“Turn around.”
At those words, Sylvia turned to see Deculein, hands behind his back, glaring at her.
“Debutant Sylvia,” Deculein said.
“Yes, sir,” Sylvia replied.
“As far as I know, this is an executive library. Many documents here are classified, so access is strictly prohibited to anyone outside the faculty, and violators are severely punished.”
“Oh, I see. I didn’t know. I got lost.”
Deculein nodded at Sylvia’s excuse and began speaking. “So, no one noticed when you took a wrong turn. That includes you and the librarians. All of them will be—”
“I lied to avoid trouble. I used an exception clause,” Sylvia said.
“There is no such thing as an exception clause.”
“I’m sorry. I was looking for a specific book,” Sylvia confessed honestly.
Then, the book in her hand floated up.
“Ah—”
She reached out to grab it but lost her balance.
“Ow.”
She fell, feeling the cold floor against her bottom. Though anger boiled inside her, she got up and brushed herself off without showing any emotion. Then she looked at Deculein. He was examining the book. Sylvia almost scoffed.
How amusing. That’s an Etynel novel. For someone whose only hobby is socializing, it’s a world you wouldn’t understand, even if you tried reading it. Stop wasting time and give me back the book. Sylvia thought.
But then… something strange happened.
“Last night, I was with him,” Deculein read aloud from the book. “Red flowers bloomed along every path that led to him.”
Deculein suddenly began reciting strange sentences as if he were reading aloud from the book. His tone was much softer than when he lectured.
“I tried not to think about where my feelings came from.”
Sylvia couldn’t follow his steadily continuing voice.
“As long as I felt the desire to be with him, that was enough.”
He is reading it. Is he really reading it? Or just saying random things?
“I took off her clothes…” Deculein said, stopping there and closing the book.
“It’s surprising that you enjoy reading eroti… romance novels,” Deculein continued.
Sylvia’s eyes widened in confusion.
“I don’t like romance—” Sylvia mouthed silently, shaking her head.
“That’s okay. Take it. I’ll let it go this time,” Deculein said.
“I don’t like romance novels—”
The book floated back into Sylvia’s arms.
“But if you enter this library again without permission, you will be in trouble.”
“It’s not that I like—”
“Are you here to flaunt your family’s power? From now on, you can have someone loyal to you borrow books. There’s no need for you to come personally,” Deculein said.
He didn’t listen to her at all. Sylvia stood there, experiencing humiliation for the first time. Her usually indifferent pale face turned a reddish hue. She hadn’t wanted to read a romance novel. She just wanted to learn about fairy customs through the Etynel novel.
“Besides, learning such things from books won’t help you at all. These are unusual stories.”
That was the final blow. Sylvia stood there, momentarily unconscious. The shock made her feel lightheaded. When she finally managed to open her eyes again, he was already gone. Sylvia looked at the book in her hand, relieved that it hadn’t been taken from her.
“Jerk.”
Muttering such strange words on his own whim. Clearly, he’s trying to keep me in check. Deculein is definitely aware of Iliade’s presence… she thought to herself.
Sylvia left the executive library and went straight back to her mansion and opened the book.
“You’re home early, Lady Sylvia,” a servant said.
“Yeah. By the way, I’m not hungry right now.”
She wanted to verify Deculein’s interpretation and study Etynel again after a long time. She kept an Etynel dictionary by her side. As she read more, Sylvia was surprised at how accurate Deculein’s interpretation was. He even knew words she didn’t.
It seemed unlikely he had deduced it all from context—his sentences were too natural and fluent. However, those questions soon faded from Sylvia’s mind. She realized this wasn’t a romance novel.
Undressing her, I placed myself over her body… Her ■■, my ■■, and her ■■ were ■■■■■■…
It was erotic literature.
“What the heck—”
***
… After returning that strange novel to Sylvia, I headed to the mountains with the faculty professors. It was, in fact, a real mountain.
“Haha. I never expected fifty students to sign up for the independent practice class,” Relin said, the chubby professor of the Support Studies Department, with a boisterous laugh.
“Indeed,” I replied nonchalantly.
The Mage Tower grounds include a special mountain known as the Mountain of Darkness, reminiscent of a famous forest from a certain school of witchcraft and wizardry, but far more grim and severe.
This mountain is situated in a remote corner of the university grounds, surrounded by barriers and protective shields, so the regular students are unaware of its existence and continue their studies. However, for the Mage Tower, which directly manages the mountain and is responsible for its safety, it is a critical and valuable location.
Without this mountain, we would have to make long trips to gain practical experience, and the various magical materials harvested from the forest—such as Grattendrijze Oil, Dragon Worms, Scrub trees, and Man-Eating Vines—are a significant source of revenue.
“Isn’t it impressive?” Relin said.
Today, the faculty of the Mage Tower, including myself, brought fifty Debutant mages to the Mountain of Darkness for practical training. Despite its name, it was bright since it was daytime.
“They’re all elite students, very composed. It truly reflects the standards of the Imperial University,” Professor Relin said proudly, observing the freshmen conducting magic research and occasionally dealing with demonic beasts on the Mountain of Noonday.
“They have every reason to fear the Mountain of Darkness…”
Though summer was still far off, Relin was sweating profusely for some reason.
“Oh, right. We haven’t decided who the on-duty professor will be for this week. It’s time to assign a new one since everyone’s had their turn. In times like this, we need the Head Professor’s opinion…” Relin continued hesitantly.
It was likely because of this duty. There are about fifty full-time professors at the Mage Tower. Including associate and assistant professors, there are many more, but the duty of overseeing the Mountain of Darkness rotates among the full-time professors, according to the rules of the Mage Tower. Judging by Relin’s reaction, the first shift seems to be quite dangerous.
“I’ll do it,” I volunteered.
“Oh!Ah, hmm. I see. As expected of Head Professor Deculein. A true role model of leadership…” Relin said happily.
This had nothing to do with leadership. It was all because of a quest.
[Side Quest: Darkness of the Mage Tower]
Store Currency +1
Additional achievement rewards
There’s something inside. From within… it’s pulling me in, almost as if it’s tempting me. That must be why the side quest activated.
“Then, Head Professor Deculein, please handle it from today until Sunday. I’ll take over next week…” Relin said, his belly shaking with joy.
“Alright,” I replied.
Regardless of their abilities as professors, those with a weak heart can’t easily endure this mountain. After all, night in the Mountain of Darkness shifts genres entirely. It becomes a horror game filled with jump scares…
***
… 12:05 a.m. Late at night. The still chilly April air seeped through Epherene’s clothes, but she didn’t feel cold at all.
Why is that? Is it the warmth of my robe? Or perhaps a heating spell? No. It’s not because of those things. Is it the alcohol coursing through my veins? A reasonable guess, but no. So, what is it? Why am I not cold? It’s because my pockets are full! Epherene thought.
“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll buy this. I’ve got it!” Epherene shouted boldly while eating ice cream, enjoying the pleasant buzz from the alcohol.
“Are you sure…? Epherene, aren’t you overdoing it?” Ferit, a commoner, murmured hesitantly.
“Hey, what are you talking about? My wallet is really thick!”
After becoming the leader of the commoner group and finishing their gathering, Epherene was sitting with Julia and other club members at an outdoor night diner.
“We submitted the Club Formation Proposal yesterday, so it should be approved soon,” Julia said with a grin.
“Really? That’s great, that’s great~” Epherene said.
“Yeah. But the commoners don’t seem to want to join. They seem to be hesitant for some reason. It’s so silly,” Julia said.
Slurp—
Epherene quickly ate a noodle dish.
“It’s delicious,” Epherene said.
“Haha. Epherene, you must be really drunk?” Julia asked.
“Drunk? Never. Not at all,” Epherene said, shaking her head with a mock-serious and solemn look.
How many shots did I take? I don’t remember, but I’m definitely not drunk… Epherene thought.
“Aaaahhhhh—!”
At that moment, a scream pierced the air. Epherene and the other mages flinched. At first, they thought it was an auditory hallucination.
“Aaaaaahhhhhhh—!”
“What was that? Did you hear it?”
“Yeah, I did! You did too?”
“Let’s go, let’s go!”
Ferit, Rondo, Julia, and Epherene. Their sense of justice as elite mages spurred the spirited freshmen to jump up and run.
“Where was it?!”
“Help, help me—!”
“Over there! Over there!”
The sound came from the alley on the right.
“Help me—!”
The mages followed the scream, running down a dark path into a secluded corner.
“Over here! Please—!”
As they ran, the sound of leaves crunching underfoot suddenly filled the air. They were on a brick path, yet the noise was more fitting for a mountain trail.
“Guys, doesn’t this seem strange…? Epherene said, looking back. “… Doesn’t it?”
No one was there. All around her were only barren trees and grass.
“Oh…”
The alcohol buzz vanished, and a chill ran down her stiffened neck.
“—Help me!”
The scream echoed again. In that moment, Epherene’s fear subsided. It wasn’t a sense of justice, it was a magical influence she couldn’t perceive.
“Wh-where are you!” Epherene shouted.
Epherene had two major weaknesses from not having gone through the academy. One was resistance to magic, and the other was the mentality of a mage. Both were basic skills cultivated at the academy before university.
“Where are you!” Epherene shouted as she ran quickly and finally found someone.
“Here, here! I’m here! I’m right here!”
A woman with torn clothes was reaching out to her. Epherene immediately tried to support her. At that moment…
Bang—!
Something struck Epherene’s leg, causing her to tumble to the ground. She tried to get up, but her calf throbbed painfully. Unable to muster the strength to stand, she lay on the ground and lifted her head.
“Watch out!” Epherene shouted urgently to the dazed woman, but it was already too late. A flash of light from the darkness pierced the woman’s shoulder.
“Aaaahhhhh!”
“Ah!” Epherene cried out in pain.
At the sound of the woman’s agonized scream, Epherene forced herself up and gathered magic into her bracelet. She aimed her magic at the direction from which the strange attack had come, but she was shocked to see who stood there. In the shadow of the bushes stood Head Professor Deculein, radiating a terrifying, deadly intent that made Epherene gasp.
“P-professor! What are you—!”
“Debutant Epherene,” Deculein called her name.
Meanwhile, the woman tried to crawl toward them, but another projectile from Deculein pierced the woman’s ankle.
“Gaaaargh!”
“No, Professor! What are you—”
“Look closely. That is not a human,” Deculein said calmly.
“Whuat?!”
“You’re drunk. Stay still,” Deculein said.
“But still—”
“Do not move—!”
His roar echoed through the mountains, shaking the branches and reverberating in the still air. Overwhelmed by his presence, Epherene fell back and stared at Deculein. His face was tense, and his eyes were fierce like those of a bird of prey. He looked far more frightening than usual. A cold wind scratched Epherene’s cheek, and only then did her foggy mind begin to clear.
“… It’s an enchantment, a specialty of demons,” Deculein said, lifting Epherene by the back of her neck.
Deculein stood still as Epherene floated into the air.
“Uh, w-wait. My feet aren’t touching the ground…”
“I implanted my metal into your robe.”
Flailing in the air, Epherene looked at Deculein. Her heart sank heavily at his gaze, which seemed to regard her very existence with disdain. Deculein stared at Epherene with an expression of utter contempt, as if she were something insignificant. Deculein was staring at Epherene with such eyes.
“The human body is complex, but working with metal is relatively simple,” Deculein continued.
His words were incomprehensible. Was he really a professor? Could this person be a demon’s enchantment?
“What are you talking about—”
“I said stop interfering and get lost, you damn halfwit,” Deculein demanded forcefully.
The harsh words pierced her like a dagger. His expression was colder and more frightening than ever before. This was not the Deculein she knew—or rather, this was exactly the Deculein she had expected. He snapped at her fiercely and yanked her up. It wasn’t just a simple tug.
“Woahhhhhh—“
Whooooosh—
She was dragged out like dust sucked into a vacuum cleaner and flung off the mountain, blacked out instantly.
***
“Grrrr…”
The woman transformed into a bizarre creature. Her hair and clothes melted away, horns sprouted from her temples, and her eyes, now large and lidless, glistened grotesquely against her crimson skin.
“You sly bastard,” I said.
The gem-like core on her forehead suggested her main affinity was enchantment, but my body was immune to such magic. One of the few advantages of Deculein’s character was his near-perfect resistance to enchantment spells. However, my emotions were strangely turbulent. Deculein’s inherent nature was reacting intensely.
The Bloodline. Similar to Personality Traits or Attributes, it was a unique characteristic of the Yukline family. The Yukline bloodline harbored an innate hostility toward demons. When I sensed the demon, a visceral loathing surged up, twisting my rationality.
This was the legacy of ancient ancestors who hunted demons, a reputation designed by the game’s writer. Whether a player chose the path of an evil demon or a righteous knight or a mage, Deculein could never become an ally—his unstoppable fury made him an enemy to all when seeing a demon.
“You deserve to be buried deep underground.”
I was rarely this angry. I couldn’t maintain my composure.
“Kraaaa—!”
The creature shrieked, sending out a wave intended to attack my mind. The buzzing sound echoed in my ears, but that was all. I remained unaffected and aimed five shurikens at the demon. Excitement coursed through me. I was eager to test the Cherished Item I had honed to perfection, but Deculein’s true nature was boiling over.
Swish—
Four shurikens split into pairs, flanking the demon from both sides. It glanced between them, grinding its teeth.
“Kryaaa!”
The demon attempted a backflip to dodge the four trajectories, but the remaining shuriken, now airborne, aimed directly at its heart.
Crack—
The demon twisted its joints grotesquely, reshaping its body to evade the shuriken. Yet, my attack was relentless. The four shurikens that had circled behind now surged at the demon again. The endless assault with five shurikens was inescapable. Dodging seemed possible, but escape was not.
As time passed, the demon grew more cornered and would eventually die. Thus, it had only one choice left—a direct attack. It kicked off the ground, racing against the shurikens. Its speed was indeed swift, finding gaps, but I had anticipated this.
Slash—
The demon extended its claws, but they stopped just short of my skin. The sixth shuriken, which had driven Epherene from the mountain, returned and pierced its forehead.
“… Filthy creature. Even in death, you spread filth everywhere.”
Blood spattered my face. A severe, nauseating disgust welled up inside me. The disdain, contempt, hatred, and murderous intent were overwhelming. I couldn’t hide it.
[Side Quest Cleared: Darkness of the Mage Tower]
Store Currency +1
[Additional Achievement: First Demon Slain]
Store Currency +1
[Family Bloodline: Yukline]
Attribute Yukline Unlocked
Notifications of rewards appeared, but I felt no joy. The appearance of the demon was a signal, marking the official beginning of a game without the actual players in the game. I stood there, looking up at the sky. The deep, dark dawn had no stars, and the cloud-covered moon was pale.