The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 12 (Part 1):

Indeed, it’s understandable to be disappointed.

“Is it because of ethical concerns?”

I couldn’t know for sure.

It was just my instincts saying no.

“I’m not sure. Maybe. Master, don’t you have any aversion to using corpses?”

Master Abana raised her hand and patted my head.

“Do you know why I like humans?”

“I do. It’s because of clothes.”

“More precisely, it’s because of leather clothes.”

“……”

She spoke in a low voice.

“You kill animals and use their corpses to make clothes. Is it just animals? It’s the same with trees. You cut down trees to build houses and live in them. You raise your children there. That’s not all. Among the food that goes into your mouths, there’s meat. You even cook it with fire because you can’t eat it raw without getting sick.”

“Is it the same as using a human corpse?”

“In fact, from my perspective as an elf, there’s no difference. Humans eat corpses, wear corpses, and live inside corpses. That’s why the revulsion in your eyes right now. It’s difficult for me to understand.”

A corpse is just a substance from which life has already departed.

I agree with that idea.

But there’s a certainty in my heart.

Kalasta had said.

Not to be tainted by water and forest.

If you think about the meaning a little, it’s clear that the type of familiar you choose can have a significant impact in the future.

Thus, using a corpse as a familiar might also have unforeseen consequences.

That’s why my instinct is rejecting it.

I spoke firmly.

“I’ll learn death magic separately. But I won’t make a corpse my familiar.”

Master Abana spoke in a gentle voice.

“I see you have another reason. Perhaps you don’t trust me? If you still think I’m deceiving you…”

I shook my head.

“It’s neither.”

“Neither?”

“It’s not because of ethics or trust. To be honest, those aspects aren’t entirely absent. But my refusal to accept a corpse as a familiar is…”

“Is what?”

I closed my eyes slightly.

And focused on the emotion rising from my heart.

How should I express this?

I can’t accept something that my soul rejects from its core.

I spoke as I felt.

“My soul is telling me so.”

“……”

“I’m sorry I can’t express it any better than that.”

Master Abana’s eyes stared at me without blinking. It was as if she was piercing through my eyes to probe deep inside.

“If your soul says so, I understand, Ran. I won’t force you any further.”

I had just expressed what I felt, but Master seemed to accept it right away.

Is there some other meaning to saying that the soul speaks?

As Master suddenly changed her attitude, I couldn’t help but ask again.

“Really?”

Master Abana nodded.

“But considering the prophecy of the clan that led you to me, there must be something I need to do for Psyche. I think it’s teaching you death magic. Because that’s the best thing I have.”

“I’ll learn death magic. As I said, I just feel reluctant to make a corpse my familiar.”

Master Abana spoke with a faint smile.

“Alright. I understand. Then, just as you moved water and fire with psychokinesis, try moving this dead energy… in other words, death. It’s good to try moving as many things as possible during apprenticeship. As before, as long as you don’t react if someone, or rather something, speaks to you, there won’t be any danger. Like you moved water, like you moved fire. Just study psychokinesis calmly and quietly.”

Moving death.

It’s quite different from what I’ve moved so far.

Water and fire, or wind.

These are not things whose existence is doubtful.

I wonder how death moves.

“I understand, Master. I’ll try.”

Master Abana patted my head once more with a faint smile.

I took a deep breath.

And quietly closed my eyes.

Hoo.

The world of darkness visible through closed eyelids was similar to reality.

Only outlines were visible in the faint moonlight anyway.

I gradually heightened my senses to use psychokinesis.

Then countless voices of people began to echo from all around.

[Ugh.]

[Hic. Sa-save me.]

[Please! Please! Please!]

Each voice was filled with desperation for life.

I looked down.

My body was completely swallowed by darkness.

[You. You! Can you hear my voice?]

[Wh-what? Why? You!]

[Alive! You’re alive!]

The voices began to draw closer to me.

And at the same time, their appearances began to become clear.

Just like the Undine had appeared before.

Creak.

Creak creak.

One with a burst head.

One with severed limbs.

One with a pierced chest.

The horrors of war were vividly embodied in those corpses.

The corpses slowly began to surround me.

The me in my mental image had no hands or feet.

But somehow I felt I could use psychokinesis.

It was the moment when a month’s effort bore fruit.

I sent psychic power towards all the corpses around me.

As my psychic power settled into each of their bodies, they all stood still in place.

And trembling with fear, they no longer spoke to me.

However, judging by looking at their eyes, they seemed to be hoping I would make a contract with them so they could come back to life.

Dangun

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