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Chapter 14
…It seems I made a mistake.
I shouldn’t have used the completed form of Sealing Blast there.
I should’ve simply reproduced the incomplete version exactly as I saw it.
“So you’re saying… you thought it would be better used this way, tried it, and that’s how it ended up becoming that form?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
If I had done that, I wouldn’t be here now, breaking into a cold sweat while making excuses.
…How am I supposed to wrap up this situation?
With that worry in mind, I waited for Rosarin’s next words.
“You have eyes capable of copying magic simply by seeing it. And on top of that, you looked at an incomplete spell formula and naturally envisioned its completed form… Such magical intuition…”
At that moment, Rosarin’s eyes widened as if something had clicked.
“I got it. You’re a dragon!”
“…Excuse me?”
That was completely out of nowhere.
A dragon? Suddenly?
“Am I right? A dragon. The only beings capable of this are dragons—the origin of magic, a race that uses magic through pure instinct.”
Come to think of it, it was a reasonable hypothesis.
Dragons really do possess eyes capable of perfectly reproducing spell formulas simply by seeing them.
And they use magic as naturally as moving their limbs—
Just like Rosarin said, through intuition.
Given the circumstances, assuming I was a dragon wasn’t strange.
“No.”
“Don’t lie. If you’re not a dragon, then how could something like this—”
“If I were a dragon, then when you infused mana into me earlier, you would’ve noticed, wouldn’t you?”
At my words, Rosarin’s eyes widened before she muttered softly:
“…That’s true.”
Then her gaze lowered slightly.
“…Your mana pathways were those of someone who has never learned magic before.”
Rosarin herself was proving I wasn’t a dragon.
“So then… you’re just human?”
“Yes. Human.”
As if I’d really be a dragon.
“So a mere human… a first-year applicant who only learned magic today… looked at the incomplete form of Sealing Blast, a spell I’ve researched for an entire year without solving, and instantly imagined its completed version?”
“Yes. I suppose that’s what it comes down to.”
When you summarize it like that…
Yeah.
I really did something absurd.
I should reflect on this.
Copying magic as-is was one thing.
But reproducing the completed form of Sealing Blast—
Even thinking back on it, that was a mistake.
I absolutely shouldn’t do that again.
“A normal human, huh…”
Rosarin covered her mouth, lost in thought.
“Then it would be better if you never told anyone that you can see incomplete magic and know their completed forms.”
“Ah, yes. The awl in the sack eventually pokes through. If you stand out too much, you become a target. I’ll keep it hidden—”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Rosarin frowned.
Her expression looked like someone recalling something deeply unpleasant.
“Your ability has the power to overturn all common sense in the magical world. If people learn about it, mages all over the world will move to get their hands on you.”
I froze for a moment.
Right.
Considering the values of mages in the Hero’s Death world…
My ability would be something people would want no matter the cost.
“Most would try to recruit you properly. But many wouldn’t. Some might kidnap or imprison you. Others might capture you and use your brain and eyes as experimental materials.”
Not might.
There definitely would be people like that.
“If you were a dragon, you could easily fend off anyone who tried to harm you. But you’re an ordinary human, aren’t you? You’d better never tell anyone about that second ability.”
“Whether I tell anyone or not… I already showed it at the training grounds.”
“You don’t need to worry. Those fledgling students and that half-baked instructor there had no idea what you actually did. They’ll just think you copied my magic.”
“Ah. I see.”
So to everyone except Rosarin, it merely looked like I imitated a spell.
Though even that is extraordinary.
“I understand what you mean. Then as you said, I won’t tell anyone about the second ability.”
I bowed my head toward Rosarin.
“I’m glad you understand.”
Rosarin smiled brightly.
“Now that you understand the situation you’re in, let’s move on.”
“To the next topic?”
“Yeah. The next topic.”
She smiled again.
“As I said earlier, if what happened today spreads, you’ll end up in serious trouble.”
“That’s true.”
“And only you and I know about it.”
“In other words… you’re asking me to prepare hush money.”
A price in exchange for silence.
That’s what she meant.
“Hey now. That wording’s a little harsh. You make it sound like I’m blackmailing you.”
…Isn’t that exactly what this is?
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not asking for money or some grand compensation. I just want one small favor.”
“What do you want?”
“I’ll be direct. In exchange for keeping your secret…”
Rosarin smiled.
“I want you to help with my magical research.”
* * *
The Temple of Yodalla.
Yodalla sat lazily on her throne, yawning as usual.
“Lady Yodalla.”
A man appeared before her.
[Onyx]
[Yodalla’s Third Jewel]
[LV.69]
One of Yodalla’s most treasured subordinates—Onyx.
His name came from his beautiful black hair and dark eyes resembling the gemstone onyx.
“Mhm. Onyx. What is it?”
Affection overflowed in Yodalla’s gaze.
Among Yodalla’s handsome elite, Onyx was exceptionally attractive.
Seeing his face alone improved her mood.
“I have something to say concerning Master.”
The affection vanished instantly.
The moment the word Master was spoken, her gaze became cold as a northern blizzard.
“Haven’t I told you before? Neither Master’s name nor even the word Master should come from your mouths.”
Master.
Zeiraon was sacred.
Only chosen beings like Yodalla could speak his name or behold his face.
For creatures who were nothing more than trophies to Yodalla—
Neither Zeiraon nor Master were names they deserved to utter.
“Have I been too lenient with you? Did spoiling you make you forget your place?”
Yodalla’s pupils split vertically like a serpent’s.
A seductive, hallucinatory aura filled the surroundings.
Exposed to it, Onyx’s body gradually began hardening like stone.
“You’re one of my precious jewels, so I’ll give you one last chance. Admit your mistake and apologize now…”
“Lady Yodalla. I speak this at the cost of my life.”
Forcing his stiffening body to move, Onyx looked up at her.
“I believe the current Master is not the real Master.”
The aura intensified.
Yodalla’s eyes reddened with fury.
“The true Master revered plans as sacred. But what about the current one? From the first operation to the doppelgänger incident—he changes plans far too frequently.”
The aura slowly consumed Onyx from his extremities.
Yet his gaze never wavered.
“The doppelgänger’s betrayal proves it as well. The doppelgänger was weak in combat, but excellent at reading situations. Had Master been the real Master, the doppelgänger would never have even considered betrayal.”
According to Onyx:
The doppelgänger betrayed because Zeiraon wasn’t really Zeiraon.
Because he was Jian.
The doppelgänger’s instincts had judged betrayal safe.
“There’s more evidence. Master has not used magic even once. Even with a different body, someone at Master’s level should easily cast advanced magic. Yet since changing bodies until now… Master has never once used magic.”
This was decisive evidence.
Zeiraon was a mage who had reached the heavens.
Yet in four days—
Not once had he used magic.
He even killed the doppelgänger with a sword.
“Master is not Master. Master is—!”
Suddenly Yodalla appeared before him and lifted him by the throat.
“I wondered how far you’d go if I let you speak… and you really are saying whatever you want.”
One squeeze and Onyx would die.
Yet there was no despair in his eyes.
“Hm. Your eyes aren’t clouded. So… are these words born out of love for me?”
Yodalla loosened her grip.
“…Yes. I simply do not want Lady Yodalla deceived by lies.”
“Didn’t you feel it too? Master’s movements, breathing, habits… everything changed.”
The old Zeiraon and current Zeiraon—
They were different people.
Without a single similarity.
“…Yes. That’s true. The current Master is far too different. Even forgiving Clover like that…”
The previous Zeiraon would’ve executed Clover immediately.
“Hm. Setting emotions aside, your deductions are reasonable. You’re right. He hasn’t used magic.”
Indeed.
Nothing about the current Zeiraon resembled the old one.
“Fine, Onyx. Because of your pure devotion and courage to risk your life, I’ll overlook today.”
Yodalla smiled gently.
“If your words prove true, you’ll be rewarded. If not…”
Her smile deepened.
“You’ll live eternity in suffering beyond imagination.”
“…If it is Lady Yodalla’s punishment, I could gladly endure it forever.”
“Oh my. Look at you. You’ve become quite skilled with words.”
She caressed his cheek.
“But I can’t reward you yet. Right now, you’re still a criminal awaiting judgment.”
Leaning close to his ear, she whispered:
“When your claim is proven true… then I’ll reward you. Understand?”
“I’ll wait gladly.”
Just then—
—Yodalla. Master displayed magic publicly earlier than planned.
Reaper’s telepathic message arrived.
—It seems the loss of the doppelgänger forced acceleration of the plan. Also, the person of interest ‘Rosarin’ has become involved. Your intervention may need to happen sooner.
Yodalla heard nothing except:
Master used magic.
Her lips curved upward.
“It seems Master used magic after all.”
“…What?”
“Then your claim was wrong.”
The next moment—
Yodalla’s hand pierced through Onyx’s chest.
“Then as promised…”
Her smile widened.
“You must receive punishment.”
“Lady… Yodalla…”
“Hallucinatory Serpent.”
The entire temple trembled.
Behind Yodalla emerged the enormous head of a giant serpent.
“Eat. Your food is there.”
The serpent swallowed Onyx whole.
He vanished.
“Oh dear. If you eat my arm too, what am I supposed to do?”
The serpent greedily consumed even Yodalla’s arm.
Smiling helplessly, she concentrated demonic energy into the severed limb.
It regenerated instantly.
“It’s a shame I won’t see that face again.”
Thinking of Onyx suffering forever inside the serpent—
Yodalla smiled seductively.
“But I’ll remember your words. Now that I think about it… there is reason to doubt.”
The serpent disappeared into darkness.
—Yodalla? Are you listening?
“Yes. I’m listening. You’re saying I’ll need to move earlier?”
—Yes. Likely within a week.
Within a week.
“I understand. I’ll prepare.”
Yodalla returned to her throne and elegantly crossed her legs.
“The timing is good.”
Whether Master was truly Master—
She would confirm it this time.
“Hmm… what would be the best way to confirm it so people talk about it afterward?”
She smiled leisurely.
* * *
That night.
After safely finishing my first class and resting in my room—
Someone knocked.
“Who is it?”
Who comes at this hour?
Thinking that, I opened the door.
“Hello.”
Standing there was a maid I had never seen before.
Who is this?
While I was thinking—
The maid suddenly shoved past me into the room.
Then closed the door.
“Wait, what are you—”
Before I could finish—
She rushed toward me and threw herself into my arms.
“Ah… Master. I missed you.”
The next moment—
A chill ran down my spine.
[Resisting hallucinatory energy!]
If I’m sensing that aura here…
“…Yodalla?”
“Yes, Master. It’s me.”
She smiled brightly.
“Your Yodalla.”
The third-ranked member of Black Night.
Yodalla.
What kind of insane situation is this now…?
Weren’t the executives not supposed to be able to enter the academy?
