DMHS 91

The master showed them the letters he had exchanged with others, and he even spoke with them directly through a magic orb.

The people decided to stand on the master’s side.

Their lives had always been ones of oppression. The people who had clung to the edge of a cliff for so long needed a rope to hold on to, even if that rope later turned out to be rotten.

But unlike the doubtful adults, the children’s situation was different.

The master gathered the children while the adults went out to work. He taught them not only the doctrines of the ‘Heart of Dawn,’ but also new black magic.

As each day passed, the children became more devoted followers of the Heart of Dawn.

Kessler remembered the day he had first met the master alone.

The master spoke to Kessler, who was shrinking from nervousness.

– Raise your head. Let me see your face closely.

Kessler lifted his gaze and met gray eyes filled with warm light.

– You have bright eyes.

Kessler was startled and lowered his head. It was natural, because a brilliant white light surrounded the master’s body.

Kessler sometimes saw light around people.

But he never thought that ability was anything special. There were few people in the village, and the aura they carried was consistent. Children’s auras were so white they were nearly transparent, and as people aged, their auras turned darker.

So Kessler believed what he saw was simply aura that changed with age.

But the master radiated an aura purer than that of a newborn child, regardless of age. Kessler was captivated by the master’s light.

– What you have is special. You have the ability to see the souls of people.

– The souls of… people?

– Ordinary people are born with pure souls, and they are tainted with all sorts of sins. But there are also those who refine their pure souls and walk the path of purity. What do you think of my soul?

– It’s bright. It’s so bright that it’s hard to look at directly.

– That’s why I plan to dye the world with my light. You should join me and help illuminate the dark world.

– Master, I’ll follow you.

Kessler became the master’s subordinate immediately. After finishing his studies in magic with the master, Kessler received a mission and infiltrated the Academy.

His task was simple.

He had to transform into a black cat and speak to children with pure souls.

But he couldn’t pronounce human words with a cat’s vocal cords. Kessler used magic to transmit his words directly into the children’s minds.

– I don’t want you to be in danger. So what matters most in this mission is not revealing who you are.

Kessler kept the master’s words in mind. He targeted only the students of the administrative department, excluding mages who were enemies of black magicians and apprentice knights who had begun walking the path of mana.

But contrary to his expectations, Kessler didn’t find many souls that satisfied him.

– One pure soul is worth more than ten corrupted ones.

The older ones were all disqualified from the start.

As for young children, there were very few in the administrative department. It was rare for a child prodigy to enter such a field early.

‘I want to find a brighter soul. Maybe I should start looking into the others department students.’

While he was troubled by that thought, Arkian transferred into Kessler’s department.

The moment Kessler saw Arkian, electricity ran through his entire body.

‘It’s this person!’

It felt just like the day he had first seen the master. It seemed impossible that others couldn’t sense that aura.

Arkian shone alone like the midday sun.

‘I don’t need anything else. If I take this person, the master’s work will be complete.’

After class ended, Kessler hurried back to the dormitory and grabbed his glasses. He thought he wouldn’t be able to talk unless he covered his eyes somehow.

When the guy next to him had brought up the administrative department, Kessler had reacted too sensitively without meaning to, but he had covered it up with a proper excuse, so it should be fine.

‘I saw Arkian leaving the dorm early this morning, so I followed him.’

And the place Arkian went to was the north staircase.

‘I thought I was lucky at that moment.’

The north staircase was far from the dorms, so few students used it, and that was where Kessler usually lured children.

‘But who would’ve thought a crazy cat would jump at me.’

Kessler climbed to the top of the stairs and watched Arkian’s movements. He was curious why Arkian had come to the north staircase so early in the morning.

Right then, a white cat attacked from behind. Kessler moved as fast as he could to dodge, but there were already bite marks on his leg.

‘I should’ve killed it on the spot.’

In his confusion, he missed the chance to use magic. When he came to his senses, Arkian had already climbed to the top and was stopping the fight.

There was nothing to gain by staying there any longer. Kessler chose to retreat for strategic reasons.

‘There will always be another chance.’

Kessler stood against the bathroom door and caught his breath.

‘I’ll take Arkian to that place no matter what it takes.’

Kessler thought of the master. Then the restless feeling in his chest settled, and he managed to regain his composure.

A familiar prayer flowed through the gap of his clenched teeth as he swallowed the pain.

“All things follow his will.”

***

The morning class was Magic Crop Production Practice. According to the syllabus, it was a time to grow and harvest grains like wheat and corn using magic.

The field used by the Department of Agriculture was connected to the west side of the main building. Half of the vast land that stretched beyond sight belonged to the Department of Horticulture, and the other half belonged to the Department of Agriculture.

The students of the Department of Agriculture continued their respective tasks.

“I forgot the fertilizer again.”

“I’ll bring it. Do you have any leftover seeds? I missed the explanation last time, so I used everything for hydroponics. It’s seriously frustrating.”

“What can you do? This place is basically the wild. I read the textbook in advance, so I know what to do. There are seeds in the back of the storage. Let’s check together.”

“Alright.”

Among the busy students, Kian and Lucien had nothing to do and fiddled with their straw hats.

Kessler noticed them and spoke.

“The practice uniform suits you.”

‘Does it?’

Kian looked down at the clothes he wore, then lifted his gaze.

“Thanks. You look good in it too.”

“I’m used to it. The earth spirit, the gnome, will come soon. It’s been cutting off its speech lately, but if you focus, you can understand most of it. Do you want me to stay with you?”

“No. You have your own work.”

“Helping transfer students is also part of my work.”

‘Then maybe I should accept his help. Facing a spirit makes me feel nervous.’

But Lucien answered faster.

“You’re too relaxed. How are you gonna learn magical agriculture properly like that? You didn’t come to the academy just to help new friends.”

Kessler turned his head toward Lucien. Strangely, it was as if Kessler had only now noticed Lucien’s existence.

“It’s you again, Lucy. I’ll handle my own business, so mind yours.”

“You’re one to talk. I can handle my work, and so can this guy, so stop meddling. Don’t act like some gloomy black magician sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

A spark flickered in Kessler’s eyes. His face twisted, and he was about to spit out nasty words, but after a moment, he exhaled a long breath.

“Hah. Forget it. Talking to you just makes my mouth hurt. Arkian, see you later.”

Kessler waved his hand carelessly and walked toward the field. His leg seemed uncomfortable, and he put more weight on one side.

Kian’s eyes fixed on Kessler’s back.

Kessler was limping suddenly. And Kessler and Lucien had a bad relationship.

‘Could it be?’

Kian looked at Lucien.

Lucien’s face was as calm as usual. Even when Kian looked closely at the corner of his eyes, it was the same. There was no tiny crack-like scratch.

‘Of course.’

That thought from a moment ago was clearly overreaching. Unless the black cat he saw today had used magic, everything was only speculation for now.

“Watch your step.”

Lucien grabbed Kian’s arm as he was lost in thought. When Kian stepped back in surprise, the ground beneath him shook, and a huge mole popped out of it.

The mole shook its head and brushed off the mud stuck to its body. Soon, white light surrounded its form, and when the light disappeared, a short old man with a beard stood there.

It was the earth spirit, the gnome.

“…Welcome, transfer students. Your names… are… what?”

The gnome’s spoke with pauses.

But Kian understood enough of the words and introduced himself.

“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Arkian.”

“I’m Lucy.”

“Alright. Arkian… and Lucy. We’ll understand the attribute of earth and learn the joy… of harvesting through magic. Since today is the first class… we’ll start with a… trial.”

“Yes.”

“Corn grows… well in warm soil. When we… cultivate in large quantities… like we do… remember to… and… properly.”

“…Sorry?”

“…You must not forget the spacing. Don’t forget to give it plenty of water, and plant it so that the rows stay… parallel. I’ll focus my evaluation on that point later.”

Kian couldn’t believe it. The instructions for the practice were all cut off, yet he explained the part about evaluation clearly.

He asked carefully.

“Um, excuse me, Spirit, can you hear yourself properly? Your words sound broken to me.”

“I can hear. Other students… say the same, but what can I do? My influence… has weakened.”

“Did something happen?”

“There was… an incident. But I can’t ask… anyone for help, so I endure it. It’s not good… rest.”

Once again, only the word “rest” was clearly spoken.

The gnome walked to the zelkova tree planted in the middle of the field and plopped down under it. A moment later, they heard his soft snoring sound.

The sight was beyond bewildering.