Chapter 50: The Trial of the Moonlight (1)
"Nox von Reinhaber…. It was clear to me, that you knew something about the death of my inspiration, Celsus."
'Ashen Eagle', Paracelsus.
The owner of a name that would be considered unworthy of a cadet is now lying in bed, reliving the battle of a day ago.
The battle against the Nox.
It was there that he suffered his first defeat.
Until now, Paracelsus had never been defeated by an enemy, despite the harshness of his environment. This made the current situation unbelievable.
Nor did he understand why Nox had provoked him in the first place by bringing up his master. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't come up with an answer…..
It was true that there was something fishy going on.
Besides.
'It was only for a split second… but his speed completely outpaced mine. How is that possible? I've never seen anything like him in the first place, except for inspiration....'
Celsus was the only one he recognized as his master with a sword.
Paracelsus's mentor, one of the pinnacles of the world, the Three Sword Masters.
But what was it about Nox's behavior during the battle?
How did he display such quick reflexes, and how did he end up slaying a beast he hadn't even realized was there, saving a girl in danger?
Nox von Reinhafer. Where does he come from and what does he know?
Honestly, he's not sure.
A man who knows his master is Celsus.
That's a pretty loose characterization.
In the first place, not many people in the world know that Celsus is his Master.
With the possible exception of Noah von Trinity, none of the instructors would recognize his Master's [Bow Blade].
At some point, Celsus' sword changed.
It would be impossible for him to recognize his own sword when it was handed to him.
For a moment, Paracelsus lay on his back with his arm slashed, lost in thought.
He closed his eyes and let the breeze come in through the open window.
The lights in the commoners' dormitories were already out.
The dormitories here, called [Pavurs], are not as nice as the luxury dormitories of the nobility.
However, it's still worthy of the name Eldaine, so it's not too bad….
The commoners' dormitories at other academies don't even have proper meals. This is the age of the 'divine' Arkheim, after all.
Paracelsus recalled his mentor's last words before his death.
-Emperor of the Empire. Esteban von Arkheim's tyranny has divided the imperial family, and his daughter, Penelope, is being raised as a benevolent princess. It seems clear that Janos is in on it.
-You will have to take sides to survive.
-You'll have to choose soon enough.
-I've already told you. You will enter Eldain Academy. There, you will decide which side you will stand on. That is your final task.
-I'm sorry for leaving you… first.
The eyes of his teacher, who had been worried about him until the very end, opened.
"Hmph!"
Paracelsus realized for a moment that he had fallen asleep.
He realized that he had once again relived the hellish dream he had every night.
His master bleeding to death.
His back like a mountain, always. He thought he couldn't chase after him, but he fell apart in an instant.
When he returned from his usual training, he found his master lying on the ground, bleeding, and saying, "I give you everything."
-I have given you everything I have.
-Now that my story is over… yes, I will give you a gift. Celsus… I give you my name. One day you will surpass me.
-From now on, your name is Paracelsus, which means to surpass me.
Throbbing.
Still palpitating. A memory that makes a part of my chest ache.
The Master had given him everything.
In his final moments, he gave his name, deciding who would carry on his legacy.
"One way or another, I will find out why my inspiration died. Even if it means selling my soul to the devil."
At that moment, Paracelsus closed his eyes again.
A glimmer of red light peeked through his white gloves, illuminating the darkness, but only silently.
* * *
[Let's Drink Through a Goblin's Crooked Nose].
Not many people know that there is a tavern with the absurd name of ….
It's safe to say that not many students know about it, and certainly not many people come here at this late hour.
But I'm different. In the game, this is a place I've been to many times, and it wasn't hard to find my way around.
I searched my memory for the tavern's description in the game.
'A small fountain, just after you bypass Sidus Hall, the noble dormitory of Eldain Academy, and exit to the west. If you walk slowly while feeling the atmosphere, you will find a bar that is maintained in subspace….'
After searching my memory, I succeeded in finding the tavern.
As I headed inside, I was greeted by a middle-aged man with a familiar face from the game.
"What are you doing here, little brat, are you lost?"
His tone was very condescending.
Since I've never received any favors since becoming a Nox, I'm glad I'm able to take it in stride, otherwise I might have been quite hurt....
I calmly recited the phrase I'd been repeating to myself on the way here.
"Moonshine to Talon Feather, and a toast to the Empire."
"...."
For a moment, the middle-aged man's gaze meets mine.
There were no guests inside. Just a woman in a robe.
Even she doesn't seem to be drinking.
'Of course, this is one of the few places with a portal to the headquarters of the largest criminal organization, Lunatic.'
"…Enter. I don't know why 'he' would give a kid like you a passphrase, but…."
"Don't you have a full name?"
"Kaylon. That's what everyone calls me."
"I'll go."
I replied dryly, then headed for the display case in the far corner of the bar, taking a good look at the fifth shelf on the left.
At first glance, it doesn't look like much, but it's enchanted with high-dimensional transport magic.
It creates a pathway that can be traveled from one place to another in the order of its placement. It is a one-of-a-kind concentration of technology and magic.
'The order is… three, one, eight, four.'
I pulled the tassels from the fifth shelf on the left in order.
Three, one, eight, four.
This is a device that opens a special portal that will take you directly to Lunatic's headquarters.
Dddddd.
(deudeudeudeu)
The portal opens and the cupboard plunges into darkness.
Heuk, I feel dizzy.
I'm bombarded with magic that blurs my sense of space.
[You have been exposed to high-level magic].
[Mana temporarily backfires].
[Talent 'Mana Sensitivity Genius' neutralizes this].
[Transporting the player to a designated location].
At the end of a series of system sounds.
I could feel dozens of eyes on me, along with a murderous lump in my throat.
And with it, a sour, cold woman's voice.
"What are you?"
I opened my eyes silently to see the woman pointing the sword at me.
Brilliant blonde, golden eyes. Then snow-white skin and a cold scowl.
Shimmering white in the moonlight. A woman with a sword as cold as frost.
She was beautiful in color, but her expression was blunt.
I already know.
Although she is hidden now....
there is no disputing that she is one of the strongest beings on the continent.
"Luna."
The woman in front of me narrows her pupils. She seems surprised to hear her name.
But before I know it, her expression is back to normal. I can feel the dagger digging a little deeper into my uvula.
Blood trickles down.
[Talent 'Master of Acting' helps players perform to the extreme].
I spoke without changing my expression.
"The head of the Lunatic, the only one of the Three Swordsmen whose face is not even known. A mysterious being. …has come for you."
"It's bad enough that you've found my secret headquarters, but you've discovered my identity?"
Luna's expression hardened, and a massive burst of sword energy erupted from her.
"I'll ask you again. Who are you?"
"Nox von Reinhafer."
I smile at the woman who could punch me in the throat and send me flying in a single blow.
"I would like to join the 'Lunatic'."
* * *
__________________
[Basic Info]
Name: Luna
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Race: Human
Primary Element: Moonlight
Achievements: -.
[Traits].
Affirmations: [Genius with the sword and martial arts] / [Warlike] / [Psychic].
Neutral: [Cold].
Negative: [Cruelty] / [Madness] / [Rampage] / [Agitation]]
[Stats]
Physique: 27
MP: 24
Luck: 4
Willpower: 25
Charm: 25
[Skills]
Passive Skills: [Speculation] / [Penetrating Eyes] / [Intimidation]…
Active Skills: [Moonblade (Master)] / [Mana Blast]…
*There is some undisclosed information. Additional information about the character will be unlocked as you progress through the story.
__________________
Luna.
It's fair to say that this character requires quite a few descriptions.
At the very least, she's a third teir swordswoman at the age of twenty.
She's a monster with ridiculous stats.
The fact that she's the only person in the entire heavens and earth to hold the mastery of one of the greatest swords, the Moonlight Sword.
However, all of these things are secondary.
Luna's true value as a character lies in the "something" that is hidden behind the veil.
A question that I, too, was unable to answer in Part 1.
Why does she have these powers, why is she involved in a secret organization, why did she become a villain, and why did she later participate in the Princess's assassination?
It still leaves a lot to be answered, but I think there's a reason for Luna's behavior, at least from what I've seen in the game.
Obviously, she's a black market mogul and has amassed wealth through her connections to House Rivalin and the Underworld.
But she's also a vigilante who helps other poor people and kills corrupt nobles.
She doesn't take unnecessary lives. Hence the question.
Lunatic… can we judge this organization by what we see?
Why was the game titled "Inner Lunatic"?
After much questioning, I decided it was worth taking a gamble, which is why I sought her out to join Lunatic.
"Do you have any idea what our 'Lunatic' is like? From the looks of you… you're like that guy from House Reinhafer."
Luna snorted.
"It is a gift to be able to distinguish between courage and indiscretion. Even if you were Theo's son, do you think you'd make it out of here alive?"
Theo.
The name of Nox's father, the owner of the Supreme Black Sword, came out of Luna's mouth.
Not surprisingly, they've been colluding from the start.
They're planning to bring down the Arkheim Empire and the Holy Family. They're organizing for rebellion, so to speak.
It's no wonder they're on opposite sides of the fence.
Though I wasn't sure it would be at this point, anyway.
"Eldain is supposed to be neutral toward the nations, but in practice, they're not. They have a huge knight and wizard training organization under their control, and they're recruiting like crazy. It's not exactly clean."
"…What are you trying to say?"
"That there are spies among the incoming students."
Startled.
(Heumchis)
Luna's body shuddered slightly for a moment.
"Wouldn't that help bring down the Arkheim Empire?"
I continued slowly, studying Luna's reaction.
"That means we could plant a spy there, Noah von Trinity. One of the Four Sages is the dean there."
She must be going through a severe internal conflict right now. I'm sure she's thinking I'm pretty valuable.
In reality, Eldain is directly affiliated with the imperial family.
They claim to be neutral, but she's their dog.
I was originally tempted to plant a spy on them as a student, but that would have given away their location.
But I've already passed the test.
If I were to become a student and act as a spy, it would certainly give Lunatic's activities a boost. It would also be perfect as a villain.
I seized the momentum and cut to the chase.
"But I don't mean to go against tradition, I just… I'm asking you to let me go through the trials."
"What?"
The tip of Luna's sword twitched.
She's afraid. One wrong move with the sword and I'll be dead… I should've gotten Noah a scroll that would've given me a genius time reprieve.
Damn, that wouldn't do much good against the Three Swordsmen.
"Those who undergo the [Trial of the Moonlight] are accepted into Lunatic unconditionally, with no strings attached. Isn't that a condition?"
"You… how much do you know about our organization?"
"Well, at least know I came here on purpose, and I know you're the head of this organization, so let me take the ordeal."
"...."
Luna considered for a moment. She must be using her talent [Psychic] to see through my true intentions.
As one of her primary traits, Perception is light on lies.
That is… unless she has a talent that is at least as good as [Master of Smoke].
For a moment, her gaze sweeps over me. I could hear the sound of grasshoppers in the background.
That's right. I was distracted by the sword, but this was a forest.
One of the most feared places in the game, a hellish forest where countless people had died.
"After the trial, you will be one of two things."
Luna continued, her lips parting in thought.
"Either you die and become a corpse, or you pass the ordeal and become one of the Lunatics."
"You're not going to keep me alive if I turn back now, are you? If so… I might as well do something."
"I'll see how long you can tease that tongue. Follow me."
Okay. Success.
I'd somehow gotten permission to conduct the ordeal.
Luna winked at me, and I was handed a hood woven from a fine fabric by the man who glared at me from her side.
Black and unremarkable, it seemed. But inwardly, I sang a song of joy.
This thing is worth more than you can imagine.
It's a little big now, but....
If I pass the test, I'll probably get one in my size.
"Put… on… that… hood… and… follow… behind… Luna-sama...."
"Do I have to wear the hood?"
"Yes… so… you are not… exposed… to the 'madness'..."
I already knew why I had to wear a hood, but I asked just to be sure.
The reason they issued the hoods, which were like black shields, was simple.
An initiation test called the [Trial of the Moonlight.]
The place where it was held. Or, more precisely, the moon above them.
"The red moon… exposure to that light… drives most people insane… madness… might be a better word… I don't know...."
"I see."
The moon hung blood red in the sky.
I realize now that I haven't told you the name of this forest yet.
[Forest of Madness and Death].
The moon that can be observed here is red in color, and the longer one is exposed to its light, the more insane they become.
They are exposed to a state of insanity.
However, this is not the case for everyone.
Those with a strong willpower and high stats can survive for a long time in these places.
Such as Luna, who walks ahead without a hood.
Luna says nonchalantly.
"You are about to undergo the Trial of the Moonlight. Remove your hood, stand on the altar, and kill any demons that attack you in this forest. When you have done so, you will have passed the trial."
"Understood."
I took a step, then another, toward the altar.
In truth, I was ready.
But I needed to see just how much this insanity would consume me.
I took a calming breath and stepped onto the altar.
I looked at Luna, who nodded, and removed my hood.
['Red Moonlight' grants the player the 'Insanity' status ailment].
[Caution! Players may lose their Ego].
[Caution! Once you lose your Ego, you cannot regain it].
I opened my eyes to the sound of the system.
The world flashed red all around me.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone