{Memory core 18/???}
~~~~~{Memory Core 18 Start}~~~~~
The classroom was a maze of wooden desks and dusty chalkboards, the walls adorned with ancient maps and magical charts. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, casting long shadows across the room. Professor Perrod stood at the front and announced today’s debate topic. “Theories on the recent Zoo bombing.” It was all anyone had been discussing and was sure to engender a furious debate.
Ten minutes in, however, I was bored out of my skull. I knew the real culprits and couldn’t even share it. I still didn’t know what Peckolin had been trying to accomplish, and that’s when everything went downhill. A pigeon-dove flew into the classroom and dropped a note off with Professor Perrod, who read it with great haste.
Candar raised his hand. Ever since we destroyed that Zoo, Candar had been snootier than ever. Two days had passed, and he acted like he had become a king. Peckolin’s influence had turned him into a pompous know-it-all, and it grated on everyone’s nerves. Nobody did anything, though, because who would want to risk facing Peckolin’s wrath?
“Actually, my brother Peckolin said the zoo attack couldn’t have been the Aerlyntians. They don’t have magic cores ever since the last of the djinni-bloods were eradicated.”
I stared in shock. Candar, what are you doing, buddy? Please don’t give it away that you were involved.
I tried to get his attention, but he continued on and said, “He thinks there’s a new magical faction on the rise. This is eerily similar to how the Necromancer Wars got their start.”
Multiple classmates gasped in horror. One did not simply mention the Necromancer Wars. While based on historical events, it was a cultural taboo to mention the near collapse of our country.
Professor Perrod took charge and, after giving Candar an odd look, started talking.
“Children, children, settle down. There is no need to fuss over this incident, though I will remind certain students not to mention the taboo in my classroom. In fact, now is a good a time as any to mention the news. The debate is now over.”
There were groans from some of the more active participants.
“This missive pertains to everyone, so listen up. A school uniform badge was found near one of the exhibits in the rubble.” The classroom erupted in chattering and the walls seemed to close in around me. I felt for my emblem, forgetting that I had left my uniform in the lockers during morning trash duty.
“After lunch today, the authorities will come by to check your uniforms for your badges. How fortunate for them that each student only has a single uniform. And don’t worry; the saboteur will be swinging from the gallows soon.” Perrod chuckled darkly, a horrible grin consuming his formerly friendly face.
It felt like the whole world stopped. I reached over to my left breast again. How could I have been so careless? The realization hit me like a punch to the gut—cold, sharp, and unyielding. I felt equal parts horror and anger at the realization that I would get caught.
~~~~~{Memory Core 18 End}~~~~~
Was that how I died? Killed because of that stupid zoo? I blinked, tears blurring my vision and streaking down my cheeks.
It was just so stupid. I tripped and lost my student emblem, and I died. That's why I'm here? Because I'm occasionally clumsy? I wanted to scream in rage at such a pointless, stupid death. My tenuous grasp on my anger was slipping. A hand rested on my shoulder, and I reflexively struck out.
Thomas jumped back, eyes wide, hands raised in self-defense. "Hey! What the—" he exclaimed, shocked.
I took a step back, breathing deeply to soothe my frayed nerves. "I'm sorry, Thomas. I shouldn't have done that," I said, my voice trembling.
“Whatever," he muttered, lowering his hands. "Let’s just get that Aerlyntium.”
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[Error! Aerlyntium does not detect enough material to spawn items. Please provide a source of the following material: Wood 25/25, Metal 250/250, Glass 1000/1000, Organic material 100/300]
I groaned and turned back to the team. "I guess the goblin is giving us 50 organic materials per run. That's frustrating," I explained, feeling the weight of our task. "I guess this room will be one of the last we'll clear. Because, of course, the dangerous assassin that can one-shot me is a totally fair fight."
[Perhaps you just need to get better at not getting stabbed,] Crystal chimed in.
I laughed despite myself. "Thanks for the encouragement, Crystal," I replied, sarcasm lacing my voice. I turned and opened the door to the next room.
[You have received a death boon for progressing past your previous location.]
~Run 4, Magic Carpet Ride. Floor 2, The Fallen Merchant City of Aerlyn~
"What happens if we fall in?" I asked, peering into the chasm in front of me. "What did it feel like when the two of you fell in that other room?" The space was vast like a canyon, but there was thick, black emptiness instead of a river or mountainous terrain. Vertigo washed over me, and I stumbled. Thomas's outstretched arm saved me from falling in.
"Pain, soul-deep pain," Thomas shuddered. "And then nothingness until you revived us. It was quick, though."
I had no intention of feeling "soul-deep pain."
Above the chasm was an unbelievable sight I couldn't have imagined last week, but here I was. Carpets of various shapes, sizes, and movements glowed, piercing the omnipresent darkness. A few carpets descended deep into the chasm, fading out of sight.
The magic of this place was unfathomable. Where the sewers had been claustrophobic and cramped, these rooms were wide open and endless. This expanse eclipsed even the capital city of Vezwincourt. Awestruck, I paused to take in the wonder.
"So what's the shtick here?" I asked, turning to Klericho.
"Honestly, I wish you had stayed in the archer class; it would have made this much easier," Klericho sighed, pointing at two elevated carpets before us. I spent a minute absorbing the ebb and flow of the carpets as they passed each other.
"I think I get it," I said. "Do I have to time my jumps between the carpets so that I land and the motion doesn't knock me off?"
"Pretty much. Which can be hard with a build with zero stamina." I was about to say it would be fine when my words died, and time froze.
Suddenly, he appeared. Aurentum, the Merchant of Death. His resplendent robes of silken blue had gold lace trim swirling in patterns that flowed like waves. A wreath of delicate gold framed his head in a crown that was somehow see-through but visibly solid. With each step, little mounds of gold formed as if his wealth were trying to escape him. He radiated a sickly aura, which increased in intensity with each step as I felt my mana and stamina being sucked away.
"Hmm," the robed man mused, his pale face almost skeletal. "Rellum's favorite losers. It's a pity these are the companions you're saddled with. No matter, I will help you solve this room without their interference or them learning anything I want to be kept secret. But remember, you owe me now."
With his robed hand, Aurentum reached out for Thomas and Klericho, transforming my companions into pillars of coins.
"What!" I yelled, rushing to inspect the pile of coins. Greed tugged at my heart, urging me to take the coins, but I pushed those thoughts aside. "What did you do to them?"
"Remember how I helped you when it comes time to betray them. Do not test my patience." With a flourish and a burst of gold light, Aurentum vanished.
"This wasn't even helpful!" I shouted, feeling hopeless and helpless against the cruel deity's idea of 'help.'
Did that just happen? Why would one of Penance’s deities just zap my friends into piles of coins? It made no sense. Maybe I’m hallucinating?
“Crystal, was that Aurentum? He seemed unstable.”
[That was indeed him, but I can’t say I’m surprised. His screws are a bit loose.]
“Is there anything I can do?”
[He’s a god. There is nothing to be done. He could decide you are a rat and make you spend the rest of your time in Penance with Ratigan at the circus. Who knows why they act the way they do?]
There had to be around 7,000 coins, but the money didn't matter as much as finding the Aerlyntium to bring back my companions did.
Hey, was that personal growth again?
I sighed, looking one last time at the pile of coins before turning to the moving carpet platform. “Crystal, what do you think my chances are? I managed the oasis room, somehow.”
I spent the next little while running and jumping by the door, but no matter what I did, I couldn't seem to jump as far as I would need.
Finally, Crystal said, [I believe we will be here for a very long time, but I do not fear you ending this run prem—] Crystal stopped her speech short, and I swear I heard something suspiciously like a facepalm.
"Did you just realize something stupidly obvious that will make the past ten minutes seem like a colossal exercise in abject stupidity?" I asked.
[Yep.]
“Lay it on me.”
[Summon Squawk.] My facepalm reverberated throughout the room.