Variable- 「The truth of the novel」 (2)
The headquarters of the Immortal Knights in Archinia.
“·······”
Knight Commander Terios is sitting alone in the dark captain’s room. A handful of moonlight passed through the window and illuminated the paper held in his hand.
A list of the names of several wizards.
[ West Continent, Tironica Issued List ]
Among the dozens of names, Terios’ gaze was focused on only one. A thick darkness crept into his eyes. it was an ambition It was a misplaced ambition.
“Leonard…”
Karios’ best friend and only competitor.
Now that Elia has fallen behind and Ruinel has gone under Lukadelos, he is the closest wizard to the realm of a great wizard.
Leonard Adonis.
Just a year ago, he hadn’t been able to stand out like this, but he was sinking due to the limits of his offensive magic.
······I definitely made it that way.
Leonard had grown up at some point.
His magical abilities increased significantly, he accumulated achievements enough to receive the Imperial Hero Medal, and he was even able to manifest offensive magic.
And he’s hiding that fact.
If it was Leonard’s arrogant personality, there’s no way he would keep his mouth shut, but maybe he remembers that day.
Fifteen years ago, the day I was attacked by the Witchbeast.
“·······”
Therios, who was lost in thought, left the director’s office and went down to the basement.
The lowest level of the headquarters is covered with deep darkness.
Two knights were standing there, where even the air was chilly. The two opened the door silently as Terios approached.
Kiki profit
An underground prison that operates in secret.
Light from outside casts inward, illuminating the prisoner held at the far end. Feeling more emaciated than before, he covered his eyes with both hands as if he was accustomed to the darkness.
Only the sound of chains echoed in the silence.
“······Gilbert.”
Therios walked over to him and stood. I looked down with a mischievous smile.
“It’s been a while. Have you ever repented of your sins?”
“·······”
Gilbert made no reply. He just stared at Terios’ toes.
Therios looked around and continued.
“Fifteen years ago, it was here that we first made a promise. I also consider the place where I saved you, who was waiting for punishment, with the blood of a dirty black magician, with my own hands.”
“·······”
“So you were guaranteed your freedom. I kept my promise to save you and your mother. But you didn’t keep anything.”
Therios lowered his stance to face Gilbert. The glare of murderous intent choked Gilbert’s throat.
“I’m sorry…”
“sorry? Trying to cover it up with just two letters? You know better than anyone that I’m not that generous, right?”
“·······”
“Besides, at this point when Lucaradelos raided the academy, what would happen if your secret became known to the world? Even if you are like that, do you think your mother will be all right?”
Lucaradelos is a “candidate for the archmage” born to black mages.
Just as he summons demons, very few descendants of warlocks are endowed with special abilities.
「Magic Beast Summoning Art」, 「Undead Creation Art」, etc.
Most of them are devil-related abilities, and among them, Gilbert, who inherited the blood of a “warlock-witch wizard”, was able to manifest both “beast summoning” and “curse” at the same time.
If this fact is known to the world, Gilbert will be sent to Barsuba, a level 4 prison, and his mother, a warlock, will be executed immediately.
“Think carefully.”
15 years ago, the day the fact was discovered.
Therios and Gilbert made a close pact.
I will spare your mother, and I will guarantee you freedom.
So, I will use your cursed abilities for the sake of Karios.
“Should I keep my promise even for the sake of your mother living as a small business owner in Verdaum?”
“That’s right.”
“good night. I will give you one last chance.”
Therios took out the Hearthstone from his bosom and set it down in front of Gilbert. The blue light of the hearthstone illuminated his face.
“Currently, a mission to subdue warlocks outside of Tyronica is underway. That includes Leonard.”
“·······”
“Take care of it this time. No, you don’t even have to deal with it. It will be just one curse.”
It was impossible for Gilbert to kill Leonard in the first place. However, if even one attack was successful, if it was a sudden attack like 15 years ago, it would be enough to curse it.
A terrible curse that will never allow you to use magic again.
“Ha ha ha—!”
Therios’ evil laugh echoed through the dungeon.
＊＊＊
Tadat-Tadat-
Sparks shot up from the huge blazing bonfire.
Behind the haze that disturbed the air, I could see the silent night sky and the vast empty plain.
And… Dolsando Island in the distance.
Tadat-Tadat-
After finishing their day, the three teams sat around the campfire. It was to set a night watch and plan future visits.
whiyiying
A cold wind blew from the ends of the earth. Some team members shivered in the cold.
“Ugh… it’s a bit cold.”
“It is.”
men’s quarters and women’s quarters. There are two houses. There were plenty of neat and warm meeting spaces inside, but we dared to talk outside.
I don’t know why either.
I couldn’t understand why he left the far away accommodation and lit a bonfire.
“·······”
However, I also sat down without saying anything.
Because this is the beauty of fantasy.
“After all, today is a joke.”
The attack mage Adelin said as she hit the fire bruise. It was a bit of a pity. He must have expected a lot since he participated in the mission as a high-ranking wizard from the youngest member of the private knights.
But there is no need to be disappointed.
In a few days, you will be assigned to the North and will be fighting fierce battles.
When that time comes, you will regret this moment as you squeeze out all your tears.
Tuduk-!
Defense Mage Pierre put in firewood and said.
“It’s not easy to spot a warlock. They’re not stupid, they’ll be hiding.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Is that so…? Right, Professor Leonard?”
Pierre asked, tilting his head. At the same time, everyone’s eyes turned to me.
Excluding Narsha, the team members are new to subjugation missions. There were a lot of things I didn’t know and a lot of questions.
I answered kindly.
“you’re right. It’s probably more likely that you won’t find it.”
“Um… that’s right.”
Adelyn pursed her lips and bowed her head. The drooping red hair represented her heart.
“But you won’t be disappointed. If a black magician is found in another region, they will have to go to support.”
“Then, how about accommodation?”
“What about our jurisdiction? Can I just leave it alone?”
Once answered, several questions poured in. It feels like being a kindergarten teacher.
I kindly answered all my questions. As we talked about this and that, quite a bit of time passed before we knew it.
The weather in the rocky desert gets cooler as the night goes on.
Narsha, unable to bear the cold, suppressed her emotions as much as she could and spoke.
“Let’s go ahead and have a meeting. It’s cold.”
“Let’s do it. First of all, I will decide the night shift.”
Before she exploded, she hurriedly changed the topic. As the meeting began in earnest, the team members threw out their opinions one by one.
“Since there are 7 people, how about splitting it into two, two, three?”
“I think that would be good. I think two hours would be perfect.”
“Then how do you decide the order? What about your mate? A lottery again?”
Adelin smiled shyly. Other team members seemed to agree. But I was against it.
It is customary to decide the order and pair by drawing lots, but it was a very difficult method for me.
Considering my characteristics [Sword Arrow] and [Crimson Flame], there is a 100% chance that I will get involved with Jeniel.
So another way was needed.
Fortunately, my opinion is absolute in this group.
I looked up and said softly.
“It’s good to draw lots, but I think it’s reasonable to divide it into divisions.”
“A series?”
The eyes of the team members were once again focused on me.
“There are three attack classes, so it would be better to place them at each time zone and fill the vacancy with the rest of the classes. Even if there is an unexpected surprise attack, we can immediately respond aggressively.”
What you just said is plausible bullshit, but the original intention is different.
If I do it my way, the chances of staying vigil like Jeniel are extremely low.
In the first place, they were paired only with attack wizards, and even if they were caught at the same time, the affair could be prevented because the three of them were vigilant.
A well-thought-out strategy.
But the team members didn’t seem to like it. Pierre timidly raised his hand.
“I…Professor, that’s not too bad either. If possible, how about deciding with rock-paper-scissors?”
“Rock Paper Scissors·····?”
“yes. The person who wins the rock-paper-scissors game decides the time zone and the partner to be with.”
“Oh, right!”
Uncharacteristically, Narsha actively agreed.
Because of her personality, it was impossible to spend two hours with a stranger, so she was trying to point me out somehow.
I looked at the other person’s expression.
Not only Jeniel, but also offensive wizards seemed to want rock-paper-scissors. I cried and agreed to eat mustard.
“······If everyone agrees, let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors.”
I didn’t show it, but in my heart I was anxious.
Because [Red Flames] and [Sword Arrows] are powerful enough to affect Rock Paper Scissors.
“ruler! Shall we do it then?”
moment of tension.
As everyone put their hands together in the middle, Pierre took the lead.
“scissors!”
The worst thing that could lead to an affair.
If given a choice, Jeniel would unconditionally choose me. So somehow I have to win before Jeniel. Or did Narsha pick me first?
As expected, the best thing is for me to be number one and get a choice.
“rock!”
What should I pay?
What on earth do you have to pay to win?
In an instant, time slowed down and a number of complex cases filled my mind.
A man’s fist?
Scissors that will make those who give out cloths for that purpose reverse tour?
Or a wrapping cloth aiming for reverse tourism of reverse tourism?
It’s complicated! It’s complicated!
“paper!”
moment of fate.
Everyone held out their hands.
Victory and defeat were decided in an instant, and the reactions of winners and losers were sharply divided.
“Yayayayahoooo!!”
A situation where everyone gave up scissors.
Only one person, only Pierre, raised a fist.
Pierre roared. He expressed his joy as if he had the whole world. Then he pointed at me with both hands.
“I will go with Professor Leonard!”
“Evil—!”
At the same time, Narsha held her head. I froze as if my mentality had gone out.
Jeniel wiggled his toes as if he was sorry, and the rest of the crew didn’t react much.
I’m sorry for Narsha, but it’s the best situation for me.
Afraid that people would say that I was late, or that they would say that the first edition was a practice edition, I quickly stepped back.
“Let’s proceed to the next edition.”
······
past midnight.
Pierre and I went out of the inn and kept a watch.
Those in the know know, but there is nothing to do during the night watch. Daydreaming while looking at the bleak night sky, or chatting with fellow assigned colleagues is all.
The same goes for fantasy worlds.
Perhaps Pierre was aiming for this.
“Is it true that you protected the Imperial Academy with [Expedium] this time?”
“Well… that’s true.”
“Ohh—as expected, Professor Leonard! I sincerely respect you. Did you stop the academy from terrorism disguised as a quiz game?”
“That’s right too.”
Pierre inquired about every detail of Leonard’s achievements. In addition, a barrage of questions ensued.
How do you go about your usual training – do you eat health food separately – which training method was most effective, at what age did you master intermediate magic – etc. It was an annoying passion.
After asking only such trivial things, he threw a question that caught his eye.
“Oh, and yes. How far can magical growth go? Can anyone become the best if they just try?”
“Why is that…?”
“It’s embarrassing, but I also want to become a defense mage comparable to Professor Leonard.”
Pierre asked with a hopeful smile. I held the answer for a while.
“·······”
To be honest, it was impossible.
The saying that hard work never betrays doesn’t work, at least in “Eternal Wizard World”.
Just like the golpum system of the Shilla Dynasty, it only grows within a certain range.
A growth system with minimum and maximum values set in the first place.
A worldview that prioritizes innate talent over hard work.
Pierre will not be the best in the empire when he wakes up dead. At this rate, joining the Imperial Household Guard seemed difficult. Cruel, but that was reality.
Still, you can’t trample the growing sprout.
“You just have to never give up. No matter how difficult or difficult the situation is, never give up. Then magical growth will follow.”
I scribbled roughly textbook words.
It was then.
Whiiyiying
A cool wind blew from behind the stone mountain. In an instant, my expression suddenly darkened.
I immediately turned my head and looked at Pierre.
“·······”
“yes? Why?”
Pierre didn’t seem to notice. Because it was such a small amount.
I looked at the distance again and asked.
“Do you like Lyonix puzzles?”
“A Laonix puzzle? Absolutely! It’s hard to find, so I’ve never tried it, but…”
“Good. I brought a Laonix puzzle to the living room of the dorm. I’m bored, let’s do a puzzle together.”
“I, really? That’s great! If you wait for a while, I’ll be back soon!”
Excited, Pierre hurried to his inn. He smiled bitterly as he looked at his back.
Maybe he won’t be back for a while.
There are no Raonix puzzles in the living room.
Whiiyiying
The night wind blows in succession.
I closed my eyes and felt the flow of magic power.
“·······”
「Magical Insight」, which has grown a notch into Francis’ quiz game. As a result, Frederick’s [Spacing] and the Emperor’s [Foresight] were also perceptible.
And… the “magic insight” that is so sensitive is telling me.
A familiar magic power spreads through the air.
It’s Gilbert’s attack-type magical powers that he had previously combined.
“·······”
Eventually, when I opened my eyes again.
I sensed a heterogeneous phenomenon in the vast landscape.
The sky is dark and the land is a rocky desert full of silence.
Magical power that did not suit this peaceful empty field was continuing from far away.
However…
Why is it that subtle black magic is mixed?
Gilbert.
Variable- 「The truth of the novel」 (3)/ It is paid from here.
A night in the rocky desert where the quiet darkness descended.
Hiding in the huge mushroom rock, Gilbert manifested the [Magic Beast Summoning Art]. A scorpion-type monster that matches the terrain, ‘Fardinus’. Before long, 10 Pardinus the size of a tiger appeared above the desert.
Huge pincers and a sharp tail soaring into the sky.
Truly a monstrosity.
It was an appearance that made the hamstrings tingle just by looking at it, but Gilbert was calm. I put my hand on Fadinus’s head and applied [Curse Art].
15 years ago, just like that day.
“·······”
With this, the preparations are complete.
All that remains is to lure Leonard out.
It was a time when I was looking at the dark night sky and devising a trick.
jerk- jerk-
Footsteps were heard in the distance.
Sensing the presence, Gilbert immediately lowered his eyes. Then Fadinus hid in the ground.
Sasasasak–!
Speed that does not match its size. The excavated sand traces were annihilated by the surging night wind. It was literally perfect hiding.
After a while, the main character of the footsteps appeared.
The person wandering the outskirts in the middle of the night was none other than Leonard. Gilbert asked curiously.
“Professor Leonard? What are you doing at this late hour?”
“That is what I want to ask.”
A cold voice like the cold night air.
“What are you doing in Tyronica? Someone who wasn’t even listed on the appointment list.”
Leonard looked at Gilbert without the slightest embarrassment. There was deep suspicion in those straight eyes.
A situation where the pod was caught before it even started.
But Gilbert was not taken aback. He made excuses that he had prepared in advance.
“I received an emergency order by order of the knight commander.” “What if it is an emergency order?”
“Imperial orders have been issued to provide additional aid to the western part of the continent. I was assigned to Team 3 and was on my way, but I ended up getting lost.”
“·····okay. let’s go I will guide you.”
Leonard turned his back without objection. Fortunately, the lie seemed to work. Gilbert, who was about to walk together, suddenly thought.
This is a remote area far from the accommodation.
The monsters are hidden underground, and there are no wizards around to support Leonard.
It was as if he had already been ‘enticed’.
A situation where I got caught in a trap with my own feet.
I couldn’t miss this golden opportunity. Gilbert sent a signal using magic. Then, a crack appeared in the crust, and 10 Fadinus broke through the ground. A shady dark magic hovered around their bow-like tails.
“·······”
Leonard’s footsteps stopped. He looked around wordlessly.
10 high-level monsters arranged in a circle.
Facing the guys who exuded a strong murderous intent, Leonard did not show any reaction. He just silently warmed up his magic.
“Excellent magical power” that spreads throughout the world.
Gilbert approached Leonard from behind and turned around.
“I will take over.”
Gilbert also warmed up his mana.
However, it is not an offensive type, but a curse-type black magic inherited from my father.
A black aura was condensed in the hand hidden under the chest. Watching the aura shimmering like flames, I waited for the right time.
“·······”
Unlike 15 years ago, Leonard has grown into the best defense wizard in the empire. A clumsy attack doesn’t work on him. He probably wouldn’t be able to drive Leonard into a corner even if he did his best.
But what he’s aiming for now is not his life.
It just takes one successful attack.
SHeee!!
A savage scream erupted from Pardinus’ lips. At the same time, they rushed towards Leonard and Gilbert.
Fadinus’s poisonous stinger attacking from all directions.
As their strike drew closer, a shield-shaped layer of magical power surged from the earth’s crust.
In an instant, a flash of light bounced off the Fadinus.
—— Regime system!
Defense magic 「Iberium」.
As expected, ordinary attacks did not work on Leonard. It was a phenomenal defensive power, but it was fully expected.
The magic beasts are just a smokescreen to distract Leonard.
The real attack is myself standing back to back with Leonard within the defense range of [Iberium].
Before the aftereffect of the blow cooled down, Gilbert quickly turned around. The black aura condensed palm rushed to Leonard’s side.
[Magic Curse Art] that inflicts a curse just by touching or brushing the body.
But before reaching his body.
“…!”
Gilbert’s hand stopped in the air.
I tried my best, but I couldn’t go any further. Something solid like a wall stood between Leonard and Gilbert.
A completely unexpected variable.
In fact, the only hope, a surprise attack, had been blocked.
At the same time, pure magic and Gilbert’s dark magic collided, creating a strong shockwave.
Kugu Palace
A clash in the middle of the desert.
A gust of wind blew sand in all directions. High dust billowed the night sky. Vision blurred for an instant, but Gilbert had to see clearly.
Blue eyes shining in the dust.
“ah······”
When the sand that had disturbed the son-in-law for a while subsided, the situation began to show.
A transparent magic field blocking Gilbert’s hand.
Leonard, who only turned his head while standing, prevented the surprise attack as if he had foreseen it.
Even when the dust cleared, his gaze was still there. Leonard’s cold eyes looked directly at Gilbert.
“Did you think it would work?”
＊＊＊
After making excuses by issuing, pretending to be united, shorten the distance and take advantage of the monster’s attack to ambush.
It was commendable acting and planning.
But it wasn’t enough to fool me.
That Gilbert is a retired Knights Templar.
He knew that Fadinus, who appeared from the ground, was his summoned beast, and that he had condensed dark magic into one hand.
and······
Gilbert’s magic hides something I don’t know about. A certain magic that the body has not yet experienced, but for some reason the body remembers.
“·······”
After the blitz, Gilbert leaped back and fell back. After a moment of embarrassment, he cast the mysterious black magic again. It seemed somehow detached.
I asked looking at him.
“Are you aiming for me?”
“·······”
Gilbert did not answer. He waited patiently for the magic beasts to find their place. The Pardiners, who had fallen out into the empty field, soon surrounded me.
The calm before the storm.
The black aura swayed in the night wind, and the Fadinus shook—and cried.
Before the attack began, I asked Gilbert one last time.
“What is the reason?”
If it’s Gilbert’s boss…
Before the thoughts formed in his head, Gilbert kicked the floor and ran. At the same time, Fadinus rushed in from all sides.
Whatever the reason, the hostility is clear.
There is no way you can endure it forever.
I snapped my fingers.
Tak-!
Then, a dome-shaped magic field unfolded and separated the space. A transparent barrier blocked the demons’ path.
It’s just me and Gilbert in here.
“Suck!”
The support of the magic beasts was cut off, but Gilbert went on the attack regardless. Gilbert, who charged like a water cannon, cut his arm diagonally as if swinging a dagger. The black aura stretched out and left an afterimage.
Attacks aimed at the chest.
However, I lightly evaded it by simply taking a step back.
The same goes for consecutive attacks.
Shu Woo-wook- Shu Woo-wook-!
The afterimage that stretched did not reach my body by a single inch. I dodged all of Gilbert’s attacks with minimal movement.
A movement reminiscent of a boxer.
I never thought that the trait I bought to prevent an affair, [Agile Reflexes], would be used like this.
“Sigh- uhh!”
With a gentle evasion like flowing water, Gilbert’s attack became more bold. Like a beast blinded by the slaughter, he rushed at it.
Desperate that this is the last time.
The recklessness of not considering the opponent’s attacks at all.
And that too… in close combat, where wizards should be most vigilant.
sseu-
Dodging Gilbert’s attack, casting magic with one hand. The condensed mana in his hand radiated a blue light and resonated.
The only intermediate attack magic imprinted in my mind.
「Ultimate Shockwave」.
Even though it was a magic cast with only one hand for a short time, it would be enough to deal with the careless Gilbert.
Furthermore, because Leonard’s magical power has been added.
I faced Gilbert. For an instant, time slowed down, and his movements were completely read.
Hyperextended shoulders.
Balance of the body twisted to the left.
It was aiming for the upper right.
“…!”
He slightly bent his knees and sent the attack over his shoulder. At the same time, the cast magic was inserted into Gilbert’s stomach.
A counter punch with perfect timing.
“Kuk-!”
after a brief flurry
Kuguagaga River ————!!
Terrible magic burst out and bombarded Gilbert’s body. It was a wave that awakened the silence of the area. At the terrifying power of that, Gilbert was pushed back with both feet floating, and only after colliding with the magic field did he fall to the ground.
“Keuuu”
The collapsed Gilbert cried out and vomited blood. I moved and stood in front of him. He expressed “magical insight” and analyzed the mysterious black magic cast by Gilbert.
The results were truly shocking.
「Curse Series—Damnant of Offensive Magic」
A characteristic that limited Leonard’s offensive magic, and which was eliminated with 「The Extinction of Offensive Magic」. The characteristics that blocked Leonard’s path were included in the curse series.
It was then.
“Ugh…”
I suddenly felt dizzy and a scene began to appear before my eyes.
A young Leonard running away from the Witchbeast.
I ran as best I could, but was soon knocked over by the beast’s attack, and black smoke billowed from my chest.
It was the same as the graphite that bloomed in my chest on the day I purchased the [Offensive Magic Legend].
Suddenly, goose bumps all over my body. My back felt chilly, and a line of hypotheses was drawn in my mind.
Is this why my body remembered…?
The inability to use offensive magic was not a natural deficiency, but an intentional maneuver…?
“Could it be that even then…”
The moment I was immersed in reminiscence for a while.
“!!!”
Gilbert stretched his arms high.
It was the final blow aiming for an opening, but the [quick reflexes] did not allow even the slightest attack. After lightly dodging, he trampled on Gilbert’s wrist.
I looked down at him and asked.
“…why are you putting in all your effort?”
“If you fail, you are dead. Rather, dying like this will help my mother’s peace.”
It was completely incomprehensible to me, who did not know all the context.
But one thing was certain.
That Gilbert’s attack had a backstory.
And that the man behind it was… the Immortal Knight Commander Terios.
Gilbert smiled lightly. Blood flowed from the gaping mouth.
“You’ve grown a lot since then.”
A voice barely audible. The faint tone of his tone indicated that his death was imminent.
“Your growth… will inevitably lead to tragedy.”
Blood dripping again.
After those words, Gilbert’s dark magic completely dissipated. Like any other black magician’s death, black smoke rose, and his summoned beasts were scattered in black smoke.
The desert night regained its calm.
As I looked over Gilbert’s body, I took out the Templar’s ring from his index finger.
······
jerk- jerk-
I stepped back Stepping on the grainy sand of the rocky desert, I headed toward the inn.
A new truth I learned today.
The story of the novel that the author did not know.
“The first attack series learning time. It was a simple spell, but strangely Leonard couldn’t follow it. Even though the professor told me several times, I couldn’t understand it at all. It’s strange… Leonard is definitely a genius. I don’t even know the cause.”
“Leonard never takes off his top. It is said that he has a wound from being attacked by a witch beast when he was young, but that seems to have become a complex.”
Could these two sentences be the cause? There was a narrative that I didn’t know was added. A similar context to the relationship between Narsha and Leonard. But more serious than that.
jerk- jerk-
Leonard’s lack of attack magic, which had not been decided for a clear reason, was due to Gilbert’s curse, and the knight commander Terios was behind it.
It was probably a plot to make Karios the Archmage. And attacking me again… must have been to fix the wrong original work.
After all, is this novel designed to flow according to the original?
As in the original story, Karios rises to the level of a great wizard, and Leonard and Jeniel commit adultery.
Will it lead to such a bad ending?
then······
“Professor Leonard-!!”
As we got closer to the inn, Defense Wizard Pierre came running. Where did you go this late at night- Was there a magic beast- I couldn’t find the Laonix puzzle after all- Etc.
I poured out many words, but I couldn’t hear them well. My nerves were focused on only one thing.
Narsha leaning on the railing of the dorm.
The blue moonlight illuminated her hair.
“·······”
then.
If the novel goes according to the original story, you will eventually join forces with the warlock.
If that happens, I will have to kill you someday.
You are the clear handshake of fiction.
“·······”
“Where have you been?”
Narsha asked curtly.
I answered briefly.
“Looking at nothing. I guess I was wrong.”
Then, he silently entered the house. Unexpected battles also consumed magic power, and since I had to go to the north for support tomorrow, I had to rest as much as possible.
More than anything… even if it’s to prevent an adulterous handshake tomorrow .