READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 109
I found myself reminiscing about the first time I opened the lecture.
There were some rough edges since I hurriedly prepared for it. But here I was, ten months had flown by.
In that short or long time, the Tower had undergone significant changes. Each floor had been refined more delicately, and the student bulletin board had many new features.
Well, the most prominent change was the atmosphere of the Tower. Just as I intended, cliques hadn’t formed significantly. Sure, there were several large organizations, but the brawls that used to erupt were nowhere to be found.
Instead, students focused more on their individual rankings. It made sense since their ranks were displayed on the bulletin board. That rank could determine their success in the lecture.
In the past ten months, ten precious items had conducted the lectures. They each chose their favorite minions, and in that process, much power was distributed among the students.
The rankings in the Tower changed constantly. Those who had held positions in the top hundred when the Tower first opened were far less than half still hanging on to their places.
In their stead were students who had gained the powers of the treasures. Those bestowed with the treasures’ might grew swiftly and dramatically, leading to a rapid rise in their ranks.
Previously low-ranking individuals were chosen by the treasures, leveraging that power to leap to higher ranks, while those above solidified their positions even further.
In such battles, one thing was certain: if you were favored by a treasure, you could climb higher. Everyone used that as a stepping stone for growth.
That’s why those who hadn’t been chosen yet sought the treasures’ powers. But the preferences of treasures varied widely. With no distinct trends, they simply hoped to be selected.
And that’s exactly what I wanted. To make students lean on the treasures, hoping as many as possible would receive their powers. That would allow for even more accumulation.
In this process, some individuals managed to bear multiple powers simultaneously. Those chosen had clear inclinations, whether in strength, appearance, talent, or amusement.
As I descended the stairs, I casually checked on the Mirror Bug. A post was glimmering on the student bulletin board. It was the most viewed post by the students. As I checked it, a video popped up on the Mirror Bug.
In it, Kashian and Luciela were facing each other. Naturally, a duel between the first and second place attracted attention.
Luciela, she was one chosen by many treasures. Perhaps being from a renowned family helped; she instantly caught the gaze of treasures desiring strong abilities.
In the video, she displayed a distinctly powerful mastery. Her fire manipulation magic was awe-inspiring. That fire, blended with the powers of treasures, roared fiercely as it scorched the surroundings.
With such strength, by the time the lecture ended, she might make it to the fourth floor. That thought crossed my mind.
Of course, she ended up being cut down by Kashian’s sword. In the video, I saw Kashian cheerfully stabbing his blade into Luciela’s chest.
Beside him, a Bear Doll was flailing its arms. A handkerchief rested atop it with the words “Crimson Blooms of Blood” boldly inscribed.
Kashian showed he could handle those who had received treasure powers with ease. In fact, he was growing even faster than them.
It wasn’t surprising. He had been prowling the storerooms, albeit in the state of being possessed by Mira, personally confronting treasures and fighting them.
It had now been seven years since he enrolled. During that time, he had reached the third floor, just as I saw. I felt a mix of envy and joy at his rapid growth.
The faster he grew, the shorter the time before he headed to the seventh floor would be. Though that was a tale for a distant future. Well, the video ended with Kashian hugging the Bear Doll. They looked quite good together.
That was the ideal master-doll relationship I wished for my students. To cherish and care for each other, and within that, the doll’s self grows in size.
And the ones I was heading toward created such an ideal relationship, albeit in a slightly different form. Rubbing my eyes slightly, I faced a mild headache.
So I climbed down the stairs again toward the second floor. I had to visit the infirmary. Hao was likely there. As I opened the door and stepped inside, a refreshing fragrance brushed against my nose.
At the center of that fragrance was Hao. Lying on the bed, he appeared unconscious and limp. Beside his head, Hari was quietly gazing at his face.
To let her know I had arrived, I lightly released some magic. She looked at me and smiled slightly. I sensed a faint joy rippling toward me through our fragile connection.
As I approached her and looked down at Hao, his face was soaked in cold sweat. It seemed his body had taken quite a toll. I could see Hari tenderly wiping his face.
“What happened this time?”
In response, Hari pointed at the Mirror Bug beside Hao. Then she drew a tree shape in front of her chest. With it, a faint will flowed into me.
Rampage, she conveyed. It seemed that tree had gone out of control once again.
“Then I’ll start the cleansing right away.”
I touched the infirmary magic to boost its intensity. Then, magical energy began to gather towards Hao, the target of the spell. This energy piled up so much that it was visibly accumulating before pouring down onto Hao.
Within that, Hao let out a slight moan. However, there was no further distinct reaction from him. It seemed he had grown accustomed to pain due to being cleansed too many times. I clicked my tongue at the sight.
It wasn’t long before Hao opened his eyes. He held his head as he slowly rose from the bed. The moment he got up, Hari vanished like a mirage.
Hao began inspecting his body. His magic flickered lightly, and soon he nodded and smiled brightly. He bowed his head towards me.
“Thank you again for today. This cleansing thing is really incredible every time I experience it. Ebron, you’re truly amazing!”
Hao said, his eyes sparkling. A charming face that belied his large, muscular build. I let out a slight sigh and opened my mouth.
“As I always say, the cleansing alone won’t heal you perfectly. So please be careful until your body stabilizes. In the meantime, refrain from communicating with the treasures.”
Hao scratched the back of his head at those words. He wore an awkward smile on his face. He lightly shook his head.
“Hahaha… That will be a bit tough. I still have things to receive from them…”
He said that while glancing at me. Things to receive, huh? It couldn’t be helped then. His collapse was due to the treasures, after all. Sure, half of it was his fault. I squinted at him.
“Then let’s check your body first. After that, we’ll chat some more.”
“Yes! Understood!”
Hao shouted, puffing out his chest vigorously. I placed my hand on his chest. I felt the heavy heartbeat through my palm. Magic originating from me flowed through my hand and into his body.
Hao opened his body and accepted my magic. It flowed swiftly within him. It was quite chaotic. I frowned as I checked the insides of his body.
Even after the cleansing, many parts of his body were misaligned. It seemed surgery wouldn’t be necessary. There hadn’t been significantly major internal changes. It seemed merely some contamination had progressed.
Well, staying in the infirmary would help ease it reasonably. After finishing the body examination, I focused on the tree floating on Hao’s chest. I carefully began to trace its contours.
Hao’s tree emitted a colorful glow all over his body. It took on a very peculiar form. It appeared more like a collection of several shapes rather than a single entity. It resembled a crafted item made of various colored glass.
Perhaps due to the cleansing, the tree was covered in cracks, looking like it could shatter any moment. Its growth was certainly stunted.
Seeing that, I quietly nodded. Its shape was different from before. Nevertheless, it seemed to have become somewhat sturdier. His method was evidently bearing fruit. I carefully tucked that observation into my memory.
Cleansing was about forcibly removing contamination.
Fundamentally, the infirmary magic focused on bringing the subject to the most perfect state. Thus, that magic took the target back in time to its purest form before contamination occurred.
And the one who had received the most cleansings in the Tower was Hao. Excluding the professor, he might be the one who understood the principles and processes of cleansing the best. I merely used the magic without fully grasping it.
In that process of cleansing, who knows what sparks of inspiration Hao received, but he piled up realms based on the power of treasures. It had been roughly six months. The tree’s peculiar form was the result of those attempts.
Like inflating a balloon to build muscle, he had simply absorbed power excessively, ignoring the stability of that foundation. The accumulated realm remained uncertain, similar to the ascension of realms through elixirs.
He was forcibly carving a path forward while receiving plenty of contamination. If that were to stabilize, he’d find it hard to progress beyond that anymore.
That’s why he melted that realm in an instant through cleansing. As the contamination was scrubbed away, and the strength derived from it dissipated, the realms he had built on it crumbled naturally.
Thus he returned to the state preceding contamination. The strength derived from the treasures also weakened. But his tree remembered everything. It had learned the direction it needed to take moving forward.
The tree began to gradually change during that cleansing process. To endure more powers and withstand more contamination. Each color flickering carried the meaning of a treasure’s power.
Having received a cleansing, his tree held up sturdier. The realms he built afterward rose even higher as well. But soon, he’d be stained by contamination again, cleansing would happen, and he’d crumble once more.
In that way, like finding a kind of answer sheet, Hao carefully checked the path. The one that allowed him to accumulate strength most efficiently. Perhaps now he had become so adept that it took him less than two days to restore his realms.
And this approach piqued the treasures’ interest. The process of growth he achieved was a result of the combined strength of their powers. So more treasures began to cling to him.
Of the ten treasures, seven chose him. This wasn’t merely a result of being drawn by his scent. It was a testament to the accomplishments he had made. Based on that strength, he repeatedly rose and fell on the Tower’s third floor.
“Nothing seems out of place. So, how long are you planning to keep this up?”
In response, Hao scratched his head again. The look of regret clearly flashed across his face. He seemed unable to hide his expression.
“Probably until I pass. I can’t help but feel sorry for you, Ebron.”
“Well, it’s fine. I’m also learning a lot by watching like this.”
At my words, he lightly burst into laughter. He crossed his arms and nodded.
“I think I made a good decision to listen to Jun. Just like he said, he told me to seize the chance to bet my life on Ebron’s lecture. That way, Ebron would lend a hand. Of course, I didn’t expect it to turn out like this.”
Jun, a name I hadn’t heard in a while. I had casually retraced the traces of previous students. Jun’s news had been notably loud among them. He was said to have won a battle among the lower factions of the Throne Council.
Thinking back, I realized I had quite a good understanding with Jun. The feeling was likely mutual. I never expected to hear of his story from Hao. But then again, Hao had been part of Jun’s group, so he would have received some advice.
I didn’t mind receiving such advice. After all, it benefited me. As Hao mentioned, I had a high regard for him.
Hao’s method was known to everyone in the Tower. He was a glaring presence who had been taken to the infirmary many times. But no one recklessly followed in his footsteps. They could grow without having to do so.
His approach was solely to aim for acceptance. If he failed to be accepted, the strength of the treasures would be taken back. The realm he had built based on that would surely vanish as well. Other students didn’t want to bear such risks.
It felt somewhat familiar. I had been going through a similar cycle of emptiness and fulfillment. That’s why I found it somewhat pleasant toward Hao.
“At least the girl of Rule #2 is here, which is a relief. Thanks to her, I can receive my cleansings on time. …Still, can you not tell me what kind of person she is?”
Hao spoke. The girl of Rule #2, he must be referring to Hari. I let out a light chuckle. I hadn’t anticipated that the rule I set would be flipped like this. I never expected her to be taken as a 기준.
“Yeah, it’s best you figure it out on your own.”
I shook my head as I spoke. This was also something the professor had warned me about: not to reveal anything about Hari to Hao. I couldn’t possibly break the professor’s excitement by ruining their dynamic.
“Is that so?”
Hao slightly rolled his eyes. Behind him, the air began to shimmer. That shimmer deepened and formed a single shape. It was Hari. She looked at Hao with a slight frown.
Hao hadn’t noticed her appearance at all. He glanced quickly at the faintly shining ring over Hari’s head. It appeared to help conceal her presence.
She puffed her cheeks slightly at me. Then, she pointed at Hao’s Mirror Bug. She shrugged. It seemed she didn’t like seeing Hao being continually contaminated by treasures.
That wasn’t surprising. She was the one who had been bringing him to the infirmary consistently.
Contamination was akin to being drawn to those treasures. If that reached its limit, he’d probably merge halfway into that treasure.
Hari would never tolerate that. The Hao she wanted was one brimming with happiness directed toward the ‘Sky Ring.’
Any curiosity toward other treasures was something she absolutely wouldn’t accept. Thus, before he reached that limit, she’d sever his interest in other treasures by biting into his mind and made him undergo another cleansing.
From Hao’s perspective, she was probably the most useful standard. That’s why he probably wandered the first floor in search of her. Of course, that meant I had my work cut out for me.
The reason I endured the annoyance and consistently observed him was that he was beneficial to me.
Just as Hao had Hari as a standard, I could view him as one as well.
I had anticipated Hao would cause a ruckus ever since I accepted him into the lecture. The sweet fragrance swirling around my nose now, this scent that even Mira found alluring would surely attract the attention of treasures.
He drew treasures in, and they stirred up trouble in the Tower through him. I could assess just how much strength a single mage would be able to withstand through that process. He became the perfect specimen for that.
Though I hadn’t expected him to act with such intent. Now, every time an incident occurred, my head was on the verge of bursting from headaches. I never thought rules would pile up to four within less than a year.
But I couldn’t stop him. No, I had no intention of stopping him. How could I block a test subject who was diligently throwing himself into action? He was serving excellently as a specimen for me.
Hao, oblivious to the glare from Hari, called upon the Mirror Bug. The Mirror Bug, which had been asleep, rose into the air, infused with his magic.
“Ahem, then I’ll go greet the treasures.”
Hao said while subtly checking me out. I smirked. It seemed he was about to start that communication thing again. Nodding, he gingerly began manipulating the Mirror Bug.
Soon, the screen of the Mirror Bug illuminated brightly. It began capturing Hao’s face like a mirror. He tidied up his outfit as he looked at the screen for a moment.
He nodded, and the Mirror Bug started connecting my Shadow Tree to that video. With that, a light tremor passed through my own Mirror Bug. It was a sign that Hao was about to initiate communication.
Hao, gazing at the screen, lightly bowed his head.
“Greetings! I’m coming to say hi right after waking up!”
– Tooth Necklace: Ah, looks like this one was a bit tough. I didn’t expect your body to burn! I really liked it. Let’s go for something more exhilarating next time! Kekekek!
– Starry-eyed: Experiment, successful. Very satisfying.
– Tasty Tongue: That was fun. A lot!
– Blood Axe: Me, me! Massacre! You must massacre!
Lines began appearing rapidly on the screen. What was portrayed on the screen were the treasures’ comments. They shimmered around the screen.
The number was incredibly large. Clearly, even those treasures who hadn’t granted him powers had flocked around him. Including those who hadn’t started their lectures yet. Hao read through them one by one and nodded.
“Ah, thank you for your support. Just as you mentioned, this time I’ve paved a new path. Using only the power of Tasty Tongue! …Ahem, so about that. If you’re satisfied, I’d appreciate it if you’d give me the promised scores.”
Hao said, scratching his cheeks.
– Tasty Tongue: Sure! Sounds good!
– Blood Axe: Massacre! I too will massacre!
With those comments popping up, scores were delivered to Hao.
“Thank you, I’ll use them well!”
Hao beamed, bowing deeply towards the screen. I stared blankly for a moment and shook my head. That was one of the functions added to the bulletin board. To allow real-time video sharing.
– Tooth Necklace: How about taking down fifty monsters at once this time? With my teeth, it should be totally doable!
– Sky Ring: …That’s too barbaric. How about getting intoxicated in happiness instead? Afterwards… oh, that’s a secret…
As such, Hao continued communicating with the treasures. This was what went on in the purpose bulletin board. That bulletin board had also undergone many changes.
Many treasures, even those who hadn’t conducted lectures yet, could now all communicate with students. Of course, that meant they had to offer more tributes. Typically, other students used the purpose bulletin board like that.
Those blessed with power sought advice from the treasures to use that power skillfully, while those who hadn’t received treasures’ strength yet offered scores to treasures who hadn’t started their lectures.
Thus, the purpose bulletin board I envisioned was a place for students to strip away scores and goods. That’s why I never envisioned such a scenario. To angle for scores from the treasures instead was quite a refreshingly bold idea.
The treasures were satisfied as they could witness amusing scenes, and Hao was content as he could earn scores. I was the same. I was also siphoning a bit of the commission amidst the heartwarming exchanges of scores.
The only one feeling uncomfortable was Hari, glancing back at Hao. She was quietly glaring at him from behind the Mirror Bug’s view, hidden from sight.
She wasn’t a treasure. Thus, she couldn’t join that purpose room. If that space continued to exist, just like always, Hao would be swayed by the treasures. So it was only natural for her to be irked like that.
For her, I had prepared something. I took one Mirror Bug from my pocket and sent it flying toward her. It had a translucent body. Riding on magic, it flew towards Hari.
Then, it seeped into Hari’s body. She looked slightly bewildered as she glanced down at herself. I wrote a message through the Mirror Bug and sent it to her.
– Ebron: Well then, can you see now?
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she nodded. A small screen had appeared in front of her. What I had sent was contained within it. It was a success.
This was a kind of specialized Mirror Bug I had developed based on the case of the Bear Doll. Of course, it couldn’t allow her to join the student bulletin board. But she could certainly eavesdrop on Hao’s activities.
After all, Hari was also somewhat connected to Hao. Riding that current, she began peering into Hao’s Mirror Bug.
With this, Hari would be able to grasp Hao’s every move more easily. Thus, it was likely his mischief would decrease somewhat, as Hari would try to rein in his actions.
Witnessing their interactions, I quietly left the infirmary.
Hari was also my doll. I needed to repay the love she sent my way. This was part of that repayment. If she desired Hao, I would bring him to her.
Tying him to the Tower entirely would be a good approach. I smirked lightly while recalling his marvelous tree. Hari would be happy, I would research, and the treasures would have their fun. It was a path where everyone would find joy.
So, I climbed the stairs once more. My business at the infirmary had concluded. I checked the time through the Mirror Bug. The morning had almost passed. It was time to move once again.
As I ascended the stairs, I thought briefly about the assignment Professor On had posed.
Previously, I had failed the assignment. It was a painfully bitter experience. I absolutely couldn’t let that happen again. I needed to analyze the assignment much more thoroughly this time.
This assignment was to create a doll different from my own. Professor On hadn’t provided a clear explanation regarding it. So what on earth could a different doll mean?
In the month ahead, I had to discover a distinct answer. Only then could I hold my head high at the upcoming Doll Manipulators’ gathering.
Thus, I entered the workshop area on the fourth floor. I stole a glance at the firmly shut workshop door. Mira and Unit 0 would likely be beyond that. However, I shook my head. That wasn’t where I needed to go right now.
So, I proceeded toward the innermost room located on the fourth floor. I opened the door. Upon entering, a chilling magical aura enveloped me as I felt my breath hitch.
In that state, I slowly surveyed my surroundings. This room was a massive storage area. Everything was neatly lined up on shelves.
Most of them were living creatures. They appeared to be on the verge of moving but were frozen solid in this chill magic.
I paused for a moment to check the state of the magic. Then I nodded. There were no abnormalities. Time was still perfectly frozen.
Those creatures preserved the most ideal forms they could retain within frozen time. Not as living beings, but as one type of ingredient.
I wanted to handle such magic someday. Well, as the professor said, I had no talent for this kind of magic. However, I could still craft some magic based on it, which helped in modifying Mira’s body.
This was a gift of sorts from the professor, a kind of ingredient storage. In here, the materials maintained their optimal condition at all times. I could easily discern her thoughts. She wanted me to make more delicious things.
I had to meet her expectations. So what kind of creature should I use today? I scanned the shelves with keen eyes.
Just two days ago it had been meat, and it had been meat again yesterday. So meat would be today’s choice. The professor was utterly enamored with meat.
Ah, indeed. The rumor that dragons enjoy carnivorous diets seemed to hold true.
I recalled the golden-haired professor and fiddled with the carving knife in my hands, nodding gently. No doubt about it, the professor was a dragon. After much contemplation, I had finally developed a firm conviction.
I never would have guessed such a grand secret lay hidden within that tiny physique. It was indeed unbelievable.