Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Will of Demons
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Starting in their fourth year, students at the Union School were divided into different classes based on their career paths.
They were broadly separated into the Academy Advancement track, the Union Preparation track, and the Practical Skills track, according to their desired professions and aptitudes. The Practical Skills track was further subdivided into several specializations.
Typically, about ten percent of a grade was assigned to the Union Preparation track, but in Loan's year, the number was quite large.
Principal Gregor marveled as he looked at the chart Daphne handed him.
“Nearly half the students are applying to the Union… It seems modifying the curriculum has certainly paid off.”
“Yes. It should have a positive impact on the Union, which has long been suffering from a personnel shortage.”
“Are the students’ skill levels that high?”
“There are about three who look like sure bets.”
Gregor’s eyes widened as he looked up at Daphne.
“Three is quite a lot. Loan is one of them, of course.”
“Yes. In addition, Sophie and Lucas seem to be strong candidates.”
“I suppose the three of them spending time together has created a synergistic effect. And how are Loan’s career classes progressing?”
“In the morning, he focuses on general education, and in the afternoon, he has independent study off-campus. There isn't much left for him to learn at the school, after all.”
“Off-campus, you say…”
“He’s self-studying ancient texts and magic tomes at the Union Archives, under the Administration Bureau.”
It was close to special treatment, but it was understandable.
Loan’s magical proficiency had long since surpassed the scope of public education.
“Director Lazaros has been quite considerate. I’m truly grateful.”
“Yes. Thankfully, he has.”
“So, the fourth years are settled… The fifth years are receiving their career lectures, correct?”
“Yes, they are underway. This year, the focus was on the Practical Skills track, but next year, we’ll likely need to invite more outside instructors for the Union Preparation track.”
“I feel reassured knowing you’re handling things so meticulously, Manager Daphne. Please keep up the good work.”
“Thank you, Principal.”
Daphne jotted down a few more notes in the file she was holding before leaving the principal’s office.
* * *
After the sweltering summer, even now as the leaves were falling,
Loan remained as diligent as ever.
“Loan, are you heading to the Administration Bureau again?”
“I’ll be back before dinner.”
“I’m just amazed you still have books left to read.”
Lucas clicked his tongue as he watched Loan walk away.
It was no wonder; Loan visited the Union Archives every day as if it were his own home.
He spent most of his days there—not just during his afternoon independent study, but on his days off as well—sitting in a corner of the archives, poring over ancient texts and analyzing high-level magic.
When his concentration waned, he would read history books, though there was a purpose to that as well.
His special ability.
He was trying to learn more about his power to see and directly control mana.
‘Sienna said my ability was like that of an ancient elf.’
But upon looking through old texts, he found their abilities were specialized not in controlling mana, but spirits.
It wasn't about commanding the wind itself, but controlling the servants of the wind; making the vassals of fire create flames; ordering the spirits of water to bring rain and form ice.
How could such elves have lost their powers overnight?
A book of ancient legends offered a faint clue.
Within the tales of monsters, the World Tree, elves, gods, and those who received divine authority, there was a passage that said:
-After the World Tree’s demise, the world did not become a den of monsters as had been feared.
-The authority of the gods remained only within the Orthodox Church of Shion; the gods no longer bestowed the power of transcendents upon any race in the world.
-The elves, who had split into elves and dark elves during the age of the World Tree and the great monsters, alternating between dominance and seclusion, lost their ability to wield the power of spirits after the World Tree’s death.
After that, a long time passed, and the world repeatedly fractured and reunified.
It passed through countless wars, an age of great mages, and an age of swordsmanship—
Humans now stood at the center of the world, and elves were relegated to being just one of many rare non-human races.
‘It’s an interesting story, but…’
Loan couldn’t find any clues about his own power within the tale.
He only confirmed that the halo of light he saw was not a spirit, but mana itself.
Still, it wasn't a total loss.
Reading the stories of those who had thrown everything away for what they desired, Loan was able to further steel his resolve.
‘What I desire.’
For now, he could only hope that the vision he saw would not become reality.
To ensure that, he had to focus solely on becoming stronger.
* * *
Time flew by again, and Loan was now in his final year.
And today was the second career lecture for the fifth-year students.
Manager Daphne of the Administration Department continued her announcement before the students of the Union Preparation track.
“…Today, we are honored to have Director Lazaros of the Administration Bureau with us. He will be sharing some valuable information about the Union that you all should know beforehand.”
Amid applause, Director Lazaros stepped onto the podium.
He smiled warmly as he looked over the audience.
Seeing so many of them, he felt a surge of emotion.
“To have so many promising students wishing to become members… I truly feel that the future of the Union is bright. Thank you, everyone.”
The students were moved when he suddenly bowed his head deeply, his presence seeming to illuminate the lecture hall.
Lucas started a standing ovation, which was followed by thunderous cheers.
And soon, the lecture began.
The students concentrated intently, afraid of missing even a single piece of information about the place they aspired to join.
Beads of sweat formed on Lazaros’s forehead as he lectured with passion.
Wiping the sweat with a handkerchief, Lazaros addressed the students.
“Aside from questions about my third eye and my head, feel free to ask anything you’re curious about. I will answer to the best of my ability.”
After a sigh of disappointment, a few students lowered their raised hands.
Lazaros gave the floor to the students who still had their hands up, one by one.
“A huge number of people take the exam every year, and there are a lot of us this year, too. So why is the Union always short on personnel?”
“Someone skilled enough to join the Union could easily establish a family and gain wealth and fame. It is not an easy choice to forsake that path and willingly walk the difficult road of peace and public welfare.
“So is that why you prioritize character over skill?”
“That’s something of a misconception. Skill is the baseline. From among the skilled, we specifically select those who will dedicate their lives to the Union’s cause.”
“But there has to be some reward… Even the best people can get worn out if all they do is good deeds. Is the compensation decent?”
“In matters related to your missions, you will receive more comprehensive support than any institution in the kingdom or any family in the duchies.”
“Could you tell us more about the salary, benefits, and public reputation?”
It was a bold question, but a reasonable one. These were details one wouldn't know without actually joining the Union.
Lazaros answered with a smile.
“The salary is enough that you can focus solely on your missions. And since you receive full support for anything mission-related, there are almost no personal expenses incurred on the job. Furthermore, you will receive more than adequate support for any accidents that occur in the line of duty.”
“So it’s all mission-related.”
A few students grumbled, but Lazaros pretended not to hear.
“And as for the most important part, your public reputation…”
Lazaros paused for a moment before continuing.
“Being called the ‘Sword and Word of the Kingdom’ means you have been granted authority directly by His Majesty the King. Regardless of their rank, members of the Union can exercise legitimate force and authority over any local official in the kingdom, and any institution or family in the six duchies. This is because their actions are synonymous with the will of His Majesty.”
His words were incredibly weighty.
When they grasped the meaning, they realized it was a far more immense power than they had imagined.
The students stared blankly at Lazaros’s face, their expressions somewhat stiff.
After an answer like that, what more could they ask?
Just then, Loan raised his hand.
“I understand now that you only select people who are strong both inside and out. But… can joining the Union truly make someone stronger?”
He had diligently studied nothing but magic, just as his teachers advised.
Regardless of the praise and treatment he received from others, Loan knew all too well that he was not perfect.
So it was only natural for him to feel impatient.
“It seems you’re already thinking about what comes after you join, Loan.”
Lazaros replied with a smile.
“You most certainly will.”
* * *
The final semester at the Union School.
Having more or less perfected elemental magic, Loan turned his attention to studying the formulas of a wider variety of spells.
It was nothing but the study of magic.
He did his best with what he could do now, moving on to the next stage only when the previous one was no longer necessary.
However, dark magic was still difficult to learn about.
The books Loan could access only offered a general overview, stating that it was dangerous.
He understood why.
If the formulas or methods of implementation were available, someone could exploit them.
But he couldn’t help his curiosity.
He was especially eager to learn more, as he felt the being of perfect darkness he had seen in his vision was surely connected to dark magic.
Loan considered asking Arthur about dark magic and confessing what he had seen in his vision.
‘No… He’d surely worry.’
He didn’t want to worry the man who had come to feel like a grandfather to him, so he decided to ask a simple question instead.
“What is dark magic, you ask?”
“Yes. I tried to look it up on my own, but it’s difficult.”
“I imagine it would be. It’s forbidden knowledge, and it was only recently that the Grave, the group that uses dark magic, became a public enemy of the Union.”
“Yes, I thought so.”
“You’ll be able to hear about it in detail once you join the Union… Seeing your impatience, it seems you’ve been holding this curiosity in for a long time.”
Loan gave an awkward laugh and replied.
“Yes. I’ve seen Le Tell’s formulas before. The formulas themselves didn’t feel that different from the magic I’m studying. They even use the same ancient language. But I don’t understand how they produced such results. If there was one difference, it was the… they were handling…”
“The mana seemed different?”
“Oh? Yes.”
Loan was a little surprised, as if his inner thoughts had been read.
Arthur gave a benevolent smile.
“I can’t see it the way you do, so it’s hard for me to say what’s different. However, dark priests like those in Le Tell, black mages like those in Brien, and dark coalitions like Eckert all use something called dark mana, which is different from ours.”
Dark mana, by its very name.
Loan intuitively understood that the turbid mana he had seen was dark mana.
“What exactly is dark mana?”
“If mana is what constitutes everything in our world, then dark mana is what constitutes the world of evil.”
“The world of evil?”
“You know the term ‘Demon World,’ don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Dark mana is what constitutes the Demon World, and it is the power that demons wield. In other words, Le Tell and the others are using the power of demons.”
“But sometimes, even ordinary people’s mana becomes tainted and turbid.”
“The two worlds are completely separate, but the human heart is not. Dark emotions often leave one vulnerable to dark mana.”
“Then what are the groups that use dark magic trying to accomplish with it?”
Arthur hesitated for a moment at Loan’s question.
“Hmm… That’s a premature question.”
He looked into Loan’s unwavering eyes.
And he gauged the meaning this answer would hold.
Arthur concluded that it would be fine to tell Loan everything.
He believed Loan would bloom and follow his own path within the Union, unshaken by anything—
Arthur answered.
“The subversion of the world.”
Several scenes flashed through Loan’s mind, and he asked again, somewhat shocked.
“Subversion?”
“Yes. After the gods stopped watching over humanity, demons began to project their power into the lives of mortals at some point. The emergence of groups like Le Tell and Brien is an example of this.”
“Ah…”
“They are trying to manifest the Demon World here, based on that power. It is synonymous with the will of demons.”
“The will of demons…”
Or the will of the being of perfect darkness.
That was how Loan understood it.