[Teaser] DCO Volume 4 1st Anniversary Story

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Volume 4 1st Anniversary Story

Snow Candle Engagement

Long time no post...

To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the release of the fourth volume of the books, I've written a little story.

If you'd like, please read it.

 

---

 

A blizzard rattled the windows.

Arcazam has been hit by the coldest wave of the year.

The city, nestled in the forest, was battered by unusual snow and wind, and had fallen completely silent.

The same is true for the guest house where Nozomu and Irisdina live.

The vast garden had turned into a silver world, and the academy's school buildings were completely covered in snow.

In one of these rooms in the guesthouse, the two were engrossed in their work in front of a fireplace where firewood crackled.

A sweet scent filled the room. Two pots, one large and one small, hung over the fireplace, and several strands of thread dangled into the smaller pot.

Irisdina picked up one of the threads.

It absorbed the contents of the pot and became glossy. What should have been soft solidified instantly when exposed to the cold air of the room, taking on a milky white coating.

 

"Phew... Nozomu, how about this?"

 

"Looks good. Mine's almost ready too..."

 

Nozomu received the thread Irisdina brought.

In front of him was a slender cylindrical mold. He placed the solidified thread in it and slowly poured in the amber liquid from the large pot.

The mold was filled. It was also exposed to the winter cold, and the contents solidified immediately.

Nozomu removed it from the mold and shaped it.

When he lit the thread that peeked out slightly from the top with the firelight, a faint sweet scent began to drift through the room. The two nodded in satisfaction with the result.

 

"Hmm, that's a nice aroma."

 

"Yeah, I think it's not bad."

 

They were making candles. Arcazam had developed magic lamps and other such devices for use in its facilities, but these old-fashioned candles still had demand.

However, the two were making something a little elaborate.

A pot hung over the fireplace where logs crackled. Molten wax swirled inside, but beside the pot of wax, another, smaller pot was hung.

The contents of the small pot were scented oil. It was made by simmering herbs in oil, and they were using it to scent the candles.

The reason why the two were making candles was that Irisdina had asked Nozomu about his life in his hometown.

Nozomu's hometown was a farming village that was sometimes hit by heavy snow in winter, and on such days, they would make everyday items inside their homes.

Candles were one of the items made during that time. The ones they made could be put into storage, or they could be sold to merchants who visited the village after the snow melted.

Irisdina, after hearing about Nozomu's life in his village, said that she wanted to try it too.

As a result, they ended up making candles together.

This is just a teaser.
The full chapter is currently only available for my Patrons.
This chapter will be available for free on April 24, 2025.

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[Teaser] DCO Volume 4 Final Chapter Part 2

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Volume 4 Final Chapter Part 2

With the Remaining Embers in One's Heart Part 2

 

After witnessing Ken's sealing, Nozomu invited Lisa to join him for a walk. After walking around the central park, they sat down on a park bench. Then they gazed at the chalk-white school building of Solminati Academy in silence. It was Nozomu who opened his mouth first.

 

"Umm, sorry."

"It's not something Nozomu should apologize for, is it? Besides, it was I......"

 

These words also made Lisa's face cloud over.

Even though she was deceived by Ken's scheming, it was undoubtedly she who hurled abusive slurs at Nozomu.

And her words were the decisive factor in plummeting his position at the academy to the bottom of the barrel.

 

"Umm, I should be the one to apologize. I have been saying horrible words to you......"

 

Turning to Nozomu, Lisa bowed deeply. She herself never intended to be forgiven. Still, she felt she had to apologize properly here.

 

"No, I should have confronted you and Ken in the first place. The only reason I didn't was because I ran away from you both."

 

Nozomu looked at her as she lowered her head and slowly stated his true feelings.

His words were colored by regret. Indeed, Nozomu was rejected by Lisa. On top of being deceived by Ken's scheme, he was also impatient with his own ability, which was not growing at all at the time.

However, Nozomu was also responsible for the situation getting so complicated.

He thought that if he became stronger, it would be for Lisa's sake. He had never faced them, escaping under the delusion that they would understand him. This was definitely Nozomu's mistake.

 

"In the end, we were saying that we were doing it for each other's sake, but we were not truly thinking about each other's feelings. We imagined our own convenient stories and kept turning our backs on each other because it didn't work out. That's why, I should apologize as well."

 

Once again, Nozomu turned toward Lisa and bowed deeply.

And then both of them raised their heads at the same time, and smiled at each other.

 

"Fufu~, we're doing something weird, aren't we?"

"Haha, you could say that again. If people saw us sitting on a park bench in the afternoon with our heads bowed to each other, they would tilt their heads and wonder what we were doing."

 

They smiled and chuckled at each other for a while. The stagnation that had settled in the depths of their hearts over the past two years began to wash away. It has been a long time since they laughed from the bottom of their hearts.

Although they both said they were doing it for the other, their relationship was distorted in that they were still dependent on each other. The rusty cogs in their relationship have finally begun to turn.

 

"What are you going to do from here on out, Lisa?"

 

Nozomu asked after they had laughed for a while.

In response, Lisa looked upward to the sky and closed her eyes, as if to check something in her heart.

Then she smiled, turned to Nozomu, and slowly opened her mouth.

 

"I don't know. I've always wanted to be an adventurer like my father, but I've come to think that there's more to it than that, and I still want to study many things here, besides......."

 

After hanging up her words without finishing them, Lisa quickly closed the distance between herself and Nozomu. Her moist eyes were staring at him from close range, and she looked as if she was about to cry.

 

"Hey. Nozomu....... If I decide to leave the academy, would you come with me?"

This is just a teaser.
The full chapter is currently only available for my Patrons.
This chapter will be available for free on August 22, 2024.

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[Teaser] DCO Volume 4 Final Chapter Part 1

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Volume 4 Final Chapter Part 1

With the Remaining Embers in One's Heart Part 1

 

Late afternoon in the Central Park. Under the glorious early summer sun, Irisdina was having lunch in the woods area. She is surrounded by her sister Somia, Mars, Tima, and other friends including Shina.

 

"So, how was this incident ultimately handled?"

"Because of the nature of the incident, it was kept under wraps."

 

Irisdina answered Mars' question succinctly.

Three days have passed since the incident. All traces of the battle had already been erased. The City Isolation Barrier, which was triggered by Ken's Predatory Barrier, was also reported to each district simply as an impromptu activation drill, and Arcazam had returned to normal daily life.

 

"In the end, we were left out in the cold. That fellow Jihad seemed to have figured something out, though."

"Mena......"

"Unfortunately, I don't know either. However, there's no doubt that this case is related to a deep-rooted problem in this city."

 

Ken, who had fused with the Abyss Grief, had its magic stone destroyed with his heart. However, his body has not yet died, and he can still repeat reflex actions, albeit slightly. He is already unable to fight or even move properly. However, if one carelessly touches it, there is no telling how it will react again.

As a result, the Arcazam Parliament decided to physically seal him in a space devoid of any kind of power.

The location was the basement of the Gloaurum Institution. It was originally designed to block all outside forces for all kinds of magic experiments, which is why it was chosen as the sealing place. There was no other suitable location.

Pitiful, one might say. But at the same time, many mysteries remained a mystery.

 

"Most of those who had conspired against Nozomu-sama had become cripples. According to Jihad, they were originally criminals who infiltrated from outside the city. The same is true of faculty member Caskell, who is unlikely to recover......"

"It is also unlikely that any important information will come out of Bellaluna and the others, who are only at the further end of the line. The only clue that remains is the location mentioned in the paper that Camilla handed to Nozomu......"

 

The sewage system damaged by the flash floods has not yet been fully restored. As various parts of it have collapsed and are submerged. Ken's supposed hideout was in this same area. They probably haven't been able to investigate it yet.

 

"Which means it will take some more time to find out who's behind him......"

 

However, everyone present here was aware of this. This case is quite deep-rooted. After all, there was Ken, who devoured a spirit and transformed into a deformed form.

Irisdina glanced at Shina.

 

"Shina-kun, during the last battle, you were definitely fused with him, right......?"

"Yeah, it was the deformed demonic beast that we fought together with Nozomu-kun. I could still feel the presence of that beast in the source element that I sensed from Ken."

 

Abyss Grief. A deformed spirit. It is unknown how it came to take that form, but certainly not a coincidence.

An indescribable sense of uneasiness welled up within Irisdina, and she frowned.

This is just a teaser.
The full chapter is currently only available for my Patrons.
This chapter will be available for free on August 19, 2024.

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[Teaser] DCO Volume 4 Chapter 8.4

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Volume 4 Chapter 8.4

Risking One's Life Till One Burns Up Part 4

 

Nozomu's eyes widen at the unexpected arrival of these helpers, forgetting Tiamat's resentment echoing in his head, as Mars and the others rushed toward the huge tree at the center of the barrier at once.

 

[...... I see, so you guys forced your way through the erosion layer of the barrier while protecting yourself by layering the golem with the power of the spirit and the magic of the Tima Lime. But how did you figure out the structure of this barrier?]

 

The method used by Mars and the others to break through the Predatory Barrier was simple and clear: they built a golem to protect themselves, entered into it, and kept pouring in magic power and source elements to reinforce it, while simultaneously breaking through.

Such a forceful method, they would not have been able to pull it off unless they had a grasp of the structure of this predatory Barrier.

 

[Well, if it were Jihad who came, then that would be one thing, but what's the point of having a bunch of guys like you coming here?]

 

Ken, with a dubious look on his face, unleashed [Icicle Dance] on Mars and the others' backs.

 

"I won't let you!"

 

However, while Ken's attention was momentarily focused on Mars and the others, Nozomu intervened.

Numerous sword flashes were unleashed. A storm of [Mikagura-style・One Billion Severance] obliterated every single one of Ken's [Icicle Dance].

Ken frowned in displeasure at Nozomu's action.

 

"Thanks, Nozomu."

"I guess this earring is still useful."

 

The earring still shining in Nozomu's ear. It was used for telepathic communication during the last sewer operation. With this, Razward and the others were able to grasp the situation and structure within the Predatory Barrier.

Originally, this magic used a large-scale altar and a spell, which was necessary because a large number of people were communicating at the same time. However, a single mage was enough to share the conversation and vision of a single person.

 

"Haaaa!"

 

While Mars and Nozomu had their backs to each other, Irisdina, who had rushed to the base of the huge jet-black tree, used her [Magic Sword・Lunar Eclipse], to chop off the bark of the tree, freeing the restrained Lisa and the others.

The cuts in the tree soon began to seal up, but Irisdina, Feo, and Razward took advantage of the opportunity to rescue the three immobile people from the huge jet-black tree and pulled them away.

 

"T-Thank you. You saved us."

[Shi-jou, I'm glad you're okay...... Well, shall we begin then?]

"Nozomu, sorry, but I need you to hold him up."

 

After confirming that Lisa and the others had evacuated, Mars suddenly pulled out the great sword he carried on his back. The simple steel sword he has been using for many years. However, it looked somewhat different from the previous one.

 

"That great sword......"

"I had Tom tweaked it a bit. I didn't think I'd be using it so soon, though."

 

Countless formulas were engraved on the sword's body. The geometric patterns, which were probably carved with a chisel, gave off a dull sheen on the belly of the worn-out greatsword.

This is just a teaser.
The full chapter is currently only available for my Patrons.
This chapter will be available for free on August 15, 2024.

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[Teaser] DCO Volume 4 Chapter 8.3

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Volume 4 Chapter 8.3

Risking One's Life Till One Burns Up Part 3

 

After Nozomu entered the barrier, the area surrounding the predatory barrier temporarily regained its calmness.

The guards who had accompanied Fadrey as his escort were nowhere to be seen. They were ordered by Fadrey to evacuate the remaining personnel in the center of Arcazam.

Jihad and the others also remained at the site, monitoring the predatory barrier.

Everyone was looking up at the predator barrier and the City Isolation Barrier that were still visible with difficult expressions on their faces.

 

"So, what are we going to do now?"

"There is nothing we can do. Let's just hope that he can get rid of the culprit successfully."

 

In the frustrating atmosphere, Feo suddenly spoke up. And it was Fadrey who answered.

 

"But why is the City Isolation Barrier still in place, despite having been seized from our control?"

 

Jihad then asked the question he had in his mind.

 

"The fact that the control of the City Isolation Barrier was taken away so quickly suggests that the erosion is probably going underground, not above ground. I would guess that the barrier is kept in place as a precaution against us."

 

According to Fadrey, the City Isolation Barrier was being used to prevent unnecessary interference.

 

"If we think about it, Ken Notice and Abyss Grief have only one goal. The source of energy for this ritual magic city, the dragon veins itself."

 

Dragon veins. A torrent of source elements flowing through the earth. The root that supports this Arcazam, and the most important flow of life for all those who live on the Arkmel Continent.

 

"If Ken Notice were to come into contact with the Dragon Veins, there is no telling how much power he would gain. And the havoc that much energy could cause......"　

"......"

 

Hearing Fadrey's words, Irisdina trembled, unable to remain calm. Her eyes, staring at the barrier, shook with anxiety and frustration, and her silky white hands became even whiter as she dug her fingernails into her palms.

 

"Ai......."

"I understand, I do understand! But......"

 

Irisdina looked as if she was about to run off at any moment. Tima was concerned about her, but her impatience did not subside.

 

If she were to be honest, she would have preferred to go with Nozomu.

However, the barrier they were up against was a barrier that could erode the City Isolation Barrier in such a short time. If an ordinary person were to enter it without a plan, he or she would have his or her magic power and Qi sucked dry in the blink of an eye, and his or her soul would be devoured as well.

 

"What the hell is this!?"

"U~e!? What is this creepy thing!?"

"This is a barrier, right? What is it doing in a place like this?......"

 

While Irisdina was in anguish, loud voices, unbefitting the situation, echoed through the place.

Three students suddenly appeared on the scene. It was Mars, Mimuru, and Tom.

 

"Mars-kun, Mimuru-san. And Tom-kun as well......"

"Why are you guys here?"

[I called them.]

 

While Tima was surprised and Jihad questioned the three, Razward answered.

Apparently, this little lapis lazuli-colored spirit was transmitting thoughts to Mars and the others in order to get their help.

This is just a teaser.
The full chapter is currently only available for my Patrons.
This chapter will be available for free on August 12, 2024.

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[Teaser] DCO Volume 4 Chapter 8.2

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Volume 4 Chapter 8.2

Risking One's Life Till One Burns Up Part 2

 

In the darkness, Ken stood silently before the childhood friend he had captured. Seeing the anguished expression on her face, his thoughts, which had been hazy just moments before, quickly became clear.

 

(Ah......)

 

He felt a sense of loneliness in his heart.

Then, he finally realized. What he desired was something else.

 

[Let me go, let me out of here!]

 

In his head, the Mefi he had absorbed was desperately pleading with him, but he ignored the voice and suppressed it, saying that he did not care. The voice of one who no human should ever be able to resist was easily hushed.

 

[Kill. Devour. Their ...... source of life.]

 

Instead, this time, the beast's voice echoed. The existence that kept him alive. The will of the heretical demonic beast.

He was forced to understand, whether he wanted to or not. Without the power of this demonic beast, he would not be able to live, and eventually, this demonic beast will crush his soul and devour everything that lives in this land.

 

(In the end, this is no different from when I was being used by Mefi......)

"Lisa......"

 

Once again, he called out the name of his childhood friend. A scene from his childhood flashed back into his mind. The first friends he made after being neglected by his family. The one he had been longing for.

 

[In the end, neither you nor I could support Lisa. We both gave up our right to do so.]

 

The voice of his other childhood friend came back to him. He felt his gut churn with anger upon hearing those words, but at the same time, he also felt a sense of understanding.

 

"......It's too late now."

 

Yes. Everything is already too late.

Then there is only one thing he could ...... hope for.

 

"You've come......."

 

His heightened senses detected that man's presence.

The cold sensation from before has disappeared, and in its place is a feeling of elation.

 

This is the last. Knowing that naive guy, he might be a little indecisive. But if I use this extra thing I've captured as bait, I'll be able to fire him up.

There is no hope. And that's fine. The future doesn't matter anymore.

I'll kill him....... I'm willing to sacrifice anything for it.

 

And so, he turned his back on his beloved childhood friend and muttered "good-bye" in his heart.

 

†

 

Nozomu ran out of the medical facility, ignoring the staff members who were flustered by the sudden appearance of the hemisphere.

A sticky humidity began to entangle his entire body.

 

Shaking off the air that clung to his skin, he ran ahead to see a huge shining wall and a huge black hemisphere.

Perhaps the erosion had progressed further than before, the wall of light flickered erratically and seemed to be gradually fading away.

And about 30 meters away from the wall of light, a large number of city personnel had gathered, who had rushed to the site after learning of the situation. Among them were people Nozomu knew well.

 

"Nozomu-kun!?"

"You woke up!?"

 

Jihad and others were surprised to see Nozomu rushing toward them.

Among them, Irisdina was the only one who seemed somewhat absent-minded.

This is just a teaser.
The full chapter is currently only available for my Patrons.
This chapter will be available for free on August 8, 2024.

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