Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 58

Right after the Gerhen incident.

The Gray Mage Tower was engulfed in unprecedented chaos.

Given that it was indeed the Master of the Tower who had acted in such a manner before the students, it was only natural.

“Wise and learned scholars, I firmly believe you will show wisdom in handling what transpired here today. Please.”

The Masters present earnestly urged (pleaded with) the students, but deep down, they too vaguely understood.

The possibility that the students, who had witnessed this spectacle firsthand, would suddenly learn the virtue of silence was virtually zero.

In a time of youthful exuberance, these scholars were holed up in a Mage Tower, suffering through the grueling studies of arcane might.

“Did you hear that? It all started with ‘that’—” gossip beginning with students would cause even those engrossed in their studies in the opposite building to rush over on all fours.

“Of course, Master! Just trust us!” With expressions like that, the students dispersed from the scene, only to spread joy throughout the Mage Tower.

“Guys! Guys! You won’t believe what I just saw!?”

And so, for days, the students kept sharing their excitement.

They had achieved a miracle of a ‘100% information dissemination rate’ that was more magical than any spell.

“Did you hear about that?”

“The Gerhen incident, right?”

It was the hot topic whenever students locked eyes.

“What are you guys talking about?”

“Ah! Master Ladros! Master Mortier…!”

“It’s nothing! We were just leaving.”

“Well then.”

“How did our clever scholars turn into gossiping housewives?”

The Masters couldn’t help but sigh at the students’ behavior, yet they did not impose any punishment or reprimand.

“By the way, Master Ladros. Have you heard the news?”

“If you’re talking about the Gerhen incident, then yes, I have.”

“From further investigation, it’s been uncovered that there are signs indicating several students’ accomplishments were usurped.”

Masters weren’t much different themselves.

The fall of Gerhen, the leader of the aristocratic faction wielding significant influence in the Tower.

And to top it off, a black magician was involved?

If one could bear this, they would surely ascend to a historic position as a monk rather than a mage.

Of course.

If it had only been about Gerhen as an individual, the heat that had gripped the Tower wouldn’t have lasted this long.

The one who bore the title of Master representing the Tower had committed a shameful act that even the proud students couldn’t regard as mere entertainment.

Normally, the students would quickly stoke curiosity about such things and then swiftly shake it off.

For the sake of their pride.

Nevertheless, the reason the story of Gerhen was still being discussed was…

“…By the way, Master Ladros. Is it true? Did you witness that person’s duel before the Gerhen incident?”

“Ahem. It just so happened that I had the opportunity.”

“I heard the opponent was Lady Heinya. Is that true?”

“That, I can’t divulge. However, I can only say that it was an incredible duel in many ways.”

“Oh come on, just a bit more detail, please. What made it so incredible?”

“… I guess I have no choice. You may not believe it, but at the time, that person was still at rank 4. And yet—ha, a rank 4 handling materialization, can you believe it?”

“Did you misinterpret something? Wasn’t that person already at rank 5 back then?”

“Let’s settle for that. We’ll leave the conversation here, Master Mortier.”

“Oh, no! Master Ladros!”

It was all thanks to another main character in the story.

Ricir.

Talk of him had already begun circulating quietly within the Tower even before the Gerhen incident unfolded.

It was about an outsider mage who had nullified black magic, unbeknownst to even the Masters.

And up until that point, the Tower’s perception of Ricir had been mixed.

—Master Mortier. What do you think of that person?

—Nonsense.

—Excuse me?

—I hear he couldn’t even name his school or family, yet he manages to solve our Tower’s problems? Tsk. Our Tower’s reputation is…

Though they hadn’t openly displayed hostility like Gerhen, there were many who harbored resentment towards his background.

However.

After the Gerhen incident, the number of such people quickly dwindled and totally vanished.

—Master Mortier. What do you think of that person?

—Are you asking how I regard this Ricir? That young man who enters and exits our Tower like it’s his own?

—Ah, I’m sorry—

—A master of black magic, achieving rank 5 at such a young age, and on top of that, adeptly handling martial skills as if they were second nature?

—Pardon?

—If I may express my thoughts, he’s bound to become a member of our Tower. If not, why would he come and go so freely? I hear he highly respects Master Meltas as a mentor and is close enough to entrust Lady Didoa with a spirit?

He had shown too much for anyone to dismiss him based solely on his origins.

Plus, when you added in the shameful behavior of Gerhen, who had led the charge in discrimination, an unusual trend took root in the Gray Mage Tower.

All Mage Towers are extremely closed-off and conservative.

It’s quite natural for them to discriminate based on someone’s lineage.

But the Gray Mage Tower was showing movements far from that norm.

—If you think about it rationally, what does origin matter to a great mage?

It was the moment when those who discriminated were transformed into the ones being discriminated against—a bizarre Mage Tower was being born.

—

At the Master meeting, when a formal request was made for Didoa’s attendance, she declined.

It was the usual formal and combative play that often transpired among them.

Now, Didoa felt bewildered as that unspoken agreement had crumbled.

It wasn’t just Didoa.

Many Masters, who were usually restricted from attending the meetings due to the strict hierarchies of the noble factions, were filling the seats of the conference room.

Thus, with the noble faction perfectly replaced—

The Masters’ meeting began to unfold under a new phase.

“Ricir.”

Master Ladros, leading this meeting, naturally opened with that name.

“You all must know, but due to this incident, the order is showing considerable interest in him. Remember the high priest Barodros.”

At Ladros’s statement, the crowd buzzed.

At that moment, Master Mortier, sitting to Didoa’s left, spoke with pride.

“That’s to be expected.”

“…Master Mortier, why are you so proud?”

Unable to hold back her confusion, Didoa asked.

“?”

Mortier turned his gaze to Didoa with an expression of disbelief.

“Why shouldn’t I be? After all, that Ricir is the pride of our Tower—”

At that moment, Mortier’s eyes widen.

Oh!

Come to think of it, Ricir wasn’t part of our Tower, was he!

“My goodness. Everywhere I go in the Tower, I hear that name and momentarily got confused.”

“Pull yourself together, Mortier. You might offend Ricir.”

Just then, Master Meltas, who was sitting to Didoa’s right, made a statement.

“What do you mean by that, Master Meltas?”

Then another Master sitting next to Meltas chimed in.

“Isn’t that person already a member of our Tower?”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Isn’t it the fact that you, Master Meltas, recommended him as a supporter? If that proposal gets passed, he’s effectively a member of our Tower.”

“…Strictly speaking, a supporter is more of an outsider, isn’t it? That contract can be terminated at any time based on mutual consent.”

“!”

Suddenly, she had the same expression as Mortier.

“Come to think of it, the supporter could also unilaterally revoke the contract. I had nearly forgotten it since it’s hardly ever happened. Unlike other supporters, Ricir might very well have the opportunity to do that since he wouldn’t be disadvantaged like others.”

Meltas lamented.

Oh! Was I seen like that in Ricir’s eyes?

He’s making fools out of all the Masters in our Tower!

Meanwhile, similar conversations were unfolding in another part of the meeting room.

This meeting was organized to discuss Ricir’s future treatment.

After listening to the Masters’ discussions, Ladros tapped the table.

All Masters ceased conversing in unison and turned their attention to him.

“From gathering opinions, I’d like to propose one thing. What about appointing Ricir as our Tower’s official mage?”

“That’s a proposal well made!”

Meltas and Didoa flinched.

The shout came from Master Mortier, who sat next to them, clapping his hands loudly.

Applause erupted from various corners of the room.

“An official mage? Now that’s a radical treatment.”

“Indeed, it’s a fitting recognition for him.”

“That was exactly what I intended to say.”

“I agree! Let’s proceed without delay!”

“When should we set the date for the appointment ceremony?”

“The sooner, the better! Before any vile hands reach out toward Ricir!”

“Then, let’s hold the appointment ceremony as soon as Ricir regains consciousness!”

“I agree!”

Didoa watched them with her characteristic emotionless gaze.

“Master Meltas, do you see that?”

“Yeah. I can’t believe it either. Those insane people are the brilliant Masters I know.”

“That’s not it; they all like Ricir. If I tell this to Ricir, it would make him happy, right? I hope he wakes up soon. Oh, by the way, I cooked a whole pot of death stew for Ricir at his residence. The high priest said Ricir would wake up soon, so I wondered if he’d be hungry when he wakes up—”

“I get it, so calm down, Didoa. If you react like that in this situation, the Tower will be beyond redemption.”

Tap, tap.

Meltas knocked on the table, focusing everyone’s attention.

“I can’t hold back any longer. You all. Why do you speak as if Ricir is already an official mage?”

“What do you mean, Master Meltas? You’re not seriously opposing the idea of appointing him as an official mage, are you?”

Starting with Master Mortier, the Masters began raining protests down on Meltas.

“Master Meltas! Didn’t you have ties with Ricir?”

“Master Meltas! I misjudged you!”

Sighing again at the sight of his colleagues, Meltas said.

“You all aren’t considering Ricir’s will at all.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“In previous conversations I had, it seemed Ricir didn’t wish to become an official mage of the Tower. More precisely, he expressed discomfort towards the obligations and responsibilities that come with being a mage of the Tower.”

“…!”

Ah! It’s true that Master Meltas knew Ricir!

Look over there! Ricir’s friend is speaking up!

The Masters, who had been throwing tantrums at Mortier, were now calmly paying attention to Meltas.

Seeing that, Meltas couldn’t help but sigh again and continued speaking.

“Thus, my suggestion is this. Let’s propose to him the position of an honorary mage instead of an official one.”

“So he may refuse the official mage position, but would accept the honorary mage title. Is that it?”

“If that’s the case, then let’s do it!”

“When should we set the date for the appointment ceremony—”

“…”

No.


Let’s not hastily finalize it without considering Ricir’s wishes first!

Meltas rubbed his forehead wearily and addressed Didoa, the only sane person in the room.

“Didoa, what do you think?”

“I’m excited to be able to partake in this significant event for Ricir.”

“Oh… I see…”

Meltas looked up at the ceiling.

Ricir. I’m not sure if this means the future of the Tower has become brighter or darker because of you.

—

“So, I’ve disturbed your rest, haven’t I? The Masters really do have a way of pestering… I’m truly ashamed.”

Seeing Meltas start with an explanation or excuse only to end in lamentation, Ricir couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Not at all, Master Meltas. Thank you for your concern. But who were those two just now?”

Ricir peered through the closed door.

A woman in a blue robe and an elf in a green robe.

They had momentarily stepped out upon Meltas’s request of, ‘We have an urgent matter to discuss with him, so could you momentarily step outside?’

“They are investigators from another Tower.”

“Investigators?”

“When there’s an incident related to black magic, a Mage Tower is required to report it to at least two other Towers for validation. Those people came to request a meeting with you regarding that. Once their validation is complete, the black magician incident will finally come to a close.”

“I understand now why people freak out about black magicians. Is it that bothersome?”

“Due to the past, when a necromancer was born from neglect by a Tower, this regulation came to be. As inconvenient as it seems, it’s essential.”

“Are you referring to that necromancer back then?”

“… There’s only one person alive who can recall their encounter with the necromancer as you just did.”

Meltas chuckled, glancing at the door.

“Anyway, if you’re alright with it—”

“Right now? Are you serious?”

Pamon shot an icy glare at Meltas.

Interpreting it as ‘a wife concerned about her husband’, Meltas grew anxious.

“I thought Ricir seemed fine… Besides, they’re just stalling as they await final procedures…”

“That final procedure, is it about speaking with me?”

“Merely a formality. You just have to say, ‘I am the one from the report’, and they’ll respond, ‘So you are the one from the report’.”

“In that case, let’s wrap this up quickly.”

Crack, crack.

Ricir stood up from the bed and stretched.

“Just in time; I wanted to get some fresh air. Can we talk while walking outside?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then I’ll be on my way. If I see my condition worsening when we meet again, be prepared.”

As Ricir was about to step out with Pamon…

“Oh, by the way, Ricir. I almost forgot to mention this.”

“Please go ahead.”

“Don’t charm those two.”

“?”

“My wording might sound a bit odd. What I mean is, have some pity on the Masters of the Gray Tower. Well, as you converse, you’ll understand what I mean.”

As they stepped outside, the gazes of the investigators were fixed on Ricir.

He pointed to the courtyard stretched out beyond the residence.

“Let’s discuss as we walk.”

—

About 10 minutes of walking with the investigators.

Ricir couldn’t help but feel the entirely formal nature of Meltas’s description of the encounter.

The woman in the blue robe, who had been jotting things down in her notebook while maintaining a very formal tone, finally closed her notebook.

“Is that it?”

“It is.”

“What are the results of the investigation?”

Melts, who had been trailing behind keeping his distance, approached and asked.

“There are a few points that raise questions.”

“Go ahead.”

“According to the report, his level is rank 4, but currently, his magical energy is significantly impaired, so we can’t verify it accurately.”

“That’s—”

“We will not make the judgment.”

“… I see.”

Enna looked at Ricir with chilling eyes.

Her gaze, which fundamentally held a hint of frost, now carried a different kind of iciness since realizing Ricir’s background was inferior.

A person with no notable family or school reached the level of rank 4 at this age?

Moreover, he possesses such incredible abilities in black magic?

Although Enna felt disgruntled—she raised no further questions.

After all, no one less than the high priest of the order was guaranteeing the innocence of the Gray Mage Tower.

Once the church was involved, the role of the investigators was merely a formality.

“Let’s conclude the investigation. Any objections, Latsiel?”

“None.”

The master of the Green Mage Tower, the elf Latsiel, who had been on the fringe for different reasons, replied decisively.

Ricir thought about the two before him.

Had he been genuinely inspected by such people, he probably would have suffocated to death.

“You both must have had a tough time. I assume you plan to return right away? I’ll see you off.”

“No. We still have business remaining.”

“I would say the same.”

“Um?”

Melts, who had been waiting for such a moment, was startled by the reaction of the two.

He had been desperate to send them off, but surprise was the last thing he anticipated.

“What is this business?”

Could it be just a feeling?

The ice-cold ambiance that had surrounded Enna seemed to thaw slightly.

“I heard while being here that there is a genius mage who has reached rank 5 before even turning twenty, and is currently residing at the Gray Mage Tower.”

“…!”

“I’m interested in seeing who that person is. I wish to exchange knowledge with him.”

As soon as Enna finished, Latsiel promptly stated his purpose.

“I discovered a mysterious spirit within the Tower. I wish to communicate with that child, but it continues to refuse. I heard that there is a human whom the child recognizes as its master— I wish to speak with him.”

…

Had other Masters heard what was said, they might have reacted like a furious monkey throwing stones.

Meltas strained to avoid giving Ricir a glance.