Once the two of them were back at the Black Tower, Van Dijk wasted no time in addressing Ludwig’s issues. The dim light of the tower’s interior cast long shadows across the room, the air thick with the scent of old parchment and the faint tang of magic. Van Dijk sat at his desk, his sharp eyes fixed on Ludwig, who stood before him like a student awaiting judgment.
“You’re greedy,” Van Dijk said, his voice calm but firm. The words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding.
Ludwig tilted his head down, his skeletal frame slumping slightly like a child being reprimanded. He didn’t argue or defend himself; he simply waited for his master to continue.
“I’m not saying that’s a bad thing,” Van Dijk added, his tone softening ever so slightly. “But you’re trying to do too much. You’re trying to actively use both magic and swordsmanship, which is something I’m still against—but not willing to stop you from pursuing. It’s your own path, after all.”
“Yes, Master,” Ludwig nodded, his voice quiet but respectful.
“So, if you’re adamant about doing it that way, why aren’t you making the best of it?” Van Dijk asked, leaning back in his chair. His piercing gaze seemed to bore into Ludwig, searching for answers the young undead didn’t yet have.
“How so, Master?” Ludwig asked, his hollow eye sockets flickering with curiosity.
Van Dijk sighed, steepling his fingers as he leaned forward. “You did it once, and never again. You used the chain as a catalyst to cast magic. That’s a tool not many could wield effectively, and I was impressed—surprised, even—by how you managed to perfectly cast Explosive Mines from the tip of the chain. That’s something I wanted you to do more often, but sadly, you didn’t.”
Ludwig’s mind flashed back to the moment he had tricked Kuro, using the chain to deliver an explosive mine that had ultimately sealed the shadowmancer’s fate. It had been a clever move, one born of desperation and quick thinking, but he hadn’t replicated it since.
“Your chains give you reach,” Van Dijk continued, his voice steady. “Use them. As for the scythe, you’re only using the sword form. The other form—the scythe itself—is also good for different types of battles. You’re limiting yourself by not exploring its full potential.”
With a wave of his hand, Van Dijk conjured two small red holograms. One depicted a skeleton wielding Ludwig’s signature weapons—the scythe and chain—while the other was a simple swordsman. The holograms sprang to life, their movements fluid and precise.
“Look,” Van Dijk said, his eyes fixed on the display.
The swordsman charged at the skeleton, his blade gleaming in the dim light. The skeleton blocked the incoming strike with the blade of the scythe, the clash sending sparks flying. Then, with a flick of its wrist, the skeleton hurled the scythe, the chain trailing behind it like a serpent. The swordsman ducked under the weapon, a move Ludwig had seen countless times in his own battles.
But then, the skeleton yanked the chain, pulling the scythe back with deadly precision. The sharp end of the scythe sliced through the swordsman, splitting him in half.
“This is one of the ways you can use your weapon, purely, physical” Van Dijk said, his voice calm but firm. “Now, if you add magic to this…”
The holograms reset, and the battle began anew. This time, as the scythe flew toward the swordsman, an explosive mine manifested at its tip. The mine detonated just as the swordsman ducked, the force of the explosion driving the scythe’s blade into his body.
“The result is the same—the swordsman dies. But the second instance kills him faster and more efficiently. If you’re fighting someone more skilled in swordsmanship than you, nine times out of ten, you’ll be countered and taken down. You’re not the best at swordsmanship in this academy, nor are you the best at magic. But you have something many don’t,” Van Dijk said, his gaze locking onto Ludwig’s. “A good head over your shoulders. Use it well.”
Ludwig nodded, his mind racing as he absorbed his master’s words. The holograms dissipated, leaving the room in silence once more.
“As for magic,” Van Dijk continued, “I sadly can’t teach you much today. You need to use the knowledge you already have to win. And if you’re able to show good results, I’ll teach you a bit more about Black Flame.”
[Quest Update!]
Van Dijk wants to see you achieve something spectacular at the Tournament. Once successful, you’ll be able to learn a bit more about his own personal spell, [Black Flames].
Ludwig’s eyes widened, the blue glow within his sockets flickering with excitement. “Thank you, Master!” he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Van Dijk nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Good. Be on your way, then. You should use the rest of the night to understand more about your abilities, potential, and limits.”
Ludwig bowed slightly before turning to leave, his mind already racing with ideas and strategies. As he stepped out of the room, Van Dijk leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. He opened the drawer of his desk, revealing an old, weathered diary. The sight of it was a grim reminder of his own failures, a mistake that had cost him everything he had ever held dear.
He was about to open it, to revisit the memories that haunted him, but he stopped himself. With a shake of his head, he closed the drawer firmly. “Not today,” he muttered to himself. “Today is a good day.”
***
While Ludwig was halfway to the academy, his communication crystal buzzed, breaking the silence of the night. He frowned as he pulled it out, seeing Danny’s name flash on the surface. What could he want at this hour?
“Yo, what’s up?” Ludwig asked, his voice calm but curious.
“Where are you right now?” Danny’s voice was urgent, his tone sharp and serious.
“I just left the Black Tower. Why?” Ludwig replied, his unease growing.
“There’s been another murder,” Danny said, his words sending a chill down Ludwig’s spine.
“What?” Ludwig’s voice rose in shock. “When did this happen?”
“The body is still warm,” Danny said, his tone grim. “It couldn’t have been more than twenty or so minutes ago.”
“Where did it happen?”
“The boys’ dorm,” Danny replied. “You know the victim.”
Ludwig’s mind raced, his thoughts immediately turning to Hoyo and Kassandra. They had left earlier—could the killer have targeted them? His grip on the crystal tightened as he asked,
Ludwig’s heart—or rather, the absence of it—felt as if it had dropped into his stomach. “Who is it?” he demanded, his voice tense.
“It’s Kuro,” Danny said.
For a moment, Ludwig felt a strange mix of relief and guilt. Relief that his friends were safe, and guilt for feeling grateful that it wasn’t them. The conflicting emotions swirled within him, leaving him momentarily speechless.
“I’m coming over,” Ludwig said finally, his voice firm. Without waiting for a response, he tucked the crystal away and broke into a sprint, his skeletal frame moving with unnatural speed as he raced toward the academy.