Chapter 71: Drifter From The Otherworld ~Before~

Chapter 71: Drifter From The Otherworld ~Before~

Selvier, the Red Tower Wizard, spent her time fairly efficiently in the Academy. She was worried about not being able to catch up with the class, but her natural-born talent allowed her to absorb all the Professor's teachings like a sponge.

In 『Introduction to Basic Elements』, she was able to deepen her understanding of each elements, and in 『All About Close Combat, she learned how to handle close combat as a wizard.

Although she received bruises here and there from being abused with a quarterstaff, it was a type of wound that she was proud of. The harder she worked in the Academy, the less likely it was for her to lose her life outside.

She even received feedback from Professor Alexon, along the lines of ‘You’re fine and all, but you sometimes miss crucial aspects. If possible, fight and win against enemies using your advantage in firepower and try to avoid battlefields with many unexpected variables.’

Although she was in tears when she heard that she missed a crucial part, she still kept the Professor's feedback in mind. She believed that there must be a reason why the Professor even warned her in the first place.

Surprisingly, the most difficult class was 『Countermeasures to Illusion Magic』 by an unnamed, Crazy Wizard. It was unimaginably difficult to even just get out of that Illusion Labyrinth called ‘Step into a Door, Ascend into a World’ or whatever.

Some students who came to class that day still trembled in fear of opening doors; they worried about being ambushed by a giant frog if they opened the bathroom door.

But it certainly made them better. They were able to try and learn a variety of methods on what to do if they had to pass through an area where there was a high probability of a trap being there.

Her roommate, Niolle, showed her talent in all classes.

She had eyes that could read even the smallest details that others couldn't see. That natural talent shined in many ways, whether it was close combat or escaping the labyrinth. The only drawback was that her hardware could not match her eyes.

In essence, she had a lack of rudimentary stats and decisive attack power.

Even if she was able read the trajectory of an attack, she had no power to avoid or block it. Even if she saw a way out of the labyrinth, she didn’t have any strength to break through the trap and make it out.

As such, Selvier teamed up with Niolle. Selvier lacked insight and Niolle lacked power, so they were a perfect team that could compensate for each other's shortcomings.

Thanks to that, she was able to get close with Niolle very fast.

She had a pure heart. She wanted to help others and didn't hesitate to throw herself into danger in the process. She worried about others a lot and liked to hear compliments.

She trained everyday and was consistent enough to not be lazy. Her consideration for others was ingrained in her. She was a kind person who everybody liked.

And above all, her eyes were beautiful.

Her gaze was always sparkling with pure kindness. Within those virtuous eyes, anyone could feel her drive, her belief in her own way of life. Clearly, she was one who could move forward without hesitation.

So...

“Welcome, how was the cl⋯⋯Did something happen to you?

"⋯⋯⋯⋯."

Selvier was able to notice Niolle's change.

Her eyes that used to sparkle like stars in the night sky, had turned pitch-black akin to those of a dead fish.

===============================================================

It had only been three hours at most.

She had completely changed within those three hours. Her confidence was extinguished and she was faltering like a candle in the wind. Her lips were dry and hands were shaking as if she was being chased by something.

Maybe there was a big accident?

“What happe⋯⋯No, not that. For now, come sit over here.”

Selvier took a deep breath and calmed herself down. She couldn't panic in this situation. First, she held onto Niolle's paper doll-like hands and brought her to sit on her bed.

Then she brought back her old memories. There was practically a manual that she could refer to in those memories.

Back when she was living in her rural village, every time she cried alone somewhere after arguing with her parents... Her childhood friend brought her some warm tea from somewhere and made her drink it. He said that the body and mind were closely connected together, so it felt better when something warm went inside the body.

And after gently asking what happened and listening to Selvier's story to the end. He led the conversation so that she could find her own direction.

She probably can't do it as well as that boy did, but⋯⋯.

Selvier knew how comforting it was to have someone listen to their story, so she decided to invest some time in helping Niolle. Today's mana training could be postponed a little.

Selvier went down to the dormitory kitchen and came up with a cup of warm cocoa. And after she handed Niolle a mug, she asked cautiously.

“⋯⋯If you have any concerns, can you tell me it? I want to help you, Niolle.”

"⋯⋯⋯⋯."

With that, Selvier sat down next to her and waited calmly.

Niolle felt the warmth of the mug. It was just the right temperature to drink right away, just enough to not burn her tongue. It was a minor detail, but such small aspects showed a much deeper consideration.

Sippp.

Niolle didn't feel like eating anything, but because she wished to be considerate of Selvier's efforts, she took a sip of cocoa. It felt better than she thought. It was as if the warmth was spreading throughout her entire body.

Niolle carefully started writing.

[I wanted to help a person]

“Niolle, you’ve always been like that⋯⋯.”

[I believe that it’s the right thing to do. That if there is someone in need, I should lend a hand. Even though some people might say that it's stupid, helping others is my joy and I thought it would make the world a better place. However⋯⋯.]

Abraham died because she was trying to save others. If she just didn’t offer a helping hand at that time, she would've stayed in the car and gone back to the mansion with Abraham. The old man who counted the stars would have lived.

Or at least, instead of forcing Bennett and Tara to save people with her, she could have gone alone. Even with just that, the old man would’ve lived. And putting all that in the backburner⋯⋯ if she was just was stronger. If only she had the power, then perhaps...

So, her sin was...

[Because I was trying to save one person, I couldn't save another. I still believe that saving people is the right thing to do. But, I⋯⋯ regret my choice. I hate myself for begging Bennett and Tara to help me even though I had no ability to hold my own ground. I hate myself for being so foolish as to think I could save everyone.]

“First...... we have to seize the safe no matter what. After that...”

We need to destroy the magic circle that summons the Outer God. I know this because I happen to be a Black Wizard. The Academy also has a magic circle with a similar structure. Moreover, it uses a method where a huge magic circle is built by hiding small magic circles in every corner of the Academy.

The report also mentioned the strange stigma hidden throughout the city. I think that if you connect the stigmas, the shape of a huge magic circle will be revealed. So, the only way to delay their plans is to erase or transform the stigmas hidden in every direction.

There is a reason why we desperately need to stop their summons. It is because it seems like the Black Wizards are trying to summon the Outer God to this world. I know this well because I am a Black Wizard myself.

"⋯⋯⋯⋯."

...was something he could not say.

“After that, shouldn’t we just kill those Order of the Silver Twilight members as soon as we see them?”

[But, that’s too dangerous.]

“We even have safety devices. After all, if we didn’t, we wouldn’t be alive and perfectly fine as we are now.”

[Still, what if we get hit by magic related to the mind⋯⋯.]

How should he convey this? If he told this information to them, they would definitely ask where he got this information. If so, did that mean he had to reveal that he was a Black Wizard? But that was way too risky.

Even if he intended to betray the Black Wizards and help these two out, that was also a problem of itself. Would they really believe him? When he himself was already at a loss for what to do?

There was too much to lose. All relationships at the Academy would be completely lost and even his life would be in danger. But⋯⋯.

But, by some miracle, what if there was, perhaps, a possibility that they would understand? What if they accepted him even though they knew he was a Black Wizard? If that truly happened, there would be no better result than that. After all, if such a strong bond of trust came to being, it would be so easy to betray them as well.

Bennett's mind floundered, turning into utter chaos. At some point, he had to make a decision and, to be frank, now was the right time.

It did seem like Niolle would accept him. As for Tara, he wasn’t sure. But maybe⋯⋯.

Wait.

Just now, did I⋯⋯ want to get accepted as a Black Wizard? By them?

“⋯⋯⋯⋯Ha.”

Bennett banged his head against the wall.

“W-What the? What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”

[Were you mistaken? Maybe you felt like there were ants crawling on your eardrums⋯⋯?]

“⋯⋯No, it’s nothing. Hey, I have something important to tell you.”

Let's tell them.Let’s just tell them andif the worst case scenario happens── I'll kill them here and say that they disappeared in the dungeon without a trace.When Bennett was about to open his mouth, repeating a resolve that he didn’t even mean in the first place.

[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]

Niolle dropped her whiteboard. She stared at the walls of the dungeon, as if she had seen something impossible.

“Niolle, even you? Why? What’s wrong? Did you perhaps get caught by some mag...”

“Ah, oo⋯⋯.”

Niolle pointed at the wall. Someone kindly drew an arrow saying 'Trap' next to an all too classic trap, where the floor gave way when pressed. Even going out of their way to scratch the wall.

It could simply be the kindness of someone who came to the dungeon before, but...

That wasn't the important thing. Niolle urgently picked up the whiteboard and started writing.

[That handwriting.]

“⋯⋯Handwriting?”

[It's the same as Abraham’s.]

“⋯⋯⋯⋯What are you saying, Niolle? What... in the world...”

Bennett and Tara also looked at the scratches on the wall as if bewitched. They didn't have enough insight to determine someone’s handwriting. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't be sure.

However, Niolle's reaction made a five letter word, ── stick in their heads.

Niolle started running, following the traces. There were indications that said ‘Trap’ scattered across the lower part of the wall. Moreover, there were broken springs and pieces of metal scattered nearby. She was certain. It was Abraham's handwriting.

At the end of their sprint, the party arrived at the storage area for the cleaning golems that maintained the dungeon. When they burst through the door, inside that place was...

One cleaning golem that was half-broken, its internal boards clearly exposed. It was writing with an elegant font on the wall by scraping it with a piece of metal.

This was not the sight the party was anticipating.

They anticipated seeing a familiar old man. A scene where he smiled with his wrinkled face. Where he said that it had been a while since he had seen them. Where he exclaimed ‘I guess one never knows what the world holds for us’, in confusion. That was the miracle they hoped for.

They didn’t wish to see this. An outcome where the soul of a poor old man, devoured by an Evil God, became trapped inside a broken cleaning golem.

Tara muttered in a trembling voice.

“⋯⋯Abraham?”

Then, the cleaning golem moved its arm. Little by little, it scratched the wall, letters carving into the stone. Only then was the sentence finally revealed, shattering any remaining hopes.

[Who are you?]

It meant one thing.

This couldn’t even amount to a /genesisforsaken