Continuous Surprises (2)
Matis Din Karl. He too was a mage of the Mage Tower.
A mage who yearned for truth and delved into mysteries. In a way, Matis's desire burned stronger than that of any other mage in the tower.
After all, he walked the path of black magic.
'Like profound darkness. Endless and unknowable.'
Black magic. Before Matis established the discipline of black magic studies.
"Good heavens. If that's magic, then my dog shitting at home is magic too. The magic of making shit!"
Black magic had a poor reputation. In some places, it was dismissed as folk sorcery. In others, it was a curse too vile to utter. In certain nations, it was even branded ominous magic.
That only fueled Matis's desire.
'Is it all true?'
Matis immersed himself in black magic. As a result, he established black magic studies, became a senior mage of the tower, and was once even a leading candidate for chief mage.
Ultimately, the chief position went to Marcelo, but...
'He has more than enough qualifications.'
Contrary to the expectations of the other senior mages, Matis harbored no particular resentment.
Or more precisely, he had no spare mental energy for such petty concerns.
'Have I reached my limit? Is my talent insufficient?'
Suddenly, he had hit a wall. No matter how much he pondered, his research showed no progress.
And to make matters worse, the worldviews began interfering. His self-reproach only deepened.
'Black magic might hold the key to what could help...'
What in the world am I...!
Then the news arrived.
"Mr. Matis, have you heard? No, get this!!"
Chief Mage Marcelo had selected an adventurer as his co-researcher.
'Marcelo's choice.'
Having hit a wall, he suddenly had some leisure. Pure curiosity sparked toward that decision.
Unlike the other mages with their various quirks, Marcelo walked his path steadfastly. In some ways, he resembled Matis himself.
So it was only natural to question Marcelo's choice.
'What kind of adventurer could it be?'
Of course, it didn't take long for that question to be answered.
Adventurer Hoyeol's first impression was anything but ordinary.
Clack—
His confident footsteps echoed through the Crystal Hall.
Then, without hesitation, the declaration.
—"I am not so idle as to indulge in your trifling games. And not content with that, he solves the vexing riddle of [Sage's Pastime] on the spot."
That alone was enough to earn recognition of his abilities. Matis understood Marcelo's choice.
Which made the current situation pure greed—a thirst for exploration.
'To think such an adventurer exists.'
Curiosity toward this unknown entity unlike any he'd seen before.
Above all, what intrigued him most was his affinity for black magic studies.
That was why Matis had earnestly sought Hoyeol out and secured this meeting. Why he wore a ring on every finger.
'Affinity reveals so much.'
Why had black magic been treated as sorcery?
Simple. Unlike other magic, it had a distinctly alien quality.
The greatest difference? It delved deeply into the caster's inner self.
'Specifically, it's influenced by one's past.'
While ordinary magic manifested through mana, black magic responded only to 'apt mana'.
And that apt mana flowed from the life and background the caster had lived.
Of course, Matis neither knew nor cared about Adventurer Hoyeol's personal history.
This was mere curiosity. So he held no expectations.
That's why he wore rings on every finger.
'This way, even faint affinity can be detected.'
But then...
......An unbelievable event occurred.
All ten rings on his fingers turned pitch black.
'......I've never seen a color like this!'
Black beyond measure! Like the essence of black magic itself.
Matis muttered unwittingly.
"What manner of affinity is this...?"
It defied explanation.
With affinity like this, even the wall blocking him might crumble in an instant.
Before Matis could calm his shock, a probing voice rang out.
"Answer wisely."
Yes, he had no intention of hiding it.
Matis spoke the truth plainly.
And as he did, he wondered.
'What past does this man have to possess such extraordinary black magic affinity...?'
.
.
.
Click—
I tilted my teacup, listening to Matis explain black magic studies and the current situation.
'Seriously.'
......I'm definitely going to die of embarrassment at this rate.
What the hell?! Magic based on one's paaaast?!
Where in the world is there such a thing!
To find magic I could learn over my shoulder, I'd scoured NetTube quite a bit.
Naturally, I'd seen mages of all classes.
But no matter how far back I searched my memory, I'd never seen a player claiming to be a black mage.
'Necromancer, maybe.'
So I might have doubted it. Black magic? Does such a weird thing really exist?
But in this situation, no doubt was needed.
Senior black magic studies mage, Matis Din Karl.
His very existence was the greatest proof that black magic studies were real.
So everything he was saying wasn't bullshit—it was all fact...!
"The darker the gem in the ring turns, the greater the affinity for black magic. I wore ten to detect even the faintest trace, yet for all of them to change like this...!"
Extraordinary black magic affinityyy?!
Unfortunately, that was no compliment to me.
Thanks to his kind explanation, I'd realized it clearly.
'......My cause of death is definitely going to be shame.'
According to him, the source of black magic was 'apt mana'.
And that apt mana flowed from the user's past.
So the reason for my stellar black magic affinity was...
'All because of my dark history!'
I thought rationally.
'Yeah, the backstory is pretty depressing.'
『The heir of a great family, whose house fell to demons. Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo—hereinafter Grandfell—the sole survivor of his house, took the path of demon hunter to avenge himself on that demon.』
That backstory must be what gave such outstanding black magic affinity.
'Fine, set aside the embarrassment for now...'
Let's think coldly.
For starters, it was good news for me.
I had no shortage of talent in Grandfell's arsenal, but more usable magic was always welcome.
Especially from my perspective.
'Seems more free from mana constraints than other magic.'
It only reacted to 'apt mana', right?
Mana and apt mana were completely different concepts.
Which meant...?
One possibility flashed through my mind.
'Can I use black magic even in mana exhaustion?'
......If that's possible!
It was worth swallowing this shame and diving into black magic.
No, I had to.
With that in mind, I racked my brain.
Thanks to having a fine teacher like Harcon Kingsguard, I'd quickly learned to emit sword aura.
To master black magic swiftly, I'd need a good teacher too.
And in that regard, no one fit better than Matis.
Having decided, I spoke.
"Most displeasing, Senior Mage Matis."
For me, and for Grandfell, it was only natural to feel offended.
Even if he couldn't glimpse the specifics, Matis had peeked into that past, however faintly.
To Grandfell, it was an unforgettable horrific history.
To me, a dark past I wanted buried.
"I have no defense for my actions. It was my failing."
Matis added,
"I shall take full responsibility for this rudeness. Even if you formally raise the issue with the superiors or the elder council, I will accept all fault. Pray, forgive my deception."
A textbook apology. Impeccable in formality and etiquette.
Even Grandfell's prickly nature softened slightly.
"I accept your apology."
Of course, I had no intention of letting it end with mere words.
It wouldn't balance the scales.
I added,
"Black magic studies. I find myself mildly intrigued by it."
"......Is that truly so?"
I wasn't asking him to stake his life or anything.
Just a mild interest, and Matis lit up.
His expression brightening slightly, he continued.
"To make amends for today's failing, I shall offer every aid I can regarding black magic studies!"
I'd heard it clearly, right?
Every aid.
Remembering those words precisely, I rose from my seat.
That was when.
"!"
Prove Your Worth. (In Progress)
● Convince a majority of senior mages. (9/20)
It went from eight to nine.
The one convinced? Naturally, Matis.
As if confirming my guess, Matis bowed his head to me.
"No, from now on, I shall mind my address as well. Conducting joint research with the chief mage is tantamount to holding the same status as the chief."
......Suddenly switching to honorifics?
The change was so abrupt it felt burdensome.
But my expression didn't shift as I replied.
"We shall continue the unfinished discussion later. Matis."
.
.
.
......If I had to guess, Matis must wield considerable influence among the senior mages.
No sooner had he cast his vote than the quest window flickered repeatedly.
Prove Your Worth. (In Progress)
● Convince a majority of senior mages. (20/20)
Unanimous approval in the end.
Followed by the message.
[Conditions fulfilled.]
Just Matis's vote skipped the entire tedious verification process...
By the end, I'd dropped the honorific with Matis too.
'......So very me.'
After pulling off something that massive, here I was back in the lab, calmly flipping through magic tomes.
Honestly, I'd done worse to Marcelo, so I could afford this leisure.
Swish—
Soon, writing appeared on the parchment.
But every message was annoyingly long.
Glancing at the first line, it was a congratulatory note.
Starting with Marcelo.
Bellie, Myia, Nasrow...
Senior mages whose names I'd only heard.
Even skilled mages I'd never heard of.
All sending their congratulations on my official entry into the Mage Tower.
From Marcelo: "Heartfelt congratulations on your official tower entry. Your insight has already illuminated our path. Let us continue our joint research with vigor."
From Bellie Yusia: "Welcome, adventurer. As a senior healing mage, I look forward to your contributions."
— And messages from many others —
But indifferently, I averted my gaze from the parchment.
Utterly natural, after all.
No grounds for celebration.
I truly believed that.
What's wrong with being honestly happy? Would boils break out or something?
Even I thought I lived a needlessly exhausting life.
My self-pity was brief.
[Rewards granted.]
[Your relationship with the Mage Tower has greatly increased.]
[Your influence in the Mage Tower has greatly increased.]
[A new function in the Mage Tower has been unlocked.]
......Hold on, these rewards are substantial.
The Mage Tower held more sway than any city or nation in Arcana.
Greatly increased relationship and influence there...
'No such perks when I parachuted in before...'
Now this fine lab finally felt truly mine. Something like that?
And a new function unlocked, huh.
Naturally, my thoughts turned to the Yusra Kingdom.
'The authority function was insanely powerful.'
The [Authority] function, unlocked only when both relationship and influence maxed out.
Its scope rivaled that of King Hakuna.
'Confirmed it solidly with the Shadow Mercenaries.'
NPCs flocking to Yusra Kingdom—I could accept or reject their requests with my authority.
Of course, with Hakuna as king, I'd rarely need to wield such power.
'......Considering Hakuna's attitude toward me.'
Embarrassing to say myself, but Hakuna saw me as his benefactor.
He'd likely overturn decisions at my word.
Not maxed out, so incomparable to that [Authority], but still.
'Greatly increased, it says.'
Wonder what the new function is.
Suddenly, Matis's words came to mind.
'Status equal to the chief mage.'
Just how high a status was that?
'What functions can the chief access in the tower?'
I pondered inwardly.
Knock knock—
Someone rapped on the lab door.
No need to ask; the voice followed immediately.
"Senior Pure Mana Mage Banggrit Tom here. I've come to offer congratulations and a modest token of sincerity. May I enter briefly?"
A modest token of sincerity...
I caught on instantly.
'That's a bribe.'
Status equal to chief mage.
Position to receive bribes from senior mages.
Bribes. An ordinary person would rejoice.
It's all about perspective, right?
And since it's a modest token, ignoring it would be rude.
'That's why they all accept and pocket them.'
Unfortunately, though.
Grandfell was no ordinary man.
He who hadn't fallen to the sin of Greed.
The very incarnation of incorruptible integrity.
So my response was firm.
"Senior Mage Banggrit."
"Ah, you're in! Thank goodness!"
"Before offering congratulations or sincerity, you would do well to learn etiquette first."
"Yes, then if I may intrude for a mo— Wait, what? Etiquette?!"
The voice beyond the door brimmed with fluster.
I wasted no words.
"I hold no unscheduled meetings."
Three visits and earnest pleas.
"Begone without further disturbance."
If he wished to meet me, at least call thrice more.