Taboo (1)
Hakodate Karin
The reason Wise Star Abraham Nobwells had visited the stadium hosting the exchange meet was to get approval from Shania for using more research funds.
"I'll need to spend about this much more."
"...You need this much more? Didn't you just use a ton not long ago?"
Shania couldn't hide her fluster, but she was reacting as mildly as possible with guests around. The amount on the bill Abraham presented was simply staggering.
In stark contrast to her shock, Abraham spoke with his usual calm.
"The research is in its final stages. It's no surprise if sudden extra costs pop up."
"That's true, but..."
"If it's too much trouble, I could look for other sponsors here. Plenty of wealthy folks seem to be in attendance."
Shania hurriedly replied to his words.
"No, it's not trouble. I was just surprised, that's all."
Funding his research was a pretext to keep Abraham tied to Celestial Academy. With Terastial Academy riding high lately, losing the Wise Star on top of that—especially when they already had the Sword Star as an instructor—would leave them hopelessly outmatched. Just imagining Eleonora's face at that thought...
"...Spend as much as you need."
Money was no object. Eleonora quickly signed the bill Abraham handed her and gave it back.
"My thanks."
Abraham took the signed bill and turned to leave. As he departed, those around Shania cautiously voiced their curiosity now that the Wise Star was gone.
"It seems the Wise Star is working on something?"
Shania saw through their intentions at once and let out a soft sigh.
"Don't pry. He'll reveal it to the world himself when the time comes."
"Ah, haha! We weren't asking you to tell us—we're just curious."
"Looks like the Wise Star's about to unveil another masterpiece."
Shania listened to them chattering with wild expectations and thought to herself,
'I have no idea what research he's doing with that doll, but whatever it is, it'll be a masterpiece.'
It was the Wise Star's work, after all. And with astronomical sums poured into it, the results were bound to surpass all imagination, no matter what they were.
That anticipation was what had driven Shania to front such massive funding all this time.
"...It'll definitely be a masterpiece."
"Ooh, exactly!"
"We're looking forward to it, Dean."
"Heh, why put that expectation on me when it's not even my research?"
Shania played coy, but she knew exactly what they meant. Celestial Academy backing Wise Star Abraham Nobwells's new research—that title alone would flood the headlines and elevate the academy's prestige sky-high. When that happened, with Terastial Academy currently surging, the spotlight would shift to Celestial Academy and Shania's foresight.
And Eleonora's face then? '...Keheuk.'
Just picturing it nearly made her burst out laughing. She'd no doubt wear an expression worth watching. That thought alone let Shania forget the obscene amount on Abraham's bill for a moment.
But Shania didn't know one crucial fact. Abraham's research would indeed shock the world—but not in a good way.
After handing the bill to the academy's finance office, Abraham returned straight to his lab. He addressed the result of his ongoing research.
"Estella."
His voice carried the weight of profound longing as he called the name. Before him bubbled a test tube filled with a strange solution. Something organic floated within, its form ambiguous—human? Beast? Unclear. But one thing was certain: it was a living, breathing organism.
In truth, this organic mass lacked a defined shape, but it possessed organs like a heart, brain, and digestive system, just like any other lifeform. They were simply tiny and faint, matching its size.
In other words, this was life Abraham had created himself.
Life Creation.
As the pinnacle of spirit arts, Abraham knew better than anyone that this was the most taboo domain in the field. It wasn't just about encroaching on divine territory. Consider the countless problems that would erupt if such research saw the light of day.
Sure, mass-creating livestock could solve food shortages—a clear advantage. But if it extended to human territory, everything changed.
If life creation could produce humans, endlessly churning out soldiers for infinite armies became possible. Would a superpower like the Empire, unafraid of war, just sit idly by? Of course not—they'd exploit it. And it wouldn't stop with the Empire.
The world would plunge into total war. That was just one massive issue among many; other reasons made life creation an absolute no-go in spirit arts.
That's why Abraham kept his research secret. Even when receiving funds from Shania, he'd included a clause barring questions about it.
He knew the taboo's gravity better than anyone—yet he pursued it for one reason alone.
This research would fulfill Abraham Nobwells's desperate wish from the past twenty years.
Twenty years ago. The 'Eden Great Fire'—the deadliest blaze in history.
"Estella, my daughter."
Abraham softly called the name of the daughter he'd lost in that tragedy.
"We'll meet again soon."
'Something was off...'
Meanwhile, Seong Hyun-jin kept replaying Abraham's eyes from earlier, barely paying attention to the sparring match's outcome.
「Clear Solace」
Kwaaaaaang─────!!
In the meantime, Serena's fierce flames pierced through Mikhail's lightning.
"Aaah! Serena Eldark's flames strike Mikhail Shevok head-on!!"
The Thunder God Bird matched Ifrit in raw power, but the contractors' skill gap decided it. Serena, daughter of Dragon Star Ahajaka Eldark, had long outgrown student level.
Next to the monstrous Seong Hyun-jin, she seemed tame—but she was a monster he himself acknowledged. Back in the class placement exam, he'd blocked her flames head-on, then quit the fight thinking he'd fail the test if they kept going. That's how strong she was.
Mikhail Shevok was excellent, but he couldn't overcome the Dragon Star's daughter. Hit directly by Serena's flames, he tumbled across the ground. His lightning shielded him to the end, but not fully.
Unconscious after rolling, the referee declared,
"Winner: Serena Eldark!"
"Waaaaah!!"
Amid cheers for the victor, Serena dismissed Ifrit's manifestation and turned back confidently, assuming Seong Hyun-jin had watched her win.
But what she faced wasn't the match—it was Seong Hyun-jin lost in thought, fixated on something else.
"...?"
A bit hurt, Serena also found it odd that he wasn't looking elsewhere yet wasn't focused on the match, deep in contemplation. Curious, she approached him right after leaving the arena.
"Seong Hyun-jin."
"...Huh? Oh, what's up. When'd you get here?"
"The match is over."
"Oh, really? Yeah, looks like it. When'd it end?"
"Just now."
"You won, right?"
"Yes."
At her curt affirmation, Seong Hyun-jin flashed a light grin.
"Knew it."
"So you weren't watching?"
"Ah, sorry. Had something on my mind..."
"Looked like it. What is it?"
Seong Hyun-jin shared his concern.
"I saw that Wise Star guy earlier."
"Ah, he was invited to Celestial Academy, so he might be here."
"He came and went."
"But why bring him up all of a sudden...? You're not thinking of challenging the Wise Star to a duel, are you?"
Serena asked anxiously, knowing his competitive streak. But that wasn't it, so he shook his head.
"Nah."
"Good, that's a relief. So what's bothering you?"
"Being called the Wise Star means he's supposed to be incredibly virtuous and wise, right?"
"Yes. He's the top authority in spirit arts—not just now, but in history. He's credited with advancing the field by decades..."
Serena continued,
"The smartest person in the world... That wouldn't be an overstatement."
"The theory I used for Shamash Prophecy was originally his idea," Ciela chimed in from the side.
Surprised, Serena asked,
"Really?"
"Yeah, the basics were his. Master tweaked them a bit, and I reworked them completely to make it real."
"Anyway, someone that great usually has this soft charisma, right? Like a sage's aura."
"That's him."
Serena nodded, so Seong Hyun-jin voiced his worry.
"But the guy I just saw? Not at all."
"Pardon?"
"No sage vibe... If I had to describe it, his eyes were like a deranged scientist's."
Serena was dumbfounded.
"...What kind of way is that to talk about the Wise Star?"
"No, really, that's how it felt."
"I'd like to side with a junior, but I can't agree there. If you're talking about when he spoke with Dean Shania earlier, I didn't sense it."
"Was it just me...?"
Thinking it odd, Seong Hyun-jin turned to Elena.
"Elena-senpai, you saw it too. What'd you think?"
"Hm? Oh?"
"Wasn't something off?"
Elena smiled faintly and countered,
"More mad scientist than sage vibe?"
"Yeah."
"Not that extreme for me."
Even Elena denied it, leaving Seong Hyun-jin a bit embarrassed. But she added,
"Though compared to when I met him before, today's impression was totally different."
"...Different?"
"He used to have this soft, warm presence. But just now? Not a trace."
Elena explained,
"That said, I only saw him from afar this time, so it might be my imagination. Can't say for sure."
"So what I felt might not be wrong?"
"Even so, no madness like you'd expect from a mad scientist."
"Madness—that's the word."
Seong Hyun-jin turned to Serena.
"See? Madness in the Wise Star's eyes."
"......"
Serena stared at him silently for a long moment, then sighed.
"...Don't say that to anyone else."
"Why?"
"You'll get stoned."
"...Stoned? Why?"
"His achievements in spirit arts are monumental. Plus, when he was young, he saved tons of lives, earning his Palstar Hero status. There are as many admirers as a nation's population. Think those folks would stay quiet hearing you?"
Seong Hyun-jin glanced at Serena, then Ciela. She just smiled lightly, siding with neither.
He grumbled, feeling wronged.
"...But it really was weird. Seriously."
"Fine, fine. Let's just watch Clarice's match."
Pouting at Serena's disbelief, Seong Hyun-jin muttered,
"No good. I need proof or you won't believe me."
"Huh? What proof?"
He shot up from his seat.
"No match for me today anyway. Be right back!"
"...Huh? W-Wait, where are you going!?"
Serena called out in panic, but Seong Hyun-jin vanished again. Sighing at his empty seat, she stood to follow.
"That idiot..."
Ciela rose with a light laugh. But Elena stopped them.
"Stay here. I'll go after him."
"Pardon?"
"Looking after juniors is a senior's job. Plus, I know Celestial Academy's layout better—I'll bring him back quick."
Serena and Ciela exchanged glances and nodded.
"Could you?"
"Of course."
As Elena agreed cheerfully, lovely pink hair fluttered before Serena's eyes. She vanished in an instant, just like Seong Hyun-jin.
Stunned by the speed, Serena's eyes widened.
"Whoa, she's fast..."
"She'll drag him back soon. No worries—let's cheer for Clarice."
"Ah, yeah."