Chap 55-Tool

 

Emilia sat alone on the infirmary bed, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Yeon Bennet, who was now her master, had already left the room.

However, the lingering presence she left behind, and the weight of her life that Emilia had glimpsed through the record, still pressed down on Emilia.

‘I’m sorry for living such a life…?’

If Emilia hadn’t seen Yeon’s life directly in the Akashic Records, she would have definitely thought Yeon was mocking or criticizing her.

Yeon’s purely bewildered eyes and her tone that seemed sincerely apologetic.

And considering her personality that Emilia had seen in the record…

She could tell that she hadn’t said those words with any malice.

Rather, the way she seemed to not fully grasp the situation and apologize for Emilia seeing her pain…

It made her heart ache even more.

A little while ago, Emilia had finally stopped crying and offered Yeon a sincere apology.

But as Yeon listened to her heartfelt apology, she simply sighed deeply and said it was okay.

“No, Professor. It’s almost like I deceived you, so the fault is on my side.”

So nonchalantly, as if it were someone else’s story.

There was no resentment or anger towards herself to be felt.

“But… the pain that you, Miss, have suffered…!”

As Emilia couldn’t bring herself to continue and made a painful expression, Yeon gently cut her off and said once again that it was okay.

“It’s really okay, Professor. I don’t feel anything. I originally… I’m not good at feeling pain.”

Yeon Bennet’s seemingly indifferent words and faint smile lingered in Emilia’s mind.

Having lived for so long in pain that was unimaginable…

She must have become indifferent even to her own pain.

Emilia thought inwardly, feeling a pang in her heart.

Having glimpsed her life through the record, she now felt like she understood her strange personality and actions a little better.

Receiving all the malice and misunderstanding of the world, yet never grasping any of the recognition or reward she rightfully deserved.

As a result, her self-esteem had fallen below rock bottom to a level where it didn’t even exist.

That’s why she forgave those who insulted and hurt her without a second thought, and even sacrificed herself for them.

Because she considered herself worthless, she accepted the malice of others as natural and didn’t care about her own well-being at all.

Emilia recalled the early parts of the record.

At first, she, like others, felt sadness, anger, and resentment at the cold gazes and insults of people.

But as the record went on, those traces of human emotion were almost nowhere to be found.

As if the emotion itself had been worn away, Emilia couldn’t feel anything.

It was the same when she assaulted and insulted Yeon.

She couldn’t feel any resentment or anger from her.

Something was wrong.

No matter how rough things had been, how could a human change so much?

As if something invisible was guiding her to act that way…

Suddenly, Isaac Bennett’s words, shouted at Yeon in a crazed voice, came to mind.

Tools of the transcendent.

Those words flashed through Emilia’s mind with an eerie premonition.

What if, what if those words were true?

What had the transcendent done to her?

Had they worn away her emotions, made her insensitive to pain, and turned her into a tool that only demanded sacrifice?

Then Dorothy… had she just been watching all along, even knowing all of this?

Her head was a tangled mess.

The truth was still shrouded in mist.

‘…For now, my new master’s orders are important.’

Emilia forcibly shook off the complicated thoughts.

She didn’t have time to be lost in such worries right now.

She had a new master, and she had to carry out her master’s orders.

She placed her hand on the small crystal orb on the desk and began to focus her magical power.

With a faint light, the crystal orb floated into the air, and several names appeared and disappeared repeatedly on its surface.

She carefully selected a few names. All of them were skilled among the Witch clan and were people who could share her will.

“…I have something to tell everyone.”

…

After finally calming down the crying Emilia, I arrived at the academy’s headmaster’s office.

A space filled with countless memories with Master.

A place where I was scolded for playing pranks, received comfort, and sometimes had serious conversations.

Master’s warmth always remained there.

But now, in front of the heavy desk where Master always sat and reviewed documents, sat an unfamiliar presence.

Dazzling blonde hair, perfect beauty that was hard to believe was human, and a deformed wing on her back that looked like one side had been torn off.

The new academy headmaster and Guardian of Terra, the former Celestial god Elaha.

It was uncomfortable and awkward.

The very fact that such a being was occupying Master’s empty seat didn’t sit well with me.

But what could I do?

She was now the owner of this academy, and I was just a student.

That’s why, after the conversation with Emilia, when I received her summons, I couldn’t dare to refuse.

“It’s the first time we’ve met alone like this, student Yeon Bennet.”

Elaha spoke first.

“…Yes, headmaster.”

I answered as politely as possible.

There was no point in provoking that woman.

“You can speak comfortably, headmaster. I’m just an academy student.”

At my words, Elaha tilted her head slightly and stared at me intently.

Her blue eyes were deep and sharp, as if trying to see through me.

She spoke with a strange expression, as if she was unsure or testing something.

“Oh, I can’t do that. You are the one who is personally sealing the Evil God’s power on behalf of us and saving humanity. How dare I treat you comfortably?”

Her voice was soft, but the meaning contained within was by no means light.

“Ah… yes…”

I could only mumble with an awkward expression.

I felt my heart sink.

‘…As expected, she knew.’

“First of all, thank you for protecting me from the Rapelasia family, headmaster.”

For now, expressing gratitude would be the best thing to do in this situation.

Elaha smiled faintly at my words.

“I wanted to prevent them from laying a finger on you, but… it seems you want to go to the Rapelasia family anyway? It seems like you have something to resolve there.”

‘…She even knew that?’

The real reason I was trying to go to Rapelasia.

My plan to heal Elise’s younger sibling and prevent the family’s destruction.

How much does she know?

A chill ran down my spine.

Elaha leisurely added, as if enjoying my change in expression.

“You’ve always been that kind of person.”

“……”

‘Always that kind of person? Was she watching me from somewhere?’

“Anyway, the reason I called you here is not for that.”

Elaha got to the point.

“I’m here to let you know that if you need any help while staying at the academy, you can tell me anything. I will provide as much support as I can within my ability.”

Her suggestion was unexpected.

I was slightly taken aback, but it was my turn to express my gratitude first.

“…Thank you, headmaster. Your words alone are a great help.”

‘Hmm… to be honest, I just wish she would stop paying attention to me.’

Although I was thinking something completely different inside.

Her ultimate goal in the game was a desperate revenge against the System administrator who sealed her and the other transcendent who neglected it.

In the process, no matter how many humans died, she was a ruthless being who didn’t even bat an eye.

And she’s showing me favor?

There must be another ulterior motive.

‘What are the other transcendent doing? A being who is burning with revenge against them is openly entrenched in the position of academy chairman, and they are not taking any action… What are they thinking? Sigh.’

While I was thinking about this and that, Elaha suddenly stared at me intently.

It was an intense and persistent gaze, as if trying to see completely through me.

I tensed up without realizing it.

Elaha didn’t answer my question, but simply slowly lifted the teacup on the desk.

And with an elegant motion, she took a sip of the fragrant tea.

She looked relaxed and noble…

‘…Huh?’

Did I see it wrong?

It was only for a brief moment, but it seemed like the fingertips of her hand holding the teacup were trembling slightly.

But the next moment, she put down the teacup with an indifferent expression.

Did I imagine it?

“You may leave now, student Yeon Bennet.”

At her words, I didn’t ask anything more, gave a light bow, and left the headmaster’s office.

As soon as I closed the door and came out, the tension was released and a deep sigh escaped.

‘…What the heck was that just now?’

…

Tang-

As Yeon Bennet left the headmaster’s office and the door closed, a deep silence fell once again in the room.

Left alone, Elaha stared at the teacup without moving for a while.

And after a while, her shoulders began to tremble very slightly.

The trembling gradually grew larger, until her whole body was shaking uncontrollably.

The relaxed and arrogant appearance she had shown in front of Yeon Bennet just a moment ago was nowhere to be found.

Now, her face was filled with deep fear and anxiety.

“…Surely… one finger would have been enough.”

Elaha muttered in a trembling voice.

The voice was not a conviction, but a shaky whisper that seemed to be comforting herself.

That weak and pathetic being that was in front of her just a moment ago.

Yes, with her current power, she felt like she could make her disappear like dust in an instant with just a small part of the power she possessed.

But… but she couldn’t move her body at all.

A fear that she couldn’t even move a finger was binding her will.

Because she knew too well what that ‘monster’ could do.

Don’t be fooled.

Even her current appearance may just be one part of the process.

The risk was too great for her to touch it directly.

She needed a safer and more reliable method.