The labyrinth was a cave system structured like a typical maze.
While caves generally evoke a dim, oppressive image, this one was remarkably bright, likely due to the abundance of luminous ores embedded in the walls. I was grateful to have a clear field of vision without needing to rely on magic or specialized tools. In some labyrinths, maintaining sight was a challenge in its own right.
I strolled through the tunnels, cross-referencing my surroundings with the investigation report I had received from Abel earlier. According to the document, the overall scale of the floors was unremarkable—if anything, they leaned toward the smaller side. Preliminary surveys had reached the 7th Floor, and the spatial dimensions supposedly remained consistent throughout.
The report noted that while common magic beasts like Goblins and Orcs frequented the area, rarer creatures also appeared, such as the three-headed Cerberus and the venomous Poison Snake.
As I wandered at my own pace, I eventually stumbled upon a group of Goblins. It was unusual for magic beasts to operate in packs as early as the 1st Floor, but according to the report, solitary monsters were virtually non-existent in this particular labyrinth.
"This should be a good test," I muttered to myself.
I manifested Schwarzhase, then activated my Ki, circulating the energy through every fiber of my being. The Goblins noticed me and lunged, but—
"—!"
They couldn't even track my movements. Enhanced by Ki, I moved faster than their eyes could follow, and in an instant, the monsters were reduced to magic stones.
"Phew... That felt roughly equivalent to a [Triple] stack. I suppose that covers the bare minimum requirements."
My efforts to train my Ki during the carriage journey had paid off; I was finally able to maintain the activation even during active combat. I was still dedicating a significant portion of my focus to the Ki itself, so I hadn't reached the level I truly desired, but I could safely say I had achieved my first goal.
"...Not again."
When I activated Ki to boost my physical abilities, my five senses sharpened as a byproduct. That wasn't the issue. The problem was that whenever I activated it, I felt as if someone was watching me.
I felt it now, too. I could have simply chalked it up to being unaccustomed to my heightened perception, but the sensation left behind a lingering, oily unpleasantness I couldn't shake.
"...No use worrying about it now. My priority is mastering the advanced applications of Ki."
After a few more skirmishes, I made my way back to the Count Eddington House.
Abel was waiting for me when I arrived. The moment he saw me, he told me there was somewhere he wanted to take me and led me toward a specific room.
"This is..."
My vision was filled with an staggering number of books. The room appeared to be a study.
"This is my research room," Abel explained.
"A research room? Not a study?"
"Well, most would call it a study, but I prefer 'research room.' My hobby is historical research, you see. These books are all my reference materials."
"You've collected this many books just on history...?"
While the total volume was naturally smaller than the library at the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky, that was an unfair comparison. For a single individual to amass a collection of this size must have required an enormous amount of effort.
"Haha, that gleam in your eyes... You really are just like me."
My awe must have been written all over my face. Abel gave a delighted smile as he watched my reaction.
"Orun-kun, I'll allow you to read any book in this room. In exchange, I'd like you to grant me one request."
"...A request?"
I wanted to agree immediately, but my opponent was a noble. There was a chance the request could be something impossible or dangerous. I couldn't afford to be careless.
"You don't need to be so guarded. This is purely personal. I simply want to borrow your knowledge."
"Please, go on."
"As I said, I'm a historian. Lately, I've been focusing specifically on the study of labyrinths. I want to hear your thoughts on a few of my theories. It’s not every day I get the chance to talk to a top-level explorer, after all."
It really was a personal matter. If it was just a matter of listening and offering my opinion, there was no reason to refuse.
"...I'm not sure if I can meet your expectations, but if you're satisfied with me, I'd be happy to help."
Abel’s face lit up instantly.
"Truly?! Thank you! In that case, feel free to read whatever you like! You have my permission to come and go as you please."
"The honor is mine, Lord Abel. I'm grateful for the chance to read such rare texts. Shall we begin our discussion?"
"I appreciate the offer, but could you give me a little more time? I only just finalized a new thought earlier today, and I haven't quite finished organizing my notes yet."
"I understand. I'm available anytime I'm not occupied with the labyrinth investigation, so please just let me know."
"I will. I'll call for you then."
After parting with Abel, I met up with the rest of Twilight Moonbow to kill some time. When the head of the household, Orville Eddington, returned home, we went to pay our respects.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Orun Doura of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky."
"L-Likewise. I am Logan Hayward."
"I am Sophia Claudel."
"I am Caroline Inglot!"
"My name is Luna Flockhart."
"Thank you for coming all this way," the Count greeted us. "I am Orville Eddington, Lord of the Regrif Territory and head of the Eddington House. You are welcome here. Please, treat this mansion as if it were your own home."
"Thank you, My Lord."
"Now, I trust Abel has explained the details of my request?"
"Yes, sir. We will begin the investigation tomorrow."
"Good. It’s a troublesome task, and I appreciate your cooperation."
Following the introductions, the seven of us—including Abel—sat down for dinner. The atmosphere was pleasant enough, but Log and Sophie remained stiff with tension throughout the meal. It was unavoidable, really. If anything, Carol was the impressive one, managing to maintain her usual energy while still using appropriate honorifics. When Luna and I had first dealt with nobility, we had been so nervous we barely remembered the conversations afterward.
Noticing their discomfort, Count Eddington gave a wry smile. "Perhaps it would be best if we took our meals separately until you've grown accustomed to the house?"
To be honest, it was a welcome suggestion. If we forced the issue, the stress might negatively impact their performance in the labyrinth.
"N-No! I'm fine! I'm so sorry for being disrespectful!" Log apologized, clearly panicking.
"Log, calm down. It's okay," I said softly to steady him.
"Logan-kun, forgive me for startling you. I still have much to learn from my father," the Count said kindly. "I didn't suggest separate meals because I was offended. It is simply my belief that meals should be enjoyed. Once you're more comfortable with me and this house, let’s dine together again. I truly look forward to hearing your stories."
"Y-Yes, sir..." Log replied, still looking a bit dazed.
"Count Eddington, thank you for your consideration," I said.
"You are guests in my home. I should be the one apologizing for being so overbearing on your first day."
"Not at all. This has been a valuable experience for them." I bowed to the Count, then chose to speak further. "These children are still inexperienced in many ways compared to our senior members, from their social graces to their general conduct. However, they are the ones who will undoubtedly anchor the core of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky in the future. I brought them here, knowing it was bold, because I wanted to introduce them to you before any other sponsor. I will take full responsibility for any trouble they might cause, so I humbly ask that you watch over them with a kind eye."
"I had already planned to overlook a few lapses in etiquette. It would be counterproductive if you were all too intimidated to perform your duties. But for the hero who saved Tsutrail to vouch for them so strongly... are they truly that promising?"
"Yes. You will not regret keeping an eye on them."
"...I see. Tell me your party name again."
"Twilight Moonbow," Log answered, his voice firm this time.
"I shall remember it."
"Master, I'm so sorry," Log apologized the moment we headed back toward our rooms after dinner.
"What for? I don't recall you doing anything wrong."
"But at dinner... because of me..."
"It wasn't just Log! I was shaking the whole time, too!" Sophie added, looking dejected.
"Count Eddington wasn't angry, and he wouldn't have made it an issue regardless," I told them. "If anything, I'm the one who just raised the bar for you. You're allowed to be annoyed with me for that, you know."
The words I’d said to the Count were my honest feelings, but I knew they could be a heavy burden. They might even break under that pressure, but I had intentionally spoken up in that moment. I believed they could handle it.
"No, we're not angry at all! Hearing you say that... it made me really happy, Master!"
"Me too! Hearing you say those things, Orun-san... it made me want to work even harder to make sure your words stay true!"
"Me three! I'm gonna do my best to live up to Master's expectations!"
"Is that so? Well, I'm glad to hear it."
Once I confirmed that everyone had turned in for the night, I doubled back to Abel's research room.
I picked up a book at random. As expected of a historian's collection, it was a record of events from several centuries ago.
The era of fairy tales, huh.
"Fairy tales" referred to the "Hero Tale"—the most famous story in the world, known even to children. While dramatized for a general audience, it was said to be based on historical facts from centuries past. I flipped through the pages, skimming the text.
The story went like this:
Several hundred years ago, a magic beast—the most atrocious in history, known as the Evil God—suddenly appeared. The world was plunged into a vortex of chaos almost overnight. Just as it seemed humanity would descend into an endless dark age of conflict, one man stood up.
With the help of his comrades and the fairies, he defeated the Evil God after a grueling war. For his valor, he was named the Brave One—the Hero.
Following the Evil God’s fall, the Hero founded a nation to prevent the world from sliding back into chaos. Under the leadership of that kingdom, peace was finally restored. In his later years, the Hero was praised as the 'King of Special Ability Users,' having laid the very foundations of the modern era.
I returned the book to its shelf and picked up another, repeating the process. I lost myself in the pages until the house fell completely silent.
As the night deepened and the last traces of activity vanished from the mansion, I activated [Hide]. Masking my presence, I slipped out into the night. I left the city and returned to the labyrinth we had scouted earlier.
When I reached the wide clearing mentioned in the report, I found three Orcs wandering about. They hadn't noticed me yet.
"Sss... phew..."
I took a slow, deep breath, then exhaled. Steeling my resolve, I activated my Ki and circulated it through my body. I could do this much now without difficulty. It was a sensation very similar to the dreams I had been having lately.
But when I had fought Oliver, the feeling had been even more intense. Recalling the sensation from that dream, I spoke the same words as the "me" from my subconscious.
"[Culmination]—!"
The moment the word left my lips, something within me simply... vanished.
A lightness took hold of me, one entirely distinct from the artificial boost of a magic buff. It was a sensory shift I couldn't put into words. It felt as if I had been suddenly transported to a world where the laws of physics no longer applied.
"What is this...? This is..."
I was so stunned by my own state that I was slow to realize an Orc was closing in on me. It seemed [Hide] had been forcibly deactivated.
Crap!
The Orc raised its crude club, preparing to bring it down on my head. I jumped back instinctively.
"—!?"
I had intended to leap just far enough to clear the Orc's reach, but I ended up flying several meters backward.
So, I won the gamble. But it’s going to take time to get a handle on these sensations.
Relieved that my worst fears hadn't been realized, I gripped Schwarzhase and began systematically dismantling the Orcs to test my new limits. My body moved exactly as I envisioned. The "ideal" movements that had always been just out of reach were now effortless.
When only one Orc remained, I increased the distance again. I constructed a spell formula in my mind and funneled my mana into it.
"...[Explode]."
A massive detonation rocked the cavern, and the Orc was blown to smithereens. I had just activated special-grade magic—something I had never been able to cast before—with ridiculous ease.
It was incredible. In this state, I felt like I could do anything—
"No... don't let the sense of omnipotence take over. Even with this, I still wouldn't be able to beat the Oliver from that time. Don't settle for this!"
I scolded myself, forcing my ego back down. Once I had calmed my heart, I expanded my awareness to search for the next enemy, but—
"—!?"
Just then, I felt an overwhelming presence behind me—a force so cold it froze my very marrow. I spun around, my blade already in motion.