Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Episode 43
The upcoming main story Chapter 3. Unfortunately, it wasn't something I could prevent, even with preparation.
The "Outer Beings" attack this time was caused by none other than Tia's mistake.
Even if I went to her and said, "It's dangerous, so please stop," there was a high probability she wouldn't listen.
To persuade her, I'd have to reveal the secrets I was hiding… but no matter how I thought about it, it would only lead to the "mind reading" ending.
“A direct approach this time, huh?”
All I could do now was lower the stacks of [Mana Dominator] or steadily grow stronger by clearing daily dungeons.
[Mana Dominator Lv. 2]
So, as usual, I was in the training grounds, working on lowering the stacks of [Mana Dominator].
It was the weekend, so no one would complain.
[0/100 until guaranteed SSR-rank magic]
Seeing that phrase made me frown.
What were the previous stacks? Around 60, I think? Looks like I got an SSR-rank magic already.
“Well, I can just do it again…”
Fortunately, I wasn’t as devastated this time.
There was still time before Chapter 3 started, and it didn't cost anything other than mana, so there was no need to be too shocked.
“Huh…?”
But the moment I saw the magic formula forming at my fingertips, I understood.
I had underestimated Oz's misfortune yet again.
The SSR-rank magic that appeared this time was a famous, yet simple spell.
A phenomenon magic that summoned a meteor to obliterate everything around it.
[Meteor]
“…”
For a moment, just a moment, my mind went blank.
“Wait a second…”
I didn’t know who I was talking to, but I prayed anyway.
This couldn't be happening.
Ultimate magic was always like this, its power comparable to a natural disaster.
Even just [Curse of Perpetual Snow] could cover the surrounding area in pure white, and [Azure Lightning God] had the power to turn the darkest night into day.
But those two spells didn’t fundamentally involve physical force.
So, even if they extended beyond the training grounds, the damage wouldn’t be too severe.
Of course, this was also thanks to the remote location of my dorm.
But [Meteor] was different.
If I had to give a ratio, it would be 2 parts fire, 8 parts physical.
It was a spell that slammed down with overwhelming physical force, with fire as a bonus effect.
“No way…”
The magic had already been activated. The only question was how it would manifest.
I quickly ran out of the training grounds and looked up at the sky. If the spell was unfolding above Tia’s barrier, there was still a chance.
Even if Tia yelled at me, at least I’d be safe.
“Oh.”
Fortunately, the magic circles summoning [Meteor] were appearing directly above Tia’s barrier.
And the meteors that emerged from the magic circles disintegrated like dust as soon as they touched the barrier.
As expected, the barrier that the [Dragon Emperor] had painstakingly created was on a different level.
Even the ultimate magic capable of wiping out an entire city couldn’t exert its full power against it. The title of "strongest in the world" wasn't just for show.
I was watching the meteors disintegrate into dust when…
“Wait a second…”
But as expected, fate wouldn't let me be happy.
One of the meteor summoning circles, which had been appearing and disappearing, formed inside the barrier.
Right above my dorm.
I didn't need to see the result to know what would happen.
My room, which had lost its ceiling before, would now cease to exist entirely.
This time, I was truly going to be homeless.
“Figures.”
BOOM!
With a clean, resounding boom, the massive meteor plummeted from the sky and crashed into the center of my dorm.
“Well, I knew this would happen from the start.”
Considering my usual luck, this was only natural. There was no way I’d get off that easy.
Even if it was just one meteor among many, the kinetic energy generated by its weight and falling speed was not to be underestimated.
There was no way my dorm, which had already been creaking since the ceiling collapsed, could withstand that.
“…”
CRASH!
Moments later, my dorm collapsed with a deafening roar and burst into flames.
My insides crumbled along with it.
My knees buckled.
I felt like crying.
[Erosion Rate: 37%]
I wanted to escape this cruel reality. I didn't care anymore; I just wanted Oz to take over.
“Um, excuse me, Prince Oz? Are you alright?”
“…?!”
A shiver ran down my spine at the voice from behind me.
A member of the [Shield of Light]… No, it was more accurate to say the Disciplinary Committee now.
“Olivia Blue…”
Olivia Blue was staring at the devastation I had caused with a look of utter shock.
“So this is ultimate magic…”
Had Tia noticed already?
Even if she had, wasn't this too fast?
If Olivia Blue had come to subdue me, I could only describe the situation as extremely dangerous.
Did she really think I would obediently follow her after seeing the destruction I'd caused?
If I were her, I'd have my hand on my sword hilt already.
“Do you need something from me?”
“Ah…!”
I feigned composure and addressed Olivia Blue in a haughty tone. As if snapping out of her daze, she turned towards me.
“Headmaster Tiamat requests your presence, Prince Oz.”
“The reason…?”
“Even if there wasn’t another reason…don’t you think one just presented itself?”
It seemed she hadn’t come because of this disaster.
But could Olivia Blue also easily guess what would happen because of this disaster?
She was sweating as she held up a set of restraints.
“…I’ll go myself.”
“I…I see.”
Yes, she must have been bewildered.
She probably thought it was just a simple errand, but she'd arrived to find me as a villainous criminal.
Yes, I understood.
There was no point in resisting here; it would only shorten my lifespan.
So, let’s just quietly accept the consequences.
Once I arrived at the Headmaster's office, hesitation kept me rooted to the spot.
“…”
Honestly, no matter how much I tried to justify it, I wasn't going to get away without a scolding. This time, I might actually lose my head.
More importantly, was Tia even in Scientia right now?
There was no way someone like the [Dragon Emperor] wouldn't have noticed a [Meteor] falling on the academy.
Come to think of it, the main story was already a mess. Tia might have already left.
“…Should I go back?”
The thought that she might not be there made my resolve crumble.
Honestly, I didn't know how to explain the destruction of my dorm and the burning of the nearby forest.
Even I couldn't forgive myself, so how could Tia?
Considering her personality, wouldn’t she rip my head off this time?
“Don’t hesitate, just come in.”
As I stood there wavering, a voice came from inside.
It wasn't Tia’s voice.
A gentle, yet distinct voice that commanded attention.
I knew this voice.
No, I couldn’t not know it.
“I heard you arrived. Your Holiness.”
“The boy from back then has grown so much.”
[Erosion Rate: 40%]
The [Erosion Rate] fluctuated wildly.
I didn’t know how Oz felt about her, but it probably wasn’t a positive emotion.
“Your eyes.”
“…”
“That’s not a good look.”
Trying to suppress my emotions, I looked around and saw Tia slumped over her desk, looking utterly drained.
Why was she like that? She looked like a dried-up lizard.
“Lady Tiamat, a student is present. It’s not appropriate for a role model to be seen in such a state.”
“…Stop tormenting me, Lucia. You’re exhausting.”
“That’s amusing. I simply asked, as a parent, for you to investigate this incident.”
“That doesn’t give you the right to grill me for three days and four nights.”
“Sigh… Very well. Let's take a short break. May I speak with this student in the meantime?”
She wanted to continue even after grilling Tia for three days and four nights?
It was no wonder Tia found her so difficult to deal with.
“Hmm…”
Tia slowly lifted her head and looked up at me.
Her eyes were filled with distrust, but also with deep fatigue.
“…I don’t care anymore. Do whatever you want.”
With that, Tia slumped back down like a fish out of water, slowly losing its strength.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
As Lucia Domine gave Tia a slight bow, I activated [Contemplation] to observe her.
[KP The Waiting Saintess]
Lucia Domine
[The Waiting Saintess]. This meant her identity was closer to Saintess than Pope, the owner of the Key.
There was no other information. Either she had some ability, or she had no secrets to hide.
I couldn't see through her.
“Do you have something to say to me, Your Holiness?”
“Yes, of course.”
“…”
She didn’t budge.
Among the people I’d met so far, only Key Personalities usually maintained their composure with [Contemplation] activated.
Or was it the other way around? They became Key holders because they were like this.
In that case, the pressure of [Contemplation] wouldn’t faze her.
“I have one question.”
“Go ahead.”
Lucia Domine took a sip of tea and spoke in a calm tone.
“Because of you, Arietta is in critical condition.”
But those weren't words to be uttered so calmly.
The disconnect between the content and the tone was jarring.
I hadn't expected her to start with an accusation.
“Don’t you feel any guilt?”
Well, from the Pope’s perspective, Arietta was the most important symbol of the Church, so she would be quite important.
But one couldn't just openly say something like that in this setting.
Her intention was clear.
Provocation. She was provoking me, knowing how Oz felt about Arietta.
But it was laughable.
“No, not at all.”
I, Oz, wouldn’t be swayed by such words.
Lucia Domine's expression changed for the first time, surprised by my answer.
She was bewildered.
“Is there a reason I should feel guilty?”
“…Are you different from the you I knew?”
“Probably not much.”
About 60% of me was different, but I didn't think I, Oz, was all that different.
Lucia Domine's expression slowly twisted, and her eyes turned cold.
Did I usually look like this when I activated [Contemplation]?
It was a rather unpleasant look.
“Arietta sacrificed a lot for you. She willingly endured hardship and suffered. Are you going to abandon her now?”
“I know she sacrificed for me, that she willingly endured hardship and suffered.”
“And yet, how can you…!”
“Because it’s only natural.”
Oz’s true feelings naturally flowed from my lips.
It was a sign that the influence of the [Erosion Rate] was growing stronger, but I didn't care.
“If the situation were reversed, I would have made the same choice. So, I’m grateful, but I feel no guilt.”
Oz, and I, never took her suffering lightly.
And it wasn't just me.
Alexios, Lena, and everyone else would have felt the same way.
We respected her actions.
“…I see.”
Lucia Domine blinked her one good eye repeatedly, then quietly nodded.
A faint, but definite smile played on her lips.
“Then I’ll ask you this.”
“…”
“Do you resent me?”
I wasn't sure how Oz would feel.
Probably not resentment…I didn’t think so.
“Dislike is more accurate.”
“Why?”
“Because you took my family away.”
“And haven’t you also abandoned your family?”
That was also true.
Oz had also abandoned his family and forged his own path.
But there was one crucial difference between her and me.
“That was my choice.”
“…How selfish.”
“Just selfish? I’m also self-righteous, arrogant, and impertinent. I’m that kind of terrible person.”
I, Oz, was that kind of person.
A self-righteous, arrogant person who hated being forced by others and never backed down from the path he chose.
That's why he didn't like the fact that Arietta hadn't even been given a choice.
If it had been her choice, Oz would have accepted it.
But…
“Arietta told me something.”
It wasn't her choice.
“She asked me to come get her.”
She had subtly, yet clearly, expressed her unwillingness to go.
“Isn’t that reason enough for me to dislike you?”
I could say those words with conviction.
Because that promise was the first true feeling Oz conveyed to me.