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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“My family name…?”
[You don’t know the meaning of your name?]
“I don’t.”
How would I know? I only learned my name from the status window.
[Even his descendants have forgotten… ███…]
What about my family name? It wasn’t a name I recognized from the original story. What secret was hidden within it?
I asked Andras,
“Is there some hidden meaning to my name?”
[Indeed… ██████.]
…What?
“Could you repeat that?”
[███████.]
I couldn’t hear anything. Andras’s voice was distorted by static, I couldn’t understand what he was saying. All I could gather was that there was a significant secret hidden within the name Quartz.
Why was my name being censored?
I didn’t recall any characters with that name in the original story.
…Could it be from the True Ending DLC?
But what kind of story would lead to me being trapped on a deserted island for ten years?
“I can’t hear you.”
[My apologies. It seems they’re still interfering… I’ve only caused you more distress. If it’s still ████, then █████…]
“I understand that something is preventing you from delivering a message. Is there any way to bypass this interference?”
Andras pressed his fingers against his forehead, deep in thought, then said,
[The demonic cults might have information about your family. Try obtaining information from them. That’s the only advice I can give without interference… How unfortunate. That I can’t even speak to his descendant.
I have no face to show ███…]
“Demonic cults…?”
Was he talking about groups like the Halphas Cult?
[I’m referring to the fools who serve those like the Halphas, whom you are familiar with.]
“Halphas…”
Come to think of it, unlike in the original story, the Halphas Cult was unusually active. Was there a connection between them and my family?
[That’s all I can say. My apologies.]
“It’s alright.”
Even this small piece of information was a decent reward. While it raised more questions, it gave me a direction to investigate.
[Take this book and use it as you see fit.]
With those words, the illusion dispersed like dandelion seeds scattered by the wind.
So my body had a hidden secret.
More homework for me.
I picked up the book, the glass case now gone.
The book that could grant any wish was finally in my hands.
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“Wow, the scratch marks…”
As we emerged from the hidden archive into the darkened library, we were greeted by the sight of broken fingernails and bloodstains.
How long had she been scratching at the wall?
“…We should clean this up.”
“I’ll help.”
“M-Me too…”
We quickly erased the traces of Bella’s desperate attempt with magic. No one would ever know that someone had clawed at the wall until their fingers bled. We returned to my workshop through the hidden tunnel.
“I didn’t know there were secret passages like this in the academy…”
“Hee hee, Johann made them!”
“Mister Johann made this…?”
Those who weren’t aware of the secret passages looked at me with surprise. I shrugged and said,
“With enough time and resources, anything is possible.”
“This isn’t the kind of passage you can make with just time and resources…”
Viola’s skepticism was ignored.
“M-Mister Johann is amazing…”
“You truly are remarkable.”
“Y-Yes!”
Why were they suddenly praising me?
I looked at the group, their arms laden with books, and sat down on a chair in the workshop. Normally, we would disband now, but there was something I needed to tell them.
“Keep this expedition a secret. Some people might have noticed something, but if we keep quiet, no one outside the relevant parties will know. If anyone asks about the source of the books, make up an excuse. You can use my name if necessary.”
No one would question me directly anyway. If they did, I would just say I lent them some books from Yeomyeong-gwan.
And no one would dare to press me further.
“Just the books we’ve taken are worth a fortune…”
Martina looked at me with a slightly guilty expression. Was it because she had taken five thick books?
I didn’t mind. It was a good thing for my… recruits to become stronger.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s enough for me that you’re becoming stronger.”
I would be happy if they became strong enough to handle the challenges that awaited us. The books themselves were just a way to increase my funds, and I already had a reliable source of income.
The prosthetic arm business would be more than enough.
“Alright, you can go now. It’s almost curfew.”
“Thank you, Mister.”
“We won’t forget this!”
“Thank you. This will help us reach greater heights.”
I waved off their gratitude.
“Go get some sleep.”
“See you next week!”
Everyone except those who lived at Yeomyeong-gwan left the workshop.
Karina, Milia, Elisa, and I remained.
Karina sighed and said,
“That was quite an adventure…”
“Is that how all adventurers fight?”
“No. It’s rare to have this many mages in a party.”
I doubted there was a party with three mages. Even a mediocre mage cost a fortune. They were a rare and valuable resource.
“I see… Where did Kiki go?”
“Probably curled up asleep somewhere, like a good cat.”
“I wanted to pet it…”
Milia looked disappointed.
“You can see cats anywhere, so don’t be sad. I saw some stray cats around Yeomyeong-gwan.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Are you talking about the cat we saw during our walk?”
Karina looked at Rue. Rue, at the mention of the cat, started trembling and shouted,
[I’ll never forgive that cat! I’ll get my revenge!]
A grimoire versus a cat. That would be a viral video if Xtube existed in this world.
I chuckled and stood up.
“Let’s go back.”
“I think I’ll sleep well tonight.”
Karina’s voice was heavy with exhaustion.
All she had done was heal the others, but it must have taken a toll on her weakened body. I looked at her and took hold of the wheelchair’s handles.
“Johann, Johann, it’s the weekend tomorrow, so let’s go somewhere fun!”
“I-I want to go too…”
“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
All I wanted to do today was sleep.
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‘This can’t be happening…’
Time passed, and the rumors about the hidden archive died down.
The one who spread the rumors hadn’t achieved her goal, and those who had entered the archive remained silent, so the rumors faded from the students’ conversations.
If there had been new entrants to the hidden archive, the rumors might have persisted, but unfortunately, Johann’s group was the only one.
“This can’t be…”
Bella bit her nails, oblivious to the other students who were nervously avoiding her. She stared blankly at the midterm exam rankings posted on the bulletin board.
Fourth place.
That was her rank.
Next to the number three was the name Martina Raymond, placed above hers. Bella couldn’t accept it.
Martina had been fifth in the first semester final exams. Considering the significant gap between the top three and the rest, this reversal was unusual.
‘The hidden archive…!’
The memory of the hidden archive, which she had tried to suppress, resurfaced, and she gritted her teeth. It was all she could do.
“After all that effort…”
Dark tears, tinged with mana, streamed down her face, smudging her makeup.
She knew she shouldn’t be crying, but she couldn’t stop herself.
The sound of her sobs echoed through the hallway.
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