"I'm sorry."
"No need to say anything. Just leave."
When a person is too angry, they become cold, and that's exactly how he looked.
Last time, he screamed and even threw a flask at me.
Of course, it worked out well for me.
I nodded respectfully to Professor Silbeck, lowered my head, and walked out of his office.
Before I could settle in, Adrius wasn't just idling around; he occasionally ran errands for professors, earning some pocket money.
And it had just been cut off.
But if I were in his position, I would have done the same.
I didn't do what I was asked, and I didn't even mention that I couldn't do it.
I'm lucky I didn't get scolded.
But at least this time, I didn't get kicked out with a loud shout and attracted attention.
I thought for sure that wouldn't happen.
'...?'
Why is everyone looking at me?
"What are you looking at? Haven't you seen enough?"
It feels like déjà vu.
I tried not to pay attention and headed to the library to return the borrowed book.
But even on the way to the library, I felt strange gazes from around me.
'What's going on? Am I just being sensitive?'
Since meeting Bahat the day before yesterday, I had become more sensitive.
First, because I almost revealed my true identity, and second, because I realized that I was in an unfamiliar time period, and I didn't know what would happen.
'That building wasn't there before.'
On the way back from Matop, I happened to see the Academy building with Lucia.
It was definitely a building that didn't exist in the game.
I knew that there was a cemetery in that location instead of a building.
'I barely remembered it yesterday.'
In the game, it wasn't an important event, so I had forgotten about it.
Well, it was somewhat important, but it was a part that I didn't need to pay much attention to.
'The terrorist attack by the Zephyr Sect.'
In the game timeline, it was an event that happened in the past, and it was just one of those things that happened and was overlooked.
Since I couldn't change it anyway.
So I didn't know when or why it happened exactly.
But one thing was certain.
'It hasn't happened yet, and it's about to happen.'
Unfortunately, I had come over at a strange time.
About six months until the start of the game.
It meant that the terrorist attack would occur within six months.
Of course, as long as I didn't get involved, everything would be fine.
'The people who die because of that terrorist attack...'
I didn't know how many would die, but the fact that a Named was involved was troublesome.
And it was closely related to playable characters, Diana Alben and Bahat Alben.
"Carlos Alben."
The eldest son of Count Alben and Diana Alben's ten-year older brother.
Since it was a time-line after his death in the game, I hadn't seen him or met him before.
But he was occasionally mentioned because of Diana Alben and Bahat Alben, important characters.
"Ah! Adrias Cromwell, a student."
"Hello."
I came to the library to return the book, but the librarian called me with an unusually cheerful voice.
"I came to return the book, 'The Conflicting Understanding of Nature and Mana.' It's been exactly a week."
Hmm, a week. Time passed so quickly.
...Wait, did she say a week?
"Ah, aside from that, Adrias, there's a rumor going around that you developed a new potion..."
"I'm sorry. I have something urgent to do."
I hurriedly walked out of the library.
That idiot.
Did my intelligence transfer to his body along with Adrias's?
How could he forget about it?
I ran mindlessly, but soon I slowed down.
'But what can I do?'
When I calmed down a bit, I realized that there was nothing I could do.
That's right.
Today was the day when Angela's evolution would be completed, but I had no way to enter the lab.
Then...
"I need to come up with an excuse."
I visited the magical ingredients store within the academy.
"It's the first time you've come to visit me first."
"Haha. I'll come to see you more often from now on, Master."
"You shouldn't use that title outside of the workshop, right?"
"I'm sorry. I got carried away because I was so glad to see you."
"Hmm..."
Karon was in the magical rune research laboratory within the academy for personal business.
After asking around, I finally found his location and went to see him. He said his work was just finished and brought me to his office.
Karon, who sent me a strange look, eventually cleared his throat.
"Have a seat."
"Yes."
"So, what brings you here?"
"Master, I actually developed a new potion. I thought it would be proper to inform you at least once, so I came to see you."
"You're here early. Did you think you wouldn't be taken away since the evaluation is over?"
He threw a direct question.
Yes! I did it secretly because I thought you would take it away! Does it matter?
"Ha, hahaha. I... I wanted to show myself with confidence after passing the evaluation..."
Of course, I wasn't crazy enough to say exactly what I was thinking.
Whether Karon knew about my true thoughts or not, he still looked at me with piercing eyes, and then he stood up from his seat.
"Follow me."
According to the plan, I was able to enter the laboratory.
Karon opened the laboratory with a mana interaction and ring of light.
As I was about to follow him, I suddenly stopped when I saw his back, unable to move any further.
"Master?"
"..."
The atmosphere wasn't right.
I leaned slightly to the side and glanced inside, revealing the mess inside.
'Damn, am I too late?'
Putting that aside, how did she break free from the mana restraint?
Did she become strong enough to break free from the restraint after evolving?
Wait a moment.
Could she still be inside?
I felt chills all over my body and unconsciously took a step back.
She was a powerful being even as a vampire.
What if she had become even stronger after evolving?
'But the success rate was 55%, right?'
Of course, it was hard to say that she failed when I saw the mess inside.
Still, while calculating the slight possibility, Karon stepped forward and entered the lab ahead of me.
As he entered, I had no choice but to follow him slowly, with thoughts of fleeing at any moment.
"Dare to...?"
Karon's cold voice trembled with anger.
The interior of the lab was in complete disarray, as if someone had gone on a rampage. Various instruments and reagents were broken and scattered, and the collected bodies were torn to shreds.
As the realization of who caused this chaos crossed my mind, I seriously contemplated whether I should run away right now.
"Adrias."
"Yes, Master."
"When was the last time you came here?"
"Well..."
Caught off guard by the sudden question, I couldn't come up with an immediate answer while pondering my escape plan.
"Six days ago, when I visited the Empty Hearts National Cemetery."
I managed to recall the answer, but Karon didn't react and continued surveying the area.
Then, after looking around for a while, he asked another question.
"Did you visit yesterday or today?"
"Yes? No, I didn't."
Of course, I didn't.
After all, you have the key in the first place.
Having heard my response, Karon finally walked towards the shattered window where Angela had been.
I watched from a distance, fearing that Karon might spew blood and die in front of me.
"This impure woman..."
A low growl of anger escaped his lips.
"Adrias."
"Yes."
"Have you ever tampered with Angela's restraint?"
"No, I haven't."
Am I crazy to tamper with it?
What if she breaks free? What would I do then?
...In the end, it was because of me that she broke free.
"Well, you wouldn't have any reason to do such a thing unless you were insane."
"If I had tampered with it in the first place, she would have killed me by now."
"Keep your mouth shut."
He seemed uncomfortable.
Well, it's understandable.
The highest-quality materials he was planning to use after raising the level of arcane arts had escaped.
If I thought for a moment that I couldn't even use nickel or that it had disappeared somewhere, I would have exploded with anger.
The calm Karon suddenly picked up a flask from the surroundings and threw it.
If Karon, who is usually composed, acts like this, it means his anger has reached its limit.
"...Get out."
"Yes."
Fortunately, he didn't take his anger out on me and simply chased me away.
Judging from the situation, Angela was already gone, nowhere to be found.
I'm not sure exactly how much time has passed, but it's been a week since today, so she probably escaped not too long ago.
Leaving Karon behind, I quietly left the office.
The empty office felt desolate.
"Adrias."
"...!"
I was so surprised that my body froze.
Someone was whispering in my ear, right next to me.
When did they...?
"What did you do to me?"
Her seductive voice tickled my neck.
I had thought she had just escaped.
"Adrias, look at me."
But did she always speak like this?
Did I imagine a sense of familiarity rather than hostility in her voice?
At least for now, being in a position where my life was at stake, I listened carefully to her words.
"Ha."
I held my breath and sealed my gasping mouth shut.
Angela, with her long, flowing crimson hair, was not the same as I had known before.
Her seductive gaze, teardrop-shaped mole, and a strange aura flowing between them exuded a certain presence.
Her thick, blood-red lips, as if soaked in blood, added to that atmosphere.
Moreover, the worn-out and tattered clothes she was wearing made her appearance even more eerie, leaving nowhere for the eyes to rest.
'Of course, I'll confront her with confidence.'
I have no personal motives.
She wanted me to see her, didn't she?
"Angela Lucifel. Keep your promise."
As I met her gaze, I fired the first shot.
"Promise? Isn't it more important to explain the situation first?"
"With my power, I couldn't find a way to remove the mana restraint. So I used another method."
It was a lie, but I tried to come up with a plausible excuse.
"What method did you use?"
I didn't have to give her a reason. Isn't it enough that I somehow managed to get you out?
"Hmph! You're speaking as if you got me out."
"Even if I didn't have the power, could it have been possible without you? In the end, the important thing is that you're out. If it weren't for me, you would have remained undead in Karon's hands."
I spoke out of desperation.
She is a being that could erase me with a single gesture.
If I'm going to die anyway, I might as well do something.
"Karon? You're calling your master."
"Is that important now? Anyway, keep your promise."
"No, I won't. Keeping all the promises doesn't suit me."
What kind of nonsense about keeping promises is this?
I wanted to shout, but I barely managed to hold back.
"What are you going to do then?"
"I'll keep only half of the promise."
"...Only half?"
I stepped back slightly.
"Exactly. Just half of the promise we made."
Before she could finish her sentence, I turned around and tried to run away, but she appeared in front of me as if she had teleported.
With sharp fangs revealed, Angela wore a seductive smile and blocked my path.