Chapter 28
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Magic Tower Genius Descends into the Labyrinth
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Terrinsy's Crystal Orb.
The green crystal orb was named after a certain mage.
It was a magic tool crafted by a mage of considerable attainment, used across various magic towers as a means to gauge a mage's level.
And right now.
Inside a magic tool shop, two mages were facing off over Terrinsy's Crystal Orb.
"Hahaha...! Today, I shall show you all just how pathetic an Exile truly is!"
The mage in the blue robe basked in the gazes turned his way, his arrogance and haughtiness on full display.
He looked at Sylbian standing before him without a shred of doubt in himself.
That distinctive pure white robe clearly marked him as from the Western Magic Tower.
Yet a mage branded with the Stigma was no different from a worthless commoner, severed from any tower affiliation.
'What a fool—he doesn't even know his place!'
A mere Exile whose mana was mostly sealed daring to lecture me on mana flow?
That was when it happened.
"I was expelled from the Magic Tower, so I have no affiliation whatsoever."
As if exchanging formal introductions right before a mage duel, Sylbian spoke first.
A pause.
At that calm statement, the blue-robed mage puffed out his chest even more proudly.
"I am Kran Deston of the Eastern Magic Tower!"
In contrast, the other mages nodded slightly at his confident declaration of name and affiliation.
He might not have been the most renowned mage of the Eastern Magic Tower, but the array of expensive magic tools adorning him amplified his presence.
This only made the contrast between Kran and Sylbian all the starker.
Sylbian had no affiliation at all—not to mention being a branded Exile.
But Kran boldly asserted his affiliation and showcased his magic tools, making his presence undeniable.
The outcome was clear to anyone watching.
"Kran, would you like to touch the crystal orb first?"
Sylbian casually mentioned his name and made the offer.
"Oh? Did hearing my name finally make you chicken out?"
Sylbian let out a hollow chuckle at Kran's blatant sneer.
"Think whatever you like."
It was neither agreement nor denial.
But to everyone except Cherentia, that response seemed like half-hearted surrender.
"Very well, then. I'll go first and show you what true mana flow a genuine mage can produce! I'll demonstrate it for everyone else here as well!"
Kran strode forward with even greater confidence and stood before the crystal orb.
He slapped his hand onto the green-tinted orb and focused his mind.
A change began to manifest slowly.
Vmmm...!
With a faint resonance, a vivid mana flow emerged from the green crystal orb, emitting a brilliant blue light.
...!
The light's intensity gradually increased until it brightly illuminated the orb's interior with powerful mana flow.
"Ho."
"Not bad."
The watching mages let out small exclamations of admiration at the vivid mana flow, their eyes flicking toward Sylbian.
They simply couldn't comprehend this Exile.
No matter the Magic Tower, a mage branded with the Stigma had most of their mana sealed away.
And having most of one's mana sealed meant the end of a mage's career.
So what confidence did this silver-haired man have to challenge Kran?
"Hup!"
Kran took a deep breath and slowly withdrew his hand from the orb.
Then he looked at Sylbian smugly, as if to say beat that.
"If you apologize now, I might show mercy. You can just pay up in gold and leave without touching the orb."
Kran's tone grew even more arrogant, utterly devoid of doubt.
He was already convinced of his victory.
The other mages even felt his words were merciful.
"Is that all?"
But Sylbian asked Kran point-blank, as if puzzled.
As if to say, that's it?
"What...?"
The moment Kran reflexively questioned back in disbelief.
Step.
Sylbian lightly stepped forward and stood before the crystal orb.
His signature silver hair and pure white robe rippled faintly, lending him an air of mystery.
"Then let me make you a proposal in turn, Kran. If you apologize to me now, I won't make you touch the orb. I'll overlook your rudeness."
It was cold and supremely arrogant.
Sylbian's tone exuded a confidence that surpassed Kran's own haughtiness.
...!
Kran's mouth gaped open in shock, while the other mages stared at Sylbian in utter incomprehension.
Grit...!
But soon, he ground his teeth.
"No mercy for you! I'll expose just how far you've fallen as an Exile... Today, I'll strip you bare so you never dare open that mouth again!!"
His rage-filled voice echoed through the shop, and some mages nodded in agreement, glaring coldly at Sylbian.
He had clearly crossed the line.
An Exile daring to mock a Magic Tower mage.
It was an attitude no other mage could overlook.
"E-Everyone... p-please calm down!"
Only the female shopkeeper desperately tried to soothe the tense atmosphere.
"Fine by me."
Slap.
Sylbian smirked and placed his hand on the crystal orb.
And in an instant, the change occurred.
Fwaaaaah...!!
It was on another level compared to Kran's gradual buildup that merely lit the interior.
A massive blue light blazed forth, so bright it dazzled the eyes.
"What...?"
"W-What's... going on...?"
Several mages held their breath in overwhelming shock at the dominant mana flow.
And for Kran, who had the clearest view of Sylbian.
"I-It can't be... fake...?"
It hit him hardest of all.
The brilliant mana flow that enveloped his entire body.
This was no flow a mere mage could produce.
Above all, he felt an indescribable sense of déjà vu.
The Magic Towers held ceremonial events where mages competed using Terrinsy's Crystal Orb to measure mana flow.
'It's just like...'
It resembled the overwhelming mana flows from the High Mages back then.
"...!"
Kran's eyes, filled with shock and disbelief, locked onto Sylbian.
-He was utterly calm.
His breathing wasn't ragged, nor did he appear to be fully concentrating.
Instead, he stared straight at Kran—not at the orb his hand rested on.
With those chilling purple eyes...
Meanwhile, the mana flow he had conjured raged even fiercer, completely engulfing the orb's interior.
Gulp!
Kran swallowed hard, unable to speak.
Who was he?
Just who the hell was this guy...?
The moment I saw Terrinsy's Crystal Orb.
I felt not even the slightest tension.
'I never thought I'd encounter Terrinsy's Crystal Orb.'
It was the orb used in the Magic Tower to gauge a mage's level, simply revealing one's mana capacity and control.
In that sense, I had long surpassed Terrinsy's Crystal Orb.
Above all, the Stigma didn't erase the traits I had awakened.
I had goaded Kran into touching the orb first for that very reason.
If he infused it with mana to create a flow, I could claim every last remnant as my own.
As expected, he followed my words without suspicion.
No—not just him. No other mage would even suspect it.
'Who would think you could manipulate another mage's mana through Mana Interference?'
From the start, no mage would assume the impossible was possible.
"W-What's your name?"
Kran asked amid his lingering disbelief, so I slowly surveyed the room.
He wasn't the only one shocked.
I was still maintaining that massive mana flow with my hand on the orb.
Thus, all the mages' eyes were fixed on me.
They were no different from Kran.
Shock, surprise, disbelief, suspicion...
I took a short breath amid their varied emotions.
'I wonder if any mages in Termina know my name.'
It hadn't been that long since the Stigma, so they might not have heard the news.
"Sylbian Blanc."
Even so, I voiced my name.
A flinch!
But contrary to my expectations, quite a few recognized it.
"I-Isn't that the Western Magic Tower's genius?!"
"The one who reached Setara grade at the youngest age in history?!"
As the room grew rowdy, I turned my gaze to Kran.
"......"
His face had gone completely pale.
Surprisingly, even Kran knew my name.
"I wasn't particularly trying to deceive you."
It felt oddly satisfying, though unintentionally misleading.
But what of it?
'I didn't start the provocation.'
Kran had come at me first, so I merely responded in kind.
"Kran, do you really think this mana flow is fake?"
I asked him outright, as if confirming.
Even knowing my name, did he still doubt the mana flow I had manifested?
"...N-No, of course not. I simply didn't recognize you."
As he stammered in agreement, now it was my turn to be surprised.
'His attitude flipped this completely?'
Just how well-known was I in the other Magic Towers?