The Eleventh Research - Inflection Point of Fate (1)
The solar calendar read March 1st, 1527. The new year had dawned, and spring had arrived. It had been thirteen months since Tellorian first reached the Harrington family, and the exact moment when Belladia I completed her first royal inspection.
“It’s been a while, Tellorian.”
“It has indeed, Elenstra.”
“You look much brighter these days.”
The Grey Sage had also welcomed an old acquaintance from the magic tower. The visitor was his senior from their shared apprenticeship in the witch’s hut—a profound bond formed during their sensitive teenage years, when they had relied on each other.
“I heard a rumor that you’re the queen’s lover?”
“A rumor I deliberately leaked.”
“So the part about you two actually dating is a lie?”
“I prefer to keep public and private matters separate.”
“Meaning we should start with official business first?”
When he silently lifted his teacup and drank, Elenstra understood it as confirmation. After all, they were like siblings who had known each other for a very long time.
“The grimoire you submitted has been approved.”
“I see.”
“Moreover, the moment it passed, it was classified as a [Dragon]-rank magical tome accessible only to the deans of the Magic University. Even they want to keep this matter buried.”
It meant that even the Magisters, who knew no bounds to their curiosity, had judged the Grimoire of Enlightenment as a dangerous piece of research. The other two [Dragon]-rank grimoires were the Guide to Immortality and the Introduction to Outer God Studies.
“A troll smarter than a human.”
“…”
“They say it’s as dangerous as a demilich.”
“It may very well be even more dangerous.”
For a moment, heavy silence settled over them.
“Why did you submit it despite knowing the risks?”
“There’s quite the commotion among the deans right now, isn’t there?”
“…”
Tellorian’s mental manipulation had transformed a rock troll into a lifeform more intelligent and noble than humans. This was an achievement no mage had reached since the forgotten fairy kings of the divine age, and it was bound to trigger profound philosophical debates throughout the magical community.
“What is a person?”
“…”
“It’s a question that Magisters naturally come to ponder. After all, we learn methods to transcend the limits of the flesh.”
Magisters lived for at least several centuries. As a result, many chose to abandon their original bodies and take on new ones. Naturally, they viewed the world through a lens quite different from ordinary humans.
Tradition of the Magisters!
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Lore Point +1
20/100 until Level 30
Lore Points: 20
“A simple question has split the magical society down to its roots. Mages who believe one must possess a human body to be considered a person formed the Magic Association, while those who claim that a mind maintaining human nature qualifies one as a person became Malefica.”
After the Church of the Sun God launched the Spell Hunt to persecute the Malefica, the Magic Association joined in the persecution of their fellow Malefica.
“They must have coveted their fellow mages’ assets and research materials.”
Tradition of the Spell Hunt!
Experience +10
Lore Point +1
30/100 until Level 30
Lore Points: 21
“Once the Malefica communities were wiped out by the Spell Hunt, the mainstream of magical society shifted toward the Magic Association. For them, it was a very shrewd decision.”
Elenstra looked at him quietly.
“I already know the stories you’re telling me. Master repeated them so often I could never forget. The horrific oppression the church inflicted on our great seniors and the Magic Association’s betrayal.”
She gazed at Tellorian with calm eyes.
“But didn’t you submit that grimoire because you wanted to join the Magic Association? You needed an official status that would allow open activity.”
He nodded.
“Then why choose such a dangerous topic?”
“Because I know that deep down, even the Magisters of the Magic Association sympathize with us Malefica. How long must we keep tiptoeing around the Church of the Sun God?”
…
“I simply tossed a pebble into still waters. The deans may have sealed the Grimoire of Enlightenment to prevent the controversy from spreading… but they cannot stop the ripples rising in their own hearts. After all, they have witnessed that even a troll can become a person with the help of magic.”
Elenstra spoke in a worried voice.
“I think you’re walking a dangerous path.”
“Every new pursuit carries risk.”
“But if your research goes wrong, it won’t just endanger us mages. The entire world will pay the price.”
“If the results are good, won’t everything be forgiven?”
“Your endless ambition hasn’t changed at all.”
“And your caution remains the same as ever, Elenstra.”
“…”
Elenstra smiled as an old memory surfaced. Back when Master had first taught them summoning magic, she had been afraid even to call forth a gentle water spirit.
Yet this guy—
“You really are the same boy who summoned a succubus as his familiar.”
“…Why bring up old stories?”
“It means you haven’t known fear then or now.”
Clink.
He set down his teacup.
“Still, I think that side of you is very much like you.”
“…”
“Anyway, as of today, you are now a member of the Magic Association. You have also been granted the rights of a Magister—to own a magic tower and take on disciples.”
He had succeeded. With this, even the Church of the Sun God would no longer be able to question his identity.
“However, the higher-ups have set a condition.”
“What is it?”
“For the time being, you must be monitored by me.”
“That’s not a difficult condition at all.”
“…Are you really okay with it?”
“The guest room is over there.”
“…”
There was no hesitation in the way Tellorian treated her. Even though they were meeting again after so long.
“Feel free to use the laboratory or the catalyst storage as you wish. I wouldn’t want you neglecting your own research just because you’re here to monitor me.”
She was relieved.
He was still treating her warmly.
“By the way, Elenstra.”
“What?”
“There’s a spring festival in full swing in the territory right now. Would you like to go see it together after so long?”
At his suggestion, Elenstra dressed up beautifully and went out with Tellorian. They watched a traveling troupe’s play together, shared cheap street food at the stalls while reminiscing about old times, and sat together in a tavern exchanging stories of everything that had happened since they parted.
“So those things happened after I left.”
“I went through some incredibly difficult times myself.”
“…”
Just as Tellorian had wandered the continent and faced many crises, Elenstra had also overcome harsh trials before finally settling down with the Magic Association.
“Yet we both overcame it all.”
“You did well, sister.”
“You did well too, you little brat.”
“I’m not a little brat anymore, you know?”
“That’s hilarious. You’ll be a little brat forever.”
You’ll ascend to Archmage before long and take your seat in the Council of Sages. But to us, you’ll always be that perverted little brat.
“Is that just your personal opinion?”
“The other juniors remember you fondly too.”
“…”
“No one reached out first… but that’s something you’ll have to understand, since you were born with overwhelming talent.”
Elenstra thought to herself.
Anyone who spent time with Tellorian would inevitably feel a sense of inferiority.
“It must be lonely, right?”
“…”
“Because you see the world differently from everyone else.”
“…”
“Consider it the price of your talent.”
He chuckled.
When they returned tipsy, memories of the childish games they once played together resurfaced.
“Elenstra.”
“Yes?”
“Doesn’t this remind you of the old days?”
The senior sister and junior brother, reunited after so long, danced and sang together. Elenstra was the instrument, and Tellorian was the performer.
Tradition of the Mysteries of the Human Body!
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40/100 until Level 30
Lore Points: 22
Thanks to their joyful childish play, they completely shed the awkwardness between them. It felt as if they had returned to the days when they studied together under their master.
And so,
a day passed,
a week passed,
and when a month had gone by—
“…Wake up, Tellorian.”
“…?”
Elenstra woke him in the middle of the night.
“I had a dream.”
!
She was a Dreamseer.
She dreamed prophetic visions.
“What kind of dream?”
“A landslide caused by torrential rain buries a village. While the residents are cleaning up the mess, an ugly old bachelor and an elderly mage unleash a torrent of red groundwater.”
After that,
a flood sweeps away everything in the village.
“Let’s each interpret it and compare our results.”
“What is the greatest precaution when using divination?”
“Don’t try to see too much.”
“You remember well.”
“Then I’ll prepare the magic circle.”
"Sixth Circle, Lore of Foresight."
"Foresight."
⟨ Lore, reveal the approaching danger to me! ⟩
“…!”
He urgently canceled the divination spell.
A transcendent being had intervened.
“The Mother of Demons is watching.”
The Abyss had moved its agents.
Because of this, the world line had shifted.
Danger detected in advance through divination!
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Lore Points: 23
“What was your interpretation of the vision?”
“This is my analysis.”
“And this is mine.”
““….””
They matched perfectly.
Alarmingly so.
“I’ll request support from the Magic Association.”
“I will convene the Royal Advisory Council.”
It was a crisis.
A crisis of tremendous scale.
A massive invasion by mountain orcs.
A great rebellion by insurgent factions.
And even the descent of high-ranking demons.
“They will all occur simultaneously.”
“When will they take place?”
“Within two weeks.”
“We’re running out of time.”
Thanks to the Orb of Clairvoyance, both the queen and the Guardian Duke received the warning in time. The credit for detecting the danger in advance went to Elenstra.
“So you are the diviner who uncovered this crisis.”
“Scholar Elenstra greets you.”
“I’ve heard your reputation for prophetic dreams is quite famous.”
“That’s enough with the greetings, Guardian Duke.”
The queen cut the conversation short.
She was fully armed.
“I need concrete information, half-elf.”
“Your Majesty.”
Tellorian interjected.
“Divination magic is extremely dangerous. Especially in a situation like this, where the attention of transcendent beings is focused upon us.”
If a diviner caught a glimpse of the future and witnessed an existence their mortal mind could not endure, they would suffer irreparable mental damage. That was why so many diviners retired as lunatics or imbeciles.
“When facing the Abyss, everyone must accept the risk.”
“…”
“Scholar Elenstra, decide only whether you will help the kingdom or not. If you will help, bring me concrete information. If you are unwilling to take the risk, end the communication and leave the kingdom.”
Elenstra was merely an agent dispatched by the Magic Association to monitor him. She had no obligation to risk herself fighting demons to defend Eschil.
Yet,
she did not hesitate.
“I will help, Your Majesty.”
“Good. I always reward loyalty and merit.”
“The Harrington dynasty is indeed known for that.”
“How long will it take to identify the masterminds?”
“I will report within twenty-four hours.”
“Excellent. Then this meeting is adjourned.”
Click!
The moment the crystal communication was cut off, he scolded her.
“That was far too reckless.”
“I know. The Mother of Demons has made her move.”
“Then why would you act so recklessly?”
“Even so, we have to help each other, Tellorian.”
Because we were abandoned by our families.
We have to become family to each other.
Elenstra took a dream tea and fell into a deep sleep. Tellorian set up protective magic circles and prepared the highest-grade potions. Even so, the danger remained. Their opponent was the Mother of Demons—an immortal of dignity equal to the chief gods.
“It’s time for me to step forward personally.”
It was the silver snake.
In avatar form.
“I’ve been bored out of my mind eating nothing but feed all day. Finally, I have a role to play.”
The silver snake, manifested as an incarnation, placed a hand on Elenstra’s forehead. A stigma was engraved, and the serpent god’s authority activated.
"Fifth Circle, Lore of Divinity."
"Spirit Guardian."
⟨ Mortal, I shall protect your soul! ⟩
Holy light flashed brilliantly.
"Second Circle, Lore of Divinity."
"Spirit Link."
⟨ Mortal, I shall share your pain! ⟩
Spiritual protection followed.
“From now on, anyone who tries to harm your sister must face me first. Furthermore, any mental damage she suffers, I will share with her.”
Therefore,
do not be afraid.
I will make the enemies tremble.
The Inflection Point of Fate
📍 Research Topic: Predict the new world line!
📍 Research Clues: 0/5
🎁 Research Reward: Future Sight [True] (Mythic)
It was done.
With this, Elenstra was safe.
‘The Queen of the Abyss intends to twist the world line.’
If so,
he would stay one step ahead of the transcendent beings.
The newly adjusted world line—
he would read it first!