Chapter 113

Chapter 113

On the Day the Archmage Died (1)

Adel, the caretaker of the Holy Fire.

She was the girl who would come to the window of Saint Clarisses bedroom every day to play the lute when the saint was in the Holy City.

I wonder if its time for the joint combat training I guess well be sparring with the second-year seniors too?

During the night at Ophelis Hall, KylieSaint Clarisserecalled the memories of the time she spent in the Holy City.

Adels songs and longing for freedom instilled in her a secret new dream. If not for Adels influence, Clarisse might have never sought to learn all the way in Silvenia.

Even after Adel had left the Holy City, Clarisse continued to eagerly await the day she would meet her again.

However, despite some time passing since her enrollment, Clarisse had yet to encounter an opportunity to meet Adel.

In the heart of Carpea, the city-state that is both the sanctum of the Telos Order and the largest city on the continent, stood a magnificent cathedral reaching towards the heavens.

This cathedral, known as the Holy Imperial City (, Seonghwangdo), where sovereign Eldain resided and propagated the will of the gods, was considered a sacred place by believers of Telos spread across the continent.

This great cathedral, grand and majestic in size, could occupy an entire large hill and match the size of several lords castles combined. It was, of course, just as lofty in height.

From the cathedrals towering clock tower, one could see the Lamel Mountains to the north and the Denkin Swamp that leads to the Cloel Empire to the south.

Atop that clock tower always burned the Holy Fire in honor of the supreme god Telos.

There sat the girl who managed the Holy Fire, always gazing upon the open world.

The girl who proudly boasted a nobility second only to that of sovereign Eldain was indeed looking down upon the world from a higher place than Clarisse.

Clarisse desperately wished to meet that very minstrelAdel.

However, Clarisse was a first-year, and Adel was a second-year.

It wasnt that there were no opportunities to interact with the second-year students, but Adel rarely appeared at such events.

Adel was such a busy figure that even among her own year, few knew exactly where she might be found.

Without the audacity to barge into classrooms or dormitories during lessons, Clarisse had no choice but to concentrate on her academic life, thinking, Well meet when the time comes.

Yet, as she started to get accustomed to academic life, there still appeared to be no sign of meeting her. The thought that Adel didnt come to visit her even after hearing the news of the saints enrollment at the academy was beginning to feel a bit heartless.

But Clarisse shook off these thoughts.

Her current situation was unique. She was attending academic life not as Saint Clarisse, but as Kylie, a noble from the outskirts. Adel might not know of these circumstances, which could make things awkward. However, she wondered if Adel had noticed that the person currently posing as a saint seemed like an imposter.

Their positions were slightly misaligned. Yet, Clarisse decided not to rush things.

Fate is like a wandering breeze. If destinies are intertwined, one will eventually meet again somewhere in the world and exchange warm greetings. That was what Adel used to say.

Clarisse agreed with these words and smiled while looking up at the moon. Being in the same Silvenia, living in the same academy, if their connection was true, they would surely meet again.

She earnestly hoped that the connection would bring them together soon so that they could address their longings.

* * *

Lucy Mayrill sat on the roof of a hut with her knees drawn up to her chest, her eyes half-narrowed in thought.

Seated there, she could take in the entire camp at a glance, but the sight that met her eyes didnt quite please her.

The spectacle of various spirits carrying well-crafted timber and building huts seemed like intruders breaching her camp.

Technically, it wasnt even Lucys camp to begin with, so it wasnt her place to complain in the first place.

Still, it left her feeling less than refreshed. With a sulky face, she blew out her breath or aimlessly twisted her hair around, almost devoid of expression for someone as emotionally reserved as Lucy.

The girl, who was practically the cause of this Yenika Faelover, was sitting by the central campfire, stretching her legs out.Discover new chapters at novelhall.com

The construction of the huts, originally planned to be driven to harsh conditions by the spirits to complete in five days, came to a halt when Yenika gave Takkan a knuckle rap on the forehead with her staff. The lower spirits, especially Mug, silently wept tears of relief as they clapped their hands.

The construction plan for the huts, which progressed as scheduled, was moving along well until the third day. Yenika was so proud that she sat in the camp all day, humming with joy.

Lucy, sitting on Eds hut roof, felt uncomfortable seeing this. Even if it wasnt Lucy, anyone watching Yenikas actions might tilt their head curiously.

She sat by the fire poking at logs, stretched her arms and legs, took in the camp view, glanced over the hut foundation, then grinned. Her laugh was so innocently radiant that it seemed to bloom flowers around her.

In between reading books, she would glance at the hut foundation and gloat, go out to gather some firewood then survey the surroundings of the hut and return with a wide smile. She seemed deep in thought after practising some spirit resonance training alone.

Watching the scene, Lucys displeasure grew and she eventually forgot to take her nap, sitting up with puffed cheeks.

After about five minutes, Lucy decided to grab a few dried meats hung on the drying rack and flew towards the campfire.

Thud!

Landing gracefully beside the fire on a rock, Lucy dusted off her clothes and stood up.

Looking down, she saw Yenika sitting on a log turning the corner of a book and spinning into rosy imaginations; truly a frivolous expression.

Ah

Yenika and Lucy locked eyes.

Innocent Yenika almost greeted her cheerfully, but she instinctively knew this wasnt someone to be glad to see.

They had already had a skirmish back at Ophelis Hall. Although Yenika didnt like to clash with anyone, Lucy was hardly a welcome presence.

She didnt want to be nasty or say anything unpleasant, but she couldnt just give in.

Eventually, Yenika took a glance at the hut from her seat, placed her hands on her hips, and proudly puffed out her chest, trying to look as arrogant as possible. Even in her own way, she was making an effort to smile, her face radiating a floral glow that Lucy coldly observed with her half-moon eyes. To think such a bright smile could be so vexing was almost miraculous.

* * *

With a couple of pieces of dried meat in her mouth and an armful of elementary books, I exited the student library.

However, I am not without cards to play. Theres Tanya, an insider of the Losteila family, and Princess Penia, who stands in opposition to him.

When Act 4 arrives and Mabellurs manifestation draws near, Crepin will surely expose his own weakness. At the same moment, without fail, he will show his vulnerability.

I must gauge the right moment to strike at the enemys neck. When his vile plot begins to surface, I must be fully prepared.

Senior Ed.

Suddenly, Adel called out to me as I was about to leave.

I turned back in confusion, but Adel, without even looking in my direction, jovially strummed her lute.

The pleasant sound of the strings blended with the splashing of the fountain, filling the late spring square with music.

One day, if you ascend to the head of the family, you will have to kill the person you respect the most with your own hands.

It was a casual remark, thrown in without any warning.

Keep in mind, if you hesitate then, you will be the one to die.

I considered pressing for more details, but it seemed pointless. After all, Adel swiftly strummed her lute one last time, producing a beautiful tone before rising and quickly disappearing into the distance.

Clutching the elemental studies books, I just stood there, watching Adel walk away.

Then, I sighed deeply.

Holy administrator Adel. The romantic Adel. And the prophet Adel.

Her prophecies did not always come true, so assigning a specific meaning to them was difficult but nonetheless, she certainly had a knack for unsettling peoples hearts.

There were many scenes that come to mind when I think of Adel but the first and foremost is her death.

Act 3 of <sylvenia's failing="" swordsman=""> is an important turning point in the scenario. If the final boss, Lucy, remains idle, they will safely complete their role and temporarily exit the stage, but during that scenario, two members of the protagonists generation will die independently of Lucys actions.</sylvenia's>

One of them is precisely this minstrel, Adel.

The macroscopic flow still runs nearly parallel to the original scenario, but with significant deviations already occurring.

Knowing her fate, what stance should I take now?

Professor Glasts death was beyond my control. No matter what I did, he would have seized the seal and taken over the academy, and as a mere student, I was not in a position to influence someone of his standing.

No guarantee could be made that I had the power to change Adels fate, but knowing her unfortunate end it couldnt help but make me feel uneasy.

I rubbed my forehead several times, then with the books in embrace, I headed towards the northern forest.

For now, I needed to return to the camp, finish organizing the books, prepare for wand crafting and complete the immediate tasks at hand.

All the while, there were too many thoughts to organize.

* * *

I dislike it.

It was a clear and firm response.

Lucy, who had been chewing on jerky by the campfire and fiddling with her knees, seemed to be in a bad mood.

This was an unexpected reaction.

I had broken off two branches from the Guardian Tree of Merilda for wand crafting and asked Lucy to help by infusing them with lightning magic.

Lightning manifested with Lucys magic would be incredibly powerful given the sheer amount of her magical power, positively affecting the direct performance of the wands.

I planned to make two wands struck by lightning: one for Enika and one for myself. I wasnt expecting any issue with this request, given that Lucy often grants my favors, but today, she seemed off, like something was bothering her.

I only want to help with one.

Still hugging her knees and pouting, her sulking figure was unusually fresh to see. Usually sleepy or indifferent, this different expression on Lucy was new to me. Though she still looked somewhat dazed and lifeless, the slight puffing of her cheeks was something I hadnt seen before. Im not used to her showing more varied expressions lately, though its not many.

Isnt making one or two the same? You only have to manifest the magic once anyway.

Ah well, if you say so There must be a reason. It complicates things.

As I spoke and ran a hand through my hair, Lucy began swinging her feet in the air, as if something was particularly on her mind.

If you make one who will use it?

Ill give it to Enika. After all, its better for someone who could make better use of it to have it. I still need to practice more spirit magic.

Yeesh

Seemingly uncomfortable with my disappointment, Lucy chewed her lip, bowed her head, and groaned.

Then, she stood up abruptly and walked over to where I was sitting on a log.

Thinking she might stick to me as usual, I stayed still, but then Lucy cast her gaze downward, pulled her hat low, and sat down on my knees.

She lay her back snugly against my chest, and while her weight was barely noticeable, a bit heavier than the pile of books I had carried with just my arm muscles.

Fine, Ill do it. Both of them.

She added, after agreeing.

But theres a condition. Its nothing much.

A condition?

Theres a place I would like you to accompany me to.

Lucy bringing this up was unusual, so I nodded in curiosity without a choice.