Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1677: Pulled from the edge

Almost two full hours had passed...

Anxious murmurs echoed throughout the academy halls as a large number of professors, guards, and even curious students gathered near the residential wing. Reports had spread like wildfire — someone had broken into Teacher Morgana’s apartment! Dozens moved in response, rushing toward her quarters as if their presence could somehow make a difference.

Of course, everyone knew perfectly well that Teacher Morgana was not a woman who needed rescuing. Her power, both feared and admired, was more than enough to handle any intruder. Still, the professors moved anyway — not out of necessity, but out of respect. Even hearing a single ”thank you” from her lips would have been enough to make the day worthwhile. Yet, despite all their efforts, none of them even came close to achieving that.

Standing like an unmovable mountain at the entrance was Professor Shaddad. He guarded the door with folded arms, his expression a silent warning that no one should dare take a single step closer. He didn’t allow anyone to peek, listen, or even whisper too loudly.

Meanwhile, Robin had erected an invisible barrier formed from his immense soul force, sealing the entire apartment from within. Not even the most skilled spiritual sensors could pierce through that overwhelming veil.

Whatever was happening inside Teacher Morgana’s residence was no longer just a rumor — it had become the center of the academy’s gossip, the spark of wild speculation that ignited every conversation.

And there was one name that now dominated every discussion...

Professor Robin Burton had returned!

The news hit the academy like a thunderclap. The man himself was not the focus — what mattered was the implication of his return. Professor Morgana had been serving as his substitute, the one who had filled his position during his mysterious absence. Now that he had come back... didn’t that mean her temporary role had come to an end?

While chaos brewed outside, the true storm raged inside the apartment. Morgana hovered on the fragile edge between life and death, her soul and physical forms barely holding together. Yet the world outside paid no heed to her suffering — for the students had begun something entirely unexpected.

It started with a few signatures... then a group... and before long, dozens of students gathered in front of the Headmistress’s building, demanding that Morgana be made a permanent professor. The so-called ”petition” evolved into a full protest, banners waving, voices chanting her name. Even several professors joined in solidarity, standing side by side with their students beneath the bright academy banners.

Inside the apartment—

Oooooommmmnnnn~

The faint hum of divine energy filled the air, like the low chime of celestial bells.

Morgana’s condition inside the golden cocoon had changed dramatically. The exhaustion that once clouded her features had nearly vanished. Her pale face regained traces of warmth; the tension in her body slowly eased. Although she was still trapped under the spell of lethargy, her body was visibly adapting — reshaping itself, realigning its soul flow to accommodate the transformation taking place within.

The powerful specter that had earlier struggled to break free by shattering the cocoon had disappeared entirely, its essence pulled back and fused once more into Morgana’s own soul.

Mmmmmnnnn—

CrackCrack

After several minutes, the golden cocoon began to tremble and fracture, each fissure glowing faintly before fading. Piece by piece, the radiant shell crumbled — like a sandcastle left too long under the harsh wind.

Whoooosh!

With a simple flick of his wrist, Robin dispersed the remaining fragments. The golden dust scattered through the room, flickering briefly before vanishing into nothingness. Morgana was left sitting exactly as before — eyes closed, posture serene, as though she were peacefully asleep.

”Hm?” Robin leaned closer, brows slightly drawn together.

”The blackened lips still haven’t faded after treatment? Could it be connected to her strand... or something deeper?” he mused, placing his palm gently atop her head.

”Whatever the reason — what matters is that she survives.”

Hoooooh~

A deep breath escaped him as waves of soul force poured out, enveloping Morgana completely. The entire room trembled faintly as her body absorbed the energy, shimmering in golden light for several long minutes before Robin finally drew it back.

”Mmm...” Morgana’s dark eyelashes fluttered — a soft, fragile motion — before her eyes began to open with effort.

Once he confirmed that his final key had functioned properly, Robin exhaled in quiet relief. He clasped his hands behind his back and smiled lightly.

”Come on now, wake up, sweetheart. The sun is beautiful today.”

”.....!!”

Jabba and Shaddad both froze, their eyes wide, mouths agape, holding their breaths as if afraid to disturb the moment. Finally — after all this time — something was happening.

”Hm?” Morgana’s eyes slowly focused on Robin, her gaze hazy at first, then gradually sharpening.

Confusion. Wonder. Memory. Understanding...

And, at last — peace.

”You took your time,” Morgana murmured, a faint, tired smile curving her lips.

”But I came,” Robin replied softly, patting her head.

He then turned toward the door, his coat brushing the floor as he moved.

”Now come along — we have things to discuss.” He tapped his chin thoughtfully. ”First, we’ll figure out your new position. Perhaps we’ll stop by Althera, and then maybe—”

”...Master.”

”What?” Robin snapped, thinking Jabba had interrupted again.

”Perhaps... you should wait a moment,” Jabba said quietly, pointing toward the bed.

”...?!” Robin turned, brows furrowing — and immediately, his entire expression softened, the sharpness in his eyes replaced by a deep, knowing calm.

SniffSniff

Morgana sat curled up on the edge of the bed, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees as she trembled, her sobs muffled and uneven.

The dim light of the chamber cast faint golden lines across her face, glimmering on her wet cheeks as silent tears streamed down. Her breath came in short, trembling gasps, and every sound she made seemed to echo through the quiet room like the cry of a wounded soul.

”...Heh~” Robin exhaled slowly, a deep sigh escaping him. He turned his head toward Jabba, who was still seated lazily at the table, his mouth full, hands greasy, crumbs scattered everywhere like a battlefield after a feast. Then Robin frowned, lifted his foot, and kicked him lightly but firmly.

”Get up! What kind of manners are those? Can’t you see me standing here, dealing with something serious?!”

”Alright, alright—relax, master!” Jabba groaned dramatically, rubbing his thigh as if struck by lightning. ”You could’ve just said something!”

Then, with a pout, he gave Shaddad a sharp nod toward the table. Both men immediately began moving with almost military precision—grabbing dishes, stacking plates, wiping the mess. Within moments, the table was spotless, and the leftovers were gone. They exchanged a silent glance before quietly leaving the room and closing the door behind them. Click.

”...” Robin stayed seated, resting his chin on his folded hands, his elbows pressed against the armrest.

He could still faintly hear their muffled voices outside the door — Jabba’s comedic tone mixed with Shaddad’s deep rumble. They were gossiping again, joking about Robin’s temper, recalling the many times their master had lost patience with them, how those moments usually ended with a strike, a glare, or a sharp insult.

For a brief second, Robin’s lips twitched. He almost stood up, intending to march outside and yell at them both for eavesdropping. But the thought faded. He didn’t have the heart or energy for it now. His gaze softened as it returned to Morgana.

There she was, fragile and silent, a storm of pain barely contained inside a mortal shell. And he... he had no idea what words could possibly reach her now.

So he said nothing.

...That day, in the depths of the ancient cavern, when he first connected with her mind and saw the darkness swirling inside her, Robin realized she had less than a thousand years before her entire being unraveled. Morgana herself believed it was even less — but neither of them knew exactly when it would happen.

She had been left alone in the academy for one hundred and forty long years, buried in silence, surrounded by curious eyes and hollow pity. Judging by the condition he found her in — frail, cold, and drifting toward oblivion — she must have suffered endlessly. Every breath must have been a struggle between life and despair. No one truly saw her. No one helped her. She had been a ghost haunting her own body.

He imagined her nights: lying awake in her chamber, afraid to sleep, terrified that the next attack would come before dawn. And every morning, she must have opened her eyes, relieved to find that she was still alive, still clinging to the faint spark of existence.

When she finally chose to seal herself away in that Nexus State of slumber, she must have known — deep inside — that no one would come. She made that choice anyway. Because even if hope was nearly gone, even if the darkness had already swallowed her from within, she still refused to die. She clung to that thin, desperate thread of survival like a drowning soul reaching for light beneath the waves.

Maybe she hadn’t yet realized that she was cured... but the moment she saw Robin standing before her — real, breathing — it was as if something inside her shattered. The centuries of loneliness, the silence, the fear — all came pouring out through her tears.

Perhaps, since the day her family was taken from her — so very long ago — this was the first time she had truly felt that there was someone she could rely on. Someone she could wait for. Someone who would come back.

”...Alright, Morgana.” Robin spoke softly now, rubbing the edge of his brow, an awkward smile playing on his lips. ”You don’t have to stay alone anymore.”

He leaned forward slightly, his tone growing warmer. ”Starting today, you’ll officially be one of my followers. You’ll become part of something greater — a family that stretches across three empires. I’ll introduce you to Zara, Emelie, Victoria, and Elizabeth — they’ll be your sisters from now on. And if you wish...” He paused for a moment, his voice softening. ”...I can even grant you the Burton name. You’ll be one of us in every sense.”

”Heh... hehe...” Morgana let out a small laugh through her tears, trying to wipe them away with trembling hands. ”I must look so pitiful right now. I’m sorry for showing you this side of me.”

Her eyes, red from crying, lifted toward Robin, and a faint smile curved her lips — fragile but real.

”So... you really came back?”

”And you’ve come back too, I didn’t just open the seal you made on yourself, you know?” Robin said gently, pointing at her with a smile that carried both pride and relief.

”Now... please, check your soul domain. Let’s see what’s changed, shall we?”