Chapter 23 “ Balck crystal” part 2
The next day.
A new day began.
Nox was dead inside his dorm room. He tried to sleep, but every time he closed his eyes, what had happened with Scarlet rewound in his mind.
He slumped over his desk, his soul clearly missing.
“Ugh…”
Alber looked at him with narrowed eyes.
“What’s wrong with you this morning? Did you not sleep well?”
Nox didn’t lift his head. His voice was hollow.
“Nothing… just something I did.”
He paused.
“And now I regret doing it.”
Alber stared at him for a moment, then sighed.
“…You messed up again, didn’t you?”
Nox closed his eyes.
“…Don’t ask.”
Alber leaned back in his chair.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Now get ready before class starts.”
Nox fixed his uniform buttons, his mind already a mess.
‘Velmira… my instinct… both told me not to get close to her from the beginning.’he thought
But he had already said it.
He had already crossed the line.
‘And now I made her angry. Again. I don’t even know what will happen today. I just hope she doesn’t avoid me.’he thought
He exhaled and stepped out.
‘Scarlet isn’t worse than a zodiac or a monster. I can handle this.’
He entered the classroom.
Sisbell and Alber were already seated.
Nox looked around.
“Where is the sly fo— I mean… where did Scarlet go again?”
Sisbell blinked.
“She left early. Said she had something to do before class.”
Nox frowned.
“…Why did you let her go alone?”
Sisbell and Alber exchanged looks.
“Huh?”
Nox clicked his tongue.
‘She can’t tell left from right, and she always misunderstands directions. This academy is a maze of halls and turns.’he thought
“I bet she’s lost again,” he muttered.
He stood up.
“I’m going to look for her—”
A voice came from behind.
“Where are you going, Nox?”
“—!”
Nox jumped like a startled cat and spun around.
Scarlet was standing right behind him.
Too close.
Nox clutched his chest.
“W-Will you at least make a sound? Are you a ghost or something?”
Scarlet tilted her head.
“What? Are you scared?”
Her lips curved slightly.
“I’m your friend, remember?”
Sisbell and Alber choked at the same time.
“—?!?!”
They stared at Scarlet.
Then at Nox.
Then back at Scarlet.
Alber whispered,
“…Friend?”
Sisbell’s eyes sparkled.
“When did this happen?”
Nox froze.
Scarlet crossed her arms, her cheeks faintly red.
“What? Is there a problem?”
Nox looked away.
“N-No… there’s no problem.”
’Why does it feel more dangerous now? Her attitude today is on another level. Did what I said make things worse? Did I dig my own grave?’he thought
Scarlet leaned closer, her voice low.
“You said you’d come again today if I rejected you.”
She smiled.
“So I came first. I don’t want other girls to misunderstand my goodwill.”
Nox stiffened.
‘This sly fox… she’s enjoying this. I really made a mistake. And what’s with her tone? Is she mocking me?’he thought
Sisbell leaned closer to Alber, her voice low.
“…I think the fight is resolved.”
She glanced at Scarlet.
Scarlet stood there calmly.
Her lips curved just a little.
She looked… happy.
Sisbell smiled softly.
“That’s good. I was worried about her for nothing.”
Alber followed her gaze and nodded.
“Yeah.”
He crossed his arms.
“That’s probably good for us too.”
Nox, unaware of everything, suddenly felt a chill crawl down his spine.
‘Why do I feel like I just survived something… and entered something worse?’he thought because he feel chill
Scarlet turned her gaze toward him.
“Are you even listening to what I’m saying?”
Nox swallowed.
“…Pardon?”
After a few hours, all classes ended.
Students began leaving one by one.
Nox stood up, already gathering his things.
“Sorry, everyone,” he said calmly.
“I have something urgent to do today. I won’t join you.”
Alber waved his hand.
“Important? You’re always busy.”
Sisbell tilted her head but said nothing.
Scarlet opened her mouth.
She hesitated.
“….”
“Um………”
In the end, she said nothing.
Nox didn’t notice.
He had already turned around and walked away.
Scarlet watched his back quietly.
Her fingers tightened for a moment.
‘…Idiot. I thought we were both— whatever. Maybe he really is busy. I’ll go meet him myself soon.’she thought
Nox move somewhere less students and staff in academy corners in the dark side and Dark mist wrapped around Nox’s body he says slowly
[Arther Noctrul]
Space twisted—and he appeared inside the headmaster’s office.
Before his feet could land properly—
“Wow. Look who’s here,”
a lazy voice echoed.
“Lady Scarlet’s friend.”
Nox flinched.
His balance broke.
He fell face-first onto the floor.
“Ugh—!”
He pushed himself up, annoyed.
“Do you really need to say that every time, Headmaster?”
Velmira sat behind her desk, smiling like a satisfied witch.
“Of course,” she said lightly.
“How could I miss a chance to tease you?”
Nox stood and brushed off his coat.
“Whatever,” he said.
“I came here for the black crystal. Open the sub-space lab.”
Velmira rose from her seat and tapped her staff against the floor.
THUD!
Space folded open beside her.
A temporary alchemy field appeared.
Tools floated in the air.
Glass containers glowed faintly.
At the center—
a black crystal, pulsing slowly.
And attached to it—
gray brain tissue.
Nox’s eyes narrowed.
“…Don’t tell me,” he said slowly,
“that really came from the monster’s brain.”
Velmira nodded.
“It did.”
Nox clicked his tongue.
“That’s disgusting.”
“And strange. I know that,” Velmira added.
Nox stepped closer and examined the surface.
The crystal absorbed mana instead of reflecting it.
“This is weird,” he muttered.
“Black crystals are already rare. They don’t form easily.”
He glanced at Velmira.
“If we’re talking about difficulty,” he continued,
“even ice crystals are expensive materials.”
Scarlet’s staff briefly crossed his mind.
“And this?”
He pointed at the crystal.
“This shouldn’t exist at all. Its shape isn’t natural. It didn’t form through ambient mana.”
Velmira’s smile faded slightly.
“That’s why I called you,” she said.
“Our alchemists couldn’t analyze it. It doesn’t react to anything.”
Nox raised his hand near the crystal.
He didn’t touch it.
Just the mana reaction made his fingers tingle.
“…Someone planted this. I’m sure of it. I wish I could examine the monster alive,” he said quietly.
Velmira looked at him.
“You’re certain?”
Nox nodded.
“Monsters don’t grow things like this naturally,” he said.
“This is artificial. If we could check the monster, we might find clues—but that’s not possible now.”
He paused.
His eyes turned cold.
“And whoever did this,” he continued,
“…is experimenting with something dangerous.”
Velmira studied him for a moment, then straightened her robe.
“Well,” she said lightly,
“I’ll take my leave. I have work to do.”
She pointed at the floating alchemy space.
“When you’re done, call me. I left a small crack so your voice can pass through.”
Nox nodded.
“Yeah. This sub-space will help a lot with research.”
Velmira turned to leave, then suddenly stopped.
“Oh, by the way,” she said casually,
“since you’re here… can you summon Mireon?”
Nox stared at her.
“…Are you a kid or something? Mireon isn’t a toy,” he snapped.
Velmira smiled brightly.
“Come on. Just once.”
Nox sighed deeply.
“Come forth,” he said flatly.
“Mireon.”
A semi-transparent black-violet slime appeared in the air.
PLOP!
It wiggled once—
then jumped straight into Velmira’s arms.
“Ohhh!” Velmira hugged it happily.
“So squishy!”
Mireon trembled in fear.
“Alright, I’m leaving,” Velmira said cheerfully.
“Bye.”
Before Nox could respond—
CRACK!
Space split open, and she disappeared.
Silence returned
Nox stared at the empty sub-space.
“…That woman,” he muttered.
He imagined Mireon still trembling.
“Endure it for a few hours,” Nox said calmly.
“Your daddy will come soon.”
Outside the office—
Velmira walked through the hall, happily playing with Mireon.
The slime tried to jump away.
BOING! BOING!
She caught it.
“Oh no you don’t,” she said with a smile.
Mireon struggled again—
BOING!
And failed.
Velmira laughed softly as she continued down the corridor, playing with the undead slime like it was nothing new to her.
Scarlet and Sisbell sat in the garden.
A small tea party was underway.
Several noble students were gathered, chatting softly.
But Scarlet wasn’t really there.
Her gaze lingered on her teacup.
Then the flowers.
Then the path beyond the garden.
‘Where did he go?’
‘He said we’re friends… and then he vanished. Half of three hours have already passed. I looked for him. I even checked the gate. He didn’t leave the academy. Then where is he?’she thought
She had looked for him.
Alber didn’t know where he went.
Sisbell hadn’t seen him either.
“Ahh… seriously,” she whispered to herself.
Sisbell noticed her silence and leaned closer.
“Scarlet,” she whispered,
“is something wrong?”
Scarlet flinched.
“No,” she replied quickly.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry. It’s just… the smell of tea is strong.”
She lifted her teacup, took a small sip, then set it down again.
Her fingers tightened around the handle.
She glanced at Sisbell.
Then at the other girls.
“…Um,” Scarlet said softly.
“Can I ask something?”
Sisbell blinked.
“Yeah, sure.”
The other girls nodded, curious.
Scarlet took a deep breath.
“How… do I act cute? I mean… just like a lovable girl.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
Teacups froze halfway to lips.
Eyes widened.
Sisbell slowly turned toward her.
“…Scarlet,” she said carefully,
“do you still have a fever? Or a headache?”
Someone whispered,
“Did I hear that right? Lady Scarlet said that word.”
Another girl covered her mouth.
“Cute…? Scarlet?”
Murmurs spread instantly.
“Oh my…”
“What happened to her?”
“Did someone confess?”
“That’s impossible. Who would have the courage to do that?”
Scarlet realized what she had done.
Her face turned bright red.
“F-Forget it!” she said quickly.
“Just forget I asked! It’s because of my father!”
Sisbell smiled faintly.
<So that’s how it is… I heard she received a letter from her father, but… her reaction doesn’t match. Did she lie? Her face says otherwise.>
And just like that—
A new piece of gossip was born in the academy garden.
