Nighttime Encounters - Chapter 43
Tilting her head back helplessly, Rosia stared into space with a vacant expression. The metaphysical shapes painted on the ceiling mural were disconcerting in themselves. The antique pillars glowed with a brilliance that forced her to squint.
Guided by an employee, she was escorted to a room next to the admissions office. She sighed in disappointment.
“Just when you think you’ve crossed one mountain…”
A few days ago, she had reluctantly faced the man’s test to avoid suspicions about being Trinity. Thankfully, that seemed to clear her name. He didn’t run after her after she left the infirmary.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
“…There’s a bigger mountain waiting just beyond it.”
Unable to withstand the collision of magic inside her body, she collapsed awkwardly. Unintentionally, she had demonstrated her magic in full view of everyone in the admissions office. She managed to avoid the man’s suspicions, but her admission to Kantaea became inevitable.
“Miss Rosiana. Please hold your head up straight.”
From that day onward, Rosia had become a prospective student of the Kantaea Academy of Magic where you had to come and go as they pleased. Whether it was lifting her head or turning her body, she had to follow the rules.
Rosia sighed as she glanced down at the back of the employee measuring her body. She measured the length of her arms, which were hanging limply.
“I know it’s bothersome, but it’ll be over soon. Hang in there just a little longer.”
Today, she had been called in to be measured for a uniform. As she watched the bustling staff, it was clear that her admission to Kantaea had become a reality.
“Looks like I’m attending Kantaea whether I like it or not.”
Muttering in disappointment, Rosha’s eyes, which were initially dull, suddenly flashed sharply.
[Huh? Over here.]
[Is that her?]
[Uh, yes, a student of Luperne’s.]
[I asked Luperne himself.]
[What? Luperne came to the school?]
[He must have been worried about her, so he followed her. He’s talking to Erwin now].
Three people, or rather three spirits, smoothly passed through the wall, revealing themselves.
[I overheard them, and they can see us, and they can talk to us, just like Jennifer.]
[And they have Regalia.]
The spirits scrambled at the word regalia.
[Regalia? Jennifer’s necklace?]
[Unbelievable. How did she…]
[I thought the regalia was gone?]
[Those souls who went to find it disappeared without a trace.]
[We didn’t know where it was either.]
[How did it end up in her hands?]
The chattering spirits turned toward Rosia, salivating. Three pairs of eyes flashed eerily.
[Let’s take her, we need her, she’s the only one who can communicate with the world.]
[And she has Regalia.]
With greedy looks in their eyes, Rosia trembled, clutching at her throat. Luckily, she could feel the roundness of Regalia inside her blouse.
Regalia, the legendary item created by the last queen of Carpelia, Jennifer, with the souls of tens of thousands. It was said to be the only object of a living human that could affect a spiritual being.
Rosia cautiously touched the Regalia, setting up a barrier against the covetous glares of the spirits. The bespectacled spirit must have read her eyes and calmed its friends.
[Be patient. There’s no need to be rash. If we stay quiet, she’ll come to us naturally.]
Upon hearing this, two other souls turned their gaze away from Rosia and asked questions.
[Why?]
[She’s going to be admitted to Kantaea this year.]
[Really? Enrolling here?]
[Is the sun finally shining on our Kantaea?]
Rosia’s brow creased slightly. Why is her despair their shining moment? A sense of useless frustration overwhelmed her.
The spirits chirped excitedly, oblivious to Rosia’s discomfort.
[When she enrolls, let’s take her to the bathroom and ask her to get rid of Lord Kale. The stench coming from the drain he’s blocking is killing me.]
[Yeah, once we handle that, let’s take care of that beheaded Rosalyn.]
[What if she gets scared and runs away?]
[She’s Luperne’s apprentice. Why would she run away?]
‘Are they really doing this right now?’
[Instead of saying that, why not ask them directly? You can talk to us.]
Their bodies dead, their spirits beyond time and space, they had no urgent business in the world. So Rosia’s arrival caused quite a stir among them.
One soul, flushed with excitement, flew over to Rosha and started talking.
[I hear you are the owner of Regalia, and a disciple of Luperne].
[I heard you assist Luperne in dealing with spirits. Can you also eliminate the spirits in our school?]
[You look quite pretty. How about being friends with me from today?]
Words cascaded down from all directions. Overwhelmed by the chaos of the souls, Rosia closed her eyes tightly.
Should she just make them all disappear?
The temptation was strong, and Rosia’s eyes widened at the sudden chill.
Bloodshot eyes flashed right in front of her. Rosia bit her lip to stop herself from screaming at the sight.
[Is it you?]
The spirit leaned in close to Rosia’s face, its eyes flickering and scanning.
[Are you Rosiana Delconda?]
The grandfatherly, white-haired spirit’s voice rang out with authority. Faced with the intimidating voice, even the noisy souls shrank back to the corner.
The soul that emitted a strong aura slowly opened its mouth to introduce itself.
[I am Barbossa Spiel.]
Barbossa Spiel, one of the three great mages who, alongside Luperne, built the Escalona Empire. Among them, he was the eldest and a mage known for his strong mastery of barriers.
