The next day, as the sun reached its zenith, Mystic left the gate, alone.
During the last night, a lot of things happened.
But the best reward she could rejoice in is her life.
Contrary to what she knew, the gate she visited made her understand some unknown things.
The most important thing is that one should never trust only what the archives say about these mysterious places that seem to be in another space-time.
When she arrived outside, she was greeted by only one person, Jeevak. The others had left the place, probably to take care of their duties.
"Sir Jeevak." She bowed slightly to her superior to show her greeting and respect.
"You're late."
"...My apologies."
"Follow me." He didn't look at Mystic twice before changing the subject.
After which, he escorted Mystic towards the camp where the others reside.
Along the way, Mystic could notice the furtive glances that Jeevak threw at her.
The black book obviously seemed to intrigue him more than anything.
But Mystic didn't say anything about it, as long as she wasn't questioned.
After about twenty minutes, the two arrived at the camp.
And there, to everyone's surprise, Mystic was instantly convened by Monica as soon as they arrived.
The latter, despite having to go to the front line, neglected this task to wait for Mystic to return.
Naturally, it was not out of worry or anything like that, but for something even bigger; it seems.
Once under Monica's tent, she was greeted by familiar faces.
Leaving out Monica, three other people were waiting for her.
Her two cousins and Noha.
However, their expressions were not pretty to see.
The gloomy atmosphere that reigned forced her to frown.
"Instructor Monica..."
"Come closer."
Monica ordered before she even finished her sentence.
As she approached the center, Mystic noticed the familiar portrait of a strange creature, but one that she was able to identify in sight.
Based on her expression, Monica sighed.
"I see that you too have encountered this creature, am I wrong?"
"Yes, three of them, to be exact. I killed one, the examiner killed one before the test started due to her insolence, and the last one survived with me."
"...You say you managed to kill one?" Monica asks again, not convinced.
Eleanor smiles triumphantly at Mystic's answer.
"I told you, right? They're not Mystics, just a...
-BANG!
Before she can finish her sentence, Monica slams the table followed by a deafening noise.
"Shut up, bitch!"
Unlike Nikolas, she wasn't the type to let herself be annoyed by kids.
Eleanor was startled at her unexpected reaction.
As silence settles in the room, Mystic asks in a dry voice. "May I, if you allow me, know what is with that?"
Although her words seemed respectful, her voice didn't have an ounce of respect in it.
"..." Monica looks at her momentarily with eyes drunk with an anger that doesn't seem to be aimed at her.
In the end, she sighed. "Red skin, horns similar to ours, and emerald pupils that turned red, not to mention their blood-related skills,
She stopped, making Mystic more and more confused.
'How does she know so much about these strange creatures?'
Given what she had just experienced, Elaydja and Miyorirath were the least of her concerns, at least, until now.
Seeing the rage and agitation hidden in Monica's eyes, Mystic was no longer sure of that.
"...All these descriptions describe only one race, the invaders, also known by the famous nickname of the Mystics."
"...The Mystics?" Mystic muttered.
Of course, she knew that Monica was not referring to her but to something much more frightening.
"Mystics, you say?" she repeated, slightly smirking.
"...Yet, none of you are capable of defeating even the weakest of these creatures. So, how am I supposed to believe what you just said?" Monica continued, despite Mystic's cynical tone.
"...Maybe because they are not them, even if they look alike." This time, it was Ivan's turn to speak, but carefully, without sounding rude; unlike Eleanor.
"...Sigh."
At his answer, Monica sat back in her chair with a sigh.
"Maybe so. Besides, they can't contract grimoires." She added.
"..."
'The Mystics, huh? Everyone on this planet has an unconditional hatred for this species.
Although endowed with intelligence, I heard that this species only aims to destroy everything in its path.
Known as scourges of nature. But if it turns out that this bastard really is one of them, then it's possible that our paths will cross again one day.'
At this conclusion, a cheerful smile formed on her lips as a mad glint ignited in her eyes.
Fortunately, it only lasted a short time before she became who she was again.
After a moment of silence, Monica's eyes scanned Mystic from head to toe.
Noticing the black book hanging from her waist, her eyes trembled slightly.
But she quickly regained her composure.
"Earlier, you talked about a test. I want more details."
Except for Jeevak, no one else noticed the glint in her eyes.
As for Mystic, she reported everything she had experienced in the smallest detail, without omitting anything.
But as she reached the end of her story, Monica cut in her.
"You three, go wait outside." She ordered Ivan, Eleanor, and Noha.
Although displeased, none of them dared to question her instructions.
After the three left, she looked at Mystic. "Continue!"
Mystic raises her eyebrows, without changing her expression. "As I was saying, after the last test that was based on a points and survival system, Elaydja and I received rewards."
"Elaydja?"
"The last of the three creatures which are similar to this sketch," Mystic explains, pointing to the illustration on the table.
Monica frowns. "Continue."
"...In the end, after a moment of discord between the examiners, they gave us our rewards and let us go without explaining anything further." She finished.
Afterward, she takes the thick book of about five hundred pages that she places on the table.
"The problem is that apart from me, everyone else seems to know what they came looking for. While I knew absolutely nothing."
She then looks Monica in the eye with an impulsive look.
"Instructor Monica, what didn't you tell us about this gate? What is this black book? Why do you all seem fascinated by it?"
"...Kid, don't try to know more than you are allowed to." Monica retorts after a moment of silence.
"...Very well."
Mystic's rude response makes her smile. "Adam's offspring, you don't make an effort to hide your emotions anymore, is it because you're with me?"
"...I risked my life for something that, in the end, I don't even have the right to know what it is." Mystic retorts without worrying about politeness.
"Heh, you have the right to be angry. I think it will help you better than if I told you that I don't know what this book is either."
"..."
Mystic rolls her eyes, not convinced by her words.
At her action, Monica smiles, unsure of whether it is because she finds her audacity amusing or her sulking side.
"Anyway. Keep it."
Mystic's eyes froze at those words.
"Sorry?"
"Keep it."
"…What do you mean to keep it?"
Mystic wasn't the only one shocked by Monica's nonsense, Jeevak was too.
"Ma'am, Boss, is this a good idea?" He couldn't help but question Monica's words.
"Hehe~, if even you're so shocked, then who would suspect my decision?"
"They might kill her if this gets out."
"You said 'if' this gets out, right?" Monica retorted almost instantly with a sadist smirk.
At this strange response, Jeevak sighed while shaking his head.
Now, Mystic was certain. "I don't want it."
"You don't want it? I thought you were curious, Adam's offspring?"
"...Until I know what it is, I can't walk around with something that can threaten my life."
Seeing her so much talkative, Monica smiled more. 'Sure, she changed a lot in a night, it's almost disturbing, especially her insight.'
But, her smile became more mischievous like that of a fox.
She delicately strokes the black book on the table as her smile gradually fades.
Once her expression returned to serene, she spoke in a descending voice.
"Until now, we believed we had discovered all the things that had changed our world.
Even if we don't understand them yet, we think that there is nothing new or surprising anymore.
However, the world seems to be undergoing new changes, as if warning us against a second evolution.
There were no skill books at the beginning, they only appeared in the last century." She looked down at Mystic and saw the solemnity on her face.
"This book is not a skill book, nor a grimoire."
Mystic's eyes had ripples of uncertainty on their surface as she listened intently to Monica.
"...If it's not a grimoire or a skill book, what is it then?"
"That's what I keep telling you, I don't know. Grimoires aren't black. Skill books aren't that thick, they are generally made up of around ten pages, no more. Besides, grimoires aren't that thick anymore.
If I was curious, it was only because it intrigued me, no more. And since you're the one who brought it, you have the mission to find out what it is before you leave here; that's the mission I entrust you."
She pauses for a moment to catch her breath before continuing.
"..." Mystic looks at him in surprise and annoyance as she sees her forcing him to keep this book that she clearly doesn't want.
"In reality, the most important gains in the Red Gates are the skill books. Their values are inestimable. Apart from them, other treasures are found there, all of high rank.
In other words, this book that you brought back means two things: either you did not follow the rules to the letter to correctly complete the main quest, or this gate has nothing interesting except being dangerous.
In both cases, there is not really anything to celebrate. All three of you failed. That is all that should be taken from this."