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Chapter 46
“Huff, huff… I’m seriously gonna die. I’m out of breath, I’ll drop dead at this rate—ugh, cough!”
“You won’t die from that. Run more.”
“No, I’m saying—why the hell did you suddenly take some random path…?”
“Either way, we shook them off, didn’t we?”
“I almost died several times! That’s not shaking them off, that’s just dumb luck! Cough!”
I shouted firmly, and Elliot snapped back just as stubbornly.
‘Luck? Yeah, this time it was definitely luck.’
That’s right.
We escaped not through the path we’d taken to enter, but in a completely different direction.
Why, you ask?
‘To escape pursuit, obviously!’
Before Kyle could fully recover, we’d scrambled away in panic—only to hear a voice from behind that made us freeze.
Diana, who had regained consciousness, was ordering the freshly risen Kyle.
“Kyle, catch those bastards—don’t let them get away!”
Thankfully, we had moved first and opened up some distance.
But—
Thud-thud-thud!
Kyle closed the gap frighteningly fast, forcing us to keep changing direction multiple times just to lose him.
‘That bastard really won’t stop haunting me, will he? Damn monster.’
“Peh!”
I spat on the ground, thinking of Kyle—the protagonist of this novel world, the overpowered cheat character himself.
“Eh? Why’d you suddenly spit—ugh, urk. C’mon, Kamon, slow down a bit! Let’s rest! He’s not even chasing us anymore. Huff!”
I turned to look at Elliot, who sounded like he might collapse at any second.
His face was still haggard, no doubt from the lingering aftereffects of his berserk state, and his steps were heavy.
‘Amazing he didn’t get left behind.’
“Fine, let’s rest.”
To escape Kyle’s relentless chase, we had taken an unfamiliar route, forcing ourselves through a grueling forced march.
Because of that, we encountered countless traps and untouched guardians, suffering wounds and hardships along the way—but in the end, we finally escaped.
“You think… he really won’t be able to follow us now?”
Elliot, sprawled out flat on the ground as if fusing with it, cast uneasy glances back toward Vigo’s entrance.
“Yeah, he won’t. Like you said earlier, we got lucky—stumbled on that hidden passage.”
It was a secret exit cleverly hidden among traps.
A path that didn’t even appear in the original story—something even Kyle, the protagonist, couldn’t possibly find.
“Yeah… we really did get lucky.”
Elliot nodded at my words, then suddenly chuckled.
“What’s so funny now?”
“I just realized—we gave that damned bitch a real slap in the face. Makes me feel good, is all.”
“You do realize you didn’t get the inheritance either, right? Not exactly laughing material.”
“Hahaha! True, I didn’t. But neither did she, right?”
Still chuckling, Elliot turned and added:
“When I collapsed at the last altar, honestly, I’d already given up—on the inheritance, the head seat, even the trading company. But…”
He paused, then slowly sat up.
“Now the chance is back. Neither I nor Diana got the inheritance, so it’s fair game again. A pity that our ancestor’s treasure was submerged, but still.”
“Mm… if that’s how you see it, then sure…”
Elliot didn’t yet know the truth—that I was the one who had sunk the inheritance completely.
‘Better keep my mouth shut for now.’
No need to stir trouble.
Still, feeling a twinge of guilt, I looked at the “Orb” in my hand and spoke:
“Anyway, let’s get back as soon as possible. I’ve got to prepare for the Academy’s magic seminar.”
It had taken us about ten days to reach this point and obtain the Orb.
If I could return to the Academy within the next four days and familiarize myself with it, the magic demonstration would go fine.
After all, I already knew all the necessary formulas and operational methods—only the actual manipulation of mana had been beyond me.
“Wait. Kamon—did you just say ‘magic seminar’?”
“Yeah, I have to attend. It’s basically mandatory. If I don’t show up, the Academy will probably expel me.”
That damned magic demonstration… hahahaha.
I tried to sound cheerful as I explained.
“But are you sure we can afford to just sit here?”
“…Huh?”
What’s he on about now, trying to spook me again?
Elliot’s voice followed, matter-of-fact:
“I mean… it takes at least four full days to reach the Academy from here.”
“….”
My mind went blank. I stared at Elliot in shock.
Barely managing to speak, I asked:
“Four… days? You mean it’ll take four days to get back?”
“Yeah. Even if we push ourselves, minimum four. More likely five.”
Elliot shrugged like it was nothing.
And I—
“…Hahaha…”
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly and squeeze my eyes shut.
Of course. No wonder luck had seemed so good until now.
Whiiish—Thunk!
A fat old nobleman swung a long stick, sending a white ball rolling swiftly along the ground—straight into a small hole.
Clap, clap, clap!
“Wow, Count Benner, truly magnificent!”
A sycophantic middle-aged man clapped eagerly, and the fat count laughed heartily.
“Hah! That’s why I always enjoy playing with you, Belion!”
“Oh, come now! If you keep crushing me like this every time, I won’t want to play anymore! I’d like to win at least once, Count!”
“Hoho, but your skills have improved. At this rate, you might catch up soon!”
“Ah, listen to you, always teasing. Fine then, one more match next time?”
“Of course! I’m always ready. Just call me.”
“Haha, deal! I’ll look forward to it.”
Still chuckling, the fat old noble waddled off, leaving the sycophantic man—Belion—to collect the scattered balls.
Thunk, thunk.
At that moment—
“I have a report.”
A new voice made Belion pause mid-action.
“Already finished?”
“Yes, sir. But… there’s a problem—”
“Save it. We’ll talk inside.”
Dropping the bag of balls, Belion walked away.
Moments later.
“So Vigo’s inheritance has been completely submerged?”
“Yes, sir.”
The goateed subordinate knelt on one knee before Diana’s office desk, reporting to Belion.
“So in the end, neither Elliot nor Diana got their hands on it.”
“Correct.”
“Then I still have no successor.”
Thus, the oily, sly middle-aged man revealed his true identity: Belion Fren, master of the Fren family and its trading company.
“What punishment should I give those two fools for losing our ancestor’s legacy?”
“I await your orders.”
Belion rose, dismissing the matter, and the subordinate prepared to follow.
But then—
“Oh, by the way.”
“Yes, sir?”
“The one who submerged Vigo—it was said to be the eldest son of House Baird?”
“Yes, though he was disowned and reduced to commoner status. His name is Kamon.”
“Kamon, huh…”
Belion smirked faintly at the name.
“Amusing.”
“…?”
“My oh my, even my precious daughter gets humbled now and then. Kukuku.”
After mocking Diana, he asked:
“And Kamon was working with Elliot, you said?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, winning allies is a skill in itself.”
Belion muttered, rubbing his shoulder with a sigh.
“Sigh… letting him win all the time is exhausting. That Benner fellow really is hopeless at the game.”
Meanwhile, at the 23rd Magic Academy Seminar.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending today’s prestigious event…”
At the Imperial Plains Academy, the opening ceremony buzzed with anticipation.
“Still no sign of him? His whereabouts?”
“I’m sorry, Professor. We’ve searched the Academy and even nearby cities, but…”
“Stop saying sorry! Find that bastard—bring him to me, now!”
The face of the bald old professor was red with fury.
He was Pellan Zabir, head professor of the Academy’s Magic Department.
“Where the hell are you hiding, Kamon Baird?”
He spat out the name like venom.
Soon after, the crowd stirred with excitement as honored guests arrived.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the head of Plains Imperial Academy, Chancellor Elmon!”
A long-bearded old man appeared, waving kindly.
But most eyes turned elsewhere.
“What? That person actually came?”
“This is bigger than expected!”
A short, stout mage stepped forward, his chest emblazoned with the symbol of the Seven Tables: the number 7.
“The Tower Master himself? A member of the Seven Tables?”
“Yes indeed! One of the seven pillars of the magic world, the master of the Tower of Glagos—Lord Saviel Partizan!”
The announcer nearly shouted in excitement.
And Pellan… cursed under his breath.
“Damn it.”
‘Of all times, a Tower Master shows up…’
Until now, Pellan hadn’t been too worried.
Most attendees were his supporters—so even if the demonstration failed, he’d still receive applause.
Even Chancellor Elmon’s presence didn’t threaten him; Pellan’s voice carried more weight in magical society.
But a Tower Master changed everything.
Before such overwhelming authority, no mage dared lie or feign praise.
So Pellan’s face twisted darker.
“What are you all standing around for?”
He barked at his assistants, who flinched under his glare.
“Find that brat! If you don’t bring him back before the demonstration begins, you’re all finished!”
“Y-Yes, Professor!”
The assistants scrambled away, pale with fear.
“Useless trash… can’t do a damn thing right. Just wait—the seminar ends, and you’re all done for!”
Muttering, Pellan turned back—only to be interrupted.
“Professor, is something wrong?”
“Ah… Princess Francia.”
He forced a smile, bowing slightly to the approaching imperial princess.
“You look troubled. Did something happen?”
“Haha, no, nothing at all.”
“Really?”
Her curious gaze pressed him, and Pellan scratched his head awkwardly.
“Well, a minor issue. Nothing serious.”
“A minor issue?”
Her eyes glimmered as she repeated it, and Pellan sighed.
“Kamon Baird. He’s gone missing.”
“What? Kamon Baird?”
“Yes. We’ll find him soon, but… I apologize, Your Highness. I know you took an interest in him.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I just worry it might cause trouble for you, Professor.”
“Hahaha, not at all. He’s not the only one scheduled to demonstrate, after all.”
‘Not at all, my ass. I could wring his damn neck if I got my hands on him!’
Pellan hid his rage behind a laugh, then narrowed his eyes at the princess.
‘If not for you mentioning Kamon Baird, none of this would’ve happened…’
But he wasn’t fool enough to voice it.
Instead—
“A shame, but it can’t be helped. My apologies again.”
He bowed politely—the perfect sycophant before power.
“Now then, I must prepare for the seminar.”
“Yes, Professor. Good luck.”
After exchanging courtesies, Pellan strode off.
“…”
Princess Francia watched him go, then smirked faintly.
“Pfft… what? Missing? Still trapped, more like.”
Her voice dripped with amusement.
Then, swiftly masking her expression, she turned to greet the new arrivals with elegance and warmth.
“Good day, Professor.”
“Yes, yes, I’ve been well.”
“Oh, thank you for saying so.”
She greeted each person with a radiant smile and gentle tone—
Looking, in that moment, happier than ever.
