Chapter 48 - Shadow's Fault

The delivery that was made by the Variants today was different from the one two days ago. These bodies are all adults!

Just by seeing this, he can already tell that these people did not die from trying their luck in surviving the Darkness Possession. It must be something else!

Kyle then walked closer to a couple of carts in the corridor sent by the Variants.

After further inspection, the bodies have injuries again on their foreheads like they were shot by a bullet or stabbed by a sharp object.

"This injury again? Madam Celia, do you know what's the cause of their deaths?" Kyle asked. His Master didn't bother answering his question so he decided to try his luck with the new manager.

"Mhmm? Didn't they die after being shot in their heads?" Celia asked in return as she glanced at him slightly confused.

Kyle wryly smiled as he shook his head.

"It's quite weird that there are no signs of blood. There is no penetration of the bullet on the other side. It even feels like they have a hollowed skull."

Kyle feels like a huge syringe was used to stab their skull and extracted their brain matter. That's right, this is what he was thinking all this while when he investigated the first corpse. He just didn't want to admit it since it was too weird…

However, over the past few months when his knowledge about the world of mysticism deepens, he learned that these things weren't that impossible to happen.

"Well, they might be those unregistered practitioners… You know that those in the ninth year and tenth year students will help hunt those who are practicing mysticism without a license, right?"

"Aahh… It was actually their task. I didn't know. I only know that there were people assigned to hunt those who are practicing any of the Arcane Arts without permission."

"Indeed… They were only helping the officials for some time for the experience. I'm thinking that this is the result of their job or something. Even if it's their vacation, they would normally continue their hunting job if they encountered one…"

Kyle nodded after hearing this explanation. Of course, this still doesn't explain how they died.

Seeing that "Vale" was looking serious, Celia added.

"Well… It's not important, is it? As long as they don't turn into evil creatures… That should be enough. In any case, they're doing that to lessen the number of evil creatures roaming around... So don't think too much of it."

She also noticed the abnormalities of their deaths but she knows not to dwell on this for her own good.

"You're right… I will help arrange them since I have nothing else to do."

"Thank you… This is also my first time sending corpses to the Quince Furnace so I'd really want your help this time---Ahhh, you're undressing them?" Celia asked in surprise after seeing what Kyle was doing.

"Yes… Sir Heinz said that their clothes and other belongings would be sent to normal furnaces while the bodies would be sent to the Quince Furnace. Did he say something different?"

"Well, he didn't mention it specifically so I thought that everything goes in there..." Celia replied as she continued watching Kyle.

The young man was quick on this task so Celia can tell that he's been doing this for quite a while now.

'Won't it be difficult for me once he left? Should I also get an apprentice or assistant?' Celia mused as she decided to help.

However, instead of doing it manually similar to what Kyle does, she decided to use her Ghost Hands.

Kyle didn't miss this as he entered his Phantasm State as soon as one of the bodies started getting naked.

Soon, he realized that Celia also has two Ghost Hands that were smaller than his Ghost Hands… Furthermore, the Ghost Hands even seem like they are female hands…

It feels like Kyle's Ghost Hands were from a 9 ft tall giant while Celia's Ghost Hands were from a young female in her teens… It looks quite delicate but at the very least, her hands look more solid than the illusory hands that Kyle summoned.

"Ahem… This is the first time I've seen that version of Ghost Hand…" Kyle couldn't help but comment after seeing it.

Celia didn't seem surprised at this reaction as she replied with a smile. "Don't worry, you'll be able to change your Ghost Hands if you reached the Advanced Realm. Well, that will probably happen in your 7th or 8th year if you learned it now."

"Eight years? I'll probably be bored and learn a different skill instead." Kyle commented. Of course, he can simply increase the realm with enough energy points. There is no need to wait or practice it for such a long time.

"Well, that's for average students… In any case, I'm sure you won't be bored once you entered the Academy."

"Did you also graduate from the Academy, Madam Celia?" Kyle asked while continuing his task. Then, he suddenly recalled that the Academy was only built 11 years ago.

Lesley's batch might even be the first graduates!

Celia just laughed it off and replied.

"I did not… However, I had a niece and nephews study there so I know you won't be bored."

"Really?" Kyle was doubtful. Ten years of study was too long. Anyway, he indeed doesn't feel anything wrong about it… As a matter of fact, he weirdly feels excited to go and study.

"Well, it might be something to do with the tradition."

"Tradition?" Kyle repeated.

"Yes… The Academy's Vice Headmasters might take a part of your shadow… It's not bad for you, it will only compel you to stay and study in the Academy and not betray the Dark Arts Faction. Ahhh—I probably shouldn't have said that…"

As soon as Kyle heard this, he immediately felt everything making sense. No wonder he didn't have the urge to leave after arriving here! Even after learning the benefits of his Extraction System, he didn't have the guts to leave this place and go to various large cities to extract corpses!

It was all that damn extracted shadow's fault!