episode_0036

For now, I’ve managed to finish to a certain extent.

Even though I’ve only cleared away the dust and cobwebs, an hour has already passed.

Despite spending over an hour cleaning, there’s still a mountain of things left to clear.

It seems like there are quite a few areas that need maintenance.

To properly use this place, it looks like it will take a bit more time.

Starting from the walls to the creaky door.

There are plenty of things to fix and clean up.

Still, it’s not too bad at this point.

The interior is subtly spacious, with plenty of open space around to utilize.

Since not many people frequent this place, it seems fine to practice magic or swordsmanship here.

By the way, Act 1 will soon come to a close.

At this moment, Ian, the protagonist, faces the first boss encounter.

It’s a time for growth, meeting a formidable opponent never encountered before.

An adversary with strength unlike any faced before.

If you don’t know the strategy, you’ll have a hard time dealing with them.

However, there’s a reason why the protagonist is the protagonist.

Even if pushed to the brink, the protagonist always emerges victorious in the end.

But one thing to be cautious about in this game is that while the protagonist can respawn upon death, the surrounding characters cannot.

Once they die, you won’t see them again until the next chapter.

That’s why I preferred playing solo without forming parties.

With a party, it’s easier and quicker to defeat enemies.

There’s nothing I can’t handle alone.

Fighting a boss alone versus protecting someone while fighting is different.

Even though it’s just a game, characters dying because of me?

It leaves a somewhat uneasy feeling.

So, when facing the formidable foe that decorates the end of the chapter, I preferred facing them alone.

But the protagonist of this place is strong.

I don’t know why, but they seem to possess considerable power, so it should be fine.

If they can clear a Grade 3 dungeon alone, then defeating the first boss should be easy.

So, let’s focus on myself for now.

It’s more important to have Silia by my side than to escape the family.

It would be even better if Silia could make friends through club activities.

For now, let’s finish up the cleaning.

…

As the sun sets in the afternoon, the sky is filled with orange hues, perhaps due to the sunset.

But before long, the sky darkens.

Walking through the now darkened streets is Alicia.

She was slightly scared due to rumors of a mad villain attacking people to steal their shadows, but she didn’t believe it much.

Someone stealing shadows in this world? Is that even plausible?

Even if magic is highly advanced, stealing someone’s shadow to steal their magical powers sounds far-fetched.

Unless it’s dark magic.

However, dark magic has been prohibited in all countries for a long time, and even if it were true, the Academy wouldn’t turn a blind eye to it.

The first victim who started these rumors disappeared without a trace.

It must have been a fake rumor spread to scare people.

“Ha, what am I even thinking?”

I don’t have time for such trivial thoughts.

Lately, dealing with a bothersome fellow and academic pressures have been giving me a headache.

Although I didn’t show it to Bern, I did some background checks through a friend in the student council.

What I found out was that the penalties Bern received seemed odd.

Even the punishment he got for helping Ellen was strange.

Other penalties and punishments described for Bern were exceptionally harsh.

The same goes for when he helped Ellen.

When I heard it directly from Ellen, I was shocked.

I had no idea such severe harassment was happening somewhere I didn’t know about.

Acts of violence, insults, and harassment towards Ellen by fellow nobles went unpunished.

They weren’t even investigated in the first place.

They were just punishing Bern for educating them.

But there was something strange.

Bern didn’t make any statements.

Even when exaggerated, Bern silently accepted everything.

Why would that be?

Repeated disciplinary actions could lead to severe consequences like expulsion.

Being expelled wouldn’t bode well for the family either.

Indeed, Bern’s actions only tarnished the family’s image.

Those he touched were all from reputable families, not the shady ones.

Why did Bern engage in such behavior?

What did Bern want to achieve?

“Confusing…”

Bern, what do you really want?

I need to talk to Bern again.

I couldn’t discuss it today due to excitement.

Let’s talk tomorrow.

For now, I must return to the dormitory to finish studying.

The path back to the dormitory was no different than usual.

Just fewer people around and a strong wind, perhaps?

Well, isn’t that normal?

Having much work to handle at the Magic Department, I stayed late at the academy.

Looking at the clock, the hands pointed at 10:30.

Hastening my steps to return quickly.

As the wind grew stronger, her hair fluttered, obscuring her vision.

When she rearranged her hair and looked ahead again.

Someone stood before her.

A woman with pitch-black hair and crimson eyes.

However, there was something odd.

A pair of horns sprouted from her head.

One horn was partially severed, but that wasn’t crucial.

“Is someone like this at the academy?”

No, I’ve never seen such a person at the academy.

Could the rumors be true then?

The woman, smiling mysteriously, said, “This is it. The mana-rich lady. You’re my final nourishment.”

“That’s harassment..!”

Before finishing her sentence, the black-haired woman began to rush forward.

Wrapping her fist with ominous magic, she swiftly launched an attack.

-Whoosh

-Whoosh

Incredibly fast.

Evading was the only option.

Even attempting magic was impossible with the continuous onslaught preventing casting.

Even for lower-level spells, casting took some time.

Any pause would result in being struck by that fist.

“A sudden attack..!”

I should have counterattacked without hesitation.

With slightly purplish skin and a pair of horns.

And an unfamiliar power I hadn’t felt before.

The purplish mana exuding an impure feeling and the woman’s appearance.

“Could it be… a demon?”

Dark magic is primarily used by demon-worshipping races.

Most countries now ban it, leading to its gradual obscurity.

But a demon here?

This isn’t the time to ponder.

I must create distance and escape somehow.

Dealing with demons is different.

It might be related to Requiem.

As they attacked the academy, it’s beyond my capabilities to handle alone.

It’s dangerous. If my shadow is taken, my magic will be sealed, right?

Can I escape?

Due to consistent exercise, I manage to evade somehow.

But this won’t last long…!

Each punch from the demon woman is swift and menacing.

Moreover, the punches coming from behind her…?

“Cough…!”

Something resembling the demon woman, a black entity.

The shadow wriggling around her since earlier, was it attacking?

Despite the strength of the attacks, just one punch hit me.

And my body is flying far away.

-Thud!

My body starts rolling on the ground.

This is bad.

I allowed the attack.

Was it a hit that hit the chest?

Breathing was difficult, and vision began to flicker.

Due to the wounds on the ground, blood flowed from the head, and the body couldn’t move properly.

If they take away my magic here, the outcome is obvious without even looking back.

They said everyone who had their shadows taken away disappeared…

I thought it was just a false rumor spread by those who vanished.

A woman with black hair is approaching from afar.

There are no people around, and the streetlights seem to be all broken, not shedding any light.

Truly a life-or-death situation.

There’s no way to overcome this.

My legs won’t move due to the injuries.

No, they won’t move because of fear.

Sudden terror paralyzed my legs.

Terrifying. Too terrifying.

When Bern faced the Chimera, did he feel like this?

What about me in comparison?

Even if someone called me a top student in my second year, praised me for being pretty and talented…

I can’t do anything?

I couldn’t even use magic and helplessly fell victim?

“Disintegrate…”

As if responding to my muttering, the approaching woman spoke.

“Realized your helplessness, huh? How does it feel to be in the same position as me?”

Being in the same position? What does that mean?

More importantly…

I haven’t told him yet.

I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, reconcile, apologize.

I wanted to tell him I’m sorry.

Getting worked up over such matters and getting angry.

“It’s not fitting for me to just fall like this… There’s something I still need to say…!”

“What nonsense from a collapsing girl. Quietly hand over the shadow.”

The demoness who had come right up to me reaches out her arm.

Is she trying to take my shadow?

“No, it’s not over yet.”

“Hah, what can you do in your condition? I’ll gladly make use of your magic. I’ll put it to good use, so don’t worry.”

“Ice Burst.”

“What?”

Until it’s over, it’s not over.