Editing Tosho Meikyuu:Volume1 Chapter2 (section)

===◇◇◇915 Pages until Memory Loss===

"Ehh, now then, let’s buck up and begin first magic theory class for the semester."

Teacher Yuzu has a lisp, but she begins to speak on with a quiet, stern voice.

Usually, the day a new student transfers in, there is a somewhat light-hearted mood in the air…but to be expected of the ‘Apothecary’, it appears all the students are paying attention.

"This teacher has said before that magic is an art based on extremely strict theories. This teacher wishes for everyone to study hard and become mages that can help people."

(Somehow, I just heard the plan for a perfect crime during magic theory class.)

That will exclude female student planning to kill the person next to her, and the male student who’s on the verge of being killed.

''"You have no time to listen foolishly. Be on your guard at all times. Even with everyone looking, there is no telling what this little girl may do."''

(…If I start a commotion in the classroom (here), I’ll be killed no matter whether I win or lose…)

As per last night's battle, if the vampire (Arteria) is truly serious, there’s no way she will lose to the murderer (Erika). However, as long as the Doctor Magna remains around, the High Daylight Walker can’t appear openly.

If it comes to a battle, you shall have to fight her alone.

(…And they call the High Daylight Walker a monster, a natural enemy against humanity….I can’t trust her. I can’t ask her for assistance, and I need to think of a way to protect myself from this murderer…)

"Please open your notes. It’s the first day today, so as revision, we shall talk about the use of ‘Magitzkveins’. Please look at page 539 of your textbook…ah, Okutsuki-kun doesn’t seem to have a textbook year. Please share with the student next to you."

(Wait, the one sitting next to me is the murderer who killed me yesterday!

You turned your head fearfully to the left, and see a demonic face resembling a hannya..

"…Can you please note look at me with those filthy eyeballs of yours? Your gaze is impure."

"My eyeballs are washed clean by many tears! All thanks to you!"

It appears she has no intention of sharing her textbook to you. Furthermore, if you spite her carelessly, surely there will be stone spears flying at you.

(No choice but to attend class without my textbook then…eh, uh out. I left my stationery in my room!)

As it has been a hectic morning for you, you accidentally left your writing materials in that large trunk. You should have created it with the ‘Origami paper’ when you used it to create the robe…

(…Vampire, can you get me the ‘Origami set’ now?)

''"I do not mind lending to you…but not while the Doctor Magna is watching. If she detects any magic interference within the Shadow Realm, your conversion to a vampire will surely be exposed."''

"Ku…"

It appears to be impossible to use the grimoire.

Considering the threat of the murderer, you’d have liked to pay attention to this magic theory class, but there is no other way to obtain writing material aside from using a using a grimoire. …

(…Even if I ask this murderer, she’s not going to lend me a pen …)

"Of course not. Who’d want to lend something to a vampire?"

"I haven't even asked you yet!"

You really wanted to retort, asking who would willingly lend stuff to a murderer, but this will obviously end up in a deadlock.

''"…You may try. Say that ‘I shall expose your true self to the ‘Apothecary’ if you do not’."''

(Ehh…? She’s definitely reject me, or rather, there should be stone spears flying over…)

A silver bat with its snout peeking out of the robe gives you an earful (via ultrasound).

However, the one sitting next to you is the extremely savage murderer. If you try to threaten her, who knows how cruel the retaliation might be.

''"Not exactly. If the guess is correct, this threat may be effective."''

(…I don't trust vampire's reasoning at all…but if I want stationery, I’ll have to try, I guess…?)

"If you don’t lend me, I’ll reveal your identity to the ‘Apothecary’."

"Ku…!"

As expected. You did as Arteria said, and threaten the murderer…the murderer shoots you a hostile look, rummages through her pencil case, and pulls out a pencil.

A pencil it may be, but it’s not a new product that has become common among the general public since the discovery of the ‘Hexagonal Pencils made from Wood and Graphite’ that wouldn’t get your hands dirty. It is an old-fashioned ‘lead pen (metal point)’ which the lead is sharpened as a stick.

(What…w-why? She just lent me a pencil that easily …!)

''"As expected, it appears this little girl does not wish to cause any trouble in the ‘Apothecary’. If so, does her real identity involve an organization that openly cooperates with the ‘Apothecary’…?"''

Artilia's suggestion seems suspicious, but it seems there is a basis. The threatened murderer shows an expression typical of a murderer (a hannya), and she passes you a metal point.

The only people who would use such old pencils, aside from having dirty hands, are those in the ‘Cathedral’ whose brain cells have fossilized. Surely this woman is an old-fashioned person.

"…H-hmph, that’s rather obedient for a murderer. I’m different from you though. I know etiquettes, so I’ll thank..o-oi!?"

Although it is not easy to use, it allows you to take notes. You shall borrow it then…so you think as you reach your hand out, but the metal point passes above your palm.

Poof.

The sharpened tip of the pencil pierces deep into your flank.

"—That tickles!"

The intense itch coming from your flank causes you to scream.

The classroom goes silent, and Teacher Yuzu stares at you with a troubled look.

"…T-That was Okutsuki-kun, right? Y-you just made a strange scream, so…"

"N-no, that’s not it! I just feel very ticklish in on left side!"

"Oh-oh. Teacher thought this was a auditory hallucination Calmia-chan spoke up…no, since it’s a physiological phenomenon, you can’t do anything about it. Please try your best not to be too loud in class."

"…I'm sorry I'll be more careful…!"

The sympathetic looks from your surroundings leave you very unbearable, and you sit back in your seat. There’s still some awkwardness lingering in this interrupted class as it restarts.

"…Look what you've done, murderer. Are you trying to embarrass me and isolate me from the rest of the class…!?"

"Oh my, so a vampire has the intelligence to feel shame too. I assume you’re rather shameless enough to not kill yourself out of shame because of how you are."

"It’s because of you that I can’t kill myself even if I want to!!"

You say as you pull out the pencil that is stuck in your body. The pencil feels inexplicably slippery to the touch, and you realize that the pancreatic juice that is attached to it has dissolved your skin into a paste.

''"…So the digestive juices flowing from your ruptured pancreas appears to be to be dissolving your flesh…"''

(Guuuu… that's why I feel so itchy …!)

It appears your internal organs are suffering from self-digestion because of the leaking pancreatic fluid. A normal human would have died from the pain of peritonitis, and even Nosferatus would feel ticklish.

"Damn you, you heretical demon, I'll report you to the the magical crime inquisitor of the ‘Cathedral’…it tickles! "

The second metal point pierces you.

It seems the '''demon''' of a murderer sure has a '''hellish good''' pair of ears.

"…Er-erm, Okutsuki-kun? This teacher doesn’t really want to say it, but if you let out weird noises, ehhh!? O-Okutsuki-kun!? Why are you giving off a weird aura!!?"

"Eh?"

Once you hear the Teacher say so, you look down at your own body, and find that there is red mist rising from all over your dark blue robe.

The blood that boils as your wounds heal leak out from the fabric, and Teacher Yuzu sees it as rising flames instead.

(T-this is bad! If I answer that ‘this is boiling blood’, the fact that I’m a vampire now will be exposed!)

"E-erm! It’s a rush of bioenergy caused by intense emotions! I’ve reflected on my actions for causing trouble for everyone, so I’m focusing hard on class, creating an ‘aura!!"

Needless to say, this is a crazy excuse, However, this is Library City Alexandria.

"T-This teacher is so touched! This teacher has seen a few students giving off aura, but it’s the first time seeing a child with such rich aura…uuu, this Teacher is so relieved that Okutsuki-kun is decent."

It seemed the teacher really thought of you as a pitiful child with a loose screw. ‘We see you differently now!’ the students too look back at you with such an expression.

(Eh, are there people who give off aura in the ‘Apothecary’ …?)

''""…I-it certainly is a blessing in disguise. Now even if you bleed again, other people will think, ‘Oh, you are emitting your aura again’,"''

(Does that mean people will always think I’m someone who’ll give off an aura?)

"Teacher is touched…! Okay~ Teacher will definitely reward Okutsuki-kun's efforts! So…, by the way, Teacher would like to ask a question! Let's ask Okutsuki-kun to answer the question. Why are 'Magitzkveins' important?"

(Ah, my excuse is a complete failure.)

Your brain cells instantly derive the future of  ‘① answering the question wrongly → ② being doubted if you're really paying attention to the lesson → ③ your conversion to a vampire is exposed because of the blood → ④ dying’.

(V-vampire, tell me! Why are Magitzkveins important!?)

''"H-How would I know! Is magic not something that can be fired at will with a loud cry?"''

(Are you seriously telling me to give an answer only a High Daylight Walker can understand!? I’ll be exposed right away!)

It appears a High Daylight Walker is helpless when it comes to questions pertaining to human common sense. For the strongest vampire who can use magic with feeling along, without chanting, it is impossible to answer the question of magic theory.

"E-erm, Teacher! Please give me time to read my notes!"

You reply, and take out the 'book' (Me) that you have tucked into the binder on your right shoulder.

"Erm, I'm pretty sure I left a note of what I studied beforehand…! "

You flip through my pages, but there is nothing you studied beforehand. You are just stalling for time, and as you try to do so with all you might, you flip to the latest page (this), and simply give up in dismay.

"…You can’t find your notes?"

(Guuu, th-this is bad…! Teacher Yuzu’s face clearly shows that she’s starting to doubt me…!)

…Oh dear, You may actually be killed if I leave you be.

Well, I do not wish for the protagonist of this story to die because of such a foolish reason, and the sticky sweat that has been trickling into my pages has been very uinpleasant…


I shall lend you a little assistance then.


(!? This isn’t ‘my memory’…!)

This "Last Prayer of a Thousand and One Pages" is your memory itself. You remember, don't you?

(Y-yeah, I remember!)

And you so happen to have a pencil with you. Do wipe off the digestive juices and hold it in your right hand.

Now, please witness my power. First of all, erase the sentence on the left with a clean strike-through line.


<del>'''You do not have any knowledge relating to magic theory—1ℓ'''</del>

.
>Now, in the next blank space, write the exact opposite.


'''I have an in-depth knowledge of magical theory...''' - 149 pgs.


The moment the sharp tip of the pencil writes these words on the completely blank paper.

An inspiration akin to lightning immediately occurs deep inside your mind.

"…Magitzkveins are circuits that further refine the world that’s filled with mana. Normal humans usually have a ‘main vein’. A circuit allows for one kind of magic to be loaded, so operating circuits efficiently is the key to magical combat."

The knowledge that you couldn't recalled until a moment ago.

"…It appears you studied well. Now then, how does magic run through Magitzkveins?

"First, open the grimoire spell page and connect the Magitzkveins to the runes that are recorded there. Next, breathe in, inhale the Mana and let it flow into the circuits while chanting. The chant consists of several key words, or incantations. Once the chant is done, the magic will be loaded into the circuit.

One after another, they become words and overflow like water from a spring.

"Yes, that's correct. Now then, the next question, what comes after the charge?"

"Execute, in other words, the magic is released after the magic is loaded. The execution timing can be set at well, so chanting it before combat reduces the number of openings, or one can empty the circuits to allow for adaptable tactics.

"…Very good~ looks like you have the fundamentals pat. You may sit down."

You answer fluently, and Teacher Yuzu shows a gentle smile.
.
The rush of information that suddenly sweeps through your brain isn’t a spur-of-the-moment delusion. It’s a precise and detailed knowledge of magical theory.

(…! Wh-what’s going on…? I’m certain my knowledge of magic theory was lost along with my memories five years ago on the night of that tragedy,…!)

"…Do you feel that you haven’t answered enough? This Teacher shall bully you a little more then. Okutsuki-kun, have you heard anything about 'magic that can counteract magic'?"

"Eh, y-yes!?

As you stand there dumbfounded, the teacher poses a new question. Your classmates start to chatter amongst themselves…apparently, the question is clearly of a different difficulty level than the basic question you had just answered.

"As someone aspiring to be a true Doctor, this Teacher wishes for every student to understand. This is a very high level skill, but it's also possible to counter magic itself. If there are ‘books that can cast magic’, it wouldn’t be strange for there to be ‘books that can counteract magic—"

"Antimagic, right?"

"…Right?"

Teacher Yuzu is trying to write on the blackboard, only to turn around in surprise.

"Magic needs Mana, grimoires, Magitzkveins, and chants to be formed. In that case, all you need is a spell that can negate the chant or block the flow of Mana."

"Th-that’s right! …Good, now for a tougher question. A counterspell that can cancel magic will occupy a circuit. So why not use normal magic (sorcery) to counter it?"

"One reason is chanting speed. If the enemy chants a spell faster than you, an ordinary spell puts you in a disadvantage. With counterspells, you can make up for the difference in chant length, execute time, and ability."

"…Using chant speed to make up for the ability difference. That is a reason you say, right? Then is there another reason?"

"The shortness of the ‘Tiltowalt’. After an execution, the Magitzkveins would have a downtime…which would be an opening, but a counterspell will require little chanting, and would allow you to recover from Tiltowalt before the enemy. Even if the magic ability’s not as good, it’s possible to wait for the Tilowait and defeat the enemy."

"…Th-this is the best answer this Teacher has heard until now! It’s amazing!"

After you reply, Teacher Yuzu nods happily and put down her textbook.

"Your answer is just like one prepared by a teacher! Now wonder you’re giving off such a rich aura. It’s almost a model answer. You’re a good boy, Okutsuki-kun!"

"""…!"""

The atmosphere in the classroom silently, but clearly, trends towards a positive direction.

The eyes looking at you start to have a completely different color from before (one that’s directed to the sick). It appears you have won some positive recognition for demonstrating your ability.

"That will be all. Okutsuki-kun, you may sit down this time. This lesson may be a little too easy for you, but you may have some questions or discoveries. Listen carefully!"

"Y-yes."

You have no idea what happened, and answer in a daze before sitting down.

Well, since I have just demonstrated the true function of the 'book' (Me), my shame shall know no bounds if this can’t shock you.

(The…true function of the ‘Last Prayer’…!)

Please remember. I am certain I wrote this down.

As one ‘seeking to regain his memory’, you are the perfect person to be the protagonist of this story (me).


After all, I am the ‘Last Prayer of a Thousand and One Pages’.

The book' (Me) is your memory itself.


If you alter my records.

I can falsify your memory.


(A-a ‘book…that can falsify my memory’!?)

Yes. I can create the scenes necessary to obtain the memories you have written, and write them in your brain cells. Thus, you can acquire any knowledge by consuming the memory remains (pages).

(Gain knowledge through memory falsification…! I may have obtained an amazing grimoire…!)

Yes, you have an amazing grimoire. So please take your sweat stained hands off me as soon as possible. My pages are getting damp.

Now that I have unraveled the mystery, first of all, you need to input the required memory into your brain, no? If you write down the contents of each lesson, you will never have enough memory capacity.

Do you understand? Please trace the letters on the left neatly, won’t you?


'''‘I have gained all the knowledge of the classes until tenth grade.’ – 77 pages.'''


Yes, perfect!

In exchange for 77 pages, you instantly gain ten years’ worth of knowledge!

Well, now you don't have to write down every scene in the class. All you have to do is to figure out a way to repel the murderer’s magic and protect yourself. 

(…A-a strategy to protect myself from the murderer …!)

''''Umu. She may be an indiscriminate murdered, but the witness (you) is still a source of trouble that may cause her to be arrested. There is a high likelihood of her initiating a magic battle against you."''

(…It’s true that this murderer is a very dangerous magical criminal. She might attention me like yesterday just to destroy me for knowing her true identity. …!)

''"…And I have no reason to believe she will simply ask for blood and blood. Given yesterday’s attack, were you not the target to begin with?"''

(Eh? Why do you think she’s targeting me?"''

''"Consider this. If the murderer simply murders out of pleasure, would there not be more prey in the back alleys of Alexandria, compared to Labyrinth where demonic beasts roam?"''

(Well…is it because she didn’t want any acquaintance at the ‘Apothecary’ to see her?)

''"She did not have to go to such a deep level if she merely wished to hide or steal or kill. Even if her objective was to explore, that place was excavated a long time ago. Nor ordinary person has a reason to go that level. Unless she has another objective like you, the son of a Doctor Magna.

(…''A special objective'' like mine…?)

Upon hearing the hint in the vampire's implied, your mind conjures the deep darkness of you wanting to return to the Library Labyrinth over the last five years..

You recall the study of the Doctor Magna—a search base built by your Father, the foremost Labyrinth explorer of the ‘Apothecary’.

''"Truth be told, your father, the highest-ranking member of the ‘Apothecary’ exploration guild, once built a base for the purpose of exploring the depths of Labyrinth. Perhaps the old you was seeking that place."''

(I-I guess so…wait, then, no way…!)

''"To those who have nothing to do with you or your father, that place may seem to be nothing more than a hierarchy of mysterious magical doors. But for those who know the tragedy of five years ago, it will be a different matter. For—"''

(—Maybe there are clues left in the study where Father was assassinated…!?)

Yes. Perhaps your encounter with the murderer was no coincidence.

She may be related to the truth of five years ago, an assassin sent by your father’s enemy, waiting for Sōshi Okutsuki (you) to visit the place where your late father died.

—To eliminate ''the witness from five years ago'' who has returned to Library City Alexandria.


(I-Is this murderer related to Father’s enemies? And the truth five years ago…?)

''"Well, it is simply a theory for now. There is no physical evidence, and so we can only guess. If her age is as her appearance, it is unlikely she was the one who killed him personally…but my gut feeling is that it is no coincidence that you meet her once again."''

(I-if you say so, then I find it too much of dumb luck to meet the same murderer over two consecutive days…!)

''"Honestly, if you ask me, might be someone’s arrangement, planning in the shadows. Now that your murderer appears before you once again…"''

At this moment, the vampire paused, and deep, heavy voice, derives the conclusion of his reasoning.

''"—I can be highly certain that everything was a plot (scenario) planned by your father’s enemies."''

The talent eater's whispers disrupt the classroom atmosphere, as though she is hinting at your future.

Your murderer may be related to the truth of five years ago.

The silver night of the Library Labyrinth, the Labyrinth's most powerful vampire, says so.

(…If that’s the case, fine by me …!)

You instinctively reach for the gold chain of your talisman, and it sways slightly.

Unlike last night, when you were slaughtered, you now have an immortal body, the wisdom of the High Daylight Walker, and a book that can falsify memories. With a strategy that maximizes your power, you can not only defeat the murderer's magic and ensure your own safety…

And you may possibly steal you enemy’s information to seek out the truth five years ago.

(…I don’t have evidence that this murderer is the enemy’s assassin…but even if she doesn’t, since she showed up in that level, it’s likely that she’s related to Father or the me five years ago…! If I can overpower her power and draw her memories from her blood…!)

''"Umu. Perhaps you can find her relation with your father, and get closer to the truth…!"''

The connection linking the murderer and the enemy is merely a guess till this point, but the ability to draw memories through blood is sufficient to shatter that suspicion in an instant and steal away the truth.

(The immortal body, memory tampering, memory stealing power, and the 'book'…they may not be enough, but I have weapons to fight the killer. If I can come up with a strategy to combine these weapons into tactics…!)

And also, that strategy can be prepared for you using this ‘Last Prayer of a Thousand and One Pages’.

There is a world of difference in fighting ability between you, who lost your magic, and the murderer with the outstanding magic. However, with the power of memory tampering, it is possible to overpower the magic and combat experience.

(…Yes, I have the ‘Last Prayer’ now. The power to ‘rewrite memories’ may be more powerful than any magic…!)

The act of falsifying your memories cause you to feel a little chilling fear.

This act is akin to stabbing a pencil into your brain and manipulating your nerves. Even if you are the one holding the pencil, it does feel physiologically repulsive.

But even so, the act of ‘memory tampering’ has a demonic allure.

If you can write on the page using a pen, you ca erase your abominable past and become your ideal self—truly, it was a power akin to that of a god.

(… If I consume pages, I might be able to plan something to defeat the murderer…in that case, I…)

You re-grip the metal power and write a line on the page of the 'book' (Me).


'''[I will come up with a plan to defeat the murderer by the end of this class] – 32 pages.'''


And your brain, inscribed with these memories, begins to sink into a sea of deep thought.