Please Don't Throw Me Away
Please Don't Throw Me Away
I had many questions.
Ever since I opened my eyes in this world... no, ever since I woke up, the questions I'd harbored had only multiplied with time.
Even so, I hadn't tried to meet the Vice Headmaster or the Headmaster to ask about him.
Honestly, I was scared. I didn't know my own circumstances, and I didn't know theirs either.
What if I went to meet them and ended up in a terrible mess? So I thought I'd just take whatever they gave me and be grateful... that was my mindset.
But my mind had changed.
Inside the Tower of Growth, I met something that resembled 'me'.
Something that should have been nothing more than a game character had mercilessly cut me down, taught me with a bitter expression, and apologized with a face full of regret.
I had a dream.
There was someone who derided himself for having ideals beyond his station, who suffered because he clutched power that was too much for him, yet still desperately wanted to stop the tragedies and misfortunes within arm's reach.
I had come to ask about him.
'...Keys?'
But the questions didn't come out right away.
The Vice Headmaster's words momentarily froze my mind.
I blinked blankly and studied the two keys held out to me.
A brilliant golden key and an elegantly subdued silver key. The energy emanating from both was no ordinary thing. It wasn't just the material or the ornamentation—it was a distinct aura that even an ordinary person could differentiate.
Siyoram possessed a great many treasures.
Artifacts of outstanding performance.
Elixirs of such quality that one could expect dramatic growth.
Rare ingredients so scarce that finding them on the market, whether openly or through the black market, was nearly impossible.
Treasures in the truest sense—things hard to obtain with money, where most of the time powerful groups spent time and effort searching only to come up empty-handed.
And Siyoram actively awarded such treasures to its cadets.
They exchanged them for accumulated credits, or offered them as prizes for various event schedules. Whatever the format, there were multiple systems in place specifically to hand them over to cadets.
I was also a beneficiary of that favor. During the first semester Tower entry, hadn't I raked in a boatload of credits all at once and obtained the Sky Wing Feather?
Of course, unless you were a peculiar case like me who hoarded credits all at once, it would take some time. But anyway, there were plenty of avenues to receive treasures.
The place where such treasures were stored under strict security was the Secret Vault.
As befitting the name 'Secret Vault', its location was kept confidential... but I knew where it was.
I had been inside last time, and if I let my perception wander, I automatically pinpointed its location.
Of course, it was well secured. Without mobilizing my Authority, I couldn't see through it or enter at all—defense measures of that level were installed.
It was a place so madly piled high with spell formulas that merely observing it made my head ache.
The golden key, apparently, was the key granting access to that Secret Vault.
The very fact that they were deliberately handing me a key meant they were transferring access rights.
I knew the location. I held the key.
In other words, I could visit the Secret Vault anytime and take out what I wanted.
I had expected them to press something into my hands, but this was shockingly generous.
And the silver key was...
'The Tower of Knowledge.'
The reclusive tower buried on that Floating Island. It was so successfully secluded that most people in this world didn't even know the Tower of Knowledge existed.
That was why the term 'The Four Great Towers'—excluding the Tower of Knowledge—was widely known.
They said even high-ranking superhumans who had built up considerable skill only knew of its existence, not what exactly that tower did.
And now the key to such a tower was being handed to me.
For a split second, I involuntarily made a dumbfounded expression.
'I expected the Secret Vault, at least...'
I hadn't expected a satisfying answer. Judging by how they hadn't revealed anything until now, there were definitely some circumstances. But they didn't seem inclined to tell me the secret.
So I figured they might just send me back with something in hand. That thought had crossed my mind...
But I never imagined they'd hand over the key to the entire Secret Vault instead of a few treasures, and on top of that, abruptly present me with the key to the Tower of Knowledge.
'Wait, did a key even exist in the first place?'
I had no idea keys even existed for these.
In the original work, both the Secret Vault and the Tower of Knowledge were accessed through the spatial magic of the Vice Headmaster who accompanied the protagonist.
If you didn't go through the Vice Headmaster, the player had to force a path open themselves. That's why the 11th Iteration directly stormed the place. That was the reason Siyoram was half-destroyed and the Floating Island brought down.
Though he'd failed to destroy the Tower of Growth entirely, and couldn't find the Tower Master in the practically smashed Tower of Knowledge.
But there were separate entry keys...?
"I am unable to resolve the doubts you hold, Cadet Lee Ha-yul."
As I stood there blinking at the sudden appearance of the keys, the Vice Headmaster—her face as expressionless as ever—spoke up.
At that, I shook off my bewilderment and steeled my expression.
[A satisfying answer]
[Does that mean you know what I was going to ask?]
"Neither the Headmaster nor I have explained the circumstances to you, Cadet. I am certain you must have many questions."
[That's why I came here right now, to hear those answers.]
"As I answered just a moment ago, providing a satisfying answer is difficult for me."
[Why is that? Why can't I hear the answer? What about the Headmaster, or the Tower Master of Growth...]
"Our circumstances are similar to yours, Cadet Lee Ha-yul."
[Similar circumstances?]
Similar to mine? Just as I was about to ask what that meant, one memory abruptly surfaced in my mind.
It's not a complete memory.
A while ago, when everyone had gathered at my dormitory, everyone had suddenly questioned me about my abruptly healed eyes and throat. I hadn't wanted to increase the secrets any further, so I had tried to tell them the truth, and...
My memory cut off there.
For some unknown reason, I'd nearly died. Blood poured from every orifice, and my body had almost burst into pieces.
"What you are thinking of now is likely correct."
Even as I froze solid, the Vice Headmaster tilted her teacup, from which wisps of steam gently rose. Retaining a rather relaxed attitude, she sipped her tea and continued.
"Both the Headmaster and I have similar measures imposed upon us. Hence, casually disclosing our circumstances is fraught with complications."
[What in the world...]
My head was a mess.
A headache struck, like an awl tapping against the inside of my skull. I frowned, pressing my fingers firmly into my temples.
[I don't understand.]
[Wasn't it your side who brought me here?]
[Then why are those measures applied to you?]
"It is not easy for me to give you an answer."
[No, wait, in the first place, the constraint placed on me is...]
"However."
The Vice Headmaster's voice cut him off sharply. She set her teacup down gently. Then, she slid one of the keys resting on the table smoothly toward me.
The silver key... The key to the Tower of Knowledge.
"This side has comparatively lighter circumstances. I dare advise that you will be able to resolve at least some of the doubts you harbor, Cadet Lee Ha-yul."
[...The Tower of Knowledge.]
It all circled back to the Tower of Knowledge.
So, if they just permitted me entry, I could look for the Tower Master. And even if the Tower Master wasn't there, I could at least learn a part of the truth at the place I'd originally planned to just go study magic.
"And this is the key to the Secret Vault, delivered to you in accordance with the Headmaster's recorded words."
This time, the Vice Headmaster held out the golden key.
"It grants not only mere access rights, but also usage rights for the items within the Secret Vault. Please, use this Secret Vault as you see fit."
Before I knew it, the keys to the Siyoram Secret Vault and the Tower of Knowledge were placed before me.
A complex expression settled over my face involuntarily.
The key to the Siyoram Secret Vault, packed with all manner of treasures.
The key to the Tower of Knowledge, where I could hear answers to my doubts—not to mention improve my magic skills and search for the Tower Master.
The gains exceeded my expectations.
Though I hadn't received an answer right away, I'd received the key to a place where I could get answers, as well as the key to the Secret Vault.
Overcome by a subtle mix of emotions, I chewed at my lips before bowing my head respectfully.
[...Thank you.]
"I am embarrassed to receive thanks. I merely acted as an agent for what I was entrusted to do. I am only sorry that I couldn't provide a satisfying answer."
If anything, the Vice Headmaster simply bowed her head back to me, saying she was in no position to accept thanks.
Seeing that, I swallowed the complicated sigh that threatened to burst out of me.
The person called the Vice Headmaster was truly hard to grasp. Even when I thoroughly scanned her with the Observation Authority, I couldn't glean any meaningful information.
Learning her physical dimensions or whatever had zero use anyway. Though, of course, we'd only met perhaps three or four times...
[Then, I'll take my leave.]
With my business finished, I rose from my seat.
I didn't forget to take the keys. I didn't put them straight into the Subspace; for now, I tucked them inside my coat.
"Ah, and this is also..."
[Yes?]
Just as I was about to turn around, the Vice Headmaster blocked my way and retrieved something else from her Subspace, holding it out to me.
'What else is left?'
I examined what she offered.
It was a key again. But unlike the previous two, it lacked a mystical aura. It just looked high-quality on the outside... and aside from having a complex spell formula engraved on it, I couldn't find anything special.
[This is...?]
"A key to the mansion. The location is quite near the first-year dormitory where you currently reside, Cadet."
[...A mansion?]
[Why are you giving this to me...?]
I tilted my head and asked what it was, but the Vice Headmaster only answered as if it were no big deal.
"Haven't you been experiencing a shortage of space lately? The standard dormitory has a spacious overall size, but when several people gather to live together, there is no avoiding a certain lack in the number of rooms."
[What? Well, yes... no, wait a moment.]
My body froze up instantly.
[How do you know that?]
How do you know about my dormitory situation?
I sprang backward. With my back against the wall, I signaled my wariness. I had already finished preparations to escape at any moment.
At my reaction, an exasperated emotion briefly surfaced on the Vice Headmaster's constantly expressionless face.
Of course, that emotion melted away instantly as if vanishing and returned to nothingness.
"...I recommend occasionally checking the community. While unproductive small talk generally dominates the board, you will be able to gather various rumors and useful information as well."
'Ah.'
My tense body wobbled unsteadily.
The reason the Vice Headmaster had specifically brought up the community was... ah... I see... So it's become a rumor...
[...Thank you.]
"...Indeed."
I stood there with my mouth hanging open for a moment, then quietly accepted the key.
.
.
.
At any rate, I finished my business like that.
Sure, I didn't get an immediate answer, but I gained a lot. And since they said I could hear the answers later, I'd exceeded my objective.
I exited the Central Administration Building, which contained the Vice Headmaster's office, and checked the time.
'It's almost lunchtime.'
Just about time for lunch. When I lightly scanned the surroundings with Observation, even the administrative staff seemed to be gradually wrapping up their morning work.
The restaurants in the Commercial District were also preparing for the full-scale lunch rush.
And today was a day I had lessons with my Master.
'I can just go straight to Master.'
I smiled brightly and hastened my steps.
Soon I arrived at the Old-Style Training Yard.
The weather was such that the sun hung right in the middle of the sky, heating the ground to a swelter.
As if avoiding the sunlight, my Master was leaning her back against a tree on the outskirts of the training yard.
[Master!]
I approached with an enthusiastic wave, but Master, who had been staring vacantly up at the sky, flinched sharply in surprise. Then, upon recognizing me, she returned my greeting with a somehow awkward demeanor.
Seeing that, I quietly swallowed a rising sense of unease inside me.
Ever since last time, my Master's attitude had subtly changed. To be precise... she seemed to act awkwardly around me.
The timing was right after that sparring match, when I'd snatched a sudden win through a surprise attack.
I didn't know the reason. Even when I asked, she only dodged the question vaguely.
But one thing was certain—it was my fault, not my Master's.
I must have made a mistake... or committed a discourtesy.
'Whatever it is, I need to apologize first.'
I'd been waiting for the right timing to apologize since then, but the Trial of Calamity Flame came up and I missed my chance. So I absolutely had to apologize this time.
'Since I've prepared a gift, maybe it'll help her loosen up a little...'
I thought of the picnic basket I had stored inside my Subspace.
Something I found out last time when I served a meal—Master really liked sandwich-type foods.
So this morning, I'd hurriedly prepared several kinds of sandwiches and carefully placed them inside my Subspace.
It was a gift offensive, in a way.
A little ploy—maybe if I handed them over along with my apology, she'd feel a bit better...
Still, she hadn't exploded in anger or outright ignored me, so it probably meant her anger hadn't piled up too much.
With that thought, I carefully observed her mood as I stepped quickly toward my Master.
And then.
"...I'm starting to wonder if you even need this time anymore..."
'...Huh?'
I heard words I shouldn't have heard.
If I even need you...?
That I'm not needed, what does that...
- Whoosh!
Suddenly, a sweeping sense of despair crashed over me like a wave, dyeing my consciousness pitch black.
* * *
"...I'm starting to wonder if you even need this time anymore..."
The reason Atra had broached this subject was none other than a matter of efficiency.
In their last sparring match, Atra had been subdued in an instant by Lee Ha-yul.
He had closed the distance in a flash, seized her wrist, and slammed her to the ground, pinning her down.
The shock she'd received then was immeasurable.
There were plenty of excuses.
When facing Lee Ha-yul, she always restricted her physical abilities.
She also placed restrictions on her techniques and completely sealed off her Unique Ability.
Even in the midst of being suppressed, there were many countermeasures Atra could think of.
She could have raised her physical abilities, unleashed her mana or Aura wildly. She could have manifested White Night and blasted it, or countered with a Technique Category Expansion Ability.
But she hadn't, out of fear that her clumsy power control might injure Lee Ha-yul.
No matter how many such excuses she mustered, Atra had lost once.
And the reason that was possible—before even discussing carelessness—was simply because Lee Ha-yul's skill had climbed to that level.
'...It won't be long before he catches up completely.'
The student surpasses the master.
It was a common sight around them, where disciples outgrew their teachers.
Atra didn't hold the foolish notion that she would always be stronger.
But she hadn't expected him to catch up this much already... especially not from the very beginning of the first-year second semester.
'There's not much left that I can teach.'
If she looked, there would be plenty. Repetitive sparring definitely yielded results.
But what if he trained other skills in that time...?
Magic, Spirit Arts, Necromancy... Lee Ha-yul was greatly talented.
She had simply started to wonder if investing time in other skills would be more efficient than learning front-line combat techniques from her, techniques she had already taught.
Of course, she had no intention of forcibly ending the lectures.
Nor was she thinking of cutting them off entirely—she just wanted to explore other avenues.
With such thoughts, she had opened her mouth to seek Lee Ha-yul's opinion, and—
She found herself face-to-face with Lee Ha-yul, who had charged straight at her.
Atra's eyes flew wide open. Reflexively, she spread her arms and caught him.
- Whump!
"Oof?"
The impact was considerably strong. Her momentarily staggering body slumped down on the spot.
Thud! She landed hard on her rear.
At the sudden situation, Atra blinked.
She had never imagined Lee Ha-yul would suddenly rush at her, ram into her, and knock her over.
"Nngh..."
Atra's shoulders flinched and trembled at the ticklish sensation creeping through her confusion.
Breath filled the inside of her chest. The panting breath took in her own bashful scent, and the exhaled breath pooled warmly deep within her.
A sweet, honey-like fragrance wafted up from below.
When she subtly lowered her head, she saw Lee Ha-yul with his face completely buried in her voluptuous chest.
"My disciple? What's wrong all of a sudden?"
Though flustered, Atra naturally patted his shoulder and asked affectionately.
No answer came from Lee Ha-yul.
- Squeeze...!
Instead, the two hands wrapped tightly around her waist only pulled harder.
Their overlapping bodies stuck intimately together without a single gap.
At the sensation of their abdomens rubbing against each other, Atra's face flushed feverishly.
"D-Disciple...?"
Why was he acting like this all of a sudden?
Did another... another problem arise? The worries and concerns that suddenly surfaced swelled up inside her.
"Disciple, are you hurt? Wait, let me see your face—"
- Screeeech...
[I'm sorry.]
Just as Atra was about to check Lee Ha-yul's face, a grating noise rang out.
An unpleasant sound, like two sheets of metal scraping against each other, drove away all the surrounding noise.
Atra's movements stopped dead.
'Just now...?'
- Screech...
[It's... it's all my fault. I'm so sorry.]
A strange sense of dissonance. Atra finally realized something was strange. A trembling sensation shook against her.
It wasn't Atra who was trembling. The Lee Ha-yul nestled in her arms was shaking.
His shoulders heaved. With choked, suppressed sobs—as if desperately holding back tears, terror-stricken—the sound he made caused Atra's expression to stiffen solidly.
"What are you saying? What could you possibly have done wrong—"
- Skkkrreeeech...!
[No! It's... it's all my fault! So please don't abandon me.]
Squeeze... Strength poured into the arms wrapped around her waist. As if drawing out every ounce of strength he possessed, his trembling hands clung onto Atra's waist desperately.
- Skkrreeeech...!
The Confession Necklace let out a scream.
[It's all my fault so I'll fix it all!]
[Please don't abandon me!]
[I don't want to be separated from you.]
[I can't go on without you, Master.]
[I'm really sorry. I was wrong. Everything.]
[Please, I'll fix anything, so don't throw me away—just please don't leave me...!]
Along with the grating noise, a desperate plea—now no longer emotionless—filled the surroundings completely.
Atra's face stiffened harder than ever before.
* * *
