Chapter 14
…Looks like I made a mistake.
I shouldn’t have used the perfected version of Ceiling Blast.
I should’ve just copied what I saw—the incomplete version Rozarin cast.
“So you’re saying… you thought it would work better if you changed it like this, so you tried it, and that’s the result?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
If I’d just done that from the start, I wouldn’t be here now, sweating and making excuses.
…How do I get out of this situation?
I waited to see what Rozarin would say next.
“You can copy magic just by seeing it, and you can look at an incomplete formula and instinctively figure out the complete version…”
Her eyes suddenly widened.
“I get it. You’re a dragon!”
“…Excuse me?”
That came out of nowhere.
“It makes sense! Only dragons could do this. They’re the origin of magic, a race that uses magic entirely through instinct.”
Honestly… not a bad theory.
Dragons really could copy magic formulas on sight and cast magic as naturally as moving their own body.
Given what she’d just seen, thinking I was a dragon was reasonable.
“I’m not.”
“Don’t lie. If you’re not a dragon, then how—”
“If I was a dragon, you would’ve noticed when you were channeling mana into me, right?”
Rozarin froze, then muttered, “…Right…” and lowered her gaze.
“That’s true. Your mana pathways were like those of someone who’s never learned magic before.”
She had just disproved her own theory.
“So you’re just a human?”
“Yes. Human.”
What else would I be?
“So you’re telling me—a mere human, learning magic for the first time—saw the incomplete version of Ceiling Blast I’ve spent a year researching, and instantly knew the perfected form?”
“Sounds like it.”
When she put it like that… yeah, it really was absurd.
I need to be more careful.
Copying magic exactly was one thing.
But showing the perfected version of Ceiling Blast… that was definitely a mistake.
I shouldn’t do that again.
“A normal human…”
Rozarin covered her mouth with her hand, deep in thought.
“If you can see an unfinished spell and figure out the complete version, you should never tell anyone.”
“Right, because if you stand out too much, people will try to keep you in check. I’ll hide—”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Her expression darkened, as if recalling something unpleasant.
“Your ability could overturn everything the magic world believes. If anyone found out, every mage in the world would try to get their hands on you.”
I froze.
She was right—
In the Eternal Sanctuary setting, mages would do anything to obtain that kind of ability.
“Most would try to recruit you formally, but many wouldn’t. Some would kidnap and imprison you. Others might take you apart—literally—using your brain and eyes as research material.”
Not “might.”
Definitely.
“If you were a dragon, you could defend yourself. But you’re just a normal human. So never speak of that ability again.”
“Too late. I already showed it in the training ground…”
“Don’t worry. Those rookies and that halfwit instructor have no idea what they saw. They’ll just think you copied my spell exactly.”
“Ah. That makes sense.”
To anyone but Rozarin, it probably looked like a simple mimic spell—still amazing, but not alarming.
“I understand. I won’t tell anyone about this second ability.”
I bowed my head.
“Good. I’m glad you understand.”
She smiled warmly.
“Now that you know your situation, let’s talk about the next matter.”
“Next matter?”
“Yes.”
She smiled again.
“As I said, if today’s events spread, you’ll be in trouble, right?”
“Correct.”
“And only you and I know what really happened.”
“…So you want hush money.”
Payment for keeping a secret—that’s what she meant.
“Hey now, don’t put it like that. Makes it sound like I’m blackmailing you.”
But that’s exactly what it was.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not asking for money or anything big. Just a small favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“I’ll be direct. In exchange for keeping your secret, I want your help with my magic research.”
Yodala’s Temple
Yodala sat lazily on her throne, yawning.
“Yodala.”
A man appeared before her.
[Onyx]
[Yodala’s Third Jewel]
[LV.69]
One of her most cherished subordinates, named for his beautiful black hair and eyes—like the gemstone onyx.
“Yes, Onyx? What is it?”
Her eyes softened. Among her “handsome army,” Onyx was especially beautiful.
“It’s about Master. I have something to say.”
The warmth vanished instantly.
The moment she heard “Master,” her gaze turned cold as a northern blizzard.
“Haven’t I told you before? You are never to speak the Master’s name—or even say ‘Master’—out loud.”
To her, Jairon was sacred.
Only chosen ones like Yodala could speak his name or look upon him.
Lesser beings had no right.
“Have I spoiled you too much? Forget your place?”
Her pupils split vertically like a serpent’s.
A wave of seductive, dangerous energy filled the air, slowly turning Onyx’s body to stone.
“But since you’re one of my treasured jewels, I’ll give you one last chance. Admit your mistake and apologize, and—”
“Yodala… I’ll stake my life to say this.”
Onyx forced his stiffening body to look up at her.
“I believe the current Master is not the real Master.”
Her magic grew thicker, her eyes now red with fury.
“The real Master valued the plan above all else. But this one? From the very first plan to the doppelgänger incident, he keeps changing things without reason.”
The enchantment crept from his hands and feet upward, freezing him.
Yet his eyes stayed steady.
“And the doppelgänger’s betrayal… The doppelgänger may be weak in combat, but he’s a master of reading the room and knowing his place. If the Master were truly the Master, the doppelgänger wouldn’t even think of betraying him.”
Onyx was certain: the betrayal happened because Jairon wasn’t actually Jairon—
He was Jian.
“There’s more. The Master hasn’t used magic at all. Even in a new body, a real Master could use mid-tier magic as easily as breathing. But in the past four days—not once. Even dealt with the doppelgänger using a sword.”
That was the clincher.
“The Master now… is not the Master. The Master is—ugh!”
In a flash, Yodala grabbed his throat and lifted him off the ground.
“I wanted to see how far you’d go, but you really are spouting whatever you want, huh?”
A little more pressure, and his life would end.
Yet there was no despair in his eyes.
“…Your eyes aren’t clouded. So all this is out of love for me?”
She studied his gaze, then slowly released him.
“Yes. I only don’t want you to be deceived by a fake.”
To him, the current Jairon was Jian.
“You’ve felt it too, haven’t you? His movements, breathing, tiny habits—everything’s different.”
Indeed, the current and previous Jairon had nothing in common.
“…True. He is very different. Even forgiving Clover like that…”
The old Jairon would’ve executed Clover instantly.
“Hm. Thinking about it calmly… you’re right. And he hasn’t used magic even once.”
Yes—there was nothing about the current Master that matched the old one.
“All right, Onyx. For your pure devotion and your courage to risk your life, I’ll overlook this… for now.”
She smiled sweetly, withdrawing her magic.
“If you’re right, you’ll be rewarded. If you’re wrong… you’ll suffer eternal agony like no one else.”
“If it’s your punishment, I’ll gladly endure it forever.”
“Oh my, listen to you.”
She caressed his cheek.
“But no reward yet—you’re still on trial.”
She whispered in his ear,
“I’ll give it to you only once I’m sure you’re right. Understand?”
“I’ll wait gladly.”
At that moment—
—Yodala. Master just used magic publicly, earlier than planned.
It was Reaper’s voice in her mind.
—It seems losing the doppelgänger forced him to speed things up. Also, the notable figure ‘Rozarin’ got involved. This will require you to act sooner than expected.
Yodala heard nothing except: Master used magic.
Her lips curled upward.
“So Master has used magic.”
“…What?”
“Seems you were wrong.”
Her hand punched through Onyx’s chest.
“As promised—you’ll take your punishment.”
“Yodala…”
“Phantom Serpent.”
The temple shook.
A giant serpent’s head emerged behind her.
“Eat. He’s your meal.”
It swallowed Onyx whole.
“Oh my, don’t eat my arm too.”
It had swallowed him along with her arm.
With a sigh, she regenerated the limb instantly.
“I’ll miss that face.”
She smiled, imagining Onyx trapped inside the serpent’s body, suffering forever.
“But I’ll keep your words in mind. You did make me doubt.”
With a wave, the serpent vanished into darkness.
—Yodala? Are you listening?
“Yes. So I’ll be moving sooner?”
—Yes. Within a week.
Within a week, huh.
“All right, I’ll prepare.”
—Then I’ll confirm the principal’s status and contact you.
“I’ll wait.”
Yodala sat back on her throne, elegantly crossing her legs.
“Perfect timing.”
Whether the Master was real or fake—
She’d find out for sure.
“How should I do it so the world knows I confirmed it?”
She smiled, swinging her crossed leg lazily.
That night, after finishing my first day of class, I was resting in my room.
Someone knocked.
“Who is it?”
Who would come at this hour?
I opened the door—
and saw a maid I’d never met.
Who’s this?
Before I could ask, she shoved me aside, stepped inside, and shut the door.
“What the—”
Before I could finish, she ran into my arms.
“Ah, Master. I missed you.”
A chill ran down my spine.
[Resisting Seductive Aura!]
If that aura was here…
“…Yodala?”
“Yes, Master. It’s me—your Yodala.”
The third in command of the Black Night smiled brightly.
What the hell is going on…?
Weren’t the executives not allowed to come to the academy?
