With hesitancy, I asked Niel as soon as I got on the carriage.
“Perhaps the Prince has noticed?”
“What do you mean?”
“About what I have to do with black magic.”
“No way. Even a great magician like myself would normally not notice. I wouldn’t have known for the rest of my life if you hadn’t done yoga or whatever it was.”
“However, he was responsible for the killing of half of the country’s evil monsters. After all, you said it yourself. I’m getting more and more black magic.”
I didn’t want to die again in the Palace.
Ixion is a good person, but if he decides that I am a threat to the country, he will be merciless.
He was a war hero who slaughtered a large number of people. It won’t be difficult to kill me.
“Monster is the Devil’s children. It has the same origin as black magic. Did he feel anything like the spirit of evil?”
“Is that even possible?”
Niel nodded, but he couldn’t say for certain.
He’s right; he hasn’t been fighting monsters until now, and he claims he doesn’t know much about black magic—
“Perhaps we should ask the Lord of Wizard Tower.”
“Ha, so there’s a possibility.”
My eyes darkened and I sighed.
The king’s use of black magic alone did not mean that a nation’s legitimacy disappeared.
Black magic is the power of the devil and has given people instinctive disgust.
It was a magic that had not been revealed to the world for a long time and was believed to have declined, so it used to create anxiety in people.
That’s why the Artise royalty always hid the power of black magic.
“Niel.”
“Hm?”
Niel seemed to hold my hand and experiment with a serious face before I knew it.
My entire body was filled with both cold and hot energy.
“Black magic is hated by most people. They believe it is dangerous.”
“That’s right.”
“How come you don’t care?”
“Black magic is also magic.”
Niel responded casually to my cautious question.
Even a slightly amused expression.
“Magic is the most important value to a wizard. I’m the eldest son of Marquis Evgeny, but did you know I’m indifferent about inheritance or rights?”
“—Oh, I see.”
“Of course, it’s a different story if it’s not a wizard.”
Niel sighed and let go of my hand.
“I’m not sure about the details, as expected. But I know how well your body absorbs Mana. It doesn’t matter what kind it is.”
“Hey—”
Depressedly, I asked.
“What happens if the Prince discovers that I have black magic traces? I once mentioned that Artise’s royal family uses black magic.”
“Uhm. He most likely has no idea. That I can assure you of.”
“Are you sure?”
In an instant, I saw hope, so I clasped my hands together without realizing it.
“Yes, I was on the battlefield with the Prince. We’re not particularly close, but I have a rough idea of his personality.”
“He didn’t notice anything, did he?”
“No,” he say, “because—”
Niel flashed a bright smile.
“If it had been Prince Ixion, whom I saw on the battlefield, he would have killed you immediately so there would be no remorse.”
“Huh—”
My mind seemed to be spinning, so I sighed and leaned against the window.
“Would they keep them locked up in the Imperial Palace and keep an eye on them even if there was no confirmation?”
I didn’t have the energy to carry on the conversation.
Yes, the marriage proposal in return was a little ridiculous.
‘Yes, it was to keep an eye on me as well. That’s why he disappeared when he said he was going to make a mistake with me.’
But I recall the blue prints on it.
‘To be exact… You were on your way to the Marquis of Evgeny because the first surveillance failed.’
You’ll see that I will survive somehow.
‘I’ll never be locked up again in the Palace.’
*******
It took quite a long time to get to the Wizard Tower, but when I arrived, I felt relieved by the huge and beautiful tower.
Dalton sighed as I let out admiration.
But when Niel led me inside the tower, he was taken aback, as if he hadn’t expected it.
“You’re going to the tower? Is it just the two of you?”
“Yes, and there is only one visitor. Everyone is waiting outside.”
“Uh—”
We entered the tower, leaving Dalton behind with a strange expression on his face.
As soon as I stepped inside the tower, there were a lot of eyes on me.
This was due to the fact that there were female wizards staring at each floor but saying nothing.
“Don’t worry. It’s alright because the Lord of Wizard Tower has returned.”
As if nothing had happened, Niel said with a smile.
“In fact, I beat everything, but I waited until the Lord of the Wizard Tower arrived because I thought I’d see something I’d never see.”
“I’m proud.”
He climbed the stairs and passed through some strange landscapes.
There were a lot of amazing things, but I can’t see them now.
I eventually followed Niel to the front of the large door at the top of the stairs. I didn’t even knock, but I heard a voice.
“Niel, you have a wonderful guest. Please come in.”
“Yes, Lord,” he replied.
It was Niel’s polite way of speaking almost for the first time.
I went looking for the doorknob, but I didn’t even have to open it. The door swung open at will.
‘Oh, my goodness, I’ve never seen magic do such trivial matters with Niel.’
With disbelief, I swallowed dry saliva, admiring the Lord of Wizard Tower’s power from the start.
As I carefully entered the room, a white-haired woman in her late 60s smiled at me.
“My name is Rebecca Deliv, and I am the Lord of Wizard Tower, sweetheart.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Elsia Evgeny.”
“Yes, excuse me for a moment.”
Rebecca nodded and slowly rose to her feet, approaching me.
She closed her eyes for a moment after grabbing my hand in the same way Niel did.
Perhaps the wizards were people who only knew how to go straight like this, and I had no choice but to entrust myself.
Rebecca suddenly opened her eyes, wondering how much time had passed.
“Niel.”
“Yes. Lord of Wizard Tower.”
Niel responded with enthusiasm.
“I’m not familiar with black magic, but I believe she used it once. In addition, she occasionally takes a strange posture and breathes, but Mana fluctuates whenever this occurs. Mana, of course, circulates throughout the body. But she never even learned to use magic.”
I rolled my eyes, as if I’d been persuaded to become a pet by a vet.
“What exactly is going on? Elsia isn’t sure, but she thinks she used black magic once—”
“Niel, please get out of here for a moment.”
Niel’s body was pushed out in an instant, and the door was slammed shut.
With embarrassment, I looked at Rebecca.
Rebecca smiled.
“You’re not really from here.”
“—Pardon?”
“It means a summoned soul.”
‘Huh, you are brave!’
It was incredible that you could detect my spirit simply by holding my hand once.
“The owner of this body originally used black magic in exchange for her soul.”
‘Ah— Is that so?’
I let out a sigh of desperation.
“That’s a significant shift in time. It’s difficult unless you have a strong will.”
“So— what am I? Why was my soul called?”
“Among the souls that have not yet entered the bondage of reincarnation, she put in a soul that appears to fulfill her wish well.”
“I was reading the book and thought I had come across its contents.”
“Different worlds can be linked in various ways.”
Indeed, seeing it as a different world made a lot more sense.
Then, did Elsia see me as a spirit until Ixion’s death and Artise’s fall, and then return to time and possess me?
“I did everything she asked of me. I saved her favorite person, and I made it out alive.”
“Yes, but she had one more wish that you were unaware of.”
“Yes?”
“I think she wanted to be pretty.”
I opened my mouth wide. Then there’s the ridiculous reason why the body has changed so much—
“And, unlike most people, you’re very good at accepting mana in this world. Perhaps it’s because of the strange posture and breathing that Niel said—”
“What’s ‘Mana in this world’?”
“Not the mana of this world.”
Rebecca opened her two fingers.
“There are only two things in the world that do not contain mana. There is black magic and divine magic. Ironically, black magic, which is expressed by the devil, and divine magic, which is expressed by God, exist as a distinct spectrum from other magic.”
“Ah—”
“That is why we know so little about black magic and divine magic. They both declined a long time ago. I haven’t witnessed true black magic in a long time.”
It was complicated in my head, but what happened in my body was clearly unusual.
“She has chosen a soul that appears to fulfill her wishes in many ways.”
I was dead and floating around the sky, but I guess Elsia chose me. I laughed despondently now, convinced that all the clues had been discovered.
‘So this is just my second life.’
“But—there’s one very serious problem left.”
Rebecca frowned and spoke seriously.
“The black magic is increasingly trying to eat into your soul. It’s going to turn into a curse.”
“Yes?”
What are you saying?
“The power of the devil is black magic. It’s obviously harmful if it stays on humans for an extended period of time.”
“Is it the devil? What about me?”
“Indeed. She gave up her soul in order to possess you and make you beautiful.”
I was taken aback and opened my mouth.
Aside from the foolishness of the wish, this body was now mine.
It was a terrible fact that I had become a devil for no other reason.
It was as if I’d been hit in the head after living peacefully for a while and then suddenly transforming into a poet’s life.
‘I’d rather die than turn into a monster and lose my personality.’
However, while Elsia’s wishes were granted, it was unfair for her to live such a short life.
Rebecca proceeded slowly, her gaze fixed on my surprised expression.
“You have no choice but to constantly purify your body of the black magic that has accumulated. Then progress will undoubtedly be slower.”
“What do you mean, purification? How do you purify it?”
“You must use magic as opposed of black magic. Divine magic. As I previously said, both magics exist in opposition to the same origin.”
Is it divine magic? I realized I knew nothing about magic.
Rebecca explained briefly when she noticed my puzzled expression.
“They say that in order to live a long life, you must use healing magic. You must also heal monster-caused wounds. Because monsters and black magic share the same origin.
I suddenly remembered that I had assumed the monster hunt had nothing to do with me.
Even Ixion’s sad face, despite the fact that he claimed to have killed half of the country’s evil monsters.
With hesitancy, I asked Niel as soon as I got on the carriage.
“Perhaps the Prince has noticed?”
“What do you mean?”
“About what I have to do with black magic.”
“No way. Even a great magician like myself would normally not notice. I wouldn’t have known for the rest of my life if you hadn’t done yoga or whatever it was.”
“However, he was responsible for the killing of half of the country’s evil monsters. After all, you said it yourself. I’m getting more and more black magic.”
I didn’t want to die again in the Palace.
Ixion is a good person, but if he decides that I am a threat to the country, he will be merciless.
He was a war hero who slaughtered a large number of people. It won’t be difficult to kill me.
“Monster is the Devil’s children. It has the same origin as black magic. Did he feel anything like the spirit of evil?”
“Is that even possible?”
Niel nodded, but he couldn’t say for certain.
He’s right; he hasn’t been fighting monsters until now, and he claims he doesn’t know much about black magic—
“Perhaps we should ask the Lord of Wizard Tower.”
“Ha, so there’s a possibility.”
My eyes darkened and I sighed.
The king’s use of black magic alone did not mean that a nation’s legitimacy disappeared.
Black magic is the power of the devil and has given people instinctive disgust.
It was a magic that had not been revealed to the world for a long time and was believed to have declined, so it used to create anxiety in people.
That’s why the Artise royalty always hid the power of black magic.
“Niel.”
“Hm?”
Niel seemed to hold my hand and experiment with a serious face before I knew it.
My entire body was filled with both cold and hot energy.
“Black magic is hated by most people. They believe it is dangerous.”
“That’s right.”
“How come you don’t care?”
“Black magic is also magic.”
Niel responded casually to my cautious question.
Even a slightly amused expression.
“Magic is the most important value to a wizard. I’m the eldest son of Marquis Evgeny, but did you know I’m indifferent about inheritance or rights?”
“—Oh, I see.”
“Of course, it’s a different story if it’s not a wizard.”
Niel sighed and let go of my hand.
“I’m not sure about the details, as expected. But I know how well your body absorbs Mana. It doesn’t matter what kind it is.”
“Hey—”
Depressedly, I asked.
“What happens if the Prince discovers that I have black magic traces? I once mentioned that Artise’s royal family uses black magic.”
“Uhm. He most likely has no idea. That I can assure you of.”
“Are you sure?”
In an instant, I saw hope, so I clasped my hands together without realizing it.
“Yes, I was on the battlefield with the Prince. We’re not particularly close, but I have a rough idea of his personality.”
“He didn’t notice anything, did he?”
“No,” he say, “because—”
Niel flashed a bright smile.
“If it had been Prince Ixion, whom I saw on the battlefield, he would have killed you immediately so there would be no remorse.”
“Huh—”
My mind seemed to be spinning, so I sighed and leaned against the window.
“Would they keep them locked up in the Imperial Palace and keep an eye on them even if there was no confirmation?”
I didn’t have the energy to carry on the conversation.
Yes, the marriage proposal in return was a little ridiculous.
‘Yes, it was to keep an eye on me as well. That’s why he disappeared when he said he was going to make a mistake with me.’
But I recall the blue prints on it.
‘To be exact… You were on your way to the Marquis of Evgeny because the first surveillance failed.’
You’ll see that I will survive somehow.
‘I’ll never be locked up again in the Palace.’
*******
It took quite a long time to get to the Wizard Tower, but when I arrived, I felt relieved by the huge and beautiful tower.
Dalton sighed as I let out admiration.
But when Niel led me inside the tower, he was taken aback, as if he hadn’t expected it.
“You’re going to the tower? Is it just the two of you?”
“Yes, and there is only one visitor. Everyone is waiting outside.”
“Uh—”
We entered the tower, leaving Dalton behind with a strange expression on his face.
As soon as I stepped inside the tower, there were a lot of eyes on me.
This was due to the fact that there were female wizards staring at each floor but saying nothing.
“Don’t worry. It’s alright because the Lord of Wizard Tower has returned.”
As if nothing had happened, Niel said with a smile.
“In fact, I beat everything, but I waited until the Lord of the Wizard Tower arrived because I thought I’d see something I’d never see.”
“I’m proud.”
He climbed the stairs and passed through some strange landscapes.
There were a lot of amazing things, but I can’t see them now.
I eventually followed Niel to the front of the large door at the top of the stairs. I didn’t even knock, but I heard a voice.
“Niel, you have a wonderful guest. Please come in.”
“Yes, Lord,” he replied.
It was Niel’s polite way of speaking almost for the first time.
I went looking for the doorknob, but I didn’t even have to open it. The door swung open at will.
‘Oh, my goodness, I’ve never seen magic do such trivial matters with Niel.’
With disbelief, I swallowed dry saliva, admiring the Lord of Wizard Tower’s power from the start.
As I carefully entered the room, a white-haired woman in her late 60s smiled at me.
“My name is Rebecca Deliv, and I am the Lord of Wizard Tower, sweetheart.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Elsia Evgeny.”
“Yes, excuse me for a moment.”
Rebecca nodded and slowly rose to her feet, approaching me.
She closed her eyes for a moment after grabbing my hand in the same way Niel did.
Perhaps the wizards were people who only knew how to go straight like this, and I had no choice but to entrust myself.
Rebecca suddenly opened her eyes, wondering how much time had passed.
“Niel.”
“Yes. Lord of Wizard Tower.”
Niel responded with enthusiasm.
“I’m not familiar with black magic, but I believe she used it once. In addition, she occasionally takes a strange posture and breathes, but Mana fluctuates whenever this occurs. Mana, of course, circulates throughout the body. But she never even learned to use magic.”
I rolled my eyes, as if I’d been persuaded to become a pet by a vet.
“What exactly is going on? Elsia isn’t sure, but she thinks she used black magic once—”
“Niel, please get out of here for a moment.”
Niel’s body was pushed out in an instant, and the door was slammed shut.
With embarrassment, I looked at Rebecca.
Rebecca smiled.
“You’re not really from here.”
“—Pardon?”
“It means a summoned soul.”
‘Huh, you are brave!’
It was incredible that you could detect my spirit simply by holding my hand once.
“The owner of this body originally used black magic in exchange for her soul.”
‘Ah— Is that so?’
I let out a sigh of desperation.
“That’s a significant shift in time. It’s difficult unless you have a strong will.”
“So— what am I? Why was my soul called?”
“Among the souls that have not yet entered the bondage of reincarnation, she put in a soul that appears to fulfill her wish well.”
“I was reading the book and thought I had come across its contents.”
“Different worlds can be linked in various ways.”
Indeed, seeing it as a different world made a lot more sense.
Then, did Elsia see me as a spirit until Ixion’s death and Artise’s fall, and then return to time and possess me?
“I did everything she asked of me. I saved her favorite person, and I made it out alive.”
“Yes, but she had one more wish that you were unaware of.”
“Yes?”
“I think she wanted to be pretty.”
I opened my mouth wide. Then there’s the ridiculous reason why the body has changed so much—
“And, unlike most people, you’re very good at accepting mana in this world. Perhaps it’s because of the strange posture and breathing that Niel said—”
“What’s ‘Mana in this world’?”
“Not the mana of this world.”
Rebecca opened her two fingers.
“There are only two things in the world that do not contain mana. There is black magic and divine magic. Ironically, black magic, which is expressed by the devil, and divine magic, which is expressed by God, exist as a distinct spectrum from other magic.”
“Ah—”
“That is why we know so little about black magic and divine magic. They both declined a long time ago. I haven’t witnessed true black magic in a long time.”
It was complicated in my head, but what happened in my body was clearly unusual.
“She has chosen a soul that appears to fulfill her wishes in many ways.”
I was dead and floating around the sky, but I guess Elsia chose me. I laughed despondently now, convinced that all the clues had been discovered.
‘So this is just my second life.’
“But—there’s one very serious problem left.”
Rebecca frowned and spoke seriously.
“The black magic is increasingly trying to eat into your soul. It’s going to turn into a curse.”
“Yes?”
What are you saying?
“The power of the devil is black magic. It’s obviously harmful if it stays on humans for an extended period of time.”
“Is it the devil? What about me?”
“Indeed. She gave up her soul in order to possess you and make you beautiful.”
I was taken aback and opened my mouth.
Aside from the foolishness of the wish, this body was now mine.
It was a terrible fact that I had become a devil for no other reason.
It was as if I’d been hit in the head after living peacefully for a while and then suddenly transforming into a poet’s life.
‘I’d rather die than turn into a monster and lose my personality.’
However, while Elsia’s wishes were granted, it was unfair for her to live such a short life.
Rebecca proceeded slowly, her gaze fixed on my surprised expression.
“You have no choice but to constantly purify your body of the black magic that has accumulated. Then progress will undoubtedly be slower.”
“What do you mean, purification? How do you purify it?”
“You must use magic as opposed of black magic. Divine magic. As I previously said, both magics exist in opposition to the same origin.”
Is it divine magic? I realized I knew nothing about magic.
Rebecca explained briefly when she noticed my puzzled expression.
“They say that in order to live a long life, you must use healing magic. You must also heal monster-caused wounds. Because monsters and black magic share the same origin.
I suddenly remembered that I had assumed the monster hunt had nothing to do with me.
Even Ixion’s sad face, despite the fact that he claimed to have killed half of the country’s evil monsters.
