Hadekan (1)

Hadekan.

The Dotun Mountains rippled along the southern outskirts of the empire.

On the uphill slope through its dense foliage, Charlotte was traveling with Maho.

"……Mana can be accepted by anyone, but the 'quality of mana' and 'quantity of mana' that accumulates in the body differs from person to person. Among them, the 'quality of mana' is theoretically divided precisely into 10 grades."

The princess, who had come from the imperial palace, had many questions, so Charlotte explained in detail.

"For example, an ordinary person is grade 9~10, and slightly better is grade 8. From grade 7 and above, it's worth challenging for knights or mages. At grade 6, depending on one's background and effort, one could become a magic professor or even a 'knight against enemies'."

"Aha~ I see! That's amazing, so amazing~ Then, then, how do you measure that grade? Can I find out my own mana quality?"

They had walked for two days and nights without rest. For Maho, who hadn't lost her energy despite that, Charlotte offered a small smile.

"A clear method to determine that grade hasn't been invented yet. It's just known through the intuition of experts—and even then, only after crossing swords. But from grade 5, the numbers are extremely rare, and grades 4 and 3 already occupy key positions on the continent."

"Wow, wow. If grades 4 and 3 are like that, what about grade 1?"

"Grade 1 is practically nominal. If it exists, it would be a god. As for grade 2, from what I know……."

Verhert's 'Dzekdan' and the empire's guardian knight 'Gepfried'.

Archmage 'Demakan' and the Imperial University Tower's president 'Adrienne'.

"These four are the only ones."

"Whoaaa…… All names I know…… Oh, right. What about Professor Deculein?!"

"Who knows. That guy's around grade 4~5."

──In truth, Deculein's initial 'mana quality' was grade 6, but now it had grown to grade 5, just as Charlotte said.

"Anyway. Just a little more effort now."

"Yes!"

The princess diligently followed along the rugged mountain path.

She looked so small and beautiful, like a doll, that Charlotte had been terribly worried. Had she been secretly exercising on her own?

Charlotte smiled proudly.

"Not much left until the first destination."

"Yes. You too, Charlotte, hang in there!"

Charlotte and Maho pressed on like that, but her subordinate knights 'Ron' and 'Geder' wore somewhat uneasy expressions.

Ron whispered softly so the princess couldn't hear.

─Captain. Even so, trusting Deculein and choosing Krevas is…….

─It's already decided. No other way. Besides, they surely never even thought of Krevas. No ambushes on the way here, right?

─That's true, but…….

Just as Ron bit his lip.

Whiiish─!

A dagger flew in from somewhere. Charlotte scooped up the princess first and unleashed her aura.

Ron and Geder, swords drawn, shouted.

"……Captain! Go on ahead! We'll follow!"

"We'll handle this side!"

Daggers surged ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from unknown places, but a volley of arrows from the mountain peak intercepted them.

It was support from the 'adventurer party' hired with their entire fortune.

They were in charge of the princess's long-range escort.

"I trust you! Come back alive! That's an order!"

"“Yes!”"

Leaving the rear to them, Charlotte dashed forward at full speed with Maho.

* * *

Hadekan, the city where abundant spirit and vibrant culture coexisted.

With its mild climate year-round and fame for entertainment and food, this capital of Yukline territory had been selected as the MT destination for the magic department debutantes.

"Why on earth did they make the station so damn complicated……."

The transportation was by train, but Ifrin was lost from the station itself.

She'd only ridden a train once in her life—from Illayde's Juhale to the capital.

"Ifrin, here!"

"……Phew. Almost got lost."

Fortunately, her club members found Ifrin first.

Ifrin boarded the train with them.

It was like they'd chartered the whole train—everyone inside was in robes.

"Wow, we're really going all the way to Hadekan for MT."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Right? I was planning to go during break."

The club members, including Julia, looked thrilled. Ifrin, clueless about continental geography, couldn't understand why.

"Is Hadekan that great?"

"Duh. You never been? Not just the magic tower—almost every department at the university begs every year, like really every year. But that paper arsonist bailed."

"Why?"

For reference, 'paper arsonist' was Deculein's nickname.

Along with executioner by fire, fire demon, etc.—thanks to the thesis council incident, he'd earned all sorts of terrifying epithets, becoming terror incarnate to the tower's mages.

Drent, though, went around saying 'I'm actually grateful to him'.

"Who knows. Anyway, Hadekan's got tons to do and it's awesome."

"……Ah. That's why everyone was rushing to buy clothes and stuff."

"Yep. Hadekan's full of hot guys and girls."

Well, Deculein had no rivals in looks even in the tower. Across the whole university, maybe just knight department's Rawain…….

Ifrin asked.

"So, Professor Deculein coming too?"

"Yeah. Thought he wouldn't, but he's coming? That paper arsonist is on this train……."

……Meanwhile.

Deculein sat in the VIP car with professors from various departments.

Assistant department's Rellin, spirit department's Retran, destruction department's Siarae, alchemy department's Camel, and so on…….

Normally, not so many professors joined debutante MTs, but given the location, they'd all slyly tagged along.

They all watched Deculein's mood.

"You lot."

Deculein, who had been silent, finally spoke. The professors perked up their ears.

"I heard you attended the magic council before."

"……."

Only silence.

"No answer?"

"Yes, uh. Haha…… Yes. W-well, but nothing much."

"Doesn't seem like nothing."

Rellin waved it off with a tsk-tsk, shaking his head. The other professors just smiled awkwardly.

"No way. It was just talk about that fantastical midterm by our chief professor Deculein."

"……Haha. Yes."

"Exactly, exactly."

From Rellin, Retran, Siarae respectively.

Despite their flattery, Deculein remained menacing.

"You can laugh it off now."

His tone was as harsh as winter wind clawing skin.

"But a time will come when you must choose."

Ruina was gentler than Deculein, with superior skill. Her family and backers weren't Yukline-level, but still climbable.

So the professors naturally favored Ruina, but…….

"……Truthfully, even thinking you have a choice is a laughable delusion."

Deculein swept his gaze over the others. His piercing stare alone stabbed several professors dead.

"Let me say it clearly. You won't even get the chance to choose."

The most terrifying words in the world.

The professors felt themselves shrinking, fidgeting with their fingers.

Tzzzzzt─

The train departed, and Deculein read his book alone, leaving the professors frozen.

* * *

Hadekan's scenery was clear.

Not too hot even in summer, with a pleasant wind scent.

The streets buzzed with energy, smiles on the busy passersby.

Just looking, it screamed 'great place to live'.

The MT site was a luxury hotel called [Hadekan Romance] on the outskirts. Nearby river, forests—perfect.

"……Debutantes, four per room. If you prefer solo, book privately at your expense. Class reps?"

After briefing in the hotel lobby, I called the class reps. The two from first and second magic departments hurried over.

"From now on, your discretion. There's forest behind, but use support magic properly before anything."

"Yes!"

Drink till you drop, die from it—I don't care. That's MT's charm.

Just no casualties.

"Unpack first."

As debutantes chattered up to rooms, I stepped outside. A car waited.

It was Yeriel.

"At least show your face at our tower. Your fame's skyrocketed lately."

She said as I got in.

"Anyway, how'd you predict it?"

"……."

"……How'd you know?"

"Know what."

Yeriel shrugged.

"Rumors say 'Marik' is opening soon."

"A comprehensive prediction considering His Majesty's temperament and all circumstances."

"……Whatever. So you knew Marik would hurt us too?"

"No."

Marik's opening would ultimately benefit.

Just needed solid defenses.

"You wrote countermeasures too."

"Wanted to, but~ costs too much~ Who blew 200 million~"

Yeriel sighed sarcastically.

I said.

"I'll sell the antiques one by one soon. Massive profit, so 200 million back this year."

Truthfully, in TRPG terms, mana was my 'turn'.

Why not obsess over Midas' Hand? Same reason.

4,000 mana on Midas' Hand meant no other training or memorization.

But now, different.

Time to need serious money.

"Anyway, why no 10 million?"

Yeriel pouted.

"Gimme the 10 million elne quick."

"……Remember that relic appraisal shop last time?"

"The vase place?"

"Planning to acquire it soon."

"What? Ugh……."

Yeriel shuddered in disgust.

"No dignity."

"Whatever. My fist hurts."

We arrived at the tower mid-chat.

I got out and naturally tilted my head up.

"……Quite grown."

One of only 9 university towers continent-wide.

Minimum 70 floors.

Hadekan's 'Yukline Magic Tower' looked over 70 by eye.

"We've been developing."

I entered with Yeriel. Tower mages waited in the lobby.

"An honor to meet you. Tower master Digeric."

Digeric was young.

Passed as 'great wealth tycoon' too.

"Pleased."

Shook hands, toured the tower.

Not university-level, but good facilities—clear effort.

Yeriel boasted.

"We support specialized magic development research. Probably only us and Illayde among provincial towers?"

Specialized magic, the 9th series—'signature magic'.

Personal invention names after mage; tower-wide after tower.

But research guzzles funds.

Ideas from brains, but proof/tests need massive mana stones.

Best series fit? Sudden ritual explosions? Unforeseen side effects harming caster? All tested with stones.

"Yeriel."

"Yes?"

"Enough. To the stables. Need a horse."

"Already? Fine, but first…… Donate your midterm exam paper to the tower? Like free lease."

Yeriel's eyes sparkled cutely. I coldly shook my head.

"No time. But one mage here doing thesis or research—I'll revise it. A gift."

"How's that a gift?"

Yeriel asked innocently.

Genuine confusion.

"……."

I turned to the following mages. They averted eyes slyly.

Anger surged.

I picked one standing out to 'great wealth tycoon' eyes among them. Small, cute—like Allen.

"You. Name?"

"Y-yes? 2nd-class mage Panien."

"Got a magic thesis in progress?"

"Pardon? Ah, yes, I do—"

"I'll revise yours. Consider it an honor."

"No, no, not me……."

Panien declined, but I took it forcibly.

Cried? Told him not to.

* * *

I came to the grassland behind Yukline lord's castle, the horse ranch.

Many fine steeds frolicked. Semi-pasture style.

"Horses were big business before, but cars advanced…… Ours are top stallions though."

Yeriel chuckled low, stroking a mane.

"Keep at it. Horses have advantages over cars."

With right gear, usable in dungeons/mines—poised for resurgence.

"Will. Fun raising them. Not like before, but still profitable."

Pat pat—Yeriel checked her watch.

"Time for work. Pick any horse~"

"Yeriel."

Grabbed her leaving. Question mark over her head.

Pulled out a luxurious box.

"Gift."

"……?"

Luxury gloves.

Yeriel blinked blankly, then took them with a grotesquely twisted face.

"What bartering…… Barter? Yeah, barter…… Well…… Horse way pricier, got it. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Barter established."

Yeriel muttered to herself, then hurried to the lord's office. Oddly rushed.

"……."

Then, I strolled the grassland, eyeing horses.

Not too old, not too young.

Still growing, but catching 'great wealth tycoon' eye…… That one.

Soft mane, glossy skin—red horse.

Approached, mounted.

No riding experience, yet oddly familiar. Personality's influence.

Clop clop—clop clop—

Mid-ride, decided 'this one's it'.

Prepared Midas' Hand.

Horses are life, not objects.

But Midas' Hand consumes user's mana to awaken target's potential. Target can be living or not.

Not humans, but horses count as items(pets) in game terms, so……

Activated Midas' Hand. Blue energy from fingertips seeped into the horse.

Neighhh─!

Rared up wildly, front hooves high. I held on without falling.

"……As expected."

Of course it worked. Failure would've been weird.

Nodded satisfied, set name to 'Red Hare Horse'. Suited the red coat.

Anyway.

Preparations complete.

Execution: tomorrow dawn, 3 AM.

Time to kill—practice riding while at it. Spurred the horse.

"Hya!"

Shouted like in historical dramas, yanked reins. It bolted with insane speed and bounce. Nearly flung off backward.

Neighhh─!

Power befitting the great name Red Hare Horse.