Chapter 46: Altra’s long cherised wish (1)

“…You’re saying he passed out after vomiting blood in his lab?”

“Yes, Elder. The diagnosis is that it’s unclear if he’ll improve, or even if he’ll wake up.”

“Hmm, is that so? I see. You may leave.”

At the elder’s command, the magician bowed and left.
As soon as he was gone, the elder who had received the information stroked his bushy beard and looked to the side.

“What do you all think about this?”

This was the Hexagram Room, where the elders of the Magic Tower gathered for meetings.
It was a historic space where the aging members of the Council of Elders regularly convened to decide the future of the Magic Tower.

And the elders gathered in the Hexagram Room today were discussing one important matter.

“According to the special forces’ report, she’s a very powerful black magician. It seems she did accumulate damage while fighting.”

“Hmph, that’s obvious. What kind of trick could a mere warlock use to withstand the might of our Magic Tower?”

Another elder, who had shaved his head, replied.
He looked down on the black magician professor in question with a very blunt voice.

“Didn’t she get hit by a mana restraint, a Mrikak, and even a dragon’s breath in succession? She was just hiding her injuries, she must have been in a serious condition.”

“Hmm, that might be true. The magic tools manufactured at the Irminsul workshop have never failed before.”

Thule, the chairman of the Council of Elders, replied with a sly smile and looked down at the gnome craftsman.

“Isn’t that right, Master Vitold? It’s a work that you and your apprentices have dedicated yourselves to with pride.”

“O-of course, Chairman Thule. How could it be otherwise?”

The chief craftsman of Irminsul, Vitold Rem, replied stuttering.
He was drenched in a cold sweat after being reprimanded for all sorts of things just now.

The coincidence that the warlock who had defeated a top-class golem in one blow and the warlock against whom the special forces’ magic tools had no effect were the same person.
Because of that, he was suspected of embezzling the budget and delivering defective products.

It was a relief that the news of the warlock’s injury had been reported late, but…

‘Damn it, talking about budget embezzlement! Do you think we gnome craftsmen are like you guys?’

It would take a long time for Vitold Rem’s bruised pride to heal after the council of elders’ reprimand.

An honest life he had lived without shame as a chief craftsman.
It had been mercilessly torn apart by the attacks of the greedy old men.

“So? What are you going to do with that warlock?”

While Vitold Rem was seething inwardly, the one-eyed elder sitting on the other side opened his mouth.
He looked at Thule and asked gravely.

“Although it’s late, she’s been injured and has collapsed. Are you going to dispatch the special forces again to arrest her? For the crime of defying the Council of Elders’ summons?”

“Leave it. Now that the student council has been turned upside down, it’s too early to touch her. There’s a right time for everything.”

Sip. Thule continued to speak calmly, savoring the steaming milk tea.

“And according to Dietrich’s intelligence, she’s Chairman Forte’s person. There’s no way that fox, who even mobilized the students, didn’t prepare a countermeasure. For now, let’s just watch the situation and decide.”

The protest using the student council was a trick so cunning that even the sly old men were impressed.
To effectively protect the warlock, maintain the academy’s prestige, and even make the Council of Elders back down in a public opinion battle.

But whether that strategy had come from whose head was a completely different matter.

‘Was it really Forte de Garcia’s plan?’

Clink. Thule put down his milk tea and fell into deep thought.

Forte was certainly a veteran of the magic world, with both intelligence and decisiveness.
But this trick did not match the methods the Council of Elders had observed so far.

Openly rebelling was by no means Forte’s style, who preferred secret maneuvers.

That means, in other words…

‘Was it a plan devised by the warlock herself?’

It was a plausible guess.
Since she was a person of unusual character from her first appearance, appointed by Dean Roakan’s authority.

Of course, Roakan and Forte often clashed, but they would have a psychological common ground in their anti-Council of Elders stance.

“Tsk.”

He couldn’t be sure, but it felt like the cogs were slowly falling into place.
Otherwise, there was no way everything would fall into place so coincidentally.

“Yes. About that matter, Thule.”

The bald elder who had been glaring at Master Vitold raised his hand and said.

“What punishment will you give to Chairman Forte? Since she dared to play tricks on the Council of Elders, she should pay the corresponding price.”

“He’s right, Thule. Wasn’t it a favor and a grace from the Magic Tower that they gave a constellation to a girl who was just a teenager?”

The one-eyed elder also actively agreed and crossed his arms with a fierce expression.

“But instead of repaying that grace, she bites the hand that feeds her like this. Wouldn’t it be right to immediately revoke Silvia de Garcia’s constellation? If we let it slide, the authority of the Council of Elders will be tarnished.”

Nod, nod. Dozens of elders nodded their heads in agreement.
But Chairman Thule’s perspective was completely different.

“That would just be the shameful act of old men, wouldn’t it? To take away a constellation for such a trivial reason is to tarnish our own faces, and furthermore, the nameplate of the Magic Tower.”

They must have known that, which is why the warlock and Forte had so readily rebelled.
They must have calculated that as long as they put the young students in front, the Council of Elders wouldn’t be able to retaliate due to their own reputation.

Unless they were prepared for significant image damage, the Council of Elders could not directly retaliate.

But Thule had no intention of letting those detestable girls go either.

“…We just have to not get our own hands dirty.”

“Hmm?”

“Thule, does that mean?”

“Your thoughts are correct.”

Sip. Thule finished the remaining half of his milk tea and his eyes flashed.

“Let’s summon the magicians who have received constellations. On behalf of the Magic Tower and the Council of Elders, so that they can give those nasty b*tches a taste of their own medicine.”

The title of a constellation, given only to those with unparalleled talent.
It is the highest honor and measure in the magician society, proving the recipient’s experience, qualifications, and long-standing achievements.

Of course, there were cases where it was obtained at a relatively young age, like Nathaniel and Silvia, but that by no means meant that they were stronger than their seniors.

The reason they had used Nathaniel as a special forces instructor was because he was at least on good terms with the Council of Elders.
Weren’t there plenty of geniuses who had achieved a much higher level in the Magic Tower’s roster?

‘Of course, I know they’re difficult to control, but…’

Still, since a direct order from the Council of Elders had been given, they would have no choice but to obey.
The Council of Elders would save face, and they would receive a reward, so wasn’t it a win-win situation?

If Roakan and Forte were going to use others, then they would just respond with the same tactic.

“Then let’s conclude today’s meeting.”

With that thought, Thule quietly raised his empty milk tea cup.

“In the name of the great magician Medea. Long live the Magic Tower.”

“Long live the Magic Tower.”

At this, the rest of the elders also raised their cups as if in a toast and responded.
It was a tribute to the great senior who had defeated the witch Altra, and also a set gesture to agree to the end of the meeting.

While the elders who had finished the meeting were getting up from their seats and packing their things to leave.

‘…So she was hiding her injuries and fighting?’

The gnome craftsman, who had been reprimanded, was lost in his own thoughts.

Of course, there was no better theory to explain the situation.
The magic tools delivered from Irminsul had never failed to exert their power before.

Nevertheless, Vitold Rem, the creator of the magic tools, was still not convinced.

‘Does that make sense? If the magic tools had worked, there would have been no room for her to hide her injuries or anything.’

The magic tools made at the Irminsul workshop are powerful weapons that contain the know-how of a long history.
Especially the items designed for use against magicians were at a level that even the geniuses who had received constellations would fear, weren’t they?

To be hit by that and only suffer ‘minor’ injuries to the point where she could pretend to be fine…

‘The ancient witch Altra.’

The main reason why the Irminsul workshop was established, and a monster who is still talked about as a symbol of fear.
It could be just a coincidence, but what if that warlock was a skilled person comparable to Altra?

Gulp. Vitold swallowed dryly, glancing at the elders who were putting on airs without knowing anything.

For now, it was just a possibility.
But he had a guess that the Council of Elders might be antagonizing a powerful person they couldn’t even imagine.

“Sob, sob… Professor…”

“Silvia, calm down first. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

Meanwhile, at the academy’s infirmary.
On a bed covered with a white blanket, Anastasia lay as if dead, her face pale.

Currently, there were three people watching over the unconscious Anastasia.
Silvia, who had brought Anastasia to the infirmary, and her mother, Chairman Forte.

And Professor Javir Hayyan of alchemy, who had been called in case of an emergency.
He had been urgently called because he was a man who was not only skilled in basic healing techniques but also had a deep knowledge of preparing effective medicines.

“For now, I have taken all the measures I can, Madam Chairman.”

“The school nurse must have already mentioned this, but there’s a limit to what we can do to treat the professor. Because we can’t figure out the root cause.”

“You can’t figure out the root cause. Don’t tell me she’s contracted an unknown incurable disease?”

“It feels a bit different from an ordinary illness. If I had to say, it feels like something is twisted inside.”

Forte’s question as she comforted her sobbing daughter.
At this, Javir stroked his coppery chin and replied with an unsure tone.

“I can’t pinpoint the exact cause, but in cases like this, we have no choice but to wait for the patient to recover on her own. All I can do is to assist so that she doesn’t stop breathing with some medicine.”

“That’s…”

Biting her lip, Forte looked at Anastasia lying on the sickbed.

A rare skilled person who had not only subdued Vivian of the board of directors in a single blow, but had also defeated the Magic Eater in less than an hour.
And for her to be bedridden like a corpse. Somehow, all of this felt like a bad joke.

“By the way, what’s wrong with that person?”

Scrape, scrape. Javir, who was wiping the medicine on his sleeve, pointed to the bed next to her.
He asked Forte with a very curious expression.

“It’s Assistant Professor Beruz, right? It seems he came to the infirmary because he was sick somewhere, but why is he trembling while looking this way?”

“U-uh…! Ughh…!!”

The bed located across from Anastasia.
Beruz, who was resting there, made a sound like a frightened animal.

His gaze was constantly fixed on Anastasia, and yet, he was trying to distance himself by wrapping himself tightly in a blanket.

“Did something unpleasant happen with Professor Anastasia? He was talking normally yesterday, but why all of a sudden today…”

“…There must have been a valid reason.”

Forte smiled bitterly, changing the subject without admitting anything.
She felt a pang of conscience, remembering that she had tried to pressure Anastasia with Beruz’s case.

Thus, while Javir and Forte were talking about the professor’s condition.

“Sob, it’s my fault… it’s all my fault…”

Silvia was just blaming herself, wiping away the tears that were welling up in her eyes.
Even though her vision was blurred with tears, her gaze was fixed on Anastasia.

“If I, if I hadn’t gone to the Coral Hall… no, if I hadn’t gone to Obsidian in the first place… because of me, because of me, the professor got hurt…”

“Silvia, didn’t Housemaster Javir say so? It’s not due to an external injury, but an unknown internal factor.”

Forte whispered, hugging her daughter who couldn’t calm down.

“Let’s go to the dorm and rest with Mom for now. It was an eventful day, so let’s just skip the rest of the classes. It’ll be better for both you and the professor.”

“Listen to the chairman, student Silvia.”

Smirk. Javir, with a kind and calm smile, helped Forte.

“The professor’s stability is the top priority. A noisy environment can be harmful to the patient. I’ll be on standby for now, so go and get some rest.”

“Sob, sob… okay…”

As not only her mother but also the alchemy professor suggested, Silvia finally gave in.
Forte, who was wrapping her arm around her reluctantly moving daughter, turned her head towards Javir.

“Thank you for your concern, Professor. You must be upset about what happened at the celebration banquet, but to be so willing…”

“Whichever dormitory she chose, it was student Silvia’s freedom. There’s nothing to be upset about, Madam Chairman.”

Javir replied with a natural attitude.
Then, he playfully raised the corners of his lips and threw a joke with a bit of playfulness.

“Of course, as a housemaster, I was so angry I couldn’t sleep. It’s very difficult to meet a talent of student Silvia’s caliber, hahaha.”

Looking at him bursting into a hearty laugh, Forte gave a grateful smile.
Wasn’t this why she had wanted to put Silvia in the Jade dormitory in the first place?

Professor Javir of alchemy at the Klomes Academy.
Although he was a person who stood on the podium by the recommendation of the Magic Tower, not the dean’s selection, he was a man of easygoing personality and was neutral, not getting involved in political factions.

Believing that she could entrust the aftermath to Javir, Forte left the infirmary with Silvia with a light heart.

Is that why?

“It’s truly a pity.”

Muttered in a low voice to the backs of the mother and daughter.

“If it were student Silvia, she might have become a very excellent ‘material’.”

She did not hear the meaningful words of Javir, who had a dark sneer.

…Where am I?

A space as dark as pitch.
I frowned, trying to put strength into my immobile arms and legs.

I couldn’t identify anything in front of me, and I couldn’t even tell if I was standing or lying down.
I couldn’t remember how I had ended up in such a place.

The last memory that came to mind clearly was…

‘Did I collapse after vomiting blood in my lab?’

Suddenly, Silvia came to mind and I clicked my tongue.

I had called her to reconcile, but I had ended up collapsing after vomiting blood in front of her.
I hope she’s not blaming herself or too shocked.

By the way, if this is the place I reached after collapsing after vomiting blood…

‘Don’t tell me this is the afterlife?’

Or the purgatory that was only told in legends? Or the world of my own unconscious mind?

Either way, it was not a pleasant experience.
My body didn’t feel like my own, and I had lost most of my senses, including my sense of direction.

And it was not a good feeling to imagine that I had lost the second life I had obtained so vainly.

‘I hope I just lost consciousness…’

I was sighing, clinging to a vague hope.

[It’s no use resisting, witch.]

A strange voice suddenly came from the other side.
I reflexively turned my head and saw a suspicious sight that I had never expected.

A group of magicians and warriors surrounding a woman and threatening her.
Although they were a large number, judging by the tension in their faces, it seemed as if they were the minority.

And the identity of the woman they had surrounded was none other than…

‘…Me?’

Long, flowing silver hair.
Bright yellow eyes like a full moon.
Skin as white as jade, and a beauty that could captivate any man.

Unlike me, who was wearing a feathered cloak, she was wearing a white dress, but other than that, she was exactly the same.

No, let me correct myself.
That woman had one more difference from me.

At least, my whole body was unscathed.

But a large, blue crystal was embedded in the woman’s chest like a harpoon.
And black blood was flowing from her mouth as she sat down with a look of despair.

[…I know you have made many contributions to the Magic Tower, witch.]

The magic swordsman, the representative of the group, spoke, looking at the ‘me’ who was shedding tears and blood.

[But the Magic Tower also made its decision after long and deep deliberation. You and we are not beings that can coexist. For our respective futures, one of us must inevitably disappear.]

Swoosh. The magic swordsman drew his sword and prepared to strike her neck.

[So do not resent us, and forgive us.]

Then, a bitter sneer appeared on his lips.
A single word, devoid of any sincerity, flowed out playfully.

[Isn’t that all you could ever do? It won’t make a difference if you do it one more time before you die.]

It was at that moment.

Heh.
A smile appeared on the lips of the ‘me’ who had been sitting in despair.
And it was a very menacing and sharp smile.

And the next moment.

Swish-!!

[Gyaak-?!]

[W-what is this!! Aaaak-!!]

A tremendous gust of wind blew around ‘me’, tearing the surrounding group to shreds.

Not only the magicians and warriors who had been eagerly waiting for ‘my’ death.
But also the magic swordsman who had been sneering with mockery.

And after they had been horribly scattered into bones and flesh.

—-!!!

A tremendous cackle erupted from the mouth of the ‘me’ who was clutching the crystal in her chest.

It was impossible to tell whether it was triumphant or tragic, angry or frustrated.
A madman’s laugh that would tear your eardrums just by hearing it, and would make you kneel in fear.

Finally, when the long cackle had stopped.

“…!”

The ‘me’ on the other side smiled and looked at me.
As the gazes of the ‘me’ here and the ‘me’ there crossed.

I finally realized who the woman in front of me was.

‘Altra.’

The ancestor of the necromancer bloodline, and the distant ancestor who had become my resurrected shell.