How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 280

[Side story] Chasing butterflies (7)

A large-sized magic engineering item was out in the yard in front of the hut.

According to Gellan, looking at the internal structure, this magical engineering item is most likely an ‘observer’ created by Glockt.

Standing around him, Zelan and Wilhelm, as well as Ed and Lucy, kept their mouths shut.

“First of all, in theory, there is little chance that anything will go wrong. Things rarely go wrong just by observing other worlds.”

Ed Rosteyler spoke to Lucy with a serious expression.

Lucy knows how to handle Aspect magic, but she can’t draw out Aspect magic right now.

That’s why I use Ed Rosteyler’s Aspect Magic for now.

As long as she draws out the Aspect Magic that can be used anywhere, Lucy is a step ahead in the operation of Magic.

There is no one in this world born with a greater sense of magical power than Lucy.

“Magic power is a concept based on interaction. As long as there is no way to affect the other world, nothing will go wrong.”

Gelland agreed with Ed.

However, the problem is the amount of Aspect Magic power that goes into it.

“If you feel that too much mana is being sucked in while you are working, stop immediately. I am… I don’t want to make things happen at the expense of you guys.”

Gellan spoke in a serious voice.

Ed and Lucy nodded and stood upright in front of a large magic tool.

A device the size of half a man, loaded with mechanisms and springs.

With his hand placed on a structure that appeared to be a magical bonding plate, Ed drew out the dark red Aspect Magic.

“I… That’s Aspect Magic… .”

Perhaps it was the first time he had seen Aspect Magic in person, Wilhelm opened his eyes wide and was surprised.

Certainly, the opportunity for ordinary people to directly see Aspect Magic is rare.

Aspect magical energy pulled up from Ed’s body enveloped the surrounding area. Ed’s Aspect Magic, which he had been steadily studying and training since the Battle of Velbroke, had already reached an amount that he could easily handle with moderate level magic.

When Ed closed his eyes like that and concentrated his strength once more, the Aspect magic that spread throughout the area was concentrated in one point.

Then, Lucy, who was holding onto his sleeve, raised her other hand to take over Aspect Magic.

As Lucy, tightly wrapped in Ed’s magical energy, focuses her mind on the connecting plate, the enormous amount of magical energy is drawn into the internal circuit.

Lucy, who immediately figured out the complex internal structure, creates the flow of the desired shape of the magical engineering supplies without difficulty.

like that… The crystal ball in the center of the observer begins to glow little by little.

―Kung, Huung… .

―Hwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa… .

things that might have happened.

A world of all sorts of possibilities stretching out into hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands.

A magic engineering item that allows you to float in the endless sea of ​​possibilities and observe a desired point.

A ‘world observer’ created by the rare genius Glockt Elderbane.

yet… Dark red magic explodes explosively. The observer activates and covers the area in darkness.

“Kuh, ugh!”

“this… This… !”

It is impossible to observe all the world. It was only up to the world where the aftermath of magical power reached.

in that world… Will there be a world that Gellan wants?

It goes without saying, but if you can’t observe it, you can’t reach it. And both Ed and Lucy were vaguely aware of it.

There is a high possibility that the world that Gellan wants is probably not there.

A world in which Gellan did not massacre the Ain.

Even if there was, that divergence was too far in the past.

She’s not as proficient in Aspect magic as Sylvania, and her magic power is infinitely insufficient… There is no way to observe the world beyond that divergence point.

Even so, in order not to leave any regrets behind Gellan’s last wish… .

So, the two accepted Gellan’s request.

In the darkness, Lucy and Ed opened their eyes, holding hands tightly.

and… A landscape that could only be observed by Sylvania and Glockt unfolds around the world and in all time zones.

The feeling of floating in a space in the dark.

But what unfolded before my eyes… Like a line… These are the streams of many worlds.

The outline of the whole is not visible.

The only person who can measure all flows is the great sage Sylvania.

It is like a procession of branches stretching out in a huge way, and it is also like a great river forming dozens of sub-classes.

What is certain is… It means that we are seeing only a very small part of the vast, unfathomable landscape.

There are many observable worlds. Even if you spend your entire life, you will not be able to observe them all.

But even that is only a small part.

The possibilities of the world are differentiated at the crossroads of countless choices, and are spreading out forever.

Suddenly, I see that distant future stretching out.

The ‘cliff point’ is… can’t see… .

The point where all possibilities are cut off and disappear… Are you still not seeing it here? Or did he succeed in jumping over the cliff at all? .

I’m not sure, but… .

[ There was no world Gelan wanted, let’s go back and say. ]

At that moment, Lucy’s whisper reached Ed’s ear.

Not a single world has yet been observed. However, Lucy said so clearly.

[ that is… I think it would be best for that old wizard.]

Ed seemed to understand now why Lucy readily accepted Gellan’s request.

What is lost is lost.

What is lost must be left as lost, and the new must be embraced. It is also the reason for life.

Lucy knows that all too well.

An old professor who threw away his entire life, buried in the pain of loss… I remember it.

If the world Gellan wants can be observed… Gellan will throw away all his life to get there.

Before you even consider whether it’s possible or impossible… Gellan would definitely do that.

Just as a stray cat with nowhere to go wanders chasing a butterfly, it will pursue an elusive goal and live as if it were floating forever.

So Lucy… It was my intention to close all possibilities.

So that Gellan can struggle to find a new reason to live in this world.

From the beginning, Lucy… . He didn’t even have the heart to observe other worlds.

[ … … . ]

Lucy’s choice… Ed had a hard time objecting.

It’s something like Gellan’s research results. If you negotiate well, you can get it. After all, she’s going to rise out of the Cohelton Lawless Zone.

so… Her most important priority is to find a new reason for her, who is gradually settling down after losing her reason for living.

Ed nodded.

[ me too… I agree with you… . ]

With the feeling of floating in the air, Ed quietly affirmed Lucy’s words.

[Let’s finish this. ]

… It was the moment to talk like that.

―Hwaaaaaagh!

It happened in an instant.

The world and the world cannot interfere. That is the providence of the world.

Because magic is based on interaction.

However, strange magical power emanates from one of the numerous branches.

I can’t even observe what kind of world of possibilities it is. The bluish magic that radiated from there… It soon took the form of a giant grip and stretched out its hand towards Lucy and Ed.

This happened in about 1-2 seconds.

Ed wrapped his arms around Lucy in an instant. And then he quickly uses up all of his Aspect Magic.

However, the speed of the grip that wraps the two is faster.

I don’t even know what’s going on, or what the hell is going on.

However, Lucy immediately gets up and uses a small shock magic to push Ed away.

-grasp!

I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever happens to him, Ed will solve it.

Because of that trust, Lucy tried to receive the unknown magic power with her whole body.

Ed, who was thrown out in an instant, gritted his teeth. Then he pulled something out of his bosom and threw it at Lucy. It was truly an astonishing agility.

The moment Ed picked up the thrown object, Lucy was entangled in the grip of enormous magical power.

[You must have that! You must have it! Lucy! ]

Ed’s urgent voice reaches Lucy’s ears. With the feeling of being pulled by something like that, Lucy’s consciousness flew away.

―Hwaaaaaagh!

―Quaaaaaang!

When Ed opened his eyes, only the messy yard was in his eyes.

It seemed to be the result of the shock created by the observation machine. In the corner of the yard, Zelan and Wilhelm, swept away by the aftermath, could be seen taking care of themselves.

Ed stood up from the center and looked around. And then… He quietly frowned.

Lucy Mayreel… wasn’t here… .

“this… This… .”

Gellan’s eyes wide open and his voice trembled.

Ed quickly shook his head and spoke in a serious voice.

“… Get ready to use the engineering supplies again. I need to get Lucy out quickly before it’s too late.”

* * *

-Tap, pop.

The sound of dripping water.

The sound opened Lucy Meiril’s eyes. The cold brick chill ran down her back.

Lucy squeezed her witch hat down and shook her head. to calm down

There appear to be no injuries anywhere on the body. Lucy got up slowly and looked around.

This is the inside of a half-destroyed building.

however… The structure of the building was oddly familiar. It’s a building you’ve been to many times.

“… … .”

Lucy, who was examining the situation with half-open eyes, soon realized the seriousness of the situation.

He said that it is theoretically impossible to jump between the disconnected worlds. This is because interaction is the basis of original magic.

However, an ominous feeling ran down Lucy’s back.

and… . Let’s take another look at the interior of the building… The ominous premonition hits.

This is the core central facility of Sylvania Academy… It’s ‘trix’.

However, it is completely smashed.

It even feels as if it has been neglected for several years. Weeds grew near the broken marble floor, and the old picture frames were rusted.

In the history of Sylvania, only once has the Trix Coffin been destroyed this far.

‘Seongchangryong Valveroke’… It was when it descended to the sea off Aken Island.

Now, all the wounds from that time have been restored, and all the Sylvania Academy buildings should have been doing their job… .

In Lucy’s eyes, it seemed that the building had been in ruins for years.

Countless worlds where countless branches of possibility spread out.

What kind of place have you reached now?

In a situation full of only the unknown… The car I was sorting out my confused thoughts… .

“Lucy… Mayril… !”

A voice that hadn’t been heard in a long time pierced Lucy’s ears.

Beyond the half-destroyed outer wall, a girl with her back to the moonlight outside.

Not a girl I know well. However, it is not forgotten.

she is… A girl who once attacked Lucy with all her might and was defeated.

Chief of Pensions Department of Sylvania Academy. It was Elvira Aniston.

“yes… why are you here… !”

“… … .”

Lucy turned her head to see Elvira with half-open, blank eyes.

Lucy remembers Elvira. However, her appearance was somewhat different from the Elvira Lucy knew.

Its long hair is neatly cut around the shoulders. And I feel a little more mature than before.

Even the outfit… It’s not the Sylvania school uniform she always wore. He was wearing a tight-fitting maroon leather jacket and pants, and was wearing all sorts of survival bags and pouches.

She looks like a female warrior in the jungle who has repeatedly lived a life of survival in the wild.

Embarrassed by that unnatural figure, I was organizing my thoughts… Elvira spoke to her first.

“right… don’t move… ! her… Don’t think nonsense… !”

Elvira’s reaction was strange. Her reaction was as if she had seen a ghost.

“you… you… ! For sure… Apparently 3 years ago… .”

Lucy turned completely and looked in Elvira’s direction.

Even though Lucy had no intention of fighting, Elvira shuddered and clutched at her wand.

“you… you… .”

The tip of Elvira’s voice trembled.

Lucy had many things she wanted to ask, but… He felt the need to ask the most urgent question first.

He opens his tiny lips and makes a sound.

“Ed Roth Taylor.”

The name of a girl named Lucy Meiril who used it as the reason for her life.

The girl whispered the name.

“Where’s Ed Rosteeler?”

Where is Ed in this world?

First of all, finding him and explaining everything is the most important thing.

However, Elvira was still only trembling in her voice.

“Lucy… you… you… .”

Elvira, who was only trembling endlessly.

Lucy was frustrated and moved her gaze elsewhere. This is the scenery of Aken Island seen behind Elvira.

At that moment, Lucy’s eyebrows, whose expression did not change for a while, narrowed sharply.

-Percussion.

As it was, he wrapped magic around his feet and rushed out of the ruins.

Elvira stomped her butt in amazement when Lucy suddenly closed the distance.

Lucy passed Elvira indifferently and came out in front of the Trix building.

Trix Hall is built on top of a hill overlooking the entire Sylvania Academy.

From here, you can see all of the big academy at a glance.

Lucy, who checked the scenery outside like that… He couldn’t help but doubt his eyes.

――Sylvania Academy was completely destroyed. All that remains are ruins whose original form can only be inferred.

And the central part of Aken Island… As if a huge breath had swept through it… I have two rivers.

Aken Island, which was originally a single island, has become an archipelago consisting of two large islands.

The large Orn Mountain, which occupied the northwestern part of Aken Island, is completely blown away in half.

Judging from the fact that new vegetation has been established in the traces that have been blown away, it seems that it has been like this for quite some time.

and… Traces of a huge magic circle covering the sky above Aken Island, or Aken Archipelago.

A huge magic circle made of ominous black and red magic seemed to have completely imprisoned these islands.

Lucy had seen that magical aura before. It’s a very distant past now, but

At that time, that magic circle was barely large enough to cover only the Sylvania Academy’s faculty building, but now it covers the entire Aken Islands.

That ominous magic circle… It is the magic circle of the highest rank dark spirit, ‘Glaskan’.

“Elvira! If you don’t go back to the hideout soon enough, the spirits will start working! If you have everything you need… .”

Just then, a familiar voice is heard from above the ruins.

The image of a man jumping between buildings is also familiar. He looks a bit more mature than before, but he clearly remembers the scene when he rushed at Lucy covered in blood.

Clevius, the swordsman of the Nortondale family.

The man came down to the clearing, checked Lucy’s figure, and drew his sword with his eyes wide open.

“roo… Lucy Mayrill! yes… why are you here… ! you… you are obviously… !”

Lucy had no time to answer Clevius’ question.

It was because I couldn’t believe the current scene, so I had to organize my thoughts first.

At that time, Elvira, who had barely regained her senses and stood up, shouted at Clevius.

“Watch out Clevius! If you make too much noise, the spirits will wake up!”

“Keugh… ! But against that guy… !”

Clevius leaped quickly and landed towards Elvira.

Then, with Elvira standing behind her back, she raised her sword and glared at Lucy.

Lucy quietly looked down at the scenery of Aken Island… He slowly turned his head to look at Clevius and Elvira.

Even with that series of movements, Clevius and Elvira trembled in fear and had to grit their teeth and gather their minds.

In that situation… Lucy asks again.

“Ed Roth Taylor… .”

Elvira narrowed her brows.

“Ed Rosteyler… Where are you?”

“Please wake up, Lucy Mayrill.”

And, in a voice that gave her strength, she asserted. It was a bad feeling.

“Ed Ross Taylor died three years ago while defeating the star spear dragon, Velbroke.”

I felt as if a bolt of lightning had pierced my stomach.

At Elvira’s words, Lucy’s pupils begin to vibrate endlessly.

I’m sure I heard it with my own two ears… . He couldn’t help but doubt that word again and again.