The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

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Even if humans strive while remaining human, in the end, they are still just human.

If one wishes to become anything less than that, they can do so at any time. However, becoming anything more is beyond their reach. There was a brief time before leaving the continent when I was captivated by the ideologies of Ganaan.

What kind of vision led humans to say they would cross the sea of stars while remaining human? What kind of mysterious method made them stray from the guidance of the stars?

I secretly held some hope until I confirmed it with my own eyes. But the moment I saw it, the illusion shattered. No matter how many times I looked around, I couldn’t find any hope or future.

All I saw were people grateful to be alive today, hoping tomorrow would be just like today. Surely, there has to be a bigger picture. I thought to myself, but after touring the continent, I realized.

There was no such thing. It was simply the fact that people were afraid of not being human anymore, which led them to incite and flee together. Upon realizing this, an overwhelming sense of betrayal and emptiness followed.

It was hard to accept that they fled for such trivial reasons and that they possessed the skill to break through the curtain alongside such pathetic individuals.

Thus, after a brief discussion with my comrades, we reached a conclusion. Fortunately, everyone shared the same view, so there was no need to argue or persuade anyone.

Let’s destroy this continent.

The stars did not only order reconnoitering. They also instructed us to return, judge by our own standards, and destroy without mercy if deemed inadequate.

Although we couldn’t receive support from the mainland and the environment was not merely hostile, we still endeavored to carry out the orders from the stars.

We aimed to enlighten the locals and change the environment, doing whatever it took to end Ganaan’s foolish escape.

In the end, all but two of us died, and one of them was even dismembered.

“…So, Seonhak, you said the human body is frail, but the spirit is strong. Do you still think that way? If so, think again.”

What was once a space for just two now contained three.

One was a captive. I didn’t know their identity, but I knew that they were someone who received the love of that child, so I thought there couldn’t be anyone more suitable.

It was impossible to reach this place with a physical body, so I had to etherize it, and then imbue the soul with divinity to meet the qualifications.

Since the physical body was nonexistent, it was virtually the same as death, but I could at least return the soul.

…Of course, I feel sorry about that.

However, I cannot abandon my mission. I was created for this purpose, and I had no other way. All I could do was end Ganaan’s aimless escape.

There’s no way to contact the mainland. I lack the strength to end Ganaan’s foolishness. That child probably lacks that strength too. However, that child could become the spark of war.

No matter how esteemed she is, she wouldn’t be able to stop this. After all, I devised a spell to bind her in reverse by analyzing the spell she designed to ensnare us.

I might be dismantled within a week at most, but that’s more than enough time. It’s ample time for that enraged child to bring forth the flames of revolution on this continent.

So become the spark, child of the stars.

– – – –

Upon reaching the World Tree, a blue veil completely surrounded it.

I threw stones, kicked with my feet, even picked up a beetle clinging to the tree and hurled it away, but nothing worked.

The barrier firmly stood there, rejecting everything that sought to enter. Amidst this, the thought that he might be in danger gnawed at me increasingly.

Get in the way, get in the way. It’s obstructing, it’s obstructing.

If only that thin wall weren’t there, I could reach him. How dare such a flimsy wall obstruct me?

That’s impossible. Yes, it must be impossible.

Such a thing should never exist. Therefore, that doesn’t exist.

Magic power was flowing wildly from my body, covering the veil. It then violently shook and…

As if nothing had existed in the first place, where the veil was, nothing remained. No barriers or any trace of something being there.

I don’t know what happened. There’s no time or reason to ponder. I just need to find Dokan right now. With that single-minded determination, I rushed toward the World Tree.

Looking at the World Tree, which exhaled a murky mix of mana, divine power, magical energy, and witchcraft to the point that I couldn’t discern what was what, I faintly saw something inside.

Two bright things… and one faint one. Why do I feel a divine presence regarding the magical energy?

Ah, that’s why. No wonder it felt familiar; inside the World Tree was Shikari. As for the other two, I had no idea who they were.

“What? How did you get here…? How on earth did you cross the veil?”

Ignoring the Elf Professor mumbling beside me, I searched around the World Tree for Dokan. But he wasn’t here either.

Where? Where is he?

“…Professor, have you seen Dokan? I haven’t seen him since this morning. I distinctly hugged him tightly while sleeping, but he’s nowhere to be found. Do you know where he is?”

The professor, who had been talking to himself, fortunately listened quietly when I opened my mouth. What a kind person. Though his expression became somewhat sour, he shared something with me.

“…My words seem to not reach you. I don’t know. Except for a soul entering the interior of the World Tree. Well then, is that enough? Now, please just get out. I don’t know what kind of tricks you used to get through the veil, but this isn’t your place.”

“And that soul is that of the one you’re looking for. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, kid?”

As Shikari suddenly popped out of the World Tree, a black sphere enveloped the Elf Professor. He tried to resist by releasing mana, but was swallowed up without defense into the black sphere.

He wasn’t dead. He was merely trapped like a package. I didn’t care. Shikari said the faint light within the World Tree was Dokan.

How? He shouldn’t have had the ability to enter there. Then someone must have kidnapped him.

“…You’ve admirably reached here. That was a bit unexpected, but… yes. The soul of the child you cherish lies dormant within that tree. It’s the nefarious deed of the wicked goddess, Ganaan…”

…Blah blah, so much talk.

Considering the emphasis on the soul… it means the body is gone. Poor Dokan. What sin did he commit to endure such humiliation?

Don’t worry, I’ll create it soon.

I don’t know the principle. I also don’t know how to do it. I don’t even know if it’s an ability granted to me. But I can do it, and have done so. It seems I did it even unknowingly in the dining hall.

Recalling my memories, I remembered how my mother gestured at the sperm.

First, with one gesture, I’d establish a sturdy skeleton. With a second gesture, I weave strong muscles to move that skeleton. There would be many hard tasks ahead, so I need to put in my utmost effort.

Magic energy was flowing out haphazardly, but that wasn’t particularly important.

Now, let’s create the skin. While tanned skin isn’t bad, I prefer it to be pale. No need to say anything about the face. I already had a clear image in my mind.

I regrettably didn’t know much about the internal organs. Sorry, Dokan. For now, I have no choice but to rely on the basics. I’ll replace it later with something better.

As I poured out magic energy to the point it was nearly depleted and opened my eyes, Dokan’s body that was in my mind was cradled in my arms.

Warm and firm, yet it was critically devoid of a soul.

“…Come here, Dokan. What are you doing over there all alone? Come on, be a good boy…”

I gathered my remaining magic power to extract Dokan from the World Tree. By now, even Shikari, who had been noisily fussing beside me, quieted down so I could concentrate without interruption.

Though it was barely perceptible, there was a faint divine presence swirling around Dokan’s soul. Was it Shikari’s consideration to preserve at least the soul?

Once I settled the soul into the body, I felt no more magic power to use.

“…No matter how much of that person’s child you are, I never would’ve expected you to inherit that power. It’s not without reason that the stars locked you away.”

Shikari looked at me seriously, not with his usual sarcastic demeanor.

Ah, right. Now that I think about it, I had something to tell Shikari.

“Shikari, I really hate lying. So please tell me honestly. Was it Ganaan who kidnapped Dokan?”

I already knew who had the ability to do that. Therefore, I wished to hear a response. Even an absurd reason would suffice; I just wanted him to say something.

One of the two lights was tied in a murky encounter, and the other one was Dokan. Thus, there was only one possibility.

“…Do you understand? Haha… I’ve acted foolishly. What good is hiding it? It’s true that I did it. I’m sorry. I’ve done a terrible thing as an adult.”

“I’m asking why you did that. Why did you do it?”

I was not particularly interested in your regrets. I just wanted you to answer my question.

“…To instigate a war. To start a flame that would engulf this entire continent. I cannot do it with my own power, so I must summon your strength and the mainland’s forces. It’s short-lived, but you have seen it too. This continent has no dreams or future.”

So that’s why.

Dokan, seemingly unaware of what was happening, was peacefully asleep. I had forgotten to even make him clothes, so he was naked, and I covered him with the coat that originally belonged to him.

While I nervously checked his body by touching or ruffling his hair to ensure I hadn’t done anything wrong, Shikari gabbled away.

“…So, Shikari, you believe this continent is wrong.”

Is it wrong? That’s something I’ll have to consider.

“…This devil! Finally showing its true colors!”

At the moment I was contemplating, a massive light spear shot from somewhere and pierced through Shikari, sending him flying. Looking at where it came from, it was the Elf Professor who broke free from the black sphere.

Shikari didn’t just take it; he fought back, and in an instant, the surroundings turned chaotic.

I’m not concerned about that.

I took my time reflecting on what they had said.

Without a future, it’s no different than being dead. While I don’t agree, I can relate to the sentiment that this continent… isn’t great. There are many curiosities, but that’s about it.

You can’t fill your belly with magic and deception, and you can’t gain the strength to move forward. It can serve as a brief enjoyment, but that’s all.

…Hmm, it’s difficult. Having once not had a future myself, I couldn’t easily draw a conclusion.

While I was pondering amidst the sounds of explosions, Dokan’s eyelids began to flutter.