Chapter 99: Regressor

When Deus and his companions were solving the incident at the Elia Convent, the regressor, Aria Rias, who could confidently declare herself as the protagonist of this continent, was in the middle of a somewhat unique adventure.

"Keugh."

In Rometiu Forest, far from the academy. Beyond just being dense, it had a mystical atmosphere; to live up to its reputation, it was also where fairies and nature spirits had lived.

In fact, they were also kind beings who guided lost travelers or warned them of approaching beasts.

Aria sat on a large, round rock, unpacking her belongings.

She leaned the newly acquired greatsword she had brought on the rock, and after doing this, she began to eat the lunch she had prepared.

"Haub."

Looking around, there were only dense trees. Unlike in her previous round when fairies and spirits used to be around, it was now a bit disappointing since they seemed to be afraid of her, keeping their distance.

It would have been nice to have someone to talk to.

Aria filled her stomach, thinking she should have brought some of her old comrades, but she then realized that she wouldn't have been able to come this far if that was the case.

After finishing her meal, she sat absentmindedly, gazing up at the sky which was barely visible through the trees.

Rustle.

Aria tried to reach for her sword at the sound of footsteps coming through the bushes. However...

"Huff!"

Surprisingly, the person who appeared was someone who she already knew.

"Professor Erica?"

"Student Aria?"

It was an unexpected encounter.

They were both surprised, wondering how the other had come to this place.

Aria set down the sword she was holding, and looked at Erica with a subtle expression on her face.

At first, she was taken aback, but then she realized the reason Erica came here.

"Are you here to make a contract with an elemental?"

"...How did you know that?"

Erica, who had been walking through the forest until just now, had now returned to her usual stern expression as a professor.

This irritated Aria because even though it was vacation, Erica still maintained the attitude of a professor outside of the academy.

However, Erica's intention to enhance her skills by forming contracts with elementals during vacation had already been mentioned in the previous round.

But what was important was...

Isn't this too soon?

As far as Aria knew, Professor Erica's growth would have taken more time.

No way...

Feeling a sting at the back of her head, Aria awkwardly twisted the corner of her mouth.

"You're already an expert in light magic. Do you really still need to form a contract with an elemental?"

"That's a separate issue. But more importantly, you haven't answered my question yet."

Erica pressed on with her arms crossed.

"How did you know I came here to form a contract with an elemental?"

The rumor spread among students about Erica being a difficult-to-approach professor wasn't just simple gossip. The forest was peaceful a moment ago, and all of a sudden, it felt as if the temperature had suddenly dropped.

However, her opponent wasn't that simple either, as Aria was a regressor.

Erica's pressure was barely effective; instead, Aria was fidgeting, fighting the urge to swing her sword.

I want to kill her immediately.

Aria, harboring unpleasant emotions, felt an impulsive urge.

Especially since Erica had the title of being Deus' fiancée, Aria felt like her reasoning would snap at any moment.

But Professor wouldn't like it.

Aria clicked her tongue and sighed. Did Erica even know that she had been on the boundary between life and death just now?

"Professor Deus told me about this. He said you'd be good with elementals, Professor Erica."

"...That man told you that too?"

As expected.

She fell for it after just one try.

No wonder she came here this early.

Even though Erica was known to be compatible with spirits, this was too fast. Aria simply thought Deus must have intervened.

Come to think of it, it was also Professor who informed her about it in the last round.

Aria recalled the image of him lying in bed after being discharged from the hospital, and he passionately discussed with those around him, teaching them how to grow.

If she had been alone, she would have closed her eyes and appreciated that moment, but unfortunately, she couldn't do that right now.

"So, what are you doing here?"

Aria deeply frowned at Erica's voice, which broke her reverie. Aria sighed, resting her chin on her hand.

"I'm looking for medicine."

"Medicine?"

"Yes, I heard there's a very good medicine for a Necromancer here."

"...!"

Erica was taken aback by Aria's words, who bluntly let her know her intention. For the first time, her cold expression faltered.

"I'll bring it to Professor Deus. Then he might like me."

With a sly smile, Aria spoke, but this had backfired on her. Erica, whose expression had fallen, quickly regained her composure and declared.

"He is not someone who can be won over with material things."

"Tch."

Exactly.

Although Aria had said this to tease Erica, she was slightly surprised that the latter seemed to have a better understanding of Deus than she had thought.

"What I offer will never change. Wouldn't it be better to have a fresh young girl like me, who brings him healthy medicine, rather than the former fiancée who just sits quietly and doesn't even bring him the annulment letter?"

"...Well, I am still his current fiancée for now."

"That's right. A relationship with Professor that will end as soon as you sign the annulment letter."

Aria hit right at Erica's sore spot. Erica wanted to ask how Aria knew about the annulment letter, but she bit her lip and refrained from doing so.

She had also found it strange that a student like Aria would be so hostile towards her just because of one person, Deus.

"Have you ever met him elsewhere?"

The period Deus stayed at the academy was very short. It was insufficient for Student Aria to harbor such an emotional attachment to him.

"Yes, a long time ago; I had been with Professor for a long time."

It was a significant remark.

Although Erica was curious, she didn't ask any further. She felt that if she stepped even slightly into that area, Aria might pounce on her like a beast.

Swallowing her saliva, Erica nodded and started walking again.

It was the first time she felt uneasy about being with a student, but there was definitely something different about her.

Aria was arguably much more special than Princess Eleanor Luden Griffin, who could be easily considered the most special among the students.

It seemed like she possessed something that made her much more special.

"I won't interfere with you since it's vacation. Just be careful on your own."

Aria watched Erica's back as the latter turned to leave, then she sighed and spoke up.

"Wait a moment. It's dangerous to wander around the forest right now."

"Hm?"

"Some strange creatures are roaming around right now."

Erica's steps halted at those words. Regardless of how Aria knew this information, if that were really true, then as a professor, she had a duty to protect her student.

She closed her eyes and conjured up her golden mana. Although it was to explore the forest, small spirits began to show interest in Erica, approaching her as she did so.

It's annoying.

Aria didn't like to see this sight from Erica. In the end, Erica's cold logic, which had clearly emphasized the distinction between a student and a professor, had annoyed Aria.

After Aria grumbled about unnecessarily warning her, Erica's eyes suddenly flashed open. She proceeded to ask Aria.

"Is there really something there?"

She felt nothing. Not even the friendly spirits had whispered to her of any threats.

At that moment, she wondered if this girl was playing with her.

However, Aria then gestured with her chin.

Soon, two mages in black inverted robes and hoods appeared.

"...!"

It was a shocking situation.

Their distance wasn't that far, but they were able to evade her detection magic.

It meant that they weren't ordinary skilled individuals.

She wasn't sure what their intentions were, but judging by their discreet actions to avoid detection magic, it didn't seem like they had good intentions.

"Aria, hide behind..."

"Dante, right?"

Aria interrupted Erica's words and asked them. However, wondering what was happening, the two mages flinched at Aria's words.

"Dante?"

"It's like an organization for Dark Mages. Step aside for a moment."

Aria, who had been feeling tense, got up from the rock.

"How do you know about us?"

The voice of the man who emerged from the hood was strangely distorted, as if his throat was formed differently from anyone else's.

Aria replied with a smirk to his question.

"Do you really need to know that? Aren't you here to find spirits, too?"

"......"

Although there was no response, Aria could clearly see their intentions. She continued speaking after chuckling.

"You think your objectives are noble and lofty, but in reality, you stink of corpses and roam around like pests."

Despite the insulting language, the two Dark Mages who were affiliated with Dante didn't even flinch.

Such disgrace was nothing to them.

"I know your purpose and I don't intend to stop you. It's disgusting but what you're doing is right."

"We are simply doing the dirtiest deeds for the sake of the continent."

"Yeah, yeah. Do whatever you want. I just wanted to give you a warning."

"......"

Aria's hand gripped on her greatsword. It was the first treasure she obtained during this vacation.

"Do not approach the Soul Whisperer. If you do, I might end up killing everyone related to Dante before anyone realizes who you are. Maggots like you don't have the right to leech off of someone like him."

"Anyone can say those words."

"Well, you can go ahead and try."

Aria glanced menacingly at Dante's Dark Mages, who laughed in disbelief at the idea that she could slit their throats right away.

"We will see who is right."

The sound of swallowing saliva could be heard.

The intimidation emanating from this little girl was beyond the Dark Mages' imagination, so they couldn't help but start to hesitate.

"Well, this was my warning for your leader."

"......?"

Did this girl even know that Dante's Dark Mages were connected to each other?

Even though there couldn't be any traitors in their organization, the girl knew too much, almost to the point of suspicion.

The two Dark Mages were thinking of escaping for now.

However, Aria's greatsword ominously reached out to them.

"I should get Professor's medicine now."

Aria grinned wickedly, beheading the two Dark Mages of Dante.

The two collapsed as if they were crumbling.

After all, there was nothing as beneficial as the soul of a high-ranking Dark Mage for a Necromancer.

"Hehe, would he like this?"

Aria wiped the blood off the sword with a sinister smile.