“……Wow.”
Having returned from the “World of Voices,” Epherene was staring blankly up at the Yukline mansion.
The mansion rose magnificently from the vast grounds, with several annexes standing beside it as though in harmony. A marble path stretched from the main gate to the entrance. The gardens were beautiful and exotically adorned. Amid wandering butterflies and drifting pollen, a fountain bloomed over a pond.
If she were to describe all of this scenery in a four-character idiom…… flashy-flashy? Dazzling-dazzling?
Oh, were those not four-character idioms?
Anyway.
Ever since returning from Reccordak, the Yukline mansion had almost become part of her daily life, but every time she came here, every time she saw it, it felt new. So much so that she still found it hard to get used to.
“Summarize it within the month.”
Just then, Deculein took a large book out of his briefcase.
「Theory of Magical Refinement」. Epherene scanned the cover up and down, then tilted her head.
“What is this? There’s no author, and I’ve never seen it before. Theory of refinement? I’ve read just about every book in the Magic Tower library.”
“It is a translation of an ancient text.”
“……Hm?”
Epherene looked at the book again.
The binding was a little simple, but it was unmistakably high-quality leather. Even when she brushed her hand over the cover, there wasn’t a speck of dust on it.
“But if it’s ancient, what era is it from?”
“Before the Empire.”
Deculein opened the front door. Epherene followed behind him and asked,
“Whoa. Before the Empire? Then the Kingdom era?”
“Before that.”
“……There was something before that?”
Before the Zeprein Empire was the Zefren Kingdom. Before the Zefren Kingdom was…… wasn’t there nothing?
Deculein said,
“It is a bound translation of an inscription from the Divine Era.”
“Excuse me? Who translated something like that? Isn’t it bogus or a scam?”
At that, he stopped still and glared at her. From that gaze, Epherene realized.
“Ah. Did you translate it, Professor……?”
“It is a translation of an inscription written in runes. For now, you are the only one with permission to read that book, so do not lose it.”
“……Yes, sir.”
Epherene answered vigorously and tucked the book under her arm.
“If it’s a translation, how much would this be worth? Three hundred thousand elne?”
“Even if you named three hundred million elne, the Floating Island would try to purchase it. The fact that it has been translated has not yet been made public.”
“…….”
At that moment, her mind went blank.
Three hundred million elne.
An amount she wondered if she could ever earn in her entire life.
Swallowing hard, Epherene trembled as she adjusted the book’s position. From under her arm to against her chest. Hugging it tightly with both arms, she climbed the stairs.
“Three hundred million…… three hundred million…… three hundred million……”
The fifth floor of the mansion, which she reached while breaking out in a cold sweat.
This fifth floor was Epherene’s laboratory and bedroom. Since there was no telling when Decalane in her head might pop out, she was still living not far from Deculein.
“……But you know, Professor.”
Epherene asked as she sat down in a chair.
“When will we go to the World of Voices again?”
Deculein answered simply.
“The intervals will gradually shorten.”
The World of Voices. She and Deculein had woken up as soon as they reached the first save point of that burrow. There was still a long way to go.
“Work hard.”
After saying only that, Deculein glanced at the book in Epherene’s arms and went up one floor.
“……Ah, but.”
At that insignificant glance, Epherene suddenly felt a jolt of fear.
“Three hundred million elne…… What am I supposed to do with this?”
She was about to place the book on the desk, but then she flinched and looked around.
She used 「Psychokinesis」 to lift the blanket she saw over there onto the table. So that it would not gather dust, so that it would not be scratched, only then did she gently set the book down.
“…….”
「Theory of Magical Refinement」. With trembling hands, she opened the cover. The very first page was filled with formulas, but surprisingly, it was easy to understand.
There were corrections.
[This part may be unfamiliar and difficult to understand. Do not be bound by frameworks. Also, think of the formula in segments. “Refinement” does not mean making it rigid. Rather, it means loosening it to become even more flexible. First, try breaking down the above formula into 17 parts.]
An assignment within the book. As though it were teaching her. Epherene quietly stared at the sentence, then nodded and opened her notebook.
She divided a single formula into seventeen “cores,” just as Deculein had said.
[Think for yourself before turning to the next page.]
As she read that final sentence, Epherene realized that this was no mere translation.
A book of which there was only one in the world. Perhaps a textbook Deculein had written solely for her.
“…….”
At that moment, Epherene felt a small conviction about a certain “thought” forming in her heart.
That the reason he pushed her so hard, and the reason he sometimes spoke ill of her father, was ultimately for the sake of her growth.
Looking back, Deculein had always watched her fairly. Even when she had nearly been foolishly expelled after fighting with Sylvia, even when she had founded the commoners’ club……
Epherene focused on her studies again. Even if she could not fully repay that trust, even if they were master and disciple who could only be enemies, she had once read it in a book.
That the greatest happiness of one who has become a teacher is for the student to surpass the master.
If so, then from now on, her goal was simple.
To strive endlessly, to study tirelessly, and to surpass Deculein. To truly become an archmage.
Whiiiiir——
Just then, the woodsteel in her arms trembled faintly. Epherene smiled and took it out.
“……Hm?”
Suddenly, its surface caught her eye.
Woodsteel was originally similar in color to wood.
Had it faded while she hadn’t been looking?
“Why are you turning gray?”
The woodsteel was gray, no, ash-colored.
More precisely, it was changing into a color similar to her own hair.
* * *
……Sophien accepted a newspaper from the press for the first time in a while. The headline was the news that had shaken the continent that week.
——[Floating Island Breaking News. Deculein·Luna Theory Completed]——
The Floating Island has verified the thesis 「The Creation of Pure Elements and Four-Series Magic Based Thereon」 written by Deculein, senior professor of the Imperial University Magic Tower.
Though there is criticism that it is “only half complete” because the proof remains theoretical, as no mage of this generation has ever come so close to the feat of creating pure elements…….
————
Another exclusive followed the very next day after that headline.
——[Deculein’s Completed Thesis to Arrive First at the Imperial Palace]——
Sophien put down the newspaper. From where she sat, she opened the window.
“……Honestly. What is all this fuss about?”
Deculein’s thesis. That perfectly refined theory had arrived at the Imperial Palace last night.
Apparently, a hundred imperial knights had guarded its delivery route from the Floating Island or some such.
“……The world considers it a very great matter, Your Majesty.”
Just then, the court lady who had been trimming her nails spoke. Sophien stared silently at the crown of her head.
“They say it means Professor Deculein is very loyal to Your Majesty……”
She wondered whether this court lady might draw a blade at any moment, or perhaps attempt to poison her.
Of course, someone like this court lady had no such strength, and Sophien would not be caught by it; even if she were, she would simply revive.
Sophien’s body flinched.
“That is enough.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I beg your pardon. I shall finish only this thumb.”
Deculein had asked her through a memorial to trust her subjects. He had said she could not do everything alone. Rather than endless suspicion, she should find even those who offered the smallest help and keep them by her side.
This was part of that.
Small help.
What help could be smaller than trimming one’s nails?
“……It tickles. You may go now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. However…… do you not intend to open the door today either?”
The court lady asked innocently. Sophien looked into her eyes.
It was an impertinent question, but there was no particular intent behind it. Compared to those eunuchs, there were only extremely pure emotions there.
“I will be burdened with heavy duties today as well, so I cannot permit anyone’s visit.”
Every Wednesday, Deculein visited the Imperial Palace. He said it was time for instruction.
“Then. Must Your Majesty study the thesis alone?”
The court lady pointed to the thesis placed on Sophien’s table. Sophien asked sharply in return,
“Do you think I cannot do it alone?”
“Ah, no. That is absolutely not the case. I beg your pardon, Your Majesty……”
“Enough.”
Knock, knock—
Just then, a knock rang out.
“What is it now?”
—Your Majesty. Professor Deculein seems prepared to wait quite a long time today. We told him Your Majesty was busy with work, but he went straight to the Imperial Palace library……
The words of a palace attendant. Aside from that, it was noisy outside as well.
“Who else is there besides you?”
—……Yes, Your Majesty. The court mages are also here.
—Your Majesty, perhaps that thesis. Review. Review—
“Leave.”
The ones whose eyes had turned wild when the thesis arrived were the court mages. It was a theory that only the Emperor was permitted to read, yet they were coveting it among themselves.
“I have much work to do. Do not disturb me while I am still speaking politely.”
—……Yes, Your Majesty.
At that, countless footsteps retreated.
Just how many had gathered? Closing her eyes and counting by ear, there were exactly about fifty-seven. Regretful sighs rang out like a single breath.
“…….”
Sophien shook her head and began work for the Expedition to the Land of Destruction. Since Deculein had defended Reccordak with all his might, she would have to make full use of that foothold.
Thus, Sophien first drafted policies to isolate the internal enemy—the “Red Coffer”—settle old grudges, and select personnel for the expedition.
“……Your Majesty. Might you need dessert?”
The moment she finished the outline for a plan that would shape the next three years in nearly three hours, the court lady approached with perfect timing and asked.
Sophien belatedly felt she understood why the palace attendants had sent this young woman up.
She had excellent sense.
“No need.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“…….”
The crown of the palace attendant’s bowed head. Sophien looked at the swirl of her hair and asked quietly,
“Deculein has still not left, has he?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. They say he is still in the library. And, here.”
The palace attendant placed a letter, one that had not been there before, on the desk.
“It is a letter Professor Deculein sent just now.”
“……Why would a man in the basement of the palace send a letter?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. Pfft.”
The palace attendant laughed. Sophien found that smile unpleasant. Thus, in a somewhat cold voice, she asked,
“Why are you laughing?”
“……Pardon?”
“I asked why you laughed.”
The palace attendant’s face stiffened. Sophien examined the child’s muscles and wrinkles.
A frightened expression, with no intent behind it whatsoever.
“Th-that is—”
“Answer honestly. I dislike lies.”
“It is……”
Then the palace attendant answered haltingly, her lips trembling.
“For some reason, it seemed as though the two of you were engaged in an emotional tug-of-war……”
“……Tug-of-war?”
Sophien furrowed her brow. The palace attendant continued without daring to look up at her face.
“Yes, yes. Professor Deculein keeps pulling on the rope, while Your Majesty keeps pushing him away……”
“Keeps pulling, the rope.”
“……Yes.”
Sophien picked up the thesis on her table. She read it slowly, page by page.
Then, suddenly, she put the thesis down again.
“……When you say he is pulling the rope.”
And then she asked, feigning indifference, about the one thing she alone admitted she did not understand, the one thing this child might perhaps know better than she did.
“Do you mean that professor harbors some emotion of admiration toward me?”
* * *
The Imperial Palace library.
I was perusing the reports of the Imperial University left there. Checking the materials necessary for handover. Organizing the members of the Magic Tower and their roster. Designing the “new mage entrance examination” that would soon arrive.
“……Historic. Nearly two hundred years of university history are all here.”
At that mutter, the librarian Lexil answered.
“Yes, that is correct. Since the Imperial University and its Magic Tower fall under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Palace…… almost all the records are stored in this library, partly for surveillance as well.”
As one who would soon become the chairman, there were many things I naturally needed to know.
“However…… nine hours have already passed.”
At Lexil’s words, I looked at my wristwatch. I had come at noon, the regular lesson time, but before I knew it, it was nine in the evening, so his words were correct.
“It is fine. Waiting is always the duty of a subject.”
“…….”
At that, Lexil folded his hands neatly together as though moved all by himself, while Primienne beside me yawned with an extremely bored expression.
“Just when are you planning to leave? I’m starting to hate the world.”
“You should study as well. You entered this place thanks to me, and there are many books here you would never see once in your life otherwise.”
“……The librarian is watching, isn’t he?”
Primienne glanced sullenly at the librarian. Librarian Lexil had also obtained Primienne’s consent for “thought storage.”
All thoughts one had while reading a book would be shared with Lexil.
I asked calmly,
“Do you have something to hide from the Empire?”
Primienne answered with an unruffled expression.
“I am the sort to guard my privacy thoroughly.”
“…….”
At that moment, my face stiffened.
Silence settled over the entire library.
“……What is the matter?”
Sensing that chill, Primienne quietly grew tense, and my eyes remained fixed on a certain page of the material I was reading.
[By now, Deculein, you must be reading this paper, eh? It’s me, Rohakan.]
Rohakan’s sentence.
Words from him, who had predicted that I would read this material—no, who had seen it directly from the future.
[I seem to have seen this scene from the future. In any case…… I am in the northeast of the Empire. In the grape forest. There is a map here, so come find me. There, let us talk. Ah, I already know there is one piece of baggage beside you.]
I looked at Primienne beside me. I subdued her with my gaze as she awkwardly tried to approach.
[It is fine, so come together. I have one last gift to give you. Not as Rohakan, but as your teacher…… Ah. Of course I know. That I have done nothing for you worthy of being called your teacher. Still, well, what can you do? When you were young, I took money from your father and made a promise. That I would become your teacher…….]