ISMFF 94

Chapter 94……………………..

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He swept his gaze over the mages seated in the hall, and the moment he spotted Lowell, he frowned and clicked his tongue. It was much the same reaction as when the two had run into each other at the academy before. Just like then, they traded insults with nothing but their eyes for a brief moment.

“Ahem… Sir Zachary, please share your views on the current state of the kingdom and the trends within mage society. As the Chief Court Mage, you will have received more reports from each department than anyone else, so speak freely, without reservation.”

“…Yes, Headmaster.”

Because this was an official assembly, Rigma had no choice but to quickly rein in his emotions. He stepped forward before the gathered crowd wearing a neat, rigid expression. Even so, the ferocity lingering in his eyes made it painfully clear that the sharp hostility he harbored toward Lowell had not diminished in the slightest.

“Then I will begin my briefing on the current situation. The first anomaly detected at the royal level was the ‘werewolf’ incident in ‘Calis Land.’ As many of you are aware, there have also been numerous testimonies of sightings of gigantic beasts, a succession of missing persons cases, and the continued discovery of illegal enhancement potions within the academy. Taken together, these matters have proven to be extremely serious…”

The moment he finished speaking, dissatisfied voices erupted from all around.

“True, problems like these have been increasing lately. I’ve been dealing with illegal potions myself.”

“There have been people disappearing in the Empire as well—couldn’t this be connected?”

“So what exactly are you planning to do about it?”

Most of the mages were already vaguely aware of these issues, but when viewed collectively, the situation was grave. As such, their complaints were tinged with faint confusion and anxiety they could not quite swallow down.

Cutting through the noise, Rigma’s clear voice rang out.

“That is why opinions within the royal court have split into two camps. The first advocates for a comprehensive investigation of the incidents and stricter laws and surveillance over mages. The second is… to conduct a comprehensive investigation as well, but to revise and reestablish mage laws instead.”

At those words, murmurs rippled through the hall. If there were two opinions, there should have been a clear difference between them—yet from Rigma’s explanation, both seemed to deal with mage laws in the same way.

Unable to wait any longer, one mage raised his voice.

“Aren’t the first and second opinions essentially the same? In the end, you’re talking about launching an investigation and revising the laws, are you not?”

Everyone in the hall nodded, except for the representatives from Rostia. In response, the headmaster tapped the wooden gavel on the table several times, signaling for quiet, then spoke in a low voice.

“It should be understood as a divide between further strengthening the coercive laws that have long governed mages, or loosening them slightly to prevent the illegal acts that arise from excessive coercion.”

“Hah… What sort of logic is that? Loosening the law to prevent illegal acts is a contradiction, is it not? That’s nothing more than arguing to legally tolerate unethical behavior!”

“That’s right. Even now, human trafficking and abductions are being carried out in secret under the name of magic—that’s why we’ve gathered here to prevent such things! And yet you propose easing the laws?!”

Protests poured in immediately. To be fair, they weren’t wrong. After all, hadn’t this gathering been convened precisely to find measures to stop the spread of crimes committed by mages?

Even now, we’re barely managing to contain the damage caused by the birth of mages by redirecting it into magic that benefits daily life. If mage crimes are added on top of that, it’ll be disastrous.

If mages come to be seen as objects of fear… we must never repeat the conflicts of the past.

If this turns into a social issue, mages will be the ones at a disadvantage. We have to stop it, no matter what.

Most of the mages placed top priority on preventing a situation where the existence of magic itself would be classified as a threat.

So why move in a direction that could only worsen the problem?

Observing their reactions, Rigma let out a cold laugh and spoke.

“Is that really so? Healing magic can only be used by high-ranking mages. And yet, even healing magic capable of mending simple cuts is not particularly advanced. Why do you think that is?”

“That’s… because allowing magic to be used on people could lead to covert offensive magic being employed.”

“Exactly. Wasn’t it prohibited for the very reason that ‘mages using magic on people would be dangerous’? Since ancient times, mages have been forced to suppress even what they are capable of, simply because they might pose a threat to non-mages.”

“……”

“They can’t even heal their own wounds with magic. Because using magic on humans is forbidden! And does that benefit healing mages? The state restricted it under the belief that limiting the number of practitioners would concentrate demand and profits. In reality, they swear before the gods not to misuse magic and reside in temples, working much like priests.”

At that, the crowd let out collective sighs. Many seemed to sympathize to some degree.

In truth, the issue Rigma was pressing had been raised repeatedly for years.

Mages being treated like mere components of society. People forced to place restrictions on every aspect of their lives solely for coexistence with non-mages.

As a result, mage society had gradually lost its vitality, and its development had likewise reached a ceiling.

“But I wonder how many of you are aware that the number of aspiring healing mages is steadily increasing. Among recent graduates of Terium Academy, the most common desired career path is becoming a healing mage. Why do you think that is?”

Rigma scanned the room, then steadied his breath. In the now-silent hall, his voice echoed clearly.

“There was a time when joining a nation’s mage knight order or entering a mage tower was considered the highest honor. Yet despite all the restrictions, healing mages are in the spotlight because they can ‘use magic on people.’ That alone drives many to challenge the path of healing magic, something only top-tier mages can achieve. As a result, I understand that there is now a shortage of combat mages to respond to the annual monster waves, as well as personnel to operate the mage towers. What do you think this signifies?”

“……”

“It means that the more you restrict the rights and range of action of mages, the fewer mages you can deploy where they’re needed. And no matter how much those healing mages swear before the gods, in reality they are not priests. There is no guarantee corruption won’t arise among them.”

“Enough of this! What you’re saying insults healing mages! How can the Chief Court Mage of a nation say such things?!”

Finally, unable to contain himself, one mage leapt to his feet and shouted, his face flushed with anger. The surrounding area grew noisy as well.

Rigma’s remarks all but painted healing mages as potential criminals, or at least as holding positions ripe for criminal abuse. Yet he responded in an even, matter-of-fact tone, as if stating something self-evident.

“Isn’t it the truth? Because of the corruption that occurs in temples across the land every year, reforms have been attempted countless times. Even recently, we’ve been plagued by the acts committed in the blind spots created by their ability to ‘use magic on people.’”

“Isn’t that why limits are placed on the wealth of healing mages?!”

“Are they, really? There are countless ways to launder money. Wasn’t the difficulty in tracing the recent incident in Calis Land the same issue? More than anything, the fact that the number of applicants for healing mages keeps increasing despite all of this is itself proof that such ‘blind spots’ exist.”

He continued sharply, as if condemning society itself, glaring at the assembly with bloodshot eyes. Only then did the mage who had burst out in anger respond again, his voice calmer now that he had reined in his fury.

“I’ll grant you that I understand what you’re trying to say. But right now, all you seem to be doing is speaking on behalf of criminals we should be condemning and discussing. What we’re talking about here are crimes committed by mages against non-mages.”

“Then what about the issue of drug abuse that was raised, aside from human trafficking and abduction? Why do you think people began craving power far beyond their allotted mana? Isn’t it to pursue healing magic, something only high-ranking mages can achieve?”

In contrast, Rigma’s voice was steadily rising. He slammed his clenched fist down on the podium.

“As I said, the number of mages needed for monster waves and to operate even a single mage tower is steadily decreasing. You all know that both require top-tier mages. So why do you think talent is being concentrated in only one area? Do you truly believe this is right?”

“…Hah.”

“From my perspective, the series of incidents unfolding now look like nothing more than the suppressed outcry of mages. A kind of social movement, if you will. And therefore, I…”

“……”

“I formally request the repeal of the law that forbids mages from using magic on people.”

Only then did the headmaster step in, calming the court mage whose emotions had run so high that his hands were trembling, and guiding him to stand behind him. A heavy silence settled over the hall.

And all the while, Lowell continued to stare unflinchingly at Rigma—his face flushed red, his body trembling—with unwavering eyes.