Chapter 62 (1/2)

23rd floor of the Magic Tower, Professor Louina’s office.

The night was already deep, but she was still writing the verification plan for Deculein’s thesis.

Crack!

Her fountain pen broke.

Drip— drip—

Only then did she notice the blood dripping from her nose to the document.

“…”

Louina stared blankly at the stains each drop left. Nausea enveloped her, and her heart pounded as if it was hammering against her chest.

At the bottom of her consciousness, a bizarre feeling soared, causing her to look out the window involuntarily, where she found the moon swallowed up by gray clouds outside.

The world had been engulfed in darkness, much like the strange woman reflected in the glass pane.

“…?”

Her eyes were dyed red.

Did the drops of blood come in the form of tears? She thought for certain it was a nosebleed.

Whooosh…

As she pondered about it, unidentified particles rose from her shoulder, creating a smoky atmosphere where ashes seemed to be scattering.

“!”

Louina hurriedly looked over at her shoulder, but she found nothing out of the ordinary.

Her surroundings were completely normal.

“Am I going crazy…” Louina sighed.

Well, she had been through a lot lately.

Deculein kidnapped her and wasn’t fed anything for almost a week as his captive. She was on the verge of starving to death when she finally agreed to take a humiliating oath.

It was quite a miracle, her mind still being intact.

“I should go home and rest.”

Tap— Tap—

Louina organized the pile of documents she had created and put them in her bag. She then turned off the lights, closed the door to her office, and left the tower.

Wriggle—

Amid the darkness, an unknown pulse continued.

* * *

Wednesday, 2 PM.

Epherene and her group were working on the group project in the tower’s study room. However, since it was already in its final stages, they decided to slow down their pace a little.

“One Card!”

“Damn! You’re fucking mean!”

Eurozan, Dane, and Zeppel.

The three guys played a card game, Sylvia closed her eyes, still preoccupied with the project, and Epherene read a letter.

[To Epherene Luna.

I got your letter.

I believe in your talent, and I hope that you will as well. Always remember to walk not on the self-righteous path but the strong and unwavering one.

If you put all your heart into it and spare no effort, good results will surely await you.]

“It’s five lines.”

Although it was short compared to the ten-page letter she sent, she still appreciated his reply.

No matter how much she thought about it, she shouldn’t have written her promise to become the best wizard, just like how Roahawk was the best meat.

Epherene was still satisfied, though, and kept the letter.

“Huh?!”

Only a few seconds passed when she screamed and pulled out a handkerchief from her robe’s inner pocket, suddenly coming to a realization.

It was the fine handkerchief that a gentleman gave her while she was wailing at the last university festival due to a play called ‘Portrait of a Sad Day.’

“Wait a minute.”

The pattern embroidered on the handkerchief and the pattern engraved in the corner of the letter…

“They’re similar.”

Epherene’s pupils reflected the logo.

It didn’t seem to be a family insignia, but it did look like a high-end brand. Either way, she thought it definitely wasn’t a coincidence.

“Ah, wait a minute…” Epherene grabbed her head and thought.

She couldn’t even remember what that person looked like. She was crying so hard she couldn’t dare look him in the eye.

“… No way.”

Was he really watching?

‘Is he literally watching my talents?’

“Hmmmm… If so…”

She felt excitement boiling within her after so long, finding this situation fun.

Epherene felt a shiver run up her spine as she gently stroked her chin.

At that moment, a sharp voice pierced through her wonderment.

“Be quiet. Stupid Epherene.”

Sylvia was staring at her with fierce eyes. Her concentration had been broken.

“I’m sorry~”

Epherene apologized brightly and shut her mouth, and Sylvia closed her eyes to try and focus on the project again.

But her ears and eyelids kept pricking up as if she was listening and looking at two different subjects.

The corner of her mouth kept twisting upward as well.

“Oh, right. did you hear the rumors about Rohakan?”

“…!”

The male members of their group suddenly changed the subject.

Epherene corrected her posture out of guilt. She didn’t just hear about him.

She was right there with him.

“Rohakan? Even my dad won’t tell me anything about the issue. All I heard is that it’s confidential.”

“I heard there are rumors that he fought with Professor Deculein.”

“Really? Still, his opponent was Rohakan. There’s probably a huge level difference between him and the Head Professor.”

Fortunately, they seemed to know nothing.

“Our class will start soon. We should get going.”

“Epherene. Sylvia. You coming?”

The trio turned around.

Just then, Sylvia opened her eyes again.

“I am.”

They stored their scrolls in the study room’s safe, then went out and rode the elevator together.

Sylvia whispered, “You know what happened that day is a secret, right?”

“Why are you asking something so obvious? Do you really think I’m stupid?”

“Yeah.”

“…”

Ding—

They arrived on the 3rd floor, but Epherene got out of the elevator a little later because the noble wizards waiting near the hallway rushed to Sylvia.

‘What is she, an idol?’

“Sylvia! I heard! They said you broke through Rohakan’s barrier this time!”

“You’re awesome~ Teach us later—”

‘What? Broke through his barrier? All she did was eat my fish skewers.’

Grunting, Epherene opened the door and entered the classroom.

“I think we’re doing something today too.”

As soon as she entered, she found an unusual view. Looking around, she realized she was on a university campus.

All campus buildings, such as cafes, gymnasiums, classrooms, gardens, alleys, shops, restaurants, were implemented, the only exception being the magic tower.

“Wow… Huh?”

Looking back without much thought, Epherene was surprised.

The door she came in had disappeared. An empty garden took its place.

An eerie feeling ran across her nape.

“Are we having a ghost-themed class today? What does this have to do with pure elements, though…”

‘Ghosts are actually pure elements,’ he would say.

—Ah, ah. Can you hear me?

Assistant professor Allen’s voice came from the sky.

—It’s already 3 o’clock, so let’s start the class. If there is a debutante who couldn’t enter, then they’re already disqualified for being late.

If they were even 1 second late, they were removed from today’s class. Deculein clearly set that rule.

Epherene’s ears pricked.

—Today’s class is a practicum to test out your skills. Think of this place as a virtual barrier, and you are currently locked in it. Your goal is to escape within 180 minutes.

“Hmm.”

It was quite an interesting class.

—Be advised that there are monsters created by the barrier scattered all over its interior. Additionally, Head Professor Deculein won’t serve as your ally and protector. Today, he will be roaming the area, trying to eliminate you.

“Deculein?!”

Hearing this, Epherene felt rather thrilled. She had yet another opportunity to legally challenge Deculein.

—Since Professor Deculein and other professors are monitoring this class, you will never be in real danger. However, please keep in mind that the moment you’re found in any situation that would normally be considered deadly outside the educational setting, you will be deemed ‘eliminated.’ Your performance in this activity will be reflected in your grades.

Awwooo—!

His explanation wasn’t even over yet, but a howl had already echoed its way to where she was.

Epherene looked around, finding a wild, red-eyed dog. Ashes drooled out of its mouth.

—I look forward to witnessing your practical use of magic. Now, let the class begin!

As soon as the assistant professor finished his monologue, Epherene imbued her bracelet with her mana.

Grrrrr—!

Not long after, she fired magic, a combination of ‘wind’ and ‘water’ elements, against the rabid beast making its way to her.

Splaaash—

The water she ejected was condensed into an extremely high pressured crescent-shaped projectile bolting through space at a speed of over 500 m/s.

Although it had a short range, its melee and cutting power was comparable to any sword because of the destruction series used with its pure elemental magic.

This was the “Water Moon” that Deculein taught her.

Crrrr.

The wild dog’s body was divided into quarters.

“Huhu.”

Epherene shrugged.

“Ahhhhh—!”

As she did, however, she heard a scream echoing from not far away.

“Where are you?!”

Epherene ran towards the source right away.

She applied the ‘wind’ element to her body, allowing her to move at quick speeds while creating minimal noise.

She arrived swiftly, but it seemed she was too late.

Instead of a person, she found a note.

[Celie has been eliminated.]

“I’m sorry. I wish I had reached you sooner.”

It was a shame.

Clicking her tongue, Epherene put the note in her pocket and moved.

* * *

… 40 minutes had passed.

Despite the threats scattered around her, Sylvia walked proudly. She didn’t even try to hide or be silent.

Instead, she only revealed her dignity without hesitation.

Those retaken by her graceful light bared their teeth and brandished their claws, but the consequences of daring to challenge the sun herself were horrendous.

All of them were scorched by the heat of her magic, oxidizing them as they desperately struggled to survive.

“Sylvia?”

Soon after, she heard someone call out her name.

Following its source, she found Lucia, Jupern, and Beck, a group of aristocrats that seemed to be glued together.

Lucia asked, “Do you want to escape the barrier with us?”

“…”

Sylvia shook her head.

“Yeah, well. Be strong, then.”

As if Lucia just asked her out of formality, they swiftly passed by after she answered. No, they passed by, then soon started running away in the opposite direction.

Sylvia soon found out why.

On the horizon stood a nobleman who radiated a powerful and crushing aura.

Head Professor Deculein.

Now that he had become an enemy, he became a more fearsome opponent than anyone she could think of. Suppressed by his domineering presence, Sylvia immediately closed her eyes.

Rumbling—!

For a moment, she turned the very ground she stood on into water and submerged herself in it, holding her breath in that state.

“…”

The sound of footsteps echoed above her head.

“Ahhhhhh!”

Shortly after that, she heard a scream.

He had probably caught Lucia’s gang.

Those guys were idiotic for thinking the professor’s steel could be avoided by running.

She didn’t know the details of its mechanism, but once under its radar, they could no longer escape its pursuit unless they went underground, which was exactly what she did.

Sylvia burrowed, waiting quietly.

Soon enough, she heard another voice. It was familiar and silly at the same time.

No, it was very stupid.

“Stop!”

“… Epherene. a head-on confrontation is foolish.”

“This is not a head-on confrontation. We have the advantage in numbers… Huh?! Where are you going? Come back!”

From what she heard, the people Epherene rescued seemed to have run away.

Not long after, a sharp noise rang out, sounding like sparks hitting metal.

Epherene seemingly tried to manifest magic, but…

“Aah! Aaahh! Wait! Ahh! Aaaahhh!”