Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: The Mirror of Phenomena
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It might have sounded incredibly arrogant, but depending on who said it, the words could be received differently.
The most watched figure in the world of magic for several years.
A person whose very actions were a subject of study.
A person credited with introducing a new concept to magic with a single formula he'd devised in his youth.
Such a request from Loan was tantamount to a declaration that he would showcase his abilities right here and now—so the mages of Phenomena, watching with bated breath, couldn't help but cheer inwardly.
Rank, status, beliefs, and ideologies held no meaning in the face of pure curiosity about magic.
Though they didn't show it, the inner thoughts of the elders and the Tower Master were not much different from the other mages.
Instead of answering, the Tower Master of Phenomena shouted.
“Prepare the test!”
Soon, a flurry of activity began behind Loan. Their destination seemed clear.
The massive granite structure that had caught Loan's attention from the start.
People lined up on both sides grabbed the thick ropes hanging from the granite and pulled them down.
A thick cloth fell with a flutter.
And what was revealed was a colossal mirror, spotless and reflecting the world in perfect symmetry.
“Hmm?”
Something was strange about it, due to the mana structure the mirror held—or perhaps 'held' wasn't the right word yet.
Like a magical tool, magical power could be felt from the mirror itself.
But that magical power felt stronger *inside* the mirror.
Loan's head tilted slightly to the side.
The inside of a mirror was meant to reflect phenomena, so how could it have an 'inside'?
The mirror was simply reflecting the outside world as it was, so why did it feel so alien?
A memory of seeing something similar to this unconsciously surfaced.
It was at the black building, the necromancers' laboratory.
The image of Commander Uve putting magical power into an invisible pocket in the air and pulling out Godehardt.
He could feel the same peculiar sensation he had felt back then, now from the mirror.
Though no one had ordered him and no one had given permission, Loan turned away from the Tower Master of Phenomena and walked toward the mirror.
Everyone let him continue his seemingly mesmerized steps.
A curious expression. A reaction that clearly showed he had sensed something—
“Ooh…”
It was only natural for the onlookers to murmur in admiration—
That alone was reason enough to call Loan a special existence.
*Shhh-*
The mages gathered around the mirror made way for Loan.
They created a considerable distance, leaving only the giant mirror and Loan, ensuring that only Loan would be reflected within it.
At last.
Loan stood before the mirror and gazed blankly at his entire body reflected within it.
And in an instant, he recognized that the self in the mirror was not him.
It was difficult to notice any peculiarities with the naked eye.
‘It’s perfect.’
Just as he had always seen himself, it was harmonious, without any flaws or discomfort.
From head to toe, there was nothing out of place.
Of course, that was the nature of a mirror.
To show things exactly as they are. That's why the image in a mirror can only be seen with the eyes.
And yet, the reason Loan was certain the figure in the mirror was not him was…
The extremely subtle time lag between his action and the reflected action.
The old Loan might not have noticed it, but with his current senses, it was possible.
A minuscule delay was occurring.
It was hard to accept that the real entity and the mirror's image were not simultaneous.
But there was an even more certain reason.
‘I can see its mana.’
Being able to see the figure in the mirror with his mind's eye was impossible for a normal mirror.
And finally, the decisive fact.
The self in the mirror did not have the Circle revolving around its heart.
Therefore, the self before him was him, but also not him.
“Who are you?”
Loan asked out of pure curiosity.
The mirror faithfully fulfilled its role, reflecting Loan's image exactly.
But by showing the sound waves disappearing into it, the mirror also proved it was not a mirror.
Still, there was no response.
Loan sent a mental message to the self in the mirror.
[Who are you?]
At that moment.
The Loan in the mirror's eyes widened as it stared at the Loan outside.
The Loan outside, on the other hand, was narrowing his eyes in suspicion, a clear mismatch between the real body and its reflection.
Having its secret exposed, the Loan in the mirror suddenly let out a loud sound.
It placed its hands on its hips and burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha! What is this! Where did a guy like this come from? Boy, who are you?”
Loan was not pleased with the actions of the being that wore his face.
Partly because he had been the one to ask the question first.
“I asked first.”
“Ah, so you did. I am, as you can see, the mirror.”
Loan understood the meaning.
He had asked the self in the mirror, but the answer came from the mirror itself.
In other words, the entity that created the image, not just reflected it, was answering.
“I am Loan, a Runner of the Union's Faith Division.”
“An outsider. And a mage. But not an ordinary mage, either.”
“You don't seem like an ordinary mirror, either.”
“True. I said I'm a mirror, but that's just the name I was given.”
Just then, the Tower Master of Phenomena spoke.
He seemed accustomed to projecting his voice from his seat.
“It is the Other Side of Phenomena.”
Loan mulled over those words.
It meant that what you see is not all there is.
Or that what you see might have a meaning beyond itself.
A mirror that takes his form but reflects something that is not him.
The name seemed quite fitting.
However, even Loan could not understand or analyze the mirror's operating principles, or the feeling of another dimension visible within it.
The Tower Master said.
“State what you desire. The mirror will present the necessary conditions according to the weight and value of your words. That is the test. By fulfilling what is presented, the mirror will evaluate you.”
After hearing this, Loan stared blankly at the Loan in the mirror.
Then he tilted his head and asked.
“And what are you?”
In an instant, the heated atmosphere seemed to suddenly cool.
It didn't matter what philosophy or ideology one held.
Even the modernist mages who had come with Loan were startled by his question.
The mages of Phenomena, who had been watching Loan and the mirror with fascinated eyes, thought, *So you can say things like that, you can be that bold,* as they glanced nervously between the Tower Master and the mirror.
The expressions of the Tower Master and the elders were all the same.
They were frozen with their mouths agape in surprise.
Sensing the atmosphere, Loan wondered if he had said something he shouldn't have.
“Gahahahaha!”
Suddenly, the Loan in the mirror burst out laughing loudly.
Loan furrowed his brow at the sound of laughter that didn't suit his own face.
Still, he thought it was a relief that it couldn't imitate his voice as well.
The mirror spoke.
“In several hundred years, you are the first to ask such a question to the guardian of the Magic Tower.”
“The guardian of the Magic Tower?”
“Yes. The Tower of Phenomena is me. You ask, and I judge. What you must show will differ according to the value and weight of your request.”
Loan thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Are you saying I need to prove my abilities?”
He had been contemplating whether to use honorifics.
The Loan in the mirror replied with a beaming smile.
“Yes. Show me.”
*What a fascinating system,* he thought.
He could also understand why it was named the Tower of Phenomena.
The names of the Magic Towers—Phenomena, Perception, Sensation, Ideation, and Manifestation—were, after all, terms derived from analyzing the procedures of understanding magic and its structural aspects.
“Now, then, tell me. What is it you desire from this Magic Tower?”
The Loan in the mirror pressed its ear to the mirror's surface, waiting for Loan's answer.
Loan gathered his thoughts for a moment, then turned his head slightly to look at Stife and Joseph's party.
He knew what he was going to say from the beginning.
“I want the mages of Phenomena to go outside the tower and fight Grave for the sake of the people and peace. And I wish to convey this desire to the other towers, so I ask that you send me to the Tower of Perception.”
“So you're asking me to send away those who should be by my side. The weight of those words is very heavy. And you intend to do the same at the other towers? If I were to permit that, I too would need considerable resolve. If I send someone lacking, how would the other guardians see me?”
At last, the Loan in the mirror paced back and forth within its given space, lost in thought.
Then, as if having made a decision, it approached the surface again.
“Alright. I've decided. You will show me magic that surpasses the Tower Master.”
“Hiek!”
A gasp escaped from either Stife or Joseph.
The reaction from the other mages was no different. They stared wide-eyed at the people next to them, as if competing to see who had the largest pupils.
They had expected the difficulty to be high, but not *this* high.
Who was the Tower Master of Phenomena?
Though it was said he remained the Tower Master of Phenomena after losing to the Tower Master of Manifestation by a hair's breadth, he was one of the five 5th-Class mages known as the greatest in Schwerin.
In other words, he had to demonstrate an ability surpassing a 5th-Class mage for his wish to be granted.
The Tower Master of Phenomena responded to the mirror's words.
“Is it not obvious? He did not simply ask to pass through this place, but demanded something equivalent to the authority of a Tower Master.”
The mirror's word was clearly absolute in the Magic Tower.
But with the Tower Master himself chiming in to confirm it, there was truly no turning back.
However, there was one person who agreed with the mirror and the Tower Master.
“That's a reasonable proposal.”
It was Loan.
He nodded calmly as if he had expected it, further bewildering the onlookers.
That sight stirred a competitive spirit in Elmar, the Tower Master of Phenomena.
He abruptly rose from his seat.
At the same time, sighs erupted from all around.
The mirror spoke.
“The method is simple. The Tower Master will demonstrate a spell, and you, Loan, will either replicate it exactly or present a spell superior to it.”
“Ah, so we're not fighting.”
The Loan in the mirror smiled at Loan's response.
“They are all precious mages. What would we do if someone got hurt?”
“I'm fine with that.”
“As am I.”
Elmar replied as he approached Loan.
As he descended from the platform, the mages quickly rearranged the Hall of Phenomena.
The mages formed a large circle around the mirror.
A stage large enough to accommodate even considerable large-scale or area-of-effect magic.
The two stood at a distance, facing each other.
‘So this is what I was hoping for.’
Elmar did not ignore the small joy blooming in his heart.
He said.
“I heard you're skilled with fire. Unfortunately, I am more familiar with water-attribute magic. My apologies.”
But to go easy on him would be to hurt his pride.
As a senior looking out for his junior, he had to give it his all.
The Tower Master of Phenomena, Elmar, had no choice but to bring out his ultimate technique.
He stretched both hands toward the ceiling and began to chant.
A moment later.
Clouds began to gather on the ceiling.
The clouds, which flaunted their heavy moisture content as if silver scales were glittering within them, soon began to form crystals on their surface.
The crystals soon began to transform into sharp icicles.
“Woah…”
Gasps of awe erupted from all over.
The Tower Master of Phenomena's ultimate area-of-effect attack, [Frost Cloud], had suddenly manifested.
“Ahh…”
Loan couldn't hide his slight disappointment.