Chapter 562
Chapter 562
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 562
Chapter Title: Academy's Savior
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"To me, it's all in the past. I can't be certain how the future will unfold with me as a variable. Someone who was supposed to live might die, or someone fated to die might survive."
"......The future me must have disappointed you and Lord Yu-jin."
Este gave a wistful smile.
My mind went blank for a moment. Why was she suddenly jumping to conclusions like that?
"What makes you think that?"
"Because you sent Lord Yu-jin to me. The future me who couldn't get help from Lord Yu-jin must have been sorely lacking, which is why Lord Yu-jin is here to assist me now."
"......Good. Then work harder."
"Yes! I will!"
Her favorability shot up to friendly in an instant. As expected, opening up a bit was the right call.
'Favorability doesn't rise easily after 40. Normally, you'd have to take your time to build it slowly... but maybe I can push it to affection now.'
???
Este and I re-equipped the Emotion Connect, now enhanced with the Path of Glorious Ascension.
Unlike before, I could feel Este's emotions through the bracelet. Though faint—barely 10% compared to my own—it was unmistakably there.
'Must be the enhancement effect. Good. Now I can tell exactly what Este's feeling. Right now, it's surprise.'
I wasn't sure if the duration had increased, so I hurried along with Este in tow.
We arrived in the grassland area.
A cool breeze rustled through the soft, cushy grass. The temperature and humidity were perfectly comfortable—not too hot, not too damp.
"This is where they test sleepiness, Lord Yu-jin. Feeling drowsy?"
"The weather's nice, but not enough to make me sleepy."
"Impressive. The first time I came here, I couldn't fight the drowsiness and lay down for a bit. I meant to sleep just 30 minutes, but when I woke up, 4 or 5 hours had passed. I tried to leave right away, but the sleepiness hit again, and I couldn't hold out... Weirdly, walking with you now, I don't feel sleepy at all."
Este seemed to be feeling my emotions more strongly. Otherwise, she'd be drowsy right now.
We kept walking.
Crowds gathered around us, cheering and applauding.
"Lord Yu-jin! We admire you!"
"Lady Este! I want to be like you!"
"The world is fun because of you two!"
The people only showered us with praise. I glanced at Este.
"Este. Just as you feel my emotions, I feel yours. I'm sensing nothing real from them."
"Yes. Everyone here is fake. No sincerity. You're even annoyed by it, Lord Yu-jin?"
"Nothing's more boring than meaningless fame."
We found piles of gold and jewels stacked like mountains.
Este thought they were pretty. That was it.
Just in case, I pocketed some gold and jewels. Greed didn't surge much—I could earn all the money I wanted with full effort. But if even 10% was real, it'd save me trouble.
However, after a certain distance, they turned to stones.
'Figures.'
I tossed the stones away. No thought of going back for treasure.
Suddenly, a village appeared.
Not Korean—a small rural European-style one.
Children from the alleys swarmed Este.
"Este! Este! Play with us!"
"We've been waiting for you."
Joy flowed from Este. But she hesitated, glancing at me.
"If you're gonna play, go all out. No half-hour limits."
I joined the kids, playing with them. After 30 minutes, Este smiled wearily.
"Tiring. But fun. You didn't enjoy it much, Lord Yu-jin."
"Not my level. How'd the real you pass this?"
"I refused the kids. Easier that way. You've been amplifying your emotions for me since earlier. Thank you."
We breezed through the other emotion trials and reached the black rock zone.
The closer we got, the more anxiety emanated from Este.
"......Lord Yu-jin. Can we skip this for later?"
"You know what they test here."
"Hatred emotions. Can't we just take off this bracelet? I'm scared you'll despise me."
"That won't happen."
We entered the rock zone.
People appeared. Blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin—man and woman, around 30. The man was sturdy; the woman resembled Este, beautiful.
I instantly knew they were Este's parents.
"Don't open your eyes, Este. Do you know how eerie your eyes are?"
"Sigh. How did we end up with a child like this... You. Be honest. You slept with another man, didn't you?"
"You suspecting me now?"
"How could I not? It's common sense! Our child born with those horrific eyes!"
"I'm more suspicious of you. Got a monster in your ancestry?"
Insults flew between the couple.
Este trembled faintly, pretending nonchalance. But her fear flooded into me vividly.
'Hatred trial, huh? Thought we'd have to hate them. It's being hated. Or is it too soon to judge?'
Este's eyes were fascinating and beautiful to me, but to normals, alien. Unlike my switchable spirit eyes, she was born awakened.
"Este! Keep your eyes shut! Never open them! Your eyes are more horrific than anything! Got it?!"
Her mother screamed hysterically. Abuse—depriving a child of light. Este's personality would obey blindly.
Este squeezed her eyes shut.
"Open your eyes."
I said. She flinched.
"B-but."
"It's fine. This trial is hatred. Not you being hated—you hating people. They're not your real parents anyway. Where are your actual ones? Dead? Maybe Nine Eyes Cult killed them."
"......They're alive. I begged the Leader to spare my mother and father..."
"Merciful. Should've killed them. What you feel for them isn't love. Just fear. Open your eyes, look at them, and hate them. You know they're fake."
"......"
Este hesitated. I gripped her hand tight to stop her fleeing.
"If you can't hate them, I will for you."
I glared at the parents spewing hatred fueled by rage. I wanted to rip their throats, violate them. Killing intent leaked from me. But they ignored my presence.
"......Lord Yu-jin. Thank you. For raging and hating them in my place. Yes. This is hating someone. Not a good feeling."
Este opened her eyes, gazing deeply with aurora-like pupils.
"Mother. Father. We won't meet again. Just this once, as Lord Yu-jin said, I'll hate you."
Crack.
Cracks spread across the couple's bodies, shattering them.
'Four left. This'll be quick too.'
Este closed her eyes again, smiling at me.
???
'As expected.'
Este hadn't discarded her emotions during the trials. Looking at her now, she wasn't a doll. Emotions aren't easily shed without special power.
"No need for that opportunity."
I stated firmly. Emotions make it fun. Doubtable if even I, with Absolute Mind, could erase mine.
"I don't want to lose mine either. Thanks to you, Lord Yu-jin, I realized how precious they are."
Este smiled.
Favorability at exactly 50. She was starting to like me.
'50 isn't enough. Need to meet Este often from now on.'
Favorability rises and falls at different rates per person, but generally drops sharply without regular contact.
"Ah, the Leader's magic."
"Indeed."
A magic circle appeared beneath us after clearing the dungeon. We stood confidently on it.
It flashed, and the scenery shifted. The Nine Eyes Cult Leader's room.
"Well done, Second Apostle and Ninth Apostle."
"Leader!"
Este beamed like a blooming flower and ran to Cassandra. Like granddaughter to grandmother.
"Este did splendidly. But you look exhausted. Return to your room and rest."
"Yes, Leader. It was a bit tough. I'll take my leave. Lord Yu-jin, let's meet again soon."
Este staggered out, clearly drained. Not surprising after three months in the dungeon.
I stared straight at Cassandra.
"First Apostle. Satisfied now?"
"Thank you, Ninth Apostle. Este will be a fine saintess for Nine Eyes Cult."
"Probably. I pushed myself a bit too, so I'd like to rest."
"As official Ninth Apostle, use this place freely. Is there anything you desire from me, Ninth Apostle?"
Habitually scanned Cassandra's body. Aged. No lust stirred.
"Nothing."
"I see. Do you know? The Nine Eyes Cult Korean branch has been annihilated."
Already?
Faster than expected, but anticipated. Never thought they'd stop Seong Hari.
I clenched my fist, wary of Cassandra.
"It's fine, Ninth Apostle. We can rebuild the Korean branch anytime. And Nine Eyes Cult wronged you first. If you wish, I'll send you to Korea immediately."
"Doesn't the destruction of a branch anger you?"
"Nine Eyes Cult followers are easily replaced. What matters are the apostles who face the Nine-Eyed God. Especially you, Ninth Apostle—you're special."
In short, non-apostles weren't even human to her. Her kindness to me or Este didn't extend to others. Cassandra could slaughter hundreds, thousands without hesitation.
"First Apostle. I need help with something."
"Yes. Just say it. I'll assist with all sincerity."
No reason to refuse her offer.
???
In Gwanak-gu's underground, the Jinryeong Family spirits found Nine Eyes Cult's hidden Korean branch. Jinryeong mobilized and raided it.
The Korean branch couldn't handle Jinryeong—a historic noble house. They were still unsteady. No chance to hold out.
Especially with Seong Hari joining Han-gu this time.
Seong Han-gu coldly ordered the spirit mages.
"Even fanatics—subdue civilians only. Avoid Hero Association nitpicking. Hari! Understand?!"
"......No killing. Need to find Yu-jin."
"I'll watch. No torture either."