Winter (1)
The training in the gravitational field was simple.
Manipulating my wood-iron steel while defending against manipulation-series magic in a place crushed by five times normal gravity.
“Ugh!”
Reyli seized the wood-iron steel with advanced magic Earth Revolution, but I shattered her spell with the steel’s rotation. The resonance generated a shockwave, sending Reyli flying.
“Whoa! I surrender! I surrender!”
Reyli, slammed into the ground, raised both hands. Sweat beaded on her flustered face.
“What’s with the power? Wow—you’ve changed a lot.”
“Next.”
Next was Ifrin. She nodded and stepped forward.
“Let’s begin.”
“Yes.”
I moved the wood-iron steel immediately.
Ifrin gripped the surrounding steel with Magnetic Domain, but when I amplified the output of Telekinesis in an instant, it shattered like glass.
“Hup!”
But as expected of talent.
Ifrin demonstrated her trick of manipulating the air. Air resistance spiked in a moment, and in the already heavy gravity, the steel pieces tumbled into each other.
“How’s that?”
“A fine response. However—”
I applied a “wave” to the Telekinesis of the wood-iron steel. The wave advanced through the dense air resistance as its medium, ultimately striking Ifrin’s entire body.
“Aaaah! Ow, it hurts! It hurts so much!”
Ifrin rolled on the ground. Without pause, I said,
“Next is Maho.”
“Yesss~ Yessyessyess~”
Maho approached with an excited grin.
“Kyaaaaah!”
Then fled in tears. Last was Grand Prince Kreto, who took a tense iron fist stance.
It was Far Fist.
A punch from afar, literally. A rather unique manipulation-series magic that infused mana into a fist for impact.
Whoosh—whoosh—
Kreto swung his fists here and there as if defending against the wood-iron steel with martial arts, but—clang!
“……”
The wood-iron steel struck his shoulder. In that instant, Kreto’s arm dangled limply.
It was properly dislocated.
I asked,
“Kreto. Are you all right?”
“……”
Kreto glared at me with eyes full of resentment. Then he sat silently. Surrender.
……Anyway.
That was how my training sessions went.
I wasn’t sure if it would help them, but it would certainly help me.
* * *
“I heard everything, and that’s what you call training?”
In the lakeside island mansion. Yeriel grumbled curtly at me upon my return. Premien beside her nodded in agreement.
“Yes. Injuring Grand Prince Kreto was the worst part.”
Yeriel and Premien sat on the same sofa, eating ice cream.
……I had no idea how these two ended up together.
“It’s fine. The rest will be handled by this textbook anyway.”
I placed the textbook on the desk. Famously known as [Yukline Manipulation Series Theory Book V2].
The same book I’d given Yeriel before. A compilation of only the essence of manipulation-series magic, not for sale, so its value went without saying.
“Moreover, the four mages who chose me for this training will receive volumes 3 and 4, or even advanced courses, afterward.”
“Really?”
Yeriel’s eyes widened. I nodded.
Writing was a hobby akin to reading anyway. I planned to keep at it steadily, and considering future quests, supporting those who used magic properly made sense.
I had no desire to spread it to the masses.
“That does sound appealing.”
Premien chimed in innocently. A non-mage, yet she kept butting in.
“Anyway, training’s settled. What about this?”
Yeriel waved a book. Blue Eyes.
“Indeed, Professor. As Lady Yeriel says, the real issue is elsewhere.”
Premien seemed to have settled into her role. Yeriel’s sidekick, something like that.
Yeriel said,
“It becomes reality, right? The one with the blade in their heart at the end—it’s you.”
“There’s still time until the ending, and it might not be me.”
“No way.”
The book’s midsection was the protagonist’s—Sylvia’s—growth arc. Harsh trials and tribulations. Climbing mountains, slaying beasts and foes, ascending the Round Table in a frenzy of growth. Genre novel style.
Reuniting with Damien (Deculein) came after.
“Time’s all that’s left—the ending’s certain. The mage stabbed through the heart is you, Professor.”
“Exactly~”
Premien’s words drew a nod from Yeriel. I was dumbfounded.
“Premien. Yeriel. Have you two known each other long?”
“No. First time today. But feels familiar, right?”
“Totally.”
“……”
Anyway, annoying.
I stood and moved to the window. The snow had stopped, sky clear. Typical Hadekan weather.
Nine months out of twelve like this—no wonder the territory couldn’t help but develop.
“Deculein.”
Yeriel approached, murmuring my name. She simply gazed at the sky beside me.
“……”
Seeing her like that stirred something.
A very sudden, simple memory.
That I, too……had a little sister.
A family even more precious than myself.
“Hm.”
I placed a hand on Yeriel’s head. This small head seemed graspable in one hand.
“……?”
She looked up at me blankly. Slightly dazed expression.
“Why’d you call me, Yeriel?”
“……Huh?”
She blinked in utter confusion.
Blink-blink—blink-blink—dozens of times a second, fidgeting endlessly.
“Ah, no. I didn’t call you…… Y-Yeah…….”
Suddenly.
“More importantly, seriously! I checked how much you spent on that training! Huh?!”
Screeeeech—!
She shrieked. I was floored.
“Thirty million elne! Thirty million elne?! Mentor fee’s thirty million elne!”
“……”
“And the diamond manastone I gave you—why’s it with that old geezer Longdalp! Huh?!”
After her outburst, she sighed hugely and turned away.
“I’m out!”
Her stomping exit was oddly cute. No deeper thoughts.
Just cute.
Premien said,
“You’re such a doting brother.”
“Be quiet.”
I glared at Premien. Her echoing Yeriel irked me.
Ahem. Premien cleared her throat and shrugged.
“……Curious, though.”
“About what.”
“When you got so close to your sister.”
“None of your business. You leave too.”
“Yes.”
Premien stood briskly. She even took Yeriel’s half-eaten ice cream as she exited the mansion.
……And.
The very next day.
“……Good to see you. Rest well?”
In the lakeside island garden, I faced the four weary mages. They looked fearful of the remaining schedule, but I presented books.
“Take these.”
Four hardcovers. Telekinesis delivered one to each chest.
“Yukline Manipulation Series Theory Book, penned by me this time.”
Kreto’s eyes widened.
He flipped open the book eagerly. Stars gleamed in his eyes as he read the first page.
“The rest of the training will be theoretical. For four days, we’ll study it together, discuss, and if there’s magic you desire, I shall guide you.”
Deculein’s theory. Knowing its worth, the four looked at me in awe.
Finally, a positive reaction.
“……Everyone, begin thorough reading.”
“““Yes!”””
“Yeees~”
All but Reyli shouted energetically. I snatched Reyli’s book with Telekinesis.
“Ah! Sorry! I’ll do my best!”
I returned it.
* * *
……After four days of training.
Returning to the university, Ifrin and Allen followed someone’s back.
Flawless suit. Long legs. Broad shoulders.
Professor Deculein, standing out more than anyone on the street.
“……”
Ifrin still had words for him.
Many unsaid. Words swirled in her mouth.
“Right, Professor. How’ll you do civilian support this time?”
Assistant Professor Allen spoke first. Ifrin perked her ears secretly.
“The north. Fire support, likely.”
The north. The region mages avoided most.
Farther from the capital meant fewer mages, but the north was harsher than the south.
Freezing climate teeming with beasts. Demonic energy occasionally in the air—worst for mages without physical training.
Knight-to-mage ratio barely 1:10.
“Afraid?”
“Nee? No. You’re there, Professor!”
“Not scared.”
Deculein nodded at Allen and Ifrin. They reached the tower parking lot. As Deculein boarded the car, he said,
“Allen. Organize all class materials.”
“Yees!”
“Ifrin.”
“Y-Yes. Yes.”
“Your paper was unsatisfactory.”
“Ah……”
His words pierced like an awl. Ifrin bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’ll reject it. Rewrite better and resubmit.”
“……Yes.”
Vrrr—
Deculein closed the window. The rare luxury car’s manastone engine roared, accelerating sharply away.
Ifrin pouted, muttering,
“Where’s he off to?”
“Obvious, right? Dressed like that—Imperial Palace, no?”
“Aha……”
Ifrin nodded absently, then startled and turned. The voice was ominous.
“Heh heh. Long time no see?”
Lower face under the robe. Bushy beard, green eyes. Grinning geezer’s smile.
“Rohak—”
Rohakan swiftly covered Ifrin’s mouth.
“Sheesh. Why do you always yell it out every time we meet? Quiet, quiet.”
Ifrin nodded vigorously at Rohakan with wide eyes. He beamed.
“Kekeke. Long time no see?”
“……”
“Ifrin. I’ll head in first……? Uh? Who’s that?”
Allen noticed, tilting his head.
“Haha. Ifrin’s great-uncle. Hello?”
“Ah~ I see. But sudden visit?”
“Hahaha. This old man’s feet are quick.”
Introducing himself to Allen, Rohakan whispered to Ifrin.
—Act familiar. Act familiar. You know. We’re not strangers.
“Ha. Haha, yes. Yes…… Right, great-uncle.”
“Oh! Then I’ll leave you two! Have fun~!”
Allen hurried into the tower. Ifrin waved with a bitter smile.
Pat—
Rohakan placed a hand on Ifrin’s shoulder. She asked quickly,
“Whoa, you scared me. What now?”
Rohakan’s face turned grave.
“……Came to talk about a demon. One called ‘Voice’.”
* * *
The Imperial Palace atmosphere lately wasn’t great.
Probably Sophien and her retainers’ power struggles.
Even I, visiting biweekly as her tutoring mage, felt the tension clearly—so inside, it must be festering.
“I know all about it.”
In the study hall. Sophien answered my concern.
She wore gonryongpo today.
“I hear their scheming from here. Truly annoying lot.”
Emperor’s robe from Earth’s East, chieftain’s garb from this world’s archipelago.
Probably a tribute from some house—she wore such gifts surprisingly obediently.
Lazy to pick clothes, or political stance?
Her outfits changed each meeting—quite admirable.
“Why. Dazed by this overwhelming beauty?”
Sophien said as I eyed the gonryongpo. Confident smile on her lips.
“The gonryongpo is intriguing. It suits you perfectly.”
“Hmph. Honest. Anyway, speak not of retainers before me. Raises my blood pressure.”
“Yes. Of course.”
Sophien snapped her fingers as if just remembering.
“Oh. Heard you took a disciple.”
“Ifrin, you mean.”
“I’ll introduce her sometime.”
“……”
Then, Sophien froze.
Like a video glitch—mere 0.1 seconds.
Then she chuckled softly.
“Deculein. I just visited elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere?”
I asked calmly.
“Yes. Your voice led me there.”
“……‘Voice’, then.”
I knew instantly.
The demon signaling the main quest’s midpoint, ‘Voice’. Unlike the previous ‘Demon’s Mirror’ desiring to become the world, this ‘Voice’ was likely the world itself.
I asked,
“How many minutes did you stay?”
“Hahaha. Deculein. You think just like me?”
Sophien laughed, then spoke analytically.
“A fairly high demon. But incomplete, from the briefness. I stayed about five minutes there.”
“Five minutes in the ‘Voice’s World’…… Time certain?”
“Perfected by my biological clock, above all else.”
I nodded.
‘Voice’ was a world. Formed from someone’s voice, entering severed ties to the original world.
Fortunately, five minutes was safe.
“No status there. Or pretending none. Knew my face plainly.”
“I see. I’ll prepare countermeasures. Your Majesty needn’t worry.”
“……Hm. You like and worry for me greatly?”
Sophien narrowed her eyes. I replied lightly.
“Merely a retainer’s duty.”
“Seems more, no matter how I think…… Fine.”
The emperor flicked her gonryongpo. She pulled a lacquered box from under the desk.
A gleaming case.
“Take it, Deculein.”
“……”
Sudden gift. I silently regarded Sophien. She smirked.
“What’re you staring at. Open it.”
“Yes.”
I opened the lid as bid.
Inside lay an elegant glass vial. The liquid emitted a brilliant, extraordinary glow.
Info
Elixir said to contain a dragon’s soul.
Category
Treasure ⊃ Consumable
Special Effects
Upon consumption, mana increases by ‘300’.
Aids smooth mana circulation in the body.
Confirming with Naked Eye, I was speechless. Mana up by 300, plus circulation—recovery speed. A treasure beyond measure.
Completion: Receive a gift from the Emperor at least once.
Shop Currency +1
And shop currency too.
“……”
Good mood.
Such emotion after so long felt unfamiliar—likely moved.
I slowly looked up at Sophien.
“Picked one from recent tributes to house and kingdom. From Yuren Duchy.”
“……I see.”
“Yes. Such treasures—those damned retainers stole them all. Perhaps a cure for my illness was among past tributes.”
I chose words carefully. The best ones.
This perfectionist’s greed stirred by a flawless, essential treasure—side-effect free.
“Your Majesty—”
“Spare the ‘grateful’ nonsense. I loathe it. Just take it.”
“……Yes.”
I tucked the box away. My eyes fell on the desk’s snow globe.
“Sir Kairon still?”
“Soon. No worry.”
“……”
I nodded, took up the pen. Time to resume lesson.
“Next word, then.”
But Sophien switched topics, displeased.
“You’re going north this winter.”
“Yes.”
“Might meet Julie there.”
“……”
I didn’t answer. Sophien flicked her gonryongpo again. Quite billowy.
“Reluctant to speak. Then, how about this. Found a game more intriguing than chess in my Eastern archipelago.”
“How about rune language games?”
“Hush. As you know, chess at high levels ends in draws mostly.”
“Yes. True.”
“But this differs.”
Sophien pulled a wooden board from a drawer bottom. Grid pattern on the surface, paired with a bowl of white and black stones.
“Called ‘Go’. Rarely draws. But few know it yet.”
“Likely.”
“Lately obsessed. Thinking of making it a national pastime.”
“As you wish. Anything Your Majesty desires. National pastimes are ‘games the Emperor enjoys,’ after all.”
I already knew Go.
My knowledge wasn’t deep, but knowing versus not was worlds apart.
Especially this mind.
Once seen, it lingered in consciousness; there, Understanding could elevate it.
In this head: faint memory of AlphaGo versus Lee Sedol.
“Here’s how it works……”
Excited Sophien explained. ‘House’ concepts. ‘Life and death’ issues.
She’d ignored rune language for solo Go, it seemed.
“……Growing tedious. You leave too.”
Thus the end.
I chuckled dryly.
“Yes. I’ll research and practice Go before returning.”
“Hmph. As if you could. You just listened, knowing nothing. Fun, but no opponent—boring.”
“I’m here, Your Majesty. In two weeks, different.”
“No game won in two weeks, Deculein. Your arrogance pierces the heavens.”
Sophien flicked her gonryongpo last, lying back.
“Go. Annoying.”
“Yes.”
I rose.
Backing away with propriety, Sophien said,
“Oh. Many tribute treasures outside. Take any one you want.”
“……?”
I couldn’t grasp her intent.
Paranoia? Or mere retainer care?
Either way, refusing the emperor’s gift was impolite.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“……”
Sophien fiddled silently with Go stones.
Her curt demeanor seemed lonelier today, for some reason.