No rest for the wicked.
After the duel I walked to knock on Isengar's apartment room, knocked on the door, and the kind knight opened it to give me a huge bag of coins, everyone lived happily ever after. I wish. And then Loki made out with Wyxnos and they had five babies.
No. As I watched Isengar be carried away by his retainers, Strengite Ibarin held me by the shoulder.
"Miss Haru, we would like to have a word with you," he fuckingly demanded.
I looked at the hand, then up the shoulder and into his eyes. "Sure. Who's 'we', by the way?"
"Just come with me," he gripped my shoulder with a strength that would be painful for people with normal constitutions.
"How much do you like that hand?" I asked the damned bastard as we walked.
"Are you threatening me?"
"Am I? Is it working?"
"No."
"Oh, to be naïve!" If only he had a single clue. He should've paid more attention to me. I was almost offended.
We went to the faculty building and climbed the stairs to the fourth floor out of six. Once there, we stood in a waiting room for a while before he took me to a room to the side of the headmaster's office. At least by the quality of the doors, the one we took looking like a safe door and the other being ornate and posh, I wasn't going to be reprimanded.
The place wasn't anything I expected. A desk, maybe a couch, shelves with books and scrolls, there was no furniture. No windows. This wasn't an office, it was a dungeon. The office only had these weird glowing frosted panels of glass floating and gently spinning one next to the other along the walls.
> Soul crystal
>
> Price: Inestimable
>
> Soul: Duke Arcturus Vincent IV
>
> A crystal holding a prominent soul. Its knowledge can be consulted anytime.
Fuck.
"Miss Haru, welcome," Tiberius McCalister III greeted me. He moved a hand to show the crystals around him. "Do you like my collection?"
"Honestly? The second-most repulsive I've ever seen," I replied. "But the other guy mind-raped babies and turned them into liches. You surely didn't come here to show it to me."
"No. You are as of today worth six hundred kingmetal coins and hold quite some secrets. I am sure Leondirac will reward us greatly for getting rid of you. Learning your true nature is just a bonus at this time."
"Greed is good," I replied. "It shows you are not entirely a monster if you still care about raw currency. But slake my curiosity, are they volunteers? And isn't it a bit too early to show them to me?"
He chortled. "No, not at all. You are an unknown in my Academy, Miss Haru. A freshman that can defeat unscathed a third-rank mage. And a raging werebear. Unscathed. I am quite curious."
My {Soul Shepherd} Perk was screaming at me to release the souls trapped in these crystals. Things accelerated too much. While I fretted about the imprisoned specters, Tiberius continued.
"What secrets do you hide? Who are you? Who sent you here?"
"A lot but you'll learn only one of them today. I am Haru Stouthammer, no more, no less. Half-dwarf-kitsune. As unimpressive as it may sound, it's the truth. You know I came sponsored by an anonymous donor to Zacheia's orphanage. That's also the truth. But regarding my motivation, it was probably your late grandfather's invitation. He almost begged me to attend five centuries ago."
He waved a hand and powerful wards isolated us. A magic diagram appeared on the empty floor and I instinctively understood it as the spell that created these crystal traps.
"My grandfather? You are a decade old, of that we're sure. But entertain me, miss Haru." He mocked me and laughed. "How old were you when you got your emergency activation? It takes time to train someone to your level of skill. And I have this hunch you were holding back."
"Is he here?" I asked while I scanned and {Appraised} the crystals one by one.
"No, unfortunately. I would love to learn what he knew of Duchess Nagini."
"Very little, I can assure you," I chuckled.
He slapped me and I used the opportunity to spin and check the crystals Strengite was blocking from my sight. One of them triggered me.
> Soul crystal
>
> Price: Inestimable
>
> Soul: Thane Alfondric Ashshield
>
> A crystal holding a prominent soul. Its knowledge can be consulted anytime.
Then another.
> Soul crystal
>
> Price: Inestimable
>
> Soul: Vanagon Silkheart.
>
> A crystal holding a prominent soul. Its knowledge can be consulted anytime.
Windemere's corruption ran deeper than I thought. And the Academy had spoiled like damp garbage centuries ago. No wonder they were so aggressive, expanding without any regard for the population around them. And why Strengite was so obsessed with my secrets.
"But I will learn all your secrets soon enough. Then I'll shatter your crystal!" He shouted.
I dropped one of the Kel'Caldor staves, somewhere on the far corner of the windowless room. The magical tool appeared and the tools in the room took notice. Despite the amount I had, each was something mages would kill for.
"Where did that come from?" Tiberius asked. "A gift from Vukdon?" He probably {Appraised} it, because his next action was to dash and seize the magical weapon.
I dropped another. Tiberius made to pick it up, but no mage needed two of those. "Strengite, I think that one is for you."
"The girl."
He cast a paralysis spell on me. I froze. Strengite moved to get a staff. They talked about the properties and how could two identical artifacts this powerful exist. The conclusion the fools reached was that Vukdon had rewarded them for capturing me.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
I said before that the events would accelerate. I was wrong. This was a rollercoaster on the verge of derailing.
----------------------------------------
Tiberius McCalister III, Academy Headmaster
----------------------------------------
He felt giddy like he hadn't in a century. Despite being pure human, Tiberius bought a Perk that increased his longevity by a factor of four, stretching his natural lifespan to four centuries. When Strengite came to tell him about the girl, he was skeptical. After the duel, he decided she was worth the investment to turn into a crystal. Just the secret to her immunity to {Appraisal} wasn't enough. But her magical prowess and combat expertise in a body this young? The method of creating and raising children like that was.
And now Vukdon himself expressed his wishes becuase legendary staves didn't appear out of thin air for no reason. Haru Stouthammer had to perish. After comparing the two identical staves, he felt a surge of power from the center of the room.
Haru had somehow escaped his spell. She stood exactly where she was, staring at them. The only difference was the tails behind her. Not two, not nine, but seventeen. He couldn't even recognize some of the more exotic tail colors.
By trained instinct, he {Appraised} her even knowing it was useless.
> [Master of Magic] Level 72 female 1/2 Dwarf 1/2 Kitsune [Crafter]
>
> HP: 17,000,000
>
> MP: 13,000,000
It was the most ridiculous Status he'd ever seen. If only titles could be faked. The gods assured time and again that it wasn't.
> You stand before a Royal Aura. All your Attributes are reduced by 23.
>
> You are in the Presence of the Eldritch. All your Attributes are reduced by 43
>
> The Manastorm burned you for 6,460 HP and MP. Your MP regeneration is blocked.
>
> Two of your physical Attributes are zero. You cannot move.
MP burn is one of the worst sensations a spellcaster can feel. It burns in their very core. Along with the excruciating pain, came also the feelings of helplessness and the despair of having their magic stolen from them.
"Stand down and do nothing!" She commanded.
> Contested Charisma test failed.
>
> The Manastorm burned you for 6,460 HP and MP.
He tried to resist.
> The Manastorm burned you for 6,460 HP and MP.
>
> For defying a Royal Geas, you take 6,000 HP of damage.
>
> The Manastorm burned you for 6,460 HP and MP.
>
> For defying a Royal Geas, you take 6,000 HP of damage.
>
> The Manastorm burned you for 6,460 HP and MP.
>
> For defying a Royal Geas, you take 6,000 HP of damage.
He started to cast a spell. The magic diagram broke before he'd finished the Essence portion. By his side, Strengite was faring worse. The teacher writhed and frothed from the mouth.
"Before my eyes, you are a disappointment, grandson of McCalister. Before my Windemere, you are a disgrace, defiler of souls. Look at me and know true despair.
A golden sphere floated out of her chest. Appraise proved useless.
> [Wisp of Creation]
>
> No Status.
What was that thing? How could anything in this world have no status?
> The Manastorm burned you for 6,460 HP and MP.
>
> For defying a Royal Geas, you take 6,000 HP of damage.
"Your punishment will end if you pledge yourself to me," she proclaimed. "As you did to the souls you have trapped here, I'll request all you know. Once I'm satisfied, you'll be free to go."
> The Manastorm burned you for 6,460 HP and MP.
>
> For defying a Royal Geas, you take 6,000 HP of damage.
"You'll waste away, grandson of McCalister. Your grandfather would be severely disappointed you corrupted his life's work. And once you expire, I'll show you what's true soul magic. Not this stupid gimmick you built here."
> The Manastorm burned you for 6,460 HP and MP.
>
> For defying a Royal Geas, you take 6,000 HP of damage.
"Go to hell!" He defied her.
"Suit yourself. {Champion's Challenge}!"
> You have been challenged to a duel!
>
> Contested Charisma test failed
>
> Contested test filed. This Attribute is locked.
A glowing spear appeared in her hand. She poked his forehead.
"I'll do it!" He flinched, all he could do in his powerless state. "I'll pledge myself to you. Before Vukdon and Wyxnos, I hereby swear my fealty to you."
The nerve-wracking pain stopped. He complied with the terrible {Royal Geas}. Tiberius now knew. Their greed caused them to act before they had enough information. He glared at Ibarin, equally in pain by his side. The fool recommended they acted in the spur of the moment. Capture the girl, win favor with the Royals. Cement their importance in the region and the independence of the Academy. Windermere could rot for all he cared.
Ibarin died while Tiberius pondered.
"Not so fast, professor. You're going nowhere before I learn everything," she spoke to the air.
No. It couldn't be. Tiberius couldn't believe but it had to be true.
She was speaking to Ibarin's soul. As terror and dread for what was about to happen to him dawned on his face, Tiberius met the girl, no, the eldritch monstrosity before him.
"See? This is how true soul magic looks like. I need no gimmicks like the ones you have here."
She snapped her finger and sang a single sharp note. The soul-crystals floating in the room all broke at the same time.
"You are free, my friends. But before you go, here's a gift from me. Please consider lending me your aid." She spoke to the air. The souls he couldn't see. Her mien was graceful, warming, motherly.
"Who am I? I was once the rightful ruler of Windemere, slayer of dragons, though I have no interest in the throne at the moment. I was called the weaver of threads, the creator of your kind," she declared facing another side. Then a third one. "Yes. I am your [Matriarch], and also their Duchess and founder."
She sighed. "Alfondric. I wished our reunion happened in more tranquil circumstances but it might be a boon that we met at all. Your children are lost, believing in lies spun by who-knows and on the verge of sedition. What? No, I won't punish them, for I am one of your people this time. Help me, great Thane. Help me keep Windemere safe and united once again."
She smiled, "Thank you. You too, Vanagon. I'm blessed to have you back. Old friend, your debt was paid tenfold... Yes, I can give you a flesh and blood body now," she giggled. "You have quite a lot of options to choose from. But that can wait. I think I should do one last act as [King] of this place and punish the wicked, right? What do you say, guys?"
A spectral wind whispered desires of vengeance targeted at him. The souls he stole.
Turning to face him, her spear ignited with fire. "Grandson of McCalister, you are unworthy of his name and legacy."
"You said you'd let me go!" He protested with what was left of his strength.
"Yes! You'll go free into the afterlife once I'm done with you," her face became serious. "I never promised to let you live."
She stabbed him. All that was left in front of him was a notification.
> You Died.
----------------------------------------
There was no stopping for Windemere's runaway train of history. Only more fire to stoke its furnace, until the boiler blew up.
> For killing level 146 Teacher, you gained 3.4 billion Exp (base 1,626,282 x 625 Fast learner x 3.38 favored enemy)
>
> For killing level 156 Headmaster , you gained 13.3 billion Exp (base 1,856,689 x 625 Fast learner x3.38 Challenge x3.38 favored enemy)
>
> You reached You reached Journeyman Crafter level 18.
>
> You reached You reached Half-Dwarf Trickster level 18.
One level each. Even with the improved base Exp and reduced Exp-to-level, leveling up is hard.
I spent the next hour weaving dolls to golemify most of the ghosts. I could leave them floating around but it was dangerous for them. Since a lot of them kindly offered to help me, the least I could was to protect them.
I broke the two staves I gifted to Ibarin and Tiberius' grandson. I sprinkled their shattered remains around the room along with the broken and useless soul crystals. After that, I modified the soul-ripping spell diagram to resemble a demon summoning one. I took one of the intermediate demon corpses from my storage and mangled it with magic, the kind Ibarin and Tiberius favored. Having the two ghosts in hand surely helped. Using the demon's claws, I also mangled their bodies, made scorch marks to look like a fight broke out, and bled the corpses on the floor.
The finishing touch was a demon worshipper manual which I burnt to the point of being recognizable but utterly unusable. I collected some of the ashes so the tome couldn't be restored by magic unless the caster already held the knowledge which the book contained.
After composing a convincing narrative of demon summoning gone wrong, I became intangible and invisible and searched the building. The princelings were on the top floor, as it should be. Isengar was still unconscious but alive and healthy, just exhausted.
I went back to the Headmaster and Ibarin's chambers. I couldn't raid their offices and living spaces, unfortunately. But they did have a few things that were worth taking. Some rare grimoires the Academy collected over the centuries. History books, rather accurate ones, not the doctored nonsense they taught in the classroom. Just a few things nobody would think were stolen, only misplaced. People wouldn't suspect theft because their small fortune was left behind in rather obvious hiding spots.
Once I was done with that, I started a fire in the waiting room of the headmaster's office. Turns out the posh door led to a real office and that room was his secret evil lab.
I slipped into Mirina's bed chambers and revealed myself to her. The [Princess] was my alibi.
"Haru? Didn't the headmaster take you away?"
I grinned. "What are you talking about, Mirina. I've been here with you for an hour now."
She sighed. The ingenious young woman figured me out. "You did something to the Headmaster."
"I think the dire truth about the former Academy head will come to light soon enough. We might get a new teacher too. So, did you know Isengar was a quarter werebear? I was so shocked!"
Mirina and I cackled like the good villainesses we were.