“Come to think of it, the world isn’t made up of just four elements, but five. Sorcerers use that, apparently.”
“What? Not four, but five elements? Isn’t it earth, fire, wind, and water?”
“The mind.”
“Ah…!”
“Exactly. True magic only exists when the mind is involved. All those so-called sorcerers studying formulas and theories? It’s all pointless. They’ve forgotten what really matters. The most fundamental ingredient of magic is our own heart. Without that warm heart, magic simply can’t be created!”
“Where did you get that knowledge?”
“I read it in the last issue of the magazine ‘Maxim.’”
“Oh, that one…”
A faint blush flickered across the knights’ faces before fading away.
“Really a useful magazine.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Essential for any knight’s life, especially when you’re still an apprentice.”
“Hahaha…”
Another knight picked up the conversation.
“Did you know? Very young babies can actually use magic.”
“What?”
“Because their minds are pure and untainted by the world, they’re in the perfect state to wield magic. And a very rare few even remember their past lives. Though they forget as they grow older, those who retain memories from before can freely manipulate magic through their pure hearts and recollections.”
“Seriously? That sounds a bit far-fetched.”
“Have you heard of Hindo, the boy from the Liberda territory?”
The conversation, which had started with dark magic, soon shifted to tales of supernatural phenomena the foreign-educated knights had heard here and there.
“Sometimes, those unidentified flying objects in the sky are…”
“Children with the power to bend spoons with their minds…”
“The mention of black magic that doesn’t even exist is actually a conspiracy by the international imperial capital…”
“Be careful. Those who know the truth about black magic have eavesdropping spells attached to their ears…”
The crystal orb on the table opposite them began vibrating faster.
But the knights’ loud chatter drowned out the sound, so no one noticed.
“Anyway, black magic doesn’t exist!”
Someone shouted loudly.
“That’s right! Black magic is a lie!”
“It’s not real!”
“Just a conspiracy theory!”
They all shouted in unison.
At that moment, the crystal orb exploded, shattering into countless pieces that scattered wildly, striking the knights.
“What—what’s going on?”
“An attack?!”
“Are they persecuting those of us who know the truth?!”
Though the knights were well-trained and mostly unharmed, some bore scratches and bled.
A thick smoke began to fill the interview room.
The knights instinctively drew their swords, pushing the smoke aside. Dozens of weapons flashed inside the room.
As their vision cleared, they saw someone seated in a lavish chair across from them.
An elderly man with a full head of white hair and a beard that reached his waist. He was slumped in the chair, holding his forehead.
“Damn it. This is really infuriating…”
His voice was gruff but carried a powerful resonance.
The foreign-educated knights widened their eyes and began whispering.
“Could it be…?”
“The Master of the Mage Tower?”
“Has he come to acknowledge that we were right?”
“Please, tell those outside the truth!”
The old man waved his hand dismissively, and the knights vanished.
The once noisy interview room fell silent.
The old man sighed deeply, then rose and walked toward the exit.
Since the foreign-educated knights entered the interview room, no sound had come from within.
Jared tilted his head.
“They’re just quietly waiting, aren’t they?”
“The interview room is soundproofed from the outside.”
“I see.”
Yuri crossed her arms, staring at the door.
“My guess? It won’t be long now.”
“Huh?”
The knights had only just gone in.
Hernando sneered.
“What are you talking about, Your Highness? If it were that easy, why would Marilose and I have struggled so much?”
If Yuri’s prediction of a quick result were true, Hernando’s efforts would have been in vain.
He kept criticizing Yuri.
“Your idea is good, but it won’t go that smoothly. Do you think nonsense in the interview room would make anyone come out?”
“Really?”
“Yes. If they were going to come out just because of some babbling, why would Marilose and I have gone through all that trouble? We searched the entire Mage Tower, every workshop…”
Just then, the interview room door suddenly opened.
Hernando spoke even louder.
“See? The knights are coming out so quickly. Since it’s useless, everyone’s—”
But it wasn’t the knights who emerged. It was the white-haired, bearded old man. Hernando fell silent.
“…”
Suddenly, a hush fell over the area outside the interview room.
Yuri let out a small chuckle. It wasn’t hard to guess who the old man was.
Hernando finally spoke.
“Master…?”
Marilose calmly bowed her head.
“Long time no see, Sir Sidhurst.”
The old man replied,
“Yes. It’s been a while for all of you.”
He was Sidhurst, the Master of the Mage Tower, revered by all sorcerers.
After greeting Hernando and Marilose, Sidhurst turned to Yuri.
“I received your gift well.”
“I hope it was to your liking.”
“My blood pressure nearly spiked and I almost collapsed.”
Yuri smiled slyly, lifting her chin.
“Good thing you came out before you passed out.”
Yuri extended her hand, and Sidhurst grasped it firmly.
“Those two were hopeless, so I had to come myself.”
“I suspected as much. You’re certainly decisive.”
He looked at Hernando and Marilose in turn.
“You two still have a long way to go.”
They silently bowed their heads.
Sidhurst looked old, no doubt having overseen the Mage Tower for longer than they’d been alive.
Yuri spoke.
“Master, I’d like to have a serious talk about black magic today.”
“Black magic, huh…”
Sidhurst stroked his beard, the white hairs swaying softly.
“Very well. Let’s go inside.”
He gestured toward the interview room and entered first.
Yuri tilted her head and followed.
Unlike before, a completely new space unfolded.
They stood atop a steep cliff.
“Ah…”
Yuri looked down. A vast forest stretched to the horizon, with rivers branching out like roots in every direction. A fierce wind tousled her hair.
“This place is…”
“My favorite spot.”
“Where did the knights go?”
“I sent them back. If they’d stayed any longer, I’d have lost my temper and burned them all.”
Sidhurst, admiring the view, sat in a chair nearby. Opposite him was a long table with three chairs.
Yuri took the middle seat, and Hernando and Marilose, who arrived shortly after, marveled at the scenery before sitting on either side of her.
Sidhurst looked at each of them in turn.
“So, what brings you here?”
“You already know.”
“Hmm. I don’t.”
Hernando, seated, spoke.
“We kept asking to meet, so why were you hiding?”
“Hiding? I was just focused on my work.”
“Don’t play dumb. We know you’ve been watching us.”
“If I know, why couldn’t you find me? Hernando, you still have a long way to go.”
“Yes, yes. But that aside, it’s not about my skill right now. The situation is what matters.”
“What situation?”
“Black magic.”
Hernando leaned forward.
“It’s throwing the world into chaos. The Mage Tower must step up. We sorcerers have to take action and set things right.”
“Why?”
Sidhurst shook his head.
“There’s no need.”
“Excuse me?”
“Black magic…”
“Black magic has grown tremendously in power.”
Sidhurst frowned.
“I agree it’s a vile and evil force.”
“But?”
“Why should we be the ones to intervene?”
He raised his eyebrows.
“If we resist rashly, we’ll become targets. There’s no need to make a fuss. Especially with what they’ve recently summoned…”
Yuri realized he knew more than she’d expected.
She spoke.
“So, you’re holding back because it’s too dangerous?”
“To some extent.”
“I see.”
Sidhurst stroked his beard again.
“It’s better to watch carefully and wait than to draw attention by acting first. The sharpest stone gets the most hits. It’s not time to step forward yet.”
The seasoned sorcerer’s way of navigating the world.
Hernando frowned.
“That’s a disappointing answer.”
“But it can’t be helped. I’ve spent more time with magic than you’ve lived. Those who acted recklessly are long dead and gone. The reason I’ve guarded the Mage Tower for so long is precisely because of this caution.”
“People are dying, black magic threatens the entire continent, and yet the Mage Tower’s safety is your top priority?”
“Yes.”
Sidhurst said simply.
“So, what will you do?”
“What else can we do?”
This time, Yuri answered.
“It’s better to cooperate quickly, even now.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because it’s dangerous.”
“Yes. Black magic is dangerous. But those who wield that power are reasonable people.”
“Not black magic.”
“What did you say?”
Yuri placed her hand on the table.
“I’m not asking for much. Just acknowledge the existence of black magic.”
“I said no.”
“You think only black magic is scary.”
Yuri stood up.
“You’ve lived long enough to have thrown away things like shame and conscience. But since you still have fear, I’ll have to stir that fear, not your conscience, to move the Master of the Tower. Then you’ll listen to me, won’t you?”
“Ho…”
Sidhurst chuckled.
“I’ve heard your swordsmanship is exceptional. A genius, they say?”
“Yes.”
“But is the power you’ve built really that great? Threatening me here…”
Sidhurst rose from his seat.
“An impudent child like you needs a lesson.”
“You’re just an old man full of empty words and nothing but fear.”
“How dare you!”
Sidhurst swung his arm through the air, and suddenly a staff appeared in his hand. The crystal orb at its tip shimmered with light.
Hernando and Marirose tried to dispel the magic, but Sidhurst was quicker.
“Don’t interfere!”
The two froze in place as if rooted to the spot.
Sidhurst’s gaze locked onto Yuri.
“I respect your defiance against black magic, but if you dare threaten the Tower, I have no choice but to act. Today, you’ll learn your place.”
“You think a coward who keeps quiet and shrinks back to avoid loss can teach me a lesson?”
Yuri laughed—not a forced laugh, but one that shook her shoulders as if she truly couldn’t bear it.
“Fine. Today, I’ll shave off that beard of yours.”
“Arrogant…”
Light burst from Sidhurst’s staff.
Suddenly, Yuri’s vision shifted.
They were sitting across from each other at a table on a cliff, but the surroundings morphed again, and now Yuri stood amid roaring flames.
Heat radiated from all sides.
Through the fire, Sidhurst’s figure appeared.
The inferno around him advanced toward Yuri.
“I’ll show this arrogant brat the true taste of my flames.”
Yuri said nothing.
Instead, she drew her sword, Guilty.
The cold blade glowed blue in the firelight.
As Sidhurst waved his staff and chanted a spell, Yuri closed her eyes, then opened them.
Her world slipped into the realm of the soul.
Sidhurst’s actions seemed suspicious—had he already been consumed by black magic? But no, his body remained pure, untouched by corruption.
Yuri strengthened her hold on the soul realm.
Just as one can trace the flow of black magic, magic itself was no different.
At its core, magic was the will of a human. Before the Soul Severing Blade that cuts through soul and mind, even pure magic was nothing but a target.
The flow of mana Sidhurst wielded shimmered as if tangible. It shaped forms and bent the world around them.
Yuri studied the flames of magic surrounding her and the pattern of mana Sidhurst was weaving.
She aimed at the trembling beard at the edge of it all.
And then, she cut it clean off.