23.
The examination site for the Mana Design course, and right at its entrance loomed a towering monstrosity.
This place, modeled after the infamous “Tower of Annihilation,” was currently filled with the screams of students.
“Ah, we’re not gonna die, right? Right???”
“If you’re so curious, go ahead and try it yourself!!”
Even attempting to face them seemed impossible—fire-attribute monsters that were only ever seen in books had appeared. The heat and killing intent radiating from these monstrous beings were undoubtedly real.
Most students who had entered the tower had already lost their composure for this very reason.
Just what connection could there possibly be between the Mana Design course and these terrifying creatures that would make them this terrified?
“That’s probably what they’re all thinking…”
Leter Yurt, observing the students, muttered softly before lowering his gaze slightly once more. What met his eyes was a parchment he himself had created long ago—a list of clues that would greatly aid in advancing to the next floor of the tower.
“It’d be easy if they didn’t misinterpret it.”
Leter’s intention in unleashing monsters into the tower wasn’t about battling the students against the beasts but something beyond that—application and adaptation.
After all, the Mana Design course is about learning the theory behind operating magic circles. Therefore, solving the assignments for this course should focus not on fighting the monsters but on which magic circle to use.
The key lies in altering and utilizing the magic circles drawn at each floor’s entrance. If the students manage to use the correct magic circle, there’d be no need to analyze or find weaknesses in the monsters. Their drawn magic circles themselves would act as keys, opening the way to the next floor.
“Though, Ifrit might be a bit tough… But if they get the gist of it…”
There is definitely an answer to every spectacle the students are facing. They just haven’t found it yet due to panic.
Thus, Leter thought: from now on, he’d have to start mental training for these温室 flowers. He needed to change the complacent mindset of students who’ve lived peacefully without ever encountering monsters.
“Because only then will they survive a little longer.”
Anything beats death, after all. Death takes away even the opportunity to try anything, making it the worst possible outcome.
With less than ten years until the original story begins in Leter’s mind, he has already sifted out some of the black hands among humans. But dealing with non-humans was beyond his control.
Therefore, while staying at Primus under the name of professor, Leter aimed to strengthen the academy further. After all, the early stages of the original story were set to take place in Primus, whether the students liked it or not.
Hence, he observed.
The students’ attempts, failures, and eventual success as they managed to escape to the next floor with bright smiles.
“…Realize how great a blessing it is to still be alive.”
Meanwhile, as Leter watched the students tackle his assignment with a solemn gaze, there were those responsible for broadcasting the event to external spectators—the Student Council of Primus Academy.
– KYAAAAAAA!!
– I quit, I wanna quit!!!
– Grandma? Why is someone who passed away over there…?
“…What do we do?”
“What, what do we do?! Absolutely don’t show anyone except the vanguard students on screen!”
They alternated between silent and loud screams. Most students inside the tower were in states unsuitable for public viewing.
They had to hide the trembling figures of the students somehow. Simultaneously, they had to highlight the dignified appearances of the elite students overcoming difficulties and ascending floor by floor.
“The Dean must be insane to approve this…”
Both Leter Yurt and Dean Ainel were cursed for creating such a perilous assignment. Yet, as representatives of the student council, they had no choice but to fulfill their duties.
“Oh, Evan Krauss and Lucas Briar! They’ve just broken through the 8th floor and are heading to the 9th floor─!!”
Their voices boomed through enchanted amplification devices, despite having no other options at the moment.
*
“A, Daddy. Can I really handle monsters like these…?”
“Leter said the basics class students have a slightly easier difficulty level, so you’ll be fine.”
Duben comforted his daughter Isabelle by gently patting her shoulder. She flinched slightly, then slowly tilted her head to rest it on Duben’s shoulder.
Watching this scene from a short distance away, Orpheon silently shifted his gaze toward the VIP seats—specifically where Princess Lilian sat.
“How peaceful.”
Princess Lilian showed no particular interest in the current event. She idly enjoyed snacks brought by her royal guards, aimlessly passing time.
Unaware that she was the target of assassination by a certain pseudo-cult, she looked utterly relaxed.
Orpheon glanced at her elegant profile with slight annoyance before fully turning away.
Almost simultaneously, Iris, who had been watching her old friend Evan from the audience seats, began moving her steps slowly.
“All for Rakael…”
Her unfocused pupils were heading towards the storage room near the VIP seats. To achieve the purpose of the Apostles, Iris needed to remain hidden until the meeting between Princesses Lilian and Irina.
At the exact moment the two princesses meet, she would activate the sacrificial spell right in front of them, completely eradicating both their bodies and souls. This act would spread the names of Rakael and the Apostles across the continent.
The deeply ingrained command in her mind was now the sole driving force behind Iris’ actions. Even knowing she would ultimately perish, there was no hesitation or doubt in her steps.
For Rakael’s sake, after all.
Iris’ life held no significance compared to the mission for Rakael and the Apostles.
Step.
Step.
“…”
Walking and walking, she finally reached the storage room and stepped inside, where she received the artifact necessary for activating the spell from the Apostles waiting for her.
“Your noble sacrifice will be remembered by all, Iris.”
“Thank you.”
Spreading the name of Rakael.
Iris’ sole reason for existence.
An undeniable truth without question.
The deep-rooted suggestion planted by the Apostles prepared Iris accordingly. However, for some reason…
“Shhh…”
“Um?”
In the storage room where Iris was alone, and the secret passage where the Apostles gathered, small lights began to appear.
Then, small magic circles appeared.
“Hold on. Is this…!”
One Apostle recognizing the nature of the light urgently shouted, telling everyone to evacuate immediately—they might have been discovered.
However…
“It’s too late.”
“Another Space (Another Space)”
A young voice chanted a spell from empty air. Gradually, space began to split apart.
Cracks formed in the air, isolating the location where the Apostles and Iris were.
Moments later, the Apostles, now surrounded by their own defensive magic, witnessed the ground splitting apart.
“I, this kind of—”
Before one Apostle could finish speaking, a loud crunching sound echoed throughout the area.
After throwing up countless piles of dirt, a massive structure wrapped in chains emerged from the separated space. It had lifted the entire network of secret tunnels connected to it to the surface.
“Not earthworms, but you guys sure dug a lot.”
Under the gestures of the floating young figure, the giant structure began to crumble.
And thus, with a soft thud, the now impossibly compressed structure fell to the ground.
“Well then, since all the spellcasters are gone…”
The next step led to the unconscious Iris suspended mid-air. After confirming that her “masters” had been completely erased,
“Snap!”
He snapped his fingers. Slowly, the heavily suppressed consciousness and soul of Iris began to resurface.
“Ugh… Ah… Aaaah!!!”
Overwhelmed by sensory overload, Iris’ body thrashed about. Almost simultaneously, a high-level sleep spell was cast.
“Coma (Coma)”
Thud. Iris’ head limply drooped as she lost consciousness completely. Her eyelids, soaked with tears, opened again a week later.
The underground secret passages painstakingly constructed by the Apostles were already completely gone, filled in with dirt and stones as if they had never existed.
And the only person to notice these changes underground, Carian,
“Used spatial manipulation…to lift it all.”
While reading the memories embedded in the ground, Carian added several hypotheses about Leter Yurt. Such reckless stunts done without batting an eye were familiar traits of people Carian knew.
“Didn’t know he had another disciple.”
Assuming Leter Yurt was the fifth disciple of the Sage, Carian muttered while moving forward. If this disciple, who resembled the Sage in appearance unlike others, could provide important clues about the Sage.
