Charlotte's condition had seemed beyond recovery, but then they discovered new information that she had been improving for some time.

Now, it was time to return to their main objective.

Magic that could aid in dungeon management, or a grimoire to lure Cantus Magna. Both Eleris and Lucinil had selected and brought grimoires for this purpose.

"I was curious about the magic used in this underground labyrinth," Eleris said.

It was a labyrinth that only designated individuals could enter.

"If such a labyrinth were installed in a dungeon that decided to operate it, adventurers could be made to wander without killing them and eventually be sent back," she explained.

"Eleris is always consistent, isn't she?" Lucinil muttered with a subtle smile, looking at Eleris, who had chosen magic that could create as many survivors as possible and reduce casualties.

Eleris slightly furrowed her brows at his comment.

"Lucinil, the reason Black Order and we operate dungeons is not to gain infamy but to spread the dungeon's fame as quickly as possible so that Cantus Magna will approach us. So, wouldn't it be better to have more survivors who, although they did not reach the end of the dungeon, return with very valuable rewards? The rumors will spread faster and more reliably, right?"

At Eleris's words, which stated that reducing casualties was important but also having more survivors was more faithful to their main objective, Lucinil squinted her eyes.

"Yes, you must be right."

"Do you want to be scolded?"

"No, no... I don't."

Seeing Eleris slightly frown, Lucinil quickly straightened up.

Eleris took an interest in the labyrinth built beneath the Demon King's castle.

It was a labyrinth that constantly reconfigured itself, causing people to wander. From the beginning, there was no exit.

Eleris placed a large book on the table.

"I thought there would naturally be a grimoire capable of creating this labyrinth since this place is the real exit of the labyrinth, and sure enough, there was one."

[Quantum Maze]

Quantum mechanics?

Is that even possible?

Magical quantum science or something like that?

What even is that?

At times like these, Lucinil's way of thinking is the best.

Just accept it as it is.

---

"There seems to be no better magic for maze design than this," Eleris said.

"Who could have thought of such a thing" Lucinil marveled.

Eleris and Lucinil couldn't help but admire the grimoire of the Quantum Maze as they skimmed through it. Of course, I couldn't understand anything just by looking at the complex magic circles and formulas.

And the labyrinth that blocked the path to this bunker.

"It appears to be a complex magical device combining numerous spells. A barrier-like form is used to protect against external interference, while dimensional magic is used for the internal structure, which sends all incoming people on different paths. Within, magic crafting constantly regenerates and reconstructs the structure and traps, and a mixture of summoning magic and alchemy is used to generate the monsters inside."

"Honestly, with just this one spell, I could last for 10 years, right?"

"Well, that's assuming we understand and construct it properly."

"True enough."

It was not a simple spell for designing a labyrinth, but the highest-grade maze consisting of numerous complex magics.

From the beginning, the spell was designed to have no exit, so all efforts to find one were inevitably futile.

Every time someone entered, the dungeon formed randomly. Surprisingly, the concept was not entirely unfamiliar to me.

"Wouldn't Cantus Magna be interested in this Quantum Maze itself?"

"It's not an impossibility."

The magical fields used to construct this maze were immense, making it a perfect spell for Cantus Magna to covet.

Originally, it was a spell designed to make intruders wander until they died, but depending on the design, it could also make people wander for a while before allowing them to escape.

There was no absolute necessity for casualties. As Eleris said, the more survivors there were, the more the rumors of an endless labyrinth would spread. It could be designed to provide some with prearranged rewards, leading them to believe even greater treasures lay deeper within.

"To what extent is there a risk of failure?"

Of course, we shouldn't be overly trusting. Nothing is absolute in this world, so even a maze without an exit could be breached, whether through internal or external means.

Lucinil answered my question.

"There's no physical method, neither from the inside nor the outside. It also seems impossible through magical means unless you discover specific conditions."

"So, it's difficult, anyway?"

"Yes, and besides, the labyrinth itself is not designed to devour people, but rather to tease them a bit before releasing them. Those who truly uncover the nature of this maze would be very few. From the beginning, the labyrinth was not designed to kill people but to divert them from their desired destination."

The magic of the Quantum Maze itself was already extremely powerful and mysterious, making it likely that Cantus Magna would be interested.

And numerous other spellbooks that would be scattered as bait.

It was unavoidably nerve-wracking.

This was a huge risk.

If we and the Black Order were completely stripped of everything by Cantus Magna, it could even hasten the completion of Akasha. No one knows what would happen then.

Feeling anxious but unable to know anything for certain, I watched Eleris and Lucinil examine the spellbooks.

---

Eleris returned to the fortress of Epiaux, while Lucinil was to contact the Black Order with Antirianus.

The artificially created dungeon, with the original owner, the Lich, being forced to cooperate, was to be overseen by one person from the Order and our own Antirianus.

From now on, I don't have to worry. If Cantus Magna were to arrive, we might have to face an all-out battle between the two factions.

In reality, if such an event were to occur, I wouldn't be of much help.

The tomb of the lich discovered in the Darklands.

And the labyrinth that will soon be constructed there.

Could rumors about it spread all the way to the Imperial Capital?

I cannot tell how long it will take for Cantus Magna to take the bait.

All I can do now is wait.

And there is another piece of good news.

Charlotte no longer requires any further intervention.

"The research is going well, but the content is so complex that it's difficult to analyze."

I had this conversation with Charlotte as we drank tea together in the B-class dormitory. I now know that my research on the Soul Absorption spell won't be of any help to her.

Lucinil has not only read books but has also conducted many experiments, so she must have some knowledge.

Charlotte is now fine. She just needs to accept that she has become one with the Demon King.

In other words, there are now two Demon Kings in this world.

Me.

And Charlotte, who has merged with the spirit of the previous Valier.

She doesn't have horns, but can Charlotte really use the power to control demons?

She is not as proficient in magic as the Demon King, but she can use the power of shadows, which is a power intrinsic to the Demon King.

As I lack such power, it must have been a unique ability possessed only by the previous Demon King Valier.

I am glad to know that Charlotte's condition has improved, and she seems pleased to think that the Soul Absorption spell can stabilize her condition.

How can I help Charlotte accept that her power occasionally eroding her is not a problem at all?

"..."

Charlotte's complexion darkens as she looks beyond the terrace.

In that direction, I can see Liana and Cliffman running on the promenade.

The revolutionary forces have fallen into the hands of Owen de Gatmora, and in reality, into the hands of the royal family.

Charlotte must know that Liana's burning desire for revenge is misguided.

Regardless of her decision to hate the current Demon King, Liana is just being deceived.

Charlotte didn't offer any explanation to me.

"By the way, we'll soon become seniors."

Charlotte forced a smile and said so.

The winter break, entangled with various events, is finally drawing to a close.

We will become second-year students.

And the first-year students will arrive.

Honestly, I have no interest in first-year students. I have too many things to think about to engage in a senior-junior relationship.

"I wonder what kind of kids they'll be?"

However, I liked seeing Charlotte's curious and smiling face, wondering what the new students would be like.

But somehow.

Her smile seemed a little bit awkward.

---

The end of the winter break was fast approaching.

Everyone's desire to become stronger was fueled by different flames. Some were driven by revenge, others by the desire to help with that revenge, and still others by the determination to protect something.

Close combat majors generally had it good in that respect.

-Clang!

"Kuh!"

"Your power is still unfamiliar to you, Ludwig. If you don't exercise restraint when using it, you'll harm your body."

"Yes, sir!"

It was convenient that our instructor, Saviolin Turner, was always available to teach us.

Now there were four of us who could use Magic Body Strengthening: me, Ellen, Cliffman, and Ludwig.

Initially, only Ludwig persistently bothered Saviolin Turner, but we all eventually began learning swordsmanship from her.

In Ellen's case, her schedule was complicated by the Miss Temple Contest, so she couldn't receive instruction. She didn't have much time to meet Saviolin Turner or spar with her due to various other commitments.

This time, only those capable of Magic Body Strengthening were present for inspection, so Scarlett wasn't there.

Of course, there were levels of proficiency in Magic Body Strengthening, and both Cliffman and Ludwig were still rough and clumsy in their use of it.

Saviolin Turner had initially treated Ludwig as a novice and went easy on him.

But then, unexpectedly, Ludwig awakened to Magic Body Strengthening, and Cliffman joined him. Recognizing their exceptional talent, Saviolin Turner's teachings became much more serious.

With a major battle's timing unknown, nurturing talent was deemed necessary, even if Saviolin Turner wasn't an official Temple teacher.

"Don't neglect what you can see by focusing only on Magic Body Strengthening. Pay attention to both the visible and the invisible."

"Don't use your magic too casually. No one has an infinite amount of magic. It's not the absolute amount of magic that's important, but the precision and finesse in its use. With the same power, depending on its finesse, you can either break a rock or only hurt your hand."

"The physical defense provided by Magic Body Strengthening is different from the barriers used by mages. They construct their defenses as efficiently as possible, which is why they use magic and casting. But the defense gained from Magic Body Strengthening is derived from the pure release of power. Remember that the same amount of magic can't compare to a magical barrier in terms of defense. There are situations when you can take a hit and when you shouldn't, and investing too much power in defense will ultimately deplete your stamina."

"In a situation where Magic Body Strengthening is assumed, swordsmanship must be reevaluated from the ground up. There are times when you must allow what was once strictly forbidden and times when you must thrust with intent, yet there are still attacks that mustn't be allowed. Assess the weight and focus of your opponent's attacks. After all, the purpose of swordsmanship is to take your opponent's life."

"You're still inexperienced with Magic Body Strengthening, Ludwig. We'll have to proceed to the next stage once you're more familiar with it."

"I'll try a little harder."

"No, the problem that arises from excessive use of Magic Body Strengthening is not muscle pain. When I say rest, it's not a suggestion, it's an order. Rest."

"Y-yes... Yes."

Saviolin Turner was giving Ludwig and Cliffman a slightly more detailed explanation than the brief comments she usually threw out.

Of course, there were limits to what she could teach due to her own inexperience with Magic Body Strengthening.

"You're very familiar with it. Your skill is improving incredibly fast, Reinhardt."

"Good. That's good. Can you manage fine adjustments in output as well? Like doubling your defense compared to normal, then reducing it by half... Oh, you can. Excellent."

"Of course, your technique is still lacking, but your growth is remarkable, especially in Magic Body Strengthening, you're already at an expert level."

"In most situations, with your skills, it would be easy to deal with those who cannot use Magic Body Strengthening. However, there might be cases where you could still be bested by someone who doesn't know how to use it... Hmm, but that would only happen at a beginner's level, so you wouldn't have to worry about it. My apologies, I've said something unnecessary. Forget about it."

"You'll become a Swordmaster in no time."

Master?

Your praise is a bit overwhelming, you know?

Her attitude towards me had changed somewhat, but she still showed a strong favoritism towards me.

"..."

Ellen watched me and Turner silently.

---

Today's practice was for those who could use Magic Body Strengthening only.

The location was a B-class training arena.

Ludwig went first, followed by Cliffman, and then me.

Ellen was last.

We all sparred until we were completely exhausted, and the three of us sat against the wall of the training arena, waiting for the final round to begin.

"Haah... I still have a long way to go."

Ludwig wiped his sweat with a towel draped around his neck, drinking water from his canteen.

"...Indeed."

Cliffman muttered in agreement, dazed.

Although he had awakened his Magic Body Strengthening, it was clear that he wasn't as good as me, who had received high praise, and he wouldn't be as good as Ellen over there.

And then there was the Demon King.

Ludwig and Cliffman probably thought that the Demon King would be more threatening than Saviolin Turner, who stood before us like an absolute being.

"Let's do our best."

Ludwig calmly said this to Cliffman, who wore a slightly flustered expression.

The two had little in common. Ludwig had a carefree personality.

However, now they shared a mutual enmity towards the Demon King.

"Uh... Yeah. Let's."

Cliffman nodded in response to Ludwig's words.

The Demon King united humanity.

The existence of an enemy is an important mechanism for fostering unity.

Just as I had used that, so had Bertus. I felt a complicated mixture of emotions watching such arrangements take effect even in these small relationships.

I watched the confrontation between Ellen and Turner.

Observing the blue waves of mana engulfing Ellen's body, Turner silently focused her strength.

Thwack!

Clang!

Turner parried and deflected Ellen's relentless sword strikes.

She brushed aside the thrusts, repelled the slashes, and didn't even react to the feints.

Without taking a single step, Turner withstood Ellen's onslaught in her place.

And I knew this well, having crossed swords with Ellen countless times.

Naturally, Ellen didn't rely solely on her sword. With a one-handed sword stance, she would guide her opponent's blade and then grab their collar or use a kick with her empty hand.

As Ellen extended her left hand to grab Turner's collar, seeing the trajectory of Turner's sword that had diverted her own thrust to the right.

Her right hand was blocked. So, she aimed for the brief moment when Turner couldn't respond.

However, just as Ellen's left hand was empty, so was Turner's.

As Turner tried to catch Ellen's approaching left wrist with her left hand, Ellen quickly lunged at her.

Fake upon fake upon fake.

In other words, it wasn't just a mere lunge, but she literally flung her body towards Turner, as if almost embracing her.

Bam!

"Ouch!"

"!"

"!"

"?"

Ellen headbutted Turner's forehead.

Thud!

Unprepared for this, Turner fell backward onto her rear, clutching her forehead with her mouth agape.

"????"

'What just happened?'

'What did I just experience?'

'No, who does that?'

'What is this?'

'What is she doing?'

A mix of complex emotions surfaced on Turner's face.

Ellen had won a round with an unexpected headbutt.

It's true that she caught her off guard.

But somehow...

I was dumbfounded, not expecting Ellen to pull off such a move.