Chapter 53
Time remaining until the first class── 2 days.
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A day had passed since I holed up inside the building to avoid the Saintess. Fortunately, there were no major movements such as the Paladins breaching the door or announcements of bounties for capturing an Illusion Wizard.
I just have to hold out for a few more days. Just a few days.
In case the Saintess decided to drop by, I smeared all sorts of Illusion Magic all over the building we were staying in. With this barrier, as long as Yuna didn’t show up and blast me with her Yuna Death Beam, we could surely buy some time.
So, I thought there wouldn’t be any issues now.
But then, a serious problem arose from an unexpected place. I’m talking about Pink-Haired Lesbian, whom I thought would be fine even if the sky were to fall.
“Thirty-one, thirty-two…”
“……..”
Two slimes were busy jumping and landing repeatedly. Honestly, that wasn’t the real issue. Whether slimes jumped or performed somersaults, as long as it was at the right time and place, it wouldn’t cause any trouble.
However, my chest was definitely the not-so-right place.
This crazy Pink-Haired Lesbian was now brazenly rubbing her chest against mine. It’s a crude statement, but what could I possibly do when she was being this blatant?
I could hear the sound of our tightly-knit friendship beginning to crack. How could such a thing called friendship be so fragile?
I thought it might be a misunderstanding, but nope, it wasn’t. If I believed this was just a misunderstanding after everything that was happening, I’d be the real idiot here. Something had clearly gone haywire in Pink-Haired Lesbian’s head.
Looking back, signs had been there ever since we buried the Demonic Sword. No matter how cool we acted while discussing panties, didn’t she say things that stoked that particular curiosity to the max?
I advised her seriously.
“You’re experiencing a brain short-circuit.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t you find this weird? In terms of your own common sense… is it really okay to rub your chest against a man’s chest?”
Pink-Haired Lesbian tilted her head with her usual blank face. She genuinely looked puzzled. Then, she responded.
“Let me reiterate: you are overthinking this, Crazy Wizard. I am merely doing push-ups.”
“And why the hell are you doing that ON ME?!”
“There’s no particular reason why it shouldn’t be on top of someone, is there?”
“Make some sense!”
The most frustrating part was that Pink-Haired Lesbian wouldn’t even entertain the notion that she might be under some kind of mental debuff. The world is vast, and the types of magic are countless. What kind of baseless confidence was this?
After always tormenting Tower Master Yuna with my nonsense, I now understood her feelings since I was in a similar predicament. I was way too harsh. I realized I needed to repent, and when I returned to the Purple Magic Tower, I’d make sure to give her a big hug.
I grabbed Pink-Haired Lesbian by the cheeks and stared with all the intensity I could muster. Even if it led to a confrontation, I couldn’t just stand by and let this happen.
“Think seriously about this.”
“I’ve put quite some effort into my mental barrier, you crazy wizard.”
“I’m telling you, you’re under some kind of spell, okay? Something that makes you see men as women, or maybe something that boosts your sexual desire…”
“Ha, it is definitely NOT sexual desire, not at all!”
“Then get your chest off me first before saying that!”
“Please refrain from staring so blatantly. I understand your male instincts, but shouldn’t we maintain some form of decency?”
“……..!!”
I felt the back of my neck stiffen with irritation. Calm down. Getting angry would only hurt me. She’s just a poor patient under the influence of magic. I should care for her and protect her. I couldn’t just leave her to suffer under such malicious hexes.
But seriously…
If that Sexual Desire Suppression Magic hadn’t been in place, something would have gone down at least a dozen times by now! I should commend my patience instead of dealing with such reckless behavior. This was insulting; maybe I should claim some sort of compensation, right…?
No!
I squirmed in mental agony.
“Please, Pink-Haired Lesbian… I’m seriously struggling here. This is my lifelong wish. Just one Mental Cleanse with mana, please. Just one.”
“……..What’s with the seriousness?”
She seemed to finally get the gravity of the situation when I resorted to the Grand Bow, the supreme form of pleading in human history. Pink-Haired Lesbian, still a bit skeptical, gathered mana at her fingertips.
It was like washing off sticky thighs after spilling cola with water. A technique to cleanse the mind using mana, but it had the side effect of scratching the mental barrier I had set up.
That was why Pink-Haired Lesbian hesitated. A fraction of her carefully built mental barrier would be blown away, so it wasn’t something to treat lightly.
With a deep sigh, Pink-Haired Lesbian flicked her forehead with her mana-imbued fingers.
“I’ll grant your wish. See, there’s no way I could be under hypnosis—AH FOR THE LOVE OF!”
“……..YOU’RE BACK!”
I cheered, overwhelmed with emotion. My buddy from another mother! The other half of my nutsack! My dear friend, who had turned into a female pervert, had finally returned as a man! The time away had felt so lonely and isolating.
When I mentioned I wanted to buy a peach to eat, she crossed her arms and shot back, “Aren’t there two ripe ones right here?”
And when boredom struck late at night and I asked her what stockings would suit the Red Tower Wizard, she quipped, “Would you select some for me too?”
Didn’t every little action of hers exude a distinct feminine charm?
But now, the Pink-Haired Lesbian, who had never once raised her voice, was cursing with the vigor of a true Top G. It was a spirit rising straight from her core. It felt great. I asked her for confirmation, just to be sure.
“So what do you think about your indecent behavior all this time…?”
“You must have enjoyed it quite a bit. No need for thanks.”
Her complexion didn’t change one bit, and her hand waved me off as if to say, “Always be thankful,” confirming she was the Pink-Haired Lesbian I remembered.
“…You really are back!!”
I hugged Pink-Haired Lesbian and shouted, “Hooray!” I had finally regained my friend.
===============================================================
We jumped into an Emergency Strategy Meeting. The whispers around the Academy hinted that something shady and peculiar was afoot.
This wasn’t a birdshot aimed specifically at Pink-Haired Lesbian. After capturing and experimenting on the Red Tower Wizard and a few random passersby, we identified a common increase in anxiety or fear—even if it was minuscule.
If we put it in numbers, it’s about 1%.
While others experienced amplified anxiety, it remained a mystery why Pink-Haired Lesbian alone had increased sexual desire.
Regardless, even I, the genius (potential) Archwizard, couldn’t penetrate Pink-Haired Lesbian’s mental barrier easily. If she was affected, the entire Academy must be under this influence. The output was weak, but the magic was intricately crafted.
In a rare act of seriousness, Pink-Haired frowned and muttered.
“It seems to be quite a cunning trick. I can’t detect it at all.”
“It seems impossible to catch with conventional methods.”
Its weak effect actually made tracking it trickier. A spell that doubles emotions could be easily detected and traced, but a spell merely increasing them by 1%—it’s like chasing a gentle breeze.
“…Isn’t there any way?”
Crack. Crunch.
A violent noise erupted from Pink-Haired Lesbian’s clenched fist.
I made a face of understanding. If I were manipulated and forced to flirt with a male friend due to someone’s scheme, I’d want to fold them in half, no matter who they were.
Before that rage could turn toward me, I racked my brain.
“There’s always a way. After all, I’m a genius wizard… Status Window!”
Ding.
A translucent square hologram floated before my eyes.
Of course, this wasn’t the kind of Status Window I had been granted as a reincarnation privilege. No, this was crafted entirely with Illusion Magic. As such, it didn’t have features like boosting stats or letting you understand everything about someone by merely glancing at them.
However, it could convey emotions in very detailed numerical values.
Status Window
Curiosity: 50.3
I slightly opened my mental barrier.
Status Window
Curiosity: 50.8 (+0.5)
I took note of the amplified value next to my original emotional state and displayed it.
“Magic typically radiates outwards, and the closer you are to the center, the stronger the effects tend to be. So if we track the direction where the numbers increase, we should be able to identify the source.”
“I’m curious, but what’s a Curiosity value of 50, exactly?”
“When averaged over at the Purple Magic Tower, it tends to hover around 20? The Tower Master and I were pretty similar, with around 45.”
“If the average at the Purple Magic Tower is 20, the general value would be about 5.”
“That’s slander!”
How did she view the Purple Tower? Isn’t it plausible for someone to, say, wish to swap bodies with their younger brother? Just a healthy dose of curiosity, I’d say.
We were prepared to track the source of the unidentified emotion amplification that shrouded the Academy.
There was a problem, though; our current situation was quite delicate, which meant we couldn’t really wander around freely. But I had a backup plan for that as well: Disguise. A male wizard hanging around with a woman dressed in formal attire would definitely raise eyebrows.
“Overlay: Genderbender.”
I draped the hologram over myself. When I checked the mirror to see if the magic had taken effect, it was spot on. A long-haired beauty with black hair and purple eyes smiled back at me smugly. I even remembered to change my voice.
“Ah ah. Mic Test Complete. Should I cast it on you t… Don’t look at me like that.”
“What?”
“I said don’t look at me like that.”
For a moment, I could’ve sworn a wild lion had appeared right before my eyes.
===============================================================
As I fended off Pink-Haired Lesbian’s third attempt at lifting my skirt, I reached a rather suspicious building. Given the immense size of the Academy, there were indeed places rarely graced by human presence.
I’m talking about places that naturally faded from memory due to incidents or crumbling buildings. And I picked up a signal from one such abandoned spot.
“There doesn’t seem to be anything particularly suspicious.”
“Uh-uh, I can read it like a book. Lift the carpet first.”
As Pink-Haired Lesbian lifted the dust-covered carpet, a door leading underground was revealed. Naturally, as well hidden as it was, the basement door was fortified with magic, and what do you know? It just had to be Illusion Magic.
“Yap.”
I lightly kicked the door and smashed it to pieces.
“Was that yap meant to seduce me?”
“Agh damn, seriously…”
I shivered while dropping the TS hologram. Despite this, Pink-Haired Lesbian’s eyes still looked like a wild lion ready to pounce. Was she becoming more influenced as we drew closer to the source?
It felt like if I didn’t take care of this quickly, something drastic might happen. So, I threw open the door and rushed down into the basement.
The passage was pretty deep. Only after climbing down the ladder for what felt like ages, and my limbs beginning to tingle from the looming cramps, did my feet finally touch the ground. I tapped the walls of the passage. Solid.
It must have taken quite a bit of time to produce such a steady facility.
Pink-Haired Lesbian clenched her fist and took the lead. “Stay behind me.”
“Your walking’s weird. Try walking properly.”
“If it bothers you, then don’t look.”
“How can I not look with you walking that way? Fine, I’ll close my eyes.”
When I glanced back, Pink-Haired Lesbian’s eyes were entirely off the rails. I nearly jumped out of my skin.
The more magic’s influence took over, the clearer it became that her sexual desire surged along with her frustration. Walking with her hips swaying seductively while also letting out sighs of pure annoyance, it appeared she couldn’t even control herself.
Was Pink-Haired Lesbian under some kind of curse?
After walking in silence for several minutes, we stumbled upon a large, dome-shaped empty space, with a densely drawn magic circle displayed on the ground. I marveled at its scale and intricacy.
“This is… impressive. It’s not a standalone magic circle. Could it possibly be a satellite magic circle or something?”
“It seems to be an intricately designed magic circle, crafted to prevent deciphering without finding the central one. In other words, it’s like a blind person touching an elephant’s leg and mistaking it for a wall or a tree.”
Upon further observation, I began to discern the magic circle’s function. This space’s magic circle served as both the core axis and command center.
One thought struck me.
As I wandered the Academy, I’d often seen objects that contained a smidge of mana but lacked any magical significance. Things like scribbles on the walls or decorative magic circle patterns adorning shop signs.
Having secretly fragmented and hidden a magic circle all over the entire Academy, its effects now sprung to life through this central magic circle. And those effects were…
“…it amplifies the target’s strongest emotion by 1%.”
It stirred suspicion in those who were already suspicious, amplified love for the lovers, and increased jealousy in those filled with envy. All very discreetly and subtly.
Since it operates on a percentage rather than a fixed value, the effect of the magic circle would be higher the stronger the emotion the target held.
“…??”
I turned to look at Pink-Haired Lesbian. While everyone else was experiencing only amplified anxiety or discomfort, and she was rubbing her chest against mine with just a 1% boost, what does that say about her?
“…What?”
“Ah, nothing…”
Though Pink-Haired Lesbian maintained her usual poker face, the tips of her ears flushed red. Looks like she could feel embarrassment too, huh?
She hummed thoughtfully before letting out a sigh.
“It’s because I’m a Dream Demon. Dream Demons are born with a strong sexual drive, after all.”
“Succubus?”
“Yes.”
“You’re referring to the type that seduces men and sucks the vitality out of them?—Hey, Pink-Haired Lesbian, watch out behind you!”
Rumbleeeee-!
A gigantic shadow, roughly three meters tall, loomed ominously behind Pink-Haired Lesbian. There’s no way such a well-built facility wouldn’t have some defense system in place. Major miscalculation. I tried to tackle it with magic, but—
AHHHHHHH!
I screamed in sheer terror. Why? Because it was a golem. The sworn enemy of Illusion Wizards.
Even as the golem started to rise behind her, and its massive arm lifted to strike, Pink-Haired Lesbian calmly continued speaking.
“Being born with it is one thing, but I didn’t want to succumb to that lifestyle… Sharing love with many through deceit and frequently changing partners was never how I wished to live.”
“I get it, so just run—”
“That is why I chose to live life on my own terms. So rest easy, Crazy Wizard. I won’t be crawling into your bed at night to leech off your vitality.”
“I said to dodge!”
Was there even time to grab Pink-Haired Lesbian and avoid the golem’s attack? No, action before calculation! Just as I infused my entire body with mana and prepared to move…
Skrrrri-iiii-!
The sound of chains being dragged echoed.
“Metamorphosis – True Desire Restraint.”
Dozens of chains sprang forth from thin air, swirling around in a large circle as they tightened.
Skrrr-! Clang!
The golem’s arm was bound. Pink-Haired Lesbian’s arm too. The golem’s leg was entwined. Pink-Haired Lesbian’s leg as well. The iron chains shackled Pink-Haired Lesbian while also restraining the golem simultaneously.
As she lay there, tightly wrapped in chains, Pink-Haired Lesbian spoke softly.
“I prefer pure love, you see.”
Creeeak… As the chains dug in fiercely and the cold metallic scraping sound resonated, the golem shattered into countless fragments, crumbling away like mere rubble.
“…”
That was so unbelievably cool.
At least, it would have been if she hadn’t toppled over and flailed about while still bound. Cautiously, I approached her, looking down, and asked,
“Why did the chains that destroyed the golem disappear, but the ones binding you still remain…?”
“It’s due to the type of Metamorphosis I have. Originally, it’s meant solely for self-restraint. I just got a bit creative and applied it in combat.”
Looking at Pink-Haired Lesbian, still entangled in her Metamorphosis, I inquired, “So when do they wear off?”
“The duration of the restraint varies depending on the power used, but for this time, it should last about an hour.”
“…You’ve got this sparkle in your eyes that’s getting on my nerves.”
“It’s because while Metamorphosis is active, I’m freed from all passions and worldly attachments.”
Pink-Haired Lesbian smiled gently. It was a warm glow that seemed to light up the surroundings—like she was radiating the essence of someone who had reached enlightenment. During this state, she became a sage.
“So does that mean you’re not a lesbian or anything…?”
“Both options are fine, really. It doesn’t matter much to me. But interactions with the opposite sex tend to increase my earthly desires. That’s why I try to avoid them as much as possible.”
“…”
Her straightforward responses, free from hesitation, suggested she was liberated from any emotions, thus lacking any embarrassment or shyness. It was as if she would answer anything honestly during this state.
It seemed that now Pink-Haired Lesbian would answer all my questions.
After some contemplation, I cautiously asked, “We’re friends, right?”
“Yes.”
Content with her answer, I chose not to probe further.
===============================================================
I decided to commandeer the magic circle amplifying emotions throughout the entire Academy. Toying with people’s feelings is a bad thing, right? I had no clue whether this was an Academy creation, a devious Black Wizard’s scheme, or the handiwork of a few prankster students.
But now, it was all mine. An hour slipped by as I diligently modified and tinkered with the magic circle.
“What do you plan to do with it?”
“Auxiliary Output.”
Casting Illusion Magic on all Academy students had previously seemed like an uphill battle; that’s no longer the case. With this revamped magic circle, displaying a stunning performance for everyone in attendance at my class would be easy-peasy.
The first class is fast approaching. It’s time for the grand unveiling of Illusion Magic!
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