Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Full Moon Festival
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Atalante silently brushed her face once.
It was clearly a gesture to forcibly regain her composure.
She'd been like this ever since checking the contents of the pouch I handed her.
"Is this... what I think it is?"
"I don't know what you're thinking, but yes, it's a thought body."
"..."
After a moment of silence, Atalante spoke again.
"...Have you been to the Shadow Realm?"
"Yes."
This time, she began dry-washing her face.
She seemed quite flustered.
"...Why is your hair such a mess?"
"I stopped by the Persy Dean's office before coming here and handed over two lumps of ectoplasm. She was so shocked she unleashed a barrage of lightning magic."
"..."
In fact, I'm the one who fared relatively well.
The other graduate students around who got hit by that magic were in a far worse state.
"So, are you satisfied with this?"
This woman had previously promised me an extra gift if I could "satisfy her."
Regardless of anything else, this should be more than enough.
"Satisfied? More than that... If you took this to the Magic Tower instead of handing it to me, they'd pile mountains of jewels on you just to buy it."
Good lord. A thought body and ectoplasm.
Atalante rubbed her temples as she replied.
Of course.
A thought body is generally an object containing the consciousness of someone who left behind achievements worthy of being called a "great figure," and ectoplasm is an ultra-rare material that even the Magic Tower can barely obtain in 30-50g quantities per year.
Depending on the processing method, it shows near-universal utility.
Mix it with the right catalyst, and you can make it harder than diamond, or process it into an explosive with tactical weapon-level power.
Handing over two kg-sized lumps of that? No wonder Persy freaked out.
"...Fine. A promise is a promise, so I'll give you the gift."
"The gift is fine, but could I ask for one favor instead?"
"A favor?"
"Yes. I'd like you to 'enchant' that thought body onto an object."
Atalante furrowed her brows at my words.
"...If you're asking to enchant the thought body, that means you're choosing to focus even more on the future than now?"
"Exactly."
Processing a thought body directly into equipment yields an item with exceptionally superior performance compared to others.
But if you 'enchant' it onto an existing object, the thought body's consciousness slowly awakens, gradually adding options that can't even compare to a mere high-performance piece of gear.
My choice is obviously the latter.
"I've been thinking about this for a while."
Atalante let out a deep sigh as she spoke.
"Why are you going so far?"
"Pardon?"
"No, I mean... Honestly, as a student, you single-handedly subdued Hasmed of the Present Moon. You even took down a Hero candidate in one blow."
"..."
This woman even knew I'd caught Hasmed?
She sure doesn't say much about it.
'She's right about it not being something to mention offhand.'
In fact, by normal student standards, I'm far from weak.
Even accounting for the overpowered effects of skills like Desperate Situation and Tristan-style Swordsmanship, that's an undeniable fact.
"But why are you trying so hard to get stronger? It's like you're being chased by something."
Chased, huh.
"..."
That's actually spot on.
"...If I don't prepare this much, I'll die."
The enemies in the main scenario, especially the chapter bosses connected to the 'demons' somehow, aren't the type you can deal with just by having good skills or gear.
Man-made disasters.
Calamities in human form.
They're directly linked to demons with the power to destroy the world single-handedly. Being moderately strong would be the real problem.
For someone like me, already deeply entangled with the scenario's core— the protagonist and final boss—it's basically confirmed I'll get dragged into that mess. I'm truly on the run.
Especially now that the main scenario timeline is accelerating faster than expected.
'...And Chapter 1 is no exception.'
Compared to bosses like the Boy King of the Fallen Kingdom in Chapter 2 or the Apostle of the Inverted Tidal Wave in Chapter 3, the Purifier is tame.
But while I've stocked up growth-type gear in preparation for those, my current setup is pretty sparse.
In fact, before my growth curve really kicks in, it might be even more dangerous.
In that sense.
"The truth is, I might have to die once pretty soon."
I doubt the Chapter 1 boss fight will push it that far, but...
In an emergency... well.
I might really have to.
"...Pardon?"
"It's nothing."
I shrug at Atalante, who looks at me suspiciously.
"Anyway, can I ask you a question too?"
"What?"
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
Atalante's eyebrow twitched slightly.
"...What do you mean?"
"You must have mountains of questions. How a mere student enters and exits the Shadow Realm unscathed, how I even know about thought bodies..."
No matter how I think about it, I'm casually spilling info no student should know. Yet she's handing everything over without a single doubt.
It's not just that—wherever I go or whatever I do, I feel her influence everywhere. It's like the entire academy revolves around me.
"So you're aware of it? Guess you're not an idiot after all."
"Yes. Anyone who isn't a total fool would reach the same conclusion."
I let out a sigh and continue.
"...How big of a job are you planning to give me that you're laying this much groundwork?"
The dean chuckled.
But she didn't answer in the end.
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So that's what this is.
I glance at the amulet wrapped around my wrist. The chancellor worked on it all day to make it.
[ Soul Linker ] [ Exclusive Equipment ]
[ Enchant: Epic ]
[ Equipment imbued with a great soul. Increase synchronization to awaken the soul's consciousness. ]
[ Always infused with magic power due to the great soul's influence. ]
[ Current magic power charge: 100% ]
[ Current synchronization: 0% ]
Normally, for other classes, raising this synchronization requires feeding rare material items into the equipment regularly. No other methods work.
True to its intimidating Epic enchant name, it demands that price, but I don't need to do any of that from the start.
'Because my hoped-for class is priest.'
I chuckle and pull out the censer I always carry.
Bringing it to the amulet causes a faint golden light to emanate from the Soul Linker.
[ Current synchronization: 0.01% ]
That's it.
Souls generally react sensitively to divinity.
Priests can steadily raise synchronization just by growing their abilities step by step, as the soul responds more and more.
That's why it's exclusive equipment.
'I won't fully utilize the soul until Chapter 2, though.'
In the entire game, items prefixed with 'Epic' number fewer than 20. The effects when fully awakened are absolutely overwhelming.
As an amulet type, it synergizes especially well with a priest's divinity and miracles, so acquiring and growing it at this timing is insane.
If I nurture it steadily from now, it'll be one of the core clears from Chapter 2 onward.
'The magic power charge is a merit too.'
With my own mana reserves at zero, having to draw from elsewhere, this is incredibly useful.
This alone pays for itself right now. I have two skills that require mana to use.
"Ah, you there."
"...Hello."
Of course, none of that matters for getting through right now—I still need this person's help.
I tuck away the amulet and look at Elnor waving her hand in front of my face.
[ Main Quest ]〖 Chapter 1 – Purifier 〗
[ Resolve the incident at 'Twilight's Eye' smoothly! ] [ D-0 ]
[ Reward: Gain benefits in main scenario branches! ]
[ Related event incoming! ]
This first.
"Did I keep you waiting long?"
"No, not too long."
"Good. You seem... a lot more dressed up than usual."
And she really is.
Someone who usually sticks to just the uniform is wearing a flowing dress today, laden with all sorts of accessories.
She even put in a ton of effort with her makeup?
"...Is that so?"
Elnor gave a slight smile at my words.
"Yeah. That must've taken forever."
"Hm. I came out here this morning to prepare. Took about six hours."
"..."
Not long at all, huh.
"...Well, that's not long. I'm fine. Don't worry about it."
"..."
"Not lying. Six hours is nothing, I can just toss it aw—"
"...Shall we go?"
I sigh at Elnor, who's starting to overplay her hand, and gesture.
Grabbing her wrist lightly to lead her, I feel her whole body twitch in surprise.
"Dawood?"
"It's too crowded."
Just past the academy district, the streets are in full swing with the Full Moon Festival.
It's so packed that without this, I'd lose sight of her.
'Did that bother her?'
Honestly, I don't have a good sense of personal space with women.
Surprisingly, I've never had the experience in my life.
Zero romantic history, zero opposite-sex friendships—the illustrious Dawood Campbell.
Kinda depressing all of a sudden.
"Well, it does look that way."
"..."
Elnor chuckles at my lame one-liner and releases my hand from her wrist.
Ah, she was bothered...
"That's not how you escort someone."
Interlocking fingers is a sign of respect and trust toward your partner. You can't be careless.
Grip firmly, fingers fully interlocked.
With that advice, Elnor gently took my hand.
Our palms fully touching transferred warmth through our skin.
"This way, I won't lose you."
"..."
"Lead on."
I stare at Elnor with wide eyes for a moment.
"...Elnor, did you just smile?"
More precisely, that faint, bashful smile.
In the main story, Elnor always looked tormented by something.
The Gray Devil's energy rising from within, the rivalry with Hero candidate Eliya from without. On top of that, political schemes targeting the Tristan Ducal House.
Constant extreme physical and mental pressure.
Everything was designed to scrape away and shatter her mentality.
All I remember are her rigid, expressionless face and mechanical demeanor.
Throughout all that time poured into Sera.
I'd never seen her smile even slightly in front of others.
But this expression. This defenseless face.
As if, in front of me, she can truly relax.
"..."
And at my words, Elnor's face stiffened again.
"...Did I smile?"
"...It looked like it?"
"You're sure?"
"Why ask me... "
"No, I've never smiled before, so I don't really know what it feels like."
"..."
"It was probably an unseemly expression anyway."
Who knows.
It'll take a while for that to feel natural.
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"Huh? Dawood?"
"Huh?"
And arriving at Twilight's Eye, a more familiar face than expected greeted me.
"Talion?"
"You remember me. Thank you."
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm working part-time as a waiter. My family's pretty hands-off."
"..."
I'm a bit stunned by Talion's gentle smile as he says that.
Even as a baron's son, I get pocket money for living expenses. And the heir of a viscount house is doing this?
Isn't that too much?
"But this... um..."
Talion glances awkwardly between me and Elnor, who's practically hanging off my arm.
"...Are you dating the Student Council President?"
"...No, not that."
"..."
Talion shoots me a look asking what this pose is then, but I want to explain too.
It started with just holding hands, but Elnor gradually clung closer until it ended up like this.
I can't push her off with my specs.
"...!"
Elnor twists my arm hard at my answer.
Felt like she was gonna rip it off.
"...Why?"
"Punishment."
"For what?"
My arm twists again, and this time an involuntary groan escapes.
"Well, I get that you two are close."
I grumble at Talion, who chuckles.
"...Why are you using formal speech with me?"
Eliya used honorifics willy-nilly in the original too, so I get that, but wasn't Talion the guy who fought me to the death?
What's with the sudden respect?
"Just felt like it with you, Dawood."
Talion humbly bows his head as he answers.
Come to think of it, was his impression like this in the original?
Before his fall, he was like a diligent, reliable ace of the sports club... something like that.
"What respect. We're classmates anyway."
"Then I'll call you big bro. You're older than me, right?"
"..."
True enough.
Elpante has tons of age differences even among classmates.
The issue is.
"How do you know that?"
"Marquis Riverback talks about you a lot. He seemed very interested."
My brow furrows involuntarily at Talion's reply.
'That guy...'
I'd optimistically thought maybe he approached just seeing me near Eliya and Elnor.
But Marquis Riverback is a snake of a man. If he saw me merely as a bridge to them, he wouldn't show this much interest in me.
"So, welcome to Twilight's Eye. Have a good time."
I meet Talion's cheerful smile.
"..."
Come to think of it, after raising affinity with Elnor and Eliya, messages about the main scenario changing popped up.
This must be the influence reaching here.
Marquis Riverback's interest shifting from 'Eliya' to 'me.'
'Which means...'
The odds of me seeing anything good in this restaurant today approach zero.
"Talion. You wearing a necklace or something?"
"...Pardon?"
Talion blinks blankly but fumbles near his neck.
A necklace engraved with an emblem. I remember it well.
"It's something issued by the House of Purification Foundation run by Marquis Riverback. Only select talents sponsored by them wear it."
"Yeah, that's the one."
Just as I thought.
If the scenario's twisted this way.
I should prepare a fitting counterpunch.
[ Using skill: Domination of Evil. ]
[ Exercising command over target 'Talion.' ]
"Don't wear it today."
"...Pardon?"
"And block others from wearing it as best you can. Got it?"
"..."
I pat the dazed Talion's shoulder and enter the restaurant.
'...Well, whatever.'
That alone.
Gives me a huge 'advantage' over Marquis Riverback tonight.
"Ah, Dawood Campbell. Welcome."
So as I step inside, I flash a wide smile back at the beaming Marquis Riverback.
'Bring it, you bastard.'
Chapter 1. The Purifier Conquest War
This is where it begins.
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