"Dragon... Slayer...?"
A familiar title.
Though the title Dragon Slayer is common in fantasy worlds, in Epiris Academy, there was only one person who would co to mind when seeing this title.
I turned my head and looked at Siegfried, who was approaching .
"I knew you could do it, Ken."
He looked at with pride in his eyes and casually patted my shoulder.
Is this really okay...?
Normally, the title of Dragon Slayer would be earned by Siegfried, and it would mark his rise as a renowned sword master in the kingdom.
But, is it okay for to take it first...?
"Hey, Ken...! Are you listening to ?"
Raphne pulled into an embrace, puffing out her cheeks.
Without even giving ti to think, she brought her face closer and began interrogating .
"Who’s that woman? Why is she hugging Ken? And with that look... She’s practically acting like an alpha female?"
"Ah, Raphne... calling her an 'alpha female'..."
I was at a loss for words, trying to figure out how to explain the situation when Emily, who seed used to these kinds of monts, stepped in.
"Well, you better stay away from Ken."
"Eek...! Let go!"
When Emily grabbed Raphne by the back of the neck, Raphne imdiately detached herself from .
Though Raphne was probably stronger, for so reason, she couldn't hold her ground against Emily.
Could it be because they shared the sa fate?
Or was it because of the harsh lesson she received from Emily during their first year?
"Emily, aren’t you concerned? You suddenly popped up and shouted 'Master!' while acting all friendly!"
"Th-That’s..."
Raphne’s words seed to silently make Emily glance at , and when our eyes t, she quickly looked away in surprise.
Or maybe it’s because Emily and Mary are so of the few people she actually connects with.
Raphne and Emily, along with Mary, seed to share so unspoken understanding. Maybe Raphne was just letting her guard down with those she considered friends.
"Don’t overthink it. The sword just happens to be a magic sword."
Later, when Mary joined in with a curious gaze toward Tyrfione, I explained the situation in more detail.
After hearing that it was the Egosword’s spiritual form, the three of them seed to accept it.
"Still feels uncomfortable."
They understood, but it didn’t seem to make them feel any better.
"...Why? It’s just a sword, Raphne."
"But sothing about Ken’s face, looking all goofy while staring at the sword— I can’t accept a woman like that."
It seed like Emily, who had been quietly listening, was visibly shaken by Raphne’s words.
There definitely seed to be a unique set of standards for Raphne’s approval.
As we chatted briefly and took a break, we moved on to deal with the corpse of Tarloth, which lay like a mountain in the vast plaza.
Monster corpses are valuable, but when it’s the corpse of a legendary ancient dragon like Tarloth, it's even more so.
We each took a part—cutting the leather, breaking down bones, and extracting various precious parts of the dragon.
And among the pieces, there was one that made my mouth water the most.
"...Is this the Dragon Heart?"
Mary, who was working alongside , muttered.
As a mage, she was the most impressed by the dragon’s materials.
The Dragon Heart.
It was also the material for the core of Aspetra’s Crystal Sphere, a hidden card for .
It’s used in the creation of top-tier magical items and magical materials.
Of course, the Dragon Heart from the ancient dragon Tarloth was several levels higher in quality.
I carefully removed the jewel-like organ from Tarloth’s chest, near the heart.
The term Dragon Heart didn’t refer to the actual heart of the dragon, but rather the magical crystal near the heart that was infused with magical energy.
While the heart as an organ also held great value, I carefully disassembled it and placed it in the spatial pocket.
In addition, the leather, wings, tail, and bones—particularly the dragon bones used for my main sword.
I hadn’t figured out what I would use it all for yet, but my mind was already racing with possibilities.
As a craftsman, these materials were like treasure in a dreamland.
"Phew... Finally, it’s done!"
After placing the last piece into the spatial pocket, Emily slumped down, announcing that our conquest of Tarloth was officially over.
As if in response to her voice, another ssage popped up in front of .
[ System: Congratulations! You have successfully cleared Tarloth’s Tower. ]
[ System: It will be announced inside the tower that the tower has been cleared. ]
[ System: Clearing rewards will be granted. ]
Clearing the tower itself was a first, but the ssages were similar to those seen in other labyrinths.
What stood out was that it announced the first clear within the labyrinth itself.
...How exactly do they announce it?
I wondered how it was made known to others since status windows wouldn’t be visible to anyone.
As I was pondering this, sothing caught my eye, and I had no choice but to stop thinking.
From the ceiling, illuminated like a spotlight, sothing gleaming slowly descended toward us.
"This... is this it?"
Adrian, who had been looking up at the sa thing, muttered in awe.
Descending from the sky, it looked like a religious symbol.
A design with a round circle and a vertical rod crossing through it.
At first glance, it looked simple, but the intricate carvings and embedded jewels gave it an elegant aura.
This was the Artifact of Past Alteration, a legendary item ntioned in stories.
This was the reason we had ventured into this tower.
I gazed at the artifact with a sense of awe and held it in my hands.
And I looked over at Raphne, who had been watching as well.
When our eyes t, she gave a bright smile.
...Finally, with this.
Finally, I could rid myself of that prophecy.
The fundantal reason Raphne was being targeted by the Demon King’s army.
The biggest reason future Ken Feinstein would die in the war.
I carefully ran my fingers over the artifact in my hand.
Soon, the system window popped up with a description of the artifact.
[ Seal of Trials: A reward granted to those who clear Tarloth’s Tower.
It functions by channeling magic to alter the past, granting the ability to change one’s past wishfully.
*Warning: Changing the past will alter the present.
The changes in the present can result in an unpredictable reality. ]
The final warning caught my eye.
Even the system was cautious about it.
Changing the past was no small matter. Changing the past ant the present and future would change as well.
"Why are you hesitating? Hurry up and use it."
Adrian, more eager for the change in the past than I was, urged with a strange look in his eyes.
But I shook my head and calmly responded.
"Let’s return to the academy first. We’ll use it there."
It would be great to use it right now, but the final warning made hesitate.
What if the past changes and it alters our current position?
The academy seed like the safest place to do so.
To avoid any confusion, I decided it was best to wait.
"...If you say so, I guess I have no choice."
"Are you okay with this?"
"You were the one who contributed the most to this. I can’t interfere with your decision."
Despite being soone with royal power, Adrian seed to step back in front of .
The greatest contribution.
It was probably referring to diving into the trap and risking my life to open the shortcut.
When I looked at the others, they seed to share the sa sentint as Adrian.
"Shall we head back then?"
At my smiling suggestion, everyone nodded tiredly but with smiles on their faces.
And so, we completed the conquest of Tarloth’s Tower.
Shortly after, in the waiting room beside the boss room, we discovered a new portal.
After confirming it, we entered the portal.
The shortcut we had used earlier was closed, and the only visible portal now was the one leading to the first floor.
After so deliberation, we concluded it would take us back to the first floor.
Since the system had just notified us that the tower had been cleared, we expected it to be true.
Entering the portal, I felt a dizzying sensation, and soon, our surroundings changed.
We had arrived in a familiar ruins area.
However, the place we arrived at was a bit surprising.
"Woah! They’ve arrived! The party that cleared the tower!"
As we stepped out of the portal onto the first floor, soone’s shout rang out, followed by loud cheers.
We had arrived in a plaza that felt like a stage.
All around us, adventurers gathered, clapping, whistling, or shouting at us.
It felt like the applause athletes receive when they return from winning an Olympic gold dal.
"Hey! You guys are amazing!"
"Woo! To see a tower get cleared in my lifeti!"
"Damn! Congratulations, you bastards!"
So had smiles of joy, others had tears in their eyes.
Among the various reactions, I heard soone shout my na.
"Ahh! It’s Ken Feinstein’s party!"
At first, I was confused about how they knew our party’s identity, but I quickly recalled the rchant at the border.
It seed like an adventurer rembered my na and shouted it.
"Ken Feinstein?"
"I’ve heard of him! He’s the best blacksmith adventurer in the Lillias Kingdom!"
"A blacksmith? Did a blacksmith really clear the tower?"
"...But where is Ken? Did he get kicked out?"
From all directions, conversations about our party spread.
Among them, I heard a voice of an adventurer who had seen my previous appearance and was surprised when they didn’t see .
...So this is what it ans to announce the conquest of a tower.
I couldn’t help but lower my head in embarrassnt.
It was probably so signal indicating the tower had been cleared, and the conqueror was supposed to appear in this place.
As all eyes focused on and my na was called out, I was about to slip away when...
"Ah, ah? Siegfried?"
"This is a mont to be proud of. Hold your head high, Ken."
My master, usually not one to show much pride, looked at with a beaming smile and grabbed my arm.
When he lifted it, countless cheers erupted from the crowd.
"That’s the guy! The leader of the party!"
"Woo! Woo!"
"Ken Feinstein! Ken Feinstein!"
"What? He’s so damn handso, damn it!"
"Kyaa! Look over here, please!"
"...What’s this? This isn’t the Ken I know... But the atmosphere..."
Amidst the various reactions, we briefly enjoyed the celebratory cheer we deserved as tower conquerors.
It was a reaction I’d seen in the ga when players cleared labyrinths that had remained unconquered for a long ti.
But actually standing in the center of it made feel incredibly embarrassed.
...I just want to go back.
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