The Real-World Encounter From the Game Turned Into Reality - Chapter 52
In the magic world, reaching the 5th circle is said to be the absolute limit for effort alone.
The 6th circle is entirely the domain of talent, while the 7th circle is the realm of true geniuses and even rarer prodigies.
Because of this, any mage who achieves the 7th circle receives the title of Grand Wizard, a name reserved solely for pioneers of unprecedented talent.
That is how rare and special the 7th circle truly is.
“Ten 5th-circle mages might defeat one 6th-circle mage,”
“But a hundred 6th-circle mages could not stand against even a single 7th-circle mage.”
The greatest gap between ranks in magic has always been the 7th circle.
Memorize Magic: allows any spell to be pre-cast and executed instantly with a simple thought, as if on a hotkey.
Recovery Magic: heals nearly all injuries, diseases, and poisons.
Teleport Magic: instantly moves you halfway across the world.
Dimension Shroud Magic: creates an independent pocket dimension that is virtually unbreakable.
Once a mage reaches the 7th circle, they become something entirely new, transcending all previous limits.
In the past, 7th-circle Grand Wizards were called “One-Man Armies,” the ultimate trump card capable of turning the tide of any war in a single moment.
A Grand Wizard with spatial teleportation combined with area-devastating magic struck fear into entire battlefields. They had ruled as both the defeated and the tyrant for centuries.
“Well, that was a long time ago.”
But as time passed and technology advanced, mass production of artifacts became possible. The age of prioritizing equipment over personal ability dawned, and the old ways began to change.
Anti-Teleportation Magic became standard on the battlefield.
Vanguards could now fire long-range attacks without any casting at all, turning modern warfare into a one-sided slaughter.
Unlike Aura Masters who could equip Vanguard suits, a Grand Wizard’s power saw no meaningful increase.
It was only natural that their position on the battlefield grew narrower.
Today’s mages were seen more as technicians than warriors.
Unlike knights, they could earn enormous wealth simply by sitting in a laboratory without risking their lives.
The environment was undeniably stable… yet
Would any mage really want to spend their entire life locked inside a research lab?
“Even with restrictions, a Grand Wizard’s combat ability still works perfectly in the modern era.”
Most magic one lives and learns is meant for combat.
Yet due to the flow of the times, it was still being sidelined under the excuse of “protection.”
BOOM! BA-BOOM!
In that context, Adrian’s battle completely shattered every preconception a mage could hold.
A Grand Wizard fighting at the front lines against tens of Vanguards.
Recalling the historical importance of Grand Wizards in the Magic Age, this was nothing short of reckless suicide.
“It’s dangerous!”
“Hah!”
“Hah….”
Yet strangely, every observer found themselves clenching their fists in tension.
It was only natural that the two watching—Duchess Olivia Riberdale and Countess Elfrid—were cheering on the same Grand Wizard.
“Fighting so fiercely like that…”
“Oh?”
They had forgotten all etiquette and were now openly supporting Adrian as fellow Grand Wizards.
How many times had they seen a mage fight with such raw power?
The sight was both shocking and satisfying.
“Impressive.”
“I’m speechless.”
When the moment came for the enemy to surrender, both women clapped with genuine admiration.
The greatest reason modern mages were restricted on the battlefield was not their matchup against Vanguards.
It was the simple fact that spatial teleportation—their greatest trump card—was completely blocked.
The worst weakness of any mage was casting.
But not every spell required it.
A 7th-circle mage reduced the casting cost of 6th-circle magic by half. 5th-circle and below could be cast instantly without any preparation.
That meant Grand Wizards could still fight by spamming 5th-circle Blink around like it was free.
Anti-Teleportation Magic had turned that dream into a nightmare.
Yet Adrian’s battle seemed to mock that very idea: if you can’t teleport, just dodge directly.
“Countess Elfrid, is a fight like that even possible?”
“Not even with auxiliary magic. It requires rich battlefield experience, a hardened body, and combat instinct.”
“That’s true.”
The only regret was that Adrian’s style was impossible to copy perfectly.
And he didn’t even have the greatest partner—an Aura Master.
“But…”
“Mmm…”
Still, both women rested their chins on their hands and fell deep into thought.
Adrian’s method was hard to replicate exactly, but with a little adjustment it might still be usable.
They had already been interested in Adrian from the start, and witnessing this had broken so many fixed beliefs that they found themselves enlightened in ways they never expected.
“By the way, Duke Riberdale, you really do seem to be from the Riberdale Academy.”
Olivia Riberdale, still lost in thought, narrowed her eyes at Elfrid’s words.
“What did I say?”
“Yes, my apologies.”
Olivia wore a displeased expression on the surface, but inwardly she was relieved.
She had never fully trusted Adrian despite his mountain of evidence.
But now, from this battle, she had seen several of the Riberdale Academy’s unique habits in Adrian.
That alone was enough to shatter all her suspicions.
“He’s a very likable person.”
“Our excessive interest in your sect is denied.”
But neither of them knew they were still being watched from above by a black eagle soaring high in the sky.
“Will this continue?”
“No. We’ve seen enough. The result of this territory war is obvious anyway. Let’s head back.”
The two women had sparred with each other until the very end, but their feelings were clearly not hostile.
***
Using both the accompanying perspective function and Telepathy at the same time, I felt a wave of relief the moment I saw the two women disappear from view.
They were exactly the two people I needed to fear most right now.
One was the Intelligence Chief of the Brigham Empire, the absolute ruler of a major empire who would turn against me the second he discovered I possessed Arsia.
The other was the head of the Riberdale family, who guaranteed my status as a mage.
“I never thought so many eyes would be on this territory war.”
Fortunately, their emotions still registered as fondness. It seemed I had fooled them well enough.
“Unexpected income obtained.”
I already knew the unique magical traits of the Riberdale family would appear when casting magic.
Using one of the five Chance Cards, I had asked Chester to act as a disciple of Duke Riberdale.
He had not only fabricated the records but also passed on the magical characteristics of the academy. It was the logical choice.
“Now I can safely drop any unnecessary suspicions about me.”
With the Riberdale family’s influence firmly established, no one would connect me to Duke Lucas anymore.
Feeling pleasant, I strolled toward the lord’s castle of Parma Visca’s domain with light steps.
“Hah!”
The moment the servants saw an enemy walking casually through the inner gates, they all turned deathly pale.
They had witnessed the kneeling knight and Arsia in front of them.
Anyone with eyes in their head would have known exactly what was happening.
They were all worried about their own futures.
“Th-this way.”
I stopped in front of the enormous gate that looked like the lord’s study.
What would a villain do in this situation?
My chosen method of entrance was simple: demolition.
BOOM!
“Kyaaaak!”
“Uwaaaah!”
Just by snapping my fingers, the sturdy door exploded.
I charged through the smoke and dust without hesitation.
At that moment, Parma Visca and his family appeared in the inner hall.
Countless knights were clustered around Vanguards, but none dared move.
Even a viscount who had become a lord was a local tyrant.
Simply glancing around, I estimated I could empty the treasury just by selling the decorations in the study—nearly a hundred billion.
I spoke with a satisfied smile.
“I’ll give you three seconds. After that, any knight holding a weapon will be judged as an enemy and removed.”
I warned the tense knights.
Naturally, Arsia had drawn her Force Sword.
I twirled my Magic Staff in my hand, ready to swing at any moment.
Knights were supposed to pledge absolute loyalty to their lord.
But as the world developed, the old romantic ideal had faded.
Everyone, more than anyone else, now valued their lives above all.
They quickly sheathed their weapons.
When the three seconds ended, not a single knight was still holding a weapon.
“These bastards!”
Parma Visca roared in fury, ordering his knights to move.
But they didn’t budge an inch.
Of course.
His authority had already collapsed to nothing.
Now was the time for him to die.
The only thing the knights could do was avoid offending the winner.
“Do not move.”
I stepped forward with heavy strides.
He froze in place.
I slammed my Magic Staff between his legs.
“Sign this surrender document.”
“Kk…”
Parma Visca bit his lip until it bled, his face turning bright red with rage.
Yet with years of political seasoning, he took a deep breath and calmed himself.
“What… what are you planning to do to me and my family?”
“Don’t worry. I will only kill the one who caused this— the instigator. The rest of you will become ruined nobles who have lost your wealth and titles.”
“Hah…”
I sat him down at the table and handed him paper and a pen.
“Or do you wish to die?”
“…”
I had no choice.
This wasn’t a bargain—it was life or death.
“Cough…”
Finally, the viscount and his family, forced to sign a humiliating document because they had one son too many, wept bitterly.
I was a person with a heart, after all.
But that heart did not extend to those labeled as enemies or future enemies.
I had learned that lesson long ago: to live in peace, you must eliminate anyone who could become your enemy.
***
The moment Parma Visca’s domain fell during the war against the Lawrence Marquis and the four viscountcies, the war was already over.
Once the main force of the Lawrence Marquis took control of Parma Visca’s lands, the other three viscountcies had no choice but to be wiped out one by one.
“The main force of Lawrence Marquis is heading toward our territory!”
The lord’s castle of Doherty Visca.
Over the constant thunder and vibration, Doherty Visca shouted desperately.
“No, wait! The Lawrence Marquis and Count Klein may have already arrived! We’re barely holding on now, but when those two who boasted of defeating forty Vanguards charge in, our defense line will collapse in an instant!”
The forward units that had invaded the moment war was declared possessed three-tenths more power than Doherty Visca’s army.
But since they were hastily assembled, coordination was poor.
Under equal conditions, Doherty Visca’s army would have already fallen apart.
Now the main force was charging in. Of course Doherty Visca was panicking.
“If I fall, the next turn will be yours!”
[Damn it! I know!]
Visca and the others were in the exact same position as Doherty Visca.
They sighed deeply during the video call.
For them, it felt like they had fallen into an inescapable swamp.
How were they supposed to end this unwinnable war?
[What if we hand over the children?] [said the cold-blooded Karm Visca.
He was suggesting to sacrifice his own son and daughter to Adrian to save the family.
Doherty Visca fell into deep thought, while Ronnie Visca shook his head and refused.
[Useless. The Lawrence Marquis said he suppressed Visca’s son who had a grudge against him and then marched straight into the lord’s castle without looking back.]
“What does that mean?”
[At the very beginning, revenge against him was nothing more than a reason to start the war!] [said Karm Visca.
……
“……”
[Obviously it’s to fill the treasury that was emptied while raising an army! The Lawrence Marquis wants to dump his military supply receipts on us!] [said Karm Visca.
Ronnie Visca, the epitome of a noble lady, always spoke with sharp intellect and a carefree smile.
When her passionate rebuke rang out, both Doherty and Karm Visca fell silent.
Her administrative and political skills were far superior to the other three viscounts.
But there was one thing they all shared.
She had never paid proper attention to her children.
No one could have imagined that the family would fall because of a child.
For her, this nightmare could not possibly be worse.
“B-but isn’t this even worse? What are we supposed to do about this…?”
Doherty Visca stomped his feet in frustration.
Ronnie Visca replied with a cool expression.
[Since we can’t win in a normal fight, we have to change the method. We must twist the situation and stall for time.]
[Do you have a plan?] [said Doherty Visca.
[First, gather all our troops.]
[Wait! That means we have to abandon the territory!?]
[If we meet the Lawrence Marquis in our territory, we lose anyway! This is the only way!] [said Ronnie Visca.
[Tsk… Tell me the plan.]
She knew it was necessary, but for people whose entire world was their territory, it was a cruel choice.
Ronnie Visca spoke with firm resolve.
[Gather our troops and strike at the Lawrence Marquis’ territory.]
“Ah…”
[We’ll occupy his territory and then threaten him from inside. No matter how eccentric he is, he won’t want to live in ruins, right?]
[That’s right. His territory is completely empty right now.]
This was the best possible choice they had.
It was a somewhat despicable method, but Adrian had moved his troops before the territory war even began.
So now there was no need to speak of honor.
[Since the war is happening on our territory, the citizens of his domain won’t have evacuated.]
[Does that mean we can take the city’s facilities hostage?] [said Doherty Visca.
“A perfectly usable plan! As expected from Ronnie Visca! Magnificent!”
[It’s not exactly flattering, but such unsightly tactics… I can only lament.] [said Ronnie Visca.
The three viscounts’ opinions had finally united.
***
In the final moments of the territory war that had already been decided, the two women stood before the broken gates of Parma Visca’s domain, watching the enemy retreat with cold eyes.
Their faces showed no hint of mercy.
Adrian Lawrence, the man who had shattered every expectation, had once again proven himself the most unpredictable variable on the board.
And somewhere far above, a black eagle circled silently in the sky, its golden eyes fixed on the lord’s castle below.
The game had become reality.
But the real battle had only just begun.