Chapter 59: Encounter (1)

Chapter 59: Encounter (1)

Objective of the Mountain of Darkness Practice

The Mountain of Darkness practice aims to enhance the practical skills of mages.

While today’s mana concentration is low, decreasing the chances of encountering powerful demonic beasts, entry above 500 meters is restricted for safety.

Debutants need to earn a total of ten points from this practice. With only six opportunities per semester, make each session count.

1. Discovery of Magical Materials:

: Provide analysis reports on at least three pharmacological or magical materials. (1 point for every 3 reports)

2. Witnessing Mana Phenomena:

: Document your encounters with space-time anomalies or conceptual and abstract phenomena. (2 points each)

3. Demonic Beast Combat:

: Submit records or proof of any demonic beasts you have slain. (2 points each)

4. Magical Insight:

: Write and submit a report detailing your personal growth during the Mountain of Darkness practice. (1 point, maximum of 1 report submission)

※ If you encounter any outsiders, report to your supervising professor immediately!

"The Mountain of Darkness practice..."

The mountain slope was shrouded in dense darkness. An unknown man picked up a piece of paper scattered on the ground, his bearded mouth twisting into a wry smile.

"Practice, is it? It brings back memories."

The paper in his hand swiftly ignited, and the flames spread to the corpses scattered around him—agents from the Imperial Intelligence Agency who had been in pursuit. In moments, both the paper and the bodies were reduced to ash, leaving no trace behind.

"I apologize, but what choice do I have? Survival is necessary."

The man walked away with slow, deliberate steps. The Barrier of Chaos he had created remained intact. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly sensed a surge of pure mana that seemed to pierce through his mind.

“Hmm...”

Blinking, he turned toward the source of the mana. A wind spirit carried its alluring scent to him.

“... I must be getting old, finding myself curious about everything,” he murmured with a sigh. Unable to resist his curiosity, he altered his course.

***

The Mountain of Darkness, located on the outskirts of the Imperial University's grounds, was a perilous area isolated from the capital. Known for frequent occurrences of demonic energy and mystical phenomena, the air there was thick with mana.

As a result, the fish that thrived in its streams were not only delicious but also highly nutritious and rich in magical energy.

“Ah... this is the life,” Epherene mused, savoring the taste of the fish, feeling pleasantly full and relaxed. She rubbed her smooth belly and glanced at Sylvia. “So, what happened?”

Sylvia, who had been nodding off, suddenly snapped to attention and said, “Time got tangled. You wouldn’t have noticed.”

“Tangled?” Epherene asked, her confusion evident.

“I wandered the mountain for twenty hours,” Sylvia replied.

“What? Twenty hours? But it’s still daylight.”

Sylvia created a metronome with her Primary Colors, its steady ticking marking the seconds as they passed.

"According to my perception, this metronome has ticked exactly 72,653 times. That equates to 20 hours, 10 minutes, and 53 seconds."

"Your clothes make it clear," Epherene nodded thoughtfully after hearing Sylvia's explanation.

Sylvia's disheveled state was undeniable evidence. A noble as elegant and dignified as Sylvia wouldn’t have gotten so dirty in just a few hours.

“I didn’t realize. Was it a magical phenomenon?”

“You’re such a fool.”

“... I did actually feel something,” Epherene admitted. “Let’s report this to Deculein’s Wood Steel.”

Sylvia narrowed her eyes at Epherene and said, "Arrogant Epherene."

“Sigh... what is it now?” Epherene replied.

“Professor Deculein is not your friend.”

Epherene let out a dry laugh and said, “Fine. Professor Deculein. The esteemed Head Professor Deculein did say to report any issues to his Wood Steel. There’s one nearby. Let’s go.”

Following the stream, they soon spotted one of Deculein’s Wood Steel shurikens hovering in the air.

“Is this one of Deculein’s cherished items?” Epherene wondered aloud.

“Arrogant Epherene.”

“... Is this one of Professor Deculein's cherished items?”

The shuriken had an intriguing shape, resembling sharp icicles or precisely cut crystals. Epherene tapped it and said, "Testing, testing. Can you hear me?"

After a moment, a resonant hum responded, “What is it?”

Epherene sighed in relief, then turned to Sylvia and said, "You explain."

Sylvia shook her head, unwilling to admit that she had been lost.

“What are you doing?” Epherene muttered, then spoke up, “We experienced a magical phenomenon. Time seemed to get tangled.”

“I see.”

“Yes, sir.”

Click—

The connection abruptly cut off.

Startled, Epherene reactivated the shuriken and called out, “Professor, it’s a magical phenomenon!”

“And?”

“Sorry?”

"This is practice. Handle it yourselves. If it's a magical phenomenon, write a detailed report."

The connection cut off again, leaving Epherene stunned and Sylvia smug.

"It appears he doesn't take you seriously."

Epherene scowled and muttered, "... Ugh. Well, at least this means time isn’t completely messed up, right?"

“The area around the stream appears to be unaffected,” Sylvia observed.

“That’s not entirely accurate,” an unfamiliar voice interjected.

Murkan frowned as he recalled and continued, "Most mages lack empathy to some extent, but he was particularly extreme. He was like living proof of the theory that humans are inherently evil."

Epherene stared in disbelief at the harsh assessment. Sylvia, bristling, replied, "He's now one of the most skilled and renowned professors in the Magical Realm."

"Really? That scoundrel?" Murkan said, his surprise evident. "How did that happen? I've been disconnected from the Mortal Realm for the past five years."

Sylvia retrieved a copy of the Wizard Journal from her pocket, revealing articles about Deculein. The journal featured an interview with the Chairwoman and stories of him shattering the demonic barrier.

Murkan read the article, his face showing disbelief and said, "... Huh? One step below Adrienne?"

Chairwoman Adrienne remarked on Deculein's achievements. "I believe Professor Deculein’s combat abilities are just one level below mine. He is highly skilled in practical combat, both politically and magically."

Murkan chuckled and said, "Has this kid already lost her mind since becoming Chairwoman? That's not true at all. Deculein's talent was neither extraordinary nor lacking. If anything, he was just a bit above average."

"That's contradictory," Sylvia interjected.

Murkan looked puzzled and asked, "Contradictory, you say?"

"How can he be a whiz kid without any talent? That’s nonsense."

Murkan laughed, looking at Sylvia. His eyes glinted with energy as he replied, "Blonde one, you’re both a whiz kid and a genius. But Deculein, while a whiz kid, had obvious limits. I could see it at a glance."

Epherene nodded vigorously, her father's letters finally making sense. Sylvia, however, found Epherene's agreement irritating.

"However, think about it. A child praised as a whiz kid grows up only to find themselves becoming ordinary. How would they feel seeing those they once deemed inferior surpassing them? What if they imagined those they looked down on, eventually mocking them?"

Murkan reflected on those days with a blend of pity and disdain for young Deculein. "I believed Deculein wouldn’t last long. It was a fate no one could easily endure."

Deculein had been gradually deteriorating since then.

"But after reading these articles... two possibilities come to mind."

"Possibilities?" Epherene questioned.

"Yes. Either it’s all a lie or a set-up, or maybe," Murkan chuckled softly, "... he worked relentlessly."

"Worked relentlessly?" Epherene and Sylvia echoed in disbelief. They couldn't reconcile the image of Deculein with the notion of hard work.

"Yes. He wasn't a genius, and I can attest to that. But he was diligent. In a broader sense, diligence is also a talent, often called the ability to work hard."

The Deculein Murkan remembered was, at least in his youth, exceptionally diligent, always striving to improve.

"Though he might have deceived me... if he’s truly grown this much, he must have worked like a madman, pushing himself to the brink. The extent of that effort, only he would know. It was likely a kind of effort only he could endure," Murkan said, tapping on the article.

Epherene silently considered Murkan’s words, struggling to accept them. The idea that Deculein might have stolen her father’s theories as part of his own efforts unsettled her. It seemed unthinkable that he could have engaged in such shameless acts while pretending to work hard.

"If his efforts were truly immense enough to overcome his lack of innate talent, then he must have toiled like a common laborer despite his noble appearance, or perhaps his days felt twice as long as those of average people."

At the same time, Epherene realized that, despite her denial, Deculein had made significant theoretical progress. Perhaps he had diligently absorbed her father's theories. Over those three years, he might have mastered and internalized her father's entire legacy, approaching it with a level of humility and dedication unmatched by anyone else.

"But don't trust him too much," Murkan warned. "Diligence doesn't necessarily mean good character."

Sylvia lowered her head, contemplating Deculein. She had always seen him as a sculpture carved from pure talent, similar to herself. The notion that he might have tirelessly and desperately worked to reach his current level stirred unfamiliar emotions within her.

If Murkan was correct and Deculein had achieved his success through relentless effort, it changed everything. Realizing he had reached his status solely through hard work ignited a peculiar warmth inside her. Sylvia placed her hands on her chest, feeling her heart race intensely.

"Anyway, let's move on from the past. How about it? Would you like to learn from me?" Murkan offered.

"Learn from you?" they echoed, jolted back to reality from their thoughts.

"Yes. My teaching is quite unique. Aren’t you curious about how I assessed Deculein’s talent?"

"Yes, yes! Please teach us!" Epherene exclaimed.

“Yes,” Sylvia said, nodding.

Lessons from the nephew of an archmage was an opportunity they couldn't afford to miss. They would endure any hardship, even if it meant risking injury.

"However, there's a condition," Murkan said, handing a letter to Epherene. "I have a family in the Mortal Realm. You must deliver this letter to them."

"Okay! Now, please teach us!" Epherene said eagerly as she accepted the letter.

"Hahaha. Very well. My teaching method is unique. Watch closely," Murkan said, spreading his palm to reveal two tiny spirits of light. Though small, they left Epherene and Sylvia in awe.

The spirits, known as Light Spiels, combined all element attributes—wind, water, earth, and fire—and were considered more noble than any other spirit. The small, orb-sized Spiels hovered in the air before merging into Sylvia and Epherene's bodies.

"Ah!" Epherene said, clutching her chest, while Sylvia, breathing deeply, accepted the spirits with calm composure.

"Absorb it calmly, without making a fuss. Be as composed as the blonde one," Murkan instructed.

"My name is Sylvia, not a blonde one."

"Quiet. No talking, blonde one."

Though Sylvia was displeased, she soon closed her eyes. A warm, fiery sensation coiled in her core, and she connected with it through deep, steady breaths.

"Phew... phew... I think it's settled. I can feel it now," Epherene said, her breathing steadying.

"Ha... hahaha!" Murkan said, laughing with admiration. "As expected, you both are remarkable. Such exceptional talent."

Deculein had required three days and nights to integrate the spirits, but these two managed it in just fifteen minutes.

"The Spiels will now aid your growth for several months. My teaching works this way—for those with talent, it's fuel; for those without, it’s a fever."

Epherene and Sylvia clenched their fists, recognizing the extraordinary gift they had been given.

Epherene glanced at the letter in her hand and asked, "But why don't you deliver this letter yourself?"

"As you know, old folks always have their reasons," Murkan replied with a hint of mystery.

"Hmm," Sylvia murmured, sitting demurely on a stone. "Can you tell us more about Professor Deculein’s childhood?"

"Hmm? Is that what you're curious about?"

"Yes," Sylvia replied, creating a rocking chair for Murkan to sit in.

"Hmm... I don't have much time, but..." Murkan murmured. Pleased to see such talented children after so long, he began to share more stories. He still sensed no one had broken through his Barrier of Chaos. "Fine. There are many interesting tales from when I taught him."

Sylvia nodded quietly, while Epherene smirked and suggested, "Begin with his most embarrassing moments!"

"That's exactly what I was planning to share. Deculein was always so proper. Once, I tested if he could maintain his manners even in the bathroom..."

Murkan knew he shouldn't, but he continued to talk, unable to resist the children's enthusiasm. Epherene’s expressions were animated, and Sylvia even began taking notes.

But then...

"Is this where you’ve been?" a voice, sharp and cold, sliced through the air, freezing the atmosphere.

Epherene and Sylvia felt a chill run down their spines as they turned to look. A man stood in the dark shadow of the forest, his face icy and steel seemingly rippling behind him. Deculein approached slowly, his graceful movements more terrifying than any disaster.

He stopped at a careful distance. Sylvia and Epherene, drenched in cold sweat, stood frozen, most afraid of how much he might have overheard.

"... Ah, yes. It has been a while, my protégé," Murkan said, his face clouding with a somber expression.

"Yes, it has been a while," Deculein replied, meeting his gaze. "Rohakan."

The name was infamous worldwide—Rohakan, the most notorious criminal of the age, the Empire's enemy, and the most wanted criminal Empress Assassin Rohakan. When Deculein spoke the name, Sylvia and Epherene exchanged looks of innocent confusion.