Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 498

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 268.
Beneath the Almond Tree (11)
The place commonly called the Vineyard was the name given to a repository and library within Nenyaple. However, it was not a place students frequented, and there was said to be a separate library for them. The Vineyard was a place where not only students and outsiders, but even the school’s professors could only enter with permission from the Vineyard Keeper.
“The Vineyard is like a pantheon for the Mages. Nenyaple doesn’t teach only magic. That’s why I believe the most authoritative among the Mage Masters who are professors becomes the Vineyard Keeper.”
“Then the Headmaster isn’t a Mage?”
Tichiel shook her head.
“No. The Headmaster is a more brilliant Mage than anyone. But the Headmaster must maintain neutrality. They cannot represent only the Mages. If the Headmaster were to oversee the Vineyard, non-Mages would have weak grounds to refuse when they request access to the Vineyard under various pretexts.”
Maximian looked at Tichiel with a peculiar expression.
“It’s strange hearing such sophisticated reasoning from your lips.”
Tichiel gave Maximian an equally peculiar look.
“You always said my explanations were difficult to understand.”
It seemed unlikely that Tichiel could make Maximian understand that his concept of “sophisticated” was far removed from academic matters. Joshua changed the subject.
“But if the Vineyard is such a place, they won’t easily let us in. You’re a Mage, but Naya and I know as little magic as the students here.”
Unexpectedly, Tichiel agreed.
“That’s true.”
“Hey, now that you mention it, what was the point of coming all this way from so far?”
Seeing the two boys’ flustered faces, Tichiel offered a response characteristic of her.
“We’ll just have to try our best.”
….
The path to the Vineyard was one of the most beautiful routes within Nenyapl School. Below the hillside to the left lay a labyrinthine garden, and along that path flowed crystal-clear water through a narrow channel carved into the earth. Within the channel, finished with natural stone, moss and green plants clung densely together. Fruit trees that would bloom profusely in spring lined the way, cleverly concealing the maze.
The Anaya Savante Hall, the second-oldest building in Nenyaple, rose on the right side. Its four-story stone walls, resembling the hard crust of bread, were densely covered with vibrant green ivy. At its peak, an elegant weathervane shaped like a dragon clutching a pearl swayed gently.
After walking a bit further, Tichiel spoke.
“Actually, I’m more worried about Joshua than the magic.”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure if they’ll let the Demonic in.”
“What do you mean by that?”
When Joshua asked, Tichiel simply shook her head.
“The secrets of the Vineyard must be kept.”
The three entered a wisteria-covered passage. Beneath the shade, stone benches that appeared to be decades old lined the way. Since it was class time, there were no people, only carvings etched into the stone wearing away. As they passed, Joshua skimmed over several of them: “Third year of retention, entering for the third time,” “Tomorrow is the break!” “While you guys are at the restroom, I’m carving this,” “Came to Nenyaple and that’s it,” “Pitiful second-year who never once visited the Vineyard, only added years—unite!” “Malcon ethics definitely appears on the second-year advancement exam, juniors,” “Miss Derike, please just one point. If you tell us to pay tuition again, our father will collapse”….
“This place seems quite something. Mas, I’m worried about your enrollment.”
Maximian replied, pretending not to hear.
“My pocket notebook won’t enroll, so that’s a real problem.”
The Vineyard was a round, single-story building located at the deepest part of the school, backed against a hillside. Maximian spoke in jest.
“Where did all the grapes in the Vineyard go?”
Tichiel answered.
“Well, they’re inside.”
And that was truly the case. Immediately upon passing through the entrance, a courtyard appeared. The building visible from outside was merely a ring-shaped wall surrounding the courtyard. Within the courtyard stood rows of low grapevines. Beyond them stood a small building.
The two boys murmured in bewilderment.
“This really is a vineyard.”
“Look at that. If that’s all there is, isn’t the library quite small?”
“It’s a bit larger than my father’s study.”
Tichiel walked past the grapevines and opened a tall, bud-shaped door with a gentle smile.
Beyond the threshold lay a curved corridor. After a dozen paces, an open space connected to the building’s outer wall came into view. Large windows pierced both the outer and inner walls, flooding the polished marble floor with brilliant light.
Before the outer windows stood a massive desk large enough to accommodate three people. Yet it was empty. Tichiel spoke toward the vacant space.
“Professor Leomentiis.”
Joshua and Maximian watched the desk intently, curious how the professor—a mage—might materialize from thin air in some peculiar manner. And indeed, the professor did appear.
From beneath the desk.
“Good day, Professor.”
Tichiel greeted her without hesitation, but the other two exchanged bewildered glances. The person rising from under the desk appeared to be no more than in her twenties. Given Tichiel’s respectful greeting, she was indeed the professor—yet how could someone so young be Nenyaple’s most authoritative magical instructor?
While they hesitated, the professor’s sharp gaze fixed upon them. Joshua instinctively leaned back slightly before speaking.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Joshua von Arnim.”
“I am Maximian Lipkne.”
Both offered only their names. Professor Leomentiis asked nothing further—no pleasantries about their arrival, no inquiries about their journey. She simply stared at them without response.
“….”
She stood with confident height. She was remarkably beautiful. Her small face, nearly buried beneath wavy golden hair, appeared almost inhumanly delicate. Her expression was utterly blank.
After a moment, her voice finally came.
“Welcome, Tichiel.”
Her tone suggested she knew Tichiel well—a small mercy. The prospect of persuading this coldly formidable professor had begun to seem daunting.
Professor Leomentiis eventually emerged from behind the desk and stood before the three of them. Her burgundy robes were splendid and elaborate—Joshua wondered how she had managed to squeeze beneath the desk while wearing such garments.
“These two are my friends, and I’ve come to ask if they might stay at the Vineyard for an important matter.”
The professor glanced at them briefly, then addressed Tichiel.
“They are not those versed in magic.”
“One of them began learning recently. I am teaching him.”
That ‘one’ looked uncomfortable and averted his gaze. It would have been easier to admit complete ignorance.
“You should be occupied enough with your own studies.”
“Yes, I am working diligently. But he must learn magic because he is the owner of an important magical artifact.”
Professor Leomentiis turned her gaze back to the two men, then fixed her attention on Maximian for a long moment before speaking to Tichiel.
“There does seem to be something there. Is that the important matter?”
“No.”
“Then what is it?”
The professor continued addressing Tichiel, but Joshua spoke up.
“It concerns me, so it would be better if I explained.”
It took a moment for Professor Leomentiis to shift her gaze to Joshua. Her eyes were as cold as inanimate objects, making direct eye contact with her rather uncomfortable.
“Speak.”
“I possess a Doppelgänger.”
The magical professor did not interpret this as meaning Joshua owned a stuffed toy. Her pupils flickered for the first time.
“Who created it?”
“I was not previously acquainted with the creator, so I know few details of his history. His name is Anistan Bölf. I’m told he graduated from this institution.”
“And?”
“I must find him. He would have obtained materials from the Vineyard to create the Doppelgänger. So I intend to follow the same process to deduce where he might be.”
Investigating the records of a Nenyaple mage was an extraordinarily sensitive matter. Everyone swallowed hard, waiting for a response.
“Did the Assassin take the original body?”
The sudden question made everyone flinch. Joshua nodded promptly.
“Yes.”
“What of the Doppelgänger?”
“It sleeps, and it is dying.”
“Then wouldn’t waiting suffice?”
Joshua studied Professor Leomentiis’s face. The words had come out with an almost callous indifference, yet her eyes spoke truth—or rather, they questioned it.
“I do not wish for the Doppelgänger to die.”
The professor’s lips twisted in a peculiar way. Had one set aside prejudice, it might have been called a smile.
“Are you sincere?”
“I wish to speak with it.”
Silence enveloped the room. Only sunlight traced leaf patterns repeatedly across the wooden floor.
“You’re not in your right mind, are you?”
As Professor Leomentiis’s words fell, laughter broke the quiet. Joshua soon stifled his amusement, though his face still bore traces of mirth as he spoke.
“The professor struck at the heart of it so directly that I couldn’t help but laugh. If I’ve offended you, I apologize.”
“Demonic Joshua.”
At those words, both Maximian and Tichiel startled. No one had explained it, yet Professor Leomentiis knew who Joshua was.
“I’ve only heard tales. They’re as peculiar as the rumors suggest. I know of only one other person besides you who would speak of reviving their dying Doppelgänger to converse with it.”
A question came suddenly.
“Who is that?”
“Alberic Juspian.”
This time, Tichiel began to giggle softly. Joshua found himself muttering without thinking.
“Juspian said mentioning him would backfire…”
Professor Leomentiis continued without acknowledging his words.
“Well, is that all? Let me be clear—it would be wise not to attempt accessing materials without authorization.”
“If you say so, there is one more matter.”
As their eyes met, Joshua smiled.
“I wish to investigate the ‘Mirror’ that was said to exist in Ganapoli. Specifically, the one called the Mirror of Wishes.”
Maximian turned to look at Joshua. The Mirror of Wishes was that promise Icabon von Arnim had failed to keep to the People of Promise. Yet hadn’t Joshua said it was impossible with his own power?
“Do you understand what that is? What is your reason?”
Joshua laughed with an embarrassed expression, considering how best to explain. In the end, there was only one answer—the truth.
“I am a medium, and I speak with the Spirits who followed my ancestor Icabon von Arnim in life.”
“….”
Watching the expression that appeared on the professor’s face, Maximian held his head. Even among mages, few welcomed a medium.
“They have places they desperately wish to go through the Mirror of Wishes. Because of that desire, they remain as Spirits, wandering the world still. I have a duty to fulfill their wishes.”
“Why do you have such a duty?”
“Because, as Icabon was, I am their Duke.”
Children of Rune – Winterer
Author: Jeon Min-hee
Published by: 14 Months Publishing
The copyright to this book is held by the author and 14 Months Publishing.
To reuse all or part of the contents of this book, written consent from both parties is required.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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