"Turn around."
Sylvia looked back as ordered, immediately noticing Deculein glaring toward her.
"Debutante Sylvia."
"Yes?"
"As far as I know, this library is exclusive to executives only. There are many confidential documents stored here. Hence, except for faculty, entry is prohibited."
"Oh, I see. I wasn't aware. I got lost."
Deculein nodded at Sylvia's excuse.
"No one seems to think that you're lost. You and the librarians are at fault, all of you—"
She lied to save herself from this situation and used the exception clause.
"There is no exception clause."
"I'm sorry. There was a book I wanted to find." Sylvia finally confessed.
"Ah."
He extended his hand to grab the book, but he missed.
"Oh, my."
She lost her balance and fell on her butt. Rage began to boil inside her, but she didn't show it as she stood up and brushed herself off. She then looked at Deculein.
"…"
He was peeking into the book. Sylvia snorted inwardly, finding the situation funny.
'It's an Ethinel novel. You won't understand, considering you have no hobbies other than socializing. Stop wasting your breath and give me back the book.'
"I was with her last night."
"…?"
She found it odd.
"Red flowers danced throughout the path to her."
Professor Deculein unexpectedly recited strange sentences, almost like he was reading from the book, even using a soft tone that differed from his voice during lectures.
"I didn't want to think about to whom these feelings started from."
He continued calmly, but Sylvia couldn't understand what was happening.
"If you desire to be with her, then that's fine."
He was reading it. No, was he reading it, or was he just babbling?
"But I know her very soul…"
The professor then stopped as he closed the book.
"You…like romance novels. It's no big deal."
"Huh?" Puzzled and unable to think of the right words to say, she bit her lips and shook her head. "Romance novels, I—"
"Forget it. Take this with you. I'll forgive you just this once."
"Romance novels—"
The book floated to her, and she wrapped her arms around it, bringing it close to her chest.
"But, you'll be sanctioned to disciplinary action if you come here again as you please."
"It's not that I like it—"
"Did you come here to show off your household's authority? You don't have to come here yourself in the future. You can just ask someone with an allegiance to you."
He wasn't even listening to her. Sylvia's lips hung open. For the first time in her life, she experienced shame and humiliation. Her pale and indifferent expression was flushed with anger. She wasn't trying to read a romance novel. She was trying to learn the fairies' customs through the book.
"Trying to learn from books like that is impractical. That's not a common story."
She received a fatal blow, causing her to lose her mind and just stand there blankly for a moment. It felt as if she was just hit in the back of the head with a blunt object.
"…"
The stupefied Sylvia closed her eyes for a moment and narrowly opened them.
"…"
Sylvia looked at the book in her hand. Fortunately, it wasn't taken away from her.
"Despicable."
She blabbered as she pleased. Deculein was keeping her in check, perhaps because he was conscious of Iliade. Sylvia left the room and immediately returned to the mansion, opening the book.
"My lady, you're home early."
"Yes. Don't bother with my meals."
She had to focus on checking if the professor's interpretations were correct and on studying the Ethinel. For that reason, she prepared an Ethinel vocabulary list beside her.
"…"
The more she read, the more she was surprised by how accurate Deculein's interpretation was. He even knew a word she didn't know. Was it merely conjectured from the context? Even so, his sentences flowed smoothly and sounded natural.
"!"
But those questions soon disappeared from Sylvia's mind as she realized that it wasn't a romance novel.
[Like I'm wrapped in her bare body…she ■■ me ■■ and ■■■■■■■■…]
It was pornography.
"How could this—"
*******
After returning the odd novel to Sylvia, I came to the mountain with the teaching staff.
"Haha! I didn't know there would be fifty applicants for self-control practice."
Relin, a chubby professor from the Department of Assistive Studies, laughed loudly.
"I'm just as surprised as you are," I replied indifferently.
This place was appropriately called the Mountain of Darkness, considering it was similar to famous forests of other magic schools, but it was far more violent and dangerous. However, since it was located in a far corner of the university and guarded by barriers, the students remained oblivious to it as they lived ordinary school lives. But the tower, which directly managed the mountain and was responsible for the students' safety, considered this place valuable even though it was treacherous.
Without it, everyone would have to travel much farther to experience an actual fight. The magical ingredients that could be found here, like salamanders, plants, and oil from the Graten Drize, to name a few, could also be profited from.
"Aren't you proud?"
Today, the faculty, including me, and fifty debutante wizards, went to the Mountain of Darkness for practical training. Even though it had Darkness in its name, its surroundings were still pretty bright since the day was still young.
"They're extremely dignified, as befits elites of the Imperial University's standards."
here at noon, praising the students who handled the evil creatures that frequently appeared here during the odd hours of the day.
"This is why you should be afraid of the Mountain of Darkness…"
Summer was still a long way off, yet Relin was still sweating profusely.
"Oh, by the way. The professor on duty for this week hasn't been decided yet. It's time to take turns and choose a new one. At times like this, the head professor's opinion…."
Maybe it was because of this. There were about fifty full-time professors in the tower. There were other faculty members, including associate professors and assistant professors, but according to the by-laws, only full-time professors were allowed to take turns guarding the Mountain of Darkness. Of course, from Relin's reactions, it became quite clear that it was dangerous to go first.
"I'll do it."
I volunteered.
"Oh! Ah, hmmm. I see. It is as expected of the head professor, taking the initiative to set an example."
I wasn't setting an example. I was just completing a quest.
[Side Quest: Mountain of Darkness]
◆ Store currency +1
◆ Additional Achievement Rewards
Something was waiting for me inside there, pulling at me and seemingly seducing me. Maybe that was why the side quest was triggered.
"Well, Head Professor Deculein, I leave this place in your care until Sunday. I'll replace you next week."
Relin shuddered with joy.
"Alright."
I set aside the professors' problems and focused on this place. With their abilities, weak people wouldn't be able to survive on this mountain easily. Filled with jump scares, horrifying moments, and thrilling monsters, the Mountain of Darkness's nights changed the genre of the game itself.
******
…12:05 am. Late night.
She burrowed herself in clothes. April could still be fairly cold, but Epherene wasn't bothered by it. It wasn't due to heating magic or her robe being enchanted with cold resistance. She thought it was perhaps because of the alcohol circling in her vessels. That made sense, but she still thought that wasn't it.
She concluded that she couldn't feel it because her pockets were warm.
"Ah, it's okay, it's okay. Here, I'll pay for it. I told you it's my treat~."
Eating noodles, Epherene arrogantly shouted. Her moderately increased alcohol level had left her tipsy.
"Really…? Aren't you overdoing it, Epherene?"
Ferit, the commoner, mumbled timidly.
"Heyyyy…what are you talking about? My wallet is thick. Thick!"
After becoming the leader of a group of commoners and finishing their dinner, Epherene sat on the side of the road in front of the restaurant with Julie and the other members. Julie grinned.
"I submitted the plan for the group's founding. It should be done soon."
"Really? I see I see~"
"Yes, but the commoners don't want to sign up, probably because, like fools, they're still wary."
Sluuurp—
Epherene finished her noodles in an instant.
"Ish sho goood."
"Hihi. Epherene, are you drunk?"
"Drunk? Me? Never!"
She shook her head with a serious expression. How many shots had she had? She couldn't remember, but she wasn't drunk…
Ahhhhhh—!
"!"
A scream rang out then, surprising Epherene and the wizards. At first, they thought they were just hearing things.
"What? Just now, did you hear that?"
"Yes, I did!"
"Let's go, let's go!"
Ferit and Rondo, Julie and Epherene. With their sense of justice as wizards getting the best of them, they jumped up and ran toward the scream.
"Where did it come from?"
"Help, help me!"
"There!"
The sound came from the alley on their right.
"Help me!"
Following the scream, they went through the dark path and entered a secluded corner.
"I-in here! Please!"
They kept running but soon noticed something unusual. The sounds of leaves being stepped on and crushed kept entering their ears. They were running down on a brick road, which made it even stranger to hear their footsteps like they were walking down a dense forest.
"Guys. Something's wrong. Make sure you—"
Epherene looked back. "Huh?"
She was alone, surrounded by desolate trees and thick undergrowth.
"Uh…"
The effects of the alcohol swiftly died down as a chill ran down her spine.
"Help me!"
A shriek rose again. In an instant, terror dominated Epherene's heart. It wasn't a sense of justice. It was a magic that she couldn't perceive.
"W-where are you?"
Since she didn't go to the academy, she had two major weaknesses: resistance to magic and the mentality of a wizard. Those basic skills were taught in the academy before reaching the college level.
"Where are you?!"
Rushing through the woods, she finally found her.
"Here, here! I'm here! I'm here!"
A woman with tattered clothes and outstretched hands approached her, and she immediately tried to assist her.
Bang—!
At that moment, something hit her leg.
"—!"
Epherene fell and rolled around. She tried to stand up, but her calves felt numb, and she noticed she had no strength. All she could do was raise her head.
"Careful!"
She immediately yelled to alert the dazed woman, but it was too late. A flash of light appeared from the shadows, penetrating the woman's shoulder.
"Ahhhhhhhhh—!"
"Ah!"
With the desperate scream, Epherene forced herself up and tried to gather power from her bracelet and release it towards where the attack came from…
She revealed the person standing there, but his identity was a surprise to her.
Head Professor Deculein. His outpour of murderous intent frightened her.
"P-professor! What are you do—!"
"Debutante Epherene."
The moment he called out to her, the woman that tried to climb away was shot down again, this time light piercing her ankle.
"Arrrrrgggghhhh—!"
"No, professor! What are you—"
"Open your eyes. That's not a person."
"What?"
"You're drunk. Just stay still."
"No, but…"
"Don't move!" Deculein threatened her.
"…"
His roar sounded as if it could shake mountains. The branches trembled, and echoes thundered through the area. Overwhelmed, Epherene stiffened, unable to do anything but stare at him. His eyes were sharp and fierce, almost like those of a bird of prey. He was scarier than usual. The cold wind brushed past Epherene's cheeks.
Only then did the ambiguity of their surroundings start to clear up.
"…It's bewitchment, the devil's specialty."
He lifted her from the back of her neck as he explained the situation. He remained standing, but Epherene began to float in the air by herself.
"W-wait. My feet can't reach the ground…."
"I planted my metal in your robe."
"…?"
She floundered as she looked at Deculein, only for her heart to sink heavily. He looked at her as if he was belittling her very existence. His expression appeared to be filled with disdain towards her, a lowly creature.
"Lifting human bodies is difficult, but metal is easy."
She couldn't understand what he meant. No, was he the professor in the first place? Maybe he was just another devilish illusion.
"What the hell do you mean—"
"Don't get in the way and get the hell out of here, beggar."
"…"
His words were as sharp as daggers, and he paired it with a look that was far more frightening and grim than any she had ever seen. His very mien itself was far from Deculein's usual behavior.
…No. No. On the contrary, he was acting…more like the Deculein that she knew. He retorted harshly, pulling Epherene away. He wasn't gentle.
"Wheeeee—"
Shoooooo—
She was dragged out like dust getting sucked into a vacuum cleaner, thrown outside the mountain where she promptly fainted.
******
Krrrr…
The woman transformed into a strange creature. Her hair and clothes melted as horns grew on both sides of her temples. Her eyes were large but had no eyelids, her skin was red, and her sides were oddly shiny.
"A cunning fellow."
Judging by the gem-like nucleus between her eyes, she probably released another Bewitchment sequence, but it didn't work on him. Despite the meager amount of good traits in Deculein's [Personality], he boasted an almost perfect level of immunity to such spells.
My emotions were strangely overwhelming, and I immediately identified it as Deculein's innate [Personality] reacting violently.
…[Bloodline]. His [Personality] and [Characteristics] had similarities with the Yukline Household's distinct characteristics. His hostility towards devils was a trait inherent in their bloodline. Hence, when I sensed the devil, I immediately felt an indescribable feeling of hatred and loathing. This was how the reputation of the demon-hunting wizards worked, starting from their ancestors.
This was Deculein's destiny, designed by a game writer. Whether the player played an evil demon or a good knight going on adventures, he couldn't be turned into a colleague no matter what they tried.
"You deserve to be stuck underground."
I rarely grew angry, but thanks to the demon, I couldn't keep my cool.
"Krrrrrrr—!"
The monster resorted to screaming, most likely trying to attack me with a mental wave.
Ziiiing—
A buzzing sound rang in my ears, but that was all. Not paying it any attention, I struck the devil with the five metal rods hovering in the air. I was excited. I knew there was an ongoing exam to help others master their skills, but Deculein's nature in me was surging forth.
Swiiiirl—
I separated the four throwing knives into two, aiming them at both of its flanks. It gritted its teeth as it watched the attacks.
"Ahhhh!"
The devil tried to avoid their trajectories with a backflip, but the last throwing knife went straight into its heart while it was in the air.
Udududuk—
Its joints were grotesquely broken. It continued trying to avoid my weapons by transforming its own body, but there was no end to my offensive. With its back turned, four blades pierced through it. It did its best, but its death was unavoidable. Throughout the battle, the devil did nothing but slowly succumb to its injuries.
Hence, it took its last remaining option: charge forward. Falling hard on the road, it tore itself against my throwing knives. It was fast, but its movements were within expectations.
Schwaaaaa—!
It stretched out its claws, but it couldn't reach me. The sixth knife, which flew Epherene out of the mountain, returned in time to penetrate its forehead.
"…What a vile monster, splattering its filth all over the place."
It struggled so hard that I even had blood on my face. Unbearable disgust welled up within me, filling me with thoughts of hatred, dread, murder, and destruction. I couldn't stand it. I couldn't hide it.
[Side Quest Clear: Mountain of Darkness]
◆ Store Currency +1
[Additional Achievement: First to kill the devil]
◆ Store Currency +1 [Family Bloodline: Yukline]
◆ Characteristic [Yukline] Enlightenment
A series of notifications for my rewards came, but I still couldn't get over the devil's appearance, preventing me from feeling delighted. In the end, this was no different to a sign.
A sign of a full-fledged start to a game without a player.
"…"
I just stood there blankly and looked up at the sky. Deep, dark, dawn. There was not a single star in the skies, and the moon covered by the clouds was far too pale…