Lucas
On the surface, he was a young and handsome professor in the Axis, with a bit of fame among the girls thanks to his charisma and cheerful personality.
His specialty was the study of Relics and Artifacts.
As I was thinking, a soft round of applause spread through the lecture hall.
Lucas clasped his hands together, a lively smile on his face."Let’s do a small review of the previous lesson... it might help those among you who didn’t attend my earlier classes."
As he said that, his eyes stopped on me... he was probably referring to me with that last remark.
I returned the smile. What a kind professor.
"As you know, we previously talked about the difference between Artifacts and Relics."
He walked slowly across the podium, moving his hand in a way that drew everyone’s focus to him."Artifacts are magical items crafted by people with specialized abilities in forging and creation—such as enchanted swords, storage rings, and many other objects."
He continued, his tone filled with passion."As for Relics, they are items we did not create ourselves. We found them in this world, left behind by civilizations that lived before us. Most were discovered in poor, deteriorated condition, but through repairs we managed to make them function again. That is where the vast gap between us and the ancient civilizations became clear."
His voice shifted, tinged with awe.
"They reached a level of development so insane that we would need thousands of years just to brush against it."
He was right about that.
Those civilizations that once lived here left behind Relics capable of making even the greatest human forger of this era look utterly insignificant.
And it was worth noting that this gentle professor owned one of them—an exceptional one.
A Relic known as [Mind Anchor], classified at Rank 5. It rendered the user immune to mental attacks and interference of Rank 5 or below,and granted partial resistance against anything above Rank 5.
What made this Relic special was that it didn’t need to be worn. Instead, it fused directly with the user’s soul.
The only way to take it was for the bearer to give it up willingly... or—simply kill them. At that point, it would separate on its own.
I looked at the professor, my smile deepening.
I almost started drooling when I imagined obtaining it.
With [Mind Anchor], I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone peering into my memories, and Artifacts like Alicia’s Honest Promise wouldn’t affect me.
And battles against people or monsters that targeted the mind would become much easier...
"I have to get it, no matter the cost," I muttered.
To do that, I’d need to make the proper preparations over the course of this month.
While I was thinking, someone raised their hand and asked,"Professor, if those civilizations were so advanced and powerful... then what happened to them? Did they leave this world?"
Lucas smiled as he replied."A good question. But no one truly knows what happened to them, or even what they looked like. All they left behind were a few ruins that survived through the ages."
He continued,"Some believe they left this world in search of a better place."
In truth, he was only half right.
They didn’t leave this world—they left life itself.
After all, long ago, a certain entity set foot upon this land.
....
The day’s classes came to an end. I was planning to go consume Essence Stones, but a message from a certain person changed my plans.
[Come to work today]
I entered the administration building, where the receptionist greeted me as usual. With her hair tied in a ponytail, small-framed glasses, and a formal suit, she looked fitting for the place.
Well—except for one thing. She might need to work on her expression.
The moment she saw me step inside, she bared her teeth slightly, like an irritated cat.
I smiled and waved as I headed toward the elevator."Morning, Nola. Your face looks awful as always... you really do get uglier every day."
I saw her face turn red, veins bulging on her forehead... she looked like she was about to explode at any second.
I quickly stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor. Just as the doors were closing, Nola finally snapped.
"You @$#@#! ..."
Thankfully, the doors closed before I could hear any more.
"That was a bit fun." I’d gotten used to messing with her over the past few days.
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped into the hallway. After a few steps, I reached a familiar door.
Without knocking, I opened it and walked in.
The inside was the same as always—sunlight pouring in through the large windows, washing over the luxurious furniture.
And that desk piled high with papers and documents, as usual... damn it, where did all of this even come from?
Behind the desk sat that woman, as always, scribbling away at the paperwork.
I stepped in and offered a brief greeting."Hello."
Alicia nodded in response, then gestured toward the papers in front of her.
"Sort them as usual, then take them to the workers in Office 12."
I was gradually getting used to her isolated personality.
She was truly a woman of few words and expressions.
I walked over to the desk and placed my hand on the stack of papers, while she focused on the documents in front of her."Quick question... where does all of this even come from? Doesn’t the director do his job or something?"
She raised her head and looked at me calmly."He doesn’t."
So that’s how it was.
Damn you, you cursed director... it was obvious he was the type who hated dealing with words and paperwork, but dumping everything on his deputy like this? What an irresponsible old man.
And now I was the one suffering because of it... I’ll remember this for the future. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll get the chance to kick his ass.
I sighed as I carried the stack of papers to the table and sat down. Before I could start working, Alicia’s voice echoed through the office.
"How was your mission?"
I turned my head to find her still focused on her work... well, this was the first time she’d asked me anything since that day.
I looked at her carefully for a moment... before answering.
"Beautiful."