In the Head Professor’s Office.
Rays of warm sunshine were flowing through the window, but Deculein’s atmosphere remained chilly as always.One step at a time, Epherene slowly approached Deculein.
Hesitant, she opened her mouth.
She struggled to get the words out.She was kicked out in the blink of an eye, propelled backward by [Psychokinesis], and the door was closed behind her.
“…What was that?”
Epherene stared at the tightly locked door. She tried to shake the doorknob, but it wouldn’t open.
“What… open it! Open it! I have something to-“
“Ah, Epherene. You’re here?”
Then, Allen called out from behind her. He smiled brightly
.“Ah, I… yes. I am, but…”
Epherene scratched the back of her neck, face feeling warm from a combination of embarrassment and shame.Allen shook his head as if he knew everything, his voice as bright as always.
“He can be like that.Rather, Professor Deculein thinks that it is natural to do so. I would have done that, too.”
“It was also courageous for you to reveal your family history. So, you can just pay him back through your research~. It’s no big deal for us.”
Allen, shouting energetically, walked into the laboratory.
[Assistant Professor Allen’s Research Laboratory]
Maybe because of the recent expansion Deculein added, his steps had as much hop like a rabbit.
A voice went through Epherene’s head as she watched him go: a memory of the conversation between Deculein and Ihelm.
—This study hasn’t been completed yet.
Its completion is up to Epherene, not me.
What was left for Epherene, what she would do for her father, and the completion of their research?
Epherene ran towards the [Assistant Research Laboratory].
She threw open the door of the laboratory, and ignoring the flustered Drent, sat in front of her desk stacked high with research papers.
“I can do this. I can do this…”
Epherene didn’t waste any more time.
She felt more motivated than ever as her purpose was finally clear.Therefore, she immediately started studying.…After the four-night and five-day hearing.
“You both did a great job!”
At Adrienne’s office on the 100th floor.
I, summoned along with Ihelm, was facing Adrienne.
“Since you were both so highly praised, the thesis evaluation will be over in a month! But before that! Both of you have exams!”
Chairman Adrienne passed on my thesis to Floating Island. Maybe most of the Addicts would stop their work and focus on reading the thesis.
“This time, it’s to comprehend actual battle skills!”
“Can I step down as a candidate?”
Ihelm asked casually as he swept back his hair.
“You can’t! You still have the chance to turn the tables!”
“…I don’t even want to turn the tables.”
“Forget it. Look at this!”
She took out a map and a crystal ball, both items related to an island called Goreth.
At that moment, a quest alarm went off.
[Main Quest: Altar and Ghost]
◆Mental Strength +1
Almost all of the quests were labeled main or independent.
There was no time to do any side quests anymore.
“The destination is Goreth Island! It’s also known as Ghost Island, and there’s also a Ghost.Castle on it!”
The Chairman’s crystal ball displayed a three-dimensional view of the island. A dock with derelict ships anchored nearby, a huge castle beyond it, and overgrown weeds and grass covered the land. It was obvious that it had been abandoned for a while.
“I’m sure both of you have studied this at least in a textbook once!”
“Yes, we know.”
Ihelm clicked his tongue.
“Goreth, the magical space where three-thousand islanders disappeared in an instant 60 years ago.”
“Yes, that’s right! In the past, they produced an abundance of indigenous products, and lots of tourists visited, but after that incident, it became a dead island. But, my god! A holystone mine was discovered on the island!”
Holystone mine, a natural resource coveted not only by wizards but anyone in this world. There was a saying that went, ‘I would even dig to hell for the best holystone.’
“There are ten thousand tons of holystone buried there! If you convert it into Elnes… oh my!”
The Chairman flopped around exaggeratedly. Ihelm crossed his arms and watched her gruffly.
“So, we’re currently planning on purging it! That is your exam! Whoever comes up with the better plan on purging-““So, you mean to say, shuffled volunteers.”
“No! No way!”
Ihelm shook his head right after asking.
“Your performance will be judged, and rewards will be distributed according to your level of contribution. For example, if Ihelm contributed 3%, then it’s 0.3% of those ten-thousand tons. A total of fifteen tons of shares will be given, excluding the half that belongs to the Imperial family!”
Although it depended on the quality, that amount was equivalent to a 1-year budget for most medium and small-sized lands.
“Ihelm is the master of support magic, and our Yukline’s Deculein is the most reliable if ever demons or ghosts appear! It’s a great combination!”
Then, Ihelm looked back at me, asking with his eyes If I wanted to participate in this exam. As long as it was a quest, I had no reason to refuse.
“Yes, I will.”
“…What? Then, me too. The Chairman’s position is already out of my reach, but I want to have a stake in the mine.”
The leader’s office of the Freyhem Knights, a room with no ornaments or luxuries to cover the boring wooden structure.Leader Julie was checking the ledger of the Knight Order.
It made her happy.
Her physical condition was still deteriorating, but with this profit, they could be considered a healthy Knight Order.
She put the ledger back in the drawer and quickly pulled herself together. Then, she ordered them to come in.Vice-Captain Rockfell entered, dressed in armor adorned with a black cape. As soon as she noticed the cold expression he wore, Julie stood.
“What’s wrong, Rockfell?”
“We have recovered… Veron’s body.”
Julie’s eyes shot wide open, and she hurriedly approached Rockfell.
The Freyhem Knights made great efforts to recover his body, but they failed even after accruing astronomical costs.
They were at a cliff of despair.“Yes, Lady Josephine helped us.”
“Ah… is that so?”
Julie nodded. She trudged back and sighed with relief. She was really, truly grateful to her sister this time.“…He’s back. That punk.”
It felt like one side of her heart was lightening up.
Julie looked to Rockfell; his eyes were already teary.“Leader, what are you going to do now?”
“We’ll hold a funeral again.”
“Yes. I’ll notify the others.”
Rockfell bowed his head and backed out the room.With a deep sigh, Julie looked out the window. The sky was clear, and the sun was bright.She focused on smiling instead of crying.
Meanwhile, Solda Epherene was drinking coffee at the cafe.
Yet, her upset stomach wouldn’t let her enjoy it. A lot of the people inside kept glancing at her.
“Ah, my stomach hurts.”
These days, she received a lot of attention everywhere she went in the university because she was an assistant that went against Deculein. Some were supportive, and others were worried.
There were even many nobles who were cursing her, but no one was on Deculein’s side. Epherene felt a bit….
“Hmm~, there’s a celebrity in here.”
Someone sat beside her. As she looked back, Epherene’s eyes widened.
Louina flipped her green hair back with a smile.
“Yes, nice to see you. You still look very confused.”
“Oh… yes. Hi.”
Epherene smiled bitterly and bowed her head as Louina took a sip of her coffee.
“How was he? Professor Deculein, he has changed a lot, right?”
“Ah, that, I didn’t know Professor Deculein well in the past.”
She only read about it in the letter and had never directly experienced it. Epherene now decided to believe only in what she saw. Louina let out a little sigh.
“Phew, that’s true. He’s changed a lot now. In the past, he used to be a very, indescribably bad guy… and, there’s a reason why people change.”
Epherene blinked and looked at her, surprised by how bitter she sounded.
“What happened to the Professor?”
“Hmm… well. I shouldn’t tell you, right? I might die.”
At that moment, as she tilted her head blankly, a voice that was buried at the bottom of her consciousness came up.
—But… there is no Professor in my world.A voice that scattered like a mirage.
The sentence repeated and lingered in her ears for a while as Epherene remained deep in thought. Who said this and where? How did she hear it?
“Solda Epherene? What’s wrong?”
Epherene shook her head, snapping out of it.“Not even the slightest idea?”
“Oh… no. Nothing like that.”
She didn’t know the reason he changed. She couldn’t know. Just…
“My head hurts, maybe because of this.”
Epherene produced a piece of paper.
“Ah~, Goreth Island. Ghost Castle? Professor Deculein is going this time, right?”
“Is his assistant required to participate? This is a dangerous place, so there’s no need to go together.”
“It’s not required, but still….”
Epherene scratched at her cheek.
“I’m thinking of going because I’m the Professor’s assistant. I can also continue my research there. Of course, if the Professor doesn’t want me to, then I won’t-“
When she opened her eyes, she was inside a boat headed to the Ghost Castle onGoreth Island. Epherene looked out the window.
The sun was shining, and the sea was calm. It was so peaceful they might’ve as well been on a cruise.Epherene stretched out, yawning.
“Epherene, you’re awake?”
Allen smiled brightly next to her. Epherene wiped away her tears of sleep as she yawned.
“Yes. It was my first time riding a boat, but I suddenly fell asleep. Is it because I’m feeling seasick?”
“Ah~, it’s your first time? Then, it’s possible. But, is it okay for you not to attend classes?”
Drent was excluded from this trip due to his lectures and assignments.
“Yes, anyways… it is easy for me.”
He looked out the window.
“But there are many ghosts where we are going! You’ll get to research a lot~.”
“Yes. I’m a bit excited. Ghosts are magical beings, after all.”
Allen didn’t answer. Instead, he suddenly looked back at Epherene. It was a weird motion, like his neck was bent.
“Ah, Assistant Professor Allen. Your body…”
His body was still facing the window, but his neck had turned sideways to face her.
“Do I still look like Allen?”
“What are you talking about…?”
Blood flowed down from Allen’s eyes.
It suddenly burst out, splashing all over Epherene’s body. Epherene stiffened, too shocked to respond.
Meanwhile, Allen opened his mouth wide, revealing several shark-like rows of teeth.Epherene tried to use magic, but her body would not move.
There was no strength in her body, just like when you try to punch in a dream…
“…Dream! This is a dream!”
Epherene forced her eyes open. Her body was trembling, but the horrid image of Allen vanished. He was watching the sea outside the window next to her.
Epherene sighed.
Was it because her body and mind felt weak these days?
Or had her mental strength weakened?
“…Epherene? Is something wrong?”
Allen sounded worried, but Epherene smiled somberly and shook her head.
“Oh, I just dreamt a little….”
“What kind of dream?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
Allen grabbed my hand and stuck out his face.
Bloody tears flowed from his eyes in mimicry of the scene just a moment ago.
Allen spewed out blood as he spoke.
“This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream? This dream?”
Epherene began to scream and struggle.At some point, she woke up from her dream again. She hurriedly looked around. As expected, it was inside the boat, but at night, not in the morning. Then, Allen appeared.
“Epherene! What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“Again, again! You’re doing it again! Don’t come any closer!”
Epherene stopped Allen, who had come to check on her.
Allen stiffened, hurt, but a different voice cut in.“This is not a dream.”
Epherene searched for its source, finding Head Professor Deculein, who was reading a book nearby.
“Epherene, have you ever heard of the legend of the Siren?”
“Oh, yes. I have.”
“The magic of the ocean draws people in.Dreams and illusions serve as a medium. Ghosts are beings who have more presence in dreams and fantasies. The island we are going to is a magical space where this phenomenon is intensified. So, the closer we get, the worse this phenomenon will become.”
“You were caught by a ghost and then freed.”
Epherene swallowed. Then, she looked at her wrist that the ghost had grabbed. The clear impression of a handprint remained there.
“There’s no need to worry. I’m your proof of reality.”
Epherene looked at Deculein. He spoke with his eyes still fixed on his book.“They can’t imitate me. If I’m not in your world, then consider it a dream. The place where I exist in is reality.”
“Oho~, you’re so amazing, Professor Deculein!”
Ihelm, who was enjoying wine on the sofa not far away, applauded. Deculein didn’t respond.
“Yes, yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Epherene, answering shyly, looked out the window.
The sea was dark as a rainstorm approached, and rough waves knocked at the boat.Lightning crashed down not so far away.
In it, a shape that resembled a skull flashed.
Epherene was surprised, but not because of the thunderbolt. It was because of the wave of memories that it conjured forth.—But… there is no Professor in my world.
A faint voice permeated through her consciousness.
—So, don’t hate me too much.What the future self said to her present self. Epherene hurriedly looked to Deculein.
—And if possible…
I ask you to keep the Professor in your world for as long as you can. In the not too distant future, Deculein will die.
