Verse Eleven

"Here's your order! One plate of mashed potatoes and mushroom stew, a cup of iced fruit tea, and a small bowl of nuts," a cheery waitress grinned as she laid the food on CK's table, "Enjoy your meal!"

"Thanks!" CK grinned. The waitress made a small bow and left, deciding to tend to a newly-seated students at the cafeteria's exclusive area. 

The cafeteria was a naturally busy place with students flocking in around the clock. A quieter spot can be afforded in the cafeteria's exclusive areas if a student has enough student credits, points that are earned with good performance, extracurriculars, and service to the Nonaphrontistery.

CK is constantly supplied with points as long as she maintained her ranking, explaining how she always affords to get special meals from the cafeteria. She decided to have early dinner at the cafeteria's third floor, allowing her to gaze down at the first floor where the juniors would have their meals with peers, each of them having their own conversation to hold for the day.

<Your sweet tooth is getting worse by the day, little miss. You need to cut off a from sweets, or you'll get toothache~> Malphas mused as he perched himself on the railings next to CK's table. CK giggled faintly.

"I can take care of myself. Here, eat a little," she pushed the small bowl of nuts to the black crow. Malphas tilted his head, <I've no need to eat. The only food that can sustain me is energy of other living entities. Human won't do anything for me.>

"No? I guess I'll just keep it for a snack later on," CK said and dug into her food. Malphas chuckled. He expected humans to be dependent on food, but this particular one is more attached to it than those he has met. 

<While we are here, shall discuss what will do to accomplish your mission in the Maiden's Tower?> Malphas asked. CK hummed in thought. She took a sip of her fruit tea.

"I initially thought of letting you clear the floors in my stead. But as a bird, I doubt you can do very much. Hm… what should I do about that?" CK muttered while gathering her food together with a spoon. 

Malphas stared at her. He, too, was thinking of a way around his situation. The crow's eyes glimmered as it looked back at CK. 

<Little miss, how well can you describe your ability to open sifts on own?> he asked. CK raised an eyebrow, "Hm? I'd say it's pretty decent. I've had plenty of time to practice this technique when I was still writing my thesis."

<And you are most likely to be one of the few who can do such a thing… Interesting.> Malphas mused, <May I make a suggestion, little miss?>

"What is it?" CK asked. <It is true that I can only manifest as an animal here in the physical world. However, take human form your newly-conquered dungeon. In place, my use of energy not restricted.> Malphas said, <If the chimera shows hostility again, why don't you open a sift connecting dungeon to floor 3? The same thing did Araglio. Then, I can eliminate for you.>

CK's lips curled faintly as she bit her food. "Hehe… If I do that, the Maiden's Tower will come into contact with the dungeon's corruption. The Maiden's Tower is a very important structure here at the Nonaphrontistery, and I'd like to leave this place intact," she said. Malphas' eyes flickered momentarily.

<Is that so…? I must've overlooked it, then.> he said. "How about this?" CK sipped her drink, "The only problem I have with the floor is that it restricts me from using my Muse due to its low level. So this is what we'll do."

"We'll switch our consciousness. I'll let you possess my body until we arrive at the highest floor while my consciousness will remain in the dungeon. You should be able to use your power even when using my body since Muses are connected to a wordsmith's spirit instead of their bodies," CK suggested with a smile, "It's not so bad of a deal, don't you think? You'll get to play for a while, and I can rest."

<If you think this is the best solution, then I'll follow you.> Malphas responded. Back at the dungeon, a tint of irritation colored his face. Troublesome girl. Looks like she won't be easy to trick.

Sly daemon. If he thought CK will send a high-ranking entity chimera to him, he'd best reconsider. If CK agreed, Malphas would be able to possess the chimera and use its energy to neutralize CK's consciousness. This would weaken the Chalk Prison since its strength relies heavily on its warden's consciousness and mentality. If he used the chimera to harm CK, it wouldn't break the oath he swore since it wasn't him directly hurting her.

'It hasn't even been long but you're baring your claws already,' CK thought. Malphas did not respond, leaving CK to enjoy the rest of her meal in silence. She hummed blissfully until she finished.

"That was a good meal," she said and got up, stretching her arms a little, "Since our game plan is set, let's go back to the Tower."

CK summoned her glass pen and phased away from the cafeteria. She arrived at the front doors of the Maiden's Tower. Her eyes focused on the key slots that were soon fitted with her set of keys. 

CK burped a little as the doors swung open. "Oops. Excuse me," she muttered and entered the tower. She stepped into a room of darkness that soon morphed into a familiar tropical scenery. Her brows raised in intrigue.

"Huh. Welcome back to me."

CK arrived immediately on Floor 3 and the Tower has already remembered her presence. Although it was convenient not to pass through the first two floors again, it also meant that the Tower, in a way, knew who CK was and has grown accustomed to her presence.

The surrealism of the floor environment remained deceptively convincing. The trees surrounding her could not compare to the shadows that rose from the ground, creating a distorted heap of darkness towering over CK's figure.

A pair of glowing bestial eyes stared down on her. CK met its gaze, not as wary as she used to be. The chimera spoke in her mind, asking the same question it did in the past.

<What am I?>

CK knew that she won't be able to speak verbally. She could hear Malphas' thoughtful hum while they stood in front of the creature.

<So this is the creature that gave you a hard time.> he said. 'If it weren't for the rules of the Tower, maybe I could deal with it myself. But for now, I'll give you the spotlight,' CK thought and closed her eyes, 'Do what you want. Just get me to the top floor.'

<As you wish, mistress.>

CK's face relaxed for a moment. A few seconds passed, her eyes opened. The emerald color of her eyes were now stained with ripples of gold, resembling golden tides that continued to flow back and forth from the shores. 

Malphas, in CK's body, glanced at his arms and body. It's been a while since he possessed a human's body. He felt CK's energy, finding that CK's body is quite compatible with his power. 

Malphas flicked a finger, watching his fingernails morph into sharp claws. Another gesture, and ghostly black wings sprout from his back. He smirked. 

His mistress' arrogance is warranted for. The constitution of her body is quite special. He might be able to use more of his power than he expected. 

"Hehe…Hahahaha!" he couldn't help but laugh. What were the chances he'd be paired with a human with such qualities? He must not let this opportunity go to waste! 

<What am I?>

Malphas' golden gaze turned to the chimera before him. The bestial gaze narrowed in suspicion. The young woman was exuding a darker aura, much bloodier but less vicious than before. A smirk crept on the young woman's lips.

"My, you've been locked in this tower for quite some time. You should've realized the answer after spending all this time alone," the young woman spoke, feminine voice a little deeper and sultry.

A ring of black feathers formed behind Malphas, resembling a corrupted halo. His eyes glowed intensely as he flicked a finger towards the chimera, a smile on his face, "You are prey for visitors to feast upon."

Caw! Caw!

Caw!

The horrid cries of the infamous crows resonated in the environment. One crow perched upon a tree branch. Then another. And then another. The dusky ambiance disappeared when the false sun was consumed by a murder of crows, forming a larger figure of a crow perched behind Malphas, both of their gazes a dangerous glow.

The chimera watched as the moist soil they stood upon altered into dried twigs. The trees collapsed and wilted, each tree becoming a miniscule detail in the new environment where feathers rained upon the grounds of rotten wood. Bird eggs of pale colors and varying sizes were also scattered.

This was the Crow's Nest, an incantation that imposes on an existing environment to suit Malphas' abilities and advantage. This was also used to call his little minions to do his bidding.

The chimera backed a few steps away, becoming wary of the foreign environment. Malphas' pleased smile never left his face as he took a few steps forward, "Don't be shy now. Let's see what form you'll be taking now that this is no longer your turf."

The chimera snarled before the volumes of clustered darkness began to shift. Malphas watched idly as the chimera created a giant vulture's body. Four wings grew from its back, its beaks rimmed with razor-sharp ridges. It grew two heads, each of them breathing fire with hostility.

"Ah, the classic predator bird scenario. Given that you have the advantage, I hope you will last long," Malphas grinned as he got into a crouching stance, "It's not always that the mistress will give me a chance to play."

Shaa!

The chimera lashed forward with lightning speed. Malphas launched himself forward, his ghostly wings flapping once before he maneuvered mid-air to dodge the chimera's strike. Malphas' eyes glimmered with bloodlust as he swiped a clawed hand against the chimera's wings, ripping out a handful of feathers.

The vulture shrieked before trying to snap Malphas' hand. Malphas flapped his wings a few times before elevating himself, causing three feathers from his halo to launch against the vulture. The vulture shrieked, the sound waves stopping the feathers and blasting it away.

The vulture's other head spat a ball of fire at Malphas, who caught the ball in his hand painlessly. "Heh," Malphas smirked before the fire turned black. The flames molded into a phoenix that lunged towards the vulture.

The vulture dove downward to avoid the phoenix. Malphas snapped his fingers, causing the phoenix to shriek and detonate into an explosive bang of fire raining on the vulture. The vulture's flight disrupted as sparks of fire struck its wings, causing it to tumble violently on the ground.

Malphas sent out a flurry of sharp feathers down on the vulture. The ground thudded with each forceful stab, and the vulture staggered as feathers stabbed into its body. Malphas finger-gunned at it with a playful smirk, "Bang."

The feathers exploded with compacted energy, and the vulture's injuries morphed to reveal its shadowy composition underneath. The vulture screeched in anger before one of its wings turned into a tail that lashed towards Malphas.

Malphas moved his body sideways to let the tail lash against the walls. He grabbed the tail with a clawed and ripped it off. The tail dispersed into energy suctioned by Malphas' hand. He closed his eyes momentarily, feeling its energy.

"Haa…" he exhaled, his eyes opening and a little dilated. "Intriguing, very intriguing…" he giggled blissfully, "The energy is so pure, I might get high…Hehe."

The concentration of Syntax energy in the Tower has not been exposed to outer influences for many years, making it pure but also dangerous to inexperienced wordsmiths. To someone who feeds on energy, the concentration has become intoxicating for Malphas.

"More. I want more."

Malphas smirked as he stared at the recuperating chimera on the ground. It hissed with hostility after sensing a sudden surge of mania and bloodlust from its opponent. Malphas' gaze turned dull, but his smile never faded away. He brandished his claws and dove downward to the chimera.

Skraaa!

The chimera hastily shifted into a horned Kraken twice the size of a mammoth. It launched multiple tentacles at the diving figure, but Malphas evaded each tentacle, maneuvering with a spin and flap of his wings. Once close enough, he gestured a slash down at the Kraken, causing a golden light to slice down.

The Kraken used its tentacles to block the attack, creating an explosion of light and smog-like shadows. Malphas' brows rose when a tentacle grabbed his left arm and curled around it tightly. The Kraken roared and thrashed him down to the ground, creating a crater under Malphas' weight.

Several tentacles wrapped around Malphas' limbs, torso, and neck before he could get up. However, he remained unbothered while his eyes twinkled at the situation. Just as his body was swallowed into the pit of tentacles, the murder of crows littering in the air swiped down like flying knives, detonating upon contact with the Kraken's body and tentacles.

The nearby eggs hatched, causing daemon harpies to erupt with shrill cries. They began to gnaw at the tentacles closest to them, causing the Kraken to shriek at the sudden number of daemons attacking. The tentacles became loose, and Malphas broke free with the slice of his wings.

He hovered mid-air, staring at the Kraken as it was slowly forced to collapse on the floor due to the swarm of his underlings. Malphas hovered closer until he was in front of the Kraken's beak. Its bestial eyes dulled, having expanded too much energy.

"That's your breaking point? Disappointing," Malphas mused. But that was expected since this chimera was only a spirit. The real chimeras in their natural habitats are more adept and challenging to kill.

"I guess that'll make do for now. If you don't mind, mistress, I'll be taking my reward," Malphas said and extended a hand to the chimera's face. The remaining murder of crows covered the Kraken's body before slowly turning into a vortex of black energy. 

The chimera shrieked, returning to its original form that was slowly sucked by the vortex it was trapped in. The chimera's energy was sucked half-way until the environment suddenly rumbled, causing Malphas to pause and looked around.

"Hm?" he muttered. The Crow's Nest suddenly dissipated, returning them to Floor 3. Malphas frowned warily. The Crow's Nest can only be lifted by him. What caused it to forcefully dissipate?

His brows rose when the floor environment shifted again, creating a platform surrounded by a sky of muted blue, pink, and violet. The weakened chimera disappeared from his crows' grasp, and everything returned to peace and silence.

"…Heh. I see," Malphas smirked in amusement. He looked up at the ceilings. It seems the Tower is preventing him from taking its power as his own. 

He heard a yawn at the back of his mind. Malphas smiled, "I apologize, mistress. Has the change of environments disturbed your napping?"

'Mm. I guess so. Have we moved to the next floor?' CK asked. "Yes, mistress. I was supposed to absorb the chimera's energy, but I reckon the Tower was not thrilled with the idea," Malphas chuckled, "It decided to just take us to the next floor to stop me."

'Really?' CK's voice was less sleepy. "Yes," Malphas answered and looked at the large weighing scale in front of him, "From what I've seen in the old man's memories, we should be on the floor of Axiology now."

[The Maiden's Tower]

[Floor 4]

Axiology. It was also known as the 'Theory of Value', and the Tower takes the weighing scale to symbolize this branch of philosophy. Malphas was intrigued, "What kind of values will this floor be judging, I wonder? Will it be your values? Or perhaps mine?"

CK sighed as she lounged on the throne of the dungeon. 'If only this Tower could be filled with monsters to kill instead of a bunch of philosophies to practice,' she said. 

"Perhaps the Tower will be judging your violent tendencies," Malphas mused. 'Who knows? Anyway, I'll leave the rest of the floors to you,' CK yawned, 'Make it quick. We can't waste too much time here.'

Yes. There are five or six more floors waiting for the pair, assuming that the Tower will allow them to get what they want. CK's right. The Tower is becoming a boring set-up. Not to mention…oh?

…Curious. Very curious. 

Malphas held his chin as he observed the weighing scale before him. It was thrice his current body's size, made of an unknown alloy whose surface resembled prism lights. The scales were empty, and a platform was built in front of it, urging anyone who saw it to step into it.

Malphas looked around, seeing nothing but the plain horizon. The floor will not do anything until the visitor has been 'judged'. Deciding on this, Malphas stepped closer to the platform, about to place one foot into the platform.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

An ethereal voice suddenly echoed, just like a song that ironically snaps the sailor out of his daze. Malphas paused and stood up straight, feeling a presence behind him. He turned around, finding a woman walking with a slow pace towards him.

Malphas was wary…just as he should be. The strange woman was dressed in a short, white fairytale dress. The messy curls of her hair covered part of her view, and she tilted her head to get a better glimpse of the possessed individual before her. 

Malphas had become warier after assessing her energy. This was not an energy belonging to the Tower. She came from outside, but he can't tell when she appeared or how. One thing is for sure, though. He couldn't help but chuckle.

"You are dangerous. Are you here to conquer the tower or for me?" he said bluntly. The woman smiled, "Neither. I'm here to help."

Malphas stared in confusion. "Consider me one of those cute godmothers in the stories, if you wish. Anyway, I wouldn't recommend you conquer this floor," the woman said, "This Tower has become warier of the both of you due to your past actions. Who knows whether they'll tolerate it or not."

'Both of us, huh?' Malphas thought. "So I've noticed. I don't see what's the problem there, though," he raised his hands into a shrug. The woman looked at the platform before the weighing scale thoughtfully.

"This floor is a 'checkpoint' in the tower. It won't act unless it knows what kind of person it is hosting, thus judging everything you value, ultimately unraveling the kind of individual you are," the woman stated, "That's going to be a problem. You see, how you behave here and how you accomplish the floor will shape the next set of floors in the Tower to be as disadvantageous as possible."

"The Tower is 'living', like a hermit that will drive away any visitor from his mountain," the woman mused and looked back at Malphas, "I will tell you now: the highest floor is not something you can challenge. It is reserved for those on par with what you call gods. Not to mention, there's only three days left until the trial. Do you really want to waste time in this tower?"

Malphas' stare became hostile. He jumped back to place distance between the two of them and the halo of feathers reappeared on his back, "How do you know all of this?"

"Hehe. As a child of the Nonaphrontistery, there's something else you should be more worried about," the woman giggled and placed a hand on her hip, "CK~? I know you can hear me."

'…The hell is this woman?' CK sat up warily on her throne, sharing Malphas' consciousness in the physical world. How does she know everything she knows?!

The woman remained grinning, "If you won't come out, that's fine. I have a little proposal to you. I assure you, it will benefit you greatly."

<Mistress, > Malphas thought seriously. 'I know. Don't do anything rash. This woman's knowledge is creeping me out,' CK thought, 'I'll listen to what she has to say.'

Upon hearing this, Malphas looked back at the woman warily. "She's listening," he said. "Great," the woman said pleasantly, "I've spent some time wandering around the Tower, so I know its structure and how it operates. It is possible to open a pathway from this floor to get to the sift in this Tower directly. You won't have to manually climb up to the top floor to gain access to the sift."

"However, it seems there is someone who also knows about this and is currently taking that same pathway to get to the sift," the woman said, "I reckon that's something bad for you. This person might end up getting there before you."

"Who is it?" Malphas asked. "An uninvited guest, that's for sure," the woman shrugged, "He's here for the same thing you're after, CK. Will you let him get to it before you?"

'Malphas, let me take over,' CK said seriously. Malphas said nothing and closed his eyes. A few seconds passed, and the emerald eyes opened. The golden light was gone. CK crossed her arms as she looked at the woman before her.

'This woman's energy must be on the same level as master's. Wait…no,' CK's eyes narrowed, 'It's greater than his and it's not even active yet.'

The woman's lips curled in amusement. CK sighed and placed a hand on her hip, "You could kill me on the spot if you wanted. Why don't you go after that person instead of making me deal with them? You're stronger. What do you hope to achieve in helping me get to the sift first?"

"I have my reasons," the woman replied mysteriously. CK snorted, then contemplated. After a while, she decided. 

"Are you able to open that shortcut you're speaking of?" she asked. "Of course," the woman said, "All I ask is that you stop the person in that pathway, and you'll get to the sift with little to no hassle."

"Hm… Alright. Why let the opportunity go to waste?" CK said, "It's a deal. Show me the pathway."

"Wonderful," the woman clapped happily and snapped her fingers. CK took a step back as the space in front of them tore open, creating a doorway stretching into visible infinity. 

"The space is linear. Just take a walk in this pathway, and you'll run into him eventually," the woman said. CK stopped next to her, giving her a wary look.

"Who are you, exactly?" she asked. The woman's eyes twinkled, "Like I said, I'm a 'godmother'. For now, anyway."

"Wha—"

"Okay, bye-bye!" the woman said and nudged CK into the pathway, causing the girl to stumble in surprise while the pathway closed shut. CK grumbled as she dusted her clothes, "Seriously…"

She decided to walk down the path, paying no mind to the colors and energy that constantly warped around them. Feeling its energy, it seems to be a physical structure in the Tower. Malphas was baffled by this. He has never seen any hidden pathway like this in Erzem's memory of the Tower's blueprints. 

CK frowned as she walked further. Could it be that the woman somehow managed to alter the Tower's structure to suit her liking? Entertaining this idea, she smirked amusingly.

"I can't wait to be on that kind of level," she muttered. To be a wordsmith is to be an 'author' of the world.

<Mistress, ahead of you.>

CK looked up after Malphas warned her. Her gaze settled on a lone figure walking in front of her. CK squinted her eyes, only for her eyes to widen at what she could discern. This energy…

At this same time, the figure noticed he was no longer alone. He stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder. His stare turned cold, "…A tower's visitor."

The figure before CK was a tall man garbed in black. A cloak was worn over his shoulders, his wrist gloves and suit consisted of black, with only a pin of silver wings on the lapel of his clothes to stand out. His emotionless violet eyes watched CK, whatever reaction he may have is completely unreadable.

CK, however, did not hide her wariness. His energy shared plenty of resemblance to the corruption she has encountered thus far. This man…could he be associated with the Juris? 

He was a foreign face, and his power was overwhelming. It was almost similar to Professor Kitmar's when he is in battle. CK brought out her glass pen, conjuring threads of Syntax energy readily.

"You do not belong to the Nonaphrontistery," CK said. That must be why the woman said it won't look good for her if this person remains. The man looked at the glass pen in her hands and snorted.

"Such hostility… Should I assume that the Nonaphrontistery sent you to stop me?" he asked, unimpressed. "Nope. But the person who helped me get here must really not like you if she wanted you gone," CK said, "That makes two of us. I don't like the idea of outsiders getting ahead of me."

The man frowned in confusion. Then, he understood. "I see. You're here for the [Manuscript], aren't you?" he was amused, "The Schools of IX must've lost their minds."

"I'm glad we're on the same page," CK flicked her glass pen before her, "I don't care if you're a friend or foe. It's time for you to go."

She gestured with her pen and hands, causing crystalline spikes to manifest and strike towards the outsider. The man dodged each spike easily until he felt the grounds he stood on give out.

"Ad legionem corvus!" CK chanted. The environment shifted, turning the empty pathway into a large arena. The outsider landed safely on the dusty grounds, taking notice of the castle in the distance.

This is a daemon's dungeon. His gaze fell on CK as she landed a few meters in front of him, her glass pen held readily. A man in gold and black robes floated next to her. The man's eyes narrowed in understanding.

'She has a daemon assisting her,' he thought. That must be why she managed to survive in the Tower despite her Syntax Level. Interesting. 

 "Looks like the Nonaphrontistery can still produce competent wordsmiths. I thought they've gone complacent since the new era began," the man chuckled, his violet eyes illuminating, "Fine. Since you've caught my interest, I'll entertain you."