Chapter 337

A breath of fresh air seemed to fill the room. Even through the haze clouding his mind, Ian could feel a cool breeze—not just brushing past him, but gently stirring within, easing the heat that had gripped him.

Every sensation sharpened, and all the pleasant things in the world seemed to pour into Ian: the warm sunlight, the rustling of the blankets, a faintly sweet scent drifting from somewhere nearby, and along with it, familiar voices.

“Wow. Ian’s smiling. He’s really smiling.”

“Look at that, it’s true! He must be feeling better.”

“Let me see too. Oh my, his face looks half gone.”

“Don’t hold back your magic. We’re all watching.”

“Shut up, man. I’m handling it just fine.”

With a sparkle, Ian’s eyes slowly opened—leisurely, naturally.

The wizards huddled around the bed didn’t even notice he’d regained consciousness; they just kept bickering among themselves. Then one of them locked eyes with Ian.

“Uh, Ian’s eyes are open!”

“What?! Ian, snap out of it!”

“Do you recognize me? Say something—A, E, I, O, U!”

“Don’t push yourself. How’s your condition?”

“…”

Through his blurred vision, Ian saw the room packed with wizards—one, two, three, too many to count.

Was he dreaming? This was definitely Klipoford, but how had his mind become so muddled after using his contract magic? Why were the wizards who should be guarding the Bariel Magic Department here? As Ian stared blankly, a few of them burst into tears.

“I-I guess he doesn’t recognize us.”

“He just woke up. He’s probably disoriented.”

“What if Ian becomes a fool? Sniff.”

“Enough with the nonsense! Step back! Ian, we’ll keep pouring in magic. If anything feels uncomfortable, just say so. If you can’t speak, blinking will do.”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

The wizards surrounded Ian, channeling their magic into him. So this was the pleasant sensation he’d felt in his half-conscious state.

Ian sensed his energy replenishing deep inside his body and twitched his fingertips. Earlier, even turning his head was difficult, but now he felt he could lift his arm.

“Everyone…”

“Ian’s speaking!!”

“Ian! Does it still hurt!?”

He barely got the words out before the room erupted in noise.

Beric, who had been standing behind the crowd, tried to swim forward, but the wizards pushed him back with their bodies. The peaceful atmosphere from before was gone, replaced by the chaos of a bustling market.

As Ian slowly raised his upper body, someone quickly slipped a pillow behind his back. Beric’s eyes went wide, and he jumped up.

“Ian! You can sit up? Before, you couldn’t even twitch a finger! Amazing! Magic really is incredible. Keep it coming, okay?”

“Yeah, why don’t you move aside? You’re in the way!”

“If having me nearby is a problem, then that’s your issue.”

Rubbing his chest, Ian looked around. The spacious bedroom was packed, and even the adjoining sitting room was full of people. Judging by the numbers, most of the Magic Department must have come here.

Ian sighed, clenching and unclenching his fists.

“…What happened to everyone?”

“Acorella developed a magic amplifier with no side effects. We used it to come through the portal.”

“And what about Bariel? Who’s left there?”

At Ian’s question, everyone fell silent, eyes darting nervously. Except for the two guarding the palace entrance and Lord Romandro, the place was empty.

Ian looked at Hale with disbelief. The leader had left Bariel so bare—it was hard to believe.

“Ian.”

Hale knelt, meeting Ian’s gaze at the bed. The wizards behind him dropped to their knees as well. Only Beric looked around in confusion before sitting down heavily.

“We knew you’d be angry. But after you crossed to Klipoford, we lost contact. The last news we got was that you were near death. Before being a minister, you’re the head of the Magic Department. We decided saving you was the top priority, and we believe it was the right choice.”

“That’s right. The palace has been treating the Magic Department harshly lately. Without you, Ian, things would be really bad.”

“Even if you scold us, please do it with some strength.”

“Yeah, otherwise we won’t listen.”

“Exactly! Don’t scold Ian! These guys ruined the vineyard and made the king cry, but still, don’t scold him! If it were any worse, he’d have been on drugs!”

“Ah! Beric, be quiet!”

“Yeah, keeping your mouth shut is the best help you can give!”

Beric, caught in the middle, raised his hand and shouted, but a couple of wizards quickly covered his mouth and pulled his hand down.

Ruined vineyard? Why was the king crying? Ian didn’t understand any of it, but he rested his neck on the pillow and tried to sort through his thoughts.

He could guess what had happened at the palace during his absence. The opposing factions must have seen this as an opportunity to curb the Magic Department’s influence or interfere with them. But…

“Since most of the wizards came to Klipoford, the palace’s reaction will be intense.”

Whether positive or negative. It could mean a paralysis of operations, and if information leaked to other countries, it might even lead to military conflict.

Ian furrowed his brow and rubbed his fingertips together. Everyone fell silent, watching him closely.

“Is Ian mad?”

“Looks like it. Oh no.”

“But seeing him move like this is reassuring.”

At the palace—more precisely, the Prime Minister and the Imperial Defense Department had been acting so obnoxiously that they’d rushed in without thinking. But now, facing Ian, they felt embarrassed to admit it.

Ian stared down at the wizards. It was hard to tell what emotions lay behind his gaze. After a heavy silence, he finally spoke.

“Alright. Thank you.”

“…Huh?”

Whatever had happened, it was done. Ian understood that their actions were for his sake. So there was only one thing he could say: gratitude and comfort.

“You must have gone through a lot. Thank you all for your hard work.”

“…!”

Joy, relief, and happiness spread instantly across the faces of the previously tearful wizards.

They gathered close to Ian’s bed and began recounting everything that had happened at the palace—the treatment of the Magic Department in his absence, the events that unfolded, and how dramatic Acorella’s arrival had been.

Snap.

“Oh! Ian, you’re awake?”

Just then, Acorella entered the sitting room, cheeks puffed out as she munched on grapes. In her hand was a syringe filled with an unknown liquid. Ian eyed her and the wizards suspiciously.

“A magic amplifier with no side effects?”

“Yes. According to Captain Acorella.”

One wizard nodded firmly, whispering. She twirled happily and approached Ian. To clear the way for the madwoman, the crowd parted instantly.

“I’m Acorella, Ian. The smartest in the Magic Department.”

“The smartest is Ian, isn’t he?”

“Yeah. Beric, the one at the back, shut up. Anyway, you can take up to three doses in a row, but after that, we haven’t tested it. Once we return to the palace, we’ll conduct proper experiments.”

Acorella’s eyes flashed as she scanned the wizards, who instinctively looked away. She sat beside the bed and rolled up Ian’s sleeve.

“The dose amplifies based on the magic left in your body. Since you can move now, you’ll get one shot now, and another after you recover more. Then you’ll be able to open a portal and return immediately.”

Squelch. A drop of the liquid leaked from the needle. Given Acorella’s skill and the fact that most wizards had taken this, Ian had no reason to refuse.

He readily extended his arm.

“Here goes.”

“Captain, I’ll make sure it doesn’t hurt. Please.”

“Enough with the chatter!”

Ian grimaced in pain, and the wizards winced along with him. He could vividly feel the medicine coursing through his veins.

But even with all their magic pouring in, it seemed insufficient to fill Ian’s capacity. The amplifier’s effect wasn’t as strong as expected. Everyone’s eyes sparkled as they waited for his reaction.

Tap, tap.

Footsteps approached outside the door.

It was the King of Klipoford and Prince Noah. Beric’s claim that the king had been crying seemed true—his usually plump eyelids looked especially swollen.

“If your urgent business is done, we need to talk.”

They had crossed the border without permission, landed straight in the palace, and even destroyed the king’s cherished vineyard.

At the main gate of the royal palace, a crowd of startled citizens had gathered, alarmed by the sudden appearance of the black moon. The Clipford soldiers and officials, disgusted by the palace’s lax security, had issued an emergency assembly order. The entire kingdom was, quite literally, thrown into chaos.

Prince Noah glanced discreetly at Ian, who was propping himself up, and clicked his tongue softly. They should have pacified the mages before he tried to get up…

“Your Majesty, I apologize for the disturbance. If you could grant me a moment, I’ll get dressed properly—”

“No, Lord Ian should rest a bit longer—”

“Ian! You mustn’t move!”

“Yes, you just got up! If you collapse again, we really won’t be able to handle it. You’re not Bariel; you need to manage your mana carefully.”

As Ian tried to rise, the king suddenly flinched and waved his hands left and right. The mages, who had been kneeling in wait, did the same. They all sprang to their feet in unison, each warning Ian to stay still.

“May I attend the audience in his place?”

“Very well. And you are?”

“I’m Hale, captain of the Magic Operations Division.”

The king glanced back and forth between Akorella and Hale. Between the two, he preferred the one who had at least greeted him earlier over the one grinning foolishly while clutching a syringe. With a nod that seemed to say “follow me,” the king motioned for them to proceed, then turned to Ian.

“Lord Ian, request an audience as soon as you’re able to compose yourself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am truly grateful.”

Raising his eyebrows as if to emphasize the point, the king flicked a finger subtly.

“Everything is connected. This, too, is the will of Clipford.”

Screeeech.

Hale followed the king out, while Beric scratched his ear and muttered under his breath.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s Clipford culture. Not just looking out for yourself—if you dig a little, you’ll see everything’s connected, you fool.”

“Oh, connected? Like grapes? Is that why people here like grapes? But I’m not a fool—what’s this ‘looking out for yourself’ thing then?”

“Lord Ian, you’ve done well to take him in. Now, let’s keep feeding the mana. With Hale gone, we need to push harder.”

Akorella clicked her tongue and gestured for Beric to step aside. Ian gave a faint smile, and everyone there, including Beric, smiled along with him.

“Excuse me, Lord Ian.”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

They placed their hands gently on Ian’s hand, arm, and knee, then activated their magic once more. Beric danced some strange, unidentifiable jig behind him, cheering him on, while Ian leaned back against his pillow, smiling quietly.

Ian’s smile—that was what made all their efforts worthwhile. The mages felt a deep sense of fulfillment. And Ian himself sensed an indescribable emotion beginning to seep through.