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Chapter 83
Chapter 83
Come spring (1)
It’s just mixed paint. The early evening sky seen from Aken Island was always like that.
A red energy emanates from the western sky as the sun slowly recedes but as it moves into the vast expanse it loses its color.
However it is difficult to say that it has completely darkened the bluish expanse. There are also stars stuck there from time to time.
That scene cannot be called evening nor can it be called daylight… It convinces us of the justification for the creation of the word ‘early evening’.
Breathing becomes steady and the body leaning against the altar gradually loses strength.
The early evening sky has the power to calm people’s hearts.
It is the end of day and the beginning of night. The world at that intersection is slowly accepting darkness.
[ I know that? I tend to believe that there is such a thing as beauty that transcends time and values. ]
[The clear proof is that sky. Even works of art worth thousands of dollars are subject to differing interpretations and tastes… No one would think that a sunset like that isn’t beautiful. I guess that’s what unchanging beauty is. ]
“You sound difficult.”
[It’s not that it’s difficult it’s just annoying to understand. Anyway humans don’t know how to be moved by every moment of a topic even though their lives are short. ]
The wind wolf which had shrunk considerably in size was lying down on the altar flicking its tail.
As his body becomes smaller he looks more affectionate than majestic. The gentleness of the voice feels like it matches the scenery of the setting sun… I started falling asleep for no reason.
It was worth it. Today was a sufficiently tiring day.
– ‘Ed looks like he’s having a hard time so let’s just rest near the altar for now. Anyway the only way to clean up the rest is to organize the magic engineering supplies and check the number.’
It’s already been over 30 minutes since Assistant Professor Claire said that and disappeared down the hill with the other students.
From my perspective it was truly a consideration that I was grateful for. As Assistant Professor Claire said I was exhausted.
[A life without curves and dryness is the most terrible curse a human can experience. You need to be able to be moved by even the smallest things and give meaning to everyday things. huh? ]
“You seem to be surprisingly emotional.”
[I usually like to be a bit emotional. I told you this last time. ]
Yenika said she was a chatterbox.
It’s understandable how such an evaluation was made against this wolf.
[If a human’s life is like four seasons a spirit’s life is definitely a long winter. If you live a bleak life without any ups and downs you will become sentimental out of necessity. A long life is often closer to a curse than a blessing to the person involved. Actually even if you were a human it wouldn’t be much different. ]
“You’re talking so cleverly that I don’t have anything to say.”
[ So what I’m saying is you should have a relationship you burnt-out. ]
Merilda licked the top of her foot and sighed through her nose.
[If you’re really confused I’ll coach you. People with a style like yours are thorough and thorough in everything but are often insensitive to themselves. The fact that I collapse from overwork and get injured frequently is clear evidence. ]
you… Just as I heard… ”
[It’s so big? I’ve already heard that kind of thing so much that it’s pointless to point it out again. Anyway Ed you are a good match for someone who is more dedicated than anyone else and can provide for you without hesitation. Should I call it Jogangjicheo style? Find someone like that. ]
Merilda was whispering in my ear as if she was obsessed with something.
[If you look for people around you you will find it. He’s kind lively friendly and reasonably strong so you can rely on him… Don’t you know how much of an emotional help it is to interact and grow with someone like that? ]
“Is it something to talk about so combatively?”
[If the summoning is canceled this time you won’t know when you will be able to summon me again. We need to talk about everything when possible. And I’m not saying anything wrong. Right mug? ]
[ That’s a wise thing to say! Marylda! ]
The mug holding the military standard popped from around his shoulder and he straightened his back.
In particular Merilda did not sign a contract with Yenica. She’s just friendly.
What this means is that Mug does not have a direct hierarchical relationship with Merilda.
Still it seems that the reason why he is so disciplined is because he has a deep friendship with Yenika so he is treated the same way as Tarkan.
I may know the world of spirits but I don’t know.
[Master Ed. Merilda’s advice is a precious treasure that always becomes flesh and blood so it is accepted like a holy war among us lower spirits! How about pretending to be deceived and listening carefully to what Merilda says? ]
[ Are you being deceived? Are you done Mug? ]
[No that.. that is… Sorry! This fire candle mug made a mistake again! You’re being deceived! Apologize with death… ]
Before the mug made a fuss and hit its head I gently placed my hand on its wings and reverse-summoned it.
Slowly the magic power from the magic stone ran out. Even a conversation with Merilda cannot last long.
Merilda tried to increase magical efficiency as much as possible by completely miniaturizing the massive body but the high-ranking spirit is a monster that eats up magical energy just by its presence.
Even without making it manifest just interacting with it in spirit form drains quite a bit of magical power.
It is a spirit that cannot be dealt with yet. It’s a form of forced contract by overloading magical power… Penalties of one kind or another are unavoidable.
[Anyway Ed you’re going to get tired too. Two kids came out who witnessed me being summoned. Won’t there be an uproar if I tell the school? It would be nice if I could move up to class A like Yenika. ]
“Will things happen like that? The academic staff are not stupid and if they hear the rumor they will tell me to summon you again. Of course there won’t be enough magic power left.”
[I see… I don’t think there’s any way to prove that you signed a contract with me. Even if you prove that you signed a contract it doesn’t mean much as a spirit priest if you can’t handle it properly. ]
“Rather they’ll just ask how I signed the contract. I don’t want to reveal much about the ring yet. “The source isn’t very clean.”
[Then how are you going to respond to the testimony that you summoned me? ]
“I’m going to say it’s a welcome illusion shown by an improved illusion disk. In fact no one was seriously injured… “It’s okay if I say I did the wind that you caused.”
[Anyway one thing about preparation is… ]
Merilda sighed and licked her feet.
It’s hard to compare it to a weapon but if Mug is a rifle Merylda is a bazooka… No it’s closer to a tank.
The value and power of each shot are different but the preparation time is long and the amount of resources consumed is enormous.
Unlike Mug which can be easily handled Merilda truly sucks a person’s magic power to its limit and even if it does it cannot reveal even half of its power.
It’s definitely not a spirit I can handle at my level yet.
If you are going to make some use of Merilda an external means of supplying magical power becomes essential like using the magical stones prepared at the bachelor’s degree.
Even so the cost-effectiveness is garbage. This is true for all magical powers that have been artificially transfused rather than naturally formed within the body.
The fortunate part is that I have dabbled in magic engineering. Horsepower efficiency and response are one of the most profound areas of study.
If you use magic engineering well you will have the resources to use Merilda well. That is if we come up with a more systematic method rather than a primitive form of magic power supply such as magic stones.
“Now that I think about it Yenika didn’t seem very energetic. “Do you know anything?”
Suddenly I remembered Yenika quietly staring at the bonfire with a listless face. After all Merilda is Yenica’s best friend.
[Oh my… Why are you worried? ]
“Isn’t it obvious…? ?”
[ Ohh… Hmm… Hehehe… ]
Merilda gave an unpleasant smile even after she finished her sentence for no reason.
[ In a way it’s a natural thing to say but there’s no way I could just brush it off that she was reluctant to talk about it herself. I won’t tell you. ]
“You’re being more stubborn than I thought.”
[Who said that to whom? Anyway don’t worry too much it’s something he can handle on his own. no… Still it wouldn’t be a bad idea to be a little worried. Now that I’m interested wouldn’t it be okay to pay attention and tap my feet a little? ]
“First of all I would like you to get rid of the habit of suddenly falling into talking to yourself while talking to someone.”
[I’m sorry. I guess I was also somewhat influenced by Yenika. ]
Merilda shook off her tail a few times straightened her head and looked up at the red sky.
[It is time for Yenika to grow internally as well. That’s the way everything is in the world. Just because you act nice and naive doesn’t mean the world will be nice and naive to you. ]
“I agree 100%.”
[ okay. So it’s okay. It is a process that everyone experiences at least once and realizes it for themselves. The world is not like a storybook. Actually there is nothing special about what you have to do. Just stay still. Don’t go anywhere. ]
Merilda’s uniquely playful tone disappeared and she spoke in a whisper while looking at the sky.
[I told you. It is said that the life of a spirit is nothing more than a long winter but the life of a human is closer to four colorful seasons in its own way. It will be a long winter for Yenika. ]
She spoke in a sweet tone as if it was nothing but Merilda’s voice alone was already enough to make me realize it.
Although he has endless faith in the precarious but steadily growing spirit master he is also worried on the other hand. He said there was nothing to worry about.
Still there is a certain confidence in the calm voice making me feel reassured rather than anxious.
[But spring always comes. Basically the seasons go around and around. ]
“You know how to say hopeful things.”
[ Oh my I’m always hopeful. Useless pessimism is not helpful. … Is this going to be enough? It would be a shame to take any more of your magical power. ]
Of course Merilda does not have a huge body but only takes the form of a small wolf but she consumes a mana that is quite difficult to handle.
“Just because it’s smaller doesn’t mean it’s easier to handle.”
[I’m usually a bit expensive. It’s very uncomfortable to take on such a small shape. Of all the forms that can be taken this is the form that is most considerate of your magic efficiency. ]
okay? “Are there many other forms that can be taken besides this?”
[ Still it’s easiest to follow my own image. Among them this wolf shape is the best. ]
And then Merilda’s voice takes on a hint of playfulness again.
[ why? Do you wish you looked like a more pretty girl? It’s possible but I don’t recommend it. It would be nice to see it as eye candy but your magic power may not be able to handle such a delicate form. ]
done. Stop talking nonsense. “I just did it because I didn’t think the difference in magic efficiency between the giant wolf form and the current form was that big.”
[ Oh my that’s something I don’t know. Well since you used the power of the magic stone I guess you didn’t sense it properly. Unlike the magic power naturally formed within the body such magic power is dull. ]
Little by little the wolf’s body is scattered in the wind. The magical energy that had been forcibly stored in the body flows out and as a result even the ability to perceive spirits ceases to function properly.
At least I won’t be able to regain my sensitivity until the vacation is over.
[A spirit like me wouldn’t make a contract with just one person. Did you really think you could handle all the magical power by yourself? ]
Merilda said a brief goodbye and disappeared but did not continue to say anything.
-Hwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh
Finally the altar is left alone. As the setting sun sets the shadows become long and slanted.
Complete silence except for the occasional sound of trees swaying in the wind.
“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.”
Although they told me to rest as much as possible I forced myself to stand up and looked at the altar stone.
As I was pondering Merilda’s words… Only then did she sigh deeply.
The top of the monument stretches straight toward the sky.
I stared at the place put my feet on the protruding protrusion next to the monument and started climbing.
*
– ‘What is it Senior Onyx?’
– ‘Oh no…’ I thought there was someone on top of the altar just now… hmm… Did I see it wrong? ‘
I climbed straight up toward the top stepping on the protrusion next to the monument with my stumpy body.
The top of this mountain where there is only a lonely altar and an open space. It’s not a good place for people to hide.
Rather than saying it’s hidden it might be more appropriate to say it’s just invisible.
After climbing for a while we reached the top of the monument.
It is the highest position on the summit of Mt. Ounsan. The panoramic view of Aken Island is clearly visible without any obstacles.
When you stand up straight through the flapping wind you can’t see other things and it feels like you’re floating in the air.
“… ”
I sat next to Lucy watching the setting sun.
Why are you here? How long have you been here? What are you doing? I didn’t ask any useless questions.
This is because Lucy is a human being who is not strange wherever she is at any time.
I felt a sense of discomfort.
No matter how enormous the amount of magic stones is there is no way that a high-ranking spirit could be handled so smoothly and naturally. The magical power required for the manifestation of the soul and the communion itself was done entirely by myself but other magical energy contributed to bringing out Merilda’s full strength during the battle.
If he has magical power that can intervene in the manifestation of Merilda’s power it is clear that he is the one who made a contract with Merilda and if so he should be the only one to be considered a suspect.
“I didn’t know you could help. “Thank you.”
“It was a bit hard to ignore it.”
If Lucy had been sitting here since the beginning of the exam it would mean that she had actually been watching most of what happened on this mountain.
It’s a what-if story.
Even if I ended up being overpowered and unable to stop the new students on my own I don’t think Lucy would have stayed still.
He acts like he doesn’t care about the world as if everything is a bother… This is because he is a guy who knows how to roll up his sleeves when the time comes when he feels like he needs to step up.
Whether it’s Josef Eig Tanya or Kylie… Even if he had finally defeated me and completely subdued me he would have had to face Lucy who jumped off the tombstone after that.
It’s not difficult to imagine that.
Lucy who fell with a cloud of dust rising from the ground slowly got up on the altar with her hat on… It’s probably a wall that can never be broken through.
From the beginning this test… It was the height of absurdity.
“I don’t think it’s a good place to take a nap.”
“I didn’t come here to take a nap.”
then?
“Actually I went to the cabin to take a nap… ”
I haven’t been to the cabin almost all day today. This is because I was so busy with school work that I did not have time to focus on camp maintenance.
“I don’t like empty cabins.”
At those words I lowered my gaze.
As we sit side by side and look at the sky that is gradually becoming darker Lucy’s expression still shows no change.
The fluttering white hair and jade-like skin absorb the light of the setting sun making their color tone more subdued than usual.
I walked bouncily flapping my extra sleeves and reached the camp but the bonfire was off and the cabin was empty. I woke up thinking someone would come soon but the eerie atmosphere of the camp I saw in my sleep still remained.
Did you say that Archmage Glokt ended his life in a cabin in the Rameln Mountains?
Suddenly I could easily imagine what the scene would have been like after he passed away and it was difficult for me to give Lucy a specific reaction.
“So I went for a walk.”
After saying that much Lucy looked blankly at the sky.
Sadly this ‘altar of change’ that we reached at the end of our walk… At the end of Act 3 this is where Lucy stands up to face the Apostles of Telos.
It’s so ironic.
The death of the prophet Adele.
Clarisse realizes the will of the Lord and the darkness of the saints and transforms into a saint of disbelief.
The apostles of Telos come down to condemn Clarice.
Lucy tries to protect Aken Island from the apostles according to Glokt’s will.
The main character generation follows the archbishop’s message and stops Lucy without knowing the inside story.
In a tangled web of threads they have even been framed as non-believers by believers but they do not even complain.
The sight of Lucy calmly looking down on all things between the punitive force and the apostles… This is the highlight of Act 3.
Princess Fenia’s imperial guard Lortel’s Guild mercenary group Knights of the Church of the Saints Lucy’s subjugation team of the protagonist’s generation the high-ranking staff of the Bachelor and even the headmaster Obel Forcius were all destroyed and while in a state of complete disrepair he single-handedly eliminated more than half of the apostles of Telos…
A role that is eventually subdued by Taily who has exhausted his stamina and has learned the final sword ceremony.
Only when all the details are revealed do we understand why Lucy tried to kill God’s apostles… Maybe he is the protagonist of a tragedy.
Belated understanding is more painful than misunderstanding.
‘Actually he wasn’t a bad guy either.’ ‘I didn’t know why he did such a crazy thing but now I understand it.’ ‘I never thought he had such a secret.’
Well it turns out that the truth represented by these sentiments is different… Directing like this may help immerse yourself in the scenario.
However if you were to become a party to such fate would you be able to say no complaints?
I don’t know maybe it’s because I’m born with it or maybe I just think it’s meaningless to say it… Lucy ultimately embraces everything on her own.
And I have no intention of stopping Lucy’s actions.
Cold-bloodedly sacrificing Lucy for the sake of love… it is not such a bold act.
This is because it is not a bad ending for Lucy to just let things go like this.
It is only after this third act that Lucy… Because I can now live my life free of the burden in my heart that would not have been strange if I carried it with me until the day I die.
If she doesn’t shake off that burden Lucy will never be able to escape the shadow of Glokt’s death.
– ‘Sylvania Academy is a treasure created by my teacher Sylvania Robester who dedicated her life to the advancement of learning.’
– ‘There are so many trials that have already been observed for this precious treasure. Of course it would only have been visible to the eyes of Sylvania a researcher of theology.’
– ‘The ground hardens after the rain so Sylvania Academy will overcome most of the trials on its own… There will definitely come an ordeal that you cannot overcome without your own strength.’
– ‘When the time comes even if I see this old man… Will you please lend me your strength? ? Lucy.’
A dying archmage.
I don’t know how much weight the story of holding Lucy’s hand holding my bony hand with great difficulty will remain… Perhaps only Lucy herself knows.
I shake off the soggy emotions and once again see the refreshingly open view of Aken Island.
The spread out size of Sylvania Academy is quite majestic.
From the new semester… Now the people who use that huge lot are starting to split in half.
After Fenia and Lortel split the school’s forces in half the battle for justification and political warfare ended up being repeated.
The beginning of the power conflict part of Act 3 of Sylvania’s Failed Sword Saint is… The student council president election at the beginning of the semester will already be in motion. The main turning points that determine the direction of the scenario begin to appear one after another.
It’s a long fight but there will be something to be gained.
I was looking down at Aken Island for a while.
– Tak. Hwiik.
Before I knew it Lucy raised her body came up to the edge of my knees and pressed down on one of my knees to flatten it while I was sitting upright.
When the work is completed satisfactorily he lies down on his stomach and says it as if it was no big deal.
“I didn’t realize this recently either… ”
They say they are waving their arms around absently.
“Actually I guess I’m a bit lonely.”
It is not a natural thing to climb to the top of the mountain just for a walk.
Next time I leave the cabin for a long time I should at least tell you in advance.
Lucy is too flashy to do that… I too have nothing to say.
The energy of the setting sun gradually weakens and the calm starry sky increases its power.
A time when day and night change and seasons change.
Night is coming. And spring comes.
*
“You came earlier than I thought.”
“I wanted to run away from that corner of the house as quickly as possible. “Ugh.”
When Belle Maia tried to accept the luggage Clara shook her head and smiled broadly.
Now that you’re the maid I can’t ask you to do something like this. In the first place he is not in charge of me.
As he said those words and walked forward carrying the bag Belle sighed again with a very uncomfortable expression on her face.
In the first place Clara does not use the Ophelis view even though she is a fairly well-known self-author.
Just by looking at their appearance they cannot be called nobles. Wearing only a plain flared skirt and a solid-colored blouse with her straight combed hair she looks like a village woman full of vitality.
If you were to sit them side by side with anis and ask which of the two you think comes from an aristocratic family you would choose a hundred aniss.
“I somehow got through this vacation well too!”
I hate my overly authoritative family so much that I want to stick to school as much as possible but I still have to go say hello to my family periodically so I go down to my hometown once in a while during vacation.
Then as if he were frying beans in a flash of lightning he quickly finishes all his work and returns to school which makes me worry about whether he will be able to lead a social life like this.
Even though there is still some vacation time left it is obvious just by looking at the way they rush back to school.
“Anyway I almost got scabs on my ears because of the vassals’ nagging. Oh really… Without even knowing… ”
Clara grumbled and handed Belle the gift she had brought from her hometown. It looks like he stopped by the rose garden to give me this.
When Belle opened the package there was a luxurious mug inside. Belle politely expressed her gratitude.
Clara smiled brightly and said it was no big deal then looked towards the scenery of the school again.
“Seup haha~! After all this is the hometown of my heart. The friendly hometown air! Rather than the main house full of idiots who don’t know anything and say frustrating things… “Sylvania is the best with lots of like-minded friends!”
With a big smile he picked up a bag full of gifts and said hello to Belle.
“Anyway I’m glad to see you look healthy too Bell! I’ll just go now! “I’m worried that running out of the stuffy house made me feel too excited and burdened me.”
“Not really but… ”
“Anyway I have to watch Bachelor Friends. Happy faces after a long time… ! I bought a lot of delicious snacks so I’m already ready to invite Anis and Jenika for a tea party.
I gave them a letter in advance and they said they would both come. I’m so excited to see you again after such a long time. There are so many stories to exchange in a friendly manner… I feel like my heart is pounding! haha… I guess I haven’t grown up yet. Well then good luck Mr. Bell!
”
Clara walks away waving her arms in a lively manner.
Belle was unable to say goodbye to Clara who was walking away looking completely excited.
Just stand still and hold the mug tightly… . I was just sweating profusely.
For a Belle she had a rare face.