Return of the Class 8 Mage
2. Back to 30 years ago
30 Years Back to the Past
“Uuuurrg.....!”.
As Ian regained his consciousness, the first thing he felt was nausea. Her nausea was so severe, she felt like vomiting.
‘What happened?’
Hurry up, he's looking for his chest. The blood, the wounds, the pain, he didn't feel any of that. He was sure something unusual happened.
“Ian, what's wrong with you?”
Ian's heart was racing. Even the nausea disappeared instantly. A familiar and unforgettable voice. That unforgettable voice, the one he so longed for, tickled his left ear.
“Bu, mom .....?”
His mother had been gone a long time. Sound ‘Page Vanessa.’ Ian never knew that one day would come he would meet her again.
‘Did I succeed?’
Or did I fall into the world of the dead? Clasping his mother's hand tightly, Ian looked around.
“Next!”
“Je, Jess from Lloyd Village!”
“Lloyd? There's a village called Lloyd?”
“The village is very far away and rural....”.
“Hmph! It's okay, come in.”
“A, a, a does it really exist, a true Mage inside?”
“Well, you'll know if you're in, right?”
“Ah. Yes!”
Thousands of children seem to have lined up for this. Mixed in this line are Ian and Vanessa. Controlling the soaring crowd were the rugged and ugly-looking soldiers of the master's castle. A flag with the symbol of the Ivory Tower fluttered above the pure white tent.
Drinking in the scenery, Ian could assess his current situation.
‘It looks like I have .... succeeded.’
His smaller hands are further proof of his success.
He had traveled exactly 30 years ago. Back before the Continent was united under the name Greenriver. He could guess the exact number of years because of the current situation. All children lined up for ‘checked’, each region forced to do ‘Mana’ Reaction Test.
‘It is a mandatory test for every child who is 10 years old.’
Before returning, Ian was forty years old. With the consequences of logical deduction, he had traveled back 30 years into the past.
“I have come back further than I thought possible.”
Not 10, not 20, but 30 years. Of course, this is not a bad result. No, it's kind of fantastic.
“I'm just trying to wipe the blood on my hand.”
The reason he studied the Dragon Song, his pursuit of Time Magic, was to erase the evidence of the destruction he had created with his magic. To uproot and branch history, and transform it completely. Such was his justification before he was poisoned by the Emperor.
‘Well, I can't let it end again with a knife on my back.’
Under the pretext of being friends, he had made many concessions. Being loyal is more than just being tolerant. This has caused infinite misery. His best friend, Emperor Ragnar, turned traitor. Utilized his life, in the end, all of it leads to his death.
‘This life has been given to me, I will not be led by anyone.’
For such a belief to prove true, he would have to find it again. The power of a Cla.s.s 8 Magician, and advanced above that power. Whynot? Because he had already walked on that road once. He would run towards her in an instant and aim further ahead.
“Next!”
When Ian reached liver resolution, it was the turn of the Mana Reaction Test.
“I'll be back.”
Ian tried to comfort his mother whose face was full of worry.
Walking forward to the soldier in front of the tent, he spoke, “Ian, from Mogrian Village. ”
“Mogrian..... Ah, are you our son Vanessa?”
Ian's mother was the kitchen maid at the master's palace. To a kitchen maid, she was beautiful for a mistake that many soldiers licked her for. They saw her as an easy target, because she was a widow and a kitchen maid.
“Please and do not disturb Mage with useless questions.”
The soldier's eyes were wet as his gaze focused on Ian's mother. Something Ian had never noticed in the ignorance of his youth.
‘I may have to fix his view immediately.’
Swear, Ian entered the tent. In the tent there was a young delegation of Mage and three Knights, standing guard.
“Mr Aaron, how many children are left?”
“I'm sure you still have to spend a few hours on this task.”
“Hah..…..”
Was it because the Mage had already tested several hundred children? The Mage's voice was filled with fatigue.
‘This brings me back to the beautiful past.’
During his time as an apprentice Mage, Ian was sent to perform one of these tests. Although he was not as tired as the Mage in front of him, it was definitely due to his rural and desolate village.
“The situation here must be different.”
This is the province of Mogrian. One of the four largest regions in the Empire, it is called ‘Great Province.’ The area is wide enough that there must be thousands of children who have to take the exam.
“True, son. Coming closer.”
With a soft voice, Mage called out to Ian. Other than him being a Mage, he seemed to be a polite noble. Although Ian was a Mage, the arrogance of most Mages knew no bounds.
‘If they can be worse than the nobles than they do.’
Witches are precious. So rare were they, that most ordinary people could barely meet a single one in their entire lives. With the value of a Mage, the number of their own employees was small.
Among the Magicians, 90% stayed in Class 1 for the rest of their lives. The authority of a Class 1 Magician was the next best thing to becoming a minor noble. From Class 4 onwards, they were not even afraid of the greater power of nobles.
‘They say the number of Magicians is proportional to the strength of the nation.’
Therefore, they perform the mandatory Mana Reaction Test. To find and maintain only one more Mage for their nation.
“For now, will you lower your head for a moment?”
The first attribute, ‘Mana Brain,’ The part of the brain responsible for manifesting magic. This attribute cannot be obtained, the person is inherently born with it.
“I'll slightly stab your head with Mana. You can feel dizzy, but it's only for a moment so don't worry.”
“Good. Now, turn your back to face me.”
Second attribute, ‘Mana Heart.’ A place that stores, produces, and circulates Mana, a complete organ. The place he was piercing the dirk engraved spell.
“Hmmm.”
The test ended after the evidence of the existence of Mana Heart. If both attributes are proven, the examinee is given the direct privilege of attending the Magic Academy.
As in the past, Ian did not feel confident. He felt there was something ‘kurang’.
“Why are you standing?”
Ian hesitated to see the Mage rushing over. As if reminding him of something, the Mage started spewing out words.
“Ah, I just found your Mana Brain. Whatdoes thatmean? This means that life will spin right in front of your nose. But only if, you have Mana Heart. So hurry up, and turn around.”
The magician never imagined that a reaction would appear this year.
Hearing the part about “ his life will turn around”, Ian hurriedly turned to continue his Mana Heart test, but he stopped because he had higher ambitions than a simple change in life.
‘Simple Academy Admissions are not enough.’
Ian needs the best start, right from the starting line. While he lacked Mana, it did not mean there was no other way. Should he be a little more courageous?
“Eh, Mage.”
Deciding, Ian opened his mouth. His childish voice still felt strange.
“There's something I want to show you.”
“A letter? Well, something like that .....”.
Yeah, there's a lot like that. Children bring ‘surat’ or ‘gift’ as a tribute. The calm-minded Ian had also experienced it. Without a doubt, this noble also had a similar situation.
“There is nothing like it.”
But, what Ian wanted to show was something completely different. Something that will increase its value exponentially.
Witchcraft. What's again?
Waw!
In Ian's hand, flames the size of a fist erupted. Basic magic belongs to Class 1, ‘Fire Ball.’
“Bola api.....?”
At Mage's reaction, Ian was satisfied. In his other hand, Ian made a tear-shaped ball of water. This time is ‘Aquaball’.
“Double Casting ......?”
The Mage's eyes were wide open. The Knights watching nearby had the same disposition. This little boy uses magic? Not entering the Academy's doorway, this brat used magic during the Mana Reaction Test? And on top of that, Double Casting?
This is positively a major incident without such precedent in history.
“I don't know.”
The Witch's face craved an answer, and Ian stared straight at the Witch's face without budging. Without dropping a single syllable, Ian continued.
“It just started working one day.”
“…….. What?”
What nonsense does this boy say?
This kid, he's suspicious.
“Maybe, did someone teach you such a skill?”
“Not really. I don't remember anything like that happening.”
“Bulkah?”
The witch cast an Interrogation Magic as she asked a question. Magic checks for instinctive biological responses such as heart rate spikes or pupil dilation.
“Think clearly before answering. Any lie can lead you to be declared a traitor. What I'm talking about is that you, your family, even your neighbors are executable. ”
Mage's words were not to incite fear. With benefits beyond one's imagination, so was the existence of Mages tightly regulated. Each Mage was under the administration of the Empire and the Ivory Tower. Any unregistered Mage is considered a traitor. Likewise, teaching magic without permission. It expanded to a specific organizational setting to observe their every action.
“What reason should I lie to you?”
Ian knew the reality of it all better than anyone else. He even admitted to the Interrogation Magic summoned by the Mage. But he continued his lie.
“Because I really didn't learn it from anyone.”
Basic Mana prayers and some magic spells. All that, he realized through self-study in his previous life. All of them, in the exact period of 3 months between passing the Mana Reaction Test and waiting for the new season of the Magic Academy.
‘Fallless genius doesn't sound so bad.’
Ian first was a certified genius. Was he not the first Class 8 Mage human ever seen? It was just that in his previous life, he was an ordinary genius. In this new life, he would become a legendary existence among Magicians, a genius among geniuses who would associate him with ‘First Magician.’
“Hu hu.
The Mage's mouth split open and from there, laughter came. There were so many suspicious angles to the story the boy spewed out. But the thing is, the Magic Interrogation doesn't work. Can the child somehow control his basic instincts on purpose? To fool the Magic Interrogation?
“But it doesn't make sense.”
Mage could affirm, such an action was impossible. Only the spies that assimilate daily and the extreme training that is maximal can become this unresponsive.
“There are two conclusions to this.”
Either this kid is the most prominent spy in history.
Or the.
‘She has talent ‘First Witch.”
A legend that the Mage would hear at least once. For ordinary people, they believe magic is rooted in Dragons. For the Witches, they believe in ‘First Witch.’
‘Both sides are beyond my wildest imagination.’
As the deepest thoughts of the Mage began to lean towards the later ones….
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“Ple, please stop this!”
“Shu, shu! Don't you know there's an important person inside?”
The sound of fighting could be heard outside. From the soldiers guarding the tent lid, and Ian's mother.