked widespread persecution, causing the Scarletborn to shed a lot of blood. Naturally, they fought back, leading to even more bloodshed. The violence finally stopped when a temporary ceasefire was reached.¡± I had seen this in the lore documents and read simr historical records. The main points were already clear in my mind. "Sixty years ago, it became a political issue when a mana stone mine was discovered in Scarletborn territory." In this world, mana stone mines were far more valuable than thebined worth of oil and natural gas in the modern era. "Political issue? You call it a political issue?" Bethan said, pounding the table, his anger palpable. I knew a lot because it was a crucial part of the mid-to-end storyline, but persuading others was a different challenge altogether. ¡°They carry a bloodline tainted with demonic influence! If anyone should understand this, it¡¯s Yukline, the demon hunters!¡± Bethan shouted, nearly losing control. ¡°Yukline¡¯s tradition is to hunt demons, not exterminate the Scarletborn,¡± I said, shaking my head. "The Scarletborn are demons!" Bethan shouted, his voice echoing through the Elder Gate. Bethan¡¯s extreme conclusion could lead to the mass ughter of the Scarletborn. After his outburst, the room fell into a heavy silence. The once heated discussion had turned eerily quiet, and in the stillness, the tension only intensified. I fixed my gaze on Bethan and asked, ¡°Can you take responsibility for what you just said?¡± Calling an entire race demons would make them enemies of all humanity. Bethan, along with everyone else, stayed silent. "Don''t be so quick tobel humans as demons. The one who does might be a demon themselves," I finished. The family heads looked at me with surprise. Finally, Drjekdan¡¯s voice echoed through the room, ¡°Bethan, tone down your remarks. If we continue like this, we won''t reach any conclusions. This meeting is adjourned for today.¡± *** The first meeting ended without a clear conclusion, but that wasn¡¯t a concern. They had been prepared for a four-day meeting from the start. Sylvia descended to her room in the Rosary Inn of the Fourth Gate. Night had already fallen, and she found herself alone. In this inn, it was customary for each guest to have a private room. Sylvia nced at the paper given to her by the inn''s Elder. Nighttime Rules of the Rosary Hotel at the Fourth Gate These rules are in effect only at night. 1. If you encounter an open door while walking down the hallway, do not enter or look inside the room. 2. If someone knocks on your door, do not respond or make any noise. 3. asionally, a corpse may be found in the bathroom; do not panic, simply close the door. 4. The Rosary Hotel is a one-story building. Do not go up or down any stairs that may appear. 5. Once you lie down in bed, refrain from waking until morning, or you might find yourself in a different ce. 6. Do not speak or use magic in the hallway. Sylvia blinked after reading the unnerving rules. Her father had drilled their importance into her. Besides, she wasn¡¯t one to explore recklessly. Exhausted, she decided to go to bed immediately. Sylviay down with her hawk, Swifty, perched by her bedside. "Goodnight," Sylvia said to Swifty, then closed her eyes. She quickly drifted into a peaceful sleep... ... She woke up a few hourster, feeling thirsty. Checking the clock, she saw she had slept for about three hours. Seeing Swifty watching her from the bed reassured her. "Get some sleep," she whispered to Swifty, who then closed his eyes. Sylvia rose with a smile and reached for the water and cup on the shelf. After drinking a ss of water, she turned around. She was in a hallway, not her room, and the end of the hallway was nowhere in sight. A chill ran down her spine, and the back of her neck tingled with fear. She suddenly remembered the fifth rule of the nighttime guidelines. 5. Once you lie down in bed, refrain from waking until morning, or you might find yourself in a different ce. Sylvia looked down at her feet. She was barefoot, and the floor felt cold. A breeze came from somewhere. She nced around and noticed a staircase nearby, but she remembered she shouldn¡¯t use it. 4. The Rosary Hotel is a one-story building. Do not go up or down any stairs that may appear. She told herself to stay calm. It was just a slight breeze; nothing serious was happening. As she walked steadily, she came across a room with its door open. Sylvia hesitated. 1. If you encounter an open door while walking down the hallway, do not enter or look inside the room. Without looking into the room, Sylvia kept walking, her heart pounding with anxiety, until she reached a closed door. Knock, knock¡ª She knocked, but there was no answer. A gust of wind blew from somewhere. She moved to another door and knocked again. Knock, knock¡ª Once again, there was no answer. She tried the doorknob, but it wouldn¡¯t budge. Desperately, she moved to the next door. Knock, knock¡ª And the next. Knock, knock¡ª Sylvia knocked on every door she passed, moving quickly. The upants surely thought she was a ghost, without a doubt. Hol... The wind in the hallway turned into a horrific scream, a chilling wail. Terrified, Sylvia knocked even harder. Knock, knock¡ª! But no one responded. Howl... The eerie sound grew louder and more distinct. Knock, knock¡ª Herst knock. Whooooosh... A cold breath brushed her ear, and at that moment, the door finally opened. The eerie sensation vanished immediately. She copsed to the floor, her strength drained. Warmth from the room enveloped her. Breathing heavily, Sylvia slowly looked up. "Sylvia." The voice calling her name belonged to Deculein. "Lost your way?" Deculein asked, ncing at her nonchntly before opening the door wider. "Come in." Sylvia hesitated for a moment as the cold wind blew from the hallway. Realizing there was no need to hesitate, she hurried inside. ¡°... Thank you,¡± Sylvia said, bowing her head as she looked around the room. As expected, the head¡¯s room was spacious and cozy. ¡°Sit down,¡± Deculein said, settling into a rocking chair by the firece. Sylvia took a seat on a small chair beside the bed. ¡°I''m sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± "I got out of bed and suddenly found myself in the hallway." Deculein picked up a book from the table, his eyes on the pages as he spoke, ¡°The mana concentration in Berhert¡¯s air is significantly higher than on t ground, sometimes hundreds of times greater. This causes inexplicable phenomena and forms entities known as ghosts. This hotel has many of them. You should have followed the rules carefully.¡± Deculein was the only one who could open the door for her, as he was immune to nearly all forms of mental interference. "Ah," Sylvia said with a nod. She nced around, feeling incredibly self-conscious. Biting her lip, she asked, ¡°Why were youte today?¡± Deculein, still reading, responded, ¡°It¡¯s not your concern.¡± Fidgeting with her fingers, Sylvia asked, ¡°Do you enjoy reading?¡± Deculein responded without looking up from his book, ¡°They¡¯re a second choice.¡± He had never liked books, but reading was a calming hobby for him due to his personality. It was a character trait he didn¡¯t feel the need to ovee. Sylvia stayed quiet again, staring at the firece. Then, she began to rub her hands together, manifesting magic. ¡°It¡¯s the Scorching Fire,¡± Sylvia said, proudly disying it. The soundless, colorless mes clung to the firece, intensifying the ze. Deculein nced at the mes, nodded and said, ¡°Well done.¡± "I can add color to it too." With two added lines, the Scorching Fire turned blue. Deculein nodded with satisfaction and said, ¡°Even better.¡± Sylvia nced at Deculein¡¯s face before casting another spell. This time, she formed a cloud. ¡°This is the Thundercloud.¡± ¡°Well done.¡± ¡°I can make it even bigger,¡± Sylvia said. The thundercloud expanded, covering half the ceiling. ¡°Even better,¡± Deculein said. Sylvia then cast another spell. Leaves sprouted like des and said, ¡°This is Metal Leaves.¡± ¡°Well done.¡± "Whenbined with destructive magic, these leaves can fly and attack enemies." ¡°You¡¯ve learned well.¡± Sylvia demonstrated various spells she had learned from Deculein¡¯s sses. Since he only offeredpliments, she initially thought he was just being nice. However, when she disyed some of her immature spells... ¡°The circuit flow is off. You¡¯ve misunderstood something. Redo the circuit,¡± Deculein instructed. ¡°The properties are not harmonizing smoothly. Fire and water must be bnced; neither should dominate. They need to achieve equilibrium.¡± He corrected her earnestly. His advice helped Sylvia refine several spells, but it also made her ambitious. ¡°Then what do you think my weaknesses are?¡± ¡°You need to figure that out on your own.¡± Sylvia pouted, ¡°You told Epherene.¡± Deculein shook his head and said, ¡°Epherene figured it out herself.¡± Sylvia unknowingly clenched her fist and bit her lower lip. Though Deculein kept his gaze on the book, his eyes paused momentarily. ¡°There''s no need to rush.¡± Sylvia¡¯s shoulders trembled. ¡°You have time, Sylvia. Time is on your side, and your growth will mirror your dedication.¡± Increased mana and advanced magic. Even without the system''s assistance, Sylvia would be the most aplished mage in this world through her talent alone. "... You have the talent to be among the top three mages on this continent," Deculein said, relying on the system''s information. It was a future that seemed almost inevitable. His words were so full of conviction that Sylvia, feeling a bit dazed, simply nodded. Just then... ¡°Shh,¡± Deculein said, raising a finger abruptly. ¡°Stay still.¡± The sharp metal by Deculein''s bedside moved. Almost simultaneously, a grotesque figure emerged from the ceiling. It was a ghost, its face cruel and horribly distorted by mana energy. Sylvia felt immense fear for a moment, but it was fleeting. Deculein¡¯s magic shredded and pierced the ghost in an instant. Having ended the situation, he murmured calmly, ¡°It must have entered because I opened the door.¡± Sylvia, clutching her chest, turned her gaze to Deculein. More precisely, she fixated on the metal piece on his table. ¡°You killed the ghost with that?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s amazing.¡± Deculein chuckled at her innocent admiration and said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing special. This weapon and magic are specifically designed for killing.¡± The Main Quest doesn¡¯t wait for the yer to grow evenly. Therefore, Deculein¡¯s magic was purely practical, focusing solely onbat and lethality. Yet, he still lost to Veron. ¡°What¡¯s truly valuable in this world, Sylvia, is your talent as a mage. Magic isn''t meant solely for killing.¡± Only then did Sylvia understand Deculein¡¯s behavior at the round table during the meeting. She now clearly saw why he hadn¡¯t persecuted the Scarletborn. ¡°Now, stop asking questions and get some rest.¡± Sylvia looked at Deculein with wide eyes and asked, ¡°Should we take turns on the night watch?¡± ¡°No need. The flow of time behaves strangely here anyway.¡± ¡°I know. The mana phenomena¡ª¡± ¡°The nights at high altitudes are unpredictable. What feels like ten hours could be two, twelve, or even twenty-four, depending on the mana levels. Now, stop talking and go to sleep.¡± Deculein¡¯s tone was firm yet kind. Sylvia wondered if he saw her as Iliade¡¯s assistant, a regr student from the Mage Tower, or simply a fool who couldn¡¯t follow the nighttime rules. Confused, shey down on the bed. ... The gentle rustling of pages and the warmth of the crackling fire filled the room. Listening to these sounds, she gradually drifted off to sleep. It wasforting. Sylvia looked out the window with drowsy eyes. A shooting star streaked across the dark sky. It was beautiful. Chapter 34: Break (2)

Chapter 34: Break (2)

After Sylvia fell asleep, I left the inn. A lightning bolt outside the window grabbed my attention, stirred by my instincts as a Wealthy Magnate. I had deliberately broken the rules, which caused some supernatural events, but none of them were particrly threatening. They seemed trivialpared to the terrors of a haunted house. "Where exactly did that lightning strike...?" I wondered. The mountain path from the Fourth Gate to the Elder Gate led to a high-level area near the summit of Berhert, essible to yers only in the mid-tote stages of the game. Without the Berhert meeting, only elders or devoted disciples could enter, making it a prime spot for rare items. I gazed down at the mountain range from Berhert''s dark peak. Various ghosts and spirits clung to me, but their threats became merely intriguing since I showed no fear. "Shieeshinasii Rodennai." "Bururakan Turnima." They seemed to be wondering why I wasn''t scared, finding me strange. Apanied by these spirits, I explored the mountain range with my Wealthy Magnate eyes activated. During my wanderings, I encountered a tiger the size of a house, snowkes that moved on their own¡ªsnow spirits¡ªand a lynx with twenty eyes. As much as I wanted to kill them for their materials, I wasn''t yet skilled enough to initiate a fight. As I continued through the Mountain of Darkness, a glint of gold caught my eye. Amidst the snow-covered coniferous forest, I spotted a scorched patch of earth. "Burtan Kailishnima," said the ghosts. "Latarata Krasinuma." Ignoring the spirits, I approached the charred area. In the centery a partially burned piece of wood that emitted a golden aura. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Purified Mana Tree Fragment] ¡ô Information: A fragment of mana tree struck by lightning. This wood, naturally rich in mana, has been purified by the lightning strike, making it an excellent material. ¡ô Category: Misceneous ? Special Wood ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Mana Tree. A tree that easily absorbed mana for nourishment. While most trees can''t draw mana from water or air, asionally a mutant tree appears that can, converting mana into a mana energy. As a result, Mana Tree can either be a man-eating monster or top-tier wand material for mages. This particr piece grew at the summit of Berhert and was struck by lightning, which ensured its quality was wless. The lightning strike naturally purified and aged it perfectly, making it an exceptional find. "... Excellent." This wasn''t just good; it made me smile. Whether I used it for a staff or a wand, it would greatly enhance my abilities as a mage. I carefully ced the Mana Tree fragment in my bag. Encouraged by this find, I continued my search, even trying tomunicate with the spirits. "Show me more treasure if you know where it is." "Krufushirishiki!" "Kruprrrrr!" They spat mana at me andughed in mockery. "... Useless creatures." I ignored them and kept walking. I continued my search, but finding more seemed greedy. Silently, I stood and watched the eastern horizon. The rising sun gradually illuminated the ridges, causing the ghosts and spirits to fade away. It was time to head back for the next meeting. *** Sylvia woke with the morning sun. She ran a hand through her tangled hair and looked around, noticing that Deculein was already gone. Rubbing her eyes, she tidied herself up and returned to her room, where Swifty still slept by her bedside. Knock, knock¡ª ¡°Your breakfast has arrived.¡± She waited until 10 a.m. to receive and eat her breakfast. An hourter, she headed to the Elder Gate with twenty assistants. Along the way, she felt a pang of sympathy for Allen, who was being ostracized for hisck of skill. The meeting began at noon to address the unfinished agenda from the previous day. As expected, they continued discussing the Scarletborn. Bethan first spoke, "As Yukline mentioned, there''s no proof that the Scarletborn are demons. However, isn''t it clear that their blood carries demonic energy? Do any human bloodlines inherently possess such demonic traits?" The presence of demonic energy in their blood and the ambiguous rtionship between demons and the Scarletborn aroused suspicion among the mages. "The demonic energy within them could erupt at any moment, transforming them into demons instantly! "That''s mere spection." "Spection? How can you call it that?" More than half of the magic families resented the Scarletborn and tried to sway Deculein to their side. "You''ve alreadybeled the Scarletborn as evil. If they have outbursts, you me their demonic blood and want to persecute their entire people. If they don''t, you ignore them. You''re focusing on one possibility among thousands that humans possess, using it as an excuse to condemn all the Scarletborn..." But Deculein remained firm and said, "iming that a faint trace of demonic energy makes someone a demon is like saying a ss of water with a grain of salt in it is no longer water but salt." No one at the round table, including Sylvia, could have predicted or understood Deculein''s stance before their conversationst night. The war Deculein dismissed as political had involved Yukline''s ancestors sixty years ago. Yukline''s forebears were among the most distinguished warriors, having killed countless Scarletborn and secured mining rights to mana stone quarries as a reward. "They even follow different religions than us!" "Are we here to debate religion, or is Berhert a religious council? Such discussions belong in a cathedral." Bethan ground his teeth in frustration. However, there was nothing he could do against Yukline''s steadfast resolve. Though the Berhert round table appeared equal on the surface, certain matters gave one family more authority than others. Among the twenty families gathered, none could rival Yukline''s tradition and history of magical prowess. In the field of demon extermination, Yukline was truly unparalleled. Records from 400 years ago even mentioned a demon hunter believed to be an ancestor of the Yukline family. If a direct descendant of such a lineage asserted that the Scarletborn were far from being demons... "Since we cannot reach a conclusion, the discussion about the Scarletborn will be postponed to future meetings. After a brief break, we will move on to the next item on the agenda." Thud¡ª! Bethan mmed the table and red at Deculein as he unleashed his magic. The entire room trembled, and stones began to fall from the Elder Gate''s ceiling. The rocks, infused with Bethan''s power, hurtled toward Deculein but halted just above his head. It was a refined disy of Telekinesis. Deculein had deflected Bethan''s magic without even blinking. The assistants from each family were stunned. Though the sh between the heads of the magical families was brief, they could gauge its intensity. Bethan''s attack had been spontaneous, unrefined, yet immensely powerful. Deculein had managed to counter the overwhelming assault using only Telekinesis instead of a barrier. It raised the question of whether hisbat prowess had truly reached such a level. "... That was a mistake," Bethan said, stepping back, just as shocked as the other family heads. Deculein gave a faint smile, nodded and said, "I''ll let it slide this time." The stones, held by Telekinesis, lost their mana and crumbled away. Shortly after, the mages returned to their respective waiting rooms. Bethan stormed out of his chair, and Sylvia followed Glitheon. As soon as he sat down in the waiting room, Glitheon erupted intoughter, "... Hahaha!" "Dad." "This is fascinating. Truly fascinating. I suppose I underestimated him all this time..." Glitheon''s demeanor was now entirely different from the fatherly figure Sylvia had known. He chuckled and seemed lost in thought, likely trying to figure out Deculein''s intentions. However, Sylvia doubted he would ever find the answer. It was a straightforward matter, too straightforward for her father toprehend. "... What is he after?" Glitheon pondered deeply. The reason for Deculein''s change, why he had abandoned his ancestors'' mindset, could be summed up in one thing... "Magic wasn''t created to kill people," Deculein had said the previous night. *** After the Scarletborn agenda, the rest of the meeting proceeded smoothly. To ease tensions with the families I had shed with, I made positive remarks on various topics. Some families seemed appeased by my words, but many others remained hostile after my defense of the Scarletborn. Although I wanted to escape the Viin''s Fate, supporting the Scarletborn had cast me in that very role. It made sense. In the game¡¯s storyline, the Mage Order''s Suppression of the Scarletborn during the first Berhert meeting was almost a certainty. After the nine-hour meeting finally concluded, Bethan approached me as soon as we left the Elder Gate, his eyes burning with hatred and asked, "What exactly do you want out of this? Are you secretly raising a Scarletborn?" I shook my head and replied, "You should try to manage your anger." "Anger... maybe you''re right. But you, who have turned away from your ancestors'' will, wouldn''t understand anger. Your ancestors saw the Scarletborn as demons. Our family fought with yours and was nearly annihted." Bethan¡¯s unwavering gaze met mine, and I didn¡¯t flinch. Despite his short stature, his solid frame radiated both mana energy and physical strength. "Regardless, you shouldn¡¯tbel their entire people as demons. A mage must keep their judgment free from anger," I said. Bethan ground his teeth, a twisted smile forming and said, "Don''t think this will be ourst meeting." "Do not take this personally. I hold no animosity towards the Beorad family." "From now on, the Beorad family will despise you," Bethan said, shoving past me. "... Tsk." I understood Bethan''s anger. In the past, such an encounter could have escted into a major conflict. Sixty years ago, the Beorad family had been the most zealous in the war but suffered a humiliating defeat, losing almost everyone, including their head. Despite their fervor, they gained nothing because their efforts were deemed insufficient. Bethan and his father had rebuilt the family through sheer determination. Essensil approached next and said, "I''m surprised by your change of stance on the Scarletborn, but I agree with you. Keeping a cooler attitude toward them benefits us all." Despite her words, most of the mage families stayed silent and unfriendly toward me. Myments today hadn¡¯t helped, but Deculein¡¯s past actions probably yed a bigger role. I had no regrets. Inwardly, I cursed the heads of the mage families, calling them wretched vermin blinded by their rage. "It''s not too bad." If this could be called a sacrifice, it was a worthwhile one. The next Berhert assembly would likely ur in just one to two years, but I had bought us precious time. If a yer were here, they would use this time to grow rapidly. However, in a world without a yer¡ªor at least one where I assumed none existed¡ªI could only hope that a more righteous named character would grow and rise quickly. *** The next morning, before leaving Berhert, I made my way down to the First Gate. "This vige is fascinating every time I see it," Allen said. Berhert, as anyone would guess from its Machu Phu-inspired motif, was a mysterious vige built at high altitudes. The scenery was both intricate and awe-inspiring, but I wasn''t here for sightseeing. I had acquired the key material for crafting a staff, Mana Tree. A renowned artisan resided in Berhert, so I nned to buy additional materials from the magic shop andmission the staff. As I walked through the vige, I noticed a familiar figure at a nearby stall. ¡°Is it really this expensive?¡± ¡°Of course. This is a rare material,¡± said the shopkeeper. ¡°Then show me something cheaper.¡± ¡°Hmm? No, I can¡¯t. You said you were camping, right?¡± ¡°Yes, but why does that matter?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re camping in Berhert, you can¡¯t buy the cheap stuff. It¡¯s too dangerous. Why would I sell something that could get someone killed?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± It was Lillia Primien, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Ministry of Public Safety, whom I had met on my way to Berhert. Allen''s eyes widened as he pointed at her and said, ¡°Oh!¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°She¡¯s the reason I got here safely! She¡¯s my lifesaver!¡± "I see," I said, as I approached her. The closer I got, the clearer their conversation became. ¡°... Look, just show me something less expensive.¡± ¡°I told you, if you¡¯re camping in Berhert, you need this quality. Nothing else will do.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just asking if you have anything cheaper, not whether it¡¯s good enough.¡± ¡°I mean, I do have something cheaper, but using it for camping here means you''ll be at risk of ghost attacks.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care. If you have something cheaper, just give it to me¡ª¡± Whether they were haggling or arguing, I stepped in. Both Primien and the shopkeeper turned to look at me. "How much is that sleeping bag?" "Ah, it''s 10,000 elne. People are especially vulnerable to enchantment magic when they''re asleep because their mental defenses are down¡ª" "I''ll take it," I said, reaching into my coat pocket and pulling out a check. I handed it over to the shopkeeper with a decisive nod. ¡°Sorry, we don¡¯t ept checks. Only cash¡ª¡± ¡°Take a look at the seal.¡± He examined the check. When he saw the Yukline family crest and my signature, a broad smile spread across his face. ¡°Haha, if it¡¯s from the head of Yukline, that¡¯s a different story. Here, please take this.¡± I bought the sleeping bag and handed it to Primien, who epted it with a nk expression. ¡°Take this.¡± ¡°... Why are you giving this to me?¡± Primien asked suspiciously, but she took the sleeping bag anyway. "Allen said you helped him arrive safely. Consider it a token of my gratitude." She nced at Allen, who awkwardly scratched his neck and grinned. ¡°Hmph,¡± she clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction but eventually kept the sleeping bag. I continued to wander through the market. Berhert truly lived up to its reputation as a treasure trove of magical materials. I quickly gathered the ingredients for the staff¡ªFang of the Saber-toothed Tiger, Feather of the Frost Swan, Magic Stone Keindel, and more. In total, I spent four million elne on eight items. My personal ount was empty, so I used the family check, which Yeriel would coverter. Alternatively, I could use the money from selling the vase. "Wow, wow," Allen said, shivering at the sight of my spending. ¡°Hmm?¡± A restaurant caught my eye. Even though I wasn''t hungry, its luxurious exterior and interior were inviting. Feeling drawn to it, I decided to go in. "Ah, Count Yukline. Wee, sir.¡± The staff recognized me instantly. This restaurant seemed to cater to people like me. Suddenly, I heard a familiar, sly voice, ¡°Well, well, look who it is¡ªthe noble Count Yukline!¡± I spotted his sleazy blond hair first. It was Ihelm, the head of Rewind, enjoying wine early in the morning. He was about to say something but then noticed someone behind me and his eyes widened. "Hmm? Deputy Director Primien, I heard you enjoy camping, but in Berhert? Interesting." Only then did I realize Primien had followed me. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m on vacation,¡± Primien responded, acting as if we had been together from the start, still clutching the sleeping bag. Had I inadvertentlypleted apanion recruitment quest? If so, a sleeping bag was a small price to pay. I sat at the table the staff led me to, but Ihelm kept talking. His face was already flushed from the wine. "Hey, Deculein. I''m curious. What prompted your sudden change of stance?" I ordered my meal without responding. Allen was expected, but Primien stayed as well, so we ended up ordering for three. "You once said you wanted to kill the Scarletborn. In fact, you called them vile and inferior, unworthy of living on this continent. Your paper condemning the Scarletborn is still at the university, isn¡¯t it?" Ihelm sneered, recalling the past. His eyes, half-zed from alcohol, focused on me. "Did you perhaps take a Scarletborn as a ve? Did you find a genius among them to conduct your research?" Allen suddenly stood up and shouted, ¡°That¡¯s not true! Professor Deculein would never do that! Don¡¯t insult him!¡± Ihelm ignored Allen, sneered and said, ¡°If that¡¯s not the case, I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re defending those scum and risking your reputation with the other mage families. Why? Can¡¯t a rotten cheese like me ask questions?¡± I shook my head and replied, "I get it. Your brain is already like rotten cheese. You can¡¯t think beyond that." ¡°... Fine,¡± Ihelm said, ring at me with an eerie smile. ¡°I hear you have six months until your research presentation. Or is it three? Let¡¯s see how long you can keep your dirty secrets hidden,¡± he continued, shrugging as he walked away, his sneer lingering. As soon as he left, Primien murmured, "... If what he says is true, this could be a serious problem." ¡°That¡¯s not true!¡± Allen shouted once more. Primien nced at Allen before continuing and said, ¡°very was abolished long ago. Even if it''s a Scarletborn, it¡¯s still a serious crime¡ªif it¡¯s true, of course.¡± ¡°If you keep talking nonsense, return the sleeping bag and pay for the entire meal.¡± Primien let out a smallugh and fell silent. She didn¡¯t speak for the rest of the meal. Chapter 35: Break (3)

Chapter 35: Break (3)

After we finished our meal, we all left together. It felt like we had been a group from the start. Primien, acting like an NPC from a game, seemed to think receiving the sleeping bag obligated her to escort me. She even caught a pickpocket trying to steal from me. As we walked, we stopped in front of a shabby wooden building. ¡°Could you just leave now?¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll just say I found this sleeping bag on my way here,¡± Primien replied. "Allen, you wait outside too." "Yes, sir!" Allen responded eagerly. Primien left, and I made sure Allen stayed outside. I knocked on the door and stepped inside. The ce smelled like an old, dusty bookstore. The creaky wooden structure seemed to barely hold together. "May I inquire if anyone is present?" I called out, feeling slightly out of ce using such formalnguage in this dpidated setting. However, the owner of this ce deserved the utmost respect, and I could set aside my usual Personality Trait for that. "Hem, who is it?" wheezed a raspy, phlegm-filled voice from above. It seemed there was a second floor I hadn''t noticed. Each step on the wooden stairs made the whole building shake. Soon, an old man with a strong presence descended. Despite his age, he left a powerful impression. ¡°I¡¯m here to request the creation of a staff.¡± ¡°A staff?¡± the old man asked, putting on a pair of sses he grabbed from a nearby table and peering at me. ¡°Ah, Deculein. It¡¯s you.¡± I nodded in silence. ¡°As I mentioned before... Hmm? You''ve changed quite a bit, haven''t you? No, it¡¯s more than that... has your soul changed? You must have gone through something significant. The resonance of your heart and blood is much purer than before, even your speech has changed.¡± the old man said, raising his eyebrows, and the wrinkles on his face followed suit. My heart skipped a beat, but I maintained myposure and replied, "I am only here tomission the creation of a staff." The old man chuckled, nodded and said, ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll craft one for you this time. What kind of staff do you want?" Apparently, Deculein had visited before. Even though I didn¡¯t y as a mage in the game, I knew about the artisan Rockelock. "... A standard staff will suffice," I replied. ¡°There are various kinds of staffs¡ªwands, rods, and standard staffs.¡± ¡°I''ll be satisfied with whatever can be crafted from this,¡± I said, presenting the Mana Tree. The old man¡¯s eyes sparkled and said, ¡°Ah, Mana Tree. Indeed, this will suffice.¡± "And I have several other materials," I added,ying out the additional materials I had purchased. They were of the highest quality, as confirmed by my Wealthy Magnate''s discerning eye. The old man¡¯s mouth dropped open and said, ¡°With all these materials and the Mana Tree... are you aiming to create the finest staff in the world?¡± ¡°If it could be remembered in history, that would be splendid.¡± ¡°In that case, why not add your blood to the mix?¡± the old man suggested. ¡°The blood of the Yukline family is worthy material. Your lineage has a profound history in magic.¡± I hesitated at his suggestion. Despite Deculein''sck of talent, I trusted the old man to filter out any negative influences. ¡°If you could ensure it is well filtered,¡± I said, rolling up my sleeve. The old man made a quick, painless cut on my arm with a flick of his finger, collecting the blood in a beaker. His mastery of blood magic was unparalleled. ¡°Normally, crafting a staff doesn¡¯t take long, but with these materials, I¡¯ll truly put my heart into it. Give me ten days, and I¡¯ll send it to you by courier,¡± Rockelock said. Noticing my concern about security, he added, ¡°If I infuse your blood into the security magic, no one but you will be able to open it.¡± ¡°... How much will it cost, if I may ask?¡± "The total cost will be five million elne, including the security magic and delivery." Five million elne, excluding the cost of materials, was precisely what I had anticipated. Although I could already imagine Yeriel''s displeased expression, I knew I could earn ten million elne from selling the vase. "Do you ept family checks here?" "Of course, since you''re from Yukline." I handed him the check, he chuckled and said, ¡°You¡¯ll have it within two weeks at the most.¡± ¡°Yes, sir. I''ll head back now.¡± ¡°Farewell, hahaha,¡± Rockelock said with a heartyugh. As I bowed and left, several notifications appeared. [Sub Quest Complete: Rockelock¡¯s Staff] Condition 1: Sufficient fame or infamy Condition 2: Kind-hearted or reformed Condition 3: Top-quality materials to pique Rockelock¡¯s interest Condition 4: At least two visits ¡ô Store Currency +1 ¡ô Staff crafted by Rockelock Unexpectedly, the quest waspleted. It must have been thanks to Deculein¡¯s previous visit, though I wasn¡¯t sure when that had happened. Grateful and satisfied, I left the shop. *** Meanwhile, in the office of the Freyhem Knights Order near the capital, Yulie was chatting with her rtive, Reylie, who had visited after a long absence. ¡°I¡¯m so busy these days, and I barely make any money. Being an adventurer really isn¡¯t worth it. It¡¯s just a constant drain on your finances. Honestly, I¡¯m only doing it for the ID card. It allows unlimited overseas travel.¡± ¡°That does sound appealing,¡± Yulie said, smiling politely at Reylie¡¯s grumbling. ¡°Grand Knight Yulie, you made the right choice not bing an adventurer a while back.¡± ¡°Haha.¡± There was a time when Yulie had considered bing an adventurer herself. In fact, under Deculein''s pressure, it had once seemed like her only option. She had even thought about abandoning everything and just leaving. ¡°But Reylie,¡± Yulie said, shifting the conversation as Reylie finished speaking. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Might you have any knowledge... concerning Deculein¡¯s former fianc¨¦e?¡± Yulie asked, feeling a strange irritation just bringing up the subject. She ran her fingers through her hair. ¡°Pardon? Why do you ask about that? And what¡¯s with the sudden change in tone?¡± ¡°Hmm? It¡¯s nothing really... I¡¯m just curious,¡± Yulie replied, her thoughts drifting to the time she had seen Deculein at histe fianc¨¦e¡¯s gravestone. She had stumbled upon him by chance and, though she hadn¡¯t meant to spy, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to leave. He had been openly mourning, his tears a testament to his sorrow. ¡°Never mind. It¡¯s nothing important.¡± ¡°What was that about... Well, I don¡¯t know much. She was just a nobledy. Not much was revealed about her, and I didn¡¯t know much either. I didn¡¯t even know they were engaged at first,¡± Reylie said. She was an adventurer from the Mage Tower and two years younger than Deculein. They had known each other back when Deculein¡¯s fianc¨¦e was still alive. ¡°What do you mean you didn¡¯t know?¡± ¡°I only knew she was very sick and stayed at home a lot... But why are you really asking about this?¡± Reylie said, looking at Yulie with suspicion, making her shudder slightly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I was just curious.¡± ¡°You already knew they were parted by her death, though?¡± ¡°... Yes, I knew that.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a valid reason to end your engagement.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant...¡± Yulie sighed for no reason in particr. She found herself genuinely curious. How much had he loved histe fianc¨¦e for someone as cold as him to still shed tears for her? Despite his lingering feelings, why had he shown such raw emotions toward me? And how, still unable to forget his old love, could he request a smile from me once a month? Was his promise to change somehow rted to her? Or... did I remind him of her? Yulie thought. ¡°... It¡¯s fine. I was just curious.¡± ¡°Hmm. Okay?¡± Knock, knock¡ª At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Deputy Knight Rockfell entered, unexpectedly draped in a ck cloak. ¡°Grand Knight Yulie.¡± ¡°Yes, what is it?¡± Rockfell lowered his head in silence, biting his lip for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. Finally, with a somber expression, he began to speak. As his words sank in, Yulie and Reylie''s faces grew cold and tense. *** At the same time, in the lord¡¯s office in the capital city of Hadecaine, within the Yukline territory. "Of course, it was idiotic of me to expect anything different," Yeriel muttered, ring out the window. The anger that had once peaked had not yet subsided. "Why not me? Ugh, it''s so annoying! Just because I gave up on magic halfway, why pick someone like Allen or Al, whatever his name is..." He seemed like a nobody. I couldn''t understand why he picked him as an assistant professor. If he needed someone for the meeting, why not me... Yeriel thought angrily. "Well, whatever," Yeriel muttered. After three days, she had begrudginglye to terms with it. ¡°It¡¯s been over ten years since we acted like we were close siblings.¡± It''s crazy to think we could work together now. Honestly, I prefer it this way, with us hating each other. Deculein doesn¡¯t like me, and I don¡¯t like him. He¡¯s just a bad example to me. I really do hate him. I hate him. I hate him... Chirp¡ª chirp¡ª As she silently nurtured her forced hatred, a sparrow gentlynded on the window sill. Yeriel, leaning on the window, watched it. She slowly opened the window, and the bird didn¡¯t fly away. "Hey,e here," Yeriel said, extending her finger. The sparrow hopped onto her finger, chirping cheerfully. She chuckled softly. Strangely, animals always liked her, even though she wasn''t particrly gentle with them. "You¡¯re cute. Off you go now." The sparrow seemed to understand and took off. Below its flighty Hadecaine, its splendid cityscape stretched out beneath it. ¡°Phew~¡± Yeriel said, taking a deep breath and exhaled, feeling a wave of emotion wash over her. Now, this territory was truly hers. She was no longer a deputy lord but the rightful ruler. This realization filled her days with joy, made every morning feel new, and deepened her appreciation for the air and all the nature in Hadecaine. Knock, knock¡ª ¡°... Lady Yeriel,¡± the butler said as he entered the room. ¡°Yes, what is it?¡± ¡°A check has arrived for the family.¡± ¡°For what? Is it the payment from that trade deal we made?¡± Yeriel asked, feeling cheerful as she took the check from him. In the next moment, her fingers twitched. She wondered if she had misread it and flipped it over to check again. It was still the same. ¡°... Nine million elne?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Who spent this much money? What was this expense for?¡± "It seems that Master Deculein made some purchases in Berhert." Yeriel stood there, her mouth agape, before pping her forehead with her palm and muttering angrily, ¡°That fucking idiot¡ª¡± *** [Main Quest Complete: Attend Berhert] ¡ô Store Currency +3 Clunk, clunk¡ª clunk, clunk¡ª The slow, 70 km/h vibration of the train felt awkward, mainly because of the person sitting next to me¡ªBethan. Coincidentally, we ended up in the VIP car of the same express train, seated across the aisle from each other. For two hours, we sat in silence, our pride preventing us from speaking. Eventually, our eyes met as we nced at each other. Bethan was the first to break the silence by saying, ¡°If this were fifteen years ago, I¡¯d have challenged you to a duel.¡± ... I silently considered how fortunate it was that he didn''t. I wasn''t confident I could break through Bethan''s barrier. Yet, my body almost reflexively responded to his taunt. ¡°I hope you manage to stay alive,¡± I replied. Not that I had any intention of actually dueling, especially with three other heads of families and four assistants present in the same space. Preserving my dignity was crucial. Deculein¡¯s nature often intensified depending on the audience and the situation. ¡°... At the next stop, let¡¯s¡ª¡± "Don''t choose a natural consequence of magic," I interrupted, noticing the magical energy rising from Bethan. I just stared at him calmly. ¡°Hey, hey, everyone!¡± Glitheon''s loud apuse disrupted the tension. He approached, grinning, and began massaging Bethan''s and my shoulders alternately. "Bethan, rx. You weren''t even around fifteen years ago. Back then, three people died on the way to Berhert, six during the meeting, and two afterward. Of the eleven, seven were assistants, but four were family heads." He leaned closer to Bethan and whispered, "Or do you truly believe you can defeat Deculein?" ¡°... What?¡± Bethan said, gritting his teeth, but he remained silent, wary of Glitheon¡¯s reputation. ¡°If you can¡¯t evene close to his level, you should know when to back down,¡± Glitheon said, patting Bethan¡¯s shoulder. "Bethan, your spirit of challenge has always impressed me! Isn''t that the true essence of Beorad?" Glitheonughed, his overpraise making me ufortable. "Deculein, you never fail to surprise me," Glitheon muttered, his face now innocent. "You used to scold mages over trivial things, but now you''re causing trouble over insignificant matters. Isn''t that right?" "You do have a tendency to talk excessively," I responded. "... Haha, time flies. Fifteen years ago, you were young too. Look at you now." I stayed silent. Sylvia peeked over Glitheon''s shoulder, tilting her head to look in my direction. Turning to Allen, Glitheon extended his hand and said, ¡°Allen, right? Nice to meet you. It''s not often we see an assistant professor from the Mage Tower of the University in Berhert.¡± "Ah, yes, sir. It''s a real honor," Allen stammered. "Good luck to you," Glitheon said with augh before returning to Sylvia''s side. After that, nothing noteworthy urred. We journeyed in silence, unbothered by threats or conversation, and eventually reached Terh tform without any incidents. ¡°Ahhh¡ª¡± Allen stretched widely under the station lightste in the evening. The atmosphere had grown heavier since we arrived. I scanned the area, noticing how the snow fell thick and fast at Terh Station, creating a dense curtain of white. Through the swirling snowkes, I spotted someone watching me¡ªit was Yulie. She stood out in her white armor and ck cloak, nked by her knights from the knights order in matching uniforms. Our eyes met, and I walked toward her. Crunch, crunch¡ª As I walked across the snowy tform, I met her wavering gaze. My footprints left a trail behind me in the snow. Standing within arm''s reach, Yulie first spoke, "I heard the news." Her voice sounded as it always did, but steadier. Without the slightest tremor, it seemed even more tender and poignant. ¡°Have you?¡± I thought deeply about what to say to her. Honestly, I had already organized my thoughts. I wanted to tell Yulie that her knight Veron had tried to kill me and that we had ended up fighting. At the very least, she had a right to know. "... I heard you encountered a sudden attack." But when I saw her face, my heart was strangely moved. It was an unfamiliar feeling, one that didn¡¯t seem to belong to me, yet I mistook it for my own. No, it truly felt like mine. A deep emotion. "Yes, I did." I knew her character and her beliefs. Yulie''s exterior was strong, but now her inner self seemed on the verge of copse. ¡°... I''m d you''re safe,¡± Yulie said sincerely. Before I could respond, she added, ¡°I read in the article that you worked with Veron to save the survivors.¡± I just stood there, unsure of which article she had read or what she had heard. I couldn¡¯t speak without knowing more. "I''m going to inspect the scene now... But before I go, I have one question." A train approached the tform from a distance. ¡°What was he like?¡± The deafening sound of the train stopping on the tracks filled the air. It was the train to Berhert. I chose my words carefully as I looked into her eyes. "Well..." I couldn¡¯t lie to her. I said, "He was emotional." Yulie took a deep breath, bowed her head and said, ¡°Thank you. We must go to him now. Please get some rest.¡± I watched as she turned and walked away. Snowkes had already gathered on her slender shoulders, as if trying to weigh her down. One of the knights following Yulie spoke, ¡°Would you like to join us?¡± Meanwhile, many other knights were watching me. They were all Yulie¡¯s subordinates, and their stares bothered me. I could keep this secret for Yulie¡¯s sake since Veron¡¯s crime would ruin not just her but the entire knights order. Yulie¡¯s rigid and inflexible nature would make her take her subordinate¡¯s mistake as her own, causing her immense pain. I wanted to protect Yulie, but I refused to pay respects to the man who tried to kill me. Whether it was Deculein¡¯s sense of honor or Kim Woojin¡¯s pride, I could never ept that. "... If not, we will go ourselves." When I stayed silent, they boarded the train without me. Their sideways nces irritated me. ¡°Ha.¡± A bitterugh escaped me before I could stop it. The way they left, those clueless, rotten minds¡ªit was so disgusting it made me grit my teeth in anger. ¡°Um, Professor¡ª¡± Allen started to speak, but I cut him off with a re. I said, ¡°Allen.¡± ¡°Y-yes, sir.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say anything.¡± I was angry. Without Yulie¡¯s presence, my anger intensified. It would be inhuman not to feel anger after what I had experienced. ¡°Professor,¡± another clear voice called out to me. I turned to see Sylvia, her head and shoulders covered in snow, as she asked, ¡°Why did you hold back?¡± She looked at me, her expression unreadable. Sylvia''s voice had always been calm and steady, adding to her mysterious aura. ¡°What do you mean by holding back?¡± Without a word, Sylvia rummaged through her bag and pulled out something, saying, ¡°It''s a token of gratitude.¡± It was a book. I just stared at it. ¡°Ah, I¡¯ll take it instead...¡± Allen offered, but Sylvia didn¡¯t hand it to him. They struggled briefly until Sylvia pushed Allen away and handed me the book. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving now,¡± Sylvia said, bowing her head before quickly walking away. Just then, the express train was about to depart. I watched the dark, noisy train as it howled. My gaze met Yulie''s, who was sitting by the window. My eyes widened in surprise. Yulie was smiling at me. It was a faint, almost powerless smile, barely lifting the corners of her mouth¡ªmore like a bitter grin. She had kept her promise, smiling once a month. My heart felt strangely cleansed by this. ¡°Man...¡± I muttered, the feeling more intense than I expected. ¡°Allen.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Let''s go. I need to get some rest,¡± I said, turning and walking away with Allen. Chapter 36: Exam (1)

Chapter 36: Exam (1)

Yulie and her knights order arrived at the scene of the incident, just past the fourth station and less than an hour away from Berhert. ¡°... During the first attack, Professor Deculein managed to secure the train and, along with Knight Veron, rescued the survivors,¡± the official from the Ministry of Public Safety exined, emitting a wave of magic. ¡°However, during the second attack, the entire train fell off a cliff, and it seems that Knight Veron was among those who fell. Miraculously, the VIP car carrying Professor Deculein got caught at the bottom of the cliff.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Yulie and her knights order said, fully understanding the situation. The official showed them some photos copied from Roen. Yulie asked, ¡°This area is so remote that we can only rely on eyewitness ounts. Have you seen the knight?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Yulie had already read the article and seen the photo of Deculein, calm inside the train suspended in midair. ¡°There might be a few more photos you haven¡¯t seen. Take a look at this one,¡± the official added, showing another picture of the assassins¡¯ corpses. ¡°It seems the Head Professor subdued them. A mage of his skill is truly a one-man army,¡± he said with a chuckle. But the knights did notugh. Sensing the serious atmosphere, the official spoke again with a serious tone, ¡°In summary, both of them did their best to handle the situation, but it appears Knight Veron fell victim to the second attack.¡± ¡°... Thank you,¡± Yulie said, bowing her head politely. She nced around at the snow-coveredndscape, which seemed endless and overwhelming. Rockfell, sitting on the tracks, muttered, "... What a fool. He worked so hard, only to die escorting a train." Yulie didn¡¯t hear Rockfell¡¯s words. Her ears rang with a dull ache. She thought she was used to losingrades, but memories of Veron¡¯s unfortunate life kept resurfacing. He had risen from nothing, chased his dreams relentlessly, and had finally glimpsed sess after countless efforts... Yulie asked the official, ¡°Is there anything left from him that could serve as a memento?¡± ¡°No, there isn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Then do you know who was behind this attack¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s very difficult to say. The journey to Berhert is meant to be free of usations, but since only Knight Veron was killed in this incident, we are unsure whether to investigate further...¡± Yulie nodded, understanding the dilemma. Just then, a voice reached her, ¡°My dear sister~¡± Startled, Yulie pulled a crystal orb from her pocket, one she didn¡¯t recognize and said, ¡°Wh-what is this for?!¡± ¡°Hello~ I heard about the incident, so I decided to contact you,¡± Josephine''s voice echoed from the orb. ¡°When did you put this in my pocket?!¡± ¡°When you weren¡¯t looking, of course,¡± Josephine replied with a chuckle. ¡°Anyway, your subordinate was attacked. Aren¡¯t you curious about the details?¡± ¡°... The details?¡± ¡°Yes. As the queen of the social circle, I have many sources,¡± Josephine said. For some reason, she had ess to vast amounts of information; almost all rumors in the social circle flowed to her. ¡°Would you like to hear what I¡¯ve gathered?¡± Yulie was suspicious of Josephine, but there were no public issues surrounding her. In fact, Josephine''s reputation was more impable than anyone else''s in the world. ¡°If your methods are illegal¡ª¡± ¡°They''re not. Listen. The sudden attack was likely nned by the magic family of the Leoc Kingdom. Fifteen years ago, two heads of Leoc¡¯s families were killed before a meeting, and they¡¯ve been seeking revenge ever since. ¡°They didn¡¯t target Deculein specifically; they aimed at any imperial head. Deculein just happened to fall into their trap. This rumor is already well-known among the Magical Realm.¡± Yulie was stunned. That meant Veron was struck down by an indiscriminate attack. ¡°But here¡¯s the strange part,¡± Josephine continued. ¡°It was Raon who rmended Terh choose Veron for the train escort.¡± ¡°... Raon?¡± ¡°Yes, he¡¯s one of Gk¡¯s trusted men. Gk is a subordinate of Lott, and Raon is Lott¡¯s brother and a businessman connected to me.¡± Gk, Raon, Lott. Yulie frowned at the unfamiliar names. ¡°Don¡¯t you know? Here¡¯s a name you might recognize... Let''s see,¡± Josephine said. Before she could hear the rest, Yulie looked around at the knights. They were wandering along the tracks with sorrowful expressions. ¡°Glitheon. His younger brother is Gk.¡± Yulie¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You know Glitheon, right? But you probably don¡¯t know Gk. On the surface, they¡¯ve been estranged for over 30 years, but they can¡¯t pull the wool over my eyes. Whether they truly fought or just pretended to, they now help each other. Glitheon has Gk handle the dirty and ambiguous tasks for him.¡± ¡°What does Glitheon have to do with this sudden attack?¡± Yulie asked. ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet. I just find it suspicious that Gk specifically rmended Veron for the train escort. That¡¯s all I know. You know the price, right? You owe me a meal sometime soon.¡± ¡°... Okay.¡± ¡°Alright, bye-bye,¡± Josephine said as she ended the call. ¡°Glitheon...¡± Yulie muttered, thinking about him. She had heard of his infamy from Zeit. However, his supposed turnaround had urred over ten years ago, and in this situation, it seemed like mere coincidence. But regardless of the truth... "I¡¯m sorry, Veron. I couldn¡¯t even recover your body..." Yulie whispered as she knelt on one knee and looked over the edge of the cliff. Loose stones tumbled down into the mist-covered abyss. Veron''s bodyy somewhere at the bottom. *** In the fifth week of my lecture on Understanding Pure Element Magic, the ss was naturally canceled due to the Berhert incident. Instead, I assigned some homework. Write a thesis paper on one type of Pure Element Magic. Knowing they would likely dislike it, I added that it was optional, but there would be a penalty for not doing it. After that, I focused on creating exam questions at my mansion. This time, they were entirely original. Although I was inspired by previous exams, the process and results of these questions were distinctly different. I also dedicated myself to improving my magic, sessfully integrating the Basic Fire Control technique into my Beginner Telekinesis. Now, I could remotely control fire with Telekinesis. For about a week, I immersed myself in training, studying, and preparation. Today, when I finally reviewed the exam questions I had created, I couldn¡¯t help but be impressed. ¡°... Excellent,¡± I murmured. The exam papers radiated a golden aura, a reaction from the Wealthy Magnate attribute. There were eight questions in total. The first two focused mainly on theory, while the rest emphasized application and utilization. Questions 7 and 8 were particrly challenging, requiring at least a Debutant-level understanding. If questions 1-6 were univariate functions, then 7 and 8 were multivariate functions. Those who put in the effort would gain a lot of insight. Feeling satisfied, I left the annex. As I made my way to the main house, I ran into Roy. ¡°Ah, Master. Here are the auction results,¡± Roy said, handing me a document. It included the final bid amount and a check for the Vase of the Eastern Artisan Egehan. ¡°... It sold for a high price?¡± The vase fetched a staggering twenty-one million. After fees and taxes, I would around thirteen to fifteen million, which was more than double my expectations. ¡°Yes. We had the petals analyzed by the Mage Tower and found they were beneficial for both fatigue recovery and skin care. This attracted not only noblewomen but also many adventurers to the auction¡ª¡± ¡°I understand. This should suffice for the mansion''s finances, correct?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. It certainly will.¡± ¡°Have you received any other messages from Yeriel?¡± ¡°No, sir.¡± I had spent around nine million elne in Berhert. Since I hadn¡¯t heard from her for a week, it seemed she had decided to let it go this time. ¡°Delivery, package!¡± a voice shouted from the mansion gate. ¡°Count Yukline! There¡¯s a package from Berhert!¡± The man shouting had an unusual aura and wore an adventurer¡¯s ID card around his neck and said, ¡°Please sign here for me!¡± ¡°... Do adventurers usually do deliveries?¡± I asked as I signed. ¡°Haha, we¡¯ll do anything for money. Take care!¡± The box he handed me was heavy, and my heart raced with anticipation. ¡°Roy, you can rest now.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± I pretended it was no big deal as I went up to my room in the main house. The box was secured withyers of safeguarding magic. I authenticated it with my biometric data and slowly opened it. Many thoughts swirled in my mind as I wondered how it could possibly be ready in just a week. Maybe the old man had rushed the work, or perhaps it was because of my wed Yukline blood. These worries weighed on me as I opened the package, but when I saw what was inside, I was momentarily stunned. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Rockelock''s Yukline Staff] ¡ô Information : A staff made by the master Rockelock and dedicated to Yukline. Exclusive to Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. ¡ô Category : Equipment ? Staff ¡ô Special Effects : Stores 500 mana. It functions as a supportive circuit, naturally enhancing the performance of spells cast by the wielder. ¡ô Item Attribute ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ It had the beauty and performance of a relic and even possessed the Item Attribute. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Ironwood] ¡ô Description : The inherent ability and nature of the wood. It has the highest material potential of any wood. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Self-Learning] ¡ô Description : The staff independently understands the magic cast through it and adapts to use the magic more efficiently. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Aesthetic Item] ¡ô Description : Not only is its design beautiful, but it also adapts its appearance to match the wearer¡¯s attire. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Yukline Bloodline] ¡ô Description : It exhibits exceptional power during exorcisms or banishments. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The staff perfectly matched my attributes, retaining only the good parts and filtering out the rest. ¡°... Only nine million elne for this...¡± I muttered. It was an incredible bargain. I touched the staff, feeling like a child with their first smartphone. ¡°... Ahem.¡± Getting excited over a staff felt childish. With only three days left until my next ss, I needed to prepare for the lecture. My eyes kept drifting toward the staff, though. Fortunately, I had already decided on the lecture format and wrote the proposal to book the ssroom. The final ss before midterms would be called Comprehensive Review through Practical Lessons. *** On Wednesday, Deculein''s final lecture before the midterms, Epherene arrived on the fifth floor of the Mage Tower. Today''s ss was not in the usual A ss on the third floor but in the Purpose Floor on the fifth. ¡°What is he nning now...? ¡± There were only three ssrooms on this floor, and Epherene''s mouth dropped open as she opened the door to one of them. The room was vast, with a domed ceiling, a central rectangr stage, and seats for the audience all around¡ªmore like an arena than a ssroom. Many mages were already gathered, speaking in hushed tones. ¡°Oh, Ephie!¡± called Julia and Ferit, her club members, as they approached Epherene. Epherene naturally joined the group ofmoners, standing opposite Sylvia, who had just returned from the Berhert meeting and was surrounded by nobles. Epherene nced at Sylvia, but Sylvia ignored her. At exactly 3 p.m., Deculein entered. His presence instantly silenced the crowd. As always, he moved with noble grace, carrying an extremely luxurious-looking staff. ¡°Greetings,¡± Deculein said as he stepped onto the central stage. Looking down at the mages, he continued, ¡°Today''s ss is Practical Magic Combat Training.¡± Magicbat. An unavoidable and essential challenge for mages. The Debutants grew tense. ¡°Additionally,¡± Deculein said, snapping his fingers. The veil around the edge of the arena lifted. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Epherene and the other mages asked, shocked to see hundreds of people already in the room. ¡°This will be a public exercise,¡± Deculein announced. A briefmotion erupted among the mages, but Deculein quickly silenced it with his firm voice, outlining the Course Progression and Objectives ¡°You may engage inbat using any magic, but you must use at least three Pure Element spells. I will focus solely on the process, not on who wins or loses. I hope you learn from this practical experience. Professor Relin?¡± ¡°Yes, right here,¡± said Relin, the professor of the Support Studies Department, as he appeared, waving cheerfully to the mages and the audience. "Professor Relin will ensure there are no casualties, so you don¡¯t need to hold back." ¡°Haha, trust me, everyone¡ª¡± ¡°We will begin. First up, Eurozan.¡± ¡°... Yes, sir!¡± Eurozan, who had been daydreaming, said as he raised his hand and stepped onto the stage. ¡°Choose your opponent. You can pick anyone here.¡± ¡°Uh...¡± Eurozan said, hesitating before awkwardly selecting his friend Roton. They soon faced each other. ¡°Begin. You have three minutes,¡± Deculein said. At Deculein''smand, the two awkwardly exchanged spells. Eurozan''s fire spread like a thin curtain, enveloping Roton. Roton manipted the fiery curtain with his magic. Sizzle¡ª The mes evaporated, creating steam. Roton froze the steam, and the icy vapor, now metallic in nature, surged toward Eurozan. ng¡ª Eurozan blocked it with a barrier. After that first exchange, the awkwardness vanished, reced by seriousness. They continued casting, countering, and defending with magic, but the duel didn''t evenst a minute. ¡°Ugh!¡± Roton groaned as his mana points depleted, marking the end of the duel. ¡°Eurozan won, but the score will depend on the process,¡± Deculein said, while a floating fountain pen recorded everything in the air. ¡°Next, Beck.¡± Beck, a particrly unpleasant noble in Epherene''s view, smirked and chose Ferit. Trembling, Ferit stepped onto the stage. ¡°Begin.¡± The two exchanged attacks with Pure Element magic, but the disparity in skill was obvious. Ferit''s supportive magic couldn''t withstand Beck''s destructive magic for even thirty seconds. ¡°Next, Rondo.¡± The duels continued one after another, but Epherene was preupied with Deculein''s earlier words, ¡°You may choose anyone here.¡± Meanwhile, the battles between the mages continued. Electricity crackled, and the ground trembled. Floor tiles erupted, and metal surged from the mes. Epherene couldn''t help but be amazed by the Electromaic Windst thatbined wind and electricity. These magical duels awakened a certain impulse within her heart. ¡°Next... Epherene.¡± Epherene finally heard her name called. Even so, she didn''t choose anyone and walked into the arena alone. All the mages watched her in confusion. Ignoring the others, she asked Deculein, ¡°Is it really alright to choose anyone here?¡± ¡°Yes, you may choose anyone,¡± Deculein confirmed. Epherene lowered her eyes for a moment, finally getting the confirmation she needed. She could choose anyone. Anyone at all. It was permitted. ¡°Epherene, enough hesitating,¡± Deculein urged. Epherene slowly raised her head. Her ears felt numb, and her insides burned with intensity. It felt as if mana surged through every vein in her body. ¡°I choose,¡± Epherene said, slowly extending her finger. Her fingers, covered in scars and calluses from hard work, pointed toward Deculein. ¡°Head Professor Deculein.¡± Someday, I want to surpass you with my skills. I know I still have a long way to go, but that''s why I want to see how far apart we are now. I want to challenge you at least once. Even if it¡¯s too soon and the result is a crushing defeat, I don''t mind. I just don¡¯t want to miss this chance. She thought. Everyone in the arena stared at her as if she were out of her mind. Even Epherene decided she must have gone crazy too. ¡°What the! Look at that crazy girl! Hey! Get down from there!¡± Professor Relin shouted in shock as he rushed over, but Epherene didn''t lower her finger. She kept her gaze fixed on Deculein, and he didn''t break eye contact. ¡°I choose,¡± Epherene repeated, recalling the emotions from four months ago when she first saw Deculein. ¡°... I choose you, Professor.¡± At that moment, she noticed a faint, twisted smile form on Deculein¡¯s lips. Chapter 37: Exam (2)

Chapter 37: Exam (2)

"Get down!" Relin shouted in fury, his face turning red as if it might burst. He appeared even more agitated than Deculein. Unable to watch any longer, Deculein stepped in to calm him and said, "Professor Relin, calm yourself." "Sorry? Ah... but..." Then, Deculein slowly walked over to face Epherene. Despite her earlier outburst, she still had doubts and asked with concern, "... Is this really okay?" "I said you could choose anyone here, I didn''t set any restrictions," Deculein said, striking his staff on the ground. The thud and vibration tousled Epherene''s hair. "The time limit is still three minutes, but I''ll give you a handicap. I won''t use any magic to attack, and if you can make me drop the staff, you win." Nodding, Epherene clenched her fist and said, "... Yes, sir." Facing Deculein, her heart pounded wildly. This was the moment she had longed for, the scenario she had dreamed of. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, ready to seize this opportunity she had waited for so long. "Begin," Deculeinmanded. Instantly, a gust of wind swirled around Epherene, signaling the start of their challenge. Epherene cast Haste, embodying the wind element, a powerful form of Pure Element magic. Contrary to popr belief, Haste enhanced both physical movement and the speed of casting spells, making magic quicker and more effortless. Epherene gathered mana into her bracelet. Typically, mage battles relied on each mage''s preferred elemental property. But Epherene was different. Her property wasn''t an element but the bracelet itself, which acted as a catalyst. This special bracelet let her use all four primary elements without any penalties or loss in power. ¡°Hup!¡± Epherene unleashed a st of mes. It was an intermediate-level Pure Element magic spell called Firestorm. The mes spread wildly, enveloping Deculein in a swirling inferno, obscuring him from view. Epherene then enhanced the mes with the earth element. She added coal particles to intensify the fire and generated a high concentration of oxygen within the ze. Whoosh! mes filled the arena. The ze,bined with the magic''s mmable dust and high-concentration oxygen, caused a chain reaction of oxidation andbustion, resulting in a dust explosion. The powerful st surged through the air, repeatedly igniting the airborne dust and continuing the explosive chain reaction dozens of times. Boom! Bang! Pow¡ª! Even Professor Relin was stunned by the catastrophic scene. The explosions were immense in both scale and intensity, leaving everyone in shock at the sheer destructive power unleashed in the arena. Boooooom¡ª! Epherene had mastered a secret technique. Shebined three attributes to enhance the destructive power of fire, the most devastating element, into a powerful bombardment spell. ¡°... Phew,¡± Epherene gasped, her exhaustion evident as she surveyed the scene. The arena was nearly engulfed in mes, thick smoke obscuring Epherene''s vision. She kept her guard up, not worrying about whether she had killed him, as a cold wind swept through, clearing the smoke. Beyond the mes, she saw a sphere of fire, shaped like an egg with a hard shell. It was a wless demonstration of Telekinesis and Fire Control. Crackle¡ª crackle¡ª Through the gaps in the fiery shell, Epherene saw Deculein. His blue eyes shone through the mes as he stood there, unscathed and looking at her without any sign of distress. It was just as she had expected; Deculein''s mastery of magic had protected him effortlessly. Fssshhh¡ª! Suddenly, all the mes were extinguished. In an instant, the fire vanished, leaving Epherene confused about how it happened. She bit her lip and quicklyunched another attack. Using the spell Arcane Barrage, she fired a series of magic projectiles, hoping to break through Deculein''s defenses. Ratatatatat¡ª! But the projectiles halted as soon as they entered Deculein''s range. He took control of them, extinguishing them effortlessly without counterattacking. It was his promise not to attack. He was merely observing her, like a teacher guiding an inexperienced student. Seeing this, Epherene focused her magic, determined to break through his defenses. Crackle¡ª But an error urred during the casting process. The spell she was forming fizzled out with just a few sparks. Epherene quickly realized what had happened. Mana Interference was disrupting her magic. Deculein''s voice broke the silence and said, "Your magic has a habit." He could see magic with his Sharp Eyesight, a unique attribute. However, analyzing and deconstructing magic in such a short time using Comprehension was nearly impossible due to the extreme mana consumption it required. "Therger the spell, the more noticeable your habits be." However, if he had experienced the caster''s magic a few times and noticed a consistent habit, the mana consumption would have decreased significantly. "High-ranked mages conceal their habits. In fact, they eliminate them entirely." His Comprehension attribute had fully mastered Epherene''s magic, allowing him to read the Core Circuits of her spells effortlessly. "But you are not," Deculein said. Deculein''s tone was like a teacher scolding a struggling student. Epherene continued trying to form her spells, desperately attempting to recall the ones she had memorized. But nothing worked. All she heard was the repetitive crackle of her failed magic. "You won''t be able to cast magic in front of me." "Dang it..." Epherene muttered, clenching her fists in frustration. Epherene had to give up on casting magic, but she didn¡¯t abandon the fight. She had onest strategy left. She wouldn''t give him any distance or time. If she could break through and close the gap, she could unleash her magic right in front of him. At that close proximity, Deculein wouldn¡¯t have time to deconstruct or interfere with her spells. She felt confident. Epherene had not neglected her physical training. In fact, strength training and body exercises were one of her hobbies. "Hup!" Epherene eximed as she charged forward. Enhanced by Haste, she swiftly closed the distance to Deculein and prepared to cast her spell. But it was instantly deconstructed. Then, she noticed his middle finger, bent and ready to flick her. Thwack¡ª! The flicking sound marked the end of the three-minute time limit. The pain was intense. Epherene staggered back, clutching her forehead, and copsed to the ground, overwhelmed by the sharp, sudden pain radiating from where Deculein''s finger had struck. "... But," Deculein''s voice rang out, breaking the silence. He stood straight, looking down at her, his right hand still holding the staff. Epherene slowly lifted her gaze to his face, and her eyes widened in surprise. Deculein, the usually detestable professor, was smiling. It was a clear, satisfied smile she had never seen before, radiating an unexpected approval. "It was not bad." It was high praise. Deculein was pleased with his staff. Unaware of this, Epherene stared at his face, then fully copsed, wondering if that had been a form of recognition. Her friends rushed to carry her unconscious body off the arena. "Next." "Um, Professor, the arena is damaged," Relin began to say, his voice filled with concern. "Shouldn''t we take a short break¡ª" Deculein restored the arena. Using Telekinesis, he raised the earth, and with Ductility and Reformation, he created new tiles, making the arena cleaner than before. Although it wasn¡¯t a difficult spell, the speed and elegance of its execution were impressive, showcasing magic befitting a noble. "Next, Lucia." The ss continued without further issues. However, the duel between Deculein and Epherene reyed in the minds of the mages. They now saw Epherene in a new light and gained a deeper understanding of Deculein''s true prowess, the Head Professor who had once stopped a train with Telekinesis. The difference in their skills was like night and day; the gap between them was immense. This stark contrast left asting impression on everyone present, highlighting the extraordinary abilities of their professor. *** The following Monday marked the first day of midterms. "... Hmm, so this is how it works?" "... Yes, that''s correct. You''ve got it." After finishing her first exam, Epherene woke up from a nap in the club room, stirred by the sound of conversation. Still sprawled on the sofa, she lifted her head slightly, trying to focus on the voices. "Ah, this was really confusing. Thank you so much for your help." "It''s no problem. Feel free to ask me anytime." It was Julia, apanied by a friendly-looking, handsome senior. Are they dating? Epherene wondered. She wiped the drool from her mouth with a Cleanse spell and slowly got up, feeling a bit disoriented from her nap. "Oh, Ephie, you''re awake? You know Ephie, right?" Julia asked, turning to the senior beside her. The senior turned to look at Epherene and said, "Of course, how could I not? She challenged Professor Deculein." It was Drent, a senior who had passed the promotion examst year and achieved the rank of Solda. Renowned for his good looks and abilities, and being the son of a famous mage, he was quite popr among themoner mages for hisck of discrimination based on status. "You''re that girl, right?" Drent asked. "Ah... yes." "Hey, Ephie, I was just asking Senior Drent for help with Deculein''s assignment. We have about five days left, don''t we?" "Huh? Yeah, about five days..." Epherene replied, scratching her head. She suddenly noticed her own pile of assignments on the desk and remembered falling asleep while working on them. She wondered if they had peeked at it, feeling a bit self-conscious. Noticing her nce, Drent smiled and said, "I didn''t read it. That would be rude, wouldn¡¯t it?" "... Sorry? Oh, ha ha, ha ha... well, it¡¯s not really a big deal," Epherene said as she quickly put her assignments into her bag. She knew she shouldn''t be leaving them around. With only three to four hours of sleep each night for the past two weeks, she was feeling a bit out of sorts and forgetful. Drent chuckled and extended his hand, saying, "Epherene, would you like me to review yours as well?" "Sorry?" "Let me see it. I''ll review it for you." Epherene knew Drent''s reputation well. He was a well-rounded mage, having mastered six branches of magic equally. Despite knowing his reputation, Epherene smiled awkwardly, shaking her head and said, "No, it''s okay. I''m fine." "Hmm? No, really, it''s fine. I was just reviewing Julia''s assignment," Drent insisted. "No, no. I didn''t write it well enough to show anyone." Julia, feeling a bit ufortable watching the two, suddenly stood up and used the time as an excuse and said, "Oh! It''s almost 4 o''clock! We have another exam, so we need to go! Thanks, Drent!" "Huh? Oh... okay. See youter~" The two left the club room. As they walked down the hallway, Julia nudged Epherene, trying to gauge her reaction, and asked, "Don''t you think Senior Drent is handsome?" Epherene shook her head and said, "Not really." "Why not? What''s wrong with him?" "He seems like he''d be nice to any girl." "Oh, that''s true. Anyway, I heard Senior Drent will be attending the Thesis Colloquium this time." "The T-Col?" "Yes, that." A week after midterms, a Thesis Colloquium would take ce. Seniors who had been promoted from Debutant to Solda would present their magical theses and receive evaluations from the Mage Tower¡¯s professors. To remain as mages of the Mage Tower of the University, Epherene and Julia would also have to undergo this process someday. Epherene muttered, "That''s so cool. We still have at least a year left, right?" "Yes, at least. But Sylvia might be able to do it in half a year." "... How?" "She takes a lot of sses. I think she only has Sundays off. She''spletely obsessed with magic." At that moment, the Mage Tower¡¯s elevator arrived. They pressed the buttons for their respective exam floors, with Julia going to the 4th floor and Epherene to the 11th. Ding¡ª The elevator reached the 4th floor first, and Julia waved as she stepped out and said, "I''ll go now! Good luck on your exam, Ephie!" "Yeah. You too. Good luck." Yawning, Epherene heard the elevator ding open on the 6th floor. She was startled to see Sylvia standing there, expressionless. Sylvia stepped in without a word, her face unreadable. They stood side by side in silence until Epherene, feeling awkward, finally spoke to break the tension, "Did you, um, do well on your exam?" Sylvia simply nodded. There was nothing more to say. Feeling the awkwardness, Epherene began reading the names of the floors listed on the wall. 77th floor: Head Professor Deculein''s Office / Deculein¡¯s Laboratory. Ding¡ª The elevator dinged again as it reached the 10th floor. Epherene was about to wave goodbye when Sylvia stepped out and sharply said, "Next time, don''t mess with the professor. You were lucky not to die that day." Hernguid yet cold voice lingered in the elevator. Ding¡ª The elevator doors closed again, and Epherene stared at them in a daze and said, "... What''s her problem?" *** On the 77th floor, in Head Professor Deculein''sboratory, I analyzed a research paper. Having already submitted the exam questions, this was myst task at the Mage Tower. ¡°This should be...¡± The vague and distant outline of the thesis gradually became clearer. The idea behind the paper was excellent. Initially, the constant references to trees, fire, charcoal, pencils, and diamonds confused me, but after a long period of Comprehension, I realized the concept was rted to carbon. The potential of the carbon element was enormous, so if one seeded in establishing it, they could potentially found a new department of Carbonics or something simr. Of course, this didn¡¯t mean using the carbon element itself. Rather, it involved integrating the unique properties and nature of carbon, specifically its allotropes and nearly infinite bonding possibilities, to grant magic tremendous flexibility and potential. However, it would be difficult for me to master. To memorize and implement the magic created based on this thesis, one would need talent in almost all properties. Otherwise, the mana consumption would be severe. This distinction between Magic Development and Practical Acquisition was quitemon. In modern scientific terms, it was like the separation between a theoretical physicist and an experimental physicist. The same is true for the famous Linnel sect in this world. Linnel, a prominent figure in magic studies, was not as adept at wielding the destructive magic he invented as his disciples were. Despite his groundbreaking discoveries, his students often surpassed him in the practical application of his theories. "Although the insight was remarkable..." In a worldcking scientific knowledge, Epherene¡¯s father discovered that charcoal, pencils, and diamonds were actually the same element. He then conceived the idea of using their properties in magic. "Did he abandon the research in its early stages?" He hadn''t evenpleted half of the process. There were many mistakes and gaps, and much of it was based on intuition. Typically, a mage¡¯s thesis is about 70 to 80% intuition and 20 to 30% theory, which is usually sufficient for understanding the thesis and practicing the magic. Anyway, back to the main point, one mage came to mind who would suit this magic well. ¡°... Epherene.¡± The audacious mage from thest ss, the one who used a bracelet as a catalyst to master all four elements. As I pondered these matters, my curiosity about Epherene¡¯s father grew. I retrieved a pendant from the corner of myb drawer that held a picture of a young Epherene. The fact that her father¡¯s face was cut out of the photo seemed too strange to ept as merely a coincidence. I stared at the pendant for a long time before leaving theboratory. When I returned to my office, I pulled out a book, intending to read and recover my mana. Just as I was about to start, I felt a gaze pierce my consciousness and quickly turned around. It was a hawk, perched on the windowsill of the Mage Tower, staring at me. I stared back at it, curious. The hawk tilted its head, seemingly wondering what I was looking at. I tilted my head slightly in response, mirroring its confusion. p p¡ª whoosh¡ª The hawk, trembling as if it had been scolded, suddenly flew away. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s a hawk with an owner.¡± Its well-groomed feathers and oddly cute appearance suggested it had an owner. I drew the curtains over the window, shutting out the view and returning to my work. *** To the west of the Empire, in the coastal city of Lucan within Yukline territory, the Red Ga Adventure Team waited at the harbor. Lucan, famous for its clear and warm weather year-round, is a renowned resort destination in the Empire. Today, a child was arriving from the Archipgo. ¡°Is that the ship?¡± Ganesha asked, shading her eyes with her hand as she pointed to a ship in the distance. ¡°Yes, it is.¡± For the time being, only one girl was arriving. The child''s two rtives had stayed behind in the Archipgo. ¡°That ship is really slow.¡± ¡°Or maybe, Captain, you''re just impatient?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been picking arguments a lottely.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not an argument, just stating a fact.¡± While they bickered, the ship arrived, and atst, the child disembarked. As soon as Ganesha saw the adorable figure, she waved her hand and shook her hair, calling out, ¡°Here. Over here.¡± Seeing Ganesha''s red hair fluttering like wings, the child smiled brightly. ¡°Ganesha, long time no see.¡± They had met many children in the Archipgo, and three of them had exceptional talents. But among those three, this child was particrly dear to Ganesha¡¯s heart. All of the children were precious, but this one held a special ce in her heart, someone she worried about the most. ¡°Ria~ didn¡¯t you miss me? Ria was a mature child with ck hair and brown eyes. Wise beyond her years, she possessed immense talent and knew what needed to be done and how to do it. However, her extreme maturity meant she rarely acted like a child. This made her seem like a poor child in need of extra care, which only increased Ganesha''s concern and desire to look after her. ¡°I didn¡¯t miss you that mu¡ª ow!¡± Ganesha hugged Ria tightly. ¡°Ow, ow! This is child abuse, you know. God...¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± The sight of her chubby, steamed-bun-like face peeking out from Ganesha''s embrace was too adorable to resist. ¡°You know you¡¯re no longer legally considered a child in the Empire now that your birthday has passed~¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you can just¡ª Ow, it hurts! Let go, you silly!¡± Her maturity made her even more adorable. ¡°Let her go, Captain. She says it hurts,¡± Rohan suggested. ¡°Let go of me... Let go...¡± ¡°Oh, sorry,¡± Ganesha said, finally letting go of her hug. Ria red at her with feigned resentment and said, ¡°Seriously... What¡¯s wrong with you? You¡¯re so silly! I almost passed out!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Shall we go? I''ll buy you something tasty.¡± ¡°... What will you buy?¡± Watching this child grow and seeing how far she would go seemed like it would be a delightful hobby for Ganesha in the future. Chapter 38: Exam (3)

Chapter 38: Exam (3)

The Chairwoman of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University received intriguing news in her private office. It was a directive from Berhert, stating, among other things, that the matter concerning the Scarletborn would be postponed until the next meeting. If one were to gamble, most would bet millions on suppressing the Scarletborn. Yet, the result was surprising, especially because it was due to Deculein¡¯s vehement opposition. ¡°What could it be...¡± ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s quite curious.¡± In the Chairwoman¡¯s office, there were thirteen professors, including Relin and Ren. Professors usually visited the Chairwoman once a month, but Deculein had never attended these meetings. ¡°So, why are you all here today? Did you meet someone at the Mage Council?¡± the Chairwoman asked, addressing the group of professors. The professors merely smiled. Factions existed in the Magical Realm as well. There were many different sects of thought, and the professors were part of a regr gathering called the Mage Council. However, Deculein did not adhere to any sect, as the Yukline family itself was a dominant force in the Magical Realm. ¡°Miss Louina attended the Mage Council this time. I had a conversation with her and...¡± one professor said, mustering the courage to bring up the topic. The Chairwoman gave a wry smile at the mention. Louina had once been Deculein¡¯s contender for the position of Head Professor. However, due to an unexpected incident¡ªor perhaps Deculein¡¯s scheming¡ªLouina had voluntarily resigned and was now a Head Professor at a Mage Tower of the Kingdom University. The memory of their rivalry still lingered, adding tension to any mention of her name. ¡°Did she say she¡¯d be returning to the Empire?¡± ¡°Hahaha. Well, if her position is guaranteed, wouldn¡¯t shee back? If that happens, our Mage Tower would benefit greatly. Miss Louina¡¯s achievements in the kingdom have been outstanding, after all. ¡°On the other hand, Professor Deculein has been somewhat oddtely. Who would have thought he¡¯d defend the Scarletborn? I never expected such behavior from him at Berhert...¡± said a professor, his disapproval clear. The Chairwoman chuckled, waving her hand dismissively and said, ¡°I understand. If Louina is indeed returning, we can consider it! But for now, you should all leave. I have work to do today.¡± ¡°Yes, Chairwoman! We¡¯ll be going now!¡± the professors said, pleased with her response, left the office with bright faces. They were satisfied with the Chairwoman''s openness to considering Louina''s return. ¡°Hmmmmmmmm...¡± The Chairwoman, resting her chin on her hand, pulled out documents from the Mage Tower of the University. The exam period had flooded her with paperwork, particrly exam questions. She usually didn¡¯t enjoy sorting through exam questions... ¡°How did hee up with all these questions?¡± the Chairwoman asked, astonished by Deculein¡¯s exam. Solving the final problem left her deeply impressed. ¡°Even if webined all the other exams, they wouldn¡¯t match this one.¡± It wasn¡¯t an exaggeration¡ªthe quality of the questions was high enough to be used in the Solda promotion exam. However, the Chairwoman wasn¡¯t na?ve enough to believe that Deculein had crafted these questions himself. She suspected there was more to the story. ¡°Hmm... he hid it well this time... Who could it be...¡± the Chairwoman murmured to herself, then smiled. The quality was exceptional this time. ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s actually quite amusing.¡± I wonder if he¡¯d be unable to answer questions about his own exam and end up flustered. If Professor Deculein did that, it would be quite cute, the Chairwoman thought. ¡°I''ve got to try it next time! It''ll be fun messing with him!¡± *** Wednesday marked the day of the crucial five-credit lecture exam. This test was as significant asbining two or three other exams, so Epherene set out for the Mage Tower early in the morning. 30th Floor The exam was set to take ce on the 30th floor of the Mage Tower. The entire floor had been reserved exclusively for this important exam. Exam Waiting Room She grasped the doorknobbeled Waiting Room and opened it. ¡°Oh my,¡± Epherene eximed. It was only 8 a.m., yet over a hundred people were already gathered, chatting quietly. Their conversations halted as their eyes turned to Epherene. Because of recent events, she had earned the nickname Clueless Commoner, even though she wasn''t amoner. Epherene sat near Julia and the other club members. ¡°Did you just wake up, Ephie?¡± ¡°No. I didn¡¯t sleep at all.¡± She had lost count of how many cups of coffee she had consumed. But that was the nature of exams; thebination of caffeine and nerves made sleep impossible. Instead, she felt more alert than ever. ¡°Ephie, want to see my notes? I had an enlightenment yesterday and wrote it down,¡± Julia said with a yful smile. ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll show you mine too.¡± The two exchanged notes and studied together. As time passed, by 11 a.m., Assistant Professor Allen entered the room. ¡°Good morning. I¡¯m Assistant Professor Allen. We¡¯ll begin the midterm for Understanding Pure Element Magic without taking attendance,¡± Allen announced, reading from a paper he held. ¡°Before we begin, let me provide some information about the exam. First, there is no time limit for this exam,¡± Allen stated. The mages looked momentarily confused. Realizing his mistake, Allen tapped his mouth and corrected himself. ¡°Oh, I mean the exam periodsts until midnight next Sunday, the end of the exam week.¡± The mages were even more baffled. It''s Wednesday at 11 a.m., and the exam periodsts until midnight next Sunday? Are we really supposed to take one exam over ten days? As Epherene blinked, trying to process the information, Allen continued, ¡°Of course, you can take other exams during this period, eat outside, sleep at home, wash up, and relieve stress. However, you cannot take the exam papers outside of this room.¡± It sounded like a strange, yet fascinating, method of taking an exam. ¡°Additionally, each of you will have a private exam room. There will be one person per room, and you can sleep inside if you wish, though you must bring your own pillows and nkets. You can also bring food to eat inside, and you can refer to books or theses. This exam is an open book.¡± At that point, Epherene''s eyebrows twitched in confusion. An open-book exam? And itsts for ten days? How difficult is this supposed to be? Can they even bnce the difficulty? It seems like everyone will either get a zero or a perfect score. ¡°Given this, the professor has said,¡± Allen cleared his throat and mimicked Deculein¡¯s voice, ¡°If anyone scores a perfect mark, I will write them a letter of rmendation as the Head Professor of¡ª¡± At the mention of a letter of rmendation, all the mages'' eyes widened. Deculein¡¯s rmendation was immensely valuable, given his effective rank as third, with Monarch being the fourth rank and Archmage the first out of the eleven ranks in total. To exaggerate slightly, it almost guaranteed passing the Solda promotion exam if one made it to the interview stage. The mages, forgetting their doubts about the exam method, were filled with determination. While Sylvia was an overwhelming favorite, the letter of rmendation was not limited to one person but to anyone with a perfect score. Thus, there was a real chance for the underdogs to shine. ¡°Now, I¡¯ll assign exam rooms to each of you. Please stand up and follow me from the front row.¡± The first fifteen people in the front row stood up. This process was repeated ten times, assigning Sylvia to Room 23, while Epherene and her club members were assigned to Rooms 73 to 78. ¡°... Do well, Ephie. Good luck!¡± ¡°Thanks, you all too.¡± The ample time helped to ease their nerves as they exchanged words of encouragement, calming each other. Allen called out loudly, ¡°Alright, everyone, please enter your rooms!¡± Epherene took a deep breath and stepped inside. The exam room was slightlyrger than a single dormitory room, furnished with only a desk, a chair, and a clock. A thick exam papery on the desk. She sat down and began to read the first question. 1. Calcte the circuit of the following spell. It was a purely theoretical question. Epherene took out her pencil and simultaneously released mana from her fingers, calcting with the pencil while forming the circuit with mana¡ªa method thatbined intuition with theory. ¡°... Whew.¡± An hourter, she had the answer. She infused the answer sheet with the required mana and turned the page to continue with the next question. 2. Infer the core circuit of the following spell and describe the flow of mana. The second question was also theoretical and slightly more difficult, but she managed to solve it after three to four hours of intense thought. However, the real challenge began with the next question. 3. The following circuit is part of a specific magic. Use the conditions below to infer the form and manifest the magic onto the exam paper. Epherene pondered over the problem. Initially, it seemed manageable. However, no matter how much time she invested, the solution eluded her, always tantalizingly close but just out of reach. ¡°I''m sleepy,¡± Epherene said. Finally, she set down her pen andy on the floor. ¡°... Yawn.¡± She closed her eyes for a moment, intending only to rest briefly on the hard floor. When she realized, an entire day had passed. *** On the fourth day of the Understanding Pure Element Magic exam, the Mage Tower was still bustling with activity. It was Saturday, and the knight cadets who had gone for practical exams had returned, while most regr students were wrapping up their exams. The Mage Tower was bustling with energy, attracting attention from not only university mages but also those from the external Mage Tower of the Kingdom, media personnel, knight cadets, and students. The reason was Deculein¡¯s marathon exam, which could be taken over nearly two weeks. Other professors had tried simr concepts before, but they were usually rejected by the Chairwoman. This time, however, the Chairwoman actively supported it, resulting in significant media coverage. ¡°Yes, the exam is still ongoing on the 30th floor!¡± the Chairwoman said as she stepped up for an interview. ¡°How difficult is the exam?¡± ¡°It is challenging! Even when I solved it, I found it would be very rewarding for the students. The mages will understand this as they work through it. It¡¯s definitely solvable!¡± ¡°Will you release the exam questions afterward?¡± ¡°I¡¯d have to ask Professor Deculein about that! But I think even the Floating Ind would want to buy them if they could!¡± The area around the Mage Tower was bustling with people. Students and knight cadets were rxing after their exams. With the uing festival and Educational Retreat in two weeks, the entire campus was open. ¡°Excuse me, could we have an interview¡ª¡± ¡°Are you a Debutant? Just a moment, please. Can we have a word¡ª¡± Journalists approached anyone who looked like a mage for interviews. Most declined, but Epherene agreed in exchange for four cups of coffee and three pieces of bread. ¡°So, no one has given up on the exam yet?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so.¡± ¡°What do you think is the reason for that?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m not sure,¡± Epherene said, sipping her coffee without answering directly. In reality, she knew why no one had given up on the exam. It was an extension of the ss. Just like Deculein¡¯s seemingly unkind yet deeply instructive lectures, it was designed to help them grow independently. It reviewed everything they had learned, encouraged them to apply it, and discover new methods on their own. ¡°But isn¡¯t there a risk of mages working together on their answers?¡± Epherene nearly spat out her coffee at the naive question. She chuckled, shaking her head and said, ¡°No, that¡¯s not likely. Mages are highly individualistic. Besides, it would be obvious. Magic and mana have characteristics, like fingerprints.¡± ¡°Ah, I understand...¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s been ten minutes, hasn¡¯t it? I¡¯ll be going now.¡± The agreed interview time was ten minutes. Epherene packed up her remaining three cups of coffee and two pieces of bread, then stood up. *** Early Monday morning, Sylvia awoke in the exam room and used a heating spell to warm her food. ¡°Nom nom,¡± Sylvia mumbled as she ate her breakfast while looking over her exam paper. 7. Given that the magic containing the core circuit meets the following four conditions, deduce theplete spell and implement the magic. She manipted her mana ording to the conditions of question 7, deep in thought. ¡°Ugh...¡± She had struggled with question 7 all day yesterday, and today it still eluded her. Before she knew it, it was time for her other exam. Sylvia left the exam room and approached the assistant professor by the elevator. The assistant professor asked, ¡°Are you giving up or just stepping out for a while?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going out for another exam.¡± ¡°Alright, Miss Sylvia~ See you soon.¡± Sylvia then went to Teo Hall, located outside the Mage Tower, to take her liberal arts exam. *** Sylvia finished her two-hour exam in just twenty minutes and headed back to her exam room. At the entrance of the Mage Tower, servants from her mansion handed her lunch and dinner boxes. ¡°Good luck, Lady Sylvia! You can solve them all!¡± ¡°Future Archmage, you can do it!¡± Their encouragement felt oddly burdensome to Sylvia as she returned to the Mage Tower. She hadn¡¯t felt this pressure even during the entrance exam. The possibility of failing to solve the question gnawed at her, bing an increasingly persistent worry in the back of her mind. "There''s no need to rush," Sylvia reminded herself, recalling a professor''s advice. Sylvia - Room 23 Sylvia¡¯s exam room had turned into aplete living space. She used her magic and magic stones to create a bed and brought in her nkets, pillows, and numerous reference books and theses. She ate, slept, and solved problems in this capsule-like environment. Sitting at her desk, she tackled problem 7 again. One hour passed. Then two. Three hours. Four hours... As time passed, Sylvia poured intense effort into solving the questions. This was not solely due to the exam''s difficulty. While the problems were indeed challenging, if they had been merely difficult, Sylvia would haveined to her father about the worthless questions from a worthless professor, demanding they be solved over ten days. But this exam was different. Each question presented new possibilities and directions, leading to unexpected transformations. It emphasized application and utilization, fostering an appreciation for the flexible thinking embedded in the problems. Especially from question 6 onward, where the difficulty spiked, it felt like an intensive training regime for a mage. Sylvia believed that solving all these problems would elevate her status as a mage. The letter of rmendation was a secondary concern. Nine hours passed. Then ten. Eleven hours... After spending eleven hours today and eighteen hours yesterday, for a total of twenty-nine hours of struggle, Sylvia finally solved question seven. The circuit she had embedded manifested as magic. The pure magic took the form of a sphere, floating in the air, radiating light in all directions. It resembled a burning star, utilizing fire, earth, wind, and water. Sylvia was momentarily mesmerized by its beauty. But then she nced at the clock and sighed. It was already 8 p.m., time for another exam. She quickly brushed her hair and left the Mage Tower, choosing a back route to avoid the crowd. Along the way, she ran into someone. ¡°Oh, Sylvia?¡± She ran into the arrogant Epherene. "... Are you heading to another exam?" Epherene asked, who was wearing a robe. Sylvia didn¡¯t answer and kept walking. Eventually, they both spoke at the same time. ¡°How many questions have you¡ª¡± Their words ovepped. Sylvia fell silent, and Epherene shrugged before speaking, ¡°... I¡¯m working on question 7.¡± Sylvia replied honestly, ¡°I¡¯m on question 8.¡± ¡°What? You¡¯ve already solved it?!¡± Epherene eximed, her eyes widening in surprise. ¡°Still working on it.¡± "... Ah. You¡¯re quick. I¡¯mpletely stuck on question 7." ¡°Okay.¡± Epherene scratched the back of her neck with a bitter smile. Sylvia passed by her without another word, but she felt a twist in her gut. If Epherene was already on question 7, she was progressing faster than expected. She¡¯s only one question behind me. Is Epherene lying, or have I slowed down? Sylvia wondered to herself. Sylvia felt inexplicably resentful. The issue had been time. The real exam had been Deculein''s, and it had been amazing. But she had lost too much time on those fake ones from her other sses. *** Meanwhile, after separating from Sylvia, Epherene headed to a coffee shop. During the exam period, she had likely spent nearly five hundred elne on coffee alone. She scanned the coffee shop¡¯s interior, looking for journalists. In her mind, the equation was well established¡ªJournalist = Interview = Free Coffee and Food. "... They aren''t here." Reluctantly, she bought coffee and bread with her own money. As soon as she sat down, Sylvia¡¯s words echoed in her mind. "She¡¯s already on question 8... and I¡¯ve been stuck on question 7 for two days now." These past two days felt like she was suffering from an illness. Epherene would get angry and dere she was going to quit, only to be overwhelmed with happiness whenever she found a hint for the problem. That happiness was iparable to anything else. ¡°... Sigh.¡± Epherene concentrated her mana into her fingertips. Grudgingly chewing on her bread and sipping her coffee, she continued to puzzle over question 7. She wondered what Deculein was doing at that moment. After setting such insanely difficult problems, the professor must be up to something. "I''ll solve it out of pure stubbornness..." Crunch, crunch, crunch¡ª Muttering to herself, Epherene left the coffee shop and headed straight for the Mage Tower. As she ran, she nced up at the sky. The stars were bright and shining. The dark sky, dotted with the moon and stars, looked like it was sprinkled with marshmallows... Epherene¡¯s eyes widened as the starlight filled her dted pupils. A realization surged up her spine and into her mind. She sprinted back to her exam room and began to channel her mana. ¡°It¡¯s working, it¡¯s working, this is it...¡± The night sky inspired her. She calcted the circuits under the conditions specified in the exam, identified the circuits, deduced the spells, and implemented the magic circle that would solve the problem... Hummmmm¡ª A resonant hum filled the room as her mana synchronized with the exam paper, causing a brilliant blue light to swirl and generate a circr wind. ¡°Did I... solve it?¡± Fire, wind, earth, and water¡ªan Artificial Star created from the four element properties. The pure, radiant concentration of energy brought tears to Epherene¡¯s eyes. ¡°Wow... this is,¡± Epherene murmured, basking in the warmth of the light with her face in her hands. She sat there for a long while, a few tears slipping down her cheeks. After about thirty minutes, Epherene wiped her damp eyshes and turned to the next page. The moment she saw the final question, number 8, and the circuits and conditions filling half the page, she almost passed out. ¡°What the heck¡ª¡± Chapter 39: Exam (4)

Chapter 39: Exam (4)

After a week into the exam, mages began giving up one by one, revealing the disparity in skill levels. The lower-tier students struggled with questions 1 to 4, the middle-tier stalled at question 5, and the upper-tier split between those whopleted question 6 and those tackling question 7. The top tier further divided between those who had solved more than half of question 7 and those who had fullypleted it. No one mentioned question 8. However, experiencing this exam was a badge of honor for all participants, a privilege enjoyed by only 150 out of 300 new mages. Even senior mages and active professors asked about the exam. Today, at noon on Saturday, with all exams from the Mage Tower of the University concluded, Sylvia was deeply engrossed in question 8, oblivious to the passage of time. Her disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes contrasted starkly with her usual self, but she continued channeling her mana. She had spent nearly five days on question 8 alone, having already drawn over seven magic circles. Due to theplexity and variety of spells interacting in question 8, she meticulously deconstructed each spell linkage and transferred it onto her answer sheet. She had already created seven magic circles and wasn''t sure how many more remained. No wonder the answer sheets were sorge and numerous. As she worked on the eighth magic circle, Sylvia felt pain in her head and eyes. She quickly pinched her nose to stop a nosebleed, fearing it might ruin her answer sheet. She stepped out of the exam room to clear her head. Seeing her reflection in the window and the blood droplets on the floor, she felt wretched and exhausted. She needed a break. Sylvia performed a light Cleanse spell to refresh herself and noticed a familiar face dozing off in front of the elevator. ¡°Excuse me.¡± ¡°Oh, uh, yes, Miss Sylvia. Are you stepping out?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve noted it.¡± Sylvia took the elevator down and stepped outside the Mage Tower. The area was thankfully quiet. She walked to a nearby park and sat on a bench, looking at the garden in front of her. The university¡¯s garden was ordinary, with grass, flowers, and trees growing under the sun and sky, all nourished by them. Like question 8, the garden was a result of independent elementsing together. Perhaps Grand Magic was not so different from tending a garden. Her father once told her that even a thousand or ten thousand Solda-level mages couldn''t cast Grand Magic alone; it required thirty professor-level mages, and only an Archmage could do it solo. That¡¯s why, in the past sixty years, there had been only one Archmage, Demakan. Now over a hundred years old, he could likely solve question 8 with just a nce. Sylvia closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them, the sun had moved. Pondering this mysterious phenomenon with her magical insight, Sylvia quickly realized she had fallen asleep and stood up, surprised. She rushed back to the Mage Tower and checked the clock. It was 4 p.m. She had thirty-one hours and fifty-nine minutes left until the deadline at midnight on Sunday. Sylvia sat down, furiously scribbling with her magic pen. The exam question contained a dozen or so spells interlocked like gears. She carefully disassembled and analyzed each one, transforming them into magic circles without knowing what they would be, her focus unwavering. Tick-tock, tick-tock¡ª The clock seemed to move twice as fast. Throughout, Sylvia¡¯s mana, almost ten thousand mana points, continuously flowed into the answer sheets. Finally... ¡°... Eleven.¡± Sylvia had finished a total of eleven answer sheets. She spread them out on the floor, carefully checking their order and structure. One by one, the magic circles engraved on the paper fit together perfectly. Taking a deep breath, she infused the spell with her mana, the result of 150 hours of effort. The magic circles on the answer sheets resonated deeply with her soul. Hummmmm¡ª A powerful resonance shook her heart. In that instant, 80% of her mana was drained, and the exam room transformed. An unfamiliarndscape filled the space, with the magic extending beyond the walls and ceiling, separating the room from the outside world. ¡ª On the ground, cypress trees and wheat fields swayed together, while the sky was filled with swirling winds and bright starlight. A quaint vige with a drawbridge, hills with vegetable gardens, and spinning windmills created a picturesque scene. In the distance, the beauty of sunflowers added to the charm. This space, crafted by Deculein, was a tribute to the young mage who had solved all eleven spells. To Sylvia, it felt like a painting bursting with vibrant colors, a glowing oil painting full of warmth. It was a piece of art that deeply resonated with her soul. "Sylvia," a voice came from somewhere, as gentle as the wind. Sylvia opened her eyes wide and looked around. In the middle of the magical, painterly scene stood Deculein, perfectly dressed in his usual suit, looking almost magical. He looked at Sylvia and said, ¡°Congrattions.¡± Kim Woo-Jin''s soul harbored a deep passion for art. Despite being swept up by the trends and realities of the world, he never let go of his dream, thanks to her support. Though hisck of talent kept him from reaching his goals, his memories merged with Deculein''s Aesthetic Sense. With the artistic talent he had always dreamed of, he started recreating the masterpieces from his time in another world. He brought the art of his homnd to life through magical illusions, such as The Starry Night, Road with Cypress and Star, Sunflowers, and the Vegetable Gardens in Montmartre. The original artist of these works, Vincent van Gogh, was a man who suffered endless pain and sorrow, never appreciated during his life. He was an outsider who created pure beauty from his suffering. The paintings he left behind were stunning and powerful, filled with intense emotion. Sylvia closed her eyes, but the scene remained vivid, as if it had been seared into her mind. Every part of it was magic, with each color representing an element. The unfamiliar fields felt alive, and standing in the center of this vibrant painting, she felt her soul tremble. This tremor spread, turning into a deep resonance. At that moment... "Thank you," Deculein said, his words surprising and confusing Sylvia. Sylvia turned to him, puzzled by his gratitude, but she could see the sincerity in Deculein''s eyes. "... You did well." Deculein couldn''t recreate this scene with his own magic due to ack of mana, but he had always wanted to see it with his own eyes. For this, he was grateful to Sylvia. She might not fully understand, but she nodded as if she did. Sylvia turned back to the magicalndscape, immersing herself in the wind, the scents, the colors, the movement, and the light. She suddenly felt warmth on her cheek¡ªa single tear she hadn''t shed since her mother''s passing. Wiping it away, Sylvia turned around to find that Deculein was already gone. She had wanted to thank him. *** Knock knock¡ª After knocking, Allen opened the exam room door. The room was filled with the strong smell of coffee, and Epherene was sitting inside. The ce was typically messy, with answer sheets scattered all over the floor, each marked with numerous magic circles. She had reached a simr stage to Sylvia but had ultimately failed. ¡°Debutant Epherene, time is up.¡± Startled, Epherene looked up at Allen, scratching her head with a bitter smile and asked, ¡°Ah... is it really?¡± ¡°So close,¡± Allen said, smiling back at her. Epherene hesitated, looking both embarrassed and regretful, then asked, ¡°Assistant Professor, about the exam questions...¡± "Oh, sure. You can keep them. Professor Deculein said we should send them with safeguarding magic on a new exam paper. You''ll just need to provide a drop of blood." Of the four who made it to question 7, only twosted all eleven days. Epherene was one of them, so she earned her reward. ¡°Phew... thank you,¡± Epherene said with a sigh of relief, standing up to draw her blood for the lock. Then she gathered her writing tools and belongings and left the exam room. Allen escorted her to the Mage Tower elevator. As they walked, he said, ¡°Epherene, you¡¯ve done a great job.¡± ¡°... Assistant Professor Allen, thank you so much. And thank you for the exam papers,¡± Epherene said, bowing deeply, her backpack slipping off her shoulders and then back up again. ¡°Hehe. No problem,¡± Allen said, chuckling as the elevator approached the 30th floor. ¡°The exam papers will arrive in three days. Review them whenever you want and keep practicing. I¡¯ll also include ten of your magic answer sheets.¡± ¡°Ah, thank you so much...¡± ¡°But don¡¯t get too obsessed with it.¡± Ding¡ª Just then, the elevator arrived. ¡°Even if you can''t figure it out now, you¡¯ll get it eventually. Don¡¯t stress too much if you can¡¯t solve something every day. Just take it one week at a time,¡± Allen said, sounding unsure of his own advice. Epherene smiled and nodded, understanding well enough and said confidently, ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll work on it every week and eventually solve it.¡± ¡°... Alright,¡± Allen said, watching her with a hint of envy. ¡°Take care,¡± Epherene said, waving until the elevator doors closed. Ding¡ª! However, as soon as the doors shut, her smile disappeared. Blood oozed from her gums; she had been clenching her teeth all day, almost to the point of losing them. ¡°... Hah.¡± She slumped into the corner of the elevator, her shoulders trembling. Frustrated, she punched the wall. Ding¡ª! ¡°Ahhh!¡± She thought she had broken the elevator, but the door simply opened. Despite it being almost midnight, numerous mages boarded from the 25th floor. They were all at least Solda grade, working under professors¡ªor rather, ves. Ding¡ª! The elevator stopped again on the 21st floor. Ding¡ª! Again on the 19th floor. Ding¡ª! And again on the 12th floor. Ding¡ª! Once again, it stopped at the 5th floor. The elevator was now crammed with about thirty mages. "Wow, when are we ever going to get some sleep?" ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t push, I¡¯m stuck in the corner...¡± ¡°Seriously, grading these assignments is killing me.¡± ¡°Ouch... don¡¯t push...¡± ¡°Once we¡¯re done, people will startining about the grades.¡± ¡°Help me...¡± ¡°Yeah, and if we eptints, the professor will lose it over his reputation...¡± Ding¡ª Epherene was nearly squashed by the crowd as they reached the first floor. ¡°... Oh god.¡± Stumbling out, she felt dizzy and nearly fainted as she left the Mage Tower. She walked aimlessly until her legs gave out at the Mage Tower''s entrance. Unable to take another step, she stood still. ¡°Hey, there¡¯s Ephie!¡± Beyond the door, her club members, who she had joined on a whim, were waiting for her. At that moment, Epherene couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. Her cheeks puffed up like steamed buns, and the dam of emotions she had barely held back finally burst. ¡°Ephie, don¡¯t cry. Come on, let¡¯s go eat. We¡¯ve got Roahawk Boar at the restaurant.¡± ¡°Roahawk...¡± Her friends came over, and soon she was walking with them, part of the group again. "But no food for you if you keep crying." "... I''m not crying. Who said I was crying?" *** The once-brilliant Imperial Pce was now shrouded in darkness. The vassals wore ck-and-white garments, and the gates of the pce were firmly closed. In the vast hall, where only the Emperor could tread the central carpet, the Empire''s guardian knights, ministers, and officials knelt in silence. Emperor Crebaim sat on his throne, his form obscured by a veil. He wished to die while still seated. The hall was steeped in silence, his breaths no longer audible. The vassals and knights struggled to hold back their tears, stifled sobs barely contained. The Emperor would not survive the day, and per his will, his body would be ced in a simple wooden coffin. For the next three days, the pce gates would stay closed. After nine days, the session ceremony would take ce, gathering the heirs and heads of the captive kingdoms and noble families. With the Emperor''s death imminent, the first in line for the throne, Sophien Aekater Augus von Jaegus Gifrein, was deep in thought in her chambers. ¡°... Your Highness,¡± Keiron, Empress¡¯s Knight, said. Sophien turned her weary gaze toward him, her half-closed crimson eyes reflecting her fatigue and said, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you start calling me Your Majesty?¡± "The Emperor has not yet passed away," Keiron replied. ¡°Not quite. It¡¯s already been more than six months,¡± Sophien said with a faint smile. Keiron silently withdrew a set of documents from his coat, study materials for her review and said, "Here are this month''s tasks, Your Highness." "Just leave them there." "They are your tasks." "You always bring me such burdens. It''s rather annoying." "Please, give them a try. These problems have gained quite a reputation recently." As the assured sessor to the throne, Sophien was exceptionally talented in all fields. With a sword, she was destined for Valha. With books, she could be a sage. With magic, she could rival Archmages. Her only w was herziness. Though she was no longer young, she showed no passion for any specific area. Despite this, she had no weaknesses, was well-informed about current affairs, and had a keen ear. She never made hasty judgments, stayed detached from emotions, and was clear-cut in her decisions, never mixing personal feelings with duty. She possessed qualities that surpassed those of Emperor Crebaim in every way, truly embodying the essence of a ruler. "Hmm," Sophien muttered, ncing at the stack of documents Keiron had handed her. "I see it''s about magic." "Indeed, Your Highness," Keiron replied. Then Sophien noticed the author of the magicalption. "Deculein von Grahan-Yukline?" "Are you familiar with him?" "Of course. He supported the Scarletborn at Berhert, which greatly displeases me. Has he lost his mind? Why the sudden support for the Scarletborn?" "... He was never well-regarded," Keiron replied with a wry smile. Sophien silently tossed the documents aside. "Nevertheless, you should read it." "Why?" "It was auctioned on the Floating Ind for 30,000 elne." "Why?" "It''s a limited edition, but the Imperial Sir Geor suggested you would benefit from reading it¡ª" "Why?" "... Whether you choose to read it or not is up to you." "Why?" Sophien asked,ughing quietly. "I¡¯ll read itter. But why not give it to Kreto?" "Prince Kreto has already taken part in the auction himself." "Naturally. He insists on handling everything on his own." Kreto, second in line for the throne and Sophien''s younger brother, was a Lumiere-ranked mage with a deep passion for magic. "By the way, Keiron, what do you think I should do with the Scarletborn when I be Empress?" Keiron stayed silent. Sophien twisted her lips, saying, "You always say knights shouldn¡¯t involve themselves in politics." "Knight keeps their words few, if I recall correctly." "It''s the same thing. They only stay quiet about political matters. If that weren¡¯t the case, they should be silent all the time. Yet, when a de is at their throat, they suddenly be eloquent. Not one of them refrains from speaking." Keiron looked at Sophien. To others, her eyes might seem to hold an innate majesty and gravitas, but to Keiron, who had been with her since she was thirteen, they just looked dull and lifeless. Boom¡ª A drum echoed through the hall. Keiron pressed his lip together and said, ¡°Your Highness, the time for your departure has arrived." "Indeed," Sophien replied as she stood up. She walked with the dignity and grace of her royal lineage, a natural elegance she had possessed since birth. Knight Keiron followed his sovereign with measured, disciplined steps. Chapter 40: Emperor (1)

Chapter 40: Emperor (1)

The Floating Ind of Mages is amunity that floats 1,500 meters above the ground, made entirely of magic and magitech. Known for its pioneering research, there''s a saying that "All magic on earth passes through the Floating Ind." However, it''s an independent district where the extreme individualism of mages is most evident. With few exceptions, only mages can enter the Floating Ind. Even then, those below the rank of Monarch must pay a hefty entrance fee of 1,000 elne. Most visitors to the ind gather around the central core, known as Megiseon. Simply put, Megiseon is an ark containing a vast amount of magic and knowledge, enough to rebuild the continent in a century if it were destroyed. The creators of the Floating Ind have a fanatical tendency to document and collect all magic, and Megiseon is the most positive manifestation of this trait. One of the greatest honors for mages is having a spell named after them inscribed in the uppermost echelon of Megiseon. Currently, an auction is underway in the VIP Academic Auction Room on the ground level of Megiseon. ¡°We will restart the auction at 36,000 elne, as 1,205 people have already bid 35,000 elne.¡± Since this is an auction on the Floating Ind, the items up for sale aren''t treasures but documents. Specifically, they are the midterm exam questions on Understanding Pure Element Magic, questions 1 through 8, from the Mage Tower of the Empire. "... We will resume the auction at 37,000 elne." A total of 10,000 mages, including remote participants, are involved in this auction. However, auctions among mages are extremely quiet. There is no chatter or shouting, only the faint sound of pens writing. ¡°Alright. With exactly 1,000 bidders at 40,000 elne, the final bid is 40,000 elne.¡± The Pure Element exam questions crafted by Deculein drew significant interest from the mages on the Floating Ind. Their quality, difficulty, and the promised artistic reward for solving all eight questions made them highly desirable. This type of item wouldn''t sell anywhere else but on the Floating Ind. "The 1,000 winning bidders will receive their exam papers after providing a blood sample." The blood sample ensures that only the buyer can ess the exam papers, providing basic but strict security. This fundamental system of magical rights is rigorously enforced within the magemunity, even in the illegal magic den known as the Ashes. The protection period varies from one month to fifteen years, depending on the grade of the magic. Naturally, higher-level magic and records have longer protection periods. Deculein''s exam received a high rating and was given a protection period of three years, which is exceptionally long for a university midterm exam. "The auction is now officially closed." The auction concluded quietly. Kreto, second in line for the throne, stayed until the end. He stood up, satisfied, to review the list of sessful bidders. ¡°Ah, I see some familiar names of Addicts. Is this that popr?¡± Kreto asked his knight, Fassbender. As an imperial escort knight, Fassbender could enter the Floating Ind despite not being a mage. ¡°Yes, it seems so. There were also remarks from Madam Adrienne...¡± The Chairwoman of the Ethereal-rank praised the final question, highlighting Deculein''s reputation as a Genius of Spell Interpretation. The fact that the eighth question was considered a work of art only added to its appeal. "Additionally, Addict Rohas, who reviewed it in advance, offered high praise for the exam''s potential value." Addicts are individuals who live on the tenth floor or higher of Megiseon, literally addicted to magic and numbers. They assess the value of magic and records, track and manage the achievements of mages globally, and oversee the crucial promotion exams. "Really? That sounds interesting," Kreto said with a grin as he moved to the auction room. He provided the required blood sample for the exam papers without the usual royal reluctance. "But will I be able to solve this?" "Of course, Your Highness. Your magical talent is exceptional." ¡°But it¡¯s a midterm exam paper. I didn¡¯t study Pure Elements under Deculein.¡± ¡°It will be fine, Your Highness.¡± ¡°Only one out of 150 achieved a perfect score... Well, it doesn''t matter whether I can solve it or not.¡± Whatever the oue, a new challenge was always wee to Kreto. No matter how difficult it might be, as long as it was fun to solve, that was enough. If it brought new magical insights, even better. ¡°I''ll give it a try. Fassbender, get the answer sheets ready.¡± "Right now, Your Highness?" Fassbender hesitated briefly. Kreto smirked, nodded and said, ¡°I understand the situation, but it doesn¡¯t matter. It''s tradition. I saw Fatherst month, so a letter will suffice. I need to do this.¡± At that moment, the exam papers were ready. Kreto took the thick stack of documents and breathed in their scent. ¡°... Ah, the smell of magic paper is always so pleasant.¡± Just then, a tall man appeared in the hallway. Seeing him approach Kreto, Fassbender instinctively stepped forward. It was Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. His well-fitted suit revealed an athletic physique that rivaled most knights. Deculein addressed Kreto, ¡°While the questions may not be perfect, it is an honor that Your Highness has personally purchased them. I trust you will find them challenging, and I hope this experience proves beneficial for you.¡± His sudden disy of etiquette was impable, showing deep respect without lowering himself and exuding a full measure of dignity. Known for his stern demeanor, Deculein seemed almost deferential to someone of noble blood like Kreto. Momentarily flustered, Kreto shook his head and said, ¡°Th-there are no titles here on the Floating Ind.¡± ¡°They do not apply to the royal family,¡± Deculein replied with a faint smile. Kreto nced at Fassbender and asked, "Is that so?" ¡°Yes, Your Highness, that agreement was made about eight years ago,¡± Fassbender confirmed. ¡°Ah, I see,¡± Kreto said, clearing his throat and then continued with pride, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to solve it.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Deculein replied with a respectful nod before taking his leave. As Kreto watched Deculein walk away, he muttered, "He seems better than the rumors suggest." ¡°... Your Highness, I advise caution regarding appearances,¡± Knight Fassbender said, choosing his words carefully, aware of the history between Yulie and Deculein. *** Afterpleting the auction and getting back to the Mage Tower, I sat in my office and reviewed the deposited funds. [40,000,000?] It was a muchrger sum than expected¡ªforty million elne. Yeriel''s advice to limit supply and create a naming premium had proven more lucrative than flooding the market. Notably, there are no taxes or fees on Floating Ind auctions. Truly, the Wealthy Magnate does not lie. However, it''s too early to celebrate. I picked up the newspaper lying on one side of my office. Today¡¯s emergency bulletin from The Journal, the Empire''srgest news agency, contained only one line on a single page. The 18th Emperor, Crebaim Bedeo Yudra von Eggers Gifrein, has passed away. This was a major turning point. In three days, the pce gates would open, and I would likely visit the pce. Nine days after that, the session ceremony would take ce. Following that, numerous significant changes were set to ur. Key figures had to be kept alive, specific locations had to be secured, variousws would be revised, and both minor and major events would unfold. While Yeriel could handle the locations andws, the most crucial person to save was... Maho, a kingdom¡¯s princess with an independent storyline equivalent to a main quest. Though she was currently staying in the capital under the guise of studying abroad, her death event would trigger immediately upon the Emperor''s ascension. I knew this well from my time testing the game as a knight. I did not want her to die. Beyond my personal attachment from using a keyboard and mouse, and the fact that I had designed and modeled her character, she was a fundamentally good figure who would be a great ally. I was also curious. Wondering if the princess¡¯s Escort Knights, like Charlotte, who performed escort duties in the game, would be the same in reality or not. Knock, knock¡ª There was a knock at the door. Using Telekinesis, I opened it to find Allen standing there, just as I had expected. "Professor, you have a lecture invitation!" Allen said, looking unusually excited. I wondered why he was so worked up over a lecture until I noticed it was for the Floating Ind. "A lecture on the Floating Ind?" ¡°Yes, y-yes, sir! They requested you to give a lecture on the exam questions in about a week!¡± The fee for his lecture was one million elne, about one billion won. While this was smallpared to forty million, Allen¡¯s red face showed that being invited to lecture on the Floating Ind was a great honor for a mage. It was a significant achievement. [Event Quest: Lecture on the Floating Ind] ¡ô Mana Point +30 My heart pounded because of Deculein¡¯s temperament, and the system was even pushing me toward it. These Event Quests asionally reward stat points. The type of reward usually varies by location. The Floating Ind rewards magic power, the knights order rewards a mix of stamina and magic power, and adventurer groups typically reward stamina. ¡°Let them know I¡¯m considering it favorably.¡± It¡¯s only thirty points, but it¡¯s better than nothing. "Yes, sir!" Allen responded enthusiastically. *** After the Emperor''s passing, many changes had urred. Executions were halted, a temporary prohibition was enacted, and all schools were closed. Festivals and parties were postponed, and even underground activities like gambling dens and thief guilds went silent. The Empire was eerily quiet. In a deste annex of the Imperial Pce, Princess Maho''s escort knight, Charlotte, was deeply troubled. "Char~ why do you look so worried?" Maho asked. A beautiful girl with jade-colored hair, who had been enjoying tea on the balcony, had returned and was now smiling at Charlotte. "... Princess." "There''s no need to worry. I understand the situation. If my eldest brother loses, his vassals will try to use me. If my second brother loses, his vassals will do the same." Maho''s lineage was unique. She was second in line for the Principality and third for the throne of the Leoc Kingdom. When she first came to the Empire to study, she was fifth, but internal conflicts had naturally moved her up. "Instead, they might choose to kill me and settle things between themselves. I¡¯m aware of that too~" In contrast to the smooth session in the Empire, the Leoc Kingdom was mired in violent conflict. Maho had volunteered for what was essentially a hostage situation disguised as studying abroad to escape the chaos. The safest ce for her was the Empire. However, with the Emperor''s death, foreign royalty could no longer stay in the Empire. Even Sophien did not favor this superficial hostage system. Therefore, Maho had to return to her homnd after attending the session ceremony. "A reply from the Principality has arrived," Charlotte said. Maho¡¯s homnd was a death trap. She would be killed as soon as she returned to the Leoc Kingdom, so Charlotte nned to send her to the Principality instead. "Wow, really?! Really?! What did Grandfather say?" ¡°They said it¡¯s possible¡ª¡± "He allowed it?!" "Of course." But the journey would be fraught with dangers. Although they couldn''t bring an army into the Empire, assassins were likely to strike at the borders. "Then we can just think of it as a trip~ Great, great~" Maho said with a happy smile. Charlotte smiled bitterly at her joy and said, "I am making every effort to secure adequate protection, Princess. Knights, adventurers, and even mages from the Mage Tower." "Hmm? But we don¡¯t have much money, do we?" "That is not a concern, Princess." Although Maho had only three escort knights, they had saved funds for this very day. "Hmm..." Maho pondered before rummaging through a drawer and pulling out a cute little treasure chest. "I have some money too~ I saved my allowance, and I have a lot of jewels we could use¡ª" "No, that''s not necessary, Princess." "Why? Don¡¯t we need a lot of money to make this trip safe?" Maho was absolutely right. "Here, take it, Charlotte~" Maho said, handing over all her savings. Though it was a small amount, Charlotte epted it without a word and walked out. "Sob... sniff..." As soon as she left, tears began to fall. Charlotte walked down the hallway, wiping her eyes, and looked out the window. Summer greenery was spreading across thend. "Even in summer''s warmth, the kingdom remains frozen..." Charlotte left the annex and walked along the path outside the Imperial Pce, wondering aloud, "Which adventurer group should I choose?" Combining her and Maho''s savings amounted to about five million elne, enough to hire an adventurer group for protection. Although Charlotte mentioned the knights order and the Mage Tower to reassure the princess, she knew the knights wouldn¡¯t get involved in political matters, and the Mage Tower was a different story altogether. While pondering this, she spotted a familiar figure in the distance. It was Deculein von Grahan-Yukline, the head of Yukline. He hade to pay his respects to thete Emperor. Although the heads of noble families couldn''t get close to the Emperor''s coffin, the act ofing to pay respects was a gesture of loyalty. Even if they couldn''t see him, being turned away at the door was a way to show their devotion. "... Long time no see," Deculein called out first. Charlotte, who was about to walk past him, turned to face him with a slightly uneasy expression. Deculein, however, seemed genuinely pleased to see her. "You look just the same as ever." "... The same? Do you mean back in our university days?" "Ah yes, we do have that history as well," Deculein nodded, reminiscing about the old days. Charlotte smirked and said, "You haven''t changed either. I heard you caused quite a negativemotion recently with some tough exam questions." "That''s only partly true. It wasn''t negative at all; everything said was praise." "What?" "I made forty million elne from it." Charlotte''s eyes widened in surprise. Deculein continued calmly, "Are you going back to the Leoc Kingdom or the Principality of Yuren with the princess?" Charlotte¡¯s expression hardened, suspecting that Deculein was mocking the princess''s predicament. Gritting her teeth, she replied, "Don¡¯t make me speak harshly on such a somber day, especially after such a long time." "Take this," Deculein said, pulling a small crystal orb from his pocket. It was amunication device. He handed it over casually, thinking of their university connection, but Charlotte refused to take it. "... What¡¯s this about?" "A lifeline for a colleague heading down a dangerous path." "What?" Charlotte asked, naturally suspicious. Deculein looked at her indifferently and asked, "Charlotte, how close were we?" "We weren''t close enough for you to call me by my first name." "I bear a grudge against Leoc as well." That was all he said. He knew she wouldn''t understand if he imed to know the future, had seen her through a monitor, or had created her. In the game''s setting, Leoc was far from a good country. It was almost beyond redemption. "So, I¡¯m offering you this lifeline to defy them and assist you." "Get lost." Deculein¡¯s eyebrow twitched. He looked at her with restrained anger and let the crystal orb fall to the ground and asked,"Do you still have the luxury to be picky about allies? Or are you just refusing help and failing to protect your master?" The orb bounced and rolled across the floor. ¡°Do as you wish,¡± Deculein said, brushing past Charlotte. The princess¡¯s knight didn¡¯t bother looking back. She walked with dignity, but then stopped abruptly and looked at the crystal orb lying on the ground. *** That was how I got to know Charlotte. Whether she used the crystal orb or not, there were many ways to save her. The quest to escort Maho would begin after the session ceremony. So for now... ¡°Hoo, hoo, hoo,¡± Allen said, sitting next to me in the waiting room on the Floating Ind of Mages, visibly nervous. I found it absurd. He wasn''t even the one giving the lecture¡ªI was. ¡°Why are you the one who''s nervous?¡± ¡°S-sorry? Oh... I¡¯m sorry, I just...¡± Knock, knock¡ª The door opened, a robed mage entered and said, ¡°Professor Deculein, it''s time to prepare for your lecture.¡± "Of course," I said, adjusting my attire before standing up. Following the mage¡¯s guidance, I approached the lecture hall door on the second floor of Megiseon. A namete was attached. Deculein, Monarch Rank: Understanding Pure Element Magic (Exam Papers Required) ¡°I-I¡¯ll be waiting in the back. If anything goes wrong, a-anything at all, please call me,¡± Allen stuttered, his face flushed red. I nodded and opened the door, stepping onto the podium. The attendees numbered well over five hundred, but the crowd felt oddly familiar. Among them were many familiar faces¡ªRelin, several professors and assistant professors from the Mage Tower, and even some Debutants like Sylvia from the Mage Tower of the University. One face, however, stood out the most. The Chairwoman, wearing a conical wizard''s hat, looked straight at me with a disconcerting smile. ¡°Greetings,¡± I began, initiating my lecture without giving her another nce. Chapter 41: Emperor (2)

Chapter 41: Emperor (2)

¡°Greetings,¡± I began as I stepped onto the quiet podium. ¡°I¡¯m Deculein, Head Professor at the Mage Tower of the Imperial University and a Monarch-rank mage specializing in element magic.¡± As usual, I started my lecture with an introduction. ¡°Today, we¡¯ll discuss the Pure Elements Exam that was auctionedst week. We have exactly 120 minutes.¡± I had prepared the lecture content and structure a week in advance, but I knew there was a good chance it wouldn''t go as nned. The Chairwoman''s incessant chuckling from the start was already bothering me. ¡°Before we get into the questions, I¡¯ll briefly exin Pure Elements.¡± Although the lecture was designed as a series of problem-solving questions, I began with a summary of the content I had taught in previous Mage Tower sses. I gave a short lecture using Pure Elements like Flowing Fire, Thundercloud, and Will-o''-the-Wisp. "... However, these Pure Elements have no inherent purpose. Their function depends entirely on the mage''s intention. This distinction must be clear." Thinking about Pure Elements and Categories of Magic at the same time can be confusing. It¡¯s like trying to draw two pictures with both hands simultaneously. It¡¯s easier to draw one at a time, but separating the processes can be challenging. ¡°We will skip the first five questions and start with Question 6.¡± Question 6 appeared in midair. It involved implementing the magic Frost Mist, which harmonized three Pure Elements. However, since the main focus of the lecture was on Questions 7 and 8, I nned to briefly exin question 6 and then move on. ¡°I have a question!¡± Suddenly, someone raised their hand. It was the Chairwoman, as expected. ¡°Question! Question!¡± she called out, standing up abruptly, her voice high and clear. I paused, looking at her, and said, "Go ahead." ¡°Yes, Professor! You emphasized the distinction between Pure Elements and Categories of Magic, right?!¡± the Chairwoman said, projecting a spell in midair. ¡°Then, how would youbine this Question 6 magic for optimal destructive power?¡± I briefly examined her spell using Comprehension. Three seconds were enough. I added a core circuit to her magic circle, a straight line representing Explosionposed of twenty-eight strokes. "This should be enough to freeze and shatter your target." ¡°Oh? Ah... yes, I see... thank you,¡± she said, blinking as she sat down and retracted her mana. ¡°Now, let¡¯s move on to Question 7,¡± I said, projecting it into the air. 7. Given that the magic containing the core circuit meets the following four conditions, deduce theplete spell and implement the magic. The question involved the Artificial Star, which used all element forces¡ªwater, wind, earth, and fire. As I was exining, the Chairwoman stood up again and shouted, ¡°Professor! I have another question!¡± ¡°Question 7 has two core circuits, right? Wouldn''t having more than one make the magic moreplex and prone to errors?! In my opinion...¡± the Chairwoman said, projecting the magic circle for Question 7, which was different from mine. ¡°Wouldn''t it be simpler with just one core circuit like this? Why did you choose to use two, risking the circuits getting tangled?!¡± She probably already knew the answer herself. I stared nkly at the smirking Chairwoman for a moment, then nodded and said, ¡°Good question.¡± Then I recreated her spell using my mana and replied, ¡°However, if you use only one core circuit in this Artificial Star, the mana consumption will be extreme.¡± She quickly retorted, as if expecting my answer, ¡°But wouldn¡¯t the mana consumption be even higher with two core circuits? From what I know, one should suffice, so using two seems wasteful!¡± The other mages seemed to agree with her; after all, it was the Chairwoman speaking. I responded calmly, ¡°Yes, generally speaking, you are correct. But this isn¡¯t always the case. It depends on the nature of the magic. The reason this Artificial Star has two core circuits is to utilize both the caster¡¯s mana and the magic¡¯s own energy.¡± Her expression stiffened slightly as I went on. ¡°This Artificial Star has unique properties. One core circuit handles cirction, and the other handles condensation.¡± Magic is naturally powered by mana, but with the right design, it can sustain its own energy. The Artificial Star uses this advanced technique. ¡°The four Pure Elements circte and condense within the Artificial Star, allowing it to sustain itself with minimal mana,¡± I added. ¡°In contrast, the spell you presented is not a star but merely a mass of mana.¡± The Chairwoman stayed silent, her once cheerful face now clouded. ¡°But...¡± I said, ncing at the clock. I had promised 120 minutes, and 110 had already passed. ¡°We¡¯ve spent too much time on questions, so we¡¯ll skip the exnation for Question 8.¡± Everyone looked at the Chairwoman, who simply pursed her lips and stayed silent. ¡°Finally, I''ll take a few more questions before we wrap up.¡± At that moment, a cold voice echoed from somewhere, ¡°Did you create Question 8 yourself?¡± The question was direct and usatory. I frowned and turned toward the voice. A mage in a robe was staring at me. ¡°Please introduce yourself,¡± I said. ¡°I am Louina, a mage.¡± Louina. The name sounded familiar. I had a vague idea of who she was. ¡°Please rify your question.¡± ¡°I mean exactly what I asked. Did you really create Question 8 yourself, or did someone else write it for you? I''m curious.¡± Louina was a mage who often opposed me and gave out quests. I had probably expelled her from the Mage Tower, forcing her into exile in the kingdom. As a named character, her grudge against me was intense and well-known. ¡°... Are you suggesting that someone else wrote the exam questions for Professor Deculein?! giarism?!¡± the Chairwoman shouted, standing up. An unusual murmur filled the lecture hall. Louinaughed while the Chairwoman continued, ¡°That¡¯s impossible! Professor Deculein would never do something like that!¡± I wished she would shut up. The mages silently conveyed the same with their eyes. Some seemed to agree, others were skeptical, and a few looked uncertain. I stood still, contemting, when a good idea came to me. ¡°No, that''s not right, is it, Professor Deculein?!¡± I chuckled softly and shook my head. ¡°Inspiration oftenes from outside oneself.¡± The room filled with a collective gasp. ¡°However,¡± I said, releasing my mana. Lines of energy began to form a form in midair. ¡°This entire creation is mine alone.¡± With my eyes closed, I first imagined the scene, then tranted it into a spell, arranging the appropriate Pure Elements like paint on a canvas. I projected the spell, a construct of my mind, into the outside world with my mana. This was the hallmark of Comprehension. Once something bes fully understood, it can be recreated with much less mana. Creating Question 8 had consumed over 10,000 mana, but now forming a simr magic circle required only 3,000. The intricate spell appeared in midair, and every mage in the hall watched it take shape. It came together smoothly, like sketching with a pen or pencil,pleting the sequence of ten connected magic circles. ¡°Since I created this on the spot, the solution will bepletely different from Question 8. I¡¯ll leave the answer to you. It¡¯s your homework for today.¡± Unable to fully manifest the magic with the mana I had left, I decided to leave it as homework. I finished and looked at Louina and said, ¡°Does that answer your question, Professor Louina?¡± But when I looked to where she had stood, she was gone. A wry smile spread across my lips. "That concludes today''s lecture." I gathered my document on the podium, straightened my sleeves, and nced at the Chairwoman, who looked disgruntled. Soon, a few young mages from the front row approached me, unusually for mages, to ask for autographs *** [Event Quest Completed] ¡ô Mana Point +30 After the lecture, I returned to my mansion and noticed another car in the driveway. It was Yeriel¡¯s. When I entered the main house, I found her in the dining room, eating. She was cutting into her steak when she looked up and asked, ¡°You gave a lecture at the Floating Ind, right? ... Sir?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I said, nodding. ¡°Was everything okay? The mages on the Floating Ind are on a different level than the novices at the Mage Tower.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± ¡°Oh,e on. Why do you always say I¡¯m worried about you? Do you really want to be fussed over? I honestly don¡¯t worry about you at all.¡± I naturally took a seat directly across from her. The servants hurried over to set my ce. Yeriel seemed surprised by my suddenpany but quickly changed the subject. ¡°... I heard you made forty million elne?¡± ¡°Yes. If you ever need cash, just let me know. I can lend you some.¡± ¡°Wait... lend it to me? You¡¯re willing to lend but not give? Just give me half already!¡± I silently cut my meat, thinking once again how the culinary standards of the mansion were impable. The ingredients were top-notch, and the chefs were paid generouslypared to those in other households. ¡°I¡¯ll just take ten million elne. Also, the Mage Tower wants to have the Debutant¡¯s Educational Retreat at Hadecaine,¡± Yeriel said, pulling a document from her handbag. Educational Retreat n for the Magic Studies Department, Mage Tower of the Imperial University Even mages have educational retreats. I don''t know if they drink and perform talent shows like students from Earth, but making Magic Fireworks in teams was apparently mandatory. ¡°... Hadecaine, huh,¡± I mused. Hadecaine was the capital of Yukline territory, a ce I had been meaning to visit. It housed both a local Mage Tower and a Knights Order. With its excellent climate, it was second only to the capital. The city had been modeled after the best parts of Los Angeles. ¡°What do you think, Yeriel?¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s great. Not all Debutants will stay at the Mage Tower of the University forever. They might like the city and join our Mage Tower,¡± she said proudly, watching my reaction carefully. I nodded and said, ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°Great,¡± Yeriel said, putting the document back in her handbag before picking up her knife again. Watching her closely, I said, ¡°When you use a knife¡ª¡± ¡°God, I¡¯m not eating here,¡± Yeriel interrupted, grabbing her te and escaping to her room, clearly annoyed that I was lecturing her even at the dining table. After she left, I finished my meal in peace and went up to my study. Sitting at my desk, I pulled out a sponsorship certificate from the Mage Tower. The beneficiary was Epherene Luna. While the test was my original creation, the inspiration hade from her father. The idea of painting with Pure Elements was his, so I decided to donate part of the forty million elne to Epherene and the Luna family. ¡°Juhale''s Luna.¡± I had gathered some information about the Luna family. They had a tragic history. Although the family name survived, their mansion was auctioned off ten years ago. Now, only Epherene and her grandparents remained. I wrote them a letter and enclosed 100,000 elne for their family. *** Today, I wore a neat, deep blue outfit. Even my staff matched in a clean,plementary shade. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Yeriel asked. I looked at her steadily before reaching out. She flinched, trying to step back. ¡°Wh-what is it?¡± ¡°Hold still.¡± ¡°... Ugh!¡± Yeriel eximed, closing her eyes tightly as my hand got closer. I straightened the wrinkles in her cor and sleeves, then used Telekinesis to remove any dust from her clothes. Looking pristine, Yeriel grumbled, ¡°... You¡¯re really obsessive, you know that?¡± ¡°Follow me,¡± I said as I headed outside. It was a clear, bright summer day. Roy waited by the car, and Yeriel and I got in. The session ceremony was set to take ce today at Gifrein za in the capital. ¡°Yeriel, take this,¡± I said, handing her a document sealed with sealing magic. She frowned and asked, ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s my prediction based on an analysis of the next Emperor¡¯s tendencies and other factors.¡± The document contained predictions based on important events I knew about, specifically those that could benefit us and reduce the story''s difficulty. ¡°Ha, what are you, some kind of prophet?¡± ¡°Just take it,¡± I said. Yeriel sighed, shaking her head as if she pitied me, but she epted the document. ¡°Make sure you read it.¡± ¡°... You really need to stop pretending to be a genius.¡± Prophecies are alwaysughable at first. But once they starting true, people open their eyes wide in surprise and wonder what¡¯s going on. ¡°Master, we can¡¯t go any further,¡± Roy said, pointing to the massive crowd blocking the road. We got out of the car. ¡°This way to the Yukline family¡¯s area,¡± an imperial knight said, guiding us. We walked through a reserved pathway and soon reached the za where the ceremony would take ce. A long, wide carpet stretched across the za, lined with hundreds of knights on both sides. At the end of the carpet was a high tform with the Emperor¡¯s throne at its peak. ¡°This way,¡± the royal guard said, directing us to a spot close to the throne. Nearby were several imperial families, including Maho, and named characters like Ihelm, Glitheon, Sylvia, Essensil, Bethan, Ragan, Zeit, and Josephine. Among them, I focused on one person¡ªYulie. She acknowledged me with a nod, looking quite tired, with dark circles under her eyes. I wanted to approach her, but it wasn¡¯t the right time for greetings. Boom¡ª! A drum sounded, signaling the start of the imperial session. Trumpets and traditional music followed. An imperial carriage appeared not far away, and the cheers of the citizens shook the heavens. The grand, ornate carriage stopped at the start of the carpet. As the cheers and music gradually subsided, the carriage door opened, and a slender leg stepped onto the ground first. It was Sophien Aekater Augus von Jaegus Gifrein. Her long, fiery red hair and sharp, regal features were striking, though her eyes lookednguid. She was destined to be an Empress. With an air of authority, Sophien walked the path only an Emperor could tread. As she walked, the crowd in the za knelt and bowed their heads. Finally, Sophien ascended the tform. Step by step, the throne drew nearer, and beside it stood her mother, the Empress Dowager. Sophien knelt before the throne. With tears in her eyes, the Empress dowager ced the golden crown on Sophien¡¯s head. Boom¡ª! Boom¡ª! Boom¡ª! The drum sounded repeatedly. Sophien became Empress and took her ce on the throne. From the seat of ultimate power, she surveyed the world. Despite her position, she seemed to be filled with ennui. I knew the reason for her ennui. I knew her origins. I knew her life. The character setting of the Empress was... She suddenly tilted her head and looked at me. I bowed immediately, our eye contactsting only a moment. Yet, I felt her piercing gaze. The Empress was still watching me... Chapter 42: Thesis Colloquium (1)

Chapter 42: Thesis Colloquium (1)

From Sophien''s perspective, the imperial session ceremony ended rather uneventfully. She had secretly hoped for a sudden attack¡ªperhaps a bombing or some grand magic¡ªbut nothing of the sort happened. Safely entering the Emperor''s inner chambers, she found them, contrary to her expectations of decay and disease, surprisingly clean and fragrant. Bored, she returned to her study and took out a chessboard. As she yed alone, various ministers and officials arrived with documents. Sophien ignored them, focusing on her chess game until they left. Finally, she said, ¡°I saw the one who gave me that homework. He acted like he knew me.¡± "How could anyone on this continent not know you, Your Majesty?" Keiron asked respectfully. Of course, no one in thend was unaware of Sophien, but her meaning went deeper. ¡°His ego didn¡¯t waver even in my presence.¡± ¡°Indeed?¡± Sophien had looked into Deculein¡¯s eyes but couldn''t discern his hidden emotions, which she found amusing. ¡°That was amusing. It felt like encountering a kindred spirit after a long time.¡± He possessed a strong and unwavering soul, someone who wouldn¡¯t flinch even with a de at his throat¡ªa truly transcendent being of the Mortal Realm. ¡°Did you manage to solve the homework, Your Majesty?¡± Keiron inquired, shifting the topic. ¡°Yes, I did. It was interesting. I understand why Geor gave it to me. Solving it made for a somewhat refreshing half-day,¡± Sophien said, briefly indulging in the conversation before stating, ¡°Keiron, I will lift the restrictions on Marik.¡± Keiron bowed silently. Marik was the name of the northwest imperial mana stone mining area, currently off-limits due to rampant demonic energy and frequent appearances of demons and demonic beasts. This restriction had been ordered by thete Emperor Crebaim. ¡°Initially, only adventurers or licensed Mage Tower mages and their escort knights will be allowed entry,¡± Sophien continued. ¡°There¡¯s no need for further discussion. I¡¯m tired of those damned bureaucrats.¡± ¡°There is a possibility that demons might awaken.¡± ¡°If entering a single mine could awaken demons, why have they remained dormant until now? And won''t demons and demonic beasts eventually be exhausted? Killing them will eventually purify the area.¡± Keiron remained silent. Still gazing at the chessboard, Sophien asked, ¡°What is Kreto up to?¡± ¡°... I have been informed that he is crying.¡± ¡°Crying?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty, he has just solved the same question as you. However, I am unaware of what he may have realized.¡± Sophien chuckled and said, ¡°That idiot... Ah, Keiron, you don¡¯t happen to know the answer to that question, do you?¡± ¡°No, Your Majesty.¡± Only then did Sophien look at Keiron, grin mischievously, and said, ¡°I¡¯m not going to tell you. But I will say this, it even surprised me a little. Aren¡¯t you curious?¡± ¡°... No, Your Majesty, I am not curious.¡± ¡°You say that, but I see your eyebrow twitching. My eyes do not deceive me. You are dying to know.¡± Keiron remained silent, and soon after, the atmosphere shifted abruptly. Sophien''s eyes narrowed as she spoke with a biting tone, ¡°Keiron, do not deceive me. Even you will not be forgiven for incurring my wrath.¡± The weight of the Empress¡¯s authority pressed down on him. Keiron bowed his head and said, ¡°... I apologize, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Enough. Let¡¯s y some chess. It is tedious alone. Even if I overwhelm my opponent, I need someone topete against.¡± *** Meanwhile, in the remote mountains of Hadecaine, Ganesha observed three children from the archipgo¡ªRia, Leo, and Carlos, who had arrived on the continent by ship three days earlier. ¡°Some people on this continent are born with a gift called Magical Talent. Most adventurers who obtain their licenses possess this talent.¡± As Ganesha exined, the children''s attitudes varied. Ria listened intently with wide eyes, Leo watched distant animals, and Carlos dozed off. ¡°For example, watch this,¡± Ganesha said, picking up a long, brittle branch to wake them up. ¡°Pay close attention.¡± She held the branch lightly and swung it. The seemingly fragile branch rose into the air, and its weak tip touched the ground with a thud, causing a thunderous explosion that shook the earth and sent dust flying. ¡°Wow!¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Leo and Carlos finally began to pay attention. ¡°What do you guys think?¡± A crater formed where the branch struck. ¡°That¡¯s amazing, Ganesha...¡± Ria murmured in awe. ¡°It may not seem impressive, but I can use a light branch like this as an extension of my body. It bes a true weapon. Right now, this branch and my fist have the same strength.¡± The harmony of Master of All Martial Arts and Invincible Body meant that any non-living object she held possessed the same strength as her body. ¡°But using these attributes isn''t enjoyable, so I usually fight barehanded. I still win most of the time. Anyway, mages call this Harmonic Magic, and knights call it Sword Qi, but I don¡¯t know anything about magic or swordsmanship.¡± ¡°Does that mean we can do it too?!¡± Leo asked excitedly. The cute boy with blue hair barely reached four feet and seven inches tall. Ganesha chuckled and said, ¡°That¡¯s exactly what we¡¯re going to discover now.¡± ¡°How, how?!¡± ¡°Quiet down. Why are you jumping around?¡± said Carlos, who was of simr stature, as he smacked Leo on the back of the head. ¡°Ow!¡± Leo cried, tears welling up as he red at Carlos. ¡°Be quiet! Why haven¡¯t you two changed even aftering to the continent?¡± Ganesha scolded them. Ria stepped in to separate the two. Leo, still fuming, sighed deeply. ¡°To identify your magical talent, you need to start with training... Actions speak louder than words. Follow me.¡± Ganesha walked into the mountains, seeming to disappear like a mirage, leaving only her footprints behind. The three children blinked before following her. Suddenly, a loud growl echoed¡ªit was Leo¡¯s stomach. ¡°... Ria, aren¡¯t you hungry too?¡± ¡°You¡¯re always hungry because you¡¯re dumb,¡± Carlos teased Leo. ¡°No, I¡¯m not!¡± ¡°Yes, you are.¡± ¡°... Both of you, stop the nonsense and keep up,¡± Ria said. ¡°Carlos started it. He hit me first,¡± Leo grumbled. ¡°You¡¯re always saying stupid things.¡± ¡°When?! When did I ever?!¡± ¡°Mimimimi~¡± ¡°Stop copying me!¡± ¡°Oh,e on!¡± Ria finally snapped, grabbing both of her younger cousins by their ears. ¡°If you keep fighting, there will be no snacks, no meals, nothing.¡± They fell silent but continued ring at each other, silently ming one another. Ria sighed deeply. I¡¯m not their babysitter. What is this mess? ¡°This is why I wanted toe alone,¡± Ria muttered, releasing the boys'' hands and chasing after Ganesha¡¯s trail. ¡°Ria, wait! I¡¯m sorry! Please wait!¡± ¡°Ria! Let¡¯s go together! Yuria!¡± Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the two boys quickly ran after Yuria. *** At the Yukline mansion, in the annex, I gripped a pull-up bar with one hand. With my other hand hovering in the air, I held my body bnced in a handstand for thirty minutes. Thud¡ª As soon as Inded, I began my second training session with Erng''s Martial Arts: Intermediate. I stepped and punched in rhythm, following Erng¡¯s manual with nimble, fluid movements. My steps were light, and my punches quick, without a hint of hesitation. After a lengthy, energetic session, I picked up a bo staff. Recently, I had been learning Bo Staff Martial Arts, though the idea of hitting someone with a bo staff repelled me. I hoped never to have to use it, but I knew desperate times mighte. After finishing my bo staff training, I checked the Snowflower Stone in the safe. [Comprehension : 4%] I had been steadily increasing my Comprehension, but it was still far from sufficient. After investing about 1,000 mana into the Snowflower Stone, I washed up. Knock, knock¡ª Just as it was time for work, Roy knocked on the door. I dressed quickly and stepped outside. "Roy." "Yes, sir." "I heard yesterday that one of the maids'' mothers is unwell." "... Yes, sir. It¡¯s Luri¡¯s mother." I overheard their conversation in the main house. Whether they meant for me to hear it or not, it reached my ears naturally. I wrote a check and handed it to Roy, saying, "Use this to take care of it. In the future, if simr situations arise, handle them yourself." I intended to provide at least basic welfare for my servants. Roy seemed surprised but epted the check with a nod. As he took it, he said, "Yes, sir. The car is waiting outside." "Well done," I said as I got into the car. Today¡¯s task at the Mage Tower was a thesis presentation. I reviewed the rted documents in the back seat. "Thesis presentation..." I figured I would just fill a seat, so I skimmed through the novel Sylvia had given me as a gift. Soon, we arrived at the Mage Tower. The entire university, including the Mage Tower, had been on break since the Emperor¡¯s death, so it had been a while since Ist went to work. "We¡¯ve arrived, sir." "Well done. You may rx now." "Yes, sir!" I stepped out of the car and entered the Mage Tower, heading directly to the professors'' elevator. The presentation was on the seventh floor. Ding¡ª As the doors opened, Relin, standing nearby, approached me with a chuckle and said, "Oh, haha. Head Professor, you¡¯re here." I acknowledged him with a nod, not particrly pleased. Relin had been showing signs of disloyalty, likely looking for a chance to switch allegiance to Louina. "Shall we proceed, Head Professor?" "Lead the way," I said, following Relin to the presentation hall. "Haha. Please, have a seat." The hall was divided into three sections¡ªthe professors'' seats, the podium for the presenting mage, and the audience. I sat in the professors'' section, my position as head professor granting me the most prominent seat. I felt no pressure. "Professor Relin, do you have today''s list of presenting mages?" "Ahaha, yes, here it is," Relin said, stillughing incessantly. I nced through the list Relin handed me and saw twenty-three names scheduled for today''s presentations. "Professor Relin, do you have their thesespiled separately?" "Ah, yes. Have you not reviewed them beforehand?" "There is no need. I canprehend them at this moment." I was not lying. I had eased up on my magic training today precisely for this reason. "Ha-hahaha, as expected of the G-Genius of Spell Interpretation, Professor Deculein... Hey, Lopen!" Relinughed, then called his assistant. "Here they are." I flipped through the stack of papers. None of the presenters were my students, so I nned to just concur with the other professors'' remarks. That was until one thesis caught my attention and made me frown. Solda Drent, The Variability of Element Magic Manifestations and Their Corrtion with Environmental Conditions Magic has a personality, so the same spell manifests differently depending on the caster. This phenomenon, known as a Magical Imprint, leaves a unique mark simr to a fingerprint. These traits appear not just in spell execution but also in written work, like the structure and style of a thesis. While these imprints are difficult to discern with the naked eye, my Comprehension attribute made it clear. This thesis bore more than a faint resemnce to an idea I had seen before. It was an idea I had evaluated as part of Epherene''s assignment. Though cleverly altered, the core concept was undeniably hers. I didn¡¯t know the circumstances, but it was clear Epherene¡¯s work had been stolen. Had I been the old Deculein, I wouldn¡¯t have noticed, and Epherene would have continued unaware or, worse, been wrongfully used of giarism. "Just like a mage..." Drent''s family was prestigious, and his rank as a mage was higher than hers, while Epherene had nothing. Aint from someone like her would be ignored. Drent probably exploited that gap. Still, it was time to investigate. "Drent, was it?" Using my Comprehension attribute, I carefully read the thesis. giarism was something the old Deculein might have overlooked, but I was different. Besides, the fact that it involved an assignment from my ss really irked me. "Let''s see what he does..." I starteding up with questions that only the original creator of the idea could answer. *** ¡ª Ladies and gentlemen, the Thesis Colloquium is about tomence. Please be seated. Epherene attended the Thesis Colloquium out of curiosity. She didn¡¯t have to be there, but she wanted to see how the process worked. Besides, Julia had insisted they go together. ¡°Wow, this ce is huge,¡± Julia said. ¡°It is,¡± Epherene replied. The hall was spacious and crowded. From the front row, Epherene spotted a head of yellow hair¡ªit was Sylvia. ¡°... She¡¯s here too,¡± Epherene murmured. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°There, look.¡± Sylvia sat quietly, engrossed in her studies. ¡°Ah, I see. She¡¯s studying even here,¡± Julia remarked. At that moment, Deculein appeared. He took his seat at the head of the table and epted a thesis from Professor Relin. Sylvia closed her book and looked toward him. Epherene tilted her head in curiosity. ¡ª May I have your attention, please? The first presentation will be given by third-year mage, Solda Drent. Drent was the first to present. Julia¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Epherene chuckled. ¡°... Is it really that exciting for you?¡± ¡°Huh? W-what do you mean? He¡¯s just a nice senior. I just hope it goes well for him, that¡¯s all.¡± Drent stepped onto the podium, wearing a crisp, neat robe. ¡°The manifestation of magic is generally consistent in ordinary situations. However, it changes under special natural conditions, such as altitude or water depth. My thesis explores how to maintain consistent magic across various environmental conditions...¡± After briefly introducing his thesis, he demonstrated his magic. ¡°... With a small adjustment, it¡¯s possible to manifest this Fireball even underwater or in oxygen-poor hignds. Currently, it¡¯s called Protective Fireball, but the name can be changed at any time.¡± Epherene tried to get a better look at the proceedings, but her seat was too far back, so she could only hear the voices. The atmosphere seemed positive. ¡°Drent, I heard you changed the topic of your thesis while writing it. There must have been a good reason. I was pleasantly surprised while reading it,¡± Professor Ren remarked, smiling softly in praise. Drent nodded, attempting to hide his smile, and said, ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± ¡°Have you decided which professor you will join?¡± another professor asked. ¡°Sorry? Hahaha. No, not yet, but it would be an honor to study under any of the professors.¡± ¡°Are you suggesting wepete for you? That¡¯s quite bold,¡± another professor joked, and the others chimed in with kind words. Julia pped enthusiastically, shaking Epherene¡¯s shoulder as she eximed, ¡°It looks like he did well!¡± ¡°Yeah, it seems so...¡± However, Epherene felt a strange unease. She couldn¡¯t be certain, but Drent¡¯s thesis topic sounded somewhat simr to her own assignment. It seemed too coincidental. ¡°Oh no, it¡¯s Deculein,¡± Julia said suddenly, her expression tense. Epherene focused her attention as well. The final speaker was Head Professor Deculein. He started by saying, ¡°Solda Drent.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± ¡°Is this thesis idea entirely your own?¡± Deculein asked bluntly. Without hesitation, Drent nodded and said, ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Deculein stared at Drent, his gaze as heavy and cold as ice. ¡°Let me ask again. Is this your original idea, developed without anyone else''s input?¡± ¡°Yes, sir! Absolutely!¡± Drent replied confidently, mistaking Deculein¡¯s question for praise. Nodding, Deculein continued, ¡°Do you seek my evaluation?¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± ¡°Good.¡± Epherene, a former student of Deculein, felt a chill run down her spine. However, Drent found it amusing and thought, No matter how much Deculein praises me, I''ll never work under him. I know he''s desperate with only one assistant and needs more, but there''s no way I''m bing his ve¡ª "Now, I will proceed with my questions," Deculein announced, holding the thesis aloft. "Drent, you have addressed the changes in element magic due to natural conditions and terrain, and you have proposed a method to maintain its consistency." He then cast a spell with his mana. The structure was unusual; the magic circle''s shape was closer to an ellipse, distorted by some natural condition. "Now, tell me, in what environment did this spell be so distorted? Exactly 13.7% of its structure is damaged." ¡°Sorry? Uh, well... that is¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s 13.7%. Can you infer anything from that figure?¡± Drent was at a loss. Deculein continued, ¡°If you are unsure, how would you manifest this distorted spell? Why don¡¯t you elucidate a general method.¡± Unable to answer, Drent felt overwhelmed by the barrage of questions. Deculein pressed on relentlessly. ¡°Since you appear uncertain, let us proceed to a simpler question. The Protective Fireball you just demonstrated¡ª¡± Deculein''s questions were precise and relentless, making it difficult for a mage who had giarized ideas to answer confidently. Chapter 43: Thesis Colloquium (2)

Chapter 43: Thesis Colloquium (2)

It was one week before midterms. While helping Julia with her assignment, Drent couldn¡¯t help but notice Epherene¡¯s paper on the desk in the club room. He had offered to help Julia in hopes of finding some inspiration, as he had been struggling with his thesis for a while during his slump. However, Julia¡¯s paper wasn¡¯t particrly useful. When she left for the bathroom, he seized the opportunity to look at Epherene¡¯s work. At that moment, he was struck by how impressive her ideas were. They seemed too brilliant to belong to a meremoner. Drent ultimately decided to use Epherene¡¯s concepts as his own inspiration. However... ¡°Since you appear uncertain, let us proceed to a simpler question. The Protective Fireball you just demonstrated¡ª¡± Deculein replicated the Protective Fireball that Drent had just cast. Even after seeing it only once, his Fireball was denser and more powerful. ¡°Can you truly assure that this spell will remain stable underwater, at any altitude, or deep underground?¡± ¡°Yes, yes, sir. I can,¡± Drent replied, regaining hisposure. I didn¡¯t have enough time to fully master the thesis, but I had a sufficient understanding¡ª ¡°How can you be so certain? Given the structure of this Protective Fireball spell as it is.¡± The spell structure that Drent had described in his thesis materialized in the air. Deculein pinpointed the core of the magic circle. ¡°Which circuit in this spell fulfills the role of protection? Exin in detail, using supporting evidence.¡± ¡°Uh... well...¡± Drent stammered, unable to find the right words. Deculein stared at him in silence, the tension in the room palpable. No matter how long he waited, Drent couldn¡¯t provide an answer. Finally, Deculein¡¯s cold voice broke the silence. ¡°I could ask hundreds of questions derived from this thesis,¡± Deculein said, his gaze filled with disdain and his mouth twisted in contempt. He continued in a withering tone, ¡°Yet you cannot answer even a few of them. Can you truly call this your thesis?¡± Drent gritted his teeth, anger boiling inside him. He was about to speak, but Deculein cut him off with a single sentence. ¡°Most importantly, I will overlook your gravest error.¡± Deculein held the thesis in one hand and continued, ¡°Attempt it once more, relying on your own abilities.¡± With a flourish, the thesis ignited. The thick document quickly turned to ash and scattered. A murmur spread through the audience, even Sylvia¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Drent couldn¡¯t say a word; he let out a hollowugh, too drained to respond. Deculein knew everything. He knew it all. Drent walked off the stage, leaving the hall in silence. ¡°No way. Who could answer after something like that?¡± Julia whispered furiously. Epherene felt the same, but something about the situation seemed odd. ¡ª W-we will now hear from the second mage The host stammered, clearly flustered. Twenty-two mages were still waiting for their turn in the Thesis Colloquium. ¡ª Please remain quiet. The second presentation will be delivered by fourth-year mage, Solda rank Malone. The next mage appeared, already pale and trembling. If he could, he would have dly dyed his turn. ¡°S¨CS-Solda Malone here... Th-the thesis I wrote is...¡± Mage Malone began exining his thesis. Once again, Deculein listened and then asked questions, pinpointing the core issues. ¡°Yes, sir. The reason I set that spell to maniption is...¡± Malone stuttered but managed to continue. Deculein nodded in satisfaction and said, ¡°That will suffice.¡± Having witnessed the previous thesis being burned, Malone felt relieved. He bowed deeply. ¡°Thank you, sir!¡± *** As soon as the thesis colloquium ended, I headed to my office. Knock, knock¡ª It was Allen. He walked in, clutching some documents with a bright smile on his face. ¡°Professor! I¡¯ve carefully selected these candidates.¡± ¡°Candidates?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. These are the mages who want to work under you.¡± ¡°... Just leave it on my desk and go.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Allen replied as he ced the documents on my desk and left. I nced through the papers and muttered, ¡°Chloen... Groahn...¡± There was no one exceptional, no named characters. They were all mages who wouldn¡¯t have remained in the Mage Tower of the University without my leadership. ¡°Do they expect me to use them asborers?¡± I muttered, tossing the list aside. At that moment, I felt a small vibration in my pocket. It was a crystal orb. I infused it with magic, and a voice came through. ¡°Are you there?¡± ¡°Speak up, my former colleague.¡± Charlotte was silent for a while, seemingly in deep thought. After a heavy sigh, her dry, cracked voice came through. ¡°I have to leave now. There¡¯s no time.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± I said, immediately pulling out a map. I had already determined the best route long ago. ¡°Can you adhere to my n?¡± ¡°What is your n?¡± ¡°You must cross the Crebas Canyon.¡± ¡°... Are you serious?¡± Crebas Canyon is a treacherous ce filled with demonic energy. It belongs to no nation and is an abandoned path. It¡¯s extremely perilous and notorious for being a ce of fear, but it¡¯s the only viable route for Charlotte. ¡°It¡¯s a shortcut to the Principality of Yuren. Since no one ims ownership, there is no risk of diplomatic disputes with Leoc.¡± ¡°I am aware. I have considered it, but¡ª¡± ¡°I shall guide you personally.¡± Crebas Canyon is only three to four hours away from Hadecaine by horseback. As the coordinator for the mage Educational Retreat, I could arrange the schedule to ensure a smooth journey without wasting time. ¡°You will guide us yourself?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°... I heard the forces of the Leoc Kingdom ambushed you in Berhert with a sudden attack.¡± I frowned. Was Leoc Kingdom behind the attack? How could Charlotte know something I did not? It appears my informationwork needs to be rebuilt and fortified. ¡°Was the sudden attack severe enough topel you to take personal action?¡± ¡°Charlotte.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I am deeply versed in politics. My intelligence and insight far surpass yours.¡± ¡°What? You arrogant¡ª¡± ¡°I want your princess to live and benefit my family and domain. This is a transaction, not a favor. Why are you involving personal feelings? Are you truly that foolish?¡± Charlotte¡¯s interrogative tone annoyed me. Still, it seemed to be the answer she needed, as she replied with more confidence, ¡°... Understood. If youplete this mission, the princess will grant you any favor.¡± ¡°Is the agreement finalized?¡± ¡°Shall we meet at the entrance to Crebas?¡± ¡°Correct. If you cannot reach it, you do not deserve to live.¡± ¡°Understood. I trust your skills are as impressive as your words.¡± The connection was cut off. I sat back in my chair and muttered to myself, ¡°... Is this my chance to test it?¡± Indeed, Crebas Canyon was a dangerous area. It¡¯s filled with demonic energy, almost like a dungeon, and demons appear frequently. However, the Yukline attribute in my bloodline grants me an advantage. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Yukline] ¡ô Grade: Bloodline ¡ô Description: A unique bloodline ability that grants power against demonic energy. When confronting demons or in areas with high concentrations of demonic energy, you can purify and harness the energy as your own. The purified energy¡¯s quality increases by one level. This ability also makes your personality more vtile. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ This bloodline attribute allows me to convert unrefined demonic energy into a power source. In ces like Crebas, where demonic energy is thick, my mana restrictions are lifted. Therefore, Crebas Canyon is like a home ground for the Yukline family. ¡°... I remember the route perfectly.¡± Thus, Crebas Canyon was undoubtedly the right choice. I had cleared it this way in the game. Charlotte must have also considered Crebas as an option. Knock, knock¡ª Then, there was a knock, followed by the door bursting open. To my surprise, it was Zeit. ¡°Professor Deculein!¡± ¡°... Sir Zeit, what brings you here?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner tonight!¡± Zeit suggested with a heartyugh. I nced at the clock. It was three in the afternoon, too early for dinner. ¡°Ah, I thought we should have a meal together at least once a month. I heard you haven¡¯t seen Yulie muchtely. We¡¯ll go ahead and prepare, so just bring Yulie along,¡± Zeit suggested, his gaze and tone carrying a hint of suspicion. He had the massive frame of a bear, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk''s. *** It was 6 p.m. Yulie was getting ready to leave her mansion. Tonight''s dinner had been insisted upon by Zeit, making it impossible for her to refuse. ¡°From now on, I will visit every month to oversee your progress,¡± Zeit had previously dered. Yulie sighed as she donned her light armor and cloak. She nced at herself in the mirror, noting the fatigue etched on her face. She hadn¡¯t rested for even an hour a daytely, juggling the investigation of the Veron incident and the overwhelming workload following the Emperor''s death. It had been over two weeks of such grueling days. She had shouldered all these burdens alone, refusing help from any investigators, thieves'' guilds, or adventurers. Knock, knock¡ª A servant''s voice came through the door. "Master, it is time!" Yulie nodded and stepped outside. She had nned to ride her horse, but a gleaming car approached from the other side of the mansion. Narrowing her eyes, she saw it was Deculein. As she walked closer, the window rolled down. ¡°Get in.¡± ¡°Did Zeit asked you to do this¡ª¡± ¡°He is suspicious of our rtionship. Get in.¡± Hesitating, Yulie nodded. After informing her servants that she would be back, she climbed into the car, which started immediately. The atmosphere inside was initially awkward. Yulie wondered if the promised month had already passed, while Deculein stared out the window. Deculein broke the long silence and asked, ¡°... Are you still investigating that incident?¡± Yulie remained silent. Deculein looked at her and continued, ¡°It would be wiser for you to desist. You should not overexert yourself¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Yulie interrupted firmly, clearly dismissing his concern. Deculein said nothing more. The luxury car moved quietly along the clean road, creating a peaceful andfortable atmosphere. ¡°Yulie, you are quite obstinate,¡± Deculein remarked, almost casually. She didn¡¯t respond, so he turned slightly to look at her. Yulie had fallen asleep, her back straight and her hands resting neatly on herp. Exhausted, she had drifted off without realizing it. Deculein chuckled softly and watched her. Her steady breathing was soothing. When a strand of hair fluttered toward her lips, he gently brushed it aside. Feeling yful, he pinched her soft cheek. Her face twitched slightly in response. Realizing he was being silly, Deculein took a book from his briefcase and started reading, though none of the words registered in his mind. After a while, he spoke to the driver, ¡°It will take approximately half a day to reach our destination.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Thanks to the driver''s skillful driving, the car circled the same road several times. It was already 8 p.m., and the agreed meeting time of 7 p.m. had long passed. Deculein alternated between reading his book and watching Yulie. He was surprised when he nced at the clock and saw it was already 9 p.m. Time seemed to pass in chunks. Finally, around 10 p.m., Yulie woke up. Yulie stirred, her eyes heavy with sleep. She nced around and, startled by the view outside the window, jumped in surprise. ¡°Are you awake?¡± ¡°Is it already nighttime...?¡± ¡°It is already quitete,¡± Deculein remarked as she looked out the window in surprise. As the car came to a stop, he took out a pocket watch. The driver stepped away, mentioning a problem with the vehicle. ¡°It is 10:30 p.m. Dinner must have concluded long ago. This is the first time I have missed an appointment.¡± ¡°Wh-why didn¡¯t you wake me...?¡± ¡°Avoiding an awkward dinner is more effective in dispelling suspicions about us.¡± Yulie pondered his words, then blushed. Deculein gazed at her steadily, his eyes serious. ¡°Yulie.¡± ¡°... Yes?¡± ¡°Upon reflection, it appears our contract now carries an implicit deadline.¡± Yulie''s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Zeit is suspicious, so we won¡¯t have more than a year. You must be a guardian knight within that year. You will be the youngest in the Empire¡¯s history, as you¡¯ll only be thirty then,¡± Deculein said as he reached out to smooth Yulie''s hair, which had be disheveled while she slept. She didn¡¯t resist his touch, sensing the sincerity in his voice. ¡°If you do not be a guardian knight within that time, you may have to marry for convenience. Therefore, do not remain idle. Do not act foolishly. I may change my mind and not let you go.¡± Yulie looked into his eyes, her questions unspoken. After a long pause, she finally asked, ¡°Why do you show such emotions toward me? There are many women more beautiful than I am, with hands not rough from wielding a sword, who are less frustrating and more open-minded. But why...¡± Deculein gazed silently out the window, moonlight reflecting in his blue eyes. ¡°... Yulie,¡± Deculein began, his lips almost forming a smile. ¡°I detest the notion of fate or destiny, yet sometimes, I feel there are things that cannot be altered.¡± He continued gazing at the moon. ¡°For me, that¡¯s you.¡± Yulie understood his meaning but was also puzzled. Deculein had never been like this before; something significant must have happened to cause such a change in him. ¡°... I see,¡± Yulie said, sighing deeply. Deculein spoke again, ¡°To prevent me from reverting to my old self, it is best for both of us if you keep your distance.¡± Deculein leaned forward. Startled, Yulie tensed, ready to defend herself. Click¡ª Deculein simply opened the door for her. ¡°Rest well tonight. Although we missed dinner, Zeit will be satisfied that we spent time together.¡± Yulie stared at Deculein, uncertain of what to say. ¡°Are you not getting out?¡± ¡°... Yes. Thank you. Goodbye,¡± Yulie said, finally nodding as she stepped out of the car. A gentle breeze blew. She didn¡¯t know how long she had slept, but the night was dark, and her heart felt calm. Her mansion was visible in the distance. Deculein¡¯s driver approached Yulie and asked politely, ¡°Has your conversation concluded, ma''am?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Yulie replied. ¡°Then, I bid you farewell, ma''am.¡± He got back into the car, which drove off. Yulie watched until it disappeared, then returned to her mansion. ¡°Oh, Master, you¡¯re back?!¡± the servants said, greeting her in the living room. Yulie treated her servants without formality. Smiling slightly, she said, ¡°I¡¯m hungry. Could you make me dinner?¡± ¡°Ah yes, right away!¡± the servants responded promptly, hurrying to prepare the food. It was the first time in two weeks she had requested a meal at the mansion, so they put their best effort into it. That night, Yulie enjoyed a delicious dinner and had a restful sleep, lying in bed without thinking about work for the first time in a while. As she drifted off to sleep, Deculein¡¯s words echoed in her mind. ¡°I detest the notion of fate or destiny, yet sometimes, I feel there are things that cannot be altered....¡± For some reason, she felt that she wouldn''t have nightmares tonight. *** ... On the way back in the car. ¡°Would you like me to drive around a bit longer?¡± the driver asked. I shook my head and then instructed, ¡°Return to the mansion.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± A sigh escaped me, followed by a faint chuckle. Today, I decided I needed to distance myself from Yulie. As time passed, I knew I woulde to love every aspect of her. Damn my personality. Damn Deculein. I knew the process of distancing myself would be difficult. Therefore, Yulie had to be a guardian knight. She needed to be the one to distance herself from me... ¡°We have arrived, sir.¡± ¡°Well done.¡± I got out of the car and walked through the garden toward the front door. A hawk perched on a shrub branch watched me closely. Chapter 44: Hadecaine (1)

Chapter 44: Hadecaine (1)

The Dotun Mountains stretched along the southern outskirts of the Empire. Within the dense forested slopes, Charlotte traveled with Maho. ¡°... Mana can be absorbed by anyone, but the quality and quantity of the mana umted within the body vary from person to person. Theoretically, the quality of mana is divided into ten grades. For example, an ordinary person is in the ninth or tenth grade, while someone slightly better would be in the eighth grade. ¡°From the seventh grade and above, one can aspire to be a knight or a mage. If someone reaches the sixth grade, they can be a mage professor or abat knight, depending on their background and efforts,¡± Charlotte exined earnestly, as the princess from the imperial pce was very curious. ¡°Aha~ I see! That¡¯s amazing, amazing! So, how do you measure these grades? Can I find out the quality of my mana too?¡± They had walked for two days and nights without rest, yet Maho remained energetic. Charlotte smiled slightly, appreciating her spirit. ¡°There is no precise way to measure these grades yet. They are usually determined by the intuition of skilled individuals, often throughbat. However, people in the fifth grade are extremely rare, and those in the fourth and third grades already hold significant positions on the continent.¡± ¡°Wow, wow. If the fourth and third grades are that high, what about the first grade?¡± ¡°The first grade is more of a theoretical concept. If it exists, it would be akin to a god. As for the second grade, from what I know, there are only four individuals. They include Drjekdan from Berhert, Gerfried the Imperial Guardian Knight, Demakan the Archmage, and Adrienne, the Chairwoman of the Mage Tower of the Empire.¡± ¡°Wow... I recognize all those names... What about Professor Deculein?!¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯d ce him around the fourth or fifth grade.¡± Initially, Deculein''s mana quality was in the sixth grade, but as Charlotte mentioned, he had now advanced to the fifth grade. ¡°In any case, please continue to persevere a bit longer.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± The princess followed diligently up the rugged mountain path. She appeared small and delicate like a doll, which had initially worried Charlotte. However, seeing her perseverance, Charlotte smiled proudly. ¡°We are nearing our first destination.¡± ¡°Yes, Charlotte. Let¡¯s maintain our effort!¡± As they continued walking, her subordinate knights, Ron and Gedeur, appeared somewhat uneasy. Ron whispered to Charlotte, making sure the princess couldn¡¯t hear. ¡°Boss, no matter what, trusting Deculein and choosing Crebas¡ª¡± ¡°It has already been decided. There is no other path. Moreover, they would not have expected us to take Crebas. We have not encountered any sudden attacks on our way here.¡± ¡°True, but¡ª¡± Whoosh¡ª A dagger flew from somewhere. Charlotte quickly grabbed the princess and released her Defensive Qi. Ron and Gedeur drew their swords and said, ¡°... Boss! Proceed ahead! We will follow after handling this situation!¡± Daggers flew from unseen attackers, but a volley of arrows intercepted them from the mountain peaks. These arrows came from the adventurers they had hired with all their savings to guard the princess from afar. ¡°I trust your words! You must all survive and return! That is an order!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Leaving the rear to them, Charlotte sprinted forward with Maho at full speed. *** Hadecaine, a city where rich hearts and vibrant culture coexist. Known for its mild climate year-round and its abundant entertainment and food, this capital city of Yukline territory had been chosen as the destination for the mage department''s Educational Retreat. ¡°Why is this station so confusing...¡± She had only taken a train once before, a one-way trip from Juhale in Iliade to the capital. ¡°Ephie, over here!¡± ¡°... Phew, I almost got lost.¡± Luckily, her club members found her first, and Epherene boarded the train with them. It seemed they had rented an entire car, as everyone inside was wearing robes. ¡°Wow, I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re actually going to Hadecaine for the Educational Retreat.¡± ¡°Right? I was nning to visit during the vacation,¡± Julia said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The other members looked equally enthusiastic. Epherene, unfamiliar with the continent¡¯s geography, asked, ¡°Is Hadecaine that great?¡± ¡°Of course. Haven¡¯t you ever been there, Ephie? Not only does the Mage Tower, but every department at the university begs to go there every year, yet the Thesis Arsonist always refuses.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Deculein¡¯s nickname was the Thesis Arsonist. After the colloquium incident, he had gained several fearsome titles, such as the Arson Executioner and Fire Demon, bing a terror to the mages in the Mage Tower. However, Drent had been expressing his gratitude toward him. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Anyway, Hadecaine is full of fun things to do. It''s a great ce.¡± "... Ah, so that''s why everyone was talking about going shopping there." "Exactly. I heard Hadecaine is full of handsome men and beautiful women." Indeed, within the Mage Tower, Deculein had no rivals in terms of looks. Across the entire university, only Lawein from the Knight Department couldpare. Epherene asked, "So, is Professor Deculeining too?" ¡°Yeah. I thought he wouldn¡¯t, but he is. The Thesis Arsonist is on this train...¡± Meanwhile, Deculein sat in the VIP car with professors from various departments. There was Relin from the Support Studies Department, Ren from the Spirit Studies Department, Siare from the Destruction Studies Department, Camel from the Ductility Studies Department, and many more. Normally, so many professors wouldn¡¯t attend a Debutant Educational Retreat, but given the destination, they had all quietly chosen to join. Each of them was cautious of Deculein. ¡°Everyone,¡± Deculein finally spoke. The professors perked up and listened attentively. ¡°I understand you all attended the Mage Council recently.¡± Only silence followed. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to respond?¡± ¡°Yes, well, yes. Hahaha... B-but we didn¡¯t discuss anything important.¡± ¡°It didn¡¯t seem like your discussion was insignificant.¡± Relin waved his hands dismissively, shaking his head. The other professorsughed nervously. ¡°Not at all. We only discussed the exceptional midterms conducted by you, Head Professor Deculein.¡± ¡°... Haha, yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°Absolutely.¡± Those were the responses from Relin, Ren, and Siare, respectively. However, despite their attempts at ttery, Deculein''s demeanor remained icy and intimidating. ¡°I canugh it off now,¡± Deculein said, his voice remaining as sharp and biting as a winter wind. ¡°But a time wille when you must make a choice.¡± Louina was softer and more skilledpared to Deculein. Her family and supporters were also notable, though they didn''t quite match the influence of the Yukline family. Understandably, the professors favored Louina. ¡°... The notion that you have a choice is aughable illusion,¡± Deculein continued, his gaze piercing the other professors like a de. ¡°Let me be clear. You won¡¯t even have the opportunity to choose.¡± Deculein''s words were chilling. The professors felt themselves shrink in their seats, nervously fidgeting with their fingers. Chuff, chuff¡ª With a screech, the train started moving. Deculein, leaving the professors in a state of frozen terror, returned to reading his book. *** The clearndscape of Hadecaine, coupled with its mild summer weather and the pleasant scent of the breeze, created an inviting atmosphere. The bustling streets were filled with smiling faces, making it seem like an ideal ce to live. The Educational Retreat was set at the luxurious Hadecaine Romance Hotel on the city''s outskirts. With a stream and forest nearby, it was the perfect location for our gathering. ¡°... Debutants will be assigned to rooms of four. If anyone prefers a private room, they may book one at their own expense. ss representatives, step forward,¡± I instructed, exining the rules in the hotel lobby before calling for the ss representatives. The representatives from the First and Second Departments of Magic hurried over. "From now on, it¡¯s up to you. There¡¯s a forest out back, but ensure you use supportive magic for any activities you undertake." "Yes, sir!" It didn¡¯t matter if they drank themselves silly or even passed out; that was the nature of an Educational Retreat. However, there must be no casualties. "First, settle into your rooms." As the Debutants chatted and headed to their rooms, I stepped outside the hotel. A car was waiting with Yeriel inside. ¡°Why don''t you make an appearance at our Mage Tower? Your reputation has been growingtely," Yeriel said as soon as I got into the car. "By the way, how did you manage to predict it?" "Predict what?" "The rumor about Marik''s opening is spreading rapidly," Yeriel said. "It was a thorough prediction, taking into ount the Emperor''s disposition and various factors." "... Well, whatever. You must also realize that opening Marik puts us at a disadvantage, right?" "No," I replied. The opening of Marik would ultimately be beneficial, but proper precautions were necessary. "I must have included the countermeasures." "I''d like to, but it costs too much money~ Someone spent two hundred million," Yeriel sighed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I will soon begin selling the antiques one by one. They will bring substantial profit, and I will return the two hundred million elne within the year," I replied. In this world, mana functions like turns in a TRPG. That''s why I don''t always focus on enhancing the Midas Touch attribute. If I use 4,000 mana on Midas Touch, I can''t practice other magic or memorize spells. However, now things are different. I need money more than ever. "And why haven¡¯t you given me ten million yet?" Yeriel grumbled, her lips curling downwards. "Hurry up and give it to me already." ¡°... Do you recall the relic appraiser¡¯s office we visited?¡± ¡°The ce where we sold the vase?¡± "I intend to acquire it." "Wait, what? Seriously? Ugh..." Yeriel''s voice quivered with disbelief, nearly shuddering at the thought. "Show some dignity." "No, you. You''re really testing my patience." We continued our conversation until we reached the Mage Tower. Upon stepping out of the car, I instinctively looked up. "... It appears the building has expanded significantly." There were only nine Mage Tower of the University across the entire continent, each required to have at least seventy floors. Even at a nce, Hadecaine''s Mage Tower of the Yukline Family seemed to surpass that. ¡°It¡¯s to be expected with our ongoing advancements,¡± Yeriel remarked. Yeriel and I entered the Mage Tower. Mages from the Mage Tower were waiting in the lobby. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you, sir. I am Degeric, the Master of the Mage Tower of the Yukline Family.¡± Degeric was a young man who had passed the test under my evaluation using the Wealthy Magnate attribute. "Greetings," I said, shaking his hand before surveying the Mage Tower. Although it wasn''t as advanced as the Mage Tower of the University, the facilities were impressive, reflecting their efforts to keep pace. "We also support the development of specialized magic. Among the local Mage Towers, only ours and Iliade¡¯s have such capabilities," Yeriel boasted. Specialized magic, known as Signature Magic, is distinguished from the other eight categories and is referred to as the ninth category. When an individual mage invents a spell, it is named after the mage. If the entire Mage Tower develops it, the spell bears the Mage Tower''s name. However, researching this specialized magic consumes enormous resources. While the conception or idea of a spell can be aplished with a mage¡¯s intellect alone, proving and experimenting with it requires a vast amount of magic stones. Every aspect must be tested with these stones, from determining which category it suits best to ensuring it doesn''t explode under certain conditions or cause unforeseen harm to the caster. "Yeriel." "Yes?" "That should suffice. Now, let¡¯s proceed to the stables. I require a horse." "Already? Well, it doesn¡¯t matter to me, but before that... Could you donate the midterm exams you wrote to the Mage Tower? On a free rental basis...?¡± Yeriel asked, her expression pleading and cute. "Ick the time for such matters. However, should any mage in this Mage Tower be engaged in a thesis or research, I will review it for them. Consider this my gift." "How is that a gift?" Yeriel asked innocently, her expression genuinely confused. I nced back at the mages who had been following us. They avoided my gaze, which irritated me. I singled out a young man who stood out due to my Wealthy Magnate attribute. He was small and cute, much like Allen. "What''s your name?" "S-sorry? M-my name is Panien, Second Mage." "Is there a thesis you are currently working on?" "Pardon? Yes, there is, but¡ª" "I will personally review your thesis. You should regard it as an honor." "Th-thank you, but I¡ª" Despite his reluctance, I pried it from his hands. When he looked like he might cry, I told him to hold back. *** I arrived at the pasture behind the Yukline mansion, where the horses grazed freely. Many fine steeds roamed the fields. ¡°Breeding horses used to be a major business, but with the advancement of automobiles, it has declined... It¡¯s a pity because our stallions are excellent,¡± Yeriel said with a softugh as she stroked a horse¡¯s mane. ¡°Continue your efforts. Horses possess advantages that automobiles do not.¡± With the right equipment, horses could still prove valuable in dungeons and mines. Their resurgence was imminent. ¡°They will. I enjoy raising them, and although it¡¯s not as profitable as before, it¡¯s still worthwhile,¡± Yeriel said, patting the horse¡¯s back and checking her watch. ¡°I have to get back to work now, so pick any horse you like.¡± ¡°Yeriel,¡± I said, stopping her just as she was about to leave. She looked at me, her face filled with curiosity. I pulled out a luxurious box from my pocket and said, ¡°A gift for you.¡± Inside were a pair of exquisite gloves. Yeriel blinked in surprise, her expression a blend of confusion and amusement as she epted the gift. "Is this some kind of barter? Ah, barter. Yes, it¡¯s a barter. The horse is much more valuable, but fine. Deal epted," Yeriel muttered to herself before hurrying into the lord¡¯s office with unusually brisk steps. I wandered through the pasture, searching for a suitable horse. It couldn¡¯t be too old or too young¡ªI needed one still growing but promising, something that would catch my Wealthy Magnate eyes. I spotted a chestnut horse with a shiny coat and a soft mane. Approaching, I mounted it. Despite never having ridden a horse before, it felt oddly familiar. This must have been the influence of my Personality Traits. Clip-clop, clip-clop¡ª As I rode the horse, bing more certain it was the right one, I prepared to use Midas Touch. While horses are living beings, Midas Touch uses my mana to unlock a target''s potential, whether animate or inanimate. Though it doesn¡¯t work on humans, horses are treated as items or pets in this world¡¯s system. I activated Midas Touch, and blue energy flowed from my fingertips into the horse. Neigh¡ª! The horse reared up violently, but I held on firmly, refusing to be thrown off. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Yukline''s Chestnut Horse*] ¡ô Information: A top-quality horse raised on the best feed, is inherently superior. Midas Touch has enhanced its overall physical abilities and unlocked its potential. ¡ô Category: Pet ? Mount ¡ô Pet Attributes: Speed Stamina *Name can be set. [Midas¡¯ Touch: Level 4] ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ "... As anticipated." It was clear this would work; anything else would have been surprising. Pleased, I named the horse Red Hare¡ªits red coat suited the name perfectly. Now, everything was ready. The operation was scheduled for 3 a.m. tomorrow. With ample time to spare, I decided to practice riding. ¡°Hyah!¡± I shouted, pulling the reins as I had seen in Korean historical dramas. The horse surged forward with incredible speed and power, nearly unseating me. I gripped the reins tightly, steadying myself against its powerful strides. Neigh¡ª! The horse''s strength truly lived up to the name Red Hare. Chapter 45: Hadecaine (2)

Chapter 45: Hadecaine (2)

Returning to the lord''s office, Yeriel retrieved her childhood diary. Ity in an old, dusty drawer, its pages filled with long-forgotten memories. Today, I didn''t get scolded at breakfast. Maybe that''s why my brother talked to me. It made me happy all day. At dinner, I dropped my knife. My brother gave me a disappointed look. It was my fault, and I felt really sad. I need to do better, even if he doesn''t scold me. I''ll try harder tomorrow. My brother hates it when I cry, but I couldn''t help it. Why can''t I stop myself from crying? "... Idiot," Yeriel muttered, unable to read any further. She closed the diary with a sigh, wondering why she had been so weak and foolish. As she nced at the gloves on her desk, avish gift from Deculein, another sigh escaped her. ¡°Present, my ass,¡± Yeriel muttered under her breath. She no longer remembered the days when she longed for Deculein¡¯s brotherly love. The child who trembled at his every word was gone. All that remained were painful memories she wished to forget. ¡°I won''t fall for it, you idiot,¡± Yeriel muttered as she grabbed the gloves, ready to throw them away. ¡°... Damn it.¡± Her arm wouldn''t move. It was the first gift she had ever received from him, as she had never even had a birthday celebration. Even if his words were empty, she ced the gloves back in the drawer. "I just won''t use them," she whispered to herself, nodding. *** It was 9 p.m., and many people had gathered in the forest behind Hotel Hadecaine Romance. They were there to watch magical fireworks on the first night of their three-day, two-night Educational Retreat. With loud cheers, sparkling magical streaks shot up into the sky. Bang, boom, Pop-pop-pop¡ª! The fireworks burst in the air, painting the night sky with beautiful colors. ¡°Wow...¡± ¡°So pretty...¡± Despite the darkness, the night was bright with joyful exmations. Among the crowd watching the fireworks were three children from the archipgo¡ªCarlos, Leo, and Yuria. ¡°As expected from Sylvia, it was impable.¡± The professors from the Department of Magic scored the fireworks of each team. Sylvia''s team received perfect marks from all seven professors. ¡°Ephie, are you ready?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Next was Epherene''s team''s turn. They had brought fireworks engraved with a pre-drawn spell. As the team leader, Epherene announced, ¡°We will present abination of destructive and harmonious magic¡ª¡± ¡°Launch them already,¡± the professorsmanded indifferently. ¡°... Okay,¡± Epherene, looking dejected, said, channeling her mana into her bracelet. The surging energy infused the fireworks, which then shot up vertically. Whiiiz¡ª! The magic soared into the sky with a resounding noise and then exploded. Bang¡ª! As Epherene had described, thebination of destructive and harmonious magic created a beautiful curtain of auroras. Though it could rival Sylvia''s team''s disy, the professors seemed unpleasant. ¡°It is beautiful, but excessively loud. It hurts my ears. I give it six points,¡± dered Professor Siare from the Department of Destruction Studies. ¡°Four points,¡± pronounced Professor Ren from the Department of Spirit Studies. ¡°But why?!¡± Julia eximed, her eyes wide with surprise, as they offered no exnation. The professors stared in silence, causing Julia to pout and step back. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Epherene said, trying to console her. They had somewhat anticipated this oue. The professors disliked the Common Magic Research Club, also known as CMRC. However... ¡°Ten points. The destructive and harmonious magic was bnced correctly.¡± It was an unexpected perfect score. The low, calm voice delivered a sinct evaluation... Deculein. Julia, shocked, asked, ¡°What?! Ten points?!¡± When Deculein nodded, the other professors began to look uneasy. Reluctantly, the next professor, Relin, also awarded a ten, followed by the rest. Only Siare and Ren, who had given six and four points respectively, broke out in a cold sweat, thinking this might be one of Deculein¡¯s new ways of messing with them. ¡°The results of the magical fireworkspetition are in! First ce goes to Sylvia¡¯s team with seventy points. Second ce goes to Epherene¡¯s team with sixty points. Third ce goes to Beck¡¯s team with fifty-eight points¡ª¡± Thanks to Deculein, Epherene¡¯s team secured second ce. While her teammatesughed happily, Epherene watched Deculein with mixed feelings. Without looking at anyone, he walked away. ¡°What was that, honestly?¡± ¡°Wow, this is ridiculous.¡± ¡°Guys, see? Deculein only favors her. He burned Drent''s thesis but gave her perfect scores.¡± ¡°Exactly. She wasn''t disciplined for that incident at the beginning of the semester because of Deculein. There are even rumors that he gives her private lessons.¡± ¡°What? What''s happening between them?¡± ¡°... No way. She''s pretty, but I doubt Deculein is into her type.¡± A group of noble-born mages whispered, their gossip anything but noble. Though Epherene was angry, she stayed silent. ¡°Ephie, look! We won second ce!¡± Julia eximed as she brought over the prize¡ªa bottle of whiskey. Epherene quickly grabbed the bottle, opened it, and took a swig. ¡°Whoa! Ephie, why did you do that?¡± ¡°Just a moment. I need to go somewhere.¡± Epherene handed the whiskey back to Julia and sprinted away. She remembered the direction Deculein had taken. There were countless questions she hadn¡¯t dared to ask, and her curiosity had been driving her mad. Tonight was merely the catalyst. ¡°Huff, huff, huff...¡± After running for about thirty minutes, Epherene finally found Deculein sitting on a bench by the dark roadside, with a horse beside him. Nervously swallowing, she approached and sat on the bench opposite him. ¡°... Professor.¡± Deculein remained silent. Epherene continued, ¡°I apologize for disturbing you, but I have questions about the Thesis Colloquium.¡± Finally, Deculein turned his head slightly and asked, ¡°Are you referring to Drent?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Epherene had felt something was off about the Thesis Colloquium. The Protective Fireball Drent had showcased its ritual. Her doubts grew stronger each day. ¡°The content of his thesis...¡± ¡°It was simr to your assignment. Almost identical. You are just realizing this now?¡± Deculein said dismissively. ¡°Umm...¡± Epherene''s mouth dropped open in surprise. Although she hadn¡¯t expected such certainty, part of her already knew. She lowered her gaze, sadness filling her face. The ignorant nobles believed Deculein favored her, mistaking it for affection. She questioned whether this could truly be called favoritism. If it was, she wondered why he favored her at all. ¡°... Why?¡± Epherene stared at the stones scattered on the ground as the western wind rustled her robe. Nearby, theughter of mages echoed. ¡°From the disciplinary action, the club, and this thesis...¡± There was one crucial question she had never asked. ¡°Is it because of my father? Is it out of guilt?¡± Epherene mustered the courage to ask as she looked up. Deculein, the professor she despised, stared back at her. His intense blue eyes made her tremble. ¡°Determine it yourself. Stop whining. You are not a child,¡± Deculein said coldly as he stood up. The tension left her body, quickly reced by anger. Epherene clenched her fists. ¡°... I will!¡± Epherene shouted, causing Deculein to turn. She didn¡¯t avoid his gaze; the fire in her heart still burned. ¡°I will join you and uncover the truth about why my father had to kill himself and why he had no other choice!¡± Deculein simply stared at her, his expression unchanged. ¡°You once said I was a gem,¡± she dered, her voice trembling. She might regret these wordster; it might be the outburst of a naive half-wit. ¡°You told me not to waste my talent.¡± Her eyes filled with tears, and her lips trembled, and shouted, ¡°So, I will surpass you! I will be greater than you in your presence!¡± Breathing heavily, Epherene wiped her tears with her robe. The cool night air began to calm her. Under the starlit sky, Deculein stood silently, his silence frightening her. She realized toote what she had done. But then he said... ¡°That is amendable mindset.¡± He did not attempt to crush her resolve. Nor did he belittle or mock her. ¡°Continue to challenge yourself.¡± He respected her, offering only these words, ¡°No matter what challenges you face, they will ultimately be your crown of achievement.¡± Deculein mounted his chestnut-colored horse. Epherene watched as he rode away, the horse quickly disappearing into the distance. ¡°... Fine,¡± Epherene said with a bitterugh, nodding in resignation. As you said, I will continue to challenge myself endlessly. So, you should remain at the highest ce, more noble than anyone else. When you reach the peak, where you can climb no higher, you must fall to me, and only to me. Until then, I will... ¡°Ow!¡± A dull pain shot through her shoulder. Looking down, she saw a stone lying on the ground. ¡°What the...?¡± Looking up, she saw a hawk ring at her from a tree. It seemed impossible, but the hawk appeared to have thrown the stone on purpose. It now had another stone in its w, which it hurled at her. ¡°What are you¡ª Ow! Stop it¡ª Ow! No, that bird¡ª¡± *** I arrived at the entrance of Crebas Canyon. The Red Hare performed so well that it only took an hour. ¡°There is no gas mask that fits you, so this is as far as you go today. Return to the stable ande back at noon.¡± I sent the Red Hare back. Whether it would follow mymand, I couldn¡¯t be sure, but its spirited neigh showed no sign of fatigue. ¡°... Could this be a potential death variable?¡± I stood still, recalling the recent events with Epherene. Her deration wasn¡¯t a death variable specifically, but it was unexpected. Epherene joining me as an assistant wasn¡¯t necessarily bad. However, it was unclear whether this would be a threat or an advantage. It was all too sudden, and I still didn¡¯t know exactly what Deculein had done to her father. It could have been a crime deserving the death penalty or something warranting a lighter punishment. I wanted to know, but for now, it was beyond my reach... [Independent Quest: Traverse] ¡ô Store Currency +4 ¡ô Additional Achievement Rewards At that moment, a system message appeared. In the distance, I saw Charlotte and her party approaching. Covered in dust, they breathed a sigh of relief when they saw me. However, only Maho, Charlotte, and Ron were present. The other member, Gedeur, was missing. ¡°Are there only three of you?¡± I inquired, addressing Charlotte. She didn¡¯t answer. It seemed Gedeur had died on the way, which was unfortunate. Just then, Maho peeked out from behind Charlotte. ¡°Hello, Professor Deculein~ You are the one assisting us, right? Charlotte has told us so much about you,¡± Maho said with a shy smile. Her chatter was both familiar and wee. Her face matched my design perfectly, and her personality was just as I had seen in the game. ¡°Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Deculein von Grahan Yukline, the Head Professor of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University.¡± ¡°Wow, Head Professor, that is truly impressive. Your magical skills must be extraordinary...¡± I smiled in response and turned to Charlotte, whose expression remained unpleasant. ¡°Here, take this. It¡¯s a note from the adventurer''s guild,¡± Charlotte said, handing me a piece of paper. Be aware: About thirty-seven assassins and a Diarnath are tracking you. I frowned at the mention of Diarnath, a wave of instinctive disgust washing over me and said, ¡°Has the Leoc Kingdom truly descended into such corruption?¡± ¡°... Indeed, it has.¡± Diarnath, a hybrid of ghost and demon, looked like a human, had human-level intelligence, and spoke like one. However, at its core, it was no different from a demon. What made Diarnath even more disgusting than a demon was that it was created through a pact. The dark mages of Ashes used Demon Summoning magic, which required blending an intact human body with demonic horns. Diarnath was difficult to defeat both physically and magically. ¡°... Will you be alright?¡± Charlotte asked. ¡°Certainly, I will be.¡± I had more than enough odds in my favor. Once inside the Crebas, my mana quality would upgrade to fourth grade, and my mana recovery rate would exceed consumption, amplifying the power and output of all my spells. Since Diarnath was a demon-type, I could tear it apart thoroughly. ¡°Princess Maho.¡± ¡°Yes? Yes, sir?¡± I ced my briefcase on the ground. When it opened, fifteen Wood Steel shurikens floated into the air. Maho¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. "These steels will protect you from now on." ¡°Wow...¡± Charlotte muttered as she pulled out gas masks, ¡°Perfect magic for protection. Do you need a mask? I have four.¡± ¡°There is no need,¡± I replied, shaking my head. *** The group entered Crebas Canyon. The entrance was much like any other mountain path¡ªnarrow and rugged, but otherwise unremarkable. ¡°Professor Deculein, you appear to be a truly kind person,¡± Maho said. ¡°Do you think so?¡± Charlotte was more surprised by Deculein''s unexpected demeanor than by the tranquility of the scene. ¡°Absolutely~ The other nobles in the Empire seemed to dislike me. They would ignore or ridicule me, which made me feel quite sad... But you are different.¡± ¡°Pay no mind to such people,¡± Deculein said, treating Maho with the utmost respect. His speech wasced with courtesy, and his actions were full of grace. ¡°The more ignoble someone is, the more they look down on others to elevate themselves.¡± ¡°Pardon? Oh... are you saying I am ignoble?¡± ¡°No. The clumsy nobles of the Empire are. Princess Maho, you are undoubtedly noble, but true nobility isn''t just about blood. You possess the qualities that befit your status.¡± ¡°Wow... I''ve never heard anyone say that for me before...¡± Feeling uneasy, Charlotte interjected, ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± She then whispered, ¡°At this rate, you¡¯re going to make her fall for you.¡± Deculein nodded and continued walking silently. His steps showed no hesitation as he guided them through the canyon, a path he had clearly traversed many times before. As they advanced deeper into the secluded canyon, the forest and vegetation took on a purple hue. The air stung, but the mining gas masks they had prepared made breathing manageable. Despite this, Deculein remained bare-faced, embodying the legendary Demon yer Yukline. At that moment, a monkey appeared out of nowhere. Ron quickly swung his sword, but a Wood Steel shuriken orbiting the group skewered the monkey first. ¡°Wow!¡± Maho eximed, her voice filled with awe. Deculein continued to watch the path ahead and said, ¡°This area is thoroughly protected, so there is no need for concern. We should reach the border of Yuren in approximately four hours.¡± Charlotte bit her lip in frustration, her voice tinged with impatience. ¡°Four hours is too long.¡± ¡°There is no alternative. If we run, we risk being poisoned by demonic energy.¡± ¡°What about Diarnath chasing us?¡± ¡°Do not worry. I shall eliminate it.¡± ¡°... You?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Charlotte shook her head, determined to sacrifice herself if necessary, and said, ¡°No. I will¡ª¡± ¡°Shut it,¡± Deculein''s voice changed abruptly. ¡°... What?¡± Whirrrrr¡ª! Suddenly, a swarm of bats appeared. Though there were hundreds, Deculein''s cherished item moved gracefully, piercing them all. The bats couldn''t even breach the protected area before being killed. ¡°That was remarkable! What kind of magic is this? Professor, could you¡ª¡± Maho said, clinging to Deculein''s back. ¡°Princess,¡± Deculein answered quietly. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Remain silent for a moment.¡± ¡°Oh, okay,¡± Maho said, startled. She mimed, zipping her lips, and mouthed, ¡°I am silent now. See?¡± Whistle¡ª A whistle echoed from nearby. Charlotte gripped her sword, sensing an approaching demonic presence that seemed to pierce their backs. Deculein halted, and Charlotte nced at him. ¡°... Hey.¡± His blue eyes gleamed with an eerie phosphorescence, and his face twisted in barely restrained anger. Charlotte felt a chill. Whoo, whoo¡ª The whistling grew closer, apanied by light footsteps and the unnatural rustling of branches. She hugged Maho and activated her Protective Defensive Qi. ¡°I caution you,¡± Deculein said with a calm but threatening tone. ¡°The moment youe closer, your limbs will be torn apart.¡± The group on the other side didn¡¯t retreat. Instead, they revealed themselves, mocking Deculein. In that instant, the Wood Steel tore through the air. The speed of the Telekinesis was too fast for human perception, transforming the area into a wastnd. The waves of force overturned the canyon, shattered bushes, and sent debris flying. The debris included blood, flesh, and organs, all mixed together. Chapter 46: Hadecaine (3)

Chapter 46: Hadecaine (3)

Charlotte watched as the assassins were ground to pieces. Deculein¡¯s Steel spun dozens of times per second, turning the area into a scene of carnage as blood and flesh scattered. She quickly covered Maho¡¯s eyes with her hands. When Maho tried to peek around them, Charlotte held her firmly, blocking her viewpletely. ¡°W-why are you doing this?¡± Maho objected, her voice trembling. ¡°You mustn¡¯t look, Princess,¡± Charlotte insisted firmly. The situation remained dire. A dozen or so assassins had escaped the range of the attack, and the most dangerous threat, Diarnath, had yet to reveal itself. Charlotte gripped her sword, the mere act causing her right shoulder to throb with pain. It was an injury she had hidden from the princess, a wound bound by a curse. ¡°Charlotte,¡± Deculein called, gripping his staff and keeping his eyes on the enemies. ¡°Take the princess and leave. I will follow shortly. If we dy here, the princess will be in grave danger. The demonic energy is too dense.¡± ¡°... Are you certain?¡± she asked. ¡°Go,¡± hemanded. Charlotte hesitated but finally nodded. It wasn¡¯t the time to be stubborn and insist on fighting together. She picked up Maho, and a piece of Wood Steel followed them, seemingly for protection. ¡°Boss, I will stay and assist the professor,¡± Ron said. ¡°... Understood,¡± she replied. As Charlotte turned with Maho, the demonic presence grew more distinct. Diarnath emerged nearby. Though it looked human, its silhouette was as faint as the setting sun. It was a hybrid of demon and ghost, a monster both material and fluid. Charlotte ran, adjusting her speed to shield the princess from the demonic energy. Whistle¡ª Diarnath whistled mockingly as they ran away. ¡°How far can those two women run?¡± Deculein wondered aloud, clinging to his sanity by sheer will. Deep-seated hatred and contempt rose from the depths of his consciousness, but he suppressed them. ¡°You cannot kill me with mere steel devoid of mana or even ordinary magic,¡± Diarnath dered, hisugh rough and crackling like burnt embers. As Diarnath imed, ordinary steel couldn¡¯t kill it, nor could ephemeral magic. It was like trying to cut or burn air. Killing it required extremely high-level magic, but in Crebas Canyon, powerful spells would dissipate due to the demonic energy. Diarnath knew this well. Deculein closed his eyes, calcting the path of the Wood Steel, considering his amplified and recovering mana. He devised a n to tear Diarnath apart, predicting and measuring every aspect of the battle. Hummm¡ª The Rockelock¡¯s Staff glowed with his mana. Infused with the exorcist''s blood, it mirrored its master¡¯s fury. Deculein opened his eyes, now gleaming with bright blue light. Diarnath still stood on the other side. Deculein drew an imaginary line on the ground. The moment Diarnath crossed it, the Wood Steel would execute his meticulously devised n. Step. Diarnath took one step forward. Sweat gathered in Ron¡¯s hands. Step. Diarnath approached confidently. However, Deculein knew how to kill it. Step. Diarnath took another step. As it crossed the line, a cold sh of steel struck from its right side. Neither Ron nor Deculein could see it happen. The Wood Steel moved ording to the prearranged n, acting independently. Time seemed to stand still, and only the steel moved. Swoosh¡ª! Diarnath felt its neck being pierced, yet not a drop of blood flowed from the wound. The first piece of Wood Steel severed its neck and then swiftly descended, slicing from corbone to groin. The second piece was cut horizontally, from the lower right pelvis to the upper left armpit. The third, fourth, and fifth pieces tore through its spine, segment by segment. The sixth and seventh pieces severed its wrists. The eighth and ninth pieces sliced through its legs. The tenth and eleventh pieces spiraled around its body, carving fine lines into Diarnath''s flesh. Smoke seeped from the cuts. Soon, Diarnath felt its vision flip. The world spun, and it saw its own headless body being torn apart by the steel. The twelfth piece calmly approached, piercing its eyes and crushing its brain. The thirteenth and fourteenth pieces rampaged inside its body. In less than a second, Diarnath was divided into 2,352 pieces. Meanwhile, several assassins tried to bypass Deculein and chase after Charlotte. Deculein extended the Wood Steel, killing them instantly. Their swift retreat and the confusion on their faces were apparent, even to Ron. ¡°Professor! O-over there!¡± Ron shouted, pointing urgently. Diarnath began to reassemble, its body shifting and melding back together. ¡°Do not make a fuss,¡± Deculein said calmly. He knew how to kill it. The method was simple. ¡°You kill it repeatedly until it is truly dead,¡± he said, his tone edged with finality. Then, dozens of Wood Steel des rose once more. They repeated the process of dismantling Diarnath endlessly. Ron stood in awe, mesmerized by their destructive power. *** Charlotte and Maho crossed the canyon and ran across the field without stopping until they reached the border of Yuren. However, their escape was not easy. Enemies emerged, assassins rushing at them from the shadows. Charlotte swung her sword with one hand, killing them. The cursed pain in her right arm spread through her body, but she ignored it. Her Sword Qi flickered with mana, crushing their flesh and bones. Before long, someone shouted, ¡°Over there!¡± It was the Grand Duke¡¯s knights. Although they couldn''t enter the Empire¡¯s border, they appeared at the designated route in Yuren to aid Charlotte. The knights swiftly charged in and cut down the assassins, turning the battle in their favor. Charlotte sighed in relief. She looked down at Maho in her arms, who gazed up at her and asked, ¡°Are you alright, Princess?¡± ¡°Yes... I feel a bit nauseous, but I¡¯m alright.¡± ¡°It is an early symptom of demonic energy poisoning, but it is mild. You will recover soon.¡± Agghhh¡ª! The knights didn¡¯t let a single assassin escape. Those captured chose to take their own lives. sh¡ª! As the sword sliced through flesh, the area fell silent. Soon after, Girand, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Maho¡¯s grandfather of the Principality, appeared. ¡°Maho.¡± ¡°Ah! Grandfather!¡± Maho cried, running to him. Girand looked at her with a deeply apologetic expression and said, ¡°It has been a while. Please forgive us for being able to do nothing but wait here.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s alright~ I understand~ I¡¯m just grateful that you came. Thank you.¡± Maho remained as cheerful as ever. Girand patted her head and then turned to Charlotte, who was clutching her sore shoulder. ¡°Charlotte.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Well done. Are you the only survivor?¡± ¡°... No, sir,¡± Charlotte replied, shaking her head. Since Deculein had made it clear he would follow, and surely, he would bring Ron with him. ¡°We will wait here for them.¡± Girand nodded. They settled down, burying the bodies while waiting for theirrades to arrive. Time passed slowly, and the wind was cold. Thirty minutes went by, then an hour, then two. ¡°Let us return inside,¡± Girand said, cing a hand on Charlotte¡¯s shoulder. ¡°... Wait! Look over there!¡± Maho eximed, pointing. Everyone turned to look. In the dim light of dusk, where the horizon blurred, two figures approached. Charlotte sighed in relief. ¡°Professor, professor! You¡¯re safe!¡± Maho cried, running to greet him. Deculein, still bearing the tension of battle, wore a stern expression. He soon smiled, bowed politely and said, ¡°Thank you for your concern, Princess.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so relieved. Phew. Thank you, Professor, truly¡ª¡± ¡°Princess,¡± Deculein whispered in her ear. ¡°There¡¯s no need to pretend anymore.¡± Maho¡¯s expression hardened slightly. Deculein knew her true nature. Her yful demeanor wasn''t false, but her innocent facade was. She knew exactly which aspects of herself would elicit sympathy and which actions would increase her chances of survival. Maho looked at Deculein with herrge eyes. He smiled silently. Charlotte approached and said, "Hey, you¡ª" ¡°Now that our task isplete, I shall take my leave. Ron will provide the details. Ron?¡± ¡°Yes, sir! Understood!¡± Ron replied, standing at attention. Ron, who had been full of suspicion just a day before, now regarded Deculein with admiration and respect. Charlotte nodded and said, "... Thank you. I will never forget this favor¡ªno, this deal." Deculein turned without a word. He disyed neither fatigue nor any desire for rest, maintaining the same dignified presence as when they first met. ¡°Charlotte,¡± Girand called, his gaze following Deculein''s retreating figure. To him, it was a mysterious sight. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Is he part of the escort team?¡± Before Charlotte could answer, Ron interjected, ¡°Yes, sir. He is Deculein, the Head Professor of the Mage Tower of the Empire. He killed dozens of assassins and defeated Diarnath.¡± ¡°... Diarnath? From the Crebas Canyon?¡± Ron nodded proudly and said, ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Is that possible? Even for a professor, Crebas is quite challenging.¡± ¡°I witnessed it myself, sir. Professor Deculein¡¯s magic is far beyond that of ordinary mages,¡± Ron said, gazing into the distance with admiration. Maho also looked in the same direction. ¡°The professor toyed with Diarnath effortlessly. Every attack missed him. His skills were almost invincible, the pinnacle ofbat magic..." Ron¡¯s praise was full of emotion. Girand and the other knights regarded Deculein with newfound respect. Against the darkening horizon, the figure of Yukline¡¯s lineage stood tall. *** [Independent Quest Complete] ¡ô Store Currency +4 ¡ô Mana Point +30 Upon exiting the Crebas Canyon, I found the Red Hare waiting as instructed. I mounted it, ready to return, but nced back at the canyon entrance. Inside, the mana recovery rate had been enough to imbue all the Wood Steel with the Midas Touch and still have excess. During the six-hour walk out, I had managed to imbue attributes to four pieces of Wood Steel. However, the process of purifying and absorbing the demonic energy had taken a toll on my body, particrly draining my mental strength. The canyon¡¯s essence felt increasingly infectious, intensifying the influence of Deculein¡¯s Personality Traits. I had no desire to spend any more time there than absolutely necessary. "Let us proceed to Hadecaine." The Red Hare galloped swiftly. I dozed lightly in the saddle. Sensing my fatigue, the horse adjusted its pace and gait to reduce the jostling. When I opened my eyes again, we were at the Hadecaine Castle. ¡°... Hmm.¡± I hadn¡¯t nned oning here, but since I was already at the castle, I decided to inspect Deculein¡¯s room. ¡°You, over there.¡± ¡°... Ah! Good evening, Master Deculein!¡± I handed the Red Hare to a nearby guard and entered the castle. A servant guided me to Deculein¡¯s room. ¡°Is this the correct room?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a while; I nearly lost my way. You may leave now.¡± I opened the door. The room was tidy and unremarkable, but a notebook on the shelf caught my eye. It was untitled and looked ordinary, yet my Sharp Eyesight told me it was special. Without my Sharp Eyesight, I wouldn¡¯t have noticed it at all. I tucked the notebook into my coat and left. Then, I proceeded to the lord¡¯s office. Knock, knock¡ª After knocking, I turned the handle and entered. ¡°What the hell!¡± Yeriel¡¯s sharp voice greeted me. She frowned and red. ¡°You should be knocking!¡± ¡°I did.¡± ¡°Next time, wait for a reply. Honestly...¡± I approached Yeriel. She had pencils and a notebook on her desk and was focused on something. ¡°What are you working on?¡± ¡°... This year¡¯s Wizard Academic,¡± Yeriel replied. Wizard Academic was a magical journal. It was more of a collection of magical problems posed for amusement. Solving these problems could sometimes lead to new insights, so it wasn¡¯t entirely pointless. Moreover, the Millennium problems set by ancient Archmages were recorded there. I had never bothered with them; it seemed like a waste of time. ¡°Let me see. Which question are you working on?¡± Yeriel handed me the journal without a word. I employed my Comprehension to solve the problem. With the answers essible, my Comprehension worked remarkably well. The more specific the subject, the less mana it consumed. ¡°This appears to be a well-crafted problem...¡± Even so, solving a single problem consumed 2,000 mana. I wrote the solution in the answer section almost instinctively. At that moment, a system message appeared... [Mini Quest: Solve Academic Problem] ¡ô Mana Point +2 ¡°... Hm?¡± ¡°What?¡± Yeriel asked, her tone indifferent. ¡°... It¡¯s nothing.¡± My mana points increased by two. It seemed insignificant, yet significant. Without furtherment, I returned the journal to Yeriel. She widened her eyes at the correct answer I had written. ¡°No! Why did you write the answer here?!¡± ¡°I am weary today. I shall retire to bed.¡± ¡°What? Wait! I spent two hours working on that question¡ª¡± ¡°If it took you two hours but I solved it in three minutes, Yeriel, the issue lies with you, not me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care! Are you boasting? I almost had it solved!¡± I chuckled and left the office, ignoring her mutteredints. Even a mere two mana points were precious to me now. I felt as though I had gained some insight into improving my mana reserves... [Mana Point: 1,419 / 3,419 (+800)] [Mana Grade: 5] *** The Principality of Yuren, despite its name, operated independently, free from the influence of any king or Emperor. This autonomy stemmed from Yuren¡¯s legacy as the sessor state to a long-extinct kingdom. Bordered by the sea to the southwest and a mountain range to the northeast, the principality had developed a unique culture. Emphasizingmerce, Yuren had advanced banking and trade systems. The principality also fostered the arts through the An Academy, which produced writers, artists, and musicians. Late one night in Lucangel Castle, the residence of the Grand Duke, Girand, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Duke¡¯s brother, summoned Charlotte to his office. ¡°Yes, Minister. What is it that you need?¡± Charlotte asked. "... How is Maho?" Girand inquired, his expression serious. "She has just retired to her chambers," Charlotte replied, her fatigue evident. Girand sighed and gestured to a chair. ¡°Please, sit down. I have something important to discuss with you.¡± Charlotte felt a wave of unease as she sat down. "What is it you need to tell me?" Charlotte asked, trying to maintain herposure. She wondered if the Principality intended to reject Maho as well. "Prepare yourself for what I am about to say," Girand began. In the next moment, his words shattered Charlotte¡¯s expectations. "The Grand Duke desires Maho to be his sessor." ¡°... I beg your pardon?¡± Charlotte said, her jaw dropped as she stared at Girand, unable to blink. The fatigue made this feel like a dream. ¡°Could you rify your statement...?¡± ¡°The Grand Duke has harbored this wish since before Maho sent her letter. His grandson has proven to be untrustworthy.¡± ¡°I... I do not understand. Are you suggesting that the princess might inherit the title of Grand Duchess?¡± "Indeed," Girand replied with a bittersweet smile. Charlotte was appalled and asked, ¡°Can such a thing truly be possible?¡± ¡°Certainly, it is possible. Maho is a direct descendant of the Grand Duke. Three years ago, she was designated as the second in line for session.¡± ¡°But the princess is not fit to bear the weight of the crown. Her nature is too kind and gentle for such a role...¡± Charlotte protested. But Girand shook his head and said, ¡°You are somewhat naive yourself.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°Regardless, this information is strictly confidential. Only the Grand Duke, you, and I are aware of it.¡± "Yes, of course," Charlotte concurred, though the gravity of the revtion caused a throbbing ache in her head. However, a furrow soon appeared on her brow as a thought began to take shape at the edge of her mind. ¡°What troubles you?¡± Girand inquired. At that moment, a sudden realization struck Charlotte and said, ¡°... Oh!¡± Girand started at her sudden exmation. ¡°Could it be...?¡± She thought of Deculein. He had known that Maho needed to go to Yuren to survive and had called their cooperation a deal. At the time, she epted it, trusting in Deculein¡¯s grudge against Leoc. However, the term deal seemed inappropriate. A deal implies a mutual exchange, but Maho, an abandoned princess, had nothing to offer him. ¡°What troubles you?¡± Girand asked again, his curiosity piqued by her reaction. ¡°Minister, does anyone else know about this matter?¡± ¡°No one. The Grand Duke informed me of this today.¡± A chill ran through Charlotte as Deculein¡¯s words echoed in her mind. ¡°I am deeply versed in politics. My intelligence and insight far surpass yours.¡± Deculein appeared to have considered all these dynamics. He seemed to have deduced the rtionship between Maho and the Grand Duke, calcted the power y between the kingdom and the principality, and concluded that Maho could inherit the dukedom. If so, the depth of his insight and strategy was truly astounding. ¡°What a monster.¡± The depth of his thoughts and the precision and thoroughness of his strategies were truly astounding. Deculein''s ability to foresee and manipte suchplex dynamics revealed a mind of remarkable insight and strategic brilliance. ¡°What? Are you implying that I am a monster?¡± Charlotte snapped back to reality to find Girand ring at her and said, ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant.¡± ¡°Your thoughts slipped out. I apologize for not making diplomatic efforts to save Maho and for burdening you with this heavy issue upon her arrival. It may seem monstrous.¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant at all¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± ¡°No¡ª¡± ¡°You may leave.¡± ¡°No... Please, hear me out...¡± Chapter 47: Group Project (1)

Chapter 47: Group Project (1)

Therge moon cast a pale mist, and stars dotted the night sky over the Principality of Yuren. Mahoy curled up in bed, contemting the day''s events and reflecting on her life thus far. "I have survived longer than you, my brother and sister..." Maho had been fiercely attached to life since childhood, instinctively aware of her impending death. The Royal Court of Leoc was a perilous ce, like a frozen battlefield swept by icy winds. The king¡¯s sons and daughters were filled with ambition, and the king himself took pride in their destructive natures. Disaster was inevitable. To survive, Maho chose to escape. She left the kingdom and settled in the capital. To change her fate, she amassed wealth and desperately performed acts to earn the knights'' loyalty. In the end, she survived because she truly wanted to live. ¡°But to realize that all my actions were merely pretending...¡± Deculein¡¯s words about dropping the pretense echoed in Maho¡¯s mind. She pouted and got out of bed. It was true that she had acted to win their favor. Pretending to be a child wasn¡¯t entirely wrong; humans instinctively want to save a child in danger. However, her gratitude towards them was genuine. She was sincerely thankful to Charlotte, Ron, Gedeur, and Deculein for their help today. "... How did he discern that?" Yet, she wondered. No one in the Empire had seen through her as Deculein did. They all regarded her as merely a pitiable and insignificant royal hostage from the kingdom. "In such a brief span of time..." Professor Deculein had discerned her true nature. He understood her motives and chose the word pretending urately. This insight likely contributed to his position as the head professor of the Mage Tower of the Empire. "Incredible, truly incredible..." Years of maintaining her pretense had been uncovered in an instant, leaving her feeling utterly exposed. Maho sighed and sat at her desk. She nced at a piece of paper in the corner¡ªa letter expressing her gratitude. Deciding it would be appropriate to send it to the professor, she picked up a pencil. *** Early in the morning in Hadecaine, Ganesha shared breakfast with three children in the dining hall. Munch munch¡ª They ate ravenously, their hunger evident as they devoured their food with their hands like famished wild animals. Even Ria, who was usuallyposed, had lost her decorum after an intense eighteen-hour training session. "Phew..." "Have you finished eating?" Ganesha asked, smiling gently. "Yes, finally... I feel alive again," Ria sighed with relief, rubbing her belly as she leaned back in her chair, looking utterly worn out. Leo and Carlos also slumped back, clearly exhausted. ¡°Today''s training was difficult, wasn¡¯t it? But you all did well. If you keep this up, you could take the adventurer¡¯s exam this year,¡± Ganesha said softly. "Really?!" Leo eximed, his eyes widening with excitement. ¡°For this year?¡± Ria asked, her voice tinged with surprise. ¡°Yes~ adventurers can take the exam at any age, so starting early is advantageous. If you continue to improve, it shouldn''t be too difficult.¡± The Adventurers Guild prioritized skill above all else. Regardless of age¡ªbe it five, eight, or eighty¡ªanyone with the will and talent to pass the exam could be an adventurer. However, the real challenge began after earning the certification. Adventurers could choose to specialize in a specific field or focus on missions to earn money, but the key was to forge their own path. An adventurer without notable achievements or unique skills would fail the renewal evaluations, which were conducted annually for three consecutive years. "If you''ve finished eating, shall we head out?" ¡°Yes!¡± the children chimed in unison as they stood up. As they left the dining hall, Leo and Carlos bickered about who had eaten faster and more, while Ria stepped in to quiet them. They soon arrived at Hadecaine Station. ¡°Wow... look at all the mages,¡± Leo said in awe. The station was filled with people in robes, returning from the Mage Tower afterpleting their Educational Retreat. Among them, Ganesha spotted a tall, elegant man who stood out with his crystal-like appearance and impable suit. It was Deculein, the Head Professor. "Kids,e here quickly," Ganesha said, gently urging the children to gather behind her. However, Ria couldn¡¯t help but keep ncing at Deculein, herrge, curious eyes seemingly fixed on him. ¡°Ria?¡± ¡°Yes, Ganesha?¡± ¡°... Nothing,¡± Ganesha said with a chuckle. Everyone, be they children or adults, was easily captivated by Deculein¡¯s striking appearance. His icy demeanor, paired with an aristocratic presence, made him stand out across the entire continent. Though the world was replete with handsome men, Deculein¡¯s unique charm was exceptionally rare. As a well-traveled adventurer, Ganesha could attest to this fact. Just then, Deculein, who had been standing still, turned his gaze towards her. Startled by their sudden eye contact, Ganesha offered a wry smile. She swiftly and deftly moved to shield Ria from his view, but Ria peeked around her, herrge, curious eyes fixed on him. Deculein¡¯s brow twitched ever so slightly. Suddenly, someone bumped into Ganesha, causing her to jump. She quickly turned around. "Oh, I¡¯m sorry," a female mage said, her head down and looking hungover. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Ganesha reassured her. However, when she looked back, Deculein had already vanished. "Excuse me, are you Ganesha, the adventurer?" the mage inquired. Ganesha gave her a quick once-over, immediately recognizing some of her talent. The mage''s aura was quite promising. ¡°Yes, I am.¡± "Ah, I knew you looked familiar... I''m a fan of your work, Ganesha. I''ve read your books." "Oh, is that so? Thank you very much." ¡°Would it be possible to get your autograph...?¡± ¡°Certainly. May I have your name?¡± ¡°Epherene Luna, a Debutant from the Mage Tower¡ª¡± ¡°Epherene Luna?¡± Ria interrupted, her eyes wide with curiosity. ¡°Do you know me?¡± Epherene asked, looking puzzled. ¡°No, I don¡¯t, but I¡¯m Ria,¡± she replied, extending her hand. Surprised, Epherene shook her hand and said, ¡°Oh, hi. Nice to meet you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m an apprentice of Ganesha.¡± Ganesha was intrigued by Ria¡¯s unusual behavior. Ria usually never initiated conversations. Perhaps it was because there were no mages in the Archipgo. Gha thought. "Really? That''s impressive~ You look so young." "I¡¯m not as young as I look. And these two are Leo and Carlos." ¡°Nice to meet you, Mage Luna!¡± Leo said eagerly. ¡°Oh, uh, nice to meet you too,¡± Epherene replied, slightly flustered. ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°And I¡¯m Carlos,¡± he said, introducing himself. ¡°... Oh, nice to meet you, Carlos...¡± Leo and Carlos, fascinated by the mage, kept Epherene busy with a barrage of questions until the train arrived. As a result, she never got her autograph from Ganesha. *** As soon as I returned to the mansion in the capital, I resumed my routine. I pushed the proficiency level of Beginner Telekinesis to 99% and trained my body. This part of the routine was the same as always. However, I then sat down and opened Wizard Academic. I scrutinized the pages filled with numerous magical problems, contemting which one would grant me the most mana. As I skimmed through, the section titled Millennium caught my eye. "Millennium..." In the Magical Realm, there are seven Millennium problems, inspired by our era''s Millennium Prize Problems. With a mana level of only around 4000, understanding these problems was impossible. I turned my attention to the lower tier, the Symposium problems. ... Challenge the Symposium to earn honor as a mage. You might gain valuable insights along with the prize. Hurry! Many mages on the Floating Inds are already tackling these problems. The Symposiumprised eleven questions, with one or two solved each year and reced by new ones. These problems were well-known, and solving one would likely yield a substantial amount of mana. It was worth a shot. I focused on the sixth problem in the Symposium. 6. An ancient inscription features the following spell and runes. Historically, these runes also served as circuits. Deduce the ancient spell. At first, I simply stared at the ancient inscription. Then, my heart began to race as an idea sparked within me. ... I recognized these runes. As a game designer, I had refined the font for these very runes. I was familiar with their meanings, structures, and settings. Though the memory was distant, my Comprehension brought it back vividly. I stared at the ancient inscription with my Sharp Eyesight attribute. A sharp pain shot through the back of my neck, like being pierced by a needle. The runes zed into my retina as if branded by a hot iron. They fused with my memories, forming a spell. I grabbed a pen with Telekinesis, brought forth a piece of paper, and my hand moved on its own. The pen moved independently. My thoughts vanished, consumed entirely by the problem. It felt as if my attributes had taken over my body. In a trance, I filled the paper with spells. The runes etched themselves onto the paper, imbued with mana. Surprisingly, the mana consumption wasn¡¯t as severe as I had anticipated. After all, I was already familiar with these runes. Time slipped away unnoticed. When I finally came to, the desk was covered with papers, all neatly stacked in the corner. My mana was nearly depleted. Rubbing my temples, I sighed, realizing two hours had passed. It felt like only three minutes. "I believe I can resolve this within two weeks." For a fleeting instant, I felt as if I had embodied the genius of Einstein. *** When I arrived at the Mage Tower at noon on Saturday, the atmosphere was unusually tense. I sensed a strange undercurrent among the professors I encountered. "Allen,e here," I called through a crystal orb. Allen arrived in less than ten seconds, saying, "Yes, sir! I''m here!" "Has something been happening recently? The atmosphere feels quite unsettled." "Oh, it seems to be due to an announcement from the imperial family." "An announcement?" "Yes, sir. The imperial family is seeking knights, mages, and schrs to assist in the Empress''s education." I understood immediately. The Empress¡¯s education was an imperial tradition, an unwritten rule passed down through generations. For one year after ascending the throne, the Empress learns from external experts. Professors naturally coveted such a prestigious position. "Professor, it seems you are considered the most likely candidate!" "Are they referring to me?" "... Isn''t that so?" Allen asked, his surprise evident. "I have no interest in it. My priority is preparing for my sses, Allen." "Oh, yes, of course. As expected of you, Professor." "Locate the records of recent mana disasters. Visual documentation would be preferable." Today was Saturday, and with the deadline not until next Wednesday, I nned to alternate between preparing lectures and solving the Symposium problems. ¡°Mana disasters, you mentioned...¡± ¡°Anything will suffice.¡± Mana disasters are akin to modern tsunamis or hurricanes, with the distinction being that they are caused by natural mana. "Yes, sir!" Allen replied before leaving. He returned within ten minutes, carrying a basket filled with various crystal orbs. "Here they are!" "Well done." I infused mana into one of the crystal balls, and immediately a mana storm roared to life. Of course, it was just an illusion. Whoooooooosh¡ª! ¡°Ah!¡± Allen cowered and trembled, but I observed the phenomenon with keen eyes. ... Electric sparks shed within the storm. mes erupted from the wind¡¯s eddies. Streams of water spread in intricate patterns. All of it consisted of Pure Elements, a veritable treasure trove. ¡°... It is truly magnificent.¡± "Sorry?" This lesson was inspired by magical fireworks. Just as magical fireworks paint the sky, I wondered if these mana disasters could be expressed through spells. That was my thought. Starting next Wednesday, the students woulde to share this perspective. *** In the fresh month of May, Sylvia strolled through the school grounds. Summer''s trees and flowers were in full bloom, painting the universityndscape with vibrant, brushstroke-like colors. It was Wednesday, and her steps quickened unconsciously as she headed towards the Mage Tower. It had been quite some time since thest lecture. After midterms, sses had been canceled for about four weeks due to the Emperor¡¯s death and the session ceremony. Sylvia entered the Mage Tower and took the elevator to the third floor, making her way directly to the A ss lecture room. "Miss Sylvia, it is a pleasure to see you." "You look as beautiful as ever~" The nobles greeted her warmly, while themoners averted their eyes, not daring to make contact. Sylvia walked gracefully to her seat and sat down. Just then, Epherene entered the room. "Ephie~ Over here!" "Ah, okay." Sylvia narrowed her eyes at Epherene, still resentful of her insolent behavior during the Educational Retreat. Silently, Sylvia muttered to herself, A fool like you, applying to study under Professor Deculein? Ridiculous. You¡¯ll be crying and running back home, unable to understand a word. You¡¯d be better off under Relin or Siare. The ss began promptly at 3 p.m. as Professor Deculein arrived, apanied by his assistant. "Greetings," Deculein began, his greeting unchanged as always. Sylvia neatly arranged her notebook and pen. "First, we will announce the results of the exam and assignments. Allen?" "Yes, sir." Assistant Professor Allen distributed the long, narrow score sheets to each student. The mages waited anxiously, and Sylvia, though nervous, soon felt relieved when she saw her perfect score. "Today¡¯s lecture will involve a group project, and the final project will also be conducted in groups." Everyone in the ss was taken aback. Despite the Mage Tower''s numerous Educational Retreats and frequent social gatherings, mages typically worked individually. Group projects were a rarity. "The reason for forming groups is simple. At your current level, youck the ability to solve these problems independently." Immediately, the atmosphere grew tense. Sylvia felt a chill run down her spine. "Today''s topic will cover Pure Elements and Mana Disasters." Snap¡ª! With a snap of his fingers, Deculein dimmed the room, casting an illusion of a raging storm. Swooooosh¡ª! A whirlwind, sharp as a de, roared through the room, startling the mages. "asionally, mana disasters ur on the continent¡ªmana storms, fire rain, earth fog, frost quakes. But consider this, are these disasters notposed of Pure Elements?" Deculein exined. The diligent students grasped his point immediately. "If that is the case, could we not conceptualize these mana storms through spells?" Snap¡ª! With another snap of his fingers, the mana storm dissipated. "... Observe carefully." Deculein released his mana, weaving intricate spells in the air. Dozens of circles and hundreds of lines interlocked in a vivid blue disy, forming a dragon-like whirlpool. The arrangement was highly geometric and precise. "A mana storm can be expressed through such a spell." The spell representing the mana disaster was both intricate and grand, the culmination of nearly five days of Deculein¡¯s meticulous work. The phenomenon of the mana storm had been wlessly captured in the form of a spell diagram. The mages stared in awe, their mouths agape at the impable example before them. "Mana disasters are uniquebinations of Pure Elements, arising naturally as these elements sh and merge by chance. Grasp this fundamental principle," Deculein stated with calm authority, hisposed demeanor a testament to his Personality Traits. "It need not be as grand as this storm. Even a small mana disaster can be transformed into a spell. Recognizing this potential is enough," he continued, his words carrying conviction. Though challenging, the majestic spell captivated the mages. "You have ample time. Understanding this mana disaster through spells will allow you to see the world with greater rity." The Debutants scribbled furiously, trying to capture the details of Deculein¡¯s spell that still lingered in the air. "Trust that magic learned from nature embodies Pure Elements," he concluded, as he prepared a traditional lottery for forming the groups. Each group would consist of five members, making a total of thirty groups. "Come forward and draw your lots." One by one, the 150 students stood and drew lots, forming their groups. Nobles andmoners were mixed together, as well as some groups consisting entirely of nobles ormoners. After about five minutes, the mages organized themselves into their respective groups, appearing well-structured to avoid any conflict. However, one group remained silent. Although it had five members, the presence of two individuals mademunication difficult. Sylvia and Epherene had been ced on the same team. Chapter 48: Group Project (2)

Chapter 48: Group Project (2)

I noticed Epherene and Sylvia seated together, coincidentally ced in the same group. They were ring at each other. Sylvia muttered, "Arrogant Epherene." "... What?" It was an interesting sight, but I chose to ignore it and refocused on the ss. There were still two hours left. "Now, we will distribute the crystal orbs. Allen, proceed." "Yes, sir." Allen ced a silk pouch filled with crystal orbs on the podium. Using Telekinesis, I floated the orbs to each group. The difficulty of the mana disasters within the orbs varied¡ªsome were challenging, while others were rtively easy. The difficulty level was determined by thebined midterm exam scores of each group. Naturally, Sylvia and Epherene''s team received one of the more challenging orbs. The mages chattered among themselves about the crystal orbs. "Focus," Imanded, and with that single word, the room''s chaotic atmosphere settled. All 150 Debutants fixed their attention on me. Meeting their eyes, I spoke with an inherent authority. "Now, we will discuss the act of observing the world. Most of you likely perceive it merely as a series of phenomena." Just as scientists view the world scientifically, mages should see it magically. However, reaching this level requires maturation and practice. For instance, an engineering student cannot fully grasp the world scientifically¡ªtheyck both the skill and familiarity. Comprehending it requires at least a PhD-level understanding. The same principle applies to mages. From what I¡¯ve observed, these Debutants do not analyze the world¡¯s phenomena through a magical perspective. "However, the world I perceive is vastly different from the one you see." This was neither a boast nor a lie. The world genuinely appeared different to me. With my Sharp Eyesight, I could see abstract concepts, phenomena, ideas, and theories. This ability evolved alongside my growing magical knowledge. "Now, I shall show you the world as I perceive it." Observations made with Sharp Eyesight might seem impossible to exin, but that is not the case at all. These Debutants are from the Empire''s finest Mage Tower of the University and are exceptionally talented mages. Therefore, teaching them is rtively straightforward. "Do not miss a single word I say or a single line of the spell I draw." If I urately illustrate how I perceive the world with Sharp Eyesight, they will use it as a guide to study independently. By merely observing and replicating the views seen through my Sharp Eyesight, they will gain understanding. This method¡¯s effectiveness has already been confirmed through experiments with Allen. ¡°Let usmence.¡± First, I cast the Frost Fog from within a small crystal orb, replicating the mana disaster. "Frost Fog. This is how I perceive this disaster." The fog transformed into lines and circles as I demonstrated the process slowly and clearly. The mages watched intently, taking detailed notes. "Sea of mes. This mana disaster is particrly unusual, transforming the sea itself into a zing inferno, rendering it nearly impossible to extinguish..." I demonstrated various mana phenomena exactly as I saw them, attempting to convey the world observed through my Sharp Eyesight. One, two, three, four... After eight demonstrations, I checked the time. It was five fifty-nine and fifty seconds. "... Do not forget the world I showed you today. Where ordinary people merely see passing phenomena, you must observe and interpret them through the lens of magic." I straightened my sleeves and smoothed the wrinkles in my suit. The mages stared nkly, their notebooks now filled with intricate spells. "Adopting this mindset is the first step. However, refrain from overreaching. Begin with tasks that match your abilities. Well done today." At precisely 6 o¡¯clock, the ss concluded. I departed the lecture hall, leaving the mages behind. They stayed in their seats. ... After ss, Epherene stared nkly at her notebook, which was filled with geometric patterns, each representing the Mana Disaster Transmutation Processes demonstrated by Deculein. "So, this exins why the fog turns into dirt... Ugh, my head feels like it''s going to explode..." It''s difficult. Incredibly difficult. Maddeningly difficult, but achievable. Initially, it seemed impossible, but I was slowly starting to grasp it. Following Deculein''s process exactly, I managed to create a small dirt fog in my hand. This was it. Yes, this was dirt fog... "This feels like the real beginning of the ss," said Eurozian, another group member. Epherene nodded, her head throbbing and said, "I know, my head is killing me." "Professor Deculein is truly amazing. How does he manage all of this..." "... I agree," Epherene said, still in awe of Deculein''s meticulous description of the process of transmuting mana disasters into spells. She was impressed by the rity and fluidity of his exnations, yet a hint of skepticism lingered. "If this truly is Deculein''s real ability..." The proficiency Deculein disyed today was astounding. However, Epherene harbored doubts. She suspected he might have found a new pawn to rece her father. Though she had no immediate ns to expose or challenge him, she vowed to uncover the truth eventually, whether in the distant future or soon. "Arrogant Epherene," Sylvia muttered under her breath, ring at her. Epherene shrugged, saying, "What''s your problem? Anyway, we need to schedule a meeting for the group project. When is everyone avable?" As no one responded, Epherene nodded, saying, "Alright, Sylvia''s mansion then." "Who gave you the authority to decide that?" "I mean, your ce is thergest. It''s the only one that can fit all five of us." "Fine, but you¡¯re noting." "... Can you stop acting so childish?" *** Meanwhile, preparations for the Marik Opening were progressing vigorously at Yukline''s territory. "What is the current progress?" Yeriel inquired from atop her Red Hare, a fine steed rmended by Deculein. She was in the mountainous region, not far from the northwestern mines. "The walls, watchtowers, and fortifications are nearingpletion. The underground road is still under construction but is expected to be finished by summer," the site manager reported. "Good," Yeriel replied. She surveyed the area, recalling the contents of Deculein''s letter. ... When Marik opens, the area will be swarmed by demonic beasts. Deploy the troops efficiently by constructing walls, watchtowers, and fortifications at strategic points in the northwest. I will specify the exact locations. Additionally, construct the road to Marik underground rather than above ground. This underground road can generate revenue through toll charges. "Indeed, constructing a fortification here provides an excellent vantage point," Yeriel remarked thoughtfully. "Yes, ma¡¯am. This is indeed an excellent spot. Your discernment in selecting this location is truly remarkable," the site manager responded. Yeriel nced at him briefly before retrieving a letter from her coat. She unfolded the four-page letter and turned to the second sheet. ... Do not entertain the thought of bribing the imperial family or officials over the Marik matter. The Empress opened Marik despite her subjects'' counsel, and she will remain unswayed by any of them, acting solely on her own convictions. Also, avoid trying to curry the Empress''s favor with lies and ttery, as she abhors such behavior. However, she has a fondness for fine wine, so if you must send a tribute, that will suffice. Yeriel muttered in amazement, ¡°What is he, some kind of fortune teller...?¡± How did he know the vassals were considering bribery? Yeriel thought. At that moment, a cold kended on her nose, startling her. She widened her eyes and looked around, realizing it was snowing. "Huh?" Yeriel muttered as she opened her hand. A snowkended on her gloved palm. rmed, she quickly unfolded the third page of the letter. ... There will be asional abnormal weather. Do not be rmed; however, snowfall in midsummer could indicate demonic activity. Fortify your defenses as needed. "What in the world..." Yeriel murmured, frowning deeply. Feigning genius, yet truly one? Impossible. How could Deculein be a genius? Yeriel thought to herself. "... Reflecting on it now, it all started earlier this year," Yeriel thought, recalling the beginning of the year. Deculein''s transformation began during the week he secluded himself, canceling all his schedules. Initially, she thought he was heartbroken over Yulie. However, it seemed that something more significant might have happened during that time. "Well, it makes no difference to me." Whatever the case, Deculein had returned to his former self, reminiscent of the Whiz Kid he was once called. This change wasn''t bad, so Yeriel saw no need to stir up trouble. "Attention!" Yeriel put away the letter and called out. Everyone in the camp turned to her. "Abnormal weather could indicate demonic activity. Strengthen your defenses, stay vignt, and avoid acting alone!" "Yes, ma''am!" the soldiers responded, their voices echoing through the mountains. "Good response. I shall take my leave now," Yeriel dered. Satisfied with her dignified demeanor, she nodded regally and took the reins. The Red Hare trotted effortlessly through the snowy mountain path. *** The next day at 8 a.m., Ipleted my morning routine and settled in the study to review some documents. Haileich Yukline Auction: Lucho''s Scissors, Darkbottom Carpet, Ancient Saddle... This was the first auction I would host since acquiring the appraisal office. The list featured items like Lucho''s Scissors and the Darkbottom Carpet, among others. Their potential was clear at a nce, and I anticipated a profit between 60 and 100 million. Knock knock¡ª "The appointed hour has arrived," the butler dered. I rose from my seat, opened the door, and followed him down the stairs. "There are twenty-three ces to visit today, correct?" I inquired the butler. Today, I had numerous external business matters to address, particrly those that would generate significant revenue. "Yes, sir." "Very well. We shall proceed together." "Yes, sir." I got into the prepared car, which headed straight to the heart of the capital. The first stop was Lukan''s Wharf, a hardware store. "Oh, you¡¯ve arrived, sir! Been waiting for ya!" The owner, who also dabbled in inventions, had caught the attention of the Wealthy Magnate. I issued him an investment certificate for a total of three million elne, securing a 30% stake in the business. "Thank you, sir! I won''t let you down!" "I trust you will not." Next was the hotel Romance, which appeared on the verge of copse. The new owner was seeking investors. I wrote an investment certificate for four million elne in exchange for 40% of the shares. The owner began to tear up, overwhelmed with gratitude. "If you continue to cry, I''ll cancel the investment." "... Sniff!" The owner promptly stifled her tears, trying to regain herposure. "Direct your efforts towards the remodeling. Utilizing the Yukline name will significantly ease the procurement of materials." "Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it!" After that, I visited various shops, tradingpanies, cksmiths, mercenary groups, and more. Each was carefully chosen using my Wealthy Magnate attribute. In total, I invested eighty million elne across twenty-three businesses in the capital. These investments would eventually increase to 120 million. "Well done, Roy. Let¡¯s return." "Yes, sir." By the time we returned, the sunset was painting the sky in hues of orange and red. As I watched the fading light, I exhaled lightly. It had been a satisfying day. The money invested today would soon grow into substantial human and material assets. ¡°What?!¡± Roy, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly eximed in surprise. I looked in the same direction and saw a group of people gathered at the gate, apanied by avish banner bearing the Imperial insignia. "Master," Roy said, his voice unusually urgent. I nodded and got out of the car. The people from the Imperial family turned to look at me. Among them, I spotted a named knight¡ªKeiron, the Empress¡¯s direct escort knight. Keiron, his blond hair gleaming in the fading light, approached me and said, "Deculein von Grahan-Yukline, this is a letter from the Imperial family. Receive it with due respect." I knelt to ept the letter, which read as follows: The Imperial family informs Deculein, Head Professor of the Mage Tower of the Empire and leader of Yukline, that you have been selected as a candidate for the prestigious position of Imperial Instructor. You are to share your magical expertise with Her Majesty. This honor extends to both your family and your status as a mage. However, you must first solve a problem devised by Imperial Pce Mage Geor. ¡°Will you ept the challenge? If you doubt your abilities, the Imperial family will understand if you choose to decline.¡± I stood up. Although it was bothersome, I couldn¡¯t refuse such an opportunity. Imperial family quests always came with tremendous rewards. "How could I possibly decline?" "Very well," Keiron said, handing me a magic parchment. The B4-sized paper was covered with intricate spells. I scrutinized it intensely, expending nearly 4,000 mana to derive the solution. The problem¡¯s logic felt somewhat familiar¡ªit involved runes. Carefully, I drew the solution on the answer sheet. ¡ª Congrattions. I am Geor, the Imperial Pce Mage. By solving this problem, you have proven your exceptional skills¡ª As I channeled mana into the parchment, a voice began to speak. Keiron and the Imperial entourage, who had been on the verge of departing, turned back in surprise. Keiron, visibly flustered, asked, "Have you already solved it?" "Yes, I have." "But how is this possible? Mage Geor imed it would take at least¡ª" The parchment''s voice persisted: ¡ª I anticipated it would take at least a day or two, possibly even three, yet you have aplished it. As you have undoubtedly discerned, this problem employs runes. "It was indeed challenging. Fortunately, I have been immersing myself in the study of runes recently." ¡ª I meticulously crafted the problem to strike a bnce, making sure it was neither overly challenging nor overly simplistic¡ª As the voice continued, Keiron approached, his furrowed brow and creased face showing his astonishment. "... Yukline von Grahan-Deculein, Yukde¡ªno, Deculein von Grahan-Yukline..." Keiron stammered as he retrieved a card bearing the Imperial seal from his pocket. "This is an invitation from the Imperial family. You have been selected for the examination." "Thank you," I said, bowing with dignity and poise. *** The Imperial Pce, built on the most prestigiousnd in the Empire, is a world unto itself. Its inner spaces are so magical that all four seasons exist simultaneously. In the pce, the northeast was winter, the northwest was summer, the southeast was spring, and the southwest was autumn. Therefore, the Emperor and Empress live perpetually within all four seasons. The people of the Empire call this wondrous phenomenon the Blessing of the God. ¡°In that case, is there really a need for a selection test? Just choose Deculein,¡± Sophien dered in her secluded study, surrounded by ancient tomes and books. She was receiving a report from Keiron. ¡°Still, it might be prudent to observe a bit longer,¡± Keiron suggested respectfully. Sophien raised an eyebrow and remarked with a hint of incredulity, "What is there to observe? It didn''t even take a day; he solved it in five seconds." "It took five minutes." "Is there such a significant difference between five seconds and five minutes?" "... It''s sixty times longer." Sophienughed heartily and asked, ¡°Do you mean to say you favor Louina over Deculein?¡± Embarrassed, Keiron lowered his head and said, ¡°... It¡¯s not about personal preference. I believe an impable magician is more suitable for the pce. Professor Deculein is surrounded by many rumors, and Louina also solved the problem quickly.¡± ¡°How quickly did Louina solve it? In three minutes?¡± ¡°... Three hours, Your Majesty.¡± "Hmph. The difference between five minutes and three hours is far greater than between ten seconds and five minutes. And don''t speak to me of rumors. I trust only what I witness with my own eyes," Sophien said, picking up Geor¡¯s test paper and examining it with intense focus. Tick-tock¡ª tick-tock¡ª tick-tock¡ª As the second hand moved precisely 300 times, Sophien''s shoulders slumped. With a sigh, she admitted, "Five minutes have passed, and I couldn¡¯t solve it. When he arrives, I¡¯ll ask how he managed it in five minutes." ¡°... Understood, Your Majesty.¡± With that decision, Sophien concluded that Deculein would be the Imperial Instructor. ¡°Is the selection test for knights still ongoing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s quite a practical test for the knights, so it hasn¡¯tmenced yet and may take longer.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t the one responsible for preparing the test sustain an injury?¡± Isaac von Derek Lugeden, the Deputy Knight of the Imperial Knights Order, was injured during his expedition to Marik. Considering Isaac''s stance against opening Marik, the injury might have been a calcted move. ¡°So, we are currently seeking another suitable candidate.¡± ¡°A suitable candidate...¡± Sophien said, her expression shifted to a mischievous smile. ¡°Ah, I have a splendid idea.¡± Keiron found this ominous and looked at the Empress silently. "This will be interesting. Listen closely. The examiner, after all, is¡ª¡± Keiron sighed at the Empress¡¯s proposal, noting the smile that apanied it. Chapter 49: Selection (1)

Chapter 49: Selection (1)

In the break room of the Freyhem Knights Order, a lively game was underway. "Let me draw a card," Cindy dered with exaggerated ir. "Drumroll, please... Oh! Binding Sword!" Out of the nine participants, two were Specters, five were knights, one was a mage, and one was a duke. The game, Specter with Knight,bined psychological strategy and card y. The knights had to identify the Specters, who, in turn, tried to eliminate the knights. This game had recently gained poprity. "Who should I stab with the Binding Sword...?" Cindy said, her eyes scanned the round table. Yulie sat calmly, though her heart sank when Cindy drew the Binding Sword. Leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Cindy asked, "Grand Knight?" "Yes, Cindy?" "You¡¯re a Specter, aren''t you?" Cindy leaned in, her voice tinged with yful usation. Yulie ced her hands neatly on herp, shaking her head and said, "No, I¡¯m not." "It sure looks like it. Look at you, Grand Knight. You can''t lie to save your life." "What are you implying?" "In thest game, when we pointed out your tells, you forced yourself to stay expressionless." Yulie feigned annoyance, puffing out her cheeks. "Now, it seems you¡¯re forcing another expression." "... I assure you, I am not a Specter," Yulie said. "In that case, I shall use the Binding Sword on Grand Knight Yulie." "You will regret this decision. I assure you, I am a knight." "Hmm... Now you have me reconsidering," Cindy said, pretending to deliberate. Yulie wondered if Cindy was truly contemting, but it was evident she was merely toying with her. "Alright, I''ll take the risk." Cindy channeled mana into the Binding Sword card, making it glow. A small blue sword materialized, pointing at the card in front of Yulie. With a swooshing sound, a ghost emerged. "See, Grand Knight? You''re awful at lying." "... This game is quite challenging," Yulie sighed. "But it''s enjoyable, right?" Cindyughed. Normally, Yulie wouldn¡¯t intrude on her subordinates¡¯ games, but this time, they had insisted she join. Knowing their true intentions, she gave them a faint smile and replied, "Yes, it is." "Exactly! We all need a break sometimes. Grand Knight, you''ve been working tirelesslytely." "How about this? If you draw the Specter card again, we''ll start over. You''re great at strategies but not as good with mind games." "... Next game will be different," Yulie dered as she handled the cards, herpetitive spirit ignited. Though the game itself didn''t captivate her, the challenge fueled her anticipation for another round. Just then... "It''s already 8 o¡¯clock. Time for the jousting match." "Is it already?" "Grand Knight, we''re heading out now. Do take some time to practice a bit more~" The knights hurried out, leaving the once-bustling break room empty. Alone, Yulie gazed at the table before tossing her cards aside. Shuffle¡ª As the cards scattered helplessly, the knights returned. Yulie eagerly gathered them, suspecting they had pretended to leave just to tease her. She feigned annoyance, but her heart was full of joy. Thinking this time would be different for her. The subordinate knights lined up behind Yulie, and shortly after, members of the Imperial family entered the room. "Yulie von Deya-Freyden." Startled, Yulie quickly rose and snapped a crisp salute. "Here is a letter from the Imperial Pce. ept it with the proper respect,"manded Lucan, a knight of the Imperial Pce. "Yes, sir," Yulie replied, kneeling on one knee to ept the letter. Lucan handed her the letter, which read: Yulie von Deya-Freyden, you are granted the opportunity to be selected as the Imperial Instructor Knight. Your first task is to navigate to the designated location, Rone Past. This letter confirmed that Yulie was indeed one of the candidates for the highly coveted position of Imperial Instructor Knight. *** The continent harbors various magical spaces, each with its unique characteristics. Some ces endure perpetual winter or summer, some are cloaked in eternal night, and others see not a single de of grass grow. Even the deste fringes of the continent, known as the Land of Destruction or Land of Demonic Beasts, belong to this category. Yulie was traversing one such space. Despite it being summer, the surroundings were nketed in perpetual snow. "... There it lies." The grueling half-day march was finally nearing its end. Flickering lights in the distance guided her to arge vi, her destination. Yulie stood before the door and knocked. Knock, knock¡ª "Is anyone there?" she called out, but received no response. Knock, knock¡ª "Come in," a voice from inside called after she knocked again. Yulie opened the door, and the warmth inside pushed away the chill of the snowstorm. In the cozy living room, she saw familiar faces¡ªSirio, Raphel, and Gwen, all seniors from her university days. "It¡¯s been a while, Yulie," Sirio, the Deputy Knight of the Iliade Knights Order, greeted her with a warm smile. His features were as striking as ever. "It has indeed been a while," Yulie responded with a polite nod. "I had a feeling it would be you. Please, have a seat." Five chairs were arranged in the living room. Yulie took one of the two remaining seats, presuming the final one was reserved for the Selector. "I''m curious about the test," Sirio continued. "This gathering reminds me of our university group projects. Right, Gwen? Yulie? Remember when we escorted that dignitary?" "I don''t care. I''m not going easy on you, Yulie, so you better be ready," Gwen, the short-haired knight, warned, her sharp eyes scanning the room. "Certainly," Yulie replied with a resolute nod. Raphel remained silent while Sirio continued, "Thest seat must be for the Selector. With Deputy Knight Isaac injured, does that mean Sir Gerfried will be joining us?" The mention of Sir Gerfried, the Empire''s Guardian Knight, caused Yulie to tense up. "Hmph. No way," Gwen scoffed. "Sir Gerfried is retired now. Besides, the Guardian Knight''s residence is in the south, not the Imperial Pce." "True enough," Sirio said with a shrug. Knock, knock¡ª The sound echoed clearly, capturing everyone''s attention. The door opened before anyone could respond. Whoosh¡ª A snowstorm blew in from outside as the man entered, wearing a coat and a fedora that obscured his face. Tall and well-built, he exuded an air of familiarity that Yulie couldn''t quite ce. When he removed his hat, she realized why. Yulie''s eyes widened in recognition, and the other knights simply blinked in surprise. Unfazed by their reactions, he nonchntly hung his hat and coat in midair. Creak, creak¡ª The wooden floorboards groaned under his steps. His shoes remained spotless, untouched by the snow outside. "Greetings," Deculein said as he took the Selector¡¯s seat. "I am Deculein, the Acting Selector." Silence enveloped the room as the knights stared at Deculein in stunned disbelief, their faces a mixture of shock and confusion. "... Deculein?" Raphel said, his deep voice cut through the silence. "You? You''re the Selector?" Deculein nodded and replied, "Indeed." Raphel, Sirio, Gwen, and Deculein were the former colleagues who started at the Imperial University together, although Raphel joined the Department of Knights while Deculein enrolled in the Department of Magic. "Do you even know how to wield a sword? Or understand a knight¡¯s honor? How dare you¡ª" Raphel, nearly six foot seven inches tall, stood up and red at Deculein, his chiseled features contorting with anger. "Of course, I am a professor, not a knight, so I will assess you ording to the manual." "Manual? What could you possibly know about swordsmanship¡ª" "Not much. However, the qualifications for the Imperial Instructor Knight extend beyond swordsmanship. Additionally, I have already been chosen as the Imperial Instructor Mage, so my credentials are more than sufficient." Sirio''s eyes widened in surprise and asked, "You were selected? What about Louina? Did she lose out again?" "... Louina?" "... Oh, I didn''t realize. I forgot about your big fight." Deculein reflected on Louina von Schlott McQueen, his inevitable rival. She should have surfaced by now, yet there had been no word from her since the Floating Ind incident. "Anyway, how fascinating," Sirio mused. "With Deculein as the Selector, there are four of us from the same year." Raphel and Gwen seemed disgruntled, while Yulie felt more uneasy than discontented. "But is this fair? Won¡¯t there be favoritism?" Sirio asked, grinning as he pointed out the issue. Deculein shook his head and replied, "I will conduct the initial selection, but the final decision rests with Her Majesty." "Hmm. You didn¡¯t specify it would be fair... Well, understood." "Alright, when does the test start?" Gwen inquired. Deculein turned to her, and she flinched under his sudden gaze. "The first test was merely reaching this destination," Deculein dered. "The true examination begins tomorrow. Take this time to rest." *** [Independent Quest Completed: Selection as Imperial Instructor Mage] ¡ô Mana Point +100 ¡ô Store Currency +2 ¡ô Imperial Medal At 11:30 p.m., I sat in the Selector''s room, going over the knights'' profiles. Sirio ©¦ Knight of the Fresh Breeze ©¦ 33 years old Raphel ©¦ Knight of Might ©¦ 34 years old Gwen ©¦ Knight of the Holy Star ©¦ 31 years old Yulie ©¦ Knight of Refinement ©¦ 28 years old Each dossier was 100 pages long, packed with high-level information from the Imperial family. Three days ago, the Imperial Pce requested I serve as Acting Selector for the knights. It was likely the Empress¡¯s whim, but I agreed the moment I saw the candidate list. Yulie was the reason. I sighed, murmuring with a hint of resignation, "... Had it been the original Deculein, Yulie wouldn''t have even been considered." Had it been Deculein, Yulie would have beenpletely excluded from the exam through his scheming. However, Icked both the time and the connections to achieve the same. ng¡ª! ng¡ª! Suddenly, I heard the sh of swords. Moving to the window, I looked down to see Gwen and Sirio engaged in a sparring match. ng¡ª! ng¡ª! With my Sharp Eyesight, I closely examined their swordy. Gwen employed Advanced Rodeltra, while Sirio used his own creation, Sirio''s Masterful Fencing. Both were incredibly skilled, but Sirio¡¯s unique style gave him a slight advantage. "Raphel, may I request a sparring match with you?" "Very well." Yulie and Raphel thenmenced their duel. Boom¡ª! Swoosh¡ª! Sparks flew with each fierce sh of their swords. Raphel''s heavy blows seemed to explode, but Yulie parried them with ease. Observing their duel, I sighed quietly and said, "... Yulie." I hoped Yulie would be spared the honor of bing the Empress''s Instructor Knight. I wished she wouldn''t be selected. The main reason I epted the absurd proposal to choose the knights was to ensure just that. Beneath the Imperial Pce, the monster still lurks¡ªthe abyss of Freyden, the secret that could bring down the family. Deculein''s death variable, the mirror you must never face. Until I, or someone else, destroys that cursed mirror, I want you to stay away from the pce. Therefore... "I will ensure your failure." *** The next day, Yulie woke at the break of dawn. ¡°... Phew.¡± After stretching, she began her morning routine with yoga, preparing her body and clearing her mind. Once ready, Yulie stepped outside. The other knights, already seated in the living room, appeared to be ready for the day. ¡°Did you sleep well, Yulie?¡± Gwen asked gently. Yulie nodded and replied, "Yes." "Hey, you''ve really improved. I can''t afford to let my guard down around you." ¡°... Thank you.¡± Yulie remained humble, but Sirio and Gwen continued to tter her, iming that her sword now carried the essence of ice and that she had be an Arcane Knight adept at handling elements. Yulie tried to hide her smile, feeling like a hamster caught in the spotlight. Just then, Deculein emerged from the room on the right side of the vi, designated for the Selector. "Is it time to begin the test, Selector?" Sirio asked with a bright smile. Deculein nodded and took his seat, then announced, "The first test will assess your observational skills and perseverance." He infused a crystal orb with mana, and four items materialized in the air. "This area, Rone Past, is home to many rare magical items such as Ice Flowers, Latran, Magic Cores, and Crystal Herbs. I will assign each of you a specific item to locate and return with." Deculein then assigned tasks to each knight. Sirio was to find Latran, Gwen a Magic Core, Raphel a Crystal Herb, and Yulie an Ice Flower. ¡°The items must be intact and undamaged. Even the slightest w will lead to disqualification. Additionally, I will not move from this spot,¡± Deculein dered. Yuliemitted to memory the appearance of the Ice Flower, a transparent bloom that only grew on the Precipice of the Snowy Mountain. These flowers bloomed and withered ten to twenty times a day, making her believe that finding one wouldn''t be too difficult. ¡°If there are any objections, speak now. Certain rules can be adjusted,¡± Deculein added. Yulie and the others shook their heads. ¡°Very well. Since there are no objections, you have twenty-four hours. Begin.¡± At exactly 7:00 a.m., all the knights stood up. "Let¡¯s give it our all, everyone. Friendlypetition!" Sirio encouraged. As soon as they exited the vi, the knights dispersed. Yulie made her way toward the hignds where the Ice Flowers grew. Rone Past was a vast magical space, and a nearby sloping mountain range marked the start of her ascent. ¡°... Ha.¡± The climb was challenging. The snowstorm from the previous night had left deep drifts, causing her legs to sink with each step. She had to use her knees to push forward. After a strenuous ascent, she reached the cliffs and discovered an Ice Flower¡ªa clear, transparent bloom. Only three hours had passed. Yulie carefully picked the flower and began her descent. Screech¡ª Yulie opened the vi door and saw Deculein waiting in the living room. She walked over and presented the Ice Flower to him. ¡°Here it is.¡± Deculein meticulously inspected the flower, examining every petal. Yulie waited patiently. Finally, he said, "It is defective." ¡°... What?¡± "I told you it had to bepletely intact, without the slightest damage," Deculein stated as he handed the Ice Flower back to Yulie, pointing out a tiny blemish on one of its petals. ¡°... Understood.¡± Despite the strict standard, Yulie didn¡¯t argue and returned outside. Her face reddened from the cold as she scoured the mountain range, traversing its most treacherous peaks. Finally, she discovered another Ice Flower. She hurried to examine it carefully, making sure it was wless. ¡°Perfect,¡± Yulie murmured, satisfied with the petal, before returning to the vi where Deculein still waited in the same spot. Approaching him with measured steps, she presented the flower and said, ¡°Here it is.¡± This time, she felt confident. However... ¡°It is defective.¡± His response was the same. Shocked, Yulie examined the flower more closely and found a small scratch on the base. It hadn''t been there initially; it must have happened while she handled it. "Are there really such defects?" Sirio asked, already eating afterpleting his task. Growl¡ª Yulie¡¯s stomach growled, reminding her of the single drawback to a knight¡¯s exceptional physical abilities¡ªtheir enormous metabolism. "Food will only be provided once the task ispleted or if you choose to forfeit," Deculein stated. ¡°Oh, really? Sorry, Yulie. I was going to share some with you,¡± Sirio said with a shrug. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll try again,¡± Yulie replied, ignoring her hunger as she stepped back outside. She began her third climb. Starving, with limited mana, she relied on her armor''s strength to withstand the cold. For nearly six hours, she roamed the area. To make matters worse, another snowstorm hit. Snow clung to her body, and her hair had already frozen. Finally, she found another Ice Flower. Exhausted, she returned to the vi, checking the flower''s condition before presenting it to Deculein. He examined it while Yulie, shivering and tense with anticipation, waited for his verdict. Tick-tock¡ª tick-tock¡ª tick-tock¡ª Three seconds felt like thirty minutes. After a thorough examination, Deculein looked up and dered, "It is defective." ¡°Ah! N-no way! That¡¯s impossible!¡± Yulie eximed, her voice breaking as she fought back tears. "See for yourself," Deculein said, as he handed the Ice Flower back to her. Sure enough, a minuscule scratch marred the flower. ¡°Ah...¡± How could this be? Yulie clutched her head in frustration. She had been careful, checking it just minutes before. She couldn''t understand what was causing these damages. Crackle¡ª A spark from the firece caught her eye, and in that instant, realization dawned on her. "Have you decided to give up?" Deculein inquired. "... I¡¯ll return shortly," Yulie replied, hurrying back outside. She braved the snowstorm, her body freezing, her skin feeling like it was peeling away. Finding the fourth Ice Flower was difficult, but she persevered. ¡°... Found it.¡± In the harsh cold, she discovered the most radiant Ice Flower. Carefully, she made her way back, holding the flower delicately to avoid any damage. She didn¡¯t rush, shielding it from the wind. As she approached the vi, she noticed Gwen, Raphel, and Sirio inside, all having passed the test. Standing outside, she called out, ¡°Here it is! This time, it¡¯s wless!¡± She remained outside, disying the Ice Flower from where she stood amid the fierce snowstorm and extreme cold. ¡°Enter, Yulie,¡± Deculeinmanded. Yulie shook her head and replied, ¡°Please step outside.¡± The Ice Flower was extremely sensitive to temperature. If she brought it inside, the heat from the firece behind Deculein¡¯s chair would certainly cause damage. "The Ice Flower is right here," she dered with unwavering resolve. She believed this was the answer and cursed herself for not realizing it sooner. Standing in the snowstorm, she held the Ice Flower, her breath visible in the cold air as it remained intact. But then... "No," Deculein replied, his tone even colder than the surrounding air. ¡°... What?¡± Yulie''s voice, thick with astonishment, barely escaped her lips. From the warmth of the vi, he looked at her with a chilling gaze and said, ¡°I told you clearly.¡± With a cold expression and a harsh voice, he made it clear. Yulie finally understood. "I told you, I would not move from this spot." Deculein had nned to disqualify her from the beginning. Chapter 50: Selection (2)

Chapter 50: Selection (2)

"I even gave you the chance to object. It¡¯s your fault for not paying close attention," Deculein stated, his voice as cold as ice. Yulie lowered her head silently. Her senior knights watched her, their emotions mirrored in her own turmoil. Yet, she knew it was too soon to give up. "... I admit it''s my fault," she murmured quietly. Determined, she ced the Ice Flower on a stable surface and concentrated her mana into her palms. Thud¡ª! A familiar, dull pain from an old injury red up. Direct mana release was still a challenge, but she ignored it. Clenching her teeth, she gathered her mana into a sphere in her hand and then dispersed it like dust. Whoosh... Her magic spread throughout the vi, freezing everything and extinguishing the warmth of the firece, causing the temperature to plummet. "This should suffice," Yulie said with confidence, her gaze steady on Deculein. Deculein''s expression briefly flickered with surprise before he regained hisposure. Shaking his head, he stated, "Your method is wed. Inspect the flower yourself." At his instruction, Yulie turned her gaze to the Ice Flower she had set down earlier. "What...?" The petals were scarred, the damage evident at a nce. "The Ice Flower is highly sensitive to mana." "... Hah," Yulieughed bitterly, holding the damaged flower in her hand. She closed her eyes after gazing at the shimmering flower bud, lowering her head in defeat. Though the clock above the frozen firece was still, it soon struck seven o''clock. "You''re disqualified," Deculein announced. *** Yulie stayed at the vi for a while because her body temperature was too low to leave immediately. After finishing her meal, she fell into a deep sleep while the knights gathered in the living room. ¡°It wasn¡¯t fair,¡± Sirio said. However, I was more concerned about Yulie¡¯s mana than hisint. It was the first time I had seen it with my Sharp Eyesight, and I noticed a w, an unknown injury. [Status Effect: Mana Impairment] Yulie''s mana was damaged. Mana impairment, or a core injury, was rare and couldn''t be caused by ordinary harm. It must have been a curse or a nearly crippling injury. I wasn''t sure if Yulie in my game had reached the pinnacle of knighthood with such an affliction or if she had ovee it to reach the top. ¡°Yulie¡¯s task was far too difficult. Ice flowers and a firece? I didn¡¯t get it at first either,¡± Sirio grumbled. Gwen and Raphel red at me, their eyes full of anger. The knights were clearly unhappy with the unfair process. It suddenly urred to me that they might have a connection not only with Deculein but also with Yulie, which could mean they knew the reason behind her Mana Impairment. ¡°... Yulie sustained an injury once,¡± I mused aloud, almost to myself. I was subtly probing, yet the atmosphere in the room suddenly changed. ¡°Injury? That was your fault. During our group mission to guard the VIP... Oh, could it be?¡± Sirio¡¯s eyes widened as he stared at me. Raphel stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, ¡°The aftereffects are still lingering?¡± Gwen frowned and said, ¡°She seemed fine using her Sword Qi... Raphel, what do you think?¡± ¡°She seemed to consciously limit her mana usage. She used her Sword Qi but never released a lot of mana at once,¡± Raphel added, a hint of pride twisting his lips. Something seemed off. There was no other way to counter Raphel¡¯s explosive sword technique. Sirio nodded and said, ¡°If the aftereffects are still present, it¡¯s a problem. She could get into trouble being near Her Majesty, especially with the strict eunuchs.¡± They talked about things I didn¡¯t understand, events from before the game¡¯s timeline. ¡°But are you sure? How did you know, Deculein? Well, I suppose you would. You care so much about her,¡± Sirio said with a sly grin. Gwen''s eyes narrowed as she snapped, ¡°Enough. Even if it¡¯s true, is this how you show you care for someone? It¡¯s not impressive. Despite her injury, she can still instruct Her Majesty just fine. Your overprotection is unnecessary.¡± ¡°Gwen,¡± I said firmly, calling her name. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Would you like to be disqualified as well?¡± Gwen fell silent, so I turned my attention back to my duties as the Selector. ¡°Return to your rooms. The second test willmence once the first disqualified participant has departed.¡± *** It was 3 p.m., but the world outside remained dark. Yulie stood, gazing up at the sky. The winter air was taut and biting. ¡°Best of luck, Grand Knight!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been stressedtely, so show them what you¡¯ve got and return even stronger!¡± She recalled the encouragement from her fellow knights. Determined to pass the test for their sake, she had failed. She couldn''t me anyone else and wouldn''t allow herself to. Yulie epted it humbly. As she was about to leave, she heard a rustling sound and saw Deculein watching her from not far away. ¡°Yulie.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± He walked towards her slowly, his steps crunching in the snow. Stopping just three steps away, he paused as if carefully choosing his words. "Today''s oue was indeed unfortunate." ¡°Not at all,¡± Yulie replied, shaking her head. ¡°As you said, it was my fault. I understand. That was the nature of the test itself.¡± Deculein remained silent, unable toprehend Yulie¡¯s insistence that it was her fault. Yulie continued earnestly, ¡°The Ice Flower and the firece were quite ingenious. I should have examined them more thoroughly when I received the task.¡± Deculein sighed softly. He knew it wasn''t ingenious; it was more that she was stubbornly straightforward. ¡°... Before you leave, I have a question I would like to ask you,¡± Deculein said. ¡°Does this pertain to your duties as the Selector?¡± He shook his head and replied, ¡°No.¡± ¡°Very well, please ask your question.¡± As Kim Woo-Jin, enduring Deculein¡¯s emotions, he remembered meeting Yulie for the first time five months ago. She had been furious about a promise he had broken, but he hadn¡¯t even asked what the promise was. ¡°I once broke a promise,¡± he said. Yulie looked at him silently, and Deculein continued with a detached tone, ¡°Remind me of that promise.¡± Yulie¡¯s eyebrows twitched. Deculein offered her a small smile and said, ¡°I merely wish to hear it from you once more.¡± She found him puzzling; at some point, he had be an enigma. "... It has been over half a year. During that time, I received a letter from someone in the Luna family. It was from the mother of a mage who took his own life while working on your research." ¡°And what were the contents of that letter?¡± ¡°I''ve already shown it to you. It outlined the... wrongdoings you hadmitted. I asked for an exnation, and you remained silent.¡± Yulie had shown him the letter, but he had burned it, insisting she didn''t need to know its contents. ¡°I see.¡± However, Deculein acted as if nothing had happened, his behavior inexplicable once again. ¡°Why do you ask this now?¡± He looked at her with a bitter smile on his lips and said, ¡°Because it was my fault.¡± ¡°... Pardon?¡± Yulie asked, her eyes widening in surprise. ¡°It was my fault then... the fault of I, Deculein. But the research continues. He designed it, but I am the one carrying it forward. As a joint effort, he will be credited as a co-author.¡± Deculein gazed at the horizon as the sun finally began to rise, the natural magic of the space adding a strange quality to the moment. ¡°If there are profits, they will be shared, and I will help his family recover. When this research is published, I will also extend my apology to him,¡± Deculein said, his face bathed in sunlight. He was cold yet warm, like ice melting in spring. Yulie responded softly, ¡°... Why did you not say this back then?¡± Deculein looked at her, and Yulie did not avert her gaze. ¡°Perhaps because it would have changed nothing,¡± he replied. ¡°Sorry?¡± ¡°At that time, you were merely seeking reasons to despise me.¡± Deculein believed that although he loved Yulie, she did not love him. He felt it was a fate he had to ept. ¡°I understand. No matter what you feel toward me, emotions cannot be changed by sheer will.¡± ¡°... No,¡± Yulie said, shaking her head firmly. ¡°... There was a time when I liked you.¡± Deculein¡¯s normally stoic eyes widened. Yulie blushed at his reaction and said, ¡°What I mean to say is...¡± Their rtionship had spanned sixteen years, dating back to when Deculein was not yet the head of Yukline and Yulie was just a child dreaming of bing a knight. Despite many disappointments and humiliations, she had decided to trust him onest time, driven by her feelings for him. ¡°At that time¡ª¡± ¡°Let us leave it buried,¡± Deculein interrupted, shaking his head. ¡°I am not the same person I was back then.¡± Yulie, who had been about to speak, nodded shyly. She understood his resolve and let the words forming in her mouth fade away. Watching her, he said, ¡°Yulie.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°From this moment forward, I will endeavor not to love you.¡± Yulie¡¯s eyes and mouth widened in surprise. Deculein¡¯s clearughter shattered his cold exterior, making him appear more boyish than the stern noble he usually was. Smiling, he continued, ¡°You seem burdened by it, so I will endeavor to distance myself. Eventually, we shall each find our own paths.¡± He finally shared his feelings with her. ¡°I shall do that for you,¡± he said, then turned and walked away without hesitation. ¡°You have done well today. Take care on your way home.¡± Yulie watched his retreating figure as the sun rose high, warming the world. A small smile spread across her face like sunlight, and she whispered, ¡°... You are sincere, aren¡¯t you?¡± Yulie realized once again that he was trying to change. She had not been aware of his efforts, or perhaps she had not wanted to acknowledge them. ¡°I will reflect and atone as a knight should.¡± Feeling a warmth like that of a cozy candle me, Yulie turned and walked in the opposite direction. His words echoed in her mind, "I will endeavor not to love you..." He was willing to change for her, to refrain from loving her for her sake. It was a self-sacrificial promise made for her. She stopped and looked back, but he was already out of sight. ¡°Eventually, we shall each find our own paths...¡± Nodding, she resumed her walk. The snow seemed to swallow her steps. The rising sun melted the snow on her, making it cling like wet mud. Yulie continued on, finally epting the lingering feelings she had for him. *** The selection examination concluded smoothly. After three days of testing, Raphel was selected, while the other three knights were eliminated. Although it consumed three days, it was far from a waste. I observed the movements of the top knights with my Sharp Eyesight andmitted them to memory with my Comprehension. It was an experience more valuable than any treasure. As soon as I returned to my office in the Mage Tower, Ipiled and organized my observations. The two volumes I produced would be invaluable for my Iron Man project. "Hm," I murmured as I ced the record book in my desk drawer. A notebook caught my eye. I took it out¡ªit was the titleless notebook I had taken from Deculein¡¯s room in Hadecaine. Although the details were still unclear, it was undoubtedly a magical artifact. Using such magical artifacts is usually straightforward, requiring only an infusion of mana. The moment I ced my hand on the notebook... Knock knock¡ª A knock sounded. I quickly put the notebook away and used Telekinesis to open the door. "Congrattions!" Allen eximed, wearing a party hat and holding a cake. He grinned broadly and said, "Professor, congrattions on being selected as an Imperial Instructor Mage!" It seemed the imperial announcement had been made. I nodded and asked, ¡°Is there a list?¡± ¡°Here it is!¡± Allen said eagerly as he handed it over. I frowned as soon as I saw the list. Imperial Instructor Mage List: Deculein von Grahan-Yukline, Louina von Schlott McQueen. There were two instructor mages on the list, though it was supposed to be just one. Still, it wasn¡¯t the worst oue; meeting Louina was inevitable. However, the next page felt like a p to the back of my head. Imperial Instructor Knight List: Sirio von Renya Sigrun, Raphel Kent, Yulie von Deya-Freyden, Gwen Whipsy "What is this?" The empress had selected all four as instructor knights. Feeling awkward about her decision, she exined it on the next page. I seek to master the swift sword techniques of Sirio, as fluid as the wind; harness the explosive power of the heavy sword from Raphel; perfect the art of the rapier from Gwen; and learn to unite the elements with the sword from Yulie. Just then, a system message appeared. [Imperial Quest: Demon¡¯s Mirror] ¡ô Store Currency +10 ¡ô ??? A quest worth ten store currency had appeared, but my mood remained sour. ¡°... Ta-da! Ta-da-da-da-da! Ta-da!¡± Allen, oblivious to the situation, eximed, mimicking a fanfare with his mouth. ¡°Leave,¡± Imanded with a wave of my hand. ¡°Oh, yes, sir!¡± Allen said, quickly leaving as he sensed the tense atmosphere. I stared at the list, deep in thought. Agonizing at my desk wouldn¡¯t change anything, though. This was all due to the empress¡¯s whims. ¡°Damn it...¡± I muttered, running a hand through my hair as I sat down. Knock knock¡ª Another knock sounded just as I was about to leave, so I went to the door and opened it. Standing there was Sylvia, holding arge scroll. ¡°Professor, I have a question.¡± ¡°A question?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. In thest ss, you mentioned that the assignment would be challenging and that we shoulde to you with any questions.¡± ¡°That is correct, but are you here alone?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Return with your group members,¡± I said, closing the door. Knock knock¡ª Sylvia knocked again. When I didn¡¯t open the door, she called out, ¡°My team is of no assistance.¡± ¡°Group assignments are not intended to bepleted alone.¡± I finally heard her footsteps moving away, but shortly after, there was another knock. ¡°I distinctly said¡ª¡± I opened the door to find her with the other four. They must have been nearby. It seemed Sylvia had nned to ask the question alone, leaving them on the side. ¡°We¡¯re all here.¡± ¡°... Very well,e in,¡± I said, guiding the group to the table in my office. Epherene shed a suspicious smile as soon as she sat down and said, "This is how we¡¯ve organized our group project." Sylvia ced the scroll on the table. I nodded and unrolled it. Honestly, I was a bit surprised. Although I had told the ss to visit anytime, I hadn¡¯t expected them to actually do so... Heh heh, Epherene thought to herself with a smirk. In truth, the scroll detailing the magical disaster spell was wed. Epherene had secretly inserted deliberate errors without Sylvia''s knowledge. It was a cleverly designed trap that had taken her two nights toplete. Even Deculein wouldn¡¯t easily spot it with a mere nce because it contained a hidden catalyst. ¡°Where might there be a mistake?¡± Epherene asked Deculein, feigning nervousness as she licked her lips. Deculein silently examined the scroll... Chapter 51: Imperial Palace (1)

Chapter 51: Imperial Pce (1)

The Head Professor¡¯s office was deathly quiet. Deculein focused intently on the scroll without saying a word. The scroll was covered with various lines and circles. Epherene swallowed hard and clenched her fists, watching Deculein with tense anticipation. Her heart pounded, cold sweat trickling down her temples as her breath grew ragged. ¡°The knots connecting the magic circle are loose,¡± Deculein said, still examining the scroll. Behind him, a fountain pen floated up. ¡°These sections here.¡± The pen marked eight different spots, and he soon instructed, ¡°Observe the difference between a secure connection and a loose one. Sylviapared the marked and unmarked areas with her eyes. The differences were subtle but noticeable. Epherene, for once, took his advice seriously. ¡°The remainder of the work meets satisfactory standards,¡± Deculein noted with a nod. At that moment, Epherene felt a surge of joy rising from deep within her chest. His remark that the rest of the work was satisfactory meant he hadn¡¯t detected her trap. ¡°... Hmm~¡± In truth, it was only natural. Catalyst Magic involved inscribing runes onto the catalyst itself, dedicating 70% of the spell''s power to the catalyst and only 30% to the caster. It was a burden-relief technique, with 70% of the spell concealed within the catalyst. ¡°Proceed as you have been,¡± Deculein said, unaware of the trap. Epherene couldn''t help but burst intoughter and said, ¡°Aha-ha.¡± Deculein looked back at her, and she responded with a beaming smile, ¡°Thank you, Professor. I feel so relieved now.¡± ¡°If everything isplete, you may all leave,¡± he said. ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Epherene eximed, jumping to her feet, her face lighting up with a broad smile. Sylvia cast a narrow-eyed re at her, but the five of them soon left together. Once outside Deculein¡¯s room, Sylvia muttered, ¡°Arrogant Epherene.¡± ¡°Sorry, sorry,¡± Epherene replied with augh. The team took the elevator down to the study room in the lower levels of the Mage Tower. Thanks to Sylvia, the room was spacious and tidy. Epherene spread the scroll out on therge table. ¡°Wow, the Professor is incredible. The work isn¡¯t even half-finished, and he spotted the issue immediately,¡± Eurozan said. ¡°Yeah, I only noticed what was wrong after he pointed it out,¡± Daine added. ¡°Actually, this is pretty fun. I thought it would just be difficult, but it feels like I¡¯m being able to see the world through magic,¡± Eurozan said. Sylvia inwardly scoffed at their words about seeing the world through magic. They were so out of their depth, it was almost pathetic. It felt like an eagle watching caterpirs boast about their tiny feelers. ¡°Nope,¡± Epherene said confidently, shaking her head. ¡°Deculein was wrong this time.¡± "Arrogant Epherene," Sylvia said, frowning as her eyebrows twitched with irritation. ¡°Sylvia, remember our bet?¡± Epherene said with a small smile as she pulled a mana stone from her pocket. ¡°You guys made a bet? What was it about?¡± Eurozan asked. Last week, during an argument at the mansion, Epherene and Sylvia made a bet about Deculein''s skills. "Look at this," Epherene said, taking out the mana stone she had received as a reward from Deculein in a previous ss. She had divided it into four parts for practical use and had inscribed a circuit on one of them. ¡°Remember what I told you before,¡± Epherene said, cing the mana stone on the scroll and infusing it with mana. The catalyst reacted with the intricate runes on the scroll. ¡°He didn¡¯t even catch my trap¡ª¡± St¡ª! Before she could finish, a liquid burst out, covering Epherene¡¯s face. ¡°He... didn¡¯t even... notice my trap...¡± she said, her words trailing off slowly. She stumbled back, and the team blinked at her in surprise. Sticky ck ink clung to her teeth and gums, coating her face entirely. ¡°Ah... Ah... Aaah!¡± she screamed as the burning sensation hit. Thrashing around, she caused her teammates to burst intoughter. ¡°Aaaaaah!¡± ¡°Why are you, haha... like that, Epherene?¡± ¡°Aaah, gaaah!¡± Only Sylvia turned her head away. She didn¡¯t want tough, so she avoided looking, but her nostrils and lips kept twitching. ¡°Aaah, it burns!¡± Epherene gasped, hastily making a bowl from whatever she could find to douse her face with water. Gurgle gurgle¡ª After a while, the burning sensation subsided, and she lifted her head. Her lips were swollen, and her eyelids were red as she moaned, ¡°Ah... Ah... I¡¯m going to die...¡± Sylvia smirked and said, ¡°Arrogant Epherene, look at this.¡± Epherene struggled to open her eyes and looked where Sylvia was pointing. A glowing blue message hovered above the scroll. Your ingenuity is deserving ofmendation, albeit modest. ¡°Oh damn it, it¡¯s burning again...¡± Epherene groaned, plunging her face back into the water. Meanwhile, Sylvia calmly resumed her corrections. This time, she exercised more caution. Catalyst Magic was a secretive art, revealing only parts of itself. Predicting the circuits the opponent inscribed was crucial. It required not only magical ability but also a creative and mathematical mind. To dismantle, steal, and transform an entire spell, Professor Deculein was proving to be more of a genius than Sylvia had anticipated. *** Three dayster, my butler Roy brought me the auction results. [82,145,005?] Even after deducting taxes andbor costs, weted over eighty million. Because we hosted the auction after acquiring the appraisal office, there were no fees. I transferred twenty million elne to the Hadecaine family ount, hoping Yeriel would make good use of it. "Close to one billion." There are still plenty of items to sell, so we can likely earn at least another one billion elne. The effectiveness of the Wealthy Magnate attribute is undeniable. Feeling satisfied, I sat down in my study and picked up the grimoires again. One massive, thick tome was titled Metal Enhancement. This was part of my effort to upgrade Telekinesis. Previously, Icked the necessary knowledge and mana to understand the Metal Enhancement spell. The mana consumption for Comprehension is based on my level of magical knowledge. For example, solving calculus with elementary-level knowledge required extreme mana consumption, but with high school-level knowledge, it was somewhat reduced. Metal Enhancement was a mid-level spell that demanded enormous mana and intricate spells. It was incredibly heavy andplex, often used for fortifying massive castle walls. Despite its simple name, it''s akin to an ultimate siege weapon. In the past, I couldn''t Comprehend the core circuits of this spell, even if I poured all my mana into it, nor did I see the need. However, thanks to my consistent reading and magical studies, my knowledge has improved enough to partially decode the enhancement aspects of this spell. It¡¯s a supplementary form of Metal Enhancement,posed entirely of curves without any straight lines. Now, I n to integrate this circuit into my Telekinesis. Naturally, I can''t replicate the original scale and performance of Metal Enhancement. Instead, I will significantly reduce its output, apply it only when Telekinesis grasps an object to minimize risk, and inscribe parts of the Metal Enhancement spell onto my Wood Steel shurikens. "... In a way, I suppose I owe Epherene my gratitude." The inspiration came from her challenge three days ago, involving a Catalyst Magic that reduces my mana burden. Scratch¡ªscratch¡ª I engraved the circuit onto the Wood Steel shurikens. It took only thirty minutes toplete all twenty. After enhancing them with Metal Enhancement, I nned to work on Basic Restoration. This spell would grant Telekinesis the ability to restore, allowing objects manipted by Telekinesis to recover on their own. Such a versatile form of Telekinesis likely didn''t exist in this world. Then again, I was creating it bybining various techniques. With both Enhancement and Basic Restoration, it would be much more than just Telekinesis. "... Restoration magic?" A sudden thought struck me. I retrieved a pendant from my drawer. It held a photo of Epherene and her father, but his face had been erased. If I could find an expert in restoration magic, repairing this torn part would be easy. Of course, fixing it wouldn¡¯t change much... "It is better than doing nothing." *** The Mage Tower of the Imperial University, the tallest structure on the continent, stands at 101 floors. The floors above the 80th, referred to as the upper levels, manage the Mage Tower''s most confidential matters. ess to these levels is restricted based on a Mage Tower professor''s rank. "Alright! Let us nowmence the executive meeting of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University!" On the 91st floor, one of the Mage Tower of the University''s highest levels, a vast meeting room upied the entire space. Today, numerous professors had assembled for the Mage Tower''s biannual meeting. ¡°But first, let us celebrate some good news! Congrattions to Professor Deculein on being selected as an Imperial Pce Instructor Mage! Please join me in giving him a round of apuse!¡± The Chairwoman apuded while looking at me. In this tiered meeting room, she upied the highest seat, with me seated just below her. p p p p¡ª The other professors joined in the apuse, and I acknowledged them with a nod. ¡°Starting tomorrow, correct?! This is a great honor for our Mage Tower! Of course, someone named Louina from some kingdom was also selected, but moving on to our first agenda item, the final exams!¡± Whereas the Mage Tower¡¯s midterm exams were theoretical, the final exams were practical. Consequently, all non-elective courses required students to ovee scenarios or demonstrate their magical skills. ¡°As you are aware, the passing of the previous Emperor has dyed our schedule, leaving us pressed for time. If you need to book locations for exams, please submit your applications promptly!¡± It served as a reminder for us to begin preparing for the exams. ¡°And next, you are all aware of the agenda passed in Berhert, correct? Our Mage Tower is required to support the Demon Purification. They have requested our Mage Tower for assistance, specifically asking for Head Professor Deculein!¡± I looked at the Chairwoman without saying a word. She smiled slyly and asked, ¡°You can manage this, correct?¡± [Side Quest: Support the Demon Purification] ¡ô Store Currency +2 ¡°Yes,¡± I responded, offering no furtherment. Refusing would draw attention, and besides, handling demons was far easier for me than dealing with demonic beasts, unlike most mages. ¡°And we have decided to reopen the Mountain of Darkness, which has been closed until now. There is a directive for this! Additionally, the Marik Opening willmence next week!¡± The professors murmured quietly. The conservative ones seemed uneasy about the current situation, but there was no avoiding it. The Empress was a radical, possessing the heart of a lion and a soul wrapped in mystery. Depending on one''s perspective, she could be seen as either an antagonist or a protagonist. "And we¡¯ve reviewed the professors'' research projects and papers, assessing them financially based on their expenses and ie!" The meeting, or rather the Chairwoman¡¯s monologue, continued. Various charts floated in the air. Professors like Relin, Ren, Siare, Fiorenz, and Rokan, who led dozens of mages, struggled financially. The newly hired professors weren¡¯t even present at this meeting due to their lower ranks. "With the exception of Professor Deculein, who hasn¡¯t conducted research for three years, the rest of you have shown poor financial performance. They say that half the battle is simply showing up." For three years, Deculein had focused solely on lecturing. Half of the lecture fees were his, while the other half went to the Mage Tower. This arrangement generated far more revenue than any other professor''s work. "Chairwoman, with all due respect, our research is purely academic. Therefore, evaluating it solely based on financial terms is..." Ren¡¯s cautious defense was valid. The Mage Tower professors like Relin, Ren, and Siare, despite asionally being dismissed by me, had made and continued to make significant academic contributions. However, the cost of magic stones and the sries of their subordinates were substantial. ¡°Nonsense! Are you saying pure academic pursuits don¡¯t generate revenue?! Professor Deculein¡¯s midterm exam, although purely academic, brought in a significant amount of money!¡± the Chairwoman retorted. I quietly nodded in agreement. ¡°To tackle this problem, we have decided to reopen the nning and Coordination Office after five years. We now need to appoint a director for this office. Are there any rmendations¡ª¡± I promptly raised my hand and dered, ¡°I will assume this responsibility.¡± ¡°You are volunteering for this position, Professor Deculein?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The nning and Coordination Office primarily handles nning and budgeting, but my ambitions extend far beyond that. ¡°I asked for rmendations. Are you rmending yourself?¡± ¡°I rmend Deculein von Grahan-Yukline.¡± ¡°How shameless!¡± "The charts clearly indicate that I am the most suitable candidate." The Deputy Minister of the nning and Coordination Office wields considerable authority. However, my ultimate goal is to be the Chairman of the Mage Tower of the University. Adrienne will be promoted to Archmage within a year at most. Such a powerful figure won''t remain at the Mage Tower for long. Once she leaves, I aim to take her position, whiches with substantial bonuses, including up to 1,000 mana points. "Are there any other rmendations from the professors?!" I fixed the professors with a menacing re, daring any of them to challenge me. None did. ¡°... But if you haven¡¯t conducted research for three years, how can you evaluate others¡¯ research nning?¡± ¡°I understand practical research of all kinds. Moreover, this might not qualify as research, but...¡± I paused, surveying the room. ¡°To my embarrassment, I¡¯ve been deeply engrossed in problem-solving, particrly focusing on the Symposium problem.¡± ¡°Wait, Symposium problem?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯ve been neglecting your research because of that?¡± I sighed lightly and nodded, replying, ¡°Not entirely, but my attention was somewhat diverted. However, that problem is now nearly resolved.¡± The Chairwoman regarded me with a look of curiosity. ¡°Hmm! If you achieve such academic value and aplishments with the Symposium, even if it¡¯s not the Millennium, then you certainly deserve to be the Deputy Minister of the nning and Coordination Office! But if you fail, the shame will be entirely yours!¡± *** ¡°... There have been such rumors circting in the Mage Tower,¡± the eunuch Jng reported to Sophien in the imperial pce study. ¡°Could he be the next chairman? His actions seem openly directed toward that goal,¡± Sophien mused. ¡°It seems possible, Your Majesty, but his research is currently at a standstill...¡± Jng¡¯s information was extensive and precise. Unlike a knight, he spoke freely, making him a convenient toy. ¡°If he solves the Symposium problem and leverages Yukline¡¯s prestige, bing Deputy Minister would be easy. However, bing chairman is a different matter entirely. He would need Your Majesty¡¯s approval,¡± Jng added. Sophien nodded and suddenly stood, leaning against the library¡¯s windowsill. From there, she could see the Path of Humility leading to the imperial pce. It was nearly time. ¡°Hmm.¡± At that moment, a woman approached. Her long, dark green hair seemed to absorb the surrounding light. With sharp features and tightly pressed lips, her firmly sped robe coat reflected her resolute nature, appearing quite beautiful even to the Empress. ¡°Louina von Schlott McQueen!¡± the Empress¡¯s voice rang out. Startled, Louina looked up at her. ¡°Greetings!¡± At the Empress¡¯s hearty greeting, Louina quickly knelt on one knee and bowed her head, disying utmost reverence. She remained motionless like a statue, waiting for the Empress¡¯s gaze to shift away. Shortly after, another man appeared behind her. The Empress called out once again, ¡°Deculein von Grahan-Yukline!¡± Deculein met Sophien¡¯s gaze without hesitation or fear. He performed a graceful, respectful bow but did not kneel. Sophien whispered to the eunuch behind her, ¡°Why does he not kneel?¡± ¡°Traditionally, an instructor mage and the Empress are regarded aspanions for six months to a year. While they observe proper etiquette, they do not disy the extreme reverence of a subject to a sovereign, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. However, that''s merely tradition. In reality, he is rather insolent.¡± Sophien twisted her lips at the eunuch¡¯s ttery, then descended from the windowsill and returned to her chair. Her expression turned cold and emotionless, like a lifeless doll. ¡°I have chosen two of them, yet it feels bothersome. The thought of them droning on about their magic...¡± Sophien murmured. ¡°Your Majesty, we could dy their audience or turn them away at the door. It might prove to be a valuable lesson¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough. I have already greeted them.¡± The Empress nced at her desk, where a chessboard gleamed. She smirked and said, ¡°I am overwhelmed by the burdens of work and have no interest in mypanions'' tedious lessons today. Instead, let us y chess...¡± Chapter 52: Imperial Palace (2)

Chapter 52: Imperial Pce (2)

It had been three months since the professor promotion evaluations began, and the Mage Tower was still abuzz with discussions about the Head Professor. Despite Deculein¡¯s unparalleled spell interpretation skills and theoretical frameworks, supported by the influential Yukline family, most believed Louina was superior overall, especially in terms of personality. Deculein¡¯s behavior, verging on arrogance, left the current professors wary of his potential as Head Professor. This apprehension drove their support for Louina. The Mage Tower¡¯s evaluation criteria focused on individual merit and achievements rather than family or status. Even the current Chairwoman, Adrienne, hailed from a minor noble family. Trusting the fairness of the selection process, Louina remained resolute. She faced relentless pressure and threats from Yukline but refused to yield. Even if it meant her death, she would not surrender. However, today... ¡°If the position holds less importance than your family, then it is time to relinquish it.¡± Her father''s voice, once robust, now sounded frail and withered. His words shattered Louina. The pressure from Yukline had extended beyond her to the entire McQueen family. Once one of the twelve great houses, they had fallen from grace ten years ago when her father lost his magic to a severe injury, causing the family''s prestige to decline. The McQueens had no power to resist Yukline. Louina couldn¡¯t handle this alone; the situation was far more dire than she had realized. Her father, mother, younger siblings, retainers, and the entire family¡¯s territory were copsing. Splish, ssh¡ª It was once on a rainy day, feeling a sense of helplessness that far outweighed the rain soaking her, Louina went to see Deculein. ¡°You are not permitted to enter,¡± dered the guard at the imposing gate of the Yukline mansion, one of the most prestigious residences in the capital. "I have urgent matters to discuss with him." ¡°Without a prior appointment, entry is not permitted.¡± ¡°I understand, but I must speak with him urgently!¡± "It is not permitted." ¡°... Kindly step aside! If you inform Deculein of my presence, he will...¡± Louina tried to advance, but several guards blocked her path, resulting in a noisy altercation as they pushed her back. Themotion ceased when amanding voice interrupted, ¡°What is happening here?¡± Deculein stood just beyond the gate, shielded by a servant¡¯s umbre, his eyes fixed on her. The condescending disdain in his gaze churned Louina¡¯s stomach. "You again, Louina," Deculein remarked, his eyebrow twitching with barely concealed irritation. Louina pushed past the guards and brushed off her clothes. Fixing her gaze on him, she reluctantly spoke the words she had dreaded, "... I give up." ¡°Give up?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Deculein gazed at her with the disdain one might show a stray dog. Louina¡¯s voice trembled as she said, ¡°I give up. That will end this, won¡¯t it? So, let¡¯s put an end to this.¡± Deculein''s twisted smile was filled with disdain as he responded, ¡°End this? What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°... What?¡± Yukline had driven her entire family to the edge of ruin. Their debts were drastically elerated, and their family bonds had lost all value. Their territory teetered on the brink of bankruptcy. ¡°Louina, I truly don¡¯t understand what you mean...¡± Deculein approached her with slow, deliberate steps, his cold eyes brimming with disdain. ¡°If your intention is to offer an apology...¡± The idea of apologizing was absurd to Louina. ¡°You should demonstrate appropriate humility.¡± Under the umbre held by his servant, Deculein¡¯s cold blue eyes glinted as he remarked, ¡°You need to lower yourself.¡± Louina bit her lip until it bled. Her voice, trembling with suppressed rage she said, ¡°... Apologize?¡± "Indeed. After Berhert, your family would have fallen if not for Yukline''s support. You were spared copse through our aid. Despite your family''s betrayal, we granted forgiveness, yet your current actions are deplorable. At the very least, you owe an apology,¡± Deculein dered with a calm, aristocratic tone. Louina clenched her fists, ring at him as he narrowed his eyes. "... A decayed tree cannot be restored. Remember this, your family will wilt away like a dying nt," Deculein stated. He then turned and walked away. At that moment, Louina felt the world spinning around her. It was as if the sky were copsing. She wanted to disappear but couldn¡¯t abandon her family. ¡°Wait!¡± Louina called out to his retreating figure. Deculein halted and nced back over his shoulder. ¡°... I will do it.¡± Louina said, her voice trembling as she slowly knelt, blood dripping from her bitten lip. Ssh¡ª Mud and rainwater soaked into her clothes, causing Deculein to pause, seemingly taken aback. ¡°... I apologize. I... am truly sorry,¡± Louina said, bowing her head as tears mingled with the rain. Deculein''s voice dripped with scorn as he said, ¡°Tsk. How pathetic and pitiful.¡± Deculein advanced with deliberate steps, the rain intensifying around him. "Your pitiful family, barely a century old andcking roots or history, is nothing more than a collection of mongrels." With her knees on the ground, he pressed his shoe firmly on her knee. "Your attempts to preserve your pride, ignorant of your station...¡± He pressed down on her knee firmly, as if branding it. Louina felt a searing pain that seemed to tear through her heart. ¡°Were truly repugnant and disgusting." Crack¡ª! His heel drove into her knee, tearing flesh and snapping ligaments, causing blood to seep out. Louina stifled a scream. "Get lost. If you wish for your family''s survival, ensure that I never see your face again.¡± Deculein spat his words and walked away, leaving Louina kneeling in the rain. The guards returned to their posts as the downpour mingled with the blood from her wounds, streaming down her body. She remained there, pleading for forgiveness until the rain ceased. The next day, Louina submitted her resignation to the Mage Tower of the University. Two dayster, she left the Empire. Within a week, life resumed as usual. Yet, Louina never forgot the humiliation of that day. She dedicated herself to relentless work. As a head professor at the Mage Tower of the Kingdom, she published numerous papers, developed new spells, earned substantial wealth, and restored her family¡¯s reputation. Having earned the respect of the kingdom¡¯s citizens, Louina now stood in the imperial pce. Presenting her credentials to the guards, she received salutes and open doors. The journey from the imperial pce gate to the inner imperial pce took forty minutes, involving several security checks and a change of carriages. Atst, she reached the Path of Humility leading to the inner imperial pce. ¡°Louina von Schlott McQueen!¡± When the Empress called her name, Louina felt as if she owned the world, overwhelmed by the Empress''s favor. But then... ¡°Deculein von Grahan-Yukline!¡± Upon hearing his name and seeing his face, Louina braced herself. She would not be defeated again. Resolving to repay the humiliation tenfold, she steeled her determination and walked the Path of Humility in silence. *** In the imperial pce hall, I observed Louina, her expression stern and unyielding. "Please refrain from staring," Louina said with a sharp edge to her voice. Her words cut like a de, and I quietly averted my gaze. ¡°But you¡¯ve managed to endure all this time. It¡¯s said that your brain took his own life three years ago,¡± Louina remarked, breaking the silence. I retorted, ¡°Refrain from speaking to me.¡± There was no need to be kind to someone hostile. Feigning niceness in such situations only led to negative oues. My six months as Deculein had taught me this simple truth. ¡°Please prepare for a light body search,¡± the maidservants said, approaching. Louina removed her coat and submitted to the search first. One of the maids, inspecting Louina¡¯s bag filled with various items, asked, ¡°What are these?¡± ¡°These are gifts for Her Majesty and materials for our lesson,¡± Louina replied. A brief nce disclosed grimoires and hefty documents. The pce mage assisting the maid performed a meticulous magical inspection. ¡°They are cleared. Now, Mister Deculein?¡± I stood and approached the maidservants, who conducted an unusually thorough search. One of them examined the contents of my velvet bundle and asked, ¡°What might this be?¡± ¡°A gift for Her Majesty,¡± I responded. She retrieved a bottle of the finest Prurdua wine, vintage 33, and stated, ¡°... Alcohol requires a more thorough inspection. We will examine it further before presenting it to Her Majesty.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°Tsk, we are here to teach, not to indulge in drinking,¡± Louina murmured. I ignored herment. With the searchplete, we followed the maidservants up the imperial pce stairs. The Empress¡¯s designated lesson space was called the Hall of Learning. We soon arrived at a door adorned with a golden lion, where the maid knocked. Knock, knock¡ª ¡°Your Majesty, the Instructor Mages are here.¡± ¡°You may enter.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± the maid replied, bowing her head as she opened the door. The Empress sat in her chair, observing us. I stepped forward and bowed. "Deculein von Grahan Yukline, humbly at your glorious service, Your Majesty." ¡°Louina von Schlott McQueen, humbly at your glorious service, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Indeed. You are wee here.¡± Keiron, the Empress¡¯s guard, stood motionless in the background as the maid closed the door behind us. Louina and I then stepped forward, approaching the Empress. ¡°Magic, is it? Today marks our first lesson. Where do we begin?¡± the Empress inquired with a casual air. Louina quickly responded, ¡°First, we should ascertain which categories and properties Your Majesty prefers.¡± ¡°Categories? Properties? Ah, the eight categories, you mean.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Unnecessary. We will not be practicing magic today. Let us simply converse.¡± Louina¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. She looked from her lesson materials to the Empress, clearly uncertain about how to proceed. ¡°Take a seat. Let¡¯s have a conversation,¡± the Empressmanded. As Louina stood there, flustered, the Empress gestured to the chairs. I shook my head and said, ¡°We were chosen as Instructor Mages to delve into magical truths with Your Majesty. If there is no lesson, we have no reason to remain here.¡± Setting boundaries was essential. Letting the Empress ck off would significantly increase the game¡¯s difficulty. Her eyebrows furrowed in displeasure. ¡°I said I do not wish to.¡± ¡°Even if you do not desire it, tradition, etiquette, and study demand it.¡± The Empress red at me, tapping her fingers on the desk in frustration. Louina silently signaled me with the Wizard Code, a form of Morse code used among mages. ¡ª What, doing? Trouble, anger, Her Majesty. Because, you, me, too. Damn, you. I chose to ignore her signal. The Empress scratched her eyebrow thoughtfully and said, "Very well. We shall proceed differently. Are both of you proficient in chess?" Chess. I knew the basic rules and a few opening strategies. This knowledge belonged to Deculein, not to me. Noble pursuits such as horseback riding and chess were deeply ingrained in Deculein¡¯s character. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. While my skills may be modest, I do know how to y,¡± Louina responded. A smile appeared on the Empress¡¯s face as she said, ¡°Good. We¡¯ll settle this with chess. If you win, I¡¯ll take your lessons. If you lose, you will leave quietly, and today¡¯s session will end.¡± Louina red at me resentfully. I wondered how much my Comprehension would aid me in this chess game. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Louina, you may go first,¡± I said, gently urging her forward. She stumbled slightly, then red at me before approaching with her head bowed and said, "I am not skilled, Your Majesty, but I will do my best to¡ª" The Empress interrupted, ¡°You may consult with each other if necessary.¡± I shook my head, preferring to observe Louina and the Empress¡¯s game first. This would help me gauge how my Comprehension might apply. ¡°Better to go alone than with him... Never mind,¡± Louina said. ¡°Hmm. One-on-one can be dull, but very well. Let us begin.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Louina yed the white pieces, while the Empress, Sophien, took the ck pieces. Tap¡ª The pieces made crisp sounds as they moved across the board. Louina was cautious, deliberating over each move, while Sophien made her moves with just a nce. The oue was evident from their postures alone. An hour passed... ¡°Checkmate.¡± Only ck pieces were left on the board. "... I have lost," Louina said. ¡°Louina, you¡¯re too cautious and analytical. This is boring. Keiron would be more fun to y with. Deculein, you¡¯re next?¡± the Empress asked, turning her gaze to me. A faint hostility flickered in her intrigued eyes, showing that she had already begun to dislike me. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°You better make this interesting, or I might punish you.¡± I took Louina¡¯s ce and said, ¡°Your Majesty, we shall only have one chance.¡± ¡°One chance?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± I replied, preparing for the possibility of running out of mana. ¡°If I lose, I will leave without a word. There will be no rematches or retries.¡± ¡°... Alright. Do as you fucking wish,¡± Sophien spat, her crude words grating on my ears. Since I yed white, I made the first move, simply shifting my pieces. ck responded, and I continued to y intuitively. At some point, my vision shifted to a blue hue, as if ayer of blue paint had been smeared over my eyes. This was the manifestation of Comprehension. *** Sophien pondered. He was an enigma, like a wild dog. His moves were rough, swift, and reckless, yet effective. Fierce and aggressive but still unrefined, his untamed nature was sharp like shards of ss, a danger if underestimated. Compared to Louina, he was far more formidable and threatening. From the opening, he created chaos, relentlessly pressing forward. Whenever he saw an opening, he exploited it; if he could seize a piece, he did so savagely. Sophien alternated between studying the chessboard and scrutinizing her opponent''s face as she moved her bishop. Click¡ª Click¡ª Deculein swiftly moved the queen, taking less than three seconds from conception to execution. The move was audacious but sound. Sophien observed her opponent¡¯s unwavering gaze. Deculein, head of the Yukline family, stared at the board with an intensity that suggested either starvation or a love of battle. His demeanor sharply contrasted with his appearance. ¡°... Hmph.¡± However, Sophien understood the w in such a reckless strategy. A ravenous dog, blinded by its aggression, could easily fall into a simple trap. Click¡ª Sophien deliberately left a gap in her defenses, creating a tempting but deadly trap. It appeared to be a blunder, yet stepping into it would result in entrapment. Maintaining a poker face, she waited for him to take the bait. Without hesitation, Deculein fell into the trap, unaware of his predicament. Sophien smiled as her knight captured his queen. Click¡ª That should have ended the game, but it didn''t. Sophien found it peculiar. The match, which should have concluded swiftly, dragged on. Despite losing his queen, Deculein continued to move his pieces with unwavering confidence. The Empress couldn¡¯t afford to ponder longer than her opponent, so she matched his pace. Though she countered his attacks, an unsettling feeling grew. The board still favored her, but the odd sense of being led into a trap persisted. Victory seemed within reach, yet she felt as though she was sinking into a mire. At some point, Deculein halted his movements. The game had reached its endgame, and the Empress gazed at the nearly empty chessboard. Why did he stop so abruptly? Confused, Sophien examined the board, trying to foresee Deculein¡¯s next moves. One move, then two, then three... In her mind, the pieces shifted. His bishop threatened her king, her queen captured his bishop, but on the eighth move, she saw it¡ªher defeat. If Deculein continued as nned, no strategy could save her from inevitable loss. It wasn¡¯t just that he would make the moves; he had orchestrated the entire game to bring her to this point. This was the source of the unsettling atmosphere she had felt all along. Sophien couldn¡¯t grasp the intricate setup. Every piece Deculein left on the board, every position, held significance. "How did I find myself cornered? Had I underestimated him and been too careless?" Silently, the Empress looked up. Deculein''s unwavering gaze met hers, expressionless. All that remained was for him to make his move. But his next action defied her expectations once again. Thunk¡ª Deculein toppled his own king. The white piece rolled off the board and fell. The Empress raised her gaze from the fallen king to Deculein. "What is the meaning of this?" In response to her detached query, Deculein replied, "I have lost." As if it were the most natural oue for him. "But my king has not been captured," Sophien said. "There are no winning moves remaining," Deculein stated with calm certainty. ... Whose solution? Mine or yours? Before the Empress could ask, Deculein stood abruptly. "Since both of us have lost to Your Majesty, we will take our leave for today. We shall see you next week." Without another word, as promised, he departed. There would be no rematches or retries. Deculein honored hismitment, and the Empress red at his departing figure. Chapter 53: Imperial Palace (3)

Chapter 53: Imperial Pce (3)

Deculein departed as promised, without offering any rematches or retries. Meanwhile, Louina remained seated, and Sophien turned her gaze toward her. "Louina, what is your assessment of this position?" Sophien inquired. "... It appears better than mine," Louina admitted honestly, despite the sting to her pride. Sophien nodded in agreement and said, "Much better. Not only more skillful but also far more engaging. You are too timid, Louina." "... I apologize," Louina responded. "Did you grow up being reprimanded harshly by someone?" ¡°No, I just read books at home, Your Majesty,¡± Louina responded calmly to Sophien''s words, her face betraying no emotion. "The rtionship between Yukline and McQueen is strained, isn''t it?" "... No, Your Majesty," Louina replied, her difort evident. She lowered her head, attempting to mask her expression. Fifteen years ago, during the Berhert Conference, the previous head of the Yukline family attacked and defeated the head of the McQueen family, crippling and breaking Louina¡¯s father. Shamelessly, heter imed it wasn¡¯t intentional, insisting that such incidents weremon at Berhert. He offered financial support to the family under the pretense of mercy, demanding McQueen¡¯s Magic Vision in return, with an empty promise to return them once McQueen had recovered. At that time, the McQueen family had no choice but to ept, choosing the lesser of two evils. This was not the first atrocitymitted by the Yukline family. Even under Deculein''s leadership, these actions continued, resulting in many of McQueen¡¯s Magical Visions being locked away in Yukline¡¯s underground library. Thus, Louina¡¯s foremost goal was to reim her family¡¯s Magical Visions. After a prolonged silence, Sophien leaned forward, peering into Louina''s eyes and asked, "Are you shedding tears?" Startled, Louina shook her head. Sophien could easily discern the anger and hatred within her. Reading Louina¡¯s emotions was simple, but Deculein was different. His feelings were shrouded in a dusty haze, opaque and revealing no trace of sentiment. "Louina," Sophien called. "Yes, Your Majesty?" "Is this your gift?" Sophien asked, cing her hand on the magical texts Louina had brought. Louina, speaking with pride because it was a rare and valuable item, replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. These are magical insights penned by Great Elder Drjekdan of Berhert in his youth¡ª" "Let me read them. You may leave now. A promise is a promise." "... Yes, Your Majesty," Louina replied softly before leaving the room. Sophien propped her chin on her hand, gazing at the chessboard. With the departure of the two mages, the ssroom was silent, save for one remaining figure. "Keiron, what do you make of this position? It appears there is no way out." At this stage, there was no escape. No matter how deeply she thought, the conclusion was always her defeat. The only solution was to never fall into such a predicament in the first ce. With an unusual hint of cheerfulness, Keiron, usually stoic, remarked, "The world is vast, Your Majesty." Sophien twisted her lips and red at him and said, "I did not lose." She picked up her king piece, and it crumbled to dust in her grasp. Keiron raised an eyebrow at this disy of magic. "If I had taken my time, I would have won. I got caught up in his tricks," Sophien stated with confidence. She was certain she could win if given another chance, having lost her pace by getting caught up in his speed. "When is the next lesson?" Sophien inquired, addressing Keiron. "The knights will arrive in three days, Your Majesty," Keiron replied. Sophien closed her eyes without responding, soon lost in her thoughts. Keiron, understanding her need for silence, remained silent. *** "It''s still beyond my capabilities," I wondered. I lost the chess match. I had poured all my mana into my Comprehension to predict the next moves and pressure her, but my mana reserves were exhausted within twenty minutes. I forced myself to continue, but I couldn''t finish the match. However, I realized that Comprehension could be temporarily amplified. During the match, my Comprehension sharpened, enabling me to make strategic moves I wouldn¡¯t normally consider. However, it was incredibly exhausting, and now that it was over, I couldn¡¯t even remember my moves. It felt more like a manifestation of power than a process of learning or studying. Feeling the lingering effects of mana exhaustion, I walked to the parking lot outside the outer pce. My car was parked next to Louina''s, and I overheard the drivers chatting. "I heard that the coachmen are finally getting their licenses." ¡°Indeed? It seems the noble lords have abandoned carriages these days.¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right. I¡¯m fortunate to have realized it early.¡± ¡°But do you know who initiated this automobile trend?¡± "Who might that be?" ¡°It¡¯s Professor Deculein. Every trend in the capital begins with him.¡± Even among the drivers, the difference was evident. My driver stood straight, while Louina¡¯s driver bowed respectfully. ¡°Ah, wee back, Sir!¡± ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you!¡± As I approached, both drivers bowed. I nodded and got into the car, instructing, ¡°Drive to the mansion.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The engine roared to life as we left the parking lot. After a short drive, I nced at the rearview mirror and saw Louina¡¯s car following closely. I shifted my gaze back to the road and noticed a faint shimmer on the leather seat of the front passenger chair¡ªa trace of mana. Narrowing my eyes, I watched as it gradually formed into words. ¡ª Have you abandoned us? ¡°Jeff.¡± ¡°Yes, sir?¡± Though surprising, I remainedposed. Casually, I nced around the car''s interior. There were no signs of danger. "Was the car left unattended at any point?" ¡°No, sir. I stayed close by since we were near the pce...¡± Jeff, though merely a driver, was a former mercenary. For someone to inscribe those words unnoticed by him, they must have been no ordinary person. ¡ª Have you abandoned us? Considering the message, it''s probably from Deculein¡¯s old contacts. This could be problematic since they¡¯re likely involved in the underworld. "Did anyonee near or speak to you?" "... Oh." Jeff nodded, seeming to have remembered something. "I heard Mage Louina bought her mansion in the capital. It seems she''s nning to live there." I gazed out the window as the scenery passed by. Darkness briefly enveloped the view. Initially, I thought it was a mana effect, but it was just the shadow of a tree. ¡°I see.¡± Looking back in the mirror, I saw that Louina¡¯s car had vanished. I opened a book, reading calmly while contemting Deculein¡¯swork. As a yer, I found Deculein¡¯s subordinates naturally troublesome; many were stronger named viins than Deculein himself. However, hiswork was thin. If Deculein died, his followers wouldn¡¯t seek revenge; they¡¯d simply disperse. In reality, Deculein¡¯s underworld ties quickly dissolved once I cut off their sponsorship after bing Deculein. Yet, something felt different now. ¡°I must contemte this carefully.¡± These people felt different. I had some ideas about who they might be, but I chose to wait until I could confront them directly. Caution was essential. *** In the dark of night, Terhal, the capital city of Iliade, was alive with activity following the recent opening of Marik and the demon purification support initiative. As a result, even Lord Glitheon remained at his desk in the castle, tirelessly signing documents. "Deculein''s recent capabilities have been quite surprising," a voice broke the silence, which was filled only with the scratching of a fountain pen. Glitheon nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, indeed. It is quite remarkable." He had been aware of Deculein''s practical skills due to a specific incident, but he had always believed the theories were someone else''s work. After all, Deculein''s theoretical contributions had ceased entirely following that person''s death. "The Symposium, huh," Glitheon said. Whether it was a change of heart, ast-ditch effort, or newfound intelligence, Deculein announced his intention to challenge the Symposium. Solving one of the Symposium¡¯s problems brought considerable prestige in the Magical Realm, especially the ones that had remained unsolved for fifteen years¡ªproblems six, nine, and eleven. "Which problem does he intend to tackle?" Glitheon inquired. "That information hasn''t been disclosed yet." "... I¡¯m curious about his thoughts. His opposition to the Scarletborn suppression is particrly perplexing," Glitheon remarked, cing the signed document on his desk. He leaned back in his chair, staring into the darkness beyond the castle. With a faint smile, he continued, "He is difficult to predict. Truly a worthy scion of Yukline..." The rtionship between Yukline and Iliade was nothing short of hostile. Beyond the events of fifteen years ago, they constantly shed over various issues, recognizing only each other as true adversaries. It was indeed a peculiar dynamic. ¡°... What is the status of the knight who perished at Berhert?¡± ¡°It remains on hold and is expected to stay that way indefinitely.¡± Glitheon chuckled softly and said, "Who would have thought that Gk harbored such animosity toward Deculein? "Indeed." Though the Leoc Kingdom nned the sudden attack on Berhert, Glitheon''s brother, Gk, perfected it by involving Veron. Provoking an emotionally driven man was simple. However, Deculein''s unexpected victory in a confined one-on-one duel, where a mage would typically struggle against a knight two ranks lower, was unforeseen. "Gk has always been quick-tempered," Glitheon remarked. Regardless, all of this was Gk''s doing. Glitheon had no involvement, neither on the surface nor behind the scenes. "There¡¯s rumors that Yulie and Deculein have been getting along welltely." "Indeed, I am aware. That family''s youngest piece is indeed quite fortunate." Yulie, who was expected to die in the womb, not only survived but also bore the family''s curse and continued to live. This curse was considered incurable, and Glitheon still pondered how she had managed to ovee it. "It appears that the more she endures, the stronger she bes." "She has indeed endured greatly, both from Deculein and her own family." "Perhaps that is precisely why she survived. Each person has their own unique origin." Glitheonughed softly and said, "You¡¯re being overly sentimental. Such a worthless hypothesis. You may leave now." "Will do." The shadow he had been conversing with quietly disappeared. *** On Wednesday morning, Epherene woke up, showered, and stepped outside. As she yawned and turned around absentmindedly, she was suddenly startled. "Ugh, really? An entire week straight? Don¡¯t they ever get tired of this?" Her door was stered with graffiti, vile words like "get lost," "filthy scum," "disgusting," and "half-wit" scrawled all over it. The petty harassment had been escting. She had hoped ignoring it would make it stop, but since the Educational Retreat incident, it had only intensified. ¡°Is this truly how nobles conduct themselves?¡± Epherene suspected Beck, Lucia, and Juperne were behind this. They belonged to a clique of self-proimed nobles, ranging from barons to counts. Initially, she had pitied their actions. However, it was infuriating to see her club members affected by their nonsense. "Pathetic fakes," Epherene muttered, using cleanse to remove the graffiti. Upon reflection, Epherene realized that the true mages lived solely on the Floating Inds. The assertion that social sses didn''t exist in the Mage Tower was merely a fa?ade. To remain in the Mage Tower, one needed not only practical and theoretical magical skills but also political acumen. The numerous professors involved in promotion evaluations underscored how essential these skills were. ¡°Sigh...¡± Epherene left the dormitory and walked across the bustling campus. The previously postponed school festival was now in full swing, with stalls, pubs, parties, ys, and jousting matches from the knight department lining the grounds. Epherene nned to buy a ticket for one of the ys. As she walked toward the theater, she suddenly tripped. "Ouch!" Epherene eximed as she fell, spilling her drink all over herself. Sticky liquid clung to her hair and robe. "That hurts..." ¡°... Seriously, who the hell was that?!¡± Epherene hoped for an apology but received a curse instead. When she looked up, she saw who it was. It was Lucia from the prestigious Count Leviaron family, part of the noble clique. Sneering at Epherene, she said, ¡°You again?¡± ¡°Sigh,¡± Epherene stood up, brushed herself off with a cleansing spell with a smile and said, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s you again,¡± ¡°What the hell! Watch where you¡¯re going. You spilled my drink!¡± Lucia said, jabbing her finger into Epherene¡¯s chest, her voice sharp with irritation. Epherene felt her anger rising but knew responding would be pointless. Engaging in a fight would only result in penalties. Even if Deculein, who was rtively fair, intervened, it would just spark more rumors. Nowadays, students weren¡¯t as afraid of Deculein; they were unaware of his infamous past. In the old recordings and letters from her father, Deculein had been almost demonic. Perhaps hisck of direct disciplinary actions and penalties had diminished his feared reputation. "Fine. I¡¯m sorry. Happy now?" Epherene scoffed, turning away. Behind her, the clique''s taunts echoed. ¡°That crazy bitch has no manners,¡± one of them jeered. "Since the start of the semester, she¡¯s been causing trouble for Miss Sylvia. Who does she think she is?" ¡°Did you hear her dad used to work for that professor and ended upmitting suicide?¡± Epherene froze mid-step. "Oh, she stopped. Must be mad." ¡°What¡¯s she going to do, that pathetic half-wit? Doesn¡¯t she have any self-respect?¡± ¡°Hey, cut it out. She might go crying to that professor, and then we¡¯ll be in for it.¡± ¡°... Did you hear that? The Mage Tower professors are banding together against Deculein. If he bes Deputy Minister, life in the Mage Tower will be a nightmare. They''re trying to curb his power.¡± ¡°Oh yeah, exactly. My dad wasn¡¯t bothered at first, but when he found out Deculein defended the Scarletborn at Berhert, he signed the opposition¡ª¡± To them, Deculein was the viin. He was a viin to Epherene too, but in her eyes, they were no better. ¡°... Idiots.¡± Barely containing her anger, Epherene walked away. She bought a theater ticket, clutching the small piece of paper tightly. Tomorrow night at nine, she would see the y Portrait of a Sad Day. She ate alone, warned her club members not to acknowledge her in the Mage Tower, and returned to the Mage Tower before three in the afternoon. A ss The A ss lecture took ce in a spacious hall with high ceilings, a setting that had be familiar by now. Epherene stood alone, paying no attention to her club members, who cast nervous nces her way. "Greetings," Deculein said as he entered the ssroom precisely at 3 p.m. With his usual indifferent expression, he addressed the Debutants, "You may submit your assignments even after the final exams. There is no need to rush." The students weed this news. Deculein surveyed the ss and continued, "Today''s lecture topic is the practical application of Pure Elements, specifically, Category Alignment." Category Alignment was aplex and advanced topic, causing the students to tense up. "Though it might seemplicated, it¡¯s not difficult. First, I¡¯ll demonstrate," he said, striking the ground with his staff. Boom¡ª! With a resonant sound, Will-o''-the-Wisps appeared all around. Deculein¡¯s wisps were elegant, almost artistic. The Debutants watched in awe. "These Will-o''-the-Wisps are a simplebination of fire and wind. However." One of the mes clung to Rondo, a student. He flinched but felt no warmth. "Move around," Deculein instructed. Rondo moved, feeling unexpectedly light, his eyes widening in surprise. Soon, the wisps attached themselves to the other Debutants, including Epherene, eliciting simr reactions. "This demonstrates the supportive application of Will-o''-the-Wisps. When the elements of fire and wind are perfectly harmonized within a spell, the Pure Element can generate effects far beyond their simplebination." It was a type of synergy bonus. In the game, using Will-o''-the-Wisps as support increased both movement and attack speed. This system appeared to have carried over. "While Will-o''-the-Wisps can be used destructively, they excel as a support element. Each Pure Element possesses unique advantages." Epherene hadn¡¯t known this, and judging by their reactions, neither did the other Debutants. This information was likely exclusive to Kim Woo-Jin, the only one who could understand it as a former yer of the game. "Thus, Pure Elements harmonized ording to their attributes should be utilized in their aligned categories. To do this is simple. Think of the spells you have learned in each alignment," Deculein instructed, casting a basic Fireball spell to demonstrate its core structure. "The essence here lies in the Fireball¡¯s circuit. If you remove the Fireball¡¯s circuit..." The structure of Fire vanished, reced by the Pure Element of a Thundercloud. "And by inserting the Thundercloud spell structure and connecting the circuit, it will discharge electricity. Though thisbination isn¡¯t perfect for utilizing a Thundercloud, consider it an introductory lesson." A brief silence ensued, as the unexpected merging of circuits and spells momentarily bewildered everyone. "You¡¯ll grasp it better by practicing yourself. Epherene," Deculein called out, causing her to jolt in surprise as she reviewed his exnation. "And Sylvia. Both of you,e forward." The top two students from the midterms would serve as ideal examples. "Integrate the element categories into any Pure Element spell." Epherene and Sylvia nodded. Epherene attempted to align a storm cloud with a destructive spell, creating the cloud four meters above the ground. However... Snap¡ª! Deculein snapped his fingers, causing the cloud to vanish instantly. It was Mana Interference. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Incorrect. Try again.¡± She wasn¡¯t angry about being told to try again, but it was frustrating that her spell could be dismissed so easily with just a snap of his fingers. "Yes, sir," Epherene replied, nodding as she focused her mana. ¡°Again.¡± Snap¡ª! Deculein erased the spell again, instructing her calmly to repeat it. Sylvia faced the same treatment. However... ¡°Again.¡± Snap¡ª! ¡°Slightly better, but again.¡± Snap¡ª! ¡°Not bad, but again.¡± Snap¡ª! ¡°Again. You too, Sylvia.¡± His repeated demands to try again seemed endless. Chapter 54: Quickening (1)

Chapter 54: Quickening (1)

Epherene and Sylvia, exhausted from their attempts at Category Alignment, were drenched in sweat. Sylvia managed to seed, but Epherene fell short. "Beck. Lucia. Step forward." I asked other Debutants to attempt Category Alignment. They struggled as well, drawing circuits haphazardly. Their spellscked any logical structure, relying purely on intuition. "... Enough." I switched off the crystal orb that powered the transformed ssroom. As the barrier dissolved, the room reverted to its regr lecture hall form. "Your abilities are still inadequate. It seems I overestimated you. Sit down." The Debutants returned to their seats, their nerves evident in every step. "I intended to teach you to perceive magic through logic rather than intuition. Without a solid theoretical framework, intuition alone will fail." Of course, this method was unfamiliar to them. That¡¯s why it wasn¡¯t easy; it frustrated them and eventually brought them back to square one. I never cked in my efforts to teach. There likely wasn''t a more dedicated professor than me. I had studied and tranted various methodologies, game systems, and even ancient texts from the magical era of the theocracy. In the distant past, logic was paramount, and I believed in its systematic correctness. However, only about five or six students genuinely grasped this teaching. In simpler terms, it was a moment of rity. "Let me exin this in detail once again." In the game, various bonus systems existed¡ªattribute bonuses, category bonuses,bination bonuses, harmony bonuses, and more. Attribute bonuses enhanced performance and reduced mana consumption when using spells aligned with a character''s talent, simr to category bonuses. However, harmony bonuses were moreplex. Mastery of spells required more than just acquiring a grimoire; it demanded practical skill and the process of internalization, known as Comprehension. Harmony bonuses activated when Comprehension and practical mastery were perfectly aligned. I aimed to teach the Debutants about these harmony bonuses. "Observe the structure of the Will-o''-the-Wisp spell." Using Telekinesis, I picked up a piece of chalk. On one part of the board, I drew the Will-o''-the-Wisp spell. Then, I illustrated the supportive category spell, detailing how to connect them. This was an analog approach. "When Will-o''-the-Wisp is applied within a supportive category, it generates special effects. Memorize the entire structure and circuit connection." If understanding was difficult, the first step was to memorize. For Debutants admitted to the Mage Tower of the Empire,prehension would naturally follow memorization. "When the Thundercloud is applied to the destruction category, it exhibits special effects. Commit this to memory as well." I demonstrated the logic of integrating each Pure Element into its proper category. Six pieces of chalk moved simultaneously across the board, illustrating the process. To enhance readability, I used different colors for the core circuits, hoping the students would appreciate the attention to detail. "Handling metal like a de, Metal Leaves manifests special effects when applied to the summoning category. Though its full depth remains beyond your current understanding, focus on memorizing it." I wrote continuously, filling the ckboard with the application of eight different magic categories. It became covered in thousands of lines and circles, forming intricate and almost indecipherable geometric patterns. The lecturested 150 minutes. "That concludes today''s lesson." There was no response. Half the ss appeared drained, while the other half continued scribbling notes. I nced at the scene behind me. The enormous five-meter-high ckboard waspletely covered with spell structures. "Feel the helplessness of relying solely on intuition. You must experience this to grasp its necessity." Everybody has a n until they get punched in the mouth. After that, perspectives change. I continued coldly. "We''ll have a simple test next week. Be prepared." The clock read 6:00 and 11 seconds. The slight dy was immensely irritating as I exited the lecture hall. *** As soon as the ss ended, Epherene made her way to the library. Deculein¡¯s lecture today had been especiallyplex and challenging. Logical application of Will-o''-the-Wisp in supportive categories Logical application of Thundercloud in destructive categories Logical application of Metal Leaves in summoning categories ¡ïIMPORTANT¡ï Effort required to perceive the logic as magical ¡°... Logic.¡± Deculein always insisted that in magic, logic paved the way, and intuition followed. Relying solely on intuition could lead one astray, deceived by appearances. Simple spells and problems might be solved intuitively, perhaps even more efficiently due to umted knowledge aiding insight. However, when confronted with difficult magic or new magical phenomena, logic became an essential tool for problem-solving. ¡°... It¡¯s difficult.¡± The reasoning was sound and persuasive, but the difficulty level was the issue. It began with basic arithmetic, but before long, the ckboard was filled with geometric circuits, each requiringplex mathematical calctions to understand. ¡°How does Deculein manage to...¡± No matter how much she pondered, too many contradictions with her father''s letters remained. It was possible that Deculein possessed some theoretical prowess. Perhaps he had learned from her father, or maybe he had hired someone else to fill her father''s role. "... Well, I should just focus on studying." Learn, practice, and try againter. Professor Deculein weed challenges, after all. Before she knew it, midnight had passed. Epherene packed her thick notebook into her bag and stood up. Plod, plod¡ª Trudging back to the dormitory, she passed through a deserted alley. She instinctively hid when she spotted someone. It was Relin, apanied by a slender figure¡ªProfessor Siare. The two were whispering quietly. "... So, Louina has gone missing? Professor Siare, is that true?" "Yes, that''s correct. After her lesson with the Empress, she wasst seen getting into her car, and her whereabouts since then are unknown," Siare confirmed. "Why has she disappeared so suddenly...? Could it be that Professor Deculein is involved?!" "Shh. Shh-shh," Siare said, hurriedly. Epherene''s eyes widened. "Further details will be addressed at the Mage Council. For now, her disappearance remains confidential to prevent any unrest within the Mage Tower." "Understood. However, the timing is quite curious, especially with the opposition''s signatures due soon..." Holding her breath, Epherene waited until they left before exhaling and wondered, "... Kidnapping? Gone missing?" Epherene knew of Louina. Her name had appeared in her father''s letters, and she was considered one of the special talents of the current era in the Magical Realm. The idea that Deculein might have done something to her crossed Epherene''s mind. "No way." Not all gossip among professors was true, and she had her own problems to worry about. Her current bank bnce was a concern. At the beginning of the semester, she had received 100,000 elne in support. Of that, 85,000 elne had been spent on grimoires, specialized writing instruments for mages, and departmental event fees, with the remaining 5,000 elne going towards food. Now, she had only 10,000 elne left... ¡°Miss Luna?¡± the dorm supervisor called, as Epherene reached the dormitory. ¡°Yes?¡± Epherene replied, approaching her. The supervisor adjusted her pointed sses. Despite her stern appearance, she was the most reliable person in the dormitory. Handing over the letters, she said, "You have several letters. I didn¡¯t want to leave them in your mailbox; the other students might tear them up." ¡°Oh, thank you so much.¡± ¡°Take care.¡± As she climbed the stairs, Epherene sorted through the letters. One was from her hometown, but the other... Her eyes widened in surprise. It was a sponsorship certificate. She tore it open to find another donation of 100,000 elne. ¡°Wow...¡± The certificate gleamed like gold, and Epherene''s eyes sparkled with delight. Perhaps the sponsor had heard about her second-ce finish in the midterms and intended to continue supporting her if she maintained her grades. Smiling brightly, she tucked the certificate into her pocket and opened the letter from her hometown. Upon reading it, she immediately turned and ran to the administration office. ¡°Ex-excuse me!¡± Epherene shouted as she burst through the door, her voice trembling with urgency. The night duty officer looked at her with a weary expression and said, "Yes?" "I received a sponsorship certificate earlier today..." Her grandmother¡¯s letter mentioned that 300,000 elne had been deposited into their ount as sponsorship funds. Her family expressed their deep gratitude, crediting Epherene¡¯s efforts for this blessing, and reassured her not to worry about them. ¡°Is it anonymous again?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s anonymous,¡± the officer replied with a nod, stifling a yawn. Epherene quickly interjected, ¡°But isn¡¯t there a way¡ª¡± ¡°Just ept it. Your situation isn''t the best, right? No sponsor would reveal their name.¡± Though harsh, it was true. The rumors about the so-called Crazy Commoner Epherene were widespread. Seeing her downcast, the officer added, ¡°If it troubles you, why not write a letter?¡± ¡°... A letter?¡± ¡°Yes, even with anonymous donations, letters can be delivered. Maybe if you¡¯re lucky, they might reply. You¡¯ve already received 200,000 elne in support. That¡¯s a considerable amount.¡± ¡°Oh... You¡¯re right. I¡¯ll do that!¡± Epherene agreed after a moment¡¯s thought, nodding. If the sponsor disliked receiving letters, they simply wouldn¡¯t respond. Sending a letter wouldn¡¯t do any harm. Epherene widened her eyes and asked, ¡°Excuse me, but do you provide stationery?¡± "... You need to get that yourself. We only handle the sending and receiving of letters. With the sponsorship funds, you should be able to afford it, right?" "Ah... I see. Thank you." *** The next day, the Mage Tower of the University was bustling with festivities and parties. ?????~ ?????~ The faint sound of parade music drifted in from outside. His recent work on the rtionship between runes and circuits was nearlyplete¡ªa precise analysis. The runes used in the sixth Symposium problem totaled fourteen characters, but only three could function as circuits. With this research, solving the Symposium problem seemed within reach. He sealed the documents with magic and ced them in his briefcase. ¡°... Hmm.¡± Suddenly, a notebook caught my eye in the corner of the drawer. It was untitled and didn¡¯t resemble anything rted to Wealthy Magnate or Viin¡¯s Fate. It was a mysterious and unidentifiable notebook. ¡°This is...¡± I picked up the notebook and examined the cover closely before flipping it open. The pages were nk. I couldn¡¯t just keep wondering about it. ¡°Let¡¯s see what it is.¡± After taking a deep breath, I carefully infused it with mana... ¡°... You persist in disappointing me.¡± A stern voice echoed in my ears. I looked up to see a man who resembled Kim Woo-Jin, an older version of myself. His eyes gleamed with deep disdain. ¡°... This is your final opportunity. Deliver results in Marik.¡± I tried to respond, but the overwhelming magic stifled my words. When I reopened my tightly shut eyes, I found myself in a dark mine, being carried by a frail figure. ¡°... Who are you?¡± I asked. ¡°Rest assured, everything will be alright.¡± The voice was familiar. I opened my eyes wide and saw her. It was Yulie. She was as beautiful as ever, but she looked unwell, with blood flowing from her side. ¡°How did the mission proceed, Yulie?¡± My father had ordered me to retrieve an item from Marik, but an unexpected attack urred. ¡°Yes, my colleague has retrieved it. We can rendezvous with them on the surface.¡± I sighed in relief, but soon, a surge of demonic energy filled the air. Though I appeared calm, my heart pounded wildly. ¡°Ensure my safety.¡± ¡°I will.¡± ¡°It is your duty to ensure my safety.¡± ¡°I will.¡± ¡°Guarantee my safety.¡± Yulie gently ced me on the ground nearby. I leaned against the wall, wincing from the pain. ¡°Discharge your duties as a knight.¡± It was futile advice, asking her to sacrifice herself for my sake. Yulie responded, ¡°Yes, I will guarantee your safety.¡± She turned around with her sword in hand, and I watched her back. Just then, a powerful wave of demonic energy surged from straight ahead in the mine. I felt as if I were being swept away by a tidal wave before returning to reality. The memories and emotions from that day flowed vividly. They were Deculein¡¯s past, yet they felt as if they had always been mine. I pressed my fingers to my temples. Those memories had be a part of me. [Independent Quest Complete: Deculein¡¯s Diary] ¡ô Store Currency +1 ¡ô Attribute Yukline Growth It appeared this notebook was Deculein¡¯s magical diary. ¡°Damn it...¡± I left the Mage Tower, not wanting to be haunted by those memories. I wandered the university grounds aimlessly. ¡°... This is your final opportunity,¡± the voice had said. It was my father¡¯s voice. No, it wasn¡¯t. It was Deculein¡¯s father. But in my reconstructed memory, his father resembled mine... Thud¡ª I identally collided with a passerby. ¡°Oh, sorry,¡± he mumbled before walking away with that meager apology. I didn¡¯t care for that unknownmoner, but the encounter helped calm my turbulent mind a bit. ¡°Come see the y! Only a few tickets left!¡± A theater stood nearby. ¡°Oh, would you like to see the y? We still have tickets avable,¡± a student asked as they handed me a ticket. I nodded and stepped inside. ¡°Please take your seats! Portrait of a Sad Day is about to begin!¡± I sat absentmindedly, and the y began shortly after. ¡°Dad. Dad. I''m sorry, I...!¡± None of it registered with me, visually or aurally. ¡°Ugh... Sniff...¡± However, the person next to me appeared deeply moved. ¡°... Sniff.¡± The constant sniffling was irritating, so I nced over and was taken aback. ¡°Ugh...¡± It was Epherene. I quietly handed a handkerchief to the crying child. ¡°Oh? Ah, th-thank you... sniff...¡± Epherene said, wiping her tears before handing the handkerchief back to me. Obviously, I tossed it to the floor. ¡°You can''t kill him honorably! Too many people will die in the process! That¡¯s exactly how my father died!¡± I finally caught a line of the dialogue. I didn¡¯t know the full story, but it seemed to be a revenge drama, and the actress¡¯s performance was excellent. Even from an Aesthetic Sense perspective, it was superb. During the intermission, Epherene, with red, puffy eyes, ran off but returned right after the second act started. ¡°... Thank you,¡± Epherene whispered softly as she handed me some popcorn. She had her hood up, making it seem like she couldn¡¯t see my face. ¡°... I have loved you. But staying by my side will only bring you pain. I am a murderer, a criminal who took his life.¡± The y reached its climax. Epherene hunched over, tears streaming down her fingers. ¡°Sniff! Sob! Sniff!¡± She was more emotional than she seemed. I took out a proper handkerchief from my suit pocket and handed it to her. ¡°Th-thank you... Sniff... Sniff...¡± Her attempts to stifle her sobs sounded like a boiling kettle. I got up and left the theater, walking through the campus until I found a random bench. To clear my mind, I closed my eyes in the darkness and lost track of time. [Main Quest: Quickening] ¡ô Completion Reward: Store Currency +2 Suddenly, a main quest notification appeared. *** At 11 p.m., as soon as the y ended, Epherene stepped outside. Magical fireworks lit up the sky, signaling some kind of party, but she wasn¡¯t interested. ¡°Sniff! Ah, I had a good cry,¡± Epherene said, wiping her tears with a handkerchief as she walked. An unknown gentleman had given her the handkerchief. It looked very expensive, and she had intended to return it, but he disappeared before she could. ¡°Ephie!¡± someone called out. She turned to see Julia running toward her. ¡°Something terrible has happened!¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Do you remember the runes on the dormitory wall at the beginning of the semester? Never mind, just follow me!¡± Julia eximed, grabbing Epherene¡¯s hand and running. When they arrived at the dormitory, Epherene gasped in shock. ¡°What is this...?¡± Part of the dormitory, particrly the third building where manymoners stayed, was shrouded in a dark red barrier. It was enveloped in a mysterious mist. ¡°Remember the red spells drawn on the dormitory wall at the start of the semester? Isn¡¯t this rted?!¡± Bang¡ª boom¡ª! Fireworks continued to light up the sky as cheers echoed in the distance. ¡°Wh-what¡¯s going on?!¡± Professors Relin, Siare, Ren, and Camel, who had been in a meeting at the Mage Tower, arrived on the scene with their eyes widening in horror. ¡°What is this... such intense demonic energy...¡± ¡°Curses! This is why I opposed opening the Mountain of Darkness!¡± ¡°... Chairwoman, where is the Chairwoman at this moment?¡± Relin asked Ren. ¡°She is likely on the Floating Ind. Why did this have to happen today of all days...¡± The professors hesitated to enter the barrier. They couldn¡¯t act rashly without knowing what was inside. The dense demonic energy leaking out required gas masks and the presence of knights for safety. Even the professors¡¯ spells would struggle against such concentrated demonic energy. They were being rational. ¡°Professor, what will you do?!¡± Epherene shouted. Startled, Relin narrowed his eyes in annoyance and said, ¡°Why are you asking me, kid?!¡± ¡°There are people inside!¡± Julia retorted, causing Relin to bite his lip as he looked at the barrier. He seemed to be contemting, and as a man in his middle years, he had much to lose. Relin soon demanded, ¡°Who discovered this first?!¡± ¡°That is not the issue at the moment!¡± ¡°Of course it is... Ah, Professor Siare! Are you not in the Department of Destruction Studies?¡± ¡°... I am not in good health. We might as well wait a bit. The knights will be here soon.¡± Waiting might be toote; no one knows what is happening inside. With a sigh, Epherene handed her bag and handkerchief to Julia. ¡°Ephie, why are you doing this?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going in. Who¡¯s inside?¡± ¡°What? No! You can¡¯t go!¡± At that moment, a sharp voice pierced the air. ¡°What is the current situation?¡± The voice was so cold it seemed to cut through the humid air. Everyone turned to see Deculein. He emerged from the crowd, appearingposed, his gaze icy as he surveyed the area. His posture was arrogantly upright. He noticed the invisible barrier and frowned slightly. The professors, terrified of the bizarre phenomenon, watched as he spoke, ¡°This disruption is unnecessary.¡± That was all he said. Without addressing anyone or waiting for a response, he walked toward the barrier. Clomp, clomp¡ª With each step, his footsteps echoed loudly. The professors watched his back, observing the absence of fear or hesitation. As he gradually distanced himself, his dignified presence radiated inherent nobility. He embodied elegance and nobility, not through words but through his very being. Chapter 55: Quickening (2)

Chapter 55: Quickening (2)

The barrier clearly separated the interior from the exterior. Even with my Comprehension attribute, extracting useful information was difficult in such a situation. I walked through the barrier, tearing the small obstruction with my staff. Inside, the air was smoky and dark, as if the entire ce were bathed in the light of rednterns. ¡°Everyone, calm down,¡± a voice echoed from somewhere. I followed it through the dormitory corridors until I reached the first-floor hall, where the dorm supervisor had gathered the children. ¡°Professor!¡± someone shouted as soon as they saw me. They looked at me as if I were their savior, but I couldn¡¯t afford to be friendly. The dense demonic energy inside the barrier was aggravating. ¡°We''re saved! Professor, what should we¡ª¡± ¡°Shut it.¡± Themotion died down instantly. I observed the dorm supervisor, noticing her sharp sses, wrinkled clothes, dusty shoulders, and torn nails. I also noted every detail about the other students, from the fibers on their robes and the wrinkles on their faces to the reflections in their pupils. ¡°Is everyone here?¡± ¡°There are still people upstairs,¡± the dorm supervisor stated. I took the Wood Steel shurikens out of my briefcase. Ten of them floated up the stairs to the upper floors of the dormitory, while the remaining ten descended to the basement. With my eyes closed, I listened to the resonance of the steel. This was a bonus of my properties¡ªa special skill I developed with my cherished item through my connection with fire, earth, and metal. The Wood Steel scoured each floor, rying the presence of any living beings to me and mercilessly tearing apart any non-human creatures. The radar picked up four survivors on the fifth, sixth, ninth, and tenth floors. I directed the Wood Steel to guide them to our location. ¡°Wh-what is this? Hey, who are you?¡± ¡°Do you think it wants us to follow it?¡± ¡°B-but there are monsters outside...¡± Despite their hesitation, my voice reached them through the vibrations of the Wood Steel. ¡°Follow.¡± Hearing my voice, they quickly descended the stairs, following the guidance of the Wood Steel. ¡°... Ahhhh!¡± Once they reached the first floor, they copsed, gasping for breath. The dorm supervisor tried to soothe them. ¡°Will we be able to get out of here now?¡± the dorm supervisor asked. ¡°This barrier is expertly crafted. It is easy to enter but difficult to exit. The use of demonic energy makes it twice as troublesome as an ordinary barrier.¡± While I could disassemble it through calctions, locating the core with my Sharp Eyesight would allow for immediate destruction. However, this would take more time than the mages already poisoned by the demonic energy could endure. ¡°Then...¡± ¡°Shh,¡± Imanded, pressing a finger to my lips. Everyone froze in ce. In the ensuing silence, I surveyed the robed mages, closely examining their condition and attire. Arge-scale spell like this barrier could not be cast by one person alone; there had to be a caster who activated it. They showed no outward clues, their disguises perfect. Nevertheless, I activated my Telekinesis and used it to ruffle their hair. ¡°Hmph,¡± I murmured with a smirk, a sneer rising unbidden. I approached one of them with deliberate steps. ¡°People carry their history within their bodies. Even if they conceal their origins, the passage of time leaves deep traces.¡± I reached out and touched the dorm supervisor''s hair. ¡°Your hair... carries traces of ash.¡± The response of the ash to my Telekinesis was unmistakable. ¡°Have you been residing in a volcanic wastnd, Child of the Ashes?¡± Everyone stared at her in shock. She quietly adjusted her sses and then peeled off the face mask. I wasn¡¯t outwardly surprised; the main antagonist of this quest was, indeed, a named character. ¡°Nice deduction... but does it change anything? Are you aware?¡± she asked coldly, her eyes sharp. ¡°The Children of the Ashes kill anyone who calls them by that name.¡± I listened quietly, suppressing the rage bubbling within me. Blue veins rose on my neck as my mouth filled with curses, a side effect of the demonic energy. ¡°You deserve to die,¡± she muttered, as she activated her mana. Hummmmm¡ª A surge of powerful mana rose from the ground. I focused on her spell and activated my Comprehension. Instantly, my vision expanded, making the world around me crystal clear. The mana flowing through my mind sped up my thoughts and enhanced my calctions. Time seemed to slow to a crawl. This heightened state made my whole body tingle. I understood her spell in an instant. With the core circuit visible through my Sharp Eyesight, I disrupted and dismantled it using my Comprehension. Zzzzzzzt¡ª! The oue of her painstaking spell was merely a single spark. "You crazy bastard," she muttered, immediately attempting another spell. I dismantled it just by observing. This time, it was merely a snowball. "What is this...?" Although this process rapidly consumed my mana, I purified and absorbed the external demonic energy just as quickly. ¡°How foolish.¡± I observed the magic forming in the Phenomenal Realm, analyzing it perfectly and dismantling it precisely. Any attempt to cast a spell was futile. The magic would never bepleted, not even a single thread of it, and I would ensure that. Within this barrier thick with demonic energy, thebination of my Comprehension and Sharp Eyesight allowed me to see and interfere with nearly all magic without limit. ¡°... Damn it!¡± Finally, she gave up trying to cast magic. A smirk crossed my lips. ¡°This is why...¡± I said, approaching her slowly and deliberately. ¡°You are called the Ashes.¡± Her eyes widened with a mix of fury and fear as I continued. ¡°Wretches unworthy of society, despised by all. Lacking the structure of a human, devoid of the charm of a beast, mere filth like maggots.¡± She red at me as I raised my finger to her forehead, severing the magic spell being cast behind her. ¡°Your only talent is writhing in the dirt, your base nature utterly irredeemable.¡± ¡°... Ha. You talk big. If you¡¯re so great, why don¡¯t you break the barrier and save the kids before they die? Are you afraid you can¡¯t?¡± she sneered, looking up at me. ¡°Allow me to elucidate your error,¡± I replied, meeting her gaze with equal contempt. ¡°Your profound stupidity lies in setting this barrier on a building, not the space around it.¡± Ten of the Wood Steel shurikens saved the survivors, while the remaining ten descended into the basement. These shurikens attached themselves to the core supports of the dormitory''s steel frame. They drilled into the underground rock andtched onto the pirs that supported the entire building. ¡°This highlights your profoundck of intelligence.¡± The Wood Steel heated the core of the steel frame. The superheated steel itself became a potent explosive. She finally grasped my intent and asked, "... Are you out of your mind? You intend to destroy the building to break the barrier?" I sighed, feeling a w in my character boiling within. Leaning close to her ear, I whispered, ¡°Arlos.¡± She flinched at the sound of the name. ¡°Do not presume that I am unaware of your identity,¡± I dered, stepping back. Her eyes widened even further. ¡°Know your enemy before you act.¡± At that moment, the Wood Steel in the basement had heated enough to scorch the pirs. Soon, mes erupted, triggering my Fire Control. A massive vibration shook the ground. The rapidly intensified fire mixed with the Wood Steel, causing an explosion. The copse happened in an instant. The building, having lost its core supports, crumbled into a cloud of dust. The barrier surrounding the building also disintegrated. Boooooom¡ª! Amid the chaos of debris raining down like a storm, I calmly looked down at her from the heart of the copse. ¡°It is time for you to revert to your true form.¡± At that moment, she looked even more surprised than when I had said her name. Soon, my Wood Steel pierced her neck, and the light in her eyes faded. She transformed into a mannequin. This was a form of specialized magic that emerged when maniption and harmony were perfected¡ªpuppetry. It was Arlos''s signature technique. ¡°Aaaaaaaaah!¡± The mages screamed. I turned slightly to look behind me. The lights were shattered, and darkness enveloped everything, but there were no casualties. There couldn''t have been any. Cough, cough¡ª They were only coughing from the dust. After all, they were under the protection of my Telekinesis. *** Epherene was held back outside the barrier. Julia and the professors had to practically restrain her as she insisted on entering. "Oh, oh, oh! It''s copsing!" someone shouted in rm. Epherene''s eyes widened as she watched the scene unfold. The entire third dormitory building copsed with a loud crash. The explosion was clean, causing the steel frame to fall straight down without any fragments flying off. A thick cloud of dust quickly followed. The detonation was over in the blink of an eye. "Step back! Step back!" shouted the knights as they arrived btedly, rushing through the dust cloud. Before they could advance further, they sensed movement and paused, swords drawn. Deculein emerged from the rubble unscathed and with the survivors. "Are you alright, sir?" a knight asked hurriedly as he approached. Deculein handed over the survivors, brushed the dust off his clothes, and said, "Continue with yourmendable efforts." "Yes, sir!" As he began to leave, he felt the eyes of the other professors watching him from a distance. Turning around, he approached them. There were still a few things left unsaid. "For professors of the Mage Tower, cowering in fear of an unknown barrier is truly disgraceful," he dered with scorn. The professors couldn''t bring themselves to meet his openly contemptuous gaze. "Pathetic. Reflect on your actions and examine yourselves," hemanded with utter disdain before turning and leaving them behind. "Prof¡ª Ow!" someone called out as they approached him. At first, there were two people, but Sylvia had just thrown one of them aside. "Are you alright, Professor?" Sylvia asked, her voice steady and calm, providing a sense of stability. "... This is a dangerous ce. Leave," Deculein instructed, lightly patting her shoulder before walking past. The overuse of his mana had left him severely mentally exhausted. *** Past midnight, after everything had settled, someone on a nearby bench spoke. ¡°Is he strong?¡± Arlos nodded and replied, "He is much stronger than expected." ¡°Isn¡¯t he just someone who¡¯s been living in a bubble?¡± ¡°For someone who lives in a bubble, he¡¯s quite strong, especially his manner of speaking and those ring eyes,¡± Arlos answered, brushing her long hair aside. Though she tried to act nonchnt, bted anger flushed her face. ¡°What should we be cautious of?¡± ¡°He¡¯s exceptionally clever. He dismantled every spell I tried and saw through my puppet disguise. Engaging him in hand-to-handbat would be unwise, as he also appears physically robust.¡± ¡°We must be cautious, then. What about the mission?¡± ¡°It was only partially sessful.¡± Their goal was to use the barrier of demonic energy to absorb life force. Mages made excellent materials for creating puppets, so the n was to liquefy their vitality and mana, then frame the demons for the deed. ¡°This is all we have,¡± Arlos said, pointing to the liquid sloshing in a vial. It was a pitifully small amount. Someone with a deep voice replied, ¡°... The path of faith is fraught with difficulty. Even the simple act of preserving our bodies encounters such interference.¡± Faith and the pursuit of truth¡ªthese were the mantras they clung to. Arlos barely suppressed augh. These pitiable fools were chasing a dead God. The revival of such a deity was nothing but a fantasy, yet these fanatics tirelessly devoted themselves to the cause. ¡°Marik is our next target, Arlos.¡± ¡°I am aware.¡± However, since they shared the same primary objective, there was no need to antagonize them unnecessarily. ¡°Hmm,¡± Arlos mused. Deculein, the Head Professor, proved to be more challenging than anticipated. His skill far surpassed expectations. The way he interfered with and dismantled magic was nearly divine. ¡°Can anyoneplete a spell in his presence?¡± His very existence seemed to be the antithese of a Mage. Even as a puppet, the experience had been troubling. The renowned figure of the Ashes furrowed her brow in deep thought. *** The next day, I settled into the chair in my study and closed my eyes. Behind my closed eyelids, the system notification materialized. [Main Quest Completed: Quickening] ¡ô Memorize Status: Beginner Telekinesis ©³Beginner Fire Control ©ÇBasic Fluid Maniption ©»Metal Enhancement (33% Progress) It was a kind of visualization. Through my Sharp Eyesight, I observed the Telekinesis within my body. Various spells¡ªMetal Enhancement, Fire Control, and Fluid Maniption¡ªwere connected to the Telekinesis circuit. I organized and refined the flow of these circuits. The pain was crushing, but bearable. After enduring the agony for about thirty minutes, I slowly opened my eyes. The main quest fromst night suddenly came to mind. "Should I regard Arlos as a viin...?" My primary objective now was to clear the main quest. Whether the reward was a return to Earth or something else, it didn''t matter. I had no family waiting for me there, and failure would mean the destruction of this entire world, myself included. There were no other options. To clear the quest more easily and reduce its difficulty, either the good-named characters needed to grow stronger or the evil-named characters needed to die. Until now, I had focused solely on the former, but I realized that thetter was also a practical method. This insight came from the memories I had gained from Deculein''s diary. Knock, knock¡ª "Master, someone from the Ministry of Public Safety is here to see you," Roy announced, knocking on the study door. The mention of the Ministry of Public Safety made me suspect it was due tost night''s events. I rose from my seat and went downstairs. At the front entrance, I was met by an all-too-familiar face. "It¡¯s been a while," said Deputy Director Lillia Primien. Her navy blue hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she greeted me with a curt nod. ¡°What brings you here today?¡± ¡°Have you heard that Mage Louina is missing?¡± Primien inquired. Her words that Louina was missing puzzled me. I shook my head and replied, "I have not heard of this." ¡°Now that you know, I must ask you some questions. Currently a suspect¡ª¡± ¡°... Are you implying that I am under suspicion?¡± ¡°No, this is merely a routine investigation due to the significance of the missing individual,¡± she replied. ¡°Deputy Director, you should be aware of whom you are addressing,¡± I said with a hint of irritation. Being suspected was not a pleasant feeling. Lillia continued calmly, ¡°As I mentioned, this is not about suspicion. It''s simply that Professor Deculein is likely thest person to have seen Mage Louina. She disappeared shortly after leaving the imperial pce.¡± "... Right after leaving the imperial pce?" I quietly recalled the events of that day. While driving back, I nced out the window and observed darkness briefly enveloping the passingndscape. At first, I believed it to be a magical effect, but it appeared to be merely the shadow of a tree. When I checked the rearview mirror, Louina''s car, which had been following mine, was gone. Wait... Was it truly the shadow of a tree? Perhaps, in my state of mana exhaustion, I missed a critical phenomenon. ¡°Apparently not. Thank you for your cooperation,¡± Primien said with a nod as she put away her notebook. I watched her and her staff walk through the garden before returning to the study. However, a trace of mana now lingered on the desk that hadn¡¯t been there before. I quickly deciphered the message. ¡ª We are still following your orders. At that moment, a disturbing hypothesis hit me like a bolt of lightning. Chapter 56: Quickening (3)

Chapter 56: Quickening (3)

"How did your training go today, Your Majesty?" Yulie inquired carefully, her gaze lingering on the winterndscape of the pce garden. Sophien nced at her and replied, "It was adequate." The Empress had postponed the knight''s training until now, citing retreat training as the reason, though no one knew what that involved. "That is a relief," Yulie said with a sigh. Sophien looked at her andmented, "However, I found your chess skillscking." During a break in the training, Yulie had yed chess with Sophien. Despite being a skilled amateur, she was no match for the Empress. "I had higher expectations given that he is your fianc¨¦." ¡°... Professor Deculein?¡± Yulie asked, her eyes widening in surprise. Sophien scoffed and said, "Do you have another fianc¨¦ I should know about?" ¡°No, Your Majesty. You are indeed correct.¡± "Learn from him. What is the benefit of having him as your fianc¨¦ otherwise?" Yulie was unaware of his chess abilities, but he appeared skilled enough to impress the Empress. She realized how little she truly knew about him. ¡°Additionally, my brother desires your fianc¨¦''s autograph,¡± the Empress said, handing Yulie a book authored by Deculein. ¡°The Grand Prince Kreto?¡± ¡°Yes. I haven''t taken on the sisterly role in quite a while. It''s beneath my pride to ask personally, so I''m having you do it.¡± Deculein¡¯s book, Understanding the Element Magic, was infamous for its difficulty and high price. Yulie had purchased it to learn more about him but couldn¡¯t get past the first ten pages. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± "He mentioned it was tooplex and difficult, though he added he was just saying it out of courtesy. Convey that as well." ¡°... Yes, Your Majesty,¡± Yulie replied briefly. Sophien appeared displeased with her brevity. With a wave of her hand, she said, "You may leave." ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± "Next time, be more forting. An instructor knight¡¯s duty extends beyond teaching me; you must also serve as mypanion and conversational partner." ¡°... Copanion, Your Majesty?¡± Yulie asked, her eyes widened in surprise. The Empress chuckled and nodded, prompting Yulie to take a deep breath to steady her emotions. Sophien said, ¡°That will be all. You may go now, mypanion.¡± ¡°... Yes, Your Majesty. It has been an honor,¡± Yulie replied, bowing as the Empress walked back to the pce with Knight Keiron. "This way, please," a maid instructed, guiding her along a separate path in the garden. Soon, the maid disappeared, and a eunuch took her ce. "Good day, Grand Knight Yulie. My name is Jng." ¡°... What is it that you require?¡± Yulie asked, her tone filled with suspicion. Jng smiled warmly and said, ¡°May I have a moment of your time? For the sake of the pce''s peace, there is a matter I need to discuss with you. The other knights are also waiting.¡± Although hesitant, Yulie decided to follow him. ¡°Here we are,¡± he said, guiding her to a secluded area in the eastern part of the vast and intricate pce. Inside an annex, she found Raphel, Sirio, and Gwen waiting with unreadable expressions. ¡°... Hey Yulie,¡± Gwen waved. Yulie nodded and took her ce beside them. ¡°Is everyone here, Mr. Jng? What is this concerning?¡± Sirio asked with a smile. ¡°Yes,¡± Jng said softly. ¡°We have a mission to request of all of you.¡± ¡°A mission?¡± ¡°Yes. A monster lurks in the Imperial Pce¡¯s underground. The imperial family is hesitant to confront it, so we request your assistance.¡± ¡°Is this an imperial decree?¡± Raphel¡¯s deep voice asked. ¡°It is not an official imperial decree, but it is a matter of loyalty. If you seed, your achievements will be reported, and you will be duly rewarded.¡± The knights pondered for a moment. Gwen then spoke up, pointing at Yulie. ¡°If Yulie is involved, her fianc¨¦ should be as well.¡± ¡°Her fianc¨¦?¡± ¡°Deculein.¡± Jng appeared uneasy at the mention of the name. Gwen chuckled, noting that even a seasoned eunuch in the Imperial Pce feared Deculein. His political prowess was well-known, and the influence of the Yukline family was undeniable. ¡°It sounds dangerous. Her fianc¨¦ should at least give his approval,¡± Gwen said, smiling at Yulie. Yulie quickly shook her head and said, ¡°N-no, it¡¯s perfectly al¡ª¡± ¡°It is true. Deculein¡¯sbat skills are undeniable. He is remarkably sturdy for a mage,¡± Raphel interjected, and Sirio nodded in agreement with a gentle smile. Jng, appearing displeased but eventually nodding with a forced smile, said, ¡°... Hmm, very well. I shall convey this to Lord Yukline.¡± Gwen found it amusing. The eunuch called the other knights by their names, but for Deculein, he always used Lord Yukline with utmost respect. She wondered if this was why nobles were so particr about their titles. ¡°Do as you wish. Yulie,e and join me for dinner,¡± Gwen said as she headed out of the pce with Yulie. *** ¡ª We are still following your orders. I had nned to contact them, but I would never show any impatience or unease. There could be no room for them to find fault in my expression or behavior. Maintaining a facade was easier for me than breathing, as it was already ingrained in my personality and body. ¡°... Master, here are the documents,¡± Roy said respectfully as he handed them to me. As I pondered my next move, Roy presented me with a file. I carefully reviewed its contents. Luxury Hotel Renovation: ck Cryne Future Trade Routes and ns Mercenary Guild Mission Overview These were the reports from the businesses I had invested in. I used my Comprehension to examine their ount books. Everything was settling in without any issues. ¡°Good. You may take it away now.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Despite the good news, I had no time to dwell on it. After sending Roy away, I began to consider how to respond to them. ... There was no need to overthink it. ©¤ Master. A shadowy figure flickered in the corner of the study. It was not real, merely a magical projection. I looked at it calmly, and my words came almost instinctively. ¡°Lead the way.¡± *** There is no utopia in this world. Even in the capital of the continent¡¯s most powerful Empire, light and darkness coexist. The brighter the light, the darker the shadows. Since the mines closed, On in the southeast part of the capital has turned into a slum. Deculein¡¯s former subordinate guided me to the underground of that slum. The cave was damp and musty. Thick humidity clung to my skin, and a palemp flickered precariously. ¡°My master.¡± In the cave, two people knelt before me. One was a man, the other a woman, and they bore a striking resemnce to each other, likely siblings. ¡°Repeat my orders. What were they?¡± I demanded as I was testing them before they could speak. ¡°You instructed us not to show mercy to Louina if she set foot in the capital.¡± I examined them closely. There were no death variables at y, and their ability to capture Louina independently was impressive. However, their true intentions were the real question. Feigning indifference, I said, ¡°You acted too soon.¡± ¡°We are aware,¡± the man replied, his tone tinged with insolence. ¡°We believed you had abandoned us. Our doubts remain.¡± ¡°Is this defiance?¡± ¡°No, sir. If you had abandoned us and were no longer our master, it could not be considered defiance.¡± ¡°I have never abandoned you. Lead the way,¡± I said calmly. The two stood from their kneeling positions. The man walked ahead, and I followed, with the woman trailing behind me. We soon arrived at a vast, empty chamber. In the center of the expansive underground room, Louina was bound. A ck hood covered her face, and her hands and feet were shackled. She looked like a prisoner of war. ¡°What actions have you taken?¡± ¡°We administered anti-matoxtin to her.¡± Anti-matoxtin is a well-known poison for mages, even famous in games. It resembles a tranquilizer inposition, but when injected into the bloodstream, it prevents the use of magic for at least three days. I examined their faces and said, ¡°You have done well.¡± The atmosphere shifted subtly at my words. They tried to hide their expressions, but they couldn''t fool me¡ªthey were dissatisfied. I realized something important¡ªthey did not seek my praise. I red at the battered Louina. A red aura flickered vividly around her. She had resolved to kill me. The real challenge began now. I thought through possible scenarios in my mind. The first option: I will speak to her, ¡°Louina, I saved you. Those who kidnapped you have no connection to me.¡± Louina will respond, ¡°I don¡¯t believe you!¡± and the death variable remains unresolved. The second option: I will leave immediately without revealing my identity and set Louina free. Still, Louina would suspect me, and the siblings would continue to doubt me. The death variable remains unresolved. The third and final option: I kill Louina. Her screams will fill the chamber, and she will disappear forever. The death variable will be resolved, but I will be eternally vulnerable to the suspicious siblings. Furthermore, any positive developments involving Louina would be lost. Though she is an enemy to me, in the grand scheme of things, she is a clear protagonist. Losing her would be a severe blow. I used telekinesis to raise a stone b from the cave floor, fashioning it into a chair. Its antique beauty reflected my character. I sat down and carefully considered every possibility. The situation was far from ideal, but I still held the upper hand. After all, thismand and the situation were entirely under my control. ¡°Here is the ount book," the man said, presenting it to me. I took it silently. As I read its contents, a faint smile formed on my lips. Deculein was ruthless¡ªremarkably so. I wondered if there could be anyone else in the world as tenacious as him. ¡°Interesting.¡± As I read those astonishing words, I had to admit that resolving this death variable through peaceful means was impossible. Therefore... *** Louina drifted in and out of consciousness, feeling as though she were floating naked in an endless ocean, overwhelmed by dizziness and nausea. She could no longer perceive the passage of time. All she could do was endure, fueled by her burning anger. She knew exactly who was behind her kidnapping; only a fool would be ignorant of it. Deculein. Swish¡ª! As she bit her tongue and silently repeated his name, the bag covering her face was suddenly removed, causing pain in her eyes. Her tightly sealed mouth and ears were instantly freed. ¡°Ah...!¡± Louina gasped for air and bent over, panting. As she caught her breath, she noticed a pair of shoes firmly nted on the dark ground. Slowly, she lifted her gaze. The shoes were spotless, the pant cuffs neatly folded, legs crossed with distinct elegance. An expensive tie, incongruous with the dank surroundings, adorned his neck. And then... his face. Her heart sank. He was watching her, his sharp features cast in cold shadows, and his murky eyes as piercing as a raptor¡¯s. ¡°... You,¡± Louina said, her voice trembling. Fear, terror, and anxiety gnawed at her weakened mind, emotions she despised acknowledging. It felt as though a heavy weight was crushing her entire body. ¡°Never set foot in the capital again,¡± Deculein said. His tone was t, devoid of any inflection. He was a true psychopath. ¡°I made myself clear when I said that. What did you hope to achieve bying to the capital?¡± Louina remained silent. Deculein regarded her with mockery and said, ¡°I heard you purchased a mansion in the capital.¡± ¡°... Do you think you can get away with this? I¡¯m also the Empress¡¯s instructor¡ª¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need your meaningless words.¡± Deculein extended his hand and began counting down with his fingers. Five, four, three, two... ¡°... The magic vision,¡± Louina said, but Deculein¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°I''ve requested its return several times before. I¡¯m sure I repaid the borrowed money with interest, yet you ignored me.¡± Deculein listened quietly, his face indifferent and calm, like a monster devoid of emotion. ¡°That is correct. However...¡± Deculein said as he used telekinesis to retrieve a document. ¡°Louina, in this world, there is something calledpound interest. Fifteen years ago, I lent you 100 million elne at an annual interest rate of 20%.¡± The contract, drafted fifteen years ago and still binding, brought a twisted smile to his lips as he read it. ¡°The total now stands at 1.547 billion elne.¡± ¡°What?¡± With simple interest, the amount would have been 400 million, but withpound interest, it ballooned to 1.5 billion. It was a malicious use. Although the contract clearly specified simple interest, Yukline had manipted McQueen''s debt through a hidden special agreement, converting it topound interest. ¡°Your family still owes 1.14072 billion elne,¡± he stated. ¡°Ah, and additionally, the interest increases by 200 million each year.¡± Louina looked more than stunned; she seemed utterly lost. She stammered out her next words, ¡°I will appeal to the Imperial Pce Court. This is absurd¡ª¡± ¡°By Imperialw, appeals are allowed only within ten years of the contract signing. You did not appeal. Furthermore, this contract was officially endorsed by the former Emperor, making it immune to scrutiny by the current Imperial Pce Court.¡± Deculein truly admired the cleverness of his former self¡¯s schemes. In addition to this debt, other traps were ticking time bombs within the McQueen family. ¡°We could initiate the seizure process as early as tomorrow.¡± Louina red at Deculein, but his unchanging expression terrified her more than anything. ¡°You... you truly are...¡± He had not released her. He had not forgiven her. He was merely waiting for the right moment to strike, ensuring her fall would be as painful as possible. ¡°You may continue. I am listening.¡± At that moment, all strength drained from her body. She understood that this was not the time for pride. ¡°... I have no intention of bing the Head Professor. No, I did want it once, but the professors of the Mage Tower of the Empire were pushing for it¡ª¡± ¡°It does not matter,¡± Deculein said, shaking his head as Louina desperately tried to exin. Her heart pounded, and her mouth went dry. She gritted her teeth and cried out, ¡°Then what do you want from me? Do you want me to die?!¡± ¡°... Hmm.¡± However, his next words were unexpectedly strange. ¡°You will be the Head Professor.¡± They weren''t just strange¡ªthey were bizarre. Louina could only stare in disbelief, tears of frustration welling up in herrge eyes. ¡°And I will be the Chairman.¡± His once murky eyes now glowed with a blue light as he looked directly at her. ¡°If you assist me from your position, once I be the Chairman, I will consider returning McQueen¡¯s vision and forgiving the debt. The position of Head Professor will also be yours.¡± Louina couldn''t understand his intentions. ¡°But you must swear an oath to me.¡± Deculein stood up from his chair and started writing various terms with a fountain pen. ¡°First, you will never speak of today¡¯s events.¡± Vaguemands to swear loyalty were ineffective. The more specific the terms, the harsher the consequences for breaking the oath. ¡°Second, you will adhere to this contract for five years.¡± Deculein handed her the contract. Louina was horrified. It was almost a master-servant agreement, and the penalty for breach was the loss of her mana. "This is absurd¡ª" ¡°You still don¡¯t understand. We will continue this conversation in three days.¡± ¡°No, wait¡ª¡± At Deculein¡¯s signal, they covered Louina¡¯s eyes, mouth, and ears once more. Leaving her to fall back into darkness, Deculein turned and walked away. *** Afterpleting the task, I silently surveyed the underground cave. ¡°What will you do if she refuses to take the oath?¡± the man asked. I stared at him nkly, wondering why he would ask such an obvious question when it was clearly his fault we were in this situation. ¡°I will have to kill her.¡± Considering how things had turned out, I had no other choice. If I didn¡¯t threaten her, Louina would certainly attempt to kill me. ¡°... However, she will not refuse. She desires to live.¡± [Viin''s Fate: Death Variable Neutralized] ¡ô Reward Acquired: Store Currency +2 The notification appeared btedly. The issue wasn''t resolved through oveing or avoidance but by neutralization, indicating that she had decided to ept the oath. "Is this truly eptable?" ¡°What do you imply?¡± ¡°The McQueen family... they assisted in the assassination of the former head of Yukline...¡± So that¡¯s what happened. The McQueens weren¡¯t just victims of the Yuklines. Since I hadn¡¯t known this, Louina likely didn¡¯t either. I shook my head and said, ¡°Louina did not do that herself.¡± ¡°That is true...¡± Deculein had reasons to kill Louina. However, out of all Deculein''s emotions, I did not want to embrace his hatred. ¡°Louina may be the current head of the McQueen family, but this collective punishment is sufficient. Nobles should not impose indiscriminate penalties.¡± I nced around the cave. It was too dark, damp, and filthy for anyone to stay. The acrid, musty smell had been bothering me for a while. ¡°... More importantly, have you been residing in this ce?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°You promised us the money!¡± the woman, who had been silent until now, suddenly shouted. The man red at her, but she couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and stood her ground. ¡°You said you¡¯d pay us and let us go once the job was done!¡± ¡°Money?¡± ¡°Yes. Arge sum¡ª¡± Smack¡ª! A sharp sound echoed as the man pped his sister. "Apologies, Master. Shecks proper training." I looked at the siblings. The sister, her cheeks puffed with indignation, sobbed and hung her head while the brother red at her. ¡°It¡¯s fine. For now,e to my mansion. This ce is far too filthy.¡± These siblings might not be named characters, but they were exceptionally talented. Their potential was evident to me, given my Wealthy Magnate attribute. They might have been deliberately trained by the Yukline family. Naturally, I had no intention of letting them go. ¡°From today, I will put your talents to good use. I will also pay the promised reward¡ªdouble.¡± The sister¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. ¡°However, all previous orders I gave you are now void.¡± ¡°Th-thank you, sir!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The siblings said as they quickly dropped to their knees. ¡°And one more thing,¡± I added, looking down at them. ¡°Refrain from resorting to physical means so often. It undermines your dignity.¡± A true noble exercises control without resorting to violence. That is the essence of nobility. Chapter 57: Routine (1)

Chapter 57: Routine (1)

Deculein¡¯s final order in January was to wait. At that time, hundreds of informants were active, operating out of On and navigating the underworld and other shadowy ces. Ren was one of the key figures, but Deculein¡¯s orders abruptly ceased. Without further instructions or support, and with the disappearance of their primary incentive¡ªmoney¡ªthe hundreds of informants dwindled to dozens within a month and just two after two months. Each informant went their separate ways. Ren and Enen had nowhere else to go. The siblings remained in the filthy cave, waiting for their master¡¯s possible return. There was also a materialistic reason; with fewer people, they hoped the promised reward would be significantly greater. Ren and Enen changed into suits that Deculein had personally bought for them from a tailor shop near the capital, experiencing high-quality fabric for the first time. They then scrubbed the grime off their bodies and had their hair trimmed at a salon. For them, the best disguise was dressing up. Ren and Enen entered the Yukline mansion, lookingpletely different from before. Deculein introduced them as his new personal servants and had a warehouse on the mansion grounds renovated into a clean living space for them. ¡°... Wow.¡± Enen, the younger sister, stared wide-eyed in wonder at the mansion¡¯s splendor. She had never seen such a bright, luxurious, and refreshing residence. ¡°We could even raise a puppy here,¡± she said, her voice filled with awe. A mansion with its own backyard and garden was beyond her wildest dreams. She never imagined such ces existed on the continent. ¡°... You shouldn¡¯t have done that,¡± Ren said to Enen. She remained silent, her cheek still swollen from the p. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± ¡°Of course, it hurts,¡± she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. ¡°... Even so, you shouldn¡¯t speak out like that, especially in front of the Master.¡± Despite not receiving payment for six months, the siblings diligentlypleted all their previous orders. When they had no food, they caught and ate rats, and when they had no money to hire help, they did everything themselves. ¡°Do you still trust the Master?¡± Enen asked, looking at Ren. Ren shook his head and replied, ¡°No.¡± Although Deculein had shown mercy to Louina, pretending to be a noble, Ren could never forget the look on Deculein¡¯s face when the former head of Yukline died. At that moment, Deculein¡¯s expression twisted with unbearable joy¡ªa disturbing mix of a smile and tears that Ren would always remember. ¡°I still have my doubts. I can¡¯t tell when he might betray us again.¡± Anyone who felt joy at his father¡¯s deathcked something essential to being human and was, therefore, dangerous. ¡°Even so, the Master isn¡¯t hostile toward our people. He kept his promises,¡± Enen argued, her voice filled with conviction. Ren nced at the bag in his arms and swallowed hard. Deculein had indeed doubled the promised amount. They received five million elne¡ªa sum Ren had never seen in his twenty-one years of life. Enen suggested, "... Let''s use 10,000 elne for ourselves and give the rest to our family." ¡°10,000 elne? For us?¡± ¡°Yeah, why not? We earned it through seven years of hard work. We deserve a reward. Just 10,000. I won¡¯t be greedy for more.¡± Ren bit his lip in thought, then eventually nodded and said, ¡°... Alright.¡± Ren and Enen had arge family. Even though they weren¡¯t rted by blood, they considered everyone family. It was for their family¡¯s sake that they clung to the lifeline called Deculein. Even when the future seemed uncertain, they held on... ¡°Let¡¯s do that.¡± They were the Scarletborn. *** ... Hello, hello~ It¡¯s Maho here. Thanks to you, Professor, I arrived safely in the principality. Were you surprised by my sudden letter? Please read it to the end! These days are peaceful and calm, but sometimes I think back to that time and my heart sinks. Professor, if you hadn¡¯t been there, I¡¯d probably be a pile of bones by now, right~? Oh no, bones! Ah! Just the thought is terrifying! That means I wouldn¡¯t be able to write this letter, talk, or eat sweets, right? Once again, thank you! Thank you so much~ Oh, and I heard from Charlotte that you called it a deal. A deal... it sounds so cold, but I felt your warm heart! I believe you didn¡¯t help me just because it was a deal, but if I can ever help you, I¡¯ll dly do it! To prepare for that day, I¡¯ve been learning swordsmanship and magic. Even though I¡¯m not strong yet, I don¡¯t want to be a burden~ Also, you said I didn¡¯t have to act anymore, right? You have no idea how shocked I was. I mean, really, I was so surprised~ But seriously, (with a very serious face), my feelings weren¡¯t all an act. Please remember that. Lastly... oh, one more thing. Our principality is starting a huge project. It¡¯s a redevelopment n, and I think it has a bright future because I designed it! If you¡¯re interested, I can offer you an opportunity to invest~ But if you don¡¯t trust me, feel free to ignore this! We¡¯re not asking for investment because we¡¯re short on funds, really! Oh no! Charlotte just arrived! I started writing this at 2 a.m., and now it¡¯s already 7 a.m. I have so much more to say, but I¡¯ll end here for now. Please reply~ I¡¯ll write again soon~ Best wishes, Princess Maho of the Principality of Yuren To my savior, Professor Deculein I sat in my study, reading Maho¡¯s letter. Her writing style mirrored her speech, a stark contrast to my current work. It was strangely endearing. ¡°Can a letter be this lively?¡± I said, chuckling and ced it in a drawer. Then I picked up the ount book Ren had given me, my expression hardening. Exploitation of Leviaron''s Serfs Bribes from the Beorad Family... Deculein had been gathering the weaknesses of various nobles and orchestrating numerous atrocities. He had even elerated the decline of the On slum, nning to buy thend at a low price. I didn''t know the exact reason, but with my Wealthy Magnate attribute, there must have been a solid basis for it. I still didn¡¯t know the full extent of Deculein¡¯s actions or how much money he had funneled into the underworld. There could be allies like Ren and Enen or deadly enemies. As Deculein, I couldn¡¯t simply ignore or cover up these issues. The seeds he nted would eventually grow out of control. Therefore... ¡°... I must turn them to my advantage.¡± The best course of action I could take was to align Deculein¡¯s misdeeds with the main quest. Knock, knock¡ª Roy knocked on the door and announced, ¡°Master, Lady Yulie has arrived.¡± Snapped out of my thoughts, I found myself at the door, my body having moved on instinct. I opened it to find Yulie standing there in her armor, her white hair neatly arranged like delicate snowkes. ¡°... Have you been well?¡± she asked, her lips trembling as she tried to manage an awkward smile. I gave a faint smile and said, ¡°Come in.¡± ¡°No. There¡¯s no need to¡ª¡± ¡°I saide in.¡± ¡°... Okay.¡± Yulie stepped forward to enter, but I blocked her path. ¡°I have changed my mind. Let us talk outside.¡± It urred to me that I should keep this encounter at a distance. Yulie blinked, then nodded in agreement. ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± I asked Yulie. ¡°I¡¯ve been given a task.¡± ¡°A task?¡± ¡°Yes...¡± Yulie said, fidgeting with her hands. ¡°I... unexpectedly became an instructor knight, if you recall.¡± ¡°Yes. Is this task from Her Majesty?¡± ¡°Yes, Grand Prince Kreto has requested your autograph, Professor... if that is possible.¡± She handed me a book. When I saw the cover, my face flushed slightly. It was a work by the former Deculein, and its content was embarrassingly convoluted. ¡°That¡¯s not possible.¡± ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Yulie epted my refusal too easily, and I began flipping through the pages. ¡°I will release a revised edition soon.¡± I silently apologized to the former Deculein, but the content was barely worth using as kindling. He likely understood the reason¡ªthe book was intentionally convoluted. ¡°When the new edition is published, I will include an autograph. Convey this to Grand Prince Kreto,¡± I continued. ¡°Yes, thank you,¡± Yulie said, performing a knightly salute by cing her right hand on her opposite shoulder and bowing slightly. ¡°I will take my leave now.¡± She didn¡¯t linger and left quickly, and I made no move to stop her. As she walked away, she suddenly halted. Her white hair fluttered as she seemed lost in thought. She mumbled something I couldn¡¯t hear, then turned to face me and spoke loudly. ¡°... Would you like to y chess with me?¡± Yulie asked, her cheeks flushing with shyness. I had a good idea of what she had endured with the Empress. ¡°Very well.¡± I needed the practice anyway. I had read several books on chess and studied many grandmaster games, but nothingpares to real practice. ¡°Follow me.¡± I led her to a spot in the garden under a tree. Yulie sat in a sunny chair, watching me expectantly. Her eyes blinked rapidly as she waited for the chessboard. I crafted one, lifting stones from the ground to form the board and pieces, neatly decorating it with leaves and grass. ¡°Wow, this is amazing.¡± Her childlike wonder was charming. ¡°Let¡¯s y.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Yulie said, cing her hands on her knees and taking a deep breath. ¡°I will begin.¡± With an unnecessarily serious expression, she moved a piece. ¡°Checkmate.¡± She lost in fifteen minutes, with me using only 300 mana. ¡°... How did this happen?¡± Yulie stared at the chessboard in bewilderment, unable toprehend how she had lost. ¡°You should not have moved your bishop here; it was too hasty,¡± I exined kindly. She soon nodded and said, ¡°Oh, I see. That was impressive. I would never have considered that move. If it¡¯s not too much trouble, could we y one more game?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± One game became two, and two became three. Yulie challenged me four times in a row, but she never managed to offer a real challenge. ¡°You are quite poor at this,¡± I remarked. ¡°... I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°If you continue to show such a disappointing performance, we will grow apart even more easily,¡± I said jokingly. However, Yulie looked up sharply, her lips forming a sulky pout. ¡°Is that so? But I am one of the top three in our knights order...¡± ¡°You seem to have potential. Let us stop for today; we both have responsibilities to attend to,¡± I remarked as I rose from my seat. Yulie quickly regained herposure after a bit of praise and said, ¡°I enjoyed our time today.¡± ¡°It was not as enjoyable for me, but you may keep the chessboard and pieces. Consider it a gift. Reflect on today¡¯s defeat and strive to improve.¡± ¡°Oh, thank you very much!¡± Yulie said cheerfully. She appeared to value heartfelt gifts more than expensive ones. *** Meanwhile, Ephereney asleep on the sofa in the club room. "Hehe..." she smacked her lips, smiling contentedly. The fragrant aroma and rich taste of the meat filled her senses. "Roahawk,e here... hehe... so sulent..." As she shifted in her sleep, she rolled off the sofa. "... Ouch!" Her tailbone struck the marble floor. Epherene stood up, rubbing her sore back. She sighed deeply and said, "What a mess this is." Since the copse of the third dormitory building three days ago, she had been staying in the club room. Until yesterday, she had not been in her right mind. Her notes, kept in her bag, were safe, but she had nearly lost all the letters exchanged with her father. Fortunately, they were found unharmed, thanks to their magical coating. Yawning, Epherene headed to the bathroom. Ssh, ssh¡ª She quickly washed her face and returned to the club room. With exams approaching, she decided to study and opened her notebook. Just then, the door burst open. "Epherene! Look at this!" Julia eximed as she entered the room with Ferit, Rondo, and several other club members. "What?" "Look!" They spread arge photograph on the desk, revealing the cleared site of the copsed third dormitory building. "I always wondered why they attacked the third building. But look at this! See these ck marks?" Julia eximed, pulling out a pen. She traced the marks on the ground, forming a magical pattern. As she infused it with mana, a single line of text appeared. Expect the retribution of the ash. The time to test your frailty and weakness has arrived. ¡°Look at this! Isn¡¯t this a deration of war from them?¡± Julia eximed. ¡°... No way,¡± Epherene muttered. It was unsettling, but it seemed far-fetched. No matter how desperate they were, the Ashes wouldn¡¯t dare attack the Mage Tower of the University. "It might be true! Look at the structure of the spell. It¡¯spletely different from what we learn at the Mage Tower!" Julia insisted, her voice rising with urgency. She was right. The spiral pattern differed entirely from the formal magic they were taught. Rumor had it that the Ashes favored such irregr spell structures. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we inform the professor?¡± "I think so, but do you think they will believe us?" ¡°We have to inform them! If we don¡¯t, moremoners will die! Look, they only destroyed our third building! They¡¯re so cowardly. Why do they only attack us? The nobles are the ones at fault!¡± Julia said passionately, her argument resonated deeply with Epherene. Based on the professors'' attitudes during the incident, it was obvious¡ªif they didn¡¯t take action themselves, nothing would change. "You''re right. Let¡¯s at least try to inform them. It won''t hurt to try, right?" *** ¡°Get lost! What kind of nonsense are you spouting? I''m already on edge! Get out before I give you all group penalties!¡± Relin shouted, mming the door with a loud bang. The gust from the impact ruffled the robes and hair of the club members. Julia gritted her teeth and said, "That chubby professor, really..." "See? I told you it wouldn¡¯t work. If we¡¯re going to do something, we have to do it ourselves. I''ve been making significant magical progresstely, so¡ª" "No, Epherene. There¡¯s still one more person we can ask¡ªthe professor," Julia said, her voice tinged with hope. From Siare to Relin, all the mid-level professors had turned them away, but there was still one more. Epherene knew exactly who Julia meant. They exchanged nervous nces, swallowing hard. Head Professor Deculein Just seeing his name made Epherene''s palms sweat. Her breathing quickened, and her heart raced uncontrobly. ¡°Whew...¡± Epherene said, taking a deep breath as she tried to steady herself. The club members behind her murmured words of encouragement. Together, they all knocked on his door. Knock, knock¡ª The door opened. At first, Epherene thought Deculein had opened it, but it slid open on its own. It seemed it had never been locked. "Hmm?" Epherene peered inside. A woman with short hair was rifling through Deculein¡¯s office. Epherene was the first to shout, ¡°Who are you?!¡± ¡°Ahh! I¡¯m sorry! I didn¡¯t do anything!¡± the woman screamed as she tripped and fell. Her eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Epherene and said, ¡°... What.¡± Her expression quickly turned hostile as she frowned deeply. "Who are you guys¡ª" At that moment, a grimoire fell from a drawer and struck her on the head. "Ouch!" she eximed, clutching her head in pain. Her expression quickly shifted from pain to anger as she red and shouted, "God dang it, hey!" Epherene and the club members flinched and backed away. Trembling, Epherene said, "Wh-who are you?! Don¡¯te any closer! I¡¯ll call the guards!" "I¡¯m his sister! Who else would I be?!" the woman retorted sharply. "... Sorry? His... sister?" "Yes! You startled me! Who are you all?!" Yeriel eximed, her voice edged with irritation. Her threatening gesture caused them to retreat even further. Epherene quickly bowed her head and exined, "Uh, sorry, the door was open." "Whatever. I''m your senior, by the way. What do you want, and what''s your name?" Yeriel asked, still rubbing her head as she pointed at Epherene. "Uh..." "Hurry up and answer. Don''t make me more annoyed; my head still hurts. Answer before I sue you!" "... Epherene." "What?" Yeriel said, her face froze as she realized something. "Wait, Epherene... You are Epherene Luna, then?" "Yes." Yeriel paused, deep in thought. After a moment, she released her anger and spoke more gently. "Alright. I''m Yeriel. Why are you here?" "Uh, well¡ª" Ding¡ª! At that moment, the elevator chimed, indicating someone''s arrival. Yeriel''s eyes widened in surprise, and she swiftly shut the office door. "Hide!" "What? Why? You said you''re his sister," Epherene questioned, confusion evident in her voice. "No, I mean, I came in without his permission! Just hide! Why is he back so early?" Yeriel had sneaked into the office to investigate the rumors that Deculein had kidnapped Louina. Though she was hesitant to suspect him, there was no one else who seemed more likely responsible for Louina''s disappearance. Directly confronting him could result in a conflict, and he probably wouldn¡¯t tell the truth anyway. If her worst fears were confirmed and Deculein was indeed behind it, she needed to carefully n her next steps. ¡°But we could just leave¡ª¡± "Don''t ask any questions, just hide!" Yerielmanded urgently. Yeriel hid under Deculein¡¯s desk. The space was surprisingly spacious, easily concealing her. The club members, envious of her hiding spot, scrambled to find their own ces to hide. Chapter 58: Routine (2)

Chapter 58: Routine (2)

Yeriel found a good hiding spot under the desk, but Epherene and the other club members had difficulty finding suitable ces. They moved about in confusion, hiding in less-than-ideal spots. One hid behind the door, another behind a coat rack, while Epherene used Telekinesis to float to the ceiling, clinging to it awkwardly. Bang¡ª The door suddenly opened with a bang, and Deculein walked in. Without lifting a finger, he used magic to hang his coat on the rack. ¡°Professor, how should we proceed with this week¡¯smon ss?¡± Allen, the assistant professor, inquired eagerly. ¡°Leave the documents and you may go,¡± Deculein replied. ¡°Yes, sir," Allen said briskly before exiting, leaving Deculein alone in his office. He stood in the middle of the room, lost in thought, while everyone held their breath. Suddenly, Deculein looked up. There, clinging to the ceiling like a starfish, was Epherene. "Ah... haha..." Epherene said, letting out a nervousugh, realizing she had been discovered. Deculein stared at her briefly before disrupting her Telekinesis. ¡°Yikes!¡± Epherene yelped as she began to fall, but she used Fluid Maniption to slow herself down. Despite her unscathednding, Deculein felt a sense of amazement. The amount of mana he expended to disrupt her Telekinesis had been significant¡ª100 mana. At the beginning of the semester, Epherene had disyed raw talent butcked refinement in her magic. Her rapid progress was remarkable, stirring feelings of jealousy that Deculein quickly brushed aside. ¡°Come out, all of you,¡± Deculeinmanded. Reluctantly, the other club members emerged from their hiding spots and stood before Deculein. "Unauthorized entry into the head professor¡¯s office warrants disciplinary action and could lead to expulsion," he said, ring at them. "We''re sorry!" Julia eximed, dropping to her knees. Epherene, Rondo, and Ferit quickly followed suit, kneeling and apologizing profusely. ¡°Apologies are unnecessary. State your reason,¡± Deculein demanded. Epherene hesitated, torn between revealing Yeriel¡¯s presence and remaining loyal. Ultimately, she chose loyalty. ¡°We wanted to show you this,¡± Epherene said, pulling a photograph from her pocket. Deculein used Telekinesis to retrieve it from her hand. ¡°When we connected the patterns, it revealed a message of ¡®Expect the retribution of the ash. The time to test your frailty and weakness has arrived,¡¯ appeared.¡± ¡°Retribution of the ash? Are you suggesting the Ashes have issued a warning?¡± Deculein inquired, scrutinizing the photograph closely. ¡°Yes, sir. We believe so, and we came to inform you as quickly as possible...¡± Epherene said, her voice trailing off as she awaited his reaction. Epherene anticipated Deculein would react like the other professors since the Ashes were a sensitive topic for them. Yet, she also knew Deculein might respond differently simply because he was Deculein. ¡°... Your actions are understandable given the circumstances,¡± Deculein stated. However, Deculein¡¯s reaction was markedly different from that of the other professors. He even nodded, indicating his understanding. ¡°Even so, unauthorized entry must be penalized. This matter is not for Debutants to concern themselves with. If the Ashes are involved, it is a matter for the professors,¡± Deculein said. Though his tone remained cold, there was a noticeable softness to it as he scrutinized each of the four students in turn. "... The professors ignored us," Epherene said, clenching her fists in frustration. ¡°I know. Those old fools are like that,¡± Deculein said, his lips curving into a faint smirk, surprising them with his bluntness. ¡°However, there are many other professors in the Mage Tower.¡± The mid-level tenured professors had long since stagnated in their magical abilities, shifting their focus to research and projects. However, the newly emerging professors, now in their mid-tote twenties, showed great promise. Among them were named characters like Jennifer, an authority on harmony magic; the bespectacled Kelodan; and Grant. ¡°Seek out Kelodan. He possesses the capability to assist you.¡± Kelodan, a prominent figure intended to be an ally for the yer, was ideally suited to guide Epherene and her club. ¡°I will only assign one penalty point. Additionally, this discovery will be acknowledged as an aplishment of the CMRC.¡± "... Thank you, Professor." ¡°Now, you may all leave,¡± Deculein instructed. The club members exited the office with their heads bowed. Deculein sat at his desk, gazing intently at the photograph. Expect the retribution of the ash. The time to test your frailty and weakness has arrived. [Grade 5 Mid-Boss Event: Baron of Ash] ¡ô Mid-Boss Defeat Reward : One Item Catalog : Store Currency +2 The term mid-boss event might sound impressive, but being a mid-boss didn¡¯t inherently make it special. Deculein was a mid-boss himself, and there were dozens more like him. However, this Grade 5 event was especially challenging. The Baron of Ash, a mid-boss I knew well, required mage yers to defeat him without any help from external named characters, relying solely on the student named characters. The biggest problem in this Mage Tower was clear¡ªthere was no yer. yers were unique individuals who used the system to gather named characters around them. Without a yer, aplishing that seemed impossible. ¡°There is no other choice,¡± Deculein muttered as he left his office to make the necessary preparations. After a few minutes, Yeriel cautiously emerged from beneath the desk. ¡°Phew. That was close,¡± she whispered. Yeriel attempted to brush the dust from her clothes but found none, a testament to Deculein¡¯s obsessive cleanliness. She sighed, thinking how absurd it was to be so spotless, as if dirt could kill. Just as she was about to leave, a voice startled her. ¡°Yeriel.¡± ¡°Ahhh¡ª!¡± Yeriel screamed, almost copsing to the floor. Deculein observed her with a blend of irritation and pity and asked, "What brings you here?" "Ah, um, well... You could have warned me if you knew I was here! Oh, my heart..." ¡°I asked, what brings you here?¡± Deculein repeated, unfazed. Yeriel took a deep breath and fixed her gaze on him and asked, ¡°I need to know about Louina.¡± ¡°Louina from the McQueen family?¡± ¡°Yes, did you kidnap her? Rumors are spreading everywhere, but surely they¡¯re just that¡ªrumors?¡± Deculein remained silent, his expression inscrutable. Yeriel rephrased her question hesitantly, ¡°You didn¡¯t kidnap her, did you?¡± ¡°... It¡¯s none of your concern. Louina will be released soon.¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean by that?¡± "You may go now," Deculein said, turning away. Left alone, Yeriel pondered his words. ¡°Louina will be released soon.¡° ¡°Louina will be released soon.¡° ¡°Louina will be released soon.¡° Realizing the implication, her eyes widened in shock, and she muttered, ¡°That bastard actually did kidnap her...!¡± *** While at her mansion, Sylvia immersed herself in her magic studies. Deculein: Pure Element Theory Deculein: Analysis of Mana Disasters Deculein: The Logic of Magic Deculein: Category Alignment Her bookshelf was lined with Deculein¡¯s lecture notes, meticulously organized by topic. Sylvia pored over his lessons with intense concentration. Knock, knock¡ª The sudden knock broke her concentration. Sylvia red at the door as it slowly creaked open to reveal a familiar face¡ªit was Giltheon. ¡°Ah! Were you studying?¡± Giltheon asked with an awkwardugh, scratching his cheek. Sylvia narrowed her eyes but shook her head, knowing that her break wasing up soon anyway. "Hahaha, that''s a relief, sweetie," he said, stepping into the room. His eyes fell on the bookshelf packed with notes, and his expression soured. "... Are those Deculein¡¯s lecture notes?" "Yes." "I''ve heard the head professor''s lectures are quite popr at the Mage Tower these days, but you''ve organized them very thoroughly." "Yes, they''ve been very helpful to me," Sylvia replied calmly. Giltheon twisted his lips to hide his displeasure and said, "You might find it more beneficial to learn practical skills from Deculein, not just theory." "Yes, I''m also learning practical skills. The sessions begin this week." "... Is that so?" Giltheon struggled toprehend Deculein''s abilities. Only three days prior, Deculein had single-handedly broken a demonic barrier, and rumors of hisbat prowess were now rife in the Magical Realm. Even the Chairwoman, in a recent interview, had said, ¡°Professor Deculein¡¯sbat abilities are only a step below mine! It was truly impressive!¡± Although it might seem like ttery, cing him just below the potential archmage Adrienne, the Chairwoman, many young mages believed it. Given Deculein''s unprecedented feats, they feared him greatly. Creak¡ª The door opened again, and both Sylvia and Giltheon turned to see Sylvia¡¯s half-brother, Gind, standing there. "Potato''s here," Sylvia teased, addressing her younger half-brother. "... I''m not a potato!" Gind yelled as he burst into the room. Sylvia, maintaining a deadpan expression, replied, ¡°Baked potato.¡± "I''m not¡ª!" As the two children conversed, Giltheon noticed an art notebook on Sylvia''s bed. Without much thought, he picked it up, and his expression hardened. To Giltheon¡¯s dismay, the pages were filled with sketches of Deculein. Page after page, the notebook contained nothing but detailed drawings of the head professor. Giltheon set the notebook down, his face a mask ofplex emotions, and nced at Sylvia, who was still bantering about potatoes with Gind. "Sweetie." "Yes?" ¡°I¡¯m nning to visit the cemetery. Would you like to join me?¡± "I''ve already been." "... I see," Giltheon said, forcing a smile. "I¡¯ll go alone then. Be good to each other." "Take Potato with you." "I''m not a potato!" "Potato, stop talking." Leaving the two behind, Giltheon stepped outside. His mind was in a haze, feeling as if the world was slipping away from him. "We are prepared to depart, sir," the driver announced. Giltheon remained silent as the car moved forward, arriving at the cemetery shortly thereafter. ¡°We have arrived, sir,¡± the driver said. Giltheon stepped out of the car and walked down the path, his emotions swirling tumultuously. When he reached the gravestone, he knelt and examined it closely. Cielia von Elemin Iliade The tombstone was spotless, and the grass was meticulously maintained¡ªundoubtedly Sylvia¡¯s doing. Glitheon knelt down, murmuring, ¡°... It¡¯s all soplicated.¡± He reflected on Sylvia¡¯s sketches of Deculein, pondering whether they signified admiration, affection, respect, or merely a fleeting childhood interest. The ambiguity made it too difficult and painful to discern. "Ciel, perhaps I deserved to lose you," Glitheon murmured, closing his eyes briefly. As a father, he wanted to deny reality, but his pragmatic nature wouldn''t allow it. "... Once again, I''ve thought of something you would hate." Opening his eyes, a smile crept onto his face and continued, "But it''s not a bad idea. Thanks to you, our child and the Iliade family will be even greater." Glitheon ced a flower on her grave and murmured, "You left this world because you were tired of me, but I remain an Iliade." Cielia had never wanted to be buried in Iliade¡¯snd. She regretted marrying a man obsessed with magic until her dying day. "Regardless of whether you were weary, repulsed, or full of hate, our bloodline... remains unchanged." Just as the Yukline hunted demons, the Leviaron ruled the seas, and the Freyden thrived in warmth, ambition coursed through the veins of the Iliade family. "Even the child you cherished remains bound by the Iliade bloodline." If Sylvia had a worthy adversary to face, she would grow stronger, edging closer to bing an archmage. Such trials would only fortify the Iliade family. "You don''t need to forgive or understand." Giltheon knew this better than anyone. He murmured, ¡°If I could be a stepping stone, I would dly throw myself into the fire.¡± The child''s radiant blonde hair and innate disposition perfectly embodied the essence of the ancient Iliade lineage. Sylvia was a gem, carrying the Iliade bloodline more profoundly than anyone. Her entire being was the quintessence of Iliade. "This time..." The 200-year-old tradition of the magical family was their ultimate ambition¡ªto produce an archmage. Some called it an obsession, others dismissed it as madness, but Giltheon''s life was dedicated entirely to this pursuit. "You should pave the way." Giltheon remembered his wife¡¯s death and the Yukline family. Deculein, too, was not free from the me. He couldn¡¯t implete innocence. Even if Deculein had killed Cielia, he couldn¡¯t deny it. It was the truth. Death and killing were the destinies of both the Iliade and Yukline families. "Because of you, whom Sylvia loves, we will achieve our dream." No matter what feelings Sylvia held for Deculein, they would all fuel the fire of Iliade. This ze would grow brighter and more intense, rising like the sun to illuminate the world. And if that wasn''t enough, if using his deceased wife''s memory wasn''t sufficient, he was prepared to sacrifice his own life. "Cielia, Deculein killed you. Now, it¡¯s our turn to use your death to our advantage." A torch burning fiercely, sacrificing itself¡ªthat was the resolve of the Iliade family. *** It was early morning. In the car driven by Ren, I nced at the seat next to me. Louina was staring out the window, a single tear trailing down her cheek. I felt no pity for her, not even a trace. However, drawing on memories from my past life as Kim Woo-Jin, I managed to show a semnce of sympathy. ¡°Don¡¯t dwell too much on it,¡± I said. Louina whipped her head around to face me. "Five years. During that time, you will have the opportunity to grow under Yukline¡¯s protection. Consider it a blessing." "A bl-blessing? What, a blessing? A blessing?" Louina stammered, incredulous. Her reaction was expected, but I remained unperturbed. Louina had an impressive background, having graduated early from the academy and entering the tower at a younger age than most, thanks to the former chairman¡¯s rmendation. But her future wasn¡¯t bright. When the invasion began, her family, the McQueens, would be the first to suffer. Being by my side might actually keep her safer. "Five years isn¡¯t that long," I continued. "Your annual sry will be around 400 million elne. Do you believe you could earn that on your own? If so, you need to reassess your abilities." Louina bit her lip and remained silent. Soon, the car arrived at her mansion. "Furthermore, I will rmend you as an external lecturer at the Mage Tower of the Empire. You have aplished all there is to achieve at the Mage Tower of the Kingdom. It is time for you to advance to the Mage Tower of the University." She opened the car door, stepped out, and then turned back to look at me. "You know what?" Louina said, looking back at me. "I was nning to do that anyway." m¡ª! She shut the door forcefully. I rolled down the window and called out to her as she walked away. "Stop." Louina sneered, "Why, boss?" "Again." "... Do what again, boss?" I stared at her in silence. With a sigh, she walked back to the car and mmed the door again. Bang¡ª! The result was exactly the same as before. "Again." "Hmph." She mmed it a third time. "Again," I said, my voice low and firm. Gritting her teeth, she opened the door once more and this time, closed it gently. "Good job," I said. She remained silent. "Acknowledge," I demanded with amanding tone. "... Yes, boss. Are you satisfied?" "Yes." The car immediately pulled away. In the rearview mirror, Louina''s re was so intense that it looked like she wanted to set the car on fire. "... Hmm," I murmured, unable toprehend the depth of humiliation a mage must endure to ept such a binding agreement. *** It was a clear Monday. The summer sun bathed the world in its warm glow, and today¡¯s task was field practice at the Mountain of Darkness. Recently nicknamed Demon Mountain due to a series of incidents, it had be a ce to avoid. However, a directive came directly from the Imperial Pce. ¡°It is essential to conduct field practice at least once a month. Avoiding it out of fear is unbing of a mage. If you flee from demons, you will never be able to confront them,¡± a prior decree from Empress Sophien. ¡°This is independent practice. If anything happens, report it to my Wood Steel,¡± Deculein announced. Fortunately, Deculein was in charge today. He strategically ced Wood Steel Shurikens throughout the Mountain of Darkness to enable quick incident reporting. This was one of the versatile applications of his Midas Touch attribute. ¡°Yes, sir!¡± the Debutants responded cheerfully, visibly relieved. They had already witnessed Deculein''sbat abilities. No monster, demonic beast, ghost, or demon stood a chance against the head professor''s prowess, and they hadplete faith in him. Even the Chairwoman had acknowledged that Professor Deculein¡¯sbat abilities were just a step below her own. With this assurance, the practice began. "... What are you doing there, you beggar?" Lucia sneered. At a stream midway up the mountain, Epherene looked up from catching fish to see Lucia and her group mocking her. ¡°Catching fish.¡± "We can tell you''re fishing, but why are you doing it in such a pathetic way? Are you trying to look like a beggar?" ¡°I¡¯m catching them to eat. Is that so hard to understand?¡± ¡°... Sigh.¡± They had no idea how delicious and magically beneficial the fish from the Mountain of Darkness could be. ¡°Oh, poor thing. Here, take some money and buy something to eat,¡± Lucia said sarcastically. "Sure, I¡¯ll dly ept," Epherene replied. "... What? Wow, just look at her. Get lost!" The nobles were taken aback and hurried past her. Suddenly, the stone Epherene was standing on shifted, moved by magic. ¡°Ah!¡± With a ssh, Epherene fell into the stream, andughter echoed from nearby. "I really can''t stand those girls..." Sighing, Epherene picked up her spear and managed to catch two fish. ¡°Today¡¯s my lucky day,¡± Epherene muttered. She gutted the plump fish, scaled them, skewered them, and lit a campfire. As she prepared her meal, a strange sensation suddenly surged through her body, like a jolt of static electricity. ¡°What was that...?¡± Epherene murmured, feeling a magical intuition that made her temples throb. She stood up, looking around. Crackle¡ªcrackle¡ª The sound of sizzling fish drew her attention back. "Grrr... This is making my mouth water." Just then, the nearby bushes rustled, revealing an unexpected visitor. "Who''s there? Don''t try anything foolish, I''m watching you closely," Epherene warned, her eyes fixed intently on the intruder. Someone familiar stepped out of the bushes. She red at Epherene with narrowed eyes. ¡°... Arrogant Epherene.¡± ¡°Hmm? Sylvia?¡± ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Sylvia asked, her brows furrowed. Epherene tilted her head and asked, "Why? It hasn¡¯t been that long. Did you already finish the practice?" ¡°You really are clueless. This isn¡¯t about the¡ª¡± Sylvia paused, her eyes fixed on the grilling fish. Seeing her interest, Epherene held out one of the skewers to her. ¡°Would you like some? It¡¯s delicious.¡± Sylvia, momentarily forgetting her original intention, gracefully settled onto a rock. Her clothes were unusually dirty, suggesting she had been there for quite a while. ¡°It¡¯s done. Go ahead and eat,¡± Epherene said. ¡°Okay.¡± Crunch¡ª They ate the fish together. Epherene trembled with pleasure at the first bite, and Sylvia closed her eyes, savoring the vor. "This is so good..." Crunch, crunch¡ª The fish from the Mountain of Darkness were indeed exceptional¡ªalmost as good as Roahawk, potentially the second-best she had ever tasted. The two devoured the fish, savoring each bite. Chapter 59: Encounter (1)

Chapter 59: Encounter (1)

Objective of the Mountain of Darkness Practice The Mountain of Darkness practice aims to enhance the practical skills of mages. While today¡¯s mana concentration is low, decreasing the chances of encountering powerful demonic beasts, entry above 500 meters is restricted for safety. Debutants need to earn a total of ten points from this practice. With only six opportunities per semester, make each session count. 1. Discovery of Magical Materials: : Provide analysis reports on at least three pharmacological or magical materials. (1 point for every 3 reports) 2. Witnessing Mana Phenomena: : Document your encounters with space-time anomalies or conceptual and abstract phenomena. (2 points each) 3. Demonic Beast Combat: : Submit records or proof of any demonic beasts you have in. (2 points each) 4. Magical Insight: : Write and submit a report detailing your personal growth during the Mountain of Darkness practice. (1 point, maximum of 1 report submission) ¡ù If you encounter any outsiders, report to your supervising professor immediately! "The Mountain of Darkness practice..." The mountain slope was shrouded in dense darkness. An unknown man picked up a piece of paper scattered on the ground, his bearded mouth twisting into a wry smile. "Practice, is it? It brings back memories." The paper in his hand swiftly ignited, and the mes spread to the corpses scattered around him¡ªagents from the Imperial Intelligence Agency who had been in pursuit. In moments, both the paper and the bodies were reduced to ash, leaving no trace behind. "I apologize, but what choice do I have? Survival is necessary." The man walked away with slow, deliberate steps. The Barrier of Chaos he had created remained intact. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly sensed a surge of pure mana that seemed to pierce through his mind. ¡°Hmm...¡± Blinking, he turned toward the source of the mana. A wind spirit carried its alluring scent to him. ¡°... I must be getting old, finding myself curious about everything,¡± he murmured with a sigh. Unable to resist his curiosity, he altered his course. *** The Mountain of Darkness, located on the outskirts of the Imperial University''s grounds, was a perilous area isted from the capital. Known for frequent urrences of demonic energy and mystical phenomena, the air there was thick with mana. As a result, the fish that thrived in its streams were not only delicious but also highly nutritious and rich in magical energy. ¡°Ah... this is the life,¡± Epherene mused, savoring the taste of the fish, feeling pleasantly full and rxed. She rubbed her smooth belly and nced at Sylvia. ¡°So, what happened?¡± Sylvia, who had been nodding off, suddenly snapped to attention and said, ¡°Time got tangled. You wouldn¡¯t have noticed.¡± ¡°Tangled?¡± Epherene asked, her confusion evident. ¡°I wandered the mountain for twenty hours,¡± Sylvia replied. ¡°What? Twenty hours? But it¡¯s still daylight.¡± Sylvia created a metronome with her Primary Colors, its steady ticking marking the seconds as they passed. "ording to my perception, this metronome has ticked exactly 72,653 times. That equates to 20 hours, 10 minutes, and 53 seconds." "Your clothes make it clear," Epherene nodded thoughtfully after hearing Sylvia''s exnation. Sylvia''s disheveled state was undeniable evidence. A noble as elegant and dignified as Sylvia wouldn¡¯t have gotten so dirty in just a few hours. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize. Was it a magical phenomenon?¡± ¡°You¡¯re such a fool.¡± ¡°... I did actually feel something,¡± Epherene admitted. ¡°Let¡¯s report this to Deculein¡¯s Wood Steel.¡± Sylvia narrowed her eyes at Epherene and said, "Arrogant Epherene." ¡°Sigh... what is it now?¡± Epherene replied. ¡°Professor Deculein is not your friend.¡± Epherene let out a dryugh and said, ¡°Fine. Professor Deculein. The esteemed Head Professor Deculein did say to report any issues to his Wood Steel. There¡¯s one nearby. Let¡¯s go.¡± Following the stream, they soon spotted one of Deculein¡¯s Wood Steel shurikens hovering in the air. ¡°Is this one of Deculein¡¯s cherished items?¡± Epherene wondered aloud. ¡°Arrogant Epherene.¡± ¡°... Is this one of Professor Deculein''s cherished items?¡± The shuriken had an intriguing shape, resembling sharp icicles or precisely cut crystals. Epherene tapped it and said, "Testing, testing. Can you hear me?" After a moment, a resonant hum responded, ¡°What is it?¡± Epherene sighed in relief, then turned to Sylvia and said, "You exin." Sylvia shook her head, unwilling to admit that she had been lost. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Epherene muttered, then spoke up, ¡°We experienced a magical phenomenon. Time seemed to get tangled.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Click¡ª The connection abruptly cut off. Startled, Epherene reactivated the shuriken and called out, ¡°Professor, it¡¯s a magical phenomenon!¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°Sorry?¡± "This is practice. Handle it yourselves. If it''s a magical phenomenon, write a detailed report." The connection cut off again, leaving Epherene stunned and Sylvia smug. "It appears he doesn''t take you seriously." Epherene scowled and muttered, "... Ugh. Well, at least this means time isn¡¯tpletely messed up, right?" ¡°The area around the stream appears to be unaffected,¡± Sylvia observed. ¡°That¡¯s not entirely urate,¡± an unfamiliar voice interjected. They turned sharply to see a middle-aged man in a robe step out from the bushes. ¡°Blonde child, the time distortion is due to my barrier. I didn¡¯t intend for you to get caught in it. I apologize for the inconvenience.¡± Epherene readied multiple fireballs, while Sylvia swiftly memorized the barrier magic. ¡°... Whoa, whoa~ Such fierce children, even when I¡¯m simply exining?¡± he remarked, his tone light and curious rather than hostile. His expression revealed only a genuine interest. ¡°Who are you?¡± Epherene asked, her tone wary. With a single bound, the man leapt closer, revealing his impressive height and muscr build, bothparable to Deculein. He smiled warmly and said, ¡°Nice to meet you. I am Murkan. This staff serves as my proof. As mages, you should recognize it¡ªit is a Fragment of the World Tree.¡± Epherene and Sylvia¡¯s eyes widened in shock. In the southeastern part of the continent lies the Gah Desert, where people have distinctive names. The most famous mages from that region are Demakan, Murkan, and Rohakan. Murkan is especially renowned as the nephew of Demakan, the legendary archmage. *** At the entrance to the Mountain of Darkness, the practice session had begun at noon. By three in the afternoon, the Debutants were returning one by one, reporting their progress to the supervising professors. "Lucia, herb¡¯l analysis is confirmed." "Yes, sir~" Today, there were six supervising professors, with Deculein as the head supervisor and the rest being junior professors. They recorded the Debutants'' scores on their lists. "Professors!" a young knight shouted as he ran from the Mage Tower, apanied by a group of policemen. "There¡¯s an urgent situation!" ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± asked Kelodan, a professor known for his thick sses and folksy ent, which had earned him the nickname the Bespectacled One. "Urgent news from the Intelligence Agency! Rohakan has entered the Mountain of Darkness!" "What, Rohakan¡ª?!" "Yes, sir. The Intelligence Agency caught him impersonating Murkan." The news left the professors taken aback, their eyes widening in disbelief. "Agents from the Intelligence Agency, along with the police, are already in pursuit and have requested the knights'' support¡ª" Before he could finish, they all rushed up the mountain. The group quickly reached the midpoint, their numbers swelling with more knights and police joining the pursuit. "Head Professor! We got ourselves a serious situation!" Deculein, seated on a bench halfway up the mountain and engrossed in a book, turned his head as they approached. They hurried over and exined the situation to him. "... Rohakan''s in the Mountain of Darkness right now! This is mighty serious!" Deculein''s reaction was unusual. Even upon hearing the grave name, Rohakan, he remained calm, appearing more annoyed by their sweaty odor than the news itself. "Beg pardon, sir, but do ya not know who Rohakan is?" "I am fully aware. How could I not be?" "Ah, I¡¯m mighty sorry ¡®bout that." He was well aware of Rohakan''s identity and infamous reputation. Rohakan was the continent¡¯s most wanted criminal, one of only ten individuals designated as a ck Beast grade. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Main Quest: Rohakan¡¯s Story] ¡ô Overview : Rohakan¡¯s Story ¡ô Objective : Encounter Rohakan ¡ô Rewards : One Item Catalog : Store Currency +1 ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ At the same time, Rohakan yed a significant role as a notorious named character in the main quest. He wasn¡¯t truly evil but a pivotal figure essential topleting the main quest, one who must not be killed before the final battle. ¡°Head Professor, we willmence the search. May we request your esteemed presence?¡± asked Lawein, a knight. Deculein gazed at him, then snapped his book shut and said, "Very well. However, I will proceed alone." "That¡¯s not possible, sir. Are you fully aware of who Rohakan is?" "He¡¯s right, sir. Rohakan is infamous for killing dozens of Imperial mages¡ª" The assembled professors, police, and knights attempted to dissuade Deculein. "Listen. Your presence is obstructing my progress, and Imand you to leave immediately." However, he dismissed them all with contempt. Deculein had no choice but to act this way, as he needed to meet Rohakan alone. Unaware of his true intentions, the others were left speechless by what they perceived as his overwhelming confidence and arrogance. "... Yes, sir. As you wish," Lawein and the knights said through clenched jaws as they moved past him. The professors and police, though clearly ufortable, bowed slightly in reluctant acknowledgment. Once the area finally quieted down, Deculeinmenced his search alone. His efficiency was far superior to that of the others. "Find him." Through the forest, he synchronized with his Wood Steel, swiftly pinpointing Rohakan''s location. His foremost objective was to find Rohakan before the knights could. *** "That scoundrel became the head professor? What kind of trick did he pull?" Murkan muttered, warming himself by the crackling campfire. Epherene nodded, while Sylvia bit her lower lip. "Do you know Professor Deculein well?" Epherene asked. "Of course, I know him," Murkan replied. "I taught him." "Really?!" Epherene and Sylvia''s eyes widened with surprise. Murkan chuckled and said, "Why so surprised? After all, I am Murkan." "So, w-when did you teach him?" Epherene pressed. Sylvia remained silent, observing how a noble utilizedmoners. "About 20 years ago. Back then, that scoundrel was just a kid. I became his instructor mage because I needed the money." ¡°What was he like back then?¡± No one knew about Deculein¡¯s childhood. His early years remained a mystery, a story never told before. Murkan stroked his beard as he recalled the past and said, "He was a whiz kid, mastering college-level courses with ease even at a young age. However, his temperament left much to be desired. Perhaps it was due to his parents'' pressure, but hecked empathy andpassion." Murkan frowned as he recalled and continued, "Most magesck empathy to some extent, but he was particrly extreme. He was like living proof of the theory that humans are inherently evil." Epherene stared in disbelief at the harsh assessment. Sylvia, bristling, replied, "He''s now one of the most skilled and renowned professors in the Magical Realm." "Really? That scoundrel?" Murkan said, his surprise evident. "How did that happen? I''ve been disconnected from the Mortal Realm for the past five years." Sylvia retrieved a copy of the Wizard Journal from her pocket, revealing articles about Deculein. The journal featured an interview with the Chairwoman and stories of him shattering the demonic barrier. Murkan read the article, his face showing disbelief and said, "... Huh? One step below Adrienne?" Chairwoman Adrienne remarked on Deculein''s achievements. "I believe Professor Deculein¡¯sbat abilities are just one level below mine. He is highly skilled in practicalbat, both politically and magically." Murkan chuckled and said, "Has this kid already lost her mind since bing Chairwoman? That''s not true at all. Deculein''s talent was neither extraordinary norcking. If anything, he was just a bit above average." "That''s contradictory," Sylvia interjected. Murkan looked puzzled and asked, "Contradictory, you say?" "How can he be a whiz kid without any talent? That¡¯s nonsense." Murkanughed, looking at Sylvia. His eyes glinted with energy as he replied, "Blonde one, you¡¯re both a whiz kid and a genius. But Deculein, while a whiz kid, had obvious limits. I could see it at a nce." Epherene nodded vigorously, her father''s letters finally making sense. Sylvia, however, found Epherene''s agreement irritating. "However, think about it. A child praised as a whiz kid grows up only to find themselves bing ordinary. How would they feel seeing those they once deemed inferior surpassing them? What if they imagined those they looked down on, eventually mocking them?" Murkan reflected on those days with a blend of pity and disdain for young Deculein. "I believed Deculein wouldn¡¯tst long. It was a fate no one could easily endure." Deculein had been gradually deteriorating since then. "But after reading these articles... two possibilitiese to mind." "Possibilities?" Epherene questioned. "Yes. Either it¡¯s all a lie or a set-up, or maybe," Murkan chuckled softly, "... he worked relentlessly." "Worked relentlessly?" Epherene and Sylvia echoed in disbelief. They couldn''t reconcile the image of Deculein with the notion of hard work. "Yes. He wasn''t a genius, and I can attest to that. But he was diligent. In a broader sense, diligence is also a talent, often called the ability to work hard." The Deculein Murkan remembered was, at least in his youth, exceptionally diligent, always striving to improve. "Though he might have deceived me... if he¡¯s truly grown this much, he must have worked like a madman, pushing himself to the brink. The extent of that effort, only he would know. It was likely a kind of effort only he could endure," Murkan said, tapping on the article. Epherene silently considered Murkan¡¯s words, struggling to ept them. The idea that Deculein might have stolen her father¡¯s theories as part of his own efforts unsettled her. It seemed unthinkable that he could have engaged in such shameless acts while pretending to work hard. "If his efforts were truly immense enough to ovee hisck of innate talent, then he must have toiled like amonborer despite his noble appearance, or perhaps his days felt twice as long as those of average people." At the same time, Epherene realized that, despite her denial, Deculein had made significant theoretical progress. Perhaps he had diligently absorbed her father''s theories. Over those three years, he might have mastered and internalized her father''s entire legacy, approaching it with a level of humility and dedication unmatched by anyone else. "But don''t trust him too much," Murkan warned. "Diligence doesn''t necessarily mean good character." Sylvia lowered her head, contemting Deculein. She had always seen him as a sculpture carved from pure talent, simr to herself. The notion that he might have tirelessly and desperately worked to reach his current level stirred unfamiliar emotions within her. If Murkan was correct and Deculein had achieved his sess through relentless effort, it changed everything. Realizing he had reached his status solely through hard work ignited a peculiar warmth inside her. Sylvia ced her hands on her chest, feeling her heart race intensely. "Anyway, let''s move on from the past. How about it? Would you like to learn from me?" Murkan offered. "Learn from you?" they echoed, jolted back to reality from their thoughts. "Yes. My teaching is quite unique. Aren¡¯t you curious about how I assessed Deculein¡¯s talent?" "Yes, yes! Please teach us!" Epherene eximed. ¡°Yes,¡± Sylvia said, nodding. Lessons from the nephew of an archmage was an opportunity they couldn''t afford to miss. They would endure any hardship, even if it meant risking injury. "However, there''s a condition," Murkan said, handing a letter to Epherene. "I have a family in the Mortal Realm. You must deliver this letter to them." "Okay! Now, please teach us!" Epherene said eagerly as she epted the letter. "Hahaha. Very well. My teaching method is unique. Watch closely," Murkan said, spreading his palm to reveal two tiny spirits of light. Though small, they left Epherene and Sylvia in awe. The spirits, known as Light Spiels,bined all element attributes¡ªwind, water, earth, and fire¡ªand were considered more noble than any other spirit. The small, orb-sized Spiels hovered in the air before merging into Sylvia and Epherene''s bodies. "Ah!" Epherene said, clutching her chest, while Sylvia, breathing deeply, epted the spirits with calmposure. "Absorb it calmly, without making a fuss. Be asposed as the blonde one," Murkan instructed. "My name is Sylvia, not a blonde one." "Quiet. No talking, blonde one." Though Sylvia was displeased, she soon closed her eyes. A warm, fiery sensation coiled in her core, and she connected with it through deep, steady breaths. "Phew... phew... I think it''s settled. I can feel it now," Epherene said, her breathing steadying. "Ha... hahaha!" Murkan said,ughing with admiration. "As expected, you both are remarkable. Such exceptional talent." Deculein had required three days and nights to integrate the spirits, but these two managed it in just fifteen minutes. "The Spiels will now aid your growth for several months. My teaching works this way¡ªfor those with talent, it''s fuel; for those without, it¡¯s a fever." Epherene and Sylvia clenched their fists, recognizing the extraordinary gift they had been given. Epherene nced at the letter in her hand and asked, "But why don''t you deliver this letter yourself?" "As you know, old folks always have their reasons," Murkan replied with a hint of mystery. "Hmm," Sylvia murmured, sitting demurely on a stone. "Can you tell us more about Professor Deculein¡¯s childhood?" "Hmm? Is that what you''re curious about?" "Yes," Sylvia replied, creating a rocking chair for Murkan to sit in. "Hmm... I don''t have much time, but..." Murkan murmured. Pleased to see such talented children after so long, he began to share more stories. He still sensed no one had broken through his Barrier of Chaos. "Fine. There are many interesting tales from when I taught him." Sylvia nodded quietly, while Epherene smirked and suggested, "Begin with his most embarrassing moments!" "That''s exactly what I was nning to share. Deculein was always so proper. Once, I tested if he could maintain his manners even in the bathroom..." Murkan knew he shouldn''t, but he continued to talk, unable to resist the children''s enthusiasm. Epherene¡¯s expressions were animated, and Sylvia even began taking notes. But then... "Is this where you¡¯ve been?" a voice, sharp and cold, sliced through the air, freezing the atmosphere. Epherene and Sylvia felt a chill run down their spines as they turned to look. A man stood in the dark shadow of the forest, his face icy and steel seemingly rippling behind him. Deculein approached slowly, his graceful movements more terrifying than any disaster. He stopped at a careful distance. Sylvia and Epherene, drenched in cold sweat, stood frozen, most afraid of how much he might have overheard. "... Ah, yes. It has been a while, my prot¨¦g¨¦," Murkan said, his face clouding with a somber expression. "Yes, it has been a while," Deculein replied, meeting his gaze. "Rohakan." The name was infamous worldwide¡ªRohakan, the most notorious criminal of the age, the Empire''s enemy, and the most wanted criminal Empress Assassin Rohakan. When Deculein spoke the name, Sylvia and Epherene exchanged looks of innocent confusion. Chapter 60: Encounter (2)

Chapter 60: Encounter (2)

The mountain was enveloped in darkness, and a deste wind swept across the ground. Sparks from the campfire rose like mirages. I stared at Rohakan, who didn''t shy away from my gaze. He called me his prot¨¦g¨¦, but that was no longer surprising. Deculein''s past had been so intricately woven that these sudden connections felt both abrupt and inevitable. It seemed there were few named characters in the Empire without some tie to him. "Rohakan?" Epherene said, her voice trembling as she turned to him. "Ro-Rohakan? But that staff was made from World Tree fragments..." The staff, a cherished item crafted from World Tree branches by the archmage Demakan, was legendary, even featured in fairy tales. Demakan had shared the remaining fragments with his family. To Epherene and Sylvia, Rohakan¡¯s staff was unmistakably one of those pieces. It certainly looked that way to me. "How did you manage to pass through the barrier? I crafted it with great care," Rohakan inquired, scratching his neck. Barrier magic varies by different categories. Expanding the space falls under support magic, while deceiving perception is categorized as enchantment. Rohakan''s barrier was an enchantment, an area where I had built up immunity. "Such tricks no longer work," I stated. "... Oh? Tricks, you say?" Rohakan''s eyes widened in surprise. I noticed Epherene and Sylvia standing near him, but Sylvia had disappeared. "I''m here," she said, her voiceing from behind me. "Come here, Epherene," I called. Rohakan seemed startled and asked, "Epherene? Are you Epherene Luna, from the Luna family?" "Sorry? D-do you know me?" Epherene asked, her voice shaky with uncertainty. "Of course, I do. Fifteen or ten years ago, your father''s intellect was a revtion. What¡¯s he up to these days?" Epherene''s expression hardened. She nced at me and Sylvia before finally dropping her gaze to the ground. "... He¡¯s dead," she said quietly. Rohakan¡¯s mouth fell open, his expression a mix of embarrassment and regret. Rubbing his temple, he said, "What a waste. He had an unusual personality, but he was a theoretical genius, the kind that appears maybe once in a century." "Debutant Epherene," I called, prompting her to approach while she continued questioning Rohakan. "... Are you really Rohakan, not Murkan?" Rohakan smiled bitterly, nodded and said, "Yes, I apologize. If I reveal my true name, people tend to flee. Murkan is an old friend, and I borrowed this staff from him." "The Empress Assassin, Rohakan..." "Haha. Well... it''s somewhat true, but I had my reasons," Rohakan said. He had been a friend to thete Emperor Crebaim butter killed the Empress and many pce mages, turning into an enemy of the Empire. ¡°Oh, th-then...¡± Epherene said, touching her stomach where the Light Spiel had settled. Rohakan smiled and said, "Don''t worry. The spirits I gave you are normal. You''ll keep your promise¡ª" "Epherene, Sylvia," I interjected. "Descend the mountain at once." They hesitated, but I couldn¡¯t afford witnesses to what woulde next. Using my sternest tone, I added, "If you get caught in this, you could die." Rohakan clicked his tongue in disapproval. The two, who had been frozen in ce, finally nodded in agreement. "Go. Follow my Wood Steel," I instructed, assigning one of my Wood Steel pieces to guide them, ensuring they wouldn''t get caught in the barrier. Behind me, Sylvia whispered softly, "Please, don''t lose." I didn''t respond. I wouldn''t lose, but neither could I win. I wouldn¡¯t engage in battle at all. "If you¡¯re not down by the count of three, you¡¯ll be penalized." Epherene and Sylvia followed my Wood Steel. The sound of their footsteps rustled softly, growing fainter until it waspletely gone. A cold, dry wind whipped through, tugging at our clothes and hair. Rohakan''s gaze was grave as he looked at me. "... You''ve definitely worked hard. Your mana is noticeably purer than before. Can the quality of mana truly be enhanced through effort alone?" Rohakan asked. "You still appear youthful," I replied. Sensing that I knew his secret, his expression tightened and said, "Are you nning to fight? I have no desire to kill my prot¨¦g¨¦." "Provoking each other serves neither of our interests." "... What was that?" I could never defeat Rohakan. It wasn¡¯t about needing more growth or time. Even if I lived until my final breath, I would never be able to surpass him. "Hmm. My intent wasn¡¯t to provoke you; it was merely a warning." "That''s rather presumptuous of you." "Presumptuous, huh?" Despite everything, I wouldn¡¯t back down. I remained resolute, even before someone who transcended the world. This might be Deculein¡¯s personality trait, but it was one I appreciated. As Kim Woo-Jin, I was always swayed by circumstances,cking conviction or belief. I was tired of that. "Presumptuous?!" I closed my eyes, evaluating the situation. Fifteen of my twenty Wood Steel shurikens were still scouring the mountain. "... One hundred fifty-seven are wandering within the barrier, ny-three are lost, twenty-three are trying to dismantle it, and thirty-seven are breaking through. The southwest ispletely surrounded by the Imperial Knights Order," I said, reopening my eyes to meet Rohakan''s gaze. "Are you trying to stall? I won¡¯t allow it," he said, as he began to gather his mana. "Head northwest. It''s still vulnerable," I advised, my expression remaining neutral. Rohakan¡¯s gathered mana dissipated, his eyes widening in shock. "What?" "Remember, this is thest time I¡¯m letting you go," I warned. I hoped Rohakan would exercise more caution in the future. He couldn''t afford to be distracted by two kids and risk being captured or killed by the Empire. "Oh, um. Is that your sentiment for the past?" he asked, scratching his neck. "I hold no sentiment for the one who murdered the Empress." "... Right. Aren¡¯t you curious about my reasons for being here?" "Yes, I am curious." "Hmm. But can you trust my words? I did abandon my own prot¨¦g¨¦, after all." "Is your purpose here to destroy the temple?" I interrupted, cutting him off. Rohakan appeared stunned, his breath catching and said, "You''ve grown in unexpected ways." "We don¡¯t have time for small talk. It''s best you leave now." ¡°... Alright.¡± He turned away but halted after a few steps. Without fully turning back, he nced over his shoulder at me, as if he had something more to say. "Deculein." "Yes." "... Do you believe in God?" It was an odd question, but I knew it was crucial to the main quest. I responded with conviction, "I believe only in myself." I did not believe in God. Whether as Deculein or as Kim Woo-Jin, that conviction remained unshaken. Rohakan smiled gently and said, "That''s an admirable stance. Take this." He handed me a book. "It''s a story about some fanatics in this world. Read it when you get a chance." ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [The Chronicles of the Land of Destruction] ¡ô Information: Rohakan¡¯s chronicle of his encounters with fanatics from the Land of Destruction. ¡ô Category: Special ? Book ¡ô Effect: ??? ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ I slipped it into my coat. "Farewell," he said, embracing the elements as he unleashed a grand destructive spell. Boooooom¡ª! The spell pummeled the ground, ripping through the earth and warping thendscape as though struck by lightning. Then, he sped off toward the northwest. "... Now it truly begins," I murmured. True named characters were emerging¡ªRohakan, the Empress Assassin, followed by Sectran the Giant, Rodran the Divine Soldier, Ca the Authority... Even Epherene and Sylvia would need at least two more years to reach that tier. The world was vast, and the quest was just beginning. [Completed: Rohakan¡¯s Tale] ¡ô One Item Catalog Acquired ¡ô Store Currency +1 The Item Catalog was a special reward, typically reserved for yers. I decided to save it forter. "A wily old man," I muttered. Rohakan departed, leaving the entire area in ruins. It wasn¡¯t just a show of power. I understood his true intention; it was an alibi for both of us. To align with his n, I summoned my scattered Wood Steel and started my own work. Booooooooom¡ª! Neen pieces of Wood Steel shed through the already devastatednd and vegetation again. The natural surroundings crumbled under the relentless Wood Steel, turning the area where Rohakan and I had stood into an indescribable scene of ruin. I had drained all my mana to create this, using everyst bit. The result was a chaotdscape, sculpted by my Aesthetic Sense attribute. *** Dozens of knights ascended the mountain, led by Lawein of the Sacred Heart andter joined by Isaac, the deputy knight of the Imperial Knights Order. Almost the entire Imperial Knights Order had converged on the Mountain of Darkness. As they searched for clues, they felt a powerful wave of magic, followed by a series of relentless bombardments. ¡°It¡¯sing from the north. Follow me,¡± Isaacmanded, his keen senses guiding him to the epicenter. The knights followed closely, finding the barrier to be only a minor hindrance. As they climbed, they noticed someone descending the slope. "... Who goes there?" Isaac shouted, drawing his sword immediately. The approaching figure moved steadily toward them, showing no hesitation. Soon after, they sighed in relief. "... Professor Deculein?" Isaac muttered. It was Deculein, the head professor of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, descending the mountain. Despite his dignified stride, he couldn''t conceal his exhaustion, and his appearance was unusually disheveled for someone of his usual meticulousness. ¡°What transpired up there?¡± Isaac inquired. Deculein stood silently before the knights for a moment. "Professor, what happened?" Isaac insisted. Deculein''s expression reflected wounded pride, a performance so convincing it could fool anyone. Atst, he spoke. ¡°... I lost him.¡± ¡°You lost him? Rohakan?¡± Isaac pressed. Without a word, Deculein walked past the knights, leaving them frustrated and puzzled. Isaac red at Deculein''s retreating back, frowning and said, ¡°Can he really capture Rohakan on his own?¡± ¡°Impossible. He¡¯s just arrogant. Let¡¯s keep moving,¡± Lawein urged, and they swiftly ascended the mountain with swift and determined strides. They soon arrived at a sight that rendered them speechless. ¡°What in the world...¡± The scene was indescribable. The entire area was aze, with not a single untouched part of thendscape. Craters pocked the ground, which was horrifically torn apart, while ash, mana, and blood swirled together in the air. It resembled a vision of hell or perhaps the deste realm of a fallen warrior. The knights were momentarily struck silent by the aftermath of the fierce magical battle. But Deputy Knight Isaac quickly regained hisposure and shouted, "With a battle this fierce, Rohakan must be weakened. Divide into three squads and continue the pursuit!" Considering Rohakan''s strength, the knights divided into three units, heading northwest, north, and northeast. *** Meanwhile, Sylvia and Epherene were apprehended by the police as soon as they descended the mountain and were taken to the station. "Really...? Nothing happened?" the curly-haired investigator asked, eyeing Epherene suspiciously in the Major Crimes Unit interrogation room. Epherene nodded and said, "... Yes, nothing happened." "Impossible. You met Rohakan, and nothing happened?" Epherene was being interrogated. Sylvia had been questioned first, but her sessionsted just three seconds. "Truly, nothing happened," Epherene insisted. "Lies. I can tell you''re lying, kiddo," the investigator sneered. Epherene clutched her robe tightly, the letter from Rohakan hidden inside. "If you don¡¯t talk, you might end up in prison~" Epherene gritted her teeth. It wasn''t in her nature to confess or betray anyone, especially someone like Rohakan... The investigator smirked and let out a chuckle and said, "Hey! Somebodye and conduct a full body search on her!" Epherene protested, "What? You can''t do that!" "Yes, we can. If you keep lying, we¡¯ll have to search you." "I''m not a criminal. You can''t just search me¡ª" "Clearly, you don''t know thew. It doesn''t matter if you''re from Imperial University. Concealing any information about a ck Beast graded criminal is a crime. Hey! Someone get in here and search her!" Just then, as the investigator shouted, the door to the interrogation room flew open with a loud bang. Startled, the investigator turned to see who had entered. "Hey! You''ll break the door down...!" He quickly fell silent and straightened up when he saw who it was. ¡°... Huh.¡± It was Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. The room fell silent under his scrutinizing gaze, which shifted between Epherene and the curly-haired officer, who hastily corrected his posture. "Oh, Professor! We just received a report that you confronted Rohakan. Are you alright? What brings you here?" "... What brings me here?" Deculein said, eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the investigator. "Uh, s-sorry?" "You''ve detained two of my students." "Oh, yes! She should be restingfortably on the couch outside!" the curly-haired officer replied. Deculein already knew Sylvia was resting on a sofa. However, to resolve this situation smoothly... "I believe I mentioned there were two of them." "... Sorry?" "Come out, Epherene," Deculeinmanded. The investigator, startled, stood up abruptly and protested, "No, sir! She can''t leave!" Deculein remained silent, his piercing gaze fixed on the investigator. The investigator stammered, "S-she''s hiding something." "And what, exactly, is she hiding?" "We were just about to find out..." Deculein fixed his gaze on the investigator, his piercing blue eyes making it hard for the man to breathe. "Name," Deculein demanded. "... Sorry?" "Your name." "I-it''s..." "Don''t make me ask a third time," Deculein said coldly, his gaze sweeping over the investigator. "That''s arrogant." "I-I apologize, sir! It¡¯s Eckorn!" Just then, the supervisor arrived, having been alerted by themotion. "Oh, Professor! Here you were. I apologize for this mess. Hey, show some respect! Professor Deculein just battled a ck Beast-level criminal!" "Yes, sir! I was just about to do that!" The supervisor and the investigator bowed deeply. Deculein ignored them and turned to Epherene. "Epherene, stand up." "Yes, sir..." Epherene said, rising hesitantly. Sylvia, now awake, stood waiting by the door. "Let us proceed." ¡°Farewell, sir!¡± the officers said in unison. Deculein walked down the hallway, and every officer he passed bowed respectfully. Sylvia seemed used to such deference, but Epherene found it hard to adjust. Outside the police station, two vehicles were waiting¡ªone for Sylvia and the other for Deculein. "... Epherene," Deculein said, his voice cutting through the dark, dry air as he paused before getting into his car. "Yes, sir?" "Did the investigator confiscate anything from you?" "... No, sir," Epherene replied, clutching the letter hidden in her robe''s pocket. Deculein nodded approvingly and said, "Good. A promise must be kept." Deculein then entered his car. Before closing the door, Epherene inquired, "Professor, what happened up there?" Sylvia also appeared curious, but Deculein sighed and responded, "You have no need to know." His voice, weary and unfamiliar, was a tone neither had heard before. "You may all leave. Keep the events of today to yourselves." The driver closed the door, and the car drove away. Sylvia entered her own vehicle, leaving Epherene standing alone on the sidewalk. "Need a ride?" Sylvia asked. "Oh, no, that''s alright. I''ll walk. I tend to get carsick." "Alright." Sylvia¡¯s car engine roared to life and soon vanished down the road. Enviously watching it leave, Epherene began her walk home. "... Sigh." The night breeze felt heavy. She had endured too much drama and listened to too many stories. Her body felt drenched and limp. "Ha," she let out a hollowugh, the sound echoing her exhaustion. Epherene had finally encountered the first person to recognize her father¡¯s work, and it turned out to be Rohakan, the most notorious criminal in thend. "I hope my body doesn¡¯t explode just because I didn¡¯t deliver this letter..." It had been a long andplicated day for Epherene. "Ugh, I just want to cry right now..." Her heart raced, and she struggled to catch her breath as if having a panic attack. She crouched on the sidewalk, taking deep breaths to calm down. Meanwhile, Sylvia gazed out the window and opened it, letting the soft breeze touch her face. She closed her eyes, recalling the voice she had once heard in Berhert. ¡°What¡¯s truly valuable in this world, Sylvia, is your talent as a mage. Magic isn''t meant solely for killing.¡± Deculein''s words echoed in her mind. Back then, she had thought he was simply praising her talent. "... Effort." Now, understanding his hard work, those words held a different meaning. "I¡¯m going to put in more effort too." The realization hit her with a new resonance. Chapter 61: Resolve (1)

Chapter 61: Resolve (1)

Under the clear night sky with a full moon scattering a fine mist, Sylvia quietly pondered in the mansion¡¯s backyard. Today, she finally understood why, despite being the head professor, Deculein excelled in theory and was so skilled at teaching others. "However, think about it. A child praised as a whiz kid grows up only to find themselves bing ordinary." Lacking natural talent, he worked harder than anyone else, choosing the path of rigorous theory. With his intuition faltering, he immersed himself in intricate logic. "How would they feel seeing those they once deemed inferior surpassing them?" Suddenly, Sylvia remembered the sorrow of doubting her talent, the fear of facing an insurmountable obstacle, and the dread of being surpassed by those once deemed less capable. She wondered if she could ovee it all. "What if they imagined those they looked down on, eventually mocking them?" She imagined what it would be like if Epherene became a better mage than her. Sylvia clenched her teeth and puffed out her cheeks. "... Arrogant Epherene." Although it was unlikely, the mere thought made her feel dizzy. It was even more astonishing that Deculein had ovee such feelings through sheer effort. Finishing her contemtion, Sylvia returned to her meditation, breathing calmly and drawing up her inner power. As she focused, a kaleidoscope of colors filled her vision. Soon, the Origin materialized. The darkness of night receded as light took its ce. Flowers bloomed, butterflies fluttered, a warm breeze blew, and the grass swayed gently. Thisndscape was shaped by her Primary Colors. Her inner vision painted the garden, where her colors became the naturalw. In this magical field, Sylvia closed her eyes. She had once heard about the Mage''s Luck: the first was innate talent, the second was diligent effort, and the third was a muse. She knew she had talent and wasn¡¯tzy, but she had thought the third wasn¡¯t necessary. A muse¡ªan inspiration or stimulus for a mage. Now, Sylvia realized her third piece of luck had arrived, albeit a bitte. *** At early dawn, I sat at the entrance of the Mountain of Darkness, flipping through an Item Catalog. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Beginner''s Item Catalog] 1. Record Notebook. 2. Character Magnifying Lens. 3. Incubator... ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ As the name suggests, the catalog listed items. I could use it to obtain one, but none would dramatically impact gamey. The Beginner''s Catalog only offered slightly convenient or unusual items. ? 2. Character Magnifying Lens. I chose the Character Magnifying Lens. The A4-sized catalog popped into a single, frameless lens. It was a bit disconcerting, but I used Telekinesis to ce it over my eye, turning it into a sort of monocle. Rustle, rustle¡ª Just then, I heard footsteps in the grass and looked in that direction. ¡°Ah,¡± the woman said, her familiar voice apanying the sight of white armor and a cape. The magnifying lens identified her most important attribute. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Eternal Winter] ¡ô Grade : Unique ¡ô Description : A season frozen forever. : A flower that blooms more brilliantly the harsher the conditions. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The woman¡¯s unique graded attribute was Eternal Winter. ¡°Professor, you¡¯re here too,¡± Yulie said. ¡°Why? Shouldn''t I be?¡± I replied curtly, on purpose. Yulie scratched the back of her neck awkwardly and said, ¡°No, I just heard rumors. They said you fought Rohakan in a battle... I thought you would rest today.¡± The Chairwoman had personally asked me to keep watch on the Mountain of Darkness. She exined it was an order from the imperial family, concerned that Rohakan might return. ¡°... Yulie, does the Grand Knight typically handle such menial tasks?¡± "As the Grand Knight, I lead by example." ¡°If that¡¯s true, then in a war, themanders should all be the first to die.¡± ¡°Ah! That¡¯s a great question. The answer is in the third volume of the Knight¡¯s Handbook. I¡¯ll give you a copy as a giftter.¡± I used Beginner Ductility to create a chair. Yulie nced at me and then sat down hesitantly, sneaking nces without saying a word. ¡°Is there something you want to say?¡± ¡°No.¡± I nodded as a breeze blew in from the darkness, carrying the rich scent of mana and grass. Then Yulie asked, ¡°Is the Empress¡¯s lesson next week?¡± The lesson schedule usually followed the Empress''s whim, but it was traditional to have one or two sessions a month. The next lesson was scheduled for next Monday. ¡°I thought you said you had nothing to say.¡± Yulie fell silent and stared into the forest, her ears twitching at every sound. She waspletely focused on keeping watch. ¡°... Hmm.¡± I checked my pocket watch. It was 1 a.m., with three hours left until the shift change. ¡°Yulie.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± "Since we have some time, would you like to y a game of chess?" "... We¡¯re on duty right now,¡± Yulie said, shaking her head firmly. A surge of irritation washed over me as I replied, ¡°What kind of duty is this? I''d like to know which fool thought Rohakan might return here.¡± Yulie looked guilty, took a sharp breath, and held it. I scoffed and said, ¡°... So it was you.¡± ¡°Ah, well, it wasn¡¯t only me¡ª¡± ¡°You''re quite the fool.¡± ¡°I-it¡¯s standard practice. Criminals often return to the scene¡ª¡± "Rohakan is a criminal, but not just any criminal. If I were in charge, I¡¯d scour the entire mountain instead of just guarding the entrance. Finding out why he came here should be the top priority." Yulie''s face turned red. I chuckled softly and spent my time reading a book. When the clock finally struck 4 a.m. "Grand Knight Yulie of the Freyhem Knights Order, you may stand down. Rohakan has fled the capital," Isaac''s voice came through Yulie¡¯smunication crystal. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Yulie answered politely, then looked at me. She pulled a chessboard from her backpack, but I pretended not to notice. ¡°Um... ah...¡± Yulie nced at me, hoping for a response. When I gave none, she started ying by herself. Click¡ª click¡ª click¡ª The sound of her moving the pieces by herself amused me. Reluctantly, I looked at the chessboard. It had been a gift from me. "You''ll lose if you keep ying like that." ¡°... Really~?¡± Yulie replied with feigned innocence. I closed my book, turned my chair to face her, and said, ¡°Listen carefully. I''ll teach you from the beginning, but I won''t repeat myself...¡± Yulie sped her hands and nodded earnestly. With conviction, she said, ¡°Absolutely!¡± Her face was filled with genuine enthusiasm. She seemed truly eager to be a chess master. *** The next day, the Chairwoman summoned me early in the morning. She instructed me toe to her private office on the 99th floor. "Professor! Here¡¯s your mailbox!" But before that, Allen handed me the mailbox for sponsor number 39953. It was an actual mailbox, filled with letters from the mages I sponsored. "Well done." "Yes, sir!" I took the mailbox and went up to the 99th floor, which was entirely the Chairwoman''s office. As soon as the elevator doors opened, I saw a massive desk. She was sleeping on top of it, not just resting her head but with her whole body curled up like a shrimp, using arge cone hat as a nket. "Snore... snore..." Seeing her like this, I suddenly remembered the Chairwoman¡¯s lineage. "Snore... snore..." This was a fact known only to me at the moment¡ªthe Chairwoman was half-fairy, half-human. This rare lineage, as umon as giants, likely made her the only one on the continent. "Snore... snore..." She chose to sleep on the desk because fairies liked high ces. "Snore... snore..." "... Good grief." Her loud snoring made me wonder if she had a breathing disorder, but I quietly sat in a nearby chair and waited. I had some things to do, anyway. I opened the mailbox and reached inside, hoping for some letters. There was only one. Puzzled, I shook the mailbox up and down just in case. Rattle¡ª rattle¡ª The mailbox was full of dust. I had definitely sponsored at least thirty mages. Even with anonymous sponsorships, they should have sent a thank-you letter. But mages are like that¡ªthey ept sponsorships with the intention of repaying themter. I opened the single letter I had. To my anonymous sponsor, Hello. I am Epherene of the Luna family, the insignificant Debutant mage whose talent you recognized... The familiar name made me chuckle dryly. ... Our family¡¯s home is a tiny hut with little to rely on. Despite living in such a small ce, we are overwhelmed with debt, and debt collectors frequently visit us. As the daughter of a nominal noble, I grew up in nature and became self-sufficient. I caught and ate frogs and rabbits, and fishing and hunting became some of my specialties... The letter''s tone was serious, and the writing was refined. A calm smile spread across my lips. ... There was a time when I thought hard work would fix everything. But the world wasn¡¯t the calm sea I had imagined. Instead, it turned into waves that pushed me away and broke me. My father took his own life. When I heard the news, I couldn¡¯t cry openly. My grandparents sobbed their hearts out, much more than I did... Epherene¡¯s voice seemed toe alive from the letter. ... To fulfill my father¡¯s dream and meet my grandparents¡¯ expectations, I ventured to the Mage Tower. But every day felt like walking on thin ice. In the midst of that despair, your sponsorship arrived. Your support brought warmth to my life under the cold skies of the capital. Sponsor, in the southern ins, there are wild boars called Roahawks. They roam freely and eat Euphrain peri leaves for all three meals... "Roahawk?" I muttered under my breath. The Chairwoman opened her bleary eyes and looked at me with a sleepy expression. Groaning, she mumbled, "Oh... you''re here... when did you get here... why did youe while I was sleeping..." Her sluggish tone was very different from her usual self. I put the letter in my pocket and replied, "You summoned me, so I have arrived just now." "... Oh, right... yaaaaaaaaawn..." Her yawnsted almost a minute. Afterward, she slowly wiped her eyes. "What did you need from me?" I asked. "Yawn... I wanted to ask about the progress on the Symposium problem..." "It''s nearly finished. I n toplete it today. Only the final review remains." "Good... That''s great news..." The Chairwoman, looking like she was about to fall asleep again, continued, "Oh, by the way, you know the external guest professor has been decided to be Louina, right? The wee ceremony is today..." "Yes, I am aware. It is of no concern to me." The Chairwoman''s eyes widened, and her pupils dted like a cat''s. "It is none of your concern? What do you mean by that? You two were arch-enemies!" The Chairwoman loved rumors, especially juicy gossip. She was known for her personality trait, Busybody. "It was merely a misunderstanding back then. Everything is fine now," I said. "You''re kidding! No way!" "Is that the reason you summoned me?" "No! Not just that!" the Chairwoman eximed as she climbed down from the desk and plopped into her chair. She pulled a scroll from a drawer. "Here!" Voice of the Floating Ind: Promotion Exam Supervisor Deculein It was a letter from the Floating Ind. It stated that Deculein, a Monarch-rank mage, would be assigned to supervise and design the promotion exam. "Supervisor," I said. "Yes! You know the Solda exam canst anywhere from a week to a month, right?" the Chairwoman said. "When the Floating Ind requests, Monarch-grade personnel must participate!" "Yes, I am aware of that." "You''ve really climbed the ranks! Supervising promotion exams and everything. Anyway, great! Let''s go to the professor''s wee ceremony!" The Chairwoman jumped up and pressed the elevator button. Ding¡ª! As soon as we stepped into the elevator, she remarked, "Every time I see you, Professor Deculein, I¡¯m struck by how unnecessarily tall you are!" I looked down at her as she craned her neck to look up at me. "Chairwoman, you are simply short." The Chairwoman was probably around five feet tall. As a half-fairy, she wasn¡¯t as small as a true fairy. "What did you say? I¡¯m perfectly average height!" "You would faint if you met Count Freyden." "That bear is not a human; he''s a beast!" "Shh. Be quiet," I said, putting my finger to my lips as if I had something important to say. The Chairwoman fell silent and said, "... Why? What happened to that bear?" "Nothing. He remains the same as always." "Then what is it? Tell me! I promise I can keep a secret..." "... Very well, if you insist." "Hurry..." I nodded, and the Chairwoman gulped nervously. "Chairwoman, your voice is too loud. You should practice speaking more softly." "... What did you say? Are you joking with me right now?" *** The Mage Tower of the Imperial University invites external professors two to three times a year. These appointments can be from the Mage Tower of the Kingdom, the Floating Ind, or asionally, from adventurers. ¡°Everyone! Our external visiting professors have arrived! Let¡¯s give them a big round of apuse!¡± the Chairwoman announced in the 40th-floor party hall as she introduced them. The elegantly dressed woman was Louina, and the handsome man with long, wavy hair standing beside her was Bargan. Bargan¡¯s hairstyle, with its flowing curls, resembled what modern times would call a goddess''s hairstyle. ¡°I am Louina. I will be staying at this Mage Tower for a while to conduct research and gain experience. It¡¯s nice to meet you all.¡± ¡°I am Bargan. I look forward to this opportunity.¡± I stared intently at Bargan, knowing he might soon be the mid-boss known as the Baron of Ashes. It wasn''t certain, though. Bargan could be just a regr named professor or the actual Baron of Ashes. ¡°Both have returned from foreignnds after achieving remarkable aplishments. Since they are originally from our Empire, please give them a warm wee,¡± the Chairwoman said. In this game, each mid-boss has unique traits, and the Baron of Ashes is known for its random difficulty. The Baron of Ashes is a formless entity made of ashes that parasitizes named individuals with a mana grade of four or lower. It was likely that it had already parasitized one of the professors gathered here or was preparing to do so. ¡°Great! Now, everyone, enjoy the banquet! Professor Louina, your seat is over there!¡± With that, the introductions concluded, and Louina took the seat next to mine. ¡°Everyone, don¡¯t worry too much! Professor Deculein and Professor Louina have reconciled!¡± the Chairwoman suddenly shouted, perhaps still thinking about the joke in the elevator. For a moment, the professors¡¯ attention turned to us, but Louina remainedposed and asked, ¡°I heard you''re tackling the Symposium problem this time.¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°Do you think you can handle it? The reviewers will be very strict. If it¡¯s not genuinely your own... idea, you¡¯ll fail to prove it.¡± I turned to look at Louina, but she couldn¡¯t meet my eyes. ¡°Louina.¡± "... Why? I¡¯m genuinely concerned for you, boss.¡± ¡°I know how you feel about me.¡± Louina''s expression was ambiguous, a mix of contempt, ridicule, and criticism. She nced at my chest, her eyes full of conflicting emotions. ¡°However, I¡¯m not the Deculein you used to know anymore.¡± ¡°... Hmph. So, you really think you can do it?¡± ¡°It will be done by today or, at thetest, tomorrow.¡± ¡°Today?¡± ¡°Yes, all that¡¯s left is the final review.¡± Uncertain when the mid-boss might appear, I nned to finish the remaining tasks as quickly as possible. The solution was already 97%plete. ¡°Hmph... the final review,¡± Louina muttered, then nodded as ifing to a decision. ¡°Alright. Do your best, boss.¡± *** As soon as the wee ceremony ended, I went up to my researchb on the 77th floor. On therge table, Iid out the rune trantions, the nearlyplete spell, and a top-grade mana stone worth 100,000 elne. 6. An ancient inscription features the following spell and runes. Historically, these runes also served as circuits. Deduce the ancient spell. The key to solving problem six was in the use of runes. However, individual runes weren''t powerful enough to function as circuits on their own. The challengey inbining the runes. As mentioned, the sixth problem of the Symposium used a total of fourteen runes. Among them, only three could be used as circuits. Therefore, I needed tobine these three runes with the others, supplement the missing mana with the mana stone, and employ a high degree of Comprehension toplete the spell... Resonance. Vibration. Trembling. The hum of the runes signaled the solution. ¡°... Hmm.¡± The problem I had worked on for quite some time was finally resolved, or rather, the final review wasplete. I transcribed the solution onto a magic scroll, ced it in my briefcase, and headed down to the Mage Tower''s parking lot. Ren and Enen were waiting in front of the vehicle. My previous driver, Jeff, had been promoted to a general administrative position. ¡°You¡¯re here, sir.¡± ¡°Drive to the Floating Ind.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The headquarters of Wizard Academic was located on the Floating Ind, where I nned to submit the answer sheet in person. Upon arriving, I reviewed the list of Symposium judges and finally understood Louina''s ambiguous reaction. Symposium Judges: Monarch-rank Louina, Addict Astal, Ethereal-rank Rogerio, and four others Chapter 62: Resolve (2)

Chapter 62: Resolve (2)

¡°... After three days of tracking,¡± In the headquarters of the Empire''s Knights Order, the highest council, known as the Round Table of Myth, was convened. Only the most critical issues were addressed here. ¡°It is presumed that Rohakan has already escaped the capital.¡± Today, the atmosphere at the round table was somber. The official failure to capture Rohakan weighed heavily on them. ¡°Of course, we have requested cooperation from local knights¡¯ orders and the police, so inspections will be carried out thoroughly,¡± Lawein reported, a knight of the Sacred Heart. Thirteen high-ranking knights, including Deputy Knight Isaac, sat at the round table, while other members stood by. ¡°We will prepare a report for Her Majesty¡ª¡± At that moment, therge doors of the conference room swung open with a resounding creak. ¡°A report will not be necessary.¡± Everyone''s eyes widened as a group of knights entered, forming a line. A radiant aura shone through. ¡°Of course, the Intelligence Agency''s shadows are more urate than any of you...¡± The current Empress of the Empire, Sophien Aekater Augus von Jaegus Gifrein, entered with the majesty befitting a true monarch. ¡°Hail to Her Majesty the Empress!¡± the entire knights¡¯ order shouted as they knelt, regardless of rank. Their loud shouts seemed to annoy the Empress, who frowned. With firm steps, she walked to the side and took a seat. ¡°I will personally observe your meeting. As Rohakan is my predecessor''s enemy, I have the right to do so.¡± Her sudden appearance was aplete surprise. Lawein, the reporter, looked nervously at Isaac, who signaled him to continue. "... Yes, Your Majesty. While Rohakan left no significant traces during his escape, he did engage in a substantial battle with Deculein," Lawein said as he presented the records. The aftermath of their magical battle was captured in a crystal orb. ¡°What?!¡± "... Could there have been some kind of misunderstanding?" "How could this possibly be Deculein¡¯s...?" The room buzzed with shock. The recorded scene was incredibly severe; natural features werepletely destroyed, and the area was devastated. ¡°Was this really the battle between Deculein and Rohakan?¡± Sophien asked, her tone filled with wonder. Lawein bowed his head and replied, ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Is there any doubt?¡± ¡°No, Your Majesty. The Mage Tower has already analyzed and verified it. They detected both Deculein¡¯s and Rohakan¡¯s blood.¡± Deculein¡¯s Aesthetic Sense also extends to creating scenes like this. He can manipte the environment perfectly, not just for beauty but to reflect the oue of a battle. ¡°So, the only notable aplishment was that Deculein managed to make him bleed.¡± Isaac hesitated to respond. If Rohakan had only exceptional magical abilities, the Empire would have had no trouble capturing him. However, Rohakan possessed the body of a knight and the mind of a mage. From Isaac¡¯s perspective, Rohakan¡¯s strength was formidable, making it difficult to ept Deculein¡¯s achievements. Judging by the results alone, their battle seemed evenly matched... ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there; speak up. If you can¡¯t exin how you let the Empire¡¯s enemy escape so easily, I might understand. How could I understand if you all keep your mouths shut?¡± Sophien¡¯s voice wasced with mockery rather than anger. The knights bowed their heads, and Isaac spoke, ¡°... Your Majesty, if we call it a notable aplishment, Deculein was still defeated. The only reason he isn¡¯t dead is because of Rohakan¡¯s mercy. They once had a mentor-mentee rtionship¡ª¡± ¡°You have plenty to say when making excuses,¡± Sophien sneered. ¡°Do you really expect me to believe that the man who killed his own friend¡¯s wife would show mercy because of a mentor-mentee rtionship? Rohakan taught Deculein for only three months and then ran off after taking half a year¡¯s pay in advance.¡± ¡°Fine. From now on, it will be more efficient to leave Rohakan¡¯s extermination to Deculein. There¡¯s nothing more to hear here,¡± the Empress dered, rising from her throne and leaving without looking back. The imperial knights quickly followed her. The round table, now in turmoil, left Isaac deep in thought while Lawein recalled Deculein¡¯s arrogant words. "Listen. Your presence is obstructing my progress, and Imand you to leave immediately." ¡°At first, I thought he was simply frightened and trying to escape,¡± Lawein said, rubbing his temples. Isaac looked at him. ¡°But... he remains a deeply enigmatic figure.¡± Deculein was infamous even within the knights'' order. When Yulie was a member, he tormented new recruits purely out of jealousy. ¡°It¡¯s possible Deculein hid his true abilities, or perhaps we underestimated him. However, the undeniable fact is,¡± Isaac said, clenching his fist, ¡°that we were inadequate.¡± Today, the deputy knight renewed his vow. One day, he would take the head of Rohakan, the ck Beast... ¡°Anyway, it seems this report needs revision,¡± a clear voice interrupted. It was Rose, the Empire¡¯s genius knight. She ced a report, Character Report - Deculein, on Isaac¡¯s desk. Isaac nced at a particr section and chuckled. Combat Power: Estimated Grade 5 ¡°If this man is considered Grade 5...¡± Even Adrienne once said Deculein was just one grade below her. At the time, it seemed ridiculous, but now it felt entirely true. ¡°Curse those Intelligence Agency bastards.¡± Character reports were usually distributed by the Imperial Intelligence Agency, but sometimes they deliberately provided false information to stir uppetition within the knights'' order. Isaac immediately picked up a pen and made corrections. Combat Power: Estimated Grade 1 Given that thebat power of top-tier individuals like Adrienne, Rohakan, and Zeit was considered Grade 0¡ªimmeasurable¡ªDeculein deserved at least a Grade 1. ¡°Request a revision from the Intelligence Agency as well. Those dirty mongrels have been ying tricks far too oftentely...¡± *** The sky above the Floating Ind was clear, with no clouds, and the proximity to the sun made the scenery vividly sharp. The wide-open aerial view was as colorful as a painting, but the people passing by seemed dull. They were all just robed mages. ¡°Are you referring to the sixth problem of the Symposium?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± I had arrived at the Wizard Atomic headquarters near Megiseon. ¡°Monarch-rank Deculein, we have received your thesis.¡± I confidently submitted my thesis, but the response from the station manager was indifferent, likely because dozens of people attempted to solve the problem daily. ¡°Since you¡¯re a Monarch-rank, the review will be quick. It should take no more than a day.¡± That was it. The manager continued typing without another word, and I promptly left. I hadn''t expected an over-the-top reaction. As I headed back to the mansion, I noticed a familiar head through the window of a magic shop on the Floating Ind. I opened the door, walked in, and ced my hand on the small head. ¡°Ahh! What the hell?!¡± Yeriel yelled, spinning around like a tornado and looking ready to throw a punch. Her reaction was surprisingly fierce. ¡°Which pervert¡ª¡± Yeriel looked up at me and fell silent. Her scowl deepened, and I gestured to her. "You have such charming manners." "... You startled me! Don¡¯t touch my head... it¡¯s really annoying," Yeriel said, smoothing her tousled hair with both hands. I chuckled and asked, ¡°What brings you to the Floating Ind?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a mage too, you know. I cane if I want to,¡± Yeriel mumbled, ncing at me. I nced at the items she had been looking at. They were advanced spellbooks. ¡°Why don¡¯t you buy them?¡± I asked. ¡°... I can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Why is that?¡± "Because my rank is too low." On the Floating Ind, there were purchase restrictions. Yeriel, a Solda-rank mage who hadn¡¯t graduated from the Mage Tower, couldn¡¯t buy advanced spellbooks. ¡°... Hmm. Shopkeeper?¡± I bought the spellbook myself. It was quite expensive at 50,000 elne, but I handed it directly to Yeriel. ¡°Take it.¡± ¡°... Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± "... Are you really okay with me learning magic?" Yeriel asked cautiously. I understood why she was hesitant. The old Deculein would have been afraid that Yeriel might surpass him and would have hindered her learning. "Learn it. You need to be able to protect yourself now." I was not that petty, and besides, Deculein had many enemies. Those enemies might take Yeriel hostage. ¡°W-well, I know self-defense is important, so I will¡ª¡± ¡°By the way, Yeriel, I have something for you,¡± I said, handing her a thick bundle of documents. They were the edited versions of the promised thesis. ¡°This is the thesis I promised to give you.¡± ¡°Oh, that?¡± It was a thesis I had promised to review for Panien, a second-ranked mage from the Mage Tower of the Yukline Family who resembled Allen. ¡°What has that mage been up to these days?¡± ¡°... He¡¯s a wreck,¡± Yeriel said with a shrug. ¡°A wreck?¡± ¡°You took his thesis, remember? He¡¯s pretty much given up on it now.¡± ¡°What do you mean, given up?¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t you nning to steal it? Since we hadn¡¯t heard anything, we assumed that was your intention.¡± I frowned and said, ¡°It was only for editing. I had no intention of stealing it. Return it to him.¡± ¡°... Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Yeriel looked at me with a mix of surprise and disbelief before nodding and putting the thesis in her bag, asking, ¡°So, where are you heading now?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be heading to the Mage Tower to prepare for a ss.¡± ¡°Preparing for a ss?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± With the Baron of Ashes expected to appear soon, I nned to design the most practical sses possible to prepare the students to handle him. *** Meanwhile, Louina was keenly aware of her abrupt fall from grace. Once, the tenured professors of the Mage Tower of the Empire had hailed her as Deculein''s rival. Now, having epted a position as a mere visiting professor, she found herself overlooked as if she were invisible. She understood why¡ªher defeat by Deculein had sealed her fate. Still, despite everything... "The 23rd floor is just too low..." Louina muttered, frustration evident in her voice. An office on the 23rd floor was ufortably close to the ssrooms and low enough that she might encounter regr mages in the elevator. It was an office more fitting for newly appointed assistant professors. She sighed, knowing this wasn¡¯t thest of the humiliation Deculein had in store. But no matter what he did or what further indignities awaited, she was ready to face them. Five years wasn¡¯t such a long time. Besides, the contract stated that if he became chairman, Deculein would guarantee her the position of head professor. ¡°There¡¯s... no bathroom in the office,¡± Louina muttered, looking around before sighing again. Needing to wash her face, she stepped out and bumped into a fellow professor, Siare. Siare had initially pledged loyalty to Deculein but had tried totch onto Louina when she gained prominence. "Oh my, Professor Louina, your office is on the 23rd floor?" Siare remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "... Yes, such experiences are important. Quite interesting, actually," Louina replied with a smile. Siare nodded, barely hiding her amusement, and said, "Yes, of course~ Well, good luck with that! Starting from the bottom and working your way up, as you said, should be quite entertaining~" Siare walked away, her mockingughter echoing in Louina''s ears. Clenching her teeth, Louina entered the restroom and sshed cold water on her face. "Damn those irritating people... When they needed help, they were all over me..." After drying her face, she returned to her office. The cramped desk barely had room for three magic books, but she began working anyway. There was a knock at the door, and it opened before she could respond. "Professor Louina, a package has arrived," said the person outside, cing it on her desk and leaving without another word. Theck of courtesy was unimaginable in the kingdom. Fighting back tears, she reminded herself to get used to it. She opened the package, which wasbeled Solution to Problem Six. "Ah, this must be from Deculein," Louina muttered with a smirk. The Symposium¡¯s sixth problem involved ancient rune magic. Louina felt a twinge of concern, puzzled by what had made him think he could handle runes. To solve problem six, it was essential to interpret the runes. Despite the limited knowledge avable about runes, I devised an independent system to decipher andbine them effectively. The first page contained the introduction. Among the runes inscribed on the monument, only three were capable of functioning as circuits. Bybining these three runes with others, I sessfully implemented the following spell. From here, the detailed spell unfolded, delving into an almost otherworldly realm that defied description with mere words or symbols. Louina donned her sses and began reading the solution. As a Symposium judge, her job was to uncover any ws in the logic. It was a task she found rather enjoyable, and soon, a smile crept onto her lips. ¡°... Let¡¯s see.¡± Initially, she read with dismissive curiosity. However, as she continued, her expression grew serious. The interpretation of runes, the innovative approach, the spell''s description, the logical connections, and the overallposition¡ªeverything was meticulously crafted. Deculein¡¯s solution was like assembling scattered pieces into a perfect whole. It was exceptionally neat, fitting together seamlessly like the gears of a machine. There was not a single theoretical w. He began with the inductive reasoning that only three runes could function as circuits and concluded with a perfectly deductive solution, verifying it with a magic circle. ¡°This...¡± Louina muttered, feeling a throbbing headache. More than verifying the content, a wave of nausea overcame her. Deculein¡¯s arrogant words echoed in her mind, "I¡¯m not the Deculein you used to know anymore." No, it couldn¡¯t be. This solution couldn¡¯t be his work. There was no way he had written this himself. ¡°Wait, wait...¡± Louina muttered, taking a deep breath and running her fingers through her hair. She felt something boiling inside her, dizziness overtaking her. ¡°Deculein, you madman... This can¡¯t be your work...¡± Louina concluded that this was not Deculein''s aplishment. It had to be someone else''s work, handed to him for some purpose. It was a deception destined to be revealed during the ce of Verification. Her doubts intensified, and Deculein''s voice echoed in her mind, seemingly providing the answer. "I¡¯m not the Deculein you used to know anymore." ¡°Shut up¡ª!¡± Louina yelled, clutching the solution tightly, her hand trembling with sweat. ¡°Don''t talk such nonsense!¡± Theoretically, Deculein had never outmatched her. Even with his assistance, he had always beencking inparison to her. "... There''s no way you could havee up with this... How could you, how could you...!" A fiery rage was igniting within her. She had never anticipated feeling this way about Deculein, not in her entire life. "It was bound to be exposed eventually, but why are you...!" Denying any feelings of inferiority and jealousy, Louina considered Deculein¡¯s true motives. Firmly believing that this solution was not his work, she nned to uncover the truth at the ce of Verification, where she would meticulously examine him. "You just wait. This time, things won''t turn out as you nned..." Today, Louina¡¯s day was quickly bing a disaster. Chapter 63: Practice Run

Chapter 63: Practice Run

On a dark night on the 23rd floor of the Mage Tower, Professor Louina sat in her office, still meticulously drafting methods to verify Deculein¡¯s thesis. Snap! The fountain pen she had been pressing down on broke. Drip. Drip¡ª Blood from her nose trickled onto the documents. Louina stared nkly at the stains, feeling lightheaded and her heart pounding fiercely. Strange emotions welled up from deep within her consciousness. She nced out the window. The moon was hidden by gray clouds, and the world outside was cloaked in darkness. Her reflection in the ss looked strange; her eyes were tinged with red. It must have been a nosebleed, but it looked like she was crying tears of blood. Hissss... Suddenly, a strange particle seemed to rise from her shoulder, like a suffocating cloud of ash. Louina quickly turned to look. Everything was normal. Nothing seemed out of ce. "Am I going mad...?" Louina muttered with a sigh. She had endured so much recently¡ªkidnapped by Deculein, nearly starved for a week, and forced into signing that humiliating contract. It was a wonder she was still in her right mind. "Let¡¯s rest at home," Louina murmured as she organized the documents and ced them in her bag. She turned off the lights and closed the office door behind her. Throb¡ª An inexplicable pulse seemed to resonate through the darkness as she stepped into the dim corridor. *** At 2 p.m. on a Wednesday, Epherene was in a study room at the Mage Tower, working on a group project. Since most of the project was already finished, they were mostly chatting. "One card!" "Oh,e on! That''s so unfair!" Eurozan, Daine, and Jefel were ying cards, while Sylvia seemed to be engrossed in checking the assignment with her eyes closed. Epherene, meanwhile, was reading a letter. To Epherene Luna, Thank you for your letter. I believe in your talent, so you should have faith in it too. Walk your path with determination, avoiding arrogance. If you dedicate yourself and work hard, good results will surely follow. "Wow, four lines," Epherene mused happily. It was much shorterpared to the ten pages she had sent, but she was grateful for the reply nheless. Still, she couldn''t help but feel that mentioning the Roahawk story¡ªher resolve to be the greatest mage like them¡ªhad been unnecessary. Content with the letter, Epherene put it away. "... Huh?!" She suddenly eximed and pulled a handkerchief from her robe''s inner pocket. It was the same high-quality handkerchief a gentleman had given her when she had cried uncontrobly during a performance of Portrait of a Sad Day at the university festival. "Wait a minute." The emblem embroidered on the handkerchief matched perfectly with the design in the corner of the letter. "They''re identical." Her pupils reflected the pattern. It wasn¡¯t a family crest but rather a high-end brand. This couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. "Oh, wait a minute..." Epherene muttered, clutching her head in thought. Epherene struggled to remember the man''s face from that day. She had been crying so much that she hadn''t dared to look him in the eye. "... Could it be?" Oh, no way. Has he really been watching me all this time, actually keeping an eye on my talent? "Hmm... if that''s the case." It was thrilling. Epherene felt a surge of excitement as she stroked her chin, attempting to stayposed. At that moment, a sharp voice interrupted her thoughts. "You¡¯re too loud, arrogant Epherene," Sylvia snapped. It was Sylvia, ring at Epherene with annoyance. Her concentration had been broken. "Sorry, sorry," Epherene said cheerfully and fell silent. Sylvia closed her eyes, attempting to refocus on the assignment. Yet, her ears and eyelids twitched, and even the corners of her mouth moved slightly, as if she were trying to sense something else. ¡°Hey, have you guys heard the rumors about Rohakan?¡± Epherene asked the male friends. The three guys ying cards abruptly changed the topic. Epherene straightened her back, feeling uneasy since she had been present during the incident. "Rohakan? Yeah, but my dad wouldn¡¯t tell me anything. He said it¡¯s ssified." "I heard rumors that it was Head Professor Deculein who battled Rohakan." "No way. Even if he''s the head professor, Rohakan is in a league of his own." Fortunately, the guys seemedpletely unaware. "Anyways, ss is about to start. Let''s go." "Epherene, Sylvia, aren''t youing with us?" The three guys nced over, and Sylvia opened her eyes as well. "Yeah, let¡¯s go." They ced the scroll in the study room¡¯s safe and then left together, taking the elevator. Sylvia whispered, "You know we have to keep what happened that day a secret, right?" "Of course, it''s a secret. Do you really think I''m that dumb?" "Yes." Ding¡ª They arrived on the third floor. Epherene was thest to step out of the elevator because a group of noble mages swarmed Sylvia, treating her like some kind of a celebrity. "Miss Sylvia! We heard you broke through Rohakan¡¯s barrier!¡± "That¡¯s incredible! Would you be able to give a lecture on it sometime¡ª" Yeah right. She didn¡¯t break any barrier. She just mooched off my grilled fish, Epherene thought as she entered the A-ss lecture room. "I wonder what today¡¯s lesson will be?" The scene inside was unusual. The university campus was replicated in detail, with cafes, gyms, lecture halls, gardens, alleys, shops, and restaurants, but the Mage Tower was absent. "Oh... what?" Epherene turned around and was startled. The door she had entered through had disappeared, leaving only an empty garden. A chill ran down her spine. "Is this some kind of Halloween-themed ss? What does this have to do with Pure Elements?" She wondered if perhaps ghosts were also made of Pure Elements. ¡ª Ah, can you hear me? A voice echoed from above. It was Assistant Professor Allen. ¡ª As it is now 3 o¡¯clock, we will begin the ss. Any Debutants who have not entered yet will be disqualified for tardiness. Being even a secondte meant disqualification. It was typical of Deculein''s strict approach. Hearing this, Epherene pricked up her ears. ¡ª Today¡¯s ss theme is Survival Tactics in Combat. Think of this as a virtual barrier. You are trapped within it, and your objective is to escape within three hours. "Hmm, interesting." ¡ª Scattered throughout the area are monsters generated by the barrier. Additionally, Head Professor Deculein is not your ally today. He will be patrolling the area, attempting to eliminate you. "Deculein will be patrolling?!" Epherene felt a thrill at the thought of legally challenging Deculein. ¡ª Although several professors, including Head Professor Deculein, will be monitoring you, remember that you will be disqualified if you encounter severe danger. Your performance will impact your grades. A-woooooo¡ª! The exnation was interrupted by a howl. Epherene looked around and saw a red-eyed wild dog, its mouth spewing ash. ¡ª We expect each of you Debutants to demonstrate practical magic skills. Now, let the ssmence! The moment the assistant professor finished speaking, Epherene channeled mana into her bracelet. Grrrr¡ª! The wild dog charged at her with its mouth wide open. Epherene cast her spell,bining the elements of water and wind. Whoosh¡ª The water she cast condensed into a high-pressure crescent, speeding toward the dog at over 500 meters per second. Despite its short range, its destructive, slicing power rivaled that of any de. It was a pure element spell called Water Moon, taught by Deculein. Splurt... The wild dog''s body was sliced into four pieces. "Hmph." Just as Epherene shrugged, a scream echoed nearby. "Ahhh¡ª!" "Where are you?!" Epherene ran toward the sound, using the wind element to move faster and more quietly. However, when she arrived, it was toote. The area was empty, except for a single note. Selly has been disqualified. "Sorry. I should have gotten here sooner," Epherene muttered regretfully as she pocketed the note and moved on. *** Forty minutes into the ss, Sylvia moved gracefully among the scattered threats. She didn''t hide or try to mask her presence, instead exuding a natural dignity. Enchanted creatures, drawn to her elegant aura, bared their fangs and opened their jaws, only to be scorched and disintegrated by the intense heat. "Miss Sylvia?" someone called out. It was Lucia, Juperne, and Beck, the noble group that always hung around together, their voices mingling in the air. ¡°Would you like to escape the barrier with us?¡± Lucia asked. Sylvia shook her head, declining their offer. ¡°Alright then, good luck,¡± Lucia said as she passed by, only to suddenly run in the opposite direction. Sylvia quickly understood the reason. On the horizon, emanating an overwhelming and noble presence, was Head Professor Deculein. As an enemy, he was the most formidable opponent. Under the pressure of his imposing aura, Sylvia closed her eyes and transformed the ground beneath her into water. She submerged herself and held her breath, listening to the sound of footsteps echoing above her. ¡°Ahhhhhhh!¡± Soon after, a piercing scream split the air. Lucia''s group must have been caught. Fools, Sylvia thought. Running could never evade the professor¡¯s Wood Steel. She didn¡¯t know the exact mechanism, but once on his radar, escaping required more than just running¡ªit required vanishing underground, just as she had done. Sylvia waited underground, listening intently. Then, a distinctly foolish-sounding voice broke through the silence. It sounded very foolish indeed. ¡°Stop!¡± "... Epherene, engaging in a direct confrontation is unwise," Deculein stated. ¡°This isn¡¯t a one-on-one fight. We¡¯re four¡ªhey! Where are you guys going? Come back!¡± Epherene shouted in frustration as the ones she tried to save ran away. Then, there was a sharp, sparking sound like flint striking. It seemed Epherene was attempting magic, however... ¡°Ouch! Ow! Wait! No! Aaaaah!¡± Sylvia thought Epherene¡¯s foolishness was no ident. Listening to her surprisingly persistent screams, Sylvia stifled augh. *** Two hours into the ss, Epherene limped along, wincing as she massaged her sore body. "At least... I have no regrets," Epherene sighed, muttering to herself. She had narrowly escaped and cursed under her breath about Lucia and her gang. After all her effort to save them, they had just run away. It was infuriating. With four against one, they might have stood a chance. "Calm down. Calm down," Epherene muttered, attempting to suppress her anger as she examined the barrier for weaknesses. She swiftly gave up on brute force and focused on dismantling the barrier. ¡°There are golems, wild dogs, and bats... Bats?¡± Epherene muttered, looking up and noticing the bats circling in the sky. Narrowing her eyes as she observed their movements, she noted aloud, ¡°... They¡¯re following a specific pattern.¡± Epherene channeled her mana into the wind, attaching a fragment of her power to one of the bats. As it moved, the mana transmitted valuable information to her. The bats seemed to be scouting for enemies and rying that data to Deculein, yet their flight paths were irregr. Nheless, every orbit has a center, so she could deduce its origin from their patterns. Closing her eyes, Epherene visualized thendscape, mapping the bats'' movements. As a result... Rustle¡ª "Ah! Who''s there?" Epherene cried out, startled by the sudden appearance of a figure from around the corner. "Epherene, you¡¯re still alive," Sylvia said. Hearing Sylvia''s voice brought Epherene a wave of relief. She clutched her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. ¡°Phew... Luckily, disqualification doesn¡¯t mean death. Anyway, have a seat,¡± Epherene said, gesturing to the ground as she sat down. Sylvia created a chair with her magic, lifting herself a meter above the ground. She looked down at Epherene, who was now beneath her. ¡°... Why don¡¯t youe down from there?¡± Epherene suggested. "Tell me," Sylvia insisted, disregarding the suggestion. "Are we going to be childish about this?" "Tell me." "... Sigh. Anyway, to escape, we need to dismantle the barrier. But to do that¡ª" Sylvia cut in, "The gym." "You know it too. The barrier''s core must be in the gym." Epherene nodded and pointed to the gymnasium beyond the alley. They exchanged a knowing nce and cautiously made their way toward the gym, avoiding the watchful eyes of wild dogs and bats. Pressing against the gym wall, Epherene peeked through a window. In the center of the gym stood Deculein, surrounded by countless enchanted beasts. He appeared to be engrossed in a book. "Shh, it''s Deculein," Epherene whispered. Sylvia squinted and muttered, "Arrogant Epherene." "Hey, this isn''t the time for that. Deculein is our enemy right now," Epherene reminded, ncing inside the gym. The gymnasium was vast and open on all sides. Floating at its center was the barrier''s core, guarded by Deculein. This practice run, meticulously crafted by Allen under Deculein''s direction, was designed to be challenging. "I think one of us needs to create a distraction. I¡¯ll do it," Epherene volunteered. "No," Sylvia said, shaking her head. "I¡¯ll take care of it." "... Are you serious? Are you sure?" Epherene asked, surprised. She had expected Sylvia to prioritize her own safety. "Epherene, you''re too foolish to even serve as a distraction." ¡°... What? Fine, then how will you distract him in that wide-open gym? He ced the core there, knowing it¡¯s impossible to hide.¡± "You and I are different," Sylvia said, pulling out a brush with a determined look. Sylvia took out a brush and sketched a precise rectangle with a handle on the ground. The drawing promptly transformed into a solid object. "Enter here. This path leads to the gym. Follow it." ¡°... Are you sure it won''t be blocked midway?¡± Epherene asked skeptically. Sylvia''s eyebrow twitched in annoyance as she replied, "Are you doubting me?" Epherene quickly waved her hands in denial and opened the lid. The tunnel looked like a genuine underground bunker. "This looks great. I¡¯m impressed," Epherene said, extending her hand for a high five. Sylvia stared at the hand, then said, "Arrogant Epherene." "What? Don''t know how to high-five?" "Stop messing around and get inside. You''ll need to decide when it''s the right time toe out." "Alright," Epherene agreed as she entered the tunnel. Sylvia walked towards the gym entrance. Inside, Deculein remained, and all the ash-formed beasts directed their hostility toward her. "Are you done with your discussion?" Deculein asked, his eyes still on the book. Sylvia nodded in response. "I see," he said, closing the book with a decisive snap. The sound signaled the beasts to charge at Sylvia. Sylvia closed her eyes and unleashed her Primary Colors, drawing from deep within. The red, green, and blue streams spread out, transforming the once-ordinary gymnasium. These colors mixed, creating a vibrant spectrum that gradually filled the entire space. The enchanted beasts vanished, overwhelmed and absorbed by her magic. As the ash dissipated, the gymnasium turned into a refreshing meadow. This transformation, inspired by Deculein, embodied the profound impact his midterm exam had on her. "In this ce, I can do whatever I want," Sylvia dered with confidence. Deculein surveyed the area, searching for any mediums. "There are no mana stones as a medium here. I created all of this with my mana alone," Sylvia dered, cing her hand over her chest. "I am Sylvia. You know who I am." Her voice was full of confidence, firm with self-belief and pride. She demonstrated the qualities of a true noble, embodying the mindset and attributes of a strong leader. Deculein appeared pleased and replied, "Impressive. In terms of magic, I''d give it a full mark." But in the blink of an eye, Deculein was standing right in front of her. "But don¡¯t neglect your physical training," he advised. The Baron of Ashes boosts both the physical and magical abilities of his host, making them a formidable opponent in both areas. While yer mages might view physical training as a waste of stats, non-yer mages must prioritize physical fitness to handle the Baron''s enhanced strength and magic. "You''re disqualified," Deculein said, tapping Sylvia lightly on the forehead. "No, I''m not," she replied firmly, not flinching as she met his gaze with determination. "Before that..." ¡°I¡¯ve already captured the barrier¡¯s core!¡± Epherene''s voice echoed from a distance. Without turning around, Deculein knew it was Epherene. She raised her hand, revealing the barrier¡¯s core. Mana glowed from the bracelet on her right wrist. ¡°... Argh!¡± Destroying the core and dismantling the barrier was beyond the capability of an ordinary Debutant. But Epherene was anything but ordinary. Zzzzzziiiing¡ª! Mana surged from her bracelet, saturating the barrier''s core. Instantly, the entire barrier trembled. Ssshhh... The ground shook as if struck by an earthquake, sending dust cascading from the gymnasium ceiling. Cracks formed in the sky, making the very space seem on the verge of shattering. And then. Shatter¡ª! The barrier shattered as if it were made of ss. Tssss... The fragments of the barrier scattered aimlessly. Beneath them, Deculein stood, letting the shards fall upon his body. ¡°... Hahaha.¡± Deculein wore a satisfied smile, one that seemed to convey pride and trust. Sylvia and Epherene stared at their smiling professor in a daze, witnessing his smile for the first time. "... Well done," Deculein said. "You both have won." At that moment, joy surged from deep within Epherene. She imagined a triumphant fanfare ring in her mind, loud and clear. The overwhelming thrill spread through her entire body. "Epherene, Sylvia, you both receive full marks," Deculein announced as the scenery reverted to the normal ssroom. "Your teamwork wasmendable." The ssroom door opened, and Allen guided the disqualified students inside. Epherene searched for Lucia among them. Despite all her efforts to help, Lucia had simply run away without a second thought. "Hmph," Lucia scoffed, meeting Epherene¡¯s re with a defiant, spiteful look, as if silently challenging her. "Sit down," Deculein instructed, his tone indicating there was more to discuss. The Debutants quickly took their seats. Epherene nced at the clock. It was already past six, which was highly unusual for Deculein. "Recall the dormitory barrier incident," Deculein began. "Today¡¯s lesson was to prepare you for a simr situation. It was also a practical exercise for you to experience potential future challenges." Deculein signaled to Allen, who brought in a box filled with gas masks. "In the event of another such incident, teamwork is crucial," Deculein instructed. "And always carry these anti-demonic energy gas masks with you." Using Telekinesis, Deculein distributed the gas masks. Epherene grinned as she examined hers, her eyes widening in surprise. She had expected standard supplies, but these were top-of-the-line and undoubtedly expensive. "Well done. Those who were disqualified should reflect on their mistakes. Allen will provide further guidance. You are all dismissed," Deculein said. With that, he left the room. The early-eliminated magicians left the room dejectedly, dragging their feet. In contrast, Epherene, having seeded, lingered to savor the moment thinking this was how a mage grew. The sense of aplishment was unmatched. "You both have won," Deculein''s satisfied voice echoed in her mind. The words filled her with exhration. Hearing those words, an immense rush of adrenaline surged through her, striking like a hammer. She knew Deculein had taken it easy on them to some extent. Even though his cherished Steel Wood shurikens hadn¡¯t moved, the exhrating feeling was something she was unlikely to experience again. ¡°Hah.¡± But she reminded herself not to be confused. It wasn¡¯t his praise that made her happy, but the victory over him. "... Good," Epherene muttered, clenching her fist. She decided that today, at least, she deserved a treat. With determination, she dered, "Tonight''s dinner will be Roahawk...!" *** On a dark night, after everyone had left, Deculein stood alone in the Mage Tower''s lecture hall, writing on the ckboard. Four Key Reminders 1. Identify the core of the barrier. 2. Avoid direct confrontation. 3. Survive. 4. Remember, this ckboard is our only point of connection. After writing, Deculein enchanted the ckboard with the Midas Touch. Mana flowed from his fingers and seeped into the green surface. This advice, a precaution for when the Baron of Ashes might appear unexpectedly, was his way of guiding the students as their professor. Chapter 64: Real Deal (1)

Chapter 64: Real Deal (1)

Recently, captivating news spread across the Floating Ind, offering a refreshing change to the otherwise dull atmosphere. ¡°... Deculein? So, the sixth problem is nearly solved?¡± Grand Prince Kreto, the Empress''s brother, said with a smile of astonishment upon receiving the report. "Indeed, Your Highness. The ce of Verification has been prepared." The ce of Verification for the Symposium would only begin if the proposed solution was highly convincing, almost urate. Therefore, its preparation indicated that the resolution of the sixth problem was imminent. "Impressive," Kreto remarked with genuine admiration. Although the solution was not yet assured, Kreto, a devoted admirer of Deculein, held unwavering faith in him. "Indeed, it is time for him to ascend." Kreto still couldn¡¯t forget Deculein¡¯s midterm exam. The memory lingered in his heart, reigniting a passion he had nearly lost. Upon hearing that Sophien would be studying under Deculein, he felt a twinge of envy and almost considered asking to join the lessons himself. "However, there are also concerning rumors, Your Highness," the knight continued. "Concerning rumors?" "Yes, Your Highness, they are monitoring him closely." They were known as the Ashes, a group from the volcanic region, so detested that even Kreto''s escort knight, Fassbender, and most ordinary mages avoided mentioning them. The name Ashes was such a crude epithet that any respectable mage found it repulsive to utter. "They habitually cause trouble for sessful mages, but it is of no consequence. Deculein¡¯s strength is renowned in the Mortal Realm today." As a formidable practical mage, Deculein was the real deal. His tales of matching Rohakan in strength were well-known to Kreto, even though the Imperial Knights Order kept them ssified. "Anyway, ensure I have a seat when the ce of Verification is ready. This is an order. Make certain I get a spot," Grand Prince Kretomanded. Thepetition for tickets would undoubtedly be fierce, attracting high-ranked mages from everywhere. "Yes, Your Highness, there will be no issues," Fassbender responded confidently to Kreto¡¯s request. Meanwhile, on another Floating Ind, in the upper floors of Megiseon. "How amazing! He really submitted it!" Chairwoman Adrienne eximed as she read a letter from the Wizard Academic in her private mansion. The letter stated that Deculein''s paper was remarkably rational and highly likely to provide the solution, requesting verification. "I heard it''s the sixth problem," someone remarked. "Yes, it truly is the sixth problem!" Adrienne responded, engaged in conversation with someone. The person was a mage with long ck hair tied in a ponytail. Unlike the petite and youthful Chairwoman, this secret guest had a cold, mature demeanor. "But are you aware that Deculein is in danger because of your actions?" "Why? What¡¯s happened to Deculein?" Adrienne asked. Adrienne was a progressive person who didn''t judge others by their background or current affiliations. Her sole criterion was whether someone posed a threat to her. ¡°Many are targeting Deculein. Gareck, that madman, Gleifer, Helgen... even within the Ashes, his name is often mentioned.¡± Gareck, the Multi-Persona. Gleifer, the yer. Helgen, the Walking Dead. Each was a notorious figure within the Ashes. "It¡¯s all because you¡¯ve been extolling Deculein''s strength," the unknown mage said. "Huh?! How is that my fault? Thia, you also lost to Deculein!" Adrienne eximed. Her real name was Cynthia, now known as Arlos. About ten years ago, at just fourteen, she caught Adrienne¡¯s eye and became her unofficially taught prot¨¦g¨¦. She also set up the barrier in the third dormitory building of the Mage Tower a month ago. "Back then, I was merely a puppet. Had I not been, victory would have been mine." "You''re funny. Had you not been a puppet, you would have died there!" "I had no intention of harming any mage at that time." Ten years ago, Cynthiacked the potential to be an archmage but had the talent to excel in a specific category. Recognizing this, Adrienne personally took the orphaned girl under her wing and educated her. "Why bring it up, then?" Adrienne asked. "... This is to inform you that the Ashes have ced a bounty on Deculein¡¯s head." "Got it! Now, tell me, where is my doll?!" Arlos pulled a small dog from her bag. It was an adorable puppy. "Wow! How adorable...! It must have a long lifespan, right?" "Indeed. I made its body small for that very reason. As long as it has mana, it will live for well over a hundred years, long after you have passed. But may I ask, why are you so concerned with longevity?" "Who knows~?" Adrienne said, smiling faintly. "Living a long life is wonderful!" Adrienne was well aware of her bloodline and her own lifespan. Loving someone was difficult when a fairy¡¯s life was so long. Fairies live two or even three times longer than the longest-living humans and never age. Only a doll that lives and moves for a long time could share her time. Adrienne''s discovery of Arlos and her remarkable talent, along with her decision to personally tutor the girl, were no coincidence. Unaware of this, Arlos often did not understand Adrienne''s actions but respected her as a mentor despite her yful, mischievous, and sometimes annoying demeanor. "May I examine that thesis¡ª" "No! It uses iris recognition!" Arlos slyly extended her hand, but Adrienne widened her eyes and tucked the paper into her bosom. Arlos withdrew her hand, grumbling. "Hmm. He actually solved the sixth problem..." Arlos murmured to herself. Suddenly, she recalled her first meeting with Deculein. His words echoed in her mind, "Wretches unworthy of society, despised by all. Lacking the structure of a human, devoid of the charm of a beast, mere filth like maggots. Your only talent is writhing in the dirt, your base nature utterly irredeemable." The harsh voice that uttered those words, the curses and maledictions born of anger, still echoed in her mind. She understood well why they despised the Ashes. "... The more I think about it, the angrier I get," Arlos muttered. The more she dwelled on it, the hotter her face became. If she ever encountered him again, she would surely seek her revenge. "Oh! It''s moving! Look, it''s moving!" Adrienne eximed, her voice filled with excitement. Arlos nced over. The small dog, now animated by Adrienne¡¯s pure mana as its life force, was whimpering and following her around. Arlos chuckled softly and left the mansion. *** On Monday, I installed a ckboard in the annex of the Yukline mansion, identical to the one in the Mage Tower¡¯s lecture room. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Twin ckboard] ¡ô Information: A ckboard crafted from mana stones. It functions as a pair. Enhanced resonance due to the Midas Touch ¡ô Category: Device ? Communication ¡ô Special Effects: Anything inscribed on one ckboard is simultaneously conveyed to the other. This connection cannot be severed by any magical interference. [Midas Touch: Level 4] ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Designed to facilitate two-waymunication within and outside the barrier, it was upgraded using Midas Touch. When text is written on the ckboard in the annex, it appears identically on the ckboard in the lecture room. This setup enabledmunication with the Debutants. [Grade 5 Mid-Boss Event: Baron of Ashes] All of this is preparation for the Grade 5 boss battle. Naturally, we don''t know when the Baron of Ashes will appear. Also, since professors like me can''t interfere in this event, my involvement stops here. "With a little help, they should be able to manage on their own." Fortunately, two of the Debutants are exceptionally bright. Unlike me, who relies on the system, Epherene and Sylvia have extraordinary growth potential. They are truly remarkable. Knock, knock¡ª "Master, it¡¯s Ren." I opened the door with telekinesis. Soon after, Ren entered, bowing his head slightly as he handed me the documents. "Master, there are rumors that Count Zeit is nning to take over the Freyhem Knights Order," he reported. "I''ve also recorded several other pieces of information." "... Zeit?" I asked. "Yes, Master. There are also rumors that he has already booked the wedding venue." The report was somewhat troubling. I began by reading through the documents, and the detail exceeded my expectations. Although my staff consisted only of Ren and Enen, and their coverage was still limited, the uracy of the information about those around me was quite satisfactory. "Well done," I said, feeling that they had certainly earned their sries. I handed Ren a book I was currently revising, Yukline: Understanding Element Magic. He looked puzzled, so I exined, "I''ve asionally heard sounds of magicing from your residence. It''s probably your younger sister, Enen." Ren seemed unaware, but it was clear that Enen, like Yeriel, was secretly studying magic. "I apologize. I will make sure she is properly educated and stays out of trouble," Ren said. "The book will handle education. If my subordinates have talent, it benefits me. Let her learn." Ren looked at me with surprise, which irritated me. He should simply follow orders and ept what he¡¯s given. There¡¯s no need for him to show expressions of gratitude or astonishment. "Yes, sir. Thank you¡ª" "Prepare to leave." "Yes, Master." I stepped outside with Ren and saw a familiar face waiting for me in the parking lot. It was Louina. "Boss, I''ve been waiting for you," Louina said when she saw me. "Should I send her away?" Ren asked. I shook my head and said, "Let her stay." Ren silently opened the back door of the car. I got in first, and Louina quickly took the seat beside me. She looked tired. "What brings you here?" I asked her. "Are you on your way to instruct Her Majesty?" she asked. "Yes. And you¡¯re scheduled for tomorrow, I presume?" "Yes, that''s right. But I have some information to share," Louina said, shrugging as she pulled a bundle of papers from her bag. "I intended to ask these questions at the ce of Verification and have already shared them with the Symposium judges." ¡°And?¡± "But doing so might breach my contract, and you¡¯ve given me opportunities. So, Boss, I wanted to give you a chance to withdraw." Her offer felt like a charming threat. I calmly replied, "A chance to withdraw, you say?" "Yes, Boss. Read it over," Louina said, handing me the papers. I spent three minutes intently reading the analysis of my solution to the sixth problem. "... Louina." "Yes?" Louina replied, trying to hide a smile. I gazed at her steadily and said, "These are good questions. Present them just as they are at the ce of Verification." "Wait, what?" Louina said, taken aback, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Boss, you need to reconsider¡ª" "Louina," I said, cutting her off. "... Yes, why?" I cleared my throat a couple of times. She seemed reluctant to ept it, so I decided to make my exnation more convincing. "Listen carefully. My interpretation of runes, though fortunate, is based on solid reasoning. I am not the same Deculein as before. This ideaes from my own insight. My linguistic skills prove it." Louina lookedpletely baffled; it was clear she didn¡¯t understand any of thenguages I had just spoken. "I just spoke in nine differentnguages," I said. "... What?" "It is safe to assume there is nonguage I do not know." Naturally, the continent has an imperialnguage that functions as amon tongue, much like modern English. However, each kingdom has its own nativenguage. There are also various tribalnguages, ancient tongues, and deadnguages. I learned all these diversenguages solely for the purpose of reading. "I assure you, I can master anynguage within ten days of first encountering it." Because of the original Deculein''s vanity, my library was filled with books written in foreignnguages. Searching for trantions was too bothersome, so I learned thenguages myself and became fluent in nearly all thenguages on this continent. "Runes are also a form ofnguage. Naturally, mastering them took longer. Is this sufficient for your understanding?" Louina stood there, her mouth agape. Then she let out a hollowugh¡ªha, ha-ha, ha¡ªthat sounded forced, like a robot trying to imitate human emotion. "Well... I never knew you had a talent fornguages, Boss," Louina muttered weakly, leaning against the window. Her frail shoulders slumped, and her empty gaze drifted over the passing scenery. "What''s bothering you? It''s just a minor challenge." "... A minor challenge?" Louina repeated, wrinkling her nose. "Yes, it''s just solving a problem," I said, nodding. "You''re four years younger than me, so you have plenty of time to grow. Time is on your side. I promise, in five years, neither of us will be a hindrance to the other." The main quest wasn''t lengthy. With half a year already spent in this world, only about four years remained. Louina gave a weak smile and said, "... Five years to end this unfortunate connection with you is a bargain, Boss. But why specifically five years?" "There¡¯s no need to know now. You¡¯ll find out in time." At that moment, Ren announced our arrival. Outside, the imposing walls of the Imperial Pce loomed. Stepping out of the car, I instructed Ren, "Take Louina to the Mage Tower." "Yes, sir." "... Thanks for the courtesy, Boss," Louina said, waving from the car. As the car drove away, I headed toward the Imperial Pce. *** Ashes emerged from the depths of darkness. A parasite that fed on emotions burrowed into emotional voids and scars. It led the host''s thoughts down a malignant path, and as the self was gnawed away by negativity and shriveled in agony, it began to take over the body, starting from the most vulnerable parts and eventually consuming it entirely. Louina staggered back to the Mage Tower. Today, more than ever, the whole world seemed to sway. She pressed the button for the 23rd floor, her office. Sitting nkly in the worn-out chair, she thought about Deculein''s words. Five years. Just five years. She could endure that, yet she still had to suffer through it. Her eyes fell on a letter on her desk, as though someone had broken in to deliver it. It was a note from the Mage Council. Notice of Expulsion: Monarch-Rank Louina, Mage Council Louina stared at the words, dumbfounded. It was a clear severance. Those who had incited her were now abandoning her to align with Deculein once more. Thump¡ª Her heart pounded. Thump¡ª Her entire body heated up as unbearable dark emotions hammered against her skull, like a hot spike driving into her temple. "You cocksucking motherfuckers. You shit-for-brains assholes." Louina closed her eyes. Ashes slowly rose from her shoulders, and the dark particles spread like cobwebs, engulfing the entire office on the 23rd floor. *** Sylvia''s team was busy reviewing their assignments in the study room on the 20th floor of the Mage Tower. "I¡¯ve checked everything. No issues here. What about you?" Epherene asked. "None," Sylvia replied as she and Epherene carefully examined each part of their project. At that moment, the door opened, and Eurozan entered with his hands full of snacks, signaling it was time for a break. "Perfect timing. Thanks," Epherene said, immediately reaching for some dried squid for her snack. Eurozanmented, "With examsing up, the study room, library, and magic training rooms are all packed. It seems like all the Debutants are here." Anticipating this, Epherene had reserved a spot in the Mage Tower library as early as four in the morning. "Ah, I hope the finals will be easier this time, considering all the chaos we''ve been through." "Who knows. What are your ns for the break?" asked one of the male team members. "I have to return to our territory. We need more mages there, so I can¡¯t stay in the Mage Tower for long," he replied. The three men continued chatting while Epherene chewed on a piece of dried squid, trying to cool her overheated mind. Boom¡ª! boom¡ª! Suddenly, a dull thud echoed through the room, seeming toe from the wall. "What was that? Is someone fighting outside?" Boom¡ª! boom¡ª! Aaaaaaaah¡ª! The thudding quickly turned into screams. rmed, Epherene and the team members rushed out of the study room. "Wha-what¡¯s happening?" In the hallway, a mage stood with his back to them. Epherene recognized him by the back of his head¡ªit was their fellow colleague Debutant, Roton. She approached him cautiously and asked, "Roton? Is that you? Are you okay? Who were you fighting with¡ª" Before she could finish, Roton spun around. His eyes were hollow, and ck ash poured from his gaping mouth and ears like vomit. "Ahh!" Epherene screamed, instinctively casting a spell to push him away before bolting back into the study room. As soon as the door mmed shut, Epherene asked frantically, "D-did you all s-see that?! Did you see it too?!" The other four stood in shock, needing a moment to process what they had just witnessed. "What was that...? Oh, I get it," Epherene said, suddenly smiling as if she had an epiphany. "I must be dreaming. I must have fallen asleep from exhaustion while studying. That¡¯s it, right?" "... A dream?" "Yeah, it must be a dream. I haven¡¯t slept at all in the past two days because of training." Sylvia moved without hesitation. She then stretched out her hand and pped Epherene hard across the face. p¡ª! A sharp crack echoed through the room. With a snap of her wrist, Sylvia¡¯s swing sent Epherene reeling, her head whipping to the side. "Ow..." Epherene groaned, turning her eyes toward Sylvia, tears welling up. The pain was so intense that she couldn¡¯t even scream. Her lips moved silently, her eyebrows twitching with pain and resentment. "You... you...." "Does it hurt?" "Of course, it hurts! You pped me so hard!" Epherene shouted, her voice shaking with anger. Sylvia nodded and said, "Sorry, but if it hurts, it can''t be a dream. I just wanted to make sure you knew." Epherene was too stunned to respond. Sylvia then turned to the three men. "And you three?" Sylvia asked. Afraid of being pped, they quickly responded, "No, no, it''s definitely not a dream. There''s no way this is a dream, Epherene. Let''s be realistic!" Following Deculein¡¯s advice, Sylvia had been working out for five days. She could feel her physical abilities improving as she gazed out the study room window. However, the sight of Roton¡¯s grotesque transformation left her uneasy. ¡°This is so unfair... It hurts so much... Is it such a big deal to say something wrong just once? Is it?¡± Epherene muttered, her eyes filled with tears and frustration. Sylvia ignored her and concentrated on the task at hand. Chapter 65: Real Deal (2)

Chapter 65: Real Deal (2)

Ephereney on the study room floor, chewing on dried squid. After a while, feeling thirsty, she took a few sips of her drink. She rummaged through a stic bag and found some chocte, her eyes lighting up. "You brought a lot of great snacks. Do you mind if I have some?" Epherene asked. "Um, sure, go ahead. You guys did most of the work on the project, so it''s the least I can do... But doesn''t it hurt?" Eurozan asked, looking at Epherene in disbelief. "Huh? Oh, well... It was my fault for talking nonsense earlier," Epherene replied. Talking about dreams and nonsense was something a mage focused on reality shouldn¡¯t do. Epherene chewed on the chocte and nced at Sylvia. This white chocte vor wasn¡¯t avable in her vige. With her eyes closed, Sylvia shared her vision with Swifty, who was flying outside the Mage Tower. Swifty flew around, surveying the area. The Mage Tower appeared intact, and the university people seemed unaware of anything unusual. However, when Sylvia infused more mana into her magical sight, she could see that the lower floors were almost entirely buried in ash. Crackle¡ª crackle¡ª The connection with Swifty was growing unstable and on the verge of breaking. Sylviamanded it to return home before she opened her eyes. "It''s serious," she said in a t tone. "Serious?!" they asked, wide-eyed. "The Mage Tower is engulfed in ash," Sylvia exined. "The Mage Tower?!" Daine eximed. "Are we trapped inside?" Sylvia nodded and replied, "The lower floors arepletely engulfed, and the entrance is blocked. It seems no one is aware of this." "No one?" "The ash appears to have an enchanting property," Sylvia said. "Wha-what about the professors? Can''t they help us?" The ash covered the floors from the first to the twenty-fifth. The professors in the middle and upper levels seemed unaware of this. Even if they knew, most would likely be outside preparing for the final exams. Boom¡ª! Boom¡ª! ¡°Ugh!¡± Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the study room, making the door shake. Boom¡ª! Boom¡ª! Outside, Roton pounded on the door. Consumed by ash, he seemed to have forgotten how to open it. Ash fire spread from his fists, slowly charring the wall. "What¡¯s wrong with Roton? He''s acting like a lunatic!" Epherene took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and prepared a spell,bining elements of wind and earth. Boom¡ª! Boom¡ª! Boom¡ª! Despite Eurozan''s warning, Epherene knew she had to act before the door burned down. She grabbed the doorknob and opened it, casting her spell simultaneously. "E-Epherene, what are you doing? Just leave it be!" "If we leave it like that, the door will burn," Epherene said, gripping the doorknob. Despite Roton''s unnerving, empty stare, she didn¡¯t hesitate. She opened the door and cast her spell at the same time. Invisible Shackles¡ªa spell thatbines wind and earth elements to restrain the target. Raaaawr¡ª! As soon as the door opened, Roton charged forward, but the wind generated by Epherene''s spell enveloped him. His body shrank as if trapped in a coffin. "Is it done now¡ª" Blugh¡ª! Suddenly, ash spewed from his mouth. It halted just before reaching Epherene''s face, stopped by Sylvia''s barrier. "... Wow, that was close," Epherene muttered, relieved. "Step aside," Sylvia ordered, moving forward to examine Roton closely. His eyes were vacant, ckened veins protruding against his skin. His bare feet, covered in ash, seemed fused to the floor as if they were one. "He''s under some kind of control," Sylvia concluded. From these clues, Sylvia deduced that the mysterious ash, though its origin was unknown, was partially controlling the mage''s mind. "He''s under control?" "It''s a type of puppetry, simr to a zombie," Sylvia exined. Epherene nodded and quietly stepped into the hallway. Ash clung to the ceiling and walls, writhing like veins. The entire corridor seemed to radiate with smoldering heat. "It''s burning hot. The entire hallway is on fire," Epherene said, closing the door and turning to Sylvia. "We need to find a safe ce until help arrives." "A safe ce." Both Epherene and Sylvia immediately thought of the same ce. The only location that could resist the heat of the ash was the head professor''s lecture room on the third floor, A-ss, designed with advanced magitech and mana stones. *** Peek¡ª Epherene cautiously peered out the door. Peek¡ª Sylvia''s head appeared above hers. They scanned the area, their eyes darting around. The hallway was eerily covered in ash, but there were no signs of zombified mages like Roton. "It''s clear," Epherene whispered. Three male team members emerged, each wearing a gas mask. They moved stealthily. With their study room on the fifth floor, using the elevator in this situation would be madness, so they chose the emergency stairs. As they descended, Epherene nced into the study room windows. Everyone had fled as soon as the incident began; no Debutants remained. They advanced until Epherene, leading the group, came to an abrupt stop. "What''s wrong?" Sylvia asked. "The hallway is swarming with monsters. There must be more than ten," Epherene replied, biting her lip. The entrance to the emergency stairs and the nearby corridor were overrun with monsters. "We can''t just kill them all." If they were real monsters, she would have felt justified in destroying them, but they were all fellow Debutants. "Sylvia, can you create a passageway below?" "The Tower''s floor structure is designed with advanced magitech. I can''t interfere with the ceiling or the floor," Sylvia said, kneeling to sketch a n on the ground. "However..." ©¦¡¡Emergency Stairs¡¡©¦ ©¦¡ï©¦ ©¦¡¡ Central Corridor ¡¡©¦¡¡Study Room 1¡¡©¦¡¡Study Room 2 ©¦ Theyout of the fifth floor was simple. The central corridor leading to the emergency stairs was swarming with monsters. "If we can reach Study Room 1, I can create a passage at the spot marked with a star to ess the emergency stairs." "What if there are monsters on the stairs?" Eurozan asked. "We''ll have to subdue them. I''ll distract them while you all get into the study room," Epherene said resolutely, infusing her bracelet with mana. With a determined shout, she leapt into the corridor and cast a powerful gust of wind, sending the monsters tumbling. Taking advantage of the distraction, Sylvia and the others slipped into the study room, with Epherene following safely behind. "Are you okay, Epherene? You weren''t bitten or anything, right? You''re not going to turn into a monster, are you?" Eurozan asked anxiously. She shook her head in response. Meanwhile, Sylvia was already drawing a passage on the study room wall. "Let''s go." They walked through the passage and reached the emergency stairs, but... Uuuuuh¡ª uuuuuh¡ª The stairs were teeming with monsters, far more than they had anticipated. Each step held a creature, making it impossible to subdue them all. "Th-there are too many," Eurozan said, his voice trembling. "I''m sorry. I didn''t expect this," Epherene said, frowning. However, Sylvia remained calm. She ced a finger to her lips and said, "Shh." Sylvia quietly focused her mana into her retinas. Soon, her eyes filled with vibrant Primary Colors. She fixed her gaze on the stairs. Suddenly, the solid steps wavered, blurred like an illusion, and then vanishedpletely, as if erased by an invisible hand. With just a look, she had made the stairs disappear. Crash¡ª! The monsters roaming the stairs fell all at once. Sylvia restored the steps, then closed her eyes, sweat dotting her forehead. "Sylvia, you''re amazing... like a real archmage," Eurozan said in awe. "No time for talking," Sylvia replied. They hurried down the stairs and arrived at the entrance to the third-floor emergency exit. "Stop," Sylvia said. They wisely avoided the main entrance. Instead, Sylvia created another door a short distance away. They stepped onto the third floor through this new door rather than the official entrance. Grrrraah¡ª grrrraah¡ª grrrraah¡ª As expected, a crowd of monsters had gathered in front of the third-floor emergency exit. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± They headed to the A-ss lecture room first. Though it was a route they traveled every week, today it was unusually filled with obstacles. Nearly a hundred Debutant monsters roamed the hallways. "What should we do? We can''t sneak past all of them. They''ll see us," one of the men whispered. "I''ll distract them. You get the door open," Epherene said, cracking her knuckles and stepping away from the group. "Hey! Over here!" Her shouts drew the monsters'' attention, and she sprinted down the hallway. Sylvia and the others slipped into the A-ss lecture room''s doorway. However, the door was locked. Panic set in as Eurozan and the others turned pale. Sylvia bit her lip. "Wh-what now? We''re doomed..." However, Sylvia heard a faint whisper from inside. "There''s someone inside," Sylvia said quietly. ¡°In here?¡± Bang! Bang! Sylvia knocked on the door andmanded, "Open up." As they knocked on the door, amotion erupted inside the lecture room. Bang! Bang! Eurozan and the others joined in, knocking and shouting, "Open up! Open the door!" "Sylvia is here! If you don''t open up, you''re all doomed!" The mention of Sylvia''s name sparked even more chaos inside. Bang! Bang! ¡°Ahhhh!¡± Just then, Epherene, who had been creating a diversion, came sprinting down the corridor, trailed by at least a hundred monsters. ¡°Open it!¡± At Epherene''s words, the door suddenly flew open. Julia, amoner, stood there. They hurried inside without hesitation. ¡°Me too!¡± Epherene shouted. Epherene was thest to slip through, and the door closed just in time. She clutched her chest and copsed to the floor, gasping for breath. "Wow... oh my... phew... I made it," Epherene said, copsing onto the floor, clutching her chest. "We finally made it..." "Ephie! Are you okay, Ephie?" Julia asked, her voice full of concern. "Julia!" Epherene eximed, embracing her with a bright smile. "Honestly, if it weren''t for Miss Sylvia..." a disgruntled voice muttered. Lately, Lucia had turned into Epherene''s new nemesis. Today, her long, purple hair seemed particrly aggravating. Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Outside, the monsters pounded on the door, making Julia flinch. Julia nced at Epherene, her voice trembling, "Ephie, what should we do now?" Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! "We have no choice.¡± Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! "We have to wait for help," Epherene replied, pulling out a bag of snacks she had clung to while running. In this situation, food meant survival. By the way, what''s that on the ckboard?" Epherene asked, noticing the writing. Four Key Reminders 1. Identify the core of the barrier. 2. Avoid direct confrontation. 3. Survive. 4. Remember, this ckboard is our only point of connection. "I think it''s just notes from thest ss. I didn''t think it was important," Julia replied. "Hmm..." Epherene murmured, despite Julia''s dismissal, and gazed thoughtfully at the ckboard. Survive. Remember, this ckboard is our only connection. Underneath the note, there was a piece of chalk. Epherene picked it up and wrote a few words. Deculein is a fool Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! ¡°Oh, that scared me!¡± Epherene muttered, returning to her seat without thinking much more about it. *** The Empress''s teaching chamber, known as the Hall of Learning. "Your Majesty, Instructor Mage Deculein has arrived," the imperial servant announced, knocking with the golden lion door knocker. The Empress''s stern voicemanded, "Let him in." As the door opened, Empress Sophien greeted me, lounging somewhat casually. Her eyes, clouded with perpetual ennui, scanned me from head to toe. "Your Majesty, it is a great honor to see you again," I said. ¡°Hmph. They say your attire is thetest trend in the capital. It''s certainly different from the rabble roaming the pce.¡± I approached and took a seat before her, noticing the chessboardid out in front of the Empress. ¡°Will we be ying chess again today?¡± ¡°No. Let¡¯s talk first. I¡¯m growing weary of chess.¡± I nodded. It made sense; she grew bored with everything quickly. ¡°I heard you encountered Rohakan,¡± the Empress stated. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Letting him slip away was unfortunate.¡± "... Icked the necessary skill." The Empress smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm, and asked, ¡°If you failed, how ipetent must the knights be? And wasn¡¯t Rohakan your mentor?¡± ¡°I learned nothing from him worthy of calling him my mentor.¡± "... I see. There was likely nothing to learn. That cursed man worsened the former Emperor''s health. He may as well have killed both the Empress Dowager and the previous Emperor." Her voicecked true anger, only a feigned pretense. Even emotions filled her with ennui. The Empress then said, "Deculein, the eunuchs im you are among the brightest minds on the continent." "Is that what they say, Your Majesty?" "Yes. They call you a genius who has amassed billions through auctions," the Empress continued. Lately, there were many rumors about me that I wasn''t aware of, like being Rohakan''s nemesis or the smartest person on the continent. "So, I ask for your opinion. I am nning an expedition." ¡°An expedition, Your Majesty?¡± I inquired respectfully. "I will conquer the Land of Destruction," the Empress dered,ying a map on the table. "But first, I must eliminate internal threats. I shall exterminate the Scarletborn." The words were grating. I lifted my gaze to meet the Empress''s eyes. "What is the matter?" the Empress asked. "... The Scarletborn do not seem like an internal threat." "How can you be certain of that?" ¡°Because I am the brightest mind on the continent.¡± Sophien fell silent, her usually indifferent eyes narrowing into a thin smile. She let out augh, the sound mechanical and cold. "Ha©¤ha©¤ha©¤. How amusing,¡± the Empress said. ¡°It¡¯s the truth. I see the world differently.¡± If preventing the massacre of the Scarletborn means being recognized as the continent''s brightest mind, then I will dly ept the title. The Empress twisted her lips and said, ¡°Hmph. Then you understand that nothing you say will change my mind about the Scarletborn. I will crush them and personally lead the expedition to the Land of Destruction.¡± ¡°... You will lead the expedition yourself?¡± ¡°Yes. I will stand on the front lines, wield my sword, and cast my spells. That is how I will etch my name into history. What do you think?¡± the Empress asked, her mischievous eyes fixed on me, anticipating my reaction. Through the Magnifying Lens, I could see the full extent of her authority. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [???] ¡ô Grade: Authority ¡ô Description: ??? ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Even the Magnifying Lens couldn''t reveal her authority, but I already knew the Empress''s secret: Death Regression. Her endless ennui came from the absence of death. Humans find purpose because they know death is inevitable. But Sophien, who could not die, was consumed by lethargy and ennui. Therefore, the Empress was a dangerous variable. In the game, her death triggered a game over and a reset. But I was no longer a yer. In this world, the Empress must never die. She must not be allowed to give up on life. She herself was my death variable. ¡°Your Majesty, you speak as though death does not concern you,¡± I said, imbuing my words with a deeper meaning and weight. The Empress''s face hardened, her once yful eyes now zing. She demanded, ¡°... What do you mean by that?¡± "The only means Your Majesty should request from me is magic." ¡°I asked you to exin what you mean by that.¡± "Once Your Majesty has fully mastered magic and I can offer no further meaning, only then may you seek another meaning from me." If she masters magic, then I might reveal what I truly mean. Bang¡ª! Sophien struck the table and replied, ¡°... Are you mocking me? I asked what you mean by that.¡± Her gaze was fierce, as though she meant to rend me asunder. "Your Majesty," I said, holding her fierce gaze without flinching and enduring the intense pressure emanating from her. "I am Deculein." Her brow knit into a frown. ¡°Once I am resolute in my meaning, no one can alter it,¡± I said with a slight smile. A vein pulsed on Sophien''s temple in response to my words. *** Tick, tock¡ª Epherene nced at the clock. It was 10 p.m. Twelve hours had passed since the incident began, or maybe twenty-four. The windows were coated in ash, and with nothing but darkness outside, it was impossible to tell how much time had passed. Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! No help had arrived, and the relentless pounding on the door was driving everyone to the brink of madness. Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! "Ah, this is driving me insane, those damn..." Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! The door held firm, but the incessant pounding was a relentless source of stress. Even covering their ears couldn¡¯t block out the maddening noise. ¡°C-can¡¯t we activate the barrier for it? For fuck¡¯s sake! Fuuuuuuuuuck!¡± Beck screamed, finally practically having a meltdown. Epherene sighed and replied, ¡°We don¡¯t know the code. Only the professor has it.¡± ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± ¡°You asked the question, why are you the one swearing?¡± Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! The noise was driving everyone insane. Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! The mental stress was overwhelming,pounded by the ash consuming the Mage Tower and draining their spirits. It was enough to drive anyone insane. Epherene sighed and pulled a stic bag from her coat, revealing snacks she had saved for emergencies. The crinkling sound immediately caught everyone''s attention in the lecture room. ¡°Wha-what¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Epherene, where did you get that?¡± Their eyes, weary from prolonged suffering, now gleamed with hunger. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s for all of us to share¡ª¡± ¡°... Wait! Th-that¡¯s mine!¡± Eurozan eximed, lunging forward to grab the bag. ¡°Eurozan? What are you¡ª¡± ¡°I bought it with my own money!¡± Eurozan shouted, his bloodshot eyes and crazed expression startling Epherene. "O-okay, I g-get it." ¡°It¡¯s mine!¡± Epherene¡¯s frustration red. She couldn''t understand why he was directing his anger toward her. ¡°I said I get, let go of me!¡± Epherene shouted. ¡°You let go!¡± ¡°Why are you being so childish? Are you really going to eat it all by yourself in this situation?¡± "I''m the one who bought it! Give it back, you fucking beggar! You penniless piece of shit!" Riiiiip¡ª! The bag tore open, sending snacks, choctes, and drinks spilling onto the floor. Hungry eyes followed the scattered treats. Gulp¡ª Just as a fight was about to break out, Sylvia stepped in, saying, ¡°Enough. This behavior over food is pathetic.¡± Lucia''s mocking voice cut through the tension, ¡°... Hmm~¡± She smirked and asked, "So, what should we do, Miss Sylvia? I¡¯m genuinely curious to hear what a noble like you would suggest in this predicament." Sylvia stared at her, recalling what he would have done. He would likely do this, she thought. "The nobles should be the ones to make concessions," Sylvia said. "... Excuse me, but shouldn''t the nobles eat to maintain their strength and guide themoners¡ª" ¡°Show the nobility you always pride yourselves on, especially now.¡± Lucia and her followers red at Sylvia, their faces twisted with anger. Meanwhile, Epherene gathered the snacks and walked to the podium. ¡°I¡¯ll share them fairly.¡± ¡°Why are you sharing? I told you I bought those!¡± Eurozan protested. ¡°Ah, shut up!¡± Eurozan flinched. Epherene continued, ¡°Stay still. I won¡¯t eat any either. I¡¯ve already had my share¡ª¡± Boooooom¡ª! At that moment, a tremendous crash shook the entire room, startling everyone. ¡°What was that?!¡± Everyone turned toward the door. Bang¡ª! The entrance was trembling violently. A-ss was known to be the sturdiest lecture room, yet it was shaking now. Bang¡ª! Debris fell ominously from the walls. "W-we need to activate the barrier!" ¡°We don¡¯t know the code!¡± Bang¡ª! A thunderous noise echoed through the room, shaking everything. The ssroom ckboards crashed to the floor. Bang¡ª! ¡°Ahhhh!¡± Screams filled the ssroom, mixing with the grating sound of sobbing and the deafening roar of terrified shouts. Amid the chaos, Epherene clutched her head in despair. Bang¡ª! However, at that moment, Epherene noticed the ckboard behind the podium. While the other ckboards had been ripped off, this one stood firm and intact. Four Key Reminders 1. Identify the core of the barrier. 2. Avoid direct confrontation. 3. Survive. 4. Remember, this ckboard is our only point of connection. Deculein is a fool ¡°... This ckboard is our only point of connection?¡± Epherene stared at the board, the words echoing in her mind. Remember, this ckboard is our only point of connection. The only point of connection. The only connection...? ¡°Oh!¡± Just as the thought struck Epherene... Scribble-scribble¡ª Scribble-scribble¡ª Words started to form on the ckboard. Bang¡ª! The intense vibrations rattled the entire room, threatening to break down not just the door but the entire wall. Amid the desperate screams, cries, and shouts in the chaotic pandemonium, a sentence finally appeared on the ckboard. It¡¯s Deculein. Speak. Epherene felt a wave of emotion upon seeing the familiar, precise handwriting. But Epherene will receive a penalty. Chapter 66: Real Deal (3)

Chapter 66: Real Deal (3)

But Epherene will receive a penalty. Epherene gazed at the ckboard, momentarily forgetting the perilous situation they were in. Her thoughts were fixated on the number of penalty points floating before her eyes. 14 points. One more penalty point and she¡¯d be stuck with daily cleaning duty in the foulest bathroom. If she reached twenty-five points, she¡¯d lose her dormitory and schrship, costing her 50,000 elne for the semester. Realizing this, she quickly grabbed the chalk. Epherene didn''t write Deculein is a fool. The response came swiftly. Who wrote it? After a moment''s hesitation, she picked up the chalk and wrote. Sylvi ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Sylvia asked as she approached, startling Epherene. ¡°Oh? Oh, uh, I think... I think this ckboard is connected to Professor Deculein!¡± Epherene eximed, hurriedly erasing the writing with her robe sleeve. Luckily, Sylvia didn''t seem to catch on to her deception and simply widened her eyes at the ckboard. "What¡¯s going on? Why are you staring at the ckboard?" ¡°Ephie, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Julia asked, approaching with Lucia while the other mages remained too preupied to notice. Bang¡ª! Another massive impact shook the lecture room. Epherene quickly wrote on the ckboard. Professor, this isn''t the time. We don''t know the code for the barrier, and the lecture room is about to copse. Immediately, text began to appear on the ckboard. Tap¡ª tap, tap¡ª tap, tap, tap¡ª The sound of precise, methodical writing filled the room. Circles and lines soon covered the ckboard, forming a coded spell. Bang¡ª! A violent impact battered the lecture room, causing the damaged walls to buckle like wooden nks. Some Debutants had already fainted, while most others trembled in fear. Only Epherene, Sylvia, and Lucia kept their eyes fixed on the ckboard. Bang¡ª! The walls had already banged dozens of times and were now close to copsing. Activate the spell. The code spell wasplete. Sylvia acted first, channeling her mana to draw the spell on the lecture room floor. Woooo... The floor and ceiling of the A-ss lecture room were constructed entirely of mana stones. As the code activated the crystal orb, the mana source, the barrier engaged. Bang... The pounding on the wall ceased, and the space transformed instantly. A peaceful meadow reced the ashen darkness, enveloping the barrier in greenery. ¡°Phew...¡± This was the power of the A-ss lecture room, which had cost ten million elne to construct. Epherene sank to the floor, clutching her pounding heart. Sylvia, too, let out a relieved breath as she nced at the ckboard, where Deculein''s handwriting began to appear. Stay calm and focused. This is not a ss; it''s the real deal. This is reality, not a dream. Lucia blinked and said, "Ask when help will arrive." Deculein responded before they could even ask. With hundreds of Debutants held hostage, external intervention is impossible. Your best option is to resolve this yourselves. ¡°What? That¡¯s so irresponsible,¡± Lucia grumbled. Sylvia''s piercing gaze swept across the room, making Lucia flinch and shrink back in surprise. Based on the analysis of magic concentrations on each floor, the source of this crisis is presumed to be the 23rd floor. ¡°Who¡¯s on the 23rd floor?¡± Epherene asked, ncing around. Lucia, arms crossed, pondered, "Well, there are several ces likebs and storage rooms. There¡¯s also an office for an external visiting professor, but I¡¯m not sure." The 23rd floor, now overtaken by ash, had morphed into a sprawling nest. At its center, arge cocoon pulsed, with tendrils extending in every direction, feeding it nutrients. From within the cocoon, a dry, brittle voice intoned, "Complete assimtion is necessary..." Complete assimtion meant that the ash-dominated brains of the Debutants would be fully absorbed, extracting all their magic and nutrients, and leaving no hope for their revival. "Complete assimtion is necessary..." ¡°No,¡± Louina refused firmly. Despite the ash parasitizing her, Louina''s core personality remained resolute. Her beliefs and convictions held her instincts in check. "Complete assimtion is necessary..." Louina opened her eyes, her ckened pupils scanning the cocoon''s membrane. The world outside was shrouded in darkness, but within, the mana was boundless. "Complete assimtion is¡ª" Smack! Louina struck the cocoon with her fist, silencing the incessant voice, though her anger only grew stronger. In her fractured consciousness, one face surfaced. She whispered his name. "Deculein..." *** Three choctes, tworge bottles of drinks, two squid, one pack of jelly, five bags of snacks, two packs of cream pies, one pack of gum, five tangerines. Ephereneid out the food on the table in the meadow. It was a decent amount for a group of five, but... ¡°How many are we?¡± Epherene asked, but no one answered. More than half of them were asleep, and she understood. They had been through a lot. Sylvia responded, "Fifty-one." Fifty-one people. The number itself was daunting, but the real problem was their appetites. The basal metabolic rate of a mage with mana wasparable to that of a robust farmer. Epherene sighed and began writing on the ckboard with the chalk. I don¡¯t think we can hold out long in here. Our food supply is too low. I¡¯m thinking of going to the store in the baseme A response appeared on the ckboard before she could finish writing. Check the tool cab at the back of the ssroom. Epherene turned around and noticed that despite the barrier''s alterations, the tool cab and other supplies were still intact. She ran over and opened it. ¡°Oh, wow!¡± Inside, she found frozen meat, water, canned goods, and more. If rationed carefully, it would be enough tost them two days. ¡°How did the professor know about this?¡± Epherene muttered in amazement. Lucia scoffed, flicking Epherene¡¯s hair and said, ¡°He probably prepared it ahead of time, idiot. The Mage Tower is always a target. Now, get cooking.¡± Epherene bit her lip and shot her a re. ¡°What are you staring at? You expect me to cook? Or Miss Sylvia? I don¡¯t even know how,¡± Lucia retorted. "... You really can''t get a grip, even in this situation?" Epherene muttered, rolling up her sleeves in anger. Just then, another message materialized on the ckboard. Rest for now. We are formting a n outside. If any conflicts arise, those involved will be penalized based on witness reports. Epherene couldn''t understand how he always seemed to know everything. Grumbling, she started preparing the meal. Using magic, she lit a fire, grilled the meat, and made soup. As the delicious aroma spread, the mages began to wake up one by one. *** Late at night in the vast warehouse of the Yukline mansion, I focused intently on the ckboard. We''ve eaten and are resting now. All the monsters are our colleagues and ssmates, so we can¡¯t harm them. There''s also an external visiting professor''s office on the 23rd floor. The situation had be quite problematic. "... Louina." The Baron of Ashes parasitizing Louina was indeed a significant problem, but also a curious one. Louina, a named character, had a mana grade of three, making her quite formidable. ¡°Is it because of the oath?¡± I wondered whether the oath had impacted her mana grade or if her mental strength had deteriorated from dealing with me for so long. Whatever the case, it wasn¡¯t entirely negative. The Baron of Ashes, with a lower mana grade, couldn¡¯tpletely consume Louina. Knock, knock¡ª Just then, Roy entered and announced, "Master, everyone has arrived." "Let them in." "Yes, sir." Roy brought in the professors I had summoned. As I went to greet them, however, I frowned. "... Head Professor." "We''re here," said Relin and Siare, the tenured professors, with grave seriousness. The newly appointed professors, like Kelodan, whom I had specifically called for, trailed behind them like meek followers. "Here is the ash collected by the knights," Relin said, presenting a vial of ash. My n was to analyze and understand this ash to create a custom spell. Since the Baron of Ashes was parasitizing Louina, standard methods wouldn¡¯t suffice. "If you need any help, please let us know!" A multitude of supplies flowed into the warehouse: microscopes, tables, mana stones, rted spell books, and magical tools¡ªall transported directly from the Floating Ind. Using Telekinesis, I neatly organized everything. With a few thumps and movements, the space quickly transformed into ab resembling the Mage Tower. I couldn¡¯t tolerate a dirty and inefficient environment. ¡°Oh! That was incredible! Let us know if you need any assistance!¡± "... Assistance would be helpful," I replied to Relin''s words. Relin took a deep, solemn breath in response and said, ¡°Yes. This unprecedented attack on the Mage Tower, we are prepared to¡ª¡± ¡°But,¡± I interrupted, pointing to the young professors behind the tenured ones, ¡°only you three stay.¡± Kelodan, the bespectacled one, Jennifer, the authority on Harmonic Magic, and Grant, a former Addict. As for Allen, it seemed he was trapped in the Mage Tower, but I wasn¡¯t worried. He was far stronger than me at the moment. ¡°The rest of you may leave.¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± Too many cooks spoil the broth. To prevent pointless politics and ambition from undermining the junior professors'' morale, it was far more efficient to exclude the tenured ones altogether. ¡°Um, Head Professor Deculein? They¡¯re still quite inexperienced andcking¡ª¡± ¡°I must have misspoken,¡± I said, nodding. Relin¡¯s expression brightened. ¡°I need the rest of you to monitor the area around the Mage Tower. It¡¯s a critical task. If arger incident arises, we¡¯ll require your help there.¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± "Now, leave," Imanded, using Telekinesis to push the open-mouthed tenured professors out of the room. Then, I silently observed the remaining ones. ¡°W-what''re we s''posed to do now?¡± Kelodan drawled nervously. ¡°What should you do?¡± I said, as I dropped dozens of magical texts on their desks, the books piling up like a mountain. ¡°Extract the key points from these.¡± *** I am in the process of creating a spell to effectively counter the ash. ¡°What? Creating a spell? Do you realize how long that could take?¡± Lucia¡¯s irritated shout deepened the somber mood in the ssroom. ¡°Ask him! How long do we have to wait¡ª¡± ¡°Quiet, Dorothy,¡± Sylvia murmured, her words startling Lucia into silence. Lucia held her breath, her heart skipping a beat. She rushed over to Sylvia, her face inches away. ¡°I asked you not to use that name. Why now¡ª¡± ¡°Dorothy? Who¡¯s Dorothy?¡± Epherene asked innocently from behind Lucia. Lucia sped her hands together, pleading with Sylvia, ¡°Please, I¡¯m begging you...¡± Lucia was actually an alias; her real name was Dorothy. For someone as refined and beautiful as she was, being called Dorothy felt unbearably rustic for a noble youngdy. She had begged and pleaded with her father until he finally allowed her to change it. ¡°If you stay quiet,¡± Sylvia replied calmly. ¡°Yes, of course. I will.¡± Sylvia pushed Lucia away and stood up, saying with determination, ¡°We will assist Professor Deculein from here.¡± ¡°Assist? Y-yes, sure! I¡¯ll do that,¡± Lucia¡ªDorothy¡ªagreed hastily before Sylvia could say more. Epherene tilted her head, puzzled. Sylvia¡¯s next words chilled the room. "We''ll capture and dissect one of the Debutants," Sylvia dered. *** ... Sophien Aekater Augus von Jaegus Gifrein asks, Do you know what it¡¯s like to die every single year? To wither away from an incurable disease that no one across the continent understands, blindly groping through the darkness, not knowing what lies ahead? Do you know the pain of that disease consuming your body? It felt like my ribs were being gnawed at while an awl stabbed into my lungs. And yet, do you understand the torment of returning to life each time, only to endure the same suffering all over again? Do you know this cursed wretchedness? At the age of eight, I died dozens of times. There were days when I waited an entire year to die, and days when I couldn¡¯t bear it and cut my own throat. No matter how many times I died, each time I opened my eyes, it was always January 1st. The eight-year-old childy in a luxurious bed, staring out the window. The pce garden was eternally in spring. My mind matured, watching the delicate spring, but my body remained a child. It was an incongruous feeling, like trash drifting in the ocean¡ªrotting yet unable to escape. Humans are said to cling to life and fight to survive. I, however, wished for death right up until the moment I died. Even after death, I fervently wished to disappearpletely. The only joy in my endless cycles of rebirth was seeing my brother''s face. But even that tender feeling faded eventually. I could no longer endure even by looking at him. The constant scents of iron from the knights, sweetness from the eunuchs, money from the merchants, disinfectant from the doctors, and herbs from the healers overwhelmed me. I had no attachment to life, trapped in that hellish cycle. I felt no passion, no emotions. I couldn''t have them. I only wished for my entire being to grow numb to this pain. I prayed to crumble without suffering. They say this continent is boundless, yet I was confined within the narrow imperial pce, trapped in an unchanging body. How crippled was I to have lost even the sense of misfortune...? ... Dying over and over, killing everything within me¡ªDeculein, do you know how that feels? You wouldn¡¯t know. I don¡¯t expect anyone to understand. Every night, I prayed and cursed to the only one who truly knew me¡ªto you, whether you were in the unreachable heavens or the lightless depths of the earth,ughing at my ennui. I made my vow. God is dead. I will kill him. "When I was young, I remember meeting Deculein. Back then, he wasn¡¯t particrly special. Besides his appearance, nothing about him stood out." Of course, Sophien overcame the terminal illness and ultimately survived. Numerous assassination and poisoning attempts followed, and though she died several times, she always managed to fend them off, only to die again. Through these experiences, she discovered her regression followed a cursed yearly cycle. If she died at nine, she would wake up on January 1st of the year she turned nine. If she died at ten, she would restart her life from January 1st of the year she turned ten. ¡°Your Majesty, you speak as though death does not concern you,¡± Sophien recalled Deculein''s words. "As though death does not concern me..." Sophien mused, wondering if his words were simply a roundabout way of describing her recklessness. ¡°No.¡± The nuance he conveyed was distinctly different, and Deculein also said, ¡°I see the world differently.¡± Seeing the world differently. She wondered if his perspective included her. ¡°Keiron,¡± Sophien called. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Yukline was among the families present that day, correct?¡± The terminal illness that had caused her countless deaths had actually been poison. When she uncovered this truth, it left her profoundly unsettled. "Yes. All the earldom families from across the continent were present that day." The suspect was likely from one of the families present on the day she ascended as heir. Sophien had initially nned to hunt down the perpetrator, tearing them apart limb by limb and exterminating their entire family. However, after three years of contemtion, she lost interest. After all, they only died once. Killing them, then dying herself to regress and kill them again, only for them to die once more, seemed pointless. The effort outweighed the satisfaction, and the world itself felt like a cheap, broken ce. She decided to let it go. Even revenge felt too bothersome. ¡°If you are curious about Deculein, Your Majesty, you will need to learn magic, regardless of the circumstances,¡± Keiron suggested, his voice tinged with an unexpected joy. Sophien gritted her teeth, saying, "Keiron, you are quite an underdeveloped individual. Weren''t you the one who assumed Deculein was wed based on mere rumors?" Keiron bowed his head in shame and replied, "It was a misjudgment, Your Majesty. Today, Deculein was exceptionally honest. With your insight into a person''s soul, you surely recognize this, don''t you?" Sophien nced at the desk where Deculein had left a book titled Yukline: Understanding Element Magic. It wasvishly adorned with gold and jewels, and a note was affixed to it. Please review up to the first chapter. Keiron urged, ¡°Your Majesty, you should begin your studies.¡± Sophien red at him coldly and said, "... Keiron." "Yes, Your Majesty?" Keiron replied, his face a mask of calm. "Fuck off," she said, raising her middle finger at him. Keiron smiled and closed his eyes, pretending not to notice. ¡°I will retire to my chambers. Ensure no one disturbs me tonight.¡± ¡°Take the book with you, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°I told you to piss off,¡± Sophien said as she headed straight to her inner chambers. The imperial pce mages and officials tried to speak to her about the Mage Tower incident, but she ignored them. She threw herself onto her bed and stared at the ceiling, sorting through her jumbled thoughts. In the end, they all boiled down to a single emotion¡ªcuriosity. "Mage Tower incident..." Sophien muttered, recalling a servant''s words. She scoffed and rose from the bed, retrieving the report from a waiting servant outside. "Let¡¯s see." Deculein had indeed proimed himself the continent¡¯s brightest mind. Sophien was eager to see what ingenious solution this so-called brightest mind would devise in this crisis. "I anticipate it with great interest," Sophien remarked. Chapter 67: Real Deal (4)

Chapter 67: Real Deal (4)

In the temporaryboratory at the Yukline Mansion, I examined the ash under the microscope, infusing it with mana and tearing it apart with Telekinesis to Comprehend it at a particle level. ¡°... Professa! Looky here!¡± Kelodan shouted, pointing at the ckboard. Tap¡ª tap, tap, tap¡ª tap, tap¡ª An intricate report was being inscribed on the green surface of the ckboard. Sylvia here. We''ve captured a puppetized Debutant and separated the ash. These are the research results. The report detailed how the ash had taken over the Debutant and the puppetization process. Sylvia had meticulously analyzed it with her magic, producing something akin to a dissection diagram. An idea soon popped into my mind. ¡°Separation.¡± Separating the ash from the Debutants. If a circuit could be added to the Barrier spell to nullify the ash''s control, and then deploying this enhanced barrier within the Mage Tower, it might work. ¡°It¡¯s feasible,¡± I mused. I had grafted arbitrary circuits onto specific spells dozens of times before. My Telekinesis spell was one such example. ¡°Professa? Whut¡¯s feasible?¡± Kelodan drawled. "... I intend to craft a barrier that will break down the ash and provide it to the Debutants." ¡°A barrier? Ain¡¯t that gonna take too much time?¡± I shook my head. This wasn''t apletely new spell, so the mana consumption from using Comprehension wouldn¡¯t be severe. Dposition was amon spell, often used in waste disposal. ¡°It¡¯s entirely feasible.¡± With my n and the talents of Sylvia and Epherene, this would definitely be achievable. ¡°Professa...?¡± Kelodan asked hesitantly. I stared at the ckboard, deep in thought. There was no need to write down the spell; it was all unfolding in my mind. ¡°Attention¡ª!¡± A shout broke my concentration. I turned toward the entrance, feeling a surge of murderous intent. Eleven unfamiliar men and women stood in a line¡ªimperial pce knights. "Attention!" the knightmanded again, his voice cutting through the room. Just then, a voice I knew all too well sounded from behind him. ¡°Hmph. So noisy,¡± the Empress¡¯s voice cut through themotion. I halted my attempt to show proper etiquette. What emerged wasn¡¯t the Empress herself, but a creature. ¡°This possession has heightened my hearing. Refrain from making such noise.¡± A regal cat with red fur and a long, swishing tail emerged. Its legs were noticeably short. ¡°Your Majesty?¡± I asked. ¡°Yes, Deculein. This is one of the spells I have mastered. I find going outside to be quite bothersome. And you, refrain from touching my tail.¡± "My apologies, Your Majesty!" the knight eximed. I was momentarily speechless. Possession was a subset of Harmonic Magic. Full Possession, borrowing the eyes and mouth of a living creature, was a highly difficult spell but certainly within the Empress''s capabilities. The Empress¡¯s breed was a Munchkin, after all. Sophien''s mana quality was currently Grade 2, which would rise to Grade 1 after a future awakening event. In addition to magic and swordsmanship, she possessed unparalleled talent in mastering every skill in existence. The official description of Empress Sophien in a single sentence was that she was the Human Closest to God. Her indolence could be seen as either a blessing or a curse to this world. ¡°Lower yourself,¡± Sophienmanded. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡± the knight responded, bending over. The short-legged cat then leapt onto his back. ¡°Oof!¡± The first attempt failed as the knight''s body was toorge and the cat''s legs too short. ¡°You there, lower yourself more,¡± the Empressmanded sternly. ¡°I apologize, Your Majesty!¡± the knight said, bowing respectfully. The Munchkin cat climbed onto the prone knight¡¯s back, seemingly satisfied. It flicked its tail yfully across its own face, letting out a contented purr. "You there, don''t move. My legs are short, and it¡¯s precarious," the Empressmanded, tapping the knight¡¯s back with her paw. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡± ¡°Do not shout either.¡± ¡°Clear the way!¡± Geor, the imperial pce mage,manded as he appeared, having heard the rumors of the Empress cat¡¯s arrival. ¡°Your Majesty! To have mastered possession magic so perfectly...!¡± ¡°What a nuisance. How did youe to know of this?¡± Geor gazed at the red cat in awe but quicklyposed himself. ¡°Head Professor Deculein, what course of action do you intend to take now?¡± ¡°I n to create a barrier capable of dposing the ash.¡± ¡°... A barrier to dpose the ash? You intend to invent such a thing?¡± "Yes, a specialized barrier designed to break down the ash." ¡°Are you saying you will create apletely new barrier?¡± Geor inquired skeptically. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°How much time will it require to devise this barrier?¡± "It will require less than a day." ¡°Less than a day?!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for surprise. It¡¯s merely a simple task.¡± ¡°But could you provide more details¡ª¡± I had no time for exnations, so I spoke kindly yet firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll exinter. For now, I am inmand, and I will take full responsibility.¡± Geor clicked his tongue but nodded. ¡°... Understood. But if you are to create a new barrier, where are the spell scrolls? Surely you have written them down somewhere.¡± I looked at him silently, letting the pause linger. Considering an exnation seemed a waste of time. "Everything," I exined, tapping my temple, "is contained within my mind." ¡°What?!¡± the cat inquired, astonished. To rify further, it was a matter of... ¡°It¡¯s mental processing.¡± *** In the indistinguishable hours of dawn or dusk, Sylvia and the others stared nkly at the ckboard. It was covered with a vast array of spells invented by Deculein. Beneath them was a single sentence. Are you capable of activating this barrier? ¡°We can,¡± Sylvia answered on behalf of everyone. Seeing her confidence, Lucia shrugged and said, ¡°... Right. It¡¯s doable if we can draw this spell.¡± Deculein¡¯s instructions were detailed and clear,prehensible even to the Debutants. However, the real challengey in the immense size of the magic circle for the barrier, which needed to cover an entire third-floor area. ¡°We¡¯ll make this ssroom the center of the magic. I¡¯ll go outside and draw the spell on the third floor,¡± Epherene said, scanning the room. ¡°There are enough mages here to provide the mana for it, right?¡± Including herself, there were fifty people. With the mana from fifty mages, activating the barrier would be feasible. ¡°Even so, we¡¯ll need a catalyst, won¡¯t we?¡± Julia voiced her concern. Sylvia responded by removing her ne, a relic made entirely of mana diamonds. It was her mother¡¯s keepsake, capable of storing and amplifying magic spells. ¡°Use this as the catalyst,¡± Sylvia said. ¡°... Are you sure?¡± Lucia asked, her eyes widening at its obvious worth. Sylvia remained silent. ¡°Hmm... If that¡¯s the case,¡± Lucia sighed, removing her bracelet. ¡°These two should be enough. My bracelet alone is worth two million elne and is a family heirloom.¡± "Tw-two million elne? Alright, I''ll draw the spell," Epherene said, cutting her long hair in one swift motion. Lucia was shocked and eximed, ¡°Are you crazy? Why did you cut your hair? It¡¯s not a suitable catalyst! Are you brainless?¡± ¡°Jeez, who said I¡¯d use it as a catalyst? It¡¯s just in the way when I move,¡± Epherene retorted. ¡°Ephie, it¡¯s okay. Just ignore her,¡± Julia said, attempting to soothe her. She then trimmed Epherene¡¯s hair neatly. ¡°There, now it looks pretty.¡± Sylvia then gathered her long hair, tying it into a ponytail that flowed down her pale neck. "Wow, Miss Sylvia, you look stunning," Eurozan remarked, pping absentmindedly. Epherene regretted cutting her hair, realizing she could have just tied it back like Sylvia. "You¡¯re quick, Epherene. You draw the spell while I distract the enemies," Sylvia said. ¡°Distract them?¡± "Just like in our practice runs, we''ll handle the real deal," Sylvia exined. Epherene nodded in acknowledgment. At that moment, a brief message appeared on the ckboard, encouraging them. I trust you. I shall await your sess. Awaiting their sess, that was all they needed. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go.¡± The two finished their preparations and dismantled the barrier around the ssroom. A loud thud echoed, but Epherene and Sylvia opened the door without hesitation. They were met by Debutants consumed by ash and massive golems made of the same substance. Sylvia drew their attention while Epherene used Self Telekinesis to levitate herself to the third-floor ceiling. St, splosh¡ª! Sylvia spread white mana across the golems'' bodies like paint, which quickly transformed into zing mes. The golems ignited instantly. At the same time, her mana covered the floor, turning it bright blue. The blue rapidly froze into ice, causing the Debutant monsters to slip and struggle to move. Suddenly, thick tendrils of ash, reminiscent of Kraken tentacles, coiled around Sylvia''s waist. She was hoisted into the air before being forcefully mmed into the ground. Bang¡ª! Sylvia gasped briefly. She showed no other signs of pain, immediately dissolving the tendrils. Yet, her abdomen burned, suggesting internal injuries. Staggering, she looked down the dark corridor. ck, ck¡ª The sound of heels echoed down the corridor. "It''s pointless," a voice said. Sylvia stared at the figure emerging from the darkness. It was Louina, the external visiting professor. Once the head professor at the Mage Tower of the Kingdom, she had now turned into a monster consumed by ash. "So, you''re Sylvia... You have quite the talent, just as I¡¯ve heard. Quite envious," Louina rasped, her voice eerie and unsettling. "I have to kill you out of jealousy. No, I should not kill you... No, I must kill you." A sinister grin spread across her face, nearly reaching her ears. Ash spewed from her mouth, taking the shape of a massive de. Woomph... Sylvia imed the area as her domain, erasing the ash de before it could touch her. ¡°That must be the... Primary Colors?¡± the Baron of Ashes, Louina, murmured in awe. ¡°A magic that reconstructs reality, interferes with phenomena, and recreates the universe¡ªa miracle.¡± Seizing the moment, Sylvia created a cage around Louina, trapping her. "The ability to control the entire world at will... an absurd Origin," the Baron of Ashes murmured, tapping the bars and licking them before clenching her fists. Her face twisted with rage as she spat, "This fucking world is so unfair! Does this even make sense? Fucking hell, does this make any sense?!" With that shout, the ash erupted. The bars shattered, and the Baron¡¯s fist mmed into Sylvia¡¯s abdomen with both speed and force. ¡°Ah!¡± Sylvia was thrown back, and mmed into the wall. For a moment, she couldn''t breathe, feeling as though her broken ribs had punctured her lungs. "Hmph. You may keep erasing my ash with your tricks, but it doesn''t matter. I''ll beat you to death," the Baron said, the disparity in their abilities ringly obvious. The thought of dying crossed Sylvia''s mind. Pain scorched her body, and fear made her tremble. Yet, she did not flee. She had no idea how long she could endure, but she was resolved to fight until her mana waspletely drained. ¡°... I won¡¯t lose,¡± Sylvia whispered determinedly. Additionally, for Sylvia, enduring was equivalent to winning¡ªa struggle she knew well, having lived each day in a simr manner. Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª ¡°Everyone, stay focused and wait,¡± Luciamanded, managing the Debutants in the ssroom. All forty-nine of them had already readied their mana, waiting for the spell to bepleted. Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª The ticking of the second hand echoed through the silence. Her heart pounded, and her hands trembled like leaves. Lucia wiped the sweat from her forehead. Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª The Debutants'' breathing grewbored, and some of the more fragile ones seemed close to fainting. "Don''t lose focus! If you mess this up, next semester at the Mage Tower will be a nightmare!" Lucia shouted sharply, snapping everyone back to attention. Tick... tock... Tick... tock... Tick... tock. Finally, the second hand of the clock stopped its slow crawl. It was Epherene''s signal. ¡°Now!¡± All the Debutants, guided by Lucia, released their mana in perfect synchrony. Whoooosh... Their mana first concentrated into the catalysts. Sylvia''s ne and Lucia''s bracelet absorbed the mana of forty-nine people before channeling it into the barrier''s spell formation. Blue mana surged like lightning. Whooooooooosh¡ª The ssroom zed like a supernova, the light so intense it seemed their retinas might shatter. Their mana was consumed instantly, and the exhausted Debutants began copsing one by one. ¡°Ngh...¡± Lucia groaned, struggling to stay conscious as she continued channeling mana, but it was too much. Soon, a sharp pain shot through the back of her neck. ¡°Ugh!¡± Her vision blurred, and her body wavered until she copsed to the floor, staring at the origin of the barrier. The once brilliant light was fading like a dying fire. She knew it couldn¡¯t be left like this, but her body refused to move. She blinked nkly, unable to shake the thought that this shouldn¡¯t be happening. Between her half-closed eyelids, a familiar face appeared, looking down at her sternly. It was Allen, Deculein''s assistant professor. Suddenly, the catalyst''s light red to life, brighter than any other light source. Mana zed like the sun, surging outward in all directions. The spell formation wasplete, and a brilliant sh engulfed the entire Mage Tower. The barrier hade into existence. "Mommy, why did the kitty have to die? I loved it so much. Isn¡¯t it supposed to stay if I love it? Why did it betray me?" ¡°Hmm~ that''s just how life is, sweetie. The kitty has gone to a better ce. It didn''t betray you; it''s waiting for you in a farawaynd, Sylvie.¡± ¡°You''re lying... Then, Mommy, how long will you stay with me?¡± "Let''s see~ How long should I stay? Until tomorrow?" "Don''t say that! Waaah! No!" "Sorry, sweetheart. I was just joking~ Please don¡¯t cry.¡± ¡°Waah! Waaaaah!¡± ¡°All right, all right. I¡¯ll stay with you as long as you need, Sylvie.¡± ¡°Really? So... so...¡± Sylvia always dreamed, but her dreams were of the future, not the present. The present was just a stepping stone to whaty ahead. She studied magic books all night, blended her meals into smoothies to save time, climbed the floating inds weekly to gather information, and repeated this routine every day for over ten years without a single break. None of this was because she wanted to or enjoyed it. Her mother, who had filled her life with color, left in an instant, crossing the rainbow bridge to reunite with the kitty. From that day onward, even as she became a mage at the tower, Sylvia''s world remained colorless, thick, and opaque, like a smeared oil painting. To Sylvia, the present was a ce she didn¡¯t want to linger. She often wished she could close her eyes and wake up in the distant future. She hoped to be an adult, grow numb to everything, and let the pain of these memories fade. In the blink of an eye, she wished to be an archmage, rise to the top, and make her mother proud. For her, today was merely preparation for a future filled with joy. Swish... A deste wind swept through the sealed Mage Tower, indicating that the barrier had been activated. "Damn it, what a pointless mess these bastards have made," Louina muttered. Sylvia¡¯s mana waspletely depleted, and the Baron of Ashes still loomed in the distance. She touched the ce on her corbone where her mother¡¯s keepsake once rested, a wave of dread washing over her. "You have to die now." Death. Blechhh¡ª! Louina released the ash, aware Syliva had no energy left to defend herself. Surviving this long was an achievement in itself, Sylvia thought as she closed her eyes. The ash, surging like a tidal wave, mysteriously stopped just before reaching her. Unable to witness this miraculous change, Sylvia simply staggered and copsed to the ground. Then... Plop¡ª Something firm supported her from behind, like a solid wall. Curious, Sylvia opened her eyes slightly. She couldn¡¯t see his face, only the broad chest that was holding her up. "... Sylvia." Recognizing the voice, Sylvia knew who it was. She tilted her head and turned her body, almost as if swimming, until she saw his face. "Do not worry. I will not let you fall," he said with a reassuring smile. Sylvia wanted to speak, but her lips wouldn¡¯t move. She couldn¡¯t even twitch a finger,pletely drained of mana. "You have always repaid my trust, so from now on, it is the professor¡¯s responsibility." Sylvia leaned against him, a faint smile on her lips as she closed her eyes. Clutching his cor, she peacefully drifted off to sleep. ¡°Take some rest.¡± Sometimes, Sylvia reflected on the present, wondering why her world had gradually brightened. She pondered why the once dark, oil-paintedndscape of her life had now blossomed like a vibrant watercolor. Even though she viewed the present as merely a stepping stone, she found herself enjoying it more than she had expected. Perhaps this feeling had been a kind of magic. Deep down, she might have already known the reason. Sylvia eagerly wanted to grow up. Chapter 68: Summary (1)

Chapter 68: Summary (1)

Sylvia''s breathing was steady as she slept soundly. I ced her in a safe spot and turned to face the Baron of Ashes. She red at me with twisted eyes, but she wasn¡¯t much of a threat. In fact, I was thankful that the Baron had taken over McQueen¡¯s body. ¡°Foolish creature,¡± I muttered. ¡°Why did you try to possess a body that doesn¡¯t even suit you?¡± It was iplete. Though it had managed to dominate about seventy percent of McQueen, the remaining thirty percent resisted. The Baron had bitten off more than he could chew with a named character. "You know as well as I do that you can¡¯t challenge me with that body," I continued, aware that the oath within her prevented it from causing me harm. "You¡¯re at a dead end, parasite." My mocking words provoked a furious reaction. Its ck pupils red fiercely, and then, unexpectedly, he made a desperate move. Fwoooosh¡ª! The Baron abandoned Louina''s body, unleashing a vast cloud of ash that enveloped me like a storm. Within the swirling mass, a grotesque face emerged. "Yes, I was foolish," the Baron of Ashes admitted with a twisted grin, lingering in the air. "But you, you''re different." Soon, the Baron of Ashes lunged at me, its entire being merging with mine. A violent voice erupted from deep within my chest. ¡°How dare you, a worthless being, call me a parasite?!¡± the Baron of Ashes raged. Its presence wed at my subconscious, dredging up memories like grains of sand. I quietly warned, "Reconsider. This is for your own benefit." ¡°You¡¯re nothing! I can devour someone like you easily!¡± ¡°Foolish creature,¡± I muttered. Memories of past misdeeds, vile acts, and malignant emotions raced through my veins, yet I remained unbothered. Enduring it all, I asked, ¡°Do you truly believe you can handle this?¡± The Baron didn¡¯t respond, but his panic was clear. I merely smiled and said, ¡°Jealousy, envy, anger, rage, hatred... Such petty emotions can''t even touch me.¡± Deculein''s identity remained steadfast against any enchantment or impulse, never one to copse on his own. The Baron thrashed within me, desperate to escape, but I wouldn''t let it. ¡°Baron, tell me,¡± I demanded. ¡°Who was underneath it?¡± I was merely curious about whom the Baron of Ashes had encountered in the depths of my consciousness. ¡°Was it Kim Woo-Jin, or was it Deculein?¡± Graaaaar¡ª! The Baron''s scream became a savage howl as Deculein''s will overwhelmed it, causing it to crumble chaotically. ¡°Whoever is in there, take note, Baron,¡± I said calmly, my mind as serene as ake despite the Baron¡¯s frantic thrashing. ¡°The depths will be your grave.¡± There was no response, and it was likely it would never return. ¡°Tsk, you pathetic creature,¡± I spat. The Baron of Ashes was extinguished. It was neither absorbed into me nor assimted. Since nothing foreign can exist within me, it was simply crushed by the overwhelming force of my ego. ¡°... Hmm,¡± I muttered, looking down at Louina''s unconscious form, her body left drained and dormant by the Baron. *** Louina had a nightmare, one where she was consumed by envy and hatred, turning into a monster fueled by inferiority and defeat. "Ah..." There was a time when Louina brimmed with confidence in her own talents, believing she could restore McQueen''s glory. She was passionate about leaving her mark on the Magical Realm, desired to be a respected professor in the Empire, and aspired to create her own school of thought that would illuminate the continent. Those dreams had once filled her with purpose. But all of that had been thwarted by one man. ¡°... Ugh!¡± Louina groaned as she woke up, clutching her throbbing temples. She looked around, breathing heavily. The entire floor was covered in ash, the walls ckened as if a great fire had swept through, leaving soot and debris scattered everywhere. Amidst the ruinsy a namete. 23rd Floor: External Visiting Professor Louina ¡°This... this can¡¯t be real...¡± Only then did she fully grasp the reality of her situation. Faint memories of her actions under the Baron¡¯s control began to resurface. ¡°How... how could¡ª¡± ¡°Louina von Schlott McQueen," a voice called out to her. Startled, Louina turned to see her nemesis standing before her. ¡°... Deculein?¡± His piercing blue eyes bore into her. "This isn''t a dream. It''s the oue of your actions with that thing,¡± he said. "... I know." Louina lowered her head at Deculein''s reprimand and sighed softly. "I know everything...¡± She felt utterly drained, both physically and mentally. She didn¡¯t want to move a finger, let alone think about theplicated situation she was in. Regret gnawed at her. Perhaps she should have bowed her head from the beginning. Perhaps she shouldn¡¯t have resisted. If she had submitted to him like the other mages, things might not have been so difficult. "I don''t n to run away. I''ll surrender. This is my fault." This was the best choice she could make under the circumstances. Louina, wiping away her tears, spoke weakly. "No,¡± Deculein said, shaking his head and looking down at her with disdain. ¡°That¡¯s not part of the agreement. Is breaking promises a hobby of yours? If so, it¡¯s a rather despicable trait." Louina felt a surge of anger and snapped, ¡°Then what should I¡ª¡± ¡°Remember what I told you,¡± Deculein interrupted. Louina''s breathing grew heavy as he continued, speaking slowly and clearly. ¡°You will be the Head Professor... No,¡± Deculein paused, closing his eyes briefly before correcting himself. ¡°You will be the Head Professor. No matter what.¡± ¡°... In this state, how can I possibly¡ª¡± ¡°Let me ask you a question. Is all of this entirely your fault?¡± Deculein asked with a smirk, his tone almost mocking, though not directed at Louina. "Of course, you can''t deny your fault. But what changes by ming you? Even if you cry and apologize, the world won''t care. You''ll only be a scapegoat," Deculein continued. "But if you say it¡¯s not your fault, then it truly won''t be your fault. I will make it so." Louina listened quietly. Deculein''s footsteps echoed in the silence as he walked over to her, stopping just short of her knees. "Louina," he said, his voice firm. She looked up. "Yukline never abandons those we take in." Deculein reached out his hand to help her up from where she had fallen. "If you take my hand," In his blue eyes, her soot-covered face was reflected back at her. She felt pitiful and ashamed, but Deculein seemed unfazed. ¡°I will not let you fall," he said. His clean glove reached out for her ash-stained hand. "That is the protection of Yukline." As the ash cleared from the Mage Tower''s window, sunlight poured in, burning away the darkness. Louina stood in silence, instinctively taking his hand. Deculein nodded without a word. Once on her feet, Louina watched him walk through the ashen debris, each step crushing and dispersing the particles like mist. Despite the swirling dust, he remained untainted, walking without a trace of dirt on him. Louina noticed his shoulders seemed broader now. She wondered if he had been working out all this time. "How ridiculous..." Louina murmured, feeling a sudden, embarrassedugh escape her. *** The day after the Ash Terror incident, when the Mage Tower was engulfed in ash. ¡°Haha, indeed. Absolutely.¡± The Jefferson family, known for producing directors of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for generations, and even boasting a ministerial grandfather, was bustling with sudden hospitality today. ¡°As always, you exceed expectations, Professor.¡± Themotion was because a prominent new figure on the continent was visiting. "Naturally, I am certain that this report is incorrect. Professor Louina is a person of good character. By the way, may I introduce Baron Derin." "It is an honor to meet you! I am Lopez Derin, currently serving as the Deputy Director at the Ministry of Justice." "He¡¯s an exceptionally talented friend. He is such an admirer of yours, Professor, that I feltpelled to introduce him, even though it might be a bit presumptuous... Oh, professor! You shouldn¡¯t have!" Jefferson eximed as he and Lopez epted the professor¡¯s small gift with gratitude. It was merely a token of appreciation, well within the bounds of propriety. Smiling contentedly, they soon turned their attention to the professor''s main point. After meeting with the professor, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Justice, Lopez, made a call from his home. "Hello, how have you been? I have someone I''d like you to meet. Could youe discreetly? Yes, perfect. See you soon." Lopez used his crystal orb to call a few individuals for assistance and smiled with satisfaction. "Hahaha, who would have thought I''d connect with the professor this way? It''s a sign from above that the director''s seat is within reach. Luck has truly been on my sidetely. "It''s an honor to meet you, Professor. I am Geron, Chief of Human Resources at the Ministry of Justice." "My name is Alburg, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs." ¡°Haha, please have a seat. Let''s not make the professor ufortable,¡± Lopez said with a smile. At Lopez''s arranged meeting, Geron and Alburg bowed deeply before sitting down. The professor, who remained unnamed, handed them a report. "Ah, this is it. Yes, of course. The rumors are widespread. The trial will conclude without any issues." However, the professor seemed displeased that the trial was happening at all. Geron and Alburg quickly adjusted their posture. "... Normally, we do, Professor, but we want to honor your wishes! There are a few issues, which we will address with the Ministry of Public Safety." The four officials¡ªGeron, Alburg, Lopez, and Jefferson¡ªvisited the office of Lillia Primien, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Public Safety. "Deputy Director Primien, we have a matter to discuss with you today." "I have nothing to discuss with you. Leave now." "Hear the offer before you respond, Deputy Director Primien!" Despite her look of disdain, Primien''s demeanor shifted slightly upon hearing their words. "Should you refuse, the professor may visit you personally." The professor was someone even Primien found challenging to deal with and to whom she owed a debt. After a moment of hesitation, she reluctantly nodded. Finally, today had arrived. Despite having prepared everything, an unexpected obstacle arose. Jefferson cautiously continued his call through the crystal orb. "Yes, I apologize. There is an issue. An overly righteous official appears to have rejected it on his own ord..." [...] "Yes, he is from the Ministry of Justice. He is talented but rather arrogant and insists on a thorough investigation..." [...] "There is no need for you to intervene personally. We will resolve it shortly... Ah, yes. My apologies. His name is Joseph." [...] Joseph was a senior official in the court. Though nearly amoner by birth, he rose through the ranks with his sharp intellect, passing the legal examination at a young age and bing a court official. "To what do I owe the honor of your distinguished presence...?" Despite his abilities, Josephcked influential connections and had few friends to stay in touch with. However, today a university professor visited his modest home¡ªnot just any professor, but one with a truly imposing presence. "Take a seat," the professor offered, acting as if he owned the ce. Joseph naturally epted this demeanor. As soon as he sat down, the professor handed him a report. "This is the report on the ash incident at the Mage Tower." "Yes," Joseph said, quickly skimming through its contents. "I have already reviewed it. My stance remains unchanged. It is inurate to im that Professor Louina bears no responsibility. A more thorough investigation¡ª" "Ren," the professor called, gesturing to the attendant behind him. Ren approached in a single step, cing a long box on the wooden desk, its luxurious surface covering the scratches. Joseph frowned and asked, "Are you attempting to bribe me?" The professor''s expression hardened as he inhaled silently and crossed his legs, the movement exerting a palpable pressure on Joseph. Sternly, he said, "Your words are exceedingly rude." "I''ve been told I am quite direct¡ª" "There is a distinction between being direct and being disrespectful, is there not?" Joseph lowered his head in silence, his shoulders tensing unconsciously from instinctual fear. Despite his reputation for integrity in the court, he found it strangely difficult to meet the professor''s gaze. "I apologize, but if it is not a bribe, then what is it?" Joseph asked. ¡°An opportunity.¡± ¡°... An opportunity?¡± "Yes, an opportunity to seize a lifeline," the professor said, tapping the report. "I believe the issue lies not in your diligence but in your intent to scrutinize this report." "That is not true. A thorough investigation is necessary. The initial inquiry was biased, and the most crucial interrogation of Professor Louina has yet to be¡ª" "If you insist on being that fair," the professor interrupted, "you should not have started a family." Joseph¡¯s eyes widened as the professor leaned back in his chair, his crystalline gaze fixed on Joseph. "Your son is six years old, correct? Tell me, what is it like to love?" Joseph couldn''t respond, his breathing bing ragged. "Can someone who ims to be so fair truly love others as much as his wife and child?" Joseph involuntarily nced at the bedroom door, where his wife waited. Following his gaze, the professor said, "I understand. You are different from the usual corrupt officials¡ªintelligent and righteous. So, let me repeat, this is an opportunity, not a bribe." The professor''s eyes nced over Joseph''s clenched fists. "You must understand that justice from the bottom up is pointless." Joseph remained silent, but the lines on his face betrayed his thoughts. "Then, I shall see you next time," the professor dered, rising to his feet. Joseph¡¯s wife chose the right moment to approach and greeted him warmly. The professor, however, responded indifferently before leaving the house. Later, Deculein exited the building and entered the waiting car. "Did they ept the gift?" Deculein asked Ren after a brief pause. Ren nodded, his eyes closed and senses fully attuned to the household¡¯s activities. "Yes, sir. They opened the box, and his wife saw the contents," Ren replied. "They will ept it." A man of such integrity wouldn''t ept money, nor would he use it if he did. Therefore, the gift was intended for the child. Academy Enrollment Ticket Lifetime Academy Schrship "Yes, sir. It appears they are currently debating it..." "Do you not understand what the Imperial Academy is? It is a ce where not even money can guarantee admission!" Joseph¡¯s wife eximed. "Leave it here and give me some time to think." "What is there to consider? Our child¡ª" "It seems it''s only a matter of time," Ren said. "Good," Deculein said with a nod. If it wasn¡¯t money or jewels, even the most upright person epted it if it was a privilege for their child. Persuading and cajoling were tedious and unreliable. This was how I resolved issues and built connections. "Add Joseph to the list. He is a valuable asset." Joseph was a treasure discovered by chance. His brilliance, recognized through my Wealthy Magnate attribute, was truly unique. ¡°Let us depart." ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Soon, the car glided away smoothly. *** The anticipated trials and court cases never urred. The Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Public Safety each stamped their Reviewed and Approved seals on the report prepared by Deculein and his subordinate professors, including Debutant. All the relevant witnesses supported Louina, leading to the conclusion that this incident was solely the work of the parasitic spirit known as the Baron of Ashes. Dismissal of Imperial Instructor Mage While the incident at the Mage Tower is understood, the qualifications for an Imperial Instructor Mage include impable mental fortitude... ... Therefore, Louina von Schlott McQueen is hereby relieved of her duties as Imperial Instructor Mage. As a result, Louina paid the price by losing her position and having to offer heartfelt apologies and cover medical expenses for the Debutants who suffered because of her. Fortunately, no one died, although many were injured. "... Sigh," Louina murmured, smiling bitterly as she looked up at her office. 47th Floor: Louina¡¯s Office For some reason, she had be a professor who fulfilled her duty to the end, fighting the Baron of Ashes until she was ultimately consumed by it. Her office had also moved up twenty-four floors. This is politics, this is power, she thought, likely attributing this change to Deculein''s influence. Louina sighed, feeling a sense of guilt as she surveyed the view from the 47th floor. Her new office was muchrger and cleaner than her previous one on the 23rd floor. ¡°Oh, right.¡± Remembering her responsibilities, she quickly sat at her desk and picked up her fountain pen. Responding to the letter from the imperial pce was essential. As she struggled with her reply, a thought emerged. Five years. She recalled the peculiar use in the contract that had puzzled her from the beginning. The term was exactly five years¡ªnot one year, not ten years, not a lifetime, but precisely five years. "... One week of seclusion," Louina muttered to herself as she scribbled on the paper. Deculein''s seclusion had been quite an unusual event, and she remembered it well. There were rumors that he had subtly changed afterward. That week of seclusion marked a turning point for Deculein. Something significant must have urred during that time, which piqued Louina¡¯s curiosity. The obsessive Deculein had ignored all hismitments and retreated for an entire week. Suddenly, a word shed through Louina¡¯s mind like a lightning bolt. "Could it be...?" Terminal? She scribbled the word on the paper and tapped it with her fountain pen. A terminal illness could exin the five-year period and the sudden change in Deculein''s behavior. Facing imminent death, anyone would likely undergo a significant transformation. "... No, that''s impossible," Louina muttered. "It can''t be true." Dismissing the thought as absurd, she reminded herself of her exhaustion, believing her fatigue was bringing about wild ideas. Louinaughed softly as she tucked the paper into her drawer. Chapter 69: Summary (2)

Chapter 69: Summary (2)

... Fluff, fluff. Softly, the snow settled. White kes drifted down, gathering on the ground. One by one, the crystals of snow, which would soon disappear, came together to form a thickyer. It nketed the earth, painting it white. The snow continued to fall, never melting, making winter eternal. Yet, there was a lingering doubt, a sense of waiting. ... Fluff, fluff. She wondered if this coldness would ever thaw. With enough waiting, enduring, and perseverance, perhaps the snow would turn to water, soak into the earth, and eventually bring forth new life. She hoped that spring woulde for her as well. Yulie¡¯s life began with death. She was given life at the cost of her mother¡¯s. It was the original sin shemitted by being born into this world. ¡°Wow...¡± In the inner castle of Freyden, where it always snowed in winter, a small child watched the knights'' sword dance in the white practice yard. Many knights swung their swords and sweated, but among them, her father and brother stood out the most. They were magnificent, proud, and beautiful. From a distance, it looked like they were performing a y; up close, it resembled a dance. Her brother, Zeit, finished his training and looked at her, the sweat on his body frozen into tiny jewels. "Ah, um... I..." Yulie stammered, avoiding his gaze. Zeit had never initiated a conversation with her. No one in the family did. They always maintained an invisible barrier, insisting she wasn''t at fault yet keeping their distance. ¡°Yulie.¡± But that day was different. Zeit looked at her with a bitter smile. "Y-y-yes, b-b-brother?" "Would you like to try holding a sword?" ¡°... Sorry?¡± From that moment, the dream of bing a knight took root in Yulie''s heart. A knight serves their lord, bes a sword to strike down enemies, and protects the people and the nation while holding onto their beliefs. There is no self in that dream. Yulie, a child who should never have been born, the one who took her mother from her family, had only this dream to cling to. It was a dream from long ago. Yulie opened her eyes. The pre-dawn sky was dark, and a dull pain throbbed in her chest. Knock, knock¡ª A servant knocked on the door. Yulie rose from her bed. The aching pain spread through her body, but she knew it would pass if she endured a little longer. "The warm water is ready." ¡°... Okay.¡± Yulie entered the bathroom and stared nkly into the mirror. She looked at her reflection, recalling Deculein¡¯s words, ¡°If you do not be a guardian knight within that time, you may have to marry for convenience. Therefore, do not remain idle. Do not act foolishly. I may change my mind and not let you go.¡± There was little time left now. *** [Side Quest: Demon Purification Support] ¡ô Store Currency +2 Meanwhile, I was in Dephalem Forest near Hadecaine in the western part of the Empire, where the concentration of demonic energy had been increasingtely. Gargoyles and other demonic creatures had started to appear. The cathedral had requested, and the Mage Tower had epted, this purification quest. ¡°... Hmm¡± At first, I smashed through the demonic beasts and made steady progress. Then, I stumbled upon a region filled with death markers. The entire area was marked in a vivid red, the most intense I had ever seen. My intuition warned me that entering would mean certain death; it wasn''t just ordinarily dangerous. The Viin''s Fate attribute operates based on my abilities. Simple traps set by a few goblins wouldn''t even register on my radar. But this forest was different. Beyondy an enemy I couldn''t ovee. ¡°Hmm...¡± Of course, I grow stronger when facing demons. But the concentration of dark magic here was too thin to be effective, unlike in Crebas Canyon or the Demon¡¯s Barrier, where demonic energy was thick. "Is something wrong, Professor?" asked Terfeit, the blonde priest trailing behind me. I stood still, looking for an excuse that wouldn''t make me appear cowardly as I backed away. "We''re turning back," I dered firmly, offering no further exnation. Terfeit looked puzzled and said, "We haven''t even reached the source yet." "We''ve done enough reconnaissance and analysis for now. We''ll handle the restter. Thorough preparation is crucial to avoid disaster," I stated calmly as I walked away. "We could finish this quickly if we wanted to, but I want to teach you the importance of a cautious approach in demon extermination." Terfeit nodded reluctantly, and we walked out of the forest in about thirty minutes. At the entrance, Yeriel and the retainers were waiting, Yeriel''s cheeks puffed out in displeasure. "Is the taskplete?" Yeriel asked. Terfeit shook his head and replied, "Today was just reconnaissance. We''ve reached a point where we''ll continueter." Yeriel turned sharply to re at me, but I ignored her and got into the car. Terfeit gave a slight bow and said, "Thank you for your efforts today, Lady Yeriel." "Yes, thank you too, Priest," Yeriel replied curtly, then quickly got into the car. As soon as she sat down, she yelled, "Why? Why can''t I join?" "Silence," Imanded. "You didn''t even go all the way! It couldn''t have been that dangerous anyway!" As the eldest daughter of the Yukline family and acting lord of Hadecaine, Yeriel wanted to join us on today''s purification mission. However, I had no intention of bringing her to the battlefield. "You would only be a hindrance." "I''m a Yukline too! If demons are the enemy, I can fight!" It was because Yeriel was not truly a Yukline. "Don''t act foolishly. A leader doesn''t belong on the front lines. And if you insist on joining a battle, consider our promise null and void." "... Are you serious?" Yeriel muttered, her expression hardening as she red at me through gritted teeth. "You''ve been pretending to be a good brother of mine all this time, but how could you humiliate me in front of the vassals today? How am I supposed to face them now?" Yeriel had been eager today. She hade dressed in various gear to assert her legitimacy to the vassals. Since this incident happened near Yukline territory, she must have felt a sense of responsibility. However, I ignored Yeriel. I had refused her request to join us and, in in terms, humiliated her in front of the vassals. "Yeriel." "What!" "Yeriel." "... What?" I hardened my expression and said, "Yeriel." "Oh, for goodness'' sake, what! ...Sir," Yeriel pouted, her voice trembling. But this time, I couldn''t back down. "Stop being so childish." I reminded myself that everything I did was for Yeriel''s sake. "Stop throwing tantrums. You should understand this without needing me to tell you. How long will you keep acting so immature?" Yeriel knew Yukline''s traditions well. Her unusual stubbornness today was likely her way of showing the vassals that these traditions had been passed down to her. "Behave ording to your position. Show proper dignity and decorum." Yeriel didn''t respond. She leaned against the window, her face hidden by her hair, looking as if she was about to cry. Her small shoulders shook, and her breathing was ragged. "Proceed to the Floating Ind. We have stuff to aplish today." I said nothing more to Yeriel. "Is he gone? Has Deculein left?" Gerek asked, his voice tense as he sharpened his dagger in the now-abandoned Dephalem Forest. "Is he really gone?" Between the tall coniferous trees, he blended in seamlessly, his long ck hair tied back. Despite his nickname, Multi-Persona, he was strikingly handsome. "Yes, he''s gone," Arlos confirmed with a nod. Gerek asked again, "Really? Are you sure?" "Yes." "Really?!" "I said he''s gone, you retard." "Ah, no way!" Gerek finally epted it after Arlos added a curse. The Ashes, each with a few screws loose, always needed a bit more convincing. "Do you think he noticed us?" "Of course, you fucking idiot. It''s hard not to notice when you''re radiating that much murderous intent." "Deculein must be a coward, then. I was luring him on purpose!" Gerek eximed. Arlos just chuckled in response. She had a good idea why Deculein avoided Gerek. His voice reyed in her mind, saying that there¡¯s nothing more fearful than a fool and a madman. That was likely Deculein''s thought process. "Ugh, this is so frustrating," Gerek groaned, banging the back of his head against a tree trunk. "But Gerek, is there a specific reason you''re targeting Deculein?¡± Arlos asked. ¡°Or do you just want to kill him because he''s famous?" "Huh?" Gerek said, tilting his head innocently. Then he grinned and continued. "Well, I have a lot of grudges against the Yukline family. They flooded our vige," he said, tapping his forehead with his fingers. "The voices in my head? They''re all my family who died back then." His Multi-Persona were the result of the Yukline family''s actions. It was a somewhat reasonable exnation. Gerek then turned and asked, "What about you, Arlos?" "I don''t. I have no intention of killing him," Arlos replied. There had been an incident involving Deculein, but it wasn''t personal. Killing him would only stir up a ho''s nest, bringing the entire Yukline family against her. She had no interest in such madness. "Why not, Arlos? Your parents were mages too, weren''t they? Maybe they had a grudge against the Yukline family." "... Shut your mouth," Arlos snapped. Her parents had died before she turned three. She didn''t know the reason and didn''t want to know. "Who knows? Maybe Deculein killed them too." "Deculein was just a kid back then. Stop spouting nonsense and shut your fucking mouth." "But¡ª" Arlos grabbed Gerek by the cor, her eyes filled with rage. "Keep talking like that, and I''ll kill you myself. I''ll tear out your guts..." "Alright, I''m sorry. Forgive me~ I was just pissed off because Deculein suddenly left." "Shut up and get back to work," she snapped, releasing his cor. In truth, they had never nned to ambush Deculein. They were just on a mission in the area. However, when they heard by chance that Deculein wasing, Gerek, Gleifer, and the others in Arlos''s team lost control. "Anyway, I''m going to kill Deculein," Gerek said, leaning against the tree with a rxed smile. "That¡¯s what my family wants. Isn''t that right, little brother?" "... Yes, big brother. We want it. You know how much I suffered when I drowned," Gerek murmured in a different tone. "... Yes, I know. Father told me too..." Ignoring Gerek''s bizarre conversation, Arlos unfolded a newspaper. Symposium¡¯s Sixth Problem Resolved by Head Professor Deculein? At the ce of Verification... *** The third settlement of the Red Ga Adventurers, who roamed the continent, was the Principality of Yuren. "Here, everyone, read this. It''s this year''s adventurer exam pamphlet," Ganesha said, spreading it out in the mansion where she stayed with the children. Prepare for the 133rd Adventurer Exam! The Adventurers'' Guild Awaits Skilled Challengers! Discover the Q&A with Guild Master Gohol on Page 37! Interested in the Latest Adventurer Rankings? See Page 47! Carlos, Leo, and Ria read the pamphlet while eating ice cream. As Ganesha watched the children, she suddenly noticed how tall Ria had be. "Wow, Ria, you''re growing so fast. You have the perfect build for an adventurer¡ªstrong, but not too bulky or too slight," Ganesha said, touching Ria''s shoulders and arms. "Oh, ahaha! Stop it, why are you doing this¡ªahaha!" Riaughed, squirming and pushing Ganesha¡¯s hands away. "In just three more months, you''ll be taller than Reylie." "Why am I being dragged into this?" grumbled Reylie, a member of the adventurer team, as she ate potato chips on the sofa. She then turned to the two boys. "Carlos, Leo, you two are growing slower. Ria¡¯s already five foot three. What¡¯s your excuse?" The two boys scowled, their pride wounded. "R-Ria is two years older than us, so she grows faster..." "True, but you''ll grow taller eventually. It''s all in the genes," Reylie said, shrugging. "Enough about that, Reylie. How are things in Freyden these days?" Ganesha asked. Reylie, Yulie''s cousin, was practically a walking news source for the Empire. She knew almost all the rumors. "Well, not muchtely. But it seems like Grand Knight Yulie has reconciled with her fianc¨¦," Reylie replied with a shrug. "Reconciled with Professor Deculein?" "Yes, they aren''t fighting, at least." Ganesha''s eyes widened in surprise. Just as she was about to ask another question, Ria suddenly shouted, "What?! They''ve reconciled?!" Ganesha and Reylie turned to Ria simultaneously. She looked as if she¡¯d been hit on the back of the head with a hammer. Reylie chuckled, thinking how this young girl had recently started reading newspapers and was already interested in such rumors. "Yes, that''s what the rumors say. Why do you ask?" "That can''t be right!" "... What do you mean, that can''t be right?" "It can''t be true!" However, her reaction was far more dramatic than expected. Muttering something unintelligible, Ria rushed off to her room. "What''s wrong with her, Captain?" Reylie asked, puzzled. "... No idea. Did Ria eat something bad?" Ganesha replied, just as puzzled. ¡°Yay~ Then we¡¯ll take Ria¡¯s ice cream¡ª¡± The two adults shared augh while Carlos and Leo took the opportunity to grab Ria''s ice cream. "Put it down! It''s mine!" Ria shouted as she burst out of her room. She snatched the ice cream and retreated back inside. *** The fifth-floor Grand Hall on the Floating Ind of Megiseon was chosen as the venue for the Symposium''s resolution. The rumors about the Symposium had been as fleeting as clouds, but now, the solution to the Symposium¡¯s sixth problem, presented by Deculein, would be proven in this prestigious location. "... Wow. Whoa. Wow. Whoa. Wow," Epherene muttered, who was lucky enough to attend, engrossed in the spectacle. Renowned mages were everywhere. Among the judges were Ethereal-ranked mages Rogerio and Gindalf, as well as Louina, Beka, and Ihelm. Even the Empress''s brother, Grand Prince Kreto, was present. "Look at that cat," Epherene said, noticing a red cat lounging next to Kreto and yawning nonchntly. "It''s so cute." "Quiet, Epherene. Don''t be so childish," Sylvia chided. Epherene red at her. Both had earned their tickets and entry passes for their role in resolving the Baron of Ashes incident. "Hey! Aren''t you Epherene?" someone called out. Epherene and Sylvia both turned to look. "Oh, you''re the professor''s sister from before, right?" It was Yeriel, Deculein''s sister, whom they had met by chance before. Yeriel chuckled and said, "Yes, it''s me. Long time no see." "... Thanks to you, I got penalized," Epherene said, pouting. Yeriel shrugged and said, "Really? Sorry about that. But I got caught too, so we''re even." "Oh, did you really, ugh¡ª" "Hello," Sylvia said, gently pushing Epherene aside and greeting Yeriel with a polite smile. Her manner was warm and courteous. "Nice to meet you. I''m Sylvia." Yeriel nodded awkwardly and replied, "Yes, I know you... You''re Sylvia from Iliade." "Yes." Just then, Sylvia''s eyes shifted to someone else, and Epherene''s gaze followed. She stood out more than anyone else. With her snow-white hair and striking appearance, she was the only knight in a gathering of mages. Yulie had received a special invitation as Deculein''s fianc¨¦e. "Lady Yeriel, how have you been?" Yulie asked, wearing a robe over her light armor. She approached Yeriel with a friendly smile. "... Fine. Hello," Yeriel replied, her lips twisting in slight annoyance. Yulie seemed eager to continue the conversation, but Yeriel turned her head away, clearly uninterested. Yulie could only manage a bitter smile as she took her seat. ¡ª The lights will dim now. At the host''s words, the lights went out. ¡ª Now, we will present the solution to Symposium¡¯s sixth problem, which has remained unsolved for fifteen years. The Grand Hall, though notrge, was the most prestigious venue for magical academia. The curtain descended on the stage. "Phew..." Epherene sighed, feeling the rising tension, and nced at Sylvia. "... Sylvia, what are you doing?" Sylvia seemed odd. She was silent, staring intently as if withser focus at something. Following her gaze, Epherene saw the back of Yulie''s head, her white hair unmistakable. Chapter 70: Summary (3)

Chapter 70: Summary (3)

Half an hour earlier, in the Symposium judges'' waiting room. "Is this solution wicked legit, sis Lou?" Rogerio asked, an Ethereal-ranked mage, with a hint of skepticism. Louina shrugged and replied, "What do you mean by legit?" "I mean, did Deculein really write this solushun, or what?" Rogerio, notable for her pink bobbed hair, was a young prodigy who had reached Ethereal rank at twenty-five for her mastery in Ductility and Support category magic. Despite her impressive status, she called Louina as sis, reflecting their close rtionship. "Yes, Deculein wrote it himself," Louina confirmed, but Rogerio still looked skeptical. Gindalf, now in his seventies, with white hair, a beard, and round sses, sat quietly in another chair before finally speaking up. With a skeptical tone, he said, "Really? Knowing Deculein''s nature, I find that hard to believe." "What bothahs me is this paht," Rogerio said, pointing to the final section of the document, Deculein''s Summary. ... Additionally, I have sessfully tranted and cataloged forty-eight runic letters. However, they were excluded from this document as they are not directly relevant to the current topic. "Is this true? Did he really trante multiple roonic letters?" Rogerio questioned. Louina chuckled softly and said, "I''ve seen his rune trantions. He showed me part of his work." Deculein had shown her some of his runic letter trantions. While it was easy to doubt their uracy, verifying them was surprisingly straightforward. One simply needed to recite the runic letters. Since they inherently contained mana, properly pronouncing the words required mana. "Deculein is exceptionally skilled withnguages. He knows around ten of them," Louina added. "Hmm, really? Still, I find it hahd to believe," Rogerio replied, her skepticism evident. Gindalf chuckled as he stroked his beard. "Think whatever you like, Roge," Louina said. For Louina, runic letters were a secondary concern. She was fixated on the five-year timeframe Deculein had proposed. She repeatedly told herself it was impossible¡ªthere couldn''t be a disease that even the vast resources of Yukline couldn''t cure. However, despite her persistent denials, she couldn''t think of any other exnation. ¡°... I promise, in five years, neither of us will be a hindrance to the other.¡± Louina pondered the reason behind his five-year promise. ¡°You''re four years younger than me, so you have plenty of time to grow. Time is on your side.¡± She pondered the reasons behind his words. ¡°... It makes no sense.¡± Normally, an arrogant person like Deculein, or anyone for that matter, wouldn''t say that time was on her side after solving a Symposium problem. The honor and achievements from tranting the runic letters would only shine brighter as time passed. However, Louina soon shook her head. "... Whatever," Louina muttered with a sigh. Reflecting on what she had endured at Deculein''s hands still made her shudder. A part of her heart still burned with a smoldering hatred for him. However, Louina was, above all, a pragmatic mage. She was ustomed to thew of the jungle and remained highly rational. Rather than being consumed by passion, she set her priorities with cold logic¡ªfocusing on the family¡¯s magical legacy and her title as head professor. Everything else, including personal grudges and family vendettas, could be set aside. Besides, Deculein had said it would only be five years. "Will he present these 48 Runic Letters: A Summary of Comprehensive Trantion today?" Rogerio inquired. Louina sighed before responding, "By the way, please, it''s time toe out now." She waved her hand, drawing back the curtain to reveal the petite Chairwoman standing still like a statue. "... Heehee," the Chairwoman chuckled upon seeing Rogerio and Gindalf. "Did Deculein really trante forty-eight runic letters? If he reveals that today, it will cause a sensation?!" "We''ll have to ask him if he ns to, Chairwoman," Louina replied. ¡°Hold on, I have no time for this!¡± the Chairwoman eximed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She looked eager to spread the news. As she bounced out of the room, Rogerio couldn''t help butugh. "She hasn¡¯t changed a bit, huh? Still the same old gal," Rogerio remarked. "Your ent hasn''t changed either," Louina replied. "... Me? I''m speaking in standardnguage, y''know?" Rogerio hailed from Rococo, a remote rural region in the Empire famous for its strong ent. "Well,pared to most from Rococo, you sound quite refined. The first time I visited, I thought it was a different country," Louina teased. ¡°What? You got some serious regional bias, yah know. We¡¯re really not that different, huh?¡± "Try saying Harvard. Har-vard." Rogerio fell silent, unwilling to embarrass herself further. *** The Grand Hall of the Floating Ind of Megiseon could hold 400 people. Despite its grand name, the venue was rtively small but more than sufficient for presenting the Symposium solution. The name Grand wasn''t entirely misleading. Three hundred years ago, the architect and great mage of the Floating Ind, Long, had constructed this hall as thergest on Megiseon, establishing a tradition that had endured since the ind''s inception. "How, h-h-how, h-how..." Allen stuttered, his anxiety palpable. "Calm down," I said. "Y-yes, yes, sir," Allen stammered, unable to sit still. His right hand trembled uncontrobly, and when he tried to steady it with his left, his whole body began to shake like he was standing on a power te. ¡°Brrrrrrrr...¡± Watching him, I sometimes marveled at Allen''s resilience. This wasn''t his true nature; his performance was remarkably convincing. "Ha... ha... hic! Hic! Oh no, now I''ve got the hups..." I silently reviewed the Summary of Runic Letters Trantions. This document included forty-eight additional runes tranted beyond the fourteen already tranted from the Magical Realm. Initially, I had considered revealing them but ultimately decided against it due to the potential for unpredictable repercussions. Keeping them to myself seemed safer, preventing any disasters akin to the Manhattan Project. I chuckled to myself, finding an oddfort in the fonts for the runic letters. Perhaps it was the memories they evoked, like an old film reel ying in my mind. "Kim Woo-Jin, look at this," a voice from the past echoed. Memories from the past reyed like an old, faded film. "Our design team is creating this runguage. They said it¡¯s a mix of Hebrew and Latin." She said it while cupping her chin in her hands like a flower¡ªa cute gesture she often used. "All you need to do is refine it, Woo-Jin. Experiment with different fonts to give it an ancient look." Her eyes sparkled with rity as she talked about the settings and looked at me. "Woo-Jin, you look especially handsome when you''re focused." Her name was Yoo Ah-Ra. ¡°Hmm~¡± The lingering memories of Kim Woo-Jin within me. ¡°What are you talking about? If anything, I''m the one who¡¯s got more to lose¡ª¡± However, her voice gradually faded, likely due to the passage of time. Now, it seemed I could finally let go. ... Brrrrrrr. Allen''s trembling brought me back to the present. He shook so violently, it was as if he were vibrating like an rm clock. "Allen, where''s the te?" I asked. "H-here, right here!" Allen stammered as he handed over the te, arge processed magic stone as medium inscribed with runic letters. Knock, knock¡ª Just then, a knock on the door signaled it was time. "Let''s go." Allen, still trembling, stood up, and we left the waiting room together. "Follow me," the guiding mage instructed, leading us to the stage hidden behind a curtain. "We will begin shortly. Are you both ready, Professors?" "Indeed," I responded calmly. "Y-yes, absolutely," Allen stammered, his nervousness evident. Behind us was arge ckboard and chalk, ssic tools suited to this hall''s thirty-year history. ¡ª Now, Head Professor Deculein from the Mage Tower of the Imperial University will present the solution to Symposium¡¯s sixth problem. The host''s voice echoed through the hall. Unlike the typical chaos of the Floating Ind, the atmosphere remained calm. As the curtain quietly drew back, the packed Grand Hall came into view. Yet, amidst the crowd, Yulie stood out immediately. Regardless of where she was or how many people surrounded her, she was always easy to find. My affection for her had be second nature. ¡ª Today''s judges for the verification are Ethereal-ranked Rogerio, Ethereal-ranked Gindalf, Monarch-ranked Louina, and the Addict Astal. I felt no nervousness. As I once said, the attention and focus on me felt natural. It was an inherent sense of elitism. "It is an honor to meet you all," I said confidently. "I am Head Professor Deculein. Let us begin the demonstration of the solution to Symposium¡¯s sixth problem with the verification of theprehensive trantion of the runic letters." *** Deculein''s presentation proceeded methodically, and the Grand Hall watched in a calm atmosphere. Each attendee had a copy of Deculein¡¯s Summary. "The trantion of the sixth problem¡¯s inscription, the runic letters, results in the following sentences," Deculein exined. Where there is light and purpose, there too shall God be found. God, in fear of human worship, veiled Himself. The Monarch-ranked mage, Rotane, and the linguist Frainze had previously tranted half of this inscription. While this was not particrly noteworthy, the main point came afterward. "We will disregard the second sentence as it is irrelevant," Deculein dered, erasing the line without hesitation. "Yes, sir!" Allen responded promptly. "The runic letters for light, purpose, and God form the core of the magical circuit; the remaining runes are simply supplementary elements." Where there is light and purpose, there too shall God be found. ??¦¨ ?? ??¦Õ? ??? ??? ? ¦Æ, ?? The first sentence floated in the air, the runic letters seeming to resist trantion. "The initial step in tranting these runic letters is segmentation," Deculein stated. He proceeded to break down the sentence, scattering its parts into multiple segments. "Although the sentence consists of thirteen sybles, there are forty-five subdivisions within those sybles." Deculein exined that, just as the English word, cat, can be divided into the phonemes c, a, and t, the runic letters also had their subdivisions. "Combining these forty-five segments in different ways yields an astronomical number of possibilities¡ªat least 3,923,023,104,000binations." Three trillion, nine hundred twenty-three billion, twenty-three million, one hundred four thousandbinations. Though this was the technical figure, the actual magnitude was almost beyond calction. "However, within that vast number lies the second step, which involves discovering and selecting the most significant runebinations. The process is as follows..." From that point, Deculein''s presentation ventured into realms beyond the average person''s understanding. For nearly two hours, countless runic letterbinations unfolded like waves, transforming into various shapes that eventually became spells. This process demanded immense effort and time. It was the oue of the Comprehension attributebined with the game designer Kim Woo-Jin¡¯s extensive knowledge of game settings, breaking through previous limits. "... is as shown. In summary," Deculein concluded, "the runic letters were deconstructed and rbined into a magic circle, although it deviates significantly from modern conventions." Rogerio questioned, with her thick ent clear as day, ¡°Is thisb¡¯nation certain? With so many possibilities, couldn¡¯t there be othah validb¡¯nations?¡± "Runic letters are a form of magic created fromnguage itself, much like Draconic, which is infused with power," Deculein exined, hiding his irritation. "Since they are articted using the mouth rather than the diaphragm, abdomen, or brain, I have selected only thebinations that humans can easily pronounce." Just as some sounds were difficult for Rogerio to pronounce, there were structures that were impossible for humans to vocalize. Deculein had utilized this limitation to his advantage. Rogerio seemed satisfied, and Deculein signaled to Allen, who handed him the runestone. "Now, I will demonstrate the solution," Deculein announced, cing his hands on the runestone. The quiet excitement in the Grand Hall became palpable as everyone watched him intently. Deculein closed his eyes and meticulously repeated the verification process. First, he deconstructed the runic letters, then extracted thebinatorial runic letterbinations, reconstructed them into a magic circle, and finally recited the enigmatic runic letters. "Where there is light and purpose, there too shall God be found," Deculein intoned, articting the runic letters. Sssssssh... A blue light emanated from the runestone, and swirling winds created a vision that filled the Grand Hall. The vision depicted a scene from ancient times when runic letters were part of everyday life. It moved as if through a person¡¯s eyes, revealing a pristine marble floor, exquisite sculptures, and simple ss. In the center of the temple, a priest knelt in prayer. With hands sped, the priest opened their mouth, releasing a beautiful sound. The pure resonance filled the hall, causing everyone to close their eyes and listen. Unfortunately, the divine melody fleeted, ring up like a matchstick before quickly fading away. The sound that had surged in like an ebb tide now receded into silence as still as a calm sea. "This inscription was a hymn dedicated to God," Deculein dered. It was an ancient magic, a fragment from the distant Age of God. While some might dismiss it as merely a hymn, its archaeological value was immense. The ideas derived from this solution held the potential to inspire new magical inventions. "The verification is nowplete," Deculein concluded. The hall remained quiet, the lingering resonance of the runic letters settling like a gentle rain. One of the judges, Gindalf, finally broke the silence. "Impressive. But is that all?" "The final paragraph mentions that you¡¯ve tranted andpiled additional runic lettahs into a summ¡¯ry," Rogerio added. Gindalf¡¯s tone was mild, but Rogerio was more direct. Understanding their intent, Deculein shook his head and stated firmly, "I will not disclose the trantions." "Hmm. Is it that yuh can¡¯t disclose ¡¯em, or do they simply not exist?" Rogerio challenged. Deculein met her gaze calmly, pulling a document from his inner pocket. "This is the trantion. It includes the trantion of forty-eight runic letters. This is the only existing copy," Deculein dered. The Grand Hall stirred with a low murmur of excitement. Deculein nced at the trantion and intoned softly, "??? ©¤©¤???©¤©¤??©¤©¤" His words in runic letters resonated through the hall. Though reciting just three words had drained much of his mana, it was enough for verification. "... I have tranted numerous runic letters that remain unpublished in the Magical Realm," Deculein continued, pausing to contemte the document in his hand. "However, they are not relevant to today''s topic, and revealing them could lead to misuse." In an instant, mes erupted. Deculein had summoned them, and his magical fire consumed the Summary of Runic Letters Trantions in his hand. "I will destroy it now," Deculein dered. The trantion writhed in the mes, emitting strange cries as the recorded runic letters resonated with the mana. In an instant, three years of Deculein''s painstaking research turned to mere ash. The hall fell into a profound silence, quieter than anymotion the astonished mages could have made. Unfazed, Deculein casually swept away the ashes of the trantion and announced, "We will now begin the question and answer session." No one came forward with a question. *** ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [yer: Yuria] Level: 7 Mana Point: 4,507 Talent Grade: Grade 4 Talent Type: Origin Attributes: 3 Personality Traits: 7 ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Yoo Ah-Ray in the empty bed, pondering her identity. Blue characters floated in the air, showing levels, attributes, and other character information¡ªvisible only to her, Ria. She had no idea why she had been brought into this world. The process, the suspects, and the motives were all beyond her understanding. It was impossible for her to know any of it. It was a phenomenon that defied scientific exnation. One moment, a powerful lightning bolt struck thepany buildingte at night; the next, she blinked and found herself as a character in a game. Unlike the typical novel protagonists who struggled to adapt, she embraced her new reality with ease. Naturally adaptable, she quickly mastered the game¡¯s mechanics and retained her original appearance¡ªthough slightly more attractive. The real challenge was her starting point and age; she began far from the main quest in the archipgo and was thirteen years younger, only fourteen. Fortunately, her body grew quickly, and her innate survival instincts and ambition soon elevated her to grade 4 in mana grade. "Reconciliation? That¡¯s impossible!" Ria eximed. Deculein, the viin she couldn¡¯t face in her current state, had somehow reconciled with Yulie. The thought made Ria bite her nails in disbelief. Reconciliation with Deculein wasn¡¯t just surprising; it was impossible. Deculein and Yulie were fundamentally ipatible. Yulie¡¯s ultimate challenge was always tied to Deculein, as he was her final piece of the puzzle. The game system was designed that way. The core storyline of Yulie, a named character, revolved around enduring his torment, which pushed her to bloom fiercely as the eternal flower of winter. Therefore, it was only through their conflict that Yulie could rise above and fully realize her potential. Reconciliation was never part of the n. "Oh... this isn''t just confusing, it''s absolute chaos," Ria muttered. Of course, she had her doubts, wondering if Deculein could also be a yer like herself, transported into this world. After all, many novels featured characters who ended up in the bodies of hooligan-like members of a noble family. "... No way," she muttered, dismissing the thought. The actions of Deculein she glimpsed in the newspapers were far beyond what any yer could achieve. Deculein''s difficulty level was simply too high for that. Yet, thinking of Deculein inevitably brought her mind to Kim Woo-Jin, the person Deculein was modeled after. When the writer first mentioned it, she felt a pang of jealousy and frustration, wondering why the writer had used Woo-Jin''s likeness without his permission. The photos she saw bore a striking resemnce to him, at least in appearance. "... I hope he''s doing well," Ria mused with a faint smile. Woo-Jin was fragile, indecisive, and weak, but he was also delicate and gentle. Although their rtionship had ended, he remained a dear friend. "On the off chance... I really hope you''re not here." Even though she missed him, she knew this world wasn''t meant for him. He had already endured enough pain; these hardships should be hers alone to bear. "Sometimes, I really miss you," Ria said as she gazed out the window at the bustling life in the Principality of Yuren. "But it''s not so bad." As days passed, she found herself drifting further from both Kim Woo-Jin and Deculein. However, her Adventurer attribute continued to guide her. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Adventurer] ¡ô Grade: Unique ¡ô Description: Innate adventurer qualities. Growth rate improves with continental exploration. Unlocking new regions boosts mana and stamina. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ As a result, her growth had been swift, and more importantly, the Princess ¡ïMaho¡ï, a named character, lived in Yuren. Her main objective was to obtain a quest from her. "Phew," Ria sighed, clearing her mind and ncing around. Soon, she retrieved a wooden container hidden beneath her desk. Money always lifted her spirits. The container held her savings from the allowances Ganesha asionally gave her, as well as the money she earned from various odd jobs. Since moving from the archipgo to the continent, she had managed to earn about 5,000 elne each month. However, she couldn''t save all of it, often losing control and splurging on jelly and chocte¡ªa personality trait of her character. Despite these high expenses, she had still managed to save a substantial amount. "Heeheehee," Ria giggled as she opened the container and inspected the money inside. The container held ten bundles of fifty 10-elne bills, one bundle of fifty 100-elne bills, three silver coins, and five copper coins she had found on the streets. Altogether, she had 10,035 elne, which was roughly equivalent to ten million won. "I''ll invest this wisely and watch it grow, no doubt about it." First, she nned to save 30,000 elne to invest in Yuren''s redevelopment. Then, she would use the profits to further invest in real estate and gambling. A sly grin spread across her face at the thought, but she quickly blinked and her expression returned to one of innocent simplicity. "... Maybe I should buy some snacks. I think I have enough money for it," Ria mused, holding the three silver coins. Then, shaking her head quickly, she eximed, "N-no!" She quickly regained herposure and put the coins back. Moments like these always startled her. Whether it was a quirk of her personality or just apse in self-control, she often found herself absentmindedly reaching for a bill. The cycle was predictable: she would save money, admire her growing savings, let her guard down, realize she had plenty, and convince herself it was fine to buy a small snack. This often escted into purchasing chocte and ice cream as well. Chocte was especially problematic since it was an incredibly expensive treat in this world. Knock, knock¡ª A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she quickly hid the money box. The Red Ga Adventure Team had enormous debts, and if they discovered her money, they would probably take it, pretending it was for safekeeping. "Who is it?" Ria asked as cheerfully as possible, opening the door. Chapter 71: End of Semester (1)

Chapter 71: End of Semester (1)

¡°Why¡¯d he burn it? I still don¡¯t undahstand,¡± Rogerio asked. "He must have had his reasons," Gindalf replied. Judges Rogerio and Gindalf, along with the Chairwoman, were gathered in the waiting room, deeply engaged in analyzing Deculein''s abrupt actions. Their discussion continued to revolve around his unexpected behavior. "Deculein muttered three words in the runguage, right? An'' he used eighteen runic lettahs for those three words? We all felt the mana waves, didn''t we?" While Deculein¡¯s im of tranting forty-eight runic letters might have been an exaggeration, even interpreting just eighteen new runic letters was a significant achievement. Yet, Deculein had chosen to destroy that achievement himself. It was peculiar. Rogerio and the rest of the Magical realm knew Deculein as a mage who was always eager to boast about his research. He was driven not by empathy but by an insatiable thirst for recognition. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because revealing the trantions for the runic letters could have caused trouble with the Ashes?!¡± the Chairwoman eximed. Rogerio flinched at her blunt mention of the Ashes. "Well... considahrin¡¯ that their spies have recently infiltrated even the Floatin¡¯ Ind, it seems usibuhl." ¡°Exactly! Those troublesome Ashes! They''re the reason the runic letters were destroyed!" ¡°... Eh-hem. Ya right, but Chairwoman, yanguage might be a bit too strong...¡± As they continued their discussion, Louina pondered Deculein''s decision to destroy his own research. She attempted to piece together the incident using her wisdom and insight. ¡°Perhaps...¡± Louina spected that Deculein might have hoped to find a cure for his illness within the runguage, seeking ancient powers that were believed to surpass modern magic. Yet, instead of discovering a miracle, he found only endless possibilities for misuse. Faced with this harsh reality, he destroyed the runes without hesitation, realizing that no achievement could restore the glory he once pursued. At that moment, the door swung open, and Deculein strode in. Rogerio and the Chairwoman, taken by surprise, quickly pretended to be engaged in other matters. ¡°Elder Gindalf,¡± Deculein said, his eyes fixing intently on the older man. ¡°Hm? Deculein, is it me you are speaking to?¡± Gindalf inquired, his eyes widening with surprise. "Yes, Elder Gindalf, I have a favor to ask of you." ¡°A favor?¡± "Might I request a moment of your time?¡± ¡°Certainly...¡± Louina watched as Gindalf left with Deculein, her curiosity piqued. Normally, she avoided gossip, but this particr moment intrigued her so deeply that she found it difficult to sit still. Noticing Louina¡¯s interest, the Chairwomanughed and remarked, ¡°Professor Louina, it seems you¡¯re just like me!¡± Louina narrowed her eyes in exasperation and replied, ¡°No, we are not the same at all.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the difference, really~?¡± Louina sank into the sofa, her bodynguage indicating she was deep in thought. The Chairwoman, ever on the lookout for gossip, noticed Louina''s rxed posture, the dismissive glint in her eyes, and the subtle movements of her fingers. Her expression conveyed a sense of arrogance, a confidence that came from knowing something others did not. ¡°What¡¯s the difference, Professor Louina?¡± the Chairwoman asked, her curiosity fully piqued as she scooted closer. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Oh,e on! Don¡¯t be like that...!¡± Despite the Chairwoman¡¯s persistence, Louina kept her silence, offering no further exnation. [Achievement Unlocked: Solved the Symposium Problem] ¡ô Mana Point +200 ¡ô Store Currency +2 Gindalf examined the pendant I handed him. Inside it was a photograph of the Luna family, showing the father and his daughter together. "Is it your request that I restore this pendant?" Gindalf asked. "Yes," I responded with a nod. "The photograph enclosed within holds significant importance." He examined the photograph intently and replied, "Hmm, the image appears somewhat timeworn, yet I believe its restoration should pose no significant challenge." Gindalf was a named mage character, a true master of the Harmonic category. That¡¯s why I had sought him out. ¡°However, there is a matter I would like to discuss with you,¡± Gindalf said. ¡°Of course,¡± I said with a nod, watching Gindalf cast his spell on the photograph. It was a masterful demonstration of Restoration and Regeneration, magic beyond ordinaryprehension. ¡°Is it true that you¡¯ve tranted forty-eight runic letters?¡± he asked. I smiled slightly and replied, ¡°... Of course.¡± Gindalf chuckled, stroked his beard, and handed back the pendant, saying, ¡°Here you go.¡± The pendant was now pristine, and when I opened it to look at the photograph inside, I felt my eyebrows twitch involuntarily. "Is that someone you recognize?" Gindalf asked. "Yes," I replied, slipping the pendant into my inner pocket. "He was once my assistant." "Your assistant?" "Hemitted suicide," I said casually. Gindalf awkwardly scratched his cheek. "Is there anything I can offer in return¡ª" "That won¡¯t be necessary," Gindalf replied, a warm smile on his face. "Witnessing your aplishments today has been more than enough reward for me." As expected, Gindalf¡¯s personality was exactly as described. He was not someone who tolerated insincerity or disrespect. Anyone who took his words literally and failed to show genuine respect would find themselves without any favors from him in the future. "It is a small token of appreciation. Please ept it," I said. I gave him a check for 50,000 elne, a reasonable price. Gindalf nced at the check,ughed heartily, and said, "Well, thank you kindly. I shall use this to nurture young mages rather than for my own benefit." I stepped into the backyard of the Megiseon. At the agreed-upon spot, I found Kreto, Yeriel, and Epherene already there, along with Sylvia. I first acknowledged Kreto with a nod and said, ¡°I appreciate your attendance.¡± ¡°Haha, there is no need to thank me. Your lecture was truly enlightening. How did youe up with such ideas? You truly are a mage walking the royal path. However, I must ask...¡± Kreto then covered his mouth and inquired, ¡°Was it truly the only existing copy of the original runic letter trantion?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness,¡± I replied. ¡°The original no longer exists in this world.¡± ¡°... Isn''t that a waste? You devoted so much time to it.¡± ¡°I intended to destroy it from the outset, Your Highness. This era is not yet mature enough to utilize the runguage.¡± ¡°Not yet mature?¡± ¡°If runic letters were to fall into the wrong hands, they would undoubtedly be deadly weapons. Therefore, it is better to destroy them.¡± Kreto stared at me, his mouth half-open in awe and respect. ¡°Your Highness, here is the book you requested earlier,¡± I said, presenting the signed first edition of Yukline: Understanding Element Magic from my briefcase. ¡°Can you truly give me such a precious item? I heard it is not avable for sale.¡± Kreto said, his eyes sparkling as he carefully stroked the cover. ¡°It is precisely because it is valuable that I am giving it to you, Your Highness...¡± At that moment, Epherene¡¯s voice cut through the air. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Epherene''s voice took on an unusual tone as she spoke to someone. Feeling a bit tense, I turned to see what was happening. "Hehe, you''re so cute. Look at your short little legs." Epherene was talking to a cat that silently red at her. The red-furred munchkin looked incredibly cute, but knowing its true identity, I could only hope Epherene would be safe. ¡°Pfft. Why are you staring at me? What are you going to do about it? Here, check this out!¡± Epherene made a tuft of foxtail grass and waved it in front of the cat. Swish, swish¡ª The cat reached for it, its short paws following the movement of the grass. Even though it was possessed, its original habits remained unchanged. "Ah, that cat was entrusted to me by the Imperial Pce," Kreto said with a smile. I suddenly realized why Sophien was being so quiet. Kreto still didn¡¯t know the cat was actually Sophien. ¡°Epherene, Sylvia,¡± I called them over, hoping to prevent things from escting. Firmly, I stated, ¡°You both yed significant roles in the Baron of Ashes incident.¡± I took out my checkbook and wrote each of them a check. ¡°This is your reward. Purchase anything you desire from the Floating Ind, regardless of the cost.¡± Sylvia nodded calmly, Epherene appeared overwhelmed, and Yeriel, who had been watching, looked stunned. ¡°H-hey, what are you guys going to buy with those?¡± Yeriel asked, rushing over to get a closer look at the checks. She then leaned in and whispered in my ear, ¡°Damn it, those are the house checks! Why didn¡¯t you use your personal ones?!¡± The Floating Ind doesn¡¯t ept personal checks. Meanwhile, Yulie wandered through the Floating Ind on her own. ¡°These paths are so confusing,¡± Yulie muttered. In truth, she was lost. After leaving the Grand Hall, she found herself in the city area of the Floating Ind. The usual rule of following the walls didn¡¯t apply in the Floating Ind. Some streets soared into the sky, while others sank into the ground. ¡°... Hmm?¡± As she wandered the area, she stumbled upon a shop. Brand Doll Shop A smile appeared on her face when she saw a doll shop on the Floating Ind. As she approached, she noticed the disy filled with cute stuffed animals like eagles, rabbits, and pandas. Among them, a panda caught her eye. It was a Bearbie Panda. Unlike other pandas, this one had brown eyes. It had been a famous brand since Yulie was a child. ¡°... Oh?¡± Just then, the shopkeeper opened the disy case and took out the Bearbie Panda, which had just been sold. As Yulie watched in disappointment, the doorbell rang, and Sylvia, a well-known figure, walked out of the shop holding the Bearbie Panda. ¡°Hello, Miss Sylvia,¡± Yulie greeted politely. ¡°Hello,¡± Sylvia replied, slightly taken aback by the unexpected encounter. She soon noticed that Yulie''s eyes were fixed on her panda doll. Proudly, Sylvia exined, ¡°It¡¯s a gift.¡± ¡°Whom are you giving it to?¡± Yulie asked. ¡°No, actually, I received it,¡± Sylvia rified, feeling somewhat awkward. However, it wasn''t entirely wrong. By definition, a gift is something bought by someone else. Since she hadn''t paid for the doll, it was reasonable to call it a gift. It wasn¡¯t a stretch; she had indeed received it as a gift. ¡°I received it as a gift,¡± Sylvia said confidently, holding the Bearbie Panda. ¡°I envy you. Have you ever seen a real panda?¡± Yulie said warmly, smiling. ¡°Yes, I saw a Bearbie Panda in person when I was a child,¡± Sylvia replied. ¡°Oh, really? That¡¯s wonderful!¡± Yulie eximed with admiration. ¡°Yulie,¡± a familiar voice called out to her from behind. Sylvia immediately recognized it as Deculein''s voice. ¡°So here you are,¡± Deculein said, smiling at Yulie. ¡°Ah, yes,¡± Yulie replied. Deculein then noticed Sylvia and introduced her to Yulie. ¡°Yulie, this is Sylvia, a highly talented mage. She has the potential to challenge the rank of Eternal.¡± Sylvia nced between Deculein and Yulie, then instinctively hid the panda, which she had once proudly disyed, behind her back. ¡°I am acquainted with her, we were just having a conversation¡ª¡± ¡°I must be going now,¡± Sylvia interjected before quickly departing, leaving Yulie to watch her retreating figure. ¡°By the way, Yulie, did youprehend my summary of the runic letters?¡± Deculein asked. Yulie''s face flushed. In truth, she hadn''t understood a word; she could only sense the flow of mana from the runic letters. Deculein chuckled softly and said, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I didn¡¯t expect you toprehend fully. You came here because of Zeit, correct?¡± Yulie flinched but shook her head and replied, ¡°No. Although the invitation came from the head of the house, I came here of my own ord.¡± ¡°Indeed?¡± Deculein responded. ¡°Yes, I am serious,¡± Yulie affirmed. ¡°... Very well. Allen?¡± The assistant, who had been following Deculein, stepped forward. ¡°Yes, sir?¡± ¡°Assist Yulie with her tour. It is quite rare for a knight to visit the Floating Ind,¡± Deculeinmanded. ¡°Ah, yes, sir. It''s a pleasure to meet you, Knight Yulie!¡± Allen said with a bright smile, bowing to her. ¡°I will take my leave now. My presence would make both you and me ufortable, Yulie,¡± Deculein said. ¡°Not necessarily¡ª¡± Deculein cut her off, insisting, ¡°It is necessary, isn¡¯t it?¡± Yulie understood his meaning and nodded with a resigned smile as Deculein left. ¡°I-I should n the g-guided tour... S-should I take you to the main ind first? Or maybe s-start with the surrounding inds... Ah, h-how much time do you have, Knight Yulie? The tour route depends on¡ª¡± Yulie gently reassured the anxious assistant, saying, ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry. I have plenty of time.¡± Her soothing voice reassured Allen, putting him at ease. *** The clear sky, zing sun, shimmering heat haze, and hot, humid breeze¡ªall the elements that define summer in the Empire filled the day. Afterpleting my verification at the symposium presentation, I returned triumphantly to the Mage Tower. The board of directors rented out an entire high floor for a weing party, professors showered me with praise, and Adrienne granted me the promised title. Deculein, Director of nning and Financial Coordination. In truth, the Mage Tower is built on gold more than magic. It thrives on investments from the nation, territories, and corporations, valuing the annual supply of mana stones as if they were life itself. The fuel that runs this tower is money, making it the most capitalistic ce in the world. In this Mage Tower, I had seized the absolute power of finance... "Professor! Here are the final ss ns and the guide for career counseling week," Allen said, handing me various documents. The numerous lectures at the Mage Tower were finallying to an end, and it was time for the Debutants to consider their future careers. "So, career counseling," I remarked. Career counseling is when debutantes or first to third-year Solda-ranked mages seek advice from a professor about their future careers. Naturally, no one would request such advice from me. "Fortunately, three people have applied for counseling with you, Professor!" Allen said cheerfully. His words bothered me. "... Fortunately?" I asked. "Ah, w-well, um..." "It''s fine. I am already aware." ¡°I-I apologize, Professor! I d-didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡± "I understand. You may go." Allen left the room, ncing back several times. I retrieved a letter from my sponsor mailbox. It was another one from Epherene. Dear Sponsor, Hello, this is Epherene. Thank you for your reply. The holidays are approaching here at the Mage Tower... As I read the letter, I took a pendant out of my drawer. The Epherene I knew was straightforward and not good at hiding her feelings. This seemed to have been true since childhood, as the Epherene in the photograph was still smiling brightly... ¡°What was the reason?¡± But her father was different. He wasn''t smiling. His expression was stern and severe, a sharp contrast to Epherene''s happiness. *** At noon on Wednesday, Sylvia stood in front of Professor Deculein''s office on the 77th floor of the Mage Tower and knocked on the door. Knock, knock¡ª It was career counseling week, a month-long period held around the final exams. The Debutants, full of concerns, sought advice from various professors, but Deculein was not on their list. ording to the Wizard Board, his straightforward manner was too intimidating for them. Sylvia believed only the weak would feel that way. She knocked once more. Knock, knock¡ª Assistant Professor Allen opened the door and said, "Ah, Miss Sylvia. Please wait here. The professor is currently in another counseling session." "Is someone inside?" Sylvia asked. "Yes, it should be over in a few minutes." Sylvia sat down and waited while Allen typed slowly on a new typewriter, using the hunt-and-peck method. ck, ck¡ª ck, ck¡ª About ten minutester, the door to the counseling room opened. Sylvia looked up and red at the mage who emerged. "Arrogant Epherene¡ª" Naturally, she had expected Epherene to emerge. "Oh, Miss Sylvia?" However, it was Drent, the man whose thesis Deculein had publicly burned at the Thesis Colloquium. "Was it unexpected to see me? I felt the same... Take care," Drent said, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly as he left. Still puzzled, Sylvia entered the counseling room. The head professor''s office was spacious and elegant, with an atmosphere of refinement that Deculein naturally exuded. Deculein was seated, and Sylvia approached and sat down gracefully. "It is surprising to see you, Sylvia. I did not anticipate you seeking career counseling," Deculein remarked with indifferent eyes. "Yes, Professor," Sylvia replied, nodding. In truth, it was hardly counseling. Since passing the Solda promotion exam, her path was nearly set. "So, what is your concern?" Deculein asked. Sylvia recalled something Epherene had once said to Deculein. "I will join you and uncover the truth about why my father had to kill himself and why he had no other choice!" Deculein would never want an arrogant and foolish mage like that. He might even regret not rejecting her outright. Thus, Sylvia decided to take matters into her own hands. "Should I apply to join you, Professor?" Sylvia asked, seeking his direct response. Sylvia puffed out her cheeks and fidgeted with her fingers on her knees. Deculein watched her silently, his face unusually surprised. It made sense, after all. She was Sylvia, and any professor would have been d to have her. Deculein was no exception. It was as obvious as one plus one equaling two. There was no need to worry about his response; it would certainly be positive. Zzzzzt-zing¡ª Sylvia¡¯s mind buzzed with optimistic thoughts. However... "That is not a wise choice," Deculein said, shaking his head. Sylvia couldn''tprehend his reaction. It seemed as though shaking one''s head now indicated approval and nodding signaled disapproval. It was as if social conventions had changed. "You possess too much talent to serve under anyone," Deculein said. Sylvia was stunned and, without thinking, mentioned Epherene. "What about Epherene?" "Epherene is worth mentoring. She is the daughter of my former assistant and has much more to learnpared to you." Sylvia stared at Deculein, her once-puffed cheeks deting. "Sylvia, you possess the qualities of an Archmage. You should take your talents to the Floating Ind. In one or two years, your skills will fully blossom, and you will have ample time to challenge for the Archmage title." He was sincere. Professor Deculein was genuinelyplimenting her. Yet, she felt a sudden sting, as if sharp needles were pricking her heart. "Even if you apply to join me, I will not ept you," Deculein stated firmly. It was his final, devastating blow. Sylvia slumped like a wilted nt. She remained silent for a long time, unable to respond. Deculein was puzzled. He had offered her praise despite his growing jealousy and conflicted feelings. "Sylvia, lift your head." Sylvia did not lift her head. Her reaction was unusual. Beneath her lowered eyelids, a small glimmer of light appeared. ... It couldn''t be tears. Chapter 72: End of Semester (2)

Chapter 72: End of Semester (2)

The counseling room was silent. Sylvia seemed to be crying, but she made no sound. I watched her quietly. The untouched teacups sat as the ice inside them melted and clinked softly. The sunlight streaming through the window gradually shifted. "I do not like to see people cry," I said. At that moment, she lifted her head. Her eyes were moist, but no tears fell, just as she said. "I was moved by your praise," Sylvia exined. "Professor Deculein, you are known for neverplimenting anyone." Her voice and expression remained unchanged as she made her excuses. I took a handkerchief from my pocket. "But you praised me, thank you." "Dry your eyes," I instructed, handing her the handkerchief. Sylvia took it with both hands, her eyes sparkling like watery jewels. Just then, twenty minutes of counseling had passed. "I''ll be going now," Sylvia said, ncing at the clock. She stood up, neatly folded the handkerchief, and slipped it into her pocket. After giving a polite bow, she left the room. As I watched her small frame retreat, I said, "Remember my advice." Sylvia paused at my words. Without turning around, she nodded and walked away. Outside, I could hear Allen¡¯s voice. "Have a good day!" The office door opened and then closed. "... Does she underestimate herself?" I mused aloud. Sylvia was a brilliant mage. She could have easily been appointed a full-time professor next year. Spending time under another professor would have been a clear waste, not just for her, but for the entire world. But Epherene was different. She was perfectly suited for the magic I have been researching, and she could grow even more under my guidance. "Professor," Allen called from outside the counseling room, poking his head in. "Debutant Epherene is scheduled in ten minutes! Please take a rest until then!" *** Epherene, always seen in her blue robe symbolizing a Debutant and carrying arge backpack she had bought for thirty elne, walked down the hall. Since value for money was her top priority, from a distance, it looked like she was carrying arge brick. Today, the backpack felt especially heavy, clinking with every step. A small cat figurine attached to the bottom of her bag brushed against the back of her robe. "Ow, my shoulders hurt," Epherene murmured. When she reached the elevator, she set her bag down to rest for a moment. Ding¡ª The elevator quickly reached the first floor, and Epherene was startled as she picked up her bag. Inside stood Sylvia. Though it wasn¡¯t unusual to see another Debutant, the atmosphere was tense. Sylvia red at Epherene with a cold, piercing gaze filled with silent, simmering anger. Epherene hesitated and asked, "What is it now? What''s your problem?" Epherene half-expected Sylvia tounch into one of her usual ways of calling her. Instead, Sylvia brushed past her and muttered, "Nepotism." ¡°... What does she mean by that? Nepotism?¡± Epherene muttered, feeling uneasy. Her horoscope had already warned of a rough week, and Sylvia¡¯s attitude wasn¡¯t helping. Maybe it was time for another tarot reading. Pressing the button for the 77th floor, Epherene muttered to herself, trying to shake off the unease. Ding¡ª She reached Deculein''s office. "Wee, Debutant Epherene," Allen said cheerfully. "Yes," Epherene replied, as she followed him into the counseling room. Inside, Professor Deculein sat with his eyes closed, seemingly meditating. Epherene hesitated, unsure if she should interrupt. Deculein was an imposing figure, too distant and formidable to approach casually. "Professor, Debutant Epherene has arrived," Allen announced. Deculein opened his eyes, nodded slightly at Epherene, and said, "Sit." "Yes, sir," Epherene said, sitting down and immediately taking off her backpack. She spoke with determination. "I¡¯m here for career counseling, but I also have questions about the Solda promotion exam." "Solda?" "Yes, sir," Epherene confirmed, pulling documents from her bag. She had prepared extensively for the exam since the end of the first semester. cing the papers on the desk, she exined, "These documents show my participation in various departmental sses." This was her eighth attempt to find a professor willing to rmend her for the Solda exam. Initially, she had approached newly appointed professors, but their rmendations carried little weight. Professors like Relin had only belittled her, offering nothing but harsh words before dismissing her. "Here, I have evidence of my involvement in the Common Magic Research Club, where we identified the precursor to the Baron of Ashes incident, as well as othermunity service activities," Epherene continued confidently, her tone reminiscent of a child reciting in a debatepetition. Her enthusiasm masked the anxiety and nervousness she felt in front of the imposing Professor Deculein. "My grades are all A+ as of the midterms, and if I maintain them until the final exams," Epherene added, neatly stacking her documents on the desk. "Additionally, at the Mage Tower¡ª" "That''s enough," Deculein interrupted, having listened in silence. Epherene froze. "Take these back." Her expression hardened, and she bit her lower lip slightly before responding, "But I¡¯ve checked all the requirements for the Solda exam. If you could just review them¡ª" "There¡¯s no need," Deculein interrupted. "... Oh, yes, sir," Epherene replied softly, her breath trembling slightly. She wasn¡¯t entirely surprised; she had expected this to some extent. She began to pack her documents back into her bag. "If you maintain your grades through the final exams, you will automatically qualify for the Solda rank." "... Excuse me?" Epherene asked, her eyes widening in surprise, her face lighting up like a child''s. "If you ce in the top three overall, there will be no reason for me not to rmend you for the exam," Deculein rified. "Oh, thank you, Professor. I will do my best," Epherene said, scratching the back of her neck. "... If I pass the exam, I will apply to join you, Professor," she added quickly, feeling slightly embarrassed. Deculein replied indifferently, "I won''t prevent you. The burden of effort is yours to bear." "Yes, sir," Epherene replied, hiding a smile. Epherene thought that Deculein was ying with fire by epting her. She wondered if he would remainposed when she surpassed him effortlessly in a year or two. On the Floating Ind, Epherene recognized Deculein as a genius driven by effort, yet her spirit of challenge remained as strong as ever. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be heading out now,¡± Epherene said, preparing to leave. "Wait," Deculeinmanded, his voice stopping her in her tracks. Epherene''s heart raced as she wondered if he had sensed her thoughts or noticed something amiss. "You haven¡¯t used the check yet," Deculein said. Epherene was taken aback. She wondered aloud, "Would you take it back if I don''t use it...?" "That won¡¯t be the case. It was a reward on behalf of the Mage Tower, not from me personally." "Oh... Actually, I haven¡¯t found anything I want yet, so I¡¯m saving it for when I really need it. Like insurance," Epherene exined. Deculein nodded silently, indicating she could leave. Epherene gave a slight bow and exited the room. "Have a good day, Debutant Epherene," Allen called out cheerfully. "You too, Assistant Professor," Epherene replied. Epherene closed the office door behind her and leaned against the wall outside, letting out a deep breath. "... That was intense," Epherene sighed, muttering to herself. Deculein¡¯s presence was overwhelming, making every minute feel like an hour and pressing down on her with an invisible weight that kept her heart pounding. "I can''t figure out what he''s thinking." Deculein''s motives were inscrutable. He had undeniably imed her father''s achievements, which drove her father to a disgraceful suicide at thirty, branded a failed Solda-ranked mage. At the Hadecaine Educational Retreat, Epherene had directly questioned Deculein about the incident, but he neither confirmed nor denied it. A clear denial would have been more satisfying. "Maybe he''s trying to say it¡¯s all up to me." Still, Deculein was the least concerned with ss of students among the professors at the Mage Tower. He treated Epherene fairly, despite her vow to expose his ws. "I¡¯d better get back to studying," Epherene muttered, hefting her heavy backpack as she walked away. *** Leaders, politicians, and entrepreneurs across the continent often im there are no dreams, no hope, and no life in the Ashes, insisting that it is filled with nothing but ash. Arlos knew that was nonsense. Life existed in the Ashes. There was hope, and there were children. Although it wasn''t an ideal ce to raise kids, it didn''t mean Arlos had any particr affection for the area. By nature, she was highly ambitious. As an orphan from a border kingdom, achieving sess in the broader world seemed impossible. So, she had settled for the Ashes as the next best option. Arlos, known unofficially as the best puppeteer on the continent, had her puppets scattered throughout the Empire. Connected to her soul, they behaved like living beings, yet none resembled her true form. This was due to herplex about her appearance. She was too beautiful, attracting countless unwanted admirers. ¡°Wee,¡± the hotel staff greeted. Today, however, Arlos visited the ck Crain Hotel in her true form for the first time in a while. The ck Crain, a newly established prime-grade hotel in the capital, had some of the highest rates in the city. Despite the cost, it perfectly suited Arlos, who often found everyday life filled with inconveniences. ¡°I have a reservation,¡± Arlos stated. ¡°Yes, Miss Sollette. Your reservation is confirmed,¡± the staff responded. The staff at the hotel treated customers like nobility, which Arlos particrly appreciated. Though many people fawned over her, genuine aristocratic treatment was rare and hard toe by unless one was actually a noble. Despite appearances, Arlos cared about such formalities, though she rarely showed it outwardly. "Here is your key for the 37th floor," the staff member said. Arlos had booked the 37th floor under the alias Sollette. While the top floor was the penthouse on the 50th, she hadn''t yet rued enough status or points to reserve it. "I''ll have the foie gras with a side of Laperin for dinner," Arlos requested. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± the staff replied. Taking the key, Arlos rode the elevator up to her floor. Her reflection in the ornate mirrors showed her dressed in a sharp suit that, apart from her slender waist, was entirely masculine. She habitually fiddled with her ne, a charm she considered a symbol of good fortune, though she couldn¡¯t remember how or when she had acquired it. Arriving at her room on the 37th floor, she settled into a chair and pulled out her tablet. Simr to the Mage Tower¡¯s Wizard Board, it was used tomunicate with her current cooperative rtionship with the Altar. ¡°Deculein tranted the runguage but destroyed thepiled summary of the texts.¡± "The runic letters contain what we seek. Thenguage of God resides in Deculein''s mind. He must be captured alive. Set the bounty at thirty million elne," the Altar instructed. News from the Floating Ind had swiftly led the Altar to ce a thirty million elne bounty on Deculein¡¯s capture. "... He knew who I was," Arlos mused, recalling how Deculein had addressed her by her real name. ¡°Until now, he was just an ordinary, lowly viin.¡± Today¡¯s Deculein was markedly different from the Deculein of the past. This was evident from the information her Office had gathered. "... He¡¯s worth keeping an eye on, if only for knowing who I am," Arlos muttered. Deculein was certainly a threatening figure, but he wasn''t the reason Arlos hade to the Empire today. She had no intention of participating in his kidnapping, at least not yet. Arlos only engaged in battles she was certain to win. Discarding her tablet, she picked up a pamphlet. Haileich Relic Auction Arlos read the pamphlet aloud, "Homeren¡¯s Carved Ring." She had atst found a treasure that truly delighted her. After years of earning money for just such asions, it was time to indulge and invest in a gift for herself without any hesitation. *** Afterpleting all the counseling sessions, I opened the system shop in my office. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Lv.2 System Shop] 1. Adventurer¡¯s Breeze... ...... 5. Qualitative Enhancement of Mana (Stage 2): The character''s innate mana is qualitatively enhanced. Slight increase in mana output and efficiency. 20 coins ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ "... There¡¯s no need to wait any longer," I decided. I had umted enough currency through my recent efforts, and now was the time to use it. Since the week was packed with various schedules and I wasn''t sure when I''d have another chance, it was better to do it now. With that decision made, I activated the Mana Quality Enhancement (Level 2) from the system menu. [Mana Quality Enhancement (Level 2) has been applied.] [You can now harness mana with greater purity.] The system notification appeared. I observed it calmly, expecting the usual pain to follow. The first level had only caused a mild warmth, so I assumed it would be simr this time. Suddenly, a sharp pain, as if my ribs were being torn apart, made me cough up dark red blood. Clutching my chest, I gasped for breath as my heart spasmed. ¡°... Ugh.¡± Fortunately, the painsted only a moment, but the bloodstains on my desk were irritating. Using Telekinesis, I gathered the blood droplets and burned them at a high temperature. Knock, knock¡ª "Professor, Professor Louina is here to see you," Allen announced. "Send her in," I replied. ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The door opened, and Louina stepped inside. "Hello, boss. It¡¯s me...¡± Louina said, but after taking a few steps, she paused and started sniffing the air. ¡°What brings you here?¡± I asked. ¡°Sniff, sniff¡ª sniff, sniff¡ª¡± ¡°Have you be a dog since Ist saw you?¡± ¡°No... not at all. Calling me a dog is quite harsh, boss,¡± Louina replied. As she came closer, she paused again, staring at my lips. I took out a handkerchief and wiped my mouth. A bit of blood stained the fabric, causing me to frown. It was disgraceful to appear so untidy. ¡°State your business,¡± I demanded. ¡°H-h-here, boss,¡± Louina said awkwardly as she approached and handed over some documents. ¡°This is the proposal for the research I¡¯m nning to start...¡± This seemed to be my first task as the newly appointed Director of nning and Financial Coordination at the Mage Tower. I took her documents. "Th-then, I shall head out now. Th-thank you." Before I could say anything, Louina hurried out, not making any further appeal for her project. She must be confident it will be approved. Seeing her ept Yukline''s protection wasn''t entirely displeasing. I reviewed her proposal. ¡°Hmm.¡± As expected, Louina, with her Wealthy Magnate attribute, left nothing to be desired. I stamped her n approved without hesitation. Clunk¡ª! *** Wednesday at 3 p.m. signaled Deculein''s final ss before the end-of-term exams. "Please form a line, everyone!" Assistant Professor Allen directed, organizing the 150 Debutants by their categories. The Harmony category, known for its selectivity, had the fewest mages with just eleven, while the Support category had the most, with thirty-five mages. ¡°Stand ready,¡± Deculeinmanded, addressing the 150 students assembled in the open field that served as today¡¯s ssroom. ¡°As this is the final ss of the semester, there is nothing more to teach. Today, we will test your application of your category and identify any deficiencies. Step forward in groups of five.¡± The first groupprised five mages with the Support category. ¡°Demonstrate the magic you are most confident in,¡± Deculein instructed, observing each spell with keen interest. ¡°... Eurozan. Wind Armor. Good utilization.¡± ¡°Green Earth. Element transformation of the area is useful for monster subjugation,¡± Deculein noted. Deculein identified each spell without fail. This might seem normal for a professor, but there was more to it than that. ¡°Crystallization is ssified under the Support category, but its magic circle contains Harmony attributes. You overlooked this, which is why you failed.¡± ¡°Ah... yes, sir!¡± Deculein could even identify failed spells and provide precise guidance on how to correct them. ¡°I will try again!¡± Debutant Ferit eximed, taking his advice. He seeded on his next attempt. "Good. Next group of five, step forward..." Deculein''s Sharp Eyesight allowed him to observe others'' magic circles with precision. Over the past six months, his enhanced Comprehension had filled his mind with countless magic circles. What started as a shallow pool of knowledge had now expanded into a vast ocean. Of course, this knowledge was different from Memorize. He couldn¡¯t cast every spell he knew. Memorize involved the body remembering and casting spells without incantations. However, Deculein used a theoretical approach for all other spells, except for Telekinesis, which was inscribed on his body. Therefore, Deculein''s magic and knowledge were steady and reliable. This unwavering consistency made him an ideal mentor. To the Debutants, who were unaware of his true capabilities, Deculein was like a living encyclopedia of magic. His nearly supernatural perceptiveness was truly remarkable. ¡°Epherene,¡± Deculein said. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Epherene said as it was finally her turn. "Here I go." Epherene prepared to showcase her most intricate spell, weaving and intertwining circuits into aplex pattern. This mixed-category spell was designed to be challenging to decipher, even for Deculein. He examined Epherene¡¯s magic circle intently for about thirty seconds. ¡°Soprano. Aplex spell with minimal practical benefit for you.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± The spell, Soprano, was a special magicbining the Pure Elements of wind and sound. Its effect was subtle, changing all sounds in the area to high-pitched soprano tones. This spell acted as a stepping-stone, a simpler spell learned to be familiar with the structure before mastering Silence. However, Soprano¡¯s interference with spatial sound made it unnecessarilyplicated and not well-known. Most other Debutants likely mistook it for a type of singing. ¡°Epherene, were you trying to y a prank or to show off? That will result in one penalty point,¡± Deculein stated. ¡°No, please! Let me try again. Just don¡¯t give me a penalty point!¡± Epherene pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. Contrary to Epherene¡¯s expectations, Deculein had already identified the spell. Hastily, she demonstrated a proper one. The ground beneath her rumbled and transformed into a crater. Deculein nodded and said, ¡°Rage of the Mountains. A challenging spell, but its scale is too small.¡± ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯ve been concerned about that as well.¡± ¡°To erge the scale, increase the size of the magic circle. I will provide further detailster,¡± Deculein stated. ¡°Ah, yes, sir. So... will there still be penalty points?¡± Epherene asked. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Ahhh!¡± Ignoring Epherene¡¯s plea, Deculein shifted his attention to the next student. ¡°Next, Sylvia.¡± It was Sylvia¡¯s turn. She had been ring at Epherene, but she straightened up as Deculein approached. ¡°... Yes, Professor,¡± Sylvia replied. She closed her eyes, focusing intently as she began to cast her spell. Chapter 73: End of Semester (3)

Chapter 73: End of Semester (3)

Sylvia began casting her spell. Her magic circle formed slowly, drawing the eager attention of the entire ss. As a leading candidate for the next Archmage, the students were keen to see what kind of magic Sylvia of Iliade would create. From the start, her spell demonstrated a mana volume that far surpassed that of most professors. She skillfully wove her spell with immense mana. ¡°Huh?¡± However, as Epherene observed closely, doubts began to surface. She could see it clearly¡ªSylvia¡¯s magic circle was wed. Swooosh¡ª! A fierce wind whipped through the field, distorting the space around them. The ground was scoured, and Epherene¡¯s robe billowed in the gusts. Deculein observed Sylvia in silence. Her spell continued to amplify but failed to produce any tangible effect. Sizzle-crackle... The concentrated mana scorched the ground, surging and contracting with intense energy. Sensing the imminent threat of an explosion, Deculein intervened, severing the magic circuit. The spell was safely dismantled, and the field fell silent. The Debutants whispered among themselves, surprised by Sylvia¡¯s failure. ¡°I failed.¡± Sylvia, whose spell had been dismantled, remained unfazed. She looked up at Deculein and hesitantly said, ¡°I still have a lot to learn.¡± However, Deculein¡¯s gaze was cold as he shook his head, clearly disapproving. ¡°Professor, this is unfair,¡± Sylvia said, biting her lip. ¡°What is?¡± Deculein inquired ¡°You told me I have nothing to learn because of my skill, while the lesspetent receive more instruction,¡± Sylvia argued. Some Debutants shifted ufortably at her words. ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense. Those who excel should receive more attention and guidance.¡± Sylvia believed she was the most deserving of his teachings. Meeting her Muse had been a stroke of luck. She had faith she would flourish even more under his guidance. There was nothing of value to learn from a ce like the Floating Ind. ¡°No, it¡¯s not unfair,¡± Deculein said, looking at Sylvia. ¡°It¡¯s not fair,¡± Sylvia insisted, holding his gaze without flinching. "The unfairness is in your talent." "The unfairness lies in your talent," Deculein dered. The atmosphere grew tense. "Is a genius''s struggle truly greater than that of an ordinary person?" Kim Woo-Jin once listened to a geniusment their struggles. This genius, who had more talent and had studied abroad on schrships,ined that their art wasn¡¯ting together and that the standards set for them were too high. ¡°That¡¯s incorrect. Those who do not require teaching cannotprehend the struggles of those who depend on it to grow.¡± He had never concerned himself with the hardships and slumps that geniuses might endure. Those who shed tears of blood due tock of talent despised whining geniuses. Deculein likely felt the same. ¡°Sylvia, this is not an academy. Yourints will find no audience here. If you cannot endure, then you should leave.¡± Sylvia lowered her head. ¡°If you refuse to quit, then prove yourself worthy of your talent.¡± His words pierced her heart like des, shattering her spirit. "Also, the mana concentration you deliberately caused was dangerous. An explosion could have resulted in casualties. Had another professor handled the dismantling, it might have led to a mana leak. Therefore, you receive ten penalty points." Ten penalty points were the maximum Deculein could impose, something regr professors couldn¡¯t do. ¡°Wow, ten points... that''s crazy as hell,¡± Epherene muttered as the entire ss gasped. At that moment, her eyes met Deculein''s. ¡°Epherene, using foulnguage during ss is uneptable,¡± Deculein said. "Wait, no! Please, I''m sorry! Don''t!" Epherene pleaded desperately. ¡°One more penalty point.¡± ¡°Nooo¡ª!¡± *** The end of the semester at the Mage Tower was a hectic period for both students and staff. Professors embarked on new projects or assessed their progress, while mages prepared for exams or wrote theses. This time also marked the peak of recruitment efforts from territories, nations, corporations, and adventurer groups. With winter missions involving monster waves and civilian support on the horizon, the end of the summer semester was critical for a mage¡¯s career. "Professor Louina, we¡¯ve received 117 counseling requests this week alone," Jenkin reported, her direct prot¨¦g¨¦ at the Mage Tower of the Kingdom. With one hundred and seventeen people¡ªthirty-nine times more than Deculein¡ªrequesting her counsel, Louina''s reputation from the kingdom and the positive word of mouth at the Mage Tower had ensured she was constantly sought after. ¡°... Professor?¡± Jenkin called. But Louina was lost in thought, her mind repeatedly reying what she had witnessed earlier with Deculein. ¡°... It was blood,¡± Louina muttered. ¡°Sorry?¡± Blood had stained Deculein¡¯s lips, and his office carried a distinct scent of it. Such a smell couldn¡¯te from a minor wound or a simple nosebleed. "Just as I suspected..." Louina was convinced it was hemoptysis. She leaned back in her chair and sighed. After today, she was almost certain that Deculein would die in five years. ¡°Professor?¡± "... Yes? Oh, right. 1,117 people. So if I see a hundred each day, what?! Over a thousand?!¡± Louina eximed, suddenly snapping out of her thoughts. ¡°One hundred and seventeen students, Professor.¡± ¡°Oh... then seeing ten people a day should be manageable.¡± ¡°Yes, Professor. Additionally, the approval documents have arrived,¡± Jenkin informed her. "Already? It¡¯s only been three hours,¡± Louina said, her eyes widening in surprise. The documents Jenkin handed her bore the official approval stamp from the Director of nning and Financial Coordination Office. Louina had expected it to take at least one or two weeks. Louina smiled bitterly, nodded, and then said, ¡°Things are moving smoothly. Since we¡¯ve secured the budget, go ahead and bring the others back.¡± Louina had officially resigned from the Mage Tower of the Kingdom. While her most trusted prot¨¦g¨¦ took over her position as head professor, many others still wished to follow her. ¡°Yes, Professor. I¡¯ve already contacted them,¡± Jenkin said. ¡°Good. You may go.¡± Once Jenkin left, Louina surveyed her office. ¡°It¡¯s spacious,¡± Louina muttered to herself. The professor¡¯s office on the 47th floor of the Mage Tower of the Empire was as spacious as the head professor''s office at the Mage Tower of the Kingdom, illustrating the stark contrast between the kingdom and the Empire. "Ha, only five years left... Maybe it¡¯s just karma," Louina muttered bitterly, her cynical tone betraying her frustration. She finally let out a deep sigh. Her desire for revenge against Deculein had once been a burning passion, a purpose that had filled a significant part of her life. But to find that this would be the oue felt anticlimactic. "Both our lives are aplete mess," Louina muttered, her emotions in turmoil. More urately, she felt utterly wretched. *** At 6 p.m., after sses ended, Epherene, who had umted excessive penalty points, was taken to the Mage Tower''s administrative office. ¡°Haha! Look who it is! Your final penalty points must havee from Head Professor Deculein," Relin said,ughing heartily. "I always knew he¡¯d lose patience with your insolence eventually!¡± Professor Relin, who took great pride in maintaining discipline at the Mage Tower,ughed heartily as he handed Epherene a variety of cleaning supplies. Brooms, mops, rubber gloves, and detergents¡ªall went into a wheeled cart. ¡°Out you go, troublemaker! Start cleaning! Hahaha!¡± "Where do I start?" Epherene asked. "Today, you''ll be cleaning from the third floor to the fourth! Hahaha!" "... Okay.." "Haha! Hehe! Hahaha! Guffaw! Hahaha!" Relinughed like a madman, as if his lungs were filled with air. Pouting, Epherene trudged outside. She could use magic for the cleaning, but the sheer number of bathrooms was the real problem. Each floor had over ten bathrooms, and with two floors to clean, that totaled twenty. "No wonder my horoscope said this week would be bad. I need to switch to tarot readings," Epherene muttered as she began cleaning the bathrooms on the third floor. Initially, Epherene attempted to use Telekinesis to handle the tools, but it proved too challenging. Instead, she mixed detergent into the water cast by her Water Serpent spell and carefully scrubbed the toilets and tiles, making sure not to ssh any dirty water. "... Phew." After finishing the first bathroom, Epherene stepped out and saw Deculein standing by the executive elevator on the third floor. ¡°Oh.¡± He was in a perfect suit, ready to leave for the day. He frowned in disgust at Epherene¡¯s appearance, and she felt a surge of irritation. It was all his fault. If he had given her only one penalty point instead of two, she would have had thirteen instead of fourteen. ¡°Professor, don¡¯t you think giving ten penalty points at once was excessive? No one has received that many points at once in the past ten years,¡± Epherene said. "You were only given two points," Deculein said, his eyes conveying disdain as if questioning her ability to do simple math. Epherene¡¯s face reddened with anger as she replied, ¡°No, not me. I meant Sylvia.¡± Deculein regarded her calmly and said, "Epherene." "Yes, sir." "Who are you to worry about others? Sylvia was the only Debutant who understood my lesson. Youck the ability to understand." Epherene fell silent. If he put it that way, she couldn''t argue. Sylvia was the only one who had received a perfect score in the midterms. Ding¡ª The elevator arrived, and Deculein stepped inside. As she resumed cleaning, Epherene muttered, ¡°... I tried so hard not to get those two penalty points.¡± She pushed her cart to the executive bathrooms, scrubbing meticulously before moving on to the dining hall, general, and disabled-ess bathrooms on the third floor. Finally, she headed up to the fourth floor to tackle the mages'' bathrooms. ¡°Deculein~ is a fool~ A~ fool~ The most annoying~ in the world~¡± Epherene hummed, turning the silly song into her work chant. At that moment... Thud¡ª The cart¡¯s wheel caught on someone''s foot. Epherene looked up to see Sylvia standing there. She attempted to pass on the right, but Sylvia blocked her. Epherene then tried the left, but Sylvia blocked her again. Epherene frowned and said, "What¡¯s the matter with you? Move, or I¡¯ll run you over with this cart." "Arrogant Epherene, do you even know what you''re humming?" "It¡¯s called a work song." Epherene then noticed that Sylvia seemed unusually angry, with darker circles under her eyes than usual. "Arrogant Epherene, you have no idea how fortunate you are," Sylvia said. "... Listen, I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re thinking, but¡ª" ¡°Nepotism. A nepotism baby who doesn¡¯t even know how to use it.¡± From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sylvia had attended Roilen¡¯s Behavior Education and Training session as a punishment for her ten penalty points. During this time, she couldn¡¯t help but envision a dreadful future where Epherene, as Deculein¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, would surpass her. "Ugh, forget about nepotism. I just met with Professor Deculein," Epherene said. "Arrogant nepo-baby," Sylvia muttered. She still couldn¡¯t understand why someone who spoke so recklessly would be favored. Just then... "Do you have a crush on him or something?" Epherene asked. "Hell," Sylvia said, unable to stop herself. Her face reddened as she swiftly covered her mouth, astonished by her own outburst. ¡°Heh. So, you do have feelings for him.¡± ¡°No, no, no. I don¡¯t. He¡¯s my Muse.¡± "Anyway, do you know what he just said about you?" "... He talked about me?" "Yes, about you," Epherene said, rubbing her chin as she recalled Deculein¡¯s words. Sylvia feigned disinterest, but her ears perked up attentively. "He said," Epherene whispered, "Deculein said that you''re the only one who understands him." Sylvia¡¯s breath caught, leaving her momentarily speechless. "I don¡¯t know why you acted out like that, but doesn¡¯t this mean he trusts you?" Sylvia stood silent, as still as a statue. Epherene nudged her, saying, ¡°... Hello?¡± Sylvia''s lips trembled, but no words came out. Noticing Sylvia¡¯s state, Epherene cautiously suggested, ¡°I gave you some good information. How about buying me dinner?¡± Sylvia cast a sidelong nce at Epherene. For some reason, Epherene licked her lips and added, "If you do, I''ll pretend I didn''t hear the word you just said." Sylvia, who had been standing dazed, slowly nodded. The gloomy atmosphere from a moment ago hadpletely lifted. Epherene and Sylvia arrived at Flower of the Pig, a famous restaurant in the capital and Epherene¡¯s favorite spot. ¡°Hey there, Epherene! Here you go!¡± the owner said as he set down a sizzling roast Roahawk set. Sizzle, sizzle¡ª The stone te sizzled, filling the air with an irresistible aroma. Epherene¡¯s mouth watered at the sight. "You brought a friend today," the owner remarked. ¡°She¡¯s not a friend,¡± Sylvia corrected, narrowing her eyes. The owner shrugged and asked, "Oh, then how are you two connected?" After a moment¡¯s thought, Sylvia pointed at Epherene and said, ¡°She¡¯s my ve.¡± Epherene gasped in disbelief and yelled, ¡°That¡¯s absurd! very was abolished 300 years ago.¡± ¡°Haha, what a humorous noble she is. Enjoy your meal. You too, Epherene,¡± the owner said,ughing heartily as he walked away. Epherene quickly put on gloves, grabbed the Roahawk by the bone, and said, ¡°Just grab the bone and dig in. It¡¯s delicious! You should try it.¡± Sylvia looked at Epherene in disbelief. Displeased by her crude manners, she searched for a knife and fork. Finding none¡ªlikely because Epherene always ate like a caveman¡ªshe sighed and created utensils with magic. As Epherene devoured her food, she noticed Sylvia delicately cutting her meat with a knife. ¡°How is it? Tasty, right?¡± Epherene asked with a smile. Sylvia replied tly, "I have no sense of taste." Epherene paused, her lips shining with meat juices. ¡°... Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But you enjoyed the fishst time.¡± ¡°I was hungry then. I¡¯m not now.¡± Epherene recalled and nodded slowly. Sylvia had never mentioned it tasted good. ¡°... Was it since birth?¡± ¡°No, I lost it gradually,¡± Sylvia replied. "Ah... I¡¯m sorry," Epherene said, falling silent as she turned her attention back to her food. Epherene nced at Sylvia, who was picking at her Roahawk. Despite the delicious food, Sylvia seemed indifferent. She really must have no sense of taste. ¡°Still, this is great for nutrition and stamina. They say it¡¯s a nutritionallyplete food. You¡¯ll feel your mana recharge if you eat it all,¡± Epherene said, forcing a smile. Sylvia remained unresponsive. Ten minutester, Epherene stared at Sylvia¡¯s te. Her own Roahawk was stripped to the bone, but Sylvia¡¯s still had plenty of meat left. Epherene licked her lips, longing for more food. Sylvia noticed and said, ¡°You can have mine.¡± ¡°... Huh? Oh, I¡¯m okay...¡± ¡°Have it.¡± Epherene recalled that it was impolite to refuse twice, so she said, ¡°Alright, thanks.¡± As Epherene ate the meat Sylvia had left, she remembered their disastrous first meeting at the Mage Tower and the strained rtionship between their families. Yet, Sylvia didn¡¯t seem so bad after all. She was keeping her promise and paying the bill. *** Tick-tock, tick-tock¡ª In the quiet mansion, the ticking clock was the only sound. Usually, Sylvia would be busy reviewing her magic at this hour, but tonight was different. ¡°Only Sylvia understands me.¡± Epherene¡¯s words echoed in her mind, but she heard them in Deculein¡¯s voice. ¡°Only Sylvia,¡± Though she regretted not hearing it directly, the very thought brought her immense joy. The pain in her heart disappeared, and the heavy burden she had been carrying was lifted. ¡°Understands me.¡± Sheughed quietly in her joy, but sorrow quickly followed. He was letting her go because he understood her, allowing them to meet again from a higher ce. ¡°Bearbie Panda,¡± Sylvia said as she took out the stuffed animal Deculein had given her and draped it with the handkerchief he had also given her. ¡°Here is your cape.¡± Sylvia hugged the caped Bearbie Panda andy down on her bed. In the quiet, moonlit night, with Bearbie Panda beside her and Swifty at the window, she felt as if the world itself was protecting her. ¡°Only Sylvia understands me.¡± With this sense of fulfillment, she recalled his voice once more and drifted into a peaceful sleep. *** ¡°... So, that bastard Deculein dared to do that?¡± In his office, Glitheon of Iliade received an official letter from the Mage Tower informing him that Deculein had imposed ten penalty points on Sylvia. "Master, should we lodge a formalint?" the butler asked. Glitheon shook his head and replied, "No." Ten penalty points. Neither Glitheon, his father, his grandfather, nor his great-grandfather¡ªno one in Iliade had ever faced such a humiliation at the Mage Tower. "It''s fine." Twenty years ago, this might have been seen as a deration of war, but now it didn''t matter. Glitheon wasn¡¯t concerned. "Let it be," Glitheon said with a smile. There was no need to see this as a disgrace. The emotions building up now would eventually fuel Iliade''s bright future. ¡°If the child has done wrong, she must face the consequences of receiving penalty points,¡± Glitheon said as he burned the Mage Tower''s letter. The document turned to ash and settled. In those ashes, Glitheon thought of Yukline, recalling the longstanding enmity between the Iliade and Yukline families. "Deculein, mark my words. The enmity between your family and ours will never be broken, even if this world ends..." Chapter 74: Incident (1)

Chapter 74: Incident (1)

¡ô Memorize Status: Beginner/Intermediate Telekinesis (17% Progress) ©³Beginner Fire Control ©ÇBeginner Fluid Maniption ©»Metal Enhancement (67% Progress) Late at night, I inspected the magic strands of Telekinesis that appeared through my Sharp Eyesight in the annex. Although the quality of my mana had improved, harnessing and controlling the amplified power was still challenging. Closing my eyes gently, I cast Telekinesis, causing a piece of Wood Steel to rise into the air. Today''s goal was to manipte electromaic waves through the resonance of metal using Telekinesis. Previously, my low mana quality had prevented any attempts, but now, at grade 4, it was worth trying. Zzzzzzzt¡ª The basic application of this advanced technique was Invisibility¡ªusing metal resonance to disperse and refract visible light, making the Wood Steel shuriken''s shape almost invisible. Bang¡ª! The theory was sound, but the Wood Steel, which was vibrating in ce, suddenly shot up, smashed into the ceiling, and then crashed down onto my shoulder. It was my 38th failure. "Quite challenging," I muttered, rubbing my aching shoulder as I took a seat. My body was covered in bruises from mastering this mechanism, and my mana was nearly depleted. Despite the improvement in my mana quality, my ordinary talent remained unchanged, so this would take some time. "Talent..." I murmured, recalling the words I had said to Sylvia yesterday. "Is a genius''s struggle truly greater than that of an ordinary person? That¡¯s incorrect. Those who do not require teaching cannotprehend the struggles of those who depend on it to grow." Looking back, it was clear that jealousy and envy were at the root of it all. This feeling of inferiority was amon thread between Deculein and Kim Woo-Jin. Deculein became a viin, consumed by it, while Kim Woo-Jin gave up, epting his inadequacy. Neither had managed to ovee it. ¡°What a joke,¡± I said with a wry smile. However, what I told Sylvia yesterday was true. Her development would happen on the Floating Ind. With countless events and quests awaiting her there, she would surpass Deculein. Meeting Archmage Sylvia in the main quest would be the right choice, and the Floating Ind was the ideal ce for it. I packed my things and stepped outside, where Roy, my butler, was waiting. It was precisely 7 a.m. "Have Ren and Enen already departed?" I inquired. "Yes, sir," Roy replied. "Good," I acknowledged with a nod. The siblings had departed to establish the Information Office and woulde back with suitable recruits. "Furthermore, Lady Yeriel has arrived," Roy informed me. Yeriel sat in the tea room of the Yukline mansion. The spicy aroma of the two cups of ck tea she had brought filled the air. "Are youing to the ribbon-cutting ceremony?" Yeriel asked, taking a sip of her tea. "It''s for the opening of the underground passage." Usually, Marik would open the passage, but Yeriel had the idea to expedite the process, reducing the waiting time significantly. As a result, it was being built a year ahead of schedule. "Do you have the blueprints?" I inquired. "I have a video," Yeriel replied, pulling out a crystal orb. As she infused it with mana, a projection of the underground passage appeared. "The tunnel stretches from the northern vige of Seojakbi in our territory to Marik''s entrance, about 80 kilometers. What do you think?" The projected underground passage was far more than a simple tunnel. It was wide and spacious, lined with modern tiles and walls. "And it¡¯s not just a passage. Going straight home after work at Marik is too exhausting, right? So, we''ve built amercial area for convenience." The crystal orb projected an image of an underground shopping mall, reminiscent of a modern subway station. "It''s empty now, but it''s waiting for tenants¡ªrestaurants, shops, hotels. This will bring in additional ie beyond toll fees. Adventurers will spend their money freely here," Yeriel said, folding her arms with a confident and satisfied smile. "You certainly go above and beyond,¡± I said. "... Well, that''s just how I am," Yeriel replied, stifling augh. Her neck stiffened, and her shoulders rose with pride. "Good. I have recently invested in numerous shops. I will open their branches there." I had investments in several businesses, including the magic shop Lopopo, the hardware store Lukan''s Wharf, and the restaurant Flower of the Pig. ¡°Oh, that! I was going to mention it. Why do you force investments on them?¡± Yeriel said, suddenly frowning, a curious reaction from her. "Force?" "Yes! I heard you visited shops that didn''t need investment and forced them to sell shares!" I remembered those moments clearly. Some shops were indeed hesitant to sell their shares, but I had targeted them with my Wealthy Magnate attribute. "If they had made their refusal clear..." I stopped mid-sentence. It was true; anypany or shop that dared to refuse my offer had been visited by me personally for persuasion. From their perspective, it must have been quite intimidating¡ªan unexpected noble entourage demanding the sale of shares, which was essentially a form of coercion, especially considering that the one behind it all was a powerful figure in the Empire, a Yukline. "... I paid them fairly." "Anyway! Are you nning to keep doing this?" Yeriel asked. I considered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, I will continue." There¡¯s no reason to stop. Even if they¡¯re hesitant initially, they¡¯ll benefit in the long run. As long as the oue is positive, the process is irrelevant. With limited time, I can¡¯t afford to be selective. "Oh, god..." ¡°It¡¯s their fault for refusing my investment,¡± I stated firmly. Yeriel sighed in exasperation. "Whatever. Will you attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony?" "If my schedule permits." "Schedule? It''s likely next week. What do you have nned for today?" "After instructing Her Majesty, I will visit the auction house." "Again with the auctions?! Oh,e on! God damn it! We''re out of funds after building the tunnel!" Yeriel was shocked again. I shook my head and replied, "I''ll be selling, not buying." "... Oh, I almost got mad again. And take this," Yeriel said, handing me a box that had been sitting on the table. It was elegantly wrapped. "It''s a gift from the constructionpany of the Yukline underground passage. Open it." Using Telekinesis, I lifted the lid and found an unexpected, yet familiar item inside. ¡°You know what it is, right? It might seem a bit unfamiliar,¡± Yeriel asked. It was a revolver, adorned with gold patterns on a ck background¡ªthe symbol of Yukline. "They say it¡¯s a trend among the kingdom¡¯s nobles. I heard it¡¯s more effective than a sword in closebat, making it good for self-defense against bandits." Guns exist in this world, powered by ordinary gunpowder, but they are not widespread. The details were handled by the game design team, likely because they can''t prate mana shields and knights'' reflexes are faster than bullets. "What do you think? Pretty, isn''t it...?" The revolver was aesthetically pleasing, even with my Aesthetic Sense attribute. It felt more like a piece of art than a weapon, satisfying my sense of beauty. This must be why people give gifts¡ªjust one item could improve my entire perception of the constructionpany. "Well crafted. Tell them I ept it," I said. "Oh, you''re... going to keep it? Not throwing it away?" Yeriel asked in a subtle tone. "Yes." "... What will you use it for? Don¡¯t mages usually dislike these? I thought you''d throw it away, so I just showed it to you..." Her eyes flickered with a blend of desire and disappointment as she stared at the revolver in my hand. I waved it back and forth, and she couldn''t help but track its movement. "Yeriel, will you be departing immediately?" I inquired, cing the revolver in my inner pocket. Yeriel sighed and responded, "I''ll rest for a bit~ I''ve been overwhelmed with worktely~ I was hoping to find a gift for myself~" "Take your time," I said. "God dang it, so frustrating. I feel like a pest," Yeriel muttered in annoyance. Ignoring Yeriel, I turned and called for Roy, "Let''s depart." "Yes, sir. The car is ready," Roy replied. It was time to leave for the Imperial Pce. *** Yeriel stormed into her room, copsed onto her bed, and kicked her legs in frustration. Her whole body quivered with regret. ¡°I should have kept it for myself. Why did I show it to him? Why? Ugh, you idiot! Why did you show it, you moron?¡± She had nned to use the revolver for hunting. Lost in thought, she imagined a dramatic scene as if in a y. ck¡ª In her mind, she saw herself aiming the revolver at a wild boar on a quiet, snow-covered mountain. This boar, a monster that had devoured ten lumberjack, was her target. The chill in the air heightened the tension. ¡°Your fate is in my hands.¡± She closed one eye, carefully calcted the wind and distance, and then pulled the trigger nonchntly. Bang¡ª! The bullet tore through the boar, ripping through its hide, muscles, and heart. The beast copsed, and Yeriel blew the smoke from the gun barrel. "... I got it," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her vassals, who had been watching in silence, rushed forward, apuding. Amid their cheers, she smirked with satisfaction. ... However, Deculein had taken that pleasant future from her. "Why did I inherit his need to act so seriously? Must be the family bloodline," Yeriel muttered, sighing as she stood up and straightened her disheveled hair before leaving her room. She had a mission today, which she referred to as a regr inspection. Sneaking past the servants'' watchful eyes, she quietly climbed the stairs and slipped into the study. ¡°Let¡¯s see...¡± Deculein''s meticulous nature made it easy to predict where he would store certain documents. "Here it is," Yeriel said, finding the folderbeled Investment Status. As she scanned the contents, her eyes widened in shock. "Wha-what''s wrong with th-these numbers?" As the rumors suggested, Deculein was a major investor, pouring in millions of elne, with consistently positive returns. He had even recovered the 200 million elne he had spent at thest auction. ¡°What kind of schemes is that bastard up to now...¡± Yeriel shivered. Whatever it was, anything involving Deculein couldn''t be good. ¡°He¡¯s going to make me clean up his mess again...¡± She carefully put the documents back and left the study, acting as if nothing had happened. Reaching the first floor, she saw servants bringing in supplies. ¡°What are these supplies for?¡± Yeriel asked innocently. ¡°They are bandages and medications, Lady Yeriel,¡± the servant responded. "Bandages and medications?" Yeriel tilted her head in confusion, trying to understand why Deculein had ordered such arge quantity. ¡°We are unsure, Lady Yeriel. The items are for activities taking ce in the annex,¡± the servant replied. "... The annex," Yeriel muttered, ncing out the window toward it. She wondered if Deculein had kidnapped Louina and hidden her there. ¡°You must not enter the annex, Lady Yeriel, even you are not permitted,¡± a servant stated. "Don''t worry, I''m not going in," Yeriel replied, though the servants still eyed her with suspicion. Their loyalty to Deculein was unwavering, bolstered by the generous sries and excellent benefits he provided. "I said I¡¯m not going in. I¡¯m going to my room. Bring me some foodter.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady Yeriel. I¡¯ll escort you upstairs,¡± a servant insisted. ¡°No need for that.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll just stand by your door, Lady Yeriel,¡± one of the servants insisted. They were resolute, assigning the youngest among them to stay with her. ¡°Seriously... have you forgotten who I am? Just wait and see...¡± Yeriel grumbled, annoyance clear in her tone, as she climbed the stairs. *** "I¡¯ve read your entire textbook," Sophien dered, waving my revised edition of Understanding Pure Elements as I stood in the Imperial Pce. "What did you think?" I asked, maintaining a calm demeanor. "Hmph. I''ve mastered it all. Watch." Her tone was formal and authoritative as she demonstrated every spell in the revised edition simultaneously, filling the room with Pure Elements in less than a minute. "It''s rather lousy." I concealed my amazement. This was truly a divine talent, one that transcended human capabilities. "I will note that, Your Majesty," I replied, recording it in my instruction log. Sophien nced at my notes and asked, "What are you writing?" "It is an instruction log, Your Majesty." "How pathetic." I chose not to respond. Her Majesty Sophien mastered in less than two weeks what an ordinary mage would require an entire semester to learn... Sophien interrupted my writing, saying, "By the way, your fianc¨¦e seems rathercking in skills. Be it swordsmanship or chess." My fountain pen came to an abrupt stop. I wasn¡¯t angry, just confused. Yulie had the potential to be a top-tier knight in the future. Saying that shecked skill was as absurd as iming the sun rises in the west. "Why? Does it bother you because she is your fianc¨¦e?" Sophien asked with a smirk. I looked at the Empress. Sophien never lied; she despised the very act of lying. Because of her nature, my doubts only grew stronger. "Your Majesty, a more thorough exnation is required. Of all the knights I know, Knight Yulie is the most¡ª" "As I said, her skills arecking. Though she is apetent knight, she does not live up to her reputation." This was absurd. I thought back to the game I had yed, recalling Yulie''s character and the storyline. I vividly remembered the scene where Yulie, at the height of her power, killed Deculein. "Enough of that. Didn''t you say in ourst lesson, ''©¤Once Your Majesty has fully mastered magic and I can offer no further meaning, only then may you seek another meaning from me''?" Sophien mimicked my voice. "Now, are you ready to answer my questions?" Sophien asked, a deep smile spreading across her lips. Her narrow, me-red eyes glinted wickedly, like a serpent''s. I shook my head and replied, "There remains more lessons, Your Majesty." "... More lessons?¡± "Today will be our second lesson, Your Majesty." "Cease your talking. I have wlessly demonstrated all the spells, surpassing everyone else." "Today, we have a fundamental assessment of magic, Your Majesty." "No, you arrogant man. What more could you possibly teach me?" Sophien said, her voice dropping dangerously, her anger rising. The aura of her mana red around her. As an Empress weary of life, her patience was nonexistent. "Stop your damned prattle and look closely. Is my magic not superior to yours?" It was true. The Empress''s magical abilities far surpassed mine. In fact, if she wished, she could have easily surpassed any mages in this world. However, there was one spell I possessed that could overwhelm her. "Fundamentals are essential in all things, just as physical strength is crucial," I stated, lifting my fountain pen with Telekinesis. "This is Telekinesis, the foundation of maniption magic. It epasses beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels¡ª" "Enough, this is pointless," the Empress dered, her piercing re fixed on me. She continued, "Deculein, do you realize how many mages have attempted to teach me over the years?" ¡°No, Your Majesty. I do not.¡± "Thirty-three mages, including Rohakan and Bedomen." Rohakan needs no introduction, and Bedomen is an Ethereal-ranked mage. Both are immensely powerful. "Even they did not speak of fundamental magic with me, for my mastery of the fundamentals surpasses that of anyone else." This was also true. If an ordinary mage''s Telekinesis output was ten and a maniption mage''s output was twenty, the Empress''s output alone was 200, ten times higher. She wielded basic magic twenty times more effectively, so the gap widened with advanced spells. As a result, even when using the same spell, the Empress always had the advantage. Her basic strength was already at a superhuman level. "Even so, it does not matter. I am not Rohakan or Bedomen," I said. "... What did you just say? Deculein, are you out of your senses?" The magic circle of my Telekinesis enveloped my entire body. It wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration to say my body was Telekinesis itself. Numerically, it was fifty times more powerful than that of a maniption mage, and even five times stronger than Sophien¡¯s. "This is a straightforward test. If you can take this fountain pen from me within twenty minutes, Your Majesty, you will have seeded." "What is wrong with this fool? Hey, have you lost your damn mind?" With my Telekinesis, the Empress cannot defeat me. Her boredom, born from easily learning and mastering everything, will be halted by the barrier of my power. "Undoubtedly, the beginning may be challenging. Yet, by setting a clear goal and diligently pursuing it, sess will be within your grasp. I haveplete faith in Your Majesty''s talents." "... Are you mocking me?" Sophien demanded, her expression hardening. I continued calmly, ¡°Let us begin. Should you defeat me, Your Majesty, I will truthfully answer any question you might ask.¡± The fountain pen hovered in front of Sophien, held aloft by Telekinesis. "... Questions are no longer needed," Sophien said, ring at me. The aura that had surged around her had cooled to an icy calm, a testament to her fury. "Deculein, are you willing to put your neck on the line for this Telekinesis?" Her words were sincere, and they showed that my provocation had been effective. "Yes, Your Majesty, of course," I replied calmly. The Empress''s piercing gaze felt warmer than sunlight. Satisfied, I smiled and said, "Please, attempt to take it from me." The purpose of my instruction was always to make Sophien experience raw, unfiltered emotions. Chapter 75: Incident (2)

Chapter 75: Incident (2)

Sophien stared at the fountain pen suspended in midair. She had learned that fundamental spells in various categories included the destructive Fireball, the supportive Barrier, and the maniptive Telekinesis. Given the inherent limitations of magic output, a mage¡¯s talent was the most significant factor in mastering basic spells. Sophien used her Telekinesis to pull the fountain pen forcefully. Though the pen remained motionless, her violent Telekinesis had already half-destroyed the Hall of Learning. The floor was torn up, the ceiling had copsed, pirs were shattered, and bookshelvesy in ruins. Amidst the destruction, Deculein remained calm, showing no signs of strain. His breath was steady, his demeanor impablyposed. His noble presence stirred something within Sophien. "... How fascinating," Sophien murmured. Sophien had a sharp intuition that let her discern what was possible and what was beyond reach. Deculein¡¯s Telekinesis fell into thetter category. Initially, she was reluctant to admit it, but time had run out, leaving her no choice. "Twenty minutes have passed," Sophien observed, her gaze fixed firmly on Deculein. His blue eyes met hers, sparkling like crystals. Sophien smiled slightly. "I see now why you are confident enough to risk everything. My Telekinesis cannot surpass yours." "Then let usmence the conceptual lesson," Deculein responded. "Are there still concepts you wish to teach me?" "Yes, Your Majesty, I intend to present concepts known only to me." "Concepts known only to you?" "Yes, Your Majesty," Deculein replied as he drew a magic circle in the air, its form distinct from any ordinary one. "Intriguing," Sophien remarked, resting her chin thoughtfully on her hand. She found Deculein himself more fascinating than the magic circle he had drawn. "I know you. I have read the reports and seen you in person," Sophien said, pulling out a dossier on Deculein provided by the Intelligence Agency and handing it to him. "All of this is wrong. None of it is urate." "... Your Majesty, these are ssified documents. They should not be shown to anyone," Deculein said, frowning at the papers. Sophien paid no attention. Since everything in the documents was incorrect, she saw no harm in showing them. "They imed your talents were fake and that you were a fraud. But the person I see now¡ªwhat am I to make of you?" the Empress said, her gaze intense and filled with questions. "You are full of mysteries. I believe you are hiding secrets. Am I correct?" "Yes, Your Majesty, you are correct," Deculein replied, nodding. He was never one to lie. Sophien was satisfied with that. As long as he was truthful, he deserved to stand before her. "Very well. One day, I will uncover those secrets," Sophien dered. "If Your Majesty devotes herself to the lessons, that moment will not be far off," Deculein replied confidently. The Empress smirked and finally examined the magic circle Deculein had created. "This is the magic I intend to teach you, Your Majesty. It is an ancient concept I have reimagined in modern terms." "Oh? And what might that be?" "It is the runguage," Deculein exined. "... The runguage?" Sophien''s eyes widened in surprise, but Deculein remained calm. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± From the moment he began tranting the runic letters, he intended to teach the entire system to the Empress. His goal was to break her ennui and bestow upon her the great power needed to face the ultimate final boss in the future. "I heard you destroyed it. Is that not correct?" Sophien was well aware of Deculein''s Symposium. She had observed it through the eyes of a cat, and the Imperial Pce''swork was the quickest source of information. "It remains in my mind, Your Majesty. Therefore, there will be no physical evidence of my teachings from now on." This lesson was possible only because Deculein was the teacher and Sophien the student¡ªamunion of words and mana. At that moment, Sophien understood Deculein''s true intentions. A new emotion flickered in her gaze as she red at him. "I will teach you all forty-eight runic letters I have tranted. If you master Telekinesis using these runes, you may be able to defeat me, Your Majesty." Naturally, a mage would not easily destroy their research. Particrly if the research involved something as significant as runes, no one would be mad enough to bury it all in ashes. After all, mages are the kind who obsessively seek to leave their mark on the world. "So, you intend to make me your prot¨¦g¨¦?" Sophien grasped Deculein''s intentions. He had been waiting quietly, hoping for this moment. He sought someone who could master the vast magic of runguage, someone with the talent to carry on his research from a position of great authority. "Yes, Your Majesty," Deculein replied with a sincere nod. Understanding his true intentions, the Empress smiled broadly. "You will be the first prot¨¦g¨¦ of my runguage, Your Majesty," Deculein dered. This had been his goal since their first meeting. "By teaching you these runic letters, I can understand you better, and you can understand me as well." "You arrogant man," Sophien said with augh. She didn''t entirely dislike the idea; in fact, she found his audacity quite appealing. "Very well, we shall see if it unfolds as you n. Proceed as you wish..." Deculein immediately began to assemble the runic letters. His earnestness was almost endearing in its sincerity. *** "... That is enough. Now get lost," the Empress had dered, ending the ny-minute lesson. I exited the Hall of Learning. ¡°Lord Yukline.¡± While I walked through the corridors of the Imperial Pce, someone called my name. I turned to see Jng, the eunuch. "Have you concluded your lesson with Her Majesty?" Jng inquired. He had blond hair and wore the typical eunuch''s attire. His small stature, pale skin, and beardless face made him appear more like a courtier than a servant. I knew who Jng was¡ªa notable figure in the pce, renowned for his role in the Darkness of the Imperial Pce quest involving the Demon¡¯s Mirror. "Yes, it is concluded," I replied. "Then, I have a request to make of you." "Is this matter concerning the Imperial Pce''s underground?" Jng looked surprised but quickly regained hisposure, nodded, and said, "Yes, that is correct. Please, follow me. There are ears and eyes everywhere in the Imperial Pce.¡± I followed Jng through the pce corridors. The pce contained hundreds, if not thousands, of rooms, and he led me to one of them. It was an empty room illuminated by flickering candles. "An ideal location for a ndestine meeting." "Haha, indeed, that is the purpose of this room," Jng said. "Do eunuchs also partake in romantic affairs?" "Well, it depends on the situation," Jng replied. "Now, Lord Yukline, I will exin what lies in the darkness of the pce..." I was well aware of the secrets hidden beneath the Imperial Pce. Darkness lurked there, concealing the remnants of a demon. No one could say for certain if it was truly a demon, but the mirror revealed the hidden side of the world. If it only reflected, there would be no problem. But the mirror also served as a gateway to another realm, and it had long since taken over the Imperial Pce''s underground. "... Therefore, we are assembling a team to purify the underground. Her Majesty has faith in you, Lord Yukline¡ª" "Very well," I responded, not asking many questions. There was no need; I had alreadypleted this quest during my test ys. "However, I have one condition." "What is your condition?" Jng inquired. "Yulie must be excluded," I stated. Jng raised his eyebrows and then chuckled softly, saying, "... The affection of a hedgehog, is it?" Jng''s words were meant as a joke or a sneer, but they struck me deeply. Two hedgehogs, shivering in the cold, approach each other for warmth. They try to survive the winter by huddling together, but eventually realize that the closer they get, the more their countless spines hurt each other. "It was merely a joke," Jng said hastily, misinterpreting my stern expression. "... That''s enough. Just do as I say." "Yes, Lord Yukline, I understand. I will convey this to Knight Yulie to the best of my ability." Nodding, I left the room. My mind was troubled, and I had expended a lot of mana teaching the runguage. Despite this, I had another task toplete, the auction at Haileich. *** Haileich, the wealthiest city in the Empire, was a center ofmerce, filled with rare treasures, luxurious items, and beautiful artworks. "The air feels different here..." Arlos murmured, closing her eyes to savor the golden sunlight that bathed Haileich. The streets of this affluent district bustled with a vitality that contrasted sharply with the ashen remnants of other ces. As she walked, a small leafnded on her shoulder, and a voice emerged from it. ¡ª Arlos, Arlos slowly opened her eyes. ¡ª It''s Jukaken. Jukaken, like Arlos, was in a cooperative rtionship with the Altar, but he was also one of the six heads of the Six Serpents. "I already told you I won''t be participating," Arlos said. ¡ª The n is solid, and it''s about capturing, not killing. We need both you and Gerek. There''s no risk to you. "... Gerek isn''t suitable for this n. He''s obsessed with Deculein and doesn''t fit your cautious approach." Jukaken, a figure from the underworld, was meticulous. He had likely been devising a strategy since the Altar ced a bounty of thirty million elne on capturing Deculein. In contrast, Gerek, with his multiple personas, was more like a deranged lunatic. ¡ª Have you forgotten Deculein''s sh with Rohakan? We needparable strength. At the very least, we need Gerek. "Gerek would do it for free if it meant killing Deculein," Arlos replied. ¡ª The mission is to capture, not to kill. While walking and conversing, Arlos arrived at Haileich''s auction house, which had a sign that read Crain. "I''m hanging up now," Arlos said. ¡ª The Altar has added the Stone of the Land of Destruction to the bounty. You''ll receive 15% of its value. We just need your puppet and Gerek. The Stone of the Land of Destruction was tempting, and Jukaken was taking full advantage of that allure. ¡ª All you need to do is control your puppet. Do you see the red-haired man smoking on the right side of the street? Arlos nced in that direction and saw a driver in a suit smoking. ¡ª That''s Jeff, Deculein''s driver for today. We''ll take him down, and you''ll use your puppet to impersonate him. "You''re aplete fool. Deculein has already detected my puppet before," Arlos warned. Deculein had been the first to see through her puppet. Thanks to the hints he provided, her puppets no longer had ash sticking to them. ¡ª Deculein doesn¡¯t pay much attention to his servants; he sees them as mere tools. I assure you, nothing will go wrong. Arlos said nothing. ¡ª It''s a top-grade mana stone, Arlos, equivalent to a mana diamond. Untouched by human hands. Aren''t you tempted? I estimate its value at 100 million elne, and you''ll receive 15% of that. After a moment of consideration, Arlos said, "20%. If it''s worth 100 million, then it''s actually worth at least 150 million. Don''t take me for a fool." Jukaken fell silent. Arlos had nothing to lose. Although she harbored a small personal grudge against Deculein, she didn''t want to make an enemy of the entire Yukline family. ¡ª Damn it, fine. I, Jukaken, Ruler of the Underworld, promise Arlos, the Money-Eating Hippo, a 20% reward. "Good. Just don''t rush things like this again," Arlos said. ¡ª Opportunities like this are rare. That''s the beauty of chance. Today is ideal. "I get it. Now, get lost," Arlos ordered curtly. She ended the message and entered Crain. "May I see your identification, please?" inquired a staff member. "Here you go," Arlos replied, handing over her identification. "Your identification has been confirmed, Miss Sollette." The auction house Crain was crowded, mostly with nobles in elegant attire. Like her, they were probably eyeing Homeren¡¯s Carved Ring. Arlos had no intention of letting it slip away. ... Two hourster. "Miss Sollette, congrattions on winning Homeren¡¯s Carved Ring. The owner is waiting inside," a staff member announced. After winning the auction, Arlos nodded in acknowledgment. She followed the staff member''s guidance to the backstage area. The owner of the item stood with his back to her in the center of the room. Arlos found the silhouette familiar. "The winners have arrived," the staff member announced. The owner turned around, and though Arlos was surprised, she didn''t show it. Deculein stood there, bathed in sunlight, which gave him a radiant aura. "Congrattions on your winning bid," Deculein said, holding out the item. "Thank you," Arlos replied calmly. There was no need for Arlos to be nervous; Deculein did not know her true identity. "Is your name Sollette?" Deculein inquired. Arlos nodded. Deculein gave her a faint smile, a reaction she was ustomed to from other men who saw her appearance. Yet, she felt slightly uneasy because it was Deculein. "Here is the Homeren¡¯s Carved Ring. It was a good deal," Deculein said, handing her the ring. "Yes," Arlos replied, epting the ring that had cost her a staggering twenty million elne. At that moment, Deculein''s eyes widened as he looked beyond her. "... Sylvia?" Deculein said. "Yes, Professor," Sylvia replied. Arlos turned to see Sylvia, a youngdy from the Iliade family. "Did you purchase the Lotherin¡¯s Amber Brooch?" "Yes, Professor, using my savings." "You must be upied with your final exams," Deculein observed. "It is fine." Arlos observed the unusual pair. Deculein appeared indifferent, while Sylvia, despite herck of expression, seemed strangely bright. "Then I shall take my leave," Arlos said as she exited the room. "The brooch is beautiful, Professor. Have you dined yet?" Sylvia asked. "Indeed, I have." "Oh." Whoever Sylvia was, as long as she distracted Deculein, it worked to Arlos''s advantage. *** Once the auction concluded, I stepped into the car. "Have a nice day," Sylvia said, bowing her head slightly outside the window. She had spent almost thirty minutes with me backstage, and the Lotherin¡¯s Amber Brooch was now pinned to her hair. "Indeed, the brooch suits you well," I responded. "Ah," Sylvia said, puffing out her cheeks, clearly pleased, as I rolled up the window. "Proceed to the Mage Tower," Imanded. "Yes, sir," Jeff responded, the driver for today. Vroom¡ª The car began to move smoothly. As usual, I leaned back in my seat and took out a paper. Solda Drent''s Thesis: Axial Rotation Last week, during career counseling, Solda Drent asked for my feedback. Considering the high value of my input, I rarely agreed to such requests. "Professor Deculein, I, Solda Drent, aspire to be your assistant!" Drent sought my favor by expressing his desire to be my assistant. Noticing his genuine sincerity, I epted his request and handed him a contract. The author configured the core circuit for Axial Rotation in the following manner. The objective of this supportive category circuit was... "Inefficient," I muttered, letting out a slightugh as I noted the inefficiency evident from the very first paragraph. "And unsophisticated." The circuit''s flow, including its knots and connections, was unstable. This instability was due to the inherent difficulty of achieving the effect of Axial Rotation. ¡°Your abilities fell significantly short of your objectives.¡± I continued reading the thesis. ¡°Despite yourmendable initiative in seeking me out...¡± The idea itself wasn¡¯t bad, so there was room for improvement. "... It was evident that you were in dire need of proper education," I concluded, writing the feedback. To be honest, his talent was too great to be just an assistant under Deculein. *** In the same space and time, Arlos drove Deculein¡¯s car. Following the n, Jukaken had kidnapped the driver, Jeff, and Arlos had infused her puppet with Jeff¡¯s appearance and her own soul. She nced at Deculein through the rearview mirror. He was reading a document, but its contents were not visible. At this distance, he won¡¯t be able to notice, Arlos thought, swallowing a sigh of relief. Her puppet was indistinguishable from a human, and with Jeff¡¯s appearance perfectly mimicked, no one would suspect a thing¡ªat least, that¡¯s what Arlos believed. But then... ¡°Inefficient,¡± Deculein suddenly remarked, breaking the silence. Arlos¡¯s heart sank, and she instinctively gripped the steering wheel tighter. She wondered what he was referring to as inefficient. She nced at Deculein through the mirror again. Without breaking hisposure, Deculein added, "And unsophisticated." Arlos clenched her teeth as doubts began to creep into her mind. ¡°Your abilities fell significantly short of your objectives.¡± Had he recognized her puppet again? This time again? How? Had he invented some magic to detect it instantly? Arlos¡¯s thoughts were scattered. What a fucking idiotic n. Arlos considered passing on her words to Jukaken, but an unsettling feeling crept over her. If Deculein had noticed her, he showed no hostility. He didn''t react as he had within the barrier, where he had been so agitated. It seemed more likely that he was just talking to himself. As she pondered this, Deculein spoke again, ¡°Despite yourmendable initiative in seeking me out, it was evident that you were in dire need of proper education.¡± Arlos bit her lip at the arrogant choice of the word¡ªeducation. She realized that, whether there had been a leak or a traitor, Deculein fully understood the situation. She let out a rough breath but quickly calmed herself. After all, she could always escape from her puppet if necessary. Jukaken, the rest is your responsibility, Arlos thought. My task is simply to take him with me. I won¡¯t involve myself any further... Chapter 76: Incident (3)

Chapter 76: Incident (3)

As I read the thesis aloud, I eventually fell silent, though I didn''t stop making corrections. There are numerous incorrect and inefficient sections. Although the core idea is sound... Despite the unfortunate incident Drent caused at the Thesis Colloquium, his talent was exceptional, almost unattainable for someone like the original Deculein. For me, who had only expected Epherene to join, Drent was an unexpected gain. Talking to myself was a sign of my unexpectedly good mood, which was unusual. Then again, I wasn¡¯t sure what being myself meant anymore. ¡°... Hmm.¡± Deculein''s personality trait was Authoritative. The more capable someone was, the more he expected them to lower themselves before him. When they did, he felt a certain joy. Yet now, I was filled with unease. The unfamiliarity stemmed from the way the car cornered. My entire body, sensitively attuned by the Iron Man attribute, detected it. The one holding the wheel was not Jeff. However, I couldn¡¯t act hastily. I scanned the car with a meticulous eye. Viin¡¯s Fate detected no immediate dangers. If boarding this car had been risky, the attribute''s radar would have gged it. Perhaps this was a gap in its function, as it only gged variables directly linked to my death. I rolled down the window. The ordinary scenery slid by, but as the wind rushed in, the entire road was bathed in a vivid red aura. "... This is unprecedented," I remarked. The outside was a danger zone. Inside the car, however, was the safest ce in the area. As I realized the situation, a new quest notification appeared. [Surprise Quest: Encounter] ¡ô Store Currency +1 I pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°An encounter... I shall regard it as an invitation.¡± A smile crept onto my face. I didn''t know who had arranged such an absurd meeting, but thinking of it as an invitation made it easier to ept. I nced at the driver in the rearview mirror. Our eyes met, and he gripped the steering wheel tighter, his palms sweating. "Rest assured, I will not act in an ungentlemanly manner. After all, you are not the real one." The driver remained silent, and there was still time. I resumed editing the thesis. *** Vroom¡ª Gerek red at Deculein¡¯s car in the distance. Although he was maintaining a reasonable distance, the bloodthirsty Gerek found the pace unbearably frustrating. ¡°Why can¡¯t we simply kill him?¡± Gerek demanded. Arlos, who was behind the wheel, responded calmly, ¡°Is that you, Gerek?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me. Just like you, the real Arlos right now.¡± Arlos pressed the elerator without a word. The puppet driving Deculein¡¯s car contained about ten percent of her own soul, making it less intelligent and more unsophisticated than she was. However, everything the puppet saw, heard, and felt was fully transmitted to the original, and the puppet acted as if it were the original. This method of puppetry only worked perfectly under these conditions. A puppet aware of its nature could not move with vitality. To be precise, a puppet aware of its true naturecked motivation, often failing to perform tasks properly and sometimes even refusingmands from the original. Fully infusing a puppet with one''s soul resulted in severe penalties of Soul Separation, so Arlos had developed this method with great care. Gerek muttered, "So, does the soul in that puppet die upon returning to you, never realizing it was a puppet?" "More or less," Arlos replied. ¡°You¡¯re so cruel~ Don¡¯t your puppets have personalities?¡± ¡°They fulfill their roles through sacrifice.¡± Gerek nced at her and inquired, ¡°What do you mean by sacrifice?¡± Arlos bitterly smiled and replied, ¡°The sacrifice is never knowing whether I am the puppet or the original.¡± Even Arlos, who believed herself to be the original, might only be a soul fragment of her true self hiding somewhere. Her memories could be fabrications of the original. This was the price of creating the perfect puppet, one indistinguishable from a human. Consequently, Arlos would always live in doubt of her own reality. ¡°I really admire that about you, sis,¡± Gerek said with a bright smile. ¡°... I told you not to fool me,¡± Arlos snapped, her frown deepening at the word, sis. ¡°Sis~¡± Gerek said,ughing creepily, lunging at Arlos. She pushed away the man who had adopted the persona of a younger sister. ¡°Sis~ I love you~¡± "Stop clinging to me. I''m trying to drive." Thankfully, Gerek was somewhat handsome. If he had looked like a bearded bandit, she would have killed him already. ¡°Siiiis~¡± ¡°Quiet down, Jelin.¡± This was Jelin, not Gerek. Among Gerek¡¯s multiple personas, Jelin was the easiest to handle. ¡°But sis, I can¡¯t hold back for long. I want to kill Deculein as much as my brother does. You remember how I died, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard it countless times from Gerek,¡± Arlos replied. ¡°Hmph. That stupid brother of mine takes all the attention. Even the topics Ie up with, he takes all the credit for...¡± Jelin, who had been grumbling, suddenly fell silent and tightly gripped his pants leg. In a lowered voice, he asked, ¡°Sis.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I¡¯m real, right?¡± Arlos turned to look at Jelin, an eighteen-year-old girl trapped in a grown man¡¯s body. "Who knows? There''s no need to find out.¡± As both a puppeteer and a soul master, Arlos had not teamed up with Gerek by coincidence. The numerous personas within Gerek might be remnants of a mental illness, while she herself might only be a soul fragment of her true self. ¡°Just don''t think about it too deeply, and you''ll be fine." Themonality was their identity crisis. Living without knowing if they were real or fake made life uncertain, often dragging their emotions into a depressive abyss, like an anchor weighing down their heart. "Everything in the world is like that. If you don¡¯t think too deeply, you¡¯ll be fine. Trust in the resilience of your identity and live lightly." ¡°... Sis~¡± Jelin said, looking moved. He lunged at her again, but Arlos elbowed him in the jaw. ¡°Get off, Gerek.¡± ¡°Tch. How did you figure it out?¡± Gerek muttered. Jelin was skilled at acting, but Gerek was not. Arlos clicked her tongue in annoyance and said, "We don''t have time for this nonsense." Through her puppet, Arlos heard Deculein¡¯s voice saying, ¡°An encounter... I shall regard it as an invitation.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± The professor¡¯s damn remarkable intuition had made her consider abandoning the n when he noticed the puppet. However, doing so would have meant Gerek acting on his own, which would have been worse. "Deculein sees this as an invitation. He¡¯s clearly confident," Arlos remarked. "Interesting. He did hold his own against Rohakan, after all. I couldn¡¯t even kill that old man. When did Deculein be so strong?¡± Gerek wondered aloud. At that moment, a shiver ran down Arlos¡¯s spine. Deculein had said something deeply significant. "Rest assured, I will not act in an ungentlemanly manner. After all, you are not the real one." Though he might just mean the puppet, Arlos couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he was referring to her very soul. ¡°Arlos, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Gerek asked. "... Nothing," Arlos replied. It couldn''t be true. No one could determine the authenticity of a human soul¡ªunless they were God. ¡°We''re nearly at the destination,¡± Arlos said. They finally arrived at their destination, a deserted underground area far from the city''s bustling center, marked for future development. "Roar~ I''m getting excited. Roar~" Gerek said, pretending to be an animal. ¡°Do you have an animal persona?¡± ¡°Absolutely! I even raised it myself. I¡¯ve got a cowboy persona who wields a shotgun too. Roar~! Hahaha,¡± Gerekughed, his innocent smile sharply contrasting with his words. *** The car moved forward slowly. The buildings and streetlights gradually disappeared as the vehicle descended into an underground, empty lot. Darkness filled the view beyond the windows. The car rattled forward and eventually came to a stop in the middle of the area. Deculein looked at the driver''s seat. Jeff had turned into a mannequin. It must have been Arlos. He turned his gaze back to the window. There was no immediate danger ording to Viin¡¯s Fate. Deculein stepped out of the car. It was an underground space resembling a parking lot. Click,ck¡ª The sound of Deculein footsteps echoed through the empty space. "Wee," a voice called out from his right. Deculein looked in that direction. He didn¡¯t bother with a defensive stance, as there were no indicating death variables. He simply stood calmly. ¡°It¡¯s been a while~¡± A man cloaked in darkness emerged, and Deculein recognized him instantly. It was Jukaken, a named character from the underworld. "Ah, stop right there. Don''t take another step." Deculein had barely moved when Jukaken reacted dramatically, waving his hands in an exaggerated gesture. "Don''t move another inch. Stay exactly where you are." Deculein scrutinized him using his Character Magnifying Lens. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [The Politician] ¡ô Grade: Unique ¡ô Description: A person who engages in politics. Can mimic some of another person''s attributes through negotiation. (Limited to attributes below Unique grade and without the use of force.) ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Jukaken was a rather unique named character. He was the only one among the Six Serpents to establish himself in the underworld. Despite the inherent risks due to the Empire''s influence reaching even there, Jukaken had long secured his interests and status through various bribes, earning him the alias, the Politician. "Rx a bit. Don¡¯t crease that handsome face," Jukaken said smoothly. For one of the Six Serpents, he was dressed quite aristocratically. His attire, nearly formal enough to be a tailcoat, and his purple hair, slicked back to the right, perfectly embodied his original game design. "Deculein, I propose a peaceful deal." Deculein listened to his proposal in silence. "The Altar seeks your runic letter trantions. Hand over the documents, and after we verify their authenticity, we''ll split the proceeds fifty-fifty. You''ll receive at least 100 million and the rights to the mine in the Land of Destruction." A robed figure stood behind Jukaken. As anticipated, this encounter was merely a side quest within the main quest. ¡°What¡¯s your answer?¡± Jukaken asked, a smirk ying on his lips. Deculein responded, "Your approachcks subtlety." ¡°... Tsk,¡± Jukaken clicked his tongue, brushing his long hair aside. Slightly irritated, he shook his head before looking at Deculein again. "Deculein, I know you well. That¡¯s why I want to resolve this peacefully. I¡¯m not asking for all the rights to the runic letters. If you prefer, I can ce a spell on your trantions so that only the leaders of the Altar can read them. We even have a mage here to assist us¡ª¡± ¡°Jukaken,¡± Deculein interrupted. ¡°If you truly knew me, you would have corrected your tone.¡± Anger simmered beneath Deculein¡¯s calm exterior, his mood darkening simply from facing him. ¡°You are beneath my notice,¡± Deculein added. Simply put, Deculein couldn¡¯t tolerate Jukaken¡¯s arrogance any longer and decided to end the farce. "Who taught a lowly worm like you to speak with such arrogance while pretending to be noble?" Deculein said. Jukaken¡¯s expression hardened. He licked his lips a few times, then lowered his head slightly and grabbed the back of his neck,ughing. ¡°You¡¯re still as arrogant as ever, but the situation isn¡¯t in your favor. You need to wake up,¡± Jukaken sighed. ¡°The Altar can simply crack open your skull and take your brain to get the runguage. You wouldn¡¯t want that. Also...¡± Snap¡ª! Jukaken snapped his fingers, and a barrier materialized, enveloping Deculein and extending several meters around him. From outside the barrier, Jukaken red at Deculein. ¡°This is a barrier. As a head professor of magic, you should appreciate its strength and density. Consider it your prison.¡± The barrier appeared solid at a nce. ¡°Additionally, in acknowledgment of your esteemed reputation for facing Rohakan, I¡¯ve arranged for the utmost courtesy.¡± Following Jukaken¡¯s words, a cold, ominous energy filled the underground space, triggered by the sudden arrival of a particr figure. ¡°Deculein. Let me be clear, this is neither a request nor a proposal.¡± Deculein observed the figure whose face was obscured. He appeared to be male, though his features remained hidden. ¡°Is he your boyfriend, Jukaken?¡± Deculein inquired. Jukaken flinched and shouted, ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?!¡± ¡°Were you so afraid of me, even as one of the Serpent¡¯s Heads?¡± ¡°Hmph. If I wanted you dead, I would have done it already. But I respect the power and wealth you''ve demonstrated in the underworld. I seek a peaceful resolution.¡± ¡°Are you so cowardly yet still call yourself a man?¡± ¡°... Hey! Show yourself! Professor Deculein isn¡¯t taking this seriously!¡± Jukaken shouted. The darkness cleared, and Deculein''s expression turned cold. The figure exuded death variables. In fact, his very existence was a death variable. ¡°Gerek, I presume?¡± Deculein said. ¡°Yes. You recognize this infamous figure,¡± Jukaken replied. Gerek, the multi-persona psychopath. Among the named lunatics, he ranked at the top inbat power and was a walking death variable for Deculein. Deculein let out a dryugh and said, ¡°Jukaken, do you really believe you can control him?¡± ¡°I cannot. If you break the barrier, Gerek will not hesitate to kill you. I cannot stop him in that situation.¡± The death variable crept like a shadow at Gerek''s feet. Deculein''s eyes followed its red movements intently. "If you refuse toply, Gerek will break the barrier and kill you," Jukaken said. However, the barrier blocked the death variable. This was a clue given by the Viin¡¯s Fate attribute. ¡°... Strange.¡± ¡°Haha. It¡¯s not strange; it¡¯s just meticulous. Stay inside and watch,¡± Jukaken said with a smirk. Deculein analyzed the barrier using his Comprehension attribute. It was a dependent type of magic that functioned through a medium. This meant that, regardless of who cast it, the barrier operated via its medium. In other words, its ownership could be transferred at any time, a process known as hijacking. Deculein possessed the skills necessary for hijacking, a process that typically required immenseputational power and time. Fortunately, the small scale of the barrier meant it wouldn¡¯t take long. He used his Comprehension attribute to analyze the barrier, tracking the flow of its embedded mana with his Sharp Eyesight. He reverse-calcted its circuits and spells in his mind and modified the barrier¡¯s medium using Rockelock¡¯s Staff. In 143 seconds, he sessfully hijacked the barrier. Deculein reinforced the barrier to its maximum strength before drawing a revolver from his coat. The chamber was already loaded with six bullets. Jukaken muttered mockingly, ¡°Oh, what a lovely essory.¡± Deculein aimed the revolver at the ceiling of the barrier and fired five consecutive shots. The barrier remained unscathed, but the gunfire drew Gerek¡¯s attention. "Do you hear me, Gerek?" Deculein inquired "... I can hear you, but I''m not Gerek," came the response. Deculein raised an eyebrow and said, "Who are you?" "Jelin. My brother won¡¯te out. No matter what you attempt, I won¡¯t allow you to ruin this." ¡°How cute,¡± Deculein remarked, tilting his head slightly at Jelin¡¯s words. ¡°Regardless, you are observing with your own eyes, are you not? It is your body after all.¡± "... No. Whatever you intend, it will not seed," Jelin said, narrowing his eyes. Deculein remained indifferent. He calmly checked the revolver¡¯s cylinder. After firing five shots, only one bullet remained. ¡°One of the six bullets is loaded,¡± Deculein said indifferently, closing the cylinder with a click and spinning it. This made it impossible to tell which chamber was loaded. ¡°Gerek,¡± In an instant, Jelin''s eyes and mouth widened in shock as Deculein ced the gun¡¯s muzzle against his temple. He looked as if he were about tomit suicide. ¡°Let¡¯s y a game.¡± Jukaken scowled while Jelin, understanding Deculein¡¯s intention, covered his mouth. Gerek began to thrash in Jelin¡¯s consciousness. Jelin wanted to flee, but Gerek wouldn¡¯t allow it. Gerek stood rooted to the spot, staring at Deculein. Click¡ª! Deculein pulled back the hammer of the revolver. The cold steel sound echoed in the empty space. The mechanism operated with mechanical precision, and once he pulled the trigger, the contents of the cylinder would be expelled based on a specific probability. ¡°Before you kill me, will I die by my own hand?¡± Deculein asked softly. ¡°Will it be an empty chamber? Or the one remaining bullet? Or will you wake up before I kill myself?¡± Deculein fixed his gaze on Jelin. Jukaken, clearly flustered, muttered, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t be fooled! That mage is surely up to some trick¡ª¡± But it was pointless. Being highly attuned to mana, they would immediately sense if magic influenced this game of Russian Roulette. "Will you let me end this so easily?" Deculein asked, cing his finger on the trigger. With the muzzle pressed against his temple, Deculein smiled. That horribly wicked grin seemed to ignite Gerek¡¯s persona with a burning intensity. ¡°Herees the first shot.¡± Clunk¡ª! The empty click made Jelin shiver. ¡°Lucky,¡± Deculein remarked with cold detachment. Creak¡ª Deculein pulled back the hammer again, the cold metallic sound echoing through the empty space. Jelin shook his head and shouted, ¡°It¡¯s not going to work!¡± Yet Deculein¡¯s smile remained. He looked down at Jelin, one of Gerek¡¯s personas. ¡°... You said your name was Jelin,¡± Deculein stated. Jukaken had brought Gerek along out of fear of Deculein¡¯s power, but it was a grave miscalction. Gerek was an uncontroble monster. ¡°I am rather curious.¡± If he became moderately angry, he might target only Deculein. However, if his madness reached its peak, causing uncontrolled rage, Gerek could transform into aplete maniac, unable to distinguish friends from enemies, or turn into a human bomb ready to explode. ¡°Tell me, was the agony of drowning bearable?¡± Deculein asked. Jelin remained silent, his expression growing icy. The wild trembling of his body ceased. Deculein smiled slightly as he nced at the ground beneath Gerek''s feet. The death variable emanated from him and spread in all directions, except for the barrier. It was clear that this death variable did not apply solely to Deculein. Chapter 77: Cohabitation (1)

Chapter 77: Cohabitation (1)

In the Northwestern Region of the Empire, there was a small, humble vige nestled in the mountains, where about a hundred families lived closely together. Gerek, a young man from the countryside, was born and raised in this vige. Their lives were modest and free from greed; they valued a day''s meal more than gold and jewels, and cherished a ss of home-brewed beer with friends after a day''s work in the fields more than titles or fame. Gerek remembered the magical tidal wave that had taken everything from him. The memory of his vige beingpletely submerged by the flood was still fresh in his mind. The eternal nightmare haunted him with frenzied screams, chilling moans from those struggling in the waves, shing lightning, thunder pounding in his chest, and the pale, lifeless skin of those who were once human. His vige was swept away by a sudden torrent, drowning his family, neighbors, cousins, friends, and lover. The Yukline family caused this cmity under the guise of demon hunting. Everyone died, except Gerek. He was the sole survivor, clinging to a piece of straw. After that hellish night, the vige was no longer a vige but ake. Yet, Gerek did not feel alone. Staring into the depths of theke, he sensed a growing presence within himself. The spirits of his sister, father, mother, friends, cousins, and neighbors who had died that day now resided within him. The eleven personas of the family he thought he would spend his life with now resided within his body. The dam the Yuklines broke had drowned the vige, but their souls continued to live inside Gerek. But then... ¡°Tell me, was the agony of drowning bearable?¡± Deculein''s voice brought back the agony of that day, stoking Gerek''s fury. From deep within, he could hear the anguished cries of the drowned, echoing through his soul. *** ¡°... Madman,¡± Arlos muttered, watching from the shadows. Inside the barrier, Deculein pointed the gun at his own temple and smiled at Gerek with aristocratic disdain and contempt. ¡°Second shot,¡± Deculein said. Clunk¡ª! Deculein pulled the trigger. Even though the gun didn''t fire, Gerek''s presence was still intimidating. ¡°Wake up, Gerek.¡± Deculein relentlessly provoked Gerek. Using his own life as leverage seemed absurd, but it was an effective tactic. Gerek was adamant about being the one to kill Deculein. He wouldn''t let anyone else do it, nor would he allow Deculein to take his own life. "... Deculein," Gerek snarled. Despite the malice and venom in his gaze and tone, Deculein simply smirked, looking at him as if he were an amusing little puppy. "Yes. The head of the family that flooded your vige is standing right here," Deculein replied. The professor appeared ready to die rather than surrender the runic letters to the Altar. In this scenario, even Arlos was powerless to intervene. "... Gerek, don''t be fooled. That revolver is a fake," Jukaken said calmly. He scrutinized Deculein within the barrier with a discerning eye. "Whether it''s fake or real, no one knows until it''s fired," Deculein said, his hand steady on the trigger. "I trust my luck." Then, he pressed the trigger. Confidence shattered by the gunshot, the revolver fired a bullet. Deculein fell, a mist of red spraying from him. The deafening explosion echoed repeatedly. The silence was profound; not even a breath could be heard. Both Jukaken and Arlos were stunned. ¡°... What the.¡± The barrier made it impossible to determine if he was dead, showing no signs of magic or mana interference. Deculein was a mage, not a knight, and no mere mage could survive a bullet¡¯s lethal force. However, his life or death was irrelevant now. To the already insane Gerek, such things didn¡¯t matter. ¡°Well, I knew it wouldn''t be easy,¡± Jukaken muttered somberly. Gerek went berserk. ck mana clung to his body like armor, transforming him into a monstrous being. He rampaged through the area, unleashing destructive power from his mouth, hands, and feet, ripping the surrounding space apart. Jukaken¡¯s subordinates, the Altar¡¯s mages and executives, and Arlos''s puppets were all shredded. Gerek¡¯s kicks shattered the ground, his ws ripped through the ceiling, and he spewed mana sts from his mouth. His rampage turned the underground chamber into an even deeper pit of chaos. In that hellscape, the only thing left untouched was Deculein''s barrier. *** The original Arlos, free from the puppets, silently surveyed the underground. Crackle, crackle¡ª Embers flickered on the ruined ground. Deculeiny dead inside the barrier, while Gereky exhausted in the center. ¡°No vital signs...¡± Arlos murmured, staring at Deculein within the barrier. His pulse had stopped, and his heart no longer beat. Sighing softly, Arlos growled as she approached Gerek. ¡°You idiot. You¡¯re such a pain in the ass,¡± Arlos muttered. With all the puppets destroyed by the damned madman, Arlos had no choice but toe in person in her original form. She hoisted Gerek onto her back. He was tall and thin, so he wasn¡¯t too heavy. At that moment... Arlos sensed a presence behind her. A chill ran down her spine, nearly paralyzing her. She nced sideways at a man slowly rising. "... I''m feeling a bit lightheaded." The voice captivated Arlos, causing her to turn her head sharply. ¡°Huh...?¡± Deculein''s eyes glowed blue like ghostly mes, cold and piercing as they fixed on her. ¡°Arlos,¡± Deculeinmanded. She instinctively stepped back, on guard. ¡°Hand over Gerek.¡± "... What are you nning to do?" Arlos asked. As if it were the most obvious thing in the world, Deculein replied calmly, ¡°It¡¯s easier to kill him.¡± But Arlos shook her head and said, ¡°I won¡¯t hand him over.¡± It wasn¡¯t out of camaraderie or any noble sentiment. Gerek was simply essential for perfecting her puppetry skills. Deculein shrugged with a twisted smile and said, ¡°Then I have no choice.¡± Blue des of mana formed around Arlos, lighting up the underground. She braced for battle, but Deculein said something unexpected. ¡°But to let him go,¡± Deculein concluded. Arlos frowned. For Deculein, the logic was simple. He couldn¡¯t defeat Arlos by force. If they fought, he would lose, and he was still dizzy. ¡°You¡¯ll let him go?¡± "Since we''re leaving, you will apany me," Deculein dered as he dispelled the barrier and walked past Arlos, who was carrying Gerek. Whoooosh¡ª! The underground, already on the brink of copse, waspletely blocked. Deculein used Telekinesis to clear a path. Despite her doubts, Arlos followed him. "... How did you survive? You didn''t use magic, and your pulse had stopped," Arlos asked. ¡°Controlling my body is simple,¡± Deculein responded sinctly. Once they reached the surface, Deculein noticed Arlos''s car. It was a luxury vehicle, akin to a modern-day Mercedes Benz. ¡°You drive. Put Gerek in the trunk,¡± Deculein ordered. Arlosplied. Deculein took the right rear seat, and Arlos slid behind the wheel. ¡°Hmm...¡± Arlos muttered, ncing at him through the rearview mirror. Deculein''s posture, expression, and attire exuded elegance andposure, remarkable for someone who had just staged a suicide. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving,¡± Deculein said. Arlos clicked her tongue and started driving. As the car smoothly transitioned from the darkness at the Empire¡¯s edge to a paved road, she asked, ¡°Deculein, was it necessary to ask about the agony of drowning?¡± Deculein smiled silently. He had leveraged the well-known enmity between Gerek and Yukline to his advantage. It was a calcted move, and it should not necessarily a bad one. As Kim Woo-Jin, he also knew how toplete the quest to save Gerek from utter chaos. ¡°By the way, did you leave the ring you bought at the auction at home?¡± Deculein asked. Arlos chuckled and nodded. With her original form revealed, there was no point in hiding anything. ¡°It will look good on you.¡± Yet, Deculein''s words kept gnawing at her. They seemed to carry hidden meanings, making her feel uneasy and insignificant. His Intimidation and Dignity attribute worked that way. At that moment... ¡°Stop the car for a moment!¡± Up ahead, knights were blocking the road. When Arlos stopped the car, a man approached andmanded, ¡°Open the window and show your identification¡ª¡± He looked into the driver¡¯s seat, saw Deculein in the back, and his eyes widened with shock. ¡°Professor Deculein?!¡± Deculein nodded, and the man shouted excitedly, ¡°He¡¯s here! P-Professor Deculein is here!¡± At that shout, Arlos saw a huge figure slowly rise beyond the front windshield. ¡°What? Professor Deculein?¡± someone eximed in surprise. Zeit von Bluegang Freyden, the head of Freyden, made Arlos shiver with fear. He was the only knight who had traumatized her four years ago. ¡°Let¡¯s see.¡± Thump-thump-thump. His giant strides closed the distance swiftly. With his white hair flowing, Zeit approached like a ghost or a grim reaper. ¡°Well, well, Professor Deculein!¡± Zeit eximed as he lowered the front window with his hand. He alternated his gaze between Deculein and Arlos. ¡°Who is this mysterious youngdy? I rushed here after receiving a report of your kidnapping, but is this an affair?¡± When Zeit frowned, Arlos felt her impending doom. With just one word from Deculein, Zeit¡¯s fist would crush her head like a watermelon. Did that snake really foresee everything up to this point... Arlos thought, ring at Deculein in the rearview mirror and silently cursing herself for following his lead. ¡°An affair?¡± Deculein inquired. Arlos felt lost, unsure if she was a puppet or herself. Never before had she wished so desperately to be a puppet. But then... ¡°It is beneath my dignity,¡± Deculein dered, making his second strange statement of the day. ¡°She is merely a passerby I encountered along the way.¡± Arlos heard Deculein¡¯s words but needed a moment toprehend their meaning. Zeit asked, ¡°Merely a passerby?¡± ¡°Yes. I requested a ride as her car was passing by.¡± Arlos couldn¡¯t discern Deculein''s intentions. Before she could respond, he got out of the car and approached Zeit. ¡°Now that you¡¯re here, she can depart,¡± Deculein said. ¡°Hahaha. But she is quite beautiful. It would be a shame to let her leave. Some of our knights seem to have already taken a liking to her.¡± Arlos smiled bitterly at Zeit''s yful words. That damned six-foot-seven monster. ¡°Clear the way!¡± Zeitmanded. Soon, the knights cleared the path, and Arlos slowly drove on, ncing at Deculein in the side mirror. He watched her as she drove away. Five minutester, Arlos pulled over to the side of the road and caught her breath. She nced at the seat where Deculein had been sitting. Therey a letter and a crystal orb. She picked up the letter first. Arlos, Chaos, though shapeless, is not always purely evil. Gerek is part of that chaos, so I leave him to you. Find a better solution than killing him. Consider this crystal orb our connection. I am confident we can be good partners. Reading the letter, Arlos narrowed her eyes and murmured, ¡°... What is he nning?¡± The tension that had wound her up finally released. Since Zeit, Deculein was the only one to push her to such psychological extremes. His mere presence was a burden. ¡°He¡¯s a mystery...¡± It felt like he was pulling her into an abyss. His intimidating and noble aura concealed a monstrous presence of indeterminate size. Arlos suddenly noticed a hawk perched on a branch, watching her. It was a well-crafted familiar. ¡°They mentioned a kidnapping report. Could it have been filed by the hawk?¡± As their eyes met, the hawk pped its wings and flew away. Arlos pressed the elerator and drove away. *** My n was straightforward. I would rebuild the barrier as solidly as possible, provoke Gerek, and then quietly slip away while he rampaged. To achieve this, I needed confidence in my Iron Man attribute and a method to lessen the bullet¡¯s impact. I trusted Iron Man''s capabilities, but I had never faced the power of a revolver before. If I hadn¡¯t woven a faint web of mana around the muzzle, I might have died. After taking the shot, I used Iron Man to slow my blood flow and bring my heart to a near-stop, entering a state of feigned death. Even an enraged beast like Gerek wouldn¡¯t bother a corpse if there were enough living people around. ¡°Professor, are you feeling dizzy or experiencing any headaches¡ª¡± It was eight in the morning. The incident had ended, leaving the peaceful morning filled with birdsong. ¡°No,¡± I interjected, pushing away the doctor attempting to examine my head. I couldn¡¯t risk anyone discovering the nature of my Iron Man body. ¡°Still, you should undergo a proper examination,¡± suggested Lillia Primien, who had been observing nearby. We were at Equilibrium, the main office of the Ministry of Public Safety. Deputy Director Primien had brought me here under the pretense of protection and investigation. ¡°I will be fine by tomorrow,¡± I responded. ¡°Her Majesty is also concerned. Some of the royal officials havee to see you,¡± Primien said, stepping aside to reveal a royal official who handed me a sealed letter. ¡°You seem to be in Her Majesty¡¯s favor. I must admit, I am envious.¡± ¡°... Favor?¡± I said sharply, ring at her. Primien cleared her throat and looked away. The royal official said, ¡°Her Majesty requests that you read this immediately.¡± ¡°... Very well,¡± I said, opening the seal. The letter contained just two lines. If one who ims to be my mentor is kidnapped, it is a disgrace. Should this ur again, you will be dismissed. I put the letter away, and the royal official continued, ¡°Additionally, by Her Majesty¡¯smand, an escort knight will be assigned to protect you.¡± ¡°An escort knight?¡± ¡°Yes. For the next three months, Her Majesty deems you a crucial individual in need of national protection.¡± Primien added, ¡°That is understandable. The runguage is an incredibly valuable form of magic, attracting many malicious forces. This incident was somewhat predictable.¡± ¡°If it was predictable, you ought to have prevented it.¡± ¡°... Are you departing now?¡± Primien inquired, changing the topic. ¡°Yes, I am,¡± the royal official replied, bowing before departing. I sighed, feeling a sudden headache, and replied, ¡°Refusing would be considered an insult to the Imperial Pce.¡± ¡°Correct.¡± I red at Primien, finding her every word irritating, and said, ¡°We shall leave now.¡± ¡°It may be troublesome to leave at this moment.¡± ¡°Why would that be?¡± I asked, ignoring her as I stood up. My head was spinning slightly, but I knew I would recover soon enough. I stepped into the elevator, and Primien, who had followed to guide me, pressed the button for the first floor. Ding¡ª When the doors opened to the lobby, I understood why she had warned me it would be troublesome. ¡°Oh, Professor! Are you well?¡± ¡°What a relief! We were quite worried...¡± ¡°Who would daremit such an act!¡± The lobby was filled with officials, merchants, and businesspeople. They asked me various questions, feigning concern, but they were primarily interested in the contents of the letter from Empress Sophien. ¡°I appreciate all your concerns. Now, everyone, please return to your respective ces,¡± I said curtly as I exited the building. In the parking lot, my butler Roy was waiting with a new car. ¡°Master, are you well?¡± Roy asked. ¡°Yes, there is no need for concern.¡± ¡°That is reassuring.¡± I got into the back seat. Something felt off. The seat next to me wasn¡¯t empty. I turned and saw a knight in light armor sitting there. ¡°... What are you doing here?¡± I asked, tilting my head in confusion. I wondered if I had gotten into the wrong car. The knight responded, ¡°I am currently on duty.¡± ¡°... What duty?¡± The knight turned to look at me, her white eyes mirroring my image. ¡°I am Professor Deculein''s escort knight,¡± Yulie responded. Her words silenced me, and I envisioned the Empressughing. I let out a sigh. Clunk¡ª The front passenger door opened abruptly. "I¡¯m here. Exin exactly what happened¡ª" This time, it was Yeriel. She looked at Yulie with wide eyes. ¡°What are you?¡± Yeriel asked. ¡°Yeriel, do not speak to her in that manner.¡± Yeriel frowned silently. Yulie responded, ¡°I am Professor Deculein¡¯s escort knight as of today.¡± ¡°Escort?¡± ¡°Yes. It is by Her Majesty¡¯smand.¡± ¡°What? Are you being serious?!¡± Yeriel eximed, her face twisting in disbelief. *** I thought about asking what had happened or if he was hurt, but it was pointless. From his appearance, it seemed nothing significant had urred. Besides, pretending to be siblings now would beughable. Let''s be clear, the promise to hand over the headship does not mean our rtionship is mended. I know why he¡¯s offering it, because of Yulie. That woman must be the reason, Yeriel thought irritably, ring at Yulie through the rearview mirror. The knight remained vignt, her expression as stern as a stone statue. She was so unnecessarily serious and earnest. "Tsk..." Yeriel often wondered how such a dull, rigid, and stubborn woman could capture the interest of someone as sharp and sensitive as Deculein. She also pondered why Deculein was fond of her. ¡°... So, as his escort knight, you will be staying at the mansion?¡± ¡°Yes, I will,¡± Yulie replied. ¡°What?!¡± Yeriel eximed, her voice filled with shock. However, Yulie, still in her official duty mode, remained rigid and unyielding. ¡°This is the first time Her Majesty has issued amand to a private knight¡¯s order since her ascension. The term is three months, so I will remain nearby for that duration,¡± Yulie said. "Nearby? That doesn''t necessarily mean our mansion, does it?" ¡°It is Her Majesty¡¯s order. I would be grateful if you could provide even the smallest room. My personal residence is too far, and I would not be able to fulfill my duties properly.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. You refused to live with us before, and now¡ª¡± ¡°Yeriel, that is enough,¡± Deculein interjected. ¡°... I don¡¯t even know who my family is anymore. This is unbelievable,¡± Yeriel muttered softly, turning to look out the window. A hawk flew overhead, persistently following the direction of their car. ¡°What¡¯s with that hawk...¡± Everything seemed to irritate Yeriel today. Chapter 78: Cohabitation (2)

Chapter 78: Cohabitation (2)

In the far east of the continent lies a secret society known as the Altar. Their aim is to resurrect an ancient, deceased God, and they have established their base in a sanctuary within the deste wastnd called the Land of Destruction. Entirely devoted to God''s return, they dedicate their lives to this singr purpose, never doubting their beliefs or hesitating to sacrifice themselves. Bound by a dream as a medium¡ªa vision that came to them like a revtion¡ªeach follower received the same blessing, pursued the same goal, and built a proud religion in anticipation of God''s return. "It is truly astonishing." That was the reason why the Altar coveted Deculein''s knowledge of the runguage. God himself had conveyed this desire through the dreams of his followers. ¡°Is that professor diverging from his father¡¯s path?¡± However, Deculein had rejected the Altar''s proposal, a stance markedly different from the previous head of the family. For the Yukline family, achievement and honor were supposedly the highest priorities. ¡°We are not certain. Perhaps he wishes to monopolize the runguage for himself...¡± ¡°Whatever the reason, it is irrelevant. We need the runguage. Mastering it will enable us tomunicate with God.¡± Mastering thenguage would have facilitatedmunication with God, allowing for more devoted service and potentially hastening his return. "Keep a close watch on the professor. We need his knowledge. He cannot refuse negotiations indefinitely. Mention the Scarletborn." The Altar found Deculein¡¯s actions baffling. They couldn¡¯tprehend why he supported the Scarletborn. While their own motives were clear, his remained elusive. Nheless, they nned to fully exploit this situation. ¡°Understood.¡± The Empire was already aware of the Altar''s existence. Though they were currently preupied with epting bribes, they secretly viewed the Altar as a group of lunatics. The Altar knew exactly how to manipte them¡ªiming to support the Scarletborn. That single statement would be enough. The rest would be driven by the rage of the humans. *** The Yukline mansion stood grandly. In the garden of the front yard, a guest awaited Yulie and me as we arrived. It was Zeit, dressed sharply in a suit. ¡°Oh, you''ve arrived,¡± Zeit said, approaching with a broad smile. ¡°Professor Deculein, you two make a fine pair. And you as well, Yulie.¡± ¡°I¡¯m on duty right now. Please refrain from personal remarks,¡± Yulie said sharply, her expression stern. Zeit shrugged and circled the car, inspecting it and said, ¡°Oh, a new car, I presume? It looks spacious enough even for myself. But honestly, I preferred the one you used to drive.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Deculein responded ¡°Indeed. It¡¯s strange. This one¡¯s design seems more luxurious and modern...¡± It must have been because I didn''t imbue it with the Midas Touch. Zeit¡¯s senses were sharp enough to detect even the subtlest attributes. ¡°Anyway, I heard you had a run-in with the Altar,¡± Zeit remarked abruptly, his tone taking on a sharper edge. His gaze was direct and predatory. ¡°Yes, they sought my knowledge of the runguage.¡± The Altar¡¯s identity became clearer as the game progressed, but most named characters already knew about them. Some cooperated and took bribes from the Altar, while others, like Zeit, held them in contempt. ¡°I figured as much. I¡¯d tear out their guts with my bare hands if I could¡ª¡± "Watch the car!" Yeriel scolded, tapping Zeit¡¯s hand away as he absentmindedly kneaded the window frame. Zeitughed as he stepped back and said, ¡°Ah, I sometimes forget my own strength. This is why cars can¡¯t be used in battle¡ªthey just bounce off if you push them hard enough.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the car¡¯s fault, Count. It¡¯s your body¡¯s fault.¡± "Is that so? Tell me, Yeriel, sister-inw, is this a new car?¡± ¡°Though not quite a sister-inw yet, but yes, it¡¯s new.¡± ¡°Oh, how much?¡± "It costs 300,000 elne. Do you intend to purchase it? As Count Freyden, you likely wouldn¡¯t need to draw a number." ¡°... Haha! Far too expensive! No, thank you,¡± Zeit said with a heartyugh. Yeriel smirked and asked, "So, will you be staying with us today, Count Zeit?" ¡°No. Confirming it was the Altar is enough,¡± Zeit said, wiggling his eyebrows. ¡°Besides, I wouldn¡¯t want to interfere with any romance.¡± His yful gesture caused Yulie to growl with the ferocity of an angry tiger. ¡°By the way, I heard you¡¯ve started a business yourself, Yeriel, sister-inw?¡± ¡°What? Why did you mention that?!¡± Yeriel eximed, her voice rising as she nced at me for my reaction. Of course, she believed I was unaware. However, I had received reports from Ren and Enen since the moment she began. ¡°Yeriel.¡± Yeriel flinched as I called her name, sweat forming on her temple. Zeit scratched his head awkwardly and said, ¡°Ah, it seems you acted on your own, sister-inw. Well, I¡¯ll be going now~¡± Yeriel red at the retreating bear-like figure of Zeit, gritting her teeth. I called her again, ¡°Yeriel.¡± "... The weather is nice, isn''t it...?" Yeriel said, trying to change the subject. ¡°Answer.¡± ¡°... Well, you see... Automobiles have more business potential than carriages,¡± Yeriel stammered, then abruptly changed her tone to speak bluntly. ¡°It looks cool, so what! We should have a factory under our family¡¯s name. And those assholes from the Brunhilde family act so superior just because they make cars. ¡®We can provide a car for Head Deculein, but Lady Yeriel¡¯s car is backordered¡ª¡¯... and that fucking bullshit!" Yeriel puffed out her cheeks and pounded her chest, then cautiously nced at my face. ¡°So... I want to manufacture cars. We have plenty of mines on our territory.¡± ¡°Then manufacture them. Why haven¡¯t you done so already?¡± I said. Yeriel¡¯s mouth fell open. Her reaction was telling. It was obviously because of Deculein. He likely thought that manufacturing was beneath them¡ªhandling metal was unworthy of their status. ¡°There¡¯s a talented craftsman at the hardware store I invested in. I¡¯ll send him to Hadecaine, and I¡¯ll provide you with the design today. Use it as your foundation.¡± "A hardware store?! Someone like you invested in that?!" Yeriel eximed. "... Someone like me?" I said, narrowing my eyes. Yeriel tapped her mouth nervously and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll be heading to my room now. I have things to do...¡± With that, she hurried off, moving swiftly like a rabbit. *** At Yulie¡¯s request for the smallest room, I assigned her the mansion¡¯s smallest guest room. Despite its size, it was well-equipped with a bathroom, shower, and even a dressing room. "Use this room," I said. "It''s too¡ª" "This is the smallest guest room in the mansion," I interrupted. "Don''t underestimate Yukline hospitality. There¡¯s nothing smaller." "... Okay," Yulie replied, cing her bundle on the bed without further protest. "... That appears to be from a bygone era," I observed, chuckling as I noted her bundle wrapped in cloth. In an age of handbags, backpacks, and suitcases, she still carried her belongings in a cloth-wrapped bundle. "Oh, it may look old-fashioned, but it''s a magical item. It can hold as much as two or three regr bags. I acquired it at an excellent price four years ago," Yulie said, pride evident in her voice. She even smiled, likely reminiscing about the moment she purchased it. ¡°I sessfully negotiated the price down from five thousand elne¡ª¡± "Spare me the stories," I interrupted sternly. "Is your duty around the clock?" "Yes. Nighttime is likely the most dangerous. Their attacks won''t end with just one attempt." ¡°Indeed. But the second attack could be a year away. Rather than living together for a year, we might as well get married.¡± "... The dutysts only three months," Yulie replied, avoiding my gaze as she unpacked her bundle, which was packed with many items. ¡°Take this,¡± I said, handing her a small crystal orb, the size of a coin. Yulie examined it curiously and asked, ¡°What is this?¡± "It¡¯s a crystal orb linked to the mansion¡¯s barrier," I exined. "It will alert you first if there¡¯s an intrusion. It also functions as amunication device, allowing constant contact with the security team in the basement." ¡°Oh, it¡¯s essential for my current duty.¡± Yulie nodded, reaching for the orb, but I pulled it back. ¡°However, you''re too clumsy to keep it as an orb,¡± I said. ¡°Excuse me? How am I clumsy?¡± Yulie protested, frowning. I alloyed my solid gold tie pin into a ne using Ductility, threaded the crystal orb onto it, and ced it around her neck. She started to resist but stopped when she heard my next words. ¡°I heard you lost the ring I gave youst time.¡± Yulie had lost the ring I had given her¡ªor more likely, she had simply discarded it. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I understand¡ª¡± As I spoke, I suddenly froze. ... Why do I have this memory? Yulie, misunderstanding my expression, lowered her head in silence. Feeling flustered, I patted her shoulder before leaving the room. In the dimly lit hallway, I leaned against the wall and ran a hand through my hair. Images shed through my mind of Deculein forcing a ring onto Yulie¡¯s unwilling finger, bending it roughly, and tears welling in her eyes. Those memories, though not mine, felt vividly real. I knocked and opened the door once more. Yulie, in the midst of unpacking, turned to me with a startled expression. ¡°W-what is it?¡± Among the half-unpacked items on her bed, I noticed a stuffed animal. ¡°Hmm...¡± As my gazended on it, Yulie let out a small yelp. She quickly snatched up the panda and hid it behind her back and said, "It¡¯s... i-it¡¯s a lucky charm. E-every knight has one¡ª" ¡°Here¡¯s the room key. Keep it locked at all times. I might drop by unexpectedly,¡± I said, handing her the key. Yulie¡¯s face turned beet red. She epted the key with a solemn demeanor, maintaining the poise of a knight. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Or should I hang this key around your neck as well?¡± ¡°N-no! That¡¯s not necessary! Please leave now; it¡¯s my personal maintenance time!¡± Yulie stammered, pushing me out. I found myself chuckling in the hallway. Just then... ¡°Hmph!¡± I heard a disgruntled noise. When I turned around, I saw Yeriel. "You look ecstatic," Yeriel said, sarcastically. "Yeriel. I thought you had left," I said ¡°... What? You promised to give me the design.¡± ¡°The design?¡± ¡°For the car!¡± "Ah, right. Follow me," I said, nodding. I walked with Yeriel down the corridor. Yeriel kept grumbling, "That smile was so creepy, like a grinning centipede. You never smiled like that in front of us. You should do it more often." "Be quiet," Imanded as we reached the study. I took out paper and a fountain pen and began sketching, relying on my modern knowledge and Aesthetic Sense. It wasn''t a blueprint, just a design. The detailed ns would be handled by the engineers. ¡°Take this,¡± I said. ¡°Two designs?¡± Yeriel replied. "One for the car, and one for the watch." "A watch? Why a watch?" Yeriel said, ncing at my waistcoat. "You already have a nice pocket watch. If you¡¯re not using it, give it to me." "Leave it to my hardware store employee. He is more than capable of managing it." Yeriel began to leave but paused, asking hesitantly, "Fine, whatever... But can I really start this business? You won''t back out or say something strangeter, right...?" ¡°If you fail, you¡¯ll face the consequences.¡± ¡°... Who¡¯d take that?¡± Yeriel asked, ring at me before storming out of the study, her eyes zing. *** I submitted the final exam proposals to the Chairwoman at the Mage Tower the next day. ¡°... This seems quite ordinary?!¡± the Chairwoman eximed, her eyes widening as she reviewed the documents. ¡°It¡¯s so different from thest exam!¡± ¡°How is it?¡± I asked. ¡°It is quite good, but... it won¡¯t have the same impact as thest one.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be as ordinary as you anticipate,¡± I replied. The Chairwoman, still appearing slightly dissatisfied, ced the proposal in her drawer. She then retrieved another document. ¡°By the way, as the Director of the nning and Financial Coordination Office, you approved the first project for Professor Louina!¡± the Chairwoman eximed. ¡°Yes, I have.¡± ¡°That project is extraordinarily expensive! The initial funding alone is ten million elne! Has she gone mad?!¡± ¡°It will yield significant returns,¡± I assured her. The Chairwoman squinted at me, muttered something about it being my responsibility, and then stood up. "Alright! Let''s head out together. I want to see the renowned escort knight, Yulie!" the Chairwoman said. ¡°Of course, you¡¯re already aware.¡± "Aware?! The rumors have spread far and wide, even reaching the archipgo!" I entered the elevator with the Chairwoman. When we reached the first floor, Yulie was there, waiting. Several knights from Freyhem were likely positioned strategically nearby. ¡°Oh! Knight Yulie! You look beautiful today!¡± the Chairwoman said. Yulie did not respond. Seeing the Chairwoman¡¯s puzzled expression, I exined, ¡°She remains silent while on duty.¡± For some reason, the Chairwoman smiled ominously and said, ¡°Is that so...?¡± Standing beside Yulie, she cleared her throat andunched into a nonstop stream of chatter. "Knight Yulie, it¡¯s been a while, hasn¡¯t it? About two weeks, right?" She kept up her relentless prattle, ignoring Yulie''s stoic silence. "In the past, you would have refused this mission! No matter the former Emperor''s orders, you wouldn¡¯t have taken it personally! But you epted it this time! Amazing! Before, you would have delegated it to a subordinate! People find that incredibly fascinating! The rumors spread so fast! ¡°So, can we say that you two havepletely reconciled? Or perhaps you already have? In that case, will the wedding proceed without any issues?! ¡°It¡¯s truly remarkable! Silence means agreement, after all! The professor must have been very concerned! That¡¯s why he personally came to protect¡ª¡± ¡°Oh, really! My ears are ringing!¡± Yulie eximed. Yulie¡¯s outburst brought a silent smile to my face. *** The uing final exams had put the entire university under immense pressure. Students from undergraduates to those in the knight department and Mage Towers were all feeling the strain. The library was constantly crowded, and the cafeteria, which used to close at 9 p.m., now stayed open twenty-four hours a day. Mages in the Mage Tower were not only studying for their exams and refining their skills but also continually seeking ways to surpass each other. Today was the day of the final exam announcement for Deculein''s ss, Understanding Pure Elements. With the exam being worth a substantial five credits, Epherene had arrived in the lecture hall a full half hour early. "Just as I expected, it''s crowded." As expected, 140 out of 150 students had already arrived. Epherene took a seat and began studying while she waited. At precisely three in the afternoon, Allen, the assistant professor, walked in, looking exactly like someone who would be a typical assistant professor under Deculein. "Hello, everyone! This paper contains the final exam materials. Please take one," Allen said, handing out the papers with a broad smile. Suddenly, his expression turned serious. "However, do not lose this paper under any circumstances! If you do, you may be unable to take the final exam!" Epherene considered the difficulty of the uing exam. The midterm had been challenging, and she wondered if this one would be the same. Taking a deep breath, she looked at the paper. Blinking in confusion, she flipped it over and then checked other students'' papers. This reaction was natural, as every student in the lecture hall did the same. "Alright, you can all go now. The final exam will start three weeks from Monday!" Allen announced before departing, but Epherene''s confusion persisted. With the assistant professor gone, Epherene''s bewilderment only deepened. "... What is this?" Epherene muttered to herself, ring at the paper in disbelief. The paper waspletely nk. Despite the assistant professor''s stern warning not to lose it, it remained an empty sheet. *** Sylvia walked out of the Mage Tower, staring at the nk sheet of paper in her hand. It seemed like an ordinary piece of paper. Despite the assistant professor''s emphasis on its importance and the warning not to lose it, its significance remained unclear. Wondering if the paper itself was part of the exam. As Sylvia walked across the courtyard, she noticed another mage. It was that arrogant nepotism fool, Epherene, lounging on the grass and examining her own sheet. She held it up to the sunlight, rotated it vertically, then horizontally, and even spun it around. Frustrated, she clenched the paper and trembled with irritation. "... Idiot," Sylvia muttered with a sneer. She intended to walk past but then entertained a sinister thought. "Should I just tear Epherene¡¯s paper in her hands? That might cause her to fail..." ¡°Whatever,¡± Sylvia shook her head. Tearing Epherene¡¯s paper wouldn¡¯t necessarily benefit Sylvia, and she no longer wished to engage in actions unworthy of her noble status. At that moment... Riiiip¡ª! A loud ripping sound echoed through the courtyard. Sylvia flinched as someone ambushed Epherene, tearing her paper in half. ¡°Whaaaaat¡ª?!¡± Epherene screamed, her eyes bulged as she stared at the torn sheet, shock written all over her face. ¡°Heh.¡± Sylvia couldn''t help butugh. Clearly, another mage had the same thought¡ªthat tearing the paper might lead to failure. ¡°Who... who... who...¡± Epherene, the victim, gaped in disbelief, struggling to ept what had just happened. "Which bastard¡ª?!" Epherene shouted, now enraged like a wild boar. "Who did this¡ª?!" Sylvia found Epherene''s shouts both amusing and pitiful. ¡°Come out¡ª! You little¡ª!¡± Sitting near the Mage Tower was foolish. Mages were known for their ruthlessness in exploiting weaknesses. ¡°Come out! Show yourself!¡± ¡°Sigh...¡± Sylvia then approached the foolish girl. Since it would repay the information she had received earlier, she thought it wouldn¡¯t hurt to help her out a bit. Chapter 79: Mask (1)

Chapter 79: Mask (1)

Near the Imperial University stood the well-known restaurant, Flower of the Pig. "I¡¯ll kill them!¡± Epherene shouted, tearing into her Roahawk. Sylvia watched, finding the sight rather amusing. ¡°I will find them and I will kill them!¡± Epherene¡¯s paper had been torn in half. With so many people around, the identity of the culprit remained a mystery and would likely remain so. ¡°Foolish Epherene,¡± Sylvia said. Epherene turned and red at Sylvia, tears of frustration filling her eyes. "Even if you find out who did it, there''s nothing you can do. The torn paper won''t magically reappear." "... Are you here to mock me?" Epherene retorted. With a scoff, Sylvia pulled out her own paper. Epherene''s face immediately took on an envious look. Woooom¡ª Sylvia''s barrier surrounded the table, protecting the area around them. ¡°Assistant Professor Allen didn¡¯t tell us the exam¡¯s time or location. He only said not to lose this paper,¡± Sylvia stated. "... Have you figured anything out?" Epherene asked hesitantly. ¡°No, not yet.¡± How this paper rted to their lessons remained unclear. Despite the uncertainty, Sylvia had faith in Deculein and his teachings. Then how about this, if you don¡¯t know yet...,¡± Epherene suggested hesitantly, watching Sylvia¡¯s reaction. ¡°Sh-shall we work together? We¡¯ve done group projects before, remember?¡± ¡°Foolish Epherene.¡± ¡°Wh-why? I can help. I ced second, right after you,¡± Epherene said, putting down her Roahawk, desperation evident in her voice. Sylvia shook her head and replied, ¡°You don¡¯t have your paper. I do.¡± ¡°... Well, I know that.¡± ¡°There will likely be more ambushes and sabotage attempts since we still have three weeks until the exam.¡± ¡°Sigh... I really want to cry,¡± Epherene said, pretending to sniffle as she took a handkerchief from her pocket. Epherene wiped her eyes in a pitiful manner. Sylvia¡¯s attention shifted to the handkerchief, which reminded her of the one adorning her Bearbie Panda, a gift from Deculein. The patterns on Epherene¡¯s handkerchief were identical. ¡°You,¡± Sylvia said. Sylvia''s body moved before she could think. She swiftly grabbed Epherene¡¯s wrist, causing her to flinch. ¡°W-what?¡± ¡°Where did you get that?¡± ¡°G-get what, this handkerchief?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± "... It''s a secret," Epherene said, shaking her head firmly, but Sylvia persisted. ¡°Say it.¡± ¡°Why should I?¡± Epherene frowned. Why is she so interested in this? Is it too luxurious? Wait, could it be a rare treasure that even Iliade can''t obtain? Epherene thought. ¡°If you tell me, I might consider working together. I can also buy you more Roahawk during the exam period,¡± Sylvia offered. This time, it warranted serious consideration. After all, her sponsor was anonymous. Mentioning that she received support wouldn''t be a betrayal. It wasn¡¯t about the Roahawk; she wasn¡¯t a child to be swayed by mere food. Moreover, maintaining good grades would ensure her continued support from her sponsor. ncing at Sylvia, Epherene said, ¡°I didn¡¯t steal it. Do you believe me?¡± ¡°If you didn¡¯t steal it.¡± Epherene hesitated briefly before answering, ¡°... It was a gift from my sponsor.¡± "Sponsor," Sylvia repeated, her eyebrow twitching as she clenched her fist under the table. "Yeah, I didn''t expect to receive any sponsorship either." ¡°You¡¯re getting sponsored?¡± "Yeah, I was surprised too. But that¡¯s all I can say. It¡¯s an anonymous sponsor, so it would be rude to ask more. I don¡¯t even know who the sponsor is... But why are you suddenly interested? Have you seen this handkerchief before?" Epherene asked, her eyes widening with curiosity. Sylvia narrowed her eyes in suspicion and said, ¡°No, it just doesn¡¯t seem to suit you.¡± "... Fine, whatever. Since I¡¯ve told you, we¡¯re working together now, right?" Sylvia silently cut her meat while Epherene observed her closely. Sylvia¡¯s expression was always inscrutable, never revealing her thoughts. Epherene had never seen her smile. At first, Sylvia¡¯s mask-like demeanor was off-putting, but now it didn¡¯t seem entirely bad. ¡°I¡¯ll take your silence as agreement,¡± Epherene teased. Sylvia red at her with disdain before putting a piece of meat in her mouth, chewing with deliberate force. *** Meanwhile, Yulie sipped her coffee at a cafe near the Mage Tower. Deculein would be in his study reviewing papers until midnight, giving her a brief moment of rest. No one would dare attempt a kidnapping at the Mage Tower, nor interrupt Professor Deculein''s private research. "... Time has flown by," Yulie murmured to herself, gazing out the window at the campus. Memories from the past began to surface. If she walked a little further, she would reach the training center of the knight department, then the knights'' square, and finally the grand main building of the Imperial Knights Order. Serving in the Imperial Knights Order had been the dream of all knights. Yulie had once served there, but now it was just part of her past, an irretrievable and unchangeable memory. "Yulie!" Someone called her name, making Yulie look up with wide eyes. "There you are." At the entrance of the cafe stood knights Gwen, Raphel, and Sirio, her colleagues from the Imperial Pce training sessions. They approached her with smiles and extended hands. "Are you here to observe the knight exams?" Yulie asked. "Hmm? Oh, yes, among other things," Gwen responded. Yulie was simply d to see them, but Gwen looked apologetic as he scratched the back of his neck. "I have something for you," Gwen said, handing her a letter bearing an imperial seal. Yulie¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she eximed, ¡°Oh! It¡¯s about that mission!¡± ¡°Yes, but it looks like you¡¯re currently on another mission...¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. This mission is also with Professor Deculein,¡± Yulie replied cheerfully. Gwen''s expression grew more troubled. Yulie''s joy at the prospect of participating in an important mission shone through, reflecting her true knightly spirit. "... Read this," Gwen said. "Okay!" Yulie replied enthusiastically, breaking the seal. However, her excitement vanished as soon as she read the first sentence. Confidentiality Agreement "Confidentiality...?" Yulie asked, staring nkly at Gwen, her eyes demanding an exnation. Gwen sighed and said, "Deculein made a deal to take your ce on the mission." "... Sorry?" "He''s taking over the mission, Yulie. You won¡¯t be joining him." Yulie read the letter silently, grasping the clear message from Eunuch Jng. Your fianc¨¦, Deculein, is concerned for your safety. Consequently, you are hereby instructed to withdraw from the mission. Additionally, the existence of this mission is ssified and must not be disclosed to anyone. "... Yulie?" Gwen called softly, her voice tinged with concern. Yulie remained silent for a long time, her expression utterly bewildered. Her expression shifted, and she finally crumpled the letter in her hand, demanding, "... Is this letter official?" "Yeah. Deculein, that jerk," Gwen said with a wry smile. Yulie stayed silent, rolling her tongue in her mouth as her cheeks puffed in and out¡ªa habit she had when truly angry. "Why¡ª" This time, Raphel answered, ¡°Why?¡± Yulie shifted her gaze past Gwen to Raphel, who stood with his arms crossed. "Deculein knew about your injury." ¡°... My injury?¡± Yulie repeated. Gwen nodded, shrugging and said, "Yeah. He knew you hadn¡¯t fully healed and were pretending otherwise. Somehow, he knew everything. The mission site, the underground of the Imperial Pce, is filled with demonic energy, which is especially harmful to your injury." Yulie had sustained the injury during a mission. At the time, she had been on the brink of death, but she thought she had fully recovered. "Deculein probably wanted to disqualify you from the Instructor Knight position because of your injury. He likely sensed your weakened mana immediately. As a head professor of the Mage Tower, he would have known. He told us to keep it quiet, but this time, let him handle it," Gwen muttered. She continued, "He likely kept your injury a secret from the Imperial Pce to protect your career without mentioning it to you. That¡¯s just how he always handles things." Yulie understood the gravity of her condition. If it worsened, she would be unfit to serve as a Guardian Knight. The injury was that severe. "You know how much Deculein despises the eunuchs, especially Jolrang. Yet, he epted the mission in your ce," Gwen added. "Well, it makes sense... You got injured because of him in the first ce." The Yukline family had a notoriously bad rtionship with the eunuchs. Though all the high-ranking noble houses had disputes with the eunuchs, Yukline¡¯s shes were particrly fierce. "Anyway, it''s only until you heal, Yulie," Gwen said. "If we fail this mission, we''ll wait until you recover. It means we can''t do it without you." "Exactly~" Sirio chimed in from behind. Gwen red at him, and Sirio muttered as he stepped back, "I guess I''m not supposed to say anything..." "... Alright, I understand. Please leave now," Yulie said, formally requesting their departure. The trio hesitated but eventually left Yulie alone. She then ced her hand on her corbone, feeling the distinct lump beneath her skin. The touch sent a wave of hot pain through her. She had thought she had ovee it, but recently, the scar seemed to be resurfacing. "Did he know... this time too?" Yulie wondered, thinking of Deculein. There was a time when I couldn¡¯tprehend the depth of his love. It was overwhelming, suffocating, almost violent. That¡¯s how he used to be. But now, he has undeniably changed. Remarkably so. Some say it¡¯s all an act. Reylie and Rockfell insist that I shouldn¡¯t be fooled by it. "It¡¯s all an act!" Startled by the sudden voice, Yulie trembled as if struck by a jolt of fear. "If not, then forget it!" said the Chairwoman of the Mage Tower, standing beside the table and smiling brightly at her. "... Was I speaking aloud just now?" Yulie asked. "No! It''s my mind-reading magic that I created! I only heard up to you saying ''Some say it¡¯s all an act''," the Chairwoman chirped cheerfully. Yulie red at her and replied, "E-excuse me! With all due respect, it is inappropriate to read someone''s mind without their consent!" "Ah! Why are you yelling? I didn''t think it would work! You frightened my baby!" "... Your baby?" Yulie asked, noticing the leash in the Chairwoman¡¯s hand for the first time. A small dog with fluffy fur was attached to it. "Ormae Spartizan Adrienne the Second! Are you okay?!" "Woof! Woof!" "You scared him!" Yulie stared nkly at the dog and replied, "Oh, okay..." The dog panted with its mouth open, giving the impression of a smile. Its bright face, protruding snout, andrge, round eyes were so adorable that Yulie felt captivated by its charm. The Chairwoman, noticing her reaction, asked inly, "Hmm, do you like dogs?" "Sorry? I, um, I mean I do¡ª, no. I¡¯m on duty." "Hmph!" the Chairwoman said, chuckling and cing Ormae Spartizan Adrienne the Second on Yulie''sp. Yulie¡¯s cheeks turned red instantly. The dog barked once, causing her stern expression to soften. However, in the next moment, she quickly released a burst of condensed mana qi. "Please stop. I¡¯m serious," Yulie said. The Chairwoman was trying to use her mind-reading magic on Yulie again. "Fine, I won''t do it again. Now, buy me a cup of coffee!" the Chairwoman said. "... It feels like just yesterday that I was walking across this campus," Yulie said, steering the conversation away. She kept her eyes on the view outside, disregarding the Chairwoman¡¯s remark. Annoyed, the Chairwoman called for a cup of coffee herself. *** Tick-tock¡ª tick-tock¡ª Midnight marked the end of another day. I was in myb, workingte into the night, meticulously reviewing my spells. "... I¡¯ve reached an impasse." Epherene''s father''s idea had led to the research I''d dedicated the most time to in this world, spanning 3,000 pages. Now, this magic thesis had hit a wall. I nced at the documents spread across the table. The thesis, with its detailed spells, magic circles, calctions, and logic, was specific and systematic. However, the biggest problem was myck of talent and mana toplete this concept. The mana and skill needed for unrefined magic were immense. Static mana could be supplemented with mana stones, but theck of innate talent was painfully clear. This research demanded mastery of all four elements, yet Deculein''s talents were limited to Earth and Fire. "Tsk." Even as Iron Man, my head throbbed. It was likely due to the revolver blow to my skull three days ago. "That''s enough for today," I dered, lifting the research materials with Telekinesis. After storing the numerous documents in the safe, I left theboratory. Just as I was about to take the elevator, I noticed Allen''s office. Assistant Professor Allen A small room tucked away on the 77th floor still had its light on. I walked over and knocked on the door. "Mmmp!" Allen, who had been sleeping on his desk, woke up suddenly and mumbled incoherently, "Wh-why''re... y''h-here... ste... Prof''ssor?" "What are you saying?" "... Professor, you are here quitete." "Have you been waiting for me?" I inquired with a soft chuckle. "Oh. It¡¯s rather impolite to leave before you," Allen said, scratching his head and smiling awkwardly. "In that case, we shall depart together." "Oh, certainly, sir! Just a moment! I''ll get the logs!" Allen eximed as he hurried off somewhere. As I waited, I took a look around his office. The bookshelves were impably organized, with no trace of dust or dirt. His logs, student records, lecture notes, and grade books were all neatly arranged. It was the office of a highly diligent assistant professor, but it felt impersonal. The space was so pristine it resembled a tidy storage room more than a functional office. However, there were no personal traces of Allen in the office. No scent, no stains, not even footprints. This was true not only for this office but also for my office and the Mage Tower. It was as if he had a professional habit of erasing all evidence of his presence before leaving. I was uncertain of his exact profession. "There is little time remaining..." I was keenly aware that Allen''s departure was imminent. On his desk, I noticed the book I had gifted him, Understanding Pure Elements: Yukline Edition. He appeared to study it diligently, but the pages were filled with question marks. Thankfully, they were only in the advanced sections, not the basics. "Professor," Allen announced as he returned just in time. "I''ve brought the updated list of mages applying to work for you! I believe you''ll find it more satisfactory this time..." Allen handed me the document. While the new list was an improvement over thest, it still fell short of my expectations. I ced the document in my inner pocket, looked down at Allen, and said, "Allen." "Yes, sir?" "The semester''s end is approaching. This must be a significant time for you as well." The end of the semester was a busy and crucial time for everyone in the Mage Tower. It was the perfect opportunity for someone to disappear without attracting attention. "Oh, yes, sir. But I''m managing! The assistant professor position keeps me quite busy," Allen replied with a sheepish grin. His expression was both familiar and slightly audacious. I pondered how much longer he could conceal it. "Allen, how long have you served by my side?" "Ever since you were appointed as the Head Professor, sir!" "I see." I wondered what opportunity he had been waiting for all this time. Whether it was assassination or mere observation, I didn''t know his purpose. If he was leaving, it meant he had either achieved it or was about to. I wanted to understand his true intentions. Although I saw no signs of the death variable around him, I knew from experience that such signs could be concealed. Even Josephine had managed to deceive me. "... Allen," I murmured, cing a hand on his shoulder. "I appreciate all that you have done." A brief phrase that hinted at farewell. Allen''s eyes widened as he responded, "... I''m sorry?" Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a mix of light and shadow on his face, revealing only pure surprise and sudden doubt. I tried to gauge him. If he could be so easily exposed, he would have been caught long ago. "I once informed you that you had passed my test," Deculein stated. "Oh, yes, sir!" Allen said, sping his hands over his chest. "You mentioned that when you made me an assistant professor. You said my diligence alone helped me pass the test. But you also mentioned there would be another stage¡ª" "The first stage was diligence; the next is trust." "Trust..." Allen repeated softly, his expression nk. I offered him a faint smile and said, "Allen, you have indeed earned my trust." "Wh-what?!" Allen stammered, his plump cheeks trembling with surprise. I detected a hidden emotion within his quivering expression. "I cannot keep someone I trust in the role of assistant professor indefinitely." "Th-then..." "I intend to appoint you as a full-time professor beginning next semester." Allen''s eyes brimmed with tears. I couldn''t tell which parts of him were genuine and which were false. That¡¯s why I kept him close. As the saying goes, ¡°keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.¡±[1]. If Allen was my enemy, it would be disappointing, but this felt like a way to persuade him. "So, you must also ce your trust in me," I said, wiping the corner of his eye with my gloved finger. A transparent tear clung to the ck leather. "And remain in this Mage Tower." Allen''s expression gradually hardened. Whether it was from shock or if he was revealing his true emotions, I couldn''t tell. I met his eyes and continued. "Furthermore, if you need my permission," I said, meeting his gaze. "Stay by my side." At that moment, the moon disappeared behind a cloud, and a message appeared, casting a shadow over my face. [Viin¡¯s Fate: Death Variable Avoided] ¡ô Reward Acquired: Store Currency +2 1. Said by Michael Corleone from the movie The Godfather. ? Chapter 80: Mask (2)

Chapter 80: Mask (2)

The assistant professor''s office on the 77th floor was peaceful and cozy, even though Allen only pretended to head home. On the right side, three bookshelves stood in a row, leading to the assistant professor''s desk at the end. The desk was spacious enough to hold a typewriter, a pencil holder, and a thick textbook. As Allen habitually cleaned the dimly lit office, a peculiar feeling washed over him. Deculein was long gone, and starlight shimmered in the distant night sky. It was strange. He felt as though he had been by Deculein''s side for too long, but he knew it was only recently that he had caught Deculein''s attention. Everyone else had left, exhausted by Deculein''s tyranny and obsessive perfectionism, leaving Allen as the only one remaining. At first, catching Deculein''s attention was never part of the n. It felt even stranger because, during his time with Deculein, he had simply enjoyed studying magic, reading books, preparing lessons, and teaching students, living like an ordinary assistant professor. It was as if he had always wished for such a life. Deculein''s assistant, Allen, closed his eyes and remembered Deculein''s words, "You have indeed earned my trust." Deculein had said those words to recognize Allen''s hard work. However, Deculein didn''t know the truth. He didn''t know that Allen was far from trustworthy, or that Allen wasn''t even his real name. "Stay by my side," Deculein had requested. Allen recalled his own response to that request. "Certainly, sir!" Allen had replied. Slowly opening his eyes, Allen gazed into the distant sky and murmured, "It has been a long time since I met someone as mysterious as you." At first, Allen thought Deculein deserved to die, seeing him as a mad noble, a powerless human whose life could be ended with a flick of a finger. But Deculein had changed suddenly, showing genuine sincerity. His exterior was always cold, but this made the warmth he asionally disyed even more striking. This intrigued Allen, leading him to save Deculein''s life unknowingly during the Berhert train terror and Veron¡¯s attack. Allen had witnessed it all and had even severed Veron¡¯s wrist himself. "But... I don''t think I can uphold your trust," Allen said softly. The darkness of the distant sky gradually began to fracture, revealing the light of dawn breaking. "... This mission hassted too long." As Allen, he didn''t have much time left to witness sunrises in this Mage Tower. His departure was approaching. He knew he shouldn''t feel regret; such emotions were not allowed for him. "I have be too ustomed to being Allen," Allen thought, pressing his forehead against the windowpane. Allen felt the cold seeping in from outside and sniffled, a strange warmth spreading through his nose. *** It was a clear summer weekend, and Yulie enjoyed a rare moment of leisure. Deculein, her charge, was safely in the annex, the duties of the Freyhem Knights Order were light, and her morning training routine was alreadyplete. "Wow..." Yulie spent time with the attendants in the mansion''s lounge. The room was filled with various advanced gadgets, but what particrly caught her interest was the radio. "It''s not a crystal orb. How does it produce sound?" Yulie asked, her curiosity piqued. "Oh, the radio? We were amazed when we first saw it too. Inside, there''s something called a mana stone circuit. I''m not sure of the details, but it catches what are called frequencies. There are about thirteen channels, and you can listen to broadcasts on them," one of Yulie¡¯s attendants replied. Mana stone circuit. Frequency. Channel. Broadcast. These were all unfamiliar terms to her. "That''s fascinating. Does that mean you can listen to jousting match broadcasts with this?" Although radios cost over 5,000 elne and onlysted a year, making them a luxury item, the Empire''s mediapanies had recently begun establishing their own channels. "Correct. You don''t need to buy a ticket to hear the broadcasts. However, it might be frustrating since you can''t see what''s happening." As Yulie continued to marvel, a small dog rested on herp, a pet shared by the mansion¡¯s servants. Knock, knock¡ª At that moment, there was a knock on the door before it opened. It was Ren, Deculein''s personal secretary, returning from a business trip. "Escort Knight Yulie, it is time for your schedule," Ren announced. "Oh, yes," Yulie replied, quickly straightening her attire and preparing for her duties. Her casual clothes were her light armor, so there was no need to change. The sun was high in the sky when I arrived in Yukline County. My first event of the day was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Marik Underground Passage. "How did you conceive the brilliant idea of building an underground railway tunnel? Hahaha!" "Professor Deculein, your foresight is truly astonishing!" Arge crowd had already gathered at the entrance to the underground passage. Many were notable figures from the political and business worlds. I greeted them alongside Yeriel. "The underground passage was Head Deculein''s idea, but the creation of the shopping district was mine," Yeriel said, cing her hand on her chest and smiling warmly. The chatter in the hall suddenly died down. Everyone held their breath, anticipating my reaction. "That is correct," I replied. Only then did theirughter resume, and they began showering Yeriel with ttery. "Of course! Such brilliant ideas are only to be expected from Professor Deculein''s sister." "Indeed, intelligence runs in the family! Wouldn''t you agree?" "Absolutely!" It was evident that this entire event was steeped in politics and connections. They even questioned the rtionship between Yeriel and me. "Now, let usmence the ribbon-cutting ceremony," Yeriel said proudly, holding the scissors. We stood together and cut the ribbon stretched across the entrance of the passage. p, p, p, p¡ª Apuse and cheers erupted as the entrance to the underground passage opened. They invited me to join them inside, but I shook my head. The rest was Yeriel''s responsibility. "I have a busy schedule today, so I will leave the specifics to Yeriel. This project is under her jurisdiction, after all." "Oh, really? That''s quite unfortunate." "Enjoy your leisure at Hadecaine afterward," I said. They seemed a bit disappointed but soon followed Yeriel into the passage. "Yulie, let us head back," I instructed her. "Yes." I turned to leave with Yulie, but someone followed us. Yulie quickly stepped forward to block her path. "Stop. Identify yourself before you approach," Yulie demanded, her voice icy. However, the young woman remained unfazed and responded, "I am an investor." Wearing a bowler hat and a suit, she was quite striking. After confirming her identity, I gestured to Yulie and said, "It''s fine. Go inside first." "... Sorry?" "I need you to give us some space. I need to speak with her privately," I instructed firmly. "Yes, understood," Yulie replied hesitantly. She got into the car, ring at me through the window. Arlos remarked, "You have a keen mind for business." "Al, have you also invested in this project?" I asked. "Al? ... Oh, you mean me? Yes, it seemed like a good business opportunity," Arlos said with a shrug before sharing some information. "The Jukaken and the Altar haven''t given up on you. They''re likely plotting something. Stay cautious." "I am not concerned with them. But what about Gerek?" Gerek was quite important. The mad characters were treated specially even in the game. They were difficult to handle, but once they unleashed their power, theirbat abilities soared exponentially, making them valuable strategic assets. "Gerek is currently underground... Additionally, the Altar is nning some sort of sudden attack. That''s why I''m here." I frowned and said, "A sudden attack." "Whether it''s a sudden attack or a terror plot, I don''t know. They''re bing more secretive, and the information is sparse. But knowing their nature, it will be grand," Arlos said, looking around before pulling her bowler hat lower. "And the reason is?" "Fanatics are fanatics for a reason¡ªthey are unpredictable. Always be wary of crowded ces," Arlos said. As soon as she finished speaking, a system message appeared. [Sudden Event: Tempest] "You could have used a crystal orb to convey this information," I said. "This is much safer than using that little orb," Arlos replied before quickly leaving. I watched her disappear like a shadow before getting into the car. "Head to the Mage Tower," I instructed Ren. The second event was overseeing the project inspection in my role as the director of the nning and Financial Coordination Office at the Mage Tower. "Yes, sir," Ren acknowledged, stepping on the gas without further words. However, I felt a heated gaze beside me. When I nced over, I saw Yulie staring at me with a stern expression. "Who was that? She was quite remarkable," Yulie inquired, her eyes meeting mine as she finally voiced the question she had been holding back. "That is not necessary for you to know." "Since you said I don''t need to know, I won''t ask," Yulie replied, pouting as she sat back properly. However, her gaze on the road ahead remained sharp and intense. Meanwhile, Louina was working on a magic project in herboratory. The funding she requested had been fully granted, and her prot¨¦g¨¦s from the Mage Tower of the Kingdom had returned. Despite initial hesitation due to financial issues, the approval from the director of the nning and Financial Coordination Office carried significant weight. The entire project was established within a week of submitting the proposal. Recently, there were rumors about Louina being Deculein''s subordinate¡ªor even his loyal dog¡ªbut she didn''t deny them. Her feelings towards Deculein had softened somewhat. "Everyone, you don''t need to conserve mana stones anymore! We''re not in the kingdom now. Recycle if necessary, but use as much as you need¡ª¡± As she encouraged her team, theb door opened. Louina was startled by the unexpected visitor. "Professor Deculein, what brings you here?" Louina asked. "An unannounced inspection. It''s part of my duties as the director of the nning and Financial Coordination Office," Deculein stated. He inspected the sixteen mages and the tables in theb one by one. His intimidating presence caused the assistants to bow awkwardly. Louina crossed her arms and stood beside him. "There''s nothing to worry about," Louina said. "We''ve been preparing this idea for a long time. We justcked the funding, but the results will be certain." "Do you have confidence in this?" "Absolutely, but there''s a small issue with the cost. The initial funding is ten million elne, but the final cost could increase up to twenty times that amount." Two hundred million. Louina deliberately inted the cost. Deculein remained unfazed and said, "You may proceed." Deculein reviewed and signed the documents without any doubts or questions, then left, his actions always precise and perfect. His calm demeanor left Louina feeling conflicted. She sighed and followed him out. "Hey." When Louina called out, Deculein stopped and turned to face her. "Here, boss. Take this," Louina said, handing him a candy tin. Deculein furrowed his eyebrows in confusion at the sudden gift. "It''s a specialty from the McQueen territory, Quirina candy," Louina exined. "It''s only avable in summer and in very limited quantities. It''s our best-selling product." "And?" "This small tin costs a thousand elne and has a three-year waiting list," Louina added. Despite her enthusiastic pitch, Deculein showed no intention of epting the gift. Louina promptly shoved the tin into his suit pocket. "Boss, even if you don''t eat it, your fianc¨¦e will. I''m certain of it. Nobody dislikes this candy." At the mention of Yulie, Deculein finally nodded in acknowledgment. With a smirk, Louina stepped back, waved, and said, "Well, take care." "... Very well," Deculein replied, moving the candy tin from his outer pocket to his inner pocket. Thirty minutester, Deculein returned to the car and nced at Yulie. "What?" Yulie asked, still pouting, her expression remaining sharp. Deculein, on a whim, pulled out the candy tin. "Oh?" Yulie''s demeanor changed instantly. She leaned forward and swallowed nervously, her eyes tracking the tin''s every movement like a puppy fixated on a treat. "Where did you find that? It looks delicious," Yulie said. Amused by her reaction, Deculein chuckled and said, "It''s called Quirina candy. Are you familiar with it?" "Yes, of course. We''ve dreamed of this candy since childhood. It''s said to never melt, though it eventually does when you eat it." "... I see," Deculein said, opening the tin and taking out a candy. Yulie cupped her hands, and he ced the candy in her palm. She popped it into her mouth, her face lighting up with joy. This candy must be truly delicious, Deculein thought with a smile. "If you perform well, I''ll reward you with one asionally," Deculein stated. Yulie''s eyes widened with determination as she scanned the surroundings with heightened vignce. *** The final exam season at the Mage Tower of the Imperial University was in full swing. The atmosphere was tense, with students, mages, and knights alike busy and exhausted. The entire campus seemed to be enveloped in a heavy, oppressive air. Sylvia, however, was an exception. She confidently expected perfect marks on today''s exam, just as she had on yesterday''s and would on tomorrow''s. Her streak of perfect scores seemed endless. "Hmm-hmm," Sylvia hummed as she walked, a rare sound for her. She suddenly took out a piece of paper she had carefully ced in her robe pocket. Application: Deculein It was the application she had filled out the night before. Deculein had said he wouldn''t ept it, but the minimum requirement for a full-time professor review was one year. Sylvia wanted to learn from Deculein for the remaining six months and was confident she could persuade him. "I''m back," Sylvia announced as she returned to the mansion, her voice echoing through the grand halls. "Lady Sylvia, you''re back!" the maids greeted her with bright smiles as she returned to the mansion. Sylvia found their unusually cheerful demeanor suspicious. They seemed oddly yful. "Lady Sylvia, you¡¯ve made a friend without telling us?" "What are you talking about?" Sylvia retorted, clearly puzzled. A friend? I don''t have any friends. I''ve never had one in my life, Sylvia thought. The reason revealed itself when she stepped into the living room. "What is she doing here?" Sylvia asked, spotting someone who looked like Epherene sleeping on the sofa. Sylvia approached and looked closely. "Snore... snore..." It was Epherene. The silly nepotism baby was asleep, wrapped in a nket. "Snore... snore..." She appeared much cleaner than she had that morning, which suggested she had taken a shower here. "Rude Epherene," Sylvia muttered, crossing her arms as she red at her. Their previous conversation came back to her suddenly. "So, the emblem on the letter from your sponsor matches the one on this handkerchief." "Yeah, that''s how I knew my sponsor was keeping his eye on me. Unfortunately, I couldn''t see his face¡ªI was too busy crying during the y." The handkerchief belonged to Professor Deculein, which strongly suggested he was Epherene''s sponsor. The realization both irritated and deeply stressed Sylvia. Why does the professor care so much for her? Is it only because her fathermitted suicide? ... Whatever the reason, if he doesn¡¯t take me on as an assistant professor, I might just reveal this to Epherene. "Snore... snore... ow!" Sylvia seized Epherene¡¯s nose and gave it a vigorous shake. "Ahhh!" Epherene screamed as she woke up, and Sylvia immediately wiped her hands. Stammering in shock, Epherene eximed, "Wh-what¡¯s wrong with you?" "Why did you enter someone else¡¯s house without permission?" Sylvia said. "You didn¡¯t have to wake me up like that, but still..." Epherene replied, rubbing her now-red nose. That really hurt. My eyes are starting to water. Is this a nosebleed? No, just snot, Epherene thought. Sylvia narrowed her eyes and said, "What are you doing here?" "... I-I figured out the secret of this paper," Epherene said in a nasal voice. A metaphorical exmation mark popped up in Sylvia''s mind as she said, "What do you mean?" "Ugh, I can¡¯t believe I went through all this... Anyway, look at this. It may seem like an ordinary piece of paper, but then..." Epherene held the paper and concentrated on pure element magic, using the element of Water. Saash¡ª! The paper from Deculein quickly became drenched with water. "You foolishly foolish Epherene! Do you wanna di¡ª" Sylvia was close to strangling Epherene when the paper suddenly began to change shape. Smirking confidently, Epherene said, "What is paper made of? Wood. And wood is formed from the elements of earth and water, right?" She then infused the soaked paper with the element of Earth, and it transformed into a three-dimensional map. "It was so simple. You recognize this ce, don¡¯t you?" Epherene asked. Sylvia nodded. It was the 40th floor of the Mage Tower, a unique area called Lokail¡¯s Forest. "This paper reveals the test location," Epherene exined. Sylvia suddenly saw Epherene in a new light. While I was taking exams, she was doing this. Keeping her as my ve was a good decision. Epherene, brimming with pride, said, "So, what do you think? Now you have to buy it for me!" "Buy what?" "You promised, remember? Roahawk," Epherene reminded her with a firm tone. Sylvia looked at Epherene in disbelief. She had promised to buy one during the exam period, but Epherene had been hounding her for Roahawk every day since¡ªyesterday, today, and even the day before. "Oh, I know! Let¡¯s all go today. And bring your house staff too," Epherene suggested. "No," Sylvia replied, shaking her head. The maids, who had been watching with delight, raised their hands and responded, "We¡¯d be happy to go, Lady Sylvia! Especially if it¡¯s with your friend~" They smiled happily and hurried off to change into different clothes. "See? They want to join us too," Epherene said. Sylvia couldn¡¯t refuse. A promise was a promise, and Epherene had found the solution. She told herself that Professor Deculein would have done the same. "... Fine." "Yay~!" *** An hourter, someone arrived at Sylvia''s now-empty mansion. It was Glitheon, the head of the Iliade family. "Sweetie!" Glitheon called out, his voice echoing slightly as he walked in, his voice echoing slightly in the empty room, but Sylvia and the servants were nowhere to be seen. He nced around the empty living room, sighed deeply, and shrugged, his disappointment evident. ¡°They must have all gone out together,¡± Glitheon muttered under his breath. He headed to Sylvia¡¯s room and gave the door a firm knock. Knock, knock¡ª ¡°Are you in there, sweetie?¡± There was no response, only silence. ¡°... Hmm,¡± Glitheon muttered, scratching the back of his neck as he slowly pushed the door open. Creak¡ª The room was empty, aside from a panda stuffed animal on the bed, its small eyes giving the impression they were staring back at him. ¡°Well, it is exam season,¡± Glitheon muttered with a sigh. He intended to bring her some nourishing food, but as he turned to leave, something on Sylvia''s desk caught his attention¡ªa document. ¡°Is this her transcript?¡± Glitheon thought, ncing around the quiet house before quietly moving to the desk. He picked up the paper and started to read. At first, his expression was curious, but it soon hardened. His face turned cold, and a surge of anger rose within him. Veins stood out on his hand as he clenched the paper tightly. Application: Deculein My name is Sylvia, and I am writing to express my interest in applying under your guidance. Among the 150 Debutants, I was the only one to achieve a perfect score on your midterm exam... ¡°An application to work under Deculein?¡± Glitheon muttered, tossing the crumpled paper back onto the desk. It immediately smoothed itself out, unmarked, but the fury on Glitheon¡¯s face remained. ¡°This is uneptable.¡± Sylvia, whether you feel affection for Deculein, admire him, or hold any other sentiment, it is irrelevant to me. Such fleeting emotions are nothing more than the transient passions of youth. However, you must remember that before you are Sylvia, you are an Iliade, and an Iliade must never be subordinate to a Yukline. ¡°Huh...¡± A bitterugh escaped him. I tried too hard to shield you, to expose you only to the good, to let you hear only what was pleasant. I kept the conflicts between our families, the wars, and the brutal nature of mages hidden from you, believing that the world was still too harsh for you, Glitheon thought in his mind. ¡°... Hahaha.¡± But now, it appears the time hase. I cannot allow this to continue. For the daughter of a lion to willingly submit to a wolf would forever stain our family¡¯s honor. ... Sylvia, you must face the truth. You must now understand the deep, tangled, and inescapable chain of hatred that binds the Yuklines and the Iliades. Atst, Glitheon was ready to remove his mask. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 81: His Exam (1)

Chapter 81: His Exam (1)

Tap, tap, tap¡ª Rain drummed against the restaurant window as Epherene, drowning in mncholy, absently pushed her food around on the te. ¡°Why does life take such turns?¡± Epherene murmured. ¡°It often strays too far, beyond the point of no return. When despaires uninvited, you wish for hope to follow, but reality is seldom so kind. Relief that bnces this kind of despair... is rare.¡± Epherene toyed with her chopsticks for a moment, then set them down, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. ¡°B-but why? The food is delicious,¡± said Lethe and Endel, Sylvia¡¯s maids, their voices tinged with confusion. To them, the steak was perfectly fine. ¡°She just prefers another type of pork,¡± Sylvia said offhandedly, continuing to eat without a care. To her, it didn¡¯t matter if it was rice balls, fried rice, pork, or beef. ¡°Why did it have to be today, of all days...¡± Epherene muttered, her voice heavy with despair. The Flower of the Pig restaurant was closed today, leaving her puzzled. She resolved to ask Julia about itter. ¡°Foolish Epherene,¡± Sylvia sneered, rising from her seat with a smirk. Epherene was too drained to respond. One of the three maids followed Sylvia out, while the other two remained, silently observing Epherene. ¡°This is the first time,¡± one of them remarked to Epherene, whose spirit appeared utterly drained. ¡°... Pardon?¡± ¡°Since the mistress¡¯s passing, Lady Sylvia has never once brought a friend home.¡± ¡°Ah...¡± Epherene muttered, a bitter smile crossing her lips. Sylvia''s reputation, along with her family¡¯s history, was widely known. Not just those at the magic tower, but even ordinary university students were aware that Sylvia¡¯s mother had passed away. This was the weight of her fame. ¡°That is why we were so pleased when you visited, Miss Epherene. You entered the mansion so freely.¡± ¡°Ahaha... well, I must admit, I did feel a bit hesitant...¡± To be honest, I was merely lingering outside when I was brought in. The attendants were so kind that, before I knew it, I had taken a shower without realizing. ¡°No, truly, it was the first time. Everyone finds Lady Sylvia intimidating, and she has never pressured anyone like that before. She¡¯s never twisted anyone¡¯s nose like that.¡± ¡°... I-is that so?¡± ¡°Yes, so... might you continue your friendship with Lady Sylvia?¡± the maid asked. Epherene hesitated, knowing they wouldn¡¯t realize that the rtionship between the Iliades and the Lunas was far from amicable. ¡°Would it be too much to ask...?¡± ¡°... Sorry? No, no, of course, we should get along well,¡± Epherene responded, her voice tinged with unease as she forced a smile, picking up her fork and knife before returning to the steak she had set aside earlier. *** Sylvia returned home before nightfall. With Deculein¡¯s exam only a week away, she had a great deal to prepare, including revising her application. ¡°Sweetie.¡± In the dimly lit living room, however, an unexpected figure was waiting for her¡ªGlitheon. ¡°Oh, Master. When did you¡ª¡± ¡°Lethe, leave us,¡± Glitheon ordered, his voice icy as the tension in the room deepened. "... Yes, sir," Lethe replied, her voice tinged with worry. After a brief hesitation, the maid bowed slightly and left Sylvia behind as she quietly exited the room. Tilting her head, Sylvia stepped closer to Glitheon and asked, "What''s going on?" Glitheon tapped the application on the desk without a word. "Why did you look at that without permission?" Sylvia said, her eyes widening as she confronted her father. She reached for the application, but Glitheon, with a stern expression, intercepted her and asked, "Are you seriously considering applying under Deculein, sweetie?" "... Yes, but just for six months." Glitheon clenched his teeth as he stared at her, struck by how much she resembled her mother. "... Sylvia, I wanted you to grow up surrounded by kindness and beauty, not burdened by the harsh realities I faced." Glitheon¡¯s eyes settled on a framed photo of histe wife, Cielia, who had been gone for years. Her smile was still as radiant and joyful as he remembered. ¡°The conflicts between mage families, the ruthless nature of mages¡ªI was certain that the world was still too harsh for you,¡± Glitheon said, his expression growing increasingly severe. This was no pretense. Even Glitheon, who had nned to mask his true feelings, couldn¡¯t hold back the wave of emotions rising within him. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°... Sylvia, do you know the history that binds the Iliades and the Yuklines? Do you truly grasp the depth of the hatred between us?¡± Sylvia remained silent. The sight of Glitheon without his usual mask was both unsettling and terrifying. As she slowly stepped back, he watched her retreat with a cold, detached gaze. ¡°Cielia,¡± Glitheon said. The name was that of the person Sylvia had loved most in this world¡ªher mother. A faint tremor ran through Sylvia¡¯s shoulders. ¡°She was a beautiful woman, an exceptional wife, and a devoted mother,¡± Glitheon said as he suddenly rose and stepped toward Sylvia. He gripped her shoulders firmly, preventing her from retreating, and looked directly into her eyes. ¡°Listen carefully, Sylvia.¡± He carefully enunciated each word with unwavering intensity. ¡°The Yuklines killed Ciel¡ªthe woman you loved and the one I once called my own.¡± Sylvia¡¯s eyes widened, reflecting the fury in Glitheon¡¯s gaze. The world around her blurred as her ears rang and fear took hold. Glitheon was no longer himself; he was a raging fire. ¡°Deculein is the one who killed Cielia.¡± Sylvia snapped back to reality, no longer a child immobilized by fear. ¡°The Iliades and the Yuklines are tied by that kind of bond. You must understand¡ª¡± Glitheon continued exining, but Sylvia¡¯s heart had already settled on one unshakeable belief. ¡°That¡¯s a lie.¡± Glitheon¡¯s face tightened with fury. Sylvia pushed away the hand holding her and said, ¡°I know the true reason my mother left.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Mother hated you.¡± ¡°... Sylvia.¡± ¡°And still, you lied back then.¡± Glitheon let out a bitterugh. Deculein¡¯s face suddenly shed in his mind¡ªarrogant, as if he alone were noble, looking down on everyone. And before Deculein, there were the Yuklines who came before him, those treacherous, cunning snakes. The entire Yukline family stoked Glitheon¡¯s fury. ¡°... Then why don¡¯t you ask him yourself?¡± Glitheon said, his voice was cold and cutting. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t dare use me of lying. So...¡± Glitheon stared at Sylvia, noticing the doubt in her eyes¡ªthe same usatory look Cielia had once shown him. ¡°Go ahead, ask him yourself! Then you¡¯ll see just how foolish you¡¯ve been!¡± Glitheon shouted, ripping her application to pieces. Sylvia had never seen him look like that before. Stunned, she bit her lip to stay silent. "You¡¯ll know it deep inside. Only then will you understand." With those final words, Glitheon stormed out of the mansion, mming the door behind him with such force that it rattled on its hinges. The servants outside bowed deeply as he passed, but he ignored them, heading straight to his car. ¡ª ... Are you sure about this? A faint voice whispered from the crystal orb in his pocket. Glitheon breathed heavily and replied, ¡°I¡¯ve allowed myself to becent. Even in peace, one must be vignt in preparing their heirs.¡± ¡ª Brother, isn¡¯t this too harsh? She¡¯s still a child, and this may be more than she can bear. Glitheon reflected on his past. At seven, he barely escaped a tiger¡¯s jaws. At thirteen, he had to kill his closest friend. By twenty, war had imed his mother. ¡°If she cannot rise above this challenge, she does not deserve the name Iliade.¡± Yet Glitheon nevermented his fate. The trials and hardships only fed the mes of Iliade¡¯s ambition, burning through his life like wood in a fierce fire. "There¡¯s no need for concern. Sylvia won¡¯t let me down. Even if she falters, she¡¯ll rise again, shining brighter than before," Glitheon murmured, his eyes cold and unwavering. *** On early Friday morning, Epherene stretched and yawned as she left the dormitory. Most of her exams were already behind her¡ªcore subjects like Destructive Category Magic Applications and Supportive Category Magic Conversion, as well as general courses like Imperial History and Criminal Investigation. She was confident she had done well in all of them. Now, only the final exam in Deculein''s Understanding Pure Elements remained. "This is the most, most important one," Epherene said. The final exam for the five-credit course carried considerable weight. Failing it would render even three A+ grades in core subjects meaningless. To secure a professor''s rmendation and maintain a strong position in the rankings, she needed to ce at least second. As she walked, focusing on the challenge ahead, a sh of yellow in the distance caught her attention. But this wasn¡¯t just any yellow¡ªit was a radiant mix of gold and sunlight, cascading like a waterfall. Sylvia¡¯s hair, the envy of all who saw it, was a symbol of Iliade¡¯s beauty. ¡°Sylvia!¡± Epherene called out, her steps quickening as she neared. Sylvia flinched before turning to face her, a familiar disdain in her eyes. "Today... Wait, what happened to your face?" Epherene asked, her voiceced with concern as she noticed Sylvia¡¯s appearance. Sylvia looked drained, with shadows under her eyes and hollowed cheeks. "Did something go wrong on your exams? No, that can''t be right. Everyone''s saying you aced them." Without a word, Sylvia walked past her. Confused, Epherene quickly followed. "You¡¯re going to the 40th floor, right?" Epherene asked as they entered the elevator, pressing the button for the 40th floor. Yet again, Sylvia said nothing. "... Why are you suddenly ignoring me? That¡¯s not like you, ¡®Arrogant Epherene¡¯¡ªaren¡¯t you going to say it?¡± Epherene muttered, pouting in disappointment. The Mage Tower featured Special Floors, areas seldom essible to beginners. These levels were typically designated for every tenth floor¡ª10th, 20th, 30th, and so on. The 40th floor, in particr, housed Lokail¡¯s Forest, an artificial magicalndscape. Ding¡ª! The elevator doors opened to reveal a lush forest. Epherene and Sylvia stopped in their tracks, momentarily stunned by the sight. It was a green oasis, with vibrant foliage and dappled sunlight streaming through the canopy. "Wow... So this is what a Special Floor looks like," Epherene whispered to herself as she stepped into the forest. They hadn¡¯t gone far when they encountered a group of Debutants¡ªLucia, Beck, and Jupern, apanied by the usual nobles and members of the Common Magic Research Club, including Julia. "Ephie!" Julia called out excitedly as she spotted her. "Julie!" Epherene eximed, instinctively running to her and pulling Julia into a tight hug. She ignored the disdainful looks from the nobles nearby. "So you figured it out too!" "Yes! It took me nearly two weeks to figure it out," Julia replied with a smile. While talking with Julia and the others, Epherene continued to nce at Sylvia, who remained detached from the lively conversation around her. Then, a voice suddenly cut through the chatter. ¡°Wee.¡± Everyone froze and stood at attention while Deculein observed them from a hill in the forest. "Congrattions. You are the 117 Debutants who have sessfully arrived at the exam site," Deculein announced to the group. Sylvia''s eyes zed over as she gazed at Deculein, utterly captivated. Epherene smiled bitterly, noticing her fascination. The subject of today''s exam is the integration of theory and intuition," Deculein continued The difficulty of the task was unmistakable. Epherene and the other mages grew tense, concentrating fully on the challenge before them. "As I have often stated, without theory, intuition falters. And without intuition, theory is nothing more than an empty shell," Deculein asserted. He effortlesslybined the earth and wood around him, forming an elegant chair with his usual refined Ductility magic. "In Lokail¡¯s Forest, various magical phenomena and disasters will continually disrupt your sense of theory and intuition. Your task is toplete your assignments without faltering," Deculein instructed, his tone firm as he took a seat. "Allen?" Deculein called, and Allen promptly appeared. Allen smiled as always, but his energy seemed noticeably diminished. "Alright, everyone~ Please step forward to collect your exam papers," Allen said. 1. Manifest and secure the following three spells in the specified order below. 2. Identify and record the eight properties of Pure Elements. 3. Describe the magical phenomena encountered in the Lokail¡¯s Forest. 4. Analyze and cast the forting spell of magical disaster. 5. Demonstrate the reactivity of Pure Elements within the forest. The exam presented five tasks. Epherene sighed as she looked over the list, noticing the other mages mirrored her reaction. Even so, she reminded herself of the importance of staying focused. If it was difficult for her, it was difficult for everyone. This was the mindset she needed to hold on to. "Certain spells may require specific materials for manifestation, which you can locate within Lokail¡¯s Forest. However, exercise caution. The Special Floor is designated as such for a reason¡ªit is extremely dangerous!" Allen cautioned. "What is the time limit for this exam?" Epherene inquired. Allen sneezed loudly, then replied, ¡°Oh, excuse me. There is no time limit. Should you face any danger, do not hesitate to seek assistance from Professor Deculein~¡± Allen quickly made his way up the hill, unrolled a mat beside Deculein, and sat down calmly. "Professor, may I offer you some tea?" Allen¡¯s soft voice carried through the air, reaching Deculein clearly as he spoke. *** Seated by the stream, Sylvia cast asional nces at Deculein, who was still deeply immersed in his book. ¡°Deculein is the one who killed Cielia.¡± Glitheon¡¯s words yed over and over in her mind. Whenever Sylvia looked at Deculein, her father¡¯s enraged face seemed to blend with his. She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. "It must be a lie. It has to be," Sylvia whispered to herself, repeating the words over and over. "The only truth is probably the conflict between Iliade and Yukline. Everything else has to be a lie. Father always exaggerates and twists the truth." ¡°... The exam.¡± Sylvia refocused on the exam, crouching over the test paper with intense concentration. Clunk¡ª! Suddenly, a piercing cold pain struck her head. "Ouch." Sylvia clutched her throbbing head and looked up, only to see hailstones pelting down from the sky. Without hesitation, she quickly created a shelter. 1. Manifest and secure the following three spells in the specified order below. She proceeded to the main task, carefully manifesting and preserving the three spells in sequence. It wasn¡¯t difficult. Yet, the words continued to echo in her mind, overwhelming her thoughts... ¡°... Then why don¡¯t you ask him yourself? He wouldn¡¯t dare use me of lying. So...¡± "My head hurts," Sylvia groaned, gripping her head as the tormenting words refused to fade. Deculein remained visible in the distance¡ªher muse, the one she admired, perhaps even loved. Yet, her father had used him of murdering her mother. After enduring the headache for what felt like ages, Sylvia finally nodded to herself. She would finish the exam,plete it perfectly, and then ask. Once Deculein told her she had scored full marks again, she would confront him. She knew Deculein would surely deny it, insisting that Glitheon was mistaken. "You can do this," Sylvia whispered to herself, gathering her determination as she began working on the first problem. The tasks were easy for someone of her skill, yet within minutes, she sensed something was wrong. "... Ah." 1. Manifest and secure the following three spells in the specified order below. She was meant to cast the three water-based spells in sequence, but instead, Sylvia unintentionally fused them. Ironically, her mistake stemmed from the sheer brilliance of her talent and overwhelming magic. The merging of the three mid-level spells was sudden, and the resulting bacsh was unavoidable. "Oh no." Roaaaar¡ª! The moment she whispered those words, the magic erupted. A surge of Water and wind, bound by her spell, rushed forward. Sylvia was caught in the turmoil before she had a chance to react. Chapter 82: His Exam (2)

Chapter 82: His Exam (2)

Memories lingered in the smallest details¡ªthe hand she clutched as they walked through the Iliade Castle halls, afraid of losing her way, the flowers they nurtured together in the garden, the bedtime stories whispered before sleep, and the stray cat she had begged to adopt. When Sylvia reflected on her past, her memories spanned only eight years¡ªthe short time she had with her mother. Human memories umte like grains of sand. The oldest ones settled at the bottom, with countless others piling on top. As time passed, the weight of theseyers buried some memories, while others remained sharp, piercing through without blending in. Sylvia¡¯s memories were like that. They weren¡¯t buried by time or washed away, and they never faded. The memories of her mother, who left this world too soon, remained eternal. As time went on, Sylvia became aware of a new presence growing in her mind. From Lokhak, from Berhert, from the Baron of Ashes¡ªa professor who had once protected her. Someone who perhaps carried a sorrow simr to her own. He slowly took root in her heart, like a delicate shoot breaking through barren soil. As she trembled before sleep, when loneliness constricted her heart, her thoughts inevitably drifted to him. Sylvia recognized this feeling all too well. It was unmistakable, and perhaps that certainty made it even more painful. ... Sylvia slowly opened her eyes to a stark white ceiling, with the light flickering above her. A wave of dizziness hit her, and shey motionless for a long time. Rustle¡ª The quiet sound of pages turning caught her attention. Sylvia slowly turned her gaze and saw Professor Deculein seated in a chair. Without lifting his eyes from the book, as if sensing her gaze, he spoke with a measured tone, ¡°The exam has ended. You¡¯ve been asleep for 48 hours.¡± His blue eyes locked onto hers¡ªclear as crystal but as cold as ice. "Your performance throughout the semester was wless, so an A grade is more than appropriate." The final exam made up 35% of the overall grade, but Sylvia had already achieved perfect scores in the remaining 65%. She held a twenty-point lead over the second-ce student, Epherene. Even with a zero on the final, she would only drop slightly from first ce. "... Professor." "You should take these grades to the Floating Ind," Deculein repeated, echoing something he had mentioned in the past. Sylvia looked at him, her lips trembling. She had never truly understood what it meant to feel resentful, but now that feeling consumed every part of her. Deculein abruptly closed his book and rose to his feet. He was ready to leave, but Sylvia couldn¡¯t let him go. "... My father exined why I shouldn¡¯t be under your guidance," Sylvia said, gripping the bedsheet tightly. "He told me that Iliade and Yukline are sworn enemies, destined to destroy each other. Is that why?" Deculein¡¯s gaze stayed cold, but Sylvia didn¡¯t waver. The pain in her heart was piercing, yet she endured it because it came from him. "Sylvia." "Yes, Professor." "I have never regarded you as an Iliade," Deculein stated. Her heart fluttered at his words, and with a glimmer of hope, she asked, "Then who am I to you?" "... Sylvia." She nodded again and replied, "Yes, Professor." "Sylvia." "Yes, Professor." "Simply Sylvia," Deculein repeated, tilting his head slightly as if reconsidering his words. Then, with greater rity, he spoke again. "... A potential Archmage, this year¡¯s top novice mage, a miracle in the Magical Realm, a talent destined to reach the Authority, and a child of Iliade," Deculein recited, listing each title that would have once stirred envy within him. These were the des bestowed upon Sylvia. "You may bear many titles, yet to me, you are simply Sylvia." Deculein was oblivious to the emotions Sylvia held for him, and such things mattered little to him. Yet, as Kim Woo-Jin, there was something he feltpelled to say. "As my student, you are under my protection and guidance, and at times, you will need proper counsel." Deculein looked down at his gloved hands¡ªa reflection of his guarded heart and his aversion to physical contact. Sylvia was still young, with much to learn¡ªphysically, emotionally, and as a mage. "It is my duty to guide you on the proper path." Sylvia gazed at him steadily. His words, both warm and cold, nurtured the tender shoot in her heart, making it grow stronger with each exchange. The thought of losing him was unbearable; she wanted to keep him in her heart forever. So, she spoke. "My father imed that the Yukline family, that you, were responsible for harming my mother." Sylvia longed for him to refute it. "This cannot be true, can it? Surely, it is a lie?" Yet, no matter how long she waited, or how many times, there was only silence. "Professor." Drum-drum-drum... In the stillness of the hospital room, the only sound was the soft patter of rain against the window. The silence pressed in, suffocating. "My father¡¯s words are false," Sylvia said, forcing a smile. "They¡¯re nothing but lies." She repeated the words he had left unsaid. "... Lies." An unfamiliar emotion settled in her heart, leaving her voice hollow. Sylvia shifted her gaze to the window, watching the rain cascade down. In the ss, Deculein¡¯s reflection appeared, his expression as indifferent and cold as ever. She spoke to his reflection softly, "Please go.¡± *** I walked down the dark corridor, rain pounding against the windows. The sky was pitch ck until a sh of lightning cut through it. In that brief re of light, I saw him¡ªa man¡¯s shadowed face, his eyes locked on mine. ¡°Professor Deculein,¡± Glitheon said. He was a well-groomed man in his middle years, with striking blonde hair and sharp golden eyes. The type who belonged in the Lunatic category¡ªGlitheon. "I heard my daughter copsed from exhaustion during your exam," Glitheon stated, his voice devoid of any concern. "Tell me, was it your fault or hers?" The offhand way he posed the question ignited a deep contempt within me¡ªone that both Deculein and Kim Woo-Jin shared. "Glitheon, what exactly did you say to Sylvia?" I demanded. Glitheon¡¯s eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp and calcting. The intensity in his blood-red pupils slowly gave way to a sly smile as he responded, "I haven¡¯t said much, Deculein. But do you remember that day? Ten years ago, when Iliade and Yukline were at war?" My memories as Deculein were still limited. I knew Iliade and Yukline were bitter enemies, but I had no way of knowing the deeper details. After all, the original Deculein and Sylvia had only ever harbored hatred for each other. "That day, as Ciel attempted to leave, you took her life," Glitheon said. Cielia... Sylvia¡¯s mother. I wasn¡¯t sure what Glitheon was alluding to, but his words triggered something in me, a scene shing through my mind. The sound of rain tapping against the window merged with the image of Glitheon¡¯s face. It was ten years ago, on a day when the rain fell like a storm. Glitheon spoke to Deculein, and Deculein looked down at his gloved hands, already stained with blood. "I will not let you ruin Sylvia as well," Glitheon dered. Fragments of memory stirred in my mind, but I quickly steadied myself. I wasn¡¯t one to be easily shaken. Ignoring him, I walked past without a backward nce. "Deculein, are you attempting to run away again?" His words stopped me cold, as if a hand had seized my back. Anger red up inside me. I turned back toward Glitheon and spoke his name, ¡°Glitheon.¡± "Deculein, you¡¯ve always been this way. Acting high and mighty, pretending to look down on everyone, yet in truth, you¡¯re the most fearful of all¡ª" "Glitheon¡ª!" I roared, the words exploding from me, driven by a rage I hadn''t known was there. Heat surged through my chest as my voice thundered down the corridor. Glitheon¡¯s eyes widened in shock. I closed the distance between us, looming over him, his gaze barely reaching my chin. "I see through your every thought." "... See through me? And what, exactly, do you perceive?" Glitheon asked. ¡°Sylvia is not your toy.¡± Glitheon was a mage consumed by ambition. His family''s obsession with creating an Archmage drove him to ruthless lengths, and to him, Sylvia was nothing more than a tool in that pursuit. "Did you just im you wouldn¡¯t let Sylvia be ruined?" I asked coldly, pressing my finger into his chest. Glitheon tried to stand his ground, but the force of the Iron Man sent him stumbling back. "That¡¯s my line, Glitheon." ¡°What?¡± "The tainted legacy of your family." Glitheon¡¯s face stiffened, and a smirk crept across my lips. The name Iliade¡ªhis only true weakness. "I will not allow it to ruin Sylvia," I dered. This wasn¡¯t just anger¡ªit was Deculein¡¯s rage taking form. At that moment, Sylvia didn¡¯t matter. She was just a pretext. My hatred for Glitheon was all too real. "Deculein, you killed Ciel. If Sylvia breaks, that will be your doing as well," Glitheon dered, his hatred mirroring my own. In reality, it was probably just as strong as mine. "You¡¯ve grown, haven¡¯t you? The boy who once cowered in fear... just look at you now," Glitheon remarked, his gaze lingering on me as if recalling the Deculein of old. "Glitheon, it¡¯s you who has diminished," I said. Lightning shed again, flooding the world outside with blinding light. In the ss reflection of the corridor, I glimpsed Sylvia. She was hidden behind a wall, out of Glitheon¡¯s view, trembling in the shadows. With the third strike of lightning, she disappeared entirely. *** The sky was clear, sunlight filtering through the leaves of towering trees, casting soft shadows on the ground. The streets buzzed with energy andughter. With final exams behind them, summer felt brighter and more joyful than ever. By 3 p.m., Romellot Square in the Empire was alive with a festival celebrating the end of the first half of the year. Students fresh from exams, workers enjoying their vacations, farmers finished with their tasks, and travelers arriving at just the right time¡ªpeople of all kinds filled the square. The festival buzzed with activity as Imperial peddlers set up vibrant stalls. Games like darts and indoor fishing, offering prizes, added to the lively atmosphere. ¡°Wow,¡± Epherene murmured, standing in the midst of the festival with a slightly dazed expression. For someone from the countryside, the scene before her seemed almost unreal. ¡°Everything looks so delicious...¡± ¡°Ephie!¡± Julia''s voice pulled Epherene from her thoughts. She turned to find Julia, Ferit, Rondo, and the other CMRC members standing nearby. ¡°Julia~ Ferit~ Rondo~¡± "Ephie~ I heard you took first ce in Understanding Pure Elements ss! Congrattions~" Epherene smiled brightly, but her expression soon darkened as a thought crossed her mind, and she quietly said, ¡°She didn¡¯te.¡± "Ephie, did you invite someone else?" Julia asked. "No, it¡¯s nothing," Epherene replied. Epherene had written to Sylvia¡¯s maid, Lethe, at the mansion, but it seemed that Sylvia had no ns to attend. ¡°Julia, I¡¯ll let you lead the way today.¡± ¡°Sure~ There¡¯s a ton of fun stuff today! Ephie, is your wallet ready?¡± ¡°It¡¯s more than ready.¡± Epherene wandered through the square, absorbing the lively atmosphere and the shared joy that filled the air. Theyughed and chatted, immersed in the sights and sounds of the festival. ¡°Oh?!¡± Epherene noticed a stall selling potato croquettes¡ªfive for three elne. Without a second thought, she bought a batch and took a big bite. The crisp exterior broke into a warm, vorful center. ¡°Oh wow, this is delicious! Oh?! What¡¯s that over there?¡± Next, she spotted a stall selling dumplings¡ªthree elne per te. She bought a serving and took a bite, savoring the rich vor of the meat that filled her mouth. ¡°Oh, this is good too! Oh?! What¡¯s that over there?¡± She came across a stall offering waffles for two elne. After buying one, she took a small bite from the corner, savoring the sweetness of the strawberry cream within. ¡°Sweet, so sweet. Deliciously sweet... Oh?! That¡¯s perfect! I was just getting thirsty!¡± Next, she noticed a stall offering plum juice for two elne per ss. She bought one and quickly drank it down. Julia watched in disbelief and asked, "... Ephie, aren¡¯t you buying too much?" "Huh?" Epherene muttered, nced down realizing her hands were full of food. The problem was, there was still so much more food left to try. After a moment''s hesitation, Epherene passed the food to her clubmates. ¡°Ah~ I was nning to share. Let¡¯s eat together. You can each have a croquette and a dumpling, but the waffle is mine.¡± Julia and the others epted the food with wry smiles, but their attention was abruptly drawn to a desperate shout that echoed through the square, cutting through the festive noise. ¡°I, Roherk, hereby make this solemn vow!¡± Epherene furrowed her brow in confusion while the crowd turned to where the voice hade from. "Under this brilliant sky, in and tainted with filth!" A strange figure appeared on top of Briondel¡¯s Independence Gate. "In this hell, overrun with those who have betrayed God!" The man was d in a chain-bound robe, a ck velvet cloak draped over his shoulders, and a book strapped diagonally across his chest from shoulder to hip. Epherene tilted her head in confusion and asked, ¡°What is that guy doing?¡± ¡°Who knows? Maybe it¡¯s just a performance,¡± one of the club members replied casually. They didn¡¯t take it seriously; after all, festivals in the square often featured events like this. "I vow before God Luanne!" ¡°... Luanne?¡± However, the name was unfamiliar. Luanne wasn¡¯t part of the Empire¡¯s official religion, Bleth Orthodoxy, which revered Ranion. There was no mention of a God by that name in their teachings. ¡°Hey Julie, who¡¯s Luanne?¡± Epherene asked, taking another bite of her dumpling. Julia shrugged, replying, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. Isn¡¯t that one of the God worshiped by the Scarletborn?¡± ¡°The Scarletborn? You mean those people¡ª¡± Before Epherene could finish her sentence, the man bellowed, ¡°Divine retribution upon the heretics!¡± A deafening shout rang out, immediately followed by a massive explosion. Boooooom¡ª! The earth-shattering st sent shockwaves in all directions, followed closely by a surge of demonic energy. ¡°Ahhhhhh¡ª!¡± ¡°Ahhh, nooo¡ª!¡± A wave of heat and mes ripped through the square. Buildings struck by the st copsed, scattering debris everywhere. In an instant, the lively festival was plunged into chaos as explosions and screams echoed through the air. ¡°Ephie!¡± Julia¡¯s scream jolted Epherene into action. She swiftly deployed a barrier. She stretched the barrier as far as possible to protect the civilians, but something felt wrong. There was no impact against the shield; instead, an unsettling silence hung in the air. The screams that had filled the square moments ago were abruptly silenced. ¡°What was that...?¡± Dazed, Epherene blinked and stared ahead, unable to find her voice. Time had stopped. The square was utterly still. Smoke hung in the air, buildings paused in mid-copse, and the shockwave of the explosion remained suspended. Debris, moments away from striking a child¡¯s head or an adult¡¯s body, now floated motionless, as if time itself had ceased. Not even a single particle of dust moved. Those who had prepared themselves for death beneath the copsing rubble or were moments away from being buried in debris could only stare in stunned disbelief, their thoughts paralyzed as if caught in a dream. The scene was so unreal that even the urge to flee felt pointless. Epherene gazed around, dazed. The world felt both real and surreal. Everyone in the square wore the same expression, as if caught in a dream. No one moved, allowing Epherene an unobstructed view. ¡°Oh.¡± Epherene then noticed him. Amidst the eerie stillness, he was the only one in motion¡ªa mage, calmly striding through the frozen scene. d in his usual formal attire, hemanded the attention of everyone around him with ease. The victims of the terror, lying scattered across the square, turned their eyes toward him. They didn¡¯t need magical senses or instincts to know¡ªDeculein was the one who had halted time and space in this surreal, magical moment. ¡°How dare you¡ª! A heretic¡ª!¡± Deculein reached out his hand toward the man shouting from atop the Independence Gate. In an instant, the man was yanked from the arch straight to Deculein. The magic was Telekinesis, targeting the chain that bound the book to the man¡¯s robe. Deculein locked eyes with him¡ªthere was no fear, no terror, no hesitation in the face of the death that awaited him. ¡°You.¡± "Heh," the man sneered, lifting his robe to reveal a bomb strapped to his waist. "Tsk," Deculein muttered, his lips curling in disdain as he fixed his gaze on the man. Beep¡ª Just before the bomb could detonate, Deculein¡¯s Telekinesis tore it apart from the inside. "You worthless creature." ¡°You Decule¡ª¡± "Silence your foul tongue." Swish¡ª! A swift Wood Steel shuriken tore through the man¡¯s throat, silencing him instantly. "Heheh," the man grinned, even in his final moments, before triggering his own self-destruction. Demonic energy oozed from his throat like smoke, coalescing into a dark mass that sought to engulf Deculein. But a sudden burst of sword qi froze it in ce, a testament to Knight Yulie''s power. "This is a coordinated terrorist attack, Professor," Yulie reported. Deculein nodded, a gesture that confirmed they were prepared to take control of the situation. "Oh, I¡¯ll help too!" Epherene called out, raising her hand eagerly. Yulie smiled at Epherene''s boldness, but as Epherene moved forward, her foot caught on something, causing her to stumble. "Oof!" Epherene groaned as she hit the ground, wincing in pain as she looked up. Deculein¡¯s gaze pierced through her, colder and more predatory than she had ever seen before. ¡°Epherene, this isn¡¯t your ce. Kindly get lost,¡± Deculeinmanded, his voice cold. The terror attack employed a Demonic Energy Bomb, filling the square with a heavy, suffocating energy. Deculein had no time to concern himself with Epherene. ¡°Are you alright, Miss Epherene?¡± Yulie asked, helping Epherene to her feet. Yulie of Freyden, a knight whose reputation was known even to Epherene. ¡°Thank you. Knight Yulie, I¡¯m a fan of yours.¡± ¡°Oh, really? I¡¯m honored. However, please don¡¯t dwell on what just urred. The professor was merely being cautious due to the danger. For now, concentrate on assisting the civilians, oof¡ª" As Yulie spoke, a gas mask abruptly affixed itself to her face¡ªit was Deculein¡¯s doing. Yulie removed the gas mask from her face, handing it to Epherene. ¡°... Here, take this. Please focus on evacuating the area, and oof¡ª" Before she could finish, another gas masknded on her face. Yulie swiftly removed it and passed it to Julia, who stood next to Epherene. ¡°Y-yes, we¡¯ll handle the square.¡± ¡°I appreciate for your help, but oof¡ª¡± Yulie¡¯s voice was muffled as a third gas masktched onto her face. She fell silent and departed with Deculein, who had been quietly observing. As they walked away, Epherene noticed the Wood Steel fragments floating around Deculein, trailing behind them as they moved. "... Wow," Julia whispered, her mouth hanging open in awe. Epherene felt the same awe. Deculein orchestrated the chaos with the precision of a conductor. The demonic energy¡¯s smoke, the copsing buildings, and the raging mes¡ªall of it was controlled with a mere gesture. The deadly cloud of demonic energy hung in the sky, debris from the shattered buildings settled safely, and the mes consuming the ground were swiftly extinguished. "The Empire¡¯s Head Professor..." one of the newly arrived knights muttered, clearly impressed by the sight before them. Epherene remained in a daze until she felt arge hand settle on her shoulder. ¡°Well, well. Deculein has certainly grown, hasn¡¯t he? I never imagined he¡¯d be this powerful. His magic has not only increased in strength but has also refined in the quality of mana... As you mentioned, he truly is a genius forged through relentless effort,¡± the man in the cloak said with a smile, looking down at Epherene. Epherene''s eyes widened in disbelief as she recognized him. ¡°Rohaka¡ª¡± "Shh, do you wish to announce the presence of the continent¡¯s most notorious man here?" Rohakan whispered urgently as he quickly covered her mouth. Epherene nodded quickly, then suddenly recalled her mistake. ¡°I sent the letter by mail. If it would have been better to deliver it in person¡ª¡± "Hm? Oh, no need to worry. Sending it by mail suffices." ¡°Oh, yes... I apologize. The distance was too far for me to deliver it personally. I had exams to take, studies to attend to, and¡ª¡± ¡°I told you, it¡¯s quite alright. Now, let¡¯s be on our way.¡± "No, I have many responsibilities to attend to, and I''ve been assigned additional tasks as well. So¡ª" Epherene looked to her friends for help, but they were all too engrossed in Deculein to notice. ¡°Ah,e along now. I¡¯ve got something for you.¡± ¡°Oh, hold on! Wh-where are you taking me? Ahh! Wait! Someone, help!¡± Rohakan swept Epherene away before she could say another word. Chapter 83: Tempest (1)

Chapter 83: Tempest (1)

Amidst the chaos, Epherene drifted through the devastation, guided by Rohakan¡¯s firm grip. Her gaze was empty as she took in the relentless bombardment, the crumbling buildings, and the destruction wrought by the explosions. ¡°Why...?¡± Epherene asked. "You can¡¯t look for reason in the actions of madmen. It¡¯s just their insanity," Rohakan replied. Crack¡ª! Rohakan employed his magic to stop a statue from copsing, using Telekinesis to steady it. However, his effortscked the precision of Deculein''s work. ¡°Hmm. I can¡¯t manage it as cleanly as he does,¡± Rohakan chuckled, then used his magic to purify the area. Snap¡ª! With a snap of his fingers, the debris disintegrated into dust, the explosion faded away, and the mes ascended into the sky. ¡°What just happened?¡± ¡°I call it Elementalization. It reduces processed matter to its simplest form. You won¡¯t find this in any textbooks.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± Epherene muttered in awe, blinking as she realized they were no longer in the city. ¡°... Where are we now? Did you teleport us?¡± They stood on a hill, far removed from the square that had shifted from a scene of celebration to one of horror. Before them, a tranquil cottage awaited. Rohakan smiled softly and took a deep breath. "It''s been a while since I''ve disyed my magic for young talent," Rohakan said, gathering his power as he held a branch from the World Tree¡ªa branch Epherene recognized from before. Boom¡ª! Rohakan struck the ground with the branch, unleashing a wave of magic that rippled through thend. The grand spell, Flow of Purification, swiftly cleared the square of the dense demonic energy. ¡°That should be enough for them to take care of the rest.¡± "Y-yes. I¡¯ll be on my way now¡ª" "After casting that grand spell, I''ve worked up an appetite. Epherene, would you care for some meat? I caught something justst night," Rohakan offered. "... Meat?" Epherene repeated, her toneced with suspicion. ~ ¡°Nom nom!¡± She chewed slowly, appreciating the simple, earthy vor of the meat. Itcked the sophistication of Roahawk¡¯s fare, but its rustic freshness had its own charm. ¡°This is delicious. If even I like it, it must be good...¡± Epherene remarked. ¡°You seem to eat anything, don¡¯t you?¡± Rohakanmented, as he bustled about the small cottage. ¡°No I don¡¯t.¡± ¡°Speaking of which, where¡¯s your friend? Wasn¡¯t there another one with you?¡± "... Oh. She¡¯s not feeling well, so she¡¯s resting," Epherene replied with a forced smile. Sylvia had copsed from exhaustion during the exam, having neither slept nor eaten throughout the entire finals period. "But, have you really been living here all this time? How did you manage to stay hidden?" ¡°This cottage is no ordinary ce. You think I could have avoided capture for decades in a regr home? It¡¯s more like a warship.¡± ¡°A warship?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve heard it called the 9th Category or Specialized Magic¡ªa signature magic that arises from a mage¡¯s own tendencies, personality, and talent.¡± Signature magic¡ªthe pinnacle of every mage''s career on the continent. Epherene blinked, chewing her meat as she listened closely. ¡°Now, watch this,¡± Rohakan said as he closed the cottage door and pulled a lever that was discreetly ced beside the firece, almost like a piece of decor. Boom¡ª! A sudden tremor shook the cottage, causing Epherene to flinch, her bite halted in mid-air. Rohakan chuckled softly as he opened the door. "... Huh?" Epherene murmured, her mouth falling open in shock. Her eyes stayed locked on the scene outside the cottage. A vast desert spread out before her¡ªendless sand dunes under a scorching, swirling wind. Within moments of taking it in, her lips had gone dry. ¡°What do you think? Quite something, isn¡¯t it?¡± Rohakan muttered casually. ¡°T-take me back!¡± Epherene demanded, gripping his cor tightly. ¡°Hahaha.¡± ¡°D-don¡¯tugh¡ªtake me back, you kidnapper!¡± Epherene yelled, clumsily shaking hisrge robe. ¡°Send me back!¡± Shake, shake¡ª ¡°Hahahaha.¡± ¡°Send me back!¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll send you back. Deculein might not take kindly to this.¡± "... What? Why would that anger him?" "Hmm? Aren''t the two of you Deculein''s prot¨¦g¨¦s?" Epherene frowned, responding, ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? And just where are we?¡± ¡°This is the Kahal Desert, located in the eastern part of the continent. Despite its harsh climate, it¡¯s home to several Scarletborn viges.¡± ¡°The Scarletborn... aren¡¯t they responsible for the terrorist attack today?¡± Rohakan''s lips curled into a bitter smile. He didn''t respond to Epherene''s question, instead continuing, ¡°The Scarletborn will soon be wiped out. Oppression against minority groups will only grow stronger. A storm, harsher than the desert winds, will soon sweep through... Epherene, what do you think?¡± ¡°Why ask me? I¡¯m a mage, not a politician.¡± "I suppose it''s time I find someone to carry on my legacy." "Legacy?" Rohakan¡¯s gaze rested on Epherene, a touch of sorrow dimming his eyes. "Indeed. At a certain level, a mage bes aware of their own remaining time. And mine is running short." "... Then why not entrust it to Professor Deculein?" "Do you think that obstinate man would heed my words?" Epherene acknowledged Deculein''s unmistakable ego with a nod. Arrogant, proud, noble, and self-assured¡ªhis imposing presence was unquestionable. "Yeah, he wouldn¡¯t listen to anyone. Even if a God told him to, he¡¯d refuse if he didn¡¯t feel like it," Epherene replied. "Hahaha! You¡¯ve hit the nail on the head," Rohakan chuckled, closing the door to the cottage. With a flick of his Telekinesis, he brought over a magic pouch that had been lying in the corner. "Here, take this. Inside the pouch are elixirs and a magic training manual I¡¯ve written. It¡¯s meant to guide young talents." "... And?" Epherene asked, her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in closer. "I¡¯m giving it to you and your friend," Rohakan said with a gentle smile. "... Sorry? Why? This seems suspicious..." Epherene said, her voice doubtful and half-heartedly, though her eyes were already fixed on the pouch. Rohakan gave a faint smile and said, "When a mage reaches a certain level, they can discern others, but only if that person is as straightforward as you. However, someone asplex and guarded as Deculein is another matter entirely." "Sylvia is anything but straightforward." "Quite the opposite¡ªshe might be even simpler than you. So, will you take it?" Epherene paused, uncertain. Rohakan, known as the ck Beast and the most feared criminal in thend, seemed unexpectedly kind¡ªmore like a gentle old man than the terror he was reputed to be. "Half of it is yours, and the other half is for your friend. I''ve gone ahead andbeled everything for you." After a brief moment of intense deliberation, Epherene stole a nce at the pouch before quickly grabbing it and said, "Alright." "Good. Now that you''ve epted my gift, I''m leaving Deculein in your care. I''ll be asking for a favorter as well," Rohakan said with a knowing smile. ¡°Sorry? I can''t promise anything about the favor, but why are you leaving Deculein to us?" "Hmm~ You wouldn¡¯t understand just yet, but I¡¯ve had glimpses of the future. Though, I can only see a few weeks, maybe a month, into it," Rohakan said with a warm smile. Epherene stared at him in disbelief, her voice filled with skepticism as she said, "Bullshit! I mean, you''re lying! How can you see the future?" "It¡¯s nothing to be surprised about. It¡¯s just a sign that my time is running short. The nearer a mage gets to the heavens, the more they understand the truth." Creeeak¡ª Rohakan closed the door, cutting off the sight of the desert and said, "This world may only have a few mages who can be pirs of strength, and whether you like it or not, Deculein will be one of them. I might have just two or three years left." "Damn." "Indeed, it damn well is. He could either be a pir of strength or the trigger for destruction." "Both sound like a huge problem for me. What exactly did you see in the future? Could you look again, more closely?" "Hahaha! I wish I could, but it doesn¡¯t work that way," Rohakan said, chuckling as he reopened the cottage door. They now stood on a familiar street in the capital. The sky had darkened, signaling the arrival of night. The air was still, suggesting the recent terror had been subdued. Epherene gazed up at Rohakan in a daze and murmured, "... You truly are a mage, aren''t you?" "That''s what they say. Just as you now look up to me, I once looked up to Demakan." Archmage Demakan. If Rohakan was this remarkable, Epherene could only imagine how mysterious and powerful Demakan must have been. She nced at the moon hanging in the sky, then turned back to where Rohakan had been standing. Both he and the cottage had vanished without a trace. "Epherene," the cold, familiar voice called out, sending a shiver down her spine. It was both chilling and unmistakably terrifying. "P-Professor...?" It was Deculein. His sharp gaze cut through her, and fear sent her heart racing. "So, you''ve met Rohakan," Deculein said. "N-no, I have not." "What did he tell you?" Epherene tensed as her mouth went dry. It felt like a suffocating shadow was closing in on her from all sides. "Epherene." Deculein called her name again, twice in a row. "Speak." "... It¡¯s a secret!" Epherene said, squeezing her eyes shut as she braced herself against his overwhelming authority. But the scolding she expected never came. Instead, the magic pouch slipped from her grasp andnded in Deculein¡¯s hand. "... A-ah! P-please, give it back!" Deculein examined the contents of the pouch. Epherene, fidgeting nervously like a puppy deprived of its treat, watched him closely, but he remainedposed. Gulp¡ª He¡¯s going to take everything. He¡¯s going to confiscate it all, Epherene thought, her heart hammering in panic. "Take it." "... Oh?" Deculein handed the pouch back to her. Though the air around him still carried a menacing weight, the punishment she dreaded never came. "You vanished without a word." "... Sorry?" "I was looking for you," Deculein said, his face and voice cold, though his words hinted at concern. As Epherene tried to adjust, she noticed the potion in his hand,beled with his name¡ª Deculein. "Oh." Rohakan had purposefully steered her back to Deculein. "Proceed to the police station. Your friends are waiting there for you," Deculeinmanded, before turning and walking away. Epherene remained in ce, watching as his tall figure gradually disappeared into the distance. *** Sylvia had slept for what felt like an eternity, curled up in her room like a hibernating bear. In that snug little space, it was just Sylvia, her Swifty, and her Bearbie Panda. But then... Tap¡ª! Tap¡ª! A strange noise had beening from the window for some time. The clock read 4:30 in the morning. Tap¡ª! Tap¡ª! Sylvia tried to ignore it, but the noise was too distracting. The sheer audacity of it annoyed her. Tap¡ª! Tap¡ª! Unable to endure it any longer, Sylvia threw open the curtains. Below the mansion, a familiar face grinned up at her¡ªEpherene, holding a rock, ready to throw. "Foolish Epherene." Sylvia closed the curtains once more, but the stones immediately resumed hitting the window. Tap¡ª! Tap¡ª! Sylvia decided to tolerate it just three more times. If it continued, she would have to deal with it. She narrowed her eyes menacingly, thinking the stone-throwing had stopped. But it hadn¡¯t. Knock, knock¡ª The sound shifted to knocking. Sylvia sighed just as the door swung open. As expected, it was Epherene. "Who gave you permission toe in? Who let you inside? Who said you could open the door?" Sylvia said. "Oh, sorry. Maid Lethe, she¡ª" "Get out. Out. Get out, now." "Wait a minute. Just look at this. You¡¯ll change your mind when you see it," Epherene said as she pulled a book from a small pouch. It was a rare-looking volume, and Sylvia¡¯s eyes sparkled for a moment. "I met Rohakan, that old man. He said this is a gift for us. Look, it even has your name on it, Sylvia." Sylvia, who had a weakness for rare documents, couldn¡¯t resist Epherene¡¯s offer. Epherene then sat down beside her. "Sylvia, what will you do now?" Epherene asked casually, probing about Sylvia''s future. Sylvia narrowed her eyes at her but eventually responded in a low voice, "... I¡¯ll be heading to the Floating Ind." "Floating Ind?" "I¡¯ll be a high-ranking mage there. I¡¯m going to surpass even that professor, Deculein..." Sylvia still couldn¡¯t sort out her emotions. The events of that day had shaken her deeply, leaving her mind in turmoil. "And then?" "I don''t know whates next." Epherene nodded. Sylvia now referred to him as that professor instead of Professor Deculein, but Epherene knew better than to ask why. "Oh? Wait, is that a radio? How interesting. I''ve never seen one before," Epherene remarked as she spotted the radio on the bedside table. Sylvia shot her a brief look, then turned on the radio. ¡¸... In response to therge-scale terror attack, the Imperial Family has dered martialw. Key figures, including the Magic Professors and Grand Knights from the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, have been summoned.¡¹ "Wow. It really talks." As she listened to the news, Epherene recalled Rohakan''s words and pondered where and how the Tempest the old man spoke of would strike. ¡¸In particr, the fate of Head Professor Deculein, who has faced widespread criticism from both the Magical and Political Realms for defending the enemy, is¡ª¡¹ Click. The radio abruptly fell silent. Sylvia had turned it off. Epherene almost asked why, but when she saw Sylvia¡¯s face, close to tears, she stayed quiet. "If you want to listen, take it outside," Sylvia said. "... Okay," Epherene muttered, taking the radio and moving to the living room. The mansion was dimly lit. Epherene set the radio on the coffee table and began to fiddle with it. "How did Sylvia do this?" Epherene wondered aloud. No matter how hard she tried, no sound came out. She stared at the radio nkly for a moment beforemanding, "Speak." Nothing happened. "... Why aren''t you talking?" Epherene asked, frowning after a moment of silence. "Are you ignoring me?" She crossed her arms and spoke again, her tone moremanding this time, "Speak. Speak now, just as you did before! Speak immediately! ... Are you ignoring me?" "Aha, I see. So it recognizes its owner. But listen, Sylvia said it was okay for me to listen too. I have her permission. So,e on, start talking. ... I said... speak!" The radio, unfamiliar to Epherene, refused to cooperate, and she continued arguing with it until the maid, Lethe, arrived to assist. *** ... During the Empire''s Grand Festival, multiple simultaneous demonic energy bombings urred, targeting a total of eighteen locations, including the bustling festival square. The situation was swiftly contained due to the intervention of Head Professor Deculein, supported by mages and knights, yet not before causing severe devastation¡ªresulting in 3,000 deaths and over 10,000 injuries. Some of those responsible for this attack were identified as members of the Scarletborn. They orchestrated this act in protest against the widespread discrimination they endure across the continent and in defiance of the t Church, which they regard as heretical. ... Appeals poured in from both local and central governments, all demanding a single oue¡ªthe suppression of the Scarletborn. Six months ago, Lokhak, the individual responsible for the murder of countless mages, was revealed to be a member of the Scarletborn. In response, the Leoc Kingdom, which ces great importance on magic, has dered the Scarletborn to be enemies of our people... "What is your opinion? More than half of the masterminds behind the terror attacks are members of the Scarletborn, and this has caused a massive uproar," Empress Sophien remarked with a smile. I found myself with little to say in response. After all, this was the unforeseen event Arlos had warned about¡ªthe Tempest of the Altar, using the Scarletborn to its advantage. "How was their identity as Scarletborn confirmed?" I asked. "Bethan. It appears their family has devised a method." "Could you borate on what that method entails?" "They extracted the heart and tested it. The results were conclusive¡ªthe hearts of the Scarletborn are indeed distinct from those of humans. It is no wonder they are referred to as the bloodline of demons." The method seemed crude to me. I was briefly at a loss for words, but then I realized there was no alternative. "Yukline, this tide of public opinion is beyond my power to resist," Sophien said. The Scarletborn''s suppression was inevitable; it had always been the core objective of the mid-game quest. "Appeals areing in from every side. I must adhere to the will of my subjects and the masses." I had tried to dy it as long as possible, but the era itself demanded the Scarletborn''s downfall. "First, they shall seize thends of the Scarletborn and confiscate their assets." The Scarletborn are split into two primary groups. The first group blends into the continent, nearly indistinguishable from Imperial citizens in appearance and behavior, though their religion and diet set them apart. The second group speaks a distinct dialect and resides in remote viges, isted regions where only their kind live. "Hatred for the Scarletborn runs deep. The Magical Realm, along with the merchants, view this as a chance to profit. It is said that many among the Scarletborn possess great wealth," Sophien finally concluded. The trigger had already been pulled. The Imperial Terror was the shot, and it left tens of thousands dead and wounded. I looked at Sophien, who was smiling cheerfully, and said, "One n hasunched a terrorist attack that will ultimately harm their own people." Upon closer inspection, it¡¯s a peculiar scenario. The nunched an attack in the name of protecting their own, yet it only brought harm to their entire race. It¡¯s odd, but ultimately irrelevant. No one will look deeper. This terror attack is nothing more than an excuse. Just as a criminal is handed over to a bloodthirsty executioner, the citizens of the Empire now have their justification to demand the suppression of the Scarletborn. That¡¯s why it¡¯s called the Tempest. If I oppose this Tempest, I will only be swept away. From now on, it won¡¯t just be Yukline, Iliade, Beorad, Bran, Freyden, or Rewind. This is the time to advance the main quest. Suppressing the Scarletborn will be seen as righteous, and defending them will soon be regarded as a crime. "Take this," Sophienmanded, pulling me from my thoughts as she handed me a small card. I looked down at it. "It¡¯s called Rextel. It means tiger in the runguage." [Quest Reward: Imperial Elite Guard] ¡ô Store Currency +1 ¡ô Mana Point +50 ¡ô One Item Catalog. "It is an Elite Guard I established. Since you¡¯ve dered yourself my mentor, I¡¯ve assigned you an R-rank, the highest." "Indeed?" I replied. "I expect you to live up to the title, Demon Hunter of Yukline," Sophien dered. "But tell me, do you still intend to defend the Scarletborn?" I looked at Sophien. Though her true intentions were unclear to me, I knew that defending the Scarletborn would only lead to istion¡ªnot just for myself, but for my entire territory. "I will establish a concentration camp," I stated. "A concentration camp?" "Yes, Your Majesty. It is less provocative than a hasty extermination and will garner public support." "And where do you intend to establish it?" Sophien inquired. "Yukline¡¯snds are vast. Among them is a ce known as Rohak," I replied. "Rohak? Is that not near the Land of Destruction?" Sophien asked, her eyes widening. Rohak was rumored to be a high-risk area, where demonic beasts from the Land of Destruction appeared multiple times a day. That rumor held some truth. "Deculein, were you not fond of the Scarletborn? A concentration camp is understandable, but Rohak? Do you intend to send them all to their deaths?" "I was not fond of them; I simply never had a reason to hate them," I replied. "Hmph. So this terror attack has finally given you a reason to hate them..." Sophien remarked, stroking her chin before offering a slight shrug. "But are you certain it is wise to construct such a detestable facility within your territory?" "I trust Your Majesty will offer appropriatepensation," I stated. "Oh?" Sophien eximed, a sly grin spreading across her face as a long tail suddenly appeared behind her. I blinked, questioning my vision. But it was only a cat¡ªa familiar red-furred munchkin. "Very well. You shall receive appropriate rewards based on the number of Scarletborn you detain," Sophien dered. "The capital will also cover the construction costs for the concentration camp." "I express my gratitude, Your Majesty. Furthermore, I believe an example must be set." "An example?" "Yes, Your Majesty," I replied. I recalled certain details. Among the Scarletborn, some criminals are not evil due to their lineage, but because of their inherent nature. If I do not eliminate them, they will pose a future threat¡ªnot only to the main quest, but to the entire popce. "I will capture and execute certain members of the Scarletborn. With the Mage Tower on break, it may be an opportune time to hunt them myself," I concluded. Sophien paused in silence. The Scarletborn has long been recognized as the bloodline of demons¡ª I was engrossed in reading a petition condemning the Scarletborn when I became aware of the lingering silence. I looked up. "Deculein... The cost of betraying your beliefs is indeed severe, is it not?" Sophien remarked, her expression showing rare surprise. It was unusual for her to be so taken aback. "Indeed?" I had not told a single lie. I would execute the criminals among the Scarletborn and establish a concentration camp in Rohak. While Rohak might not stay as dangerous as the rumors suggested, whatever the world thought of the term "concentration camp," what happened inside would be entirely under my control. "Yes, you were the only one who defended the Scarletborn. And now, you have changed so suddenly? Hahaha," Sophienughed, her tone tinged with satisfaction, clearly pleased by my words. Even in her original nature, Sophien had never harbored goodwill toward the Scarletborn. "This will not do. I must also study diligently. I cannot betray your beliefs!" "I am certain you will grow bored within five minutes," I remarked. "Hmph. Bored, you say? How insolent. Very well. Let us see how far we can progress today. I am determined toplete at least one page¡ª" "¡ªI have grown weary of this. Now leave," Sophienmanded. The two statements ovepped slightly. I estimated that only three minutes had passed. Sophien, who had been reciting runic letters, tossed her fountain pen aside in frustration. Mastering the runguage, after all, demands not only magic but also significant mental strength. "Your Majesty, let us continue for five more¡ª¡± "h h h! This wretched runguage dries my mouth. Leave at once! I am weary and will sleep," Sophienmanded as shey down, turning her back to me, leaving me no choice but to exit the room. Chapter 84: Tempest (2)

Chapter 84: Tempest (2)

Under the scorching sun of the Kahal Desert, a people endure with only camels and tents for survival. Once natives of the eastern continent, they have be an unfortunate n, exiled bypeting interests. These are the Scarletborn, living symbols of discrimination and suppression. Whoosh... In the darkness, while the sandstorm pounded the tents, their leader was burdened with worries about the future of his people. ¡°This is dire news, Grand Elder. They have finally taken action...¡± Grand Elder Jubekren watched the dark whirlwind raging over the desert. Hatred is like that storm¡ªa relentless, swirling force that never ends. Resentment breeds resentment, and hatred only fuels more hatred. This cycle can only be broken throughplete annihtion or through harmony and reconciliation. In an age where thetter has be nothing more than an illusion, Grand Elder Jubekren turned his attention to the Altar, a group whose beliefs seemed to mirror those of the Scarletborn. ¡°There are widespread rumors that Professor Deculein intends to establish a concentration camp in Rohak.¡± Frustrated by Jubekren¡¯s inaction, the radical faction of the Scarletborn aligned with the Altar, a group whose beliefs appeared to mirror their own. This alliance ultimately drove them tomit a terrible act. ¡°And the n will be eventually dragged to that ce,¡± the member in the tent said. Jubekren nodded. Deculein, the heir of Yukline. His defense of the Scarletborn in Berhert had caused some confusion, but they had been grateful nheless. ¡°Yes. The new head of Yukline bought us time in Berhert, but this terror attack was carried out by our n. He will undoubtedly view it as a betrayal...¡± Jubekren stated. Jubekren thought of De, the former head of Yukline and Deculein¡¯s father. A hunter devoid of mercy, he was a man too hardened to understand love. He embodied the spirit of Yukline more than anyone in the family, yet he was never bound by its constraints. For this, Jubekren had feared him. ¡°The cost of betraying Yukline has always been severe,¡± Jubekren dered. ¡°... Yes, we are well aware of it. Fear the demon.¡± Fear the demon¡ªthe creed of Yukline. It was a phrase that emphasized both the need for vignce against demons with the strength and tradition of the Yukline family. After centuries of hunting demons, the Yuklines had, in some ways,e to resemble them. The demon they warned of was not only the demons themselves but also the Yuklines, who had the potential to be demons to their enemies. ¡°The tempest is approaching. Our words will be dismissed as mere excuses, and achieving peaceful unity will be even more difficult.¡± The Scarletborn were a scattered people, spreading like water seeping into cracks. Among them, some had formed sizable militias. ¡°It will be impossible to control all the hot-headed youth of the n, and if we attempt to suppress them, others will rebel and act out, just as they have now.¡± ¡°... Yes, Great Elder.¡± ¡°Let us entrust this to the Cradle of the Tree. I trust that Elesol and Karixel will guide them well,¡± Jubekren stated, before turning his gaze to the distant whirlwind. The gusts swelled, drawing in the desert¡¯s sand and mana. Beyond the storm, he glimpsed the faces of long-lost friends. The howling wind carried their screams, and the sand felt like droplets of their blood. It was as if they were calling out to him. ¡°I have been short-sighted... Yet what can be done? In a world like this, there is no answer,¡± Grand Elder Jubekren dered, his voice heavy with resignation as he sank into despair. The tent was soon buried under the desert¡¯s sandstorm. *** Three dayster, in Hadecaine, in the heart of Yukline County. ¡°What do you mean, a concentration camp in our territory?!¡± Yeriel shouted at the family head, who had returned after a long absence. ¡°This is absurd!¡± Deculein kept silent. ¡°Answer me! Right noooow!¡± Deculein remained silent as he took the lord¡¯s chair, the seat Yeriel usually upied. ¡°Of course I hate the Scarletborn too, but a concentration camp? That¡¯s a detestable facilityyyy!¡± Yeriel¡¯s voice rose, growing louder with each word. ¡°Stop dragging your words,¡± Deculein ordered, his tone firm as he waited for Yeriel¡¯s outburst to subside. After venting her frustrations for a while, Yeriel let out a long, weary sigh. Only then did Deculein speak with a firm, controlled tone, ¡°The camp will be far from the civilian poption.¡± ¡°Where exactly are you nning to build it, it, it?¡± Yeriel asked. ¡°... Are you trying to annoy me?¡± Deculein asked coldly. ¡°What, what, what?¡± ¡°Let me ask you once more.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not,¡± Yeriel replied with a scoff. Deculein shook his head before responding, ¡°The camp will be established in Rohak.¡± ¡°... Are you serious?¡± Yeriel asked, her expression hardening. Yukline County was vast,parable in size to the entire Principality of Yuren, but only half of it was usablend. The rest, including the cursed region of Marik and parts of the Land of Destruction, fell under the county''s jurisdiction. It would be more urate to say the county oversaw this territory rather than owned it¡ªand burdened with the responsibility of keeping the rampaging demonic beasts from spilling into civilian areas. ¡°Even if they¡¯re Scarletborn, they¡¯re still human,¡± Yeriel said. Among them, Rohak was the worst, lying close to the Land of Destruction. It was as dreadful as Rekordak, the infamous prison in the far north of Freyden County. ¡°That¡¯s no ce for people¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s not up for debate, Yeriel,¡± Deculein stated coldly, his gaze slicing through her like a de. Yeriel flinched and stepped back. Though she had long since broken free from Deculein¡¯s influence, moments like this still filled her with fear. ¡°... Fine. Let¡¯s say the Scarletborn are taken care of. What do we gain? Nothing but the stigma of being thend with a concentration camp!¡± ¡°The specific benefits will bemunicated to you by the Imperial Pce soon,¡± Deculein said, rising from his seat and heading toward the door. Yeriel hurried back to her seat, taking back the chair she had just been forced to leave. ¡°I¡¯m leaving. The necessary materials for the foundation will be taken from thend,¡± Deculein dered. ¡°... Do whatever as you wish,¡± Yeriel muttered. This was yet another decision made without her input, one she couldn¡¯t change no matter how much she resisted. Yeriel shot a re at Deculein¡¯s back as he opened the door of the lord¡¯s office. Creak¡ª Beyond the door, his entourage of Imperial knights and officials stood ready, their faces alight with eager smiles. Their enthusiasm for the Scarletborn¡¯s suppression was evident. ¡°As expected of Professor Deculein¡ªno, I should address you as Count Yukline in this setting.¡± ¡°With the Count who subdued Rohakan and swiftly quelled the Imperial Terror, we could conquer the very stars¡ª¡± Creak¡ª As the door closed, the flurry of ttery abruptly ended, leaving Yeriel alone in the silent office. ¡°Rohak...¡± Yeriel murmured, exhaling a long sigh. ¡°Rohak...¡± Yeriel had never considered confining people in Rohak, but she understood Deculein¡¯s reasoning. The benefits were clear. The Imperial family would provide significant support, and the concentration camp could serve as a human barrier, much like Rekordak, to keep the monsters from the Land of Destruction at bay. The Scarletborn would be forced to fight for their survival, and even if they were annihted, it wouldn¡¯t be a loss. It was a cold, calcted n¡ªso characteristic of Deculein. ¡°Just when I thought he was bing less ruthless...¡± Yeriel muttered, pressing her fingers to her temples. Lately, Deculein had be increasingly unreadable. ¡°... Then again, what does it even mean to be humane? After all, it was those fuckers whomitted the terrorist attacks.¡± As Yeriel mumbled to herself, the door to the lord¡¯s office swung open, and the butler stepped inside. ¡°The week¡¯s ie from the underground passage in Marik has been tallied.¡± ¡°Okay, let me see,¡± Yeriel replied. Yeriel¡¯s eyes widened as she flipped through the ledger. Hundreds of thousands of elne¡ªmoney was streaming in. ¡°How is this possible? Our weekly ie has far surpassed expectations! I thought it would take longer for word to spread?!¡± ¡°Yes. Many more adventurers have flocked to the passage than we anticipated. Consequently, sales in the underground market have also increased...¡± Although prices were 30% higher than in most cities, adventurers prioritized convenience over cost and paid willingly for everything, from food and tools to gear and magical items. "Th-this is great, really great. But we must stay calm and make sure this cash flow doesn¡¯t stop. We need to keep it steady. Understood?!" ¡°Yes, of course.¡± To Yeriel, the Scarletborn meant nothing. Her sole focus was her territory. The Empire, the Imperial family, even the Empress¡ªnone of them mattered. From childhood to adulthood, the only thing she had ever truly possessed was thisnd. ¡°Now you can go,¡± Yeriel said. ¡°Yes, Lord Yeriel.¡± Once the butler left, Yeriel pressed her hands to her cheeks, a delighted giggle escaping her lips. She looked again at the ledger, which showed profits ten times greater than she had expected. The sheer joy threatened to overwhelm her. ¡°Hooray! Yay! Yes!¡± Yeriel screamed,ughing and her excitement bubbling over as she swiftly started up the turntable. ??~ ???~ ??? ?~ ssical music filled the room as Yeriel, now alone, moved through a waltz with a touch of clumsiness. *** The relentless heat and blinding sun bore down on a barren wastnd, a desert in all but name, where not a single de of grass could survive¡ªthis was Rohak. Thendscape, far from just deste, was utterly devastated, like something torn straight from a game. "Professor," Yulie said, tugging at my sleeve as she stood beside me. I shifted my gaze toward her. Hesitating, her voice unsteady, she said, "The ground... it seems too unstable for building a concentration camp, wouldn¡¯t you agree?" Yulie¡¯s cautious tone revealed the deep-seated animosity her family, Freyden, harbored toward the Scarletborn and the Altar. Zeit had probably given her specific instructions as well. That¡¯s why she approached the subject so timidly, hinting indirectly that Rohak might be too severe a choice. "It¡¯s fine. Containment is better than extermination," I replied. I nned to build thergest concentration camp possible here in Rohak. In time, the camps constructed by other mage families would turn into sites of brutal massacres. My objective was to make sure that as many Scarletborn as possible could survive here. "But... I¡¯m not certain. Can anyone... truly survive in a ce like this...?" Relying on the vision provided by my Wealthy Magnate attribute, I quickly located the water sources around Rohak. The camp would be established near these underground reservoirs. "Yulie." "... Yes?" "Trust me. What you fear won¡¯te to pass," I said with a reassuring smile. After a moment, she nodded. "Professor, the raw materials are prepared!" someone called out from nearby. Whooooosh¡ª! Several carts piled high with steel and iron beams awaited. I employed Telekinesis to lift them all. My task today was to erect the steel walls marking the camp''s perimeter. Construction moved quickly, with Telekinesis and Ductility working together¡ªtwo spells exceptionally well-suited for the task. At that moment... "Ah!" A soft whimper cut through everything else, hitting me harder than any noise could. I turned around at once. "Oh, it¡¯s nothing. I must have stepped on a cactus," Yulie said with a strained smile. I silently observed the sweat dripping down her chin, uncertain whether it was due to the heat or the pain. Yulie awoke in the middle of the night at Yukline Castle, gripping her chest as if her heart were being torn apart. "Huff... huff..." The sharp pain left her chest tight and her body tense, a suffocating pressure that slowly subsided as she managed to breathe again. Still unsettled, she stepped out into the hallway. "Sigh..." Yulie wandered through the grand corridors of Yukline Castle, her steps unsteady. "Yulie." The unexpected voice sent a chill down her spine. Startled by the thought of a ghost, she turned and saw Deculein standing in the dimly lit corridor. Deculein looked at Yulie and asked, "Is your condition stable now?" "Yes, I¡¯m fine," Yulie replied with a smile that had gradually be more genuine over time. Deculein approached her in silence, a quiet sadness etched in his expression. Yulie, with an overly bright tone, asked, "So, when does the Imperial mission start~?" "... What?" "Oh... Ahem. My throat''s a bit dry," Yulie said, clearing her throat before continuing in a moreposed tone. "I''ve heard everything. It''s fine. I understand. I''ve learned to be more adaptable." Yulie ced a hand over her chest, smiling with a sense of pride. Deculein nodded and replied, "It begins next week." "Understood. Ensure there is no failure; otherwise, I will be very angry," Yulie replied. Deculein watched her smile quietly, his thoughts returning to a long-held concern. "... Yulie." "Yes?" If revealing his change had, in truth, been a curse for Yulie, it would mean Deculein was never meant to stay by her side. The Viin¡¯s Fate seemed determined to strip him of any chance at redemption, ensuring he would never be a better person. "Yulie." "Yes? Why did you call me twice?" Deculein removed his gloves and gently smoothed her disheveled hair. Yulie flinched initially but soon rxed, allowing him to continue. The light from the full moon streamed through the window, highlighting his features. His sapphire eyes glimmered with a sorrow that seemed to rise and fall like the tide. "I am aware that your injury was my fault," I said. "... Why mention that now? That''s not the case at all. Besides, I¡¯ve already received more than enoughpensation," Yulie replied. Deculein shook his head, recalling the moment in Marik when Kim Woo-Jin had discovered his diary. ¡°No. What you received was far from sufficient.¡± Yulie, the knight who had stood by Deculein even in the direst of circumstances, was left with a wound that would never heal. The onlypensation offered was the cancetion of Freyden''s thirty-million-elne debt to Yukline. Yulie received neither a single coin nor a word of appreciation. At that time, Deculein was a man who preferred to ce the me for the failed mission on her rather than face his own fear of his father¡¯s reprimand. Yulie had understood this all too well. "So... no matter what, I will make it right," Deculein said, his hand pausing as it moved from her hair to rest on her shoulder¡ªtoo uncertain, too afraid to offer her any genuinefort. Yulie stared at him, momentarily frozen. If this had been the old Deculein, she would have been consumed by fear. But now, for reasons she couldn¡¯t fully grasp, she felt an unexpected sense of calm. "... No," Yulie said, shaking her head with a soft smile. Her tone wasposed and resolute. Though her heart ached slightly, it also brimmed with a warm reassurance. "I can ovee this on my own." Her smile brushed over Deculein like a soft ray of moonlight. "So please, let me handle the matter.¡± Then, she gave his ear a quick flick with her finger. Snap¡ª! Snap¡ª! Deculein''s expression shifted, bing difficult to read. Yulie chuckled and said, "Your expression is far too serious. You should smile more. Your usual stern demeanor frightens the students¡ª" Just then... ¡°Meow¡ª!¡± A piercing cry suddenly filled the hall. "Eek!" Yulie yelped, darting into Deculein''s arms. Thud! Yulie nearly body-mmed into him, but Deculein¡¯s firm stance took the impact without faltering. Intrigued by the solid feel of his chest, she lightly tapped it with her fingers before raising her gaze to meet his, her eyes slightly dazed. Deculein shook his head with a hint of restrained frustration. "Have you been reading fairy tales? That startled act of yours is far too clich¨¦d. Is this why you held me back earlier?" Deculein said. "N-no, no! Absolutely not! I-I wasn¡¯t pretending to be scared! A-and besides, you¡¯re the one who called me over in the first ce! S-so, um... it¡¯s just... over there!" Yulie stammered, pointing frantically. "That cat... it suddenly..." ¡°Meow¡ª!¡± cried the coal-ck cat as it approached them. "Is it a cat you recognize?" Yulie asked. "Unlikely," Deculein replied. "If it belonged to an attendant or Yeriel, it wouldn¡¯t be this unkempt. Perhaps someone left a window open." ¡°Meow¡ª!¡± The cat meowed softly, winding itself around Yulie''s leg. "It appears to have chosen you." Yulie cast a quick, uneasy nce at Deculein as the cat continued to meow, pressing its body against her leg. "Why is it acting this way?" Yulie asked, her gaze gradually settling on the cat. "It kept meowing and pressing against me..." "I should find its owner," Yulie said, lifting the cat with one arm and then rushed back to her room. *** ¡°University¡¯s not my lover; I¡¯m just a student, on a break getting away from the books~¡± Epherene sang, yfully altering the lyrics. Epherene enjoyed herself for three days straight. Yet, she didn¡¯t neglect the magic training manual Rohakan had given her or her review of Deculein¡¯s Understanding Pure Elements. After all, she still hadn¡¯t figured out the final problem on Deculein¡¯s midterm exam. ¡°Phew.¡± However, today, she had something much more important to attend to. It wasn¡¯t rted to Deculein¡¯s review, her magic training, or even Roahawk. ¡°Pheeew.¡± Today was the day Epherene would apply for the Solda Promotion Exam. She stood by the elevator to the Floating Ind, her body and mind trembling with anxiety as she took a deep breath. ¡°Ephie!¡± Julia called from behind her in line. ¡°Oh, Julie! You¡¯re here?¡± ¡°Yeah. The others will be a bitte today. Why don¡¯t we have some meat at my ce after your orientation?¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± Epherene replied with exaggerated seriousness. Today, she was resolute¡ªshe would feast on Roahawk. "Please ready yourselves for boarding," announced the attendant. ¡°It¡¯s here. Let¡¯s go, Ephie.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Epherene and Julia boarded the elevator side by side. Though the tickets were typically costly, today¡¯s fare was waived, courtesy of a professor¡¯s rmendation. Whirr¡ª The magical elevator swiftly rose, traveling several meters per second. Ding¡ª! After about a minute, the elevator reached the Floating Ind. Epherene exited and headed straight to Megiseon, directly approaching the counter on the first floor¡¯s Proma level. ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯m here to register for the Solda Promotion Exam,¡± Epherene said. ¡°May I have your documents and your identification, please?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Epherene replied, pulling a bundle of certificates and her identification from her backpack. ¡°Debutant Epherene, your details are confirmed. The application fee for the promotion exam is 10,000 elne.¡± Ten thousand elne. Epherene steadied herself with a deep breath before handing over her card, her hands trembling. "Thank you. The orientation will take ce in the auditorium just beyond the counter. Please proceed inside," the staff member instructed, gesturing toward the hall behind the counter. ¡°Okay.¡± "Good luck, Ephie! I''m heading to the magic shop now~" Julia said. ¡°... Okay..¡± A branch of the Flower of the Pig had recently opened, achieving such sess that Yulie had quickly amassed considerable wealth. It was said she was now spending ten to twenty thousand elne each month, a fortune anyone would envy. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so nervous...¡± Epherene drew in a deep breath, clenched her fists, and carefully stepped into the auditorium. ¡°... Oh?¡± In the expansive auditorium, her eyes fell on a familiar head of blonde hair¡ªit was Sylvia. Epherene took a seat beside her and said, "I figured I''d run into you here. Hi." Sylvia gave Epherene a brief nce but remained silent. Unfazed, Epherene shifted her attention to the room, observing her surroundings. Epherene leaned closer and said, ¡°Oh? Sylvia, it looks like there are adventurers here too, don¡¯t you think?¡± Sylvia remained silent. ¡°Right?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fairlymon,¡± said a man, appearing to be in his early to mid-twenties, seated next to Epherene, answering in ce of Sylvia. ¡°Many adventurers are also mages. Graduates of the Mage Tower who have maintained an adventurer¡¯s license for more than two years are eligible to take the exam withoutpleting the standard credit requirements.¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± ¡°Additionally, this year, the adventurer¡¯s exam and the Solda promotion exam are being conducted concurrently. Certain parts of the process might ovep,¡± the man said. Adventurers and the Floating Ind might appear worlds apart, yet they share a significant link. Both the early members of the Floating Ind and the founder of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild were, in fact, the same person¡ªRehefel. "Oh, really? How do you know so much?" Epherene inquired. The man smiled, holding out his adventurer¡¯s license for her to see. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re an adventurer?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. I¡¯m Karixel, a third-year adventurer.¡± ¡°If you¡¯ve been an adventurer for three years, is it necessary for you to be promoted to Solda?¡± Adventurers were generally ranked by the number of years they had been active. With the risk of losing their license after just one year of inactivity, the length of their career was a reliable indicator of their skill level. ¡°Haha, I have three children. The pay for a Solda is two to three times higher than that of a Debutant.¡± "Ah... wait, three children? How old are you?" Epherene asked, her eyes widening in surprise. The man didn¡¯t look a day over his mid-twenties. ¡°I¡¯m thirty-three. I got married around ten years ago.¡± Karixel said. ¡°Whoa!¡± Epherene gasped, covering her mouth, just as the auditorium lights began to dim. "The orientation will nowmence. Today¡¯s session will be conducted by one of the supervisors who will oversee the promotion exam." As the male mage stepped onto the podium, Epherene¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Sylvia, sitting beside her, trembled so intensely that her entire body seemed to vibrate in her seat. ¡°Greetings.¡± The voice was all too familiar to them. ¡°I am a Monarch-rank mage in charge of elements.¡± The supervisor for today¡¯s Solda Promotion Exam orientation was none other than the Head Professor of Mage Tower of the Imperial University, Deculein. ¡°I am Deculein.¡± Chapter 85: Tempest (3)

Chapter 85: Tempest (3)

Epherene nced at Sylvia, who was trembling so intensely that it almost felt like the ground was shaking. Gradually, the tremors subsided. Did she confess and get rejected? Epherene wondered in her thoughts. It seemed like a logical conclusion. After a brief nod, she turned her focus back to Deculein. ¡°The Solda Promotion Exam consists of three stages,¡± Deculein exined. ¡°Clearing the first stage secures your promotion to Solda. The second and third stages are supplementary tests that will influence future rank promotion.¡± A Solda who passes all three stages gains additional benefits for their next promotion, as not all Solda are equal. "Furthermore, the exam will be conducted on Training Ind," Deculein continued, snapping his fingers as a floating image of the ind¡¯sndscape appeared. Epherene immediately recognized it as the famous Training Ind. "During a specified period, a collective training session will take ce." Snap¡ª! Deculein snapped his fingers again, and a dormitory appeared before them. "You will be evaluated on your qualifications as a Solda both within and outside this facility." Epherene scanned the room, observing the many candidates who had gathered from all corners of the nation. "And today begins the preliminary test, referred to as level 0." As Deculein finished speaking, Assistant Professor Allen stepped forward to distribute the exam papers. Epherene looked down at hers and noticed six unfamiliar magic circles sketched on it. "We will evaluate your ability to decipher these magic circles. Once you seed, you will be issued an exam admission ticket¡ª" Before Deculein finished speaking, Sylvia stood, walked to the podium, and handed him her paper, the answers already filled in. "Professor¡ª" "Debutant Sylvia. You have passed." "... But¡ª" "Take your exam admission ticket and depart," Deculeinmanded, offering the ticket to her. Sylvia looked up at him, her lips tightly pressed together. She trembled slightly before quickly snatching the ticket from his hand. As Sylvia walked out of the auditorium, Epherene felt sure of it. She really did get rejected! *** Epherene and Sylvia left the building together, their exam tickets in hand. "Congrattions. First ce again," Epherene remarked. Sylvia nced at her sideways and muttered under her breath, ¡°... Foolish Epherene.¡± "Oh! So, you do speak!" Sylvia quickened her pace, her steps firm as she retorted, "Don¡¯t think I¡¯m mute." Epherene chuckled as she followed, saying, "You¡¯ve been silent until now. Now that you¡¯re not, let¡¯s nail this exam together, alright?" "Please, allow me to join as well," a deep voice interrupted their conversation. Startled, they turned to find Karixel, the thirty-three-year-old adventurer with three children. "Mr. Karixel, you finished quite quickly," Epherene remarked. Karixel chuckled softly and replied, "It¡¯s just the basics, after all." Sylvia took first ce, with an unknown candidate in second, Epherene in third, and Karixel likely ranking around fourth or fifth. "By the way, do you happen to know Professor Deculein well?" Karixel inquired. "Know him? We''re his students," Epherene responded. "Ah, I see." While they talked, Sylvia was already well ahead of them. Epherene hurried after her, calling out, "Hold on, will you?" "Quiet down. Go on by yourself," Sylvia replied. "Honestly, why are you always like this? Why do you have to be so difficult?" "Arrogant Epherene. How dare you speak to me that way." Karixel walked about ten steps behind them, silently watching as they argued. "The daughter of Iliade, is it?" Karixel, a member of the Scarletborn¡¯s ndestine group, Cradle of the Tree, which had steadily spread across the continent, found his thoughts increasingly troubled. "... Deculein." The Deculein he encountered today posed a significant threat to the Scarletborn. After all, this was the professor who had executed the reckless n to establish a concentration camp in Rohak. ¡°Observation for now...,¡± Karixel muttered as he silently trailed behind Epherene and Sylvia. They were unaware of what the Solda exam would entail. For now, remaining nearby seemed prudent, especially given their connection to Deculein. "Everyone, wait for me! I¡¯ll treat you to a meal," Karixel called out, hurrying toward them with an awkward smile. *** The airship hovered above the Floating Ind as the radio ryed thetest news. ¡¸Regarding the treatment of the Scarletborn, the Impurium meeting concluded with full support for the development of bloodstone magic to identify them. Additionally, the Scarletborn Voluntary Deration Act is set to be enacted. Should a Scarletborn from the Empire voluntarilye forward¡ª¡¹ Buzz¡ª A slight vibration in my pocket interrupted my thoughts. I took out the storage case that held the crystal orbs. Inside the sleek box, five orbs rested securely. ¡ª Do you hear me? Arlos''s voice resonated clearly. ¡°I thought you said there was a risk of eavesdropping,¡± I replied. ¡ª It varies depending on the topic. ¡°Very well. Proceed.¡± ¡ª I¡¯ve identified the individuals you mentioned. Take note. Western Empire, Lordman Viscounty, Peten... I had asked Arlos to locate a named target. Herwork was exceptionally reliable for this kind of work. ¡°Confirmed.¡± ¡ª What do you intend to do? ¡°There¡¯s no need to ask. The Scarletborn treatmentws were only passedst week.¡± ¡ª Are you nning to send them to the concentration camps? ¡°No. They must be killed. Filth that can¡¯t be redeemed will only corrupt everything around them, like a spreading disease.¡± ¡ª Heh. Arlos chuckled before cutting the connection. She clearly understood just how vile these Scarletborn were. Today¡¯s targets¡ªJeckrek, Jerten, and Jeketen¡ªthe named Scarletborn trio. They were the masterminds behind The Terror of the Three Brothers and the creators of the cursed trap item, The Scrolls of the Three Brothers. I wanted nothing more than to eliminate these maniacs right then and there, however... ¡ª We¡¯ll be reaching Training Ind shortly. Unfortunately, the airship was bound for Training Ind, the site of the Solda Promotion Exam. Whoosh¡ª The airshipnded with a soft shudder, and as soon as I set foot on the ground, a familiar voice reached me. ¡°Oh! There¡¯s Deculein!¡± The Chairwoman approached briskly from the shoreline and handed me a newspaper. ¡°Professor Deculein! Take a look at this!¡± "... A newspaper?" I responded, genuinely surprised. The fact that the Chairwoman was reading a newspaper felt like a herald of the apocalypse. I took the paper from her and noticed it was the special edition of the Empire¡¯s leading publication, The Journal. "The Chairwoman reading the news... Has the worlde undone?" ¡°What are you talking about? Are you mocking me? There was a terrorist attack and a Scarletborn incident! This article was published to boost patriotism¡ªit¡¯s a special feature by The Journal!¡± the Chairwoman retorted. I briefly scanned the cover page. The Thirteen Strongest in the Empire: The Seventh, Head Professor Deculein "They¡¯re revealing one person each day, and today, you¡¯re the seventh!" The title, The Thirteen Strongest in the Empire, was daunting enough on its own. I began reading the article. At the site of the Scarletborn terror attack, where chaos had turned the square into a scene of living hell, one figure stood out,manding the space¡ªHead Professor Deculein. His mastery of the arcane arts left onlookers in awe, with his feats captured in striking photos and videos... ... Rumor has it that he nearly matched Rohakan, the Empire¡¯s most notorious criminal, inbat. After three years of relentless effort, Head Professor Deculein has finally surpassed a significant barrier. His ever-growing power now defies all imagination... I stopped reading halfway through. The overblown praise was unbearable, so I returned the newspaper to the Chairwoman. ¡°The first was Zeit, the second was Isaac, and I was the third! Have you finally reached my level?!¡± ¡°That is enough,¡± I said, tinged with annoyance. The Thirteen Strongest in the Empire. Standing among the others on the list, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that I didn¡¯t belong. The Thirteen Strongest in the Empire 1. Zeit, the King of Winter 2. Isaac, the Deputy Knight of the Imperial Knights Order 3. Adrienne, the Chairwoman 4. Keiron, the Empress¡¯s Knight 5. Ganesha, the Beautiful Asura 6. Logan, the Yasha 7. Deculein, the Head Professor Former Guardian Knight Gerfried was excluded due to his retirement. The name Deculein seemed almostughable among these legendary named characters. The whole idea was utterly preposterous. ¡°Why? This just proves how much recognition you¡¯ve earned! I¡¯m livid that I¡¯m only third! I swear I¡¯m going to hunt down Isaac and tear his head off!¡± "Please refrain. This article wasn¡¯t published to incite violence between us." ¡°Aren¡¯t you frustrated about being ranked so low?¡± ¡°I¡¯m content with it. If anything, seventh ce feels too high for me.¡± I knew mybat abilities well; humility wasn¡¯t something I practiced. My magic and physical strength were sharpened for battle, allowing me to contend with most mid-level Named. When facing demons, my Yukline blood gave me an undeniable edge. But being ranked seventh overall was an overstatement. "I didn¡¯t care for the article¡¯s content either," I replied. "Really? That¡¯s surprising. I thought you¡¯d appreciate it." ¡°That will suffice. Now, let¡¯s address the matter at hand. Why did you summon me?¡± ¡°What¡¯re ya talkin¡¯ about? It¡¯s ¡®bout the promotion exam, obviously,¡± a voice said. I recognized the dialect immediately. Turning around, I spotted a pink-haired mage with a smirk on her face. ¡°Been a while, Pronf. How ya been?¡± ¡°... Pronf?¡± ¡°Prof, yes, Professor Deculein,¡± Rogerio said, her toneced with annoyance. Rogerio, an Ethereal-ranked mage I knew from the runguage lectures, still struggled with her speech. She was with Gindalf. ¡°That¡¯s correct! We¡¯re getting ready for the promotion exam, and we could use your assistance, Professor,¡± the Chairwoman stated. ¡°What would that be?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the Security Chief and the seventh strongest in the Empire! With all the ongoing terrorist activity, there¡¯s no telling what could happen during the exam?!¡± Hearing the Seventh Strongest again sent a dull ache through my head. Still, joining the first Solda exam was worth considering, especially with the looming threat of sudden events and triggers. ¡°I understand, but I¡¯ll need the details in writing. I have other matters to attend to today,¡± I replied. ¡°Other business?¡± the Chairwoman echoed, tilting her head in curiosity. Gindalf stroked his beard and inquired with a chuckle, ¡°Haha, may I ask what business calls you away?¡± I responded simply, ¡°Hunting.¡± Afterward, I stepped back onto the airship. *** Near the city of Peten in the Lordman Viscounty of the Empire, a damp basementy concealed beneath an unremarkable house. "We did it! Now we can set off explosions with just the scroll!" Jeckrek, Jerten, and Jeketen¡ªthe notorious Triple J brothersughed and pped each other on the back in celebration. "Let¡¯s ram this right into those fucking Empire scum¡¯s faces! Or better yet, should we just blow up the house next door right fucking now, bro? I¡¯ve always fucking hated that little shit living there!" the second brother snarled. But the eldest shook his head and said, ¡°No, we take this scroll to the High Priests first.¡± A scroll bomb¡ªrequiring no special medium and no mage to power it¡ªwas a brilliant invention, ideally suited for guerri warfare. ¡°The Altar was the right move, wasn¡¯t it~? They¡¯re on our side and backing us with plenty of resources,¡± the youngest said with a grin. Even the eldest brother grinned with satisfaction this time, saying, ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll wipe out this Empire of rats and its people, paving the way for the Altar to bring God back.¡± ¡°Right! But first...¡± The second brother quickly ran upstairs and returned with beer. Grinning at each other, the three brothers filled their sses. Raising his ss, he said, ¡°To the age of God.¡± ¡°To God!¡± Clink¡ª As their sses clinked together, an unseen steel force surged through the ceiling. The leaden de struck the eldest brother, piercing his throat with deadly precision. ¡°Gulp!¡± The eldest brother¡¯s death was shockingly sudden, almost unreal. In an instant, his life was extinguished, leaving the other two brothers staring in stunned silence at his copsed body. It felt dreamlike, yet the harsh reality soon sank in with a crushing weight. Boom¡ª! The basement door and lights shattered at the same time, plunging the room into darkness. In the pitch-ck silence that followed... Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Cold, measured footsteps echoed through the room, leaving the remaining brothers paralyzed with fear. ¡°Y-you...¡± The two brothers locked eyes with the cold, blue gaze of the demon. They knew exactly who stood before them. ¡°Deculein...¡± The mention of that name caused those sapphire eyes to narrow with contempt. The brothers recoiled under its intensity, their initial shock quickly hardening into fury as the reality of their eldest brother''s death set in. ¡°Y-you k-killed our¡ª¡± Before they could respond, a torrent of Wood Steel shurikens rained down. They quickly erected magical barriers, but the sheer force of the onught shattered the defenses, ripping through the narrow space. Boooooom¡ª! Their barriers shattered instantly under the relentless onught of Wood Steel shuriken, which continued their brutal assault without pause. ¡°Gaaaah¡ª! Aaaaah¡ª!¡± The sickening sound of flesh tearing filled the air, apanied by their agonized screams that reverberated through the darkness. "Professor! Are you alright?" one of the knights called out, illuminating the basement with a burst of mana as they rushed in after him. The light revealed a grisly scene¡ªthree bodies, torn apart beyond recognition. The knights recoiled in horror. ¡°They¡¯re d-dead...¡± one knight stammered, but Deculein¡¯s icy gaze shot toward him, silencing any further words. The knights straightened at once. ¡°They needed to be killed,¡± Deculein stated. ¡°Y-y-yes! O-of course, absolutely!¡± the knight stammered, his face paling. Nodding, Deculein nced at the remnants of the brothers and ordered, ¡°Dispose of it.¡± ¡°Y-yes, sir! Right away!¡± one of the knights stammered. The six of them hurriedly gathered the corpses and hauled them out. ¡°Hmm.¡± Left alone, Deculein turned his attention to the magical remnants left behind by the three brothers. The Three Brothers'' Surface Magic These brothers had been a persistent thorn in my side, even within the game. They were the creators of several troublesome items like the Three Brothers¡¯ Explosive Scroll, the Three Brothers¡¯ Fuse Scroll, and the Three Brothers¡¯ Ignition Scroll. Explosions trailed them wherever they went, making them notorious among yers. As Named characters, they fit squarely into the categories of both viins and lunatics. ¡°... I¡¯ll put these techniques to use,¡± Deculein muttered, securing their research before ascending the stairs. Upon reaching the surface, he found the knights already cing the bodies into a carriage. ¡°Will you be returning now, sir?¡± one of the knights inquired. ¡°No,¡± Deculein responded, shaking his head firmly. ¡°Then...?¡± ¡°Before word spreads, we need to hunt down as many of these monsters as possible,¡± Deculein said, his voice cold and unyielding. The knights, part of the Elite Guard assigned to rece Yulie as Deculein''s escorts temporarily, shuddered as the weight of the situation settled in. Despite their lower rank, ssified as F-Rank, they understood all too well that disobeying Deculein, an R-Rank mage, was as good as a death sentence. ¡°There she is,¡± Deculein said, pointing toward the approaching figure. It was Deputy Director Primien of the Ministry of Public Safety, who had been briefed on the situation. ¡°Primien.¡± Primien approached quickly, locking eyes with Deculein, who held her gaze without wavering. "I''ve dealt with three tainted Scarletborn. Handle the remains as you see fit," Deculeinmanded. Primien looked at the corpses in the carriage, her face betraying nothing. She was well-practiced in concealing her feelings. Deculein spoke, his tonemanding, ¡°Answer me.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Primien replied with a nod. ¡°I will take care of it ordingly.¡± *** August 11th. Today, I visited the underground passage and applied for the adventurer¡¯s exam at the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. The passage was constructed much faster than expected, which is a bit odd, but not necessarily bad. With so many branching paths and the potential for this passage to make the Marik strategy easier, it should be a big help for the main quest. ¡°Ria, does this taste good?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s good.¡± It was Ganesha who just spoke. We''re currently at a fancy restaurant called Flower of the Pig, eating Roahawk meat. It''s delicious, but I suppose I still prefer sweets. "Oh? Retek just walked by. He''s still alive? That''s surprising." The underground passage is packed with adventurers. Every now and then, you can spot someone who¡¯s definitely a named character. I even came across a named lunatic called Gerek. Our eyes met for just a moment, and it felt like my heart stopped. Gerek is absolutely terrifying. If he gets angry, he could destroy this entire passage in an instant. "What are your ns in Marik, Ganesha?" I asked while eating ice cream. This restaurant offers it for free, which seems to be amon perk in sessful ces, whether in this world or back on Earth. You know the kind I¡¯m talking about¡ªlike those barbecue joints that sometimes give out free ice cream. ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m not sure yet, Ria.¡± Ganesha tilted her head, clearly unsure of what to do next. Even though she was designed to be one of the strongest characters in this world, she¡¯s so easygoing and forgetful that it¡¯s hard to trust her with anything. ¡°Well, there are some mana stones to collect, some hunting to do, and a bunch of other things.¡± ¡°Hmm~¡± Mana stones and hunting sound like the perfectbination. It''s a chance for some effortless power leveling and a solid boost. Marik is still a challenge for me, but Ganesha can handle everything in that area. "Are you alright with that, Ria? Not feeling scared?" ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine.¡± I''m thrilled that Carlos and Leo were barred from entering because of the age limit. They''re annoying kids, and while I do worry about them and feel a bit lonely when they''re not around, they manage to piss me off almost every day. It''s strange getting used to this daily life, but it''s not so bad. If I keep growing, I¡¯ll eventually meet Yulie, Sylvia, Zeit, Arlos, Deculein, giants, fairies, the Empress, and even God. When I meet God, I''ll ask to be sent back to Earth. For that, I need to grow. Growth. Sweets. Growth. Sweets. No, not sweets. Just growth. Only sweets. No, I mean growth! That¡¯s all I can think about right now... That''s all for today¡¯s diary. P.S. I''m not sure how long I''ll keep this diary, but I n to continue as long as I can to hold on to who I am. After finishing her diary, Ria discreetly surveyed her surroundings before casting a spell. The diary dissolved into fine particles, merging with her skin like a tattoo. This was the skill known as Inventorization, an essential attribute for yers. "Oh, that meal really hit the spot. Now then, Ria, shall we head out? Reylie must be waiting," Ganesha said. "Yes, let¡¯s go~" Ria replied with a cheerful smile as she stepped out of the restaurant. *** I returned to my office in the Mage Tower. Today, Allen wore a curious expression, but soon he was smiling as he handed me a newspaper and said, "Professor, have you had the chance to read this?" It was the usual paper, Strongest in the Empire. The Seventh, Head Professor Deculein. Damn it. "I¡¯ve read it. You may dispose of it now," I replied. "Oh, y-yes, sir! In that case, here is the next document," Allen said, quickly handing it over. This one lifted my spirits. Drent''s Application to Join Professor Deculein "Good," I remarked, giving a firm nod of approval. With Drent and Epherene secured, the essential pieces were now in ce. Epherene¡¯s talent was extraordinary, and while Drent wasn¡¯t quite on her level, he was still highlypetent. Together, they provided a strong foundation for building a solid school of thought. "eptable," I remarked, casting a brief nce at Allen. Allen kept his face nk. When our eyes met, he managed a tight smile, but a faint, uneasy tension hung in the air. "... You may leave now." "Yes, sir~" Allen left the office, and as if switching ces, Yulie entered. On her shoulder sat the ck cat, Cocoa. "Professor, is it scheduled for three days from now?" Yulie asked, her expression more grave than mine. "Yes, it is. In three days." [Imperial Pce Quest: The Demon''s Mirror] ¡ô Store Currency +10 ¡ô ??? The Demon¡¯s Mirror. The time had finallye. "... Yes. Because of that, I¡¯ve reached a decision. It¡¯s something I¡¯ve been contemting for some time," Yulie said, closing her eyes, her expression deeply serious. Yulie drew in a deep breath. My curiosity grew as I waited to hear what she would say. "On the day I met Cocoa, I recognized the potential within your body, Professor." "Are you referring to the day you hugged me?" "Ah, n-no, that''s not what I¡ª! ... I¡¯m referring to the day I met Cocoa," Yulie stammered, her face flushing bright red before she quickly regained herposure. Teasing her was effective only once, which left me slightly disappointed. I almost regretted trying. "Your body is that of a natural-born warrior. However, the mission at the Imperial Pce will undoubtedly be perilous." "... And?" "Therefore, I, Yulie von Deya-Freyden," she said, cing a hand over her heart, "will instruct you in martial arts and swordsmanship, Professor." I stared at Yulie in silence, letting the quiet linger just a bit too long. The tension settled between us. She blinked, clearly flustered, pouted, and then slowly began to retreat, like a child hoping to slip away unnoticed. Atst, I called out to her, "Wait. Come back. Very well, I¡¯ll learn from you." Her voice, carrying a trace of wounded pride, drifted through the narrow gap in the door. "Fine. You seem to believe my instruction is easily obtained, but do you realize how many knights have sought to be my students? I assure you, I¡¯m not the one missing out... Truly, I¡¯m not..." Chapter 86: Future of Each Individual (1)

Chapter 86: Future of Each Individual (1)

Not far from the capital¡¯s city centery a prime piece ofnd,plete with ake, streams, and even a mountain in the background. The Yukline mansion sprawled across it, vast¡ªalmost excessively so. With the recent surge innd prices, the mansion alone could have easily funded a small territory¡¯s annual budget. This was no mere exaggeration. Even Yulie, who had taken pride in purchasing a three-story mansion near the capital on her own, thoroughly enjoyed her time at the Yukline mansion. Her morning jogs included a fewps around the mountain at the back, the training grounds were spacious enough for worry-free practice, and the mansion¡¯s meals rivaled those of a three-star restaurant. While Deculein upheld strict standards for the mansion¡¯s vast grounds, I was indifferent to what the servants did, as long as everything remained orderly. Consequently, I often approved their requests for imported goods. The servants, ever watchful, discovered exotic pottery, tableware, coffee beans, foods, flower seeds, and carpets from distantnds and had them brought to the mansion under the Yukline name. Thanks to their efforts, the gardens and orchards bloomed with the world¡¯s most beautiful flowers and trees, the mansion overflowed with charm and fragrance, and the clearke and streams became the perfect summer retreat. Yulie had a particr fondness for theke, often lying on thewn with her new pet, Cacao, when she wasn¡¯t inside the house. This ce, with its luxuriousfort and unassuming abundance, drew people in effortlessly. Anyone who visited, even for a short while, couldn¡¯t help but admire it¡ªa paradise so alluring it was almost like a Venus flytrap. This was the Yukline mansion. ¡°Basic physical strength was the foundation of martial arts,¡± Yulie said as we stood in the mansion¡¯s training grounds. Instead of her usual armor, she wore a gray tracksuit for a change. "Therefore... Is something the matter, Professor?" Yulie asked, tilting her head slightly. I shrugged and said, "It¡¯s rare to see you out of armor, and this is what you¡¯ve chosen to wear?" ¡°Ah, I see,¡± Yulie replied, tugging at her outfit. ¡°I¡¯ve had this since my days with the knights. It¡¯s well-made, crafted with Fumeren. It will easilyst another twenty years.¡± ¡°Indeed. One day, I should tear it apart and dispose of it.¡± ¡°No! Why would you tear it?¡± Yulie protested, quickly returning to the main topic as she gripped a wooden sword. ¡°As I was saying, basic physical strength is crucial in martial arts. First, let me demonstrate. This is the simplest spinning move.¡± With a swift motion, she shed twice¡ªfirst diagonally across the front, then pivoted to strike behind her. The movement was so seamless it appeared as if she were in two ces at once. ¡°A spinning move, also known as a Spin-mooove.¡± ¡°Spin-move.¡± ¡°Spin-mo~oove.¡± ¡°... Spin-move.¡± ¡°Hmm. Though it¡¯s a basic move among knights, it ces significant strain on the waist and knees,¡± Yulie exined as she handed me the wooden sword. ¡°Without proper physical conditioning and muscle strength, the risk of injury is high.¡± I took the sword and repeated the motion. Swish¡ªswish! It felt exactly like how Yulie had done it. She blinked, a brief moment of confusion passing over her face. After a pause, she spoke again, ¡°Try it once more.¡± Swish¡ªswish! I repeated the move exactly as before. Yulie¡¯s expression flickered with confusion once again. Yulie nced at the curriculum script she had left under the tree and said, ¡°You seem to be performing it well... Please, try it onest time.¡± I performed the spin-mo~oove once more, exactly as she had asked. When I noticed the third flicker of confusion in her eyes, I finally said, ¡°You must admit it¡ªI¡¯m capable of this.¡± ¡°... You may replicate the move, but you are at significant risk of injury.¡± ¡°I will not sustain any injuries.¡± ¡°You may believe that, but the risk of injury remains high.¡± ¡°Must you echo yourself?¡± ¡°That is why developing basic physical strength is essential,¡± Yulie said, her forehead beaded with sweat. She likely assumed I was as frail as any other mage and intended to start with the fundamentals. ¡°Today, we will begin with running. Are you prepared?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Alright! Let us proceed,¡± Yulie said, starting to run. I followed closely behind. One-Two, One-Two¡ª Yulie set a steady pace, and I kept a few steps behind, matching her stride. One-Two, One-Two¡ª One-Two, One-Two¡ª Yulie nced back at me and remarked, ¡°You are maintaining the pace well.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°Excellent. Continue at this pace!¡± We kept running. I wasn¡¯t certain how my stamina measured up to that of a knight, but the Iron Man attribute was highly advanced, and I had not neglected my training... ¡°Are you maintaining the pace?¡± Yulie asked, ncing back. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Hmm, very well. I shall increase the pace slightly.¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± Impressed by how well I was keeping up, Yulie increased her pace, as if determined to outdistance me. One-Two, One-Two¡ª One-Two, One-Two¡ª One-Two, One-Two¡ª One-Two, One-Two¡ª We hadpleted nearly tenps before I even realized it. ¡°... Professor, are you still holding up well?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°Oh...¡± Yulie murmured, clearly astonished that I was still maintaining the pace. I noticed that the basic stamina from my Iron Man attribute had significantly improved, likely because my quality of mana had advanced to level four. ¡°Shall we stop for now?¡± Yulie inquired. ¡°No. I am fine,¡± I replied. ¡°... Alright.¡± We resumed running, now at nearly full sprint. I soon lost count of theps we had finished. ncing at Yulie, I saw she was sweating and looked strained. It became clear that, with a heart injury, the greatest challenge lies in basic endurance, particrly cardiovascr stamina. I chose to stop running. ¡°Let¡¯s stop here. I¡¯m feeling fatigued,¡± I said. ¡°... Are you certain?¡± Yulie asked, forcing a bitter smile as her expression darkened. She appeared dissatisfied with her own condition. ¡°Your basic stamina is impressive, Professor. You must have been diligent in your training.¡± I watched her in silence. In that moment, with sweat glistening on her skin, she looked even more beautiful. ¡°... Yulie, you are a knight, correct?¡± ¡°Yes, that is correct,¡± Yulie replied, tilting her head slightly at my obvious statement. I offered a slight smile and said, ¡°I aspired to be someone who could stand as your equal. That is why I worked so diligently.¡± ¡°... Ah,¡± Yulie murmured, her mouth snapping shut as she stood there, momentarily speechless. Though she remained quiet, her hair seemed to lift, and a blush crept across her ears. The sight was very endearing. ¡°I was merely joking. I did it to survive.¡± ¡°... Y-yes. I understand.¡± Though it was true¡ªI had trained to survive¡ªYulie¡¯s cheeks were already flushed, her face touched with a rosy glow. ¡°Let us go and eat.¡± ¡°Okay...¡± I entered the dining room first, and Yulie trailed behind me, her steps hesitant. The chef detailed the morning¡¯s offerings, saying, ¡°Today¡¯s breakfast features shrimp¡ª¡± Yulie cast frequent nces my way throughout the meal. ¡°Dessert is served,¡± a servant announced after breakfast, bringing out Civet coffee. Yulie¡¯s eyes brightened as she took in the sight of the high-quality beans. ¡°Oh, thank you so much, as always~!¡± Yulie said, sipping slowly and savoring each taste. A smile tugged at my lips as I watched her. ¡°Yulie, it is time to prepare. There is a lesson at the Imperial Pce today.¡± ¡°Yes, understood.¡± It was time for her to resume her escort duties. Yulie¡¯s expression hardened, embodying the fierce focus of a lioness. *** In the grand hall of the Imperial Pce, the Empress''s Council Meeting gathered¡ªa particrly tiresome tradition. Sophien sat on her throne, looking down at the ministers, her hands heavy with the petitions they had submitted. ¡°Your Majesty, we are concerned about the potential issues that may arise from opening Marik. It would be prudent to reconsider the decision while there is still time.¡± ¡°The handling of the Scarletborn is timely, Your Majesty, and for now, our attention should be solely directed toward them.¡± ¡°Your Majesty, suppressing the Scarletborn will inevitably provoke resistance, and should chaos erupt in Marik, the Empire will face turmoil both within and beyond its borders¡ª¡± Sophien¡¯s head pounded. She was sick to death of listening to those damned fools. The frustration was so overwhelming that she felt she mightmit suicide on the spot. ¡°The decision to open Marik is final. I will hear no further discussion on the matter,¡± Sophienmanded. ¡°That is uneptable, Your Majesty!¡± the ministers cried out in unison, making a vein throb on Sophien¡¯s forehead. They went on about how thete Emperor would never have dismissed the petitions of his ministers so easily... that if adventurers recklessly disturbed Marik, demons might arise... and so forth. Their words ran together in a senseless ramble. At that moment, Keiron stepped forward and whispered, ¡°Your Majesty, Deculein has arrived.¡± As soon as she heard this, a sly smile spread across Sophien¡¯s face, and shemanded, ¡°Enough! It is time for my lesson. Be gone at once!¡± ¡°That is uneptable, Your Majesty! No final decision has been made¡ª¡± ¡°It is time for my lesson in the Runguage. Are you not all aware of what Deculein is teaching me?¡± The Runguage was Sophien¡¯s ultimate weapon. On the days of her lessons, the ministers did not dare to interfere. ¡°Or are you suggesting that I squander this invaluable lesson time? Can you bear the consequences? We are discussing the Runguage. Do you even grasp its significance?¡± Sophien said, her voice cold andmanding, cutting through the room and silencing the ministers. Satisfied, she rose from her seat. ¡°I am leaving. This council is adjourned.¡± ¡°You have arrived,¡± the Empress said, her voiceced with authority. In the Imperial Pce¡¯s Hall of Learning, she weed Deculein with a rare smile. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± Deculein replied. ¡°Today, I endured a truly fucked-up meeting. It was one of those damned traditional Empress¡¯s Council Meeting that I couldn¡¯t avoid. Those bastard ministers kept prying into everything, seizing on my every word. It was utterly nauseating.¡± ¡°I understand. Now, let us begin the lesson. Today¡¯s Runic word is ??????,¡± Deculein said as he took his seat, his tone steady. The Empress¡¯s gaze sharpened like an axe. ¡°Repeat after me, ??????.¡± ¡°Be.¡± ¡°Not Be, but ??????.¡± Sophien rested her chin on her hand, sighing through clenched teeth, her gaze fixed on him, unmistakably filled with ennui. ¡°??????,¡± Deculein repeated. ¡°... Yet, Deculein, you never inquire about my policies, do you?¡± Sophien remarked. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± ¡°All you ever do is prattle on about that damn Runguage.¡± Worn out by the ministers¡¯ relentless pestering, Sophien lost interest in the lesson. Noticing this, Deculein focused on her words instead. ¡°The ministers were eager to know why I decided to open Marik. They would have opposed it regardless, yet they hypocritically weed the crackdown on the Scarletborn...¡± Sophien paused, her gaze dull as she turned to Deculein. ¡°What is your assessment of my policy, Deculein? Why do you think they oppose the opening of Marik?¡± The Empire''s ministers had their reasons for opposing the opening of Marik. Even after the gates were already open, they made desperate efforts to seal them once more. Without hesitation, Deculein responded, ¡°The supply of mana stones is already sufficient. They likely question the need to risk opening Marik. Their objections are not without merit.¡± Sophien¡¯s face grew taut, a crooked expression curling at the edges of her lips. ¡°Hmph. Is that so? It seems you¡¯re not so different after all,¡± Sophien said, leaning back in her chair, disappointment evident, but Deculein pressed on with a measured tone. ¡°However, something is amiss. How can the supply of mana stones remain sufficient? The mines are finite, and they have been exploited for centuries,¡± Deculein said. Sophien¡¯s brow furrowed, her interest piqued once more. ¡°Logically, these mines should have been depleted long ago, yet mana stones continue to emerge. The merchant guilds attribute this to advancements in mining technology.¡± As Deculein continued, Sophien leaned forward slightly, her interest clearly awakened. ¡°Furthermore, these guilds control not only the prices but also¡ª¡± ¡°They control the supply as well. The three major guilds¡ªRophsia, Vermonia, and Crumacto¡ªare the ones responsible. This is why thete Emperor maintained amicable rtions with them,¡± Sophien dered. Deculein nodded, and Sophien, who had been reclining with a hint of arrogance, leaned forward and continued, ¡°An Emperor yielding to mere merchants. It is absurd.¡± Sophien had a clear understanding of the Empire¡¯s inner workings. More than 70% of the mana stones distributed by these powerful guilds actually originated from the Altar, an ancient, untouched region akin to the Land of Destruction, where mana stone mines had endured for millennia. ¡°Indeed, Your Majesty.¡± Sophien studied Deculein closely, anticipating his next words. ¡°But once Marik is opened, countless mana stones will be mined, bypassing the merchants¡¯works entirely. Control over them would rest solely with the Imperial family,¡± Deculein concluded. ¡°As a result, those fucking bastards are in a full-blown panic. The mana stones from Marik are a deadly threat to them. That¡¯s precisely why the ministers who¡¯ve been bought off by those assholes are raising hell,¡± Sophien remarked with a smile. Deculein mirrored her smile and responded, ¡°Indeed. The opening of Marik is a strategic move to consolidate Your Majesty¡¯s power. Moreover, should a member of the Scarletborn be among the guild leaders¡ª¡± ¡°Yes, there is undoubtedly a Scarletborn among them. I am aware of that. And I also know that by crushing the Scarletborn, the Altar will eventually be exposed,¡± Sophien dered. ¡°The Empire''s most formidable enemies are not external but internal,¡± Deculein remarked. ¡°That is precisely what defines an Empire.¡± The dialogue between Sophien and Deculein flowed as though they were of one mind. For Sophien, this moment of shared understanding was umon, but the core issue still lingered. If Deculein failed to fullyprehend it, he would not meet her expectations. ¡°Despite knowing all this, Your Majesty, you still dered your intent tounch an expedition into the external Land of Destruction rather than addressing the internal threats.¡± Sophien was fully aware of the internal threats, yet she directed her de outward, toward the Land of Destruction. The reasoning behind her decision was slowly bing evident to Deculein. Unusually eager, Sophien couldn¡¯t wait for him to continue and proimed, ¡°Yes, the mana stones are only the beginning. Once the mes of anxiety consume those Altar dogs, I will personally dere the expedition to the Land of Destruction.¡± ¡°Given that the Altar is the stronghold of the Land of Destruction, they will inevitably feel threatened,¡± Deculein replied. ¡°When threatened, those vermin will respond in a predictable manner,¡± Sophien said. ¡°They will likely strike at the Empire, perceiving it as vulnerable with its forces engaged in the expedition,¡± Deculein followed. ¡°... Then, at that moment¡ª¡± Sophien met Deculein¡¯s gaze and saw in his eyes aplete grasp of her n. His blue eyes were clear and as striking as crystal. ¡°They will be ughtered.¡± ¡°I shall ughter them all.¡± Their words, nearly spoken in unison, brought a rare smile to the Empress¡¯s lips. For Sophien, the embodiment of ennui and lethargy, such insights were as natural as breathing. Her wisdom was innate... and perhaps, Professor Deculein shared this same quality. ¡°Indeed. But I informed you of my n to conquer the Land of Destruction from the very beginning. Why, then, did you not share this audacious scheme with anyone?¡± Sophien inquired. ¡°If I had, I would have be Your Majesty¡¯s enemy. Though I suspect that was precisely what you hoped¡ªthat I would betray you.¡± ¡°... Oh? It seems you know me all too well.¡± Deculein nodded, fully aware that this was merely a part of the storyline of the game. ¡°Heh,¡± Sophien chuckled. Sophien frequently tested people around her, and thus far, only two had sessfully met all her challenges¡ªKeiron and Deculein. ¡°So, allow me to inquire, Your Majesty¡ªwhat is your true objective? Is it simply to fortify the throne and eradicate the Altar?¡± Sophien¡¯s smile disappeared almost as soon as it formed. The sense of satisfaction she derived from Deculein¡¯s understanding faded within minutes. ¡°I cannot say,¡± Sophien replied, reclining in her chair, her expression steeped in deep mncholy. ¡°I truly do not know.¡± Her quiet murmuring was met with a response that felt like an answer to herment. ¡°Then let us seek it out together,¡± Deculein said. For a moment, Sophien questioned her hearing. The idea of someone suggesting they work together was entirely foreign to her¡ªsomething even Keiron had never dared. As she looked at Deculein, she perceived an unexpected sense of duty emanating from him. ¡°Our lessons will guide us toward our objective.¡± Sophien¡¯s ennui posed a challenge to Deculein and the entire world, yet even the Empress found herself at a loss. She stayed silent, while Deculein held his ground. Finally, Sophien waved her hand in dismissal. ¡°Enough. You may go. Even your face has begun to tire me. You''ve endured longer than most, but next time, consider arriving in disguise.¡± ¡°Our lesson is not yet finished. Repeat after me, ??????.¡± ¡°... What?¡± ¡°??????," Deculein repeated, unyielding. The Empress, shaking her head, yielded and repeated, ¡°??????.¡± Then the Runic word activated¡ªflight. The entire space began to rise and float. Pleased with the result, Deculein stood. ¡°Excellent work, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Yes. Now, go.¡± In the Hall of Learning, where Deculein, the Instructor Mage, had just departed, Sophieny on the hard floor, gazing up at the ceiling. Sophien murmured, ¡°Not a single word he spoke was false.¡± People often slip into unconscious falsehoods, empty ttery, or automatic denials and affirmations. But Deculein was free of such weaknesses. ¡°He knows everything. If an encyclopedia took human form, it would be him.¡± Sophien was captivated by Deculein¡¯s unshakable confidence. He grasped his thoughts, his ns, his reasoning¡ªeverything with absolute rity. From the moment of their first meeting, when she dered her intent to conquer the Land of Destruction, he had understood herpletely. ¡°And that presumptuous talk about helping me find my purpose... Keiron, you heard him too, didn¡¯t you?¡± Sophien said, lowering her gaze from the ceiling to look at Keiron, who was grinning. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± ¡°It was nothing, Your Majesty,¡± Keiron replied. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°When will you get married?¡± "... Keiron, are you seeking execution?¡± Sophien¡¯s re pierced through her knight. In her current state of lethargy, anger was a rare but palpable emotion. ¡°If your intent was to provoke me, you¡¯ve seeded. Congrattions. This task is now yours." ¡°That¡¯s not the case, Your Majesty. The ministers are expressing their concerns.¡± ¡°Those fucking idiots.¡± Sophien appeared to be in her early twenties, the prime age for marriage. Of course, she had likely lived twice as long, but physically, she remained as youthful as she seemed. ¡°No man exists who can handle me,¡± Sophien dered. Keiron remained silent. ¡°What?¡± Keiron simply nced at the closed door, and Sophien quickly grasped his meaning. ¡°Deculein?¡± Keiron remained silent once more. ¡°You arepletely out of your damn mind. I have no intention of taking what belongs to others.¡± "Did I speak just now, Your Majesty?" "Your insight is growing, Keiron. Quite surprising for a knight," Sophien said, sarcastically. Keiron only shrugged in response. ¡°You''re bing a nuisance. You may leave now.¡± "Yes, Your Majesty," Keiron replied, leaving without dy. After dismissing him, Sophien quietly mused, ¡°Deculein, huh.¡± Deculein saw the world in much the same way as Sophien, which exined his demeanor. When surrounded by fools, frustration and cynicism naturally followed. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s a relief that I¡¯m not entirely alone,¡± Sophien remarked with a smirk. At least she had discovered someone she could truly consider a kindred spirit. Though she had hesitated before, now she was sure. This newfound certainty brought her a sense of contentment, and for Sophien, that was all she needed. ¡°Haha. That arrogant fool. Helping me find a purpose? Lessons for that?¡± Sophien chuckled softly, reflecting on their earlier conversation. An hourter, the thought no longer held her interest. For Sophien, an hour was a notably long time to dwell on anything. *** Meanwhile, Epherene readied herself for the journey ahead. "A towel, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, emergency rations, a review book, and..." Epherene halted, her eyes growing wide as they settled on the most important item. "Roahawk!" The four pieces of Roahawk meat, a gift from Julia¡¯s father, were Epherene¡¯s most treasured provisions. She nned to grill and eat them during the most exhausting and discouraging moments of the exam. "Well... it¡¯s time to go," Epherene murmured, taking a deep breath as she shouldered her backpack and stepped out of the dormitory. Epherene stopped by the administrative office to send a letter to her sponsor, then wandered around the campus. The weather was predictably gloomy, characteristic of the rainy season. "I wondered when they would get here..." Under the clock tower in the courtyard, Epherene waited at the appointed spot. She was nning to visit the Floating Ind today with a friend. "Miss Epherene, over here~" came a soft, timely call. It was Lethe, the head maid, seated in the driver¡¯s seat, gently honking the horn. "Yes!" Epherene responded with a bright smile as she settled into the back seat. Sylvia, already seated inside, wore a displeased expression but made no move to stop her from boarding. "Sylvia, let¡¯s give it our all. I want to reach level three, too." "... Arrogant Epherene." "Hehe." The day never felt like it truly began for Epherene until Sylvia spoke those words. Ephereneughed heartily, while Sylvia, giving her a look as if she were some sort of weirdo, shifted closer to the window. "Alright, here we go~," Lethe said. "Yep!" They began their journey to the Floating Ind. Vroom¡ª As thendscape rushed by, Epherene contemted her future¡ªher ns under Deculein, her father¡¯s history and death, and the secrets he had taken to the grave. The true journey was just beginning. Epherene tightened her fist with determination. On the other hand, Sylvia¡¯s mind was entirely consumed by thoughts of Deculein. Though it caused her pain, she couldn¡¯t help but dwell on him. In her heart, a fire had been ignited, as if by Glitheon¡¯s design. This me was so fierce and unrelenting that it seemed destined to burn long after she achieved the rank of Archmage. "Oh, isn¡¯t that the guy we encountered before?" Epherene remarked, pointing suddenly at a figure standing outside. Sylvia nced over and recognized Karixel, the married man they had met before, standing by the roadside. He noticed them too and walked over with a bright smile. "Oh! Miss Epherene, Miss Sylvia! What a fortunate coincidence. Would it be possible for me to join you on your ride?" Karixel asked. Lethe nced at Sylvia, waiting for her reaction. Sylvia¡¯s sigh was all the approval Lethe needed. Since they would see him at the exam anyway, there was no sense in creating unnecessary tension by being unkind. Chapter 87: Future of Each Individual (2)

Chapter 87: Future of Each Individual (2)

After finishing the lesson with the Empress, I walked through the pce corridors alongside Yulie. Even within the safety of the Imperial Pce, she remained cautious. As we continued, Jng approached us. ¡°Lord Yukline, an incident has urred in the underground,¡± Jng reported. I nodded and followed Jng to the pce¡¯s underground, the only route to the Darkness of the Imperial Pce¡ªknown as the Demon¡¯s Mirror. However... "It¡¯s sealed. This is troublesome," Jng remarked with a frown. I inspected the door, finding it encrusted with a dry, ck substance, thick and tar-like. "When did it get like this?" I asked. "It was just a normal door until today," Jng replied, gripping the handle and shaking it forcefully, but it wouldn¡¯t give way. "Even the knights couldn¡¯t manage to open it, so I had to send them all back." I nodded and said, "Then the time has not yete." "Time has not yete... But do you know what lies beyond this door, Lord Yukline?" I already knew what exactlyy hidden beneath the pce and the details of the Darkness of the Imperial Pce quest. I hadpleted it back in my days as a yer. "Who¡¯s to say?" The Darkness of the Imperial Pce was the shadow cast by the Empress¡ªSophien¡¯s own past. This underground chamber concealed the secrets of that past, and the Demon¡¯s Mirror was the gateway to it. The true mysteryy in the demon''s obsession with Sophien¡¯s past. The reason was clear¡ªif Sophien died, this world woulde to an end. As I had mentioned before, if Sophien died, it would mean the end of everything. That was how the system was set up for the game. It was an extremely important quest, but not one that required immediate action. Since Sophien was a regressor, there were numerous chances¡ªdozens of cycles¡ªto explore her past. "I haven¡¯t entered, so how could I possibly know? We¡¯re leaving. Inform me immediately when the door opens," Imanded. "Yes, Lord Yukline. As youmand," Jng replied, his expression still sour as he turned away. Yulie murmured in confusion, "It''s strange. Why has the pce''s underground turned out this way?" "You don¡¯t have to know," I said. "Sorry?" "Don¡¯t even consider getting involved." Yulie¡¯s eyes narrowed, but the truth about the underground had to be kept from her. Sophien¡¯s death was linked partially to the former head of Freyden¡ªYulie¡¯s father. "We¡¯re leaving. We have a busy day ahead," I said. "... Yes." We left the pce together. By the gates, Ren, the driver who had been waiting beside the car, nced at his notebook and said, "The next schedule is in Rohak, in Yukline County." Something in Ren¡¯s tone seemed unusual, but I kept my expression neutral as I climbed into the car. "Let¡¯s proceed." "Yes, Master." *** Meanwhile, Epherene, Sylvia, and Karixel boarded the Floating Ind. While the ind¡¯s mysteriousndscape had be somewhat familiar, they still needed to take an airship¡ªa rtively recent invention¡ªto reach the Training Ind for the Solda promotion exam. ¡°Sigh...¡± Epherene stepped onto the airship tform, her emotions a blend of excitement and anxiety. It was her first time seeing an airship up close, let alone boarding one. "Shall we proceed?" Karixel asked, his presence a wee relief. Unlike the quiet Sylvia, Karixel¡¯s experience as an adventurer made him both well-informed and chatty, which brought aforting sense of ease to the group. "Do we just board? Is there anything else we need to do?" Epherene asked. "Certainly. Just step aboard as if you were entering your own home. I¡¯ll go ahead," Karixel said, ascending the tall stairs to the tform. Epherene hesitated for a moment before following. As she reached the stairs, Sylvia suddenly grabbed the hood of her robe, pulling her back. "Oof! Why are you stopping me?" ¡°Foolish Epherene.¡± "What is it?" Epherene asked, confused. Sylvia wordlessly nced down at Epherene¡¯s shoes. "... Oh, right," Epherene said as realization struck, letting out a smallugh. "Shoes? You must think I¡¯m a fool, don¡¯t you? Of course, I know I need to take them off." Epherene stood tall, feigning confidence despite her uncertainty. It seemed reasonable to remove her shoes before boarding the airship. After all, Karixel had said to board as if entering one¡¯s own home. "Well, I¡¯m going up first!" Epherene dered, ascending the stairs with an air of nobility. She removed her shoes before boarding the airship and nced around, searching for a ce to store them. "... Where¡¯s the shoe rack?" A passenger noticed her bare feet and smirked. Epherene nced around in confusion, only to see that everyone else had kept their shoes on. Sylvia, who had followed closely behind, stifled augh, "Pfft." Sylvia walked past her with a self-satisfied smile, her heels tapping sharply against the floor. Epherene''s face flushed with embarrassment. "That... that little...!" Epherene muttered as she hastily put her shoes back on and rushed to her assigned seat. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure. "... Assistant Professor Allen?" "Oh, Epherene. I see you¡¯ve put your shoes back on," Sylvia remarked from her seat, her voiceced with amusement. "Oh? I knew you¡¯d enjoy that. I did it on purpose, you know, because you¡¯ve seemed a bit downtely," Epherene remarked, trying to maintain her pride as she took her assigned seat beside Sylvia. ¡ª Flight 305D is now departing. Please fasten your seat belts. As the announcement yed, Epherene swiftly fastened her seatbelt. Sylvia smirked as she watched Epherene and said, "At least you managed the seatbelt." "Hmph. I only did that to make youugh." Whoooosh¡ª As the airship hummed and lifted off, Epherene instinctively grabbed Sylvia¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Woahh!¡± ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sylvia said, startled, trying to shake her off. But as the airship swayed, Epherene¡¯s hold on her shoulder only grew firmer. "Let go," Sylvia said, trying to push her away. "Woooah, we¡¯re... we¡¯re flying. We¡¯re actually flying. Woaaaah..." "Let go of me, you fool. I said let go." As Sylvia resisted, Epherene only held on tighter, her arms encircling Sylvia¡¯s waist as she rested her forehead on Sylvia¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Stop clinging to me, you fool." "Wait... I¡¯m going to be sick." Sylvia sensed that something was off. ¡°Oh... Wh-what¡¯s going on? Am I having an allergic reaction?" "There¡¯s no such thing as an airship allergy, you fool. Oh no, don¡¯t you dare vomit. If you vomit, I swear I¡¯ll... Oh¡ª" *** Epherene and Sylvia arrived at the Training Ind, where the staff swiftly assigned them their amodations. With night already fallen and darkness enveloping the surroundings, there was no opportunity to explore. "Debutants Sylvia and Epherene, you¡¯ve been assigned to Room 503. The exam will start in forty-eight hours, so please take this time to rest. Sign this document and ce it in Goro''s Mouth outside your door," the staff member instructed. "Okay~" Epherene replied cheerfully as she opened the door to Room 503, surprised by the room''s unexpected spaciousness. She had imagined something more like a college dorm, but this was farrger than she had anticipated. "... This is nicer than my house." The room was spacious, with two beds, two desks, two refrigerators, and two bathrooms, all symmetrically arranged. A single sofa sat in the center. Epherene approached the window and, gazing outside, remarked in awe, ¡°Wow... A cliff right outside? I can even see the clouds.¡± Rumble¡ª! A loud crash reverberated through the room as Sylvia created a wall, dividing therge space into two distinct sections. ¡°... Of course,¡± Epherene muttered, quickly realizing that Sylvia, still reeling from her recent rejection, likely needed some time alone. Epherene sighed as she unpacked her things, cing the Roahawk meat in the refrigerator and slipping emergency rations, like chocte bars, into the pockets of her robe. Afterward, she looked over the document given to her by the exam staff. Solda Promotion Exam Confirmation ¡ô Primary Exam Supervisors: Rogerio, Gindalf, Adrienne ¡ô Additional Supervisors: Ropal, Mimic, Relin, Deculein, Ihelm, Crancia, and thirteen others ¡ô Security Chief: Deculein ¡ô The footage and reports generated during the exam are avable for purchase by various Mage Towers, the Floating Ind, and noble families across the continent for scouting purposes. ¡ô The Floating Ind bears no responsibility for any injuries or other incidents that may ur during the exam. ¡ô Signature: [ ] ¡°... No responsibility for injuries or anything else, huh...¡± Epherene muttered, unease creeping in. Knock, knock¡ª Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Startled, Epherene whispered, ¡°Who¡¯s there...?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Karixel. I¡¯ve brought something for you.¡± "Oh," Epherene replied as she quickly moved to open the door. Karixel greeted her with a broad smile and said, "Miss Epherene, your room is rather unique... The two-person room I¡¯m staying in isn¡¯t quite like this." "This was Sylvia¡¯s doing." "Ah, I see. So this must be her Primary Colors. A truly impressive talent for creation," Karixel observed, admiring the perfectly divided room, each side even having its own door. "But what brings you here?" "Ah, I brought this for you," Karixel said, offering her a cylindrical container. Epherene examined it curiously, and Karixel exined, "It¡¯s called cup noodles¡ªa popr snack in the south. Just add the seasoning and pour in boiling water, and it¡¯s ready to eat. Be sure to share one with Sylvia as well." "Oh, thank you. I was just starting to feel hungry." Karixel chuckled and said, "Haha. Very well then, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow!" After he left, Epherene looked down at the two cup noodles in her hands. She ced one in front of Sylvia¡¯s door and knocked. The door swung open almost immediately, and Sylvia stepped out. "Here, I have something for you." Sylvia ignored the cup noodles and walked right past Epherene without acknowledging her presence. "Where are you headed?" Epherene asked. "Goro¡¯s Mouth." "Oh, right." Epherene took the document and followed Sylvia into the hallway, where they encountered Goro''s Mouth, arge, ck pair of lips. Sylvia ced her signed document into it first, and Epherene followed suit. Munch¡ª Munch¡ª The mouth made a wet, squelching sound as it processed the papers, then expelled two small orbs¡ªone for Sylvia and one for Epherene. "What might these be?" "They¡¯re personal crystal orbs," exined the mage standing next to Goro¡¯s Mouth. "They can be used formunication, and in case of danger, they¡¯ll send a signal to the Security Chief. They have other functions as well, so make sure not to lose them." "Ah, thank you," Epherene said, slipping hers into her pocket. Sylvia, still focused on her orb, was likely preupied with thoughts of that professor who served as the Security Chief. Epherene, her smile tinged with bitterness as she nced at Sylvia, soon noticed a familiar figure at the end of the hallway. It wasn¡¯t Assistant Professor Allen, but someone who bore a striking resemnce to him. "Looks simr." It was the same face, but certainly not Allen. What set her apart was her impressive figure, especially her chest. Even beneath the robe, the movement of her ample bosom was clear. Epherene knew that difort well, which was why she always wore a loose robe¡ªnot just for modesty, but to avoid the constriction that tighter clothes would bring. "Oh, by the way, Sylvia, have you heard of instant cup noodles¡ª" When she turned to ask, Sylvia was already gone. "... She¡¯s as tough to befriend as a stray cat," Epherene sighed, trudging back to her room. *** The morning in Yukline County unfolded with the jostling rhythm of a car ride. ¡ª Deputy Director Primien, you understand the significance of today¡¯s meeting, correct? "Yes," Deputy Director Lillia Primien replied indifferently to the Director¡¯s crystal orb. ¡ª Be careful not to say anything that could offend the Professor. Mind your words. "I understand." ¡ª Professor Deculein is a prominent figure now. He¡¯s far beyond the typical noble you¡¯re ustomed to dealing with. "I understand. I¡¯m ending the call now." ¡ª Wait, Deputy Director! If you say one wrong word, it¡¯s not just you but the whole¡ª Click¡ª Primien ended the call. The Chief was right¡ªtoday¡¯s agenda was a tough one. Officially, the discussion was about suppressing the Scarletborn, but the meeting at Rohak Concentration Camp was really just an inspection disguised as a meeting with Deculein. "Hmm." Despite keeping her Scarletborn origins well hidden, Deputy Director Primien couldn¡¯t shake the unease that came with confronting Deculein. "How much farther?" Primien asked. "We''re nearly there," the driver responded. Primien turned her gaze to the window. Rohak Concentration camp loomed in the middle of a deste wastnd, its construction still ongoing. She couldn¡¯t help but smirk cynically at the bleak sight. "We¡¯ve arrived." "Alright," Primien said to the driver. As soon as she stepped out of the car, she scanned her surroundings for Deculein. "The Professor is over there," said Yulie, the knight d in white, as she pointed to a tall watchtower. Deculein stood at the top, surveying the camp. Despite the barren, sweltering surroundings, he remained impably dressed in a suit... the very professor who had taken the lives of seven Scarletborn in just one night. Suppressing a surge of anger, Primien maintained herposure and greeted him calmly, "Professor." Deculein looked down at her, his gaze keen. With a curt nod, he said, "You¡¯ve arrived." "Yes. Someone else has joined me, though I doubt you invited him," Primien said, gesturing with a nod behind her as a mage stepped out of the car and approached them. "Ah, Professor Deculein," called a stout, muscr man as he approached with a broad smile. "It¡¯s me Bethan!" Bethan, the head of the Beorad family, had once been at odds with Deculein over the Scarletborn issue in Berhert. But now, he approached with a cheerful smile. "Bethan?" "Yes, it¡¯s Bethan. There was a significant misunderstandingst time. I failed to grasp your grand vision!" Bethan said, his eyes sweeping over the concentration camp grounds with satisfaction. "I came to offer my personal apology... This ce is such a wonderful ce. Truly remarkable." Primien observed them with cold disdain, silently questioning what they could possibly find so remarkable. "... Indeed, it is a fine ce," Deculein murmured as he descended from the watchtower. Deculein turned to Primien and asked, "Deputy Director Primien, I understand the Ministry of Public Safety is inspecting the concentration camp. What are your thoughts? The central funds have been utilized efficiently, with no waste." Primien looked between Deculein, Bethan, and the camp¡¯s framework before responding, "Is there truly a need to inspect a mere concentration camp? Proceed as you wish, Professor." As she spoke, a sharp pain pierced her heart. The thought of the Scarletborn, who would soon be imprisoned and left to die here, made her mouth go dry. Bethan said, "Indeed, Professor! Why would such a brilliant n need inspection or approval? If you require any assistance from Beorad, just say the word. Beorad and I will always support Yukline." "... Is that so?" Deculein chuckled, remembering Bethan¡¯s demeanor in Berhert. "If an inspection isn¡¯t necessary, there¡¯s no reason to linger here. Let¡¯s proceed to a restaurant in Hadecaine." "Yes!" "... Yes." Primien, on the other hand, remained noticeably reserved. When Deculein returned to Hadecaine, he took them to Light and Salt, the city¡¯s most famous restaurant, even among its many three-star venues. Bethan inclined his head slightly and said, ¡°It should be my honor to host you, Professor. Please, when you visit Beorad, grant me the privilege of repaying your kindness.¡± Seated between Deculein and Bethan, Primien felt as though she were caught in a fiery trap. "It¡¯s an honor, Head of Yukline," the restaurant¡¯s manager said, presenting the menu to Deculein. "You two should decide. You¡¯re the guests," Deculein said, handing the menu over to Bethan and Primien with a gracious nod. Primien had been considering the steak, but when Bethan noticed something on the menu, he chuckled knowingly and said, "Ah, I see. As expected of you, Professor Deculein¡ªtruly remarkable..." ¡°For starters, bring us three servings of the Rotaili soup.¡± Primien¡¯s fingers trembled slightly. Rotaili soup¡ªmade with Rotaili mushrooms, a rare and expensive ingredient known for its ability to purify demonic energy. Although not lethal to the Scarletborn, Rotaili was one of the three forbidden foods for their kind. If consumed, it would trigger a noticeable reaction as the mushroom¡¯s demonic energy-purifying effects shed with the energy in their blood. ¡°... What¡¯s your opinion, Deputy Director Primien?¡± Bethan asked, his tone deceptively innocent. Keeping her usual stoic expression, Primien nodded and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t particrly care for mushrooms. In fact, I generally avoid them... However, given the quality of Rotaili, I suppose it¡¯s worth consuming. After all, it¡¯s said to be quite beneficial to one¡¯s health.¡± Her voice held firm, even as her heart raced. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s highly beneficial,¡± Bethan agreed with a smile, as Deculein observed in silence. From the moment they arrived at the restaurant, it was clear that this had been a test. Now cornered without realizing it, Primien knew she couldn¡¯t afford to reveal any physical signs of distress. ¡°Here is the Rotaili soup, garnished with basil,¡± the waiter said as he presented the dish. ¡°Haha, I appreciate it,¡± Bethan said, immediately taking a spoonful. Deculein ate with careful precision, while Primien paused to sip her water, dying before she touched her soup. Deculein, observing her hesitation, said, ¡°You truly dislike mushrooms that much?¡± ¡°Yes, it stems from a childhood trauma. I once ate a poisonous mushroom by mistake. Growing up in a rural area where starvation wasmon, such incidents weren¡¯t unusual.¡± Bethan interjected, ¡°But this is Rotaili, Deputy Director. By weight, it¡¯s more precious than gold. Its health benefits are unmatched, and the taste is extraordinary. You¡¯ll find it a rare delight.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Primien said as she reached for her spoon. She dipped the spoon into the soup, watching as the thick, yellow liquid slid back into the bowl. For Primien, time seemed to drag on endlessly. Drip, Drip, Drip. The thick liquid dripped back into the bowl as the restaurant echoed with the refinedughter of nobles. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears, herposure barely holding. Noticing a waiter passing by, Primien subtly used Telekinesis to draw the waiter closer to the table. The waiter cried out in surprise, stumbling and yanking the tablecloth, sending dishes crashing to the floor. The soup bowl shattered on impact. In that instant, the entire restaurant''s attention turned toward them. Primien silently exhaled in relief. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± Bethan barked. ¡°I apologize! I¡¯m truly sorry!¡± the waiter said, bowing repeatedly, her voice filled with remorse. Deculein rested his spoon on the table, turning his attention to Primien. Meeting Deculein¡¯s gaze, Bethan grinned and said, ¡°That¡¯s enough. Just bring us another bowl of soup!¡± ¡°No, I deeply apologize. I¡¯ll cover the cost of the damages¡ª¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Deculein interrupted, raising a hand to halt her. Misunderstanding Deculein''s intent, Bethan continued, "Yes, don¡¯t worry about the damages. Just bring us another soup¡ª" ¡°I said, there is no need.¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± "Don¡¯t trouble yourself with such trivial matters," Deculein said, his sharp gaze cutting off Bethan¡¯s overeagerness. "Deputy Director Primien is my guest." ¡°I-I see,¡± Bethan replied, though his expression remained doubtful as he held his tongue. Primien breathed a quiet sigh of relief as the restaurant¡¯s patrons returned to their meals, with ssical music restoring a calm atmosphere. Once the appetizer was finished, the main course was served. Primien opted for the garlic steak, while Deculein and Bethan chose the refined Paranimang fish stew. ¡°Oh, Professor, will you be going to the Training Ind as well?¡± Bethan inquired. ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°As I expected, Professor. Let¡¯s travel together, then. I also intend to stay for a while. Watching the young mages grow is truly a rare chance...¡± Bethan continued to heap praise on Deculein, his demeanor akin to that of an obedient Doberman striving to please its master. Despite Bethan''s solid frame, his shorter stature made his attempts to win favor appear almost pitiful beside Deculein¡¯smanding presence. As Primien ate her steak, she couldn¡¯t stop thinking about whether Deculein had noticed her Telekinesis earlier. He was a genius of spell interpretation¡ªsurely he hadn¡¯t overlooked such a subtle act. Her thoughts drifted, and before long, she found herself unsure if she was even tasting the steak at all. After swallowing thest bite, Primien carefully said, "Thank you for the meal. May I be excused for a moment?" "Yes, you may," Deculein replied. Primien stood and walked to the restroom in a daze. She gripped the sink tightly, staring at her reflection in the mirror. ¡°... I¡¯m feeling sick,¡± Primien muttered to herself. Primien paused to gauge how she felt, then moved to one of the stalls. The moment she entered, she expelled everything she had eaten¡ªthe steak, the wine, the greens¡ªuntil her stomach was empty. When she eventually left the restroom, she found Deculein waiting just outside. ¡°Deputy Director,¡± Deculein called. Her stomach churned again at the sight of him. In a detached tone, he said, "Did you vomit?" ¡°Yes, I think I overate. Professor, have you finished your meal?¡± "Bethan and I have finished, but Yulie is still dining." ¡°... I see. In that case, I¡¯ll excuse myself.¡± Primien was about to pass by when his voice made her stop. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware you had an aversion to mushrooms.¡± "Yes, Professor. We haven¡¯t had many meals together." "Hmm," Deculein murmured, his toneced with an unsettling undertone. Primien cleared her throat and faced him, feeling as though his gaze was piercing right through her. "Primien, do you know something?" Deculein asked. ¡°What do you mean?¡± "We previously met in Berhert, didn¡¯t we? We dined together at a restaurant there." Primien nodded. They had shared a meal in Berhert, but she couldn¡¯t fathom why he was bringing it up now. "The dish that day was steak with mushrooms." For a moment, Primien¡¯s body stiffened at his words. Deculein stayed silent, his icy blue eyes locked on her¡ªcold and vacant, like those of a specter. Faced with that ghostly gaze, Primien found herself contemting her existence, her mind going nk as her head throbbed and her heart pounded uncontrobly. But then... ¡°I was only speaking in jest,¡± Deculein said, a slight smile ying at the corners of his mouth. With a casual shrug, he added, ¡°As if I could remember... what we dined on all those years ago.¡± Pat¡ª His gloved hand settled on her shoulder. Deculein patted her shoulder twice, as if in approval, and said, ¡°You handled things well today. I apologize for Bethan¡¯sck of manners.¡± ¡°... Thank you. I wish you a pleasant evening.¡± Yulie hurried out after finishing her meal, with Deculein following her as they left the restaurant. Primien paused briefly before walking a few more steps down the hallway, then turned back toward the restroom. Primien walked back to the stall, her movements calm and measured, as if nothing had happened. Once, Twice, Three times, Four times, Five times. She retched again and again, as many times as she had questioned her life, until only yellow bile was left. "... Hmm," Primien muttered as she straightened up, gazing at herself in the mirror. "That¡¯s a bit better." Her fingers trembled slightly as she straightened her tie and brought some color back to her paleplexion. ¡°What had I eaten back then?¡± Primien couldn¡¯t recall what the meal had been, but someone else likely would. Not that it mattered anymore. "... My face is burning," Primien muttered, sshing cold water on her skin before leaning over and submerging her face under the running faucet. Chapter 88: Solda Promotion (1)

Chapter 88: Solda Promotion (1)

On the airship to the Training Ind, Bethan muttered in a subdued tone, ¡°But in the end, she didn¡¯t touch the soup.¡± ¡°Let it go. It wasn¡¯t a guaranteed method anyway,¡± I replied. ¡°... Yes, you¡¯re right. But I should¡¯ve eaten it myself rather than letting it go to waste. Does she even know the difference between Rotaili and ordinary mushrooms?¡± If a Scarletborn consumes even a small amount of Rotaili, their breathing bes strained, and their face reddens noticeably. However, this reaction is less severe in those of mixed blood, making it an unreliable means of identification. Considering Rotaili¡¯s value as a delicacy more expensive than gold, using it to identify Scarletborn is incredibly wasteful. If Primien had consumed it, her reaction would have been unmistakable. As a key named character with pure Scarletborn blood, her symptoms would have been impossible to miss. "I¡¯ve heard you open their chests to confirm by examining their hearts, Bethan." "Oh, but that¡¯s inefficient, as we can¡¯t confirm it until after they¡¯re dead. We need to identify them as Scarletborn before starting the torture. Of course, it would be a waste to use valuable Rotaili on such vermin. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve been concentrating on developing blood magictely," Bethan said with a sly grin. I turned away from his smile; it made me uneasy. [Viin¡¯s Fate: Death Variables Neutralized] ¡ô Store Currency +1 If Bethan had continued to provoke Primien, it¡¯s hard to say how she would have responded. At least I earned some currency from the system for diffusing a potential death scenario in that brief moment. I had considered confronting Primien directly, revealing that I knew she was Scarletborn, or perhaps watching her a bit longer. I¡¯d need her cooperation eventually, but it seemed premature for that now, so I chose to wait. ¡°But that Rotaili soup was exquisite. It truly is a mountain treasure,¡± Bethan said, licking his lips as if reliving the taste. The pleasure in his eyes was nearly euphoric. ¡°Yukline¡¯snds are extraordinarily fertile to produce something worthy of making Rotaili into soup.¡± Rotaili, while a type of mushroom, is unlike any other. It¡¯s a near-miraculous food that only grows in the perfect natural conditions. With the opening of Marik, its price is likely to rise even further, as nothing detoxifies demonic energy like Rotaili. ¡°It¡¯s a rare delicacy... Mmm. The taste still lingers.¡± ¡°Whenever you¡¯re in the territory during the summer, just mention my name, and you can have as much as you want. Winter is different¡ªit¡¯s harder to find then, but there¡¯s plenty in the summer.¡± Bethan¡¯s face lit up with genuine appreciation. *** By the time we reached the Training Ind, dawn had already arrived, and what should have been a day¡¯s itinerary had long overrun. We had gone from the Imperial Pce to Hadecaine, then to the Floating Ind, and now, finally, to the Training Ind. Even with my Iron Man attribute, I couldn¡¯t deny the mental exhaustion setting in. As soon as I stepped off the airship, the Chairwoman greeted me with enthusiasm, eximing, ¡°Oh?! You''re finally here, the seventh strongest!¡± Her words left me momentarily off bnce. She had been strolling along the shoreline with her dog, but the moment she noticed Bethan by my side, her eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You came with Bethan!¡± ¡°Haha, it¡¯s always a privilege to apany the Professor,¡± Bethan replied, his constant ttery growing more tiresome by the moment. ¡°By the way, Professor Deculein, did you hear?!¡± "What is it that I should hear?" I asked. ¡°One of the supervisors died on the way here!¡± The cheerful way she delivered such grim news was unsettling. I shook my head, then walked alongside her, with Bethan trailing a few steps behind. ¡°You don¡¯t look very surprised!¡± ¡°What was the cause of death, and who is the culprit?¡± ¡°No idea! They haven¡¯t investigated yet! I¡¯ll let you know when they find out!¡± The Chairwoman, always ready to gossip, seemed to know everything and loved to talk. I figured if I stayed patient, she would eventually share the details. ¡°I understand. Now, where will I be staying?¡± I hadn¡¯t been able to concentrate on my magic training with all the work piling up. Now that I was close to mastering Intermediate Telekinesis, I needed a quiet ce to train alone. ¡°Ah! Follow me!¡± The Training Ind spans three square kilometers, about the size of Yeouido[1] or roughly 300 ser fields. Despite its size, the ind only has five main buildings¡ªthe examinees'' dormitory, the examiners'' quarters, the control tower, the supply depot, and the Yukline Grand Hall. I was led to the control tower, which stood like a lighthouse at the northeastern tip of the ind. ¡°This will be your room!¡± the Chairwoman said as she opened the door. The interior of the control tower was simple yet tidy, with decor reminiscent of a luxury mansion. It had been thoroughly cleaned, leaving nothing out of ce. ¡°And this!¡± the Chairwoman continued, handing me a crystal orb. ¡°The security team outside will be monitoring the exam. They¡¯ll contact you if anything unusual urs.¡± She hurried over to therge ss window on the right side of the control tower. ¡°This is the magic mirror reserved for the person in charge. Do you know how to use it?!¡± I moved closer to the ss. A small surge of mana caused the image to shift, revealing a satellite view of the Training Ind. I touched the examinees¡¯ dormitory, and the ss zoomed in on that spot. I swiped my hand across the surface, adjusting the view as if navigating a modern map. ¡°Oh wow! You¡¯re really good at this! This must be thetest, cutting-edge magitech?!¡± It felt as natural as breathing. The sensation even stirred a bit of nostalgia, like holding the world in my hand, much like a smartphone. "It seems I don¡¯t need to exin anything! Well, I¡¯ll be off to continue my walk with Adrienne the Second." ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¡°Woof! Woof!¡± Adrienne embarked on another adventure with Adrienne the Second. I remained behind, watching the scenes unfold through the magic window. On the dormitory field, adventurers-turned-mages yed ser, while Epherene dined with some named character in the hall. Among them, a few individuals stood out to me. ¡°... As expected.¡± The first Solda exam had its share of shady figures. From this point forward, major events across the continent would face increasing interference from the Altar and the underworld. ¡°This is truly remarkable. It appears that all magical technologies are drawn to the Floating Ind. Your ability to master these enigmatic tools so swiftly is impressive, Professor,¡± Bethan added, offering yet another lengthypliment. ¡°... Bethan.¡± He still hadn¡¯t left. ¡°Yes, Professor Deculein?¡± ¡°You should rest now.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. Understood. I shall take my leave now. Please rest well, Professor.¡± Fortunately, Bethan was perceptive enough to leave me alone. After he departed, I spent some time exploring the ss interface before heading up to the rooftop of the control tower. Whoooosh¡ª The wind whipped around me as I stepped onto the rooftop. To my right, a sheer cliff fell away into drifting clouds, while to my left, the Training Ind spread out below. The mana in the air was two to three times purer and more concentrated than on the continent¡¯s surface. With the open sky in front of me, I closed my eyes and activated the spell Memorize. ¡ô Memorize Status: Beginner/Intermediate Telekinesis (49%) ©³Beginner/Intermediate Fire Control (23%) ©ÇBeginner/Intermediate Fluid Maniption (18%) ©»Metal Enhancement (80%) Imprinting the magic circle of Telekinesis onto my body demandedplete focus. As I began, the grass, stones, branches, leaves, and dirt around me started to tremble uncontrobly. Ruuuumble¡ª! A deep hum filled the air as the ground shook, and a whirlwind took shape. The maic field spiked briefly, and the atmosphere shimmered like a mirage. As my Telekinesis reached the intermediate level, the magic became so vast andplex that it started to manifest on its own. Far from the control tower, Karixel let out a soft sigh as he spied on the scene through his telescope. "A sudden attack seems out of the question," Karixel muttered. "Really? Are you sure?" someone replied to hisint. "Yes. I¡¯m not exactly sure what he¡¯s attempting, but it seems like he¡¯s using Telekinesis to tear up the ground." "Let me take a look." "Here, take a look," Karixel said, handing over the telescope with a shrug. With Karixel¡¯s magical talent for equipment, the telescope allowed him to see clearly over dozens of kilometers. "Is that... Telekinesis? Not an Earthquake?" "Exactly. An assassination or ambush would be futile. It¡¯s likely to fail, and even if it seeds, it would only make things worse. We should inform the n about this, don¡¯t you think?" "... Agreed. I assumed it was all hype, but it¡¯s more real than I expected," someone replied, nodding with a faint smile as Karixel retrieved the telescope. I was fully immersed in intense training when a notification suddenly appeared, making me tilt my head in curiosity. [Viin''s Fate: Death Variable Avoided] ¡ô Store Currency +1 "... Hmm?" It seemed someone had been targeting me, but I¡¯d somehow avoided it. Though slightly surprised, I took it as a good sign and gratefully moved on, refocusing on Memorize. I could deal with the detailster. *** The next morning, the Training Ind started filling up with advisors, professors, adventurer leaders, and corporate mages from different families and organizations. They all had the same purpose¡ªscouting for talent and building connections. They gathered on the eastern side of the Training Ind in the Yukline Grand Hall, a building made possible by Yukline¡¯s generous donation. The hall was split into two sections: the ground floor, where a thousand examinees would soon arrive, and the upper levels, reserved for those scouting them. ¡°Please find your assigned seats,¡± an attendant announced. I settled into Deculein¡¯s seat, a prime spot with an unobstructed view of the hall through the ss wall. ¡°Good morning, Professor, hahaha,¡± Bethan said with a respectful smile, representing the Beorad family. Nearby stood Mille, the head mage of the Crumacto Merchant Guild; Louina, representing McQueen; Essensil of the Bran family; and several executives from the Mage Towers of various kingdoms. ¡°Please take an acrylic sheet,¡± an attendant said, distributing sheets with the names of the examinees. Sylvia¡¯s name appeared at the top of the list, probably reflecting the high expectations for her. A sense of unease settled over me as I saw it. Then, a voice drew my attention. ¡°... Well, well, Deculein, if it isn¡¯t our seventh strongest,¡± Giltheon, the representative of Iliade, remarked as he took the seat beside me. I met his gaze and replied evenly, ¡°It has been some time, Giltheon.¡± The atmosphere immediately turned cold. The Chairwoman, who had been quietly observing, perked up and eagerly jumped into the conversation. ¡°Giltheon! I heard you¡¯re now the tenth strongest! Deculein has moved ahead by three ces!¡± the Chairwoman remarked. ¡°Haha, yes. It¡¯s somewhat disappointing, but it¡¯s to be expected. I¡¯m aging, while Deculein continues to grow.¡± ¡°But wouldn¡¯t it be interesting to watch the two of you duel?!¡± ¡°Hmm, that might not be a bad idea. Lately, I¡¯ve sensed I¡¯m being underestimated since I haven¡¯t been on the front lines.¡± ¡°Exactly! Yes, yes!¡± the Chairwoman eximed, clearly thrilled at the prospect. Giltheon smiled widely. ¡°Ha! Could an old man like him really challenge the Professor?¡± Bethan, now one of my close aides, remarked deferentially. Giltheon cast him a bemused nce and said, ¡°Well... when did you two be so close?¡± ¡°Why not let the students see a magic duel between you two? It might give them a needed reality check,¡± the Chairwoman suggested, her excitement evident. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡± a familiar voice interrupted, halting the Chairwoman. It was Louina von Schlott McQueen. The Chairwoman red at her and snapped, ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve!¡± ¡°What is the purpose of intimidating the examinees? And since when did we begin ranking mages based solely onbat ability? If that is the case, why not disqualify all but the destruction-type mages? After all, neither Giltheon nor Professor Deculein ranks higher than Mage Rogerio.¡± ¡°Hah? Oh, I was just watchin¡¯ with interest. Why the sudden interrupt¡¯n? Hahah,¡± Rogerio said, scratching her pink hair with a sheepish smile. She¡¯s a recognized genius in Ductility and Supportive magic, reaching Ethereal rank by her mid-twenties. Her rise wasrgely due to the legendary feat of constructing a castle in just one day. ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate. I would have liked to measure my strength against the seventh strongest. Even at my age, I might still prevail. In fact, I believe I would,¡± Giltheon remarked, his words grating on me. If we were to fight, I¡¯d likely lose, but my pride wouldn¡¯t let me back down from the challenge. ¡°Giltheon,¡± I growled, locking him in a cold stare. My voice held a restrained fury. ¡°You won¡¯t survive if you try.¡± ¡°Hmm, I could think of worse oues,¡± Giltheon remarked with a smile, as the Chairwoman and Bethan watched with interest, and Louina sighed. What unsettled me most was the look on Giltheon¡¯s face. He seemed to embrace the idea of his own death genuinely. ¡°... That¡¯s enough, Deculein. You too, Giltheon. The exam is about to begin,¡± Gindalf, the eldest among us, said firmly. I quietly turned my gaze to the hall, where the mages were gathering. The Solda promotion exam was a major event, drawing not only mages but adventurers as well. With the Floating Ind¡¯s lenient stance toward criminals and ex-convicts, there was no predicting what unexpected incidents might unfold. ¡°Please take a moment to review the acrylic sheets. They contain the personal details and qualifications of the examinees. Kindly mark the most noteworthy candidates, as this is an essential part of the exam. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated,¡± a mage exined earnestly. ¡°Let me reiterate that the acrylic sheets contain the personal details and qualifications of the examinees. Please mark the most noteworthy candidates, as this is an important part of the exam. We kindly ask for your cooperation¡ª¡± I marked down the names of Epherene, Sylvia, and a few other familiar names. *** Epherene sat quietly, taking in the scene. The hall was filled with an overwhelming number of mages, which was understandable¡ªearning the title of Solda was seen as the true beginning of a mage¡¯s career. Many adventurers aspired to this rank, and some mages, even those who had already achieved it, were here for another attempt. It was well-known that passing the Solda exam made future promotions significantly easier. At that moment, a clear, resonant voice rang out from the stage as the speaker said, ¡°Wee, everyone! I¡¯m delighted to see you all!¡± Adrienne, the Chairwoman of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, stood on the stage with a childlike smile. She was renowned for her immense magical reserves and formidable destructive power. ¡°The Solda promotion exam will begin shortly! Do you see the observation seats above?!¡± Everyone looked up. Beyond the ss wall, figures dressed in luxurious clothing were visible. Among them, Deculein stood out prominently. ¡°Many havee to see you. Some of you may already belong to an adventuring guild, but it¡¯s still important to make a good impression, right?!¡± the Chairwoman said, raising both hands in excitement. ¡°These individuals will be observing you during the exam! While they won¡¯t be monitoring you constantly, making a good impression could significantly impact your future career! They are all prominent figures in the Magical Realm!¡± Tap, tap, tap¡ª With a sharp rap on the podium, the Chairwoman announced, ¡°Now, let¡¯s officially begin the Solda exam! A thousand examinees is too many, so we¡¯ll have to reduce that number!¡± She closed her eyes and released a wave of mana that enveloped her entire body, transforming it into a concentrated mass of pure mana. Swooosh¡ª! With a soft murmur, her mana rippled through the hall, flooding it with blinding light. Epherene grimaced and muttered under her breath. ¡°Everyone, let the first exam begin!¡± At the sound of the Chairwoman''s voice, they opened their eyes, no longer in the hall but surrounded by a dense forest. ¡°... Damn,¡± Epherene whispered. She quickly grasped that Adrienne had just cast Grand Magic: Mass Teleportation. It was said that the Archmage Demakan had once achieved such a feat, and now Adrienne had nearly reached that same pinnacle. ¡°Where am I...?¡± Epherene narrowed her eyes, peering through the thick, white fog that surrounded her. Around 100 to 200 examinees stood nearby, all of them looking just as confused as she was. It seemed they had been divided into groups of roughly 20% and dispersed to different locations. A boy¡¯s voice suddenly echoed through the fog, saying, ¡°Greetings, everyone.¡± Epherene, startled, turned to find a short man emerging from the fog. ¡°I am Mimic, the supervisor of the Solda exam.¡± Mimic. It was an unusual name. He wore a in robe and a crossbody bag, but his small stature¡ªlikely around four foot seven¡ªwas what stood out the most. ¡°The Solda promotion exam assesses your abilities, potential, and knowledge as a mage. It is a test of practical skills and achievements beyond the academy level.¡± ¡°Wow~!¡± a voice of admiration echoed from somewhere. Epherene turned to see a woman whose face was nearly hidden by a beret and mask, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°The first exam is simple,¡± Mimic continued, retrieving a map from his crossbody bag. A single sheet quickly multiplied into hundreds, dispersing among the examinees. ¡°Your objective is to reach the designated location for the second exam. The means by which you do so are unimportant.¡± Epherene studied the map. It was simple, with circles marking various locations, but she had no idea where she was. ¡°There is not just one destination on the map; there are nine in total. Now, please proceed,¡± Mimic instructed before vanishing into the fog. ¡°Miss Epherene!¡± ¡°Ah, you scared me!¡± Epherene snapped, ring at Karixel, who had suddenly appeared behind her. ¡°Haha, my apologies. Shall we proceed together?¡± Karixel suggested with a lightugh. ¡°... Together?¡± Epherene asked, ncing around again. Sylvia was nowhere in sight, likely transported to a different location. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do it.¡± ¡°Um, excuse me~ Would it be alright if I joined you as well~?¡± a soft,nguid voice called out from behind. Epherene eyed the woman with suspicion and asked, ¡°Who might you be? Please introduce yourself.¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯m... I¡¯m Maiho! I haven¡¯t been studying magic for very long, but I was fortunate enough to qualify for the promotion exam!¡± ¡°Where are you from?¡± ¡°From Y-Yuren¡ªno, the Leoc Kingdom~¡± ¡°... Is it Yuren or Leoc?¡± ¡°The Leoc Kingdom~¡± Maiho replied with a shy smile. Epherene crossed her arms, considered it for a moment, then nodded and said, ¡°Okay, then. Let¡¯s go together. I¡¯m Epherene, and this is Karixel.¡± ¡°Oh, okay, okay. Thank you~ I assure you, I won¡¯t be a burden!¡± Epherene, Karixel, and Maiho came together as a team. ... I watched their every move through the video on the ss screen. ¡°How is everything going?¡± Louina asked as she caught up with me, sipping her coffee as she left the hall. ¡°Do you intend to stay long?¡± I inquired. ¡°No, we¡¯re leaving today. I¡¯ll continue monitoring everything through this acrylic magic panel,¡± Louina, the McQueen family¡¯s representative, said as she waved the panel in her right hand. ¡°Why, Boss. Should I remain?¡± Louina asked with a yful tone, her eyes narrowing slyly. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. You are the supervisor, right?¡± ¡°I have not been assigned any major tasks yet.¡± I had already received my supervisor duties in writing, so all that remained was to carry out the instructions. ¡°Security should be sufficient, right? After all, who would dare challenge the seventh strongest?¡± I clicked my tongue. Hearing myself called the seventh strongest always made me cringe. Tap¡ª! Louina finished her coffee, checked her pocket watch, and set the cup down. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s time for my airship. I¡¯ll take my leave now, Boss~¡± ¡°No,¡± I said, halting Louina as she turned to leave. She stopped mid-step and nced back at me. ¡°I¡¯ve reconsidered.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Stay.¡± ¡°... What?¡± Louina said, tilting her head in confusion. I repeated myself. ¡°I said, stay.¡± Louina¡¯s face twisted oddly. *** Clip, clop¡ª clip, clop¡ª Sylvia rode through the fog on a horse created from Primary Colors, pausing briefly to check the map. ¡°... It¡¯s moving.¡± The circle on the map had moved from its initial position. Sylvia wondered if it was an error, a w in the map, or if the destination itself was shifting. Her uncertaintysted only about fifteen seconds. ¡°The destination isn¡¯t a building¡ªit¡¯s a person,¡± Sylvia concluded. Since the target was moving, it couldn¡¯t be a fixed location, which exined the numerous potential destinations. It was likely the supervisor for the second test. ¡°Giddy up,¡± Sylvia said, gently pulling on the reins. Since the target was a person, there was no need to rush. She only had to move slowly and track its location. As she continued, she noticed an odd box partially buried in some vines. Sylvia blinked at the sight, thinking it might be part of the test. They had mentioned possible bonuses. After a brief hesitation, she dismounted and reached out to touch the box. ¡°Stop!¡± a voice suddenly called out. Sylvia flinched, turned toward the sound, and asked, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± A man and a woman emerged from the fog. ¡°Good day, Miss Sylvia. I¡¯m Reylie, and this is Dozmu,¡± Reylie introduced herself calmly. ¡°The reason I told you to stop is that it¡¯s a Mimic¡ªa monster that disguises itself as a box. Watch.¡± Then Reylie manifested Fireball. ¡°Kreeeek¡ª!¡± the box screamed as the Fireball hit it, sprouted legs, and fled. ¡°... Clever creature. But don¡¯t worry too much. Even a genius would have trouble recognizing it without prior experience.¡± Sylvia nodded, aware that she had narrowly escaped serious harm. ¡°I¡¯m familiar with you, Reylie,¡± Sylvia said. ¡°Me? You know me? How?¡± ¡°The Red Ga Adventure Team.¡± Reylie appeared genuinely moved and replied, ¡°It seems our name has spread recently. Most people are only familiar with our leader, Ganesha, so I appreciate your recognition~!¡± ¡°What brings you to the Solda exam?¡± ¡°Well, I remain a Solda myself. It¡¯s rather embarrassing, but I failed quite badly during my first attempt at the exam, which prevented me from advancing further. I¡¯m here to make another attempt. The gentleman beside me is in a simr position,¡± Reylie said with a bright smile. She then walked over to Sylvia and admired the horse closely. ¡°Wow, crafting a horse from Primary Colors. That¡¯s truly impressive. However, Miss Sylvia...¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve noticed some discrepancies whileparing maps. To verify our suspicions, we need topare it with at least two more... Could you show us yours? We¡¯ve already reviewed Dozmu¡¯s,¡± Reylie inquired, casually twirling a strand of hair. Dozmu, showing little interest in the situation, gave a casual yawn. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll show you,¡± Sylvia replied, retrieving her map. In that instant, before Sylvia could react, Dozmu feigning disinterest, lunged forward, snatched the map from her hands, and with Reylie disappeared in a sh. Fwoosh¡ª! Sylvia stood in shock as the two vanished in an instant. It all happened so fast and unexpectedly that she couldn¡¯t process it, much less decide how to react. The thought that Reylie from the Red Ga Adventure Team¡ªa character from fairy tales¡ªwas actually a con artist left her reeling. ¡°Come back,¡± Sylvia whispered atst, her voice fading into the fog. Whoosh¡ª The wind stirred the branches around her. In the icy silence, Sylvia could only look down at the small piece of the map left in her hand. 1. Yeouido is a district in South Korea that covers an area of four and a half square kilometers. ? Chapter 89: Solda Promotion (2)

Chapter 89: Solda Promotion (2)

Sylvia clenched the map fragment in her hand, staring at the small piece before closing her eyes. The category of magic or its properties didn¡¯t matter now. She focused on the texture of the map she had felt, recalling its structure and function. Gradually, the Primary Colors formed a shape. The stolen map, the one Sylvia had touched, began to regenerate from the fragment, slowly taking form. Though she had never done this before, the map was soon fully restored, identical to the original. Even the red circle moved just as it had before. ¡°Reylie from the Red Ga Adventure Team,¡± Sylvia muttered, her voice cold as she clenched her small fists tightly. ¡°Iliade thrives on anger. Trials that do not kill only make Iliade stronger.¡± This must have been the growth Giltheon had spoken of. Sylvia had once believed in the legendary deeds of Reylie and Dozmu, as described in the fairy tales. But now, they would pay for their betrayal. She was certain they would cross paths again during the exam, and she would never forgive what they had done. ¡°I won¡¯t be fooled again,¡± Sylvia murmured, admitting to herself her inexperience. Sylvia realized her naivety but was slowly beginning to grasp the harsh realities of battle. She nced at the sky and saw that the sun was already setting. Reaching into her pocket, she retrieved a mana stone and created a bat, linking her vision with its own. As the bat flew off, Sylvia observed her surroundings through its eyes. As Sylvia examined her map, she reflected on why Reylie had required three maps. Then, she recalled the Chairwoman¡¯s remark just before the exam started¡ªmentioning that a thousand examinees were far too many. At that moment, Sylvia finally understood the true significance of those words. ¡°It¡¯s not a destination,¡± Sylvia realized. The map didn¡¯t indicate a destination; it marked a target. If everyone on this map was a target, the objective became clear. ¡°Targets,¡± Sylvia murmured, her eyes hardening with resolve. Meanwhile, along the coast on the outskirts of the Training Ind, Dozmu murmured as he strolled by the sea beneath the sky-bound ind, ¡°Giltheon is a peculiar man, offering money to those who would torment his own daughter.¡± Reylie chuckled. As soon as they registered for the Solda exam, Giltheon had approached them with his unusual request. ¡°Dozmu, there¡¯s no use in trying to understand mages. It¡¯s pointless.¡± ¡°But we¡¯re mages too.¡± ¡°We¡¯re the ones who left because we couldn¡¯t tolerate that society~¡± Reylie said with a shrug. ¡°But I think I understand Giltheon¡¯s intention. Sylvia is still inexperienced. He likely believes it¡¯s better for her to learn from minor setbacks with us rather than face a catastrophic betrayalter on.¡± Lions are known to raise their cubs with strict discipline. Reylie took out a map. She had four in total, including Sylvia¡¯s, and murmured, ¡°Alright~ Now that we have them all...¡± As Reylie received the maps from the supervisor, their purpose quickly became clear. The nine circles on each map represented targets, but there was no need to steal all nine. By ovepping just three maps, part of the hidden magic circle would emerge, and with Reylie¡¯s insight, she could infer the entire circle from that fragment. ¡°Wooh!¡± Zooom¡ª A blue passageway materialized with a faint hum¡ªa Short-Range Portal. ¡°Finished~¡± Reylie and Dozmu exchanged a quick high-five and moved toward the Short-Range Portal. But just as they reached it, Reylie suddenly hesitated. ¡°Hmm?¡± Reylie felt a presence. Robed figures began to rise from the ocean beneath the Training Ind, pushing through the underbrush as they moved ind. "How did they manage to get up here?" ¡°... Must be the Altar,¡± Dozmu suggested. Reylie pressed her lips together and said, "Perhaps. But for now, let''s leave. This sort of matter falls under the Security Chief¡¯s jurisdiction, doesn¡¯t it?" ¡°You mean the seventh strongest?¡± ¡°Yep, that would be Professor Deculein¡¯s job.¡± Reylie smirked, and with that, she and Dozmu stepped into the Short-Range Portal. *** Night hadpletely fallen. I stared at Sylvia''s reflection in the ss of the control tower before turning off the screen. Arge moon hung in the sky, its pale light casting a soft glow across the room. Using it as my only source of illumination, I reached into my inner pocket and pulled out the Untitled Notebook¡ªa diary filled with Deculein¡¯s memories. Inside were memories of a past unfamiliar to me¡ªSylvia and her mother, Giltheon and Deculein, Yukline and Iliade, and even Deculein¡¯s father. As Kim Woo-Jin, I found myself hesitating, unsure if merging these memories with mine would alter who I truly was. ¡°... How ridiculous,¡± I murmured. It was an unnecessary worry. This was just a diary. There wasn¡¯t a single memory in it that my unwavering resolve couldn¡¯t handle. ¡ª Can you hear me? Just as I was about to open the diary, the crystal orb in my pocket buzzed with Yulie¡¯s voice. "I hear you." ¡ª Ah, are you well? Yulie, unfortunately, wasn¡¯t able to enter the Floating Ind. She had attended the previous Symposium, the ce of Verification, but strict rules barred her froming back. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡ª That¡¯s good to hear. I¡¯m relieved. Her words were meant to be reassuring, but the concern in her tone was unmistakable. I chuckled softly and said, ¡°Is my well-being troubling you so much that it¡¯s taking a toll on your health?¡± ¡ª This is no time to be joking around. Her response left me feeling somewhat embarrassed. ¡°... What is it?¡± ¡ª I¡¯ve been informed that a surge of demonic energy has rendered all airships on the Floating Ind inoperable. The airships, the only means of travel between the Training Ind and the Floating Ind, were now grounded. ¡ª However, another flying object has been detected on the radar, suggesting an infiltration of the Training Ind. We are now in a state of emergency, and I am en route as well. "You¡¯re on your way? But you just mentioned that the airships aren¡¯t operational." ¡ª There is another way. Please wait a moment; I will be there soon¡ª Zzzzt¡ª! Themunication through the crystal orb abruptly ended, a clear sign that something serious was unfolding. ¡°Something¡¯s gone terribly wrong!¡± Louina eximed as she stumbled down the stairs, bursting into the room. She had opted to stay another night in the control tower. Holding a fountain pen, she was clearly winded. ¡°This is a catastrophe!¡± "The airships, I presume?" I said. "... You already knew?" Louina¡¯s expression shifted to one of surprise. "I was just informed." "Oh dear. We''re in the midst of a significant project... So why did you ask me to stay?" It was because of the death variable. While I had managed to avoid it, its very existence suggested a serious danger. Even so, I hadn¡¯t expected Louina to stay without question. She¡¯d been surprisingly cooperativetely. ¡°... You¡¯re not going to answer me, are you?¡± Louina said, pouting as she poured herself a cup of coffee. She handed me a sheet of paper filled with intricate spells, likely tied to her current project. ¡°I¡¯m stuck on this part, so if it¡¯s not too much trouble, could you at least give me a hint?¡± I said, ¡°My revisions don¡¯te cheap.¡± ¡°If your revisions prove valuable, I¡¯ll give you credit.¡± I reviewed the document with Comprehension. The project involved a Remote Barrier¡ªa crucial defense against demonic beasts. It aligned with concepts from a book I had recently studied, Advanced Grimoire: Principles of Barrier. ¡°It¡¯s a barrier,¡± I said. "This is a barrier, but the circuit is highly inefficient. Maintaining it for a day consumes twenty-two pounds of mana stones. No one would use something so impractical." ¡°Let me take a closer look,¡± I said, as I used Telekinesis to control the fountain pen she held. I began writing, guided by my intuition and knowledge. Rustle¡ª Rustle¡ª As my attribute amplified my thoughts and calctions, I evaluated the project with wless magical insight, making precise adjustments at critical points. The process cost me around 2,000 mana points, but it was a worthwhile reward for Louina staying behind. ¡°... Take this.¡± ¡°Hmm? You finished so quickly, Boss. Did you just scribble randomly...¡± She began reading my revisions with a skeptical look, but as she continued, her eyes widened in realization. ¡°... Oh, you didn¡¯t. My goodness.¡± Louina¡¯s reaction was sincere. Being a genius herself, she understood it right away. I shrugged and said, ¡°I recently read a book that might benefit your research. I¡¯ll lend it to you when you¡¯re back. For now, you can help me with my work here.¡± ¡°With work, you mean security...?¡± Louina asked, her eyes still focused on my revisions. ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°But will I be of any help? The Seventh¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t refer to me as the Seventh Strongest.¡± ¡°... Why not? It¡¯s true,¡± Louina said, blinking up at me. After a brief sigh, she nodded. ¡°Well... I guess titles like that don¡¯t really matter.¡± Her tone carried an unexpected sadness. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll assist. You should be careful not to overexert yourself.¡± Louina seemed unusually quiet. Without a word, I reactivated the ss window, and the distant sky gave way to thendscape of the exam field. And then... A suspicious group came into view on the screen. *** As the night grew colder, Epherene dug a burrow. She reinforced the walls with supports for stability and covered the entrance with leaves for camouge. Drawing on memories of ying make-believe survival games in the countryside as a child, she now used magic to rece the simple structures she once built by hand. ¡°This is incredible~ So corat~ So corat~¡± Maiho eximed, pping her hands in admiration. ¡°Corat? What¡¯s that? Are there rats here?¡± Epherene asked, frowning slightly. ¡°It¡¯s corat! In Yuren, it meansfortable.¡± ¡°... But didn¡¯t you say you were from Leoc?¡± Epherene asked, her suspicion making Maiho flinch. Maiho quicklyughed it off and changed the subject, saying, ¡°So, are we spending the night here~?¡± Epherene stifled a yawn and said, ¡°I¡¯m feeling a bit tired, but we can¡¯t rest until we understand what these maps mean.¡± Setting down her map, she added, ¡°These circles keep moving. It¡¯s really frustrating.¡± Bubble, bubble¡ª The soup¡¯s bubbling sound caught Epherene¡¯s attention, drawing her to where Karixel was cooking nearby. The air was thick with a savory aroma that made Epherene instinctively swallow, her anticipation growing. Noticing Epherene''s reaction, Maiho asked, ¡°By the way, Miss Epherene, where are you from~?¡± ¡°Me? I¡¯m from the Mage Tower of the Empire.¡± ¡°Oh! Then you must know Professor Deculein~?¡± Maiho eximed, pping her hands again. Epherene replied casually, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve attended his sses.¡± ¡°Wow! Amazing, amazing! So, would you say Professor Deculein is your mentor?¡± ¡°... Mentor? More like my greatest enemy.¡± ¡°Sorry?!¡± Maiho said, her eyes widening in shock. Karixel, who had been stirring the soup, also nced at Epherene, equally surprised. Epherene gave a bitter smile, shrugged, and said, ¡°I¡¯m just kidding.¡± It wasn¡¯t something she could easily discuss. Epherene held onto her anger, waiting for the day she could finally take her revenge. Lately, though, she had begun to experience brief moments of rity. The truth was that Deculein and Yukline¡¯s power was so overwhelming that it was bing harder for her to fuel her resolve with anger alone. Epherene had shed with Sylvia and challenged the noble professors, but her defiance only led to reprimands and increasing istion. Over time, she began to grow numb, gradually epting the harsh reality of her circumstances. Perhaps this was what it meant to grow up. Yet, despite everything, her faith in her father remained steadfast, and her resolve to uncover the truth never faltered. ¡°Here, the soup is ready,¡± Karixel announced, handing them bowls filled with pumpkin soup made from ingredients gathered on the Training Ind and seasoned with spices favored by adventurers. Epherene and Maiho both dipped their spoons into the soup and tasted it. ¡°Wow. This is delicious.¡± ¡°It truly is~ So delicious, delicious~¡± ¡°How did you prepare this? We didn¡¯t even have any water.¡± ¡°Consider it a special talent of mine, haha,¡± Karixel said with a smile as he pulled out an empty cup. Although the cup was empty, it quickly filled with water, prompting Epherene to gasp in surprise. Karixel, wearing a modest grin, exined, ¡°It¡¯s a bitplex, but I like to call it the Midas Touch.¡± ¡°That¡¯s quite practical. Could you teach me this magic?¡± Epherene asked. ¡°It¡¯s not something that can be taught. It¡¯s innate, haha,¡± Karixel said, scratching the back of his neck bashfully, leaving Epherene with a trace of disappointment. At that moment... ¡°Shh,¡± Karixel whispered, raising a finger to his lips. While Epherene and Maiho quietly ate their soup, Karixel closed his eyes, directing all his focus to the ground above them. Rustle¡ª Rustle¡ª The sound of several footsteps approached, right above their hiding ce. Karixel bit his lip and said, ¡°We have to move. There are enemies directly above us.¡± ¡°Huh? Enemies?¡± Staying underground would only result in them being cornered. Karixel quickly opened the ceiling, and Epherene and Maiho hurried out. Once above ground, they were met by several figures dressed in ck robes. Rather than carrying wands or staff, these figures brandished daggers. Epherene immediately activated the bracelet on her wrist. ¡°... I apologize. This is likely my fault,¡± Karixel said, running a hand through his hair. Epherene nced at him, puzzled, and asked, ¡°What do you mean, it¡¯s your fault?¡± Before Karixel could respond, Maiho shook her head sadly and said, ¡°No, no. It¡¯s my fault... I never should have...¡± Epherene frowned, her confusion deepening as the air grew thick with tension, the intruders'' murderous intent sharpening with each passing moment. Karixel stepped forward and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this.¡± A ghostly aura enveloped the assassins, their sharp mana merging with murderous intent, forming a tangible and menacing aura. ¡°Both of you, please run¡ª¡± Before Karixel could finish, the assassins lunged¡ªonly to freeze in midair as a voice, cold and sharp, sliced through the tension. ¡°This is your only warning,¡± the voice continued, chilling the air around them. The assassins stumbled, their jump disrupted, forcing them tond unsteadily. ¡°Unauthorized personnel are prohibited from entering Training Ind during the exam.¡± The intruders turned in the direction of the voice, their eyes searching the darkness. "You are hereby banished from the exam area." Rustle... Rustle... The man stepped out from the shadows, the leaves rustling softly underfoot as he drew closer. ¡°If you disregard my warning and take even a single step closer to harm these examinees,¡± Deculein said. Wooooosh¡ª A low hum filled the air as twenty Wood Steel shurikens hovered beside him, each one targeting the assassins. "I will end your life," Deculein concluded. The assassins stayed perfectly still, fully grasping the weight of Deculein''s words. Cold sweat appeared on some of their foreheads. His reputation worked to his advantage today¡ªthe seventh strongest on the continent, an opponent acknowledged by Rohakan. These titles resonated in their minds, causing a shiver to run through them. Even veteran assassins, ustomed to the inevitability of death, hesitated when confronted with a pointless demise. It wasn¡¯t the prospect of dying that gave them pause, but the futility of such an end. They understood they couldn¡¯t hope to match Deculein¡¯s power, especially when they hadn¡¯t even reached Rohakan¡¯s level. "Let''s go! Now!" Karixel shouted, taking advantage of the moment to flee with Epherene and Maiho. As the trio vanished from sight, the assassins had no choice but to flee in the opposite direction. Despite their swift retreat, Deculein wasn¡¯t about to let them go without consequence. A Wood Steel shuriken darted after them, swiftly closing the distance. *** In a forest far more tranquil than where Epherene was, Sylvia obtained her third map from her assigned target. ¡°H-here, take it, Miss Sylvia. It¡¯s yours,¡± the man stammered as he handed it over. Sylvia added the map to the others,yering the three together. Following Reylie¡¯s method, she deciphered the hidden magic circle and activated a Short-Range Portal. Zooom¡ª A blue passageway formed in the air with a faint hum. Sylvia cast a nce at the male mage she had taken the map from. He knelt on the ground, swallowing nervously as he stared at the portal. Sylvia stepped into the portal without a word. ¡°Arrrgh¡ª!¡± Three secondster, the male mage followed with a scream. The portal wasn¡¯t restricted to a single user, so there had been no need to fight him. ¡°P-Phew... Phew...¡± the man gasped, copsing to the ground, struggling to catch his breath. Sylvia ignored him and took in her surroundings. The chamber was dimly lit, with long pews lining the dark walls. Around twenty wizards who had passed the exam were scattered throughout the space, some eating while others rested. But Sylvia¡¯s focus remained on two figures, Reylie and Dozmu. ¡°Oh!¡± When Reylie met Sylvia''s gaze, she flinched but quickly forced a smile as she walked over. ¡°Ah, M-Miss Sylvia, you made it after all,¡± Reylie said, her tone exaggeratedly cheerful. Sylvia remained quiet, her golden eyes burning with a fierce, icy resolve. Reylie hesitantly extended her hand toward Sylvia and said, ¡°Oh,e on~ Please, don¡¯t look at me like that~ I was certain you¡¯d make it here~¡± ¡°Don¡¯t touch me. I¡¯m holding back,¡± Sylvia warned. ¡°... Ha... haha... haha... There¡¯s an exnation for all of this...¡± Reylie stammered, her voice trembling under the pressure of Sylvia¡¯s imposing presence. Feeling the tension rise, Reylie darted a nervous nce around for Dozmu, only to find he had already disappeared. She silently cursed him for abandoning her at such a critical moment. ¡°Hmm. Twenty of you are present?¡± the exam supervisor''s voice cut in as he appeared. Reylie promptly turned her focus to the supervisor, as Sylvia clicked her tongue in frustration. ¡°Few have arrived so far,¡± Mimic, the supervisor, noted in a youthful voice. ¡°But I¡¯ll provide some advance notice now. Please pay attention. The second test is Mentor and Mentee.¡± Chapter 90: Pendant? (1)

Chapter 90: Pendant? (1)

... Sylvia rested her head on someone¡¯s arm in her dream, finding it warm and firm, just right as a pillow. But it wasn¡¯t enough, so she moved closer, burying her face against his chest. Concerned she might be too forward, she felt reassured when he pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her. Warmth filled her heart. The ground beneath her was soft, like grass, as flowers bloomed around her and butterflies and bees danced in the air. Everything was beautiful, as though the whole world were hers. Yet, a lingering doubt caused a dull ache in her heart. He seemed to sense it, pulling her closer and whispering reassurances. Sylvia smiled, feeling a deep sense of peace in his embrace. She was no longer alone, no longer burdened by the weight of loneliness or sorrow, now that he was with her... Sylvia¡¯s eyes opened slowly to the sight of the ceiling in the artificial shelter she had made. Scrub, scrub¡ª She touched her eyes, her fingertipsing away wet with tears. ¡°... Ah.¡± The dream had been so blissful that it left her feeling empty. The emotions she had tried so hard to suppress surged within her, and the voice of someone refusing to let her ruin her life echoed in her mind once more. Sylvia pressed her hands against her face, her breathing bing erratic as panic began to overwhelm her. She shook for a moment before reaching into her pocket, pulling out a vial, and quickly swallowing the pill inside. ¡°Sigh...¡± The overwhelming panic receded almost instantly, allowing her breathing to even out as she slowly regained herposure. Whooosh... She then began to break down the space she had formed with Primary Colors. As the hues slowly dissolved, the scene around her came into focus, revealing several people who had gathered nearby. Epherene smirked and said, ¡°Sylvia. I figured it was you.¡± She stood nearby with Karixel and another woman. Sylvia gave a slight nod and replied, ¡°Foolish Epherene. You actually managed to pass.¡± "Hmph. Of course I did. By the way, we were attacked earlier. Some strange people infiltrated the area¡ª" Epherene started to boast, but Sylvia remained indifferent, not even turning to look at her. At that moment, the exam supervisor, Mimic, announced, ¡°Alright, the 72 hours are up, and the exam is now over. Please gather around. Out of 1,013 participants, 113 have passed the first test. The remaining 900 will be assigned to different exams based on their categories.¡± The examinees settled into their seats, their attention focused on the supervisor as he wrote names into the air. "The second test is Mentor and Mentee. Consider it an interview. Select one of the listed supervisors and present yourself for evaluation." The names of several esteemed mages appeared¡ªGindalf, Rogerio, Deculein, Ihelm, Crancia, and others. While Gindalf and Rogerio were particrly renowned, Sylvia¡¯s focus had already settled on one name. "You have 30 minutes to choose and position yourself in front of your selected supervisor''s door." The darkness in the corridor gradually receded, revealing a row of interview rooms. Each door disyed a namete with the name of a supervisor. Sylvia walked toward the door marked Deculein. "Debutant Sylvia, Debutant Epherene, and several other Debutants are not permitted to be evaluated by Professor Deculein," Mimic abruptly announced. Sylvia narrowed her eyes, and Epherene, standing behind her, frowned and asked, ¡°What is the reason?¡± ¡°Because you are from the same university, which raises concerns about fairness.¡± Sylvia hesitated before finally choosing the door marked Rogerio, a young mage who had attained the rank of Ethereal. After a moment¡¯s pause, Epherene headed for Gindalf¡¯s door. "Please be aware that the higher the supervisor''s rank and reputation, the more difficult the interview may be," Mimic cautioned. Sylvia pouted as she nced toward Deculein¡¯s door. Two people stood before it¡ªone was Karixel, whom she recognized, but the woman beside him was a stranger to her. *** At the same time, only two participants, Karixel and Maiho, had chosen Deculein as their examiner. Deculein¡¯s reputation for being difficult had apparently discouraged most of the hundred or so candidates, leaving only these two. Karixel smiled brightly and said, ¡°Miss Maiho, I¡¯ll go in first.¡± ¡°Yes, please do~¡± Maiho replied cheerfully. Karixel stepped into the roombeled with Deculein¡¯s name. The room was minimalistic and neat, with Deculein seated at the far end. ¡°Good day, Professor Deculein. I appreciate your help earlier,¡± Karixel said as he closed the door behind him and approached. He expressed his gratitude for Deculein¡¯s earlier help, but Deculein showed little interest in formalities. ¡°Sit.¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Karixel said as he took a seat. Before Deculein could speak, he added, ¡°Professor, is this evaluation being recorded or monitored by a crystal orb?¡± ¡°What difference does it make?¡± Deculein replied curtly, ncing at Karixel¡¯s report. He noted the details¡ªage 33, three children, name Karixel. Karixel continued with a serious tone, "It''s important, Professor. Please, I need to know." Deculein replied, ¡°... I¡¯m only writing a report. There are no recordings or monitoring.¡± Karixel nodded, his expression firm. ¡°Thank you, Professor.¡± Then, to Deculein¡¯s surprise, he calmly stated, ¡°I am a Scarletborn.¡± Deculein looked up from the report, momentarily startled by the bold deration. He tilted his head slightly, assessing the situation. ¡°Haha... My goal from the beginning was to speak with you in private. Though we¡¯ve met twice before, there were too many eyes on us then, so I waited.¡± ¡°Were you aware of the test beforehand?¡± Deculein asked. ¡°Yes, Professor. To a certain degree,¡± Karixel admitted. Deculein listened in silence, withholding any response. ¡°I¡¯vee to negotiate, Professor. The recent Grand Festival incident was not nned by our n. We only wish for peace.¡± Deculein remained still, the report held in his hands as he listened intently. ¡°That incident was nned by a religious cult known as the Altar. Our Great Elder will soon issue an official statement. If you desire, he is also prepared to engage in dialogue with the Empire¡ª¡± Deculein''s face darkened without warning. Thud¡ª! Leaning forward, Deculein fixed his gaze on Karixel and stated, ¡°The Great Elder will be killed the moment he reveals himself.¡± Karixel¡¯s heart nearly stopped. He knew that Deculein¡¯s words were not to be taken lightly. The Great Elder¡¯s appearance would activate death triggers and sudden events, leaving no room for escape. ¡°I will correct myself. If he sets foot on Imperial soil or reveals himself in any way, I will personally ensure his death,¡± Deculein said, his voice cold and resolute. This was the most dire warning that could be issued to the Great Elder, whose survival was essential to his people. Deculein leaned back in his chair and said, ¡°... Your courage ismendable. Since the Floating Ind isn¡¯t subject to the continent¡¯sws, what you¡¯ve said will remain here. However...¡± Deculein''s stare weighed heavily on Karixel, the ghostly aura around him intensifying the pressure with every moment that passed. "Don''t misunderstand. This is not the time for Scarletborn like you to act, especially not in my presence. Disappear before you''re eradicated. That''s my advice to you." Karixel had expected the negotiation to fail, but he was ready for this. His true goal was something else entirely. ¡°In that case, I request that you send me to Rohak Concentration Camp,¡± Karixel said. This request was even more bizarre. Deculein ced the pen and report aside. ¡°I¡¯m more widely recognized as Brolin rather than Karixel.¡± Deculein acknowledged with a slight nod. Brolin wasn¡¯t a prominent named character, but he was on the Elite Guard¡¯s wanted list of key fugitives. ¡°Professor, you could arrest me and enhance your reputation, while I would be reunited with my people in Rohak. All I ask is that I¡¯m permitted to bring a few personal items with me. Wouldn¡¯t that be a fair exchange?¡± Deculein scrutinized Karixel, who met his gaze without flinching. "Why should I? I could capture you now and have you executed," Deculein remarked, his eyes narrowing as he gauged the sincerity in Karixel¡¯s words. "Of course you could, Professor. But do you remember Lokhak?" Karixel responded. Lokhak, a Mage Killer from the Scarletborn, was the first of his kind that Deculein had ever met. ¡°Lokhak said you were a true noble, the only one who didn¡¯t view the Scarletborn as demons. Was that untrue?¡± Deculein was the only noble in Berhert who had protected the Scarletborn, sparing Lokhak¡¯s life even after discovering his true identity. Karixel believed in Deculein¡¯s honor and appealed to that sense of nobility. ¡°... And if you do go to Rohak, what do you intend to do there?¡± Deculein inquired. As a result, Karixel''s n had worked as intended. ¡°Are you aware that in Rohak, every prisoner has their core forcibly removed, rendering them incapable of using mana, whether mage or knight?¡± Karixel exhaled in relief and said, ¡°I possess special items crafted through my attribute, the Midas Touch. Even if my core is removed, these items will remain functional. I request only to take them with me. They will not be used for any acts of terrorism or escape.¡± Karixel possessed the same attribute as Deculein, a power originally bestowed upon him by Kim Woo-Jin. Deculein regarded him quietly. Thump, thump¡ª Karixel''s heart raced, but he remainedposed. The agreement was beneficial to both parties, and finally... "I could remove your core and sever one of your limbs." "Yes, Professor. I¡¯m prepared to ept that," Karixel replied. It was a solemn agreement. Karixel then took out a notebook from his coat and began recording the details of his impending capture. Deculein took the note, sliding it between his fingers, and warned, ¡°If this is a ruse, I will annihte your entire n.¡± ¡°No, Professor. I trust that you won¡¯t betray me, and I will uphold my side of the agreement,¡± Karixel replied, bowing deeply. ¡°Now get out of my sight.¡± ¡°Thank you, Professor.¡± Deculein watched Karixel depart, his broad back showing no fear of the trials ahead, only a quiet resolve to reunite with his people and lead them. Deculein found himself drawn to this man¡ªKarixel was no ordinary figure, but a true leader. As Karixel reached the door, Deculein called out, ¡°I heard you have three children. Was that information false?¡± Karixel paused, offering a faint, bittersweet smile as he replied, ¡°It¡¯s true, but they¡¯ll be fine without me.¡± ¡°Hmph. A man of honor,¡± Deculein muttered, dismissing him with a wave of his hand, signaling him to leave. *** Meanwhile, Sylvia sat in the interview room, conscious of Rogerio¡¯s steady gaze. What stood out to her most was Rogerio¡¯s striking pink hair. ¡°What d¡¯ya see when ya look at this?¡± Rogerio asked, pointing to a magic circle on her desk. Sylvia examined the circle carefully and said, ¡°A city, with a mountain in the background and a river flowing through the center.¡± ¡°Good job, kid~ Ya passed.¡± With her eptance confirmed so quickly, Sylvia tilted her head in a childlike confusion. Rogerio chuckled and exined, ¡°This heah spell? Only folks who are real sensitive to mana and got a solid grasp on mana resonance and all those categories can make sense of it. To most mages, it¡¯s just a buncha lines and circles. Even the more talented ones? They¡¯d need at least ten minutes to figure it out. But you? You nailed it in ten seconds t. So, we¡¯re done heah.¡± Sylvia held her silence, offering no reply. ¡°Oh? Don¡¯t be givin¡¯ me that look, this here¡¯s usually wicked hard, yah know.¡± Sylvia nodded and said, ¡°So, may I leave now?¡± ¡°Sure thing. Take it easy, and we¡¯ll catch up again. You¡¯ll be headin¡¯ to the Floating Ind, yeah? Let¡¯s hang out a bit longer there.¡± Sylvia offered no reply to her final remark and simply walked out. *** Gindalf Epherene opened the doorbeled with Gindalf¡¯s namete, revealing a dimly lit corridor stretching out before her. "This looks intense..." Epherene murmured, swallowing nervously as she stepped forward. Gulp¡ª The ground crumbled beneath her, but she quickly projected her mana, forming a solid foothold. An arrow shot down from above, and she swiftly cast a Barrier spell to block it. Whip-crack¡ª! Whipsshed out from all directions. Epherene cast the me Serpent spell, a fusion of me and wind. The serpent, swift and fluid, wound through the air, engulfing the whips entirely. ¡°Phew! Well done, Epherene,¡± Epherene whispered to herself, wiping the sweat from her brow. The corridor stretched on, cloaked in a thick, disorienting mist that made her head spin, whether it was smoke or something more. ¡°Huff... Huff...¡± Epherene pushed forward, the dense mana weighing her down with every step. What felt like minutes stretched into what seemed like hours. Finally, a light appeared in the distance. As she neared it, she squinted and saw Gindalf, an elderly mage with a long white beard. He stroked his beard thoughtfully, resembling a figure from a fairytale as he watched her approach. ¡°... Ah!¡± Epherene eximed, quickly moving toward him. Gindalf offered a warm smile and said, ¡°Congrattions. You¡¯ve sessfully passed the interview.¡± ¡°... Sorry? That was all?¡± ¡°Yes. The corridor you traversed was a magical trap of my own design. It tests mental fortitude, mana control, and magical adaptability. If you made it through, that¡¯s sufficient. There¡¯s no need for a moreplex interview or evaluation, particrly at your Solda rank.¡± ¡°Oh...¡± It made sense now. For someone like Gindalf, who had reached the prestigious ranks of Ethereal or Monarch, a title like Solda was hardly impressive. To him, students of such a low rank were simply seen as charming novices. ¡°Let¡¯s see... Your name is...¡± Gindalf began, ncing down at the documents on his desk. Gindalf paused abruptly, his eyes widening as realization struck him. He lifted his gaze to study Epherene more intently. Startled by his sudden focus, Epherene straightened up, gripping her knees as she swallowed nervously. ¡°W-why do you look at me that way?¡± ¡°You are... Hmm...¡± Gindalf murmured, his brow furrowing in thought. ¡°Smile for me and remove your robe.¡± "W-what? M-my robe?" ¡°Go on.¡± Epherene hesitated, puzzled by Gindalf''s request. For a moment, she wondered if he could be a strange sort of kindly pervert, but she dismissed the thought. This was Gindalf, a highly respected figure. There had to be a valid reason. Reluctantly, she removed her robe. ¡°Now, smile.¡± ¡°But... w-why?¡± ¡°Quickly now!¡± Gindalf urged, his tone reminiscent of the stern, tiger-like chief from her hometown. Epherene managed a strained smile. "Not like that¡ªno need to look like a monster." "Monster? What do you mean¡ªah, haha!" Epherene burst out,ughing uncontrobly as Gindalf''s magic tickled her sides. "Hahaha, stop it! Really, haha, stop! Hehe, haha!" Gindalf leaned back in his chair, letting out a deep sigh as he observed her bright smile. ¡°W-why are you doing this? I¡¯ll report you!¡± Epherene said sharply, crossing her arms defensively. Gindalf looked at her thoughtfully and murmured, ¡°So, you¡¯re the child from that pendant...¡± ¡°... What pendant?¡± Gindalf remembered the moment well. A long time ago, Deculein had asked him to restore a pendant that held a child¡¯s photo. Although he had only seen the image for a fleeting moment, his memory, sharpened by years of experience as an elder mage, retained every detail. ¡°What is your rtionship with Deculein?¡± Gindalf inquired, his tone turning gravely serious. "Sorry?" Epherene replied, thoroughly confused. "What do you mean by rtionship...?" "Be honest with me. You cannot hide the truth from my eyes," Gindalf said, his gaze sharpening as the power within them stirred. Harmony, one of the categories of magic, dealt with connections¡ªbetween worlds, between humans, and between anything and everything. For Gindalf, who had mastered the category, discerning truth from lies was a simple task. Epherene, under the weight of his intense gaze, replied cautiously, ¡°... He¡¯s my enemy.¡± ¡°Your enemy?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Deculein is your enemy?¡± ¡°... That¡¯s all I¡¯m going to say,¡± Epherene muttered, mping her mouth shut. Gindalf crossed his arms, a look of clear confusion on his face. Epherene grew irritated, fidgeting with her fingers before snapping, ¡°Why are you asking all these questions? Is this part of the interview?¡± ¡°... It¡¯s intriguing that you regard Deculein as your enemy.¡± "Why do you find that intriguing? If you do not exin yourself, I may have to report this." ¡°Report? For what reason?¡± "You had me remove my robe and then tickled me without permission." ¡°What?¡± "There has to be a reason for this, one that I can understand." Gindalf stared at her in disbelief but mumbled, "You speak of him as your enemy, yet from what I perceive, Deculein seems to value you more than you might understand." "... Sorry? He values me?" Epherene asked, her face contorting in disbelief. The notion that Deculein could value her was so ludicrous it was hardly worth a thought. ¡°Why else would he go to the trouble of asking me, personally, to restore a pendant that was so worn and damaged?¡± Gindalf said, recalling the event. ¡°Elder Gindalf.¡± ¡°Hm? Deculein, is it me you are speaking to?¡± "Yes, Elder Gindalf, I have a favor to ask of you." Gindalf was surprised when Deculein approached him directly, given the longstanding animosity between their families dating back to his father¡¯s time. "This Deculein, whose father was once my enemy, came to me personally with a request. He possesses every ounce of his father''s pride." Deculein respectfully requested Gindalf to restore the pendant, paid the fee, and then quietly departed. ¡°What do you mean? E-exin everything from the start! Please, I¡¯m begging you!¡± Epherene pleaded, her fists clenched tightly. Gindalf regarded her, recognizing that there was nothing he could gain from the situation. In his younger years, he wouldn¡¯t have entertained a request that didn¡¯t promise some benefit. But perhaps he really was getting old, old enough to be amused and curious about things that once held no interest for him. ¡°Deculein once asked me to restore a pendant. Inside it was a photo of a child¡ªof you, as a child. And now, you¡¯ve grown up just as you appeared in that picture.¡± Deculein had also mentioned about an assistant who had taken their own life, but Gindalf decided not to mention that part. "As I mentioned, if it hadn¡¯t been something truly significant, Deculein would never have asked me to restore it. His father despised me far too much for that." Epherene stood motionless, her face empty of expression as she fixed her gaze on Gindalf. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze around her. Gindalf said with a bitter smile, ¡°He¡¯s quite the curious one. For someone known to be so cold and detached, it was odd to see him carrying a pendant with a child¡¯s picture inside... And that child turned out to be his student.¡± Epherene stood in stunned silence, her expression rigid except for the faint ring of her nostrils. Gindalf¡¯s mouth twitched as he watched her reaction. ¡°Ah, it seems I¡¯m truly getting old. Finding amusement in a young person¡¯s confusion¡ªperhaps this is what it means to be a meddlesome old man...¡± Gindalf could almost hear Adrienne¡¯s sharp voice ringing in his ears as he thought, Yes, that¡¯s right! Gindalf allowed himself a broad smile. Chapter 91: Pendant? (2)

Chapter 91: Pendant? (2)

Epherene¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Gindalf, who chuckled quietly while stroking his long beard. The mention of a pendant puzzled her¡ªDeculein had apparently carried around a worn picture of her as a child, one that had needed restoration. ¡°Hahaha.¡± Epherene couldn¡¯t understand Professor Deculein¡¯s actions. Despite her efforts, the reasoning eluded her. The thought crossed her mind¡ªperhaps Gindalf wasn¡¯t telling the truth. "Quite amusing, indeed." It still didn¡¯t make sense. Gindalf might have seemed like a pervert, but he was a Super-Ethereal-ranked mage, one of the most powerful. There was no reason for someone of his stature to lie to her; he had nothing to gain from it. As Epherene reflected on the times Deculein had shown her kindness¡ªoverlooking her mistakes, approving her club, and giving her fair evaluations¡ªshe had assumed it was out of guilt for her father. But now, her mind was swirling with confusion. ¡°Um, about the pendant¡ª¡± "Haha, the interview¡¯s over. But don¡¯t go telling Deculein I said anything. I¡¯m too old to face his wrath again. And remember, that¡¯s a warning, not a request," Gindalf said with a knowing smile. Epherene swallowed nervously before asking, "...Could you tell me just one more thing?" ¡°Ten thousand elne.¡± ¡°Sorry?¡± "That¡¯s the value of a single word from me. Deculein willingly paid fifty thousand elne for what I had to say." ¡°Fifty thousand elne... Could you possibly settle for just one hundred elne? I¡¯m only a student, after all¡ª¡± *** Thud¡ª! With a heavy thud, the interview room door closed behind her. Epherene, abruptly thrown out of her negotiation, stumbled forward and soon spotted Karixel. It looked like his interview with Deculein had just ended as well. "Mr. Karixel! Mr. Karixel!" Epherene called out, her eyes brightening as she hurried toward him. ¡°Oh, yes? What can I do for you?¡± Karixel responded. ¡°How did your interview go? What did they ask you?¡± Karixel awkwardly scratched his temple, let out a smallugh and said, ¡°Well... I¡¯m not really sure.¡± Epherene tilted her head, puzzled. ¡°I ended up giving up.¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± "They told me I¡¯d earn the Solda rank simply for passing the first exam... and honestly, that¡¯s all I needed." "Oh... I get it. You must be looking forward to seeing your kids again, right?" Epherene assumed his primary goal had always been to obtain the Solda rank. Karixel nodded with a soft smile and said, ¡°... Hahaha. Yes... They¡¯re always on my mind.¡± ¡°Still, we should meet up when we return to the continent since we might not see each other for a while. There¡¯s a great restaurant in Roahawk¡ªhave you heard of it?¡± Though Epherene intended to push herself to the very end, she couldn¡¯t deny that the Solda exam had brought her a valuable connection. ¡°Roahawk... Certainly, that sounds good,¡± Karixel agreed. ¡°It¡¯s really delicious!¡± Epherene eximed with enthusiasm as she walked alongside Karixel, apanying him down the corridor. In the hall, other mages who had passed the exam, like Reylie and Dozmu, sat with mixed expressions among those who hadn¡¯t. In one corner of the hallway, Epherene noticed Sylvia¡¯s brightly colored tent still standing. Exhausted from the exam, she felt a twinge of envy for her Primary Colors. ¡°Miss Epherene.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Epherene replied, turning to face Karixel. Karixel ced his hand on the door handle, smiled warmly, and said, ¡°Take care of yourself. Our time together was brief, but I¡¯m grateful to have met someone who will shape the future.¡± ¡°Sorry? What do you mean shape the future¡ª¡± Ruuuumble¡ª! Suddenly, the ground shook, and Epherene nced up at the ceiling, startled. Boom¡ª! Boom¡ª! The tremors persisted. While the seasoned adventurers remainedposed, the mages were visibly shaken. ¡°Everyone, please remain calm. There¡¯s no cause for concern,¡± announced Mimic, the supervisor. At that moment, Deculein emerged from the interview room. With just two candidates to assess, he had ample time. The other examinees observed him as he passed by, and Sylvia, who had just taken down her tent, also turned her gaze toward him. Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Epherene studied Deculein as he approached the exit, searching for any sign of the pendant. She saw nothing visible, but she knew his personality well enough to realize he wouldn¡¯t disy it openly. Suddenly, Deculein halted directly in front of her. Epherene looked up at him, swallowing nervously. But all Deculein said was, ¡°Move aside.¡± ¡°... Oh. Yes, sir,¡± Epherene said, quickly stepping out of his way with Karixel. ¡°Professor Deculein, could you assess the situation outside? I¡¯ll be right behind you,¡± Mimic requested. Deculein exited silently, and Epherene quietly watched his figure as he walked away. ¡°But... I didn¡¯t even get to take the exam,¡± a nearby voicemented. It was Maiho, who had been waiting for her interview with Deculein, pouted in frustration. "Oh, please wait a moment. It¡¯ll be over soon. Everyone, stay inside!" Mimic instructed as he returned to the hall. Epherene noticed the now-open exit. Taking a deep breath, she slipped out quietly and quickly followed Deculein, ascending the stairs to the surface. *** As the Security Chief overseeing the Solda exam, I¡¯m soaring through the air¡ªnot just figuratively, but literally. Standing on a tform woven from six cables of Wood Steel, I zoom ahead. This advanced technology far surpasses the speed of the Iron Man attribute. ¡°Could it be those guys from yesterday?¡± I asked. ¡ª I¡¯m uncertain. This magic ss isn¡¯t revealing anything. Louina¡¯s voice came through the crystal orb. ¡ª Damn it... everything ispletely dark. The ones I chasedst night disappeared without a trace. Even the resonance of the steel failed to reveal their direction. ¡ª Please wait a moment. I''m on my way and will arrive quickly on horseback. While Louina continued talking, I reached the location ahead of her. The scene before me was so bizarre that I was momentarily at a loss for words. ¡ª I¡¯ve already sent a Whisper, so¡ª ¡°End the call,¡± Imanded, terminating themunication. I stood there, silently absorbing the grotesque scene before me. Trickle¡ª A stream of thick, red blood trickled over and touched the heel of my boot. The overpowering stench of iron filled the air, mingling with the sight of severed flesh, torn entrails, and brains spilling from cleaved skulls. It was rare for anything to unsettle me, but this was different. What had once been bodies were now twisted into a grotesque mound. There had to be over a hundred bodies, shredded like paper. Using Telekinesis, I examined the remains. Many were split cleanly from head to toe, while others bore the marks of a brutal struggle. Among them was Druman, a strongman from the Altar. As expected from a named individual, he had fought fiercely, but his efforts only left him torn to pieces. ¡°Interesting.¡± I couldn¡¯t grasp what could have caused this. The vibrations hit less than a minute ago, yet within sixty seconds, an entire unit was ughtered. Some bodies were severed with precision, while others were torn apart like shredded cloth. Whether it was magic or some unique ability, I couldn¡¯t determine. It felt as though the space itself had been cut along with their bodies. "... I¡¯ve witnessed this before." Sliced through space itself. A vivid memory surged back¡ªthis wound was eerily simr to the one that had taken Veron¡¯s wrist, an iprehensible phenomenon that defied exnation. ... Then. Rustle¡ª A faint rustling emerged from the bushes. I turned to investigate. ¡°... You.¡± Epherene was crouched among the foliage, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster. *** "Ah... Professor," Epherene began, her eyes shifting uneasily between Deculein and the gruesome pile of corpses behind him. Deculein¡¯s piercing gaze sent a chill through her, causing her to hesitate before taking a step closer. ¡°Stay back,¡± Deculein ordered. The moonlight highlighted the sharp angles of his face, casting shadows that made him look ghostly, like a masked phantom. "You¡¯ll get blood on you." "... Sorry?" Epherene murmured, puzzled. Despite the horrifying scene in front of her, there was something different in his voice today. She stood still, staring at him, deep in thought. ¡°Debutant Epherene! What are you doing here? Return immediately!¡± Louina shouted as she arrivedte, galloping up on horseback. Epherene slowly backed away, but her gaze remained fixed on Deculein. Whoooosh¡ª! Suddenly, the air was filled with the whirring of engines as several magitech aircraft appeared over the Training Ind. The knights, urgently dispatched to defend the area from intruders, had finally arrived. ¡°Wh-what is this?!¡± one of the knights stammered, his voice trembling as he took in the sight of hundreds of scattered remains. There was nothing left to do but clean up the aftermath. Deculein shrugged and stated, ¡°Let me make one thing clear¡ªthis wasn¡¯t my doing.¡± ¡°Pardon, sir? Oh, yes... I understand,¡± one of the knights replied, though his expression betrayed his doubt. Deculein¡¯s gaze moved across the group, noticing Yulie¡¯s absence, even though she was expected to be there. A knight stepped forward and exined, ¡°Knight Yulie will be dyed; she lost her way.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Deculein replied with a slight nod. It was understandable, given her penalty attribute, Poor Wayfinding. *** The scorching sun bore down on the wastnd as Yeriel, Deculein¡¯s younger sister and acting lord of Yukline, arrived at Rohak Concentration Camp alongside the imperial officials. "Well..." Yeriel muttered sarcastically, her first impression filled with awe at the camp¡¯s sheer size. "It¡¯s massive." The eunuch beside her smiled and said, ¡°Indeed. It could contain over a million of them.¡± "A million? That¡¯s absurd... Anyway, when will the detainment begin?" Rohak could theoretically hold that many, but the true issue was the harsh environment. In this barren region, where supplies were scarce, even a hundred thousand people would face widespread starvation. Farming was impossible in such a wastnd. The eunuch responded, ¡°The Scarletborn have organized themselves into several covert groups.¡± ¡°Are you nning to imprison their leaders here?¡± ¡°No, the leaders will be executed. Only the underlings will be imprisoned. We¡¯ll begin with the undocumented Scarletborn first.¡± Yeriel, clearly exasperated, rested a hand on her hip and said, ¡°But how do you identify an undocumented Scarletborn? What if someone who isn¡¯t one gets imprisoned due to an error in the records?¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s where thete Emperor¡¯s wisdomes into y. Records from that time still exist. Moreover, local authorities havepiled lists of Scarletborn through various methods. After all, their birth is considered highly ominous and demonic¡ªthey¡¯re born shrouded in a blood-red amnion.¡± Yeriel shook her head in frustration. The eunuch had entirely missed her point. She was concerned about the consequences of inurate records, but he had rambled on about the existence of older ones. His response left her questioning what he was actually trying tomunicate. ¡°Also, we¡¯ve also pinpointed the locations of the temples where the Scarletborn worship,¡± the eunuch stated. ¡°Do you intend to disrupt their religious practices?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a religion; it¡¯s heresy. The cathedral¡¯s pdins will likely lead the charge.¡± Yeriel nodded reluctantly. This was the Empress¡¯s will, and since Deculein had taken charge, Yukline had no choice but toply. Her task was to find a way to utilize thebor force. Whether it was ten thousand or a million Scarletborn, letting them starve would be a waste for both sides. ¡°Oh, by the way, Sir Bethan had high praise for the Rotaili Soup he enjoyed at the Light and Salt.¡± ¡°It didn¡¯t suit my taste.¡± ¡°Oh... I see.¡± ¡°I mean, if you¡¯d like, I can arrange a reservation for you.¡± ¡°Oh! In that case, could you reserve a table for four¡ªah?!¡± the eunuch eximed, his eyes suddenly widening in rm. Yeriel followed his gaze and spotted a small scorpion crawling toward them¡ªa Hak scorpion. Despite its size, it was infamous for its lethal venom, potent enough to kill even a knight. ¡°Lord Yeriel, please be careful! Ah! Be careful, please! Aaah!¡± the eunuch screamed in panic. Yeriel gave him a sidelong nce and remarked, ¡°Why are you so shaken? If a small scorpion frightens you, how did you even manage to get this far?¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sorry, but that scorpion¡ª¡± "Shh. You''ll startle it. If it panics, it might thrash about. Just stay quiet," Yeriel said, extending a finger toward the scorpion. The eunuch looked on in horror, but the scorpion moved up her slender finger with the calmness of a tamedmb. ¡°... Is that not a Hak scorpion?¡± ¡°Yes, it is a Hak scorpion, and this is Rohak.¡± ¡°P-please, be careful. Its venom is extremely potent.¡± ¡°Shh.¡± Yeriel gently asked the scorpion how it had ended up there and why. The scorpion informed her that a settlement was nearby. ¡°There appears to be a settlement nearby.¡± ¡°Oh...¡± the eunuch murmured in amazement. Yeriel chuckled mischievously, then extended her finger, allowing the scorpion to crawl off as she softly said, ¡°Shoo~¡± ¡°Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh¡ª! Stop it! Please, stoooooooooooop!¡± the eunuch cried out in terror. The reaction was priceless. Yeriel smirked and said to the scorpion, ¡°Return to your friends and family.¡± "Your talent with creatures is truly exceptional, Lady Yeriel," another eunuch remarked as he approached. Yeriel¡¯s expression soured the instant she saw his face. ¡°It¡¯s been some time, hasn¡¯t it? Seven years, I believe? You¡¯ve grown considerably,¡± said Eunuch Jng, arriving with an escort knight at his side. "Hmph. So, you¡¯ve even taken to traveling with an escort knight. Are there knights in the Imperial Pce now who serve eunuchs instead of the Empress?" ¡°There¡¯s no such distinction. Both eunuchs and knights serve Her Majesty equally.¡± Yeriel sneered openly and replied, ¡°For someone as particr as you to make the trip to Yukline, things must be getting intense. Is it because of the rumors that Her Majesty holds our family head in such high esteem?¡± The power dynamics of the Empire often hinged on the emperor¡¯s character and legitimacy. Thete Emperor Crebaim pursued a bnce between religious and secr authority, but lurking in the shadows was a third force¡ªthe eunuchs. Theytched onto both spheres of power, eroding them from within like parasitic bats. ¡°That¡¯s not the case at all. We are merely Her Majesty¡¯s shadows.¡± Crebaim''s strong legitimacy had kept the eunuchs in check, preventing them from making any bold moves. However, the current Empress Sophien, who had a poor reputation before ascending the throne due to her lethargy and ennui, likely led the eunuchs to believe they could seize more power than ever before. Yet, they were gravely mistaken. Despite her reputation, Empress Sophien pursued her policies with unwavering determination. In the end, the one who earned her deepest trust wasn¡¯t a minister or a eunuch¡ªit was Deculein. ¡°I¡¯vee to share some information with you, Lady Yeriel,¡± Jng said. ¡°Information?¡± ¡°Yes. I understand that Count Yukline has entrusted you with the governance of the territory?¡± Jng inquired, his confidence evident as he based his assumption on the recent activities of Deculein and Yeriel, as well as the developments within Yukline. Yeriel responded withposure, ¡°Governance? I¡¯m merely the acting lord.¡± "Haha. Indeed. But even so, Lady Yeriel," Jng whispered, his tone low and cautious, "it would be prudent not to ce too much trust in the Count." Yeriel chuckled softly, finding his assumption amusing. She wasn¡¯t naive enough to fall for a eunuch¡¯s ploys. "Aren''t you interested in knowing how Count Yukline truly perceives you? What are his genuine thoughts about you?" Despite maintaining her outwardposure, Yeriel¡¯s expression gradually hardened under Jng¡¯s persistent probing. What he genuinely thought of her. She tried to conceal it, but deep down, that had always been a lingering fear in her heart. ¡°I¡¯ll return shortly with the evidence,¡± Jng said, bowing with a smile. Yeriel narrowed her eyes at him and said coldly, ¡°If you¡¯ve finished, go have some Rotaili Soup and get lost.¡± Without another word, she turned sharply and stepped into her carriage. Jng continued to smile as he watched her departure. ¡°... Rugen, what became of the item Jukaken promised?¡± Jng said. ¡°It has already been prepared,¡± Rugen replied. ¡°What does it concern?¡± ¡°A recording of remarks Count Yukline made about Lady Yeriel in the past. It appears Deculein lost control over certain individuals when he severed ties with the underworld. While it is not of significant consequence, we did manage to acquire something.¡± Jng nodded and said, ¡°Deliver it to me immediately, regardless of the cost.¡± Yukline had long been a source of frustration for Eunuch Jng. The blend of Yeriel''s practical expertise and Deculein''s esteemed reputation had elevated their family''s standing. In the worst-case scenario, with even the Empress showing favor to Deculein, Jng saw no other option but to drive a wedge between them¡ªand now, he had finally discovered the means to do so. ¡°I wonder how long thatdy can maintain such an arrogant demeanor,¡± Jng mused, a sly chuckle escaping him as he watched Yeriel¡¯s carriage vanish into the distance. *** The Solda promotion examsted four days and ended smoothly without any major incidents. Despite an intrusion by the Altar, Professor Deculein¡¯s ruthless intervention¡ªalthough he denied it¡ªswiftly brought the situation under control. In the end, Sylvia, Reylie, Dozmu, Maiho, Epherene, and forty others passed the final third exam. They then returned to the Yukline Grand Hall for the Solda badge awarding ceremony. ¡°... Solda Epherene, well done!¡± Chairwoman Adrienne said as she presented Epherene with the Solda promotion que and badge. ¡°Thank you, Chairwoman!¡± Epherene replied, proudly epting the Solda Level 3 badge. This aplishment would likely make her ascent through the next two ranks, Kendall and Regallo, much easier. ¡°Solda Sylvia, excellent work!¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Epherene and Sylvia, now holding their badges, certificates, and robes, took their seats. "Miss Epherene, thank you~ The Roahawk meat you shared helped me pass~" Maiho said as she sat beside her. Epherene smiled and responded, ¡°Oh, it was my pleasure. The meat was quite delicious, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes~ It was absolutely delicious~¡± ¡°Hehe, when you visit the Empire, let¡¯s enjoy it together again! But next time, Maiho, you will be the one treating us.¡± As Epherene chatted with Maiho, her eyes wandered to the VIP seats where Deculein sat alongside Gindalf and Rogerio. Suddenly, Gindalf looked in Epherene¡¯s direction and said something to Deculein. Deculein frowned before reaching into his briefcase and pulling out a small pendant. ¡°Ah...!¡± The pendant¡ªit was the same one Gindalf had spoken of. Epherene¡¯s breath hitched, tightening in her chest. *** "... Which restoration do you im was done incorrectly?" I asked, presenting the pendant I had taken from my briefcase. Gindalf had suddenly noted that there might have been a small mistake in the pendant''s restoration and requested to examine it. After carefully scrutinizing the pendant, Gindalf shook his head and remarked, "Hmm... I was mistaken. The restoration is wless, just as I expected. I knew I hadn''t erred." Heughed heartily, which only added to my irritation. His behavior seemed pointless. I slipped the pendant back into my briefcase. Then, with a sly smile, Gindalf asked, "By the way, Professor Deculein, I suppose you won¡¯t disclose the identity of the child in that pendant?" "Aw, c¡¯mon, old man. You gotta spill the beans, too!" Rogerio said, her curiosity getting the best of her as she butted in. Gindalf frowned, gently pushing Rogerio aside, and said, "Step back, young one." "Aw, gimme a break, that¡¯s wicked stingy!" I tried to ignore him and focus on the event, but Gindalf kept ncing between me and the mages in the auditorium before breaking into anotherugh. "Hahaha. Fascinating... Truly fascinating. By the way, Deculein, the Mage Tower will be reopening soon. Should you require anything, feel free to inform me. I¡¯ll grant you one favor, free of charge." Hisughter grated on my nerves. For some reason, he reminded me of the Chairwoman. "Solda Reylie, congrattions on your promotion!" the Chairwoman dered. The ceremony was drawing to a close. Among the attendees were Maho, Epherene, Sylvia, and... someone who wasn¡¯t physically there. But today, I knew without a doubt¡ªwhether it was the Veron incident from long ago or the massacre just two days prior¡ªit was all Allen''s doing. "Alright! Well done, everyone!" the Chairwoman eximed. As the room filled with apuse, I joined in, pping along with the others. But then I felt a piercing gaze on me. Irritated, I turned to see Epherene. She quickly looked away, but the way she clenched her fist was anything but normal. Now that Solda was out of the picture, she was likely nning something reckless again. I shook my head in frustration. Chapter 92: Second Semester (1)

Chapter 92: Second Semester (1)

Boom¡ª! The ground trembled with the intensity of a meteor strike, the impact hitting squarely on the road beneath the Training Ind. ¡°Whew.¡± The impact was strong enough to leave a crater, yet the one who caused all themotion merely dusted off his clothes, as if nothing had happened. ¡°This is definitely quicker~¡± Allen muttered as he jumped straight down from the Training Ind to the ground below. He had free-fallen from a height of 3,000 meters, adjusting his speed as necessary. ¡ª Exin yourself. Why did you do that? Allen had barely taken a few steps when a voice came through hismunicator. Allen touched his ear and replied, ¡°Sorry?¡± ¡ª I was informed about what urred yesterday. "Oh, that? It was simply part of the mission." ¡ª We never authorized such a mission for you. As expected, they didn¡¯t understand him. Allen smiled broadly and responded, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s why I mentioned it was part of the mission. A small part.¡± A brief silence followed. Allen inspected his robe, making sure it was spotless. The professor detested even the slightest stain. Somehow, the professor¡¯s obsession with cleanliness seemed to have rubbed off on him. ¡ª You need not harbor unnecessary feelings toward the target. Allen was momentarily taken aback by the sudden remark. "... Sorry?" Allen said, tilting his head in feigned confusion, then allowed a slight smile to form on his lips. "Oh~ Surely you know me by now. I hadn''t even considered it a possibility until you brought it up." ¡ª ... As you noted, Ellie, it has been extended by three months. Ensure it is managed appropriately. Ellie didn¡¯t bother to respond. She simply smiled and ended themunication. Just then, she heard voices. "Hey! Over there! It¡¯s the supervisor!" shouted one of the children as three of them came running out of the forest, panting heavily. Each wore a name tag¡ªCarlos, Leo, and Ria. ¡°Excuse me, are you the supervisor?¡± Ria, the girl with the name tag, asked. Ellie shook her head and replied, ¡°No, I am not~ But it appears you¡¯re in the middle of an exam?¡± ¡°Oh, we¡¯re taking the adventurer¡¯s test¡ªAh! Run!¡± Ria eximed. The three kids nced behind them in rm and grabbed Ellie¡¯s hand, trying to pull her away. Ellie turned to look in the direction they were pointing. Boom¡ª! Crash¡ª! Boom¡ª! Crash¡ª! A massive demonic beast charged toward them. It was asrge as a bear, with the steel-cutting antlers of a stag. This creature was a Bearhorn. ¡°If you¡¯re not the supervisor, you should find somewhere safe¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. You should all go ahead first.¡± ¡°Sorry?¡± ¡°Go ahead,¡± Ellie said with a smile. Grrrrrr¡ª! The children hesitated briefly before finally running off. The Bearhorn let out a furious roar and charged at Ellie. ¡°Goodbye. Take care,¡± Ellie said, still smiling as she drew a diagonal line through the air with her hand. Shhhhhhk¡ª! That single gesture was enough. The Bearhorn¡¯s body split cleanly in half, blood spraying from the severed halves as Ellie stepped forward into the crimson mist. In an instant, the scene around her shifted. One moment, she was in the middle of the forest; the next, she was stepping into the bustling marketce of a vige. ¡°Two fishcakes for one elne! Just one elne, get them now!¡± ¡°Plenty of fresh herbs here~ Come and see for yourself~¡± ¡°Magical supplies for sale! Buy here and make a profit on the Floating Ind!¡± The merchants¡¯ voices rang out loudly. Ellie quickly recognized that she was in the vige of Lophon. ¡°In an hour, I¡¯ll reach the capital,¡± Ellie murmured to herself, nodding in satisfaction. She decided to rest until her Stride skill recharged and approached a stall. ¡°I¡¯ll have two fishcakes, please.¡± ¡°Sure thing! Here you go! By the way, what kind of magic was that earlier? You just popped up out of nowhere,¡± the merchant said. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re observant. It was nothing extraordinary.¡± Ellie possessed the ability to manipte Space. It wasn¡¯t merely teleportation¡ªit was the actual control of space itself. She could shift her own space to another location or relocate someone else¡¯s space to wherever she desired. This ability, of course, required an enormous amount of mana. Ellie often used it to sever a creature¡¯s head from its body. If the opponent resisted with magic or mana, she might need to exert a bit more force, but if they were much weaker than her, she could dismember them in the blink of an eye. "... These fishcakes are quite delicious!" ¡°Haha, enjoy as much as you like! Two for one elne, it¡¯s a great deal.¡± ¡°Alright~! I¡¯ll take two more,¡± Ellie said as she promptly grabbed two skewers of fishcakes. *** After the exams ended, Epherene hurried down the main road of the Floating Ind, trying to keep up with Sylvia. Maiho walked closely at her side. "Miss Epherene~ Are we truly permitted to follow her like this~?" Maiho asked with concern. Epherene scratched the back of her neck and replied, "We¡¯re not following her; we¡¯re merely walking together." "Oh~ Is that so~?" In truth, they were struggling to keep up with Sylvia. Sylvia, fully aware, could hear their conversation, her ears twitching in disbelief. Suddenly, Sylvia came to a stop, and they found themselves in a residential area of the Floating Ind. Epherene looked up at the sky and froze in astonishment. Above them was another neighborhood, almost like a mirror image. "W-what is that?" Epherene gasped, her voice trembling in shock. A mage retrieving a newspaper from the mailbox nced up at her. Their eyes met briefly before the mage smirked and went back inside. ¡°The residential areas on the Floating Ind use spatial engineering to maximize space. You¡¯re so clueless,¡± Sylvia remarked casually as she inserted the key into the front door. Epherene and Maiho hesitantly stepped closer and asked, ¡°Is this really your house?¡± "Yes." Epherene swallowed her envy. Owning a house on the Floating Ind¡ªit was like living in an entirely different world. "Aren¡¯t houses on the Floating Ind expensive?" "Ten million elne." "What? This small ce costs ten million elne?" "Isn¡¯t that too expensive~?" Epherene and Maiho¡¯s jaws dropped. Ten million elne could buy a mansion in the capital, yet Sylvia¡¯s home barely looked like it was around 700 square feet. "That¡¯s how it is on the Floating Ind. It¡¯s not even owned; it¡¯s rented," Sylvia said. "Oh, I see... Sylvia, does that mean you won¡¯t be returning to the university?" Sylvia remained silent. Feeling slightly disappointed, Epherene pouted and asked, "Can I visit you sometimes?" Sylvia gave a barely perceptible nod. Epherene¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. "W-wait, did you just nod?" "Yes." Sylvia had thought about it for some time, but in the end, she made up her mind. She would now consider Epherene as fuel for her fire¡ªa rival was better than none. "Then I¡¯ll being to the Floating Ind more often, so I¡¯ll stop by," Epherene said. "Me too~! Me too~!" Maiho eximed unexpectedly. Although Sylvia found her somewhat annoying, she nodded again. "Alright, take care, Sylvia! I¡¯ll see youter!" "Goodbye~" Thud¡ª! After Epherene and Maiho left with bright smiles, Sylvia shut the front door behind them. She nced around the fully furnished interior. Though much smaller than the mansion in the capital, it was perfect for her. Too much space would only make her feel lonely. Sylvia then walked into her bedroom, where Bearbie Panda and Swifty were waiting. ¡°I¡¯m home,¡± Sylvia said as Swifty fluttered over in a flurry of wings, and Bearbie Panda leaped up, its cape billowing. Both were artificial beings she had created, with mana stones as their core. Sylvia hugged them and sat down on the bed. Tick-tock, tick-tock¡ª Tick-tock, tick-tock¡ª In the quiet room, the ticking of the clock was the only sound. Feeling a bit bored, Sylvia reached for a sketchbook beside her bed and began drawing. Her pencil moved lightly across the page, forming the face of a sharp, cold-looking man with striking blue eyes¡ªDeculein. *** After returning to the Yukline mansion after a long time, I threw myself into training and study. There was a lot to aplish. My first priorities were mastering Intermediate Telekinesis and improving my control over the Snowflower Stone. [Comprehension : 23.1%] Myprehension of the Snowflower Stone was only 23.1%. I still had a long way to go, but at least I could control around 20% of it. "... Not bad." The Snowflower Stone was as mysterious as its reputation imed. With Telekinesis, I condensed a portion of it into a ball, about the size of a ping-pong ball. The unprocessed Snowflower Stone could shift its form freely, stretching like fabric,pressing into a sphere, or extending into spikes. Its responsiveness to Telekinesis was unmatched by any other metal. Knock, knock¡ª A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Knowing who it was, I used Telekinesis to open it. "Professor, I¡¯ve brought refreshments," Yulie said, setting down a tray of coffee and snacks on my desk. After getting lost during the Training Ind ambush, she insisted on taking on servant duties as a form of penance. ¡°Please enjoy.¡± I shrugged and said, "Yulie, there¡¯s no need to be so hard on yourself. It¡¯s not your fault that you¡¯re poor at wayfinding." Yulie bit her lip slightly and said, ¡°I¡¯ll strive to improve. How is your training progressing?¡± ¡°I have justpleted it.¡± I stored 80% of the Snowflower Stone in the safe and shaped the remaining 20% into a ball before cing it in my pocket. Yulie spoke once more, saying, ¡°The new semester will begin soon.¡± ¡°Indeed. We will both have a lot to handle.¡± Yulie handed me a folder, her wry smile silent. "And what is this?" ¡°As part of my escort duties, I have analyzed the traffic around the Yukline mansion. I identified several individuals disying suspicious behavior at irregr times. This list includes those whose movements deviate from the norm,¡± Yulie exined. I scanned the document. There were about thirty-three names on the list. Surveince at this level was, honestly, just a formality. With the Yukline family at its peak, it was only natural that we were closely watched by the Altar, the Imperial Pce, the eunuchs, and various noble families. ¡°Yulie.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± My words seemed to embarrass her. She scratched the back of her neck and looked away, pretending to focus on a nearby bookshelf filled with books on herbal medicine. Noticing this, a faint smile appeared on her lips as she said, "No, Professor. I¡¯m the one who¡¯s thankful." I¡¯ve been researching ways to heal Yulie. In truth, I already know the best method, but my selfish desire to keep her with me holds me back from taking that step. "It¡¯s time for you to return now." ¡°Yes, please rest well.¡± Yulie bowed and left the room. Left alone in the quiet annex, I sipped the coffee Yulie had brought and gazed up at the night sky. Stars sparkled in the darkness, and the coffee was incredibly bitter. "... She must have prepared it herself." She could have easily had one of the servants prepare it, but she chose to make it herself. The bitterness was intense, yet I drank the coffee, everyst drop, shaking my head. *** Beep-beep¡ª Beep-beep¡ª A loud rm red from Room 201, echoing through the dormitory of Imperial University as mid-August sunlight streamed through the half-drawn curtains. Beep-beep¡ª Beep-beep¡ª The rm red with an overwhelming intensity. ¡°Ugh... make it stop...¡± Epherene groaned, slowly waking up. Finally, the rm fell silent. "Ah..." Epherene¡¯s head pounded from the hangover. There had been too many celebration partiestely, with visitors from her hometown and gatherings with Julia and the rest of the Common Magic Research Club members. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m dying...¡± Epherene muttered, stumbling out of bed and over to the sink. She turned on the faucet and let the water run as she stared into the mirror. ¡°... Today¡¯s the interview.¡± It was the day of her interview for the assistant position under Deculein. Rather than feeling nervous, Epherene was preupied with unresolved questions that lingered in her mind. ¡°Pendant,¡± Epherene muttered, her lips still groggy from sleep. Epherene was still confused. She couldn¡¯t grasp why Deculein valued her or why he kept a pendant with her picture inside. There must have been some incident connected to her father¡¯s death that she didn¡¯t know about. "Or maybe..." Epherene muttered, catching her reflection in the mirror. "It wouldn¡¯t be surprising if I¡¯m well-liked, considering how I look." Even now, despite the lingering scent of alcohol, she knew her looks could hold their own. With a little effort, she could easily outshine anyone. Her striking features and curves, admired even by Julia, were hard to miss. Her grandparents often joked that with her looks alone, she could pass any exam. ¡°But there¡¯s no way the professor has feelings for me...¡± Epherene said, chuckling at the absurdity of the thought. Shaking her head, Epherene warmed the water in the sink. She undressed and used Fluid Maniption to wash herself. "... The new semester ising up soon. What happened to all the good days?" She quickly dried off with a Cleanse spell, then dressed in loose clothes¡ªa baggy T-shirt, pants, and a robe¡ªbefore slinging a backpack over her shoulder and heading out of the dormitory. Buzzzz¡ª! Buzzzz¡ª! Cicadas buzzed in the midsummer heat as she walked across the sunlit campus toward the Mage Tower. ¡°Solda Epherene, reporting,¡± Epherene announced with joy as she stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 77th floor. No longer a Debutant, she carried herself with confidence. Ding¡ª! The 77th-floor hallway was empty, even though it was interview day. Meanwhile, Professor Louina¡¯s floor had been bustling with activity all day. ¡°Ah! Solda Epherene! Over here!¡± Allen called out, waving excitedly from a desk in the hallway. Heh, he called me Solda Epherene. No longer a Debutant, but a Solda now... Epherene thought with a chuckle as she approached Allen and asked, ¡°Is it my turn?¡± ¡°Yes, Miss Epherene, you¡¯re the final candidate.¡± As expected, she was thest. Epherene cleared her throat and knocked on the head professor¡¯s office door. ¡°Come in,¡± Deculeinmanded from behind the door. As she opened the door, Deculein was there, impably dressed as always. Epherene walked over and took a seat across from him. ¡°Epherene.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± In a cold tone, Deculein asked, "You''re applying to start as an assistant, correct?" Allen, who served both as an assistant and an assistant professor under Deculein¡ªsince Deculein didn¡¯t have an official assistant¡ªhandled both roles. There wasn¡¯t an immediate need for Epherene to start as Deculein¡¯s assistant. It might have been better for her career to work as a Solda mage at the Mage Tower first, then join Deculein after Thesis Colloquium. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct, sir.¡± But Epherene didn¡¯t want to waste time. She was determined to uncover the truth about Deculein and her father as quickly as possible. However... ¡°Very well. I respect your determination. You¡¯re hired,¡± Deculein said. Thud¡ª! Deculein stamped her application without hesitation, and the swiftness of his decision made Epherene uneasy. ¡°Is it that simple?¡± ¡°There were two applicants,¡± Deculein stated, his voice cold and matter-of-fact. Epherene almostughed, recalling the hundreds of Soldas who had applied to work under Louina. Then she noticed something unusual about Deculein¡¯s statement. ¡°Wait, that many people?¡± ¡°... That many?¡± Deculein said with a frown. Epherene quickly shook her head and said, ¡°Oh, no, that¡¯s not what I meant. I¡¯m simply curious about who the other applicant is.¡± ¡°It¡¯s Drent.¡± ¡°Drent...¡± ¡°He¡¯s the one who giarized your thesis. I understand he has already apologized.¡± ¡°Yes, he did.¡± Drent had sincerely apologized to her¡ªeven going so far as to offer to kneel, which she had barely managed to talk him out of. Yet it was puzzling that Drent, of all people, would want to work under Deculein, especially after Deculein had publicly burned his thesis. Deculein continued, ¡°Epherene.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°You will be attending sses at the Mage Tower while working as a research assistant. A sry will be provided, and I have left your pre-semester research assignments with Allen. You can collect them from him.¡± ¡°A s-sry! Y-Yes, sir!¡± ¡°You may leave.¡± Epherene stood up, casting a nce at Deculein. He appeared deeply focused on his paperwork¡ªor perhaps just pretending. It was entirely possible that he was still paying close attention to her. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving now,¡± Epherene said, feeling a bit overwhelmed as she hurried out of the room. The moment she stepped into the hallway, Allen greeted her. ¡°Solda Epherene, congrattions on bing an assistant!¡± ¡°Sorry? Oh, haha. Yes, thank you.¡± ¡°Come with me. Let¡¯s head to the researchb,¡± Allen said with a bright smile as he led Epherene to the Assistant¡¯s Research Lab. ¡°Wow, these higher floors really are different. Even thebs have a special feel,¡± Epherene remarked. ¡°Hehe, right?¡± The researchb on the 77th floor was muchrger and cleaner than the dormitories. Epherene found it so spacious that she could easily imagine lying down on the floor and sleeping right there. As Epherene took in her surroundings with awe, Allen said, ¡°This will be your workstation, Miss Epherene.¡± She turned to her designated area, noting the impable quality of the desk and chair¡ªjust as she expected from Deculein. After a brief pause, she set her backpack on the back of the chair. ¡°Now, Miss Epherene, I will provide you with your research assignments.¡± ¡°Yes, please go ahead.¡± Thud¡ª! A heavy book thudded onto her desk. Epherene recognized the book, nodded calmly, and said, ¡°The Source of Earth Property... It¡¯s challenging, but I believe I can manage.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct~ And here is another.¡± But then... Thud¡ª! Another book was ced on her desk. Epherene felt a twinge of unease and said, ¡°Two books... Lupalene¡¯s Records is quite an advanced theory book, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct~ And here is another.¡± Thud¡ª! The third book dropped onto her desk. ¡°E-excuse me,¡± Epherene stuttered, her voice betraying her shock. ¡°And this one, then another, and another.¡± ¡°W-wait!¡± Thud¡ª! Thud¡ª! Thud¡ª! Grimoires piled up on her desk, one after another. ¡°And this one.¡± ¡°S-stop!¡± ¡°And this one.¡± ¡°Please, stop! I can¡¯t handle it any more!¡± ¡°And this one.¡± ¡°Ouch! That booknded on my finger!¡± It wasn¡¯t just four books. There were more¡ªfive, six, even more. Understanding of mes Demian''s Deep Sea Expedition Logs Lupi Skelman: An Immersion in General Property Harmony of the Four Elements Core of the Four Elements Calction of the Wind... There were thirteen books in total. ¡°These are all your research assignments~ Professor Deculein expects you to fully understand them before the semester begins.¡± Deculein nned to mold Epherene into a model for his Carbon Research through her study of the Four Great Elements. Epherene stared, dumbfounded, at the mountain of books and muttered, ¡°... Has that professor gone crazy?¡± ¡°Oh no! You shouldn¡¯t say such things. If you use inappropriatenguage, you might never be a teaching assistant. Also, here, take this,¡± Allen said as he handed Epherene a small piece of paper. Still in a daze, Epherene slowly asked, ¡°What... is this...?¡± ¡°Ah, yes. While Professor Deculein is covering the cost of the grimoires, some are still under copyright. Unlike the book costs, the royalties of the intellectual property fees must be paid by the mage studying them. You¡¯re aware of that, correct?¡± In essence, it was a receipt. Epherene¡¯s knees nearly buckled as she looked at the price. ¡°... Ah.¡± ¡°These are high-quality grimoires that would usually cost twenty times this amount, so while it may seem expensive... Miss Epherene? Miss Epherene? Ah! Miss Epherene¡ª!¡± Five secondster, Epherene fainted. *** In the dimly lit Hadecaine Castle, Yeriel was going over documents and ledgers rted to imperial support for the Rohak Concentration Camp and the ie from the Marik Underground Passage when she suddenly frowned. ¡°Did that bastarde back again?¡± ¡°Yes, Lady Yeriel. He ims to have something for you... Since he¡¯s from the Imperial Pce, we couldn¡¯t just turn him away, so we provided him with a guest room,¡± the butler replied. Once again, the unwee Jng had arrived. Yeriel sighed and said, ¡°What does he want to give me? Just tell him to hand it over and piss off.¡± ¡°You know how persistent he is. He insists on delivering it to you personally...¡± ¡°Ugh. What a fucking nuisance.¡± At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. The butler shook his head as he nced toward it. ¡°Let him enter.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady Yeriel,¡± the butler replied as he opened the door, once again revealing the visitor, Jng. ¡°Good evening, Lady Yeriel,¡± Jng said with a smug smile as he seated himself in front of her. He then turned to the butler. ¡°Would you mind giving us a moment?¡± The butler, after gauging Yeriel¡¯s expression, quietly left the room. Still smiling, Jng ced an artifact ne on the lord¡¯s desk and said, ¡°Please, have a look.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve. How do you think you¡¯ll deal with the consequencester?¡± ¡°Once you see it, I¡¯m confident you¡¯ll change your mind,¡± Jng replied, his tone oddly assured. Yeriel shifted her gaze between the visitor and the ne on the desk before saying, ¡°... No matter how bold you are, you should learn some tact.¡± This eunuch, barging into the lord¡¯s office uninvited, was clearly up to something. The rat-faced man was certainly scheming. ¡°I understand. Just take a look, and I¡¯ll leave immediately.¡± ¡°Tsk.¡± Whatever it was, the only way to get rid of him was to humor him. Curious about what trick he was trying to pull this time, Yeriel clicked her tongue and picked up the ne. Chapter 93: Second Semester (2)

Chapter 93: Second Semester (2)

In Hadecaine Castle, Yeriel lifted the ne from the desk. It seemed to be an artifact, likely designed to record specific scenes. ¡°Please, have a look,¡± Jng urged, gesturing toward the ne. Despite her suspicious expression, Yeriel channeled her mana into the crystal orb of the ne. ¡ª Ensure the mission ispleted without fail. Regardless of the oue, keep Yeriel confined to the territory. A familiar voice emerged from the device as Yeriel silently watched the recording. ¡ª She was only ever useful for that one purpose. Jng closely watched her expression, but Yeriel never showed weakness in front of an enemy. ¡ª Her every move is insignificant, so it should be secure, but add surveince to the task list to be certain. The recording showed Deculein seated in an ornate chair in his mansion in the capital, swirling a wine ss with a scowl on his face. ¡ª If she dares to attempt anything foolish... Deculein nced toward someone offscreen, revealing only a brief glimpse of red hair. ¡ª You know what needs to be done; there¡¯s no need for me to exin further. I have a deep disdain for those who don¡¯t know their ce... The recording came to an end. Though brief, it was dated tost year. ¡°As a mage, Lady Yeriel, I¡¯m confident you can verify the authenticity of this artifact... Please, take a look,¡± Jng said with a smile as he produced a sealed document. ¡°Red hair is quite rare, so I conducted a thorough investigation...¡± Jng had leveraged his connections within the Adventurer¡¯s Guild to restore a particr document. Even the guild, known for its loyalty, had been swayed by the eunuch¡¯s influence. ¡°Can you see the target listed here?¡± It was a section of the Ganesha-Deculein contract. Yeriel examined the part Jng pointed out. Guild Submission Contract ¡ô Overview: The Red Ga Adventure Team will diligently execute the mission assigned by Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. ¡ô Target: Yeriel von Delrun-Yukline. ¡ô Details: Due to security concerns, the specifics will bemunicated orally. (*Payment for top-secret mission. Not to be recorded in the guild submission contract.) ¡ô Duration: Effective until a mutual agreement is reached. ¡ô Seal: Deculein ¡°You are the target. I don¡¯t know the specifics of the mission, but it¡¯s not difficult to infer¡ª¡± ¡°Retard.¡± ¡°... Excuse me?¡± Jng was taken aback by her unexpected response. Yeriel smirked as she met his gaze and said, ¡°Are you only now realizing that Deculein and I don¡¯t get along?¡± ¡°... Haha, I see. Is that so?¡± ¡°If someone heard us talking, they might assume I¡¯ve been managing the territory so diligently because I¡¯m just so fond of Deculein... Anyway, if you¡¯re done, get out.¡± Jng maintained hisposure as he replied, ¡°Then we should be able to understand each other even better.¡± ¡°Understand? Are you actually a retard? You can¡¯t even follow a simplemand to get out.¡± He held his smile, but it quickly faded as Yeriel¡¯s next words struck him. ¡°You fucking dickless bastard.¡± Jng¡¯s fist clenched under the desk. His eyes shed with anger and humiliation, and his entire body trembled. Yeriel curled her lips and said, ¡°What are you staring at? I told you to get the fuck out.¡± ¡°... One day, you¡¯ll regret this,¡± Jng hissed through gritted teeth before storming out of the room. As Yeriel watched him leave with the knight from the Imperial Pce, she gradually turned her attention to the ne and contract on her desk. ¡°Lady Yeriel,¡± the butler said as he entered the room. Yeriel gazed silently out the window. Jng¡¯s angry footsteps still echoed faintly from the hallway, but outside, the night had already settled into a calm stillness. The sky was filled with stars. ¡°You know,¡± Yeriel murmured softly to her butler, a trace of loneliness in her voice. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I suppose Deculein never intended to keep his promises from the start.¡± She rested her fingers on the contract and the ne, sighing as she faced the truth. All this time, Deculein had been deceiving her. He had lulled her into a false sense of security with promises of oaths, all while secretly orchestrating these vile schemes behind her back. His n had always been to betray her when the moment was right. ¡°Is that so?¡± Deculein had given her nothing but empty promises, while she, foolishly, ced her trust in him and asked for nothing in return. He had depended on her lingering sense of family loyalty to refuse a binding oath. ¡°What am I supposed to do now?¡± Of course, she couldn¡¯t let Deculein know any of this¡ªnot even a hint. There was no danger of Jng telling him either; Jng had approached her specifically because he didn¡¯t want Deculein to gain any more power than he already had. The butler spoke gently, ¡°... Lady Yeriel, this territory has always stood by your side.¡± Though those words offered somefort, Yeriel couldn¡¯t shake the deep sadness that lingered. Deep in her heart, she still yearned to be close to the man she once called her older brother, to share a bond with him again. ¡°Thanks. You can leave now.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady Yeriel. Rest well.¡± Alone in the darkened office, Yeriel switched off the lights, letting the night sky spill through the windows. In the darkness, she reyed the recording from the ne. As Deculein¡¯s cold words echoed and she reviewed the incriminating contract, Yeriel silently wiped away her tears. *** Students trickled back with their luggage, the air filled with the distant shing of swords and the shouts of knight cadets. The once-quiet shopping streets hade alive with renewed energy. It was clear that the new semester at Imperial University was just around the corner. ¡°Head Professor!¡± While students returning from their hometowns or vacations rested leisurely in anticipation of the new semester, it was a different story for the professors. Both the general faculty and magic professors were fully upied with preparing their lessons for the term ahead. ¡°Here it is, sir.¡± I nced up as Allen approached, shuffling through some documents. Despite earlier signs that he might leave after thest semester, it seemed he had chosen to stay on a bit longer. ¡°These are the previous course proposals you asked for,¡± Allen said as he handed over a stack of documents. These proposals were written by Epherene¡¯s father, a figure still wrapped in mystery. I nned to use them as a reference for the uing semester. ¡°... Hmm,¡± I muttered. I reviewed the Course Proposal, Pure Utilization of the Four Elements. The curriculum focused on refining elemental control, but it was clear why Deculein had rejected it¡ªit was far too advanced, more appropriate for postgraduate or doctoral students than undergraduates. ¡°This seems like it will be quite an advanced course.¡± ¡°An advanced course?!¡± Allen repeated, his eyes widening in surprise. I nodded, noting the admiration on Allen¡¯s face. I intended to adjust the course title to better suit my strengths, perhaps to something like Pure Utilization of the Four Elements: Maniption Category or Pure Utilization of Earth and Fire, reflecting my own expertise. After all, Deculein¡¯s talenty in the maniption category, particrly with the elements of earth and fire. "You''ve done well. You''re dismissed." ¡°Oh, and there¡¯s a letter as well. It came in the mail,¡± Allen said, handing over the mail from the sponsor¡¯s mailbox¡ªlikely just a single letter from Epherene. ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡± After Allen departed, I immediately opened the letter. To My Esteemed Sponsor, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you that I have now officially be a Solda, leaving behind my status as a Debutant. However, I must admit that I feel less fortunate now than I did before. This isrgely due to my decision to volunteer under Professor Deculein¡ªa far more demanding mentor than I ever imagined. Though it was my choice, I find myself questioning it at times... (Content omitted) Unfortunately, your generous sponsorship funds have quickly diminished, taken by something known as intellectual property fees, which seemed to consume them as quickly as a snail devours leaves. Nevertheless, I want to assure you that I, Solda Epherene, am determined to surpass this blue snail and be a mage worthy of your support. I will prove that your belief in me was not misced. Until that day, I will continue to work diligently and strive toward excellence. With sincere gratitude, Solda Epherene "A blue snail, huh..." I murmured, carefully folding the letter before cing it in the drawer. Then, I activated the crystal orb that disyed the interior of the Assistant¡¯s Research Lab. Whiiir¡ª The hologram of the researchb materialized, revealing Drent and Epherene. Epherene was immersed in her studies while Drent concentrated on his research. ¡°It feels somewhat vacant.¡± Theb was filled with high-end items¡ªluxurious desks and chairs, premium air purifiers, and advanced temperature regtors. Despite being spacious enough for dozens, it felt empty with only two people present. Sylvia''s absence was particrly evident; she had been exceptional in every way, from her attendance to her grasp of the material and natural talent. ¡°... I trust she¡¯s managing well on the Floating Ind.¡± It was better for Yukline and Iliade to keep their distance. Anything closer could provoke unpredictable chaos from Glitheon. ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± I said, checking my watch before stepping out of the office. Today''s task was an inspection in my capacity as Director of the nning and Coordination Office. My first destination was the 43rd floor, where the most resources were currently being consumed¡ªLouina¡¯s office. Ding¡ª As soon as I exited the elevator, a frown crossed my face. The hallway was packed with mages. Louina, who was overseeing the group, noticed my presence and said, "Ah, you''ve arrived, PCO Director.¡± I smirked and remarked, "... You certainly have arge number of assistants." "Ah, they''re only interns for now." ¡°Interns?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± "How many interns do you have?" ¡°One hundred. We had so many applicants that we had to limit it to that number,¡± Louina replied casually. It really wasn¡¯t significant. Even if you added up the skills of ten of those interns, they still wouldn¡¯t match Drent, and all one hundred of thembined couldn¡¯t hold a candle to Epherene. ¡°It¡¯s as if this ce is crawling with pests,¡± I remarked sharply before I realized it. The bustling hallway went silent. Nearly all of Louina¡¯s hundred assistant interns turned to look at me but quickly returned to their tasks when our eyes met. Louina crossed her arms, her tone slightly offended as she said, "Pests? Isn¡¯t that a bit too harsh?" ¡°... Just give me the report.¡± "Here it is, fully organized," Louina said, handing over the report as if she had anticipated this request. After a quick nce, I tucked the report into my briefcase. "By the way, PCO Director, I heard you took in a child from the Luna family. What do you intend to do with her? She appears to have talent." I stared at Louina in silence. She met my gaze, looking up at me. It urred to me that she was an alumnus and might know something about the connection between Deculein and Epherene¡¯s father. Louina blinked before continuing, ¡°Well, that¡¯s your concern. In any case, here are the Lokralen tickets and the conference invitation. The Academic Conference requested that I deliver them to you.¡± The Lokralen Academic Conference cordially invites Head Professor Deculein to attend our uing conference! We would be honored by your presence! [Main Quest: The entric Lokralen Conference] ¡ô Store Currency +1 ¡ô Mana Point +50 The Lokralen Academic Conference¡ªknown among mage yers as a key location for main quests. I epted the invitation letter and asked, ¡°Will you be attending as well?¡± ¡°Sorry? Ah, no, I¡¯m too busy~ The Lokralen ticket allows you to bring three guests, so feel free to take whomever you choose, Boss.¡± *** "Hey, Sylvia, ''bout time ya showed up~" Rogerio greeted as Sylvia finally reached the Floating Ind. Today, they were meeting at Pentamol, located on the 10th floor of Megiseon, thergest and most renowned library on the ind. This was the grand repository of the world¡¯s knowledge, a ce Sylvia had dreamed of visiting for a long time. ¡°Here ya go. A day pass,¡± Rogerio said, handing her the pass. Only those ranked Lumiere, the 5th rank or higher, could enter, while only those ranked Ethereal, the 2nd rank or above, had the authority to grant ess. Rogerio had given Sylvia a day pass. ¡°Thank you,¡± Sylvia said. ¡°No worries. Let¡¯s get in heah,¡± Rogerio said, swinging the door wide like she¡¯d done it a million times. The 10th floor of Megiseon was an expansive library that filled the entire floor. The immense scale of the space and the scent of countless books left Sylvia in awe. ¡°It¡¯s enormous.¡± ¡°Ayuh, an Archmage¡¯s wicked strong magic made this ce. Betcha it¡¯s bigger than the whole capital, no lie. They got damn near every book in the world here, from them fancy grimoires to in ol¡¯ lit too.¡± ¡°May I borrow anything?¡± Sylvia inquired. ¡°You can grab up to three books at once, but if they¡¯re copyrighted, ya gonna hafta cough up some dough for the intellectual whatever that was.¡± ¡°Intellectual property fees,¡± Sylvia corrected. "Yeah, that," Rogerio nodded, like the word was too fancy for her regr lingo. Big words weren¡¯t really her thing. ¡°See that desk ovah there? If ya need anything special, just ask that kid. He¡¯s known as the Library Addict,¡± Rogerio said, pointing to a robed mage behind the desk. "The Library Addict?" Sylvia asked, her tone reflecting a hint of confusion. ¡°Yup, that¡¯s right. The Floating Ind¡¯s got all kinds of addicts, but this guy¡¯s the best of ¡¯em. He knows where every damn book is in this whole ce¡ªhis brain¡¯s wicked fused with the library,¡± Rogerio exined. Sylvia nodded and approached the desk, asking, ¡°Are there any books authored by Deculein?¡± ¡°There are ten books by Deculein, but two of them are currently under copyright protection,¡± the Library Addict replied. Rogerio''s eyes went wide as she asked, ¡°Whaddya lookin¡¯ for Deculein¡¯s books for? Mosta his old stuff¡¯s junk, ¡®cept these three right here.¡± She then waved her hand, pulling three papers from the heart of the library¡ªConcentration of Pure Elements, The Complexities of the Four Elements, and Methods for Element Creation. "After these three, Deculein lost his edge. Sure, he¡¯s made aebacktely, but these works are what got him that head professor gig. I was just a wicked young teen when they came out,¡± Rogerio continued. "Haha. Even now, I still don¡¯t believe Deculein wrote those. Even with his current status as a renowned professor, there are still plenty who think those three papers were ghostwritten," another voice chimed in. Sylvia turned to find a mage stroking his long beard¡ªGindalf. Rogerio scowled and said, ¡°What¡¯re ya doin¡¯ here, old man? Why ya buttin¡¯ in on my exinin¡¯?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here to meet Sylvia, who will soon reach our rank,¡± Gindalf said warmly, his eyes resting on Sylvia. ¡°You¡¯ve made a wise choiceing to the Floating Ind. What more could you possibly learn at the Mage Tower?¡± ¡°By the way, Sylvia, did ya know? This old fe once squared off with Yukline ¡®cause of Iliade,¡± Rogerio said. ¡°Haha, that¡¯s hardly worth bringing up,¡± Gindalf replied with a chuckle. Gindalf had taken Iliade¡¯s side during the war with the Yukline family. Though he had benefited from Iliade¡¯s support growing up, his true motive was a deep-seated disdain for the former head of the Yukline family. ¡°Thank you,¡± Sylvia replied briefly before turning back to the Library Addict. ¡°What¡¯s Deculein¡¯s most recent book?¡± ¡°This one, Understanding Pure Elements: Yukline Edition,¡± the Library Addict said, pulling a floating book. ¡°Ah, Sylvia. Ya ain''t gonna be able to rent that one,¡± Rogerio said, smiling bitterly. Sylvia looked at him and asked, ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Deculein only sold it in small batches to a chosen few, right?¡± Rogerio asked. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct. Deculein gifted this book to only seventeen individuals, and it¡¯s been highly acimed. While I haven¡¯t personally read it, Lumiere Kreto called it the definitive textbook, epassing everything from the fundamentals to advanced concepts in Pure Element theory.¡± ¡°So, even Kreto, the Empress¡¯s brothah, gave it the nod?¡± Rogerio asked, clearly impressed. ¡°Yes. Astal, the Addict who reviewed the book, also included it in the 100 Essential Mid-Level Theory Books for the Floating Ind. He praised Monarch Deculein for his precise artiction of the previously vague concept of Pure Elements, calling him a defining figure of our time.¡± Rogerio furrowed her brow and said, ¡°Ain¡¯t that somethin¡¯? Why¡¯d they go and write a masterpiece like that and not sell it? Nobody¡¯s gonna know how wicked good it is if it ain¡¯t out there. I¡¯d love to get my hands on it myself.¡± ¡°So, I can¡¯t rent it?¡± Sylvia asked again. ¡°Didn¡¯t ya hear, Sylvia? ¡®Course ya can¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°You can. Solda Sylvia is permitted,¡± the Library Addict interjected, contradicting Rogerio. Rogerio squinted and asked, ¡°Huh? Whaddya mean? If I can¡¯t borrow it, why can she?¡± The Library Addict turned mechanically to face Rogerio and said, ¡°Solda Sylvia is listed among those authorized by Monarch Deculein to rent it.¡± ¡°... Sylvia? Really? That true?¡± ¡°Yes. It¡¯s true.¡± Rogerio turned to Sylvia, who appeared confused, while behind her, Gindalf stroked his beard thoughtfully. ¡°Did ya know ¡®bout this?¡± Rogerio asked. ¡°No,¡± Sylvia responded, shaking her head in apparent confusion. The Library Addict repeated, ¡°Would you like to rent it?¡± ¡°Y-yes, I¡¯ll rent it,¡± Sylvia stammered. The book, Understanding Pure Elements: Yukline Edition, settled gently into her hands. Sylvia ran her fingers over the soft cover in silence. Rogerio licked his lips and asked, ¡°Sylvia, can I get a peek at ittah? Or at least fill me in on what¡¯s in there? I¡¯m wicked curious¡ªhey! Where ya goin¡¯?!¡± Clip-clop¡ª Sylvia wasted no time. She turned on her heel and sprinted away. *** Late at night, in the assistant researchb on the 77th floor of the Mage Tower. ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore! How am I supposed to finish all of this before the semester starts?¡± Epherene shouted, her frustration echoing through the emptyb. She had only made it halfway through the third book, Harmony of the Four Elements. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Drent, another assistant, asked with concern as he focused on an experiment involving mana stones to test spell responses. Epherene sighed deeply and asked, ¡°Drent, why did you choose to be Deculein¡¯s assistant? There are rumors that he ckmailed you into it.¡± Many believed that Drent, with his bright future ahead, had been coerced by Deculein. The notion that he had been ckmailed was almost taken as fact among the students at the Mage Tower. ¡°Of course I wasn¡¯t ckmailed,¡± Drent said, shaking his head firmly to dismiss the rumor. ¡°He helped me fix my mistake, so I decided toe here. I¡¯m sorry about what happened before. I must have been out of my mind, too focused on the results.¡± ¡°... It¡¯s fine. I guess it just shows how good my idea was.¡± ¡°Haha. It truly was. I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Sigh... But,¡± Epherene muttered, ncing at the towering stack of books on her desk. There were thirteen in total, but each one was so dense it felt like reading sixty regr books. Each was nearly 700 to 800 pages long. ¡°This can¡¯t be real. Thirteen advanced texts? It¡¯s impossible.¡± Her sponsorship funds had disappeared, swallowed up by something called intellectual property fees. Now, she couldn¡¯t even afford her favorite snack, Roahawk, ever again. Drent gave her a sympathetic smile and asked, ¡°Is there anything I can do to help?¡± ¡°No, it''s fine... The professor left already, right?¡± ¡°Yeah. About two hours ago, I think.¡± ¡°Ah~ In that case, I¡¯ll wrap up for the night. I need some rest.¡± ¡°Alright. Take care,¡± Drent replied, remaining behind to finish his work. Epherene exited theb, nning to head directly to the elevator. However, she hesitated and nced down the corridor at therge door at the far end¡ªthe Head Professor¡¯s Office. Epherene swallowed nervously, her throat tightening with anxiety. At some point, her father had sent her a letter, exining that he had hidden his research records inside Deculein¡¯s office. He had no choice but to conceal his work there, right under Deculein¡¯s watchful eye, as it was the only ce where he could evade the professor¡¯s relentless scrutiny. ¡°So, the professor left two hours ago,¡± Epherene reminded herself, scanning the dark, empty 77th floor. At this hour, the floor should be deserted. It was already 2 a.m. Moving with light, cautious steps, she made her way toward the Head Professor¡¯s Office. Sneak-sneak¡ª Moving cautiously, she reached the door in just thirty seconds, though it felt much longer. Sweat formed on her forehead as she grasped the doorknob and pushed it slightly. To her surprise, the door opened. Epherene tensed, startled¡ªit wasn¡¯t locked. Or perhaps it had been, but somehow it had unlocked the moment she touched it. Maybe her father had anticipated this. ¡°... Gulp.¡± The office was shrouded in darkness, every corner swallowed by shadows. Moving carefully on her hands and knees, she brushed her fingers over the cold tiles. Her father had promised she would recognize the hidden spot instantly, but nothing felt right. Maybe it was further ahead, or perhaps Deculein had already taken everything as Sylvia once mentioned. ¡°No,¡± Epherene muttered, shaking her head as she kept crawling forward. Struggling to see, she gathered mana in her palm, using its faint glow to light her search. Then, her hand brushed against something solid. Confident she had found the spot, Epherene gripped the edge, but it refused to budge. As she looked closer, she realized it was a shoe. She slowly raised her eyes. "... Huh?" For a moment, her mind went nk. She froze, still holding the shoe. Above her, a pair of cold, glowing blue eyes stared down, their intensity cutting through the darkness. It wasn¡¯t a special arrangement by her father after all. It was simply... ¡°What is it that you¡¯re searching for?¡± Deculein, the master of the office, was still there. Chapter 94: Second Semester (3)

Chapter 94: Second Semester (3)

In the dimly lit researchb, Deculein¡¯s voice cut through the darkness, ¡°What is it that you¡¯re searching for?¡± Epherene quickly let go of his shoe, her hands fumbling over the floor as she stammered, ¡°I was just... cleaning the floor.¡± "Do you expect me to believe that?" ¡°... It does clean¡ªI-I¡¯m sorry,¡± Epherene stammered as she awkwardly stood up, fumbling for an excuse. ¡°The door was open, so I thought I¡¯d lock it up... and then I-I saw the lights were off...¡± "There are times when darkness is essential," Deculein said, snapping his fingers. Snap¡ª! Theb lights flickered on, and Epherene''s eyes widened in astonishment. ¡°Woah...¡± The room was filled with floating sheets of paper, each marked with intricate magic circles andplex spells. Thousands of them drifted in the air, forming a dense cloud of calctions beyond Epherene''s ability to understand. Snap¡ª! With another snap of Deculein¡¯s fingers, the papers were swiftly drawn into his briefcase, which appeared to be a magical item. Epherene looked on in awe and asked, "Is that your personal research, Professor?" ¡°No, this is preparation for ss.¡± ¡°Sorry? This is for a ss?¡± ¡°You speak too much. Leave now,¡± Deculeinmanded, his tone allowing no room for dispute as he walked out, neither scolding nor punishing her. Epherene watched his figure retreat, surprised that he hadn¡¯t scolded her. Flip¡ª Flip¡ª She hesitated briefly, then crouched down and swiftly checked a few tiles, hoping to find something before leaving theb. ¡°... Oh.¡± ¡°Get in,¡± Deculeinmanded, standing by the elevator as he waited for her. Scratching the back of her neck, Epherene mumbled, ¡°Y-you waited for me.¡± Deculein remained silent, pressing the close button as she entered the elevator. Ding¡ª As the elevator descended, the silence seemed to stretch endlessly for Epherene. She stole nces at Deculein, recalling Gindalf¡¯s im that Professor Deculein might actually care for her. The idea seemed absurd, but ever since, she found herself viewing his actions in a new light. Despite him being her father¡¯s enemy and a frustrating professor who assigned impossible tasks, something about him felt different. ¡°Um, Professor Deculein¡ª¡± Ding¡ª When the elevator doors opened, Deculein turned to face her. Epherene quickly shook her head, stammering, ¡°Oh, no, no, it¡¯s nothing...¡± Without a word, Deculein reached into his inner pocket, pulled out a ticket, and stated, ¡°Take this.¡± Epherene examined the ticket. It was an invitation to the Lokralen Academic Conference. Lokralen... The name was familiar. ¡°You will apany me,¡± Deculein stated, his tone leaving no room for discussion, before turning and walking away. His long strides quickly carried him down the hall as Epherene nced between the ticket in her hand and his distant figure. ¡°... I don¡¯t get it. Why is he like this?¡± Epherene muttered with a sigh. *** Early the next morning, I made my way to the highest floor of the Mage Tower. ¡°Hmm!¡± the Chairwoman eximed as she took my course sybus and the materials for the first lecture. Pure Utilization of Earth and Fire: Maniption Category ¡ô Overview: An advanced course focusing on the in-depth utilization of the earth and fire elements. Designed for a deeper understanding of element property. ¡ô Level: Advanced (6 credits, open to Soldas and above). ¡ô Description: ... ¡°The concept is solid! But keep in mind, a course for Soldas and above isn¡¯t the same as a Debutant-level ss! Debutant courses are exclusive to the Mage Tower, so there¡¯s no issue, but advanced courses are graded by the Floating Ind, not me! It could get downgraded to intermediate!¡± the Chairwoman exined enthusiastically. ¡°That¡¯s eptable,¡± I replied with a nod of agreement. Advanced-level courses were rare, even on the Floating Ind. ¡°Where are the rted documents?!¡± ¡°Here they are,¡± I replied, passing over the meticulously crafted materials. These documents, developed with a deep level of Comprehension, were intended to form the backbone of the course. They concentrated solely on the maniption of earth and fire elements, with a level of detail approaching that of a thesis. ¡°I hope this course gets the Unlimited Advanced rating! That would really boost our Mage Tower''s reputation!¡± the Chairwoman eximed, stamping the sybus with approval. Thud¡ª! ¡°Yes, I hope for the same.¡± ¡°Well, off you go! I¡¯m getting sleepy!¡± the Chairwoman said, waving her small hand as she began arranging a bed right on her desk. ¡°Adrienne the Second! Come here!¡± ¡°Woof! Woof!¡± Adrienne the Second, a small puppy, barked as it jumped onto the desk. The Chairwoman drifted off to sleep beside the small dog, and I quietly exited the room. Six hourster, news spread quickly across the Floating Ind, but only when it involved matters of magic. Gossip about events in the Empire or rumors of affairs held no interest here. However, when a significant magical discovery or a new theoretical paper emerged, it took less than half a day for the entire ind to be buzzing with the news. "Rumah says it¡¯s an advanced-level coase?" Rogerio remarked The news of Deculein¡¯s advanced lecture had already made its way to Rogerio, carried by a casual remark from Grand Prince Kreto, whom she had encountered by chance. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct,¡± Kreto affirmed. "Ya think it¡¯ll get thatbel, Grand Prince? I mean, it¡¯s at the Mage Tower, not the Floating Ind." Lectures at the Mage Tower typically remained within the beginner or intermediate levels. Naturally, not all beginner sses were identical, and intermediate courses varied greatly in difficulty. However, an advanced-level course belonged to an entirely different category. In the Magical Realm, an advanced course was one that could drive generational progress or introduce groundbreaking concepts. This was why the Floating Ind had been particrly stringent when granting such a lecture rating. For the past twenty years, no advanced-level course had been conducted outside the Floating Ind. The perception that the Floating Ind was the pinnacle of academia in the Celestial Realm, while the Mage Tower served as the center of research in the Mortal Realm, was far from idental. ¡°Who can say? If it¡¯s from Sir Deculein, it might very well receive the advanced lecture rating,¡± Kreto said. Advanced courses were umon, even on the Floating Ind. Few high-ranking mages possessed both the time and the aptitude for teaching such demanding sses, and those who did often only held them at their convenience. "Well, Your Highness, callin'' him Sir is a bit excessive, don¡¯t ya think? As a Grand Prince of the Imperial Pce, ya really oughta be idolizin¡¯ no one." ¡°I¡¯m just a fan, that¡¯s all, hahaha¡± Kreto replied with a lightugh. Only then did Rogerio notice something unusual about Kreto¡¯s attire. ¡°Now that I¡¯m lookin¡¯ at ya, ya dressed just like Deculein too, ain¡¯t ya?¡± "This is thetest trend in the capital." ¡°Hmm. If it does get the advanced rating, that¡¯d be wicked to see. But let¡¯s be real, it ain¡¯t too likely,¡± Rogerio said, slurping up her spaghetti. At the table next to them, someone mentioned that Deculein was working on an advanced lecture. ¡°But you could attend it at the Mage Tower, couldn¡¯t you? I¡¯ve long since graduated, but you¡¯re technically still on leave,¡± Kreto remarked. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s wicked true, but if it gets that advanced lecture stamp, the Floating Ind folks¡¯ll be all over it. They¡¯ll scramble to lock down a hologram or a transcript, or somethin¡¯. You think so too, right?¡± The Floating Ind, the wealthiest ce in the world, was home to schrs consumed by their pursuit of knowledge. Their motto was simple: if something wasn¡¯t for sale, they¡¯d take it by any means necessary. While they were willing to pay any price, refusing to sell made you their enemy. ¡°Yes, I believe so.¡± ¡°So I heard there''s a big academic conferencein¡¯ up at Lokralen. You ain¡¯t goin¡¯, Grand Prince?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t invited. My research has beencking attention as ofte.¡± ¡°... Hmm. That right?¡± Rogerio muttered, her eyes narrowing as she pulled out her own Lokralen Academic Conference invite. ¡°How ¡¯bout I give ya one?¡± *** Two weeks before the semester began, Solda Epherene sat in the Common Magic Research Club room, browsing through the Wizard Board. From the Solda level onward, your category bes crucial. Unless your attributes are exceptionally unique, the main distinctiones from the category you choose. Therefore, ensure that your courses are aligned with your category... This was advice from a senior mage. ¡°... So, category is everything,¡± Epherene muttered, folding her arms as she contemted her own path. A mage''s core disciplines were divided into eight categories¡ªSummoning, Elemental, Destruction, Support, Ductility, Maniption, Enchantment, and Harmony. However, these distinctions grew even more defined upon reaching the rank of Solda. At the Mage Tower, half the mages focus on a single category, a practice referred to as Intensive Category Specialization. The others either study two or more categories equally, known as Multiple Categories, or prioritize one as their primary focus while maintaining another as a secondary, known as Primary and Secondary Categories. Epherene nodded in understanding. Most mages typically chose no more than two categories. Some ambitious or reckless ones might attempt to tackle three or more, but the overwhelming number of required sses often made this an impractical choice. ¡°... I wonder which categories Professor Deculein specialized in?¡± ¡°Professor Deculein? I heard he¡¯s mastered four-categories¡ªManiption, Ductility, Destruction, and Support,¡± Julia replied, sitting beside her. Epherene nced over, noticing the new artifact ne Julia was wearing. It seemed the Flower of the Pig had be quite popr, and Julia had indulged in a pricey piece. Epherene felt a twinge of envy. ¡°So, Deculein has mastered a total of four-categories?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°... Then I¡¯ll do the same.¡± Epherene resolved to follow the same path, choosing Destruction, Support, Maniption, and Ductility as her focus. If Deculein had mastered all four, she believed she could too. ¡°What? Are you serious, Ephie? Do you know how many sses you¡¯ll need to take?¡± ¡°Hmph. It¡¯s fine. You have no idea how much I¡¯ve been studyingtely.¡± Professor Deculein had assigned thirteen advanced theory books. Whenever Epherene hit a wall, she would dive into rted papers, and if those didn¡¯t help, she¡¯d seek advice from newer professors like Kellogg. ¡°Right... you¡¯ve practically been living in this club room.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Epherene had turned the room into her makeshift bedroom,plete with pillows, nkets, and other essentials. The time spent walking back and forth to the dormitory seemed like a waste. ¡°If you¡¯re aiming for four-categories, you¡¯ll need to take at least twelve sses this semester, all of them core requirements,¡± Julia pointed out. ¡°... Ahem,¡± Epherene muttered, clearing her throat as she scanned the course registration list on her Wizard Board. ¡°... What? Professor Deculein isn¡¯t teaching Debutants anymore?¡± Epherene¡¯s attention shifted to Deculein¡¯s course on the list. Pure Utilization of Earth and Fire: Maniption Category ¡ô Instructor: Head Professor Deculein ¡ô Course Overview: An advanced course focusing on the in-depth utilization of the earth and fire elements. Designed for a deeper understanding of element property. ¡ô Primary Textbook: Authored by Head Professor Deculein ¡ô Credits: 6 credits, 3 hours per week, held biweekly ¡ô Enrollment: Selection by Professor Deculein based on applications ¡ô Course Level: Pending confirmation based on lecture rating ¡°Wow, a 6-credit course?¡± Julia remarked with a hint of amusement. Epherene stared at the course details, puzzled and said, ¡°How can it be 6 credits if it¡¯s only every other week? Is it just because he¡¯s the Head Professor?¡± ¡°Who knows~? Ephie, you really shouldn¡¯t take this ss. It¡¯s going to be ridiculously hard.¡± ¡°... No, it¡¯s worth it. With 6 credits, this single ss wouldplete my entire Maniption category.¡± ¡°Even so, it¡¯s going to be tough. If you slip up even once, recovering will be difficult. Plus, he¡¯ll be selecting the students¡ªnot everyone who applies will get in.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Lately, Epherene had been full of confidence. She had alreadypleted two advanced grimoires and was halfway through a third. Yet, she was well aware that there was a significant gap between mastering advanced grimoires and tackling an advanced course... ¡°I can do this. After all, I¡¯m my father¡¯s daughter,¡± Epherene said, clenching her fist and nodding firmly. *** At the Hall of Learning in the Imperial Pce. ¡°The construction of the Rohak Concentration Camp is nearlyplete, or so I¡¯ve been told,¡± Sophien remarked. I looked at her with slight disbelief. As our lessons continued, Sophien¡¯s posture became increasingly rxed, and now she was fully reclined. ¡°... Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°This brings me to another matter¡ªMarik¡¯s mana stones are now circting freely in the market. The merchant groups that have been manipting prices must be suffering significant losses.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± Sophien smiled faintly and traced a finger through the air, her tone taking on the air of a lecture. "And yet, several merchant groups appear untouched by these losses. The reason is simple¡ªthey didn¡¯t spend a single coin to mine those mana stones. And why? Because they received them at a bargain or even for free from the Altar in the Land of Destruction." ¡°Yes, Your Majesty, that is correct.¡± ¡°With the mere opening of Marik, I¡¯ve managed to reveal a significant number of corrupt merchant groups,¡± Sophien said, her calm smile giving way to a sharp frown. ¡°Deculein.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Here. Take this,¡± she said, handing me a list of thirteen merchant groups. Her voice grew colder as she added, ¡°Whether you mark the Scarletborn as traitors or criminals, deal with them as you see fit.¡± "Yes, Your Majesty. I will see to it that all their assets are seized for the Imperial Pce." Sophien furrowed her brow and tilted her head slightly as she said, "If you wish to take them for yourself, I have no objections." "It is wiser to avoid holding onto wealth that could bring misfortune." Consolidating too much power in Yukline would be imprudent. Though Sophien appeared displeased, she refrained from pushing the matter, whether she understood my reasoning or not. "... Fine. Do as you wish. But understand this¡ªI will soon begin a thorough purge of the Scarletborns." ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°And you will be responsible for capturing your share.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve alreadypleted my investigation and gathered significant information. I¡¯ll have good news for you soon.¡± ¡°Hmm. Is that so?¡± Sophien murmured, raising an eyebrow at my response. The day I had promised Karixel was drawing near. Soon, I would capture him and deliver him to Rohak. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. If the operation seeds, I¡¯ll use one as an example by imprisoning them in Rohak. However, before that...¡± I met Sophien''s gaze in silence. She seemed to understand, a soft chuckle escaping her lips before she uttered a single resonant rune, ?????, which meant vibration. "Your efforts have beenmendable," I said, rising to take my leave. Still reclining, Sophien looked up at me and said, ¡°... Deculein.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°You always manage to trouble me... No, only you trouble me,¡± Sophien went on, her hair disheveled, her once sharp eyes now dulled with indifference. Today, more than ever, she seemed burdened by an overwhelming sense of ennui. Her voice took on a more probing tone. ¡°Deculein.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Do you not fear me?¡± It was the kind of question that would make any subject of the Empire¡¯s heart skip a beat, but I didn¡¯t pause to consider its meaning. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, I shook my head and said, ¡°No, Your Majesty, I do not fear you.¡± ¡°How arrogant of you... But why is that?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not certain. It¡¯s strange, but,¡± I said, holding Sophien¡¯s clouded gaze, ¡°there is nothing in this world that I fear.¡± It was the truth. The eventual end of my life, the distant loss of my identity as Kim Woo-Jin, or even the thought that Yulie might one day despise me¡ªnone of these filled me with fear. Instead, I found them distasteful. Rather than fear, what I felt was closer to revulsion¡ªan emotion that seemed distinctly Deculein. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll take my leave. You¡¯ve absorbed the lesson well.¡± The lesson concluded with only a few words, yet I found itpletely satisfying. "Good. Now leave, you arrogant thing. But the next time youe back, make sure you¡¯ve captured the Scarletborn," Sophien said with augh. *** In mid-August, on a road in the eastern continent, Karixel, concealed in the carriage¡¯s luggagepartment, gathered his resolve once more. He had already arranged for his three children to be cared for by his wife and brother and had handed over his responsibilities at the Cradle of the Tree to Elesol. Now, everything else depended on him. ¡°... Captain, do you truly trust that professor? It¡¯s not toote to reconsider,¡± said Deuhal, one of the Scarletborn apanying him to the concentration camp. Karixel shook his head and replied, ¡°I¡¯ve made my decision to trust him, so don¡¯t question it. It¡¯s not a matter of trust, just a straightforward deal. Deuhal, you haven¡¯t mentioned this to anyone, have you?¡± To fool the world, you first have to fool your own allies. This was why he hadn¡¯t informed anyone in the Cradle of the Tree, not even his wife or children. There was always a chance that information could slip out from somewhere. ¡°Of course not. This remains strictly between us¡ª¡± Thud! The carriage suddenly jerked to a stop, causing Karixel and Deuhal to swallow nervously. Thud, thud, thud. Three footsteps echoed, sharp and precise. It seemed the driver was engaged in a brief scuffle, but then, without warning, the entire carriage exploded, fragments scattering as it wasunched into the air. Time stretched as Karixel¡¯s body lifted with the wreckage. In that suspended moment, he glimpsed a pair of eyes fixed on him from the ground¡ªDeculein¡¯s. Craaaash¡ª! Karixel crashed to the ground amidst the wreckage, his hand instinctively gripping his lower back as pain shot through him. Deculein¡¯s voice pierced through the aftermath of the explosion, saying, ¡°Did you honestly think this could pass as ordinary cargo?¡± The driver stammered, ¡°Uh, I... I¡ª¡± ¡°P-professor! Look at this man¡¯s face!¡± stammered a knight, interjecting at just the right moment as he held up a sketch Deculein had provided earlier. Karixel had grown his beard and hair to match the sketch. ¡°It¡¯s the wanted criminal, Brolin!¡± Deculein¡¯s lips curled into a sneer, brimming with disdain and contempt. Karixel found himself almost admiring it, though he wondered if it was even an act at all. ¡°That face is familiar. You must be Brolin,¡± Deculein stated. ¡°Shit...!¡± Karixel spat, leaping to his feet like a coiled spring, but the knights swiftly subdued him. The knights pressed him down with their full weight as Karixel struggled in vain. Meanwhile, Deculein picked up Karixel¡¯s bag and asked, ¡°Is this all he was carrying?¡± ¡°Professor, there are several mana stones here as well,¡± a knight reported. Deculein shook the bag, letting its contents spill onto the ground. Onlymon tools and utensils ttered out. ¡°Was he nning to establish a new household with this?¡± ¡°Professor, what should we do with these mana stones...? There are quite a number of them...¡± a knight asked, his voice dripping with anticipation. Karixel carried the mana stones with him for this exact reason. Their greed served as the perfect distraction. Using Telekinesis, Deculein ced Karixel¡¯s belongings back into the bag and said, ¡°These are evidence as well. Retain only the necessary amount of mana stones for proof, and handle the remainder as you deem appropriate.¡± ¡°Oh. Y-yes! Thank you, Professor!¡± the knights replied, bowing deeply without a hint of suspicion. Karixel allowed himself a small, inward smile. Once those items from his bag reached the concentration camp, he would be able to secure his n''s survival. ¡°You worthless piece of shit!¡± One of the knights suddenly struck Karixel in the forehead with his boot, knocking him unconscious. *** Two dayster, in the lounge of the Imperial Pce. "Hmm... That arrogant man is quite skilled at following orders. Capturing the Scarletborn was as simple as fetching ice cream," Sophien remarked with a chuckle, savoring a scoop of pearl ice cream, a delicacy from Heodran territory. "Indeed, Your Majesty. He is an exceptionally skilled professor," Keiron replied, adjusting the bandages on his wrist. "And that man¡ªBrn, or whatever the name was¡ªis being sent directly to Rohak, isn¡¯t he...?" ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Though he¡¯s guilty of organizing the sect, he hasn¡¯tmitted any other serious crimes, so it seems he¡¯s avoided execution. In fact, for someone like him, Rohak may prove a fate worse than death. Given his knowledge, keeping him alive could serve us in many ways.¡± Sophien nodded before reclining back on her bed. She carelessly discarded the half-eaten ice cream and murmured with azy yawn, ¡°Buttely... I¡¯m getting tired of eating... And your hand...? What¡¯s with the bandages...?¡± Keiron shrugged, rubbing his swollen right hand and replied, ¡°Zeit was in the capital. We had a sparring session.¡± ¡°And you lost...?¡± ¡°No one on this continent can match Zeit. He¡¯s be an even greater monster than my father ever was.¡± Sophien chuckled at Keiron¡¯s words. ¡°So, an Empress¡¯s Knight gets his ass whooped... What aplete idiot... If I actually gave a damn and trained, I¡¯d take that bastard Zeit down myself.¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you pursue training?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t be bothered... But tell me, why is Zeit in the capital?¡± ¡°He¡¯s visiting to inspect potential wedding venues.¡± Sophien pressed her lips together. A wedding venue, most likely for Deculein and Yulie. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s how it stands.¡± So, he¡¯s actually getting married. He ims to fear nothing, but even a lifelongmitment like marriage doesn¡¯t seem to intimidate him. ¡°That¡¯s how it is,¡± Sophien muttered, nodding casually, her face giving nothing away, while Keiron discreetly observed her. Something about her calm, detached manner struck him as oddly amusing. Chapter 95: Lokralen (1)

Chapter 95: Lokralen (1)

The wanted criminal Brolin, whose real name was Karixel, was apprehended alongside another fugitive, Deuhal. Despite the outrage expressed by the eunuchs, including Jng, Deculein¡¯s decision was upheld, and the trial moved forward without dy. Karixel, Deuhal, and over a thousand others were sentenced to imprisonment in the Rohak Concentration Camp. Deputy Director Lillia Primien raised no objections. "Move faster, you vermin!" ¡°Hurry up! You, old man in the front! Do you have a death wish?¡± Rohak sweltered under a brutal 113-degree Fahrenheit heatwave. From the cool interior of her air-conditioned car, Yeriel observed the thousand Scarletborn detainees, bound and led away under the unforgiving sun. ¡°We¡¯ve yet to establish contact with the Red Ga Adventure Team,¡± the butler reported, but Yeriel barely noticed. She was too absorbed in her own thoughts. ¡°However... the items have been prepared, Lady Yeriel.¡± As Yeriel grappled with her internal conflict, her servants acted decisively. They had suggested the most extreme and efficient means to end the deadlock¡ªif war was unavoidable, a quick preemptive strike would be the most effective strategy. ¡°I made it clear¡ªif he breaks that promise, I won¡¯t forgive him,¡± Yeriel murmured coldly. The butler, still focused on the road, bowed his head slightly and replied, ¡°Yes, Lady Yeriel, that is correct.¡± ¡°But... It''s not time yet. Keep searching, even if it means scouring the Underworld. I need solid information. We have to make contact with Ganesha.¡± ¡°Yes, I will mobilize the underground guilds.¡± Yeriel had established an underground guild to counter the nobles who aimed to weaken Yukline. Ironically, that very guild was now investigating Deculein, the head of the Yukline family. "... Do it quietly. Make sure those damn eunuchs don¡¯t get wind of it." ¡°Of course, Lady Yeriel.¡± "Good. Thank you," Yeriel responded weakly, turning her gaze out the window. "Quit your whining, you damned demons!" "Move it!" ¡°Worthless fucking vermin bastards...¡± The thousand Scarletborn detainees, with their cores shattered and heads shaved, resembled empty husks. They endured the relentless, unforgiving heat as they were confined to their cells. If Deculein¡¯s intentions were genuine and he nned to betray her, Yeriel resolved that she would not be brought down as easily as they had been. She clenched her fists, solidifying her determination. *** The moonlight cast a hazy veil over the capital, enveloping the night in a somber and cold atmosphere, as if time itself had frozen. I sat in the library of my mansion, surrounded by volumes of books¡ªCurses and Pharmacology, On Immunity, The Compendium of Herbs, Zhlen¡¯s Medical Dictionary, Advanced Herbal Combinations... Pharmacology had be a routine for me. I explored every possible method to heal Yulie, acquiring and devouring nearly every book and paper on the subject. As a result... [Pharmacology Knowledge Level: Advanced (37%)] This was the extent of my knowledge, verified by Sharp Eyesight. It was astonishing. Despite my relentless efforts, my Telekinesis had barely reached the intermediate level after more than six months, yet in just a few months of studying pharmacology, I had already attained an advanced level. "It seems the more knowledge you gain, the more aware you be..." I murmured with a sigh. The deeper my understanding of pharmacology grew, the more I had to confront the harsh truth. With each piece of knowledge I gained, the weight of my helplessness became more apparent. Yulie''s wounds, the scars left by Deculein, were beyond the reach of conventional healing. But there was one way¡ªa method far from ordinary, one that involved exploiting the triggers of the game. "Yulie, even if it means you''ll end up despising me," Then I would distance myself from her. More specifically, I would take on the role of the viin in her life. Yulie was like a flower destined to bloom by conquering the trial that was Deculein. As long as she regarded me as her enemy, she would ovee any wound and rise to greatness. "... If doing so," I gazed up at the distant sky. The Viin¡¯s Fate attribute seemed like the perfect name for Deculein. He was destined to love Yulie, but to be with the one he loved, he had to ensure she despised him. "Could save you," I murmured, cing a hand over my chest, feeling the steady thrum of my heart. A strange sensation settled in my chest, a dull ache I hadn¡¯t felt since taking on Deculein¡¯s role. It felt as though my heart was pounding, each beat apanied by a sharp pain. Maybe it was just the result of the character¡¯s programming, or perhaps, without realizing it, I had trulye to love Yulie. I ced the book down and unlocked the hidden door to the annex. The sharp scent and cool air enveloped me as I stepped into the herbal room, a space I had meticulously renovated using Ductility. Outfitted with every conceivable magical technology, from temperature control barriers to the rarest herbs, it held nearly every remedy known to man. And yet, despite all its contents, none of it could heal Yulie. Knock, knock¡ª A knock resounded through the room. "Professor, it is time for your training," a servant informed me. Dawn had arrived, almost unnoticed. I stepped outside the annex, greeted by Yulie''s warm smile. She handed me the wooden sword, saying, "Here you go, the wooden sword." "Very well," I replied, taking hold of the wooden sword with a practiced hand. Our morning training consisted of sparring with swords. "Extending your sword in a straight line will always leave you exposed. Make sure your strikes follow a curved path." ck-ck¡ª! I followed Yulie''s guidance, swinging the sword, and the dull thud of wood striking wood echoed around us. "Excellent! As always, Professor, you pick this up quickly," Yulie said. ¡°I believe I may already surpass you in skill.¡± ¡°Now, now! Be sure to stay humble!¡± My movements were brisk, and my steps felt light. The sweat trickling down my face brought a refreshing sensation. p, p, p¡ª Then, suddenly, we heard the sound of apuse. We lowered our swords and turned to see two visitors watching us as the sun began to rise. ¡°Hahaha. Impressive! Deculein, your skills rival those of any seasoned knight!¡± Zeit said, approaching with a heartyugh. Behind him stood Josephine, smiling as she observed us. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you and Yulie getting along so well. I¡¯ve found a few wedding venues¡ªone of them is especially grand. How about we visit it together?¡± Josephine, a woman who could prove useful to me, drew my attention. She returned my gaze with a gentle smile, but Yulie quickly positioned herself between us. ¡°What has caught your eye so intently?¡± Yulie asked, her lips forming a slight pout. *** Ten days before the semester began, Epherene, Allen, and Drent were in the assistant¡¯s researchb, inspecting their travel bags. "Towels, toothbrushes, clothes, emergency rations¡ªhave you packed everything?" Allen inquired. "Yes," they both answered. The three of them had been invited to apany Professor Deculein to the Lokralen Academic Conference. Yawning after another sleepless night, Epherene asked, ¡°Assistant Professor Allen, what exactly makes Lokralen so special?¡± Epherene didn¡¯t fully understand what Lokralen entailed, but she knew it was a prestigious opportunity that could significantly advance a mage¡¯s career. Allen smiled and replied, "Ah~ Lokralen is a ce where timelines intersect." "Timelines?" "Yes~," Allen responded, rummaging through his robe pocket before pulling out a travel brochure. "Lokralen is a magical space that formed naturally about ten years ago after a meteor collision and a massive surge of mana. You¡¯re familiar with the concept of a magical space, aren¡¯t you?" "Of course. I¡¯m a Solda, after all. The Imperial Pce Garden is also a magical space," Epherene replied. The Imperial Pce Garden, where all four seasons coexisted, was the most renowned magical space¡ªa testament to its enduring mystery. "Exactly~" Allen continued. "Lokralen is another magical space, where the past and future intertwine. The past three years are certain, but as for the future, it¡¯s around ten years... though the specifics remain unknown." "Wow, that¡¯s amazing." "Yes, but be careful!" Allen cautioned, raising a warning finger. "It¡¯s an extraordinary magical space, but it''s also infested with monsters¡ªand many who enter end up bing monsters themselves. It¡¯s ssified as a Vermilion-level danger zone." Vermilion-level. A shiver of fear ran through Epherene. The danger levels were ranked in order¡ªck, Red, and then Vermilion. "... But why would they hold a conference in such a dangerous ce?" "The conference has only been held for a few years¡ªabout three. Mages discovered ways to harness the space." Since Lokralen had only recently emerged as a magical space, its mysteries remained vivid. "The conference takes ce just once a year, on a specific date, giving us a rare opportunity to tap into future knowledge." "... Ah!" Epherene eximed, as both she and Drent¡¯s eyes widened in realization. "Yes~ Though the area is teeming with monsters and fraught with danger, the value of holding the conference there outweighs the risks. However, removing any materials from Lokralen is strictly forbidden, as doing so will result in transforming into a monster." "Transforming into a monster?" ¡°Uh...¡± Allen hesitated, flipping through the travel brochure until he found the page he needed. A bright smile appeared on his face as he continued, ¡°If anything is taken from Lokralen, it bes contaminated by the distorted mana of twisted timelines. The world¡¯s resistance will immediately take hold. What kind of monster you¡¯ll transform into¡ªno one can predict.¡± "Hmm~ I see. I get it now." ¡°Very well, let¡¯s be on our way,¡± Allen said, stepping outside with Epherene and Drent. Just then, Deculein stepped out of his office. When Allen noticed Deculein, he quickly approached and said, "You look exceptionally splendid today, Professor!" Deculein''s appearance was immacte, his attire more perfect than ever, adorned with equipment crafted by the Midas Touch. "Let¡¯s move out," Deculeinmanded. Deculein''s preparedness hinted at a certain level of tension, and rightfully so. This main quest, The Lokralen Academic Conference, would finally herald the arrival of the Archmage of the Celestial Realm, a being far beyond the reach of ordinary mages. *** Rattle-rattle¡ª Rattle-rattle¡ª The VIPpartment of the train rocked smoothly. Lokralen was a magical space that formed in the southeastern corner of the Leoc Kingdom after a meteor impact. Originally owned by the Leoc Imperial Family, Lokralen''s rights were eventually sold to the Floating Ind for a sum of one billion elne. After the purchase, a dedicated branch was set up to continue research, culminating in the establishment of the Lokralen Academic Conference in the Continental Year 955. ¡°... Hmm,¡± Drent nodded, engrossed in the pamphlet he was reading, while Ephereney sprawled on the sofa, fast asleep, and Allen was absorbed in knitting. It was a calm, peaceful moment. I, on the other hand, was lost in thought, pondering the progression of the quest. Yulie¡¯s situation lingered in the back of my mind, along with a number of other pressing concerns, but for now, concentrating on the main quest before me seemed the most practical approach. [Main Quest: The entric Lokralen Conference] ¡ô Store Currency +1 ¡ô Mana Point +50 I couldn¡¯t be sure which Archmage would show up at this conference. The hints I¡¯d picked up from thepany and the scenario were vague at best. Screeeech¡ª The train''s speed slowed with a screech, signaling our approach to the destination. I began packing my things, and Allen quickly tucked his knitting tools into his robe pocket. Drent woke Epherene and said, ¡°Epherene, we¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, yes. Let¡¯s go.¡± Clunk¡ª! The train jolted to a stop, and we all stepped onto the tform together. Lokralen''s people were there to greet us immediately. ¡°We wee you, Professor Deculein. Traveling to Lokralen by horseback will be more convenient,¡± one of them said, presenting us with four horses. I nodded, though Epherene and Allen appeared a bit uneasy, likely unustomed to horseback riding. "We¡¯ll split into pairs, Drent," I said. ¡°Yes, Professor,¡± Drent said. As a noble¡¯s son, he was skilled at horseback riding and mounted his horse with ease. Allen followed reluctantly, settling behind him, while Epherene¡¯s face twisted with unease. ¡°So, am I to ride with...?¡± I mounted the horse, and when Epherene hesitated, I used Telekinesis to ce her on the saddle behind me. ¡°Aaaah!¡± "Let''s move out." ¡°Yes, Professor. Hyah!¡± Clip-clop¡ª Clip-clop¡ª Clip-clop¡ª Clip-clop¡ª The horses sped along the rough, unpaved road. Epherene, who had been swaying unsteadily and murmuringints, eventuallytched onto my back for support. ¡°Oh, ow, woaaaah.¡± ¡°Quiet down.¡± ¡°Woaaaaaah...¡± After roughly an hour of riding, we arrived at the entrance to Lokralen. ¡°I feel sick... Assistant Professor Allen, how are you holding up?¡± Epherene asked. ¡°No, not particrly... I¡¯ve never ridden a horse before either,¡± Allen replied. I left Allen and Epherene groaning behind me as I looked up at Lokralen. It was less of a space and more of a structure¡ªa vast dome that loomed overhead. "Your invitation ticket, please," said two robed mages standing guard at the entrance. I handed my invitation to the robed mages. ¡°Thank you. You may proceed after leaving your horses here.¡± ¡°Will do,¡± I said, entering the passageway as they opened the doors for us. ¡°... Hm?¡± The interior of Lokralen was strikingly unique. The dome''s ceiling appeared to be made of transparent ss, offering a clear view of the outside world¡ªthe sunlight and sky visible even from within. ¡°This ce is surprisingly ordinary, aside from the ceiling,¡± Drent observed with a hint of amazement. He was right; Lokralen resembled a well-established town,plete with a central conference building, a hotel, shops, and residential areas. ¡°Wow...¡± As Drent walked ahead, he nodded politely to a passerby and said, ¡°Ah, hello, sir¡ªugh!¡± Drent suddenly copsed. I halted and turned to him. Epherene and Allen, startled, hurried over and began shaking him frantically. ¡°Drent! W-what happened? Drent!¡± ¡°Mr. Drent, w-why did this happen? P-professor, what¡¯s going on?!¡± They both turned to me at the same time, and I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. The system was functioning exactly as I¡¯d been told, and it was somewhat amusing to see it in action. "He must have spoken to someone from the past or the future." ¡°... Sorry?¡± Allen asked. ¡°Communicating across timelines demands an enormous amount of mana. Without enough, that¡¯s the consequence.¡± In the game, speaking to the people of Lokralen was known to drain significant amounts of mana. ¡°Let¡¯s move. Epherene, carry him.¡± ¡°Sorry? Me?¡± ¡°Or should I?¡± Epherene reluctantly lifted Drent onto her back, and with the added weight, we made our way to the Lokrun, the hotel reserved for the conference. ¡°Ugh... why is he so heavy... ughhh...¡± Epherene groaned under Drent¡¯s weight as we finally reached the hotel¡¯s front desk. On the desky several badges, each marked with the number 958 instead of a name. Allen tilted his head slightly and asked, ¡°Professor, what does this signify?¡± ¡°This signifies the year 958 of the Continental Calendar. Pin it to your chest.¡± ¡°Ah~ So we should only speak with those who wear the 958 badge, right, Professor?¡± I shook my head and replied, ¡°You can¡¯t be sure. Someone from another timeline could be wearing the 958 badge as well.¡± ¡°Ah... I suppose there could be some who would try to deceive us!¡± After we pinned the badges to our chests, the hotel staff handed us the keys without saying a word, likely indicating they weren¡¯t from 958. I used Telekinesis to retrieve the key marked 801. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± ¡°Yes, Professor.¡± "P-professor, he''s too heavy for me..." "Bear with it." We took the elevator, with Epherene still carrying Drent. Room 801 upied half the floor, and Epherene wasted no time in setting Drent down. ¡°Phew, I thought my shoulder was about to give out...¡± ¡ª Attention, esteemed guests. The 958 Academic Conference is scheduled tomence at 6 p.m. today. All participants bearing the Year 958 badge are kindly requested to make their way to the conference building. This message will be repeated... The announcement echoed through the room. I checked my watch, and Epherene did the same. It was already 5 p.m. ¡°Less than an hour remaining?¡± Epherene inquired. ¡°Get ready.¡± *** Leaving the unconscious Drent behind, the group reached the main building of the Lokralen Academic Conference. ¡°Professor Deculein,¡± a mage wearing a badge marked with 958 approached him. ¡°There are specific instructions for you before the conference begins. Please follow me. The other two may wait here.¡± He led Deculein away, leaving Epherene and Allen to watch his retreating figure in silence. "Assistant Professor Allen, what should we do now?" Epherene asked. ¡°Well... I suppose I¡¯ll wait here for the professor," Allen responded. Despite her best efforts to remain calm, Epherene was far fromposed. As she looked around, her gaze fell on a sign, Underground Archives. "Would it be alright for me to visit the archives briefly?" "Yes, of course~ But please be sure not to speak with anyone or remove any items!" Allen warned. "Of course~" Epherene responded with a cheerful smile before making her way down to the archives. She found no one guarding the entrance and promptly started her search. "Wow. This is incredible. They even have documents from the next year." She marveled at the shelves, filled primarily with papers instead of books, many of which were dated 959 or 960, from the future. Epherene skimmed through them in amazement. "... Ugh." After reading just a few lines, she felt her mana being sapped away, leaving her with an overwhelming sense of fatigue. She gripped the bookshelf for support. "What was that...?" "Acquiring knowledge from the future requires extraordinary mana. Even an Archmage might find it difficult, depending on the content," a voice said unexpectedly. Epherene flinched and spun around. A woman in a robe stood behind her, conspicuously without a name tag. Feigning indifference, Epherene carefully ced the thesis back on the shelf. "Hmm~ Trying to ignore me, are you?" The woman approached with light, quick steps, as if gliding through the air¡ªand impressive technique that sued a touch of mana at her toes to propel herself forward. She was impressed but showed no sign of it, murmuring to herself, "I wonder how many people will be at the conference~" "Only 33 attendees each year. They can each bring threepanions, making a total of 132 people. We keep the numbers low to prevent timeline disruptions. Naturally, the 500 Lokralen Addicts who live here permanently aren¡¯t included," the woman responded to Epherene''s pretend soliloquy. "Hmm... I wonder if one of those 132 people is standing right next to me~?" "Who knows?" Epherene was taken aback when the woman spoke to her, realizing that nothing unusual had happened. This could only mean she was from the year 958. The shock nearly caused Epherene to faint as she noticed the woman¡¯s eyes, peeking out from beneath her robe, were identical to her own. "Hello, Epherene," the woman said, her clear eyes curving into an alluring smile as she extended her hand, leaving Epherene stunned. "I¡¯m Epherene too. Nice to meet you." "You, you¡ª" "It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m providing the mana you need to speak with me, so feel free to talk," the older Epherene said, watching her younger self. Epherene gazed in a daze at the older version of herself, looking her over from head to toe. This Epherene appeared far more mature and strikingly beautiful, even seeming to be about five centimeters taller than she was now. ¡°How many years ahead are you from me?¡± Epherene asked. "Hmm... That question isn¡¯t very effective. If I answered, you¡¯d lose a thousand other things you could have asked," the older Epherene replied. "Oh... so revealing that must use a lot of mana," Epherene realized. "Yes~ something like that," the older Epherene said with a smile as she removed her robe, letting a cascade of glossy, long hair fall free. The younger Epherene¡¯s jaw dropped in astonishment at a beauty she hadn¡¯t realized she possessed. "So, if you''re from the year 958, you must havee here with Professor Deculein," the older Epherene said. "Oh, yes. Why? Do you want to punch him in the face too?!" Epherene blurted out, making the older version chuckle¡ªa mature smile, but her next words werepletely unexpected. "Try not to hate him too much." "... Huh? Why?" "Haha. That¡¯s all I can tell you. But don¡¯t believe everything I say. I¡¯m not exactly your future. In fact, I could be quite different. Lokralen is a ce where timelines be hopelessly tangled," the older Epherene exined. "Oh..." Epherene nodded, dazed. "Epherene," a deep voice called from behind, instantlymanding the attention of both Epherene¡¯s. Deculein approached, his gaze shifting between the two of them before he addressed the older Epherene first. "... So, you are Epherene too." The older Epherene nodded, disying an extreme calm confidence as she replied, "Yes, that¡¯s right. You¡¯re not surprised at all. How do you always know everything, Professor?" "Interesting," Deculein said, offering nothing more. Epherene shifted her gaze between them, noticing that although the older self was smiling, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "... What?" Epherene murmured, noticing the older Epherene gazing up at Deculein with an almost lovesick expression. "Hey! Why are you looking at him like that?!" "... Huh? Oh, haha," the older Epherene snapped back to reality at her younger self¡¯s sudden outburst. The Epherene from the year 958 shook her head in disbelief, but the older one gently ced a finger to her lips and whispered, "Shh." Deculein observed her quietly. "Why?" Epherene asked. "Today is the day the academic conference ends. Anything could happen." "The conference ends today? Why?" "There were some issues. I¡¯ll exinter. For now, younger Epherene, could you close your eyes for a moment?" the older Epherene asked gently. "Um, o-okay." Ephereneplied, closing her eyes without thinking too much about it. The older Epherene smiled warmly, then turned back to Deculein and said, "Professor Deculein." He met her steady gaze, though a faint, incredulous smile yed on his lips. "Are you truly Epherene?" "Of course," the older Epherene replied with a soft smile, looking much more mature than her current self¡ªperhaps by ten years. "It¡¯s been a while. I¡¯ve been waiting." "Waiting?" "Yes," the older Epherene replied. With that admission, she took a bold step forward and, without hesitation, hugged him. Deculein, unusually, appeared taken aback. The older Epherene, however, buried her face in his chest, nuzzling it a few times. "Sigh..." After lingering in his arms for a long moment, she stepped back with a bittersweet smile and said, "... I just wanted to hug you once." "W-what?!" Epherene gasped, her eyes flying open in shock. But the moment had already passed. No, it signaled the beginning of something new. "Shh," the older Epherene whispered again. She pointed down the hallway and added, "If we keep making noise, we could all end up dead." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 96: Lokralen (2)

Chapter 96: Lokralen (2)

Epherene looked toward where the older Epherene had pointed. The dark hallway seemed empty¡ªat least, it appeared that way. In a hushed voice, Epherene asked, "What do you mean we could all end up dead? Why?" "It¡¯s extremely dangerous," the older Epherene replied. "That¡¯s why, in 964, they decided to abandon the entire Lokralen region. What¡¯s happening now is just the dyed process of that decision." "An extreme danger?" "Yes. You know it was a meteorite that caused Lokralen, don¡¯t you?" "Of course! I just heard about it." "The microorganisms in that meteorite absorbed mana and grew into a massive monster that devours timelines. If it escapes Lokralen and spreads into the world, the entire continent will be destroyed," the older Epherene exined. Her expression hardened, and Epherene was stunned by the mention of world destruction. "Its scientific name is Kaidezite. If it consumes you, whether in the past, present, or future, you¡¯ll be trapped in a single moment of time. We call it section looping." As Epherene listened, a sudden dizziness overwhelmed her. The older Epherene steadied her, puffing out her cheeks in a gesture of apology. "Sorry. Processing knowledge from such a distant future takes a lot of mental strength. Although I¡¯m supplying the mana, the mental strain is entirely on you." "R-right..." Epherene muttered, rubbing her temples before ncing at Deculein. As usual, he seemedpletely unfazed. "... Why is the professor perfectly fine?" "That professor?" Deculein asked, narrowing his eyes. "Oh, my apologies. Professor, why are you unaffected?" "It¡¯s mental strength. Simply put, if someone has a mental strength of 50, then 50% of the mana cost to process future knowledge is reduced. If their mental strength is 10, then only 10% of the cost is reduced. Professor Deculein¡¯s mental strength is likely around 99," the older Epherene exined. "No way... 99? But this ce is dangerous, right? We need to get out of here." The older Epherene shook her head and said, "No, I can¡¯t. I have to stay here and keep them at bay." "Alone?" "Yes." "... You must be really strong," Epherene said, still in awe, as she shrugged. So she¡¯s me in the future. What an impressive future. I guess I really am amazing... The older Epherene seemed to read her thoughts and smiled warmly. She then turned to Deculein, who was staring down the hallway, and asked, "Professor, can you see them?" Deculein gave a slight nod. His Sharp Eyesight clearly revealed the time monster known as Kaidezite, lurking not far from Epherene. It hesitated, as if recognizing her, but did not attack. It was undoubtedly a threat, yet there were no signs of death variables. "Epherene," Deculein called. "... Yes?" Epherene replied. "It¡¯s time to leave. The conference is about to begin." "Oh, I just need a moment¡ª" "Let¡¯s go now." The older Epherene ced a hand on Epherene¡¯s shoulder and said, "It¡¯s alright. You¡¯ll see me again tomorrow. The conferencests four days, remember?" "Can we speak openly now?" "Yes. It came to devour both of you, but it must have retreated because I¡¯m here. It¡¯s afraid of me." "Wow, really? It¡¯s afraid of just one of you?" "Of course~ You can¡¯t imagine how powerful you¡¯ll be... But I have a favor to ask of both you and the professor." Deculein and Epherene turned their gazes toward her. [Lokralen Academic Conference: The Archmage¡¯s Request] ¡ô One Advanced Attribute Catalog Deculein¡¯s eyes widened, not at the rare reward of the Advanced Attribute Catalog, but at the title of the quest. He quicklyposed himself and turned his gaze to the older Epherene. "What¡¯s the favor?" Epherene asked, her admiration for her future self leaving her nearly overwhelmed. "Deep beneath this archive lies the meteorite, the very core of Kaidezite. However, the door to it is blocked by a rift in time. The host that Kaidezite consumed likely holds the key," the older Epherene exined. "The host?!" "Yes. It¡¯s been trying to find a way to escape Lokralen. I¡¯ve kept it contained so far, but it seems to have acquired a host. With only one body, I¡¯ve been guarding the most dangerous area... but now there are two of me~" Epherene flinched and said, "W-what do you mean? That¡¯s creepy!" The older Epherene chuckled and said, "Haha, so I have been wondering... Dear Professor, would you be willing to grant me a favor?" In response to older Epherene¡¯s question, Deculein nced at his wristwatch. It read 6 p.m. "Very well," Deculein replied with a nod. An Advanced Attribute Catalog¡ªan opportunity far too valuable to ignore, no matter the cost. *** "Deculein! You¡¯re heah?" Rogerio, a woman in a Ethereal-rank with pink hair, called out as soon as I stepped out of the archive. "It appears we¡¯ve been crossing paths quite oftentely," said Kreto, who was apanying her. Both of them were from 958, the current year. "It¡¯s a pleasure to see you, Grand Prince Kreto," I said, offering him a polite greeting. "Haha, the pleasure is mine, Professor Deculein. I must say, your presence has been missed," Kreto replied, nodding with a satisfied smile. "Hey, what about me? Am I inviiisible or somethin''?" Rogerio asked, narrowing her eyes at me. "Oh, Professor Deculein! It is me, Delpen!" "Professor! It¡¯s me, Relin!" Several people recognized me. Among them were Relin from 958, Delpen from 960, whom I hadn¡¯t met before, and Essensil, who was also attending the Berhert Meeting this year. ¡ª Attention, everyone. The conference willmence shortly. Please proceed to the conference floor on the second level. A sudden announcement echoed through the hall. "Shall we proceed?" I asked. "Indeed." I walked alongside Kreto, with Allen, Rogerio, Epherene, and Relin trailing behind. "Wee everyone!" We arrived at the conference hall on the second floor, where a middle-aged man in a suit, with blonde hair, greeted us. "I am Lokralen, the president of the Lokralen Academic Conference! Although Lokralen isn¡¯t my real name, I changed it out of deep admiration for this ce. Yes, that¡¯s right! I¡¯m an Addict too, but a rather sociable one!" Lokralen¡¯s lively chatter filled the room as I took a moment to survey my surroundings. Several conference rooms branched off from the lobby¡¯s corridor. "There are various lectures here, each with a unique theme. Please take a ticket!" Lokralen announced as he handed out tickets to everyone gathered. There were only about 300 attendees¡ªsignificantly fewer than the maximum capacity, given the presence of people from both the past and the future. It appeared that mages rarely broughtpanions. "These tickets grant you entry to the conference rooms. Anyone may give a lecture, and you can attend up to three sessions. We offer lectures from both the future and the past, hahaha," Lokralen said with a chuckle as he introduced the list of conference topics. The selection was rather eclectic. One room offered lectures like Rupigel¡¯s Elements from 958, another featured Galley¡¯s Continental Mine Exploration from 960, and yet another had Derron¡¯s Mysterious Herbalism from 963. "I have a question," Epherene said boldly, raising her hand. Lokralen, who had been ready to respond cheerfully, frowned slightly when he saw her. "Some people have fainted after just a few words with someone from the future. How are we supposed to handle an entire lecture?" "... And to whom do you belong?" Lokralen asked curtly, narrowing his eyes. Epherene nced up at me, and Lokralen¡¯s expression immediately brightened. "Oh~ Hahaha! You¡¯re with Professor Deculein! No wonder you¡¯re filled with such bright curiosity~!" "... Really?" "Well! To answer your question, it¡¯s generally safe within this conference building. The speakers in these rooms deliver one-sided lectures, which you¡¯ll essentially be overhearing them. Although it will still drain some mana and mental strength, you should be able to manage at least one session." "Oh, I see." "And fainting after just one conversation? That mage was likely just fatigued!" Epherene appeared convinced but continued with another question, "What happens if we take knowledge from the future?" "Hahahaha~" Lokralenughed heartily, brushing back his hair with a rather ostentatious gesture, and said, "Any knowledge you gain within Lokralen will likely be hazy once you leave. It will linger in your unconscious mind, like a distant memory." "Then what is the purpose of attending these lectures¡ª" "It¡¯s like ripples on water. Even a forgotten memory can suddenly resurface¡ªwhoosh¡ªand spark new ideas and inspiration¡ªpop! The ripple may not be identical to the original, but it¡¯s enough to foster further development. Do you understand now?" When Epherene nodded, Lokralen stepped forward and patted her head, though she flinched in surprise. "Now, let¡¯s proceed with the conference! Please select the lectures you wish to attend. Oh, and Professor Deculein?" I silently turned my gaze toward Lokralen. "Would it be possible to request a lecture from you tomorrow, Professor?" Lokralen asked. [Lokralen Lecture: Suspicious Futures] ¡ô Mana Point +15 "Certainly," I said with a nod. "Yes, Professor! Thank you very much! Now, everyone, please proceed to your chosen sessions! Our time in Lokralen is limited!" Lokralen said with a p, prompting the mages to begin moving. "Epherene, choose whichever lecture interests you. Allen, you do the same," I instructed. The conference proceeded simply enough¡ªattendees selected the lectures they wished to attend. "Got it!" Epherene said, dashing off toward a lecture by the renowned mage Bizetan on the four-categories. "Okay~ I¡¯ll apany you to the lectures you attend, Professor~" I focused on lectures rted to medicine. First, I attended Brahann¡¯s Pharmacology Lecture, then Mon¡¯s Newly Discovered Herbs of Year 963, and concluded with The Intersection of Medicine and Magic. Allen apanied me through all five hours, dozing off intermittently. [Pharmacology Knowledge Level: Advanced (77%)] Thanks to the future knowledge I acquired, my expertise in pharmacology increased by 40% almost instantly. Whether this knowledge would remain with me after leaving Lokralen was still uncertain. "...There were limited methods avable to test the potions that I have created," murmured Crecon, the lecturer for The Intersection of Medicine and Magic, as if speaking to himself. Hearing the lecture in this subdued manner certainly minimized the mana consumption. "Clinical trials were not feasible. Administering it to humans could have caused severe side effects, and it was uncertain whether the results observed in animals would trante to humans¡ª" At that moment. "Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!" A scream reverberated through the conference room, carrying into the entire lobby. The lecturer paused, and Allen, who had been dozing off, jolted awake and asked, "P-professor? What¡¯s happening?" "We should head out." "Yes, sir!" I stepped outside. "Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!" In the second-floor lobby, a woman was screaming, her hands pressed against her cheeks in a way that echoed Edvard Munch¡¯s The Scream. "Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!" The scream persisted, forcing the gathered mages to cover their ears. "What is happening?!" Lokralen, the conference host, arrived in a hurry. He frowned at the sight of the woman in the hallway, still screaming. "Excuse me!" "Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!" "Enough, enough! It is making my head throb!" "Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!" The scream continued unabated as Lokralen sighed and stepped toward her. "Alright, I understand. Now tell me what you saw. What caused you to¡ª" "Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!" The woman ignored Lokralen entirely, her screams continuing without pause. "Listen! Please, just exin what you saw¡ª" I caught Lokralen¡¯s outstretched hand, halting him. He attempted to pull away, but when he saw my face, confusion crossed his features. "Oh, Professor?" "Do noty a hand on her." "Sorry? Why¡ª" I remained motionless, observing the woman. "Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!" Time passed, yet the scream continued, and the woman remainedpletely still. "Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!" By now, the lectures had all stopped, and the mages watching the scene began to feel a creeping sense of fear. Chapter 97: Lokralen (3)

Chapter 97: Lokralen (3)

"Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!¡± ¡°... W-what the hell¡¯s wrong with hah?¡± Rogerio shuddered, rubbing her arms as if she got a goosebump. ¡°She¡¯s been locked in time,¡± I replied, inspecting the woman¡¯s face beneath her hood. Her face was frozen in a scream, eyes wide with terror, letting out an unbroken wail. The rhythm of her cries, the faint twitch of her pupils, and the creases in her skin all repeated in a constant loop. Her name tag read 963¡ªa year before Lokralen was abolished. "Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª! Aaahhhhhhhh¡ª!¡± "Rogerio, can you silence this wailing?" ¡°Ah, ¡®course.¡± Rogerio quickly wrapped her in a Silence spell. The sound stopped, but her horrifying expression and statue-like stance stayed the same. ¡°To keep this goin¡¯ long, I¡¯m gonna need a mana stone. Anyone got one?¡± Kreto reached into his inner pocket, handed over a crystal orb, and asked, "Will this be sufficient?" ¡°Oh, yeah, yeah,¡± Rogerio replied, securing the Silence spell with the crystal orb as a medium and infusing it with a bit more of her mana. ¡°That oughta do it. But, Deculein, ya said not to touch her. Why¡¯s that?¡± "There¡¯s a significant risk of being locked in time as well. She¡¯s radiating an aura of severe contagion," I exined. At my words, tension spread across everyone¡¯s faces. Lokralen cleared his throat and addressed the mages in the room, saying, "I apologize, everyone. Due to this unfortunate incident, the conference will be temporarily suspended. Please return to the hotel¡ª" ¡°No,¡± I interrupted him. Simultaneously, I dispatched my Wood Steel shuriken to the first-floor exit with orders to prevent anyone from leaving. ¡°Sorry? What do you mean, no?¡± Lokralen asked, his brow furrowing. I calmly stepped forward and dered, ¡°No one in this building will be permitted to leave.¡± ¡°Professor Deculein, despite your authority, I am the president of this conference. So¡ª¡± ¡°There is a host among us.¡± ¡°A host?¡± I scanned the faces of the attendees, recognizing several prominent figures, andmanded, ¡°Everyone, remove your hoods and reveal your faces.¡± The reaction was swift and intense. Lower-ranking members, like Relin, promptly removed their hoods, while those from prominent families or older individuals bristled at the implication. ¡°Professor Deculein, what is the meaning of this nonsense¡ª¡± ¡°Deculein, don¡¯t you recognize me? I am Gaelon, Gaelon!¡± ¡°Even if there is a host among us, it certainly isn¡¯t me! I don¡¯t even know what a host is!¡± ¡°... It doesn¡¯t matter who you are,¡± I said, feeling the strain on my mana as I addressed the crowd. There were many to hear, but I spoke with unwavering conviction. ¡°The host is among you, and I will find out who it is.¡± Just then... ¡°Aaah!¡± A scream erupted from the first floor, prompting us to descend immediately. ¡°Oh my gawd...¡± Rogerio muttered, flinching in shock. There was no need for us to go all the way down. ¡°Aaah¡ª!¡± On the stairs between the first and second floors, a figure was trapped in an endless climb. Step by step, they ascended¡ªAaah¡ªonly to restart from the bottom¡ªAaah¡ª. ¡°This... looks wicked serious.¡± ¡°Aaah¡ª! Aaah¡ª!¡± The name tag matched the previous victim¡¯s, reading the year 963. Rogerio turned to me, visibly shaken, and asked, ¡°This is wicked freaky, Deculein. How does somethin¡¯ like this even happen?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. However...¡± I said, ncing at the others trailing behind us¡ªLokralen, Allen, Epherene, Kreto, Delpen, Relin, Bizetan, Gaelon, Essensil, and others. ¡°Rogerio, seal the entrance. Ensure that no one leaves.¡± ¡°Gotcha.¡± ¡°No, Professor! What if we all end up like that, locked in time? I am the president of this conference¡ª¡± Rogerio swiftly restrained Lokralen¡¯s protests. Once on the first floor, he sealed all the doors leading outside with Ductility. *** Twelve hours had passed in Lokralen. Epherene reached the dining hall tucked away in a corner of the first floor. Fortunately, there were ample ingredients, enough to stave off any concern about starvation. Epherene turned to Allen, who had followed her, and said, ¡°Assistant Professor Allen, you must be hungry.¡± "No~ I can manage," Allen replied, shaking his head, though Epherene¡¯s stomach continued to growl. "Come now, don¡¯t pretend. Let¡¯s cook together." "Do you know how?" "Of course," Epherene said, then began cooking with magic. Chop-chop-chop¡ª Swish-swish-swish¡ª With a single motion, the ingredients floated into the air, slicing themselves and roasting over a magical me. "Assistant Professor, could you bring the tes?" "Oh, certainly!" Allen replied, impressed, as he quickly brought the tes at Epherene''s request. In thirty minutes, their meal was prepared. They headed to the Round Table Conference Room on the third floor, where Deculein, Rogerio, and the other professors were engaged in deep discussion. "We¡¯ve brought some food. Please feel free to eat while you continue your discussion," Epherene offered. "Hey! Can¡¯t you see we¡¯re in the middle of an important discussion?" Relin snapped, ring at her while shaking his fist. Rogerio smacked Relin¡¯s head and said, "Honestly, I¡¯m staahvin¡¯, so I appreciate it." "Oh, I see." "You¡¯re Epherene, right? Thanks, just leave it heah." "Okay." Allen served the dishes to each professor as Epherene stood quietly behind the round table, listening to their discussion. "... Hmm. So, only the folks from the future are gettin¡¯ targeted?" Rogerio asked while eating. "It is strongest in the future, so it targets those from that time first," Deculein replied, his gaze fixed on the book as he spoke. Rogerio nced at the cover and asked, "What¡¯s in that book? ... Wait, ain''t that a book from the year 963? How¡¯re ya readin¡¯ it so easy?" "It reads itself to me." Despite Deculein¡¯s mana capacity being one of the lowest in Lokralen, his exceptional mental strength greatly reduced the mana cost¡¯s percentage, granting him considerable freedom even in this ce. "By the way, Head Professor, may I ask who was in the underground archive?" Relin asked suddenly. Epherene¡¯s body tensed. Deculein did not respond. Instead, he turned to Rogerio and asked, "Rogerio, how many floors underground does it go?" "I ain''t too sure. Heard it goes down pretty deep." "Hmm... Why would they construct an archive underground?" Deculein muttered as he continued reading. The book¡¯s cover read Lokralen Architectural ns, Revised Edition, Year 963. Rogerio shrugged and said, "How¡¯m I supposed to know?" "... Rogerio," Deculein said, suddenly looking up and fixing her with a stern gaze. Rogerio replied, "Wha¡¯s up?" "What is your age?" "... Why ya askin¡¯ that now?" "Because you continue to address me far too informally." "My rank¡¯s higher, ain¡¯t it?" Rogerio said, crossing her arms with a chuckle. Deculein closed the book with a sharp snap, causing Rogerio to flinch. "... Rogerio," Deculein said, his gaze cold and unwavering. "Wha¡¯s up?" "Rogerio." "... Wha¡¯?" "This is thest time I¡¯ll ask," Deculein said, his piercing stare suffocating the room with its intensity. "Rog¡ª" "Alright, alright! Fine, I¡¯ll show ya more respect. That good, Professor Deculein?" Though Rogerio held a higher rank, Deculein surpassed him in both age and position, making thepromise eptable. As Deculein nodded in agreement, the conference room door suddenly burst open with a loud bang. "Professor Deculein! Mage Rogerio! What is this, whispering among yourselves and even eating?!" Delpen, a mage from the Griffin family, demanded. His name tag read the year 960, marking him as someone from two years in the future. He was visibly angry, his mana ring as he spoke. "Forty people have already been locked in time! Do you even understand how many of us are here, from both the past and the future? With a monster and its host lurking around, how can you keep us confined? Are we supposed to just sit here and wait to be locked in time as well? We¡¯re leaving! You cannot stop us!" Delpen dered. Delpen turned to leave, with arge group following close behind. Their determined footsteps echoed through the room, but... "Delpen of the year 960," Deculein called out. Delpen halted abruptly. "I am Deculein of the year 958," Deculein stated. The weight of Deculein¡¯s voice and the gravity of his words bore down on Delpen and the others. With his eyes fixed on them, Deculein continued. "I am a professor at the Mage Tower of the Empire, the head of the Yukline family, and a member of the Empress¡¯s Elite Guard." As Deculein listed each title, the weight of his name and authority deepened. "Delpen of the year 960." Delpen swallowed hard before turning to face Deculein. "I will ask for your opinion." Deculein remained seated, legs crossed, exuding calm authority. His voice held only the weight of a suggestion, no more anger than necessary. "Should I make sure you no longer exist in your year?" His cold tone sliced through the air like a de. "Have you ever visited Rohak in its earlier days?" The threat carried a weight of its own. In 958, 959, or 960, the power of Yukline was unassable. Delpen and his followers trembled, recognizing their ce. "W-we apologize. We lost ourposure in a moment of panic, Professor Deculein. Our deepest apologies!" Delpen¡¯s followers bowed low in submission, fully conceding to his authority. *** Meanwhile, the Academic Conference President Lokralen made his way down to the underground archives. "Damn it. How did this happen? This shouldn''t be possible. I should''ve known if something like this was going on..." Lokralen muttered under his breath as he hurried to the underground archives. Following the safer path along the outer edges of the room, he quickly reached a secluded corner of the archive. ¡°Huff, huff...¡± Lokralen paused to catch his breath, ncing around warily before pressing his hand against the wall. The hidden door, recognizing his fingerprint, slid open with a quiet hiss. ¡°Sigh... How could this happen? What¡¯s going on?¡± Lokralen hurried inside, taking a moment to steady his breath. The hidden room was a small study, roughly 320 square feet in size. ¡°Phew...¡± Lokralen muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. He walked over to a chair and sat down, opening his diary. Lokralen. From the moment I set foot here, I knew. This is my true home, my eternal resting ce... This was where Lokralen, the president of the Lokralen Academic Conference, continued his diary. However, because Lokralen was a ce where timelines tangled and grew increasingly chaotic the further one descended, some entries in the diary were penned by a future version of Lokralen. As the president of Lokralen, there''s no way an event like this could happen without my knowing! Lokralen thought. ¡°I must have written something about it¡ª¡®locked in time,¡¯ and about Deculein...¡± Lokralen muttered to himself as he frantically flipped through the pages of his diary. The paper sliced his fingers, and cold sweat dripped from his brow. After a frantic search, he finally discovered a new entry that hadn¡¯t existed before. The one responsible for the Locked in Time incident that Deculein mentioned has been uncovered. Cursed witch... The writing was erratic and chaotic, unmistakably penned by his future self. As Lokralen absorbed the message, his face paled. "This can¡¯t be happening. How is this possible...?" I must inform Deculein immediately! He mmed the diary shut and bolted up the stairs, sweat streaming down his face as he raced toward the lobby. ¡°Professor Deculein! Professor Deculein!¡± The only person on the first floor, blocked off by Rogerio¡¯s magic, was the receptionist. But the man was asleep. How could he be sleeping at a time like this?! Lokralen hurried over and shouted, ¡°Wake up! This is no time to be sleeping!¡± ¡°Ah! No, sir! No!¡± the receptionist stammered, startled as he met Lokralen¡¯s gaze in surprise. "Where is Professor Deculein at this moment?!" "Oh, Professor Deculein should be in the Round Table Conference Room on the third floor... or at least, he was there three hours ago." "The third floor?!" Lokralen eximed, his voice tinged with rm. ¡°Ah! No, sir!¡± ¡°What? So he isn¡¯t there?¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°Then where is the Professor¡ª¡± "Oh, Professor Deculein should be in the Round Table Conference Room on the third floor... or at least, he was there three hours ago." ¡°... What?¡± Lokralen said, his voice tinged with unease as a chill ran down his spine. The receptionist continued, ¡°Ah! No, sir! No! Oh, Professor Deculein should be in the Round Table Conference Room on the third floor...¡± Gulp¡ª Lokralen¡¯s throat tightened as he cautiously stepped back. He felt it deep within¡ªthe man had been frozen in time right before his eyes. This could only mean that the host... ¡°Or at least, he was there three hours ago." ... was nearby. Lokralen¡¯s legs weakened, and he stumbled, his gaze darting frantically around the dim lobby. ¡°Ah! No, sir! No! Oh, Professor Deculein should be in the Round Table Conference Room on the third floor...¡± The receptionist, locked in time, kept repeating the same phrase. The first-floor lobby, shrouded in darkness, offered no sign of escape. ¡°God damn it!¡± ¡°Or at least, he was there three hours ago." Lokralen whirled around and dashed toward the emergency exit, sprinting up the stairs. ¡°Ah! No, sir! No! Oh, Professor Deculein should be in the Round Table Conference Room on the third floor¡ª¡± He tuned out the repetitive echoes as he ascended, moving swiftly from the first floor to the second, and then to the third. ¡°Huff... Professor Dec...!¡± As he swung open the door to the third floor, a sudden memory jolted through his mind, ¡°I must inform Deculein immediately!¡± Thest sentence in his diary, the one he had skimmed over without hesitation. But the handwriting... it wasn¡¯t his. ¡°Ah...¡± As someone blocked his path at the third-floor door, Lokralen had a sudden realization. It felt like his life was shing before his eyes. ¡°Hello, Lokralen.¡± Confronted by the woman who hadpletely seen through him, Lokralen could only mutter in disbelief, "... How did you know?" ... And so it repeated. Pulled away from the present, Lokralen found himself once more opening the door to the third floor, reliving the moment again in the past. ¡°Huff... Professor Dec...!¡± And once more, he found himself standing before her, whispering in disbelief, "... How did you know?" When his final words faded, he was pulled back into the past, once again opening the door to the third floor. ¡°Huff... Professor Dec...!¡± The figure he had seen was already gone, but his expression, memories, and the moment stayed locked in ce, hauntingly clear. "... How did you know?" Lokralen was now locked in time. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 98: Lokralen (4)

Chapter 98: Lokralen (4)

One hour before Lokralen was locked in time, just before dawn, an unsettling silence filled the academic conference building, maintained by Rogerio''s Silence spell. Epherene, seated with Allen in a conference room on the second floor, cautiously scanned her surroundings. "Assistant Professor, are you asleep?" Epherene whispered. Allen, wrapped in a nket, responded only with soft, irregr breathing¡ªa small reassurance that he hadn¡¯t been locked in time. Epherene slung her backpack, packed with food, over her shoulder. Her mind was more focused on her future self than the fear of being locked in time. She must be hungry, just like I am, Epherene thought. "Oh, that''s right," Epherene murmured, almost forgetting something important. Epherene slipped on her special elevator shoes, hoping to trick Kaidezite into confusing her with her future self. As she cautiously stepped into the hallway, she unexpectedly came face-to-face with Professor Relin, who stood in the middle of the corridor, acting as a self-appointed guard to win Deculein''s favor. ¡°You... You... You...¡± Epherene stood in shock, but it was Relin who looked truly startled. His eyes widened, and he could only stammer the same syble over and over. He had been locked in time. Epherene pressed a hand to her chest, looking up at him and quietly said, "... Professor Relin." Despite all their past arguments and the rumors she had spread about him, seeing him like this brought a sudden pang of sadness. She gave him a brief nod before quietly making her way down the stairs. "Oh, he¡¯s asleep." The receptionist at the first-floor information desk was dozing off. Without hesitation, Epherene headed straight for the underground archives. "Epherene... Epherene!" Epherene whispered urgently upon reaching the basement. It felt strange calling out her own name. "Epherene! Where are you, Epherene?" Finding no trace of her older self, Epherene ducked behind a bookshelf. Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind her. "This can¡¯t be happening!" Startled, Epherene turned to see Lokralen, the conference president, hastily fleeing the room in a state of panic. "Why is he in such a rush?" Epherene muttered as she unpacked her meal, eating while reying her older self''s words in her mind. "... She told me not to hate him." She had been told not to hate Deculein. It was strange¡ªfirst Gindalf, and now her future self had given the same advice. Epherene couldn''t help but wonder why. "Epherene!" a voice suddenly called out from above, startling her. Epherene almost jumped in surprise, quickly looking up. Her older self was perched on top of a tall bookshelf, staring down at her. "You s-scared me!" Epherene eximed. "Hehe, sorry about that. Thanks to you, it¡¯s all done now." "What is all done?" "I caught the host," the older Epherene said. "Really?!" Epherene¡¯s eyes widened with amazement as she spoke. Older Epherene smiled as shended softly beside her, saying, "Yes, and it¡¯s all thanks to you." "Because of me? What did I do?" "Your shoes! Since we''re basically the same person, and with both of us in robes and the same height, it was easy for Kaidezite to get confused. While it was distracted by you, I went out and caught it." "Ah, I see! Haha, that was my n all along," Epherene said, proudly disying her shoes. The older Epherene chuckled softly and said, "As expected, you really are me. Very smart." Epherene beamed with pride as she unpacked her backpack. "Hold on, I brought something for you," Epherene said, pulling out a lunchbox. Older Epherene''s eyes widened in surprise and said, "Wow~" "Unfortunately, there¡¯s no Roahawk" "Ah, Roahawk... I¡¯d just managed to forget about it," older Epherene said, licking her lips in disappointment. Epherene smirked and asked, "Do they still have Roahawk in the future?" "Of course. It¡¯s be quite the delicacy. My favorite time having it was with the professor." Epherene¡¯s smile wavered as she asked, "With Professor Deculein?" "Yes. But it will be a while before you can share a meal with him. The professor has a near-obsession with cleanliness and won¡¯t touch food he can¡¯t eat tidily." "... I guess so." I couldn¡¯t picture Deculein holding a Roahawk and tearing into it with his hands. But that wasn¡¯t even the main concern. "Wait, you and the professor¡ªI mean me, no, aren¡¯t we supposed to be enemies? Can you at least give me a hint about what happened?" Epherene asked cautiously. Her older self fell silent, her expression turning serious and thoughtful. After a brief pause, older Epherene gave a faint smile and said, "Yes, he is my enemy." "Right." "But... in my world, the professor is no longer there. So, don¡¯t hold too much hatred for him. And if you can, try to keep him around in your world for as long as possible," the older Epherene said. The words hit Epherene hard, sending a wave of dizziness through her. The older Epherene quickly steadied her and said, "You¡¯re already feeling lightheaded, aren¡¯t you? You can¡¯t absorb any more than this..." "Y-yes... and I¡¯m so tired." "Then get some sleep. I¡¯ll eat the meal you brought." "Ah... okay," Epherene murmured as her eyelids grew heavy, rubbing them sleepily. "Rest well. When you wake up, it will all be over." "Okay... but what will be over...?" In response to the question, older Epherene offered a faint smile. Without receiving any reply, Epherene soon slipped into a peaceful sleep. *** In 953, witnesses described the meteor¡¯s fall as two radiant streaks of light, akin to twin forks of lightning striking the earth in unison. The surrounding area was subsequently named Lokralen, after the meteor¡¯s scientific designation. The Floating Ind acquired the rights to Lokralen for an astounding 1 billion elne, a transaction that sparked significant debate within the academicmunity. Given that Lokralen was terrestrial rather than celestial, concerns arose regarding potential idents during the Floating Ind¡¯s research endeavors. The Imperial newspaper, The Journal, strongly condemned the purchase, denouncing it as the dark ambition of the Magical Realm. Conference President Jesen went so far as to change his name to Lokralen. Deculein had spent the entire day deeply absorbed in his investigation. While Rogerio, Kreto, and the other mages who had apanied him had long since retired for the night, he continued, unfazed by the need for sleep or rest. The tension and focus coursing through his Iron Man body drove him to meticulously explore every corner of Lokralen. Then, he suddenly stopped. "... You there," Deculein called out, his gaze fixed on an Addict standing silently in the corner of the third-floor conference room. The Addict gestured toward himself and asked, "Do you mean me?" "Yes, you. There are 500 Addicts in Lokralen, is that correct?" "Yes, sir, that''s correct." "And where might they all be now?" "During the conference, every one of them is present within this building." "Not a single one absent?" "Certainly not. As Addicts of Lokralen, we all convene here for the conference, whether we''re working at the hotel, the store, or serving as staff." Deculein nodded quietly before asking, "Then no one remains outside the conference building at this moment?" Except for Drent, who copsed in the hotel. "Yes, that is correct." At the Addict¡¯s response, a fleeting thought passed through Deculein¡¯s mind¡ªan idea that wasn¡¯t fully formed but hinted at a possible clue. "Professor Deculein!" an Addict burst through the door, his voice urgent. "The conference president has been locked in time!" The urgent cry didn¡¯t disrupt Deculein¡¯sposure. He calmly straightened his cor, adjusted his sleeves, and smoothed his tie before rising from his seat. "Let¡¯s head out." "Yes, sir." They quickly arrived at Lokralen, who was locked in time on the stairs leading to the third floor. ¡°Huff... Professor Dec...!¡± Lokralen gasped. "... How did you know? Huff... Professor Dec...! ... How did you know? Huff... Professor Dec...! ... How did you know?" Lokralen¡¯s condition, locked in time, was disturbingly unnatural. Deculein inquired, "How long has he been in this condition?" "He was already in this condition when we found him this morning." Just then, a shout echoed from behind them. This time, it was Rogerio. "Deculein! We got a wicked problem! Kreto, Grand Prince Kreto, he''s been locked in time too!" Rogerio said as she came running, her voice sharp with panic. But Deculein kept his attention fixed on Lokralen, unshaken by the news. "... Something isn¡¯t right." Deculein¡¯s unease lingered. The time lock showed signs of contagion, yet the usual death variable was nowhere to be found. This absence suggested that the time lock might not equate to death, though its unyielding nature made the difference almost indistinguishable. With these thoughts in mind, Deculein examined Lokralen even more intently. ¡°Huff... Professor Dec...!¡± As Lokralen¡¯s time-locked figure continued his muttering, Deculein noticed a ne near his corbone¡ªjust a string with the pendant missing, as if someone had deliberately removed it. At that moment, a sh crossed Deculein¡¯s vision¡ªa system message dering the questplete. His eyes widened in surprise as a passage he had read earlier that day sparked in his memory, like a sudden jolt of static. In 953, witnesses described the meteor¡¯s fall as two radiant streaks of light, akin to twin forks of lightning striking the earth in unison... Twin forks of lightning striking. "... Rogerio. Lokralen wasn¡¯t struck by just one meteor. And Kaidezite isn¡¯t the only one." "What? What''re ya talkin'' about?" "Follow me," Deculeinmanded, his voice steady as he maintained hisposure and calmly descended to the first floor. Rogerio, an experienced high-level mage, quickly regained herposure and followed closely behind. "We must leave! We cannot continue to rely solely on Professor Deculein! We must trust in our own intellect¡ª" "Prepare the magic!" "Begin with destructive spells¡ª" "We must leave! We cannot continue to rely solely on Professor Deculein! We must trust in our own intellect¡ª" "Prepare the magic!" "Begin with destructive spells¡ª" The first-floor exit had descended into chaos. Around a dozen mages, locked in time, were trapped in an endless loop of casting spells. ¡°Won¡¯t be long ¡®fore we end up like that,¡± Rogerio muttered with a cynical edge. "Professor!" Assistant Professor Allen called out as he hurried down the stairs from the second floor, breathless. "We have a serious problem! Assistant Epherene has disappeared!" "... What? Deculein, ain''t Epherene ya student?" Rogerio asked sharply, turning to look at Deculein. However, Deculein paid little attention and continued his steady pace toward the underground archives. "Professor~! I¡¯ming with you! Ow!" Allen stumbled and fell to the ground in an effort to catch up. Deculein didn¡¯t bother to look back, but Rogerio, who had rushed over to help, grabbed Allen¡¯s shoulder and said, "... Deculein! Fah the love of Gawd, turn around!" Only then did Deculein finally turn his head. "Professor~! I¡¯ming with you! Ow!" Allen stretched out his hand but missed and stumbled again. He was then drawn back into the past, reaching out toward Deculein once more. "Professor~!" "He¡¯s been wicked locked in time too," Rogerio remarked grimly. "I¡¯ming with you! Ow!" Allen¡¯s hand never reached him, forever caught in an endless loop. Despite the pitiful sight, Deculein remained unfazed. The time lock seemed almost expected to him as he muttered under his breath, "What do you expect me to do about it?" "Wha¡¯? Deculein, youse¡ª" "Simply follow me." Deculein descended the stairs with unwavering resolve. Upon reaching the underground archives, he continued forward without pause, striding directly down the center of the corridor. "Deculein! Ya see that? Your student''s right there!" Rogerio eximed, pointing to a section of the bookshelf. There, young Epherene stood frozen in time, appearing as if she had simply fallen asleep. "Indeed." "What? That¡¯s it? Wicked cold, Deculein," Rogerio started in disbelief. Deculein simply nodded and kept walking, his steps steady and unwavering. "... This must be the ce." Finally, they arrived at the staircase descending to the lower underground level. Deculein faced Rogerio and said in a firm tone, "Rogerio." ¡°What? And by the way, don¡¯t ya go callin¡¯ me just by my name. It¡¯s Ethereal Mage Rogerio to you! Now, say it back!¡± Rogerio snapped, her patience with Deculein¡¯s cold demeanor finally running out as she decided to sever ties with him for good. In response to her brusque demand, Deculein replied, "Ethereal Mage Rogerio." "Wh-what? You really did it," Rogerio muttered in disbelief. "Remain where you are," Deculeinmanded. Rogerio scowled and asked, "Why¡¯s that?" "Kaidezite is directly behind you." "What? Then I oughta¡ª" "ept yourself being locked in time." ¡°No, you outta ya damn mind¡ª¡± Rogerio, stunned, channeled mana into her hand, but it dissipated before she could act. ¡°No, you outta ya damn mind¡ª No, you outta ya damn mind¡ª No, you outta ya damn mind¡ª" She had also been locked in time. "No, you outta ya damn mind¡ª No, you outta ya damn mind¡ª" As her curse repeated endlessly in the air, Deculein descended the stairs without pause. Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Deculein allowed himself a moment to rx. He adjusted the buttons on his sleeves, straightened his cor and tie, and brushed the dust from his clothes as he continued down the seemingly endless spiral staircase. He knew that deep within these depths awaited the one he sought. Click¡ª A new sound echoed beneath his shoes, the ground now as hard as stone. Deculein had arrived at the lowest level of Lokralen and looked ahead. Therge door that Epherene had once described as sealed by a Temporal Rift now stood wide open. Without breaking his upright posture, Deculein stepped inside. "... You." The damp underground air, the cold wind howling through the chamber, two meteor fragments embedded in the floor, and the time beast lurking beyond them... Amidst it all stood a resolute figure¡ªthe future Archmage. "So, you were here." Epherene Luna greeted him with aposed smile and said, "Yes, Professor. It¡¯s good to see you." *** [Quest Completed: The Archmage¡¯s Request] ¡ô One Advanced Attribute Catalog Acquired Lokralen¡ªthe host of Kaidezite was Lokralen. The name itself was the clue. With a name like Lokralen, it was obvious that it would be the host. The real issue, however, was that Kaidezite wasn¡¯t a single entity. "There were two Kaidezites, then," I said, turning to face the older Epherene. "Yes, Professor. One targeted Lokralen, and the other came after me. Lokralen was tricky¡ªit kept slipping away, but thanks to him, I seeded," Epherene said, smiling softly and shrugging her shoulders. "It kept shifting between the past and the future... so I waited for the right moment to strike." Now, I realized the true meaning behind the Abandonment of Lokralen and what this audacious girl intended to do. Thud¡ª I moved forward a step. Epherene''s face grew tense as she shook her head and said, "Please, don¡¯te any closer." I ignored her and kept walking, but soon an invisible barrier stopped me in my tracks. "Carbon Barrier. You invented it, and I perfected it. No one can break through," Epherene said, effortlessly manipting the space with her carbon magic. I halted at the nearest point, locked my gaze on her, and asked, "What¡¯s your course of action now?" "Now that I¡¯ve captured both Kaidezite and Lokralen, I¡¯ll release them. They¡¯ll disperse across Lokralen, consuming their life force¡ªtime¡ªuntil it¡¯spletely drained. It¡¯s the most peaceful resolution." "... So, that¡¯s the reason you locked everyone in time." Epherene gave a faint, bitter smile and said, "Yes, exactly." The reason the death variable, Viin¡¯s Fate, hadn¡¯t activated became clear to me¡ªit wasn¡¯t because of death. The time lock was a form of salvation. "This is how the Abandonment of Lokralen will be executed." Due to Lokralen''s nature, where past and future converged, evacuating everyone from within had been entirely impossible. "And the one overseeing it all is me, Archmage Epherene," Epherene concluded. This ce was never intended to host a conference or be entered by humans. It was a catastrophe born from the greed and ambitions by the Magical Realm. "But if you release them, time will flood Lokralen," I stated. Kaidezite was a creature that consumed time. If it were unleashed, the oue was predictable. The knotted andpressed threads of time would unravel instantly, spreading outwards like a burst string. Time would expand in the same way. "That¡¯s right. Lokralen will be overflowing with time." "That time could extend for a century, or even two or three." Epherene shook her head and said, "I''ve calcted it to be exactly 385 years. Within Lokralen, 385 years will pass, while only 10 seconds will pse outside." "You n to endure all that time alone?" "Yes," Epherene replied without hesitation. "But there¡¯s no need for concern. Time will flow, but there won¡¯t be any aging. Kaidezite isposed entirely of time. Even if 385 years pass here, it will be no more than 10 seconds outside." If Kaidezite escaped Lokralen, the entire world would face destruction, with the continent itself bing the sacrifice. However, if released within Lokralen, time in this space would stretch on for centuries, condemning everyone inside. Unwilling to let anyone else suffer, Epherene had devised her own solution to the problem. I said, "Only those locked in the past can escape the eternity of time." Epherene nodded solemnly and said, "Yes. The time lock happens in an instant. Once I¡¯ve endured 385 years, everyone else will be safe. For them, it will be as if no time has passed¡ªthey won¡¯t even know they were locked in time." ¡°They won¡¯t even know they were locked in time.¡± That was the crucial point I recognized. She had decided to lock everyone in Lokralen in time¡ªeveryone except herself. During those 385 years, they would remain unaware of the passage of time. "That¡¯s why everyone had to be inside the conference hall. Locking time demands arge amount of temporal energy, so they needed to be close to Kaidezite¡¯s meteor. I used you, Professor, to make it happen. I know you all too well, don¡¯t I~?" Epherene said, even daring to wink at him. I fixed her with a disbelieving re and asked, "... And Drent?" "I¡¯ve already dealt with him. His mind was very weak." I nodded, channeling mana into my hand, and scratched at Epherene¡¯s Carbon Barrier. Epherene smiled calmly and said, "It¡¯s pointless. Remember, you may have invented this magic, but I¡¯m the one who perfected it¡ª" Slosh¡ª Ripples spread across the barrier, causing Epherene¡¯s eyes to widen in shock. "You¡¯re rather arrogant. Since I invented it, my Comprehension would naturally be faster," I said with confidence. As soon as I finished speaking, the barrier began to tremble. Whoooosh¡ª! Epherene intensified the barrier with a surge of mana, strengthening it tenfold as she said, "My rank is Ethereal, Professor." The barrier was imprable. I cautioned Epherene, "Don¡¯t underestimate the burden of centuries. You¡¯ll be enduring time far beyond a human¡¯s lifespan, alone in a deste ce." Epherene said nothing. "You won¡¯t be able to stop your mind from shattering. It will wear down, be swept away, and eventually crumble like sand." "I know," Epherene replied, puffing out her cheeks in a slight pout. "But who could endure that much time without struggle?" "Someone who¡¯s right in front of you," I said, meeting her gaze. Her yful squint faded into a nk stare as she murmured, "... Sorry?" "I¡¯ll take on that burden instead." "... Wait," Epherene stammered, her eyes widening as she gaped at me. 385 years. I have no idea what I might be in that time, but I feel no fear. Such a vast stretch of time won¡¯t leave even a scratch on my mind. So, it¡¯s better that I endure it, not Epherene. "I could spend the time for myself to think and grow." "... You n to think for 300 years?" I gave a slight nod in response. A small smile appeared on her lips as she realized, "Umm... So this is what I went through?" Tears welled up in Epherene''s eyes, and she sniffled softly, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her robe. I chuckled dryly and said, "You¡¯re crying over this, and you think you can handle 385 years?" "... No, this isn¡¯t something small to me," Epherene said softly as she deactivated the barrier. I acknowledged her choice and said, "We¡¯ll switch." "... Yes, Professor," Epherene said as she stepped forward and hugged me. It was another unexpected hug, just like before. I tried to speak, but the words wouldn¡¯te. "Thank you. But it¡¯s fine." ... I shouldn¡¯t have let her get this close. "Goodbye, my Professor." Chapter 99: Lokralen (5)

Chapter 99: Lokralen (5)

"... Goodbye, my professor." The trembling voice of a child from some far-off future echoed in my ears. The sound lingered like a fading whisper, resonating within me and filling the space she had just left. I closed my eyes briefly, and when I opened them, the world had already changed, anchored in a single fleeting moment. She was gone from the underground archive; only the silence remained. The wind spun idly, and the damp chill clung to my skin. In this unaltered space, time for me continued without interruption. Yet, in that brief span, 385 years had likely passed. "... Arrogant," I muttered, a wave of anger and disdain rising within me. It was a natural response. Flutter¡ª A scrap of paper at my feet caught my attention. I lifted it with Telekinesis. To Professor Deculein, Hello, this is Epherene. By now, I¡¯m certain you¡¯re angry. Were you muttering ¡®arrogant¡¯ under your breath? I nced around instinctively. There was no one there. I returned to the letter. The handwriting was firm, pressed deeply into the paper. I¡¯m sorry, Professor. But this is something I had to do alone. And this time, it truly is just time. The mana in the air is stagnant, making any training impossible. I will not even be able to replenish my mana. It¡¯s a time devoid of purpose, where all I can do is think. Like wavespping against the shore, time will simply wash over me and retreat, again and again. Hehe. Umm, there¡¯s so much I wanted to say to you, Professor. What happened in the future, how it all unfolded. But conveying knowledge from the future to the present is difficult. Especially your future, Professor¡ªI couldn¡¯t possibly exin it, no matter how much mana I used. So, instead of sharing iplete information, a mere fragment of the truth, I¡¯ll just say this one thing. What I want to tell you, Professor, is The letter stopped there, leaving the back of the page nk. Whatever she had meant to convey was left unfinished, abruptly cut off. Just then... "Professor!" The door burst open, and a younger, sharper voice rang out from behind. I quickly tucked the note into my pocket and turned to face her. "D-did it work?! Was Lokralen abandoned?!" Epherene eximed, her fists clenched tightly as she urgently questioned me. I gave a brief nod in response. "Oh!" "But the full Abandonment of Lokralen is yet toe. Though Kaidezite has been neutralized, Lokralen¡¯s timeline will continue until that day," I said. Theplete Abandonment of Lokralen was a matter for the future. Lokralen would continue to exist until the day Epherene became an Archmage. Epherene hesitated before asking, "Then... what about... me?" I thought of the future Epherene, enduring 385 years in istion. The thought made me angry. She had dismissed my abilities and pride, rejecting my offer with such audacious stubbornness. She wasn¡¯t someone capable of bearing such an immense span of time alone. I stepped closer to her. Though Epherene flinched, she didn¡¯t back away. Tap¡ª "Ow!" I rested my hand on her head, noting how small and light it felt. "You still have much to learn in your head." "... What did you say?" Epherene asked, squinting up at me, her expression still reflecting ack of understanding. "Epherene has returned to the future. In that future, Lokralen has been abandoned, so you won¡¯t see her again." Then her face fell, disappointment shing across her features. Without another word, I began to climb the stairs. "Oh, Deculein! Ya dirty punk!" Rogerio yelled, her voice seething with fury as I continued upward. As anticipated, she remainedpletely unaware that she had been locked in time. "How could ya turn on me like that?!" "This way. It¡¯s all over." "... Wha¡¯, it''s ovah?" When we reached the first-floor lobby, nearly everyone from the conference was already gathered. Released from the time lock, they appeared slightly embarrassed. Among them stood the conference president, Lokralen, idly toying with a ne that had be nothing more than a string around his corbone. "... Oh, Professor Deculein!" "Professor Deculein, did you resolve the matter?" "I-I knew we could rely on you." The conference members gradually approached, their expressions a mix of relief and hesitation. I nodded toward Rogerio and said, "Rogerio. Open the doors." "Awright," Rogerio said, dissolving the Ductility that had sealed the doors. Ruuuuumble¡ª! The sealed conference hall exit finally opened, allowing the first rays of sunlight to stream in. ¡°Wicked... first sunlight in near two days. Professor Deculein, sorry ¡®bout the mix-up,¡± Rogerio mumbled, and a few mages, still eyeing me, started to head outside. They were unaware of the sacrifice made, so their reactions remained subdued. "... This is Conference President Lokralen speaking. Due to unexpected events, this conference is now officially concluded," Lokralen announced through an amplification spell. "Please return to the hotel and rest. Departure procedures will begin tomorrow. I repeat, everyone, please return to the hotel and rest...." Epherene scowled at him, her lips pursed and eyes filled with irritation. *** The following day, Drent had partially recovered from the effects of mana exhaustion, and the remaining sessions of the conference were officially canceled. Conference President Lokralen announced that a period of reorganization was necessary, signaling that it was time to depart. "Reorganization? Wouldn¡¯t it make more sense to cancel the whole conference now? That way, we can prevent something like this from happening again," Epherene asked, her suggestion entirely practical. I shook my head and replied, "There¡¯s no evidence to support that. And even if there were, Kaidezite is still a threat to the future. The Floating Ind would probably im that it¡¯s safe for the time being." The Floating Ind appeared rational and intellectual on the surface, but beneath that facade, it was deeply conservative and ruthlessly cold in its judgments. "Oh..." "Professor~ Everything is packed and ready," Allen called out. "I can manage on crutches as well, Professor," Drent added. I nodded and opened the door to the guest room. There was much to contemte, beginning with the Advanced Attribute Catalog I had acquired as a quest reward. As we entered the hotel elevator, Epherene asked, "When we leave Lokralen, will I forget everything that happened today?" "It depends on your mental strength, but for you, it will likely linger as a vague memory. You won¡¯t forget entirely, but the details will be hard to grasp," I said. Epherene nodded, her expression tinged with sadness. Ding¡ª The elevator doors opened to the busy lobby, where many were preparing to depart Lokralen. Though they greeted me, I had little interest in responding. We walked directly out of the hotel and onto the street. "Apologies for the inconvenience, Assistant Professor. Am I too heavy?" Drent asked. "It¡¯s no trouble~ We¡¯re a team, after all," Allen replied cheerfully as he supported Drent. "I fainted like a fool... I never thought one word could knock me out..." "Yeah, that was strange." Their conversation ignited a thought in my mind, a small ember ring to life within my consciousness. "Professor! Professor¡ª!" Conference President Lokralen called out loudly as he waved and approached from behind. When Epherene spotted him, she puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms. I, too, fixed him with a silent re. "Hahaha, leaving already? Why not stay for a farewell banquet? It¡¯s almost ready," Lokralen suggested cheerfully, unaware that he had been Kaidezite¡¯s host. "Not interested," I replied. "Hahaha~ Of course, you must be busy. But I wanted to express my gratitude. Thanks to you, the conference was saved." "Tch. Saved, my ass," Epherene muttered under her breath. Noticing her displeased expression, Lokralen turned to Drent and said, "Oh? I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve met before." "He¡¯s the mage I spoke of, the one who copsed after a single word," I said. "Ah~ That¡¯s unfortunate. You must have been truly exhausted to copse after a single word." "... I apologize," Drent muttered, lowering his head. Lokralen gave a bitter smile, and at that moment... "Wait," I said, as the spark in my mind red into a sudden sh of realization. "Lokralen." "Yes?" "You mentioned that it''s rare for someone to faint after saying just a single word." "Yes, normally that wouldn¡¯t ur, even with weak mental strength." "Yet he still fainted," I said, gesturing toward Drent. Drent lowered his head, covering his face in shame. "Um, I was just tired at the time¡ª" "Describe another possible condition." "Sorry? Another condition?" "If he indeed fainted, the problem likely lies with the mage he faced." ¡°... Perhaps.¡± Lokralen hesitated, stroking his chin thoughtfully before replying, "It¡¯s probably... a difference in mental strength rather than mana. Maybe he faced a future mage with exceptional mental strength... but it¡¯s also possible that his own fatigue was the primary cause. Mages with such a mentality are quite rare." That was all the confirmation I needed. "Indeed." I remembered the moment we first arrived in Lokralen. That day, a robed mage had walked by us like any other passerby. Drent had unconsciously greeted him, and then... So, instead of sharing iplete information, a mere fragment of the truth, I¡¯ll just say this one thing. What I want to tell you, Professor, is Epherene¡¯s letter had certainly been cut off abruptly. "Is something wrong, Professor?" Lokralen asked. I pictured Epherene writing the letter, pressing her emotions into every word on that small piece of paper. She was lost in thought, carefully choosing her phrases and reflecting on her time, when something unexpected happened, startling her so much that she couldn¡¯t finish it. Or maybe, there was no need to finish it. Because... "What is destined to happen, will happen." "Sorry?" All eyes were suddenly on me. "That arrogant child..." ¡°Who?¡± Epherene asked. I signaled to Allen to lead her away. Allen, quick to understand, grasped Epherene''s arm and began to guide her away. "Let¡¯s go now, Miss Epherene. We¡¯ll wait over there, Professor~" "What? Why? Wait, just a minute¡ª" Once they were out of earshot, I turned back to Lokralen and said, "Lokralen, call me in the near future." Lokralen beamed and said, "Ah~ Of course. That¡¯s only natural. Normally, we don¡¯t allow double invitations, but there¡¯s another conference in December¡ª" "No," I interrupted, my gaze firm. "Leave my name off the guest list." "... Sorry?" "I''ll arrive discreetly." My name couldn¡¯t be on the list; it was the only way to ensure she was fooled. "Oh, that¡¯s a bitplicated. It goes against Lokralen¡¯s regtions¡ª" "Regtions? What concerns are regtions to me? Because of you, we almost lost our lives," I said, gripping Lokralen''s shoulder firmly. He flinched, visibly shaken, and stammered, "B-but a greater danger could ariseter. It''s all for your protection. Without your name on the list, managing the entrances will be impossible¡ª" "I know. That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m asking," I said, holding his gaze with a piercing stare. He shifted uneasily, his eyes flickering away from mine. Gulp¡ª After a tense pause, Lokralen wiped the sweat from the back of his neck and stammered, "W-when should it be?" "Any time will do," I replied, briefly ncing at Epherene, who was still casting looks over her shoulder as she walked away. "I¡¯lle when I¡¯m ready." At that moment, sunlight filtered through the domed ss roof of Lokralen, curving gently like a breeze. "You¡¯ll only need to keep the door open." "... Yes, Professor, I understand. But why¡ª" I shook my head, smiling as I said, "There''s no need for exnations." The robed figure Drent had encountered¡ªthere was only one person in the world with such formidable mental strength, capable of making someone faint with just a single word. "This was inevitable...¡± I knew precisely who it was. ¡°From the beginning." He was... Deculein von Grahan-Yukline *** The previous night, when Epherene locked Deculein in time... "It''s all done!" Epherene eximed triumphantly after sessfully dismantling Kaidezite. The creature dissipated, releasing an immense amount of time energy throughout Lokralen before vanishingpletely. ¡°Phew...¡± Her task now was simple¡ªsurvive in this confined space for 385 years, which meant enduring 140,525 days or 3,372,600 hours. "... At least there''s something to keep mepany," Epherene mused, ncing at Deculein''s figure locked in time. His appearance was as pristine as ever, untouched by the flow of time. His meticulous obsession with cleanliness and order endured, unaffected by the passage of years. "I''lle backter," Epherene said, giving one final nce at Deculein before hurrying up the stairs from the underground archives. As she made her way to the first-floor lobby, she passed by Rogerio, still locked in time, and the younger Epherene, peacefully asleep. "... Phew," Epherene sighed, checking the time locked faces of those present. She hadn¡¯t missed anyone. "Oh, right." Epherene was about to inspect the second and third floors when she stopped, turned around, and descended the stairs again. "I nearly forgot to write the letter. I should do it while my thoughts are still clear." Epherene returned to the underground archives,ing to a halt before the motionless figure of Deculein. She retrieved a nk piece of paper. "Let''s see..." To Professor Deculein, Hello, this is Epherene. Rather than using a pen, she channeled her mana to inscribe the words with graphite on the paper, employing the carbon magic Deculein had created. Umm, there¡¯s so much I wanted to say to you, Professor. What happened in the future, how it all unfolded. But conveying knowledge from the future to the present is difficult. "Pfft." As Epherene continued writing, a quietugh slipped out, apanied by a smile. An unexpected warmth spread within her as she pressed each word firmly onto the page, understanding what it truly meant to convey her feelings. So, instead of sharing iplete information, a mere fragment of the truth, I¡¯ll just say this one thing. What I want to tell you, Professor, is But then... Thud¡ª Epherene''s ears suddenly perked up, her senses on high alert. She froze, her eyes widening as she looked up. Thud¡ª Footsteps that had no ce in this silence reverberated through the room. Epherene''s hand froze mid-motion. Could there still be someone I haven¡¯t locked in time? I was sure I¡¯d ounted for everyone on the entry log, including Drent. A shiver crept down her spine as she gazed into the darkness. At that moment... "How foolish." A voice, sharp and unmistakably familiar, pierced the silence. It was too familiar, yetpletely impossible. "With this level of carelessness..." The voice dripped with mockery as a man in a ck robe stepped out of the shadows. ¡°How do you expect to be recognized as my prot¨¦g¨¦?" Epherene could only stare at him, tears filling her eyes and her throat tightening, rendering her speechless. "You remain as foolish as ever." Only one person in the world had the authority to call the Archmage foolish. As he pulled back his hood, Epherene quickly covered her mouth with both hands. "Ah..." It was Deculein, but not the one she knew¡ªthis was Deculein from the future. His smile held a warmth that the Deculein of the past had never shown. "You should have been more meticulous, wouldn¡¯t you agree?" At his words, a faint smile formed on Epherene''s lips, even as tears, glistening like rainbows, rolled down her cheeks. "Yes, Professor. You¡¯re right..." Epherene said, wiping her tears with her robe¡¯s sleeve, rubbing her eyes. "I was really... foolish." She looked up at him again, smiling through her tears. She knew he hated seeing people cry, but she couldn¡¯t help it¡ªnot with her heart pounding wildly and her emotions spiraling out of control. "I should have done it... more meticulously..." A small piece of paper drifted to the ground behind her, beginning with the hesitant words, To Professor Deculein. "I really was foolish..." Epherene left the letter unfinished. There was no need¡ªafter all, the one she had been waiting for was now here. "... I''m sorry, Professor." As Epherene centered herself in the present, a faint sense of guilt settled within her. "And... thank you." The years she had once prepared to endure alone now would be far more bearable... Chapter 100: Family (1)

Chapter 100: Family (1)

On the 77th floor of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, Yeriel took advantage of Deculein¡¯s business trip to visit the Head Professor''s Office. Snap¡ª! While the owner was away, the office was heavilyyered with security spells, but a single snap of the fingers instantly deactivated them all. "What task were you given?!" Chairwoman Adrienne asked. Yeriel had been trying to sneak in when she was unexpectedly caught by Adrienne. Left with no choice, she epted her help, which, in the end, turned out to be the better option. "I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t disclose that. It¡¯s business-rted." ¡°... Hmph! I¡¯ll just ask Professor Deculein myself!¡± ¡°Sure. Feel free,¡± Yeriel replied calmly, cing the documents from her handbag onto the desk. These were documents pertaining to Marik and the Rohak Concentration Camp, sealed with a security mechanism that only Deculein¡¯s fingerprints and iris scan could unlock. ¡°Would you mind leaving now?¡± Yeriel asked, noticing that the Chairwoman was still eyeing her. ¡°... Suspicious!¡± Adrienne muttered, her curiosity piqued, disying her natural Busybody tendencies. Adrienne¡¯s instincts told her something was amiss. Her stance, with hands poised like a mantis''s ws, was almostical. Yeriel shook her head, dismissing the concern and said, ¡°It¡¯s just business-rted, nothing particrly interesting.¡± ¡°... Hmph! Fine! I¡¯ll be going then!¡± Adrienne pouted and left the room. Only then did Yeriel get to work. She hade here with a purpose¡ªto find something specific. ¡°... Sometimes, his meticulousnesses in handy.¡± She found the item almost immediately. Deculein¡¯s meticulous organization made it easy; it was in the first drawer she checked¡ªan untitled notebook. It seemed like something you could pick up for three elne at any stationery shop, but it was anything but ordinary. This nk notebook, once given as an assignment by the former head of the family, De, was the same one Yeriel had. ¡°As expected. It¡¯s here.¡± After an unsessful search of the mansion,ing to the Mage Tower had proven to be the right decision. Yeriel intended to use this diary to uncover Deculein¡¯s true intentions. ¡°Sigh...¡± A year ago, she had been too hesitant to act, feeling weak, overly cautious, and weighed down by practical concerns. So, she opted for the safest approach¡ªusing this diary. Rather than rushing into action, she decided to uncover Deculein¡¯s final thoughts through its pages. ¡°Hm...¡± Yeriel murmured as she nced around, then swapped Deculein¡¯s diary with her own. Both were magical artifacts made by their father, identical in appearance and function. However, Yeriel was certain Deculein would never open this diary. It held the presence of the only person he feared¡ªhis father. ¡°Now...¡± As Yeriel exited the office, she unexpectedly encountered a familiar figure. The woman''s eyes widened in surprise as she recognized Yeriel. ¡°Solda Yeriel?¡± Louina approached the Head Professor¡¯s office with a few of her prot¨¦g¨¦s. Yeriel took a moment to think about Louina, who had been oddly quiet since her kidnapping by Deculein. There were even rumors circting that she had be one of Deculein¡¯s trusted confidantes. The truth behind this peculiar story piqued Yeriel¡¯s curiosity. ¡°... Professor Louina, what brings you to the 77th floor? This is my brother¡¯s¡ª¡± Yeriel caught herself and cleared her throat. ¡°Ahem. I mean, this is Head Professor Deculein¡¯s floor.¡± ¡°I saw that the security spells were deactivated, so I assumed the Professor had returned. I have a matter that needs his approval,¡± Louina replied. ¡°¡ªAh! You and your endless expenses!¡± At that moment, Chairwoman Adrienne emerged from behind the wall, her eyes zing with anger. Louina recoiled in shock, instinctively stepping back, while Yeriel let out a weary sigh. Adrienne had been eavesdropping again, and the situation was rapidly escting. "Professor Louina, do you have any idea how much you''ve spent already?! And now you''re asking for even more approvals?!" "Chairwoman, it''s not my fault that my projects are expensive~" "Unbelievable! And it''s not approval you''re asking for¡ªit''s payment!" "Regardless of the details, isn''t this something for the PCO Director to handle? Chairwoman, you can simply leave it to him and not worry~" "... I should never have established a nning and Coordination Office!" "Well~ Thanks to the nning and Coordination Office, your profits have been quite good, haven''t they? Every project the Professor approved has been sessful." ¡°You¡¯re the one eating up all those profits!¡± ¡°Well, it can¡¯t be that much~¡± "No! This is far too much! You''re on course to exceed 100 million elne!" "Oh my, not even 100 million yet? That''s much less than I expected." ¡°What?!?!¡± As their pointless argument, a mirror of the Mage Tower¡¯s internal strife, continued, Yeriel quietly slipped into the elevator. *** On a clear summer afternoon, under a bright blue sky, wepleted the entry procedures in Lokralen¡ªinspections and checks¡ªand boarded the train, finally arriving at Haileich Station in the capital. "Ah, we''re finally back!" Allen said with a relieved sigh, stretching his arms. I nced out the window at the sky. It had been just an ordinary business trip, yet somehow, it felt like I had returned from a long journey. "... I didn''t think they''d take my diary away," Epherene muttered with irritation. "They''re probably worried it might mess with your memory~," Allen replied. "I understand, but... at least I still remember some of it. I guess my mental strength isn''t too weak." "Yes, same here~ I don¡¯t remember much from the lectures, but the ordinary details from that day seem clear." "... All I remember is losing consciousness," Drent added. While they continued their quiet conversation, we stepped onto the tform. "Ey! Professor Deculein!" Rogerio called out eagerly, waving her arm as she approached together with Kreto. Kreto extended his hand first and said, "Professor Deculein, once again, your assistance has been invaluable." "I mean, c''mon! With all that talent, howe you''re still just a Monarch-rank?" "Grand Prince Kreto, it was an honor to work with you. And Rogerio, you too," I replied, taking my leave. After Allen, Epherene, and Drent exchanged a few words with them, we divided into two groups and continued down the main road. "Oh my!" Epherene eximed, suddenly pointing in the heart of Haileich. "It''s the Flower of the Pig!" The Flower of the Pig. Unlike the main branch near the Imperial University, this one was designed to match the opulence of Haileich, the Empire¡¯s wealthiest district. Lavishly decorated, it was an exceptionally luxurious branch¡ªone that captured the essence of the original. Epherene stared nkly at the exterior and muttered, "... Oh. Why... Why can''t I stop drooling? Julia mentioned opening a new branch, but I never expected it to be in Haileich..." "Is that ce really as good as they say?" Allen asked. Epherene nodded¡ªfirst once, then twice, and soon three, four, and five times... I reached into my inner pocket, took out my wallet, and said, "Allen." "Yes, Professor?" "Make sure they¡¯re well fed." When I handed him a check for 10,000 elne, Allen was taken aback and said, "This is too much¡ª" "You''ll end up spending it all. Prices in Haileich are unimaginable." "Oh... Yes, thank you, Professor," Allen said, taking the check with trembling hands. Epherene, who had been watching, couldn''t help but grin. "I''ll be leaving now." "Yes, thank you. Goodbye, Professor!" Allen said. "Goodbye, Professor," Drent added. "See youter~!" Epherene chimed in. Without ncing back, I stepped into the waiting car. Through the window, I watched as Allen led the two assistants into the restaurant. "Let''s go, let''s go~ Hurry up~" Epherene urged, her steps light, almost like a dance, with a radiant smile lighting up her face. "... That Epherene," I muttered with a faint smile, reflecting on how she is destined to be an Archmage in the future. "Professor, how was your business trip?" Yulie inquired, who had been quietly seated beside me. I met her gaze and nodded, replying, "It wasn¡¯t bad." Yulie smiled brightly, and I added another sentence. "I missed you." "... S-sorry?" Disregarding Yulie¡¯s flustered response, I turned my attention to the driver. "Proceed to the Mage Tower." *** When I arrived at my office in the Mage Tower, the first thing I did was take out the Advanced Attribute Catalog. ¡°... It is certainly a valuable reward.¡± Unlike the Item Catalog, the Attribute Catalog was an exceptionally important item. Even in the game, opportunities to obtain it were rare. However, the Advanced rank was somewhat ambiguous. The attributes were ranked as Common, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Rare, Unique, and Special. Among these, Common and Beginner barely qualified as attributes, providing little more than minor bonuses like Telekinesis Apprentice. Only from Intermediate and Advanced did the attributes be worthwhile... [1. General License] [2. Voice of the Tiger] [3. Reckless Offensive Stance] No matter how many times I scrolled through the list, nothing useful stood out. My eyes continued to drift down... until I found something. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± An attribute with an unfamiliar name catches my eye. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Encryption] ¡ô Grade : Advanced ¡ô Description : Consumes mana to encrypt a target. (However, living beings cannot be encrypted.) : The attribute''s output is influenced by the user¡¯s Mental Strength. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Encryption. The description was somewhat vague, but I was intrigued by the fact that the attribute was influenced by mental strength. After all, mental strength was my one true talent. Just then, I noticed a note on my desk that hadn¡¯t been there a moment ago. Curious, I studied it briefly before tucking it into my pocket. Knock, knock¡ª At that moment, someone knocked on the door. ¡°Professor!¡± Allen eximed with a beaming expression as I opened the door with Telekinesis. ¡°The rating on the Floating Ind isplete! It¡¯s an advanced course, Professor¡ªAdvanced!¡± Epherene and Drent followed closely behind him. Drent bowed, and Epherene awkwardly did the same. ¡°You''re remarkable, Professor, as expected from the head professor! Truly, you''re exceptional!¡± Allen said, showering me with exaggerated praise, nearly dancing with enthusiasm. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s begin the preparations for the ss,¡± I replied. ¡°Yes, Professor!¡± ¡°As for the two assistants, you are dismissed,¡± I continued. Allen blinked in confusion as I instructed the assistants to leave and hesitantly asked, ¡°... Sorry? Why... why do they need to go?¡± ¡°Drent, Epherene, I observed that both of you have enrolled in my ss.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s correct. We did.¡± ¡°I have as well,¡± Epherene said, nodding as she met my gaze. I shifted my focus to Allen and stated, ¡°The responsibility of preparing for the ss will fall between you and me.¡± ¡°... Ah, yes. I-I suppose... oh,¡± Allen stammered. His expression revealed deep disappointment. He had likely hoped to offload the ss preparations and other tasks onto the new assistants. When he nced back, he saw that the two assistants had already disappeared. ¡°Alright...¡± Allen said, forcing a bright smile as he resigned himself. I rested a hand on his shoulder and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry. Your name will be listed as a co-instructor for this course.¡± ¡°Sorrrry?! An advanced course... and I¡¯m the co-instructor?¡± Allen said, his eyes widening in shock. ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°B-but, I... I mean, how... this is...¡± As I watched Allen stumble over his words, I couldn¡¯t help but to reflect on that... ¡°I-is it really appropriate for someone like me to be a co-instructor...? I-I mean, how could I possibly...¡± ... He was a natural when it came to acting. *** The upper levels of the Floating Ind were unimaginable to any mage. More urately, they defied the logic of the entire world. "The results of the course rating will now be announced." The Floating Ind¡¯s core and engine, Megiseon, was a structure that stretched endlessly upward, reaching the sky beyond the Celestial Realm. However, as one ascended the levels, the spaces shifted from interiors tondscapes and even entire worlds. Some levels of the Floating Ind were vast enough to amodate tens of thousands of people, while others were nothing but open sea. And yet, others were... ¡°Monarch-rank Professor Deculein¡¯s course submission¡ªPure Utilization of Earth and Fire: Maniption Category.¡± In a cramped conference room dedicated solely to issuing verdicts, the rating was carried out. "The course has been granted an Unlimited Advanced rating." The course evaluation, conducted in the presence of many devoted followers and high-ranking officials of the Floating Ind, concluded with a high rating. From that point on, Deculein¡¯s course, Pure Utilization of Earth and Fire: Maniption Category, was regarded as an advanced course suitable for mages of all ranks, with itspletion recorded as a significant achievement in their careers. ¡°However, a scribe from the Floating Ind will be present during the lectures, and the course information will be archived in the Floating Ind¡¯s records.¡± Gindalf, who had been present, stifled augh as he stroked his chin. Adrienne, seated beside him, nodded in satisfaction. ¡°The course will be recognized as Deculein¡¯s intellectual property, with a protection period of no less than ten years. Furthermore, except for a select few chosen by the Floating Ind, Deculein himself will determine who may enroll in the course.¡± The protection period for Deculein¡¯s course had been set at a minimum of ten years. Given that the maximum was fifteen years, this represented an exceptionally high evaluation. ¡°In return for archiving Deculein¡¯s course, the Floating Ind will provide him with a venue of his choice and cover the associated costs¡ª¡± That day, the news of the Advanced Rating for Deculein¡¯s Course spread quickly throughout the Floating Ind. Well-known mages such as Rogerio, Kreto, Bethan, and Ihelm each responded differently¡ªwith admiration, surprise, jealousy, and disbelief. This caused a minor stir across the entire Magical Realm. However, there was one mage who remainedpletely unaware of the news. Whoooosh¡ª! The area was known as the de Track, a high-risk zone where sharp winds howled endlessly. It was situated on one of the smaller inds surrounding the Floating Ind, where several smallndmasses were precariously connected in midair. Tap¡ª! On one of these inds, a small hand gripped the edge of a sheer cliff. Crack¡ª! The hand dug into the earth, clutching the ground with desperate strength. The pale, delicate hand was covered in wounds, and blood dripped from her broken nails. The pain was undeniable, but all she could think about was not falling. Whoooooosh¡ª! ¡°... Ugh,¡± Sylvia muttered, the owner of the hand. Despite the biting wind threatening to throw her off, she clung to the ground with all her might. ¡°You¡¯re lucky to be alive.¡± At that moment, a pair of ck high heels clicked against the ground as they approached her. As the heels scuffed the earth, a fine spray of sand drifted down like mist. Sylvia looked up at the woman standing above her. The woman, dressed in a robe, was applying lip balm as she gazed down at Sylvia. ¡°Give up. You¡¯re going to end up a fucking cripple.¡± the woman said. Despite the harsh words, Sylvia shook her head and said, ¡°I won¡¯t give up.¡± ¡°Do as I say.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not giving up.¡± ¡°You maye to wish you had died.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± ¡°... Hmph. You¡¯ve certainly got a strong will to learn. It seems old Rohakan¡¯s praise wasn¡¯t unfounded,¡± the woman said, a sneer curling her lips. ¡°In that case... let¡¯s find out.¡± Her voice was deep and husky for a woman. She crushed Sylvia¡¯s hand, still gripping the ground, beneath the heel of her shoe. A sickening crack echoed as bones broke. Sylvia¡¯s grip failed, and she plunged down the cliff once again. ¡°Whether you¡¯re a lion of Iliade....¡± the woman muttered to herself as she lit a cigarette. She used magic to ignite it, but the smoke was quickly swept away by the howling wind. ¡°Or just a broken wolf.¡± *** In the still darkness that had settled over Yukline Castle in Hadecaine, Yeriel gathered with her loyal vassals. Butler Roel, Knight David, Mage Regillon, and Head Maid Rachel were all present. Their heavy breaths lingered in the air like mist, and the tension was so thick it felt as if it could snap at any moment. ¡°This notebook... this diary was a task assigned by my father,¡± Yeriel said, pointing to Deculein¡¯s Diary on the desk before her. ¡°Each day, it absorbs a fragment of our soul and mana. In fact, some of its materials are made from our very skin.¡± Her vassals¡¯ breaths caught for a moment. Yeriel frowned as memories of the distant past resurfaced. The pain had been so excruciating that it felt as though her flesh were being torn away. Anesthesia had been useless, and though she had cried out in agony, Yeriel endured it because she was a Yukline¡ªor rather, because her father had forced her to. ¡°Skin... you say?¡± Butler Roel repeated, a note of surprise in his voice. ¡°Yes. He used our skin to create part of the circuit. The paper itself is made from the finest mana stone powder. It¡¯s an extraordinary artifact known as a remote circuit, and my father was truly remarkable for crafting it.¡± De, the former head of Yukline, had assigned countless tasks to his children. Both during his life and through his posthumous letters, this diary was just one of many trials. For all they knew, the other tests might still have been ongoing somewhere. ¡°Even if you don¡¯t write it in the diary, even if you leave it far away, even if you destroy or tear it apart, our days and deeds are still recorded in its memories.¡± Her father had described it as an artifact intended to help them grow independently. But Yeriel hadn¡¯t been fooled; she had always known the diary¡¯s true purpose was to monitor and evaluate them. ¡°Of course, the recorded memories are indiscriminate and unconscious, but they can¡¯t be false. My father¡¯s skill in crafting artifacts was advanced enough to be at an Eternal¡ªEthereal level.¡± De, the legendary Art Mage who had elevated artifact creation to a form of Specialization magic, left behind many such creations. Although many of these artifacts had eroded magically over time after his death, those crafted using the medium of his children¡¯s skin remained intact. ¡°This key is meant to unlock that path,¡± Yeriel said as she pulled out De¡¯s key from her robe. It was a treasure she had taken from the underground vault of the Yukline Castle. ¡°It¡¯s dangerous, but right now, this diary is my only option. I¡¯ve searched and searched, and this is thest method I have left.¡± In short, Yeriel intended to enter Deculein¡¯s diary. However, no one knew what memories they might encounter or how they would experience them. ¡°Has he stayed the same as he was a year ago? Is he just pretending to reconcile with us, only to abandon uster? Or is he truly trying to make amends?¡± Yeriel asked, her finger tracing the cover of Deculein¡¯s diary. ¡°I¡¯m determined to find out the truth. Will you join me?¡± Her vassals gave solemn nods. ¡°Thank you,¡± Yeriel said, exhaling deeply as she inserted the key into the diary. Swoooosh... Although the diary¡¯s cover had been solid, the key slid in smoothly, as though sinking into water. Clunk¡ª! At that moment, a surge of mana erupted, and when Yeriel turned the key fully, the diary engulfed them. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 101: Family (2)

Chapter 101: Family (2)

Yeriel opened her eyes to see white snow falling from the dark sky. Fluff... fluff... The snow gently touched her face as it fell. Yeriel closed her eyes, wiped away the dampness, and then opened them again. Everywhere she looked, there was snow. The sky, the earth, and the horizon were entirely nketed in white. Slowly, Yeriel stood and gazed into the distance, where a curtain of snow mist shifted. Amidst the white expanse stood an old mansion, its roof and window frames buried beneath the snow. Yeriel blinked, taking in the snowyndscape. ¡°Where have the vassals gone?¡± Yeriel wondered, her first thought upon realizing that the four vassals who had apanied her were nowhere to be seen. After a moment of hesitation, Yeriel approached the only ce not covered in snow. Crunch, crunch... She stepped through the snow, leaving her footprints in the untouched whiteness. ¡°... Everyone! Are you there?!¡± Yeriel called out as she reached the mansion¡¯s door. No answer came, and the door remained locked when she tried the handle. ¡°Oh.¡± Realizing something, Yeriel took the key from her pocket. She inserted it into the locked door without searching for a keyhole. The key slid in effortlessly, and with a twist, the door creaked open. ¡°Is anybody... here?¡± The interior was ordinary, exactly what one would expect from an old mansion. Crackle¡ª crackle¡ª The sound of a crackling fire in the firece and the aroma of roasted tea greeted her. Drawn by the warmth, Yeriel walked toward it. She stopped abruptly as she entered the living room. Near the firece, a familiar figure sat in a rocking chair. ¡°Deculein?¡± The man turned to look at her, holding a teacup in one hand and resting the other on the armrest of the chair, and said, ¡°Yeriel.¡± Yeriel tensed. If Deculein was here, it could only mean one thing. ¡°... Did you already know?¡± He shook his head. Though her question had been serious, his response felt strangely unsettling. ¡°I am not Deculein.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I am your diary.¡± ¡°... What?¡± Yeriel muttered, frowning at the absurd im. The figure resembling Deculein exined, ¡°I am a guide created to wee those who enter this ce. I am an artificial intelligence formed by magic, and I am the embodiment of the artifact.¡± He tapped the teacup on the table. ¡°That is what I am.¡± ¡°... Oh?¡± Yeriel murmured, momentarily stunned, but it made sense. After all, this was an artifact created by her father, De. The artifacts he crafted, though limited to the realm of Artifacts, were on a level that surpassed the understanding of ordinary mages. ¡°Where are my vassals?¡± ¡°Those without a key have been temporarily recorded by the security system.¡± ¡°... Recorded?¡± He handed her four notebooks. Yeriel approached cautiously and took them. ¡°This is...¡± The cover of one in notebook was titled Roel, the name of her longtime butler. ¡°You will understand once you read it.¡± Yeriel turned to the first page. Scratch¡ª scratch¡ª Sentences were being recorded on the pages in real-time. I don¡¯t know where this ce is. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in this world... though I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s truly a world. As Yeriel read the page, shock spread across her face. ... Above all, my concern is for Lady Yeriel. If this space exists within the diary, my priority must be to find her. These were the thoughts of Butler Roel. ¡°What is this...?¡± Yeriel asked, looking up. The artifact in Deculein''s form calmly sipped from the teacup and said, ¡°They were recorded as memories by the security system. You, however, are protected from it because you hold the key.¡± ¡°So these sentences... represent their thoughts?¡± ¡°Correct. Their entire essence has been transcribed into records,¡± the artifact said. Yeriel remained silent. ¡°You seem surprised.¡± Yeriel opened another notebook, this one had belonged to her escort knight, David. I must act quickly. I need to prepare and press on to be of service to Lady Yeriel... The other notebooks belonged to Head Maid Rachel and Mage Regillon... Their thoughts unfolded in simple words. Yeriel ced a hand on the back of her neck. It felt stiff, and her head throbbed with pain. The artifact from the diary spoke, ¡°When magic reaches a certain level, it bes true magic. It surpasses simple spells like Telekinesis or Fireball. I am something that has neared the realm of absolute truth.¡± ¡°Is there a way to return things to normal?¡± ¡°There is. They are not dead, so there is no need to worry. They have merely been caught by the security system.¡± Yeriel steadied herself and said firmly, ¡°In that case, I want to see Deculein¡¯s memories.¡± ¡°By all means,¡± he said, rising from his seat. Yeriel followed him as they left the living room and entered the right hallway. Countless frames lined the walls of the long corridor. ¡°All of these are Deculein¡¯s memories. You may examine any of them.¡± ¡°... Really?¡± Yeriel asked. ¡°However, it will require mana.¡± Yeriel stood before one of the frames. It showed a study that was both familiar and unfamiliar to her. The room was in Yukline Castle, but the arrangement of the furniture was different, making it feel strange. ¡°Do I simply look into it?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°... Alright,¡± Yeriel murmured as she leaned closer to the frame. ¡°Your grades aremendable,¡± a voice echoed as she peered in. ¡°Oh,¡± Yeriel gasped instinctively. Inside the study, her father, De, and Deculein stood together. ¡°However, only your grades aremendable. Your academic performance outside the Mage Tower is disgraceful,¡± De said sternly, seated as he lectured Deculein, who stood with his head bowed. ¡°When you were younger, I thought you were a whiz kid.¡± Deculein stood silently, as still as a statue. ¡°At this rate, I might as well have Yeriel¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± Deculein¡¯s head snapped up the moment his father mentioned her name. Outside the frame, Yeriel stood motionless. De sneered and said, ¡°If you understand, then demonstrate better results.¡± ¡°I will. I give you my oath.¡± ¡°An oath is unnecessary. Take this,¡± De said, handing something to Deculein. ¡°Deculein, this is your decision. It will bring pain as if your heart were being torn apart, but you won¡¯t fear something so insignificant, will you?¡± ¡°... No. Certainly not.¡± The memory in the first frame ended there. Yeriel looked away and turned to the next frame. This one disyed a hallway instead of the study. Deculein had been standing by the window, staring outside. In the sunlight where his gaze had settled, a young Yeriel¡ªherself¡ªstood. ¡°Why are you staring at me?¡± Yeriel asked directly. At that moment, Deculein turned around. ¡°Or not.¡± The timing had been perfect. Startled, Yeriel instinctively softened her tone. ¡°... Young Master Deculein.¡± At that moment, a familiar voice Yeriel had missed quietly filled the air. Deeply shocked, Yeriel turned to see who it was. It was Adele, Deculein¡¯s stepmother and Yeriel¡¯s own biological mother. Yeriel struggled to contain the surge of emotion that welled up inside her. ¡°Are you feeling alright?¡± Adele asked gently. Deculein remained silent. Adele offered a sad smile as she approached him and said, ¡°... If Yeriel burdens you¡ª¡± ¡°Please leave,¡± Deculein said, turning away, unwilling to listen further. The second memory concluded there. ¡°Ugh... I need to see something more recent...¡± Yeriel muttered, leaning against the wall to catch her breath. Though she had only viewed two records, the mental exhaustion and magical depletion weighed heavily on her. ¡°I knew you both woulde to visit me someday,¡± a voice echoed from the end of the hallway. Yeriel turned toward the voice and asked, ¡°You knew about it?¡± The figure from the diary turned to face her. He stood alone in the living room. Yeriel frowned and asked, ¡°Wait, what do you mean by you both?¡± He nodded and handed her another notebook. Her eyes widened in surprise. *** An hour earlier,te at night in the Mage Tower, I had finallypleted my tasks¡ªpreparing lessons, reviewing project submissions from the professors, and more. Afterward, I retrieved the diary from my drawer¡ªa nk, untitled notebook filled with memories. But this wasn¡¯t my diary. The moment my Sharp Eyesight fell on it, I knew it belonged to Yeriel. How she managed to steal mine, I still didn¡¯t know, but something about the cover seemed off. Slosh, slosh¡ª The paper rippled like liquid, with tiny particles clinging to my fingers like the delicate ripples on a pond. ¡°... I suspected it wasn¡¯t an ordinary artifact,¡± I murmured, studying it through the eyes of Comprehension. The diary contained not only a human mana circuit but also a fragment of a soul, both resonating within it. In other words, it had already been activated, likely by Yeriel. ¡°It appears to be a paired artifact.¡± My diary and Yeriel¡¯s had been connected. Given their nearly identical structure and function, they must have been designed as a matching set from the start. ¡°The function is simr to a portal...¡± I said, deactivating Understanding. Even with a brief analysis, it had drained nearly 2,000 units of mana. ¡°It¡¯s too risky to enter alone.¡± After reaching that conclusion, I left my office and stepped into the dark hallway. My attention was drawn to the assistant¡¯s researchb, where the lights were still on. I approached and peered through the ss. Therge room had only one upant¡ªEpherene. Her desk was cluttered with magic theory books, but she had fallen asleep, slumped over the pile. I opened the door to the research room. ¡°Hush... hush...¡± I watched her soft breathing for a moment, then pulled a pendant from my coat. Inside, a photo of a young Epherene smiling brightly, while her father stood stiffly beside her. ¡°Huuush... huuush...¡± The memories of Lokralen remained vivid. Epherene was undoubtedly destined to be an Archmage. ¡°Hush... hush...¡± I wondered whether she had be an Archmage because my presence had altered the course of events or if she had always been destined to follow this path. My thoughts drifted to the two Archmages I had encountered as a yer¡ªSylvia the Creator and Adrienne the Last Fairy. In any era, there could only be three Archmages. ¡°You are...¡± I picked up her robe, which she had discarded in her sleep, and carefully draped it over her back. ¡°Still full of mysteries,¡± I said, looking at Epherene. Then, an idea struck me. Perhaps she could be of some help. I nced between the diary in my hand and Epherene. And then... Snap¡ª! With a snap of my fingers, the lights went out, plunging the room into darkness. I ced a note imbued with the Midas Touch beneath themp on her desk, then returned to the Head Professor''s Office. And... ... Ten minutester, Epherene slowly lifted her head after feigning sleep with her forehead pressed against the desk. She cautiously opened her eyes, scanning her surroundings. ¡°... What was that?¡± Epherene said. In truth, she had woken the moment Deculein entered, startled by the authoritative aura he always carried. ¡°What the heck... He even covered me with my robe... Ughhhhh,¡± Epherene muttered, shivering as she rubbed her arms, goosebumps crawling up her skin. As Epherene scratched at her back, she remembered his words¡ª"You are... still full of mysteries." ¡°Ughhhhhhh.¡± Another wave of unease swept over her, and she scratched herself, trying to rid herself of the unsettling sensation. The way he had called her full of mysteries... and the oddly gentle tone he had used¡ªit all felt so strange. ¡°Why does that professor act like this... And what¡¯s this?¡± Epherene muttered as she noticed a small note on her desk, an odd scrap of paper. She furrowed her brow, picked it up, and quietly left the research room. The light in the Head Professor¡¯s Office was still on. After clearing her throat, she adjusted her expression to appear groggy, as if she had just woken up. With the note clutched in her hand, she grasped the doorknob to Deculein¡¯s office. Epherene forced a yawn, her eyes watering slightly as she shuffled into the room and muttered, ¡°Professor, I¡¯ve only just woken up... about three minutes ago. May I ask what this note is about?¡± As she looked around, she found the office empty, with nothing but a notebook lying on the desk. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Epherene blinked, her innocent expression reflecting her confusion. *** I entered into the diary. Inside, the world was a boundless expanse of snow. White nketed everything, with only a distant, dpidated mansion interrupting the endless white. Instinctively, I found myself moving toward that old structure. ¡°... It seems Yeriel was the one who opened this,¡± I muttered. I mused as I noticed the door was already ajar. Straightening my clothes, I stepped inside. The living room was empty, with only a fire crackling in the hearth. Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Then, I heard footsteps echoing through the room. I turned toward the sound and instinctively furrowed my brow as I said, ¡°You... resemble me?¡± A man who resembled me stood there. The man gave a nod, his expression unchanged, and said, "I am the diary itself. A guide crafted to greet those who enter here, an artificial intelligence formed by magic, and the living embodiment of this artifact." "... Whose diary?" I asked. The artifact responded, "I am a diary for both of you. All of your memories, hers and yours, are recorded within me." After a brief moment of thought, I asked, "Where is Yeriel?" "She is observing your memories," the diary stated, indicating the right hallway. But I had no interest. "Is she safe?" I asked. "Yeriel holds the key," the diary responded. I wasn''t sure what key he meant, but I understood that she was safe enough. I nced to the left and said, "If the right side contains my memories, then the left must hold Yeriel''s." "Indeed.¡± Fzzzt¡ª! Just then, the fire in the hearth sizzled out. At the same time, darkness and a snowstorm began to creep in, despite the windows being closed. In that strange atmosphere, I fixed my gaze on the figure who had introduced himself as the diary. The Viin¡¯s Fate reacted. "You are a threat," I remarked. "Hide," the diarymanded. "I see death when it''s near; I can perceive every detail. However..." The diary¡¯s face, voice, and aura had been brimming with signs of death, bubbling up like foam. "You¡¯re brimming with murderous intent right now," I stated. The diary, nodding calmly, remained expressionless as it said, ¡°That might be true.¡± I smiled faintly. This being might have resembled me, but it wasn¡¯t truly me. More urately, it wasn¡¯t modeled after me. Its original form had been crafted after someone who looked like me¡ªno, someone who resembled Deculein. In other words, Deculein¡¯s father. "Your model must be De," I observed. The diary''s eyebrows had a slight twitch. "That¡¯s understandable, given that this is one of De¡¯s creations." The diary remained silent for a moment before finally nodding, saying, ¡°That¡¯s correct. I am the master¡¯s creation, a magical entity designed for session.¡± "Session? Are you referring to the session of Yukline?" "Indeed. The master never intended to decide so easily. He never trusted you." "... He never trusted me?" "Correct," the diary confirmed. "That is unfortunate to hear," I remarked as a quest notification suddenly appeared in my vision. [Independent Quest: Family] As I read through the quest details, the diarymanded, its voice filled with ominous undertones, "Hide." I chose not to respond. Swoooosh¡ª! The dark snowstorm took shape, swirling violently around me. Once more, the diarymanded, "Hide." "I do not hide." The diary¡¯s expression shifted and said, "... The security system is approaching. Hide." "Must I?" He fell silent. I had no real way to escape, especially with the entire mansion brimming with signs of death. Still, following the advice of someone intent on killing me was out of the question. "In that case, you¡¯ll be part of the diary," the diary said, a cruel smile twisting his lips. I stared into his eyes and noticed a flicker of emotion gleaming within them. Swooooooosh¡ª! The dark snowstorm twisted around me like a tornado, and the fierce winds engulfed me entirely. *** The snowstorm subsided, leaving the living room in a quiet stillness. The diary fixed its cold gaze on the notebook lying on the floor and murmured, ¡°I knew you both woulde to visit me someday.¡± At that moment, Yeriel emerged from observing the two frames. Weary from the mana she had expended, she sighed deeply. But then, catching onto something, Yeriel asked, ¡°You knew about it? Wait, what do you mean by you both? Who else besides me?¡± ¡°Who else could it be but Deculein?¡± ¡°Where?!¡± ¡°Here,¡± the diary said, extending a notebook to Yeriel. Yeriel epted it absentmindedly, but when she read the title, her eyes widened in shock. Deculein. Deculein had been transformed into a notebook. Chapter 102: Family (3)

Chapter 102: Family (3)

... I dreamed of a long-forgotten past, a time when I lived with my family in a small, crowded room. The memory was brief, like a sunset fading away, iplete yet undeniably beautiful. I once had a family, too. When I opened my eyes, the sun zed down from a clear sky. I raised a hand to shield my eyes from the intense brightness. A meadow stretched out around me. Insects chirped, the grass swayed in a gentle breeze, and the trees rustled softly as their leaves fluttered. Pitter-patter-patter¡ª As I took in the scene, I heard the sound of small, hurried footsteps drawing closer. ¡°Bwother~¡± a sweet, childish voice called out. I turned toward the sound. ¡°Bwother~ Whewe awe you?¡± The girl couldn¡¯t have been more than six years old, her speech still a bit slurred. But I recognized her immediately, and a smile naturally spread across my face. ¡°Bwother~¡± Yeriel called out, her voice small and lisping as she ran deeper into the forest in search of her brother. I let out a soft sigh and murmured, ¡°This must be Yeriel¡¯s memory.¡± It appeared that the diary¡¯s security system, or whatever it was, had drawn me into this memory. ¡°Bwother...¡± Yeriel called out, ncing around for a while before lowering her head sadly, a finger pressed to her lips. Then, all of a sudden, she shouted with determination, ¡°... Come out,e out!¡± I nearlyughed at her outburst but managed to suppress it. "Come out,e out, whewevew you awe! Come out!" Naturally, there was no answer. Yeriel''s small voice was the only sound that echoed through the lonely forest. ¡°You''re so good at hiding, Bwother! I can¡¯t find you!¡± Yeriel dered with clear admiration. Whoever her brother was, he had to be a lucky boy. ¡°Come out! Whewevew you awe!¡± Yeriel wandered around, repeating her cries. ¡°Bwother...?¡± She continued walking, her small steps leading her deeper into the woods. As the forest thickened, she abruptly stopped and nced back. It was now just an endless expanse of trees¡ªshe had wandered too far, and the way back was no longer visible. "... Uh-oh," Yeriel whimpered, backing away in fear. Tears welled up in her eyes as her small hands gripped the hem of her dress. "Waaah..." ¡°Tut,¡± I muttered as Yeriel was on the verge of tears. I stood up and walked toward her. ¡°Ah, Bwother...?¡± Yeriel''s face brightened with relief at the sound of someone approaching, but she quickly recoiled when she saw me, bristling like a startled hedgehog. Her voice filled with cautious curiosity as she asked, ¡°... Who awe you?¡± I rested my hand gently on her small head and said, ¡°You¡¯re it.¡± ¡°... Sowwy?¡± Yeriel murmured, her wide, innocent eyes lifting to meet mine as she tilted her head in confusion. Seeing her reaction, I corrected myself gently. ¡°Ah, I forgot¡ªyou¡¯re the one who''s supposed to catch me, not the other way around.¡± My sudden arrival left me feeling disoriented, with a slight ache lingering in my head. ¡°What awe you doing? Wet go! I hafta find my bwother!¡± Yeriel yelled, wriggling free from my grasp. I scratched the back of my neck and said, ¡°He¡¯s probably not around here.¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± ¡°... Your brother probably suggested ying hide-and-seek because he wanted some time to himself.¡± I wasn''t Deculein, but somehow, I understood what had transpired. ¡°He likely left you to search on your own while he went off to y somewhere else.¡± Yeriel¡¯s face crumpled in disappointment, as if the world had let her down. But after a moment, she shook her head furiously and cried out, ¡°N-no! That¡¯s not twue! That¡¯s not twue! Bwother! Bwother~! Thewe¡¯s a stwanger hewe!¡± She turned and bolted, her short legs scrambling as fast as they could carry her. I trailed behind, measuring the area¡¯s mana density as I moved. ¡°Aah! He¡¯s following me! Don¡¯t fowwow me!¡± ¡°I¡¯m just walking.¡± I hadn¡¯t yet fully grasped what kind of magical phenomenon this was, but for some reason, I felt strangely light-hearted. *** The young Yeriel turned and bolted, her short legs scrambling as fast as they could carry her. I trailed behind, measuring the area¡¯s mana density as I moved. I hadn¡¯t yet fully grasped what kind of magical phenomenon this was, but for some reason, I felt strangely light-hearted. ¡°What is this...¡± Yeriel murmured, reading the sentences being recorded in the notebook titled Deculein. This could only mean that Deculein, like the other vassals, had also be part of a notebook. ¡°... Was Deculein just here?¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± the diary that resembled Deculein responded. Frowning, Yeriel lifted the notebook and asked, ¡°Why is my story recorded here? Why did Deculein encounter the young Yeriel?¡± "The world within this artifact adheres to its own set of magicalws." ¡°Hey, exin it fucking properly! Who the fuck is supposed to understand that if you put it¡ª¡± ¡°Deculein entered through your diary, Yeriel, and the security system recorded him. That¡¯s why he has been recorded in Yeriel¡¯s Memories,¡± the diary exined. For a moment, Yeriel''s mind nked, her thoughts swirling in confusion as she asked, "Then how did Deculein get in here? He didn''t even have a key." "The diaries were crafted as a pair. When one is opened, the other unlocks simultaneously." Yeriel''s mouth fell open in shock. She had never opened the diary before and had beenpletely unaware of this mechanism. ¡°Then, how do I reverse this recording?¡± ¡°Is there any reason to reverse it?¡± "... What?" Yeriel muttered, her eyebrows twitching. In an even tone, the diary said, ¡°Yeriel, you desire the session, don¡¯t you? If Deculein stays in this state, the position of family head will naturally fall to you.¡± Yeriel remained silent, her gaze fixed on the human-shaped artifact. With his unwavering tone, the diary continued, ¡°If you find it difficult to decide, why not see Deculein for yourself?¡± ¡°See him myself?¡± ¡°Those who are recorded express their thoughts and desires with greater honesty. This phenomenon is known as unconscious internalization. Examine Deculein¡¯s record, and you will discover his unfiltered desires there.¡± Yeriel bit her lip as she looked down at the notebook in her hand, the one belonging to Deculein. ... The young Yeriel had used magic to build a castle out of dirt. She proudly showed it off with a flourish, and I couldn''t help but smile. The two appeared to have grown closer. Yeriel scowled as she read the next entry. When I praised her, the young Yeriel puffed out her chest and said, ¡°Heh! My bwother is way more amazing than me! He¡¯s alweady leawning univewsity magic!¡± Deculein had been reduced to mere words being recorded. As Yeriel examined the text more closely, she suddenly came across a peculiar word. As I spent time with her, memories of when I was ¡ö¡ö¡ö surfaced in my mind. "What¡¯s this? One of the words is scrambled," Yeriel muttered, puzzled. ¡°That¡¯s impossible. You must have read it wrong,¡± the diary replied. ¡°No, I...¡± Before she could investigate further, the page flipped on its own, and new thoughts rapidly filled the page, preventing her from going back. ¡°Ah, forget it. You¡¯re fucking useless,¡± Yeriel muttered. "The fault must be with your eyes." Frustrated, Yeriel had continued reading the record. Rather than leaving her to y hide-and-seek on her own, I thought it would be better to spend some time ying with her. As Yeriel read that line, a realization dawned on her, and she muttered, ¡°Hide-and-seek alone... Hold on. I remember this.¡± Yeriel recognized the memory¡ªying hide-and-seek alone. Of all her memories, this one was especially painful. That day, Deculein had pretended to y with her, only to abandon her, leaving her lost in the forest for two days. It was a memory that had scarred her deeply. Yeriel turned to the diary and asked, ¡°Where are my memories? If this diary is a pair, it should contain my records too, not just Deculein¡¯s.¡± ¡°They¡¯re in the hallway opposite,¡± the diary replied. Yeriel turned and walked down the left corridor. As he had said, the walls were lined with frames that contained her memories, each with a title disyed beneath. The Day I First Learned Etiquette. Waaah! The Day I Was Spanked. The First Magic I Demonstrated to My Brother... Most of her childhood memories involved Deculein. She had relied on him so much during her youth that many of the titles seemed absurd. ¡°... Ah,¡± Yeriel said, her eyes caught on a particr frame. ¡°This...¡± A Lonely Game of Hide-and-Seek. The memory in the frame depicted the heart of the forest where she had once gotten lost. Without hesitation, Yeriel peered inside, her eyes widening in recognition. It was the day she had wandered the forest alone¡ªa memory that still caused her pain. I can do dis too! Oh, that¡¯s impressive. Deculein had been there beside her younger self, recorded within that memory. ¡°Could it be...¡± Yeriel murmured as she pulled out the Key of Yukline from her pocket, her eyes locked on the frame. She slowly inserted the key into the frame. Clunk¡ª! The key slid into ce, catching within the frame. As expected, in the diary¡¯s world, the Key of Yukline served as a master key. ck¡ª! Yeriel turned the key as if unlocking a door, and in that instant, her entire body was drawn into the frame. ¡°Wha¡ª!¡± Whoooosh¡ª! It felt as if her soul had been pulled from her body, stretching and contracting in all directions like a rubber band. The twisting sensation overwhelmed her, leaving her nauseous. ¡°Ugh...¡± When she finally steadied herself and opened her eyes, Yeriel found that she had shrunk in size. She looked around in a daze. The same clear sun from the frame shone overhead, and before her stood the dirt castle her younger self had crafted with magic. And in front of her there was... ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be heading home?¡± A kind-faced Deculein stood before her, a look she had never seen from him in all her life. Yeriel''s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly nodded and said, "T-there''s still pwenty of time. Miswer, awe you...?" *** "T-there''s still pwenty of time. Miswer, awe you...?" Yeriel said, nodding her head. I narrowed my eyes at Yeriel, causing her to flinch and step back, fear flickering in her eyes. "... Mister?" I said. "Y-yes? Y-yes, yes..." Her lisp was endearing, bringing a smile to my face. From her perspective, I really was an older man. "I¡¯m not sure when I¡¯ll leave. I¡¯m actually trying to find a way back home." "Aha..." I watched her as she plopped down on the ground, the same child who had just moments ago been so eager to show off her magic. "Miswer... do you have a wittle sibling too?" Yeriel suddenly asked, changing the subject. The topic felt a bit heavy, so I offered a faint, bitter smile and nodded as I replied, ¡°Yes, I do.¡± ¡°Ah... Then, do you... diswike your sibling too?¡± Yeriel asked, her voice grew quiet, weighed down by an unexpected sadness. It made sense; at her age, emotions were often vtile. The vividness of the memory¡¯s recreation felt almost too real. ¡°... Well.¡± I gazed up at the clear sky, feeling an unexpected calm wash over me. I had been sitting on the grass, my clothes in disarray, yet there was no difort. Oddly, it felt as if I had somehow reverted to being Kim Woo-Jin. "Yes," I answered. The young Yeriel absentmindedly tore at the grass. ncing at her, I continued, ¡°I used to." She turned to me, her eyes widening in surprise. "I used to dislike my sibling quite a bit, almost to the point of hatred. But..." I thought about my sibling who had left this world too soon, staying forever young while I continued to grow older. "... Not anymore." "... Weally?" Yeriel asked, her voice filled with surprise. I ruffled my hair¡ªa gesture that would have been unbearable before. Then, without much thought, Iy back on the grass, the sky above so blue it seemed to cover me like a nket. "And now... do you wike your sibling?" Yeriel asked again, pulling her knees up to her chest. "Yes," I replied simply. "How much...?" Yeriel asked, her voice full of innocent curiosity. I chuckled softly, which made her squint and shout, "Stahp waffing!" ¡°... Well, how much, you ask?¡± I paused, considering. Yeriel held her breath, her anticipation almost charming. ¡°Enough to sacrifice my dreams for that kid.¡± If I had kept chasing my dream of bing an artist, that kid would have starved. My sibling had mattered more than anything Kim Woo-Jin could have ever wanted. It was a heavy truth to share, but Yeriel stayed quiet for a long time. Whoosh... A gentle breeze swept through, rustling my clothes and ruffling my hair. The sensation was refreshing. Finally, she murmured in a soft, almost whispering voice, "... I see." "Yes." "But... Why''d you hate your sibwing?" ¡°... Oh?¡± That question struck a deep chord within me. It was something I had never shared with anyone¡ªthe reason. It had been too painful, too burdened with guilt to speak of. But... ¡°Whas... the weason? Because my bwother... hates me too...¡± Her sorrowful words tugged at my heart. I looked down at the young Yeriel, thinking that offering her some soft words wouldn¡¯t hurt. After all, she was just a projection of a memory. "I once thought my sibling took away someone I loved. At least, that¡¯s what I believed back then." "Someone you wuvved?" "Right." My mother died giving birth to my sibling, and five yearster, grief imed my father through cancer. Orphaned, I was left with a six-year-old sibling who could barely speak¡ªa burden that had taken everything from me. But over time, that child became my whole world. By the time I realized their true value, it was toote¡ªthey had already left. "I was foolish, and I¡¯ve carried a lot of regret because of it." Maybe that¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t bring myself to hate Yeriel. In truth, I found myself wanting to spend more time with her. Even though she wasn¡¯t my real sister and could never rece the sibling I had lost, it still felt... right. ¡°So there¡¯s no need to worry,¡± I reassured Yeriel. She appeared to remember something from her own past, her expression trembling on the brink of tears. "One day," I said, resting my hand gently on her small head. She flinched, her ears drooping like a scared puppy. "Your brother will love you too." Yeriel didn¡¯t respond. She let out a sharp, odd breath, then suddenly stood up and ran off. I tried to call after her. "Wait¡ª" Poof! But in an instant, she vanished without a trace. "... It seems this is where the recording ends." Of course, it was just a memory contained within a diary; it couldn''t persist indefinitely. I rose to my feet, deep in thought. "Hmm?" At that moment, it began to rain. Drip-drip... Raindrops began to fall from the sky, which had been clear and cloudless just moments before. I caught some in my hand and tasted it. "What the heck?" The rain had a salty taste, an odd sensation that made me frown at first, but then a smile slowly spread across my face. "Haha." I weed the mysterious rain with open arms and took a deep breath. "Hoo... Haa..." I felt at peace as the crushing weight of being Deculein lifted, leaving me refreshed. For the first time in a long while, I truly felt like I was standing as Kim Woo-Jin. "But... that¡¯s that," I muttered as reality started to settle in. I scratched the back of my neck. "Now, how do I get out of here?" I had to consider my options for escaping. *** Yeriel ran from her memories, clutching her chest as she leaned against the corridor wall. Her heart pounded so fiercely that it felt as though her ribs might break. "There¡¯s no way..." Deculein''s words still echoed in her ears, lingering like a whisper that wouldn¡¯t fade. "Why...?" Yeriel¡¯s hands trembled as she opened the notebook titled Deculein and continued reading. The diary had already begun recording from somewhere in the middle. But in an instant, she vanished without a trace. Of course, it was just a memory contained within a diary; it couldn''t persist indefinitely. "Why are you...?" Drip¡ª Tears dripped onto the page, soaking into the paper. Yeriel jerked her head up, surprised to find she had been crying without realizing it. "... Oh?" Even this moment was being recorded in the diary. At that moment, it began to rain. Raindrops began to fall from the sky, which had been clear and cloudless just moments before. I caught some in my hand and tasted it. The rain had a salty taste. ¡°Don¡¯t eat that, you fool... It¡¯s my tear. You hate anything dirty,¡± Yeriel muttered with a faintugh. Reading Deculein''s thoughts had dried her tears quickly. I felt at peace as the crushing weight of being Deculein lifted, leaving me refreshed. For the first time in a long while, I truly felt like I was standing as ¡ö¡ö¡ö. Yeriel empathized with the pressure Deculein felt, but she frowned at the cked-out letters that continued to appear. ¡°What¡¯s with this part? It keeps getting scrambled.¡± "Yeriel," the diary intoned suddenly. Despite everything, it felt far more than just a simple diary. "Have you reached your decision?" "Yes," Yeriel replied with a decisive nod. The diary responded, "Very well. And your decision?" "I''m returning. With Deculein... my brother, and everyone else." ¡°Returning?¡± the diary repeated with a frown. ¡°Do you not seek the session?¡± ¡°... I¡¯m not sure,¡± Yeriel replied, crossing her arms with a casual shrug. Just moments ago, Deculein had said, "Enough to sacrifice my dreams for that kid..." Yeriel hadn¡¯t fully understood what his dream was, but she knew one thing for certain¡ªshe had been entirely mistaken about him. "That¡¯s not important right now. We can discuss everything once we¡¯re back." There were still many unresolved matters, such as Ganesha¡¯s request, but those could wait. Yeriel would ask him directly when the time came. "You will regret it," the diary suddenly dered, its tone unsettling and firm. "... What the heck did you just say?" Yeriel said, her expression darkening as she nced at Deculein''s notebook. ... Upon consideration, it became clear that the being within the diary was not just a mere diary. It was a far more dangerous entity. She kept her emotions concealed after reading the notebook, but the diary''s ominous presence only heightened her unease as it repeated, ¡°You will regret this.¡± Yeriel tightened her grip on the key, shaking her head as she firmly said, ¡°No, I won¡¯t.¡± "No, you will regret it." "... Are you really a diary? What kind of diary defies its owner? Do you want to die? Keep that attitude, and I¡¯ll stab you with this key!" The diary¡¯s gaze shifted to a menacing red, and Yeriel instinctively stepped back. "I am the artificial intelligence created by Master De, tasked with evaluating the most suitable sessor for the family." "What?" ¡°The conclusion is that both of you have been disqualified. You each possess significant deficiencies,¡± the diary dered, its presence darkening as a malevolent mana radiated from it, far beyond the realm of ordinary mana¡ªit was demonic energy. "What are you even saying...?" Yeriel asked, fear tightening her chest as she took a step back. "... If we both fail, then what happens?" ¡°I, as the artificial intelligence, will assume your roles. I am the closest reflection of the master, far more fitting as the sessor than you, who are burdened with deficiencies.¡± "What the..." Yeriel muttered, as the absurdity of it all left her momentarily speechless, but soon she burst out in anger. "Fuck off, you little shit!" "I will seize control of your body." "Ha, what the hell? You fucking piece of shit. How dare a magic-born fucker like you even think you can take me on?" ¡°I am far more suited for session than you, who have no ambition,¡± the diary stated, as dark tendrils began to extend from its back. Fwiiiiiip¡ª! A powerful tendrilshed out at her. Yeriel spun around and sprinted down the corridor, clutching Deculein¡¯s notebook tightly in her arms. He had to find the answer, whatever it took. Crash-crash-crash¡ª! The tendril tore through walls as it pursued her relentlessly. The words in Deculein¡¯s notebook were intricate, too challenging to understand while she ran. Rrrrrrraaaaash¡ª! Another tendril burst through the wall, obstructing her path. "Damn it!" Yeriel muttered in frustration as she jammed the key into the nearest memory frame. Click¡ª! She twisted the key and dove through the frame, shouting, "Hey Deculein, brother¡ª!" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 103: Family (4)

Chapter 103: Family (4)

I sat on the grass, dazed. The young Yeriel had been gone for some time, but the memory remained, with the breeze and sunlight gently moving in rhythm. ¡°I genuinely have no idea...¡± I had used my Comprehension to examine the world around me, calcting the mana density. But something felt off. The problem wasn¡¯t with the memory¡ªit was with me. It seemed like some of my attributes had vanished, and the Telekinesis that had once been etched into my body was now undetectable. ¡°Hmm...¡± I murmured, stroking my chin as I pondered deeply. Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I raised my index finger. ¡°Oh!¡± ¡°What if only my soul was pulled in?¡± If the security system had stored my physical body elsewhere, it might have drawn only my soul¡ªmy consciousness¡ªinto this memory. ¡°That would exin why I feel so light and why the Telekinesis once imprinted on my body is no longer noticeable...¡± The theory made sense. But if it were true, the real issue was figuring out where my body was. Trapped in Yeriel¡¯s memory, there wasn¡¯t much I could ... Just then. Whoosh¡ª A breeze stirred as mana gathered in the center of the clearing. I watched the scene unfold in a daze. ¡°What the heck...¡± The mana shifted on its own, taking shape until it became a door¡ªan actual, physical door. ¡°... A pathway?¡± It reminded me of that entric, wild-haired scientist and his often anxious teenage grandson from Earth, who used a Portal Gun to open doorways to different dimensions. Tilting my head in curiosity, I approached and opened it. Inside there was... *** Thirty minutes earlier, Yeriel had dived into the frame, feeling her entire body shrink as her mind slipped into a daze. She almost lost consciousness, but the bizarre scene before her jolted her awake, sending a sharp shock down her spine. "Wha...?" My hands... Even my palms and each of my fingers¡ªso small. Too small. "Wha''s goin'' on?!" Yeriel eximed, realizing her voice wasn''t right either. It sounded strange and unfamiliar. "Nooo..." She reached up and touched her face. It felt round and puffy, like a soft, chubby bun. "... Wha'' jus'' happen? Wha''s goin'' on?!" Yeriel yelled in panic, sensing a cold gaze piercing through her from somewhere nearby. "You are being excessively loud," a voice dered. It was Deculein, though much younger. Despite his youthful appearance, he still carried the sameposed demeanor and cold attitude, his noble aura unchanged. "Have you taken leave of your senses?" Deculein said, his tone sharp and critical. If Deculein appeared to be around eleven years old, then Yeriel was likely in the body of a four-year-old. As she slowly grasped the situation, she took in her surroundings. They were in the tearoom of Yukline Castle. She was with Deculein, and when she glimpsed her reflection in the window... "Wha'' happened to my jeeks?!" "Your jeeks?" Deculein said, frowning. "My jeeks! The squishy part!" Yeriel yelled, pointing at her cheeks. She fumbled with her words, struggling to connect her thoughts with her tongue. Deculein shook his head, more annoyed than concerned, and said, "You are truly determined to waste my time, aren''t you?" "... I''m wosin'' my mind," Yeriel mumbled, frantically checking her stuff. Fortunately, she still had the Key to Yukline, but Deculein''s Notebook was missing. She wasn¡¯t sure if it had been dropped along the way or if it had disappeared when she entered this memory. As she considered this, the door to the tearoom opened, and someone walked in. "Young Master?" Yeriel nced up at the woman, still in a daze. "I made some snacks for you," the woman said softly. It was her mother, Adelle. "Yeriel helped me make them..." Oh, I remember now. Mom and I made some snacks for Deculein. Well, Mom did almost everything, and I just put the chocte on top. Of course, Deculein hadn''t touched them, just like now, rising from his seat to leave as if it were a chore to even stay. "Dun go," Yeriel blurted, grabbing his sleeve. Deculein froze, clearly not expecting that. "Mama an'' Dada said we s''posed to eat together." He looked down at her with those cold eyes¡ªeyes that, even at a younger age, still made her heart skip a beat. "Dat''s good manners." "I will not be eating." "No, eat it." "... Were you struck by lightning yesterday?" Deculein asked, his gaze sharpening as if to assess her for some hidden motive. Sensing the tension, Adelle quickly gathered Yeriel into her arms and said softly, "I-I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯m not sure what¡¯se over her today." Deculein nced between the two of them, his expression filled with disbelief. While Adelle was clearly flustered, Yeriel couldn¡¯t help but find the whole situation amusing. "See to it that the child is properly managed," Deculein said dismissively as he exited the tearoom. Adelle held Yeriel tightly for a moment, then gently reassured her before following him out. "Dun go," Yeriel whispered, reaching out for her mother. But then, another thought struck her. She remembered Deculein''s words about someone taking away the one he loved... Glooooom¡ª A deep, ominous darkness began to creep in from beyond the window. Yeriel frowned as she stared into it. Craaack... A spider web-like fracture spread across the air, and within it, De''s red eyes fixed on hers. "Whuat!" Yeriel gasped, startled by the intensity of the vision despite her small, childlike form. "You will not escape me," the creature growled, his voice sending shivers down her spine. How did he catch up? Run, I have to run... but how can I run in this body? My legs¡ªthey''re too short! ¡°... No.¡± Wait. This world is part of my records and memories, isn¡¯t it? That means... I should be able to change it. It¡¯s worth a shot. Better than just sitting here. Yeriel took a deep breath, tightened her grip on the golden key of Yukline with both hands, and fixed her gaze on a specific spot in the tearoom. At the same time, she concentrated on forming an image in her mind. "Mmmmmm..." Craaaack¡ª! As the sound of De widening the crack echoed through the air, Yeriel¡¯s small body trembled from the sheer intensity of her focus. A door appeared precisely where she had envisioned it. "Did it! I can ''scape!" Yeriel cried, her small fists clenched in triumph. The next step was to decide where the door would go. "C''mon..." Boooom¡ª! At that moment, the crack split wide open, and De burst through, shattering both the ss and the wall. Just then, the door she had created swung open at the perfect moment. "Decuwein! Decuwein!" Yeriel called out. "... Hmm?" Deculein murmured as he casually opened the door and looked inside, puzzled by the chaotic scene. "It¡¯s me! It¡¯s weal Yeriel!" Hearing Yeriel''s cry, Deculein immediately understood the situation and, with a single stride, crossed the room to pull her into his arms. Yeriel sighed in relief. "Phew!" "Don''t say phew just yet. We might need to run again," Deculein said. "Eh?" Yeriel mumbled, blinking in confusion. Deculein pointed to where De, radiating murderous intent, had begun to advance. Sssshhhhh¡ª! De extended his tendril, but although Deculein rolled out of the way, the door was still destroyed. "Can you make another door?" Deculein asked. "Yes, I can!" Yeriel said, nodding eagerly as she closed her eyes to focus. The first time had been hard, but now it was easier. Soon, another door appeared. "Wet¡¯s go thwough that!" "Okay." "You will not escape..." De hissed, sending tendrils toward them. But Deculein was quicker, pulling them both through the door just as the tendrils shattered the one behind them. Whoooosh¡ª! In that moment, the world around them shifted once more, like a photo being swapped in a frame. Yeriel''s body changed too, adjusting to match the new memory. "... The garden?" They were now in the garden of Yukline. Yeriel¡¯s voice had returned to normal, her pronunciation clear once again. "Phew," Yeriel sighed with relief. "It does look like a garden," Deculein agreed as he surveyed the flower-filledndscape. Yeriel pouted slightly, a strange sense of loss washing over her, and then asked, "... So, what brought you into this diary?" "I was concerned you might be in danger," Deculein replied. "Liar." "I was concerned you might act recklessly." "That sounds more urate." Deculein smiled faintly at her reaction. Grooowl¡ª Yeriel¡¯s stomach suddenly rumbled loudly, making her blush with embarrassment. Deculein raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you hungry?" "Y-yes." "I''m not hungry." "... You''re teasing me, aren¡¯t you? It must be nice not being hungry," Yeriel muttered. Deculein remained silent. "... What!" She had assumed he was teasing, but Deculein''s expression stayed serious. He scanned Yeriel up and down, causing her to cross her arms defensively. "But Yeriel, you noticed, didn¡¯t you? Your body... it changed with the memory just now. You were a child earlier," Deculein remarked. Yeriel gave a silent nod, feeling a bit embarrassed. "But I stayed the same, even when the record changed." "Yes, that seems like it," Yeriel agreed. "And I don''t feel hungry." "And?" "It means I¡¯m just a spirit," Deculein concluded with certainty. Yeriel looked at him skeptically and asked, "A spirit?" "Yes. Anyway, I¡¯m d you¡¯re safe," Deculein said. "... You too," Yeriel responded quietly. It was an awkward reunion. They exchanged nces, both feeling slightly ufortable, until he suddenly chuckled. "Eh? What''s so funny?" Yeriel asked, her curiosity piqued. "Nothing. It''s just... strange, but in a good way," Deculein replied, still smiling. Yeriel was startled by his uncharacteristically open smile. Deculein was being unusually frank. With that icy exterior gone, is this what he¡¯s really like? It¡¯s strange and awkward, but... not bad. As Yeriel quietly concealed her smile... Craaack¡ª! Another fracture split the air above the garden. De had returned. Deculein clicked his tongue and said, "He''s really stubborn." "What should we do?" Yeriel asked. Yeriel focused intently on his next words, confident that he had a n. "We should open another door," Deculein said casually. ¡°... Huh?¡± "What? We just have to keep running until we figure something out," Deculein said. I can''t believe someone as proud as Deculein would admit so easily that we still don''t have a n, Yeriel thought, momentarily lost in thought. "Quick, before he arrives." Boom¡ª! Boom¡ª! Tendrils emerged from the crack, pounding the ground as they closed in on them. "Oh, okay," Yeriel said, imagining another door, which appeared almost instantly. "Where to?" Deculein asked. "I haven''t decided on a specific destination." "A random choice works too," Deculein said, smiling at the unexpected adventure, unusual from his usual self. He ced his hand on the door handle, then nced at Yeriel. "Let''s open it together." "Sorry? Oh... Alright," Yeriel replied. Creeeeak... Yeriel gently ced her hands on top of his. They opened the door together and stepped into the unknown. *** After that, they were caught in a relentless cycle of fleeing. No matter where they went, Deculein''s unyielding pursuit was always close behind. Yeriel repeatedly imagined doors to escape, while they shifted between different ages¡ªsometimes ten years old, then four, then twenty, then twenty-one. One moment, they were in Yukline Castle, then in the Mage Tower, the Academy, and finally, the grand mansion in the capital. Despite their frantic escapesting more than 24 hours each day, Yeriel didn¡¯t mind it all that much. In fact, she rather enjoyed seeing this new side of Deculein¡ªhis honest thoughts. "... I¡¯m wittle again," Yeriel muttered, frowning at her reflection in the mirror. She now looked about four or five years old. But she didn¡¯t enjoy moments like this. "Yes, you did get smaller," Deculein remarked as he lifted the tiny Yeriel and tucked her under his arm. Yeriel grumbled, "You fink I¡¯m a twoy or somfin¡¯?" "You''re asking if I think you''re a toy?" ¡°Dat¡¯s wight." "It¡¯s easier like this. But more importantly, which part of the memory is this?" "I dunno." Now that she had reverted to a child, Yeriel didn¡¯t care about memories. What truly mattered was when this endless chase would finally end. Creating doors required mana, and she had almost none left... Squeeeze¡ª Deculein yed with Yeriel''s chubby cheeks, giving them a gentle pinch. Squeeze¡ª squeeze¡ª "Shtop it! Don¡¯t stwetch my jeeks!" "Oh, my mistake," Deculein said, letting go of her cheek, which had stretched like dough before bouncing back to normal. Yeriel pouted her lips and said, "... What do we do now? We can''t keep wunning foweva." Deculein, understanding that she meant they couldn¡¯t keep running forever, gently stroked her chin and murmured, "Hmm, I think I¡¯m starting to figure it out..." "Whassit?" "Grab your key again." Yeriel took the Key of Yukline from her pocket, and Deculein reached out to touch it. "Huh?" Yeriel said, her eyes widening as Deculein''s fingers slipped right through the key, like a ghost. "I can''t hold the key, and only your body changes." "Why dat?" "You''re asking why it''s like this?" ¡°Cowwect.¡± In truth, Deculein had already begun to figure out how to handle De and restore things to normal. Yet, as Kim Woo-Jin, he wanted to savor this sense of independence just a little longer. "The reason is..." Crrrraaaack¡ª! Once again, the crack formed. Yeriel and Deculein sighed as they watched the sky shatter like ss. "How does he keep catching up so fast?" Deculein muttered. It felt as though he was tracking them with radar. His relentless pursuit was like something straight out of a horror movie. "... Wha'' we do now?" "Let''s move on to another memory." "¡®Gain?" Yeriel said, puffing out her cheeks, which now looked more like balloons than buns. "Don¡¯t worry. This will be thest time." "... ''Kay." Yeriel said, closing her eyes, hoping it would really be thest time, and imagined another door. "Phew! Aww done!" With thest of her mana, she managed to create a door. Deculein, holding her close, stepped toward it. Yeriel¡¯s small hand reached out and opened the door. Rrrruuummble¡ª! "You must realize by now that it¡¯s futile," De said, his dark, scorched voice seeping through the widening crack. "Ignore him," Deculein said, stepping through the door. Whooooosh... The familiar sensation of being stretched, along with the nausea and dizziness, returned. When Yeriel opened her eyes, she sighed in relief and said, "I¡¯m an adult again." "And now we''re in an empty clearing," Deculein remarked, calmly surveying the surroundings. They had arrived in apletely barren field. Yeriel nced at him and said, "Now exin it to me. What is your n?" "Ah~ so¡ª" But then... Crrrraaaack¡ª! Before he could finish, another crack quickly appeared behind them. "Why is he getting faster?" De¡¯s pursuit had elerated rapidly. As they grew ustomed to running, he seemed to have perfected the art of chasing them. Yeriel looked at Deculein and asked, "A-are we going to run again?" "No, we don¡¯t need to run anymore," Deculein said, shaking his head with a confident air, as if he had found the solution. "What do we do then?" "Do you remember when he talked about the security system at the start?" Deculein asked as he stretched, preparing for something. Yeriel nodded and replied, "Yeah." "That key was the security system," Deculein said, pointing to the Key of Yukline in Yeriel¡¯s hand. "Which means my body is inside it." "Your body?" Yeriel asked, confused. Deculein smiled and replied, "Yes. By now, you¡¯ve likely figured it out¡ªI¡¯m a spirit, but more precisely, I¡¯m the unconscious mind." Yeriel flinched, biting her lip before giving a slight nod. Crrrraaaack¡ª! In the meantime, the crack widened further. Deculein nced at it and said, "I don¡¯t know where he got that demonic energy, but he fights by releasing it." He is not a demon, of course. Demonic energy isn¡¯t exclusive to them. But as long as his main power source is demonic energy, and with Yeriel by my side, I have no reason to lose, Deculein thought. "I just need to get my body back. Then, I can win." However, most of Deculein¡¯s attributes had been tied to his physical body, particrly the bloodline of Yukline, which was crucial forbating demonic energy. In his current state, Deculein was merely the soul of Kim Woo-Jin. "Your body? How do we recover it?" Yeriel asked, still puzzled, though the solution was quite simple. It had been in her hands all along. Deculein replied softly, "You need to ce that key into my heart." Naturally, once I reim my body, this unconscious state will end. I will revert to being Deculein. There¡¯s a touch of sadness, some hesitation, and even an irrational fear, but I cannot stay like this forever. This brief escape from reality has gone on long enough. "And then, leave the rest to me," Deculein said, smiling confidently. However, Yeriel suddenly hesitated, stepping back with a look of reluctance on her face. "What¡¯s wrong?" "Well... it¡¯s just that..." Yeriel murmured, hesitating as she looked up at Deculein with uncertainty. She appeared concerned. Deculein frowned briefly before realizing the reason. He understood her feelings; they likely mirrored his own. "Ah~ I see." Crrrraaaack¡ª! It was a critical moment, yet De, as oblivious as ever, opened another crack, and dark tendrils seeped through. Ruuumble¡ª! Yeriel nced back and forth between the ghostly aura of the scene and Deculein. De, with his dark tendrils pushing through the widening crack, contrasted with Deculein, who smiled warmly. Yeriel clutched the key to her chest, biting her lip. She felt a little scared, fearing that if she used this key, the current Deculein would disappear¡ªthat he would vanishpletely, along with all these memories. I like the Deculein he is now. But if everything goes back to how it was, he won¡¯t smile at me like this again, Yeriel thought. "It¡¯s okay," Deculein said softly, his gentle voice breaking through her thoughts as he ced a hand on her head. Yeriel slowly lifted her eyes. He smiled at her, just as warmly as before. "Just as you¡¯re still Yeriel..." In the dark, empty clearing, Yeriel stared at him. His expression, his smile, his voice¡ªthese were things he had never shown her before they had entered the space in memory. "I¡¯m still myself." Yeriel gritted her teeth, holding back her emotions. It wasn¡¯t hard. After years of negotiations, maintaining a poker face and hiding her feelings had be second nature. Of course, this wasn¡¯t a negotiation, a deal, or a discussion with a merchant or between families... It might have seemed like she was rambling, but Yeriel, with a determined nod, grasped the key with both hands. "Yes, I know," Yeriel said, as she pressed the key into Deculein¡¯s chest. The key slid smoothly into him, stopping with a click as if it had found its rightful ce. Yeriel hesitated for a moment. At that moment... Deculein¡¯s hand closed over hers. She looked up at him, feeling warmth spread through her hand and heart. "... Goodbye." "You as well," Deculein replied. Click¡ª! Together, they turned the key. Whooooosh... In that instant, a transformation took ce. Golden energy and mana surged from the key, each particle flowing into Deculein. His body reformed as his spirit returned to its rightful ce. Crrrraaaack¡ª! Almost simultaneously, De¡¯s crack fully opened, yet, strangely, everything remained silent. Hiss¡ª Hiss¡ª De¡¯s tendrils flicked as he stared at Deculein, seemingly aware of the change. He hesitated, observing cautiously. Silence and stillness filled the air. Yeriel nced at Deculein, who now stood beside her. His eyes were sharper, more focused than before, and his appearance hadpletely transformed. He had be the Deculein she remembered from long ago, or rather, the Deculein she had always known. Standing tall, he silently surveyed the area. He smoothed back his disheveled hair, fastened his loose buttons, and straightened his clothes. Not a single wrinkle remained, and not a speck of dust marred his appearance. He exuded a dignified presence, his gaze haughty and unyielding, allowing no room for even the smallest w. Yeriel, feeling a twinge of sadness, lowered her head slightly. "Deculein," De¡¯s voice resonated. Deculein, now fully himself once more, faced De with cold contempt. In silence, Deculein connected with his inner self, sensing De¡¯s presence. As he looked at De, a corrupted and fallen creation, emotions that Kim Woo-Jin had never felt surged within him¡ªdisgust, contempt, fury, and revulsion. He channeled all of that loathing into a single phrase. "... How dare a wretch like you utter my name." Chapter 104: Spoiler (1)

Chapter 104: Spoiler (1)

¡°I am not a wretch. I am a being superior to you,¡± De¡¯s voice replied, t and emotionless. I scoffed, checked the inner pocket of my suit, and said, "You were discarded like trash, yet you still don¡¯t know your ce." Although I hadn¡¯t brought the bulkier Wood Steel, I did have a piece of the Snowflower Stone, which I had partially mastered through Comprehension. "Let me help," Yeriel said as she approached. I pushed her back with Telekinesis. "Why are you pushing me?" "This is not your concern." "Why? I¡¯m still fine," Yeriel insisted, her face full of confidence, though herplexion had already changed. It was the early sign of demonic energy poisoning. "I¡¯m a Yukline too, and I have enough mana to cast at least one spell¡ª" "Silence." "... But¡ª" "I told you not to interfere. Leave now." Yeriel mped her mouth shut, her expression a mix of anger and frustration. She wasn¡¯t happy, but I had no choice. She didn¡¯t belong here in this situation. Sssshhhhh¡ª! At that moment, De unleashed his tendrils. Dark red energy flickered along the edges, and the surrounding air had already been tainted with demonic energy. I considered it a stroke of luck. I converted his demonic energy into my mana. Purified by my bloodline, the mana surged to a level almost beyond my control. My head pounded as I activated the Snowflower Stone. The metal, norger than a ping-pong ball, expanded into attice of white and blue crystals. Szzzrrr... Thin lines intersected, forming a seemingly fragile barrier just a millimeter thick. But as soon as De''s tendrils touched the Snowflower Stone, they froze and ignited at the same time. This contradictory phenomenon was the true power of the mysterious Snowflower Stone. He kept swinging his tendrils, releasing a dense, lethal concentration of demonic energy. Anything that came into contact with it dissolved instantly. Yet, I deflected it all with ease, calcting the energy consumption of this prototype Snowflower Stone. The mana consumption was at least ten times that of ordinary steel and could increase up to fivefold depending on theplexity of the Telekinesis involved. As a result, the total mana consumption ranged from at least ten times to as much as fifty times that of Wood Steel. Without an environment rich in demonic energy, using the Snowflower Stone recklessly was impractical. It remained an iplete ultimate weapon. "An intriguing device," De remarked as his attack ceased. He must have realized that the Snowflower Stone was imprable. As I observed him, a question arose in my mind, and I asked, "... Were you truly created by De?" It was simple curiosity. His energy source was demonic energy, which seemed far too extreme for something crafted by a Yukline mage who despised demons. "I am the learned intelligence of Master De, designed to rece you," De''s voice replied in the same monotone. At that moment... A red arc shot up behind me, and I turned toward its source. "Hup!" Yeriel had cast a spell¡ªdestructive magic known as Fire Chain. This high-level spellbined the element of fire with the concept of space, condensing extreme heat into a thin line, making it impossible for the target to evade. The chain of fire shot toward him, and mes erupted from the center of his forehead. "Cough¡ª! Cough¡ª! ... See, I can help," Yeriel said, coughing, a look of self-satisfaction on her face. But I could feel my anger rising. "How was that? I¡ª" "Did you not hear me? I ordered you to get lost." Yeriel''s expression hardened. She swallowed hard, clenching her jaw. She exhaled heavily, her chest rising and falling. "You could have been more honest... Sigh... Fine, I¡¯ll leave," Yeriel said coldly, turning away. "And don¡¯t think of calling me back." She stomped away, using thest of her mana to open a door, then vanished from the space, taking the key with her. I turned back to face the front. Fwoooosh¡ª! mes roared as De burned. After all, Fire Chain was an exceptionally destructive spell. It appeared Yeriel had been diligently practicing her magic all this time, keeping it a secret from me. "Not bad," I remarked as I reshaped the Snowflower Stone into another form. Kli-klik¡ª! Thettice-like structure shattered into dozens of fragments of Wood Steel, the particles rushing forward with a metallic tter. Swooooosh¡ª! Amid the mes Yeriel had created, the Snowflower Stone moved relentlessly. It sliced through De''s body, cutting, freezing, and burning him over and over. Yet De didn¡¯t scream. He merely extended his tendrils in all directions, as if he felt no pain. I murmured softly, "No sense of pain... That makes you a failure." "No... I am... the learned intelligence of Master De..." De¡¯s voice droned, repeating the same words again and again. "I was created to rece both of you..." Demonic energy poured out of him in torrents. His body started to disintegrate, with the fuel inside leaking out. "I am..." Simply put, he was dying. "Master... Deca...ne¡¯s..." His voice, once drawn out, suddenly cut off. The creature that had mimicked a human crumbled like sand, disintegrating into nothing but ashes... "Wretched creature," I muttered as I slowly approached him. Though his body had turned to ash, something remained buried within it¡ªa bizarre object that pulsed like a heart. I examined it with my Sharp Eyesight. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Artificial Core] ¡ô Description : A core artificially created. : An organicpound made of demonic energy. : An iplete product. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ "... An Artificial Core?" I murmured, frowning in displeasure. Using my Comprehension, I analyzed its structure. It wasced with circuits from various life forms, all fused with demonic energy. A loathsome substance, born of dark magic. "De..." I murmured, my gaze fixed on the Artificial Core. Why would he create such an artifact? As a Yukline mage, what could have driven him to invent something so demonic? The more I considered it, the more it seemed that only one group could have a reason for such an act... I thought. "... The Altar." It had to be the Altar. Could the Yukline family have been connected to it? Or was this the work of De alone? "I¡¯m not certain yet," I dered, raising the Artificial Core with Telekinesis. Though its appearance was revolting, it provided ample reason to begin my research. *** Meanwhile, Yeriel, who had stepped out first, grumbled to herself as she waited for Deculein, murmuring, ¡°He¡¯s always the same, never surprising...¡± Is giving a simplepliment really that difficult for him? I already know how he is, but if he were a bit more honest... it would just feel strange. Deculein being Deculein is how it should be. If he suddenly changed, that would mean something was seriously wrong, Yeriel thought. "Cough, cough. Ugh, my throat hurts," Yeriel muttered, leaning against the wall as she checked her condition. Her mana was nearly depleted, and the early signs of demonic energy poisoning were setting in. "... Wait a minute." She touched her throat and frowned. The Yukline bloodline had long relied on demonic energy¡ªor so the vassals had always imed. "So why aren¡¯t I...?" The demonic energy was making her cough, and she also felt a bit dizzy. "Am I just tired?" Yeriel wondered as she pulled out the Key of Yukline. Regardless, it was time to rescue her vassals. As for Deculein, I¡¯ve opened the door, so he¡¯ll take care of things and make his own way out. "... He probably wouldn¡¯t lose?" Yeriel muttered, unable to shake her worry. But then she recalled the way Deculein had looked at her just moments ago, as if ready to kill her. "I dare him to lose." With the way he had confidently told her to leave, Yeriel thought that he had to return victorious. If he didn¡¯t, he wouldn¡¯t have even deserved a funeral for disgracing the family. "Now, let¡¯s see..." Click-ck¡ª Yeriel¡¯s heels echoed through the corridor of the diary as she passed by Deculein¡¯s memories. "There¡¯s no title, huh...?" The frames holding Deculein¡¯s memories had no titles. As expected, they were all untitled. "Where could the vassals be...?" Then, something had caught her eye. "Hmm?" Yeriel noticed a memory from a rtively recent day in Deculein¡¯s life. "Oh~ This day..." She still remembered what had happened that day. It had been intense, a day she could never forget. With a bitter smile, she approached the memory frame. As soon as she looked at it, a sharp voice seeped through. ¡¸You''re treating me like trash..¡¹ It was a cold, murderous voice. It waste at night, at the Yukline mansion in the capital. She hade to confront Deculein after he had squandered two hundred million elnes. "... I remember this.¡± Back then, she had brought anything that could be considered a threat. She had been that furious. ¡¸Do you think I''m just here to clean up after you?¡¹ Her voice had trembled with rage, but Deculein had remained calm. ¡¸Do you think I want to live like this forever? I quit college because of you! I''ve never even had a proper rtionship!¡¹ Yet he had only looked at her as if she were a barking dog. His indifference had only fueled her anger. Finally, Deculein spoke, ¡¸I will give you the position of head of the family.¡¹ ¡¸... Ehh?¡¹ "Pfft," Yeriel chuckled, unable to hold back herughter as the memory continued to unfold. ¡¸Th-that''s bullshit! No, it doesn''t make sense. Why? Why so sudden?¡¹ ¡¸I n to dedicate myself to the Mage Tower and my magical research from now on. I won''t have time to act as the head of the family, and you should already be fairly skilled as a lord.¡¹ At the time, I never thought he would actually go through with it, she thought. Watching it now felt like observing a y, and she found it surprisingly intriguing. ¡¸Then... When will the session ceremony... take ce?¡¹ ¡¸You probably know the best time.¡¹ ¡¸Three years from now. On the Day of Exceptions.¡¹ Back then, the sudden shift in her stance had left her stunned. Looking back on it now, she felt embarrassed¡ªit had been such a transparent reaction. "Ughhhh..." Yeriel muttered, shuddering as she watched, while the Yeriel in the memory continued to speak. ¡¸If you''re lying, there will be serious consequences. Got it? Everyone in our territory already considers me the lord.¡¹ ¡¸Trust me. It''s not a lie.¡¹ ¡¸... Hmph.¡¹ Right after that shocking conversation, the Yeriel in the record had begun packing a dagger and a pistol into her bag. "I brought a gun, too?" It had been a small pistol, but she had taken any weapon she could get her hands on. "What could I have been thinking back then...?" Just as she had been about to leave, struggling to contain her anger... ¡¸Yeriel.¡¹ Deculein had stopped her. Seeing this, Yeriel cringed. ¡¸You must be hungry after all that traveling. Stay and have a meal before you leave.¡¹ "Ugh, I can¡¯t look at this," Yeriel muttered. That single line had been excruciatingly embarrassing. It was unbearable, making her skin crawl and giving her goosebumps. The Yeriel in the memory had reacted just as her present self did. ¡¸I''m f-fine! Don''t say weird things now! I have to go, so just stop...¡¹ What had made Deculein say something like that? Yeriel thought. "Ugh, this is painful to watch," Yeriel muttered, shaking her head as she tried to escape the memory. However, Deculein''s memory hadn''t ended there. ¡¸... Hmm,¡¹ Deculein murmured. With Yeriel gone, the mansion was now empty. He quietly exhaled and settled into a chair with a ss of wine. At that moment... Whirrr... A mysterious wind had begun to swirl around. At the same time, a strange voice had softly drifted in. ¡¸How interesting..¡¹ This had been a memory Yeriel hadn¡¯t known about, something that had urred after she left. Her eyes widened as she watched. ¡¸... I just came by.¡¹ The voice had been sweet and seductive. Red hair fluttered in the wind. A woman had suddenly appeared, swinging her legs from the windowsill... ¡¸Something interesting happened here.¡¹ ... It had been Ganesha, the leader of the Red Ga Adventure Team, whom Yeriel had been searching for all this time. In the memory, Ganesha had given a yful smile as she looked at Deculein. Deculein frowned deeply and said, ¡¸You''re not wee here, Ganesha.¡¹ ¡¸Sorry. I really am...¡¹ Yeriel had watched their conversation in a daze. Her heart had raced, her mouth had gone dry, her temples had throbbed, and cold sweat had dampened her back. ¡¸But are you seriously giving up the position of head of the family? Are you really-really trying to change?¡¹ Deculein had entrusted Ganesha with a specific task, something rted to Yeriel. That memory might have held a clue to it. ¡¸I simply thought she''d handle it better than I would,¡¹ Deculein in the memory spoke. "Ah..." It had been his true intention. His offer to hand over the family headship hadn¡¯t been a lie. ¡¸Really? But still... You know,¡¹ Ganesha said, twisting her lips into a mocking smile. "That bitch..." Yeriel muttered, her face contorted with anger. That expression had been extremely irritating to her. Yeriel could hardly believe that Ganesha had eavesdropped on such an important conversation between Yeriel and Deculein. She had red at her, ready to curse at any moment. But in the next instant... But then, in the next instant... ¡¸She''s not even your real sister.¡¹ Yeriel tilted her head in confusion. She hadn¡¯t understood what she had just heard, her brow furrowing even more. What was that I just heard? Yeriel stood frozen, struggling to process what she had just heard. There had been no way to rewind the memory, and Ganesha¡¯s words had continued, slowly. ¡¸She doesn''t have any Yukline blood in her.¡¹ Chapter 105: Spoiler (2)

Chapter 105: Spoiler (2)

¡°Ensure the mission ispleted without fail. Regardless of the oue, keep Yeriel confined to the territory.¡± Yeriel recalled the artifact she had seen before, the one Eunuch Jng had shown her. ¡°Her every move is insignificant, so it should be secure, but add surveince to the task list to be certain.¡± In the Yukline mansion in the capital, Deculein had held a wine ss while discussing the mission. At the edge of his vision, Ganesha¡¯s red hair had swayed. The contents of their conversation had likely been about... ¡¸She doesn''t have any Yukline blood in her.¡¹ Yeriel focused intently on the memory, her gaze fixed on the dimly lit scene. Ganesha had rambled on about matters Yeriel didn¡¯t recognize, while Deculein had sat in silence, appearing to ignore her. ¡¸Is this really okay?¡¹ A breeze drifted in from the night sky beyond the frame, causing the curtains to flutter softly. Gentle moonlight cast a faint glow on Deculein, but his face remained in shadow, betraying no expression. Even now, his features revealed nothing. ¡¸You were the one who first asked us to look into the biological connection... between you and your sister.¡¹ Yeriel¡¯s heart, which had momentarily paused, resumed its pounding, sending waves of painful pressure through her body. As the conversation within the frame grew clearer, she began to grasp the harsh truth. Deculein remained silent, deep in thought. It would have been easier if he had spoken¡ªif he had said anything at all. ¡°Ah...¡± Yeriel struggled to stayposed like Deculein. Her thoughts fragmented, refusing to form a continuous stream. Her legs shook, and her head ached with a pulsing intensity. ¡¸Didn''t I send my subordinate to tell you about this three months ago?¡¹ Yeriel¡¯s vision blurred as a storm of emotions she refused to confront raged within her. Memories of her childhood, her mother¡¯s face, and her father¡¯s voice all collided in the turmoil. ¡°A biological connection...?¡± Yeriel muttered nkly. It had been a statement that fundamentally denied her identity as a Yukline. Though confusion clouded her thoughts, her instincts took over. The reason demonic energy hadn¡¯t reacted positively within her, the reason her throat still felt raw and her lungs burned. It was because she wasn¡¯t a Yukline. Yeriel felt the world slipping away. Her ears rang, and the ground beneath her feet trembled, as if it might give way and swallow her whole. At that moment... ¡¸... Yes,¡¹ Deculein finally spoke. In an instant, Yeriel was pulled back to reality. She exhaled a shaky breath and watched him intently. ¡¸Even so...¡¹ Up until then, Yeriel had managed to stay strong. Her resolve and the years she had spent putting the family and the territory above all else had kept her grounded. But... ¡¸... Yeriel is still Yeriel.¡¹ Deculein¡¯s words, dry yet tinged with a subtle tremor, pierced Yeriel deeply. The pain she felt was overwhelming, precisely because itcked any clear reason. "What..." Yeriel whispered, her voice barely audible. That single statement shattered her, releasing the flood of emotions she had kept buried for so long. ¡°... Was that?¡± Yeriel felt herself slowly tilt, her limbs growing weak and slipping out of her control. ¡¸... Yeriel is still Yeriel.¡¹ Deculein¡¯s dry voice merged with another, warmer one. "Just as you¡¯re still Yeriel... I¡¯m still myself." Deculein¡¯s unconscious mind had spoken truthfully to her. His words stirred memories buried deep within her, spreading like ripples across ake... recalling that day near the Dephalem Forest in the western Empire, when they were on a mission to purify demonic energy at the cathedral¡¯s request. ¡°Why? Why can''t I join?¡± During the ride back, she had angrily shouted. ¡°Silence.¡± Deculein had, as usual, coldly rebuked her. ¡°You didn''t even go all the way! It couldn''t have been that dangerous anyway!¡± ¡°You would only be a hindrance.¡± Yeriel carefully reflected on the situation, recalling the harsh words she had thrown at him in anger. ¡°I''m a Yukline too! If demons are the enemy, I can fight!¡± ¡°Don''t act foolishly. A leader doesn''t belong on the front lines.¡± As she had proudly dered herself a Yukline... ¡°And if you insist on joining a battle, consider our promise null and void.¡± Deculein had issued that threat to her. ¡°Stop throwing tantrums. You should understand this without needing me to tell you. How long will you keep acting so immature?¡± No, it hadn¡¯t been intended as a threat to her. ¡°Behave ording to your position. Show proper dignity and decorum.¡± He had been trying to shield her from the Yukline bloodline all along... Yeriel¡¯s memories shifted again. Deculein¡¯s voice echoed faintly in her mind, recalling the words he had spoken through the artifact Jng had shown her, ¡°If she dares to attempt anything foolish... You know what needs to be done; there¡¯s no need for me to exin further.¡± If she ever discovered that she wasn¡¯t truly a Yukline, that she wasn¡¯t a legitimate child of the family, and acted recklessly because of it... Yeriel finally grasped what Deculein had intended. ¡°It was a fact...¡± A voice broke through her thoughts. Yeriel, still in a daze, stood up and turned back to the frame. Ganesha was gone, leaving Deculein alone with an expression of inexplicable sadness. He gazed at his wine ss and murmured in a low voice. ¡°That I really didn''t need to know.¡± Yeriel gritted her teeth, suppressing the sobs that threatened to escape. "... Why," she murmured, resting her head against the frame. "Why did you say this was something you didn¡¯t need to know...?" Deculein¡¯s words echoed in her mind, affirming that Yeriel was still Yeriel. It was as if bloodline and heritage held no significance to him. She lowered her head in despair, her hair cascading over her face. ¡°Why...?¡± Why did he care for me, someone with no blood ties to him, just because I¡¯m his sister? When did it begin, and how long has itsted...? Thud¡ª At that moment, footsteps echoed in the corridor. The real Deculein had finally returned. Yeriel hurriedly inserted the key into the frame. She couldn¡¯t allow him to find this memory. "Q-quick...!" Yeriel''s voice shook as her hands trembled violently. Still, she managed to twist the key, her desperation evident. Craaaack! The entire frame crumbled into pieces. Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Yeriel had frozen in the middle of the corridor. Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Footsteps echoed from the darkness, drawing nearer as Deculein approached. "Yeriel," Deculein called out, his voice sharp and cold. "I''ll deal with your theft of my diaryter." But Yeriel no longer felt afraid. She understood his heart now. She hadmitted actions worthy of punishment dozens, even hundreds of times before. ¡°However, at this moment¡ª¡± Pat¡ª As Deculein approached, Yeriel pressed her forehead against his chest, tapping it repeatedly, like a woodpecker against a tree. Deculein frowned and demanded, "What is the meaning of this?" Yeriel tilted her head up slightly, meeting his gaze with a sharp re. Misinterpreting her intent, Deculein sternlymanded, "Lower your gaze." I can¡¯t say a word, and he just keeps pretending not to know. Does he really n to keep this secret forever? ¡°Okay...¡± He had referred to it as something she didn¡¯t need to know. Even now, she didn¡¯t fully grasp what he meant by that, and perhaps she never would. But sometimes, intentions mattered more than the truth. In that moment, it felt right to act as if she didn¡¯t know. Yeriel struggled to move her trembling lips. ¡°... I need to find the vassals.¡± ¡°Take these,¡± Deculein said, as if he had been expecting it, handing her four notebooks. Each one bore the name of a vassal. ¡°These should help you find them easily.¡± ¡°... Thanks, and sorry,¡± Yeriel murmured as she flipped through the notebooks, recognizing the vassals¡¯ memories. She walked down the corridor, noticing Deculein following closely behind. ¡°Why are you following me? Is there a memory you don¡¯t want me to find?¡± "Mind your tone." ¡°... Hmph,¡± Yeriel said, pouting as she continued her search for the vassals. Her heart still felt like it might burst, her mind remained in turmoil, and a fog seemed to cloud her thoughts. But, as she walked alongside Deculein, she found some relief in knowing, even now. Yeriel reflected on this as they continued down the corridor. Of course, she didn¡¯t suddenly feel overjoyed¡ªshe and Deculein weren¡¯t the kind to break down walls and be close overnight. In fact, she felt that this was just the beginning. There was still much she needed to learn and work on. Deculein¡ªhow he looked at her, how he had epted her as she was. She knew she had to grow into someone worthy of that eptance, someone capable of supporting him. ¡°Hey,¡± Yeriel suddenly said. Deculein halted, his gaze sharp and cold, but then she spoke again. ¡°Brother Deculein.¡± The unexpected address caught him off guard. He frowned, his brow furrowing, and said, ¡°... Were you struck by lightning?¡± ¡°Haha, yeah, it¡¯s a bit cringy,¡± Yeriel said with a forcedugh as Deculein shook his head. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We need to find the vassals quickly.¡± Deculein remained silent, and their brief conversation faded away. A familiar, awkward silence fell between them, which was to be expected. They weren¡¯t close as siblings, so there were few topics they couldfortably discuss. Thud, thud. Click, ck. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the corridor¡ªheels and dress shoes. Deculein and Yeriel kept a respectful distance, as they always had. Yet, they continued walking side by side. *** When I returned from the diary, I found a note on my desk in the 77th-floor Mage Tower of the Imperial University. It was the one I had left for Epherene, instructing her to cover for me. The note exined that I would be away for a short time and that she should inform any visitors I was in the middle of research. If I didn¡¯t return within three days, she was to request reinforcements. It also advised her to keep the paper with her as a precaution, written as a Message Paper. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Paper] ¡ô Description : Ordinary paper, but infused with specialmunication abilities by the Midas Touch. ¡ô Category : Communication Device ¡ô Special Effect : Intermediate Message Paper function. [Midas Touch: Level 3] ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ This paper had a unique connection to another through mana, so whatever was written on one would appear on the other. That¡¯s why it was referred to as a Message Paper. ¡°This fool left it on the desk,¡± I muttered, shaking my head as I imagined Epherene¡¯s vacant expression. I tucked the diary into my inner pocket and exited the office. Ding¡ª! At that moment, the elevator doors opened in the hallway. ¡°Oh? He¡¯s back?¡± Epherene remarked, sipping on a smoothie. Inside the elevator, Drent and Allen stood with her, both carrying snacks. Allen greeted me with a broad smile and said, ¡°Professor, wee back~ It¡¯s good to see you!¡± ¡°But Professor, isn¡¯t this a bit early?¡± Epherene pointed to the clock in the hallway, mumbling that it¡¯s only been about 52 hours. She nced back at me. ¡°I was going to contact the Chairwoman if another 20 hours passed. I already informed Knight Yulie that you were deeply absorbed in your research, something like that.¡± It seemed she had carried out my instructions adequately. I nodded, and after a brief hesitation, she offered me her smoothie and said, ¡°... Would you like to try it? It¡¯s made with milk. The taste is rather unusual.¡± ¡°No, that won¡¯t be necessary,¡± I replied. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a relief¡ªI mean, Okay! I¡¯ll be returning to my research then,¡± Epherene said, hurrying back to the assistant researchb, still sipping her smoothie as she went. ¡°But Professor, where have you been~? The opening festival for the semester begins today!¡± Allen said. ¡°Many prominent figures have arrived for the asion,¡± Drent added. ¡°Opening festival?¡± ¡°Yes, Professor! There¡¯s so much to see~¡± I looked out the ss windows of the Mage Tower. The festival appeared to be in full swing, with balloons drifting through the air like small nes. ¡°Oh, right, Professor!¡± Allen eximed, speaking around the hot dog he was biting into. He pulled a document from a file and handed it over, saying, ¡°Here it is.¡± I took the document and recognized it as the Course Enrollment Request List. ¡°There are a lot of students enrolled in the advanced lecture this time!¡± ¡°As expected.¡± ¡°Yes, Professor!¡± The document was made of special paper from the Floating Ind, containing the equivalent of hundreds of pages of information, much like a tablet PC. ¡°... Hmm?¡± I muttered, frowning as I skimmed through the list. I recognized Grand Prince Kreto, but something else caught my eye. ¡°There¡¯s a cat listed here.¡± A red-furred Munchkin cat. The document provided a photo, along with details of its age and background. Allen blinked in surprise and replied, ¡°I found that odd as well, but it¡¯s a request from the Imperial Pce. They say the cat is studying magic.¡± ¡°Huh. A cat, you say?¡± Drent inquired. ¡°Yes, it is fascinating, isn¡¯t it?¡± I let their conversation about the cat and other topics fade into the background as I continued to skim through the list. It was a varied group¡ªmages handpicked from the Floating Ind, others from the Mage Tower, and even a few professors. After reviewing the names, I ced the document in my briefcase. ¡°Where is Yulie?¡± I inquired. After being away for three days, she must have been worried, I thought. Allen and Drent exchanged a nce, their expressions knowing, before responding, ¡°She¡¯s likely watching the Knight¡¯s Tournament~¡± ¡°The Knight''s Tournament?¡± "Yes~ It¡¯s taking ce in Geframe Hall, right in the center of the university!" *** The Knight¡¯s Tournament was a grand spectacle, a battle between knights. It was one of the most famous and prestigious sports on the continent, not just in the Empire. At that time, the Reuter League held the highest status in these tournaments. ¡°Wow...¡± Yulie said as she sat in the knights'' seating area, waiting for the duel to begin. The tournament, part of the opening festival, had essentially turned into a Reuter League showcase, with a roster of participants that was nothing short of dazzling. "Oh, Yulie! Long time no see." "Hmm? Oh, Goher. It¡¯s good to see you." As time passed, old friends gathered around her¡ªGoher the Warrior, Pne the Knight, Seimi the Archer, and Gwen. Each of them was still active in the Imperial Knights Order or other orders across the Empire. Yulie greeted them all warmly. Gwen grinned and said, "Yulie, you¡¯re looking good these days." "Oh, is that so?" "Is it because Deculein¡¯s been buried with his research? I heard he hasn¡¯t been to the mansiontely." "Yes, he is..." "Were you pleased in my absence?" a sharp voice sliced through the air just as Yulie began to reply. Yulie and the other knights flinched and turned to see the source of the voice. It was Deculein. Dressed in a suit, he tilted his head slightly as he looked over Yulie¡¯s friends. The knight beside her quickly vacated his seat, allowing Deculein to take it. Yulie quickly tried to correct herself, saying, "No, it¡¯s not that I was pleased you were absent. I just didn¡¯t have to worry about the escort¡ª" "That¡¯s enough." "No, I¡ª" ¡°Well, well, well¡ª!¡± a loud voice boomed through the hall before Yulie could finish her sentence. Knights andmoners alike turned to see who had spoken. ¡°Is that my sister sitting with Professor Deculein?¡± It was Zeit von Bluegang Freyden, standing in full armor, ready to participate in the event match today. "It¡¯s an honor to meet you, Sir Zeit!" Almost all the knights had stood up at once, showing their respect. They had bowed their heads slightly, cing their hands over their hearts in the customary knightly salute. ¡°Hahaha, at ease,¡± Zeit said with a heartyugh, gesturing for them to sit, and theyplied immediately. It was a clear sign of the respect his namemanded. After flexing his muscles, Zeit turned to Deculein. ¡°Professor Deculein, I wasn¡¯t aware that you had an interest in the Knight¡¯s Tournament...¡± His shoulders spanned like the horizon, his neck was thick, and his core was solid muscle. The enormous armor encasing his six-foot-seven frame could have easily fit three grown men. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, be sure to observe closely. Hahaha,¡± Zeit said,ughing once more, though this time his smile carried a sharper edge. His eyes had sharpened with the thrill of the impending battle, and the aura he unconsciously projected filled the space, making his presence impossible to ignore. "You will see what kind of knight your future brother-inw truly is." This was the knight who, despite being a margrave, had earned the title of King¡ªa warrior destined to be remembered in Imperial history as the most destructive man on the continent. Second to none, Zeit, the Winter King, stood above all others. "Indeed," I replied. I hade here just to find Yulie. "I¡¯ll be observing closely." "Hahaha, excellent. You should look forward to it." But now it seemed I had stumbled upon something much more significant. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 106: Ghost (1)

Chapter 106: Ghost (1)

On a small ind called the Inn, one of the many that orbited the Floating Ind, Sylvia sat in a dining hall with a hundred seats. Her hair was disheveled, and her face showed clear signs of exhaustion. Across from her, a woman studied her intently. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to seed,¡± the woman stated. ¡°I must admit, the blood of Iliade runs strong...¡± Sylvia listened in silence, barely registering the words as she nced out the window. Beyond the ssy only clouds and sky. This Inn was, in fact, a small ind¡ªjustrge enough to serve as a resting ce for mages traveling between therger inds. ¡°... Are you paying attention?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Sylvia replied. ¡°If you¡¯re truly intent on pursuing the title of Archmage, tell me¡ªwho is the most likely candidate at present?¡± ¡°Chairwoman Adrienne.¡± ¡°Correct. She¡¯s a master of destructive magic,¡± the woman replied as she lit a cigarette, an ember flickering in the air to ignite it. ¡°If that Chairwoman ever truly lost her temper, she could bring down a portion of the continent. Few could stand in her way.¡± Sylvia asked, ¡°Is she that powerful?¡± ¡°Not just powerful. An Archmage of destruction magic is especially challenging to handle.¡± In this world, there were mages who stood above the rest¡ªDemakan, the only Archmage; Murkan, Demakan''s brother; Rohakan, the ck Beast; Drjekdan, the Great Elder; and Adrienne, the Chairwoman... "And myself," the woman said, gesturing to her chest as she exhaled a plume of smoke into Sylvia¡¯s face. Sylvia bit her lip, feigning indifference. Though her manners were rough, Sylvia knew the woman¡¯s reputation well. Idnik, known as the Merchant, was one of Demakan¡¯s three disciples and had been a close friend of Sylvia¡¯s mother, Cielia. ¡°... You¡¯re holding your breath, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Ang nott hongding... it,¡± Sylvia replied, her voice nasal from pinching her nose. Idnik chuckled and said, "When times get tough, you should consider smoking. Properly refined tobo isn¡¯t harmful to a mage. And with your wealth, you could afford Dukelec. A pack costs around 500 elne, but it¡¯s well worth the price." Exhaling another puff of smoke, Idnik resumed the conversation, saying, "Mages like Adrienne, who excel in destruction, are particrly dangerous. If something goes awry, they could unleash a catastrophe capable of devastating the entire continent. ¡°That¡¯s why she¡¯s the leading candidate for Archmage¡ªit¡¯s safer to keep her in the skies than on the ground, the Celestial Realm." "So, no one could stop Adrienne if she were to lose her temper?" "The continent wouldn¡¯t stand a chance, but a person might. Zeit, the northern weapon, is likely the only one who could face her alone. Even Rohakan wouldn¡¯t be able to match her," Idnik said, crushing her cigarette in an ashtray. "Do you think you could be as powerful as Adrienne?" Without hesitation, Sylvia nodded and replied, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Your ambition is clear,¡± Idnik remarked as she retrieved a small notebook from her robe. She then stated directly, "It is true that Deculein was responsible for Cielia''s death." Sylvia¡¯s heart had tightened. It was one of the reasons she had sought out Idnik, who had been her mother Cielia¡¯s closest friend in their youth. ¡°You came to me because of that, didn¡¯t you? And take this,¡± Idnik had said as she handed Sylvia a new robe and a badge, the emblem of her promotion to the 8th rank, Regallo. ¡°A rapid advancement.¡± Sylvia silently removed her tattered navy Solda robe and donned the new red one. ¡°With your abilities, you could reach Monarch rank within three months¡ªthe same rank as that ursed Deculein. You might even surpass him within half a year...¡± Despite Idnik¡¯s praise, Sylvia remained silent. She knew her talent had been acknowledged by the Floating Ind, but... ¡°It is true that Deculein was responsible for Cielia''s death.¡± She felt no joy. Instead, her heart grew colder, and her mind heavier. *** Zeit had opened the Knight¡¯s Tournament. Normally, the main event would close the show, but Zeit wasn¡¯t the main event. No, he couldn¡¯t have been. His match was unique, pitting him against eleven knights at once. It was an unequal duel, almost a breach of chivalric code, yet Zeit stood there without even drawing his sword. Meanwhile, the knights opposing him appeared more tense than any warriors I had ever seen. Boom¡ª Boom¡ª Boom¡ª The drums sounded, signaling the start of the duel. The eleven knights charged forward, and Zeit threw a punch. But his fist wasn''t directed at any of the knights¡ªit struck the space between them. The impact of his punch resonated through the air, sending shockwaves that shook the entire arena. His long white hair, the symbol of Freyden, whipped around like the ghostly aura of a wrathful spirit. At first nce, it might have seemed as though he was tearing through the fabric of space, but I could see it clearly. Zeit¡¯s punch wasn¡¯t just brute force; it was a wave. Just as sound waves travel through a medium, his punch had carried its force through the air, delivering a blow as powerful as if it had struck directly. It was like the difference between a sword and the wind generated when a sword is swung. Normally, the wind created by a sword¡ªthe de force¡ªwould be far weaker than the de itself, but naturalws didn¡¯t seem to apply to Zeit. For him, the force of the sword and the sword¡¯s wind were identical. Whether it was the de or the air surrounding it, both could cut a person in half. Therefore, the waves of his punch carried their full strength, traveling through the air without diminishing. Booooom¡ª! With that one punch, the impact reverberated through the arena, striking the knights with such force that it seemed the air itself was attacking them¡ªblows raining down on their heads, ribs, and backs. The power of Zeit¡¯s technique was staggering, extending the reach of his punches far beyond what was visible, making them impossible to evade. As a result, the arena itself crumbled. The eleven knights who had dared to charge him were knocked out in an instant, and the waves of Zeit¡¯s mana continued to ripple through the space, battering it relentlessly until they finally faded away. ¡°Hahaha¡ª!¡± The match ended in under a minute. Zeit''s boisterousughter echoed through the hall, soon drowned out by a deafening wave of apuse and cheers. Amid the noise, Zeit locked eyes with me and said, ¡°Did you witness that, Deculein?¡± One against many¡ªhe had the power to decimate thousands, even tens of thousands, on his own. One against one¡ªthere were few in the history of the continent who could endure his chaotic and destructive might in singlebat. He was, without a doubt, the most devastating knight in the world. ¡°Yulie,¡± I called, turning toward her. Yulie responded, ¡°Yes?¡± "Do you believe that, someday, you''ll be able to defeat him?" Zeit would one day tell Yulie that if she could defeat him, she would be free to live her life as she pleased. It would be a central part of the main quest, closely tied to the official storyline. In many ways, Yulie would be Zeit¡¯s only true rival. ¡°Yes.¡± Zeit''s attacks often traveled through space and air, relentlessly overwhelming his opponents, but Yulie possessed the ability to freeze them all. ¡°Of course.¡± But in her current state, defeating him was out of the question, even if given all of eternity. Her growth had stagnated long ago¡ªever since she reconciled with me, to be precise. "I do not fear anyone." Yulie''s response was a perfect example of a knight¡¯s bravery, yet I sensed that the moment was drawing near. The time when I would have to let her go was slowly approaching. *** Two dayster, in the Head Professor''s researchb, I installed the Component Analyzer that had arrived from the Floating Ind. This advanced piece of magitech resembled a ss dodecahedron, about the size of a washing machine. The entire surface had been crafted from enchanted crystal, designed to analyze theponents of any object ced inside. I had anticipated a lengthy delivery time, but to my surprise, it had arrived sooner than expected. But then... ¡°Wow. This device is remarkable,¡± Allenmented. ¡°Yes... it''s practically luminous,¡± Louina observed. ¡°Haha... As expected of Professor Deculein, whose intellect is recognized even by the Floating Ind... But, Professor, have you had the chance to use this device yet?¡± Relin asked. Not only had they shown up, but several other junior professors had also coincidentally visited myb, their gazes lingering on the Component Analyzer with thinly veiled envy. "Professor Deculein, you¡¯re fortunate. The Floating Ind rarely grants ess to such advanced technology. Could it be a result of your advanced lectures? I requested one myself, but they informed me it would take three years," Louina said, her gaze fixed on the analyzer. "Leave," Imanded. "But, Professor, perhaps once you''ve finished with it, we could take turns¡ª" ¡°Leave.¡± ¡°Come on, Professor, perhaps we could arrange a schedule to use it after you¡¯re finished? We wouldn¡¯t need it for long, maybe just a week, or even a few days¡ª¡± ¡°I have extensive work that requires its use. Now, out.¡± ¡°But... ow¡ª¡± Despite my efforts to chase them away, they continued to argue among themselves, setting up their own turn order as they reluctantly left the room. ¡°I was the first to hear about it, so I should be first. Don¡¯t forget, it¡¯s me Louina.¡± ¡°Oh, please. Seniority matters here. I, Relin, should go first.¡± ¡°I... I need it for my research too... I¡¯m Professor Deculein¡¯s assistant...¡± Thunk¡ª! I closed the door with Telekinesis, then ced the Artificial Core into the Component Analyzer and powered it on. Whirrrrr... A low hum filled the room as the analyzer went to work, resonating like a microwave. As it processed the Artificial Core, a faint, ominous energy seeped out, stinging my nose. My heart began to race, and a surge of anger welled up within me¡ªthe blood of Yukline reacting violently. Knock knock¡ª At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. I opened it with a flick of Telekinesis. ¡°Professor, I¡¯ve brought the research report,¡± Epherene said, presenting thepiled material she¡¯d been studying. ¡°This one covers the Harmony of the Four Elements lecture. The remaining twelve volumes will bepleted shortly.¡± I took the report without a word. It was about 43 pages long, summarizing her study of a single grimoire. As I skimmed through it, I shot a sharp nce at Epherene and said, ¡°This is disappointingly mediocre.¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± I wasn''t satisfied. It wasn¡¯t merelycking¡ªconsidering her talent, it was nothing short of trash. "Is simply reciting the book''s content the best you can provide in this report?" ¡°I, um¡ª¡± "Articte your own realizations. Move beyond mereprehension to true insight. In its current state, this is worthless, not even deserving of correction." Riiiip¡ª! I ripped the report in half. ¡°No! Ah, ah!¡± Epherene gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She stared helplessly at the torn pages, then bit her lip in frustration. "Redo it." "... Yes, sir," Epherene replied, bowing her head before leaving the room. Shortly after, the Component Analyzerpleted its analysis¡ªDn¡¯s Heart, Decrion Spores, and Human Blood Vessels and more. The analyzer meticulously broke down theponents of the Artificial Core, even identifying the collection period and assembly date¡ªten years ago, in winter. ¡°It is certainly an impressive device.¡± With this information, I began my investigation, aiming to uncover the secrets connected to both De and the Altar. Satisfied, I encrypted the Artificial Core and secured it. This was just one of the many versatile applications of the advanced attribute, Encryption. *** Late at night in the assistant researchb. "... Did he really have to tear it up? Unbelievable," Epherene muttered to herself as she began rewriting the entire report. "Seriously." What more could he possibly want from me? How am I supposed to grasp insight beyond understanding? Isn¡¯t just understanding something as advanced as Harmony of the Four Elements should be impressive enough? ¡°Ugh... I wonder what Sylvia¡¯s doing right now.¡± She¡¯s probably livingfortably with all that money. Maybe I should¡¯ve gone to the Floating Ind too. ¡°... Tsk,¡± Epherene clicked her tongue and continued writing. A letter from her sponsor, along with a certificate of sponsorship,y beside her on the desk. Sponsorship Certificate: Epherene. Once again, my Sponsor had deposited another 100,000 elne this time! Well, anyway... Scratch, scratch¡ª As she meticulously documented her understanding, attempting to draw out every possible insight, the morning sunlight gradually seeped through the window. ¡°This should do...¡± Epherene murmured, nodding as she reviewed the report. At precisely eight in the morning, when Deculein was due to arrive, Epherene gathered her stack of papers and headed to his office. ¡°Professor, I¡¯vepleted the revisions,¡± Epherene said as she handed him the document with confidence. Deculein, who had just arrived, hadn¡¯t even taken his seat yet. Deculein looked at her and asked, ¡°Did you work through the night?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Epherene bit her lip, holding back her thoughts. Deculein nodded, hung his coat on the rack, and started reading the report. His sharp eyes swept over the pages, scrutinizing the content with meticulous precision, as if dissecting every word. ¡°... Gulp.¡± Epherene swallowed nervously as she waited for his verdict. After what felt like an eternity, he finally said, ¡°This is insufficient. Take it back.¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± ¡°I said it¡¯s insufficient.¡± ¡°Ah, um. Could you rify what exactly is¡ª¡± "Figure it on your own," Deculein said, handing the report back to her, his expression as cold and distant as ever. ¡°... Yes, sir.¡± Grateful that the report hadn¡¯t been torn apart, Epherene staggered back to the assistant researchb. By the time she arrived, Allen and Drent had already settled in, unpacking their bags at their desks. ¡°Oh? Miss Epherene, did you stay here all night?¡± Allen asked. ¡°No... How about we grab some breakfast together?¡± Later, Epherene joined them for breakfast, venting about Deculein the entire time, before returning to spend another six hours revising her report. ¡°Whew! It¡¯s definitely getting better,¡± Epherene muttered, pleased with her progress. This time, she was confident it would be epted. Of course, the thought of the twelve remaining reports was still daunting... Five minutester, Epherene stood once again in Deculein¡¯s office, nervously fidgeting with her fingers. Deculein reviewed the third report, and his response was as curt as before. "Are you incapable of grasping what I¡¯m saying?" ¡°... Sorry?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not looking for a standard report from you. I know the contents of this grimoire better than anyone. Don¡¯t merely recount what¡¯s written¡ªdemonstrate creativity. Present the insights you¡¯ve uncovered through your own exploration,¡± Deculein said as he tossed the report aside in frustration. Epherene, stunned, could only stare at him. ¡°A single moment of insight holds more value than hundreds of pages of a report.¡± ¡°But, but still¡ª¡± ¡°Leave.¡± Thud¡ª! The door mmed shut behind her, signaling her third failure. ¡°Oh, I can¡¯t believe this...¡± Epherene muttered in frustration as she tore the report she had worked so hard on into shreds. Rip, rip, rip¡ª! She tore up the pages and stormed back to the researchb, determined to discover that single moment of insight Deculein had demanded. ... Six hourster, she made her fourth attempt. ¡°Is this honestly your best effort, or have I set my expectations too high?¡± Despite submitting three carefully considered pages, Deculein still found the result unsatisfactory. ¡°Epherene, tell me¡ªam I demanding too much from you?¡± ¡°... No, sir. I will try again.¡± After bowing her head in resignation, Epherene returned to the assistant researchb to begin another report. She worked tirelessly throughout the day, and by the following morning, just as Deculein arrived, she was ready for her fifth attempt. ¡°... Do youckmon sense?¡± Once again, sheckedmon sense¡ªher efforts had ended in failure. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll take my leave now,¡± Epherene said. ¡°If this is the extent of your abilities, don¡¯t waste your time returning.¡± Epherene returned to the researchb, sank into her chair, and gazed absently at the wall. Battling the drowsiness that loomed over her, she began to jot down notes on a nk sheet of paper. Tick-tock¡ª Tick-tock¡ª After enduring five rejections over the span of two days, she began drafting her sixth report. Tick-tock¡ª Tick-tock¡ª Evening faded into night, and night gave way to early morning. By 3 a.m., the steady ticking of the clock echoed through the room. Tick-tock¡ª Tick-tock¡ª I feel like I¡¯m going crazy. Did Deculein make me his assistant just to mess with me? Epherene thought. ¡°Have I done something wrong...? I might end upmitting murder at this rate...¡± Epherene muttered to herself as she stood and dragged herself over to retrieve her sixth report. ¡°... Is he still in?¡± The door to Deculein¡¯s office had been left slightly ajar. Epherene stumbled over and cautiously peeked inside. Whoooo¡ª The room was pitch-ck,pletely void of light, and Deculein was nowhere in sight. He had either left or simply forgotten to lock the door. ¡°I¡¯ll just leave this on his desk...¡± Epherene mumbled to herself as she ced the sixth report down. But then she noticed something¡ªa familiar sheet of paper on the desk. The room was too dark to see it clearly, but as she ran her fingers over it, the texture felt unsettlingly familiar. ¡°Why does this seem familiar...?¡± It was fine, high-quality paper¡ªthe kind used for stationery. Beside it rested a quill, its tip stained with ink. Frowning in confusion, Epherene lifted her head and found herself face-to-face with a towering figure. A pale white face loomed above her. The figure stood at least three meters tall, its enormous face nearly forty centimeters long. Its eyes had no whites, only blood-red pupils that red down at her. Long hair draped over Epherene¡¯s face. Creeeek... The figure''s enormous mouth twisted into a grin, its lips stretching as if they might tear apart. Inside, hundreds of yellow, jagged teeth ttered wildly. A chill ran down her spine. This was unmistakably¡ªa ghost. ¡°Waaaaaaaah¡ª!¡± Epherene screamed, frantically gathering her mana in a panic. She hadn''t recognized the spell she cast; she simply unleashed it in a frenzy as she bolted, only to crash headfirst into a bookshelf. ¡°Argh!¡± Epherene copsed to the ground, unconscious. Her frantic spell triggered the rm. WAAAAAW¡ª! WAAAAAW¡ª! The white ghost nced between the unconscious Epherene and the ceiling, then slowly vanished, as if it had been swept away by the wind. *** The next morning, I visited Epherene¡¯s hospital room. She had fainted the night before. ¡°A ghost?¡± I inquired. ¡°Yes, Professor...¡± Allen replied, his voice tinged with concern. Though Epherene breathed softly, cold sweat beaded on her forehead, and a deep wound marred her brow. ¡°She woke up briefly, muttering something about a ghost, then drifted back to sleep.¡± ¡°What sort of ghost?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t get all the details. The doctor believes it was just a hallucination...¡± A ghost. There were, of course, quests that involved ghosts. Like any school, the Mage Tower had its own ghost stories¡ªknown as the Mage Tower Legends. However, since I didn¡¯t know every quest, I couldn¡¯t be certain. ¡°Is there anything else?¡± ¡°The doctor isn¡¯t certain. He¡¯s unsure whether she¡¯s merely asleep or if it¡¯s something more... psychological,¡± Allen exined. I quietly removed my gloves, gritting my teeth in frustration. Oveing thispulsion was something I knew I¡¯d have to face eventually. Thud¡ª I ced my hand on Epherene¡¯s forehead. Allen looked on in surprise as I activated my Comprehension. This was just one of its many applications. Through it, I could understand her condition and see it reflected in my Sharp Eyesight. The process consumed a significant amount of mana, but if she had indeed encountered a ghost, I could narrow down the possibilities by identifying the specific Status Effect. [Status Effect: Frightened] "... How vexing." It was nothing serious. I withdrew my hand, noticing a trace of sweat left on my palm. After wiping it away with a handkerchief, I rose and said, "Inform me when she regains consciousness." ¡°Y-yes, Professor.¡± Just then, the door swung open, and Drent stepped in, saying, ¡°Oh, Professor Deculein!¡± ¡°Get in.¡± ¡°Y-yes, Professor!¡± I traded ces with him and exited the room. Five minutes after Deculein had left, Epherene slowly opened her eyes. ¡°Oh? Miss Epherene, you¡¯re awake?¡± Allen said, hurrying over to Epherene. ¡°Are you feeling alright?¡± Drent asked. Epherene gave a wry smile as she slowly sat up, touching her forehead and replied, ¡°... I¡¯ve actually been awake the entire time.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been awake the whole time?¡± ¡°Yes, ever since Professor Deculein entered the room,¡± Epherene said, scratching the back of her neck as she recalled what had happened. Deculein had gently ced his hand on her forehead, as if out of concern. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, more unsettling than the ghost she had seen, but she tried to dismiss the feeling. ¡°So what happened?¡± Drent asked. A shiver ran through Epherene, causing her to tremble slightly as she began, ¡°Even now, just thinking about it makes my heart race. So, here¡¯s what happened...¡± She started to exin, slowly recounting the events. Chapter 107: Ghost (2)

Chapter 107: Ghost (2)

While driving toward the center of the Floating Ind, a mage noticed something unusual in the rearview mirror¡ªa remarkably tall woman. Although her presence was unsettling, it wasn¡¯t something to be concerned about on the Floating Ind, where magical phenomena weremon. The mage continued driving without giving it much thought. After some time, he nced in the mirror again and saw the tall woman still standing in the corner of the reflection. What was strange, though, was that despite the car moving forward, she hadn¡¯t gotten any farther away. "What in the world..." the mage muttered, realizing something was wrong as he pressed down on the elerator. Vroom¡ª The car sped up, attempting to leave the woman behind, but then, without warning, she appeared directly in front of him. Screeeech¡ª! The mage swerved the steering wheel sharply, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash into the bushes on the Floating Ind. ¡°Huff, huff, huff...¡± Thanks to the quick activation of a protective spell, the car remained intact. Gasping for breath, the mage looked ahead. The woman had vanished. She was nowhere to be seen¡ªnot in front, nor to the right or left. ¡°Whew...¡± He sighed in relief, convinced it had been a mere hallucination, and leaned back against the seat. But then... Rustle¡ª Rustle¡ª A rustling noise came from the backseat, causing the mage''s spine to stiffen. His eyes widened, veins bulging, as he slowly turned his gaze to the rearview mirror. There, awkwardly hunched over in the backseat, was the giant woman, grinning eerily with her blood-red pupils ring. ¡°Aaaaaaaah¡ª!¡± *** Epherene had been discharged immediately. After all, no one believed her story about the ghost¡ªnot Allen, Drent, nor the doctor. ¡°Ah~ Tomorrow¡¯s the start of a new term,¡± Julia remarked as they walked back to the Mage Tower. Epherene noticed a new bracelet on Julia''s wrist, an essory she hadn¡¯t seen before. At this rate, it seemed like Julia¡¯s entire body would soon be adorned with artifacts. ¡°By the way, Ephie, are you sure it was a ghost? You weren¡¯t just imagining things? You¡¯ve been under a lot of stress with Professor Deculein,¡± Julia asked. "It was real." The ghost¡¯s terrifying appearance couldn¡¯t have been a figment of her imagination. It wasn¡¯t a hallucination, even if she had been exhausted at the time. "Why don¡¯t you rest today, Ephie? What if you run into another ghost?" "... No," Epherene replied, shaking her head with determination. "I have something I need to check." She hadn¡¯t been able to forget the feel of the letterhead she found in Deculein¡¯s office¡ªit was a texture that felt disturbingly familiar. "Ephie, you¡¯re such a studyholic... Oh, look! Look over there!" Julia eximed, suddenly iling her arms excitedly. Epherene followed her gaze, curious about what had caught Julia''s attention. Hup-two¡ª Hup-two¡ª A blond knight ranps around the training grounds. It was Gawain, the renowned knight whose handsome features were famous across the continent. "It¡¯s Gawain!" "... He is good-looking," Epherene admitted with a nod. They say Gawain from the knights and Deculein from the Mage Tower are the two most handsome men at the university. I wonder if that knight¡¯s personality matches his looks, like Professor Deculein, Epherene thought. "Wow... watching him run is like watching a statuee to life..." "Keep your pace steady!" Gawainmanded, leading the Knight Department trainees. Julia gazed at him dreamily while Epherene, shaking her head with a smile, said, "I¡¯m heading off. Keep watching if you like." "Yeah... I think I will..." Leaving Julia behind, Epherene arrived at the entrance of the Mage Tower. In the first-floor lobby, she encountered Allen. "Oh? Assistant Professor Allen, when did you arrive?" Epherene asked, her eyes widening in surprise. She was certain she had taken the quickest route. Allen offered a bright smile and asked, "I tend to walk quickly~ But what¡¯s that you¡¯re holding~?" Epherene quickly hid the letter behind her back and said, "It¡¯s just a letter I need to send to my sponsor..." "Ah, I see~ The sponsorship mailbox must be open today. You received another sponsorship, didn¡¯t you? Congrattions, Miss Epherene." "Haha... I''m just thankful, that''s all." Epherene walked over and dropped the letter into the Sponsorship Mailbox. By the time she turned around, Allen had already disappeared. Mumbling to herself, Epherene said, "He really does move quickly... But still, there¡¯s no way... right?" She stared at the mailbox, a strange thought crossing her mind before she shook her head. As if. There was no way Deculein would do something like that to her. "I should get back to my report..." It was time to immerse herself in the report once more. *** In the game, the Encryption attribute likely had a simple application, mainly for locking and storing items. However, in this world, where freedom was limitless and Deculein''s unique mental fortitude came into y, its versatility became significantly enhanced. The first application was Digitization. Though I coined the term myself, it urately described the process of converting tangible objects into intangible mana codes. These codes were stored in my mind, functioning like an inventory. Evenrge items like ironwood could be easily stored through this digitization, provided the code could be reversed. The second use was Magical Locking. As the name suggested, it involved embedding an encryption code into a magic circuit or spell, restricting ess to only those I allowed. Bybining these two methods, I could encode a spell and release it instantly. However, since the attribute description emphasized the need for mental strength, the drain on my magic power was immense, and the headaches that followed were severe. Even with my Iron Man body, the pain made it clear that this application extended far beyond its original in-game intent. Knock, knock¡ª While I was deeply immersed in analyzing the Encryption attribute from multiple angles, a sudden knock broke my concentration. My gaze instinctively shifted to the office door. Knock, knock¡ª But the sound hadn¡¯te from the door¡ªit hade from the window. Knock, knock¡ª Of course, there would have been nothing unusual about this if I weren¡¯t on the 77th floor of the Mage Tower. I turned to face the window. Knock, knock¡ª It wasn¡¯t a ghost. Instead, a robed figure stood outside, an unidentified mage. As soon as our eyes met, her lips moved, and she said, "Do you mind if Ie in?" There was no immediate threat of death, nor any sign of hostility. Permission wasn¡¯t required; the mage simply phased through the ss. Though the windows of the Mage Tower were crafted with magitech, she passed through them effortlessly. "Deculein. Not even a hint of a wee after all this time?" the uninvited guest said, her hood still drawn low. The voice was feminine, but I couldn¡¯t identify it. "It¡¯s me, Idnik." Idnik, the merchant. Fortunately, I recognized the name. She was apanion of Rohakan and a key figure in the main quest. In one hand, she held a peculiar object¡ªa cage shrouded in a veil. ¡°And¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m here too, prot¨¦g¨¦,¡± said another voice, strange and high-pitched, as if it had inhaled helium. ¡°This is it, Deculein,¡± Idnik said, cing the cage firmly on my desk. A voice emerged from within the shadowy veil encasing the cage,manding, ¡°Remove this veil.¡± I followed themand and lifted the veil. Inside the cage was a small cabin,plete with a garden. The entire structure was miniature, about the size of a toy house, and within it, a shrunken Rohakan gazed up at me. ¡°It has been a while, my prot¨¦g¨¦.¡± ¡°... Rohakan?¡± "Indeed, I am. Haha," Rohakan''sughter rumbled deeply. For a moment, I struggled to grasp what I was seeing and asked, ¡°What brings you inside that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a precaution to avoid detection. As you know, I¡¯m a ck Beast, so I had to miniaturize the cabin to bring it here.¡± I nced at Idnik. She still had her hood up, and when our eyes met, her displeasure was evident. ¡°... And you¡¯ve brought a subordinate with you,¡± I said. ¡°I¡¯m not his subordinate; I¡¯m his colleague,¡± Idnik corrected firmly. ¡°Haha!¡± Rohakan grinned. ¡°Deculein, have you reviewed the Chronicles of the Land of Destruction that I provided?¡± ¡°Yes, I have.¡± The chronicle mostly covered information I was already familiar with. As a designer, I had tested the game extensively and absorbed various details from my team and from Yoo Ah-Ra. ¡°Good. My subordinate here and I both have something to discuss with you¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m not your subordinate; I¡¯m your colleague.¡± ¡°... You¡¯ve grown rather bold, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Hah. You speak as though you could manage anything without me.¡± ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡± Rohakan replied, raising his finger toward Idnik. Bzzzz... Mana flowed from his finger, shrinking Idnik to the same miniature size as Rohakan, pulling her into the cabin. ¡°... Rohakan, I¡¯m warning you. Turn me back to normal,¡± Idnik growled, her teeth clenched. ¡°You can return yourself, can¡¯t you? Or are you helpless without me?¡± Rohakan shrugged with a feigned innocence. "... I¡¯ll count to three. I need to speak with Deculein, so return me to normal." "Go ahead and count. If I die, you¡¯ll remain in that small form forever." Rohakan and Idnik red at each other, their tiny forms tense with animosity, locked in a silent struggle of wills like two miniature figurines poised for battle. ¡°Rohakan, I told you, return me to normal.¡± ¡°Admit that you are my subordinate, and I¡¯ll return you to normal.¡± ¡°My only mentor is Demakan.¡± ¡°I was the one who introduced you to Demakan.¡± Knock, knock¡ª Just then, another knock echoed¡ªthis time from the proper entrance, the door. I covered Rohakan¡¯s miniature cabin with a cloth. ¡°Professor, it¡¯s Epherene,¡± she said. I used Telekinesis to open the door. Epherene entered and handed me a report, saying, "Here is the research report." I skimmed through the first few lines before letting out a sigh. It was still far from satisfactory. Epherene hesitated before asking, "... Is it still not satisfactory?" ¡°No.¡± ¡°In that case... could you help me with this?¡± Epherene asked, handing over another sheet of paper filled with intricate spells and calctions. ¡°It¡¯s an academic problem posed by Telgend, the author of Harmony of the Four Elements, in thetest issue of Wizard Academic. Could you assist me in solving it?¡± ¡°... An academic problem?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. There was a footnote mentioning that anyone who truly grasped Harmony of the Four Elements would find it easy to solve.¡± I understood what she was thinking. It was a feeling I had experienced during my time as a designer¡ªwhen constant criticism made me question whether my superiors knew what they were talking about or if they were simply giving me a hard time. I studied Telgend¡¯s problem and activated myprehension. ¡°Hehe.¡± As Epherene smirked with arrogance, I calcted the element proportions presented by the problem, established the framework of element¡¯s harmony, and predicted the circuit based on that hypothesis. Finally, I arrived at the solution to the entire academic challenge. ¡°22.1935%, 23.1105%, 27.8505%, 26.8455%.¡± Epherene¡¯s face went nk as she leaned in closer, as if uncertain she¡¯d heard right. ¡°... I¡¯m sorry? C-could you repeat that?¡± ¡°22.1935%, 23.1105%, 27.8505%, 26.8455%.¡± ¡°Uh...¡± ¡°The problem is designed to reveal the golden ratio necessary for the harmony of the four elements. Were you unable to solve it?¡± ¡°N-no, I did solve it...¡± Epherene mumbled quietly. Had he solved this before? How could he figure it out so quickly? It was only released five days ago... Epherene wondered. ¡°Epherene,¡± I said, calling her name. ¡°Y-yes?¡± ¡°What you know, I know. And I know what you don¡¯t.¡± In theory, she wouldn¡¯t be able to challenge me¡ªperhaps not ever. Epherene, visibly deted, scratched the back of her neck. ¡°Approach your studies with humility. If you persist in doubting like this, you¡¯ll never achieve your full potential,¡± I concluded. ¡°... Yes. I apologize.¡± Epherene replied, shuffling her feet as she left. Creak¡ª Once the door shut, I removed the cloth, and Rohakan asked, ¡°Was that Epherene¡¯s voice I heard just now?¡± ¡°Yes, it was.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± Rohakan murmured. He and Idnik, who seemed to have reconciled, were now sitting at a table in the garden, sipping tea together. A sudden thought crossed my mind, and I asked, ¡°Would it be possible for me to enter that cabin as well?¡± ¡°No. The contract between Idnik and me allows us to enter, but pulling in someone with your level of resistance wouldn¡¯t be possible. An ordinary person, maybe, but not you.¡± ¡°So, what brings you here? I distinctly recall telling you that thest time I let you go would be the final time,¡± I asked. When I first met Rohakan, I had warned him. It wasn¡¯t just a caution but a genuine concern¡ªadvising him not to overreach and get himself killed. ¡°... Who¡¯s letting whom go? Are you suggesting that you, Deculein, are the one who allowed Rohakan, this old man, to walk away?¡± Idnik muttered, disbelief evident in her voice. Rohakan''s tone grew serious as he said, ¡°I understand. But there¡¯s something crucial that I need to tell you.¡± ¡°What do you need to tell me?¡± ¡°The Altar is making its move. A significant threat is looming over the Empire. It will strike in winter, during the Monster Wave.¡± Winter and the main quest. I had anticipated this the moment I saw Rohakan¡ªhe was practically a quest personified. ¡°So, I must ask a favor of you.¡± ¡°A favor?¡± ¡°Yes. When the Monster Wave arrives this winter, meet me. I¡¯ll provide all the details when we gather in the Land of Destruction.¡± ¡°What do I stand to gain from this?¡± I asked. Rohakan paused briefly before replying, ¡°... Life. Yours, and that of everyone on this continent.¡± As he spoke, a notification for a main quest appeared before me. [Main Quest: Life] ¡ô Rare Attribute Catalog ¡ô Store Currency +5 Hesitation wasn¡¯t necessary. I nodded and said, "I¡¯ll give it some thought." ¡°I trust you¡¯ll make the right choice,¡± Rohakan said, smiling warmly as he released Idnik from the cabin. She returned to her normal size and took a seat. ¡°Idnik has some matters to discuss with you privately, so I¡¯ll be on my way. Until we meet again, take care, my prot¨¦g¨¦.¡± His cabin floated into the air and disappeared with a soft pop. ¡°By the way, Deculein, is this how you typically treat your guests?¡± Idnik asked, lighting a cigarette as she nced around the office. ¡°Uninvited guests should anticipate disdain, not hospitality.¡± ¡°... Hah. You''ve certainly grown bolder, haven''t you?¡± "Get to the point," Imanded, using Telekinesis to snatch the cigarette from her. Idnik clicked her tongue in annoyance and said sharply, ¡°Sylvia is in danger.¡± I stayed silent, observing her intently. Idnik frowned and said, ¡°Deculein, remember the deal we made back then.¡± ¡°Back then?¡± ¡°When you killed Cielia, I spared you because you made me a promise.¡± I couldn¡¯t respond. That was a part of Deculein¡¯s past that remained unknown to me. ¡°Are you nning to break that promise?¡± Idnik inquired. I shook my head in response. Idnik¡¯s expression eased as she continued, ¡°Good. ... But you¡¯re still keeping that child with you, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°By that child, are you referring to Epherene?¡± ¡°Correct.¡± ¡°Is there a reason I shouldn¡¯t?¡± Idnik shrugged, although her eyes remained sharp and said, ¡°No, I just assumed you might have killed her by now.¡± Herment caught me off guard, causing my eyebrow to arch. I kept myposure and asked, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because De was the one who discovered her first. Anyway, the main point is¡ªSylvia is in danger,¡± Idnik said, instinctively reaching for another cigarette. I swiftly removed it with Telekinesis. ¡°Damn it¡ª¡± ¡°In my office, your mouth is for speaking only. Get to the point.¡± ¡°... You arrogant fool. It seems you¡¯re not afraid of death. Fine. There¡¯s been a murder on the Floating Ind.¡± ¡°And?¡± Idnik¡¯s leg trembled, likely from withdrawal symptoms of her cigarette, as she continued, ¡°One of the main suspects is Sylvia, a high-ranking member of the Regallo.¡± I blinked, processing the unexpected new information. ¡°Let¡¯s go over the details on the Floating Ind. Now, give me back my cigarette and...¡± *** Late at night in the assistant researchb, Epherene stretched and yawned as she slowly woke up. She had apparently drifted off. "Ah... it''s already night... But really... how did he solve it...?" Epherene muttered to herself, recalling the shocking event that had just urred¡ªDeculein had solved in 30 seconds a problem she had agonized over for nearly 30 hours. "Did I dream that?" Epherene muttered, rubbing her eyes. ¡°Dreaming?¡± Allen¡¯s voice startled Epherene, but she quicklyposed herself and offered a smile, saying, "Oh, Assistant Professor Allen, you¡¯re still here." "Haha. Well... I¡¯ll just step out for some fresh air~" "Okay, see youter." Allen¡¯s smile had a way of lifting her spirits. Epherene exited the researchb, but as she stepped into the hallway, something unusual caught her attention. ¡°Huh?¡± At the far end of the hallway, she noticed that the door to the Head Professor''s Office was slightly slightly opened once again. ¡°Why is that door always open... It was like this yesterday too,¡± Epherene muttered nervously, swallowing hard as she deliberated. I need to check something... Just a quick peek. There¡¯s no way it¡¯s true, but I can¡¯t shake this uneasy feeling... Epherene thought. "Alright." Let¡¯s just check. It¡¯s likely nothing. I¡¯ll see for myself... But what if that ghost appears again? "Whatever." Assistant Professor Allen is in theb, so I should be fine. Epherene moved cautiously toward the Head Professor¡¯s Office. She peered through the slightly ajar door into the shadowed room, where not even the moonlight prated. Deculein wasn¡¯t there. Epherene took a deep breath and used her mana to light up the room like a shlight. She moved silently, her breaths shallow, as she approached Deculein¡¯s desk. Her body tensed, drenched in cold sweat. Once she reached the desk, she quickly crouched beneath the chair. ¡°Where have I seen the paper before...¡± Epherene mumbled to herself. The paper on Deculein¡¯s desk was of such fine quality that its texture was unforgettable. She didn¡¯t need to search far¡ªjust a quick nce inside the first drawer revealed what she feared. The sight made her heart plummet. ¡°... Wait.¡± It felt as if a stone had dropped into her chest. Epherene stared nkly at the sight before her, her hand trembling as she picked up the neatly folded letter. ¡°This can¡¯t be...¡± The first line her eyesnded on read, To my sponsor, It¡¯s Epherene again¡ª It was the very letter she had sent through the mailbox to her anonymous sponsor earlier that day. ¡°... Ahhhh!¡± The shock made her drop the letter as if she had seen a ghost. Her entire body shook uncontrobly, and her head spun like she wasing down with a fever. ¡°My sponsor was...¡± It had to be Deculein. She mped her trembling hands over her mouth, muttering in disbelief. ¡°... Why?¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 108: Ghost (3)

Chapter 108: Ghost (3)

Epherene stared nkly at the paper inside the drawer. Memories of the letters she had sent to her sponsor suddenly flooded her mind as she absentmindedly fiddled with the handkerchief she always carried. ¡°... How can this be?¡± Epherene murmured. Brrrrr... In that instant, a chill crawled up her spine, causing the muscles in her neck to tighten. Epherene''s eyes widened as she directed all her focus behind her. The unsettling presence of ghostly aura was eerily familiar, but this time, she refused to be caught off guard. Whirrrr¡ª She gathered mana into her palm, readying a destructive spell, and swiftly turned around. ¡°Miss Epherene, are you all right?¡± ¡°Ah!¡± It was Allen. Epherene quickly dispersed the magic. ¡°A-assistant Professor, I just saw a ghost¡ª¡± ¡°Yes, I saw it too.¡± ¡°You did?!¡± Allen nodded seriously, but then his eyes shifted to the letter in Epherene¡¯s hand. "Oh," Allen muttered, catching on to the situation. Epherene noticed Allen¡¯s expression and realized he had known about this all along. "... Miss Epherene," Allen said, his tone firm, with a hint of frustration. "Entering the professor''s office without permission and going through his belongings is grounds for disciplinary action." ¡°Yes... I¡¯m sorry...¡± ¡°You¡¯re quite the troublemaker.¡± Epherene felt a wave of confusion wash over her. She knew she had done something wrong, but the sight of her letter in Deculein¡¯s possession was baffling. The realization that he might be her sponsor sent her mind spinning. Allen sighed softly before continuing, ¡°In any case, you understand now, don¡¯t you, Miss Epherene? The professor isn¡¯t just a bad person.¡± His words held a deeper significance. Epherene bit her lip and muttered, ¡°But why did he do it anonymously...?¡± ¡°He said you would have refused if you knew it was him.¡± Epherene remained silent, unable to deny the truth. As much as she hated to admit it, Allen was right. Back then, and even now, her pride had always outweighed her abilities. ¡°But for now, it might be wise to run,¡± Allen suggested. Epherene tilted her head in confusion and asked, ¡°Sorry?¡± Allen smiled, then pointed out the window. ¡°The ghost is still there¡ªjust over there.¡± The ghost, with its blood-red eyes, was still clinging to the ss. *** On the Floating Ind of Megiseon, there was an autonomous investigative body called the Magical Investigation Department. Because the ind was an extraterritorial and independent zone, outside the jurisdiction of any nation, the M.I.D. carried out its own investigations whenever a crime urred. Given that the investigations were conducted by mages, the department boasted a 95% arrest rate. The remaining 5% represented cases where the culprit had been identified but remained atrge due to ack of power to capture them¡ªfigures like Rohakan the ck Beast, Ca the Authority, or Rodran the Divine Soldier. As soon as Idnik set foot on the Floating Ind, she gave me a concise summary of the situation. I furrowed my brow and asked in a stern tone, "A ghost?" ¡°Yes. Sylvia¡¯s subconscious created a terrifying ghost, which thenmitted the murder. She¡¯s currently facing charges of second-degree magical homicide,¡± Idnik continued. ¡°However, this is still under investigation. While Sylvia¡¯s mana was found at the crime scene, there isn¡¯t sufficient evidence to definitively link the ghost to her.¡± As we walked, we eventually reached the headquarters of the Magical Investigation Department¡ªa geometric building resembling a stack of misaligned cubes. ¡°And why did you call me?¡± I asked. ¡°Deculein, you hold the Floating Ind¡¯s Bail Rights.¡± I do? Idnik seemed to know far too much about things I wasn¡¯t aware of, I thought. "Regardless of whether the murder actually urred, Sylvia''s raw talent rivals Adrienne''s. She doesn''t belong in a ce as restrictive as this," Idnik continued. ¡°How severe is her condition?¡± ¡°Her state is critical. She was already deteriorating when they confined her. If the stress bes too much, the results could be disastrous. Her magic might spiral out of control and damage her core.¡± A fundamental thought came to me. When a child was caught up in such a situation, it was only natural that their parent would be the first to arrive. ¡°What is Glitheon¡¯s involvement in all this?¡± I inquired. ¡°He¡¯s likely just observing, perhaps viewing this as an ideal chance for magical advancement. Even if he were toe, he wouldn¡¯t be of any help¡ªhe doesn¡¯t have the Bail Rights.¡± ¡°Idnik,¡± I called her just as she reached for the doorknob of the headquarters. She turned back to face me. ¡°Why did I kill Cielia? What was that promise?¡± I needed to ask, even if it aroused suspicion. Idnik¡¯s expression turned puzzled, but she soon let out a hollowugh. ¡°Well, I guess you''d be curious why Ciel didn''t try to escape. Even she never told me that,¡± Idnik replied. Her response came swiftly, as if she had already drawn her own conclusions. The imbnce of information worked in her favor. After all, there were very few mages in this world who could suspect the truth¡ªthat Kim Woo-Jin resided within Deculein¡¯s shell. ¡°Ciel was terminally ill, but she couldn¡¯t bear the thought of dying from sickness in front of Sylvia. She knew she was the only source offort Sylvia had.¡± I stayed silent. ¡°I never fully grasped Ciel¡¯s intentions. Perhaps she believed that if she were killed, Sylvia would survive fueled by revenge. Or maybe she simply couldn¡¯t bear for her daughter to witness her gradual decline.¡± I closed my eyes, enduring the sharp pain that throbbed in my temples. Her words stirred dark memories deep within me. ¡°But Deculein, it was you who killed Ciel. That remains unchanged. She knew you would be the one to do it, and even so, she didn¡¯t run away. In exchange, you gained everything you desired.¡± Everything I had wanted... I knew what that was¡ªperhaps the death of De, the cursed wraith that neither Deculein nor Yeriel could ever truly appease. "So don¡¯t consider running away now," Idnik concluded. ... Only now did I begin to understand. Deculein¡¯s malevolence and shadow were always present, lurking in the background. The Viin¡¯s Fate would reach out to me from unseen ces at any time. Perhaps it was inevitable. Yukline and Iliade. And Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. He was a character designed never to survive. ¡°Hah.¡± A faint smile tugged at my lips as I spoke. Having already resolved to defy fate, I saw no reason to be discouraged by something as trivial as a game system. ¡°... What¡¯s so funny?¡± This was the reality of Deculein¡¯s life. If each day proved to be a struggle, if the entire world conspired to cast me as a viin, if love was forever out of reach, then I would still embrace the challenge and rise above it. ¡°I¡¯m starting to see that this world is far from boring.¡± My ego did not waver, no matter how fierce the storm of adversity. Even when the most devastating cmity swept through, destroying everything in its path, this cursed world would one day find me standing tall and alone at its center. "I¡¯ll exercise the Bail Rights for Sylvia. The rest is in your hands," I said. ¡°... This easily?¡± Idnik asked, surprise evident despite her initial request. ¡°Of course, if she¡¯s found innocent, the Bail Rights won¡¯t be used.¡± ¡°Regardless of the oue, you must also keep your promise to Cielia. I want Sylvia to live a long life and be an Archmage.¡± ¡°What?¡± Idnik said, her expression twisting in disbelief. There was no reason to keep staring at her confused expression. I turned away and opened the door to the headquarters of the Magical Investigation Department. *** The magical investigator exined that while Sylvia had been asleep, her subconscious had manifested the Primary Colors, which had created a monster that killed a mage. Such outbursts were possible for anyone, the investigator noted, before asking if Sylvia had recently gone through anything particrly stressful. Sylvia sat with her head bowed, lost in her thoughts. She pondered whether she was truly responsible for the murder, her silence deepening as she remained trapped in her own mind. ¡°If you remain silent, we¡¯ll have no choice but to summon an Enchanter,¡± Investigator Russell, Lumiere-ranked mage, warned There had certainly been stressful events in Sylvia¡¯s life recently, but... Bzzzzz¡ª ¡°Please wait here for a moment, Regallo Sylvia,¡± Russell said as he received a summons. After instructing a subordinate to watch Sylvia, he stepped out of the room. ¡°... Hmm? Monarch Deculein?¡± Outside the interrogation room, Deculein waited in the department¡¯s private meeting room. Even on the Floating Ind, he was a well-known figure, always dressed in suits rather than robes. As Russell approached, Deculein stated, "Sylvia is here." He was also one of the few who spoke casually, even on the Floating Ind where there was no caste system. "Yes, that''s correct," Russell confirmed. "Release her." ¡°... Excuse me? Monarch Deculein, this is the Floating Ind, not the Empire¡ª¡± "I intend to invoke the Bail Rights." Russell''s expression tightened in shock as he said, "... Pardon?" For a moment, he thought he might have misheard. In his seven years as an investigator on the Floating Ind, this was the first time he had ever encountered the Bail Rights. "I said I will invoke the Bail Rights." "Are you truly invoking that privilege... for Regallo Sylvia?" Russell was stunned that someone like him would use such a privilege for another¡ªespecially a Yukline for an Iliade. "Indeed." The Bail Rights on the Floating Ind were a rare and highly prized privilege. In and where wealth was abundant, money alone couldn¡¯t guarantee bail. These rights were awarded exclusively to individuals who had reached a Milestone on the Floating Ind and were transferable to an official heir upon death. Deculein¡¯s Bail Rights had likely been inherited from De. These rights could grant immunity even to a mage used of murder¡ªa privilege rooted in the Floating Ind¡¯s harsh society, where magic and knowledge were valued above life itself. Deculein said, "However, see that it¡¯s delivered anonymously. That should be feasible, correct?" "... Yes. I will see to it," Investigator Russell replied. With a nod, Monarch Deculein left the office. That was it. One of the most valuable rights on the Floating Ind, handed over as casually as if it were just a meal ticket... ¡°Why... Why would Deculein do that?¡± Russell muttered, still in disbelief as he absentmindedly toyed with the badge on his robe. ~ Sylvia was released without incident. Russell cited insufficient evidence as the reason, and outside the headquarters, Idnik was waiting for her. Idnik handed her a block of tofu[1], saying, "Take it." Sylvia nced at the tofu, her eyes dull and lifeless, mirroring the zed stare of a dead fish. ¡°Are you just going to stand there like a fucking idiot?¡± Idnik remarked sharply. ¡°You once leaped from a cliff, begging to be taken in as a prot¨¦g¨¦, and now look at you.¡± ¡°Did I really kill them?¡± Sylvia asked, her voice dry and brittle. Idnik clicked her tongue and said, ¡°The investigation is still ongoing, and they¡¯ve found insufficient evidence. It probably wasn¡¯t your fault.¡± Sylvia had been crumbling inside, torn between her trust in Deculein and the harsh truths others told her. Her heart wore down slowly. Unless she chose to abandon one¡ªeither Deculein or Cielia¡ªthis erosion would never stop. ¡°... You¡¯re helpless,¡± Idnik muttered, remembering Deculein¡¯s words. ¡°I want Sylvia to live a long life and be an Archmage.¡± Idnik reflected, Deculein likely understood. What Sylvia requires now is not just a purpose, but a me to reignite her spirit. ¡°... Sylvia, do you want to see what happened that day?¡± Idnik asked. Sylvia slowly raised her head, her lifeless eyes drawing Idnik¡¯s notice. ¡°Memories?¡± ¡°Yes. The day Ciel died,¡± Idnik said, tapping her left eye. ¡°This is a prosthetic eye. It records everything I see. I witnessed Ciel¡¯s death with it.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll show you those memories.¡± In that moment, a faint spark flickered to life in Sylvia¡¯s eyes. *** After descending from the Floating Ind, I arrived at the Imperial Pce. It had been some time since Ist assumed the role of an instructor mage. However... I fixed my gaze on her and addressed her directly, "Your Majesty." Sophien seemed to look back at me, though it was unclear if she truly was. Lying on the floor, she drifted in and out of sleep, her eyes fluttering open and shut repeatedly. "Your Majesty, may I ask what you''re doing?" "... Hmm? Oh... as ofte..." Empress Sophien said, her voice lingering as she blinked slowly. "I find myself... increasingly troubled by everything..." "Is that so?" "Yes... I have even found myself... contemting a suicide..." At her words, I immediately straightened. For Sophien to mention suicide, the situation was far more dire than I had anticipated. Her current state of ennui was already deeply concerning. "Your Majesty, if you wish to aplish great things, you must first attend to your health." "Great things... hmm... fuck..." I sighed and said, "... I wish I could delve into the thoughts within Your Majesty''s mind." In fact, the quest Darkness of the Imperial Pce required delving into the Empress''s past, so I mentioned it to assess the situation. Sophien opened her eyes, fixed her gaze on me, and said, "You wouldn¡¯t be able to handle it..." "There is nothing I am incapable of handling." "If your goal was to anger me... then you''ve seeded," Sophien said, her eyes narrowing. But as she tried to stand, she copsed back onto the floor. "... Correction. You failed... You didn¡¯t manage to anger me after all..." The Empress''s condition was far worse than I had anticipated. Her lethargy was unimaginable. "Your Majesty, are you familiar with the creature known as a sloth?" I asked. "You couldn¡¯t possibly... grasp the depth of my lethargy..." It felt as though a sloth had taken up residence in the Imperial Pce. "Your Majesty, you even registered for my lecture." "Oh... that? It wasn¡¯t me... it was the cat who registered." "The lecture will be held next Wednesday, biweekly." Sophien fell silent. I turned to Keiron, who remained as quiet and steadfast as ever, a constant shadow of the Empress. "Sir Keiron, it appears the Empress is unfit for a lesson today. Do you know the reason why?" I asked. He nodded and stepped forward. Yet, the Keiron who had been standing behind the Empress remained where he was. In other words, there were now two Keirons. "Come outside.¡± One Keiron remained behind the Empress, while the other walked to the door and opened it. "... Very well," I said, leaving Sophien¡ªwho resembled a sloth more than ever¡ªbehind as I followed the second Keiron outside. As he led the way, Keiron spoke, "Her condition has steadily deteriorated, to the point where even breathing has be a burden. The cause likely lies beneath the pce. I assume you have been informed by Jng." "Indeed." "Yet, it appears that even a mage of your caliber finds my magical talent intriguing." I nodded. Witnessing someone suddenly split into two had indeed been extraordinary. "This ability is what allowed me to enter the pce as an escort knight at the age of ten. The advantage of multiple bodies is invaluable for protection," Keiron exined. "I see." Keiron was among the strongest in this world. Though he rarely left the Empress¡¯s side, his peculiar attribute had made him a figure of considerable power. "We have arrived." The underground door to which Keiron led me differed from the one Jng had shown me before. Noticing my curious nce, Keiron exined, "There are two entrances to the underground." "Yes, this door differs from the one Jng showed me. Have you been observing him?" I asked. "Escorting requires more than mere physical strength; it demands an understanding of internal politics. When not wielding a sword, one must remain vignt, with eyes open and ears keen." "... Indeed," I replied, shifting my focus to the underground door. Fizzle¡ª! The simple wooden door sparked at my touch, and an eerie sound filled the air. ¡ª ... Sophien''s death was far from ordinary. She had died, revived, and regressed countless times, leaving this world irrevocably altered. Sophien was a living testament to the world''s strange miracles¡ªher very existence as extraordinary as the world itself. The resentment, sorrow, pain, and anger born from her endless deaths had seeped into the pce''s underground, creating a dark, suffocating mire. To explore that hellish death was a daunting task, akin to a major quest for any yer. This marked the beginning of the Independent Quest. I turned to Keiron and asked, "Will you apany me, Keiron?" Keiron handed me a small sword, a silent refusal, and responded, "I am a knight sworn to protect only the Empress. I will not apany anyone else. However, if you find yourself in danger, draw this sword. It will grant you a Manifestation for a time." Keiron''s words had a weight that naturally inspired trust, even without effort. He had been a model knight, much like Yulie. "I understand." When I nodded, Keiron took his ce by the underground door. The two Keirons now guarded both the Empress and the door directly linked to her safety. "Will it require much time?" Keiron inquired. "The first time should be brief," I replied. "The first time?" "Yes." This quest was essentially about entering Sophien¡¯s mind and experiencing her regressions. While it didn¡¯t involve literally entering her mind, it was close enough. Given that Sophien had died over a hundred times, there would be numerous retries. Today, this served as a substitute for the Runic Language instruction. "... Understood. I will stand guard outside." "Yes, understood." With that, Keiron became as still as a statue once more, and I opened the underground door. 1. In South Korea, giving tofu to someone is a symbolic gesture when they get released from prison. The tradition is rooted in the idea that tofu, with its soft texture and neutral vor, represents a clean start and a fresh beginning. ? Chapter 109: The Record of Regressions (1)

Chapter 109: The Record of Regressions (1)

I opened the underground door and stepped forward. Yet, I hadn''t taken even a single step before realizing there was no ground beneath me. In an instant, my entire body plunged into a seemingly endless descent. It was like bungee jumping without a cord, or skydiving without a parachute. My clothes fluttered wildly as the air resistance pressed against my entire body. With my eyes closed, I focused on the rush of the wind. Silently, I endured the pull of gravity. The fall continued for what felt like an eternity, until, just as I began to adjust... Thud¡ª! Inded. My body, stretched out straight, mmed into the ground. Iy there, struggling to manage the pain in my lower back. Whether it was my tailbone, ribs, or both, something was certainly fractured. Yet, the body of the Iron Man began to heal quickly. As I waited, I gazed up at the sky. It was clear and blue, with the letters of the status notification flickering above. [Darkness of the Imperial Pce¡ªDemon¡¯s Mirror: First Cycle] ¡ô Quest Overview: Explore the Demon¡¯s Mirror within Sophien¡¯s regression. It was the first cycle, Sophien¡¯s first life¡ªone in which she had never regressed. "... Hmm," I murmured. The area around me appeared to be the Imperial Pce¡¯s garden, though not a single person was in sight. The world seemed eerily empty. However, upon closer inspection of the ground... Rustle¡ª Rustle¡ª With the sound of sweeping, scattered leaves were neatly gathered. Then¡ª Clip¡ª Clip¡ª The pruning of the garden¡¯s shrubs continued. The trimmed branches floated into the air and settled into a sack. Tasks that should have required human hands were happening on their own. Suddenly, I noticed a shard of ss on the ground. Using Telekinesis, I lifted it and held it up to the light. ... Indeed, there was no one in my world. "Retel, are you done pruning?" In this ss¡ªno, in this world beyond the mirror¡ªmany people existed. Every sound originated from within the ss. "Finished. Her Majesty prefers everything tidy, so making it perfectly square should do," replied Retel, the gardener of the Imperial Pce. "Really? Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a bit too square?" the other gardener asked. The gardeners of the Imperial Pce were discussing the state of the garden when one of them noticed the shard of ss I was holding. "Oh? Why is that ss floating over there?" the gardener said, startled, pointing at the ss moving with Telekinesis. "... I see," I mumbled, quickly grasping the situation after dispelling the spell. The medium of this quest, the Demon¡¯s Mirror, epassed this entire ce. In other words, I had entered the world within the mirror. From their perspective, I was invisible, and if I moved something, they would mistake it for the work of a ghost. At that moment, I was nothing more than a being of the hidden world¡ªa presence within the mirror. "If that¡¯s the case, the demon must be inside," I said, as the mere thought of it sent a heavy weight settling in my chest. I exhaled deeply to release the heat and walked through the garden toward the Imperial Pce. Crunch, crunch¡ª No one blocked my path. In this first cycle, no one had been able to see me without a mirror, and I couldn¡¯t see them either. The scene in the pce was not much different from the future I remembered. Marble tiles covered the floors, rows of magic stonemps lined the walls, and the ceiling was adorned with the royal symbol, a golden lion. I began my search for Sophien. She was the most important figure in this quest, a fact known not only to me but also to the demon. "Is this the location?" At that time, Sophien had likely been a princess, not yet the Empress, and the heir¡¯s room wasn¡¯t far from the Emperor¡¯s private chambers. The door,vishly decorated with embedded jewels, stood before me. Thud¡ª I opened the door and stepped inside. The room was empty. No, it only appeared empty. I turned to the full-length mirror on the right side of the spacious room. In the reflection, I saw Sophien. "Who opened the door?" Sophien demanded coolly. She hadn¡¯t been addressing me but the escort knights instead. It seemed they had been stationed outside her room. "We assumed Your Highness had opened the door," one of the escort knights replied. "Myself?" "Yes, Your Highness. Our apologies, but neither of us opened the door. We wouldn¡¯t dare." Eight-year-old Sophien furrowed her brow and red at the two guards before closing the door. As she turned, she nced at the mirror on her right. I was there, in the reflection. Her frail, sickly body stiffened, and without a word, she swallowed hard. Trembling slightly, she finally whispered, "... Who are you? An assassin?" I shook my head in response. At that moment, Sophien yelled, "Guards!" I stepped back, moving out of the mirror¡¯s line of sight. "Yes, Your Highness! We have arrived!" "There was an intruder here...?" "Where, Your Highness?!" Their voices had given me clues about the situation. "That mirror..." Sophien muttered. "The mirror, Your Highness?" Neither the guards nor Sophien saw any intruder. She appeared confused and muttered, "... There was someone in the mirror." "We shall break it." "What? ... No. Forget it. Just go." "Yes, Your Highness," the two guards replied, then exited the room. Even after they left, Sophien continued to stare nkly at the mirror. I reappeared before her. "... You," Sophien said. This time, she didn¡¯t call for the guards. Instead, she calmly asked, "Who are you?" "I am..." "Where¡ª!" Sophien eximed, sharply turning her head to look directly where I stood in the mirror. However, she couldn¡¯t see me and shifted her gaze back to the mirror. "What is this? Why can I see you only in the mirror?" I stayed silent. "Damn it. Is this just a hallucination from my headache?" Sophien muttered. "I am not a hallucination," I replied softly, shaking my head. Sophien¡¯s eyebrows twitched. "It¡¯s unfortunate, though. This way, we¡¯ll never truly face each other." "Unfortunate? How dare you speak of meeting me face to¡ª" Sophien¡¯s words were cut off by a fit of dry coughing. As she tried topose herself, I took in the grandeur of the room. There wasn¡¯t a single thing thatcked luxury. Then, something outside the window caught my eye. It was a garden where all the world¡¯s springs seemed to converge. The Imperial Pce Garden, the most famous magical space on the continent, was a ce where all four seasons coexisted, but in the southeast corner, spring reigned eternal. Petals fluttered in the breeze, brilliant buds bloomed, butterflies and bees danced, sunlight streamed down, and vivid colors filled the lush garden. Meanwhile, Sophien, so close to that beautiful garden, struggled to breathe. She noticed the blood on her hand; she had coughed it up. Seeing the clear sign of her impending death, tears welled up in Sophien¡¯s eyes. This Sophien, in her first cycle, had never experienced regression and didn¡¯t know she would be reborn. To her, this death felt final. "... Greetings, Your Highness. I serve as a professor," I said. "A professor?" "Yes, Your Highness." Sophien looked at me, wiping the tears from her eyes and the blood from her mouth, and asked, "A professor from the university or the Mage Tower?" Without any change in expression, I replied, "Yes, from the Mage Tower. We will have many conversations from now on." *** Meanwhile, in the Rohak region of the Yukline territory, the Red Ga Adventure Team visited the Rohak Concentration Camp. They had arrived to fulfill a request to procure up to 50 milliliters of venom from the Hak Scorpion. "This ce is huge..." Ria muttered as she took in the vast expanse of the concentration camp. She tried to remember if it had been this big in the original story, but she couldn¡¯t recall exactly. "Right? Maybe the Professor made it bigger after that terror incident," Ganesha suggested gently, causing Ria to fall silent. Professor Deculein¡¯s influence had grown unchecked, and Ria had learned of his power through countless media reports. Fortunately, the concentration camp had been built in Rohak. After all, Rohak wasn¡¯t entirely and of despair. It had the potential to be reimed, and perhaps even... "Red Ga Adventure Team," a cold voice broke into her thoughts. "So, we finally meet?" "Oh!" Ria eximed, flinching as she turned toward the source of the voice. It was Yeriel. Though she was currently Deculein¡¯s sister, they were not rted by blood. In the future, she would be a well-known named character, infamous for being ckmailed by Deculein because of this fact, a situation that would ultimately lead to one of them killing the other. Now, she stood before them, her face etched with displeasure as she red at them. "Miss Yeriel?" Ganesha said, her eyes widening in surprise. Yeriel crossed her arms and asked, "Why haven¡¯t you been responding to my messages? Did you put me on some kind of cklist?" "Ah, well~ You see~" Ganesha started, hesitating as she searched for the right words. She couldn¡¯t exactly tell her it was because she wasn¡¯t Deculein¡¯s real sister. "... Huh?" Carlos muttered, puzzled, at that moment. Ganesha quickly took the opportunity and asked, "What is it, Carlos? What¡¯s wrong?" "I just saw something up there..." Carlos said, pointing to the sky. Both the Red Ga Adventure Team and Yeriel, along with her vassals, looked up at the sky. "There¡¯s nothing there, Carlos," Ganesha said gently. "No!" Carlos quickly retorted. At eleven years old, he hated having his words ignored. "There was... something strange flying up there." "Could you have mistaken it for a bird?" "It was too big to be a bird..." Carlos murmured, still gazing upward. Yeriel, however, turned her attention back to Ganesha and said, "Whatever it was, I have something to discuss. Why don¡¯t youe to Yukline Castle?" "Oh, hahaha, we¡¯d like to, but we¡¯re on a mission..." Ganesha replied with a strained smile. Immediately after that moment... "... Hmm? What was that?" Ganesha asked, her eyes suddenly widening in confusion, as if she had be a different person. "Leo? Ria? Ros? What¡¯s happening, and why are we here? Why am I here?" Everyone looked at her in confusion at her strange remarks. However, Yeriel narrowed her eyes again and said, "You¡¯re acting strange. Just follow me." "Oh? I, uh..." "Hurry up! I¡¯ll pay you whatever you want!" Yerielmanded, as she and her vassals practically dragged the Red Ga Adventure Team toward the castle. *** [Darkness of the Imperial Pce¡ªDemon¡¯s Mirror: 1st Cycle] The rules of this world within the mirror were fairly ordinary. Time passed here just as it did on the other side. Sophien on one side and myself within the mirror¡ªwe shared the same time. Neither moved faster nor slower. So, on the second day after entering this underground world, Sophien spoke. "I am slowly dying," Sophien said. It was the sorrowful confession of an eight-year-old child. "It¡¯s an incurable disease. The officials all know. They look at me with pity... Those damn eyes used to turn my stomach." I held Sophien¡¯s gaze as she looked into my eyes through the mirror. Noticing this, Sophien gave a faint smile and said, "Your eyes don¡¯t show any of that, which is a relief. ... Buttely, there are things that bother me even more." "What troubles you?" I asked. "Every night, something like mosquitoes appears in my dreams..." "Can you describe how they look?" Sophien sighed and said, "They resemble bats. They fly around, but sometimes they look like flies, and other times like monsters. The only thing that stays the same is that they¡¯re always flying." I nodded and said, "They are demons." "Demons?" "Yes, Your Highness." These demons flew around with no fixed form. I knew their nature all too well¡ªboth from Kim Woo-Jin¡¯s memories and the instincts of the Yukline bloodline. The demon N¨¦sc?us, which moved like a ghost, took on the form of whatever its target feared most. It had no fixed appearance, making it a difficult opponent. "Demons, huh..." Sophien muttered. I didn¡¯t yet know the purpose of these demons, but I was certain they were connected to the Altar. After all, in the story, this N¨¦sc?us had been a demon summoned directly by the Altar. Sophien suddenly coughed, blood staining her hand. With a heavy sigh, she asked, "How do you know so much about these things? Well, I suppose it makes sense¡ªyou are a professor, after all... Anyway,st week, I chose my personal escort knights." I looked at Sophien. Though she was only eight years old, she seemed more mature than the Empress she would one day be. "His name is Keiron... but I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll need him for long. I¡¯m going to die soon, maybe even tomorrow," Sophien said, pointing at me with her index finger. More precisely, she pointed at the mirror. "This might be our farewell, strange and arrogant professor trapped in this mirror. A professor who, oddly enough, can talk to me. A professor with a gaze I like." As she said this, Sophien smiled, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. I shook my head and said, "Not exactly." "... Not exactly what?" Sophien asked. "This is not our farewell." "What?" "I will always apany you on your journey, Your Highness. And when it concludes, I will still be by your side." Sophien looked at me, shook her head with a bitter smile, and said, "I wish I could believe that, but you¡¯re just a hallucination brought on by this damned disease. Hahaha..." Sheughed, but the effort made her cough up more blood. "Arghhh¡ª!" Her pained groans echoed through the room as blood from the mouth of an eight-year-old child sttered across the mirror. "Waaah..." It was the final cry of a child who had been pretending to be an adult. At that moment, the entire world plunged into darkness. Nothing was visible to my eyes. I watched as a status window appeared in the void. [First Cycle] The word First, flickered before changing to a new number. [Second Cycle] Sophien had just died. "... Your Majesty," I mumbled. The world that had plunged into darkness began to shatter with Sophien¡¯s regression. Cracks spread like a mirror breaking apart. Craaaack... "We shall meet again soon." Thud¡ª! The door to the underground chamber shut. *** ¡°Deculein!¡± Keiron¡¯s voice jolted me back to reality. I opened my eyes wide and quickly took in my surroundings. I was in the Imperial Pce¡ªthe real Imperial Pce. I had been expelled right after Sophien¡¯s first cycle ended. "Keiron, how much time has passed?" I inquired, now fully grasping the situation. "Time? Not even a day has passed. But listen carefully, and don¡¯t misunderstand me," Keiron responded, his usuallyposed demeanor unsettled. There was even a trace of fear in his expression. "I have returned from tomorrow, the second day." I looked at Keiron, who appeared as puzzled by his own words, and I asked, "Are you speaking of regression?" ¡°... Ah! Yes, that¡¯s the word. I¡¯ve been searching for a way to exin what happened, and that term is perfect. Yes, I regressed¡ªby just one day." I quietly turned my gaze to the underground door, a in wooden door. Knock, knock¡ª I knocked on it and tried the handle, but nothing happened; the door remained shut. It wasn¡¯t yet time for the second cycle to begin. "Deculein, as hard as this is to believe, you must trust me. I regressed from tomorrow to today¡ª" "Yes, I believe you. It appears that N¨¦sc?us has escaped from this underground chamber." ¡°... N¨¦sc?us?¡± "It¡¯s a type of demon that takes on various forms. Did you, by chance, cut down an unidentified enemy?" Keiron¡¯s eyes widened as he responded, ¡°Yes! Last night¡ªno, tomorrow night¡ªthis is strange to exin, but something leaped out in the underground corridor, and I struck it down.¡± I nodded and said, ¡°Then that was likely it. The demon must have been carrying the power of regression.¡± ¡°Carrying regression?¡± ¡°Yes, much like a bee gathering nectar from a flower and delivering it to the hive.¡± I began to understand the true nature of this quest¡ªwhy the demon had interfered with Sophien¡¯s memories and why the Altar sought her Authority. ¡°Exin it to me in detail,¡± Keiron demanded. I looked at Keiron. In that moment, he was the most reliable person I had. ¡°This is the most certain way to resurrect their God,¡± I replied. ¡°A God?¡± ¡°Yes. The demons have been seeking a body. Now that they have one, the next step is to find a soul.¡± The Altar must havemissioned Arlos to create a body. Whether Arlos crafted it or someone else provided it, once they secured the body, the soul became the next target. I continued, ¡°For an ordinary human, the body and soul are one. When the soul regresses, it pulls the body back in time with it, just as you did, Keiron.¡± Keiron, having regressed from tomorrow to today, nodded and asked, ¡°And what if they aren¡¯t ordinary?¡± ¡°If they¡¯re not ordinary¡ªas if they¡¯re already dead¡ªthe body and soul must be separate. So, if an artificially created body stays anchored in the present while only the soul regresses...¡± If Sophien¡¯s authority of regression were umted over decades, centuries, or even millennia, and then infused into a soul that had already passed on, what would happen? If the body remained anchored in the present, but the soul was regressed back to its living days? ¡°He would certainly be resurrected.¡± This was the most crucial part of the main quest¡ªThe Resurrection of the God¡ªand this was how it was to be aplished. ¡°... But why did I regress? Did Her Majesty¡¯s power somehow escape?¡± Keiron asked, now revealing that he was aware of Sophien¡¯s regression. ¡°No. It happened because you struck down N¨¦sc?us tomorrow night. The regression it carried spilled onto you. As I mentioned, the demon was merely a carrier, like a bee. You got some of the nectar on you when you killed it,¡± I exined. ¡°Aha!¡± Keiron eximed, his eyes widening in realization. For a knight in histe thirties, it had been an unexpectedly charming reaction. I turned my gaze back to the wooden door of the underground chamber. ¡°Keiron, from now on, things will move quickly. When this door opens again, contact me immediately. And if you encounter N¨¦sc?us again, continue to cut it down as you did. Use this to reach me,¡± I said, handing him the Message Paper. ¡°I will,¡± Keiron replied with a firm nod. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 110: The Record of Regressions (2)

Chapter 110: The Record of Regressions (2)

Sophien slowly opened her eyes. Her body remained heavy with fatigue, but an unusual sensation clung to her thoughts, as if she had been dreaming of something from the distant past... something that seemed to havested for a long time. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Hmm...?¡± the Empress murmured as she lifted her gaze to see the knight who had called her. ¡°You¡¯re awake,¡± said Keiron, who had been standing like a statue. ¡°... Yes. It feels as if I¡¯ve just awoken from a long dream.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Where is that arrogant professor?¡± ¡°He has returned, Your Majesty,¡± Keiron replied briefly, his thoughts momentarily drifting to Deculein. The Empress¡¯s most guarded secret¡ªher regression¡ªwas now known to him. ¡°Returned?¡± ¡°Yes. He departed once the lesson was over.¡± Deculein from the next day¡ªor rather, tomorrow¡ªhad revealed that Sophien¡¯s history of regressions was stored within the underground Demon¡¯s Mirror. After learning this, Keiron had in the demon, N¨¦sc?us, and regressed to the present day. ¡°Are you feeling less fatigued, Your Majesty?¡± Keiron inquired. For now, the secret remained with Sophien. Deculein had requested this for Sophien¡¯s sake, and Keiron had agreed. ¡°It¡¯s somewhat better... but it lingers. Each time I sleep, it feels as though I¡¯m returning to the past... as if I¡¯m dreaming of days long gone,¡± Sophien murmured, gazing up at the ceiling, lost in thought as she tried to recall the memories from her dream. But the more she tried to grasp the faint images, the deeper they sank, like a small stone sinking into ake. Eventually, her calm eyes shifted to Keiron. ¡°Keiron.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Are you... content with your life?¡± Sophien asked, as if reflecting on the sudden, strange feeling that had surfaced within her. Keiron had been selected by the imperial family at the tender age of ten. Thoughbeled as a selection, his life in the Imperial Pce had been scarcely different from that of livestock. Over a hundred young talents were handpicked from across the continent. They were raised¡ªor rather, indoctrinated¡ªwithin the pce, trained solely to serve the imperial family as knights. ¡°With your looks and skills, you could have led a far more illustrious life than the hollow honor you possess now.¡± Despite the slightly odd center parting of his hair, Keiron¡¯s appearance had always been striking. Even the pce maids and eunuchs had admired him. ¡°If you had just pretended to be a little lesspetent, the royal family would have dismissed you on their own,¡± Sophien concluded. Keiron listened quietly to Sophien¡¯s words. It had taken considerable patience. The Empress, who was the purpose of his life and his ultimate duty, had spoken more carelessly than usual, belittling herself in a way he wasn¡¯t ustomed to. ¡°... Your Majesty, there¡¯s an expression¡ªdead fish eyes. I¡¯ve always thought your eyes resembled those of a decaying fish,¡± Keiron said. ¡°Should I pluck out your eyes myself?¡± Sophien replied. ¡°But you once told me that even if Your Majesty were to die, you would not hold me responsible.¡± Keiron had developed the ability to read between the lines¡ªa skill he had honed from years of serving the exacting and sensitive Sophien. Sophien curled her lips and replied, ¡°Hmph. I only said that to keep you motivated.¡± ¡°I know that wasn¡¯t your true intention, Your Majesty.¡± On the surface, her words had seemed ordinary, but when linked to her miraculous life, they had taken on a deeper meaning. ¡°At some point, I must have failed in my duty to protect you, Your Majesty. And it has likely urred more than once.¡± Sophien gave no response. ¡°Your Majesty, I strive to remain a steadfast knight. I want my very existence to reflect my convictions. Whether in a past that never was or a future that is uncertain, I will pledge my loyalty as a knight.¡± Once again, Sophien had remained expressionless. ¡°No matter how Your Majesty¡¯s time may change, I will remain constant, like a metronome.¡± The Empress¡¯s knight had hoped for an end to her lethargy, not wanting to witness the sight of her struggling to breathe simply because it took too much effort. ¡°A worthless knight like me should die before you, Your Majesty,¡± Keiron concluded, his voice heavy with resolve. ¡°... Hmph. You¡¯re such a fool. Dying before me is not your duty,¡± Sophien scoffed, rising from her seat with a feigned sneer. She walked unsteadily down the pce corridor, her fatigue evident. Keiron followed close behind. They soon reached the hall, where rows of knight statues stood in silent formation. ¡°Your Majesty, where are you headed?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to attend Deculein¡¯s lecture.¡± ¡°The lecture is still two days away. Do you intend to go in person?¡± ¡°Do you really think I¡¯d do that?¡± Sophien retorted, stopping abruptly and turning to Keiron. ¡°I¡¯m looking for the cat. That red one is my host body to possess for leaving the pce, but when it goes missing, it¡¯s often perched on one of these knight statues.¡± ¡°Meow¡ª!¡± As if on cue, a red-furred cat meowed from the shoulder of one of the statues. It then leaped gracefully onto Keiron¡¯s head. ¡°Meow¡ª!¡± In response to the cat¡¯s call, Keiron remarked, ¡°Cats instinctively seek out the safest ce.¡± ¡°And that would be your big dumb head,¡± Sophien responded. *** The annex of the Yukline mansiony quiet in thete hours of the night, or perhaps it was already early morning. Rustle¡ª rustle¡ª I was writing a lecture,pletely absorbed, until time itself seemed to fade away. Rustle¡ª rustle¡ª The lines traced by my pen formed intricate,plex shapes that covered the walls and filled the air. Geometric patterns and spell formations spread outward from the center, expanding endlessly. I guided the pen with Telekinesis. This lecture on the Pure Utilization of Earth and Fire: Maniption Category was scheduled biweekly, only four sessions per semester. However, I aimed to achieve a level ofpleteness that would qualify it for a Milestone grade. Rustle¡ª rustle¡ª A Milestone was exactly what it sounded like¡ªa prestigious marker awarded by Floating Ind schrs to only the most significant discoveries or knowledge of the century. Whether this lecture would earn such recognition to be a milestone was uncertain, but it was worth the effort. Achieving it would also count as a quest milestone. Rustle¡ª rustle¡ª Of course, the thousand-year history of magic in this world wasn¡¯t something I could easily ovee, especially being only a year into my study. Yet, I had prepared for this. "... It should be more than feasible." I had begun to imbue my attributes with magic. In essence, I was converting my Comprehension into magical spells. By viewing either the entirety or a portion of my attribute through a magical lens and merging it with existing spells, I was creating something entirely new. At that moment, I infused the attribute of Iron Man into the magic, endowing it with the quality of endurance. The mes conjured by my theory would not extinguish, and the earth would remain steadfast. This was, in every sense, the purest application of earth and fire. Creeeak... However, the process of creation had been excruciating. It felt as if I were extracting marrow from my bones, tearing away pieces of the Iron Man attribute from within my body. Whirrrr¡ª A ringing had echoed in my ears, and my head throbbed, but I had no time toin. Thanks to Epherene, who hade from the future, I hade to a crucial realization. With demons and the Altar closing in on Empress Sophien and the main quest starting in earnest, I knew that simply growing stronger on my own wouldn¡¯t be enough to stop them. "... Now." That was why I had decided to use my Comprehension in this way¡ªI would dedicate it to teaching. Though Deculein had his limitations, there were many virtuous talents across the continent that I could nurture. A single word of advice from me could spur significant growth in many named figures. While they were bound by the fate of a viin, they could still be powerful dark allies... Snap¡ª! At that moment, my pen snapped. I didn¡¯t need another. I quietly stepped back, but it wasn¡¯t enough. I took another step, then another, continuing until I had retreated five steps. "... It¡¯splete." Standing at the precise center of the annex, I finally beheld the oue. My magic circle spanned the entire room, radiating from therge chalkboard, climbing the walls, and extending into the air like constetions against the night sky. In the midst of it all, I closed my eyes and exhaled. My theory hade to life, moving of its own ord. My magic was asserting its worth. It was a faint yet fulfilling sensation, as if I had taken one small step closer to uncovering the truth of the world. ... It was an odd sensation. I opened my eyes, feeling a wave of dizziness. My mana was nearly exhausted, but I had finallypleted the lecture I¡¯d been preparing since submitting the proposal to the Floating Ind nearly a month ago. "This must be the gap between a draft and the final copy.¡± Conveying a theory that only I understood to others was challenging. This was why the effort and mana I invested were tenfold what had gone into the draft. "... It is rather immense," I said, allowing a faintugh to escape as I observed the spell. The spells had expanded to cover the entire annex. The sheer magnitude of it was almost too much to grasp, even in my mind, but that didn¡¯t concern me. As the lecturer, my duty was to convey the lesson; it was up to the students to understand it. If they failed to grasp even a portion of it, I would show no mercy. It would simply prove they weren¡¯t fit for the quest. "Now, the final step is..." I dered, as I activated Sharp Eyesight to assess the status of Memorize. ¡ô Memorize Status: Beginner/Intermediate Telekinesis (79%) ©³Beginner/Intermediate Fire Control (53%) ©ÇBeginner/Intermediate Fluid Maniption (48%) ©»Metal Enhancement (89%) I was still trapped at that frustrating beginner/intermediate level. Reaching the next stage had turned out to be far more difficult than I had anticipated. The process of Telekinesis Memorize crawled along with agonizing slowness. Knock, knock¡ª A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, apanied by a voice announcing the arrival of morning. "Your morning coffee is ready," Yulie said. I stood there, staring at the door in silence. "... Hmm." Suddenly, a promising training method urred to me. "Professor, your coffee is ready," Yulie called, knocking softly on the door once more. With only 300 mana left, I knew it would suffice since Telekinesis required very little. I opened the door. *** ng-ng-ng-ng¡ª The shing sounds echoed as sparks flew. Her sword moved swiftly, deflecting the Wood Steel with precision. Each strike sought an opening, but her fluid swordsmanship allowed no approach. The de danced through the air, slicing as gracefully as falling petals. The Wood Steel bent under the impact, losing their trajectory as they dropped. Not a single one of the twenty des managed to leave a scratch on her. ng, ng¡ª! Yulie proved to be a formidable sparring partner, provided she didn¡¯t overuse her mana. I didn¡¯t need to hold back my Telekinesis since my magic wasn¡¯t yet refined enough to overpower her. ng¡ª! Finally, with a sharp metallic ring, thest piece of Wood Steel snapped in two. I ended the session just as my mana dwindled to a single point. My progress in Telekinesis had advanced by exactly one percent. ¡°Yulie,¡± I called. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°You show impressive skill.¡± Yulie smiled as she sheathed her sword and said, ¡°Winter is near, Professor. It¡¯s the season of Freyden.¡± ¡°It¡¯s only September.¡± "... You¡¯ve grown stronger too, Professor." "Indeed. I no longer require protection." Yulie paused briefly before nodding. ¡°... I see. By the way, Professor.¡± She had reached into her coat and pulled out an envelope. "A letter from an adventurer has arrived for you." I epted the letter and tore it open. The message within had been brief. It¡¯s Arlos. The Altar obtained a body, but it wasn''t my creation. As soon as I finished reading the line, the paper ignited and was consumed by mes. Yulie asked, "What did it say?" ¡°It¡¯s not something you need to concern yourself with.¡± The Soul of God was real, and the Altar intended to use it for resurrection. This was an unavoidable Main Quest that couldn¡¯t be halted, but the timing was far too early. At this rate, we had perhaps six months. To dy the quest as much as possible, killing N¨¦sc?us became the top priority. ¡°I see.¡± ¡°... I will exin moreter,¡± I stated. "If it¡¯s personal, there¡¯s no need to share." Fortunately, N¨¦sc?us, a little demon, wasn¡¯t particrly powerful and could be dealt with by any well-trained named character. However, its ability to fly and take on different forms depending on the observer made it a challenging opponent. Just then... "Knock, knock," a voice called out, mimicking the sound of knocking. We both turned toward the source of the sound. ¡°Hello, Professor~ Hi, Yulie~¡± Josephine greeted us with a cheerful tone, her voice light and yful. I stared at her face. Josephine had the ability to extend her shadow into every dark corner of the world, each shadow a part of her singr existence. For her, N¨¦sc?us¡¯s form always remained the same. Moreover, N¨¦sc?us¡¯s defense mechanism involved adopting the form of a person¡¯s greatest fear, but fear was an emotion Josephine simply didn¡¯t possess. A sociopath more terrifying than the demon itself, she was practically N¨¦sc?us¡¯s worst enemy. Josephine smiled sweetly and said, "Oh my, why are you staring at me like that?" Yulie pressed her lips together tightly. I turned to Yulie and said, "Yulie, step outside for a moment." "... Yes," Yulie responded, quietly stepping back without another word. As soon as Yulie had moved far enough away, I stepped toward Josephine. Before I could reach her, Josephine stepped closer and whispered in my ear, ¡°Deculein, you killed Veron.¡± Whoooosh... A gust of wind swept through the room as she delivered those final words. Her hair grazed my neck, sending a chill down my spine. I narrowed my eyes on Josephine. With a faint smile, she continued, "You haven¡¯t forgotten who Veron was, have you? The knight my sister looked after the most." *** Epherene abruptly awoke, her eyes snapping open. Morning had already arrived, and she found herself seated at the desk in the assistant¡¯s researchb. Blinking in confusion, she nced around, her mind still clouded with lingering drowsiness. ¡°Was it a dream?¡± It felt strange¡ªpeculiar and odd. All day long, I was being chased by ghosts... but then I opened my eyes for a moment, and now I''m at my desk? "... Was I dreaming?" Epherene muttered as she nced at the clock. It was Wednesday, just five minutes before noon. ¡°Oh?!¡± She sprang up as if triggered by a spring. Today was the day of Deculein¡¯s lecture, and beingte would bring severe consequences. Epherene hurriedly slung her bag over her shoulder and rushed out of theb. Deculein¡¯s advanced lecture took ce on the 80th floor of the Mage Tower, a restricted level. Ding©¤! ¡°Please wait! Hold the door! I¡¯ming too!¡± Epherene called out, managing to catch the elevator just in time. Inside, she promptly examined her reflection in the mirror. ¡°An advanced lecture... though if the content doesn¡¯t measure up, it might get downgraded to intermediate...¡± Epherene chuckled as she touched her puffy face. If the lecture were deemed unsatisfactory, it would be demoted from advanced to intermediate, and Deculein would lose his position on the 80th floor. Maintaining an advanced rating was said to be quite difficult, even on Floating Ind. Epherene wondered how long Professor Deculein could manage to hold onto it. Ding©¤! The elevator arrived at the 80th floor. As Epherene stepped out, she found herself taken aback. The special floor of the Mage Tower resembled a vast stadium. The space was immense, with a ceiling that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. ¡°Wow...¡± The ce was packed with people. Among them, the only ones in their Solda rank were Drent and a senior named Reol. The rest included notable figures like Grand Prince Kreto, a cat, mages from the Imperial Pce, the addict Astal, Professor Louina, Relin, and even Ethereal mage Rogerio, who had temporarily returned to the university just for this lecture. The lecture hall was filled with renowned individuals, all seated in their chairs. "Epherene, o-over here," Drent called out hesitantly, his voice reflecting how overwhelmed he was by the crowd. Epherene pulled her robe¡¯s hood low over her face and took a seat. Seated right next to her, Professor Louina greeted her, ¡°It¡¯s good to see you, Solda Epherene.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, Professor...¡± Then, noon arrived. She didn¡¯t need to look at the clock to confirm it. The moment Deculein set foot on the 80th floor, it was exactly noon. Thud¡ª thud¡ª He arrived with wless timing, striding forward with a deliberate pace. Thud¡ª thud¡ª Despite the presence of high-ranking mages, he exuded more authority and confidence than anyone else. He was impable in his formal suit. Finally, standing at the podium, he addressed them with the sameposure he would show to ordinary students, saying, "Greetings." Epherene swallowed hard as the atmosphere in the room suddenly grew tense. ¡°To begin, I have a few announcements regarding this lecture. This is the Mage Tower, and this is my ss. As such, you are all students here. Remember that.¡± This indicated that he spoke to them with authority, regardless of their rank. "Furthermore, this lecture will be held every two weeks for a period of four hours, though I reserve the right to conclude it early as I see fit." Deculein was ready to end the lecture early if he received a message from Keiron through the Message Paper he carried. "Are there any objections?" ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I do as well.¡± Four students raised their hands, as if they had been anticipating this moment. Among them were the Ethereal mage Rogerio, the addict Astal, Epherene¡¯s senior Reol, and Grand Prince Kreto. Rogerio was the first to speak, adding, "I don¡¯t mind ya bossin'' us around, but ain''t it kinda over the top ta say the lecture might just get cut short~?" Astal, the distinguished schr and renowned magic journalist from Floating Ind, supported her, saying, "I agree. Those of us dispatched from Floating Ind bear the responsibility of thoroughly evaluating this lecture." Epherene¡¯s eyes widened in surprise when she saw Astal. With his reputation, she had expected an elderly man, yet he was a strikingly handsome young man. Astal continued, "However, if the lecture were to be cut off midway, it would be difficult to provide a proper assessment. We respectfully request that you reconsider." Epherene was impressed by their unwaveringmitment to learning. They epted everything else without protest, but the thought of the lecture being interrupted was something they simply couldn¡¯t tolerate. "Very well," Deculein said, nodding as if he understood their concerns. With a graceful gesture, he responded, "Then leave." The door swung open with a bang. The chairs of the four students who had raised their hands slid toward the exit, guided by Telekinesis. "Should you have anyints, you are free to leave through that door. ... Will you not leave?" None of them spoke. Though their faces showed clear displeasure, they gradually lowered their hands. Deculein nodded with a smirk, as if finding their reaction amusing. N?v(el)B\\jnn ¡°Very well. If there are no further objections, I¡¯ll begin with a fewments before the lecture,¡± Deculein stated as he ced his briefcase on the lectern and adjusted his sses. ¡°First, the lecture is titled The Pure Utilization of Earth and Fire: Maniption Category.¡± Some students pulled out their magic notebooks, while others simply crossed their arms, trusting their memory. Deculein spoke deliberately, stating, ¡°In the first three lectures, I will instruct you on the concept of pure utilization.¡± Hearing the term pure utilization for the first time, Epherene couldn¡¯t help but wonder what it actually meant. Utilization means using something. So, what on earth is pure utilization supposed to be about? Epherne thought. "Throughout these lectures, some of you wille to understand the essence of pure utilization and how it differs from ordinary practice, though others may fail to do so." Epherene cautiously surveyed her surroundings, taking in the scene around her. ¡°I¡¯m not here to guide you every step of the way. If you find yourselves unable to keep up, you¡¯re free to leave.¡± With that, he made his stance clear¡ªhe wasn¡¯t there to hold anyone''s hand. The participants included mages from the Imperial Pce and addicts from Floating Ind, but he paid them no mind. Arrogance never bothered him; he embraced it. Snap¡ª! ¡°Let us begin,¡± Deculeinmanded, snapping his fingers. Chapter 111: The Record of Regressions (3)

Chapter 111: The Record of Regressions (3)

Snap¡ª! Deculein snapped his fingers, and darkness immediately flooded the lecture hall. In that moment, Epherene realized why this ce was known as the special floor. ¡°Wow...¡± The ceiling shifted, revealing a starry night sky, deep and clear, scattered with countless stars like a painter''s canvas. ¡°Truly pure magic,¡± Deculein began, his gaze sweeping across the room, ¡°is magic that is free from any impurities,pletely untainted. Even the same spell, when utilized with purity, bes sharper, more precise, and stronger¡ªmuch like the body of an Iron Man.¡± ¡°Pfft,¡± someone muttered with a quiet chuckle. Epherene nced over and saw a mage from the Imperial Pce smirking. "You," Deculein said, pointing at him. The mage, reclining slightly in his chair, locked eyes with Deculein. Naturally, he wouldn¡¯t let it go. ¡°Your name?¡± ¡°... It¡¯s Ron,¡± Ron replied. ¡°Cast a me.¡± The Imperial mage, Ron, created a small me at Deculein¡¯smand. It was nothing more than a simple, ordinary spark¡ªIgnition. "That is a meager me. Utterly ordinary." Ron''s eyebrow twitched at Deculein¡¯s remark. Deculein examined the me closely through his Sharp Eyesight, then continued, ¡°As it stands, it¡¯s unrefined¡ªmerely a source of heat, nothing more than a basic campfire. Impure and coarse.¡± There was nothing remarkable about it¡ªjust a basic four-stroke spell circle, at best. ¡°... However.¡± Deculein interfered with the spell, infusing it with a fragment of his own knowledge¡ªimbuing it with the attribute of Iron Man. Fwoosh¡ª! The small me in Ron''s hand suddenly red into a roaring fire. Heat surged through the room in an instant, drawing the awe of everyone, including Epherene. It wasn¡¯t just a simple me; it danced with a blend of vibrant colors, radiating a fierce, pulsing energy that filled the space. ¡°This is a me of pure fire.¡± The strength of magic depended on its source. The more powerful the input, the stronger the effect, and when the source was exhausted, the magic would fade. Yet, this fierce me, glowing like a white-red gemstone, burned on without any additional energy. ¡°Ron,¡± Deculein called the Imperial Pce mage¡¯s name once more. "Y-yes, Professor," Ron replied, startled, as he quickly straightened his posture. ¡°Even a basic element like fire can transform when the caster infuses it with a specific attribute. That is the essence of true mastery,¡± Deculein exined. Ron gazed at the me resting in his hand. Snap¡ª! Deculein flicked his fingers again, and countless points of starlight shimmered in the darkened air. ¡°The essence of an element, its pure energy¡ªthis is the foundation of what I will teach today. Observe carefully.¡± With those words, Deculein began to write. Whoooosh... A low hum filled the room. The starlight on the 80th floor aligned with his magic, illuminating runes, spells, and magic circles in the air. Epherene hurriedly took notes, but it was impossible to capture such immense information in a small notebook. The sheer magnitude of it all was overwhelming. ¡°Professor, is this really a spell?¡± Epherene mustered the courage to ask. Deculein¡¯s spell looked nothing like any she had ever seen before. Deculein¡¯s lips curled as he replied, ¡°No. It cannot be defined as a circuit or a traditional magic circle. This is something entirely new, something that has never existed before. I intend to name this origin¡ªCharacteristic.¡± At that moment, Rogerio nced around nervously. It wasn¡¯t just her; all the mages who had failed to bring writing instruments were now fidgeting anxiously. ¡°This Characteristic can be applied to any form of magic, provided it is properly adjusted.¡± It resembled an attribute from a game. Snap¡ª! With another flick of his fingers, a sphere of earth took shape in mid-air. Fine particles gathered, hovering like a tiny. Blue oceans and brown continents appeared on its surface¡ªit was a wless miniature replica of this world''s Earth. ¡°Wow...¡± Epherene murmured, mesmerized. But as Deculein clenched his hand, the spell faded like a mirage. ¡°That was merely a fragment. To truly grasp the Characteristic, we must first explore the fundamentals. And those fundamentals are rooted in theory,¡± Deculein said, manipting the starlight with Telekinesis. ¡°From this point forward, we will proceed with the main topic.¡± In the darkness, his newly developed magic unfolded, line by line. *** In the meantime, Josephine recalled the events of that morning. ¡°Deculein, you killed Veron,¡± Josephin once whispered to Deculein. Josephine had not released Yulie¡¯s grief. Instead, driven by an obsession teetering on the edge of madness, she pushed past her limits. She had awakened to something new. ¡°I know everything.¡± She stretched her shadow to the base of the cliff. She searched an area spanning thousands of meters in height and tens of thousands of hectares in width, eventually recovering Veron¡¯s body. She examined the steel that had pierced his chest. ¡°That is why I¡¯m curious.¡± Why would Deculein go so far as to kill Veron? What was his motive? Josephine wondered. ¡°The way you presented yourself, as if Yulie¡¯s smile was all you desired in return, didn¡¯t feel like a lie.¡± Was it because Veron, Yulie¡¯s trusted subordinate, was in the way? Or was it overwhelming jealousy over Yulie and Veron¡¯s rtionship? No way, that¡¯s ridiculous. I¡¯m not that foolish. ¡°Veron must have tried to kill you first, didn¡¯t he? And you hid that fact to spare Yulie from the pain, didn¡¯t you?¡± Of course, Veron, blinded by love, must have been the one to plot murder first, and Deculein only acted in self-defense, Josephine thought. ¡°Professor, shouldn¡¯t you at least offer a response?¡± Josephine asked. Even then, Deculein¡¯s expression stayed unchanged. The professor upheld the dignity of a nobleman. ¡°... Josephine,¡± Deculein called. ¡°Yes~?¡± Josephine said, smiling sweetly. Deculein looked down at her and said, ¡°I have a favor to ask of you.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t be informing Yulie about this, of cour¡ª¡± ¡°I n to bring down the Freyhem Knights Order.¡± Josephine blinked in astonishment. His words had gone far beyond anything she had anticipated. ¡°There are many methods. Yulie may be virtuous, but some of the knights under hermand are meremoners. I could funnelundered money from the underworld into their hands or offer bribes¡ª¡± ¡°How is that a favor? Do you expect me to just stand by and watch?¡± Josephine said. Deculein met her gaze in silence. Josephine immediately grasped the emotion in his eyes. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°If the Knights Order falls... Yulie wille to hate me,¡± Deculein said. Yet, it made even less sense to her. His feelings for Yulie had always been nothing but affection. ¡°... Of course, she probably would. Maybe even enough to want to kill you. But she wouldn¡¯t follow through. She¡¯s not that kind of person,¡± Josephine said. Her words lingered in the air. Deculein¡¯s next statement, however, took her by surprise. ¡°No. That will not be adequate.¡± Josephine stopped in her tracks. ¡°You, Josephine, will assist me. I need Yulie to hate me enough to want to kill me,¡± Deculein said. Josephine¡¯s mouth fell open at his words. She had never encountered anything so absurd; it was as though he had a death wish. ¡°Why?¡± Josephine finally asked, her voiceced with innocent confusion. Deculein responded with unwavering conviction, speaking in a single, decisive sentence. ¡°Because I love Yulie.¡± ¡°... Love?¡± ¡°I killed Veron out of jealousy, sought to dismantle the Knights Order to take Yulie as my own, and every change she has witnessed in me until now has been nothing but a calcted fa?ade. ... That story should suffice. I will notify you of the timingter.¡± Though his voice still lingered in her ears, Josephine slowly opened her eyes. She had returned to the present, now seated at a caf¨¦ near the Mage Tower. ¡°Hmm...¡± Josephine murmured, resting her chin in her hand, her gaze fixed on Yulie. Feeling uneasy under her gaze, Yulie fidgeted slightly as she sipped from her teacup. Josephine leaned forward and said, ¡°Yulie~ Aren¡¯t you curious?¡± ¡°... About what?¡± Yulie inquired. ¡°About my conversation with Professor Deculein.¡± Yulie stayed silent, but her silence was more than enough of an answer. ¡°It¡¯s still a secret, Yulie. But here¡¯s some advice¡ªdon¡¯t ce too much trust in that professor.¡± For the time being, Josephine had decided to follow Deculein¡¯s n. After all, it was for Yulie¡¯s sake, and the rush of curiosity coursed wildly through her veins. ¡°Professor Deculein is still wearing a mask, hiding his true intentions¡ª¡± ¡°Stop trying to sow discord between us,¡± Yulie said, narrowing her eyes. Josephine shrugged and said, ¡°... Fine~ You¡¯ll learn the truth eventually. You can regret it then. Well, I¡¯m leaving~¡± ¡°Where are you headed?¡± ¡°Hm~ The professor has asked me for quite a few favors. I might be busy soon,¡± Josephine replied. Deculein had assigned Josephine the task of tracking down the demon N¨¦sc?us, along with several other duties, and she had epted eagerly. Whatever it turned out to be, it seemed like it would be fun, Josephine thought. ¡°I¡¯m heading off now~ Take care, Yulie~¡± *** Whoooosh... A strong gust blew across the rooftop of Yukline¡¯s castle. Yeriel sat on the ledge beside Ganesha. Despite the heat carried by the wind, it wasn¡¯t ufortable; in fact, it felt surprisingly soothing. ¡°Aaaah~ Such weather in the middle of summer? Hadecaine truly is blessed. I wouldn¡¯t mind retiring here one day,¡± Ganesha said, stretching with a satisfied sigh. Yeriel shot her a sideways nce and said, ¡°Whatever. By the way, is it true? You caught that giant flying rat in the sky today?¡± ¡°Yes, somehow~ I hate rats more than anything in the world, you know? And this one wasn¡¯t just huge¡ªit was flying! Ohh Shit... So... I ended up smashing it along with the castle¡¯s spire. Next thing I knew, I had regressed two days,¡± Ganesha added with a bright smile. Yeriel frowned at her strange words and replied, ¡°I have no idea what you''re talking about... Anyway, I¡¯ve figured everything out now.¡± ¡°Oh? Is that so? Well, good for you,¡± Ganesha replied with a yful chuckle. Yeriel sighed deeply as the memory surfaced, then said, ¡°... Ugh, forget it. It¡¯s not worth bringing up.¡± She hugged her knees and gazed into the distance. Now that she had finallye face to face with the adventure team she had been searching for, there was nothing left to say¡ªeverything had already been resolved. ¡°... Oh, by the way,¡± Yeriel continued, her lips slightly pursed, ¡°where exactly did that girl, Ria,e from?¡± Ganesha flinched but quickly replied in a calm voice, ¡°Ria? She¡¯s someone I met in the archipgo. A raw talent, no doubt, and now part of our family.¡± ¡°... Is that so?¡± ¡°Why take such an interest?¡± Ganesha asked casually, feigning indifference. ¡°... It¡¯s rather fascinating,¡± Yeriel murmured softly. ¡°Fascinating? In what way?¡± Ganesha asked, perking up, her interest clearly piqued. Yeriel gazed into the distant sky, as though trying to catch a memory drifting on the wind, and said, ¡°... She reminds me of someone.¡± ¡°Reminds you of whom?¡± Yeriel turned to face Ganesha, who casually flipped her pigtail hairstyle back as she asked her question. Flutter, flutter¡ª Flutter, flutter¡ª Yeriel chuckled and asked, ¡°Do those pigtails move on their own?¡± ¡°Yes. I even use them to hit people sometimes. But tell me, who does she remind you of?¡± ¡°Hmm... She resembles Deculein¡¯s first fianc¨¦e. My brother¡¯s first fianc¨¦e.¡± At that moment, Ganesha¡¯s breath caught in her throat, and a chill ran down her spine. Yeriel idly traced her finger across the rooftop and said, ¡°That girl, Ria, she resembles her. Quite a lot, actually.¡± ¡°You mean she reminds you of his first... fianc¨¦e?¡± ¡°Yes. Even Yulie bears a slight resemnce, but Ria? She¡¯s almost a mirror image.¡± ¡°But Ria is still very young.¡± ¡°Her eye color and hair may be different, but I have a feeling that as she grows older, she¡¯ll resemble her even more. I¡¯m quite good at recognizing faces.¡± ¡°O-oh...¡± Ganesha murmured softly. In that moment, she felt as though fate had yed a trick on her. Had she not intervened, Ria might have ended up with Deculein. Perhaps, due to her resemnce to his fianc¨¦e, she could have lived a more privileged life. Ganesha hesitated before quietly asking, ¡°What was his fianc¨¦e like...?¡± ¡°I only know a little about her¡ªmostly surface details. I remember her most clearly from the day of the engagement ceremony.¡± ¡°Oh... I see. What was the professor like at the ceremony?¡± ¡°For the first time in my life, I saw him smile like that. His face was full of genuine love,¡± Yeriel said, letting out a small, bitterugh, unable to stop herself as she recalled Deculein from that day. It was then that she realized, for the first time, that even Deculein had been capable of such a tender smile and gentle tone of voice. ¡°... Hmm. It seems the professor has a surprisingly sentimental side. Do you think he sees her when he looks at Ria?¡± Ganesha mused. Yeriel¡¯s face darkened, her brow furrowing deeply and said, ¡°Are you out of your mind? Do you know the age gap? My brother isn¡¯t that crazy of a person.¡± ... My brother isn¡¯t that crazy of a person, Yeriel thought to herself again. Just beneath the rooftop, someone had heightened her hearing to its limit, quietly eavesdropping on the conversation above. A bitter murmur slipped from her lips. ¡°... I¡¯m sorry.¡± It was probably because of the unnecessary detail she had insisted on including. When she found out that Deculein¡¯s model had been modeled after Woo-Jin, jealousy had crept in, and she stubbornly added this hidden Easter egg. ¡°I was the one...¡± The notion that the woman Deculein truly loved was Yuara, a character named after her real name, Yoo Ah-Ra, had been a desperate, foolish hope. She had wanted someone to uncover the truth behind it¡ªa sad, childlike move, nothing more. ¡°... Being so petty,¡± Ria muttered, forcing a smile as she sniffled. ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m such a fucking idiot...¡± She sank to the ground and started to cry. This was why... thoughts of home never did her any good. *** After two hours of ss, a ten-minute break followed. Epherene sat in a daze, her thoughts drifting aimlessly. ¡°... Are you feeling alright?¡± Professor Louina asked from beside her. Epherene nodded and murmured softly, ¡°Yes, but... everyone else is studying.¡± From the back row, Epherene had a clear view of the entire ssroom. Mages from the Mage Tower, including those of Kendall, Regallo, and Braham rank, along with Grand Prince Kreto, the Addict Astal, Imperial Pce mages, Professor Relin, and even Rogerio, were all absorbed in their studies, like examinees preparing for an exam. ¡°How¡¯s it wicked unfair? Can¡¯t somebody lend me a notebook, a pen, or even an eraser? I¡¯ll pay ya back ten times ovah on the Floating Ind!¡± Rogerio shouted, even arguing with someone over basic writing tools. ¡°Hey, Lorhan! You tellin¡¯ me ya don¡¯t know who I am?¡± ¡°Do not speak to me! You¡¯re going to make me forget everything!¡± ¡°What?!¡± When Rogerio grabbed another mage¡¯s robe, they shook her off roughly. It had been a startling sight to witness a mage of Ethereal rank being treated with such tant disrespect. ¡°... Ay? Lumiere Lorhan? I¡¯m Ethereal freakin'' Rogerio ovah here¡ª¡± ¡°Enough! Can we have some peace and order here?¡± Grand Prince Kretomanded. Rogerio shot him a stunned look, then let out a dryugh and said, ¡°Even you, Kreto¡ª¡± ¡°Ethereal Rogerio, please do not disrupt the study environment,¡± Astal, the Addict, intervened calmly. The other seven Addicts seated near him had also directed sharp looks at Rogerio. ¡°Well, I¡¯m wicked sorry, but what¡¯m I supposed to do without any writin¡¯ tools?¡± Rogerioined. ¡°That is your own fault. Who arrives unprepared?¡± ¡°... I didn¡¯t freakin¡¯ know.¡± ¡°Now please be quiet now, Ethereal Rogerio. Consider this a warning from the Floating Ind.¡± Rogerio had been overwhelmed, as were several other mages who, like her, had arrived unprepared for the lecture. ¡°Why is everyone so tense?¡± Epherene asked. ¡°... They are all Floating Ind mages. With new knowledge unfolding before their eyes, it is no surprise they are like this. They are a reckless group¡ªpush them too far, and they might resort to murder,¡± Louina replied. ¡°Hmm... And you, Professor Louina? Are you not taking notes?¡± Epherene asked, ncing at her. ¡°I¡¯ve already finished. I write quickly.¡± ¡°Oh...¡± Epherene murmured, her gaze drifting to Deculein¡¯s theories, still hovering before her eyes. ¡°But how did Professor Deculeine to grasp all of this?¡± ¡°... Who knows? Perhaps it¡¯s because he doesn¡¯t have much time left in his life,¡± Louina remarked with a hint of humor. Epherene¡¯s eyes widened as she asked, ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°... What is the matter?¡± Louina asked. ¡°I have heard something like that before.¡± Louina leaned in with curiosity and asked, ¡°What have you heard?¡± ¡°... ¡®As a mage ascends closer to the sky, they draw nearer to the truth,¡¯¡± Epherene said, recalling something Rohakan had once told her when he kidnapped her. Louina awkwardly cleared her throat, leaned back in her chair, and said, ¡°I-I see. P-pure c-coincidence. I-I was just j-joking, r-really.¡± At that moment, a loud crash echoed through the room as chairs and desks toppled over, apanied by a surge of mana. Both Epherene and Louina had jumped in surprise. ¡°W-what is happening over there with those people?¡± Epherene asked, startled. Four or five mages had begun quarreling with each other. The exact reason was unclear, though Epherene had a faint idea of what it might have been. ¡°Ah, you damn thief¡ª¡± As soon as one of the mages cursed and began preparing to cast a destructive spell... ¡°Stop.¡± A cold voice sliced through the chaos. Hush¡ª In an instant, everything hade to a standstill. ¡°Pathetic...¡± Deculein arrived just as the ten-minute break ended. He gave a disdainful re at the chaotic tangle of mages before him. ¡°... Every one of you, bickering over nothing, like worthless beings.¡± ¡°Meow~¡± At that moment, a red-furred munchkin cat sprang from Kreto¡¯s arms as the spell that had been controlling it finally broke. Yet, all eyes remained fixed on Deculein. ¡°Whether your stature is great or small, whether you are old or young... you are all pathetically consumed by greed,cking even a shred of dignity,¡± Deculein dered, as he felt the vibration of the Message Paper tucked into his robe¡ªamuniqu¨¦ from Keiron. ¡°Today¡¯s lecture ends here. Mark my words¡ªfilth, corruption, or any disgrace will not be tolerated in my ss.¡± With that, he left the ssroom. The sudden interruption left no one protesting the early dismissal. Thud¡ª! As the elevator doors closed with a heavy thud, silence descended upon the 80th floor. However, the quietsted only a moment before the sound of pencils scratching on paper resumed. Though Deculein had already departed, his written theories still lingered. Epherene merely blinked in confusion. Louina gave a bitter smile and remarked, ¡°Deculein hasn¡¯t changed at all. I thought he might have softened over time. And to think, he oncemitted the most disgraceful acts. Perhaps he truly has changed after all.¡± ¡°Ha... Hahaha... Professor Louina?¡± Relin said, approaching cautiously and cing his notebook on the desk. ¡°Would you be open to forming a study group so we can review everything together?¡± ¡°... Are you unable to understand it on your own?¡± Louina asked. Relin shook his head with a nervousugh and replied, ¡°Not quite, but... it¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯vee across a lecture that reignited my academic passion. As one would expect from Professor Deculein. If we study together and understand the topic, we might even manage to impress him.¡± ¡°No, thank you. To be honest, I didn¡¯t grasp it either. I was only able to take notes,¡± Louina admitted. Epherene had continued scribbling in her notebook. Nearby, Astal picked up a crystal orb and initiated a conversation, saying, ¡°Yes, this is Astal speaking.¡± Epherene had perked up her ears while continuing to write. ¡°This has the potential to be a new factor of magic. I still require time to fullyprehend it, but it is extraordinary.¡± Astal the Addict, typically reserved with praise, had described something as extraordinary, which piqued Epherene¡¯s curiosity. For a brief moment, she felt a surge of baseless hope and jealousy, wondering whether this lecture was somehow connected to her father. At that moment... Click¡ª! Suddenly, a sharp click echoed as a switch was flipped. In that instant, the magic in the ssroom unraveled, and all of Deculein¡¯s notes had vanished. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Wha¡¯ just happened¡ªwho did that?! Ya messin¡¯ wit¡¯ me?!¡± ¡°Wait, no!¡± ¡°Wait, what, huh?¡± ¡°Who turned it off...? Who would dare...?¡± ¡°Restore it immediately! Hurry! I wasn¡¯t finished¡ª¡± The mages descended into chaos. No, they had fallen into a state ofplete panic. Chapter 112: The Record of Regressions (4)

Chapter 112: The Record of Regressions (4)

Between the inds, in the gap of the orbit where magical dust floated aimlessly in the void, Sylvia had seated herself on a pile of rocks in the dark, empty space, her gaze fixed on the emptiness before her. The flow of rocks and mana, revolving likes under the pull of the Floating Ind''s gravity, was reflected in her eyes. ¡°Have you collected your thoughts?¡± Idnik asked, stepping closer with a quiet rustle. Sylvia gave a silent nod. A hawknded on her shoulder¡ªSwifty, appearing even swifter and sharper than before. Meanwhile, Bearbie Panda rested on her thigh, fast asleep. ¡°So, what course of action will you take?¡± Sylvia gazed at the countless fragments drifting through the air. Materials that had once failed to form an ind, now shattered, began to take shape in her mind, piecing together fragments of her memories. ... Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. Are his feelings for me just guilt, pity, or sympathy? How can he say he cares for me after killing my mother? Sylvia thought, remembering his blue eyes¡ªbrilliant like crystals, yet cold and distant. That beautiful face, stained with her mother¡¯s blood. ¡°I will hate him until my dying breath. To the very end of this world, with all my strength,¡± Sylvia said. Idnik remained silent, merely observing thendscape that Sylvia¡¯s mana had already begun to shape. Swoooosh... Fragments of rock, grains of sand, and dying moss that had once drifted aimlessly were now gathering on the small patch ofnd, slowly expanding. Materials that had failed to form an ind wereing together once more. ¡°Idnik,¡± a voice called out, its tone mysterious, as if descending from the heavens. Both Idnik and Sylvia turned toward the source. A blue figure stood before them, its entire bodyposed of mana, flickering like an illusion. Though only the upper half of his body was visible, he stood nearly six and a half feet tall. Idnik spoke his name. ¡°... It¡¯s been a while,¡± Idnik said. ¡°Rodran.¡± Rodran, the Divine Soldier, was a transcendent figure in the Magical Realm and the most wanted criminal on the Floating Ind. The title of Divine Soldier arose solely from his bizarre form. ¡°The Voice draws near.¡± ¡°I am aware. What of the request I made?¡± Idnik asked. Rodran turned his gaze toward Sylvia. She met his eyes, her expression nk. Rodran looked at Sylvia and said, ¡°You are the one who killed it.¡± Sylvia¡¯s expression grew cold, as if a de had sliced through her heart. ¡°The creature born from your mana unconsciously consumed the demon known as N¨¦sc?us. The fusion of your creation and the demon resulted in an aberration,¡± Rodran continued. ¡°So, the demon shares some of the me?¡± Idnik asked, but Sylvia shook her head. She had no need for excuses. ¡°Then I¡¯m a murderer as well. The one I killed must have had a family... I¡¯m no different from that professor,¡± Sylvia said. Idnik sighed softly. The bloodline of Iliade, and the daughter of Cielia¡ªno matter how she considered it, it was not a goodbination. ¡°What is this Voice you speak of?¡± Sylvia asked, turning to Idnik. ¡°... A demon.¡± ¡°A demon?¡± ¡°Yes. It is an ancient demon known only as the Voice. Those that take on human or monstrous forms are at least manageable¡ªyou can kill them. But entities like the Voice, which exist as phenomena or concepts, are far more difficult to contend with,¡± Idnik continued. Sylvia suddenly rose to her feet and walked toward Rodran. Looking up at him, she asked, ¡°Is Yukline the one who will face that demon? Is he going to do it?¡± Rodran met her gaze in silence, his dry golden eyes gleaming like gemstones, deep with swirling mana. ¡°You hold the potential for Eternity,¡± Rodran said atst before departing. It had been high praise from a legendary figure in the Magical Realm. Yet, Sylvia betrayed no sign of emotion. Instead, she gazed up at the empty sky and said, ¡°On the Floating Ind, there is an unspoken rule that whoever discovers an ind owns it.¡± She stretched out her hand, and mana had erupted from her slender body like a volcano. aaatter¡ª! The torrent of mana had drawn the scattered fragments toward her, each particle gaining color as she reconstructed them into a fully formed ind. ¡°So, this ind now belongs to me.¡± ¡°Hm,¡± Idnik crossed her arms and leaned against a newly sprouted tree. ¡°What will you name it? You¡¯ll need a name to im it as your own.¡± Sylvia nced back at her and said, ¡°... The Nameless Ind will do.¡± *** I had arrived at the Imperial Pce. Avoiding any encounters, I walked through the corridors as Keiron¡¯s words appeared on the Message Paper. The entrance to the underground chambers is now unlocked. ¡°Sir Keiron,¡± I said as I approached the wooden door leading to the pce¡¯s underground chambers. Keiron stood beside it, still as a statue. "How does Her Majesty fare?" "Her Majesty has retired for the night." I had be certain that the door to the underground opened only when Sophien had fully sumbed to her lethargy. Keiron inquired, ¡°Will you be entering?" "And yourself?" With a nk expression, Keiron rested his hand on his sword, signaling that he would remain on guard. ¡°I understand. If N¨¦sc?us emerges from this door, I ask that you follow him instead of killing him,¡± I said, stepping forward and slowly pushing the handle. ¡°Will do.¡± Creeeak¡ª The heavy door creaked open, revealing a message that indicated the quest''s continuation. [Darkness of the Imperial Pce¡ªDemon¡¯s Mirror: Second Cycle] *** In the Imperial Pce garden, Sophien strolled by thekeside, fighting through the pain. Though she had returned to life, the agony that gripped her, as if her entire body were being crushed beneath an ax, remained as unbearable as before. Chirp¡ª chirp¡ª ¡°What day is it today?¡± Sophien asked the vassal beside her. ¡°June 3rd, Your Majesty.¡± Have I truly regressed? It''s been half a year since my death, and now I can''t deny it any longer. Damn it. At first, I sighed in relief, but soon realized things had only worsened. Time may have rewound, but the sickness lingers, Sophien thought. With a heavy sigh, Sophien staggered forward before copsing by thekeside. She gazed at the clear water, and her eyes widened in disbelief at what she saw. Stumbling backward, she lost her bnce and hit the ground with a dull thud. ¡°Ah!¡± "Your Majesty! Are you unharmed?" ¡°Your Majesty¡ª¡± The attendants rushed over in a frenzy. Once they had helped her to her feet, Sophien shoved them aside and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Are you certain, Your Maj¡ª¡± "I said I¡¯m fine. Go, and leave me alone." As the vassals hesitated before retreating, Sophien swallowed nervously, her gaze locked onto theke. The clear water, reflecting like a mirror, sent the image back to her. ¡°... You.¡± There, she saw a man¡ªthe one who had once introduced himself as a professor. A vision conjured by the illness before her regression. The man spoke, ¡°It is an honor to see you once again, Your Majesty.¡± Sophien instinctively turned, but no one stood behind her. She nced back at theke and asked, ¡°Are you the professor?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty, it is I.¡± ¡°... How can this be possible?" The moment Sophien realized she had regressed, she had drawn a portrait of the professor and ordered an extensive search. Yet, even afterbing the entire continent, no one fitting his description had been found. In the end, she dismissed him as a mere illusion born of her madness. ¡°I have already informed you,¡± the professor said, his voice as arrogant andposed as ever, his handsome features unchanged. ¡°I will remain by your side through every step of this journey.¡± Sophien stared at him in a daze before reaching out and touching the surface of theke, sending ripples across the water. ¡°Ah! Your Majesty! Please reconsider!¡± ¡°Your Majesty, you must not do this!¡± ¡°Even in your suffering, Your Majesty must not consider ending your own life¡ª¡± Her vassals, misinterpreting her actions, hurried to her side, and soon after, Sophien was forcibly escorted back to her quarters, where she was effectively confined. Even as this unfolded, her thoughts remained clouded. "Do you feel well, Your Majesty?" the professor asked, still lingering as a mere reflection¡ªher madness given form. As Sophien remained unmoving, the professor sighed before speaking again. ¡°I am real. If it¡¯s hard to believe, summon someone trustworthy, and I will reveal myself to them¡ª¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine,¡± Sophien said, shaking her head firmly. ¡°I believe you, professor. You¡¯re the only one tied to my previous life...¡± *** Over the next two months, I stayed with Sophien from the second cycle. The quest¡¯s objective was still unclear, so I had no choice but to remain by her side. In simpler terms, I had been exploring. There wasn¡¯t much I could do with Sophien, though. Her frail body kept her confined to the pce, so most of our time was spent either in the gardens or inside the Imperial Pce. In this mirror world, my role amounted to little more than being her conversation partner. During that time, Sophien confided many things in me. Her life had been a series of surgeries and treatments, filled with false hopes and endless disappointments. Though she had only lived for nine years, the weight of those years had been heavier than anyone else¡¯s. Sophien recounted it all in a t, detached tone and said, "How cruel this fate is..." Time passed, and eventually, today came. ¡°I¡¯m still dying,¡± Sophien said, lying in bed as death approached. ¡°Even after the miracle of regression... Professor.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Sophien paused, gritting her teeth as her body convulsed with pain, then continued, ¡°If... if I somehow return to life again... ugh... will I see you again?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± I replied without hesitation. Sophien offered a faint, bitter smile and said, ¡°That¡¯s some relief...¡± ¡°What exactly is relieving about it?¡± ¡°You¡¯re handsome. If you had looked like the other eunuchs... I¡¯d have shattered the mirror the moment we first met.¡± It was a brutally practical reason. Yet, I didn¡¯tugh. Over the past two months, I had observed this child''s steady march toward death. Naturally, pity didn¡¯t sway me. My choice not tough came from a sense of respect¡ªdignity, as I had been taught. ¡°Professor, I¡¯m not afraid of death. It¡¯s the pain that terrifies me...¡± Sophien continued. At that moment, N¨¦sc?us appeared beside her. To me, they always appeared as simple skeletons¡ªgrim reapers holding scythes. ¡°Do not be concerned, Your Majesty.¡± Though it reflected my ownck of fear, I knew that Sophien was nearing death. "Once more, I will be with you next time," I said. "... Good. That puts my mind at ease..." I can''t kill those demons. As long as I''m trapped in this mirror, I can''t reach Sophien or help her in any way. ¡°I hope... I will see you again... too...¡± Sophien whispered as she closed her eyes. N¨¦sc?us reached out its hand toward her, collecting the essence of her regression like a bee gathering nectar. [Second Cycle] Soon after, a system message appeared before my eyes. Crackle¡ª The word "Second" flickered before shifting into a new number... [... Seventh Cycle] At that moment, I had opened my eyes. Keiron''s voice rang out immediately after, ¡°Deculein.¡± I looked at him before scanning the surroundings. It was the Imperial Pce. The two months spent with Sophien had faded like a fleeting dream, and now I found myself back in reality. ¡°Deculein?¡± My mind was overwhelmed with questions. Skipping directly from the second cycle to the seventh made no sense. Without continuity between the cycles, it would be impossible for me to keep my promise. ¡°Deculein. Are you alright?¡± The veins in my temple throbbed, a clear sign of my rising frustration. Anger swelled within me, yet I turned to Keiron and replied, ¡°... I¡¯m fine. How much time has passed?¡± "Not even a day has passed. Have you discovered anything?" I shook my head and responded, ¡°The objective remains unclear.¡± Knock, knock¡ª I knocked on the wooden door leading to the underground. As expected, there was no reply. Keiron asked, ¡°Are you still uncertain of its objective?¡± ¡°... There are demons that exist physically, those that manifest as phenomena, and others that are concepts. N¨¦sc?us is a low-grade demon with a physical form. However¡ª¡± ¡°You mean to say the demon in this underground is a phenomenon?¡± "Yes. It exists both as a phenomenon and a concept." This underground world belonged to Sophien''s past¡ªa realm abandoned when she died in a previous life. The Demon¡¯s Mirror doesn¡¯t simply recreate her past; it preserves the worlds she discarded during her regressions. As such, this underground world isn¡¯t a fabrication, but a genuine piece of reality. Though still a hypothesis, I believed it was likely tied to Sophien¡¯s current memories. ¡°Deculein, I am currently tracking N¨¦sc?us.¡± ¡°That is reassuring.¡± The Keiron standing here and the one tracking N¨¦sc?us shared the same soul but inhabited different bodies¡ªsuch was Keiron¡¯s magical talent. ¡°When it arrives at its destination, notify me,¡± I said, striding through the pce halls. After a while, I nced back at Keiron. ¡°N¨¦sc?us is likely storing Her Majesty¡¯s essence somewhere... Keiron.¡± Keiron silently met my gaze, offering no response. I asked him, ¡°What are you willing to sacrifice for Her Majesty?¡± ¡°Everything.¡± Keiron¡¯s response was firm. *** Sophien opened her eyes, a wave of sadness and gloom settling over her¡ªemotions she had rarely experienced in this life. From somewhere nearby, Keiron¡¯s voice reached her, ¡°Have you awakened, Your Majesty?¡± Sophien nced toward him. Like a metronome, the knight stood as a constant presence, anchoring her to reality. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell?¡± ¡°How do you fare, Your Majesty?¡± ¡°... What became of Deculein¡¯s lecture?¡± Sophien asked, though the question seemed pointless, given that she had fallen asleep halfway through. ¡°The lecture concluded, Your Majesty, but a cat disturbed the barrier on the 80th floor, causing all the notes to be erased.¡± ¡°... I see. And the cat? It wasn¡¯t harmed, was it?¡± ¡°No, Your Majesty, the cat remains unharmed, though several mages became agitated. The Chairwoman intervened, and now order has been restored. And now¡ª¡± N?v(el)B\\jnn ¡°Meow~¡± cried the red-furred munchkin as it leaped onto Keiron¡¯s head. "I see," Sophien said, nodding as she stood up and leaned against the window. Outside, the Imperial Pce garden stretched endlessly before her, brimming with the rich scenery of spring. As she gazed out at the peaceful view, she murmured, ¡°... Keiron.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty?¡± "Back in my childhood..." Sophien continued, her mind carefully piecing together a vague memory, one that seemed to belong to a time already lost. ¡°Please, continue.¡± ¡°... No. It¡¯s nothing.¡± That mncholic past drifted even further away, crumbling into dust, as though the sound of her voice had scattered it to the wind. "Once more, I will be with you next time," he had said. The next time, he didn¡¯te. He broke his promise. But... who was he, again? Sophien thought. ¡°I had the strangest dream,¡± Sophien murmured, lowering herself back onto the edge of the bed. Outside, a gentle breeze drifted through the open window, stirring strands of her hair. A fragrant flower petal grazed her pale cheek. ¡°I see,¡± Keiron replied. Sophien nced at him and asked, ¡°... Keiron, was it you?¡± "More specific details are needed, Your Majesty." ¡°No. Forget it.¡± The Empress returned to the present, burying that unfamiliar memory deep within her. Letting out a long yawn, she shifted back to her usual self and said, ¡°Yawwn... Do I have anything to take care of today?¡± ¡°There is a trial regarding the merchants who received mana stones from the Altar.¡± ¡°Ah, should I personally cut those bastards¡¯ heads off?¡± "I advise against it, Your Majesty. The trial has not yet reached a verdict." "In any case, I should do something before I get drowsy again. Today, I actually feel like I have a bit of energy..." Sophien said, rolling up her sleeves with sudden enthusiasm, only to sag again, like a limp squid. From afar, Deculein observed her quietly. Chapter 113: Bachelor of the Mage Tower (1)

Chapter 113: Bachelor of the Mage Tower (1)

The main office of the Imperial Ministry of Public Safety, which operated under the direct control of the Empress, was known as Equilibrium. For Deputy Director Primien, peaceful days simply didn¡¯t exist. Every day, over a dozen unreported Scarletborns were captured, while Bethan immersed himself in developing blood magic to categorize them. Meanwhile, the Great Elder of the Desert sent nothing but cautionary messages. On an otherwise monotonous day, something sharp and unexpected pierced the dullness. With a look of irritation, as though pricked by a thorn, Primien asked the Intelligence Agency agent, ¡°... Why is this name on the list?¡± "It¡¯s a surveince and observation list authorized by the higher-ups," the agent in a crisp suit responded, maintaining a formal tone. These assholes never change. It¡¯s like they¡¯ve rounded up a bunch of brain-dead morons or beaten the emotions out of them. But this name... this one¡¯s way too important to brush off, Primien thought. Surveince Priority List: Sylvia Von Yossepin Iliade "If Iliade had truly crossed the Empress, you¡¯d be dealing with it yourselves. But passing it off to me like this... Was this a favor for the eunuchs?" Primien asked. The Iliade family wasn¡¯t one the Intelligence Agency could easily touch. The agency did everything in its power to avoid drawing attention to itself, especially when it came to investigating noble families¡ªsomething they would only attempt under a direct order from the Empress. "The Intelligence Agency has been conducting its own investigation and surveince. This isn¡¯t about shifting responsibility but rather a request for cooperation. Should you agree, we¡¯ll provide the necessary documents." Primien tapped the list with her fingers, signaling her approval. The agent promptly handed over the file. Imperial Magic Law, Article 3, Section 3 Vition Suspected: Second-Degree Magical Murder Imperial Magic Law, Article 8, Section 1 Vition Suspected: Invention of a High-Risk Spell Imperial Intelligence Law, Article 1, Section 8 Vition Suspected: Was found to be apanied by Idnik, a former colleague of Rohakan. Summary: ssified as a high-risk individual under close observation. "So, Sylviamitted murder?" Primien asked. "Technically, it was her spell that devoured the person. A simr incident happened on the Floating Ind, but immunity was imed under Bail Rights." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "And?" "Only the incident on the Floating Ind was resolved. The murders within the Empire remain under Imperial jurisdiction, and the investigation is still ongoing¡ª" "Do I look like aplete fucking idiot to you?" Primien interrupted, leaned back in her chair and red at the two agents. "Even if she killed a few people, with talent like that, no one¡¯s going to touch her. Push too hard, and she¡¯ll defect to another nation, which would be a loss for the Empire. She¡¯s exactly the kind of asset you want for your great Empire." In truth, only the Floating Ind, Berhert, or the Empress herself held the authority to punish a mage of Sylvia¡¯s caliber. "So, the real reason she¡¯s under surveince is her ties to Rohakan and Idnik?" Primien asked. "Deputy Director Primien, this matter now falls under your responsibility as well." Primien let out a bitter chuckle that never reached her cold eyes and replied, ¡°Even though it¡¯s my responsibility, dealing with it personally would be inefficient. Only a mage can fully understand another mage. We¡¯ll need advice from one of their own.¡± "Is there someone you have in mind?" At that question, Primien¡¯s thoughts drifted to a certain individual. Whether for persuasion, capture, or interrogation, there was one person best suited for the job. He was also the one Primien herself regarded as the most dangerous. Yet, involving him meant they would need to treat him with the utmost respect, as if they were serving a master. "Deculein." ~ On the 77th floor of the Mage Tower, Primien took in the meticulously cleaned office. She sniffed the air, noting the faint yet surprising scent of soap. Flick¡ª flick¡ª Deculein reviewed the fifty-page cooperation request, his cold expression giving the impression he was merely reading a novel. ¡°It¡¯s not a serious matter. We¡¯ve already put together our own surveince and observation team. We only require a bit of assistance from you,¡± Primien exined calmly as Deculein looked up. Primien continued, ¡°Whether Sylvia hasmitted a crime or is simply associating with the wrong people, we will only be observing." Deculein stayed silent. ¡°We have no intention of imprisoning her. She simply requires guidance before she veers any further off course. Sylvia¡¯s magical talent demands national supervision and close observation.¡± Deculein had picked up his pen, and Primien had watched his hand intently. Without saying a word, he signed the document. ¡°As expected from her former mentor,¡± Primien remarked, her satisfaction evident as her assumption proved correct¡ªDeculein hadn¡¯t refused. ¡°... Deputy Director Primien,¡± Deculein spoke, a crease forming on his brow. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Do not cross the line.¡± ¡°... Yes, Professor,¡± Primien replied, handing over a crystal orb¡ª a direct link to the newly established Sylvia Task Force under the Ministry of Public Safety. ¡°This will be your means ofmunication. Regr meetings will be held, and relevant materials will be provided¡ª¡± ¡°I have one condition,¡± Deculein interjected. "Professor, you¡¯ve already provided your signature." "No way he would change his mind now," Primien thought, reaching for the document Deculein had signed. ¡°One more person needs to be investigated,¡± Deculein said. ¡°Cielia, Sylvia¡¯s mother. I need aplete ount of her life and background.¡± Primien¡¯s hand paused in mid-reach. She nced up at Deculein, noticing the shift in his expression¡ªhis face darkened, casting an unexpected shadow over his sharp features. ¡°Trace every step of her life, and bring me everything.¡± Deculein, head professor of the Mage Tower and the head of the Yukline family, wasn¡¯t he known as a man so cold that he wouldn¡¯t bleed even if pierced? A man who ruthlessly suppressed the Scarletborn? So why, now of all times, does he seem worried about Sylvia? ¡°... Will that information aid inpleting this task?¡± Primien asked. Deculein gave no reply, and Primien, understanding not to push the matter, merely nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, I see." Primien had shown obedience when it was required. ~ ¡°... Rumors are spreading in the Mortal Realm, but whether or not they exist, it is already a fact that the Intelligence Agency is keeping you under surveince,¡± Idnik said, handing the notes from her journal to Sylvia. ¡°You need not be concerned. Both Adrienne and I have undergone this process before.¡± News had reached Sylvia that both the Intelligence Agency and the Ministry of Public Safety were monitoring her, and that Deculein would be joining the task force. She silently opened her eyes. Thendscape around her was that of an ind¡ªvast and solid, with streams flowing between lush trees and the mana of Primary Colors shaping the Nameless Ind. ¡°So, what course of action will you take?¡± Idnik asked. For three days and nights, Sylvia had worked on creating this ind. In that short time, a newnd had formed within the Floating Ind¡¯s orbit. Her eyes, cold and weighed down with emotion, met Idnik¡¯s as she stared at her. ¡°I¡¯m thinking,¡± Sylvia muttered. Her expression, her entire body, was riddled with torment. Yet, she never faltered, seemingly oblivious to the full weight of her own suffering. ¡°... I have an idea.¡± She hadn¡¯t yet lived twenty years, and more than half of them had been steeped in sorrow. A child immersed in pain, her daily existence shaped by suffering. The agony had be her normal. ¡°I¡¯m going to create a spell.¡± She had be so used to pain that she no longer recognized it for what it was. She simply embraced the new darkness creeping in, as though it had always been a part of her. ¡°A spell to observe him.¡± Idnik¡¯s gaze shifted to Swifty and replied, ¡°There¡¯s an escort knight by Deculein¡¯s side. A formidable one. Swifty is a well-made creation, but¡ª¡± ¡°I know,¡± Sylvia interjected as a sudden gust of wind swirled up from her feet. ¡°I¡¯ll bind the spell to the wind.¡± ¡°... To the wind?¡± ¡°The wind will serve as my ears. Deculein won¡¯t be able to escape it, and he won¡¯t even realize he¡¯s being watched.¡± The sky had been thick with rolling clouds. A full moon,rger than usual, cast its light down onto Sylvia, bathing her in a soft glow. ¡°I will even track down the monster my unconscious created,¡± Sylvia concluded. At that moment, Idnik realized she had underestimated Sylvia. The spark that was Deculein within her heart had grown beyond a mere flicker. It wasn¡¯t just a small me anymore¡ªit was turning into an unstoppable wildfire, consuming everything in its path... *** Late at night, the assistant researchb was surrounded by thick darkness, though the lights inside illuminated the space brightly. Epherene, Drent, and even Allen had been deeply absorbed in their studies. Drent muttered as he scratched his temple with his pen, ¡°So, if I get this theory right, I can apply this Characteristic to my magic too?¡± Epherene nodded and said, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s what it looks like.¡± ¡°... You¡¯ve already figured it out?¡± Drent said, casting an envious nce at Epherene¡¯s notes. Epherene smiled and shook her head, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t be jealous. Are you nning to steal my notes again?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not jealousy at all...¡± ¡°If you just ask, I¡¯ll share. Do you really think I¡¯m that stingy?¡± ¡°... Well, um, could I borrow your notester?¡± Drent mumbled, awkwardly rubbing his shoulder. ¡°Buy me a coffee, and you¡¯ve got a deal. Actually, I¡¯ll go get it myself¡ªI need some fresh air.¡± ¡°Oh? Oh, sure. Here you go,¡± Drent said, pulling a one hundred elne bill from his wallet. Epherene epted the bill with a wry smile. ¡°Since when did coffee start costing a hundred elne for four cups? Anyway, I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± ¡°Ah, yeah. Go ahead, I¡¯ll see you in a bit~¡± ¡°See you in a bit, Miss Epherene~¡± Allen said. Epherene left theb, descended to the lobby via the elevator, and stepped out of the Mage Tower. As Epherene neared a 24-hour caf¨¦ named Blind, she stopped in her tracks. Through the ss, she spotted two familiar figures inside the otherwise empty caf¨¦. Soft jazz yed in the background, and across from each other sat Deculein and Adrienne. Instinctively, Epherene had drawn upon her magic, channeling the element of wind into her eyes and ears. The spell, Whirlwind Sense, heightened her senses to an extreme degree, sharpening both her vision and hearing. ¡°... When are you finally going to publish that research?! It¡¯s been three¡ªno, almost four years now! The hearing¡¯sing up soon!¡± Adrienne¡¯s voice rang through the caf¨¦, brimming with energy. Deculein took a slow sip of his coffee before replying, ¡°In due time.¡± ¡°The Invention of Pure Elements and the Four-Categories Magic Founded Upon It! It sounds incredible!¡± Invention of Pure Elements? Epherene thought, her eyes widening as the words echoed in her mind, capturing her full attention. "Yes. It is almost finished." ¡°Hmm~ That¡¯s good to hear. But, tell me¡ªdid you really write it yourself?! You didn¡¯t steal it from someone else, did you?!¡± At that moment, Epherene bit her lip and thought, Could this be the research my father wrote about in his letter? ¡°Oh, by the way! My term as Chairwoman is nearly up! Either this winter or next spring!¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°There will be another candidate for the position! But of course, Professor Deculein, you¡¯re still the strongest contender to rece me!¡± Her term was nearing its end, signaling that Adrienne''s ascension to Archmage was imminent. ¡°But I don¡¯t mean anything by it! But having only one candidate would make the Mage Tower look weak! It¡¯s the greatest on the continent, after all!¡± Adrienne continued. ¡°And who would that be?¡± ¡°You know him! Monarch Ihelm from the Rewind family! He¡¯s an Imperial mage and the leader of the Dukan School, with an impressive background. He¡¯d make a worthy rival! But since he¡¯s your old friend, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll step aside. So no need to worry!¡± At that exact moment... ¡°What is it that you¡¯re staring at?¡± Epherene jolted as if struck by lightning and quickly turned to face the source of the voice. ¡°Oh, were you observing Deculein?¡± The man speaking was none other than Monarch Ihelm, the very subject of their recent conversation. ¡°You startled me...¡± Epherene said. ¡°There was no need for that,¡± Ihelm replied. His bright blond hair was still damp, and his crimson eyes gleamed with azy glint. Ihelm von Gerian Rewind¡ªa name well-known even to Epherene, familiar from publications like the Wizard¡¯s Journal. ¡°H-huh? D-do you know me?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Ihelm said, leaning in as he examined the mana flickering in Epherene¡¯s eyes. ¡°You weren¡¯t merely watching; you were listening in. Like father, like daughter.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± Epherene said, gritting her teeth. Ihelm shook his head and said, ¡°Take it easy. It was apliment.¡± ¡°... Apliment should be pleasant to hear.¡± Ihelm looked down at her, and she held his gaze, refusing to waver. His sharp, crimson eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity. The way these tall, overbearing men always seemed to tower over her had started to wear on her nerves. He looked down at her and said, ¡°Luna¡¯s daughter. What did your father tell you? Or more to the point, are you following Deculein to kill him, or to serve him?¡± ¡°... I¡¯d advise you to stop mentioning my father while I¡¯m still holding my patience.¡± ¡°Is that so? Well, let me tell you this. The research Deculein is about to publish? It was originally your father¡¯s,¡± Ihelm said, brushing past her, his white cloak billowing behind him as he delivered the bombshell. ¡°What the hell is with that blond idiot...!¡± Epherene muttered, stomping the pavement in frustration. Almost reflexively, she nced back through the caf¨¦ window. ¡°... Oh.¡± Deculein and the Chairwoman were already staring at her. Deculein wore his usual, unreadable expression, while Adrienne¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief, her smile yful and sly. *** Under the fragmented moonlight scattering across the street, Epherene walked uphill toward the Mage Tower after leaving the caf¨¦. Tap, tap, tap¡ª ¡°... I wonder if he¡¯s even curious about what we talked about,¡± Epherene muttered as she walked beside Deculein, pretending to speak to herself. He didn¡¯t respond. Keeping up with his long strides had always been a struggle for her. If she lost focus for even a second, he would quickly pull far ahead. ¡°He said that the research you¡¯re working on originally belonged to my father,¡± Epherene said, still struggling to keep pace behind him. Deculein neither responded nor slowed his pace. Annoyed, Epherene puffed out her cheeks and muttered, ¡°Is he really not going to say anything?¡± "Your fathercked the talent toplete that research by himself," Deculein said atst. ¡°Wh-what?!¡° Epherene eximed, anger rising at his remark. She hurried forward, taking four quick strides to match his two. ¡°And you, Professor? Can you finish it all by yourself?¡± ¡°The research will be published next month. You¡¯ll see the results for yourself then.¡± Heat flushed through her body, warming her back as her breath grew heavier. But she held firm¡ªshe couldn¡¯t allow her anger to take control. ¡°Is that so? Then I¡¯ll report you for theft. You won¡¯t be able to be the Chairman after that, will you?¡± Epherene said with a sly smile. Deculein continued walking without so much as a nce in her direction. Epherene trailed him determinedly, refusing to give up as she said, ¡°I mean it. I''m going to report you.¡± ¡°And who do you think would believe your words?¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t they? How about that guy we just met? Ihelm, or whatever his name was.¡± Ihelm knows Deculein¡¯s ws, and he¡¯s aware of my father. Sure, he¡¯s not exactly pleasant¡ªkind of a pain¡ªbut if Deculein keeps ignoring me like this, I might have to settle for the lesser of two evils, Epherene thought. Epherene pressed on, ¡°I don¡¯t want to take his side either, but¡ª¡± Deculein halted abruptly. For the first time in a long while, he turned to face her and said, ¡°Epherene, follow your heart''s will.¡± That was it. Without another word, he resumed walking, his long, deliberate strides carrying him forward. Epherene stood there, speechless, staring nkly at his disappearing figure. ¡°Professor!¡± She was just about to shout, demanding why he had even chosen to sponsor her, when a voice from nearby interrupted her. ¡°Why should I trust you? We¡¯ve only just met today.¡± Epherene spun around at the voice. In the shrubs along the uphill path stood Ihelm and Adrienne. Epherene pouted and said, ¡°Believe it or not, I don¡¯t care.¡± ¡°Hmm~ But isn¡¯t it fascinating? Ihelm and Deculein¡ªweren¡¯t you two super close at one point?¡± Adrienne said with a yful smile. Ihelm shrugged, gesturing toward Epherene and said, ¡°Do humans ever stay the same? Only a monster remains unchanged. ... You, Luna¡¯s daughter. What¡¯s your name?¡± Epherene replied stiffly, ¡°... Epherene.¡± ¡°Leaf?¡± ¡°Epherene.¡± ¡°Alright. Make sure you pick a side, Leaf.¡± ¡°Epherene!¡± Ihelm leaned casually against a tree, idly picking at his ear, and said, ¡°If you stay on the fence, nothing will change. You won¡¯t get anywhere. You¡¯ll end up just like me.¡± ¡°What exactly couldn¡¯t you aplish?¡± "Do you know why I¡¯m here? I¡¯m fully aware I have no real chance at bing Chairman, and that I¡¯m only here for appearances." "... Then why are you here?" ¡°I came to fight.¡± Epherene narrowed her eyes in confusion. Ihelm chuckled, a bitter sound like a sigh, and said, ¡°I refuse to be cast aside like an idiot without even making an effort. Standing by and being pushed out without a fight¡ªit''s pathetic.¡± His self-deprecating voice continued, ¡°The longer I remain idle, the higher that bastard climbs. I thought he''d stumble eventually, but no¡ªhe keeps rising, without the slightest sign of faltering.¡± Epherene stayed silent. To some degree, she understood his frustration. ¡°I¡¯m prepared to die in a fight.¡± She had sworn to catch up to Deculein, but his strides had always been longer than hers. Each day, he drew further away, like a mountain forever out of reach. ¡°If you hold a grudge, deal with it the right way. Stand idle for too long, and you¡¯ll end up like me¡ªa shell of a man,¡± Ihelm concluded, his lips curling into a smirk before he turned and walked away. Adrienne leaned in toward Epherene and whispered with a yful grin, ¡°... You know, Ihelm and Deculein used to be close. But during the faction wars, he got pushed aside¡ªlost his research, his achievements, everything. Oh, and he had a thing for Knight Yulie too. Not sure if that¡¯s still the case, though.¡± Epherene frowned and asked, ¡°Then why did you choose him as a candidate?¡± Adrienne threw her arms wide, shing a bright grin as she said, ¡°Because it¡¯s fun!¡± "... You do realize you''re about to be an Archmage, right?" ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m doing this~¡± Adrienne said with an unexpectedly bittersweet smile. ¡°Once I be an Archmage, I¡¯ll have to leave the continent¡± ¡°... Why?¡± "An Archmage can''t be tied to just one country! Sure, I can visit the Empire or the Mage Tower, but if I stay too long, I''ll draw too much attention!" Whoooosh¡ª A warm summer breeze drifted through the trees. Rustle, rustle¡ª The leaves gently swayed in the breeze. Epherene gazed up at the distant moon and asked, ¡°... Why not just refuse to be an Archmage?¡± In that moment, a vision of the future flickered in her mind¡ªone where she stood as a far stronger and more powerful mage. But strangely, that future version of herself looked sorrowful. ¡°I can¡¯t just abandon my responsibilities,¡± Adrienne said. Epherene turned to look at her again. Adrienne was short, making her far easier to face than Deculein. ¡°You should take responsibility for your talents too, Miss Epherene. Hahaha!¡± Adrienne said with a cheerfulugh as she spun around. Epherene watched as Adrienne walked away, her small figure disappearing lightly into the night. *** The next morning, in the Head Professor¡¯s office, Epherene was called by Deculein. She felt more than a little nervous¡ªextremely so. She had rushed over the moment she woke up, still unsettled by what she had done the night before. Gulp¡ª Epherene stood before Deculein, her heart racing as she watched him seated in his office chair. "Take this," Deculeinmanded. Thud¡ª! A thick stack of documents, nearly a hundred pages, dropped onto his desk with a heavy thud. "This is the research I spoke of earlier," Deculein said. "As you can see, it contains part of your father¡¯s idea." ¡°... Ah! A-and?¡± "If you canprehend this and master itpletely by the time the hearing in October takes ce, I will withhold the paper and return it to you." Epherene¡¯s eyes grew wide in surprise. Deculein, with an indifferent tone, asked, ¡°Do you ept the challenge?¡± "Ah, well!" There was no need for further thought. Her father had always intended for her to carry on his research. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Epherene hurried forward and shoved the stack of papers into her bag. "Y-yeees¡ª! This is just what I wanted¡ª!" "Leave." "Yes, sir!" Epherene eximed as she opened the office door, only to find someone waiting outside. Golden blond hair and red eyes¡ªit was Ihelm, the man she had met yesterday. Raising an eyebrow, he remarked, "Ah, it seems Leaf arrived first." "It¡¯s Epherene!" she snapped, giving his shoulder a shove before storming off, her footsteps heavy and loud. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into her...¡± Ihelm muttered, watching her leave with a hint of disbelief before turning his gaze back to the office. Inside, Deculein sat, as poised and aristocratic as ever, revealing no trace of weakness. "... Professor Deculein," Ihelm said, "shall we engage in a mock cross-examination between the two Chairman candidates?" Chapter 114: Bachelor of the Mage Tower (2)

Chapter 114: Bachelor of the Mage Tower (2)

Ihelm¡¯s appearance had changed noticeably since Ist saw him in Berhert. He was thinner now, his face pale and hollowed. "Have you been cutting back?" I asked. ¡°... They say it¡¯s hard to stomach someone else¡¯s sess. Watching you thrive makes life miserable. The world feels stifling, like I¡¯m choking on every breath.¡± Ihelm sneered, his smile twisted with bitterness. I observed the magical energy flickering around him with my Sharp Eyesight and said, ¡°You¡¯ve made progress, despite it all.¡± ¡°... Don¡¯t assume you understand me. What could you possibly know?¡± The Ihelm I once knew had never been a particrly outstanding named mage. Sure, his raw talent surpassed Deculein¡¯s, butpared to other powerful named figures, he had always fallen short. Yet now, the purity of his mana was beyond anything I had anticipated. ¡°Hmph. How curious. I once lived off whiskey, brandy, vodka, tequ¡ªwhatever I could find from the archipgo. Yet somehow, my magical insight is sharper than ever,¡± Ihelm continued, tilting his head slightly, his red eyes fixed on me. ¡°Is this your handiwork as well, Deculein, esteemed Head Professor?¡± "Naturally. It appears I possess a talent for awakening the magical potential in others." ¡°... Ha,¡± Ihelm said, letting out a dryugh, but his face quickly twisted in fury. "Deculein, I still can¡¯t figure out what¡¯s going on in that twisted mind of yours. What exactly are you intending to do with Luna¡¯s daughter?" I remained silent. "You didn¡¯t expel her from the Mage Tower. Instead, you epted her as an assistant when you had every opportunity to dismiss her." I settled back into my chair in silence. Ihelm, however, leaned forward, encroaching on my space as he continued, ¡°I¡¯ve given it much thought. If you were anything like De, I might have understood your reasons for keeping her. But you are nothing like him.¡± Just then, a voice rang in my mind, like a warning bell¡ªIdnik¡¯s voice. "... I just assumed you might have killed her by now. Because De was the one who discovered her first." "Ha¡ª!" Ihelm scoffed. "What¡¯s the matter? Have you started to feel pity for her?" I paid him no mind, allowing his words to drift past me. My thoughts shifted back to De and the words he had left behind in his diary. "... I am the artificial intelligence created by Master De, tasked with evaluating the most suitable sessor for the family." De, the former head of the Yukline family, had not been satisfied with either Yeriel or Deculein. In his eyes, both had failed. If that were true, perhaps De had been searching for a new heir¡ªsomeone other than Deculein or Yeriel, someone capable of carrying on the Yukline name in all its glory. Epherene may have been that candidate. ¡°Have you developed pity for Luna¡¯s daughter? After all this time, did you finally begin to feel sorry for her? Watching that miserable girl day after day¡ªdid it make you want to y her father? Or perhaps,¡± Ihelm sneered, ¡°you¡¯ve been looking at her with other intentions, maybe even her body?¡± I shot a nce at Ihelm, briefly entertaining the thought of crushing his face on the spot. ¡°... Hmph. It doesn¡¯t matter what happens¡ªthe announcement of the new Chairman will likelye this week,¡± Ihelm said, his tone taking on a sharp edge. ¡°At the formal hearing, I intend to reveal everything¡ªour past, Luna¡¯s daughter, and all the dealings between the Yukline family and Luna. I will expose it all.¡± Ihelm continued to ramble, mentioning things I wasn¡¯t even aware of. With a smirk, he added, ¡°Let¡¯s fall together, Deculein.¡± He began to rise from his seat, but I activated Telekinesis. His hand, gripping the iron handle of the chair, was forcibly pressed back down. ¡°Let go,¡± Ihelm demanded, struggling against the force, but my Telekinesis was beyond the strength of an ordinary mage like him. tter¡ª Crash¡ª! Ihelm thrashed about, rattling his chair before finally sinking back into it. ¡°If you continue like this, Ihelm, you won¡¯t live to see the hearing,¡± I warned. ¡°Pfft. Is that so?¡± Ihelm responded with a mocking smirk. ¡°You may not realize it, but I¡¯ve been dead ever since the day you took everything from me.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll see to it that you die once more.¡± ¡°Go ahead, try,¡± Ihelm said as he stood. Watching him stumble toward the door, still bound to the chair, amused me, so I released my Telekinesis. He shoved the chair aside, rubbing his wrist as he exited. Bang¡ª! The door mmed shut, and silence settled over the office. Left alone, I began sorting through the thoughts swirling in my mind¡ªEpherene, Luna, Yukline, De, Ihelm. Their tangled pasts, like webs, stretched out in all directions. As I reflected on these connections, I turned toward the window. My unfamiliar reflection stared back at me from the darkened ss. I noticed that I was frowning, an umon disy of anger. ¡°The reason I took Epherene in,¡± I murmured, revisiting Ihelm¡¯s question. The answer was clear, requiring no second thought. ... Now or in the distant future, she will always be my prot¨¦g¨¦. *** Thud¡ª! Back in the assistant¡¯s researchb, Epherene set the stack of documents down on her desk. A hundred pages¡ªnothing too difficult. With calm resolve, she rolled up her sleeves and got ready to begin. Ding¡ª! The rm on her Wizard Board chimed. Startled, Epherene immediately turned her gaze to the screen. A quiet exmation escaped her lips. The post titled ¡°Seeking Information on the Mage Tower¡¯s History from 10 to 15 Years Ago¡± had been deleted. Reason: Time limit exceeded. Epherene had been investigating the history of Deculein and her father during their years together at the Mage Tower, 10 to 15 years ago. She had even offered a reward for anyone who could provide the information. ¡°One hundred elne might have been too little,¡± Epherene muttered. Given that even basic lecture notes sold for over five hundred elne, one hundred was clearly insufficient. With trembling hands, she adjusted the price and rewrote the post. Seeking information on the history of the Mage Tower from 10 to 15 years ago. Reward avable. : If you have knowledge or can connect me with someone who does, I will pay six hundred elne. ¡°Six hundred elne should do,¡± Epherene muttered. With that, she shifted her focus back to her studies. ¡°Now... let¡¯s see.¡± She opened the first page. The introduction detailed the significance of inventing a new Pure Element and explored the potential for developing a new series of element magic based on the four-categories. After skimming through, she turned to the next page. ¡°Huh?¡± The content didn¡¯t flow. The first and second pages felt disconnected. From the second page onward,plex spells appeared abruptly, as if sections of the text had been omitted. "Did the professor mix up the order?" Epherene thought, absentmindedly brushing her fingers over the first page. As she did, the page flipped on its own. "... Ah." It was only then that she realized these weren¡¯t ordinary sheets of paper¡ªthey were cutting-edge magical paper. Each page held the equivalent of 300 pages of content. In other words, with 100 sheets, she now had... ¡°... 30,000 pages.¡± She had roughly a month toplete her task, but there were 30,000 pages of material to sift through. ¡°Oh no...¡± Epherene muttered as a sudden tension gripped the back of her neck. It was as if a hammer had struck her forehead, sending sharp pain through her skull. The world around her grew distant and overwhelming. *** Meanwhile, deep within the underground chambers of the Intelligence Agency... "... Hmm." The room was packed with millions of sheets of paper, documents, taxidermied and preserved strange creatures, and illegal grimoires written by the Ashes. The Intelligence Agency''s Record and Evidence Storage Room, known as the Purple Room for its violet wallpaper, housed countless artifacts. In the center, Primien sifted through information rted to Cielia. ¡°Fuck.¡± Investigating someone¡¯s life had always been tedious, especially when it was impossible to trace an individual''s exact path through their own ount. ¡°Ah, fuck, this isn¡¯t it either.¡± N?v(el)B\\jnn A human life was shaped by the people around them. Humanity was defined through interactions and connections with others. Without these rtionships, without the presence of others, one could no longer be truly considered human. ¡°Fucking hell.¡± For this reason, Primien examined everyone connected to Cielia. Piecing together someone¡¯s timeline was tedious work, a task she hadn¡¯t dealt with since her early days at the agency. ¡°This is all because of that damn professor,¡± Primien muttered to herself. As she sifted through the evidence pile, she came across a piece of burnt letter. ¡°And what is this letter?¡± Though mumbled to herself, her question was answered by an agent in the uniform of the Intelligence Agency, who exined, ¡°Ah, that? It¡¯s officially called a Letter of Fortune, a type of chain letter.¡± Primien nced down and began reading its contents. Anyone who read this letter would be cursed within three days. The curse could only be broken by passing the exact contents of the letter to at least three other people. If it was shared with more than five, the following day would bring great fortune... ¡°Fucking ridiculous.¡± The agent responded, ¡°The people who received that letter truly died from the curse. It ended up killing hundreds.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Primien muttered, swiftly tossing the letter aside and brushing off her hands, as if to rid herself of the bad luck. ¡°That case was quietly buried by the Magical Realm. It happened over ten years ago, so you likely wouldn¡¯t have heard of it, Deputy Director.¡± ¡°... Magic really is strange... andpletely absurd.¡± ¡°That letter isn¡¯t magic. It is a demon.¡± ¡°Demon? This scrap of paper?¡± ¡°Yes. There are demons that exist physically, others that manifest as phenomena, and some that are concepts. This letter belongs to the type that manifests as a phenomenon.¡± Primien nodded at the agent¡¯s exnation and said, ¡°Hmm. I see you¡¯ve learned well, having worked under that asshole¡ªwell, the professor.¡± ¡°Yes, ites naturally. The books in the professor¡¯s study are all like that.¡± Primien cast a nce at the agent beside her, who was sifting through the contents of the Purple Room. ¡°There are also hospital records for Cielia and Sylvia here. It seems they visited quite frequently in the past,¡± the agent continued. The Purple Room was a space where neither surveince nor eavesdropping could ur. A crystal orb hung from the ceiling, but it recorded video only, with no audio. The room was ideal for secret meetings. ¡°358 people died from that letter ten years ago... and the one who put an end to it was De, the former head of the Yukline family,¡± Primien muttered as she scanned the records on the Letter of Fortune. "Quite the death toll." ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°If Cielia is tied to this case, I¡¯ll need to investigate all 358 of those victims.¡± ¡°That is likely the case.¡± ¡°Fucking hell. I¡¯m not a junior anymore,¡± Primien muttered tly. The agent beside her stifled augh at her frustration. ¡°And as if things weren¡¯t bad enough, we¡¯re in a bear market, and now I¡¯m stuck with grunt work. I knew recruiting that professor was a mistake. Maybe I should just wish for the world to end tomorrow.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry~ Even so, Professor Deculein will handle Sylvia without any trouble.¡± Primien shot a cold nce at the agent in disguise, her gaze icy as she said, ¡°... You seem to admire someone who¡¯smitted mass murder against your own people.¡± ¡°It hasn¡¯te to that yet. Besides, I¡¯m here to make sure it never does,¡± Allen¡ªno, Ellie¡ªreplied calmly. Primien clicked her tongue as her thoughts drifted to a memory from not too long ago. ¡°Ellie.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± It happened when Bethan had rmended the Rotaili soup at the Hadecaine restaurant. She had declined it, simply because she didn¡¯t care for mushrooms, and Deculein had made a remark to her afterward. "Primien, do you know something?" ¡°What do you mean?¡± "We previously met in Berhert, didn¡¯t we? We dined together at a restaurant there." ¡°We¡¯ve met in Berhert before,¡± Primien said, her eyes on Ellie. Ellie nodded and replied, ¡°Yes. You were in Berhert for vacation, and we dined with Professor Deculein at a restaurant.¡± Ellie¡¯s memory had always been reliable, particrly when it came to anything involving space. It was as if she embodied it. ¡°Do you remember what was on the menu that day?¡± Primien asked, her tone casual, as if it didn¡¯t matter. ¡°It was a beef steak served with matsutake mushrooms,¡± Ellie replied. "The dish that day was steak with mushrooms." For a brief moment, Ellie¡¯s and Deculein¡¯s voices seemed to ovep. Primien¡¯s hand, which had been busy sorting through the documents, suddenly froze. ¡°... Was it?¡± Deculein¡¯s parting words from that evening echoed in her mind. ¡°I¡¯m only joking. As if I could remember... what we ate all those years ago.¡± Primien packed all the records rted to Cielia into a box. Thud! Thud! Thud! She shoved everything potentially useful inside and said, ¡°Ellie, you can¡¯t stay by the professor¡¯s side forever. The longer you stay, the higher the chance the Altar will catch up to you.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m well aware. Do you think I don¡¯t know? After all, I¡¯m a triple agent.¡± ¡°If you know, then leave already.¡± ¡°I will! Goodbye, Lilia Primien!¡± Allen said with a grin, pulling his hat down low. With a confident stride, he opened the main door to the Purple Room and walked out. ¡°... There¡¯s no need to harbor unnecessary feelings toward the target,¡± Primien muttered quietly as she set the box down and sank into a chair. ¡°Damn stock market...¡± Her temples throbbed with sharp, piercing pain. Thoughts of the plummeting stock market shed through her mind, apanied by the echo of Deculein¡¯s voice in her ears. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware you had an aversion to mushrooms.¡± Primien stood motionless, lost in thought as she recalled his words. "The dish that day was steak with mushrooms." She quietly recalled his next words again. ¡°I¡¯m only joking. As if I could remember... what we ate all those years ago.¡± Expressionless, she kicked the box at her feet and muttered, ¡°Fucking mushrooms.¡± *** Today, I visited Sophien in my role as her Instructor Mage, though the setting was different from the usual. Instead of the Hall of Learning, we met in the gardens of the Imperial Pce. ¡°Deculein, over here,¡± Sophien called out. In the northeastern garden, thendscape was locked in eternal winter. Bare trees clustered together like thorns, while an endless nket of snow stretched across the ground. In the distance, Sophien stood beside a solitary log cabin. ¡°Over here, this way.¡± The Empress, dressed in a fur coat and hat, waved with her usual grace. Today, her face appeared a little better. I made my way toward her. Crunch, crunch¡ª The crunch of my boots against the snow echoed in rhythm with my thoughts as I reflected on the gap between the second and seventh cycles, and the promises I had failed to keep with her. ¡°Come in.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good to see you, Your Majesty. You appear to be well today,¡± I replied. ¡°I am,¡± Sophien replied with a faint smile. ¡°But today, I havepany¡ªsomeone you know well.¡± With a snap of her fingers, Yulie stepped out of the cabin. Even though she had apanied me to the Imperial Pce earlier, she had somehow made it to the garden before I did. "Recently, I¡¯ve felt drowsy, sluggish, and far toozy to focus on my lessons. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve decided to train in both swordsmanship and magic simultaneously." "...I apologize for not informing you in advance. I was caught up in this on my way back as well," Yulie said, no longer acting as the escort knight but now the Instructor Knight, standing there with a somewhat stiff expression. Though I found it somewhat irritating, I nodded in acknowledgment. Yulie was the first to speak, saying, "Your Majesty, shall we begin with sword practice?" "No. Sit down first," Sophien said, motioning to a small tea table near the cabin. Both the table and chairs were made of wood. She set the teacups on the table. "Lately, my ennui and lethargy have been unbearable... I¡¯m starting to think the cause isn¡¯t within me but something outside." As she spoke, she nced at Keiron, who stood silently beside the cabin. "That knight Keiron never says a word... Deculein, any thoughts? I have a feeling you might." Sophien took a mirror from her pocket and set it on the table. I remained silent, aware that denying it would have been a lie. "Speak, Deculein. What do you know?" Sophien demanded, her brow knitting slightly as her sharp gaze locked onto me. I met her sharp stare while Yulie, caught between us, watched nervously. Then, without warning, Yulie¡¯s eyes widened, and her body jerked. Clink¡ª! A teacup tipped over, spilling onto the snow-covered ground. "...Professor? Your Majesty?" Yulie said, blinking in confusion as her eyes shifted between Sophien and me. Her reaction was sudden and odd, but I had a sense of what might have caused it. "Yulie," I called out to her. ¡°... Yes?¡± "What did you witness just now?" She blinked again, ncing around in clear confusion as her hair began to lift slightly and static crackled in the air, and said, ¡°Oh, I think... I must have dozed off. Thankfully, it was only a dream¡ª¡± Her worried eyes met mine, and I cut her off firmly, saying, ¡°No, Yulie. You weren¡¯t dreaming. You didn¡¯t sleep for even a moment.¡± Sophien, now intrigued, watched us closely as she picked up the fallen teacup and took a sip. "Tell me, Yulie. What did you witness? What happened before you came back here? Or rather, what kind of dream was it?" "Ah... it was..." Yulie said, swallowing hard as she gripped the armor on her thigh tightly. "It was a dream of your death, Professor." Sophien¡¯s smile widened at Yulie¡¯s response. Meanwhile, Yulie rested her hand on her chest, feeling the steady beat of her heart, as if trying to confirm that this was real. "I¡¯m so relieved..." Yulie¡¯s sigh of relief was reassuring, but I shook my head and said, ¡°No. It¡¯s not something to be relieved about. That wasn¡¯t a dream.¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± At that moment, Yulie had returned from the future¡ªa future where I had died, and where she had in N¨¦sc?us. ¡°If you don¡¯t exin everything, I¡¯ll meet the same fate again.¡± Chapter 115: Bachelor of the Mage Tower (3)

Chapter 115: Bachelor of the Mage Tower (3)

In the lost flow of time, within a faint and shadowy space, a metallic gleam flickered in the darkness. ¡°Professor!¡± Yulie said, running toward Deculein, her body covered in wounds, but she didn¡¯t hesitate for a second. He leaned against the wall, standing firm as always, refusing to copse or lie down. "Your wounds are severe!" Blood surged from his wounds. Yulie¡¯s instincts as a knight kicked in. She moved quickly, assessing his injuries and controlling the bleeding, applying the first aid she had mastered over twenty years of training. ¡°You¡¯re remarkablyposed, Yulie,¡± Deculein said. ¡°Don¡¯t try to speak,¡± Yulie said, her heart pounding in her chest, though there was no time for emotion. She carefully inspected his wounds and prepared to use her mana to heal him. At that moment... Grip¡ª! Deculein grasped her hand firmly. Yulie looked up at him in confusion. He gave a faint smile and said, ¡°... It¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°No! You are certainly not fine!¡± ¡°If I¡¯m not fine...¡± Deculein said, cing his hand on her cheek, making her flinch. ¡°... Then, am I dying slowly?¡± Yulie examined his injuries closely. His abdomen, pelvis, and other vital areas had all been pierced. She clenched her teeth and said, ¡°... You are dying.¡± The tremble in her voice stirred Deculein¡¯s distant memory, pulling him back to when he had been Kim Woo-Jin. Long ago, he had seen her on a screen as she delivered the final blow. As hey dying, hisst words came out in a faint whisper, cursing her under his breath, ¡°Damn you...¡± ¡°Even Iron Man dies, it seems... Yulie, I have witnessed my own death before.¡± ¡°Stop, please stop talking!¡± Yulie said, desperate to silence him. The more he spoke, the more blood flowed from his wounds, yet Deculein persisted, saying, ¡°How strange... That future should have benefited you most of all.¡± ¡°Professor, please...¡± ¡°I know, Yulie. This must not be the end.¡± If he died here, Yulie would never reim her true self. Deculein¡¯s death, if it were to happen, had toe by her own hand. ¡°For your sake, and for mine,¡± he continued, cing a hand on her shoulder and speaking with unwavering rity. ¡°If you ovee the one you fear most, we will meet again.¡± ¡°... Professor.¡± "Remember. If you ovee the one you fear most, we will surely meet again." ¡°What do you mean by¡ª¡± Deculein¡¯s words stopped. He closed his eyes and drifted into silence. ¡°Professor! Professor¡ª!¡± He had never once wavered or faltered, but in a single moment, he was gone. *** Having returned to the present, Yulie nced between Sophien and Deculein. ¡°Yulie. Unless you¡¯vepletely lost your mind,¡± Sophien said, crossing her arms and tapping her fingers against her upper arm, ¡°are you telling me you¡¯ve regressed?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. It was exactly one week from today,¡± Yulie replied, nodding firmly. Her ability to assess, process, and understand the situation had been remarkably swift. Perhaps the memories were too vivid to be dismissed as merely a dream. ¡°How interesting. Now, tell me what led to Deculein¡¯s death.¡± ¡°There were reports of a demon appearing in the underground chamber of the Imperial Pce,¡± Yulie said, turning her head briefly to cough. ¡°Cough, cough¡ª! So, the professor and I went to the pce together...¡± Blood had seeped from the corner of her mouth. She wiped it away, acting as if nothing had happened, and continued speaking. ¡°Professor professor tasked me with guarding the entrance to the underground chamber. You entered alone¡ª¡± ¡°And I met my death inside?¡± I cut in. ¡°... Yes,¡± Yulie said, her voice trembling as if each word carried unbearable weight. Sweat had already begun to bead on her forehead. ¡°Also...¡± Suddenly, Yulie groaned, her mind clouded, and she briefly shook her head as if trying to clear it. She gripped the edge of the desk, her voice strained. "At the time, Your Majesty... you were asleep. The vassals tried, but they could not rouse you." ¡°... Is that so?¡± Sophien replied, her brow furrowing as she listened closely to Yulie¡¯s words. I stood in silence, reflecting on her words. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Cough¡ª!¡± Yulie replied as her body was wracked by another violent cough, this time sending blood spilling from her lips. The crimson stter stained the snow beneath her, and with a heavy thud, she copsed. She had lost consciousness. I knelt beside her and lifted her into my arms. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Sophien demanded, her voice sharp. I felt the intense heat radiating from Yulie¡¯s body, closed my eyes, and applied Comprehension to fully grasp the extent of her injuries. ¡°... Her injuries are severe. These are the aftereffects of the regression. Yulie is dying slowly,¡± I exined. Regression was the process of returning from the future to the past. As a result, it caused a massive surge of mana throughout the body, usually once, though sometimes more. If the body was strong, its circuits would adapt quickly; however, Yulie¡¯s body and mana circuits weren¡¯t built that way¡ªpartly due to the curse clinging to her heart. She had endured an entire week after regressing, paying the price to save my future self. ¡°Deculein, you look strange right now,¡± Sophien remarked with a small, amusedugh. ¡°It¡¯s a face I¡¯ve never seen before. Do you truly love her that deeply?¡± I checked Yulie¡¯s pulse and felt for any sign of awareness. She was barely clinging to consciousness. ¡°... No.¡± Therefore, my words would linger in her fading memory. ¡°I¡¯ve never loved her that much. She¡¯s just someone I¡¯d prefer to keep around. Buttely, her constant illnesses have been nothing but trouble.¡± Sophien¡¯s lips had twisted into a cynical smirk as she watched me. Soon, the imperial physicians arrived. They carried Yulie away on a stretcher, and I stood there, watching her fade into the distance. Sophien spoke again, ¡°Deculein.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°I quickly master everything¡ªtruly everything. When we first met, reading your emotions was difficult, but even that has be easy now.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°But Deculein, you¡¯re lying to me,¡± Sophien said sternly. I didn¡¯t deny it. ¡°I¡¯m deeply disappointed. Right now, I¡¯d love nothing more than to cut off your head.¡± ¡°... I apologize, Your Majesty. However, I doubt I love Yulie as much as you expect.¡± Just as I hadpleted Yulie, she hadpleted me. It was a story I could never hope to change. ¡°In truth, I love her far more than you realize.¡± It wasn¡¯t that I couldn¡¯t act on this feeling¡ªit was that I refused to. The stubbornness that defined Deculein had always wanted Yulie. ¡°... Hmph. Whatever,¡± Sophien scoffed, seeming to grasp my true meaning. But then, she suddenly slumped against the desk. ¡°Ah... I¡¯m so tired... and drowsy again. I was going to scold you more... maybe even learn some more runguage...¡± Her words trailed off, slowing until they faded into silence. I nced at Keiron, who faced me and gave a nod. The doors to the underground chamber had opened again. *** [Seventh Cycle] I stepped into the past, into the underground chamber. As the door opened, I was greeted by the sight of the Imperial Pce garden. The springke shimmered, its surface reflecting Sophien, who sat in a wheelchair. I wanted to approach her, but it seemed I was already toote. She had lost both her sight and hearing. These were the final moments of her life. I couldn¡¯t let her know I was there. I couldn¡¯t tell her that I had broken my promise. ¡°Your Highness¡ª!¡± Her vassals had gathered around her, calling out through their tears. I moved toward her, the grass rustling beneath my feet as dirt scattered. With her dying breath, Sophien asked in a faint voice, ¡°Is there anyone... by my side?¡± Her ears had already gone deaf; she couldn¡¯t hear the answer to her question. ¡°Yes, I am here by your side.¡± The moment I had given her my answer... ¡°... I wish there were.¡± The moment those words left her lips, the world began to shift. Ruuuumble¡ª! A tremor shook the heavens and the earth. Soon, the entire space copsed and inverted, resetting itself once again. The process of regression had rapidly begun. [... Thirteenth Cycle] The Imperial Pce had been rebuilt once again. In the thirteenth cycle, Sophien hadmitted suicide, hanging herself before the agony of her illness could worsen. And once again, the world shifted. [... Sixteenth Cycle] In the sixteenth cycle, Sophien had died after receiving a folk remedy from a cult that came from the archipgo. [... Twenty-first Cycle] In the twenty-first cycle, Sophien, worn down by the endless regressions, cried relentlessly before mming her forehead into a rock and dying. [... Twenty-ninth Cycle] In the twenty-ninth cycle, Sophien had starved herself to death, refusing to eat. And so it went in the thirty-third, thirty-seventh, fortieth, forty-third, forty-eighth, and fifty-third cycles. I watched every moment of her death through the Demon¡¯s Mirror. The mirror had deliberately shown me each of Sophien¡¯s deaths. During those intervals, N¨¦sc?us raged, but there was nothing I could do. As I watched and epted each of her countless deaths, a realization came to me. "... Mirror. I believe I have finally grasped what it is you truly desire." Why this Demon¡¯s Mirror holds onto discarded worlds, why it fixates on Sophien¡¯s death, and why it exists as a medium in the form of a mirror. "The world," I said, ncing up at the sky. "Yes, the world. That is what you seek to be." At that moment, a door appeared in the empty air¡ªa simple, unassuming wooden door, signaling that my answer had been correct. It quietly settled on the ground, as gently as falling snow. I stepped forward and opened the door. *** I had returned to the Imperial Pce and walked through the first-floor corridor alongside Keiron. The hallway, nked on both sides by statues of knights in te armor, was called the Forest of Knights. "What did you discover inside?" Keiron asked. "I havee to a realization," I replied. The knight statues carried a specific mana resonance, making them impossible to eavesdrop on or monitor. ¡°Of what?" Keiron asked. "First, regression centers solely on Her Majesty. I¡¯m nearly certain of it." In truth, it had been more than that. The entire world likely revolved around Sophien. "The Demon¡¯s Mirror desires the world itself," I exined. "... The world?" Keiron asked. "Yes. The entity in the underground chamber is a demon that vastly exceeds human knowledge." This demon had a purpose, a will, and a desire. As countless worlds were discarded with each of Sophien¡¯s regressions, the demon, growing alongside them, had over time developed a singr wish. I want to be like that world. I want people to live in my world, to see days unfold within it. I want to be reality, not just a world confined within a mirror... At that point, the Demon¡¯s Mirror had begun seeking Sophien, the one being who defined this world¡ªthe very proof of its existence. "Is it seeking to be a form of god?" Keiron asked. "It would go beyond that." "And how should we address this?" I turned to Keiron, whose expression had remained as resolute as ever. "Keiron, what is the current status of N¨¦sc?us''s trail?" I asked. "I am still tracking him, but he continues to circle me, as if mocking my efforts. I have yet to pinpoint a fixed location." "Yes. It is most likely a mere decoy." The Demon¡¯s Mirror had longed to be a real world, not a world confined within the mirror. Allowing that desire to be fulfilled was far from the best solution. "It has likely scattered several N¨¦sc?us across the continent as decoys. However, I believe I have figured out where the Altar is focusing the regressions." "Where is that?" Keiron asked, his eyes fixed on my lips, his gaze burning with intensity. It was somewhat unsettling. "Yulie provided me with a clue," I said. "A clue?" "Yes. Do you recall the reports of demons appearing in the underground chamber of the Imperial Pce?" "... What?" Keiron replied, his brow furrowed. I reminded him of what he already knew, saying, "Think carefully. There is more than one door leading to the underground chamber." There had never been just one way to the underground. While the backdoor led to the Demon¡¯s Mirror, the main entrance had stayed sealed, never once opened. "You¡¯re missing the forest for the trees, Keiron." It was the main door Jng had once failed to guide me through, the one that had never been opened. A wry smile appeared on Keiron¡¯s face as he uttered, "Ha." "We cannot be sure whether the Altar has gathered centuries or millennia of regressions, but we must act first," I said. "... I understand your point. However, isn¡¯t it possible that more than one person regressed that day, besides Yulie? Could our enemies have¡ª" I shook my head. Although the suspicion had been reasonable, the nature of the demon, N¨¦sc?us, rendered it impossible. "No, that is unlikely. N¨¦sc?us is a simple demon; it can only gather and transport vital energy. To manipte the harvested energy, the demon must be killed, which would breach its contract." "A breach of contract?" "Yes. Little demons like N¨¦sc?us are typically bound by contracts. They possess both intelligence and emotions, and if the terms are broken, they be resentful. They refuse to serve anyone who harms their own kind." "... Resentful, you say?" Keiron said, scoffing in disbelief. "Keiron, we will proceed in five days. Until then, continue as usual." "Understood." With that, I turned to leave. However, before I could take a few steps, Keiron stopped me and said, "Are you leaving immediately? Knight Yulie will wake soon. Will you not depart with her?" My legs halted. I thought of Yulie lying in the infirmary and replied, "... That will be unnecessary." The turmoil of regression had undoubtedly taken a heavy toll on Yulie. I couldn¡¯t even begin toprehend how much of her life force she had sacrificed just to meet me again. That was why I couldn¡¯t stay by her side. I wasn¡¯t herfort¡ªI was nothing but a burden. "I will no longer require Yulie¡¯s protection. I will inform Her Majesty as well. A knight in poor health is more of a burden than a protector." As I spoke those words, a heavy sense of finality weighed on me. The end of our rtionship was approaching, like petals drifting from a flower, withering and crushed underfoot. *** "... Hmm," Primien murmured with a sigh as she set the letter down. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om The process of reconstructing the incident from the gathered information had been partially tied to her mana attributes. In just 28 hours, she had managed to sketch a rough outline of the events. Screeeech¡ª! She had mentally extracted the timeline she¡¯d constructed and ced it into her Mana Container. As the name suggested, this container was a square framework made entirely of mana. By storing her memories within it, the container would continue the logical deductions on its own¡ªa process known as the Manifestation of Thoughts and Memories. It was this very ability that had made Primien the youngest Deputy Director of the Ministry of Public Safety. Beep-beep¡ª Beep-beep¡ª Her thoughts and memories shed brightly, scanning through the process. As the deductions nearedpletion, Primien returned the processed memories to her mind. With her clear, objective reasoning now settled, she turned her head and said, "Ellie." ¡°Yes?¡± Ellie responded, pausing her search through the drawers in the Purple Room. Primien rubbed the back of her neck and asked, "You mentioned that Professor Deculein marks a day of remembrance, correct?" ¡°A day of remembrance?¡± "The day of remembrance for his fianc¨¦e¡¯s death." "Oh, yes! He hasn¡¯t missed it, not once in all these years." A smirk tugged at the corner of Primien¡¯s lips as she said, "Then I see now why the professor requested an investigation into Cielia." ¡°Really?!¡± "Yes. It''s still just a suspicion, but I''m nearly certain." ¡°Oh, okay! Then please prepare a report and send it to him." Primien froze at Ellie¡¯s words, narrowing her eyes as she red and asked, ¡°... A report?¡± ¡°Yes. The professor prefers everything in the form of a report. Even minor details must be submitted that way. He says meetings are too time-consuming, people talk too much, and saliva flies everywhere.¡± ¡°What an annoyingly meticulous bastard,¡± Primien muttered, rubbing her temples. Having topile all this ridiculous information into a report... who does he think I am, some bottom-rung grunt? Fuck, fudge, firk, funk, feck. Muttering curses under her breath, she added, "Fine. But I¡¯ll make sure to smear it with spit before sending it off." ¡°No, nooo, you can¡¯t do that!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do whatever I want,¡± Primien replied, cing a piece of paper on her desk and picking up a pen. At the same time, she reviewed her findings from the investigation into Cielia, requested by Deculein. These findings had led Primien to the grim conclusion that Deculein had killed her. In blunt terms, Deculein had murdered Cielia. His motive seemed to be revenge, or perhaps he had acted on someone else¡¯s orders. Yet, there was anotheryer to this¡ªsomething known only to the Intelligence Agency¡ªthat remained unresolved. ¡°Ellie, get in touch with someone from the Intelligence Agency. Have them handle this document.¡± ¡°Okay~ I¡¯ll try to ask them.¡± The document had been ssified as Level 1 or 2, meaning it couldn¡¯t be opened, even within the Purple Room. Opening it would likely reveal everything. ¡°A report... That professor really knows how to oveplicate everything...¡± Soon after, Primien had begun drafting the report, starting with the timeline she had constructed. Chapter 116: Sophien (1)

Chapter 116: Sophien (1)

Yulie had awoken in the Imperial Pce infirmary to find Empress Sophien seated by her side. As usual, Keiron stood silently behind the Empress. Yulie blinked in confusion, her eyes fluttering instinctively at the unexpected sight. ¡°... This isn¡¯t a mere wound. It¡¯s a curse. A particrly vile one,¡± Sophien remarked, her tone as dry as desert sand. Yulie attempted to sit up, but pain forced her back down, gasping, ¡°Ah...!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. Stay down,¡± Sophien said. ¡°No, Your Majesty, I¡ª¡± ¡°This curse¡ª I was told you got it while protecting Deculein.¡± Yulie stayed quiet, offering no response. Sophien¡¯s gaze swept over Yulie as she continued, ¡°I, too, once suffered from a cruel illness. Life was so agonizing that even the pain lost its edge. Knight, look into my eyes.¡± Yulie hesitated before meeting the Empress''s gaze. In Sophien''s eyes, there had been no spark, no sign of life¡ªonly a hollow emptiness. Sophien let out a soft chuckle and said, ¡°You can see it, can¡¯t you? The illness still gnaws at me. They call it ennui, or maybe even lethargy.¡± With that, she rested her hand on Yulie¡¯s forehead. Immediately, a wave of cool relief flowed through Yulie¡¯s body. ¡°Your Majesty, this is...¡± ¡°I learned the runguage from Deculein. It¡¯s a healing letter, but curses like yours aren¡¯t something that can be cured. This will only ease the symptoms temporarily.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Yulie gasped, quickly sitting up. As Yulie attempted to rise in formal greeting, Sophien shook her head and said, ¡°Standing any higher would be rather rude, not respectful. Remain where you are and lie still.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Furthermore, I couldn¡¯tpletely cure you. This curse will im your life one day.¡± "... Yes, I am aware." The curse had worsened over time, and the pain that clenched her heart like a vice had already be a part of her daily routine. Understanding the torment, Sophien gazed at the moon through the window and muttered, ¡°... Sometimes, I think about starting over. Forgetting everything. Living as if none of this ever happened. This life is a failure.¡± Yulie flinched at the sudden confession, her voice trembling and replied, ¡°Please don¡¯t say such things, Your Majesty. You have not failed.¡± Sophien¡¯s gaze returned to Yulie as she continued, ¡°Your curse is irreversible. In a way, you''re not so different from me. Haven¡¯t you ever wished to start again? Or wondered what might have happened if you hadn¡¯t chosen to protect Deculein?¡± Yulie shook her head quietly. ¡°Why is that?¡± Sophien inquired, her tone serious. ¡°Because that decision was mine to make, and this is the path I¡¯ve chosen for my life.¡± It was a response worthy of a knight. Silence filled the room, settling in like a quiet acknowledgment. ¡°... I see,¡± Sophien said with a slight nod, allowing a faint smile to y on her lips. ¡°You are not like Deculein.¡± ¡°... Am I?¡± Yulie asked softly, her expression clouded with a hint of sorrow at the mention of Deculein. The hem of Sophien¡¯s cape brushed against Yulie¡¯s hand as she said, ¡°Yes, you are. Deculein moves through life as if he¡¯s never been wrong, convinced that his path is the only truth.¡± ¡°... That is true. Professor really is like that.¡± ¡°Indeed. But unlike him, you embrace your mistakes as your own, and with each one, the wounds will deepen. Eventually, those scars will be the death of you,¡± Sophien remarked, her voiceced with biting sarcasm. But Yulie offered a gentle smile and replied, ¡°Even so, Your Majesty, a knight must endure. And I am a knight.¡± Sophien fixed her gaze on Yulie for a long moment, as if begrudgingly acknowledging her truth, and remarked, ¡°You¡¯re right. But knights like you are quite rare.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Take your time to recover and depart when you''re able,¡± Sophien said, flicking her cape as she rose to her feet. Yulie, despite the pain, forced herself upright to offer a formal bow. Sophien shut the door behind her. Thud¡ª! The Empress walked down the corridor without a word, hermanding footsteps echoing. Keiron¡¯s voice broke the silence from behind her. ¡°... Your Majesty. Is that truly what you desire?¡± Sophien halted in her tracks. ¡°If you truly wish for a fresh start, it is within reach.¡± Sophien stayed silent. ¡°I can help make it happen.¡± Atst, Sophien had turned to face him. Keiron, still bowing, went on, ¡°Your Majesty, you are just as deserving of happiness as anyone.¡± ¡°... Hmph. Who says I deserve that?¡± "Anyone who knows what you¡¯ve been through¡ªendless deaths, relentless suffering, repeated attempts at ending it all¡ªwould say the same." Sophien¡¯s expression faltered, momentarily taken aback. Keiron had always been like a statue, stoic and unshakable. Even his title, the Statue, had been bestowed upon him by the Imperial family. His ability to use statues as a medium to multiply his presence was rooted in that same concept. ¡°You don¡¯t know me, Keiron,¡± Sophien said with a frown. ¡°Even if you did, you¡¯re letting your emotions cloud your judgment, speaking of things that are impossible.¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t impossible, Your Majesty,¡± Keiron said, raising his gaze, his eyes burning with a knight¡¯s determination. ¡°The Altar lies beneath the Imperial Pce. They n to harness Your Majesty¡¯s regression. But if we act first, we can use it to return.¡± ¡°Return?¡± ¡°Yes. Your Majesty can find happiness. In a new world, you could begin again, unburdened by your past.¡± The Demon¡¯s Mirror desired Sophien, and the Altar had been harvesting the vital energy of her regressions from the mirrored world. While the two entities seemed to exist in a symbiotic rtionship, Keiron saw things differently. Inspired by Deculein but envisioning something beyond his reach, Keiron had imagined a new world¡ªa world born from the mirror, where Sophien could start anew, forgetting this lifepletely. If this one had failed her, perhaps the next could offer her redemption. ¡°And what if the same history simply repeats itself?¡± Sophien asked, meeting his gaze directly. ¡°I will ensure it does not happen.¡± The conversation hade to a halt, the atmosphere thick and oppressive. In that lingering silence, Sophien turned away once more. Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Without a word, she dismissed him. Keiron, understanding the silentmand, remained rooted in ce, as unmoving as the statue that had given him his title. *** It was a dark night. I returned to my office in the Mage Tower, deep in thought. My mind felt submerged in contemtion. "... If only I could attain full understanding of the Demon''s Mirror," I murmured, my gaze locked on a mirror resting on my desk. I activated my Comprehension attribute and focused on the mirror¡¯s essence. It didn¡¯t take long before I understood its properties. ss was formed bybining sand with other materials and heating them at extreme temperatures. This seemed fitting, considering my properties were earth and fire. "More precise information is required." I stood up, certain that the tower¡¯s library would contain some grimoires on ss or mirrors. As I stepped into the hallway and made my way toward the elevator... ¡°Ah!¡± A strange noise escaped someone. It was Epherene. She looked utterly exhausted, a cup of coffee clutched in one hand. Without a word, she slowly backed away, retreating like a shadow. Ding¡ª As the elevator arrived, I nced at Epherene and remarked, "It seems things aren''t progressing as expected?" "... N-no, it¡¯s fine. I just need to find the right lead," she muttered, her voice growing quieter. As I observed her, Ihelm¡¯s words echoed in my mind, ¡°Have you developed pity for Luna¡¯s daughter? After all this time, did you finally begin to feel sorry for her?¡± Perhaps he had been right. For some reason, I felt an unusual sense of pity for Epherene. It was strange¡ªDeculein rarely showed sympathy for anyone. This had to be a remnant of Kim Woo-Jin within me. ¡°W-why?¡± Epherene asked. There were only a few people in this world who reminded me of Kim Woo-Jin. So far, it has been Sylvia, Epherene, and Yeriel. Yulie, however, was theplete opposite. She embodied the part of me that was fully Deculein. She was a chain I could never break, an emotion I could never escape. "Determination and persistence. Those are the virtues you must embrace," I stated. ¡°... Sorry?" "Maintain your efforts unwaveringly, and trust in the person you are meant to be." Epherene¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, but I had already stepped into the elevator. Ding¡ª When I stepped out onto the first floor, I found Yulie waiting there. "Ah, Professor," Yulie said with a hint of awkwardness, still d in her light armor. I stepped toward her and said, "Yulie, it is time for you to stop your duty of protecting me." ¡°No.¡± ¡°What do you mean, no¡ª¡± ¡°I apologize,¡± Yulie said, her words halting me in my tracks. She bit her lip before continuing, ¡°I realize my health has been a hindrancetely. I regret that I¡¯ve been unable to fulfill my duty of professor¡¯s protection properly.¡± For a moment, my mind went nk. But soon, the meaning of her words became clear, and I clenched my teeth in response. ¡°Furthermore, I was unable to protect you in what is toe.¡± A whirlwind of thoughts swirled in my mind, but at the center of it all, a deep-seated anger began to rise. ¡°I can still see it vividly¡ªthe moment you were dying, the sword that pierced your body...¡± Yulie¡¯s voice faltered, and she lowered her head, unable to finish. I couldn¡¯t make sense of her. "Professor, I understand why you would feel disappointed in me." A woman who couldn¡¯t even love herself, she seemed utterly lost in her own foolishness. ¡°I acknowledge all my failures.¡± I wanted to tell her it wasn¡¯t her fault, but the truth was clear¡ªwe were simply never meant to be together from the beginning. N?v(el)B\\jnn ¡°Please, allow me to see this duty through,¡± Yulie said with unwavering resolve. ¡°I will strive even harder. Even if my body breaks, I will protect you. I will not falter, I will¡ª¡± ¡°Yulie.¡± I could no longer endure listening to her. ¡°It is no longer necessary.¡± Her breath caught for a moment, and she lowered her head, concealing her sorrow. ¡°Leave now. I have matters to attend to in the Mage Tower¡¯s library tonight.¡± I loved this foolish woman, and even now, the overwhelming intensity of my feelings was something I couldn¡¯t bring myself to deny. ¡°... I¡¯ll be waiting for your¡ª¡± ¡°Leave.¡± ¡°... I apologize.¡± With that, Yulie left, opening the door to the tower and walking down the long path. Her steps were unsteady, but I watched her until she disappeared from sight. Leaning against the wall, I ced a hand over my heart as Deculein¡¯s turmoil reverberated through my body. ¡°I wonder what¡¯s wrong?¡± A voice called from somewhere behind me. I turned to find Epherene lingering nearby. She hesitated briefly before blurting, ¡°... Let me help you.¡± I gave no response. ¡°Weren¡¯t you here to conduct some research?¡± I still remained silent. "After all, I am your assistant." Whether she had missed my encounter with Yulie or was simply pretending not to notice, I sighed and said, ¡°Is the task I gave you still unfinished?¡± ¡°Oh, that! To be honest... I just can¡¯t do it. How am I supposed to get through 30,000 pages in a month? It¡¯s impossible, and you knew that when you gave it to me, didn¡¯t you?¡± Without a word, I headed toward the library. Epherene followed closely, her hurried footsteps echoing behind me. I neither stopped her nor acknowledged the sidelong nces she cast in my direction. ... Three hourster. ¡°I wonder if this is what the professor meant,¡± Epherene murmured, as if to herself. Epherene had proven to be somewhat helpful. With thousands of books scattered throughout the Mage Tower¡¯s library, few tasks were more tedious than searching through them. ¡°Yes,¡± I replied. I had instructed her to gather everything rted to Mirror Magic. After all, the Demon¡¯s Mirror was still a mirror, and understanding its properties would undoubtedly prove useful. ¡°Do you need me to bring anything else?¡± ¡°This time, ss. Bring me everything there is on the matter.¡± ¡°Got it, got it... ss, ss, ss,¡± Epherene muttered under her breath as she went off to search for more books. I turned my attention back to the ones in front of me. ... Three more hours slipped by in the same manner. By the time morning arrived, an imperial knight entered the library and called my name in a solemn voice, ¡°Professor Deculein.¡± I didn¡¯t bother looking up, keeping my focus on the grimoire in front of me. ¡°Professor Deculein.¡± ¡°¡ªHuh?!¡± At the second, louder call, Epherene jolted awake, wiping drool from her mouth. Only then did I turn to acknowledge them. ¡°The Empressmands your presence,¡± the knight dered. *** Sophien adapted to everything with remarkable ease. She was quick to learn and grasped concepts effortlessly. The world and its workings presented little challenge to her; a simple nce was often enough to understand most of it. As a result, she seldom spent much time in deep thought. The longer she reflected on something, the more tedious it became in its simplicity. But today, for the first time in a long while, she lingered on a thought, tapping her hand mirror absentmindedly. Morning had already broken, and she sat waiting for the person who would soon arrive. Knock, knock¡ª A knock echoed through the Empress¡¯s bedchamber. The moment it sounded, Sophien used Telekinesis to open the door. As expected, Deculein stood outside. ¡°You are here. Come in,¡± Sophien said. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± Deculein replied, stepping into the room as the vassals closed the door behind him. ¡°Sit,¡± Sophien ordered, motioning to the chair in front of her. Without a word, Deculein approached and took his seat. Sophien quietly poured herself some coffee as Deculein sat upright, his posture the very image of perfect etiquette. Sophien was the first to speak, saying, ¡°Deculein.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Today, for the first time in ages, I actually spent some time thinking.¡± It was because of Keiron. That wretched man had forced her to dwell on something as bothersome as concern. ¡°As I reflected, I came across a memory hidden within the mirror,¡± Sophien continued, her eyes on Deculein as she sipped her coffee. ¡°There was once an arrogant man who called himself a professor.¡± Deculein¡¯s gaze remained as steady as ever, and that pleased her. He neither bowed his head nor showed any sign of fear. He wasn¡¯t bound by anything, revealing only his true self. ¡°That man swore to stay by my side until the end, but he never came back,¡± Sophien said with a small sigh. ¡°If he had returned as promised, it might have been bearable.¡± Deculein closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. For her, that was enough response. ¡°Keiron suggested we remake this world,¡± Sophien said. ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Yes. He said I could return to a time when I knew nothing, be someone new, and forget all the pain I¡¯ve been through. It was a tempting offer.¡± Deculein remained silent as he listened. ¡°... Keiron¡¯s intentions aremendable. His concern for me is touching. But if I were to go along with that offer...¡± Somehow, Deculein had already known what she would say next. ¡°That would be no different from surrendering to the demon,¡± Sophien said, her lips twisting into a smirk. ¡°I don¡¯t like losing. To anyone.¡± She then looked down at her cup, her eyes resting on her reflection in the still surface of the coffee. ¡°Your fianc¨¦e, Yulie, ims that even her mistakes are part of her life¡¯s choices, and you act as if you are always right. There are countless others in this world who carve their own answers into it, but none have ever tried to rewrite what¡¯s already been set.¡± ¡°That is correct.¡± ¡°Yes, indeed... Deculein, I¡¯m starting to feel quite weary,¡± Sophien said as her eyelids grew heavy. The strain of thinking for the first time in ages was catching up to her. ¡°Soon, the doors to the underground chamber will open...¡± With her eyes half-closed, she caught a glimpse of Deculein¡¯s face¡ªcalm and cold, as though sleep were something foreign to him. ¡°Could I ask a favor of you? I¡¯ve suffered from having no one to watch over me,¡± Sophien said, her voice unusually sincere. ¡°In that underground chamber, through all the deaths I will endure... Will you watch over me? Will you remain in my memory?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Deculein replied without hesitation, assuring her of his promise. But Sophien¡¯s awareness of his voice had already begun to fade. Her consciousness gradually drifted away. ¡°It could be decades, or even a century. I don¡¯t even know what kind of life I¡¯ve lived. Will you be able to ept that?¡± Deculein¡¯s voice reached her, distant and fading, as he said, ¡°Yes, as I promised before, I will watch over you, Your Majesty.¡± His words rippled through her mind, spreading like sound through water. ¡°And when that journeyes to an end...¡± His final words, spoken with certainty, echoed clearly in the stillness. ¡°I will return and stand before you once more, Your Majesty.¡± Sophien responded with a yawn. Deculein quietly watched over her as she drifted into a deep sleep, then rose to his feet. It was time to fulfill the promise he had made. Chapter 117: Sophien (2) Part 1

Chapter 117: Sophien (2) Part 1

The moment I left Sophien¡¯s bedchamber, I moved swiftly. My destination was the underground chamber of the Imperial Pce. I reached it in no time, but a statue blocked my path. ¡°Keiron,¡± I said. Keiron raised his eyes to meet mine. The de of his sword rested on the ground, its tip pressed against the stone floor. He said nothing. However, yesterday, Yulie had told me my wound came from a sword. I had suspected it since then¡ªthere weren¡¯t many who could pierce the vital point of an Iron Man so easily. ¡°I¡¯ve given it much thought,¡± Keiron said, his voice low as the de of his sword scraped across the ground, rising slowly. I asked, ¡°What conclusion have youe to?¡± ¡°... That I am the Empress¡¯s knight. Whether the world changes or sumbs to the demon¡¯s will, it makes no difference to me.¡± Keiron was a knight devoted entirely to the Empress. His only concern was Sophien¡¯s happiness and protection. In his own way, he was just as stubborn as Yulie¡ªperhaps even more so. ¡°The mirror has promised me a new world,¡± Keiron added. ¡°... Trusting a demon is the height of foolishness, Keiron.¡± The new world that the Demon¡¯s Mirror had promised Keiron. I could picture it clearly. It might have been a world where Sophien had never fallen ill, where she had grown up in peace and ruled the Empire. A world where left-handed and right-handed people were reversed¡ªa mirror¡¯s world. But it would also be a world that had already met its end, a Game Over. ¡°That is nothing but a path to ruin. A demon is what it is for good reason, Keiron.¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s not an end in ruin, but a new beginning. There is no one more important in this world than Her Majesty. If anyone is the rightful ruler of this world, it¡¯s her. Wherever she resides, that is the true world.¡± He wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. There was no clear protagonist in this world, but if anyone could be called the main character, it was Sophien. If she were to die, the game would end¡ªjust as it would for the one ying it. ¡°If there is a sun in this world, it is Her Majesty. She is the very embodiment of a miracle¡ª¡± Bang¡ª! Suddenly, a massive mace came crashing down from above, striking Keiron in the side. Craaash¡ª! The impact sent him flying, and I instinctively turned toward its source. A knight, fully d in full ted armor, stood there. ¡°You must go!¡± Though the knight¡¯s face was concealed by the armor, I recognized the voice instantly. It was Yulie. Keiron wiped the blood from his mouth as he rose to his feet, but his movements stopped as his feet froze to the ground. ¡°Professor, quickly!¡± Yulie called out, her face still hidden. Keiron unleashed his mana, melting the ice that had bound him. ¡°Go!¡± Remaining still would have only worsened things for Yulie. ¡°... Very well,¡± I said with a nod, then sprinted toward the door leading to the underground chamber. ng¡ª! Sparks flew as their swords shed. Yulie intercepted Keiron as he charged toward me. The wooden door to the underground chamber of the Imperial Pce loomed ahead. I sprinted forward and seized the handle. Whoosh... A brilliant light flooded my vision, overwhelming my retinas with blinding intensity. *** I stepped into the Demon¡¯s Mirror and scanned my surroundings. Mirrors stretched in every direction, endlessly reflecting my image and filling the space with countless versions of myself. "Hi," a voice called out from behind. I turned and saw her reflection in the mirror. It appeared to be Sophien¡ªor rather, it was the Demon¡¯s Mirror, having taken her form. "I¡¯m just using this look to make things easier." "There was no need to exin," I said, turning toward the Mirror. "Is that the form you used to persuade Keiron?" "Yes. He¡¯s a knight, after all. A knight who only serves the Empress. When I showed him I was serious, he figured out a way to make Sophien happy," the Mirror said, smiling¡ªa smile that looked strange on Sophien¡¯s face. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Did you involve the Altar as well?" I asked. "Yes." "So, you never nned to revive their god from the beginning." "Of course not. I was just going to use them and toss them aside. I mean, I am a demon, after all." The Altar¡¯s Resurrection of the God had been one of the key events in the main quest, and the demon¡¯s power could hasten nor stop it. "What do you intend to do now?" "What do you think, Deculein? Your world¡¯s already messed up. Sophien¡¯s 153 returns have caused cracks all over." "Cracks?" "Yes. And it¡¯s not just Sophien who¡¯s been through regression. You don¡¯t really think a few drops of a little demon¡¯s essence of a human''s vital energy could make a human to regress, do you?" I stayed silent. "If this keeps up, just a few more deaths from Sophien could be enough to make the whole world fall apart." I stared at the mirror in Sophien¡¯s form, and it smiled back calmly, continuing, "But if I be the world, everyone can live happily. Safely. And there won¡¯t be any risks at all." The disgust for demons, inherited through my Yukline bloodline, surged up my throat. I wanted to strangle it right then and there, but instead, I shook my head. "Not interested?" the Mirror asked, its voice suddenly sharp. "You really don¡¯t want that?" "I am here for one purpose alone¡ªto fulfill a promise." "... A promise?" the Mirror asked, crossing its arms. "Okay, do whatever you want, but I¡¯m not opening the door. You¡¯ll be stuck here forever." I paid no attention to the Mirror and focused on the mirror in the space around me. I pressed my hand against its ss surface. "I don¡¯t need your permission," I said. "Why not? It¡¯s my world." "Because you are a demon." The Demon¡¯s Mirror. It was a demon, and demonic energy was inseparable from its kind. This world had been saturated with dense, high-level demonic energy, which meant that here, I could use my Comprehension attribute without limit. Naturally, had I done that, the strain would have been immense. Even without the risk of Deculein¡¯s personality taking over, my very life could have been at stake. Despite that, I set my hand on the mirror and, without a moment''s hesitation, activated my Comprehension. A thousand units of mana drained from me in an instant. Then nine hundred, eight hundred, seven hundred... Mana flowed from every vein in my body. The amount I lost each second was overwhelming, but I swiftly converted the demonic energy back into mana. "... What are you doing?" the Mirror asked, sounding confused. But I couldn¡¯t see its face; my eyes were already closed. "Wait... hold on." Its voice trembled. It had never dealt with something like this before¡ªits surprise was clear. "This can¡¯t be happening... No, stop it!" Its tone grew increasingly frantic. Its hands grabbed at my waist, but there was no strength in them. A mere mirror couldn¡¯t harm a human. "Cut it out!" The deeper I delved into Comprehension, the more desperate the Mirror became. "I told you to stop¡ª!" As my Comprehension deepened, the demonic energy flooded through me, pushing my veins to the point of bursting, but I didn¡¯t care. "Stop! Don¡¯t do it¡ª!" Thump¡ª! My heart jolted violently, and blood rushed up my throat. It felt as if my veins were ripping apart. "You¡¯ll die from this, you know¡ª!" Perhaps I would die, but I felt no fear. My resolve would never waver over something as insignificant as death. "Don¡¯t... don¡¯t look inside me¡ª!" Its voice, now nearly a scream, wasced with madness. I opened my eyes. In the mirror, my pupils had already begun to turn violet, and the veins in my neck darkened like spreading roots. Slowly, I turned to face it. "Stop... stop..." the Mirror whimpered, clutching its head, panting as if it could barely hold itself together. "... This is what a promise means to me," I dered. I never went back on my word. Even if it meant death, I kept my promises. That obsessive drive, that pathological will, was all Deculein had ever been. I would use my Comprehension until the very end, digging deep into the mirror¡¯s core... "Stoooooooop¡ª!" *** [Third Cycle] When I opened my eyes, it was the third cycle. I found myself back in Sophien¡¯s room. I nced at the calendar hanging in the center of the wide, empty living room. January 1st¡ªSophien¡¯s point of return. I had sessfully achieved Comprehension of the Demon¡¯s Mirror. However, as I exhaled, the breath that left my lips was tinged with violet. The veins across my body flickered between shades of blue and purple. [Status Effect: Severe Acute Demonic Energy Poisoning] [Status Effect: Mana Overflow] [Status Effect: Magic Deviation] Even with the body of an Iron Man, recovering from these injuries seemed uncertain. But it didn¡¯t matter. I turned toward the mirror in Sophien¡¯s room, where her reflectiony on the surface, still in bed. "Your Highness." Startled, Sophien shot upright, her mouth dropping open in shock. "I have returned to you," I told her. "Oh..." Sophien murmured, pressing her lips together to hide a smile. I sat in the chair beside her as she cleared her throat, attempting to sound stern. "Ahem. Professor." "Yes, Your Highness" Her next words were more than satisfying. "Good. It¡¯s nice to see you. You kept your promise." Promise. Somehow, that word had brought me an unexpected sense of peace. *** Although I had arrived confidently, there wasn¡¯t much I could do as a reflection within the mirror. The Mirror Magic and ss Magic I had studied werepletely useless here. All I could do was read the books Sophien brought, talk with her, or simply breathe in and out. Yet, each breath brought pain¡ªa result of having burned through nearly sixty thousand units of mana in an instant. I suspected that parts of my heart or lungs had likely necrotized. Chirp, chirp¡ª Chirp, chirp¡ª We were in the Imperial Pce garden, where birds chirped overhead. Sophieny on the grass and spoke first, saying, ¡°Professor.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± ¡°Lately, the pain has returned. It seems my body has begun to fail me again.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°... It¡¯s maddening. How much longer must I endure this pain?¡± I recalled the words of the Demon¡¯s Mirror. It had said that Sophien had regressed exactly 153 times. ¡°Your Highness.¡± If she knew her final regression would be the 153rd, would she suffer more along the way? Or would she face her death with greater calm? I wondered. ¡°Hmm? Yes, what is it?¡± There was no saving Sophien early. Her healing had already been predetermined. After dying over a hundred times, the poison that had once ravaged her body was finally erased by the world''s resistance. It was a miracle brought about by the countless cycles of her regression. "Would you like to y a game of chess?" I asked. ¡°... Chess?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± "Chess... Why so sudden?" ¡°I¡¯m quite skilled at it. Even if you spent your entire life trying, you wouldn¡¯t be able to defeat me. Perhaps when you do manage to beat me, it will mean you¡¯ve fully recovered.¡± I had gradually mastered chess over time. Even without relying on my Comprehension attribute, I had be skilled enough to reach the level of a Grandmaster. "Hm. How arrogant of you. Are you certain about that? I tend to pick things up rather quickly." ¡°Yes.¡± "Very well, bring me the chessboard!" Sophien eximed as she rose energetically from the grass. "Is anyone present? Bring me a chessboard immediately!" Chapter 117: Sophien (2) Part 2

Chapter 117: Sophien (2) Part 2

The primary heir of the Imperial family, Sophien, was always apanied by her mirror. The hand mirror that hung from her waist had long be a symbol associated with her among the pce officials. Whenever she mentioned the Professor, it stirred a mix of concern and relief¡ªconcern that she might be losing her mind and relief that, perhaps, this imagined Professor helped her escape her pain, even if only briefly. "Sophie." "Yes, Father," Sophien replied. Even on the day she met with the Emperor, her father Crebaim, she carried her hand mirror. Crebaim smiled gently and asked, ¡°Is the friend in your mirror well?¡± She hesitated for a moment, her lips moving silently. No one in the pce had ever believed her. Part of the reason was that the Professor never revealed himself. "Yes, Father. He is doing well." "Good. If you and your friend are well, that makes me happy." "... Yes." After a brief exchange, Crebaim offered her a new hand mirror as a gift. Sophien epted it with courtesy and ended the meeting with the Emperor, though the gesture brought her no real joy. After all, once she died and returned again, the mirror would vanish along with everything else. As she made her way back to her chambers, something caught her attention¡ªher younger brother Kreto¡¯s room. She nced around and quietly slipped inside. The soft sound of breathing filled the room. A child, around three years old,y asleep on the bed. Sophien gazed at him, a faint smile on her lips, and said, "What do you think? He can¡¯t even speak yet, but isn¡¯t he precious?" As she spoke to the hand mirror, a response echoed back, "Indeed." Her younger brother Kreto, at just three years old, had always been a chubby little thing. Though they shared only half the same blood, she found him endearing every time she looked at him. He was one of the few in this life who could still make her smile. "... I¡¯m d he won¡¯t have to endure a life as painful as mine," Sophien murmured, gently brushing his plump cheek. Kreto frowned and rolled over with a quiet grunt. "We should leave before someone notices. It would be rather undignified." She gave his cheek a few more gentle pokes with her fingers before stepping outside. Her footsteps echoed through the halls as she made her way back to her room. *** That marked the end of her ordinary days. On the night she touched Kreto¡¯s face, Sophien developed sepsis. She hadn¡¯t even been able to withstand the germs from a mere three-year-old child. ¡°Your Highness¡ª!¡± the despairing cries of her vassals echoed like background noise. She died that day, beginning her fourth cycle of regression, then the fifth, sixth, seventh, and so on. The cycles continued naturally, one after another. During that time, Sophien didn¡¯t live with any more determination, nor did she endure better because of my presence. ¡°Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!¡± Her mind had fractured more than once. She had turned to suicide countless times, repeatedly hovering on the verge of madness. ¡°Anyway, it will all start over again. Again, and again! I¡¯ll fucking begin from the start once more! What¡¯s the point of this cursed life...¡± She had only fallen intoplete madness up until her seventy-sixth cycle. After that, she gave in. Having died seventy-six times, Sophien spent her days lying in bed. "Your Highness," the vassals called out. Sophien stayed quiet. ~ [Seventy-seventh Cycle] Sophien''s weary face shifted toward me, her appearance far too frail for an eight-year-old. "No matter how many cycles you repeat, certain things remain unchanged. Some skills, for instance, do not fade," I said. ¡°... And what might that be?¡± Sophien asked. ¡°Chess. No matter how many times you regress, your skill in chess remains unchanged.¡± That was why I had suggested chess to her. Even with constant practice, Sophien had yet to reach the skill level needed to defeat me. "... Well, good for you," she scoffed, turning her back to me. It didn¡¯t seem to be working. I watched her in silence, wondering how many more cycles I could endure, and how much longer I could survive. ¡°Your Highness.¡± ¡°What now?¡± I was dying. More than half of my lung and heart function had already shut down, and the demonic energy coursing through my veins pressed heavily on my nerves, sending waves of unbearable pain with every breath. "Perhaps we could establish a signal between us," I suggested. Therefore, I had to conserve my strength and allocate my time wisely. ¡°A signal?¡± ¡°Yes, a signal for when you wish to summon me.¡± Knock, knock¡ª I tapped her full-length mirror twice with my fingers. ¡°If you tap the mirror twice like this, I will awaken.¡± ¡°Why bother?¡± ¡°Even I require time to sleep, Your Highness.¡± ¡°Hmph. I can¡¯t sleep from the pain, and yet you¡¯re going to leave me here to sleep?¡± Sophien grumbled, her tone still childlike, much like herints. ¡°However, I will spend all of my waking hours by your side.¡± There had been no other way. I could barely move, and my lower body was almostpletely paralyzed. ¡°... Fine, do as you wish,¡± Sophien said, clearly reluctant but without any other choice. I could no longer deny it¡ªdemonic energy was devouring my body. ¡°But tomorrow, I¡¯m going tomit suicide,¡± Sophien muttered in frustration. And so, she did. The following day, she took her own life, and the world reset once more. From that moment, I bore witness to the endless cycle of repetitions, all while enduring my own suffering. Life repeated, death repeated, despair echoed. Everything began again, disappeared, and started over once more. Disease and suffering, humanity and all creation, the world and itsws, mind and body, time and space, evil and good, light and darkness... All of existence had lost its meaning, drifting aimlessly through the void. Until, atst... [One-hundred-fiftieth cycle] I realized that the time had finally arrived. *** It was December, in the depths of winter. Harsh, cold winds swept across the continent, and winter beasts wreaked havoc on towns and viges. Yet, in the gardens of the Imperial Pce, delicate petals still floated through the air. A warm, tender atmosphere wrapped gently around the pce. ¡°Cough, cough, didn¡¯t I tell you to get lost?¡± came a harsh and sluggish voice, as foul as the stench of rotting fish, breaking the peace. ¡°But, Your Highness, you haven¡¯t taken all of your medicine¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s pointless, I¡¯m not taking it. Now get lost. Keiron, throw them all out!¡± Sophienmanded from her bed, dismissing the vassals. Once they were gone, she sat up and knocked the mirror twice. ¡°Professor. Are you there?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness. I am here,¡± came the reply. ¡°... I see. But oddly enough, I seem to besting longer this time, don¡¯t I?¡± This life had been different for her. Though her body had remained in pain, she had endured this regression far longer than anyone had expected. It wasn¡¯t because she had any will to live; rather, it felt as if life itself had stubbornly held on to her, refusing to let go. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "How many deaths have I endured?" Sophien asked. "One hundred forty-nine times, Your Highness." ¡°Hmm... Today is December 31st, which means tomorrow will be January 1st.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness. If you can endure until tomorrow, you may find yourself fully cured.¡± ¡°Hmph. What nonsense,¡± Sophien scoffed, her lips curling in annoyance. She held no expectations. Her mind had shattered and been pieced back together dozens of times, leaving her indifferent to life. The only sce she found was in the presence of the professor, who had stayed by her side throughout her regressions. Whether he was merely a creation of her mind no longer mattered. "Your Highness," the professor spoke once more. Sophien tilted her head and responded, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I will be watching over Your Highness, no matter where or when.¡± ¡°... That¡¯s rather sudden, don¡¯t you think?¡± Sophien said, ring at the professor in the mirror. With his eyes gently closed, he replied, ¡°It isn¡¯t sudden, Your Highness.¡± Sophien remained silent. ¡°Even if I¡¯m out of sight for a time...¡± A sudden sense of unease settled in her heart. Without thinking, she ran her tongue across her lips. ¡°I will always be with you on your journey.¡± "Are you saying you n to leave but have no true intention of doing so?" Sophien asked. "Your Highness, may I ask one favor of you, as I once upheld my promise to you?" Sophien remained silent, but the professor continued speaking. His voice softened as he continued, "From now on... no matter what happens, you must not take your life by your own choice." Sophien scoffed at the absurdity of his words, thinking, What a ridiculous request. Listening to his ridiculous request, Sophien pouted and asked, ¡°What nonsense is this?¡± "You must value your life, Your Highness." "Is there somewhere else you need to be?" ¡°No,¡± the professor in the mirror said with a faint, tired smile. It was the first time she had ever seen him smile, and she couldn¡¯t help but stare for a moment. ¡°It¡¯ste, Your Highness. Please rest.¡± Sophien nced at the clock. It was 8:30 in the evening. It was indeed time to sleep¡ªher body would break down if she didn¡¯t get at least fourteen hours of rest each day. ¡°I will await your signal, Your Highness,¡± the professor said. ¡°... I¡¯m not going to sleep.¡± Drowsiness crept over her, but she forced her eyes to stay open. She had decided to stay awake through the night, determined to keep watch on the mirror. ¡°I¡¯m not going to sleep...¡± Lying in bed, she had cast a sideways nce at the mirror. The professor had remained there each time she had looked. There had been no way to stop him from leaving while he had stayed inside the mirror, but with a sense of resignation, she had eventually drifted off to sleep. ¡°Yaaawn...¡± With a final yawn, she had fallen asleep. The next morning arrived soon after. Chirp, chirp¡ª Chirp, chirp¡ª Awakened by the sound of birds, Sophien had opened her eyes. A strange sensation washed over her¡ªa lightness she couldn¡¯t quite exin. ¡°Hmm?¡± Blinking slowly, she sat up. Having been tormented for so long, the sudden absence of pain made her wonder briefly if she had died and crossed into the afterlife. She ran her hands over her body, searching for any sign of difort. But there was none¡ªno trace of pain remained. ¡°... Keiron,¡± Sophien said. "Yes, Your Highness. Have you awoken?" Keiron asked. ¡°What is today¡¯s date?¡± "It is the 1st of January, Year 23, Your Highness." It was the Year 23, during the reign of Emperor Crebaim. If she had died and regressed, today would have been January 1st, Year 22. "Year 23? Are you certain it¡¯s Year 23?" ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± If today truly was January 1st, Year 23... then... then... Sophien thought, her body trembling with excitement as she clutched her face. ¡°Does this mean I¡¯m cured...?¡± The professor''s words suddenly resurfaced in her mind. ¡°If you can endure until tomorrow, you may find yourself fully cured.¡± He had told her that if she could make it through to the next day, she would be healed. Clutching her chest, her heart racing with excitement, Sophien cried out, "Professor!" There was no response. She stood quickly and rushed to the mirror. ¡°... Professor!¡± Sophien called out, knocking twice on the full-length mirror, just as they had promised. Knock, knock¡ª ¡°Professor, I believe I¡¯m cured. Just as you said!¡± But no response came. She blinked and waited in silence, gazing intently into the depths of the mirror. ¡°Professor?¡± By now, he should have answered, as he always did, with that cold yet gentle voice that had been herpanion for decades. But this time, the professor didn¡¯t show up. Chirp, chirp¡ª Chirp, chirp¡ª Only the sound of the damn birds echoed through the silence. ¡°... Professor?¡± Sophien¡¯s voice wavered as she called out once more. But neither in that mirror nor in any other mirror across the world did the professor ever appear again. Chapter 118: Sophien (3)

Chapter 118: Sophien (3)

My heart had stopped beating, and my lungs had failed. As all my vital organs shut down, except for my brain, my body temperature dropped, and the nerves in my fingers and toes grew rigid. My body was already dead. However, the body of an Iron Man dyed my death. My blood vessels, in ce of my heart and lungs, rhythmically contracted and expanded, forcing blood and oxygen through my body. It was a temporary fix, a brief reprieve, but it gave me the time I needed. In order to keep my death hidden from Sophien in this world, allowing her memories to continue without interruption, I headed toward the underground chamber of the Imperial Pce. The wooden door was already open, as if it had been waiting. I moved forward, slowly stepping into the depths of the darkness. "You knew this was going to happen," came a voice from behind. I turned around and saw the Demon¡¯s Mirror, its face a reflection of Sophien. "It''s all over," the Mirror said. "And you''re dead." I nodded. I had drained nearly sixty thousand mana points in a single moment and let a massive surge of demonic energy flood into my body. After that, survival had never been an option. ¡°I am aware of that.¡± ¡°Then why did you do it? I¡¯m just curious,¡± the Mirror asked. I closed my eyes as a flood of thoughts surged in¡ªsome belonging to Deculein, others to Kim Woo-Jin. But there was only one answer to the demon¡¯s question. ¡°I made a promise, and I refuse to lose.¡± My body had already given out, and even my brain was slowly shutting down. Yet, oddly enough, a smile spread across my face. I managed to open my eyes and fix my gaze on the demon. ¡°I refused to let a wretched demon like you im this world, or the Empress,¡± I concluded. The demon''s expression stiffened. It muttered under its breath before giving a small nod and said, "Well, congrattions. You won." Those were its final words. First, my vision faded, then my hearing. The world dimmed, sinking into silence. In that stillness, in the hollow emptiness, I felt death drawing near¡ªcold, unbearably cold... *** Sophien woke from her sleep, her thoughts still hazy. Her memories were tangled, but one thing was certain¡ªDeculein had fulfilled his promise to her. "... That stubborn man," Sophien murmured with a faint smile. Deculein had witnessed all of her deaths¡ªexcept for the three times she had been assassinated instead of falling to her illness. But after she had finally recovered, he had left. ¡°And yet...¡± Sophien murmured, ncing around her chambers. Two teacups rested on the table, the coffee long since gone cold¡ªjust as it was when Deculein left. ¡°He said we would meet again.¡± Frowning, she picked up the cup and used her mana to warm it before taking a sip. She drummed her fingers on the table, waiting. She wondered how long it would take for him toe from the underground chamber to her room. ncing at the clock, she checked the time. Tick-tock¡ª Tick-tock¡ª Tick-tock¡ª Seconds had passed, yet Deculein still hadn¡¯t returned. The Imperial Pce was expansive, but surely it wouldn¡¯t have taken more than ten minutes for him to arrive. Growing impatient, she crossed her arms and pursed her lips in frustration. "Your Majesty!" came a sudden disturbance from outside her chamber. With a wave of Telekinesis, Sophien opened the door and said, ¡°What¡¯s causing all this noise?¡± "There is a serious matter in the pce¡¯s underground chamber¡ª" Before her vassal could finish speaking, her eyes widened, and she leaped to her feet. Her legs moved before her thoughts could catch up, with dozens of officials and knights rushing after her. "Your Majesty! Over here, something unexinable¡ª" Sophien hurried to the underground chamber, where a wooden door stood at the far end. Beside it was a solitary figure. She approached in a daze, her vision blurring with each step, and her footing grew unsteady. ¡°Ha...¡± Sophien scoffed, a helplessugh escaping her lips. Without realizing it, her hand curled into a fist. ¡°... You said you¡¯d stand before me at the end of my journey.¡± It was Deculein. His body, overtaken by demonic energy, leaned lifelessly against the wall, his veins dark and swollen. To any observer, he appeared as nothing more than a corpse. ¡°Is this how you meant to stand before me?¡± Sophien murmured, a cold headache pressing at the edges of her thoughts. Suddenly, countless memories surged through her¡ªfragments of her long life spent with the one who had stood beside her through every regression, leaving traces in each cycle. ¡°Y-your Majesty, please do not go near... Th-the demonic energy may¡ª¡± ¡°Shut your fucking mouth,¡± Sophienmanded, dismissing her vassal''s warning. She stepped closer, her gaze fixed on Deculein''s lifeless face. ¡°I will be watching over Your Highness, no matter where or when.¡± His final words echoed in her mind. ¡°Even if I¡¯m out of sight for a time... I will always be with you on your journey.¡± Sophien nced down at the sword hanging at her waist, an ancient de that had been passed down through the imperial line to each Emperor or Empress. ¡°... May I ask one favor of you?¡± If I were tomit suicide now, you woulde back to life due to the regression, Sophien thought. ¡°From now on... no matter what happens, you must not take your life by your own choice.¡± Did you foresee this oue when you spoke those words? ¡°You must value your life, Your Highness.¡± Did you truly believe I would take my own life for your sake? You damn fool. If you were going to die like this, you should have at least had the decency to tell me. A surge of emotions, ones Sophien couldn¡¯t quite name, flooded through her. Amid the chaos, she noticed a small piece of paper sticking out from Deculein¡¯s jacket pocket. Reaching out, she pulled the scrap free. ¡°... Your Majesty,¡± Jng, the eunuch, called softly at that moment. Sophien turned to face him, her gaze sharpening into a cold re. His usually impassive face betrayed a faint trace of amusement, one she couldn¡¯t fully understand. ¡°Two knights have been detained in the Imperial Pce prison.¡± ¡°Knights?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Yulie and Keiron were caught conducting an unsanctioned duel within the pce grounds.¡± Sophien let out a bitterugh and replied, "... What the absolute fuck happened while I was asleep?" *** Empress Sophien had personally visited the Imperial prison. Yulie and Keiron had been confined to separate cells. She cast her gaze over the two knights before saying, ¡°Who imed victory?¡± Neither knight spoke, their silence hanging in the air. "Do you n to ignore me? Or was it just a pointless brawl, not a proper duel?" There was a distinct difference between a duel and a brawl. Duels between knights were considered sacred and often granted some leniency in judgment, but a brawl was an entirely different matter. A fight within the pce grounds could, in severe cases, result in execution. ¡°... I was defeated, Your Majesty,¡± Yulie eventually responded. Sophien smirked and remarked, ¡°Naturally. It would¡¯ve been surprising if you had won.¡± ¡°Your Majesty,¡± Yulie asked cautiously, her face tinged with fear. ¡°Has there been any word about Professor Deculein¡ª¡± ¡°He¡¯s dead.¡± Yulie¡¯s head snapped up, shock flooding her expression. Clicking her tongue, Sophien remarked, ¡°You look like you¡¯ll be following him soon.¡± Yulie bowed her head in silence. Sophien then turned her attention to Keiron, who knelt with both knees pressed to the floor. ¡°Keiron.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" ¡°... How are you faring, Your Majesty?¡± Without responding, Sophien turned to her vassal, uninterested in dragging the matter out any further. Shemanded, ¡°Release them both. It was just a knight¡¯s duel.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Guards!¡± one of the senior officers called out, and the guards quickly moved to unlock the cell doors. Yulie, visibly shaken, struggled to rise, while Keiron quickly stood and took his usual position behind Sophien. After a brief nce at Yulie, Sophien left the prison. She nced at the guards and said, ¡°That will do. You may all go now.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. We remain deeply honored by your favor...¡± Having dismissed her officials, Sophien made her way down the corridors of the Imperial Pce. Thud, thud¡ª The sound of her footsteps echoed alongside Keiron¡¯s, who followed closely, matching her pace as any knight was expected to do. ¡°... Keiron,¡± Sophien said. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°There was a Message Paper in Deculein¡¯s pocket,¡± Sophien remarked, passing Keiron the folded paper she held between two fingers. He epted it silently. ¡°It states that you¡¯ve been trailing N¨¦sc?us.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Are you still tracking it, as the directive states?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Sophien¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile. Whether Deculein had intended this oue or if it had happened by coincidence, she couldn¡¯t be sure. Or perhaps it was just her thoughts of him that stirred something within her. ¡°That little demon took the power that was rightfully mine.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty, that is correct.¡± Sophien stopped in her tracks and turned to face Keiron, who instantly dropped to one knee. She looked down at him and spoke, ¡°Then tell me. What punishment does a thief deserve for daring to steal from the Empress?¡± Keiron responded firmly, ¡°Death, Your Majesty.¡± *** The following morning, just before dawn, Sophien quietly departed from the Imperial Pce. It had been a long time since shest stepped beyond the pce gates. She confided only in Keiron, though she purposely sent dozens of carriages in different directions. Nevertheless, news of the Empress¡¯s departure quickly spread throughout the pce. Several noble families found themselves gripped by both fear and anticipation, wondering if the Empress wasing to visit them, while officials of the Imperium grew increasingly anxious, suspecting the trip might be a covert inspection. Yet none of these were Sophien¡¯s intended destination. After a three-day journey, she finally caught up with N¨¦sc?us, the creature Keiron had been pursuing. "... Is this the form I¡¯m meant to fear?" Sophien asked, her gaze fixed on N¨¦sc?us, nothing more than a skeleton draped in a ck robe. She remained unimpressed, the sight far from intimidating. Keiron spoke, his voice steady. "You should cut it down, Your Majesty." ¡°Hmph. Is it really that hard for you to look at? Coward.¡± Shing¡ª! Sophien unsheathed the ancestral de from her waist. The sharp edge glinted as it aimed at N¨¦sc?us, but she paused. If she were to strike the creature down and trigger the regression, Deculein woulde back to life. Because the power of regression, which N¨¦sc?us had stolen, rightfully belonged to her. At its core was none other than Sophien Aekater Augus von Jaegus Gifrein. Yet, despite that, something made her hesitate. ¡°Keiron, he will forget everything, won¡¯t he?¡± Sophien asked. Though Sophien would retain her memories, Deculein would lose all recollection of her. He would fade from her life, and the countless cycles they had shared would be erased. No one would be left who truly understood her. ¡°That is likely, Your Majesty,¡± Keiron confirmed. Sophien slowly returned her sword to its sheath. ¡°Your Majesty,¡± Keiron urged, as if encouraging her to proceed. Sophien nced at him, let out a sigh, and said, ¡°... There¡¯s no need to kill it.¡± Instead, she extended her hand toward N¨¦sc?us. With a simple touch of her finger on the skeleton¡¯s forehead, she reimed the Essence of Regression it had stolen. "This should be enough," Sophien murmured, gauging the length of the regression from its size. Keiron said, ¡°If the timing is wrong, it could lead to disaster.¡± ¡°This power belongs to me. I can see it clearly. If it¡¯scking or excessive, I¡¯ll correct it myself,¡± Sophien replied, her expression tinged with bitterness as she gazed at the essence. After a pause, she quietly called his name, ¡°Keiron.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°... Forget it. Once we return, your wrongs will be wiped away.¡± Keiron¡¯s expression darkened as Sophien smirked, clenching her fist around the essence and saying, ¡°We¡¯ll meet again, Keiron.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± At that moment, the Essence of Regression activated with a dramatic re. Light surged from her clenched hand, flooding the world like the sun. Sophien briefly shut her eyes against the blinding radiance. Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª The ticking of a clock greeted her as she opened her eyes. She found herself seated at the tea table, two cups of steaming coffee resting before her. She lifted her gaze and locked eyes with the man sitting across from her¡ªsomeone bold enough to meet her gaze without faltering. It was Deculein. They sat in silence, staring at each other, until Sophien finally spoke. ¡°... Deculein,¡± I said. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± Deculein responded. "... Did I call for you?" "Yes, that is correct." "And you were pulled here from the library?" ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. What is it that you require?¡± Sophien gave a faint smile. The timing had been perfect. If she had arrived just thirty minutester, Deculein would have already gone down to the underground chamber. But the smile didn¡¯tst long. Sophien¡¯s face hardened, and she asked him, ¡°Deculein. Do you still remember?¡± Deculein offered no response. Her voice trembled slightly,den with the weight of her expectations as she asked once more, ¡°Do you remember?¡± Nearly a century and countless deaths... Do you still remember me? I believed, if anyone could hold on, it would be you¡ªyou wouldn¡¯t forget me, would you? Sophien asked in her mind. ¡°... What are you referring to, Your Majesty?¡± Deculein asked inly. Sophien clenched her teeth, swallowing her disappointment, before shifting the conversation. ¡°About those Altar bastards.¡± ¡°Of course, Your Majesty. How could I forget such a thing?¡± ¡°How could I forget such a thing?¡± His voice echoed in Sophien¡¯s mind as she sat in silence, absorbing every word. "This time...¡± Having you by my side, I was able to endure everything, Sophien thought. ¡°I will crush them myself, bit by bit, with my own hands." Therefore, you have kept your promise. After more than a hundred deaths and regressions, even if you don¡¯t remember the endless suffering, I still do. Your sacrifice and loyalty hold the same worth. You have fulfilled your promise. ¡°So then... for today,¡± Sophien began, recalling the moment when Deculein had once suggested they y chess. ¡°Let¡¯s y chess.¡± Deculein¡¯s brow twitched at her words, and Sophien quickly caught the subtle shift in his expression. Then, Deculein asked aloud, ¡°Have you called me here so early in the morning just for a game of chess?¡± ¡°What of it? Are you going to refuse?¡± ¡°... No, Your Majesty.¡± "Good," Sophien said, cing the chessboard on the table with a wave of Telekinesis. She took the white pieces, leaving Deculein with the ck. "Shall we begin?" "Of course, Your Majesty," Deculein replied, his confidence evident. Of course. That damn man never allowed me a single victory in all those memories. Click¡ª Sophien advanced a ck pawn, and Deculein followed by shifting a white pawn in response. Click¡ª His opening had been aggressive, but Sophien countered with a calm, measured response. With her gaze fixed on the chessboard, she spoke again, ¡°Deculein.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± "Did you know? No matter how many times I regress, there are some skills that, for instance, do not fade." "And what might that be?" ¡°Chess,¡± Sophien answered. Deculein nodded with understanding and said, ¡°It¡¯s logical. Magic weakens without the proper restoration of its circuits, and swordsmanship erodes without consistent physical discipline. But chess, much like other intellectual pursuits¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough. I didn¡¯t ask for an analysis,¡± Sophien said sharply, moving her knight with force as she shot him a re. ¡°I was simply stating a fact.¡± "... Of course, Your Majesty," Deculein responded, a hint of confusion in his voice as he continued positioning his pieces. The rest of the game yed out in silence, with each move met by a precise response. When Deculein advanced, Sophien countered; when she pushed forward, he blocked. The oue had already be clear. ¡°Damn it. A draw, is it?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. In theory, when both yers perform wlessly, a draw is the most probable result,¡± Deculein exined. Sophien observed him, noting how intently he analyzed the chessboard. ¡°I¡¯m quite skilled at it. Even if you spent your entire life trying, you wouldn¡¯t be able to defeat me.¡± The words he had spoken through the mirror echoed in her mind. ¡°Perhaps when you do manage to beat me, it will mean you¡¯ve fully recovered.¡± ¡°No, it isn¡¯t,¡± Sophien muttered. Even now that I¡¯ve fully recovered, it¡¯s still just a draw. So, you were wrong. ¡°I was speaking strictly in theoretical terms, Your Majesty,¡± Deculein responded. Sophien found his aristocratic face unusually bothersome today. After a moment¡¯s thought, she gestured toward the door with her chin and said, ¡°That¡¯s enough for today. Get going. I¡¯m sure your fianc¨¦e is waiting.¡± ¡°My fianc¨¦e... Are you referring to Yulie?¡± "Yes. One game is more than enough for today." ¡°... Yes, Your Majesty,¡± Deculein replied, standing from his seat. He bowed and turned to leave, while Sophien rested her chin on her hand, pretending indifference. As he walked away, she watched him from the corner of her eye. Creeeak... He had walked with steady steps, the sound of his footsteps gradually fading before the door clicked shut behind him. In the brief moment before it fully closed, Sophien caught a final glimpse of his broad back. Thud¡ª! After the door closed, leaving her alone, Sophien idly fiddled with the chess pieces. Then, reaching to her waist, she pulled out a small object¡ªa hand mirror. ¡°... Hey,¡± Sophien asked, her gaze fixed on the mirror. ¡°Are you there?¡± No response came, no matter how long she waited. Eventually, she leaned back in her chair. ¡°If not, then it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± She let out a deep sigh as she opened the drawer and tucked the hand mirror away. Afterward, she drew back the curtains. Sunlight streamed in through the window, scattering like flower petals across the room. She stared at the light, her hands absently moving over her body. Somehow, the ennui that had been gnawing at her seemed to ease, even if only a little. ¡°Keiron!¡± Sophien called. Keiron¡¯s voice came from beyond the door, ¡°At yourmand, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a while, but I¡¯ll get some exercise!¡± Keiron hesitated, momentarily taken aback. Before he could gather himself, Sophien had already thrown the door wide open. He stood there, briefly stunned. ¡°Why are you standing there like aplete idiot?¡± Sophien asked, giving Keiron a firm punch on the shoulder. N?v(el)B\\jnn ¡°Well, uh¡ª¡± ¡°Follow me,¡± Sophienmanded. Then she walked with unwavering confidence, each step resonating with poise, and there wasn¡¯t a trace of hesitation or lethargy in her posture. Finally, it was time for the Empress to step out into the world. Chapter 119: Story (1)

Chapter 119: Story (1)

Thud¡ª The echo of my footsteps lingered briefly before fading into silence. I halted in the hallway of the Imperial Pce, my attention drawn to the sudden flicker of a notification that appeared before me. [Quest Complete: The Demon¡¯s Mirror] ¡ô Store Currency +10 ¡ô Talent Acquired: Origin¡ªMirror I hadpleted the quest, the Demon¡¯s Mirror, earning both store currency and a new talent. However, I still couldn¡¯t fully grasp what had happened. I tried to piece together the events that had led me here. I¡¯d been in the Mage Tower¡¯s library, studying Mirror Magic and ss Magic, when Sophien called for me at the Imperial Pce. We yed a game of chess, but beyond that, nothing seemed significant. Yet the reward had been extraordinary. The three core talents of a mage¡ªattributes, origin, and curios¡ªwere considered as vital as one¡¯s magical talent, and now, I had acquired one of them, the origin. ¡°Origin....¡± My innate magical talents as a Deculein had always been rooted in the elements, particrly earth and fire. While mirrors could vaguely be linked to those forces, this new origin felt different, as though it held a deeper significance. Now, I possessed a unique blend of Origin¡ªMirror and Properties¡ªEarth and Fire. ¡°However...¡± I still couldn¡¯t fully grasp how everything had yed out¡ªthe quest finishing on its own and the Origin¡ªMirror that I had gained. "Everyone, step outside!¡± Suddenly, chaos erupted in the Imperial Pce. The halls echoed with noise as knights rushed in from every direction, sprinting through the corridors. Vassals and officials hurried past, their movements quick and frantic. "Quickly! This way...!" I trailed behind them at an unhurried pace. As I continued walking, more people began to gather, crowding around the windows on the first floor to look outside. "Lord Yukline,e see this remarkable sight!" someone eximed, tugging me toward the window. At that moment, it became clear what they meant. "It has been nearly fifteen years since Her Majestyst exercised in the morning..." Empress Sophien was engaged in a sword fight with Keiron in the courtyard. Like the others, I stood watching her, momentarily lost in thought before murmuring, "... The world must have shifted." Though quietly spoken, the words sank deep into my mind, carrying a weight I couldn¡¯t ignore. They stirred my thoughts, spreading like ripples from a stone dropped into still water. Sophien, exercising at dawn¡ªthere was nothing ordinary about it. It felt like an omen, a shadow of something ominous approaching. As if to confirm my suspicion, I remembered that I had justpleted a quest. Saying nothing more, I turned and left the knights and vassals behind, retracing my steps through the corridor. I soon reached a quiet, hidden part of the pce, where a passage descended into the underground chambers. I paused before an old wooden door, its presence feeling strangely out of ce, as though it had been forgotten. Slowly, I stepped closer and grasped the handle. Click¡ª The door remained stuck, offering only a faint creak. I ced my palm against it, and a cold, unfamiliar sensation seeped through my skin. "... This must be the ce." It felt as if something deep inside me was stirring¡ªan instinct left unspoken, or a memory long buried. I couldn¡¯t remember it now, but I could sense it, waiting for the right moment to surface. ¡°Of course,¡± I muttered with a nod, then turned away, leaving the door behind without a second nce. A sudden cheer erupted from the halls above, filling the pce with energy. Excitement buzzed through the air as everyone focused on Sophien¡¯s swordy. I briefly considered joining the crowd or perhaps bringing Yulie along forpany. Or perhaps... "Yulie," I called, turning to find her hidden in the shadows, mimicking the stillness of the knight statues from the underground chamber as if she were one of them. She flinched at being discovered and asked, ¡°Did you... know I was here all along?¡± "Come along. Let¡¯s watch Her Majesty''s swordy together. As an Instructor Knight, you will find it useful for your next lesson." ¡°...Yes, Professor,¡± Yulie replied, her ted armor nking as she stepped forward to fall in line beside me. We walked together in silence. I knew our farewell was inevitable, but for now¡ªon this strange, peculiar day¡ªwe could remain side by side a little longer... *** "... Ephie! Ephie!" A voice drifted into Epherene¡¯s foggy consciousness, followed by hands gently shaking her awake. Her sleep-heavy eyes slowly fluttered open, sluggish and lifeless, like those of a waking zombie. Through her barely opened eyelids, she saw her friend, Julia, leaning in and saying, "Did you hear about it?" ¡°Hear what...?¡± ¡°Sylvia!¡± ¡°... Sylvia?¡± Epherene muttered, letting out a long yawn as she pushed herself upright. Julia¡¯s voice rose with excitement as she went on, ¡°Yes! She¡¯s already a Monarch!¡± Still groggy, Epherene yawned again, this time as wide as a dinosaur, before asking, ¡°Monarch?¡± ¡°Yes! Monarch!¡± ¡°... You mean the mage rankings?¡± Epherene asked, stretching as she let out an even bigger yawn. "Exactly! She¡¯s a Monarch-ranked mage now!" "... Well, she was always capable of something like that." ¡°What do you mean, capable?! Ephie, she could end up being our professor just like that!¡± ¡°No way~¡± Epherene muttered, her eyes drifting to the chalkboard. The lecture on Wide-Area Magic for Beast Defense: Fire Property¡ªDestruction Category had already ended. ¡°Still, if she¡¯s already a Monarch... I kind of envy that.¡± Truthfully, Epherene felt she was wasting time in some of her sses. Most of the lectures for the Solda rank were far too easy, covering material she had already mastered. "Why would you envy that?! Come on. She only got there because of her family¡¯s influence! If she were amoner, she¡¯d never have made it. She barely held the Solda rank for six months, and now she¡¯s already a Monarch!" ¡°... True,¡± Epherene said, reluctantly agreeing with Julia¡¯s frustration as she stood up. ¡°By the way, Ephie, why haven¡¯t you beening to the restauranttely?¡± Julia asked, tilting her head in slight disappointment, her expensive artifact earrings jingling as she moved. Epherene sighed and said, ¡°You know~ I¡¯d love to, but there¡¯s just too much to study.¡± Epherene hardly ever found enough time to eat, let alone leave the Mage Tower. Over the next month, she needed to at least grasp some of the paper Deculein had assigned her, even if fullprehension was beyond her reach. ¡°We even started offering food delivery recently,¡± Julia said. ¡°... Really?¡± That caught Epherene¡¯s attention. Julia smiled and said, ¡°Yup. There¡¯s usually an extra charge, but since you¡¯re a regr, delivery¡¯s free for you, Ephie.¡± ¡°... Yeah?¡± Epherene said as her stomach growled. She unconsciously licked her lips. ¡°Then maybe I will today¡ª¡± *** After cing her order with Roahawk, Epherene cheerfully made her way up to the 77th floor. Head Professor: Deculein She idly fidgeted with the documents meant for Professor Deculein as she knocked on the office door. Knock, knock¡ª She waited, but there was no response from within. ¡°Not here again?¡± Epherene muttered, pushing the door open. The door swung open without resistance, revealing an empty room. Deculein had either forgotten to lock it or had only stepped out for a moment. Epherene walked in and ced the documents on his desk. ¡°... Hmm~¡± As she was about to leave, she nced around before quietly reaching for the desk drawer. ¡°What exactly do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± ¡°Ahhh!¡± Epherene gasped, startled, whipping her head toward the voice. A tall mirror hung on the wall, with Deculein standing inside it. Instinctively, she turned to look behind her, but he wasn¡¯t there. When she nced back at the mirror, he was still inside. ¡°... What? You¡¯re inside the mirror, but...¡± There was no trace of him outside, a sight that defied human perception. As Epherene stood there, staring in confusion, Deculein stepped out of the mirror with a swift, fluid motion. ¡°What?!¡± Deculein walked calmly to his chair and sat down, causing Epherene to retreat in fear. In a toneced with disapproval, he said, ¡°How can a mage be so easily shaken by magic?¡± ¡°What sort of... magic is that?¡± ¡°It is Mirror Magic.¡± Epherene nced at the mirror from which he had emerged. It didn¡¯t appear to be a special artifact. ¡°Epherene, you¡¯ve beening here frequentlytely, and without permission.¡± ¡°The door was open... and these documents were supposed to be important.¡± "That¡¯s three penalty points for you." ¡°... You might have simply locked the door.¡± Deculein ignored herment, opened the folder, and signed the document with his fountain pen. At that moment, a loud voice resonated through the office. ¡ª Hello! This is Chairwoman Adrienne! My voice is being broadcast across the entire Mage Tower! ¡°What now...¡± Epherene murmured, ncing at the paper Deculein had signed. The title read Confirmation of Candidacy for Chairman Position. ¡ª My term ising to an end! And today, we¡¯ll be announcing the candidates for the next Chairman position! ¡°Epherene, do you find yourself with nothing better to do?¡± Deculein asked coldly. ¡°N-no, I¡¯ll be going now,¡± Epherene replied quickly, hurrying out of the office. Adrienne¡¯s voice echoed through the hallways on the 77th floor. ¡ª Candidate number one, Head Professor Deculein! Candidate number two, leader of the Dukan School and Imperial Pce-approved mage¡ªIhelm! Epherene pressed the elevator button, knowing Roahawk¡¯s delivery was expected to arrive soon. ¡°My evaluation as Chairwoman will be based purely on performance! Additionally, anonymous judges will take part in the assessment! The final decision for the Chairman position will be announced in winter, or perhaps spring! It¡¯s not far off now, is it?!¡± Ding¡ª! The elevator doors slid open, and Epherene frowned the moment she saw who was inside. A tall, blond man with an arrogant look. ¡°Hmm~?¡± Ihelm, the second candidate, remarked. While Epherene scowled, he offered a warm smile. ¡°Ah~ Leaf. Will you not step inside?¡± He wedged his foot in the closing door, forcing it back open. Epherene sighed in annoyance and reluctantly stepped inside. ¡°Why such hostility, Leaf? Have I acted in a way that displeases you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already told you¡ªmy name is Epherene.¡± ¡°That namecks charm. Leaf has a nicer ring to it, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± She remained silent, unwilling to continue the argument. The elevator descended swiftly, the silence broken by Ihelm¡¯s voice. He spoke in a low, deliberate tone and said, ¡°Leaf, are you really going to let Deculein be Chairman?¡± Epherene remained silent. ¡°If you allow it, your father and his work will be buried forever, lost to obscurity.¡± ¡°... Ugh, seriously,¡± Epherene muttered under her breath, frustrated by the constant mention of her father. She clenched her teeth and red at him, but Ihelm merely smirked and continued, ¡°Deculein¡¯s thesis will be presented soon. Do you really think he¡¯ll give your father, the original author, any recognition? No, he¡¯ll erase him¡ªerase his existence entirely, without you ever knowing.¡± Irritated, Epherene raised her voice and yelled, ¡°Ah, stop it! Why do you keep¡ª¡± ¡°Take this,¡± Ihelm said, calmly extending a sheet of paper. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a witness application form.¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± ¡°I¡¯m nning to put you forward as a witness in the uing hearing.¡± Epherene nced at the application paper. The text stated that the candidate for Chairperson, Ihelm, was formally requesting Solda Epherene to serve as a witness at the uing hearing. ¡°No I refu¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯re free to refuse, but keep this in mind¡ªyou¡¯re the only card I have left to y against Deculein.¡± ¡°... Hmph. Who cares?¡± Epherene muttered, crumpling the paper in her fist. ¡°Put simply, if you don¡¯t act, Deculein will be Chairman. When that happens, he¡¯ll bury your father and his work for good.¡± Her hands stopped mid-motion. Ding¡ª! At that moment, the elevator arrived at its destination. ¡°Leaf, have you ever wondered why Deculein keeps you close? What do you think his reason is?¡± Epherene remained quiet. ¡°You have to think about it. Think,¡± Ihelm said, his eyes fixed on the open elevator doors. ¡°Is it guilt over his subordinate¡¯s death? Sympathy for you as the daughter of that man? A brief moment of pity? No, that¡¯s not it.¡± ¡°... What¡¯s your point?¡± Epherene asked. Ihelm tilted his head slightly, his golden hair shimmering as his red eyes narrowed with a sly grin, and said, ¡°You are Deculein¡¯s Achilles¡¯ heel.¡± ¡°... What are you talking about?¡± ¡°The safest way to avoid being hurt is to control the weapon yourself.¡± Epherene stepped out of the elevator in silence, Ihelm¡¯s voice trailing behind her as she walked away. ¡°That¡¯s why he keeps you close¡ªto keep you from getting any dangerous ideas. And if you do, he¡¯ll catch on right away.¡± At the entrance of the Mage Tower, the delivery driver nced around, clearly looking for someone. Epherene quickly approached and asked, ¡°Is that the Roahawk delivery? It¡¯s mine. How much is it?" ¡°It¡¯s 300 elne,¡± the driver replied. As Epherene fumbled for her wallet, Ihelm appeared beside her and said, ¡°Would you like me to pay for that?¡± ¡°Oh, for crying out loud¡ªno, just leave,¡± Epherene snapped. ¡°Are you sure? Just remember what I told you. Hold on to that witness application form¡ªit¡¯s your only way to bring down your father¡¯s enemy,¡± Ihelm said, patting her shoulder before walking away. ¡°Ugh, he''s such an annoying jerk... Here¡¯s 300 elne,¡± Epherene said, handing the driver the money. ¡°Thank you. Enjoy your meal~¡± As Epherene stepped back into the elevator, Ihelm¡¯s words echoed in her mind. ¡°That¡¯s why he keeps you close¡ªto keep you from getting any dangerous ideas. And if you do, he¡¯ll catch on right away.¡± Epherene held back the sigh that was building in her chest. ¡°If you allow it, your father and his work will be buried forever, lost to obscurity.¡± She looked down at the crumpled witness application form in her hand. ¡°Hold on to that witness application form¡ªit¡¯s your only way to bring down your father¡¯s enemy.¡± Although it was wrinkled beyond use, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to tear it apart. Instead, she tucked it into her pocket. *** The Origin¡ªMirror had been an unexpectedly beautiful reward. While techniques like perfectly parrying an attack, reminiscent of certain games, were clearly impossible, I had gained the ability to manipte phenomena such as refraction and reflection through mirrors as a talent. This allowed me to move through mirrors as if they were portals, a near-masterful use of magic. Having acquired the talent only yesterday, I still hadn¡¯t fully grasped its true potential. At that moment... Knock knock¡ª Someone knocked on my office door. I opened it with a flick of Telekinesis. ¡°Professor,¡± Primien said, a box tucked under her arm. ¡°I¡¯vepiled everything rted to Cielia.¡± Thud¡ª! Primien ced the box on my desk, filled to the brim with reports. From the box, she retrieved a single file and said, ¡°This is the report on Monarch Sylvia.¡± ¡°... Monarch.¡± n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°Yes, Sylvia has reached the same rank as you, Professor. Her aplishment was the creation of an artificial ind in the orbit of the Floating Ind.¡± Monarch Sylvia. I paused for a moment, then nodded. I couldn¡¯t deny a slight twinge of jealousy. ¡°Please review it, starting from the top,¡± Primien said as she took her seat. I raised the file with Telekinesis, carefully reading each sentence without missing a single word. Thud¡ª I closed the file. Primien observed me with a sharp gaze as I asked, ¡°Is this true?¡± ¡°It¡¯s only spection on my end, but I believe you, Professor, are in the best position to confirm the truth.¡± I nced back at the file. Buried in the thick stack of documents was a single letter, its edges charred. It struck my mind like a needle, stirring fragmented memories I hadn¡¯t realized were there. ¡°Did you truly believe your death would settle everything? That walking away like this would bring it all to a close?¡± ... The memory of gloved hands tightening around someone''s neck. ¡°This is no insignificant deal. Your pathetic, damned existence holds no value whatsoever, woman.¡± In that memory, Deculein had been furious, his face contorted and veins bulging, looking nothing short of demonic. ¡°I will kill your husband, Glitheon, and that damn daughter you so dearly love. Everyst one of them will die by my hand.¡± He screamed in what sounded like agony, pouring every ounce of his malevolence into the curse. ¡°I will tear them apart and obliterate everyst one of them!¡± ¡°... Professor?¡± That voice pulled me back to the present. A sudden headache blurred my vision and made my eyes tremble. ¡°Are you feeling alright, Professor?¡± Primien asked, her toneced with suspicion. I dismissed her with a wave and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine. You may leave now.¡± ¡°No, Professor. The Sylvia Task Force meeting is scheduled for today.¡± ¡°... And?¡± ¡°I ask for your presence,¡± Primien said, resting her hand on the box she had brought. ¡°I¡¯vepleted your request, Professor. Now it¡¯s your turn.¡± Chapter 120: Story (2)

Chapter 120: Story (2)

"... Sylvia, the subject under surveince, is currently residing on the Nameless Ind she created." The headquarters of the Sylvia Task Force, set up by the Intelligence Agency in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Safety, had been an ordinary house. It was one of the many red-brickplexes along the street of Bayjin, where most of Impurium''s bureaucrats resided. The interior, like the furniture, was as unremarkable as the house itself. "She appears to own a mansion on the Floating Ind under her family¡¯s name, though she rarely visits," an agent from the Intelligence Agency exined. I sat on the living room sofa, surveying the task force members. Deputy Director of the Ministry of Public Safety, Lillia Primien, was there along with the Intelligence Agency''s named agent character Lukehal and six others¡ªeach reputed to be highly capable. Primien asked, "What of the monster Sylvia unconsciously created?" "It appears to have vanished for the time being, but witnesses have described it as illustrated here." The creature appeared as a tall, pale woman, her mouth filled with rows of jagged teeth, much like a shark''s. Primien scoffed, ¡°That thing is disgusting. Get rid of it. Now, what¡¯s the deal with Nameless Ind, her so-called achievement that got her the rank of Monarch?¡± At her question, the agent channeled mana into the crystal orb, projecting an image of the Nameless Ind¡¯sndscape. "Hmm..." Primien murmured, folding her arms thoughtfully, as I watched in silence. The red-haired agent, Lukehal, inquired, "What are your thoughts, Deputy Director?" "... Now I see why she ascended to the rank of Monarch in just three months," Primien remarked, nodding in approval. The other agents nodded in agreement, echoing her sentiment, but to me, thendscape of the Nameless Ind was all too familiar. The swaying wheat and fallen leaves, vivid as a painting, and the sun¡¯s fierce rays beating down¡ªit all reflected an exam I had once designed. Sylvia had recreated Van Gogh¡¯s canvas on that ind. "... She has learned well," I muttered quietly. Primien and the agents turned their gaze toward me, their faces showing faint confusion. With her usual cynical tone, Primien asked, "Are you just implying you taught her, or are you saying you actually did?" "If you''re truly curious, you can purchase one of my exam papers. They asionally surface at auctions on the Floating Ind. I''ll even waive the intellectual property fees." "... Auction?" Primien asked, casting a sideways nce at Lukehal. Lukehal gestured to one of the agents, who promptly exited the room, likely heading for the Floating Ind. "Professor Deculein," Lukehal called, drawing my attention. I turned to face him. "What would you consider an appropriate surveince grade? Your expert opinion would be greatly appreciated." The surveince grade, a measure of the subject¡¯s threat level, was ranked from ck as the highest, followed by Red, Blue, and Green as the lowest. "We''re considering assigning her a Red grade," Lukehal continued. "Five people have already fallen victim to the creature Sylvia created. We believe Red would be appropriate." Primien nodded in agreement with his suggestion. Red indicated armed, close-range surveince, assigned when the subject was considered a confirmed threat. I shook my head and said, "That won¡¯t be necessary. Green will be enough." "Excuse me?" Lukehal said, his expression one of clear surprise. Green surveince indicated distant observation only. Both Primien and Lukehal stared at me in disbelief. "Lukehal hesitated before speaking, ¡°Was there a particr reason behind that suggestion?¡± ¡°A mage capable of creating an entire ind wouldn¡¯t overlook being watched. Anything beyond Blue-level surveince would just provoke unnecessary stress,¡± I replied. "But¡ª" ¡°And,¡± I interrupted, locking eyes with him. ¡°She¡¯s a good kid.¡± All eyes shifted to me, their stares filled with a quiet intensity. "We only need to observe from afar, watching how much Sylvia grows and how high she will ascend." "... Sorry?" "There¡¯s no reason to treat a girl like a monster when she clearly isn¡¯t. Given time, she¡¯ll take care of the real threat herself," I said as I stood from my seat. Lukehal rubbed his head thoughtfully, then nodded and said, "Well. We¡¯ll proceed with the expert¡¯s rmendation. For now, we¡¯ll assign her a Green grade, though this decision remains subject to change." "I¡¯ll take my leave now. Continue your work," I said, making my way toward the exit, with Primien following closely behind. "... Professor," Primien said, her voice as devoid of emotion as ever. "Do you feel any sense of guilt toward that child?" As we walked down the path, I reflected quietly. Sylvia. Perhaps I had unknowingly formed an attachment to her, lingering over the regrets of our past. Or maybe... "She¡¯s just a poor child." Pity wasn¡¯t an emotion I often felt. As Deculein, such feelings were rare for me. But the truth remained¡ªSylvia¡¯s life had been far from easy. She was a child who had endured too much in too little time. Hardened yet fragile, she had been slowly destroying parts of herself for years. "There¡¯s no need to push her any further." Primien remained silent as we walked. After a while, she quietly turned and left, going her own way. Meanwhile, the wind Sylvia had invented reached the distant ground below. It was a nameless spell, known only as the wind, and it cared nothing for distance or obstacles, traveling purely through mana as a medium, carrying the world¡¯s sounds to her ears. ¡ª ... She¡¯s a good kid. The sound carried by the wind echoed in her ears. ¡ª We only need to observe from afar, watching how much Sylvia grows and how high she will ascend. Deculein¡¯s voice seemed to stretch endlessly, hanging in the air long after the moment had passed. ¡ª There¡¯s no reason to treat a girl like a monster when she clearly isn¡¯t. Given time, she¡¯ll take care of the real threat herself. Sylvia had overheard every word. From thousands of meters above, she had listened in on those who imed they would be watching her. But now, it was she who watched them. ¡ª Do you feel any sense of guilt toward that child? The question hade from Deputy Director Lillia Primien. Deculein paused before answering. ¡ª ... She¡¯s just a poor child. The moment those words reached her, Sylvia clenched her fists, her heart hammering in her chest. I never wanted this kind of pity or sympathy. All I ever wanted was... Sylvia thought. ¡ª There¡¯s no need to push her any further. Every word stabbed at her heart. Clenching her teeth, Sylvia muttered under her breath, ¡°... That bastard.¡± Idnik, who had been quietly brewing tea at the nearby table, nced over. Sylvia¡¯s tired eyes shimmered with unshed tears. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Clicking her tongue, Idnik approached her and asked, ¡°Sylvia, are you intentionally feeding your hatred?¡± Sylvia snapped her head around, ring at Idnik. Smirking, Idnik handed her a cup of tea and then sat beside her, gazing out at the ind¡¯sndscape. The scene was as picturesque as a painting. Swifty flew beyond the wheat fields, while Bearbie Panda yed in the distance. Everything seemed peaceful, yet Sylvia¡¯s expression remained tight with frustration. Sipping her tea, Idnik said, ¡°Rx. You¡¯re too tense.¡± ¡°... Stay out of it.¡± ¡°Stay out? Sylvia, ever heard of physiognomy?¡± "I don¡¯t believe in that kind of nonsense." ¡°It¡¯s not about belief; it¡¯s a fact,¡± Idnik said, leaning in as she examined Sylvia¡¯s face. Sylvia scowled and shoved her back. ¡°A person¡¯s expression mirrors their heart. If the heart rots, the face will follow.¡± Sylvia paid her no mind. ¡°When you keep those rotten expressions for too long, they be etched into your face. That¡¯s what we call physiognomy, and you¡¯re showing it right now.¡± Without a word, Sylvia stood and returned to the mansion she had crafted herself, a ce painted as if with oil on canvas. Idnik chuckled softly and said, ¡°Yes, go ahead. Get some rest.¡± *** The crescent moon hung in the night sky, shaped like a croissant. After being away for so long, Epherene finally returned to her dormitory. The sight of the moon, which reminded her of bread, had led her to buy three pastries on the way back. With a small sigh, she set down her backpack and the bag of bread. Reaching under the bed, she pulled at an old travel suitcase. After several tugs, it finally clicked open. Inside were her father¡¯s letters. She recalled the days when she had read through them all¡ªsometimes with joy, sometimes in anger. In her youth, she had clung to the hopeless hope that one day he would return, and they would be happy again. But those days were long gone. The girl she once was had disappeared, and her father¡¯s time hade to a standstill, frozen forever. ¡°... Achilles¡¯ heel.¡± Ihelm had once insisted that she was Deculein¡¯s Achilles¡¯ heel, iming that his kindness was nothing more than a calcted effort to tter her. Yet, the future version of herself she had encountered in Lokralen¡ªthough those memories had blurred over time¡ªhad not treated Deculein as an enemy. ¡°I have no idea...¡± Epherene sighed, blowing her bangs upward. Feeling unsettled, she opened her drawer and pulled out a sponsorship certificate¡ªproof of Deculein¡¯s backing. She set Ihelm¡¯s witness application form down next to it. ¡°... Dad. I just don¡¯t know,¡± Epherene muttered, staring at the papers. She ruffled her hair in frustration, lost in a sea of unanswered questions. ¡°Why...¡± No matter how much she dwelled on it, the choices remained few. The only path to understanding Deculein¡¯s true intentions and uncovering his past with her father was to ept the witness application form. Gripping the paper, she nced out at the crescent moon, shaped like a croissant in the night sky. Epherene opened the bag and took a bite of the pastry. *** The following day, Imissioned the Empire¡¯s artisans to craft mirrors and oversaw the construction of a Mirror Tower in the back garden of the Yukline mansion. It marked the start of my earnest training to master the Origin. ¡°Master, is there anything else you require?¡± Ren, my butler, inquired. I shook my head and said, ¡°No, this will do. Ensure no one enters from this point on.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Once Ren bowed and left, I opened the door to the Mirror Tower. Inside, countless mirrors reflected endlessly in every direction. Standing at the center, I gave a nod of approval. ¡°... Definitely.¡± I already felt my body and mana growing lighter. The Origin¡¯s connection to mirrors meant their features, attributes, unique aspects, and very existence had be part of my talent. Enclosed by so many, I feltpletely in my element¡ªinstinctual, yet powerfully attuned. Reaching into my pocket, I drew out a piece of Wood Steel. Snap¡ª! With a flick of my fingers, the Wood Steel shot forward in a straight line before instantly refracting to the right. It seemed as though it had split into two, each piece moving independently. ¡°With a little more mana infused...¡± The shuriken¡¯s single path split into dozens, its de gleaming as it reflected across the mirrors. It was now disying the phenomenon of reflection. "Its lethality must be remarkable." When facing either a human or a beast, it would prove exceptionally useful. For now, it still required a mirror as its medium, but with further practice, I would soon be able to use any metallic surface as one¡ªenabling even more advanced reflection and refraction. ¡°Hmm.¡± Still, all of this remained just a stepping stone. My ultimate goal was to apply the Origin to Snowflower Stone, a clear and transparent metal that inherently possessed mirror-like qualities. It wasn''t beyond reach. ¡°... Again.¡± I returned to my training. ng¡ª! ng, ng, ng¡ª! ng, ng, ng, ng, ng¡ª! The Wood Steel ricocheted off the mirrors in quick session, refracting and reflecting as it flew. The Telekinesis guiding it felt sharper than ever. I continued until nearly 90% of my mana was drained. ¡ô Memorize Status: Beginner/Intermediate Telekinesis (96%) ©³Beginner/Intermediate Fire Control (72%) ©ÇBeginner/Intermediate Fluid Maniption (71%) ©»Metal Enhancement (95%) ¡°This will do.¡± Both my Intermediate Telekinesis and Metal Enhancement were close to mastery. I still had time before the winter monster wave. After cleansing the sweat from my body with Cleanse, I stepped outside. Night had already fallen. ¡°Oh my, you¡¯ve finallye out?¡± However, an unexpected guest had been waiting for me. "Good to see you~" It was Josephine, seated at a tea table in the garden, sipping her coffee. She waved and said, "I¡¯ve been waiting, wondering when you woulde out~" "... You seem quite satisfied," I said, adjusting my tie and straightening my clothes as I approached. "What brings you here?" With a sly smile, Josephine replied, "I''ll inform Yulie that Veron''s body has been recovered. She''ll likely arrange another funeral for him." I remained silent while she went on speaking. "Every knight of the Freyhem Knights Order will be present at the funeral, and that¡¯s when I¡¯ll take action, as per your request." I nodded, and Josephine, pouting slightly as if in protest, added, ¡°But... is this really the right way? What if Yulie gets too shocked and ends up taking her own life¡ª¡± ¡°This is the most proper course of action.¡± I understood the nature of the Eternal Winter attribute better than Yulie did. "... Alright~" Josephine replied, tracing a finger along the surface of the tea table, repeatedly writing the same word. Curse. Curse. Curse. Curse. Curse. Curse. Curse. Curse... Then she lifted her gaze, fixing it on me, and said, ¡°After all, it happened while she was protecting you. It¡¯s only right that you take responsibility.¡± Her voice was as cold as ice, and her empty gaze, devoid of any emotion, felt like a frozen abyss. I answered, ¡°Trust me. Yulie will be cured.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll trust you. But... if she doesn¡¯t get cured, I can¡¯t say how I¡¯ll change,¡± Josephine replied. Her hollow expression suddenly shifted into a sweet, innocent smile. She rose from her chair, taking just a few steps before dissolving into shadow. ¡°... Crazy bitch.¡± Josephine, the most dangerous named Lunatic in this world, was undeniably a threat. Muttering to myself, I made my way back into the mansion. Ren approached, as if on cue, and said, ¡°Professor, Assistant Professor Allen has arrived to see you.¡± ¡°Allen?¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Ren replied, gesturing toward the sitting room, where Allen sat, dozing on the sofa. ¡°Allen,¡± I called. At the sound of my voice, he jumped up, a bright smile spreading across his face as he said, ¡°Professor~¡± ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°... Oh! I¡¯m running out of time! It¡¯s about ss preparation. How do you n to handle the second lecture? It¡¯sing up soon.¡± ss preparation. Without much deliberation, as I had already finalized my n, I replied, ¡°I¡¯m nning to give a pop quiz.¡± ¡°A pop quiz? But we¡¯ve only had a single lecture so far.¡± ¡°Those who couldn¡¯t grasp the first lesson aren¡¯t worth teaching in the second. Come with me.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± I led Allen up to the third-floor study. Leaving Allen standing there uneasily, I opened the drawer, retrieved a sheet of paper, and handed it to him. "Work through this. I have designed the problem myself." ¡°Y-yes, sir,¡± Allen replied, looking a bit tense as he epted the paper and... *** It was Wednesday, the day of Deculein¡¯s biweekly lecture. Epherene arrived on the 80th floor of the Mage Tower, where the first thing that caught her attention was a cat sitting beside Kreto. ¡°Is that your cat, Grand Prince? It¡¯s really cute,¡± Epherene said. ¡°Oh, no. It¡¯s not mine,¡± Kreto replied. ¡°Her Majesty left it in my care.¡± ¡°... Sorry?¡± Epherene said, startled, as she quickly withdrew her hand from scratching the cat¡¯s chin. The red-furred munchkin huffed, ring at her with narrowed eyes, as if displeased by her touch. ¡°... I¡¯m Sorry,¡± Epherene muttered, pulling back and slipping into her seat. While this unfolded, the rest of the students gradually filled the lecture hall. At exactly twelve noon, Professor Deculein appeared, not a second off schedule. ¡°Greetings,¡± Deculein said. ¡°Oh, hey, Professah Deculein! That dang cat trashed all my notesst time, y¡¯know? Ruined the whole lotta ¡®em!¡± Rogerio blurted out, jabbing a finger at the red-furred munchkin. A few other mages gave the cat dirty looks, but it just flicked its tail, like it didn¡¯t give a rat¡¯s tail. ¡°Look at that! So freakin'' annoyin¡ª¡± ¡°Silence. Sit,¡± Deculein ordered with a sharp gesture. Rogerio sulked but followed, sinking into her seat. ¡°The lecture will begin now.¡± Assistant Professor Allen entered the room just then, his face pale and exhausted. Dark circles hung under his eyes, and his hands trembled faintly. There was something unsettling about his appearance, a sense of unease that lingered around him... Deculein continued, ¡°Today, I will administer a pop quiz.¡± ¡°A pop quiz?¡± A quiz already, in just the second lecture? Epherene thought, ncing around. The other students looked equally confused, though none seemed particrly shocked. Everyone was well aware that Deculein¡¯s lectures followed his unpredictable style. ¡°Allen,¡± Deculein called. ¡°Y-yes, Professor,¡± Allen said as he shakily handed out the exam papers. Epherene stared at the sheet resting on her desk. There was no sign of any magical treatment on it. ¡°All the quiz papers have been distributed,¡± Allen said. Deculein nodded, standing at the center of the room with a timer in hand, and said, ¡°No further questions. Begin.¡± Click¡ª The timer clicked as it started. Epherene quickly flipped over the quiz paper. ¡°... What?¡± The quiz contained only two questions. "This... is like apletely foreignnguage." However, the questions were absurdly difficult. The first one didn¡¯t even have a single word in the Empire¡¯smonnguage¡ªonly spells, calctions, and intricate magic circles. As the students stared in disbelief at their papers, Deculein added, ¡°This will be an open-book quiz. You may consult your notes and discuss with each other. However, should any conflicts ur, as they did before, the entire ss will fail.¡± Slowly, Epherene lifted her head and nced around the room. Like her, many of the other students were anxiously searching for someone to team up with. Chapter 121: Story (3)

Chapter 121: Story (3)

Epherene faced the pop quiz head-on, relying solely on her own abilities at first. However, the calctions in the opening sentence of the first questionden with numbers and intricate magic circuits¡ªstretched on endlessly, overwhelming her almost immediately. ¡°Ughh...¡± Epherene had envisioned a mana circuit in her mind, but something went wrong. Without warning, mes red up in the air, catching her off guard. At that moment, Grand Prince Kreto raised his hand and asked, ¡°Professor, could you rify what you mean by allowing us to discuss the questions?¡± Deculein replied, ¡°Just as I stated, Grand Prince. However, I will ask a few questions to confirm that you fully grasp the material.¡± Kreto nced over at Rogerio, but she was already deep in concentration. The iron-colored mana flickering in her eyes was distinct, even for someone at the Ethereal-grade¡ªa rare and special kind of mana. As a genius in Ductility, even her aura shimmered with metallic tones. ¡°... Ah,¡± Kreto muttered, momentarily mesmerized as he stared at Rogerio. However, Epherene quickly turned her focus back to her quiz. She started working through the long, intricate calctions, carefully transcribing theplex spells onto her magic answer sheet. ¡°Uh... Epherene?¡± a quiet voice called out to her. ¡°How does this look?¡± Epherene turned to see Drent, who cleared his throat and showed her his answer. His approach to the first question had started off like hers, but as he went on, several errors had crept in. Epherene suggested, ¡°Yes. Right here, see? I split these sections and worked them out separately before connecting them.¡± ¡°Oh, really? I calcted everything together.¡± ¡°That¡¯s going to be too hard. It¡¯s easier if you break it into parts, right?¡± ¡°... But breaking it into parts makes it harder for me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll show you how to do it. Look.¡± "... Uh, yeah, okay," Drent replied, nodding to her suggestion. While the two spent time coborating on their work, suddenly... Squeak¡ª! Rogerio shot up from her seat, marched over to Deculein, and put the paper down as she said, "Heah ya go." Deculein gave the paper a quick nce and nodded with indifference, saying, "Full marks. You may move on to the next room." At Deculein''s gesture, a new passage opened, and Rogerio stepped through. The red-furred munchkin trailed after her inside. One by one, the other students finished their work, each offering a briefment as they left. ¡°I¡¯m finished as well. These questions were excellently crafted.¡± ¡°Me too. I¡¯m done as well. Wow, that was difficult, though I doubt I¡¯ll get full marks.¡± ¡°I hope full marks aren¡¯t the only way to pass this exam, right?¡± Astal the Addict, Professor Louina, Professor Relin, and several others had finished next, each offering a brief remark as they handed in their papers. However, for Epherene and Drent, as low-ranking Soldas, the quiz remained painfully difficult. They had no time to notice anyone else and instead focused entirely on solving their own problems. "... Half the time is already up," Epherene muttered, ncing at the clock. Ny minutes had passed, and now, Kreto had joined them as well. ¡°This section,¡± Kreto said, ¡°appears to be the core circuit responsible for purifying mana. What are your thoughts?¡± ¡°Yes, it looks about right. Drent, how¡¯s the calction I asked for?¡± Epherene asked. ¡°Ah, just about finished,¡± Drent replied. The three of them coborated, splitting tasks and solving the questions. After three grueling hours, they finally neared the end. Click¡ª! The sound of Deculein¡¯s timer echoed throughout the room. "Time is up. Submit your answers." ¡°Oh, yes, Professor!¡± The three stood side by side, their hands trembling as they submitted their papers. Even though it was just a few sheets, their hands shook with anxiety. As Deculein reviewed their answers, the tension in the room became stifling. Sweat gathered in Epherene¡¯s palms, and her throat constricted, feeling as though it were caught in a vise. ¡°Epherene,¡± Deculein said, lowering the paper as his gaze settled directly on her. ¡°Y-yes, Professor,¡± Epherene answered hastily. Deculein pointed to a section of the answer and asked, ¡°Who came up with this approach to segment and rejoin the spell?¡± Segmenting and rejoining involved splitting a spell into parts for separate calctions before carefully stitching it back together. The process was as intricate as performing a surgical transnt. When executed properly, it could save a life; if not, it could result in disaster¡ªlike grafting a monkey¡¯s arm onto a human body. ¡°Oh, it was... my idea,¡± Epherene said hesitantly. ¡°They assisted with the calctions... and breaking down the spell, but I handled the rejoining.¡± Deculein gazed down at her, his eyes cold and appraising. ... We must''ve made a mistake. Drent and Kreto had already anticipated the result and let out deep sighs. However, Deculein¡¯s following words caught thempletely off guard. "Excellent work." It was praise they hadn¡¯t expected. Epherene, who had lowered her head, braced for criticism. Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at Deculein. ¡°This approach and technique will be of great use to you in the future. Continue refining it,¡± Deculein said in his typical dry tone. ¡°You have all passed.¡± "Yes!" Drent eximed instinctively, unable to contain his excitement. ¡°Whew...¡± Kreto sighed in relief. Epherene stood motionless, her gaze locked on Deculein as confusion clouded her thoughts. No one had ever told her she had done anything excellent. Praise was foreign to her, and now Deculein, of all people, had offered it. A troubling thought settled in¡ªperhaps this, too, was just part of his calcted effort to tter her. ¡°Epherene! Let¡¯s go!¡± Drent called, pulling her by the arm. ¡°... Huh? Oh... um... I...¡± Epherene mumbled, still dazed, as she followed Drent like she was in a trance. *** The second lecture hall was reserved for those who had passed. The ground had an earthy texture, a stream ran in the distance, greenery flourished, and fireballs driftedzily through the air. "One hundred passed, fifty failed." Though it had been an open-book quiz, where discussions were allowed, fifty students still failed, unable to understand even half of the questions. In just three hours, a third of the ss had been disqualified. "Those who remain have shown a grasp of the fundamentals. Now, I will assign your task," Deculein said, as hepressed the dirt beneath his feet into a spike using the basic spell, Earth¡¯s Mold. ¡°This is a simple application of the earth-element spell Earth¡¯s Mold. It¡¯s not a longsword, dagger, or axe¡ªjust a spike shaped by a basic nine-stroke spell.¡± The spell Earth¡¯s Mold allowed the user to shape earth into various weapons, which were often paired with Telekinesis or wielded directly by hand. "Right. Ya need at least twenty strokes to make it a real weapon," Rogerio cut in, her excitement obvious, given that this was her area of expertise. "With nine strokes, ya barely get a spike. Eighteen¡¯s a dagger, and by thirty, ya can forge a sword better than any smith in town." ¡°Correct,¡± Deculein nodded in acknowledgment of her input. "However, the essence of Pure Utilization is found in mastering the fundamentals to their extremes. Allen?" "Yes, Professor," Allen said as he stood nearby, handing Deculein a block of mana-infused metal. Gripping the spike formed by Earth¡¯s Mold, Deculein said, ¡°When magic is purely utilized, even the most basic spell can be significantly amplified, depending on the caster¡¯s proficiency. For example...¡± Using just a nine-stroke spell, the spike was small but sharp. Deculein aimed it at the mana-infused metal and, with a swift thrust, pierced through it cleanly. Poke¡ª! Rogerio''s eyes widened in shock. "Even a spike like this can pierce through mana-infused metal valued at five thousand elne." The metal block now bore a clean hole, a testament to the spike''s sharpness. Rogerio immediately reached out and said, "L-lemme give that a go!" Deculein tossed the mana-infused metal to her, and Rogerio quickly crafted a spike using Earth''s Mold. However, when she struck the metal, it merely nged with a sharp ring, leaving no trace behind. "No friggin'' way! How''d ya do that? Ya musta used a diff''rent spell or somethin¡¯, right?" Rogerio asked. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om ¡°I used Earth¡¯s Mold. The type of spell, however, is irrelevant,¡± Deculein continued, disregarding Rogerio. ¡°If you can pierce, shatter, or melt this metal with any spell of fourteen strokes or fewer, you will be considered to have met the requirement.¡± "Fourteen strokes..." Epherene murmured, noticing that the other students appeared just as puzzled. Fourteen strokes were an improvement over nine but still fell under basic spells. The mana-infused metal, however, was clearly meant for a knight. Priced at five thousand elne, it was likely of intermediate or higher quality. ¡°If you fail, you¡¯ll be disqualified. The deadline is before the next ss,¡± Deculein said, snapping his fingers. ¡°Now... we will proceed with the theory lesson.¡± The remaining ny students had looked startled, while the ten Addicts among them smiled. They had thought the ss had ended, but the theory portion was still toe. *** On the 99th floor of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, in an office the size of a stadium, the Chairwoman sat with her small puppy. ¡°Professor Deculein! What brings you here?!¡± Adrienne inquired. I went to see her immediately after the lecture and handed her the document. ¡°Ohh! This must be the paper you¡¯ve been researching! Is this the thes...is?¡± the Chairwoman continued, her excitement wavering as she nced between my face and the document, repeating the motion several times before mming her hand down on the desk. ¡°Aha~! This must be a dream, right?¡± ¡°No, it is not.¡± ¡°What?!¡± the Chairwoman gasped, covering her mouth with both hands as ifpletely stunned. ¡°If this isn¡¯t a dream... Professor Deculein! You must be in disguise?!¡± I stared at her in silence. Her reaction had taken me by surprise. I had expected her to be pleased with the paper, yet instead... Adrienne shrieked, ¡°No answer? You must really be an impostor Deculein! You little!¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°Then why...¡± Despite it being the kind of news that would usually thrill any gossip, she didn¡¯t look the least bit pleased. Instead, a rare frown creased her brow, and confusion overshadowed any hint of joy. ¡°... Professor Deculein! Professor Deculein! Professor Deculein!¡± Adrienne called. ¡°Why do you keep repeating yourself?¡± ¡°Are you seriously going to submit this as it is?!¡± the Chairwoman asked, pointing to a specific section of the paper. It was on the very first page, the line introducing the thesis¡¯s first author. ¡°Yes,¡± I nodded. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she brought the document closer, practically pressing her nose against the paper. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. ¡°You''re telling me this is real?!¡± Adrienne eximed, staring up at me in disbelief. ¡°... Professor Deculein! Are you sure you want to submit this? Once it''s epted, you won¡¯t be able to make any changes!¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m aware.¡± ¡°Oh my god, you can¡¯t be Deculein, can you?!¡± the Chairwoman eximed, pointing a finger at me. Suddenly, a whirlwind rose up, swirling around me with incredible force. Whooooosh¡ª! Wind Erosion was a highly advanced spell meant to strip away any magic or mana-infused enchantments from its target. The fierce gusts whipped through my hair and pulled at my clothes and after five seconds, the wind died down. ¡°... What, precisely, are you attempting?¡± I asked, smoothing my hair and adjusting my coat, leveling a cold stare at the Chairwoman. Adrienne¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as she stammered, ¡°... You really are Professor Deculein?!¡± "Your doubts were entirely misced." The Chairwoman cleared her throat awkwardly and said, ¡°Well then. I suppose I¡¯ll just have to ept it... or should I, really?! I understood why she kept asking. After all, if this had been the original Deculein, such a thing would have been unimaginable. The world would have had to break in two before he ever did something like this. ¡°I mean, no matter how I look at it!¡± the Chairwoman eximed, jabbing her finger at the line again. ¡°The first author is...!¡± The first author, simply put, was the owner of the thesis¡ªthe name disyed prominently on the paper, signifying the main contributor. ¡°Two people!¡± My rank and name, Monarch Deculein, had been ced there, and beside it, equally spaced, was Solda Kagan. ¡°That¡¯s so unlike you... Hmm...?¡± Adrienne said, tilting her head. ¡°But hasn¡¯t this research yet been experimentally proven?¡± ¡°Correct.¡± More urately, the experiment had not yet beenpleted. For the time being, my thesis remained purely theoretical. Full recognition would require practical experimentation¡ªapplying the magic itself. However, Icked the necessary talent for that. ¡°It remains a theory for now, but the application of the magic will be achievable soon,¡± I said. I had Epherene. In just six months, she would develop enough to understand the full depth of this thesis. The experimentation and practical application would fall under her responsibility. ¡°You¡¯re right! Sometimes theoriese first, and the experiments work out afterward!¡± the Chairwoman muttered, nodding while making odd noises. ¡°Well, you did name it the new Invention of Pure Elements, after all! If the theory holds up, it should be enough to receive acknowledgment! Now then, Professor Deculein, you can go! I¡¯ll take my time going over the thesis myself!¡± Adrienne said, pulling out a pair of round sses that seemed almosticallyrge for her face and perched them on her nose. ¡°I don¡¯t like people hanging around while I¡¯m studying! Shoo, shoo!¡± the Chairwoman said, waving her hands at me as if she were batting away a fly. ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, entering the elevator and descending to the first floor. *** The night sky was already dotted with stars as I made my way toward the parking lot of the Mage Tower. A blond man, wearing a smug expression, stood leaning against the wall, his gaze locked on me. ¡°You¡¯re here,¡± Ihelm said with a smirk. ¡°Hey, I heard something interesting. Word is, you gave your thesis to his daughter, telling her you¡¯d give it back if she managed toprehend it in a month?¡± I chose not to respond. ¡°The rumor is going around that Luna¡¯s daughter is studying your thesis. Why did you give it to her? What will you do if she actuallyprehends it?¡± ¡°... She won¡¯t be able to in the end,¡± I replied. ¡°Aha, so you¡¯re just leading her on? Letting her try, knowing she¡¯ll fail?¡± I shook my head, his voice still as grating as ever¡ªarrogant, with a greasy tone that made it even harder to bear. "You''ve definitely changed. You¡¯ve never done something like it before," Ihelm remarked. I ignored his words and continued walking. Ihelm walked beside me and added, ¡°Hey, Deculein. Doesn¡¯t walking like this remind you of the old days?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Still, back then¡ªhey, hold on. You¡¯re walking too fast!¡± I quickened my pace, my long legs carrying me ahead as Ihelm struggled to keep up. ¡°God damn it, he¡¯s moving that quickly,¡± Ihelm muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. Deculein had already pulled far ahead. He wasn¡¯t running or power-walking, but his pace carried an almost unnatural swiftness. ¡°Well.¡± There was no point in chasing after him. Ihelm had already said everything he wanted to and had heard all he needed in return. "Hey, did you hear all of that?" Ihelm called, his gaze fixed on therge tree near the Mage Tower. Epherene, who had been hiding behind the tree, flinched. ¡°You heard him, didn¡¯t you, Leaf? He gave you that thesis knowing full well you wouldn¡¯tprehend it in time.¡± ¡°... I realized that a while ago,¡± Epherene said, stepping out with her arms crossed. Ihelm smirked at her sassy attitude and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t think you knew. So, why were you hiding? I made sure to speak loud enough for you to catch every word.¡± "I wanted to ask you something directly." ¡°Ask what?¡± ¡°What was the rtionship between the three of you?¡± "... What?" Ihelm responded, his frown growing more pronounced. It was an honest reaction. Epherene scoffed and pushed further, saying, "My dad, Deculein, and you. If you don¡¯t tell me, I won¡¯t be your witness at the hearing. Fair exchange." Ihelm paused in silence for a moment. ¡°Am I wrong?¡± Epherene added. Ihelm stood with his mouth half-open, clearly in disbelief. After a moment of stillness, he sighed quietly and said, ¡°Yes, we were friends. Deculein and I.¡± ¡°... Friends?¡± Ihelm repeated the word, almost tasting it as he murmured, ¡°Or were we friends?¡± ¡°What kind of answer is that? And my dad?¡± Epherene asked. ¡°Ackey.¡± ¡°... You son of a¡ª¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯m joking! Just a joke! Hahaha!¡± Ihelm said, bursting intoughter as Epherene¡¯s face was full of anger. Hisughter grew so intense that he clutched his sides, tears forming in his eyes. ¡°Stopughing!¡± Epherene shouted, stomping her foot and ring at him. ¡°Alright, alright, I apologize,¡± Ihelm said, wiping a tear from his eye. ¡°We were equals, more or less. But if you picture it like a pyramid, Deculein stood at the top. Your father, on the other hand... he was under Yukline¡¯s shadow.¡± ¡°Shadow?¡± "Yes, his intellect," Ihelm said, tapping his temple. "Your father relied on his intellect to gain Yukline¡¯s favor." Epherene paused, turning his words over in her mind. Her father had gained Yukline¡¯s favor through his intellect... Yet the meaning felt hazy, too vague to fully understand. Then Epherene asked, ¡°If Deculein was so fascinated by my father¡¯s theory¡ª¡± "Hey, do you think Deculein was the only one in Yukline?" ¡°Sorry?¡± Ihelm gave Epherene a sly grin and said, "In Hadecaine, there''s Yeriel, who is also in the Yukline family. Then there was De, the Ethereal-ranked mage who died some time ago, and both of his wives were also Yukline." ¡°Oh... then¡ª¡± ¡°No. Shh,¡± Ihelm said, raising a finger to his lips. ¡°You¡¯ve heard enough. Going further, and you¡¯ll be putting your life in danger. The Yukline family is powerful, and if you continue digging, you will be killed.¡± ¡°... Professor Deculein would kill me?¡± ¡°No, the Yukline family will.¡± Epherene¡¯s gaze remained steady as it met Ihelm¡¯s unyielding stare. He hadn¡¯t blinked or looked away. ¡°Therefore, you will need to stand as my witness. If you have any evidence, make sure it is brought forward¡ªif, of course, you really have any at all.¡± ¡°I do,¡± Epherene replied without hesitation. Ihelm¡¯s smirk faded, his expression hardening as he asked, ¡°You do have evidence?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°... It¡¯s a secret.¡± ¡°A secret?¡± Ihelm repeated, his face twisted in frustration, deep lines forming across his forehead like a dumpling. ¡°Are you ying games with me? How am I expected to help if I don¡¯t even know¡ª¡± ¡°They¡¯re letters from my father. I¡¯ll bring them to the hearing. And we don¡¯t need to work together¡ªyour name isn¡¯t mentioned at all.¡± Ihelm swallowed his frustration and, with a harsh sigh, raked a hand through his hair before muttering, ¡°... So even that bastard thought less of me.¡± Ihelm continued, "Setting that aside, those letters will be strong evidence, so be sure to present them properly. I¡¯ll back you, so face them head-on. The Rewind family doesn¡¯t bow to Yukline, so you won¡¯t have to worry about your safety.¡± With that, Ihelm turned and walked away, his figure swaying under the moonlight as if he were drunk. ¡°Then farewell, Leaf, daughter of Luna~¡± As she watched him walk away, Epherene took a deep sigh and thought, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m making the right, if it¡¯s really the right thing to do. Maybe it¡¯s all wrong. But... if I can make sure my father¡¯s name is remembered in the Magical Realm, if he won¡¯t be forgotten, if I can erase the shame he¡¯s suffered at the Mage Tower, if I can proudly say that I am my dad¡¯s daughter... ¡°... Dad,¡± Epherene whispered, as she pulled the thesis paper from inside her coat. Deculein had said he would return it if she couldprehend it within a month, but that had always been impossible. From the start, he had never intended to give it back. ¡°But isn¡¯t it odd?¡± Therefore, if what Ihelm said is true and I really am Deculein¡¯s Achilles¡¯ heel... if I can actually bring him down, if I can actually cripple him at the core... "I should feel happy. I should be over the moon, practically jumping for joy..." A swell of emotions rose within Epherene, thick and heavy like fog, drifting upward like clouds. It left her with an odd, lingering bitterness. Is it because of the future self that I have encountered? I don¡¯t even remember what exactly she said anymore... I¡¯m not happy, I¡¯m not sad, and I don¡¯t feel relieved. I thought I¡¯d feel better, but there¡¯s just a bitter taste left, like a victory that¡¯s turned sour. ¡°... I need to stay strong,¡± Epherene whispered to herself. ¡°I have to uncover the truth...¡± Epherene''s voice floated into the night, her uncertainty hanging in the cold air like a fleeting breath. It lingered for a moment, swirling gently, before the wind carried it away, dissolving into the emptiness. Chapter 122: Formal Hearing (1)

Chapter 122: Formal Hearing (1)

The darkness of the night gradually melted away as the soft light of dawn began to seep through. Chairwoman Adrienne let out a quiet sigh. On her desk rested two documents¡ªDeculein¡¯s thesis and an agreement from the Four Keystones of the Magical Realm. She pressed her lips together as she picked them up. The Keystones responsible for maintaining the bnce within the Magical Realm¡ªBerhert, the Floating Ind, the Volcano, and the Round Table¡ªhad, after many long years since Demakan, atst reached a shared consensus. The Volcano, a more respectful term for the Ashes, had often been dismissed as nothing but a pile of ash. Yet, despite the mockery, they remained enough power to be recognized in the Magical Realm. In matters of great significance, their voice continued to be acknowledged as one of the guiding authorities shaping the Magical Realm. ... Over the years, Adrienne Sezalian¡¯s achievements in the field of magic, her tireless pursuit of truth, and her steadfast discipline in the pursuit of self-mastery have garnered profound respect and admiration for the exceptional achievements she has realized through unwavering dedication... Adrienne skimmed through the borate phrases, her attention settling on the final paragraph¡ªthe collective decision of the Magical Realm regarding the mage Adrienne. Adrienne Sezalian is hereby recognized as the Second Archmage, a title that transcends the Magical Realm and shall remain immortal in the annals of continental history. The formal ascension ceremony is to be held in the forting spring... As an Eternal-ranked Archmage, the second to follow in Demakan''s footsteps, the agreement acknowledged her rise to the highest level of magic. ¡°... Adrienne the Second?¡± Adrienne called to the puppy sitting by her side. ¡°Woof! Woof!¡± The puppy ran over, and Adrienne scooped it up, cradling its soft body as she gently stroked its silky fur. A faint smile touched her lips as she murmured, ¡°So now... I¡¯m officially no longer considered human.¡± Adrienne had gained recognition not only from Berhert and the Floating Ind but also from the more reclusive factions like the Ashes and the Round Table. Through her sheer talent and achievements, she had secured the unanimous approval of the entire Magical Realm. Being named an Eternal Archmage meant ascending to a level beyond mortal existence. "The reporters will be arriving soon, won¡¯t they? They¡¯re going to bombard me with questions." ¡°Woof! Woof!¡± ¡°... Which means I¡¯ll have to leave soon. I won¡¯t be able to stay for much longer.¡± The Mortal Realm that she had cherished¡ªDeculein, Yulie, De, Louina, Glitheon, Cielia, Cynthia, Idnik, Rohakan, Zeit, Ihelm, Kreto, and Ganesha... The names and faces of those who had once brought her joy drifted through her mind. Adrienne stepped toward the window and gazed down at the Mage Tower¡¯s grounds. Though it wasn¡¯t yet six in the morning, a crowd of reporters had already gathered. ¡°... Well then!¡± the Chairwoman said, shing a warm smile at Adrienne the Second, cradled in her arms. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back, so wait for me!¡± ¡°Woof! Woof!¡± the puppy responded with a cheerful bark. *** In the early hours of the morning, crowds from across the continent had gathered at the Mage Tower. It wasn¡¯t just reporters from various media outlets¡ªstudents, mages, and knights from the Imperial University were also watching the scene, some from up close, others from a distance. ¡°Chairwoman, is your term set to end this year?!¡± one of the reporters asked. "Yes! I¡¯ll be finishing my term by this winter or spring, and then I¡¯ll hand over my position!" the Chairwoman replied. The countless cameras had all been fixed on Chairwoman Adrienne. Having been officially elevated to the rank of Eternal, she found herself surrounded by a sea of people. While the oue had been expected across the continent, witnessing this historic moment in person was an umon experience. "Are there two candidates being considered for the next Chair position? How is the selection process progressing?" ¡°It¡¯s still ongoing! We¡¯ll choose the one who proves to be the most suitable among them!¡± Solda Epherene, too, watched the scene unfold from the third floor of the Mage Tower. The view from inside provided a clearer perspective than the crowded streets below, and the interview echoed clearly in her ears. ¡°Mage Ihelm''s recent thesis, A Silent Exploration of Supportive Magic and its Path to Reform, has been widely discussed throughout the Magical Realm. Will personal aplishments like these y a role in the selection process?¡± ¡°Oh, definitely! I¡¯ve read Ihelm¡¯s thesis myself, and it was quite impressive!¡± Each time Adrienne spoke, the reporters hastily jotted down her words. ¡°There are also reports that Professor Deculein is close to publishing his thesis,¡± one of the reporters asked. "Oh, that? Yes! Professor Deculein has already turned in his thesis!" Adrienne replied. At that moment, Epherene''s ears pricked up, and she clenched the empty paper cup in her hand, crushing it. "Also, the author registration for the thesis has been confirmed!" Adrienne added, a smile tugging at her lips. She was setting up a bit of foreshadowing by mentioning the author registration. The reporters raised their voices, pressing further, ¡°What are your thoughts on it?¡± ¡°Hmm! I haven¡¯t fully understood it yet! It¡¯s incredibly extensive, and it¡¯s still just a theory for now!¡± Adrienne replied. ¡°So, does that mean it isn¡¯t of much value...?¡± ¡°No, not at all! Definitely not! Ihelm delivered concrete results, but Deculein...,¡± Adrienne paused, carefully selecting her words before nodding. ¡°Ah, it holds tremendous potential! For now, it¡¯s purely theoretical, but if it can be proven and applied to magic...!¡± Click, click¡ª! Snap, snap¡ª! The relentless shes of cameras had grated on Epherene¡¯s nerves as she strained to focus on Adrienne¡¯s words. ¡°If it actually works out...!¡± Adrienne said, raising her hand and slicing through the air for emphasis. At that moment, it felt like time had stopped. Every pair of eyes, every face in the room, was fixed on her. Soaking in the attention, Adrienne continued, "Professor Deculein could easily be an Elder, perhaps!" ¡°What?!¡± Epherene shouted. The word Elder made Epherene¡¯s eyes widen, and the mages observing the interview from the Mage Tower reacted in much the same way. ¡°Are you referring to an Elder of the Magical Realm?¡± one of the reporters asked. ¡°Yes!¡± In the Magical Realm, an Elder did not only refer to someone from Berhert but also symbolized the founder of a new school of magic. For instance, while Ihelm was the current leader of the Dukan School, the true Elder had been Dukan himself, who passed away fifty years ago. ¡°Are you suggesting that Professor Deculein could be the founder of a new school of magic?¡± "All I¡¯m saying is that there¡¯s a possibility! But the thesis is incrediblyplex! Even I haven¡¯t fully understood it yet, so I need to study more!" Adrienne replied. Epherene had clenched her teeth. ¡°... Elder? Did you hear that? They¡¯re saying Deculein might be an Elder?¡± ¡°Wow, does that mean he¡¯s basically guaranteed to be the next Chairman? What kind of thesis could it be if even the Chairwoman is struggling with it...?¡± The murmurs and softughter that filled the Mage Tower had grated on Epherene''s nerves. The quiet conversations shared among the others only added to her mounting frustration. "Elder..." Epherene mumbled absently, her thoughts wandering for a brief moment. If Deculein bes an Elder, he¡¯ll build on my father¡¯s achievements, but my father¡¯s name will be buried¡ªor worse,pletely erased, Epherene thought. The thought made her stomach twist, like her insides were tying themselves in knots. Epherene reached into her coat and pulled out a letter, her father¡¯s handwriting outlining the research he had prepared for her. She read it once more, then stared nkly ahead, her eyes hollow. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s something special about his thesis! I¡¯ll be reviewing it first, then submitting it to the Floating Ind and¡ª¡± Adrienne¡¯s interview continued, touching on the research Epherene¡¯s father had passed on to her, but it was now in someone else¡¯s hands, no longer hers. *** ... Today, on my way to work, reporters swarmed around my car, all thanks to the rumors Adrienne had so kindly leaked about my thesis submission. ¡°Professor, do you have ns to be an Elder?¡± ¡°What will you call your school of magic?¡± ¡°As a leading candidate for Chairman, could you make a statement?¡± ¡°The Round Table will not tolerate this.¡± Baseless questions flew in from outside the car window as relentless cameras shed around me. I finally escaped the chaos and arrived, drained, on the 77th floor of the Mage Tower. "Professor!" Allen called out, hurrying toward me the moment I entered the hallway. Without a word, I walked into my office, Allen following close behind, holding a bundle of papers tightly to his chest. ¡°Professor!¡± n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°... What is it?¡± I asked, removing my coat with Telekinesis. Allen cleared his throat awkwardly before speaking in a measured, serious tone and asked, ¡°What is your purpose in pursuing the position of Chairman?¡± I held his gaze without a word. Allen nced at the papers in his arms and added, ¡°You seem to be taking your time with that response.¡± ¡°... What exactly are you doing?¡± I asked. ¡°They¡¯re sample questions I prepared for the hearing. I thought we could go over them¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± I interrupted. ¡°Excuse me...? Don¡¯t you think we should prepare for it? Mage Ihelm is said to be staying at the Imperial Pce to make sure he¡¯s ready.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡± If I had been the original Deculein, I would have been far too focused on destroying Ihelm to waste time on something like this. ¡°But...¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Knock, knock¡ª At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and it swung open. ¡°... Professor, you¡¯re here,¡± Epherene said in a quiet voice as she approached, cing a stack of documents on my desk. Then she bowed her head briefly and turned to leave, but something was different from her usual self. She seemed weighed down, like a waterlogged sponge, her steps slow and heavy as if she was dripping with each one. But I didn¡¯t ask why¡ªI was too indifferent, and to be honest, I didn¡¯t care at all. It was simply a w in my personality. ¡°Do you think something''s troubling her, Professor?¡± Allen asked. However, Allen was a bit different. ¡°Allen.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Allen turned to me with a look of feigned concern. "Now leave. I have work to do," I replied. "Oh, yes, Professor. And about those sample questions..." ¡°I¡¯ll review them when I have time.¡± ¡°Yes, Professor! Wishing you the best of luck!¡± *** Adrienne served as the Chairwoman of the Mage Tower, overseeing the board of directors. As part of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, the directors included the university¡¯s dean and several imperial affiliates. A total of thirteen members rotated through these directorial positions. ¡°... My congrattions, Chairwoman,¡± one of the directors said. They all paid her the highest respect. With her promotion to Archmage drawing near, even the Empress''s influence could no longer reach her. At least within the walls of the Mage Tower, Adrienne was untouchable until the day she chose to leave. Adrienne let out a lightugh, gesturing for the directors to sit as she said, ¡°Thank you, everyone! Please, have a seat!¡± The special conference room on the 100th floor of the tower had been convened that day to deliberate the matter of selecting the next Chairman. "Ihelm and Deculein are both worthy candidates, but Deculein stands out as the more viable choice, having served the Mage Tower for nearly a decade," stated Drummen, one of the thirteen directors leading the discussion. Adrienne nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, that seems reasonable! But you never know what could happen! We shouldplete the hearing evaluations first before deciding on the candidates!" "You are absolutely right. We are considering holding the hearing two weeks from now, on Monday." "Hmm~ The sooner, the better! If there''s anything questionable, we need to address it quickly, give them a chance to exin, and then proceed with the vote or final meeting!" Everyone nodded in agreement. Satisfied, Adrienne moved on to the next agenda item, asking, ¡°Have the two candidates submitted their witness lists for the hearing yet?!¡± ¡°Yes, Mage Ihelm has submitted three witnesses, but Professor Deculein has not submitted any.¡± ¡°No witnesses?¡± Adrienne eximed, her eyes widening in surprise. ¡°No, Chairwoman, there aren¡¯t any witnesses listed for Professor Deculein. However, as at least one witness is required, it is likely that Professors Louina or Relin will step forward on his behalf.¡± ¡°... Hmm. Hand me the witness list.¡± "Here you are," Director Drummen said as he handed Adrienne an envelope, its contents magically sealed to preserve confidentiality. Adrienne tore the envelope open without hesitation and asked, "The witness requests are confidential until the hearing, correct?!" ¡°Yes, the names remain confidential until the day of the hearing.¡± "Alright," Adrienne replied, nodding as she skimmed through the witness application form. She nced over the names, then blinked in surprise. "... Huh?" Am I seeing this right? Adrienne thought, rubbing her eyes before taking another look. She hadn¡¯t misread a single word. ¡°This part here...¡± Adrienne muttered, pointing to a specific section as she nced around at the directors. ¡°Yes, we were quite surprised as well. Who would have expected him to submit a candidate who¡¯s been in the Mage Tower for less than a year?¡± Adrienne blinked in surprise, her eyes wide with disbelief. Then, without warning, she broke intoughter. ¡°... Heehee!¡± A tickle rose in her throat, and before she realized it, a smile had spread across her lips. ¡°Hehee! Wahaha! Oh, this is... Phuh-hehe!¡± Adrienne hadughed freely, like a carefree child or someone trying to stifle augh. As she gazed at Deculein¡¯s witness application form, she could barely contain her amusement. ¡°Ahahahaha...!¡± For some reason, it felt like ast gift from the Mortal Realm she was soon to leave behind. *** The schedule for the form hearing at the Mage Tower of the Imperial University had already been delivered to the Imperial Pce. "So, he''s running for Chairman...?" Sophien muttered, reclining in her bed as she casually skimmed the document. The document detailed the uing formal hearing to determine the next Chairman of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, with Deculein and Ihelm as the candidates. Keiron replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, that is correct." ¡°Hmm...¡± the Empress murmured, rubbing her chin as if weighing her thoughts. She paused, then murmured again. ¡°... Hmm.¡± What kind of political maneuvering would take ce? What blows would they trade? How ugly would things get before it turned into aplete mess? Sophien mused, her curiosity piqued. "Good. I¡¯ll be attending," Sophien said. ¡°... Pardon?¡± Keiron asked, clearly surprised. Sophien smirked and said again, ¡°I said, I¡¯ll be there as well.¡± ¡°Ah, you mean in your cat form, Your Majesty?¡± ¡°No. In person. Myself.¡± Keiron had yet to grow ustomed to Sophien¡¯s recent decision to participate more openly in public activities. ¡°A formal hearing to decide the next Chairman is certainly worth my presence as Empress. After all, doesn¡¯t that Mage Tower belong to me?¡± "... Your Majesty¡¯s presence alone could shift the bnce," Keiron cautiously objected. Sophien narrowed her eyes and asked, "And why would that be?" "Because, as Your Majesty is aware, Deculein serves as your personal Instructor Mage." "Hmph. It''s true, Deculein is my Mage Instructor. But Ihelm is also a mage of the Imperial Pce, one I''vee across more than a few times while going back and forth between the pce and the Mage Tower. So what''s the problem? Why should my opinion be disregarded?" Keiron remained quiet, offering nothing in return. "That Mage Tower is mine. No one else has any im to it. Do you understand? It belongs to me." Keiron still said nothing, his silence unbroken. "Its purpose is to choose someone to manage my property, and you¡¯re telling me I shouldn¡¯t be there?" "... No, Your Majesty. I overstepped my bounds," Keiron said, nodding as a quiet sigh escaped him. Thezy Empress, mired in her habitual lethargy, rarely changed a decision once it was made. ¡°Hmph! Good. Make the arrangements for my arrival,¡± Sophien said, a faint smirk ying at the corner of her mouth. *** For thest ten days, the Mage Tower had been abuzz with talk of the uing formal hearing. While Adrienne¡¯s promotion to Archmage appeared certain, it was the more unpredictable hearings of Ihelm and Deculein that captured everyone¡¯s attention. "Is it going to be the neer Ihelm or Head Professor Deculein? Right now, it says Deculein is ahead 8 to 2," Julia said, looking at the Wizard Board. The board showed the changing opinions of the mages within the Mage Tower. "But they say Ihelm is unusually confident for some reason. He¡¯s already lined up three or four witnesses. I wonder if he pulled every string with the Imperial family and his family''s connections." Epherene remained silent as Julia read from the Wizard Board. "But it says Deculein, on the other hand, seems confident his position is already secured. He¡¯s only brought one witness and hasn¡¯t even spoken much with his family." Even then, Epherene remained silent. "They¡¯re saying if Deculein loses, it¡¯ll be because he got toofortable. I¡¯m curious to see what happens tomorrow." Epherene, who had been idly scribbling with her pen, suddenly set it down and shot a re at Julia, saying, ¡°Julie.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± ¡°Oh... O-okay,¡± Julia said, flinching as she set the Wizard Board aside, caught off guard by Epherene¡¯s unusually cold response. Epherene nced at the clock. It was 7 p.m. The formal hearing was set for the following day, and although its duration remained uncertain, preparations had already been made. ¡°I should be going,¡± Epherene said. ¡°O-okay~ See you tomorrow,¡± Julia replied, giving a small wave as Epherene headed toward the Mage Tower¡¯s elevator. Beep¡ª Epherene scanned the card she had received from Ihelm, and the option for the Special Floor was activated. Her destination was neither the first nor the seventy-seventh floor. Whoooosh¡ª The elevator shot upward, and the sudden shift in pressure caused her ears to block. She swallowed to relieve them. Ding¡ª! When the elevator door opened, Ihelm stood waiting in front of it. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here,¡± Ihelm said. Epherene remained silent. "Ah, what a shame~ This hearing... it would have been far more interesting had it been open to the public, don¡¯t you think? Much more humiliating¡ª" ¡°Let¡¯s be clear,¡± Epherene interrupted, ring at Ihelm, her eyes sharp with hunger and anger after days without food. ¡°I¡¯m not on your side. I can turn against you if needed.¡± "... Yes, I am well aware of that," Ihelm replied with a shrug. "Your situation simply works in my favor. I expect nothing more from it." Epherene kept her silence. "Very well, just wait in the witness room. It¡¯s morefortable than any five-star hotel. I¡¯ll call you when the timees, so take your ease." "Solda Epherene, please follow me," said one of Ihelm¡¯s trusted attendants, perhaps his butler or secretary. After casting a sharp look at Ihelm, Epherene followed the attendant. "This is your room. Please wait here. You will be informed of the scheduleter," the attendant said as he guided her inside. Epherene sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes unfocused as they wandered to the wall. Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª The ticking of the clock''s second hand echoed through the silence. Tick, tock¡ª Tick, tock¡ª It felt as if it resonated through her entire body. "... I can¡¯t breathe," Epherene muttered, no longer able to stand the silence. She opened her old, worn suitcase and pulled out one of the many letters from her father, choosing one at random. "... Dad." As she read each line on the paper, worn from time and use, she gradually felt herself calm, savoring every word with care. ¡°... Did I make the right choice?¡± Chapter 123: Formal Hearing (2)

Chapter 123: Formal Hearing (2)

... I opened my eyes, and as my vision slowly cleared, a hazy crimson fog stretched before me, blurring the boundary between sky and ground. The distinction between them was nearly gone. It felt like I was standing alone in the darkness¡ªbut I wasn¡¯t. Someone nearby was calling my name. "Deculein." The man''s voice, heavy with malice, weighed on my chest. A rare emotion stirred deep within me, something I hadn''t felt in a long time¡ªfear. "My son." De, Deculein¡¯s father and the former head of the Yukline family, was the one who led our lineage to greatness. He was the only man Deculein ever feared. De fixed his blood-red eyes on me and dered, "I have found the proper vessel." His voice, his gestures, the way his eyes moved, and even the air around him stirred something deep inside me. The back of my neck grew tense, and goosebumps spread across my arms. It felt as though my very soul was trembling. Yet, despite all of this, something felt wrong. Did Deculein possess such a mechanism at all? Was there ever a part of him that could acknowledge something as insignificant as fear? After all, wasn¡¯t he a man whose mind had been, at least in part, shattered? I began to question this emotion. It wasn¡¯t something De had created, but rather the result of an external influence¡ªa reaction. It had to be the work of magical brainwashing, a deliberate intrusion by De, once celebrated as the greatest Art Mage of his time. I swept away the fog that veiled his figure and fixed my gaze on the image of De, buried deep within Deculein¡¯s subconscious. "Deculein, my son," De dered. The man standing before me resembled Deculein, but he was even colder and more ruthless, embodying the Yukline family¡¯s creed perfectly¡ªFear the demon. "Bring it before me." Deculein feared him, and that fear seeped into me as well. However... "I am not Deculein," I stated. I wasn¡¯t overwhelmed by it. No matter how much brainwashing had been etched into Deculein¡¯s body, for me, with the body of an Iron Man, it was nothing more than a cheap trick. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "My son." I moved toward him without hesitation, seized his throat with both hands, and tightened my grip. In that moment, memories surged through me, as if a switch had been flipped, and an image surfaced. "... De¡± De had never been satisfied with Deculein, nor with Yeriel, during his time as the head of the Yukline family. What he sought was a vessel¡ªa body to carry out his ambitions. "Was it a new head for the family you desired?" I dered. A sudden thought crossed my mind. "Or perhaps..." [Independent Quest: Family] That day, I had destroyed De¡¯s personality along with Yeriel, but the system never issued a questpletion notice. This could only mean one thing¡ªDe¡¯s trial wasn¡¯t over. Hiss... Clunk! The sharp hiss of the machine jolted me back to reality. The vision faded, giving way to the present. "It''s finished!" Adrienne announced. I slowly got to my feet, ncing at the cylindrical machine I had just been lying in. "Well, there wasn¡¯t anything out of the ordinary!" Its full name was the Magitech Brainwave Explorer, a machine developed on the Floating Ind to probe deep into a subject''s subconscious. Adrienne had ordered this test under the pretense of personal verification. "Was this really necessary?" I asked, adjusting my clothes as I walked toward her. "Of course! What if the candidate was a spy from another nation, allied with the Ashes, or a fanatic of the Round Table? We can¡¯t take any risks!" Adrienne said, full of confidence. "Is this machine genuinely capable of distinguishing that?" "Absolutely! We''ve caught thousands of spies with it! Its effectiveness even changes based on whose mana is powering it!" I kept my silence. ¡°And this time, it was mine!¡± I gave Adrienne a slightly uneasy look. If that subconscious thought had made its way to the Chairwoman as well... As if confirming my concern, she smiled brightly and said, "Don''t worry! I know how to keep a secret!" I shook my head in response to her words. Hissss... Clunk! The machine hissed again. This time, it marked the end of Ihelm''s session. "Oh, it looks like Ihelm is done as well!" Ihelm sat up, drenched in sweat and panting heavily, huffing as though he had just woken from a nightmare. "Have a seat here!" Adrienne gestured, and we both sat down. "The first round of personal verification isplete, and you both passed!" "Thank you," Ihelm said, his face now clear after using Cleanse. Adrienne turned to me, slipping the brainwave exploration results into her coat, and said, "By the way, Professor Deculein?" "Yes, Chairwoman." "I¡¯ve finally understood parts of your thesis!" Adrienne eximed, admiration evident in her expression. Ihelm shot me a nce, smirking as he asked, "Is that so? And what were your thoughts on Professor Deculein¡¯s work?" "It was exactly what I expected! I really liked it! Even though it¡¯s just a theory, the Floating Ind will definitely praise it!" Adrienne said, giving a thumbs-up. Ihelm¡¯s smile grew wider. "And regarding the hearing," Adrienne continued, "it might be long or short! In addition to the witnesses you¡¯ve both prepared, the board has invitedmon witnesses for review! We¡¯ll be reassessing both your achievements and standings in the Magical Realm!" "Of course," Ihelm replied with confidence, and I gave a nod in agreement. Adrienne smiled and said, "All right! You both have about two hours, so use this time to rest and get ready!" *** "The strategy is as outlined below." As soon as Ihelm returned, he immediately set to work preparing for the hearing, coborating with dozens of his subordinates¡ªprofessors, mages, and members of his family. "First, we must address Deculein¡¯s poor record of published theses. Over the past four years, he has submitted only one, and even that, as confirmed through Adrienne¡¯s interview, remains an untested theorycking experimental validation," one of Ihelm¡¯s subordinate presented. Boasting about achievements or offering promises wouldn¡¯t be effective. The most effective strategy was to attack Deculein¡¯s character directly. "Therefore, we will challenge the uncertainty surrounding his thesis and highlight the reputations of those who previously worked under him." Ihelm listened calmly. Although his subordinates worked diligently, he felt a twinge of guilt, knowing that all this preparation was nothing more than a distraction. The real trap was something even his closest followers were unaware of. "We will also address why, despite holding the title of Head Professor, Deculein has only three subordinates¡ªthe root cause being a fundamental w in his personality and..." Ihelm already knew the truth behind Deculein¡¯s recent thesis, The Invention of Pure Elements and the Four-Categories Magic Founded Upon It. He knew who the true originator of that idea was. In fact, every one of Deculein¡¯s past papers, without exception, belonged to him. "... Therefore, we intend to pose questions to the witnesses that specifically focus on Deculein¡¯s personality." Deculein was bound to fall into this trap. His arrogance was towering, and he despised anyone who dared tarnish his reputation. If he was still the proud Deculein that Ihelm knew, he would inevitably expose his Achilles'' heel by walking right into this snare... *** Sophien arrived at the Mage Tower without announcing her visit. She had left a magic doll behind in the Imperial Pce and disguised herself as amon witness, hidden beneath a robe. She thought this would make things far more entertaining. Sophien scanned the hearing hall, which was divided into four sections. Deculein¡¯s faction was seated on the right, Ihelm¡¯s on the left, with the board¡¯s judgment seats at the front and themon witnesses positioned at the back. She quietly took her ce among the witnesses. Keiron had been standing against the wall, posing as a statue since the day before. Outside, Yulie paced anxiously, likely unsettled by the pressure of her soon-to-be husband¡¯s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "Alright! Alright! Alright! Everyone, please take your seats!" Adrienne called out, her sharp voice cutting through the air as she entered. Sophien watched her closely. "The first hearing will begin shortly." Archmage Adrienne had an unmistakable presence, something that distinctly separated her from ordinary humans. ¡°Mmm!¡± Adrienne and the board members took their seats at the judgment panel, while Sophien quietly observed from her ce. ¡°Candidates Deculein and Ihelm, please enter!¡± As the doors opened, Deculein and Ihelm entered. Ihelm had a group of people trailing behind him, while Deculein stood with only one assistant professor by his side. "As I expected," Sophien said with a smirk. A pitiful man, without a single soul he can truly depend on. Arrogant and burdened, always trying to take everything on himself. That¡¯s Deculein, Sophien thought. ¡°The first phase will be cross-examination with themon witnesses!¡± Adrienne announced. The hearing proceeded ording to the agenda. Adrienne had first called themon witness she had arranged to the stand. "Kindly introduce yourself!" "I am Astal of the Floating Ind," Astal replied, a dedicated student of Deculein¡¯s advanced lectures and a spiritual leader to the schrs of the Floating Ind. "Astal, the Addict. I understand you have reviewed most of Professor Deculein¡¯s recent papers," a member of Ihelm¡¯s faction inquired. "Yes. I have reviewed all of Professor Deculein¡¯s papers from the past decade." ¡°What about histest thesis, The Invention of Pure Elements and the Four-Categories Magic Founded Upon It?¡± "I have reviewed the outline, but nothing further. However, I am personally looking forward to it." "I see." Sophien nced at Deculein. While Ihelm¡¯s faction worked tirelessly, Deculein remainedpletely calm, almost serene, as if he were ying chess in the heart of a battlefield. "And what is your assessment of the outline?" a member of Ihelm¡¯s faction inquired. "Initially, I found it somewhat far-fetched." "Far-fetched?" Someone from Ihelm¡¯s faction smiled, satisfied with the answer they had been hoping for. "Yes, however, Archmage Adrienne gave it her strong endorsement." "Yes, exactly!" Adrienne interrupted. "There¡¯s nothing far-fetched about that thesis. I can personally vouch for it! The original manuscript I reviewed will be sent to the Floating Ind by the end of this month!" "Oh!" Astal eximed, his eyes gleaming with excitement as a broad smile appeared on his face. "In that case, I eagerly anticipate it!" ¡°... Hmm,¡± Ihelm¡¯s faction murmured, before sitting down without another word. Adrienne nced at Deculein, silently giving him the opportunity to ask a question, but he remained still. Only his assistant professor shifted uneasily, fidgeting as though unable to stay seated. ¡°Well, if there are no more questions, we¡¯ll proceed with the next witness!¡± The questioning went on, with eachmon witness taking their turn. It was, in truth, a rather monotonous process. Unable to contain her boredom, Sophien stifled a yawn and mused, This is tedious. A waste of time. I¡¯ve yet to shake off my lethargy, and staying here any longer will only allow the ennui to seep back in. "Let''s pause for a short break!" Adrienne said. At some point, four hours had slipped by. In truth, Sophien had dozed off for part of it. ¡°This is so fucking boring. I should just leave,¡± Sophien muttered, expecting Keiron to hear from nearby as she rose from her seat. Tap, tap¡ª As she left the hearing room and walked toward the elevator... ¡°Leaving already?!¡± a small voice called out, stopping her. It was Adrienne, the petite Archmage. ¡°Oh, just wait a bit longer. Things are about to get interesting!¡± ¡°... You were aware all along?¡± Sophien said, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Knew what~?¡± Adrienne asked, tilting her head with an innocent expression. A wrinkle formed on Sophien¡¯s brow as she muttered, ¡°How cheeky.¡± ¡°Hehe! But you really should stay! I promise you won¡¯t be disappointed. The highlight is about to begin!¡± Adrienne said no more. "I strongly rmend it, no cap!" Sophien fixed her with a piercing gaze. Ding¡ª! The Chairwoman held Sophien¡¯s gaze, and as the elevator arrived, Sophien turned back toward the hearing room. *** ¡°Ah...¡± Epherene sat with vacant eyes as the hearing unfolded. The crystal orb, supplied by Ihelm¡¯s faction, had projected the entire process before her. ¡°Did everyone enjoy the break? Now, it¡¯s time for each faction to present their witnesses!¡± Adrienne called out, her voice bright and cheerful. Deculein''s witness was Louina. She thoroughly outlined Deculein''s integrity as the Director of the nning and Coordination Office, emphasizing the profits the Mage Tower had earned under his leadership. She even presented detailed data to back up her ims. "... At no point during the process did Professor Deculein demand any sacrifices from us or apply undue pressure¡ª" ¡°That is enough,¡± Ihelm interjected, deciding not to press Louina further. Rising from his seat, he turned to Adrienne and said, ¡°As Director of the nning and Coordination Office, I recognize hispetence. Now, we request to present our witness.¡± Ihelm¡¯s gaze briefly shifted toward Deculein, a faint smile ying on his lips, but Deculein remainedpletely unresponsive. Knock, knock¡ª A firm knock echoed through the room. The moment hade. Epherene pressed the letters to her chest, opened the door, and stepped out of the witness waiting room. Outside, one of Ihelm¡¯s attendants greeted her and said, ¡°Please, follow me.¡± Epherene gave a silent nod. Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Her footsteps echoed down the corridor, each one amplifying the pounding of her heart. With every step, a wave of nausea surged within her. Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Finally, they reached the towering doors of the hearing room. ¡°... This way.¡± Epherene paused at the threshold, drawing in a deep breath. ¡°I will open it,¡± the attendant said. ¡°... Okay,¡± Epherene replied, adjusting her clothes and bracing herself. Creeeeak¡ª The doors slowly opened. Ihelm, standing on the other side, cast her a graceful smile and announced, ¡°... Ah, there she is. Our first witness¡ªSolda Epherene.¡± The room was filled with people. As she walked forward, all eyes followed her, but her steps remained steady until she reached the witness stand and took her seat. ¡°... Please, introduce yourself!¡± Adrienne said. ¡°I... um... I am Solda Epherene, an assistant under Professor Deculein and...¡± Epherene stammered, meeting Deculein¡¯s gaze. He was watching her. Though her heart ached with sorrow, she didn¡¯t look away. Adrienne smiled warmly and added, "And?" ¡°... I am also the daughter of Solda Kagan, who was once an assistant to Professor Deculein.¡± ¡°Aha!¡± Adrienne eximed, her mischievous smile growing wider. Ihelm stepped forward and addressed her, ¡°Solda Epherene, it is understood that your father took his own life four years ago, is that correct?¡± Epherene¡¯s teeth ground together, tension building in her jaw. Adrienne observed with amusement as Ihelm, in a calm andposed tone, continued, ¡°I am aware of the reason behind it. I also understand why you¡¯ve been called here today.¡± From her seat, Empress Sophien swiftly grasped the unfolding situation. Adrienne¡¯s earlier assurance that she wouldn¡¯t be disappointed now seemed to carry some weight. ¡°The thesis that Professor Deculein submitted to the Chairwoman¡ªwhat if the idea wasn¡¯t originally his?¡± The board members'' eyes widened in shock, and even Ihelm¡¯s faction shifted uneasily. With a faint smile still lingering, Ihelm addressed the board, "Should this not be the first instance of such conduct, what measures should you n to take in response?" The board members leaned in toward each other, speaking in hushed tones. Astal, Louina, and the other witnesses exchanged uncertain nces, their eyes briefly resting on Deculein. Board member Drummen inquired, "Are you suggesting that the thesis submitted by Professor Deculein was not originally his idea?" Ihelm responded with confidence, ¡°Yes. The origin and formtion of that thesis belong entirely to another individual.¡± "Do you have any evidence to substantiate this im, witness?" Epherene raised her head and, drawing a bundle of letters from her coat, said, "These are the letters I exchanged with my father." Deculein remained silent, his eyes closed, as if there was nothing for him to say. Board member Drummen continued, pressing further, ¡°Could it be that your father harbored resentment toward Professor Deculein and intentionally falsified the evidence?¡± "My father mentioned... he embedded a magic marker, connected to his own blood, within the magic circuit described in the thesis." Ihelm pped, a sly smile creeping onto his face. The man he knew would never roll over so easily. For years, he had quietlyid the groundwork for Deculein¡¯s downfall, biding his time for the perfect moment to strike. ¡°A magic marker! That¡¯s rather clever¡ª¡± ¡°I understand that the hearing will not be concluded in a single day,¡± Epherene interrupted Ihelm. ¡°And if the investigation is notpleted today, but is conducted fairly and thoroughly... then I believe the truth will be revealed. I have faith in my father, but...¡± ¡°Hmm, I see!¡± Adrienne said with a nod, briefly quieting the murmurs in the room. ¡°Professor Deculein, do you have anything to say?!¡± At Adrienne¡¯s words, all eyes turned toward Deculein. He lifted his gaze to meet hers but remained silent, his expression revealing a trace of displeasure. ¡°Do you have~ anything to say~?¡± Adrienne teased, yfully drawing out her words. ¡°Heh!¡± Unable to hold back any longer, she let out a burst ofughter. Epherene tightened her fists in herp. "Why are youughing, Chairwoman...?" Ihelm asked, his confusion clear as the atmosphere in the hearing changed abruptly. The board members, equally unsettled, exchanged uncertain nces. Adrienne gave a soft chuckle and said, ¡°Oh, well, you were going to find out eventually anyway!¡± Epherene nced at Adrienne, who gave a small cough and cleared her throat, preparing to continue her words. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll reveal it now.¡± Epherene stared at the Archmage, puzzled by her sudden shift in tone. She began to wonder whether some behind-the-scenes agreement had already been made or if her testimony had been a serious mistake. "Professor Deculein submitted the thesis to me ten days ago. Afterpleting my review, I forwarded it to the Floating Ind." Meanwhile, Sophien folded her arms, casting her gaze over Deculein, Epherene, Ihelm, and Adrienne in turn. A faint smile yed at the corners of her lips. She was d she hadn¡¯t left halfway through. ¡°It¡¯s true that Deculein is the first author of that thesis.¡± Ihelm¡¯s smile widened as Adrienne went on, while Epherene, tense with frustration, clenched her thighs. A rush of emotion welled up inside her, threatening to bring tears, but just then¡ª Adrienne¡¯s voice softened as she added, ¡°But! There¡¯s a co-author, meaning it was a coborative effort.¡± The impact of her words struck Epherene like a punch, leaving her briefly stunned. "W-what... Did you just say? C-co-author?" Ihelm stammered. It wasn¡¯t something the Deculein he knew would have done¡ªno, it was something he would never have allowed himself to do. He was a type of person who would rather die clutching the thesis to his chest than tarnish his pride by coborating with a co-author. ¡°And that name is...¡± All eyes in the hearing room turned to Adrienne. Relishing the attention, her joy unmistakable, she prepared for the chaos to follow. With a yful smile, she raised her hand and pointed directly at Epherene. ¡°Kagan Luna. Your father, Epherene Luna.¡± Chapter 124: Formal Hearing (3)

Chapter 124: Formal Hearing (3)

¡°Kagan Luna. Your father, Epherene Luna,¡± the Chairwoman said. The Chairwoman''s words cast a heavy silence over the room, as though every sound had beenpletely erased. All eyes turned toward Deculein. "... Hmm. Over a century together, and still... there¡¯s always something new to discover," Sophien mused. The situation had caught Sophien off guard. The revtion of a co-author was entirely inconsistent with Deculein''s character. The idea contradicted everything she thought she knew about him. Resting her chin on her hand, Sophien nced at Epherene. The emotions on her face were impossible to fully describe. Ihelm¡¯s voice wavered, his words halting as he stammered, ¡°Deculein? You? What... what? A co-author?¡± The Chairwoman intervened, turning to Deculein instead of Ihelm, who appeared at a loss, and said, ¡°I believe an exnation of this co-authorship is needed! Professor Deculein?!¡± Nodding, Deculein responded in a calm, factual tone, more like a statement than a defense, ¡°The conception and initiation of this idea originated from Kagan Luna. It was a unique and ingenious thought, unmatched by anything others could conceive.¡± Deculein then turned his gaze to Epherene, whose tired eyes shimmered faintly. "Kagan Luna established the framework for the thesis, while I was responsible for its further development and finalization. Therefore, it was appropriate for both names to be listed as co-authors of the first author of the thesis... That is all." "I see! Ihelm, please proceed with your questioning!" "... Why now?" Ihelm asked, still in disbelief. "Why choose now, of all times?" "... Hmm! I¡¯ll step in for Ihelm, as it seems he¡¯s not in the best state to continue," Adrienne chimed in brightly. "This isn¡¯t the first time Professor Deculein has mistreated his assistants, right? Many have been broken, some even driven to suicide! So why, all of a sudden, are you showing concern for a former assistant now?" ¡°This was not something that urred suddenly,¡± Deculein replied. ¡°It was a gradual awakening. I havee to terms with my past errors and now ept them fully.¡± "Hmm~" Adrienne nodded thoughtfully. "I see! Witness Epherene, do you have anything more to add?" Epherene flinched when her name was called, while Adrienne offered her a warm smile. "Ah... I..." Epherene swallowed hard, her gaze flicking between Deculein, Adrienne, and Ihelm as a wave of confusion washed over her. It wasn¡¯t just the shock of Deculein''s unexpected behavior; it was the gravity of his sincere admission. The idea that her father would now be immortalized as a co-author in the Magical Realm stirred something deep within her. She had felt naive, almost foolish. "... No, I don¡¯t have anything else to say." "Alright! Then¡ª" Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! Bang¡ª! The Chairwoman struck her gavel and announced, "We¡¯ll take a brief recess! Everyone, take a moment to rest!" *** Near the hearing room of the Mage Tower, a terrace stretched across the upper floors. Designed like a forest, the ce allowed a clear view of the entire campus when I stood by the railing. Night had already fallen, and the world belowy bathed in the light of a full moon. Thud¡ª! Not long after, deliberate footsteps echoed, loud enough to make their presence known. I waited a moment longer, and soon, someone approached. His buttery blond hair fluttered in the breeze, and the overpowering scent of cologne stung my nose. ¡°... I don¡¯t understand your angle,¡± Ihelm said as he walked up slowly. Staring at the same view, he continued, "Were you aware of the magic marker embedded in the thesis?¡± I nodded. I discovered it during the process of developing the thesis. It was a rather clever trap. ¡°What did you do about it?¡± ¡°I left it untouched,¡± I replied. Dismantling it would have been simple, just a matter of refining the circuits one by one. Creak¡ª Soon, Ihelm gripped the railing tightly, the sound of his skin scraping against the metal ringing out clearly. "Why? Didn¡¯t you hold a deep dislike for him, Luna?" Ihelm asked. I turned to look at Ihelm. He had once been the closest to Deculein, knowing him in those days better than anyone else. ¡°You didn¡¯t care for Luna or his daughter... did you?¡± Living as Deculein, there were times when memories I couldn¡¯t fully recall resurfaced¡ªeither gradually over time or triggered by specific incidents. Yet, they always came back in fragments, like scattered pieces of perception that demanded careful cross-verification rather than blind eptance. "... De was never satisfied with me," I muttered, more to myself than to Ihelm, though his crimson eyes remained locked on me. "Perhaps my talent fell short, or I didn¡¯t develop as he had hoped. Or maybe the ambition of that specter was simply too great." Ihelm remained silent. ¡°Whatever the case, during those days of discontent, De discovered the talent of an Archmage.¡± Ihelm nodded faintly a couple of times before responding, ¡°Yes. If De hadn¡¯t died, Epherene Luna would have taken the position of head from you. But even then, I still wonder. Could it really have been that simple to ce a child from an entirely different bloodline at the head of the family?¡± De never intended for Epherene to be the head of the family. What he wanted was a vessel, something that could contain his dying brain¡ªand Epherene was the one he chose. ¡°De is long dead. Everything has changed now.¡± ¡°Still, the Deculein I knew would have strongly disliked Luna¡¯s daughter. You wouldn¡¯t have forgiven Kagan.¡± I chose not to answer. "Kagan and you... You both had every reason to hate each other. Only if he hadn¡¯t been so desperate to earn De¡¯s favor..." I gazed up at the distant sky. The vast ceiling spread out like an ocean, with therge full moon hanging there, solitary and still. ¡°None of that matters anymore. The research remains iplete, and it¡¯s Epherene¡¯s responsibility, not mine, to finish it. Besides...¡± ¡°... Besides?¡± "His suicide was a consequence of my actions." ¡°... What?¡± Ihelm muttered, his mouth hanging open, his expression one ofplete disbelief. ¡°I took her father¡¯s life. I cannot allow myself to harbor hatred for his daughter as well.¡± ¡°... D-did you,¡± Ihelm finally spoke, his forehead damp with cold sweat. ¡°Did you genuinely feel such pity for Epherene?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then why are you, of all people, doing this, if not out of pity?¡± I stopped to think for a moment. It wasn¡¯t sympathy orpassion¡ªthat much I knew. But beyond that, I couldn¡¯t be sure. My emotions were elusive, something even my Sharp Eyesight struggled to grasp. ¡°Who can say?¡± But then I remembered something I had read in a book once¡ªhow every mage, at least once in their life, feels a profound sense of responsibility. "Perhaps I¡¯ve started to see her as my prot¨¦g¨¦." Maybe, without realizing it, I¡¯ve grown to feel that way, I thought. Ihelm stood speechless, his grip on the railing ckening. A gust of wind swept over him, cooling the sweat that had gathered on his brow. A faint, bitter chuckle escaped his slightly parted lips as he muttered, ¡°... That doesn¡¯t make sense, though.¡± ¡°What doesn¡¯t make sense?¡± ¡°A few years ago, when Glitheon attempted to wipe out Luna¡¯s bloodline, you were the one who stopped him, weren¡¯t you? There¡¯s no way you felt like this back then.¡± ¡°Did I?¡± I asked, not recalling the event, but Ihelm furrowed his brow in disbelief. ¡°... Ugh.¡± Ihelm didn¡¯t press the issue. Instead, he simply shook his head and let out a sigh. ¡°You know, this was my final effort,¡± Ihelm said, staring out at the night, his face unusually calm. ¡°A co-author. There¡¯s nothing left to use against you. No, I have no reason to continue.¡± n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Ihelm hunched over, his body sagging against the railing like a rag left to dry. ¡°... If you¡¯ve really changed. If the Deculein before me isn¡¯t the same as he once was. If you¡¯re no longer the man I was determined to tear down...¡± I looked at him. His crimson eyes, which had always appeared lifeless like spoiled cheese, now glimmered faintly under the moonlight. An unfamiliar spark of life seemed to flicker within them. ¡°I have no reason to argue with you any longer. Holding on to the past only causes me pain.¡± At that moment... ¡°Hey!¡± Ihelm shouted. A sudden presence stirred near the terrace entrance. "Leave before he catches you." Tap, tap, tap¡ª! The sound of hurried footsteps faded into the distance. Thunk¡ª! A thud echoed, followed by the sound of someone stumbling and scraping their knee against the ground. I shot a re at Ihelm, who simply chuckled and shrugged, saying, "... I didn¡¯t bring her here. I only informed her she could follow if she chose. That¡¯s why I remained silent about everything else." Ihelm turned his gaze to the sky, as if looking for something lost to time, his eyes following the trail of distant memories. ¡°To im that Kagan wasn¡¯t right in the head, that he didn¡¯t care for his daughter, or that he may have even held resentment toward her... would¡¯ve been too cruel, don¡¯t you think? After all, she¡¯s here as my witness,¡± Ihelm said, chuckling as he turned to look at me. ¡°I¡¯m a gentleman, after all.¡± *** Beep, beep¡ª Beep, beep¡ª The rm clock rang loudly, pulling Epherene from her sleep. She slowly opened her eyes, her thoughts still hazy. It was the same dream again, just like before. ¡°The research remains iplete, and it¡¯s Epherene¡¯s responsibility, not mine, to finish it.¡± ¡°His suicide was a consequence of my actions.¡± The conversation she had overheard between Deculein and Ihelm echoed in her mind. ¡°I took her father¡¯s life. I cannot allow myself to harbor hatred for his daughter as well.¡± ¡°... Perhaps I¡¯ve started to see her as my prot¨¦g¨¦.¡± Deculein''s voice lingered in her ears, each word reying in her thoughts. Beep, beep¡ª Beep, beep¡ª The rm clock kept ringing. She eventually switched it off and sat up slowly. Her gazended on a piece of paper lying on the desk¡ªher Letter of Withdrawal. Three days had passed since Deculein''s hearing began. Though it continued, the fierce intensity of the first day had subsided. From what she¡¯d heard, even Ihelm seemed to have given up. ¡°A few years ago, when Glitheon attempted to wipe out Luna¡¯s bloodline, you were the one who stopped him, weren¡¯t you?¡± Epherene¡¯s mind kept circling back to the link between Luna and Deculein. It was a constant thought, lingering from the moment she woke until she finally drifted off to sleep. ¡°Only if he hadn¡¯t been so desperate to earn De¡¯s favor...¡± If the former head of the Yukline family had really wanted me as the sessor, and if my father had hoped for it too... if Deculein was at risk of losing Yukline to Luna... Epherene thought. Epherene let out a deep sigh, her eyes sweeping over the room onest time. It was clean and orderly. She had already packed everything she needed, discarding what was unnecessary, and her backpack was filled to the brim. ¡°This should be enough...¡± She had no intention of leaving the room untidy for someone else to handle. After slipping the withdrawal form into her coat, she struggled to lift the overstuffed backpack onto her shoulder. "Here we go~ Back home~" Epherene mumbled with feigned enthusiasm, ready to leave. Just as she reached the door, something caught her eye. ¡°... Huh?¡± Epherene noticed an envelope under the door. It hadn''t been there the day before, almost as if it had appeared out of nowhere. It must have arrived that morning. She picked up the thick envelope, opened it, and found a letter along with a certificate inside. Skimming through them without much thought, her heart suddenly sank. ¡°... Ah,¡± Epherene gasped softly. Her entire body froze, her mind going nk. She stood there, unable to tear her eyes away from the document. Mage Tower Sponsorship Certificate Recipient: Solda Epherene Luna Amount: 100,000 ? The anonymous sponsor who had been supporting her since the day she entered the Mage Tower had sent another sponsorship certificate, dated just the day before. The letter contained only one sentence. I support you. ¡°What...!¡± The moment Epherene read those words, her backpack fell from her grip, and she dashed out of the dormitory, running as fast as her legs would carry her. She didn¡¯t know where she was going¡ªher body just moved, driven by instinct. She ran relentlessly until she reached the Mage Tower, her feet tapping anxiously as she waited for the sluggish elevator. Once inside, she quickly pressed the button for the 77th floor. Ding¡ª! By the time she realized it, she was already standing in front of the namete. Head Professor¡¯s Office: Deculein Head Professor Deculein. She stood there, staring at the name, her heart pounding so fiercely it felt like it might burst. Only then did she notice the tears rolling down her cheeks. I support you. The few simple words from the letter tugged at her heart. ¡°... Why.¡± I turned against you, choosing the other side... I acted so recklessly, without knowing anything. Even now, I still hold some me for my father''s death, and this anger won¡¯t ever fade... ¡°Why...¡± Knock, knock¡ª Epherene''s hands shook as she knocked on the office door. After a moment, it swung open on its own¡ªDeculein¡¯s Telekinesis at work. ¡°Epherene, it seems you¡¯ve been neglecting your responsibilities at theboratorytely,¡± Deculein said. Epherene remained silent. "Five penalty points for neglecting your duties," Deculein stated, giving her the same cold, indifferent look, as though nothing had ever happened. Epherene stepped closer to him. Chapter 125: Ghost Island (1)

Chapter 125: Ghost Ind (1)

Sunlight streamed through therge windows of the Head Professor¡¯s office, but the air around Deculein was as cold as ever. There was nothing to be afraid of¡ªthis was simply how he always was. ¡°... Um.¡± Epherene approached him cautiously, one step at a time. She hesitated for a moment before stumbling over her words as she tried to speak. ¡°So, uh...¡± Just as Epherene cautiously began to speak... ¡°You know...¡± ¡°Leave.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Thud¡ª! Suddenly, she was flung backward, the door mming shut with a thud¡ªit was Telekinesis. ¡°... What?¡± Epherene muttered, staring nkly at the firmly shut door. She tried the handle, but it wouldn¡¯t move. ¡°Professor... open the door! I need to say something¡ª" ¡°Oh, Miss Epherene. You¡¯ve arrived?¡± Just then, Allen approached from behind, offering her a warm smile. ¡°Ah, well... yes, I came, but...¡± Epherene muttered, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck, feeling warmth spread across her back. Embarrassment crept over her, and she felt a bit ashamed. ¡°It¡¯s just that...¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay~¡± Allen interrupted, shaking his head knowingly, still cheerful. ¡°It happens. Professor Deculein would see it as only natural. Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I might have done the same.¡± Epherene remained silent, offering no response. "Sharing your personal matters took courage. Now, you just need to focus on your research to repay that~ None of us are bothered by it, so don¡¯t worry," Allen continued, encouraging her warmly before walking off to hisb. Assistant Professor¡¯s Laboratory: Allen Allen¡¯s steps had a noticeable spring to them, likely because Deculein had recently expanded hisb. As she watched him leave, Epherene¡¯s thoughts wandered back to the conversation she had overheard between Deculein and Ihelm. ¡°The research remains iplete, and it¡¯s Epherene¡¯s responsibility, not mine, to finish it.¡± What Deculein left to her¡ªthe research she still needed toplete for her father¡¯s sake. ¡°... Right,¡± Epherene muttered with a firm nod before sprinting toward the assistant''s researchb. She threw the door open, paying no attention to Drent¡¯s startled reaction, and immediately sat at her desk, which was stacked with papers. ¡°I can do this. I can do this...¡± Epherene didn¡¯t hesitate. Her resolve burned brighter than ever, her purpose clearer than it had ever been. With that newfound determination, she plunged into her studies. *** After the five-day hearing concluded, I was summoned, along with Ihelm, to Adrienne¡¯s office on the 100th floor. "Great job, both of you!" Adrienne said brightly. "I¡¯ve praised you both, so the thesis review should be done within a month! But before that, there¡¯s one more test for each of you!" Adrienne, the Chairwoman, had sent my thesis to the Floating Ind. It was likely that every Addict there would set aside their tasks to focus entirely on evaluating my work. "This time, it''s to evaluate your practical abilities!" Ihelm brushed his hand through his hair and asked, "Is withdrawing from the candidacy still an option?" Adrienne responded with enthusiasm, "Absolutely not! There''s still plenty of time to turn things around!" "... I have no desire to turn things around." "Too bad! Take a look at this!" Adrienne eximed, pulling out a map and a crystal orb, both connected to an ind called Goreth. At that moment, a quest notification popped up. [Main Quest: The Altar and the Ghost] ¡ô Mental Strength +1 Lately, nearly every quest had been marked as either main or independent. There was no room left for side quests anymore. "The destination is Goreth Ind! It''s known as Ghost Ind, and there''s a ce there called Ghost Castle!" Adrienne said, projecting an image of the ind with her crystal orb. At first nce, it seemed ordinary¡ªa dock for ships, a towering castle in the distance, with weeds and grass growing wild. The whole ce had clearly been abandoned for a long time. "You¡¯ve probablye across it in your academy textbooks!" "Yes, I am well aware," Ihelm said, clicking his tongue. "Goreth¡ªa magical space where three thousand inders vanished in an instant, sixty years past." "Exactly! It was once known for its unique products and attracted many tourists, but after the incident, it turned into a dead ind. But here¡¯s the exciting part¡ªa mana stone mine has been discovered there!" "... A mana stone mine?" "Yes~!" Mana stones were highly sought after by everyone in this world, especially mages. As the saying went, even if they were buried in hell, people would dig for top-grade mana stones. Their value was beyond question. ¡°There¡¯s about ten thousand tons of mana stones buried there! If you convert that into elne... oh my, oh my!¡± Adrienne eximed, fluttering her hands dramatically. Ihelm crossed his arms, still looking unimpressed. ¡°A purification operation is being organized! And your test will be to determine who can contribute the most to this effort¡ª" "In other words, unpaidbor," Ihelm interjected. "No, absolutely not!" Adrienne responded, shaking her head as soon as he asked. "Your contributions will be evaluated, and rewards will be given ordingly. For instance, if Ihelm contributes 3%, then 0.3% of the ten thousand tons is yours! After deducting the half that goes to the Imperial Pce, you¡¯ll receive fifteen tons of the mine¡¯s share!" Fifteen tons. Depending on the quality of the mana stones, that amount could match the yearly budget of a mid-sized territory. Adrienne went on, "Ihelm, with his expertise in supportive magic, and Deculein of the Yukline family will handle any demons or ghosts that show up! The two of you will make a perfect team!" Ihelm gave me a look, silently questioning whether I intended to take part in the test. With the quest now active, there was no point in turning it down. "Yes, I will participate," I responded. "... Well, then I suppose I¡¯ll join as well. The Chairman position may be out of reach, but those mine shares are certainly tempting," Ihelm replied with a shrug. *** The office of the Grand Knight of the Freyhem Knights was a in wooden room, free of any decorations or luxuries¡ªso minimal, it felt almost empty. "Hmm..." Yulie, the Grand Knight of the order, reviewed the ledgers. Lately, the finances have consistently shown a surplus. "... Hehe." A faint smile touched her lips. Despite her worsening health, the steady finances of the knight¡¯s order gave her a sense of pride. Knock, knock¡ª A knock suddenly echoed in the room. She quickly slipped the ledger into a drawer andposed herself, then called for the person to enter. "... Grand Knight," said Rockfell, the deputy knight of Freyhem, d in armor and a ck cloak. The moment Yulie noticed his somber look, she rose to her feet and asked, "What is it, Rockfell?" "We¡¯ve recovered... Veron¡¯s remains." ¡°What?¡± Yulie eximed, her eyes widening in shock. She quickly moved toward Rockfell, repeating in disbelief, ¡°Veron¡¯s remains?!¡± The Freyhem Knights Order had exhausted every resource in their efforts to recover the remains, pouring in vast sums of money, but it was all in vain. The cliffs were simply too treacherous. "Yes. Lady Josephine aided us." "Ah... I see," Yulie said, nodding slowly as she stepped back and let out a long sigh of relief. For the first time in a long while, she felt deeply grateful to her sister. "... He¡¯s finally returned home." A weight seemed to lift from her heart. Yulie looked over at Rockfell, whose eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Grand Knight, what are your next steps?" "I will arrange a proper funeral for him." "Understood. I will inform the knights," Rockfell said with a bow before leaving the office. Yulie took a deep breath and nced out the window. The sky was clear, the sun bright, and not a cloud to be seen. "Thank goodness..." Yulie whispered, a faint smile appearing in ce of the tears she held back. *** Meanwhile, Solda Epherene sat in a caf¨¦, sipping her coffee, but it felt like it might go down the wrong way. Too many people kept ncing at her. ¡°Ugh, my stomach¡¯s in knots.¡± Lately, no matter where she went on campus, eyes seemed to follow her. It was all because she had spoken up, despite being Deculein''s assistant. Some people supported her, others worried, and many nobles openly condemned her. But the odd thing was, no one seemed to be on Deculein''s side. That part made Epherene feel a little... "Hmm~ Seems like we''ve got a celebrity here," someone remarked, taking a seat next to her. Epherene¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she looked up and said, ¡°...Professor Louina?¡± Louina smiled warmly, tossing her green hair over her shoulder, and replied, ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you~ But you still seem a little lost, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Ah... haha,¡± Epherene gave a weak smile and lowered her head. Louina took a sip of her coffee and asked, ¡°So, how¡¯s Professor Deculein? Has he changed a lot?¡± ¡°Oh, well, I¡¯m not really sure how Professor Deculein used to be...¡± Epherene had only read about Deculein in letters; she hadn¡¯t witnessed his past herself. Now, she chose to rely on what she could see with her own eyes. Louina let out a quiet sigh, her voiceced with a hint of bitterness, and said, ¡°Yes, I suppose so. He¡¯s changed quite a bit. Before... Well, I can¡¯t even begin to exin how terrible he was. But, as always, there¡¯s a reason people change.¡± Epherene blinked and asked, ¡°Did something happen to Professor Deculein?¡± "Hmm... I¡¯m not sure. I shouldn¡¯t really talk about it. But who knows, he might be suffering from a terminal illness." ¡°... Sorry?¡± At that moment, as Epherene tilted her head in confusion, a faint memory stirred deep within her mind¡ªa fragment of a voice rising from the depths of her subconscious. ¡°But... in my world, the professor is no longer there.¡± A fleeting, mirage-like whisper passed through Epherene''s mind. She reflected on the meaning of those words, uncertain of who had spoken them, where they hade from, or how they had reached her. ¡°Solda Epherene? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Louina asked. Startled, Epherene quickly shook her head and said, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°Does something seem to being together?¡± ¡°No, no. It¡¯s nothing like that.¡± Epherene didn¡¯t know why he had changed¡ªthere was no way she could have known, given how little she knew of Deculein¡¯s past. All she could do was... ¡°Think it¡¯s just a headache. Maybe it¡¯s from this,¡± Epherene said, taking a piece of paper from her coat. Louina nced at the paper and said with a hint of recognition, ¡°Ah, Goreth Ind. Ghost Castle, was it? I heard Professor Deculein will be going there.¡± ¡°Yes, he is.¡± "Are the assistants required to attend? It¡¯s a dangerous ce, and surely not everyone needs to go." ¡°It¡¯s not required, but...¡± Epherene said, awkwardly scratching her cheek. ¡°Since I¡¯m his assistant, I n to go. I can still do my research while I¡¯m there. But, of course, if the professor doesn¡¯t want me there, I won¡¯t¡ª¡± *** ¡°... Ahh!¡± When Epherene opened her eyes, she found herself aboard the ship bound for Ghost Castle on Goreth Ind. Sunlight streamed through the window, the sea calm and glimmering beneath it. The ship¡¯s interior was tranquil, as one would expect from a cruise. Epherene stretched with a wide yawn, wiping the tears from her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re awake, Miss Epherene?¡± Allen asked with a warm smile from his seat beside her. Epherene rubbed her eyes and said, "Yes, it¡¯s my first time on a ship. I must have dozed off unexpectedly. Maybe it¡¯s the seasickness?" ¡°Ah~ it¡¯s your first time on a boat? That makes sense. ... But, by the way, is it fine for you to be skipping your sses?¡± For reference, Drent remained behind, choosing to focus on his midterms, which were now only a month away. ¡°Yes, of course. I find the Solda sses so easy, they¡¯re almost boring.¡± ¡°As expected from you~¡± Allen said with a hint of admiration before ncing out the window. ¡°Miss Epherene, they say the ce we¡¯re going to is full of ghosts! Sounds like there¡¯ll be plenty to research~¡± ¡°I¡¯m excited about it. Ghosts are magical beings, after all, aren¡¯t they?¡± But Allen didn¡¯t respond. Instead, his head slowly swiveled toward her in an unnatural, almost grotesque way, as if his neck had twisted wrong. ¡°A-Assistant Professor Allen? What¡¯s wrong with your...?¡± Though Allen''s body remained facing the window, his head stayed turned toward her, his eyes locked in a disturbing grin as he said, ¡°Um, Miss Epherene.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Do I still look like Allen to you?¡± ¡°W-what are you talking... about...?¡± Suddenly, blood gushed from Allen¡¯s eyes, flowing in thick streams as if a faucet had burst. Gush, gush, gush¡ª! Epherene stood frozen in horror as the crimson liquid sttered across her. Paralyzed by fear, she watched as Allen¡¯s mouth stretched unnaturally wide, resembling a shark¡¯s maw. ¡°Grrrrrrr...!¡± Epherene attempted to cast a spell, but her mana refused to respond. It was like trying tond a punch in a dream... A dream? Epherne thought. ¡°... A dream! This is only a dream!¡± Epherene shouted, squeezing her eyes shut before forcing them open again. Her body trembled, but the terrifying vision had faded entirely. Allen was still sitting next to her, quietly gazing at the sea. She released a slow breath, cing a hand over her chest. Perhaps it was simply the weight of her exhaustion taking its toll, or maybe her mind was beginning to unravel. "... Miss Epherene? Are you alright?" Allen asked, his voiceced with concern. Epherene shook her head and said, "Oh, it''s nothing, just a strange dream..." ¡°What kind of dream?¡± ¡°No, no, it¡¯s nothing. Everything¡¯s fine, really. No problem. Nothing to worry about.¡± ¡°Could it be... that your dream was something like this?¡± Grab¡ª! Allen seized Epherene¡¯s wrist and leaned in closer, blood once again streaming from his eyes, just like before. Gush, gush, gush¡ª! Blood gushed from Allen''s mouth as he asked, "Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this? Like this?" ¡°N-no, ahh...!¡± As Epherene screamed, she snapped awake, drenched in cold sweat. Her eyes quickly scanned the cabin¡ªit was still the ship, but now night had fallen. Allen appeared, looking concerned, and asked, ¡°Miss Epherene! What¡¯s wrong? Are you alright?¡± "You... you''re going to do that again, aren¡¯t you?! Don¡¯te any closer! Stay back!" ¡°Sorry? W-why...?¡± Allen asked, stopping in his tracks, clearly hurt by her reaction. At that moment, a steady voice cut through, ¡°This is no longer a dream.¡± Epherene blinked and turned toward the voice, murmuring, ¡°... Oh?¡± It was Head Professor Deculein, turning the pages of a book. Without lifting his gaze, he asked, ¡°Epherene, are you familiar with the legend of the Sirens?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve heard of them...¡± "The sea¡¯s mana lures people through dreams and illusions, which serve as its medium. Ghosts are entities that take shape from these visions. The ind we¡¯re approaching is where this mana is at its most potent." Epherene listened quietly. ¡°You were pulled into one of those dreams, but now you¡¯ve been released.¡± Epherene swallowed hard and looked down at her wrist, where a distinct handprint was still visible. ¡°... This is insane. Could I still be dreaming?¡± ¡°There is no need to worry. My presence is proof of your reality,¡± Deculein said. Epherene looked at him, confused, her brow furrowing as she tried to make sense of his words. Without lifting his eyes from the book, Deculein said, ¡°They cannot replicate me. If I¡¯m not present in your world, then it is a dream. Where I exist, that is your reality.¡± ¡°Oh, well said, Professor Deculein!¡± Ihelm remarked, pping from the nearby sofa, a ss of wine in hand. As usual, Deculein remained silent, offering no response. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°Yes, yes... I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± Epherene mumbled awkwardly as she turned toward the window. The sea was pitch ck, the wind roared, and the waves crashed violently against the ship. Ruuumble¡ª! A sh of lightning streaked across the sky, briefly revealing a skull-like shape. The sharp light burned into Epherene¡¯s vision, startling her¡ªnot just because of the lightning, but from the sudden wave of memories that surfaced. ¡°But... in my world, the professor is no longer there.¡° ¡°So, don¡¯t hold too much hatred for him.¡± A message from her future self echoed in her mind, prompting Epherene to quickly turn toward Deculein. ¡°And if you can, try to keep him around in your world for as long as possible.¡± One of the truths she had uncovered about her future was that Deculein would die, and it wasn¡¯t far off. Chapter 126: Ghost Island (2)

Chapter 126: Ghost Ind (2)

The cruise ship docked at the pier of Goreth Ind. Allen stepped off first, his arms full of documents and analysis reports, while Epherene followed, struggling under the weight of arge magitech device strapped to her back. ¡°Ughhh... arghhh...¡± Epherene groaned, grumbling as she struggled under the weight of the machine, which easily weighed dozens of kilograms. She silently cursed her fate for having to carry it herself, but there was no avoiding it¡ªmana-sensitive devices couldn¡¯t be moved with magic. ¡°I heard another team has already arrived,¡± Ihelm muttered, plucking a leaf from a nearby tree and twirling it as he nced at Epherene. ¡°Hey, Leaf, how long have you been here?¡± "... Stop talking to me. I¡¯m barely managing here," Epherene snapped. Ihelm nodded, casually chewing the leaf. Then, he plucked another and handed it to his prot¨¦g¨¦. Epherene frowned at him and muttered, ¡°Why is he even chewing on that?¡± ¡°Hmm, don¡¯t you know? Trees are excellent at purifying mana. Once they absorb enough, they be mana trees. Depending on the type, chewing their leaves can clear your mind. But usually, they¡¯re cut down for staff or weapons before they can fully mature...¡± Ihelm then pointed to Deculein¡¯s staff and said, ¡°That staff is crafted from mana wood. It¡¯s rare, so make sure to choose a good one before we leave. You won¡¯t be able to cast spells with just your bare hands forever, will you?¡± Upon hearing that, Epherene briefly pictured herself holding an elegant staff, skillfully casting and weaving spells with ease. ¡°Hmm...¡± It didn¡¯t seem so bad as she imagined how she might look. Ihelm smirked, letting out a soft chuckle as he remarked, ¡°Pfft, such a simpleton.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± After walking for some time, they reached their destination¡ªGhost Castle. At the entrance, an Imperial support team was already waiting for them. ¡°It is an honor to meet you, Professor Deculein, Sir Ihelm. I am Hetrog,¡± the man in charge said, offering his hand. Deculein simply regarded his outstretched hand, making no move to shake it. With a faint smile, Ihelm grasped the man''s hand instead and said, ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. Have there been any problems so far?¡± ¡°No, sir, everything is in order. All the exploration and investigation findings are inside the castle. Let me guide you,¡± Hetrog replied. ¡°... Hmm. Is this where you¡¯ve set up the base camp?¡± Ihelm asked, his tone reflecting mild dissatisfaction. Hetrog nodded casually and replied, ¡°Yes, sir. It¡¯s safer within the castle. Outside, mana storms strike without warning.¡± ¡°Well... It is the infamous ghost ind mentioned in textbooks. Let¡¯s get inside.¡± They followed Hetrog into the castle, and the atmosphere shifted the moment they crossed the threshold. "This ce feels somewhat unsettling..." Allen muttered. As Allen had mentioned, the air inside felt unnaturally cold. Both Epherene and Allen instinctively moved closer to Deculein, advancing with caution. ¡°This will be your quarters,¡± Hetrog stated as they arrived at the reception room on the first floor. Epherene took in her surroundings. The spacious hall held several beds, with no doors or dividers anywhere. Simply put, there was no privacy at all. Ihelm inquired, ¡°Will we all be staying here together?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s amunal space. Nightmares are frequent, so we make sure to wake each other. The standard is to stay in groups of three.¡± Coincidentally, both Deculein''s and Ihelm''s teams consisted of exactly three members each. Hetrog continued, ¡°Please avoid leaving the first or second floors, and make sure the doors remain open. I¡¯ll provide more details tomorrow morning, but this castle is a magical space...¡± Epherene nced at Deculein, his displeasure over themunal amodations evident on his face. ¡°There is also an adventurer team staying here.¡± ¡°An adventure team?¡± Ihelm asked, raising an eyebrow in mild curiosity. Hetrog nodded and said, ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Which one?¡± ¡°The Red Ga Adventure Team.¡± At that, the group¡¯s eyes widened. The Red Ga Adventure Team was renowned across the entire continent. ¡°Ganesha is here?¡± Ihelm asked, his toneced with surprise. ¡°Yes, sir. The Imperial Pce has hired them. There are more threats on this ind than you might expect,¡± Hetrog warned once more. ¡°So, I advise you to remain on the first or second floors and stick with your assigned groups of three.¡± After Hetrog finished, Deculein said, ¡°I will be staying on the second floor.¡± ¡°Sorry?¡± Hetrog replied, blinking in confusion. Deculein reiterated, ¡°I¡¯ll stay by myself.¡± For someone like Deculein,munal quarters might as well have been a death sentence. Meanwhile, a figure watching from another section of the castle allowed a faint smile to cross their lips. "So, the professor has arrived as well~" someone murmured. Professor Deculein. I never imagined I''d meet him here again. Is this what the god of chance has nned...? Ganesha sighed softly, turning her attention back to the children. ¡°Ria, how¡¯s Carlos holding up?¡± Ganesha asked. ¡°... He¡¯s managing, for now,¡± Ria replied, tending to Carlos as his fever raged on. It had been five days since they arrived on the ind, and Carlos¡¯s fever, which started on the third day, showed no signs of subsiding. Ganesha asked gently with concern, ¡°Do you think we should head back?¡± ¡°No,¡± Ria replied, shaking her head firmly. ¡°If we run away in fear now, it¡¯ll be the end for us.¡± The truth was, Ria knew something about Carlos. The blue-haired boy would grow into a dangerous named character. There was even a time when she had considered killing him, back when he was younger and less of a threat. As time passed, her feelings for him softened. Instead of ending his life, she decided on a new course¡ªone that involved honing his potential. Though Carlos was a threat, that very danger could be turned into an advantage in future quests. If she steered him carefully, not only could he survive, but he might also find true happiness. He could even grow into a valuable ally for this world. ¡°... Carlos will be able to ovee this.¡± But if he couldn¡¯t, if fear pushed him to run again, there would be no happy ending. She would be left with no choice but to take the life of this small, innocent child herself. "Alright, do what you feel is right, Ria. You¡¯re more mature than I am," Ganesha said, gently stroking her hair, feeling proud of the girl¡¯s poise and reassured by her determination. "But still, things might get a littleplicated. The Altar has shown up as well." Ria¡¯s head shot up, and she asked, ¡°The Altar?¡± "Yeah, some particrly troublesome ones." Ca, known publicly as the Authority, and her brother, Jackal,manded a formidablebat unit. Whether they were in a cooperative rtionship with the Altar or had been assigned to it remained uncertain, but one thing was clear¡ªthey were a serious threat. ¡°If even you find them troublesome, Ganesha, then...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯re still no match for me,¡± Ganesha said with a reassuring smile, hoping to calm Ria¡¯s worries. She gestured toward Leo, who slept peacefully. ¡°Let¡¯s wake him up before he starts having nightmares.¡± *** ¡°Are you certain you¡¯ll be alright?¡± Hetrog inquired. I headed up to the second floor. In any horror movie, the first rule was to never go off alone, and those who followed it were smart¡ªbut that wasn¡¯t me. It just didn¡¯t suit my nature. ¡°It will be fine,¡± I replied. ¡°Yes, Professor. However, for precaution, I advise leaving the door open,¡± Hetrog said with a respectful nod before descending the stairs. Now that I was alone, I surveyed the room. It wasn¡¯t eerie or cold as I had anticipated; instead, it was filthy¡ªthat was my first impression. Using abination of Telekinesis and Cleanse, I promptly cleared the space until it was spotless. Then, I closed my eyes. My new attribute, Encryption, functioned much like an inventory. I could store specific objects as mana codes in my mind and, when required, decode and manifest them into reality. As I focused, the mana condensed into particles, slowly forming items from my mansion¡ªfurniture like a desk, dresser, bed, chair, books, a fountain pen, nkets, pillows, and more. Shhhhhhhh... ¡°Hmm.¡± The end result was a clean, modern-looking room. ¡°Good,¡± I muttered, settling into the chair and gazing out the window. A violent stormshed against thendscape, lightning cutting through the sheets of rain. Ruuumble¡ª! The thunder rumbled like the growl of a beast. Swirling winds formed spirals in the storm, but I watched it all without flinching. An idea struck me¡ªtraining. Without a second thought, I stepped outside into the storm¡¯s chaos. The rain poured down in sheets, and the wind screamed, but not a single drop touched me. Every bit of water was held back by my Telekinesis. Druuuum¡ª! The pounding rain echoed in my ears as I initiated Memorize. I pushed the telekinesis circuits engraved in my body to their absolute limit. Whirrrrr... My veins had darkened to a deep purple as mana surged through them, carving out new channels for the spell¡¯s circuit. My target was Intermediate Telekinesis. For most mages, it would have been a small step, but for me, it was anything but. The power difference between Basic and Intermediate was immense¡ªeasily hundreds of times stronger. With every tier I ascended, the memorized magic became something entirely different, evolving into a more potent force. Crack¡ª Mana surged violently into my muscles, tearing them apart with excruciating force. The pain was sharp but endurable. Heat red in my throat, and the pungent smell of burning flesh filled the air. It felt like I was being burned alive. Blood leaked through my clenched teeth, and my skin darkened as my capiries burst. The magic rampaged through my veins, shattering my bones, but my body, tempered like steel, broke and healed over and over again. Then, just as I was on the edge of self-torture... The rain had stopped, and not a single drop could be heard. The pain still coursed through my body, but the world around me had fallen into silence. I slowly opened my eyes and raised my head. The rain that had once poured down in heavy sheets was now reversing, the streaks of water lifting back toward the sky. Gradually, they rose, meeting the clouds above. It was a sight that defied the veryws of nature. As I stood watching this strange phenomenon, a system notification blinked into view. [Memorize Complete: Intermediate Telekinesis] "... Not bad," I muttered. At this point, I felt satisfied to a certain extent. *** Epherene unpacked her belongings into the drawer, ced her thesis paper on the desk, and theny down on the bed. She stared nkly at the ceiling. Sleep was creeping up on her, but the fear of nightmares kept her awake. Of course, there were plenty of people around to wake her if necessary, but a voice from the past echoed faintly in her mind... ¡°But... in my world, the professor is no longer there. ... And if you can, try to keep him around in your world for as long as possible.¡± It was a memory¡ªwords from her future self, long forgotten until now. Epherene didn¡¯t know when or where Deculein would meet his end, but she was certain it wouldn¡¯t be a natural death far in the future. It could happen as soon as next year... ¡°... Ugh,¡± Epherene muttered, shaking her head as if to clear the troubling thought from her mind. There¡¯s no reason to think about this while I¡¯m here for work. It¡¯ll only get in the way. And if Deculein dies, it doesn¡¯t really concern me... not at all... "Ugh!" Epherene groaned as she jumped out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. She hadn¡¯t gone far when the mouthwatering scent of food wafted toward her. ¡°... Wow.¡± Soup bubbled on the stove while fish sizzled in the pan. "Uh, excuse me,¡± Epherene said. ¡°Ah, hello. Dinner will be ready shortly,¡± said the man preparing the meal. ¡°Haha... it smells delicious. But, how did you manage to gather all the ingredients?¡± Epherene asked, swallowing her saliva as she moved closer to the man preparing the meal. West, a mage in his mid-tote thirties who had a calm, gentle look, was preparing the meal. ¡°Fishing and hunting, of course. The ingredients here are actually better than what we get back on the continent. With all the mana around, the fish are incredibly fresh and vorful. It¡¯s one of the few perks of being on this ind. The food is great, and the rewards are astronomical¡ªthat¡¯s why we stay.¡± ¡°Oh~ that makes sense... Why am I drooling?¡± Epherene muttered, swallowing quickly. West opened the refrigerator, and Epherene jumped in surprise. Instead of food, she saw what looked like a room, filled with cobwebs and dust. ¡°What... is this?¡± ¡°This happens from time to time. It¡¯s why we¡¯ve had to break down most of the doors,¡± West replied. ¡°Sorry?¡± West closed the refrigerator door, paused for a moment, and then reopened it. This time, everything appeared normal. He casually took out some vegetables for the soup, behaving as though the strange event from before had never happened. ¡°This castle isrger than the ind itself, which is why the spaces tend to mix up.¡± ¡°I see... Does it have something to do with the mana stone mine?¡± ¡°The castle itself is the mana stone mine.¡± Epherene blinked, puzzled by his words. West pointed to the ceiling and said, ¡°See that up there?¡± A small object jutted out from the ceiling. When Epherene looked more closely, she realized it was a mana stone. ¡°Ah~¡± Epherene breathed in surprise. ¡°There are plenty scattered all over, so be cautious when you open or close doors. Besides ghosts, there are real people here¡ªthieves, to be exact. You¡¯ve heard the saying, ¡®People would go to hell to mine mana stones,¡¯ right?¡± West continued, ¡°Well, we¡¯ve got thieves straight from hell in this castle.¡± Epherene stiffened at his words and muttered, ¡°Oh, I see...¡± Sixteen minutester, however... ¡°This... this is so delicious...¡± Epherene murmured, her spirits lifted after tasting the second-best fish she¡¯d ever had. *** The following morning, after everyone had finished settling in, Hetrog called the group together. "... First, the primary objective is to stabilize Ghost Castle by addressing the discontinuities in space and eliminating the interference caused by the ghosts," Hetrog said. The discontinuities in space meant that any closed room in the castle could connect to a random location when its door was reopened. In other words, closing the door didn¡¯t guarantee that reopening it would lead back to the same ce. "Do you have the results of the findings?" I asked. ¡°Here are the findings, Professor,¡± Hetrog said, handing over a stack of documents. I read through the entire stack¡ªa method to improve the efficiency of my Comprehension. The more foundational knowledge I possessed about the castle, the less mana would be needed to fullyprehend its structure. ¡°So, basically, does that mean the rooms don¡¯t actually connect to the living room?¡± Epherene asked. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Hetrog nodded and replied, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct. Opening the door to the living room from any room could lead to apletely different ce.¡± "Aha~," Epherene murmured, resting her chin thoughtfully on her fingers. After reviewing Hetrog''s report, I rose from my seat. ¡°What do you n to do, Professor Deculein?¡± Ihelm asked, recliningfortably in his chair. ¡°I n to experience it for myself,¡± I said. Magical spaces like this demanded direct experience andprehending to be fully grasped. To immerse myself in such a discontinuous space, I needed courage. ¡°Certainly, Professor. There¡¯s a room set aside for research over there,¡± Hetrog said, gesturing toward a small room in the corner. I nodded briefly and walked toward the door, pushing it open. Creak¡ª! Suddenly¡ªthere was someone on the other side. A woman in a robe and a samurai dressed in martial attire. The samurai appeared to be in the middle of a fight, his de raised as if ready to strike. ¡°... Huh, like, what¡¯s goin¡¯ on here?¡± the man said, freezing mid-swing before turning to face me. I recognized him at once¡ªwaist-length hair and the Muramasa, the cursed sword, in his hand. This was Jackal, the Samurai, without a doubt. And if he was here, the woman beside him could only be his sister, Ca, known as the Authority. "Run!" A sharp voice echoed through the air, drawing my attention. Three children were fleeing¡ªtwo running and one being carried on the back of another. "Hey! Ah, jeez! Oh, ah!"Jackal blurted out, visibly startled as he reached for his de, but the kids had already vanished. He shot me a heated re. "I was this close to catch ¡®em! Who the hell even are you¡ª" ¡°... It appears to be Deculein,¡± Ca interrupted. At the mention of my name, Jackal¡¯s eyes widened. He pointed his sword at me and said, ¡°Wait, Deculein? Aha, dude, so you¡¯re like¡ª¡± m¡ª! I quickly shut the door with a m. Then, without haste, I turned and walked back to my seat in the conference room, sitting down as if nothing had happened. "Now, let¡¯s approach this logically." Though I kept myposure, the situation was urgent. What stirred within me wasn¡¯t fear, but a deep recognition of the challenge andplexity thaty ahead. "How should I go about dealing with those two?" Jackal and Ca. In this world, they ranked among the strongest enemies. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 127: Ghost Island (3)

Chapter 127: Ghost Ind (3)

Ca and Jackal were troublesome named enemies, not just for their strength but for their unique attributes. Ca, at least, wasn¡¯t much of a threat. Her attribute, Authority, worked like a cage, but I could break through it with my mental strength. Jackal, on the other hand, was a much bigger problem. No one on our team could handle hisbat skills, at least not on the surface. I nced over at Allen, who was focused as Hetrog went on with the briefing. "The investigation confirmed that the mana stone mine is the castle itself. However, there are severalplications with the mining. Besides the mana that causes drowsiness and nightmares, we also have to deal with thieves like Ca and Jackal..." Hetrog spoke with calmposure. West, Ruhan, Seleni, and the other team members provided support as he delivered his report. ¡°To prevent any potential mass drowsiness, please wear these bracelets. asionally, a sleep-inducing fog nkets the castle,¡± Hetrog continued, handing out the bracelets¡ªsimple devices that administered an electric shock every three hours. ¡°The next exploration willmence at 18 o¡¯clock 6 minutes tomorrow.¡± ¡°Is there a particr reason for setting such a precise time?¡± Ihelm asked. Hetrog replied, ¡°It¡¯s because of the passage we found. The most stable one opens precisely at 18 o¡¯clock 6 minutes on the 6th, 16th, 26th, and 36th days.¡± ¡°And that small door is the entrance?¡± "Yes, in addition¡ª" ¡°Before we proceed,¡± I interrupted them. It was time to act. I used Telekinesis to lift the Wood Steel. After testing it firsthand, I was ready to put the tools to proper use. "I will deploy this steel throughout the castle." Whirrr¡ª! With a sharp whir, the Wood Steel flew in every direction¡ªup the stairs, down the corridors, and even diagonally through the air. Hetrog watched their movement closely before turning to me and asked, "Would you exin it to us, Professor Deculein?" "These steels are in tune with me," I replied. At this level of resonance, my twenty des of Wood Steel felt more like extensions of my body than just metal. They were no longer simple objects, but something closer to living beings¡ªresponsive to my thoughts, instincts, and intentions, capable of making decisions on their own. ¡°The steels emit waves to gauge the size of the space and the density of mana, all of which is ryed back to me. If spatial discontinuity also affects objects, I¡¯ll be able to map the entire area without moving an inch.¡± ¡°Wow~ Outstanding as always, Professor Deculein!¡± Allen said with a wide grin, giving me an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Ihelm, meanwhile, let out a grunt and leaned back in his chair, his expression as uninterested as ever. Hetrog nodded and replied, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s an excellent n. We¡¯ll await your results, Professor.¡± *** Morning on Goreth Ind seemed tost only a few hours. The clear midday sky was brief, and before long, darkness crept in. Thick storm clouds rolled in, turning the sky pitch-ck as they unleashed relentless rain and wind. ¡°All four elements are actively engaged...¡± Ruuumble¡ª! The sudden thunder made Epherene jump, muttering, ¡°Ah... that scared me.¡± In the eeriendscape, briefly lit by shes of lightning, Epherene focused on studying the thesis paper. ¡°A new pure element, formed through the harmonious integration of all four fundamental elements...¡± Luna and Deculein¡¯s thesis was packed withplex spells and original concepts. It required not just deep understanding, but also extraordinary magical talent and skill beyond that of ordinary mages. To truly master it, one needed both fullprehension and the caster¡¯s own natural abilities for practical use. "... Carbon imparts near-limitless flexibility to any magic, a trait defined as its primary property." As Epherene continued analyzing the thesis, a sudden chill ran down her spine. Without turning her head, she nced toward the window. In the ss, the reflection behind her revealed a grotesque figure, its unnaturally long limbs swaying as if caught in a strange dance. Epherene snapped her head around, ring at the creature. Its body was stretched and human-like, but dangling from its neck was the face of Mr. West, grinning widely. Its elongated arms and legs continued their bizarre dance. ¡°WELL MISS EPHERENE, DID YOU ENJOY THE FISH?!¡± ¡°Ah! Mother of God! ... Why are you suddenly talking?!¡± ¡°BUT MISS EPHERENE, YOU DON¡¯T HAVE A MOTHER. SO WHY ARE YOU CALLING FOR HER?¡± ¡°Huh? What? Wow. Seriously? That¡¯s... just in rude.¡± ¡°HEHEHEHEHEHE, CRY ALL YOU WANT. BUT IT¡¯S TRUE, ISN¡¯T IT? YOU DON¡¯T HAVE A MOTHER.¡± A sudden chill ran through her, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she knew there was no reason to panic. Epherene quickly scanned the room for someone¡ªDeculein. The chair where he had been sitting just moments ago was now empty. That meant this was only a dream. ¡°A dream!¡± Epherene shouted, snapping her eyes open. ¡°Ugh¡ª Mrr¡ª Mmmrrrmm¡ª! Mmmrrrmmvrrvrr¡ª!¡± A strange groaning filled the room. Epherene, who had dozed off at some point, was now sprawled toward the ceiling, her limbs outstretched as her body shook violently, as if caught in a seizure. ¡°Ugh¡ª Mmrrg¡ª Mmmrghk¡ª!¡± ¡°Ohh, Miss Epherene!¡± Allen eximed, startled as he turned to look at her. ¡°Brrrr¡ª¡± ¡°Wake up!¡± Allen called out, rushing over to shake her. ¡°Ughh¡ª!¡± Epherene gasped, jolting awake, her body soaked in cold sweat. I said calmly, ¡°You¡¯re back in reality now.¡± ¡°... Ah,¡± Epherene muttered, letting out a sigh of relief. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Allen asked, gently patting her back, his concern clear. Epherene sat there, dazed for a moment, and mumbled, ¡°Yes... Yes, I¡¯m fine. But why do I keep having so many nightmares¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s a sign that your mana sensitivity is far greater. You¡¯re more in tune with the castle¡¯s mana than the others, but your mental strength iscking,¡± I said, casting a nce around the room. Something about the first floor felt off. The rest of the team, including Hetrog, seemed to have adapted, but for someone like Epherene, with her heightened magical sensitivity, it was likely unbearable. ¡°There¡¯s no other choice. You two should stay on the second floor as well,¡± I added. ¡°... Eh?¡± ¡°Sorry?¡± Epherene and Allen both tilted their heads, confused. Suppressing the irritation rising within me, I said, ¡°I¡¯ll give up one of the beds. The two of you can share it.¡± Living with twenty people inmunal quarters was nearly unbearable¡ªno, it waspletely unbearable. Just thinking about it made my skin crawl, as if I were having an allergic reaction. But making enough room in my space for two more people¡ªthat, I could probably tolerate... *** ¡°... Does it taste good?¡± ¡°Yeah! You should try some too, Ria!¡± Leo said. Meanwhile, Ria, after managing to escape, had set up a small base camp in one of the castle¡¯s tiny bedrooms. She made soup from the fish they had caught the night before and gave it to Leo first. ¡°How are you feeling? Are you feeling a bit better now?¡± ¡°Yeah, but...¡± Leo murmured, his eyes shifting to Carlos, who still hadn¡¯t woken up. Carlos¡¯s veins pulsed blue, his small body reacting to the ghostly aura of the castle. Ria gently ced a magically chilled towel on the boy¡¯s forehead and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll make sure he¡¯s okay, won¡¯t we?¡± ¡°Yeah, of course~ But, Ria, who was that earlier? We made it because he opened the door for us.¡± Ria went quiet. The sudden attack from Ca and Jackal had taken them all by surprise. Ganesha was trapped by Ca¡¯s Authority, and Jackal¡¯s sword was moments away from striking when, almost by coincidence, a figure appeared. But Ria knew exactly who it was¡ªProfessor Deculein, the key viin at a crucial turning point in the story. ¡°... You don¡¯t need to worry about that,¡± Ria said softly, ncing at her hands. Her fingers were stiff and swollen. She hadpleted countless side quests so far, and her growth had been almost ridiculously fast, as if she were a blessed character. Yet, even with all that progress, blocking a single strike from Jackal had left her hand shattered. ¡°Ria, that guy was really strong. Was that Jackal?¡± Leo asked, looking up at her. Ria gave a gentle smile and said, ¡°Yeah, he really was.¡± What happened next, however, was unexpectedly shocking. ¡°I really want to fight him again. I know I won¡¯t win, but I still want to try,¡± Leo said. Ria stared at him for a moment before letting out a small, disbelievingugh. Then again, she knew Leo came from a bloodline of martial artists. He wasn¡¯t an ordinary named character either. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that right now. Just rest until Ganesha gets back, okay?¡± ¡°Okay~¡± There was no doubt that Ganesha would return victorious. Ria had meticulously prepared for this quest. As she grew stronger, she made sure Ganesha was well-equipped, sharing details about hidden treasures and items she already knew about. Now, Ganesha¡¯s gear was stocked with hidden pieces, and she might even be able to face the mighty King of Winter head-on. ¡°Yawn~ Ria, you go ahead and sleep first. I¡¯m not tired¡ªI already slept a lot earlier,¡± Leo said, his eyes heavy with drowsiness. Ria chuckled and said, ¡°You¡¯re yawning while saying that? I don¡¯t think I believe you.¡± ¡°Come on~ You haven¡¯t slept much. If you have nightmares again, I¡¯ll wake you up, and...¡± But before he could finish, Leo was already fast asleep. ¡°Haha.¡± The children were still so young, driven by their instincts. Yet, she found her own mouth opening wide in a yawn, too. Ria fought to stay awake, but after nearly 72 hours without sleep, she couldn¡¯t stop yawning. Her thoughts began to blur, and eventually, her mind gave inpletely, as if she were slipping into unconsciousness. ¡°... Snore.¡± Soft, peaceful breathing filled the room, like a luby drifting over the bed where the three childreny sound asleep. Whizzzz¡ª A small piece of metal drifted closer. Gliding through the air like a bird, it scanned the space for mana. Then, it spotted three small lifeforms. The Wood Steel hovered, focusing on one of the children¡ªCarlos. His neck veins pulsed with blue and purple light, throbbing under his skin. More disturbingly, his breath carried a mix of heat and dark energy. The Wood Steel trembled, sensing the danger, and ryed the information to Deculein. *** I slowly opened my eyes, feeling the awareness of the Wood Steel flow through my body. I nced down at my wrist. My veins bulged, blood tinted blue, and my heart pounded fiercely. It was undeniable proof. The bloodline of Yukline was screaming within me. I let out a hot breath, and as my blood surged, it felt like the whole world grew brighter. ¡°... A demon,¡± I murmured. The Wood Steel informed me of a creature within the castle, radiating such intense demonic energy that it could only be called a demon. My body felt its presence vividly, as if it were burning from the inside. ¡°If a demon is near...¡± The distant window reflected my face. My glowing blue eyes shone like crystals, and my sharp irises, raised like a predator¡¯s, gave me a fierce, savage look. ¡°... Then I must kill it.¡± I moved with purpose. No other thoughts filled my mind. It was my duty, my calling, driven by the blood of Yukline. This instinct went beyond the hunt for demons. It carried one undeniable truth¡ªwe could never coexist. The mana in my blood always sought them out. I had to kill them simply because they were demons. The act of killing held no deeper meaning. It was a calling, nothing more than a task I was bound toplete. Thud¡ª Finding it would be simple. I would use the twenty des of Wood Steel like threads. The castle was vast, so it would take some time, however... Thud¡ª I would never let it escape. I would find it, and I would kill it. Thud¡ª A demonic creature dared to exist in the same space as me¡ªa cursed being beneath even the effort to destroy. Thud¡ª I would tear it limb from limb and crush the life out of it. Thud¡ª As I walked down the hallway and climbed the stairs, I spoke the words of the Yukline bloodline¡ªhatred carried through generations. ¡°... Fear the demon.¡± *** ¡°¡ªArgh!¡± Ria screamed, jolting awake with a sharp breath as the electric shock from her bracelet pulsed through her wrist. She quickly nced around, her eyes still heavy with sleep, relieved to see the protective spell on her robe had activated. ¡°Phew...¡± The nightmare had been disturbing, but not particrly frightening. ¡°Leo, wake up!¡± Ria urged, shaking him gently but quickly. Leo stirred, unaffected by any dreams, and sleepily said, ¡°... What is it? Is Ganesha here?¡± n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°No, but we¡¯ll need to get going soon.¡± They couldn¡¯t stay in one spot for too long before Ganesha arrived, and three hours of sleep would have to be enough. ¡°Alright...¡± Leo mumbled, nodding sleepily as he slung Carlos over his back, while Ria packed up their supplies. Bang¡ª! Suddenly, the door flew open. ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡± ¡°... Hmm?¡± a bald, tattooed thug murmured, smirking with an ax slung over his shoulder as he stepped into the room. ¡°Well, well~ what do we got here, bro~?" It was the thieves again. Ria pulled her hood down and readied her dagger. She could handle one of them without much trouble. ¡°Yo! Right here, bro!¡± ¡°Where, dude? Who¡¯re you talkin¡¯ about?¡± ¡°These kids, bro! Aren¡¯t they the ones Jackal was talkin¡¯ ¡®bout?¡± the bald thug shouted. Their numbers quickly grew¡ªone, two, three... until thirteen men stood before them. ¡°Dude, for sure, these are totally the brats we¡¯ve been lookin¡¯ for!¡± ¡°Yo, we totally got ¡®em, bro! Let¡¯s haul ¡®em back to the spot.¡± ¡°Heh heh, c¡¯mon,e here, little dudes! Come here!¡± Ria gritted her teeth. The thugs blocked the only way out, and there were too many of them to handle while protecting Carlos. Her mana was almost gone, and the situation was as bad as it could get. ¡°Just give up, bro, it¡¯s way easier that way! Hey, hey, drop your weapons,¡± one of the thieves said, taunting as they closed in, their eyes gleaming with greed. ¡°... Leo,¡± Ria whispered. ¡°Are you ready?¡± ¡°Yeah, of course!¡± ¡°Okay, on three. One, two¡ª¡± Just as Ria was about to call out three and move, time seemed to slow as her Instinct attribute kicked in¡ªan intense, almost primal sense of danger. Boooooooom¡ª! In an instant, a deafening explosion ripped through the right wall, hurling debris as a shockwave rocked the room. Thick smoke poured in, and the air became filled with the sounds of destruction. The st was followed by a series of crashes and a deep rumble that shook the ground. Ria was thrown to the ground by the explosion and groaned as she looked up through the haze. ¡°Who the¡ª¡± The thieves, briefly stunned, raised their weapons in confusion, but they didn¡¯t stand a chance. A flurry of steel fragments tore through the smoke, moving at impossible speed. Swooooosh¡ª! Countless sts ripped through the thick smoke at impossible speed, cleaving straight through the thieves¡¯ bodies. The shards didn¡¯t slow; they drilled deep and spun violently, shredding muscle into ribbons, pulverizing bone, and rupturing organs. Flesh and bone were torn to pieces, spraying through the air like chunks in a meat grinder. In seconds, the thirteen thieves were reduced to nothing but mangled flesh and scattered remains. Ria turned away from the horrific carnage and fixed her gaze on a figure emerging from the thick fog. Thud... Thud... The sound of steady, deliberate footsteps echoed through the room. A figure emerged from the smoke¡ªa man with a noble stance, hands folded behind his back, leaning lightly on a cane. As the smoke cleared, his full form was revealed¡ªa true aristocrat. Ria was stunned. Of all people, the man before her was thest she expected to see. To call this encounter a mere coincidence seemed beyond belief. Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. Ria watched him, but his gaze was fixed elsewhere, not on her. ¡°Ah...¡± At first, she thought he hade to help, but the cold, piercing look in his blue eyes held no trace of salvation. There was nothing heroic or noble in his arrival. His regal presence radiated only one thing¡ªbloodlust. Deculein¡¯s aristocratic features twisted into a cold re, his sharp eyes locked on the child¡ªCarlos. ¡°Leo,¡± Ria whispered. ¡°... Yeah, I know,¡± Leo replied. Ria quickly understood the source of the intense hostility. Deculein, as the head of Yukline, had demon extermination ingrained in his very nature. But Carlos... Carlos was of mixed blood¡ªhalf-human, half-demon. Chapter 128: Fog (1)

Chapter 128: Fog (1)

¡°Leo,¡± Ria whispered. ¡°... Yeah, I know,¡± Leo replied. Ria¡¯s throat tightened as her nerves spiked. The mid-boss before her¡ªDeculein¡ªwas no ordinary professor. He was a demon hunter, the head of an ancient family famed for exterminating demons. Her best option was to flee. With Carlos at her side, there was no way she could defeat a Yukline. ¡°Run!¡± Ria yelled, throwing a dagger straight at Deculein. The attack and impact were nearly simultaneous. The dagger embedded itself in his arm, thanks to her Absolute Hit attribute. Yet Deculein didn¡¯t so much as flinch. Instead, hemanded the Wood Steel. Dozens of shards responded to his will, swarming like a hive of bees. Ria unleashed a burst of mana to repel them, but the Wood Steel lodged in the floor vibrated under his Telekinesis, ripping up the tiles. Ruuuuumble¡ª! The ground shifted beneath her, throwing her into the air, but she didn¡¯t fall. Suspended midair, her arm hung limp as Deculein¡¯s Telekinesis locked onto her artifact bracelet, holding her aloft. "... I didn¡¯te for you. Killing children is not something I indulge in," Deculein said, his voice as cold and sharp as a de. Ria nced at Leo, who was dangling upside down like a monkey, groaning and making odd noises as he swung back and forth from the ceiling. ¡°I only need that one,¡± Deculein said, pointing at Carlos. The boyy crumpled on the ground, tossed aside by the explosion, his small body trembling under the weight of ghostly aura and the fever coursing through his mixed blood¡ªhalf-human, half-demon. ¡°No!¡± Leo shouted. ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Ria replied. The veins in Deculein¡¯s temple throbbed as he spoke, ¡°Do you even understand what it is you''re trying to protect?¡± ¡°We do. Better than anyone,¡± Ria responded without hesitation. Deculein¡¯s expression turned cold, his voiceced with quiet malice as he continued, ¡°Then it¡¯s even more troubling. By defending a demon, you share in its guilt.¡± His voice carried a tone of finality, like a judge passing a sentence. Then, once more, the Wood Steel stirred. The metal''s resonance burst forth with violent intensity. Ruuuumble¡ª! The shards flew forward, cutting through the air. Ria ripped off her bracelet and cast a Defensive Mana Barrier around herself as she sprinted toward Carlos. She leaped in front of him, absorbing the full impact of the attack, using her body as a shield to protect the boy. ¡°Ugh¡ª!¡± Fortunately, her Defensive Mana Barrier held, but barely. Her enchanted robey in tatters, blood seeping from the many wounds covering her body. ¡°... Such useless efforts,¡± Deculein sneered, gazing down at her with cold contempt. Gritting her teeth, Ria whirled around, her eyes zing with defiance as she shouted, ¡°It¡¯s not useless!¡± ¡°Foolish. The very thought of protecting a demon¡¯s bloodline is nothing but misguided delusion...¡± Deculein''s voice faltered, and the thick tension in the air abruptly dissipated. The bloodlust that had filled his eyes faded, reced by a flicker of confusion. ¡°... You.¡± The resonance of the Wood Steel stopped, and the murderous gleam in Deculein''s eyes vanished. Like ripples across water, something unfamiliar stirred within him¡ªa strange emotion he had never felt before. It was a brief moment of vulnerability, one that wouldn¡¯te again. Ria seized the chance. She grabbed the bedspread, tossing it over Leo and Carlos, turning the fabric into metal and sealing them inside a closed space. Deculein moved to cast a spell, but he was already toote. Whooosh¡ª! When Ria finally removed the bedspread, they were in apletely different room. ¡°Phew... That was close...¡± Ria muttered, swaying from dizziness before copsing to the floor. ¡°... Whoa! Ria, I couldn¡¯t even move! What just happened?! That was incredible!¡± Leo eximed, bouncing around in excitement. It must have been Deculein¡¯s telekinesis... or perhaps something else entirely. Telekinesis in this world wasn¡¯t meant to be that strong. Whatever it was, the spell had been devastatingly dangerous. ¡°Who was that guy?!¡± Leo asked. While tending to her wounds, Ria answered quietly, ¡°... Deculein.¡± ¡°Deculein?¡± ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s a very dangerous noble.¡± ¡°Wow! Anyway, that was amazing! There are so many strong people in this world, right? Not only Ganesha!¡± Leo went on excitedly, but Ria barely heard him. Ria was lost in thought, reflecting on Deculein and murmured, "Yeah... he''s incredibly strong... almost too strong to believe." The Deculein she had just encountered was nothing like his original character. Even ounting for the fact that Yuklines became stronger when facing demonic opponents, his strength was still overpowering. ¡°... Is this the butterfly effect?¡± ¡°Butter?¡± "It''s nothing, just something you don''t need to worry about." Ria remembered a small Easter egg she had once added¡ªDeculein¡¯s first fianc¨¦e. It was a minor detail that didn¡¯t affect the game¡¯s progression. ording to the backstory, she had awakened Deculein¡¯s ability to love, but her death had only made him stronger. It was a usible theory. After all, this world wasn¡¯t just a game anymore. The characters now lived by their own emotions and memories. ¡°... Could that be the reason?¡± Ironically, the backstory she had added to the game was what had just saved them. Ria recalled the moment Deculein hesitated. His usual bloodthirsty drive to exterminate demons had briefly given way to a surge of pure emotion. It was a moment that would linger in her memory for a long time. "Because I remind him of histe fianc¨¦e..." Recently, during her stay at Hadecaine Castle, Yeriel had mentioned something about her to Ganesha. ¡°That girl, Ria, she resembles her. Quite a lot, actually.¡± ¡°You mean she reminds you of his first... fianc¨¦e?¡± ¡°Yes. Even Yulie bears a slight resemnce, but Ria? She¡¯s almost a mirror image. Her eye color and hair may be different, but I have a feeling that as she grows older, she¡¯ll resemble her even more. I¡¯m quite good at recognizing faces.¡± Ria pressed her lips together and checked on Carlos. Sheid a hand on his forehead. Thankfully, his fever had gone down. ¡°Alright, Leo!¡± Ria said, pping her hands with a cheerful yet firm tone. ¡°We have to keep moving! The next enemy could appear any moment, so let¡¯s not slow down!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± This time, Ria carried Carlos on her back. They just had to hold on until Ganesha arrived. No matter how much Deculein¡¯s power had increased, he couldn¡¯t possibly defeat Ganesha... *** ... Somewhere in the Ghost Castle, the sizzle of fish filled the air. Yet, a tense silence nketed the room, like walking on thin ice. Jackal nced at Ca, who was fixated on Ganesha sitting across from her. Ganesha met Ca''s gaze with a calm, unflinching stare. ¡°Not many make it outta my sis¡¯s hell, ya know?¡± Jackal said. Ganesha shrugged and replied, ¡°Hmm~ Yeah, it wasn¡¯t easy. I¡¯ll give you that¡ªrespect.¡± Ca, known as the Authority, possessed a unique power. Her attribute, Authority, let her trap her targets within her mentalndscape¡ªa realm as tormenting and endless as the Avici Hell. Once marked, escape was impossible, unless one could break through the hell itself. Naturally, such a powerful ability came with a cost¡ªCa couldn¡¯t use her mana as long as the target was trapped, or until they died. Not that it mattered much; Jackal would protect her during that time. Still, they never imagined that another monster could break free from her hell. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be on my way then~ Unless you¡¯re still itching for a fight? I¡¯m up for it if you are,¡± Ganesha said, her twin tails fluttering as she rose to her feet. Jackal pursed his lips, then called out to her retreating figure, ¡°But hey, Ganesha, I saw somethin'' real interesting, ya know?¡± ¡°... Interesting?¡± "Yeah, check this out," Jackal said, swinging his sword. A scene unfolded before them¡ªthest memory of his men, frozen in the seconds before Deculein finished them off. Ca murmured, ¡°So, it seems like Deculein found the child, didn¡¯t he?¡± Ganesha''s eyes widened in sudden realization. Ca continued in her usual tone, ¡°The Yuklines are demon hunters, you know? They won¡¯t ept anyone with demonic blood.¡± ¡°... You could¡¯ve mentioned that earlier,¡± Ganesha muttered, clicking her tongue in annoyance and rushed out at once. Watching her leave, Jackal murmured with a smirk, ¡°Heh, pretty wild, huh, Ca? You know what they say¡ªmoney rolls in all at once.¡± The Altar wanted Carlos. A bloodline as rare as that of a half-human, half-demon was found only in beings as extraordinary as the giants. They also sought Deculein¡¯s brain. Filled with runic knowledge, his brain was considered one of the world¡¯s greatest treasures. The price on their heads was so immense that it could nearly fund an entire nation. ¡°Two grand prizes, right there...¡± Jackal drawled, shing a grin as he polished his de. The smirk glinted coldly off the crimson edge. *** On the second floor of the Ghost Castle, Epherene woke up in Deculein¡¯s quarters. Ephereney staring at the ceiling, eyes wide open. The bed was soft, the nket warm, the pillowfortable, but once again, the eerie sound of footsteps echoed nearby. Epherene muttered, ¡°Is this just another nightmare...?¡± Epherene sighed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. She got up slowly and tiptoed forward, trying to guess which ghost was behind those footsteps this time. Tap¡ª Tap¡ª The sound pulled her toward Deculein¡¯s room. Epherene nced at Allen, still asleep. She thought about waking him, but if this was another nightmare, he could just turn into a ghost. With no other choice, she moved forward alone¡ªlike in every horror movie where someone always ends up wandering off by themselves. Tap¡ª n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om The footsteps stopped abruptly. Epherene hugged the wall, then slowly peeked around the corner. ¡°... Huh?¡± It wasn¡¯t a ghost; it was Deculein, which meant this was reality. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Epherene wondered. Something about him felt off. Scratches covered his arm, and his eyes had a distant, thoughtful look she¡¯d never noticed before. ¡°A resemnce... whoever you are... next time, I won¡¯t lose you.¡± A broken whisper slipped from his lips, his words fading into the air like shattered thoughts. He sighed, a quiet wave of sorrow filling the room. This wasn¡¯t the Deculein she knew. Epherene stood there, frozen in disbelief. ¡°Cough.¡± Just then, Deculein gave a faint cough. ck blood seeped from the corners of his mouth, the result of pushing his mana too far¡ªthough Epherene couldn¡¯t have known that. Her eyes widened, like a startled rabbit. Deculein was spitting up blood. It was a stark, undeniable sight that reminded her of something Louina had once said, almost as a joke¡ªthat sudden changes in someone could mean they were close to death... Thud! Epherene stumbled, her big toe catching on the doorframe. ¡°Ow!¡± Pain surged through her toe, forcing a small yelp from her lips. Deculein turned to face her, and an uneasy silence filled the space. Epherene gripped her toe, swallowing hard. ¡°Another dream?¡± Deculein inquired, his blue eyes regaining their usual,posed gaze. Once again, he stood as the untouchable noble, the wless professor. Epherene rubbed her cheek, hesitating before saying, ¡°... No.¡± She studied his face intently, but there was no hint of concern. With little interest, he simply took a seat and pulled out a book¡ªThe Case Files of Goreth Ind. "Professor, I... have a question," Epherene began, her voice faltering as she searched for the right words. Deculein listened, absentmindedly turning the pages. "... Do you remember what went on in Lokralen?" Rustle¡ª Rustle¡ª The gentle rustling of pages filled the room as a cool breeze swept in through the open window. Still, Deculein gave no reply. Epherene quickly added, "Because I don¡¯t. Not even one bit¡ªreally, not a single thing." Finally, Deculein looked at her. Epherene shifted her gaze and mumbled, ¡°It¡¯s nothing... I was just wondering, that¡¯s all.¡± If you were to die someday, maybe soon... I don¡¯t know where or how, but if it isn¡¯t peaceful... What would you do, Professor? If I told you, would you try to change it? Would you even believe me? Or... do you already know your fate? Epherene thought. ¡°I do remember,¡± Deculein replied. And with that, the conversation ended. ~ Tick-tock¡ª Tick-tock¡ª The clock ticked steadily, each second dragging on. Rustle¡ª Rustle¡ª The soft rustling of pages filled the quiet room. Epherene stood in the center, the night breeze wafting in through the open window. She shifted uneasily, her fingers tapping and toes curling. ¡°... Um,¡± Epherene began, recalling a line from a letter Deculein had once written when he chose to sponsor her. It simply read, I support you. Gaining courage from that simple phrase, she went on, ¡°Professor, you knew, didn¡¯t you? That I overheard you back then.¡± Deculein¡¯s hand paused, the pages left mid-turn. ¡°You said it would be my responsibility to finish your research.¡± His eyes, cold and indifferent, settled on her. ¡°I just wonder... why did you say that?¡± Epherene asked, holding his gaze. She hated the way her voice trembled, almost like she was talking to herself. Deculein stayed silent, his eyes locked on her for what felt like ages. Atst, as starlight spilled through the window, he spoke a single sentence. "Because it is not something I can do." In that moment, Epherene felt her breath hitch, as though struck by a heavy blow. Her head throbbed. Deculein''s words weighed on herplex yet painfully clear, like thest piece of a puzzle clicking into ce. ¡°... I understand,¡± Epherene muttered, clenching her fists. She bit her lip. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll make sure toplete it. For you, Professor. And for my father.¡± Her voice trembled, but her resolve remained firm. She stood tall, like a knight bracing for battle. Deculein let out a hollowugh, his tone indifferent as he replied, ¡°Do as you wish.¡± ¡°Yes. So, with that said...¡± Epherene said, drawing a stack of papers from her robe pocket. It was the thesis she had kept close, day and night¡ªher summary of everything she had learned so far. ¡°I¡¯ve put together my thoughts here. Could you review it for me?¡± Epherene questioned whether her thesis was on the right track, so she turned to Deculein for his guidance. "... Very well," Deculein replied with a faint nod. The unusual gesture left her feeling uneasy. ¡°Hmm.¡± Deculein put his book aside and picked up her thesis. Epherene watched quietly as he read each line. This was the man who had wronged her father¡ªthe annoying professor. The peculiar mage who had almost lost his family''s title to the Luna family, yet still decided to take her on as his prot¨¦g¨¦. ¡°So, it¡¯s a full moon tonight. Have you ever heard the legend about it?¡± Epherene rambled, trying to fill the silence. The moonlight poured in, casting a gentle glow on Deculein''s face. Epherene rested her chin in her hand, studying his stern features. Then, his eyes began to slowly close. Panic surged through her, and she sprang to her feet, worried that his condition was worsening. But before she could react, a wave of drowsiness swept over her, forcing her to copse back into her chair. It was the Drowsing Fog that Hetrog had warned her about. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 129: Fog (2)

Chapter 129: Fog (2)

I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was Epherene sprawled on the floor, drooling and scratching her stomach. The Drowsing Fog must have gotten to her. With a sigh, I lifted her ck form andid her on the bed. "Is Allen asleep too?" I mused quietly. Across the room, Alleny on the other bed, softly snoring. I settled into the chair, watching them both. They didn¡¯t seem to be having nightmares, but my Sharp Eyesight picked up something¡ªa status effect. [Status Effect: Coma] Coma. The word held a weight like no other. He nced at the clock¡ªit was 6 o¡¯clock 6 minutes in the morning, or more precisely, 6 o¡¯clock 6 minutes on the 6th day. ¡°... How strange.¡± I picked up The Case Files of Goreth Ind once more and resumed reading the sections I hadn''t yet finished. The residents of Goreth Ind vanished abruptly. ording to a witness who had been fishing at sea during the incident, the entire ind was enveloped in a thick fog at that moment. It spoke of the fog. Even now, I could see the thick fog swirling around my feet. The passage of time on Goreth Ind differs from the outside. Upon setting foot on the ind, one instinctively perceives a month as 36 days for reasons yet unknown. Hetrog¡¯s earlier words quickly resurfaced in my mind. ¡°... Opens precisely at 18:06 on the 6th, 16th, 26th, and 36th days.¡± The calendar in this game world was the same as Earth¡¯s¡ª365 days a year. A 36-day month just didn¡¯t exist. It is believed that Goreth Ind is a part of the Coma¡ªa realm where dreams and reality blend. It is a peculiar ce, known to consume the subconscious mind of those who enter. ¡°... Goreth,¡± I murmured, the name hanging in the air. Then, almost instinctively, it began to unravel in my mind, slowly shifting into a different name. ¡°Hetrog.¡± I stood up and went down to the first floor, where Hetrog''s team usually gathered. A thick fog filled the space, and only three remained¡ªIhelm and his two prot¨¦g¨¦s. The other fifteen members had vanished, like shadows swallowed by the fog. ¡°What a bother.¡± I used Telekinesis to lift Ihelm and his prot¨¦g¨¦s, moving them to the second floor. After carelessly cing them on the beds, I turned to Epherene, observing her calm breathing. I paused, then slipped off my gloves. cing my hand on her forehead, I activated Comprehension, attempting to peer into her dream. [Dream Comprehension: 2%] However, it was going to take some time, most likely because all five¡ªor maybe even everyone in the castle¡ªwere locked up in the same dream... *** At some point, Epherene woke up, an odd sensation settling over her. How did I end up here? What was I supposed to be doing? Epherene thought, ncing around, her head tilting in confusion. ¡°Please make your preparations; we¡¯ll be leaving shortly,¡± one of Hetrog¡¯s teammates instructed. ¡°Oh, right.¡± They were in the middle of a mission. In the meeting room, Hetrog and his team stood alongside Assistant Professor Allen, Ihelm, and his two prot¨¦g¨¦s. Each of them wore a bracelet, connected to one another by a rope around their waists. ¡°Hmm...¡± But something felt off. She couldn''t quite exin it or understand why, but a sense of emptiness lingered within her. As Allen adjusted his gear, he nced at her and asked, "Miss Epherene, is everything alright?" ¡°Sorry? Oh, no... it¡¯s nothing,¡± Epherene said quickly. ¡°Is everyone prepared?¡± Hetrog asked, scanning around the room. Epherene nodded almost reflexively. "Alright, let''s proceed," Ihelm replied. ¡°Yes,¡± Hetrog replied, ncing at his wristwatch. At exactly six minutes and six seconds, he opened the door. ¡°6th day, 6 minutes, 6 seconds. Commencing exploration.¡± ¡°Shall we proceed?¡± Hetrog asked, finishing the recording in the crystal orb. "Yes, let¡¯s head inside," Allen replied with a cheerful smile. Together, they entered the passage¡ªa wide, dark tunnel cloaked in thick fog, obscuring everything beyond a few steps. ¡°Everyone, please keep a firm hold on the rope,¡± Hetrog cautioned. Epherene gripped the rope tightly as they moved forward, each step tense, ready for a ghost to jump out at any moment. "Leaf," Ihelm called sharply. Epherene nced back at him and asked, "What?" "Doesn''t it seem a bit strange to you?" Rustle¡ª The sudden echo of footsteps cut through the stillness. Epherene replied calmly, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. What do you mean?¡± ¡°What else do you think? It just feels too¡ª¡± ¡°Over there,¡± Hetrog interrupted, stopping Ihelm mid-sentence as he pointed ahead. ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Ihelm and Epherene turned their eyes to where he was pointing. ¡°It¡¯s the entrance to the inner chambers of the Ghost Castle,¡± Hetrog exined. At the end of the passage, where the fog thinned, a massive door loomed in the distance. Just seeing it sent a chill down their spines¡ªit was covered in what looked like veins or tentacles. ¡°After countless explorations, we believe that the core of spatial discontinuity lies within this area,¡± Hetrog exined. ¡°Hmm. I can understand why. There''s an immense flow of mana within,¡± Ihelm remarked. Epherene nodded in agreement, though a vague sense of something forgotten lingered in the back of her mind. "Now, we will begin our approach." Just as Hetrog moved to open the door¡ª ¡°Wait! Stop!¡± A voice suddenly cut through the darkness, stopping them. They turned toward the sound, eyes sharp with caution. Slowly, four shadowy figures emerged, drawing closer. ¡°Who... Oh?!¡± Epherene, readying herself for a possible fight, froze as soon as she spotted them. Her eyes widened with recognition. The red-haired woman, and the two children at her side... Epherene knew them all too well. ¡°The Red Ga Adventure Team?!¡± *** While trying toprehend Epherene¡¯s dream, I sent my Wood Steel exploring through the castle¡¯s halls. My goal was simple at first¡ªto find that demon and kill it. Although I couldn¡¯t track him down, I did get a good sense of the castle¡¯syout. By measuring the mana concentration in each room, I mapped out the different spaces within the Ghost Castle. The structure wasn¡¯t continuous; each area had its own distinct mana density. For example, if one room had 3.1503% and another had 2.9825%, they were clearly a separate space. Using my Wood Steel, I continued measuring the mana concentration, repeating the process until I counted 3,663 rooms. The number felt strangely familiar. I nced at a line from The Case Files. The initial count of missing persons was 3,535, with about 100 more disappearing since then. 3,535 people and 3,663 rooms. The numbers were strangely simr, too exact to be a coincidence. I pressed my hand against the wall and came to a simple conclusion. ¡°They weren¡¯t simply missing,¡± I whispered. The cause of the spatial discontinuity was clear. The entire ce was alive, each section a living, breathing entity. ¡°They became part of the castle.¡± ¡°Deculein,¡± a soft voice called out, and I turned to see who it was. ¡°I think it¡¯s been a while since west met.¡± It was Ca, a named character called the Authority. As expected, she wasn¡¯t locked in the dream as well. ¡°Are you here to challenge me?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Ca said, shaking her head slowly. ¡°Deculein, have you happened to see the child?¡± That gentle tone, alwaysced with a touch of uncertainty¡ªthat was Ca. It was just part of who she was. ¡°... Are you referring to the demon?¡± ¡°No, I think he¡¯s more of a half-human, half-demon.¡± Half-human, half-demon. As soon as I heard it, one name came to mind. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om ¡°Carlos?¡± ¡°Yes. I wonder how you know the name already.¡± Carlos was aplicated one. As a named character, he could turn into a viin, a lunatic, or just an ordinary human, depending on how the quest went. Unpredictable as ever. Still, I didn¡¯t expect him to be this young. ¡°I¡¯m wondering what you n to do with the child,¡± Ca asked. There was no need for me to think any further. ¡°Exterminate it, without question.¡± Carlos had a high chance of bing a demon, so I had to end it now. It didn¡¯t matter who stood by his side or tried to get in my way. I wouldn¡¯t give them another chance. No more hesitation or cracks in my resolve. The girl might remind me of someone, but that strange child was not Yoo Ah-Ra. *** The Red Ga Adventure Team urged the Imperial support team to hold off on entering. "Hold on. I¡¯m not sure it¡¯s wise to go in right now. It seems that there¡¯s a strong demonic energy inside~ We should wait," Ganesha cautioned. ¡°Is that so?¡± Epherene agreed without hesitation. It was Ganesha, after all. ¡°Hmph. It has been a while, Ganesha,¡± Ihelm said, a smirk ying on his lips as he looked at her. ¡°It certainly has~¡± Ganesha replied as she sat down. "While we wait, why not share a meal? We have plenty of food with us~" "Yes! Yes!" Epherene eximed, quickly taking a seat. Allen, Ihelm, Hetrog, and the rest of the team followed suit. "Alright, here¡¯s the food," Ganesha said, taking some pork out of her backpack. Ria, with practiced hands, slid the meat onto skewers while Epherene started the fire. The pork began to sizzle as it touched the mes. ¡°Come on, cook faster...¡± ¡°Quiet down and have some patience, Leaf,¡± Ihelm muttered. Epherene swallowed, eyeing the meat as it sizzled. Once the pork was done, she hesitated, unsure whether to dive in or to slice it first. ¡°We¡¯ve got some ssam, too,¡± Ria said, taking out a handful of leafy greens. Ihelm nced at Epherene, and she caught his eye. The leafy greens must have reminded him of her. ¡°Why are you staring at me?¡± Epherene snapped. "Nothing, it''s just interesting. Hey, what do you call those? You brought some leafy stuff?" Ihelm asked, suppressing augh. ¡°It¡¯s called ssam,¡± Ria exined. ¡°You basically ce the meat and vegetables in the leaf, wrap it up, and then eat it.¡± Ria then ced some pork and vegetables on a leaf, wrapped it up, and popped it into her mouth. The process was simple yet fascinating, and Epherene watched with curiosity in her eyes. ¡°Oh~ So you just wrap the meat and veggies in the leaf and eat it?¡± ¡°Mm-hmm, it¡¯s very tasty,¡± Ria mumbled with her mouth full. Epherene watched the child chew, then decided to try the ssam herself. She added three pieces of pork and some mushrooms to the leaf, sprinkled on some herbs and salt, and took arge bite. ¡°Wow!¡± ¡°Tastes good, doesn¡¯t it?!¡± Ria said, smiling. ¡°Yeah!¡± Epherene and Ria nced at each other, their cheeks puffed with food, and burst intoughter. Just then, Allen, who had been quietly eating his meat, asked, "I¡¯m curious. How can you tell a ghost from a person? Are those behind the door ghosts, or the three thousand who went missing...?¡± Wrapping another piece of meat into a ssam, Ria said, "They say ghosts do everything in reverse." ¡°Everything in reverse? Like walking on their hands or something?¡± Epherene asked, making another ssam for herself. Ria gave a slight smile and said, ¡°Noo, not that obvious~ It¡¯s more like they do things in reverse without realizing it¡ªlike pping with the backs of their hands...¡± Ria turned to the boy beside her, Leo, and handed him a ssam she made. He took it eagerly, like a baby bird. Epherene chuckled and replied, ¡°Doing things in reverse... You really know a lot. It¡¯s interesting. I guess we usually hear those kinds of stories when we¡¯re young.¡± Epherene stuffed another ssam into her mouth and nced at Hetrog. To her surprise, he was making a ssam too. She quickly looked away, pretending not to notice. ¡°... Gulp.¡± Epherene swallowed her ssam whole without chewing, feeling it catch in her throat. Her eyes widened at what she had just seen. Hetrog had put the meat down first and ced the leaf on top. He¡¯d made the ssam in reverse... ¡°... Um, Mr. West?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Epherene remembered something not so long ago. Thest time West opened the refrigerator, it was a closed space, affected by spatial discontinuity. But the moment he closed and reopened the door, everything went back to normal. She hadn''t given it much thought then... ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± West asked. Epherene pretended to be scratching her temple, wiping away a bead of sweat, and said, "It''s nothing." ¡°Oh,e on. It¡¯s clearly something,¡± West replied with a gentle smile. To Epherene, his face blurred with the ghost from her nightmare the night before. ¡°Just tell me, what¡¯s¡ª¡± Before he could finish, a loud roar echoed nearby. ¡°Eek¡ª!¡± Ganesha screamed, sprang into battle mode, while Epherene turned toward the source, mana already surging through her. ¡°Who could that be?¡± Epherene murmured. A samurai appeared, dressed in martial attire, a long sword slung over his shoulder. Ganesha clicked her tongue and muttered, ¡°That¡¯s Jackal. Seems like trouble has arrived~¡± Jackal shed a sly grin and said, ¡°Trouble? Aw, c¡¯mon, that¡¯s harsh. How ¡®bout sharin¡¯ some of that food, huh?¡± *** Meanwhile, I sat across from Ca, both of us silent for a good thirty minutes. It felt like a standoff. Finally, as we neared the thirty-seventh minute, Ca spoke. ¡°I heard you met Idnik.¡± I nced at her, a hint of victory stirring within me. She finally broke the silence, conjuring a teacup and filling it with coffee. "Indeed, I did," I replied. ¡°I wonder what she said,¡± Ca mused, taking a slow sip. I stayed silent. Ca continued, ¡°I heard Idnik¡¯s been taking care of Sylviately.¡± ¡°I''m aware,¡± I replied. Ca nodded, a hint of surprise in her eyes, and said, ¡°I wonder if that makes things ufortable for Deculein.¡± ¡°... Hmm.¡± I wasn¡¯t sure how much she really knew about the original Deculein, but from her words and actions, it was clear we were acquainted. ¡°What is there that should be considered ufortable?¡± I asked. ¡°When Sylvia matures, she might be Deculein¡¯s greatest threat.¡± I held my silence. ¡°I wonder if I should just kill her for you?¡± Ca added. I lifted my head and red at Ca. Her face was hidden in the shadows of her hood, making it impossible to see her eyes. ¡°Is that possibly a way of saying no?¡± Ca asked, tilting her head. ¡°... Keep away from Sylvia,¡± Imanded, my voice carrying more weight than I intended. ¡°Why? Is it guilt? Or do I wonder if you''re nning to kill her yourself?¡± I closed my eyes, a cold, throbbing pain pulsing at my temple. Memories of that day flooded back in fragments. ¡°... No.¡± The moment Deculein strangled Cielia felt blurry and distant, like a memory borrowed from someone else. Yet, the sensation of my hands gripping her innocent neck stayed painfully vivid. ¡°Please... spare Sylvia... I¡¯m begging you...¡± I opened my eyes. Ca tilted her head, clearly waiting for an answer. ¡°... I don¡¯t deserve to be the one to kill her,¡± I said. Sylvia. The child who awakened a faint trace ofpassion within me. ¡°Yet, she deserves it,¡± I added. Perhaps, somewhere deep in his heart, Deculein felt a hint of remorse. Maybe, he even had a trace of regret. ¡°Deserve what, exactly?¡± ¡°She deserves to kill me,¡± I replied shortly. ¡°... I see.¡± Then, an odd phenomenon unfolded. A gust of wind twisted into a vortex, releasing a surge of mana. ¡°What was that, I wonder? Could someone have been watching us?¡± Ca murmured, a faint smile curling on her lips. I narrowed my eyes, tracing the flow of the strange energy. "... Deculein, I think a demon is drawing near." However, I turned back to Ca, my voice low and edged with anger as I said, ¡°Which demon?¡± ¡°The Voice.¡± The Voice. Just the mention of its name was enough. It came as no surprise. With the way this quest was unfolding and its ties to the Yukline bloodline, I knew I would have to face that demon sooner orter. ¡°Wherever there are demons, Yukline always seems to be around. So, to deal with this one, we¡¯ll need someone with Yukline blood, right?¡± Ca wondered aloud. "Enough talk," I said, using Telekinesis to set down the teacup Ca was sipping from. "My focus now is on this cursed ind that took my prot¨¦g¨¦." Chapter 130: Fog (3)

Chapter 130: Fog (3)

Sylvia''s ind, the Nameless Ind, had grown into a source of immense magical power. It absorbed mana-infused soil drifting around the Floating Inds¡¯ orbit¡ªknown as mana soil¡ªturning the entire ind into a catalyst meant solely for Sylvia. Because of this, any magic cast from the Nameless Ind could stretch across the continent¡ªto the Empire''s depths, its surface, or even distant, ghostly inds. ¡°... I don¡¯t deserve to be the one to kill her.¡± Sylvia listened to Deculein¡¯s words, feeling the weight they carried. ¡°Yet, she deserves it.¡± ¡°... Deserves what?¡± Sylvia muttered, knowing he wouldn¡¯t hear her. As if answering, Deculein continued, ¡°She deserves to kill me.¡± It felt like a needle pricking her heart, stirring emotions she believed had died long ago. ¡°What do you think, Idnik?¡± Sylvia asked in a t, emotionless voice, each word sounding fragile, as if it could soon break apart. Idnik, who stood beside her, replied, "Well, it seems that man still has some shred of conscience left." Sylvia looked up at the sky. Birds filled the air¡ªmigratory flocks passing over the ind, with Swifty leading at the front. ¡°Deserves to kill...¡± Sylvia deserved to kill him. Even Deculein had admitted it. With her eyes closed, she fell into deep thought, consumed by hatred. The more she learned, the angrier she became. Yet, buried at the bottom of that dark pit was another emotion, scorched and ingrained within her¡ªlove. ¡°Idnik, are Ca and Deculein acquainted?¡± Sylvia asked. ¡°Hmm? Ah...¡± Idnik replied with a faint smile. ¡°There are a few well-known figures in the Magical Realm¡ªCa, Rohakan, Adrienne, Rodran, Glitheon, Bethan, Rezol, Kaimdal, Gindalf, Rogerio...¡± Idnik rested a hand on Sylvia¡¯s head, prompting her to look up with a re of irritation. ¡°And you, Sylvia.¡± ¡°... Get your hand off my head,¡± Sylvia said. ¡°Each of them has some connection to Deculein. Ca and Rohakan, in particr, were once his mentors.¡± Whether it was the best way to put it or not, Deculein had ties everywhere. Of course, not all of them were good. ¡°If you include the former head, De, nearly every mage ranked above Monarch in this realm had links to the Yukline family. Through his numerous sponsorships, even many of the addicts on the Floating Inds were connected to Yukline,¡± Idnik continued. Sylvia stayed quiet. ¡°Such an interesting family, really. They always knew how to draw attention..." As Idnik finished, Sylvia nodded and closed her eyes, concentrating on her spell. She turned her focus back to the distant ind across the continent. *** Ca and Deculein were once a mentor and prot¨¦g¨¦. Ca, the first mage sent at De¡¯s request, began teaching Deculein, with Rohakan taking overter. Neither of them managed to aplish their goals. Ca, who was the same age as Deculein, gave up after two weeks. His abilities were simply too limited. She felt a bit of pity for him but ultimately saw it as his own failure. And she wasn¡¯t wrong. Ca watched Deculein ce his hand on Epherene¡¯s forehead, trying toprehend the dream. Then, he clicked his tongue and paused. Ca tilted her head, curiositycing her voice as she asked, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°This method will take far too long. Instead...¡± Deculein murmured, briefly closing his eyes as he tried tomand the Wood Steel within the castle. ¡°I¡¯m considering a more fundamental approach.¡± Ca¡¯s eyes locked onto Deculein¡¯s head, her focus narrowing on his skull. Something had altered within him, making his brain the Altar¡¯s most desired treasure. ¡°Deculein, I wonder what you''ve been through.¡± Deculein stayed quiet. Her eyes swept over his body as she added, "I think you fascinate me. I think I''m quite curious about you." "What do you mean?" ¡°I¡¯m curious about how you¡¯ve grown, but I¡¯m even more interested in why you took the me for Cielia¡¯s death.¡± Deculein kept his silence. ¡°Could it be that you pity Sylvia?¡± Ca continued. ¡°I heard rumors that you were once her professor.¡± A faint twitch crossed Deculein¡¯s brow. Ca looked up, eyes fixed on the traces of wind magic¡ªclear evidence that someone was watching this space. She knew exactly who it was. ¡°The Deculein I remember was never normal to begin with.¡± Deculein listened in silence. The details Ca shared about his past piqued his interest. "I wonder if I used to pity you back then, with your limited talent and how you couldn''t ept it." The Deculein Ca remembered from those days was like a nervous little dog, constantly growling and snapping, always ready tosh out at even the slightest hint of attack or mockery. ¡°But now, there seems to be a spark in your soul. I think I can see it,¡± Ca mused. Deculein leaned back in his chair. A spark. The word carried a different weight for him. Perhaps it was Deculein¡¯s me igniting within Kim Woo-Jin¡¯s soul, or maybe it was Kim Woo-Jin¡¯s me flickering inside Deculein. ¡°... Ca.¡± Anger flickered inside him at the thought of Ca pitying him. ¡°I pity you as well.¡± Kim Woo-Jin knew Ca¡¯s backstory as a named character. In that storyline, she had every reason to be pitied. "Only a few have lived a life as tragic as yours," Deculein continued. Ca set her eyes on him. "I took responsibility for Cielia''s death for one simple reason¡ªbecause I killed her." Cielia died at Deculein¡¯s hands. He and Ca both remembered it clearly. Whenever demons surfaced, Ca remained by Yukline''s side. Cielia¡¯s death was no different¡ªit was caused by that demon, the cmity known as the Letter of Fortune. ¡°No matter the grudge or reason, there¡¯s no justifying what I did,¡± Deculein continued. ¡°Regretes toote. Nothing will change now.¡± Ca gave a nod. "Therefore, I will keep living this way." ¡°... Do you ever think Sylvia might kill you one day?¡± Ca asked. ¡°If she¡¯s capable, I¡¯ll ept it,¡± Deculein replied. A sudden gust of wind rushed through the room. Ca sighed faintly and replied, "...Is that so?" Ca gave up on the idea of trapping Deculein with her Authority. She pushed aside the thought of cracking open his skull to offer it to the Altar. ¡°Deculein.¡± Ca doubted that Deculein knew. De was not dead. The specter¡¯s brain still survived, buried deep within the Altar, clinging stubbornly to life. And that monster now sought his body. "What is it?" ¡°... I think you need to be careful,¡± Ca murmured, her head shaking slightly. *** Epherene tried to think of a way out, but nothing came to her mind. For a moment, she thought about shouting that this was all just a dream and that everyone around them were ghosts. Instead, she hesitated, feeling her anxiety grow as she nced over at Jackal. ¡°Dude, this is, like, so insanely tasty!¡± Jackal eximed. The strong-looking man remained unaware, shoveling food into his mouth. "Miss Epherene!" Ria called, tugging at Epherene''s sleeve. "Here, try this!" ¡°Hmm?¡± Ria handed Epherene a ssam, and she reluctantly took a bite. "Chew it slowly, okay? And let''s not choke this time," Ria said. As Epherene chewed carefully, she nced at Hetrog. The ssam was normal this time, that he must have finally learned his lesson. "Alright! Now that we''ve finished eating, should we move ahead?" Ganesha said, rising to her feet. Before Epherene realized it, the meal was over. She jumped to her feet, intent on stopping them from entering the door. ¡°No! Wait, I¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright~¡± Ganesha interrupted, moving closer to whisper in her ear. ¡°I saw it too. Ria knows, and so do the others. And look¡ªthe second hand on the clock is moving backward, jumping from 7 to 6.¡± n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Epherene stiffened in surprise. ¡°So, let¡¯s keep it to ourselves, alright?¡± Of course, Ganesha noticed! Epherene thought, nodding, her expression still stunned. Ganesha smiled warmly and continued, ¡°Honestly, we¡¯re just as reluctant to go in, but we don¡¯t have a choice. We believe a friend who needs our help is inside.¡± ¡°... Oh.¡± So that¡¯s why we¡¯re here¡ªto save someone~ Epherene thought, finally getting it. Then, an image of someone struck Epherene¡¯s mind like a sh of lightning. A sharp pain throbbed in her temple, leaving her briefly stunned. She quickly scanned the area, her eyes darting around for that person. But he was nowhere to be seen, and the door to the inner castle creaked open. ¡°6th day, 6 o''clock 6 minutes 6 seconds. We¡¯re proceeding inside," Hetrog announced. Epherene noticed something else strange¡ªhe had said it was 6 o''clock, 6 minutes, 6 seconds earlier, yet the time hadn¡¯t moved forward. ¡°Let¡¯s, like, totally head in?!¡± Jackal shouted with a burst of energy,pletely clueless about anything weird going on. Ganesha and Ria went along with it, while Allen casually followed the others. ¡°Yo, sis! You in there?!¡± Jackal yelled, his voice echoing as he called out for Ca. ¡°Carlos! Where are you?!¡± Ganesha and Ria called. Epherene wondered if Deculein was inside. For now, she trailed behind the others. *** On the second floor of the Ghost Castle... ¡°I wonder if you have a n. I really want to wake my brother up soon,¡± Ca said. I nodded and replied, ¡°I do.¡± I didn¡¯t have a n ready when Ca asked, but the preparation quickly fell into ce and was now finished. ¡°I wonder how you n to go about it?¡± Ca asked. "... Sometimes, primal force must overrideprehension," I replied, ncing around the castle¡ªa grotesque, mystical space that seemed to have taken on a life of its own. "I wonder what you¡¯re trying to say." ¡°I¡¯m going to destroy the entire castle.¡± Ca let out a small gasp before questioning me again, her tone still filled with doubt as she asked, ¡°I wonder if you have enough mana for that.¡± "You will assist," I said. Ca bit her lip, unsettled by the unexpected demand for cooperation. ¡°How?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve inscribed the entire castle with the Telekinesis spell using my steel. You will supply the mana we need. I will handle the rest.¡± I didn¡¯t know exactly how much mana Ca had, but it had to be in the tens or hundreds of thousands. With that level of support, my Telekinesis would reach its full power, enough to cause a small tremor across the continent. "I will destroy the spirits that have taken over this castle and ind," I continued. The n was simple¡ªfocus all of Ca''s vast magical energy within her mana directly into the castle. Ca looked at me, a faint smile on her lips, and asked, ¡°This castle seems to be made of thousands of souls. Will you end up destroying them all?¡± ¡°... Hmph,¡± I muttered, curling my lips in contempt. ¡°It¡¯s better to die than to exist as these damned spirits.¡± ¡°What if they say they don¡¯t want to die?¡± Ca asked. It was a deeply human dilemma, but I shook my head and replied, ¡°Even so, they¡¯re nothing more than the cries of the dead.¡± Whatever happened to this castle or the souls trapped inside, neither Deculein nor Yukline would ever care. My ego was never bound by the sentimental belief that souls are human. "Wouldn''t this be a massacre? Many mages might criticize you. The Magical Realm already epts that souls exist," Ca warned. ¡°Why should I care?¡± ¡°... What?¡± "It''s not my concern." Why would a soul be considered human? They''re nothing but parasites¡ªlong dead and buried. Yet, these goddamned creatures have the nerve to drag the living into their twisted nightmares, I thought. ¡°Yukline does notpromise¡ªnever has, never will.¡± I never cared about the process. Only the end result mattered. Sentiment and chasing happiness meant nothing to me. "This ce calls for the resolve of a viin, not the mercy of a saint," I concluded. And I never hesitated to make those choices. Born under the Viin¡¯s Fate, I lived out my role as a true viin. ¡°I wonder if you''ll end up making enemies of ghosts,¡± Ca said. I replied to Ca''s words with a faint smile, "As if that concerns me." I knew I would kill countless real people in my lifetime. If they returned as ghosts, driven by hatred or thirsting for revenge, it wouldn¡¯t matter. "They might cling to your shoulders, sapping your strength little by little, until they leave you worn out too soon," Ca said. ¡°Hmph. Do you think I¡¯m incapable of dealing with ghosts?¡± If they chose to haunt me, so be it. I would crush them relentlessly until their very essence was scattered into nothingness. "I''ll break them down, over and over, until these ghosts are nothing but a fading nuisance." "... Right," Ca replied, nodding after a pause, then channeled her mana into the ground. "I think this castle made a mistake. A mage as cold as you isn¡¯t one to mess with." Following the magic circle inscribed by Wood Steel, the Authority¡¯s mana surged forward, fast and relentless like a river in flood. Ca closed her eyes for a moment, and in that instant, her mana swept through the castle. ¡°I think it''s done. Do you really have it under control? It¡¯d be quite embarrassing if you couldn''t pull it off after all that talk,¡± Ca said. "Have no doubt," I replied, connecting the magic circle, now infused with Ca''s mana, directly to my body. Swoooosh...! A torrent of mana coursed through me, pushing my limits, but my Iron Man body held strong. I would not falter. Tap¡ª Atst, like a pebble dropping to the earth, a faint ripple of mana marked the spell''s activation. And then came the name, almostughably out of ce¡ªIntermediate Telekinesis. Ruuuuumble¡ª! The ground trembled beneath me, a sudden, powerful quake that rattled everything in its wake. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 131: Missa (1)

Chapter 131: Missa (1)

The interior of the Ghost Castle was hazy, cloaked in a thick fog. Epherene¡¯s senses dulled as a deep lethargy washed over her, making it feel like she was drifting away from herself. Enveloped in this fog, she wandered aimlessly. ¡°Carlos! There you are!¡± Ganesha called out, her voice cutting through the fog. Epherene paused and nced back. ¡°Pull yourself together!¡± ¡°Stay strong!¡± Ganesha, Ria, and Leo held tightly to Carlos, urging him to get up and not lose hope. ¡°Sis! Where¡¯d you go, sis!¡± Jackal kept shouting, his voice tinged with panic as he searched frantically. Epherene forced herself to move forward. ¡°... Indeed, it is you.¡± A voice suddenly broke through, snapping Epherene out of her daze. She turned slowly. ¡°I offer you my greetings.¡± A man who bore a striking resemnce to Deculein stood before her. He appeared older, a faint smile touching his lips as he watched her closely. ¡°Daughter of Kagan, my most favored one.¡± Epherene remained silent. ¡°Step forward,¡± De said, extending his hand. Epherene hesitated, then slowly stepped forward,pelled by an unseen force. ¡°Leaf!¡± Someone suddenly grabbed her wrist¡ªit was Ihelm. ¡°Stay away from him,¡± Ihelm said. He stepped in front of her, blocking her from De¡¯s view. ¡°Ah, Ihelm,¡± De remarked with a faint, dryugh. Ihelm kept his silence. ¡°There was a time when I was grateful for the friendship you showed my son¡ª¡± ¡°Friendship? Our rtionship was never that close or sentimental,¡± Ihelm cut in. ¡°Haha.¡± ¡°What is happening here? How can a dead man walk among the living? And where are we?¡± Ihelm demanded. De¡¯s expression hardened for a moment, but he soon regained his smile and replied, ¡°Ihelm, I am very much alive. I was never really dead.¡± Madness flickered in his eyes, hovering on the brink of obsession. Locking his eyes on Epherene, De continued, ¡°Daughter of Luna, do you know what your father desired most?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t listen to it, Leaf,¡± Ihelm said, channeling mana into his palm as he readied a spell to shatter De¡¯s soul. ¡°If you only knew what he desired¡ª¡± As Ihelm prepared to cast thepleted spell... Ruuuuumble¡ª! The ground trembled violently. Epherene and Ihelm quickly scanned their surroundings, searching for the source. ¡°...How unfortunate,¡± De murmured, his expression growing grim as he looked up at the sky. ¡°It appears my son has involved himself in something reckless.¡± Ihelm swiftly cast a protective barrier around Epherene and the others. At that moment, a deafening crash shook the ground, as if the earth were splitting apart. And then... *** Ca recalled Deculein from their childhood¡ªa boy once hailed as a whiz kid. But that brilliance soon faded, leaving him a mediocre and pitiful friend in Ca¡¯s eyes. ¡°Decu, I wonder what will happen if we try it this way?¡± ¡°... No, that won¡¯t be necessary. And stop addressing me as Decu.¡± ¡°I think maybe you could try it the way I did?¡± ¡°I said no. Stop phrasing everything as a question. Speak clearly; your uncertainty only causes confusion.¡± Ca recalled how Deculein had always struggled to follow her teachings. Her methods were far beyond his understanding, but his pride kept him from admitting it. Instead, he stubbornly med Ca for his failures. He was an odd one, that much was certain. But now, Ca watched as Deculein stood before her, casting a spell so powerful that the ind splintered and crumbled around them. Ruuuuumble¡ª! The entire castle trembled as a massive earthquake roared from every direction. The cries of the dead filled the air, their tormented wails surrounding Ca. Some cursed their fate, clinging desperately to life, while others begged for the release of death. In this world, ghosts had their own society called the Phantom Haven, a realm Ca had visited once before. These souls could always sense those who had taken the lives of spirits, and now, Deculein would almost certainly earn their undying hatred. He must have known, yet he moved forward without hesitation, unconcerned by curses or the looming consequences. Deculein''s transformation left Ca unsettled, unable to make sense of the change in him. Ruuuuuuuuuuumble¡ª! The ground rumbled deeply as the castle crumbled, its walls tearing apart like paper and scattering into countless fragments. A wave of telekic force surged from the earth, rippling through the air in a powerful shockwave. At the heart of the spell, Deculein coughed up blood, a dark stream trickling from his mouth. Blood seeped from his torn muscles, soaking into his clothes. Though Ca had only lent him a fraction of her mana, the cost of wielding borrowed power was severe. "You''re okay?" Ca asked. Deculein offered no response, seated in his chair with his eyes fixed on his assistant professor and prot¨¦g¨¦. ¡°... Ugh,¡± Epherene groaned, stirring awake before the others. Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused as she blinked at Deculein, her face caught in a haze between dream and reality. "Professor...?" Epherene called, staring at him, covered in blood and exhaustion. Deculein looked so unlike his usual self that she could only believe it was a dream. ¡°Ah! Professor?!¡± Allen eximed as he stirred awake. Momentster, Deculein closed his eyes slowly, causing the two to tense in surprise. ¡°Professor~!¡± n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°He¡¯s dead!¡± "... I think he''s not dead," Ca said, making them whip their heads toward her. Epherene and Allen looked at Ca, confusion written on their faces. ¡°Sorry, but who are you?¡± Epherene asked. Meanwhile, Ihelm¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s began to stir, while the sharp click of heels echoed in the distance as Ganesha approached. ¡°Wow, our professor is certainly intense~ How many square feet was this castle again? Anyway...¡± Ganesha remarked, smiling as she picked up a fragment of the shattered ruins. Although the castley inplete ruin, the area around them remained intact, held together by Deculein¡¯s Telekinesis. "With this much mana stone, the Imperial family will be quite pleased. Though we failed to drive away the thieves~" Ganesha muttered, her gaze shifting to Ca. Ganesha¡¯s smile remained, but her eyes turned serious. ¡°Ca.¡± ¡°Ca?! You''re the Ca?!¡± Epherene and Allen eximed, their faces draining of color. Ca, like Rohakan, was a criminal graded as the ck Beast¡ªa feared individual known as the Authority of Death, responsible for wiping an entire city off the map and causing thousands of casualties. Ganesha suggested, "Why don''t we make a deal? You can take 5%." ¡°I think these mana stones are made from people,¡± Ca said. Mana stones took on many forms. The mostmon ones formed naturally when earth and mana fused, crystallizing into solid gems. Rarer types included the Deep Sea Mana Stone, which grew inside the belly of the ck Titan Whale, and the Mountain Mana Stone, found only in the high mountain peaks. "We could simply sell it to the Floating Inds," Ganesha replied. Mana stones formed from human corpses were known as Human Mana Stones. While most avoided them, the Floating Inds valued these stones for their use in magical experiments. Ca shook her head and said, "I think it doesn¡¯t feel right to me because I can¡¯t stand mana stones made from humans." Ganesha watched Ca in silence. A young girl, about five foot three, approached nervously. It was Ria, hoping to establish a future connection with the named character. ¡°Ca, may I ask what led to your decision?¡± Ca¡¯s eyes moved silently between Ganesha and Ria. ¡°Why do you... choose to cooperate with the Altar?¡± Ganesha asked, picking up a twig from the rubble. Ca replied, ¡°... Who knows. I wonder if it¡¯s because I don¡¯t want to die.¡± Suddenly, an intangible de swept through the air. aaaang¡ª! Jackal¡¯s cursed sword, Muramasa, struck with force, but Ganesha effortlessly deflected it with nothing more than a dried twig. ¡°Whoa, Ganesha! Knew you¡¯d, like, totally nail that, no prob!¡± Jackal called out,ughing from afar. Ganesha shook her head with a sigh, then nced his way. "Sis! You¡¯ve been here this whole time?¡± Jackal eximed, hopping over and pointing at Deculein, still sitting. ¡°Is the prof, like, totally crashed or what?¡± At that moment, Deculein¡¯s eyes slowly opened. "Oh, like, never mind, I was so wrong, haha!" Without a word, Deculein surveyed the crowd, then turned his focus to Ganesha and said, ¡°Ganesha, I never expected you to bring a demon along with you.¡± "Not a demon, exactly, but a half-human¡ª" ¡°It makes no difference,¡± Deculein interrupted. His body groaned, muscles ame with pain, yet he cast Cleanse to remove the blood and grime. Straightening his attire, he called out, ¡°Ganesha.¡± ¡°... Sir!¡± As he opened his mouth to continue, another voice called out¡ªit was Ria. ¡°I swear, I¡¯ll even take an oath if I must. If Carlos bes a demon, I¡¯ll end him with my own hands. So¡ª¡± ¡°Keep your mouth shut,¡± Deculein cut her off. Ria bit her lip as Deculein slowly got to his feet, with Epherene and Allen quickly moving to stand beside him. ¡°The boy is fated to be a demon.¡± ¡°No, if we guide him the right way, he¡ª¡± ¡°If you can keep it hidden, then do so. But do not speak of oaths. Do not plead with me. If he crosses my path, I will end him without mercy,¡± Deculein concluded. "Ah..." Ria murmured, ncing up at him before lowering her head. Deculein turned away from the girl and focused on Ganesha. Ganesha gave a faint, bitter smile and said, ¡°I apologize for not telling you earlier. But he is part of the family now.¡± ¡°Do you honestly believe a demon can belong to a family?¡± ¡°... We will make certain he doesn''t be one.¡± Deculein''s expression hardened. He muttered a curse under his breath, gave a slight head gesture, and said, "... Epherene. Allen." ¡°Yes, Professor.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± ¡°We are leaving,¡± Deculein said, unwilling to remain a second longer near the demon. As he prepared to leave, he noticed Ihelm loitering nearby and called, ¡°... Ihelm.¡± Ihelm stood vacant, his two prot¨¦g¨¦s at his side. ¡°Ihelm.¡± ¡°... Oh,¡± Ihelm murmured as he turned to Deculein, giving a nod. ¡°Right. Are we leaving? Is it over...? Um, what exactly happened here?¡± For the first time, he took in the sight of the ruined castle, eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°Follow me.¡± As Deculein used his Telekinesis to sift through the rubble, a notification suddenly appeared before him. [Main Quest Completed: The Altar and the Ghost] ¡ô Mental Strength +1 [The body of the Iron Man has gained Comprehension of the mana from the Authority] ¡ô A new Characteristic has awakened in the circuits and skeleton. *** As we sailed back on the cruise... [The body of the Iron Man has gained Comprehension of the mana of ''the Authority''] I nced away from the system notification toward Ca. She sat with Jackal and Ihelm, casually sipping her wine¡ªodd behavior for a criminal graded as the ck Beast. "... P-Professor, are you sure it''s safe to leave her like that?" Allen asked, his voice trembling. ¡°It¡¯s fine. She isn¡¯t one to kill without reason,¡± I replied. Ca, the Authority. Her mana spanned from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, a vast power rooted in her unique attribute¡ªLuminous Embrace. Ca had a unique attribute. As her life neared its end, her mana only grew stronger. It was a gift far beyond what any ordinary person could possess, but it came at a heavy price. With less than two years left to live, she suffered from an incurable illness that made her more powerful even as it slowly drained her life away. I looked over at Epherene. She was biting her nails, lost in thought, and it was starting to get on my nerves. "That''s filthy," I remarked ¡°... Eh?¡± Epherene murmured. Snap¡ª! Then her nail snapped; she had chewed right through it. I drew in a sharp breath and muttered, ¡°... Epherene.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± "That¡¯s five penalty points for you," I stated. ¡°Eh? Why?! Out of nowhere?!¡± ¡°Improper conduct.¡± Epherene gaped at me, her eyes widening in shock as she cried, "Noo~ You can''t do that~ That''s not fair~" ¡°Why?¡± She shook her head as if trying to persuade me and quickly exined, "If I get five more penalty points, that puts me at fifteen. I¡¯ll have to pay a fine." ¡°Fine. If you can exin what you did wrong, I¡¯ll withdraw the penalty.¡± "Hmm..." Epherene frowned, casting me a wary nce before mumbling, "Did you invent some kind of mind-reading magic...?" "Five penalty points for you," I stated. ¡°Aaagh!¡± *** Autumn had settled over the continent I returned to. The university grounds were scattered with autumn leaves, and the chilly wind bit into my skin. There was a strange emptiness in the season, much like those back on Earth. ¡ª Today is Veron¡¯s funeral. I¡¯m d you made it just in time. While organizing my lecture materials in the Mage Tower, a message from Josephine came through. ¡ª Please proceed directly to the funeral at the Freyhem Knights¡¯ Order~ And do remember to y your part, brother-inw~ Her voice slipped through the crystal orb, smooth and tempting, like the serpent whispering to Eve. The sound of her soft, charmingugh lingered in my ears as I pocketed the orb and headed to the parking lot outside the Mage Tower, where Ren was already waiting. I got into the car and instructed Ren, "To the Freyhem Knights'' Order." I looked out the window as the car sped down the road, the scenery blurring past. It felt strange, but I knew this was the right decision. It wasn¡¯t a perfect n, and I might be hated for it, but it was the only way Yulie could survive. That alone made it worth it. "... Very well, then." I could keep the emotions in check. No¡ª I could bear them because I loved Yulie. It was a kind of love I didn¡¯t fully understand; it had simply be part of me. For Deculein, loving Yulie was second nature. So, even if she ended up suffering because of me, even if she came to hate me enough to wish me dead. As long as she could live in the same world as I did... Tap-tap¡ª Tap-tap¡ª Suddenly, I felt a nudge. I turned to look. Tap-tap¡ª Tap-tap¡ª A red-furred munchkin cat wed at my sleeve. I nced down at it, then signaled Ren with a look. "Yes, sir," Ren replied promptly, pulling the car to a stop and getting out. The cat nced at Ren, let out a lowugh, and said, ¡°He catches on fast, doesn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°... Your Majesty, to what do I owe the pleasure?¡± I asked. ¡°I heard you handled that Ghost Castle mess pretty well,¡± the cat replied. ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Plenty of spirit mages have filed petitions, demanding you be punished as a mass murderer.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Hmm. You look a bit sour today.¡± I gave a brief nod and said, ¡°A demon is drawing near.¡± ¡°Again?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°That will take a lot out of you,¡± Empress Sophien remarked, yawning through the cat¡¯s body. I replied, ¡°If Your Majesty took the time to study the runguage, it might spare me a lot of trouble.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. I would, honestly, but it seems I¡¯m trapped at the moment.¡± ¡°Trapped,¡± I echoed, puzzled at how an Empress could be trapped. ¡°... Could you rify, Your Majesty?¡± ¡°Ah~ So, a treasure was brought to mest night. I toyed with it out of curiosity and somehow ended up trapped inside. It is quite the fascinating item.¡± I was stunned into silence. Still, the fact that the Empress had shown curiosity about anything was, at the very least, a good sign. ¡°So, you¡¯ll need toe and get me out. Keiron is a dumbass, it seems, and can¡¯t manage it himself,¡± the cat added. "Yes, Your Majesty, I¡¯m afraid I already have a priormitment," I replied. ¡°A priormitment over the Empress... Hmph. Five years in prison for that. How does that sound?¡± the cat muttered, licking its paw in annoyance. "I will make every effort to arrive as soon as I can, Your Majesty." ¡°And do bring some ice cream with you. Don¡¯t keep me waiting.¡± Getting used to the Empress¡¯s unpredictable nature was a challenge. Her demands often came out of nowhere, leaving me constantly on edge. The red-furred munchkin cat spoke again, ¡°Learning to appreciate life takes time. I just haven¡¯t figured out what really suits me yet.¡± ¡°... Yes, Your Majesty. I understand,¡± I replied. ¡°Good. Take this cat with you,¡± the Empress ordered. At that moment... ¡°Meeeooow¡ª¡± the cat cried softly, stretching as the possession faded away. I gestured to Ren, who was waiting outside, andmanded, "After our visit to the Freyhem Knights'' Order... we will stop by the ice cream shop." ¡°Pardon? Oh, yes, sir,¡± Ren stammered, momentarily caught off guard. We had never been to an ice cream shop before, which likely exined his confusion. A strange warmth crept up my spine as the words left my mouth. *** The Freyhem Knights'' Order held a somber and intimate funeral. The atmosphere was peaceful, with few guests in attendance, as the melody of the missa filled the funeral hall. Yulie stood by Veron¡¯s coffin, lost in thought. ¡°Yulie,¡± Josephine called out gently. Yulie sighed softly, turned to her, and greeted, "You¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Yes. How are you feeling? Are you doing okay?¡± ¡°I am, actually. It¡¯s a relief to have his remains back, thanks to you,¡± Yulie said, offering her sister Josephine a respectful bow. In response, Josephine gently patted Yulie¡¯s head with a smile. A faint vibration came from the crystal orb tucked inside her robe. Unfazed, Josephine nced at Yulie and said gently, ¡°Well, I need to step out for a moment, Yulie.¡± ¡°Of course, please take your time.¡± ¡°Okay~¡± Josephine said with a cheerful wave before exiting the hall. Yulie watched her leave before turning back to the funeral. Around her, many knights wept, their sorrow strangely filling Yulie with a quiet sense of pride. This was the camaraderie and kinship she had long sought as a knight, now emerging in this solemn moment. "Grand Knight," Deputy Knight Rockfell said as he approached, his cloak billowing behind him. Yulie cleared her throat and replied, "Yes, Rockfell. What is it?" "A luxury vehicle is parked outside." ¡°A luxury car?¡± "Yes, Grand Knight. It is parked a little further away, but I believe it to be Professor Deculein''s vehicle." "... Ah!" Yulie eximed. Rockfell gave a slight smile, fully grasping her reaction. They both understood what it meant. Yulie said, ¡°So, the professor hase to extend his condolences...¡± ¡°That must be the case. After all, the knight gave his life to save him.¡± "... He must be exhausted; the mission only ended recently," Yulie murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I¡¯ll go to him. Knowing the professor, he doesn¡¯t do well alone in situations like this." ¡°Understood. Please go ahead.¡± Yulie decided to approach casually and remain by his side, as if by coincidence. She knew the professor preferred it that way. Yulie took a deep breath and pushed the door to the funeral hall open. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 132: Missa (2)

Chapter 132: Missa (2)

The clear sky was dotted with a few clouds, and the sunset gradually turned deep red as the autumn leaves rustled in the breeze¡ªa quintessential autumn scene. Josephine stepped into the alley where they had agreed to meet, her steps light and almost dancing, like a waltz. And she knew exactly why. "... Brother-inw," Josephine said. When she arrived, her expression hardened naturally. Deculein stood across from her, turning to meet her eyes. They remained silent, staring at each other. This was their only chance to save Yulie from her curse, even if the method was uncertain. Josephine trusted Deculein, and he was ready to y his role for Yulie''s sake. There was no signal, but Josephine was the first to break the silence and asked, "Let me be clear¡ªdid you kill the knight, Veron?" She then gestured to the recording artifact resting against her neck. Deculein red back, his gaze cold and unwavering. "You can''t deny it," Josephine continued. "Witnesses confirmed that you were thest to be seen with Veron. Moreover, the wound on his chest is inconsistent with a simple fall or the mark of an assassin." Even so, Deculein remained silent, his eyes filled with cold disdain. "If you insist on your innocence, then lend me your weapon¡ªyour Wood Steel," Josephine demanded. "... My Wood Steel?" Deculein asked. "Yes. We have recovered Veron''s remains. It will be needed topare the wounds¡ª" "Is there really a need forparison?" Deculein asked, a dry chuckle escaping his lips. "He was an arrogant fool, unworthy of life. How dare he forget his ce and set his sights on things he could never have?" He recited the words as if they were scripted, imitating the original Deculein perfectly. "And even if I were to admit it, what could you possibly do? Do you think you can punish me¡ªthe one favored by Her Majesty?" Josephine clenched her jaw. Then, Deculein''s lips curved into a cold, empty smile as he continued, "In any case, she is worthless now." "... Could you rify your meaning?" Josephine inquired. "It¡¯s only a matter of time before she starts to fall apart." A vein pulsed on Josephine''s forehead. Despite knowing it was an act, his words had hit a nerve. ¡°A knight worn down by her curse. She reached for something beyond her grasp, while I wore the mask of kindness. But I¡¯ve grown tired of it,¡± Deculein said, his face unmoved, his voice cold and cutting. ¡°Ick the mercy to love a woman teetering on the edge of death, and the Yukline name cannot afford to suffer such a loss again." Whether it was an act or his true feelings, his voice sliced through the air like a cold wind. "So, Josephine. Is that all you brought me here to say? Such insignificant matters?" Josephine suppressed the surge of murderous intent within her. She knew it was all an act, yet he yed the part so convincingly that he might have won an award. "I have nothing more to say to those who would present me with such a defect. The engagement with Freyden is hereby annulled. Ry this to Zeit as well," Deculein dered, turning and walking away without a moment''s hesitation, leaving behind a video barely five minutes long¡ªthe very proof Yulie would need to despise him. "... Defect, he called her," Josephine muttered under her breath. The gratitude Josephine felt quickly turned her murderous intent into calm reasoning. Deculein loved Yulie as much as, if not more than, she did. For him to speak so harshly, he must deeply, desperately wish to save her¡ªmore than anyone else in this world. If that¡¯s the case, I can only hope this n works out well, Josephine thought to herself, letting out a quiet sigh. She made her way back to the funeral hall, but suddenly came to a halt. Someone was hiding in the distance, quietly watching her. "... Yulie?" Her head hung low, hair falling over her face. Yulie trembled, her body tense, barely containing the torrent of emotions inside. "So... you heard it all, didn''t you?" Yulie bit down so hard that blood seeped from her lips. Josephine hadn¡¯t meant for her to find out like this. She was briefly stunned, but soon, a twisted sense of satisfaction welled up from deep within her. "... It''s alright," Josephine whispered softly, offering her sisterfort even as she silently nned the fall of the Freyhem Knights'' Order. If the Order copsed, Yulie would lose her ce in the capital and be forced to return to Freyden. And if Deculein¡¯s words were true, the curse would be cured, keeping Yulie by her side forever... "You still have me, remember?" Josephine said, hiding every hint of her dark intentions, gently wrapped her arms around Yulie¡¯s shoulders. *** "Such a shame... what a pity.¡± A ghostly voice crept into Epherene''s mind, a dark whisper luring the living toward the world of the dead. Mesmerized, she found herself drawn to his face. ¡°... Do you know what your father desired most?¡± In an instant, she sprang awake. Epherene nced around in panic, realizing she was in the assistant''s researchb, her body drenched in sweat. It was only a dream. Or was it? Epherene thought. Epherene shot to her feet and hurried to Deculein¡¯s office. If this world was not a dream, he was the only one who could confirm it. She raised her hand to knock but hesitated, her eyes drifting to the namete. Head Professor Deculein¡¯s Office He was always nearby, yet somehow felt so far away. I felt bitter toward him, but I couldn¡¯t ignore the feeling that I owed him. I couldn''t forgive him, but in some way, I understood. He knew all my mistakes and betrayals, yet still told me it was alright because I was his prot¨¦g¨¦, Epherene thought with a sigh, lowering her hand from the door before turning away. Just then, she noticed Allen and Drent walking down the hallway, deep in conversation. Drent noticed Epherene and called out, "Hey, Epherene! Did you hear? A Gerocecream shop just opened nearby!" ¡°What? No way! Really?!¡± Gerocecream¡ªshort for Gero Ice Cream¡ªwas hugely popr in the southern region and had finally made its way to the Empire. Epherene sped her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and continued, ¡°This has to be a dream, right?!¡± Drent shook his head and replied, ¡°What dream? I went there, but the line was so long, I just gave up.¡± Allen sighed in disappointment and added, "Yes, they mentioned the wait would be about three hours..." "No! I''ll go wait in line! Just give me the money!" Studying her thesis while standing wasn¡¯t an issue. If anything, it actually helped her focus. She could handle three hours on her feet without a problem. ¡°Hurry, hurry! I¡¯ll do it!¡± Epherene urged, reaching out to Drent and Allen, her eyes shining with eagerness. ~ Fifteen minutester... "... Ugh. There really are so many people," Epherene muttered, fanning herself with a hundred-elne bill as she eyed the line for Gerocecream. Just like Allen and Drent had said, at least two hundred people stood waiting. "Oh, well." Epherene considered the wait a small price for Gerocecream. While standing in line, she reviewed her thesis, reading about one page every twenty minutes as the line inched forward at the same pace. After nearly three hours, with the sun starting to set, only twenty people stood ahead of her. ¡°Whew...¡± She had read enough for the day. Epherene stretched her stiff neck and tucked her thesis back into her bag. ¡°Next customer, please!¡± Time dragged on as the line inched forward, person by person, until atst, her turn came. ¡°Next customer, please!¡± "Yes, that''s me~" Epherene eximed, raising her arms in excitement like a yful puppy. Screech¡ª Just then, a luxury car pulled up to the curb. The driver stepped out and whispered something to the frog-faced store owner. "... Ah, I see," the owner replied, his expression turning serious. He nodded, handing over most of the remaining ice cream to the driver. Then, he turned to the waiting crowd and announced, "I''m sorry, but we''re out of stock! Pleasee back tomorrow!" ¡°What!¡± "If you have a waiting ticket for today, you''ll get priority service tomorrow! Oh, wait, tomorrow¡¯s a holiday." ¡°Argh!¡± "Looks like it''ll have to be Monday then!" Before Epherene could utter a word, still clutching her ticket, the owner pulled the shutters down. Her eyes, filled with resentment, shifted to the luxury car parked nearby. "Are you kidding me?!" I waited hours for this! It¡¯s not fair! They could¡¯ve just taken one serving¡ªthere was plenty left. Why take everything? Epherene ran up to the car, banging on the window as she shouted, "Excuse me! Hey, excuse me¡ª!" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Her patience broke, anger twisting her face as she red through the window. "Heeeey! Excuse meeeeeee! Open the windooooooow¡ª!" The window slid down, and Epherene instinctively reached her hand inside. However, the moment she saw the face within, she froze in shock. "Oh... Professor?" Inside was Deculein, his eyes fixed on Epherene with pure disdain. ¡°Professor, do you... really like ice cream?¡± Epherene asked, her voice trailing off. ¡°No,¡± Deculein replied. "But why? Why... did you buy so much...? I was right next in line..." The sight of the ice cream tubs piled on the passenger seat sparked something in her¡ªcourage, or maybe just in greed. Epherene demanded, ¡°Can you at least tell me why...?¡± Without a word, Deculein reached into his inner pocket. Along with his wallet, a small object slipped out. Epherene glimpsed a silver chain glinting in the light, with a hint of a pendant just below it. "Here, take this aspensation," Deculein said, extending three bills¡ªtotaling three hundred elne. "No, I don¡¯t need the money. I¡¯ll just... go. Enjoy your ice cream," Epherene murmured, bowing her head. Shoulders drooping, she slowly turned to leave. Deculein sighed quietly before saying, ¡°... Ren?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The driver, who seemed to be his secretary, offered Epherene a tub of ice cream. "Sorry? Oh... really? Thank you so much! Here, let me pay you. One serving is thirty elne, right, so¡ª" ¡°You may leave now,¡± Deculeinmanded. The engine roared to life, prompting Epherene to step back in surprise. Without hesitation, the car sped away into the distance. "Was he just in a bad mood?" Epherene muttered, feeling a bit awkward. She cringed at how she''d lost her cool over ice cream. "... Well, at least I got one, heh." As she walked away with the ice cream in hand, a small smile crept onto her face. So, the professor likes ice cream too... I guess we do have at least one thing inmon... But that pendant I saw¡ªcould it really be the one Mage Gindalf mentioned...? No, it¡¯s probably something else, Epherne thought. Just then, Epherene spotted someone standing by the job board near the Mage Tower. Therge board at the entrance disyed short-term job postings for mages, put up by certified adventure teams or enterprises. ¡°Ganesha?¡± "... Oh?" Ganesha said, turning to Epherene. She flicked her hair back and pointed at the ice cream with a smile. "Is that Gerocecream? Wow, it looks delicious~." ¡°Sorry? Oh, yes...¡± Epherene murmured, instinctively hiding the ice cream behind her back. There wasn¡¯t enough to share. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°Hmm~ Just putting up a short-term job notice. We figured we could use a skilled mage on our team.¡± Epherene blinked, her eyes wide, mouth opening and closing as if trying to find the right words. Ganesha tilted her head,ughing softly as she asked, "What''s the matter~?" ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± ¡°... Pardon?¡± "But I... ahem, I have one condition. Instead of money," Epherene paused, swallowing hard, "I want information. I need to know about the rtionship between the Luna family and the Yukline family." Ganesha fell quiet, her smile turning a bit rigid. Epherene hesitated before asking, "Don¡¯t adventure teams ever give something besides money if you ask...?" "Well, I''m not sure about that. We might need the professor''s permission first~," Ganesha replied, leaving Epherene certain of one thing. She knows. She has to know what happened between our families. She wouldn¡¯t react this way otherwise, Epherne thought. "I''ll do whatever it takes. Besides, this involves me directly¡ª" ¡°You know, this dungeon raid won''t be easy,¡± Ganesha said. ¡°But your team has kids too, right? Do you really think I¡¯d be worse than them? And besides...¡± Epherene paused, her voice faltering. ¡°Yes, go on,¡± Ganesha prompted, watching Epherene stumble over her words. ¡°Or are you nning to betray the professor again? That rumor is already making the rounds, you know~?¡± ¡°No, absolutely not! I want to help this time,¡± Epherene blurted out quickly. ¡°Then why is that~?¡± Ganesha asked. "Well... it¡¯s just that... I keep dreaming about the former head of the Yukline family¡ªDe," Epherene admitted. At that moment, Ganesha''s expression turned serious. She took down the poster she had just pinned to the board, dusted off her hands, then offered one to Epherene and said, ¡°When can you start? I¡¯ll say it again, this mission won¡¯t be easy. You might evene back missing an arm.¡± "... That''s fine. Just tell me the details and the timing." "It''s a dungeon raid. Our team hit the jackpot this time and got lucky. It should take about two days¡ªquick but intense, right?" In the Empire, when the Imperial family or a lord called for a dungeon raid, the guild assigned resources based on the difficulty and then selected a team through a lottery. This was known as the Dungeon Raid Lottery. ¡°Two days should work,¡± Epherene nodded in agreement. ¡°Here, take this¡ªyour temporary adventurer permit,¡± Ganesha said, tearing a slip from a booklet and handing it to Epherene. ¡°It¡¯s called an Adventure Mercenary Permit. Since I¡¯m an S-rank captain, I can issue it myself. Just sign, and you¡¯re all set. Don¡¯t forget to bring it to the raid.¡± ¡°All right... but first, can I be sure the information is solid?¡± Epherene asked, a flicker of doubt in her voice. Ganesha smiled faintly and replied, ¡°Of course. I was once under a demon¡¯s curse, and it was the Yukline family who cured me. So, I do know a bit about the history between the Yukline and Luna families.¡± Ganesha reflected on those memories. She had spent all the wealth she had worked so hard to earn over ten years just to stay alive. Though grateful to have survived, she still couldn''t bring herself to like De. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m the captain of the Red Ga Adventure Team. Do you really think there¡¯s anything in this world that I wouldn¡¯t know~?¡± ¡°... Alright, that works. And you know me well enough, so there''s no need to question my skills,¡± Epherene said with a confident nod. ¡°Of course, I trust you. After all, you¡¯re the only prot¨¦g¨¦ that Professor Deculein has ever recognized.¡± Epherene felt a bit shy at thepliment and, with a slight pout, mumbled softly, ¡°... Yup.¡± *** I arrived at the Imperial Pce in a sour mood, and it wasn¡¯t only because of the ice cream I was holding. ¡°Her Majesty awaits you,¡± Jng said, leading me to Sophien¡¯s chambers. ¡°This way.¡± I gave him a brief nce, smirking as I said, ¡°So, you¡¯re still alive, Jng.¡± "... It¡¯s all due to Her Majesty¡¯s grace," Jng replied, retreating cautiously. With a respectful bow, I opened the door and announced, "Deculein of Yukline, here at Your Majesty¡¯s summons..." Her Majesty¡¯s chambers were empty. All that remained was a snow globe¡ªa ss sphere filled with clear liquid and floating snowkes that fell gently when shaken. The instant I examined the item¡¯s details, a chill ran down my spine. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ [Ancient Snow Globe] ¡ô Information : A snow globe, intricately crafted by a devout believer of the Holy Era. : Inside, it holds a miniature, self-sustaining worldplete with its own unique ecosystem. ¡ô Category : Miracle ? World ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The snow globe seemed like a perfect gift for Her Majesty¡ªan object so rare and miraculous that it could easily pique Sophien''s curiosity. I couldn''t guess who had presented such a thing. Holding the snow globe, I peered inside. A figure stood there¡ªa vague silhouette¡ªbut the unmistakable red hair gave it away. ¡°Quit shaking it,¡± came the voice. "Meooow!" A small, red-furred munchkin cat suddenly leaped onto my back. I sighed, gazing at her within the snow globe, and said, ¡°Your Majesty, I take it you¡¯re trapped in there.¡± "That''s right. Shaking it just makes me dizzy, so keep it steady," Sophien said. "Can you manage the possession spell from inside there?" I asked. ¡°It does use up quite a bit of mana. Anyway, why did you take so long? I¡¯ve been waiting all day. Now, hurry and get in here. Just infuse your mana, and you¡¯ll enter.¡± "...Yes, Your Majesty," I said, cing my right hand on the snow globe while gripping the ice cream bag with my left. Taking a deep breath, I infused my mana into the globe. Huuuuuuum... A strange sensation swept over me as my mana and soul shifted elsewhere. When I opened my eyes, I stood in a vast, pure white expanse. This had to be the inside of the snow globe. "You¡¯re here." In the distance, I saw the Empress and Keiron. Sophien, wearing a fur hat and cape coat, approached me. Her dark red hair stood out sharply against the snowy expanse. "Hand it over," Sophienmanded. "Yes, Your Majesty," I said, offering the ice cream to her. The Empress stared at the ice cream for a moment, her brow slightly furrowing in thought. Then, she nced up at me, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. Sophien remarked bluntly, "This feels strange. No one has ever dared to eat in front of me, and I''ve always stayed away from such luxuries. I''ve never seen or tasted anything like this before. So, how am I supposed to eat it¡ªjust with my hands?" What she really wanted was for me to exin how to eat it. ¡°The only ice cream I knowes on a wooden stick,¡± Sophien muttered. It wasn''t just ordinary ice cream; this was Bingsoo¡ªa dessert made of shaved ice topped with ice cream, making it quite a luxurious treat. ¡°You will have to open the lid, stir it with the spoon provided, and then take a spoonful, Your Majesty,¡± I instructed. ¡°And where might the spoon be?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fixed to the underside of the lid.¡± Sophien stirred the ice cream as I had shown her, moving with a surprising elegance. Despite the harshness of her words, every action carried a quiet sophistication, almost rivaling my own. "So, Deculein, what do you make of this ce?" Sophien asked, stirring the ice cream. I looked around. It was an empty, snow-covered field stretched out in all directions¡ªfor the time being, at least. "I think this might have been an ancient bunker or perhaps even a prison," I replied. "Is that so?" "... You are not questioning my judgment, Your Majesty?" "You¡¯re never wrong, are you? I came to the same conclusion," the Empress replied, a faint smile on her lips as she took a spoonful of ice cream. Her weary eyes brightened. "Mmm. This is surprisingly good!" "Is that so, Your Majesty?" Of course, it had to taste good. I had infused it with the Midas Touch at level four, which demanded a massive four thousand mana. "You¡¯ve managed to pique my appetite. Now, it¡¯s time for you to figure out how we¡¯re getting out of this endless white expanse," Sophien remarked, turning her focus back to the ice cream. I knelt and pressed my hand against the ground, beginning a Comprehension. In a single moment, nearly a thousand mana drained from me. "... Cough," I choked, spitting out dark blood. The Empress watched me for a moment and then asked, "Not feeling well?" ¡°No, not at all. It¡¯s simply a sign of my overflowing health,¡± I replied. There¡¯s a link between blood and mana. When too much mana is used at once¡ªmore than what a mage can typically handle¡ªthe blood burns up, creating what we call¡ªtainted blood. Most mages avoid this by carefully controlling their mana, but I don¡¯t have to worry about that. Thanks to my Iron Man attribute, my blood regenerates remarkably well. I simply spit out the tainted blood and wait for fresh blood to take its ce. Sophien looked at me and asked, ¡°Have you discovered anything?¡± ¡°No, I have not. Has Your Majesty discovered anything?¡± I asked. "I¡¯ve spent four days here and learned little. This ce feels so real; it¡¯s almost mysterious." "Four days..." I muttered, watching the Empress carefully. Something about her words felt off. "Your Majesty, you possessed the cat to ry the message. When exactly did you do that?" "When? It was just a day ago, of course. You certainly took your time getting here," Sophien replied. "No, Your Majesty," I said, shaking my head. "I came as soon as I received your message. There might have been a small dy, but it was still within the same day." Sophien paused, her spoon resting in the ice cream. She nced at me and asked, "Hmm... Could the possession spell have caused a time discrepancy outside the globe?" ¡°No, I suspect the problem lies within the snow globe itself,¡± I replied, ncing up at the sky. Only clouds filled the expanse¡ªno sun in sight. ¡°We¡¯ll need to investigate this carefully, one step at a time.¡± Sophien chuckled softly and said, ¡°Spending this strange time with you... it brings back memories of the old days.¡± I couldn¡¯t make sense of her words. When I turned to look at Sophien, she only pretended not to notice, focused on eating her ice cream. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!