Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Modernists and Freaks
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“What did you just do?”
At first, most of them were bewildered.
The echo of sound felt so sudden.
But they were mages, too.
Though it seemed like nothing was there, they noticed the abrupt cutoff of external sounds, the way light refracted in the empty air as it seeped in, and the shadows of trees floating above their heads.
“A magical barrier. It’s blocking sound from both inside and out. It’s centered on us.”
“When on earth…? I didn’t see the formula manifest, nor did I hear an incantation.”
“To cast such a unique spell of this magnitude without an incantation, in an instant… Truly…”
The people stared in awe at the boy who had just proven he was Loan.
Loan smiled, looking a bit shy.
The reason he had gone to the trouble of using magic to join them was that he hadn’t completely dismissed the possibility of Commander Magda coming here.
And also because it was clear that Commander Magda wanted him to meet these people.
‘I need to find out why.’
He also believed that since she was someone who trusted him more than anyone, she would support him in listening to them, making his own judgment, and acting on it.
He then surveyed the faces of those gathered within the hemisphere.
Their attire was different from what he was used to seeing.
The mages from Schwerin he had met before had covered their mouths with the hoods of their robes, but these people did not.
Instead, every one of them wore a hat.
The styles varied, from beret-like hats to the wide-brimmed one Stipe was wearing.
Loan asked.
“Then, are all of you here Modernists?”
Yozef answered.
“That is correct. In all matters of the world, differing opinions exist. However, magic has long been accepted as law and truth. The number of people who questioned this has grown, one by one, and it has now established itself as a philosophy or school of thought.”
This time, Stipe continued.
“We teach magic under such a philosophy and conviction. I am the headmaster and a teacher at the open magic school, Stipe.”
“I am Yozef, representative of the Schwerin Magic Brigade. We help mages outside the Tower achieve independence and growth.”
Introductions from the others followed.
They were all representatives of similar organizations. Eight of them in total.
This was why it couldn't be considered just a small gathering.
Loan spoke.
“I am curious about what you all believe is the true state of the Magic Tower’s doctrine.”
The Modernist mages all smiled at once.
Then, they naturally began the conversation they had intended to have.
“The black mages’ escapades are getting worse. Until now, even if they showed an attitude of abandoning the populace, the existence of the duchy itself wasn't threatened. But things are different now.”
“Indeed. If they remain buried in fundamentalism, refuse to accept change, and continue to be reclusive, the duchy will rot from the outside in. Soon, only the capital, Schwerin—no, only the Magic Tower—will remain in the Duchy of Schwerin.”
He listened quietly to the stories that followed.
Most of the regrettable things Loan had felt on his way here were brought up.
It felt like he was watching the very things he was worried about being debated and discussed through their words.
The conclusion was this:
‘Their thoughts and arguments are no different from the Union’s position.’
Commander Magda couldn't have been unaware of that fact, so her wish was ultimately for him to listen to their stories and decide his next actions for himself.
It was a request that could only be made with unwavering trust.
The discussion continued.
“In truth, they’ve locked themselves away in the Magic Tower under the pretext of seeking truth, but we must look back at what they’ve actually sought.”
“Just look. Let’s compare what the mages have accomplished cooped up in the Tower with the achievements of Sir Loan, who traveled the world and saved people.”
“Stepping forward must be the premise. We must move within the world. Only then can we see and feel. Wouldn't that be helpful?”
Loan nodded at the question from the red-hatted mage.
There was nothing wrong with what he said.
However, the topic that followed was somewhat unfamiliar to Loan.
“We must also change our attitude towards the Freaks. The biggest reason Schwerin established itself as a nation of magic and has survived until now may be the mana stones, but the influence of the Freaks cannot be ignored, can it?”
“That’s right. It’s a fact that they were of considerable help to the early mages in gaining inspiration and establishing magic. The problem is that the current Magic Tower only cares about mana stones. Well, I suppose it’s because that’s where the money is.”
“It’s also because it’s a dark part of Schwerin’s history. In the past, it was practically a collection, wasn’t it? What happened inside the Magic Tower would have never been known if not for Teacher Stipe.”
“From abuse to neglect. Truly extreme.”
“We Modernists must be the ones to step up. Rumor has it that the black mages are trying to find them.”
“The fundamentalists would be flabbergasted if they saw this. They’d say, what is there to learn from them?”
Mana stones were minerals that absorbed mana. It was similar to how someone with high willpower and understanding could gather magical power through mana cultivation, but the crucial difference was that they were stones.
They were extremely rare and not abundant.
It was said they were also used to create precious elixirs.
They were Schwerin’s main source of income.
But he didn’t know what Freaks were.
Loan gently interjected.
“Excuse me for interrupting. Might I ask what a ‘Freak’ is?”
“Deformed species. Deformed one, deformed person. They have many names, so we’ve standardized it to Freak. Despite the name, it carries more a sense of admiration than denigration. Of course, that was probably only true in the early days of the duchy.”
Yozef added to Stipe’s words.
“In short, you can think of them as individuals with special abilities. Just as the priests of Shiong use their authority, and we use magic.”
“You mean they can use some special ability innately.”
He naturally thought of the furry Karin.
She was probably a Freak, as they described.
“There’s also an interpretation that the reason Freaks are numerous in Schwerin is the same reason mana stones are particularly abundant here. That they were deformed by the energy of the land.”
“The reason Freaks were seen as a crucial pillar for Schwerin’s existence was that they were a source of inspiration. Some say the very first magic began that way. It’s also said they were the unseen force that led the age of great mages, the era of creation and establishment.”
Recalling his own experiences, he could understand that to some extent.
He, too, constantly received inspiration from the outside world and gained enlightenment. He would compare it to his own abilities and strive to overcome it.
Just as he was now creating and establishing magic on his own, the first people who created magic must have done the same.
For them, whose subjects of observation and learning would have been limited, Freaks with special abilities could have been a source of inspiration.
“You mentioned a change in attitude earlier, which I understood as a need for protection and management. Why did the object of reverence change to one of neglect?”
“Their abilities are rarely that great. Most are at a strange or minor level. Of course, in the early days of the duchy’s formation, they might have seemed relatively amazing. As the level of magic advanced, they were no longer helpful. From the Magic Tower’s perspective, you could say they are no longer needed.”
As he listened further.
In the past, the Magic Tower directly sought out Freaks and confined them within its walls.
The reason was clearly that they were beings of inspiration, but rumors circulated outside that they were used as test subjects.
Some of this was confirmed as fact, thanks to a phrase Teacher Stipe found in the Magic Tower’s records: ‘They were isolated and abused in an attempt to find the reason for their abilities.’
But for the last few decades, the Magic Tower had been completely indifferent to Freaks. They no longer made any attempt to find them, and naturally, there was no isolation or forced transport.
Even so, the Freaks themselves, or those around them, couldn't have been completely at ease.
Karin’s parents confining her to the spire might not have been solely because they were ashamed of her.
‘Perhaps Karin was misunderstanding the situation.’
And the ones supplying her with food were likely the black mages.
If their intentions were the same as the Modernists, then it was understandable.
“You Modernists view them from a different perspective than the Magic Tower. And when you say their attitude must be changed, it sounds like you mean to treat them as the early mages did.”
Instead of answering, Stipe raised one hand.
With his palm facing the sky, he recited an incantation. A small flame ignited and began to move up and down repeatedly above his palm.
It was the same combination of fire and telekinesis that Loan had attempted at the Magic Exchange.
The movement wasn't fluid.
But he was extremely focused, and after dispelling the magic, he wore a rather proud expression, so Loan put on a slightly surprised look for him.
While Stipe caught his breath, Yozef spoke.
“Sir Loan’s appearance has become proof that our thinking is correct. It has made us strive harder. The change in perception towards Freaks reflects the mages’ desire to return to their original intentions.”
“Do you believe the black mages are after them for the same reason?”
“If they collude with demons with evil intentions, they could do much worse. We haven’t had any contact with them yet, so we don’t know.”
Loan nodded, gathering his thoughts.
In a short time, he had learned quite a lot about Schwerin that he hadn't known.
It wasn't enough to make a final judgment, but he could at least establish a baseline.
As mages, the Modernists’ stance was correct. Their view of the Magic Tower was the same as the Union’s.
The direction of their goals would also likely gain the Union’s sympathy.
“Your stance on discovering Freaks and gaining inspiration from them is good. However, that too seems to have the potential to infringe upon their freedom. I will offer my opinion on this matter as well, should the opportunity arise in the future.”
Several people, thinking his point was valid, nodded.
“More importantly, judging as a Runner of the Union, it seems certain that the Magic Tower’s reclusive nature will not be helpful in the current world situation. I also understand what you meant by the ‘true state’ of things.”
With those words, Loan dispelled the sound-blocking hemisphere.
The sounds of the outside world instantly filled the space.
The Modernist mages looked amazed, as if their ears had suddenly been unblocked.
Loan wrote down the current situation in a message and sent it off, then turned to everyone and said.
“Then I will head to the Magic Tower. I have listened well to your opinions, so now I must have a conversation with the fundamentalists.”
After a polite bow, Loan turned and walked toward the bridge.
The expressions of the people watching his back grew complicated. They hurried to follow him.
Yozef closed the distance and said.
“Isn’t this a bit sudden? For one, whether you can even cross the bridge could be an issue.”
“Are they blocking it?”
“A powerful mana vortex has been deployed. Only a mage who can overcome it can cross, but it would be difficult for an individual to do so.”
“There is a formula to calm the vortex and cross, but it is a formula shared only among the mages of the Tower, so there is no easy way.”
Loan was too curious to stop walking.
Finally, he was before the bridge.
Indeed, though invisible to the eye, the disarray of mana was quite violent.
It was practically a magical storm barrier. It would be quite effective against external invasions.
“We are currently searching for a method as well, so it would be best not to push yourself right now.”
Loan was so focused on the mana vortex that he didn't seem to hear Stipe’s words.
They probably used magic circles placed throughout the bridge.
The considerable supply of magical power was likely based on mana stones.
The method was incredibly—
‘Crude.’
With that thought, he lightly raised one hand.