Chapter 136
Spirit Summoner Francesca.
Most of her childhood memories are with her kind and gentle father.
The Count family of Ocel Kingdom.
Francesca’s father, Niklas, was a pillar of that renowned family.
Niklas was also a professor at the Academia, having a deep understanding of the spirit summoning, which falls under dark magic, since he was young.
Driven by his affection and curiosity for “that which has perished,” he was responsible for the research and management of the ancient dragon bones sleeping in the Academia.
He was a man dedicated to both his work and family.
The researchers who worked with him all praised his character and passion.
His wife and beloved daughter adored Niklas, and he took great care of his family without lacking in any aspect.
One day, his daughter Francesca, who was so precious he wouldn’t let a fly land on her, showed interest in his research.
Given that spirit summoning is inherently complex and varies greatly in difficulty according to aptitude, Niklas informally shared the basics of spirit summoning with her, half-joking and half-curious.
He tried to explain it in a fun way, conjuring various images in the air like a fairy tale, but honestly, he didn’t have high expectations.
Unless she was an extraordinary child like himself, most would probably lose interest quickly, especially such a young girl.
He continued explaining with that thought in mind.
However.
It didn’t take long for Niklas to realize this was a grave misjudgment.
Francesca’s eyes were glued to him, never once straying away, sparkling with intelligence, while he droned on with his boring explanation.
At the time, Francesca had just turned 7.
Despite being very composed and stoic for a child, she began tugging at her clothing like the other kids her age, bombarding him with a flurry of questions.
Overwhelmed yet delighted by such an unexpected display, Niklas felt his heart swell.
It seemed his daughter was keenly interested in spirit summoning. Who could she have inherited this from…?!
From that day on, Niklas became Francesca’s father and teacher, imparting her vast knowledge.
Gifted Francesca joyfully spent happy hours with her father.
Niklas’s wife worried about young Francesca staying up late, engrossed in her studies.
However, when she saw the bright smiles of Niklas and Francesca, she threw up her hands in surrender.
Francesca’s family was a picture-perfect happy family.
Even other nobles and relatives envied their harmony.
…But, as it always is.
Misfortune strikes suddenly.
Changes happen rapidly.
—Mom…?
A memory etched in Francesca’s mind like a wound.
When she turned 11, her mother passed away from illness.
She had always been bright and healthy. No one knew she was sick, and perhaps she didn’t even realize it herself.
Her mother had been afflicted by a disease that slowly gnawed away at her mana, but she understood the seriousness of her condition far too late.
She fell asleep in vain.
Francesca grew dark after the death of her precious mother and could no longer laugh as innocently as before.
She even stopped her once-beloved research.
Every time she saw a dead creature, it reminded her of the last moment her mother had been asleep, which hurt her deeply.
…But truly, the one who was suffering was not her.
⎯I’m sorry… If I had realized just a little earlier… it wouldn’t have come to this.
Francesca’s father, Niklas.
He cried as if the world was crumbling during his wife’s funeral, going several days without proper sleep or food.
Niklas, who loved his family as much as his research, barely held on for the sake of his daughter.
He soon became a hollow shell of himself, and those around him grew worried.
…It was probably from that time.
Francesca’s misfortune deepened from then on.
After her mother was buried, her father, Niklas, became a half-dead man.
As his condition worsened and health issues began to arise.
⎯Is that you… over there?
Niklas began to talk to himself.
As if he was entranced, staring into the void.
Like a lamb hearing the sound of an angel’s trumpet.
His face, like a human who saw light in a deep, dark cave, shed tears of joy.
Francesca watched closely with her golden eyes.
Her father, calling out her mother’s name, was filled with joy.
Niklas’s smile, which she hadn’t seen in a long time, seemed infinitely happy, and at the same time.
⎯How long has it been since I heard your ‘voice’…! Wait, I will… I will save you……
It sounded unbearably mournful.
*
The festival was less than two weeks away.
With Francesca’s episode and the archbishop selection episode likely to erupt simultaneously, it was clear that this festival would significantly influence future developments, so we had to prepare thoroughly.
Thus, I entered a period of intensive management for the members of Arbol Frutal.
No matter how outstanding an individual’s abilities are, they cannot handle everything alone.
This is also why I am preparing for multiple scenarios simultaneously for the ending of this novel.
This festival is no exception.
At this current stage, the Academia must not collapse, nor can the talents face serious damage.
I don’t think Chancellor Gulemashia or the defensive system of the Academia will crumble this time, but relying on them is a last resort.
Those two cards are meant for later; particularly, the “Gulemashia” means must definitely have its time to shine.
It’s too precious to use now.
Unless it’s the worst-case scenario, there won’t be a reason to use it this time.
In this Mock Battle Arena.
I am utilizing my precious familiars generously to train the team collectively.
Not just the familiars, but also the senior members like Alicia and Serena, as well as Alexeria and Bracchium.
Elemental magic and sword strikes swirl from every direction.
The students’ clothes are tattered and covered in dirt.
“…Hmm.”
Even I could see that I was quite “pushing” the research members.
After all, there’s no growth without pain.
Both the members complaining about their suffering and those who keep pressuring them.
It will benefit everyone.
“Alicia. Those in front of you are not members at this moment; they are enemies. Don’t harbor any feelings for the enemy and actively use Naias.”
“Ah, understood, Young Master!”
“Emily. Your movements are unnatural and way too slow. With that kind of performance, can you even call yourself a senior?”
“What if I really get hurt? Why do you keep saying things like that… Ugh. Fine! I’ll do it, okay?!”
A scene where thick aura and storms swirl.
Yes, this level is what proper training should look like.
I had tended to let them grow freely for a while, so now it’s time to rein things in properly.
In that chaotic scene, some were expressing joy.
“Hey, Serena. Is this really all you can do? Compared to that archer Bantlo, it’s laughable!”
“It’s laughable compared to the lively Bantlo.”
“……”
Serena’s bow tip shines brighter than any light I’ve seen so far. It’s imbued with wind magic for its element establishment, and if it hits, it’ll likely pierce through the opponent’s body.
Kaiman senses the chill in the air and draws a long arc with his lips.
“Yes, it should have some flavor with this much!”
It seems this training was perfectly suited for Kaiman, who enjoys a good brawl.
As I observe the battlefield and offer advice, a man approaches me.
It’s Bantlo, one of Erica’s few friends and the strongest first-year archer, rivals with Serena.
“Sorry to interrupt your training.”
“Forget it. What’s your business?”
With his inherently kind expression, Bantlo’s eyes sparkle even more charmingly.
It feels like it’s been a while since I last spoke with him… Let’s hear what he has to say without focusing on proper training.
“I heard you’re planning to go to the festival with Alicia?”
“Honestly, it’s really not your concern.”
“Haha, true.”
Bantlo smiles, considering the other person’s feelings, and continues. He mentions Erica’s name.
“Are you not thinking of going to the festival with Erica?”
“Is that what you came here for?”
“Well, it’s a friend’s matter.”
“…Even without you saying, I plan to be with Erica on the first day of the festival because her mother, Lilian, is visiting.”
I’m going to check on Lilian’s condition since it seems she’s improving, and we’ll be wandering around together.
I’ve already scheduled the fourth day for Alicia.
The last day, the fifth day, will host a battle between second and first years, and I need to prepare for the second and third days, so my festival schedule is packed.
Bantlo sighs in relief.
“That’s a relief.”
“…….”
I catch a glimpse of Bantlo’s sincere eyes and retort.
“Then what about you? Do you not have a separate appointment with Erica?”
“…Lord Vargan, as I said before, I truly do not feel more than friendship for Erica.”
“Who said you should hang out alone?”
“Excuse me?”
In the original story, Erica does not enjoy the festival.
Rather than enjoying it, she’s already begun secretly helping the activities of the Goddess Church, which has infected her with its ideology.
Also, on the first day of the festival, Lilian does not visit, and Erica talks to Vargan about breaking off their engagement.
Vargan accepts it, and it marks the beginning of their growing distance.
This festival… will unfold differently than the original.
If that’s the case…
“Why don’t you go around with Erica and the Saint or others? If it’s truly friendship, that would be natural, right?”
Surprised by my unexpected response, Bantlo stares at me for a moment.
Then, realizing his expression, he quickly shifts back to a calm voice.
“You’re right… Yes, then I’ll make plans accordingly.”
“Don’t go hinting to Erica that I egged you on. That’s just asking for trouble.”
“I’m perceptive enough not to do that. However… never mind.”
Bantlo hesitates to say something but I don’t press.
After a moment of silence, as Bantlo tries to return to training, a blonde woman approaches, filling the void.
Her face reflects a hint of dissatisfaction.
“What’s the matter, Senior Francesca?”
Bantlo grasping the situation discreetly steps aside, and Francesca opens her mouth.
Her eyes, reminiscent of a full moon, now narrow like a crescent moon.
“…Why haven’t you come around lately?”
“What do you mean?”
As I express that it’s difficult to talk about here, Francesca senses it and suggests moving to another location.
I suggest a proposal.
“Follow me.”
*
Francesca and I moved to a small private room set up in the laboratory.
Just in case, I’d placed a device to keep the voices from escaping, so even if we talked loudly, it wouldn’t be heard outside.
As soon as the magic was cast, Francesca chided me.
Judging by the slight anger in her usually calm voice, it seems not visiting the tomb recently had quite an effect.
“Are you tired of helping me with my research?”
“Tired? Not at all.”
“Then?”
“It seems like the sky-like senior is a bit disappointed that her beloved junior hasn’t been around much.”
“……”
Francesca stayed silent, as if it wasn’t worth replying to, and I responded with a slight smile.
The reason I hadn’t visited the tomb recently was this.
“I no longer need to be here.”
“What do you mean? The research on the spell isn’t finished yet.”
“Aren’t we on the verge of completion?”
“……”
Francesca’s unique spell to resurrect the Ancient Dragon.
We were already right at the doorstep of success.
Whether I was there or not, Francesca could complete the spell without any issues.
“I’m someone who values time and efficiency, you see.”
How many hours had I dedicated to assisting her with her spells? If my help was no longer necessary, it was only right to allocate that time and resource to something else.
Despite my answer, Francesca seemed unsatisfied, taming her slightly furrowed brows.
She hinted at another reason she wasn’t revealing.
“…Are you afraid of leaving traces?”
“Well, there’s that. At this stage, if I interfere, there’s no doubt some trace of me will be left on the completed unique spell.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
What Francesca was doing was clearly illegal.
If she was conducting activities that would leave no fingerprints like her assistant, that would be one thing. But was it necessary to take off the gloves and touch things at the scene? No.
“I can help up to this point. Beyond this, it’s an unreasonable request for a coward like me.”
“……”
Francesca’s eyes were still narrowed, but it seemed she had no intention of pushing any further, as she averted her gaze.
She spoke.
“Alright, I understand.”
Having lost the reason to lead the conversation, she lifted the magic she had placed in the private room, letting out the remaining words.
“Thank you for your help so far. It’s true that you’ve been a great help, and I’ll continue to support the Research Society’s activities.”
Her words of gratitude were oddly cold, yet she continued to manipulate her mana.
I read the flow of her mana and understood the meaning behind her actions.
The curse for our contract was now to be ended.
“The time has come.”
“I wanted to do it around the festival, but you’d probably hate it since you’re such a coward.”
“That’s quite accurate.”
I smiled as I extracted my mana.
I established the ritual for cancellation and brought it into manifestation.
We had set up the same conditions as equals. Since our understandings matched, the mutual curse was abolished.
The cancellation of the curse was swift.
With that, the chain connecting Francesca and me was severed.
By the time the festival rolled around, not even a trace of mana would remain.
As our relationship was newly defined, she immediately moved on, as if there was nothing left to say.
“Francesca-senpai.”
I made the approaching necromancer briefly look back. I could see her ancient, solemn eyes.
The next words were a small favor for Francesca, who was one of the main heroines.
“Watch out for Senior Clemens.”
The incident between your father Niklas and Clemens’ father Sylvester is blooming again with the changing seasons.
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