Liberation (3) - Chapter 129
After Yeonhui left the laboratory, Shania, now alone with Abraham, spoke coldly.
“…Abraham Nobwells.”
At her icy voice, Abraham, lying on the floor, painfully opened his mouth.
“Cough… I can only apologize to you, Divine Star.”
He had regained his senses thanks to Yeonhui's healing, but his body still hadn't fully recovered and wouldn't obey him, forcing him to lie there and talk.
Shania shot back coldly. “Were you really sorry to me? Someone who claims to regret it takes all that money and then pulls off something like this behind my back?”
She let out a hollow laugh in disbelief and glared at Abraham.
“If it had actually succeeded, what were you planning to do about the aftermath? You knew full well it wouldn't end with just you.”
“…I apologize.”
Abraham repeated his apology like a machine. It wasn't insincere; it was simply that he had no other words to offer.
As she said, if Abraham's research had truly succeeded, the fallout would have engulfed not only him but also Shania, who had sponsored him. In that case, Shania—and by extension, Celestial Academy, where she served as dean—would have faced certain ruin.
Unable to hide her lingering anger at that undeniable fact, Shania continued to berate him.
“Part of me wants to burn you and everything here to ashes, but I won't, out of respect for the students who stopped you.”
Shania strode over with heavy steps, grabbed Abraham by the collar, and forcibly pulled him to his feet. His still-unrecovered body creaked in agony, twisting his face in pain, but Shania paid it no mind.
“But you'll have to spit out every coin you swallowed. No— you'll compensate for the damage to these facilities and everything you've done to the students. With no more research ahead, the money you've pocketed should more than cover it.”
At Shania's words, Abraham closed his eyes briefly and nodded.
Even in this dire situation, Shania wasn't demanding anything unjust from him personally. Seeing her demand only what was rightfully owed amid her fury, Abraham felt a bitter pang at her righteous heart.
“…Very well.”
As Abraham meekly replied, Shania sighed and released his collar. She turned quietly, surveying the remnants of Abraham's forbidden research.
“…Why would someone who knows everything do something so foolish?”
Shania spoke in a voice tinged with regret.
“You, of all people, knew nothing would change…”
“…It was longing.”
Abraham answered Shania with stark simplicity, as if there were no other reason.
“I missed Estella's face too much.”
“…”
Shania gazed at him with pity, but that didn't mean she would forgive his transgression into the taboo. Setting aside her human emotions, she spoke coldly and rationally.
“The research will be scrapped. I'll take custody of you for a while, then hand you over to the judiciary with the evidence. You must have been prepared to face judgment from the moment you started this.”
“…Understood.”
After her stern declaration, Shania bound Abraham's arms and legs with spirit power. Though his free will was stripped away in that instant, he had no intention of resisting.
Shania gazed at him silently for a moment before speaking softly.
“…I'll convey your final words to the Wise Star.”
“Does this sinner have more to say?”
Abraham gave a wry smile. Softening her cold expression, Shania replied.
“I respected you.”
“…Me?”
“Not just me—anyone who grew up in the era when you were active must have felt admiration upon hearing the name Abraham Nobwells. When such a tragic fate befell you, I grieved as if it were my own.”
“…”
“I can't arrogantly claim to fully understand your feelings… but I know the desperation that drove you to this reckless act. So…”
Shania continued.
“…If you wish to go quietly meet your daughter, I'll help you.”
“…”
“The judiciary won't let you go easily. What you touched is the Holy Nation's absolute taboo. So…”
At Shania's offer, Abraham closed his eyes briefly, then shook his head after a moment's contemplation.
“…No, I won't.”
“…Why not?”
“First, I can't burden you further.”
“Didn't you stop caring about that when you started this?”
Abraham gave a wry smile at her pointed remark, unable to argue, and pressed on.
“That's not the only reason. You wouldn't have seen it, but I'm already a dead man walking.”
“…I heard Seong Hyun-jin altered his sword path at the end.”
“Not just that… I should have died even before then. That student stopped it.”
“What do you mean?”
Abraham offered no explanation. He knew revealing the spirit's existence wouldn't benefit Seong Hyun-jin if it spread. Though he owed the boy no obligation, he chose to repay the consideration he'd received.
“…That young student said to me.”
Abraham recalled the words Seong Hyun-jin had spoken after regaining his senses from the evil spirit's takeover.
“Even for my daughter's sake, make me pay for my sins.”
“…Did Seong Hyun-jin say that?”
“I think he's right. If I go to Estella without facing any consequences, how could she welcome this father? I'd be nothing but a shameful one who fled without paying for his deeds.”
Abraham smiled faintly—not the bitter one from before, but the kind, paternal smile often seen on his face.
“Indeed, he's spot on. If you've sinned, pay the price, and only after it's fully paid… then you can meet Estella without shame.”
“…”
“When we meet again, I can't show her an unsightly father. I need to tell her, 'Dad lived properly even after you left,' and mean it.”
Abraham said.
“So, I'll face my punishment.”
Hearing his resolve, Shania bit her lip, then quietly replied.
“…If that's your will.”
Abraham nodded and expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you, Divine Star.”
The incident involving the Wise Star, Abraham Nobwells, was kept from the outside world. Those who needed to know did, as he had to be handed over through proper legal channels, but no one thought to spread it further. Shania, the dean of Celestial Academy who had unknowingly funded his research, wore a foul expression for a while. It wasn't just a bad mood—she was visibly furious. Everyone hesitated to even mention it, wary of her anger.
Thus, Abraham Nobwells's taboo research scandal concluded quietly, known only to those in the know.
In the meantime, the academy exchange proceeded smoothly without interruption, and before long, the third day was underway.
As Sanctuary Stadium buzzed with exchange events, a man lay confined to a hospital room near the training grounds, unable to go anywhere.
“I gotta get out for the exchange…”
“The comprehensive tournament is on the last day, so rest up until then.”
It was Seong Hyun-jin. The backlash from using the evil spirit's power had drained an immense amount of his vitality, causing him to collapse and be brought here. Exams showed severe debilitation, so he was ordered to stay in the hospital room until recovery.
Thus, he was stuck here, bored out of his mind, unable to venture out.
“Don't even think about wandering.”
Sitting beside him was Serena. Having competed on the first day with plenty of margin, she could afford to stay by Seong Hyun-jin's side until the end.
And another who had fought on the first day, like Serena.
“Indeed. The doctor said you're so weakened you need several days of rest.”
Clarice was there too. Today, as always, she guarded his side with her inscrutable, expressionless face. Of course, her occasional words betrayed her worry for him.
Under their watchful eyes, Seong Hyun-jin didn't dare set foot off the bed. Their firm tones made it clear he wouldn't leave the room until the final day, so he nodded slightly.
“Got it…”
At his compliant response, Serena finally smiled faintly in approval, and Clarice nodded.
“By the way, Seong Hyun-jin, that spirit from before—still no response?”
At Clarice's question, Seong Hyun-jin nodded. The moment he'd woken, he'd tried summoning Astaroth to talk. Why had she hidden the truth about herself until now? What exactly was she? He had many questions, but since he'd regained consciousness, Astaroth hadn't responded. Even forcing Spirit Manifestation yielded nothing. Not even the King of Chaos that used to appear before Astaroth.
“Dunno if she's ignoring me on purpose or if there's another reason.”
“…Either way, you should keep your spirit hidden as much as possible.”
“Huh?”
“It's incredibly powerful, but just as dangerous. A spirit that acts on its own whim and even controls its contractor's body? I've never heard of such a thing. Even Yeonhui sunbaenim's divine spirit doesn't do that.”
“Yeah…”
“Of course, tell those who need to know, but don't go blabbing. And if word gets out it's an evil spirit, that alone could cause you trouble.”
Seong Hyun-jin nodded at Serena's words.
“Master… and we should tell Dean Eleonora too, right?”
“Yes, just those two.”
“Got it.”
Seong Hyun-jin smiled warmly at Serena's concerned advice, expressing his thanks.
“Thanks for worrying about me.”
“…I-it's only natural.”
Though it was a simple thank-you, it tickled Serena's heart for some reason. It was nothing special, yet it made her chest flutter.
Ugh, if I overthink it, I'll look weird…
Lately, everything Seong Hyun-jin said felt this way, making her feel a bit foolish.
Clarice, watching Serena, glanced at Seong Hyun-jin then back at her.
“Serena, isn't your father supposed to arrive? When?”
“Ah, right. Father said today or tomorrow…”
The moment Serena replied.
“…?”
Seong Hyun-jin sensed something and looked up at the ceiling. He turned to Serena.
“…Serena.”
“Yes?”
“Your dad's seriously strong, huh.”
“…Pardon?”
Serena tilted her head at his out-of-nowhere comment, then gasped at the familiar sensation.
“Ah? H-he's already here?!”
As she said, another titan had arrived at Celestial Academy.
Flap!
A massive dragon soared through the skies, its enormous wings blanketing not just the building with Seong Hyun-jin, Serena, and Clarice, but the entire Celestial Academy. Its overwhelming presence subdued every being below, while its platinum scales, covering its body, reflected the sunlight in dazzling brilliance, evoking an air of nobility.
Shania watched the spectacle with a troubled expression, thinking to herself.
Can't he arrive quietly for once?
But maintaining composure outwardly, she greeted the colossal dragon that had seized the skies above the academy.
“…Welcome, Dragon Star.”
The dragon's head turned toward Shania. A majestic, resonant voice boomed across the heavens.
“You haven't changed, Divine Star.”
The identity of the being dominating the skies over the academy.
This colossal dragon was one of the Palstar Heroes, renowned alongside the Sword Star as the mightiest among them.
“I'm glad to see you've been well.”
The Dragon King, ruler of all dragons—Ahajaka Eldark.