The Torch of Libertas
After the first exploration of my inner world came to an end, I sat up right away. My mind felt hazy, as if I'd just woken from a vivid dream. In truth, it had been nothing short of a nightmare, yet strangely, I felt none of my usual fatigue.
The Beltum Professor explained it as a sign that my wandering mind had finally found direction.
He advised me to peer into my inner world through meditation whenever I had time, to strengthen my mental image.
Until the day I would one day face [Enola Fortress].
He shared various other methods for taming the mind as well, then wrapped up with a casual "See you in class soon."
Professor Georgia, whom I'd inwardly worried about, treated me with his usual weary demeanor, saying nothing out of the ordinary. He simply told me not to be late before stepping aside.
"...Thanks, Bell."
"No need for thanks, young master."
Left alone with Isabella, I fumbled a bit with awkward feelings but spoke honestly.
"Up until now, I thought I had to handle it all by myself... and that someday I'd just shake it off."
"......"
"But... yeah, looks like I can't do it alone."
I turned my head and met Isabella's unwavering gaze.
"Take care of me, Bell."
"Leave it to me, young master."
Isabella smiled radiantly and pulled me into her embrace. Her warmth enveloped me completely.
After that, I headed to the classroom without being late. Eden was there first as always, followed slowly by Diego, Alexander, Princess Alessia, and Beatrice filling in the seats.
...Adella's late?
One odd thing: Adella still hadn't shown up.
Given her sleepy nature, she might still be dozing in the dorms. It's not like tardiness is new for her.
...But isn't she pushing it a bit too far these days? What's she planning?
"Good morning, gentlemen... Though weekends feel like a distant dream."
Professor Georgia entered, his face etched with exhaustion, his tone utterly unenthusiastic. I felt a pang of guilt. The poor guy's already swamped, and I'd probably added to his fatigue.
"First, roll call. Alexander Wales Belluraca."
"Oho! Here, Professor!"
"Good. Mind your manners."
"Noted!"
Professor Georgia began checking attendance regardless. Inevitably, he called out Adella, who wasn't there.
"Adella Rain Belluna... Adella Rain Belluna? Absent?"
His brow furrowed visibly, even through his limp bangs like seaweed. As he reached for a red pen from his pocket, the classroom door swung open with hurried footsteps.
"Haaah~ Haaah~. Um~ I'm here~."
It was Adella. She bent over, catching her breath, barely managing to speak.
"Cutting it close. Don't make me bother with tardies—be on time."
"Yeees~ Sorry~. Professor Medici~."
"Take your seat."
"Yeees~."
Adella wobbled to her spot on trembling legs. Along the way, she waved enthusiastically at me.
"......"
I nodded back at her, but took a moment to study her face closely.
As if the adjustment period was over, a flood of new classes poured in.
For me, with all my absences, just keeping up demanded serious focus. Without Eden and Princess Alessia's occasional help, it might've been overwhelming. Adella... had looked bored the whole time.
The first class was by a stout dwarf professor named Sephunia, who taught herbalism rather than Magic & Creature. With a separate alchemy course, she skipped processing techniques but thoroughly demonstrated how to handle the earthy plants with soil-stained hands.
Next came Professor Eve Hiyaan's alchemy class.
Tall with slit eyes, she didn't just cover crafting potions—she tied alchemy to Magic & Creature, making it fascinating.
After that: physical education with Karuyak, a burly wolf beastkin named Ulpion; history with Professor Bens, an elf long-lived yet weathered by time; and more.
The last was Beltum Professor's mental image class.
"As you all—know, for Magic & Creature—players, mastering your—mental image holds—a vital place."
Assigned a special lecture hall for his massive bulk, he spoke in his signature slow drawl.
"In my—class, you will learn—to refine your—own mental images."
Beltum Professor paused, then lifted a front leg. The stubby limb rummaged between his shell segments, pulling out a long wooden staff. I'd seen it before—an odd sight. Was that shell actually a storage organ?
Thud. His staff struck the floor.
"First, the most—basic: meditation."
Thud. Again. My heartbeat seemed to sync with the sound.
Thud. On the third strike, light enveloped Beltum Professor's body—not blinding, but solid like a cliffside rock.
"This form—should suit it well."
The light faded. Where the giant turtle had been stood an elderly scholar in human guise.
Thud. He struck the floor once more, his frail, tree-trunk-like frame floating into the air.
The human-form Beltum Professor crossed his legs in lotus position—like some martial arts master.
"This is—zazen. The most—basic posture for a Magic & Creature player to face—their inner self."
With grave tone, he swung the staff again. Though hovering, it echoed with another thud.
Our desks folded like paper, stacking neatly aside. Scanning our stunned faces, Beltum Professor flicked his staff as if to say, What are you waiting for?
"Now—you try."
We stood awkwardly and sat. A few girls grumbled about dirtying their skirts.
"Palms together—at center, place your—deck atop them."
Ignoring the complaints, Beltum Professor floated among us, prodding with his staff—gently—where postures slipped.
"Close your eyes, focus—on the pulse from your—deck."
Not keen on a poke, I obeyed. Did this really work? Instantly, my consciousness tugged inward.
When I opened my eyes again, before me lay my old, ruined hometown: [Lost World].
[......]
And [Libertas], oozing lava like bloody tears.
She stared silently, then—
[......!]
—thrust her right hand's torch forward, pointing somewhere. Following it, I spotted two trees far off.
One was majestic even from afar: trunk, branches, leaves aglow in gold, evoking tales of elven treasures.
But the other felt wrong. Tiny beside the golden one, blackened—not decayed, but like sinister darkness masquerading as a tree.
I turned back to [Libertas]. She held the flaming torch toward them still.
[......]
"......"
No words passed, but I understood. After all, [Libertas] was a mental beast in my psyche—a part of me, like a fragment of my soul.
I nodded. My consciousness floated free. I opened my eyes.
"...Bardi?"
Beltum Professor, hovering before me, called out curiously. I bowed briefly in apology, then stood and approached Adella. He didn't stop me.
"Belluna."
I tapped the shoulder of Adella, who sat in lotus with a bored expression. Her leaf-green eyes curved happily.
"Whyy~, Bardi~?"
Not 'Ricardo'—'Bardi.' Just as I thought.
My face hardened as I asked,
"Who are you?"