Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: How Dare You (3)
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Before Jamie made contact with Siegfried.
Ann was walking home from school with a bright smile on her face, alongside Finn.
At first, she had been worried because Finn seemed badly hurt, but when she sincerely apologized, he accepted it with a casual "it's fine."
In exchange, there was one condition: that they go somewhere together after classes ended.
There was no reason friends couldn't go out together, so she happily agreed.
"So, where are we headed?"
"Somewhere you'll like too."
"Somewhere I'll like?"
"Yeah."
Finn grinned as he spoke to Ann.
"I'm getting private lessons from Teacher Sophia."
"Pri-private lessons?"
"Well, technically starting today. Heh heh."
Finn scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh, looking a bit sheepish.
Ann was flustered.
Private lessons out of nowhere?
Didn't that mean he was taking her straight there now?
She was already Jamie's disciple.
But she hadn't told Finn yet. Saying it now felt like it might make him feel betrayed again.
As Ann stood there with a bewildered expression, Finn misunderstood and laughed reassuringly.
"Teacher Sophia said you could come too. No need to worry about paying or anything."
"It's not that..."
"It's fine, really. Teacher Sophia's young, but she's a talented mage, right? You know her lessons are top-notch."
"True, but..."
In fact, among the academy's young instructors, Sophia's lectures were unrivaled.
She was a 4th-class mage, with rumors swirling that she'd soon ascend to 5th class—a promising talent.
If she hadn't known Teacher Jamie, Ann would have gladly accepted this opportunity.
'But no means no.'
It felt like deceiving Finn, and she was sorry for that, but going along like this would be disrespectful not just to him, but to Teacher Jamie and Teacher Sophia as well.
Her personality wouldn't let her overlook something like this.
"Finn."
"Yeah?"
"Actually, the truth is..."
Ann told Finn about becoming Teacher Jamie's disciple.
Finn's face showed clear shock, and he walked in silence for a while. Then, quietly, he said,
"It's okay. I wasn't planning to tell you at first either."
"Finn..."
"So, we're even."
Ann let out a sigh of relief as Finn smiled in response. She had worried he might get angry like he did that morning if he felt betrayed.
But this Finn was the one she knew—the understanding one.
He grasped her situation and even forgave her mistake by admitting he'd done the same.
"Thanks, Finn."
"No need to thank me. And hey, let's just treat today as a fun outing to change things up. Teacher Sophia will understand."
"Yeah, she will, right?"
"Of course. We'll just drop by like it's a casual visit."
"Okay!"
She'd be a little late for Teacher Jamie's class, but if she explained, he'd surely understand.
Then a question popped into her head, and she asked right away.
"By the way, how'd you connect with Teacher Sophia? How did you end up learning magic from her?"
"Ah—well..."
Finn nearly spilled it without thinking.
He had met Teacher Sophia just yesterday afternoon.
It was right after he and Ivan's group had left Trinity's lab. She was waiting outside and, after a brief talk, pulled Finn aside alone to suggest he learn magic from her.
He was surprised at first, but she explained,
-I'm one of the mages funded by this place, and in exchange, I have to give private lessons to VIPs.
-But I'm not a VIP. I was just tagging along with Ivan today to check it out...
-Ivan only brought the VIP candidates. Didn't you know?
-I hadn't heard that. And to become a VIP...
-So, you don't want to?
There were plenty of shady aspects, but Finn didn't care.
This was his chance to become Teacher Sophia's disciple.
Besides, he wasn't in a good state of mind then. He couldn't think straight.
-I'll do it!
-See you tomorrow, then.
He recalled Sophia's beaming smile.
Finn felt his fingertips tremble. He couldn't let an opportunity like this slip away.
He glanced at Ann. She had joined Teacher Jamie, unfortunately, but if she talked directly with Teacher Sophia, she might change her mind.
Yeah. People need to experience things firsthand.
"Finn?"
"Oh, no. It just kinda happened—we crossed paths by chance with Teacher Sophia."
"I see."
"A-anyway."
Finn quickly changed the subject and chatted idly with Ann about this and that.
Sophia was tidying up her desk.
Not her desk in the academy staff room, but her new private office desk, which she would start using today.
It was a sort of side gig, you could say.
After neatly organizing everything, Sophia grabbed a few necessary textbooks. The kids should be arriving soon; time to go greet them.
As she opened the door to leave her office, a man stood right in front of her.
It was Kenniak.
"You startled me. If you're here, at least say something."
"Just arrived."
"Oh? Well, too bad—I'm heading out to meet the kids now."
"Are you really planning to teach Ann too?"
"From the start..."
Sophia stepped closer to Kenniak and poked his chest with her index finger.
"You were supposed to recruit Ann. That was your assignment."
"..."
"But you did nothing. So don't even think about meddling now that you finally have a chance. You'll just make yourself look bad to the Doctor."
"If the Apophis Project leaks to the outside, it's all over. You know there are already multiple side effect cases, right?"
"Heh~ Worrying about that now? We've come too far. And as long as the results are good, that's all that matters. You know how this magic world works, Kenniak."
It wasn't just the magic world.
Many mages conducted horrific experiments under the mindset that results justified everything.
Their "Apophis Project"—forcing mana core awakening through Apophis—was no different, just larger in scale.
Things were progressing smoothly toward great results, completely ignoring the messy process in between.
"So don't feel guilty over something this minor. Since when were you so moral?"
"..."
"And if Ann drinks Apophis and proves it works, we'll realize our ideals soon enough. You know that better than anyone, with your lack of talent."
"Ann became Teacher Jamie's disciple."
Sophia's eyes widened slightly.
She hadn't expected Jamie to come up so suddenly.
And how had Ann ended up as Jamie's disciple?
Her head started to ache.
"Since when?"
"Yesterday."
The timing couldn't be worse.
If Ann was tied to Jamie, this was bad.
Aside from his influence, everyone connected to him was exceptional.
Even in the magic world, several elders favored him.
"Give up on Ann."
Kenniak didn't want even Ann involved in the Apophis Project. He'd watched her efforts for so long.
He didn't want to ruin that with some drug's power.
Especially her brilliant mind—it would be wrecked by Apophis's side effects the moment she joined.
It wasn't just Ann.
Kenniak envied and felt inferior to students more talented than him, but he also hoped they'd grow well as their teacher.
"Pull out of the academy side now. I'll talk to the Doctor directly."
"Why are you like this? You think the Doctor will just give up because you ask?"
"I'll make him."
"Whatever. We're sticking to the plan. Apophis's effects don't show suddenly anyway—we need at least a week to observe. We can figure something out before then."
"Are you insane?"
"That applies to you. We've been in this together for days. Don't act all noble now—it's disgusting."
Kenniak had nothing to say.
He couldn't grab Sophia's shoulder as she walked away.
"Why'd you fight with that guy?"
Sophia glanced at Ashtar, who had sidled up beside her. She had no idea why he was here instead of guarding Trinity, but knowing he had nothing better to do, she didn't bother asking.
"You don't need to know."
"I'm in on this too—mind filling me in?"
"You're just here for the money. Can't discuss ideals with someone motivated by cash."
"Fair point."
"Anyway, head back. The students will be here soon."
"That old-eyed kid from yesterday?"
"He's not old-eyed—Finn's actually older than the other kids. And it's not just him coming."
"Boring girl. Call me if there's trouble—I'll be elsewhere~"
Ashtar vanished after saying that.
Sophia thought he was utterly vulgar. From his foul mouth to his every action, he was repulsive.
If not for the Doctor's orders, she'd never deal with him.
'But his strength is real.'
To clean up messes neatly, you needed power.
Ashtar was Trinity's janitor. A very expensive one, hired for big money.
Thanks to him, no rumors leaked outside. If they were about to, the source was already dead by Ashtar's hand.
Silver was the same.
Addicted to Apophis, craving only it, his symptoms worsened until he started threatening them.
-Give me a ton... or I'll expose everything.
Ridiculous blackmail.
Just drugged trash who couldn't think straight.
It proved how effective the new drug EX was. Side effects were severe, though.
'Didn't expect him to fall apart in just three days, though.'
Anyway, Ashtar killed Silver. With barely any resistance, apparently.
'Just need to mitigate the side effects.'
It wouldn't be long.
Clinical trial results were already coming in hourly.
And now.
Sophia reverted to her usual self, flashing a bright smile and waving to Ann and Finn approaching from afar.
"Over here~"
New clinical trial subjects were heading their way.
Maybe, just maybe, this would finally bring the Apophis Project to its conclusion.
"Hee hee. Good, you made it."
Sophia patted Ann's head.
Ann beamed, feeling the gentle touch. She'd thought it before, but Teacher Sophia was as warm-hearted as she was beautiful.
Becoming her disciple would be a joy.
But Ann already had a master.
"Teacher."
"Yes?"
"First off, I should tell you—I've become Teacher Jamie's disciple."
"Really?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't know this was that kind of thing and followed Finn."
Sophia played innocent.
"I see. It's fine. I'd love a smart kid like you as a disciple, but I didn't call you here just for that today."
"See? Told you."
Finn chimed in agreement.
Ann sighed in relief. Unlikely as it was, she'd worried Teacher Sophia might get upset.
She hadn't even asked Ann before inviting her, so Ann wasn't at fault.
"Have fun today. I've prepared lots of stuff."
"Fun stuff?"
"Yeah. Since we're here, let's skip the lessons and do all sorts of games instead."
The word "games" made Ann and Finn exchange grins and laugh brightly.
"Sounds great!"
"Awesome!"
Sophia nodded in satisfaction as the kids replied together.
"Follow me, then."
The moment she turned to lead the way, her expression turned icy.
She would make Ann drink Apophis.
Finn had said Ann viewed Apophis negatively. Understandably so—up until yesterday, he'd been a mess from the side effects.
Truth be told, he looked fine now, but Finn's condition was on the verge of breaking down.
At this rate, disposal wouldn't be far off.
'Finn took too much.'
He'd started with one or two bottles a day, but lately, he'd been downing six or seven.
Even averaging two or three, he'd ramped up too fast in too short a time.
The side effects hit quickly and hard as a result.
'If not for EXS, he might've gone mad from addiction already. Kids can't handle Apophis's withdrawal.'
EXS had been introduced as a mass-produced Apophis EX, but it was really a temporary suppressor for Apophis X's side effects.
They'd called Ivan's group to Trinity yesterday because Apophis X's side effects were due any moment.
If they flared up openly, bad rumors would spread fast. Ashtar would step in, and a dead student would make cover-ups impossible.
So they'd used the VIP pretext, with Silver leading periodic visits.
'That's reaching its limit too.'
Not just Finn—all the students on Apophis X were nearing their physical limits.
It was harsh on the kids, but for a better world, sacrifices were necessary.
Painful now, but their deaths would be noble sacrifices in history.
Sophia smiled faintly.
Madness flickered in her eyes.