“Must you really draw blood?”
Erias, seeing me grumble while looking at the needle stuck in my arm, hit me on the head with her staff.
“Ow!”
“Don’t be such a baby. This is necessary to analyze the curse.”
“I was just asking out of curiosity…”
Is it alright for a magician to be this violent?
“We need this not only for the curse but also to analyze your abnormal body. You know better than anyone that if we continue like this, you won’t live much longer.”
“Well… still, now that I’ve become a master, shouldn’t I be fine?”
“A master isn’t all-powerful. Lost lifespan can’t be regained. Especially since you’ve accepted a curse…”
Erias removed the needle, placed my blood into a test tube, and put it somewhere.
Then she handed me a small medicine bottle.
“It’s medicine made for the Imperial Princess. Take it when the pain becomes unbearable.”
“The pain is no problem. It’s the trembling hands that are the issue, but this level is bearable.”
“Tch, so foolish…”
While clicking her tongue, Erias glanced at the bookshelf, causing a thick book to float up and stop in front of her.
Flipping through the pages with telekinesis, Erias began explaining information about the heretics to me.
“The heretics suffered great losses from this incident. They won’t be able to come out into the open for a while.”
They’ve wiped out everything even remotely connected to the heretics.
One High Priest has been sealed away, another has entered the Demon World through the Gates of Hell.
Who knows what they were thinking entering the Demon World, but Erias said it would be hard for them to return easily.
“Will other High Priests not open the gate for him?”
“Hmm, though it was merely an old side door, a trivial passage, once opened, it could be opened again. However, this world as well as the Demon World is an immeasurably vast dimension. Without knowing the coordinates of the Lazy High Priest…”
“It must be nearly impossible to open a gate to a desired location, right?”
“That’s correct. Unless he opens a portal himself through sheer power in the Demon World, it will take quite some time. With two High Priests gone, they’ll barely be able to do more than scheming behind the scenes, just like when you dealt with those two High Priests.”
Having found the page she wanted, Erias placed her hand on the book.
“The fruit of the World Tree, Vampire Lord’s blood, Fairy Tears…”
“…?”
Though I don’t know what they are, none of them sound ordinary.
Especially the fruit of the World Tree – I recall hearing it’s a treasure of the elves…
What exactly is she looking for?
“… and lastly, Dragon Heart. Such troublesome ingredients.”
“What kind of medicine requires such ingredients?”
“The dream, future, purpose, and hope of every alchemist in existence: the Elixir of Life.”
Erias’ eyes sparkled as she closed the book.
“It’s the ingredient for the Elixir.”
“…Elixir?”
You mean the one you only hear about in games actually exists in this world?
And yet, I’ve never heard of such a thing until now.
“Of course. This is an already obsolete recipe.”
“If it’s so great, why…?”
“There’s no need for you to know the details. Just understand that gathering the ingredients is too difficult, which is why it’s considered a legend.”
“Yeah… got it.”
If you’re going to bring it up, why bother mentioning it?
After putting the book back on the shelf, Erias spoke.
“You’ll need something as powerful as the Elixir to restore your body to normal.”
“…Are you telling me to give up hope?”
“Does it sound that way? Hmm… who knows, there might be an existing Elixir somewhere in this world.”
“Wow, that sounds hopeful. Well then, since my business here is done, I’ll take my leave.”
Listening to Erias’ words, I suddenly realized how reckless my life has been.
Struggling to survive brought me to this point.
Reflecting on it, it’s quite a tragic life I lead.
“Anyway, we won’t have to worry about heretical affairs for a while. Who knows how long, but enjoy life while you can.”
“I’m enjoying myself pretty well already. Recently, if it weren’t for the heretic situation, it would’ve been even better.”
I hope things stay enjoyable moving forward.
With a sigh, I moved toward the portal that would transport me outside the magic tower.
Now that the storm has passed, it’s time to focus on my duties as a professor.
***
After Allen disappeared and watched the portal for a moment, Erias shook her head.
“To overcome a death sentence and remain this positive… what a ridiculously optimistic fool.”
There probably isn’t anyone else who could act like this after receiving a death sentence besides Allen.
Perhaps this behavior is his defense mechanism.
Shifting her gaze to the table, Erias carefully examined the blood she had just drawn from Allen.
“The blood of a man fused with countless non-human traits… perhaps this will advance my research.”
Erias’ lifelong goal.
It is none other than creating the Elixir.
Inheriting her master’s will, producing a perfect Elixir has been the reason for her existence thus far.
“By the way, the weapon obtained from the Imperial Palace, could it possibly be a Star Artifact? Is it fate or coincidence?”
Recalling the snake-decorated bracelet wrapped around Allen’s arm, Erias smiled.
The curse detached by Lux was most likely absorbed by that bracelet.
A Star Artifact possesses such power.
Though it’s still far from complete, if the artifact fully awakens…
“It might become the thirteenth zodiac sign.”
Envisioning a promising future, Erias smiled and resumed her experiment.
***
Speaking of recent events, the bracelet I obtained…
– Brrr!
No, it’s an unknown weapon and an imperial permit.
What kind of permit, you ask?
That would be…
“Salute! Corporal John Fury of the Capital Defense Force, Gate Management Officer!”
“Salute, Colonel Allen!”
An unlimited-use permit for the gate.
Meaning I can now travel anywhere within this empire conveniently.
Thanks to this, I can easily move to Minerva Academy.
“Is your destination Minerva Academy? Correct?”
Nodding, Corporal John pulled out a crystal orb from his waist and whispered something.
“…Understood. Confirmed. I’ll initiate the connection; enter when you see the blue light.”
“Thanks.”
“Safe travels.”
Incidentally, the Capital Defense Force manages the gates, huh?
Since I’m already in the capital, maybe I should’ve visited the Sage?
The massive gateway, the center of the Gate, began to shimmer with a blue light.
Next time I visit, I might be able to enjoy it leisurely.
With a slight sense of regret, I stepped into the Gate.
The transition was instantaneous.
I barely closed and reopened my eyes, and already the familiar scenery greeted me.
This is where I missed the midterm exams due to Erias.
Standing before the Minerva gate, someone awaited me.
“It’s been a while, Professor Allen.”
“Dean!”
A long flowing beard.
A large wizard hat.
A robe so voluminous it almost touches the ground.
The stereotypical image of a wizard, exuding a forest spirit-like aura.
He is Dean Heinz Kambella of Minerva Academy.
Seeing his face after so long, I greeted him warmly.
“It’s truly been a while. Are you well?”
“Ho ho, this question should be directed at you, Professor Allen. I merely coasted along, didn’t I?”
“That’s not the Dean’s fault. It’s because Infantry Palace acted rashly.”
“Hmph…”
Awkwardly stroking his beard, Heinz made me realize my mistake.
“Ah, now that I think about it, you mentioned him as your mentor. I spoke out of turn.”
“It’s fine. I feel the same way. Though Master should reflect more…”
“He has reflected. According to Lion Palace, he raised his hands and stood in punishment before His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Ho ho ho! There’s no one like His Majesty, indeed. Ho ho!”
Upon hearing my words, Heinz burst into hearty laughter, the biggest I’ve ever seen from him.
Just by looking at that, one can guess how much he’s been harassed by Erias.
“Ho ho… hmm, please keep my laughter regarding Master a secret.”
“I understand.”
“Then, shall we go? There’s much to discuss along the way.”
Thus, I walked alongside Heinz.
***
“…And that’s how it happened.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Nodding at Heinz’s explanation, I understood.
To summarize, due to the previous incident at the Island of Wisdom, two professors passed away.
Additionally, numerous injuries and student traumas led to the judgment that continuing academic activities would be difficult…
Thus, the royal palace issued a temporary closure order to Minerva Academy.
“Then, what happened to the midterm exam results?”
Given that it concerns my students, this was the matter closest to my heart.
Stroking his beard, Heinz responded.
“Restarting the exams seemed impractical, so we held many meetings. The situation was so severe that representatives from the royal family mediated parent complaints… Can you imagine how serious it was?”
Glancing at Heinz’s face, he looked utterly exhausted.
Considering these were noble children, how many overbearing parents must there have been?
No, rather, it’s inappropriate to call them overbearing when their children’s lives were at risk.
Reassessing my thoughts, I nodded.
“What parent wouldn’t be concerned about their child’s safety? It’s an unavoidable issue.”
“That’s true, but… sigh~”
Heinz wasn’t upset with the parents either.
Most likely, he was blaming Erias for starting the whole mess.
As for the heretics, well, it’s nothing new to criticize them.
Sighing, Heinz shook his head and continued speaking.
“In conclusion, the midterms were replaced with various assignments.”
“Assignments meaning?”
“There are two main types: written exams and practical tests. Since you’re familiar with written exams, let me explain the practical test…”
1. Tests conducted under each professor’s supervision.
2. Passing the artificial dungeon within Minerva.
3. Achieving excellent results in the upcoming academy grand competition, two months from now.
“…and that’s all.”
“The academy grand competition is new to me.”
“Ah, Professor Allen may not be familiar with it. Now that I think about it, you’re a special professor. Ho ho, I mistakenly thought you were a regular one.”
Realizing I was recently a soldier, Heinz chuckled awkwardly.
“Originally, academies occasionally hold friendly matches. Given the current unpleasant atmosphere in the empire due to recent events, the royal palace decided to expand the scale of these matches.”
“Interesting. Is it like a national tournament?”
“Yes. Though I haven’t checked the official documents, it seems this event isn’t limited to student duels. I heard its name is ‘Olympia,’ if I remember correctly.”
Compared to the midterm exams held at the Island of Wisdom, this definitely feels more exciting.
Not everyone needs to excel in combat since this isn’t military recruitment.
After hearing all I needed to know, I noticed my dormitory coming into view.
“Hmm? Ho ho, Professor Allen seems to have good rapport with students. This is the first time I’ve seen a student greeting a teacher.”
Following Heinz’s words, I took a closer look ahead and saw Ariana and Senna.
Do they miss me that much?
Smiling fondly, I replied.
“Hehe, they’re exceptional students.”
“Good. Then I’ll take my leave. I shouldn’t interrupt the teacher-student conversation.”
“Yes, see you later.”
With a magical gesture, Heinz disappeared, and I hurried towards the girls.
As I approached quickly, I noticed Senna muttering something.
“Huh? Something feels off…”
Suddenly feeling a chill, I stopped in my tracks as a memory surfaced.
“If you break your promise, there will be divine punishment!”
Brrr-
The moment I remembered the unkept promise…
“…Let the punishment be delivered!”
With Senna’s sharp voice…
[Divine Magic: Heavenly Punishment]
Crackle!
A blinding white lightning bolt struck down from above.
“…Gah!”
Smoke rose from my mouth.
The intense sensation left me momentarily unable to breathe.
“This isn’t Divine Punishment (天罰), it’s Human Punishment (人罰)!”
“Hmph! Breaking a girl’s promise is a grave sin!”
“Righteous!”
Meeting the sharp tongues of these two girls was far spicier than expected.
