Chapter 153: Epherene’s Time (1) (1/2)
It also snowed on the Floating Island, though it was a magical phenomenon that the wizards artificially implemented. If they didn’t, many addicts wouldn’t know the change of time and seasons.
In the city center of the Floating Island, Sylvia stepped through the snow while waiting for Idnik. She stepped to deliberately make a sound.
Ding-a-ling-!
At that moment, the door of the magic shop opened with the ring of a bell. Idnik, carrying a backpack, stepped out and handed Sylvia a newspaper.
“Read it.”
Sylvia took the newspaper without a word; her expressionless eyes scanned the text. Deculein and Julie were in the headlines.
“They say that the divorce is in progress, but there is a lot of gossip. Rumor has it that Deculein killed both Veron and Rockfell… ”
“No.”
Sylvia shook her head. Then she pointed to Julie in the newspaper.
“This woman is stupid.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“…”
Sylvia knew what Veron did to Deculein. What happened between the two. Also, how much Deculein loved Julie. But this stupid woman didn’t know that; she didn’t know anything…
“Forget it.”
With Sylvia’s blunt reply, Idnik shrugged.
“Is that so? Anyway, you’re ready, right?”
“Yes. But-“
“Here. What you asked for.”
Idnik handed a stone to Sylvia. The stone was called ‘Deculein’s Test.’ As soon as the Imperial Magic Tower distributed it to the Floating Island, it became hugely popular. She could tell by looking around right now, as a similar stone was being held by almost every wizard she could see. More were sitting on tables in cafes and restaurants. She even noticed a fainted wizard at one table, a stone by their head.
“Hmm. Gosh, he’s a master at making trends.”
At Idnik’s words, Sylvia looked at the stone. However, just by staring at it with her mana, it moved.
“Oh, and… did you know that Deculein privately published his writing?”
Sylvia raised her head.
“Writing.”
“Yes. It’s very noisy because of that. It was published privately and hasn’t been released to the public. Also, I don’t think it’s going to be sold due to Deculein’s nature. Rumor has it that the library on the Floating Island has increased its security to protect their copies.”
“…Increased security.”
“There are five books. There seem to be some wizards who were seriously thinking about robbing the library.”
“…”
Sylvia bit her lip. The wizard Deculein was accomplishing much on the Floating Island. His theory was now treated akin to royalty on the Floating Island.
“Sylvia. Aren’t you curious too?”
Sylvia pondered for a long time before she opened her mouth.
“Maybe I can borrow it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Deculein’s Theory.”
“Hmm?”
Sylvia immediately turned around and ran to the library. Then, sprinting with her magic, all she left was an afterimage. Before long, she arrived on the 10th floor of the Floating Island’s Megiseon. This was the gathering place of all the books in the world— the Penta Mall. Sylvia approached the librarian at the info desk.
“You came, Etheric Sylvia.”
He nodded as if he was waiting. Then he handed her one of the books, double and triple-sealed.
「Yukline Theory: Essence」
“Read carefully. This item is classified as a second-level book. Also, this is a note from Monarch Deculein to Etheric Sylvia.”
Sylvia was handed another small piece of paper containing a short sentence written in Deculein’s elegant handwriting.
[I look forward to the day you kill me, Sylvia.]
* * *
A blizzard spread outside the train window. The raging blade-like wind scattered pure white dust around them, but the inside of the room was warm.
“Look here. That’s why you should have studied the theory a little harder.”
“…I could’ve learned if it wasn’t that difficult.”
Drent was teaching Epherene while Allen quietly knitted, the only sound being the occasional rumble from the engine. This peaceful atmosphere wasn’t bad either. For me, for Epherene, or Allen. Because I knew this quiet wouldn’t last long.
“Professor. What book are you reading?”
I showed Allen the cover.
“The complex properties of the dual series magic circuit and the dynamics of magic for correct operation.”
“…Hehe.”
Allen chuckled in a silly way and held out a tuft of fur she had knit into a scarf.
“Here… so your neck doesn’t get cold.”
“I don’t need it.”
“Oh… okay.”
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Allen lowered her face as if a little disappointed.
“Let’s consider that I gifted it to you. I don’t get cold, so you wear it.”
“Oh… o-okay…”
Creeeek—
Just then, the train slowed down with the sound of scraping iron. The three assistants stood quickly and packed their things.
- Knock, knock. We have arrived, Professor Deculein.
The attendant knocked and led us out of the train.
“Ugh, it’s cold.”
“Y-Yeah…”
Thus we arrived at the Mazar station in the North. As soon as I stepped onto the open platform, Epherene and Allen wrapped their arms around their shoulders. I looked around, a bleak landscape greeting me. There wasn’t a single person in sight, and the snowy mountain ahead was faintly visible through the obscuring blizzard.
“There is no one here.”
“It seems that everyone is refraining from going out because it is winter.”
The conductor explained.
“Let’s go.”
“…Yes.”
Outside the platform were four horses.
Hee, hee-!
Seeing the agitated horses, Epherene and Allen swallowed hard. Those two suffered from a disease known as horse-riding sickness…
* * *
The destination where we arrived was the northern fortress Rezental.
“You can stay here. We call it a small magic tower, but I am embarrassed to introduce it to a professor from the Imperial Magic Tower. It’s quite a distance from the training ground so that you can stay comfortably.”
The officer who guided explained. It was a cylindrical and small tower with five floors. But, given it was in the North, it was rather tall by comparison.
“I understand.”
“Yes. Take a rest from your travels. Your assistants too.”
When the officer left, Epherene, Allen, and Drent quickly went to their rooms. Epherene smiled brightly.
“I’ll take this one! This is my room!”
“What? If you’re the youngest, use the smallest room.”
“What? Don’t you know about talent? The assistant professor gets the biggest room, then me…”
I left them on the first floor and went upstairs. It was clear that the equipment laying there was quickly prepared for the wizards coming on a business trip. The third floor was a laboratory equipped with various tools, the fourth floor was a reading room, leaving the fifth floor as the space for me to stay. However.
“Hello.”
There was an unexpected guest already waiting for me.
“Brother… or I guess you’re not anymore.”
A clear voice and a soft smile. My eyes met Josephine’s.
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh. It’s nothing. Just… I’m here to offer a warning.”
Josephine laughed softly.
“Warning.”
“That’s right. Oh, I don’t mean anything aggressive. We identified the start of a mana phenomenon in this part of the country.”
Josephine handed me some photos. One of a red thunderbolt, then a shimmering aurora, and the tail of a comet falling then ascending.
“This all happened two days ago.”
In particular, as if going against time, the comet fell and soared again, soared and fell again, and then disappeared by twisting space.
“…I don’t know. You can overcome anything, but people like the newbies downstairs who are sensitive to magic might be caught up.”
I nodded.
“Thank you for the information. So-“
“Julie is doing well. Still hates you.”
“…”
A smile appeared on Josephine’s lips, but at the same time, she looked at me with hardened eyes.
“Her health is improving. Julie is overcoming it herself.”
“I’m glad.”
Josephine rested her chin against her hand and tilted her head.
“It’s amazing, brother. I didn’t think it would be just like you said…”
“Didn’t I tell you? I don’t lie.”
“Huhu. You don’t~.”
She looked back at me, chuckling playfully.
“Is this… what you wanted?”
“… ”
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I looked into her eyes without a word. Her pure white irises sparkled like glass. Those eyes resembled Julie’s.
“I want Julie to live.”