Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

※Corrected typos on 2018/8/27.

※Partial corrections made on 2018/8/27.

I’m Satou. Back in university, I often had to write reports, but after becoming a working adult, opportunities to do so disappeared unless I attended external events. Well, I still have to prepare presentation materials now and then...

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“――Are there any more questions for Satou-kun? If not, let’s take a vote. Those who object to accepting Satou-kun’s thesis on ‘The Transition from Living Beings to Undead Creatures and the Denial of Irreversibility’—please raise your hand.”

Having completed my report, I came to submit it at the Tower of the Sage, but upon reviewing it, Sage Caryu summoned an emergency board meeting, and I ended up having to give a presentation just like a thesis defense.

Regarding the part of the report touching on Resurrection Magic, it was said that sages long ago asked the God Karion whether it was possible for the undead to exist, and the god denied it—with no further probing, the topic was just brushed aside.

By the way, the spell I used for verification, “Undead to Life,” has been designated as a forbidden spell. However, since I worked hard to develop it, I was allowed to have it recorded in the Tower of the Sage’s “Sealing Repository,” on the condition that the developer remain unknown.

“There seem to be no objections. Then, I accept the paper and hereby confer the title of Doctor to Satou-kun, and the title of Master’s degree to assistant Sera-kun.”

“――Objection!”

The stout doctor who was the most vigorous in questioning and debating during the presentation stood up and shouted.

“Are you dissatisfied, Dr. Paddle?”

“I am!”

For me, it was fine as long as the thesis was accepted.

If we were going to waste time quarreling over titles at the Tower of the Sage, it wasn’t really a problem if I didn’t get one at all.

Before I could even open my mouth to decline—

“The title of Doctor is insufficient as compensation for such a great thesis!”

—Huh?

“Without citing past examples, one who solves an ‘Unresolved Issue’ should be granted the title ‘Sage,’ not ‘Doctor’!”

The stout doctor’s shout was met with enthusiastic applause.

Along with the title of Sage, I was almost handed the position of head of the Tower of the Sage from Sage Caryu, but I declined that and settled for becoming a board member of the Tower of the Sage.

Apparently, the official award ceremony and celebration will be held tomorrow.

] Title "Doctor" obtained.

] Title "Sage" obtained.

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“Your Excellency, congratulations on solving the ‘Unresolved Issue’.”

Upon arrival at the Karion Central Temple, I was greeted by the temple head—a stern figure—along with high-ranking priests and Shrine Maiden Meier.

It seemed that Sage Caryu’s messenger had already reported ahead, and the preparations for the ceremony were complete, so I proceeded directly to communion with the God Karion.

‘――God. Our revered, thoughtful deity.’

In response to Shrine Maiden Meier’s invocation, a bright light descended from the heavens.

It was a comforting crimson light. For some reason, it seemed even brighter than the light I had bathed in before.

The shrine maiden’s ecstatic expression faded.

She appeared to have entered a trance state.

‘…Excellent.’

The words from God Karion were just a single phrase, but simultaneously, an ineffable message conveying “blessing,” “praise,” and “satisfaction” flowed into me.

‘I give this to you.’

Within the crimson light, a deeper crimson glitter formed, crystallizing into the shape of a book.

According to the AR display, it was a “divinely granted treasure” called the Book of Wisdom Karisefer.

The book’s cover was adorned with an unfamiliar gem called the “Chisen Stone,” which shone a vivid crimson.

I later learned that this book had a function that allowed one to look up existing magic spells, making it extremely useful.

Although, since the majority of the spells I created myself weren’t included, it wasn’t a complete compilation.