Pendant? (1)

… Sylvia, in her dream, was sleeping in someone's arms. She found his warmth and rigidity perfect as a pillow.

Feeling something was a little off, she snuggled even close and buried her face in his chest.

She was worried that she might be acting too cute, but as if to say that wasn't the case, he stretched out his hand and wrapped it around her.

Her heart grew softer.

As they rested on the grassy meadows, flowers bloomed around them, and butterflies and bees fluttered about around them.

That beautiful world felt like it was meant to be hers.

However, a corner of her heart still ached, her doubt torturing her.

Seemingly realizing how she felt, he hugged her tighter and reassured her.

Sylvia smiled, allowing herself to be embraced.

She was no longer alone.

With him by her side, she didn't have to endure her sorrows in solitude anymore…

"…"

Upon waking up, the ceiling of the dormitory she created immediately entered her sights.

Rubbing the corners of her eyes, a drop of tear rolled down. No, her fingers were soaked with more than just a teardrop.

"… Ah."

Her dream was as painful as it was delightful, causing the emotions she had been holding back for so long to burst out.

'I won't let you ruin Sylvia.'

His words played in her ears again.

Sylvia clasped her face.

Feeling out of breath due to what seemed to be a panic attack, she tried to gasp for air as she pulled out a reagent bottle from her inner pocket. With her body still trembling, she aggregated the medicines it contained and swallowed them.

Gulp—

"Sigh."

The panic that drowned her gradually decreased, allowing her to calm down and breathe regularly again. After that, she dismantled the space she created.

Wheeeeng—

Erasing the three primary colors, the scenery around her changed and revealed many people around her.

"Sylvia. As expected, it was you."

Epherene smiled. Carixel and another woman were with her.

She nodded.

"Stupid Epherene. You made it through somehow."

"Of course. It's me we're talking about, after all. Oh, right, we were attacked too, you know? Some monsters broke in here—"

She tried to brag, but Sylvia didn't pay her any further attention.

Supervisor Mimic soon announced the end of the exam.

"Now that 72 hours have passed, I declare this exam finished. Everyone, please gather. A total of 113 people passed the first exam. Those who have been eliminated will be tested separately for each category."

The examinees sat near him and listened intently.

He wrote several names in the air.

"The second test is 'mentor and mentee.' Think of it as an interview. You can choose one of the supervisors in this list and take the trial they've prepared for you."

Gindalf, Rose Rio, Deculein, Ihelm, Crancia, etc… There were many famous wizards on the list, including Rose Rio and Gindalf.

But Sylvia already had someone else in mind.

"Please decide within 30 minutes and stand at the doors of your chosen supervisor."

The darkness of the long hallway lit up, revealing multiple doors they assumed led to interview rooms. Each of them had a nameplate that had a specific name written on it.

Among them, Sylvia approached the door labeled [Deculein].

"You're not allowed to be judged by Professor Deculein, debutante Sylvia, and debutante Epherene."

When Mimic stopped her, Sylvia's eyebrows furrowed. Epherene, who was standing behind her, tilted her head.

"Why?"

"Because you're from the same university as him. That would create the risk of violating equity."

"…"

With no other choice left, Sylvia chose [Rose Rio], a wizard who reached the etheric rank at a young age.

On the other hand, Epherene thought a little then approached the [Gindalf] door.

"The exam will start soon, so please be aware that the higher the rank and reputation of the supervisors, the more difficult the interview can be!"

Sylvia pouted as she glanced at Deculein's door, which only had Carixel and a woman she didn't know lined up in front of.

*****

Out of 125, Carixel and Mayho were the only ones who chose Deculein due to his strict and picky personality being quite famous.

"I'll go ahead, then, Mayho."

"Okay~"

Carixel smiled broadly and opened the door.

Its white, clean interior itself was mediocre, with Deculein sitting on the other side. He closed the door and walked over to him.

"Hello, Professor Deculein. Thank you for your help before." He said, expressing his gratitude regarding the most recent incident.

Deculein didn't answer.

"Sit down."

"Okay."

He did as instructed, then raised a question before the Head Professor could even say anything.

"By any chance, Professor, are you recording this process with a crystal ball?"

"Why does that matter?" He answered, lifting the adventurer's report card.

Carixel. Thirty-three. Three children.

He insisted.

"It's important. Please"

"… I just write the report. This place isn't being recorded."

"Is that so?" He nodded. Resolutely, he said something Deculein couldn't have expected.

"Professor. I'm a Demon Blood."

"…?"

Deculein's eyes, initially scanning the document, looked at Carixel. He tilted his head at the sudden declaration.

"Haha… From the beginning, my purpose was to meet you 'alone.' Of course, we met twice the other day, but back then, there were so many eyes around us that I had to wait for another opportunity."

"Did you know the contents of the exam in advance?"

"Yes. To some extent."

"…"

Deculein listened quietly for a moment.

"I came to you to negotiate. The terrorist attack at the previous festival wasn't the work of our people. We just want peace."

Perhaps thinking the notion was ridiculous, his posture remained stiff, holding the report.

"It was all the Altar's deception. The Elder of our clan will also release a statement. If you wish, he is willing to speak directly with the Empire—"

At that moment, Deculein's expression changed. Leaning his body towards Carixel, he looked into his eyes, causing him to feel pressured.

"The Elder will die the moment he reveals himself."

"…"

Carixel's heart stopped for a moment.

However, he wasn't lying.

The Elder shouldn't appear. His death would be triggered the moment he did, and unexpected events would follow through like crazy.

"No, if he steps on the Empire's territory or makes any appearances, I will kill him myself." He said, releasing a strong warning that he hoped they'd heed for a long time.

He leaned against the backrest of his chair again.

"… Your courage is admirable, and the floating island is not bound by any of the continent's laws. Hence, I will bury your remarks here. However."

His eyes sharpened, seemingly turning into swords. Overwhelmed by his gaze, Carixel now learned of his prestige.

"Don't be deluded. Now is not the time for the Demon Blood to venture out. Even in front of me."

"…"

"Hide before you're annihilated. This is my advice to you."

From his perspective, it was a clear negotiation failure, but there was still more to be said. He never expected that proposal to work in the first place.

His purpose had always been a little different.

"Then send me to the Rohalak Concentration Camp."

Finding his new proposition much more bizarre than the first one, Deculein put his pen and report down on the desk.

"I'm more famous by the name of Brolin than by Carixel."

He nodded at the mention of that name. Brolin wasn't an important Named, but he was on the SS's most wanted list.

"You can gain a track record and fame by arresting me, so let me be with my clan in Rohalak."

"…"

"It isn't a bad deal, right?"

He glared at Carixel, who didn't avoid it.

He decided to test how honest his will was.

"Do I really need to? I can just catch you now and put you in the gallows."

"Of course you can. But Professor, do you remember Rock Hark?"

Rock Hark.

The wizard hunter and the first Demon Blood Deculain ever met.

"He said you were a real noble. He also said you were the only nobleman that understood the Demon Blood."

"…"

"Were you lying to him?"

Deculein was the only one who protected them at Bercht, and he did not kill Rock Hark despite knowing he was a Demon Blood.

Carixel believed in Deculein as a noble, not a wizard. Hence, he appealed to his aristocratic pride.

"… What are you going to do? All those imprisoned in the camp will have their power cut off."

Carixel's means were right. Breathing a sigh of relief, he continued.

"I have something special. These are items made with my [Midas' Hand] talent. Pre-made ones will continue to work even if my power output has been cut off. So please, please allow me to take my personal items with me. I will never use them for terrorism or to escape."

He had the same characteristics as Deculein. No, Kim Woojin gave Deculein the characteristics of Carixel.

"…"

He looked at him in silence as his heart raced like crazy. Regardless, he had a bit of confidence in him. Even if he only thought of it as a 'transaction,' the balance of his proposal should be correct.

After a while, he replied.

"I can abolish your group and cut off one of your limbs."

"I know, and I will gladly accept it."

It was a cruel permission. Immediately after, he took out a notebook from his arms and wrote down where and how he would be captured.

He put the note between his fingers.

"If this is a gimmick, I will annihilate your clan without hesitation."

"Yes. I know you won't betray me, so I'll make sure to keep my end of the bargain." He bowed down so much the top of his head almost touched the ground. He answered, choosing to believe in the very person who declared he would kill their clan's chieftain if he appeared before him.

"Now go."

"Thank you."

Carixel got up and left. Deculein looked at his broad back as he walked away. Without thinking about the difficult future that would soon come, and instead of fearing the abolition and the pain that would follow, he filled himself with relief that he could be with his clan.

What a strange man.

No, he was a true leader.

Before he could leave, Deculein called out to him.

"Your report says you have three children. Is that false personal information?"

Carixel paused for a moment, smiled bitterly, and shook his head.

"I'm not lying, but they'll survive without me."

"Humpf. You're overestimating them."

The corners of Deculein's lips twisted upwards as he waved his hands.

He gave him his blessing.

*****

Meanwhile, Sylvia looked at Rose Rio in the interview room, finding her pink hair one of her most amazing features.

"What do you think when you see this?"

Rose Rio pointed to the magic circle on the desk. Sylvia reconstructed the magic circle from her perspective then recited the scenery that came to mind.

"It's a city. Mountains in the back with rivers flowing inwards."

"Okay~ you passed."

"…"

Sylvia tilted her head like a child. With a grin, Rose Rio explained the reason.

"You can only pass this rite if you have a clear understanding of magic attributes and series. To an ordinary wizard, it just looks like a set of lines and circles, and those with a little more talent will take about ten minutes to decipher it. Regardless, you did it in 10 seconds. Damn."

"…"

"Don't look at me with such suspicious eyes. It's actually insanely difficult, you know?"

Sylvia nodded.

"Then can I go now?"

"Yeah. I'll see you later. Are you going to go to the floating island? Why don't we hang out a little longer…"

"…"

She left without answering Rose Rio's words.

*****

Epherene opened the door with Gindalf's nameplate on it, revealing a long, dark passage.

"I guess he's been a little serious…"

Gulp—

She swallowed hard and stepped forward.

The ground swelled as she swung, but she hastily radiated mana to create a footstool underneath her.

At that moment, an arrow whizzed past her, flying towards her head. She defended using "barrier," which she manifested almost instantaneously.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!

When whips lashed out from all sides, she conjured [Fire Snake], a harmony between flame and wind. Bending more flexibly than the whips, it devoured them all.

"Whew! That was great."

Epherene wiped her sweat and praised herself, but she still had a long way to go. Moreover, a mist not only obscured her view but soon made her feel dizzy as well.

Something like cigarette smoke made her head dizzy.

"Pant… Pant…"

She felt like passing out, but she didn't.

The thick, heavy magic in the air seemed to pull at her from all over, but she persevered, moving forward no matter how difficult her surroundings became.

She felt like she just walked through a 30-meter-long passage for about 10 minutes.

Nevertheless, light soon appeared on the other side.

Looking closer, Epherene found Gindalf standing amid it, looking exactly like the wizards described in fairy tales. He was even fiddling with his long beard.

"… Ah!"

She charged at him fearlessly, but he merely looked at her while smiling kindly.

"Congratulations. You passed the interview."

"… What? Is this the end?"

"Yes. The passage you crossed is a magic trap I made myself. It grasps your mental power, mana, and magical immediacy. To pass, you must first survive it. Tests and interviews shouldn't be that hard anyway. After all, this is simply for the Solda rank."

"Ah…"

She understood right away.

Such things mattered only to Debutantes and Soldas. Having reached the ranks of Etheric and Monarch, people like him would just see their current predicaments as cute.

"Let's see… your name…"

Gindalf fixed his gaze on the papers on the desk, but his eyes soon widened in surprise. Seemingly remembering something, he lifted his head.

"Oh, my. Wait a minute."

He looked carefully at Epherene. Surprised, Epherene straightened her posture while sitting. She placed her fists on her lap and swallowed hard.

"W-What's wrong?"

"You… Hmmm…"

He frowned.

"Take off your robe. And smile."

"H-huh? My r-robe?"

"Hurry."

Epherene looked at Gindalf out of sheer confusion.

'Is this old man a pervert?'

Thinking there had to be another reason, she hesitantly took off her robe first.

"Now smile."

"W-Why?"

"Quickly!"

That prompt reminded her of the village chief in her rural hometown.

She forced her lips to smile.

"Not like a monster!"

"What do you mean— uhhhehe!"

Her laughter suddenly erupted as he tickled her armpits with magic.

"Hehe, why are you doing this?! Seriously, stop! Hehe! Hehehe!"

Observing her bright smile, he sighed and leaned back against the back of his chair.

"Oh! W-why the hell did you do that?! A-Are you going to report me?!"

Epherene wrapped her arms around her body. He looked at her sternly and murmured.

"In that pendant, you were the assistant's child."

"… What?"

Gindalf remembered the pendant Deculein asked him to restore. The picture it safeguarded had a child in it.

He only looked at it for a brief moment, but his memory of it was clear in his mind.

"What's your relationship with Deculein?"

"What?"

His tone was serious, causing Epherene's bewilderment to grow even deeper.

"What's my relationship…"

"Be honest. My eyes cannot be deceived."

Mana resided in his eyes.

The harmony series served as a communion between the world and humanity. For Gindalf, who had reached its apex, identifying lies and the truth was as easy as breathing.

Looking deep into his eyes, Epherene answered.

"… He's my enemy."

"Enemy?"

"Yes."

"Deculein is your enemy?"

"… I won't say more than that."

She shut her mouth tightly, and he crossed his arms, not knowing what to do.

Wiggling her fingers, she suddenly became angry.

"No, why are you doing this? Is this even part of the test?"

"… That's interesting. You think of Deculein as your enemy."

"What? How is that interesting? If you don't answer me, I might report you. I'm serious."

"Report? What are you talking about?"

"You took off my robe and forcibly tickled me. You must give me the reason behind such actions if you don't want me to misunderstand."

"…"

He stared at her, seemingly finding her words absurd, but then whispered an answer soon enough.

"You think of him as your enemy, but he seems to value you more than you think."

"… Huh? W-what? Value?"

Epherene grew even more confused.

'Deculein values me?'

She couldn't even find such utter nonsense funny.

"He wouldn't have 'asked' me to restore a pendant so worn and frayed otherwise."

Gindalf recalled the events of that day.

'Elder Gindalf.'

'Hm? Deculein, did you just call me?'

'Yes. There's something I want to ask you. Can you restore this pendant?'

"He personally asked me, an enemy of his father, for a favor, despite his pride being as colossal as his father's."

Even Gindalf didn't expect it at the time that he would come to him directly.

However, he asked him to restore the pendant, and after paying the price, he left.

"What was his request? Tell me, please!" Epherene clenched her fists and shouted.

Gindalf only looked at her.

There wasn't much he could get from this child.

No, there was nothing.

When he was young, he didn't even pay attention to things that didn't make money, but…

'Have I gone senile? I really resent the curiosity and slander that comes with old age.'

"He once asked me to restore a pendant. In it was a younger version of you, and… Ahem. There was a picture of you when you were young."

Deculein certainly mentioned the man in the photo was his assistant that committed suicide, but he decided not to divulge that part.

"If it weren't for something very precious, he wouldn't have asked me to restore it. His father hated me very much."

Epherene's body stiffened.

As if time had stopped, she just looked at Gindalf indefinitely.

"He's a really weird guy. He carried a pendant with a picture of a certain child, whom I thought was just a member of his family…"

He laughed bitterly.

"To think it was a photo of his disciple."

She was stunned. Aside from her wrinkling expression and her fluttering nostrils, she remained so stiff that she almost seemed to have been paralyzed.

His lips twitched as he watched her reaction.

"Gosh, I'm all old now. To think I would have so much fun seeing a young child's confused face. Hahaha."

Was this the path of the sage?

—That's right! That's right!

Recalling Adrienne's chirping voice, Gindalf smiled openly.