Book 3 Chapter 6

Episode 55

Over the weekend, I was engrossed in building a survival strategy. Because the guy who 'might be dangerous' has been upgraded to 'a dangerous guy'.

"So this is what it feels like to walk on thin ice…"

I don't know what Valensidis's goal is (he's a skilled individual who, like me, doesn't really need to learn anything at school), but now figuring out his goal is secondary; the immediate problem is that I could die.

Socrafres.

- You can inherit the progress of 'Unique Magic' research from your surroundings.

- Progress 44.8%

If there's anything that brings great comfort in this situation, it would be the progress of Unique Magic. It seems I've raised it by nearly 4 percent just on this expedition.

"So, fighting strong opponents makes it shoot up rapidly, huh? Black mages get a lot of bonuses."

Even Reveni, who has the same appearance as Rin, worries me with what she said at the end. That she's a vessel to receive Rin's soul…

'I don't know what she's plotting using my soul, but it'll be in vain.'

This part probably doesn't need much worrying about, for now. Because Rin's soul is already in this body.

The problem I need to focus on is student council president Valensidis.

Should I corner him and ask him why he was trying to create 'Rin'?

'No.'

That's not a good option for my current physical condition, as I haven't fully recovered from being consumed by dark poison.

'More than anything, he…'

He felt completely different from Reveni, whose goal was unilateral slaughter. Didn't his actions make me even more curious about Turena?

"Bonus, bonus, bonus."

Pipi, who was pecking at the scattered corn kernels on the desk, mimicked my words.

This guy was also a concern.

Pipi definitely exerted powerful strength against low to mid-tier monsters, but couldn't use much power against true strong opponents. Even more so now that he's old.

"Maybe I shouldn't have brought you along."

I collapsed onto the desk and let out a sigh. Perhaps angered by the scattered corn kernels, Pipi jabbed Rain's cheek with his beak.

"Ouch, sorry, it's my fault!"

And… there was another big problem comparable to the student council president issue. When walking through the campus during commuting hours, I would hear whispers like these.

"Hey, did you hear? Professor Elin was apparently captured by the 'Golden Children'."

"Oh my god, really?"

"Did she research black magic or something?"

Cracks were appearing in the reputation of Aunt Elin, who risked danger to protect me.

As she didn't appear at school even after the holidays, these suspicions seemed to gradually amplify.

'I'll have to do something…'

She's very, very annoying and acts up, but she's a good person. And this whole thing, when you think about it, happened because of me.

*Sigh*, Rain let out a deep sigh and headed towards the Yongnyungwan.

* * *

"Young Master Rain, you're requesting an audience with the President right now?"

<Delighten> President's Office.

The President's secretary tilted her head in confusion. No one had ever confidently requested an audience with the President before.

"Should I call it a grievance as the top student…? Anyway, there's something I'd like to ask, is there any way it could work?"

This matter was so far outside the norm that both the applicant and the messenger naturally expected it to be rejected.

"Who did you say requested the audience?"

But when the secretary went into the President's office to inquire about her intentions.

"It's Rain Ludwig."

A peculiar gleam appeared in the eyes of Madelia Page, who had been mechanically stamping final approvals on various urban management issues and academic reports.

"Interesting, let him in."

The meeting with the President was arranged so simply that the secretary stopped thinking for a moment, dumbfounded.

The President's office was an octagonal room, brilliantly lit by the sunlight.

It was a room imbued with the sorrowful history that Emissa Page, the progenitor of magic, had built it because she wished to bask in the light of the Black Sun, Karenden, with her entire body.

'Wow, this is where the first sage lived…'

As I looked around the room from the reception sofa, my eyes gleaming, a beautiful woman with a dignified presence sat at the head of the table, crossing her legs and holding a teacup.

"This is the first time you and I have spoken like this, isn't it?"

"Yes, President."

"How are Kevan and Brim, those guys?"

"Yes, they are in good health."

"Hmph."

Rain straightened his back, a little nervous.

Her light blue hair was as brilliant as a jewel under the sunlight. Similarly, a noble dignity resided in her violet eyes, and there was no ripple in her demeanor.

His hair stood on end uncontrollably amidst the magical power of the female hero who reigned at the pinnacle among the new generation of mages (Skalj and Marhena were the old generation).

"I've heard a lot from various professors. Especially your supervising professor, Owen, praises you endlessly."

"Pardon?"

It would have been more shocking if Owen had declared he was quitting exercise. He's supposedly a person who doesn't even praise his own parents…

"It's not just Owen. There are several others who recommended you. So, what business do you have with me?"

Is she cutting to the chase and getting straight to the point? Not bad. A mage should naturally have this kind of disposition.

I explained briefly and concisely.

The incident of borrowing Turena's books, getting caught by an inquisitor when trying to return them, and Elin being captured in my stead to protect me.

"…So, my aunt being captured is all because of me."

"Yes."

"Could you possibly do something so that my aunt doesn't suffer any disadvantages? As the President."

Madelia, who had been listening to the story while sipping her teacup, narrowed her eyes.

"This doesn't seem to be a matter of discussing your aunt's treatment, does it? It's a matter of discussing *your* treatment."

"…"

"You knew that first-year students couldn't borrow books, yet you proceeded, leveraging your status as the eldest son of a prominent family. If I easily forgive this, the school rules won't stand."

Facing Madelia's sharp eyes, a sudden realization of "oh, right" hit me.

Did my aunt protect me because of this, not because of the heresy inquisition issue? I swallowed dryly.

This is where it gets important… The neurotic sound of clockwork turning from the grandfather clock on the wall pricked my ears.

"So, I came to see if we could make a deal."

Thereupon, Madelia, who had been silently staring at Rain, raised an eyebrow as if intrigued.

"A deal? You and I?"

"I am currently the top student of <Delighten> and the legitimate heir of the Ludwig family. I believe I have something, even if it's a small thing, that I can offer to the President."

Madelia inwardly gasped, as if amused and surprised by Rain's audacious words.

'The reactions of the chicks who face me are usually one of two…'

Either deeply intimidated and stammering endlessly, or so overcome with awe that they can't say a word.

And is it just chicks?

Even mages who currently held professional magic licenses were no different. But this guy… why is he so articulate?

- They say your son is called a good-for-nothing young master.

When sharing the same sorrow over child-related issues, she had once said that to Kevan Ludwig. But Kevan merely smiled gently.

- He's just not ready to break out of his shell yet.

So, all you have to do is wait for him. With love and faith.

Recalling the voice of her clever junior, Madelia rested her chin on her interlocked hands and smiled.

"Interesting. I suppose I'll listen to your offer. So, what's the deal?"

"If you tell me what I can offer, couldn't we come to an arrangement?"

"You're mistaken about something. It's you who needs to persuade me with attractive terms… No, wait a minute."

As if something suddenly occurred to her, Madelia put down her teacup and seemed to ponder something seriously for a moment before abruptly bringing it up.

"Rain Ludwig, would you be willing to become my daughter's tutor?"

Rain doubted his ears for a moment.

Daughter? Tutor?

Now that she mentioned it, I had heard from my father that the Page family also had a young lady. I had simply forgotten because I had never seen her.

But I never imagined that would come up here.

"You know I'm sixteen right now, don't you?"

The Page family is a mage noble family. No, not just a mage noble family, but the leading mage noble family, having inherited a long lineage from the progenitor of magic.

When it comes to a tutor for the Page family, it's naturally customary for the most highly regarded mage of the era to be appointed.

Given the bloodline limitations and all, just as Kevan and Skalj taught me, it would be appropriate for President Madelia herself to teach at this age…

"Isn't the very fact that you became the top student in this batch, known as the 'Golden Generation,' proof of your exceptional talent? On top of that, I heard you served as an assistant under Duke Skalj Ludwig for three years?"

"No, even so…"

Teaching others is quite bothersome. I've only taught two people so far, and hmm, it feels like it takes away time I could use for my own studies.

"If you agree, I'll first explain to the school that Elin has gone on a temporary business trip elsewhere under my orders."

"…"

"And I will withdraw the talk of punishment I mentioned earlier. What do you think? I'm not asking you to tutor for years. Just for two or three months. I don't think you'd lose anything."

Because it was a matter of teaching someone else, he hesitated for a moment, stroking his chin.

But it was a deal where he could get everything he wanted. Hadn't the immediate problem been resolved surprisingly easily?

How hard could being a tutor possibly be?

"Alright. I'll give it a try."

But at this moment, he probably should have stopped and thought deeply.

That if so much comes from a deal, something commensurate must inevitably exist…

And so, the great mage met the girl.

* * *

On the night they returned to the Papal State after ending their five-year expedition, a meteor shower adorned the night sky, ushering in the Golden Age.

The members of the hero's party looked up at the meteor shower, perched on, leaning against, or sitting leaning against the railings of the Papal State.

"Rin would have really loved to see this."

The moment Lista muttered that with a bitter smile, the party members had to tremble with an uncontrollable sorrow.

"Yes, she would have. She would have wanted to make a fuss, but she would've just glittered her eyes, mindful of us."

The Priestess of the Fire Dragon, Fride, let out a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. Then silence fell again. Everyone just stared blankly up at the rain of meteors.

"It felt like it would never end, but our journey is finally over."

It was Turena, the youngest of the party, who bristled at Lista's remark. Her voice was terribly trembling.

"It's not over."

"…"

"It's not over! How can you possibly say something like that! Master, Master is in that state and yet…!"

"Turena…"

"It's not over, not until Master comes back, it's not over, never…!"

And without anyone having a chance to stop her, she pulled Rin's heirloom conical hat low, covering her tears, and ran off into the distance. Kias and Pipi chased after her.

Fride looked at her retreating figure with pity, then exhaled cigarette smoke and turned her gaze to Lista.

"What will you do now?"

"I'll wait. Until Rin comes back."

"Lista…"

"Rin said she'd come back. So she'll definitely come. I just have to wait, right?"

At Lista's words, Fride had to feel a sorrow that sharply pierced her very core.

"I know that. But… your lifespan isn't much longer, is it?"

A FakeWarrior (가짜 용사), who amplifies power by housing a dragon's soul in their body, gains extraordinary power at the cost of their lifespan.

Here, the average lifespan of a FakeWarrior in wartime was merely in their mid-20s. At most, they might live into their late 20s.

From there, Lista had lived for five years, always using that power on the front lines throughout her journey. Would she live for another three years, at most?

"Is that so?"

But Lista, the hero who had always led her comrades with a bright, sun-like smile, let her silver hair flutter in the night wind and, as always, smiled softly as she said:

"If it doesn't happen in this life, couldn't I wait in the next? If not that, then the life after that."

For a moment, Fride could only stare at Lista with wide eyes. It was a moment later that a burst of laughter mixed with a hollow chuckle erupted.

"You're incorrigible, really."

She leaned her back against the railing and puffed cigarette smoke up into the night sky.

"You know that was blasphemy, right?"

In reality, the doctrines of the Holy Dragon Orthodox Church denied the Three Lives (삼생) and preached the providence of Heaven and Hell. Lista's statement was something only heretics would assert.

"Couldn't you turn a blind eye just this once, Priestess?"

"Haha. Hero, just like that, without anything?"

The two women laughed silently.

Amidst their laughter, a mixture of joy and sorrow, the last meteor quietly split the tears glistening in their eyes.

From that day on, until the day the heroes of Lista's party passed away, the world entered a Golden Age.

Like flowers blooming on graves, upon the death of the young Archmage.