The 31st Piece Turns the Tables

Episode 573:

Mazur’s last semester.

It is a time when even those who have postponed their decision to enter an academic academy can no longer put it off.

It was a confusing time for both those who gave up on going to college and those who were worried about which academy they could go to.

In Mazur’s case, there were no irreplaceable options, but the Academy was different.

When it comes to entering an academic academy, your options have significantly expanded.

First of all, the range of academic academies you can enter varies depending on your aptitude and grades, and also varies depending on whether or not you can receive a letter of recommendation.

Kagon’s academy had completely different teaching methods depending on the type of magic.

The keynote of education was to foster deep magicians rather than fostering versatile magicians.

The magic stem that branched out from the first mages was still branching out into new fields, but mages usually preferred academies with a long history.

Such academies were very difficult to enter and were specialized in one field.

Although the elements were diverse, the theories that dealt with them had similar aspects, so they were called the elements as a whole.

It was a time when elemental science was also treated as magic, and black magic also belonged to orthodox magic.

Up until this point, most people who had studied at Mazur Academy without any problems would not have any trouble entering the academy.

Even in Kagon and Mazur, there were only two academies that did not have many students going on to higher education.

Alfani, an academy that teaches time magic, was the first magician to discover this power, but was warned to stay away from its dangers.

And Omugin, who specializes in training in word magic, is by no means inferior to him.

Even Ur, the first mage who hoped to open the path to magic to all, did not take issue with the admission policies of the two academies.

The admission policies of the two academies were very unique and different.

The Academy of Temporal Magic, Alfani, only allowed entry to the ruling class of Khagon.

Temporal magic was only available to a few, mostly those who understood its danger and power and would not use it carelessly.

Also, because it was the power most affected by magical material, or talent, bloodline played the most important role.

The 10 bloodlines closest to magic.

Alternatively, only those who showed outstanding research results were allowed to advance to Alfani.

Next, Omugin.

At first glance, magic was a mysterious power whose source had not yet been identified.

In reality, handling that power required an extreme understanding of principles and principles.

This was the reason why, although they could use magic, very few magicians reached the proper level.

Even the number of educators was so insufficient that part of the curriculum had to be covered by lectures by great mages.

The only condition for Omugin to advance to school was grades.

Student personality evaluation and career paths were not taken into consideration. We mobilize all of the nation’s capabilities to forcibly allocate bright talent. This cannot be refused by the student.

The wizard’s greed for knowledge is enormous.

It was important to be able to get a little closer to knowledge rather than someone’s dream.

“Yuriko.”

“President Pien.”

While entering school, Yuriko had a private meeting with Pien, the president of Mazur.

“Do you have any idea why I called you?”

“I thought it would be a matter of going to college….”

“That’s right. “Sit down.”

Whoop…

President Pien sipped the flavored tea to his lips and kept his eyes on Yuriko.

“I know you well. “Your father too.”

“… yes.”

“I had a close personal relationship with Lord Ascent.”

Then why didn’t you come? At the end of my father’s life.

“… You said you stayed alone?”

I faced my father alone when he broke his neck. I had to endure it alone.

Why did you…

“I was probably the last person Lord Asent came to visit.”

“… yes? “Mr. President, that is….”

Those words were completely unexpected.

“He asked me to. Please watch over me. If you live your life steadfastly, you will be satisfied with it. “You…”

The glasses on his nose become foggy with the smoke from the hot tea.

“It’s okay to live without knowing anything. “Well, most people live that kind of life.”

“….”

If I had wanted to become a painter, I probably would have lived that kind of life.

“But I said that if your goal is to go on to higher education… and become a mage, I can tell you what I know.”

These were the words I needed the most.

“President, please tell me. “What… happened to your father?”

“Lord Ascent has been conducting dangerous research recently. I don’t know what kind of research it was… but I can guess. “Because it’s that professional accent.”

Froy Ascent.

A mage of time overflowing with glory.

“Okay time. “The person closest to explaining why Sir Ascent had to endure such a harsh situation is probably his co-researcher, Sir Vieric.”

B.Eric.

“Whatever it is, it will most likely have to do with your father’s death. He might not be pleased with your choice even now. But… you’ll have to keep him in mind if you want to find out everything. “Don’t get too close or too far away.”

“… I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Then now we can talk about going on to higher education. “I guess that’s where it is, right?”

“…Can I ask you a favor?”

“I will write you a letter of recommendation, Alfani.”

“thank you!”

President Pien gave Yuriko what she needed.

“It was decided that Asmodon would go to Omugin… do you know?”

“I heard about it last night.”

“Two special relations too.”

“….”

“It’s fun to have such outstanding abilities that can’t be distinguished between superiors and inferiors… and it’s even more fun to have such young people as your best friends.”

Pien laughed.

“You two will be good competitors and good collaborators.”

“You’re a friend.”

Between being summarized in one word.

“Go forward. I don’t know what your fate will be, but don’t look too deeply into it.”

“… I’m leaving, President.”

“I know.”

I did not respond to meaningless words.

Because I’m already caught up in fate.

* * *

Four years have passed since I entered the academy.

Every year at Kagon, all academies hold a graduation ceremony together. If you think about it this way, it would be assumed to be huge, but in reality, even across all academies, there were not many graduates.

Among them, there are very few graduates of Alfani and Omugin.

Once you leave the academy, you will shed the label of an apprentice mage and assume the status of a low-level mage.

Since a low-level mage is not yet a proper mage who can act alone, one mage must take charge of him and teach him practical skills.

“This year…are there only two who will be put into practical work as soon as they graduate?”

“It’s sad… but I guess I should say it’s amazing that my ability has been recognized. “Is there only two more than that?”

“Last year was exceptional in the element and black magic fields. “I’ve taken that many, so I won’t be picking them up for a while.”

“… As soon as you graduate from Alfani and Omugin, you go to work at a magic agency… Isn’t this the first time this has happened?”

“This is the first time this has happened. “The moment I become an official mage, I will become a member of the council.”

“Awful guys….”

“They are monsters. Those who are already paying attention….”

President PIEN stands on the podium and gives advice and concerns about the future.

Now the most important moment awaited.

Name was called.

“Asmodon, the second son of the Myra family, and Yuriko, the eldest son of the Froy family. “Please come forward.”

A certificate awarded on behalf of graduates.

The two young people who will carry the future of Kagon were met by adults with unfamiliar faces.

“Hugo Vieric, a member of the Cagon Time Council, and Senior Researcher Gamel Olga, a member of the Senior Mage Truth Research Society, presented an award…”

Vieric.

You…

Yuriko shook hands with the certificate.

A person related to his father’s death.

But when shaking hands with Berik, something was conveyed to Yuriko.

A small key and a note.

Yuriko doesn’t show it.

“Congratulations on graduating with excellent grades.”

The graduation ceremony has ended.

The two will be put into actual combat starting tomorrow.

Yuriko did what was written in Berik’s note before that.

Kkeikiik…

“Welcome.”

“…Lord Wierik.”

“So what about tailing?”

“There was none. “As far as I know.”

“Did you tell anyone you were coming here?”

“…for friends.”

“… You probably needed a safety device too. “I understand.”

Why did Berik invite him here?

“Lord Vierik, I….”

“I don’t have much time, so just listen to what I have to say.”

“But…”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“….”

Wierik said.

“Your father, Lord Ascent, and I have become involved in a dangerous research.”

“Dangerous research?”

Sigh…

Vierik hands over a new note.

“Take it. “You will find out what this is later.”

“Lord Vierik, how did my father….”

“As the research progressed, I learned that someone in the empire did not want this research.”

“That someone…”

“Everything will be recorded in the note I delivered. Don’t reveal your true feelings to anyone. If you want to live long, if you want to solve that question…”

Thump thump…

“Are you inside Lord Vierik?”

Vierik’s eyes widened and he hurriedly moved Yuriko somewhere. Yuriko was confirmed that there really was a secret passage in this place.

Kkeikik…

“What’s going on?”

“I need a drink, right?”

The magician smiles as he lifts the bottle.

The eyes turn like snakes.

Jiiiing –

He who activates magic detection.

“… I thought we were talking?”

“What are you talking about? “I don’t know if the old man’s muttering to himself is also a story.”

“… I guess I heard wrong.”

The next day, Yuriko heard the news that Wierik committed suicide due to poor research results.

* * *

“Asmodon.”

“… huh.”

“Why didn’t my father tell me directly?”

“….”

“Cooperate with Lord Vierik. “Get the answer from him.”

wasted time.

The vigilance toward Berik delayed reaching the truth.

It’s a mistake.

“Lord Ascent…maybe he was trying to prevent you from accessing secrets at a premature age?”

“….”

At first glance, this is a reasonable statement.

Now the threads of fate have become tangled again.

All that’s left is a key and a note with a number on it.

Soon after, the two became affiliated with the magic organization Chironco and were put in charge of practical work.

They dispersed to different fields and worked together with senior mages.

Asmodon and Yuriko were focused on getting through the reality that was immediately in front of them.

The path one had to go through to become a mage was not easy enough to be overlooked.

Seven years have passed.

Asmodon Yurico.

22 years old.

They finally become official magicians capable of independent activities.

The two showed quite remarkable achievements in practice and earned the honorable title of being the youngest full-time magicians in history.

Now, if they take just one more step, they are now official mages.

The magic oath.

The final gateway to becoming a mage.

Although it was not a particularly special process, it was a process that allowed us to confirm the size and power of the mage.

The magician calls those close to them and announces in front of them that they will become magicians. This process is usually carried out grandly.

Because the external reputation of a magician varies depending on how many and powerful people show off their power in the magic oath.

It will definitely be helpful to the mage’s future work.

Asmodon and Yuriko.

People who look forward to being invited to these monsters who are said to be the youngest official mage. Everyone was interested because he was a mage who would become a pillar of Kagon in the future.

However, no one called the two people at the center of the incident.

No one except two.

Not only acquaintances, but even family.

Asmodon became distant from his parents, who were ordinary lower-class nobles, from the moment he entered the magic world. The same was true for orphaned Yuriko.

Even so, there has never been anything like this in history since it was a magic oath with only one person watching.

But that’s who they are.

They are the new history.

Jiiiiiiing –

Jiiiiiiing –

Draw a magic circle and infuse magical power.

Usually, people who visit the mage around this time give gifts to the mage’s minions.

A very secular ritual.

This is an event where mages can officially receive bribes before their names are engraved on the Kagon mage roster.

It was also his intention to ask visitors not to forget the favor he showed to them before he became a mage.

Instead, it was hard to say, but the two prepared gifts for each other.

Sigh…

“What is this?”

What Asmodon presented to Yuriko was a mask.

“… mask.”

“Wow, it’s so cool. thank you so much. “For giving me something that really sucks.”

“…Can you say it right away like that?”

“No, thank you, but it really sucks. ha ha ha!”

“okay? “Will you change your mind when you see this?”

Jiiiing –

A mask that splits in half when magical power is injected into it.

“… how is it?”

Asmodon wears a half mask.

“… Is it pretty?”

Yuriko shares the remaining half.

“That sounds plausible, like some kind of mysterious mage.”

“Uh-huh! “Now you’re a mage.”

“Yes, because we are magicians…”

A magician who seemed like he would never become one.

“… Lord Asent would have blessed you if he had seen you the way you are now.”

“Is that so?”

“ruler! Now show me your gift. “If I become a mage, I’ll be more snobby, so I’ll pay attention to you.”

Yuriko smiled shyly and took something out of her pocket and placed it in Asmodon’s hand.

“… This.”

Click.

“Pocket watch?”

Pocket watch with engraving.

– May those who are courageous have good luck in their future.

“Press it one more time.”

Click.

– Asmodon.

“… It’s pretty good.”

“I hope you take a good look at it.”

“What is it? “I don’t care.”

They both laugh.

And Yuriko speaks with half of her expression not covered by the mask.

“Asmodon, this far… I wouldn’t have made it if I was alone.”

“No, you…”

“I am clumsy and inadequate. But… I feel like I can do anything with you.”

Asmodon laughs.

“So did I.”

Yuriko said, scratching her head.

“So, now that I’ve become a mage, my words have weight, right? “Now, I will swear not as Froi Yuriko, but as Mage Yuriko.”

“….”

The mage’s oath is heavy.

“I will always be with you. “I will be on your side.”

Asmodon gave the same decision as the day Yuriko decided to become a mage.

“…Of course, me too.”

The two mages walked towards their fate.

To a fate that is only a few steps away.