Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Return of the Great Mage (3)
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Clank. Clank.
As he was lost in thought, the sound of chains echoed from a cell at the end of the corridor. When a wolf-like man appeared, Arcane’s eyes lit up with interest.
This one was different from the others who had mindlessly bolted the moment their cells were opened. Moreover, the fact that he was bound by handcuffs in addition to his shackles was intriguing.
“So there was one more. Did you hide your presence? Your Schema is quite impressive.”
The man surveyed the miserable state of the fallen prisoners and let out a hollow laugh.
“Hahaha, this is ridiculous. Do you even know where you are? This is Inferno, the western prison. Are you planning a rebellion?”
“A rebellion, you say. A delightful affair. Care to join?”
The man shrugged.
“If you can get me out, I don’t see why not.”
“You may not have seen, but surely you’ve heard? There is no freedom unless you can defeat me.”
“Hah, you’re a tough one.”
The man raised his cuffed hands and scratched his head. The moment his sharp eyes glinted between his forearms, he launched himself forward without any warning.
With a leap powered by a Schema that defied the weight of his iron ball, he swung his leg, and the iron ball slammed squarely into Arcane’s face.
“Master!”
BAM!
The man landed with a grimace, bending his knees. To think hitting a person could make such a sound.
“Tch, what an annoying spell.”
Arcane hadn’t budged an inch. Half of his face, where the iron ball had struck, was covered in a black shadow. It was the Dark Skin spell, which maximized the absorptive power of dark magic to suck in the impact.
“Passably useful. You pass.”
As Arcane invoked the power of darkness, a shadow rose from the floor and gripped the man’s shackles and handcuffs.
“Don’t move. You could lose a limb.”
Before the man could reply, the shadow sharpened like a blade and spun rapidly. The chains snapped in an instant, yet the man’s skin remained completely unscathed. Limitless sculpting and delicate control were the very essence of dark magic.
“You must be glad to have your freedom. Follow me. There is work for you to do.”
“What’s this about? I never said I was joining you.”
The corners of the man’s smiling mouth twitched slightly.
He already knew how powerful his opponent was. But what was the point of escaping prison if he was just going to be led around like an ox?
“I imagine it’s money that moves you. If you help me, you’ll be able to get your hands on a great deal of it.”
It was common knowledge that mages were wealthy.
Besides, the man was someone who would do anything for money, so he had no reason to refuse.
“Hehe, a great deal of money, you say. If it’s some paltry sum, I’ll quit halfway through.”
The man followed Arcane out of the prison. And so, Inferno had its first escapee.
* * *
Shirone’s group compiled the materials they had gathered from the library into a notebook and then rented a room at an inn. After two days of discussion, they had managed to outline the principles of the Photon Cannon.
“Why does mass exist?”
Without mass, no change would ever occur. And that would have been a decent world in its own right. It’s not as if it would be a catastrophe if today were the same as yesterday, is it?
But in the beginning, there was mass. As if this world was meant to be filled with all sorts of new things.
“Mass isn’t weight. Weight is the force that acts in the direction of gravity. There’s no direction in space. So what is mass? Cohesion? But even that doesn’t seem like a perfect explanation.”
Nade asked.
“Then what do you think it is?”
The feeling that came to mind was distinct, but while distinct, it wasn’t clear.
“Existence.”
“Huh?”
“Proof of being in this space. Isn’t that what mass is?”
Life is a code unique to living organisms. Perhaps mass is the true certificate of existence, valid throughout the entire universe.
“Hmm. Now that you mention it, that makes sense. Like the will or breath of the Creator.”
Hearing Nade’s words, Iruki snapped his fingers.
“The God Particle.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“The God Particle. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Let’s call the particle Shirone discovered the God Particle.”
“Ooh, I like that. Shirone, what do you think?”
Shirone nodded repeatedly. It felt as if the term wasn’t something Iruki had created, but rather something that had always existed and was just unearthed, fitting perfectly with the premonition he was feeling.
“I like it very much. And this is important.”
“Right. A mage’s omnipotence is tied to their feelings. It’s best to use a name you like.”
In that sense, the God Particle was an excellent choice.
With the discussion concluded for the time being, Iruki flopped onto the bed. He felt like his eyes were about to pop out after poring over books all day.
“Phew, let’s wrap up the analysis here and head back to the academy tomorrow. Classes will start normally the day after, so let’s get ourselves mentally prepared. You haven’t forgotten our promise already, have you?”
Nade chimed in.
“Of course not. We’re moving up to Class 4 this semester. From now on, I’m going to study like a madman. In the worst-case scenario, Shirone might graduate before us.”
That might actually happen.
It started as a joke, but Nade and Iruki’s expressions grew increasingly serious.
At this rate, Shirone really might graduate first. The discovery of the God Particle was that significant of an achievement.
“Shirone, you don’t have any plans to stay an extra year even if you could graduate, do you?”
“Haha! What are you talking about? Right now, I’m the one most likely to fail to keep the promise. You two are at the top of your class, at least.”
Shirone had a point, but his growth rate alone was enough to make them feel a sense of urgency. A student who didn’t even know the Four-Way Formation was now, just six months later, in a situation where his graduation was being considered.
“I can’t sleep. I’ll study a bit before I turn in.”
“Huh? Th-then me too!”
As Iruki got up from the bed and opened a book, Nade, not to be outdone, took a seat at a table in the corner and began to study.
Shirone was dumbfounded to see his friends, who would normally choose to play even if the world were ending tomorrow, now burning with academic passion. But soon, he looked at them with a warm gaze.
‘I’ve met some good friends.’
Shirone was the last of the three to open his book.
* * *
The Kingdom Education Academic Society Teachers' Council.
The Kingdom Academic Conference, hosted by the Teachers' Council, was a gathering where professionals from all social and cultural fields—including magic academies, sword academies, various religious orders, schools of thought, alchemy foundations, and the elite Council of 99 Artists—came together to present a vision for the kingdom.
Thadd was attending the conference as a representative of Alpheas Magic Academy. After days of debate over the harms and benefits of rote learning, he was about to lose his mind.
‘Ugh, dammit. Don’t these people ever sleep? Let’s just go home already.’
He had only attended because he’d drawn the short straw, and he absolutely loathed it. Having been a notorious delinquent since his school days, he was of the opinion that education had nothing to do with being voluntary or whatever else.
The presence of many attractive female teachers was his only consolation. The woman sitting at the round table across from him, in particular, was his perfect ideal type.
Her bluish hair cascaded in soft curls, and her playful spirit, which couldn't be concealed even by her formal suit, was all part of her charm.
‘She’s so lovely. Ogent Reina, was it?’
She was a musician from the kingdom’s top artist collective, the Council of 99, attending as a student of the Pianist of Melody, Märchen.
The debate ended at seven in the evening.
When the evening party hosted by the Teachers’ Council began, the heat of the debate vanished as if it had never been. The attendees were busy sipping wine and networking with figures from various fields.
A crowd of high-ranking officials, whose names even those uninterested in the council would have heard, had gathered especially around Reina.
‘This must be what they mean when they say it’s tough being beautiful.’
Thadd waited for his turn to even say a word to her, eavesdropping on their conversation. Most of it was either stiffly authoritative talk or crude jokes.
Reina maintained a warm smile and responded kindly to everyone. This was an unexpected side of her to Thadd. Her bright personality didn't seem to fit the notorious reputation of the Council of 99.
Art was the craft of manipulating emotions, and its power to captivate the public was something even those in power could not ignore.
Particularly due to the critical function of art, there were quite a few stubborn individuals among artists.
But Reina seemed completely unrelated to such rumors, joyfully mingling with people from all walks of life.
‘Hah, if only Teacher Shina was half as personable as her.’
As he was sipping his wine with that thought, Reina finished her conversation and walked over to him.
“Hello, Teacher Thadd.”
“Ah, yes! Oh? But do you know me?”
“Of course. You’re a teacher at Alpheas Magic Academy. The Ogent main family is in Creas, you see.”
“Aha! Right. I’d forgotten. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The two chatted for a long time, bonded by the delight of being from the same region. Just as Thadd had expected, Reina had a bright and fun personality.
“By the way, is Shirone doing well?”
“Pardon? Ms. Reina, how do you know Shirone? Ah, I see.”
Thadd, who had been Shirone’s entrance exam proctor, recalled seeing the Ogent family name written in the section for his background.
“Shirone was a guest of the Ogent family. As expected of a noble house, you have an excellent eye for people. Shirone is doing well. Well, he did get into some trouble recently, though.”
“What? Trouble? What kind of trouble?”
When Reina’s eyes widened, Thadd realized his mistake. Her pride would be wounded if she found out that a student sponsored by the Ogent family had been suspended.
“Ahaha! It’s nothing serious. He’s such an outstanding student that even minor things get blown out of proportion. That’s the kind of trouble I meant.”
“Oh, I see.”
Reina let out a sigh of relief. Just from Thadd’s story, she could guess what kind of life Shirone was leading.
“I’m glad to hear he’s doing well. Does he have many friends?”
“Of course. He’s popular with everyone, boys and girls alike. Sometimes I get so jealous I could die. Hahaha!”
“Oh. Then perhaps…”
Reina was about to ask if he had a girlfriend but shook her head. It was a question she could certainly ask as his sponsor. But the questioner in her heart was merely borrowing the sponsor’s name.
“Yes? Is there something you’re curious about?”
“No, it’s nothing. I’m just glad he seems to be doing well.”
“Haha! Don’t you worry. It might sound like I’m boasting, but Alpheas Magic Academy is a prestigious institution. You can rest assured and leave him in our care.”
“Hehe, you’re right. That was presumptuous of me. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. If anything, it was I who was being arrogant. How about you travel to Creas with me? I’m planning to leave in the morning. I’ll treat you to a splendid lunch.”
Reina shook her head with a regretful expression.
“I’m sorry. I have a performance scheduled, so I have to return to Bashkar.”
“Ah, I see. What a shame…”
Thadd didn’t hide his disappointment. Normally, he would have let her go without a second thought, but she was truly a woman he didn’t want to let slip away.
“I suppose it can’t be helped. But I would love to see your performance. Would you mind telling me the schedule? I’ll come to Bashkar to see it.”
“Oh, I would be honored. To be honest, I was worried. With the recent trouble in the capital, I was afraid there might be a lot of empty seats.”
“Ah, did something happen in Bashkar?”
“I heard a dark mage attacked Inferno and broke out a B-class wanted criminal. The capital is under security so tight it’s practically martial law right now.”
“A dark… mage?”
Thadd’s brow furrowed. It could have been just another piece of news, but thinking about it, it was a rare incident.
Dark mages were hard to come by these days. And of all places, they attacked Inferno? All to break out a single B-class wanted criminal?
A dark mage, Inferno, a B-class wanted criminal.
A scene from history flashed through Thadd’s mind.