novelzi Chapter 168: Advancement (4) Part 2
Chapter 168: Advancement (4) Part 2
Chapter 168: Advancement (4) Part 2
Yulie awoke at dawn, her first instinct to check the state of her heart. The sharp, tearing pain that had once greeted her each morning noticeably lessened.
"At least this means I won’t be meeting my end today," Yulie murmured.
As was her routine, she stepped into the corridor, where the air felt unnaturally crisp—sharper, clearer than she remembered. On the wall hung a painting she had not noticed before.
"... Hmm."
The moment Yulie’s eyes fell upon the landscape painting, she offered a small nod of approval. It was an unbidden gesture, born of quiet admiration, as natural as a breath.
Winter
Beyond the wall of Rekordak, the canvas captured the dreamlike essence of the unexplored region’s landscape. The simple title, Winter, felt almost inevitable, fitting it with tranquil perfection.
“Could this be Reylie’s work...”
Reylie was the only one in Rekordak known to paint, making the work likely hers. She seemed to have grown significantly. Even to someone like Yulie, who had no eye for art, the painting’s beauty was undeniable, filling her with a surprising sense of pride.
Yulie was about to step outside, satisfaction evident in her movements, when her eyes caught sight of someone through the window overlooking the training grounds. It was Deculein. Beneath a dawn sky of frozen indigo, glinting like a jewel in the cold, he ran with steady discipline and flawless form, his motions precise and resolute.
Grind—
Her teeth clenched, and her nails dug into her palms as a fire surged within her, threatening to rise, but Yulie forced it down, her mind retreating into the rhythmic counting of time and numbers.
"Thirty seconds, one lap."
Thirty seconds per lap. It was something she had known before, but witnessing it again only deepened her realization of how extraordinary Deculein’s physical abilities were—far beyond what most could ever dream to achieve.
"Two... three... four..."
Yulie counted softly under her breath, waiting for Deculein to complete his run.
"Seventy-seven."
By the time he finished, thirty minutes had passed, and his total reached seventy-seven laps. No magic or mana had been involved—only raw physical endurance. Even in comparison to the knights, his performance was nothing short of extraordinary. As Deculein retreated to his mansion, Yulie finally stepped onto the training grounds.
Standing still at the heart of the training grounds, she drew the cold, crystalline air deep into her lungs, its frost kissing her skin.
"One, two! One, two!"
She took deep, steady breaths, moving through stretches and light exercises to loosen her stiff joints. Only then did she begin to run, her pace deliberate and rhythmic, as if each step carried purpose.
“I will not lose.”
The goal was to match Deculein’s thirty minutes with seventy-seven laps. The curse on her heart had drained her stamina more than anything else, rendering the task daunting. However, as Yulie recalled the sight of him running, her determination flared to life. No matter the cost, she would not lose to that villain...
“Yes, Your Majesty. It is because of a rumor,” Jolang replied.
“Rumors?”
"The rumors claim that Professor Deculein has authored a wealth of exceptional works in Rekordak."
“It’s that man again?” Sophien let out a soft, incredulous laugh, adjusting the oversized spectacles perched precariously on her nose, too large and slipping constantly.
“Yes, Your Majesty. It is said that each of his writings holds such value, worthy of a place within the archives of the Floating Island.”
"... Hmph. So, they believe it’s worth risking frostbite and death, do they? So be it. But I cannot send them all. Select ten, and they will be sent forth."
"Yes, Your Majesty... However," Jolang said, bowing deeply, his form curling into itself like a pillbug. It was the stance he assumed when preparing to speak on matters of weight. "There is something Your Majesty once remarked during a game of Go with the Professor."
"Are you referring to the poisoning?" Sophien said, her voice devoid of concern, though it was the very scandal that had recently plunged the Imperial Palace into disarray.
Jolang’s entire body trembled as he stammered, "Y-yes, Majesty... Might he—"
"Deculein knows. He is aware of those who stand behind it all."
Jolang stayed silent.
"However, I will wait—until that man deems it time to speak of it."
Jolang’s breath faltered as he collapsed to the floor, his forehead pressed firmly against the ground, his voice trembling as he pleaded, "Your Majesty, have mercy—I am unworthy of forgiveness, and my ignorance warrants only death."
“What talk of death? Did you poison me yourself?”
"Never, Your Majesty! I would never dare! I deserve nothing but death, Your Majesty—!" Jolang cried, his voice cracking into a desperate squeal, thin and tremulous like a trapped insect.
Sophien let out a playful laugh, dismissing him with a wave of her hand as she said, "Enough of this. There is no need for such dramatics. Return to your duties—I have Go to study and am far too busy for such nonsense."
“Yes, Your Majesty. I remain deeply honored by your favor, Your Majesty..."
"Leave now, and don’t waste another moment of my time."
With Jolang gone, the stillness of the room mirrored the composed calm that settled over Sophien’s features, the weight of her thoughts drawing her into a contemplative silence.
“... How strange.”
She rested her chin on her hand, her eyes fixed upon the Go board before her. The dance of black and white stones no longer bored her; instead, she found herself consumed by a single thought—how Deculein would play in this moment.
Why does this hollow, unsettling feeling linger within me? I long for him to be here, standing before me. In this tedious, colorless existence, he was the spark that kindled even the faintest ember of meaning. If he were here now, perhaps this restless ache would finally fade. Could this persistent, irksome sensation, so impossible to ignore be that I miss him? Sophien thought.
"Tch. This is fucking ridiculous," Sophien muttered with a click of her tongue, shaking her head before turning her attention back to the Go board, immersing herself in the game once more.