Chapter 17 | Jormungandr in the Labyrinth River

Though the memories were not her own, the experience felt incredibly real—the hatred, despair, and resentment as she was pierced, along with a faint sense of liberation and gratitude.

The complexity and realism of these sensations made Li Yue feel as if she had truly experienced death once more. As for why the sensation of dying felt so familiar, she likely wouldn't find the answer until she recovered those memories.

In her daze, she knelt in the shadows, watching a beam of light shine down from the horizon onto the space opposite her. She saw the girl with the blood-red vertical pupils standing there. The girl reached out her arms in an embrace, her expression gradually becoming gentle and motherly, causing the dazed Li Yue to feel momentarily entranced.

Reason told her she must not approach; this was an abyss of corruption. She turned decisively and rushed toward the door.

The moment she stepped out the door, the ground caved in. She fell again, plunging back toward a sober yet absurd reality. In this gap between the mirror world and reality, she saw a colossal figure encircling the illusory world.

Like surfacing after a deep dive in the ocean, the pressure and suffocation vanished instantly. Li Yue lay in the dim dissection room. There was no sunlight here, no rain, but there was reality. Even the thick scent of blood felt welcoming to her now.

Fortunately, that agonizing hunger had completely dissipated. The weakness that had permeated her limbs was gone, and the power within her body was beginning to surge.

She didn't know if she had any musical talent, but she had developed a keen interest in Roland's Blues.

With a hint of nervousness, she tucked the blood crystal into her pocket and knocked on Roland's office door. After a moment, she heard Roland's voice signaling her to enter.

She walked in eagerly and saw Roland holding a fountain pen, his eyes reflecting both exhaustion and tenderness.

“So you want to learn Blues...” Roland smiled and shook his head after hearing her request. He put away his pen and paper, a gentle hint of amusement in his voice. “This kind of magic is for sentimental, pretentious souls. Your talent is excellent; you should explore your own magic.”

“You are progressing very quickly. I will write a recommendation letter for the academy for you; you can enroll next year.” Roland crossed his hands and looked at Li Yue. His eyes, weighted by melancholy and fatigue, now held a few sparks of appreciation and relief.

“The previous period of peace made us lower our guard, leading to that perilous mission for you. That was my mistake.” Roland stood up and began searching through a nearby bookshelf.

“I understand your thirst for power, because I felt it once too.” Roland casually moved several picture frames from the top shelf. The photos inside showed four or five young men in graduation gowns.

“I have studied many schools of magic: Nature, Space, Time, Spirit, even Royal Court magic... but in the end, I chose Blues. Or rather, Blues chose me.” Roland pulled out a gold-stamped invitation, upon which a flourish of a signature was written in gold ink.

“The important thing isn't what you want; it's what chooses you.”

Li Yue took the letter thoughtfully and gave it a cursory glance. Aside from the signature, which was too ornate to read, she skimmed the contents.

“I heard from Kelly that you've forgotten a lot. To put it simply, that incident resulted in the deaths of several nobles.” Roland rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger. “The news hasn't spread widely among the public, but that one great noble who values his life dearly...”

“He learned the truth through his own channels and got scared?” Li Yue guessed as she studied the letter.

“An incident like this hasn't happened in decades. Now, he is afraid and wants to apply for protection.”

“Did he not employ mages before?”

“He did, just not many, mostly hired from the association. The trouble now is that he's even started hiring external personnel from the academy and the association.” Roland let out a long sigh.

“In his view, only blood demons of the Great Mage rank possess intelligence and the ability to plan a series of events. Therefore, the massacre at Miller Manor must have happened because there were no mages to resist the blood demons, allowing the bloodthirsty monsters to feast as if they were in a buffet.”

“I don't quite understand his logic. Even though I told him the Royal Court mages possess forbidden magic to control blood demons, he still insists on his view in the letter.”

“I suspect someone is pulling the strings from behind, but currently, the mages from various factions are a mixed bag.” Roland spread out the lavish letter. “This letter is signed by this Mr. William. He has sent us a request for assistance.”

“Do you want me to go?”

“No, it's too dangerous. I just wanted to inform you of our current situation. We are in a passive position; you must stay safe.” Roland pulled back a bit of the curtain, looking at the bright sunlight outside. The light illuminated half of his face. Li Yue felt an inexplicable fear and took half a step back into the shadows.

“The association has demon hunters stationed there these past two days. Though they aren't familiar with you, they are trustworthy people.” Roland pointed toward the card room, where demon hunters who had finished their work might be playing a few rounds to relax.

“Some of those mages with ulterior motives have likely already infiltrated Marquis William's security detail. I will hide my identity and investigate personally.”

Roland paused.

“If anything happens later, take the letter to the Orange Bird Bar in the north of the city. Tell the owner there that you are looking for a Nocturne Performer.”

“I understand.” Li Yue pursed her lips, her heart suddenly feeling heavy.

“I have to go; I'm leaving immediately. I've already arranged internal matters. If you have any troubles, you can find Yorick. He is often in the card room at night.”

“I'll see you out...”

Roland didn't speak, allowing Li Yue to accompany him out of the small villa. Although it was early autumn, the leaves of some trees had already begun to fall. Roland looked around, a hint of loneliness in his eyes.

“No matter how vibrant a life is in early spring, it will eventually face its end in autumn.” Roland slowly stepped into the carriage. “However, if it is all for the sake of the new leaves that will bloom next year, then it is worth it.”

The coachman cracked the whip, and the carriage began to move slowly. Roland gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“Indeed, a pretentious person like me is truly suited for Blues.”

Li Yue waved her hand, feeling as if she had inexplicably lost something, like losing someone very important. She felt an extreme lack of security. The last time she felt this way was the day she saw Clo off to the academy.

It's been so long, and she hasn't even written me a letter. That jerk.

Li Yue turned and walked back. Without Roland, the small villa truly felt like an ordinary office. The only thing that remained the same was Kelly, still standing at the front desk, greeting guests with a smile.

“Suddenly it feels like we're missing something without the Captain.” Kelly looked at the somewhat dejected Li Yue and made a joke after thinking for a moment. “It makes it sound like the Captain was some kind of mascot.”

Li Yue forced a smile. In her eyes, Roland was a capable teacher, a reliable captain, and a friend who always carried a bit of melancholy, even if he usually looked tired. He was cautious, but he occasionally made mistakes.

Roland had always blamed himself, believing his poor decision-making had led to Li Yue's injury. In reality, it should have been a normal mission, but a series of accidents had caused the situation to deteriorate rapidly until it spiraled out of control. This, of course, included the severe negligence of the West District Demon Hunter Team, though they had also paid a heavy price.

Li Yue hated the man in the red silk clothes from those memory fragments, but she never blamed Roland. Only when she felt wronged or sad would she think of Clo and secretly curse her in her heart.