‘Existence’

I must have been aware of its existence in advance.

I should have known what kind of characteristics it had, what it really was, and what purpose it served.

But that was too light an idea.

The mindset was lacking.

There was a big difference between what I knew through the game screen and seeing it myself.

“Then tell me. What does this look like to your eyes?”

“… … .”

Person.

It also showed the figure of a woman screaming in pain.

But I couldn’t tell.

There are two main types of ‘existence’.

The few strong and the rest.

It didn’t matter because most of the strong hadn’t crossed the rift yet, but the problem now is not the few strong, but the rest.

They instinctively try to fill the deficiency with beings lacking.

Then, how do they fill themselves when they are not even properly established?

Simple.

It is to kill the finished being and put on its shell.

The monster in front of me is so-called.

It is said that he is one of the innocent citizens of Chrysos Kingdom.

It’s only now that it’s in that form, but it must have been the person it killed originally.

It’s just that the shell has rotted away after a long time.

What if that fact is known?

What if it became known that the monster could devour others and imitate them?

The response of each country that was dealing with Chrysos could have changed.

Perhaps they could immediately invade the Kingdom of Chrysos and set fire to it, erasing everything that was left there.

Then what about Eleanor?

What will happen to the child who came to ＜Skientia＞ looking only at the reconstruction of the kingdom?

It is too complacent to think that he will be able to overcome because he is the main character.

“… … .”

What I see in front of me is the figure of a woman screaming in pain.

And the figure of a dog trying to make up for its lack somehow by biting the woman to the end.

No matter how much a woman screams and struggles, others cannot hear or see her.

No one can help her who has already died.

I know this isn’t the time, but I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

Even though I shouldn’t forget who I’m standing in front of… … .

Even though this is Tia’s test to check my reaction.

“dog… … It looks like.”

Damn it, the hesitation eventually created a gap between the answers.

It was an expected question, and it was eventually decided in the form of a ‘dog’ in the game, so I prepared an answer in advance, but now that it’s like this, I can’t avoid doubt.

“yes?”

However, Tia’s reaction was a little different. He seems to have noticed that I lied, but he didn’t seem to have any intention of interrogating me.

“… … Are you just passing?”

not answer

The Tia I know would hate to be lied to like this.

Moreover, the current situation is the worst no matter how good it is.

There was nothing strange about opening my head and trying to see the truth.

“No, that’s what I mean.”

Tia scratched her cheek and said in trouble.

“You can’t bully a child whose complexion is pale with fear.”

“Yes… … ?”

I was surprised by Tia’s words and touched my face.

I don’t know what kind of expression I’m making now.

“I don’t know what you saw, but if you feel uncomfortable talking about it, I won’t force you to ask.”

“Even if that could lead to a fatal misjudgment?”

The girl I know must have been a perfectionist who wanted to do things as neatly and without suspicion as possible.

“Yes, that would be unpleasant. You’ll get a fever too.”

“Then why… … .”

“Because the circumstances are different.”

Tia threw the ‘outside being’ back into the coffin, then pulled out her wings and floated closer.

Then he strokes my hair like a child.

Uncomfortable. Still, I couldn’t shake off his hand.

“That monster’s existence didn’t appear because of your fault.”

“… … .”

“It’s different from Gerard. I’m not a bad dragon enough to persecute even witnesses who are not suspects.”

“… … Originally, even a suspect shouldn’t be persecuted like that.”

“That’s because you always piss me off.”

Tia, who was stroking my hair, clenched her fist and lightly punched me in the head.

It really feels like going back to my school days. Even if the appearance is like that, it seems that an adult is an adult.

“What is a ‘dog’ anyway? Why is it a dog at all?”

“… … That would be the form closest to the essence of the monster.”

As far as I know, ‘outside beings’ weren’t monsters from the beginning either.

They are beings that have lost their source for some reason.

That’s why it devours other life forms to fill the gap.

But even that is only a temporary measure.

Even if you forcibly stuff a rotting corpse into your body, it will disappear someday.

It loses its shape and constantly changes, and eventually returns to its original deficient form.

They are unfortunate creatures that cannot change even if they want to change.

“Yeah, it wasn’t a complete lie, was it? Then it’s done.”

Tia nodded, and eventually began calling in the researchers waiting outside the lab.

“Well, then… … .”

Tia called the researchers and reached for the coffin once again.

And before opening the coffin again, he turned to me and said,

“What do you do?”

Tia was asking if it was okay to proceed.

If I think about what I said earlier, my complexion must still be in bad condition.

That means you want to take care of me.

“Then, I’m tired today, so excuse me first.”

“Okay, then bye bye.”

I bowed my head to Professor Tia and Aira once and headed out of the lab.

Anyway, the goal of confirming the ‘existence outside’ has been completed.

Just as I was about to leave the lab.

“You have a face that seems to have seen even if I couldn’t see it. Oz student. No, since I came as a researcher now, I should call you the successor.”

someone talked to me

A typical wizard with a long white beard and a large old wooden staff.

“Do you have anything to say to me? Professor Prudence.”

Prudence Loa, an elder-level wizard who teaches advanced magic.

This is a person I met several times, including during the entrance exam and practice.

He didn’t have much importance in the game, but he was a person who was remembered because his fighting spirit and burning eyes paid attention to him.

“I do not know. I just wanted to convey that I support the Heir.”

It is not normal to openly say that you will support me, even if you are inside ＜Skientia＞.

There’s no way you wouldn’t know that I’m completely at odds with the kingdom of sorcery ＜Spellage＞, but there’s only one reason why I’m saying such a thing.

“I guess you don’t like the current spelling?”

Instead of answering, Prudence Loa gave an eerie smile.

Its meaning has been clearly communicated.

Now I see, he was crazy. Behind the benevolent smile of the old professor, there was an absurd enthusiasm.

Even if you deal with these people, it’s better to ignore them because it’s your loss.

“I think life is a series of constant struggles.”

The moment I passed Prudence Loa and left the lab, I heard those words for the last time.

“Sooner or later, the heir will understand what I mean.”

* * *

Right after I got out of the lab, the place I headed to was a practice field and empty field near my dormitory.

For now, it is enough just to confirm the existence of the enemy.

There was nothing I could do in there anyway.

yes, but… … .

“It’s unpleasant.”

I tried to touch my face, but I still couldn’t tell what my expression or complexion was like now.

Only irritation and displeasure remained, making my body heavy.

Moreover, the strange remarks made by Prudence Roa make it even more annoying.

“Leave that alone for now… … .”

The important thing is how to twist the main story chapter 3.

As far as I know, Eleanor was the only one who could grasp the identity of the ‘outside being’.

But now I know it’s not.

Didn’t my [contemplation] see right through that existence as well?

If so, at least one.

It is said that Lucia Domine can also notice.

“It’s dizzy.”

Most of the story in ＜Broken Sky＞ took place from Eleanor’s point of view. Therefore, it was possible to guess that there would be a gap in perception.

However, when I actually found that gap, my head hurts.

“By the way… … .”

Suddenly, I had this thought.

Chapter 3 of the main story.

The first encounter with the ‘outside beings’ is the core content, but in fact, there was one more thing I had to pay attention to.

Eleanor wondered if it was because of the power of the key she had, or because she was from the kingdom.

She was able to perceive the reality of the outer being.

that it was a person

Noticing that fact, Eleanor was unable to kill the monster in the end.

So who was it that took care of the poor monster on her behalf?

“What the hell were you thinking?”

The person who handled the ‘existence outside’ with overwhelming power in place of Eleanor.

[Heir to the SSR King of Sorcery]

Oz Quo Vadis

What was the guy who first appeared in Chapter 3 like?

As the [Erosion degree] increased, there was something that could be known.

Most game characters were like that, but Oz was the same.

On the outside, he was cold and cold, but he was not harsh.

“What the hell are you thinking… … .”

With what mind did he end the monster’s breath?

Even those eyes could have seen the figure of a person screaming.

Still, he made a decision without hesitation.

he’s a stupid guy

“Whoa… … .”

Exactly not yet known.

After all, Oz is Oz and I am me.

I can’t copy Oz’s way, and Oz can’t do mine either.

If that’s the case, what you’re going to do next is no different.

[The Ruler of Mana Lv. 2]

[1/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]

Slowly, steadily, step by step, little by little, surely, I do what I can do in my own way.

All I have to do is weave the crude plans that I can come up with in my head more elaborately.

[The Ruler of Mana Lv. 2]

[8/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]

lack of power?

Fill this damn stack and that’s it.

At least once, you’ll be able to use it properly.

[The Ruler of Mana Lv. 2]

[23/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]

poor planning?

If so, it is only necessary to examine the number of more cases.

It’s enough to prepare for the worst I can think of.

[The Ruler of Mana Lv. 2]

[46/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]

lack of mindset?

It is enough to check with both eyes several times and make up your mind.

All you have to do is go to the laboratory and face the monster and the terrible truth.

[The Ruler of Mana Lv. 2]

[87/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]

My greatest weapon.

time to respond in advance.

“Oh write… … .”

[The Ruler of Mana Lv. 2]

[1/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]

“Whoa… … .”

[The Ruler of Mana Lv. 2]

[2/100 until SSR grade magic confirmed]

And the tenacity to try again and again.

If it’s not completely game over, you can do it again and again.

* * *

Time passed and it became a night with colorful stars shining.

The area around the dormitory had already been devastated by my magic.

And today’s important harvest.

[3/100 until SSR grade magic is confirmed]

3 stacks.

Compared to my determination, the results could only be said to be disastrous.

I feel like crying.

“There is no real M… … .”

yeah no mana

Due to lack of mana, he had no choice but to stop practicing.

I was holding on to it, but rather, the feeling of exhaustion got worse, and I was in a state where I couldn’t even train combat skills.

If you don’t adjust properly, the results of your efforts will be second to none and even the efficiency will drop.

More than that, please, please, if there are creators who made this game, I hope they die painfully.

“there… … .”

As I was looking up at the sky, drenched in fatigue, someone spoke to me.

I turned my head to look in the direction the voice came from, and my eyes met dark gray eyes.

An existence that acquired some of the powers of [Myeongwang] along with the key that was cut in half.

[KP King]

Marie Cistus

She was looking down at me with a grim expression.

“it’s okay?”

“uh… … yes.”

Looking at your expression, I don’t think it’s time to worry about others.

Where did he come from again?

I was honestly surprised.

The fact that I couldn’t detect the approach of others with [Contemplation] activated was because there were really only a handful of them.

There was no way he would miss the approaching opponent unless he was as skilled as Disc or Alexios.

“Well, I guess you could say they’re similar in a way.”

“yes?”

“It’s a compliment.”

It can be said that her power is roughly equivalent to the SSR level.

Isn’t it the daughter of [Myeongwang]?

“Well, I don’t know what it is, but thank you?”

“But what’s going on here?”

“Ah, I saw it earlier… … . His face was pale, and he ignored greetings and passed by, so I followed him because I was worried… … .”

“… … that, right? I’m sorry.”

Maybe it was just because I didn’t have a presence.

“no it’s okay. It was fun watching them practice magic.”

“Have you been watching?”

“uh… … . yes.”

If I tried to talk to you but ignored it, it’s my fault.

But isn’t it a little shady to stare at you without saying anything after that?

It’s hard to express anything, so it’s hard to give a different reaction.

“How are you doing these days?”

Come to think of it, I think the last time I had a conversation with Marie was when she visited the hospital.

After a long time getting free from [Myungwang]’s hands, he might have been busy hanging out here and there.

“Woo-wook.”

“Cry… … ?”

However, seeing Mari crying, I could tell.

I guess I wasn’t doing very well.

“Did you ever fight with a friend?”

“no… … . That’s not it.”

“then?”

Marie gathered her pigtails together as if hugging them and muttered.

“Oz… … . Aren’t I the one who doesn’t need it?”

“People risked their lives to save me, so there’s nothing I can’t say.”

“Mi, I’m sorry… … .”

“I’m joking, so tell me what the problem is.”

She is nothing short of proof that fate could be twisted.

It’s been a long time since I’ve saved it, but it’s okay to do aftercare.

“During class, the professor told me to form groups with close friends… … .”

From the beginning, my breath is choking.

My heart hurts because I already guessed what was going to happen.

It must be a common and painful story of a young man who was left alone because he had no friends.

“Didn’t I tell you to make four people? But when I and my friends usually get together, there are 5 of us… … .”

“… … It sounds like it will hurt more than I expected.”

It’s okay if I fell out because I didn’t have friends from the beginning.

However, if 4 people were selected from a group of 5 and they were left behind alone, that would be more painful than I thought.

“I knew then. I was like a bonus among my friends… … .”

… … I just shouldn’t have asked.