"So, you want to learn how to fly."
Right from early afternoon, Lefiya had rushed straight to him. From what Irena had reported yesterday, Accelerator could already guess what had happened. This child had successfully linked with her broom. But why did she look so sleep-deprived?
Before she could say anything more, her gaze was drawn to the scene in front of her.
In the middle of the courtyard, Wander and Qliphap were sitting across from each other at an old wooden table, playing cards scattered across its surface. Qliphap, in the form of a cat, was curled up comfortably on a chair, its eyes narrowed slyly as it pushed a card toward Wander with its paw.
"Meow."
Wander raised an eyebrow, resting his chin on his hand as he studied the cards. He picked up his own card, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the wooden table.
"Hmm... Looks like I'm about to lose."
Qliphap flicked its tail, its voice ringing playfully.
"Meow... meow... meow."
Lefiya blinked, bewildered by the strange sight. Wander and Qliphap playing cards together? But wait—there was something more important.
"Wait a minute. Wander, why are you here?"
Wander remained focused on examining his cards, contemplating his next move.
"If I weren't here, where else would I be? Why are you so surprised?"
After a moment of consideration, he finally sighed and tossed his card down.
"Alright, I lose. What do you want?"
Qliphap lazily stretched, its soft fur fluffing up.
"Meow... Meow... Meow..."
Lefiya barely had time to process what she heard before Qliphap turned its bright, suspiciously sparkling feline eyes toward her.
"Meow... Meow..."
Startled, Lefiya quickly shook her head.
"No, no, thank you! I just came to find Accelerator."
Even though she didn't understand a thing, her instincts told her that she should never accept any offer from Qliphap.
Wander chuckled softly, glancing at Accelerator.
"This girl is really hardworking, huh?"
Accelerator didn't respond immediately. He merely shrugged before turning around and walking away.
"Alright. Follow me."
Even if he didn't know much about broom-riding, one didn't necessarily need to understand something completely in order to teach it. There were different ways to handle this situation.
Qliphap quickly leaped onto Accelerator's shoulder.
"Wait, what about me?" Wander suddenly called out, feeling abandoned.
"You can come if you want."
"Never mind, I'll stay here." He sighed, gathering up the deck of cards while grumbling.
"I still have to prepare a bunch of fish for Qliphap."
Accelerator glanced at the cat on his shoulder. The cat only acted as if it had nothing to do with this. He shook his head and kept walking.
Lefiya trailed closely behind Accelerator, following him deep into the research facility. She walked with him into an empty room. The pristine white walls were engraved with strange markings and letters, stretching all the way to the supporting pillars. It seemed to form a massive magic circle.
Turning to her, Accelerator handed her a tarot card—The Chariot.
"Take it."
Swallowing nervously, she reached for the card. The entire magic circle instantly lit up, and the space around her twisted violently. Everything stretched before rushing past her at terrifying speed. Hundreds of images flashed by before stabilizing again—she was now standing on a precarious cliff edge. Loose rocks tumbled down into the abyss below. Beneath her was an empty void shrouded in thick mist.
It was as if she had been thrown to the end of the world.
Lefiya instinctively shrank back, pressing herself close to him. Peering ahead, she took in the breathtaking sight before her—a colossal waterfall, thousands of meters high and stretching for miles. Millions of cubic meters of water cascaded down every second, creating a white mist that enveloped the vast land below. Even the grandest waterfalls in the Dungeon's 25th floor couldn't compare to this.
"This is the largest waterfall on the surface. It's not on the main continent, so very few people know about it."
Dabbing his mouth with a tissue—which quickly turned crimson—Accelerator immediately answered the questions forming in her mind. Even from hundreds of miles away, the sheer volume of water crashing down created an overwhelming, otherworldly sight.
Meanwhile, Lefiya was still clinging to him like a cicada. The amused chuckling of Qliphap did nothing to make her feel better.
"First, I'll teach you some basic knowledge about your broom."
Peeling the cicada off himself, he tossed her deeper into the safe zone of the cliffside.
"But before that, you need to prove to me that you can control the broom."
No response.
Accelerator turned to look at her. Lefiya had gone pale, her face twisted as if she was about to vomit.
He sighed, jerking his chin toward a nearby ledge.
"You can throw up over there."
Not needing to be told twice, Lefiya bolted toward it.
"Ugh—!"
As she hunched over in misery, Qliphap—still in its cat form—rolled on the ground, happily flicking its tail.
"Meow meow~"
Even though it could only meow like a normal cat, its delightfully smug demeanor made the situation all the more infuriating.
"I feel better now."
After a while, Lefiya lifted her head and looked around.
Somehow, while she was still struggling with the nausea, Accelerator had created a set of stone tables and chairs and was casually sitting there, holding a thick book, seemingly indifferent to her presence.
"Alright, now try controlling the broom," he said without even looking up from his book.
Lefiya blinked.
'Code? What is that?'
She wondered but still took the broom off her back and placed it on the ground. Last night, it had worked perfectly. But now... there was no reaction.
She closed her eyes, trying to summon her magic to connect with it. But the broom remained still, showing no signs of responding to her commands.
Lefiya tried a few more times, but the broom still wouldn't move, leaving her frustrated.
"That's strange... It worked just fine last night," Lefiya muttered.
Hearing that, Accelerator raised an eyebrow and finally tore his eyes away from the book.
"That means it requires a specific activation condition," he commented nonchalantly.
Lefiya nodded, agreeing with that theory. But before she could think further, Accelerator stood up and walked toward her.
"Then let's find out what that condition is."
Lefiya hadn't even processed his words yet—
Suddenly, a hand rested on her shoulder.
And in the next second—
THUD!
She felt the ground disappear beneath her feet.
Lefiya plummeted straight off the cliff.
In a fleeting moment of panic, she thought:
'This feeling... it's so familiar...'
Then she screamed:
"Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!"
...
Calling today a bad day for Lefiya wouldn't exactly be wrong—because she had been thrown off the water tower seven times in a row by the very teacher she trusted.
Seven times!
The first time she was thrown off, sheer terror consumed her. The feeling of free-falling from such an immense height with nothing to grab onto was truly horrifying. She clutched the broom tightly, desperately trying to control it, but it was useless. Just as the thought that her life was about to end flashed through her mind, the Mad Wizard suddenly appeared beneath her.
Somehow, he had surpassed her mid-fall and gently lifted her up with powerful gusts of wind, catching her in a princess carry.
Honestly, if not for the shock of nearly dying, she might have drowned in embarrassment instead.
And she might have been able to let it go—if he hadn't done the exact same thing six more times.
"Hmm, seems like dangerous situations don't actually activate the broom," Accelerator commented casually while manipulating the water to heal her injured arm.
Lefiya stared at him, eyes filled with horror—did he seriously think this would work?!
"How did you actually think that would work?!" she yelled, her voice full of fury as the stinging pain in her arm flared up.
"But it did work, didn't it?" Accelerator shrugged, glancing at her right hand. "Somehow, you unleashed a stronger vine spell than usual on the last attempt."
Lefiya froze.
It was true. On the seventh fall, realizing the broom wouldn't activate, she had been forced to switch to basic spells. In the heat of the moment, with no time to think, she had instinctively used magic.
"Using flexible vines to slow your fall is a pretty effective method, but it only works if you're prepared and at a limited height," Accelerator continued, using his vector manipulation to check if her arm was severely damaged. "And that spell needs to be distributed evenly across your body, not just focused on one arm. Even if you're an adventurer."
Lefiya pressed her lips together.
She had wrapped vines around the cliffside and gripped them tightly with her right hand, essentially performing an impromptu bungee jump. It had slowed her descent but also dislocated her shoulder. If not for her adventurer's physique, the impact from a three-kilometer fall would have torn her arm off.
"You're good to go. You can move it normally now."
Accelerator let go of her arm after finishing the treatment.
Lefiya cautiously rotated her shoulder—everything felt fine, even better than before she was injured.
She silently watched him as he casually packed up his belongings as if nothing had happened.
Even though she had only known Accelerator for less than a week, she felt like she understood him better now.
At first, she thought he was cold, rude—worse than even Bete. Someone who made impossible demands and didn't care about others.
But when she got hurt...
He was still there.
He didn't say much, didn't make a big deal out of it—but he healed her immediately. His actions were precise, careful, and thorough.
Even with his usual impassive expression, there was something different—something subtle, something he himself might not even realize.
'Hey Lefiya, Accelerator really values you.'
Wander's words echoed in her mind.
Lefiya lowered her gaze to her hands. Now, she understood a little better.
Placing a hand over her chest, she felt the slow, steady beat of her heart, a warmth spreading through her body.
Was this what they called the bond between teacher and student?
"Lefiya, is something wrong?"
Accelerator looked at her curiously. He had already checked her thoroughly, yet she was still standing there, lost in thought.
Lefiya blinked, then quickly stood up with a bright smile.
"Nothing at all! What's next, Teacher?"
Ignoring his student's cheerful demeanor, Accelerator crossed his arms, deep in thought about the next stage of training.
"Hmm... the previous method wasn't effective. You still haven't fully grasped the conditions needed to activate that broom."
He glanced at Lefiya and pointed at the ring on her finger.
"However, you've achieved something else—you've learned to enhance your own magic freely. If that's the only thing working, then we'll focus on it."
Lefiya looked at the ring, the golden glow from its engravings reflecting in her eyes.
"You mean...?"
"We'll test its limits while also practicing combat."
Lefiya swallowed hard.
Before she could brace herself, Accelerator stepped back a few meters and raised his hand as if about to do something.
"Alright, let's start by seeing if you can withstand this attack."
"Huh? Wait—"
Before she could react, the ground beneath her feet suddenly trembled. A powerful gust of wind surged toward her, kicking up a cloud of dust.
And in the next instant—A barrage of wind spears shot straight at her!
Panicked, Lefiya raised her hands, and her magic responded instinctively. A magic circle appeared, the energy from the ring flaring up stronger than ever.
How would she defend against this attack?
Would she use wind magic to redirect the spears? Or summon a solid wall of earth to block them entirely?
Accelerator's sudden attack had a simple reason. Even with just basic magic, there were countless variations. No one could master everything perfectly in real combat. They had to choose—find the magic that suited their combat style best and focus on developing it.
This process was called personalization.
But to Accelerator's surprise, Lefiya didn't do what he expected.
She didn't use any familiar elemental magic.Instead, she pulled out a black cloth and raised it in front of her.
As the wind spears came flying, the cloth curved with the air's flow, causing most of the attacks to be deflected. That gave Lefiya just enough time to crouch low and leap out of the danger zone.
"Oh?"
Accelerator narrowed his eyes, a slight smirk forming. Interesting!
But Lefiya wasn't about to stay on the defensive.As soon as she landed, she reached for the staff on her back, chanting under her breath. She closely watched her teacher's movements, predicting his next move.
But instead of drawing his own weapon or casting another spell, he lunged at her for close combat.
"Huh?!"
Caught off guard, Lefiya was forced to raise her staff defensively.
Accelerator wasn't a skilled melee fighter—his attacks were clumsy and predictable compared to Aiz. But his speed was terrifying, and more importantly, he wasn't giving her any time to chant.
That might have worked in the past.But not anymore.
Now, she had completely mastered concurrent chanting with Filvis's help.
Each of his attacks forced her back step by step.But this was the key difference between Accelerator and Aiz—while Aiz fought at an overwhelming speed that left no room to react, Accelerator left openings.
Gripping her staff tightly, Lefiya continued chanting, her lips moving non-stop.
Stepping, dodging, evading his relentless attacks—she made use of every opportunity, taking only the minimal hits necessary to keep her focus on her incantation.
Just like on her first day of training, she refused to back down or close her eyes in fear.
"Shoot, sniper of the fairies. Penetrate, arrow of absolute accuracy."
Spotting a brief opening, Lefiya spun, creating distance, and quickly completed her chant.
A magic circle formed beneath her feet. She finished her spell.
"Arc Ray!"
A brilliant arrow of light shot toward Accelerator.
Lefiya had Alio ready to redirect the attack if he dodged.
But he didn't move.He simply raised his left hand, and immediately, the space around it distorted.Absolute gravity seized the light arrow, bending its trajectory—then flung it straight back at her.
The counterattack was far faster than the earlier wind spears.At this range, there was no time to pull out the black cloth to deflect it.But Lefiya had anticipated this the moment she saw her light twisted in his palm.
The magic circle on her left hand flared—
A vine shot out, wrapping around a nearby tree branch.
Using it to pull herself away, she swung through the air, narrowly dodging her own attack.
As she spun mid-air, she traced a magic circle around her body.
"I wish upon the name of Wishe. Ancestors of the forest, proud brethren."
But Accelerator didn't give her time to counter.
His gravity sphere surged forward, hurtling toward her like a miniature black hole.
Lefiya gritted her teeth and poured magic into her legs.
She jumped.
A small magic circle appeared beneath her feet, glowing faintly.
"Turn the circle and dance around. Come, ring of fairies. Please—give me strength."
She couldn't control the wind as freely as Aiz.
But she could create this.
The moment the gravity sphere neared her, the magic circle erupted, releasing a massive burst of air, launching her skyward like an arrow.
Accelerator watched her movement, but the gravity sphere couldn't keep up. It shot upward before vanishing into nothingness.
After a quick mid-air flip, Lefiya landed.
"Ouch..."
She staggered slightly. This was her first time attempting this movement—it was definitely not easy.
But despite everything, her chanting had never stopped.
"Harbinger of the end, the white snow. Blow with the wind before the twilight."
Her teacher stood across from her, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
He was enjoying this.
He was enjoying this a lot.
Accelerator stomped the ground.
Immediately, shards of rock flew into the air. With a flick of his hand, they transformed into deadly projectiles, raining down on her like a storm of destruction.
Lefiya quickly pulled out the black cloth again, but this time, it couldn't deflect everything.
The fabric was torn apart under the relentless barrage.But that wasn't her true intention.
Hidden beneath the shredded cloth—A small glowing orb floated in midair.
Flashbang.
A blinding explosion of light illuminated the entire forest.
Even though Accelerator wasn't affected, for a brief moment, he couldn't see through the dazzling radiance.
After all, he had lowered his power to the bare minimum to keep this fight fair.
And within that radiant burst—
"Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters—my name is Alf."
Lefiya, her outfit covered in dust and torn from her evasive maneuvers, still stood firm.
Her staff was aimed straight ahead, determination burning in her eyes.
Her spell was complete.
Three brilliant ice spears materialized, spiraling at the tip of her staff, ready to pierce through anything.
In response, Accelerator simply lifted his hand.
A sphere of wind formed in his palm, spinning wildly.
But it didn't stop there.It compressed further, pulling everything around it as if devouring space itself.And then, a small orb of blue-purple light appeared.
A tiny, yet furious plasma sphere, swirling with power far beyond any wind magic the Sword Princess had ever conjured.
But Lefiya refused to lose.
She wanted to catch up to him.
She wanted to defeat her teacher one day.
"Wynn Fimbulvetr!"
A colossal, freezing blast shot toward Accelerator.
He swung his arm, unleashing the plasma sphere.
The moment the two forces clashed—
The forest was torn in half.
...
"Isn't this ruining the landscape?"
Lefiya looked around at the devastated forest, her voice filled with guilt.
"Don't worry, nature will recover on its own. Besides, I'll help it a little later."
Accelerator replied casually while pouring more coffee into his cup.
The two of them sat next to each other at a makeshift wooden-and-stone table he had just set up—after all, there were plenty of fallen trees to use. Around them, the aftermath of the battle remained untouched. Half of the forest was frozen solid, while the other half had been torn apart into tiny fragments. Cracks stretched across the cliffside, creating a scene of utter devastation, as if a great catastrophe had just swept through.
But no matter how ruined the surroundings were, what could be better than enjoying a good cup of tea after a tense battle?
Lefiya sipped her tea and took a bite of a sweet pastry. The warmth spreading through her body made her smile in contentment.
"You've improved a lot."
Accelerator's unexpected remark made Lefiya pause—then immediately, the corners of her lips curled up with pride.
"Of course."
He glanced at her before asking calmly,
"Why did you choose the black cloth instead of any other magic?"
Lefiya fell into thought.
How strange... Why had she chosen the black cloth instead of another spell? Was it simply because it was the most effective option at the time, or was there another reason? Back then, she hadn't thought about it at all—everything had happened purely by instinct.
"I'm not entirely sure," she answered slowly. "But I think... using magic creatively for support rather than just for attacks might be better?"
Not a bad idea. Even with enhancements, her spells couldn't compare to those powered by Falna—the divine blessing that continuously amplified one's abilities. If she wanted to survive real battles, she had to develop her own unique way of using magic.
Accelerator nodded, agreeing with her reasoning.
"That's fine. But your balance is terrible."
Lefiya flinched.
"Losing balance after moving is extremely dangerous in combat. One small mistake can get you killed," he continued, his voice completely devoid of emotion. "If you want to keep using that movement technique, you need to master it first."
Lefiya lowered her head, mentally taking note of his advice.
"Yes, I'll work on it."
As an adventurer, she could adapt quickly—Accelerator believed that.
After a moment, Lefiya looked up, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"What about you, then? Why did you suddenly start using close combat?"
He simply replied,
"I just wanted to practice a little."
Accelerator wasn't skilled in close combat, but recently, he'd realized that flexibility was crucial in battle. Training in martial arts could help him move more efficiently while adding a new option to his fighting style.
Lefiya pondered for a moment, then chuckled.
"So, in a way, I'm also teaching you something?"
"Yeah."
But then he paused, looking up at her—the smug grin on her face was unmistakable.
"...You're arrogant."
"Only with you."
"..."
Accelerator stared at her for a few seconds before quietly returning to his book, ignoring his student's self-satisfaction.
Lefiya giggled, took another sip from a Magic Potion, and then glanced at the ring on her finger.
A gift from Wander—its quality was exceptional. It enhanced her magic, and while it couldn't compare to Falna, it still made a noticeable difference. However...
"It's empty now."
The ring wasn't an infinite resource. It stored excess magical energy from her body as a separate reservoir, but once depleted, her Mind recovery rate slowed slightly since some energy had to be diverted into refilling the ring.
Which meant... This break was necessary.
"Lefiya spoke up, her eyes filled with curiosity. "But I have a question. Why does someone like you have to hide your magic?"
Even though she knew there were many eccentric people in the world, Accelerator's constant concealment of his power still puzzled her.
"It's because of my origins."
His calm response stunned Lefiya into silence.
She had only asked out of curiosity, expecting him to brush it off as usual. She hadn't anticipated such a serious answer.
"Are you curious?"
"Uh... um... I... no..." Lefiya stammered.
"If you want to know, I'll tell you—on one condition," Accelerator said, still engrossed in his book, not even glancing up.
"Huh? What's the condition?"
"When you pass your final test."
That would also be the time when he was likely to have found a way back to his own world.
Lefiya froze.
"..."
"..."
"Isn't that impossible?!" she shouted, her eyes wide.
"Can't do it?" he asked, his tone laced with challenge.
"No." Lefiya answered immediately. After all, she had already resolved to surpass him. If she wanted to defeat her teacher someday, then passing the final test was an absolute must.
"It's just that..."
Whether it was intuition or the time she had spent training with him, she had a feeling that once she learned his secret, she wouldn't be able to let it go without taking it out on him somehow.
"Alright," Accelerator cut her off before she could finish her sentence. "I'll tell you right before your final test."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Lefiya felt a surge of excitement upon hearing that. But her joy was short-lived as she suddenly realized something strange.
"Wait... where's Qliphap?" She glanced around, but the adorable black cat was nowhere to be seen.
"She said she had something to take care of."
Accelerator fell silent for a moment, his eyes seemingly lost in thought. Then, out of nowhere, he turned to her.
"You're going on an expedition in two days, right?"
"Yes, sir."
News of Loki Familia's expedition had already been made public, so it wasn't surprising that he knew.
"Then you don't need to come to training tomorrow." He spoke without looking up from his book.
"Huh?"
"I mean, take the day off."
"But, teacher, I can still—"
"Are you sure you can endure my harsh training and then go on an expedition without becoming a burden to your team?"
His voice turned cold. Lefiya couldn't answer right away. She wasn't sure.
Whether it was academics or combat, Loki Familia's training couldn't compare to what she endured here. While magic could heal her body, mental exhaustion and deep fatigue weren't so easily recovered from—even for a mage.
"Rest tomorrow," Accelerator continued. "Use the time to prepare and spend it with your friends. We'll resume training when you return."
Lefiya stayed silent for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Understood. Thank you, Sensei."
"Good." He closed his book and glanced at her. "You can thank me by wearing shorts under your skirt. That way, you won't end up flashing your underwear during acrobatics."
At that moment, Lefiya's face turned crimson.
She quickly covered herself and shrieked,
"What did you see, you pervert?!"
"Tch... You're the one exposing yourself,' Accelerator glared at her. 'You should think about this when flipping around."
"Pervert! Mad Wizard!"
She shouted, firing a series of low-level spells at him.
"Tch... Don't think I'm some kind of creep. No one wants to look at that."
"What do you mean by that?!"
Lefiya's embarrassment quickly turned to rage.
Magic circles filled the air, despite the fact that she had only just recovered some of her Mind. She skillfully wove her spells together and launched them rhythmically at him—nightmarish storms, electromagnetic flames, and freezing metal...
But all of it was blocked.
These spells could kill a Level 2 adventurer outright, yet before Accelerator's Reflection, they dissipated into harmless particles of light.
However, this allowed him to smile slightly—the elf girl's growth was astonishing.
Just then—
"Meow... Meow... Meow..."
A soft cry rang out nearby.
Accelerator turned his head and saw that Qliphap had returned.
"Oh, you're back."
'Meow... Meow... Meow...'
It was unclear what the cat was saying, but immediately after, Accelerator coldly raised his hand—then karate chopped her head.
Smack!
'Meow?!!'
Qliphap let out a pitiful cry, immediately jumping away and hiding behind Lefiya as if seeking refuge.
Lefiya laughed at the sight of her teacher chasing after the dumb cat to punish her. She didn't know what Qliphap had done, but it was sure to be something amusing.
Accelerator could only sigh in frustration.
"Tch... Haah..."
Crossing his arms, he leaned against the rough stone table, silently observing Lefiya as she played with Qliphap. The girl seemed quite fond of the foolish feline.
But that didn't matter. Loki Familia was about to embark on a dangerous expedition. Lefiya would have to face some of the most terrifying monsters in the Dungeon—creatures where even a moment of hesitation could cost her life.
He recalled facing the black lizard. Those eyes. That killing intent. A creature devoid of compassion, driven only by pure destruction. And even though it wasn't the strongest being he had encountered, just something slightly weaker than that would be enough to crush Lefiya completely.
If she let fear take hold from the start of the battle, she would die.
After waiting a bit for her to rest, Accelerator finally spoke:
"Get up. I'm going to teach you one last thing before today's lesson ends."
Lefiya looked up at him, slightly surprised.
"What is it?"
"Willpower training."
She blinked. "Willpower? What do you mean?"
"You don't have to do anything. Just brace yourself."
His answer puzzled her, but she still nodded. Lefiya stood straight, gripping her staff tightly, preparing to face him.
Without hesitation, Accelerator pulled out a Tarot card—The World.
The card signified completion and the successful conclusion of a journey or project.
But when reversed, it represented isolation, delays, and the feeling of being trapped in one's own space.
"Aquarius, Scorpio, Leo, Taurus. Born and separated. Harmonized yet divided."
Something invisible spread and enveloped the space around the mountain. Then he let the card float in the air, flipping it upside down, before drawing his sword cane and slicing it apart.
Something was severed—not just physically.
A separate world had been created, completely isolating them from the outside, preventing the eyes of the gods from peering in.
Lefiya instantly sensed the change in the air. Not in temperature or mana, but something deeper, more primal—something beyond her comprehension.
"Brace yourself, Lefiya."
With that warning, he swallowed the blood rising in his throat and closed his eyes.
Then, he tapped into something truly his own.
His sins. The clones who had died by his hand. The transformation he had undergone—from a monster to someone responsible for Academy City.
A power he had never fully harnessed, but knew how to manifest.
Then he opened his eyes.
In that moment—Lefiya froze.
The pressure crashed down like a tsunami, crushing everything beneath it.
It wasn't mere killing intent.
It wasn't just the presence of a powerful being.
It was something beyond comprehension.
A monstrous will.
Pure, overwhelming despair when facing an existence hundreds, thousands of times stronger.
And above all—an oppressive force from a being that had surpassed The Third Tree.
A god?
No!
Something beyond even them.
Lefiya's heart clenched. Her body trembled, as if her nerves were being strangled.
She wanted to scream but couldn't breathe.
She wanted to run but had lost all feeling in her legs.
Her mind shrieked, but there was no escape.
The next moment, Lefiya collapsed, unconscious.
Accelerator immediately withdrew his power. He quickly stepped towards her, crouching down to check her pulse and breathing. Beside him, Qliphap leaped down, gently touching Lefiya's forehead with her tiny feline paw.
'Nehehe... She's fine.' She spoke to him telepathically after scanning the child's mind. Fortunately, at the last moment, he had reduced the pressure, keeping it within limits for her spirit. Otherwise, she might not have simply fainted.
After a thorough check, Qliphap lowered her paw and turned to glare at him sharply.
'What you did just now was excessive and unnecessary. If you want to train the child's willpower, intent alone is enough.' She reprimanded him harshly—something she had never done before. But this time, he was completely in the wrong. He had mistaken her for someone else.
"When will the child wake up?"
"I will try to heal her, Master, but it might take a while." Qliphap returned to her true form and placed a hand on the child's head.
Accelerator watched her work for a moment before turning away. "Alright, then I'll get back to work."
...
Thud!
Pain... From the dark void, she had fallen somewhere.
Lefiya stood up, dusting off her clothes. Looking around, she found herself standing on solid ground, her gaze sweeping over the vast scenery before her.
It was an empty land stretching to the horizon, flanked by two rows of colossal stone pillars. They were so massive they could rival the Babel Tower—grander than anything she had ever seen.
At the end of the path between the pillars, atop seven enormous steps, sat a majestic throne. Behind it, withered black roots stretched out from the left, evoking a sense of decay and destruction. In contrast, the right side was adorned with lush green roots, blooming with flowers and exuding a pure, gentle aura.
At the center of the throne, reaching up into the sky, was a towering column made of complex mechanical devices she couldn't begin to understand. It rose higher than the stone pillars, resembling the trunk of a mechanical tree with ten spheres arranged in a perfect triangle with the opposing roots.
Lefiya stepped closer to the throne, observing her surroundings. When she looked up at the sky, she saw a shimmering light in the distance—a radiance forming brilliant paths like breathtaking auroras, illuminating this land.
Near where she had fallen, ethereal blue dust specks floated in the air, drifting along invisible currents. Strange creatures roamed the eerie space—beings shaped like wheels or enormous vessels made entirely of interwoven eyes and wings. They stared at her briefly before silently drifting away, leaving her with an unsettling feeling.
As she neared the throne, Lefiya could make out the figure of someone sitting there. The distance was still vast—around five hundred meters—but she could tell the figure was no larger than an ordinary person. Compared to the enormous throne, they looked so small, nearly swallowed by it.
They sat idly, their gaze seemingly lost in the distant sky, completely ignoring her presence.
Lefiya stopped, took a deep breath, and spoke, trying to keep her voice steady and friendly.
"Hello. Can you tell me where this is?"
Her voice echoed through the vast space, but there was no reply. The person on the throne slowly turned to look at her.
The moment their eyes met, a cold shiver ran down Lefiya's spine. Her knees buckled under an invisible pressure.
...
"Haah... haah... haah..."
Lefiya panted, her trembling hands clutching at her chest.
She bolted upright, her body drenched in sweat, breathing heavily as if she had just experienced the worst nightmare of her life. Her hands shakily ran over her body—the tangible sensation of her skin, her muscles, the rhythmic beating in her chest reassured her so much she almost wanted to cry.
She let out a sigh of relief, glancing to the side. Next to her, Qliphap was curled up, sleeping peacefully, her tail flicking slightly with each steady breath. Her staff and broom lay neatly beside her, untouched.
"You fainted."
Lefiya flinched.
She turned—Accelerator was sitting on a stone table, pen in hand, writing something in a notebook.
She clenched her fists, her gaze wavering.
"I'm sorry. I..."
"That's unnecessary. I'm the one at fault here."His calm words made Lefiya freeze.
"So what was that last trial?"
"A test of the mind." Accelerator continued writing, not pausing. "Exactly as I said. It was a natural form of mental attack."
He finished the last line, set his pen down, and looked at her. There was a hint of regret in his eyes.
"It's something that a few powerful monsters possess."
Lefiya clenched her hands tighter. She knew that.
In two days, she would embark on a dangerous expedition with the Loki Familia. She had to be prepared for anything.
"I miscalculated—"
"Can you continue that training with me?" She cut him off.
Accelerator looked at her.
"You just—"
"I'm fine with it."
A long silence stretched between them. Then—
"Alright. Let's continue."
Lefiya carefully placed Qliphap—who was still sound asleep—on the stone table. Then she took a deep breath and faced Accelerator once more. She stood firm, her staff in hand.
And then—the pressure returned.
Killing intent. Terror.
A primal fear engulfed her, making her body tremble instantly.
Lefiya felt her throat go dry, her mind spinning as if she were about to be crushed under this weight. She wanted to run. She wanted to collapse.It was much weaker than the first time, but still far beyond her limits.
An opponent who overwhelmed her in every way.
A predator standing at the peak of the food chain.
Something humans could not resist.
Fear crept into the deepest part of her soul.
If this were a real enemy—
Would she surrender?
Would she let her comrades die?
Would she run away, abandoning everyone?
Or would she be too paralyzed with fear to do anything at all?
No.
No.
NO!
'I will protect them! That is my promise! That is my resolve! That is my will!'
Even as her legs trembled, she slowly raised her head.
Even as her body screamed to collapse, she forced herself to stand tall.
She fought against his killing intent with her will alone.
Courage—
It wasn't about being fearless.
Courage was moving forward despite fear.
And now, she understood that a little better.
...
Accelerator watched her.
His killing intent still surrounded her, mixed with the very nature of his power.
And for a fleeting moment, her image overlapped with a name from his memory.Someone who had once stood before him in the same way.
Kamijou Touma.
But the illusion quickly faded. She was not him.
Her will might be similar, but it was also different.
She was not Kamijou Touma.
She was not him.
She was simply herself.
And then, something unexpected happened.He smiled.It was different from his usual smiles.A small, barely noticeable expression, but a genuine one.
Before him, Lefiya had straightened completely, her eyes filled with determination.
Her staff was raised, pointed directly at him.
...
She was back in that strange space once more.
The silent night sky stretched endlessly above, massive stone pillars towering around her. Shimmering auroras swept across the heavens, and rare star-like particles drifted through the deep darkness.
Before her, the being on the throne remained seated, nameless yet imposing—like an ancient god watching over the universe.
Its gaze fell upon her once more.
A crushing pressure bore down on her body, forcing her to her knees, strangling her breath.
A primal instinct flared—
To submit.
To obey.
To not resist.
Yet even as her body trembled, even as her will was twisted under an overwhelming power, she lifted her head.Facing the being bathed in silver light, a spark of determination ignited in her eyes.
And at that very moment—The first sphere began to glow.
...
Night fell, draping the city in a veil of gentle stillness. The cool air, tinged with the faint chill of late evening, brought a soothing sense of calm after a long day. Along the stone-paved road leading away from Daedalus Street, two figures walked in silence. Lefiya followed closely behind Accelerator, her hand unconsciously tightening around her staff. She could feel each step against the ground, the soft echoes of her footsteps resounding in the quiet night.
Qliphap, as always, was curled up atop Accelerator's head, its soft fur rising and falling with each steady breath. He showed no signs of discomfort, simply continuing forward with his usual nonchalant demeanor, as if he had long grown accustomed to the small weight. Neither of them spoke, letting the peaceful atmosphere remain undisturbed.
The silver pocket watch Lefiya carried—crafted in the shape of a tree with a small leaf on its lid—told her it was already late. They had left the training grounds after finishing the meal Wander had brought them—though in truth, it was food Accelerator had prepared in advance. As always, he had little to say, wasting no words. Once their training had concluded, he had promptly led her back.
Of course, that also meant she had to endure yet another round of his dreadful teleportation. Even after experiencing it once before, she still wasn't used to it. The disorienting sensation, the way the scenery stretched and compressed in an instant—it made her stomach churn, no matter how much she tried to keep her composure. But in the end, she had no complaints—this was still the fastest way.
As they neared the outskirts of Daedalus Street, Accelerator suddenly halted. Lefiya knew exactly what this meant. He wasn't going any further. He was about to turn off in another direction—back to wherever he called home.
She didn't blame him. Over the past week, he had helped her more than she could ever repay, all without asking for anything in return. He was always practical—more of a man of action than words.
"Take this, kid."
Accelerator's voice broke the silence as he pulled out a small notebook and handed it to her.
"These are the methods I came up with for maneuvering on a flying broom."
She flipped it open, finding meticulously written notes detailing various movement techniques, modeled after the principles of fighter aircraft. The pages were filled with precise diagrams and annotations—unexpectedly thorough for someone like him.
"You won't be able to practice it today, but read through it. It'll come in handy."
Lefiya blinked, barely having time to express her gratitude before he pulled out a small pouch and placed it in her hands.
"And this is a charm Qliphap made for you. She came up with the idea and had Wander craft it."
Lowering her gaze, she looked at the pouch.
A gentle, comforting scent drifted from it—the warm fragrance of sandalwood mixed with the familiar aroma of her homeland. A deep sense of nostalgia and tranquility washed over her.
Tucking the pouch into her pocket, Lefiya clenched her hands, her eyes growing misty.
They had done so much for her.
A week ago, they were strangers. And now...
A week together felt too short. Far too short.
And as she looked back on their time together, her heart and mind swelled with emotion.
Without hesitation, she suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Accelerator.
She felt the stiffness in his body, the fleeting moment of confusion in his posture. But he didn't push her away.
After a brief moment, his voice reminded her, prompting her to step back hurriedly, embarrassment quickly overtaking her. She lowered her head, gripping the hem of her skirt tightly, unable to meet his gaze.
"Thank you. Thank you for everything," she whispered, staring at the stone beneath her feet.
A short silence. Then, his usual indifferent reply.
"It's nothing. I got something out of it too."
She nodded, reaching out to gently pat the sleeping cat atop his head.
Smiling, Lefiya took a step back and bowed to them both.
"Goodbye. See you again."
Just as she turned to leave, a low voice followed after her.
"...Good luck..."
Clutching the small pouch in her hand, she felt its warmth seep into her skin.
Without looking back, she continued forward, softly humming a cheerful tune.
...
First Step
In a cheap inn room he had rented, under the dim glow of a weak torch ignited by his own power, Accelerator sat in a worn-out chair and placed a stack of books he had just borrowed from the library onto the table. These were the rarest books on magic he could find in this region, obtained in exchange for the meager earnings he made from hunting monsters near the village.
He opened one of the books, flipping through the pages, only to feel immediate disappointment.
Its contents focused on teaching magic to those with Falna—mainly guiding them on controlling Mind, optimizing incantation processes, absorbing natural magic, and regulating breathing to enhance spell usage. But there were no illustrations of magic circles, nor anything truly useful to him.
Theoretically, this knowledge could benefit him as an esper utilizing Mind, but he had already long been familiar with it. In Academy City, he had studied similar concepts—and even more advanced scientific materials on the nature of energy and supernatural phenomena. What he needed was not a way to increase his power, but a type of magic that could support him in situations where manipulating Vectors was impossible.
He quickly moved on to the next book. Then another. And another. But they were all too shallow, lacking anything truly valuable. It seemed that in this small village, there were no books suited to what he was searching for.
Would he have to go to that magic city?
In the end, only one book remained. It looked relatively new, titled The System of Magic. It had likely been published within the last twenty years. Accelerator didn't expect much but opened it anyway.
And immediately, he realized it was different.
This book was unlike anything he had read before. The author seemed to have a deep passion for both art and history—its pages didn't just contain spell chants and rituals but also meticulously drawn magic circles, crafted with precise detail. Each spell's function was carefully explained beneath its respective illustration.
This was exactly what he needed.
He pulled out a large piece of parchment and began his analysis. As he examined the magic circles in the book, he cross-referenced them with the knowledge he already had—identifying similarities, breaking down differences, and systematically organizing them into a structure that functioned like an electronic circuit.
And after completing his initial deductions, he drew his first magic circle.
A fire magic circle—the element that had illuminated humanity since ancient times.
Taking out a small magic stone, no larger than a grain of rice, which he had acquired from hunting surface monsters, he placed it in his palm, extracted its power, and activated the magic circle.
Tsk... tsk... BOOM!
An explosion erupted.
Fortunately, he had reacted in time to contain the sound with his ability; otherwise, the entire inn would have been woken up. He tried again, using a new sheet of parchment.
This time, the flame ignited—only to burn through the magic circle and consume the paper entirely.
Again...The joints of the inner and outer rings conflicted with each other causing the flame to flow like water on the table.
Again... but the flame was pitifully weak, barely 10% efficient.
Again... Again...
And finally, after dozens of attempts, a normal, stable flame appeared—controlled and sustainable.
Accelerator exhaled, leaning back in his chair.
He was out of magic stones.
Tilting his head back, he watched the soft flickering of the flame he had just created.
Then, he turned to the final page of the book.
There was no author's name. Only a simple signature—Keith.
He silently stared at the name, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Regardless, he had made some progress.
The cold, dimly lit room was now warmed by the gentle glow of fire.
Back to the Present
"Finally succeeded."
Accelerator sat calmly in the garden, one arm resting on the table, his lazy gaze following Lefiya as she completed her first wind magic circle.
Qliphap was curled up on the table, eyes half-closed, its tail lazily swaying in rhythm with its slow, steady breaths.
"Alright, try again."
He didn't need to ask. He already knew who she was trying to imitate.
Without saying another word, Accelerator quietly closed his book, setting it aside.
Relaxing his shoulders, he leaned back in his chair, stretched out his legs, and let out a long, contented breath.
Wishe forest
If someone told you that there was an elven village friendly to humans, would you believe it? If I hadn't known about this place, I would have thought it was nothing more than a beautiful lie—an unattainable fantasy in this world.
Even among the many elven villages, this one was widely known beyond its borders.
Located within the great river of trees that spanned the center of the continent, Wishe Forest served as a transit hub for merchants and travelers crossing the land. Many people from other races visited and passed through the village on their journeys.
It was an extraordinarily unusual situation compared to most elven forests.
The typically isolated and reclusive elves were slowly adjusting to the changes brought about by the dawn of the era of gods. But none had opened their borders as much as Wishe. Most elves living in forests remained dedicated to protecting their sacred trees, upholding their ancestral teachings, and maintaining a clear divide between themselves and the outside world. It was common for elves who left their homes to be shocked by the sheer diversity of the world beyond.
But the people of Wishe Forest were different.
They proactively interacted with other races, dreamed of the world beyond their homeland, and eventually embarked on journeys of their own. Social, adaptable, and possessing magic prowess that stood out even among their kin—these were the trademarks of a Wishe Forest elf.
It all traced back to the village's namesake.
Ahh, how foolish, how frivolous!
What meaningless fairy customs!
My fellow elves, leave the woods and gaze upon the world.
Build bonds and expand the circle of fairies.
Elves, know ye true pride!
These words were written by Wishe, one of the three great bards whose names had survived from the distant past.
And to this day, they remained one of the village's core teachings.
By all accounts, Wishe had been an uninhibited, wandering bard who never stayed in one place long enough to build a village.
But those who admired him reclaimed the forest of his birth from the monsters that had overtaken it and established a village there, naming it after him. That was how Wishe Forest came to be.
Following the teachings of an elf who had been freer than any other, the villagers took a greater interest in the outside world than any of their kin.
...
Accelerator arrived at the village from the port.
He could have simply flown there from the teleportation point, but suddenly appearing from the sky might have been a bit excessive—at least by this world's standards.
Qliphap lounged lazily on his shoulder, its tail swaying with each step he took.
The scenery of Wishe Forest was just as he had heard—an endless expanse of towering trees reaching toward the heavens, with a village hidden within, seamlessly blending nature and civilization. Wooden and stone houses with moss-covered roofs, stone-paved paths intertwined with ancient tree roots. A peaceful yet vibrant atmosphere filled the air.
Not long after he stepped into the village, an amber-haired elven woman approached him, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Are you a traveler?" she asked, her gaze briefly flickering to the cat resting on his shoulder.
Qliphap flicked its ears lazily and let out a halfhearted "Meow."
The woman chuckled in amusement.
"What a cute cat."
"Heh." Accelerator let out a short, dry laugh, offering no further explanation.
She didn't press him. She simply nodded and started leading the way.
As they walked, she spoke about the legends of Wishe, the village's customs, and how they welcomed travelers from all over the world.
After a while, Accelerator suddenly asked,
"...Is there a tavern here?"
The woman laughed softly and turned to a nearby elf man with deep blue-green eyes.
"Hey, show him to the tavern."
The elf man smirked and gestured toward a distant path.
"Go straight and turn left. You'll see a small tavern under the largest tree in the village."
"Got it." Accelerator gave a brief response and turned to leave.
As he walked away, a strange sense of familiarity flickered through his mind.
He glanced back at the elf couple.
They reminded him of Lefiya.
The woman's hair color, her gentle smile—
His brows furrowed slightly, but he quickly dismissed the thought.
It had nothing to do with him.
"It seems fate is toying with you," Qliphap murmured teasingly from his shoulder.
"Shut up."
Ignoring the talkative cat, Accelerator stepped into the tavern.
Inside, it was warm and inviting, a simple yet tidy space. Behind the counter, the barkeep—an older elf with silver hair—was polishing a glass.
Accelerator walked up without preamble and asked directly,
"Can I visit Wishe Village's Spirit Tree?"
The barkeep didn't seem angered or surprised. He simply smiled and shook his head slightly.
"You wouldn't be the first to ask that."
He set the glass down on the counter, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"Plenty of travelers have come here, curious about that tree. But for security reasons, its location isn't disclosed. You probably already know how rare sacred tree wood is.
Still, if you keep your eyes open, you might catch a glimpse of it from afar."
"...I see."
Not particularly surprised by the answer, Accelerator simply nodded.He left a coin on the counter as thanks before silently turning to leave the tavern.
Stepping outside, he quickly made his way to a secluded spot. With his vector senses, he scanned the area to ensure that no one was following him.
From within his cloak, he drew a tarot card.
"The Hermit hides me from the world. Grant me a moment of solitude."
Immediately, his existence was erased from the world. No one could perceive his presence. No magic could trace his whereabouts. Only an absolute silence remained, as if he had never existed. With a practiced motion, he drew the next card.
"The Star illuminates all paths. Show me my destination."
A soft radiance descended from the stars, forming a path visible only to him. While he could already sense the energy of the Spirit Tree through his vector perception, this method would guide him exactly where he needed to go.
Regulating his breathing, stabilizing his blood flow, he stepped forward onto the glowing path.
Before long, he arrived at the edge of a forest. The trees leaned together, their tangled roots forming a natural barricade that completely concealed the entrance within. Only a small tunnel remained—just big enough for someone to crouch and crawl through. He placed a hand on his forehead and sighed.
Qliphap chuckled on his shoulder.
"This child is really something..."
Not wanting to damage this beautiful place, he drew his staff.
"Cold – wet. Cold – dry."
At once, the leaning trees slowly parted, opening a passage before him. As he walked through, they closed behind him once more, hiding the path entirely.
Beyond the trees, a secret garden unfolded before him. Countless tiny white flowers stretched to the horizon.
At the heart of the garden stood the Spirit Tree, its luminous trunk glowing like lanterns in the night.
Accelerator deactivated his concealment. Immediately, the Spirit Tree responded. The air trembled slightly, as if the tree was observing him with curiosity.
He did not resist.
He allowed the sacred tree's aura to sweep over him, sensing its search for hostility. Finding none, the atmosphere gradually softened. A gentle breeze stirred, brushing through his hair—a quiet welcome.
He stepped forward and placed his hand on the tree's trunk. Without haste, he conveyed his intentions to the Spirit Tree.
Qliphap, still draped lazily over his shoulder, lent her power to assist the process.
Memories surfaced—of an unexpected encounter, of grueling training, and of her unwavering determination.
He expressed his wish to create an item that would aid her in the journey ahead.
After relaying his message, he stepped back and awaited the Spirit Tree's decision.
The tree shivered slightly. A soft wind swept around him. A distant, ethereal melody echoed in the air.
Qliphap chuckled, opening her eyes.
"Nehehe... It seems the tree wants you to touch it again."
Accelerator cast a glance at the cat before placing his hand against the tree once more.
Instantly—visions flooded his mind.
...
A small elf girl crawled through hidden passageways to reach this very garden. She sat on a fallen log, her eyes shining as she gazed at the Spirit Tree.
She dreamed of the world beyond, of grand adventures, of the day a prince on a white horse would come to take her away.
A childish dream—innocent, like a fairy tale. But more than anything, she longed for an opportunity.
Accelerator opened his eyes, his cold gaze piercing the tree's trunk.
"Isn't showing me this without the child's consent a violation of privacy?"
The Spirit Tree did not respond. It only swayed lightly, as if amused, before sending more visions into his mind.
A kind and gentle child. A curious spirit, dashing around on tiny legs, exploring the world with unbridled wonder.
She eagerly listened to travelers' stories at the village inn, pleaded with them for more tales, and grew enthralled by the souvenirs they brought from distant lands. She asked innocent questions that made many laugh.
Her days unfolded like the roots of the great tree, woven deeply into the village's life.
Kind-hearted, somewhat timid, and slightly indecisive, Lefiya struggled with the thought of leaving home.
Fearful, restless, yet determined, she finally set out when the grand ship arrived.
With the unwavering support of her parents, Lefiya prepared for her journey.
A small, warm farewell party was held in her honor.
Deep in her heart, she feared disappointing them if she failed the crucial exam. But when the good news came, she was overwhelmed with joy.
Embracing her parents tightly, she made a firm declaration—she would surely return.
On the day of her departure, a halo of light crowned the great tree's peak.
The sacred tree was bidding her farewell, just as the villagers had.
And so, the journey of the little elf began.
...
Accelerator remained silent, carefully organizing the memories he had just received—storing them neatly away, as precious as any others he had gathered.
When he opened his eyes again, a branch extended toward him.
The sacred tree had granted him its gift, along with a silent wish.
Gently, he placed a hand on the branch and whispered a promise.
"I will take care of the child."
Then, he snapped off the branch, bowed to the Spirit Tree, and turned to leave.
Qliphap plucked a few lingering leaves from the branch and tucked them away, playfully waving goodbye to the Spirit tree.
...
Evening—
In the magic workshop, the glow of enchanted lamps illuminated the room, casting light over towering stacks of books and scattered notes across the desk. The silence was broken only by the faint rustling of pages and the steady breathing of someone asleep.
"Snrrrrr..."
Accelerator glanced to the side, his gaze drifting away from the dry text in his book. Lefiya had dozed off atop her reports, her messy golden hair spilling over the table, one small hand loosely clutching a pen. She must have been exhausted after a long day.
"World... explore... Aiz..."
She mumbled nonsense in her sleep, her voice so soft it nearly faded into the air.
He watched her for a moment, his expression as unreadable as ever, but he didn't immediately return to his reading. Quietly marking his page, he set the book on his lap and reached toward her.
His fingers brushed against her cheek—warm and soft, like a freshly steamed bun. A strange sensation made him pause, then, almost instinctively, he gave it a slight tug.
Squishy. Bouncy—
Surprisingly pleasant. It reminded him, for a fleeting second, of Last Order. But he knew better than to compare the two.
"Uhh... Uhhh... Huh..."
Lefiya stirred, a faint whimper escaping her lips, discomfort flickering across her face even in sleep.
"Mad... wizard... terrible..."
Her drowsy voice murmured an unconscious accusation. Accelerator hesitated for a beat before releasing her cheek. An inexplicable twinge of irritation surfaced within him.
Without dwelling on it, he picked up his book again, resuming his reading as the girl beside him slumbered on under the soft glow of the magic lamps.