Episode 11
The Beginning of Collapse
At first, Max hesitated when the head of the Faydell family approached him with the proposal.
There was no clear risk of the plan being exposed, but… people were unpredictable.
Still, his long-standing grudge against Sylvan, Kalmia’s father—
And his ambition, which could not be satisfied with just the position of the Tower of Necromancy’s administrator—
Ultimately made his decision for him.
He had long desired to rise through the ranks of his main family. That was exactly why he agreed to the deal with Marie Faydell.
If Buffure, the only child with a Stage 2 Core, showed off his strength tomorrow by completely defeating Kalmia, Max’s transfer to the main house would be all but guaranteed.
And if, at the same time, he could utterly humiliate Sylvan and his daughter—
Wasn’t that killing two birds with one stone?
‘And thanks to Behemoth’s Grapes, the plan became flawless.’
The Behemoth’s Grapes were to be shared with the Grand Duke, Baytenze Hemrlohren, the highest-ranking dark mage.
Since poison like Gelekcho had no effect on a high-ranking mage like him, no one would suspect that anything he drank was tampered with.
Ironically, Baytenze himself would become the one to ensure Max’s perfect crime.
Suppressing a sly grin, Max stepped into the Golden Demon’s chamber.
“Pardon my intrusion, Grand Duke.”
“Hmm.”
Baytenze’s eyes flicked toward the table.
A peculiar cup—his favorite when drinking Behemoth’s Grapes—sat atop it.
It was so twisted and grotesque, made from the bones of a Behemoth, that one wouldn’t even recognize it as a cup at first glance.
As Kalmia blinked curiously at it, Baytenze explained slowly,
“It’s a cup made from a Behemoth’s bones. It enhances the dark essence in the wine.”
“Wow…”
“Pour.”
Max respectfully poured the dark wine into each cup.
“Go ahead, drink.”
“A toast… maybe?”
Perhaps mimicking what she’d seen adults do, the little girl raised her cup with a smile.
It was a gesture that might have looked adorable, but Baytenze only shook his head with a blank expression.
“Too early for toasts. You still have to perform well in tomorrow’s demonstration, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
Max, watching them, chuckled inwardly.
There was no way Kalmia would perform “well” tomorrow.
Baytenze lifted his cup first and sipped.
Kalmia followed suit, grasping her own cup with both hands.
But just as the Grand Duke swallowed the first sip of Behemoth’s Grapes, he suddenly paused.
‘…!’
Though the reaction was minor, Max felt as though his heart dropped.
‘Impossible… The poison has no taste. There’s no way he noticed.’
Thankfully, it seemed to pass. Baytenze finished the rest of the wine without comment.
Max quietly sighed in relief and glanced across the table at Kalmia.
She was chugging the wine down like milk—completely unaware that it was a path to ruin.
Then Baytenze turned to his youngest granddaughter and asked,
“Do you feel any power?”
“Hmm… Not really?”
“That’s normal.”
Chuckling softly,Baytenze leaned on his hand.
“When you’re older, drink the wine form. It holds more concentrated power.”
“Okay.”
“You can take the rest of the bottle. Drink it however you like.”
With a nod, Max quickly handed the bottle to Kalmia in a way she could easily carry it.
She accepted it into her arms and looked up at Max—expressionless.
She wasn’t smiling, nor pouting. Just observing him. Coldly.
‘What a creepy brat…’
Despite her cute appearance, her glassy pink eyes were unsettling.
Too clear—like she could see right through him.
Kalmia turned and bowed.
“Thank you, Grandpa. I’ll be going now.”
“Alright.”
With a polite nod, the tiny girl disappeared beyond the doors with her Living Armor.
“I’ll take my leave as well, Grand Duke.”
“Mm.”
No unexpected events.
As Max bowed and left the Golden Demon’s chamber, he allowed himself a triumphant smile.
He had even tested the waters to see if Baytenze had taken interest in the strange girl—
But the Grand Duke showed no such sign.
As expected.
‘Well… She’ll be kicked out tomorrow anyway.’
However, drunk with victory, Max missed one critical detail.
Baytenze—who always referred to his grandchildren simply as “child” or “little one”—
Had used her name.
He had specifically asked about Kalmia.
—
The Next Morning
The main event of the demonstration was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., after breakfast.
On the second day, students were tested individually, without cooperation.
Max checked the assignment and smirked.
‘Shadow Tag.’
If a student left a trace of dark magic on an opponent’s body, that opponent was disqualified.
Meanwhile, the caster had to dodge all incoming attacks to avoid being marked themselves.
Kalmia Hamrlohren would have no way to coast through this task.
She had always relied on minimal performance before, but this time, only brute strength and speed would win.
For Buffure, the only Stage 2 Core participant, this task was practically designed in his favor.
Max scanned the hall and spotted Marie Faydell watching as a guest.
When their eyes met, he gave her a subtle nod.
She smiled, clearly understanding that everything was going according to plan.
There was no flaw. No room for doubt.
‘By now, Kalmia Hamrlohren must have noticed her dark magic is gone… But it’s far too late now.’
Gelekcho was a delayed-action poison, taking effect twelve hours after ingestion.
Kalmia would have felt fine last night—but this morning?
Her powers would be gone.
Would she give up and withdraw?
Or would she stand onstage as always, swallowing her humiliation?
Either way, it would be a spectacular fall.
Max imagined Sylvan’s distorted expression as he watched the arena being prepared.
Just then—loud footsteps echoed through the corridor.
“Administrator!”
It was one of the attendants responsible for supervising the students.
Max scowled.
“What’s the matter, running around like that? What if the guests see you?”
“I’m sorry! But I had to report this immediately—”
“It better be important.”
“Y-yes, sir…”
The servant bowed deeply and spoke.
“Six of today’s participants have reported something strange.”
“Something strange? Are they sick?”
“No, sir… They all claim their dark magic has disappeared!”
“…What did you say?”
At those words, Max felt a chill crawl down his spine.
He had expected a report about Kalmia’s loss of power.
But—six people?
“We’ve gathered the affected students in the reception room. Will you go see them?”
“…I’ll go.”
Clenching his teeth, Max followed the servant.
Six participants losing their magic at once…
There was no way this was a coincidence.
This kind of incident had never happened before.
‘Could it be…?’
