Once again, a hint surfaced in his mind.
He wasn't sure if the reward t his expectations, but there was one thing that stood out.
'A special skill?'
Until now, all rewards had been indirect benefits.
But this ti, the reward was a special skill he could use directly.
'Not bad. I figured it was about ti for sothing like this to appear.'
In fact, he wondered if he'd only been given indirect benefits for too long.
'No, maybe it's just that now I'm finally able to use things like this?'
Compared to the beginning, there was a lot more he could do with the phone.
For example, hints now appeared directly in his mind. He could see this as a new function.
And that was likely because he had completed nurous hints.
'The more hints I complete, the more the phone... no, the connection to the power of god grows?'
Thinking of it that way, it made sense that he finally received a skill he could use directly.
The god's power was limited in the human realm from the beginning.
The god didn't give Luca his power directly but was bestowing it indirectly through the phone.
The process by which the god gave him power was the clearing of 'hints'.
The more hints completed, the more actions the god could perform; in a way, this was only natural.
'I wonder how much stronger power will be granted from now on. I'm looking forward to it.'
Thinking this, Luca looked at his phone.
[Super Regeneration]
Description: As long as you breathe, there is hope. And as long as you have hope, you can breathe forever.
Effect: By consuming ntal strength, you recover physical injuries and restore life force for a certain period of ti. Duration scales with ntal strength.
As soon as he read the skill description, he imdiately knew what it was modeled after.
― My power is not a sanctuary for the weak. When warriors fighting devils lose their ability to fight, as long as they have will, I let them stand up and fight again—again and again. That is my true power.
'White Noise... No, it's the nature of Waypoint.'
The ability to let you fight again and again as long as your will persists.
That, she'd said, was the true power of Waypoint.
'If I think about it like that, it really is clearly different from White Noise. White Noise makes you keep fighting by consuming life force.'
Now that it was laid out as a skill, the difference was clear.
Waypoint consus ntal strength to restore life force; White Noise consus life force to protect ntal strength, or rather, 'information'.
After confirming this, Luca glanced at Ravinia.
"I feel like I can do anything now! Just say the word, angel!"
There was sothing like faith in her eyes.
Luca twisted his lips.
"For starters, stop calling 'angel'."
"Then what should I call you?"
"By my na."
At that, Ravinia's eyes went wide.
"That's... That feels too disrespectful!"
"Haaa..."
Luca wanted to say a lot, but no matter what he said, it felt like it would co out harsh, so he held back with a sigh and frowned.
"If you keep calling angel, I won't answer you anymore. Suit yourself."
"But...."
"If you intend to do as you please, why not go back to forming a cri organization and playing boss, like before?"
At Luca's cold remark, Ravinia flinched and bowed her head.
"Yes. Luca... sir...."
"Fine. Then let's settle your treatnt now."
"Treatnt?"
As Ravinia tilted her head, Luca spoke dispassionately.
"Since Albino, who you belonged to until now, is gone, you have to decide how you'll live hereafter."
"From now on..."
There was a note of bitterness to the words 'from now on'.
This wasn't her first ti feeling at a loss over the future.
"You have two choices. One: live on your own. You've been doing well on your own so far, so I think you can keep it up."
He didn't know what direction she'd take in life, but even if left alone, she would be helpful eventually—as long as she kept thinking of Luca as 'angel' and believing in him.
"The other is to follow to the Academy."
"The Academy...?"
At his words, Ravinia made a reluctant face.
"Yeah. There's soone there who knows a lot about the 'Great Soul' and the 'devil'."
Eltima Cross, officer of Heaven's Door.
Obviously, as the head of Heaven's Door, she knew a great deal about the Great Soul and devils.
After all, the leader of Heaven's Door was a synchronizer of the Great Soul.
'I'm not sure if she's there right now... Well, if I ask Herote, she'll tell .'
Herote, who ca to Hernan Academy out of admiration for Eltima.
Not to ntion, as a great mage herself, Herote should also know quite a bit about the Great Soul.
Even if she didn't, if Luca turned Ravinia over to her, a lot of information could be extracted.
"But, um... I'm over 20 years old, you know?"
"?"
"No matter what you say—even as an angel—I think at this age, academy is a bit much..."
Having almost said 'angel' again, Ravinia hastily changed her words.
But Luca was too shocked by her prior comnt to react.
"You're over 20?"
"Yes... This appearance is fixed to the state from when I synchronized with White Noise—now Waypoint..."
"You an, from when you synchronized with White Noise?!"
Ravinia's outward appearance was that of an early teen.
She looked about Luca's age.
But Luca rembered: Ravinia had made a contract with White Noise before even turning ten.
'So this appearance is from before age ten?'
It was an unbelievable statent.
"Yes. I stopped counting after 20... and Albino was created over 10 years ago."
Ravinia did the math on her fingers and nodded.
"My mother fell ill when I was six. I worked as a cleaner for about three years, so I must have synchronized when I was nine."
"Haaa..."
The original didn't state the dates clearly, but those three years of hardship were real.
'Her life was truly hell.'
Not even as a joke could one say, 'Wasn't it bearable?'
"Anyway, I'm not inviting you as a student. It's not like the Academy would accept you as one in the first place."
"I-is that so...?"
"The title of best academy on the continent isn't just for show."
There was no way anyone could just waltz into the continent's greatest academy, Hernan Academy—unless there was so special admission for synchronizers of the Great Soul.
"Besides, Bella is my only attendant, so I can bring you along as a second. There, you could learn more about your own power and how to use it. If you don't want to be an attendant, we can think of sothing else."
"I'd be fine with being the angel's attendant!"
"......"
At the word 'angel', Luca's eyes narrowed. Ravinia quickly flinched and bowed her head.
"Ah... Sorry... Luca, sir...."
"Tsk. Anyway, if you want to be my attendant, you'll have to learn a lot from Bella. Make sure to study as much as you can before the term starts."
Saying this, Luca looked at Bella.
Bella was wearing a slightly sullen expression, which was unusual for her.
"Master only needs as an attendant, though."
"......"
A nerve twitched at Luca's temple. Instinctively, he knew that saying the wrong thing now would be dangerous.
"... I think so too, but there's no choice. Even if she learns from you, she won't work as well as you do anyway."
"Hehe~ Isn't that right? Then it can't be helped."
At Luca's words, Bella's mood brightened and she smiled radiantly.
Then, drawing near to Ravinia, she began to explain all sorts of things.
Ottbo, watching, sidled up to Luca and whispered.
"You're having a hard ti too, I see."
"... Haaa. Seems like we're both in the sa boat."
Luca was hardly in a position to complain to Ottbo, who was constantly flustered by Milia.
He chuckled dryly and shook his head, then crossed his arms as he spoke.
"Well, shall we head back now?"
"To the Academy?"
At Ottbo's question, Luca nodded.
"Yeah. We've been away quite a while."
"'Quite a while'? Our break only started two weeks ago."
"Is that so? It feels like we've been out for over a month."
With that, Luca let out a soft laugh.
"A long two weeks, then."
* * *
They decided to finish a few pending matters and then return to the Academy.
That included stopping by Tularik and reporting that everything was resolved;
using a disguise spell to hide Ravinia's white hair, red eyes, and pale skin;
and finally, picking up a few souvenirs.
As Luca bought the souvenirs, he grumbled.
"Is it really necessary to buy stuff like this?"
"If you don't prepare gifts, Milia and Isella will be disappointed."
"They're not kids."
"A-aren't they our kids, in a way?"
"... Tsk."
As he grumbled at Ottbo, Luca paused, his gaze caught by sothing.
'This is the only place that sells this green tea...'
Luca suddenly rembered Pasmo Thier. He smacked his lips and picked it up.
'Well, one present at least isn't a bad idea.'
He had plenty of money, after all.
Once the shopping was done, they boarded the train.
Thanks to Ottbo's connection, they were able to get tickets for the premium suite again.
"Ahh~ It was a pretty fun trip, wasn't it?"
"Haaa. Felt more like all hard work to ."
So saying, Luca sat on the sofa by the suite's window, watching the scenery blur by and smiling faintly.
"Well, it wasn't a bad trip."
* * *
In Havok, the tropolis near Hernan Academy, Luca hesitated for a mont, considering whether to visit Hav and Moula, who had arrived earlier.
In the end, he decided to let the couple have their sweet ti together and went straight to the Academy.
"Huh, the restoration was faster than I expected."
He'd thought construction would still be ongoing, but perhaps it was already finished, with the Academy now quiet.
They must have been dealing with internal issues.
"Halt!"
"It's the break period! What's your business entering the Academy?"
Naturally, Hernan Academy was still not open to outsiders.
Guards stood by the entrance to prevent entry.
Luca responded bluntly.
"I have an appointnt with the successor headmaster, Herote."
"What?"
"What is he...!"
Assuming it was nonsense, the guards paused mid-protest.
—I called him. Let them in.
"!"
—Actually, I'll just fetch them myself.
Shoosh!
The mont Herote's voice was heard, the entire auto-carriage was teleported.
Luca clicked his tongue as he saw the changed surroundings.
"Tch. I heard you wouldn't surveil the entire Academy."
"There aren't any students right now."
The beautiful witch surrounded by a navy glow—Herote.
She smiled at Luca.
"It's been a while, Luca. Looks like you sorted things out."
"Pretty much."
He had gone south primarily to restore his life force, and though he hadn't said a word, she imdiately noticed that he was well.
Then, looking at the people disembarking from the auto-carriage, she spoke in surprise.
"And it seems you've brought an interesting guest."
"She's a synchronizer of a Great Soul."
"Oh?"
At Luca's words, Herote looked at Ravinia with curiosity, then snapped her fingers.
Shoosh!
"?!"
The disguise spell on Ravinia was dispelled.
Her white hair, red eyes, and pale skin now visible, Herote exclaid in admiration.
"Amazing. A synchronizer of the Great Soul? Eltima will be very interested."
"Where is Eltima?"
"She already left. Finished all her business."
Herote wore a faintly bitter expression.
It was clear Eltima was important to her.
Luca replied flatly.
"Then call her back or study this one yourself first."
"Really? I can do any research I want?"
Herote smiled brightly, her words hinting at sothing.
"......"
Ravinia glanced at Luca with palpable dread, but Luca just smirked.
"As long as you don't act like one of Marquis Kisen's lackeys."
"Oh, right. They escaped."
As if just rembering, Herote spoke.
Luca froze for a mont and then asked again.
"... What did you say?"
"Miros and Donovan, right? They escaped."
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【(ㅇࡇㅇ)?】
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