Chapter 77

Morning.

I got up from bed and opened the window.

“Wow…”

The view from Solas Magic School was beautiful. Ganda’s Stairs, a relic site from the mythological era, spread out below my window. Both the leisurely and extravagant streets of the middle section and the complex, vibrant streets of the lower section looked simply beautiful when viewed from above. The plains stretching to the horizon were filled with collapsed ancient buildings, which had appeared as mere ruins and piles of stones up close, but revealed orderly city blocks when seen from this height.

As if awakening in the ancient past that was said to have flourished, I felt dazed for a while.

Flap flap.

The sound of wings noisily echoed above my head.

Birds of light, identical to those that had risen from Han Se-hoon’s body when he died, were seeping into the sky while emitting bright light.

‘Are these message spells? Where are so many messages going this early in the morning?’

As I wondered, one bird flew to my windowsill. I reflexively reached out, and the bird landed on my hand. Suddenly my vision brightened, and Pan-Dalus’s face appeared.

[I have something urgent to discuss. Please come to the principal’s office.]

“Ah…”

Having delivered its message, the bird of light tilted its head once and, with a flap, flew away into the air and disappeared. It seemed to be heading to deliver a message somewhere else.

I prepared myself and headed to the principal’s office.

“You’ve arrived? Please, have a seat.”

Early morning, with the three suns just rising. The office was filled with soft sunlight and the rich aroma of brewing tea.

The tea was transparent like water, yet it rippled on its own, creating concentric circles with little pops.

“This tea… looks expensive.”

Though transparent in appearance, I could clearly see colorful magical powers pooled in the tea. The magical powers sparkled in rainbow colors along the concentric circles that kept appearing. Tea filled with magical power—it couldn’t help but be expensive.

I cautiously took a sip. The taste was refreshing like mint and tingling like alcohol. Some might enjoy it, but it wasn’t to my taste.

“Does it suit you?”

“Well… surprisingly refreshing, but…”

Pan-Dalus laughed heartily at my lukewarm response.

“It’s called Echo Tea. Mages often drink it when they need to make decisions. There’s a saying that it improves the efficiency of covenants.”

“Ah…”

After hearing that, I noticed something. The magical power that went down my throat with the tea collided with the magical power I carried, creating resonance. Magical power causing tiny ripples. Other surrounding magical powers subtly turned to look at me.

If it could increase the attention of magical power, it would certainly improve the efficiency of covenants.

“Indeed. It seems you possess 1st-level mana sight. Remarkable talent. Usually only some mages who have surpassed 5th Circle develop 1st-level mana sight, yet you have it at 3rd Circle…”

Pan-Dalus nodded meaningfully as he observed me watching the movements of magical power.

I had explained all my magical theories to him, but I hadn’t specifically detailed my abilities. He simply trusted me based on the uniqueness of <Saíl(射日)> and the rationality of my theories. A testament to Pan-Dalus’s insight.

Anyway, still hiding things, I awkwardly smiled and changed the subject.

“Judging by your preparation of Echo Tea… it seems you have something to decide. This morning, I saw message spells flying in all directions.”

Pan-Dalus nodded seriously.

“Indeed. Yesterday’s conversation has strengthened my conviction that we must act more aggressively. So… I have a proposal for you.”

Gulp.

I took another sip of tea and set down my cup.

“What kind of proposal?”

“I’ll be straightforward. Actually, the support you requested yesterday could be better provided by other mages than by me. Unlike me who has retired to the countryside, they wield power in the center. I could write you a recommendation letter right away if you wish. But… I would like you to join me in preparing for the great cataclysm.”

What I originally wanted was information about relic sites, knowledge accumulated by the Academy, and material support. Certainly, such things could be properly obtained by going to the Academy’s headquarters. But the situation had changed. The great cataclysm was certain to come. I was willing to cooperate with Pan-Dalus.

The question was how much I could trust Pan-Dalus. If he planned to do something foolish in the name of preparing for the cataclysm, it might be better to seek out other mages.

“…Please be specific. How do you plan to prepare for the great cataclysm? Do you have a plan?”

Pan-Dalus’s answer exceeded my expectations.

“First, I plan to gather like-minded mages and expand our influence from the lower floors of the Tower of Covenant. But more importantly, we need to discover how the great cataclysm will progress and develop specific countermeasures. To be honest, I currently only predict the great cataclysm but know nothing about how it will unfold. That’s why I need your strength. I want to research and develop countermeasures with you. I will support you with all my power and fully incorporate your opinions regarding cataclysm countermeasures. This is a promise I make as Pan-Dalus, the Mage of Domestication.”

Woong—

As Pan-Dalus made his promise, the surrounding magical power resonated softly. A promise made on a mage’s name. Could anything be more trustworthy?

I was so impressed that I felt burdened.

I prided myself on having approached the world’s secrets… but in the end, I’m just a 14-year-old kid. My level is only 3rd Circle, after all.

Yet a 6th Circle mage would fully incorporate my opinions? Truly treat me as an equal partner? Honestly… even with sponsorship from the Academy’s headquarters, such overwhelming support would surely be impossible to expect.

Unconsciously, I spoke weakly.

“Hmm… can I really accomplish such a weighty task…?”

Pan-Dalus spoke gently.

“You can. You will certainly find a way.”

Woong—

Though he hadn’t used magic, delicate mana came riding on his voice. My head cleared, and confidence boiled in my chest. Inspiration welled up.

‘Wow… could this be?’

The power said to dwell in mages who have kept their word throughout their lives. ‘Words that, having never been broken, eventually realize themselves.’ Word authority.

A 6th Circle mage encouraged me, exuding word authority. He entrusted his future to my hands.

My heart swelled.

To have someone believe in me completely.

It’s incredibly… heart-pounding.

‘Isn’t this someone worth joining forces with?’

I stared intently at Pan-Dalus and nodded.

“Very well. I will stand against the great cataclysm with you, Pan-Dalus. The divine mage Baek Jun-woo so covenants.”

When I thought about it, that’s what I had always wanted. To fight extinction. To ultimately survive and stand tall at the top of the tower.

Though it was a bit sudden… yes. Let’s do it.

Right now, here, let’s face the calamity.

“It’s truly a pleasure to meet you, Divine Mage.”

Pan-Dalus and I shook hands. Though we had only met yesterday, I felt a firm trust like we had spent a lifetime together.

“Lytol! Come here!”

As soon as our handshake ended, Pan-Dalus called out.

The door opened silently, and Lytol entered.

“Yes, Master.”

Pan-Dalus gave stern orders to Lytol, who bowed his head respectfully.

“From now on, you will assist the Divine Mage. Consider every word the Divine Mage speaks as if it were coming from your master, and serve accordingly. Your presence will ensure the Divine Mage has proper authority. You must not neglect your duty in the slightest!”

This was also meant for me.

Young and low-leveled as I am, my words would struggle to carry authority. But if Lytol, Pan-Dalus’s direct disciple and a 4th Circle mage, were to revere me like a master, my words would inevitably gain powerful authority.

For Pan-Dalus, this was fulfilling his promise to support me fully and indirectly asking me not to reject his proposal.

But he was unskilled at understanding his disciple’s heart.

Grrr.

A thin grinding sound came from Lytol, who was bowing his head respectfully.

“Hmm?”

Pan-Dalus’s white eyebrows twitched.

Lytol raised his head. His eyes blazed with anger.

“Master… I cannot accept those words.”

Pan-Dalus’s face hardened.

“What did you saaay!”

His roar burst forth. Lytol flinched reflexively but didn’t back down and continued to oppose until the end.

“Yes! If I’ve done something wrong, then please discipline me directly. Telling a 4th Circle mage to revere a 3rd Circle mage? Why are you inflicting such humiliation on me?”

A troubled expression crossed Pan-Dalus’s face.

“Humiliation? You fool! A mage’s level isn’t what matters. There is much to learn from the Divine Mage, so bowing your head is absolutely not humiliating!”

“You need to make sense! This kid is 3rd Circle! He hasn’t even received proper education! But I am 4th Circle! I’ve completed all of the Academy’s elite mage courses! There’s no way I could learn anything from such a kid!”

The two were in a tense standoff. Pan-Dalus sighed.

[Sigh… I didn’t expect erasing his memories would lead to this result. I apologize.]

Along with the sigh, a small voice tickled my ear. It seemed to be a type of message spell that only I could hear. I checked the mana pattern used in the message spell and immediately imitated it.

[No problem. That kind of reaction is only natural.]

Pan-Dalus’s eyes widened.

[What? Have you learned message spells before?]

[I just imitated what I saw.]

[Well… this… indeed, the title of divine mage didn’t come from nothing.]

Pan-Dalus momentarily forgot even about Lytol and became immersed in our message conversation. That seemed to greatly irritate Lytol.

“Hey! Brat!”

Lytol pointed at me.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but I’ll make sure you know your place. You want to stand above me? Then try to defeat me!”

Woong!

His Circle moved grandly, spewing mana. Mana congealed over his hand, forming a bouncing ball shape.

Wordless magic created only by the movement of his Circle without verbal incantation. It was a technique I’d never seen before.

Threatening as if he would activate the spell at any moment, Lytol curled the corner of his lip.

“What? Scared?”

Zzzt.

Wow… how frightening.

The moment Lytol said “Scared?”, all the magical power filling the room turned to look at me.

<Surely he’s not actually scared?>

<If he’s scared of something like that, it would be disappointing.>

<Let’s wait and see. Why are you all so impatient?>

Cutting through the clamor of magical powers talking as they pleased, Pan-Dalus’s urgent message arrived.

[Oh no! Please show mercy. Of course, I know you could defeat my unworthy disciple with that silver arrow you showed that day. But I think it’s better not to reveal that magic for now. Please spare my pitiful disciple just this once. If you refuse the duel, I will discipline him severely.]

I had originally planned to engage in the duel lightly… but Pan-Dalus’s message held me back.

Don’t use Saíl? I was confident I could win if I used it… but without it… could I still win?

Should I avoid the duel as Pan-Dalus suggested? No, that’s ridiculous. If it comes to that, I’d rather just kill him with Saíl.

I paused to think.

I also ran [Simulation]. Since I needed to save magical power in case of a fight, I only ran it about five times, briefly. And I reached a conclusion.

Looking straight at Lytol, I asked:

“If you lose… you’ll shut up and become my subordinate?”

Sparks flew from Lytol’s eyes.

“Yes. And if you lose, you leave here immediately.”

“Deal.”

Well, this works out perfectly.

Lytol.

An ideal test subject to gauge my current position.