Gale. (3)
Ifrin glanced sideways at Sylvia. At first, she thought an earthquake had hit. The tremor had been that massive, but it gradually subsided as time passed.
······Confessed and got rejected, huh.
It was a plausible hypothesis. Nodding vigorously, Ifrin turned her attention back to Deculein.
“The Soda promotion exam consists of three stages in total. However, passing the first stage alone guarantees your promotion to Soda. The second and third stages are additional tests that influence future rank promotions.”
Those who clear all three stages receive a bonus for their next promotion.
Not all Soda ranks are created equal.
“Furthermore, the promotion exam will be held on Training Island.”
Deculein snapped his fingers, and an image of the island materialized in the air.
It was Training Island, a place Ifrin knew well.
“A training camp will be held there for a specific period.”
Snap—!
Another finger snap. This time, an image of a dormitory appeared.
“You will be tested on your qualifications as a Soda inside and around these lodgings.”
Ifrin looked around. As expected, the hall was packed with people from all over the nation.
“And today is the zero-stage exam.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Assistant Professor Allen appeared and distributed the exam papers. Ifrin peeked at hers. It listed six unidentified magic circles.
“We will assess your ability to interpret these spells briefly before issuing admission tickets······.”
Before he could even finish, Sylvia stood up from her seat. She walked to the podium and handed her exam paper to Deculein.
The answers were already filled in.
“Professor—”
“Debutante Sylvia. Pass.”
“······I—”
“Take your admission ticket and return.”
Deculein held out the ticket. Sylvia looked up at him, lips pressed tight. Then she snatched it with a sharp flick of her wrist.
Watching Sylvia's expression as she left the auditorium, Ifrin was certain.
That girl got rejected!
*
Ifrin and Sylvia exited together. Both held admission tickets.
“Congrats. First place again.”
Ifrin said. Sylvia shot her a glare and muttered with a sigh.
“······Stupid Ifrin.”
“Oh! She spoke!”
“Who you calling mute?”
Sylvia strode ahead briskly. Ifrin chased after her, laughing.
“You've been mute this whole time. Now that you're talking again, let's ace the exam together?”
“I would appreciate that as well.”
A sudden baritone voice cut in. Startled, they turned to see Kariksel.
Thirty-three years old, married with three kids.
“Mr. Kariksel. You solved it pretty quick, huh?”
“Haha. Just the basics.”
For the record, Sylvia took first, some unknown person second, Ifrin third. Kariksel was probably fourth or fifth.
Kariksel asked.
“By the way, are you close with Professor Deculein?”
“We're just lecture students. Doesn't matter if we know him or not.”
“Ah~”
By the time their conversation wrapped up, Sylvia was far ahead. Ifrin hurried after her.
“Hey, wait up!”
“Shut up. Go by yourself.”
“God, why are you so prickly? What's your deal?”
“Insolent Ifrin. You dare say that to me?”
······Kariksel watched the bickering pair from about ten paces back.
“Daughter of Ilayde.”
Altiegue's secret society, Cradle of the Tree. As a member, Kariksel's mind was in turmoil lately.
“······Deculein.”
Today's encounter with Deculein.
From Altiegue's perspective, he was the most dangerous man alive. The professor who had actually carried out the insane plan to build a detention camp at Rohalak.
“Observation for now······.”
Kariksel stealthily followed Ifrin and Sylvia.
They had no idea what would happen during the Soda exam. It was right to stay close for a while. They were connected to Deculein, after all.
“Everyone~ Let's go together~ I'll buy food~”
Kariksel ran up with a goofy grin.
* * *
—Regarding the treatment of Altiegue, the 'Imperium Conference' results. The Imperial Family has decided to actively support the development of blood magic to distinguish Altiegue, while enacting the 'Altiegue Self-Reporting Law'. If an Altiegue from the Empire self-reports······.
Floating high above on the airship from the Floating Island.
Bzzz—
While listening to the radio and thinking, a faint vibration stirred in my pocket.
I pulled out the crystal orb case from my inner pocket. Five crystal orbs lay in the luxurious box.
> Can you hear me?
Al Ross's voice.
“Didn't you say there was a risk of eavesdropping?”
> Depends on the topic.
“Fine. Speak.”
> Tracked the locations you mentioned. Take notes. Empire's western region, Lordman Viscountcy, Peten······.
I had asked Al Ross for the whereabouts of certain named individuals. His intelligence network was reliably impressive in this regard.
“Noted.”
> What now?
“What kind of question is that? The Altiegue suppression order was enacted just last week.”
> Off to the camps?
“No. Kill them. Trash beyond rehabilitation would only pollute the waters like loaches.”
> Pfft.
Al Ross chuckled and hung up. He probably knew exactly what kind of Altiegue these were.
Today's targets: Zekrek · Zerten · Zekton.
These three brothers were named Altiegue I knew well.
The perpetrators of the sudden event Brothers' Terror, and inventors of the troublesome trap item Brothers' Scroll.
Madmen I wanted to slaughter on sight······.
—We will arrive at Training Island shortly.
Regrettably, this airship's destination was Training Island.
The site of the Soda promotion exam.
Vwooom······!
The airship landed on the ground with a slight shudder. As I stepped out, a familiar voice called.
“Hey! Deculein's over there!”
It was Isachang. Standing by the coast, she toddled over and handed me a newspaper.
“Professor Deculein! Check out this paper!”
“······A newspaper?”
I was genuinely shocked.
Isachang reading a newspaper?
Was this the harbinger of the world's end?
It was indeed an article from the Empire's most famous media outlet, The Journal.
“Isachang reading a newspaper······ Has the world line diverged?”
“What? You trying to scare me?! There was a terror attack recently! And Altiegue incidents! It's to boost patriotism—The Journal made it a special feature!”
I glanced at the cover.
Empire's Top 13 Powerhouses: Seventh, Chief Professor Deculein
“They reveal one per day, and the seventh is you, Professor Deculein!”
Empire's Top 13 Powerhouses.
The title alone was ominous.
“······Intriguing.”
I read the article.
I couldn't finish and handed it back to Isachang.
“First was Zeit, second Isak, third me! Has someone finally reached my level?!”
“Enough.”
Empire's Top Powerhouses.
The lineup excluding me was dauntingly elite.
1. King of Winter, Zeit.
2. Imperial Knights Commander, Isak.
3. Isachang, Adrienne.
4. Emperor's Knight, Kairon.
5. Beautiful Asura, Ganesha.
6. Yaksha 'Logan'
7. Chief Professor 'Deculein'
How out of place 'Deculein' looked amid those colossal names.
What a false leg to stand on.
“Why? It means they recognize you this much! I'm mad at third—gonna go kill Isak right now!”
“Don't. These articles aren't meant to incite mutual slaughter.”
“You're mad it's too low, right?”
“I am humble. Seventh is far too high.”
Of course, it wasn't an underestimate of my combat power. With magic and a body fully invested in battle, I wouldn't yield to mid-tier named foes easily.
Especially against demons—my Yukline bloodline filled me with confidence.
······Still, overall seventh? No.
“The content doesn't sit well either.”
“Really? I thought you'd like it.”
“Enough. To business. Why summon me?”
“What else? The promotion exam questions, obviously.”
A familiar dialect.
I turned. The pink-haired mage grinned.
“Long time no see, Professor Deculein?”
“······Professor?”
“Professor, I mean Pro-fes-sor.”
Rosario of Ether rank, from the rune lecture. Her pronunciation still glitched. Longdalp stood with her.
“Right! We're prepping the promotion exam, and we need you!”
“For what?”
“'Security Chief'! Empire's seventh strongest! With terror rampant, who knows what might happen mid-exam?!”
“······.”
Seventh strongest.
It was starting to give me a headache.
But the first Soda exam was worth joining. Sudden events and triggers were ramping up.
“Understood. But details in writing. I have business today.”
“Business?”
Isachang tilted her head. Longdalp stroked his goatee.
“Heh. May I ask what?”
I answered simply.
“Hunting.”
* * *
······Empire, near Lordman Viscountcy, the city of 'Peten'.
A dank basement in a private home.
“Done! Now we can trigger explosions with scrolls alone!”
Zekrek · Zerten · Zekton.
The so-called 'Zezekeke Trio' high-fived with booming laughs.
“Fuck yeah! Shove it in those Empire bastards' faces! Wanna blow up the neighbors first, bro?! That kid next door pisses me off!”
The second brother's venomous words drew a headshake from the eldest.
“No. First, deliver these scrolls to the high priests.”
Scroll bombs.
No medium needed, no mana supplier. Perfect for guerrilla terror—a groundbreaking invention.
“Yeah~ See? The Altar was the right choice! They get us. And the support's generous.”
The youngest said. The eldest smirked in satisfaction.
“Right. We'll help the Altar exterminate the Empire and its vermin, ushering in the era of gods.”
“Hear hear! Uh, wait—not now.”
Then the second brother rushed up with beers. The trio poured into glasses and smiled at each other.
“To the era of gods.”
“To it!”
With that shout.
The moment their glasses clinked.
───.
Soundless steel surged.
Steel shards pierced the ceiling, descending. The lead-gray line impaled the eldest's throat.
“Guhk!”
A brief death rattle.
An abrupt calamity.
The two brothers stared blankly at their collapsing eldest. It felt like a dream, unreal—but a resonant thud affirmed reality.
Thud—!
The basement door and lights shattered simultaneously. Darkness blanketed the space, and from it.
Step—
Step—
Chilling footsteps froze their ears.
“Y-You.”
The brothers gazed at glowing blue eyes. They knew all too well whose piercing glare it was.
“Deculein······.”
Just hearing the name soured his mood; the narrowed blue eyes glared.
But shock faded quickly. Accepting their brother's death, rage boiled.
“Our, our brother—!”
Instantly, wooden steel surged. They gathered mana for barriers, but ten shafts whirled, threatening to tear the cramped space apart.
Kaboomboomboom──!
The barrage shattered their barriers swiftly. The wooden steel's onslaught didn't cease.
Kaaaaah—! Kraaaah──!
Flesh-rending horrors.
Agonized screams echoing.
“Professor! Are you alright?!”
Knight escorts lit the basement, hurrying behind.
Revealed: three beehive-riddled corpses. The gruesome sight startled them.
“Th-They're dead.”
A knight muttered. Deculein's cold gaze pierced. They straightened instantly.
“They needed killing.”
“Y-Yes! Absolutely, you're right!”
The knight stammered in terror. Deculein eyed the 'former humans' impassively.
“Take them out.”
“Yes! Right away!”
The six knights hauled the bodies away hastily.
Alone, Deculein regarded the trio's magical legacy.
Magical Legacy
These brothers were persistent even in gameplay. Brothers' Bomb Scroll, Brothers' Detonator Scroll, etc······.
Mad inventors who exploded constantly, annoying players. Named in both villain and lunatic categories.
“······I'll make use of this tech.”
Deculein seized their research results and turned. He ascended to the surface. Knights loaded bodies onto the carriage.
One knight asked.
“Heading back now?”
“No.”
Deculein shook his head.
“Then······?”
“Before rumors spread, we hunt as many beasts as possible.”
His eyes sank coldly. The knights felt chills and dread, sensing why.
For reference, these knights—subbing for Julie today—were the lowest in the Emperor's Guard. 'F' rank versus Deculein's R; exaggeratedly, if he ordered suicide, seppuku would be proper.
“Here she comes.”
Deculein pointed afar. Premien, security vice-director, approached after report.
“Premien.”
She strode up, meeting his gaze unflinchingly.
“Caught three Altiegue. Handle the rest.”
“······.”
Her eyes fell on the carriage corpses. No expression change. She was adept at masking.
Deculein said.
“Answer?”
“Yes.”
Premien nodded.
“We'll handle it properly.”
* * *
Lia came to the underground passage today. Also applied for adventurer exam at the guild.
This passage was built way faster than expected—kinda weird, but not bad. Story branches are plentiful anyway, and easier Marik clears will help main quests big time.
“Lia, this tasty?”
“Yes. Delicious.”
Ganesha just said that. We're at a fancy spot called Pig's Blossom eating Roahawk meat. Tasty, but my taste leans sweet, I guess.
“Whoa, Retran just passed. He didn't die? Wild.”
Lots of adventurers in the passage. Even named ones occasionally.
Oh, met the madman named 'Gerek' too. Eye contact nearly stopped my heart.
Gerek. Terrifying lunatic named. If he snaps, the whole passage vanishes.
“But Ganesha, what're we doing at Marik?”
I asked while eating free ice cream. Fancy places give it free here too. Modern or isekai, sign of a hot spot.
You know? Those meat joints with free ice cream sometimes.
“Dunno~? No real plan, Lia.”
Ganesha tilted her head blankly.
Top-tier specs in this world, but so carefree daily—hard to trust.
“Mining mana stones, hunting, lots to do.”
“Yeah~”
Mana stones. Hunting!
Nice. Free carry opportunity.
Marik's too tough for my level, but Ganesha can solo everything.
“You okay, Lia? Not scared?”
“Yeah. Fine.”
Karos and Leo barred by age limit? Bliss. Annoying kids—worry when gone, but piss me off daily.
Getting used to this routine feels off, but not bad.
Keep growing, eventually meet Julie, Sylvia, Zeit, Al Ross, Deculein, Emperor, even the God.
Ask God to send me home.
For that: grow, sweets.
Grow, sweets.
No—grow, not sweets.
Only sweets.
No, only gro—
Gro—wth!
That's all in my heart now······.
End of today's entry.
P.S) Not sure how long I'll keep this diary, but as a means to preserve my 'self', plan to continue as long as possible.
Lia finished her diary, glanced around cautiously, and cast a spell. The journal turned to air currents, tattooing onto her body like inventory. Player essential trait: Inventory-ization.
“Haa······ Great meal. Ready, Lia? Reilly's waiting.”
“Yeah~ Let's go.”
Lia smiled brightly and exited the restaurant.
* * *
I returned to the tower office. Allen, whom I hadn't seen in a while, wore an odd expression but soon grinned and offered the newspaper.
“Professor, seen this?”
The usual Empire's Top Powerhouses.
Seventh strongest, Deculein.
“Seen it. Put it away.”
“Ah, yep~! Then this!”
Allen handed a second document. A good one this time.
“Hm.”
I nodded. This secured Drent and Ifrin.
Ifrin was top-tier talent, Drent a solid prodigy. Enough for my own school of thought.
I glanced at Allen absently. He was expressionless. Our eyes met; he smiled awkwardly, but it felt chilling.
“······You may go.”
“Yep~”
Allen left. Julie entered as he exited. Her shoulder bore the usual cat, 'Blackie'.
“Professor. In three days?”
Her tone was graver than mine.
“Yes. Three days.”
◆ Shop Currency +10
◆ ???
Demon's Mirror.
The quest was finally upon us.
“······Yes. On that note, I've made a decision. Something I've pondered.”
Julie closed her eyes solemnly and exhaled deeply.
Wondering what she'd say with this buildup, I watched intrigued.
“That day. When I met Blackie. I grasped the potential in your body, Professor.”
“The day you hugged me?”
“Ah, hek, th-that, ugh, no! The day I met Blackie.”
Her face flushed crimson but she composed herself quickly.
Teasing once doesn't work twice. A pity.
“Your body is that of a born warrior. But the palace mission will be dangerous.”
“······So?”
“Thus, I, Julie von Dayia Phairden.”
She placed a hand on her chest.
“Will teach you hand-to-hand and swordsmanship, Professor.”
“······.”
I looked at Julie.
Silence stretched.
“······.”
“······.”
A long quiet.
Silence enveloped us.
“······.”
“······.”
As if embarrassed, or hurt.
Julie blinked, pouted her lips, and then slink—
Slipped away like a soundless slime.
Only then did I call.
“Wait. Come back. Fine. I'll learn from you.”
Through the slightly open door.
—No thanks. You act like my teachings are common? Do you know how many knights beg to be my students? I have no regrets. None······.
Her sulky voice leaked through.