NOVEL WEB Chapter 15 - The Stairs of Truth
Scene 015: The Stairs of Truth
Mondri couldn’t respond. It felt as if a cold hand was squeezing his heart. His face turned pale, and after a while, he finally managed to speak.
“I… regret that I cannot be of assistance. The selection of special candidates lies entirely with the admissions director. My role is limited to final approval…”
With that, the crushing weight of anger that oppressed Mondri evaporated. Tristan leaned back in his chair and spoke calmly.
“I see. I understand.”
Finally able to breathe again, Mondri exhaled a deep sigh of relief. This brat… He barely stopped himself from cursing.
Mondri Cremonte, president of Mekhael University, was known as a legendary mage. It was rumored that he had reached the level of a sage. Those who saw him never hesitated to bow their heads in respect. Yet, this brat showed no fear.
Perhaps the old saying held true after all – like father, like son.
Mondri looked at Tristan closely. The boy was as dark and unreadable as the abyss. His eyes, as murky as the depths of the sea, revealed nothing to those who looked into them.
Wait… am I… afraid? Me? Feeling fear toward a noble who looks younger than my son? How humiliating. Am I seeing the ghost of William…?
Mondri was confused. But years of experience allowed him to keep his emotions hidden.
“I appreciate your understanding. If you wish, we can call the admissions director to discuss the matter.”
“Let’s do that.”
“Yes. But… may I ask one thing?”
“What is it?”
Mondri voiced the question that had been troubling him. “Well… It’s surprising to see you’ve found joy in learning so late, Count. But for a student without magical ability, studying here would be—”
“Lord Mondri,” Tristan interrupted, his expression unreadable.
At that moment, Mondri realized his mistake. The Ruelberta family’s inability to use magic was a sensitive subject, and he had just touched a nerve.
“Oh, I apologize. I misspoke…”
“It’s not me.”
“Pardon?”
“The one applying for admission isn’t me. It’s my Servant.”
Mondri frowned. Had he heard correctly? He took a slow sip of tea, letting Tristan’s words sink in. Could the Count have come to the wrong school? This was Mekhael University. Surely, he knew it wasn’t a place for mere Servants.
Mondri spoke again, his calm expression unwavering—a product of his years of experience.
“Not you, but your Servant… is that right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then, where is this Servant?”
“She’s right here.”
Count Tristan gestured to the girl standing beside him, dressed in a coat.
Oh?
As Mondri stared at her, the girl shivered, clearly intimidated. She had kept her head down since she arrived. Her thick, curly hair made her look like a small, timid animal.
“I thought she was your younger sister. She seems quite young.”
“She’s twelve.”
“Huh… In that case, the earliest she could take the entrance exam would be in about five years.”
“To my knowledge, age isn’t a factor in the selection of special candidates.”
“Excuse me? That’s true, but…”
“I intend to have her admitted as a special candidate.”
“What?! M-My lord, I-I…!”
Tristan raised a hand, silencing the girl.
“She has potential.”
“Potential, you say…?”
“She possesses a talent that far exceeds others.”
Mondri narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the girl again. She looked young, fragile—lacking confidence, weak in spirit. Nothing about her suggested “talent.”
Hmm…
After observing her for a moment, Mondri began to think. Mekhael University was the most prestigious educational institution in the country. In theory, anyone could enroll under the empire’s equal education laws. However, in practice, over 99% of the graduates were nobles.
The reason was simple: the costs of tuition. A single year cost a minimum of 20 million Kaels. Even if one could afford it, the entrance exam was no small feat. Many students attempted it multiple times before passing.
And if regular admission was tough, the special candidate process was even more grueling. It was designed for those with exceptional talents. Unlike regular admissions, effort alone wouldn’t secure a place. Only those with outstanding abilities could pass the special candidate exam.
Surely, the Count knew this. Mondri quietly observed Tristan, trying to read his intentions. But the young noble remained an enigma.
“If that’s your wish, Count, I understand. I’ll summon the admissions director right away. The special candidate exam requires some preparation. Would this afternoon be convenient?”
“…That’s fine.”
Despite everything, Tristan remained calm and composed, as if he truly believed the girl had some hidden talent. Mondri’s curiosity was piqued.
The son of the only man he had ever feared—Tristan’s true intentions were unclear. But as far as Mondri knew, William had never told a lie. Perhaps it was worth seeing this through. If she failed the exam, he could simply reject her.
Mondri stood, realizing that time was short. Preparations needed to begin immediately. He turned to Tristan.
“So, will you wait here for a moment? I’ll begin making the necessary arrangements.”
“There’s somewhere I’d like to visit before the exam.”
“Hm?”
Mondri stroked his beard. “Where might that be?”
—–
“L-Lord Count… please… let me come with you…” Wendy, who had been quietly following behind me, spoke in a trembling voice, as if she were on the verge of tears.
I’m currently climbing the stairs.
In the main building of Mekhael University, there’s a staircase at the center of the structure that seems to vanish into thin air. Among the students, it’s known as the “Staircase of Truth.”
“Wendy, you should head back. I’ll go on alone.”
“Well, the thing is… I’d love to, but….” Wendy glanced up at me, her eyes filling with tears. “I… I can’t go down….”
There was nothing beneath her feet.
The Staircase of Truth is no ordinary structure—it’s a magical illusion, invisible to the naked eye. Wendy appeared to be floating in mid-air.
“Wendy, calm down.”
“My lord, I’m so sorry. I think this is as far as I can go….” Her voice was so small and adorable that I had to stifle a chuckle. To her, this must have felt like a life-or-death situation.
“That’s why I told you not to follow me.”
“But… I’m your Maid… I’m supposed to always be by your side….”
“…….” She’s always so eager. But the fact that she made it this far proves her courage. I’m not heartless enough to ignore that.
There’s no other choice.
I turned and began descending the stairs, one careful step at a time. Each step into the void gave me a strange sensation until I finally stood before Wendy.
Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. “M-my lord… please go on without me. At least remember… I held back my tears until the end…”
“Close your eyes.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t make me say it twice. Close your eyes.”
“O-okay….” Obediently, Wendy closed her eyes.
I took her hand. She flinched at my touch.
“Wendy, listen carefully.”
There’s a secret to these stairs.
“You’re standing right in the middle of them.”
“Y-yes….”
The way to climb these magical, invisible stairs… “I’ll hold your hand, so just take it one step at a time.”
“Y-yes! But… I can’t see anything….”
“Even if you open your eyes, you still won’t be able to see them.”
On this magical staircase, the next step appears wherever you believe it should. All you have to do is climb like you would on any ordinary staircase.
“Now, keep your eyes closed and just climb.”
sniff “My lord… what if there’s no step in front of me? I’m scared….”
Only those who believe can climb these stairs.
“Don’t you trust yourself?”
As long as you believe you won’t fall, you never will.
“Then trust me.”
sniff.
Wendy wiped away her tears, her eyes still closed.
“I trust you, my lord….”
She slowly lifted her right foot. One step. The invisible step held firm beneath her foot. She lifted her other foot forward. Two steps. Growing bolder with each movement, Wendy began to climb more quickly. She was climbing the stairs now, her fear fading with each step.
Relieved, I held her small hand as we climbed together.
I glanced around at a few students who had gathered to study during the break. As we ascended the towering staircase, I checked to see if any of them were familiar faces, but no one stood out.
I came to a stop on the Staircase of Truth.
“Wendy….”
“Yes?”
“You can open your eyes now.”
The sight before us was far grander and more magnificent than anything I’d ever read about in books.
We had arrived.
It was Mekhael University’s pride Magic Library.