Chapter 106: Ghost (2)
On the outskirts of the Floating Island.
A wizard driving toward the center saw a strange person reflected in their rearview mirror: a very tall woman. It was a little chilly, but it was nothing to worry about on the Floating Island. It was a place where so many magical events happened, after all.
The wizard continued to drive on without giving her much further thought. After some time passed like that, she casually looked into the rearview mirror again.
“…?”
Even then, the very tall woman was standing in the corner of the rearview mirror. The car kept going, but the woman didn’t grow any more distant.
“What…”
The wizard, belatedly noticing this oddity, stepped on the accelerator.
Vroom—
Her car raced to move away from the woman.
“!”
But, she appeared right before her eyes.
Screech—!
The wizard cranked the steering wheel, driving it into the bushes to the side of the road.
“Hah, hah, hah…”
The car was unharmed thanks to her quick application of auxiliary magic. The wizard paid it little mind, however, as she caught her breath and searched ahead. The woman wasn’t there. She was nowhere to be seen, neither in front, behind, or to the sides.
“Whew…”
Did she imagine it? The wizard sighed, leaning back against the driver’s chair.
Rustle- Rustle-
She felt movement behind her. The wizard stiffened, her bloodshot eyes widening as she looked up to the rearview mirror.
“…”
Sitting with her huge body half bent over, the ghost smiled bizarrely at her, her bright red pupils flashing violently.
“Ahhhhhhhhh-!”
* * *
Epherene was discharged immediately. No matter how much she talked about the ghost, Allen and Drent, let alone the doctors, didn’t believe her.
“Ah~, tomorrow is the start of the class~.”
On the way back to the tower, Julie, whom she met by chance, walked beside her. Epherene looked carefully at the bracelet on her wrist, another new accessory she had never seen before. Her whole body would turn into an Artifact at this rate.
“But, Ifi. Was it a ghost? Didn’t you see things? You’ve been having a really hard time with Deculein.”
“I saw it.”
That terrible visage was no lie, nor was it a hallucination. Of course, she was tired at the time, but…
“Then Ifi, why don’t you take a day off? What if you see the ghost again?”
“…No.”
Epherene shook her head, determined.
“I have something to check.”
Just before seeing the ghost, there was the letter she found in Deculein’s office. It was made of a familiar material for some reason, but she couldn’t quite place where she had seen it before. It kept bothering her.
“Ifi, you’re such an over-work… oh! Ifi! There! Look over there!”
Julie made a fuss, pointing until Epherene looked.
“One, two— One, two—”
A blonde knight was running across the sports ground. Gawain, famous for his good looks throughout the continent.
“It’s Gawain! How dreamy.”
“…Yeah. He’s handsome indeed.”
Epherene nodded. Gawain of the Knights Templar and Deculein of the Tower. These two were said to be the most handsome men in the University. Did that knight’s skill fit with his face like Professor Deculein?
“Wow… look at him running. So handsome…”
“Keep your speed—!”
Gawain led his cadets as an instructor of the Knights Department. Julie watched him with a hazy expression while Epherene smirked and shook her head.
“I will go first. You keep watching.”
“Yeah… I want to watch him….”
So, she arrived at the tower’s entrance after leaving Julie behind. Stepping inside, Epherene met Allen in the lobby on the first floor.
“Huh? Professor Allen, when did you arrive?”
Epherene’s eyes widened. She should’ve had a shorter trip than Allen, but he only smiled brightly.
“It’s because I walk a little fast~. But what is that~?”
“Oh.”
Epherene hid the letter she still held behind her back.
“This is a letter to my sponsor…”
“Oh, I see~. The support mailbox opened today, so you must have received support again. Congratulations, Epherene.”
“Ahaha… I’m just thankful.”
Epherene put the letter in the sponsorship mailbox. Meanwhile, Allen disappeared somewhere.
“He does walk fast… that’s that, but there’s no way, right…?”
Epherene looked to the mailbox and had a strange thought but soon shook her head.
If, by any possibility… no way, Deculein couldn’t do that to her.
“Let’s just prepare the report…”
It was time to focus on the report again.
* * *
…The use of the attribute called Encryption in-game was probably simple: locking and storing items. However, in this world where the degree of freedom was infinite, and I was under the unique mental power of Deculein, its versatility was amplified.
The first was digitization. Of course, this was just a name I used. Precisely, it converted a tangible object into an intangible magic code. This code was stored in my head and functioned as a kind of inventory. Even my cane could be stored simply with this digitization if only the code could be reversed.
The second was Magic Lock. Simply, it was introducing a password to a magic circuit or rite so that only people I allowed could use it. By combining the above two methods, it was also possible to code certain spells and release them instantly. However, it consumed a hefty amount of mana and caused migraines if misused.
Even with Iron Man, it was a bit beyond becoming something reliable for now. In other words, it was clearly beyond the scope of the game’s capabilities.
Knock, knock-
At that moment, while analyzing the attribute Encryption from knocked. I instinctively looked toward the office door.
Knock, knock-
It wasn’t coming from the door, however, but the window.
Knock, knock-
Of course, that wouldn’t be a problem if I weren’t on the 77th floor of the tower. I looked out the window.
Knock, knock-
…It wasn’t a ghost but a robed and unidentified wizard. Her lips moved when our eyes met.
-Can I come in?
were coming off her, nor did she appear to be actively hostile. I didn’t need to allow her, either. She went straight through the glass.
The glass in the tower must be a product of magic engineering, but she slipped through it easily.
“Deculein. I’m not happy to see you, but it’s been a while.”
The uninvited guest spoke without putting down her hood. I still didn’t know who she was.
“It’s me, Idnik.”
Trader Idnik; fortunately, I knew the name. Rohakan’s companion and one of the characters involved in the main quest. She was holding a cage hidden away by cloth in one hand.
“And-“
-I’m with her too, Disciple.
The strange voice sounded like he had breathed in helium.
“It’s this, Deculein.”
Idnik put the cage on my desk. A voice leaked from beneath the dark veil.
—Take off this veil.
I took it off.
“…?”
What was revealed was a small cottage hut with a garden. Inside the miniature, roughly the size of a Lego house, a similarly reduced Rohakan was looking up at me.
-It’s been a while, my disciple.
“…Rohakan?”
-Yeah. Hahaha.
Rohakan chuckled. I was dumbfounded for a moment.
“What are you doing there?”
—It’s a way to avoid being noticed. You know, I’m at the ‘Black Beast’ level, right? Since the hut can’t fit inside, I’ve reduced the size a bit.
I looked at Idnik, her hood up as always.
“…I see you also brought your subordinate.”
“I’m a colleague, not a subordinate.”
─Haha!
Idnik corrected me while Rohakan grinned.
—Deculein, have you read the annihilation log I sent you?
“I have.”
I already knew most of it. Although I was a designer, I also play-tested the game, and some things reached my ears through the team members and Yoo Ara.
—Yes. Here, my subordinate and I have something to tell you-
“Not subordinate. I’m a colleague.”
-You got a bit ahead of yourself, huh.
“Ha. Without me, you can’t do anything.”
—Huh. Really?
Rohakan extended his index finger toward Idnik.
Wheeeing…
The mana released from his fingertip drew Idnik into the miniature hut, turning her just as tiny as him.
─…Rohakan, I’m warning you. Turn me back.
—Can’t you turn yourself back on your own? You said I couldn’t do anything without you.
Idnik ground her teeth, but Rohakan ignored her with a shrug.
─…I’ll count to three. I have something to say to Deculein. Turn me back.
—Do it. If I die, you will be small forever anyway.
Idnik and Rohakan growled, staring each other down. They looked cute, locked in their miniature battle.
—Rohakan, turn me back.
—Idnik, only if you admit that you are my subordinate.
—My only teacher is Demakan.
—I was the one who introduced you to Demakan.
Knock, knock-
Then, someone knocked. This time it was actually at the door. I covered Rohakan’s little hut with the cloth.
—It’s Epherene.
I opened the door with Psychokinesis, revealing Epherene with her report in hand.
“This is my research report.”
I read it, but just the first three lines were enough to make me sigh. I still wasn’t satisfied.
“…Again?”
“Yes.”
“…”
Then Epherene held out another piece of paper. It was covered in various complicated formulas and calculations.
“This is an academic problem presented in this issue of Wizard Academic by Telgend, the author of 「The Harmony of the Four Elements」. Can you help me?”
“…Problem?”
“Yes.”
Epherene’s thought made sense. It was the same feeling I experienced when I was a designer. If you keep receiving a rejection, a feeling like, ‘Is my boss trying to bully me?’ will appear.
“…”
I looked into Telgend’s problem. At the same time, I activated [Understanding].
“Huhu.”
…Listening to Epherene’s cheeky laugh, I calculated the ratio of the four elements suggested by the examiner, assumed a framework in which the elements harmonized, and predicted the circuit based on the hypothesis. Then, I presented the answer.
“22.1935%, 23.1105%, 27.8505%, 26.8455%.”
“…Yes?”
Epherene’s face went blank. She leaned forward with her ear first as if she had heard wrong.
“A-again.”
“22.1935%, 23.1105%, 27.8505%, 26.8455%.”
“Uh…”
“It’s a problem revealing the golden ratio necessary for the harmony of the four elements. Did you not solve it?”
“N-No. I did, but…”
She mumbled quietly. Was this a problem I had already solved before? How could I solve it so quickly? No, it was a problem released only four days ago…
“Epherene.”
This cheeky girl.
“Yes, yes.”
“I know what you know.”
“…”
“And I know what you don’t know.”
At least, in theory, her level wasn’t yet enough to refute me. Maybe it would never be. Epherene scratched the back of her neck, looking depressed.
“Be humble. If you doubt it like that, you won’t even be able to reach me.”
“…Yes. I’m sorry.”
Epherene left. As the office door closed, I rolled up the cloth again, and Rohakan peeked out.
—Was that Epherene just now?
“Yes.”
─Huh…
Rohakan and Idnik were sitting at a table in the garden, sipping tea together as if fully reconciled. I suddenly wondered.
“Can I enter the hut too?”
─No. This is possible because Idnik and I have a contract with each other. Of course, I can pull ordinary people by force, but a guy with strong resistance like you is impossible.
“Then why did you come to me? Before, I must have said that it would be the last time I would let you go.”
When I first met Rohakan, I warned him. Well, the words were a warning, but in reality, it was a concern. Concerns about not dying after he meddled.
─…Who let whom go? Deculein, you? This old man?
Idnik murmured suspiciously, and Rohakan continued seriously.
—I know. But I have something to tell you.
“What is it?”
—The Altar is moving, and a great threat will befall the Empire. Specifically in winter. It’s time for the monster waves to come.
Winter, and the main quest. As soon as I saw Rohakan, I expected it. Rohakan was a character whose existence was no different from a quest.
—So, I would like to ask you a favor.
“A favor?”
-Yes. Let’s meet in winter when it approaches. For more details, I’ll let you know when we meet then.
“What do I get?”
I asked, but Rohakan pondered only for a moment before answering.
─…Life. Not only you but everyone on this continent.
The main quest floated in front of me at the same time he spoke.
[Main Quest: Life]
◆ Rare Attribute Catalog
◆ Store Currency +5
I didn’t even think twice before nodding.
“I will think about it.”
-I expect a positive choice.
In response, Rohakan released Idnik from the hut. Idnik, returning to normal, looked at me.
—Idnik said that she has something to tell you alone, so I’ll just leave. Until we meet again, be well, my disciple.
Rohakan laughed softly. Immediately after that, his hut floated up into the air and vanished.
“But Deculein. Are you this poor in receiving visitors?”
Idnik looked around the office as she pulled out a cigarette.
“It is normal for uninvited guests to be despised, not treated.”
“…”
“Just tell me what you need to say.”
I stole Idnik’s cigarette with Psychokinesis. She clicked her tongue before continuing.
“Sylvia is in danger.”
“…”
I silently watched Idnik, eliciting a frown from her.
“Deculein, remember what you promised then.”
“Then?”
“When you killed Sierra, I took your promise and did not kill you.”
“…”
I couldn’t say anything to that. It was a part of Deculein’s past that I did not know.
“Are you not going to keep it?”
“…”
I shook my head. Immediately, Idnik’s expression lightened.
“Good… by the way, do you still have that child with you?”
“‘That child.’ Do you mean Epherene?”
“Yes.”
“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t?”
“No.”
Idnik shrugged, but I noted the anticipation in her eyes.
“But, I thought you were going to kill that child.”
My eyebrows rose, but I kept my composure and asked again.
“The reason being?”
“Because the first person to discover that child was Decalane. Anyway, back to the point, Sylvia is in danger.”
Idnik habitually took out another cigarette, which I also stole with Psychokinesis.
“God damn-“
“In my office, one’s mouth is only used to speak. Keep talking.”
“…Arrogant bastard. Yes, there was a murder on the Floating Island.”
“So?”
Idnik’s legs trembled. It appeared to be a prohibited event to discuss.
“One of the prime suspects is Sylvia.”
“…”
I just blinked. It was definitely a new case.
“I’ll tell you in detail on the Floating Island. First, give me my damn cigarette…”
* * *
Late night, assistant’s lab.
“Haaam—”
Epherene woke up. She had fallen asleep while working.
“Oh… it is already night… but really… how did he solve it…?”
She recalled the recent incident. Deculein solved the problem she had been pondering over for 24 hours in just 30 seconds.
“Did I dream it?”
“Dream?”
Allen replied to Epherene’s self-talk as she rubbed her eyes. Epherene, startled, immediately laughed.
“Haha. No, well… I’ll get some air and come back~.”
“Yes, alright.”
Allen’s smile was always pleasant. Epherene left the assistant’s lab.
“Huh?”
But at the end of the hallway, the door of the [Head Professor’s Office] was open once more.
“…”
Epherene swallowed hard, contemplating. There was something she wanted to check. Should she take a quick look? No, of course, he would never do that, but it just left a bad taste in her mouth…
‘Okay, let’s go. There won’t be anything anyway.’
‘I’ll go and see for myself with my own eyes.’
‘…Oh, wait.’
Then what if the ghost appeared again?
“So what?”
Professor Allen was in the lab too.
‘I’ll be fine.’
Epherene sneaked up to the Head Professor’s office. She glanced through the gap past the slanted open door. Darkness that even the moonlight could not penetrate greeted her, but Deculein was absent.
“Whew…”
Taking a deep breath, Epherene used her mana like a flashlight and crept into the office, holding her breath and moving slowly to pad her footsteps.
“Whew… whew…”
Drenched in a cold sweat, she managed to reach Deculein’s desk. First, she leaned over the desk.
“Where did I see it…?”
Deculein’s paper was a material that was difficult to forget once you saw it because it was too luxurious. Looking for that easy-to-recognize texture, Epherene opened the drawer of his desk.
“…”
There was no need to rummage around. However, the moment she found something lying in the first drawer, Epherene’s heart sank.
“…Wait a minute.”
Epherene muttered blankly and looked at it. Stretching out her trembling hand, she picked up a neatly folded letter.
“No way this is…”
She read the first sentence, [Sponsor! This time, it’s Epherene again—]. It was the letter to the anonymous donor she put in the postbox today.
“…Ahhhhh!”
More shocked than if she had seen a ghost, Epherene shook her hands and threw the letter down. Her body trembled as a wave of dizziness washed over her.
“My sponsor…”
She covered her mouth with trembling hands and murmured:
“…Why?”
[Reminder: There is a glitch stating that chapters are 50 ATC. They’re all actually 9 ATC and the proper amount will be deducted from your balance.]