Chapter 234
Someone with black hair cast Curse Magic.
Vargan could completely ‘understand’ the configuration of the spell that had been cast on him.
It was obvious without even looking closely. It was because it had the same basic framework that he used.
‘Any form of magic inevitably shares the same basic framework in its respective field. Unique Spells involve imbuing a pre-existing magical structure with enough uniqueness to create new effects.’
However, this wasn’t a matter concerning Unique Spells.
It was a discussion about the fundamental framework, something much more basic.
Those using fundamentally the same structure, i.e., the same magic, must add their own elements to lock it in a way that others cannot unravel it, but this one’s completely raw.
There were no locking mechanisms in place, so anyone who had merely grasped the principles of Curse Magic could undo it.
As if the concept of Curse Magic itself had been completed for the first time, untouched by anyone else.
The moment Vargan read the spell, he could have dispelled it.
Vargan, looking at the situation without being bound by the spell, immediately merged and fired ten prepared Mana Orbs.
The target man had yet to escape Vargan’s curse.
“What would have happened if I wasn’t here? Hehe.”
Blocking the bewildered man’s path was someone taking the brunt of the Mana Cannon instead.
The party that had been slightly lagging just moments ago had arrived and was now intercepting Vargan’s Mana Cannon.
“Ugh. The density of the mana is insane. The output is no joke either. Quite fascinating.”
He was laughing in amusement, but the brown-haired man staggered slightly as the power of the Mana Cannon was stronger than expected.
However, all at once, the Mana Cannon, which had been fiercely reaching out, was sucked into a small wormhole that appeared before him, nullifying Vargan’s attack.
Amidst this, the black-haired man barely succeeded in dispelling Vargan’s Curse Magic.
“…Hmm.”
Two against one.
A standoff situation.
Vargan narrowed his eyes and observed them closely.
To be precise, he scrutinized the black-haired man.
‘The magic he displayed was undoubtedly Curse Magic. Moreover, although he was clumsy, he managed to dispel my curse.’
Since his opponent’s identity was not precisely identified, he had cast a curse of an appropriate level.
However, it was by no means a joke-level curse.
A competent swordsman can gauge their opponent’s skill just by observing their stance.
Estimating the achievement of the curse he cast, it was roughly on par with Alicia when she had just begun learning Curse Magic and entered the Academia.
Yet, the speed at which he provided an answer was suspiciously quick for such an achievement.
‘Only a genius like Arha could manage something like that.’
In other words, at least in the field of curses, he possessed magical talent comparable to Gulemashia or Alicia.
He’s saying this.
“Well, fundamentally, it’s the fact that someone is using curse magic that’s bothering me the most.”
I never expected to encounter someone using curse magic in this era.
Plus, that distinct sharp gaze and black hair were quite concerning.
“…This is.”
The man, receiving Barghan’s piercing glare, looked around.
People seemingly protected by a mana-based shield.
And a young man confidently standing in front of them.
The black-haired man realized there was a misunderstanding about their respective situations.
“Lafez. Lower your mana. That young man doesn’t seem to be a subordinate of Frikkanrisk.”
“Hehe. You’re saying something interesting. So you mean to say that guy might be one of us? I’ve never heard the Magic Instructor accept a new disciple.”
“Look at the expressions of the people behind the mana shield. Do they look scared of him?”
“They’re just foolish commoners. How can we trust the eyes of those who can’t even distinguish black from white?”
“…Right. Maybe you’re right, and that young man is a monster, while the crowd is enchanted. But continuing this fight without knowing anything is pointless. Let’s try talking first. Fighting can wait until later.”
“…You’re being too passive.”
The long-haired man called Lafez canceled the spells he was displaying, keeping only a minimal amount of mana.
The black-haired man expressed thanks to the ally who understood his intention and slowly walked forward towards Barghan.
Wanting to talk, he stretched his hands out to the sides, signaling he had no intention to fight.
“I apologize for the sudden attack. I honestly didn’t think there would be a ‘person’ who could use magic besides ‘us.’”
“…….”
Barghan, also having something on his mind, suppressed his intent to kill along with his mana.
“I’m glad you seem to be someone we can communicate with. Are those people behind you ones you rescued? …From the looks of it, I assume you were the one who grandly destroyed Frikkanrisk’s castle as well.”
The black-haired man glanced slyly at the crumbled castle behind him.
Even if there were multiple bases of Frikkanrisk, he had created quite the commotion, so the fury would undoubtedly have repercussions in the world.
Barghan spoke confidently, as if he was aware of that.
“Yeah, I did it. Once I freed the prisoners, it was obvious Frikkanrisk would come after us, so I simply smashed it to bits.”
“You’ve got quite the fiery personality.”
“More than that, if you’ve realized that I’m not a monster, how about we wrap up this ridiculous verification?”
At Barghan’s remark, the black-haired man displayed a somewhat surprised reaction.
He had been manipulating a very faint mana that would be tough to notice even at close range, yet he got caught.
Having confirmed that the people were not under curse magic, the man awkwardly smiled and said.
“I’m not doubting you. However, I needed proof to convince my suspicious companion. Anyway, if I offended you, I apologize again.”
The black-haired man, signaling to his companion that Barghan was innocent, suggested.
“I think we’ll need a long conversation, but first, we should get out of here. The safety of the people comes first.”
At his words, Barghan nodded in agreement.
If his assumption was correct, being with them would likely be deeply related to clearing this stage.
Before moving out, Barghan asked the black-haired man.
“What’s your name?”
“Oh, speaking of which, we haven’t introduced ourselves yet. How rude of us.”
“Sorry for the intrusion.”
The man with black hair flashed a gentle smile that didn’t quite match his sharp eyes.
To Vargan, it felt like a personality that didn’t belong on a face he somehow recognized.
“I am ‘Schugenharz.’ The 13th disciple of the Magic Instructor.”
*
The man who introduced himself as Schugenharz had no last name.
In other words, the family was not Schugenharz, but his name was Schugenharz.
It seemed he was the root of the glorious Schugenhartz Family.
Having entered the secluded cave, we decided to stay here for a while to regroup.
Many had been imprisoned for a long time and hadn’t had proper meals, so they needed to consume at least a minimum amount of water and food.
At the entrance of the cave, Schugenharz’s companion, Lafez, the 16th disciple of the Wizard, had set up a barrier.
He had skillfully ensured that not even the slightest trace could escape.
“Who are you?”
That was what Lafez said to me immediately after setting the barrier.
I momentarily considered honestly replying that I was Vargan, but on second thought, I decided to use a pseudonym.
“I am Organon.”
“How can you use magic?”
“That’s rather forceful. Am I obliged to reveal that?”
“Of course. I can’t trust you. I’ve also not heard anything about the Magic Instructor taking on a new disciple.”
“Well, that’s natural. I’m not a disciple of that so-called Wizard.”
“Heh. So you claim to be a monster in human form? Or are you saying you somehow awakened magic on your own, like the Magic Instructor?”
Lafez chuckled.
His sunken eyes and unkempt hair only deepened his impression.
I shrugged my shoulders and kept my answer to myself. After all, I was just as clueless about their identities.
“How can I believe you’re the Magic Instructor’s disciples? People can easily adopt names. It was you who attacked me first after I rescued those trapped. In fact, I seem to be the one who should be interrogating you here.”
I had already presented evidence to them.
With a high probability, they probably aimed to rescue those trapped in the castle under some order from the Wizard.
But it was I who had accomplished that, even undeniably breaking the core of the castle.
If anyone were to assert their authority here, it ought to be me, not them.
After several more sharp exchanges, Lafez began muttering without lowering his gaze.
“From the looks of it, the likelihood of antagonizing Frikkanrisk is high, but I can’t determine their identity… Interesting. Very interesting. Can it be that there are others who have awakened magic besides the Magic Instructor? If so…”
“Sorry about that. This friend has a habit of talking to himself when deep in thought.”
The man who identified himself as Schugenharz approached.
He had just finished distributing food among the others.
“It seemed like you all were having an entertaining conversation; may I join?”
“There’s no reason you can’t, but is that really wise?”
“I just provided the food, so I have enough breathing room to chat. The pursuit from Frikkanrisk’s army doesn’t seem to be imminent.”
Schugenharz.
The founding figure of a glorious family, the one who systematized Curse Magic and Familiar Magic as a scholarly pursuit.
His talent had been passed down and reached Vargan.
Whatever kind of gene it was, it had to be a dominant one.
He looked at me and smiled kindly.
It’s astonishing to think that a member of the Schugenhartz Family… no, that Schugenharz himself could wear such a pure smile.
It’s surprising that a person… no, the Schugenhartz could wear such a pure smile.
Looking back at all the relatives I know, they were just superficial beings wrapped in sinister plots.
“So, you said your name is Organon? We can’t prove we’re the Magic Instructor’s disciples, so I assume you’re in a tricky situation as well.”
“…….”
I kept my mouth shut, listened with my ears, and turned my brain.
I considered impersonating the Magic Instructor’s disciple, but with some kind of number, my position would become even more suspicious.
After all, I don’t even know how many disciples there are or what rules exist.
So, I had to consider other options and was already treading that path.
All that’s left is to prepare the performance to make the impact on these people even more shocking.
“…so, I hope you won’t take it too badly.”
Noticing Schugenhartz’s intention to wrap things up nicely, I instinctively sensed it was time and casually said,
“Is my existence really in question?”
“Rather than a question…”
“It is a question. Quite an interesting one.”
Lafez, who cut off Schugenhartz, was gazing at me with his narrow eyes.
I let out a long sigh for these spectators and acted as if I couldn’t help it.
“So, ultimately. If I can prove that I possess some special power, just like the Wizard who awakened his own magic, you would believe me.”
This time, I would take the role of the Magic Instructor they serve.
In the future, the first magician almost deified.
All I need to do is show a kind of ‘mystery’ that someone like that could pull off.
I pointed to the sword Schugenhartz was sheathed with, as if it were a hassle.
“Slice me with that sword.”
“What?!”
“You can slice me as many times as you want. Until you believe me, go ahead and turn me into finely minced meat, and I’ll forgive you just this once.”
“What are you talking about?!”
“Why the surprise? Were you not the one wanting proof of what I am?”
I cheekily pulled out the sword Schugenhartz was carrying and handed it to Lafez. Lafez seemed to enjoy the current situation, wearing a rather unpleasant smile.
As Lafez looked as if he was truly going to strike with the sword, Schugenhartz swiftly intervened.
“Are you out of your mind? The young man will die!”
“Giggle. He seems to be thinking something, so let’s just go along with it. Schugenhartz, why don’t you check if we’re under any magical influence again?”
Schugenhartz glanced at me and Lafez, as if weighing his options. Then, seemingly not wanting to, he shook his head and tried to take the sword away.
“Lafez—!”
—Slash!
Lafez swung the sword.
With no magic shielding my body, I was sliced diagonally from my shoulder.
Lafez then attempted to incinerate my body with fire magic.
“If we’re going to verify, let’s do it right.”
“What… what is this… Lafez, what are you doing… oh, no, what is…!”
“……!”
The eyes of the two widened in shock.
Actually, everyone in the cave who witnessed it froze with their mouths agape.
It made sense why.
The young man who was sliced in half and burned was still alive and well!
“Is the proof clear now?”
Revived, I moved my stiff shoulder and smiled brightly.
“Oh, perhaps that wizard fellow wouldn’t be able to do something like this.”
I would utilize everything at my disposal.
Even if it was just the ‘bare minimum consideration’ prepared by the trial.
