NCCnovel Chapter 646 - 646
Chapter 646 - 646
Type-Moon Academy's Seven Mysteries?"Of course I know about them."
Eiji nodded.
After all, he himself was the true identity of one of the Seven Mysteries—"God's Smile." He was also familiar with legends like "Awakened Self," "The All-Purpose Treasure That Grants Wishes," "The Mysterious Woman Who Appears at Night," "The Wailing and Howling in the Music Classroom," and others.
"Among the Seven Mysteries, there is one unbelievable legend described as 'if you wander around the school at night, you might traverse into a mysterious space.'"
Merlin wagged his finger casually, his expression relaxed and composed.
"Are you saying that this so-called mysterious space is Roa's hiding place?"
"You catch on quickly."
Merlin smiled and nodded.
"Just as you've deduced from your investigation so far, Roa is indeed hiding within the school. However, he uses that mysterious space as his base and hides inside it. That place exists independently of time and space. Even Clairvoyance cannot peer into its scene. Unless you find the correct method, it's impossible to enter."
I see.
That explains everything.
No wonder Scáthach couldn't see Roa, even though he was hiding in the school.
So, the unbelievable events in urban legends are all true!
"You seem to know quite a lot."
Eiji narrowed his eyes.
Merlin smiled without speaking.
This guy might have been using Clairvoyance to spy on Kinojo City all along, which is why he's so well-informed about their actions to date.
"What is the method?"
Eiji asked directly.
"Young people are so impatient."
Merlin laughed heartily, only clearing his throat when he saw Eiji's brows furrow and a fierce glint appear in his eyes.
"Just bring along an unawakened Heroic Spirit."
Bring an unawakened Heroic Spirit?
What kind of strange method is that?
"Why was it designed this way?"
Eiji looked puzzled.
"Even I don't know about that part."
Merlin spread his hands as if helpless.
"I know who created that space, but I can't peer into its conditions... Ah, but I do know the phenomenon! When an unawakened Heroic Spirit enters that space, they either awaken successfully or turn into residue when they come out!"
What?
Eiji was slightly taken aback.
"Oh, right. The other day, when Medea was working overtime at school, she accidentally entered that space and turned into residue when she came out."
Merlin paused, then added another sentence.
So that's what happened?
"Listening to you, could it be that the space is used to catalyze the awakening of Heroic Spirits?"
Eiji pondered for a moment.
"In terms of purpose alone, it's probably about eighty percent likely."
Merlin nodded frankly, as he had guessed the same.
"But the intentions of the person who created the mysterious space are still unknown... Well, here's the question: unawakened Heroic Spirits are a dime a dozen on the streets. Who will you bring to open the door?"
To open the door to the mysterious space, one must bring an unawakened Heroic Spirit.
Eiji fell into deep thought.
From the conversation, it appeared that mysterious space held certain dangers for Heroic Spirits—once entering, they would either awaken or turn into residue.
If they needed to find an unawakened Heroic Spirit, Eiji would inevitably have to bear the consequence of causing someone to become residue.
To put it bluntly, Eiji would have to take responsibility for an unrelated person's life.
Should they just capture any random Heroic Spirit?
Eiji's mood grew heavy.
"Unawakened Heroic Spirits... Is that the kind of person you need?"
Minamoto no Raikou had been watching for a long time.
It wasn't until Eiji sank into deep thought that she slowly spoke up.
"In that case, let me go."
"Mom?"
Souji's eyes widened.
Although she didn't know what her brother and the others planned to do, the atmosphere suggested it was definitely something very dangerous. Why would Mom step forward at a time like this?
"Don't cause trouble."
Eiji glared at Raikou with clear displeasure.
"What we're about to do is dangerous. How could I let you willingly approach danger?"
In the past, if he glared at her like that, Raikou would likely have backed down.
Being overly indulgent with her children, she was particularly helpless when it came to them.
"A-li, I understand how you feel."
But today, she showed no intention of retreating, standing firmly before Eiji with unusual determination.
"Listen to me carefully. Actually, I've been having dreams lately—dreams where I keep experiencing a life that feels like mine, yet not quite mine... I think that might be what you call a Heroic Spirit."
Raikou's expression darkened slightly, her eyes betraying a trace of unconscious confusion.
"Oh, so Miss Raikou is in the process of awakening?"
Merlin immediately clapped his hands and laughed.
"Isn't this perfect? Why not take this opportunity to help Miss Raikou awaken completely?"
"Miss this and that..."
"I refuse."
Eiji remained completely unmoved.
"If she's already awakening naturally, then let it happen naturally. There's no need to get involved in this mess. It's just an unawakened Heroic Spirit—we can definitely find someone else."
"But wouldn't that put other people in danger?"
"That's still better than letting you go."
No matter what Raikou said, Eiji showed no sign of relenting.
If forced to choose between a stranger he didn't know and Raikou, Eiji would choose Raikou without hesitation.
"A-li, you're really being overprotective!"
Raikou cupped her face. Although repeatedly rejected, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but lift, her face radiant with a happy smile.
This kind of concern from her son made her feel deeply comforted, warming her heart.
"May I say something?"
Merlin took a sip of hot tea with a slurping sound and interjected upon seeing this.
"Whether it's natural awakening or catalyzed awakening, neither can be without danger."
He continued speaking as if to himself.
"In my personal opinion, it would be better for Miss Raikou to come with us. At least this way, if she awakens, we'll be by her side to provide support."
With natural awakening, no one could predict when it would happen, and there were many unknown factors. If they took this opportunity to catalyze her awakening, having Merlin and Eiji accompanying her would at least make things more secure.
Eiji frowned, having to admit that this reasoning made sense.
"And what's more crucial—when the final moment arrives, no one can stand apart."
Merlin's expression turned serious.
"Whether awakened or not, everyone will ultimately be dragged into the ritual. Awakening yourself actually provides greater life security."
"Eiji, you seem to care deeply about your family and value emotional bonds. That's a good thing, but when that time comes, those bonds will only become your burden."
It would be impossible to protect unawakened family members while competing for the UO position.
In that case, family would inevitably hinder his progress, even becoming his weakness and dead weight.
This was the implication contained within Merlin's words.