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nChapter 57: Routine (2)

nYeriel hid properly, but Epherene and the other members couldn’t find a good place that would keep them from being found. Frantically pacing around the room, they decided to just go for the nearest option they had, no matter how poor a spot it was for concealing themselves.

nOne hid behind the door, another hid behind a hanger, and Epherene made herself float and clung to the ceiling like a starfish by using Psychokinesis on herself.

nSlam—

nDeculein opened the door, closed it behind him, and hung his coat on the hanger without lifting a finger.

n“Professor! How should we proceed with the common class this week?”

n“Just leave the paperwork and go.”

n“Yes, sir!”

nHe came in with his assistant professor, but Allen soon went out. Not long after, Deculein stopped in the middle of the office.

nEveryone held their breaths.

n“…”

nDeculein, seemingly deep in thought, momentarily tilted his head upward, finding Epherene on the ceiling.

n“Ah… Ahahaha…”

nEpherene laughed bitterly the moment she was discovered. Apathetically looking at her, Deculein dismantled her magic.

n“Whoa!”

nBefore Epherene fell, she slowed her fall using Fluid Manipulation, allowing her to land painlessly.

nDeculein was a little surprised, considering he consumed 300 mana just by meddling with Epherene’s Psychokinesis.

nShe only showed her talent at the beginning of the semester, but her magic completion level was still like a beginner’s then.

nConsidering Deculein’s own skills had also improved to some extent during that time, she grew quite rapidly.

nWas it because she was a Named character?

nHe felt something close to jealousy, but he quickly brushed it off.

n“… All of you, come out.”

nDeculein called out the other CRMC members.

n“…”

nNot long after, four debutantes found themselves standing before the Head Professor, who was staring at them intently.

n“Intrusion into my office is grounds for disciplinary punishment, and in extreme cases, expulsion.”

n“I-I’m sorry!”

nJulia was the first to cry out and kneel down. Epherene, Rondo, and Ferit followed her example.

n“There’s no need for an apology. Just tell me your reason for doing this.”

n“Oh, that’s…”

nEpherene thought about their situation.

nYeriel was hiding under Deculein’s desk. If she sold her out, they would be able to get out of trouble somehow. However, she was loyal to a fault.

n“We wanted to show you this.”

nShe took a picture out of her pocket and gave it to Deculein, who used Psychokinesis to receive it.

n“… After we activated that formula, it displayed a message in the air. ‘Look forward to the retribution of the Ashes. The moment will come when your weakness will be exploited,’ it said.”

n“A warning from the Ashes?”

n“Yes. Presuming that’s what it is, we came to tell you as soon as possible.”

nHe looked closely at the photograph.

nEpherene thought he would react the same way as the other professors.

nThe Ashes were their Achilles’ heel, after all.

n“… This is worth extenuating the current circumstances.”

nHowever, his response far exceeded her expectations. He even nodded, letting them know he understood why they infiltrated his office.

n“Even so, trespassers must be punished. Moreover…”

nHis presence still felt gelid, but his voice had clearly softened. Deculein looked at them.

n“This isn’t an issue debutantes like you should be worrying about. Even if the ‘Ashes’ are involved, only professors or higher should deal with this.”

n“…The other professors didn’t even bother listening to us.”

nEpherene clenched her fists in anger.

n“I know. That’s to be expected from those old dogs.”

nHis statement surprised everyone in the room.

n“But there are many other professors in this tower.”

nMost, if not all, of the Imperial University Tower’s old professors had allowed their magic skills to stagnate since they focused mainly on their research and projects.

nHowever, among the new professors who had just entered their mid to late 20s were trustworthy Named characters, such as Jennifer of Harmony, Kelodan, the glasses-holder, and Grant.

n“Find Kelodan. He’ll be able to help you.”

nIn the game, Kelodan was made to be the player’s assistant during the early stages of their journey.

nHe would lead Epherene and their club well.

n“I’ll give you one penalty point. Moreover, you may not acknowledge this discovery as an achievement of your club.”

n“…Yes. Thank you.”

n“You may go.”

nEpherene and the others left with their heads down.

nDeculein walked around and sat down in his office chair, then looked at the picture they gave him.

nLook forward to the retribution of the Ashes. The moment will come when your weakness will be exploited.

nRank 5 intermediate-boss event: Baron of the Ashes

n◆ Intermediate boss kill reward

n– One item catalog

n– Store currency 2

nIt sounded grandiose, but it wasn’t necessarily special.

nDeculein was an intermediate-boss himself, and there were dozens of others with that title.

nHowever, this particular event was rather difficult.

nWithout the help of Named third parties, like the professors, the player would have to overcome it with Named students.

nIn that respect, this tower had the biggest problem.

nThere was no ‘player.’

nA player was an outsider who utilized the system and could gather Named characters as support.

n“There’s nothing I can do about it.”

nDeculein went out of the office to make preparations for it.

nAbout five minutes passed before Yeriel sneaked out of the desk.

n“Whew. That’s a relief.”

nShe was about to dust off her body when she realized there was no dust. Her brother had some crazy level of mysophobia.

nShe thought he’d probably turn into a ghost that would haunt people until they cleaned their respective territories.

nYeriel sighed and opened the door.

n“Yeriel.”

n“Kyaaaaaaaaaah—!”

nA voice from right next to her made her heart stop, almost making her convulse as she clung to the ground.

nDeculein looked down at her, his eyes seemingly finding her actions pathetic.

n“What’s going on?”

n“Oh, oh, no, nothing… You should’ve said something if you knew! Gosh, my heart…”

n“I asked what’s going on.”

nHe helped her stand, then removed everything on her clothes with Psychokinesis.

nYeriel, pouting, stuttered. “… H-hey. A-about Louina…”

n“Are you talking about McQueen’s Louina?”

n“Yes. I’m just asking this as a precaution, but you didn’t kidnap her, right? There are rumors circulating that you did, but that’s just bull**, isn’t it?”

nHe didn’t say anything. He didn’t even pretend to hear her.

nYeriel corrected her words.

n“You didn’t kidnap her, did you?”

n“… I heard Louina would be released soon.”

n“Huh? Come again?”

n“Leave.”

nDeculein entered his office, leaving Yeriel outside. Alone, she pondered around his words.

nLouina would be released soon.

nLouina would be released soon.

nLouina would be released soon.

nHer eyes widened, finally realizing the nuance contained in his words and tone.

n“That crazy bastard…!”

nThat meant he kidnapped her!

n* * *

n… Sylvia was studying magic in their mansion.

nDeculein: Pure Element Theory

nDeculein: Magical Disaster Analysis

nDeculein: Magic to See through Logic

nDeculein: Series Applied

nThe organized version of Deculein’s lectures was divided by subject in her bookshelf. The notes she was engrossed in were also a review of his lectures.

nKnock, knock—

nHer concentration was disrupted.

nSylvia stared at the door as it opened, revealing a familiar face.

nGlitheon.

n“… Ohh! Were you studying?” He laughed and scratched his cheek.

nShe narrowed her eyes at him but soon shook her head.

nIt was time to take a break anyway.

n“Hahaha. That’s good, sweetheart.” He entered and looked around her room, frowning at the notebooks on her bookshelf.

n“… Deculein?”

n“Yeah.”

n“I’ve heard rumors that the Head Professor’s lectures are famous in the University Tower, so I guess you put a lot of effort into organizing them.”

n“Yeah. It helps a lot.” She said calmly, but he still felt discontented deep down.

n“I think it’s better to learn practical things from him rather than theoretical.”

n“He’ll also be teaching us that. We’ll start this week.”

n“… Is that so?”

nGlitheon couldn’t even predict Deculein’s skills anymore.

nThree days ago, he broke the devil’s barrier by himself, so rumors of his practical combat ability also spread to the magic world.

nEven the chairman didn’t deny his prowess.

n“Professor Deculein’s actual combat power, I think, is just below mine! It was amazing!” She said in an interview.

nHe was right below Adrienne, a monster who would soon become an archmage.

nAt first, those words probably just sounded like bull** meant to flatter him, but many young wizards soon believed it, growing fearful of him.

nDeculein’s actions so far had been very unconventional, after all.

nKiiiek….

nThe door opened again. As Glitheon and Sylvia looked at it, Ghilland, Sylvia’s half-brother, emerged.

n“A potato came too,” Sylvia uttered.

n“… I’m not a potato!” Ghilland slammed the door open and yelled.

n“Mini potato.” She responded, her expression remaining the same.

n“I said I’m not—!”

nAs his two children chatted, Glitheon listened to them without much thought as he looked at the art notebook on Sylvia’s bed.

n“…”

nHe stiffened.

nOpening it out of curiosity, he found a face he didn’t want to see sketched in it.

nThere wasn’t just one or two of them.

nEvery page of it was occupied by… Deculein.

nGlitheon put her notebook down. With mixed feelings lingering inside him, he looked at Sylvia, who kept saying ‘potato.’

n“Sweetie.”

n“Yes?”

n“I’m going to the cemetery. Do you want to come with me?”

n“I already did.”

n“… I see.”

nGlitheon forced a smile.

n“Then I’ll go alone. Get along well with your brother.”

n“Take the potato too.”

n“I’m not a potato!”

n“There is a really noisy potato here.”

nHe went out, leaving the two children behind.

n“…”

nGlitheon felt dazed for some reason. It felt like the whole world was moving away from him.

n“Shall we go, my lord?”

nHe didn’t even respond to the driver’s words.

nNot long after, the car moved and soon reached the cemetery.

n“We’re here, sir.”

nGlitheon got out of the car and walked down the path of the cemetery, bearing emotions that shook his entire soul.

nAfter a few moments, he stopped in front of a tombstone.

nSierra Von Ellemin Iliade

nIt was clean, and the lawn around it was well maintained.

nOf course, it was Sylvia’s doing.

n“… It’s complicated.”

nGlitheon, on his knees, murmured to the stone slab.

nThe drawing of Deculein done by Sylvia.

nDid it mean adoration and affection?

nOr was it respect?

nIf not even that, was it just a phase from childhood?

nHe didn’t even want to make a distinction or even think about it, for that matter.

nHe closed his eyes for a moment.

n“I think I lost you because I deserved it, Sierra…”

nAs a father, he wanted to deny reality, but Glitheon was a realist through and through.

n“… Again, I’ve come up with a method you wouldn’t like.”

nEventually, when he opened his eyes once more, a dark smile appeared on his distorted lips.

n“But I don’t think it’s bad. In the end, thanks to you, our child and clan will become even greater.”

nGlitheon placed a single flower on her tombstone.

n“You must’ve left me since you’re tired of me, but… I am an Iliade.”

nSierra didn’t want to be buried in their family’s territory.

nUntil her very last breath, she regretted becoming the wife of an old man obsessed with magic.

n“Whether you were sick of me or hated me, your bloodline… would never change.”

nJust as Yukline annihilated demons, Leviron reigned over the seas, and Freyden melted in the heat…

nFor Iliade, ambition itself was their ‘blood.’

n“The child you love, after all, bears the Iliade lineage.”

nIf she had a suitable ‘enemy,’ an ‘opponent’ she would want to destroy, Sylvia could grow faster than now.

nShe could get closer to becoming an Archmage at a much quicker state.

nThat ordeal would be enough to make her stronger than she could stand.

n“You don’t have to forgive me. You don’t have to understand.”

nGlitheon knew that better than anyone.

n“If I could be her fuel, I would gladly throw myself into her fire.”

nSylvia’s brilliant blonde hair and innate temper were the same as the description of the ancient members of their clan. She was a jewel born with the thickest Iliade blood.

nHer existence itself served as the embodiment of their lineage.

n“So this time…”

nA secret desire that had been passed down from generation to generation throughout their ancestry’s 200-year history— the Archmage position.

nSome called it obsession and despised it as obstinacy, but Glitheon always thought his life was only a vessel made for it.

n“Be the fuel.”

nGlitheon remembered Sierra’s death.

nDeculein’s hands weren’t clean of her downfall.

nHe wouldn’t be able to proudly say he wasn’t involved in her end.

n… No.

nEven if Glitheon were to say Deculein killed his wife, he wouldn’t be able to refute it.

nThat was the truth, after all, much like death and murder being the fate of Iliade and Yukline.

n“Thanks to you, whom my daughter loves, we will be able to make our desire come true.”

nNo matter what Sylvia felt toward Deculein, that would all be firewood to the ‘Iliade’ flames.

nShe would become a more intense light than she was now, rising like the sun that illuminated the world.

n… If that still wasn’t enough, if even his dead wife’s body proved insufficient, he was willing to give his life for that cause.

n“Deculein killed you, Sierra. We need to use that information to our advantage.”

nA torch that burned fiercely, damaging itself.

nSuch was the Iliade resolution…

n* * *

nEarly morning, inside Ren’s car.

nI looked at the seat next to me.

n“…”

nLouina forced her gaze out the car’s window as a teardrop fell from her eye.

nI didn’t pity her even a bit.

nNevertheless, I showed a little sympathy by forcibly using my experience as Kim Woojin.

n“Don’t be too upset.”

n“…”

nShe quickly turned her head.

n“For five years, you have been given the opportunity to grow within the boundaries of Yukline. You can call it a blessing.”

n“A b-blessing?!”

nShe sounded astonished, so much so that she stuttered, but I didn’t care.

nHer history was quite impressive. She graduated from the academy early, was recommended by the former chairman, and started working at a magic tower four years earlier than most.

nAs far as I knew, though, Louina’s last days weren’t that great. If their ‘weakening’ started immediately, the McQueen family would be attacked.

nHence, it might actually be safer for her to be by my side.

n“Five years isn’t even that long. In terms of salary… You’ll be making about 400 million a year.”

n“…”

n“Can you make 400 million a year on your own? If you think you can, you’re not objective enough and should change your mindset.”

nLouina bit her lips in silence. Not long after, the car arrived at her mansion.

n“I’ll also recommend you as a visiting professor. There will be nothing more to achieve where you work, so just work in the Imperial University Tower.”

nLouina opened the door and set her feet on the ground.

n“… You know,” She then looked at me. “I was already thinking about doing that.”

nSLAM—!

nLouina closed the door.

n“…”

nI opened the window, beckoning to her as she retreated to her mansion.

n“Stop.”

n“What’s wrong, boss?”

nLouina was sarcastic.

n“Again.”

n“… What do you mean, boss?”

nI stared at Louina quietly. She came closer while mocking me and closed the car door again.

nSlam—!

nIt wasn’t much different from her first attempt.

n“Again.”

n“Humpf.”

nSlam—!

n“Again.” My voice grew serious.

n“…”

nLouina abruptly stopped herself from speaking. She then eventually opened it again and, this time, closed it quietly.

n“Good work.”

nIt was only then that I praised her.

n“…”

n“Answer me.”

n“… Thank you, boss. Are you done?”

n“I am.”

nWe left immediately. Louina, reflected in the rearview mirror, was staring at it as Ren drove away.

nI couldn’t even imagine how she felt, having to endure such a humiliating pledge as a wizard.

n* * *

nOn a sunny Monday, with the summer sun brightening up the whole world, they held a training session at the Mountain of Darkness.

nDue to recent incidents, it had been called the ‘Devil’s Mountain’ and was subjected to shunning. However, guidelines came directly from the Imperial Family.

nBe sure to train at least once a month. Avoiding fear should never be part of a wizard’s arsenal. If you avoid the devil, one day you won’t be able to fight the devil again—

nIt was the order of Emperor Sophien.

n“It’s free practice. If anything happens, report it to my steel.”

nFortunately, Deculein was the one in charge today.

nDeculein levitated wood steels all over the Mountain of Darkness. If anything happened, they could ask them for assistance.

nIt was one of the versatile uses of wood steel that had been endowed with Midas’s Hand.

n“Yeah!”

nThe debutantes felt cheerfully relieved. His combat ability was already proven.

nTherefore, they had believed that no matter what monsters, beasts, ghosts, or demons appeared, Head Professor Deculein would easily kill them.

nEven the chairman evaluated his fighting power as just below hers.

nTheir training started.

n“… Hey, beggar. What are you doing there?”

nAt a river on the side of the mountain.

nEpherene turned her head while catching a fish. Lucia’s gang was laughing at her.

n“Fishing.”

n“Who doesn’t know that? Why are you behaving like that? Are you trying to show off your lack of financial stability?

n“It’s because I want to eat it. Are you stupid?”

n“… Sigh.”

nThey didn’t know how delicious the fish caught in the Mountain of Darkness was and how much it helped one’s mana.

n“Gosh, that beggar. Hey, I’ll give you money, so just buy something to eat.”

n“I’ll take it. Thank you.”

n“… What? Wow, look at her. Oh, just piss off!”

nThe nobles passed by Epherene, shocked. She would’ve felt fortunate if that was all they did, but the stone supporting her suddenly moved.

n“Uh!”

nSplash—!

nShe fell into the stream, the sound of their laughter echoing not far away.

n“Gosh. I really hate them…”

nEpherene sighed and grabbed her harpoon again.

nWith it, she caught two fish.

n“I feel lucky.”

nShe removed their guts, removed their scales, skewered them, and made a bonfire to cook them with. While practicing her survival skills, a strange sensation crossed her mind.

n“…?!”

nHer whole body tingled as if static electricity surged up from within her.

n“What was that…?”

nHer intuition made her feel like her temples were about to burst.

nEpherene stood up.

nPat— Pat—

nSlurp.

n“Oh, I’m starting to drool.”

nShe sat down again at the sound of the fish being cooked.

nAs she did, a nearby bush swayed, and an uninvited guest appeared beyond it.

n“Who’s there? Don’t do anything weird. I’m watching you.”

nGlaring at her, she soon identified the approaching figure.

n“… Arrogant Epherene.” She squinted at her.

n“… Sylvia?”

n“What are you doing here?”

nEpherene tilted her head. “What? Only a few hours have passed. Did our training session end already?”

n“Stupid. Training isn’t the problem here…”

nSylvia paused for a moment and watched the meat being cooked. Following her gaze, Epherene held out one of the two skewers to her.

n“Want to eat? It tastes good.”

n“…”

nForgetting what she was going to say, Sylvia sat on a small boulder. Her clothes looked so dirty it was as if she had been here for quite some time…

n“You can have it. I cooked it properly.”

n“Okay.”

nThe two ate together.

nChomp—

nEpherene took a bite, and her body trembled with ecstasy. Sylvia quietly closed her eyes.

n“It’s so good….”

nTheir meal proved that fish in the Mountain of Darkness were very tasty.

n… Not as much as a Roahawk, though.

n‘Second best, then?’

nChomp— Chomp—

nThey chowed down on their food hurriedly.

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