NOVPUB“Mmm...”
Lying in her dormitory bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, Rine kept tossing and turning.
Even when she closed her eyes, sleep wouldn’t come.
Part of it was because it was still a bit early, but mostly, her heart was a little unsettled.
‘So Professor Ludger finally chose an assistant.’
There was nothing strange about it. A man of Ludger’s caliber had no reason not to recruit an assistant.
Still... she couldn’t help feeling a small sting of disappointment that the position hadn’t gone to her.
But that wasn’t what had been occupying her mind the most.
‘The book about non-attributed mana...’
Rine picked up the book resting at her bedside and opened it while lying down.
Inside were detailed writings about non-attributed mana.
It covered the difficulties she’d experienced casting spells until now, and even situations she hadn’t consciously noticed.
The book was filled with insight from someone who had lived through exactly those kinds of experiences.
For Rine, who had struggled all her life with the inconvenience of having no elemental attribute, this book was more valuable than gold.
‘No matter how many times I read it, it sinks deeper into my heart. Why did Professor Ludger give this to me so willingly? And where did he get it?’
She might’ve been clueless when it came to magic, but she wasn’t so naïve as to be unaware of the book’s worth.
Its value was clear—no, not just high. Astronomical.
Just handing it over to the Mage Tower could’ve earned someone a lifetime of wealth and fame.
But Ludger hadn’t done that.
He claimed he hadn’t written it himself and simply said it belonged with the right person.
‘Then who could’ve written it?’
Every time Rine opened this book, she was overcome by a strange feeling.
The author never revealed their name. Nor did they explain why they wrote it.
Anonymous.
No matter how she searched, there was no clue to the writer’s identity.
‘But... I just can’t believe this was written by a total stranger.’
It was just intuition.
But whenever Rine saw the handwriting in the book, her chest tightened.
A mysterious sense of familiarity and longing lingered in the writing. Even a sorrow that weighed down her heart.
She couldn’t understand why she felt this way.
‘It’s strange. I really don’t know what’s happening to me.’
In the end, she had no choice but to shut the book.
“Ugh! Instead of thinking about this weird stuff, I should just sleep!”
Rine yanked her blanket over her head.
But even then, sleep didn’t come easily. She ended up squirming and tossing for hours.
* * *
I had traveled the continent for years, constantly changing identities.
Sometimes a mercenary.
Sometimes a hunter.
Sometimes a criminal consultant.
And sometimes—other things.
I’d roamed the world, hiding my true self for one reason alone.
‘Relics.’
In a mysterious world where magic exists, these ancient artifacts contain unmatched power and enigma.
I’ve been chasing after fragments of a relic—one that I already partially possess.
Night had fallen completely, stars now blanketing the sky.
I sat by the window of my quarters, bathed in moonlight, quietly resting in a chair.
‘I came to the Empire after hearing a relic was here, but to think there’s another one at Seorn...’
It felt like an unexpected bonus.
Of course, I didn’t believe that the relic I was seeking and the <Philosopher’s Stone> at Seorn were the same.
Relics vary by type. Though all are called “relics,” their effects and functions are often completely different.
Still, for a relic to be rumored as a “wish-granting stone,” there had to be some truth behind it.
‘I don’t need to claim the Philosopher’s Stone for myself... but if I can use it to track the relic shards I am searching for—’
This was an opportunity.
Relics were so rare that wanting one didn’t mean you could find one.
Even after all «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» my years wandering the continent, meeting countless people, facing endless events—
I’ve only acquired three fragments, including this one.
‘Judging by the size and shape of the pieces, four more remain.’
Seven shards in total. Only by gathering them all could the relic be complete.
‘And if I manage that... then surely—’
I silently stared at the “first shard” held in my hand.
When I’d first obtained it—pure coincidence piled on top of more coincidence.
The final lingering power within this relic fragment had shown me a miracle.
If I could just recreate that miracle again...
“......”
Beep-beep.
At that thought, I slowly stood.
There was a signal from the communication crystal I’d kept aside for private contact.
I sent a touch of mana into it through my fingertips.
The crystal began to glow faintly, and then a voice flowed out.
[Boss. You there?]
“Hans, huh.”
The caller was Hans.
Well, Hans was the only one who contacted me personally anyway.
More would come later, but not yet.
“What is it?”
[That mess you stirred up? I’ve finished wrapping it up.]
“You mean the other gangs.”
[Right.]
From the tone of his voice, Hans seemed relieved to have completed his assignment.
“So, what’s the situation?”
[No one's hostile toward us. It’s fortunate—for both us and them.]
“They accepted our presence that easily?”
[Exactly. I mean, what choice did they have? We wiped out the Red Society by ourselves. Well, mostly you, boss.]
“Even so, those guys have been crawling through Rederbelk’s underworld for a long time. They’re not to be underestimated.”
[I know. That’s why I said it’s fortunate. We're not aiming for dominance anyway—just want a stable spot to settle in.]
“Still, there must’ve been noise about the power the Red Society held.”
The Red Society ran all kinds of dirty businesses in Rederbelk’s underworld.
Drugs, booze, gambling.
The drug trade aside, their bars and casinos saw massive sums flow through daily.
Now that the group managing those operations vanished overnight, it was bound to cause chaos.
Some would try to seize the opportunity to rise.
Those who never dared before would begin to show their teeth.
A true time of disorder.
And if no one stepped up to bring order to the chaos, the alleys would soon reek of blood.
[For now, the other three groups have joined forces to suppress the upheaval, but we’ll need to talk about this more soon.]
“Of course.”
[We have the upper hand, but I’m not equipped to handle the negotiations alone. I’ll need your help, boss.]
“When?”
[Sooner the better, but it’s not urgent. Set the time as it suits you.]
He says that, but I know full well we can’t afford to delay too long.
We’ll need to sit at the table within a week, at the latest.
Honestly, it would be easier if I just went now—
‘But with this matter involving the Philosopher’s Stone, that’s impossible.’
Soon, the Philosopher’s Stone would be moved from its original location to a temporary one.
The leak occurred during the preparation process.
Whoever’s orchestrating this likely already knows the time and location of the move.
‘No doubt this is the Black Dawn’s doing. The question is—who’s pulling the strings?’
I haven’t received any messages from them.
If there were, Sedina would have discreetly told me.
‘Either another First Order is moving independently, or there’s another reason altogether. I don’t know yet.’
But one thing is certain—something will happen soon, centered around the Philosopher’s Stone.
Which means I can’t afford to leave Seorn.
“I’ll come within a week.”
[...Something going on there too?]
“It’s about a relic.”
[Yikes.]
As expected, Hans—well-versed in information—understood everything with that one word.
[You’re a teacher now, boss, and yet you’re dealing with more incidents than before?]
“I feel the same.”
[Still, a relic, huh... Sheesh. Guess that’s the prestige of Seorn for you. Who would’ve guessed a school was hiding a relic?]
“It’s a place of history and tradition.”
[I heard a rumor there’s a secret dungeon built by the first Headmaster. Any chance that’s real too?]
“Hans. Cut the nonsense right there.”
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
[Tsk. Just a joke. Anyway, I’ll do my best to push the negotiations back by a week until you can get here.]
“Alright. Good work.”
After ending the call with Hans, I silently gazed out the window.
A relic, huh.
Even if it wasn’t planned, to think I’d end up entangled in a case involving a relic...
It made me wonder if this was fate.
For some reason, the moon hanging full and bright in the night sky felt especially cold and distant tonight.
* * *
“Your Highness, shall I prepare your bath?”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“Would you like your meal then?”
“I’m already full.”
“Then perhaps a small snack—”
“I don’t eat anything in the evening. You may leave.”
At Erendir’s firm dismissal, her attendants bowed their heads and reluctantly withdrew.
Sigh.
Finally left alone, Erendir let out a quiet sigh, just soft enough to avoid being overheard.
If anyone had heard her sigh again, they would have rushed in, pestering her with questions about what was troubling her.
Now free from the eyes of others, Erendir retreated into her private room.
‘It’s exhausting.’
While the other students had been assigned dormitories, she—as a princess—was granted an entire mansion to herself.
Even in a place like Seorn, where equality was supposedly valued, the blood of royalty could not simply be ignored.
And Erendir resented that fact.
‘I just wanted to live like a normal student.’
To spend her academy life excitedly, meeting new friends and starting fresh in the new semester—that was her honest wish.
But being the Third Princess wouldn’t allow such a simple life.
It wasn’t just the grandiose mansion—having over thirty staff members serve her with excessive formality went beyond gratitude and into discomfort.
‘But I suppose... that’s just how it is.’
Given her position, Erendir accepted it for what it was.
If she acted carelessly or thoughtlessly, it would only make things harder for her staff and maids.
To be considerate of them, she had to give in to their expectations—even if it was uncomfortable.
‘Still, it’s not unbearable.’
Ordinarily, the stress would’ve overwhelmed her, but things had improved recently.
Because Erendir now had someone she could call a friend.
Rine—a quiet, sweet, and beautiful girl.
The fact that she was a commoner gave Erendir some pause, but it wasn’t because she looked down on her.
It was concern—wondering if Rine would be treated unfairly because of their friendship.
But now that they’d grown closer, things felt easier.
Perhaps it was because she’d finally started living the kind of life she’d always wanted.
‘I hope I can make more friends like this.’
At least here, she was free from her overbearing older sister’s influence.
Just as that thought crossed her mind, someone knocked on the door.
Letting her guard down, Erendir had to quickly recompose herself and respond in a dignified voice.
“What is it?”
“Your Highness, you’ve received a message.”
A message?
Erendir paused for a moment.
For someone to contact her directly was not something just anyone could do.
Normally, there were only a few people who would—or could.
‘Don’t tell me... it’s my sister?’
The First Princess.
Though both were in the line of succession, she and Erendir didn’t have a hostile relationship.
In fact, the First Princess was the clear heir to the throne, so there was no rivalry between them.
And Erendir didn’t desire the throne to begin with.
Still, her sister had a habit of doting on her—so excessively that it bordered on stifling.
‘I’m not some doll for her to play with.’
One reason Erendir had come to Seorn was to escape her sister’s constant meddling.
So it was only natural that the thought of being contacted even here brought her a hint of anxiety.
Thankfully, it wasn’t her sister.
“It's the Lord Protector, Terrina Lionhowl.”
“Commander Terrina?”
That was unexpected.
Terrina Lionhowl.
The most formidable knight in the entire Exilion Empire—Erendir had never imagined she’d reach out directly.
“Bring it here.”
The attendant quickly brought the prepared communication crystal, bowed, and stepped back.
Once she was certain no one else was around, Erendir activated the crystal.
“I was told you were looking for me, Commander Terrina.”
[Apologies for contacting you at this late hour, Your Highness. It’s a rather urgent matter.]
“No need to apologize. Honestly, I was more curious about why you were trying to contact me out of the blue. So then—what’s this about?”
[I heard there was a recent incident involving a werewolf within Seorn. Were you made aware of it?]
Of course she was.
She’d come face-to-face with that werewolf herself.
If Ludger hadn’t shown up to save her, she might have been seriously injured—or worse.
Still, saying that aloud would only spark concerns over her safety, so Erendir chose to hide that fact and replied carefully.
“Yes, I heard about it. I also heard the matter was resolved swiftly.”
[There’s been a werewolf sighting here in Rederbelk as well.]
“Excuse me? Then are you currently in Rederbelk, Commander?”
[Yes. I’m here investigating a related case.]
“A case...?”
[It’s a confidential matter, so I apologize for not informing you sooner. I hope you can understand.]
“No need to apologize for that.”
If Terrina was involved, that meant the Security Bureau was moving behind the scenes.
Naturally, they had to be discreet.
[During the course of our investigation, I confirmed that this werewolf incident was not a coincidence.]
“Not a coincidence?”
[Someone orchestrated it. When we began pursuing the trail, all clues suddenly vanished.]
Terrina Lionhowl’s strong, resolute voice rang through the crystal and echoed within the room.
[Your Highness... would it be possible for you to tell me who resolved the werewolf incident at Seorn?]
