Chapter 74 – The Scream

000

Compared to other departments, the magic department’s classrooms are built more solidly.

Since it is a place that accommodates a significant number of people, it is natural to pay more attention to safety.

A bigger reason could be said to be to withstand the magic exercised during practice.

Click. Click.

A woman in a black robe who appeared to be a professor in charge of magic was standing on top of the podium.

Quietly press the button attached to something like a watch in your hand.

Then, the number shown on the illusion floating above her head increases by one.

69, 70, 71.

“Flare Spike!!”

The next moment, a girl’s voice shouted like a shout.

As soon as the long chant ended, what appeared was a thorn of flame extending from the red fireball.

It immediately grabbed the body of a male student who was preparing another magic in front of the girl.

It shatters the spell defense shield spread over the body.

Click.

Treat as a defeat where spell shields cannot be maintained.

Once again, the professor’s watch button is pressed and silence surrounds them.

When the professor slightly raises his eyes and looks around.

The center of a messy classroom.

The red-haired girl was still threatening the surroundings by creating overflowing magic pressure.

Around her, students from the same department were strewn about and breathing deeply.

“Seventy-two people… Exactly. All of them were rendered incapacitated within five minutes.”

The professor puts the watch he was holding back into his pocket in a calm, emotionless tone.

And it was a quiet applause and declaration.

“According to the tradition of the Department of Magic. From today, Layla Flamewatch, who successfully completed the ‘Successsion Ceremony’, is recognized as the head of the Department of Magic.”

There was no applause other than the professor.

A face of resentment, or a face of despair.

Only Layla, the winner shuddered with the lingering excitement of the battle and the sense of accomplishment.

And another one.

“Lyla!”

Beatrix, who was behind the protective barrier spread out in the classroom as an observer.

I ran down the stairs of the classroom and was hugged by Lila.

“Be, bea! Don’t jump in suddenly…! It’s heavy!”

Lyla blushes and tries to drop her clinging to him.

From that day on, Beatrix and Lyla became the only friends at the academy through their hearts.

It was Bea who was a little alienated from the people around her because she was from a fallen noble family and came from the countryside.

As she became close with Lila, she became even more isolated in the magic department.

But Beatrix didn’t care about that at all.

Because I had a dear friend with me.

A year has already passed since the attack by the men in red uniforms.

Layla is banned from using ‘Gabul’ by Bea instead of her grandfather.

Under her thorough management and assistance, he was spending his days researching and studying.

And is it because of that?

In just over a year, she has moved up the tier of magic available to her.

Today, I was able to produce results close to the culmination of that.

The succession ceremony to be recognized as the ‘chief’ of the Department of Magic.

The final 72-man duel was completed safely.

Prior to that, a thesis on new magic was submitted.

Presentation of results of research on ancient artifacts.

12 Lectures in front of the elders, etc…

Most of them were dry lips.

Her last test of the day was exhilarating even for her, as if her stress had been relieved.

Seeing her usual smug classmates rolling on the ground under her own magic.

Laughter came out spontaneously.

In a fundamental way, Lyla Flamewatch has not changed from a year ago.

With Beatrix standing by her side and supporting her.

Although the days that were like walking on a dangerous tightrope have stopped.

Still, she wanted to go higher.

He was cold to anyone else than Bea, who was his understanding.

Of course, Layla’s rating only goes down in inverse proportion to her growing skills.

At the same time, Beatrix was caught up in the evaluation, and there were times when bad rumors were heard.

Starting with the ridiculous rumor that the two are a gay couple.

That Lyla has Beatrix by her side to use as her own attendant.

But neither Layla nor Bea were the types who didn’t care about such nonsense.

One day, Layla asked Bea.

Why is she being kind even to someone with the worst personality like herself?

“Hmm… I thought if Leila was left alone, she would go on without stopping…?”

“You mean the pioneer spirit is outstanding?”

“No, on the dangerous side…”

In other words, Bea had the possibility of her runaway in mind.

Although the meaning was the same, Bea’s expression gave a slightly softer impression.

It took Lila a few seconds to listen to her answer and conclude that she didn’t really care.

A series of events made her aware that she lacked the ability to control herself.

It was because he thought that if Bea would hold him by his side, he wouldn’t have to worry about that.

If you think of it as a one-sided use and being used relationship.

It wasn’t either

The reason is that-

“Lyla, how are you doing today?”

“I have to pack my luggage for the dormitory, but there aren’t that many. I thought I’d stop by today.”

Bea’s face brightened at Lila’s words and nodded.

Two people leave the classroom without paying attention to the stinging glares around them.

I walked right along the long hallway with light steps.

The place I just went to is the neighborhood of the department with a little bad rumor.

It was on top of a wide empty lot with no buildings or people around.

The two looked around and once again confirmed that no one was there.

After confirming that no one was there, Bea took out a small skein of thread from her bag.

An ancient artifact passed down in her family line.

Her name is Ariadne.

Each of these skins has the power to attract the surrounding magic and compose matter.

It’s a pretty good thing that can create a huge labyrinth where the user wants.

Of course, it is impossible to reproduce with modern technology.

It is also impossible to use artifacts with the magical power possessed by one or two humans.

That’s why it borrows the power of the ‘spirit vein’, a stem of magical power that flows underground.

If Ariadne injects the minimum amount of mana to maneuver and pushes it to the ground.

Threads that move automatically in search of the flow of magical power.

They create their secret base in the basement of the clearing.

Before long, a hole like a dimensional door appeared in the ground.

The two threw themselves into it.

001

Ariadne’s inside always maintains a certain level of brightness even without magical powers.

Also, even if it exists underground, there is no big problem with moisture or temperature.

It always satisfies and maintains the minimum conditions for human activity.

Although it was in the form of a wall or corridor that seemed infinitely close to a dungeon.

In and out of this place until now, I have never seen the appearance of a monster.

Above all, there was no way that such a dangerous thing could have been passed down.

As for what Layla and Beatrix are doing here-

“The structure has changed today as well… As expected, Ariadne seems to transform a little every time she uses it.”

Bea grasped the structure of the entire labyrinth through the abilities that the user must have.

Lila nods and grasps the texture of the walls and the material of the stones on the floor.

“I don’t think anything has changed except for the structure. Could the earthy floor that appeared briefly before be a coincidence?”

It was an analysis and study of this large and complex ancient artifact.

Beatrix said that this ancient artifact is the key to the revival of her fallen family.

It seems that she received a new request from her grandfather.

However, not only in the library of the head family, but also in the adults of the family.

No one knew how this item could lead to the revival of the family.

So Layla and Bea explore this labyrinth together.

He wanted to find out what the hell this ancient artifact was hiding.

It couldn’t have been an interesting subject for Lila as well.

Ariadne’s investigation also started as soon as she and Bea opened up.

Almost a year has passed.

Of course, it wasn’t like I went in and out of this place every day.

There was a time when ancient artifacts were wasted to be used only as a study space undisturbed by anyone in the middle of a busy schedule.

But, after all, when you enter this room, the anxiety that disturbs your mind.

With the thrill of stepping into unknown territory.

Lila’s mind fills with curiosity about her research.

“The ‘magic pressure’ that lightly presses the entire body is proof that this labyrinth is releasing its own magic power.”

“It’s a type of magic tool, so it’s not strange to say that it has magical powers, but…”

As Bea responds to Lyla’s words, she walks in front of her.

First of all, only the embryo knows the internal structure.

If she falls inside this by any chance, she may not be able to return to her surface without Bea’s help.

The two of them walked slowly forward to see if there were any other changes.

However, only about 1 out of 10 times there is a noticeable change.

For the most part, it was always the same road, the same wall.

“Hey Laila. The material I found in the Academy Library…”

While advancing through such an unchanging labyrinth, Bea hesitantly opens her mouth.

Lila heard her words and she replied with a slight frown on her face.

“It’s too biased a description. Do you still care?”

The ancestor of Beatrix’s family.

The worst mistake her family made before it collapsed.

That he made a child with the demons.

And that blood was still passed on to the present descendants.

“It’s been many times in history that a woman from a fallen family has been turned into a demon worshiper.”

Lila says she does, but adds that she never mind.

The story started about a week ago.

Finally, to the professor of the department, in the library’s safe

The fact that the two people who received permission to read books related to Bea’s family found

It wasn’t a particularly delightful discovery.

“Ugh… But, I mean. Then, you mean that I also have demonic blood, right?”

“…Maybe so. But is there a good chance that it isn’t?”

It’s Lila who says so, but her magical talents that she has out of her box.

If that was the source of demonic blood, it would be easy to understand.

“Ha, but… You never know when horns or wings will grow like demons…!”

Bea makes a worried face, grabs her head, and turns her body around.

“Cheak.”

Her lila, which was right behind her, hit her chest and nose with her swung as she turned around.

“Mi-sorry! Lila! I thought I was a bit further back!”

“Uh, uh…”

Maybe she’s worried about her horns or wings growing out of her head… ?

You better worry about a cow tail coming out of her ass…

Because they were also old enough, secondary sexual characteristics were developing little by little.

Especially when she was a little chubby a year ago, her height was similar to his own.

During this one year, little by little, the cute flesh gathered in my heart.

She is so tall that she is already one head apart.

It was something she found hard to convincing even as Lila, who had the same meal.

“…Clearly, Bea’s ancestors were ‘cow demons’.”

“Too bad!?”

She never knew in her dreams that in the future she would meet a green-haired woman even worse than Bea.

Lila looked down at her own never-growing body and made her sullen expression.

002

In the end, she didn’t learn anything new from Ariadne today.

She had to go back to the dormitory before it was too late.

Before she left the labyrinth, she checked to see if anyone was passing by.

She manages to get out through the place she entered carefully.

As she took a deep breath, the cold night air passed through her chest.

A pleasant coolness sweeps through her body.

The inside of the labyrinth is always warm.

She often sweated involuntarily.

“It’s going to be close during the dorm curfew.”

At Lila’s words, Bea nods her head.

“Uh, yes. But isn’t that too soon?”

Obviously, the curfew only applies to students living in shared dormitories.

For Lyla, who became the top student, a private mansion provided by the school replaces the dormitory.

Spacious, private residence with studio attached.

There is no doubt that further research will be conducted in the future.

However, if that happens, there may be less going back together.

Bea seemed to feel a little lonely about it.

She did as little as she could, trying not to express herself with facial expressions.

Of course, when it comes to her hiding her feelings

It was a pity that my skills were so lacking.

Lila saw Bea’s face like that and shut her mouth for a moment.

“Hey Bea. Then, do you want to come to the mansion too?”

“Uh?”

Bea opens her eyes wide at Lyla’s suggestion.

“They say it’s normal to have an assistant when you reach the senior level! And I think you can live with an assistant.”

No matter what anyone says, only Bea can be my assistant~

Adding the same, Laila grabbed her hand.

“But… Is it okay?”

Then, Bea tilted her head as if she was really okay.

“Of course! I like the meals Bea makes, and above all, we can continue to study together, right?”

“Uh, yes…! Then, then I’d better pack my bags…!”

Bea nodded at Lila’s words.

The lonely face he had seen a moment ago had already disappeared.

The two hold hands and walk down a dark road.

No matter how little light, no matter how dark the road was.

We thought we could endure it if we were together.

I had such shallow hopes.

003

“…It’s late, Bea.”

One step ahead, Lila moved all her belongings to the mansion.

Today, after her, it was Bea’s turn to come to the mansion.

Unpacking Layla’s luggage in the mansion all day yesterday.

To repay her a little bit for helping with cleaning or eating.

Although I was waiting for a surprise at the halfway point.

No matter how long I wait, no matter how long I expected.

It was that she couldn’t be seen.

“Are you oversleeping…? Or did you turn around and go another way…?”

Layla said so, and first moved to her own mansion.

But while walking, and even after arriving.

Bea was nowhere to be seen.

The ground is right in front of your feet. Just right. Kicking

Lyla waits for her friend with folded arms.

I was thinking of giving a sermon when we meet.

Gradually, irritation turns into worry.

In the end, I can’t stand my anxiety and move my feet once again.

Although this time we head to her dormitory.

If you ask the old woman who manages the dormitory,

I heard that he had already said goodbye to her early in the morning and left the dormitory.

In an instant, the mind becomes dizzy.

There were not a few people who tried to resolve their anger or jealousy toward Bea.

The magical power she possesses is certainly excellent, but in terms of combat skills alone, Layla is still superior.

Nervous, Lyla ran all over the academy to find Beatrix.

I thought about violating the school rule that banned flying magic for safety.

Along the way, if you run into a noisy teacher, you’ll waste your time with sermons.

Classroom of the department.

A back alley where bullies gather.

Free market.

Wherever she went, she was nowhere to be seen.

And with the feeling of grabbing a straw-like hope

The two run to the clearing they always use to search for Ariadne.

The closer I got to the clearing, the more I couldn’t stop the throbbing in my chest.

And if you get any closer to it.

With strange sensations passing through the body.

The surrounding scenery changes completely.

Like, if you pass through a barrier like a boundary line.

Outside, traces of an invisible battle were visible.

Scattered here and there are students in red uniforms.

Most of them could tell that they had been hit by fire magic.

“Did Bea…Do it?”

If it was a trace of the magic he had developed, he would surely know.

And this was kind of like that.

And Layla herself and Beatrix can use her own magic her.

When Lila hurries to her usual location her.

There, you can see the magic passage that still remains at the entrance.

Only Bea has Ariadne.

Considering that during the battle, she sneaked in here-

“…Bea! Wait a minute…!”

Saying that, the moment I passed through the entrance of the magic passage and went inside.

Layla sees the inside of ‘Ariadne’, which is completely different from before.

Walls and floors wriggling like flesh.

Blood splattered everywhere.

The low voice of the beast rang in the ears.

“What, hey… Is this…!?”

A disgusting sight like never before and a chill covering the entire body.

Laila moved forward little by little with trembling legs.

Even in this situation, her curiosity she did not die.

For a moment, she thought she had stepped on something.

There, there was someone’s severed arm.

“Ugh…!”

Forcibly suppressing the rising nausea.

Slowly, slowly.

Carefully, step forward.

The thick smell of blood kept her from getting lost.

Before long, she arrives at a wide space that is everywhere even in the usual labyrinth.

At that place-

The body of a man who had been torn to pieces.

And the body of Beatrix sitting on the ground.

Finally-.

A humanoid monster with the head of a cow.

“Mino, Taurus…?”

A gigantic monster with enough power to put an entire country in danger.

He stood there holding an ax dripping blood.

“Be, Bea…!”

I somehow overcame the feeling of intimidation that weighed down my entire body and called her name her.

But next moment.

A monster with a cow’s head opened its mouth wide.

He bit his friend’s head off.

“…Uh?”

The moment after I thought that a stupid voice came out of my mouth.

Blood spurts everywhere.

Her body was lifted by her neck and her.

“B-ah…?”

The next moment when she turned in disbelief and stretched out her hand towards the Minotaur.

Could it be that the user has a problem?

Ariadne forcibly released her hold her and began her contractions.

The living organisms inside are automatically ejected to the outside.

“Oh no! Bea! Bea!!!”

A distance that doesn’t narrow at all, even if Laila runs forward like mad.

The bottom is the opposite of the direction she’s trying to go-

That is, it moves towards the exit.

In the end, Layla got caught up in the flow and escaped from the closing world.

At some point, I return to my usual vacant lot.

Looking around, I could only see students in scattered red uniforms.

She frantically dug the ground with her bare hands.

I thought that perhaps Ariadne might still be down here.

Even if her fingernails are broken and her fingers are cut.

Although I turn over the soil without stopping.

There, there was nothing.

Until yesterday, there were no traces of the friends who were laughing together, excited about their new life.

It was nowhere.

“Why…”

Lila grabbed her head of her.

Why did this happen to you?

What happened to Beatrix?

I couldn’t figure out anything with my usual knowledge or wisdom.

“Ah, ah… Aaaaa!!!”

A very unfair situation.

The pain in her chest that rips through her chest

As if there is not enough oxygen, deep breathing becomes rapid and a headache comes.

The anger is directed at the red uniforms scattered around.

The flames rising in the air designated them as targets one after another and rushed.

With the momentum to burn everything.

To burn everything to ashes.

But in the next moment, there was someone who quelled all those flames.

What appeared as I swung my finger.

As usual, the magic department professor doesn’t know what he’s thinking.

Did they come because they sensed a huge magical event?

She uses her teleportation magic to come to Lila in an instant.

She uses magic when she puts her hand on top of her head and sleeps.

Lila is unable to properly control her body in a sudden situation.

She fell asleep on the spot as if she had passed out.

004

When I came to my senses.

Lila was on her bed her in her mansion her.

She’s the only friend of her by her side of her, smiling as she always does.

What does Beatrix look like?

She was nowhere

Instead. Her professor her, who can only be seen during class, sits expressionless.

She was telling this and that.

Bea and Layla were attacked by unsettled elements within the academy called the ‘Execution Department’.

That it was aimed at the two people’s safety for some purpose.

What their identities are is unknown to a single faculty member.

That it is connected to the 12 Circles and the unknown figures called the Black Battle.

That all of them are beings deeply connected to the darkness of the academy.

-That kind of story was good.

“What about Bea?”

At Lila’s words, the professor did n’t change his expression her at all.

I just shook my head.

“…”

Lila shut her mouth for a moment.

Strangely, no tears came out.

She just pulled herself up with her fists clenched.

“…How much more research do I need to do to get into the Forbidden Vault freely?”

The professor said that the only ones with such authority were the 12 won reactors.

“…Then we must hurry. There is no time. To find Beatrix…”

Her face was back to how it was a year ago.

With no place to lean on.

Just, Layla Flamewatch who gave everything to climb up.

In its original form.

But there was obviously one more sentence added to that purpose.

Information about Beatrix’s family still remains in the Forbidden Library.

Through it, perhaps they could find Beatrix.

For my grandfather and only friend.

He will do anything

Even if it’s how much it hurts others.

That is.

It was everything that made Laila before she crashed.

This girl is broken and broken.

Until you start anew.

It was all of her values ​​that governed her.

And- Ariadne and Beatrix.

Enforcement department and myself.

It was to curse all the fates that led to one.

`──`

Only a silent scream resonated in her chest.