Fate Manipulation (4)

Jane checked the wall that Frondier and Sybil had crossed.

There was no way to step on it, and there was no other device in sight. It seemed impossible to activate the trap again.

"Frondier! Sybil! Can you hear me!?"

Silent.

Is it that they can't hear our voices from here, or we can't hear their voices from there? Maybe both. Anyway, communication seemed impossible.

"What should we do? Both of them are just first years,"

Just as Quinie was about to ask worriedly, she felt a strong gust of wind right beside her.

She looked to the side and saw Aster's body covered in a white aura.

"I'll break through."

Aster's divine power, Baldur.

The moment he saw his teammates in danger, Aster didn't hesitate.

However,

"You can't."

Jane stopped him.

"Why? With my power, I can break through."

Aster spoke, already in full battle mode.

Jane shook her head.

"Yes. You can break through with your power. It's not even a matter of breaking through. If you make a mistake, you might destroy this entire dungeon."

"......!"

Aster regained his composure at Jane's composed words.

Jane looked straight at Aster and said,

"Student Aster. If the dungeon collapses, the two inside might be buried alive. If that happens, there's nothing we can do."

"......"

Aster remained silent for a moment after hearing what Jane had to say. Soon, he released his divine power and closed his eyes.

"......I apologize for getting excited."

"I'm glad you understand."

Jane smiled, watching Aster apologize sincerely.

But the situation was not resolved.

Jane thought for a moment.

Would Frondier and Sybil stay where they crossed over, or would they move?

Frondier would want to stay there. He is knowledgeable about traps and is famous for his lazy nature more than anything else.

On the other hand, Sybil wouldn't be able to stand waiting. Just a while ago, she was showing signs of being bored.

If Jane and Quinie were there, some mischief would be fine, but right now, there were only the two of them there.

'...They shouldn't move. I can only hope that Frondier will stop Sybil.'

If so, we still have time.

“Let’s keep going. If we clear the dungeon, it will lose its power and the area will return to normal. Then, the two of them will also be safe.”

“……Yes. Let’s hurry up, then.”

Quinie nodded resolutely.

Jane looked at Aster.

“Student Aster, I have high hopes for your ability.”

“Leave it to me.”

Aster said confidently.

Even if we don’t necessarily have to break down walls, his power is essential for clearing this dungeon quickly.

* * *

Jane would probably want us to be there. It’s like Mia’s fundamentals.

But Sybil and I kept walking diligently.

Sybil looked around with anxious eyes. Actually, she was mostly looking at me.

‘It seems like getting separated from the group was the right answer.’

I intentionally activated the trap. To leave only Sybil and me in this place.

There are a few reasons for this.

One is Quinie’s quick perception.

I’ve done this dungeon many times, so I remember the location of almost every trap.

So, I briefly glanced at those locations without realizing it, but she caught that brief moment.

At least in this dungeon, it’s better to be separated from Quinie.

Another reason is because of Sybil.

Sybil manipulates fate as she desires.

The dungeon exploration up to this point, to put it nicely, was probably not the situation she wanted.

She’s interested in Aster. She wants to see Aster’s achievements and hopes that things will progress between them.

However, that’s not something I’d enjoy. After all, Sybil is a villain.

Of course, Sybil in this world might be a little different.

However, during the countless times I’ve played the game, Sybil has never changed. I have no confidence in changing her now.

That’s why it’s better for Aster and Sybil to be apart as much as possible.

The problem is that damned fate manipulation.

If Sybil's desires aren’t satisfied, who knows what unpredictable variables will occur.

Encountering a monster from 'outside' that doesn't belong in this low-level dungeon is also entirely possible for Sybil.

So before that happens.

I decide to take part in manipulating her fate.

"Don't come any closer to me."

As soon as Sybil and I were alone, her wariness reached its peak.

This must be her real perception of me. A mix of disgust and a similar degree of fear.

Seeing Sybil's face without any pretense was quite refreshing. Probably almost no one has seen her like this.

But for two first-years, a low-level dungeon is a dangerous place.

Even if Sybil dislikes me, it's dangerous for her to be apart from me.

Sure, we can handle monsters, but traps are usually not something first-years can detect.

However, I know all the traps.

And as a bonus, I've been storing them in the 'workshop' every time I find one.

Now, then.

Let's see about changing Sybil's 'desire'.

Click.

I deliberately stepped on a protruding stone.

Shwish!

The same arrow trap as before.

This time, arrows shot out directly in front of me.

"Whoa!"

Knowing where the arrows would fire, I pretended to be surprised.

Sybil was right next to the trajectory of those arrows.

"Hu, huff...!"

Sybil trembled as she looked at the arrowhead.

The arrow would have missed anyway. Even if it hadn't, Sybil's reaction speed would have allowed her to dodge.

Not just Sybil, but any combat student from Constel would have narrowly reacted. Even if they hadn't, her unique luck would have somehow managed it.

But since I stopped it, there's no need for that.

There's no need for luck, so luck doesn't come into play.

"Sorry, looks like I stepped on a trap."

"You, you..."

Sybil's face was tear-streaked.

She might want to blame me, but with no knowledge of traps, she can't know if I did it on purpose.

Despite her tear-streaked face, Sybil hurriedly drew her weapon.

A sword thinner than her arm, with a hilt adorned to protect the hand.

It's a rapier.

I also pulled out the dagger from within my cloak. Originally, it's meant for collecting monster parts, but it's the only weapon I have. Truthfully, I hardly need it.

Still, I have to pretend to be tense so Sybil will be too.

"Let's go."

"Uh, okay."

Sybil seemed to comply easily. Yet, the distance between us hadn't significantly closed.

Hmm.

She hasn't fully regained her senses yet.