Wizard of the Deep Sea Chapter 39

TL/ED – Miso

“No, Dersia nim? Dersia nim! No, uh…?”

The knight’s pitiful knocking sound soon disappeared.

It seemed that Dersia had used some kind of magic to reduce the sound.

“Is it really okay to do that?”

“There’s no reason it shouldn’t be.”

There was not a trace of hesitation on Dersia’s face as she spoke firmly.

Truly, she looked as though she had no interest whatsoever in what happened to the Magic Tower.

The Magic Tower is not simply a research space, it is a wizard’s sanctuary. The Workshop, research, data analysis, all of it cannot be done without the Magic Tower. At least, that’s how I understand it.

“I don’t need it. Even if I gathered all the knowledge from the Magic Tower, it wouldn’t differ much from what I already know. And also…”

Dersia spoke, narrowing her brows slightly, seemingly displeased.

“The Magic Tower has become corrupted. It now focuses only on copying and improving upon existing magic.”

“Is that really a problem?”

“Yes. They’re obsessed with making already perfect magic even more perfect. Maybe it’s a task someone needs to do. But it’s not something the Magic Tower should be entirely devoted to. If one walks the path of natural magic, then they should observe not only the flowers that bloom from the seed, but also the trees, the weeds, and the grains. Yet they are pouring all their energy into refining magic to produce only the most beautiful flowers. And the goal behind it all is simply to curry favor with the nobles…”

She began to unload a series of unasked-for facts.

I’d thought it before, but Dersia really becomes talkative when it comes to magic.

After rambling for a while, Dersia concluded with a look of disdain.

“In short, there’s little difference between the Magic Tower of a hundred years ago and the one now. At best, it has only achieved meaningless improvements that are visually more beautiful.”

“Did you fight with the Magic Tower?”

“It’s simply that I have no desire to be involved with them.”

So, there was a fight.

Thinking Dersia would handle things her own way, I said nothing more.

However, the Magic Tower was persistent.

The next day.

“De-Dersia nim! A message came from the Magic Tower saying that if you respond to this summons, they will forgive the matter of you burning all the materials!”

“…Why did you do that?”

“I only burned the materials I created myself. It’s nothing to be condemned for.”

The day after that.

“Dersia nim! A message came saying they will overlook the incident where you insulted the Tower Lord’s research materials to his face!”

“Seriously, why did you do that?”

“My research was plagiarized. I don’t mind things like that, but the magic created from it was one of those improved spells I mentioned yesterday, so I just wanted to prevent it from happening again.”

“…”

Dersia nonchalantly sipped her coffee, seemingly unfazed.

She must have been quite the handful in her youth. Now I understood why other wizards feared or avoided her.

“Still, their continued visits are annoying. It’s not easy to focus on teaching either.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just not good enough yet.”

Over those three days, I had been diligently learning the Form: magic.

But unlike the Remove: magic, it was difficult. No, it was entirely new. I hadn’t even grasped the proper sensation of it yet.

From what I understood, Form: is about engraving phenomena into the body.

The simplest one, muscle rupture, which Dersia applied during training, kept activating in bizarre ways. Instead of causing rupture, it made the muscles relax or feel like they were being massaged.

Dersia encouraged me as if it were nothing major.

“It’s a matter of time. Since you’ve experienced it physically already, once you find the clue, it will all unravel. Rather…”

Looking slightly surprised, Dersia stared intently at my hand and spoke with affirmation.

“Your failures aren’t just failures. They’re closer to progress.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means you’re not simply copying what I taught you, but trying to create your own magic.”

“Huh? I’ve been doing exactly what you told me.”

“Same understanding, different solution, I suppose. To me, all your attempts appear creative no, even bold. For example, you tried reversing what I taught you to see if you could use Form: in a beneficial way.”

Dersia smiled with great satisfaction.

“I think it’s your greatest strength. You might take longer to learn magic than other wizards. Your output may also be lacking. But when it comes to understanding and utilizing magic… you’re exceptional.”

“So when you said that having a talent for magic and being a talented wizard were different things, this is what you meant.”

“Not exactly the same, but yes. That would be a fair way to put it.”

If she said so, then that must be it.

As I was practicing the Form: under her satisfied gaze, the door was once again banged on loudly.

“Dersia nim! They said they won’t hold you accountable for anything that’s happened so far, please! Even the incident where you assaulted a member of the Magic Tower…!”

“What was the reason for that one?”

I asked out of pure curiosity, and Dersia shrugged her shoulders as she answered.

“I just felt like beating him.”

Truly, a model master she was.

The next day.

The knight, exhausted from acting as a messenger between both sides, delivered a message with a weary voice, not one of forgiveness this time.

“Dersia nim! Along with everything else previously mentioned, they said they’ll grant you one wish, anything you want…”

I expected her to ignore it, but instead, Dersia sighed and rose from her seat.

It was so surprising that my eyes widened.

“You’re going?”

“Yes. No matter what, getting expelled from the Magic Tower would cause more than a few inconveniences.”

“I’m more surprised that you haven’t been expelled already.”

How did she not get kicked out after pulling all that?

Dersia gave a short laugh as she replied.

“A Magic Tower with a 9-Star wizard. They value that pathetic title more than anyone else in the world.”

“Ah.”

So it was a relationship where they just borrowed her name since she didn’t come in or out.

“And, I’ve been waiting for that.”

“Looks like there was something you wanted from the Magic Tower after all.”

“Haven’t I told you? There’s nothing to gain from those regressive pieces of trash.”

“Then why go?”

“Jern. There’s something you can gain from the Magic Tower.”

“…Yes?”

“The Black Magic Tower has a high enough reputation that, if you’re affiliated with it, you won’t be ignored by other wizards when introducing yourself. Of course, that’s secondary. There’s something there that can only be obtained from that place, and I think this is a good opportunity to secure it.”

With a clunk, she pushed the door open and, rather than the worn-out knight.

There was a marketplace in some desert town, with people walking to and fro.

It was clearly a faraway, different region. Yet despite a new space having suddenly opened up into a back alley, the people only gave it a curious glance and didn’t react much beyond that.

As I walked behind the unhesitating Dersia, I began to understand the indifference of the people.

I noticed that my Current sense didn’t reach some of the robed passersby, and I frowned.

“There are a lot of high-level wizards around, even though this isn’t the Academy.”

“I don’t understand it well myself, but the meaningless phrase ‘the original Magic Tower’ seems to attract wizards. They’re all pretentious fools, so there’s no need to be afraid.”

It wasn’t me who was afraid, it was the surrounding wizards who were shrinking away.

“…? De-Dersia?”

“Why is that Elf here…? Oh, is it because of that incident?”

“Tsk, disciple. Let’s take about a month-long vacation.”

So this is what it must’ve looked like when the Red Sea parted. From their every movement, it was clear how much they didn’t want to get involved.

Of course, I wasn’t particularly surprised. From all the stories of Dersia’s eccentricities no, misdeeds, this actually seemed like a lighter reaction.

The Black Magic Tower, unlike those at the Academy, did not resemble a tower in shape at all.

Quite the opposite. It was just an old wooden building. Five stories tall.

This is supposed to be a Magic Tower?

“I made a mistake choosing a place that doesn’t cling to form. I didn’t expect the result to be something so resistant to change…”

Dersia shook her head and sighed, then opened the front door and stepped inside.

When I tried to follow her in, the door suddenly slammed shut with a bang!

Before I could even question what was happening, Dersia gave an order.

“Wait here for a moment.”

“Yes.”

I stepped aside so I wouldn’t block the foot traffic and waited.

In the meantime, I saw several wizards come and go repeatedly, like it was some kind of public office.

They were all hurriedly carrying stacks of documents. There were several conversations too, and as I eavesdropped, I realized the contents weren’t trivial.

“You still haven’t completed the analysis?”

“No. I’ve checked multiple times, and all the defense spells were operating normally. If it had been damaged, that would be one thing…”

“Damn it, just what the hell did they do…?!”

I used to think that wizards were always relaxed and leisurely, but I guess that doesn’t apply in situations like this.

After a few minutes of waiting, Dersia returned and handed me a cloak.

“It’s called the Cloak of Recognition. It functions as a kind of pass. With it on, you should be able to enter.”

“Ah, yes.”

Once I put on the cloak, I was able to follow behind Dersia and enter.

As soon as I stepped inside, I narrowed my eyes.

The size, was completely different from what I had seen from outside.

“Was the space expanded with magic?”

“It was stretched.”

If that was true, then it had been stretched immensely.

What had appeared to be about five floors from the outside turned out to be closer to twenty as we walked up the stairs. When we reached the top floor, every bit of decoration, including the wallpaper, was either gray or black.

Dersia glanced around and let out a bitter laugh.

“Never thought I’d have to come back to such a gloomy place. I’d like to finish quickly and leave.”

I barely held back the words that it suited her well.

At the top floor, there was only one door. Without even knocking, Dersia pushed it open.

“…What-.”

The people inside looked like they had already encountered Dersia before, their expressions filled with disbelief.

The youngest of them appeared to be in their 80s, old men with age spots, yet they sat around a round table with surprising vigor despite their age.

Were they the Council of Elders of the Black Magic Tower?

In the generally dark room, as Dersia took a seat, an elder with a goat beard pressed his fingers against his brow.

“What on earth… You can’t just demand the Cloak of Recognition and leave. Aren’t you supposed to explain, at least…”

“My disciple couldn’t enter.”

“…Disciple?”

The elders’ gazes turned to me.

They looked me over with confused expressions, blinking slowly.

“You’ve taken on a disciple? You?”

“Yes. It seems you haven’t heard.”

“…Hoo, would you come here for a moment?”

I didn’t move.

As the elders exchanged bewildered glances, Dersia spoke up.

“It’s fine.”

“Yes.”

Only then did I walk up to the elders. They looked me over again, then turned to Dersia with disappointed faces.

“He’s not particularly impressive. There’s no way a great Archmage like you wouldn’t have noticed that.”

“Why on earth… hmm?”

Suddenly, the elders who were staring at me gasped in shock.

…As expected of the Magic Tower’s elders. Were they able to tell I was a wizard of the Abyss?

They covered their mouths with startled expressions and then started saying strange things.

“Would you go stand next to Dersia for a moment?”

“?”

I followed the instruction for now. Wondering what this was about, I looked at Dersia, but even she seemed puzzled.

The elders let out gasps like “Oh my…” and “I see…” and soon nodded to themselves.

“I didn’t think… ahem. That you had a son.”

“…What did you just say?”

“He really looks exactly like you. That atmosphere.”

“Indeed. Those eyes that seem disinterested in everything in this world, the way he doesn’t smile at all, that machine-like cold rationality…”

“So that’s why you took him as your disciple, even though he’s not particularly exceptional. Blood runs thick.”

It was a horrifying evaluation. Do I really look that much like a corpse?

Dersia denied it with an expression of disbelief.

“How could he possibly be my biological child? I took him in based on talent.”

“He’s not your son?”

“No way, when he resembles you that much.”

“…Then think whatever you want.”

Dersia glanced briefly at me, then continued.

“Before I get to the request, let’s talk conditions. I want to secure a position as an apprentice at the Black Magic Tower for my ‘disciple’.”

“…What?!”

The elders jumped up. Apparently, it was something shocking.

“No, absolutely not! The Black Magic Tower won’t accept anyone without sufficient verification, no matter how noble the lineage. Even if they’re a member of the Imperial Family! If we allow it, the foundation of what we maintain will be shaken!”

“Ah, I see.”

Dersia immediately stood up from her seat.

“Then it seems you don’t need my help all that badly after all. Next time, decide properly before you call for me.”

From a straightforward perspective, I still didn’t quite understand what benefits came with the position of apprentice at the Magic Tower.

However, if Dersia, who detested the Tower, was going out of her way to make me a member of it, then there had to be a reason.

I followed behind her, seeing no hesitation in her steps.

The ones who became flustered were the elders. After hurriedly whispering amongst themselves, they stopped her just before she opened the door.

“W-Wait just a moment.”

“Have you changed your mind?”

“No matter what, we cannot accept someone who hasn’t been verified. At the very least, there must be a test?”

“Hm. And this test would be?”

“Have the child demonstrate his ability. Then, after we’ve reviewed it and concluded everything, we will consider it favorably…”

“Jern.”

Dersia cut them off and gave me a command.

“Attack the elder who just spoke, with your full strength.”

“Yes.”

-Crack!!

I didn’t question it. I immediately stepped hard onto the floor and used the greatest water pressure I could muster to strangle the elder’s neck.

I trusted Dersia. Unless her goal was to turn me into a murderer, there was no guarantee that the Tower’s ancient monsters would die from my Abyss realm magic. It was essentially the same as saying they wouldn’t.

“Kugh…!”

Even while receiving the reduction effect of the cloak, the burden was so great it felt like my breath would stop.

However.

“…What is this?”

The elder, whose body should have been crushed easily, was completely unharmed.

It was hard even to tell that he was being attacked. No, more than calm, he was analyzing it.

“It’s not telekinesis… Do you all feel that?”

“Hm. Pressure, perhaps.”

“Quite impressive… No, is this even possible from someone at the 1-Star level?”

“Hoo… Remarkable.”

“…Keh, kehuk.”

I gave it my all until the very end.

But in the end, just as my vision turned yellow, I collapsed forward.

With a thud, Dersia caught me with her hand.

“Well done.”

“Haa… haa…”

As I caught my breath, the elders slowly nodded their heads.

“…Seems we underestimated him just because he’s young.”

“But, hmm, yes.”

It appeared they weren’t elders just because of age after all.

“As expected of your child. Odd, yes, but undeniably talented.”

“Very well. With this level of ability, we’ll acknowledge him.”

…Maybe not, but still.

As I staggered to my feet, the elders became serious and continued speaking.

“Then, for compensation, forgiving your past offenses and granting this child the status of apprentice, will that suffice?”

“That is acceptable.”

“Haa… Finally, we can get to business…”

The elder in the center sighed and handed over a certain magic tome.

“Isn’t that the Book of Celestial Growth? How nostalgic.”

“It’s a copy. The original was stolen.”

“…”

Dersia’s expression changed slightly.

“For now… we’ll conceal the information with this. But if they start using it, we’ll be discovered. It’s terrible.”

“That book isn’t something that could be stolen unless the Tower was completely destroyed. But from the outside, it looked fairly intact.”

“…That’s what makes it strange. The book disappeared during an attack on the Tower. Naturally, it was protected by all kinds of barriers, but, the intruder disabled every single security spell and calmly took it before leaving.”

“How is that possible?”

“Of course not! And that’s exactly the problem…”

The elders clenched their teeth with a deep sigh.

“At first, we concluded that one of us had betrayed the Tower.”

“I would’ve thought the same in your position.”

“That’s why we resorted to this method-”

The elders opened their robes.

Each and every one of them had a dagger embedded in their heart. It was a truly grotesque sight.

“Amazingly enough… there was nothing. We are innocent.”

“Hm.”

Dersia let out a short laugh and crossed her legs.

“Or perhaps all of you are accomplices.”

“Well, I suppose someone like you might think that way. But if that were the case, we wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of calling you here.”

“What is it that you want from me?”

“…Do whatever it takes.”

The elders pleaded in voices worn thin with exhaustion.

“Retrieve the Book of Celestial Growth before the other Towers find out about it. Unlike the reward given to your disciple, we’ll give you whatever you want.”

“I don’t need anything. Still, I can more or less guess who’s responsible.”

As if she had heard all she needed, Dersia stood from her seat.

“Take me to where the Book of Celestial Growth was kept.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll take care of your disciple.”

“Jern, choose carefully.”

With that incomprehensible remark, Dersia left the room.

The remaining elder clasped his hands behind his back and approached me. Clearing his throat, he asked,

“So, do you have anything you want? As a member of the Black Magic Tower, we’ll do our best to accommodate you.”

It was the elder whose neck I had just tried to strangle.

Feeling a bit awkward, I asked,

“I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to choose.”

“Didn’t your Master tell you?”

“She said she’d explain later… but she hasn’t yet.”

“Hoo… What a troublesome Master. Eh, tsk.”

The elder, muttering behind Dersia’s back, shrugged and replied,

“Every wizard needs a Workshop. I’ll build one for you.”

“What’s that?”

As I tilted my head, the elder nodded and explained.

“Wizards rarely stay cooped up in one place just to train. They travel around to gain new experiences. Especially as an apprentice, you’ll practically be moving once a week. You can’t carry everything with you each time, so you store your documents and research materials in your Workshop. Think of it as a portable subspace.”

“…?”

I tilted my head again.

Dersia must have decided I needed this and brought me here, but from what I’d heard, it didn’t seem all that useful.

The elder, wearing a disinterested expression, opened a door and led me somewhere as he added to his explanation.

“Most likely, Dersia considered your traits and judged that a Workshop was absolutely necessary.”

“My traits?”

“Hmm?”

The elder shrugged as if I’d asked something obvious.

“Weren’t you someone who fell into the Abyss?”