Chapter 18: The Magic University (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 18: The Magic University (2)
My head cleared as I stepped out into the hallway.
To be honest, I was having a bit of a meltdown back there, but now I think I handled it appropriately.
By staying silent, neither confirming nor denying anything.
Considering how hell-bent the Halfling professor was on rooting out and eliminating possessors, it seems highly likely that the whole exchange was a trap set for me.
The first piece of evidence: the Halfling professor seemed to be in too much of a hurry.
I hadn't even enrolled yet, but he suddenly barged in, rattled off a speech like an American politician during the McCarthyism craze of the 50s, and then casually slipped in, ‘You’re not a possessor, are you?’
Why was the Halfling in such a rush?
He was afraid the Lie Detection Magic would wear off.
Couldn't he just cast it again if it did?
Maybe not.
The second piece of evidence: if such a convenient spell could be used so easily, it wouldn't make sense for the Fox-spirit Possessor in Wyndham to have run rampant in the Labyrinth for years.
And it makes even less sense that I had to kill my Fox-spirit companion myself. Why? Because I could have just reported her.
If I had, they would have brought the Fox-spirit Possessor to trial, cast Lie Detection Magic on her, and asked, ‘Are you a possessor?’
But why would I forsake such a simple path and instead kill her with my own hands? Why would I go through a murder trial and end up a slave because of it?
‘There must be restrictions on Lie Detection Magic.’
Maybe it's difficult to cast, or perhaps its use is controversial, like medical marijuana.
Or maybe, just like how lower-tier spells in the game have a higher failure rate, a target can easily resist Lie Detection Magic by concentrating.
I don't know the specifics, but there must be significant restrictions on using Lie Detection Magic on a free citizen.
That's why the Halfling professor took advantage of the window when the spell was cast on me for the contribution assessment while I was still a slave.
He rushed in right after the assessment ended and before the enrollment consultation began.
He gave a long speech about how we should all kill possessors, then ended with a subtle smile and asked, ‘You’re not a possessor, are you?’
His interrogation method was cunning, too. If Lie Detection Magic is that controversial, openly questioning me would be a legal and ethical risk for him. So he did it subtly, waiting until the contribution assessment was over and framing it as a joke.
‘Damn it. This place will rob you blind.’
If I had panicked and answered no, and the magic had activated, he would have had me executed on the spot, right?
And if it didn't activate? Even better for him. ‘Why don't you join our club?’
‘This is really pissing me off.’
I should have flipped the hourglass back there.
I was trying to save it since I didn't know how things would unfold, but if I had flipped it, I could have figured all this out within twenty seconds.
And I would have found a way out.
Was there a way out in that situation?
Yes, there was.
I could have bluffed with a look of displeasure. A really strong bluff. I am the man who killed a Fox-spirit companion I’d been through thick and thin with. Don't you dare test me.
He wouldn't have been able to do anything. He was the one who'd be in a tight spot for trying to lead me on while the Lie Detection Magic was still active. I had nothing to lose.
Besides, the university is desperate to recruit wizards. If I had played rough, he would have been the one to panic.
If Lie Detection Magic can't be used indiscriminately, all I had to do was hold out until its duration ended.
To think I was walking a tightrope because I couldn't figure out something so simple!
My own lack of cunning infuriates me.
Get a grip, Caleb.
Did you let your guard down the moment you left the Labyrinth?
Now I see that the outside world is far more dangerous! I need to stay sharp.
If I think I'm screwed, I'll flip the hourglass first and think later. Saving it for too long is just letting it go to waste.
Slap, slap.
I patted both my cheeks with my palms, like a dad slapping on lotion, trying to snap myself out of it.
Ah.
Come to think of it, there was an even stronger way to counter him.
Next time that Halfling starts running his mouth about possessors, I'll crush him with this.
“Caleb.”
Clorence suddenly stopped walking and turned to me.
“Yes.”
“My introduction is long overdue. My name is Clorence, a graduating wizard.”
He introduced himself formally.
“A pleasure to meet you.”
“I find Professor Meldini a bit… uncomfortable, so I was walking in silence, eager to put some distance between us.”
“…”
“But speaking to someone under the effects of Lie Detection Magic is not proper etiquette for a wizard who values trust.”
“Do you dislike the spell?”
“All wizards dislike it. We consider it extremely rude. Legally, it can't be used on just anyone. Within the university, it's only permitted for the contribution assessments of slave teams.”
Just as I thought!
I knew it.
“But the spell should be wearing off for you by now, Caleb.”
“Yes.”
I was sure of it. When I was under the spell, my tongue felt numb, like it had been anesthetized at the dentist's, but the feeling had returned.
“Then allow me to formally express my gratitude first. Caleb, I am the older brother of Avison, whom you saved.”
I thought they looked a little alike.
“Thanks to you, we were able to find Avison’s body easily. If it weren't for you, I was planning to go in and find him myself.”
“You were planning to come in yourself?”
“Yes, with Birtanen’s party.”
“A graduating wizard, coming all the way down to the first floor.”
Once the caterpillar died and the monster wave erupted, it would have been impossible for a first or second-floor party like Birtanen's to break through and get to Back Attack.
That's why I risked my life fighting. If I'd known a graduating wizard was on his way, I would have just hidden in a corner and waited it out. Damn it.
“What floor do you usually operate on?”
“The fifth floor.”
“To summon a fifth-floor wizard down to the first… Avison must have some powerful family connections.”
“And you, Caleb, have made school connections.”
Clorence extended his hand.
I shook it and replied.
“I haven't enrolled yet.”
“...!”
Clorence’s eyes widened.
“Don't tell me you're not enrolling because of Professor Meldini’s rude behavior earlier…?”
“No. I just haven't found the admissions office yet.”
“That's a relief. You looked extremely displeased earlier, so I was worried.”
Displeased?
I guess that was the result of me desperately trying to keep a straight face while panicking from the Halfling's interrogation.
“It's understandable that you'd be angry. He tried to interrogate you about your personal affairs while the spell was still active. Professor Meldini is probably worried sick right now that you'll go around telling people what happened and refuse to enroll.”
It wasn't intentional, but my silence acted as a warning to that Halfling.
“Besides, there are many faculty members who disagree with Professor Meldini about otherworld possessors.”
“Is that so?”
“There are roughly three major factions. Professor Meldini's faction believes they should all be eradicated on sight.”
“…”
“Then there's Professor Isilof's faction, which argues that since their knowledge of the Labyrinth is outstanding, we should manage and support them to encourage their exploration.”
He was the professor who supposedly ran the Labyrinth exploration club.
“And the third… is Professor Dalstream's faction, which believes we should revere them.”
“Revere them?”
“Yes. Professor Dalstream is an expert in ancient magic. After studying documents and grimoires from deep within the Labyrinth, he supposedly discovered a record of a certain wizard. Known as—”
I flinched at the words that followed.
“The Turn-Based Wizard.”
Isn't that me?
*
The gist of Professor Dalstream's research, as told by Clorence, was as follows.
Otherworld possessors are the sworn enemies of the Labyrinth Master, which is the very reason the Labyrinth erupts.
It's like a war between two factions with the Labyrinth entrance as the front line. When otherworld possessors enter the Labyrinth, the Labyrinth Master focuses on defending against them.
But if the possessors don't enter, the Labyrinth Master launches a preemptive strike by causing an eruption.
It's impossible to know how long this stalemate will last.
A time will come when the Labyrinth Master will make all the Labyrinths in the world erupt at once, attempting to annihilate the surface.
And no one will be able to stand against it.
Because the Labyrinth Master can capture human souls and drive them into a state of madness.
Only one person—the ‘Turn-Based Wizard’ said to exist among the otherworld possessors—can resist that madness.
“Because that wizard's mental fortitude is supposedly immense. They can even stop the physical world and allow only their own consciousness to operate.”
Well, I can do that. But does he know my body is also included in that stopped physical world?
“In any case, that wizard alone is free from the madness, and he is the only card we have against the Labyrinth Master… That is Professor Dalstream's theory.”
Clorence said, adding a laugh.
“Of course, it's just a legend. Something like a doodle found in an old text. In fact, we don't even know what ‘turn-based’ means. Maybe it's literal, like taking turns in chess.”
“…”
“Anyway, that's why Professor Dalstream's faction is extremely small. Barely three members, if that.”
“Can you even call that a faction?”
“We call it that out of respect, since Professor Dalstream is an elder.”
Clorence opened the door to Isilof's office.
“You can speak with my professor now.”
*
Isilof was a middle-aged human who looked good in a well-fitted suit.
“One minute.”
He glanced at me and held up an index finger.
He was scribbling furiously on a document on his desk.
I sat on the sofa with Clorence and waited.
“My apologies. It was urgent.” Isilof finished filling out the document, placed it in an envelope, and aimed his wand at it.
“Send Message.”
A spell I recognized for the first time in a while. A type of practical magic, like same-day express mail.
“A pleasure to meet you, Caleb. You're quite the hot topic among the professors. It seems everyone is dying to recruit you for their club.”
Isilof sat on the sofa across from me.
“Have you decided to enroll?”
“Yes, I will.”
In truth, I had made this decision before I even left the Labyrinth.
Because there were no other suitable options besides the magic university. There aren't many jobs available for a scrawny, weak ex-convict who's only invested in Wisdom.
So, enrolling is the right choice. I hate the idea of entering the Labyrinth, so I considered aiming for an administrative or research position at the university, but…
‘The Labyrinth erupts if I don't enter for more than two weeks.’
I have no choice. If I have to enter the Labyrinth, enrolling in the magic university is all the more essential.
“Excellent. The professors will provide you with the best curriculum. Will you be joining a club? It's not mandatory, but most students participate in club activities. Myself included.”
The magic university's clubs were a concept that also existed in the game. They were like university research labs, where professors would recruit necessary personnel and even pay them to study their fields of interest.
Meldini had his possessor-hunting club, and Isilof…
“My club investigates strange phenomena within the Labyrinth and delves into incidents that occur among adventurers. We also research things like the Labyrinth's secret rooms, its ecosystem, and its monsters.”
Isilof continued, “Our current field of interest is possessed adventurers. Not otherworld possessors, but people like Mr. Back Attack, who have been captured by the Labyrinth Master's madness. According to my hypothesis, their souls are trapped somewhere.”
As I suspected, the people here still don't know about the Sanctuary of Souls. If even a magic university professor reacts like this—
“Back Attack's appearance presents a good opportunity. We intend to track his soul. The letter I just sent was related to that.”
Isilof said, “If you're interested, please consider applying to our club.”
“What other clubs are there?”
“What else is there?” Isilof tossed the question to Clorence.
“There's the Labyrinth Gourmet Club, which classifies edible flora and fauna; the Alchemy Club, which collaborates with the temple to create new potions; the Enchanting Club, which researches equipment enchantments; the Labyrinth Diplomacy Club, which studies the native inhabitants of the Labyrinth…”
Clorence listed a few more clubs.
“Should I tell you about the student-run clubs as well?”
“Yes.”
“The Flower Arranging Club, the Knitting Club, the Magic Fireworks Show Club, the Riding Club…”
“If they're that sort of thing, you don't need to continue.”
“There's also the ‘Meldini in the Faculty? Does That Make Sense?’ Club.”
“…”
So the Halfling is infamous for being a villain professor, huh?
“I would like you to join our club, Caleb,” Isilof said.
“You have outstanding talent, and since you've fought Back Attack directly, you would be a great help in tracking his soul. And don't worry, I won't force you to do any work just because you join.”
From my perspective, this one does seem like the best option. Professor Dalstream's faction, with its talk of revering possessors, is too much pressure. Besides, with so few members, they probably don't have much influence.
However…
“For club activities, would I be able to form my own party?”
I have my own method for developing a party.
“You're the first person to ask that,” Isilof said, amused.
“Usually, students are afraid of the Labyrinth and ask to join a senior's party.”
“…”
“In principle, forming your own party is the correct way to do things. I won't interfere with party formation at all, as long as you can complete the tasks I assign you.”
It's just like the game. It doesn't matter how you form your party; the professors give out quests. You can refuse them, or you can accept and complete them for a reward.
So, the quest Isilof is interested in right now is this?
“Find Back Attack's soul.”
This is too easy for me.
“I'll form a party and do it.”
In the game, you could recruit possessed adventurers as companions after restoring their souls.
Is that possible here, too?