Chapter 20 (1/2)
We fixed some issues in the previous translations: Ifrin -> Epherene
Julie; Current Fiance
Julia; Student
Yuli; dead
***
Chapter 20
Deculein’s gaze was always clear. His eyes always seemed to know the answer to every question there was, and it was as if the right direction would always be where he looked. Hesitation, doubt, fear, regret…Deculein never showed any of those but was rather always assured. He was self-righteous and acted high and mighty, but his arrogance and disrespect were no different than his dignity.
…He was an aristocrat through and through.
Her father, who committed suicide due to Deculein, disappeared as if he never existed in the first place like a mirage wiped away by a sandstorm. Deculein remained so perfect throughout it all that no one even suspected him. Only Epherene knew the truth, which was the source of her hatred for him. Nevertheless…she didn’t have the confidence to look him in the eye.
The wall between them, a barrier that could never be conquered, felt as high as the mountains. A wizard was someone who unwaveringly explored the truth, a cold-blooded race that calmly, unshakably, maintained a constant pulse when looking for answers regardless of unknown be a wizard if they doubted themselves, relied on someone else, or grew vulnerable from pressure.
Even though she didn’t want to admit it, even if not doing so would mean her death, Deculein was an exceptional wizard in those regards. He didn’t even seem to care about her sentiments. She felt as if she underestimated the Yukline bloodline.
“…”
Epherene eventually lowered her head. It was a fight she couldn’t win. He was a professor, and she was just a girl who hadn’t even gone through the academy. Between them was a gap made out of years’ worth of experience, knowledge, and skills. The dream of instantly overcoming that barrier with talent was the delusion of a fool who knew nothing about the world.
“…I’m sorry.”
Epherene squeezed out a cracked voice as her heart crumbled. She couldn’t even dare resist, finding herself too scared to do so. Hence, she was left with no choice now but to accept defeat.
“This is pathetic.”
Epherene’s shoulders trembled at his words. As she timidly looked up, she noticed a hint of disdain in his expression.
“Coldness is the basic skill of a wizard.” His words cut her through her chest like a knife.
“You’re not able to keep your composure on these challenges.” She didn’t want to hear any of it. It was like he was reading her mind.
“You will never be free from your old ways.”
She felt as if she was being suffocated in their haunted classroom; all she wished for was to run.
“Even if someone provokes you…”
But she couldn’t escape.
“Even if you fail countless times, even if you’re suffocated by pressure…”
All she could do was stand still in his presence.
“Even if…”
At that moment…
“Even if your enemy is already right in front of you…”
“…!”
Her whole body trembled as she felt a chill claw its way up her back. Her eyes grew as big as plates as she stared at Deculein, who remained composed and calm.
“You have to be cold all the time. That’s how a true wizard behaves.”
Epherene understood what he said, what he meant.
“Pathetic. You will never be able to grow stronger at this rate.”
She clenched her fist. At the same time, she felt a fire burning in her chest. That, too, was ‘passion.’
“No, you won’t even be able to stay on your toes.”
Epherene couldn’t run away from his admonishment. On the contrary, she took it head-on.
“Think of the reason why you haven’t been disciplined yet.”
What had she, who had been generously excused, accomplished? From the very beginning, she couldn’t control her anger, and as a result, she was almost expelled.
“I don’t want an apology from you.”
It was foolish. Stupid.
Idiot, moron, dimwit. She acknowledged that she was still immature.
“I’m disappointed, Epherene.”
Deculein put the clock down on the lecture table. He fixed his sleeves and collar, which was what he habitually did after every lecture. Turning around, he opened the door of the classroom.
“I thought you were a diamond in the rough.”
…With those last words, he left. He left…
But his voice still lingered in the air. What was he expecting, and why was he disappointed? He didn’t say.
“…”
Epherene stood there with a blank expression, his words replaying over in her head. She felt a sense of helplessness spread throughout her body. Staggering, Epherene stood on the platform where Deculein always stood and looked at the clock he left behind.
[5:57:17]
[5:57:18]
[5:57:19]
Time was still flowing.
“…” Epherene clenched her teeth as she stared at it. “…I don’t care if you’re disappointed.”
She recited it like she was chewing the words. She clasped the clock.
“… I can do it.”
Epherene rolled up her sleeves. She warmed up her magic as she thought of the formula. Again, she laid her hands on top of the elements.
“I can do it, even if you’re not disappointed.”
If it didn’t work today, then she’d keep working through the night. She wouldn’t stop even if dawn came. She wouldn’t stop…even if it meant her death. Epherene refused to give up, so much so that such words had been erased from her mind. No, Deculein erased them.
“I can do it too…”
She held back the tears that were swelling up. Surprisingly, she managed to hold them. Her teardrops evoked magic as she turned her overwhelming emotions into fuel.
Drip— Drip—
Another nosebleed.
“I can do it…”
The drops of blood became metal roses.
******
I thought as I leaned against the wall outside of the classroom. I spent almost seven hours on one person, yet the reason for it remained unclear. Today, Epherene’s death flag…
It didn’t appear. There was no death was weak, but she was a good kid. I didn’t want to see her collapse since she was clearly a good-natured Named. When I was still a developer and player, I was a knight far from magic, but I certainly remembered the Luna Household.
She probably grew up to be a wizard in this world, one with an influence on the main quest. She lacked many traits, like mental strength and a wizard’s mentality, but she didn’t need much to overcome it. If one put firewood on an ember, or if oil was poured, it would burn up by itself. Of course, I didn’t know if the flames would consume her as well.
But there was no set failure, be it in a game or this world. Only those who refused to try believed in fate, which was why I only believed in myself. That was why Epherene wouldn’t kill me.
I would make it that way. I’d make it so she couldn’t kill me. No, she wouldn’t even dare chase me. This kind of rivalry wasn’t bad. Ironically, Deculein’s personality could also be used to avoid being caught by a debutante.
“You can do it!”
A loud cry leaked out of the classroom. I let out a small laugh.
“… A professor or a teacher,” I mumbled, but I didn’t feel bad.
At that very moment…
[Side Quest Completed: Your Way]
◆ Store currency + 1!
“…Hmm?”
Out of nowhere, a quest reward showed up. It was as if someone observing from the sky had complimented me for my choices today.
Drrrr—
Suddenly, the door of the classroom opened, and Epherene went out. She ran towards the stairs without noticing me against the wall, waddling like a penguin carrying an egg.
“Hmm.”