Hearing (2)
......I open my eyes.
My vision gradually clears, but the distance is shrouded in an opaque, pitch-black fog. The boundary between sky and earth is indistinct.
The sensation of standing alone in the darkness.
But I am not alone. Not far away, someone calls my name.
—Deculein.
His voice settles thickly like venom, squeezing my heart. A rare emotion wells up from the depths of my chest.
It is something I had long forgotten: fear.
—My son.
The man Deculein alone feared—the one who is his direct ancestor, his father, and the former head of the Yukline family who led it to glory: Dikailen.
Looking down at Deculein with his pitch-black eyes, he declares,
—I have found a suitable vessel.
Dikailen's voice, gestures, pupils, aura... Every element floods me with the emotions Deculein feels toward him, crystal clear.
The nape of my neck stiffens, gooseflesh rises. It feels as if my soul itself is trembling.
Yet no matter how I think about it, this is strange.
Did Deculein have such a system for emotions? An apparatus capable of accepting something like great terror?
Wasn't Deculein a man whose brain was partially broken?
Thus, I suspect.
This emotion is not something Dikailen evoked—it is merely the product of some effect.
Magical brainwashing. The artificial erosion wrought by Dikailen, called the century's art magic master.
"......"
I gaze at Dikailen. I part the fog concealing his form. I stare straight at the exterior of Dikailen, buried deep in Deculein's subconscious.
—Deculein. My son.
A man who resembles Deculein—no, far colder and sharper.
A figure perfectly suited to the Yukline family precept: Fear the devil.
—Bring it to me.
Deculein fears him, and that emotion transfers to me as well... but...
"I am not Deculein."
It was not something I could not overcome. No matter what brainwashing had been imprinted on Deculein's body in the past, to me—possessing the body of the Iron Man—it was nothing more than a laughable trick.
—My son.
I approach him. Without the slightest hesitation. I stride forward majestically and seize his throat with both hands.
At that moment.
Memories flow in. Like a switch flipping, a scene rises.
"......Dikailen."
[Independent Quest: Family]
That day. I had certainly slain Dikailen's personality alongside Yeriel, yet no message announced the quest's completion.
Which means.
Dikailen's trial is still—
——Tzzzzzzt!
A shrill mechanical whine awakens my consciousness.
The illusion fades, replaced by reality.
"It's all done!"
Adrienne announces it.
I slowly rise. I regard the cylindrical machine on which I had been lying moments ago.
"Nothing special, huh!"
Its official name: [Magitech Brainwave Explorer]. A device developed on the Floating Island that delves into the subject's subconscious.
Adrienne had ordered this test under the pretext of "personal verification."
"Was this a necessary procedure?"
"Of course!"
I straighten my attire as I approach her.
"What if a candidate turns out to be a spy from another country, in league with the Ash Heap, or a die-hard supporter of the Round Table? That would be a problem!"
"Can it distinguish such things?"
"Yep! We've screened thousands of spies with this! And its performance varies depending on whose mana powers it!"
"......"
"I used my mana!"
I look at Adrienne with a slightly uncomfortable expression. If the subconscious I just experienced had been transmitted to the chairwoman as well...
As if confirming my worry, she beams.
"Don't worry! I keep secrets!"
I shake my head.
Tzzzzzzt—!
Then the mechanical whine sounds again. It was for the second candidate: Ihelm's.
"Oh, Ihelm's done too!"
"Hah...... hah......"
The sweat-drenched man repeats ragged breaths. Did he have a nightmare?
"Take a seat!"
Adrienne nods toward the chairs, and we sit side by side.
"The first personal verification is complete! Both of you pass!"
"Thank you."
It was Ihelm who spoke, already pristine thanks to Cleanse. Adrienne tucks the "Brainwave Exploration Report" into her bosom and looks at me.
"But, Professor Deculein?"
"Yes."
"I've finally understood your paper to some extent!"
Adrienne makes a face like it's impressive. Ihelm glances at me and smirks.
"Is that so? How was it, Professor Deculein's paper?"
"Excellent! Great! With this, even just the theory alone will earn rave reviews from the Floating Island!"
The chairwoman gives a thumbs-up. Ihelm's smile deepens.
"As for the hearing schedule! It might drag on or wrap up quickly! Besides the references you two secured, the board has invited 'common references'! We'll reexamine your standing and achievements in the magical world!"
"A matter of course."
Ihelm answers leisurely, and I merely nod.
Adrienne says,
"Alright! We'll give you another two hours, so take care of personal preparations!"
"First, our strategy is as follows."
Ihelm begins preparing for the hearing the moment he returns. With dozens under his command: professors, mages, family members, and more.
"Deculein's scant publication record is point one. In the last four years, Deculein has submitted only one paper recently, and even that—as confirmed in Adrienne's interview—is an unproven theory lacking experiments."
Boasting achievements or pledges won't land blows. The most effective method is to tarnish the man Deculein himself.
"Thus, we'll attack the uncertainty of his papers and pair it with testimonies from those once under him."
Ihelm listens with leisure.
It's a pity for these diligent subordinates, but in truth, all this is mere byproduct.
The true trap is one even they do not know.
"The reason Deculein, as chief professor, has only three underlings. That flaw in his character..."
The paper Deculein has already submitted: "Pure Elements: Creation and the Four-Series Magic Based Thereon".
Whose idea it truly is—Ihelm already knows.
To begin with, not just that idea, but all of Deculein's past papers are entirely "that bastard's."
"......Thus, we'll focus questions on the references about Deculein's character."
Deculein has no choice but to fall for this ploy.
If it's Deculein, whose arrogance pierces the heavens and who despises any who tarnish him more than anyone...
If it's the lofty Deculein I know.
He will surely thrust his Achilles' heel into this trap...
Sophien visits the Magic Tower. But she does not announce it outwardly.
She leaves a magic doll in the Imperial Palace and disguises herself as a "common reference" in robe attire. This seems more amusing.
"......"
Sophien surveys the hearing hall. The space divides into four sections.
Right: Deculein's camp. Left: Ihelm's camp. Front: The board's judgment seat. Rear: Common references' seats.
Sophien takes a seat among the common references. For reference, Kairon has been masquerading as a statue on the hearing hall wall since yesterday.
Elsewhere, Julie paces about. Perhaps anxious over her future husband's once-in-a-lifetime chance.
"Okay! Okay! Everyone, take your seats!"
Then Adrienne appears with her bright voice. Sophien eyes her keenly.
"We're about to begin the first hearing!"
Archmage Adrienne. She exudes an aura distinctly otherworldly.
"Mm!"
Adrienne and the board sit first at the judgment seat. Sophien watches quietly.
"Deculein and Ihelm! Candidates' camps, enter!"
The doors open, and Deculein and Ihelm appear.
Ihelm has a throng dangling from him, but Deculein brings only one assistant professor.
"Knew that arrogant bastard would do this."
Sophien smirks.
A pitiable man with not a single friend he trusts at his back. One who insists on handling everything alone, overburdened and haughty.
That is Deculein.
"First order: Questioning of common references!"
The hearing proceeds as per the agenda. First, a common reference secured by Adrienne sits at the central witness stand.
"Please introduce yourself!"
—I am Astal of the Floating Island.
Astal, attendee of Deculein's advanced lectures and spiritual pillar for Floating Island addicts.
"Addict Astal. I hear you reviewed Professor Deculein's papers yourself."
Ihelm's camp questions him on matters related to Deculein's papers.
—Yes. I reviewed all papers Professor Deculein submitted over the last decade.
"What about his recent "Pure Elements: Creation and the Four-Series Magic Based Thereon"?"
—I saw the 'outline,' but nothing beyond. Personally, I'm looking forward to it.
"I see."
Sophien glances at Deculein.
Ihelm's camp is so fervent, yet Deculein appears utterly at ease. Serene. Like playing chess in the heart of battle.
"How was the outline?"
—At first, I thought it absurd.
"Absurd?"
Gotcha! Someone in Ihelm's camp smiles.
—Yes. However, Chairwoman Adrienne strongly vouched for it.
"Yes, exactly!"
The chairwoman interjects.
"That paper is not absurd at all! I vouch for it! Besides, the original I've reviewed will go to the Floating Island by month's end!"
—Ah!
Astal's eyes sparkle like stars. He smiles innocently, genuinely delighted.
—Then I'll look forward to it!
"......Hm."
Ihelm's camp sits without retort.
Adrienne signals Deculein. Ask if you have questions. But Deculein doesn't stir.
Only his assistant professor fidgets like a dog desperate to relieve itself.
"Nothing? Next reference!"
Subsequent questioning proceeds by swapping common references one by one.
Personally, an utterly boring process.
Unable to endure, Sophien yawns.
"......Yawn."
Not fun.
Tedious.
Not having fully overcome sloth—and with inertia at play—lingering here in this farce risks boredom's return.
"Short break!"
Then break time arrives. Four hours have already passed.
In truth, she slept midway.
"I'm out. Zero fun."
She mutters to Kairon, listening somewhere, and rises from her chair.
Thud, thud—
Exiting the hearing hall toward the elevator.
"Leaving?!"
"......"
Someone grabs her.
A short child—no.
Chairwoman Adrienne.
"Aw, wait a bit more. It's about to get fun!"
"......You knew."
"Knew what~?"
Adrienne tilts her head innocently. Wrinkles form on Sophien's brow.
"Insolent."
"Hehe! Still, stay a little longer! You won't be disappointed! Highlights start now!"
"......"
"Strongly recommend!"
The emperor glares steadily at her.
The chairwoman does not avert her eyes, and ding—!
The elevator arrives.
Sophien turns back toward the hearing hall.
"Ah......"
Ifrin watches the entire hearing with hollow eyes. A crystal orb provided by Ihelm's side projects the proceedings.
—Everyone rested well~?! Now, each camp nominate your references!
Deculein's reference is Ruina.
As policy director, she explains Deculein's fairness and the tower's profits gained thereby. With attached materials, meticulously prepared.
—......In that process, did Professor Deculein demand any sacrifices or suppression—
—Enough.
Ihelm does not attack Ruina. He merely stands and addresses Adrienne.
—As policy director, I acknowledge Deculein's competence. Thus, we nominate our reference.
Ihelm looks at Deculein. A thick smile plays on his lips, but Deculein pays no heed.
Knock knock—
The moment a knock echoes.
The time has come.
Ifrin tucks the letters into her bosom and opens the door. Ihelm's attendant waiting outside says,
"Follow me."
"......"
She nods silently.
Thud—thud—
Footsteps echo in the corridor. That reverberation.
With each step, her heart pounds, nausea rises.
Thud—thud—
The steps halt.
"......This is it."
Finally, before the grand doors of the hearing hall.
Ifrin takes a deep breath.
"Hah......"
"Opening."
"......Yes."
Ifrin straightens her attire resolutely. Ihelm's attendant grips the handle, and creeeeeak——
"......Ah. Here she comes."
Through the slowly widening gap, Ihelm visible. Glancing her way, he smiles gracefully and introduces,
"First reference. Soda-rank Ifrin."
The hearing hall holds many. All eyes turn to her.
"......"
Ifrin walks straight. Without a waver.
Thus, she sits at the reference seat.
"......Self-introduction, please!"
"I am...... uh, I am...... Soda-rank Ifrin. Assistant under Professor Deculein and......"
She meets Deculein's eyes. He is watching her.
For some reason, her heart aches, sorrow wells, yet Ifrin does not look away.
Adrienne beams.
"And?"
"......Daughter of 'Soda Kaigan Luna,' former assistant under Professor Deculein."
"Oho!"
Adrienne's mischievous smile. Behind her, Ihelm approaches.
"Soda Ifrin. I understand your father took his own life four years ago."
Ifrin grits her teeth. Adrienne watches delightedly, Ihelm continues calmly.
"I know the reason. And why you are here."
Emperor Sophien grasps the full story at once. Adrienne's "won't disappoint" rings true, to some extent.
"The paper Professor Deculein submitted to the chairwoman. What if its idea was not his own?"
The board's eyes widen.
Even Ihelm's camp—and common references—erupt in commotion.
"And what if this is not the first time."
Ihelm smiles faintly, surveying the board.
"What then?"
They huddle to confer. References like Astal and Ruina look to Deculein.
Board member Drent asks,
"Then. You claim the paper Professor Deculein submitted was not his own idea?"
Ihelm answers,
"Yes. That conception and origin belong entirely to another."
"Witness. Do you have evidence to support this?"
At the question, Ifrin lifts her head. She draws a letter from her bosom.
"Letters exchanged with my father."
Even then, Deculein says nothing. No defense. He merely closes his eyes.
Drent speaks again.
"......Your father might have harbored malice toward Professor Deculein and fabricated it deliberately."
"Father said...... he hid a 'magic mark' linked to his blood in the paper's conception. Where the circuits connect."
Oho— Ihelm claps sharply!
Indeed, that man is no pushover. He had long prepared the seed of Deculein's downfall.
"A magic mark! How splendid—"
"I understand the hearing spans multiple days."
Ifrin cuts Ihelm off immediately.
"If investigated fairly and brought to light...... it will be done. I trust my father, but......"
"Mm! Right!"
Adrienne nods, pausing to settle the chaos. The murmurs now grate.
"Professor Deculein. Nothing to say?!"
All eyes—Ifrin's included—fix on Deculein.
He silently looks up at Adrienne. Eyes brimming with reproach.
"No words~ at all~?"
"......"
Avoiding his gaze, drawing out her words, Adrienne finally—
"Pfft!"
Bursts into laughter. Ifrin clenches her fists on her thighs.
"Why laugh......?"
Ihelm falters briefly. The board, thrown by the sudden scandal, shares the confusion.
"Well, you'd find out eventually anyway!"
Ifrin stares at Adrienne. She clears her throat with a hem-hem.
"Then, let's reveal it."
Clearly a grave situation.
Yet her sudden cheer baffles Ifrin.
Have they already coordinated? Or has she gravely erred?
"Professor Deculein submitted that paper to me ten days ago. I've reviewed it and already sent it to the Floating Island."
Meanwhile, Sophien crosses her arms. Alternating glances at Deculein, Ifrin, Ihelm, Adrienne. She smirks.
Good she didn't leave midway.
"The first author is indeed Deculein."
Ihelm smiles. Ifrin pinches her thigh. Tears threaten suddenly.
But the very next moment.
"But! There's one more. A co-author, you could say."
Adrienne's voice softens gently.
The implication so bizarre, Ifrin stares blankly.
"Wh-what? Just now. Co-, co-what?"
Ihelm stammers.
Not for nothing. The Deculein he knows would never—could never—do such a thing.
He'd sooner die clutching the paper. Deculein would never stomach a co-author's blow to his pride—
"The name is......"
All in the hearing hall focus on Adrienne.
She revels in the attention, the impending chaos or pandemonium to come, blissfully happy......
And points at Ifrin.
"Kaigan Luna. Your father."