Chương 83: Frantic Nighttime Self-Study (1)
[Boost your Hidden Stat ( Dexterity ) by 1].
[Advance your Shadow Family Low-Level Swordsmanship skill].
[You've achieved the Shadow House Intermediate Swordsmanship].
Following a rigorous bout in the Abyss, I managed to rack up stat points and skill expertise. A triumph indeed.
Feeling on top of the world, I glanced at Gluttony.
He looked anything but happy.
Well, no surprise there, considering my constant jabs and provocation.
Nonetheless, I chose to stay composed.
"All bark and no bite, huh? I expected more from a Seven Deadly Sin, but I was mistaken."
[You're all talk. If I weren't in this weakened state…!]
"Regardless, you've fallen to me, haven't you?"
I strutted off, playing the part of the jerk.
[I… I admit defeat].
Ultimately, Gluttony was the first to concede.
Perhaps he finally understood that fighting me was a losing battle.
Either way, his surrender marked an optimal outcome.
"It's a good thing I've got your number."
I critique his battle strategy with my signature touch of rudeness.
Then, I shoot him a piercing look.
"There must be something you want to share, something you ought to hand over."
[Alright, I'll say it. There's a familiar scent between you and him…]
"Excuse me?"
[Garen, one of your half-brothers, was the first to pore over the books in this library. I don't know how he found out, but he approached me, demanding the book, and I bested him].
"Ah, I see. So, the book didn't end up back in his possession?"
[Correct].
"You're a piece of work."
Despite the harshness of my words, a cold dread creeps up my spine.
Garen.
House Reinhafer's eldest son and Nox's older brother.
I knew his backstory held some weight, but was Garen truly such a force to be reckoned with?
Brazen enough to invade a premier library and lay hands on restricted volumes?
It boggles the mind. A pang of unease settles in.
'Garen is a ticking time bomb. He's the one we should be most on guard against, possibly even more than Theo von Reinhafer. More dangerous than the Patriarch himself.'
Composing myself, I raise my internal alert level a notch.
Then, addressing the creature before me, I command,
"Now, lead me back to my rightful place in the library."
[Understood].
"Hand over the book."
[....]
"Don't dawdle."
[...here you go].
Once again, I experienced the same sensation as before.
The First Library had returned.
At long last, I had secured a book from the library at a fair price.
I had finally procured the most potent forbidden tome in existence, rivaling Marva's Necronomicon.
'With this, I can delve deep into black magic. It's akin to a magic missile, but soon, I'll be capable of crafting and releasing a dark sphere with equal magical intensity.'
Different spells serve different purposes, but when it comes to raw power, it's a different story. I belong to the Dark House.
Darkness is my element.
What does that imply?
It implies that black magic, which maximizes the use of dark elements, is the most efficient for me.
So this situation couldn't please me more.
[When Noah learns of this book's disappearance, she'll reprimand and question me in the coming years. You might end up torn apart by her hands. Are you still willing to take the book?]
"I only undertake what's within my capabilities."
[As you wish.]
He accepted my response without delay.
There's no point in further discussion when you're already defeated.
With that, I picked up my books and stepped out.
Considering it would be safer, I returned to my dorm and registered the books there.
"Seems like you've found a book to your liking."
"Ah, yes, that's…"
I greeted Lars, who had been waiting for me.
It seemed he'd been waiting for quite some time.
"Don't worry. I'm not interested in what you've chosen from the arcane library."
I nodded.
An unspoken rule among mages:
Keep your adversaries oblivious to the magic you wield.
Revealing this is akin to exposing your vulnerabilities.
For mages who typically lack physical prowess, showing their hand carries more significance than one might think.
That's why Lars didn't ask me about the book I selected.
He's a caring teacher…
"I would never inquire about the book you chose from the library."
"You've mentioned that already."
"Hahaha… The book you chose, I would never…!"
Oh, dear.
It's my fault for assuming Lars, who spends his life buried in papers, is typical.
The blame lies entirely with me.
I retorted in an annoyed tone.
"Even under the threat of death, I wouldn't disclose the book I've selected."
Lars hesitated for a moment before proceeding.
"You mustn't… you can't die. I'm relying on you."
He patted me on the shoulder.
"Stay strong. Grow stronger and assist me with my thesis."
"Insane."
(michen)
The word slipped out against my will.
Insane research-addicted jerk.
(michen saekki)
* * *
I returned and instantaneously activated the Tome.
[The Tome acknowledges you as its master].
[You can now acquire basic black magic].
[Two spells are available for learning].
[1. Dark Spear: Active Skill. Conjures a spear of darkness that impales enemies.
2. Limit Break: Active Skill. Temporarily boosts the user's physical and magical capabilities at the cost of their lifespan.
However, it also doubles the chance of experiencing a rebound].
"Learn both skills."
Ziing.
(jiiing.)
The magical sphere from the book whirled, infusing my body.
As anticipated, neither skill disappointed.
The second one particularly intrigued me.
Limit Break.
A skill that shatters the user's limitations.
Naturally, it erodes your lifespan along with your magical power, but that's precisely why I selected it, so it didn't bother me.
'I have a visual representation of my lifespan. The system will notify me whenever my lifespan diminishes due to the [Time Limit] trait.'
If someone else had acquired this skill, they might activate it without realizing how much of their life it would consume.
That could foster a zone of hesitation.
But not for me.
If I chose to, I could moderately use the skill, and conveniently employ the black brimstone ring for restoration.
That's the reason I chose this tome.
After all, knowing yourself precedes knowing your enemy when aiming for victory in battle.
"Losing a few days of life and regaining it is far better than an immediate death, at least a hundredfold.
Regardless. After acquiring Dark Sphere and Limit Break, I immediately checked my mail. As expected, something arrived just around the predicted time.
I extracted a neatly stamped letter from the mailbox and perused it.
[Hello, Cadet! This is Dean Noah!
In the spirit of nothing less, I've arranged a night-time self-study session for the top seven students in the academy!
Participation will earn you special points, so I hope you'll participate!
Prof. Lars and Mr. Vernon will handle all the details, so just ask them!
P.S. Cadet Nox, you owe me, don't you? I'll be somewhat disappointed if you choose not to participate…..]
"It feels like a mix of a good luck charm and a threat."
Noah is blatantly coaxing me to participate in the event.
Night-time self-study.
The phrase carries an eerie echo.
Why?
Anxiety sparks within my veins.
Despite my faded school memories, one certainty stands clear. Nighttime self-study is a fast track to hell.
Why?
Because this is where the first primary episode kicks off.
The initial episode, is open solely to the top seven students. When I played the game, if you didn't make the cut for this initial episode, it spelled game over soon enough. That's the level of its intensity.
It carries the gravity of a significant event.
You need to be among the highest echelon of students to influence the main story, which then follows its own trajectory and leads to a dismal conclusion.
During my gameplay, In many ways, I felt the system deserved criticism.
Given that the objective of Inner Lunatic is to survive and exterminate demons at Eldain, the premier martial arts academy of the continent, it's practically impossible to complete unless you demonstrate exceptional talent early on....
I'm quite sure the first main episode is the so-called "newbie cutter" episode.
Nonetheless.
For now, I need to scrutinize my situation more thoroughly.
I now have to dutifully execute the first mission Luna assigned me, together with a Lunatic agent named Marin.
At best, I'm still on the periphery, and a minor misstep can kick me out.
And if that mission is intertwined with the first arc? That's a double dose of hell.
Damn.
'More importantly, it's about figuring out what kind of person Marin is....'
I strolled outside and settled on a bench, losing myself in thought.
Sidious Hall.
The fountain nestled between the Sidious Hall and the Pavilion of the Commoners.
As I lingered there, an elongated, indistinct shadow began to tail me.
The shadow then approached, setting off a goosebump-inducing chill over my body.
The stranger's steps aimed directly at me.
Tuck.
(teobeog.)
Before I could react, a woman materialized before me, hauntingly familiar.
A shiver ran down my spine.
A woman with azure hair, eyes even darker, an upwardly curved nose, and somewhat pale lips.
Not familiar.
She was a complete stranger.
In that moment, I recognized the reason.
A gut feeling.
"Are you the feisty new recruit the director mentioned?"
She was the elusive Lunatic special agent I had been seeking, one of Luna's disciples, Marin.
"I suppose so."
The moment,
the woman, presumably Marin, wore a distorted expression.
What?
Why the sudden change in her demeanor....
"I see…? I may seem a bit curt, but… let me introduce myself first. I operate under the codename Marin. I'm your 'senior' and marksman on this mission."
"...."
Marin seemed peculiarly fixated on the term 'senior'.
I concluded it was another one of those chaotic traits.
Right....
"...Welcome."
"… Aren't you supposed to show a little more respect for your superiors?"
[junior asshole].
(jeolm-eun kkondae)
Damn it.
Why did this person have to be my superior?
Couldn't I just bestow upon him a protagonist buff?
No option but to deal with it.
I instantly grasped the situation and opted to depart.
"You're more courteous than I expected. Even in criminal organizations, courtesy is key to promotion, isn't it? Is that a Lunatic policy?"
"That's… not quite accurate."
Marin appeared somewhat taken aback.
But what could she do?
As much as I would like to demonstrate some respect, I simply can't….
I can't help it. I'm a rogue.
I'm strictly forbidden from showing respect to anyone my age, except for the Princess. That would hand Luna an unfair advantage.
"I guess it doesn't matter then. I'll address you however I find comfortable."
I declared confidently.
Even so, a trace of unease lingered. I wondered if such a casual salutation was appropriate.
But then I dismissed the thought.
I briefly appraised Marin's appearance, cross-referencing it with my game-play memories. Marin, Marin. Her face still didn't ring a bell.
Next, I opened her status window.
__________________
[Basic Info]
Name: Marin
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Race: Human
Primary Element: Water
Achievements: [Former member of the Lunatic Order]
[Traits]
Positive: [Cheerfulness] / [Longing] / [Unwavering Trust] / [Master of Mana Sensitivity] / [Charm Appeal] / [Master of Archery].
Neutral: -None.
Negative: [Human Snobbery] / [Inferiority Complex] / [Young Brat] / [Motion Sickness]
[Stats].
Physique: 12
MP: 12
Luck: 6
Willpower: 13
Charm: 20
[Skills].
Passive Skills: [Archery Calibration] / [Auto-Targeting].
Active Skills: [Water Shot]
__________________
Thankfully, she's not a traitor like Rick.
As if that wasn't enough, she possesses two Gifted talents.
Especially her prowess in archery, which provides a significant boost to my rather feeble ranged support.
As always, Luna manages to place the right people in the right roles.
Though, the traits [Human Haste] and [Inferiority Complex] seem a bit bothersome….
But isn't that just part of it all?
The traits [young brat] and [inferiority complex] seem troubling, but….
At the onset, they are just minor annoyances.
…Perhaps.
With a slightly furrowed brow, Marin eyed me disapprovingly. Why? I have no idea.
"For now, considering the mission's urgency, you can refer to me by my code name. But let's get one thing straight: I am two years your senior."
"Sure."
"...."
Marin fell silent for a moment before, and with a somewhat shaky hand, she reached out for mine. Her hand moved up and down in what seemed to be her version of a handshake.
Her hands were slightly sweaty, for some reason.
It seemed she wasn't accustomed to social interactions. It would be appropriate to say she is one of my kind.
...It's a sad realization, but it's the most accurate assessment.
'I'll just have to be gentle with her.'
That's what I thought, but I maintained a smile. Her role in the upcoming main episode was going to be significant.
"I'll explain your first mission, but first, take this and tear it up."
Marin handed me a scroll.
It appeared to be a scroll imbued with [spatial transference].
Mages appreciate this. Those proficient in extraction often transfer magic to scrolls.
Knowing that Lunatic thrives on the black market, I tore it up, but it wasn't my money.
It's not my money anyway, right?
That's what I thought.
Next thing I know, I open my eyes to find myself in a decaying ruin.
A dark, rectangular passage reminiscent of a warehouse from a modern-day noir movie. A few round pipes lay scattered around.
And the sound of water trickling onto the floor.
"Oooh! Ah… No matter how often I use this blasted spell I can't get used to it. Take a seat over there."
After a brief bout of nausea, Marin directed me to a seat.
I found a suitable pipe to sit on and began to listen to her explanation, which seemed to have somewhat calmed down.
Marin was remarkably articulate for a girl who is only two years older than me (emphasis on the term girl).
Marin continued, her eyes aglow.
"In simple terms, we have a single goal: to locate and obliterate a superior spirit stone concealed in the basement of Eldain Academy." {Marin}
"I'm not sure whose magic stone it is… It must be a highly dangerous object. To think that Captain Luna herself would personally intervene." {Nox}
"It's not just 'Captain,' it's 'Captain Luna-nim.' Or better yet, 'the awe-inspiring Luna-nim.'" {Marin}
"To think that 'the awe-inspiring Captain Luna' would personally intervene." {Nox}
"You possess a unique talent for provoking people, don't you?" {Marin}
Despite adhering to her instructions, Marin looked anything but pleased.
Nonetheless, she continued.
"The hidden spirit stone belonged to a top-tier demon of yore. It's Paimon, the highest ranked among the 72 demons, and the one accountable for the Night of Slaughter."
"I see."
Contrary to my expectations, Marin seems to hold a considerable status within Lunatic. She must share close ties with Luna if she's privy to such classified information.
I mulled over Marin's words for a moment.
'Even if its power has diminished now,... 'The Night of the Slaughter'. That fateful night. The demon that pushed Theo, Celsus, Noah, and the three swordsmen and sages to their limits is poised for resurrection, let alone how dangerous his spirit stones would be.'
It became common knowledge only after the bloody turmoil involving the Imperial Family and the Academy. The Imperial Family had destroyed Paimon's spirit stones.
But who were the Imperial Family and Eldain?
Humans, since time immemorial, leverage anything to amass greater power.
They didn't discard the spirit stones. Instead, they exploited them for magical research. And now, they're on the brink of triggering another catastrophic fallout.
That was the central plot of the first episode.
Of course, the actual culprit remains uncertain, but we know it unfolds during these nocturnal self-study sessions.
The first principal episode of Eldain Academy.
The arc <A Night of Labyrinths and Murder> was about to commence.
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