Chapter 29 Oblivion
“What should I do if I accidentally reveal my identity?”
Human affairs are unpredictable, and there are many perceptive individuals at the academy. It might be somewhat tough to hide everything with a single artifact. I needed an appropriate backup plan for any situation that might arise.
“I was just about to talk about that,” Erzebet cut in.
“We’ll erase the memories.”
I doubted my ears for a moment. Memory manipulation was a taboo in the realm of magic, known even to an outsider like me.
“Only if it is assessed to be a threat to you,” Erzebet continued.
It was hard to swallow. It wasn’t a matter of gentle persuasion or threats of disadvantages but erasing memories outright?
Was the Masters Class position that critical? Would its exposure cause severe problems?
Additionally, I heard that many from reputable noble houses and esteemed lineages were in Eternia.
Would they also be subjected to memory manipulation without hesitation?
“Does everyone’s memory get erased? Without exception?”
Erzebet nodded.
“Even if it’s the royalty.”
Touching the royal family carelessly could lead to serious repercussions. In the worst-case scenario, it could even lead to war.
She indicated they would risk that much to protect the Masters Class.
She then stood up and walked towards my desk, looking around my room slowly.
“Of course, it is best not to create such a situation in the first place. We could make an exception if there is someone thoroughly trustworthy, who also provides you support.”
“…Could I be subjected to memory manipulation?”
She began examining my desk, picking up each of the items I had made, including petal candies I had crafted following a recipe from Liria and ornaments made from meteor iron.
“Masters Class are an exception.”
At least that was a relief.
But as I thought more about memory manipulation, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread towards Eternia.
If they could conduct forbidden magic on royalty, what level of power did Eternia hold?
I even started to doubt whether this academy was really founded solely for the purpose of education.
While I was absorbed in thought, she continued to scrutinize my belongings meticulously.
She spoke of such alarming matters while maintaining a composed demeanor.
It appeared she wasn’t concerned about what I was thinking.
“You have a good hand,” she remarked.
“…?”
Without asking, she placed one of the petal candies into her mouth.
She savored the taste briefly and then spoke.
“This is a new experience for me. Did you make this?”
“I made it based on a recipe I received.”
A soft smile appeared on Erzebet’s face.
She seemed to speak favorably of the candy.
“You seem talented in alchemy too… You would likely adapt well to the magic faculty.”
“… That’s an overstatement.”
I didn’t even know what magic studies entailed. I was anxious that one misstep in conversation might get me dragged off to some strange place.
After pausing to take in the atmosphere – which wasn’t too bad – I got up from the bed and opened a drawer. Inside was a small gift box, neatly tied with a ribbon.
I had prepared these petal candies ahead of time, knowing that a distinguished mage would be visiting. I thought she would be a tough person to approach and had not expected to be able to hand them over.
My intuition told me that if not now, there might not be another chance.
I nervously approached her and offered her the gift box with formality. I couldn’t help feeling shaky before such a prestigious person.
Her eyes widened slightly at this unexpected gesture.
“May I inquire what this is?”
“These are the same candies that you’ve just tasted. I made them for you to enjoy on your return journey, considering the long distance you’ve traveled. It’s sudden, I know, but I felt that if not now, then there might not be another chance.”
Erzebet fell silent for a moment, not reaching for the gift.
My mouth went dry.
In that brief silence, a thousand thoughts raced through my mind.
Was it too abrupt? Did I overstep my bounds? Have I made a mistake?
“I shouldn’t accept things from students,” she finally said.
“…”
I messed up. I had overstepped.
Watching my face, Erzebet suddenly covered her mouth and laughed.
“You’re more charming than you seem. I think I understand why your mentor holds you in such high regard,” she said after a moment.
“…”
“As you haven’t officially enrolled yet, it shouldn’t be a problem to accept this.”
Was she teasing me because I was visibly tense?
Despite her noble appearance that makes it seem she would be unapproachable, she surprisingly had a playful streak.
She continued, writing in the air with her finger.
Sssss.
Soon thereafter, runes burst with bright yellow flames in the air.
“It doesn’t matter what you give.”
With a swift motion of her hand, Erzebet sent those characters flying into a wrought iron bracelet I had made as practice, embedding them one by one into the metal.
Wait, was that an enchantment? Artifacts are created this easily?
She handed me the wrought iron bracelet, which glowed red where the characters were inscribed, as if smithed in fire.
“A fitting reward for a good gift,” she said.
Truth be told, I had prepared the candies with somewhat mercenary intentions.
Though just leaving a small favor or a good impression would’ve been enough, I thought.
“That seems too grand a gift in return.”
“It’s no significant effort for me, so don’t worry. Just keep it a secret that you received it from me.”
“…”
I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but it seemed like a good thing, so I accepted it.
I slipped the bracelet around my left wrist.
“This will protect you from minor curses. It’s nothing extraordinary, but it has good synergy with meteor iron.”
“…Thank you.”
I wasn’t sure why, but it seemed that Silveryn’s advice had been effective.
***
I inquired with the butler about Silveryn’s whereabouts.
I was informed that she had gone out for a short walk.
I made my way to the lakeshore and strolled along the sandy beach.
The sun shone brightly and the breeze was refreshingly mild.
From a distance, I saw Silveryn.
She had spread a mat and sat meekly, in lightweight clothing, gazing out at the rippling lake.
It seemed she hadn’t noticed me approaching.
The wind tossed her hair, and she welcomed it with a cheerful disposition.
I felt my mood starting to lift as well.
I paused, watching her, contemplating the serenity of the scene.
It was like a painting, and I felt that intruding would be like tarnishing the image.
Suddenly, Silveryn looked around and saw me, beckoning me over.
“When did you get here? Come this way.”
She patted an empty space on the mat, as if inviting me to sit down.
As I took a seat beside her, she resumed her peaceful contemplation of the lakeside.
Silveryn appeared different from usual. She wasn’t wearing any of her ornate jewelry.
Not her large earrings, nor the gem-encrusted rings and necklaces.
These accessories usually reinforced her ‘magician’ aura.
But seeing her now, adorned so simply, she just looked like any beautiful noble lady.
“Master.”
“Mm?”
“When are we heading to Eternia?”
It would take several weeks to reach the academy. It seemed we needed to start preparing soon if we were to arrive without incident.
“You’ve just completed a difficult task, yet you’re already thinking of the next one. Soon. We won’t have many more days to enjoy this lake, so cherish this moment, my apprentice.”
Silveryn seemed happier than usual.
I’m not well-versed in the ways of savoring life. I just lived as it came, enduring day by day to get to this point.
Following her lead, I turned my gaze to the lake. The view was indeed wonderful.
“We won’t be coming back here after the entrance exams, will we?”
“Right.”
The journey between the academy and Wesel took a month in itself. Once we left, we would remain at the academy until the enrollment ceremony.
Following her reply, Silveryn remained quiet for some time.
Then, she abruptly changed the topic.
“Did you know? Vampires were quite fond of this lake, too.”
“…That’s a bit eerie.”
I remembered then that Silveryn’s estate was once a vampire’s dwelling. Perhaps Wesel had deep affiliations with vampires.
“Vampires live on forever and remember everything. They saw it as a curse, forever holding memories they longed to forget.”
She then said,
“Do you know what they called this lake? The Lake of Oblivion. They claimed this lake was so beautiful, idly gazing upon it melts away the torments of the past, leaving one to concentrate solely on the living, breathing present.”
“And what about you, Master? How do you feel?”
“Um, I think there might be some truth to that. What about you?”
“I’m not sure…”
To me, the lake was just a lake.
“However, ever since I arrived in Weisel, it’s true my old memories seem to have grown fainter.”
Had I stayed in Haman, I would have remembered everything as the vampires did.
I would have kept those who left me engraved in a corner of my heart, harboring resentment.
But after meeting Silveryn, much changed.
Unbeknownst to me, the past that’d once weighed upon me gradually blurred and I ceased to harbor any resentment toward anyone.
I felt less fettered, a little more at liberty.
“That’s good enough. Make some room. That way, new folks can join in.”
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