Chapter 98

“Please come this way!”

Following the professor’s instructions, I walked toward the door. As I got closer, I could see golden ripples above and below it that hadn’t been visible before.

Black letters floated gently across the surface.

When I focused, I could barely make out a sentence.

Someone’s time folds like a poem and falls asleep.

The longer I stared at it, the more my head started to spin.

“One at a time, please step forward. We’ll call your names in order.”

“Wait.”

The one who raised her hand was Flora’s guardian, Becky.

“There doesn’t seem to be a proper explanation for the candidates.”

“Hm? What do you mean by that?”

“What exactly is that massive door, what effect it has on the candidates, and whether there are any side effects.”

Even with her eyes closed, Becky pointed precisely at the door.

“There has been no explanation at all.”

Her expression carried a hint of displeasure. At that moment, Becky slightly opened her eyes.

“More importantly… isn’t it questionable to proceed without any explanation of what this ‘growth’ even means, while claiming to serve the candidates? What do you think?”

“…”

The smile vanished from Professor Ahn’s face. The other professors also stopped smiling as they stared at Becky.

It was a rather chilling sight.

‘She’s not wrong.’

I shrugged inwardly.

Even ordinary words couldn’t be taken lightly in a place like this.

“Becky…”

Flora looked at her with concern, but Becky wrapped an arm around her shoulders to reassure her.

“As Miss Flora’s guardian, I request a detailed explanation.”

“Haha…”

Professor Ahn smiled again.

“You’re absolutely right! We were in such a hurry that we made a mistake. Explanations are very important!”

He readily admitted his mistake, then his eyes gleamed.

“Especially… understanding what this ‘growth’ truly means.”

After that, Professor Ahn continued explaining the ‘Rift of Time’. It was mostly what I already knew.

‘Still not explaining the price.’

Well, that couldn’t be helped.

Even as I thought it was sly, I understood their situation.

‘The price differs for each person, and you only find out what it is afterward. It’s basically a delayed cost.’

“Please don’t misunderstand. Beyond that door, the candidates will spend an appropriate amount of time for their growth. It’s just that time does not pass here!”

After finishing his explanation, Professor Ahn looked around at everyone.

“As the Pope, a fragment of God, noble sacrifice is also required. However, we respect the will and choice of each candidate.”

“…”

“So if anyone wishes to give up, please raise your hand now.”

The Order considered even failed candidates as assets.

That meant failing didn’t necessarily lead to a miserable life.

“…”

But no one raised their hand.

That was a bit surprising.

I was excluded since I had to go for it no matter what.

Emmet, the spy, and Flora, who was full of justice, were also excluded.

‘Then that leaves Lucy.’

Lucy was timid enough that it wouldn’t be strange if she gave up…

But now that I looked, she was staring at me with sparkling eyes. Almost a bit overwhelming.

“… Nemesia, did you perhaps do something to that candidate?”

Even Daddy asked that.

“Oh, impressive. Then I’ll take it that no one is giving up. I’ll begin calling names, so please come forward one by one!”

The first name called was Emmet.

‘Is it based on rankings?’

“Uwaaah Emmet, go bravely!”

“Y-yeah…”

Emmet stepped forward, looking oddly unmotivated.

“Miss Flora…”

“I’ll be back, Becky! Even if I change a lot, don’t be surprised.”

Next was Flora, followed by Lucy, who trembled but stubbornly stepped forward anyway.

“Candidate Nemesia.”

Finally, it was my turn.

Since I had been in Daddy’s arms the whole time, it felt a bit awkward stepping down.

I planted both feet on the ground and tightly held his finger.

“When I come back, Nemesia will pwobably be even smarter.”

Daddy stayed silent for a moment before replying.

“… You’re already smart enough. Smarter than anyone.”

“Hehe.”

I smiled brightly.

“I gotta hear lots now, okay? When I come back, I’ll talk all pwoper too.”

I tightened my grip on his finger.

“Even if I’m not as pwetty or cute anymore, still like me.”

“… That won’t happen.”

It was meant as a joke, but Daddy answered more seriously than ever.

“No matter what you look like, I’ll respect my daughter, serve her, and love her very much.”

My eyes widened.

[Let’s reassure the worried and sad ‘Daddy’!]

[Mission! Say ‘I love you’!]

You useless sign, seriously. You want me to use Purification right in front of those professors?

Well, now that I have White Silence, it doesn’t really matter.

I glanced around, then silently mouthed the words with a smile.

‘I love you, Daddy!’

The moment I saw Daddy’s eyes widen, I waved and smiled brightly.

Then I turned and ran.

“Yes, Nemesia is hewe.”

“Please stand in front.”

Ever since I broke the tool, Professor Ahn looked at me with distrust, but I didn’t care.

I stood before the door.

Someone’s time folds like a poem and falls asleep.

As soon as I took in the familiar phrase again.

Your time-.

The words changed. The professors standing in a circle around the door began to chant, just like they had for the previous child.

“To the one placed within the gap of time, we ask.” “How many years do you desire. How many years will you burn.”

“For that amount, you shall ripen.” “For that amount, you shall forget.” “When touched once more, you shall return.”

The moment the chant ended.

The sacred voices of the priests distorted, mixing with a strange, broken sound like faulty audio.

The door began to change.

‘Oh, I couldn’t tell from behind.’

It had turned into a massive mirror. More precisely, a mirror door with a pitch-black frame.

Strangely, nothing was reflected on the other side.

Clang-.

Then a low bell rang from somewhere.

Crack!

The mirror split apart, and black letters began to dance.

Even the air seemed to hold its breath. Something started to appear between the cracks.

At first, it looked like a distorted wound. The cracks spread like veins.

Finally, a massive mouth revealed itself from within.

“I am the Chalice of Age. The Tower of Growth Without Atonement.”

My mouth moved on its own.

Even without eyes, I could feel something staring directly at me.

I felt like a mere creature before a vast being.

“Do you want to grow? Do you want to become strong?”

“Then give. Just a little.”

What emerged from the cracks was a child who looked exactly like me.

At the same time, slightly older than me.

My future self, grown.

And the mirror-like mouth that looked just like mine stretched wide.

“Feed me.”

I flinched at the grotesque sight, but before I could react, the mirror opened and something suddenly pulled me in.

Kyaahaha. The sound of a child’s laughter rang in my ears.

“You burn yourself, and you gain yourself.”

As the voice wrapped around my ears like a spell.

I shut my eyes tight.