Chapter 9: The Arcane Stone and the Lesson of Light
The decision to let Belial substitute as a teacher faced considerable opposition from the faculty.
However, under Gulveigs unwavering insistence, the teachers begrudgingly relented, agreeing to let Belial conduct a single spell-casting class for the lower grades before making their final decision.
The class was scheduled for the following morning. Before then, Belial borrowed one of the key items she had come forthe Arcane Stone, a mystical artifact capable of allowing its user to review memories from a third-person perspective.
Belial had never seen the Arcane Stone before, only heard descriptions of its towering form, with one side cut smooth like a mirror.
By smearing their own blood upon its surface, the user could either step into the stone and relive their memories as though present in the moment or observe them passively through the mirror-like reflection.
More intriguingly, the stone revealed details the user might have overlooked or never even witnessed with their own eyes. This peculiarity led Belial to suspect that the stone did not simply retrieve memories stored in the brain but rather extracted recollections embedded in the magical elements within ones blood.
Unlike living beings, magical elements lacked the five senses. They only possessed perception, and some of them remained permanently within a magical creatures body. That was why, with just a single drop of blood, the Arcane Stone could unearth memories from any point in the pasteven spanning half a lifetime.
Belial arrived at the storage room where the stone was supposedly kept. The chamber was vast and empty, its only occupant the silent monolith standing in its center.
Upon entering, her first move was to channel her magic, sealing the rooms doors and windows. Even the heavy curtains by the windows were not spared; with a swift motion, she drew them shut, blocking out all outside light.
As she approached the stone, a series of protective barriers activated, snapping into place with sharp, mechanical precision. The room was now a sealed black box, impervious to prying eyes.
Yet, just as she was about to begin
Wait, wait, wait! What are you doing? Are you trying to murder me?!
A familiar voice rang out, causing Belial to halt mid-step. She turned and circled around the Arcane Stone, coming face-to-face with a crude, sculpted visage carved into its surface.
Recognition dawned upon herit was the same face she had seen that morning, belonging to the stone statue guarding the schools entrance.
Belial: ...
No wonder she hadnt noticed a sentry statue at the gates when she first enrolledit turned out that the so-called guardian was none other than the Arcane Stone itself.
Was this how people lived a hundred years ago? Luxuriously using an Arcane Stone as a glorified doorman?
She stood before the stone-faced guardian, silent.
The statue, unnerved by her lack of response, spoke again. Arent you going to explain yourself? Or are you truly planning to murder me?
Belial ignored it, turning towards the exit instead.
She couldnt risk using the Arcane Stone now. This thing talked too muchwho knew if it would spill her secrets?
Most revelations wouldnt matter, but if Gulveig discovered she was from the future and sought to perfect a spell for traversing time, the headmistress might once again attempt to thwart her.
That would be troublesome.
Considering her options, Belial decided the best course of action would be to complete her research first, then return to use the Arcane Stone. And when she was doneshed destroy it, erasing all evidence.
However, such an act would surely bar her from the schools library and might even prompt Gulveig to take drastic measures against her.
So, she had to be patient. She would first gather all the knowledge she needed, then return to read her memories, and finally, shatter the Arcane Stone before escaping the school.
Seeing her about to leave, the statue protested indignantly, Hey, whats the big idea?! You havent even used me yet!
Not in the mood. Maybe next time. With a dismissive wave, Belial left, heading straight for the library.
Once she was gone, Miller, one of the faculty members, had the stone returned to its post at the entrance. Along the way, the statue grumbled incessantly about how Belial hadnt used it, interpreting her hesitation as a sign of guilt.
She thought I was just an ordinary rock at first, the statue declared. But the moment she realized I could think and speak, she backed off. That means shes hiding somethingshes definitely up to no good.
Miller had opposed Belial appointment as a substitute but disliked hearing the statue slander the young half-elf. Enough, Geofein. Everyone has their secrets. Just because she chose not to use you doesnt mean shes a villain.
Hmph. Who knows? The statue remained unconvinced. That nameBelialsounds sinister, doesnt it?
Miller stiffened. What did you just say?
Belial, the statue repeated. Its her other name. I saw it with my own eyesetched into her very soul, right alongside Belial.
Miller was taken aback. Gulveig had informed her that Belial origins were mysterious and that she had two names, but she had never mentioned what the second name was.
As she placed the statue back in position, Miller warned it not to spread this information. Then, unable to quell her curiosity, she made her way to the librarywhere she found Belial.
Decades of teaching had shown Miller how difficult life was for those of mixed blood. But Belial bold demeanor and Gulveigs impulsive decision had made her overlook that reality. It wasnt until the Arcane Stone revealed her other name that Miller realizedBelial had likely suffered much due to her heritage. Perhaps, she had even been abandoned by her own parents, left with a name steeped in scorn.
A flicker of sympathy stirred within Miller. Watching Belial pore over beginner spell textbooks, diligently preparing for her lesson, Miller even felt a brief urge to help her.
But she knew better. Belial was too young. Miller had seen countless students her age, and even the most exceptional among themlike Abyss and Baldurmight not yet be ready to teach. She couldnt let sentiment cloud her judgment and entrust a classroom to a mere teenager.
Suppressing the impulse, she silently observed from afar.
The following morning, despite having no classes of her own, Miller found herself drawn to the lower-grade classroom.
Ordinarily, such classrooms were rowdythe younger students notoriously restless. But today, the room was eerily quiet. Those who had arrived early had already taken their seats, while the latecomers, noisy in the hallway, instinctively fell silent upon entering.
The reason was clear.
Millers gaze shifted to the back of the room, where Headmistress Gulveig sat, accompanied by several faculty members wearing uneasy expressions.
You here to observe as well? Gulveig asked.
Miller offered a weak excuse. I just... wanted to make sure nothing went wrong.
How coincidental. Gulveig gestured to the others. So did they.
The teachers looked embarrassed. Miller understood why.
Lower-grade spellcasting was notoriously ineffective. Students struggled to conjure even the simplest magic, and beginner spells lacked the potency to cause harm. A substitute instructor need only recite theoretical knowledge and perform a few demonstrationshardly a challenge.
Their presence here wasnt due to concerns about safety.
They had come to scrutinize.
None of them wanted Belial as a colleague. Not only did they doubt her capabilities, but more importantlyshe was a half-blood.
Allowing someone so young, so controversial, to stand among themeven temporarilywas beneath them. Worse, it might bring disgrace upon the school.
Minutes later, the students had all arrived. Right on the bell, Belial strode into the room.
Well, what a lively gathering. Spotting the observers at the back, she shot them a quick grin before tossing her textbook onto the podium.
Lets begin, shall we?