There she was again—entering the door. This time, the buried loneliness seemed to fade every time I laid my eyes on her.
I see...
Luden must've had a thing for her. That's the only explanation...
The door to the room opened softly. She was carrying a couple of items with her: one black sling bag... and that's pretty much it.
I expected more.
"Lud, here's your bag. I fitted almost all your stuff in there," she said.
I took the sling bag from her—it did not weigh at all.
Luden doesn't have much belongings it seems.
"Here, I can't believe you left this." The girl pulled something out. I didn't even see where she got it from. Probably her pocket.
My eyes were immediately drawn to the item she was carrying. It was a wand—or at least, close to resembling one.
At first glance, it looked more like an oddly shaped fountain pen, but my instincts told me it was definitely a wand.
I carefully took it from her hand. A part of me was screaming to secure it, to take care of it with my life.
"Thankfully, no one tried stealing it. It would've been a disaster if you lost it..." she said.
With just a touch against my skin, I felt euphoric... How come I didn't saw this when I woke up?
But I had to control my reactions—the girl's expression toward me was rather concerning.
(The girl: "Luden... Why do you look so amazed at something you've owned your entire life?")
"Thank you so much," I replied, setting the sling bag on the table while firmly holding the wand in my right hand.
(The girl: "He hasn't mentioned my name once... We always call each other by name.")
"Also... Lud, that black formal outfit looks good on you."
"Yes, it's a wonderful gift," I said, assuming it was for a birthday.
"I'm glad you like it. So... you look freshly bathed—"
She didn't deny that it was for Luden's birthday, but there was something else I couldn't ignore...
"Yes. I am freshly bathed," I delivered proudly.
..."My towel... why is it—wet?"
I had no excuse.
"I... apologize."
She chuckled. "It's fine! It's just a piece of cloth. I can always wash it..."
She looked exhausted. It hit me then, she must've cleaned up all the shattered mirror pieces herself… along with the rest of the mess I left in the waiting room.
"Hey, thanks for cleaning up my mess. I should've helped you when I had the chance," I said, feeling a hint of guilt for letting her handle it all on her own.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise as if she were speaking to someone she didn't recognize. "D-Don't mention it! It was pretty easy!"
I knew I was acting out of character...
But still...
"That's very kind of you," I said. "Is there something I need to do now? Aren't I supposed to speak with the king?"
"Hmmm, well—our school is right next to the castle. So once we're ready, we can just go. We'll be escorted."
I didn't even look like a student. I wasn't in uniform. I did seem like someone who just... arrived recently.
"Are we going now?" I asked.
"Yeah! Wait—no! In a few minutes. I still have to tell the principal we're leaving, so just wait here, okay?"
..."Understood—"
She left again… and I still didn't get the chance to ask her name.
I turned my attention elsewhere.
These were Luden's belongings. Rummaging through the black sling bag on the table, I found a couple of items:
1. The papers, one of the first things I saw when I woke up. Upon closer inspection, the red ink in the writing was intriguing, but I couldn't understand a word of it.
Still, something caught my eye deeper in the bag. I'll set the papers aside for now...
2. A leather wallet. Opening it, I found what I assumed was gild, ten of them. I couldn't tell whether that was considered poor or wealthy, since I had no understanding of this world's currency.
Sigh.
I should know that.
3. And there they were, the three vials: one blue, two empty. Didn't I... drink the green vial with poison, then the clear one that cured me?
So Luden really did try to commit suicide?
I shook my head, not wanting to dwell on that thought.
Because right now, in my hand, was this magnificent-looking wand...
---
» [SYSTEM]: Scanning...
» Item Name: Wand of Elegy
» Rarity: Mythical (Tier 5)
» Arts Power: 300
» Durability: 20/20
» Special Effect: Inflicts [Necrosis] on hit.
[Necrosis]:
— Fills gauge with 50 Elemental Affliction per hit.
— At 100 Affliction, triggers:
· SP Drain (20)
· [Enfeeble] – Lowers target's ATK by 50%
· [True Damage]: 1,000 DOT (Damage Over Time)
· Duration: 15 seconds. Once afflicted with [Necrosis], the target cannot be afflicted again until the current instance expires.
» Attack Type: Single Shot.
» SP Cost Per Shot: 5
» Can spend additional SP to increase AP damage by 5% per instance, up to a maximum of 5 stacks (25% total bonus).
» [MODULE]: N/A
» [CURSED]: Only those walking in the afterlife can hold this wand. If the living ever touch it, they'll be inflicted with full [Necrosis].
» [NOTE]: Tier 1: Common → Tier 2: Uncommon → Tier 3: Rare → Tier 4: Heroic → Tier 5: Mythical → Tier 6: Legendary.
---
The wand had an ominous name... and it was high in rarity. It makes me question, how in hell did Luden get his hands on this?
It does too many good things at once. Most notably, the true damage, it will always deal 1,000 no matter who it hits...
Cuts the ATK by half? That's Incredibly overpowered, on top of the SP drain that will prevent someone from using their skills... effectively making them useless...
But it had its downsides. That low durability, it's not good in prolonged fights. I must use another wand and save this for special enemies. And while its elemental affliction is high, I'm quite sure some creatures can resist that...
And the curse...
...that explains why it wasn't stolen.
Nonetheless, I love this wand.
---
» [NOTE]: Player... I believe this wand was stolen by Luden.
How can you tell that?
» Every time you look at this wand, there's a spike in Luden's brainwaves, indicating heightened attention or an emotional response. It suggests that he stole it.
Interesting... but from where?
» From some sort of... family treasury.
---
Luden's family...
A family of Banshees, and it seems he's the only one who ever saved a human...
Why would you save a human, Luden?
I should never let go of this wand.
---
But then I remembered the Blasphemy Crest.
I looked at the back of my right hand...
There was... nothing.
He didn't have one.
And yet, the girl claimed Luden was capable of wiping out an entire group of ghouls—even if it was with this wand.
How did Luden save her?
» [NOTICE]: Luden seemed to rely heavily on this wand, and it's unknown why, despite being a Banshee: he never manifested a Blasphemy Crest.
» [THEORY]: He rejected obtaining the Blasphemy Crest...
...Why would he reject a Blasphemy Crest?
...It makes no logical sense. It has zero downsides...
And yet, it's concerning... I can't recall how I manifested my Blasphemy Crest on my past cycles...
How will I manifest it in this cycle...
---
» [SYSTEM]: Player, this place seems to be a school for unlocking Blasphemy Crests. May you look at the girl's uniform? It may trigger more brainwaves that might prove useful.
Very well. I went over to her closet, picked up one of her uniforms, and stared at the school logo. It was a phoenix, and it had the name: Orlan University... Phoenix Branch...
» Deciphering Brainwaves...
» Complete—
» [SYSTEM]: Player, this school is indeed the place where you may unlock the Blasphemy Crest. There's a repeated word in Luden's hidden brainwaves—it was the word: Ascendant Trial.
...Ascendant Trial...
...So familiar, yet so vague...
» [SUGGESTION]: The audience with the king might work in your favor, Player. Convince him to let you attempt this Ascendant Trial.
That's a... rather difficult task. And based on the reactions of the people at this university, I'll be surprised if the king even tolerates me!
Well then... we'll just have to see...
---
» [SYSTEM]: Additional information retrieved via brainwave scan...
» Source: Triggered by visual contact with the wand.
Go on... I'm listening...
» [NOTICE]: The wand possesses further properties that I can't decipher...
» Items above Heroic tier have special abilities, and Mythical or higher possess even stronger powers that only reveal themselves once specific conditions are met.
» Perhaps discovering that condition will unlock the wand's full potential...
» It could greatly aid you when climbing the Tower.
---
The original Luden must've known this wand's full potential.
If the girl's story is right, it's capable of wiping out ghouls.
System... if I transmigrated into this body and technically own it now, why can't I remember all of its memories?
Will you at least tell me that?
---
» [SYSTEM]: Yes...
» Luden's soul was suppressed and is still lingering within you.
» Player, I must warn you: do not let your sanity drop below critical levels—it may give the original Luden's soul a chance to retaliate...
...What am I supposed to say to that?
The man I stole from is still inside me, probably watching my every move. And with one wrong step, he could take over...
What an uneasy, uncomfortable, and downright dreadful situation.
Tell me...
Is there a way to completely eliminate him?
» [SYSTEM]: No...
» [SYSTEM]: Player, forgive me—I don't recall ever placing you into this body. And Luden's soul appears to be deeply hard-coded into it.
What...
You didn't put me here? But how?!
» Apologies. I don't know. You were supposed to create a custom character at the start of each cycle... and yet here you are, inside this one.
So you're telling me...
That this could've been avoided if you had just done your job properly?
» [SYSTEM]: ...
Not a response.
I felt anger. I didn't know what to do, I needed to calm myself down. I was still holding the girl's uniform, and then—
---
The door creaked open...
It was the girl, this time with a weary look on her face.
"Lud... why are you... holding my uniform?"
...Shit...
"Oh? This? I was just curious about your school, and I wanted to find out its name. And to be honest, it's such a sick uniform, I wouldn't mind wearing one someday!"
"Huh." The girl was amused but not convinced.
"You were so against it last week. What's with the change of heart?"
...Tch...
...Not good...
..Not good at all...
"Well, people change opinions! And being here, I guess... I've begun to love it!" I kept throwing out reason after reason, hoping something would stick.
---
"Hmmm..." The girl seemed to be thinking about something, and I could hear my heart pounding from the nervousness...
"Well, that makes things a lot easier, if you're finally interested in the school, then I shouldn't complain," she said.
I felt relieved that she let me go...
"Anyway, we don't have much time, I got the permission, and our escort is here. Don't panic, Lud... they won't hurt you."
"What?—"
Did she just say they won't hurt me?!
...Who?!
But behind her, they crept into view: three robed figures in gold and red, each wearing a mask adorned with ceremonial designs.
» [NOTICE]: These figures are estimated at E1.
» You are massively outmatched. Please refrain from any hostile action—they can eliminate you effortlessly.
What the... Fuck...
That sounds great!
"We're ready now," the girl alerted them. One of them leaned in and whispered something in her ear, I couldn't quite make it out.
The girl gestured for me to stand, and I had no choice but to follow, slinging the bag over my shoulder and keeping the wand in my hand, a natural reflex.
The three escorts noticed. One of them subtly tilted his head, gaze on the wand, he was warning me.
Tch... This situation wasn't ideal. I hid the wand in my pocket for safety and maybe that would calm them down.
But then the girl spoke. "Don't worry," she said to them.
"He won't do any harm, I can assure you."
The robed figures didn't respond, but their posture eased.
She turned to me. "Everything's been arranged. The King has cleared his schedule to see you."
"We'll head to the castle now."
---
The King himself...
The most important figure, about to speak with a mere Banshee.
"Was he expecting me?" I asked.
"Of course. He's been wanting to meet you, Lud, the Banshee who saved me... and more importantly, the only male one."
I knew it. Being a male Banshee was definitely rare...
Do I have a father or not?
We descended the second floor. The three escorts flanked us as if they were escorting a notorious criminal.
As we moved through the halls of the university, students parted. Some stared in curiosity while others in disgust.
I ignored them...
---
"Rayleigh... Is that the banshee you always talk to me about?" a girl came closer as we walked. She wore the same black-red formal blazer, had striking pink hair, and the eyes of the deepest hue of rose quartz.
Also... Rayleigh...
That's her name?!
"Yes! Adelaide, this is Luden!" Rayleigh began to introduce me, but I got the sense that Adelaide wasn't too thrilled about having me around.
"He won't... suck your soul or make you go insane... right?" Adelaide asked warily, looking me over from head to toe.
"I'm not capable of such a thing," I replied quickly and Rayleigh immediately backed me up with a nod.
I'm not sure of my answer...
But I'm pretty sure I can.
Still... that's none of my problem.
"Hmmm. Interesting," Adelaide muttered, then glanced at one of the robed escorts.
"Apologies for taking your time."
The robed figures remained silent, but each gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
"He's harmless. You have my word," Rayleigh reassured.
"We'll see..." Adelaide said. "Go on, then. Can't keep the King waiting..."
Rayleigh looked nervous... as if even she wasn't entirely confident herself with the audience with the king...
But then I remembered my true objective.
...The Ascendant Trial...
Chapter End...