"That can't be! Where is it?!"

He runs between the burning corridors. The heat is unbearable, but that doesn't matter to him right now. This book is much more important. He can't lose it in these flames.

When Will Wagner finally reaches the library, it, like the rest of the building, is already engulfed in flames. The numerous bookshelves have been transformed into walls of flames and the blaze is devouring the writings stored in them.

"I have to hurry! Maybe I can still save it!"

Wagner is upset and searches for the shelf where the book must be. 'Theories on the origins and functions of Lacrima'; this book and its contents mean more to him than his life!

Hannah Whitworth must have taken it by mistake and left it with the other books in the library. At least that's his logical conclusion - it was no longer on his desk this morning.

In despair, he looks into the section about Lacrima and is horrified to see that everything in there has already been burnt to ashes.

“No...”

He can't believe it. This incredible knowledge... is gone? This book was a unique copy. A one-off. The other copies were destroyed by the government years ago. And now it is to be lost forever in the flames?

During his time as a knight, Wagner had learned that war and violence go hand in hand with the destruction of knowledge. Nothing is as precious as the lessons of this world. No war or conquest justifies the destruction of knowledge.

And now he is faced with it again: once more, valuable knowledge has been lost. The burning pages are the last proof of its existence.

What should he feel now? What should he think now that all his years of research have been destroyed? Because without this book, he lacks the breakthrough to success.

“Professor?”

Wagner is briefly startled when he hears the student's familiar voice.

“M-Mulligan?”

He looks in disbelief at Cyril, who, like Wagner, seems visibly confused.

"What are you doing here, Mulligan? You should escape as quickly as possible!"

Cyril clutches his head as if he's bumped it somewhere.

"I-I don't know. My head's spinning... Oh yes!"

He seemed to have thought of something.

"Here! This is yours, isn't it?"

Wagner can't believe his eyes when Cyril holds the book out to him: ‘Theories on the origins and functions of Lacrima’.

“Wh- But how-?”

“When I was in your office last evening, I saw that your assistant had taken the book, but I was too slow to stop her.”

“ Mister Mulligan... I can't believe it...”

He doesn't know what's wrong with the student, but the fact that he saved the book from the flames is nothing short of a miracle. Is this fate? Does some higher power want him to continue his research?

"Thank you very, very much! And now we must hurry before everything here collapses!"

Wagner frantically snatches the book from Cyril's hands and runs towards the exit.

"Professor? Can I ask you something else?"

"What is it? Can't it wait?"

“Why did you do this?”

“...W-what?”

Wagner stops and turns to Cyril, who is staring at him calmly, surrounded by a sea of flames.

"I mean all of this. Setting a fire, closing the exits. What's all this for?"

"Mulligan-no, Cyril, what are you talking about? D-do you think this is all my doing?"

"No, I don't believe it. I know it."

Cyril's aura has changed completely. The bright light of the flames casts deep shadows across his face, from the darkness of which his golden eyes sparkle. The otherwise composed student now has a sombre look and radiates a menacing aura.

"Will Wagner, a former knight who later went into magic research, but was actually more interested in Lacrimas. He was banned from the scientific community when his experiments on humans came to light, but somehow managed to escape the death penalty."

Wagner's eyes widen as he hears Cyril's words.

“What?!”

"Well, I have to admit that you've done a good job of covering up your past. After all, you teach under your real name at this school."

"No Mulligan, you've got it all wrong! Yes, I've made big mistakes in the past. I've done unforgivable things, but I'm a better person now. I've been given a second chance at this school and I'm very grateful to everyone for that!"

“Ah...” Cyril's expression darkens. His golden eyes shine with a fear-inducing light, while the fire gives him a reddish aura,

"So why did they have all this resin collected? Was it a sign of gratitude too?"

“-!”

"You must know, Professor: the resin of the Arcadia tree in particular is a very effective fire accelerant. It really is an unfortunate coincidence that you had students collect it. The hoarded resin was the trigger for this fire..."

“Hng!”

“Yes, I don't think even the principal of Sirenford knows about your sinister past, but one group did.”

Wagner clenches his fists.

“Penumbra, am I right?” he says through gritted teeth, then surprise graces his face:

“Wait, but I searched-”

"My memories? That's right! That plate I had to touch last night is a magical tool that searches a person's memories for certain keywords. In the case of the device in your office, it was probably the word ‘Penumbra’."

Cyril puts his index finger to his temple.

“I'm sure you don't know this, but there's a student at this school whose Lacrima can seal memories and release them later.”

“Huh?”

Yes, that's right!

Wagner once heard of a student whose Lacrima can seal memories. Someone with long black hair.

“Your security was so advanced that you used an illegal memory tool, but you couldn't find anything on me because I had no memories of Penumbra myself at the time.”

Wagner's gaze falls to the floor. He remains silent.

“So tell me, Professor: why?”

The professor remains silent until he suddenly starts laughing. It is a hysterical laugh that freezes the blood in one's veins.

“Hehehe... HAHAHAHA!”

He lifts his head and his gaze falls on Cyril. His eyes sparkle with pure anger.

"Cyril Mulligan, you simpleton! I did all this for the greater good! Exactly! It's all part of my research! How do you think Lacrimas come into existence?"

”Hm?"

"Exactly! Through fears! That's why they have ‘Phobia’ in their name! So if I create as much panic and fear as possible, my vessel could absorb these feelings and create a Lacrima out of them!"

“You're talking about the green vase in your office?”

"Exactly! I could have created the first artificial Lacrima, but you weirdos ruined everything for me!"

"‘Weirdos’? That's what a sick murderer and mad scientist like you says?"

"EXACTLY! THE VICTIMS WOULD HAVE BEEN WORTH IT ALL!"

"Well, the end justifies the means... You said that yourself yesterday. Now it all makes sense..."

“I WILL CREATE A NEW WORLD WITH MY DISCOVERY!”

Wagner seems to calm down a little again.

“But you will no longer be a part of it, Cyril Mulligan...”

With a sudden leap, Wagner storms towards the student and kicks him in the pit of the stomach. Cyril looks surprised - he probably didn't see that coming. The force of the kick throws his body through the air and he ends up in a bookshelf, which collapses on impact. Wooden beams, books and rubble bury Cyril beneath them and a little later the flames follow, engulfing everything.

Wagner breathes exhaustedly and waits for Cyril to make a sound and try to free himself. But nothing moves. He remains quiet; only the crackling of the sea of flames remains.

"I guess that's how it ends, Cyril Mulligan. Unceremonious and silent. I honestly had high hopes for you. Thought you were someone who would understand my visions... But in vain... And I once thought you were a good student..."

Wagner turns away from the burning pile and strides off - the unique book in his hands.

"And I once thought you were my role model. Professor."

“-?!”

It is a single sword blow that splits the flames in two and sends a shockwave through the entire library. Wagner has no choice but to instinctively turn around: In a circular motion, the fire moves aside, as if afraid of the person now standing in front of Wagner:

A man in a red garment and a mask.

“C-Cyril... you-”

The shockwave from a second sword strike catches Wagner on the shoulder. From a distance, the masked man should not be able to reach him with his sword, but Wagner sees blood spurting from his shoulder.

“Argh!

” “Silence, Professor!” The masked man's voice is deep and filled with grandeur and power. It sounds completely different from the voice of the silver-haired student.

“Y-you are-?!”

"We are the justice in the penumbra. We are Penumbra. And I am Nadir, the Warlord of Seas."

Nadir raises his rapier and points it at the professor.

“Wagner, your deeds bring dark shadows with them and I am here to banish these shadows from this world along with your life.”

Nadir? Cyril Mulligan is a warlord of Penumbra? A low profile, weak and meaningless student?!

“HAHAHA!” Wagner falls into laughter again, but this time it sounds far more malicious.

“HAHAHA- Have it your way, Mulligan!”

A sword manifests itself in Wagner's hand. It has a narrow blade, like Nadir's weapon, but it discharges small bolts of lightning.

"Huh... A magical tool that can store objects. I guess being a professor must pay well."

“Says the guy with the costume box.” Wagner replies. He has years of experience as a knight. Someone like Mulligan won't be a challenge for him. He'll just kill him and finally complete his project!

Nadir is certainly aware of Wagner's fighting prowess, but the warlord seems to be enjoying himself. The corners of his mouth lift into a broad grin; a sight that would be hard to imagine on Cyril Mulligan.

"Let's get going, Professor! Let our blades bathe in the light of the flaming sea!"