The construction of an alternate space based on perception, such as illusions or mental manipulation.
The most basic phenomenon is the illusion created by Shuri.
The next, more intricate illusion is the dream where I experience “Kyun-Kyun-ism” alongside an incubus.
A step more elaborate and lifelike—though bizarre and alien in content—is the exploration of endings through hypnosis.
Then what is the most elaborate and realistic illusion of all?
Naturally, it would be an illusion drawn from the power of the Demon King. However, since that power cannot yet be awakened on the surface, the next best illusion is considered the one most similar to reality.
This place, right here.
“So this is…”
“Welcome to the Trials of the Four Founders, Senior. And also Seia, Shuri.”
The Trials of the Four Founders located in the Old Library.
Unlike the Vermilion Bird Class, who had entered several times before, the newly arrived Azure Dragon Class stood dumbfounded at the majestic entrance stretching out in pure white.
“Each of the seven towers contains a trial that one of the Four Founders went through…”
“So it’s a trial of illusions left by the Four Founders as if to say, ‘The next generation should at least be able to overcome this,’ right? Got it. So where do we start? That pitch-black magic tower looks the most suspicious—should we start there?”
“We haven’t entered the Dark Attribute Magic Tower yet. When we were doing the initial raids, the Wind Attribute seemed to be the most advantageous.”
As Yurha eagerly eyed the Dark Attribute Tower, seemingly ready to rush in, Yunia gestured between herself and Ludmila.
“Even if it’s a trial, tackling it based on attribute affinity shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not like attribute compatibility is some newly invented concept—it’s been around for over 500 years.” “Indeed. So then, what? Shall we go tackle the Dark Attribute Tower? We have a decent number of Light Attribute users, don’t we?”
Yurha pointed to herself, Yunia, and Seia in turn.
“Three Light-type mages of A+ rank or higher. We’ve got frontline, midline, and plenty of support too.”
“Um, Phoenix?”
“Your reasoning is sound. If we were to go based solely on current party composition, the highest progress would likely be in the Dark Tower.”
“Oh, really?”
As Yurha quickly pointed out, the current Vermilion Bird–Azure Dragon joint party had a significant advantage against Dark Attribute enemies.
“But unfortunately, this time I’d like you all to focus on conquering the Earth Attribute Magic Tower. The Dark Tower can be tackled at any time, but you can’t break through the third floor of the Earth Tower unless you deactivate the gimmicks.”
“Sounds like you know what’s in the Dark Tower.”
“Back 500 years ago, Dark Attribute monsters were everywhere. Zombies, undead, demons with a thousand eyes, that kind of thing.”
“…”
“By the way, no matter which tower you conquer, don’t expect any treasure or gold as a reward.”
“Then what do we get for conquering them?”
“1.75% recognition from the Four Founders?”
“So when that hits 100%, one of the Founders comes out and gives us a thumbs-up?”
“That’s probably what’ll happen.”
Whether they give a thumbs-up or point at me and go, “So, you’ve finally emerged on the surface—not through the gate to the Demon World we sealed but elsewhere! You wicked spawn of demonkind!” remains to be seen.
“There may not be tangible loot, but even just the memories from 500 years ago can be monetized by someone like Senior Yurha. Right?”
“Oh my, you’re letting me do that?”
“If you use the truths seen within the trials as weapons and evidence to slap down the flood of erroneous records and misconceptions that have built up over 500 years, then yes.”
“That’s fine by me. If we’ve got the truth, time will take care of the rest. I mean, imagine if it turned out ‘The Hero was actually a woman’ or ‘The Emperor and the Sage were in a love triangle with the Saint’—haha.”
Yurha scanned my expression.
In this fairy tale-like space of the Old Library, where emotions are more transparent, it was easy to read people.
“Tch. Nothing. I thought you knew something.”
“And if I had strongly denied it?”
“Ah. So Phoenix is hiding the truth to protect the Four Founders’ honor? Or trying really hard to preserve their legacy so the truth doesn’t get out?”
“Let me correct one misunderstanding. I’m not someone particularly interested in preserving their honor.”
People once thought I was a prophet sent by the Founders. That theory had now shifted toward “infinite regressor.” Even if it didn’t fit perfectly, I could let it slide for now.
“I might even be in an adversarial relationship with the Founders.”
“Heh.”
“Like former allies turned enemies? Irreconcilable differences?”
“It’s not that, Yunia. …You’re doing well trying to extract information from me, but the rule is: truths get revealed one by one as we conquer each tower.”
I pointed toward the Earth Tower.
“From here, we’ll split into two parties. All Old School Building undergraduates are in Party A.”
“…Wait a second.”
Yunia pointed at me—and the two standing beside me.
“You’re saying those two are Party B?”
“Correct.”
Behind me—
“My side is Party Two.”
Instructor Esta, carrying a completely expressionless Fenrir over her shoulder like a doll, casually held up two fingers.
“While you were all struggling to barely clear the Earth Tower’s second floor, I’d already tackled the third floor with Phoenix.”
“Together…?”
“We didn’t enter separately. We moved together. Thanks to that, we discovered the gimmick. The Earth Tower’s third-floor dungeon splits into two routes, and each side has to activate a magic mechanism so the other can progress.”
“Huh?”
Yurha snapped her fingers in realization.
“That’s… isn’t that the format of the end-of-term exams?”
“…”
“Aha. So one of the Four Founders’ trials from 500 years ago has now been adapted into a modern Academy exam, scaled to student difficulty. Ridiculously simplified.”
“I won’t deny it. We’ll have to go in to confirm the deeper truths.”
It’s like the game mechanics and foreshadowing have been flipped on their heads.
In-game, it’s the kind of structure where gimmicks that are ridiculously easy during one’s undergraduate days resurface as extremely difficult in the Tower of Trials, a New Game Plus–exclusive content.
“If you can overcome the Trials of the Four Founders first, the end-of-term exams will be child’s play.”
“…Um.”
Ludmila raised her hand.
“Given the current state of things, are end-of-term exams even going to be held properly?”
“It’s tradition. We’ll talk about the details after the raid is done. As for me…”
Instructor Esta lightly tapped the motionless Fenrir on the shoulder.
“I’m going to go on a little date with this one.”
* * *
A short while later.
While Phoenix was clearing the third-floor trial of the Earth Attribute Magic Tower as a member of Party A alongside the undergraduates—
“Should I call you Fenrir?”
“You may address me however you like.”
“…So the settings change here as well?”
“They’re similar, but I try not to complicate things unnecessarily.”
Had Instructor Kadisha Allister been here, she might have been interested in the magical theory interpretations and discussed it in depth.
But Instructor Esta was more of a martial type.
“In this mental space, all versions of Phoenix are the same Phoenix. You can think of it as a form of synchronization.”
“It can’t be easy to follow two parties at once.”
“For someone who dreams of running a harem with 17 people? That level of multitasking is a must.”
“Hmph.”
Instructor Esta casually cleaved a monster that leapt out from the path ahead with a single strike.
“So you’re going to support both parties verbally from the back?”
“Would you prefer I hold up your mana pockets? Or carry you around like Evangeline does?”
“That’s fine too, but what I really want is to see it.”
Up ahead—
“Your true skill.”
Kieeeeeek!
Several monsters, presumed to be A-rank, burst out simultaneously.
They hadn’t appeared when Instructor Esta and Phoenix had previously traversed the route together. The instant the students on the other side activated a mechanism, the door opened and the monsters surged in.
“Do you know? During this trial…”
“The vanguard—the Hero and the Emperor—would’ve taken the opposite route, while the rear— the Sage and the Saint—would have come through here, right?”
“…”
“Even if the Sage was a mage, even if the Saint possessed divine power, how could the two rear-guard members possibly have cleared this route so easily?”
“You already know the answer. You just want me to say it aloud, don’t you?”
“Of course. Isn’t that why you stand before me now as ‘Fenrir’?”
“…Hmph.”
I stood beside Instructor Esta, who then handed me the sword at her waist.
“Need this?”
“I’m not so desperate as to need to borrow someone else’s weapon.”
“Then?”
“I already have a sword. Ah, but one thing.”
I turned toward Instructor Esta and raised a hand to my lips.
“When I [release] my power, I undergo a certain change. I hope you’ll understand why I try to avoid using it where angels might be watching.”
“Angels… Wait, are you saying release means—”
“Possession.”
Fssssh—
Wind surged from below as my vision instantly shifted.
“<Fenrir>.”
What appeared before Instructor Esta was a black-haired, golden-eyed cat-eared swordwoman—about the same height as her.
“This is what I meant.”
“…The angels are going to love this.”
“They might just melt the heavens with joy, right?”
“Wait. Then are you… an angel?”
“Nothing like that.”
Though I may resemble a Wind Spirit, and the situation may be similar to theirs, this is no different than playing a female character in a game.
“At the very least, I don’t intend to do anything indecent with women in this form.”
“Danger—!”
“Also.”
Schiiing—
“As for why I haven’t acted like this until now, it’s because of what Instructor Esta is feeling at this very moment.”
“…”
“If I showed you my full skill like this, you’d want to cross swords with me, wouldn’t you?”
Ah, really now.
“That’s exactly why I didn’t want to show it.”
But since I’d shown it once, I had to follow through with that line—
“Watch carefully. And don’t tell anyone.”
Ahead of us—
Facing the swarming monsters—
“<Cutting Wind>.”
With a single swing of the blade, the dozens of monsters crowding the corridor were all torn to shreds.
