Loud, rhythmic crashes echoed from the highest floor of the building, jolting the apprentices resting in their dormitories below. Startled, they hurried from their rooms to investigate the commotion.
Normally, the sorcery professors would have intervened almost immediately to quell such a disturbance. Tonight, however, they were nowhere to be found. Instead, a thick, metallic scent of blood drifted down from the upper levels.
Gawain lowered his Glintstone Staff, which felt uncomfortably warm after such excessive use. He was drenched in blood, unable to distinguish what was his own from what belonged to the sorcerers.
Slowly walking through a corridor lined with corpses, he tilted back a Flask of Crimson Tears. As the sacred nectar slid down his throat, his stamina returned and his wounds began to knit themselves shut.
To be honest, once he had eliminated the Twinage sorcerer—the strongest of the lot—the mages packed into the hallway had posed little actual threat. However, their sheer numbers were a headache; they functioned like living turret emplacements, blanketing the area in a barrage of spells the moment he stepped into view.
In such a confined space, Gawain hadn't wanted to use his more destructive techniques. After all, he already considered the Academy his personal property. If he broke it, there wasn't exactly a property management office he could call to fix the place.
Consequently, he'd had to grit his teeth and push through the damage, cutting down every sorcerer in sight. Anyone present who dared to attack him was, in a sense, attempting to assassinate a member of the Carian Royal Family. He didn't bother with individual screenings; he treated them all as rebels to be suppressed.
He wondered if the Academy had been sealed for too long, causing these people to lose even their most basic combat instincts. Who on earth taught these mages that it was a good idea to try and "tank" a melee fighter at close range?
Countless glintstone crystals began to spread from the room behind him. Sellen surveyed the pile of corpses, a slight frown touching her lips. With a gentle wave of her staff, blue crystals enveloped the bodies, slowly drawing them together into a centralized mass.
"With this, the Academy's internal resistance has been purged," she remarked. "Though it seems classes won't be resuming normally for quite some time."
"It doesn't matter," Gawain replied dismissively. "These people were obsessed with isolation; they couldn't have taught much of value anyway. In the future, I'll bring the Nox survivors from the Eternal Cities up to the surface. Their knowledge is far deeper than anything found here. Combined with the archives of the Grand Library, I suspect the Academy will flourish more under your leadership than it ever did before tonight."
Sellen was momentarily stunned. She had heard rumors that the Nox survivors had chosen to become her apprentice's vassals, but she hadn't realized they were prepared to go this far.
If the achievements of that ancient, brilliant civilization could truly be merged with the current Academy, she couldn't even begin to imagine what the future might hold—nor what it would mean for the Primeval Current.
As for becoming the new head of the Academy, since it was her apprentice's request, she naturally wouldn't refuse. However, she anticipated being buried in work for the foreseeable future. A night as unforgettable as this one was unlikely to happen again.
"I hope the future is as bright as you say," Sellen said softly. "Regardless, I am deeply grateful to have seen the day I could return to the Academy. If it were possible, as your teacher, I would wish for you to stay here. But you have your own mission—to become the Elden Lord. Just remember, even when you are King, I am still your teacher, and you are still my dearest apprentice. It may be a bit premature, but I… no, we, the Academy of Raya Lucaria, swear our fealty to the new King."
Gawain looked at Sellen, seeing the gratitude and relief in her eyes. Clad in her sorceress robes and framed by the countless glintstone crystals rising from the carnage, she possessed a dangerous, almost bewitching charm.
If his self-control had been any weaker, he might have been tempted to become a "wayward disciple" right then and there. Shifting his gaze to avoid the thought, he looked toward the stairs. If his ears didn't deceive him, the students had finally worked up the nerve to come up and see what was happening.
"Then I accept your fealty. Come, Master. It is time for the students to meet their—new—administrator."
Gawain led the way. The stairwell was crowded with students whose eyes reflected a mix of curiosity and sheer terror. As he and Sellen descended through the throngs of apprentices, the crowd parted automatically, clearing a path.
No words were necessary; the corpses lining the top-floor corridor spoke for themselves. Besides, there was one final obstacle to handle before they truly controlled the Academy.
Under the watchful eyes of countless students, they arrived at the entrance to the Debate Parlor. Standing in their way was a massive Red Wolf, glaring at the intruders with bared fangs, ready to pounce.
Seeing this, Gawain pulled out the Spirit Calling Bell Ranni had given him. For the first time, he summoned the Lone Wolf ashes she had gifted him.
"I choose you. See that Red Wolf? Go get 'em."
The three spectral dogs looked up at the Red Wolf, which was more than ten times their size. They looked at each other, then looked back at their summoner with flat, unimpressed expressions that bordered on resentful.
"Useless. Fine, I'll do it myself."
Gawain sighed. Though he hadn't had time to strengthen these spirits yet, he hadn't expected them to give him that look. These three were about as helpful as huskies. Summoning Asimi felt like a waste for this.
"A Red Wolf, huh? Let me teach you why you shouldn't growl at people."
Recalling some old "dog training" videos he'd seen in another life, he formed a plan.
The Red Wolf of Radagon was clearly incited by Gawain's provocation. With a howl, it lunged forward, a blade of glintstone magic forming in its jaws as it became a "sword-bearing hound."
Then, it was over. In the game, the Red Wolf was a "glass cannon" boss that went down in a few hits; reality was no different.
Augmented by gravity magic, Gawain caught the leaping wolf's head with a burst of strength. He "caressed" it several times with his heavy glintstone staff, sending it tumbling back until it had clearly had its fill of pain.
Seeing the wolf still trying to struggle, he followed up with an instant burst of pyromancy. The searing heat charred the wolf's thick fur, and the Red Wolf of Radagon promptly collapsed, letting out a submissive whine.
"So fragile. I barely even started," Gawain muttered. He turned to the crowd of students. "You there. Yes, you. Get a leash on it. Don't let this biter out until it's properly trained."
He pointed to the nearest student. The boy froze for a second before frantically grabbing a few companions. Together, they gingerly dragged the wolf aside and secured it with heavy iron chains.
Most of the students had heard of Sellen's infamous reputation. However, seeing as their former professors had been turned into "School of Graven Mages" spheres, they weren't in a position to resist.
Especially not against this stranger who was terrifyingly strong. Was that really how you were supposed to use a glintstone staff? Setting aside that minor detail, he had dismantled that fearsome wolf in seconds. Under his cold gaze, everyone became remarkably well-behaved. At the very least, it seemed he wasn't going to start slaughtering apprentices today.
"What are you all staring at? Get back to your rooms and sleep," Gawain barked. "Just because there's been a 'change in management' doesn't mean you get the day off tomorrow. New teachers will arrive soon. Until then, stay in your classrooms for self-study. Understood? If you have questions, ask Master Sellen."
Hearing that their lives weren't in immediate danger, the students breathed a collective sigh of relief, though a low murmur of chatter broke out.
Looking at their expectant faces, Gawain realized he might be being a bit too harsh. He waved a hand dismissively.
"Fine, fine. Each class pick a representative. Report to Master Sellen tomorrow here in the Debate Parlor. I'll give you a pass for tomorrow—stay in your dorms and rest."
The students erupted into enthusiastic applause. Their eyes now held significantly more respect and goodwill for the stranger. Despite the tension, they scurried back to their dorms to gossip about the day the Academy turned upside down.
"Master Sellen, I'll leave the students and the Academy's affairs to you. If possible, try to find a way to suppress those Fallingstar Beasts that have been harassing the Lands Between. I think we'll need it soon."
"Suppressing Fallingstar Beasts? I understand. Leave it to me," Sellen replied. "Go attend to your business. As long as I am here, this Academy will not fall into chaos. Those mages upstairs are an eyesore; I shall clean them up first."
With the resistance purged, Gawain temporarily parted ways with Sellen and headed toward the final and most important destination of his journey: the Grand Library of the Queen of the Full Moon.
He stole a glance toward Melina. He had been waiting for this for a long time. He hoped everything would go smoothly.
Leaving the Debate Parlor, he unsheathed the Sword of Night and Flame. A torrent of glintstone stars and flame shattered an Abductor Virgin that tried to block his path.
As he did this, Ranni finally stirred. She hadn't been interested in the one-sided battles within the Academy, but now she watched the path ahead in silence. At the end of that path lay the Grand Library—and the person she missed more than she dared to admit.
Pushing open the iron gates, Gawain entered a small courtyard. The Grand Library was right in front of him. In front of the lift leading to the Queen's sanctuary stood a solitary figure. It was Moongrum, the Carian Knight—often jokingly called the "richest man in Caria" by travelers.
The loyal knight had heard the chaos inside the Academy, but whatever happened to those sorcerers was no concern of his. His only duty was to prevent anyone from disturbing the Queen's rest.
Sensing a footstep that was strange yet carried a familiar aura, he drew his weapon. Then, he saw a stranger wearing the exact same armor as his own.
Though the armor was stained with blood, Moongrum recognized it instantly. That suit was supposed to be in the Princess's possession. Who was this man, and why was he wearing it?
Moongrum scanned the newcomer, and his gaze fell upon the weapon in Gawain's hand. Understanding dawned on him. He lowered his guard and stepped aside.
Gawain nodded in respect. He held great admiration for such a loyal knight. As he passed, a muffled voice came from behind the visor.
"How is Lady Ranni faring?"
"Rest easy," Gawain replied. "She is well. She simply wishes to see the Queen."
"That is good."
Moongrum said no more, returning to his post with silent resolve.
Gawain stepped onto the lift. With a mechanical groan, it carried him up to the doors of the Grand Library. He pushed them open with one hand. Inside, illuminated by candlelight, were rows upon rows of books—the distilled essence of the Lands Between's greatest hall of knowledge.
In the center of the library, a woman in exquisite robes sat cradling an amber object, floating gently in the air.
She didn't react to the intruder. She simply looked down at the "sweetlings" surrounding her with motherly affection, whispering softly.
"My sweetlings, my robed juveniles... I have prepared so many books and lights for you..."
"Come out and play, my sweetlings... or do you wish to be born anew?"
The apprentices surrounding the Queen all looked identical. One could barely tell them apart. These were the victims of failed rebirth rituals.
Because the process was incomplete—lacking the necessary materials from the Eternal City, specifically the Great Rune and a Larval Tear—the experiments never succeeded. Eventually, whatever reason or logic these students had left had been ground away.
Furthermore, it seemed the ritual used flawed Albinauric technology. Without external stabilization, the students were left with paralyzed legs, forced to crawl across the floor.
It was a pathetic sight, but Gawain knew Rennala's ritual was merciful compared to what he had seen in the Cathedral of the Deep—at least they weren't "grub-men."
Above the Queen hung a mass of dark mist. This was the defensive power Ranni had left behind when she departed the Academy.
Since Ranni herself was here, the defense mechanism didn't trigger. It would have been awkward for Gawain to fight a phantom version of Ranni while the real one watched.
Ranni transformed into a streak of blue light, merging with the dark mist above and reclaiming that substantial portion of her power. Now that her mother's safety was assured, she needed this strength to increase her chances against the Two Fingers.
Soon, the reclamation was complete. Ranni materialized in the air, drifting down to stand before her mother, her expression complex and pained.
Gawain stepped around the crawling students and stood beside Ranni. "How is the Queen's condition?"
Ranni sighed. "Ever since Radagon left, Mother lost her heart. She is trapped in the memories of the past, refusing to wake. She repeats the same actions over and over. I didn't know how to make her come back to us, so before I left, I left that power behind to seal the library. At least this way, her peace would be undisturbed."
Knowing the truth behind the history, Gawain found himself at a loss for words.
He could hardly tell the Queen that Radagon and Marika were the same person—that she hadn't been "cheated on" in the traditional sense, but that her husband had simply run off to have children with himself. He suspected that explanation would only make her lose her mind even faster.
"Enough, let us not waste time," Ranni said, turning to Gawain. "As agreed, give me five of the Larval Tears you found in Nokron. I will give your Maiden a brand-new body. With Mother's Great Rune, we don't need much outside interference. Mother's subconscious will fulfill the 'ideal rebirth' for anyone within the egg. Once your Maiden has experienced it, she will be able to do the same for others, and I won't need to intervene personally. However, the process takes about ten days. If you have anything to say to her, say it now."
"Ten days?" Gawain was taken aback. "I thought it would be instant. Why does it take so long?"
In the game, it was a fade-to-black moment. Even realistically, he figured it would take half a day at most. He'd seen Rosaria's rebirths, and they didn't take nearly that long. And five Larval Tears? That seemed like a steep price.
Ranni gave him a pointed look and explained patiently. "Who exactly do you think you are trying to resurrect? The blood flowing through her is no simple matter. For a normal person, half a day is more than enough—otherwise, Mother wouldn't have so many 'sweetlings' crawling around. But her? To fully reconstruct a physique as unique as hers requires time and materials far beyond the norm. The power in her eyes will subconsciously erode the Larval Tears before they can fully merge, hindering the ritual. Ten days is the most optimistic estimate."
"Alright. Give me a moment."
Gawain stepped back and sat against a pillar. On the other side of the pillar sat Melina—the companion who had been with him almost since the moment he set foot in the Lands Between. They had finally reached this point.
"Melina, do you remember what I told you? I don't want you to be trapped by your mission forever. I want you to live in this world as a whole person."
He paused, then continued, "The time is right. Stay here with the Queen. In ten days, you'll have a body of your own."
Melina didn't answer immediately. She sat with her head bowed, staring at her palms. The burn marks that usually marred them had faded in her spirit form, but she remembered how they felt.
"Thank you for everything you've done on this journey," she said softly. "To have a body again... I think I've forgotten what that feels like. My memories are filled only with the pain of being burned and the mission I must complete. When you told me you would help me regain a body, I did fantasize about it. I felt a small spark of anticipation."
She looked up at him. "But now that the day is here, I find myself wishing this state could last a little longer. To just keep watching you... following your steps as you watch the Lands Between being reborn. That prospect makes me more excited than getting a body ever did. Does that sound selfish? I think... I've become quite reliant on you."
Gawain felt a pang of reluctance at the thought of the constant presence at his side disappearing, even temporarily. But he spoke gently.
"A temporary parting is for a better reunion. It's not like we'll never see each other again. You're still your old self, always talking about your mission. Outside of that mission, you don't seem to know what to do with yourself. That's why I want you to be a whole individual. To find a meaning for your existence beyond your purpose. At the very least, starting today, learn to be a little selfish. Live for yourself."
Melina lowered her head, her body trembling slightly as she fought to suppress her emotions. Finally, she stood up with newfound resolve and walked toward the amber egg in Rennala's arms. With Ranni's guidance, she stepped inside.
As her consciousness drifted into a haze, the Queen felt a new soul enter the Amber Egg. As she always did, she whispered tenderly, "My sweetling, do you wish to be born anew? I shall grant your wish."
However, Rennala paused, sensing something unusual. The aura felt strangely familiar—as if the person she longed for most had returned.
Watching from the side, Gawain felt a surge of nerves. Melina was Marika's daughter, so she naturally carried a scent similar to her mother's. Since Marika and Radagon were one, he worried the Queen might mistake Melina for Radagon.
Fortunately, that didn't happen. After a moment of hesitation, the Queen pulled the egg closer and activated the ritual. The Great Rune of the Unborn began to glow.
Gawain exhaled in relief. He handed the Larval Tears he had prepared in Nokron to Ranni. Luckily, he had brought plenty of spares.
As Ranni placed the five tears into the Amber Egg, the last one perfectly filled the void. Melina's spirit fell into a deep slumber, merging with the silver tears, waiting for the transformation that would grant her a new life.
Gawain watched for a long time before finally pulling himself away. He looked at Ranni, who now looked much stronger after reclaiming her power; it seemed she wouldn't need to sleep as often to conserve energy.
"As we discussed," Gawain said, "let's have Blaidd stay at Stormveil Castle for a while. At least Iji can keep an eye on him so his condition doesn't worsen too quickly. I need to stay at the Academy for a few days to help Master Sellen tie up loose ends. After that, I'll accompany you to deal with that 'Baleful Shadow' of yours."
────────────────────────────────────────
Support me here: https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Elden Ring: In the Name of Ash (229 chapter - Ongoing)
Join the journey and become part of the story!
────────────────────────────────────────