[Evron: (Reannouncement) A Safe Guide to Using the Tower for Students]
—”Hello, everyone. I hope you’re all making good use of Professor Irien’s tower. I’m leaving this notice just in case any unfortunate incidents occur while utilizing the power of the treasures. On the first floor of our tower, there are many statues… Occasionally, a girl with purple eyes and hair may appear on the first floor, attempting to preach…”
“Sometimes, you might notice a “scent of the forest” in certain training rooms on the third floor. If that happens, please vacate the room and spend some time outside. If you happened to stay there despite the scent, please come see me afterward. A simple consultation, along with “surgery,” will be conducted at the infirmary.”
“When using the stairs, always confirm your destination carefully. For those who have accepted the power of the treasures, there may be times when an unexpected path to the storage room on the sixth floor opens by mistake.”
“If you happen to reach the storage floor, ask the dolls at the entrance for help, and they will assist in bringing you back down. However, please be cautious. Under no circumstances should you use magic. The “door” may recognize you as part of the treasure and absorb you. No matter what happens beyond the door, remember that the responsibility lies with you.”
***
[Luciella (2): I had to step out because of rule number 3. No luck today.
Hao (91): Be careful. Ignoring the warnings can be really dangerous.]
(He trembled slightly, as if recalling what happened when he broke the third rule.)
[Luciella (2): …I have a feeling that everyone else follows the rules just fine, except for you.
Hao (91): Oh, you flatter me. …Wait, Luciella. I think you should look behind you.]
(He glanced over at Luciella, who was resting in the third-floor common area. A shadow was slowly approaching her from behind.)
[Luciella (2): Hah, as if I’d fall for that.
Hao (91): You’ll regret it.]
(He shook his head, looking rather sympathetic. In his eyes was the sight of Luciella scoffing at him—and the woman standing right behind her.)
[Cassian (1): Let’s fight again today, Luciella.
Luciella (2): …Oh dear, I’m actually quite busy today.
Cassian (1): But you’re right there. You don’t look busy at all. So, play with me.
Hao (91): See? I did warn you.]
(He chuckled. Luciella glared at him silently as she was dragged away by Cassian. Hao watched them for a moment before stretching with a yawn.)
[Hao (91): By the way, Evron, I have a question. What is this? Something keeps getting added to my replies.
Evron: Hmm, let me check.
Evron: The person behind you is typing, Hao.
Hao (91): Behind me? What are you talking about…?]
(He slowly turned his head—only to lock eyes with me. His eyes widened in shock. Seeing this, I smiled gently. The joy of finally communicating with him, even in this way, was overwhelming. I reached forward and tore a chunk out of his mind.)
[Evron: Please be careful. Even if only Hao can see you, traces will inevitably be left behind.
H#(####):]
(As his body collapsed, I held him gently in my arms and nodded solemnly. I couldn’t share him with anything else. He was mine.)
***
Carefully, I channeled my magic, awakening the circuits engraved on the worktable.
As the layered circuits began to glow, I gazed down at the table.
A woman lay there, her eyes closed, breathing quietly.
Her white hair cascaded over the surface of the worktable.
I gently brushed a few strands aside and nodded toward Zero.
Zero approached and began manipulating his magic.
Soon, the circuits on the table started shimmering with potent magical energy.
Through them, several magic circles emerged, wrapping around the woman’s body.
She allowed herself to be enveloped without resistance.
The body, partially exposed, remained a work of perfection despite six months of continuous observation.
It was hard to believe that I had created it myself.
For six months, her body had matured, imbued with life, swelling with potential.
I gazed at the energy stirring within her chest, my heart tightening with anticipation.
Zero manipulated the magic with precision, altering the flow of the circuits.
A barrier slowly formed around the worktable.
I gave him a thumbs-up.
It was perfect.
The layers of magic circles intertwined to create a small space—a form of time magic designed solely to stabilize everything within.
It was a result of painstakingly studying and replicating the tower’s magic.
Of course, it was fragile and temporary, but it would be enough for this procedure.
“Let’s begin. Assist me well.”
Zero nodded silently.
I reached into my coat and pulled out a carving knife.
As I imbued it with magic, golden energy began to glow within the blade.
I pressed the knife against the woman’s body.
It sliced through her like water, effortlessly parting her flesh.
Taking a deep breath, I made a single, clean incision from her collarbone to her lower abdomen.
Carefully, I pried the opening apart with magic.
No blood flowed.
Of course, it wouldn’t—no matter how much life resided within her, she was still a doll.
Beyond the incision, I saw a familiar sight.
She possessed a fully human internal structure.
Organs, veins-like circuits flowing with magic, all arranged as if she were truly alive.
At the center of it all, her heart beat steadily.
A heart pure white, emitting a mist-like energy with each pulse.
That mist seeped into the circuits, merging with the magic to circulate throughout her body.
It was her lifeblood, the essence of her existence.
I studied the heart carefully.
Professor had said that, aside from the faculty, there were very few beings in the university capable of rivaling these treasures.
As expected, I couldn’t even begin to comprehend the power within.
And now, attached to the heart was something new.
A small crystalline growth, pulsing like a secondary heart.
I cautiously brought the knife to it, severing the connection with delicate precision.
Though it resisted slightly, it dissipated like a mere wisp of wind under the smooth stroke of the blade.
I quickly removed the crystal and signaled Zero.
Without the heart’s energy, the crystal weakened rapidly.
We had to act before it completely withered.
Zero placed a prepared doll’s body onto an empty part of the worktable.
I carefully inserted the crystal inside and sealed it within a magic circle.
The moment everything was fixed in place, the flow of time within the doll ceased.
The circuits inside it—designed solely to accommodate the crystal—began to glow, guiding the entity to take root within its new vessel.
Everything was proceeding smoothly, just as planned.
I turned my gaze back to the woman’s body.
Now, I had a more important task ahead.
Gripping the carving knife tightly, I resumed my work.
***
Hours passed.
Finally, all of her organs—except for the heart—had been removed.
The discarded remains stiffened and lost vitality, proving that their connection to the body had been completely severed.
I inspected them briefly, noting the imperfections.
A wry smile tugged at my lips.
My past self had been woefully inadequate.
Back then, this was the best I could do.
But not anymore.
I retrieved a new set of organs.
These were far superior, crafted from the flesh and tissue of Akuru—a being whose spine alone was worth millions of points.
Through meticulous cultivation and alchemical enhancement, I had created the perfect replacements.
I carefully integrated them into Mira’s body, guiding them into place with magic.
Slowly, they adjusted, connecting seamlessly with the circuits and heart.
Success.
Finally, Mira opened her eyes.
Her ashen gaze met mine, filled with exhaustion.
“How do you feel?”
She lifted a hand, and mist curled from her fingertips, wrapping around her body like a serpent.
Smiling, she murmured, “I like it very much. Compared to before, I can exert about thirty percent more power.”
As I expected.
The scent of roses thickened in the mist she sent toward me—an intoxicating fragrance of allure.
The doll’s body seemed to hold even more vitality, and the mist had naturally become even more intense in its fragrance.
I instinctively took a step back to avoid it.
I, too, sent a bit of my magic to lightly examine her body.
She didn’t resist and quietly accepted the flow of magic.
Fortunately, there was nothing wrong.