Chapter 52 – Evil Star

A blink.

In that instant, everything changed.

Yurasia’s blue eyes scanned her surroundings.

A dim, sticky interior. Walls oozed viscous liquid, emitting a fishy smell. The floor writhed subtly. The air felt alien.

And there was Magi.

“…This is…”

A labyrinth.

Mere seconds ago, this had been a museum. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a labyrinth.

There was no time for surprise. No need to hesitate.

She assessed the situation quickly. Instead of pondering why, she focused on what to do next.

‘There’s Magi permeating the labyrinth.’

She recalled Stella’s confident words.

‘If you find yourself trapped in a labyrinth, immediately surround yourself with mana to block the intrusion of Magi. That should be your top priority.’

A blue glow of mana radiated from Yurasia’s body, enveloping her and shielding her from the invading Magi.

She tied back her long hair and drew the sword at her waist.

Its blade was pitch-black. Sharp enough to cut the wielder if handled carelessly.

It was the black iron sword Eliaernes had given her.

If there was any fortune in this misfortune, it was that while personal equipment wasn’t allowed within the academy, outside there were no such restrictions.

Other students hadn’t brought any equipment, but Yurasia always carried her gear out of habit.

Though she hadn’t brought her dozen or so daggers and knives, she did have her most essential item.

Even without water, food, or additional equipment, one sword was enough.

Gripping her sword with both hands, Yurasia stilled her thoughts, suppressed her emotions, and steadied her breathing.

Her usual playful demeanor vanished. Her face was sharp, her blue eyes emitting a piercing gaze.

She sought her first task.

It didn’t take long. Her duty as a knight was clear.

And before her, there was only one path.

There was no need for further thought.

She would finish this and return to her master’s side.

That was the sole duty of a knight in service to her master.

She stepped forward without hesitation.

There was no hindrance because she had no doubts. Her path was steady because her goal was clear. Every step aimed straight ahead.

Her sharp gaze focused forward.

She saw dozens of monsters writhing there.

At that moment—

Slash—!

A single sharp sound.

Following that sound, dozens of blue sword auras surged forth. The space the auras passed through was soon littered with monster corpses.

Their limbs twitched, tails flailed, and entrails spilled, creating a grotesque scene. They hadn’t even realized they were dead.

Yurasia paid it no mind. Exhaling her second breath, she swung her sword once more.

Crash—!

An even darker blue aura shredded all the monsters in the room.

***

“…Your Highness, this is…”

“A labyrinth.”

Silina, initially startled by the sudden change in scenery, quickly assessed the situation and glanced around.

A room enclosed by sticky walls. Two doors, one in front and one behind. And people, consumed by confusion.

She saw several students in academy uniforms, but they were equally disoriented.

The sudden appearance of a labyrinth was inexplicable. Trying to understand the motives of someone who embraced Magi would be futile.

Letting out a small sigh, Silina steadied herself.

She didn’t want to show any signs of panic, lest others perceive weakness.

Wearing her usual mask, Silina turned to the guard knight who had been by her side since leaving the academy grounds.

“Give me the axe.”

“…Pardon?”

“Didn’t you hear me? Hand over the axe.”

“No, Your Highness, allow me to—”

“Are you making me say it a third time?”

“…Forgive me.”

At Silina’s sharp tone, the knight called Untra handed over the two axes hanging at his waist.

Now, all that remained on Untra’s waist were two short swords, but Silina paid it no mind and started walking.

She had spent 17 years in the blood-soaked royal court.

Time that could be seen as short or long.

In that time, Silina had seen, heard, and felt countless deaths.

Because of that, in a confined space like this where anything could happen, she knew the only one she could rely on was herself.

Her guard knight using an axe was testament to that.

Not knowing what could happen, she had selected a guard who used a weapon she could handle well.

So she could use her guard knight’s weapon whenever needed.

Not that she intended to recklessly abandon or sacrifice him.

She hadn’t known him long enough to fully trust him, but she knew he wouldn’t die easily just because he was without his axe.

Dying at the hands of someone she couldn’t trust was less appealing than dying by her own choice.

That was Silina’s perspective, her decision.

In the center of the chaotic room, Silina—Clang!—clashed the two axes in her hands to draw everyone’s attention.

“We’re currently trapped in a labyrinth. To escape, we need to find its core. To do that, we must move forward.”

There was no need for introductions. Her platinum-blonde hair and eyes spoke of her identity.

“And I intend to protect you all. Those who wish to follow me, come. Those who don’t may stay here.”

With that, she swiftly got to the point.

“But, if you stay here, I can’t guarantee what may happen. Choose carefully.”

She didn’t elaborate on the dangers of the labyrinth. Those who understood would, and those who didn’t had no need to know.

Any more detail would only add to the confusion.

“We don’t have much time. Three minutes. Those who decide to follow me, come here within that time.”

After checking her pocket watch, Silina finished speaking and moved toward one of the doors.

One minute later.

A total of 13 people. Everyone in the room gathered in front of Silina.

“We’re moving out.”

With that, Silina, her guard knight, and the 13 others moved in unison.

***

After parting with Stella, I arrived at the private training ground and began my routine of light stretches and training.

Footwork I learned from Leona. Upper body movements that connected with that footwork. Flow, breathing, martial arts, kicking techniques.

I still couldn’t use Arisa’s techniques with stances, strikes, or ground techniques. I didn’t even understand how they generated such power.

So I focused on training the martial and kicking techniques I could currently use.

The clear pattern within irregularity. Movements that were slow but strong, fast but weak. Interspersed breaths. The right amount of mana mixed in with each movement.

I hadn’t fully grasped the subtleties yet, but it didn’t matter.

If something was lacking, I’d fill it. If something was missing, I’d add it. I had plenty of experience, memory, and instincts to draw from.

One hour passed.

I continued moving tirelessly, thinking of Leona’s movements.

Two hours.

I hastily tied up my hair, then tossed aside my sweat-soaked bra and training clothes.

Now in lighter attire.

Wearing only a thin sleeveless top and shorts, I continued my training.

At the three-hour mark.

Tap-tap.

I heard a small sound coming from the window.

Tap-tap-tap.

A sound like a pebble hitting glass.

No, more like a bird’s beak tapping lightly.

The sound caught my attention.

“…A crow?”

Outside the window, a crow flapped its wings and tapped its beak insistently.

It wasn’t an ordinary crow.

I sensed an unholy aura.

Faint, but Magi emanated from it.

Black magic.

A familiar of a Black Magician.

“…Adelia Baros?”

—Caw! Caw!

As if confirming it, the crow began cawing happily. It brought a scrap of cloth tied to its ankle up to the window.

[Please open the window.]

“No.”

—Caaaw! Caw!

As if anticipating my response, the crow started cawing louder and showed me another scrap tied to its other leg.

[Yurasia is in danger.]

Yurasia is in danger.

The moment I saw that message, I shoved aside any trivial calculations and opened the window immediately.

The crow hopped inside, looked me over, and opened its beak.

“What do you mean Yurasia is in dang—”

[A labyrinth has appeared.]

“…A labyrinth?”

[The location is the Arant Weapons Museum.]

The Arant Weapons Museum.

That was indeed where Yurasia had gone.

I glanced at the clock.

10 PM.

Yurasia was supposed to be back by 9.

At that moment—

My terminal, lying behind me, started ringing loudly. Not the usual gentle alert, but an urgent alarm.

Once. Twice. Three times.

It kept ringing, nonstop.

No time to put on proper clothes.

I quickly threw on my training clothes from the ground.

[Listen while we walk.]

I zipped up and headed straight out.

[The academy’s professors are currently immobilized.]

“What do you mean?”

[The building where the professors reside has been sealed off. Remember when you tried to enter my lab and the door was locked? It’s the same spell, isolating the entire space.]

“So they’re trapped?”

[…Yes. They’re trying to break the spell in the magic department, but it’ll take at least an hour.]

Crash—!

I burst out of the private training ground.

Students hurriedly returned to the dorms. In the opposite direction from me. I didn’t stop moving.

I walked past them.

[Do you know why a labyrinth appears?]

When the labyrinth reveals itself in person.

If not—

“A sacrifice.”

The sacrifice’s belly is split open, entrails removed, then the labyrinth takes form. Iron spikes are driven into the limbs, skin peeled off. That skin also forms part of the labyrinth. Bones and blood create the magic circle.

The brain becomes the labyrinth’s core.

The rank of the sacrifice determines the difficulty of the labyrinth.

And it all happens—

While the sacrifice is still conscious.

Unable to die, unable to lose consciousness, they feel every moment of agony.

When the core is destroyed, the sacrifice dies instantly.

Nothing can save them.

That’s the most cursed part of a labyrinth.

[…I didn’t expect you’d actually know. Yes, it’s a sacrifice. The sacrifice for this labyrinth is a 6th-rank swordsman.]

Finally, I exited Signia Hall.

Thick smoke rose from the edge of the district.

An air once familiar but now foreign enveloped me.

Magi.

Faint Magi permeated the air.

[The rank is Special. This is not a labyrinth Eliaernes can handle alone.]

Ignoring the unnecessary information, I kept walking.

“Eliaernes!”

Hearing the call behind me, I turned.

Stella.

Wearing a hood, Stella stood there with Pina, who clutched her tail tightly, looking pale.

Through Stella’s hood, I saw her outfit.

The adventurer’s outfit from the entrance exam.

Artifacts dangled from her wrist, and I heard clinking potion bottles.

Realizing Yurasia hadn’t returned, she’d prepared to head out.

Impressive.

I immediately turned and approached Stella.

“Y-Yurasia hasn’t returned ye—”

“Cast Silence.”

“…What?”

“No time. Hurry.”

“…Okay, got it.”

Stella’s fingertips glowed with purple mana as she nodded.

“Next, Oculus.”

As I finished speaking, purple mana enveloped my body again.

“Done.”

“Now, take it off.”

“…Huh?”