episode_0113

My case was different.

My ability didn’t require any special items from the start.

Rather than not needing them, they were more likely to have a reverse effect.

Even if I held such high-grade items, they would just rot away as troublesome antiques.

Being dangerous items, it was impossible to carelessly discard or sell them.

If, by chance, a divine artifact fell into the hands of a cultist, it would truly unleash a bloodbath.

Thanks to that, I had many worries.

“Heh heh.”

In that sense, the Dean was a good opportunity for me.

Both to dispose of dangerous items.

And to hear prophecies about the future.

Since I, a foreign element, had interfered with the original flow, I needed to check if there were any changes in the prophecies.

After rummaging in my pocket for a moment, I placed something on the table.

Click.

“So, I prepared this.”

A palm-sized case.

When I gently lifted the lid of the closed box, a uniquely shimmering stone was nestled within.

A radiant blue aura flowed from the jewel.

I idly tapped the surface with my fingertip.

As if in response, a strange sound echoed, and the surrounding air subtly warped.

Like heat shimmering.

“A divine artifact… the Heart of the Ancient Dragon.”

Last time.

It was an item I obtained when rescuing the fox.

A laboratory nestled within a massive canyon.

A stage of madness where only the black mages, considered the worst in Baob, gathered and massacred countless people through chimera experiments.

It was an item retrieved during the process of dismantling that mad facility.

The heart of a dragon that once protected the world.

At the time of its discovery, it was powerful enough to twist the time of the surrounding canyon, so its output was more than sufficient to bear the cost of a prophet.

The Dean silently gazed at the jewel I offered.

“………”

However, there was no particular change in his expression.

A response so calm it felt empty.

At this point, I could guess again.

‘So that’s how it is.’

Prophets or Regressors.

When characters who foresee the future exist in typical creative works, their reactions to an ‘possessed’ individual generally divide into two categories.

One is knowing the future based on the original work.

The other is knowing the future based on the existence of the ‘possessed’ individual.

In my case, it seemed to be the latter.

‘Otherwise, such a reaction wouldn’t make sense.’

As mentioned earlier, divine artifacts are not easily acquired.

Even officially confirmed items don’t exceed five.

If an ordinary student came holding such a rare resource, it would be normal to at least give them a questioning look.

Even more so if that student was the traitor leading the world to ruin.

‘It would be normal to be wary, even.’

And it’s not like the original Yuda would have given a divine artifact to the Dean.

The future the prophet glimpsed was clearly related to ‘me’.

Having grasped the situation, I deliberately threw out a few words, as if jesting.

“A moment ago, I said that. That this was the first time I’ve met you face-to-face.”

“I remember.”

“However, it seems that’s not the case for you, Dean.”

“Heh heh… Indeed, you’re quick-witted.”

“Please stop with the embarrassing praise. Didn’t you even know the situation where I would make such a prediction?”

“I won’t deny it.”

The Dean smiled calmly.

His wrinkled hand set down the teacup he was holding.

Pushing aside the now-cold black tea, the old man took the case I offered.

Did he not intend to drag this out?

Even without a word, he covered the jewel with his palm.

He seemed to know the role I desired from him.

“Yes… if you yearn for a prophecy within the mist, I shall recite it within the role I am given.”

Whoosh-!

Immediately after.

A subtle colored aura flowed from the Dean’s fingertips.

The shining jewel gradually shattered.

It was rapidly disintegrating, bearing the cost of violating a restriction.

The old man wasted no time in reciting beyond providence.

“You are curious about the world’s ending, aren’t you?”

“That’s right.”

“That end will surely be beautiful enough for everyone to be happy. All of them will be filled with hope, greeting tomorrow. However…”

“However?”

“Only the liar will suffer. You won’t be among the blossoming smiles. For the happiness of others will have been forged with foolish lies.”

“…I see.”

It was a very ambiguous prophecy.

While certain parts suggested a somewhat predictable future, chewing over the other parts made it impossible to understand what they meant.

I felt a temporary sense of relief at the affirmation of a beautiful ending.

But the phrase, ‘Only the liar will suffer,’ bothered me.

A prophecy that could be interpreted in any direction.

As prophecies are meant to be understood the more one ponders them, it seemed time was needed for now.

I quietly rested my chin in my hand.

‘There are still a few things I’m curious about.’

There was one question I always had.

It was related to the original story.

In the original interaction, the Dean only hinted at tragedy, never mentioning Yuda’s betrayal at all.

As a prophet, he should have known about the betrayal that would come later.

It was a question that had bothered me ever since I was making summary videos of the story.

‘Even if it was due to restrictions… shouldn’t there have been at least a hint like now?’

My thoughts continued, one after another.

I considered asking the Dean further but quickly gave up.

The restrictions borne by a prophet are absolute.

It would be difficult for him to answer more, having already answered one…

“I shall answer that question, and only that one.”

“………?”

A voice that seemed to pierce through my inner monologue.

I couldn’t help but be flustered.

What was this?

This was a pattern I hadn’t seen before.

Even after playing through countless iterations, I had never seen a case where two prophecies were given at once.

In short, it was an original event not present in the original story.

The old man added.

“You have never betrayed.”

“Excuse me…?”

“I don’t know how it looked in the eyes of other children, but at least from what I observed of you, that was the case. And it was the same even in the world you don’t know yourself.”

White eyes gazed at me.

Beyond the pupils, sunken like winter, only a golden snake resided.

The old lips offered advice.

“Dolls do not shed tears. However, shedding tears does not necessarily mean one is human. I hope you ponder this difference.”

“………”

I couldn’t answer.

It was due to the surging confusion.

‘Dolls do not shed tears’… how could that old man know such a thing?

And what did he mean by ‘you have never betrayed’?

“Wait.”

I tried to ask, as if belatedly grabbing hold, but the allotted time had already been fully consumed.

The Dean gently set down the jewel he was holding.

Its surface, which had glowed blue, was now dyed a lifeless gray.

Before long, the form that had barely been maintained crumbled.

Scattering into a handful of dust.

“…Ah.”

Crumble-.

Was it because he had overstrained himself and violated the restrictions?

The Dean’s hand, which had touched the jewel, was also disintegrating. That dissolution did not stop until his left hand had completely vanished.

The old man looked down at the falling dust and briefly added.

“Our conversation must end here.”

“………”

“I dragged out the previous discussion for too long. We couldn’t even discuss the compensation for the previous competition, which was the original topic. Feel free to tell me if you want anything later.”

“I’ll think about it and let you know.”

“You may leave now.”

“Yes.”

I obediently rose from my seat.

Thoughts tangled complexly.

Even though I knew there was no more information to receive, I had to force my reluctant steps forward.

Leaving the Dean’s office, with the hollow waves of thought crashing behind me.

The snake, once again walking into the unknown.

Behind him, the prophet sat, gazing at his retreating back for a long time.

Until his wavering shadow faded.

***

A beautiful ending where everyone is happy.

Only the suffering liar.

The existence of a traitor who has never betrayed.

A doll that does not shed tears.

Thump-thump-.

Even as I exited the main building, my mind was cluttered with prophecies.

Words that tangled without meaning.

Just thinking about interpreting them in the future made my head ache.

As I walked through the academy’s streets with a sigh.

“Young, Young Master…!”

I spotted Regia loitering nearby.

Her pink hair tousled by the wind.

I had clearly told her to go into the library building first, but it seemed our protagonist had waited until the consultation was over.

We exchanged a few words as we walked towards the carriage stop.

Beyond the horizon, the twilight sky was setting.

The evening was dyed by the autumn wind.

When I subtly turned my head, my gaze met a pair of green eyes.

I subtly asked.

“How have you been, Regia?”

“Huh?”

“I was wondering if you’re enjoying academy life well.”

“Ah… Yes, yes! Lately, more people have been walking with me, my practical scores have risen to the top ranks of Class A, and, and many people acknowledge me now!”

“As expected, you’re amazing.”

“Heh, heh heh… It’s because Young Master has been by my side!”

The girl replied as if it were obvious.

Her eyes naturally curving into a smile.

As I conversed with her bright smile, even the complicated thoughts from just moments ago gradually washed away.

I began to shake off the worries I had been pondering, one by one.

‘Right.’

Isn’t this enough?

The protagonist’s smile.

She was making children who would have only cried and been hurt, laugh.

All the efforts until now had been meaningful.

The death throes uttered in a life with nothing to lose had, somehow, changed many stories.

It would be the same going forward.

‘It wouldn’t be good to get too caught up in the prophecy.’

Because I’m doing well enough even now.

Of course, I need to try harder.

For now, I decided to set aside my worries for today.

I lightly walked ahead.

“Heh heh… Shall we go to the library now? The others will be waiting.”

“Yes!”

The shadows of the boy and girl stretched across the sunset.

We pushed aside the thoughts of today, and thus stepped forward towards tomorrow.

***

Meanwhile.

The empire’s underworld.

“Hmm.”

The figure who had been seated on the throne broke the silence.

A newspaper was held in their hand.

It was none other than a newspaper containing news from the academy.

On the front page, the headline read: [Appearance of a Student Who Overwhelms Professors!]

It was an article about the previous competition.

“Interesting.”

They scanned the contents with interest.

Red eyes gazed at the picture of a snake printed in the center.

Their lips murmured.

“Is he finally starting to move?”

Thump-.

The figure dropped the newspaper to the floor.

Before the throne, a retinue of four guards stood.

They were the Five Corruptions.

“Then… it’s time for us to join the fun too.”

The voice commanded its subordinates.

To participate in the real game.

“I’m thinking of seeing his face for a short while after a long time.”

“Are you referring to that snake?”

“Tsk-tsk… If not him, who else could face me as an equal?”

“We will arrange to have him brought before you as soon as possible.”

“Good.”

The loyal reply.

The figure nodded, satisfied.

They knew that their guards alone were no match for the snake, but they could at least provoke him to come on his own.

They unconsciously stroked their empty right arm.

Only an empty space existed there instead of an arm.

An ominous laugh escaped their lips.

“Shall we step in?”

The world was like dawn before a storm.

After several wars had ended, in the pitch black where only taut tension lingered.

“Into the heart of chaos.”

The monarch began to move.