The story about the mutants targeting the Mother Tree's avatar.
Normally, it would've sounded unbelievable—but since it came from Fernan Pellenberg, and especially after she had already encountered the monsters, she had no choice but to believe it.
"Even if I hadn't run into the monsters, I might've pretended to accept it anyway? That would've been amusing in its own way."
Of course, that would've just been to win Fernan Pellenberg's favor, so the feeling was slightly different.
Regardless, she intended to do her best to protect the Mother Tree. It was also why she had stayed at the academy when everyone else returned to the main house.
Weeks passed like that. Then, an abnormality was discovered in the previously quiet fragment of the Mother Tree.
"…It's been contaminated?"
When did it happen?
It's not like she had been guarding it 24/7, but she had checked on it diligently two or three times a day.
"This level of contamination couldn't have happened in just a few hours."
It was more accurate to say that it had seeped in slowly, only now becoming noticeable.
Even though it was an avatar of the Mother Tree, that didn't mean communication was smooth—making it all the more plausible.
"Could the mutants really have infiltrated the academy, just as Fernan said…?"
There was no other explanation. She decided to check the surveillance devices Fernan had installed before he left.
But no one appeared on the recordings—except for herself.
"How…?"
Bombarded with questions like a waterfall, Aria inspected various spots around the tree fragment.
The answer was underground. The contamination had begun from the roots.
"…This doesn't seem like something I can handle alone."
If Fernan were here, she'd run straight to him. Unfortunately, he wasn't. So she had to find a suitable alternative—
Someone trustworthy, and strong.
Aria first went to find Berian. Since Fernan had shared a secret for emergencies, she had nothing to hesitate about.
"You're here, Miss Aria."
Just then, as she was about to seek out the spirit studies professor, someone called out to her.
"Assistant Imelda?"
Imelda was an elf who had come along with the newly appointed spirit studies professor, Nania.
"Sorry to ask this suddenly, but could you go to Professor Dominic's office right now?"
"What's going on?"
"Well, Professor Dominic had asked Professor Nania to assist with a research project, but something urgent came up, so he won't be able to make it."
Imelda added that it was a study on combining spirit arts with illusion magic.
"He's asking a student to do that?"
"…Well."
"Eh, whatever. If it's a favor from my dear unnie—I mean, professor—then I guess I can help. Blood ties, hometown connections—they're all important, right? Oh, and since we're both at the academy now, we can add school ties to that too."
"…That's…"
"You said it was Professor Dominic, right?"
Aria grinned as she walked off.
"…So, it's a study on integrating spirits into illusion magic. We needed the help of someone within the academy who can handle spirits most effectively."
Professor Dominic adjusted his slipping glasses after finishing his lengthy explanation.
"I understand now. Why my help is needed."
Spirit magic was a field heavily reliant on innate talent—and no one surpassed elves in that regard.
"It's not something I'd usually ask a student, but… would you be willing to help?"
"Yes, of course."
"Thank you very much. Oh dear, I've forgotten myself—I've yet to offer you any tea. Do you have a preference?"
"Just any tea will be fine."
Professor Dominic personally brought out tea and snacks. He added a suitable amount of cream to his coffee and stirred it with a teaspoon.
"What I need from you is simple. We'll be applying spirits to aspects of illusion magic… Hmm, not enough cream."
He added a bit more cream and stirred again.
"…By embedding spirits into the various elements of illusion spells, we hope to create more organic illusions. Illusions are ultimately meant to deceive the senses, so if we can—"
One spoonful of sugar was added.
"Blend in living spirits, then the result…"
Another spoonful. Aria found herself unintentionally watching the spoon trace circles inside his teacup.
"You take it quite sweet, don't you?"
"Like a child, I suppose? I'm not very good with bitter things."
Professor Dominic chuckled awkwardly and continued explaining. Even as he spoke, he added another spoonful of sugar, and the teaspoon continued to swim through the teacup.
For no reason at all, her eyes drifted.
"…Did you understand?"
"So when activating the magic circle, I just have to place the spirits in the designated spots and perform the movements as instructed. It's not difficult."
"Yes. Not today, though…"
After some additional explanation, Aria exited Professor Dominic's office.
'…Wait a second. That means Nania unnie isn't in her office right now?'
She must be extremely busy if she couldn't keep an appointment with another professor and had to send a student as a stand-in.
'Then who should I go to…'
Just then, someone called out to her.
"Miss Aria."
"Assistant Aaron."
"What brings you to the faculty wing?"
"Professor Dominic called me over. I was just helping him out a bit."
"Really? It's rare for him to ask a student for anything."
Aaron chuckled and pulled a book forward from under his arm.
"Oh, right. Can I ask you something real quick?"
"What is it?"
"It's this book on spirit studies… but I'm having trouble understanding it."
He opened the book cautiously.
"There's just… nothing…."
Their eyes met for a moment.
Aria thought she saw a faint glow in Aaron's eyes.
"Assistant, your eyes—"
"My eyes? What about them?"
"No, it's nothing…"
Looking again, they seemed like ordinary eyes. What was that? Aria shook her head.
"Anyway, where were you headed?"
"Hmm, let's see…"
Where was she going?
Looking out the window, she noticed the sun was setting.
"To the dorms. I'm feeling tired, so I was planning to get some rest."
"Well, it is getting a bit late. Alright then, take care. See you next time."
"Bye."
Aria gave a small bow and walked off.
That evening, Berian, who had waited two hours at the agreed location, clenched his teeth as he returned to the Lavidos Hall.
"Damn it, Fernan. Calls it a secret and then goes around telling everyone in town."
He needed a plan.
Something—anything.
And the next day, when Berian had intended to confront Aria, he was struck by an eerie sense of déjà vu.
"Ah, could you come to the forest for a bit later?"
Same place.
Same person.
Even the exact same conversation.
Even the opening lines were identical to yesterday.
"The forest?"
"Yeah, actually, a branch of the Mother Tree was planted here, and I've been guarding it. But I think something's gone wrong with it."
"So normally you wouldn't ask, but because something's wrong, you're coming to me for help?"
"…Huh?"
Aria faintly furrowed her brow.
"Fernan told you that I'm trustworthy enough to ask for help, and also revealed that I underwent mutantification?"
"…How do you know that?"
Her eyes widened.
Hey. What the hell do you think you're doing?
"You think I lost to Einte and turned into some kind of fool?"
Berian growled fiercely.
"…So that's why I called Aria that stupid pointy-eared idiot! She kept repeating the same lines, over and over again! I seriously thought she had memory loss!"
Berian said proudly, wrapping up the story.
"And then?"
"…Huh?"
"I said—what happened next?"
"…Well."
He tilted his head.
"What did I do after that again?"
"I'm pretty sure you didn't do anything."
"Right, that must be it. If I had done something, I would've remembered."
"You're a genius, Berian. That's some solid logic! No wonder you're ranked third in the knight division!"
"I'm not third! I'm the runner-up!"
"Are you stupid? Einte is the runner-up!"
"Third place is still good!"
Watching the two argue back and forth like a pair of idiots, Fernan let out a hollow chuckle.
How to deal with this was giving him a headache. He wished there were a way.
"…What do you think?"
"You're right, sir. They've been afflicted by demonic energy."
"I had my doubts, but it's true, then."
"Yes. From the way it's affecting the brain, it looks like a mental-type spell. Tracing the remnants, it doesn't seem all that advanced—more like a simple suggestion spell…"
The saint examining the two's heads showed a flicker of restrained anger.
"But it's been used so frequently that the demonic energy has built up, partially blocking the flow of mana in the brain. No wonder their memory is messed up. Filthy mutant bastards. They should all be wiped out."
"How many times would it take for it to get this bad?"
"At least ten times, at this level…"
"…These idiots…"
Not once or twice, but more than ten times with the same trick?
Are the mutants just that competent, or are Berian and Aria just that hopeless?
"Is there a treatment?"
"The amount of demonic energy is minuscule, so it's not too difficult. The problem is that it's in the brain—even small amounts can cause major issues. So, I was thinking…"
"You want money?"
"As expected of you, sir. You see through it instantly."
Utterly consistent, this guy. Still, that consistency was oddly reassuring. At least he didn't seem like someone who'd fall victim to mutants.
After all, the only thing scarier than a mutant was a money-hungry priest.
"Using Holy Light directly on the brain would certainly cause problems. You've experienced that before, haven't you?"
"Did I really need to experience that to know?"
He probably could've figured it out without firsthand experience.
"Magic is a science of verification. Until we see confirmed results, it's all conjecture. In any case, since the brain is such a sensitive area, I'll use holy water instead for a gentler process."
"How exactly?"
"I'll submerge their heads in holy water and cast purification magic at the same time."
He went on to explain how the holy water would be absorbed not only through the skin and pores on the scalp but also as it entered their flailing mouths and nostrils.
"Is the purification spell safe?"
"Compared to Holy Light, I can confidently say it's much safer. The effect is weaker, but with the help of the holy water, it should be sufficient."
"Then do it now."
He had a lot to ask these two idiots. Not least of all—the status of the World Tree branch.
"But since it involves the brain and nervous system, the pain won't be minor."
"Doesn't matter. It's not my body."
"Well, this room does have excellent soundproofing. So, what about the cost?"
"I'm not their guardian."
"Fridian and Kalburden should be able to cover the payment just fine. Then I'll begin. Could I borrow two basins?"
The shop clerk brought over two small basins. Jaise filled each with holy water.
"…Huh? What are you—?!"
"Wait, what the—!"
Then, without giving them a moment to react, he grabbed both dazed fools by the back of their heads and dunked them into the holy water.
"GGGHRK—BBLGRHHHRK!"
"KYAAAAK—GRBLRRHRR!"
With wild flailing and splashing, bubbles began to rise.
"Everything is by the will of the divine. This too is a trial laid before you. Endure it, and in time, evil shall be purged."
A seemingly sacred light seeped into their skulls.
"P-please… save—MMPH!"
"You will not die. Only the devils will."
May the blessings of mana be upon you.
"IT'S GOING UP MY NOSE—GRBBRKH!"
"Yes, it must also go in through the mouth and ears."
"You lunatic—GRBHRK!"
"Still impure, I see. Repent. Though you abandoned mana, misled by demonic energy, the Great Mana is merciful."
Jaise pressed their heads down harder and gave a solemn bow.
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