episode_0237

He grabbed the collar and shook it off.

The clothes that had been crumpled overnight fluttered and straightened out nicely.

The pure white cloth robe received on the first day of arriving at the Tower of Knowledge.

I still wear it a lot because it is wide and fluttery, making it great for activities.

Sseuuk… He even wore a white cloak that was given to him separately over his shoulders.

It was an outfit that seemed to have been designed as a bundle from the beginning, and when worn together, the missing parts seemed to be filled in.

The armpits were taken off.

There was no one here to hide the prosthetic arm, and would Paltosi be okay with his arm being blown off?

“You suit each other very well.”

As I was wearing all that and waving my arms for a moment, Ariel, who was standing right in front of me, said this.

[Isn’t it too white or something?]

“No, I don’t feel any sense of incongruity at all.”

[Hmm…]

I answered with a strange expression and flapping my sleeves.

To begin with, I have no fashion sense at all.

It’s a complete opposite of the past when I only looked for black.

His black hair had turned white, and his eyes, although now closed, had turned gray.

The top and bottom are white. The cloak worn over them is also white. Even the magic power is white unless you intentionally change its color…

‘…Doesn’t it matter now?’

I didn’t particularly like the color black.

I just preferred it because it didn’t show any traces of dirt and it didn’t stand out when I went out for a bit.

But now I have several favorite colors.

Red, yellow, green, blue, and white, etc…

Now there was no reason to insist on only black.

“I am relieved that you were able to express your emotions well.”

As I was examining the clothes like that, Ariel spoke with a faint smile.

Suddenly, he remembered his disgrace from last night and blushed.

Even now, when I think back on it, it was a happy yet embarrassing memory…

[…Thanks to Ariel’s help]

[The old story was also very interesting]

“I’m glad it helped. I was worried even when you were shedding tears… ”

[I didn’t cry!]

Click! The necklace of confession popped.

A rather loud voice echoed throughout the surroundings.

[I didn’t cry!]

“You didn’t cry… Was there something wrong with the way Lee Ha-yul looked when I saw him yesterday? There were so many marks under his eyes… ”

Ariel’s words were cut off.

The pure white eyes blinked blankly.

The area under her eyes, where her gaze was directed, was covered by the slightly raised feathers of the sky.

“… Not only that, but the traces of yesterday are still clearly visible in my heart… ”

[Gyaaaah…!]

The outstretched wings of the sky grabbed Ariel’s hand as she tried to unfurl her wings.

Ariel tilted her head as if she was puzzled.

“Aren’t you already too embarrassed to be acting all that way? Lee Ha-yool, it’s not embarrassing to shed tears and whine about not wanting to break up.”

[all right]

[Let’s move on to our next topic…]

“Yes, I understand.”

Ariel, who was pushing hard, backs down easily.

I puffed out my cheeks and showed my pain.

I know that you’re teasing me so mischievously, unlike usual, because you’re trying to relieve my pent-up emotions…

[… Anyway, thank you very much]

That pain was relieved by the many thoughts that came to mind.

There was so much I had received from the Tower of Knowledge that it was difficult to recall them all.

He quickly approached Ariel and hugged her waist tightly.

Unfortunately, the front door was closed, but I buried my face in its embrace.

[Thank you so much]

It’s lunchtime now.

I went to bed late last night because I was busy telling stories, but I woke up early this morning.

And I spent time receiving the many gifts Ariel gave me.

Until just a moment ago, I was starting to get a little tired of the loads the golems were constantly carrying.

Looking at the luggage piled up in the subspace, I felt full.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of much help.”

Ariel also hugged me tightly and gently stroked my head.

Ariel’s face, staring intently at my head, was filled with apology, as if she couldn’t be of much help.

[Ugh… No. I received so much help, thank you so much.]

“… If that’s the case, I feel a little relieved.”

As I shook my head and denied that I was of any help, a faint smile appeared on Ariel’s face.

“Have you joined a club?”

And then out of the blue he asked me about the club.

I tilted my head.

[yes?]

[Uh… no…?]

“Siyoram’s club system was established with the purpose of mental health rather than skill improvement. Most of them are clubs for leisure activities including relaxation, so if you have a little spare time, I recommend joining at least one and taking a break.”

[Ah… Okay]

[I’ll look it up when I have time]

Siyoram Club.

It is one of the cradle-type systems that started around the second semester.

There are also clubs that are directly established by the Shiyoram headquarters and recruit members.

There are also clubs that are directly opened and run by students.

I thought about joining a club, but I didn’t have the time, so I didn’t join.

‘… You said you made the cradle because of me.’

But after learning the whole story, those words made me feel many different emotions.

The reason the club aims for mental health is because they know that my mentality is like a puffer fish…?

“There are many facilities in the outer empty areas. Most of them are restricted areas, but if you have special admission status, you can enter all of them… ”

After that, Ariel’s request continued.

Ariel knows a lot about Shiyoraem, as she designed it together with the Tower of Growth.

Her advice and encouragement were very helpful.

‘… … ‘

At a time when it was really approaching my Adam’s apple, I buried my head in Ariel’s arms and quietly listened to her instructions.

“… I have nothing more to say. In fact, I think it would be unnecessary for me to meddle, since Lee Ha-yool has been doing well on his own despite his anxiety.”

[Not at all]

“Thank goodness.”

Finally, as soon as the speech ended, silence fell.

In the silence where not even the golem’s creaking could be heard, only the small sound of a hand running through hair could be heard.

– … Phew…

After enjoying the caressing for a while, I took a deep breath and made up my mind.

It’s not like I can stay in this embrace forever.

No, in order to live happily in this embrace in the future, I must step down now.

He released his arms from around my waist and took two or three steps back.

The warmth of your embrace, your body temperature, and the sound of your heartbeat are gone.

It’s a feeling I haven’t felt in a while.

As I thought about that, my throat suddenly started to tickle and I bit my lip.

[later]

Normally, conversation would be impossible when the mouth is closed, but

Fortunately, thanks to the necklace of confession, I was able to talk with my mouth shut.

I took a moment to organize the words I wanted to say with the necklace of confession.

‘… … ‘

But I couldn’t spit it out easily.

[later…]

On the topic of what to say last night, I was so worried.

When that moment actually arrived, my head started to stutter as if it had turned black.

[See you later, outside]

So I ended up saying something short and direct.

The top holds rights and obligations.

Here, duties are things that must be done as a tower owner, and rights are the powers that a tower owner can wield.

Normally, rights and obligations should be balanced at a ratio of 5 to 5.

The five top lords of this world are in a state of holding more obligations than rights.

This led to several restrictions, and the absurd situation of the tower owner not being able to leave the tower like now…

The reason for taking on such a burden is ultimately because of external invasion.

If we can somehow make them turn off properly, the tower owners will also be able to regain some freedom.

“… outside.”

Ariel, who had been waiting for my words, muttered blankly as if she had heard something unexpected.

At that blank reaction, I waved both arms as if making an excuse.

[Yes, outside… Oh, I might enter the Tower of Knowledge again before then, but if not… See you outside next time.]

Can I enter the Tower of Knowledge again? I’m not sure.

Even Ariel can’t predict exactly when the next restriction will be lifted.

Even if the restrictions are lifted, I don’t know if I’ll be able to enter the situation then.

I don’t even know what I’m talking about.

I felt like I was speaking in a hurried and incoherent manner, and my face became hot later.

He turned his head, slowly hiding his face behind the wings of the sky.

“… Ahaha, yes, relying on the mercy of Lee Ha-yul, I dare to look forward to it.”

And then, I opened my eyes wide without realizing it at the sound of laughter in my ear.

A laughter so small that I could barely hear it.

But, that wasn’t the laughter I shed.

It’s just me and Ariel here.

[You just laughed, didn’t you?]

“Laughing… No, I didn’t laugh.”

[No, I just heard laughter]

“I don’t know.”

[Profit… I heard it all…!]

When I asked, turning my head sharply, Ariel playfully shrugged her shoulders.

I clearly heard everything, but I puffed out my cheeks when I saw him evading the words.

“Oh, are you angry?”

[I didn’t get mad]

“I can’t believe you when you puff out your cheeks so cutely.”

This time, Ariel clearly burst into laughter.

Let’s raise the corners of our eyes and he approaches us with brisk strides.

He shrugged his shoulders and took a step back.

[Why, why are you coming?]

“I have a last gift I prepared. I should have given it to you earlier, but it took some time to coordinate. First, this.”

[Oh]

Ariel shrugged and came up to me.

And then, at some point, he handed me the cane he was holding in his hand.

“This is the staff I used when I was still active, the Jeonghwa Dohwa. Its performance is still the same even today, so feel free to use it however you want.”

[You used it yourself…? You could give me something like this…]

“That’s okay. I’d rather have it used outside than just gathering dust on the tower. If you want, you can sell it.”

[I will never sell it! Don’t say that… I will treasure it.]

He accepted the cane in horror.

A body that is almost silver in color and a blue crystal ball at the end.

Other than that, it is a very simple cane with no decoration or anything.

It may be rude to say this, but I tilted my head for a moment at the sight of something that seemed unfinished.

– Woof woof…!

The moment you grab the cane.

Through the information injected into my head by the shaking of the cane, I understood why it had this appearance.

‘…Is this a staff or a spear?’

I blinked at the function that made me think of such a thing.

– Woof woof woof…!

‘What, why are you…’

As I was lost in thought for a moment, fiddling with my cane, the proof of guardianship suddenly vibrated.

My head tilted involuntarily at the vibration that was filled with some discontent.

“Those words are very sweet, but please use them appropriately. Oh, and in addition… ”

In the meantime.

Suddenly, Ariel reached out her hand.

A slender hand lifted my bangs, revealing my forehead.

“I hope this will be of some help to you, Lee Ha-yul, on your future path.”

– Side

[Huh?]

He lowered his head and kissed my forehead.

For a moment, my consciousness stopped as I felt the moist, soft sensation on my forehead.

and.

It’s put back together again.

It’s different from before.

Information that was previously complex and jumbled is now properly organized.

My body trembled as if I was putting the books scattered on the floor into a newly brought-in bookshelf.

[Huh? Ugh, ugh…?]

“The power of knowledge. Referring to the previous incident, I have adjusted it to fit you in advance. You can use it and operate it in a way that appropriately removes the restrictions.”

Through the sparkling consciousness, Ariel’s whispers could be heard.

The farewell that was full of tension was meaningless.

I trembled for a while in Ariel’s arms.

* * *

[Player Compensation System: Favorability]

Lee Ha-yul → Ariel Segnis Ternovcia

●●●●●●●○○○(72/100)

“Tower of Knowledge” “Head of the Magic Circle” “Woo? You” “Complexity” “Confusion” “Question” “Doubt” “Gratitude”

▽Change▽

Lee Ha-yul → Ariel Segnis Ternovcia

●●●●●●●○○○(72▷75/100)

“Tower of Knowledge” “Head of the Magic Circle” “Woo? Yoo” “Guardian” “Thank you” “Help”

…

[System tuning…]

[Savior Correction System: Pioneer]

[Creates the quest “Ariel Segnis Ternovcia”]

…

[You are granted some of the power “Knowledge”]

[Set as the owner of the highest-grade artifact “Purification Crown Flower”]

…

[The top master of tuning scolds Ae for doing something to her]

[The Tower of Knowledge shrugs]

…

[Reveals the mystery of the artifact “Proof of Guardianship”]

[?]

[Artifact “Purification” frowns]

[Old fashion…]