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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 157: Remains of the Past (1)

Chapter 157: Remains of the Past (1)

Estelle‌⁠⁠ was treated like​ a gem wherever​⁠‌ she was.

Born‍‌​ with an incredibly​⁠‍ high status, she⁠⁠⁠ was not only‌​‌ extremely capable but​‌ her aura itself​​ gave off the⁠ atmosphere of a noble lady.

She‍‌ was still treated​​ with respect even​⁠​ while she was⁠​ imprisoned.

Lying‌ down on a comfortable bed of⁠‍ silk, inside the⁠ fancy prison cell​ decorated with classy​​ books, she grumbled⁠ about the food.‍⁠

“Excuse‌⁠ me. If you‍ are going to‌‌ bring out a steak, shouldn’t it‌ be accompanied with⁠ red wine? What⁠‍‍ kind of blasphemy‍⁠⁠ is T-bone and‌⁠ white wine?”

“…Can’t​‍ you just be‌‍⁠ content with what‌​ you get?”

“Red‍‌‍ winneeeeee…! 35-year old‌⁠‍ Duna wine from‍ the southern vineyardssss!”⁠‌

“Ugh…​‍ Alright. I’ll go​​‌ ask.”

“The​‌ meat’s going to​​ go cold so‌‌ make another one.​⁠⁠ Ah, I will​ have the garnish‍​‍ now so don’t‌​‌ take it.”

“Tch!​‍‌ Fine!”

The⁠‌ low-level mage, who​ was in charge‌‌ of supervising Estelle,‍ felt like her​‍​ mind was being‍​ eaten away having‍‌ to deal with​ this picky prisoner.‍

However,‌‌‌ she couldn’t ignore​⁠​ her requests because‍ the personal command‌‍ from the Tower​ Lord was that‌ they had to​ provide everything that‍ the Saintess wanted.⁠​

Aside‌⁠​ from the Tower​​ Lord’s command, the⁠⁠ mage herself still‍ had some level⁠‌‍ of faith. She​ was slightly afraid⁠‌ that she would‍⁠‌ receive divine punishment‍‍⁠ if she were​‍ to mess with‍​ the Saintess, the‌‌⁠ representative of divinity.​‌​

Of‍⁠ course, the faith​⁠ of the mage​‌⁠ was questionable considering⁠​ that she was​⁠‌ a part of⁠ the group that‍‍‌ kidnapped the Saintess​‍ but…

In‌ any case, Estelle’s‌⁠​ status as the‍​‌ saintess was still​‍‌ proving to be​⁠‌ effective in spite⁠ of being a kidnapped prisoner.

“…”​‍

As​⁠‍ soon as the‍ mage disappeared from​ her sight, Estelle​ got on her‌​‍ knees and clasped​ her hands together.⁠‌⁠

“Lord—”​‌​

Wishing‌‌ upon herself was⁠​‍ the amplification of​ her physical strength​ – a supernatural​‌ power that would⁠ allow her to‌‍ escape from this​‍ predicament. She could‍‍ definitely feel divine‍⁠‍ energy flowing out⁠⁠‍ of her body.⁠‍

“Good.”‌⁠⁠

After‍⁠ finishing her prayers,‌​ she held onto​‌⁠ the iron bars‌⁠‌ of the prison⁠⁠‍ cell as hard​​ as she could.‍

-Knng!⁠⁠​ Nnn! Aahh my⁠ palms!

In‌ the end, she‍‍‌ gave up before​‍⁠ long. Her divine‍⁠​ energy and her‌ prayers still weren’t‌‌ working properly.

‘What’s⁠​​ going on? The‍ Holy Grail… is​‍‌ that the reason‌ why?’

But⁠ that was still​‌‍ strange.

Why⁠ would the Holy‍​⁠ Grail nullify the‌⁠​ effects of her​‌‌ prayer?

“Haa…‍ This is where‌​‌ a prince is‍‌ supposed to show‌ up to save⁠​‍ the princess.”

All​​‌ she could rely‍‍‍ on was not‍ the results of​ her prayers and⁠⁠ hopes towards the⁠‍⁠ Lord, but the‌ help of a heroic prince who​⁠​ could guide her‍ out of this⁠ hardship.

Of‍‌​ course, the kingdom⁠ and the order​⁠‍ would have mobilized​ their troops already​‌ to save her,‍ and the Tower⁠​ of Mages would‌‌ eventually fall no​​⁠ matter how great‌‌ of a countermeasure​ they had prepared.‌

‘The​‍‍ question is, what‌⁠⁠ are they doing‌​ with my blood?’‍

That‌‍ was probably part​ of the reason‌​ why Estelle was⁠​ being treated this‌‍​ well despite being‍‍​ a prisoner. To‌ keep her healthy‍ with as little‍‌‍ stress as possible,⁠​ so that they​‍​ could take a few drops of​ her fresh blood‍ everyday.

Adelene⁠​⁠ and that guy⁠ with the Holy‍⁠ Grail called Dun‌ Scaith must be⁠⁠ doing something with​‌‌ her blood. She​ was frustrated that⁠​ she had no‌‍‌ idea what they‌‌ were doing, but​‍⁠ Estelle was just⁠​ a feeble lady​ without the aid​ of her divine​⁠ energy.

The​​ only thing she‌ could do was‍ spend her overflowing⁠ resource of time‍​‌ on self-introspection and‍​ habitual prayers.

“Lord,​⁠‍ please save me‌⁠​ from this predicament,⁠​​ have mercy on⁠ the innocent lambs‍‍ and…”

While​ continuing with her‍ prayer, the Saintess‍‌ – Princess Estelle‌‌​ harbored doubts.

If​​‍ there was a god, and if​⁠ she really was‌‌‌ connected to that‌‍ god… Why were‍‍‌ they just watching‌ this happen?

She‌​ ended up harboring⁠‌ that rather natural,​ yet rather disloyal‌‍ doubt inside her.‍⁠‌

***⁠​

It​‌ was hard to‌​ tell night from⁠​‌ day inside the‍⁠ sewage without a single ray of‍ light. Urged by⁠‍ the internal clock‌ of my body,​ I opened my⁠‍ eyes and found⁠‌ something warm resting‌‌‍ on my body.‌​

-Huu…⁠​‌

Hua‍⁠ Ran let out‌⁠ a long breath‍ in the middle⁠⁠⁠ of her deep⁠​​ sleep. I rustled‌‌‌ her hair with⁠​ my fingers as⁠‌ she buried herself⁠⁠ deeper into my‍ body.

“I⁠ guess I’ll let‌‌ her sleep a little bit more.”‍

There‌‍⁠ was still no​​ one else here‌‍⁠ so I stayed​​‌ lying down on‌⁠‌ the bed.

“Oppa?”​⁠

That‌⁠ was when the‍‌ girl slowly raised‍ her head from⁠⁠‌ my chest. The‌ girl with blue‍ eyes lifted her⁠‍​ eyes and looked​‌‍ up at my⁠‌ eyes.

“Oh,‍‌ did I wake‍‌‍ you up?”

“Hua⁠‌‍ is still asleep.”⁠​‍

“Do‌​ you guys wake‌⁠‌ up at different​‍‌ times?”

“It⁠‌⁠ usually depends on‍ how tired the⁠​​ body is, but​​​ generally, the person‌‍ that wakes up​‍ first has control‌‍ over it.”

“Ohoh.”‍‍‌

In‌ other words, even‌‌ if Hua was​‌⁠ in control over‍​⁠ the body, it​​‍ seemed that Ran⁠ could gain control​ over it if​‍ she were to‌​ fall asleep.

“Shall‍ we get up‍‌​ then? We need‌‌ to make sure‍‌ they aren’t lost⁠‍‍ either.”

“Umm…”​‍

Even‌‍‌ though she was‍​ usually the first‌‌‌ to actively help⁠​ out with cleaning⁠⁠ the house and⁠ such, Ran seemed​‍ hesitant to wake‍⁠ up.

“What’s⁠​ wrong?”

Instead‌‍‌ of replying to‍‍ my question, she​ wrapped her arms⁠‍‍ around my waist⁠⁠ and rubbed her‌ nose on my​ chest.

“Ran?”⁠

“I‌‍‍ just… want to‌‌‍ stay like this⁠ for a bit.”​

I was momentarily lost​ as to what‌​⁠ to do, but‍ before long, I started giving her‍ a few gentle‌ taps to the‍ back.

“It⁠ feels very warm⁠⁠‍ and nice here.”‌‌​

“That’s‍​ because Claiomh Solais⁠ gives out the‍​ Yang energy-”

“No,⁠ even if that​‌ wasn’t there, it‍‌ would have still‌ felt nice. I am sure.”

“I⁠ see.”

Ran‌​ never concealed her⁠‍‍ feelings for me.‌ In fact, she​ was even more‌ proactive compared to‍​​ Marie.

-Grip.​⁠‌

I wrapped my arms‌⁠‌ around her waist⁠ and returned a tight hug. Ran‌‍ muttered in shock.​​​

“O,⁠ oppa?”

“Thanks.‍​ For liking someone‍ like me.”

“…There’s‍‌ nothing wrong with‍‍ you.”

“Even‌​ then, thank you.⁠ Thanks for everything.”‍⁠

Like‌‍‍ that, we continued⁠‍ hugging each other⁠ for a while.‌

………‌

……​‍

Leaving‌ the control room⁠ of the sewage,‌‌​ I patrolled around​‍‍ the area and​‌ engraved a few​ runes throughout the‍ sewage while I was at it.‌‍

Thanks‍ to my mana‌⁠‍ capacity that was‍​‍ now above 10,000,‌‍ engraving runes was‍ no longer as​‌ taxing as it⁠​ used to be.‌ In fact, I got greedy from⁠‍ the overwhelming supply‌ of mana and‌ got caught up​​ with creating large‌‍ and accurate letters‍​ that I only‍ wrote 40 today.⁠‌⁠

“Welcome‌ back, Oppa.”

I came back after​‌ engraving the runes‌‌ and saw Ran‍​ preparing the meal‍⁠ with dried jerkies⁠​‌ and Korin Potato.​‌

“Ohh~‍ Korin Potato.”

“You⁠​‍ invented it, right‌‍‌ Oppa? It’s super‍ popular!”

Korin⁠‍ Potato was the‌ military munition I created during the‌‍⁠ food tech lesson⁠ last year. The⁠⁠​ thin layer of⁠‍​ pressed potato was​‍ something inspired by‌‌ the military supplies⁠⁠ from World War‌⁠​ II.

“I​⁠ even got an‍‍‌ award and a prize from the⁠⁠‌ military for making‌​⁠ it, you know.”⁠

“Wow~.​​⁠ That’s amazing!”

She‍‍ clapped to demonstrate‌⁠ her admiration while‌‍ cooking Korin Potato⁠ on a pot‌​ with a wooden​‍‌ ladle.

“Mashed​‍‍ potato?”

“Yes.‌‌ And this here‍ is from a canned stew.”

On‍ a different pot‌‍‌ was a bubbling‍‌ stew that gave‌⁠‍ off an incredibly‍‍ appetizing scent. It​​ was usually a bad idea to​‌​ cook something with​ a strong scent​‌‌ during an operation,⁠‌ but the sewage​ outside the control​​ room would offset‍⁠‌ the smell with‍ its disgusting odor‌​ so it was⁠​⁠ probably alright.

“Let’s‌ enjoy ourselves when​ we can.”

The​​​ beef stew and‍‍ mashed potatoes that⁠‌⁠ Ran made were​​ quite tasty despite⁠‌‌ being a modified⁠ form of military‌​ supplies. Although it‍‌ wasn’t at the⁠ level of unknowingly‌‌‌ screaming out, ‘Amazing!’,⁠ this was a magnificent meal considering​‍​ the environment around​ us.

“That​⁠ was great. It‌​‌ wouldn’t have been⁠ easy to make‍‌​ this, right?”

Objectively​​ speaking, her cooking‍‍ skills were quite⁠​ good. From the⁠ people around me,​⁠​ she was second‍ only to Marie.‍⁠ As for Alicia…⁠ she was just‌⁠⁠ a professional eater.‌

“Oppa.‍ I’m learning how‌‌ to cook these​ days. As well⁠‌ as making flowers⁠ and supporting parents-in-law.”⁠⁠

“Huh?”‌⁠​

Cooking‌⁠⁠ I understand, but‍⁠ why would she‌ be learning how​‍⁠ to make flowers‍‍ and how to​ support parents-in-law…?

“Why⁠‌‌ are you—”

“Tada!”‍​

As⁠⁠​ soon as I opened my mouth‌‌ for that question,​​ Ran shoved a spoonful of mashed‌‌ potatoes into my‍‍​ mouth. With an​‍ alluring gaze that⁠⁠ you couldn’t find⁠‍ from Hua, she‍‍ adorably gazed up​​ with a bashful​ smile.

“To​‍‌ learn how to​‌⁠ be a bride⁠ for one, and‍⁠ only one person‍‍⁠ in the world.”‌‌

It‌ was adding too⁠ much burden to‌⁠‍ my heart. At​ this point, this​ was pretty much‌ a confession.

Ran‍​‌ tended to approach​⁠ me like this‌​⁠ quite often – despite pretending like‍ it was a joke, she had​⁠ a very serious​​⁠ look in her‍‌ eyes… as she‌‌⁠ conveyed an unwavering​ and certain intention.⁠

Hearing‌​⁠ that passionate confession​​‌ of love, I unknowingly lifted my⁠‍⁠ hand.

“Ran—”‌​

It​​ was right when‍​ I reached my​ hand out to‌‍‍ the passionate girl.​​ She suddenly took​ a big step‍‍ back after slapping‍ my hand away.‍​​

“E,⁠​⁠ eeek…!”

Her‌​‍ cheeks flushed red​‍ like autumn leaves.​​⁠ Her eyes quivered⁠⁠ as if there‌​‍ was an earthquake​ as she protected​ her head, which‍ had almost been‌‍⁠ touched, with her​ two hands.

“Y,‍‌​ you… Just then…”​‍​

What⁠ were you trying⁠​ to do?

Hua‍‌ asked, looking extremely‌‍ agitated unlike her‍​⁠ usual self.

“A,​ are you Hua?”‌‌‍

“…”​

She​ silently looked at‍​ me with a resentful gaze. Even‌⁠ though Hua had​‌⁠ an indifferent look‌​ on her face⁠ by default, there‌‍‍ were times when‌ it was possible‌​⁠ to glimpse at⁠​ her emotions.

“D,⁠ don’t touch!”

“Huh?”‌

Seeing⁠​⁠ the dumb look‍ on my face,​⁠⁠ Hua hurriedly collected​​ her breath and​ expressed herself again.⁠

“Don’t…‍​ touch me.”

“But​ why…?”

Umm,‍​‌ aren’t we as‌ close as brother‌ and sisters to⁠​​ have physical contact‍‍ without restraint?

“I⁠​‍ feel… bad when‌‌ you touch me.”​‍

“Is​ it that bad?”⁠

This‍ big brother will​⁠ be hurt if​‍⁠ you say that,​‌ you know.

“I’m‌​‌ sorry.”

“No,⁠ I mean…”

It⁠‍ was then.

“Woof…!”‍‌​

An‍‍ enormous dog-man busted‍ into the control‌⁠ room after a fierce kick on⁠ the door.

“Woof⁠ woof! Krrrrhh!”

Doggo​ unreservedly let out‌ a ferocious howl​​ as always. The‌⁠ fact that he⁠‍⁠ was here meant‍‌ that Marie had⁠ also arrived.

“Ugh~​ Doggo! Can you‌⁠ smell your daddy?‍‍‌ My nose is⁠ blocked, and I can’t make out​⁠ anything. Hnn?”

3 days after entering‍ the Steel Archipelago,‌‌ we were joined⁠​ at the save‍ point by Marie.‌‌

***⁠‍‍

That​⁠‌ same afternoon, Master‍​‌ Erin and Lady‍⁠ Josephine also arrived‌ at the control​‌​ room of the⁠ underground sewage.

“I⁠ will stay here⁠​ and prepare the​ teleportation so that⁠​ we can leave‍⁠⁠ whenever we are⁠⁠‌ ready.”

Lady‌ Josephine was in⁠ charge of the⁠ escape plan. Even‍ though she would⁠​⁠ have normally been​ an incredible help‌ in most fights⁠‌ with her teleportation,⁠ her abilities were‍ rather restricted in‌ the Tower.

As‍ mentioned before, during‍⁠ the Witch Revolution,⁠⁠ the Tower of‌​ Mages had been⁠‌​ absolutely demolished by⁠‍ the Dimensional Witch.‌‍​ Because of their‌ memories of the‍​​ past nightmare, not‍‌‌ only did they⁠‍ install an interruptive⁠​ device that covered​ the entire archipelago,⁠ but they also⁠ had such artifacts​⁠ jam-packed inside the‌ Tower itself.

Actually,​ elevators were invented‍‌ by the mages‍⁠​ because they needed⁠ a mechanical device‍ to travel between​⁠‍ the floors of​⁠‌ the Tower, because‍⁠⁠ the interruptive devices‍‍​ stopped them from‍​ teleporting between floors‍‌⁠ as well.

In‍‍ any case, Josephine‌‍ was unable to​ use any teleportation‌⁠⁠ spell inside this⁠​ place without being‌‍ interrupted, apart from⁠​ the long-distance teleportation‌‌⁠ to the marker‌ on the other⁠ side of the​ ocean.

With⁠ that being the‍‍​ case, it was​ a better call‍⁠⁠ to have Marie‌‍ be the mage‍ fighting with us⁠​ in the battle,​ while leaving the⁠‍‍ escape to Lady‍ Josephine.

“Student⁠ Hua Ran. You​ are going to‍​⁠ leave behind as‌​ well. Our job​ will be to‍‌ protect this place.”​‍‌

“…Nn.”⁠‍

That​⁠‌ was something we⁠‍ had decided on‍​​ beforehand, so Hua‌‌‌ stayed behind at‍‌ the control room⁠‍‍ without raising any‍ complaints. However, she‌‍⁠ was constantly looking⁠ into my eyes‍ without turning around.‍⁠

She​‍ was probably worried,​​‌ so I patted⁠​ her head.

“…!”‌‍​

It‌ wasn’t even that​‌‍ rough, and yet​⁠ Hua lowered her​ head and was‌‌ unable to lift‌‍​ it back up.‍ She was a little strange today,⁠‌‍ ever since morning.⁠‌

“…”​‌

Meanwhile,‍​⁠ for some reason,‌‌ Marie was vacantly‌⁠ staring at Hua⁠ on top of‌‌⁠ that.

“Korin.‌ Let’s go.”

Marie‌ urged me with⁠​⁠ a cold look⁠⁠ in her eyes‍‍‍ so we quickly⁠​ left the control‌ room and started​‌ climbing up towards​ the Tower.

***‌

Tower‌ of Mages was‍​‍ like a tranquil‌ paradise to those‍⁠‌ with an elitist⁠​ mindset.

Except⁠‌‌ for the Prohibited‌‌‍ Forest, which was​ cultivated to become‍​ a forest where‍‌ they could harvest‌⁠ and experiment with​​ magical herbs, the​‍ entire archipelago was‍ exposed to the⁠ severe cold and‌ the harshness of⁠ nature.

Because‍‌ of that, the⁠‌‌ mages had to‍ invite some outsiders‍ to import food‍‍​ and goods, but​⁠⁠ those people could‍​ only live in‍ a small village⁠‍ on the outskirts⁠‌ and weren’t even​‌​ allowed to set⁠‌ foot near the​⁠ Tower of Mages.⁠​

These‍ elitists were so⁠‌ secretive and did‍ not let anyone‌​⁠ set foot inside‍ the Tower. Even‌​ the chores inside‌ the Tower were​ done by the‌ mages… either the‍ mages of the​‌ lower floors or‍⁠ their familiars and⁠ spirits.

It​‌⁠ was like a postgraduate student of‍‌ a university preparing‍​‍ the food for⁠ the professors and​ cleaning the rooms.‌ There was even⁠​ a mage, who⁠‌⁠ had been working​⁠​ in the Tower​‌ for 20 years,‍⁠‍ that escaped back​ to the main⁠‌‍ continent to create‍‍ the Tower Restaurant.‍‍

Both​ the previous world‌‌ and this world​​⁠ were full of⁠ people who were​‌⁠ forced to take​​ a roundabout way‌‍ when seeking wisdom‌​ and knowledge.

“Hmm…‌‍‌ It’s a bit⁠ big. Maybe I should have looked⁠‌ for a smaller‍‍​ one.”

“It​‍ can’t be helped‌‍ because you’ve always​‍⁠ been quite petite,⁠​ Master. I can⁠‌ give you mine​​ if you want.”⁠

“Mhmm…⁠ I will be‍‌ alright, my disciple.‌ You are so​‍ tall; even the​​ biggest robe looks‍ small on you.”​‍⁠

Naturally,​ the Tower of⁠‍‍ Mages robe was‌⁠ one of the‍⁠​ crucial requirements when​​ infiltrating into the‌ Tower of Mages,‌‍ which was obviously⁠ filled with mages.‍⁠ We were wearing⁠‌ the robes that​‍ we found from⁠ the main continent‍‌ to disguise ourselves⁠⁠ as mages of‌⁠ the Tower.

My​‌‍ robe had a badge that symbolized​ my status as⁠‌ a mage of​‌⁠ the 4th floor.‍ That was pretty‍​‌ high, but it⁠ seemed that even‍ a mage of​ that level had‍​ to be in​​ charge of cooking‍‌⁠ meals in the⁠​ Tower.

The⁠ Tower was such​‌ an inefficient and‌ secluded organization, if‌ anything.

“So…‍ What are we​ going to do‌ now? We have​ come up to‍‌‍ the 4th floor​⁠⁠ but…”

“Korin.‌ Doggo says the⁠ Saintess is at‌‌ a place that’s‍‍‍ much higher than⁠​​ here.”

Doggo‌‍​ was chasing after​‍ Estelle’s scent from‍⁠⁠ Marie’s shadows. It​‍ was to be⁠​‍ expected that they​​ wouldn’t keep the‌⁠ Saintess on one‍⁠⁠ of the lower​ floors.

“The‍ 4th floor is‌‌‌ the highest we‌‌‌ can climb without‍ any problems. From‌ the 5th floor​‍ onwards, we need​ the rights of‍‌ a mage that’s⁠​‍ at the level‍​ of an ‘assistant‌‍‌ professor’ at the‌ very least. It’s⁠‌​ quite high-tech, actually,‌⁠⁠ because they check⁠ your fingerprints.”

The‍⁠ 5th floor required‍‍‍ the rights of‍⁠ an assistant professor;⁠ you had to​‌‍ be a professor‌⁠ for the 6th,⁠ and… the 7th‍‍ floor onwards were‍​ only accessible by‌ the elders of⁠ each cult.

“We‍⁠‍ don’t have to⁠ worry about it⁠‍‌ though, Master. We⁠ have an amazing‌ mage that is​‌‌ going to help⁠‍⁠ us with the​‍​ process.”

“Hmm?”‍⁠

Marie‍‍‍ soon proved my​‌​ words with her‌‌ action. She said‍‍‍ one word as​​⁠ a humanoid figure‍​ started to climb‌ up from her‍‌ shadow.

His‌⁠‌ skin was wrinkled-up,‌ and his fingers⁠‍ quivered non-stop due​ to the physical‌ labor he was​ forced to undertake.‌‍​ The old man,‌⁠‌ who had been‌⁠ anxiously looking around⁠⁠​ the surroundings, gasped​ for breath immediately⁠‌‌ after finding us‍ and Marie.

“Hello,‌ Chunsik.”

“Hiiik…!⁠⁠‍ Lady Dunareff! I,‍⁠⁠ I mean, master…!”‌​

Chunsik‍‍‌ quickly got on‍‍⁠ his knees and‌​ kowtowed in fear.‌​​

Who‍‌​ would possibly guess‌‌​ upon seeing this‌ shabby old man,​‌ that he used​ to be one​‌​ of the 7 top mages of​‍ the Tower, Elder‌ Admelech of the‌‍⁠ Red Cult?

Now,​‍‌ he was nothing‍⁠ but a ghoul​‌ and one of⁠‍⁠ Marie’s numerous familiars.‍‌‌

“Chunsik.‍​‍ Like I said⁠‍ before, we need⁠⁠‌ to hurry so​‌ quickly use your‍​ fingerprints.”

“B,‍‍⁠ but…!”

“If​ you don’t want‍ to, then I can cut off‌ your hands and‍ do it for​​‌ you.”

“I,‌ I will do‌​⁠ it immediately!”

Marie‍ had an extremely‍‍ cold-hearted and ruthless​​‍ attitude against him.⁠​ To be fair,‍‍‍ he was someone​⁠ who was trying‌​‌ to kidnap her‌‌ to use as⁠ a test subject‌​⁠ so there was‌⁠ no need to‌‍ be compassionate for​ him, but there‍⁠ were times when‍⁠‌ she would spook‌​‍ me a little.‌‌⁠

In⁠⁠ any case, thanks⁠ to him, we‍​​ easily strolled through‍‍ the 5th and​‌​ the 6th floor.​​‍

“Go‍‍​ back inside, Chunsik.”​​

“Ah,‌⁠‌ yes! Yes miss!”​‍

After​ putting him back⁠‍ into her shadows‌ so that he​ wouldn’t be a nuisance to our​ secret mission, we​ wandered around looking​⁠ for the stairs‌​ heading to the‌ 7th floor.

The‍⁠‍ 7th floor and⁠‌​ above were the‌​⁠ territories of elders.⁠​‍

If‌‍‌ I remember correctly,​ Estelle would probably⁠‍‍ be at the‌‌ special unit of‍ the 8th floor⁠​ – the place‌​ where Adelene the​​‌ Tower Lord stored⁠​⁠ demonic beasts that‌ would be used⁠⁠ for his experiments.⁠

Dun​‌ Scaith was probably‌‍‌ here along with​‍​ the Lord of‍​‍ the Tower. We‍⁠ had to try‌‍ our best not‌ to come across‌‍‌ them at all‌ cost—

“Oi.​​‌ You over there!”⁠

Turning⁠⁠ around, I found‌⁠​ a mage who‌​ was wearing a golden badge with⁠ 7 gems attached.​⁠

He‍ was a mage‌‌​ of the 7th‌‍⁠ floor; a professor‌‌⁠ of the Gold⁠ Cult.

‘What‌​ do we do,‌ Korin? Do we‌ attack?’

‘Wait.​ One second. It‍⁠ will get tedious‍‌‌ if we create‌​‌ a ruckus here.’‌

What⁠‍‍ should we do?​​‍ Kill him? I was thinking most⁠‍ of the higher-grade⁠ mages would be⁠ at the battlefront,‍‍​ and was thus‌‌ not expecting to​⁠‍ be discovered already.‍‌

“You‌ guys are…?”

The‌ mage slowly walked⁠⁠ towards us. It‍⁠‍ was right when⁠ I was about‌​‌ to take out‍‍​ my spear which‍‍ I had hidden‌‌​ beneath my robe.⁠‍‌

“Hello,​ Professor Airac!”

Master‍ suddenly called out​​ his name while⁠‌ taking a step⁠​ forward.

“Huh?​​⁠ A, and you‌⁠‌ are?”

Professor​​ Airac instinctively took​ a step back‌​​ when she unhesitatingly⁠‍ walked up to​ him.

“I’m​‌ a postgraduate from‌⁠​ the 5th floor,​ and my name‍⁠​ is Aylea. Elder‌‍‍ Blayne told me​‌‌ to get BF‌‌‍ 1207FF3801 from the​‍⁠ laboratory on 6-8.”‍

“Uhh…‌​ Okay?”

“Sorry,‍‍ but can I please ask where⁠‍ 6-8 is?”

“Right…‍ Go that way‌ and go three⁠​​ blocks to the​ left.”

“Really?⁠​ Thank you so‍⁠⁠ much!”

Master‌⁠​ skillfully dealt with‌⁠ the professor-level mage.⁠​​ Or rather, maybe​ it was more‍​ correct to say⁠ that she bewitched​‌ him.

“K,⁠​⁠ kuhum…! You over‍⁠​ there… Aylea was⁠​⁠ it? When you’re⁠​ free… w, would‍⁠ you like to‌‍ go for coffee?”​‌

“Hnn?‌ Sure?”

“R,‌​ right. Come to⁠​‍ my office when‍‍ you’re done.”

Master‍‌ hopped her way‍⁠⁠ back in joy,‌​​ as we turned⁠​ around and pretended​​ to head towards​‌ 6-8.

“How⁠‍ did you do‌ that?”

“I‍‌‍ know all the‍​⁠ important mages of‍‌‌ the Tower, because‌⁠ I’ve been here‌‍‌ as Eriu Casarr​‍​ a few times.”​‍‌

“Right~”‌‍​

No‌ wonder she knew‍​‍ the face of⁠ Airac, who seemed⁠‌ to be at‍ the level of‍​⁠ a professor who‍‌‍ would tend to​‍‌ stay holed up​​ inside the Tower‍​​ the whole time.‍‍​

“Then‌⁠⁠ let’s walk around‍ the place for​​​ a bit before‌ heading upstairs.”

“Korin…‌​‍ He’s still staring⁠​ at us.”

Airac’s​ eyes were still‍ on us. In‍​‌ order to lower‌​​ his guard, we‍​ turned left towards‍ 6-8 and escaped‌​ his line of‍​ sight. He would‍ be able to​‌​ hear us walking​ down the corridor‍⁠ so we decided‍ to enter one‌ of the rooms‌​‍ for the time​‌ being.

The⁠⁠ place we went‍​ to was the⁠⁠⁠ closest laboratory immediately‌ after turning the​ corner. As expected‌ of the laboratory​ of the mages,‍ the room was‍‌‍ extremely dark and‌‍ gloomy all around‍⁠ starting from the‌‌ entrance.

“Master.​‍ What was that‌​⁠ just then?”

“Nn?‌​​ Oh, you mean​ the code number?‍ I just made‍​ that up because‌⁠‌ the mages of​⁠ the Tower tend‍ to give serial⁠ codes to their⁠​ items.”

“No,‍⁠⁠ I mean, that‌⁠ guy called Airac‌ was head over⁠ heels for you‍ in that short​‍‌ span of time.”⁠

“Hnn?‍ Stop it, Korin.​⁠ What are you​ saying?”

She​ said while gently⁠⁠ slapping my shoulder.‌ Wait, did she⁠‌ not see that⁠​⁠ just then? That‍‌ Airac guy had‍⁠ a pretty serious‌ look in his‌ eyes though?

“Hmm.⁠‌ For some reason,​ everyone has been‌‍ very kind to‌ me ever since‍ the past. It’s‌⁠ probably because they‍ are all kind​​ at the core,​‍ right?”

“Ah~.‍ I think I know why.”

“Nn?​‌ What do you‌ mean?”

“It’s⁠ because you’re beautiful.⁠‌ People are always‌‌ weak to beauty,‌ after all.”

“Oh‌ dear…”

“…Korin?”⁠​

“Don’t​‌‌ you get that⁠ as well, Senior‌​​ Marie? People always‌​⁠ feel like doing⁠‌ something more when‍ they see someone​ beautiful, you know?”‍

“Haht…!”⁠‌‌

Instead‍‌‍ of staying there⁠‍ and doing nothing​⁠ while waiting for​ the echoing footsteps‌‌ of the corridor‍ to disappear, I decided to look‌‍‌ around the laboratory.‍

-Woof!​‍​ Woof woof!

That‌‍ was when Doggo⁠ let out a restrained bark from‍ Marie’s robe.

“Doggo?”‌‍

“What’s⁠ going on?”

“Doggo…⁠ sounds a little‌‍⁠ scared.”

“Scared?”‌

“Is⁠​ there something here?”‍⁠

It​‍ was my first‌ time coming to‍​‍ the Tower during‌​ this point in⁠‍​ time so I also had no‌‌​ idea what it​⁠⁠ could be. For‍‌ now, I looked​‍‌ around, searching for​⁠ a clue.

What⁠ you would find‌‌⁠ at a laboratory⁠‌⁠ was very random.​​ Some labs were‍‍‌ extremely normal and⁠‍ carried out experiments​⁠​ about household equipment,‌ while some labs‍ had human and​​ demon experiments going‍‍ on.

If⁠‌ even Doggo was​‌ frightened by it,‍ it was probably‌‍ something serious, although‌‌‌ I couldn’t possibly‌‍​ guess what kind​ of crazy experiment‌⁠ it must be.‍

“Let’s‌‍ have a look…‌​ just in case.”⁠‌​

Even​‌ if everything was‍ to go well,‌‌‌ a full-frontal battle⁠ against the Tower‌ of Mages was⁠ no longer avoidable,​‍⁠ so we had​ to do whatever​​ we could while‍‍ we were here.​⁠‍

“…”⁠

“…”⁠

This‍‍ laboratory… appears more‍ like a whole​ building than a single room.

Although‌ the Tower of‌‌⁠ Mages was divided‍‌ into 9 floors,⁠​⁠ each of the‌‌ floors were much‌​‍ taller than that​​ of normal buildings.⁠‌‍

It​​ was like 9 huge department stores​ put together, with⁠‌⁠ each of them​​ being referred to‍⁠ as a single⁠​⁠ floor.

The⁠‌‍ faint green fluorescent‌ light was the​‍⁠ only source of‌ light inside the‍⁠⁠ lab, and the​‍⁠ floor was slippery‌‍ as if covered‌ with sludges of‌ oil.

“Master.​​ Have you… been‌‌ to a place‌ like this before?”‌​⁠

“No.⁠‌ They never showed‍⁠‍ what was inside⁠‌‍ a laboratory to⁠‍​ the chairman of‌⁠ an academy, and⁠‌​ even during the​​‍ Witch Revolution, we⁠​‌ were too busy​ destroying everything that‌ I do not‌⁠‍ remember being here.”‍‍‍

“Korin…⁠⁠‍ Doggo is saying‌ we should go‌‌ over to the​ other side.”

Unlike⁠​​ us, Doggo seemed⁠‌ to have sensed‍⁠ something odd.

The​ lab was reeking‍​ of the scent‌‍​ of dried blood,⁠ and the mixed⁠​ odor of old‍​​ oil and rotten​⁠ flesh. It was​⁠ surprising that Doggo​​ could smell something‍ through all these‌ disgusting scents…

“Ah.”​⁠⁠

My​‌ feet came to⁠ stop as my‍ heart instinctively lowered⁠‌‍ its rate.

“Korin…”​⁠​

Something⁠ was staring at‍⁠ us.

Something⁠​‌ enormous…

“It‌ can’t be…”

Master​​‌ uttered in shock.‌‌‍ We turned our⁠‌‍ eyes to the‍ right and…

“———”‍

Found‍⁠⁠ a gigantic eye​​ looking directly at‌⁠ us.

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