Published at 5th of December 2025 8:11 pm

Chapter 215

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

We barely touched our drinks before slipping out at 4 a.m. to head to the dorms.

It was because of my future.

Of course, that wasnt the only reason I was so out of it, barely noticing if the liquor was going in my mouth or my nose. There was another issue, less pressing than my future but still a problem.

Id only managed to gather 2 points of favorability from Eszett.

I could probably squeeze 1 point from Ulrike. But Yulia how do I approach her?

Thats the tricky part.

If they were complete strangers, I could just dive in headfirst with what youd call a conquest strategy, no holds barred. But these are friends, teammates Ill have to face until graduation.

If I pull that kind of stunt, itll end up worse than a failed group projectnothing more, nothing less.

If I gain favorability and rewind time, does it reset?

I pinched my cheek at that thought.

Now Im starting to think unethical shit. No, I just realized none of the ideas Ive had so far are exactly wholesome.

It feels like my brains being pickled in the direction this system wants.

Anyway, how do I build genuine friendship?

Gah, your cheeks all purple. What the hell?!

Looking up, I saw Narce holding the doorknob, staring back at me.

I pinched myself to stay quiet, but I mustve done it too hard.

Just pinched it.

Uh?

Ignoring his confusion, I shoved him into the room.

As I stepped into his new dorm room, the scene was different from before.

Nice dorm.

Oh, you didnt check it out last time?

Nope.

The dorm was pristine.

Bigger than his old one, it felt more spacious and comfortable.

So, you said you wanted me to use my ability on something? Narce said, settling into a seat.

After hearing Daniels words earlier, Id asked Narce to take a look when he had time, since I needed help interpreting something.

With Narce dropping that unsettling prophecy, it seemed wise to get another opinion before shit hits the fan.

Of course, I cant expect much insight here. He didnt see Daniels face or hear the conversation firsthand.

Ill just take it as an extra opinion. Since I cant tell Narce everything, Ill start with whats safe to sharethe figure from the scriptures who killed his brother.

Narce. In the scriptures, Cain is banished from Eden to Nod.

Yeah.

But what do you think it means if Cain stays in Eden and God has no intention of banishing him?

Blasphemy?

I let out a hollow laugh at Narces instinctive response.

He seemed embarrassed by the reflexive answer, waving his hand.

No, no~ I mean, if thats the case, theres surely a divine purpose, but the scriptures arent written that way~ Leaving humanitys first murderer in Eden? Why? You heard something like that?

Yeah.

Its probably not about the Old Testament era. The Abel and Cain story must apply to our time. Does it mean this eras Cain will stay in Eden? Or that God deliberately placed this eras Cain in Eden? One of those two.

Hmm Thats the worst.

Given the context, Cains probably Adrian Askanian, right?

But that wont happen.

Ill make damn sure it doesnt.

What about being told to become Rosalind?

Rosalind? Maybe become someone who knows how to love~?

I already know how.

More sincerely!

I think I was sincere enough.

Anyway, hes not getting a read on this one either.

I gave up expecting much and moved to the next question.

Thanks. Last one. What does Caesarea is right in front of you mean?

Narces expression hardened for the first time.

Whered you hear that?

Same place as the other two questions.

Hmm Caesarea Philippi, maybe? Its not exactly close, so maybe its a scriptural metaphor.

Given the Christian cultural context, scriptural metaphors are common, so he should know, but without context, it seemed tricky for him too.

First, Caesarea is where Jesus declared to Peter, On this rock, I will build my church.

Right. So what does it mean that its right in front of you?

Well, maybe another church reformations coming?

How does he say that so casually?

Sometimes I wonder what this guys deal is.

Haha, bit unlikely? Then lets move forward. Its also where Jesus asked his disciples, Who do you say I am? Its famous for Peters confession of faith.

I know that much.

The problem is the interpretation.

If even Narce is struggling with this, I should put it on hold.

Hmm, too abstract~ Does it mean you need to recognize God? But you can use Divine Power without faith, so I dont think you need to start believing in God now.

Is it okay for you to say that?

Huh? Of course not!

Right

Hes impossible to pin down.

But soon, I understood why he spoke like that. Narces eyes gleamed as he said, Theoretically, learning to use Divine Power isnt impossible, but theres no real precedent. An atheist with Divine Power? Thats a rare case worth preserving, dont you think?

Your curiositys something else.

Well, anyway, Im not thrilled with my interpretation either. Ill dig into it more later, so lets take it slow. Now, about your future

Narce.

Yeah?

I looked at his smile and thought.

Theres something I need to ask before getting to the main point.

Hed previously said Heike hadnt used her ability often.

I assumed she hadnt and asked her based on that, but she said she *had* used it a lot.

There are four possibilities: Narces standards differ from ours, his Insight cant read far back, like a decade ago, he lied to me, or his Level 2 Insight malfunctioned.

Narce. You told me before that Heike hadnt used her ability much.

Yeah.

He seemed to catch what I was getting at and explained right away.

Honestly, when she said today she used it a lot, I was thrown off. But heres what I picked up back then: I cant use my ability on people. What if they ask me to? On people? Im not ready for that at all. I figured if she felt and thought like that, she probably hadnt used it much.

I stayed silent, then smiled.

Got it.

Oh, how do I get closer to Lucas?

I considered there might be another possibility, and he knows Im thinking that.

Thats why hes reacting this way.

But I dont fundamentally distrust him. I still rely on his Insight and Foresight, and hes been a good ally.

Besides, I cant share everything with my friends, including him, so Im not about to blame Narce alone.

Were past the point of debating how close we are, right? I trust you, Narce.

Of course. You know that.

He grinned and changed the subject.

Alright, shall we move on to something else?

Yeah. Whyd you say we need to do our best about me?

Haha

As he moment to read the future arrived, Narces face darkened.

I cant bring myself to tell you. Honestly, Im not even sure I read the future right.

What the hell did you see?

Ugh My stomachs churning.

Narce shuddered, giving a faint smile like his soul had left his body.

No idea what he saw to act like that.

Tell me what you saw, Narce. So I can prepare.

All I can say for sure is this: The Pentalon checkpoint duty doesnt feel like itll go in our favor. Honestly, Im not sure well even last until the closing ceremony.

We wont make it?

Maybe well have to step back for safety reasons?

A lot could change in a month, so thats probably why hes saying this.

I smirked and shook my head.

If thats the case, might as well step back now.

You know

It wont work, right?

Yeah. And avoiding it wont solve anything. Pentalons a problem, but so are we.

Its not that trouble happens *because* were on Pentalon checkpoint duty

Were targets, and so is Pentalon?

Something like that.

So even if we leave Pentalon, itll still be attacked, and well get hit wherever we go next.

That changes things.

Knowing your life in advance is kinda fun.

I smiled into the void.

Might as well aim for a two-for-one deal.

Ill have to take some losses no matter where I go, so if Im gonna deal with it, lets deal with it and take down both.

Narce, whod been chuckling, gradually lost his smile and tilted his head.

Lucas, honestly, Im not sure I read it right.

Then whyd you say it?

Still gotta tell you. Just in case it actually happens.

Then tell me details so I can avoid it.

Feels like an endless loop.

Narce shook his head.

You cant avoid it. The only advice I can give is this.

What? Tell me. Ill take it to heart.

Dont get entangled with people.

***

Dont get entangled?

I need to collect 10 points of favorability from Eszett.

Not to mention, avoiding people altogether is damn near impossible.

Our job requires us to deal with people.

Everyone coming here is a New Human, so theyll all have IDs. Only mages can enter right now. Most are regulars, so you can relax.

At 6 a.m. the next day, we were at the stadium early.

Checking IDs isnt our main task; its just to get a feel for the place.

From the afternoon, well be scanning the stadium for hazardous elements with Magic Power.

I took the exam to send victims to the hospital, not to run a damn checkpoint for the third round.

We tried to handle as many victims as possible to keep other teams from interfering, but thats tough now that were stuck here.

Still, knowing someones targeting Pentalon, I dont have major complaints about being assigned here.

A Pentalon department official looked at us and said, Things are tense with Pleroma right now, so you need to be firm. You can subdue and hand over to the police or use magic, but dont be too aggressiveitll make people uneasy. You get it, right? Be friendly. Believe it or not, people your level scare others, even fellow mages.

Got it, warm iced Americano, coming right up.

The vague find the right balance comment put a slight tension on my teammates faces.

If someone asks for a handshake, just do it, and answer politely unless its too personal. Obviously, dont eat anything but water while on duty. Contact us if you need a break, and well cover. Well take over at noon anyway, so you can wait till then.

Yes.

Why handshakes? But other mage groups handled this place before the national teams arrived, so its probably from their experience.

That was the end of the briefing.

I headed to my assigned gate and waited.

Hardly anyone was around at 6 a.m., but by 7, people started flooding in.

The staffsince this was the employee entrancelooked dead inside, and their faces dropped even more when they saw me.

I wasnt fazed; its not surprising anymore.

What *was* surprising was that some didnt react that way. A few just stared at me with wide eyes and gave me favorability for a brief greeting.

Ding!

Favorability +1

Oh.

Not bad for being outside school.

I watched the random number pop up, handing back an ID to a mage who looked at me like I was a curiosity.

Youre good to go.

He nodded and went inside.

Some actually asked for handshakes, ranging from my age to elderly.

Congrats on first place.

Thanks.

I lightly shook a strangers hand and smiled.

Another favorability window popped up.

By 10 a.m., Id probably racked up 50 points today.

Nice, but good thing ID checks are just for today.

Standing in the same position for four hours is killing my legs.

At least observing favorability kept me from getting bored.

Noting the traits of people passing through, just in case of an incident, was mildly entertaining.

One thing in common: they were all basic Grade 9 mages.

The kind wed almost call civiliansbarely enough Magic Power to use warp magic, the lowest tier of mages.

Probably low nobles, barely above commoners.

Then, a young mage approached, hood up and a hat pulled low.

ID, please.

Maybe because the checkpoint staff changed, he stared at my face, eyes wide.

I was about to tell him to hurry up with the ID when he spoke.

Youre Askanian, right?

Yes.

Can I get a handshake? Man, I was so impressed. Eszetts number one.

Dramatic much?

His grand gestures and flair made me suspicious, but I extended my hand.

He reached for it but quickly pulled back.

Can you take off your glove?

What?

I stared, unable to process what Id heard.

The moment I was sure hed said it, a million thoughts raced through my mind.

Take it off? Why?

Hes not asking to keep it, is he? Not like he wants to visit the police station, so probably not outright theft.

I admitted this weird request was beyond my common sense.

So, my answer was clear.

No.

Why not?

ID first.

Oh, of course. Got it ready.

He pulled a crumpled paper from his pocket, grabbed my hand, and shoved it in. Shaking him off, I held my breath at a strange smell.

It was like hed doused the paper in every perfume he could find.

Holding my breath, I checked the name.

[Alex Muller]

[Hanover Governors Certification: General Grade 9]

Muller.

The surname caught my eye.

A dime-a-dozen name.

The first name, toojust as generic, no distinguishing traits.

He kept staring at my face while I checked. Or so it seemed.

Cool eyes. Real mage vibes? Hows it feel to have a one-of-a-kind color?

Where do you work?

Building A, basemen cafeteria. New manager this time.

I nodded, glancing between the ID and him.

No anomalies in his Magic Power.

Nothing to detain him for on appearance alone.

What, call him in for questioning because he drenched his ID in 20 perfumes?

Not bad.

I tapped my artifact to call the security team.

Warping in, the security mages glanced at him and signaled me.

Handing over the ID, they grimaced slightly.

Sorry, but with security concerns, we need to search you briefly.

Sure, go ahead.

He raised his arms, calmly watching the mages empty his pockets. Then he looked at me and said, I thought *youd* do it, but guess not?

The security mage, unaware of his earlier odd behavior, replied casually, Weve got it~ All clear. Things are tense, so we check for odors too. Come prepared, and youll pass quickly.

Got it.

He took his ID back from me and stared at it.

Then, without blinking, he looked up.

Gotta keep this forever.

What, were you gonna throw it out?

Of course you keep it.

The worlds big, and lunatics are plenty.

All kinds, too.

After meeting this guy, the magic-crazed weirdo at the opposite gate seems like a tame lunatic by comparison. Feels like Im confirmed not to have crazy friends, and that warms my heart.

Of course, thats just an immediate impression.

Alex Muller, huh.

You cant miss a red flag this big.

Hes likely the reason Narce felt nauseous.

The next two hours went smoothly.

As lunchtime neared, I started to get up.

Then, the break room door flew open.

Yo, Luca~

Elias barged into our teams private break room. This time, he was paired with someone else.

Was hoping to team up with Narce.

Too bad hes off using Divine Power solo.

I asked Elias, Done eating already?

The bread was trash, so I tossed it.

Alright. Im hitting the bathroom. Wait here.

What for?! Im coming!

Just washing my hands and fixing my hat, but hes gotta ask.

Hes always poking around, but Elias seems extra bored today.

Thinking that, I let him trail me back to my post.

Huh.

What?!

Look at this guy. So many questions today, and his voice is unnecessarily loud.

More importantly

Wheres my glove?

It wasnt on the table where it shouldve been.

Elias, watching me, asked, Missing a glove? Got a spare?

I do.

But

Elias pulled a new pair from his belt clutch and handed them over.

Thanks. But, Elias.

Yeah, what?

Earlier, someone asked if Id take off my glove for a handshake.

Huh?

Silence.

Eliass face, struggling to process what hed heard, was priceless.

Should we call Narce? The break rooms great for strategy but the worst for this.

Gotta talk via artifact.

Yeah, we should. Or just go to Narce?

No.

Well talk, but no need to meet in person yet. If a bigger issue pops up, Narce will contact us.

Theres no hard evidence the thief is that guy, but my guts screaming, so the answer is to catch him and shake him down.

Lets keep watching.

And if we grab him and turn him inside out, well get the evidence.

Share