-chapter 87-
The public perception is that the group of necromancers operates under a single goal and order, but in reality, this is half true and half false.
On one hand, there are those who have roughly learned basic necromancy and are mere imitations of true necromancers. On the other hand, elite groups have gathered under a confederation known as the Black Church (黑敎會).
The group led by Tureina was one of the latter. Of course, that doesn’t mean they actively communicate or cooperate with other groups.
[Did Rivadin fall?]
When the 5th shadow asked in surprise, the 1st shadow nodded.
[They were annihilated along with the special investigation department’s wizards. Among them was Tirintid.]
Tirintid…
While quite a strong wizard, it’s hard to believe he could take down Rivadin.
[Was Tirintid a martial adept? If not, how could he possibly counter Rivadin’s chains…]
[He’s dead too, so there’s no way to find out.]
[This is troublesome. The 8th shadow has also died, so we’re left with only four members, including ourselves.]
Just then, the 4th shadow, who had been humming a tune and playing with a sinister-looking doll, giggled.
[Isn’t it nice and quiet?]
[This is no time for jokes. Soon, Tureina will head to the Holy Office.]
At that moment, tendrils of smoke burst forth, and a powerful wave of magical energy surged in the air. In the face of that overwhelming force, everyone fell silent.
“Rivadin was annihilated while fighting off the special department’s rookies…”
With a pipe in his mouth, Tureina pondered deeply on what Valensydis had reported before turning to him suddenly.
“Can I trust that?”
A sense of pressure enveloped him, as if his veins were about to burst, the spine straightening rigidly like a puppet on a wire.
Even though his spirit lingered at a distant , Valensydis’s body was drenched in cold sweat.
It felt as if his very breath was being twisted amidst that storm of magical energy, so Valensydis calmly bowed his head.
[How could I possibly speak a falsehood?]
A long silence ensued.
A gaze seemed to dig into Valensydis’s very soul as it lingered on his pupils.
After the heat emitted from Tureina’s pipe ebbed away, he opened his mouth again.
“What about the child named Rain Ludwig?”
[After closely observing during the final exams, I confirmed that his talent is indeed remarkable; however, it is not strong enough to defeat Rivadin.]
“Really?”
As Tureina pondered with his pipe in his mouth, he suddenly sensed a presence and nodded knowingly.
“Let’s save that for later. I should discuss it personally with the Holy Office. Until then, maintain a low profile and avoid any unnecessary actions. Let’s end our regular correspondence this time.”
With a nod, Valensydis vanished, followed by the 4th, 5th, and 7th shadows in sequence. It was only then that Tureina turned to look over his shoulder.
“What’s going on?”
With footsteps brushing lightly through the dark temple, a girl with short indigo hair appeared, skipping towards him.
“I thought I might need to assist our Tureina since we’re supposed to pull off a grand heist soon~!”
Though she appeared to be a girl of around ten years, her face wore an innocent smile that seemed to belong to someone her age, yet in reality, she had lived for centuries.
‘One of the three pillars supporting the Black Church… Elamas.’
Even Tureina could not gauge the limits of power held by this monster.
“I’ll handle it. I won’t be needing your help.”
“Aww~! No need to be so dismissive. We’ve lost half our strength, so we should take out Lynn while we can.”
“None of that matters. It’s irrelevant whether a few died or how many are left.”
She then approached quietly, reaching towards her master’s pipe, but he instinctively unleashed a surge of magic that sent her flying back.
“Don’t touch my belongings recklessly.”
“Hahaha! I see now, this aloofness is Tureina’s charm.”
These abhorrent beings…
Even though their presence churned my stomach every time we met, I endured a little longer.
‘Soon, I’ll awaken my master, and then, I’ll obliterate all of you in one fell swoop…’
You may believe you’re using me, but the reality is the opposite—I am the one using you.
“So if you ever need my help, just say the word~! I’ll be there in a flash for my adorable Tureina!”
Once I explain later that this was all part of the reckoning, the decree cast down from the church will be revoked.
Then, once again… with my master…
* * *
“Pipi, look! This!”
As soon as I returned to the dormitory, I began to fuss over a particular stone, intoxicated with its power, completely oblivious to how the party had ended.
“Do you know what this is? Haha, are you curious?”
Pipi, who had been sleeping in its cage, opened its eyes groggily, turned away dismissively, and closed its eyes again.
“Curious, huh? This is—the Black Yangrin! A relic of the Emissaries of Emmetcia!”
“……”
“Haha, jealous? Jealous, huh? Hahaha!”
I flopped onto my bed. The Black Yangrin hung around my neck, coiled with a thin chain to prevent it from falling off.
Though I only carried it on my person, I could feel the energy freely flowing through me, invigorating every bit of my being.
To feel this sensation so distinctly within my everyday life, outside of the time I usually spent meditating and focusing my magical energy…
So I summoned Ludian to gauge my power numerically—
Gustaba: The mage’s physical status will be quantified into mathematical figures.
– Current mana level: 39,412.
This number had risen sharply from the low thirty thousands, nearly by ten thousand more—but roughly a quarter of what I had. I was left astonished.
Brante.
– New mana circuit connection confirmed: ???
>>>
Camitishia.
Analyzing the circuit…
– If the circuit remains connected, the mage’s main seal will activate ‘Active Mana Recovery.’
– Mana recovery rate per hour: 3,941 (1/10 of the mage’s current mana level).
– If the circuit should be disconnected, the ‘Active Mana Recovery’ ability will be deactivated.
This is incredible—truly incredible.
Combined with meditation, I could recover all my mana within four to five hours. That means I’ll be regenerating mana even in the midst of battle.
Socrafres.
– Progress in researching ‘Unique Magic’ can be inherited from the surrounding environment.
– Progress rate: 49.2%.
Thanks to sincerely battling Rivadin and Valensydis, my unique magic progress had now nearly reached fifty percent.
What kind of bonus would I receive once I hit the half mark? Rewards are exhilarating just to think about.
But Valensydis… thinking of that bastard made my once excited mind chill instantly.
‘I should have somehow cornered Rivadin this time around to discover who their leader was…’
He knows how I looked when I was disguised and is aware of the techniques I’ve employed (the executing chains have never been documented anywhere).
Who in the world could it be?
Only my party members are aware of this, but Lysta, Kies, Frieda, and Tureina all died, didn’t they?
‘Could it be a legacy left by Tureina?’
If I was to think that way, it would make some sense. Given that she had recently died, if she had created Rivadin and Leverni before her demise…
‘But wait a second, isn’t human transmutation black magic?’
Still, considering how the ‘Children of Gold’ have their eyes lit with fury as they pursue Tureina’s tracks, the puzzle starts to piece itself together again.
I don’t want to believe it.
I’d rather not believe…
But perhaps those who sought the ‘Lord of Time’ may have spied on my past self.
Aunt said that Tureina’s book was manipulated—so there’s no need to hastily suspect my disciple, right?
‘The little brat who listened to my every word wouldn’t go near black magic, so that’s out of the question.’
Above all, it’s still uncertain what they intend to do with my soul. Formally, my soul has already entered into this body.
“Pipi.”
“Pipi, sleepy, so sleepy. Don’t… disturb.”
“Do you remember how it felt when we parted ways with Tureina?”
Without thinking too much about it, I threw that question at Pipi.
To my surprise, it trembled slightly, then after a brief silence, it finally spoke.
“I don’t like Tureina. Tureina often fights with Frieda. Frieda sometimes cried. So I don’t like Tureina.”
In an instant, overwhelming shock swept over me.
“…That cheeky little brat fought with Frieda? Why?”
That little rascal dared to oppose my revered master?
That’s already crossing the line!
Even if I was unable to repay the benefits granted by my gracious master for upbringing me… if I had been there, I would have slapped that brat silly!
“I can’t say, Pipi can’t say.”
“Why? Just tell me.”
“I won’t say. Frieda told me to never tell. I won’t say.”
I was so baffled that blood rushed to my head, giving me a headache at that moment.
That little Tureina really…
Although it’s something I desperately want to know, Pipi always prioritizes Frieda’s words, so even if I pressed for details, no answer would come.
‘Let’s just keep in mind that Tureina was a bit reckless during her later years.’
That way, I can keep my cool about any shocking information I hear later. It’s best to always assume the worst.
I just hope nothing unusual happens.
Then, the only one left to extract information from is Valensydis. How can I put him in a position where rumors of me getting good intel flow around?
‘Still, I saw him displaying magic during the final exam—he’s far from ordinary…’
Class 3 had less than fifty students, and the final exams concluded on Friday afternoon.
True to form, Valensydis snagged the top cadet spot with outstanding results, even receiving perfect scores from both the first and second professors.
However, having seen his demeanor during the encounter against Rivadin, I doubt he is the leader. I find it increasingly perplexing.
‘Then again, getting the Black Yangrin has given me the proper boost….’
It shouldn’t be too hard to contrive ways to corner him.
* * *
Before long, the morning of the next day dawned, marking the time to part from my family.
The Northern Gate of bustled with magical society figures returning to their various cities, and the Ludwig family’s guard squad was grand in scale and resplendently adorned, making it easy to spot.
Upon recognizing Rain and Elin, the family’s knight Swan immediately offered a salute.
The soldiers packing their gear followed suit, albeit oddly fitting grins plastered on their faces.
“It’s been a while, Swan.”
“Welcome back, young master.”
Elin, who had been lazily stifling a yawn beside him, squinted her eyes at the grinning soldiers.
“What on earth happened yesterday? Why is everyone so cheerful?”
“It’s because a successor from a prestigious family has taken first place in the exams. One of them even claimed five gold coins in a betting game.”
Just then, a young soldier shouted, “Thanks a lot, young master!” as laughter rippled through the group.
“Oh dear, oh dear! Is that truly grand? What are you doing here gambling, of all places?”
“Twenty silver coins made up my entire fortune, and I’ll turn it into much more during the second semester finale!”
“Very well said! I’ll help you buy a new house.”
As Rain jovially encouraged them, another cheer broke out, “Young Master! Young Master!”
And with a simultaneous roar from the crowd around, Elin quickly intervened upon noticing the prying eyes cast their way.
“Hey, all of you, quiet down! Is it wise to embarrass someone now? Can’t you keep your mad enthusiasm to yourselves?”
At that moment, Rain’s family appeared on the scene.
“Brother Rain!”
As always, Seria leaped towards him with delight.
This time, however, she was joined by their four-year-old little brother Bran, making it a bit difficult for Rain to defend himself.
In the moment he hesitated, Seria clung onto his back, while Bran stuck to his left leg.
What are you children trying to do?
“Hyung…I want to be a cool wizard like you…!”
Like me? What could this nonsense possibly mean? I was utterly bewildered, ruffling his little head in disbelief, scattering his thoughts.
“To become amazing, you have to work hard!”
I might have not realized while being beaten by Kies, but actually experiencing it feels glorifying.
“Ah, ahh…!”
“Since I’m a big bro, I’ll teach you all the things you don’t know.”
“I’ll just… follow you!”
Then upon spotting two familiar faces, Rain’s smile widened.
“You still don’t get it?”
“I’ll certainly trip and beat you, brother…!”
But before his excitement could overwhelm him, it quickly dulled into feigned composure.
“What if Seria wins first place?”
“She might get to eat my trophy or something…?”
“Huh, I’d better inform you that brother deserves the top spot!”
For as I bid farewell to our family, a certain dull pain squeezed my heart.
“No, we need you to keep doing great work!”
With that, Light couldn’t help but feel proud witnessing his frankness, as he favored his son.
“Kebon, we did it. Our son has reached the pinnacle once more, like you did.”
Professor Caroline took a heavy sigh, her eyes closing filled with satisfaction yet mixed with sorrow.
“Of course, Krista. We can’t do anything but support this decision.”
At that moment, all attention turned away from Rain’s triumph to Krista, who was struggling with a composite expression—part discourage and part joy.
“You voted for me, right? Why’d you choose me?”
“I think both are deserving of the top spot.”
Krista’s discomfort lingered to the end, but slowly it morphed.
“Ugh, you’re already at the top?”
While puzzling away the competitions we faced ahead of us, I gazed at the little figures surrounding me and shrugged; they weren’t merely a burden.
‘Regardless, they’re rather bothersome.’
Everything felt fine, yet deeply-rooted memories twined around my heart as I observed them from a distance, as if they knew something I didn’t.
Ultimately, this was not so dreadful after all, for it filled life with unexplained facets of warmth.
But only time will tell how this tale unfolds.
‘So that’s good, right?’
