Chapter 8: Who Will Bell the Cat?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 8: Who Will Bell the Cat?
In the world of mages, hierarchy was dictated by Circles.
Magic was one of the few fields in the aristocratic world where the relationship between superior and inferior was decided by pure skill rather than status or lineage.
In that sense, Thesalos Wolcher had just received the greatest insult of his entire life.
— Passable.
‘Passable? Does he think being a Mage is a joke?’
Mages were addressed by different titles depending on their Circle.
The 1st Circle was a Mana Walker.
The 2nd Circle was a Spell Blower.
The 3rd Circle was a Magic Walker.
And only after reaching the 4th Circle was one finally called a "Mage."
The title itself signified the stage where one was finally treated as a true practitioner of the mystic arts.
‘A mere Mana Walker brat said what? Passable?’
What was the status of a 1st Circle? They were nothing more than small fry who had to crawl before a 3rd Circle and act with utmost deference even toward a 2nd Circle.
And yet, such a fellow had called a 4th Circle "passable."
Passable.
Passable-passable-passable-passable.
That single word became a "Reverse Scale" in Thesalos’s mind, a trigger for his absolute fury. The Circle residing in his Dantian spun tensely. It wouldn't have been strange if he discharged magic at any moment.
He could have lost his reason and attacked right then and there, but Ferda made a proposal that was almost worthy of gratitude. A mere 1st Circle had actually requested a duel.
Thesalos intended to teach him a lesson he would never forget.
* * *
They moved to an open space for the magic duel. The two stood at a distance, making their own preparations.
"I have something I'm curious about. May I ask?"
Thesalos replied curtly. "What is it?"
"What kind of magic do you use?"
Thesalos shot back as if the question were absurd. "Asking about a mage's specialty during a duel? Have you no manners?"
"Was that rude? Hmm, my apologies. It’s been a long time since I’ve engaged in a duel like this."
Thesalos was dumbfounded by words a 1st Circle should never be able to utter.
‘What kind of arrogant little brat is this?!’
In that moment, Thesalos made a vow. He would pour everything he had into killing this fellow.
Meanwhile, Ferda wasn't even paying attention to Thesalos.
‘Right, I'm starting to remember now.’
As he had said, it had been over twenty years since he had engaged in something as formal as a "duel." Since then, Ferda had only known life-and-death battles; that had become his norm.
‘A mage's duel is like playing a card game through a veil.’
One cannot see what cards the opponent holds or how many they have, laying them out one by one. It was a game that required theory, skill, and wisdom.
‘Since he's a mage who reached the 4th Circle, he should be able to use at least eight spells in a single battle. He'll likely use 4th Tier magic as well.’
Tiered magic was magic that could only be manifested by those who had reached a specific Circle. Since Thesalos was a 4th Circle mage, he could use up to 4th Tier magic. The mana he possessed would also easily be several times that of Ferda's.
‘It's like hitting a rock with an egg.’
Ferda already knew that everything was in Thesalos's favor. However, Ferda never once thought he would lose.
‘I'm not such a fool that I'd lose to a "passable" mage.’ That was Ferda's only thought.
"Since the handicap is clear, I'll tell you one thing." Thesalos spoke with a greasy, condescending smile.
There was no reason not to listen if he was offering information. "What is it?"
"I, Thesalos Wolcher, will use Magic Blast here. I trust that if you are a mage, you know what that spell is."
The lords who had come to watch were more surprised than Ferda, whispering urgently among themselves.
"If it's Magic Blast..."
"Isn't that a powerful spell focused entirely on raw firepower?"
It was a spell that handled pure destructive power within the 4th Tier. Because its output was so great, it was a technique easily countered by another 4th Circle mage. However, that wasn't the case for anyone below that level. For a 1st Circle mage like Ferda, there was no hope of blocking it.
Thus, Thesalos was essentially saying: Surrender now while you still can, you bastard.
"Hmm, is that so?" Ferda tilted his head before nodding as if he understood. "Alright, I see. I'll tell you one thing as well. The only magic I can use is Mana Shot."
"Mana Shot? You think you can beat me with such a basic cantrip?"
Ferda waved his hand dismissively and replied, "Ah, there's no need to worry about me. Unlike you all, I know a great deal."
"You arrogant little shit...!" The aura surrounding Thesalos fluctuated violently. "I'll make sure you vanish from this earth without a trace!"
Even in a situation thick with murderous intent, the pressure did not reach Ferda.
‘This man was also a possessor of a Red Circle.’
The fact that he grew stronger even after losing his composure and letting his emotions flare meant one thing: he was a mage of a similar mold to Ferda. He, too, was someone who had trained in magic fueled by a sense of inferiority.
‘It feels somewhat familiar.’
Ferda definitely knew this feeling. Like a chopstick stuck deep inside a bottle—it felt like it was right at his fingertips, yet he couldn't quite touch it. Something kept tickling his memory.
‘I'll set that aside for later and focus on the magic for now.’
Regardless, this was a fight between a 1st Circle and a 4th Circle. Ferda had already gauged his own capacity and reviewed his limits.
‘A typical 1st Circle can manifest a total of three spheres for a Mana Shot.’
That was only because their concentration and senses were lacking due to being unaccustomed to mana manipulation.
‘The total I can create is six.’
If he didn't want to suffer the backlash of mana depletion, five was the limit. Therefore, he had five opportunities.
"Hwaaaaah!"
The intensified flow of mana condensed in Thesalos's palm. The energy swirled and drew a large circle—the foundation of the magic circle. The hieroglyphs inside were drawn based on what Thesalos had memorized.
Ferda felt it in the wind brushing against his cheek. The murderous intent was profound.
‘The output... he really intends to kill me.’
But it didn't matter. If that murderous intent didn't actually reach him, it was meaningless. Just as the other had declared he would end it in one blow, Ferda intended to end it in one blow as well.
Ferda formed his mana spheres at a much faster speed. One for each finger, a total of five spheres rested above his hand. While Ferda's attack was complete, Thesalos's Magic Blast was still being drawn.
"The conclusion is reached," Ferda said. "I have won."
With Ferda's declaration of victory, the five spheres flew toward Thesalos. Five arcs of light streaked through the air.
"What...!"
Thesalos, watching this, was startled, but before he could even finish his sentence, Ferda's attack was over.
Bang!
Pop-pop-pop!
Thud!
A total of four explosive sounds and one dull thud echoed from Thesalos's position. The dirt of the clearing surged upward, and a thick cloud of dust settled. A moment later, everyone present could see the result.
"Urgh..."
Thesalos, who had been chanting the magic circle, was slumped on the ground, groaning. The right hand he was clutching was swollen bright red. Trembling, Thesalos looked at Ferda and spoke in a low voice.
"I... I lost."
The arrogant 1st Circle brat, Ferda, had won.
* * *
Thesalos faced a situation that could only be described as miraculous. He replayed the scenes he hadn't been able to understand in that moment.
‘The Mana Shot that flew toward my face.’
The sphere manifested from the middle finger had flown toward Thesalos's eye. If the head is pierced, anyone dies. However, it wasn't enough to normally panic a mage. Even for a Red Circle mage, if concentration is broken, the magic fails. But something flying toward the eye is different. It was a situation where any human would inevitably panic.
So, while chanting, Thesalos had deployed defensive magic. He was a 4th Circle mage capable of simultaneous defense and offense. The three bullets he thought were aimed at his torso should have been blocked by his defensive magic according to his expectations.
‘His target wasn't my torso, but the magic circle.’
However, they exploded in front of the magic circle, destroying the structure that was maintaining its form.
‘He destroyed the magic circle...’
Thesalos felt a sense of wonder. Unless a magic circle is perfectly woven, mana blind spots exist. If an explosion occurs precisely at that blind spot, the effect of the magic circle can be reduced. But while reduction is possible, destruction is an entirely different realm. That man was employing a technical skill that one could only hope to see upon becoming at least a 5th Circle mage.
And so, even the magic circle was destroyed.
‘And for the final blow, a low-output Mana Shot to the back of my right hand.’
Lowering the output meant he had no intention to kill. At the same time, it was a message that he could have killed him whenever he pleased.
Everything signified Ferda's complete victory, and even Thesalos, with blood rushing to his head, had no choice but to admit his defeat. It was a result so clear that even those who knew nothing of magic could understand it.
‘How can a 1st Circle mage defeat a 4th Circle?’
‘Did he use some kind of trick? Because they couldn't let the Consort die...’
‘The only one who could pull off such a trick is...’
Wondering if the Dragon had intervened, they glanced sideways. Feeling those gazes, Ruri glared at them with her silver Death Eyes.
"Would you like to move those eyes before I pluck them out?"
"Hieek!"
"A-Ahem!"
Ruri expressed her disgust openly. Unlike Ferda, she had no need to maintain formalities with them.
"Do you submit?"
"...I submit."
Thesalos spoke with a hollow laugh. "I never... expected to see a master of this caliber here. The world truly is vast."
Thesalos bowed his head politely, acknowledging Ferda's skill.
"Your skills are also quite exceptional compared to other 4th Circles. I think it's truly fortunate to have a force like you."
"Haha... It is an honor for me to meet such a master outside the capital. Being demoted wasn't entirely a bad thing, it seems."
Hearing those words, Ferda's body flinched.
"...Did you say you were demoted?"
"That is correct."
"Due to political issues?"
"Yes."
Words swirled inside Ferda's head.
Red Circle mage.
Demoted due to political issues.
Inferiority complex.
Similar mana.
Vengefulness.
"What did you say your name was?"
"It is Thesalos Wolcher."
Only then did Ferda understand.
"Thesalos Wolcher... Right... I finally remember."
"Do you know me?" A question mark appeared over Thesalos's head. He searched his memory to see if they had ever met, but there was no point of contact between himself and the Rosnova family.
However, Ferda nodded. "I know you. You are my benefactor."
"Benefactor...? When did we meet?"
"It wasn't in the past. This is a story of the far future."
"The far future? What on earth does that—"
Pang—!
The sentence was never finished. A large hole appeared in Thesalos's head. Aiming at that hole was Ferda's index finger. He had pierced Thesalos's forehead with a Mana Shot.
"Therefore, I cannot let you live."
* * *
The people who witnessed Ferda's actions were beyond shocked. Ferda had killed a noble. No one could intentionally murder a noble; it was an act that even the fiancé of the Archduchess of Valdrova could not be forgiven for. How could he commit such an atrocious act! It was a deed that deserved condemnation and blame.
However, Ferda had sufficient reason.
‘Thesalos was also intending to kill him, so...’
‘Should it be considered... self-defense?’
The lords also knew what Thesalos had tried to do. Out of personal emotion, he had chanted a spell strong enough to kill the Consort by deploying 4th Tier magic. The fact that he was executed outside of the duel itself was a stain on Ferda's record.
Normally, they were piranhas who would have bitten down joyfully, but the lords only looked at each other's faces. Their thoughts were in perfect unison.
Among us rats, who is going to bell this cat?
Ferda, having killed Thesalos, turned his head. The blood that had splattered as the forehead was pierced was vividly smeared on Ferda's face. A face and blood that showed not a shred of emotion. Those elements made all the lords shudder.
In reality, Ferda was completely unaware of that fact. He wasn't in a state of mind to care about such things.
‘I'm dizzy.’
He had used every last bit of mana in his body. The difference between leaving 1% and having 0% is extreme. Ferda had poured it all out to leave no room for error, and as a reaction, he felt a splitting headache and vertigo. It was hard even to maintain consciousness, which made it difficult to control his expression. His face looked unmistakably like someone who was deeply annoyed.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Uh... well, that is..."
Their eyes flickered toward Thesalos. Only then did Ferda understand.
"Ah, is it because of Thesalos? Do not trouble yourselves. This man was someone who had committed acts deserving of death."
He couldn't steady his body properly, as if he were drunk. His facial muscles twitched and spasmed.
"Had this man lived, he would have done something to make the Archduchess grieve."
"The... the Archduchess, you say?"
"Yes. The Archduchess is a merciful person. She loves humans and fights for them."
Just then, a headache surged. It was so intense that his expressionless face contorted fiercely—to the point where one might mistake it for an expression of pure loathing.
"I dislike those who make her sad."
"Does that mean... the man from the Wolcher family... would have done that?"
"No, I simply did it because he undoubtedly would have made her so."
The lords were even more confused by the answer.
‘W-what kind of nonsense is that?’
‘Because he undoubtedly would have? Then he's saying the man hadn't even done it yet.’
‘Is the man becoming the Archduchess's Consort such a complete lunatic?!’
They broke into a cold sweat at his unpredictable behavior. Ferda felt their fear. Fearing he might be misunderstood, he emphasized his point once more.
"Do not worry. I truly do not care in the slightest what you all do."
He was serious.
Seriously, who was going to bell this crazy cat?