Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Ethan's Resolve
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Regrettably, there was no spot for Louis in Simon Tower.
It was packed with utilitarian mages and magitech engineers who had always been neglected, so the competition for entry had been fierce from the start.
On top of that, Louis's specialty wasn't utilitarian magic or magitech, so he had no edge.
Louis, who was about to enter his fourth year, had failed to find employment again today.
At this rate, won't he graduate without a job?
There's no mage tower for Louis....
Well, now's not the time to worry about others.
I stretched as I entered the academy.
I had been a total wreck, broken all over, but thanks to Lucius attaching every priest from the ducal territory to me, I had fully recovered over the weekend.
Refilling my completely depleted mana, untangling my knotted mana circuits, and restarting my halted organs—it didn't take long, apparently.
I considered taking sick leave and lounging around since I was hurt anyway.
But unfortunately, finals were coming up soon.
Better to attend lectures.
"What is it? Where've you been?"
Jin asked irritably as I returned after boldly going out on a weekday.
He probably asked out of obligation as security, even though it was a hassle.
"I was recuperating over the weekend. Duke Lucius wrote a guarantee for me—want to see it?"
"Nah, too much hassle. Patrolling's annoying enough as it is."
Jin waved me off dismissively.
He always gave off that hopeless vibe no matter when I saw him.
I should never become an adult like that.
Though I already am one.
"Good luck, then."
I gave a perfunctory greeting and turned to head back to the dorm.
But Jin called me back.
"Hey, hold up."
"What's up?"
"That thing from before—are you still waiting for a reply?"
It was probably about the request for him to become Ethan's master.
Honestly, there wasn't much hope, but I was still waiting.
"So, it's no go?"
"Sigh... I'm not qualified to teach anyone, so find someone more upright."
Jin waved his hand again, looking annoyed but firm.
He was the best choice, but if he was that adamant, there was nothing I could do.
I'd have to quietly give up and look for someone else....
"I don't care. As long as you can help me, qualifications don't matter."
Ethan cut in suddenly.
His blue eyes shone with seriousness, his expression more earnest than ever.
"You... skipping lectures?"
"I heard about what happened at Simon Tower. So I came to see my friend."
"I don't get how that leads here. Why me?"
"You said you'd find me a master. That's why I came, but... I don't need to ask through a friend. No, I should have done this from the start."
Ethan and Jin exchanged glances.
Even with Ethan, who was much bigger in build, standing before him, Jin waved his hand lazily as usual.
"Like I said, I'm not qualified to teach anyone. I don't have the ability either, so go find someone upright and capable."
"There's no way if my friend chose you himself. Mr. Jin, I beg you. Take me as your disciple."
With that, Ethan dropped to his knees.
I hadn't expected him to kneel.
While I was flustered, Jin squinted and covered his mouth with his hand.
"...Sorry."
Jin turned away abruptly.
Facing Jin's back as he tried to leave, Ethan continued from his knees.
"The other day, a child was nearly killed in a bomb terror attack. Not long ago, kids from the slums were kidnapped and almost went through hell. Today, tomorrow—somewhere on this continent, children keep dying."
It was brutal, but that was the reality of this world.
Ethan, speaking with blood-tearing anguish, paused with a groan.
"I know this world is harsh for children to live in. I can't save them all, but I want to protect the ones I can reach. But I'm too weak. So, shamelessly, I beg you—teach me! Master!"
Ethan's bowed back looked smaller today.
He hadn't been down because he'd lost the duel.
After losing his sibling, he'd realized he fell short of achieving his ideal of protecting children.
Anyone facing the wall of reality feels powerless.
Yet some try to climb or smash it.
Right now, Ethan was baring his heart to break that wall.
"You're too sentimental for this world."
Jin said without turning.
He seemed to have lit a cigarette, fiddling with his mouth.
"You think learning from me will let you protect all the kids alone?"
"I'd be sorely lacking. But wouldn't it create ripples like tossing a stone in a lake?"
Ripples bounce off the lake's edges in diffuse reflection.
Those spreading ripples will one day overturn the entire lake.
Easy to say, but it requires countless trials and errors in practice.
"...It's been a while since I saw someone this reckless."
Jin tilted his head back, chuckling hollowly.
He tossed his cigarette into the trash and started walking.
Just as I thought it hadn't worked, Jin added without turning.
"Training grounds, tomorrow 5 a.m."
5
"You found a master... good......"
Noel, sitting beside me, let out a sigh of relief.
I nodded, and Noel stopped his quill and smiled brightly.
"Ethan was depressed for so long.... You're so kind, Theo."
"Kind? Hardly."
They're all just taking my side.
Once Ethan grows, I'll have even fewer things to step in for.
It'll make my future self lazier, and watching mopey Ethan is bad for my mental health anyway.
In the end, it's all for me.
I didn't say that, but Noel smiled as if he understood everything.
No... don't speak, just don't.
"Juniors, I get it's good news, but have you prepared for finals?"
"Good tea time—no talk of that. Senior Kane."
Kane, tilting his teacup, laughed heartily, "Ahaha."
I'd come to the tea club for some peace of mind for once, and he pokes right where it hurts.
"Coming to the club during finals? Theo, you're a delinquent now too."
"Meiril's here too, senior."
"Our Meiril's probably done with studying already. Right?"
"A little left."
Meiril tilted her teacup textbook-perfectly, eyes closed as she savored it.
For some reason, Kane puffed up proudly and shrugged.
"See? Our Meiril's super diligent, huh?"
"Anyone'd think only first-years have finals."
"I'm not worried at all?"
"Wow... you already finished prep...?"
To Noel's innocent question, Kane shook his head confidently.
"I'll get a job as long as I don't fail. And I know I won't fail even if it kills me!"
Tch, annoying but true—no comeback.
Kane's been educated by the ducal family since childhood, so failing's impossible.
He just doesn't use his brain, not that he can't.
"Unfair. The Mullat Contio privilege should be abolished."
I'm cramming tracking and alchemy to avoid failing.
I sighed, and Kane poured more tea, tilting his head.
"Why not join us? Applications right after finals."
"Too much hassle."
Why would I join Mullat Contio?
No point in extra suffering.
Better to play with Choco and pudding in bed—way more rewarding.
"You're too spineless for a young guy."
"Only two years older— what're you saying?"
Plus, by real age, I've lived longer?
Can't say that, and he wouldn't get it anyway.
Sigh......
No peace for the soul—off to the library.
6
......Sleepy.
Under the reading room's soft light, my quill dances, but my eyes keep closing.
Finals eve means the room's packed, air thick—hard to breathe.
CO2 levels too high.
Need ventilation, or at least fresh air first.
Ah, studying even inside the game.
Don't wanna... hate it... but dying's worse, so gotta......
I slumped over the desk.
Wish it'd black out like in-game, load, and finals done.
As I muttered nonsense, a snow-white mouse scampered onto the desk.
Its ruby eyes met mine, bright and alert.
Without a squeak, it dropped a tiny note from its mouth and vanished quickly.
Smart mouse.
Must be Stewart, Pierce's familiar.
White, so conspicuous, yet it moved undetected.
The note from Stewart had strange symbols.
Recalling the decryption method I'd heard, I read it letter by letter.
Library back, 10 min.
I stuffed the note in my pocket and stood.
Naturally heading to Enenbra Library's rear, Pierce—guild leader of the information guild Moonless Night—emerged silently from the shadows.
So natural camouflage, even knowing, it startled me.
"Found out?"
"Straight to the point, as always. That's why I like you."
Pierce adjusted his eyepatch and grinned.
I'd commissioned info on Paiyen Flo.
Currently, Paiyen Flo is my only lead on the Precursors.
Directly investigating cardinals is too risky.
Anir, who pops up everywhere yet whose face no one knows, has no traceable path.
But Paiyen Flo's different.
Not as dangerous as a cardinal, face known, and linked to Precursors.
With luck, tracking him reveals their movements.
Plus, he's a wild variable outside my control—must monitor.
"Real name Osymen Popl. Fourth son of the magitech noble Popl family, but no external activity after childhood. At 18, joined Sahara Industries, famed for munitions. Rose to chief researcher by 24."
Pierce succinctly explained and handed a thick envelope.
"His new weapon dev—check there. Last year, mysterious explosion killed the entire Popl family at their estate. Probably Osymen Popl's doing. That's all I got."
I skimmed the docs.
All of Paiyen Flo—no, Osymen Popl's—magitech weaponry, plus Popl explosion investigation.
Impressive, all in that short time.
Pierce, skill's undeniable.
"Current location?"
"Lost him mid-track, frustratingly. But he was with a guy: glasses, dark cacao hair mixing black skin and white streaks."
No clue who.
This info suffices for now.
I shook my head, tucking papers inside.
In exchange, I tossed a heavy coin pouch; Pierce snatched it deftly.
"Notify if more comes in."
"Hope to serve again."
Pierce bowed exaggeratedly, comically, then melted into shadows.
As silently as he appeared, only layered darkness remained where he vanished.