Chapter 15
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The Rune Taboo
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I wondered what lengthy delusion she’d spin this time, but what came back was Elin’s solemn gaze.
It was a look of resolve to charge straight ahead without any probing tests.
I had no desire to go along with that, so I savored the coffee Isel had brought.
Even in my current state, reliant on hand drip, it had a remarkably refined flavor.
‘Might even be better than a machine in some ways.’
As I entertained such idle thoughts, Elin finally broke the silence.
“I want to join your lab.”
“I refuse.”
“I can assist with your research, Professor.”
“I’ve abandoned that research.”
“That’s a lie.”
The responses came rapid-fire, as if she’d anticipated this exact exchange.
I set down the coffee cup I’d lifted to my lips and looked at Elin.
If I averted my eyes or dodged her gaze here, it’d brand me for good.
With a hint of weary exasperation, I gave a slight shake of my head.
“It’s research that can never be completed.”
“Plenty of researchers have already published results. If we combine your knowledge and mine, surely—”
I shook my head at her words.
“If I were truly serious about achieving it, I wouldn’t be recruiting an undergrad like you—I’d have brought in a professor.”
“Isn’t confidentiality the key issue for you, Professor? Trust me, I won’t let it be misused. If anything, as a mere undergrad, I’d be even less likely to—”
A sigh escaped me.
At my heavy exhale, Elin fell silent.
It was a jarring contrast to her machine-gun barrage moments ago.
Stiffened up, perhaps.
More accurately, she couldn’t easily continue, unsure of what I’d say next.
“Let me correct one delusion of yours.”
Elin bit her lip but maintained her rigid posture, ready to listen.
“I had no intention of improving runes.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’re derivatives.”
Elin’s face twisted. Her eyes screamed, *That’s it?*
At her incredulous look, I squeezed my eyes shut.
‘Why am I going through all this trouble?’
Of course, to Elin, oblivious to my inner thoughts, it must seem like I was unveiling a grave truth—but nothing could be further from it.
“Elin, what do you think runes are?”
“The foundation of magic. They brought its golden age and its downfall.”
“No, that’s not it. Skip the textbook definitions… What do *you* think runes are?”
When no answer came, I shot a grumpy glance at the rapier hanging on the wall.
I never intended to draw it, but it was there in the corner of the lab just in case.
If possible, I hoped it’d stay sheathed forever.
“You think of runes as some new power you can just claim.”
Elin’s brow furrowed in an instant.
And that was exactly the reaction I’d aimed for.
It was why I’d gone to Professor Prezel to check Elin’s self-introduction letter.
“That’s why you won’t do. You lack everything I’m demanding. That’s why.”
Like a child struck at an unacknowledged core truth, Elin trembled.
She wanted to deny it, but no words came to mind.
“…Are you saying you’ll bury research that could etch a mark in magical history over something like that?”
“I have no thirst for fame. And I’m not even a mage. What good would it do for a swordsman like me to mark magical history?”
And once more, I shook my head.
“Research ethics matter, Elin.”
Elin cried out impulsively.
“What exactly did you see to say such things, Professor!?”
What did I see?
‘Nothing at all….’
To repeat: I’d just memorized the drunken ramblings of a true friend, verbatim.
That’s why I wanted to burst out laughing, brush off history and all, and tell her to do whatever.
‘I’m holding back because it’d ruin the original story. Otherwise, I’d have spilled it ages ago.’
But here, I had to convey that I’d seen something profoundly important, monumental, and dangerous.
Yeah, like, *don’t come any closer*. Cringey lines like that.
…Having to say such things seriously at my age.
Don’t laugh… Laughing means losing.
“…The greatest barrier to our use of runes is none other than our vocal organs.”
“That’s right.”
Even knowing the meaning and pronunciation, we’re ultimately blocked by our vocal apparatus.
Thus, the ultimate obstacle is its elimination.
“You know why those deviant mages—preaching ancestral regression, genetic inheritance, a return to purity—are dangerous for conducting human experiments.”
Elin swallowed hard at the suddenly grand scale of my words.
“Elin.”
I met her eyes, signaling I wouldn’t explain twice.
Sorry for killing the mood, but I won’t repeat myself because I lack the sanity to do so twice….
“That’s taboo. A line you must not cross unless you want to become a mindless monster.”
Did it sink in, at least a bit?
Elin clutched the end of her sleeve and bit her plump lip.
Her moistening eyes drew my gaze, but I ignored it.
I wasn’t here to comfort—I was here to push away.
“…To achieve that, you’d have to become a mindless monster?”
I’d said it, but it was a gem of a line.
Whether true or not, I’d roll with it.
With a stern expression, I nodded.
“Rise and fall always have their reasons.”
“I see….”
Isel hid her body at the sound of sobbing she hadn’t expected.
‘What the—?’
She’d brought coffee, had nothing else to offer, so she’d popped into a nearby patisserie and was on her way back.
Deep down, she’d hoped to subtly share it with the professor once Elin left.
‘Not the vibe for that, though!?’
Instead, the air was thick with sorrowful gloom and dejection.
It was so heartrending that it dragged the listener down too.
As it turned to outright sobs, Isel held even her breath, fearing the sound might carry.
“Is it really, truly impossible?”
A nasal whine.
She sniffled, blowing her nose.
It felt somewhat endearing, but only for a moment.
Isel screamed internally.
‘Really? Truly impossible? What *is* that?!’
What amplified Isel’s bewilderment was Aiden’s single reply.
“No helping it. As your professor, I have a duty to compel you toward the right choice.”
Professor? Student?
Wait, don’t tell me….
“Save it. Spare me the fake comfort.”
She blew her nose with a *sniff*, then stood as if shaking it off.
Still young, but unmistakably a woman’s voice.
No mistaking who it was for Isel.
“Fine. I won’t pursue it anymore.”
‘She won’t pursue *him*?!’
As suspicion hardened to certainty, Isel clamped her mouth shut.
She forcibly calmed her pounding heart too.
Elin had been visiting often lately.
Not just the top of the department, but the representative first-year topper, so her movements drew gossip daily.
Even reaching her, the runner-up in the Knight Department.
It was famous that Elin, unconnected to magic, had attended Aiden’s Aura Cultivation Method lectures.
To that extent, Elin… was obsessed with Aiden.
Enough to take classes useless to her.
Stubborn enough to insist on staying when told to leave.
‘Elin really….’
And now, Isel witnessed that obsession shatter pathetically.
Rubbing her solemn chest, Isel closed her eyes.
At this point, wasn’t it beyond mere jealousy—shouldn’t she comfort her?
After all, she might end up in Elin’s shoes someday.
Letting out a quiet sigh, she glanced pathetically at the ceiling.
‘Haa….’
As Elin departed, Aiden added one last line.
“When’s the practical?”
“The field training?”
“Yeah.”
Elin hesitated, then spilled with a small sob.
“The day after tomorrow.”
“Outdoors?”
“…Yes.”
Aiden tossed out a word, calm and seemingly indifferent.
“Take care of yourself.”
“…Thank you for your concern. Would’ve been nicer if you’d cared about other things too.”
She let slip a sharp edge, then shook her head hastily, as if questioning her own pettiness.
She looked quite dejected after flashing that barb.
“Still, thank you.”
Aiden said nothing more, gesturing for her to go.
But his tone carried not anger, but worry.
Before turning away, Elin glanced back once more, then fully exited the lab.
“Ah, wait.”
“Isel? Since when have you been there?”
“Ah, sorry, Professor. Just a sec. Since I bought it anyway, better to give it.”
She held out a small box to Elin, trudging down the hallway.
“What’s this?”
“Slice of cake. Bought one for you, but since you’re leaving first.”
“No thanks.”
“No, it’s good to eat something sweet when you’re upset. Perks you right up.”
Forcing it into her reluctant hands, Isel stammered, then cleared her throat.
And added encouragement.
“Love’s never easy. Don’t get too down. Chin up.”
“Huh?”
Elin blurted a dumbfounded sound, but Isel took it as embarrassment from being caught red-handed.
“Eat it. Cheer up.”
“No, wait, there’s a misunderstanding. The professor and I aren’t like that. No.”
Wait, h-hold on….
Having comforted someone else’s romance for the first time, Isel said her piece and bolted.
In the spot where Isel vanished, only Elin remained, wearing a bewildered expression.
Her small mouth hung open, refusing to close.
“I said w-wait.”
An unprecedented wave of grievance surged, erupting into tears.
Go back now and clear up the misunderstanding?
‘With the professor there?’
Right now, she didn’t want to see Professor Aiden.
But, but….
Chewing on her despair, Elin forced herself to look at the cake slice in her hand.
Surely well-intentioned.
She couldn’t hate it. Her feelings were so mixed.
So mixed, she… had no words for it.
Thus, Elin just laughed like a madwoman: haha, haha.
Her despair doubled.
Doubled!
I glanced at Isel as she returned.
She looked refreshed somehow, but I hesitated to pinpoint why.
‘Why?’
Somehow, hearing it would churn my stomach.
Was this Aiden’s intuition?
…The intuition of Aiden, a master swordsman of which there were fewer than ten in humanity.
I trusted it.
So I didn’t ask.
‘Definitely not because her smug look unnerves me.’
If not, then not.
Got it…?
“Isel, what’s with the staring? What’s your business?”
She’d been eyeing my face more and more anxiously since earlier.
If she looked and felt nothing, fine—but she kept sending meaningful glances.
It unnerved me so much I had to speak up.
“No, you just seem so experienced, Professor.”
Experienced?
I sipped the now-cold coffee, furrowing my brow.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that.”
What? What is it? What’re you trying to say?
But Isel never revealed it in the end…