Chapter 63 – Disaster Flows Downward
#1
The Tower of Time, bathed in an eerie dark green.
In a place that should have been devoid of all, a black entity oozed forth.
Splat-.
Something exuding an ominous mana, akin to slime, gradually took form.
[Hmm-!]
A mask.
A distinctive sound emanated from that sinister and enigmatic being.
It was truly an extraordinary occurrence.
Ordinarily, masked entities should rightfully be bound to the tower.
Ziggurat.
The tower, erected by the God of Death’s power, was also known as the place that sealed all death residing in the world.
[Hmm-!]
Splat-!
Another sound reverberated.
Two.
It was a subtle, yet significant change.
The masks silently glided through the dark green world, then vanished into the ether.
The upper floors of the tower remained sealed, and those deemed the chosen ones were awakening in another realm.
Their primary duty remained that of students.
To acquire as much knowledge as possible.
Those studying diligently for someone bearing a great burden above.
[Hmm hmm-!]
[Hmm!]
They remained oblivious to the encroaching darkness.
As always, calamities strike when peace reigns supreme.
The two masks melted into the shadows.
Needless to say, no one noticed the disappearance of two masks.
While everyone focused on their individual tasks, disaster seeped into daily life, unnoticed and unchallenged.
“Yaaawn-. Isn’t it incredibly advantageous that we can study separately for six hours a day?”
“Indeed, it is.”
The two women gazing at the dark green sky didn’t lower their eyes.
Though danger lurked, the dormitory hadn’t transformed into a tower.
They were engrossed in accumulating knowledge.
The joy of studying in a time others couldn’t experience.
It was a sentiment that would horrify many modern students, but here, mages poured countless hours into indulging in knowledge.
Investing time meant becoming stronger.
‘In that sense, we’re truly blessed.’
Anais was studying for the end-of-month evaluation with Melanie and Kael.
To maintain their position in Class A, they had to study relentlessly, day and night.
This month’s evaluation included dueling, written exams, and monster hunting.
All three were crucial subjects.
Especially since the written exam was rumored to be set by the notorious Professor Trail himself, they needed to thoroughly grasp magical knowledge.
‘I wonder what senior is doing now.’
A thought that suddenly crossed her mind.
It was a question that arose unbidden, without any prompting.
Is he faring well on his mission?
Surely senior would claim first place in the end-of-month evaluation?
“…Huh?”
“Shall we call it a day?”
When she turned her head, she noticed that Kael and Melanie were also staring blankly out the window.
Anais suggested with a wry smile upon realizing this.
It seemed none of them could concentrate anymore.
The two nodded.
As their friend observed, the atmosphere was no longer conducive to focus.
They naturally dispersed and returned to their respective rooms.
Anais gazed at the woman sleeping soundly.
It was none other than her roommate.
‘They probably don’t even know in their dreams.’
Suddenly, she pondered the criteria for being chosen.
She mulled it over for a moment, but of course, no answer was forthcoming.
Anais tidied up her space and slipped into bed to sleep.
Her figure, hugging the blanket and closing her eyes, gradually became enveloped in darkness.
#2
As day broke, Manus returned to the academy once more.
Proudly clutching a document certifying his successful mission.
Today seemed like another ordinary day.
[Hoing!]
The cotton ball, now grown considerably larger to about the size of a fist, perched on his shoulder and cried out.
Perhaps thanks to Albion, Manus’s image had softened noticeably, as students who previously couldn’t even make eye contact now glanced at him furtively.
Though they still startled when they actually met his gaze.
“Manus, you’re back.”
“Was everything alright?”
It was like a phoenix with burning wings resting on a snowy field.
Some might find the sight amusing, but no one would dare voice such thoughts in front of the Student Council President Alano and the divine beast Phoenix.
When Manus didn’t take his eyes off the Phoenix rather than Alano, she tugged at his sleeve.
There was a hint of force in her eyes.
It wasn’t hard to guess the emotion Alano was experiencing.
“He, he said he doesn’t want to be anywhere else. Could you not stare so obviously?”
“My apologies.”
Manus failed to suppress his laughter.
At the chuckles escaping him, Alano only blushed more deeply.
Nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, and it was the season to prepare for the upcoming end-of-month evaluation.
Alano handed over a notebook and continued speaking.
“Last class. The end-of-month evaluation will consist of dueling, monster hunting, and written exams.”
“As per usual.”
“That’s right, but the academy is preparing some variables. I haven’t been privy to the details either.”
If even the Student Council President was in the dark, the professors must be discussing it in strict secrecy.
Manus, confident in his ability to overcome any conditions, soon turned his attention elsewhere.
The next area of the tower would open soon.
The condition was to resolve ‘some incident’.
He should gather everyone and brief them on what’s to come.
It would be ideal to speak openly, but they still needed time to mature.
‘It’s only been a month. They need to grow stronger for 3 more years.’
Today, tomorrow, and in the future.
They will have no peaceful days.
The same applies to Manus himself.
“See you at the club room after today’s classes.”
“All of us?”
“Yes. Please.”
Alano nodded.
She was certain that Manus possessed knowledge they didn’t.
It was the same during the Night of the Dead.
This time too, he would provide them with guidance.
The nature of his secret was irrelevant.
Only that it was undoubtedly crucial information for them at present.
‘I’d like to investigate bit by bit… but Caesar is untouchable.’
If the Caesar family was also aware of the tower’s existence.
If they had been devising countermeasures for decades.
It wouldn’t be incomprehensible that Manus was moving forward so boldly now.
Alano decided to place her trust in her friend.
“I’ll inform them. 3rd-year classes again today?”
“Yes. See you later.”
Manus strode away confidently, his robe fluttering behind him.
They parted ways to focus on their respective classes.
The anomaly began after classes commenced.
It occurred while evading the watchful eyes of the massive irregular, Manus.
Two seats were vacant.
2nd Year Class A.
In a place gathering only the most outstanding students, empty seats were a truly jarring sight.
‘One is Manus… who’s the other?’
Before the professor entered, Alano checked who hadn’t come to class.
They were students who would be upset to be called second in ability.
They wouldn’t have gone somewhere to get beaten up.
‘No family background… Lupera?’
There are certainly talented individuals even among commoners.
Lupera, who didn’t bear a noble surname, was a prime example.
He was a classmate who was particularly wary of Manus.
Red hair and petite stature.
A friend with a distinctive mole on one side of his face.
Quiet and timid, but with innate talent for magic.
‘Did he embark on a mission?’
“Good to see you all. You must be busy with the end-of-month evaluation, but let’s have a special lesson today.”
Just then, the professor entered and greeted them pleasantly.
Alchemy class.
A somewhat practical discipline of manufacturing potions and medicines.
Memorizing formulas was particularly crucial for distinguishing questions in written exams.
After brief greetings, the professor called attendance.
Alano noticed something strange in the professor’s words.
“Since Manus is attending 3rd-year classes, there are no absences.”
“Professor, Lupera isn’t here.”
Alano responded immediately.
Even if a commoner, he’s still an academy student.
How could a professor forget about him?
No, the person before them was an alchemist renowned for his diligence.
A professor who had committed hundreds, thousands of medicinal ingredients to memory.
From uses to appearances, smells, and characteristics, and so on.
“Hm? Lupera? There’s no such person in our academy.”
“What?”
Alano blurted out in bewilderment.
Had he truly forgotten?
Or was he under some spell?
Confusion clouded her mind.
He was a promising talent.
They had been in the same Class A for a year, and he had decent relationships with professors.
Yet, he claims not to know the name Lupera?
“Perhaps you’re confusing it with someone from your family? Hmm… no matter how I think about it, I don’t recall anyone named Lupera.”
“Ah, I, I must have been mistaken. I apologize.”
“Haha, you must be overwhelmed these days. Take it easy. Well then, let’s commence the class.”
Alano glanced around with a dumbfounded expression.
She was trying to discern if anyone else remembered Lupera like her.
However, no one seemed to empathize with her expression and emotions.
Everyone’s eyes seemed to say:
‘Did you eat something strange?’
‘You’re behaving oddly today.’
Alano turned away from the incomprehensible expressions.
‘What on earth is transpiring-.’
Why, why is she the only one experiencing this cognitive dissonance?
No, why don’t others remember Lupera?
Throughout the class, she pondered the cause of this sudden anomaly.
“Alright, that’s all for today. Good work everyone.”
“Thank you for your guidance!”
As soon as class ended, Alano sprang from her seat.
She was someone who never ran under normal circumstances.
Alano, who always maintained her dignity as a noble, cast aside all such pretenses today and dashed towards where the 3rd-years were.
“Manus!”
She spotted Manus leisurely leaving the 3rd-year classroom after finishing his class.
With nothing else in sight, she grasped the wrist of Manus, known as a tyrant, and started walking.
Naturally, those who had been in class with Manus all looked at the two with curious glances.
“Oh my, is there something between those two?”
“Well… they do make a striking pair, don’t they?”
“It’s Harrison and Caesar. I can understand them being close like that.”
But for her to run up so breathlessly, what could have happened?
Perhaps there were marriage negotiations between their families?
Originally, rumors spread as fast as wildfire, and there were many in the academy who reveled in gossip.
Alano moved because of a truly serious matter, but people with already distorted perceptions only spawned false rumors.
Manus looked at Alano, who was suddenly pulling him along.
Even he was rarely flustered.
“Did something significant occur?”
“Manus. Do you remember Lupera?”
Of course.
Having attended the same class, he at least knew his name.
And that he was particularly afraid of him.
As the only commoner in Class A, he left a deeper impression.
Not remembering him was simply inconceivable for Manus’s mind.
So he nodded.
Alano let out a deep sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness.”
“What’s going on? Don’t tell me…”
Manus knew what was going to happen next.
Not yet, it wasn’t time for that to happen yet.
The scenario was supposed to unfold after the end-of-month evaluation when the tower began to move in earnest.
He frowned and questioned Alano.
Hoping his ominous premonition was mistaken.
But, as always, ominous premonitions tend to come true.
“No one… no one remembers Lupera. No one-.”
“…”
Manus’s expression darkened ominously.
–TL Notes–
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading
Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/jB26ePk9