Astrid, heading to Professor Vanitas’s office, knocked. To— Tok.
The door slowly opened, revealing Karina peeking her head out.
“Yes?”
“Ah,” Astrid said. “Is Professor Vanitas inside?”
“No,” Karina shook her head. “The Professor left early today.”
“Oh, I see.” Astrid felt a pang of disappointment but quickly nodded. “Thank you.”
She greeted Karina before turning to leave the university.
Outside, her personal driver was waiting.
Sliding into the car, Astrid instructed, “Elaine Hospital.”
The driver nodded, starting the engine, and they drove off. Astrid gazed out the window.
During her time in high school, Astrid had been taking medical courses alongside her regular studies.
She had achieved a Level Three Certification in the medical field after five years of studies, with Level Five being the requirement to become a licensed doctor.
Despite her noble background, Astrid had always been passionate about helping others, especially in medicine. Elaine Hospital had become a frequent stop for her to volunteer.
“We’re here, Princess.”
As the car pulled up to the hospital entrance, Astrid stepped out and entered the hospital.
A nurse at the reception desk smiled warmly at her.
“Good afternoon, Lady Astrid,” the nurse said. “Here for your usual rounds?”
In her early days of volunteering, they often called her “Princess,” but she had quickly corrected them, preferring to be addressed simply by her name.
Astrid nodded. “Yes, I’ll be visiting the children’s ward today.”
The nurse handed her a clipboard with a visitor’s pass. “The kids have been looking forward to seeing you.”
Astrid’s medical knowledge and license were helpful, especially for treating children and managing minor illnesses.
“Thank you. I’ll head there now.”
Most illnesses in children were manageable and treatable when caught early.
However, if symptoms persisted or worsened as they grew older, the conditions could become severe—and in some cases, terminal.
Astrid felt the need to prevent such bleak futures for these children.
She never wanted anyone to experience what happened to her mother.
***
Vanitas inspected the vicinity. The mana concentration in the area was dense and uneven. The left side had a mana level of 2.1032%, while the right side was significantly lower.
“….”
There was clearly something unusual. Even during the short walk, the mana levels had fluctuated noticeably.
As they approached the old winery, Vanitas paused, glancing around.
Swoosh~
The grass shifted slightly, as if brushed by the wind—but there was no such wind.
The more he observed, the clearer it became. The land had the potential to be a thriving farm, not just a vineyard. The soil quality was enriched by the natural mana lingering in the air.
Vanitas glanced at Charlotte, who was sticking close to him. Her eyes were darting around nervously.
The elderly woman leading them stopped in front of a large, old cellar door.
“This is it,” she said. “The disturbances are quite strong here.”
Vanitas turned to Charlotte. “Are you sure about this?”
The girl looked reluctant, however, it was her suggestion to inspect the old winery herself.
“Y–Yes.”
Vanitas nodded. Perhaps this would be a valuable experience for her.
Turning to the elderly woman, he said, “My sister will handle the inspection. I’ll stay here to discuss the terms with you.”
The woman blinked, looking between the two siblings. “If that’s what you wish.”
Vanitas placed a hand on Charlotte’s shoulder. “Take your time. If you feel unsafe, call for me.”
Charlotte swallowed hard but nodded. “Got it.”
As Charlotte entered the cellar, Vanitas turned back to the elderly woman.
“Why don’t you show me more of this land?” he suggested.
“Of course, Lord Astrea,”
A specific fixture seemed to be the source of the dense mana concentration in the area where they stood.
As they walked around, Vanitas gestured toward the vineyard. “I’d like to hear more about this vineyard’s history.”
“This vineyard has been in my family for generations. During my grandfather’s time, many farmers worked the land, and it produced some of the finest grapes.”
She paused, and her expression darkened.
“But then, a phenomenon began. Workers started falling ill with unexplainable conditions. One by one, they passed away.”
Vanitas raised an eyebrow but remained silent as she continued.
“When my father took over, the same thing happened. More workers came, and for a while, things seemed fine. But then, the strange deaths started again.”
“And when you took over?” Vanitas asked.
Her expressions turned grim. “I didn’t take the risk. I left the land untouched. But here’s the strange part—these grapes, unharvested for thirty years, are still ripe.”
“That’s unusual.”
“It’s almost as if the land itself is preserving them….”
Vanitas stepped closer to examine the vineyard.
“Mana-infused soil,” he murmured. “But this preservation. There’s more to it than just magic dust.”
He reached out to touch a cluster of grapes. They felt firm, cool, and unnatural.
“Have you tested these grapes?” Vanitas asked.
The woman shook her head. “No one dared to touch them after everything that happened.”
Vanitas noted her honesty.
It was unusual for someone selling land to disclose such a grim history, but it made sense. Selling to aristocrats came with the risk of legal action if critical details were withheld.
Vanitas turned back to her. “I’ll conduct a thorough investigation before finalizing anything. If there’s a cause for these phenomena, I’ll find it.”
The woman bowed slightly. “Thank you, Lord Astrea.”
The further they walked, the heavier the mana felt in the air. Vanitas observed his surroundings carefully, a pond, an old wooden gazebo, and so on and so forth.
The elderly woman suddenly stopped and turned to Vanitas.
“What about your sister? She’s been in the winery for quite some time now. Shouldn’t we check on her?”
Vanitas glanced in the direction of the cellar they had left behind.
“She’ll be fine. Charlotte’s capable.”
“Even so, the disturbances in that area—”
“—Are why I asked her to inspect it,” Vanitas interrupted.
Suddenly, a faint sound drifted through the air.
——Haha~
At first, it was soft, like the distant giggle of children, but then it shifted. The playful tone turned sinister, contorting into muffled cries, eventually, older voices chimed in.
——Leave…. this place….
——Stay…. and you’ll end up like us….
The elderly woman froze.. “That’s them…. the ghosts.”
The giggling and crying grew louder, seemingly coming from all directions.
Then, as if in response to their presence, the wind picked up, rustling the trees and bushes.
“Lord Astrea….” the woman’s voice trembled. “Should we…. should we go back?”
Vanitas shook his head. “No. This is exactly what I need to see.”
As he scanned the area, something caught his eye.
“Hm?”
Clear, luminescent water began to seep from the ground. It bubbled up slowly like a small fountain, before fading back into the soil.
“That…. that’s the third time I’ve seen it in my life. It only happens when….”
“When what?” Vanitas pressed.
“When the disturbances are strongest.”
Vanitas crouched down, examining the spot where the water had emerged. He reached out and a faint residue of mana linger against his fingertips.
Pouring mana into his spectacle, he scanned.
When he saw it, his brows raised.
“Oh?”
Vanitas stood and donned a pair of black gloves. “Fascinating. Let’s continue.”
“Lord Astrea, are you certain—?”
“Positive. If we turn back now, I’ll miss the opportunity to understand what’s happening here.”
***
Elaine Hospital had a children’s ward, filled with young patients battling various illnesses.
Astrid, volunteering as a nurse, was given a small task. A doctor handed her a vial of medicine and a chart.
“This is for Room 203,” the doctor said. “The boy there is suffering from Mana Vein Contamination Syndrome.”
Astrid nodded and walked down the hall. Returning to the boy’s room, she handed the vial to the attending nurse.
Mana Vein Contamination Syndrome.
Eighty years ago, this disease emerged due to contamination in water sources laced with magical residues.
It affected the mana pathways—the veins within the body that allowed the flow of mana. In the early years, the disease was fatal, as no one knew how to treat it.
However, ten years later, a treatment was discovered. While cases were still prevalent today, the disease was manageable as long as it didn’t worsen.
Early checkups and consistent treatment were crucial for recovery.
The boy in Room 203, looked up at Astrid with tired eyes.
“Will this help?”
Astrid, standing nearby and awaiting further instructions, nodded her head.
“Yes. It’ll help. Just rest for now, alright?”
The boy gave a weak nod and lay back against the pillows. Astrid glanced at the attending nurse, who had just finished administering the medicine.
“He’ll be fine,” the nurse said. “We caught it early.”
“That’s a relief….”
Shortly after, Astrid left the room and continued with her volunteering duties, staying until 9:00 P.M.
***
In essence, ghosts were spirits—trapped souls held back by deep-seated grudges or unfulfilled purposes that prevented them from moving on.
To Charlotte, forcibly exorcising a ghost should only be a last resort, something done only in the most severe circumstances.
She believed that understanding and resolving the source of their unrest was the better approach.
As she stepped cautiously deeper into the cellar, goosebumps crawled all over her skin.
But she braced herself. With her strong connection to spirits, Charlotte knew she was the only one capable of handling this and communicating with them.
Activating her stigmata, she traced the air with her fingers. Purple wisps began to form and take shape.
Raising her hand, one of the spirits floated upward toward the ceiling.
Swish—
Charlotte whispered softly, “Show me.”
Closing her eyes, she activated her stigmata, 「Breath of the Spirits」.
A connection between the ghosts was established, her spirit acting as a medium. It wasn’t like having a full conversation, but more like glimpsing into their essence and emotions.
‘They’re all in agony….’
The spirits’ fragmented voices echoed in her mind. They were disjointed yet filled with sorrow.
Drip. Drip…!
The sound of water dripping reached her ears.
Clues slowly pieced together in her thoughts as she tried to interpret what the spirits were revealing through broken whispers and sensations. The spirit she had sent out was trying to guide her to the truth.
‘A pond. The soil. Cups. Water.’
The spirits were leading her toward something significant. She opened her eyes, glancing around the cellar.
“A pond… the soil.
She turned toward the direction where the purple spirit seemed to be pointing her to.
Charlotte hesitated before reaching for the doorknob.
“Hieeek—!”
She froze, yelping as the air around her turned icy cold, and she felt the distinct pressure of a hand on her shoulder.
Turning around, she found nothing.
“….”
Her breath hitched, and she gripped her trembling hand tightly. But after a moment, she composed herself and twisted the doorknob.
Swoosh~
Cold air swept past her as she stepped outside. The foggy mist began to fade, revealing the clear blue sky, as Sunlight spilled through her vision.
“Huh?”
Charlotte looked down. The soil, which should have been muddy and wet, was now dry and covered with rough patches of grass.
“This….”
Her brow furrowed as she felt the shift in mana around her. The air was thick, and slightly suffocating, pressing against her chest with a sense of unease.
“….A Fractal Dimension.”
She stepped further, feeling the ground beneath her feet almost pulsate with mana. Whispers echoed, brushing past her ears again. Everything seemed to be suspended.
“Ah….?”
Suddenly, the sky above shifted chaotically—night, then day, then night again.
Stars, the sun, and the moon flickered as if time itself were speeding up and collapsing into itself.
Slash——!
The sound of a blade cutting through the air rang out. She flicked her head toward the noise. Instinctively, she ran in its direction.
“….!”
Through the distorted landscape, she stumbled upon a scene that made her freeze.
A figure, someone oddly familiar yet a stranger to her, stood in the clearing.
Before her mind could process, a masked assailant appeared, and in one swift motion….
Slash——!
The figure lifelessly crumpled to the ground. Blood pooled beneath them, staining the grass.
“….”
She could see their lips moving, forming words, but no sound reached her ears. The scene before her felt unreal, yet vivid at the same time.
“This…. this is the past.”
The realization dawned upon her, and her eyes darted around the vineyard.
“Someone was murdered here…. right in this place.”
***
“Is the vineyard safe for harvesting despite the ghosts?” Vanitas asked.
“Well, yes,” the woman replied. “Despite everything, my father managed the vineyard and produced fresh grapes, supplying several businesses. In fact, at one point, my father’s grandfather was a supplier for the Imperial Family.”
“Is that so?”
She nodded. “Yes. The soil here has always been exceptionally fertile. The grapes grown in this vineyard were known for their unmatched quality, even with the disturbances over the years.”
Vanitas glanced at the rows of vines in the distance.
“Interesting,” he said. “Then why haven’t you continued the tradition, despite the risks?”
“The deaths, Lord Astrea. The workers were too afraid to stay, and as the years went by, it became harder to find anyone willing to take the risk.”
Vanitas paused, considering her words.
“By any chance,” he said, “this curse you speak of, does it involve an illness?”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Oh my, yes, actually. That’s how it always starts. But the local doctors couldn’t find anything wrong, at least, that’s the story around here.”
“What about the capital? Has anyone affected ever tried consulting there?”
“Yes, a few who could afford it,” she said. “But when they mentioned they were from this village, they were sent away. We later discovered this place was marked as a red zone for an epidemic during my grandfather’s time.”
She explained further. In the years that followed, as fewer workers came and the vineyard remained untouched, the illnesses seemed to stop.
“At that point, my father started supplying grapes to businesses under a pseudonym so no one would know they came from here.”
“And now?”
“I’ve abandoned this vineyard,” she admitted. “I’ve been looking to sell it. Honestly, I’m surprised someone from the capital, like you, is interested in a place with such a grim history.”
But as she spoke, it became clear the issue wasn’t limited to the vineyard. She revealed that over time, villagers with no ties to the vineyard also began falling ill in the past.
Fearing for their lives, the woman and her mother had fled to Anemoi City, leaving the cursed village behind.
“And what of your father?”
“….”
The woman’s expression darkened. She remained silent, but her silence said everything.
“My condolences.” Vanitas nodded slowly. “Let’s continue—”
Tak. Tak. Tak.
The sound of hurried footsteps rang out. Vanitas and the elderly woman turned to see Charlotte running toward them with a serious expression.
She leaned close to Vanitas and whispered, “….I saw this vineyard’s past. There was a murder here. We shouldn’t get involved. Let’s find another vineyard instead.”
“….”
Vanitas raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond immediately.
He straightened and turned toward the elderly woman.
“I’ll buy this land,” he said firmly. “Prepare the necessary paperwork.”
“What! Didn’t you just hear me—”
“I did,” Vanitas replied calmly. “That’s exactly why I’m purchasing this land.”
Charlotte stared at him, speechless. The elderly woman hesitated before bowing slightly.
“As you wish, Lord Astrea. I’ll have everything ready for your review.”
***
As they walked back to the car, Charlotte persistently questioned him.
“The budget aside, this is dangerous! Why would you even consider buying it? No one would even want to work there!”
Vanitas remained silent for most of the way. His calm demeanor only frustrated her more.
“I still don’t understand….”
“You will someday,” Vanitas replied simply as he opened the car door.
As they sat down, Vanitas turned to her.
“You did a good job.”
“What did I even do?”
Vanitas chuckled and turned his gaze to the window, choosing not to respond.
The woman’s knowledge of the vineyard’s history was limited. Having left the village at a young age, she didn’t know most of the details.
But Vanitas had done his own research before coming here.
The so-called “curse” she spoke of was due to an illness—Mana Vein Contamination Syndrome.
The disease had originated from contaminated water in the area. However, what intrigued Vanitas wasn’t just the illness but the high concentration on the soil.
For some reason, the cursed water had elevated the soil’s fertility, making it exceptionally rich for agriculture.
But that was a secondary concern.
The murder.
Charlotte had told him what she saw. A masked assailant killing someone in the vineyard’s past.
Based on her description, Vanitas suspected the murder wasn’t random but an act of silencing.
Perhaps the elderly woman’s great-great-grandfather had uncovered something he wasn’t supposed to know, or perhaps, the one murdered was her father.
If so, the contamination and the murder might be connected.
The likelihood was high, especially considering a fragmented memory he recalled from the original Vanitas’s conversation with Vanessa.
——The Imperial Family has conducted experiments on commoners in the past.
The voice was distorted, and the scenery around the memory was blurry. It wasn’t his own memory, after all. But even with the distortion, the voice was unmistakably a woman’s.
Vanessa’s voice.
Vanitas narrowed his eyes, piecing it together.
“The results of a failed experiment.”