Chapter 81

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Episode 18 - Gate of Memory [2]

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"Now, to enter the Memory Gate, simply pour mana into the book. At that moment, you will automatically sense whether you want to enter using only your consciousness or with your physical body as well. Keep in mind that if you enter with your physical body, you can truly die; meanwhile, if you enter only with your consciousness, you could fall into a coma for days, weeks, or even months. Keep that in mind."

Director Bernice explained this after about ten minutes, once all the cadets had taken their seats on the cushions.

Shortly afterward, some cadets poured mana into their books and suddenly became motionless.

Meanwhile, others watched the cadets who had probably already entered the Memory Gates and soon followed after them.

At the same time, I briefly turned my head toward the woman sitting beside me, who had her arms crossed.

"You still have time to back out. If I die, nothing guarantees your supervision."

"And I don’t care if I end up in a coma for a few days, but you... who knows, maybe you do."

I shook my head, implying that she would be the only one losing out if we both died inside the Memory Gate.

Charlotte looked at me for a moment before shifting her gaze to the book in my hands.

She alternated her gaze between the book and me several times while her expression constantly changed.

Her emotions fluctuated between doubt, suspicion, annoyance, and many others.

Clearly, Charlotte was thinking about whether she should really enter with me or go with someone else instead.

There were still a few cadets who had not entered the Memory Gates and remained alone, as if waiting for someone to approach them.

Charlotte noticed that as well, but after about two more minutes or so, she shook her head.

"I said I’ll go with you. I don’t know what you’re planning by entering the Fallen Maiden’s Memory Gate, so..."

She did not finish her words.

I understood what she meant. Even so, I shrugged.

"Suit yourself. Just don’t blame me if you die later. And, by the way, I understand that dying in there is the same as dying out here; you truly feel pain and despair."

Charlotte remained still for a second before shaking her head once again.

"And does that even matter? I’m not afraid of it, especially since we won’t really die anyway."

I forced a faint smile at her words. From her emotions alone, it was obvious that she was afraid.

"Fine, then let’s go."

Both of us placed our hands on the book’s cover.

Shortly afterward, mana began to circulate and enveloped the book.

Then, in the next moment, my consciousness faded away.

Instinctively, I sensed what Director Bernice had mentioned, so I thought about entering with only my consciousness and not my physical body.

The next instant, after thinking that, the system appeared before me.

’But this is my system, not the one Director Bernice mentioned.’

Since I was a player, of course things would be different.

〖The Memory Gate of the <Fallen Maiden> resonates with the player’s memories〗

〖Story of Luminus Arcantel Valentina, Prologue〗

〖Scene of "Principles of a Purpose"〗

〖Sending the player’s consciousness to another space〗

Soon, just like with the previous Memory Gate Fragment, all my senses and perceptions disappeared.

And, in the next instant, I appeared somewhere else.

***

Meanwhile, outside the Memory Gate.

Director Bernice and her assistant observed all the cadets, just like Professor Ashly, who was supervising them closely.

A short while later, Bernice focused her attention on the book belonging to one particular pair.

"The Fallen Maiden... they really entered that Memory Gate."

His assistant murmured while looking at Adel and Charlotte.

At one point, their bodies froze, and soon they went limp, as if they had literally left their bodies.

Their heads bumped against each other, remaining still, unmoving and silent, while their hands rested on the book’s cover.

Bernice also looked at the book they were holding and said:

"I told them they could enter any book. In any case, if they die, they’ll only remain in a coma for a few days, depending on the death they experience."

Her assistant nodded and replied:

"Even so, they won’t earn any points. Although the prologue of the Fallen Maiden is not only about fighting, but also about helping her on her path toward the principles of a purpose, which is extremely difficult. And it’s even harder to make the Fallen Maiden follow the cadet’s words."

Bernice let out a faint sigh as she watched the rest of the cadets.

Everyone had already entered the Memory Gates, so shortly afterward, she looked back at Adel and Charlotte.

"Leave them alone. And as for clearing the prologue... well, although only a few have managed it, it’s not impossible. Who knows, they might succeed."

The assistant pursed his lips.

"But even if they clear the prologue, Director Bernice, do you really think they’ll pass the first Chapter? I mean, that’s where the real difficulty begins, isn’t it?"

In the past, when the Fallen Maiden’s Unique Trait was discovered, many people tried to complete the Memory Gate.

But who would have thought that almost no one would manage to get past the prologue.

And those who managed to enter it...

Discovered that even clearing Chapter One was already a damn difficult task.

If a six-star difficulty truly existed, then the Fallen Maiden would be among the hardest six-star Memory Gates.

In any case, the people who entered this story did so simply to meet the Fallen Maiden.

The first human to reach eleven stars, and also to experience the abilities of her Unique Trait.

But everyone who entered to meet her was also aware of the difficulty.

’They lost the opportunity to earn more than a thousand points for completing 50% of a Memory Gate, and three thousand points for completing it at 100%.’

Director Bernice’s assistant shook his head. He did not care about Adel, but he did care about Charlotte, who came from one of the Five Ducal Houses.

They were the pillars of the Sacred Continent and the Ordeal Empire.

’What a disappointment, Charlotte Starlight.’

Director Bernice obviously noticed his thoughts and could even see and read them, but she said nothing.

’Have faith.’

Director Bernice had no expectations for any cadet.

If there was one thing she had learned after serving as director of the Holy Academy for hundreds of years, it was not to flatter cadets or place expectations on them.

Although many deny it, this academy has produced heroes, but also villains.

’I still remember that child. Now he is the leader of the Church of the Black Dawn. How ironic.’

Her expression turned melancholic as she recalled a past from five hundred years ago.

Once, she had grown attached to one of the cadets. He was talented, the best first-year student, and had the highest grades.

’If it weren’t for my fault, he wouldn’t be the person he is today.’

Director Bernice snapped out of her thoughts. She did not want to remember the past.

"We don’t know if the villains infiltrated this place, so stay alert."

"Yes, Director Bernice."

Her assistant nodded firmly while Director Bernice’s expression turned cold and serious.

***

The world around me changed in an instant.

A moment ago, I had been sitting down, and now... well, I was still sitting down.

I turned my head and used my senses, which gave me a rough idea of where I was.

’This is a tavern.’

I brought my hand to my eyes and felt the bandage; then to my waist, where I also noticed my sword. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Lastly, I ran my hand over my clothes and realized they were different.

Then I turned my head to the side. The woman sitting beside me, Charlotte, was examining the clothes she was wearing.

"Only my clothes changed."

She murmured. Then she turned toward me and said,

"You’re wearing different clothes too, but your appearance is still the same."

I nodded slightly since I already knew this would happen.

In any case, I used my senses to analyze the surroundings.

The tavern was crowded. There were groups of drunkards, others chatting, and some drinking or eating.

Some women, probably waitresses, were delivering the customers’ orders.

In front of me stood a man cleaning glasses and serving beer.

’I wonder what part of the world I’m in right now.’

I had no idea where I was, nor what exactly we were doing inside that tavern.

My thoughts quickly began to race.

Naturally, you weren’t just going to appear in front of the story’s protagonist.

Either she came to you, or you went to her; that was how things worked.

And since I was in a tavern, I would have to look for the Fallen Maiden, or Luminus, as she was called.

I turned my head toward Charlotte and asked in a low voice:

"Is the Fallen Maiden here, in this tavern? Based on the descriptions known about her appearance."

Charlotte shook her head.

"No, I don’t see her here."

I let out a faint sigh.

According to the descriptions from other people who had already entered this Memory Gate and, above all, from the game...

Her hair was a deep purplish black, just like her eyes. She was tall, at least 1.80 or 1.90 meters. She usually wore tight black pants and heeled boots. Her hair was left loose, and she had a cold expression devoid of emotion.

That was more or less what she looked like.

’What bad luck. I guess I’ll have to go look for her.’

But just as I was thinking that...

Suddenly, the sound of heeled boots echoed from the tavern entrance.

The people inside fell silent, and the next moment, whispers began to spread.

"Look at that woman."

"Damn, she’s sexy. Just look at those curves. Wonder what she’s like in bed."

"I think she’s the love of my life."

"But her gaze... it’s genuinely terrifying. Besides, she looks like the kind of person who’d probably kill you if you got close."

"Yeah, her sword has blood on it, and besides..."

"She smells like blood. She must be an assassin."

The moment I heard those whispers, along with the intense smell of blood that suddenly filled the entire place, I immediately knew who it was.

’So luck is on my side after all, huh?’

Charlotte, seated beside me, murmured:

"It’s her, the Fallen Maiden, Luminus Arcantel Valentina."

Charlotte had slightly turned around and was looking over her shoulder at the woman who had just entered the tavern.