A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 96: Lokralen (2)

Epherene looked toward where the older Epherene had pointed. The dark hallway seemed empty—at least, it appeared that way.

In a hushed voice, Epherene asked, "What do you mean we could all end up dead? Why?"

"It’s extremely dangerous," the older Epherene replied. "That’s why, in 964, they decided to abandon the entire Lokralen region. What’s happening now is just the delayed process of that decision."

"An extreme danger?"

"Yes. You know it was a meteorite that caused Lokralen, don’t you?"

"Of course! I just heard about it."

"The microorganisms in that meteorite absorbed mana and grew into a massive monster that devours timelines. If it escapes Lokralen and spreads into the world, the entire continent will be destroyed," the older Epherene explained.

Her expression hardened, and Epherene was stunned by the mention of world destruction.

"Its scientific name is Kaidezite. If it consumes you, whether in the past, present, or future, you’ll be trapped in a single moment of time. We call it section looping."

As Epherene listened, a sudden dizziness overwhelmed her. The older Epherene steadied her, puffing out her cheeks in a gesture of apology.

"Sorry. Processing knowledge from such a distant future takes a lot of mental strength. Although I’m supplying the mana, the mental strain is entirely on you."

"R-right..." Epherene muttered, rubbing her temples before glancing at Deculein. As usual, he seemed completely unfazed. "... Why is the professor perfectly fine?"

"That professor?" Deculein asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Oh, my apologies. Professor, why are you unaffected?"

"It’s mental strength. Simply put, if someone has a mental strength of 50, then 50% of the mana cost to process future knowledge is reduced. If their mental strength is 10, then only 10% of the cost is reduced. Professor Deculein’s mental strength is likely around 99," the older Epherene explained.

"No way... 99? But this place is dangerous, right? We need to get out of here."

The older Epherene shook her head and said, "No, I can’t. I have to stay here and keep them at bay."

"Alone?"

"Yes."

"... You must be really strong," Epherene said, still in awe, as she shrugged.

So she’s me in the future. What an impressive future. I guess I really am amazing...

The older Epherene seemed to read her thoughts and smiled warmly. She then turned to Deculein, who was staring down the hallway, and asked, "Professor, can you see them?"

Deculein gave a slight nod. His Sharp Eyesight clearly revealed the time monster known as Kaidezite, lurking not far from Epherene. It hesitated, as if recognizing her, but did not attack. It was undoubtedly a threat, yet there were no signs of death variables.

"Epherene," Deculein called.

"... Yes?" Epherene replied.

"It’s time to leave. The conference is about to begin."

"Oh, I just need a moment—"

"Let’s go now."

The older Epherene placed a hand on Epherene’s shoulder and said, "It’s alright. You’ll see me again tomorrow. The conference lasts four days, remember?"

"Can we speak openly now?"

"Yes. It came to devour both of you, but it must have retreated because I’m here. It’s afraid of me."

"Wow, really? It’s afraid of just one of you?"

"Of course~ You can’t imagine how powerful you’ll become... But I have a favor to ask of both you and the professor."

Deculein and Epherene turned their gazes toward her.

[Lokralen Academic Conference: The Archmage’s Request]

◆ One Advanced Attribute Catalog

Deculein’s eyes widened, not at the rare reward of the Advanced Attribute Catalog, but at the title of the quest. He quickly composed himself and turned his gaze to the older Epherene.

"What’s the favor?" Epherene asked, her admiration for her future self leaving her nearly overwhelmed.

"Deep beneath this archive lies the meteorite, the very core of Kaidezite. However, the door to it is blocked by a rift in time. The host that Kaidezite consumed likely holds the key," the older Epherene explained.

"The host?!"

"Yes. It’s been trying to find a way to escape Lokralen. I’ve kept it contained so far, but it seems to have acquired a host. With only one body, I’ve been guarding the most dangerous area... but now there are two of me~"

Epherene flinched and said, "W-what do you mean? That’s creepy!"

The older Epherene chuckled and said, "Haha, so I have been wondering... Dear Professor, would you be willing to grant me a favor?"

In response to older Epherene’s question, Deculein glanced at his wristwatch. It read 6 p.m.

"Very well," Deculein replied with a nod.

An Advanced Attribute Catalog—an opportunity far too valuable to ignore, no matter the cost.

***

"Deculein! You’re heah?" Rogerio, a woman in a Ethereal-rank with pink hair, called out as soon as I stepped out of the archive.

"It appears we’ve been crossing paths quite often lately," said Kreto, who was accompanying her. Both of them were from 958, the current year.

"It’s a pleasure to see you, Grand Prince Kreto," I said, offering him a polite greeting.

"Haha, the pleasure is mine, Professor Deculein. I must say, your presence has been missed," Kreto replied, nodding with a satisfied smile.

"Hey, what about me? Am I inviiisible or somethin'?" Rogerio asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

"Oh, Professor Deculein! It is me, Delpen!"

"Professor! It’s me, Relin!"

Several people recognized me. Among them were Relin from 958, Delpen from 960, whom I hadn’t met before, and Essensil, who was also attending the Berhert Meeting this year.

— Attention, everyone. The conference will commence shortly. Please proceed to the conference floor on the second level.

A sudden announcement echoed through the hall.

"Shall we proceed?" I asked.

"Indeed."

I walked alongside Kreto, with Allen, Rogerio, Epherene, and Relin trailing behind.

"Welcome everyone!"

We arrived at the conference hall on the second floor, where a middle-aged man in a suit, with blonde hair, greeted us.

"I am Lokralen, the president of the Lokralen Academic Conference! Although Lokralen isn’t my real name, I changed it out of deep admiration for this place. Yes, that’s right! I’m an Addict too, but a rather sociable one!"

Lokralen’s lively chatter filled the room as I took a moment to survey my surroundings. Several conference rooms branched off from the lobby’s corridor.

"There are various lectures here, each with a unique theme. Please take a ticket!" Lokralen announced as he handed out tickets to everyone gathered.

There were only about 300 attendees—significantly fewer than the maximum capacity, given the presence of people from both the past and the future. It appeared that mages rarely brought companions.

"These tickets grant you entry to the conference rooms. Anyone may give a lecture, and you can attend up to three sessions. We offer lectures from both the future and the past, hahaha," Lokralen said with a chuckle as he introduced the list of conference topics.

The selection was rather eclectic. One room offered lectures like Rupigel’s Elements from 958, another featured Galley’s Continental Mine Exploration from 960, and yet another had Derron’s Mysterious Herbalism from 963.

"I have a question," Epherene said boldly, raising her hand. Lokralen, who had been ready to respond cheerfully, frowned slightly when he saw her. "Some people have fainted after just a few words with someone from the future. How are we supposed to handle an entire lecture?"

"... And to whom do you belong?" Lokralen asked curtly, narrowing his eyes.

Epherene glanced up at me, and Lokralen’s expression immediately brightened.

"Oh~ Hahaha! You’re with Professor Deculein! No wonder you’re filled with such bright curiosity~!"

"... Really?"

"Well! To answer your question, it’s generally safe within this conference building. The speakers in these rooms deliver one-sided lectures, which you’ll essentially be overhearing them. Although it will still drain some mana and mental strength, you should be able to manage at least one session."

"Oh, I see."

"And fainting after just one conversation? That mage was likely just fatigued!"

Epherene appeared convinced but continued with another question, "What happens if we take knowledge from the future?"

"Hahahaha~" Lokralen laughed heartily, brushing back his hair with a rather ostentatious gesture, and said, "Any knowledge you gain within Lokralen will likely become hazy once you leave. It will linger in your unconscious mind, like a distant memory."

"Then what is the purpose of attending these lectures—"

"It’s like ripples on water. Even a forgotten memory can suddenly resurface—whoosh—and spark new ideas and inspiration—pop! The ripple may not be identical to the original, but it’s enough to foster further development. Do you understand now?"

When Epherene nodded, Lokralen stepped forward and patted her head, though she flinched in surprise.

"Now, let’s proceed with the conference! Please select the lectures you wish to attend. Oh, and Professor Deculein?"

I silently turned my gaze toward Lokralen.

"Would it be possible to request a lecture from you tomorrow, Professor?" Lokralen asked.

[Lokralen Lecture: Suspicious Futures]

◆ Mana Point +15

"Certainly," I said with a nod.

"Yes, Professor! Thank you very much! Now, everyone, please proceed to your chosen sessions! Our time in Lokralen is limited!" Lokralen said with a clap, prompting the mages to begin moving.

"Epherene, choose whichever lecture interests you. Allen, you do the same," I instructed.

The conference proceeded simply enough—attendees selected the lectures they wished to attend.

"Got it!" Epherene said, dashing off toward a lecture by the renowned mage Bizetan on the four-categories.

"Okay~ I’ll accompany you to the lectures you attend, Professor~"

I focused on lectures related to medicine. First, I attended Brahann’s Pharmacology Lecture, then Mollan’s Newly Discovered Herbs of Year 963, and concluded with The Intersection of Medicine and Magic. Allen accompanied me through all five hours, dozing off intermittently.

[Pharmacology Knowledge Level: Advanced (77%)]

Thanks to the future knowledge I acquired, my expertise in pharmacology increased by 40% almost instantly. Whether this knowledge would remain with me after leaving Lokralen was still uncertain.

"...There were limited methods available to test the potions that I have created," murmured Crecon, the lecturer for The Intersection of Medicine and Magic, as if speaking to himself.

Hearing the lecture in this subdued manner certainly minimized the mana consumption.

"Clinical trials were not feasible. Administering it to humans could have caused severe side effects, and it was uncertain whether the results observed in animals would translate to humans—"

At that moment.

"Aaahhhhhhhh—!"

A scream reverberated through the conference room, carrying into the entire lobby.

The lecturer paused, and Allen, who had been dozing off, jolted awake and asked, "P-professor? What’s happening?"

"We should head out."

"Yes, sir!"

I stepped outside.

"Aaahhhhhhhh—!"

In the second-floor lobby, a woman was screaming, her hands pressed against her cheeks in a way that echoed Edvard Munch’s The Scream.

"Aaahhhhhhhh—!"

The scream persisted, forcing the gathered mages to cover their ears.

"What is happening?!" Lokralen, the conference host, arrived in a hurry. He frowned at the sight of the woman in the hallway, still screaming. "Excuse me!"

"Aaahhhhhhhh—!"

"Enough, enough! It is making my head throb!"

"Aaahhhhhhhh—!"

The scream continued unabated as Lokralen sighed and stepped toward her.

"Alright, I understand. Now tell me what you saw. What caused you to—"

"Aaahhhhhhhh—!"

The woman ignored Lokralen entirely, her screams continuing without pause.

"Listen! Please, just explain what you saw—"

I caught Lokralen’s outstretched hand, halting him. He attempted to pull away, but when he saw my face, confusion crossed his features.

"Oh, Professor?"

"Do not lay a hand on her."

"Sorry? Why—"

I remained motionless, observing the woman.

"Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—!"

Time passed, yet the scream continued, and the woman remained completely still.

"Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—! Aaahhhhhhhh—!"

By now, the lectures had all stopped, and the mages watching the scene began to feel a creeping sense of fear.