AI Archmage Chapter 6
What would happen if, when manifesting magic, a mage didn’t need to speak each incantation aloud?
The answer is simple.
They would be freed from the greatest weakness of mages: speed.
Then why do mages still recite long incantations when casting magic?
The answer is simple as well: because they can’t do otherwise.
Of course, it’s not impossible.
At higher levels, a mage can cast lower-level spells without incantations.
But most can only manage magic far below their own level.
Usually, one must reach Circle 6 just to cast a Circle 1 spell silently.
But now…
“Uh, how…?”
Sion Rostery manifested a Circle 4 spell, a mana field, without any incantation, right before everyone’s eyes.
Theoretically, this should only be possible at Circle 9.
“No, no, this can’t be possible!”
Tult shook his head violently, denying reality, and tried again to cast a spell while reciting the incantation.
But the result was the same.
“<Magic Missile>.”
Sion, as if mocking Tult who was desperately chanting, cast the spell without a single incantation.
The Magic Missile reached Tult’s face in an instant.
Thwack!
“Ugh…”
A mana-formed arrow stopped right in front of Tult’s eyes.
A drop of cold sweat slid down his jaw.
He stared at it with trembling eyes before collapsing weakly to the ground.
“Ha… haah…”
Silence hung over the area.
Sion, unfazed by the stares directed at him, lightly reached out and manifested another spell.
Once again, there was no incantation.
Or more precisely…
[Do you now understand my usefulness, Human?]
‘Do you also realize the greatness in creating someone like me?’
[Hmph, hasn’t said a word.]
Akasha had processed the calculations so quickly that no incantation was needed.
Of course, Akasha’s computational ability was important, but Sion’s skill in utilizing it was on an unimaginable level.
Sion’s magic moved organically, almost as if it were a living being.
It was an art form in itself.
The students present could do nothing but stare blankly at the scene.
Lumia was no exception.
‘This is impossible.’
Being the highest-ranking mage here, Lumia fully understood just how absurd Sion’s display was.
Magic at a level she could not even begin to emulate.
Perhaps only someone like her teacher, Belusian, could achieve it.
Then Sion’s voice rang out.
“Is that all?”
“Ah…”
Tult seemed to come to his senses, stammering.
“Uh, how… did you do that?”
Unconsciously, he spoke formally, but he couldn’t even think of correcting himself.
It was that shocking.
“How can you cast magic silently…?”
The only possibility that immediately came to mind:
Sion Rostery might be a high-level mage hiding his true level.
Because that is the only way to cast magic without incantation.
“Oh, silent magic, you mean?”
“Y-Yes.”
All eyes turned to Sion.
He shrugged and said casually:
“If you know the method, it’s easy.”
“…Method?”
Tult’s jaw dropped.
What Sion was implying…
It was as if he was saying there was a way to cast magic silently.
Not just that he had a high level, but that there was a method?
Ridiculous.
If such a method existed, it would have been known long ago.
Countless mages had studied for centuries, yet the conclusion was always the same: silent casting could only be forced through overwhelming mastery.
[Exactly the reaction I expected.]
Akasha noted the captivated human attention.
[Everyone else’s reactions changed instantly. They are focused solely on the Human.]
‘Of course.’
Silent magic carries that much weight.
This was the reason Sion intended to display it in front of everyone.
More importantly:
‘Even the Tower Master seems unable to process it.’
Lumia, the master of the Azure Tower, was staring at him as if in a trance.
It was time to proceed according to plan.
“Now.”
Sion addressed everyone.
“Anyone here wants to try silent magic? Or perhaps would even sell their soul if I could do this?”
“Sell… our soul?”
“Figure of speech, figure of speech.”
Meaning, he would completely take advantage of them if needed.
The students exchanged wary glances.
Sion smiled faintly.
“Anyone here with such grand ambitions?”
“W-Wait!”
One student raised their hand eagerly.
Sion nodded benevolently.
“Ah, perhaps… dark magic?”
“No.”
“Then, is it completely safe?”
“Yes.”
“…!”
The students murmured in amazement.
Silent magic with no side effects? A miracle.
Yet the students hesitated because the one saying this was Sion Rostery, the troublemaker of the Azure Tower.
Even after witnessing the magic firsthand, they found it hard to believe.
Amid the students’ hesitation, a voice rang out.
“…Student Sion.”
“T-Tower Master!”
The students instinctively stepped aside.
Lumia reached Sion’s front.
Of course, Sion met her gaze calmly, without a hint of fear.
“Ah, you’ve come.”
“….”
Lumia stared quietly at Sion, unable to read him.
“What… do you intend to do?”
Honestly, she had no clue.
Sion, after three years of various antics at the Tower, suddenly dispelled a Circle 6 mage’s spell and demonstrated silent magic?
And he knew things about his student she didn’t?
It made no sense.
But it couldn’t be denied.
Dozens had seen it with their own eyes.
Sion opened his mouth.
“Ten years.”
“…What?”
Lumia tilted her head.
Ten years? What did he mean?
Her confusion was immediately resolved.
“Until this tower falls. At most, ten years.”
“…!”
Everyone present widened their eyes.
“W-Wait, Sion… what are you saying?!”
Serentia, the deputy tower master, shouted in urgency.
But Sion did not stop.
“The magic council already has a grudge against the tower. And they’ve labeled it ‘heretical’? That’s the council’s way of ensuring someone is killed.”
“….”
“Why do those old men want to destroy the Azure Tower? Simple. Because it might threaten their selfish interests.”
Sion looked directly at Lumia.
“They aim to subjugate you, Tower Master. If they can’t, they’ll try to kill you.”
“….”
“That’s why ten years. And surviving ten years is already impressive.”
The council reacted to any tools or theories that could overturn the magical world.
The word ‘heretic’ would never normally be used; historically, mages kept magic separate from religion.
But the current council seeks to exterminate any hostile entity—a sign that the council has lost the essence of magic.
‘What…?’
Lumia opened her mouth in disbelief, feeling like she was being scolded in front of the students.
She had only asked a question, but suddenly, the discussion of the tower’s destruction came up.
But it wasn’t wrong.
She knew just how precarious the current situation was.
“So, what are you saying? That we should just surrender to the corrupt council?”
“Of course not.”
Sion looked around at the students.
“The power of a mage tower is determined by the level of its mages. So what’s the answer?”
Sion grinned.
“All the students here need to surpass the mages of other towers.”
“…!”
An impossibly ideal scenario.
Yet no one dared to refute it, because Sion’s display had been overwhelming.
“How do we raise the students’ average level? Simple. Teach them. Good teachers are crucial. But…”
Sion smirked.
“The small problem is, there are currently no excellent teachers in this tower.”
“…That’s…”
It was true. Before Belusian disappeared, the tower had many outstanding mages.
But during its decline, they either left or were forced to hand over their positions.
“Apparently, the Tower Master and Deputy are trying to teach themselves, but neither has a talent for it.”
“…!”
Both Lumia and Serentia blushed crimson.
“Yeah, teaching talent isn’t exactly their strong point…”
“We basically self-studied using reference materials, right?”
The students agreed with Sion.
Their personalities and skill aside, their teaching ability was severely lacking.
“Ugh….”
“So I’m here to help. I’ve already proven my ‘definite value’ in front of everyone.”
“H-Help, how…?”
“As a teacher.”
Sion said confidently:
“Grant me a teaching license. I’ll cultivate talent like no one else.”
“…!”
Lumia’s eyes widened as she looked him over.
‘Not bad, actually.’
Honestly, there was no real downside.
Being a teacher meant educating the students of the tower, not taking anything away.
With Sion’s abilities, he would at least surpass her and Serentia.
But…
“Uh… we don’t have money. Even if you become a teacher, the salary…”
“Three months probation, unpaid.”
“Congratulations on becoming a teacher of the Azure Tower, Mr. Sion!”
Without hesitation, Lumia gave her welcome.
Sion chuckled and nodded.
Akasha clicked her tongue, expressing mock sympathy.
[They’ve bitten the bait. Poor human.]
‘A mutually beneficial deal.’
[In my simulation, I see the poor Tower Master being dragged along by the Human soon.]
‘Youth is painful.’
[Ah, yes.]
Akasha, knowing Sion’s mind, looked at Lumia with pity but had no intention of intervening.
“Insane.”
Among the confused crowd, one person swallowed hard, trying to hide her unease.
“This… is a variable.”
Considering her mission, Sion Rostery’s existence was a huge variable.
A matter of utmost importance that must be reported immediately to the family.
And yet, someone nearly abandoned by the family had hidden such talent all this time.
How could it have been concealed?
For her, it didn’t matter which.
She only needed to report the situation faithfully.
That was why she infiltrated the Azure Tower.
As she slowly backed away, trying to exit,
“…?!”
For a brief moment, Sion’s gaze landed on her.
Shhh.
Sion raised his finger to his lips with a smile, signaling her to be quiet.
