26 - The Victim of the Academy

Eye of the Storm (4) Saint Tillis. She is the sole existing high elf and spirit summoner. However, contrary to her benevolent-sounding title of Saint, she is a rather radical and extreme figure. The epithet "Saint of the Slums" might suggest she cared for the weak like an angel, but... "I have disposed of 32 gangs and 68 demons so far," she remarked. Rather than coddle the crime syndicates that preyed upon the slums, she eradicated them entirely. Her approach was solving the fundamental issue—attacking the root of the disease instead of merely treating the symptoms. Yes, that was her way. "Shall we spar right away, then?" Her invitation to the Academy was not for moral or character education but based on her combat prowess. Saint Tillis declared, with an angelic face, that she intended to spread not faith but violence. "Wow..." Ariel, attending Tillis’s class, was awestruck. The scene was breathtaking. The spirit summoned by Saint Tillis was engulfed in dozens of pure white wings, reminiscent of an angel from legend. Ariel quickly realized that the title of Saint attributed to Tillis was not just a result of her character or appearance. Anyone witnessing the seemingly holy sight would think so. "Which student shall go first?" "Can I try?" "What's your name, student?" "I'm Ariel Ether..." "Oh my, you're from the Ether dukedom. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Clutching her staff tightly, Ariel Ether prepared for the battle. * * * "So, you've come to the alchemy workshop? Not to cut costs?" "What exactly do you take me for, Johan Keung?" "Well... isn't it obvious, a debtor?" I continued to ignore Ariel, as I altered the drug composition once more. Hmm... that wasn’t right either. Just a moment ago, the loss of our territory's half-year income occurred in my hands, a commonplace incident. "Now that you understand why I'm here, could you give me the potion?" "Do you think this alchemy workshop is a place to keep your potions safe?" "Considering the amount I’ve invested here, yes, it practically is." "That's something you should discuss with Master Georg." "He’s not here right now, so I’m discussing it with you, Johan Keung!" "My, how persistently troublesome." Knowing Ariel would pester me endlessly if I didn’t hand over the potion, I promptly checked the ledger to confirm the amount she had deposited with the workshop. "Hmm, what a sucker." "Pardon?" "Nothing, so you just need the mana and healing potions?" "..." Not that her being suckered is my fault. And Georg must be quite something to think he could swindle the Ether family. How in the world did that thought cross his mind? Ignoring the disgruntled Ariel, I pulled one healing potion and five mana potions from the shelf and handed them to her. "Won't you explain the usage?" "Do I need to explain something you’ve used for more than a day or two?" "Yes, please do." Is she trying to bother me deliberately? Or perhaps trying to force some familiarity? Realistically, Ariel wouldn’t have any reason to want to befriend me, so it's probably just to spite my attitude. "Apply the healing potion on wounds to let them slowly heal. In case of internal injuries, you can drink it. For the mana potion, just drink it." Neither offers complete recovery. If they did, doctors would lose their jobs. Healing potions are more like aids to recovery. The mana potion, having an elixir base, slowly replenishes mana, albeit at a higher cost. Judging by the fact that Ariel can drink five of those, it’s clear the amount of mana she possesses is extraordinary. I don’t even need half a bottle. Typically, one bottle is stored away and consumed in sips as needed. That’s how expensive and effective they are. "Excuse me, Sir Johan." Ariel, sipping mana potion after mana potion with a frown on her face, grasped the bottle tightly and inquired. Seems it doesn’t taste good. Given her continued chatter, it’s apparent she detests drinking it. "Sir Johan?" "What now? Can’t you see how busy I am? Don’t you understand what I’m researching at this moment?" Even though I am doing this to save you, why on earth are you interrupting me? "So cold. Still, I thought at least we’d gotten somewhat closer." "We? I can't comprehend where that notion of intimacy came from." Truthfully, I’ve uttered nothing but disheartening words, yet why is there any sense of familiarity? Perhaps that's her kind of thing? "Because you know my secret, Sir Johan." Ariel’s eyes sparkled, lighting up. Sigh... truly, a troublesome person. The weight of that statement makes it hard to simply mock or dismiss. "So, what is it that you really want to talk about?" I decided to entertain her for a moment. After all, I had come too far to consider Ariel Ether just an acquaintance now. "What do you think of the Saint, Sir Johan?" "She's crazy." "W-What are you saying?!" Ariel shrieked in disbelief. People curse even their leaders when they're not around, and yet she gets all worked up over a slight to Tillis. Maybe she took too many hits during today's sparring? Though from the looks of it, one healing potion should have been enough. "The Saint is an incredible person." "Were you hit hard?" When you’re unsure, sometimes it’s better to ask directly rather than keep it bottled up. "N-Not too much... Just a little." "Perhaps I should have offered you another potion?" "No, it's fine. I only drank part of what I had, and when it wasn't enough, I came to the workshop." "I see." It's not surprising that Ariel couldn’t beat Tillis. In fact, not just Ariel—no one in the academy could best Tillis. Not even Orga Hermod. In the entire Empire, there might be fewer than five individuals who could face her and think they stood a chance. "Anyway, the Saint’s strength is monstrous. Even His Highness couldn't lift a finger against her." "I see." I found it hard to be impressed. Considering Ariel ended up like this, it’s obvious that Robelia couldn't have beaten Tillis either. In fact, Ariel is stronger than Robelia at this point in time. Who knows what might happen in the future, though? I haven't seen Ariel's future unfold. In the original story, she likely would have met her end around now. "How about you challenge her to a duel, Sir Johan?" "Me? That's insane." "Even though I ended up like this, the Saint's training was quite effective." "She pointed out my weaknesses and offered ways to leverage my strengths." It seems Ariel genuinely wants me to grow stronger. Is she out of her mind? I'm here tirelessly trying to concoct a potion to save her, and she’s all relaxed. Or does she have no faith in me? "I’m well aware of my weaknesses and strengths, so don’t worry." "And, she's incredibly beautiful." "Ah, yes. I suppose she is." Ariel tilted her head. Apparently, many people went just to catch a glimpse of Tillis. I can hardly fathom the appeal. For me, she represents nothing but a threat. In some ways, she's even more dangerous than a cult. "Hmm...?" As I haphazardly classified and combined solutions, I suddenly realized I had run out of the most vital reagent. Without it, the experiment couldn't continue. "Why couldn't I have planned better?" I sighed. For now, it seemed that only freshers like myself remained in the alchemy workshop, as most previous students had quit, likely burnt out from last year's exertions. I understood—it would’ve been the same for me. To replace this reagent, I need to step outside. "Lady Ariel, would you have a moment?" "Huh? Me? Umm... why?" "I need to step out briefly. Would you mind providing some security?" "...I don’t mind, but are you saying we’d need to leave the Academy?" "Do you expect me to live here forever? Sometimes you need some fresh air." "That's true, but... Sir Johan, you always said you'd graduate without ever leaving the Academy." "That was more a mindset. If circumstances demand, I must venture out." Honestly, I have no intention of leaving the Academy unless absolutely necessary, considering it a safe haven. However, the Academy is no longer safe. The moment one individual entered, both inside and outside became equally dangerous. Tillis has many enemies. Having swept through the back alleys, there must be those holding grudges against her. Also, her rarity as a high elf and her striking appearance make her an attractive target. "And with Lady Ariel, wouldn’t we be safe?" "It's the first time I've heard you hold me in such high esteem." From my personal perspective, Tillis's presence is more perilous than a cult. Where a cult lurks in unseen terror, Tillis is an overt threat. The closer you are, the more dangerous it becomes. "So, what will you do? For your information, the experiments I’ve been conducting day and night are for a remedy to treat Lady Ariel." "I am aware, you don't need to burden me with that. I'm not exactly free, but I'll help." "Thank you. Let's prepare quickly. It shouldn't take long." * * * I soon found myself outside the Academy with Ariel. I never imagined I’d step out so nonchalantly. The irony isn’t lost on me. There was a time I feared for my life stepping outside, but now I feel a certain sense of liberation. "Sir Johan." "Yes, Lady Ariel. If it’s about wanting ice cream, we can grab some on the way back..." "It's an ambush." "...Already?" "Seems so." I expected some form of assault, but this is too soon, isn't it? Barely ten minutes have passed since leaving the Academy. If we sprint, we could reach the Academy in three minutes. What idiot decided to launch an ambush so quickly?... "What’s that?" Following Ariel's gesture, I focused my gaze where she pointed. It wasn’t visible at first, but with concentration, I could discern the assailant’s form. A powerful surge of steam! The rattling gears interlock and turn aggressively. A fiery mechanical device, its heavy mass plowing through the street. The sight evoked the bizarre aesthetics of a steampunk genre. "An Ex-Machina. Probably some lunatic testing an experimental result with indiscriminate violence." Which means, this wasn’t an attack targeting us. It’s exactly what it looks like: a random attack. But given Ariel's sense of duty, she won’t simply let this slide as a member of the party. "What should we do, Sir Johan?" Though she asks out of courtesy, Ariel has likely made up her mind already. "Deal with it swiftly. I’ll wait here." "Are you dying or something? Why are you acting so out of character today?" "I see what you truly think of my usual self." Did she really expect me to cling to her, begging for protection while dragging my feet? For someone who said she felt a certain intimacy toward me, her assessment of me is awfully low. Of course, her assessment of me isn't too far off. I do tend to be that way. However... "Yuna, what do you think about this whole situation?" As it happens, I always have a fiercely competent stalker by my side, so it's fine. When I casually called out her name, as if I naturally expected her presence, she peeked out from behind a pillar, answering me. "Maybe they went mad from conducting too many experiments?" "I'm not sure. It would be nice if it were just that, but I've got a bad feeling about this." "Want me to investigate?" "...No, better not. It might just end up stirring the hornet's nest." Ex-Machina is a group of geniuses. And geniuses, quite oddly, tend to be stubborn and proud, so getting involved with them the wrong way could spell serious trouble.