Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Duel of Illusion and Steel
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Imperial mages were different from those in Trinity.
Trinity's towers specialized in researching specific attribute magics.
In contrast, imperial mages dealt with a mix of various attributes.
In terms of pure magical achievements, they lagged far behind Trinity.
The individual skills of the mages were no different.
Typically, imperial magic focused on daily life spells or military applications.
Of course, it hadn't always been that way.
In the past, Rihenz Zer—a member of the hero's party and a grand archmage—had served as the Imperial Magic Minister, elevating the status of the imperial magic department.
But that prestige stemmed from Rihenz's own strength, not from the imperial mages themselves.
The magic department, which had briefly risen to the center of power, was now quickly losing its standing.
As a result, the current imperial magic department and its minister, Lens Zer, were in a precarious position.
They were outmatched in magic by Trinity, left only with the hollow legacy of a grand archmage's descendant.
In the imperial court, they were constantly pushed around from all sides.
Even Trinity's mages tended to look down on imperial mages.
He, who received no respect as a mage or as an imperial minister, was always nursing a deep well of resentment.
And then he discovered Maple Leaf Tale.
He first learned of it when he saw one of his imperial mages buying the initial release batch.
"Illusion Tower? This thing...!"
"Wait a moment, Minister Lens! This isn't just some ordinary artifact. Once you start, you can't stop. They say it's addictive!"
"You must research this. It's... a revolution!"
"Research, my foot."
There were no illusion mages in the imperial court.
Thus, uncovering its true nature was impossible for them.
Still, it was clearly something extraordinary, so Lens personally bought the second batch.
In truth, he also needed an excuse to take leave.
His daily life of being ignored everywhere in the court was too stressful.
"Going through all that trouble just to buy something like this... I must be crazy. Oh... Oh?!"
And with that, he plunged headfirst into Maple Leaf Tale.
For someone enduring a stressful life in the imperial court, it brought an entirely new world.
He chose the hunter class—an archer subclass perfect for mowing down monsters with satisfying efficiency—and underwent his second job advancement.
That's when he began his reign of terror.
Kuhahaha! You all ignored me, so take this!
The magic minister, scorned wherever he went.
In the new world of Maple Leaf Tale, his pent-up rage finally exploded.
As if repaying every slight from the imperial court, he unleashed his malice within the game.
Empire's Light?
He discovered <Empire's Light> during one of those rampages.
Empire's Light was a flattering title referring to the first prince.
And the first prince was always advocating for the abolition of the magic department in favor of deeper ties with Trinity.
It was a perfectly rational stance when considering interests and benefits.
But to Lens, the magic minister, the first prince had always rubbed him the wrong way.
So he hounded <Empire's Light> with even greater malice.
Then the popularity update hit, and now he was too afraid to even log in.
Yet he couldn't quit Maple Leaf Tale.
It was just too much fun...
"...I see. So you want your popularity restored."
"Exactly. Can you help me out?"
That's when the illusion mages arrived at the imperial court.
For Lens, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—maybe twice at most.
Bowing his head to mere illusion mages was something his pride as magic minister wouldn't allow.
But the addictive pull of Maple Leaf Tale overrode that pride.
After agonizing deliberation, Lens had come to Rye's room.
"That's going to be difficult. After all, you're the one who did all those nasty things."
He had swallowed his pride to come here begging.
Yet Rye's response was cold and unyielding.
"...What did you say?"
"Don't take it too hard. It's natural for hidden desires to surface in an anonymous world. But you have to realize that those desires will eventually consume you."
Rye spoke firmly.
There wasn't a flicker of emotion on his face.
As if this outcome was inevitable. As if it was all Lens's fault.
His gaze even seemed a little condescending, perhaps.
It reminded Lens of all the looks he received in the imperial court.
The gazes from Trinity mages who scorned imperial mages.
For some reason, it felt eerily similar.
"Still..."
"—Are you daring to lecture me right now? You, a mere illusion mage?"
Lens cut him off, glaring fiercely.
He had endured the humiliation to bare his soul to an imperial magic minister like himself.
For a mere illusion mage—no, not even a proper mage—to dismiss him.
The shame he had bottled up, along with all the anger accumulated from countless slights, finally erupted.
"...That wasn't my intention. But I can't tolerate remarks like that."
"Then what are you going to do about it! Some trivial illusion magic. Some artifact that got a bit of attention, and now you're too big for your boots? You were spouting off arrogantly in front of His Majesty earlier. You don't even know your place as an illusion mage!"
The rage he always suppressed.
Having already vented it in the world of Maple Leaf Tale, it spilled out even more easily now.
"There's a reason illusion magic isn't welcome in the imperial court! We have no need for trash like you! Useless illusion magic has no practical value whatsoever!"
"They say excessive gaming addiction triggers violence... Maybe taking a break from the game would help."
"What?"
Rye furrowed his brow, stood, and opened the window.
The cool night air slightly cooled the anger boiling up to his forehead.
"Ah, no, I'm not saying I'll block you. I'm not that petty. But I can't overlook you insulting the Illusion Tower any longer."
"Hah! Illusion magic is trash to begin with..."
"—A fact the entire world agrees on. But that's just how the world sees it. Just because illusion magic can't do the same things as other magics doesn't mean it has no value. Nothing does, really."
Just like games. Everything has its own worth.
Of course, overdoing games could lead to uncontrolled aggression like this.
It was a double-edged sword.
"In my opinion, our illusion magic is far superior to your imperial magic."
"What...! How dare you in this sa—"
Lens finally snapped, kicking back his chair and rising.
At the same moment, vast mana began gathering in his hand.
"Calm down. You're not going to cast a massive spell inside the palace. How about this instead?"
"...?"
"Tomorrow, let's have a magic duel. One of your imperial mages against one of us illusion mages here."
"W-wait, Rye? Me?"
"Yes. I'm just the junior in the tower, so fighting the head of the imperial mages would be a mismatch in weight class. This is an Illusion B-rank mage. Bring someone appropriate, and it'll be a fair fight."
"Why should I?"
"If the imperial side wins, I'll restore your popularity. Change your nickname however you like. In return, if we win, formally apologize to us and recognize illusion magic as an official imperial magic. Then take responsibility and spread the word throughout the court. Make the world acknowledge the value of illusion magic."
The imperial court had never officially recognized illusion magic as true magic.
But if the court did, perceptions worldwide would shift dramatically.
"...Fine. As if some trivial illusion magic could beat me. Just keep your promise."
Lens took a moment to catch his breath and think before responding.
Of course, he was convinced he couldn't lose to mere illusion magic.
At this rate, he had no chance of regaining his popularity anyway, so he swallowed his anger and accepted.
"Of course. Don't worry."
Bang—
Lens stormed out, slamming the door hard enough to nearly break it.
Rye watched his retreating back and snorted derisively.
Rain, meanwhile, was in a panic.
"R-R-R-Rye! What have you just agreed to? A magic duel?!"
"What's the big deal? At the same level, we can win, right?"
"How are we supposed to win?! It's illusion magic!"
"We can win. It's not about killing—it's just a duel."
"Ugh... I want no part of this...! How could you decide something like that on your own?!"
Rain clutched her head and flopped onto the bed.
Rye watched her with a wry smile.
"...We have to show them. How amazing a mage Rain is."
"...!"
"You thought I didn't recognize you?"
Lens was the magic minister—and Rain's father.
Rain had been cast out by him shortly after her attribute test at age ten, so it was ancient history.
Now, after all these years, he hadn't even recognized his own daughter standing right in front of him.
"...Did you do that on purpose, Rye?"
"Maybe he couldn't recognize her because she's grown so beautiful? I noticed the minister is pretty short. He probably never imagined his daughter would turn out so tall."
"...Pfft. What kind of—? My mother's tall, you know? Wait, that's not the point! What are we going to do now?!"
Rye chuckled and replied.
"We win. I know how incredible Rain's magic is."
He had seen her magic firsthand.
Rain's magic was never lacking. Even as a B-rank, it sometimes felt superior to his own S-rank.
And he knew how diligently she had honed her so-called "mere" illusion magic.
Rain was a mage superior to anyone.
"We're mages too, after all."
And the next day dawned.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "A sudden magic duel with illusion mages? From the ones who made Maple Leaf Tale?"
"It's a different illusion mage, apparently. Word is they challenged us."
"Not even another tower, but the Illusion Tower... Do we have to put up with this from them too?"
"Dude, keep talking like that and you'll end up on the blacklist."
The imperial mages were in an uproar from the morning.
It was because a magic duel with illusion mages had suddenly been scheduled for today.
Hah... I need to get back to the game soon.
The one chosen for the duel was Domur, an imperial mage.
A Steel B-rank attribute constitution holder and the magic minister's nephew.
Deep into Maple Leaf Tale lately, he was irritated by this abrupt interruption.
"Domur. You must win without fail."
"Got it, Uncle. As if I'd lose to an illusion mage."
Domur replied half-heartedly and headed to the arena.
He wanted to wrap this up quickly and dive back into gaming.
"A magic duel with an illusion mage? That's a first."
"Right? Can we even score points off this?"
"Guess the artifact sales went to their heads. Challenging us to a duel is a bit much, though..."
"Looks like it's a woman. Heh. Poor thing."
Illusion mages never participated in magic duels.
They didn't even show up to such events in the first place.
There had never been an illusion mage in a duel.
This was Domur's first time dueling an illusion mage—and his first time even seeing illusion magic.
Finish this quick and game.
Domur's mind was entirely on the game.
He could crush a mere illusion mage easily.
Domur and the spectating imperial mages all thought the same.
But,
"...Huh?"
"Yo, what's up with that guy?"
"H-he's going to lose...!"
The moment the duel began, the reactions flipped in an instant.