Chapter 4: Her Tenacity and Change
Under the crumbling starry night.
I reminisced as I sprinted down the endless 'Corridor of Stars' alone, of the days after I had adopted Glenn on a whim.
...
...After I had endured the endless fighting and had reached complete exhaustion, I whimsically decided to adopt the homeless and young Glenn. There wasn't any specific reason, just purely a whim.
After the event that brought Glenn and me together, I realized my own weakness that was hidden under the false veneer of strength, and no longer pretended to be strong.
Right now, I decided to treasure my present, and decided to live with another.
What I received was the warm, calm, and gentle days - days that can make me forget the pain and loneliness that accompanied me.
"Hey, Celica! What experiment will we be doing today?"
"Let me think... I know, how about alchemy? Want to make a red crystal together?"
"Uwaaa! That sounds fun!!"
The time spent with Glenn has quickly thawed my already frozen heart.
This was the greatest joy I had felt since I first awoke in this foreign world. People could not live alone, such a simple logic known to everyone took me close to four hundred years to realize.
But, it was at this time, I was afflicted by a certain 'ailment'...
"Tsk...? So this normal looking room is the famed centerpiece of the 'Taum Observatory'?"
On the sixth and likely final day of the expedition, the group arrived at the deepest recess of the site, the planetarium chamber.
At the center of the beautifully polished hemispheric room laid a large and mysterious magic device, with a massive black tablet nearby.
The magic device took on the same shape of a large balance scale. At its center, one could see the numerous complicated gears and mechanisms all coming together in a thick columnar core. Two objects lie on the end of the 'arms', each being a shaped piece of crystal in the form of an icosahedron with its twelve corners filed away - a type of tricontadihedron.
This magic apparatus was actually the functional part of the gigantic planetarium, a relic built using ancient magic from time long ago. Previous researched postulated that it utilized light magic to create a projection of the night sky onto the hemispheric room.
Beyond the hypothesis gleaned from the tablets, nothing more was known about the object. Further analysis was prevented with the presence of Etherio Coating, which made dismantling or even removing portions of the device impossible.
What was the meaning of this device? For what reason was the device built? Because of all these unanswered questions, the device was known to be a mystery.
"I have never seen it in person before. But from what I heard, this planetarium is quite impressive! Glenn, you paying attention?"
"Ah... Right. Is that so...?"
Celica was her usual self. The sight of her frail self yesterday at the hot spring felt more and more like a dream. Glenn definitely did not want to bring the matter up with Celica, and tried his best to suppress his memory of her. (Or rather, really wanted to forget about all that transpired yesterday.)
"Umm, Teacher? Since we took the effort to come out all the way to 'Taum Observatory', we should use this planetarium to take a gander at the stars, don't you agree?" Sistine has been nudging Glenn ever since they set foot in the planetarium.
"Huh? The stars? Are you serious...?"
Suddenly remember what transpired last night, Glenn impulsively shrunk back a step. But Sistine did not seem to mind, and once again pleaded for the opportunity.
"I beg of you, teacher. I want to see the planetarium in action no matter what!"
"Umm... I-I will think about it..."
"Let her take a look. After all, the device is one of the few famous landmarks in this observatory." Celica voiced her support for Sistine.
"But... rather than fiddling with the useless planetarium device, I am more interested in summarizing our findings and thinking of a good thesis to write."
"I'll be sure to help you on that later, so just go ahead and enjoy the planetarium show."
"Haa... If you already promised that much..." Glenn reluctantly followed the previous thesis's procedure in activating the device - first pressing a few locations on the black tablet, and then inputting the commands.
"Hmm, I think this is about right? Ugh, ancient writings, how annoying..."
The magic used by the ancients, also known as ancient magic. Modern people could not understand the theory and the construction of ancient magic. No matter how they investigated, they could not use modern magic as a basis for the understanding of ancient magic. But, even not understanding the theory behind the devices, they at least could use modern magic to operate the already existing devices.
"I think that should be good."
Everyone held their breath as Glenn tapped the various glowing letters on the black display tablet. Suddenly, the room was enveloped by darkness, and followed by a change to their world.
"...?!"
Nebulae, comets, stars all appeared as they immersed themselves in the scene above their heads. Countless twinkling stars greeted them in the dreamlike environment of space, as if a bowl of silver dust was spread upon the darkness, leaving everyone breathless at the magnificent scene. It was hard to believe themselves as still being confined to the chamber. Was it merely a trick of the light that projected the image upon the surface? No... At that moment, everyone felt like they were standing in the middle of the boundless cosmos.
"A-ancients are quite the odd bunch. Despite being such a high level sorcerous civilization, they would waste their resources on something so insignificant... What were they think-...?" As Glenn stood dumbfounded at the sight of the stars, his usual foul mouth could not seem to spew out condescending remarks.
"Who knows? Technological advancement and realization are different. Perhaps this fit the agenda of a certain religious ceremony, or perhaps this is purely for entertainment, we will never know..."
After a while, Celica took over for the mesmerized Glenn and shut down the device.
As the device came to a halt, the room immediately reverted to its original appearance.
"Then, let us begin our investigation. Don't worry, once we are done, you are free to look at the planetarium for as long as you would like." Celica nudged the reluctant students to work.
Then, as with their usual day, they began to record and translate the drawings and etchings on the ground, search for hidden doors and passageways, and scour for evidence of unusual magic. The same mundane action they had been performing for the rest of the expedition.
However, everyone understood that the work will be more or less done by the end of the day, and as of such, despite everyone being spread out across the room, everyone worked diligently in their tasks.
Mm. Either way, I doubt we will find anything peculiar...
Glenn smiled wryly as he traced his hand across the carving on the ground. But then...
"Professor Arfonia!" Sistine rushed over to Celica.
"Hmm? What is wrong, Sistine? Are you looking for me?"
"Umm... I have a favor to ask." Sistine was somewhat nervous as she asked, "Please, professor. Could you analyze the planetarium device?"
Sistine reminisced about the time when his grandfather, Redolf Fibel, was still alive.
"My beloved Celica. Listen carefully... Within the planetarium device located in 'Taum Observatory'... there is something... that somehow connects it to the Sky Castle..."
"W-what are you saying? Are there any evidence? Dear grandfather?"
"N-not at the current moment..." The bedridden grandfather meekly shook his head, "But, the intuition built up through years of delving into archaeothaumatology and chasing after the Melgalius Sky Castle... that intuition tells me it is correct."
Reflecting his heart, his eyes shone with absolute conviction.
"But... Regrettably, if it weren't for these old bones of mine, I would definitely go to the 'Taum Observatory' and reveal the truth behind the planetarium device."
"G-grandfather..."
Sistine then recalled the thesis 'Investigation: Regarding Taum Observatory and Spatial-Temporal Magic'.
It was the last thesis written by her grandfather, his opus ultimum.
The thesis was lauded by all as an exemplary work of deductive reasoning... but in the end, it fell just a step short. Such was the thought of not only Sistine and her grandfather, but all who came in contact with the thesis. Despite its wonderful reasoning, in the end, it lacked the evidence to tie everything together.
As of such...
"I beg of you, Professor Arfonia! Please..." Sistine was filled with passion, and lowered her head to Celica.
"H-hey, White Cat... I'm sure this is just a simple planetarium device." Faced with the aggressive Sistine, Glenn fell into distress, "It is not just us. Some very powerful magicians have already investigated the device, with all the tools available to man, and even their conclusion was that the device is noth-..."
"Wait. I understand, let me give it a try."
Although unsure why, Celica agreed to Sistine's favor and silenced the annoyed Glenn.
She then stood in front of the planetarium device.
"Oh? Are you really going to do it? If you already agreed, then I will leave it in your able hands. After all, there is certainly the chance that you may discover something new."
After hearing Glenn's somewhat expectant words, Celica gave a nod, and chanted the analytical Black Magic [Function•Analyze].
Sistine took a deep gulp, eagerly looking over Celica's magic analysis.
I-if we can just find the evidence, then grandfather's innovative research could finally be properly reevaluated, and grandfather will be able to gain the recognition he deserves...!
Sistine's grandfather, Redolf Fibel was indeed a genius magician, so much so that even if Sistine worked all her life, she may not reach even an ounce of her grandfather brilliance.
But, contrary to his incredible abilities, Redolf's later works were evaluated quite poorly, because until his final moments, he had never made any groundbreaking discovery. Because of her respect for her grandfather, Sistine could not bear her late grandfather being treated like this, to see her late grandfather's work ridiculed.
If it is Professor Arfonia... if it is the continents greatest seventh-ranked mage... then perhaps...
She will find some other mechanism within the planetarium device? Maybe, as her late grandfather has postulated, residual magic would show that the device was related to spatial-temporal magic. Or maybe, as her grandfather believed till his dying breath, the device held a connection to the Sky Castle. Sistine looked upon Celica with hopeful eyes as she silently waited in anticipation.
After about an hour had passed since the start of the analysis, as Glenn started to doze off...
"...N-nothing." Celica let out a deep breath as she dispelled the magic, and then turned to Sistine with a sorrowful gaze, "I have carefully searched every nook and cranny of the device, and other than the function as a planetarium, there is nothing else to it."
"I-is that so..."
Sistine drooped her shoulders. While Sistine's response was understandable, Glenn could not fathom why Celica appeared disappointed as well, and let out a deep sigh.
"So, even you could not find anything. And here I thought, 'If it were you~'. Ah, either way, could I get a copy of your analysis?"
"Mm. I have it recorded in the crystal, feel free to take a look at it later."
"Thank you, that will be a big help."
Glenn caught the crystal Celica tossed over. On the other side of the device, Sistine began to sink deeper and deeper into depression.
H-how... Even Professor Arfonia couldn't find anything. That is to say...
No one alive on this earth could find the secret to the planetarium device. Rather, there likely was nothing to be found from the very beginning. Which means, Sistine's grandfather was wrong.
No, there must be something, grandfather has never been wrong. And when I grow up, I will definitely unveil the mystery.
Sistine wanted to confidently make such a declaration. But even the seventh-ranked Celica Arfonia couldn't find anything. Face with this reality, Sistine could not help but fall into depression.
"That and..."
At this moment, Sistine was also disappointed with herself, unwilling to accept that she lost to Celica in everything. Even for the sake of proving her grandfather's hypothesis, she had to borrow Celica's power. But more importantly, when recalling Glenn's actions earlier...
Glenn obediently listened to Celica's decisions, and activated the planetarium device. Then, when Celica wanted to analyze the planetarium device, Glenn had a face full of anticipation, and agreed with all of Celica's conclusions. In short, from the very beginning, the one Glenn trusted the most on this expedition was Celica, and not Sistine - and it was confirmed time and time again during this expedition.
"Hmm? Wait, Celica, look at the etchings on this panel, what is your assessment?"
"Oh? This is quite similar to what I saw during the expedition to Cantare's Nougat ruins. If memory serves, I believe the best interpretation of this design would be..."
Even after the investigation has recommenced, Glenn remained close to Celica. As far as the investigation was concerned, from the knowledge on ancient civilizations, to questions about on ancient magic technology, and then to the general direction, Glenn has always relied on Celica, to which Celica has always responded accordingly. To this fact, Sistine was feeling extremely dissatisfied.
When I was the one specifically recruited to serve as the archaeothaumatology consultant...
"It can't be helped, Sisti." Lumia tried to placate Sistine after noticing her troubled feelings, "The gap between Sisti and the professor is still quite large. From her explanations, it is not hard to see that she has experience in numerous A and S ranked ruins. Not sure why, but the professor is extremely well informed in the field of archaeothaumatology, no different from any expert."
Lumia was correct. Although Celica never explicitly advertised her experiences, it was clear from her replies. Celica's understanding of ancient civilizations easily overshadowed that of Sistine, despite never having had published a single paper on archaeothaumatology. Whenever Sistine discussed archaeothaumatology with Celica, she would be awestruck by Celica's breadth of facts and the depth of understanding. Sadly, being beaten in her own field was what brought about the greatest shock to Sistine.
"Not to mention, Professor Arfonia is the mentor of our teacher, as well as a mother-like figure to him. As long as the professor is present, it is no wonder that teacher would naturally come to rely on her..."
"But still... Uuu..."
Sistine looked upon the graceful lady next to the kneeling Glenn as he examined the carvings.
That place should have been rightfully mine...
Although Sistine herself could not identify the reason why she felt this way, she nevertheless watched them with a sense of unease and jealousy.
"Why... does my heart hurt so much?" Sistine muttered under her breath. At that moment...
"...?!"
A flash of inspiration came to Sistine. Sure, Sistine was inferior to Celica on many levels, but if she carry out her plan, then perhaps she could one-up her.
"Sisti?" Lumia tilted her head inquisitively as Sistine surveyed the surroundings.
Once Sistine confirmed that everyone was busy with their work, and would unlikely interfere, she pulled close to Lumia and whispered.
"Hey, Lumia, I have a favor to ask..."
"To think, there really is nothing new to be found here..." Glenn grumbled as he browsed through the compiled notebook of expedition results.
"Mm. Although nothing new was found, at least there is the closure of having accomplished the investigation." Celica said as her eyes are fixed on the notebook in Glenn's hand, "Given how thorough we were, I'm sure the students will also collaborate on the 'Ruins lack anything of interest' conclusion. Oh and, don't forget to thank all the students once this is done, got it?"
"Yeah, sure." Glenn gave Celica a lukewarm response.
"Mm. Nothing interesting... Of course, I should have expected this..." Celica held a complicated expression as she muttered to herself.
Her face from the side was dyed with melancholy, although no one knew why.
"...Celica? What exactly is wrong... with you?" Glenn, being worried about Celica, pressed her on the matter, but he was soon interrupted.
"Wh-..."
Really, it was a sudden coup.
Whiiir.
The surrounding began to reverberate with magic as streaks of blue light raced along the etchings on the ground.
"What...?!"
Glenn hastily turned his head.
The planetarium device was beginning to churn.
I-It's moving, what exact is happening?!
The previous thesis has never described such abnormal function before.
Glenn and the students were bewildered and remained where they stood. At the start, the planetarium device's two arms did as it had done the previous time, and projected the image of the stars onto the chamber. But then, the two arms began to spin along with the image of the stars. Faster and faster they spun, until the trail of the star's silvery light drew countless concentric circles centered overhead. After a while, the device finally began to slow down, and with it, the starry night disappeared from view.
"Wh-...?!"
At the north end of the chamber, the blue light illuminated a three-dimensional 'doorway'. It was clearly a doorway leading to another space, a form of portal. Inside the floating portal was pitch black, and no one could tell where the portal leads.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login