The terror in Heilechi continued with ruthless precision.
First, the erupting magi caused chaos. Nobles and tycoons clutched their dress hems or threw off their suit jackets and fled. Knights who had already sortied helped evacuate them.
Heilechi was the wealthiest district in the Empire.
Death there exerted greater social pressure than the massacre of commoners in the slums.
“This way! The Knight Guard is here!”
“Do not worry. We shall protect you!”
But the situation did not improve despite the knights’ arrival. Rather, purple smoke billowed in densely, suffocating them.
Magi.
A concentration thick enough to kill within ten minutes without a gas mask.
For them, coughing as if vomiting blood, I emanated mana.
Sssshhhhhh…….
A blue-white current of hyper-cold. The mana of the Snowflower Stone spread ethereally and froze the magi. I simply walked through the midst of it.
The harried knights and nobles broke into bright smiles upon discovering me.
“It’s Count Yukraine!”
*Creak—Crack—!*
Then, a sudden ominous sound. The dull, bursting snap of some building’s most vital joint giving way.
Soon, a building in the heart of Heilechi collapsed. Powerlessly, like a cookie, scattering crumb-like debris everywhere.
———Kyiiiiii!
Screams mixed with classical melodies. The wealthy district devolved into mayhem once again.
*Boom—! Boom—! Boom—!*
The explosions did not end with one. They continued as if bombarding the entire area.
“……Tch.”
I quietly closed my eyes.
The magic I sought to manifest was simple. 「Psychokinesis」, engraved into the muscles and blood vessels throughout my body, using my entire flesh as a magic circle.
It stopped space.
The debris of the collapsing building, the magi shells terrorizing the area, the vicious smoke seeking to swallow the ground—all of it.
“…….”
I opened my eyes and looked to the sky.
There was a swarm of vermin flying about on boards.
They seemed to be the cultists behind this terror…….
*Swoosh—!*
They hurled magi bombs at me. I simply responded with what nature provided.
I ripped bedrock from the road surface and steel frames from the collapsed building, sending them surging upward along the bombs’ trajectories.
*Thump—*
Then, pain flared in my heart.
Was it blatant proof of how little life remained?
“You vermin.”
But that pain soon turned to rage, slaughtering the cult’s insects.
*Pshhhhhhkt—!*
Steel frames soared into the heavens. A relentless rain of rising steel pierced the backs of those trying to flee, and the bodies that crashed to the ground were finished off by bedrock.
……Elapsed time: a mere three minutes.
I stood calmly in the eye of the terror and surveyed the area.
The scenery was frozen as it was. That is, the collapsed building and debris were still caught in my 「Psychokinesis」.
At the spectacle resembling floating islands, the nobles looked back and forth between the phenomenon and me, its caster, with blank expressions.
“Evacuate.”
I spoke. But there was no reaction, only silence.
“Q-Quickly, please move to safety!”
When the knights shouted, those who finally rose to flee began to run. Yet among them, one woman approached me instead.
“As expected, you are reliable.”
Sopien. She smirked, came up beside me, and shrugged.
“Please go back. You never know when the bombardment may continue.”
“Hmph. I am not so frail as to die from bombardment. Rather, Deculein.”
Sopien glanced at me sideways. I nodded silently.
“Rohakan said it, did he not? That I would one day kill you.”
She suddenly recalled a memory from the past.
“Yes.”
“……I once traveled to the future with your disciple.”
And then, she dropped a bombshell.
I turned to her urgently.
The future Sopien had experienced with Ifrin.
A topic that could not fail to interest me.
“Do you mean time travel?”
“Yes. There, you left me a letter.”
Sopien took a letter from her inner pocket.
Perhaps kept for a very long time, read over and over, it was badly crumpled.
“Will you read it?”
“……Yes.”
I received the letter and read it without hesitation.
It was not long.
「Your Majesty.
I am Deculein, one upon whom much time has passed.
Yet I affirm everything of mine and Your Majesty’s.
Even my death.
Therefore, what need not be undone, it is right to leave it so.」
“Reading it, I wondered if it meant that I would eventually kill you. That is what I thought.”
Sopien spoke. I shook my head.
“Then it seems the future has changed.”
“No.”
Sopien smiled.
“Are you not dying even now?”
“…….”
A finger pointed at my heart. Sopien’s mouth smiled, but her eyes were calm with sorrow.
“Deculein. Let us go to Rahallo.”
Sopien said this and took my hand.
“There, let us watch street art.”
Street art.
Those words stirred the memories of Kim Woojin deep inside me. The memories of a poor orphan desperately struggling to become a painter rose on my skin like goosebumps.
“Let us go quickly. Walking the streets, seeing art, I shall devote myself to finding a way to save you…….”
Sopien pulled me along.
Lest I freeze in my tracks, like “that person” from Kim Woojin’s past, with such beautiful hands.
* * *
The next morning, in the Magic Tower’s cafeteria.
Ifrin and Sylvia were eating together and talking.
“Sylvia. Should we tell the professor first?”
“I can’t tell him. And I told you to call me Sephin, not Sylvia.”
“Why can’t you? I know. You’re on the outs with the professor.”
“…….”
Sylvia was not yet ready to say anything to Deculein.
“We’re not students anymore.”
Instead, she offered an excuse.
A confidence that they could resolve this themselves, now that they were no longer students.
“We can solve this.”
“……Well. Honestly, my confidence is through the roof right now?”
Ifrin flexed one arm. A cute little bicep popped up.
“How’s that? I’m super strong, right.”
“Moron.”
“What?”
“Anyway, it’s a secret from the professor.”
Sylvia stood up with her tray.
“We’ll handle this inside. I’ll make the plan too.”
Ifrin quickly followed and asked.
“Why are you making the plan?”
“I’m older than you.”
“……What.”
“And smarter.”
*Clack—*
Sylvia tipped her tray into the food waste processor, and the leftovers slithered down. Ifrin, meanwhile, placed only an empty tray on the counter.
“Right, Sephin. Could you get me a book?”
Ifrin said as they walked down the hallway.
Sylvia’s footsteps halted.
“It’s a science book. I—”
“Shh.”
Sylvia pressed a finger to her lips.
Then she began walking normally again, but adjusted her pace as she spoke to Ifrin.
“It’s a Purge Officer.”
“……A Purge Officer?”
“Yeah. A Purge Officer from the Floating Island.”
Purge Officer. A being that all mages on this continent regarded with fear—no, a being practically synonymous with terror.
A mage’s natural predator, developed by the Floating Island solely to punish mages.
“How do you know?”
“Because I’ve been chased by one before.”
That unique, disinfectant-like scent of mana was familiar to Sylvia. Traces of having artificially scrubbed and bleached her own identity over and over.
“Come along for now. They may have noticed your existence.”
“……Okay.”
The two of them, now deathly serious, were startled the moment they left the cafeteria.
Because they had discovered “someone” in the first-floor lobby.
“It has been some time since an addict came calling without an appointment; I had not expected it would be you.”
“I apologize, Chairman.”
Professor Deculein.
No, Chairman Deculein.
He walked through the first-floor lobby emanating a pleasant fragrance, followed by a crowd of professors and staff. The Floating Island’s famous addict, “Astal,” was with him as well.
“……I shall hear your business upstairs.”
“Yes.”
Fortunately, they boarded the elevator without any attention to this side.
*Ding—*
As soon as the elevator doors closed, Sylvia and Ifrin breathed sighs of relief almost simultaneously.
“Phew.”
“Hoo…… wait.”
But then, a thought suddenly occurred to Sylvia.
Ifrin asked.
“Why?”
“No way…… wait. No, follow me.”
Sylvia pulled Ifrin outside the Magic Tower and took position in the most secluded spot—the parking lot behind the tower’s rear gate.
“What is it? Why?”
“Stupid Ifrin. You keep watch. I’ll do reconnaissance.”
“……Reconnaissance?”
“Yeah. It’s suspicious that an addict from the Floating Island came. It might be related to the Purge Officer.”
Sylvia closed her eyes. Ifrin was bewildered but kept watch as told.
*Whooooosh…….*
The wind blew.
A wind of reconnaissance—no, a magic called 「Wind」.
That magic which had observed and watched Deculein all this time, once again at the Magic Tower after a long time…….
…….
The Magic Tower’s highest floor, the Chairman’s office.
There, the addict Astal spoke to me.
“A Purge Officer has been dispatched.”
It was news that a Purge Officer from the Floating Island had descended to the Empire.
I asked calmly.
“……The target?”
“Of course, it is Ifrin.”
“The reason?”
“Because Ifrin has been discovered.”
My brow furrowed.
Tracking them simply because they were discovered.
It made less sense than climbing a mountain simply because it was there.
“What does that mean?”
“The details are in this document.”
Astal held out the document. I received it.
“…….”
I was at a loss for words.
Indeed, Ifrin had been discovered.
The first location was the Hadekain Marik Underground Passage.
A crystal orb functioning like a CCTV had captured them.
The second location was the restaurant 「The Pig’s Flower」 near the Magic Tower.
Unable to enter, the figure of Ifrin peeking inside from outside the restaurant had likewise been captured by the crystal orb.
“As you can see.”
But the biggest problem was the time at which this “first Ifrin” and “second Ifrin” were discovered.
Literally “simultaneous.”
The first Ifrin and the second Ifrin both existed at the same moment, as the same Ifrin, yet in different locations.
“Ifrin is dangerous.”
“……More dangerous than the self-proclaimed god of Myeolji? Enough to bring a Purge Officer at a time like this?”
I asked in return.
Astal answered.
“Yes. Those who falsely claim divinity cannot manipulate time. However, Ifrin is an incomplete human capable of shaking the very foundations of the world.”
“…….”
“Therefore, the Floating Island desires Ifrin’s disposal. A great disaster caused by that child’s inability to properly control their power—that is precisely what the cult’s god desires.”
Ifrin.
While I was troubled over why this one had split in two, and whether they knew of this fact themselves.
Astal continued.
“We would like the Chairman to assist with that purge.”
“…….”
They wanted me to aid the purge.
The moment I heard those words, my mind raced, but my exterior maintained composure.
“You are the Chairman who took Ifrin as a disciple; surely you are familiar with their habits and behavior, are you not?”
I silently observed Astal.
“We know you bore the stigma of the Plagiarism Professor because of that child. Therefore, if the Chairman assists the Floating Island—”
“I shall.”
I nodded.
Of course, it seemed the world’s perception of Ifrin and me remained unchanged.
“Very well.”
Leaving Ifrin to the Floating Island was unsettling.
Especially since Purge Officers were dogmatic, inflexible, machine-like beings; Ifrin, who liked people, could end up stupidly killed.
“Rather, this is what I wished for. I will step forward and dispose of them, and handle it myself.”
I spoke.
I would step forward and dispose of them, and handle it myself.
At least, there was no lie in those words.
Astal gave a formal smile.
“Yes. Please take this crystal orb. It is connected to the Purge Officers who will accompany you.”
“……I shall.”
Three crystal orbs in all.
I put them away.
……*Whoooosh.*
The sound of wind sweeping uselessly through the office before receding.
* * *
“…….”
Dawn.
Sylvia sat at her desk, scribbling in her diary.
[Deculein is trying to kill Ifryn.]
Resting her chin on her hand, she jabbed the paper with her pencil—tap, tap, tap. Her worries were slowly, slowly—being etched into it.
[The reason is, Ifryn's talent is time. An attribute that ordinary people can never handle. If Ifryn fails to properly control the power of time.......]
Ifryn's talent── 「Time」.
A power that could destroy the continent.
[The continent might be ruined.]
Sylvia thought of the Deculein she knew.
If it was Deculein, he could kill Ifryn.
If forced to choose between the continent and Ifryn, he was the type who would obviously choose the continent—
Kreeeeee—
At that moment, a bizarre cry rang out.
Sylvia flinched and turned around.
Heeeeee—
It was Ifryn, lying in bed, snoring.
"……Stupid Ifryn."
Even as she muttered that, why did she strangely feel compassion?
Had their ill-fated relationship turned into affection?
Or was it because this kid was now younger than her?
Sylvia smiled faintly and continued writing.
[Still, I want to keep this kid as safe as possible. Besides, I'm strong enough to do so. Strong enough to crush a Purge Officer with my own hands.]
"Wait a minute."
Suddenly, something flashed through Sylvia's mind.
The thief who had stolen the portrait of Deculein she painted on the Island of Voices.
Ifryn's magical power detected there.
"……So it was you after all, Ifryn."
Sylvia looked back at Ifryn and shook her head as if she had known it all along.
Not the present Ifryn, but a future Ifryn.
For whatever reason, she must have borrowed—without permission—her painting and the magic stone of voices.
"But."
Having thought that far, Sylvia grew curious.
"What on earth are you trying to do……"
Ifryn.
Right now, she was fast asleep like a fool, drooling and going keeeeeee—ek.
She was snoring like she was about to die, but.
"Study."
Sylvia took out her magic book again. She had perfectly mastered the 「Three Primary Colors」 on the Island of Voices, but having stayed there for so long, she was a complete stranger to modern magical trends.
"Let's study. I need to catch up with the trends."
* * *
Meanwhile, this was the Devastation of the Continent. A purple land where life could not grow and existence was unsustainable.
In such a harsh and severe environment, the faith of the Altar was blooming.
"……Isn't it fascinating?"
Quay said, pointing at the scenery inside his crystal ball. Creto beside him shook his head.
"What do you find fascinating?"
"Look at how they live."
The figures of the Devastation's underground residents reflected in the crystal ball.
In humble huts, they were recording Quay's words on long scrolls, studying them, and interpreting them. They were accepting Quay as their faith.
"I never told them to do this. The Altar doesn't force them, either. They're simply doing this on their own."
A smile spread across Quay's face. Creto looked at him with slight puzzlement.
"Is that good?"
"It's fascinating."
"I find it fascinating too. The entire Altar is a group that worships you, and yet you're satisfied with just that?"
Then Quay smiled.
"Worship and respect are different. If worship is blindly praising, then respect is the attempt to study and interpret my true intentions. Until now, the Altar has worshipped me…… but the newly arrived believers are studying me, trying to find their own reasons to believe in me."
Creto gauged his mood.
Just as he was wondering if Quay was being naturally influenced like this.
"That's why I can never forgive them."
"……What?"
Creto glared at Quay, who was suddenly clenching his teeth, as if finding him absurd.
"Even those pure hearts will eventually fade. Someday, won't they try to kill me too?"
"That's quite a leap."
"It's not a leap. Humans are flawed in their very design. They're kin to demons."
"……."
"Indeed, we must start over from the very beginning."
Quay spoke to himself and convinced himself.
Creto found him strange, yet on the other hand, pitiful. As someone who had heard all of his inner workings, Creto couldn't help but feel so.
……The last believer who had served God alone for ten thousand years, even after God was already dead.
That was Quay.
"By the way, can you defeat my sister?"
Creto asked thus.
Sophen was strong. Physically, magically—a human born with the most perfect talent.
And now that she had even broken through her own mental restrictions…….
"No. I cannot win."
Quay shook his head.
"That is the strongest physical body I arranged. But I am currently nothing more than a doll, so I cannot defeat Sophen."
"Then what do you intend to do?"
Creto had no intention of cooperating with Quay. However, for now, he was with him.
If there was the most dangerous person on this continent, then as one who held the Empire's second-highest position, it was only right that Creto take on the noble responsibility of monitoring his every move from his side.
"Do you know Ifryn?"
Quay spoke. Creto answered.
"I do. Deculein's exceptional disciple."
"Yes. I will borrow that child's power to regress this world."
Just as that child tried to turn back the time of that knight named Yulri.
Quay muttered softly and smiled brightly.
"……Regress?"
"Yes. So, are you ready?"
Quay's abrupt question. Creto furrowed his brows.
"Ready for what?"
"To go to the Magic Tower."
"To the Magic Tower?"
"Yes. Both Ifryn and Deculein are there. I must complete it there, and end it there."
Quay spoke his resolve to advance toward the end.
"……."
No, no matter how you looked at it, the Magic Tower all of a sudden?
It was in that moment—when Creto looked at Quay with slightly dazed eyes, and Quay smiled as if he found him lovely.
—News from the Imperial University Magic Tower.
A sudden report.
—It is said that Chairman Deculein has published a theory exam to select the Emperor's teaching mage.
"Oh. Perfect."
Quay brushed back his hair, his face lighting up.
"……What do you mean, perfect?"
"The selection for the teaching mage. I'm going to participate too."
"What?"
"Since all mages in the Empire are eligible, I can participate too."
"No, what do you mean—"
"Shh."
Grabbing the flustered Creto's hand, Quay closed his eyes.
Sensing the prelude to spatial movement, Creto quickly closed his eyes too.
Whiiiiing—
And when he opened his eyes again.
"……We're on the Capital Island."
"Yes."
They were already on the Capital Island.
* * *
I published the theory exam for the Seven Schools to the Floating Island and the Imperial Magic Tower as soon as I completed it.
The reaction to it…… could not be called good, even as empty praise.
"It's chaos even in the duchies, not to mention the kingdoms."
In the imperial palace, Sophen smiled as she read the newspaper. That gentle smile somehow put people at ease. It was a completely different look from the her of old.
"And yet there's only one question per school."
The questions I drafted were one per school.
In other words, it was merely an exam with one question each.
However, to solve this problem, one needed all concepts and knowledge regarding that school.
To put it in terms of calculus, it was a level where one needed to know everything evenly—from the limits of sequences and trigonometric functions to all methods of differentiation and integration, even analytic geometry—just to even approach it.
If one could solve this problem, the title of top expert in that school would not be undeserved.
"Your exam is consuming the Floating Island."
"Is that so?"
"But is it alright to make such a thing public for free?"
The publication range of this exam paper was the entire continent. If anyone wished it, anyone at all could access the exam paper.
"Yes. It is fine."
"……."
Sophen smiled slightly.
"Truly. A professor who holds nothing back…… However."
Her expression soon turned bitter.
"Is it soon? Yulri's recovery."
"……."
The time Ifryn had mentioned was two weeks.
Not much time remained.
"Yes."
"Until then, there is much I wish to say…… but even more to do."
Sophen pointed to the pile of documents filling her desk.
"You should go now. I wish to stay with you longer, but heavy duties ought to be done by oneself."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I bowed my head and rose.
"I shall take my leave."
"Very well."
Sophen flicked her hand in a shooing gesture, and I exited the office walking backward so as not to show my back.
—Ether Deculein.
A communication connected the moment I stepped into the palace corridor.
The one calling me not by title or status, but by the epithet 'Ether', was the Floating Island's Purge Officer.
—We have captured the target, Ifryn.
"……."
At that report of capturing Ifryn, I swallowed a sigh inwardly.
Well.
If she could hide for a long time without getting caught, she wouldn't be that damn Ifryn.
"Where?"
—The Imperial Magic Tower.
And of all places, the Magic Tower.
I placed my hand on my throbbing forehead.
"I'll be there soon. Stand by for now……."