Author's Note: There will be a change in Wim's status, so from this chapter onward, his status will change.
...
Wim: "Well, this is how they should give real rewards."
Back at the dorm, Wim checked the letter Sherman had given him, which included a reward of 6 million credits in cash, along with the Starlight badge.
It wasn't much for rich people like Louisa, Lucius, and Morian. But for someone as poor and well-off as Wim and Luna, this was a blessing.
Wim: "This way, I can buy as much chicken as I want."
He didn't know how long he would be able to eat all that chicken.
But Wim quickly realized that this wasn't the only reward. There was another reward he was currently saving with Art.
Wim: "Art, please."
Art: "Okay."
Fwwuuummm!!
Art then emitted a system light.
[Episode 4 of Necromancer has been completed]
[You have received a Status increase through the Exp grant]
[A new Art system has been unlocked, you can use 'Holo Print' to create blueprints for alchemy and magitek]
[You have unlocked a new Element type in Art through your Blank attribute: 'Fuse']
[You can choose one of three options: A) Increased Endurance with Luck reduction, B) Medium-tier item with stat reduction, C) New 'Zero Fall Damage' skill with partial stat and level reduction]
Wim: "Wow, that's a tough choice, especially since the presentation is completely random and messy," he mocked when he saw the system description, which looked messy.
[Author's note: Sorry for the lack of system description]
Ultimately, Wim had to choose one of the three options.
He considered choosing a new skill called 'Zero Fall Damage,' a passive skill that would prevent the user from sustaining injuries when falling.
Remembering that in the previous battle, he hadn't noticed A danger he couldn't prevent on his own.
Furthermore, when stranded in the world of Victory Shard, he only had one skill, making it difficult to survive.
He himself always used all kinds of skills and other tools as his main weapon in the game, so it's no surprise that he still needed several more skills to fight.
Furthermore, his Hidden Tool had been damaged since the battle with the Necromancer, so he had no choice but to ask Helbert to repair it.
But it was a bit excessive to keep asking Helbert for help, as he was currently busy taking care of other equipment at the Academy's request. So, Wim had no choice but to do it himself, with the help of Art, who had a new system other than 'Scanning'.
However, if he chose a new skill, it would mean some reduction in his stats, which would likely weaken him even further.
Wim: "Even so, this third option isn't a difficult one for me. As for stats, I can always increase them."
Ultimately, Wim chose the third option.
[Waiting for Processing...]
[Congratulations, you have successfully obtained a new skill at the cost of a reduction [Several Statuses]
[New Skill: Zero Fall Damage: Reduces fall damage]
Wim's Stats:
Level: 5
Strength: 5.7 > 4.7
Perception: 6.7 > 5.7
Endurance: 4.8 > 3.8
Agility: 8.2 > 7.2
Luck: 8.4 > 7.4
Skill 1: Blink (Cooldown 2.0 seconds) (Stock: 3)
Skill 2: Mana Detection (Automatically Activate, Range 20 meters)
Skill 3: Throwing (Automatically Activate)
Skill 4: Zero Fall Damage (Automatically Activate)
Attribute: Blank (Existing Essence: Fuse)
Wim: "I hope this skill I chose will be truly useful in the story."
Art: " Bzzzt... I thought you always made the right choice."
Wim: "That doesn't mean I'm perfect at everything."
....
(Luna's POV)
The next day after the incident at the rescue tent and the award ceremony, academy life returned to normal.
This time, Luna was sitting cross-legged on the floor with her eyes closed, as if meditating.
Not only Luna; several students were also meditating with their instructor.
It was quiet, without any noise to disturb them.
In fact, they were in the Arcane Division Meditation Hall. This meditation hall is a large, dome-shaped room filled with crystalline pillars that serve as mana conductors and mental stabilizers for Arcane Mages.
For Arcane Mages, manipulating large amounts of mana to produce powerful, destructive magic requires a controlled mind and emotions.
This method was actually proven and practiced by one of the leading Arcane Mages of the Arkanum era, Elfarian, the Arcane Mage of Ice Magic.
Thanks to that, Elfarian was given the title by everyone as a genius who had grasped another secret of the magical world during his time.
From then on, this hall was created as one of the subjects at Unio Academy.
Luna tried to exhale slowly, following the instructions her father and mother had taught her since childhood.
Those were very happy times for Luna, a time when she could still feel the warmth of her parents.
... Before they were expelled from the StarBlue United, accused of using dark magic and branded as traitors to the United.
"From today, the Selene Family will be expelled from this United."
"I can't believe it. I asked that arrogant ice family for help, and it turns out they really are traitors."
"I heard their only daughter was also taught dark magic by her father."
"The Selene Family is over."
"They should have been wiser in choosing their partners."
Luna: 'No, my father is not who you think he is,' she thought to herself.
Luna tried to calm herself, but more and more thoughts of her family swirled around her. Wild
The thought of her father, Morpho Selene, who had betrayed the United and magic world by allying with the Hive made her even more anxious.
Not only that, the appearance of one of the Hive's minions they faced in the Cemetery likely exacerbated her already whirling thoughts. About her father now being in the Hive.
Luna: 'Calm down, Luna... take a breath... focus on your mana center...' she muttered to herself.
But it wasn't calm that emerged.
Instead, a chill appeared.
The floor where she sat began to be covered in thin ice crystals.
Krakk
Within seconds, a sharp chill spread from Luna's hands and hair, spreading like living frost. The other students jolted from their meditation and immediately backed away, some bumping into pillars in shock.
"Oh my gosh, it's so cold!"
"What is that!?"
"Ice?"
Then, the meditation instructor in charge of the class, Professor Hammel, stepped forward toward Luna, his face serious but calm.
Professor Hammel: "Luna. Wake up."
The voice was firm yet gentle, shaking Luna's concentration.
In an instant, she awoke from her meditation, her pale green eyes returning to normal. Luna looked down at the floor beneath her and was surprised to see a fine crack in the ice, and the other students were looking at her with a mixture of worry and wariness.
Luna: "I... I'm sorry..." she whispered softly.
Professor Hammel: "It's okay."
The meditation class was immediately dismissed, and Luna was summoned to meet with the instructor who handles psychological issues for Arcane Mages, Instructor Ineva.
...
(Instructor Ineva's Consultation Room)
Upon arrival, Luna sat down facing Instructor Ineva with a cup of warm tea on the table.
The room was very warm and filled with a calming herbal aroma. It was not an interrogation room at all. The ceiling was filled with a light blue crystal light, making the room feel safe.
Instructor Ineva herself, despite being a 3rd-grade Arcane Mage, lower than the other Instructors, who could reach 5th or 6th, actually had a strong specialization in psychology.
While Arcane Mages are powerful on the outside, they are actually very fragile on the inside, especially when it comes to emotions.
Because emotions are crucial for Arcane Mages to harmonize their mana and magic, a course on Arcane emotions was created.
Instructor Ineva began to ask Luna.
Ineva: "So, Luna, what happened in the hall earlier stemmed from emotional stress. Your mind seemed unstable. Is there anything you want to complain about?"
Luna began to lower her head. She wanted to deny it, but couldn't, so she began to withdraw into herself.
Ineva saw that...
Ineva: "It's okay, Luna. You don't have to tell me if it makes you uncomfortable. I respect that," she said softly, smiling like a psychologist.
Ineva had dealt with other patients before Luna, so it was no surprise that she could understand what was making Luna uncomfortable.
Luna was silent for a long time. Her small hands clutched her uniform skirt. Her voice was barely audible when she finally answered.
Luna: "...My father," was her answer.
That one word began a long conversation between the two of them. Ineva patiently waited, then began their conversation.
Luna finally began to express much of the pressure she felt about stigma, injustice, and guilt that wasn't hers, but rather hers.
She began to explain that her father, Morpho Selene, was an Arcane Warrior from a small noble family called Eltric, a family specializing in lightning magic.
He was a great Arcane who worked his way up from the bottom until he met and fell in love with a girl named Tina Selene from the Selene Family, one of the Great Families that ruled their respective territories in the United.
Not only that, after changing his surname to Selene, Morpho managed to gain the attention of the public and other nobles, ultimately leading to his becoming the chosen Leader of the StarBlue United.
In the StarBlue United, the leadership is chosen by selecting one person from each Great Family to run for leadership, and Morpho was chosen to lead the United for 12 years.
However, an event occurred that caused the Selene Family's downfall due to Morpho. This was the Vulpix Flower Incident.
This incident occurred when Morpho, along with the StarBlue forces, attempted to seal the legendary fire spirit, Rokou, a fire fox that was rampaging through the Elf settlements in the East.
Although they succeeded in sealing the spirit, something unexpected happened. Morpho disappeared, leaving only a trace of dark magic behind.
From there, suspicions arose that Morpho had allied with the Hive and betrayed the StarBlue United. Because of this, the Selene Family was under pressure from the other Great Families, leading to their expulsion from the United.
Hearing the story, Ineva slowly understood everything. She then looked at Luna, bringing her face closer to hers.
Ineva: "My condolences to your family, Luna, including your father..." were her words.
Then she continued.
Ineva: "However, even though it's just a suspicion, it doesn't mean what they said is true. There might be something else that made everything wrong."
Those words brought tears to Luna's eyes. She was a little touched that someone was still willing to listen to her.
Luna: "...I'm sorry," she said with a hint of regret.
Ineva: "It's okay."
For the first time, the burden on Luna's shoulders began to lighten slightly.
When the session ended, Luna left the room with a sigh of relief. For the first time in days, she felt like herself.
...
(Canteen)
The aroma of toast and warm soup filled the air. Students crowded around every table, discussing the Ullanor incident passionately, as if it were a heroic moment they had witnessed firsthand.
Luna was about to reach for her favorite meat sandwich when she finally met someone on the way: Maria.
One of the students Wim and Lucius had saved yesterday. Luna approached her and sat down. The conversation flowed lightly, about food, classes, and even a few jokes about Wim being burned by Louisa's fire blast.
Luna herself felt… comfortable around Maria.
Perhaps because Maria herself never viewed her as a "traitorous child." Not looking down on her. Not belittling her. Just a friend.
But that comfort only lasted a few minutes.
Because from the side came a cynical voice that Luna knew all too well.
Jelly: "Look who's having lunch leisurely. The unlucky child."
The voice came from Jelly, along with her two loyal followers who always followed her like shadows.
She stood with her chin raised, a disdainful gaze, and a grin that was clearly looking for trouble, not just for fun.
Jelly: "So, how does it feel to have an entire hall in an uproar? Is it because of the teachings of your traitorous father?" She taunted, referring to her father.
Luna was silent for a moment, placing her sandwich on her lap. Meanwhile, Maria tried to protect her, even though she knew she was a coward.
Maria: "Miss Jelly, please don't make things worse at the academy."
Jelly: "Me? Making trouble? The real issue here is why this child has to be seen in public. Do you want her to tarnish the image of our StarBlue Guild?" Jelly asked, pointing at Luna.
What Jelly was saying was a statement of fact.
After the news of Morpho's alleged betrayal of the Magic world and the United, many countries and the public began to question the regulations of their United leaders.
Because of this, the United began expelling the Selene Family and their followers to prevent the stain from growing any further.
Even so, wouldn't it be cruel if a child had to bear the burden of sin that shouldn't be hers? That's what happened to Luna?
Maria: "B-but isn't that just a guess? Could it be Mor-"
Jelly: "Could it be? One of the combined forces from StarBlue is trying to slander Morpho? That's impossible. Most of the forces led by Morpho are the best choices of the Perpetual Council."
Their debate grew heated, and even the students in the cafeteria began whispering among themselves.
Seeing the situation worsen, Luna finally stood up from her chair.
Luna: "No need to keep defending me, Maria, just let it be."
Maria: "But... Luna, isn't that—"
Luna: "Yeah, I'm fine," she interrupted immediately.
Then, Luna began to leave the cafeteria, leaving the curious stares of the students staring at her.
Jelly: "Well, that's excellent. Someone who disgraces the Guild shouldn't be in this place," she immediately sneered.
After the atmosphere in the cafeteria had calmed down, Jelly took out a piece of paper. It was a magical letter that could be magically transported to its recipient.
The letter read:
"Jelly, immediately expel that traitorous child from the Academy by all means, everyone." "For the sake of the good image and future of our StarBlue Guild."
Jelly then sighed, like someone a little tired of someone's staged drama, as if it were scripted.
Jelly: "What a troublesome old man."
Author's Note: Sorry for not posting the sequel yet. I've been busy lately and forgot about the story. Fortunately, during that time, I've been preparing many ideas for the continuation of Wim and the others' adventures. Hopefully, I can post it sooner than before. Thank you.