WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby

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◈ Surviving in the Magic Academy

Chapter 144

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144.

I felt Blood Axe slowly steady that body. That violent magical power gathered in the small hand axe, gradually dyeing its blade bloodred. It had successfully settled into that body.

To gather pieces of power and create an offshoot body was an excellent result. Even though I had only been watching, there was truly a great deal to learn from it. To celebrate that success, I clapped loudly and crossed the magic circle.

The magic circle had lost all its magical power and opened because the ritual had ended. The thick wall that had blocked turtle was gone as well, so I could cross this easily.

I glanced at Hari. The magical power binding her had also disappeared. But she could not easily approach Hao. Blood Axe was stationed beside him.

That magical power was far too mighty for Hari to withstand. The same went for me. I sent turtle my will to rest for a moment, then approached Blood Axe and Hao.

When I let my magical power drift out so they could sense my approach, they noticed me right away. At the same time, I felt sharp magical power shoot toward me.

It came from Blood Axe. That magical power immediately blocked my path and spat out a vicious color. It was stopping me from approaching any farther.

I raised both hands toward Blood Axe. Then I clapped above my head and smiled softly.

“Congratulations. To think you would create an offshoot body like this. I never imagined it. Truly impressive!”

As I said that, I raised my thumb. It was not empty flattery. The fifteen pieces making up the offshoot body had originally not contained that much power.

If they had too much power, the students would obviously have had trouble handling it. So only a seed large enough to grow that power had been placed inside.

But once those pieces were gathered and made into an offshoot body, the desire dwelling within naturally amplified the magical power. That magical power was not simply the sum of the magical power held by the pieces. It was more like multiplication created through a complex connection.

That was why its power was truly overwhelming. I could directly feel that power through the magical power touching my skin. After confirming it, I nodded lightly.

If I wanted to talk, I first needed to ease that wariness. The best way to do that was to prove my innocence first.

To quiet their suspicion, I drew out the magical power of my tree. Then I released it all into the air. I felt a faint sense of weakness wash over me.

Now I could not harm them in any way. Smiling gently, I carefully approached them. I felt Blood Axe’s magical power hesitate for a moment, as if bewildered by my action.

-Slaughter!, Slaughter!

Blood Axe emitted magical power. The will contained within seeped into me. It was a clear shout that it had already come outside and would absolutely never go back.

I had expected that reaction. From Blood Axe’s perspective, this was the first time it had escaped the storehouse. I nodded with a smile.

Then I walked toward them in silence, still leaving my whole body openly exposed so I would look as harmless as possible.

When approaching someone with their blade raised, there was a need to lower oneself like this. I stopped with roughly ten steps between us. It was a kind of safety distance.

Since I had released all my magical power, Blood Axe allowed me to approach, but its wariness remained. If I carelessly invaded the safe zone of someone that wary, I would obviously earn their resentment.

“You do not have to go back. I understand. I would certainly do the same in your position.”

I nodded readily. At my attitude, Blood Axe’s magical power trembled slightly. The body of the small hand axe did the same. It seemed a little flustered.

-S-Slaughter?

It was asking if I meant that. I gave a small shrug. Then I nodded again. Blood Axe’s current form was no more than a small hand axe, but the power contained inside was overwhelmingly strong.

That meant I could not stop it. Even with Hari’s help, it would be the same.

Yes, the matter had already happened. Then what reason was there to fight? If I tried to force it, I would only provoke resistance in the end. There was no need to deliberately attempt something that would only cause losses.

Talking like this was more efficient. If I showed a more open and sincere attitude, they would also lower their guard.

“Then, now that you have come out like this, what do you intend to do? Have you planned what comes next?”

I asked Blood Axe warmly. Its plan surely did not end at simply creating an offshoot body. Surely it had not done this with no thought at all.

-Slaughter... Slaughter?

Blood Axe looked at me with a slightly reluctant air. Its will flowed into me, saying it had been trying to go outside. To tell me so easily meant some of its wariness had faded because of my honest attitude.

It wanted to go outside. I lightly stroked my chin. Well, that was surely the highest priority for a treasure.

“If you want to go out, you may go out. Move however you like. I cannot stop you, and I have no intention of stopping you.”

At that, Blood Axe showed a hint of anticipation. I stared at Blood Axe and lightly shook my head.

“But going out right now will be difficult for you.”

-Slaughter?

At the question of why, I lightly gestured toward the window. Then I used the little magical power I had left to open it. Beyond it, the outside scenery spread out. It was the garden I had tended.

I pointed beyond the window. It meant Blood Axe should try going out. As if my meaning had been conveyed, Blood Axe hesitated slightly, then lifted its body.

Blood Axe rushed straight toward the window. The moment it tried to cross through, the magical power rippling through the tower suddenly blocked its path solidly.

Blood Axe tried to cut through that magical power and advance, but the magical power merely held firm and bounced it away. Knocked back by the magical power’s resistance, Blood Axe flew through the air and landed beside us.

-S-Slaughter.

Blood Axe lightly trembled. It seemed some of the impact remained. I glanced at the curtain of magical power that had blocked it and opened my mouth.

“As you just experienced, a barrier preventing treasures from escaping surrounds the entire tower. So it will be difficult for you to leave.”

Saying that, I slightly shook my head. Forming an offshoot body based on the pieces was excellent. Even I was surprised.

But they had finished the job too excellently. An offshoot body meant a treasure’s mind dwelled inside it. The barrier enveloping the tower thoroughly prevented such treasures from going outside.

The giant eye on the 7th floor I had encountered when I first arrived at the tower had been unable to leave for the same reason. It had used up all its power escaping the storehouse and could not cross the barrier.

“Of course, with the power you currently possess, you might be able to force your way through somehow. But you would use up all that power. Could you handle what comes after that?”

I looked at Blood Axe. This barrier was magic Professor set up whenever Professor left. That was why I could not touch it. It was also why I could remain this relaxed even while facing this offshoot body.

“If the barrier is pierced, Professor will immediately realize that Blood Axe has escaped. If that happens, no matter how far away you are, you will not be able to escape Professor’s hand.”

At those words, Blood Axe shuddered. Along with that, its magical power sank slightly and cautiously. It was clearly thinking of Professor.

“And even aside from that, there would be problems. If you use up all that power, others will target you, Blood Axe. A powerless treasure, even if it is an offshoot body, is something everyone will covet.”

-...Slaughter!

A will saying it could take care of them all reached me. I lightly shrugged. If it were that easy, the other treasures would have escaped long ago. Blood Axe sank down weakly.

At the same time, I felt Blood Axe’s wariness toward me grow a little stronger. That was only natural. If its power drained away, I would be the first person to target it.

Blood Axe clearly recognized that too. Perhaps because of that, I could see it hesitating as it looked back and forth between the wide-open window and me. I smiled slightly at Blood Axe.

No matter how wary Blood Axe was of me, Blood Axe could not kill me in the end. I lightly fiddled with the object in my hand. I felt the faint touch of magical power flow along my fingertips.

The key that had seeped into my body had popped out. As long as I had this, treasures could not harm me. Moreover, Blood Axe was in an offshoot body. Its power could probably be blocked even more easily.

Of course, that did not mean I could attack Blood Axe either. This object only protected my body. It could not stop Blood Axe.

“There is no need to be so wary. I have no intention of fighting at all. Fighting, really. What need is there for us to do something so barbaric? We can simply talk like this, and further, negotiate.”

-Slaughter...?

It seemed to find my word “negotiate” somewhat suspicious. I lightly shook my hand, put the key back into my body, and shrugged.

“The reason I revealed all the facts first was to negotiate. We need to build trust with each other. As you can see from my current magical power, I am not strong enough to play tricks on you, Blood Axe.”

I lowered myself as much as possible that way. Then I fully exposed my empty magical power. The more clearly I showed my weakness, the more at ease the other party would feel.

Seeing me like that, Blood Axe relaxed at least a little. I looked at Blood Axe, then took the mirror bug from my pocket and gently shook it. The message board for the treasures appeared inside.

“And I am on the side of all you treasures. Do you remember what I have done until now? After becoming the storehouse keeper, I cried out to Professor for your freedom. Further, I even created this message board.”

Blood Axe looked at the mirror bug. Then it gave a small Slaughter, showing agreement. I nodded toward Blood Axe and continued.

“That is why I did not stop Blood Axe from coming out as an offshoot body like this. I am truly on your side. If Professor had not ordered me to stop the treasures, I would have freed you all!”

I shouted very passionately. My voice was filled with magical power and my clear will. It was the strong will that everything I said was a fact without lies.

Of course, this alone could not determine the truth. But everything I said was sincere. And that sincerity mixed into the magical power, creating an appeal.

Blood Axe seemed to feel that as well, because I saw its guard lower slightly. After confirming that, I took one step toward Blood Axe, then another. Then I stopped there and smiled warmly.

Before I knew it, the distance between us had narrowed to about five steps. But even though I had entered its boundary, Blood Axe did not react much. It had begun to listen to me, at least a little.

“I call it a negotiation, but there is not much I want from you, Blood Axe. Since you have created an offshoot body, roam freely inside this tower. If there is anything you wish to do, I will help you as best I can.”

I slowly approached Blood Axe. Then I slightly lowered my body and looked up at Blood Axe. Should I call it a gesture that showed a kind of hierarchy? I bowed my head to Blood Axe.

“When Professor returns, I will explain that offshoot body properly. I will also try to arrange for you to go outside the tower from time to time. In exchange, while you are staying in the tower, I would like you not to cause any incidents. That is what I want. What do you think?”

The content of that negotiation benefited both sides. No, rather than both sides, it would be more accurate to say it favored Blood Axe more. It could not be helped. Since my power was lacking, I had to make this many concessions.

I looked at Blood Axe. I could still feel some hesitation from Blood Axe. Of course, if I pulled just a little more, Blood Axe would clearly come over.

But no matter what else I said, it would have no effect. This was the moment when another person’s agreement was needed. The words of the collaborator who had helped Blood Axe until now. I glanced at Hao, who was recovering his body.

“What do you think, Hao?”

Hao’s face was full of exhaustion. It was probably because he had been hiding all this time and had even conducted this grand ritual. As he was putting himself back together, he seemed slightly startled by my question.

Hao thought for a moment, then nodded. I could feel a slight sense of relief from him as he expressed agreement.

From his perspective, my proposal must have sounded plausible. He had carried out a double contract between me and Tooth Necklace. In that regard, he must have been worried he might suffer some disadvantage.

But if Blood Axe and I cooperated like this, the parts Hao was worried about would also disappear. So if things flowed this way, it would be good for him as well.

It would be good for all three of us. Of course, even while saying that, I had no intention of forgiving them at all. Hiding that thought, I merely smiled quietly.

Perhaps because of Hao’s agreement, Blood Axe soon released a will of affirmation too. That was how I could join their group.

This matter had gone far beyond my expectations. I had never thought that an offshoot body would be created in the middle of the affair I had started to snatch Blood Axe.

If you cannot win, join them. That was an old saying handed down among mages. I was merely thoroughly obeying that saying.

So I would grant everything Blood Axe wanted. And at the end of it, I would achieve what I wanted. To do that, I needed to lead this flow at least a little.

“Now then, shall we start with a tour of the tower? This will be the space where Blood Axe will stay from now on.”

Smiling brightly, I took the lead and left the room. Excited by the words “tour of the tower,” Blood Axe floated in the air and lightly rippled its magical power. Hao, whose expression was somewhat awkward, also followed behind me.

The sight of the first floor after we came out was extremely bizarre. Puppets made by No. 0 were packed densely into place. They were giving off magical power slightly stranger than before.

They were the result of No. 0 improving those puppets as No. 0’s skills grew. They rippled with shadow, writhing their bodies.

-Slaughter!

Blood Axe happily examined the puppets. Since Blood Axe had only seen them on the screen before and was now facing them in person for the first time, that made sense. Those were the sculptures the treasures liked most.

They felt somewhat familiar to me as well. I lightly shrugged. I had no idea why the treasures liked the puppets made by No. 0, but if Blood Axe could enjoy them like this, was that not a good thing?

After Blood Axe had looked around the first floor enough, Blood Axe showed satisfaction and headed to the next floor. When we went to the second floor, I could see a few students walking around, unlike on the first floor.

Blood Axe slowly approached those students, with vicious magical power rippling along its axe blade. At that presence, the students flinched in surprise and raised magical power.

Inside the protective magic they built up in an instant, they looked at Blood Axe with wary eyes. Blood Axe shook its body, as if bewildered by the students’ attitude.

I slowly approached them and waved. After confirming my face, the students calmed their magical power a little. I pointed at Blood Axe and smiled slightly at them.

“This person is Blood Axe, who is conducting the current lecture. Blood Axe created an offshoot body this time and is looking around the tower. You will run into Blood Axe from time to time after this, so do not be too surprised. Blood Axe will not harm you.”

At that, the students completely released their protective magic. Then they looked at Blood Axe with sparkling eyes.

-Slaughter!

Blood Axe met the students’ gazes and released its will. Along with that, Blood Axe lightly showed off its power in front of them.

Vicious magical power gathered on the axe blade and began dyeing the blade bright red. Blood Axe used it to slice straight through the air. Then space tore open, revealing a gap.

-Slaughter!, Slaughter!

Blood Axe grew smug, releasing a will that if they drew its power, this sort of thing was possible too. The students checked the trace in space and let out exclamations of admiration. At that, Blood Axe showed an even more triumphant air.

There was no longer any need to hide Blood Axe from the students. That piece of power was already contained inside that offshoot body. The students would obviously be unable to handle it carelessly.

Blood Axe began boasting of its power among the students. Watching that, I gave a slightly bitter smile.

Even so, I should consider it fortunate that the escaped treasure was Blood Axe. If Tooth Necklace had gotten out, it would surely have tried to devour these students immediately.

That desire was directed toward living things. If that had happened, I would not have been able to stay as relaxed as I was now. I would have risked my life to stop Tooth Necklace. The safety of the tower was directly connected to my own safety.

But Blood Axe’s desire was not directed only toward people. Blood Axe’s gaze turned toward those rich in magical power and talent, toward the strong. It desired only targets worth splitting open and killing.

Yes, like Cassian over there. I saw Cassian playing with the bear puppet in the central hall on the second floor. Cassian seemed to sense Blood Axe’s magical power and stood up, approaching us.

Cassian met my gaze, then looked at Blood Axe and tilted their head slightly. The bear puppet staying beside Cassian looked at Blood Axe and made a slight growling sound. It seemed to have sensed that fierce magical power.

Blood Axe looked at Cassian and lightly rippled its magical power. That fierce magical power shot straight toward Cassian. It was an act to assess the target.

Cassian, who had been blankly watching that, quickly gathered magical power. Then Cassian refined it sharply like a blade and cut apart Blood Axe’s magical power.

-Slaughter....

With a murmur that Cassian looked delicious, Blood Axe shuddered. I hurriedly blocked Blood Axe’s path and signaled to Hao with my eyes. It meant he should take Blood Axe away for a moment.

Hao seemed to notice that and soothed Blood Axe while leaving our side. Cassian stared at them, then turned their gaze to me.

“Mm, mister. Is that the problem you mentioned last time?”

“Haha, yes. That is what happened.”

I nodded slightly and laughed. Originally, I had even considered calling Cassian when I moved this time. That power was the strongest among what I could currently command.

Of course, although Cassian had modified that body, opposing a treasure was still impossible. The reason Cassian had been able to face treasures in the storehouse was because Mira had dwelled within.

But even so, Cassian might still be able to contend with that offshoot body. I glanced at Hao and Blood Axe. As we had just seen, Cassian contained enough strong power to stir Blood Axe’s desire.

“It looks pretty troublesome. Tell me if you need me.”

Cassian lightly tapped the scabbard at their waist. The bear puppet also showed its claws with a confident expression. I smiled slightly and nodded.

Cassian’s power was extremely reliable like that. But I did not call Cassian. If I had meant to ask for help, I would have already done so. I would have done it to cut through the magic circle Tooth Necklace had constructed.

I lightly stroked turtle’s head. The anti-magic resistance possessed by turtle’s shell was extremely powerful. After all, a little of the original turtle’s shell was contained in it.

But even turtle had not pierced through that. That meant Cassian would also have been unable to break that magic circle.

Then even if I had borrowed Cassian’s power, we would have had to watch the ritual to the end. And Blood Axe’s offshoot body would have been born just as it had now.

And just as now, Blood Axe, wary of that power, would surely have become hostile toward Cassian from the very beginning. We would not have been able to negotiate, let alone talk.

Of course, at the end of that fight, we might have been able to suppress Blood Axe. I would have done my best to support Cassian as well.

But the aftermath of that fight would surely have been just as large. Perhaps the tower might have been badly damaged. In that regard, simply fighting like that could be called a poor plan.

That was a last resort possible only when there was no proper method. From the standpoint of managing the tower, I could not stake everything on such uncertain odds.

The best plan was to win without fighting. That was also why I was cooperating with them. I slightly bowed my head toward Cassian.

“Next time, I will contact you when the moment requires it. Now is not the time. More importantly, as I mentioned before, could you hand over the piece you possess? I will buy it. It seems I truly need it now.”

Cassian readily nodded. Then Cassian turned and left. If Cassian stayed here, Blood Axe might grow even more excited.

Cassian went to their room and handed me the piece. I received it through a puppet and carefully moved it to the workshop.

It was something I had told Cassian in advance before going to find them. If that piece continued not to sell, I would buy it.

Feeling that magical power through the puppet, I smiled lightly. This was the method I had thought of. I would bind Blood Axe using that piece as the base.

Of course, to do that, I would have to do my best to satisfy Blood Axe. I looked at Blood Axe, who was continuing to boast of its power among the students.

Blood Axe showed off its power for quite a while before moving. I continued climbing floors together with Blood Axe. The third floor, fourth floor, fifth floor, and further, all the way to the sixth floor.

Blood Axe saw the storehouse door containing its main body and gave off a slight tremor. As if truly feeling that it had come outside, Blood Axe released a cheerful will with a Slaughter!

“What do you think? This is the last floor. As you know, other treasures are stationed above. You may stay anywhere you wish, Blood Axe.”

-Slaughter!

Blood Axe released its will without hesitation. It would go to the third floor. That was also the space with the most students.

It seemed Blood Axe had quite liked showing off that power earlier. It was also near Hao. I nodded lightly. No matter where Blood Axe stayed, I also planned to be beside Blood Axe, so it did not matter.

I headed to the third floor with Blood Axe. Then I did my best to decorate the place where Blood Axe would stay. The highest room there, the room Cassian had left empty while staying on the fifth floor, would be where Blood Axe settled.

I stayed beside Blood Axe and managed Blood Axe carefully. I brought magical beasts and modified various support spells, including massage magic, to fit Blood Axe.

No matter how much Blood Axe was a treasure, those sensations were surely deeply satisfying. Blood Axe was slowly tamed under my care. Hao was relieved to see the two of us like that.

Furthermore, I did not neglect managing Blood Axe’s main body either. An offshoot body meant the division of will had occurred. Separate from the offshoot body, the main body was still energetically placing all kinds of orders.

Separate from resolving this incident, I needed to continue increasing that debt as well. I intended to educate Blood Axe firmly with that debt so that Blood Axe could not attempt something like this again.

Several days passed like that.

Perhaps because Blood Axe continued showing off its power in the offshoot body, the gacha craze lasted a little longer. Thanks to that, the points also steadily increased.

But the heat had cooled somewhat compared to before. The reason was clear. Blood Axe’s offshoot body had already been created. There was no longer any need to give the students those points.

Blood Axe (main body) still spent points lavishly without noticing that fact. Blood Axe (offshoot body) was the same. Over these few days, Blood Axe lived a very comfortable life.

I could clearly tell that Blood Axe was utterly satisfied under my hands. That was exactly the case now.

I carefully tilted the liquefied magical power and poured it over the axe blade. Then I filled it with magical power and began slowly wiping it down. Each time my hand brushed across it, the liquefied magical power slowly seeped into the axe blade.

That liquefied magical power had been created by delicately combining magical power extracted from several magical beasts. It was something I prepared for Blood Axe, who could not eat anything.

The magical power contained inside would be conveying a complex flavor to Blood Axe. Blood Axe shuddered. Then Blood Axe suddenly raised its body and floated into the air.

“What is the matter?”

-Slaughter!

Blood Axe released a will saying it felt stifled. At that, I nodded slightly. I had done my best to satisfy Blood Axe. But in the end, that was only comfort inside the tower.

The reason Blood Axe had formed an offshoot body was to escape that cramped storehouse. And further, to increase its power.

In that regard, no matter how new the environment was, the tower was ultimately like a giant storehouse. This tower too had become a place Blood Axe could not escape.

-Slaughter!, Slaughter!

Blood Axe whined as if venting that stifled feeling. Then it stuck to Hao and pointed out the window. It was asking if Hao could not take it outside. At that, Hao gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

Over the past few days, Blood Axe had made many attempts to pierce the barrier. And Blood Axe must have experienced with its body that everything I said was true. To escape alone, it would have to give up everything.

In that way, I told Blood Axe everything. About the tower, and also about myself. Most things without hiding them. Amid that, Blood Axe also began to trust me little by little.

I glanced at Blood Axe clinging tightly to Hao. The reason Blood Axe stuck to Hao like that was not anything else. The scent coming from Hao must have been endlessly sweet from Blood Axe’s perspective.

Of course, that sight was surely difficult for Hari to watch. In one corner of the room, I saw Hari quietly raising her body and staring intently at Hao. She was slightly grinding her teeth and puffing out her cheeks.

Hari’s face was full of dissatisfaction after being unable to approach Hao for so long because of Blood Axe. Hao had not noticed her. He was simply talking with Blood Axe.

I quietly folded my arms and looked at Hao. This incident Hao had caused was truly unexpected. It was a far bigger incident than anything he had caused before.

Most of the accidents he had caused until now had come from side effects created by that power. But now, he had actually dragged a treasure down and called it into the tower.

It was reminiscent of the first thing he had caused, the Ring of the Sky Church. But creating Hari had happened because he was led by my guidance. This time, he and a treasure had collaborated to cause it.

This was practically an act of defying the lecture. Looking at his carefree appearance, I lightly clicked my tongue.

It could be called my oversight that he had been able to do something like this. It was not only my fault, but Hari’s as well. We had given him too much information.

I had treated him specially. On top of that, once he learned that even Hari was stuck by his side, he must have quickly noticed that we had a great deal of interest in him.

The interest Hari held toward him was very clear, as was the case with treasures. The moment Hao felt that, he must have realized it. That I considered him fairly important.

And then he must have been tempted by Tooth Necklace and carried out this incident. To earn a great deal of points, as he was now. He must have been half convinced that I would not drive him out because of Hari’s existence.

That gloomy habit of not missing an opportunity. It was truly mage-like. In that regard, I felt the need to manage Hao more thoroughly. Since his identity had been exposed anyway, I should make Hari keep gnawing away at his mind.

When I sent that will to Hari, she nodded very strongly. She too seemed full of thoughts of taking revenge on Hao. Of course, we had to deal with this incident before that.

Watching Blood Axe vent that stifled frustration, I smiled gently. It seemed the time had come. The reason I had done my best to satisfy Blood Axe over the past few days was nothing else. It was to make Blood Axe harbor an even greater desire.

Treasures were bound to harbor greater desires. So if I raised that satisfaction to the highest point, Blood Axe would surely want to taste something beyond it.

But in this tower, it was impossible to gain satisfaction beyond this. That was why Blood Axe began wishing to go outside the tower. Blood Axe had come to desire a world wider than this tower.

It was the result I had guided. And I had one means of granting that desire.

“If you feel that stifled, shall I let you out?”

I smiled brightly and spoke. Then Blood Axe floated into the air and trembled. Blood Axe came right in front of me and flashed its axe blade.

-Slaughter!

“Haha, a trap? If I had intended to trap you, Blood Axe, I would have moved long ago. If I receive help from Cassian, whom you met last time, I can deal with you well enough.”

Saying that, I shrugged. At that, Blood Axe slightly lowered its body. Blood Axe settled down in front of me and quietly began focusing on my words. It seemed what I had said was somewhat persuasive.

“But I have revealed everything to you as I am doing now. I made a promise earlier, after all. This time is the same. So you must trust me completely.”

I nodded strongly. Blood Axe looked at me and swayed its body as if entranced. I glanced at Hao. He showed a hint of doubt at my words.

“If you are suspicious, Hao can inspect it. So would the two of you follow me?”

-Slaughter!

Blood Axe lightly trembled. Then it flew through the air, clung to Hao, and began pulling him up. It meant they should move quickly.

“Let us go to my workshop. I have something prepared there in advance.”

I took them to the workshop. When we entered, the first thing I saw was No. 0 tinkering with a puppet.

The workshop did not have the same busy heat as before. The gacha craze had cooled somewhat. Thanks to that, No. 0 had also gained some leeway to prepare assignments.

I glanced at the puppet No. 0 was touching. The sight of countless tentacles writhing while tangled with shadows was the height of grotesque.

-Slaughter!

And that puppet, like the others, could be called an object that fit Blood Axe’s tastes exactly. Blood Axe approached No. 0 and released a will full of interest.

No. 0 looked at Blood Axe with sparkling eyes. Then No. 0 took out several other puppets being made and showed them in front of Blood Axe. They had forms similar to the previous puppet.

Blood Axe looked at them and released a very pleased will. It was worth having No. 0 prepare them in advance to ease the mood. Taking advantage of that relaxed atmosphere, I quietly moved to the center of the workshop.

There, dozens of magic circles overlapped to form one giant circle. I lightly brushed the circuit. This was the result I had created after being inspired by the magic circle Blood Axe had used to form the offshoot body.

Of course, compared to that one, this was lacking, but I had supplemented the missing parts by combining other ritual magic I knew. And in the middle of those magic circles, one puppet sat quietly.

-Slaughter?

Blood Axe, who had been chatting to its heart’s content with No. 0, discovered that puppet and slowly headed toward it. It was roughly the size of my upper body. Also, it resembled Professor.

Blood Axe seemed to feel familiarity with that puppet. I quietly nodded. Of course it would. The piece contained inside had originated from Blood Axe.

Inside that puppet, the piece I received from Cassian was acting as part of the mana heart. The flow of magical power resembled what Blood Axe drew out so closely that Blood Axe was feeling it now.

“This is the puppet I created after thinking about it over the past few days. If you dwell within it, you should be able to leave this tower.”

I spoke with my sincere feelings carried in my magical power. Then I slightly bowed my head to Blood Axe.

“And beyond simply passing through the barrier, you will be able to experience more varied things through a puppet’s body. As you said before, directly eating food should also be possible.”

-Slaughter?

At that, Blood Axe seemed interested, and its blade flashed. Blood Axe lightly sent its will toward Hao. It meant he should inspect the puppet. Hao carefully inspected the puppet.

Soon, he nodded. It meant he had discovered nothing strange. Yes, everything I said was true. That was truly something prepared for Blood Axe.

There had not been a single lie in the words I had spoken to Blood Axe until now. It was a method that worked only when I spoke the truth. So if Blood Axe truly entered that puppet, it could leave this tower.

Even if it was the mind of a treasure, if it dwelled in a puppet of mine as the storehouse keeper, it could sufficiently pass through the barrier. Mira could be called one such case.

-Slaughter!

Blood Axe looked at the puppet and shouted. It meant Blood Axe would try it once. At that, I smiled quietly.

As Blood Axe wished, that puppet would leave this tower. Of course, whether what was contained inside it would be Blood Axe itself was something I could not know.

I truly spoke only the truth. I had merely not said everything. Hiding my intentions inside the truth. That could be called the basics of fraud, no, negotiation. I looked at Blood Axe and nodded.

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