Chapter 45 – A Series of Surprises (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Matis Dean Carl.

He too was a Mage of the Mage Tower.

A Mage who thirsts for truth and explores the unknown.

In a way, Matis had a stronger desire for that than any other Mage in the Mage Tower.

Because Matis was walking the path of the ‘Black Magic School’.

‘Like deep darkness. Its end cannot be known.’

Black magic.

Before Matis established the Black Magic School.

“My goodness. If that sort of thing is magic, then my dog taking a shit would also be magic. Poop-making magic!”

The treatment of black magic was not good.

In some places, folk witchcraft.

In some places, curses to the point of being hard to even speak of.

And in some nations, it was even called an ominous magic.

That stimulated Matis’s desire.

‘Is it all true?’

Matis immersed himself in black magic.

As a result, Matis established the Black Magic School, became a Senior Mage of the Mage Tower, and was even a strong candidate for the Chief at one time.

As a result, the Chief position was taken by Marcelo but…….

‘He has sufficient qualifications for it.’

Unlike the expectations of the other Senior Mages.

Matis did not have any particular thoughts.

No, more accurately speaking, he didn’t have the leeway to spare thoughts on such trivial matters.

‘To think I have come this far. Are my capabilities lacking.’

Because abruptly, he clearly ended up hitting a wall.

No matter how much he pondered, there was no progress in his research.

Moreover, it was adding insult to injury.

The worldly interference began.

His self-blame couldn’t help but become even more severe.

‘To think that black magic might have been able to be of help…….’

Just what am I……!

While he was at it, news was heard.

“Mr. Matis, have you heard the story? Can you believe it!!”

Chief Mage, Marcelo.

The fact that he had chosen an adventurer as a joint researcher.

‘It is Marcelo’s choice.’

Could it be that because he hit a wall, he rather gained some leeway.

Pure curiosity arose regarding that choice.

Unlike typical Mages.

A Mage who silently walks his own path.

In a way, a Mage who has many similarities with himself.

Since it was a decision made by such Marcelo, it was natural that doubts would arise.

‘Just what kind of adventurer is he?’

Of course, until that doubt was understood.

It didn’t take a long time.

Adventurer.

Because Ho-yeol’s first impression was extraordinary right from the start.

Clack

The confident footsteps that rang in the Crystal Hall.

And then a declaration without hesitation.

-I am not leisurely enough to entertain your pranks.

As if that wasn’t enough, [Sage’s Pastime].

To solve that troublesome difficult problem right away.

He had no choice but to acknowledge his abilities with just that alone.

He understood Marcelo’s choice.

Therefore, the current situation was pure greed.

It was a desire for exploration.

‘To think such an adventurer existed.’

Curiosity about an unknown entity he had never seen before until now.

The thing he was most curious about was his resonance capacity with the Black Magic School.

That was the reason Matis practically paid Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage and set up an appointment with Ho-yeol.

And also the reason he came out wearing rings on every single one of his ten fingers.

‘Because I can know many things with just resonance capacity.’

The reason the Black Magic School was treated as witchcraft?

It was simple.

Because unlike other magic, black magic had a distinctly heterogeneous aspect.

The biggest difference was that it deeply involved the inner self of the manifestor.

‘To put it specifically, you could say it’s influenced by the past.’

If general magic was manifested based on magic power.

Black magic resounded only to ‘suitable magic power’.

Because that suitable magic power.

Flowed from the life and background the manifestor had lived.

Of course, regarding the circumstances of the adventurer Ho-yeol.

Not only could it not be known, but he also had no desire to know.

This action was merely simple curiosity.

That is why he had no expectations.

Because of that, he wore rings on every finger.

‘With this, I should be able to detect even a small resonance capacity.’

However.

……Something unbelievable happened.

The rings on all ten fingers turned completely black.

‘……I have never seen such a color!’

And brilliantly black to the point where the end couldn’t be known!

Just like the essence of black magic.

Matis muttered without even realizing it.

“What exactly is this resonance capacity……?”

It was absolutely not at a level that could be explained.

If it was this kind of resonance capacity, it felt like it would even crumble the wall blocking him at once.

Before Matis could even calm his startled heart, an investigating voice was heard.

“Answer wisely.”

Right, there was no intention of hiding it.

Matis spoke exactly as it was.

While doing so, he thought.

‘Just what kind of past does this man have for him to…….’

To possess such outstanding black magic resonance capacity?

.

.

.

Clack

I tilted my teacup while leaving Matis, who was rambling on about the explanation regarding the Black Magic School and the current situation.

‘Goodness.’

……At this rate, I’m definitely going to die from embarrassment.

Whaaat?!

Maaaagic based on the past?!

Where in the world is there such magic!

To find magic to learn over someone’s shoulder.

I had scoured Nettube quite a bit.

Naturally, I’ve seen Mages of all sorts of classes.

But no matter how much I reflected on my memories, I had never seen a Player calling themselves a Black Mage.

‘If it was a Necromancer, maybe.’

So perhaps that’s why I doubted.

Black magic, seriously.

Whether such bizarre magic really existed.

But in the current situation, doubts wouldn’t be necessary.

Senior Mage of the Black Magic School, Matis Dean Carl.

Because his very existence was the biggest proof that the Black Magic School existed.

Therefore, the words he was stringing along weren’t bullshit, but were all completely true as well……!

“The more the ring’s jewel turns black, the more outstanding one’s resonance capacity for black magic is. I wore ten rings to catch even the most minuscule resonance capacity, but to think every jewel would change like this……!”

Outstanding black magic resonance capacityyy?!

Unfortunately, that was not praise to me.

Because thanks to his kind explanation, I clearly realized.

‘……My cause of death will definitely be dying from shame.’

According to his words.

The source of black magic is ‘suitable magic power’, and.

That ‘suitable magic power’.

Flows out from the user’s past.

So the reason my black magic resonance capacity is outstanding is…….

‘It means it’s entirely because of my dark history!’

I thought about it rationally.

‘Right, the setting is definitely gloomy.’

『The heir to a great family, but that family was ruined by a demon.

As the only survivor of the family, Granfel Claudi Arpheus Romeo, hereinafter referred to as Granfel, came to walk the path of a Demon Hunter to take revenge on that demon.』

It meant that past setting became an outstanding black magic resonance capacity.

‘Alright, setting aside the embarrassment for a moment…….’

Let’s think calmly.

First of all, it was good news for me.

To the extent of going out of my way to dabble in black magic.

There was nothing lacking in Granfel’s talent.

But regardless, it was a good thing that there were many things to utilize.

Especially from my standpoint, that is.

‘Because it roughly seems freer from magic power compared to other magic.’

You said it only reacted to ‘suitable magic power’, right.

Magic power and suitable magic power are completely different concepts.

If so……?

A single possibility brushes past.

‘Is it possible to use black magic even in a state of magic power exhaustion?’

……If that’s possible!

It was well worth enduring this shame and being initiated into black magic.

No, I must be initiated.

With that meaning, I racked my brain.

Just like how I came to emit sword force quickly thanks to having a good master called Harkon.

A good master would probably be needed to acquire black magic quickly too.

In that sense, there wouldn’t be a master to the extent of Matis either.

After thinking, I opened my mouth.

“It is deeply unpleasant. Senior Mage Matis.”

Both as me, and as Granfel.

It’s natural to be displeased.

Even if he couldn’t know the specifics of that story.

It was effectively as if Matis had peeked into that past, even if only briefly.

That is an unforgettable, terrible past for Granfel.

And for me, it’s a dark history I want to hide!

“I have nothing to say regarding that action. It was my oversight.”

Matis said so and added.

“I will take responsibility for this disrespect with certainty. Even if you formally raise the issue with the higher-ups, the Council of Elders, I will admit all my faults. I simply ask of you to forgive my deception.”

A posture that can truly be called the textbook standard of apology.

An appearance without a single bit of contradiction to formality and etiquette.

To the point where even Granfel’s prickly personality softened slightly.

“I shall accept that apology.”

Of course, I didn’t intend to let it slide with just one word.

The bottom line wouldn’t match up like that.

I added one word.

“The Black Magic School, you say. A small spark of interest has just occurred to me regarding it.”

“……Is that true?”

It’s not like I said I’d bury my bones there or anything.

I just said a small spark of interest has occurred to me.

Matis greatly displayed joy.

He continued with a somewhat brightened expression.

“So that I may make up for today’s error in judgment. Regarding the Black Magic School, I will provide all the assistance I can provide!”

You clearly said it, right?

That you would provide all the assistance.

I perfectly remembered those words and rose from my seat.

That was when.

“!”

The quest window blinked.

─Prove your abilities. (In Progress)

●Persuade a majority of the Chief Mages. (9/20)

Eight people became nine people.

If it’s the one person who was persuaded, is it naturally Matis?

As if proving that guess right.

Matis bowed his head to me.

“No, starting from now, I will even pay attention to that title. Because proceeding with joint research with the Chief Mage is no different from being in the same position as the Chief.”

……Suddenly even using honorifics?

A sudden change to the point where it’s natural to feel burdened.

However, I replied without a single change in my expression.

“We shall discuss what we could not finish next time. Matis.”

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.

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……My guess is.

Matis’s influence among the Senior Mages was definitely considerable no matter how you look at it.

As soon as he cast his vote of approval.

Because the quest window blinked several times.

─Prove your abilities. (In Progress)

●Persuade a majority of the Chief Mages. (20/20)

And in the end, it was unanimous.

Following that, the message popped up.

[The conditions have been met.]

Just by Matis casting his vote of approval, the cumbersome proof process was entirely skipped……. Towards such Matis, I had even dropped the title and the honorifics near the end.

‘……Very characteristic of me.’

Even after pulling off such an immense stunt.

I returned to the laboratory and was calmly flipping through magic books.

Actually, I’ve even done worse to Marcelo.

You could say that’s why I can be this laid-back.

Rustle

Soon, there were letters popping up on the parchment.

But somehow, the contents of each and every one of them were long.

Glancing at it and reading the first line, it was a message of congratulation.

Starting from Marcelo.

Veliot, Maia, Naslow…….

From the Senior Mages whose names I have heard of.

To the Journeyman Mages whose names I’ve never even heard of.

To me, who came to officially enter the Mage Tower.

They had conveyed their congratulations.

However, indifferently.

I immediately removed my gaze from the parchment.

Because it was absolutely natural.

It wasn’t even a matter to receive congratulations for.

Since I was genuinely thinking like that.

Would I get a sore or something if I were honestly happy?

Even thinking about it myself, I live tireingly buying my own suffering, really.

The lamenting of my circumstance was also brief.

[Rewards will be given.]

A message popped into my vision.

[The relationship with the Tower of Mages has greatly increased.]

[Influence in the Tower of Mages has greatly increased.]

[New features in the Tower of Mages have been activated.]

……Hold on, these rewards are considerable.

In a way, the Tower of Mages had greater influence than any city or nation in Arcana. To think the relationship and influence with such a Mage Tower had greatly increased.

‘When I just parachuted in, there wasn’t even anything like this…….’

Also makes me feel like this fancy laboratory has definitely become mine only now, don’t you know?

By the way, newly activated features, huh.

Naturally, my thoughts reached the Yusra Kingdom.

‘The Authority feature was truly tremendous.’

Relationship and influence.

The [Authority] feature that is activated when both of those two stats become maximum.

The limit of that authority was simply to the extent where it was not much different from the King, Hakuna.

‘I clearly confirmed it during the Shadow Mercenaries incident.’

The NPCs that flocked to the Yusra Kingdom.

It was to the extent where I could accept or reject their requests with my authority.

Of course, as long as Hakuna is the King.

There would hardly be any occurrence where I would wield that level of authority.

‘……Actually, considering Hakuna’s attitude towards me.’

It’s embarrassing to say it with my own mouth but.

Because Hakuna considered me his benefactor.

If it were my words, it would probably even be possible to overturn the decisions he had made.

Of course, since it’s not the maximum value.

It wouldn’t be comparable to such an [Authority] feature.

‘Still, it says it greatly increased.’

I wonder what the newly activated feature is.

Suddenly, Matis’s words came to mind.

‘Same position as the Chief Mage, huh.’

Exactly what level of position is that?

‘Up to what features of the Mage Tower can the Chief Mage use?’

I was pondering it inwardly.

Knock knock

Someone knocked on the laboratory door.

Even without asking, a voice was immediately heard.

“I am Bangrit Tom, Senior Mage of the Pure Magic School. I have come to you like this because I wish to convey greetings of congratulation and a small token of sincerity. May I come in for a moment?”

A small token of sincerity he wishes to convey…….

I could notice from those words.

‘It’s a bribe, that.’

A position equal to the Chief Mage.

Meant a position where you’d receive a bribe from a Senior Mage.

Bribe.

If it were an ordinary person, they would have no choice but to like it.

Wouldn’t anything be a matter of perspective?

Above all, because he said it’s a small token of sincerity.

Since disregarding sincerity wasn’t something a person should do.

‘I guess people take them and pocket them for such reasons.’

However, unfortunately.

Because Granfel was not an ordinary person.

Someone whom even the Seven Deadly Sins Greed failed to bring down.

He really is the very incarnation of spotless integrity.

So my answer was resolute.

“Senior Mage, Bangrit.”

“Ah, you are present! What a relief!”

“Before conveying your congratulations and sincerity, it would be better for you to learn etiquette first.”

“Yes, then I’ll excuse myself for a mome……. Wait, I mean? What? Etiquette, you say?!”

Heard from beyond the door.

A voice with evident signs of being flustered.

I didn’t say anything twice.

“I do not have meetings that have not been scheduled in advance.”

Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.

“Do not disturb me and leave.”

If you wish to meet me, come back at least three more times.