Chapter 346: Recorders (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 346: Recorders (4)
“It’s not Solderet’s? What do you mean?”
It was a possibility Jin had never even considered. If not Solderet, then who in the world could have created a recording device using spirit energy?
“Exactly what I said. This recording device is made of spirit energy, but it wasn't crafted by Solderet. It’s filled with an unspeakably evil aura. It nearly corrupted my mind.”
Valeria took a moment to steady her breathing.
The reason she had been so flustered was that the moment she’d peered into the orb, the ‘dark energy’ inside had instantly targeted her.
“It nearly corrupted your mind?”
That statement troubled Jin.
The Valeria he knew wasn't the type to brush off such a situation as a mere ‘mistake.’
Damn it. I never thought just checking the recording device would harm my teacher.
Furthermore, the fact that it wasn't Solderet’s was baffling.
Amidst the confusion, Valeria’s eyes grew cold and sharp, just as he’d expected.
“Jin Runcandel. From my perspective, I have no choice but to be suspicious.”
In his past life, she would never have doubted him. But in this life, Jin and Valeria were not yet that close.
“You make it sound like I used that orb to attack you.”
“Your family, the Runcandels, are trying to capture me. That alone makes this suspicious.”
Jin realized that simply proclaiming his innocence wouldn't be enough to clear this misunderstanding.
If I lose my teacher’s trust now, it might be years before we meet again. Or she might cut off all contact with me entirely until she’s captured by the Runcandels or the Zipples.
Valeria was exactly that kind of person.
Is it because she’s still young? Or does she have a shred of trust in me? Or is it just the circumstances? Either way, she isn’t accusing me with absolute certainty yet.
It was likely the third option.
Valeria still had the first spirit energy orb he had entrusted to her, and she believed Jin didn’t know the location of her hideout.
“Well, I can see why you’d feel that way. I understand. Even if I deny it, it’ll probably just deepen the distrust between us,” Jin said with a shrug.
“At least you’re self-aware.”
“Of course. The attack you’re describing—mind corruption—is a rather abstract form of damage. Plus, you have one of my other recording devices, and you’re someone I absolutely need. It’s plausible that I could have attacked you, isn’t it? If it really was mind corruption, it would have to be some ancient dark magic that’s long since vanished.”
When Jin put it that way, Valeria shrugged as well.
“One could think that. I’ll try to be understanding. However, that doesn’t mean I intend to let this go without verifying that it wasn’t you.”
“Do whatever you need to. I’ll cooperate in any way I can.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t need your cooperation. I’ll verify it myself. First, let’s move to a different location.”
“A moment ago, you said you wouldn’t move because this spot is only visible from the kitchen. If you need somewhere secluded, how about we go to Sir Casimir’s estate?”
“Just follow me. The verification will be over quickly.”
Valeria stood up.
Just as Jin was about to follow, she glanced at the table as if she’d forgotten something. Two of Latri’s special cookies remained.
Rustle, rustle.
Valeria carefully gathered the cookies and tucked them into the inner pocket of her robe.
Seeing that, Jin had to swallow the laugh that threatened to escape.
Does my young teacher have a cute side, or are Latri’s cookies just that addictive? This is the first time I’ve seen her pack food when she isn't in the middle of a life-or-death escape.
He followed Valeria out of Latri’s teahouse.
She seemed to know the streets well, as if she had visited Tikan many times before.
After walking for a long time, taking a carriage midway, and walking again, they arrived at a cliff at the edge of the island.
Floating below was the small rowboat Valeria had used to arrive.
“...You didn’t enter the Free City officially? You smuggled yourself in?”
“Given my circumstances.”
“Why do you think this city is called ‘Free’? As long as you’re not some heinous criminal, they welcome everyone. Besides, the only people here who would recognize you are me and my companions.”
He spoke out of frustration. It pained him to see his young teacher forced to live a life where she had to sneak into even a ‘Free City.’
“I know that. This way is just more comfortable for me. Let’s head down to the boat.”
Hop!
Valeria leaped off the cliff. It was a height that could easily kill someone if they landed wrong, but having seen her do this several times in his past life, Jin wasn't particularly surprised.
Just before hitting the water, she used her mana to create a gust of wind, absorbing the impact and landing lightly on the boat. Jin followed, scaling the cliff face and jumping down onto the vessel.
Since it was a small rowboat, it felt cramped with two people. They were forced to sit with their feet almost touching.
“The cliff up there was secluded enough. Did we really have to come to such a cramped space? And how did you even sail here in a boat like this?”
“The safer, the better.”
Valeria moved her Silver Pine Staff—dyed black with a tincture from the Gold Snow Tribe—as smoothly as if she were rowing.
Shuaaaa—!
Suddenly, the seawater around the rowboat surged upward and froze into a hemispherical dome, completely encasing them like a shroud. The ice was so thick that no sunlight could penetrate it.
Flash. A blue mana light, like a lantern, spread from Valeria’s touch.
Regardless of the situation, the image of the two figures bathed in bright light inside the ice-encased boat looked like a meticulously painted portrait.
“Jin Runcandel, I am going to read your records now.”
Jin had naturally expected this, but he didn't let it show.
“Read my records? That sounds rather dangerous. Care to explain?”
“It’s easier to understand if you think of it as me looking through your memories. Strictly speaking, it’s a bit different, but the result is similar.”
“So, you’re saying you’ll read my memories to confirm whether I intended to harm you?”
“Exactly.”
“Fine. But I have two conditions.”
“State them.”
“First, I don’t know how far back you can read, but I’d like you to respect my privacy.”
“Whether you believe me or not, directly reading another person’s records is an incredibly difficult task. It’s different from reading the records of traces or objects someone left behind. It’s too exhausting to sift through useless information.”
Jin knew this well. Even the twenty-five-year-old Valeria from his past life couldn't read all of his records.
“Second, if it’s proven that I wasn’t targeting you, you have to cooperate with me more in the future. Honestly, after I’ve conceded this much, I think it’s fair for us to build some trust.”
Surprisingly, Valeria nodded readily.
“Fine. Now, give me your hand.”
Jin did as she instructed.
With her eyes closed, Valeria placed her hand, enveloped in the blue mana characteristic of Record Magic, over Jin’s.
At that moment, she was completely defenseless.
This is when my teacher is at her most vulnerable.
When performing Record Magic at full power, Valeria couldn't do anything else.
Is she showing such an opening because she thinks I don’t know that? Or did she actually have some trust in me from the start?
Slowly, the records of the man known as Jin Runcandel began to seep into Valeria’s mind.
Jin watched her quietly, waiting for the magic to finish.
`<Jin Runcandel recently visited Tikan to meet Valeria Hister.>`
`<His purpose was to check the status of the spirit energy recording device.>`
Nothing special yet. Seeing as he wanted to check the device’s status, it doesn't seem like he intended to harm me, Valeria thought. Beads of sweat were already forming on her forehead.
`<The young Jin Runcandel laughs as he watches the Guardian Dragon Murakan call his nanny, Gilly McLoran, ‘Strawberry Pie.’>`
The young Jin Runcandel? What era is this record from? Focus. I only need to see the last few days.
Peering directly into another’s records was not something that could be easily controlled. She was bound to glimpse some she wasn't looking for.
`<One-year-old Jin Runcandel feels extremely ashamed as his nanny, Gilly McLoran, changes his diaper.>`
What on earth… No, wait… He felt shame at one year old?
That was strange.
Was it even possible to have such emotions at that age? No one in the world should feel shame while having their diapers changed.
Dismissing it as him simply being an extraordinary child from birth feels like a stretch. Let’s keep watching for now. But who is this woman? Ruet Damiro Yul…?
`<Jin Runcandel recently examined the records of Solderet held by Ruet Damiro Yul, the former Head Butler of the Runcandels.>`
`<Ruet Damiro Yul is the King of the Fairy Race.>`
`<Ruet Damiro Yul has been forgotten.>`
This was a recent record.
It was also a powerful memory. Valeria felt a strange pull as she saw Ruet’s red hair—a rare shade identical to her own.
A forgotten… Fairy Race?
She was reaching the limit of her mana. Valeria breathed heavily, and Jin watched her with worried eyes.
`<Jin Runcandel did not inform his family of his meeting with Valeria Hister in order to protect her.>`
That was enough.
She didn't feel the need to check any further. But just as she was about to stop the Record Magic…
Valeria discovered a record of a strange kind, one she had never seen before.
`<Upon his birth, Jin Runcandel fell under a curse called the Delusion of the Blade. This curse was cast by the Great Mage Kidad Hall at the behest of Joshua Runcandel, but in truth..., ...is, ...of fate, ...>`
Unlike the ordinary records she had just examined, this one conveyed an unspeakably alien sensation.
A headache flared, as if a blade had been thrust into her mind.
At the same time, an uncontrollable curiosity took hold. She didn't know when she would ever get another chance to see a record like this one.
“Aria Owlheart, are you okay?”
Blood began to trickle from Valeria’s mouth and nose.
She was not a mage who would ever suffer from mana backflow, but checking this record was proving to be that taxing.
Pushing forward when she should have stopped was dangerous, even for someone like her.
Just a little more, just a little…!
Now blood was flowing from her eyes and ears as well. At this rate, she would soon fall into the final stages of mana backflow.
“Aria!”
Thud!
Valeria collapsed forward, coughing up a mouthful of blood.