Chapter 58: Encounter (1)
──[Mountain of Darkness Training]──
The purpose of this training is to develop your practical skills as a wizard.
The Mountain of Darkness’s mana concentration today isn’t that strong. Hence, there’s very little chance for powerful demons to appear. Still, for safety reasons, entry is restricted from an altitude of 500m or higher.
The debutantes must earn a total of 10 ‘Mountain of Darkness Training Points.’ There are only six of these opportunities per semester, so please work hard.
1. Magic ingredients analysis
– Three or more pharmaceutical/magic material analysis reports (1 point per 3)
2. Magical phenomena observation
– Records of experiencing space-time or ideas/abstract phenomena (2 points each)
3. Beast confrontation
– The corpse of a beast or a document to prove its killing (2 points each)
４. Magical realization
– Write and submit a report on the growth you achieved in the Mountain of Darkness (1 point, maximum of 1 report)
※ If you come across an unexpected ‘outsider,’ be sure to report it to your advisor!
─────────
“Mountain of Darkness training…”
The unidentified man grabbed one of the papers he found scattered at the Mountain of Darkness, his beard-covered lips twisting upward.
“Training… It reminds me of the old times.”
The paper in his hand soon caught fire, spreading to the corpses around him. Prior to their deaths, they used to be the agents sent by the Imperial Intelligence Agency to chase him down.
The paper and the corpses strewn around him were reduced to ashes, leaving no trace behind.
“I’m sorry, but there was nothing I could do. I have to live.”
The man started to walk away, leaving behind the “barrier of chaos” he created, which was still up and running perfectly.
“…?”
However, he soon noticed a distinct mana presence so pure it seemed to captivate his mind.
“Hmm…”
He blinked out of curiosity, looking in its direction. The spirit of the wind delivered its fragrant scent to him.
“… I guess I’m way too old now. I find interest in everything.” Unable to contain himself, the man mumbled lowly as he changed his path.
* * *
Mountain of Darkness was a dangerous area on the outskirts of the Imperial University Tower. It was so remote it was almost like an uninhabited island.
It contained huge amounts of mana, allowing magic forces to appear occasionally and its magical phenomena to become extraordinary and bizarre.
Due to its environmental conditions, however, fish raised in its premises weren’t only delicious but also nutritional and filled with calories.
“Ah… This is life…”
The fish’s taste lingered in her mouth as the feeling of fullness and drowsiness enveloped her.
Epherene looked at Sylvia as she rubbed her smooth tummy.
“What happened to you, though?”
“…!”
Sylvia, who had been dozing off, became alert again.
“Time messed up, but you probably didn’t realize that.”
“Messed up?”
“I’ve been wandering for 20 hours.”
“What? 20 hours? No way. The sun is still up.”
Sylvia then “drew” a three-colored metronome with magic. It ticked every second, signaling the passage of time.
“This is how I determined it. This device moved exactly 72,653 times. Twenty hours, ten minutes, fifty-three seconds.”
“… I believe you. Your clothes serve as proof of that.”
Epherene pondered about it, then nodded. Sylvia wasn’t the type to become so dirty in just three or four hours.
“I didn’t know. Is it a magical phenomenon?”
“You’re an idiot.”
“… I felt it too, alright? First, let’s find a wood steel and inform Deculein.”
Sylvia showed a rather dissatisfied face. Her eyes, which had narrowed down to a line, stared at Epherene. “Arrogant Epherene.”
“Sigh… Now what?”
“Professor Deculein is not your friend.”
At that, Epherene laughed, finding her remarks ridiculous.
“… Right. ‘Sir’ Professor Deculein. ‘Sir’ Head Professor told us to report anything to his wood steel if something happened. One should be nearby. Let’s go.”
She walked along the stream. Sylvia followed her. Not long after, they found a wood steel shuriken hovering in the air.
“Is this Deculein’s cherished…”
“Arrogant Epherene.”
“… ‘Sir’ Professor’s cherished item?”
Up close, she couldn’t help but notice its strange shape.
Was it an icicle with two sharp ends or a straight crystal?
Regardless, she tapped it.
“Hello? Can you hear me?”
She waited for a moment. A reply resonated not long after.
—What?
“Whew.”
Sighing in relief, she then addressed Sylvia.
“You speak.”
“…”
Sylvia shook her head, not wanting to let him know that she was lost.
“What…”
Reluctantly, Epherene spoke on their behalf.
“There seems to be an ongoing magical phenomenon. I think time is messed up.”
—I see.
“Yes.”
—…
Click-
Their line of communication was terminated. Confused, she sent another signal to it.
“Hello? Professor? I said we’re currently under a magical phenomenon!”
—So?
“What?”
—You’re in a training session. Go figure it out yourself. If you’re experiencing a magical phenomenon, then write a report about it.
Their communication was cut off once more, leaving Epherene dumbfounded. Sylvia shrugged, seemingly conveying she was somewhat proud.
“I think it’s because it’s you.”
“… Gosh.”
Epherene’s expression distorted.
“Forget it. If this is working, isn’t the time okay?”
“I think the area around the river is fine.”
“That’s not it.”
An unidentified voice rang out, causing the two to turn in the direction it came from, their guard already up due to their surprise.
Rustling—
Making his way through the bushes, a robed middle-aged man appeared.
“My barrier caused this chaos in time. It seems that you were unlucky enough to get caught in it too. I’m sorry.”
“…”
Fireballs clustered behind Epherene while Sylvia deciphered the barrier at once.
“… You’re savages, huh? Why do you find it necessary to display aggression when all I’m doing is explaining things?”
He showed no hostility toward them. Rather, he just seemed to find them interesting.
“Who are you?”
Epherene asked, still vigilant. The middle-aged man jumped up and approached them swiftly. He was as tall as Deculein, and his body looked well-trained.
He smiled warmly at them.
“Nice to meet you. I am Murkan, and this staff serves as proof of my identity. You’re both wizards, so you can see it, right? The Fragments of the World Tree.”
“…!”
Their eyes widened.
Those who lived in the ‘Gahala Desert’ on the southeastern edge of the continent had rather foreign names. Among them, the most famous and notable wizards were Demakan, Murkan, and Rohakan.
Murkan was known as the son of Demakan’s younger brother.
He was a relative of the Archmage!
* * *
Mountain of Darkness entrance.
The debutantes’ training started at noon, and by three o’clock in the afternoon, they returned and reported their performances to this activity’s supervisors.
“I examined herbs.”
“Okay~”
Excluding Deculein, the person in charge, there were six supervisors in total, all new professors. They held class rosters in their hands and jotted down the debutantes’ training scores.
“Professors!”
At that moment, a young knight rushed towards them from the Tower, accompanied by a group of police officers.
“I bring urgent news!”
“What happened?” Professor Kelodan asked. Due to his thick lenses and old-fashioned voice tone, he was known as the ‘Glasses Holder.’
“An emergency report from the Imperial Intelligence Agency just came in. Rohakan is hiding inside the Mountain of Darkness!”
“What? R-Rohakan—?!”
“Yes! He pretended to be Murkan but was caught by the Intelligence Agency.”
The professors’ eyes widened.
“Their agents and the police have started pursuing him, and they’ve also requested the knights’ cooperation and assistance—”
Before he could finish his words, they already began climbing the mountain.
Tap— tap— tap—
Due to their quick response, they swiftly reached their destination. The number of knights and police officers with them had already doubled.
“Head Professor! Something happened!”
They immediately ran up to Deculein and informed him. Sitting on a chair on the mountainside and reading a book, he raised his head.
“… Rohakan is right here in the Mountain of Darkness!”
His reaction was strange. Even though he had heard the Rohakan’s formidable name, he remained calm. No, more accurately, he looked like he was bothered by the smell of their sweat more than by the presence of a dangerous individual.
“Um, by any chance… Do you not know who Rohakan is?”
“How could I not?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
He knew who he was. He even knew his current notoriety.
He was the worst criminal of their time, a wanted criminal who had earned the title “Black Beast,” which had only been given to ten people on the continent thus far.
——[Main Quest: Rohakan’s Story]─—
◆Overview
– The story of Rohakan
◆Goal
– Encounter with Rohakan.
◆Compensation
– One item catalog
– Store Currency +1
—————————
He also occupied a place in the main quest.
Rohakan wasn’t a villain. Rather, he was one of the keys that would lead this main quest to the end, and ‘someone who could never die’ until the final boss.
“We will proceed with the search. Would you like to join us?” The knight Lawaine asked.
Deculein looked at him intently as he closed his book.
“Fine. But I’ll move alone.”
“I wouldn’t recommend doing that. Do you really know who Rohakan is?”
“That’s right. He’s the infamous murderer who killed dozens of imperial wizards—”
A crowd of professors, police, and knights tried to stop Deculein.
“You’ll all just be a burden. I’m telling you to piss off nicely.”
But he just cut through them all with disdain.
There was no choice but to do so. He was Deculein, after all. He had to kick them out.
However, everyone who had no way of knowing that was speechless at his overflowing self-confident, borderline arrogant attitude.
“… I see. Okay then.”
Eventually, the knights, led by Lawaine, clenched their teeth and passed by him. The professors and the police bowed their heads with slightly uncomfortable faces.
“…”
The whole area grew quiet at that point.
Deculein moved in solitude, just as he declared he would.
Even so, the efficiency of his search was superior to others.
“Move.”
In the mountains, his wood steels quickly scattered.
Resonating with them, he easily found Rohakan’s location.
The overriding goal was to find Rohakan before those knights.
* * *
“That bastard became the Head Professor? What kind of trick did he use?”
Crackle—
Murkan basked in the warmth of the bonfire blazing in front of him.
Epherene nodded, and Sylvia bit her lower lip slightly.
“Do you know Professor Deculein well?”
“Of course. He used to be my disciple, after all.”
“What?!”
“…!”
Epherene and Sylvia’s eyes widened. Murkan laughed bitterly.
“… What? Is it that surprising? You should be able to tell that much just by looking at my name.”
“Um, w-when did you teach him?”
Epherene continued to pry while Sylvia remained silent. It was one of the ways nobles used commoners.
“About 20 years ago? At that time, he was still really young, and I was in need of money back then. Hence, I became his magic educator.”
“How was he back then?”
No one knew about Deculein’s childhood.
It would be an unofficial story that could never be heard anywhere else in the world.
At Epherene’s urging, Murkan stroked his beard.
“He was a prodigy. Despite his age, he quickly mastered college courses. His heart wasn’t kind, though. It was probably due to the pressure he felt from his parents, but he had no empathy or compassion.”
Murkan frowned as he recalled the past.
“While wizards usually are like that, he was particularly worse than them. I even theorized that he was the perfect embodiment of the theory that claims human nature is fundamentally evil.”
“…”
At that cold evaluation, Epherene’s jaw dropped.
Sylvia expressed her discontent.
“He is one of the most talented and famous professors in the world of magic right now.”
“Eh? That guy?”
“Yes.”
“How? I’ve cut ties with the world for five years, but still…”
Sylvia took a Wizard Journal out. It contained an article covering an interview with the chairman about Deculein, an anecdote about how he broke the devil’s barrier, and so on.
Murkan took it and read the article.
“… What’s that now? Just below Adrienne?”
[“Professor Deculein’s actual combat power, I think, is just below mine! It was amazing!” Chairman Adrienne said, addressing Deculein’s abilities. “He’s quite a practical person, both politically and magically.”]
Murkan smirked.
“She became the chairman at such a young age, but it seems she’s already gone senile. I don’t think that’s the case at all. That bastard’s talent was nothing out of the ordinary.”
“That’s contradictory.”
Sylvia intervened. Murkan tilted his head.
“Contradictory?”
“He was a prodigy. Why wouldn’t he have talent? That’s stupid.”
“… Hahaha.” Murkan laughed and looked at Sylvia, the fires in his eyes flashing brightly.
“You’re a prodigy and a genius, blonde girl. Deculein was too, but he had clear limitations. I found that out almost as soon as I met him.”
“That’s right.” Epherene nodded. The contents she had read in her father’s letters were coming out.
Sylvia didn’t like Epherene acting like that.
“Just think about it. What if a child, praised for being a prodigy, suddenly feels he’s becoming more ordinary as he grows up? What if he sees children who were worse than him getting ahead of him? What if he imagined that someday they would laugh at him, who used to look down on them?”
Murkan recalled the old days.
He was a pretty sad little boy. However, considering what he did, he didn’t feel pity. Instead, as usual, he ended up thinking, ‘I wish he’d suffer an even worse fate.’
“I thought he couldn’t take it anymore. It was a fate that no one could easily endure in the first place.”
From then on, Deculein slowly fell apart.
“But looking at these articles, two possibilities come to mind.”
“Possibilities?”
“Yes. All of this is either a scam, a hoax, or…”
Murkan laughed quietly as he pondered about it.
“… Has he been working hard endlessly?”
“Working hard?” Epherene raised her eyebrows. Sylvia also looked curious.
No matter how much they thought about it, they couldn’t imagine Deculein working hard at all.
“Yes. The guy isn’t a genius. I’m certain of that. However, his diligence and hard work can be considered a talent in a way.”
The Deculein that Murkan remembered was diligent, at least when he was young. He spared no effort to get better by himself.
“Of course, I’m not sure if this thought itself is him deceiving everyone, but…”
Murkan tapped the article Sylvia had given him.
“If he had really grown this much, he must have worked so hard he practically drove himself to the brink of death. I don’t know how much effort he made, but it must have been at a level that only he, and no other being, could endure.”
Epherene, silently listening to his words, had a hard time believing him.
Did Deculein take away her father’s theory and committed unforgivable sins as part of his efforts?
“If that effort was enough to overcome my talent… Well, that pretty guy must have worked hard enough to put an entire construction crew to shame.”
However, Epherene soon realized that no matter how much she wanted to deny it, Deculein had definitely made a theoretical advancement.
If so… he might have tried relentlessly to absorb her father’s theory.
During those three years, he might have learned and embodied the entire legacy her father left.
Perhaps he recognized her father with the most humble attitude and devoted himself to it.
“Still, don’t trust him too much. Diligence does not mean character, after all.”
“…”
Sylvia, on the other hand, looked down. From the beginning, she thought that Deculein was a ‘sculpture made of talent,’ that he was someone like her.
Hence, she felt a little strange. Subtle emotions tickled her heart.
If, as Murkan said, he was a man who worked desperately, if effort alone made him the way he was now…
Sylvia placed her hands on her chest, feeling her heart beating thunderously.
“Now, enough about the past. What about you two? Don’t you want me to pass on my teachings to you too?”
“Teachings?”
The debutantes, immersed in their respective thoughts, trembled at the same time.
“Yes. My teachings are a bit special. Aren’t you curious how I grasped Deculein’s talent?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!”
“Yes.”
They immediately nodded.
The teachings of the Archmage’s relative? They couldn’t let this pass. They had to get their hands on it, even if it meant breaking a limb or two.
“However, there’s a condition. I have a wife and children. Deliver this letter to them.”
Murkan pulled a letter out of his pocket. Epherene hastily took it.
“Yes! I’ll do it! Now tell me!”
“Hehehe. Greedy. Alright, alright. My teachings… watch this.”
Murkan spread his palms out, and spirits rose above his hands. Although small in size, they astonished the two.
Zeeeeeing…
They were ‘Spiells of Light,’ existences that combined the attributes of all four elements,
The size of a small sphere, both of them circled the skies before seeping into Sylvia and Epherene’s bodies.
“Ugh!”
“…”
Epherene grabbed her chest as Sylvia calmly took a deep breath.
“Slowly and softly take it in. Don’t make a fuss. Be calm and still, like the blonde girl.”
“Don’t call me blonde girl. My name is Sylvia.”
“Quiet. You shouldn’t talk, blonde girl.”
She felt dissatisfied, but she soon closed her eyes as she felt like a hot ball of fire was burning her lower stomach.
Breathing deeply, they connected their bodies with the fireball.
“Whew… Whew… I think it worked.”
“…”
“Ahahaha.”
Murkan laughed in admiration.
“Indeed, you both contain great talent, as I expected.”
Deculein took a spiell and suffered for three days and three nights, but the two children integrated it into their systems in under 15 minutes.
“Those spiells will help you grow from within your bodies. My teachings are fuel for the talented but fever for the ordinary.”
As the two opened their eyes, Epherene looked at the letter in her hand and asked, “Why don’t you deliver this letter yourself, though?”
“Us adults often have our own circumstances, don’t we?”
“Hmm.”
At that time, Sylvia, who was sitting on the stone floor, spoke. “Tell me more about Professor Deculein’s childhood.”
“Hmm? Are you curious about him?”
“Yes.”
“Hmmmm… I don’t have much time, but…”
Finding such talented children after so long thrilled him.
Above all, it seemed that no one had broken through his ‘barrier’ yet.
“Fine. There are a lot of pretty funny episodes while I was teaching him.”
Sylvia clenched her fists silently, and Epherene slyly smiled.
“Some embarrassing stories first!”
“I was about to tell them. Deculein, doesn’t that guy follow etiquette splendidly? I tested if he would keep it even when I was pooping…”
Murkan continued to talk, even though he knew he shouldn’t. The children’s reactions were just far too filled with enthusiasm for him to stop. Epherene looked genuinely interested, and Sylvia even took notes.
However…
“Here you are.” They heard a voice not far away from them, its gelid tone cutting through the atmosphere like a blade.
“…!” Epherene and Sylvia followed the direction it came from as chills rose from their backs.
A dark shadow stood amid the woods.
His face was infinitely cold, and steel fluttered behind him.
Tap— tap—
Deculein walked slowly. For the two of them, his graceful movements were scarier than any disaster they could possibly face.
Soon, he stood at a reasonably close distance as Sylvia and Epherene froze in a cold sweat, fearing how much he had heard.
“… Right. It’s been a while.” Murkan’s face turned dark.
“Yes. It’s been a long time,” Deculein looked into his eyes and answered. “Rohakan.”
The whole world knew of that name, considering he was one of the worst criminals of all time and the most wanted enemy of the Empire.
Empress Assassin Rohakan.
“…?”
Upon hearing that name, Sylvia and Epherene simply tilted their heads.