Chapter 67 — The Scenario Continues to Unfold

1

The dissipation of mana is palpably felt.

The magic ensnaring the demons steadily drained their life force.

It took but a moment for the masks to freeze and shatter.

After all, Manus, fortified with an array of skills, was far surpassing level 50 firepower.

It was truly an ability befitting a seasoned player on their second playthrough.

Aden rubbed her arm, marveling at the tingling sensation coursing through his body.

‘This is the young master’s unique ability… If you combine this with the prowess he demonstrated previously…’

For a fleeting moment, goosebumps prickled her skin.

She decided to halt his speculation about what might come next.

Such immense power, it’s difficult to fathom that he’s still in his late teens.

She pondered what heights the young master, still youthful and somewhat naive, would reach if he achieved true greatness, and how he would perceive the world from that lofty vantage point.

He would survey the world from a place she wouldn’t dare to ascend.

A thrilling sensation that made her entire being resonate dominated Aden.

“There are no signs of any further threats in the vicinity.”

“Let’s proceed to the tower as well.”

“Understood.”

Manus turned his head.

Suddenly, he could discern two towers simultaneously.

The Ziggurat steeped in darkness and the dormitory bathed in moonlight.

Twin towers with starkly contrasting aspects, as if symbolizing two worlds divided by light and shadow.

A sudden unease gripped him.

What if the tower protected by light also succumbed to darkness-?

‘No, that’s not supposed to transpire.’

The immediate concern is rescuing Emerson, the new ally.

Her presence is crucial to accelerate the impending ascent.

Not just that.

She plays a pivotal role in the unfolding narrative.

‘Lupera… that name continues to nag at me.’

Lupera.

A name that appeared in the main story as well.

A name that had been relegated to a mere passing mention, an optional quest.

For some inexplicable reason, his name, which had previously been inconsequential, now pricked his consciousness persistently.

In any case, all will be revealed once they enter the tower.

After all, all answers emanate from the tower.

2

When she opened her eyes in the darkness, what she felt was excruciating pain.

An unfamiliar space.

She found herself lying alone in a frigid chamber where breathing was laborious.

Surveying her surroundings, raising her voice, yielded nothing.

A crimson moon was visible.

She extended her hand, but felt nothing tangible.

‘Where on earth am I?’

The woman peered through the window.

It was undoubtedly a familiar scene.

It evoked memories of the view she occasionally glimpsed from the rooftop after classes.

She was likely not mistaken.

The question was, ‘Why has the world transformed so dramatically, and what exactly is this enigmatic space?’

She also needed to ascertain why she was here.

‘It’s clearly the school… but who abducted me?’

Her memory was a complete blank.

The last thing she recalled was attending class, completing homework, and retiring to bed.

After that, when she regained consciousness, she was here.

“Mmm-.”

She closed her eyes.

Concentrating her mana, she employed her special ability.

The widely dispersed mana thoroughly scanned the building.

And then-.

“Th-This…”

She collapsed at the overwhelming sensations she experienced.

Her legs buckled, and an immense fear gripped her entire being.

Is this truly the academy?

Could she be under the influence of a succubus’s spell?

If not that, is she trapped in a nightmare?

Her breathing became ragged, and her vision blurred.

“This can’t be real…”

Her trembling body refused to obey her commands.

The presence she sensed was drawing nearer.

She moved hurriedly, concealing herself behind a massive pillar.

She held her breath.

The sound was intensifying.

She was a mage, but far from combat-proficient.

‘Why now of all times-.’

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Taking shallow breaths, she prayed fervently not to be discovered.

Freya Emerson.

Emerson, the second daughter of a family long renowned as the ‘House of Guides’.

Their specialty lay not in combat, but in search, tracking, wide-area detection, and enemy assessment.

That profound lineage flowed through Emerson’s veins, and she aspired to become the preeminent guide.

‘There’s no hostile intent. They’re merely passing by.’

Thud-.

Thud-.

The sound drew closer.

Emerson held her breath as footsteps brushed past the pillar.

The sound of her pounding heart seemed deafeningly loud.

Thud-.

Thud-.

The presence receded.

The footsteps gradually faded.

She exhaled a long, thin breath.

‘What course of action should I take?’

She closed her eyes once more and concentrated, scanning the building.

Countless life forms, no… could these entities even be classified as living?

It seemed as though all these beings were intent on claiming her life.

What should she do?

Her despair continued to mount.

The one fortunate aspect was her ability to evade them.

Would someone come to her rescue?

‘I can’t perish here.’

Dying unjustly was not an option.

Indeed.

She must endure until dawn.

Then she should be able to escape from this hellish realm.

Emerson steeled herself and began to move.

It’s perilous here.

There must be a sanctuary these monsters cannot breach.

She had to locate and infiltrate that safe haven.

3

“Mmph—”

Here lies a person of common birth.

His name is Lupera.

When he regained consciousness, feeling profoundly uncomfortable, he realized he couldn’t move his body at all.

His mouth was gagged, and his entire form was bound.

Through his blurry vision, he could discern an unfamiliar figure moving about.

Had they heard his muffled sound?

A figure he had never encountered before approached him.

“You’re awake.”

No, that voice wasn’t unfamiliar.

The person now visible in his clearing sight.

The woman with long flowing hair was certainly someone Lupera recognized.

Being so detached from reality, he stared at her blankly.

The woman chuckled, seemingly pleased with Lupera’s surprised gaze.

She appeared to be relishing Lupera’s shocked expression.

She casually uttered startling words.

“You wish to venture outside, don’t you? But what can we do? Even if you were to leave now, no one would remember you.”

“Mmph-. Mmph-!”

What are you saying, I’m in Class A of the Golden Serpent faction, he attempted to shout.

Though his mouth was gagged, the woman seemed to somehow infer what he wanted to convey merely by observing his eyes.

A gentle hand caressed Lupera’s cheek.

What on earth is transpiring?

Am I destined to perish here, now?

His eyes ceaselessly demanded answers.

“Remain still. You’re truly a rare and fresh specimen… in any case, you’re a precious individual. I have no intention of harming you recklessly.”

“Mmph-!”

Then release me-!

Lupera summoned his mana to undo the restraints binding his entire body.

But strangely, the mana refused to respond.

For a mage, to have mana not obey his will.

A mage bereft of mana is more vulnerable than even an ordinary person with rudimentary combat skills.

Overwhelmed with despair, Lupera’s head drooped.

To awaken seemingly fine only to end up in such a predicament…

His emotions fluctuated from despair to anger, and from anger to resignation.

“Don’t suppress your emotions too severely. I’ll release you soon. If you promise to behave, I might untie you right now. Ah, shall we converse for a bit?”

With a wave of her hand, Lupera’s tightly gagged mouth was freed, allowing him to speak.

As his airway cleared, Lupera unleashed a torrent of words as if screaming.

Not even cognizant of what he was articulating.

“Release me, why are you doing this?! I haven’t committed any wrongdoing!”

“Good boy. I understand. But we can’t interfere with noble families carelessly. Your birth… you’re aware of its implications, aren’t you?”

“Because I’m a commoner… is that why you’ve subjected me to this?”

The woman nodded.

Commoner.

They say the nobles’ misconduct has diminished, and numerous policies benefiting commoners have been implemented.

They claim the current era is a time when commoners can live comfortably.

But that’s merely the surface.

Those at the bottom always have to struggle to support the nobility.

The fact that commoners form the foundation hasn’t changed yet.

“Indeed-. These days, noble families have grown excessively influential, perhaps because they’re steeped in peace. It’s quite peculiar, isn’t it?”

“…”

Lupera remained silent.

The words ‘Because you’re a commoner’ kept echoing in his mind.

The woman sneered at the nobles.

What future does that twisted ideology paint?

Instead of anger and the fear of survival, Lupera felt curiosity gradually permeating his thoughts.

He was brought here because of his common birth?

‘If so, it implies she intends to utilize me for some purpose.’

And what does it signify that no one will remember him if he ventures outside?

Curiosity.

Some say that curiosity leads to destruction, but for any being capable of even rudimentary thought, curiosity is the driving force of existence.

Lupera cautiously opened his mouth.

“Then, you’re not intending to kill me, are you? You’re not using me for experiments or anything of that nature, correct?”

“Oh my, such hurtful allegations. The reason I brought you here is to shield you from everyone’s attention.”

“The academy will undoubtedly notice my disappearance.”

The power of the academy was not something a single family or individual could contend with.

Even those great families recognized the academy as an inviolable realm.

He had absorbed much knowledge while studying history.

Lupera had long been aware that Mythos Academy was not merely an educational institution.

Hidden spaces, and faculty operating on a different level.

Funds that materialize from obscure sources.

“It’s of no consequence. This place exists in a dimension entirely separate from the world we’ve been inhabiting. Hmm… shall we call it a kind of interdimensional crevice?”

“Crevice…?”

“Only chosen individuals can enjoy such privileges. And I possess knowledge of a method to forcibly guide those who aren’t chosen into this crevice.”

“So, you’re asserting that the academy cannot locate me?”

That’s correct.

The woman nodded.

Then, she offered Lupera a succulent fruit.

The sweet words whispered by that honeyed tongue were an irresistible temptation.

What mage doesn’t yearn for power?

What commoner doesn’t dream of ascending the social ladder?

The hand extended to Lupera was not leading him to despair.

“How about it? You cultivate your power in a realm unknown to all. And then you demonstrate to those arrogant individuals how formidable you’ve become.”

“If it’s power acquired through legitimate means…”

“You can amass power in a far more extraordinary manner than that. In a place beyond anyone’s knowledge or reach.”

Lupera squeezed his eyes shut.

Humans are perpetually faced with choices.

Even if that decision might lead to their own downfall.

Lupera opened his mouth.

The smile on the woman’s lips deepened, a mixture of triumph and anticipation.

–TL Notes–
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