Ghost. (2)
Floating Island's outskirts. A certain mage driving along the road toward the center spots a bizarre figure in his rearview mirror.
A woman of immense height...
A bit chilling, but nothing to worry about on Floating Island. Strange magical incidents happen all the time here.
The mage drives on without a second thought.
Some time passes.
He glances at the rearview mirror again absentmindedly.
"...?"
The tall woman is still there, huddled in the corner of the mirror.
No—the car is moving forward.
Yet she's not getting smaller.
"What the...?"
Realizing something's wrong too late, the mage floors the accelerator.
Vroooom—
The car speeds away from the woman.
But then!
"!"
The woman appears right in front of his eyes.
Screeeech—!
The mage yanks the wheel hard, and the car crashes into the island's underbrush.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
Thanks to activating an auxiliary spell just in time, the car is unharmed. The mage pants heavily, staring ahead.
The woman is gone.
Not in front, not to the right, not to the left.
"Phew..."
Was it a hallucination?
He leans back in his seat with a sigh of relief, but...
Rustle—rustle—
A presence from the back seat.
The mage's back stiffens instantly.
His bloodshot eyes widen as he slowly turns to the rearview mirror.
There.
"..."
A massive body half-crumpled in the seat,
a grotesque grin, glaring with blood-red pupils—a ghost.
"Gahhhh—!!!"
Ifrin checked out of the hospital immediately. No one—neither Allen, Drent, nor the doctors—believed her ghost story, no matter how earnestly she told it.
"Ah~ Classes start tomorrow~"
Those were Julie's words as they walked back to the tower, having bumped into each other by chance.
Ifrin eyed the bracelet on Julie's wrist. Another accessory she hadn't noticed before.
At this rate, she'll turn into a walking artifact.
"But, Ifrin. Was it really a ghost? Not a hallucination? You've been tormented by Professor Deculein all this time."
"I saw it for real."
That horrific appearance wasn't a lie. Not a hallucination.
Though she had been exhausted at the time...
"Then rest today, Ifrin. What if you see it again?"
"...No."
Ifrin shook her head, her attitude resolute.
"I have something to check."
Right before spotting the ghost, she'd found a piece of stationery in Deculein's office. A strangely familiar texture. The sensation lingered in her mind.
"Ifrin, total study bug... Whoa! Ifrin! Over there! Look!"
Suddenly, Julie started flailing excitedly. Ifrin looked where she pointed.
Thud-thud—thud-thud—
A blond knight was running laps on the field.
Gawain, the handsome knight famous even across the continent.
"It's Gawain!"
"...Yeah. He is good-looking."
Ifrin nodded too.
Gawain of the knights, Deculein of the tower. Those two were said to be the university's top hunks.
Does that knight earn his looks like Professor Deculein?
"Whoa... Look at him run. Like a statue..."
Maintain speed!
As an instructor for the knight department, Gawain led the cadets. Julie watched with a dreamy expression, while Ifrin chuckled and shook her head.
"I'm heading out first. You enjoy the view."
"Yeah... I'll watch..."
Leaving Julie behind, Ifrin reached the tower entrance first.
She ran into Allen in the first-floor lobby.
"Huh? Assistant Professor Allen. When did you get here?"
Ifrin's eyes widened. She was sure she'd taken the faster route.
Allen smiled brightly.
"I walk pretty fast~ But what's that~?"
"Oh."
Ifrin hid the letter behind her back.
"A letter for my sponsor..."
"Ah, I see~ The sponsor mailbox opened today. Got another one, huh? Congrats, Ifrin."
"Haha... Yeah, I'm just grateful."
Ifrin shuffled over and slipped the letter into the "sponsor mailbox."
In the meantime, Allen had vanished somewhere.
"He really walks fast... Anyway, no way it's true, right...?"
Ifrin glanced at the mailbox, a weird thought crossing her mind, but she shook it off.
Just in case.
No way Deculein would do that to her.
"Time to focus on the report..."
Back to the reports.
...In-game, the "Encryption" trait's usage is probably straightforward.
Locking and storing items.
But in this world of infinite freedom—unlike the game—and under Deculein's unique mental fortitude, its versatility amplifies.
First: "Digitization."
Just my naming, of course. More precisely, converting tangible "objects" into intangible "mana codes."
These codes store in my mind, functioning like an inventory.
Even bulky woodsteel can be stored simply via "digitization." As long as the code can be reverse-engineered.
Second: "Magic locking."
Literally introducing a lock code into magic circuits or formulas, allowing use only by those I permit.
Combining the two lets me code a spell and release it instantly.
However, with "mental strength" explicitly noted, it guzzles mana and causes severe headaches.
Even with my Iron Man body, this pain confirms it's far beyond "game-standard uses."
Knock-knock—
As I analyzed "Encryption" from every angle, a sudden knock.
I instinctively looked to the office door.
Knock-knock—
Not the door.
The window.
Knock-knock—
Of course, no issue.
If this weren't the 77th floor of the tower.
I turned to the window.
Knock-knock—
...Not a ghost.
A robed, unidentified mage.
Our eyes met, and he moved his lips.
—May I enter?
No death flags, no hostility.
No need for permission even. The mage passed right through the glass.
Tower glass is a product of magitech, yet he slipped through effortlessly.
"Deculein. Not glad to see you, but it's been a while."
The intruder spoke without removing his hood.
Feminine voice, but no clue who.
"It's me. Idnik."
Merchant Idnik. At least I know that name.
Rohakan's ally, tied to the main quest.
She held something like a birdcage wrapped in cloth.
"And—"
—I'm with her too, disciple.
Another odd voice. Like someone who'd inhaled helium.
"This is it, Deculein."
Idnik set the cage on my desk. A voice leaked from within the dark veil.
—Lift this veil.
I did as told.
"...?"
A tiny cottage emerged.
With a garden.
Miniature-sized, Lego-house scale. Inside, a shrunken "Rohakan" looked up at me.
—Long time no see, disciple.
"...Rohakan?"
—That's right. Heh heh heh.
Rohakan chuckled heartily. I was momentarily dumbfounded.
"What are you doing in there?"
—A way to stay hidden. As you know, I'm a black beast. Can't fit the real cottage in here, so I shrank it.
I glanced at Idnik. Still hooded.
"...You brought a subordinate."
"Not a subordinate—a colleague."
—Heh heh!
Idnik corrected, and Rohakan grinned.
—Deculein. Did you read the Mieolji expedition log I gave you?
"Yes. I did."
Mostly familiar content. As a designer, I'd tested the game and overheard settings from team members and Yuarra.
—Good. My subordinate and I have something to tell you—
"Subordinate? Colleague."
—Head's gotten big, huh. This one.
"Hah. Without me, you can't do a damn thing."
—Heh. Is that so?
Rohakan pointed at Idnik. Ziiiing... Mana from his finger pulled her into the miniature cottage.
Idnik shrank too.
—...Rohakan. I warned you. Restore me.
—Figure it out yourself? The one who can't do anything without me?
Idnik gritted her teeth. Rohakan shrugged innocently.
—...Count of three. I have business with Deculein alone. Restore me.
—Three it is. If I die, you're stuck tiny forever anyway.
Idnik and Rohakan glared, growling at each other.
They looked kinda cute.
Miniature vs. miniature, figurine vs. figurine power struggle.
—Rohakan, restore me.
—Idnik, admit you're my subordinate.
—My only master is Demakan.
—I introduced you to that Demakan.
Knock-knock—
A proper knock this time. From the actual door. I covered Rohakan's cottage with the cloth.
—It's Ifrin.
I opened the door with Telekinesis.
Ifrin walked in and handed over a report.
"Research report."
I read it, but sighed after the first three lines.
Still unsatisfactory.
Ifrin asked.
"...Not good again?"
"Correct."
"..."
She handed over another paper.
A complex magic problem filled with formulas, equations, and calculations.
"It's the academic problem posed by 'Telgend,' author of "Harmony of the Four Elements," in this month's Wizard Academic. Will you help?"
"...A problem?"
"Yes."
I could guess her thinking.
A designer's plight I'd felt too.
After constant criticism, thoughts like "Does this boss even know? He's just picking on me—" start bubbling up.
"..."
I examined Telgend's problem calmly.
Activating Understanding simultaneously.
Heh heh.
...While hearing Ifrin's cheeky chuckle.
Calculate the four elements' ratios proposed by the setter, hypothesize the harmony framework, predict the circuit from that, and present the "solution" encompassing the theory.
"22.1935%, 23.1105%, 27.8505%, 26.8455%."
"...Pardon?"
Ifrin's face went blank. She leaned forward as if she'd misheard.
"O-one more time."
"22.1935%, 23.1105%, 27.8505%, 26.8455%."
"Uh..."
"A problem revealing the golden ratio for four elements' harmony. Couldn't solve it?"
"N-no, I did... but..."
She mumbled softly. Solved it before? How so fast? No, it's from four days ago...
"Ifrin."
I called the cheeky one's name.
"Y-yes."
"What you know, I know."
"..."
"What you don't know, I do."
At least theoretically, she won't outdebate me. Probably never.
Ifrin scratched her nape dejectedly.
"Pursue humbly. Suspect like that, and you'll never reach the realm."
"...Yes. Sorry."
Ifrin shuffled out.
Creeeak—
Door closed. I uncovered the cloth, and Rohakan spoke.
—That voice just now—Ifrin?
"Yes."
—Hoo...
Rohakan and Idnik had apparently made up, sipping tea at the garden table.
I wondered suddenly.
"Can I enter that cottage too?"
—No. Idnik and I are contracted, so possible. Normals can be forced, but not strong resistors like you.
"Then why seek me? You said releasing you was the last time."
Our first meeting.
I'd warned him.
Warning in words, worry in truth.
Don't get cocky and die.
—Who released whom? You Deculein releasing this old Rohakan?
Idnik muttered puzzled, Rohakan continued gravely.
—I know. But I must convey something.
"What?"
—The Altar moves. A massive threat looms over the Empire. Specifically, winter. Monster wave season.
Winter, main quest.
I'd anticipated seeing Rohakan.
He is a walking quest.
—Thus, a request.
"A request?"
—Yes. Meet in winter as the wave nears. Details then, at Mieolji.
"What do I gain?"
I asked.
Rohakan pondered, then answered.
—...Life. Not just yours—the whole continent's.
With those words, the main quest surfaced.
◆ Rare Trait Catalog
◆ Shop Currency +5
No need to think twice.
I nodded.
"I'll consider it."
—Expect a positive choice.
Rohakan released Idnik from the cottage. Restored, she looked at me.
—Idnik has words for you alone, so I'll go. Stay well till we meet, disciple.
Rohakan smiled warmly.
Then, whoosh—his cottage floated skyward and poof—vanished.
"But Deculein. Is this your usual shabby hospitality?"
Idnik said, pulling out a cigarette while scanning the office.
"Uninvited guests get scorn, not hospitality."
"..."
"Speak your piece."
I snatched her cigarette with Telekinesis. Idnik tsked.
"Sylvia is in danger."
"..."
I regarded her silently. Idnik frowned.
"Deculein. Remember our promise?"
"That time?"
"When you killed Cielia. I took your promise and spared you."
"..."
No response possible. Deculein's past I didn't know.
"Not backing out, are you?"
"..."
I shook my head. Idnik's expression softened.
"Good. ...But you're still keeping 'that child'?"
"'That child.' Ifrin?"
"Yes."
"Reason I shouldn't?"
"None."
Idnik shrugged, but her gaze sharpened.
"Just thought you'd kill her."
My brow twitched. I kept calm, probing.
"Why?"
"Dikailen found her first. Anyway, back to point. Sylvia's in danger."
Idnik reached for another smoke habitually. I snatched it too with Telekinesis.
"This damn—"
"In my office, mouths are for speaking only. Continue."
"...Arrogant bastard. Fine. Murder on Floating Island."
"And?"
Shake-shake-shake— Idnik jiggled her leg. Withdrawal symptoms.
"Prime suspect: Regello-rank Sylvia."
"..."
I just blinked.
Definitely a new event.
"Details on the island. Give back my damn smoke first..."
Late night, assistant research lab.
"Yaaawn—"
Ifrin woke. Or rather, she'd dozed off briefly.
"Ah... Night already... Wow, how'd he solve it...?"
Recalling the shocking event.
Deculein solving her 24-hour puzzle in 30 seconds.
"Was it a dream?"
"A dream?"
Allen replied to her sleepy mutter. Ifrin startled, then grinned.
"Haha. No, just... gonna get some air~"
"Yeess. Take care."
Allen's ever-cheering smile.
Ifrin stepped out.
"Huh?"
But at the hall's end.
The door to [Head Professor's Office] was ajar again.
"..."
Ifrin swallowed, hesitating.
She really wanted to check something. Just a peek?
No, absolutely not, but the nagging doubt...
Yeah.
Go.
It'd be fine anyway.
Confirm with her own eyes.
...Wait.
What if the ghost appears?
"Whatever."
Assistant Professor Allen's in the lab.
Should be okay.
Ifrin crept to the head professor's office. Peered through the gap.
Darkness, no moonlight. Deculein absent.
Phew...
Deep breath. She lit mana like a flashlight, tiptoed silently, holding her breath across the office.
Hoo... hoo...
Sweat-drenched, she reached Deculein's desk.
First, cram under the chair.
"Where'd I see it..."
Deculein's paper. Luxuriously memorable texture.
Seeking that feel, Ifrin opened the desk drawer.
"..."
No need to rummage.
The moment she spotted something neatly placed in the first drawer.
Ifrin's heart plummeted.
"...Wait."
A stone dropped in her chest.
Ifrin stared blankly, murmuring. Trembling hand—shaking—reached for the neatly folded letter.
"No way..."
Dear Sponsor! It's Ifrin again—
Her retina caught the first line.
Today.
Her letter to the anonymous sponsor, via the mailbox.
"...Hweh?!"
Like seeing a ghost, Ifrin flung it away, shaking both hands.
Her whole body trembled. Dizzy like the flu.
"My sponsor..."
Clutching her mouth with quivering hands, she muttered in horror.
"...Why?!"