Player 0.4 [You have died.] [Reset in progress.]

“Oh?” Professor Gregory Norman blinked, looking between Aegus and me. “Are you two perhaps already acquainted?”

“Yes,” I replied. “We’re roommates.”

Aegus’s expression twitched.

He clearly didn’t care for me. The feeling was mutual, but there was no need to throw out profanities. Or glare daggers, as he was currently doing.

I inadvertently shivered under his sharp gaze.

More concerning was his elemental. I had not expected anyone else to claim to have an elemental produced from a cerberus. But just my luck, it was this guy, and he was in the same mandatory training.

Damn it. I’m going to have to be extra careful not to slip up around him.

“Ahhhh. Roommates. I see.” Professor Norman adjusted his round glasses, nodding his head.

A few others in the circle nodded as well, as if they had been enlightened, too. A few even exchanged knowing looks.

“Let us continue with the session now that introductions are complete,” Professor Norman said, clapping his hands together again. “You’ll be with this group for all four weeks, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to become acquainted with one another. Today, however, we’ll be primarily covering the basics of safety and legal responsibility.”

He smiled pleasantly.

“So that none of you accidentally get yourselves into trouble and land in Glimver Dungeon.”

At the mention of the infamous prison, nearly every pair of eyes in the room flicked toward me.

That was no surprise. I was still laden in black mana cuffs after all, a sight typically only reserved for actual criminals. I hadn’t minded them too much thus far. I had gotten used to wearing them, along with the occasional double-take I received from strangers. And most of the student body had grown equally accustomed to seeing them.

However, now that my mana core had expanded beyond the limits that the cuffs limited me to, I did find them a tad bit more annoying. Because of them, I couldn’t test out the limits of my current magic capabilities.

Even Augustus hadn’t dared to remove them during our late-night training session. Though he had assured me that once we went on our warzone getaway this weekend, he would secure approval to have the cuffs removed.

Until then, I remained capped at eight belden.

​

***

​

“I call horseshit,” Aegus said.

“Regarding what exactly?” I asked innocently, though I knew precisely what he was alluding to.

The two of us had been paired together by Professor Norman for the first assignment. It required us to fill out a form confirming that we understood the basic legal responsibilities as good citizens regarding elementals.

The intent, evidently, was for partners to discuss the answers together.

I completed a section and passed the paper back to Aegus to fill out. We were supposed to fill it out by working together, but instead we passed it back and forth, filling out one section at a time. I did the odd numbers, Aegus tackled the even.

“I had contracted with the last cerberus in existence,” Aegus retorted as he filled in the next section. “There’s no way you managed to simply come across one in the woods, near your village.”

I shrugged.

“Believe what you want, but a random forest near a remote village is precisely how I came in contact with Void,” I said, my words completely and utterly the truth by the power of omission.

I pulled out the official document I was required to carry on my person at all times, as Professor Norman had taught us. Though it wasn’t through lawful diligence that I had it; I just happened to still have it on me, not having a chance to stop by my dorm in a couple of days now.

“See?” I pointed to the top portion. “Grade A. Cerberus.”

Aegus briefly glanced at the paper, then returned to glaring at me. “Grade A; I’ll give you that. The grading of an elemental cannot be faked. But the cerberus part can be.”

I sighed.

Why was he so damn persistent?

No one else had questioned it. Perhaps they were shocked. But somehow, my explanation, which I now owned with all my heart and soul, was accepted by all. Except this guy.

I frowned.

Or perhaps Aegus was the only sane person.

I looked at the young man with genuine pity.

No really. Why was everyone else so nonchalant in accepting my lie as fact? Was it the sheer shamelessness of it? Perhaps the fact that I already had remarkable achievements under my belt, that a lie like this could slip by?

“What’s with that look?” Aegus asked, shoving the assignment paper back toward me.

“Nothing.” I tucked away my official registration documents and accepted the assignment. “People look at other people. I was merely looking at you.”

There was no need to count the feathers on a phoenix and scrutinize my luck.

I turned to the final question.

If a contracted elemental enters a berserk state and causes harm, what liability does the contractee bear?

I flipped through the green leather-bound law book beside me. The volume was nearly as thick as two fists and written in a language that I could barely comprehend, even with the artifact the librarian had provided me with. The wording seemed designed to prevent comprehension rather than provide true clarity.

After locating the relevant provision, I transcribed the answer word for word:

A contractee bears strict liability for all harm caused by their elemental. A berserk state shall not constitute a defense, and the offense shall be adjudicated as though committed upon the contractee’s express instruction. Punishment shall correspond to the severity of the resulting harm.

There was more to the text and additional nuances, but this seemed sufficient for the assignment.

In simpler terms, if Void went berserk, the law would treat it as though I had personally ordered him to wreak havoc.

I glanced down at the shadow elemental.

Two crescent-shaped eyes and a curved mouth glowed against Void’s dark form as it stretched between the other elementals, playfully mimicking their movements. It appeared curious about them and, to my relief, had yet to exert any of its supernatural influence.

So far today, Void was behaving wonderfully. And thus far, he had not broken any laws. Any harm done to me did not require anything in terms of the law to take place.

“Has everyone finished already?” Professor Norman asked, surveying and grading the completed assignments with a spell. “That was faster than expected. And everyone has passed with flying colors. In that case, we could conclude today’s session early, or perhaps—”

“Professor, may I make a suggestion?” Aegus interrupted.

Professor Norman paused, but then smiled. “Of course.”

Aegus ran his flesh-and-blood left hand through his brown, wavy hair and rose from his seat. His expression was earnest and respectful. Knowing his character, it did not suit him.

“I believe we would benefit from observing our elementals in a controlled combat setting,” he said. “The law makes our responsibilities quite clear, but knowing that we must maintain control is not the same as knowing whether we can.”

Several students nodded. Most merely looked on with curious expressions.

“My own elemental is Grade A and cerberus-born,” Aegus continued. “Its strength is such that if I misunderstand its limits, I may not recognize that I have lost control until someone is harmed. I would much rather discover such deficiencies here, under the supervision of a qualified instructor.”

Professor Norman adjusted his round glasses, considering the proposal.

Aegus briefly glanced at me.

“Of course, every student would benefit from such an assessment. Many of us were fortunate enough to receive years of preparation before forming our contracts. Others may not have had access to the same instruction. It would be irresponsible to assume that an elemental’s contractee possesses adequate control simply because the elemental has behaved thus far.”

I blinked.

Aegus’s argument and logic made sense. I was also concerned about accidentally breaking the law, especially given how overwhelmingly powerful Void was and the toddler-like tantrums it threw now and then. However, I sensed that Aegus had an ulterior motive.

“Doesn’t everyone receive training from their family before forming a contract?” a girl seated several places to my right whispered. “Who hasn’t?”

“Yes, every noble does.”

“Wait. Luca came from a village, didn’t he? He’s a commoner.”

“And he also contracted with a cerberus-born elemental…”

“He’s already wearing Black Mana Cuffs.”

“I see. Aegus suggested this for his roommate’s sake.”

“For all our sakes, you mean.”

Aegus had not mentioned me once, yet nearly every gaze in the circle gradually drifted in my direction.

“I see.” Professor Norman adjusted his round glasses and nodded. “You raise an excellent point, Aegus. Very well. We shall proceed with a practical assessment of your ability to control your elementals during combat.”

Aegus bowed his head. “Thank you, Professor.”

His lips curled upward as he sat back down.

Professor Norman pulled a necklace strung with silver beads from his pocket and tossed it into the center of the room. The strand snapped apart in midair, sending the beads flying outward in opposite directions.

Where each one landed, a column of gleaming silver erupted from the floor. Shimmering light spread between the pillars, forming a cage nearly as large as the fighting ring within the Gilded Siren Casino.

However, unlike that crude enclosure of black mana stone, this one appeared almost holy, with shimmering light emitted between the silver poles.

“Since Aegus proposed the exercise,” Professor Norman said, “he may participate in the first duel.”

He motioned his hand, and the bars on one side lifted up, providing an opening to enter through.

Aegus turned toward me and smiled.

“How fortunate,” he said. “Since my roommate also possesses a Grade A, cerberus-born elemental. I can think of no safer or more appropriate opponent.”

~Hah ha ha ha…. Of course, he couldn’t.

Apophis snickered from my shoulder.

The snake had also caught on to Aegus’s true goal.

And if there had been any lingering doubt in my mind, my roommate promptly removed it the moment we both entered the silver cage.

“You’re a fraud,” Aegus whispered while he extended his hand for a seemingly respectful handshake. His smile remained perfectly polite. “And I’ll prove to everyone here that your elemental was not born from a cerberus, by having Azar completely defeat it.”

I accepted his hand.

And to my relief, he did not attempt to crush my fingers.

“Though it might not have been your intention,” I replied, “thank you for this opportunity.”

I meant it.

Aegus’s brows drew together as he released my hand. “You’re thankful…?”

“Everything you said was true,” I said. “I didn’t receive years of preparation before forming my contract. And I’m not confident I can control my elemental safely. So yes, I’m genuinely thankful for the chance to test Void’s limits against a powerful elemental like yours.”

Aegus stared at me.

Then he clicked his tongue and stepped toward his marked starting position.

“Luca Frey,” he muttered, “I’m not going to go easy on you.”

“Fine with me,” I replied and walked toward my own marked position.

Whether I lost or won didn’t really matter to me. I was simply relieved and glad.

In this realm, a cerberus-born elemental was evidently considered one of the strongest possible elemental types. If Azar was truly that powerful, then Void would have a suitable opponent and outlet without causing too much havoc.

“The rules of the duel are simple,” Professor Norman declared from outside the shimmering cage. His voice carried clearly through the silver bars. “Whoever leaves their circle first loses. Your objective is to force your opponent out.”

I glanced down at the shimmering silver circle. It was wide enough for me to extend my arms out on all sides, while remaining within the space.

“You are not permitted to utilize mana or spellwork yourselves,” Professor Norman continued. “The duel must be conducted solely through the actions of your elementals.”

The murmuring of students reached my ears as they surrounded the enclosure for a better view.

“As for injuries, do not worry. This cage contains a time-manipulated field. Before any irreparable harm befalls you, I will step in and stop the duel.”

The professor paused as he looked at both of us. “That being said, do not mistake this protection for permission to act recklessly. Any attempt to cause grievous harm will violate the purpose of this exercise and result in an immediate loss.”

“Don’t worry, Luca,” Aegus prodded, flexing his mechanical arm. A faint orange glow threaded through its joints. “You can go all out with me.”

I nodded.

“Very well,” I replied.

If he wanted to test our elementals and was willing to go all out, then I would happily oblige as well.

“Void, did you understand the objective?” I whispered.

{{ Yes, Mama! I’ll push him out of the circle. }}

I smiled. “Good.”

“Luca, Aegus,” Professor Norman called out. “On my mark. Three…”

Aegus’s mechanical fingers curled.

“Two…”

Void shifted beneath my feet.

“One…”

The flames in Aegus’s arm flared.

“Go!”

“Azar! Engulf that circle!” Aegus pointed his metal hand in my direction, and a blaze of fiery orange flames burst toward me. Its heat singed the air, making it unbearable to breathe.

Nor talk.

I gritted my teeth for my lack of initiative.

{{ Oh no! Mama! }}

Void’s voice rang out in panic.

I forced myself to concentrate and speak using Illusion magic at the frequency that Void was speaking. This was harder given the flames before me, pushing me to the edge of my circle.

{{ Void, nullify the flame! }}

Whether it was due to my command or his own initiative, Void erupted from beneath my feet.

The shadow surged forward like a black tide and swallowed the flames whole. Fire vanished beneath it as though smothered by a vast, black blanket.

The air cooled instantly, and I breathed inward in relief, and stepped back into the center of the circle. However, my relief was short-lived.

{{ You tried to hurt Mama! }}

Void’s voice was no longer frightened. It was furious.

Before I could stop him, his shadow burst forward and swept over Aegus’s circle, climbing his legs, his torso, and then coiling around his mechanical right arm where Azar’s flames still burned.

Aegus’s eyes widened.

“Void, stop!” I yelled out. “Stop! I didn’t give permission!”

But Void did not stop.

The orange fire inside Aegus’s arm flickered, as if attempting to burst out, but then completely dimmed. The flames vanished entirely, with Aegus’s mechanical arm blackened from fingertip to shoulder.

And from within the shadow, Void’s small, trembling voice sounded.

{{ Bad fire. I’ll make it gone. }}

“Void, no—!”

The silver cage flashed white. And Aegus screamed.​

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