It’s been a couple of days since my Troll hunt and Lab excavation. Since then, I’ve been reading Lamel’s journal and just getting a basis for what is written about the Philosopher’s Stone.

Sadly, since Nick made the stone close to the timeframe of his death, there isn’t much about it. All that he wrote was that it can transmute matter into something else like turning regular metal into gold, like the legendary stone is said to do in my old world.

And that the Stone is capable of transmuting the materials needed to create healing potions. Anything other than that, he hasn’t written it down.

While a bit of a bummer that he didn’t do a lot of research on it before his death, I was going to have to rely on the information from the novel to put more pieces together.

For one thing, the Stone can not only transmute materials into other things, but it can also do something that defies the laws of nature, and that creates artificial life. This, being the Homunculi.

How was it able to create said artificial life? Well…it requires souls.

The Philosopher’s Stone is capable of absorbing and transmuting human souls into something much like it. With this artificially created soul, it is then implanted into artificially created bodies for said souls to inhabit them, thus creating the homunculi.

Aside from creating just the homunculi, there was something else…they were also able to create Talents for them as well.

They were called Pseudo-Talents, and while not as strong as the real deal, they were still troublesome to deal with. The stone was able to do this due to a Talent being connected to a person’s soul.

This is one of the reasons why Talents were unique to individuals. And that stone could create something like that…

“Geez, Lamel, what the hell were you thinking?”

I know this guy was just trying to accomplish his dream and make Healing Potions, but by creating the Philosopher’s Stone, he also made one of the most dangerous items in the world. Thankfully it’s in my possession, so I didn’t have to worry about something that happening.

Though, the fact that I changed the future again was a bit concerning. Especially when I don’t know what exactly I changed. This is like a butterfly-level future shift, and I’m scared of what the consequences could be…

Then there’s just having the stone in my possession being really nerve-wracking. I know how dangerous this stupid thing is, but I also can’t destroy it since I need it.

Now that I think about it…can this thing even be destroyed? The novel didn’t go into details on something like that, and it never talked about what happened to the stone, mainly because the story didn’t end before I died and the item was still in Ouroboros hands.

So, I don’t really know if the stone can be destroyed. Although it was created by Lamel, the power it has is way too OP to just simply get crushed and be unusable.

Although I was curious about that, I didn’t want to test yet. Not until I make use of the stone and get the upper hand against Ouroboros.

So, for now, that theory will have to wait.

I fiddled with the stone in my hands for a little bit, admiring the ruby red color, before putting it back into a drawer. This was a temporary place to put the thing until I found a more secure spot for it. I didn’t want to keep it on me, so leaving it in my room was the safest option for now.

After I closed the journal and put it with the stone, I got some casual clothes to wear, getting ready to start the day. And this day was pretty special since it was the start of the second Arc of the novel.

That meant…I was heading to London today. While the first story event was in Agoge, this one was located somewhere else.

Meaning Agoge Academy won’t be able to help us in time. Not that they did in the first arc either, but still.

I left my dorm room and started heading over to the Departure Center. I was walking down a path that was leading there, and as I did, I watched as other students were coming and going.

Some talked to other students while others were rushing about, looking like they were late for something. While heading there, I soon ran into some familiar faces.

Three familiar faces.

“Hey, Ethan,” Luke waved.

“Yo.”

Greeting me was the main trio themselves, Luke, Beiste, and Min. And just like me, they were all wearing casual clothes. Luke wore a white T-Shirt with a blue button-up shirt over it, along with loose jeans and regular shoes.

Beiste looked about the same, though he was wearing a rather tight shirt that was revealing his muscles...a lot. I was afraid that the shirt was going to rip from him just slightly flexing his pecs.

Then there was Min, who wore a white crop top hoodie with tight sweats and sports shoes. Out of the three, she looked the most casual and appealing.

They were here because they were meeting up with me to head to the Departure Center so we can head to London.

We were going there for mainly two reasons. The first reason was to explore since we can go from country to country very quickly and easily compared to the planes in my old world.

The second reason was for Beiste and Min, who was to do more studying. Basically, instead of just studying at the academy the whole time, a change in scenery could help motivate them. This was pretty much the same reason as in the novel, so at least that didn’t change. While we walked over to the Center, Luke spoke up.

“Hey, Ethan, have you been to London before?”

“Never,” I said almost immediately.

Both in this life and my previous one, I have never been to London. But, just like France, I’ve always wanted to, so it was pretty cool that I could do this. Although I got paid decently at my computer programming job, I never had the time to travel. It was always work, work, work.

“I’ve wanted to,” Min said with a cheerful smile. “But they didn’t have any tournaments being held there, so I never bothered to go.”

“How very like you, Min!” Beiste laughed.

“I bet you’re no different, Beiste,” Luke retorted. “Unless a place has people to fight, you likely wouldn’t want to go there either.”

“That is very true!” Instead of being offended, Beiste just admits this and laughed more.

This guy really was a carefree individual when it came to things like this. I think it’s because of this personality of his that I liked him so much as a character. I couldn’t help but laugh myself at this. Anyway, we soon made it over to the Center and were now waiting in line to get on board.

“You think this will help Beiste and Min with their studying?” Luke asked while whispering.

“Probably…”

Honestly, we aren’t going to have enough time to even get down to studying. It will only take a few moments once we make it to the Mall in London for shit to hit the fan. Of course, I couldn’t really tell Luke or anyone else this.

So, the second arc will be something like a hostage situation where the entire mall that we’re going to is going to be held captive by Nemesis. And Luke and his group will get involved since they’re stuck there and then try to defeat the terrorist group. This event was also an arc where…readers got to see Luke’s true self, and his hatred for terrorists like Nemesis.

Yeah…that’s going to be a sight.

While waiting in line, I suddenly felt a presence nearby. A very powerful presence at that, which caused my body to go on high alert.

What the hell is…oh no.

“Mr. Monroe, what a surprise.”

The person who just greeted me with a smile was…The Headmaster, Miss Melody. She was wearing a similar outfit from when I first met her.

Why was she here?! And why didn’t [Absolute Misfortune] not activate?! This seems like a big bad luck moment, don’t you think?

“H-Headmaster Sonare…” I said, somewhat nervous.

“Come now, child, I thought I told you to call me Miss Melody?” She flashed another smile, only making me more nervous.

And here I thought my encounter with The Headmaster would end with the first one…or at least I hoped that would be the case.

“Oh,” The Headmaster then turned and noticed Luke and the others. “Are these students your friends, Mr. Monroe?”

“A-ah, m-my name is Meng Min, Headmaster Sonare,” Min greeted the headmaster nervously.

She even bowed her head very awkwardly.

“H-hello, Headmaster,” Even Beiste was a bit nervous with her.

This just shows just how famous and powerful Sonare Melody was. Being the Headmaster of Agoge Academy, she has the highest authority and deserves the highest respect.

“Good morning, dear students,” Melody greeted them.

While looking at Beiste and Min for a moment, her eyes then trained on Luke, locking on to him the moment she had him in her sights.

“And you must be Luke Hope,” her smile still present.

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Headmaster Sonare,” Luke smiles back at Melody while showing his respect.

Now that I think about it, this is the first time these two have met…Unfortunately, they don’t meet like they did in the novel, which is after the Manticore incident and they talked in her office.

…Oh god damn it!

“I’ve heard quite a lot about you from your master. I can tell that she’s raised and trained you well.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Oh? She said the line for when she meets Luke in the novel! Despite this being in a different location and situation, she still said it. That’s a bit relieving.

“And where will you children be heading today?” Miss Melody suddenly asked us.

“A-ah, we’re heading to London to get a change in scenery and continue our studying,” I told her.

“So England, huh?” she mused. “That’s certainly a good place to try. The last time I went there, I had business with the current Queen there.”

Ah, the Queen of England. She actually makes a few appearances in the novel, though they weren’t all that significant. Though I do anticipate when they do happen. If I could meet the Queen of England, that would be pretty cool.

“Well, I’ll leave you to your little trip,” The Headmaster said while walking away. “And study hard for the exams! You’ll need all the help you can get!”

After the Headmaster left, Beiste and Min sighed with relief.

“That was…unexpected,” Min said, completely confused and anxious after what just happened.

“Why did the Headmaster show up here?” Beiste questioned. “I thought she would be busy.”

Beiste was right to question this since Sonare Melody rarely interacts with Agoge Students. As the Headmaster, she’s extremely busy most days and rarely gets any breaks.

Of course…she sometimes ignores her responsibilities to do whatever she wanted for a brief moment. In fact, she did this loads of times with Luke as she visits him from time to time.

“It seemed that the Headmaster was checking up on you, Ethan,” Luke said, turning to face me.

“Yeah…”

Only now…it seems like she’s doing what she did in the novel for me, not Mr. Protagonist. And that…wasn’t good.

I could tell in our conversation that even though she greeted Beiste and Min, and even talked to Luke like she did in the novel…her focus was on me.

It was like she was only interested in me…

Please don’t tell me this is going to be another change in the story. I really don’t want that, especially when it involves the Headmaster of all people!

I already have too much on my plate to be dealing with her!

“Oh, it looks like we’re about to get on!” Min said, noticing the line got shorter, and rushed over to catch up.

Beiste and Luke did the same, followed by me, but I did so absentmindedly due to my current thoughts clouding my brain.

Please…don’t let this become a massive hassle for me. I beg you…

…

Somewhere in London…

A huge crowd of people were walking in and out of a massive shopping-like building. This was the Majesty’s Villa Shopping Mall. It’s a very popular place in London where all the residents in the capital do their shopping.

From clothes, food, arcades, movie theaters, among others. This place was where you could get anything you wanted.

And today…it was going to be used to hold civilians hostage.

“So, that’s the place, right?”

Looking at the mall in the distance was a man in his mid-thirties and short black hair with red streaks. He adjusted his leather jacket while he continued watching the people roaming about.

“Indeed,” A man with crazy eyes and wild hair states. “That’s Her Majesty’s Villa. This is where we will be doing our mission.”

“Hmph,” Ddraig scoffs. “I don’t give a damn about the mission. All I want is the bastard that killed my pet. And according to our spy, he’s coming here to study.”

While Ddraig was a member of the anarchic group known as Nemesis, their current mission wasn’t why he was here. He was here to settle the score with the person that murdered his pet.

“Yes, this Ethan Monroe person,” The person with crazy eyes said. “Remind me again how he took down that mutant pet of yours?”

“Why don’t you ask him…after I’m done mutilating the bastard to near death.” He had a menacing smile that hid hints of rage behind it.

Seeing this, the man with crazy eyes couldn’t help but shiver with fear.

“I hate to say it…but I feel a little bad for the kid. To get on the bad side of someone like you.”

“Yeah…I guess he’s just that unlucky, huh?”

The pair then started to walk towards Majesty’s Villa. Behind them, scattered groups of their men started following behind.

It was time for Nemesis to make their move…