◈ Episode 45. A Series of Surprises (2)
Mathis Dean Karl.
He, too, was a mage of the Mage Tower.
A mage who longed for truth and explored the unknown.
In a sense, Mathis’s desire for that was stronger than that of any other mage in the Mage Tower.
After all, Mathis walked the path of “black magic.” “Like the depths of darkness. Its end cannot be known.” Black magic.
Before Mathis established the study of black magic.
“Good heavens. If that nonsense is magic, then my dog taking a dump at home must be magic too. Poop-making magic!”
Black magic was not treated kindly.
In some places, it was folk sorcery.
In others, it was a curse so vile it could scarcely be spoken of.
And in certain nations, it was even called ominous magic.
That was what stimulated Mathis’s desire. “Is all of that true?” Mathis immersed himself in black magic.
As a result, Mathis established black magic studies, became a senior mage of the Mage Tower, and at one point had even been a strong candidate for the position of chief.
In the end, the seat of chief went to Marcelo, but… “He is more than qualified.” Contrary to the expectations of the other senior mages.
Mathis thought nothing of it.
No, to be precise, he had no leisure to spare his thoughts on such trivial matters. “I’ve come this far, and yet… is my ability lacking?” Because, at some point, he had run into a wall.
No matter how much he pondered, there was no progress in his research.
And as if misfortune had not already been enough.
Worldview interference began.
His self-reproach could only grow worse. “Black magic might have been of help…” Just what am I…!
Then news reached him.
“Mr. Mathis, have you heard? No, listen to this!!”
Chief Mage Marcelo.
The fact that he had chosen an adventurer as his joint researcher. “It was Marcelo’s choice.” Perhaps because he had run into a wall, he had instead gained some room to breathe.
He became purely curious about that choice.
Unlike all sorts of other mages.
A mage who silently walked his own path.
A mage who, in a way, had much in common with himself.
Since it was a decision made by Marcelo, it was only natural that questions arose. “Just what kind of adventurer is he?” Of course, it did not take long.
For that question to be answered.
The adventurer.
Hoyeol’s very first impression had been anything but ordinary.
Tap—
The confident footsteps that echoed through the Crystal Hall.
And then, his unhesitating declaration.
—I am not so idle as to indulge in your games.
As if that were not enough, [A Sage’s Diversion].
He solved that troublesome conundrum on the spot.
That alone forced one to acknowledge his ability.
He understood Marcelo’s choice.
So the current situation was pure greed.
A desire for inquiry. “To think such an adventurer existed.” Curiosity toward an unknown being he had never seen before.
Above all, what he was curious about was his affinity for black magic studies.
That was why Mathis had called on Hoyeol three times to arrange an appointment.
And that was also why he had come wearing a ring on every single finger. “Because much can be learned from affinity alone.” The reason black magic studies had been treated as sorcery?
It was simple.
Unlike other magic, black magic certainly had an alien aspect to it.
The greatest difference was that it was deeply involved with the caster’s inner self. “To be specific, one could say it is influenced by the past.” If ordinary magic manifested based on mana.
Black magic responded only to “compatible mana.”
And that compatible mana.
Flowed out from the life and background the caster had lived.
Of course, as for Adventurer Hoyeol’s story.
He neither could know it, nor did he wish to.
This action was merely simple curiosity.
For that reason, he had no expectations.
That was why he wore rings on each finger. “This should allow me to detect even the faintest affinity.” And yet…
Something unbelievable happened.
The rings on all ten fingers turned black. “…
I have never seen such a color!” And so black that its end could not be known!
Just like the essence of black magic itself.
Mathis murmured without realizing it.
“What in the world is this affinity…?”
It was utterly beyond explanation.
With affinity like this, it seemed even the wall blocking him could be shattered in an instant.
Before Mathis could calm his astonishment, a voice pressed him.
“Answer wisely.”
Yes, he had no intention of hiding it.
Mathis spoke exactly as it was.
And as he did, he thought. “Just what sort of past does this man have…” For him to possess such outstanding affinity for black magic?
…
Clink—
Leaving Mathis to explain black magic studies and the current situation, I tilted my teacup. “Seriously…”
At this rate, I’m definitely going to die of sheer embarrassment.
Whaaat?!
Maaagic based on the past?!
What kind of magic like that exists in the world!
In order to find magic I could learn by watching over someone’s shoulder.
I had searched through quite a bit of NetTube.
Naturally, I had seen mages of all kinds of classes.
But no matter how far back I searched my memory, I had never seen a player calling themselves a black mage. “A necromancer, maybe.” So perhaps I might have doubted it.
Black magic.
Did such bizarre magic really exist?
But in the current situation, there was no need for doubt.
Senior Mage of Black Magic Studies, Mathis Dean Karl.
His very existence was the greatest proof that black magic studies existed.
Which meant that everything he was saying wasn’t nonsense, but all fact…!
“The darker the jewel in the ring becomes, the greater one’s affinity for black magic. I wore ten rings in order to detect even the slightest affinity. And yet, for all the jewels to change like this…!”
Outstanding affinity for black maaagic?!
Unfortunately, to me, that was not a compliment.
Because thanks to his kind explanation, I had realized it clearly. “…
My cause of death will definitely be humiliation.” According to him.
The source of black magic was “compatible mana.”
And that compatible mana.
Flowed from the user’s past.
In other words, the reason my affinity for black magic was outstanding was… “It’s all because of my dark past!” I tried thinking rationally. “Right, the setting is depressing.” 『He was the heir to a great family, but that family fell to a demon.
Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo, hereafter Grandfell, the sole survivor of the family, walked the path of a demon hunter in order to take revenge on that demon.』
That past setting must have turned into an exceptional affinity for black magic. “All right, let’s put the embarrassment aside for now…”
And think calmly.
First of all, this was good news for me.
It wasn’t as though Grandfell’s talents were lacking so much.
That I had to reach for black magic.
But in any case, having more things to use was a good thing.
Especially from my position. “It seems roughly freer from mana than other magic.” He said it responded only to “compatible mana.”
Mana and compatible mana were completely different concepts.
If so…?
One possibility flashed through my mind. “Can black magic be used even in a state of mana exhaustion?”
…
If that’s possible!
Then it was worth enduring this shame and entering the path of black magic.
No, I had to enter it.
With that meaning in mind, I set my mind working.
Just as I had quickly learned to emit sword aura thanks to having a good teacher named Harkon.
I would need a good teacher to quickly learn black magic as well.
In that sense, there would be no teacher quite like Mathis.
After thinking it over, I opened my mouth.
“This is deeply displeasing, Senior Mage Mathis.”
For me, and for Grandfell as well.
Of course it was displeasing.
Even if he did not know the specific story behind it.
Mathis had glimpsed that past, however faintly.
To Grandfell, it was a terrible past he could never forget.
And to me, it was a dark history I wanted to hide.
“I have no excuse for that action. It was my fault.”
Mathis said so, then added.
“I will take full responsibility for this rudeness. Even if you formally raise the matter with the higher-ups, with the Council of Elders, I will admit all my wrongdoings. Please, forgive my deception.”
A stance that could truly be called the model of an apology.
Not a single part of it deviated from formality or etiquette.
So much so that even Grandfell’s prickly personality softened slightly.
“I accept that apology.”
Of course, I had no intention of letting it pass with just a word.
That would not balance the accounts.
I added one more sentence.
“Black magic studies. I happened to have developed a small interest in them.”
“…
Is that true?”
It wasn’t as though I said I would devote my life to it.
I merely said I had developed a small interest.
Yet Mathis brightened greatly.
With an expression that had become a little lighter, he continued.
“So that I may make up for today’s mistake, I will provide every bit of help I can regarding black magic studies!”
You definitely said it, right?
That you would provide every bit of help.
I clearly remembered those words and rose from my seat.
It was then.
“!”
The quest window flickered.
─Prove your ability. (In Progress)
●Convince a majority of the senior mages. (9/20)
It had gone from eight to nine.
If one person had been convinced, then of course it was Mathis?
As if that guess were correct.
Mathis lowered his head to me.
“No, from now on, I will be careful with how I address you as well. Conducting joint research with the chief mage is no different from holding the same status as the chief mage, after all.”
…
Suddenly even honorifics?
It was such an abrupt change that feeling burdened was only natural.
However, I replied without changing my expression.
“We shall discuss what remains at a later time, Mathis.”
…
…
By my estimation.
It seemed Mathis’s influence among the senior mages was quite considerable.
No sooner had he cast his vote in favor.
Than the quest window flickered several times.
─Prove your ability. (In Progress)
●Convince a majority of the senior mages. (20/20)
And in the end, it was unanimous.
Then a message appeared.
[You have fulfilled the condition.]
Merely by Mathis casting his vote in favor, the troublesome process of proving myself had all been skipped… And toward that very Mathis, near the end, I had even dropped his title and spoken casually. “…
How very like me.” After committing such an outrageous act.
I returned to the laboratory and was calmly flipping through a magic book.
Well, I had done even worse to Marcelo.
That must be why I could be this relaxed.
Ssss—
Soon, words appeared on the parchment.
But somehow, every single message was long.
When I glanced at the first line, it was a congratulatory message.
Starting with Marcelo.
Bellier, Maia, Nasrow…
From senior mages whose names I had only heard.
To skilled mages whose names I had never even heard before.
To me, who had formally entered the Mage Tower.
They were conveying their congratulations.
However, indifferently.
I immediately turned my gaze away from the parchment.
Because it was only natural.
It was not even something worth receiving congratulations for.
I truly thought that way.
Would it kill me to be honestly happy?
Even when I think about it myself, I really do go out of my way to live a tiring life.
My lamenting lasted only a moment.
[Rewards will be issued.]
A message appeared in my vision.
[Your relationship with the Mage Tower has greatly increased.]
[Your influence within the Mage Tower has greatly increased.]
[A new function within the Mage Tower has been activated.]
…
Wait a minute, this reward is considerable.
Depending on how one looked at it, the Mage Tower had greater influence than any city or nation in Arcana. And my relationship with and influence in such a Mage Tower had greatly increased. “When I was just parachuted in, I didn’t get anything like this…”
Now, at last, it really felt like this splendid laboratory had definitely become mine, and all that?
In any case, a new function had been activated.
My thoughts naturally went to the Yusra Kingdom. “The authority function really was incredible.” Relationship and influence.
The [Authority] function activated only when both of those values reached their maximum.
The limits of that authority were, simply put, not greatly different from those of the king, Hakuna. “I confirmed that clearly during the Shadow Mercenaries incident.” The NPCs who flocked to the Yusra Kingdom.
With my authority, I could accept or reject their requests.
Of course, as long as Hakuna was king.
There would almost never be a need for me to wield that level of authority. “…
Actually, considering Hakuna’s attitude toward me.” It’s embarrassing to say this with my own mouth.
But Hakuna regarded me as his benefactor.
If it were my words, it would probably be possible to overturn a decision he had made.
Of course, since it was not at maximum.
It could not compare to that [Authority] function.
“Still, it said greatly increased.” I found myself curious as to what the newly activated function could be.
Suddenly, Mathis’s words came to mind. “The same status as the chief mage.” Just how high of a status was that? “What functions of the Mage Tower can the chief mage use?” I was inwardly pondering that.
Knock, knock—
Someone knocked on the laboratory door.
Before I could ask, a voice immediately sounded.
“I am Bangrit Tom, Senior Mage of Pure Mana Studies. I have come like this because I wished to offer my congratulations, and though it is modest, a token of my sincerity. May I come in for a moment?”
A modest token of sincerity he wished to offer…
From those words, I could tell. “That’s a bribe, isn’t it?” A status equal to the chief mage.
Meant a position high enough to receive bribes from senior mages.
A bribe.
An ordinary person would have no choice but to like it.
Wasn’t everything a matter of how one thought about it?
Above all, he called it a modest token of sincerity.
And ignoring someone’s sincerity was not something a person should do. “That must be the sort of reason many people accept and pocket them.” Unfortunately, however.
Grandfell was not an ordinary person.
Even the Seven Deadly Sin of Greed could not bring him down.
He was truly the embodiment of integrity and incorruptibility.
So my answer was firm.
“Senior Mage Bangrit.”
“Ah, you are here! What a relief!”
“Before offering congratulations and sincerity, you would do well to learn etiquette first.”
“Yes, then if you will excuse me for a moment… Wait? Pardon? Etiquette?!”
From beyond the door.
A voice clearly filled with bewilderment.
I did not repeat myself.
“I do not hold meetings that have not been arranged in advance.”
Three visits.
“Do not disturb me. Return.”
If you want to meet me, come at least three more times.