Chapter 120
During summer vacation, Saint Diphelia continued her mentoring, but she was also working on something else.
A few months ago, Vargan had handed her something suspected to be a ‘Divine Bug.’
Vargan had explained that it was the bug he threatened Erica with, kept in a small vial, but since it was Diphelia’s first time seeing a Divine Bug, she couldn’t fully trust his words.
However, leaving it to the church for investigation would put Vargan in a tricky position if it turned out to be a real Divine Bug.
If they found out there was a Divine Bug, the church would have taken it away.
After much deliberation, Diphelia decided to conduct her own research.
She was known for her expertise in Holy Magic, Healing Magic, Interpretation Magic, and matters related to creatures.
Information about the Divine Bug was not hard to obtain, so she compared what she learned with the bug Vargan had given her.
The conclusion was clear.
The tiny creature he handed over was indeed a Divine Bug.
She discovered that the blood contained within it belonged to someone of Bishop rank.
Had it entered another person’s body, they would have become a puppet, eternally bound to obey a Bishop’s commands.
“……”
Faced with this cruel reality, Diphelia pondered why Vargan had given her this Divine Bug.
It seemed more likely than ever that Vargan had genuinely moved to save Erica.
He must have been confident that he would confirm the identity of the Divine Bug himself, handing it to her for that reason.
Considering the possibility that she might retreat or run away if he just approached her, he had planned for her to take action instead.
To make her feel like she was acting under her own judgment, rather than just being led by him… effectively transmitting his intent.
Diphelia was well aware of this.
However, knowing this didn’t make it easier to escape the situation.
The more she understood his thinking.
The closer she got to what seemed like the truth.
She felt herself being consumed, like sinking into a swamp.
A swamp filled with unsettling truths she had never known.
And in the face of such a brutal reality, she couldn’t look away…
“I’ve told you several times. Don’t mess with Diphelia.”
Diphelia snapped back to reality at Erica’s sharp voice, like a vigilant cat.
Erica and Diphelia were currently seated in Vargan’s laboratory, pressing him for a detailed account of the incident.
Of course, it was Erica, not Diphelia, who led the conversation.
“Why on earth is this happening? Please tell me you’re not going to say there’s no reason again. I absolutely won’t believe that.”
“Erica. I know your biting tone is just you throwing a tantrum. You confirmed your faith in me when we visited the mansion last time.”
“That was just because of the situation…!”
“Because of the situation, it was much clearer, wasn’t it?”
Vargan was playfully teasing, while Erica was unrelentingly upset with him… Wait? Erica seemed a lot more subdued than before. Is it just me?
Lost in thought, Diphelia asked, “The mansion?”
The one answering was Vargan.
“Recently, I stayed at the Portlet Family’s residence for a few days. During my stay, I lent Erica a little help.”
When Diphelia looked at Erica for confirmation, she was doing her best to act indifferent, avoiding Vargan’s gaze.
It seemed like Vargan’s words were true.
The bird sitting on Diphelia’s shoulder turned its head sharply. With its tiny eyes, it was silently observing Vargan as he looked at Erica.
The bird suddenly turns its head. With its small eyes, it watches Vargan, who is looking at Erica.
His actions and words up till now.
His attitude toward her.
It feels like he genuinely cares for Erica, rather than just pursuing his own interests.
Maybe he truly is…
“……”
Emily, who had been sensing the atmosphere, stealthily crawled out of the laboratory, leaving just these three and Alicia sitting together.
Diphelia stops Alicia from preparing snacks out of habit, so all four of them are seated at the moment.
Erica tries to redirect the conversation for a moment.
“Anyway… what’s important right now isn’t that. Why did Diphelia spread the lie that she was a candidate for Student Council President?”
Her question was valid.
Even if what he was thinking was a bit different from what was revealed, what on earth did this situation have to do with anything?
Vargan answers this question.
“It’s right for Diphelia to be the Student Council President. If it’s about the future of Academia, you’re more suitable than the other competitors.”
His black eyes meet Diphelia’s.
Diphelia quietly tries to read something contained within that black orb.
If possible, she wished to see it directly, rather than borrow the eyes of a familiar. Maybe then she could understand a little better.
As Diphelia remains silent, Erica speaks up in her place.
“Yeah, that could be true. I acknowledge Diphelia’s leadership as well.”
Considering her personality and the judgment and leadership she showed during the End of First Semester, she would make a good Student Council President.
Erica also knew this.
However, even Erica, who has spent a lot of time talking to Diphelia, had never heard her express even a slight desire to become the Student Council President.
“The important thing is, why are you going ahead with things without even asking Diphelia’s opinion?”
Erica couldn’t just sit back and watch Vargan manipulate Diphelia.
“That means, if she agrees, then it can be done.”
In response to Erica’s question, Vargan instead asks Diphelia.
“What about it, Saint?”
“……”
The meaning behind that question was to ask her opinion regarding this election.
However, it also subtly probed into the other sentence Vargan had quietly murmured before.
⎯Don’t place too much faith in the Church, Saint.
Saint Diphelia felt that way.
Her heavy mouth, which had been tightly closed, slowly began to move.
“Is it… really necessary?”
“Diphelia, don’t be swayed by Schugenharz’s words. I’ll handle the rumors gently. There’s no need for you to take any responsibility for this.”
“……”
“Diphelia?”
Erica was taken aback at Diphelia not immediately rebutting Vargan’s absurd words.
She maintained a lukewarm, neutral attitude.
Rather than opposing, she seemed more likely to just nod along with his words.
Between the exchanged glances of Vargan and Diphelia, Erica could sense that there was another story between them that she didn’t know about.
Vargan calmly replies.
“It is absolutely necessary.”
“…I see.”
With a sudden remark, Vargan then picked up his steaming teacup and began to drink.
He was waiting for Diphelia’s response.
As if savoring the aroma of the tea, he lowered the cup and added another line.
He pushed the storyline forward on his own.
“I intend to assemble your electoral committee with the members present here.”
“What?”
“Young Master?”
Both Erica and Alicia reacted simultaneously.
Vargan continued without caring.
“We need three people for the electoral committee. The personnel present here are all talented individuals worthy of being called elite. The number of people is just right, after all.”
With a sly glance at Erica and Alicia, Erica realized that this meeting was set up by him as well.
He had anticipated how she and Diphelia would act. Why does he do this every time…!
Just as Erica was about to unleash her frustration,
“Could you… give me a little time to think?”
Diphelia opened her mouth first.
Gently revealing the determination she had held back until now.
“There’s still the additional application period left, right?”
“The additional application period is still open.”
In response, Vargan smiled faintly.
“As much as you want.”
He once again brought the teacup to his lips.
*
“Diphelia, you really can ignore what Schugenharz said, right? There’s no reason for you to go so far.”
Erica and Diphelia had left the laboratory.
They continued their unfinished conversation while passing through the hallway.
“I haven’t decided to go for it yet. There are many other great people, and I’m not even sure I could be one of them.”
“Then why…”
“…….”
Diphelia looked up at Erica with half-closed eyes. Then she turned her head away and whispered, just enough for the two of them to hear.
“He’s a really fascinating person. Does he have some power to see into others’ hearts?”
“…What does that mean?”
At Erica’s question, Diphelia covered her mouth and smiled softly. That mischievous smile was a look Erica had never seen before.
“…I haven’t told others, but I want to become Student Council President and make Academia a better place. I want to communicate with the students… I’ve thought about it, but I feel caught.”
“So that was it…?”
“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I only thought about it once or twice before sleeping.”
And you know, it might be an impure thought, but…
Diphelia didn’t finish her sentence and continued.
“Just a little bit… I want to see the future he’s dreaming of… that’s what crossed my mind.”
The delicate smile she wore until her words ended.
Erica, witnessing that unfamiliar sight, slowly immersed herself in her emotions.
……
‘…Huh? Wait, doesn’t that sound strange?’
Suddenly, her thoughts went blank.
The future Schugenharz is dreaming of?
She wants to see that too?
…What does that mean?
The smile Diphelia is currently wearing and the stories she shared only with Schugenharz… There was a similar situation before…
Stunned, Erica heard Diphelia say,
“I’ll make sure no harm comes to you, Erica. Even if I run as a candidate, I’ll make sure you’re excluded from the electorate, so don’t worry.”
“Uh? Oh, um… thanks. But… if you want to…”
“Then shall we go, Erica? The elective class is about to start.”
Diphelia began moving the wheels of her wheelchair.
Erica briefly froze but then followed beside her.
Their conversation ended there. Soon they arrived at the classroom and took their seats.
…….
Throughout the elective class, the second daughter of the Portlet Family fell deep into thought, staring at the blackboard with a more pronounced and gloomy expression than usual.
Today, she seemed particularly upset, causing the nearby students to avoid her.
*
That night.
For the first time in a while, I was able to train alone in my dorm room. Of course, most of the training is usually conducted solo.
However, it felt like a long time because Helion would often watch over me, or Finn would be swinging his sword beside me.
Hooow⎯.
I infused and circulated mana within my body.
I couldn’t quantify my current level, but I could sense it quite concretely.
Through my practical experience with Helion.
I’ve experienced rapid growth.
Especially, my achievements in curse magic were outstanding, mainly due to the encounters with his holy magic, leading to a relatively broadened perspective in the comprehension tier.
If I try to gauge the end that still seems vaguely visible, it seems I’ve reached a level slightly below the midpoint.
It’s akin to how my immunity strengthened by repeatedly exposing myself to a strong virus.
It was a problem that I could have died if I had gone wrong… but ultimately, I succeeded…
I also made considerable progress in summoning magic, as I could now use a familiar, albeit somewhat clumsily.
The term “somewhat” implies that I’m not fully harnessing the familiar’s inherent power, managing to tap into about one-third of it.
While the appearance is quite satisfactory, I can’t deny that there’s a shortfall in power.
And the most crucial aspect, the total amount of mana.
Before entering unique spell crafting, I need to reach the pinnacle of transcendence. Now, it’s resting at the edge of the comprehension tier.
It’s situated.
Even without tilting my head too much, the endless horizon of the sea fills my eyes. Just thinking about experiencing that makes a wave of exhilaration wash over me.
Once my mana capacity rises, I plan to jump right into researching unique spells. I’ve been waiting for this moment.
Ah, and just before I realized my mana capacity was about to transcend, something came along like a bonus.
“Comprehension of Elemental Magic.”
Elemental magic required significantly less training compared to other magics, so it naturally elevated due to its close relationship with mana.
This is why the basics are essential.
If one aspect is secured properly, the rest progresses much more smoothly.
Thus, I have reached the realm of comprehension in four different fields.
A first-year student of Academia with four comprehensions, huh…
A product of a genius body, an outstanding master, exclusive information, and intense training.
Surely, if there were news in this world, it would be front-page material.
So, after checking my physical condition and finishing all my training…
I walked through the night Academia and opened the creaking iron door of the mound.
In the center was a gigantic bone of an ancient dragon, and a blonde woman diligently conducting research, bathed in moonlight.
She seems to come in right as the sun sets and leaves before the moon wanes.
“You’re here.”
Even though it had been a long time since I’d seen Spirit Summoner Francesca, she casually skipped the pleasantries.
Rather, her gaze seemed to subtly urge me to get on with helping her research.
A fleeting thought crossed my mind: ‘Has being too close to a corpse rotted her brain?’ Yet, I kept quiet and assisted her, respecting noble etiquette and our senior-junior relationship.
Focusing my eyes on the mana and observing the spell revealed the progress metrics.
During summer vacation, I had steadily advanced on my own, and things are stable now.
If this continues, I should be able to see a dragon in better shape than expected during the gathering.
…
After pouring mana into reinforcing the spell for several hours, I decided to take a break.
Surprisingly, it was Francesca who first suggested it.
Wiping a bead of sweat trickling along her jawline with a white handkerchief, she spoke up.
“…I heard you rejected Clemens’ proposal.”
The gossip had undoubtedly spread among her second-year peers, and I was probably being evaluated with Diphelia alongside many others.
It was odd for Francesca not to know.
“It didn’t fit my vision of what a leader should be.”
“…….”
Francesca raised her gaze, capturing the bright full moon in her eyes.
The yellow of her irises resembled the round, bright moon.
She reacted a little late.
“Clemens is a genius.”
“A genius?”
“Yeah… physically capable, smart… a natural genius with all the qualities of a hero.”
Francesca, who has never beaten Clemens even once.
She harbors near-admiration for him but also feels a sense of competition.
Despite appearing completely indifferent to anyone else’s affairs besides her research, that’s not the whole story.
In the first semester, when Alicia sliced up her skeleton soldiers, she promptly worked on strengthening them, showcasing her strong desire to win.
I looked at Francesca, who had clamped her lips shut again, and shrugged my shoulders.
A genius… It’s such a nice word, and I like it.
“I know a mad genius, you know? No matter how amazing they are, if they fall into the typical range of geniuses, they all seem pretty similar to me.”
“A mad genius… that’s an odd phrase.”
Francesca quietly chewed on her words and continued.
It was rare to have a long conversation with her like this, excluding research topics.
“You’ll handle your matters yourself, I suppose. You’re that kind of person.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“…Then, as your senior, I’ll just say one last thing.”
Francesca was giving me a warning.
Perhaps due to mixing in her experiences, it felt sincere and weighty.
“Don’t be too shocked if you end up losing to Clemens. I wouldn’t like it if your pride prevented you from helping my research after the shock of losing.”
