Chapter 250
Chapter 250
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 250
>Chapter Title: From My Downfall
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A week had passed since Lucifer fully opened his heart to the Magic Tower.
In the meantime, I had been quite busy handling external affairs.
‘For now, let’s put off telling Parun about Yeokcheon’s existence.’
The semester was starting soon anyway, so I wouldn’t have time to focus entirely on Yeokcheon.
Instead, I filled out the questionnaire Parun had given me in bits and pieces—it was preparation for any contingencies.
The rest of my time was spent preparing the “Self-Sufficiency Project” with Senior Riheim and Senior Mysern.
“So, we’re setting up the barrier on the opposite side of Hazen?”
“That seems best. It’s a secluded spot with no merchant traffic, so it won’t draw much attention. Though with the scale we’re talking about, I wonder if it even matters……”
“If we layer on a perception-blocking barrier, it should hold for a while.”
Why were we worrying about this?
Under imperial law, farming on a certain scale or larger required reporting to the Empire.
That opened the door to a mess of administrative hassles and taxes, leaving us no choice.
Of course, if we got caught, we’d be hit with a tax bomb……
‘……It’ll be fine. We’ll wrap it up quick and vanish in a few months.’
Anyway, we seniors and I put our heads together and threw ourselves into the project.
Fortunately, preparations wrapped up faster than expected.
As usual, we three gathered at dawn.
Senior Riheim spoke first.
“The magic circle is complete.”
Here, “magic circle” meant the mana accumulation circle to assist Senior Riheim’s core.
“It won’t match the efficiency from the Hamern Great Forest, but considering the barrier’s type and range, it should be sufficient.”
Senior Mysern nodded silently.
I spoke up next.
“Is the barrier support magic circle finished too?”
“Barrier support?”
“Yes.”
Senior Riheim tilted his head at my question.
“Why would we need that?”
“……Pardon?”
A barrier support magic circle assisted in erecting and maintaining barriers—essential for barrier mages.
Especially for long-term ones like this.
“I’ve never understood it since way back. What’s the point? Calculations handle it in seconds, so why wear out your joints drawing on the ground?”
“……Ah, yes.”
This was genius.
Their way of thinking was just different from ordinary people.
Anyway, that meant project prep was all done……
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, more or less.”
I had nothing left to prepare.
Oh, and the crop? Potatoes.
They consumed less mana during rapid growth than wheat or other plants—Senior Riheim’s experience guided that choice.
‘They’re impressive when you really look at them.’
The thought struck me, and I took in Senior Riheim and Senior Mysern in turn.
First, Senior Riheim.
Former Archmage of Termination, former grand duke—his personal realm had reached transcendence, and his status was imperial royalty.
Then Senior Mysern.
Spiritist of the Withering Gale, once shoulder-to-shoulder with the Archmage of Termination, a powerhouse whose personal realm had reached transcendence from a spirit arts perspective.
‘Heard he’s from some noble house too?’
But status wasn’t the point here—what mattered was their realms.
‘Three transcendent powerhouses.’
Not two.
Three.
Why three? Because I had ascended to transcendence.
This “Self-Sufficiency Project” was possible only because three transcendent powerhouses were involved.
Normally, it would take dozens of experts: spiritists versed in water, wind, and earth attributes; plant mages; and barrier mages, all together.
“Hm.”
My chest swelled inexplicably, and just then, Senior Mysern’s gaze landed on me.
“Lost in pointless thoughts again, I see.”
Senior Riheim chuckled at that.
“He’s just excited. Saving the Black-White Slums’ poor—how could he not be?”
“You, the grand duke…… Hm, no. You still see him that way? You’re too generous with someone who won’t even reveal his identity.”
“Well, he’ll come clean when the time’s right.”
Senior Mysern grinned mischievously and shot me a glance.
“I could reveal it for him, you know?”
……What’s with this guy?
Senior Mysern had been getting more playful lately.
Ever since he figured out I hadn’t told even Senior Riheim my identity, he’d been poking at me like this……
I quickly changed the subject before his teasing escalated.
“So, what time works best? I’m good to go anytime.”
“Noon-ish. We’ll need manpower, so we have to gather cartel members—takes time.”
I nodded at Senior Mysern’s words.
A short while later.
We double-checked the formulas and order for the project, then disbanded at our usual time.
“See you later.”
“Yeah, get home safe. Oh, Knight. Still haven’t met Obern?”
“……I’ll meet him soon.”
After Senior Riheim and Senior Mysern left the room one by one.
I stepped out and headed somewhere.
‘Prep finished earlier than I thought.’
I’d wanted to wrap before academy term started—timing worked out perfectly.
……Well, truthfully, it was possible because the academy delayed opening by a week.
‘Pushed back the start by a full week?’
Apparently, the intensifying war between Lortel and Decullan made it hard for many students to make the original schedule.
The academy’s consideration for that.
‘Works for me.’
Though shortening summer break by a week—not my problem yet.
Lost in such thoughts as I walked.
I arrived at a room in the temporary lodging.
Knock knock.
“You up?”
I knocked and opened the door right away. A massive bulk turned its head slightly, bathed in the dim sunlight filtering through the window cracks.
“……Tower Lord.”
Lucifer frowned faintly as he eyed me.
“If you’re just going to barge in without waiting for a reply, why knock?”
“It has its own meaning.”
“Curious what that is.”
“The answer isn’t something you hear from others. You find it yourself.”
“……Hm, that makes sense. I’ll mull it over.”
Lucifer nodded seriously at my nonsense.
‘He was pretty dense back then.’
In his past life, he’d have punched me for spouting crap, but he hadn’t grown his edge yet.
Anyway, not the point.
“Come on. We’re going somewhere.”
“……?”
I left the room without waiting for a reply.
Over the past week.
Whenever I had time, I’d given Lucifer various lessons, mostly stripping away the Troubleshooter secrets he’d learned.
‘A bit early, maybe……’
But since he’d firmly decided to join the Magic Tower, I saw no reason to hold back on teachings.
And above all……
Trailing Lucifer behind me, I took in the Black-White Slums.
Amid the groans from the Lortel-Decullan war, the Second Black-White Slums buzzed with inexplicable energy even this early morning.
The heart of it: Svetlana’s domain.
‘Not bad at all.’
Beyond Senior Mysern teaching the kids culture, quite a few others pitched in.
Shine taught swordsmanship to the kids empathically, and Evelyn squeezed in arithmetic lessons once a week despite her busy schedule.
Lately, not just orphanage kids but nearby slum children were joining one by one—maybe because the kids regained their spark? The whole city felt brighter.
It felt fresh.
‘This is positive influence.’
And it didn’t end there.
‘Around term start, Henji’s little brother’s coming too?’
He’d send him once prep was done, but with all the packing and teaching, it took longer than expected.
‘The kid can teach magic.’
Of course, only a few could actually learn it, but even as general knowledge, it’d mean something.
No need to teach Blandoga secrets.
The basic breathing method was there—minor effect, but switchable to others anytime.
Oh, that basic method was Senior Riheim’s contribution.
Anyway.
Taking in the changed Black-White Slums from vacation, I pictured its future evolution.
One year from now, five years, ten……
How the Second Black-White Slums would transform.
……At the same time.
I thought.
No matter how many years passed, no tower would rise in the Second Black-White Slums.
Why?
Because of Decullan.
I couldn’t let hard-won changes get swept up in war’s flames.
But that didn’t mean I hadn’t planned the tower’s future.
“……How far are we going?”
“…….”
Ignoring Lucifer’s question, I left the Second Black-White Slums and crossed the vast plain.
I stopped when we’d reached a good distance—where the slums were fully visible at a glance.
Buildings tangled in chaotic sprawl from unchecked development.
The sun rising beyond them.
Lucifer faced me with the sun at his back, and a thought struck: the Second Black-White Slums and rising sun seemed to cradle his back.
……This was it.
The future of the tower I envisioned.
“Sit.”
“……Yes.”
I plopped down first and gazed at sun-backed Lucifer. Then I spoke.
“There’s something called a circle.”
“Circle…… you say?”
“Yeah. Academically, it’s a new core form. As a secret art, not a bad one. It’s one I luckily created—something you’ll learn someday. Today, I’ll lay its foundation.”
After my brief explanation of the circle, Lucifer asked.
“So, I’m becoming your disciple?”
I shook my head.
“Disciple or not doesn’t matter. You learn Decullan secrets and become their disciple? No.”
“Then…… a secret art for tower members?”
“Nope. Doesn’t have to be the tower. Once sorted, I plan to make it public for anyone.”
What did that mean?
Teaching Lucifer the circle didn’t make him bear any tower member responsibilities.
Instead……
“Remember just this.”
“……Speak.”
“Later, if you reach a high realm, don’t stint on passing on teachings. Not like those noble house fools hoarding them—when fate connects, share freely like me today.”
“……Even if not your disciple?”
“Are you my disciple?”
“No, but……”
Lucifer trailed off.
I burst out laughing at his dopey look.
“Anyway, don’t hold back on teachings. For other secrets, maybe—but for the circle, absolutely. Got it?”
“Got…… it.”
Lucifer tilted his head in confusion, then nodded.
“Good. Turn around. You’ve mastered the breathing method I taught last time?”
“……Yes.”
The breathing method I taught: Decullan’s Old Heavenly Origin Art.
New Heavenly Origin Art’s imagery wasn’t clear yet—unavoidable choice. But puzzling it out, Old Heavenly Origin Art sufficed for circle foundation. I’d started with it too.
And now, what I’d do……
‘Mana Shower.’
Cleanse his body, stained with cheap Troubleshooter secrets.
“Then, begin.”
“……Yes, understood.”
“Begin.”
He turned, faced the Black-White Slums, closed his eyes.
His breathing soon settled into stillness as I quietly took in the space.
Even now, the sun rose over the Black-White Slums—seeming to brightly light Lucifer’s path ahead.
I watched the scene a moment, then placed my hand on his back.
……And that day.
The tower, originally one, became two.
Why?
Whether Lucifer acknowledged it or not, bestowing the circle meant he now harbored a tower.
The moment the tower freed itself from my downfall.