TL/Editor: raei
Status: 5/week mon-fri
Illustrations: none
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As Ian explored the mory world, he picked up various types of magic.
'Oh.'
Maronius was definitely a genius.
Learning from him felt different than learning from Eredith sohow.
The principles behind creating letters, reasons for deciding pronunciations, exact images that needed conveying - understanding the creator's original intentions deepened Ian's magical comprehension significantly.
[You've understood the principles of magic creation!]
[Learning efficiency increased for all future magic!]
A learning speed buff.
Ian already learned magic quickly through his status window, and now he had a buff on top of that.
"Ah, Ian."
"Master, you're here?"
Eredith ca to Ian's research room.
"How's the research going?"
"Smoothly."
Eredith smiled happily at the positive response.
"That's great. Since you've made progress, you can present next month."
"Oh. Is it that ti already?"
Though Ian was conducting personal research, he still belonged to the university.
He had an obligation to present his findings.
"...Ian."
Eredith spoke carefully.
"At the next seminar... when you present your research results..."
"Yes?"
"I'd like you to also explain how you succeeded in your research."
The fact that Ian was researching Maronius's past was a secret known only to a few.
Well, calling it a secret was a bit grand - Eredith just hadn't told many people.
The reason was simple.
Research into Maronius's soul had a long history, with many attempting the challenge.
But results had been minimal.
After all, he'd died an incredibly long ti ago. Progress only ca when related artifacts were excavated.
But Ian was unearthing massive amounts of information at an incredible pace.
Ian simply said he'd used the power of 'necromancy', but...
Hadn't other necromancers tried the sa research before?
Countless attempts had been made to summon the great wizard's soul.
But only Ian had achieved proper results.
Was it just overwhelming talent?
Eredith couldn't tell.
She could have demanded an explanation from Ian directly, but she wanted her disciple to focus on his research.
"I'll do that."
"Really?"
"Of course I need to present my research process."
Of course, so might find it hard to believe.
Ian's magic was... closer to divine arts than magic.
Currently, the Sky God and Ice God - two supre mysteries - were helping Ian's magic.
Until now, Ian hadn't gone around announcing this.
No need to draw attention unnecessarily. Plus it let him keep so of his power hidden.
But when he presented his Maronius research records at the seminar, Ian's magic would have to be revealed too.
How people would receive it was another matter.
"I see..."
"Master?"
Ian thought Eredith's voice sounded strangely weak.
"Ian. You'll definitely do well."
"...?"
"You've always been like this since you were young. Whatever I taught you, you learned and mastered quickly. Honestly... you were much better than I was at your age." ṙ𝒶Ɲο฿ĚS
"Master, why suddenly..."
Eredith smiled at Ian as if nothing was wrong.
...Ian felt strange.
This wasn't like his master at all.
Almost like soone about to leave...
"Work hard on your research."
"Yes, Master."
Eredith left after saying those words to Ian.
After leaving the research room, she whispered into a magical item.
"Inglan. It's . I just t Ian, and he says he can present next month."
[Good. Then shall we proceed with the investigation as planned?]
"Let's do that."
While Ian was busy with research, Eredith wasn't.
Reports had co in about black wizard activity.
After black wizard Pals's attack, no new black wizard activities had been discovered.
But Eredith suspected black wizards were lying low sowhere.
Now that Fargar had declared war in the south, it was the perfect timing for black wizards to act.
She secretly exchanged ssages with Inglan, compiling a list of wizards suspected of being black wizards.
Eredith planned to eliminate all black wizards before Ian's presentation.
That way her disciple's valuable presentation wouldn't reach their ears.
'I need to prepare everything in advance so it won't interfere with Ian's research.'
It was around then that-
"Ah, Professor Eredith."
"Hello, Professor Demonite."
Eredith ran into Demonite in the hallway.
"Actually, I had sothing to discuss with you."
"With ?"
Though Demonite looked confused, Eredith slowly nodded.
"Could you... spare a mont?"
"Of course."
Eredith took Demonite to an unused warehouse.
A place where no ears could listen in.
#
'Presentation next month...'
Ian calculated the dates. It was indeed ti to present his research results.
Previously he'd substituted demonstrations of dark magic when he had no results.
But now that he'd properly done research with his own research room, presenting wasn't optional but mandatory.
"Ian. This side is ready."
"Okay, I'll be right there."
Ian answered while organizing his schedule.
Kira and Maria had finished preparing for the next exploration.
'Almost at the final stage.'
Convincing Maronius's soul had progressed considerably too.
After a few more explorations, he could review Maronius's mories from start to finish.
He might even et an integrated soul rather than fragnted personalities.
Though it wouldn't stay long with Ian... there would still be ti for a few questions.
Ian recalled a story Eredith had told him long ago.
'The universal language, wasn't it?'
The ultimate language Maronius had tried to create.
Honestly, while reviewing Maronius's life, he hadn't found information about such a groundbreaking language.
But once everything was finished, there would be ti to ask about it.
The current souls were fragnted pieces that could only answer about the mories they held.
An integrated personality could surely provide answers.
'But first I need to finish the job properly.'
Ian slowly lay down on the floor.
At the sa ti, he felt a warm presence.
Kira had also lain down beside Ian.
"Ian. Your acting's improved a lot?"
"Really?"
Ian felt slightly happy.
To have his acting acknowledged by a master actor!
Though it was absurd that a wizard needed acting skills, still, it ant Ian had grown.
"Yes. Enough to make Maronius jealous."
Ah, she ant the lover acting.
Ian smirked.
She probably ant Maronius was jealous because Ian wasn't the real Maronius.
By that logic, Liria wasn't the real Liria either - she was Kira acting.
"Sorry for making you do this work."
"Don't be. I'm helping with your research."
Ian and Kira closed their eyes simultaneously.
"...Honestly, it's kind of fun."
"You an Maronius's mories?"
'No. Looking at you through a lover's eyes...'
Kira kept her thoughts to herself.
Maria began assisting with the necromancy.
"Then, let's begin."
Ian and Kira continued their performance.
#
One surprising fact.
Maronius didn't particularly want to see Lupus's downfall.
[Why not?]
Ian asked, genuinely not understanding.
Lupus as a general was, well, decent enough.
No, more than decent - he was a capable imperial general.
You could tell just from how he recognized Maronius's talent and actively used it.
He could have complained about wicked heretical techniques, but he didn't - that earned him points.
But Emperor Lupus was different.
He was just a crazy bastard - why want to defend that?
[He was once my hero.]
[...]
[I don't want to take his life.]
Ian was dumbfounded but nodded anyway.
[I'll be considerate.]
Ian waited for the right mont, then betrayed Lupus.
Since he was destined to be eliminated by Lupus later anyway, he needed to cut that off early.
Betrayed by his trusted right hand, Lupus scread in agony.
"Demius! Even you!"
After ousting Lupus, Ian retired to the countryside with Liria.
Though his father and brother grabbed his coattails and begged-
"Oh, what?"
"Please! Don't leave! Demius! What will we do without you!"
"How should I know? Figure it out yourselves."
Ian talked back rudely to his not-father.
But surprisingly, Maronius liked it.
[Hell yeah! Well said!]
This guy... might unexpectedly like exile story clichés?
The retired Demius enjoyed a peaceful country life.
Still creating magic, taking disciples.
Making babies too...
[We'll skip this part.]
[?!]
[Don't act disappointed.]
Unless shot in the head, this scene wasn't getting aired.
Ian was a wizard, not a porn actor.
The rest of daily life was mostly peaceful.
Though assassins sent by nobles showed up almost daily...
[Maronius. Stop sending assassins!]
[Hm? You're handling them well though?]
[...]
Sending more because he handled them well - he wasn't right in the head.
This was purely imaginary, and Maronius's imagination played a huge part.
Maronius thought 'Ah, soone like in retirent would surely get assassins daily!' and actually sent assassins to Ian every day.
Ian blocked them all.
[Do you hate seeing yourself living well that much?]
[...]
Maronius held his tongue.
By chance... Ian had hit the nail on the head.
[Yes.]
[...Really?]
[Honestly, I can't imagine myself living well.]
Ian sighed.
Maronius seed to have self-hatred.
---
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