Published at 5th of December 2025 8:13 pm

Chapter 221 Part 1

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Six hours ago.

Since the previous checkpoint was set to the celebration night, I rewound to the maximum range I could manually setsix hours back.

Its 10:30 p.m. now.

Opening my eyes, I was in a bathrobe, holding an empty notebook.

I was doing this at this time.

Narce, here with school approval, had just cast space magic in my room.

Elias, newly arrived, sprawled on the sofa, stretching his arms. Man~ Fresh space magic makes it so comfy. No creeps watching either!

Haha, good. Shouldve done this sooner, Narce said, sitting by the bed.

Whatre you doing, Lucas? Gotta sleep if were heading out at dawn.

My opening a notebook during rest time mustve seemed odd.

I stared at the empty pages.

Trying to figure out what else I need to make that bastard show up.

Thats what I told them last time.

Id written down my mistakes with Yulia from yesterday in this notebook, but it was blank now. Makes senseits around 11 p.m. when Id finished writing.

I glanced out the window.

The faint sound of winter wind carried an occasional robins chirp.

Outside, it was eerily calm, like nothing would happen.

Leo should show up around midnight.

Thats enough time.

The Imperial Times article I read before coming here is vivid in my mind. With this anomaly, the culprit cant beat me.

I went downstairs to the kitchen, boiled water, cast a soundproofing spell, and tapped my ear.

Remember?

[]

No answer. I sensed a strange panic in the silence over the artifact.

I slapped the table lightly.

Only after stressing my core did Leos calm voice come through.

[We meet again. Six hours back, huh. Ill swing by Bavaria, then head your way.]

Good. Lets start.

I replied curtly, cutting the connection.

As the kettle heated, I heard movement behind me.

Lucas.

Narce and Elias had followed me downstairs. Noticing my off vibe, Narce asked worriedly, Whats up? You look rough again.

Just on edge.

True enough.

I planned to bring them to the scene, but I couldnt spill everything now, so this was the best I could say.

Without asking their opinion, I brewed milk tea and set it before them. Drink.

They stared, eyes wide.

***

At the same time, Alexanderplatz.

[Youre out of your mind. Exactly 14? Why? Got a grudge against the East?]

[If youre only killing 14, just bail.]

A mage, perched on a buildings rooftop, listened to protests leaking from his artifact. His gaze was fixed on the Grand Hotel.

[Dont you know egg-throwing already made the main stadium a no-go? No clue what this lunatics up to.]

The mage stared blankly at the hotels dark windows, muttering, If I kill 14 for sure, they should be grateful.

[Can you even kill them for sure?]

Ever seen me fail?

[]

No reply. The mage answered flatly, Fourteens worth a billion. Isnt it better to kill a few and gain it all?

[Explain. How do 14 Koreans clue us into a billion?]

The mage frowned at the relentless complaints. He muttered, annoyed, Just watch. Five hours from now, Ill make the Imperial Times break news.

The protests quieted.

He sighed. [I trust you.]

***

Its 11 p.m. now.

While I checked the clock, Elias stared, shocked. First time Ive seen Lucas serve tea.

Whats this? We doing something scary? Narce asked, laughing.

Sharp as ever. I sipped my tea without answering.

Unfazed by the heat, Elias gulped his down, eyes gleaming. Tasty! Lucas nailed the ratio. Ill make some too!

Im good

Youre already drinkingwhy make more?

I stopped Elias and went to the dressing room.

Wearing the Eszett uniform, I returned downstairs. My friends eyes widened.

Huh? You going out again? We didnt get orders.

You will. Youre coming too.

Eliass face screamed confusion. Fairsaying well get orders sounds weird.

Space magics up, right?

Yup.

Just in case, I cast a soundproofing spell. We need to go to the Grand Hotel. Got a bad feeling.

What? Why?

My ability tipped me off. Too many things have happened, but that stalkers been weirdly quiet.

They cant follow me easily anymore. The egg-throwing wasnt to drive me out, but it pushed me out of their reach. Crucially, were openly using space magic to shake them, so whyre they leaving us alone? From experience, that guys not the type to sit back. Whyre we chatting peacefully?

Its a stretch for this timeline. I know. But saying its my ability and brushing it off? I used that during Primrose Path. Better to explain a bit.

I felt their stunned stares.

No choice.

I said what I didnt want to. Plus, not a single note today.

No one thinks Im waiting for notes, but it felt like I was admitting it. I hated saying it, maybe because Ive been on edge all day, checking for them.

Thats exactly why I had to say it. Theyre eating at my mind, making me adjust my words and actions every moment.

Lucas is right. We gotta go, Narce said firmly, likely reading the future with Foresight.

Before he could continue, Elias laughed. Yeah, if Lucas is this serious, no harm in listening. Besides, Lucas doesnt waste energy on nonsense.

Waste energy? Thats how they see me?

Cant say its wrong, though.

Narce burst out laughing, agreeing, and said, You know whats gonna happen there. Feels like youve got a power like mine.

He nodded, signaling trust.

Ill follow your lead.

Thanks. One question, Narce.

What?

You said someones targeting me and Pentalon. For Pentalon, is the Grand Hotel incident their endgame?

Killing 18 and leaving 9 to dieis that the final goal?

I dont think so.

Narce rubbed his chin. No. I agree. This is way ahead of schedule and smaller scale. They planned to act when the tournament starts, right? Unless something changes, theyll try again.

Eighteen dead, nine injured is *small*?

I gave a hollow laugh.

Gotta root this out early.

Thanks for the answer.

No prob.

I smiled at him.

A servant, hearing the noise, rushed to the kitchen. None of us wanted more tea, so I sent her back and headed upstairs.

This is because of me?

Even if it is, that doesnt mean Im responsible.

Per Narces Foresight, the stalkers aiming for bigger damage. Whether Im here or not, Pentalons one of their two targets.

Digging deeper, just because Narce said Pentalon could be ruined doesnt mean I have to protect it. It might just fatten the emperors wallet.

But

First, no need to let a terrorist attack slide to lower the emperors approval. There are plenty of other ways to do that.

/p>

I cant save unseen victims of other murders or attacks, but these are within my reach to try. Worth a shot.

Second, I dont want this culprit getting cocky with repeated wins.

At this point, their survivals my victory, their defeat.

No time to dawdle.

Sitting at the desk, Pai, whod followed Narce, hopped around. I infused Divine Power into Pai, jotting down the Imperial Times breaking news from memory.

Whatre you doing?! Pai asked.

Just organizing what I need to do.

Pai fell asleep from my hands warmth.

I let go and held the notebook properly.

[All 18 deceased estimated to have died around 3:30 a.m., reported at 3:50 a.m.]

The drug was spread before that.

Timing the ambush is critical.

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