Chương 34: Preparation

Later that day, Levi once again returned to the Institute's library to continue researching about the new world. Not for the first time, he found himself flabbergasted by some of the differences between the System's magic and his old world's magic. Take summoning magic, for example. In his old world, all forms of dimensional summoning magic had been strictly forbidden, and any attempt at invoking it would instantly have the wielder marked for death.

Unlike most branches of magic, in which mistakes typically resulted in only the wielder suffering some dreadfully painful consequences, summoning magic had the tendency to turn one person's problem into everyone else's problem as well. It was far too easy, terrifyingly so, to accidentally rip a hole between dimensions and summon some eldritch maleficent horror into the world.

There had been more than several cases of a mage attempting to summon a friendly arcane creature from a subdimension and instead finding their heads getting chewed off by some unholy abomination. After one too many countries had been unintentionally wiped off the map, the higher powers of the world had come together millennia ago and agreed to outlaw the entire field of magic altogether. Of course, for some people, primarily dark sorcerers, summoning an eldritch maleficent horror was the whole point.

However, even then, the civilized dark sorcerers – which surprisingly was most of them; just because they were evil didn't mean they couldn't be courteous about it – tended to stay away from summoning magic. Only the most insane or twisted would dare risk using it. Naturally, those were the ones Levi had been sent after. His main purpose as a servant of Death had been to hunt down and eliminate those who violated and profaned the natural sanctity of life and death, and this definitely qualified.

Levi had always disliked those missions. If he was lucky, he managed to intercept the dark sorcerers before they managed to complete whatever summoning ritual they'd concocted. If he wasn't… Well. There was a reason why his old body had been so heavily scarred. As it turned out, defeating incomprehensible eldritch horrors was about as difficult as it sounded – and a whole hell of a lot more painful.

In this new world, however, there was quite literally a 'Summoner' class that summoned creatures and spirits from various subdimensions. Levi had nearly started hyperventilating when he'd first learned about it in a textbook, until he realized that the System acted as an absolute safeguard to prevent any terrible fuckups from occurring, ensuring that every skill would succeed as intended no matter what. That was why even literal children were able to use summoning magic in this world.

Of course, evil summoning rituals still existed, most of which involved some being called the Hollow, but at least one couldn't accidentally blow a hole through reality unless they were intending to do so. The sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention. Levi glanced up from his book, only to blink in surprise.

"So you really were in the library," Ayla said, crossing her arms as she stopped in front of him.

"I admit, a part of me thought you were lying about that."

"Ayla? What are you doing here?"

"To see why you're always so late in returning to the manor."

"No I mean, what are you doing here. As in, in the Institute." Ayla frowned.

"What do you mean? I attend class here."

"... what? You do?"

"Of course I do," she said slowly, eyeing him strangely.

"I'm already a second-year. Is your memory truly that abysmal?"

"But we don't go to the Institute together…"

"Well, yes," she said.

"I'm the Ironwood heiress. I can't be seen disembarking from the same carriage as you." Huh. That made sense. Their classes took place on different floors and their schedules were likely staggered as well, which explained why he hadn't seen her in the three days he'd been at the Institute. Come to think of it, she was training to become an adventurer, and the Institute of Ascension was the preeminent establishment for that. It was obvious she would attend.

"Ah, right. It's been so long since I've been graced by your presence in these vaunted halls, I'd forgotten," Levi said, feigning as though he was just doing a bit. Thankfully, she bought it. Ayla huffed.

"You're not funny," she informed him.

"Were you thinking of becoming a royal court jester in the future? Because if so, I'm afraid you may want to consider another form of alternative employment."

"Really? I'm sure they'd love me."

"You'd be executed within a month."

"I'm offended you think so little of me," Levi said, his expression serious.

"A month is far too long. It'd take me a week at most." Ayla snorted.

"I can't object to that, I suppose…" She took a seat across from him, sitting down in a rehearsed elegant motion that had likely been drilled into her by etiquette instructors.

"Are you ready for the graduation ceremony next week?" Levi paused. Graduation ceremony?

"I hope so," he said carefully.

"That said, I don't know if it'd be wise for me to attend." A graduation ceremony filled to the brim with nobles and members of upper society… Levi didn't think it would be very safe if he went. For the others, that was.

"Don't tell me you're thinking about ditching," Ayla said, narrowing her eyes.

"It's a time-honored tradition of the Institute of Ascension. Probably the most important event you'll attend all year. Ditching would be an insult of the highest order."

"Yeah… I'd never do that…" Ayla sighed.

"If Father asks, this conversation never happened. I didn't know anything."

"Done."

"I'm serious, though. If you're going to skip, you better find a good excuse unless you want to anger not only Father, but all the other nobles, professors, and even guest adventurers in attendance." Levi hummed.

"I'll see what I can do." The next day when Levi arrived at the Institute, he was met with a decidedly different atmosphere than before. Unlike before, the students now regarded him with wary, disconcerted looks. Levi listened in on several conversations as he passed by, his magically enhanced hearing allowing him to pick up even the quietest whisper, and he smiled in satisfaction at what he heard.

After he had finished educating the students who'd attacked him and John yesterday, he had, ah, politely suggested to them to stay silent on the matter unless they wished to experience remedial lessons. Naturally, they'd agreed, and it seemed that they had kept their word, as Levi didn't hear any specific details about what'd transpired. That said, a bunch of students with a known grudge against Levi suddenly showing up at the infirmary in various states of injury and trauma still tended to make rumors go wild.

Their refusal to say anything only inflamed matters even more. The student population of the Institute suspected something had happened, but they didn't know what, and the enigma only made them all the more unsettled. Levi didn't really mind. School rumors were whatever, especially since they were all graduating in a week anyhow. So long as the authorities weren't alerted, then he didn't care too much. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

He was more preoccupied with the two biggest issues at the moment: the Crucible and Theodore Montague. The former, he honestly had no idea where to start. Levi assumed Qorbin was already looking into it though. As such, Levi decided to just wait until the Grand Assassin returned with more information. As for the latter…

"So, where does Montague live again?" Levi asked, his tone pleasant and casual, as though he was just asking about the weather. Liliya immediately tensed up, her eyes filling with alarm.

"Tell me you're not thinking of doing anything."

"Okay. I'm not thinking of doing anything."

"... oh Goddess, you totally are." Liliya looked as though she was just told she had a terminal illness.

"Levi, no. You can't." They were in the courtyards once more. Levi had taken to joining her during lunch, and while she hadn't explicitly said he could eat with her, she hadn't told him to leave either.

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure I can."

"No, you can't. He's a high-ranking Royal Sentinel," Liliya stressed.

"He spends most of his time in their headquarters, located within royal palace grounds. It's one of most well-defended places in all of Luminarche, virtually impenetrable by any account. If you get caught trying to infiltrate it, and you will get caught, then you'll be executed for sure."

"Hmm…"

"Look, I already spoke to my father. He was absolutely furious with Montague when he found out that he'd hired Qorbin. Montague already agreed to back off and not take any further action against you." Levi raised an eyebrow.

"And you think his word can be trusted?" he asked, parroting Qorbin's words from earlier that week. Liliya winced.

"Okay, fair enough…"

"I see your point though," Levi said, humming.

"Very well. I won't do anything."

"Thank you–""For now." Liliya sighed.

"You know what, that's good enough." As much as Levi wanted to pay a visit to Montague and have some kind words with him, Levi hadn't survived this long by rushing in blindly. He'd collect more information first, evaluate his options. No place was fully impenetrable, and even if infiltrating the royal palace wasn't viable, there would always be other opportunities. Montague would have to return to his manor in his territory at some point, after all. Levi would just wait patiently until then.

Then Liliya's expression suddenly turned a little hesitant.

"Say… What exactly did you do to those students that attacked you yesterday? I've been hearing some things." Levi raised an eyebrow.

"Y'know, I don't think you should be giving up your plausible deniability like this." Liliya snorted.

"That bad, huh."

"They tried attacking John from behind after we already reached a truce. I took offense to that."

"Ah," Liliya made a noise of understanding.

"Quite deserved, then. I did see Winthrop walk past me as I was leaving." She looked bemused.

"I didn't quite expect him to join your side. I hope you taught them a lesson." Levi chuckled.

"In a manner of speaking..." The following week passed by relatively quickly. Levi admitted he derived an odd sense of satisfaction at watching his fellow senior students scramble to prepare for their final exams while avoiding him with perturbed looks. Levi spent most of his time continuing to research and gather information about the new world. He paid attention to some of his classes, but most of them were doing review anyway, so he tuned out most of it.

Professor Heimler had returned to fully ignoring Levi during class. Levi hadn't heard any announcement about the Subaru Paradox being solved yet; it seemed only Heimler and Andevar were aware. Levi didn't know why the professor was keeping silent, but he wasn't complaining. Levi's solution basically rendered the current existing millennia-old paradigm in magical theory completely obsolete, after all; he didn't even want to know the full extent of the ramifications for that.

Better Heimler deal with the headache than him. Professor Merriweather had returned as well, having made a full recovery. Levi was pretty happy to see him back on his feet; the jovial professor had grown on him. The final exams began on Thursday and would continue until Saturday. Results would then be finalized by Tuesday, and the graduation ceremony would occur on Wednesday. Levi had until then to find a good excuse to skip the graduation ceremony.

His current working idea was to just fake a debilitating injury or illness. Though, depending on how anal his father was about it, Levi might actually have to inflict a debilitating injury on himself… Perhaps he should just take the reputation hit. It wasn't as though their opinions of him could get any lower, right? Thankfully, the solution fell right into his lap on Friday morning. Levi and Liliya were in the courtyards once more.

Having passed the Ascension Trials, they were both excused from having to take the graduation exams, and so they were just finishing some final assignments to be submitted. Well, okay. Liliya was finishing her final assignments. Levi had already accepted that his grades were beyond salvation and was instead lazing about while reading a history textbook. It wasn't like the assignments mattered anyway.

A graduating student's rank was extremely important for determining their future prospects in terms of party formation and apprenticeship opportunities, but Levi and Liliya were already apprenticed to Qorbin in a party. Levi had asked Liliya why she was still working so hard, and she had shot him such an icy look that he'd raised his hands in surrender and not asked again.

He supposed after maintaining a perfect record for so long, it was probably ingrained into her at this point– Levi suddenly tensed up, whirling around as he lashed out with his hand–"Yo." Levi sighed, letting his magic die down.

"Do you mind not sneaking up like that?" Qorbin chuckled from where he'd materialized in the courtyard without any warning.

"Sorry, no can do. Gotta keep you on your toes."

"Don't blame me if you get hurt in the future."

"Ooh, I'm terrified," Qorbin grinned. He dropped his enchanted anti-eavesdropping dice and the barrier expanded to surround them.

"Hey, now that I'm your master, aren't you supposed to treat me with some more respect?" Levi simply made a rude gesture in response.

"Tsk tsk," Qorbin said, shaking his head. He turned to Liliya.

"Congrats, you're my new favorite student now."

"Hello, Qorbin," Liliya greeted. She'd been watching their byplay with amusement in her eyes.

"I'm pleased to hear that."

"As you should," Qorbin said before clapping his hands together.

"Anyway, I've had a pretty busy week – had to track down some people, bribe some people, dangle some people over a lake of giant carnivorous catfish; you know the gist – but I'm finally back."

"Did you manage to track down Pha–" Liliya was cut off by Qorbin holding a finger to his lips.

"Shh," he said.

"Not on Institute grounds, even with my enchanted dice active. It's a little too magical here for my tastes." Levi raised an eyebrow; what did Qorbin mean by that?

"Ah, my apologies," said Liliya.

"No worries," Qorbin said.

"I'll fill you guys in later. For now, however… We have a mission." Levi blinked.

"Already?" Qorbin nodded.

"This mission is rather time-sensitive. Unfortunately, I do foresee it taking a week or potentially even more to complete, so you'll have to miss out on the graduation ceremony." He sounded apologetic.

"I know how important the ceremony is for Institute students. For what it's worth, I am sorry about that–""It's perfectly fine," Levi said.

"No objections on my part," Liliya said at the same time. They both paused, looking at each other.

"Montague?" Levi asked.

"The other nobles?" Liliya asked. They both nodded.

"I'm not fond of the average noble on the best of days. I don't think I'll be able to keep myself from causing a political incident if I attend a gathering full of them. It might get… messy, physiologically speaking."

"Montague will probably try to pressure me into stopping my career as an adventurer before it even begins. Ever since I passed the Ascension Trials, he's been hinting that I should be satisfied with that achievement alone, and hinting that I should look into teaching roles. He might use the ceremony as an opportunity to force the Institute into offering me a job." They shared a look of mutual commiseration. Off to the side, Qorbin snorted.

"Well. At least you two are on the same page there. In which case…" His expression turned serious.

"In the past few weeks, several villages in the southeastern outskirts of Luminarche were completely massacred." He paused.

"Well, 'massacred' may not be the correct word. Every last occupant had disappeared, man, woman, and children alike. But considering the damaged, nearly destroyed conditions of the villages… I think it's pretty safe to say that they were all killed in a battle of some sort." Levi and Liliya both tensed up, their gazes hardening as the atmosphere. Qorbin sighed.

"It's pretty grim, but stuff like this does happen from time to time, especially to the smaller towns and villages. Adventurers were dispatched to investigate, but none of them found anything. Initially, the higher-ups believed it was some high-tier monster wandering around, until one of the adventurers finally found a body hidden underneath a bed. The attacker must've missed it somehow. The body… Well, have a look for yourself." He reached into his cloak and withdrew a photograph, showing it to them.

It was a picture of a desiccated corpse, its flesh withered and shriveled. Levi hated how he could instantly tell from experience what had happened with a single glance.

"All the blood was drained from its body." Liliya drew a sharp breath.

"But that means… It can't be – the treaty. This could mean another war." She looked at Qorbin, almost fearfully.

"You don't think it's…" Qorbin nodded, his expression more grave than Levi had ever seen.

"We suspect the vampires are finally making a move."