Chapter 124

“Minister Wesley, the main body of the Oracle’s Light has arrived. Please verify it briefly.”

Wesley’s gaze, which had been looking down on Ian with displeasure, shifted away. The wizards nearby, who had been sneering, did the same. They hurriedly moved to prepare the main body.

“Wait here.”

Ian nodded silently, understanding the unspoken command, while Wesley furrowed his brow even more and stepped outside.

A glossy black velvet curtain separated this room from the outside. The murmur of voices grew louder with the music, clearly a lively social gathering in full swing.

“Ian, did you just smile?”

“Hm? Me?”

As Beric glanced around the now quieter room, he noticed countless magic circles drawn on the floor. Shouldn’t we avoid stepping on them? He carefully lifted his toes, but Ian walked over them without a care.

“What if they get erased?”

“Magic circles don’t fade just by being stepped on. Unless something else covers them. The main body of the Oracle’s Light will probably be set up around here.”

Ian muttered as he examined the intricate, overlapping formulas and curves scrawled in hurried handwriting.

“Wesley’s up to something. I have a bad feeling about this.”

“He probably already has. The Ministry of Magic wants my power to look insignificant.”

Their priority was to humiliate this arrogant illegitimate son, and secondly, to justify externally assigning Ian to a lower department.

“Since I’m seen as someone from Marib’s faction, they’d naturally hesitate to put me in a key department.”

“Isn’t the minister the head there? Why not just do as you please? Who’s going to stop you? Should you just keep doing menial tasks while watching your back?”

Though independent and unique, the department was still just one cog in the imperial palace’s vast machinery. There were too many risks in pushing Ian down without cause.

“Do you know what kind of backlash you’d get for disrespecting a noble favored by His Majesty the Emperor? Nobles won’t take it lightly. Even if your origins differ, if you don’t show respect to titled nobles, you’ll definitely face opposition.”

Especially, they clearly intended to leave no opening for Marib.

“So, no worries then?”

“Not quite.”

“Ugh, this is such a headache.”

“Beric, thanks for worrying on my behalf, but there’s no need. The answer’s already decided.”

Ian muttered as he spotted a magic circle that caught his eye.

The formula was slightly different from the activation spell for the Oracle’s Light he remembered. People were still moving about nearby, but if he released his magic now, all eyes would be on him immediately.

“It’s easy to look down from above, but hard to look up from below.”

The Magic Stone Management Department that Marib wanted was relatively unpopular and easy to approach. So it was important to secure the upper hand first and widen his options.

In other words, to make his presence known here as much as possible.

‘And above all, as a commoner, rumors will spread among the nobles.’

He needed to show clearly—

That even as an illegitimate son, he was qualified to be among the nobles. And beyond that, that he possessed abilities more noble and precious than theirs.

“To hold the balance between Marib and Gale, a third power is necessary.”

Of course, the fourth and fifth princes, candidates for the throne, could be that power, but for now, the strength of the crowd was perfect. The core of Bariel’s nobles.

Swish.

Ian confirmed the incorrect magic circle formula and beckoned Beric over.

“Beric, lend me a finger.”

“A finger?”

As if asking him to bite it and draw blood, Ian gestured. Beric bit his index finger hard. Ian crouched down and pointed to the parts that needed covering.

“Cover here and here.”

“Why didn’t you bring something usable if you knew this would happen?”

“Yeah, my bad.”

“Fine. One week of meat dishes.”

Ian nodded, and Beric eagerly rubbed over a small section of the magic circle. It was only about the size of a knuckle, so it wasn’t very noticeable.

Whirrr.

As Ian gave the magic circle a final glance, the soft sound of rolling wheels came from behind. Beric turned around absentmindedly, then froze with his mouth agape.

“Ian, that’s…”

“The Oracle’s Light.”

The Oracle’s Light resembled a massive golden harp. Its smooth curves, sturdy base, and delicate ornamental carvings made it look like a celestial instrument bestowed by the gods.

“But it has no strings to play. Instead, can you see the faint light falling where the strings would be?”

Ian explained, and Beric’s eyes widened as he stared. The room was packed with wizards and officials, so they couldn’t get closer.

“No, I don’t see it.”

“Wait and see. It’s quite a sight.”

The New Year’s banquet—the most important imperial palace event of the year—was the perfect occasion to showcase a dazzling spectacle. Especially for the royal family and nobles. The light had to be as beautiful as the pollen drifting across Bariel.

“Ian Hielo, Viscount.”

“Yes, Minister Wesley.”

Ian slowly approached at Wesley’s summons. The Oracle’s Light was placed in the center of the magic circle, ready to be activated. Beric’s small bloodstain was hidden beneath the base.

“Do you know how to operate it?”

“No one’s told me, so no.”

“When the Ministry of Magic activates the Oracle’s Light, you place your hand on its surface and release your magic. Remember, the atmosphere of the banquet hall will change depending on the wavelength and intensity.”

Ian clicked his tongue inwardly. Even if they planned to sabotage him, giving such a vague explanation was careless. He simply nodded in acknowledgment.

“Everyone, finish preparations!”

“Yes, Minister.”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Wesley turned his back, signaling he had nothing more to say. One by one, the wizards released their magic, infusing the magic circles on the floor.

The circles sparkled as if lit from within.

Beric’s eyes shone with wonder.

‘The golden light shines even brighter!’

The flow of magic created a breeze in the enclosed space. The velvet curtains fluttered slightly, and the excited murmurs of the crowd grew louder. The orchestra’s tempo quickened in response.

“You there, are you Ian Viscount’s guard? Step back.”

“Huh? Ian?”

“Stay back, Beric. It’s fine.”

Just as Ian waved his hand lightly to reassure him, a wizard brushing past bit her lip and turned back.

“Excuse me.”

She was a woman with closely cropped pink hair. Ian immediately recognized her—Nakina, a Ministry of Magic member who had just been commended for her role in the Roxan battle, right after Ian.

‘Hail, Tommy, Nakina. Only one woman among the three.’

“What is it?”

She glanced around nervously, then sighed deeply. Quickly, she whispered a magic activation method Wesley hadn’t shared.

“Are you right-handed?”

“Yes.”

“Then hold the large rod with your left hand and release magic with your right. It’s important to place your entire palm on the light’s surface, and your hand movements must be smooth to create a beautiful, natural illusion.”

“Nakina!”

“Got it! Coming!”

She was called by the man who had also been honored for the Roxan battle. Nakina glanced nervously at Wesley’s direction and passed by Ian. Fortunately, a few wizards watched, but Wesley didn’t seem to notice.

“Nakina, don’t get involved in serious matters.”

“Still, I thought—”

It’s one thing to make a fool of someone who knows nothing, but there are limits. Unaware that Wesley had tampered with the magic circle, Nakina grumbled in frustration.

“It feels like we’re taking advantage of a child.”

“You really are something else.”

“Enough. Let’s go down. I don’t want to watch this.”

“Sounds good. How about some beer after a long time?”

“Is Hail buying?”

They chose to leave the awkward magic activation behind and head out to the noisy back alleys for a drink. Ian watched them go, repeating their names in his mind.

‘The Roxan battle… Hail, Tommy, Nakina.’

Ian had witnessed countless magic activation ceremonies before. He certainly knew the method, but their thoughtfulness left an impression.

Shaaah.

At that moment, a bright light poured beside Ian. The velvet curtain that had divided the banquet hall was drawn aside. The atmosphere inside was noticeably more relaxed than before.

“Oh! Ian Hielo, Viscount!”

“Looks like it’s finally starting.”

“Running two events in one day must be exhausting. Haha.”

“Come on, think about it. Someone who barely scraped by in the back alleys—what could be so hard?”

“I’ve never seen that magic activation before. I’m looking forward to it!”

“But honestly, isn’t he handsome? Honestly, if you just look at his face, does it really matter that he’s from a commoner background?”

“Shh! Stop saying such reckless things.”

The room buzzed with all kinds of voices—mockery, contempt, curiosity, and goodwill—blending into an invisible wall between Ian on the stage and the nobles watching him.

‘Ian! Stay strong!’

From the back, Romandro was also seen clenching his fists tightly. Raising his gaze slightly, Ian could confirm that the emperor and the royal family were all watching him intently. Gale and Marib’s eyes burned especially bright, but Ian ignored them and stepped forward toward the radiant light of the oracle.

“I am Wesley, Minister of Magic.”

Wesley carefully concealed the cold chill she had shown Ian earlier, instead wearing a smile befitting her position. Her eyes sought out Gale on the second floor. Whether or not she made eye contact was something only Gale would know.

“Everyone here surely understands how vital magical power is to uphold the great empire of Bariel. Yet, it’s been truly regrettable that no new talent has emerged in recent years. But as this year draws to a close, it seems the Ministry of Magic—and indeed Bariel itself—has been blessed anew. This fills me with great joy.”

Wesley’s eyes curved into a smile. The Ministry of Magic had a larger budget than any other department. And where did that money come from? From the taxes paid by the nobility.

“Ian Hielo, Viscount, I swear that the magical power you display will be honorably used for the glory of the great empire of Bariel.”

Clap, clap, clap.

As Wesley stepped aside, clapping, the nobles reflexively followed suit—not out of genuine enthusiasm, but simply out of ingrained habit.

“Hmm.”

Ian’s expression remained unchanged. Despite the sharp, piercing gazes from the nobles, he held firm, gripping the light of the oracle without a flicker of hesitation.

Tap, tap.

Just as Wesley’s lips curled into a mocking smile at his hesitation, Ian casually leaned the light of the oracle against one shoulder, settling into a stance as if about to play a harp without strings.

So this is how it’s done.

A long-ago memory stirred within him—of the emperor who was also a mage—guiding his familiar movements.

Ziiing… Ziiing.

“Oh my, look at that.”

“Did you see? His eye color changed!”

At that moment, his magic blossomed open. His green eyes shifted to gold, and a whirlwind swept through the hall. Ian placed his right hand on the surface of the light and gently rubbed it.

Whoosh!

Flash!

“Ah…”

Following Ian’s touch, thousands of colors scattered and shimmered. If celestial music could be seen, this was it. The nobles’ minds went blank, overwhelmed by the spectacle before them.