All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 157

◈ Chapter 157

Why are you looking at me like that? – 1

Ian explained the situation to Eldan and Leila, who were puzzled.

Listening in silence, Eldan felt a chill run down his spine.

“I heard you acquired the legacy of the Magic Kingdom. So, stories related to other dimensions… I have no choice but to believe it.”

Eldan cleared his throat briefly and asked.

“If that Nightmare Flower or whatever is in me, does it end when I die?”

“It doesn’t.”

If Eldan dies, the Nightmare Flower rooted in him will bloom and engulf this village.

Since considerable damage will occur in the process, it’s better to use another method.

“To think I came straight here to inform you about the Scarlet Kingdom’s affairs, only to cause such trouble… I don’t know how to apologize enough.”

“It’s not like you did it on purpose, so it’s alright. But yesterday and today, who did you meet?”

“There were so many…”

“I understand.”

Eldan’s face was full of apology.

There were many nobles from various countries in the Academy.

If the events in the Scarlet Kingdom spread here because of his arrival, he wouldn’t know how to atone for it.

“Myaah~.”

Myaene, who was on Ian’s shoulder, meowed softly and approached Eldan, tapping his arm.

As Eldan gave a bitter smile to Myaene, who seemed to be comforting him, Oerina groaned and asked.

“Ugh… Ian, is there a solution?”

“There is.”

Wildy, Oerina, and Leila were relieved.

As expected of Ian.

“What is it?”

“I have to go into the nightmare and destroy the nightmare itself.”

“Will that work?”

“But is it even possible to destroy a nightmare? What makes a nightmare a nightmare? It’s a nightmare because you can’t do anything about it.”

“You can destroy a nightmare by using lucid dreaming.”

If you can accurately recognize that you are in a dream, you can respond to the nightmare.

Ian said it casually, but the expressions of the four became subtle.

“Does that work at will?”

“It’s possible depending on training.”

“Is it possible in a day or two?”

“No.”

You need to train steadily for at least a few months.

Eldan sighed at Ian’s answer.

“That’s not a solution.”

“So, we need to transfer it to someone who can do it.”

“Hmm? What does that mean?”

Ian tapped the table.

“I can do it, so let’s transfer it to me.”

A nightmare is, after all, a dream.

In other words…

The nightmare cannot manifest if you don’t sleep.

Then, the Nightmare Flower will feel threatened and move to the nearest person.

As Ian explained, Eldan groaned and nodded.

“I see. When I was young, I used to research for about a week without sleeping. Although I’m old now, I’ll try my best.”

“The Nightmare Flower will try to induce sleep within today. Just endure that, and don’t worry.”

“Is that so… Leila, you go home.”

But Leila shook her head.

How could she?

Since it was her father’s matter, she wanted to stay, so Eldan looked at Ian.

“Will it be alright?”

“There won’t be a problem unless I fail.”

“Then it’s fine. Ian, you never fail, do you?”

Leila said with slight relief, and Ian shrugged.

* * *

Eldan decided to stay in the Academy’s dormitory for the time being.

Ian told Graegin to watch over Eldan to prevent him from sleeping, then went out to the garden and called Crowley.

While stroking Myaene for a while, the bushes rustled with a low groan.

And Crowley walked out of there with a frown.

“Hey. How’s Red City doing?”

At Ian’s question, Crowley clenched her fist tightly.

She gave him an artifact, and he broke it, and now he’s calling her again.

She took out a new ring from her bosom, threw it to him, and sighed.

“We don’t know either. It’s not related to demons. Not even old demons.”

“Really?”

“I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”

That’s right.

Because it’s the work of a monster from another dimension.

Ian thought it was enough and was about to send her back when,

Crowley snapped her fingers.

“Come to think of it, a long time ago… It wasn’t the same as this, but a similar situation did occur.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a story from when Rubellin was in hell.”

It was a very long time ago, a story known only to a few great demons who had lived as long as Crowley.

“Rubellin was the god of demons, but he didn’t care for them. He just always closed his eyes and meditated in his temple.”

“And?”

“Then the demons rebelled.”

What does a god do?

If you’re not going to manage this hell and only take tribute as a god, then step down from that position.

The great demons of the time gathered and attacked Rubellin to challenge the position of God.

“At that time, Rubellin looked at the void and said only one word.”

“What did he say?”

“Come.”

Then a crack was created in the void.

Numerous tentacles appeared through the crack, and the tentacles swallowed all the demons and disappeared.

“That’s not like the power of a demon. And no demon could know the true nature of Rubellin’s power.”

Then and now.

Both are the same in that they are the manifestation of a form of power that has never been seen before.

“Demons don’t know everything.”

“That’s true, but.”

Simple demons were busy praising Rubellin, saying it was the power of God.

But the demons who had questions investigated Rubellin.

And most of those demons have now disappeared.

“Did you investigate too?”

“At that time, I was only an ordinary demon. I couldn’t even participate in the investigation.”

“What about the related data?”

“There isn’t any.”

Demons don’t keep records in the first place.

They only acquire knowledge and information through memory sharing or by devouring and taking away power and memories.

Ian nodded at Crowley’s report.

“Where is Rubellin?”

“No one knows. He completely disappeared after giving power to the Seven Deadly Sins.”

“I understand. Go. And continue the investigation.”

“But why?”

“Because he doesn’t seem like he’ll be of any help, so I’m going to eliminate him.”

“I think you might get eliminated trying to eliminate him… Before you fight him, release this and go.”

Crowley tapped the Geumgoga [a magical headband] and disappeared again in a puff of smoke.

As she moved away, Kirke searched for something similar based on Crowley’s report and reported.

“Investigate for now.”

After finishing the meeting with Crowley, Ian returned to his room.

Eldan was sitting at the table, sipping the tea that Graegin had made.

“Ian, would you like a cup? It’s a tea that wakes you up.”

“No, I’m fine.”

Graegin nodded and poured tea into his cup.

Thus, Ian, Graegin, and Eldan spent time doing their own things.

After some time passed and it became night, Ian opened his mouth while looking at the design of the new enchantment practice room.

“It seems like it’s about time, so you should go out too.”

“Really? Then I’ll sleep first. Ian, sleep well. Earl, rest in peace.”

As Graegin left, Ian placed decorations carved from rock salt in the corner of the room.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s a kind of barrier. To prevent the Nightmare Flower from escaping to another place.”

“Huh… such a method?”

Eldan was also a wizard, so he was quite interested in Ian’s actions.

“Is this also a legacy of the Magic Kingdom?”

“You can think of it as similar.”

He looked at the rock salt carvings in the corner.

The quite delicate carvings were so beautiful that they could be considered works of art in themselves.

“Looking at the quality of the rock salt, this seems to be from the Fredisian Earldom… Did Instructor Scrandar make it?”

“I made it.”

“…Really amazing.”

Eldan always wondered what Ian couldn’t do.

He hesitated, looking at the rock salt carvings.

“Um. Ian. There’s something I want to ask you…”

“Do you want me to make a statue?”

“Well, actually, there’s something I’m researching this time. I need a rather delicate carving.”

Originally, he was thinking of commissioning it to Dwarven City.

But looking at this, he thought Ian would be better than them.

“Of course, I know you’re busy, but if possible, please help me. I can give you my good relic.”

Ian looked at him and chuckled.

“I can do that much, so please prepare the materials.”

“Oh?! Really?!”

He had heard from other wizards that Ian was cold.

For him to say this meant that he felt goodwill towards him.

“And the quantum-related issue I mentioned before…”

“I’m not interested.”

Eldan slightly lowered his head at the knife-like coldness.

Midnight passed.

Eldan felt a sense of bewilderment at his suddenly heavy eyelids.

“No, why on earth…”

“The Nightmare Flower is inducing sleep.”

“Ugh… I feel like I’m going to fall asleep any minute…”

“Lightning Bolt.”

“Ughaaaaa!!”

Ian mercilessly fired a Lightning Bolt.

The tingling shock completely dispelled the sleepiness.

“Th, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll fire Lightning Bolts if you look like you’re about to fall asleep. Lightning Bolt.”

“Ughaaaaa!!”

Like that, several times.

Continuing until dawn, Ian fired Lightning Bolts at Eldan.

Because he adjusted the amount of current so as not to cause injury, Eldan couldn’t even faint and eventually couldn’t sleep until dawn.

And.

Ian got up from his seat after hearing Kirke’s report.

Eldan was pleased to see him retrieving the salt totem made from the rock salt lump he had received from the Fredisian territory.

“I, is it over now?”

“Yes. Please leave.”

As Ian spoke, Eldan went outside.

As soon as the door closed, Ian immediately reached out his hand.

“Ugh?!

“Wh, what?!

The familiar spirits were drawn out by Ian’s hand.

Ailfetein and Norn shuddered, seeing him grab them.

“I, I haven’t said anything lately!”

“It’s true!!”

Ian shook his head at the flustered pair.

“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say. If I fall asleep, strange phenomena will occur in the Academy.”

“Strange phenomena? What is it?”

“Hallucinations will appear. Or something impossible might happen.”

“And?”

“Stop it. Let’s talk about the price later.”

“A contract for the price?”

“I won’t make a contract. Myaene is enough.”

“Myaah~.”

“Then why don’t you leave it to her?”

As Ailfetein spoke in a prickly tone, Ian stared at him intently.

As Ailfetein, who was intimidated by the gaze, grumbled, Ian said calmly.

“She’ll do it too, but it might be a little lacking.”

“…Okay. I understand. Let’s discuss and decide after the work is done.”

As Norn nodded, Ian stroked Myaene’s head as she looked up at him.

Myaene meowed softly as if to say not to worry.

Now the preparations are complete.

Ian closed his eyes after finishing the preparations for the aftermath.

And at that moment.

The view beyond the window, which had been brightened by the sunrise until just now, suddenly darkened.

Along with Kirke’s report.

“Kyaaaaaa!”

“Ughaaaaa!! It’s a monster!!”

Wildy and Blanche’s screams were heard from outside the door.

“…Why are those guys in here?”