Return of the Class 8 Mage
63. Full-scale war (2)

Full Scale War (2)

Herbert, the ruler of the tower, went on vacation without a plan.

Official explanation is ‘health problems’.

As this is an open holiday, the responsibility of the tower lord is temporarily delegated to the oldest witch, ‘Deckard’, the, and any important report to the ruler of the tower or any issue requiring urgent decision is handled through the assistant of the witch, ‘Marco’, by her traveling to the residence of the ruler of the tower.

 “There are many problems he has to deal with in the last few days.”

 “And his old age also plays a role.”

Hearing the reason, most of the occupants of the Ivory Tower nodded. The delegation procession was a difficult task at first for an old man. Although he was in good health compared to his peers with magic power, it was impossible to cheat for decades.

 “In addition, there is also a problem with Ian?”

Furthermore, rumors about him feeling the pressure with the appearance of a Grade 6 Ian had also circulated.

The tower lord and Ian, the fact that different masters exist for the two pillars of the Ivory Tower has been a hot topic of conversation.

 “Alright then. How did things change?”

 “What, suddenly?”

“Are we with crown prince or with imperial prince?”

 “Who knows, it will be determined by the top echelon.”

 “Well, you're right, we're just nobles outside. But here...”.

While many such conversations took place around the two, the tower lord and Ian, Ian was sitting in his research lab. For some reason, Marco was with him.

 “Is the tower lord very sick?”

Ian has spoken frequently with Marco, who has returned to the Ivory Tower. It was because he could hear the news about his hometown in the Mogrian Region, as recently as 2 years earlier. It happened at least until a while ago. There is no reason to be suspicious because the two, Ian and Marco, believe that it is an exciting opportunity.

 “Nothing to worry too much about.”

“That's a relief.”

However, such a pleasant conversation had been interrupted at some point. It was right after the tower load came back. Originally, it was because of the atmosphere of the Ivory Tower, but now, it did not seem to be so.

 ‘The person himself has changed.’

Ian began to feel a strange alienation from Marco. That feeling is also present at this moment. The same face, the same voice, and the same tone as before, but such alienation could not be hidden. He felt suspicious from the start, but was eventually confirmed.

 “If there is nothing more to say ...”

 “Please, please wait a minute.”

Ian stopped Marco.

There's still something to verify. It was just that he needed some time to think before that.

 ‘Does he slowly want to see it through to the end?

The reason why the tower lord suddenly went on a long vacation.

It wasn't hard for Ian to guess.

Health problems are just an excuse.

 “He will definitely plan.”

To eradicate rivals ‘politiknya’.

Plan to find that method.

Or prepare to perfect the method.

Of course, the target was Ian himself.

 ‘I can roughly imagine his secret plan.’

Ian had no grudge against the tower lord. No, there's no. In their past lives, they served the same master, so there was no reason to face each other. Because he knows his true nature, exclusion is based only on a personal perspective

 ‘The situation is now somewhat changed.’

 ‘The situation is now somewhat changed.’

In fact, supporting Ragnard was a very appropriate decision. He was the optimal candidate for the post of king no matter what was on his mind. So, he wanted to finish it right. Being a ‘win’ against the ruler of the tower, rather than crossing the line to cause ‘total destruction’, was Ian's initial plan.

 ‘No need to hurt family members ..’

However, the tower lord had crossed the line.

He had also hurt members of Ian's family.

Valuable things he got after he came back.

How could he just let it go?

He brought wrath upon himself.

 ‘Black magic ...’

Ian knows black magic. In fact, he was considered to be on the side that was considered to be extremely expert in it. He had researched it before, as a forerunner thought that it would help in his quest to reach a higher grade level. Of course it was ineffective and as a result the level of interest dried up as expected.

 ‘It's even inhuman.’

Magic often requires ‘inhuman resources’ out of nowhere. The source of life or spirit, it was understandable why it was forbidden. But, the tower lord was involved in that magic. Is that everything?

 ‘Black magic capable of controlling magicians means.’

Ian thought while looking at Marco. If indeed it was as expected, if the sense of perceived alienation from Marco was black magic, it was possible that the tower lord had crossed a river that could not return.

 “Master Marco.”

He's throwing his mind away.

Then he secretly called Marco.

 “If I come to the wrong conclusion, I respectfully apologize.”

 “Sorry?”

“What you mean...”.

Ian did not answer again.

Instead, he lifted the big prairie stick straight up.

And, he quickly absorbed mana.

 There is a technique ‘Cancellation’ engraved on the stick.

He would execute the magic exalted through that spell.

 “Great Cancellation.”

A dense gray light enveloped Marco. The intensity is even difficult compared to the initial cancellation. If the spell ‘cancellation’ is to eliminate certain supporting magic, ‘cancellation great’ is a ‘anti-magic’ spell that will remove the entire opponent magic.  

 “Aak, aak...!”

The effect was felt immediately. Marco was in pain and felt nauseous as Ian had expected. Vomiting dark energy, instead of rolling around in vomiting, is an absolute confirmation.

 “Argh, Auuk! A-wg-uk! auuk! Auk....!”

Marco spewed out dark energy for a while.

He started breathing fast as if he had just regained consciousness.

His breathing was rough as if he had just been saved from drowning.

 “How do you feel?”

 “Auk! Me, me, Auk! Now it's…. Why...?”

It wasn't the same Marco a moment ago. He looks confused. Sweat covered his face and dark red-colored eyes spoke loudly about how he felt. It had been a few days that he had moved beyond his own volition.

 “Marco. Please look at me. You okay what?”

 “I, Ian..?”

Marco finally recognized Ian. At the same time, he could assess the situation a little. His memories had returned to the previous time when he had fallen under the black magic spell and the exploding headache he had experienced earlier seemed to slowly subside.

 “I, I think I'm dreaming ..”

 “I, I think I'm dreaming ..”

 “I don't think it's a dream.”

 “If it's not a dream...”.

 “That must have been the deed of the tower lord.”

Marco's face hardened. He wanted every vision to be part of a dream, a secret passageway, a dark room, people with black eyes, a cage that shuts people up, and the ruler of a tower, that had absorbed life energy from them. However, after hearing Ian, the wishful thinking was completely reversed.

 “Must, must stop...”.

Resisting the chaos, those were Marco's first words.

 “He must be stopped. Mr. Ian. Tower lord must be stopped!”

He let out a painful scream.

It was the other side of the tower lord, which Marco had followed all his life.

The other side has clearly been found.

Many words had filled his mind and reached the tip of his tongue.

But, there was only one thing he could say.

It has to stop.

Black magic tower master.

 “That's what I think to do. So, please explain to me first.”

Contrary to Marco's disordered words of emotion, Ian's words seem to indicate that much was anticipated because he was calm and ready.

 “What is seen, heard, done. Don't let anyone miss.”

***

At sunset, the official working hours in the Ivory Tower are over. From this moment until the morning will be dedicated to researching and practicing magic. If it was in its original state, it would also be the time when Marco would head to the tower lord's residence. It would be time to deliver the Ivory Tower's daily main report.

 “I'll replace you.”

But today is different. That was because with the report in hand, Ian himself headed to the tower lord's residence. He was already briefed by Marco.90 percent of the report was as expected with the remaining 10 percent, looking a bit out of the ordinary.

 ‘Tuan tower has opened the portal?’

No way, that's not possible. ‘Magic portal’ that provides a channel between the space and the distant space.  

 ‘Definitely because of the power of that artifact.’

It is clearly mentioned that the portal was opened, using a greenish book. Then there is only one answer. That it was not the power of the tower lord, but rather the power of the book. It was hard to believe that he had such an item.

 ‘Most likely, the artifact will not appear in the Ivory Tower artifact list.’

There seems to be a lot of things hidden. Leon Herbert, the Ivory Tower Lord. This was the first time, realizing, that he had ever studied black magic.

 “Who is this?”

Finally, Ian arrived at a residence in the farthest corner of the imperial city. Isolated from all the traffic of the bustling imperial city, it was an area chosen by the tower lord for his residence, wanting a serene atmosphere.

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 “This is Ian Page, an old wizard from the Ivory Tower. I'm here to visit the master of health towers and to give a status briefing. ”

 “Ugh!”

The guard was confused by Ian's response. It was unnatural for a main guard of the Ivory Tower not to recognize Ian Page's name.

 “Ah, yes, please wait a minute, Sir?”

 “Indeed, take all the time you need.”