Chapter: 486
“Well, this isn’t the real deal.”
Early in the morning, Arthur was out at the training grounds, replaying what Yuden had told him the previous day. Surprisingly, despite being dropped into this wasteland, he remained calm.
There were several signs that this wasn’t the real world, but the one Arthur trusted most was the fact that Lucy was quiet.
Something huge was happening, big enough to abduct everyone in the academy to a weird place, yet here was Lucy, the one receiving the God’s attention, being all quiet?
No way. If that was actually happening, Lucy would’ve been stirring up all kinds of trouble days in advance.
She puts up a strong front, but underneath, she’s soft. Lucy Alrn wouldn’t sacrifice others for her own plans; she’d rather throw herself into the fire than see someone else get hurt.
“Hmm. It’s great that I’ve figured out this isn’t real, but how the hell do I escape this place?”
Arthur figured that one good way to wake up from a dream was to just die in it, but this instance was probably the exception to that rule.
There was no way a fantasy would unfold where he could escape just by dying while students were watching.
“Oh! Right. Should I try using what I learned from Lord Erginius?”
He thought he could give it a shot since he had learned while observing the great mage correct Joy’s magic. It should be doable, right?
Just as he was about to conjure some magic, he suddenly heard footsteps in the distance.
Reacting instinctively, Arthur drew his sword, fizzling a few magic circles around him and turned toward the sound.
“Ugh, this is just dirty.”
And the moment he saw the face of the person standing there, a sigh of resignation escaped him as he lowered his sword.
“Arthur. How have you been?”
It was his mother.
She had passed away when Arthur was too young to even recognize the world. Yet, her face was so clear in his memory, it was impossible not to recognize her the moment he saw it.
“You came dressed so nicely today.”
“Huh?”
“Whenever I met you in my dreams, you always had a pained expression.”
That day had been completely ordinary.
The sky was neither clear nor gloomy. The atmosphere in the royal palace was just as usual, and his mother was beaming with her usual smile, showering Arthur with compliments.
Excited by his mother’s praise, Arthur rambled on about everything he had studied alone that day, and she expressed genuine admiration as she ruffled his hair.
But then, at one moment…
Just when Arthur’s mother brought the teacup to her mouth, the sound of the teacup shattering on the floor cut off the young boy’s voice.
His mother gasped, clutching her throat, and choking sounds escaped her lips like that of a dying chicken.
By the time the palace physician arrived, it was already too late.
Even if he was a doctor respected across foreign lands, he couldn’t bring the dead back to life.
Investigations into Queen No. 3’s death proceeded rapidly.
Fortunately, a jealous maid, envious of Arthur’s mother becoming a queen, confessed to her crime, and with her head rolling, the matter was put to rest.
Naturally, no one believed the maid was the true culprit.
Not even the young Arthur, who was just a child back then.
“The you in my dreams always had that dying face, resentful of me. If only you hadn’t noticed me. If only you weren’t so foolish. If only you weren’t a talentless brat.”
Arthur knew that his mother would never say such things.
The words spoken by his mother in his dreams were nothing more than his own thoughts disguised in her voice.
But knowing that didn’t change a thing. Convincing himself that his mother wouldn’t hold it against him only worsened Arthur’s misery.
“I hope you’re still like that now. ‘Cause that’s what’s easier for me.”
“Arthur?”
“Or would you kindly take my head off? I’d love to test death that way.”
“…”
“Do whatever you feel comfortable with. I’ve had enough practice dying in just about every way in my other dreams…”
Suddenly, as Arthur noticed the scenery around him darkening, he was taken aback but quickly realized it was only because his eyelids were closed.
How did I break out of the illusion? I hadn’t even tried anything yet!
Filled with questions, Arthur opened his eyes and met Lucy’s gaze, looking down on him in a mocking fashion.
“Did you wake me?”
“Yes! I couldn’t bear to let the poor, pathetic prince sleep any longer while being utterly useless!”
“…What nonsense am I spouting?”
“Right! You were begging me to insult you and kill you! Is that your thing, oh poor prince? No wonder you look so thrilled whenever I roast you.”
“When have I ever enjoyed that? Don’t make things up!”
“Then what? Speak up if you’re confident, Masochistic Prince.”
Arthur could only mumble in front of Lucy, whose narrowed eyes showed amusement.
How could he talk about the things he did in his dreams, especially in front of someone who had just seen him cry his heart out on his mother’s death anniversary?
Damn it. Why is her gaze piercing into me like that? Does she even realize I’m trying to care for myself here?
“Bwahaha! Since you insist you don’t enjoy it, I’ll believe you this time!”
“Fine! Now, how about you tell me what’s going on?”
“Oh no, your memory’s failing you! Have you forgotten what I said to you in my cute voice not long ago?”
“You could’ve just said the Void followers have stirred something up.”
Arthur clicked his tongue, annoyed, and rose from his spot, eyeing Lucy’s playful expression.
“The barrier’s been compromised.”
“Yes. Given how you’ve stated the obvious, I can tell you’re quite sharp. Absolutely brilliant.”
“…What about the others?”
“They’re all lowly folks compared to you, so they’re already up and moving. Meanwhile, our poor, lazy prince is still snoozing!”
Is my delightful tone twisted or what? That damn Lucy Alrn must genuinely think it’s fun to mess with me!
Frustrated by Arthur’s anger, Lucy merely let out a playful laugh.
Tch. I’ve already taken so much from her and still have more to endure; there’s nothing I can say about it.
“Ah, I see the prince is awake?”
Just then, Frey appeared, interrupting Arthur’s brooding.
“When did you wake up?”
“Right now.”
“How?”
“I just did.”
“So… sigh. Forget it. Don’t say anything. It’ll just give me a headache.”
I know what nonsense will come out of his mouth. He’d probably prattle on about “slicing through illusions” or whatever.
Considering he seemed to be grasping something ever since learning from the Sword Saint, it wouldn’t be strange if he applied that knowledge right away.
“You intolerant fools. Make sure no one’s just slacking off! I mean, you guys having no will to act at all is beyond pathetic. How can you even live like this?!”
“What’s your plan? Are you going to join the others? Or are you opting to seek help outside?”
“Judging by how you can only think about getting help from others, you must be drowning in a sense of defeat, huh? Seems to fit you well.”
“…So, what’s your point?!”
At Arthur’s outburst, Lucy laughed mockingly.
“Your head isn’t working too well, is it? Just shut up and follow me. Even the egregiously useless prince here has something he’s capable of!”
“Me?”
“Yes! You’re still of royal blood, aren’t you?”
*
Leading the followers of the Void, Luca opened the door located at the highest floor of the Soul Academy’s main building.
Inside was an unfathomably complex array of magic circles, all intermingling, surrounded by a horde of followers.
Luca, using the power of the Void to corrode the magic circles, then turned his gaze toward those becoming increasingly dark.
“There’s still quite a bit left.”
“We can’t help that. The barrier protecting the academy has a ridiculously complicated magic circle.”
“I understand. I felt my head swim when I first saw this magic circle, too.”
Two years had passed since Luca became a professor at the Soul Academy. He had entered this room following another professor.
The moment he first encountered the barrier’s magic circle, his first thought had been awe for the great mage, Erginius.
Is this truly the talent that the hero who saved the world possessed? So overwhelmingly beautiful?
Standing before the legacy left behind by a hero from centuries past, Luca felt relieved knowing that Yuden’s light was not absolute and hoped he could someday find someone who would surpass that light.
“It’s truly an exceptional piece of magic. Just this magic circle established the Soul Academy as an educational institution.”
The magic circle left behind by the great mage Erginius wasn’t merely meant to protect the Soul Academy.
It guided those who entered to awaken their talents, accelerated physical recovery, and held countless supplementary effects beyond that.
Among those, the most notable was the immense magical energy the magic circle provided.
It could manifest a dungeon with a hundred floors and maintain it for several months, providing the driving force for hundreds of people to conquer the same dungeon.
This magic circle was nothing short of a miracle’s product.
“I doubt the hero ever thought this would be offered to the Evil God of the Void.”
As Luca gazed at the magic circle turning darker, he smiled.
Ah, Lady Alrn. I hope you receive the gift I have for you with joy.
I wouldn’t think you’d reject it.
Receiving the Lord’s love, there’s no way you’d give up facing the Evil God, right?
Isn’t that right?
You may also like Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy
