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Condemned To Death
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15th September, 1507
“Alright, it’s break time now. Be back in class in 30 minutes,” Aldric announced, signalling the end of the class as he made his way toward the exit.
Seren turned to Susie, a reminder dancing on his lips. "Don't forget to ask Aldric about your problem," he urged softly.
Susie nodded in acknowledgment before swiftly rising from her desk and darting after Aldric, who had already left the classroom.
Observing Susie's departure, Elise turned to Seren with curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Is it about what happened yesterday?" she inquired with a distant look on her face.
Seren responded with a simple nod before rising from his seat. "I'm headed to the library. Wanna come along?" he offered, extending the invitation to Elise.
Elise nodded eagerly, happy to tag along with Seren. While Seren searched for information about the Lexarch world to help him achieve his goals, Elise was excited to learn more about relics and the supernatural, finding them fascinating.
…
In a study room, Aldric listened intently as Susie explained her dilemma, his hand absentmindedly stroking his beard.
“So you want something that would help negate the negative side effects of your scythe,” he mused aloud, his brow furrowed in thought.
Susie's anticipation grew with each passing moment, her eyes fixed on Aldric in hopeful anticipation.
Aldric closed his eyes, pondering for a moment before speaking. "There are three solutions I can think of," he began, his voice steady. "First, you could aim to become a rank 2 or rank 3 Lexarch. Higher-ranking Lexarchs have the natural ability to partially negate the side effects of relics. Second, you could purchase a relic that helps keep your mind stable, or something similar. And third, you could invest in an artifact with similar abilities."
Susie furrowed her brow, puzzled by the term ‘artifact’. Sensing her confusion, Aldric offered clarification. "An artifact is just an object that has been partially imbued with a law. They are weaker than relics and cannot be stored in your Mind Core, but given your financial situation, I would recommend the third option."
Feeling conflicted, Susie weighed her options. The first seemed out of reach, and while a relic might be stronger, it was likely beyond her means. ‘That only leaves the third option’ she realized.
After gathering her thoughts, Susie expressed her gratitude to Aldric and turned to leave. But before she could exit, Aldric called out to her.
"Wait, Susie," he said, a smile playing on his lips.
Susie turned back, curiosity evident in her expression. "Yes?"
Aldric's smile widened as he posed his question. "Susie, do you know what surgery is?"
…
As Elise strolled through the academy's hallway, she couldn't help but admire its opulence: a red carpet underfoot, chandeliers casting a soft glow overhead, and walls adorned with intricate paintings. Each step reminded her that she was no longer on Earth but in a world filled with magic and wonders beyond her wildest dreams.
Breaking the silence, Seren's voice cut through the air. "Since you used to be a university student, what did you learn back on Earth?" Though he had never visited Earth himself, Seren had gleaned knowledge from countless memories of other similar worlds, allowing him to infer what Elise meant.
Elise's eyes lit up at the question, her chin lifting proudly. "Believe it or not, I used to be one of the most academically educated people," she declared with confidence. "I have a Ph.D. in six different majors: mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, and computer science. Though my obsession with learning ultimately led to my demise, can you believe I achieved all that by the age of 20?"
Elise peeked at Seren from the side to see his reaction to her accomplishments, but Seren only had a deadpan expression as he continued walking in silence and then he said “I see”
Halting in her tracks, Elise turned to face Seren, her expression incredulous. "Is that all you have to say?" she exclaimed. "Most people would doubt me or even accuse me of lying, but you're not even fazed."
Seren chuckled softly, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I hear impressive stories often," he admitted. "I'm just more reserved than most, preferring to keep my reactions in check."
Seren's lack of understanding about university life led him to respond with whatever came to mind, a realization that dawned on him belatedly. Ignoring the awkwardness, he turned and headed towards the library, leaving Elise feeling disappointed by his nonchalant reaction.
Disheartened by the lack of reaction, Elise couldn't shake off her disappointment. She would often spend her nights crafting scenarios in her mind, envisioning ways to impress others. This encounter with Seren had been one such scenario, she even went as far as imagining him falling in love with her for her achievements.
Determined not to let the moment slip away, Elise quickened her pace to catch up with Seren. As she reached his side, she couldn't help but comment, "You say you’re reserved, but you definitely don’t act like it when dealing with Lorien and his gang."
Seren's response was lighthearted, a smirk playing on his lips. "Hehe, if I can benefit from something, I don’t mind acting out of character."
Then, out of the blue, Seren asked, "By any chance, do you know how to make bombs?"
Elise's mind froze momentarily at the unexpected question. "Why do you ask?" she queried, confusion coloring her voice.
Seren's answer was matter-of-fact, his demeanor serious. "Just for my own protection. In this world, there are many unknowns, so it's wise to be prepared for anything."
Although she initially wanted to object, Elise's thoughts drifted to the terrifying display of cruelty by Jake the day before, leaving her with a chill down her spine. Composing herself, she responded confidently, "I can create almost all types of weapons, not just bombs."
Elise's expression then turned dejected as she confessed, "But there's no way for me to create anything remotely close to a bomb in this world due to the lack of materials needed."
Instantly, Seren reassured her, "There's no need to worry about the materials needed. Just tell me what they are, and I will see if I can get them."
Suspicion crept into Elise's gaze as she regarded Seren, wondering if he was pulling her leg. But his demeanor seemed earnest, so she inquired about how he planned to acquire the necessary materials. However, Seren remained tight-lipped, refusing to entertain her.
Annoyed by his secrecy, Elise could only sigh in frustration.
"The most destructive small-sized bombs typically use research development explosive, also known as RDX," Elise explained, adopting a teacher-like tone. "I doubt you actually want a bomb that compares to a modern one, so I will just make a simplified bomb with just the RDX."
Seren nodded along, though whether he truly comprehended her instructions remained uncertain. Undeterred, Elise continued, listing the materials required for synthesizing RDX. "To make the RDX, I need nitric acid, sulfuric acid, concentrated nitric acid, and cooling equipment and mixing equipment. Even if you are able to get all the raw materials, I doubt you have the necessary equipment like reactors, mixers, and the cooling systems required to facilitate the chemical reactions and control the temperature during the synthesis process."
Indeed, Seren knew he couldn't conjure up reactors or cooling systems with his powers alone, especially as a mere rank 1 Lexarch. Disappointed, he shifted his focus to a simpler solution, asking, "Then what about an explosive made with gunpowder?"
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Elise's eyes lit up with enthusiasm at the prospect. "It would be much weaker than RDX but much easier to make. I just need potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. The rest of the process I can handle by myself," she explained, feeling hopeful about this more feasible option.
With determination shining in his eyes, Seren declared, "I will have the material ready in a week."
Elise couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. ‘Yes! It finally feels like I'm the main character in a fantasy novel. Although I'm not too fond of being a maniac scientist, I will take what I can get!’ she thought, imagining the possibilities that lay ahead.
...
Returning to the classroom, Seren and Elise engaged in lively conversation, with Elise sharing her experiences from Earth and her transition to this new world. Seren contributed occasionally, eager to keep the dialogue flowing.
As they settled into their seats, Susie entered the room. Seren greeted her with a wave, prompting a smile from Susie as she took a seat beside him.
"Did you get what you wanted?" Seren inquired, his smile warm.
Susie sighed, her voice weary and conflicted. "Yes, but it's going to cost a lot of soul stones, and I don't even know where to begin."
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Susie asked, her tone curious, "Do any of you know what surgery is?"
Seren's smile froze on his face as he stared at Susie in silence, while Elise held her breath, her fingers trembling slightly as if submerged underwater.
"No, but why do you ask?" Seren asked calmly, still smiling at Susie.
"Well, it's just that Aldric asked me about it," Susie explained.
Elise attempted to hide her restlessness and fear by feigning ignorance, but her trembling hands and rough breathing betrayed her unease.
Susie then stood up and said she had to go to the washroom as she hurriedly walked out of the classroom.
As Susie hurriedly excused herself, claiming she needed to use the restroom, Elise's expression instantly transformed from a smile to one of dread, resembling that of a child watching a horror movie. "No, this can't be happening. Not like this. I can't die here," she mumbled to herself, her voice barely above a whisper as she stared down at her feet, her expression dark and troubled. Her mind was deluding itself into thinking up absurd scenarios now that Aldric knew about surgery.
Elise's hands, slick with sweat, trembled uncontrollably as she struggled to maintain her composure.
Then, amidst the turmoil of her thoughts, she felt a warm touch on her trembling hands. Startled, she looked up to see Seren sitting closer to her, a soft look on his face as he gently placed his hand on top of hers.
In a serene voice, Seren reassured her, "Don't worry, we won't be exposed. Susie and Aldric don't yet know what surgery is. This won't reveal our identities to them."
Elise's racing heart began to slow as she absorbed Seren's words.
Elise slowly began to calm herself down, taking deep breaths to steady her racing heart. With a relieved expression, she whispered, "...Thank you," her voice barely audible in the murmurs of the classroom.
“Grrrr” Meanwhile, Finn groaned with clear irritation and jealousy as he watched Seren and Elise acting closely with each other.
Lorien placed a hand on his shoulder as he stood beside him, then with a mischievous look he leaned in closer to Finn and whispered “You will never have that”.
“PISS OFF!” Finn yelled, shoving Lorien aside as he stormed out of the classroom. Lorien watched with a mixture of pity and amusement, satisfied with his mischief.
…
Knock knock
“Come in” The voice of a middle-aged man rang out as he looked over some documents on a table.
The door creaked open, revealing the figure of a young man in his early twenties. He walked with a confident stride, his black hair styled in a sleek undercut, framing his face with an air of determination. His stern expression conveyed a sense of seriousness and purpose as he entered the room.
The man wore a tailored black coat draped elegantly over his frame, the crimson accents catching the light as he moved. His black trousers were neatly pressed, accentuating his stature and poise. With each step, his sturdy black boots echoed softly against the floor, adding to the gravity of his presence.
The man's gaze was sharp and focused as his eyes scanned the surroundings with keen observation. Despite his youth, there was a maturity in his demeanor, and a sense of responsibility that belied his age.
"Sir," he greeted the middle-aged man with a respectful nod, his voice firm yet respectful. “The consortium from the Elysium that was meant to arrive today was intercepted”
The middle-aged man stopped what he was doing then he looked up at the man and asked with a frown on his face “Who was it?”
“We don’t know” The man answered with an impassive look.
“...”
The middle-aged man fell silent as he took in the situation, his brow furrowed in thought, the light from the large window of the room casting deep shadows across his face.
The young man, Arthur, standing on the other side of the table, waited patiently, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the middle-aged man.
“...Keep a close watch on The Ravens,” he instructed, his voice low and grave, the words hanging heavy in the air like a dark omen.
Arthur nodded silently, his expression unreadable as he turned to leave.
“Arthur,” the middle-aged man called out just as Arthur turned to leave, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife.
Arthur paused, his hand resting on the door handle as he turned to face the middle-aged man, his gaze meeting his with steely resolve.
“Stay within the boundaries of your duties,” the middle-aged man warned, his voice stern with an intent look on his face.
Arthur looked at him in silence, his expression stoic and inscrutable. Then, without a word, he exited the room, leaving behind a lingering sense of unresolved tension.
…
As the sun gradually descended behind the horizon, its fading rays painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The towering trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches swaying gently in the evening breeze.
Seren, Elise, and Susie strolled back toward the village, their voices carrying in the tranquil evening air.
Susie's expression soured as she recounted her interaction with the academy registry. "I asked the academy registry if they had any artifacts that could solve my problem," she sighed.
Elise leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What did they say?"
"They do have them," Susie replied with a hint of frustration, "but the cheapest one costs at least 70 soul stones. Where am I even going to get that much money?"
Seren, ever the problem solver, interjected with a glint of hope in his eyes. "The mission’s department will be opening tomorrow. You can accept missions that the academy assigns to get soul stones."
Susie’s eyes lit up at hearing this as she asked with an excited voice, "Wait really!"
Seren chuckled at her reaction and clarified the information.
"Seren, are those missions hard?" Susie asked, her excitement now tinged with a hint of apprehension.
Seren nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging Susie's concern. "I heard some can be challenging, depending on the task and the reward offered. But there are usually a variety of missions available, so you can choose ones that suit your skills and capabilities."
Susie contemplated for a moment, her expression serious, before mustering the courage to ask, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment, "Will you join me? Don’t worry, we can split the reward."
Seren's smile was reassuring as he replied, "Don’t worry, these missions are usually done in groups."
Susie felt a wave of relief wash over her at Seren's answer, a smile spreading across her face as they continued their journey.
"Hey, hold your horses! I could use some soul stones as well." Elise chimed in, not wanting to be left out.
“Hehe sure we won’t forget about you” Seren's response was playful, but for some reason, Elise felt a twinge of annoyance, as if he were treating her like a child just because he was five years older than her before he died.
“What are horses?” Susie, who was walking beside Elise asked with a confused look.
As Susie questioned the unfamiliar term, Elise felt a moment of panic. 'Shit,' she cursed inwardly, scrambling to find an explanation. With a forced laugh, she replied, "It's just a figure of speech. Just playing around with words, nothing serious."
Susie regarded her with a puzzled expression, but ultimately shrugged it off, assuming it was just Elise's quirky way of speaking.
Some animals like horses that were present on earth did not exist in this world so it was normal for Elise to sometimes mention animals that other people didn’t know about.
Relieved that Susie didn't press further, Elise made a mental note to be more cautious with her words in the future. They resumed their conversation, exchanging stories and laughter as they walked along the forest path.
…
“My brother spilled the soup on me and then I-”
Before Elise finished her sentence, she noticed someone blocking their path.
As she looked ahead, she saw three people standing on the dirt path in front of them. Ignoring them, she attempted to return to her conversation when she heard one of them say.
"Which one of you is Seren?"
The three individuals, clad in the distinctive blue capes of second-year academy students, stood with an air of authority.
There was complete silence for a few seconds, then Seren stepped forward calmly, his demeanor composed as he responded, "Is there something you need from me?"
Susie's apprehension grew evident as she observed the exchange, the older students' presence casting a shadow of unease over the group. The student in the middle, towering over Seren with medium-length hair, flashed a slight smile before his expression hardened.
"Yes, we do need something," he sneered, his tone dripping with ridicule. "Your soul stones, that is."
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Condemned To Death
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