Episode 8 – “Professor, are you okay now?”
“Of course. I’m fully recovered. It’s been a few days since I was discharged.”
Charles was conversing with them when he thought of the Webs family.
The Webs family was as massive as the Hexen family. His younger brother, Richard Webs, was the owner of the huge Webs upper floor, and his older brother, Luke Webs, was…
‘I see. Luke Webs, the lawyer’s daughter is Rika Webs.’
Charles finally remembered Rika’s name. While it was easy to remember main characters, recalling the families of those main characters was a harder task. Rika had shown a liking towards Charles.
It felt like a stalker fan meeting an idol, so Charles decided to use this opportunity to get closer to Rika Webs.
If they were from the Webs family, the likelihood of them obtaining spiritual power was high. Mystical traits passed down through bloodlines were not easily erased.
‘Rika Webs… Hmm. I think I saw this in a strategy guide.’
Just as there are diverse people in the world, there are also various kinds of players. Even while gaming, Charles had looked at strategies from other people and remembered them.
‘That’s right. After going through a trial, Rika Webs almost always awakens as a spiritualist.’
What constitutes a trial could vary. It might involve a significant mental shock or getting entangled in matters of the secret world leading to seeing things that weren’t meant to be seen. Sometimes, seeing such talented people made him want to recruit them.
After getting a bit closer, if he got lucky, he might even be able to draw her into the cult.
Just then, a few boys appeared from between the girls Charles was talking to. They had the fresh faces of recent college students. One boy stood out in front of them, noticeably taller than the rest.
He seemed to be over 190cm tall and his whole body was muscular. Anyone could tell by looking at his face that he clearly had the demeanor of a rugby player, despite his baby face.
“Hey, who’s this leech? Is he a senior?”
Rika Webs frowned at his words. So did the other girls. There’s always someone who spoils a good time.
“Peter. Don’t talk to the professor that way.”
“Huh? Professor?”
Despite knowing the truth, Peter acted brashly and rudely. Even just by looking, Charles could understand why this Peter was acting that way. He had feelings for Rika Webs.
He was extremely wary of Charles, towards whom Rika was showing a favorable attitude. Charles appeared young enough not to look much different in age from them.
When Charles smirked, Paginar Recorr spoke up.
-Master, should I kill him?
-What?
-No, just kill him, Master!
Charles was slightly taken aback. The entity calling him “Master,” who usually never said anything, was now firing off.
-Grrr. How dare he provoke us? Tear him limb from limb and throw his corpse to the dogs!
-Calm down. He’s just a kid.
Paginar Recorr’s tone, reminiscent of a high school bully, was foaming at the mouth and flipping its eyes if left unchecked. Even though it appeared pretty, its personality was unmistakably that of a demonic book.
But if Charles did such a crazy thing, he’d be arrested as a lunatic murderer, so he calmly stood up from his chair and spoke.
“What department are you in?”
“Why do you care?”
Peter approached Charles imposingly. When Peter condescendingly looked down on him, Charles smiled again.
“I’m worried that someone as rude as you might also be rude to your professor. That professor might be shocked by your insolent behavior, so I thought I should warn them in advance.”
“……”
Peter’s expression turned slightly pale. Charles’ words carried an unusual strength. His imposing demeanor wouldn’t help the situation at all. Charles’ demeanor was too relaxed.
Peter realized what he had done. He was threatening a professor. Even though he was from a different department, this wasn’t a smart choice.
Peter took two steps back and bowed his head.
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Acting impulsively is something you should leave behind before adulthood. I advise you to behave rationally from now on.”
“I’m sorry. I apologize for my rudeness.”
When Charles nodded, Peter left with his gang. The girls, including Rika, looked at Charles with even more adoration.
Paginar Recorr complained.
-Why didn’t you kill him?
-Stop talking about killing. This is a sacred university.
-But the previous masters all killed anyone who provoked them?
-But I’m not that kind of psychopath.
-Hmph.
-You need to act maturely, right?
-Hmph, fine.
“See you in the next class.”
“Yes, professor!”
As Charles was chatting with the girls, lunchtime had ended, so he said his farewells. Charles decided to leave the university and look after his afternoon schedule. Then Charles paused.
His eyes scanned the path next to the park. The university was quiet now that lunch was over. And there was something on that quiet path.
It sat atop a newly-installed streetlight. Its form was indistinguishable, but it felt like an eyeball floating in the air. It was observing its surroundings.
Charles continued walking without any reaction. As he walked past, the eye continued to follow and watch him. It didn’t attack but only continued to observe.
When Charles walked to a place where it was out of sight, he relaxed.
-Did you see that?
-Yes. It seemed like a familiar.
-Whoever it is, it seems there’s a sorcerer within the university causing trouble.
A familiar is a servant of the sorcerer. Such monsters typically roamed the lower realms. Doing this in broad daylight was quite bold.
‘There are differences from the game.’
In this game, usually, nothing happens for a few days after it begins. From the day it starts, the leaders of the cult, except for the unnamed cult, all receive ‘seeds.’
The effect of the seeds of divinity that Charles had was similar. Once they received it, their powers amplified, and they received powerful blessings from the god they served, which they had never seen before.
After receiving the seed, they fell into a coma, and even after waking up, their personalities might change, or they could turn into monsters. It was a dangerous ritual that only the cult leaders, who were strong spiritualists, dared to undergo.
Most of the cult leaders would still be in comas after swallowing their seeds. Normally, this was not a time for anyone to act yet.
Things might be unfolding faster than Charles had predicted. Charles realized he couldn’t completely trust what he believed.
‘The Puppeteer, the suddenly appearing familiar within the university, unusual incidents happening simultaneously…’
Charles decided not to blindly trust his knowledge but not dismiss it either. The major events were mostly aligning. Leaving the university behind, Charles moved.
‘I need to head to the Oracle Auction House.’
Charles was a sorcerer. Sorcerers were also called preparers. They enhanced themselves through all sorts of bizarre items, including magical tools, created barriers, and obtained materials for spells.
But all the materials he had before the prologue were used for transactions, so now it was time to refill his empty warehouse.
Bonnie was waiting in front of the school gate. Charles got on the carriage and said.
“To Linz Street.”
“East, you say. Got it.”
Bonnie nodded and drove the horses to fulfill his master’s orders. He was an excellent coachman who had been in the area for a long time and knew the streets of the city well.
* * *
In a sense, Charles’ actions catalyzed something. It began with Peter and his gang. Peter, frowning, went to the backyard, took out some marijuana from his friends, and smoked it.
Getting caught doing something illegal like this at such a prestigious school as Mistweaver University would definitely get you suspended, but it was okay as long as you didn’t get caught.
“Who the hell is that guy?”
“Saw him briefly at the start of the semester. Supposedly some archaeology professor. Also heard he’s pretty rich.”
“Just consider yourself bitten by a dog.”
“Just thinking about it pisses me off. I’d like to smack him around when he’s alone, but I saw him riding a handsome carriage.”
Peter took a puff of his joint. The marijuana smoke made his body feel relaxed but cleared his mind.
He had looked up this guy named Charles Hexen, and the name Hexen was quite famous. Right now, he had no openings.
But, if the chance arose, he planned to beat him up badly. While he was contemplating this, he saw someone entering the back alley. It was one of his gang members who had been keeping watch.
But that guy was dragging someone by the collar. Peter squinted his eyes and smiled wickedly.
“Hey? Isn’t that Dalloway, the nerd? Wayne, where’d you find him?”
“Was keeping watch, and he walked right past.”
“W-wait. Let me go. I was just passing by.”
The big guy, Wayne, grinned at Peter and the gang as he dragged Dalloway along. Peter had a look as if his stress was relieved.
“Ah, just what I needed. Take it out on him.”
Shortly after, Dalloway, bloodied and bruised, began searching for his glasses. His lips were busted, and he had lost his wallet.
“Thanks for the contribution.”
“Remember, if you snitch, you’re done. Don’t forget your dad works for our company. One word from me, and you’re finished.”
Peter grinned malevolently. As the gang laughed, they passed by Dalloway. He, shattered and broken, barely picked up his scattered glasses and stood on trembling legs.
‘Bastards. Peter, Glen, Wayne…!’
Even back in high school, Peter’s gang were the main culprits who bullied him. Dalloway rejoiced when he was accepted into the prestigious Mistweaver University. He believed he’d finally be free from them.
But right after enrolling with his hard-earned tuition, he heard the thunderous news. Peter’s gang was also coming to Mistweaver University.
Unfortunately, Peter’s gang parents were wealthy individuals who had used their money to get their kids into Mistweaver University.
‘I will never forgive them. I want revenge.’
With fury, Dalloway swallowed his resentment. Now wasn’t the time. After a few more days, he’d be able to master it completely.
Then, Dalloway thought of that man.
He said he could change his destiny and handed him a book. Dalloway took out the book from his bag. Its purple cover looked suspicious.
[The Book of Aranea]
Peter’s gang didn’t care about books, so it remained untouched in his bag. He blew his nose, getting rid of the blood, and headed for his dormitory next to the administrative building without visiting the hospital.
As soon as he returned to his dorm, Dalloway opened the book straightaway. At first, he thought it was some kind of weird third-rate novel, but it was a very systematic and bizarre occult book. It took him quite some time to study it.
Dalloway reminisced about the dreadful spells written in the book. They seemed absurd, but he believed there was a possibility. The eerie vibe emanating from the book solidified his resolve.
‘The materials are somewhat hard to find. But it’s worth a try.’
Dalloway held the book tightly.
