Chapter 203: Summer Vacation [2]

Chapter 202

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Episode 50 - Summer Vacation [2]

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The highest rank for anything related to weapons is, naturally, the Mythic Rank.

A Mythic Rank creation does not require only exceptional materials.

Just like the materials found in fairy tales, creating something of Mythic Rank means creating something that tells a story.

A story that will become a myth.

A creation that can only be made once every several thousand years, or one that can only be forged through a world phenomenon that occurs once every ten thousand years.

Mythic Rank weapons can be counted on the fingers of both hands.

Every Mythic Rank weapon is, theoretically, unbreakable—something that can exist almost forever.

As though it were something nearly divine.

However, it is not something that can truly exist forever.

Because, in the end, a weapon is still just a weapon, merely one with the highest rank.

’Then what would happen if I took two Mythic Rank swords and fused them using the Philosopher’s Stone...?’

A theory that might not be impossible.

’A Divine Rank, perhaps...’

I felt the Philosopher’s Stone between my fingers.

It was perfectly smooth and felt as though I were touching glass, which was rather strange for a material used in forging.

’This thing really does exist, even now that I’m holding it in my hands.’

After all, combining two Mythic Rank swords would mean raising their rank to one above Mythic Rank.

But, in theory, no rank exists above Mythic Rank.

’Mhm...’

I rubbed my chin as I thought. I read everything over once more, and then my eyes settled on the note.

’A suitable blacksmith... I seriously doubt anyone could work with this stone.’

It was far too valuable. I could hardly imagine what would happen if the effects of this stone ever became widely known.

Besides, if I went to any blacksmith—whether the least famous, the most famous, or the most mysterious—any one of them would simply steal the Philosopher’s Stone from me.

’Not only would I need a blacksmith skilled enough to forge Mythic Rank weapons without any difficulty, but also someone I can trust enough to leave the Philosopher’s Stone in their hands.’

But no such person existed, at least not in my memories.

There was a reason why, throughout all of Lumina’s regressions, Lumina always relied on an already existing Mythic Rank sword instead of one forged exclusively for her.

’Still, since it’s a reward, maybe Veronica knows something about it.’

Besides, perhaps I should look for the right blacksmith—not necessarily in this world, but somewhere within the Planes.

’Well, there’s nothing I can do with this for now anyway.’

I stored the Philosopher’s Stone inside my Inner World. Then I took out the Compass of Destiny.

After all, it was the reward from the first part of Chapter Two, following everything that had happened in Black City.

A compass appeared in my hands, and from every angle, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary compass.

However, its information was rather strange.

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Name: Compass of Destiny.

Category: Fragment of Destiny.

Description: A compass that reveals Destiny.

[Effect] - [You can travel to your Destiny.]

Note: Be careful where you wish to go. Otherwise, you may lose your way.

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No matter how many times I read it, I could not really understand this compass.

I had already tried using it before, but nothing happened. The needle simply spun in every direction.

Like a broken compass.

"..."

"Hey... uh, System—or whoever is behind this Status Window—could you at least give me a hint about how to use this compass?"

"..."

Seconds passed, followed by minutes.

But not a single notification appeared. In fact, I had already tried this before, and it hadn’t worked.

"Mhm, maybe I can only use it at a specific or special moment."

After thinking about it for a moment, I nodded.

’Yeah, maybe that’s it.’

---

The next day.

There were only a couple of hours left before the side effects of Eyes of the End would wear off.

Throughout the entire previous day, I had simply stayed in my room without doing anything at all.

From time to time, I talked with my master, especially about the Third Form of Inverted Heaven.

I have about a week left to advance to Five Stars.

So it was already time to ask about the Third Form, which I know nothing about.

However, my master simply said it would be better to explain it after I had advanced to Five Stars and resumed my training.

"Phew, this is so boring. It’d be great to play some games right now, but PCs don’t exist here."

Not long afterward, I decided to go out for a walk.

By now, almost all the cadets had probably already left the Academy.

Yesterday, everyone said their goodbyes, and many of them departed.

So today, the remaining cadets had probably left as well, which meant I didn’t mind going outside.

With some difficulty, I left my room and headed down to the first floor of the dormitory.

Then, noticing that no one was at the entrance, I stepped outside and walked across the campus.

Even after walking for a while, I didn’t run into a single cadet.

’Come to think of it, it’d be better to take these bandages off, wouldn’t it?’

Someone might actually think I’m Adel, so I stored the bandages in my Inventory.

At that moment, feeling the morning breeze against my skin, I narrowed my eyes and enjoyed the cool air.

And right then, I heard a very familiar voice, making me tense up for a second.

"Oh, well, look at this. What’s a child doing at the Academy?"

I turned my head toward the voice. There stood Professor Lunia, the instructor in charge of Alchemy and also my master.

As I turned my head, I heard her speak once again.

"Aww, look at that. What a cute little boy. Where are your tutors?"

"...."

An absurd idea came to mind, but maybe it would keep her from bothering me. So I cleared my throat and spoke in an innocent, childlike voice.

"My dad and mom told me to wait here."

Professor Lunia stepped closer.

"What? Why would they leave a child here all by himself?"

With great difficulty, I tried to "look" at Professor Lunia so she wouldn’t suspect that I was blind.

"My mom said to wait..."

At that moment, another voice reached my ears, making me freeze.

"Ah, hello, Professor Lunia."

Professor Lunia greeted the newcomer calmly.

"Ah, Cadet Veronica. Aren’t you leaving the Academy like everyone else?"

"No. Actually, there’s nowhere in particular for me to go. I’ll be staying here at the Academy for the entire month."

Professor Lunia nodded, and while the two of them were talking, I tried to slip away without them noticing. But, as always, nothing went according to plan.

"Hey, little one. Where do you think you’re going?"

Professor Lunia grabbed me with both hands and lifted me off the ground.

At that moment, Veronica blinked as she looked at me before a smile spread across her face. Then Veronica looked at Professor Lunia and asked,

"Professor Lunia, who’s this child?"

"His parents left him here. He said he’s going to wait for them, but I don’t feel comfortable leaving a child completely alone."

"In that case, I can look after him while he waits for his parents."

Professor Lunia thought about it for a moment before nodding.

"That would be fine. Then I’ll leave him in your care."

Professor Lunia set me back on the ground. I immediately tried to run away, but once again, someone lifted me off the ground.

This time it was Veronica, and without hiding my expression, I said,

"If you do anything stupid, once I’m back to normal, I’ll beat you up."

It was a very clear threat, but perhaps because Professor Lunia was still nearby, Veronica ignored me.

"Would the little one like to go play with his older sister?"

"..."

A vein bulged on my forehead as unmistakable irritation spread across my face.

But Veronica completely ignored my reaction and continued.

"Look at these cheeks. They’re so chubby that I just want to squeeze them."

I tilted my head and noticed that Professor Lunia had already left.

At that moment, I stretched out my hand, and a knife appeared in it.

Veronica stared at the knife in silence before looking back at me.

"What can a child possibly do with a knife against a Four-Star Awakened?"

She said it with a wide smile. Then I replied,

"But this is a child who can still use Gravity to control a knife."

The knife floated into the air. Veronica’s expression immediately turned completely blank. She gently set me down on the ground before dropping to her knees.

"Please, older brother, don’t kill me."

"Oh, don’t worry. I said a long time ago that I wouldn’t kill you, but maybe I’ve changed my mind."

Veronica immediately got back to her feet, turned around, and ran away.

"...?"

Mhm, I think there’s probably a guide for assassins. I should read it.

After thinking about it for a moment, I decided I should go read, but then I remembered that I was blind and couldn’t read anything.

"Tsk, some people really have all the luck..."

But then...

"Adel..."

I stopped speaking and turned around. Standing before me was none other than Lumina.

I thought she had already left the Academy. Why is she still here?

Lumina looked at me expressionlessly, and since I couldn’t perceive emotions or use my senses at that moment, I had no idea what she was feeling.

But for some reason, this time Lumina stared at me even more intently, looking straight into my eyes.

Meanwhile, I was probably "looking" back at Lumina with the same expressionless face.

Then, an unusual silence settled between us.