Yuna managed to compose herself, thanks to Yuri and me sticking close and offering mental support. It wasn’t the same as before, where she would melt down in panic.
“────.”
It felt like she was calming down at least out of respect for our efforts.
As proof, the world around us still screamed in agony. The ceiling lights darted about like dozens of wild, bulging eyes, squirming in search of prey, flicking their tongues toward the flying gnats.
I snapped my fingers to get the attention of the terrified kid beside me, who was paralyzed by the twisted scene. Seeing that only added to his fear.
“You’re chasing that bastard, and now I’ve got a reason to take him down too.”
“...Are you suggesting an alliance?”
“Yes.”
Our interests aligned. There was no reason not to team up.
Beyond the Hypnotic Detective’s abilities, I wanted the book the kid held. It seemed filled with detailed information about ‘Goat’ or whatever he was called.
“But first, I think we need to build some trust. Hypnotic Detective, I find something about you suspicious. You’re just... too young.”
“....”
“You’re not some long-living species or someone with rejuvenation powers. You just look like an ordinary kid... and yet you’re carrying a book of rules and acting as the ‘Hypnotic Detective.’ There’s only one conclusion I can draw from this.”
“...Yes, I’m the second generation. I inherited the title of Hypnotic Detective from my master.”
The kid nodded compliantly, but there was more I wanted to uncover. The truth lay in the fact that, as a mage, he couldn’t generate mana properly—an inherent flaw.
When taking on an apprentice, talent is the first thing anyone would consider. While emotional factors might allow for teaching someone with such a flaw, appointing them as a successor is another matter entirely.
I carefully asked him in a roundabout way.
“How long did you study illusion magic under your master?”
“...Two years.”
“On the recording before the battle, Goat mentioned killing his apprentices and destroying the tower. When did that happen?”
“...I don’t know. A long time ago, I guess.”
Piecing this testimony together, the timeline looked like this:
The elder fled the Purple Tower, sought refuge in the kingdom, operated as an illusionist, lost his apprentice to Goat, began working as the Hypnotic Detective, met this kid, and passed on the title to him (presumably after the first generation died).
So, it seemed he had no choice but to pick this kid after his other apprentices were all killed.
Think about it. The man’s days were numbered due to old injuries; he could no longer dream of revenge. He only had one apprentice left, and they were defective, unable to produce mana.
If he was a master of hypnotic magic with a truly hardened heart...
“I suspect you might still be under hypnosis—from the past, up until now.”
“...?”
“Your grudge is oddly enormous. You were living well in the kingdom, then risked your life coming to the academy based on a thin, unverified lead. And all for someone else’s grudge, not even your own.”
So...
Did the Hypnotic Detective imprint his hatred into this poor child before dying, like carving it into his brain? That’s what I suspected.
It would be a filthy thing to do.
I pulled over a nearby magic circle and used it like a magnifying glass to look beyond. Sure enough, traces of hypnosis lingered in the boy’s mind.
I raised a finger.
“I’ll erase it. Once that blind hatred leaves your head, life will get a lot easier. You won’t have to suffer in that undeveloped body of yours.”
“Wa... Wait, wait!”
“What, because you think there’s no way you could be hypnotized...? I can show you proof. Or, if you’re worried about the hypnosis removal process itself, don’t be. My calculations are flawless.”
“No, don’t erase it! It’s... something I received from my master!”
The Hypnotic Detective raised his guard, as if to protect his mind.
Oh?
“What do you mean?”
“My master intended to give up on revenge. He didn’t have much time left, and I was too young. But I chose to inherit it. I decided I would carry it on.”
“Why?”
“...It was an old man’s last wish. The least I could do as the Hypnotic Detective, right?”
Oh.
Interesting.
“...Then what’s with that expression?”
I was genuinely moved by the kid’s unexpected resolve.
In my mind, I pictured the scene: a street orphan becoming the disciple of an old wizard, building a bond, and in the final moments, pledging to fulfill his master’s revenge.
It was likely true, even if the details differed.
I felt a surprising sense of romance in the story. Though I initially intended to punish him for challenging me, perhaps I could go a little easier.
I decided to ask the opinion of the person most affected by missing the first lecture of the talented professor.
“What do you think, Selvia?”
“...Well, he’s just a kid, and punishing him too harshly seems a bit much. No one was really harmed, and the students were actually happy to hear about the class cancellation... Uh, Yuri? Could you come over here for a moment?”
Selvia was pulled to the side by Yuri Ranster’s gestures.
Curious about their conversation, I strained to listen, but Yuri’s magic subtly distorted the sound, leaving me with only fragments.
“...are you going to abandon the trials you proposed, Selvia? Destroying the heaven of academy students with those very hands...”
“...But the situation is different for voluntarily enrolled students and a young child...”
“...The boy is prepared, and he inherited his master’s grudge... Judging by age alone could be considered rude...”
“...Is that so?”
After some whispered discussion, Selvia returned with an unsure expression, having apparently reconsidered.
“...In honor of the boy’s resolve, and in preparation for the enemy, ‘Goat,’ we’re going to face, I think a ‘trial’ is necessary to rapidly improve his illusion magic defenses... Yes, after some thought, that seems right, Professor.”
It was a solid point.
Something about her suggestion to increase the difficulty level really resonated today.
I abandoned my previous plan and adjusted accordingly. She was right. This kid needed rapid combat power enhancement.
“Hypnotic Detective the Second, do you know of the Great Labyrinth?”
“...!!”
It seemed he did.
Shrrrrk!
The kid’s face turned pale, and he tried to make a sudden escape, but Yuri’s chains caught him, leaving him dangling helplessly.
“Let go! Let me go, you crazy, evil wizard!”
“This is for your benefit. Rapid power-ups require a bit of suffering. Plus... you’ve infringed upon my teaching rights over hundreds of academy students. For that, you owe me some lessons.”
“Uwaaaaah!”
Splat. A large, mouth-like entrance appeared on the ground. This was the entrance to the Great Labyrinth.
After the team competition ended, I hadn’t wanted to discard or abandon the Great Labyrinth, so I parked the entire facility under my research lab. Thanks to that, I could transport it here with ease.
After this, I would be heading to the Purple Tower.
I would uncover and eliminate the true identity of the ‘Goat’ hiding in the tower. Since the Hypnotic Detective seemed essential to that process, I intended to bring him along if possible.
I also wanted to help him fulfill his master’s revenge.
And the Great Labyrinth was perfect for that. Yes, I was doing this for the kid’s benefit. Definitely not because I held any grudge over our earlier clash.
“Right, Yuri?”
“Yes, Mima. We are righteous, pure, and virtuous.”
Smiling brightly, Yuri and I shared a laugh.
Cut.
“...Did it work?”
“...It seems it didn’t.”
So, our little impromptu skit didn’t quite lighten the mood... Glancing over, I saw Yuna’s expression hadn’t changed in the slightest. It seemed humor wouldn’t lift the atmosphere.
Clearing my throat, I asked cautiously.
“...Yuna? Shall we talk?”
“Sorry, right now... not feeling up for it. Could you... give me some time?”
“Then... How about we talk later, after the sun sets? There are no clouds in the sky today. Once the moon rises, we could go out for some fresh air and a change of scenery.”
“...Alright.”
I gently arranged the time.
Inside the academy grounds, there was a large, earth-made dinosaur. Although technically a type of golem, its operational cost-efficiency was so poor that it was merely used as decoration.
It was a perfect place to enjoy the view.
I climbed up, carefully grasping the ladder on the outer wall, until I reached the top. There, someone was already sitting. A beautiful, cute woman with a pointed hat and long, braided golden hair.
I sat down next to her in silence.
From the flat top of the dinosaur’s head, I looked down. With barely any tall buildings around, the academy’s view was breathtaking from here.
I lifted my head to gaze upward. The few buildings that were lit made the night sky’s stars shine all the more brightly. It was a stunning sight.
As I counted the stars, I spoke.
“One day, I’d like to put a satellite up there. A fake star that orbits with illusion magic, sparkling in the sky...”
“We could even create constellations,” she replied.
“Of course. And we could name them too. Something only we understand—a secret language, so the meaning wouldn’t get lost over time.”
“Yeah. That sounds... fun.”
Yes, it certainly would be fun.
Right now, I’m investing time and effort in unnecessary things like dark magic, but if I could throw off these shackles and find freedom...
Doesn’t your heart race just thinking about what we could achieve with this power and time? If I truly wished, it wouldn’t be impossible to popularize computers and revolutionize the era within a century.
Or, I could bring over masterpieces from my old world, using my suspiciously excellent memory...
Or even reach an age of space travel, working intensively with people like Gordius, surpassing modern civilization.
“Or maybe, I’d like to create a virtual reality game and run the entire server myself. I loved reading game fantasy novels in my previous life.”
“So, we’d play the role of hilariously incompetent admins...? ‘A hidden class has been discovered, sir. What should we do now?’”
“Oh, that’s a line I’d love to say. That sounds like fun.”
It didn’t even seem that hard. With a dragon heart, I could probably brew up a shared illusion magic system that would allow global service.
So, as we discussed our dreams for the future...
I gave a bitter smile.
“...But we can’t just shake off the past, can we?”
“Yeah.”
“Can I finally ask what happened?”
“It was... just painful. Those kinds of memories. Like being born unlucky, suffering without cause, like someone fated to endure hardship without reason. Memories I neither need nor want to explain.”
A dark shadow flickered in Yuna’s eyes.
People are supposed to move forward, and we all know that. But ultimately, who we are is shaped by our past. You can’t ignore it, even if you try.
Imagine finding out that a scar you thought erased, a villain who left a deep wound in your heart, was actually alive. I can’t say I understand how that feels.
That’s why I wanted to understand and, if possible, to share her feelings like I did with the Hypnotic Detective. I wanted to be angry with her, as if we were one person. But Yuna wouldn’t allow it.
Her stubborn silence about her past was partly because she didn’t want to bring it up again, and the other part...
“Is it because you want me not to worry?”
“...It’s half and half. I appreciate the concern, but... yeah... I’d rather you just laugh, talk, and be happy as usual. I don’t want to burden you. I don’t want to be someone’s weight. I don’t want to be your worry. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, come on. I get it. So don’t apologize...”
I paused, choosing my words.
After a long yet brief silence, I finally spoke.
“As I thought... Yuna, just stay here and wait comfortably. I’ll go to the Purple Tower and erase that steward Painkeeper cleanly.”
“...No. He’s... the ‘filth’ I couldn’t deal with. So, I... I should...”
I understood. Now, I could even read Yuna’s inner feelings from the tempo of her breathing. Her anxiety and pain.
She’d been hurt so deeply in the past that she’d even lost control in front of Irid. Meeting the person who caused that again... how much stress would that bring her?
Since I was born too late to be there for her in her darkest times, perhaps I could at least take care of the aftermath.
“Yuna, you know, I don’t lose to other mages. And if it’s an illusionist, I’ve already won. Aisha is by my side now too. Unless something unexpected happens... this mission is so safe it’s almost boring.”
“...”
“It’s just like taking out the recycling, you know? It’s something you can ask someone else to handle. You ask me to wash the dishes when you don’t feel like it, right?”
“T-That’s only when you don’t respond...”
I pulled Yuna into a hug. This was one part where I wanted to push my way through. I didn’t want to see her hurt.
Afterward, Yuna hesitated, mumbling that she should still go, but each time, I gave her a kiss, and she settled down.
After about thirty minutes of this warm and gentle persuasion...
“...Can I really leave it to you?”
“They say married couples are one, right? You’re me, and I’m you. You helped me when I was pulling against ‘it,’ and if you refuse to receive help alone, I’d feel hurt.”
“Then... then, please... don’t get hurt. I... I could cry for a week...”
“Of course. I’ll take care of everything.”
Confidently thumping my chest, Yuna looked up at me, her violet eyes reflecting the stars, the rain, and the wind.
“You remember our promise... right?”
“Yes.”
It was a question for confirmation.
Of course, I remembered.
For a long time, I had been searching for a story.
In this TRPG, this small play unfolding on paper, I wanted to find a story.
A thrilling, spectacular story that would repay all the misfortunes of my life.
Once, in the distant past, I had shared this inner wish with Yuna. She had confessed she, too, was searching for a story.
I promised with a pinky swear to create a world of happiness for her. I remembered. How could I ever forget? I remember with all my heart and soul.
Softly, as if sharing secrets under the covers, Yuna whispered under the night sky.
“When you come back, you’ll finish the story, right?”
“Yes. I’ll sing a flawless happy ending that anyone would agree with.”
“...With three wives?”
“T-That part, well... I’ll work on it...”
And so, I received permission to set out.
The shadow of the enormous earth-dinosaur loomed over me.
As I slowly climbed down the ladder, Aisha, leaning against the wall, struck up a conversation out of the blue.
“You... you said his name. The steward Painkeeper.”
“...I know. I was surprised too. I didn’t let it show in front of Yuna, though.”
Despite my magical affliction preventing me from remembering others' names, I somehow recalled and pronounced his. Aisha rested her finger on her chin, murmuring.
“The only names Dad can remember are those of people he’s played with.”
“That’s not quite right. And putting that aside... I’ve never taken someone like him as a player. It’s impossible that he’s among the players I’ve been with until now.”
“True. I think so too. But—Dad, in a way, you’re one with the ‘Evil Dragon,’ aren’t you?”
“...”
So he’s not Dad’s toy.
“He’s probably the toy of ‘It.’ Someone so close, close enough that you, sharing a part of ‘It,’ could remember his name... My original form was once close to a god, so perhaps we could call him an apostle of the Evil God.”
“It doesn’t matter. The succubus queen who wielded the Evil God’s power fell to my hand, and now I have you by my side.”
“You’re trusting me a little too much, aren’t you? What if I betray you on a whim?”
“Well, then it’ll be reverse bunny-girl time, so behave.”
Aisha shuddered, a look of disgust crossing her face, but then she broke into laughter. It seemed she came to warn me to be careful. How thoughtful.
But I was confident. Whether he’s an apostle of the Evil God or not, if his foundation lies in illusion magic... ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) there’s no scenario in which I lose.
This time, more than ever. There will be no compromise, no redemption, no sympathy or pity. I’ll use every ounce of my strength to sever Painkeeper’s head. And, in doing so—
I’ll erase the lingering resentment in Yuna’s heart.