Chapter 190 - Martha, the Torturer Maid
Elara Asalon:
"Focus!" shouted Sebastian.
"Yes, sir!" the knights responded in unison, adjusting their stances with their swords, sweat trickling down their focused faces.
The training was taking place in a restricted area of the academy, reserved for students who accepted the rigor of enlisting in the royal army. This secluded field was surrounded by magical barriers, making the environment even more intense and challenging. These extra training sessions were essential to shape the students, honing their skills over the five-year academy course until they were ready for the rank of Recruit Knight. Every move was precise, every mistake corrected firmly, and Sebastian watched with a keen eye.
From where I stood, I observed the grueling rhythm of the training, but I soon made my way toward the Student Council room. The holidays were approaching, but for me, this period rarely meant rest. Even during breaks, work continued to chase me. My next mission, once I returned, would be to meet the first-year students selected by Director Victoria to form my small support force. They would be trained to, in the future, hold positions within the student council, a responsibility that could not be neglected.
Upon opening the door to the room, I saw my friend Rose completely immersed in a pile of documents, her serious expression reflecting the weight of the responsibilities we shared.
"Still working?" I asked, approaching her.
"Look who's talking. I bet you're here to do the same," she replied without looking up, tossing some papers in my direction with a tired but knowing look.
I let out a light laugh, breaking the tension a bit, and sat beside her, picking up the papers she had pushed toward me.
"Looks like we have more work ahead," she remarked while flipping through another document.
"Excursion to the Inverted Tower?" I read aloud, trying to decipher what this mission would entail. Curiosity mixed with fatigue, and once again, I realized the holidays were far from restful.
As the years progressed, academy students gained access to the mysterious dungeon, one of the most intriguing and dangerous places for training. There, they could undertake missions while honing their skills. Each floor of the dungeon was a true ecosystem, where monster nests were left to multiply naturally, providing students with constant opportunities to descend the tower's levels and face creatures bred in that environment. In addition to maintaining the balance of the monster population, this practice offered mages realistic training, preparing them for the dangers of the outside world.
Some of these creatures stood out for their strength, dominating certain floors and acting as natural leaders. These monsters were known as "Bosses," formidable challenges for the bravest and most experienced students. The dungeon, called the Inverted Tower, was a structure dating back to ancient civilization, and to this day, no one knew for sure who had built it. It was believed that in ancient times, it also served as a training ground for warriors seeking to grow stronger.
"The academy is planning a major excursion to the Inverted Tower," Rose said, interrupting my thoughts. "I heard that even first-year students will be brought along. They want us to go too."
I sighed, reading the details on the document she handed me.
"At least it seems simple," I commented, analyzing the plan. "They'll only be in the easier floors, exploring areas that now serve as museums. Still, there will be monsters present."
Rose continued reading the document and let out a chuckle, casting a playful glance my way.
"It'll be fine. It's a team effort between classes, and the first-year students selected to participate will be excited. After all, it's a rare chance to enter the Inverted Tower ahead of schedule," she remarked with a slight smile.
I looked at the document once again, analyzing the floors that would be explored during the excursion.
"Yeah, it really seems simple," I said, tossing the document back onto the table. "A tour through the excavation museums of the Ancient Civilization."
The Inverted Tower held many relics discovered in its depths. Rooms filled with ancient furniture, paintings, stone murals written in unknown languages, and monumental statues—all preserved and displayed like a museum. Interestingly, the dungeon's monsters, instead of mere threats, seemed to act as guardians of these treasures, patrolling the halls. Apparently, our role would be to act as security while the senior classes guided the younger students through the tour.
"At least there'll be a bit of action," I commented, trying to see the positive side of the mission.
Ricardo:
My body burned with constant pain, and I found myself in a miserable state. Every breath was torture, and the sword embedded in my stomach made my whole body feel like it was being corroded by acid.
My vision was blurry, but I could make out the silhouette of a woman in front of me, dressed like a maid. I tried to move, but the metal chains binding my broken, burned arms and legs made any attempt futile.
"Take it out… please…" I begged, my voice barely escaping as I looked at the sword piercing my body. The pain was so overwhelming that I had lost control of my bodily functions; my pants were soaked with urine and feces.
The woman glanced at the filthy floor, her expression marked by disgust.
"You've already started to soil yourself, and I haven't even started to play…" she said, moving her hand slowly. A crystal-clear ball of water appeared, cleaning the mess and draining it into a nearby grate.
"This metal is quite useful, but it does take away some of the fun," she continued with a tone of sadistic satisfaction, as she turned to pick up a wooden case. She opened it on a nearby table, revealing an array of shiny, sharp tools. Each one was examined with a sinister whistle, as if she were choosing a toy.
Two other girls, also dressed as maids, appeared beside her.
"My darlings, Mommy is going to teach you some new tricks," the woman said, her smile blending tenderness with perversity.
"Fuck you…" I cursed, desperately trying to concentrate what little magic I had left.
"Let us have some fun too, Mommy," one of the twins pleaded, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The woman chuckled softly.
"I'm very proud of you, but this is a delicate job," she replied, caressing the girls' faces.
A scream of agony escaped my lips as a new wave of suffering rippled through my body. Every attempt to use my magic seemed to multiply the pain, as if my insides were being torn apart from within.
The woman then picked up a giant needle and a hammer, approaching me.
"You can try to use your power all you want. This metal reacts to mana—it pierces your soul channels. It's a cunning creation, meant to trap magical creatures… or magical humans," she said, her voice dripping with morbid delight.
"This is a damn enchanted relic…" I muttered, as the pain caused me to drool uncontrollably.
"A talented mage, at 14 years old, tied his own hands and feet and asked me to drive this sword into him. The young master tried to remove it using magic and endured this same pain for quite some time. The result? He failed. If that boy couldn't use magic to pull out the sword… you won't even come close," she said, relishing my torment.
She leaned in closer, holding the needle in front of my face, her eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. With her other hand, she spun the hammer, the metallic sound cutting through the air ominously.
"The method I created to amplify the pain while you're already suffering is quite simple. I'm going to carve the bones in your body. I'll break you slowly, and every little piece I shatter… will hurt a lot," she said, smiling.
Despair overwhelmed me.
NO! HELP! THIS WOMAN IS INSANE!
"I'll tell you… whatever you want… please," I begged, my sanity slipping away rapidly.
She simply shook her head, maintaining that disturbing smile.
"You have your job, and I have mine. Don't deprive me of my fun."