Several days had passed since the dream.
It had jolted me awake; my eyes opened wide, sleep completely stolen from me.
In that dream, I saw Alison enter the room on the sixth floor of Trivia.
Her scream was still vivid in my memory. And her movements and expressions were undeniably strange—as though she were bewitched, lured toward a door that should have been forbidden.
No… she must have seen an illusion, I reasoned.
A discomfort swelled inside me, knowing she was enchanted into that room while I could only watch.
But that's just how helpless one is inside a dream, I reminded myself.
And that much was undeniably true.
What troubled me even more was the realisation that I was still dreaming about events from this world. I had been convinced that the dreams that once filled my life had ended—that I was no longer embraced by them.
That belief, it seems, had been nothing more than a delusion.
Only a few days had passed since I saw the missing poster of a student, Amanda Kirt.
Now, the atmosphere inside Trivia had turned grim.
Since then, many more students have gone missing, and Alison is one of them.
?: "All professors have been assembled for this summit. Although being present was not optional. Still, I thank you all for gathering on such short notice."
A crisp, thin voice of a woman pulled my focus. My eyes shifted toward her.
Though her gaze seemed to loom over everyone present, I noticed her eyes pause briefly on a man seated among the professors. All of them wore Trivia cloaks with professor badges, but this man—with his droopy, bored eyes—stood out.
His presence was uncommon. He was one of those who typically avoided meetings whenever possible.
This assembly had been called by Trivia's acting headmaster, Eldrich-II, and all professors were required to attend; today's topic was too pressing to miss.
Still, I'm glad Eddie couldn't come, I thought with a snicker. That two-faced existence must be struggling just to stay alive.
+
[Some Nubeculas are wondering about your expression.]
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Ah, let a man snicker in peace.
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[The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigar and Candy' comments: "That is one lewd face you've got there."]
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This asshole. I'll find him one day and smack him on the head.
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[200 points have been donated.]
+
…Ahem. Maybe I should take it easy.
The meeting is being held inside a room with a dark, refined aesthetic. The ceiling stood ten-foot high, and a vaulted roof bordered with yellowed, dirt-toned trim, and surrounded by white light panels.
At the centre, a white glass chandelier hung from above. One wall was covered by a pale curtain, concealing the window behind it, though the shape of sunlight was still visible.
On the opposite wall, above a desk, hung a picture of Eldrich calmly sipping tea in a room, with Hekate in her cat form resting on a couch.
Below the portrait on the desk, rested two table lamps and a vase filled with white hydrangeas.
And in the middle of the room sat an intricate, polished, rectangular wooden table. Five professors occupied each long side. At one of the shorter ends sat Eldrich himself, and Lisa at the other end.
Each professor's assistant stood behind them, bringing the total in the room to twenty-four, including me.
?: "Elora's harsh words aside, I am genuinely pleased to see all my professors gathered in one room after so long."
Elora: "A-Acting Headmaster…"
The pistachio-haired beauty—her hair braided only at the ends, flowing beyond her waist—flushed slightly in frustration.
Elora Testel, Eldrich's advisor, is a scholar. She complemented her intellect with striking looks.
A fitted brown top covered her from neck to hips, patterned with white floral patterns near the collar and hip, subtly accentuating her figure. Her black stockings were visible through the slit in the long shirt, which looked more like a cloth tucked beneath her dress.
Instead of a standard uniform cloak, she wore a short, silk-like mantle that draped only over her shoulders.
She held a stack of papers in a gloved hand, the gloves extending from her hands to her elbows.
+
[The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigar and Candy' comments: "What do you think, Heroman? She's got one curvy body."]
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[The Nubecula 'Dionysus' comments: "Certainly beautiful."]
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[The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds for the Heartless' is looking coldly.]
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[The Nubecula 'Guhimo' comments: "His partner professor is more beautiful."]
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[The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments: "What does it matter?"]
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[The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' comments: "Beauty is also a powerful asset."]
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[The Nubecula 'Raziel' sighs.]
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I ignored the comments as Eldrich continued.
Eldrich: "So, I take it everyone understands the urgency of today's meeting—seeing that even Magnus decided to show up."
The old man wore an excessively long white garment, fashioned loosely like a cloak. Gold accents decorated the collar and shoulders, rigid and sharp in contrast to the flowing cloth.
His long white hair and short, thick beard framed eyes that crinkled at the corners as his smiling gaze settled on the droopy professor, Magnus.
+
[Lower existence 'Magnus Lothian' is annoyed.]
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Magnus: "Stop picking on me and start the damn meeting, old man."
Magnus Lothian muttered, scratching the side of his head through dishevelled, uncut hair. His unshaven beard suggested he hadn't groomed himself in quite some time.
Elora's brows twitched slightly at his remark, but she held back whatever she intended to say.
+
[Lower existence 'Elora Testel' feels disdain toward Lower existence 'Magnus Lothian'.]
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Eldrich: "You're right."
Eldrich didn't seem offended. As he acknowledged Magnus's words, the atmosphere in the room grew serious.
Eldrich: "You all should be aware that we've had numerous cases of missing students over the past few days."
His gaze swept across the table. In response, the expressions of the assembled professors hardened.
Eldrich: "Elora."
Elora: "Yes, Acting Headmaster."
Her demeanor remained serious as she lifted the papers in front of her face.
+
[Several Nubeculas are listening.]
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Elora: "Beginning with a rumour about a student named Amanda Kirt's disappearance, eleven days ago. Since then, many students have started to go missing. While we have fifty-four reported cases, the actual number may be higher. The cause of their disappearance remains unknown."
She cut straight to the point.
Silence filled the room as the gravity of her words settled over everyone, laying out the reason that all the Professors had been summoned.
?: "And what notices are being sent to their parents?"
One of the professors seated in the middle of the row to my left asked the question. I knew her—Flora Ayala, Professor of the Battle Course for the Third and Fourth Years.
Elora: "Most of the disappearances are being kept secret for the time being. As them being on a field trip."
Flora: "Are you jesting?"
+
[Lower Existence 'Flora Ayala' is baffled.]
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Flora's sharp, perplexed eyes darted toward Elora as she turned her head, her simple tan ponytail swaying with the motion.
?: "What about the missing students' friends? They are asking questions."
Another professor spoke up with a clean, high-class air. He sat opposite Flora and one seat closer to me. His name was Kurtis Allen, Professor of the Research Course for the First and Second Years.
Elora: "That they have returned to visit their households should be believable."
Magnus: "So… more lies to cover up the lies we've already told."
Elora: "…"
Magnus: "Man, aren't we honorable professors of such an exemplary institute?"
The sarcasm was clear in Magnus's tone. He leaned back in his chair, balancing on its rear legs while resting his hands clasped behind his head.
Magnus: "Looks like collecting used goods like us was pointless in the end, huh, old man?"
Magnus and Eldrich locked eyes. There was no anger in Eldrich's gaze, nor disrespect in Magnus's—only a shared understanding, as if Magnus believed this to be an obvious conclusion.
Kurtis: "Speak for yourself, you lazy slacker. You're the only 'used good' here. Don't lump the rest of us in with you."
Kurtis, however, took it as an insult.
Magnus: "Oh right, I forgot. Mr. Intelligent here is an outstanding researcher who spent all his fortune on so-called research and got himself thrown out of a Count's household."
Thack!
+
[Lower existence 'Kurtis Allen' is feeling strong emotions of anger and guilt.]
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Kurtis: "Speak properly when referring to a royal household. It is the Royal Allen Viscount Household. Perhaps if you cared more about your own lineage instead of slacking off all day, the Royal Lothian Baron Household wouldn't have banished you."
Magnus: "What did you just say?!"
?: "That is enough!"
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[Lower existence 'Elora Testel' is annoyed.]
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A sharp feminine voice cut through the rising clamor, striking the room like a slap against the table.
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[Several Nubeculas have sparkles in their eyes.]
[Several Nubeculas are enjoying the intense conversation.]
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Of course they are, I thought dryly.
The voice belonged to Regina Yates, Professor of the Battle Course for the Sixth and Seventh Years.
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[Lower existence 'Regina Yates' is frustrated.]
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Yes—Yates. The same family name as Lisa's alias household name. And there was a reason for that.
Setting aside the secret of Trivia's sixth floor, the institute held another truth. Rather than calling it a secret, I preferred to think of it as one of Acting Headmaster Eldrich II's peculiar hobbies.
Regina: "You are both members of royal households. Do not sully that name. Act accordingly."
Yes—definitely a hobby. Though for those gathered here, it was closer to salvation.
Kurtis and Magnus fell silent, jaws clenched tight. The hostility between them lingered, heavy and unmistakable.
The Cloud Continent consists of four Queendoms, each with its own line of royal families—excluding Ipritus. Across three of those Queendoms, the five royal families have many members, and naturally, among them are those not as welcomed as others.
The professors assembled here at the Trivia were precisely those discarded members. Eldrich, the Acting Headmaster, collected them—offering a second chance at life.
'Collected' could be an inaccurate term, but to me it seems that way.
Magnus: "…"
Kurtis: "…"
Neither spoke further.
Eldrich let out a quiet, almost inaudible sigh. I briefly wondered what expression Lisa wore, but standing behind her made it impossible to tell.
Flora: Sigh "Does any one of us know of a possible connection regarding their disappearance?"
With a weary breath, Flora steered the discussion forward.
Elora: "We have found no evident connection among the missing students, aside from the fact that they are all students."
When no one offered any statement. Despite her irritation, Elora spoke calmly.
Kurtis: "What about their year, age, or lineage?"
Straightening his shoulders and adjusting his glasses, Kurtis asked. He seemed to have recovered, but Magnus still wore a bitter expression.
Elora: "Nothing definitive. They are diverse in all those aspects. Some patterns can be observed, but nothing conclusive enough to name as a cause."
Everyone in the room—professors, assistants, and myself—listened as the conversation unfolded.
Magnus: "What do you mean there isn't one? Isn't there an unusual event that perfectly coincides with the students' disappearances?"
The remark still was sarcastic, but this one wasn't so easy to dismiss.
At his words, the atmosphere in the room shifted toward one person—specifically, toward me.
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[Several Nubeculas are looking in your direction.]
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It felt as though all the attention had suddenly centred on me.
As Magnus implied, there is an unusual event that coincided with the disappearances: the news of the first missing student and my first "Basics of Magic" class occurred on the same day—and the disappearances had continued since.
The eyes of most professors, including Flora and Kurtis, were directed at me. It was evident. I could feel the gazes of others like Regina, who tried to be less obvious.
I am not entirely surprised. But I also could not deny the unsettled feeling.
Keeping my expression neutral, I met their stares.
Lisa: "What? Are those words directed at me?"
Just as I braced for an onslaught, my heart beating a little faster, Lisa suddenly spoke, leaving me confused.
Everyone: "...?"
Not just me—questioning looks appeared on every face at her words. Even my brows furrowed slightly.
What is she talking about? They're obviously referring to me.
Magnus: "…No?"
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[Lower existence 'Magnus Lothian' is confused.]
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So am I. I thought, reading the message.
Lisa: "Hmm."
Though I couldn't see her face, her head tilted up slightly, projecting dominance.
The energy changed in such a way that everybody held their opinion and didn't say anything.
Persephone: "Looks like your charm finally worked on her. Aren't you happy?"
—I don't have any charming skills.
I countered internally.
+
[The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigar and Candy' is looking at you teasingly.]
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I really don't like this bastard, the thought as a faint smile crept onto Eldrich's lips.
Eldrich: "It seems something does align perfectly with the incidents. That's good."
Elora: "Acting Headmaster?"
In the heavy silence, Eldrich muttered something too quietly to be heard—even Elora missed it.
But I didn't.
'That's good.'
What exactly was good? I wondered.
Eldrich: Ahem "So does anyone have anything that could link to the missing students?"
He asked again, completely disregarding the implication behind Magnus's earlier comment.
Everyone: "…"
No one responded. Some shook their heads; others cast subtle glances toward Lisa. I was among them.
Eldrich: "Then let us move on to discussing our response regarding information control, future actions, and necessary precautions."
Elora nodded and began addressing the matter.
In the evening, after the meeting and the afternoon classes were over, I returned to the dorm.
Smack!
I walked past my room's door and swung it shut behind me without even turning around. It closed with a sharp, loud sound.
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[The Nubecula 'Dionysus' comments: "Woah. He is angry."]
[The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' comments: "I am shaking in my boots."]
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Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of my shoe heels echoed as I walked toward the living room and tossed the key onto the dining table.
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[The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' comments: "Don't tease him."]
[The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments: "But he does look angry. I wonder why."]
[The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' is looking at you with concern.]
+
Persephone: "Awfully impatient, frustrated, hmm... and maybe a little confused."
She spoke in a judging tone, as if casually dissecting my state of mind.
—What?
Persephone: "Your feelings. Remember the Soul Contract?"
—I am not impatient.
I replied while removing my cloak, though her sly tone still got under my skin. I draped the cloak over a chair beside the table.
Persephone: "Then frustrated and confused."
Tightening my jaw, I unbuttoned my sleeves and rolled them up to my elbows. Activating my storage ring, I pulled out Total Isolation.
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[Item: Total Isolation.]
[You have used Total Isolation. You are now isolated from the outside world.]
[Effect duration: One hour per day.]
[Time remaining: 38 minutes.]
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[The Nubecula 'Dionysus' comments: "He shut us out."]
[The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' is snorting at you.]
[The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' looks concerned.]
[The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments: "Tough day, I guess."]
[The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' comments: "Maybe."]
[The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments: "Oh c'mon. You all had to make him even angrier."]
+
I sat down on the long couch—the same one Valerie had used when Felicity visited—and placed the black sphere beside me. It rolled into the seam where the seat met the backrest.
I had too many thoughts even to acknowledge the Nubeculas' messages.
Holding the bridge of my nose, I released a deep breath and stayed silent for a while as Persephone floated over and lay on the couch opposite me, across the coffee table.
Persephone: "Let me guess. The disappearances have something to do with the Hidden Schema you were hoping to clear. And that schema was likely generated on the sixth floor, since you mentioned wanting to go there. But something changed—something you didn't foresee. Am I right? Or am I right?"
Hearing her, my brows knit tightly in frustration. Her deduction was painfully accurate.
Persephone: "It's okay. You don't have to say anything. I know I'm right."
Arthur: "…"
Yeah, you're right. So what? Do I really have to tell you everything? I complained inwardly.
Since I didn't want to speak, I tried to organize everything in my head instead.
Persephone: "Are you really going to brood alone and say nothing?"
Oh god.
I opened my eyes, still pinching the bridge of my nose, and looked at her—irritated.
Let me just think.
Staring at her, my mind struggled to focus on the situation—because looking at her, so beautiful, I couldn't think clearly, which only deepened my frown.
Persephone: "What? Are you just going to stare? Finally losing to your desires?"
She squinted at me, her tone shamelessly teasing.
Caught off guard by her boldness—and narcissism—a chuckle escaped me.
Persephone: "Oh? He smiles?"
Shaking my head, I lowered my hand from my face and rested my arms on my knees. I looked at her with emotions I couldn't quite define, but through her remark, it was obvious I was smiling.
Persephone: "So? Since you've already used that item. You have to talk. C'mon, spill."
I leaned back, sinking into the couch's cushion.
Arthur: "I don't like that you can feel what I'm feeling."
At my words, Persephone swiftly sat up on the couch facing me, crossing one leg over the other.
Persephone: "Don't forget—you can feel what I feel too. Are you saying you regret making the Soul Contract?"
Arthur: "…No."
At my reply, a coy, triumphant smile formed on her lips as she also leaned back into the cushions, folding her arms beneath her chest.
Whether I liked it or not, I hadn't truly regretted making the Soul Contract with her—and lying just for the sake of argument felt pointless. I wasn't in the mood for it.
Arthur: "Okay. Yes, you're correct. There are things I wasn't expecting… The number of missing students is one of them."
Persephone: "Indeed. Many students are missing. Are you concerned?"
Arthur: "No, that's not it."
I denied, plainly. Their lives are not the real concern for me, as of now.
Arthur: "At least fifty-four students in eleven days. That's five students every night. Why so many? It doesn't make sense."
The abnormally high number—that is my real concern.
Persephone stared at me as my gaze dropped to the coffee table, my thoughts spiralling.
I remembered clearly—the disappearances began when the Hidden Script on the sixth floor was generated. But back then, it was one student per night, maybe two at most, and it took nearly a month for the situation to escalate.
But this many existences, in such a short time?
What is happening?
Persephone: "What else?"
I looked up at the sound of her voice.
Persephone: "You said the number of students was only one of the things you didn't foresee. What else?"
Arthur: "I can't foresee anything, so stop using that word."
Persephone: "Right. Then why do you say that it is what suppose to happen?"
There was a hint of mockery in her voice, and I understood why she would suspect me. I had often acted as if I already knew things that hadn't happened yet.
But I couldn't foresee anything.
Only one person in this world possessed that skill.
Noticing my silence, the mockery faded slightly from Persephone's expression.
Persephone: "Anyway, even if you had a foresight or some other similar skill, you wouldn't reveal it."
If I did have such a skill, I probably would hide it. But in my case, I don't even know what skills I possess. I can't access my damn Profile.
Persephone: "So what else weren't you expecting?"
Arthur: "The meeting."
Persephone stared at me like I'd said something idiotic.
Persephone: "You weren't expecting a meeting? Students are going missing from an academy. What did you expect them to do—sit still and twiddle their thumbs?"
Well, she has a point.
Arthur: "No, that's not what I mean. If things had gone the way I expected, a meeting wouldn't have been held."
Because, in my dreams—over the span of a month—just over thirty students would have gone missing. By the time a meeting could have been called, the Hidden Script situation was already out of control.
Arthur: "But now, with regular patrols, approaching the sixth floor will be much harder."
During the morning meeting, several countermeasures had been discussed. Among these, increasing patrols around the academy was an obvious one.
Persephone: "Will it really be that difficult?"
Arthur: "Then why don't you just go clear the sixth floor? Oh wait—you can't."
The sarcasm in my tone was unmistakable this time.
Persephone's eyes sharpened. No matter what kind of goddess or Higher Existence she is, she couldn't interfere directly in the Lower Realm. Lower existences had to deal with Lower Realm problems.
Arthur: "Don't look at me like that."
Rolling my eyes, I continued.
Arthur: "Now that Eldrich has taken action, it's only a matter of time before they trace the source of the problem. And even though I'd prefer to leave it to them, these people won't be able to do anything—they'll only make things more chaotic."
The Hidden Script on the sixth floor was still weak—that was the only reason it affected students and not professors or assistant professors.
If someone stronger than its tolerance threshold made contact with it, the balance of the script would collapse, and the entity residing within the Script would grow beyond restraint.
Persephone: "So what are you going to do?"
An exhausted smile formed on my lips.
Arthur: "I'll clear the Hidden Script. It's earlier than I expected, but my life has never allowed me to live leisurely—as a certain goddess once said."
Persephone: "I never said that."
Arthur: "I never said you did."
Persephone: "Don't act sly with me. Only I get to do that."
Arthur: "Yes, Your Majesty."
I stood up from the couch and began unbuttoning my shirt. Persephone's gaze followed my movements, her expression slowly turning seductive—mocking and teasing mixed together.
Persephone: "You're trying to seduce this goddess? How daring."
Arthur: "Shut up."
I pulled off my shirt, picked up a fresh one, and slid my arms into the sleeves.
Persephone: "Do you even know what happens to the existences who told me to shut up?"
Her tone was threatening, a clear warning—though I couldn't feel any real anger from her.
Arthur: "I assume they get their reality torn apart and thrown into boiling water."
I said it casually, which only made her scowl.
Persephone: "Sometimes, even I don't like that you can feel what I feel."
I finished buttoning the new shirt, including the sleeves.
Arthur: "The honour is all mine."
My tone was polite, but my expression made the sarcasm painfully obvious. Persephone rolled her eyes, clearly fed up.
The bickering lasted only a few seconds before I reached for my cloak.
Persephone: "Where are you going?"
Arthur: "To clean up this mess."