The following day.
Carrying a magic book, I made my way to a mountain behind the mansion's lot. I had already mastered [Basic Psychokinesis], and my [Vision] skill level had reached 100%. I could now manipulate seven throwing knives as if they were my limbs, but any more than that would make even the production of magic a problem.
Hence, I had to attempt familiarizing myself with [Beginner Psychokinesis] in the middle of the mountain's vegetation, which had cleaner air and better mana quality. I tried sitting in a lotus position, but I couldn't bring myself to sit on the bare ground because of my unbearable mysophobia. Eventually, I found myself dragging along a chair from the mansion.
Amid the grass and trees now sat an antique chair. They didn't mesh well together, but I leaned back onto its backrest and opened my magic book anyway.
—— [Beginner Psychokinesis] ——
: Now that you've learned Basic Psychokinesis, you may now advance to Beginner Psychokinesis. Compared to Basic Psychokinesis, Beginner Psychokinesis uses eighteen more lines and one more circle. The movement of the circuit has now become more complicated…
—————
I activated my [Understanding]. [Beginner Psychokinesis] appeared like a vision before my eyes as it filled my mind.
"…"
Two lines overlapped like computer figures, clearly highlighting the difference between the two magics. I then imbued the data into my body. [Beginner Psychokinesis] lines were more detailed engraved on top of their weaker counterpart, [Basic Psychokinesis]. Heavy lines and circles were added to my previous feather-like technique.
The [Basic Psychokinesis]'s gaps and simplicity were now, for the first time, filled with a medium in the form of a magic circle.
"Haaaa…"
Naturally, I tasted death once more. Whenever a new circuit was formed, I would feel a fever surging up inside me so violently that it felt like daggers were carving through my bones…
Swish—!
The spell invading my muscles nibbled at my nerves. I could still bear the sharp, deep pain coursing through my veins, but the duration I had to wait for it to dissipate was quite long. Throughout that time, the magic taking root all over my body tormented me rigorously.
It didn't stop until I had exhausted most of my powers. Within that ambiguous feeling was a sense of listlessness and languish, however. I remembered what happened last night.
…Yeriel. I didn't agonize over it, but I would be lying if I weren't hoping our secret would remain obscured. I shut down those idle thoughts and opened my eyes. What was left of my power was less than 10%, but that was more than enough for me to train.
I went back to the training ground, which was somewhat strange compared to modern fitness centers. For starters, its pull-up bar was too high, and the barbell and dumbbell plates were heavier than normal weights. I took off my clothes and folded them. My body, which I had been developing nonstop, pleased me.
"…"
I put my hand on the steel bar. In that state, I brought in a metal band using my telekinetic power. A total of 100kg of restraints were fitted onto my waist, ankles, and wrists. I did ten chin-ups on the first bar and then did the same number of repetitions on the next bar and then the next. I repeated that process until I reached the roof, from which I jumped down.
Boom—!
A tremendous shock spread throughout my body, but my stance didn't even waver. Now that I was done with that set, I immediately moved onto the next one. I climbed the rope attached to the roof. After reaching the top, I jumped again.
The training I was undergoing was an ignorant method that normal human beings wouldn't even dare try. It was no different from openly abusing my joints, ligaments, knees, and muscle tissues. However, for as long as [Character] was in effect, my bones would never break, and my ligaments would never tear regardless of what I did.
Of course, I could still feel pain. However, through Deculein's [Competitiveness] and [Strong Willpower], I still managed to focus solely on improving my body.
"Whooo…"
As a result of my arrogant training…
Before I knew it, my power had recovered to 40%. But then again, I was immersed in magic. With this routine, the estimated required time for me to master [Beginner Psychokinesis] was three weeks at most. On the other hand, my physical abilities, including my endurance, agility, reflexes, and flexibility, might have surpassed a gorillas' since I developed them through [Sage].
Of course, I still had a long way to go compared to the infamous named villains' combat abilities.
******
On my way to work at the tower, I suddenly sat down and stared blankly in the air.
[Lv. 1 System Store]
System stores allowed characters to be strengthened by using the store currency they acquired. In the game's second half, not only players but also named characters could be strengthened that way. However, access to the store was highly limited. It could only be used around six times in the latter half of the game. Reinforced items ranged in cost from 5 to 10 won in the [Lv. 1 Store], 10 to 20 won in the [Lv. 2 Store], 20 to 40 won in the [Lv. 3 Store], and so on. Its goods' prices doubled, and it could only be used once per level.
I knew which reinforcements were the best, however.
——[Lv. 1 System Store]——
• 1. Blacksmith's Luck
…
…
…
• 5. Mana Quality Enhancement (Stage 1)
: Character's original power is enhanced qualitatively.
: Mild increase in power output and efficiency.
: 10 KRW
—————————————
Mana Quality Enhancement. I didn't even have to pause for a moment to consider anything else. The rest was good for concept play, but that was the sole item that passed my standards. I needed to save up four more won for it.
Knock, knock——
The door opened, and Allen hesitantly entered.
"Allen."
"I heard you called for me.
Standing still, he stared quietly at me. Asking why I requested his presence should've been his next response, but he was a meek individual. Gently, I spoke with a faint smile.
"Do you have any thoughts about choosing your assistant wizard?"
"…What?"
Allen tilted his head. I sent him an official document last week through psychokinesis.
"Assistant Professor Evaluation."
If there were a wizard one wanted to recommend as an assistant professor, they'd be able to indicate it in the document.
"…!"
Just realizing what I was trying to tell him, Allen's eyes slowly grew wider.
"Yes, yes, YES?!"
"That's right. I would like to recommend you as assistant—"
"Yes—?!"
"…professor."
Allen was already about to cry before I could even finish my sentence. With tears rolling down from his eyes, Allen replied.
"B-but…Professor, I-I don't have any talent…."
That was true. Allen did lack talent. Even when perceived through the [Man of Great Wealth], much less [The Villain's Fate], he was colorless and odorless. Those two skills weren't omnipotent, but even so, he certainly had a deficiency when it came to natural talent. That might've been the reason why he hadn't left yet. No one wanted him, and he had nowhere to run to.
"No one else but you, and your sincerity, passed all the tests I conducted."
Deculein was authoritative and disliked praising others, but this much was bearable since those traits had low ranks among his [Personality]. The hardest ones to overcome were [Mysophobia] and [Honorable Etiquette]. I despised dirt and bacteria with my very being.
"W-what do you mean?!"
"Stop asking questions and just take it."
I gave Allen a gift. It wasn't anything huge, considering it was just a bracelet. I ordered it from a jewelry store nearby and instructed them to engrave the Yukline pattern on it.
"Keep working hard."
I didn't want him to give up. After all, from his trivial work like document organizations to his quick wits, Allen's tasks and traits were useful.
"Then…have I officially become your pupil now?"
"…"
I didn't think that far ahead, so I quickly came up with an answer.
"Not yet. There are two more levels to pass, so keep working hard."
Allen intensely bowed three times in a row.
"N-noted! I understand!"
"Now that you're an assistant professor, you should come to observe my class in two days."
"O-observe?! Class observation?! What?!"
Allen questioned what he heard thrice, the veins in his eyes about to burst. It was starting to grow a little irritating.
"Don't react too boisterously. I don't like it."
"…O-oh, I'm sorry. Forgive me…"
"Okay."
I got up from my seat without much thought, but Allen curled up in shock and trembled, looking like he was defending himself with his arms.
"You're fine. I won't hit you."
"H-huh? Ah…I'm sorry, that's…uh…where are you going…..?"
"Library."
Luna's thesis. Its topic was about the creation of pure elements, and while the code had been completely deciphered, the thesis's actual composition remained ambiguous. There were too many empty spaces, gaps, and holes throughout the entire study.
To solve that, I planned on going through the books in the library. I could use my [Understanding] skill, but studying magic was a must for every professor. If I found a useful magic book, I wouldn't hesitate to read it.
"I-I see! Ah, by the way! Take a look at this, Professor!" Allen had a piece of paper in his hands. "It's best for you to be careful!"
[Wanted: Wizard Killer 'Rock Hark']
[There were sightings of Wizard Killer Rock Hark on the outskirts of the system. Debutante wizards should refrain from going outside late at night as much as possible.]
I knew that guy. With his ability to restrict wizard players, he was the biggest threat throughout early to mid-game. If I were the original Deculein, I would've already called the shadows and subdued him. But I had already cut off the dark connections that made him powerful before I knew it.
"I've been fearful of meeting the Wizard Killer these days. They say he only targets talented wizards, though…."
"Allen."
"Yes?"
"Do you know who I am?" I chuckled.
"…What?"
"I asked you who I am."
Wizard Killer. That character could be considered on the level of a mid-boss villain, but naturally, he was much lower than Deculein. I was confident of that.
"Ah! You are Deculein, the youngest professor in the glorious Imperial University and a high-ranking wizard who can call on all types of elements!"
He readily poured out praise for me, which left me feeling flustered.
"…That's right."
The Wizard Killer wasn't in my league. Theoretically, we were even the perfect natural enemies. Hence, there was no need for me to worry.
"Allen, be careful."
However, there were my lack of practical experience. But with my cold-blooded [Personality], that wouldn't make much of a difference. Hence, I hoped I would cross paths with him. I needed store currency, after all.
*****
Surprisingly enough, Sylvia had hobbies other than magic: mainly collecting literature and language. The level of her seriousness towards that hobby was far from ordinary, however. She devoted all of her time outside of magic training to her collection.
Hence, the first place that she visited as soon as she entered Imperial University was the library. Of course, all she gained there was disappointment. There were some rare books in the library tower, but she could hardly call it a proper collection.
Thus, today, she resolved.
"Oh, I see. Indeed…Sylvia isn't that much of a debutante now."
"Is it possible?"
"Hmmm…that is a reading room for board members…please hold on. I'll have to call this in and inform the higher-ups first."
She set foot inside the reading room used only by professors and board members.
"Yes, I'll wait."
But she didn't hide and scurry about like a mouse. Instead, she went through the front door confidently.
"…Ah, yes, yes. Yes, professor. Sylvia said she's looking for a book to study… I see. I understand."
After contacting someone through the crystal ball, the librarian smiled brightly at her.
"You've been granted permission. You may go in, new wizard. Due to the exception clause, you'll need a pass, but it'll be fine."
"Thank you."
Sylvia, still a student, entered the reading room triumphantly. She was certainly the heir to Iliade and the new wizard of the year. Even in the entire reading room, few professors would dare confront her since she was certain to become a professor in the future. The amount her household had donated to the University Tower was also within the top ten, after all.
It was just that the order of events had changed a little.
"…"
Scanning through the reading room's shelves, she felt thrilled and excited.
Hop, hop, hop. Hop, hop, hop.
Sylvia skipped and hopped around lightheartedly like a rabbit.
"Oh."
Not long after, she finally found a collection that satisfied both her hobbies— language and literature— simultaneously. Ethinels, novels written in the fairies' language.
"…"
Sylvia took out the book carefully, revealing its title.
[Witrospy ba Mitrogy, Stirio lagio pe bardio.]
Fairies had long since disappeared from this mundane world, but their novels remained throughout the continent. Therefore, the Ethinels found occasionally were priceless. However, there was another problem: they were atrociously difficult to read and understand.
The language system of the fairies was incoherent, making the comprehension and translation of it near impossible. She knew that the word Witrospy in the title meant 'man,' but Omesip, a word on the first page, also meant the same thing. Even Radeoman, which followed not far from it, also had the same meaning.
She wondered how they communicated using a language that had no basis and no standard. Still, Sylvia had mastered the Ethinels to some extent. When she skimmed through the book's contents, she swiftly understood that its genre was romance, making her like it all the better. Now she wished to take it home quickly so she could read it.
Sylvia turned around with the book in her arms.
"…!"
But she immediately ran into someone.
"Hmm?"
Professor Letran from the Department of Spirits. He recognized Sylvia, of course, but he just passed by with a smile. Sylvia proudly twisted the corners of her lips upward. It had always been like that, after all. There was no excellent professor in this renowned university who would punish her for entering the executive library.
…Perhaps, except for one. Of course, she already knew that he didn't visit the library. He had been here zero times in five years. It was like he built a wall that separated him from this place.
Sylvia, readying herself to head back, thought it would be icing on the cake if she could find another book, an Ethinel dictionary to be precise, as she turned around the library corner like a child…
"…"
She came across another person, her listless eyes immediately scanning the tall form before her. He wore a custom-made suit jacket with a vest wrapped around the white shirt inside it and had sharp reading glasses resting atop his ears. His gloved hands carried antique hard-covered books.
Before her was the intellectually handsome Senior Professor Deculein.
She didn't expect to encounter him here. Despite the pressing matter, Sylvia coveted the rare-looking hardbound book in his hands. Regardless, she immediately glanced up to meet his gaze. His dark blue eyes behind his glasses looked at her directly with such an intensity that she immediately understood the severity of the situation.
"…"
Seconds passed.
"…"
An odd silence permeated around them as their gazes intertwined.
"…"
Nobody spoke between that gap. However, he quickly covered his book. At that moment, Sylvia turned around.
Tik tak, tik tak, tik tak—
Her shoes clacked quickly and desperately as she tried to escape, but his low-pitched voice soon called out to her, almost as if caging her soul to his side.
"If you don't stop, you'll be punished."
With his words, Sylvia halted, and just stiffly stood there.
Stomp…Stomp…Stomp…
The sound of footsteps coming from behind approached her slowly as an ominous, chilly air clawed at her skin. When the steps stopped, Sylvia swallowed anxiously.