Chapter 124: Phantom’s Island. (1) (1/2)

In the Head Professor’s Office.

Rays of warm sunshine were flowing through the window, but Deculein’s atmosphere remained chilly as always.One step at a time, Epherene slowly approached Deculein.

Hesitant, she opened her mouth.

She struggled to get the words out.She was kicked out in the blink of an eye, propelled backward by [Psychokinesis], and the door was closed behind her.

“…What was that?”

Epherene stared at the tightly locked door. She tried to shake the doorknob, but it wouldn’t open.

“What… open it! Open it! I have something to-“

“Ah, Epherene. You’re here?”

Then, Allen called out from behind her. He smiled brightly

.“Ah, I… yes. I am, but…”

Epherene scratched the back of her neck, face feeling warm from a combination of embarrassment and shame.Allen shook his head as if he knew everything, his voice as bright as always.

“He can be like that.Rather, Professor Deculein thinks that it is natural to do so. I would have done that, too.”

“It was also courageous for you to reveal your family history. So, you can just pay him back through your research~. It’s no big deal for us.”

Allen, shouting energetically, walked into the laboratory.

[Assistant Professor Allen’s Research Laboratory]

Maybe because of the recent expansion Deculein added, his steps had as much hop like a rabbit.

A voice went through Epherene’s head as she watched him go: a memory of the conversation between Deculein and Ihelm.

—This study hasn’t been completed yet.

Its completion is up to Epherene, not me.

What was left for Epherene, what she would do for her father, and the completion of their research?

Epherene ran towards the [Assistant Research Laboratory].

She threw open the door of the laboratory, and ignoring the flustered Drent, sat in front of her desk stacked high with research papers.

“I can do this. I can do this…”

Epherene didn’t waste any more time.

She felt more motivated than ever as her purpose was finally clear.Therefore, she immediately started studying.…After the four-night and five-day hearing.

“You both did a great job!”

At Adrienne’s office on the 100th floor.

I, summoned along with Ihelm, was facing Adrienne.

“Since you were both so highly praised, the thesis evaluation will be over in a month! But before that! Both of you have exams!”

Chairman Adrienne passed on my thesis to Floating Island. Maybe most of the Addicts would stop their work and focus on reading the thesis.

“This time, it’s to comprehend actual battle skills!”

“Can I step down as a candidate?”

Ihelm asked casually as he swept back his hair.

“You can’t! You still have the chance to turn the tables!”

“…I don’t even want to turn the tables.”

“Forget it. Look at this!”

She took out a map and a crystal ball, both items related to an island called Goreth.

At that moment, a quest alarm went off.

[Main Quest: Altar and Ghost]

◆Mental Strength +1

Almost all of the quests were labeled main or independent.

There was no time to do any side quests anymore.

“The destination is Goreth Island! It’s also known as Ghost Island, and there’s also a Ghost.Castle on it!”

The Chairman’s crystal ball displayed a three-dimensional view of the island. A dock with derelict ships anchored nearby, a huge castle beyond it, and overgrown weeds and grass covered the land. It was obvious that it had been abandoned for a while.

“I’m sure both of you have studied this at least in a textbook once!”

“Yes, we know.”

Ihelm clicked his tongue.

“Goreth, the magical space where three-thousand islanders disappeared in an instant 60 years ago.”

“Yes, that’s right! In the past, they produced an abundance of indigenous products, and lots of tourists visited, but after that incident, it became a dead island. But, my god! A holystone mine was discovered on the island!”

Holystone mine, a natural resource coveted not only by wizards but anyone in this world. There was a saying that went, ‘I would even dig to hell for the best holystone.’

“There are ten thousand tons of holystone buried there! If you convert it into Elnes… oh my!”

The Chairman flopped around exaggeratedly. Ihelm crossed his arms and watched her gruffly.

“So, we’re currently planning on purging it! That is your exam! Whoever comes up with the better plan on purging-““So, you mean to say, shuffled volunteers.”

“No! No way!”

Ihelm shook his head right after asking.

“Your performance will be judged, and rewards will be distributed according to your level of contribution. For example, if Ihelm contributed 3%, then it’s 0.3% of those ten-thousand tons. A total of fifteen tons of shares will be given, excluding the half that belongs to the Imperial family!”

Although it depended on the quality, that amount was equivalent to a 1-year budget for most medium and small-sized lands.

“Ihelm is the master of support magic, and our Yukline’s Deculein is the most reliable if ever demons or ghosts appear! It’s a great combination!”

Then, Ihelm looked back at me, asking with his eyes If I wanted to participate in this exam. As long as it was a quest, I had no reason to refuse.

“Yes, I will.”

“…What? Then, me too. The Chairman’s position is already out of my reach, but I want to have a stake in the mine.”

The leader’s office of the Freyhem Knights, a room with no ornaments or luxuries to cover the boring wooden structure.Leader Julie was checking the ledger of the Knight Order.

It made her happy.

Her physical condition was still deteriorating, but with this profit, they could be considered a healthy Knight Order.

She put the ledger back in the drawer and quickly pulled herself together. Then, she ordered them to come in.Vice-Captain Rockfell entered, dressed in armor adorned with a black cape. As soon as she noticed the cold expression he wore, Julie stood.

“What’s wrong, Rockfell?”

“We have recovered… Veron’s body.”

Julie’s eyes shot wide open, and she hurriedly approached Rockfell.

The Freyhem Knights made great efforts to recover his body, but they failed even after accruing astronomical costs.

They were at a cliff of despair.“Yes, Lady Josephine helped us.”

“Ah… is that so?”

Julie nodded. She trudged back and sighed with relief. She was really, truly grateful to her sister this time.“…He’s back. That punk.”

It felt like one side of her heart was lightening up.

Julie looked to Rockfell; his eyes were already teary.“Leader, what are you going to do now?”

“We’ll hold a funeral again.”

“Yes. I’ll notify the others.”

Rockfell bowed his head and backed out the room.With a deep sigh, Julie looked out the window. The sky was clear, and the sun was bright.She focused on smiling instead of crying.

Meanwhile, Solda Epherene was drinking coffee at the cafe.

Yet, her upset stomach wouldn’t let her enjoy it. A lot of the people inside kept glancing at her.

“Ah, my stomach hurts.”

These days, she received a lot of attention everywhere she went in the university because she was an assistant that went against Deculein. Some were supportive, and others were worried.

There were even many nobles who were cursing her, but no one was on Deculein’s side. Epherene felt a bit….

“Hmm~, there’s a celebrity in here.”

Someone sat beside her. As she looked back, Epherene’s eyes widened.