Translated Chapter
246. Scene: The Mindless Machine
246. Scene: The Mindless Machine
The wizard coughed, then cleared his throat: "Well, you see, the mindless machine. It's been around since before 200,000 years ago—original humans used it to summon and control food spirits."
"Correct."
Professor Quirrell nodded. "Back then, those who wielded such devices would transform the spirit of the Great Beast into a luminous light. They would demand the beast's protection, offering the finest food, clothing, and even their own children in exchange."
"Then their tools evolved into these—well, it's clear they were once used to contain the beast."
A long silence. The wind rustled through the trees, and the sky above trembled as if breathing. The forest floor cracked open, revealing underground roots torn apart, and the earth trembled beneath their feet.
The students gasped. From the shadows between the trees, they could see the faint silhouettes of humans—figures of pale, ghostly light. Two of them, perhaps children, stood near the edge of the clearing, watching silently.
"This is the mindless machine—humans still use these devices today. With it, spirits can be summoned safely, at a distance, keeping the beast at bay. It's a way to avoid direct confrontation with the beast's rage."
Quirrell added, "But even so, they still don’t treat the beast as a noble being. They continue to see it as a force to be conquered, even when the beast itself is already weakened."
"Still, the beast is no longer seen as a master or equal. People began to believe that a single spirit could be captured and controlled—just like that."
"Yet still, the beast remains powerful. It's not because of its strength, but because it's been cursed. It's trapped, bound by old magic, and so it fights back."
Then, more devices were revealed.
Three new devices appeared, fifteen were discovered, and seventeen others were found embedded in the ground.
A single, sharp ping rang out. A golden sphere floated into the air, and the students watched as a small, glowing figure emerged—its form flickering like a flame. One student nearly stepped forward, but was pulled back by a classmate.
Quirrell said: "From now on, the summoning process has begun."
He pointed at a small, unmarked stone beneath the roots, untouched by the others. He asked the students: "Tell me—what if you had a few of these devices, just like this, ready for use? How many of you could keep them hidden?"
A pause.
Benson sighed. "Not even a few—just one is already too much. I’ve already been caught."
Quirrell replied: "So from this moment, the summoning begins. You must keep this secret. The process is already underway. You’ve already been marked."
"Even if you think you're safe, the beast is already aware. It's watching. It knows who's been chosen."
"Even so, many of you may not realize it. The words 'spirit whisper' are a rare, hidden language—only a few understand it. The beast's presence is known only to those who can hear it."
"Besides, you've all seen how it works. The beast is not just a creature—it's a force. It doesn’t act out of rage, but out of pain. It cannot defend itself. It cannot heal. It cannot even escape."
"Imagine, then—what if you were caught in a nightmare? Could you still feel the beast’s presence like the light of a moonlit forest? Could you sense its shadow falling over you?"
The students fell silent. They stared at the wizard, their eyes wide with dawning fear.
"Back then," Quirrell continued, "children still believed in these devices. They were so powerful that even the smallest child could summon a spirit. But now? The spirit’s power is gone. It can’t even protect itself."
"Compared to you, the beast is weak. It only needs to be defeated once, and it will never rise again."
"Take a student like Neville, for example—a boy with no magical talent, no family name, no legacy. He was taken by the spirit, pulled into its shadow. He was forced to carry its burden, and when he tried to flee, he was trapped beneath a stone, left to die. He was found half-dead, buried under the roots, his body broken."
The students looked at each other, horrified.
At that moment, they heard a distant voice:
"Why would I be chosen? This is just tragic. Professor Quirrell!"
Neville flinched. His breath caught. Several students rushed forward, but were stopped by the professor’s gesture.
Quirrell watched silently. He saw the fear in their eyes, the way their minds were racing.
"Wait," he said. "You don’t understand. This is not about power. It’s about survival. The beast is not your enemy. It’s your only hope."
The students remained still.
"Professor," Neville whispered. "I want to try."
Quirrell looked at him. "You’re not ready."
But Neville stood firm. "I need to know."
Quirrell turned toward the forest. "Then let’s see what happens."
He lifted the device, its surface glowing faintly. The wind stirred. The trees swayed. The ground trembled.
The students watched as Quirrell activated the device.
"Go ahead," he said. "You can summon it."
Neville stepped forward.
"Wait!"
The air cracked with energy. The device pulsed, and a faint light began to rise from the earth.
The students froze.
Then—silence.
The device dimmed. The light faded.
Quirrell sighed. "It’s not enough. You need more than willpower. You need connection."
Neville lowered his head.
Quirrell turned to the class. "The summoning has begun. The spirit is aware. It knows who you are."
Then, a new voice echoed from the trees:
"This is the soul summoning machine. It’s been active on the scene for days. In just one day, it has already claimed over ten thousand souls."
"Ten thousand?!" someone gasped.
"Over ten thousand?" another whispered, stunned.
Quirrell nodded. "Theoretically, this device can produce hundreds of spirit forms every minute."
He lifted the machine into the air, and said: "Now, let’s see what else it can do."
Special Note:
During the first appearance of the machine, the device did not recognize any names spoken aloud. Only after the second phase did it begin to respond to the names of those present. Anyone whose name is spoken will be marked by the machine.
(End of Chapter)
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