Chapter 151: Their Own Paths

"She is a beautiful woman wearing a dark-colored robe, with a curvy figure."

Even though the last lecture of the semester had ended, students still gathered in the main auditorium—staring at me standing at the podium.

Today, I deliberately took some extra time to give students an opportunity to provide an answer regarding the appearance of the Dark Spiritualist.

Although everyone eagerly rushed for the Millennium Library pass, a valuable item that would be hard to obtain during their student days, they all failed.

When even Aria and Eleanor failed, they judged that there was practically no correct answer.

However, a noble male student who had been buying information about the Dark Spiritualist using the other students' chances stepped forward and gave quite an accurate answer.

[Oh, has someone finally succeeded?]

The Dark Spiritualist beside me nodded as she stared at the boy who was describing her.

"She is shorter than Professor and her figure is not particularly large. She is an average adult woman."

I listened quietly without saying it was wrong, and exclamations flowed from the other students.

Certainly, so far, everything was correct.

"Her eyes are violet, and her skin is pale, as if she hasn't seen the sun for a long time."

"Hmm."

"What do you think so far?"

The boy thought he had guessed everything correctly since he had said a lot. I slowly nodded.

However, there was still one more thing he hadn't mentioned.

"There is one more thing left to describe."

"...Pardon?"

The male student was flustered by my inquiry. Although it was not the direction I wanted him to take, his efforts to find out about the appearance of the Dark Spiritualist were quite commendable.

Even though he used this method, I could see he had put all his resources and passion into it, so I didn't feel reluctant to give him a reward.

However, shouldn't the answer be accurate first?

"When you see the Dark Spiritualist, there is something that stands out the most. You haven't described that yet."

"Something that stands out?"

"Yes."

"..."

The male student shut his lips tightly. With an expression showing injustice, he clenched his fists and shouted.

"Isn't this enough?! Isn't it just because you don't like the method I used to get this information?"

The boy realized that he had failed and exclaimed. I could understand why he was angry since he spent quite a lot of money on the other students to gather information regarding the Dark Spiritualist, treating them as disposable pawns.

However, doubting my fairness was not something I could overlook.

"That is not the reason. I knew from the very beginning that you were paying other students to acquire information to deduce the Dark Spiritualist's appearance."

[That's right. We already knew that from the beginning.]

The Dark Spiritualist beside me verbally agreed even though apart from me, no one else couldn't hear her.

I then added reluctantly.

"That is also part of your own ability, so I will allow it. But the answer cannot be wrong."

Step.

My footsteps echoed throughout the main auditorium. After a few steps, I looked at the boy in front of me.

"What is her most distinctive characteristic that you cannot miss when you first see her?"

"..."

A sharp silence followed after I asked that.

When the sweat dripping from the boy's forehead reached his chin, he finally tightly closed his eyes and responded.

"I don't know."

"Alright, what is your name?"

"...It's Leighton Herrlich."

The Herrlich Household.

They maintained a close relationship with the Royal Family.

"Alright, Leighton. Nevertheless, you managed to come up with the closest answer, so I will give you some extra credit."

"Thank... you."

He had a somewhat unsatisfied expression due to the result he obtained. However, I immediately lowered a string of hope.

"Since no student managed to guess the appearance of the Dark Spiritualist, the owner of the Millennium Library pass is still vacant. Instead, I will give it to the top student in my class."

"...!"

The students murmured among themselves while Leighton suddenly lifted his head, looking at me intently.

Naturally, with the additional points he received, he now held the most advantageous position for the prize.

Since the opportunity to get the pass was not yet over, the students' competitive spirit was reignited.

It was one of the methods Erica had suggested to boost the students' motivation.

"Um, Professor. Could you tell us the last distinctive characteristic?"

Leighton, who had quickly turned more friendly towards me, cautiously asked.

Well, since he wouldn't be able to use the same method next time, I extended my hand towards the Dark Spiritualist.

"Grab it."

[Huh?]

The Dark Spiritualist looked puzzled. However, she first decided to slowly reach out towards me to see. When our hands overlapped, my mana flowed to her, and the semi-transparent Dark Spiritualist gradually began to gain color.

The phenomenon was followed by exclamations.

"Wooooow!"

"What is this?! Woah! This is amazing!"

"Does Professor hang out with such a person?"

"You're my ideal type, Big Sis!"

Using my mana, I let the Dark Spiritualist's appearance be visible. The surprised Dark Spiritualist looked around and pointed to herself.

[Can you all... see me?]

"They cannot hear your voice."

The Dark Spiritualist looked at me with a bewildered expression; I immediately let go of her hand and the mana surrounding her dispersed, making her appearance disappear.

Amidst the disappointed students' laments, I turned to look at Leighton.

"So, what did you miss?"

In response to my question, Leighton made an incredulous expression and declared his defeat.

"I never imagined that she would have a veil covering the lower half of her face."

Right?

Whenever anyone saw the Dark Spiritualist, the first thing they would notice was the semi-transparent black veil that covered everything below her eyes.

Therefore, since he didn't mention that, the answer couldn't be considered correct.

"Well then, that is the end of today's lecture. Work hard for your final exam preparations."

I descended the platform of the auditorium. They would probably study hard since I had thrown them quite the tempting bait for their upcoming final exam.

For the top-performing students, this was a much more realistic goal than guessing the appearance of the Dark Spiritualist.

After we stepped out of the main auditorium, the Dark Spiritualist immediately popped her head out beside me.

[How did you do that just now?]

She widened her eyes as if she couldn't believe what had just happened.

"I simply projected the appearance of your soul using mana. I took inspiration from illusion magic."

In Necromancy, there was magic related to illusions, although it was usually used in more aggressive forms.

I broke that mold and made it possible for others to see her soul.

It was similar to coloring a picture that was previously only outlined.

"It is quite challenging and consumes a lot of mana, so I cannot sustain the magic for long periods. Additionally, I was unable to let you make any noise."

Even though I had mentioned several inconveniences related to the magic, the Dark Spiritualist still stared at me with her mouth hanging open.

[You are... truly amazing.]

However, the Dark Spiritualist's words trailed off as if she was thinking about something. Strangely, it bothered me, causing me to furrow my forehead as I stared at her.

"Master Bastard!"

Beyond her transparent figure was Findenai. But my gaze naturally followed the sight of the Dark Spiritualist leaving.

However, Findenai's strong presence had already caught many people's attention.

"...What is going on?"

I looked at Findenai, wondering if something had just happened, but she spoke boisterously.

"Was that the Dark Spiritualist just now? It's the first time I've seen her myself. Wow, that's insane."

"..."

"I was wondering why you, Master Bastard, have no interest in women. It turns out you have another pouch right by your side. On top of that, it's almost as big as Fel's tit—"

"Enough."

After I warned Findenai with a sigh, she then giggled and nodded.

"Sorry, I just didn't expect that she would look like that."

As Findenai neatly finished her sentence, I felt another small doubt in me emanate towards her.

The unease that arose in my chest because of the Dark Spiritualist grew even more at the sight of Findenai.

"Do you have something to say?"

Approaching me boisterously and using this method to break the tension was Findenai's specialty.

She awkwardly scratched the back of her head, feeling as if she was caught red-handed.

"Why do you read other people's minds without permission?"

When Erica brought the cake, Findenai had briefly stepped away from her job. Perhaps it was from that moment that she seemed somewhat different than usual.

She probably thought she was hiding it well. However, perhaps because I had known Findenai for a long time, I could easily notice the change.

"Well, you see, lately, I couldn't contact the informant I left in Clark Republic."

"..."

"It's not just people from our side; I also hear nothing from the other resistances."

"So, what are you saying?"

I asked sharply, pressing her to get to the point, which was unlike me. Looking surprised with her eyes slightly trembling, Findenai then laughed like usual.

"After all, you have to visit your fiancée's household for the family meeting this time, right? Uh, I thought... maybe... I could temporarily return to that place."

"No, you cannot."

"...What?"

Findenai reacted with bewilderment at my resolute answer. It seemed that she hadn't expected me to reply so sharply.

However, I felt the same way.

I hadn't expected myself to show such a prompt reaction either. My emotions fluctuated as I recalled Findenai's state after her brief visit to the Clark Republic.

If the Mountain Lord hadn't been there, she would've died.

"I have already let you return there once. Do not forget our contract, Findenai."

"Ah, I know, I know. However, it's not like I'm really needed at the family meeting, right? I don't think I have to be present. After all, Illuania and Owen will also be there."

Findenai shrugged awkwardly. Seeing her unusually stubborn attitude, I felt unease once again. So I asked her.

"What is the problem?"

"...Huh?"

"Tell me. Seeing you act so stubborn, there must be a reason why you absolutely have to return."

"..."

Findenai kept her lips sealed tight.

There was no sign of hesitation; she showed a firm resolve to never tell me.

"Speak."

"I won't."

"...Speak."

"I'm sorry, Master Bastard, but I definitely won't tell you anything about it. Because this is our own problem."

"..."

The 'our own' excluded me.

It was a clearly drawn line.

The atmosphere grew heavier.

In the silence, Findenai suddenly burst into laughter and spoke loudly.

"Damn, fine, I got it. I'm not going. I won't go. Jeez, Master Bastard really can't do anything without me."

"..."

"I'll light one last cigarette, please allow that at least."

As Findenai spoke, her departing figure and slumped shoulders looked unusually heavy today.

***

"Sssssp."

Puff.

White smoke billowed out.

Now, there were only about eight cigarettes left in the case Master Bastard gave her.

"It really tastes good."

Findenai looked at the cigarette dangling between her fingers with a bitter smile.

Normally, upon seeing a cigarette, she would want to light it immediately, but strangely, she wanted to cherish this one.

Perhaps it was because Master Bastard gave it to her. That was why she unconsciously treasured it.

Sssssp.

Puff.

Once again, she exhaled the cigarette smoke.

Leaning against the wall in an alleyway, Findenai slowly gazed up at the sky.

The sky could only be seen through the slight gap between the buildings.

If she had been born in this place and had only seen this kind of sky, perhaps she would have thought the sky was only long and narrow.

Just like I did.

For her, life was a struggle. She had never experienced freedom, so its meaning was ambiguous to her. However, because everyone else yearned for it, she, too, started fighting for freedom.

And now, she had come to truly know what freedom was.

What she had experienced so far was, in fact, something that couldn't be called living.

Struggle that couldn't be called a life.

"Puff."

Her contact with all the resistance in the Clark Republic had been cut off.

Well, it was a familiar occurrence.

Due to Doberman's meeting last time, many resistance leaders were caught, so she didn't care much if one or two more were caught.

However, the most important thing was the orphanage where she had entrusted the surviving children before she and the Scrapyard Nomads had crossed the Norseweden Mountain Range.

She had lost contact with them.

Perhaps the extermination units had finally rushed into that place.

"I'm sorry, Master Bastard."

Because if I told you, you would surely try to help me.

You'd leave behind all your important tasks to follow me.

Even if that was not the case.

If she told the truth and he still didn't let her go, it would only instill an unbearable guilt within her, making her feel like she had abandoned the children.

That was why she couldn't tell him this.

She didn't want to burden the man, who was already shouldering so much, with another burden like herself.

- At that time, I will be the one to lend you a hand.

The words he said during Loberne's summer festival echoed in her ears. She remembered feeling so relieved that she could barely hold back from impulsively accepting that offer.

Ssk.

As if it was instinctive, she took out a photo from her front pocket.

It was a picture she had once forced him to take. His face was as expressionless as usual, but because of the drawing on the wall behind him, it looked like wings were sprouting from his back.

A photographer took it for him when they wandered around the city of artists, Claren.

Deus had Findenai's picture and vice versa, Deus' picture was with Findenai.

It was a secret, but Findenai occasionally looked at this picture. She secretly carried it on her person without anyone knowing.

She didn't even know why she did it.

However, she simply felt like she wanted to do so.

"Huff."

Having smoked the entire cigarette while blankly looking at the picture, Findenai finally dropped the cigarette butt to the ground.

She placed the picture back in her pocket before stepping on the cigarette Deus Verdi had given her as a gift, exiting the narrow alleyway.