40 - The Victim of the Academy

**A Life-Changing Moment (2)** Wow, it's finally all over. I've reached a satisfactory agreement with the cult, and I've shaken off Tyllis' surveillance. Even the analysis of Ex Machina's mechanical devices, conducted under the initiative of Koran Lekias, was halted when he personally declared them undecipherable and withdrew from the Yoram. The power is truly a wonderful thing. I managed to slide out naturally without arousing a single suspicion. But has Koran Lekias given up on revenge? I can't be sure, but one thing is certain: the Yoram will be quiet now. "You're truly my disciple! I knew you would do well!" And then, there's Yuna. Even someone like Yuna, whose presence would usually irk me, now brings a sense of relief just by being nearby. "Where have you been? I was really having a hard time." "Puhihihi!" The moments I've spent dealing with crazy people without you... I can feel the emotions welling up. So much has happened in the past few days... I'm exhausted, honestly. "Was the advice I gave helpful?" "Yeah, I could honestly say you helped solve the problem!" "Then shouldn't you learn some better techniques?" "No." I give a firm reply. I told you, I'm not doing that. Don't overstep, seriously. "Tsk, such a pity. So, what are you planning to do today? After all the tough stuff, don't you think it's time for a break?" "No, I need to get back to research right away." "You must be exhausted." "Exhausted, but it's necessary. Lives are at stake, and time is running out." Ariel doesn't have much time left. Koran Lekias mentioned this when I invited the cult to his laboratory. He said Lobelia has returned to the Imperial Palace, so wasn't it obvious I reached out to him for help? To be honest, I didn't even know Lobelia had gone back to the palace. I usually try to avoid her. It makes sense why I'd be unaware. The Yoram has been so chaotic lately that I've been keeping an even lower profile than usual. Lobelia's outing has significant implications. She will endure horrific experiences in the palace, and she'll return to the Yoram with her mental state in tatters. Before she can even fully recover, she'll have to face Ariel's death. Realizing she failed to notice her closest friend's illness will utterly shatter Lobelia's mental state. In the game, the focus was on Lobelia's mental breakdown. Ariel was merely a device for that process. It's unfortunate. Perhaps, in supporting roles, characters serve merely to spotlight the protagonists. "I'm probably the only idle one here." Thus, only an audience member watching from outside the stage can witness the supporting actor's final moments. * * * The research is nearing completion. With a few more rounds of trials, a remedy should be developed. However, I have limited amounts of experimental materials, relying on the powers borrowed from Maxwell's demon, so I must proceed with caution. I have no idea what happened to Koran Lekias after the fact, but since the demon was seized by Tyllis, there’s no way to replenish my supplies. I would have liked to rescue Koran Lekias before losing the demon, but to escape Tyllis' detection, sacrifices were inevitable. "Ugh... My head..." I lift my gaze to the ceiling, staring at the hanging light. With my vision blurring, I decide this is as far as I go today. My fatigue is overwhelming. Continuing research in this state will yield no reliable results. "Sigh..." It's been four days since the incident with Emily. And now I need to figure out what to do about the drone Tyllis requested. Tyllis left his contact info, so I can't just ignore the matter. "Hmm?" As I languidly gaze at the ceiling light, lost in thought, something flickers. It's not a vision issue. Something decidedly moved. I quickly lower my head and scan my surroundings. But at that very moment— Click! Before I could even think about what it might be, I felt the cold sensation of metal on the back of my head. The familiar sound rings in my ears immediately afterward. "Damn... " I quickly assess the situation. It was unmistakable. "Nice to meet you. This is our first encounter, isn't it, Johan Damus?" "Guns are strictly regulated under imperial law. But I suppose it doesn't matter if you don't get caught. And I trust, knowing the future, you know who I am." The person stepped into view as they spoke, someone I recognized. Or, perhaps, should I say I know of them? I am aware of who this young man is. Underneath his dark green hair are piercing yellow eyes reminiscent of a raptor. He is one of the young ruffians who, along with Lobelia, once occupied my room. "...Stan Robinhood." "Yes, correct. As I expected, you know who I am." Why is this guy here? An imperial spy and assassin, and most importantly... "Could you explain your reason for contacting Emily?" He is Emily Robinhood's brother. I ponder how this guy came to know about me. 'Ariel, perhaps...?' The only one who might spread the fact that I met Emily is Ariel. I distinctly asked her to keep it a secret, and now this? I should have known better than to trust that white-maned beast...! "Emily asked me to deliver this to you." "..." I guess not. Sorry, Ariel. Well, misunderstandings happen. It was a situation ripe for them. "You know Emily's Ex Machina, don't you?" I glimpsed at the bag Stan casually placed next to me. Through the unzipped opening, I could see the sleek mechanical devices inside. These are the items I was supposed to receive in exchange from Emily for this job. Emily, did you...? You just asked your brother to deliver these? You sent such dangerous items with that ease? "Please, calm down." "I'm composed. This is a rational judgment. You know it's a significant secret." "Let's have a conversation first." "Alright, but it would be better to talk somewhere more suitable." Thud. With those words, my consciousness snapped like a film hitting its end. * * * Drip. Something tickles the crown of my head. Drip. Dampness, unpleasant. Drip. Accumulated droplets trickle down my cheek. "......" I quietly open my eyes and realize my current predicament. I'm tied to a chair. To put it simply... "What the hell?" It was absolute garbage. I'm already exhausted with so much on my plate, and now I'm being hassled. "You're awake." "Is this what you call a suitable place for a conversation? Why don't you decorate your home like this too?" A sigh escapes me. Looking around, it seems they've found a convincing place again. Rough walls and iron bars, with water seeping from the ceiling—this is definitely an underground prison. "Did it really have to come to this?" This guy treats me politely and then leaves me like this? Honestly, shouldn't you show a bit of courtesy if someone approaches you courteously? "I hope you understand how sensitive this matter is." "I didn't even resist. You could have ended this right there." "Perhaps, but I always prepare for the worst-case scenario. I tend to worry a lot." By "worst-case scenario," Stan means a situation where he might have to kill me. It implies he's willing to do whatever it takes if necessary. Considering his personality, it's unlikely he'd actually go that far... But I can accept that he's prepared for such a possibility. "So, Johan, care to explain? Why did you approach her?" "This is ridiculous. Why assume that I approached her? Emily reached out to me!" "She doesn't care much for others." "She seemed quite interested in her mentor." "..." Stan smiles at my words, then raises his gun, aiming it at me. This bastard? Losing a verbal duel, so he resorts to force immediately. "So, you knew that much. I see, you're saying you used Master Koran Lekias as leverage to threaten Emily?" "How far will you leap in logic, you crazy bastard? I was living quietly, and those two are the ones who approached me!" "Emily approached you? Haha! There's no reason for that. What are you, some cunning liar wagging your tail at her?" This is pointless. Even if this involves his family, his insistence is excessive. But, giving him the benefit of the doubt, I can understand why he might target me from the start. If the imperial family discovered an Ex Machina leader, they'd annihilate the family, so no wonder he's this cautious. If Chris, my brother, had acted similarly, my heart would have dropped too. "I trust you understand my actions. Honestly, how can I trust someone as frivolous as you?" "I'm honestly a very serious guy." "But we don't have enough trust between us for me to believe that. Don't worry, I don't intend to kill you." Stan lowers his aim, spreading his hands. He doesn’t seem to want to kill me. But judging from his tone, he's not letting this slide either. "Just consider it a warning. Please remember my warning. I'm capable of doing far worse." After spreading his hands, Stan moves behind me and grabs one of my bound arms. A subtle tremor passes through his hand holding my arm. If scaring me into silence was his plan, he's already failed. I can feel his own doubts and fears about his actions more than any threat to me. For someone else, it might have backfired. "Your family's upbringing must have been enlightening, you piece of trash." "I'm sorry, but I have to protect my family." "No need to apologize." I've abandoned any thought of persuading him. If that's how he's playing, there's no reason I should be nice either. "Yuna, take him down." "What are you—?" Thud! Stan's hand releases my arm. Though I didn't witness what happened next, it was all resolved in a flash. "Ugh...!" "Good job." There's no way Yuna wouldn't notice my kidnapping. Someone like Stan couldn't possibly see through Yuna's stealth. The difference in their abilities is tremendous. "Don't kill him." I reminded Yuna, just in case she considered killing Stan. It's easy to forget, but Yuna has killed countless people and has no qualms about taking lives. "Hmm... Alright." Yuna swiftly disarmed Stan, then proceeded to untie me. "Wouldn't it be better to just kill him?" Right, I forgot you regard human lives like ant lives. I need to remember that next time. "There's no time for cleanup." "I can handle it for you. He tried to harm you." "Let's give him a pass. After all, he didn't actually kill me." "Hmmm... You have a point, Johan." Stan was probably ready to kill me if things went south. But that was only under the assumption of the worst-case scenario. Otherwise, there was no need to wait for me to wake up. If anything, getting rid of me before I opened my eyes would have been wiser. "It's a misunderstanding that can be cleared up. Once Emily is brought here and explains what happened, this guy should understand." It's a simple misunderstanding that's easily resolved. While I have no intention of getting chummy with someone who acts like a human butcher, turning Emily into an enemy comes with too many risks. Besides, I can somewhat understand where he's coming from, even if his methods are beyond comprehension. Better to forgive and get some compensation while I'm at it. "Johan Damus! If you lay a finger on her..." "......" Hold on, why does this guy keep treating me like the villain here? I just spared his life, didn't I? "Yuna." "Yeah?" "Now that I think about it, I don't have the time to deal with his aftermath. Let's just lock him up until we're done. I'll explain everything to Emily myself." "That's quite an emotional verdict~" That guy crossed the line first. Maybe spending some time cooling his head in this cold, damp underground will change his perspective. * * * At the same time, elsewhere. Ariel was gazing at the sunlight with a contemplative look. "Ah..." It felt as if realizations were gently cascading into her mind. The boundary between the world and herself seemed to blur. "If it's now..." Ariel's view of the world began to shift. She felt like she could achieve it now. "I think I can do it now." She could establish her unique abilities as a form of magic. She was on the cusp of reaching the level of an archmage. Yet, simultaneously, Ariel had a sense. The moment she crystallized her abilities into a single spell, she would disappear from this world. "Still, with this power, I can surely be of help to Your Highness." She smiled. Even with death looming, the thought of leaving something behind in this world made her smile. For some reason, she could smile. Death no longer scared her.