How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 278

[Side story] Chasing butterflies (5)

It is a memory of childhood.

Lucy, who was wielding her magical powers by herself, accidentally knocked over the barrel next to the fireplace.

It is a container containing the ashes that come out of the stove. Thanks to that, the inside of Glockt’s cabin was completely covered in ash.

Not only Glockt, who was sitting by the stove reading a book, but even Lucy, who was lying on a wooden bed wielding magical powers, was completely covered in ashes.

Surprised, Lucy was shaking her body around and shaking off the ashes from her body.

Even Lucy, who is insensitive and has no emotional ups and downs, feels sorry at this point.

When I approached Glockt hesitantly and gave him a hesitant look, Glockt burst out laughing and stood up from his seat.

After that, he shook his clothes here and there, but the ash still scattered all over his body showed no sign of completely disappearing.

― ‘Thanks to you, you woke up. However, she clearly told me to be careful when practicing magic in the cabin… .’

– ‘… … .’

Glockt, who was about to reprimand for a moment, softens when he sees Lucy’s expression.

Lucy, who always lived the world at her own pace, was fiddling with her fingertips and watching Glockt. Since he was showing enough signs of self-reflection, there was no need for further questioning, so Glockt patted Lucy on the shoulder.

― ‘Everyone makes mistakes.’

I tried to comfort him, but Lucy was intimidated and kept her eyes down.

Sometimes it is necessary to scold them harshly, but it is impossible to push a child who is so intimidated like this.

Glockt, who was thinking about how to free the timid Lucy, soon lowered his voice and spoke.

― ‘I’ll have to find something to shake off the ashes.’

Saying that, Glockt entered the cellar set under the cabin. It was a space that was used as a warehouse and personal study.

Lucy, who is left alone, sees the shack as she robs her clothes here and there. At this point, she wondered if she would have to apologize, so she was thinking about how to get lucky.

After waiting in silence for such a long time, Glockt came up from the basement and approached Lucy again.

– Took.

Then, put something on Lucy’s head.

Atop her ash-covered hair was a witch’s hat with a brim almost as wide as Lucy’s upper body.

― ‘It’s a gift.’

– ‘… … .’

Lucy looked up at Glockt, holding the brim of her hat with blank eyes.

― ‘It would be better to give it to you now.’

– ‘This… .’

― ‘Careful. One day, this hat will become your most prized possession.’

– ‘that… why… .’

– ‘… Well, you’ll find out someday.’

* * *

“This is the hat I got then.”

The inside of the gently swaying wagon.

There were only four people in this carriage that left the Isle of Aken and headed for the Lawless Cohelton.

Amputator Gellan. Her assistant Wilhelm.

And Lucy and I, Ed Rosteyler.

“then… Is that hat also one of Glockt’s keepsakes? .”

“huh.”

At Zelan’s words, Lucy quietly nodded.

I was thinking that it would be. Lucy, bizarrely, carried that witch’s hat with her wherever she went.

Personally, how many layers of protection magic and status maintenance magic have I cast… Even in the mess, the hat was not seriously damaged.

From Lucy’s point of view, it was one of the last remaining traces of Glockt, so she had no choice but to save it.

Besides that, there are more artifacts of Glockt that Lucy kept separately. In front of Glockt’s tomb hidden in a cave on the west coast of Aken Island, there was a lot of junk.

Well, most of them were literally mementos. There were no items with any magical effect, and the ‘Introduction to Astrology’, which was a valuable item, was with me.

“If there is anything, I think it’s most likely in the basement.”

Lucy, as always, was sitting on my lap, waving her feet.

“When Grandpa left, he was so distracted that he came out without looking closely at the cabin.”

Memories of Glockt’s death won’t be very pleasant. But, unexpectedly, Lucy spoke calmly.

“When I was nearing the end of my life, I didn’t have much interest in academics, but once in a while I would go into the basement and do some research when I wasn’t there. I am… I didn’t have much interest, so I thought so… .”

There is something that the Archmage Glockt studied even while hiding it from Lucy Mayril, his apprentice.

Due to Lucy’s personality, she wasn’t particularly curious about what it was, but Zelan and Wilhelm didn’t seem to be.

“That, I want to make sure.”

Wilhelm, who was said to be Zelan’s assistant, looked at us with his eyes lit.

“It may have been a study of considerable academic value. As much as Professor Ed works in the academic world, aren’t you interested?”

I nodded moderately and looked at Lucy. Lucy had a good look on her face.

Rather, they were excited about the fact that the two of them were going somewhere after a while, looking at the scenery outside the window and getting excited.

Of course, it’s hard to tell if they’re excited or not just by looking at their appearance, but I felt it enough from my point of view.

“By the way, as promised in advance, once the investigation of the Rameln Mountains is over… I need to process the artifacts I have so that they can be used.”

I got to the point.

Gellan is the world’s foremost artifact processing engineer.

I also spent a long time researching magic engineering, but I can’t easily handle this kind of artifact.

“okay. There’s no artifact I can’t handle. By the way, you young man must also be quite skilled in magic science. What kind of artifact is it that you can’t process directly?”

One hundred words are unbelievable.

I took Tir’calax’s corpse out of my bosom and showed it to him. It only takes the form of a small marble, but its value is instantly recognized by anyone the size of Gelan.

Gellan narrowed his brows and smiled.

“He’s got some crazy stuff.”

“… … .”

“What are you going to do with this?”

The use of relics is important. Only then will Gellan be able to properly process it.

So I decided to speak without hesitation.

“Among the spirits I contracted with, there is a high-ranking wind spirit named Merilda.”

“It’s a high-ranking spirit… . You are also well-versed in the field of animism.”

“Now that I’m quite used to handling that guy’s power… .”

At the next words I said, Zelan smiled and gave an expression of bewilderment.

“We plan to make him the highest ranking spirit. Right now, the position of the highest ranking wind spirit is vacant.”

That reaction was understandable.

It’s like declaring that you’ll handle the highest level spirit freely.

I am at least aware of how absurd I have made my remarks.

“He is a fun person. young people.”

There was no response from him asking what kind of nonsense he was doing.

Certainly, Zeland was not a sane person either.

* * *

After that, it was a series of boring hours.

Listening to the story of Zelan walking around the Lawless Zone of Cohelton with his assistant Wilhelm, or getting out of the carriage once in a while to get some fresh air and warm up.

Stop in the middle of the village and sleep at the lodging for the night.

And so the tedious wagon road leading to the Rameln Mountains continued.

Although Pulan and Oldek were quite far away, the Rameln Mountains were on the opposite side of the empire from Aken Island.

I heard that in the distant past, Lucy had brought Glockt’s corpse all the way to the Isle of Aken alone. I realize how absurd that was.

Despite riding a wagon at a fairly high speed, it took several days to reach the distance. To say that he flew this distance without canceling his magic even for a single moment, it was a mental strength that he had no choice but to stick his tongue out.

Perhaps Lucy never went back to the Rameln Mountains after that.

You’re not even sure the cabin will remain the way it used to be.

With all the awkwardness of each other brushed aside in the carriage, we finally entered the Rameln Mountains after a long time. After that, our journey continued for a long time.

In a small village at the beginning of the mountain range, after purchasing a lot of supplies for the hike, we started climbing.

The Rameln Mountains are a huge mountain range across the northern part of the continent. Climbing a mountain of this height required thorough preparation. Of course, the goal is not the top, but a hut on the hillside.

Lucy seemed to be very happy with the scenery of the Rameln Mountains, which she had returned after a long time, so she lightly wielded her magical energy and climbed to the top of the coniferous tree to look around.

The walk that started like that went smoothly.

Gellan and Lucy are small in size, but they are good at handling magic, so they didn’t consume much stamina while hiking.

In the first place, Wilhelm and I had enough stamina to survive the long hike. Well, if it’s really hard, you can use some magic power.

From time to time, they summoned spirits and rode them, and camped halfway up the hill, continuing the hike for almost two days.

It’s not enough power to be defeated by wild beasts, and there are enough supplies. The hiking without a big crowd was more like sightseeing than penance.

As I heard, the Rameln Mountains area was really beautiful.

This mountain range where Lucy is said to have played in her childhood. It was not difficult to imagine young Lucy bouncing between the straight coniferous trees.

“… … .”

However, even if it is wide, it is too wide.

It is a much wider range of mountains than I heard rumors.

Despite all the rumors about Glockt’s treasure, I think I can see why the expedition couldn’t even dare to find the cabin.

The procession of mountains continues straight enough to go away from the Alps. If the summit had been the goal, I would have had to be prepared to wade through the snow this early fall. The ice caps covering the top of the mountain looked really thick even when looking up from far below.

“We are almost there.”

And, good news finally came out of Lucy’s mouth.

This is the place where we arrived at the end of a week-long ride in a fast wagon and a three-day hike. Why Glockt was secluded in such a remote place is completely unknown.

Anyway, the coniferous forest that was so straight… At some point it ended.

And, a sunny field came out. The width is not that wide. It is really a space like a tiny dot embedded in this huge mountain range.

in the middle… A shabby hut stands.

“Oh, finally… ! over there… . Archmage Glockt… A place to hide after retirement… .”

All professors majoring in the history of magic would salivate. Because the last abode of that great man was right there.

* * *

“In the first place, when you built the cabin, you did a lot of magical treatment. After all, an old man can’t build a hut by himself… He must have had no choice but to borrow the power of magic.”

It must have been left in this high alpine area for several years, but Glockt’s cabin was more intact than expected.

It was because the shape-retaining magic that was cast when the hut was built was still working. It was reasonable because the magic was cast by the archmage himself.

Gellan slowly moved forward and turned the doorknob of the shabby door.

When I pull the door like that, it opens naturally with a squeaky sound.

Inside the cabin… There was a lot of dust, but it wasn’t too messy.

It was the same as the day Lucy left.

“… … .”

Suddenly, I felt strength in my wrist, and when I looked, Lucy was holding my wrist tightly.

And when you slowly poke your head into the cabin, it feels like old memories are slowly coming back.

“… Are you okay, Lucy?”

“are you okay.”

I was in the middle of worrying, but Lucy gave such an answer to my admiration.

“You are there.”

Wrapping my forearm tightly, Lucy shakes off her solitude.

What is lost is lost. It’s been a long time since I said goodbye to empty and empty things.

Because of that, Lucy was able to enter the cabin with a nonchalant expression.

Glockt’s cabin returned after a few years.

However, as if he had returned from an overnight stay, he sat down in a rocking chair near the fireplace and sighed deeply.

That was all.

* * *

The first thing I did after entering Glockt’s cabin was to blow away all the dust inside with Wilhelm’s magic.

After tidying up the interior with a familiar move, Wilhelm took care of all the spoiled ingredients in the long-neglected kitchen and buried them in the ground in the backyard.

Then, we filled the kitchen with the groceries we had brought and started making simple meals.

As soon as the interior was cleaned, Gellan went into the cellar Lucy had mentioned and started looking for traces of Glockt.

Me and Lucy… We were just sitting together in a rocking chair by the fireplace.

It was because there was no obligation to step out and help with the search for Zelan’s artifacts. From this point on, it was up to Gellan to take care of himself.

It was around the time that I was basking in the warmth of the fireplace for a while with Lucy sitting on my lap.

The sun has already set and it is night. Around the time when the cool wind of early autumn becomes slightly chilly… Gellan came up from the basement.

“I found Glockt’s artifact. but… It’s a little different from what I imagined.”

“yes?”

“Would you like to come down for a while?”

When I went down to the basement using the ignition magic as a light source, I came across a warehouse full of junk.

If you go deeper and turn the corner, you will find Glockt’s personal laboratory.

“The archmage I knew, Glockt, was a person who hated breaking taboos. He was a wizard who always had respect for magic and respected the providence and destiny of the world.”

“… … .”

At Zelan’s words, Lucy quietly nodded.

Proceeding all the way into the basement, Gellan continued.

“Lucy Meyril. It may come as a bit of a shock to you, but… Archmage Glockt is actually… In his later years, he seems to have studied taboos.”

Seeking eternal life, reviving the dead, time travel.

The three areas considered taboo by wizards all over the world.

Did the Archmage Glockt, who had lived by the taboo all his life, actually reach out to the taboo field?

“… That means… Hard to agree… .”

Lucy shook her head at Zelan’s words.

The Glockt in her memory was a wizard who accepted fate as it was and respected the providence of the world.

Even though he was able to handle the power of Aspect Magic, he just lived his given life faithfully.

He was a wizard with no regrets who left after living enough to live like that.

Therefore, Lucy Meiril did not revive Glockt with Professor Glast’s lion resuscitation magic.

It is because it would be nothing more than an insult to bring him back to life through a taboo, who has lived his life with pride as a wizard.

However, Gellan spoke in a low voice.

“me too… a little questionable The person I know, Glockt, is by no means the kind of person to touch a taboo. however… In this underground research facility… .”

As Gelan injects more mana into the Combustion Magic, the light source grows larger and larger.

As a result, Glockt’s laboratory can be seen at a glance.

Lucy Meiril at the time was just indolent and indifferent, a place where she didn’t even pay attention.

At that place… Numerous relics were piled up. There were also various magical engineering items that Glockt had been studying at one time.

“There are clear signs of having touched one of the three taboo areas, ‘time travel’. Look at that big crystal ball in the middle. It’s a device for concentrating Aspect Magic. If you look at the magical engineering supplies used to induce the flow of magical power, you can easily infer its purpose.”

Lucy narrowed her brows.

Glockt is a wizard who never breaks taboos. He has made it the pride of his whole life.

There’s no way Glockt could make something like that.

However, even in the eyes of Lucy, who has excellent magical knowledge… The structure of the magic engineering product was the same no matter how many times I looked at it.

A device for concentrating the magical energy of the Aspect and jumping over the time line.

Whether it’s the future or the past… Glockt had once jumped through time.

“Looking at the circumstances, the former Glockt Elderbane… I once adjusted the line of time. That is, he broke a taboo and tried time travel.”

“… … .”

“Look at the magic circuit device. There are clear signs of use. Judging by the lack of replenishment of consumables, it looks like it was only used once.”

Have you ever traveled beyond time? Even without Lucy’s knowledge.

If so, is it the past? Or is it the future

I don’t know which direction it is. And, I don’t know what the hell made him go on such a trip, breaking his lifelong convictions.

All the truth is in the labyrinth.

Because Glockt Elderbane, who knows everything, is no longer a person of this world.

* * *

“I have good news and I have bad news. If I ask you which of the two you want to hear first, you’ll say you want to hear the bad news first. Well, let’s talk at once.”

proceed with the story in its own way. I don’t know what to do.

Gellan spoke to us as he ate the salad prepared in front of the table in the kitchen.

“I stayed up all night checking the artifacts in the cellar, and I think I have enough equipment to observe other worlds of possibilities as I please. However, it is very old and needs some repairs.”

“… … .”

“The structure is novel and surprising, befitting objects designed by that rare wizard. It doesn’t seem easy to study, figure out, and repair them one by one. Fortunately, there are two people here who are well versed in magic engineering.”

Wilhelm and I, Ed Rosteeler.

They were people who were well versed in magic engineering in their own way.

“It’s an item that handles Aspect Magic, so I don’t know how it works and what results it will produce. It could be a very dangerous job. However, if you help me properly… .”

Gellan put down his fork and spoke while sticking his head out at me.

“Take responsibility, and I will make you the owner of the highest spirit. I’m too interested in your plan to deal with the highest elemental, and I can’t stand it. So, let’s go with a win-win feeling.”

“What’s the story that could be dangerous?”

“As you know, Aspect Magic is a very unpredictable power. So, I need your strength to handle the Aspect magic to some extent.”

Zelan leaned back against the back of the wooden chair and said with a confident expression.

“I like you very much, young man.”

I thought he was talking like an old man. However, in reality, the inside of that small-sized girl is an old woman who has lived through all the hardships of childbirth.

“so… Let’s do some strength together. Because I have so many things I can do for young people. And, now that things have turned out like this, I’m a little curious.”

“… … .”

“Why did the proud archmage Glockt have to break his faith and break the taboo at the very end? I also wanted to check the truth. Isn’t that right, picky cat girl?”

Lucy looked at Gellan quietly.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious… .

There are some things in the world that you don’t have to know about.

Lucy had completely let go of Glockt emotionally.

He was a wizard who lived a turbulent life, and left with a smile without regret. With that, the story in Lucy was completed.

I don’t know if I need to dig into it, but… .

“okay.”

Lucy answered briefly like that.

You never know what you’re thinking on the inside.

Gellan just smiled contentedly.

“If it’s bright tomorrow… Let’s repair the artifacts right away and check them out.”

The eccentricity that started out of curiosity… What will be the result… .

At this point we… I couldn’t tell.

I was just quietly listening to the sound of the wind blowing from outside the cabin.

A shabby hut in the middle of the Rameln Mountains, devoid of people.

A place far away from civilization, where no one can contact you.

Gellan lay down on a wooden bed, and Wilhelm spread a camping sleeping bag on the dining room table.

I lay down in a rocking chair by the fireplace with Lucy in my arms.

inside the cabin… So the four of us each settled down and went to sleep.

What will happen the next day… Without even imagining it.