Full Moon Night (2)

TL/ED: Lolz

Lichten Academy, Magic Experiment Building.

This place, known for its notorious reputation as Lichten's lighthouse, had lights that never went out even in the middle of the night.

Professor Suzy Dismal of Clinical Magical Pharmacology.

Her laboratory was one of those so-called 'lighthouses'.

In a 'D' shape, with all walls except the door filled with various flasks and experimental tools.

Originally, Professor Suzy Dismal, covered in dark circles, used to conduct research alone in this space, but things were different now.

"It's still a gloomy laboratory."

Long, violet hair flowing down to her waist.

Violet, the professor specializing in magic circles and the instructor of the Mezai class, glanced around the laboratory.

Despite the somewhat impolite comment, Suzy Dismal continued her experiments without any reaction, fixing her glasses.

Violet pursed her lips and asked Suzy.

"So, when are you going to tell us why Ian came here?"

"Obsession persists not only when you're a student but even after becoming a professor."

"Hmph. If the talent is that outstanding, it's natural to be obsessed, right?"

Suzy Dismal, who chuckled at her former academy classmate's sentiment, adjusted her glasses.

Then, with gloved hands, she extended a small flask. Inside was a powder of blue color.

Violet lowered her head towards the flask.

"What is this?"

"The scientific name is Cyanius Funugus. Simply put, it's a blue mushroom."

"Hmm. It seems like a color you shouldn't eat. Just in case, don't eat it even if you're hungry. More than that, I wonder why student Ian came here…”

"He brought this."

The words flowed as if slipping away.

Violet's eyes widened.

"... This?"

"Yes. Cyanius Funugus. When consumed biologically, it exhibits dangerously strong toxicity. And when made into powder like this, it maximizes the negative senses of the ingested subject. The main symptoms include hallucination, cognitive impairment, forgetfulness. And it also charms other subjects."

Suzy Dismal, rummaging through the shelves, also handed Violet a small packet.

[Remedy for a Peaceful Mind]

"He brought this packet as well. He asked to confirm if the ingredients are similar. After checking, they almost perfectly match."

"But why on earth?"

Violet's face showed confusion.

Where could Ian, that kid, have gotten such a thing?

Suzy shrugged her shoulders.

"He asked me to make an antidote, just in case."

"... An antidote?"

"Yes. This is one of the ingredients commonly used to process into a conduit for the Bloodstone Cult. Those guys usually absorb others' magical and vital energies through blood, but those awakened using this can absorb abilities through mucus alone. And quite rapidly, too."

"So, is Ian expecting the appearance of the Bloodstone Cult on campus... Is that what he's thinking?"

"Probably something like that."

Suzy Dismal murmured, rubbing her chin while tinkering with the sample.

Violet was speechless for a moment.

Detecting members of the Bloodstone Cult was an area in which the academy management was secretly doing their best behind the scenes.

There was an incident of a blackened student a while ago, but that incident was conclusively resolved as an accident.

If it hadn't been entrusted to Ian, Violet would have just brushed it off with a laugh.

The problem was that it wasn't the case.

If Ian Blackangers said such a thing, it was worth checking at least once.

Then a sudden thought.

'Why didn't he come to me, his assigned professor, but went to this woman?'

Now that she thought about it, this woman had the ability to captivate men even during her school days when she was locked in the lab with her research.

Violet's eyes narrowed as she looked at Suzy Dismal.

"Why are you going this far for a student's request?"

A jealous gaze filled with Violet's eyes.

Suzy Dismal smiled slyly.

"Got something in return."

"What did you get?"

"A secret."

Smirking, Suzy Dismal replied to Violet, who protruded her lips.

"When exposed to moonlight, the intensity of that increases. If Ian's speculation is correct, something big might happen soon."

Violet looked out the window.

A large full moon was rising.

“It might be a good idea to tell students to be more careful.”

◆

The crimson-stained Median House.

Ian stood still for a moment, watching that scene.

Around a radius of about a hundred meters from Median House, it was red.

If you were to turn your head to find the cause, it was because a dome-shaped barrier surrounded the area. The purpose of the barrier was cognitive impairment.

In essence, they separated the dormitory from reality.

The purpose of all these devices was to buy time for the Bloodstone Cultists to absorb power.

Their nature was such that they became stronger by just absorbing the blood or vitality of others. Once they set their minds on occupying the dormitory, they would strive to suck in as much blood as possible.

In the process, if the professors noticed and intruded, the result was obvious. The professors of Lichten Academy had enough power to suppress even awakened Bloodstone Cultists.

That's why the timing of the barrier unfolding was now.

Outside the barrier, Median House would appear as serene as usual. Since curfew time had passed, there wouldn't be anyone bothering to come.

The task at hand was to somehow deal with the red-stained dormitory within the barrier, among the novices.

"It's really creepy."

Even the appearance matched the screams.

The atmosphere itself was unsettling.

Inside were about four or five Bloodstone Cultists and one main villain of the story.

In that regard, there was no need to be too frightened. It was closer to a time attack than horror. The goal was to deal with the Bloodstone Cultists located within the barrier before they became even stronger.

"I don't really need to take the forefront."

The first act, on a full moon night. This scenario marked the beginning of the event where the Bloodstone Cultists who had invaded Lichten would start to assert their presence.

Bloodstone Cultists.

The values they worship are essentially 'power’.

They are willing to suck the blood and vitality of humans without hesitation for their growth.

And when this time comes, Lichten Academy is flooded with students burdened by inferiority.

Before entering the academy, they were quite arrogant, prodigies with strong shoulders and stiff necks. However, no matter how much talent they gathered, there would always be a lower tier within.

'Perfect prey.'

Taking advantage of the vulnerable minds of those students who were willing to give up anything for power.

That was the preaching method of the Bloodstone Cult optimized for Lichten Academy.

"Well then, shall we start getting ready to go in?"

Glancing around, a few male students caught within the barrier while unfortunate enough to be walking on the streets were visible. At least, there wouldn't be any misunderstanding about breaking into the girls' dormitory as an excuse for entering.

Ian calmly organized his position.

There was no need for him to wander around busily.

Due to the nature of Fantasy X Academy, the first act is a scenario where one of the heroines takes action for the first time.

Given the characteristic of the story where the final villain of the act is not determined, the active heroine can vary depending on the circumstances. Of course, the most likely heroine at the moment was Sharon Pierce.

Having seen her entering Median House, and considering that other heroines would find it difficult to confront a Flame Elemental Mage who has become at least twice as strong.

"Why did she suddenly come here?"

That was something to figure out later.

Anyway, rather than actively intervening in the events, it was necessary to investigate the movements of Sharon Pierce. Whether she would actively try to solve the problem or not.

Moreover.

It was an easily forgettable fact, but Median House was, after all, a girls' dormitory, a restricted area.

Having obtained the opportunity to enter the girls' dormitory legally.

Let's take as much as we can.

◆

Mercy stared at the girl in front of her.

Lina Rosewell's eyes were bloodshot and red.

There was definitely something strange about her.

“Ah. I stayed up all night last night."

But it was different from the Bloodstone Cultists.

Lina Rosewell's voice was still warm, and conversing with her naturally made the heart calm.

Mercy was dragged as if captured by Lina Rosewell.

Although she thought it was the exit, it was stairs leading upwards.

Lina Rosewell spoke.

"Let's go this way."

"Uh, Lina. Instead of hiding, isn't it better to run away..."

Suddenly, the contents of the prophecy came to mind. Until now, it had been accurate in everything. Instead of hiding, run away.

"Don't worry. There should be nothing."

So they arrived on the third floor.

Lina opened the door without hesitation. Mercy followed her into a room.

[Lina Rosewell]

It was a warm room.

Pictures taken with friends, numerous letters, and exchanged gifts.

"... Excuse me."

"Huh?"

"Aren't the other rescue teams coming?"

"Rescue teams?"

Through the mirror placed on the desk, Lina's face briefly reflected.

The corners of Lina's mouth rose.

At that moment, a chill ran down Mercy's spine.

"L-Lina, your hair has turned completely blue, and your eyes are completely bloodshot."

"Oh, this?"

Step by step, Lina approached, causing Mercy to take a step back.

"Hey, just stay still for a moment."

"Where."

But this room was small.

There was nowhere to escape.

Creak.

Mercy's leg got caught on the bed, and she fell onto it.

She wanted to resist somehow, but she was overwhelmed by Lina's momentum.

"...Who are you?"

At this moment, Lina's magic was so overwhelming that it could be felt even without using mana detection skills.

Step by step.

"Don't be too scared. It won't hurt too much."

Lina approached and stood in front of the bed.

Mercy, who was about to get up as if preparing for a punch, found that her body wouldn't move at all.

"It's useless. I've bound you."

Mercy collapsed on the bed.

Lina Rosewell's knee was placed between her pale white thighs.

Lina leaned forward, bending her upper body towards Mercy.

"Ugh! Ugh!"

Even though she tried to shout something, her voice wouldn't come out.

Tears welled up in Mercy's eyes.

"Oh my. What a shame."

Lina Rosewell fully climbed onto the bed.

Her hands intertwined with Mercy's.

Then, Lina slowly lowered her body.

Lick.

Lina's tongue stole Mercy's tears.

"I'll make sure it doesn't hurt."

Lina's breath was incredibly warm.

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