Chapter 93: Second Semester (3)

What are you looking for? Deculein asked in the dark lab.

Quietly letting go of his shoe, she floundered the floor with her robe sleeves as if swimming.

I was cleaning the floor like this

Do you think Ill believe that?

It works, though Im sorry.

Epherene got up, making excuses while stuttering.

I t-thought the door was open, and y-you had turned off the lights

Every now and then, I find myself in need of darkness.

Snap!

Deculein flicked his fingers, turning on the lights in the lab. As the darkness inside went away, Epherenes jaw dropped in astonishment.

Huh

Magic papers filled with formulas and magic circles floated around them.

It numbered well over several thousand. Epherene, still lacking in skills, couldnt even predict what the result of such an enormous set of operations could be.

Snap!

With another snap of his fingers, all the documents flowed into his briefcase.

Is that briefcase itself also a magical item?

She looked at Deculein in awe.

Was that your personal research?

No. Im preparing a course.

What? A course?

Go. Deculein left as well, allowing her to walk away without reprimanding, criticizing, or giving her a penalty point.

Shouldnt he scold me?

Epherene, looking at his back, squatted down.

She quickly turned over a couple of tiles before leaving the lab.

Huh.

Get in.

With him waiting for her in the elevator, she scratched the back of her neck.

S-sorry for making you wait.

He didnt say anything. Even after she got in, he just pressed the close button silently.

Zeeeing

The elevator went down.

She felt like it lasted for an eternity.

She glanced at him, recalling Gindalfs words about him valuing her, which she thought to be nonsensical back then.

But since she heard those remarks, she began to see this professors each and every action in a strangely different light.

He was still her fathers enemy and a very mean, vicious person who gave her impossible research assignments, but

Professor Deculein.

Ding

The elevator door opened. When he exited and looked back at her, she shook her head hurriedly.

Its nothing.

After a brief pause, he took a ticket out of his inner pocket.

Take it.

Epherene looked at it.

[Invitation to Locralen Society]

Locralen. It was a word even Epherene had never heard of.

Youll go with me.

After uttering those words, he left, his strides seemingly wide, perhaps because of his long legs. Epherene could only stare at his back with the ticket in her hand as the distance between them widened.

I have no idea why he keeps acting like that.

She sighed.

*****

The next day, early morning at the top floor of the tower.

Hmm!

The chairman accepted my lecture plan and the first-class material.

[Pure Use of Earth and Fire: Manipulation series]

Overview: This course will provide an in-depth understanding of attributes using the deep utilization of earth and fire elements.

Rating: Advanced

Description

Its purpose is great, but only the Isle of Wizards Wealth can approve of Advanced rating or higher! They might even decide to lower it to the intermediate level!

Its fine.

I nodded at the chairmans words. Classes of Advanced level were rare even in the Imperial University Tower.

What about the related materials?!

Here.

I submitted the documents that would serve as the core of the class, which I had prepared with [Understanding]. Concentrating on earth and fire attributes and the manipulation series, it would be almost like a thesis.

I hope it gets rated the advanced level too! Our towers status would rise!

Bang!

The chairman stamped on the syllabus.

Yes.

Then, you can go now! Im sleepy!

She moved her hand like bracken and spread out a futon on top of her desk.

Adrienne II! Come!

Woof! Woof!

Adrienne II jumped over the desk. As I left, the chairman fell asleep with the little puppy.

******

Six hours later.

Rumors often spread rapidly on the floating island. However, they were limited only to magical and scientific subjects.

They had no interest in common gossip like what happened to the Empire, who was cheating with whom, and the like. That being said, half a day was enough for intel regarding a new magical discovery or a thesis to spread throughout the island.

Advanced lecture?

Likewise, news of Deculeins advanced lecture reached Rose Rio swiftly. These were the words of Prince Kreto, whom she met by chance.

Thats what I heard.

I wonder what verdict itll get. Its going to be held in a magic tower, not in this place.

Magic towers lectures usually stopped at the beginner or intermediate level. Of course, their difficulty levels differed since not all of them were the same despite being in the same rating. However, advanced lectures were slightly different.

According to the definition of advanced in the magic world, those rated with it could cause a generation to achieve qualitative development or create new values.

In that respect, the Isle of Wizards Wealth was extremely strict with its implementation. In fact, for nearly 20 years now, all advanced-level classes and above had been only available on the floating island.

The stereotype that academic studies were only done on that island while worldly studies were conducted at magic towers wasnt created out of pure coincidence.

In the first place, even on the Isle of Wizards Wealth, there were only a handful of advanced classes.

Very few high-ranking wizards had both enough knowledge to teach someone and the skills to actually impart such intricate information in an understandable way. Moreover, they only opened classes when they felt like it.

I dont know. Since its sir Deculein, he might just get it.

Huh? Why do you refer to him as sir? The Imperial Family shouldnt respect anyone.

Im his fan. Hahaha. Kreto laughed. Looking at him now, she realized his clothes were also quite strange.

I just realized youre dressed like Deculein.

There is no one in the system these days who doesnt follow Deculeins fashion.

That aside, it would be amazing if it was judged as advanced. Im skeptical about that, though.

As Rose Rio ate her spaghetti, she overheard the conversation from the table next to them. They talked about Deculein preparing for an advanced class as well.

Cant you go and take the class? Its been a while since I graduated, but youre nominally on a leave of absence.

Thats true, but If its judged as advanced, everyone here will grow anxious anyway. Then well be able to get holographic lectures, lecture transcripts, or whatever. Thats always been the case, hasnt it?

The Isle of Wizards Wealth was the richest in the world, and there were only people crazy about academics up here. Hence, its populations general stance had always been, If you dont sell it to us, well take it through other means.

Sellers could name their price when transacting with this place, but if they refused to negotiate in the first place, theyd be considered the floating islands enemy.

Thats true.

Oh, right. Theres also a conference going on in Locralen. Arent you going?

I didnt even get an invitation. Ive been a little neglectful of my research these days.

Hmm. Is that so?

Rose Rio narrowed her eyes and pulled out a ticket.

Do you want one?

*****

Two weeks before the start of class.

Solda Epherene was looking into her Ouija board in their club room.

From Solda, establishing your series becomes the most important aspect of magic since differences occur in that regard unless the properties involved are very specific. Therefore, the class unconditionally focuses on that aspect

It was the advice of a senior wizard.

Establishing a series is important.

Epherene crossed her arms and thought about it.

There were eight basic series categories in total:

[Summoning] and [Spiritual].

[Destruction] and [Auxiliary].

[Manipulation] and [Ductility].

[Hunting] and [Harmony].

The distinctions between them seemed to be made more clearly from Solda.

Half of the magic tower wizards choose only one series, which we refer to as series deepening. The other half is divided into those who have plural series, in which they equally learn two or more of them, and those that have a main series and a sub-series, which means they focus on one series more and use the other as support.

Epherene nodded.

Most wizards chose no more than two categories.

Of course, one could pretend to be crazy and try three or more series simultaneously, but in that case, it would be obvious how many classes theyd have to take.

Whats Professor Deculeins series?

Deculein? I heard he has four: Manipulation, Ductility, Destruction, and Auxiliary. Julia answered, sitting next to her.

Glancing at her, Epherene noticed a new expensive-looking artifact necklace around her neck.

She heard that the [Pigs Flower] was doing great these days, and her buying such a valuable item evidenced that.

She felt envious.

Doesnt that mean hes a four-series wizard?

Yeah.

Then me too.

Epherene decided.

Destruction, Auxiliary, Manipulation, and Ductility.

If Deculein could do it, she could too!

What? Have you gone crazy, Ifi? Youll have to take tons of classes.

Humpf. Its okay. Do you know what Im studying these days?

Professor Deculein gave her thirteen high-difficulty books to research.

If Epherene couldnt understand a thesis, shed have to study its research paper first. If that also proved incomprehensible, shed have to visit new professors, including Kellogg, for advice.

Well Youre even sleeping in the club room these days, Ifi.

Yeah.

Pillows, blankets, duvets, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and more. The room was filled with her belongings.

Then how will you apply to the classes? If you want to go to four series, youll have to take 12 classes about them per semester.

Ahem.

Epherene coughed and looked at the registration list through the Ouija board.

Huh? Hes not teaching Debutantes anymore.

Deculeins lecture caught her eyes.

[Pure Use of Earth and Fire: Manipulation series]

Professor: Head Professor Deculein.

Overview: This course will provide an in-depth understanding of attributes using the deep utilization of earth and fire elements.

Core Materials: Head Professor Deculeins personal works.

Credits: 6 credits, 3 hours every two weeks.

Registration Procedure: Students will be selected by the aforementioned educator among applicants.

Lecture Rating: To be announced at a later date.

Wow. A six-credit course? Julia laughed in surprise.

Seeing that paragraph, Epherene also expressed her shock.

How can it be worth six credits when its only held every two weeks? Is it because hes the Head Professor?

Right? Dont take this, Ifi. Itll be extremely difficult.

Hmm. If I take this and one more basic lecture worth 1 or 2 credits, Ill be able to meet my quota for the Manipulation class.

Yeah, but its six credits every two weeks. Itll probably be extremely difficult. If you fail to follow even once, itll be hard to recover. There will also be a selection process, so just applying to it wont be enough.

Its okay.

She had been overflowing with confidence these days. She had read a total of two advanced magic books recently and was in the middle of the third.

She knew literary works and lectures were different, but

I can do it. Whose daughter does he think I am?

Epherene clenched her fists and nodded.

*****

Study room, Imperial Palace.

I heard the [Rohalak Concentration Camp] is almost complete, Sophien uttered.

I looked down at her, finding it a bit absurd. Having become more comfortable as her lessons progressed, she ended up lying down completely today.

Yes.

The mana stones are also circulating smoothly in the market right now. Its only natural for those at the top who have been controlling the market through unity to suffer huge losses.

Thats true.

She grinned.

Nevertheless, there are quite a few of them that didnt seem to have been affected at all, most likely because they didnt spend any money to mine the mana stones.

She drew her finger in the air and continued speaking.

That begs the question, however, of how it was possible not to expend anything to do such a task. Id say the answer is that the Altar members in the underworld mined the mana stones at a low price or for free.

Perhaps.

With just one opening, we were able to filter quite a few high-ranking individuals.

She was still grinning, but her eyes remained serious.

Deculein.

Yes?

Here. Take this. Its a list of those who received money from the Altar.

There were a total of thirteen high-level people in it.

She murmured coldly. I dont care if you label them a Demon Blood member or a criminal. You can kill them yourself.

As you wish. Ill have the Imperial Family confiscate all their properties afterward.

Sophien frowned and tilted her head.

It doesnt matter if you take them all for yourself.

Its better not to have any wealth that can cause trouble.

I had to carefully ensure the concentration of power wouldnt fall on the Yukline any more than necessary. That left a dissatisfied expression on her, almost as if she suggested it while completely knowing that fact.

Have it your way. Regardless, Ill be ordering the full-scale Demon Blood subjugation to begin now.

Okay.

Youll have to catch them as well.

Ive already completed my investigation. Ill soon be bringing you good news.

Hmm. Is that so? Sophien raised her eyebrows at my words.

The day I promised Carixel was approaching. After arresting him, Id take him to Rohalak.

Yes. If the operation is successful, Ill be dropping them in Rohalak to serve as an example. However, before that

Looking at her, I grew silent. Realizing what I meant, she grinned and recited a word.

.

. Meaning vibration, it was a rune that made ones brain cry.

Good job.

I got up. Sophien, still lying down, looked up at me.

Deculein.

Yes?

You always make me do annoying things No, youre the only one that bothers me.

Her hair had become disheveled, and her pupils relaxed, symbolizing her lethargy and the boredom she was suffering from at the moment.

Deculein. She called me again.

Yes?

Arent you afraid of me?

Those words carried so much meaning and weight it would be natural for any citizen of the Empire to have their hearts pounding if they were asked that by the Emperor. Nevertheless, I didnt think about its implications.

Without hesitation, I answered.

Im not.

Cheeky Why?

I dont know. Its very strange. I replied, looking into her eyes.

Im not afraid of anything in this world.

This wasnt a lie.

I just hated the phenomenon of death that would come in the distant future, the vague feeling that one day I would lose myself as Kim Woojin, and the possibility that Julie would leave me.

Feeling the emotion of hate before fear perhaps best described and expressed this very Deculein-like ego.

Ill be going.

I ended todays lesson with that.

Yeah. Get out of here, you cheeky bastard. Next time you come, bring a Demon Blood with you.

Sophien laughed.

*****

End of August.

A road in the eastern part of the continent.

Carixel solidified his fortitude once more as he moved and hid in the luggage compartment of a wagon. He left his three children to his wife and younger brother. Afterward, he entrusted his duties and position at the [Cradle of Trees] to Elesol.

Now, the rest was up to him.

Captain, do you really believe in that professor? It is not too late to back out yet. Said Dehal, who decided to accompany him to the camp.

Carixel shook his head.

Ive already decided to trust him. Dont try to interfere. No, its just a simple transaction. Dehal, you didnt tell anyone about this, did you?

If one wanted to deceive the world, theyd have to deceive their allies first. That was why he didnt tell anyone about his plan. Not even the [Cradle of Trees] or his wife and children.

Otherwise, information wouldve definitely leaked out.

Yes. Naturally. Only the two of us!

Thud!

The carriage stopped.

Carixel and Dehal swallowed hard.

Tap, tap, tap.

Exactly three footsteps.

He wondered if the driver was quarreling with someone.

!

Not long after, the whole carriage was smashed and soared into the sky.

While he remained suspended in the air for a few moments along with the wreckage, Carixel saw a certain individual staring at him from the ground.

Deculein.

Rumble-!

Crashing onto the road surface with all kinds of wood chips, Carixel grabbed his back.

Do you see this as ordinary luggage?

Ah, thats

Professor! L-Look at this bastards face!

A knight, holding a poster Deculein had given him beforehand, pointed at him with good timing. He even grew his beard and hair to resemble the person in the photo.

Thats right! Im Brolin, an officer of the Demon Blood!

Deculein twisted his lips into a smile silently, making him admire his contempt-filled performance.

Maybe, maybe it wasnt acting.

Yeah. You shouldnt have told anybody.

Carixel jumped up and started a riot at the promised signal out of desperation, but the knights rushed in before he could do anything, crushing him with their bodies.

Meanwhile, the Professor picked up his bag.

Isnt there anything other than this bag?

There are many mana stones.

Deculein ripped off the bag and dropped it on the pavement, causing plain equipment and tableware to litter the ground.

Are you trying to sell these off somewhere?

What should we do with these mana stones, Professor? There are quite a few of them A knight asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

That greed was the reason why Carixel had to prepare the mana stones in the first place. To distract them.

That, too, is evidence, but we only need a couple for that purpose, dont we? Deculein said, discreetly sliding the mundane items scattered around into a bag with [Psychokinesis].

Oh, yes! Thank you!

They bowed thoughtlessly.

Carixel smiled inwardly.

Now, once the contents of that bag came into the camp, he would be able to feed his family

You scum bastard!

At that moment, a knight struck his forehead with the hilt of his sword, causing him to pass out immediately.

*****

Three days later, The Emperors Lounge at the Imperial Palace.

That cheeky bastard is really good at what I asked him to do He catches Demon Blood like hes just buying ice cream. Sophien grinned as she ate a genuine Heodran marbled ice cream.

Thats right. Hes a very talented professor. Keiron answered, wrapping his right wrist with a bandage.

Is that Brolin person going straight to Rohalak?

Yes. Hes guilty of organizing an association, but he has no records of committing other crimes, allowing him to avoid the death penalty. Well, Rohalak would be a far worse fate than a quick and easy death.

As soon as Sophien nodded, She threw away her leftover ice cream and went back to bed.

Gosh Im even tired of eating these days How were you injured? Youre fucking bandaging it She mumbled sullenly amid a yawn.

Keiron shrugged, fiddling with his swollen right hand. Zeit came to the island. Hes a total monster now.

Did you lose to him?

Is there any knight on this continent who can defeat him? Hes even more powerful than my father right now.

At his words, she grinned.

The Emperors knight is acting like an asshole If I study a little harder, Id probably win against him.

Are you even studying at all?

Why did Zeit come?

Hes looking for a wedding venue.

Sophien pursed her lips. If that were the case, then it had to be for Deculein and that knight Julie.

Is that so?

Did that mean he was going to get married?

He said he had nothing to fear, so he probably wasnt afraid of marriage that would forever affect his life.

Indifferently, Sophien nodded as Keiron observed her reaction, pretending not to.