Chapter 145: Winter. (2)
Epherene arrived at the [Pig’s Flower] with Rohakan after he commanded her to ‘take me to the most delicious restaurant.’
“Hmm. This is pretty good.”
Rohakan was satisfied with the Roahawk.
“Right?”
Their names were pretty similar. Roahawk, Rohakan, Roahawk, Rohakan. She muttered to herself and laughed.
“Hehe… no, anyway. Why are you here? A demon?”
Epherene chewed on a Roahawk’s hind leg. Rohakan had the front leg. The hind leg was usually the more delicious piece, but she lied that the front leg was the better option.
“It’s the Voice. He’s someone I can’t fully understand, probably the biggest demon I’ve ever met.”
“…Oh my. So, will the continent collapse?”
A demon that even Rohakan couldn’t handle? Epherene’s jaw dropped, and the hind leg clattered down onto her plate. Rohakan snickered.
“No. If the continent collapses, the demons will also be bored. That’s not their purpose.”
“Then?”
“I still don’t know yet, but it’s certainly an opportunity for you to grow.”
“…Grow?”
“Yeah. It’s dangerous, but you’ll know when you get there… if ever you end up in the Voice’s world.”
Then, he produced an interesting coin from his pocket.
“What’s that?”
“It’s the Voice’s money. I’m giving one to each of my friends.”
“…”
Epherene took, then urged him for an explanation with her big eyes. Rohakan changed the subject.
“Has something been happening these days?”
“Something? Ah, I met Decalane.”
“…Decalane?”
“Yes, in my dreams.”
Rohakan’s expression grew serious as he put the Roahawk bone down.
“…What did Deculein say?”
Epherene put down the wood steel on the table instead of answering. Rohakan nodded.
“It seems that you two have reconciled.”
“Reconciled…”
He didn’t say any more than that but merely smiled.
“I guess he likes you a lot.”
“Whaaat?! That, what- what does that mean?!”
“Hahaha.”
Rohakan found her boisterous reaction adorable, chuckling to himself.
“I know his personality well. If he didn’t like you, why would he leave his belonging under your care?”
“…Really?”
“Of course. He’s a guy who hates it when other people touch his things. Or, has his personality instantly changed?”
“I didn’t know that… was he like that in the past?”
“Oh yes. His face turned purple with rage when I, his teacher, touched his cane. In the end, he threw the cane away and found a new one.”
“…”
Epherene bowed her head silently, looking at the wood steel laying on the table. Too many thoughts were blooming inside her head. Rohakan grinned and pointed to the Roahawk cooling on the table.
“Forget it for now. Let’s just eat. You can feel moved later.”
“…Yes.”
Epherene started feasting again.
“When things are complicated, there’s nothing Roahawk can’t fix….”
“What does that mean?”
“…It’s a saying I have.”
******
A night where the clouds and the moon hung bleakly in the sky. Returning to the Yukline mansion, I was looking at the brilliant light I held in my hands. It was a treasure that you couldn’t find even if you paid billions, the [Dragon’s Soul].
“I don’t know.”
But, I was curious about her true intention because I was now, unexpectedly, a staff sergeant. Did she think about my loyalty? Or was this also a test? Whatever it might be, I used [Midas’ Hand] on the medicine.
—— [ Dragon’s Soul ] ——
◆Information
…………
◆Special Effect
: Increases mana by 333 when consumed.
: It helps the body circulate mana.
: Clears the five senses.
[Midas’ Hand: Level 4]
‘Clears the five senses?’
There were other effects aside from the absolute value of mana. It helped with vision and hearing too.
“…”
I opened the lid of the gla.s.s bottle and drank the wonder drug, having made my mind to do so back at the palace.
[ Consuming the highest grade [Dragon’s Soul].]
◆Mana + 333
◆Strengthens the Body
There was no pain, just warmth flowing through me.
“…Hmm.”
I checked my mana status to confirm the increase, satisfied by what I saw.
—Knock, knock.
The butler, Ren, spoke following the knock.
—Master. The object that you mentioned….
The object that you mentioned… the object that you mentioned… the object that you mentioned…
His voice rang out echo-like. I looked over, and-.
“…”
- I found that the world had changed.
“Hmm.”
I was in a dark corridor. Canvases were covering both walls, and cobwebs stuck in every corner like this was some haunted mansion. However, there was no need to be fl.u.s.tered. I knew this was the Voice’s world.
“…It’s the same.”
Fortunately, it was no different from the landscape that I saw in the game. I walked slowly down the corridor. Although their presence felt unusual, it was clear that someone’s gaze was on me.
Thud— thud—
Before long, I reached a crossroads. To my right was a corridor adorned with something like a doorplate.
[Restaurant]
I followed that path, arriving at what appeared to be a restaurant.
—Auntie! One fried rice here!
—One beer here.
Quite a few people were eating noisily inside, though it appeared to be more a pub than a proper restaurant.
“…That guy.”
Looking around inside, I suddenly saw three familiar faces.
“…”
I approached the table where the three were sitting, the veins all over my body turning blue.
—So time flows in here, but it doesn’t flow outside.
—Really?! How is that possible?
—It’s possible through…? Huh?
They appeared to have felt my presence. The girl swallowed her words, then the other two boys followed and dropped their spoons.
“…”
Lia, Leo, and Carlos. The trio that I met on the ghost island. Among them, the kid with the dark blue hair, Carlos, caught my attention.
“This insect-like half breed….”
The blood vessels in my temple bulged.
Baaaaaaam—!
My Psychokinesis, used subconsciously, shook the restaurant.
“Guys, run—“
The moment Lia shouted marked all the time I had in the Voice’s world.
“…”
I had returned to the Yukline mansion before I knew it, but less than a second pa.s.sed according to the clock.
—…I brought the item that you mentioned.
Ren continued a moment later. I opened the door with Psychokinesis.
“Leave it and go.”
“Yes.”
Ren put it down on the desk and left. It was a go board and stones.
“…”
I mulled over the incident while looking at the board’s grid. Carlos. I remembered that face.
“Well, a half-breed would be involved in a special event like this.”
In the first place, the Voice served as both a crisis and an opportunity. It allowed Deculein, who was lacking in talent, to grow. But.
“Go…”
Since I couldn’t come and go as I pleased into the Voice’s world, I could practice first.
“Should I?”
It was a game that aroused my homesickness.
Clack—!
I placed a stone on the board. I activated [Understanding] as I recalled the memories of the Go master left in my head. This was solely training undertaken to defeat Emperor Sophien.
……
Meanwhile, in the Voice’s World, Lia’s group was left feeling relieved. Deculein’s mana was violent enough that it almost tore apart the s.p.a.ce around them, and everyone at the restaurant could feel his overwhelming killing intent. An anger similar to a surging tsunami. As if representing that fury, the area where Deculein stood was turned into a wasteland.
“…That man just now, what did he say to me? Fried food?”
Lia just shook her head at Carlos. Half-breed, a term for one of mixed blood, but it didn’t need an explanation.
“I don’t know. I didn’t hear it well either, so don’t mind it!”
“…Is that so?”
“Wow~, but Lia! I was so surprised! Mana just grabbed my body! Professor Deculein is so amazing!”
Leo jumped up and down. They were somewhat used to his immature behavior. Sure enough, this was the essence of Leo’s character. Leo’s blood boiled when faced with a strong foe. It wasn’t a figure of speech; he was boiling up.
“Anyway, did you finish eating?”
“Yup! I’m done!”
“…Yeah, I’m full.”
Leo replied vigorously, while Carlos had settled down quite a bit. Lia, smiling bitterly, stood first.
“Then, let’s go hunting! If we don’t want to die, we have to become strong, right?”
“Right! Right!”
Leo jumped up like a spring. Carlos stood stalwart beside Lia even though his face was covered with concern.
“Then, let’s go~.”
Lia smiled brightly and led the two children.
*****
…A snow-white world. The sky and the ground were the same indistinguishable color, covered from horizon to horizon by snow: Reccordak.
“Ah, so unlucky! Oh, seriously.”
Julie was approaching the h.e.l.l awaiting the end of the world. But she wasn’t alone.
“I got a bruise. Look.”
Reylie, considering herself Julie’s aid, led their two horses.
“I was thrashed with his wood steel; what am I supposed to defend with?”
Reylie volunteered to a.s.sist Julie, taking a brief leave from the Red Garnet Adventurers. Julie didn’t refuse because she knew Reylie’s kind and stubborn mind would never allow dissent.
“But still, I succeeded in getting rid of him. We can think of it as a blessing in disguise, right? Really.”
“Reylie, I can see that book peeking out of your bag.”
“…Oh.”
Reylie, cursing at Deculein’s name, followed Julie’s gaze. The Yukline Theory book was peeking out of her bag. She could even see the name of the author, Deculein.
“Oh~, oh, oh~ this, this~… what is this, that… I just got it! Should I throw it away? Should I? Right now?”
“…”
“Throw it? Throw it away now? I’m throwing it. I’m throwing it~.”
“…Don’t throw it away. Such a waste.”
Reylie smiled innocently at Julie.
“What do you mean a waste? I can throw it away right now. But, I’ll keep it since you told me not to throw it away. It’s not that it’s not helpful.”
“…Yeah.”
Julie nodded to say that it was alright. She wasn’t a narrow-minded knight. At that moment, the horse neighed.
“Oh! They’re coming!”
They warned of the people waiting not too far away. Julie glanced ahead. Officials from Reccordak, including the prison director, chief, and one of the prison guards, stood side by side in the snow.
“Knight Julie! Deputy Reylie!”
They greeted them with a bright smile, gladly welcoming their reinforcements.
“Nice to meet you!”
The task of the Reccordak prison was to defend against evil. In winter, several hungry beasts moved south, and it was Reccordak’s purpose to defend against them or, failing that, to slow them down a little.
“Nice to meet you! Waah~, to think that two famous people would come!”
Their faces were filled with smiles, but Julie faced them as a dutiful knight.
“Nice to meet you, Chief Derek.”
“Yes! Loyal Knight Julie! I will see you inside. Hey! What are you doing! Are you not listening?!” “Yes!”
The prison guards rushed over to take the horses’ reins. Julie, dismounting, looked at the ground. A battlefield… one could call it such, but at the very center, many prisoners would soon become human walls.
“…Reylie.”
“Yes?”
“Will you be okay?”
Julie asked quietly. There was no need to waste her time in this h.e.l.l called Reccordak.
“Of course, I’m fine. Rather, I won’t be fine if you tell me to go.”
However, Reylie conveyed what she meant with a warm smile, and Julie replied with sincerity. “…Thanks.”
*****
In the tower, at the Head Professor’s Office.
“…Gulp.”
Epherene swallowed as she met Deculein’s gaze. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her hand was shaking uncontrollably. She was in the middle of her thesis examination. She was shaking this much because of that simple process.
Deculein skimmed through the paper; the sound of each page-turning felt like it was cutting through her flesh.
“Gulp… gulp… gulp.”
After swallowing three times in a row, Deculein looked at her with annoyance.
“Gulp. I’m sorry, *hiccup* – oh. Why *hiccup*-“
Her incessant gulping turned into hiccups. Epherene, feeling increasingly embarra.s.sed, covered her mouth, but it was useless.
“Ah, *hiccup*!”
“…”
“My diaphragm- *hiccup*!”
“…It’s so loud.”
“*hiccup*! I’m sorry, *hiccup*!”
Deculein shook his head and put down the thesis.
“Forget it. I’m done anyway.”
“Oh, that’s good. *hiccup*!”
“…Your thesis has improved to some extent, but.”
Deculein moved his pen with Psychokinesis. Then, parts of her thesis t.i.tled [A Magic Technique That Uses Three Elements (Epherene’s. If you peek, you’ll die. Especially you, Drent.)] was corrected. The fifth technique on the 38th page received intensive edits.
“Look at this. This makes it a little more concise, reducing unnecessary mana consumption.”
Epherene looked at what Deculein had written, her eyes widening.
“Wow! *hiccup*! With this, the mana consumption is….”
Epherene personally used her magic to calculate the consumption. About 20% of the mana was saved compared to the previous formula.
“Yes, I understand! *hiccup*! I’ll keep that in mind! Thank you!”
It was Deculein’s valuable corrections, so she quickly memorized the contents.
“By the way, Epherene. Was it necessary to use the three elements earth, fire, and wind here?”
“…What?”
“Two elements should be enough.”
Deculein pointed to another paragraph. This time, it was a question. Epherene nodded, keeping her face blank.
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it unreasonable for someone of your caliber to use three elements?”
“…No, it’s possible.”
Her pride was being harmed to a certain point, so Epherene a.s.sured him. Deculein frowned.
“It’s not yet fully self-objectified.”
“…But still, does that mean there’s a problem with the thesis itself?”
“There’s no problem. Will you turn it in like this?”
Deculein looked at her, something unusual playing in his eyes. ‘How dare you, you can’t do it properly-, ‘it was a gaze filled with arrogance.
“Yes, I’ll turn it in.”
“You will need a perfect demonstration at the a.s.sembly. I don’t think you can manage it. You’re the type to get nervous standing in front of crowds.”
Deculein continued, but Epherene already knew his personality. She also had a way to utilize that personality for her benefit.
“I’ll do my demonstration perfectly.”
She set it as the foundation of her development. With a will that knew no bounds, she would break his doubts.
…No.
“Hmm… okay.”
The truth was, Deculein didn’t doubt her. Rather, he believed in her, so he pushed her further.
“Let’s wait and see.”
Professor Deculein enjoyed challenging wizards. The faint smile on his face served as evidence. Epherene learned a little later that he had always been hoping that she would develop further. More than anyone else, he was hoping that she would grow.
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
Epherene nodded, determined.
“After the a.s.sembly, it is possible to appoint an a.s.sistant professor depending on the results. Have you decided on your path?”
Deculein asked the question suddenly. Epherene smiled peacefully. Then, she glanced at the nameplate reading ‘Head Professor Deculein’ on his desk.
“Yes.”
Epherene nodded.
“I’m thinking of becoming an official disciple of Head Professor Deculein. What do you think, Professor?”