Hanna also underwent some strange changes due to the influence of the Nightmare Plane.
Her soul was half transformed into an evil spirit, while the other half remained in its original state, confined within her body by the earrings.
This made Hanna appear as a living person, possessing a soul and a vibrant body, yet she was only half alive.
The other half of her soul, transformed into an evil spirit, continued to attack many sleeping wizard apprentices during the subsequent times, leading to later death incidents.
But this was unknown to the portion of Hanna’s soul within her; she didn’t even realize she was already dead.
In her view, Muse just raped her and then vanished.
It wasn’t until Duke defeated the evil spirit with the Holy Silver Sword that Hanna’s two halves of her soul merged into one, becoming a truly pure soul.
However, Hanna’s soul state couldn’t last long and would soon disperse.
The soul returns to the soul, earth to earth.
After her soul merged, Hanna comprehended everything through these memories and realized her other half-soul had turned into an evil spirit and killed so many people.
To her, this reality was too brutal; she had been happy earlier because of Duke’s respect for her.
Seeing Duke successfully promoted to a second-level wizard apprentice, she wanted to work hard to become one soon, and no longer use filthy means to earn money.
Because Duke treated her like a human, Hanna felt reborn, wanting to live well.
But then, this happened, and the harsh reality left her immensely sorrowful.
Hanna’s soul was weeping, Duke reached out wanting to hug the injured girl, but found his hand could only pass through her soul, unable to touch her any longer.
Duke could no longer feel Hanna’s heartbeat like he did in the afternoon, feel that youthful flutter between a boy and girl.
Hanna wiped nonexistent tears, looked at Duke, and suddenly smiled sweetly, relieved, saying: "Actually, it’s quite good, thank you, Duke. If it weren’t for you, I’d have completely turned into an evil spirit and my soul wouldn’t have found peace."
"If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how many more I would have killed. Thank you, Duke!"
Hanna’s voice was choked, but she was truly grateful to Duke.
"I’m sorry, I’m a bit powerless to help your situation." Duke felt guilty, really wanting to help Hanna but unable to do more.
He could only watch Hanna’s soul become increasingly transparent, a sign it was gradually dispersing.
Hanna gently took off a heart-shaped earring from her ear, placing it in Duke’s hand: "I don’t have much time left, all I can leave you is this item. I’ve checked the memories from this period, this item can bring you to the Nightmare Plane."
"It’s a very dangerous place, don’t use this item until you’re strong enough. This is somewhat like a plane coordinate, and I’ve heard such coordinates are extremely precious for any wizard."
"Keep working hard, Duke, aim to become a very powerful wizard. By then, this item will lend you a hand."
"I hope you, stay well..."
Before Hanna could finish speaking, her soul completely dispersed, and Duke held the earring tightly, speechless.
A moment later, the surrounding scene dissipated, and Duke fell once more, waking up.
Upon waking, Duke immediately saw the earring in his hand.
Thinking of something, he hurriedly rushed out the room to knock on the neighboring door.
No matter how he knocked, Hanna did not come to open the door like she used to.
Duke kicked the door open directly and found Hanna lying on the ground, still wearing the clothes she had on when she opened the door that afternoon.
Upon inspection, Hanna showed no signs of breath or life.
The soul had dissipated, and naturally, the person was gone too.
...
Two days later.
Near Academy Island lies an island, a cemetery for Black Sail, where all dead wizards without elsewhere burial are laid to rest.
Duke chose a spot where the sea and Academy Island can be seen, burying Hanna there.
The only person sending Hanna off was Duke, she actually had no other friends.
During her time on Academy Island, she endured many strange looks until Duke’s apology brought a ray of light into her life.
...
Duke didn’t inform anyone about the matter, not even Vivian.
To others on Academy Island, it was just another strange incident of dream death, and Hanna was just unfortunately implicated.
Duke received advice from Grace through Vivian. Grace believed there was certainly an evil spirit in Duke’s area but this one was quite special, advised Duke to report directly to Black Sail for handling.
Before the situation is resolved, Grace also advised Duke not to sleep and to stay away from the dormitory area.
Grace only deduced some things based on her experience and knowledge, unaware of the actual situation.
But her deduction was roughly accurate, except she didn’t consider the Nightmare Plane incident.
Duke returned to the dormitory and, passing by Hanna’s room, couldn’t help feeling rueful seeing her clothes still hung in the hallway, not yet retrieved.
Duke thought about it, collected the clothes, and placed them in Hanna’s wardrobe.
It won’t be long before Black Sail’s people clean out the room, removing all traces related to Hanna.
By then, few would remember a girl named Hanna once lived here.
This is a snapshot of many wizard apprentices’ ordinary lives.
Duke returned to his room, taking out the heart-shaped earring.
Upon testing with Spiritual Power, he found it could indeed be activated, though requiring certain Spiritual Power.
Hanna’s Spiritual Power was too low to activate this demonized item.
"Demonized item? This should be considered a witchcraft artifact." Duke thought.
But actually, the earring couldn’t be termed as a witchcraft artifact. It wasn’t an ordinary alchemy creation, but a plane coordinate, capable of transporting people to the Nightmare Plane.
During this period, Hanna’s evil spirit leveraged the Nightmare Plane’s power, using the earring to drag sleeping people into the Nightmare Plane, targeting their souls.
This earring was always in the evil spirit’s hand on the Nightmare Plane side, while Hanna thought her earring was merely lost and couldn’t find it, lacking memories on this side.
Duke certainly wouldn’t use this earring now, he wouldn’t rashly venture to the Nightmare Plane.
Previously, he dared to do so out of ignorance, not knowing anything.
Now understanding the situation, he wouldn’t dare, even with a hundredfold courage, at least not now.