Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 913

Chapter 913

Trailing Shin Noya and the turtle, I walked behind them.
I had no idea what our destination was, but the journey did not appear to be a long one.

We came to a halt just outside the outer wall—the exact spot where we had initially arrived in this realm.

It was an unremarkable path winding through a forest dense with greenery. After a brief walk, we paused at a point roughly midway along the trail.

Glancing about, I saw nothing out of the ordinary.

«There’s nothing here, is there?»

The area seemed identical to any other part of the forest, and I was confused about why we had stopped. As I continued to survey our surroundings—

«What do you see?»

Shin Noya spoke, his eyes on the turtle, who was staring intently at the empty air. In response to the question, the turtle extended its staff and swept it through the vacant space.

In that instant—

Wuuuuuuuuuu—!!!

The air shuddered, rippling like water, and a deep vibration filled the area. My eyes widened in surprise.

«What is this?»

Something was there. I had felt nothing before, but the turtle’s action had made it perceptible.

What was it? Squinting, I focused all my attention on the spot.

«Hmm.»

The turtle emitted a low sound, waved the staff a few more times, and then drove it into the earth.

«…What a disaster.»

The words were spoken with a sigh.

«Master, I specifically warned you to handle it with care. It appears you have disregarded my instructions once again.»

The turtle addressed Shin Noya in a tone of clear displeasure.

«I explicitly told you it required the utmost caution.»
«Now, wait just a minute….»

Shin Noya frowned in objection.

«This time, I am not the one responsible! Isn’t it unfair to accuse me immediately?»
«Hmm?»

Hearing this, the turtle looked intrigued.

«What are you saying? You claim this was not your doing?»
«Correct. I confess I have damaged the barrier on numerous previous occasions, but… this time, it was not me.»

Then, Shin Noya pointed directly at me.

«This time, it was that boy who opened it.»
«Excuse me?»

I reacted with shock.
Me?

«That boy?»

The turtle turned its gaze upon me.

«…What exactly did I do?»

Suddenly being accused, I asked in complete bewilderment. Shin Noya provided more detail.

«Recall when we entered this place before. Did you not touch the entrance?»
«…What are you… Ah.»

I didn’t comprehend at first, but then I remembered. He was right—I had done that.
While Shin Noya had been searching for something, I had sensed a peculiar energy and reached out to touch it.

«And you’re saying that alone caused this?»

If such a minor action could create a problem, wasn’t the barrier itself too fragile?
Frowning, I voiced my complaint.

«Hmm.»

The turtle nodded as if in agreement.

«So, ultimately, it is still the Master’s fault.»
«What…? How is this my fault?»
«You are the one who brought him here. That makes you responsible.»
«You’re talking nonsense, you sluggish reptile!»
«What did you say, you madman…!»

Chaos erupted.
I couldn’t grasp why they had suddenly begun fighting.

It was a complete disaster.
They showed no signs of stopping, so I quickly stepped in.

«Hey, can both of you please stop? Didn’t we come here for a reason?»
«…»

My words caused the two elders to fall silent at once.
They seemed to have recalled their purpose.

«Right. We have a task to complete, and we’ve squandered enough time.»

Even so, Shin Noya couldn’t resist a final jab, but the turtle ignored him and lifted its staff again.

Though his expression remained sour, the turtle let his actions do the talking.

Giiiiiiiiiiing—!!!

Energy began to pour from the staff. The sight of it made my entire body tense.

Thump!

Again. My heart started hammering wildly inside my chest.
It was the same sensation I’d felt earlier when the turtle had expelled me.

Was it pain? No, this was different—something else entirely. If it were merely pain…

«I would have looked away.»

If it were just pain, I would have averted my eyes or fled.

Thump! Thump!

But as my heart raced, my focus sharpened even more.
It was as if my very instincts were screaming at me not to miss a single moment.

Then—

«La… Ra….»

The turtle’s murmurs drifted past my ears. Despite my heightened awareness, his words were so faint they were almost inaudible.

What was he saying?
I strained my ears to hear more.

But—

«Hu.»

With a soft sigh, the turtle’s murmuring stopped. It had lasted only a moment.

In that instant—

Fwoooooooooosh—!!!

«…!»

The staff released a blinding, brilliant light that swallowed the surroundings. The radiance held so many hues it was like a rainbow.

But it wasn’t just the colors that were astounding.

«…This is incredible.»

I couldn’t stop myself from murmuring in awe.
My focused gaze instinctively shifted into my spiritual vision.

Through it, the rainbow light resolved into countless intricate, flowing streams.

«How was something like this even made?»

The streams were so complex and beautiful they were nearly impossible to fathom.

Thump! Thump!

My heart beat even harder. What was this feeling?
I didn’t know. But one thing was clear.

«This is a spell.»

I had suspected it before, but now I was sure.
This was a spell—of a caliber and type I had never before witnessed.

«It’s nothing like what the Jegal family or the Divine Doctor taught me.»

And it was completely different from anything in the North Sea.
It was wholly alien to all the spells I had ever tried to learn.

I wanted to see more. I needed to understand.

In that moment, I recognized the strange emotion rushing through me.

«A thirst for knowledge.»

Call it academic passion, if you will.
I desperately wanted to unravel the secrets of this spell.

But then—

Saaaaaaa—….

The Light Fades Away

The vibrant light that had expanded so magnificently began to fade rapidly.
A sharp, profound disappointment instantly consumed me.

It wasn’t enough.

Not yet.

«I need to see more.»

I wanted to keep watching. I required more time to comprehend it.

Zzzzzt.

A sharp pain lanced through my eyes.
Was it from using my spiritual vision? Perhaps the strain of processing such immense information was the cause.

It didn’t matter. Despite the pain, I had to see—

«That’s enough.»

Thunk.

«Ugh!?»

A sudden, sharp impact forced me to clutch my forehead.
Looking up, bewildered, I saw the turtle had poked me with the end of its staff.

Rubbing my tingling forehead, I shot a glare at the turtle.

«I understand your urge, but that is greed.»
«…»

The turtle was fully aware of what I had been attempting.

«Turtle….»

Clang!

«Ugh!?»

This time, the staff came down on the top of my head.
Strangely, even though I moved to block it with my hand, the strike seemed to pass right through.

«I already tolerate that old man calling me ‘Turtle,’ and now you dare to as well? Such insolence.»

I had assumed it was acceptable since Shin Noya did it, but clearly, it was not.

«…Then what should I call you?»
«Call me nothing.»
«What…?»
«I forsook my name long ago. And what I gained has been lost for longer still. Do not address me.»
«Then just call him Turtle,» Shin Noya cut in.
«…Master….»
«If you refuse to provide a name, you must allow people to call you what they will.»
«…»

The turtle shot Shin Noya a look of pure contempt but didn’t argue further.
Was he suggesting it was irrelevant because there would be few opportunities to address him anyway?

The turtle soon released a weary, exasperated sigh, waving his staff dismissively as he turned to go.

«The task is finished. I am leaving.»
«Already? Was that just a hasty patch job?»

At Shin Noya’s words, the turtle fixed him with a sharp look.

«It is significantly more precise than your last attempt, so it should endure for three months. Unless, of course, you choose to interfere with it again.»
«Hmm… So we will need another repair soon, then?»
«Are you deranged?»
«Only joking.»

Shin Noya laughed heartily, while the turtle released a deep sigh.

«…I am departing—»
«Wait.»

Shin Noya stopped the turtle just as he was about to leave.
The turtle’s beard twitched with irritation.

«What now?»
«Perform one more task before you go.»
«I have fulfilled your request. I will not do anything further—»
«One more month of plum tea.»
«State your request.»

It was a blatantly greedy negotiation.
The turtle sighed but followed Shin Noya’s gaze, which was directed at me and Cheonma.

«Do ‘that’ for them.»

That?
The turtle’s expression soured immediately.

«Master.»
«Yes?»
«I just cautioned you against unnecessary meddling.»
«Come now, what are you saying? How is this unnecessary?»

Shin Noya waved his hand as if the notion was ridiculous.

«It is merely a preparation for potential complications.»
«…»
«You know it is a prudent measure. Cease your sulking and proceed. We are all busy, so let us conclude this quickly.»
«You damned scoundrel….»
«What was that?»
«I said, ‘damned scoundrel.’»
«I was prepared to pretend I didn’t hear that….»

Shin Noya scratched his nose, looking awkward. Watching this exchange, I felt a wave of amusement.

«It is deeply satisfying to see him discomfited.»

He was always tormenting others, so seeing him receive a taste of his own medicine was a welcome change.

«Boy, your expression is peculiar.»
«My face is always this way.»
«No, it is worse than usual. You look unbearably smug.»
«Who are you to comment on appearances?»
«What was that?»
«I said your face is very distinguished.»

His temper was as short as mine, yet he had the audacity to criticize.
Still, his instincts were annoyingly sharp.

«Regardless, make haste. Or would you like to see me throw a fit?»
«An old man having a tantrum? What would that entail? Flailing on the ground?»
«I will do it. In your quarters.»
«…»

The turtle’s face darkened at once, while I could only marvel at Shin Noya’s sheer audacity.

«Impressive.»

His level of shamelessness was truly without equal.

The way he molded even threats to suit his character was almost admirable.
And I wasn’t being facetious—it was a technique worth remembering.

«I must remember to use that myself later.»

I was completely sincere.