Chapter 30

“You… how did you.”

I silently watched as Zephyros’s expression turned to one of astonishment.

Watching it wasn’t entirely pleasant.

Just how twisted does a person have to be to feel joy from seeing someone suffer or be astonished?

In that sense, Iris Viden must be one of the most twisted people in the empire.

If that woman saw Zephyros’s expression, she would burst out laughing.

“And yet you… are you alright with it?”

At that question, I had to take a long time to choose my answer.

But, I couldn’t choose an answer easily. Because I myself don’t know the answer yet.

No, that answer was not something I, a complete stranger, could give, but only the person concerned.

“You know, Zephyros.”

A mysterious world where magic can work miracles. 「Lapis Academy」, born for the amusement of gamers.

The game world created by humans is incomplete. It was like a tightrope walk, precariously connected.

There were plenty of characters with unhappy pasts.

Among them, Lerwon was so unhappy that he could truly be called the final boss of Part 1.

A life where happy moments were only fleeting, and unhappiness continued forever.

But, a life where unhappiness was all the more bitter and dark because he had tasted happiness.

“I don’t think what happened that day was Lerwon-senior’s fault.”

A day when the usual unhappiness was strangely more painful.

A day when the darkness writhing under the intense sun was also just as dark.

On such a day, the tragedy named ‘Lerwon’ announced its grand and true opening.

The child who didn't get numb to the pain no matter how much he was beaten, held a blade to protect himself─

His parents, who had never been able to resist once and had only been helplessly beaten, laughed at and ignored the small child.

Kekeke, they laughed as if the world was ending and shouted.

“Stab me! Go on, stab me!!!”

That’s how it started.

The victim who became the perpetrator and the perpetrator who became the victim.

Who is the real sinner between the two?

I never had the choice to make that decision from the beginning.

No one had that right.

Only the person concerned, Lerwon-senior, can decide that ending.

“So, I won’t distance myself from senior for that reason.”

No answer returned.

Did I say something unnecessary? Will I grow distant from Zephyros like this….

But it was something I had to say at least once anyway.

Anyway, as long as Zephyros thinks negatively of Lerwon, he will always react sharply towards him.

“I don’t know why you think so negatively of Lerwon-senior, but let’s not make Cian feel awkward. Okay?”

Between me, who has to maintain a friendship with Lerwon, and Zephyros, who loathes Lerwon, Lucian, caught in the middle, would be in a difficult position in many ways.

I don’t want Lucian to be like that. So we had to reach a conclusion on this topic among ourselves.

“…Hey, if you say it like that, what does that make me?”

Zephyros grumbled as if annoyed.

“Huh?”

“Even if you think that, I still can’t see Lerwon… that human in a good light.

No matter what, the fact that he murdered his parents won’t change.”

Zephyros’s voice was full of conviction. His eyes were also unwavering and upright.

“It’s not strange to think that way. I’ll respect it.”

“Even excluding the fact that he killed his parents… he’s not a very good person to hang out with.

You’re not unaware of that either.”

That is also true. It would be dangerous as long as Iris is behind Lerwon.

“I’ve made some preparations regarding the master of Golden, so it should be fine.”

“That’s the problem.

That woman… is not an ordinary human, enough to completely ignore even those countermeasures.”

“Is that so?”

Was it impossible to completely narrow our opinions?

“But, if you come out so firmly… alright, I get it. I won’t show it in front of Cian, at least.”

Zephyros reluctantly nodded his head.

“Hey! Thanks so much!”

I slapped Zephyros’s shoulder with gratitude!

Though it was my hand that hurt.

I squatted on the floor and shook my throbbing hand as if I had just high-fived steel.

“Ugh.”

“Why do you hit a person who was just standing there?”

“You damn Zephyros Nevera.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Does it sound like a compliment?”

“Yeah, it sounds like a compliment.”

Even the following words were annoying.

You damn bastard.

* * *

Is there no blood or tears in a professor?

In the last class, only Zephyros and I had succeeded in the practical training, but Professor Beatrice cleanly ignored it and moved on to the next topic.

It was a sight that showed she didn’t care in the slightest whether the students followed or not.

What was more frightening was that no one complained about it.

Well, no one wants to be turned into a roast in Professor Beatrice’s hands.

“Now, concentrate your mana on your fingertips.”

Should I do it with the feeling of mana gathering at my fingertips?

When I closed my eyes and concentrated, I thought I knew what it felt like.

As people started succeeding one by one, Beatrice continued the class.

“The circle signifies the circulation of mana.”

Beatrice drew a circle with the mana gathered at her fingertips.

“That is the foundation of all magic, the Circle of Origin.”

The mana circulated along the trajectory.

The mana, burning like a flame, swallowed itself and grew in size, becoming huge like a forest fire swallowing trees and burning up.

“All magic begins with drawing a circle.”

The professor lightly snapped her fingers.

Then, the magic circle that appeared on the training ground circulated as if blood was pulsing through a vein.

At the same time, what was visible was a crack in the flow.

It was like a rope pulled taut, as if it would snap at any moment.

“What you will be drawing with mana today is this magic circle.

It’s a water creation magic, so feel free to try and get soaking wet.”

Beatrice laughed heartily.

* * *

Professor Beatrice’s words to get soaking wet became a reality.

I barely wrung out the water that my shirt had soaked up.

Unlike last time, this time many people succeeded in the water creation magic, so the training ground was completely flooded.

“Hah, I’m so tired I could die.”

I leaned against Lucian and groaned.

Anyway, mana was the energy within the body.

Continuously standing and using magic endlessly felt like I had been sprinting for two hours.

“Damn it… should I build up some stamina?”

“Want me to help?”

If you do, I’d be grateful.

I was about to answer without thinking, but the words got stuck.

Because Lucian’s eyes were sparkling to a slightly scary degree.

Of course, the kind chick hero wouldn't be like that, but… it was a gaze like he had found a sacrificial lamb.

“No, it’s fine.”

It seemed it would be better for my well-being to refuse this.

At my firm refusal, Lucian smacked his lips as if disappointed.

“Cian, rather than that, there’s a party at the Golden merchant guild this week, want to go together?”

“…Huh? Is that okay? I heard it’s rude to attend without an invitation.”

“It’s an invitation that allows you to bring other people.”

A kind of free pass, you could say.

In the first place, Iris probably sent an invitation without a name because she wanted me to bring Lucian.

Of course, I could ignore it, pretending not to have noticed.

But, the food was too delicious! To the point where I wanted to go with Lucian and share it.

“Then I’ll accompany you.”

I think Lucian’s eyes shone a little, but it must be my imagination, right?

* * *

As soon as I entered the dorm room, I lay down on the bed.

A different kind of fluffiness from the infirmary bed enveloped my body.

“Albedo.”

Swish, Albedo, who had been hiding inside the bed, came out and busily checked me over.

《Is your body alright?》

“It was just because of my father’s overprotection that I stayed for a day.”

After a certain amount of time, the pain also disappeared as if washed away.

“Your scales seem a little dry, though.”

Is this okay?

I wonder if I should wet them with some water.

The pure white lizard, which had been opening its mouth as if to say something, soon shook its head.

《It’s nothing. I just had a rough night because the person who is usually here was gone.》

That doesn’t seem to be all of it.

I thought about making it spill everything by mentioning the contract terms, but decided against it.

That fellow Albedo must have its own thoughts, so it’s keeping its mouth shut.

“I’ll believe you for now.”

《Your mana is certainly stable, so you can take a breather.》

I pressed the pure white lizard’s head and asked playfully.

“Were you worried?”

《I may be a demon with no blood or tears, but how can I be at peace when my contractor is vomiting blood and suffering in front of me?》

“Thanks for worrying.”

I chuckled and stroked its head a few more times, and ended up getting my finger bitten by the annoyed Albedo.

It hurt enough to make my eyes water, but at least the disaster of my finger being torn off didn't happen.

“Albedo, can demons read a person’s most earnest desires?”

The reason why humans fall into a contract with a demon even when destruction is foretold.

That is because the demon reads the human’s desires and offers a sweet proposal that cannot be refused.

《That’s right. Though there are a few humans I can’t read.It’s impossible to read those who have received the blessing of the holy sword, like the hero, or those who have reached a certain level by accumulating great power, like your father.》

“…There’s someone whose desires I need you to read.”

《I will do as you wish, but knowing another’s desires is not always a good thing.》

“I think so too.”

I knew why Albedo thought that way.

In the end, a person’s desires are no different from a person’s essence.

What is the reason why those who deal with Iris Viden are defeated by her?

In the end, it’s because they can’t know Iris Viden’s desires, her essence.

《More than anything, I thought you would dislike using my power in such a way.》

“That’s true too.”

To be honest, I wasn't too keen on it even as I was requesting it from Albedo.

But, sometimes it’s necessary not to distinguish between means and methods.

Especially when dealing with a person who is adept at hiding themselves in a perfect mask.

Albedo, as if still hesitating, opened and closed its mouth several times and finally nodded its head.

《If that is your will, I will follow.》

“Thanks, Albedo.”

《So whose desires do you want to know?》

At Albedo’s question, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Lerwon Viden.”

To save that person, in the end, I have to know what that person wants most.

However, if there’s one thing I wish for….

“I hope Lerwon isn't so broken that he wishes for death.”

As if hearing that small mumble, Albedo asked.

《What will you do if that is the case?》

“Do you have to say such negative things?”

As they say, words can become reality.

Albedo didn't bother to answer my question.

But, sometimes silence can be a more sufficient answer than any words.

Right, it must mean it will cooperate with me only if it knows the answer.

After fiddling with my still-unfamiliar gray hair, I finally opened my mouth.

“I’ll kill him.”

If that is Lerwon’s strongest desire….

If only death can be Lerwon’s salvation, I must grant that wish.

All I can do is pray that it’s not so.