The Power of Knowledge
The Power of Knowledge
I took hold of my collar and gave it a few firm pats. The clothes, crumpled from the night, fluttered once before smoothing out neatly.
A pure white cloth garment I'd received on my first day at the Tower of Knowledge.
Its loose, flowing cut made it easy to move in, so I still wore it often.
Whoosh... I draped a white cloak I'd been given separately over my shoulders.
Worn together, the outfit felt complete, as if every gap had been filled in.
I didn't bother with the sleeves. There was no one here I needed to hide my prosthetic arm from, and if my arm burst, the sleeves wouldn't have survived intact anyway.
"It suits you remarkably well."
As I stood there, dressed and idly fluttering my arms a little, Lady Ariel, who stood right in front of me, said so.
[It isn't too white or anything?]
"No, it doesn't feel out of place in the slightest."
[Mm...]
I wore an odd expression as I replied, fluttering my sleeve.
I have no fashion sense whatsoever, but my tastes had become the complete opposite of how I used to seek out only black.
My black hair had turned white, and my eyes—closed now—had become grey.
Top, bottom, all white. The cloak over them, white. My mana was white too, unless I deliberately changed its color...
'...Doesn't matter now.'
I hadn't particularly liked black.
I'd just preferred it because stains didn't show and it didn't draw attention when I went outside briefly.
But now I had plenty of colors I liked.
Red, yellow, green, blue, and white, among others...
There was no reason to stubbornly stick to black anymore.
"I'm relieved to see you seem to have sorted through your feelings."
As I was inspecting the clothes, Lady Ariel said that with a faint smile.
The memory of my disgraceful state last night flashed through my mind, and my face flushed hot.
Even now, recalling it, it was a memory both happy and deeply embarrassing...
[...It's thanks to you helping me, Lady Ariel.]
[Your old stories were also really fun.]
"I'm glad they were of help. When you were shedding tears, I was terribly worri—"
[I didn't cry!]
Click! The Confession Necklace practically bounced. A rather high-pitched voice rang out around us.
[I didn't cry!]
"You didn't cry... Then was the image of you I saw yesterday, Lord Lee Ha-yul, mistaken? But if that were so, the traces beneath your eyes were so..."
Lady Ariel's words cut off. Her pure white eyes blinked vacantly.
The spot beneath my eyes that she'd been looking at was now hidden by the Sky Wing Feather I'd subtly lifted.
"...Not only that, but likewise, the evidence of yesterday remains vividly here on my chest as we..."
[Gyaaah...!]
The extending Sky Wing Feather shot out and caught Lady Ariel's hand, which had been moving to unfasten her front.
Lady Ariel tilted her head, as if puzzled.
"Didn't you freely indulge in acting spoiled, only to grow embarrassed now? Lord Lee Ha-yul, shedding tears and whining that you didn't want to part—that is nothing to be ashamed of."
[I understand.]
[Let's move on to the next topic...]
"Yes, understood."
Lady Ariel, who had been teasing me rather mischievously, backed down easily.
In response, I puffed my cheeks out and let my sulkiness show.
I knew her unusually mischievous teasing was meant to dissolve my gloomy feelings, but still...
[...Anyway, I really was grateful.]
Even that sulkiness dissolved amid the various thoughts welling up.
I had received so much at the Tower of Knowledge that recalling each thing was overwhelming.
I trotted closer and hugged Lady Ariel firmly around the waist. Regrettably, her front was closed, but I buried my face against her chest.
[Thank you so much.]
It was around noon now.
Last night we'd stayed up late, talking about all sorts of things, but I had still woken up early this morning.
Then I'd spent time receiving various gifts Lady Ariel pressed upon me.
Just a short while ago, I'd nearly grown fed up with the loads Golems kept hauling in, and looking at the supplies now neatly piled in my subspace was enough to make me feel stuffed.
"I am only sorry I could not be of more help."
Lady Ariel also hugged me tightly, gently stroking my head.
As she gazed down at the top of my head, Lady Ariel's face was filled with such apology, as if she truly hadn't been able to help much.
[Nnn... No. You helped me so much. Thank you, really.]
"...If you say so, I am somewhat reassured."
When I shook my head vigorously, denying it and insisting she had helped, a faint smile bloomed on Lady Ariel's face.
"By any chance, have you joined a club?"
Then, out of nowhere, she asked about clubs.
I tilted my head.
[Pardon?]
[Uh... No...?]
"Siyoram's club system was established with mental health as its primary objective, rather than skill improvement. Most are clubs that provide rest and leisure activities, so if you can spare a little time, I recommend joining at least one to rest."
[Ah... I see.]
[I'll look into it if I get the chance.]
Siyoram clubs.
One of Siyoram's systems that starts around the second semester.
Some clubs are directly established by the Siyoram main administration and recruit members.
Others are founded and run by cadets themselves.
I had thought about joining one, but I hadn't had the spare time to do so.
'...They said they made Siyoram because of me.'
But now that I knew the full story, a comment like that stirred up many feelings.
Was the reason clubs focused on mental health because they knew my mentality was as fragile as glass...?
"Numerous facilities are also scattered throughout the outer restricted zones. Most areas are access-restricted, but with a Special Admission status, you would be able to enter all of them..."
Lady Ariel's earnest requests continued after that.
Having worked on Siyoram's design together with the Tower Master of Growth, Lady Ariel knew Siyoram in detail.
Her requests and advice were certainly helpful.
'......'
As the time for us to truly part approached, I buried my head against Lady Ariel's chest and quietly listened to her words.
"...I have nothing more to say. Actually, you've done so well on your own despite your anxieties; I fear I've been meddling unnecessarily."
[Not at all.]
"I'm glad."
When her words finally ended, a silence settled in.
In the stillness, where not even the clanking of Golems could be heard, the only sound was the small rustle of her hand stroking my head.
- ...Fwoo...
I basked in that stroking for a while, then strengthened my resolve and let out a long exhale.
I couldn't stay nestled in her arms forever.
No, to live happily in an embrace like this in the future, I had to step back now.
I loosed my arms from around her waist and took two or three steps back.
The soft warmth of her body, her temperature, the sound of her heartbeat—all grew distant.
A sensation I wouldn't feel again for a long time.
Thinking that, my throat suddenly tightened, and I pressed my lips firmly together.
[Next time,]
Usually, once I shut my mouth, conversation was impossible.
But thankfully, thanks to the Confession Necklace, I could speak even with my mouth closed.
I took a moment to sort out what I wanted to say through the Confession Necklace.
'......'
But the words wouldn't come out easily.
[Next time...]
Even after agonizing so much last night over what to say.
When the moment arrived, my mind stalled as if it had been wiped blank.
[Next time, let's meet outside too.]
So in the end, I just managed to push out a short, direct string of words.
A Tower holds both rights and duties. Here, the duties are the tasks one must perform as a Tower Master, and the rights are the authority a Tower Master can wield.
Originally, rights and duties should be balanced around five to five, but the five Tower Masters of this world are currently holding more duties than rights.
That led to multiple restrictions, creating this absurd situation where Tower Masters cannot leave their Towers as things stand now.
The reason they bear such a burden is, ultimately, because of external invasions.
If I can somehow manage to drive those away, the Tower Masters should be able to regain some reasonable degree of freedom.
"...Outside."
Lady Ariel, who had been waiting for my words, murmured blankly as if she'd heard something utterly unexpected.
At that dazed reaction, I flapped both arms as if making an excuse.
[Yes, outside... Ah, I might visit the Tower of Knowledge again before then, but if not... next time, let's meet outside.]
Will I be able to enter the Tower of Knowledge again? I'm not sure.
Lady Ariel couldn't predict exactly when her next restriction would be lifted either.
And even if her restriction is lifted, I don't know if I'll be in a position to enter then.
I don't even know what I'm saying.
Too flustered... I'd blurted things out so incoherently that heat belatedly rushed to my face.
I stealthily hid my face with the Sky Wing Feather and turned my head away.
"...Ahaha, yes. Leaning upon your mercy, Lord Lee Ha-yul, I shall dare to look forward to it."
At the sound of her laughter reaching my ears, my eyes unconsciously rounded wide.
A laugh so very small I'd barely caught it with my own ears. But it was not my own.
The only ones here were me and Lady Ariel.
[You just laughed, didn't you?]
"Laughter, you say... No, I did not laugh."
[No way, I just heard the sound of laughter.]
"I don't know what you mean."
[Ngh... I heard it all...!]
When I whipped my head around and asked, Lady Ariel shrugged playfully.
Seeing her deny it when I'd definitely heard it, I puffed up my cheeks to bursting.
"Oh my, have you grown sulky?"
[I'm not sulky.]
"When you say that while adorably puffing your cheeks, it's hard to believe."
This time, Lady Ariel clearly let out a giggle.
When I sharply raised the corners of my eyes, she strode closer. At that, my shoulders flinched and I stepped backwards.
[Wh-why are you coming closer?]
"I have one last gift I've prepared. I should have given it to you sooner, but it took time to calibrate the Harmonization. First, this."
[Oh?]
Lady Ariel shrugged her shoulders and stepped right up to me.
Then she held out the staff she'd somehow been holding this whole time.
"This is the staff I used during my active days, Apex Flower. Its performance is in no way lacking even by the standards of this era, so please use it as you see fit."
[The one you personally used...? You can give me something like this...]
"It's fine. It would prefer to be used somehow out in the world rather than just gathering dust in the Tower. If it truly comes to it, you may feel free to sell it."
[I'm absolutely not selling it! Please don't say things like that... I'll treasure it.]
Horrified, I accepted the staff.
A body of near silver and a blue crystal orb at its tip.
Other than that, it was a staff of exceedingly simple design, without decoration or anything else.
It might be rude to think, but I tilted my head briefly at its almost bare appearance.
- Vrrrm...!
The moment I held the staff properly, it vibrated, and through the information that entered my mind, I understood why it looked like this.
'...Is this a staff or a spear?'
A function that instantly sparked such a thought made me blink.
- Vrrrrrm...!
'What's with you...'
As I remained lost in thought, handling the staff, the Proof of Protection suddenly emitted a tremor too.
My head tilted automatically at the vibration tinged with something like discontent.
"Such words are exceedingly sweet, but please make proper use of it nonetheless. Ah, and additionally..."
Suddenly, Lady Ariel reached out.
Her slender hand lifted my bangs, exposing my forehead.
"I pray that this may be of even the smallest help to the path ahead of you, Lord Lee Ha-yul."
- Mwah.
[Hyeok?]
She leaned down and pressed her lips to my forehead with a soft kiss.
The instant that moist, soft sensation touched my forehead, my consciousness froze.
And then.
It reassembled.
It was different from before.
The information that had been complexly jumbled was properly sorted. My body trembled at the sensation, as if books scattered on the floor were being neatly shelved into newly brought bookcases.
[Huh? Urk, uheok...?]
"This is the Authority of Knowledge. Taking reference from the previous incident, I've adjusted its Harmonization to suit you, Lord Lee Ha-yul, in advance. You can operate it in a form that gradually releases its restrictions as you use it."
Amid my flickering consciousness, Lady Ariel's whisper reached me.
My farewell, delivered with tension, had been rendered meaningless.
Held once again in Lady Ariel's arms, I trembled for a long while.
* * *
[Player Correction System: Affection]
Lee Ha-yul → Ariel Segnis Ternovsia
●●●●●●●○○○(72/100)
｢Tower Master of Knowledge｣ ｢Head of the Magic Council｣ ｢Fr?end｣ ｢Complicated｣ ｢Confusion｣ ｢Question｣ ｢Doubt｣ ｢Gratitude｣
▽Change▽
Lee Ha-yul → Ariel Segnis Ternovsia
●●●●●●●○○○(72▷75/100)
｢Tower Master of Knowledge｣ ｢Head of the Magic Council｣ ｢Fr?end｣ ｢Guardian｣ ｢Gratitude｣ ｢Help｣
...
[Harmonizing System...]
[Savior Correction System: Pioneering Progress]
[Creating quest ｢Ariel Segnis Ternovsia｣]
...
[Partially granted the Authority ｢Knowledge｣]
[Registered as owner of the Top-Grade Artifact ｢Apex Flower｣]
...
[The Tower Master of Harmonization shouts furiously, asking what you're doing to the child.]
[The Tower Master of Knowledge shrugs.]
...
[The Artifact ｢Proof of Protection｣ expresses doubt.]
[?]
[The Artifact ｢Apex Flower｣ frowns.]
[Old-fashioned...]