A Golden Origin
"Raygan, are you alright? If you feel worse, tell me right away. I'll call for someone."
"I'm fine. No problem. I can walk."
Lunia expressed her concern, and I waved my hand dismissively.
Though I spoke lightly, I was utterly exhausted from channeling mana far beyond my limits. It was only thanks to the continuous supply of mana channeled back from the barrier stone; without it, I would have been bedridden for days.
"I'll be back."
"Okay."
Leaving the soundly sleeping Yusefin in the care of Lunia and the servants, Stern and I followed Oswald to the drawing room of the estate.
"First, I must express my gratitude for what you have done."
As soon as we arrived in the drawing room, Oswald pulled out a chair for me and spoke. The arrogant, overbearing lord of the house was nowhere to be seen; in his place sat only a tired, aging old man.
"...Thank you. Thanks to you, House Airid—no, my daughter—has survived. I will never forget this debt of gratitude as long as I live."
It was somewhat unexpected to hear the head of a great family express such profound gratitude.
From what I had seen so far, I had thought Oswald was of the same breed as Kaiden—arrogant and fastidious—but it seemed that wasn't entirely the case.
"I will give you whatever you need. Just say the word. Even if you demand the entire family treasury, I will gladly hand it over."
Oswald's offer was so unprecedented that even Stern, who accompanied me, twitched an eyebrow.
But treasures were not what mattered right now. When I silently crossed my arms, Oswald nodded and spoke.
"Yes. It is an undeniable truth that I allied with the black mages. Though I did it to save Yusefin, I was fully aware of the sacrifices that decision would entail. By turning a blind eye to their atrocities, I am an accomplice. I have no intention of turning away from that guilt."
Oswald bowed his head with a heavy sigh. His shoulders looked far too narrow for a patriarch carrying the weight of a great family.
"I will turn myself in. I will accept any punishment. Naturally, I will step down from my position as head of the family, and House Airid will issue an official statement."
For a prestigious family of House Airid's caliber to publicly expose their own shame was a massive decision.
It meant dragging the family honor, built over nearly a thousand years, through the mud.
"Of course, doing so will not atone for what I have done. But at the very least, I wish to remain a father my daughter does not have to be ashamed of."
I had no interest in the long-winded lamentations that would surely follow.
I raised a hand, cutting Oswald off mid-sentence.
"No. Atonement or not, do not step down from your position just yet."
"...What?"
Oswald's eyes widened. He clearly hadn't expected me to say that.
"Do you... intend to forgive me?"
"No, it is not my place to forgive you. And you, Lord of Airid, have committed an unforgivable sin. You are, without a doubt, a villain who colluded with black mages."
In my past life, I cut down anyone who allied with black mages, regardless of their reasons. That hadn't changed even after my regression.
Just recently, I had killed the mercenary leader Gerkin and taken the head of Barg, the 'Mad Dog'.
But right now, I couldn't take the head of the man before me.
A mere mage like me couldn't simply execute a 7th-tier Archmage and the head of House Airid. More than anything, Oswald had acted with a mitigating purpose: to save his daughter.
Furthermore, if Oswald turned himself in, the investigative authority would fall to the Imperial Magic Academy. And the one who would lead that investigation was, naturally, the Archduke of Demonic Magic, Demian Carius.
That would be stupider than trusting a cat with a fish.
"It is indeed an indelible sin. That is precisely why simply taking responsibility is not enough to earn forgiveness."
"Then... what is it you want from me?"
"Clean up your mess first. You still have work to do."
"Work... to do."
"Yes. The curse mage who unleashed the Black Sickness on the Eyrid Territory is still out there. We need to tear him to pieces."
Though Yusefin's illness had been cured, it was merely a temporary fix limited to her.
Ultimately, to solve the problem at its root, the caster of the curse had to die.
"Once he's dead, do whatever you want. Whether you step down as head of the family, commit suicide, or slit your own belly, I couldn't care less."
"...Raygan, watch your tongue."
Even Stern was taken aback, placing a hand on my shoulder to restrain me.
But instead of taking offense, Oswald stared intently into my eyes before letting out a soft chuckle.
"I see. Indeed. Yes, there are still accounts to settle. Atonement must wait until after that..."
"Are the black mages staying in the Eyrid Territory?"
"Nearby. They have set up a few hideouts. As the head of the family, I was the one who provided the land. I know the exact location of every single one of their dens."
"Excellent. I will pay them a visit soon."
"You will visit them?"
"Yes. As decided in this Congress, a subjugation force will be formed by the Great Magic Alliance. If we send them to the Eyrid Territory to deal with the curse mages, we can secure both justification and practical benefit."
Oswald seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded.
"There is no reason not to. It is the request of the benefactor who saved my daughter."
It meant he would grant us safe passage through the Eyrid Territory.
With that, the matter seemed settled.
But instead of rising from my seat, I brought up the next order of business.
"We still have one more thing to discuss, don't we?"
"What is it?"
"You said it yourself just a moment ago. We need to talk about the reward."
At my words, Oswald gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"Ah, yes. I did say I would give you anything. What could I possibly withhold from the savior of my daughter? Speak. What is it you desire?"
"Is truly anything possible?"
"Yes. Anything. If you demand the heirloom of House Airid, I shall give you even that."
Having secured his word, the corners of my mouth curled upward.
"There is nothing I wish to possess, but there is something I wish to learn."
Oswald frowned.
He had likely anticipated what I was about to say.
"Surely you don't mean..."
"Yes. It is exactly what you are thinking. I wish to learn House Airid's unique magic, Spectrum Magic."
My words plunged the room into silence.
For a prestigious magic family, the only thing more valuable than any treasure was their unique magic system.
In essence, I was asking the head of House Airid to hand over the very roots of his family.
"Mmm..."
Oswald groaned. As the family head, it was only natural for him to hesitate.
So, I drove the point home.
"You said you would give me anything. Surely that includes Spectrum Magic? I do not believe House Airid is a family that goes back on its word."
"...Yes. I did say that."
In the end, Oswald nodded meekly. However, the objection came from an unexpected source.
"Raygan."
It was Stern. He let out a soft sigh and continued.
"I understand your thirst for knowledge, but this is not a decision to be made lightly."
"Why is that?"
"I acknowledge your outstanding talent, but mastering multiple unique magic systems is by no means a good thing."
The more, the better.
That adage did not apply to magic.
The unique magic systems of the great magic families were secret arts that could barely be fully utilized even if one mastered the specific mana cultivation method tailored to them.
"If you use multiple unique magic systems, impurities will eventually seep into your core. Having different types of energy coexisting within a single mana core will undoubtedly prove toxic in the long run."
"......"
"Of course, I am not ignoring the unique nature of your mana core. But there is no need to court danger needlessly. If you are not careful, everything you have built up could crumble."
Stern's concern was valid. I was no novice; I knew the risks well.
But I shook my head.
"I know."
I knew of a man who had freely wielded multiple unique magic systems.
I knew a mage who, before my regression, had stood on the threshold of the 9th tier—the realm of the gods.
"But I must do this anyway."
The Archduke of Demonic Magic.
If Demian Carius could do it, there was no reason I couldn't.
Ultimately, to surpass the Archduke of Demonic Magic, I had to follow in his footsteps.
I spoke with absolute resolve, and Stern stared intently at my face.
Perhaps sensing my unshakeable determination, Stern shook his head and sighed.
"Considering everything I've seen from you so far, there's no stopping you. But you must keep this a secret from Lunia for the time being."
"...Well, yes."
That was certainly true.
*
"Spectrum Magic is a magic system that splits the mana within the body like light, then combines those components to create new effects."
Afterward, I moved to the workshop in the basement of the estate to learn Spectrum Magic from Oswald Airid, the head of House Airid.
My body was exhausted, but thanks to the mana supplied by the barrier stone, I could manage basic mana manipulation without much trouble.
Above all, since I had managed to replicate House Lucen's Sword Creation Magic just by observing it in the past, I was confident that mastering Spectrum Magic now that I had reached the 5th tier wouldn't take very long.
"Be careful. If you feel anything strange in your body, speak up immediately."
Stern was also present in the workshop. Though Oswald had confessed his sins, he was still a man who had colluded with black mages. Stern's presence was a measure of extreme caution.
"Raygan von Benheim, step forward."
At Oswald's call, I walked to the center of the workshop.
I had assumed learning magic would involve pouring over spellbooks, but the object sitting in the center of the workshop was a prism. It was similar to the one I possessed, but several times larger.
"What are we doing with this?"
"We are going to determine your origin color. It is an essential step in learning Spectrum Magic."
"...Origin color?"
When I tilted my head in confusion, Oswald explained.
"Every human has an origin. Though Spectrum Magic operates by combining colors, the foundational color differs from person to person. Just as Yusefin's color is silver-white, every mage possesses their own unique color."
"How do we see it?"
"We will separate your mana using a special tool."
"And this must be that tool."
I pointed at the prism, and Oswald nodded.
"Then how is the color of one's mana determined?"
"Did I not just say? It is based on your origin."
"Origin?"
"Yes. Every mage has a unique property nestled in the deepest depths of their soul, in the abyss. We call it the origin color."
"......"
"The origin color is the hue of the soul, determined the moment a person is born. Some are hot as fire, others cold as ice. Spectrum Magic translates those invisible wavelengths of the soul into physical light."
In other words, a mage's fundamental nature, rooted in their very essence, manifested as a color.
Then will mine be blue?
Since my aura was blue, I assumed my origin color would be similar.
Following Oswald's instructions, I reached out and channeled my mana into the prism.
The massive prism pulsed rhythmically like a living creature, absorbing my mana. Soon, light began to refract and scatter inside it.
The light, initially transparent, began to swirl and take on color.
Flash—!
Soon, the color that filled the room was...
"...Yellow."
A color resembling gold.
Oswald stroked his chin as he stared at the softly glowing golden prism.
"Hmm. This is... truly fascinating."
"Is it unusual?"
"Yes. Among origin colors, gold is considered supreme, alongside Yusefin's white. It is a color usually found only in those of prestigious lineages, passed down through generations. Why a commoner like you would possess it..."
"......"
"Well, I do not know the reason, but your origin, Raygan, is rooted in gold."
Oswald stared at the golden light filling the room, utterly baffled. Stern's expression also grew complicated.
"...Gold."
I could guess the reason.
Is it because of Lunia?
It made sense.
I had already witnessed the end of my life once.
And the origin was the color and root of the soul determined at birth.
Now that I had returned to the past because of Lunia...
It was only natural for my origin to be dyed in her color.
"Haha."
A dry laugh escaped my lips.
It seemed Lunia's touch reached down to the very depths of my soul.
*
The Imperial Magic Tower, situated in the heart of Aurelion. From its terrace, one could take in a panoramic view of the entire city.
Naturally, many mages visited the terrace just to enjoy the view of the imperial capital.
"Ah, there you are."
Gideon, a senior investigator of the Imperial Magic Academy, called out to Chief Investigator Demian Carius, who was leaning against the terrace railing, gazing at the capital.
Demian turned his head. His long black hair fluttered in the wind.
"Were you looking for me?"
"Yes. I thought we should discuss the decisions made at this Congress."
Gideon leaned against the railing beside him and spoke.
"They say a black mage subjugation force is being formed by the Great Magic Alliance. Under House Benheim's leadership."
"What do you think of it, Senior Gideon?"
"Well, it's certainly unprecedented."
Gideon chuckled, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
It was rare for the Great Magic Alliance to actually reach a decision on anything.
In particular, the proposal to draft key combat personnel from each family was nothing short of a miracle.
"The Imperial Magic Academy will have a massive headache over this. Many of the higher-ups will view it as an infringement on imperial authority."
Although the Great Magic Alliance was an alliance on paper, it was rotten to the core. The imperial family, in particular, did not look kindly upon the five great magic families putting aside their differences to join hands.
A unified front among the magic families could easily pose a threat to imperial power.
The aftermath of this Congress would likely have a significant impact on the atmosphere of the imperial court, and the authority granted to individual investigators was highly likely to become even more formidable.
"By the way... is this the first time all the magic families have united like this?"
"You are forgetting Maellen."
"Haha. True. Still, it's quite strange that the four families reached a consensus. I can understand Lucen and Benheim, since they were directly targeted by the black mages... but it's surprising that Airid and Arcamen went along with it."
House Airid was famous for its pride, and House Arcamen was a merchant-minded family that maintained strict neutrality.
Yet, both families had sided with Benheim. It was an incomprehensible turn of events.
"And to think the proud head of House Airid became so cooperative. Was it really because of that Black Sickness?"
"Who knows? Perhaps someone was coordinating opinions behind the scenes during the Congress."
"Indeed."
Gideon agreed with Demian's speculation.
For families that normally couldn't stand each other to reach an agreement meant someone had set the stage.
"It must be the head of House Benheim."
Stern von Benheim.
As the head of House Benheim, he was a man standing at the pinnacle of both politics and magic. If anyone could unite them, it was him.
"Hmm... I wonder. My thoughts are slightly different."
Demian, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
"Different? Why?"
"Well, who can say?"
Demian's red eyes fixed on a single point in the city's nightscape. He gazed toward the street lined with the villas of the great families, specifically where House Airid was staying.
"Of course, Stern von Benheim is an outstanding mage. But he is not the type to act so boldly. It is more reasonable to assume there is another variable at play."
Demian curled his lips in amusement. The smile on his face made him look almost like an innocent boy.
"...Demian, are you alright?"
Gideon was sometimes taken aback when his junior acted like this.
Instead of his usual polite, gentle demeanor, there was an unpredictable, mischievous glint to him.
Instead of answering, Demian pushed himself off the railing and stood up.
"Well, there's no need to stress over what's already done. Thank you for the report. I'll be taking my leave now."
"Where are you going?"
"The Imperial Exhibition is coming up soon."
"Ah."
Unusually, Demian made a point of attending the Imperial Exhibition every year. He found the Academy's work rather tedious and had a peculiar preference for examining new magical artifacts.
"I should go look for some hidden gems again this year."
"You really are a unique one."
But he wasn't just unique.
Demian was a genius. A genius the likes of whom history might never see again.
"I hear you'll soon reach the middle stage of the 7th tier. To reach such a level at your age makes you one of the select few in the entire Empire. The Academy is practically certain that you will be the next President."
Gideon praised him.
Instead of showing humility or joy, Demian merely let out a faint, enigmatic smile.
That smile seemed to hold more boredom than happiness, sending a slight shiver down Gideon's spine.
"......"
Gideon simply concluded that it was because ordinary men could never truly understand the mind of a genius.