Chapter 71:
Selvier, the Red Tower wizard, was living her academy life to the fullest. She was worried about keeping up with the lectures, but thanks to her innate talent, she was able to absorb the professors’ teachings like a sponge.
In Introduction to Basic Elements, she deepened her understanding of each attribute, and in All About Close Combat, she learned how to tackle close combat as a wizard.
Sure, she ended up with bruises here and there from clumsy whacks with a quarterstaff, but they were wounds she wore with pride. The more she struggled in the academy, the less likely she’d end up losing her life outside, right?
She even received feedback from Professor Alexon, saying, “You’re doing well, but sometimes you miss the crucial parts. Try to avoid battlefields with too many variables and rely on your firepower to win.”
Sure, it made her a bit teary-eyed thinking about what she might’ve missed, but she kept that feedback in her mind. There had to be a reason the professor felt it necessary to give her a heads up.
Surprisingly, the toughest class turned out to be Countermeasures to Illusion Magic taught by a crazy unknown wizard. Getting out of the so-called Step into a Door, Ascend into a World illusion maze was almost impossible!
Some of the students who attended that day still trembled at the thought of opening doors. They worried that a giant frog might leap out if they opened the bathroom door!
But hey, it undoubtedly helped them improve. They learned several methods to deal with situations where traps might be lurking around.
Throughout all of those lectures, her roommate, Niolle, really shone.
She could see even the most minuscule details that everyone else overlooked. That inherent talent of hers manifested in many ways, be it in close combat or escaping labyrinths. The only flaw was that her physical capabilities couldn’t keep up with her sharp observation skills.
She lacked basic stats and had weak offensive power.
Even if Niolle could read the attack trajectories, she simply didn’t have the strength to dodge or block them. And even if she perceived the exit of the maze, she didn’t have the power to shoot through traps and make it out!
So, Selvier partnered up with Niolle. Selvier lacked insight, and Niolle was low on firepower, making them the perfect duo to complement each other’s shortcomings.
Thanks to that, they quickly became close friends.
She was pure-hearted and kind. Always wanting to lend a helping hand and never hesitating to throw herself into dangerous situations. She had a lot on her mind and loved receiving compliments.
She trained hard every day without slacking off, showing deep consideration for others. Truly, she was the kind of good person everyone would love.
And above all, her eyes were beautiful.
Those eyes sparkled with pure kindness. With eyes radiating determination, they reflected her unyielding drive to pursue her own way in life.
So…
“Welcome! How was class…? Did something happen?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Selvier couldn’t help but notice the change in Niolle.
Her eyes, which once sparkled like stars in the sky, now looked as dark as a dead fish.
===============================================================
It had only been a maximum of three hours.
In just those three hours, she had completely transformed. Her confidence was snuffed out like a candle in the wind. Her lips were dry, and her hands trembled, as if she were being chased.
Maybe something big happened?
“What on Earth happened…? No, no. For now, sit here.”
Selvier took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Panicking would be the worst! First, she grabbed Niolle’s limp, doll-like hands and guided her to sit on the bed.
Then, she recalled some fond memories, like a manual she could refer to.
Back in her rural village, whenever she had a fight with her parents and cried alone, her childhood friend would bring her warm tea from who-knows-where and have her drink it. He would say that our bodies and minds are closely connected, so something warm going inside would make her feel a lot better.
Then he would gently ask what was wrong, listening carefully to Selvier’s story until she finished, leading her to find her own path forward.
She might not be able to match that boy’s finesse, but…
Knowing how comforting it was just to have someone listen to your troubles, Selvier decided to take some time to help Niolle. After all, she could always postpone today’s mana training.
Selvier went to the dormitory kitchen and brewed a warm cup of cocoa. After handing Niolle the mug, she cautiously asked,
“⋯⋯If you have worries, would you share them? I want to help you, Niolle.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Finishing her words, Selvier sat beside her and calmly waited.
Niolle felt the warmth from the mug. It was at just the right temperature to drink, perfectly safe for her tongue. A small detail, yet that kind of thoughtfulness was filled with deep consideration.
Sippp.
Although she had no appetite, Niolle took a sip of cocoa for Selvier’s sake, and surprisingly, it was pretty good. The warmth spread throughout her body.
With care, Niolle began to write.
[I wanted to help someone.]
“Niolle, you’ve always been like that…”
[I believe it’s the right thing to do. If someone is in need, I should lend a hand. Even if some call it foolish, helping others made me happy, and I thought it would make the world better. But…]
Abraham died while she was trying to save others. If she hadn’t reached out then, if she had just stayed in the car with Abraham and returned to the mansion, the old man counting the stars would still be alive.
Or at least, instead of forcing Bennett and Tara to help save people, she could have taken the risk herself. If she did that, the old man would’ve lived. And even before all this… if only she had been stronger. If only she had power, maybe things would’ve turned out differently.
So her sin was…
[Because I tried to save one person, I couldn’t save another. I still believe saving people is right. But my choice… I regret it. I hate that I begged Bennett and Tara for help when I couldn’t even stand on my own. I hate the foolishness of believing I could save everyone.]
She had let her minuscule strength fuel her greed, dragging others into her convictions.
[I should have just ignored it. I wish I’d brushed it off. I think about it again and again, and it just makes me hate myself more. Why did she have to get kidnapped that day, at that time? Why did it catch my eye…? It’s ridiculous because it was my choice all along…]
Arrogance.
[I feel sorry for Tara and Bennett. If I had just asked them for help, they wouldn’t have to share my regrets. If I had the wisdom to know what’s truly important like Bennett does. If only that was the case…]
Niolle was still caught in her cycle of regret. The girl who faced the trolley dilemma blamed herself for not having the power to stop the train.
Indulging in the grimoire while tearing at her own heart was a punishment she placed upon herself, a desperate plea to avoid ever experiencing such despair again.
Selvier read Niolle’s words carefully, organized her thoughts, and spoke.
“Even now, people are dying on the Eastern Front.”
[⋯⋯⋯⋯?]
“Whether in the slums of Crownhall, an unknown valley, or a dark dungeon… people are always dying. Should you feel guilty for that?”
[That… is not the case.]
“Why?”
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
Selvier reached her arms out.
“The reason is simple. From here, it’s impossible to directly help the soldiers on the Eastern Front. Our arms simply can’t reach there. In the end, people can only resolve issues within their own reach.”
[⋯⋯But Abraham was within my reach. So were Tara and Bennett. The one who interfered was me.]
“Though I don’t know the details… from what I hear, you didn’t know what would happen, did you? If two people were in danger and you had a comrade nearby… the Niolle I know would have suggested splitting the group. To save both of them at once.”
[Abraham had warning signs. If I had paid more attention, I could have seen it.]
“The Niolle I know is tenacious and passionate about everything. I’m sure at that moment, you did your best. I understand that you hold regrets. I’m not saying you shouldn’t feel regret, but….”
Selvier pinched Niolle’s cheeks and tugged gently.
“Stop thinking every tragedy is your fault, Niolle.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“And let’s face common sense. You should blame those who do wrong, not those who try to help others from evil. Anyone would think that way. Well… I know this won’t magically change your mind…”
Selvier hugged Niolle tight. She wanted to share her energy with her friend drowning in guilt. After all, people can lift each other up just by exchanging their feelings.
“At the very least, I don’t think this is your fault. You must’ve gone through a tough time… You worked hard, Niolle. It’s going to be okay. You can get through this. Come on.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯Oo, euh.”
Selvier decided to ignore how her shoulder was getting wet.
She hoped Niolle would rise above this and turn her regret into strength rather than drown in it. Still, she couldn’t even begin to fathom what had happened in just three short hours…
And so, they held each other tightly for quite a while.
===============================================================
Time flew by quickly. No matter what students went through, the academy schedule waits for no one, so the Dungeon Exploration was set in motion.
They loaded the students onto the carriage, left the main street at the Academy’s southern gate, and headed towards the dungeon. While en route in the carriage…
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Bennett sighed in relief. Tara was still in hysterics, but Niolle appeared to be doing much better. At least one of them had somewhat regained their mental stability.
After riding in a jolting carriage for half a day, they finally reached the dungeon entrance. The professors allowed the students to voluntarily form groups for entering the dungeon. They placed a token deep inside the dungeon, saying that as long as they brought it back, they’d pass.
Some groups of ten unremarkable students headed in together, while a few brave souls opted to enter solo. Naturally, Bennett, Tara, and Niolle gathered together as a group, having lived together for the past six days.
“⋯⋯Do you think this group will be okay this time too?”
[If you’re okay with me, then…?]
“Well, what’s with the attitude? Were you trying to kick me out of the party or something?!”
“No one suggested that, Tara. No one.”
They naturally took their positions. In the back was Niolle, with her devastating spells. In the middle stood Tara, ready to support the group with her divine magic. And up front was Bennett…
“⋯⋯You can’t use Outer God spells out here, right?”
[Ah.]
Niolle moved to the front. It was likely because there were no Outer Gods in this world to lend her their strength; her spells had no effect when cast outside this realm.
[There’s a trap here.]
“Confirmed. Tara, don’t go rushing ahead.”
“I didn’t go ahead, okay?!”
The trio navigated the dungeon with seamless skill. Relaxed, they had no need to worry about the crazy martyrs’ magic. Even if a simple arrow trap was triggered, Bennett could handle it, and thanks to Niolle, they could simply avoid it entirely.
[What should we do next?]
“First… we need to seize the safe, no matter what. After that…”
We must destroy the magic circle summoning the Outer God. I happen to be a black wizard, and I know that similar magic circles exist at the Academy. They likely have a large summoning circle made up of several smaller ones hidden all around the Academy!
The report mentioned that bizarre stigmas were hidden all over the city. I believe that tracing those stigmas will reveal the shape of the massive magic circle. Therefore, we must either erase or alter the stigmas scattered around to delay their plan.
There’s a reason we urgently need to stop that summoning. It seems like the black wizards are trying to pull the Outer God into this world. I know this well… because I’m a black wizard too.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
That was something he wouldn’t say out loud.
“After that, shouldn’t we just kill any members of the Order of the Silver Twilight we see on sight?”
[But that’s too dangerous.]
“There’s safety in numbers. After all, look at us, we’re alive and well, right?”
[Still, what if we get hit with mind-affecting magic…?]
How could he communicate this? If he revealed this information to the group, they’d undoubtedly demand to know where he learned it. Which would force him to admit he was a black wizard! But that was just too risky.
Even if he planned to betray the black wizards and side with them, that would still pose a dilemma. Would they genuinely believe him? How could they when he was so uncertain of himself?
There was too much at stake. He would lose all connections at the academy, and his life could be at risk. But…
But maybe, just maybe, there was a chance they might understand. What if they accepted the fact that he was a black wizard? If that transpired, it would lead to a perfect situation. If trust could be established, betraying them later would be easy too.
Bennett felt overwhelmed by his thoughts, and confusion swirled within. He knew he had to make a fateful decision, and frankly, now felt like the right time.
Niolle seemed likely to accept him. As for Tara, he wasn’t quite sure. But perhaps…
Wait.
Did I… want them to accept me as a black wizard?
“⋯⋯⋯⋯Huh.”
Bennett banged his head against the dungeon wall.
“What, what’s going on? Why the sudden change?”
[Did you perhaps feel like ants were crawling all over your eardrums?]
“⋯⋯No, it’s nothing. Uh, I have something important to discuss.”
Let’s share this with them. If the worst-case scenario arises, I can just kill them and say they mysteriously vanished in the dungeon…
Just as Bennett was about to spill his thoughts, making promises he didn’t really mean, suddenly…
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
Niolle dropped her whiteboard, gazing at the dungeon walls as if she’d seen the impossible.
“Niolle, you too? What’s wrong? Were you…”
“Ah, uh…”
Niolle pointed wildly at the wall. Right next to a classic trap where the floor would give way, someone had kindly drawn an arrow reading ‘TRAP’. They even scratched the wall for clarity.
No doubt the kindness of someone who’d ventured through the dungeon beforehand, but…
That wasn’t the core issue. Niolle urgently snatched her whiteboard and began to write.
[That handwriting.]
“⋯⋯Handwriting?”
[It’s just like Abraham’s.]
“⋯⋯⋯⋯What are you saying, Niolle? What does that even mean…?”
Bennett and Tara stared at the scratches on the wall, as if captivated. They lacked the insight to discern someone’s handwriting. Regardless of how hard they stared, they couldn’t gain any certainty.
But Niolle’s reaction made those five words – ‘Abraham’s handwriting’ – stick in their minds.
Niolle began sprinting after the traces. The wall’s lower part bore sporadic ‘TRAP’ markings. Near it were broken springs and bits of metal scattered about. She felt certain. It was Abraham’s handwriting.
Upon reaching the end of their frenzied run, they found themselves in the storage area for the cleaning golems that maintained the dungeon. When they burst through the door, what lay before them was…
One cleaning golem, half-destroyed, with its internal panels clearly visible. It was etching elegant letters into the wall with a piece of metal, scratching diligently.
This wasn’t the scene they had anticipated.
They had hoped for a familiar old man. An image of him smiling gently with his weathered face, exclaiming he hadn’t seen them in a while. His startled response of “The world is indeed unpredictable!” was the miracle they yearned for.
Instead, they were faced with the unfortunate reality: a poor old man’s soul, devoured by an evil god, trapped inside a broken cleaning golem.
Tara whispered, trembling.
“⋯⋯Abraham?”
Then, the cleaning golem slowly moved its arm. Gradually, it scratched the surface of the wall, revealing letters in the stone. Finally, it unveiled a sentence that shattered any hope remaining.
[Who are you?]
And with that, it meant just one thing.
This wasn’t a reunion at all.
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