Anomalies and Omens (2)

the next day.

I found the top floor of Helios.

Altar of Stars.

This is the name of this top layer, which touches the highest sky of the central dimension.

It is the place where constellations descend to meet apostles, and all encounters with constellations take place here, except for a few exceptional cases.

In fact, the most sacred place in this academy.

there i was

“It’s nothing more than I thought.”

It just felt like an open observatory.

If you look up, the sky is close, and the whole of Helios comes into the scenery you look down on.

Standing alone in the empty space, I looked down at the distant central dimension.

It was pretty spectacular. Although the wind is a bit cold.

“Do you like the scenery?”

Hearing a voice, I turned around and looked there.

On top of the empty altar, there was ‘she’ before she knew it.

A face hidden in the darkness of a bright light robe and hood.

And even a pair of huge wings.

Laniakea’s appearance hasn’t changed at all from a month ago.

“It’s not bad. It’s a little chilly.”

“The high winds are always like that.”

Laniakea’s voice, which he hadn’t heard in a long time, was as comfortable to listen to as before.

Her soft voice, like a gracefully fluttering feather, seemed to have the power to melt hearts.

I approached her and returned the letter I received.

It was an invitation to the altar with Laniakea’s seal on it.

“I thought you forgot me because you were quiet all this time.”

“I respect the apostle’s freedom.”

Rather than freedom, I think it was almost neglect…

So far, all she’s given me is a gift card and information about the winter forest.

I felt a little like that because I felt like I had become an unfilial person who only spent my pocket money unintentionally.

“So. What’s the reason for meeting suddenly?”

“I have news to tell you.”

“The news?”

“Yes. I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”

am i choosing

When something like this comes up, my order has always been the same.

“I hear the bad things first.”

“Whoops. If it were you, I would have thought so.”

She laughed softly, covering her mouth with her hand.

Even her smile was graceful and dignified.

“Soon there will be a big change in the academy.”

“A surprise?”

As her hand gently swept the air, light dust fell and formed the shape of the academy.

The light grew larger and took the shape of the central dimension, further forming a barrier surrounding it.

“Currently, the barrier covering the central dimension has weakened a lot. This barrier is like a shield that protects this place from the monsters. There will surely be monsters trying to break through the weakened barrier.”

“If the barrier is weak, can’t we fix it?”

“Not now.”

“Why?”

“Because I am weak.”

weakened?

Nothing has changed on the outside, but where did you fight?

“I didn’t fight. It’s just that I spent a little too much power to resurrect you.”

“…is it really that hard to bring a person back to life?”

“Normally not.”

“Then why?”

“Because you are a special person.”

special.

It seemed that those two words had power.

“The person who killed the head demon and ended the war of one world.”

“·······.”

“Reviving someone who had such a fate was not an easy task for me either.”

She smiled lightly, adding that she had to use almost all of her strength.

His voice was light, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

I just wanted to ask.

why did you do that

Whether the country was really worth it to humans.

“That’s why, I want Eugene-sama to prepare for the future disaster.”

“What are the Constellations doing? At a time like this, you should step forward yourself.”

“We cannot stay here long.”

As if a little regretful, her head bowed slightly.

“Constellations are contradictory beings. They have powers that transcend humans, but they can’t use those powers freely.”

“·······.”

“The reason why all Constellations want apostles is because of that.”

“Did you take it with you too?”

“what?”

“The apostle.”

Her darkness stared at me.

Perhaps because of my mood, the invisible face hidden in the shadows seemed to smile softly.

“No. You are the only one for me.”

I asked why, but she gave a light smile and didn’t answer.

“Then it’s time to tell you the good news.”

Slowly she came

The Laniakea I met in front of me was a woman slightly shorter than me.

I slowly knelt in front of her.

“Eugene?”

“Isn’t it strange for an apostle to look down on his god?”

The shadow looking at me eventually smiled.

Looking at the small trembling shoulders, it seemed particularly funny.

“He is a considerate person.”

She put her hand on my head.

A cluster of light shines brightly following the small and beautiful hand, and soon begins to pour into the body.

Every time something like starlight was added to my body, I felt a greater surge of vitality.

“I gave you my strength.”

“strength···?”

“It’s the power of the Constellation that an apostle should have.”

My heart was beating.

Following the chain of magical energy, I felt another aura that gently embraced me.

It flowed along with my magical energy, making the free flow more solid and cohesive.

“It’s the power called holy power. It’s the power of the source of the Constellations.”

“Is it like the power of God?”

“It’s similar. It’s not as grandiose as it sounds, but it will increase the unity and purity of magic. The physical ability and recovery will also increase, so you’ll feel less fatigue than before.”

As she said, her body was full of vitality.

It seemed that my condition was better than the best condition I had experienced several times in my life.

She grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me up.

Perhaps because of my mood, when I looked back at her, it felt like her wings had faded a bit.

“I want to give you the power, but it’s hard because my power hasn’t recovered yet.”

“It’s okay. I’ve done well without it.”

“Whoops. That’s right. It’s reliable.”

we looked at each other

After silently looking at her, she opened her mouth first.

“Are there any inconveniences in living? Who is the bully?”

“Fine.”

“How about living expenses? I’ll give you some more if that’s not enough.”

“That’s enough. And… I’m too old to live on pocket money.”

“Huh, is that so? If there’s anything lacking, please feel free to tell me.”

A voice that seemed like it would give anything, it was a bit awkward to listen to.

“Oh, and.”

“…?”

She handed me a small note.

A note with a number on it. It was the coordinates of somewhere in Helios.

“Here?”

“Did I mention that Eugene’s old colleague was a student here?”

I nodded.

“It’s where their traces are left.”

“·······.”

old colleagues.

So, the traces they left before meeting me.

It’s a lie if you’re not curious, but I resisted the urge of the moment and took care of the note.

“Later, when I get a chance, I’ll visit you.”

“Yes. Please do so.”

Lastly, I left the altar behind.

“Good luck.”

*

The town of Rhodes in the late afternoon.

At the end of the weekend, the evening streets were bustling with touts trying to catch the last customer.

Most of the targets are students of Helios.

The sight of the merchants screaming to sell them daily necessities or school supplies was a sight that clearly revealed that this village started as a guild alliance.

One of the few streets in Helios where commoners and nobles walk together.

And that was a story that also included Altair’s only daughter, Estelle.

“Hanna. Come quickly.”

“There are too many people. And how loud are the voices… Are you okay, young lady?”

“It’s a street I see often.”

Estelle was on a shopping trip to Rhodes with her escort driver, Hannah.

This place is famous for selling useful magic materials and high-quality school supplies, and her favorite notebooks and pens could only be obtained here.

“I was lucky. I thought I couldn’t buy both pens and notebooks.”

“If I hadn’t bought it, Hannah’s salary would have been cut.”

“My lady… I took a little pay cut because I couldn’t buy some school supplies…”

Leaving behind Hannah, who followed her with tears in her eyes, Estelle crossed the crowd and headed for the road leading to the mansion.

A little further, you’ll see a vehicle to pick her up.

“Hanna.”

“I’m always carrying all the luggage… right?”

“here.”

She was looking down a shabby alley.

It’s desolate and dreary, but somehow not scary.

“My lady… it’s better not to go into a place like this…”

“I want to go.”

“oh my···.”

Why are you going this way?

That’s because, on the map of Rhodes I saw the other day, I saw a shop that was only available here.

I’ve never cared about it before, but recently I’ve been interested in it.

Deep in the quiet alley, the only gunsmith in Rhodes was waiting.

“Blue…rose? What does the gunsmith sell?”

“It’s a place that sells guns and bombs.”

“A gun? Miss, are you interested in a gun?”

“Well···.”

Originally there was no

I didn’t want to own or use lowly weapons that were unnecessarily complicated and didn’t work with magical power.

But recently, that perception has changed a bit.

It was because I saw a professor in Helios skillfully use magic with a gun.

“excuse me.”

As I opened the old door and entered, rusty hinges screamed.

Estelle’s eyes widened as she looked at the shabby interior of the shop and the showcase there.

“many.”

There, a variety of firearms were displayed.

Pistols, rifles, shotguns, etc., my eyes were taken by dozens of types, and then I quickly walked towards the counter.

“Big uh…”

“Store manager.”

“Career… umnya umnya… I paid the rent… hehehe…”

“·······.”

The manager of Blue Rose, Lana, was sleeping well today.

Estelle, who was glaring at her with narrow eyes, pressed the call bell at the counter.

ding!

“Ugh! Four! Here we go!”

Then Lana, who reacted as if a spring was springing up, got up in a hurry and raised herself.

A store manager who responds with disheveled hair and spit marks on her face.

Estelle’s expression grew even colder.

“What, how can I help you?”

“That. Can I shoot it?”

Estelle pointed to the guns on display.

“Uh… It’s a bit difficult to shoot…”

Of course not.

A gun becomes used the moment it is fired.

Of course, those were samples, but since they were all new and never used, Lana’s gaze became complicated.

“I will pay for it.”

widely.

As Estelle snapped her fingers, Hannah approached and placed a piece of paper on the counter.

It was a check for ten thousand shillings.

“1…10,000…”

Her eyes widened when she saw the check.

Still, they are guns that I manage like my own children. Selling it all at once?

Are you going to insult me? Are you trying to buy me for money?

“Store manager?”

“Oh, four! Of course it is! Shall we go down to the basement?”

It was too much money to scold.

Lana quickly collected the check and took Estelle down to the basement.

It was a place equipped with a shooting range, and when I pulled the lever on the wall, the display stand on the first floor came down intact to the basement.

It’s a device that customers who originally purchased it use when they want to shoot it, but Lana had no hesitation.

The power of ten thousand shillings was great.

“Then, from which one…”

“all.”

From small pistols to assault rifles, sniper rifles, and shotguns, she had countless guns in her hands.

At first, she was bewildered by the loud sound and recoil, but her dazzling talent found the perfect shoulder position after just a few tries.

While Hannah covers her ears at the loud gunfire.

Lana exclaimed in admiration as she saw Estelle shooting in an instant without unnecessary stance.

“Wow. Have you ever shot a gun?”

“It’s my first time.”

“Hey, first time? You’re amazing…”

Although it penetrated the center of all targets, Estelle’s expression as she put down her gun did not look very refreshing.

Its structure is complicated, so it doesn’t use magic power, recoil is severe, and gunshots are unnecessarily loud.

It’s a weapon that I can’t find any advantage at all…

‘How did the professor write something like this?’

Deep in thought, she manipulated her watch to display a picture.

Kang Yoo-jin was filmed shooting, and she zoomed in on the revolver he was holding and showed it to Lana.

“Do you have this gun?”

“Something… Ah! This guest!”

A blush appeared on Lana’s face.

A person who not only gave her shop a big commission, but still regularly stops by to buy bullets.

Lana remembered the only water owner here.

“He had an extraordinary understanding of guns. This revolver was also designed by him himself!”

“Can you make one for me too?”

“Hmm…probably not. There’s a copyright issue, and since it’s custom-made, if a customer uses it, it’s less efficient than a ready-made product.”

“·······.”

It doesn’t suit her.

Estelle’s expression became slightly sullen.

Seeing her disappointment clearly, the escort knight, Hanna, became restless and comforted Estelle.

“The young lady is strong enough without a weapon like this. There is no need to be disappointed!”

“It’s not like that.”

“yes···?”

I didn’t come for that reason.

Estelle wanted to know why Yujin Kang insisted on using a gun.

If I had that skill, it would be more efficient to use another weapon.

Why does he use an ineffective weapon called a gun?

Estelle wanted to know that.

‘It’s cool… but that’s not the reason.’

Maybe it’s for such an insignificant reason.

After staring at the guns for a long time, Estelle finally made a decision.

If you’re curious, you’ll have to check it yourself.

She pointed at the revolver on the side of the display case.

“This revolver. I’ll buy it.”