Chapter 98
‘Mom’ appeared.
In truth, Elizia had no memories of her mother. From the very moment she fell into this world, most of her memories of the former ‘Earth’ had been lost! She didn’t even have her family’s or friends’ contact numbers, so there was no way to ask anyone for help.
‘But now… Mom?’
Could it be her mom from Earth?
‘If that’s the case, could it be… the possession has finally ended and I’ve gone back “home”?’
But the situation was too urgent to keep thinking about it. If she wanted to ask something, she couldn’t let that ‘Mom’ leave. Yet it was as if she was paralyzed by sleep paralysis—her eyes wouldn’t open, her body wouldn’t move. Only her mouth worked. Elizia cried out desperately.
“Uh, Mom. Wait! Please don’t go!”
“……”
Whether the woman had heard her or not, the ‘Mom’ who had just said she’d leave if Elizia didn’t wake up gave no response.
“Don’t tell me she’s already gone? D-Did she leave?!”
“……I haven’t.”
Just as disappointment began to sink in, a voice finally answered, a beat too late. Elizia quickly added.
“I-I’m sorry, but I’m stuck with sleep paralysis and I can’t get up…!”
If she didn’t explain fast, she really would leave before Elizia could ask anything. Regaining her composure, Elizia forced herself to analyze the situation logically.
‘First of all, it doesn’t look like I’ve returned to Earth.’
At first, she had a brief, fleeting hope that maybe she had gone back to Earth. But as the moment dragged on, she instinctively knew.
‘This is a dream.’
But realizing it was a dream didn’t disappoint her. On the contrary, it might be a chance. Having lost most of her memories, she might be able to find some kind of clue here. So she continued the conversation as calmly as she could.
“Mom, I forgot your phone number. Could you tell me it, just once?”
“Hmm, what should I do. I don’t have something like that.”
“……?”
What? It’s the 21st century—who doesn’t carry a cell phone?!
The completely unexpected reply left Elizia flustered.
‘At this point, it’s do or die.’
“Uh, I also forgot your name. Could you tell me your name, Mom?”
“What? You’re saying you forgot your own mom’s name?”
“I-I’m sorry.”
Just like that, she had turned into an unfilial daughter who couldn’t even remember her own mother’s name. Elizia rushed to add.
“Then do you remember my contact info? You know my name, right?”
It might sound a little rude, but the question was important enough that she couldn’t back off. She had to know whether this ‘Mom’ was just an illusion of her dream or someone real from her memories.
“Of course I do, my daughter.”
The voice came back unexpectedly gentle. The warmth in the tone made Elizia flinch. Familiar, nostalgic. With no clear proof, she nevertheless thought—maybe this really was her ‘Mom.’
In that moment, warmth touched her hand, and a soft voice whispered.
“It’s been a while, Elizia.”
“……!”
“Hah! So it really was a dream!”
Elizia sat up in bed and frantically looked around. Moonlight spilled in through the window, revealing the faint outlines of the Mage Tower’s dormitory. Her eyes landed on a flower-carved ornament by her pillow.
‘This thing…’
It was an item said to give good dreams. Sometimes it sparked new ideas, other times it granted prophetic dreams.
Could it have worked this time?
‘But… I didn’t really get much out of it.’
At first she thought it might have been her real mother, but the woman had called her “Elizia” at the end. That suggested it was most likely the Duchess.
And Elizia knew nothing about the Duchess.
‘Because she never appears in the game.’
It was said that the Duchess died giving birth to “Elizia Semperion.” After that, she was never mentioned again in the game. Even since coming to this world, Elizia had heard almost nothing about her, strangely enough.
“Now that I think about it, that is odd.”
Even the real Elizia Semperion would never have met her mother.
So then this was…
‘Just some random nonsense dream?’
Elizia tilted her head. Still, this incident made her realize she needed to investigate the Duchess more seriously.
∥Viewers! Are you awake?∥
I’m still here, sleep schedule destroyed lol
Good thing I didn’t sleep!
∥“Does anyone know anything about Elizia’s mother, the Duchess?”∥
I don’t think she ever appears in the game?
Pretty sure she died giving birth to Elizia…
“Not even her name?”
……Probably not?
The viewers didn’t know much more than Elizia herself. That was a problem. If word got out in-game that she, as the ‘daughter,’ didn’t even know her own mother’s name, it could cause a huge stir…
“This won’t do. I need to dig deeper immediately.”
Resolving herself, Elizia jumped out of bed and strode across the room. Her movement made Seolpyo, curled up on the sofa, lift his head.
Nyaaa? (Human, where are you going?)
“Go back to sleep. I’m just taking a little night walk.”
Nyaaoo. (Bring snacks when you come back.)
‘Why does he sound so natural about it?’
Seolpyo waved his paw casually while asking for snacks, as if it were routine. Maybe someone at the Duke’s house had spoiled him that way.
Elizia glanced at the window…
‘Uh, that’s way too high.’
The Duke’s mansion had been much lower…
Better to take the elevator.
“To the Mage Tower Library!”
Even at midnight, the library was as bustling as if it were midday. Pulling her hood low to avoid notice, Elizia slipped between the shelves.
‘I saw something here last time…’
She arrived at a shelf stacked with thick, dusty tomes.
‘This is where they keep family records of the noble houses.’
Of course, private details wouldn’t be written down—that would cause too much backlash from the families. But simple genealogical records, who was related to whom, would be public knowledge.
Elizia searched for the Semperion family entry.
‘Duke Clint Semperion, then Howell, and me, and the Duchess is… Katrin Semperion?’
Next to the entry was a portrait: a dignified woman with red hair pinned up and brown eyes. So that’s where Elizia’s red hair came from—she resembled her mother.
‘No info other than the name and face, huh.’
But there would be other ways to learn. With that thought, she put the book back and moved on. Just as she stepped toward another aisle—
“…Huh?”
Her eyes caught a familiar silhouette. Like her, the tall mage wore a hood and was organizing books.
‘Finn?’
Sensing her gaze, he paused and turned slightly. Elizia asked in surprise,
“You’re not asleep?”
“…It’s a habit of mine to organize books late at night.”
Finn gave a sheepish smile. Come to think of it, he had said they often organized books at night or dawn.
“Still, tomorrow’s the retest. You should rest…”
“And the same goes for you, my lady.”
He shrugged, answering playfully.
“Coming to the library at this hour… Sir Plumen mentioned it, but your scholarly passion is truly admirable.”
“It’s not passion exactly… What did the Vice-Tower Master say?”
“…That you should enroll in the Tower’s graduate program.”
“What?! Seriously?!”
Dragging her all the way here just to push her into grad school—too much! Finn chuckled at her horrified expression.
“Right? But of course, you came here originally looking for ways to make money. Are you here again tonight for that reason?”
Apparently, he hadn’t forgotten when she had asked for books on how to make lots of money. Elizia answered without hesitation.
“Of course. If you find any good leads, let me know. Actually… could you recommend something now?”
Her eyes flicked to the book he was holding.
《A Dimensional Analysis of Relics》
“Hm…?”
So there were research texts on relics too. This section was full of books on relics and temples.
《On the Interaction Between Holy Power and Magic》
《A Basic Magical Study of the Differences Between Relics and Magic Items》
《A Compilation on Dimensional Distortions Surrounding Relics》
Scanning the titles, Elizia asked cautiously,
“…Is it okay to research things like this? Doesn’t the Temple object?”
Wouldn’t the Temple consider it blasphemy—“How dare you treat relics as research subjects?!”
“Not necessarily. Research with prior approval from the Temple is allowed. In fact, the Temple has even commissioned us to study certain things.”
So, as long as they didn’t cross a line, it was permitted. Makes sense—after all, the Mage Tower itself owned relics, so they’d naturally research them academically.
‘But still…’
Looking closer, Elizia noticed one word appearing repeatedly among the titles: Dimension.
Dimensional analysis, dimensional distortion, dimensional interference. She asked,
“So… relics and dimensions. Do they have a special relationship? There are so many related studies.”
“Excellent question. They’re very closely linked.”
Finn nodded gravely. His tone grew weighty, as if recalling something.
“Do you know what research has revealed to be the strongest power of relics?”
‘What could it be?’
Elizia thought hard. Her own relic’s basic effect was ‘concealment.’ She also remembered relics having powers of healing or protection, befitting their legendary status.
“Since it’s holy power… healing, maybe?”
He shook his head.
“That’s what we thought. But no.”
“…Then what is it?”
Meeting her questioning gaze, Finn continued.
“The power to distort or cross dimensions. That is the true essence of relics.”
“……!”
The ability to cross dimensions?!
Elizia suddenly recalled the message that always appeared on her broadcast:
‘Your current situation is being broadcast to a higher dimension.’
And the name of the only item that could return her home—
‘EX-rank) Dimensional Travel Item.’
“…Huh?”
